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Title: Commentary on the Whole Bible Volume VI (Acts to Revelation)
Creator(s): Henry, Matthew
Print Basis: 1706-1721
Rights: Public domain. May be copied and distributed freely.
CCEL Subjects: All; Bible; Classic; Proofed
LC Call no: BS490.H4
LC Subjects:
The Bible
Works about the Bible
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Matthew Henry's
Commentary on the Whole Bible
Unabridged
Volume VI
Acts to Revelation
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P R E F A C E.
Acts to Revelation
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After much expectation, and many enquiries, the last volume of the late
reverend Mr. Henry's Exposition now appears in the world. The common
disadvantages that attend posthumous productions will doubtless be
discerned in this; but we hope, though there are diversities of gifts,
there will be found to be the same spirit. Some of the relations and
hearers of that excellent person have been at the pains of transcribing
the notes they took in short-hand of this part of the holy scripture,
when expounded by him in his family or in the congregation; they have
furnished us with very good materials for the finishing of this great
work, and we doubt not but that the ministers who have been concerned
in it have made that use of those assistances which may entitle this
composure to the honour of Mr. Henry's name; and, if so, they can very
willingly conceal their own.
The New Testament may be very properly divided into two parts, the one
historical the other epistolary. It is the exposition of the latter we
now recommend, and shall offer some thoughts on the epistolary way of
writing in general, and then proceed to observe the divine authority of
these epistles, together with the style, matter, method, and design of
them, leaving what might be said concerning the several inspired penmen
to the prefaces appertaining to the particular epistles.
As to the epistolary way of writing, it may be sufficient to observe
that it has usually three properties:--It may in some things be more
difficult to be understood, but then it is very profitable, and very
pleasant; these will be found to be the properties of these sacred
letters. We shall meet with things not easy to be understood,
especially in some parts of them, where we cannot so well discover the
particular occasions on which they were written or the questions or
matters of fact to which they refer; but this is abundantly compensated
by the profit which will accrue to those that read them with due
attention. They will find the strongest reasoning, the most moving
expostulations, and warm and pressing exhortations, mixed with
seasonable cautions and reproofs, which are all admirably fitted to
impress the mind with suitable sentiments and affections. And how much
solid pleasure and delight must this afford to persons of a serious and
religious spirit, especially when they wisely and faithfully apply to
themselves what they find to suit their case! Thus they will appear to
be as truly written to them as if their names were superscribed on
them. It is natural for us to be very much pleased in perusing a wise
and kind letter, full of instruction and comfort, sent to us by an
absent friend: how then should we prize this part of holy scripture,
when we consider herein that our God and Saviour has written these
letters to us, in which we have the great things of his law and gospel,
the things that belong to our peace! By these means not only the holy
apostles, being dead, yet speak, but the Lord of the prophets and
apostles continues to speak and write to us; and while we read them
with proper affections, and follow them with suitable petitions and
thanksgivings, a blessed correspondence and intercourse will be kept up
between heaven and us, while we are yet sojourners in the earth.
But it is the divine inspiration and authority of these epistles we are
especially concerned to know; and it is of the last importance that in
this our minds be fully established. And we have strong and clear
evidence that these epistles were written by the apostles of our Lord
Jesus, and that they (like the prophets of the Old Testament) spoke and
wrote as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. These epistles have in all
ages of the church been received by Christians as a part of those holy
scriptures that are given by inspiration of God, and are profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in
righteousness, and are able to make us wise to salvation through faith
which is in Jesus Christ; they are part of that perpetual universal
rule of faith and life which contains doctrines and revelations we are
bound to believe with a divine faith, as coming from the God of truth,
and duties to be practised by us in obedience to the will of God,
acknowledging that the things written therein are the commandments of
God, 1 Cor. xiv. 37. And, for the same reasons that lead us to
acknowledge the other parts of the Bible to be the word of God, we must
own these to be so too. If there is good reason (as indeed there is) to
believe that the books of Moses were written by inspiration of God,
there is the same reason to believe that the writings of the prophets
were also from God, because the law and the prophets speak the same
things, and such things as none but the Holy Ghost could teach; and, if
we must with a divine faith believe the Old Testament to be a
revelation from God, we cannot with any good reason question the divine
authority of the New, when we consider how exactly the histories of the
one agree with the prophecies of the other, and how the dark types and
shadows of the law are illustrated and accomplished in the gospel. Nor
can any person who pretends to believe the divine authority of the
historical part of the New Testament, containing the Gospels and the
Acts, with good reason question the equal authority of the epistolary
part; for the subject-matter of all these epistles, as well as of the
sermons of the apostles, is the word of God (Rom. x. 17; 1 Thess. ii.
13; Col. i. 25), and the gospel of God (Rom. xv. 16; 2 Cor. xi. 7), and
the gospel of Christ, 2 Cor. ii. 12. We are built upon the foundation
of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief
corner-stone; and, as Moses wrote of Christ, so did all the prophets,
for the Spirit of Christ in them did testify of him. And the apostles
confirmed what Christ himself began to teach, God also bearing them
witness with signs, and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the
Holy Ghost, according to his will, Heb. ii. 3, 4. The manifestation of
God in the flesh, and the things he began both to do and teach until
the day in which he was taken up, together with his sufferings unto
death, and his resurrection (which things are declared to us, and are
firmly to be believed, and strictly regarded by us), do give us an
ample account of the way of life and salvation by Jesus Christ; but
still it was the will of our blessed Lord that his apostles should not
only publish his gospel to all the world, but also that, after his
resurrection, they should declare some things more plainly concerning
him than he thought fit to do while he was here on earth, for which end
he promised to send his Holy Spirit to teach them all things, to bring
all things to their remembrance which he had spoken unto them, John
xiv. 26. For he told them (John xvi. 12, 13), I have many things to say
unto you, but you cannot bear them now; but when he, the Spirit of
truth, is come, he shall lead you into all truth, and shall show you
things to come. Accordingly we find there was a wonderful effusion of
the Holy Spirit upon the apostles (who in these epistles are called the
servants, ambassadors, and ministers of Christ, and stewards of the
mysteries of God), under whose infallible guidance they preached the
gospel, and declared the whole counsel of God, and that with amazing
courage and success, Satan every where falling down before them like
lightning from heaven. That in preaching the gospel they were under the
influence of the infallible Spirit is undeniable, from the miraculous
gifts and powers they received for their work, particularly that gift
of tongues so necessary for the publication of the gospel throughout
the world to nations of different languages; nor must we omit that
mighty power that accompanied the word preached, bringing multitudes to
the obedience of faith, notwithstanding all opposition from earth and
hell, and the potent lusts in the hearts of those who were turned from
idols to serve the living God, and to wait for his Son from heaven,
whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, that delivered us from the
wrath to come. Now that they were under the same mighty influence in
writing these epistles as in preaching cannot be denied. Such
infallible assistance seems to be as needful at least to direct their
writing as their preaching, considering that these epistles were
written to keep in memory those things that had been delivered by word
of mouth (2 Pet. i. 15), and to rectify the mistakes that might arise
about some expressions that had been used in preaching (2 Thess. ii.
2), and were to remain as a standing rule and record to which believers
were to appeal, for defending the truth and discovering error, and a
proper means to transmit the truths of the gospel to posterity, even to
the end of time. Besides, the writers of these epistles have declared
that what they wrote was from God: now they must know whether they had
the special assistance of the divine Spirit or no, in their writing as
well as preaching; and they in all things appear to have been men of
such probity that they would not dare to say they had the Spirit of God
when they had it not, or if they so much as doubted whether they had it
or not; yea, they are careful, when they speak their own private
opinion, or only under some common influence, to tell the world that
not the Lord, but they, spoke those things, but that in the rest it was
not they but the Lord, 1 Cor. vii. 10, 12, &c. And the apostle Paul
makes the acknowledgment of this their inspiration to be a test to try
those that pretended to be prophets or spiritual: Let them (says he)
acknowledge that the things I write unto you are the commandments of
the Lord, 1 Cor. xiv. 37. And the apostle Peter gives this as the
reason of his writing, that those he wrote to might after his decease
have those things always in remembrance (2 Pet. i. 15), which
afterwards he calls the commandment of the apostles of the Lord (ch.
iii. 1, 2), and so of the Lord himself. And the apostles John declareth
(1 John iv. 6), We are of God; he that knoweth God heareth us; he that
is not of God heareth not us; by this we know the Spirit of truth, and
the spirit of error.
As to the style of these epistles, though it be necessary we should
believe a divine influence superintending the several writers of them,
yet it is not easy to explain the manner of it, nor to determine
whether and in what particulars the words they wrote were dictated to
them by the Holy Spirit, as mere amanuenses, or how far their own
memories, and reasoning faculties, and other natural or acquired
endowments, were employed under the inspection of the Spirit. We must
believe that these holy men spoke and wrote as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost, that he put them on and assisted them in this work. It is
very probable that sometimes he not only suggested the very thoughts in
their minds, but put words into their mouths, and always infallibly
guided them into all truth, both when they expounded the scriptures of
the Old Testament and when they gave rules for our faith and practice
in the gospel church state. And yet perhaps it may be allowed, without
any diminution to the authority of these epistles, that the penmen of
them made some use of their own reasoning powers and different
endowments in their manner of writing, as well as of their different
sorts of chirography; and that by this we are to account for that
difference of style which has been observed between the writings of
Paul, who was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, and those of Peter
and John, who were fishermen. The like difference may be discerned
between the style of the prophet Isaiah, who was educated in a court,
and that of Amos, who was one of the herdsmen of Tekoa. However, the
best way to understand these scriptures aright is not to criticise too
nicely upon the words and phrases, but to attend carefully to the drift
and design of these inspired writers in them.
The subject-matter of these epistles is entirely conformable to the
rest of the scriptures. In them we find frequent reference to some
passages of the Old Testament, and explanations of them: in the epistle
to the Hebrews we have the best exposition of the Levitical law. Indeed
the New Testament refers to, and in a manner builds upon, the Old,
showing the accomplishment of all the ancient promises and prophecies
concerning the Messiah, and explains all the antiquated types and
shadows of the good things that were then to come. But, besides these
references to the preceding part of holy writ, in some of these
epistles there are contained prophecies, either wholly new or at least
more largely and plainly revealed, as that in the Revelation concerning
the rise, reign, and fall of antichrist, of which great apostasy we
have some account in 2 Thess. ii. 3, 4, and in 1 Tim. iv. 1-3. And in
these epistles we have several of the great doctrines of the gospel
more fully discussed than elsewhere, particularly the doctrine of
original sin, of the sin that dwells in the regenerate, and of
justification by the righteousness of Christ, of the abolishing of the
Jewish rites and ceremonies, of the true nature and design of the seals
of the new covenant, the obligations they bring us under, and their
perpetual use in the Christian church.
The general method of these epistles is such as best serves the end or
design of them, which is indeed the end of the whole
scripture--practical godliness, out of a principle of divine love, a
good conscience, and faith unfeigned. Accordingly most of the epistles
begin with the great doctrines of the gospel, the articles of the
Christian faith, which, when received, work by love, purify the
conscience, and produce evangelical obedience; and, after these
principles have been laid down, practical conclusions are drawn and
urged from them. In taking this method there is a regard paid to the
nature and faculties of the soul of man (where the understanding is to
lead the way, the will, affections, and executive powers, to follow
after), and to the nature of religion in general, which is a reasonable
service. We are not to be determined by superstitious fancies, nor by
blind passions, but by a sound judgment and good understanding in the
mind and will of God. By this we are taught how necessary it is that
faith and practice, truth and holiness, be joined together, that the
performance of moral duties will never be acceptable to God, nor
available to our own salvation, without the belief of the truth, since
those who make shipwreck of the faith seldom maintain a good
conscience, and the most solemn profession of the faith will never save
those that hold the truth in unrighteousness.
The particular occasions upon which these epistles were written do not
so evidently appear in them all as in some. The first to the
Corinthians seems to have taken its rise from the unhappy divisions
that so early rose in the churches of Christ, through the emulation of
the ministers and personal affections of the people; but it does not
confine itself to that subject. That to the Galatians seems directed
chiefly against those judaizing teachers that went about to draw the
Gentile converts away from the simplicity of the gospel in doctrine and
worship. The epistle to the Hebrews is manifestly calculated to wean
the converted Jews from those Mosaical rites and ceremonies for which
they retained too great a fondness, and to reconcile them to the
abolition of that economy. Those epistles that are directed to
particular persons more evidently carry their design in them, which he
that runs may read. But this is certain, none of these epistles are of
private interpretation. Most of the psalms and of the prophecies of the
Old Testament were penned or pronounced on particular occasions, and
yet they are of standing and universal use, and very instructive even
to us upon whom the ends of the world have come. And so are those
epistles that seem to have been most limited in the rise and occasion
of them. There will always be need enough to warn Christians against
uncharitable divisions, against corrupting the faith and worship of the
gospel; and, whenever the case is the same, these epistles are as
certainly directed to such churches and persons as if they had been
inscribed to them.
These general observations, we suppose, may be sufficient to introduce
the reader into the book itself; let us now take a short view of the
whole work, of which this posthumous piece is the conclusion. It is now
about fourteen years since the first part of this exposition of the
Bible was made public. In five years' time the Old Testament was
finished in four volumes. The first volume of the New Testament was
longer in hand; for though the ever-memorable author was always fully
employed in the ordinary work of his ministry, yet those last years of
his life, in which he drew up the exposition upon the historical part
of the New Testament, were less at his own command than any other had
been. His removal to Hackney, his almost continual preaching from day
to day, his journeys to Chester, and the necessity of more frequent
visits to his friends in and about London, together with a gradual
sensible decay of health, will more than excuse the three years' time
that passed before that was finished. And under such difficulties none
but a man of his holy zeal, unwearied industry, and great sagacity,
could have gone through such a service in that space of time. He lived
not to see that volume published, though left by him ready for the
press. The church of God was suddenly deprived of one of the most
useful ministers of the age. We have been gathering up the fragments of
those feasts with which he used to entertain his family and friends, in
his delightful work of opening the scriptures. What remains is that we
recommend the whole of this work to the acceptance and blessing of our
God and Saviour, to whose honour and interest it was from the first
directed and devoted. We need not be very solicitous about the
acceptance it may meet with in the world: what has been before
published has been received and read with great pleasure and advantage
by the most serious experienced Christians in Great Britain and
Ireland; and the many loud calls there have been for the publishing of
this supplement, and reprinting the whole, leave us no room to doubt
but that it will meet with a hearty welcome. Though it must be
acknowledged that we live in an age which by feeding upon ashes and the
wind, has very much lost the relish of every thing that is spiritual
and evangelical, yet we persuade ourselves there will still be found
many who, by reason of use, have, their senses exercised to discern
both good and evil. Those that may think the expository notes too long,
especially for family worship, may easily relieve themselves, either by
reading a less part of the chapter at one time, or by abridging the
annotations, and perusing the rest when they have more leisure; for,
though it must be owned they are somewhat copious, yet we are persuaded
that those who peruse them seriously will find nothing in them
superfluous or impertinent; and, if any where some things in the
comment do not seem to flow so naturally and necessarily from the text,
we believe when they are well considered and compared it will appear
they come under the analogy and general reason of the subject, and
truly belong to it. If there be any that think this exposition of the
Bible is too plain and familiar, that it wants the beauties of oratory
and the strength of criticism, we only wish that they will read it over
again with due attention, and we are pretty confident they will find
the style natural, clear, and comprehensive; and we think they will
hardly be able to produce one valuable criticism out of the most
learned commentators but they will have it in this exposition, though
couched in plain terms, and not brought in as of a critical nature. No
man was more happy than Mr. Henry in that useful talent of making dark
things plain, while too many, that value themselves upon their
criticising faculty, affect rather to make plain things dark.
But we leave this great and good work to speak for itself, and doubt
not but it will grow in its use and esteem, and will, through the
blessing of God, help to revive and promote family religion and
scriptural knowledge, and support the credit of scripture commentaries,
though couched in human expressions. These have been always accounted
the great treasures of the church, and when done with judgment, have
been so far from lessening the authority of the Bible that they have
greatly promoted its honour and usefulness.
The following are the ministers by whom the Exposition on the
Epistolary writings, and the Revelation, was completed, as given by J.
B. Williams, Esq., LL.D.,F.S.A., in his Memoirs of the Life, Character,
and Writings, of the Rev. Matthew Henry, 8vo. p. 308.
Romans Mr. [afterwards Dr.] John Evans.
1 Corinthians Mr. Simon Browne.
2 Corinthians Mr. Daniel Mayo.
Galatians Mr. Joshua Bayes.
Ephesians Mr. Samuel Rosewell.
Philippians } Mr. [afterwards Dr.] William Harris.
Colossians
1 Thessalonians } Mr. Daniel Mayo.
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy } Mr. Benjamin Andrews Atkinson.
2 Timothy
Titus } Mr. Jeremiah Smith.
Philemon
Hebrews Mr. William Tong.
James Dr. S. Wright.
1 Peter Mr. Zec. Merrill.
2 Peter Mr. Joseph Hill.
1, 2, and 3 John Mr. John Reynolds, of Shrewsbury.
Jude Mr. John Billingsley.
Revelation Mr. William Tong.
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Acts
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE
A C T S O F T H E A P O S T L E S.
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We have with an abundant satisfaction seen the foundation of our holy
religion laid in the history of our blessed Saviour, its great author,
which was related and left upon record by four several inspired
writers, who all agree in this sacred truth, and the incontestable
proofs of it, that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Upon
this rock the Christian church is built. How it began to be built upon
this rock comes next to be related in this book which we have now
before us, and of this we have the testimony only of one witness; for
the matters of fact concerning Christ were much more necessary to be
fully related and attested than those concerning the apostles. Had
Infinite Wisdom seen fit, we might have had as many books of the Acts
of the Apostles as we have gospels, nay, as we might have had gospels:
but, for fear of over-burdening the world (John xxi. 25), we have
sufficient to answer the end, if we will but make use of it. The
history of this book (which was always received as a part of the sacred
canon) may be considered.
I. As looking back to the preceding gospels, giving light to them, and
greatly assisting our faith in them. The promises there made we here
find made good, particularly the great promises of the descent of the
Holy Ghost, and his wonderful operations, both on the apostles (whom
here in a few days we find quite other men than what the gospels left
them; no longer weak-headed and weak-hearted, but able to say that
which then they were not able to bear (John xvi. 12) as bold as lions
to face those hardships at the thought of which they then trembled as
lambs), and also with the apostles, making the word mighty to the
pulling down of Satan's strong holds, which had been before
comparatively preached in vain. The commission there granted to the
apostles we here find executed, and the powers there lodged in them we
here find exerted in miracles wrought on the bodies of people--miracles
of mercy, restoring sick bodies to health and dead bodies to
life--miracles of judgment, striking rebels blind or dead; and much
greater miracles wrought on the minds of people, in conferring
spiritual gifts upon them, both of understanding and utterance; and
this in pursuance of Christ's purposes, and in performance of his
promises, which we had in the gospels. The proofs of Christ's
resurrection with which the gospels closed are here abundantly
corroborated, not only by the constant and undaunted testimony of those
that conversed with him after he arose (who had all deserted him, and
one of them denied him, and would not otherwise have been rallied again
but by his resurrection, but must have been irretrievably dispersed,
and yet by that were enabled to own him more resolutely than ever, in
defiance of bonds and deaths), but by the working of the Spirit with
that testimony for the conversion of multitudes to the faith of Christ,
according to the word of Christ, that his resurrection, the sign of the
prophet Jonas, which was reserved to the last, should be the most
convincing proof of his divine mission. Christ had told his disciples
that they should be his witnesses, and this book brings them in
witnessing for him,--that they should be fishers of men, and here we
have them enclosing multitudes in the gospel-net,--that they should be
the lights of the world, and here we have the world enlightened by
them; but that day--spring from on high the first appearing of which we
there discerned we here find shining more and more. The corn of wheat,
which there fell to the ground, here springs up and bears much fruit;
the grain of mustard-seed there is here a great tree; and the kingdom
of heaven, which was then at hand, is here set up. Christ's predictions
of the virulent persecutions which the preachers of the gospel should
be afflicted with (though one could not have imagined that a doctrine
so well worthy of all acceptation should meet with so much opposition)
we here find abundantly fulfilled, and also the assurances he gave them
of extraordinary supports and comforts under their sufferings. Thus, as
the latter part of the history of the Old Testament verifies the
promises made to the fathers of the former part (as appears by that
famous and solemn acknowledgment of Solomon's, which runs like a
receipt in full, 1 Kings viii. 56, There has not failed one word of all
his good promises which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant),
so this latter part of the history of the New Testament exactly answers
to the world of Christ in the former part of it: and thus they mutually
confirm and illustrate each other.
II. As looking forward to the following epistles, which are an
explication of the gospels, which open the mysteries of Christ's death
and resurrection, the history of which we had in the gospels. This book
introduces them and is a key to them, as the history of David is to
David's psalms. We are members of the Christian church, that tabernacle
of God among men, and it is our honour and privilege that we are so.
Now this book gives us an account of the framing and rearing of that
tabernacle. The four gospels showed us how the foundation of that house
was laid; this shows us how the superstructure began to be raised, 1.
Among the Jews and Samaritans, which we have an account of in the
former part of this book. 2. Among the Gentiles, which we have an
account of in the latter part: from thence, and downward to our own
day, we find the Christian church subsisting in a visible profession of
faith in Christ, as the Son of God and Saviour of the world, made by
his baptized disciples, incorporated into religious societies, statedly
meeting in religious assemblies, attending on the apostles' doctrine,
and joining in prayers and the breaking of bread, under the guidance
and presidency of men that gave themselves to prayer and the ministry
of the word, and in a spiritual communion with all in every place that
do likewise. Such a body as this thee is now in the world, which we
belong to: and, to our great satisfaction and honour, in this book we
find the rise and origin of it, vastly different from the Jewish
church, and erected upon its ruins; but undeniably appearing to be of
God, and not of man. With what confidence and comfort may we proceed
in, and adhere to, our Christian profession, as far as we find it
agrees with this pattern in the mount, to which we ought religiously to
conform and confine ourselves!
Two things more are to be observed concerning this book:--(1.) The
penman of it. It was written by Luke, who wrote the third of the four
gospels, which bears his name; and who (as the learned Dr. Whitby
shows) was, very probably, one of the seventy disciples, whose
commission (Luke x. 1, &c.) was little inferior to that of the twelve
apostles. This Luke was very much a companion of Paul in his services
and sufferings. Only Luke is with me, 2 Tim. iv. 11. We may know by his
style in the latter part of this book when and where he was with him,
for then he writes, We did so and so, as ch. xvi. 10; xx. 6; and
thenceforward to the end of the book. He was with Paul in his dangerous
voyage to Rome, when he was carried thither a prisoner, was with him
when from his prison there he wrote his epistles to the Colossians and
Philemon, in both which he is named. And it should seem that St. Luke
wrote this history when he was with St. Paul at Rome, during his
imprisonment there, and was assistant to him; for the history concludes
with St. Paul's preaching there in his own hired house. (2.) The title
of it: The Acts of the Apostles; of the holy Apostles, so the Greek
copies generally read it, and so they are called, Rev. xviii. 20,
Rejoice over her you holy apostles. One copy inscribes it, The Acts of
the Apostles by Luke the Evangelist. [1.] It is the history of the
apostles; yet there is in it the history of Stephen, Barnabas, and some
other apostolical men, who, though not of the twelve, were endued with
the same Spirit, and employed in the same work; and, of those that were
apostles, it is the history of Peter and Paul only that is here
recorded (and Paul was now of the twelve), Peter the apostle of the
circumcision, and Paul the apostles of the Gentiles, Gal. ii. 7. But
this suffices as a specimen of what the rest did in other places,
pursuant to their commission, for there were none of them idle; and as
we are to think what is related in the gospels concerning Christ
sufficient, because Infinite Wisdom thought so, the same we are to
think here concerning what is related of the apostles and their
labours; for what more is told us from tradition of the labours and
sufferings of the apostles, and the churches they planted, is
altogether doubtful and uncertain, and what I think we cannot build
upon with any satisfaction at all. This is gold, silver, and precious
stones, built upon the foundation: that is wood, hay, and stubble. [2.]
It is called their acts, or doings; Gesta apostolorum; so some.
Praxeis--their practices of the lessons their Master had taught them.
The apostles where active men; and though the wonders they did were by
the word, yet they are fitly called their acts; they spoke, or rather
the Spirit by them spoke, and it was done. The history is filled with
their sermons and their sufferings; yet so much did they labour in
their preaching, and so voluntarily did they expose themselves to
sufferings, and such were their achievements by both, that they may
very well be called their acts.
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A C T S.
CHAP. I.
The inspired historian begins his narrative of the Acts of the
Apostles, I. With a reference to, and a brief recapitulation of, his
gospel, or history of the life of Christ, inscribing this, as he had
done that, to his friend Theophilus, ver. 1, 2. II. With a summary of
the proofs of Christ's resurrection, his conference with his disciples,
and the instructions he gave them during the forty days, of his
continuance on earth, ver. 3-5. III. With a particular narrative of
Christ's ascension into heaven, his disciples' discourse with him
before he ascended, and the angels' discourse with them after he
ascended, ver. 6-11. IV. With a general idea of the embryo of the
Christian church, and its state from Christ's ascension to the pouring
out of the Spirit, ver. 12-14. V. With a particular account of the
filling up of the vacancy that was made in the sacred college by the
death of Judas, by the electing of Matthias in his room, ver. 15-26.
Proofs of Christ's Resurrection; Christ's Address to His Apostles.
1 The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus, of all that Jesus
began both to do and teach, 2 Until the day in which he was taken up,
after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the
apostles whom he had chosen: 3 To whom also he showed himself alive
after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty
days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: 4
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they
should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the
Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. 5 For John truly
baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not
many days hence.
In these verses, I. Theophilus is put in mind, and we in him, of St.
Luke's gospel, which it will be of use for us to cast an eye upon
before we enter upon the study of this book, that we may not only see
how this begins where that breaks off, but that, as in water face
answers to face, so do the acts of the apostles to the acts of their
Master, the acts of his grace.
1. His patron, to whom he dedicates this book (I should rather say his
pupil, for he designs, in dedicating it to him, to instruct and direct
him, and not to crave his countenance or protection), is Theophilus, v.
1. In the epistle dedicatory before his gospel, he had called him most
excellent Theophilus; here he calls him no more than O Theophilus; not
that he had lost his excellency, nor that it was diminished and become
less illustrious; but perhaps he had now quitted his place, whatever it
was, for the sake of which that title was given him,--or he was now
grown into years, and despised such titles of respect more than he had
done,--or Luke was grown more intimate with him, and therefore could
address him with the more freedom. It was usual with the ancients, both
Christian and heathen writers, thus to inscribe their writings to some
particular persons. But the directing some of the books of the
scripture so is an intimation to each of us to receive them as if
directed to us in particular, to us by name; for whatsoever things were
written aforetime were written for our learning.
2. His gospel is here called the former treatise which he had made,
which he had an eye to in writing this, intending this for a
continuation and confirmation of that, ton proton logon--the former
word. What is written of the gospel is the word as truly as what was
spoken; nay, we now know no unwritten word that we are to give credit
to, but as it agrees with that which is written. He made the former
treatise, and now is divinely inspired to make this, for Christ's
scholars must go on towards perfection, Heb. vi. 1. And therefore their
guides must help them on, must still teach the people knowledge (Eccl.
xii. 9), and not think that their former labours, though ever so good,
will excuse them from further labours; but they should rather be
quickened and encouraged by them, as St. Luke here, who, because he had
laid the foundation in a former treatise, will build upon it in this.
Let not this therefore drive out that; let not new sermons and new
books make us forget old ones, but put us in mind of them, and help us
to improve them.
3. The contents of his gospel were that, all that, which Jesus began
both to do and teach; and the same is the subject of the writings of
the other three evangelists. Observe, (1.) Christ both did and taught.
The doctrine he taught was confirmed by the miraculous works he did,
which proved him a teacher come from God (John iii. 2); and the duties
he taught were copied out in the holy gracious works he did, for he
hath left us an example, and that such as proves him a teacher come
from God too, for by their fruits you shall know them. Those are the
best ministers that both do and teach, whose lives are a constant
sermon. (2.) He began both to do and teach; he laid the foundation of
all that was to be taught and done in the Christian church. His
apostles were to carry on and continue what he began, and to do and
teach the same things. Christ set them in, and then left them to go on,
but sent his Spirit to empower them both to do and teach. It is a
comfort to those who are endeavouring to carry on the work of the
gospel that Christ himself began it. The great salvation at the first
began to be spoken by the Lord, Heb. ii. 3. (3.) The four evangelists,
and Luke particularly, have handed down to us all that Jesus began both
to do and to teach; not all the particulars--the world could not have
contained them; but all the heads, samples of all, so many, and in such
variety, that by them we may judge of the rest. We have the beginnings
of his doctrine (Matt. iv. 17), and the beginnings of his miracles,
John ii. 11. Luke had spoken, had treated, of all Christ's sayings and
doings, had given us a general idea of them, though he had not recorded
each in particular.
4. The period of the evangelical story is fixed to the day in which he
was taken up, v. 2. Then it was that he left this world, and his bodily
presence was no more in it. St. Mark's gospel concludes with the Lord's
being received up into heaven (Mark xvi. 19), and so does St. Luke's,
Luke xxiv. 51. Christ continued doing and teaching to the last, till he
was taken up to the other work he had to do within the veil.
II. The truth of Christ's resurrection is maintained and evidenced, v.
3. That part of what was related in the former treatise was so material
that it was necessary to be upon all occasions repeated. The great
evidence of his resurrection was that he showed himself alive to his
apostles; being alive, he showed himself so, and he was seen of them.
They were honest men, and one may depend upon their testimony; but the
question is whether they were not imposed upon, as many a well-meaning
man is. No, they were not; for, 1. The proofs were infallible,
tekmeria--plain indications, both that he was alive (he walked and
talked with them, he ate and drank with them) and that it was he
himself, and not another; for he showed them again and again the marks
of the wounds in his hands, and feet, and side, which was the utmost
proof the thing was capable of or required. 2. They were many, and
often repeated: He was seen by them forty days, not constantly residing
with them, but frequently appearing to them, and bringing them by
degrees to be fully satisfied concerning it, so that all their sorrow
for his departure was done away by it. Christ's staying upon earth so
long after he had entered upon his state of exaltation and glory, to
confirm the faith of his disciples and comfort their hearts, was such
an instance of condescension and compassion to believers as may fully
assure us that we have a high priest that is touched with the feeling
of our infirmities.
III. A general hint given of the instructions he furnished his
disciples with, now that he was about to leave them, and they, since he
breathed on them and opened their understandings, were better able to
receive them. 1. He instructed them concerning the work they were to
do: He gave commandments to the apostles whom he had chosen. Note,
Christ's choice is always attended with his charge. Those whom he
elected into the apostleship expected he should give them preferments,
instead of which he gave them commandments. When he took his journey,
and gave authority to his servants, and to every one his work (Mark
xiii. 34), he gave them commandments through the Holy Ghost, which he
was himself filled with as Mediator, and which he had breathed into
them. In giving them the Holy Ghost, he gave them his commandments; for
the Comforter will be a commander; and his office was to bring to their
remembrance what Christ had said. He charged those that were apostles
by the Holy Ghost; so the words are placed. It was their receiving the
Holy Ghost that sealed their commission, John xx. 22. He was not taken
up till after he had given them their charge, and so finished his work.
2. He instructed them concerning the doctrine they were to preach: He
spoke to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. He had
given them a general idea of that kingdom, and the certain time it
should be set up in the world (in his parable, Mark xiii.), but here he
instructed them more in the nature of it, as a kingdom of grace in this
world and of glory in the other, and opened to them that covenant which
is the great charter by which it is incorporated. Now this was
intended, (1.) To prepare them to receive the Holy Ghost, and to go
through that which they were designed for. He tells them in secret what
they must tell the world; and they shall find that the Spirit of truth,
when he comes, will say the same. (2.) To be one of the proofs of
Christ's resurrection; so it comes in here; the disciples, to whom he
showed himself alive, knew that it was he, not only by what he showed
them, but by what he said to them. None but he could speak thus
clearly, thus fully, of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God. He
did not entertain them with discourses of politics or the kingdoms of
men, of philosophy or the kingdom of nature, but pure divinity and the
kingdom of grace, the things which most nearly concerned them, and
those to whom they were sent.
IV. A particular assurance given them that they should now shortly
receive the Holy Ghost, with orders given them to expect it (v. 4, 5),
he being assembled together with them, probably in the interview at the
mountain in Galilee which he had appointed before his death; for there
is mention of their coming together again (v. 6), to attend his
ascension. Though he had now ordered them to Galilee, yet they must not
think to continue there; no, they must return to Jerusalem, and not
depart thence. Observe,
1. The command he gives them to wait. This was to raise their
expectations of something great; and something very great they had
reason to expect from their exalted Redeemer. (1.) They must wait till
the time appointed, which is now not many days hence. Those that by
faith hope promised mercies will come must with patience wait till they
do come, according to the time, the set time. And when the time draws
nigh, as now it did, we must, as Daniel, look earnestly for it, Dan.
ix. 3. (2.) They must wait in the place appointed, in Jerusalem, for
there the Spirit must be first poured out, because Christ was to be as
king upon the holy hill of Zion; and because the word of the Lord must
go forth from Jerusalem; this must be the mother-church. There Christ
was put to shame, and therefore there he will have this honour done
him, and this favour is done to Jerusalem to teach us to forgive our
enemies and persecutors. The apostles were more exposed to danger at
Jerusalem than they would have been in Galilee; but we may cheerfully
trust God with our safety, when we keep in the way of our duty. The
apostles were now to put on a public character, and therefore must
venture in a public station. Jerusalem was the fittest candlestick for
those lights to be set up in.
2. The assurance he gives them that they shall not wait in vain.
(1.) The blessing designed them shall come, and they shall find it was
worth waiting for; You shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost; that is,
[1.] "The Holy Ghost shall be poured out upon you more plentifully than
ever." They had already been breathed upon with the Holy Ghost (John
xx. 22), and they had found the benefit of it; but now they shall have
larger measures of his gifts, graces, and comforts, and be baptized
with them, in which there seems to be an allusion to those
Old-Testament promises of the pouring out of the Spirit, Joel ii. 28;
Isa. xliv. 3; xxxii. 15. [2.] "You shall be cleansed and purified by
the Holy Ghost," as the priests were baptized and washed with water,
when they were consecrated to the sacred function: "They had the sign;
you shall have the thing signified. You shall be sanctified by the
truth, as the Spirit shall lead you more and more into it, and have
your consciences purged by the witness of the Spirit, that you may
serve the living God in the apostleship." [3.] "You shall hereby be
more effectually than ever engaged to your Master, and to his guidance,
as Israel was baptized unto Moses in the cloud, and in the sea; you
shall be tied so fast to Christ that you shall never, for fear of any
sufferings, forsake him again, as once you did."
(2.) Now this gift of the Holy Ghost he speaks of,
[1.] As the promise of the Father, which they had heard of him, and
might therefore depend upon. First, The Spirit was given by promise,
and it was at this time the great promise, as that of the Messiah was
before (Luke i. 72), and that of eternal life is now, 1 John ii. 25.
Temporal good things are given by Providence, but the Spirit and
spiritual blessings are given by promise, Gal. iii. 18. The Spirit of
God is not given as the spirit of men is given us, and formed within
us, by a course of nature (Zech. xii. 1), but by the word of God. 1.
That the gift may be the more valuable, Christ thought the promise of
the Spirit a legacy worth leaving to his church. 2. That it may be the
more sure, and that the heirs of promise may be confident of the
immutability of God's counsel herein. 3. That it may be of grace,
peculiar grace, and may be received by faith, laying hold on the
promise, and depending upon it. As Christ, so the Spirit, is received
by faith. Secondly, It was the promise of the Father, 1. Of Christ's
Father. Christ, as Mediator, had an eye to God as his Father, fathering
his design, and owning it all along. 2. Of our Father, who, if he give
us the adoption of sons, will certainly give us the Spirit of adoption,
Gal. iv. 5, 6. He will give the Spirit, as the Father of lights, as the
Father of spirits, and as the Father of mercies; it is the promise of
the Father. Thirdly, This promise of the Father they had heard from
Christ many a time, especially in the farewell sermon he preached to
them a little before he died, wherein he assured them, again and again,
that the Comforter should come. This confirms the promise of God, and
encourages us to depend upon it, that we have heard it from Jesus
Christ; for in him all the promises of God are yea, and amen. "You have
heard it from me; and I will make it good."
[2.] As the prediction of John Baptist; for so far back Christ here
directs them to look (v. 5): "You have not only heard it from me, but
you had it from John; when he turned you over to me, he said (Matt.
iii. 11), I indeed baptize you with water, but he that comes after me
shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost." It is a great honour that
Christ now does to John, not only to quote his words, but to make this
great gift of the Spirit, now at hand, to be the accomplishment of
them. Thus he confirmeth the word of his servants, his messengers, Isa.
xliv. 26. But Christ can do more than any of his ministers. It is an
honour to them to be employed in dispensing the means of grace, but it
his prerogative to give the Spirit of grace. He shall baptize you with
the Holy Ghost, shall teach you by his Spirit, and give his Spirit to
make intercession in you, which is more than the best ministers
preaching with us.
(3.) Now this gift of the Holy Ghost thus promised, thus prophesied of,
thus waited for, is that which we find the apostles received in the
next chapter, for in that this promise had its full accomplishment;
this was it that should come, and we look for no other; for it is here
promised to be given not many days hence. He does not tell them how
many, because they must keep every day in a frame fit to receive it.
Other scriptures speak of the gift of the Holy Ghost to ordinary
believers; this speaks of that particular power which, by the Holy
Ghost, the first preachers of the gospel, and planters of the church,
were endued with, enabling them infallibly to relate to that age, and
record to posterity, the doctrine of Christ, and the proofs of it; so
that by virtue of this promise, and the performance of it, we receive
the New Testament as of divine inspiration, and venture our souls upon
it.
Christ's Address to His Apostles; Christ's Ascension into Heaven.
6 When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying,
Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel? 7
And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the
seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. 8 But ye shall
receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall
be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judæa, and in
Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. 9 And when he had
spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud
received him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked stedfastly
toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white
apparel; 11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing
up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into
heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into
heaven.
In Jerusalem Christ, by his angel, had appointed his disciples to meet
him in Galilee; there he appointed them to meet him in Jerusalem again,
such a day. Thus he would try their obedience, and it was found ready
and cheerful; they came together, as he appointed them, to be the
witnesses of his ascension, of which we have here an account. Observe,
I. The question they asked him at this interview. They came together to
him, as those that had consulted one another about it, and concurred in
the question nemine contradicente--unanimously; they came in a body,
and put it to him as the sense of the house, Lord, wilt thou at this
time restore again the kingdom to Israel? Two ways this may be taken:--
1. "Surely thou wilt not at all restore it to the present rulers of
Israel, the chief priests and the elders, that put thee to death, and,
to compass that design, tamely gave up the kingdom to Cæsar, and owned
themselves his subjects. What! Shall those that hate and persecute thee
and us be trusted with power? This be far from thee." Or rather,
2. "Surely thou wilt now restore it to the Jewish nation, as far as it
will submit to thee as their king." Now two things were amiss in this
question:--
(1.) Their expectation of the thing itself. They thought Christ would
restore the kingdom to Israel, that is, that he would make the nation
of the Jews as great and considerable among the nations as it was in
the days of David and Solomon, of Asa and Jehoshaphat; that, as Shiloh,
he would restore the sceptre to Judah, and the lawgiver; whereas Christ
came to set up his own kingdom, and that a kingdom of heaven, not to
restore the kingdom to Israel, an earthly kingdom. See here, [1.] How
apt even good men are to place the happiness of the church too much in
external pomp and power; as if Israel could not be glorious unless the
kingdom were restored to it, nor Christ's disciples honoured unless
they were peers of the realm; whereas we are told to expect the cross
in this world, and to wait for the kingdom in the other world. [2.] How
apt we are to retain what we have imbibed, and how hard it is to get
over the prejudices of education. The disciples, having sucked in this
notion with their milk that the Messiah was to be a temporal prince,
were long before they could be brought to have any idea of his kingdom
as spiritual. [3.] How naturally we are biassed in favour of our own
people. They thought God would have no kingdom in the world unless it
were restored to Israel; whereas the kingdoms of this world were to
become his, in whom he would be glorified, whether Israel should sink
or swim. [4.] How apt we are to misunderstand scripture--to understand
that literally which is spoken figuratively, and to expound scripture
by our schemes, whereas we ought to form our schemes by the scriptures.
But, when the Spirit shall be poured out from on high, our mistakes
will be rectified, as the apostles' soon after were.
(2.) Their enquiry concerning the time of it: "Lord, wilt thou do it at
this time? Now that thou hast called us together is it for this
purpose, that proper measures may be concerted for the restoring of the
kingdom to Israel? Surely there cannot be a more favourable juncture
than this." Now herein they missed their mark, [1.] That they were
inquisitive into that which their Master had never directed nor
encouraged them to enquire into. [2.] That they were impatient for the
setting up of that kingdom in which they promised themselves so great a
share, and would anticipate the divine counsels. Christ had told them
that they should sit on thrones (Luke xxii. 30), and now nothing will
serve them but they must be in the throne immediately, and cannot stay
the time; whereas he that believeth doth not make haste, but is
satisfied that God's time is the best time.
II. The check which Christ gave to this question, like that which he
had a little before given to Peter's enquiry concerning John, What is
that to thee? v. 7, It is not for you to know the times and seasons. He
does not contradict their expectation that the kingdom would be
restored to Israel, because that mistake would soon be rectified by the
pouring out of the Spirit, after which they never had any more thoughts
of the temporal kingdom; and also because there is a sense of the
expectation which is true, the setting up of the gospel kingdom in the
world; and their mistake of the promise shall not make it of no effect;
but he checks their enquiry after the time.
1. The knowledge of this is not allowed to them: It is not for you to
know, and therefore it is not for you to ask. (1.) Christ is now
parting from them, and parts in love; and yet he gives them this
rebuke, which is intended for a caution to his church in all ages, to
take heed of splitting upon the rock which was fatal to our first
parents--an inordinate desire of forbidden knowledge, and intruding
into things which we have not seen because God has not shown them.
Nescire velle quæ magister maximus docere non vult, erudita inscitia
est--It is folly to covet to be wise above what is written, and wisdom
to be content to be no wiser. (2.) Christ had given his disciples a
great deal of knowledge above others (to you it is given to know the
mysteries of the kingdom of God), and had promised them his Spirit, to
teach them more; now, lest they should be puffed up with the abundance
of the revelations, he here lets them understand that there were some
things which it was not for them to know. We shall see how little
reason we have to be proud of our knowledge when we consider how many
things we are ignorant of. (3.) Christ had given his disciples
instructions sufficient for the discharge of their duty, both before
his death and since his resurrection, and in this knowledge he will
have them to be satisfied; for it is enough for a Christian, in whom
vain curiosity is a corrupt humour, to be mortified, and not gratified.
(4.) Christ had himself told his disciples the things pertaining to the
kingdom of God, and had promised that the Spirit should show them
things to come concerning it, John xvi. 13. He had likewise given them
signs of the times, which it was their duty to observe, and a sin to
overlook, Matt. xxiv. 33; xvi. 3. But they must not expect nor desire
to know either all the particulars of future events or the exact times
of them. It is good for us to be kept in the dark, and left at
uncertainty concerning the times and moments (as Dr. Hammond reads it)
of future events concerning the church, as well as concerning
ourselves,--concerning all the periods of time and the final period of
it, as well as concerning the period of our own time.
Prudens futuri temporis exitum
Caliginosa nocte premit Deus--
But Jove, in goodness ever wise,
Hath hid, in clouds of thickest night,
All that in future prospect lies
Beyond the ken of mortal sight.
Hor.
As to the times and seasons of the year, we know, in general, there
will be summer and winter counterchanged, but we know not particularly
which day will be fair or which foul, either in summer or in winter;
so, as to our affairs in this world, when it is a summer-time of
prosperity, that we may not be secure, we are told there will come a
wintertime of trouble; and in that winter, that we may not despond and
despair, we are assured that summer will return; but what this or that
particular day will bring forth we cannot tell, but must accommodate
ourselves to it, whatever it is, and make the best of it.
2. The knowledge of it is reserved to God as his prerogative; it is
what the Father hath put in his own power; it is hid with him. None
besides can reveal the times and seasons to come. Known unto God are
all his works, but not to us, ch. xv. 18. It is in his power, and in
his only, to declare the end from the beginning; and by this he proves
himself to be God, Isa. xlvi. 10. "And though he did think fit
sometimes to let the Old-Testament prophets know the times and the
seasons (as of the Israelites' bondage in Egypt four hundred years, and
in Babylon seventy years), yet he has not fit to let you know the times
and seasons, no not just how long it shall be before Jerusalem be
destroyed, though you be so well assured of the thing itself. He hath
not said that he will not give you to know something more than you do
of the times and seasons;" he did so afterwards to his servant John;
"but he has put it in his own power to do it or not, as he thinks fit;"
and what is in that New-Testament prophecy discovered concerning the
times and the seasons is so dark, and hard to be understood, that, when
we come to apply it, it concerns us to remember this work, that it is
not for us to be positive in determining the times and the seasons.
Buxtorf mentions a saying of the rabbin concerning the coming of the
Messiah: Rumpatur spiritus eorum qui supputant tempora--Perish the men
who calculate the time.
III. He appoints them their work, and with authority assures them of an
ability to go on with it, and of success in it. "It is not for you to
know the times and the seasons--this would do you no good; but know
this (v. 8) that you shall receive a spiritual power, by the descent of
the Holy Ghost upon you, and shall not receive it in vain, for you
shall be witnesses unto me and my glory; and your testimony shall not
be in vain, for it shall be received here in Jerusalem, in the country
about, and all the world over," v. 8. If Christ make us serviceable to
his honour in our own day and generation, let this be enough for us,
and let not us perplex ourselves about times and seasons to come.
Christ here tells them,
1. That their work should be honourable and glorious: You shall be
witnesses unto me. (1.) They shall proclaim him king, and publish those
truths to the world by which his kingdom should be set up, and he would
rule. They must openly and solemnly preach his gospel to the world.
(2.) They shall prove this, shall confirm their testimony, not as
witnesses do, with an oath, but with the divine seal of miracles and
supernatural gifts: You shall be martyrs to me, or my martyrs, as some
copies read it; for they attested the truth of the gospel with their
sufferings, even unto death.
2. That their power for this work should be sufficient. They had not
strength of their own for it, nor wisdom nor courage enough; they were
naturally of the weak and foolish things of the world; they durst not
appear as witnesses for Christ upon his trial, neither as yet were they
able. "But you shall receive the power of the Holy Ghost coming upon
you" (so it may be read), "shall be animated and actuated by a better
spirit than your own; you shall have power to preach the gospel, and to
prove it out of the scriptures of the Old Testament" (which, when they
were filled with the Holy Ghost, they did to admiration, ch. xviii.
28), "and to confirm it both by miracles and by sufferings." Note,
Christ's witnesses shall receive power for that work to which he calls
them; those whom he employs in his service he will qualify for it, and
will bear them out in it.
3. That their influence should be great and very extensive: "You shall
be witnesses for Christ, and shall carry his cause," (1.) "In
Jerusalem; there you must begin, and many there will receive your
testimony; and those that do not will be left inexcusable." (2.) "Your
light shall thence shine throughout all Judea, where before you have
laboured in vain." (3.) "Thence you shall proceed to Samaria, though at
your first mission you were forbidden to preach in any of the cities of
the Samaritans." (4.) "Your usefulness shall reach to the uttermost
part of the earth, and you shall be blessings to the whole world."
IV. Having left these instructions with them, he leaves them (v. 9):
When he had spoken these things, and had said all that he had to say,
he blessed them (so we were told, Luke xxiv. 50); and while they beheld
him, and had their eye fixed upon him, receiving his blessing, he was
gradually taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. We
have here Christ's ascending on high; not fetched away, as Elijah was,
with a chariot of fire and horses of fire, but rising to heaven, as he
rose from the grave, purely by his own power, his body being now, as
the bodies of the saints will be at the resurrection, a spiritual body,
and raised in power and incorruption. Observe, 1. He began his
ascension in the sight of his disciples, even while they beheld. They
did not see him come up out of the grave, because they might see him
after he had risen, which would be satisfaction enough; but they saw
him go up towards heaven, and had actually their eye upon him with so
much care and earnestness of mind that they could not be deceived. It
is probable that he did not fly swiftly up, but moved upwards gently,
for the further satisfaction of his disciples. 2. He vanished out of
their sight, in a cloud, either a thick cloud, for God said that he
would dwell in the thick darkness; or a bright cloud, to signify the
splendour of his glorious body. It was a bright cloud that overshadowed
him in his transfiguration, and most probably this was so, Matt. xvii.
5. This cloud received him, it is probable, when he had gone about as
far from the earth as the clouds generally are; yet it was not such a
spreading cloud as we commonly see, but such as just served to enclose
him. Now he made the clouds his chariot, Ps. civ. 3. God had often come
down in a cloud; now he went up in one. Dr. Hammond thinks that the
clouds receiving him here were the angels receiving him; for the
appearance of angels is ordinarily described by a cloud, comparing
Exod. xxv. 22 with Lev. xvi. 2. By the clouds there is a sort of
communication kept up between the upper and lower world; in them the
vapours are sent up from the earth, and the dews sent down from heaven.
Fitly therefore does he ascend in a cloud who is the Mediator between
God and man, by whom God's mercies come down upon us and our prayers
come up to him. This was the last that was seen of him. The eyes of a
great many witnesses followed him into the cloud; and, if we would know
what became of him then, we may find (Dan. vii. 13), That one like the
Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of
days, and they brought him in the clouds as he came near before him.
V. The disciples, when he had gone out of their sight, yet still
continued looking up stedfastly to heaven (v. 10), and this longer than
it was fit they should; and why so? 1. Perhaps they hoped that Christ
would presently come back to them again, to restore the kingdom to
Israel, and were loth to believe they should now part with him for good
and all; so much did they still dote upon his bodily presence, though
he had told them that it was expedient for them that he should go away.
or, they looked after him, as doubting whether he might not be dropped,
as the sons of the prophets thought concerning Elijah (2 Kings ii. 16),
and so they might have him again. 2. Perhaps they expected to see some
change in the visible heavens now upon Christ's ascension, that either
the sun should be ashamed or the moon confounded (Isa. xxiv. 23), as
being out-shone by his lustre; or, rather, that they should show some
sign of joy and triumph; or perhaps they promised themselves a sight of
the glory of the invisible heavens, upon their opening to receive him.
Christ had told them that hereafter they should see heaven opened (John
i. 51), and why should not they expect it now?
VI. Two angels appeared to them, and delivered them a seasonable
message from God. There was a world of angels ready to receive our
Redeemer, now that he made his public entry into the Jerusalem above:
we may suppose these two loth to be absent then; yet, to show how much
Christ had at heart the concerns of his church on earth, he sent back
to his disciples two of those that came to meet him, who appear as two
men in white apparel, bright and glittering; for they know, according
to the duty of their place, that they are really serving Christ when
they are ministering to his servants on earth. Now we are told what the
angels said to them, 1. To check their curiosity: You men of Galilee,
why stand you gazing up into heaven? He calls them men of Galilee, to
put them in mind of the rock out of which they were hewn. Christ had
put a great honour upon them, in making them his ambassadors; but they
must remember that they are men, earthen vessels, and men of Galilee,
illiterate men, looked upon with disdain. Now, say they, "Why stand you
here, like Galileans, rude and unpolished men, gazing up into heaven?
What would you see? You have seen all that you were called together to
see, and why do you look any further? Why stand you gazing, as men
frightened and perplexed, as men astonished and at their wits' end?"
Christ's disciples should never stand at a gaze, because they have a
sure rule to go by, and a sure foundation to build upon. 2. To confirm
their faith concerning Christ's second coming. Their Master had often
told them of this, and the angels are sent at this time seasonably to
put them in mind of it: "This same Jesus, who is taken up from you into
heaven, and whom you are looking thus long after, wishing you had him
with you again, is not gone for ever; for there is a day appointed in
which he will come in like manner thence, as you have seen him go
thither, and you must not expect him back till that appointed day."
(1.) "This same Jesus shall come again in his own person, clothed with
a glorious body; this same Jesus, who came once to put away sin by the
sacrifice of himself, will appear a second time without sin (Heb. ix.
26, 28), who came once in disgrace to be judged, will come again in
glory to judge. The same Jesus who has given you your charge will come
again to call you to an account how you have performed your trust; he,
and not another," Job xix. 27. (2.) "He shall come in like manner. He
is gone away in a cloud, and attended with angels; and, behold, he
comes in the clouds, and with him an innumerable company of angels! He
is gone up with a shout and with the sound of a trumpet (Ps. xlvii. 5),
and he will descend from heaven with a shout and with the trump of God,
1 Thess. iv. 16. You have now lost the sight of him in the clouds and
in the air; and whither he is gone you cannot follow him now, but shall
then, when you shall be caught up in the clouds, to meet the Lord in
the air." When we stand gazing and trifling, the consideration of our
Master's second coming should quicken and awaken us; and, when we stand
gazing and trembling, the consideration of it should comfort and
encourage us.
The Apostles in Jerusalem.
12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet,
which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey. 13 And when they
were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter,
and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and
Matthew, James the son of Alphæus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the
brother of James. 14 These all continued with one accord in prayer
and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and
with his brethren.
We are here told, I. Whence Christ ascended--from the mount of Olives
(v. 12), from that part of it where the town of Bethany stood, Luke
xxiv. 50. There he began his sufferings (Luke xxii. 39), and therefore
there he rolled away the reproach of them by his glorious ascension,
and thus showed that his passion and his ascension had the same
reference and tendency. Thus would he enter upon his kingdom in the
sight of Jerusalem, and of those undutiful ungrateful citizens of his
that would not have him to reign over them. It was prophesied of him
(Zech. xiv. 4), That his feet should stand upon the mount of Olives,
which is before Jerusalem, should stand last there; and presently it
follows, The mount of Olives shall cleave in two. From the mount of
Olives he ascended who is the good olive-tree, whence we receive the
unction, Zech. iv. 12; Rom. xi. 24. This mount is here said to be near
Jerusalem, a sabbath day's journey from it, that is, a little way; no
further than devout people used to walk out on a sabbath evening, after
the public worship was over, for meditation. Some reckon it a thousand
paces, others two thousand cubits; some seven furlongs, others eight.
Bethany indeed was fifteen furlongs from Jerusalem (John xi. 18), but
that part of the mount of Olives which was next to Jerusalem, whence
Christ began to ride in triumph, was but seven or eight furlongs off.
The Chaldee paraphrast on Ruth 1 says, We are commanded to keep the
sabbaths and the holy days, so as not to go above two thousand cubits,
which they build upon Josh. iii. 4, where, in their march through
Jordan, the space between them and the ark was to be two thousand
cubits. God had not then thus limited them, but they limited
themselves; and thus far it is a rule to us, not to journey on the
sabbath any more than in order to the sabbath work; and as far as is
necessary to this we are not only allowed, but enjoined, 2 Kings iv.
23.
II. Whither the disciples returned: They came to Jerusalem, according
to their Master's appointment, though there they were in the midst of
enemies; but it should seem that though immediately after Christ's
resurrection they were watched, and were in fear of the Jews, yet after
it was known that they were gone into Galilee no notice was taken of
their return to Jerusalem, nor any further search made for them. God
can find out hiding-places for his people in the midst of their
enemies, and so influence Saul that he shall not seek for David any
more. At Jerusalem they went up into an upper room, and there abode;
not that they all lodged and dieted together in one room, but there
they assembled every day, and spent time together in religious
exercises, in expectation of the descent of the Spirit. Divers
conjectures the learned have about this upper room. Some think it was
one of the upper rooms in the temple; but it cannot be thought that the
chief priests, who had the letting of these rooms, would suffer
Christ's disciples constantly to reside in any of them. It was said
indeed, by the same historian, that they were continually in the temple
(Luke xxiv. 53), but that was in the courts of the temple, at the hours
of prayer, where they could not be hindered from attending; but, it
should seem, this upper room was in a private house. Mr. Gregory, of
Oxford, is of this opinion, and quotes a Syriac scholiast upon this
place, who says that it was the same upper room in which they had eaten
the passover; and though that was called anogeon, this hyperoon, both
may signify the same. "Whether," says he, "it was in the house of St.
John the evangelist, as Euodius delivered, or that of Mary the mother
of John Mark, as others have collected, cannot be certain." Notes, ch.
xiii.
III. Who the disciples were, that kept together. The eleven apostles
are here named (v. 13), so is Mary the mother of our Lord (v. 14), and
it is the last time that ever any mention is made of her in the
scriptures. There were others that are here said to be the brethren of
our Lord, his kinsmen according to the flesh; and, to make up the
hundred and twenty spoken of (v. 15), we may suppose that all or most
of the seventy disciples were with them, that were associates with the
apostles, and were employed as evangelists.
IV. How they spent their time: They all continued with one accord in
prayer and supplication. Observe, 1. They prayed, and made
supplication. All God's people are praying people, and give themselves
to prayer. It was now a time of trouble and danger with the disciples
of Christ; they were as sheep in the midst of wolves; and, Is any
afflicted? Let him pray; this will silence cares and fears. They had
new work before them, great work, and, before they entered upon it,
they were instant in prayer to God for his presence with them in it.
Before they were first sent forth Christ spent time in prayer for them,
and now they spent time in prayer for themselves. They were waiting for
the descent of the Spirit upon them, and therefore abounded thus in
prayer. The Spirit descended upon our Saviour when he was praying, Luke
iii. 21. Those are in the best frame to receive spiritual blessings
that are in a praying frame. Christ had promised now shortly to send
the Holy Ghost; now this promise was not to supersede prayer, but to
quicken and encourage it. God will be enquired of for promised mercies,
and the nearer the performance seems to be the more earnest we should
be in prayer for it. 2. They continued in prayer, spent much time in
it, more than ordinary, prayed frequently, and were long in prayer.
They never missed an hour of prayer; they resolved to persevere herein
till the Holy Ghost came, according to the promise, to pray, and not to
faint. It is said (Luke xxiv. 53), They were praising and blessing God;
here, They continued in prayer and supplication; for as praise for the
promise is a decent way of begging for the performance, and praise for
former mercy of begging further mercy, so, in seeking to God, we give
him the glory of the mercy and grace which we have found in him. 3.
They did this with one accord. This intimates that they were together
in holy love, and that there was no quarrel nor discord among them; and
those who so keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace are best
prepared to receive the comforts of the Holy Ghost. It also intimates
their worthy concurrence in the supplications that were made; though
but one spoke, they all prayed, and if, when two agree to ask, it shall
be done for them, much more when many agree in the same petition. See
Matt. xviii. 19.
The Death of Judas; Matthias Elected to Be an Apostle.
15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and
said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
16 Men and brethren, this scripture must needs have been fulfilled,
which the Holy Ghost by the mouth of David spake before concerning
Judas, which was guide to them that took Jesus. 17 For he was
numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry. 18 Now this
man purchased a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling
headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out.
19 And it was known unto all the dwellers at Jerusalem; insomuch as
that field is called in their proper tongue, Aceldama, that is to say,
The field of blood. 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, Let
his habitation be desolate, and let no man dwell therein: and his
bishopric let another take. 21 Wherefore of these men which have
companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out
among us, 22 Beginning from the baptism of John, unto that same day
that he was taken up from us, must one be ordained to be a witness with
us of his resurrection. 23 And they appointed two, Joseph called
Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. 24 And they prayed,
and said, Thou, Lord, which knowest the hearts of all men, show whether
of these two thou hast chosen, 25 That he may take part of this
ministry and apostleship, from which Judas by transgression fell, that
he might go to his own place. 26 And they gave forth their lots; and
the lot fell upon Matthias; and he was numbered with the eleven
apostles.
The sin of Judas was not only his shame and ruin, but it made a vacancy
in the college of the apostles. They were ordained twelve, with an eye
to the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from the twelve patriarchs;
they were the twelve stars that make up the church's crown (Rev. xii.
1), and for them twelve thrones were designated, Matt. xix. 28. Now
being twelve when they were learners, if they were but eleven when they
were to be teachers, it would occasion every one to enquire what had
become of the twelfth, and so revive the remembrance of the scandal of
their society; and therefore care was taken, before the descent of the
Spirit, to fill up the vacancy, of the doing of which we now have an
account, our Lord Jesus, probably, having given directions about it,
among other things which he spoke pertaining to the kingdom of God.
Observe,
I. The persons concerned in this affair. 1. The house consisted of
about a hundred and twenty. This was the number of the names, that is,
the persons; some think the men only, distinguished from the women. Dr.
Lightfoot reckons that the eleven apostles, the seventy disciples, and
about thirty-nine more, all of Christ's own kindred, country, and
concourse, made up this one hundred and twenty, and that these were a
sort of synod, or congregation of ministers, a standing presbytery (ch.
iv. 23), to whom none of the rest durst join themselves (ch. v. 13),
and that they continued together till the persecution at Stephen's
death dispersed them all but the apostles (ch. viii. 1); but he thinks
that besides these there were many hundreds in Jerusalem, if not
thousands, at this time, that believed; and we have indeed read of many
that believed on him there, but durst not confess him, and therefore I
cannot think, as he does, that they were now formed into distinct
congregations, for the preaching of the word and other acts of worship;
nor that there was any thing of this till after the pouring out of the
Spirit, and the conversions recorded in the following chapter. Here was
the beginning of the Christian church: this hundred and twenty was the
grain of mustard-seed that grew into a tree, the leaven that leavened
the whole lump. 2. The speaker was Peter, who had been, and still was,
the most forward man; and therefore notice is taken of his forwardness
and zeal, to show that he had perfectly recovered the ground he lost by
his denying his Master, and, Peter being designed to be the apostle of
the circumcision, while the sacred story stays among the Jews, he is
still brought in, as afterwards, when it comes to speak of the
Gentiles, it keeps to the story of Paul.
II. The proposal which Peter made for the choice of another apostle. He
stood up in the midst of the disciples, v. 15. He did not sit down, as
one that gave laws, or had any supremacy over the rest, but stood up,
as one that had only a motion to make, in which he paid a deference to
his brethren, standing up when he spoke to them. Now in his speech we
may observe,
1. The account he gives of the vacancy made by the death of Judas, in
which he is very particular, and, as became one that Christ had
breathed upon, takes notice of the fulfilling of the scriptures in it.
Here is,
(1.) The power to which Judas had been advanced (v. 17): He was
numbered with us, and had obtained part of this ministry which we are
invested with. Note, Many are numbered with the saints in this world
that will not be found among them in the day of separation between the
precious and the vile. What will it avail us to be added to the number
of Christians, if we partake not of the spirit and nature of
Christians? Judas's having obtained part of this ministry was but an
aggravation of his sin and ruin, as it will be of theirs who prophesied
in Christ's name, and yet were workers of iniquity.
(2.) The sin of Judas, notwithstanding his advancement to this honour.
He was guide to those that took Jesus, not only informed Christ's
persecutors where they might find him (which they might have done
effectually though he had kept out of sight), but he had the impudence
to appear openly at the head of the party that seized him. He went
before them to the place, and, as if he had been proud of the honour,
gave the word of command: That same is he, hold him fast. Note,
Ringleaders in sin are the worst of sinners, especially if those that
by their office should have been guides to the friends of Christ are
guides to his enemies.
(3.) The ruin of Judas by this sin. Perceiving the chief priests to
seek the life of Christ and his disciples, he thought to save his by
going over to them, and not only so, but to get an estate under them,
of which his wages for his service, he hoped, would be but an earnest;
but see what came of it. [1.] He lost his money shamefully enough (v.
18): He purchased a field with the thirty pieces of silver, which were
the reward of his iniquity. He did not purchase the field, but the
wages of his unrighteousness did, and it is very elegantly expressed
thus, in derision of his projects to enrich himself by this bargain. He
thought to have purchased a field for himself, as Gehazi did with what
he got from Naaman by a lie (see 2 Kings v. 26), but it proved the
purchase of a field to bury strangers in; and what was he or any of his
the better for this? It was to him an unrighteous mammon, it deceived
him; and the reward of his iniquity was the stumbling-block of his
iniquity. [2.] He lost his life m ore shamefully. We were told (Matt.
xxvii. 5) that he went away in despair, and was suffocated (so the word
signifies there, and no more); here it is added (as latter historians
add to those who went before) that, being strangled, or choked with
grief and horror, he fell headlong, fell on his face (so Dr. Hammond),
and partly with the swelling of his own breast, and partly with the
violence of the fall, he burst asunder in the midst, so that all his
bowels tumbled out. If, when the devil was cast out of a child, he tore
him, threw him down, and rent him, and almost killed him (as we find
Mark ix. 26; Luke ix. 42), no wonder if, when he had full possession of
Judas, he threw him headlong, and burst him. The suffocation of him,
which Matthew relates, would make him swell till he burst, which Peter
relates. He burst asunder with a great noise (so Dr. Edwards), which
was heard by the neighbours, and so, as it follows, it came to be known
(v. 19): His bowels gushed out; Luke writes like a physician,
understanding all the entrails of the middle and lower ventricle.
Bowelling is part of the punishment of traitors. Justly do those bowels
gush out that were shut up against the Lord Jesus. And perhaps Christ
had an eye to the fate of Judas, when he said of the wicked servant
that he would cut him in sunder, Matt. xxiv. 51.
(4.) The public notice that was taken of this: It was known to all the
dwellers in Jerusalem. It was, as it were, put into the newspapers, and
was all the talk of the town, as a remarkable judgment of God upon him
that betrayed his Master, v. 19. It was not only discoursed of among
the disciples, but it was in every body's mouth, and nobody disputed
the truth of the fact. It was known, that is, it was known to be true,
incontestably so. Now one would think this should have awakened those
to repentance that had had any hand in the death of Christ when they
saw him that had the first hand thus made an example. But their hearts
were hardened, and, as to those of them that were to be softened, it
must be done by the word, and the Spirit working with it. Here is one
proof of the notoriety of the thing mentioned, that the field which was
purchased with Judas's money was called Aceldama--the field of blood,
because it was bought with the price of blood, which perpetuated the
infamy not only of him that sold that innocent precious blood, but of
those that bought it too. Look how they will answer it, when God shall
make inquisition for blood.
(5.) The fulfilling of the scriptures in this, which had spoken so
plainly of it, that it must needs be fulfilled, v. 16. Let none be
surprised nor stumble at it, that this should be the exit of one of the
twelve, for David had not only foretold his sin (which Christ had taken
notice of, John xiii. 18, from Ps. xli. 9, He that eateth bread with me
hath lifted up the heel against me), but had also foretold, [1.] His
punishment (Ps. lxix. 25): Let his habitation be desolate. This Psalm
refers to the Messiah. Mention is made but two or three verses before
of their giving him gall and vinegar, and therefore the following
predictions of the destruction of David's enemies must be applied to
the enemies of Christ, and particularly to Judas. Perhaps he had some
habitation of his own at Jerusalem, which, upon this, every body was
afraid to live in, and so it became desolate. This prediction signifies
the same with that of Bildad concerning the wicked man, that his
confidence shall be rooted out of his tabernacle, and shall bring him
to the king of terrors: it shall dwell in his tabernacle, because it is
none of his; brimstone shall be scattered upon his habitation, Job
xviii. 14, 15. [2.] The substitution of another in his room. His
bishopric, or his office (for so the word signifies in general) shall
another take, which is quoted from Ps. cix. 8. With this quotation
Peter very aptly introduces the following proposal. Note, We are not to
think the worse of any office that God has instituted (whether
magistracy or ministry) either for the wickedness of any that are in
that office or for the ignominious punishment of that wickedness; nor
will God suffer any purpose of his to be frustrated, any commission of
his to be vacated, or any work of his to be undone, for the
miscarriages of those that are entrusted therewith. The unbelief of man
shall not make the promise of God of no effect. Judas is hanged, but
his bishopric is not lost. It is said of his habitation, that no man
shall dwell therein, there he shall have no heir; but it is not said so
of his bishopric, there he shall not want a successor. It is with the
officers of the church as with the members of it, if the natural
branches be broken off, others shall be grafted in, Rom. xi. 17.
Christ's cause shall never be lost for want of witnesses.
2. The motion he makes for the choice of another apostle, v. 21, 22.
Here observe, (1.) How the person must be qualified that must fill the
vacancy. It must be one of these men, these seventy disciples, that
have companied with us, that have constantly attended us, all the time
that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, preaching and working
miracles for three years and a half, beginning from the baptism of
John, from which the gospel of Christ commenced, unto that same day
that he was taken up from us. Those that have been diligent, faithful,
and constant, in the discharge of their duty in a lower station, are
fittest to be preferred to a higher; those that have been faithful in a
little shall be entrusted with more. And none should be employed as
ministers of Christ, preachers of his gospel, and rulers in his church,
but those that are well acquainted with his doctrine and doings, from
first to last. None shall be an apostle but one that has companied with
the apostles, and that continually; not that has visited them now and
then, but been intimately conversant with them. (2.) To what work he is
called that must fill up the vacancy: He must be a witness with us of
his resurrection. By this it appears that others of the disciples were
with the eleven when Christ appeared to them, else they could not have
been witnesses with them, as competent witnesses as they, of his
resurrection. The great thing which the apostles were to attest to the
world was Christ's resurrection, for this was the great proof of his
being the Messiah, and the foundation of our hope in him. See what the
apostles were ordained to, not to a secular dignity and dominion, but
to preach Christ, and the power of his resurrection.
III. The nomination of the person that was to succeed Judas in his
office as an apostle.
1. Two, who were known to have been Christ's constant attendants, and
men of great integrity, were set up as candidates for the place (v.
23): They appointed two; not the eleven, they did not take upon them to
determine who should be put up, but the hundred and twenty, for to them
Peter spoke, and not to the eleven. The two they nominated were Joseph
and Matthias, of neither of whom do we read elsewhere, except this
Joseph be the same with that Jesus who is called Justus, of whom Paul
speaks (Col. iv. 11), and who is said to be of the circumcision, a
native Jew, as this was, and who was a fellow-worker with Paul in the
kingdom of God and a comfort to him; and then it is observable that,
though he came short of being an apostle, he did not therefore quit the
ministry, but was very useful in a lower station; for, Are all
apostles? Are all prophets? Some think this Joseph is he that is called
Joses (Mark vi. 3), the brother of James the less (Mark xv. 40), and
was called Joses the just, as he was called James the just. Some
confound this with that Joses mentioned Acts iv. 36. But that was of
Cyprus, this of Galilee; and, it should seem, to distinguish them, that
was called Barnabas--a son of consolation; this Barsabas--a son of the
oath. These two were both of them such worthy men, and so well
qualified for the office, that they could not tell which of them was
the fitter, but all agreed it must be one of these two. They did not
propose themselves nor strive for the place, but humbly sat still, and
were appointed to it.
2. They applied to God by prayer for direction, not which of the
seventy, for none of the rest could stand in competition with these in
the opinion of all present, but which of these two? v. 24, 25. (1.)
They appeal to God as the searcher of hearts: "Thou, Lord, who knowest
the hearts of all men, which we do not, and better than they know their
own." Observe, When an apostle was to be chosen, he must be chosen by
his heart, and the temper and disposition of that. Yet Jesus, who knew
all men's hearts, for wise and holy ends chose Judas to be one of the
twelve. It is comfortable to us, in our prayers for the welfare of the
church and its ministers, that the God to whom we pray knows the hearts
of all men, and has them not only under his eye, but in his hand, and
turns them which way soever he will, can make them fit for his purpose,
if he do not find them so, by giving them another spirit. (2.) They
desire to know which of these God had chosen: Lord, show us this, and
we are satisfied. It is fit that God should choose his own servants;
and so far as he in any way by the disposals of his providence or the
gifts of his Spirit, shows whom he hath chosen, or what he hath chosen,
for us, we ought to comply with him. (3.) They are ready to receive him
as a brother whom God hath chosen; for they are not contriving to have
so much the more dignity themselves, by keeping out another, but desire
to have one to take part of this ministry and apostleship, to join with
them in the work and share with them in the honour, from which Judas by
transgression fell, threw himself, by deserting and betraying his
Master, from the place of an apostle, of which he was unworthy, that he
might go to his own place, the place of a traitor, the fittest place
for him, not only to the gibbet, but to hell--this was his own place.
Note, Those that betray Christ, as they fall from the dignity of
relation to him, so they fall into all misery. It is said of Balaam
(Num. xxiv. 25) that he went to his own place, that is, says one of the
rabbin, he went to hell. Dr. Whitby quotes Ignatius saying, There is
appointed to every man idios topos--a proper place, which imports the
same with that of God's rendering to every man according to his works.
And our Saviour had said that Judas's own place should be such that it
had been better for him that he had never been born (Matt. xxvi.
24)--his misery such as to be worse than not being. Judas had been a
hypocrite, and hell is the proper place of such; other sinners, as
inmates, have their portion with them, Matt. xxiv. 51. (4.) The doubt
was determined by lot (v. 26), which is an appeal to God, and lawful to
be used for determining matters not otherwise determinable, provided it
be done in a solemn religious manner, and with prayer, the prayer of
faith; for the lot is cast into the lap, but the whole disposal thereof
is of the Lord, Prov. xvi. 33. Matthias was not ordained by the
imposition of hands, as presbyters were, for he was chosen by lot,
which was the act of God; and therefore, as he must be baptized, so he
must be ordained, by the Holy Ghost, as they all were not many days
after. Thus the number of the apostles was made up, as afterwards, when
James, another of the twelve, was martyred, Paul was made an apostle.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. II.
Between the promise of the Messiah (even the latest of those promises)
and his coming many ages intervened; but between the promise of the
Spirit and his coming there were but a few days; and during those days
the apostles, though they had received orders to preach the gospel to
every creature, and to begin at Jerusalem, yet lay perfectly
wind-bound, incognito--concealed, and not offering to preach. But in
this chapter the north wind and the south wind awake, and then they
awake, and we have them in the pulpit presently. Here is, I. The
descent of the Spirit upon the apostles, and those that were with them,
on the day of pentecost, ver. 1-4. II. The various speculations which
this occasioned among the people that were now met in Jerusalem from
all parts, ver. 5-13. III. The sermon which Peter preached to them
hereupon, wherein he shows that this pouring out of the Spirit was the
accomplishment of an Old-Testament promise (ver. 14-21), that it was a
confirmation of Christ's being the Messiah, which was already proved by
his resurrection (ver. 22-32), and that is was a fruit and evidence of
his ascension into heaven, ver. 33-36. IV. The good effect of this
sermon in the conversion of many to the faith of Christ, and their
addition to the church, ver. 37-41. V. The eminent piety and charity of
those primitive Christians, and the manifest tokens of God's presence
with them, and power in them, ver. 42-47.
The Day of Pentecost.
1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one
accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as
of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were
sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of
fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with
the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit
gave them utterance.
We have here an account of the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the
disciples of Christ. Observe,
I. When, and where, this was done, which are particularly noted, for
the greater certainty of the thing.
1. It was when the day of pentecost was fully come, in which there
seems to be a reference to the manner of the expression in the
institution of this feast, where it is said (Lev. xxiii. 15), You shall
count unto you seven sabbaths complete, from the day of the offering of
the first-fruits, which was the next day but one after the passover,
the sixteenth day of the month Abib, which was the day that Christ
arose. This day was fully come, that is, the night preceding, with a
part of the day, was fully past. (1.) The Holy Ghost came down at the
time of a solemn feast, because there was then a great concourse of
people to Jerusalem from all parts of the country, and the proselytes
from other countries, which would make it the more public, and the fame
of it to be spread the sooner and further, which would contribute much
to the propagating of the gospel into all nations. Thus now, as before
at the passover, the Jewish feasts served to toll the bell for gospel
services and entertainments. (2.) This feast of pentecost was kept in
remembrance of the giving of the law upon mount Sinai, whence the
incorporating of the Jewish church was to be dated, which Dr. Lightfoot
reckons to be just one thousand four hundred and forty-seven years
before this. Fitly, therefore, is the Holy Ghost given at that feast,
in fire and in tongues, for the promulgation of the evangelical law,
not as that to one nation, but to every creature. (3.) This feast of
pentecost happened on the first day of the week, which was an
additional honour put on that day, and a confirmation of it to be the
Christian sabbath, the day which the Lord hath made, to be a standing
memorial in his church of those two great blessings--the resurrection
of Christ, and the pouring out of the Spirit, both on that day of the
week. This serves not only to justify us in observing that day under
the style and title of the Lord's day, but to direct us in the
sanctifying of it to give God praise particularly for those two great
blessings; every Lord's day in the year, I think, there should be a
full and particular notice taken in our prayers and praises of these
two, as there is by some churches of the one once a year, upon
Easter-day, and of the other once a year, upon Whit-sunday. Oh! that we
may do it with suitable affections!
2. It was when they were all with one accord in one place. What place
it was we are not told particularly, whether in the temple, where they
attended at public times (Luke xxiv. 53), or whether in their own upper
room, where they met at other times. But it was at Jerusalem, because
this had been the place which God chose, to put his name there, and the
prophecy was that thence the word of the Lord should go forth to all
nations, Isa. ii. 3. It was now the place of the general rendezvous of
all devout people: here God had promised to meet them and bless them;
here therefore he meets them with this blessing of blessings. Though
Jerusalem had done the utmost dishonour imaginable to Christ, yet he
did this honour to Jerusalem, to teach his remnant in all places; he
had this in Jerusalem. Here the disciples were in one place, and they
were not as yet so many but that one place, and no large one, would
hold them all. And here they were with one accord. We cannot forget how
often, while their Master was with them, there were strifes among them,
who should be the greatest; but now all these strifes were at an end,
we hear no more of them. What they had received already of the Holy
Ghost, when Christ breathed on them, had in a good measure rectified
the mistakes upon which those contests were grounded, and had disposed
them to holy love. They had prayed more together of late than usual
(ch. i. 14), and this made them love one another better. By his grace
he thus prepared them for the gift of the Holy Ghost; for that blessed
dove comes not where there is noise and clamour, but moves upon the
face of the still waters, not the rugged ones. Would we have the Spirit
poured out upon us from on high? Let us be all of one accord, and,
notwithstanding variety of sentiments and interests, as no doubt there
was among those disciples, let us agree to love one another; for, where
brethren dwell together in unity, there it is that the Lord commands
his blessing.
II. How, and in what manner, the Holy Ghost came upon them. We often
read in the old Testament of God's coming down in a cloud; as when he
took possession first of the tabernacle, and afterwards of the temple,
which intimates the darkness of that dispensation. And Christ went up
to heaven in a cloud, to intimate how much we are kept in the dark
concerning the upper world. But the Holy Ghost did not descend in a
cloud; for he was to dispel and scatter the clouds that overspread
men's minds, and to bring light into the world.
1. Here is an audible summons given them to awaken their expectations
of something great, v. 2. It is here said, (1.) That it came suddenly,
did not rise gradually, as common winds do, but was at the height
immediately. It came sooner than they expected, and startled even those
that were now together waiting, and probably employed in some religious
exercises. (2.) It was a sound from heaven, like a thunder-clap, Rev.
vi. 1. God is said to bring the winds out of his treasuries (Ps. cxxxv.
7), and to gather them in his hands, Prov. xxx. 4. From him this sound
came, like the voice of one crying, Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
(3.) It was the sound of a wind, for the way of the Spirit is like that
of the wind (John iii. 3), thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst
not tell whence it comes nor whither it goes. When the Spirit of life
is to enter into the dry bones, the prophet is told to prophecy unto
the wind: Come from the four winds, O breath, Ezek. xxxvii. 9. And
though it was not in the wind that the Lord came to Elijah, yet this
prepared him to receive his discovery of himself in the still small
voice, 1 Kings xix. 11, 12. God's way is in the whirlwind and the storm
(Nah. i. 3), and out of the whirlwind he spoke to Job. (4.) It was a
rushing mighty wind; it was strong and violent, and came not only with
a great noise, but with great force, as if it would bear down all
before it. This was to signify the powerful influences and operations
of the Spirit of God upon the minds of men, and thereby upon the world,
that they should be mighty through God, to the casting down of
imaginations. (5.) It filled not only the room, but all the house where
they were sitting. Probably it alarmed the whole city, but, to show
that it was supernatural, presently fixed upon that particular house:
as some think the wind that was sent to arrest Jonah affected only the
ship that he was in (Jon. i. 4), and as the wise men's star stood over
the house where the child was. This would direct the people who
observed it whither to go to enquire the meaning of it. This wind
filling the house would strike an awe upon the disciples, and help to
put them into a very serious, reverent, and composed frame, for the
receiving of the Holy Ghost. Thus the convictions of the Spirit make
way for his comforts; and the rough blasts of that blessed wind prepare
the soul for its soft and gentle gales.
2. Here is a visible sign of the gift they were to receive. They saw
cloven tongues, like as of fire (v. 3), and it sat--ekathise, not they
sat, those cloven tongues, but he, that is the Spirit (signified
thereby), rested upon each of them, as he is said to rest upon the
prophets of old. Or, as Dr. Hammond describes it, "There was an
appearance of something like flaming fire lighting on every one of
them, which divided asunder, and so formed the resemblance of tongues,
with that part of them that was next their heads divided or cloven."
The flame of a candle is somewhat like a tongue; and there is a meteor
which naturalists call ignis lambens--a gentle flame, not a devouring
fire; such was this. Observe,
(1.) There was an outward sensible sign, for the confirming of the
faith of the disciples themselves, and for the convincing of others.
Thus the prophets of old had frequently their first mission confirmed
by signs, that all Israel might know them to be established prophets.
(2.) The sign given was fire, that John Baptist's saying concerning
Christ might be fulfilled, He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and
with fire; with the Holy Ghost as with fire. They were now, in the
feast of pentecost, celebrating the memorial of the giving of the law
upon mount Sinai; and as that was given in fire, and therefore is
called a fiery law, so is the gospel. Ezekiel's mission was confirmed
by a vision of burning coals of fire (ch. i. 13), and Isaiah's by a
coal of fire touching his lips, ch. vi. 7. The Spirit, like fire, melts
the heart, separates and burns up the dross, and kindles pious and
devout affections in the soul, in which, as in the fire upon the altar,
the spiritual sacrifices are offered up. This is that fire which Christ
came to send upon the earth. Luke xii. 49.
(3.) This fire appeared in cloven tongues. The operations of the Spirit
were many; that of speaking with divers tongues was one, and was
singled out to be the first indication of the gift of the Holy Ghost,
and to that this sign had a reference. [1.] They were tongues; for from
the Spirit we have the word of God, and by him Christ would speak to
the world, and he gave the Spirit to the disciples, not only to endue
them with knowledge, but to endue them with a power to publish and
proclaim to the world what they knew; for the dispensation of the
Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. [2.] These tongues were
cloven, to signify that God would hereby divide unto all nations the
knowledge of his grace, as he is said to have divided to them by his
providence the light of the heavenly bodies, Deut. iv. 19. The tongues
were divided, and yet they still continued all of one accord; for there
may be a sincere unity of affections where yet there is a diversity of
expression. Dr. Lightfoot observes that the dividing of tongues at
Babel was the casting off of the heathen; for when they had lost the
language in which alone God was spoken of and preached, they utterly
lost the knowledge of God and religion, and fell into idolatry. But
now, after above two thousand years, God, by another dividing of
tongues, restores the knowledge of himself to the nations.
(4.) This fire sat upon them for some time, to denote the constant
residence of the Holy Ghost with them. The prophetic gifts of old were
conferred sparingly and but at some times, but the disciples of Christ
had the gifts of the Spirit always with them, though the sign, we may
suppose, soon disappeared. Whether these flames of fire passed from one
to another, or whether there were as many flames as there were persons,
is not certain. But they must be strong and bright flames that would be
visible in the day-light, as it now was, for the day was fully come.
III. What was the immediate effect of this? 1. They were all filled
with the Holy Ghost, more plentifully and powerfully than they were
before. They were filled with the graces of the Spirit, and were more
than ever under his sanctifying influences--were now holy, and
heavenly, and spiritual, more weaned from this world and better
acquainted with the other. They were more filled with the comforts of
the Spirit, rejoiced more than ever in the love of Christ and the hope
of heaven, and in it all their griefs and fears were swallowed up. They
were also, for the proof of this, filled with the gifts of the Holy
Ghost, which are especially meant here; they were endued with
miraculous powers for the furtherance of the gospel. It seems evident
to me that not only the twelve apostles, but all the hundred and twenty
disciples were filled with the Holy Ghost alike at this time--all the
seventy disciples, who were apostolic men, and employed in the same
work, and all the rest too that were to preach the gospel; for it is
said expressly (Eph. iv. 8, 11), When Christ ascended on high (which
refers to this, v. 33), he gave gifts unto men, not only some apostles
(such were the twelve), but some prophets and some evangelists (such
were many of the seventy disciples, itinerant preachers), and some
pastors and teachers settled in particular churches, as we may suppose
some of these afterwards were. The all here must refer to the all that
were together, v. 1; ch. i. 14, 15. 2. They began to speak with other
tongues, besides their native language, though they had never learned
any other. They spoke not matters of common conversation, but the word
of God, and the praises of his name, as the Spirit gave them utterance,
or gave them to speak apophthengesthai--apophthegms, substantial and
weighty sayings, worthy to be had in remembrance. It is probable that
it was not only one that was enabled to speak one language, and another
another (as it was with the several families that were dispersed from
Babel), but that every one was enabled to speak divers languages, as he
should have occasion to use them. And we may suppose that they
understood not only themselves but one another too, which the builders
of Babel did not, Gen. xi. 7. They did not speak here and there a word
of another tongue, or stammer out some broken sentences, but spoke it
as readily, properly, and elegantly, as if it had been their
mother-tongue; for whatever was produced by miracle was the best of the
kind. They spoke not from any previous thought or meditation, but as
the Spirit gave them utterance; he furnished them with the matter as
well as the language. Now this was, (1.) A very great miracle; it was a
miracle upon the mind (and so had most of the nature of a gospel
miracle), for in the mind words are framed. They had not only never
learned these languages, but had never learned any foreign tongue,
which might have facilitated these; nay, for aught that appears, they
had never so much as heard these languages spoken, nor had any idea of
them. They were neither scholars nor travellers, nor had had any
opportunity of learning languages either by books or conversation.
Peter indeed was forward enough to speak in his own tongue, but the
rest of them were no spokesmen, nor were they quick of apprehension;
yet now not only the heart of the rash understands knowledge, but the
tongue of the stammerers is ready to speak eloquently, Isa. xxxii. 4.
When Moses complained, I am slow of speech, God said, I will be with
thy mouth, and Aaron shall be thy spokesman. But he did more for these
messengers of his: he that made man's mouth new-made theirs. (2.) A
very proper, needful, and serviceable miracle. The language the
disciples spoke was Syriac, a dialect of the Hebrew; so that it was
necessary that they should be endued with the gift, for the
understanding both of the original Hebrew of the Old Testament, in
which it was written, and of the original Greek of the New Testament,
in which it was to be written. But this was not all; they were
commissioned to preach the gospel to every creature, to disciple all
nations. But here is an insuperable difficulty at the threshold. How
shall they master the several languages so as to speak intelligibly to
all nations? It will be the work of a man's life to learn their
languages. And therefore, to prove that Christ could give authority to
preach to the nations, he gives ability to preach to them in their own
language. And it should seem that this was the accomplishment of that
promise which Christ made to his disciples (John xiv. 12), Greater
works than these shall you do. For this may well be reckoned, all
things considered, a greater work than the miraculous cures Christ
wrought. Christ himself did not speak with other tongues, nor did he
enable his disciples to do so while he was with them: but it was the
first effect of the pouring out of the Spirit upon them. And archbishop
Tillotson thinks it probable that if the conversion of infidels to
Christianity were now sincerely and vigorously attempted, by men of
honest minds, God would extraordinarily countenance such an attempt
with all fitting assistance, as he did the first publication of the
gospel.
The Day of Pentecost.
5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every
nation under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude
came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them
speak in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled,
saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilæans?
8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?
9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in
Mesopotamia, and in Judæa, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, 10
Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about
Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretes and
Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of
God. 12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to
another, What meaneth this? 13 Others mocking said, These men are
full of new wine.
We have here an account of the public notice that was taken of this
extraordinary gift with which the disciples were all on a sudden
endued. Observe,
I. The great concourse of people that there was now at Jerusalem, it
should seem more than was usual at the feast of pentecost. There were
dwelling or abiding at Jerusalem Jews that were devout men, disposed to
religion, and that had the fear of God before their eyes (so the word
properly signifies), some of them proselytes of righteousness, that
were circumcised, and admitted members of the Jewish church, others
only proselytes of the gate, that forsook idolatry, and gave up
themselves to the worship of the true God, but not to the ceremonial
law; some of those that were at Jerusalem now, out of every nation
under heaven, whither the Jews were dispersed, or whence proselytes
were come. The expression is hyperbolical, denoting that there were
some from most of the then known parts of the world; as much as ever
Tyre was, or London is, the rendezvous of trading people from all
parts, Jerusalem at that time was of religious people from all parts.
Now, 1. We may here see what were some of those countries whence those
strangers came (v. 9-11), some from the eastern countries, as the
Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and dwellers in Mesopotamia, the posterity
of Shem; thence we come in order to Judea, which ought to be mentioned,
because, though the language of those in Judea was the same with that
which the disciples spoke, yet, before, they spoke it with the
north-country tone and dialect (Thou art a Galilean, and thy speech
betrays thee), but now they spoke it as correctly as the inhabitants of
Judea themselves did. Next come the inhabitants of Cappadocia, Pontus,
and that country about Propontis which was particularly called Asia,
and these were the countries in which those strangers were scattered to
whom St. Peter writes. 1 Pet. i. 1. Next come the dwellers in Phrygia
and Pamphylia, which lay westward, the posterity of Japhet, as were
also the strangers of Rome; there were some also that dwelt in the
southern parts of Egypt, in the parts of Libya about Cyrene; there were
also some from the island of Crete, and some from the deserts of
Arabia; but they were all either Jews originally, dispersed into those
countries; or proselytes to the Jewish religion, but natives of those
countries. Dr. Whitby observes that the Jewish writers about this time,
as Philo and Josephus, speak of the Jews as dwelling every where
through the whole earth; and that there is not a people upon earth
among whom some Jews do not inhabit. 2. We may enquire what brought all
those Jews and proselytes together to Jerusalem at this time: not to
make a transient visit thither to the feast of pentecost, for they are
said to dwell there. They took lodgings there, because there was at
this time a general expectation of the appearing of the Messiah; for
Daniel's weeks had just now expired, the sceptre had departed from
Judah, and it was then generally thought that the kingdom of God would
immediately appear, Luke xix. 11. This brought those who were most
zealous and devout to Jerusalem, to sojourn there, that they might have
an early share in the kingdom of the Messiah and the blessings of that
kingdom.
II. The amazement with which these strangers were seized when they
heard the disciples speak in their own tongues. It should seem, the
disciples spoke in various languages before the people of those
languages came to them; for it is intimated (v. 6) that the spreading
of the report of this abroad was that which brought the multitude
together, especially those of different countries, who seem to have
been more affected with this work of wonder than the inhabitants of
Jerusalem themselves.
1. They observe that the speakers are all Galileans, that know no other
than their mother tongue (v. 7); they are despicable men, from whom
nothing learned nor polite is to be expected. God chose the weak and
foolish things of the world to confound the wise and mighty. Christ was
thought to be a Galilean, and his disciples really were so, unlearned
and ignorant men.
2. They acknowledge that they spoke intelligibly and readily their own
language (which they were the most competent judges of), so correctly
and fluently that none of their own countrymen could speak it better:
We hear every man in our own tongue wherein we were born (v. 8), that
is, we hear one or other of them speak our native language. The
Parthians hear one of them speak their language, the Medes hear another
of them speak theirs; and so of the rest; v. 11, We do hear them speak
in our tongues the wonderful works of God. Their respective languages
were not only unknown at Jerusalem, but probably despised and
undervalued, and therefore it was not only a surprise, but a pleasing
surprise, to them to hear the language of their own country spoken, as
it naturally is to those that are strangers in a strange land. (1.) The
things they heard the apostles discourse of were the wonderful works of
God, megaleia tou Theou--Magnalia Dei, the great things of God. It is
probable that the apostles spoke of Christ, and redemption by him, and
the grace of the gospel; and these are indeed the great things of God,
which will be for ever marvellous in our eyes. (2.) They heard them
both praise God for these great things and instruct the people
concerning these things, in their own tongue, according as they
perceived the language of their hearers, or those that enquired of
them, to be. Now though, perhaps, by dwelling some time at Jerusalem,
they were got to be so much masters of the Jewish language that they
could have understood the meaning of the disciples if they had spoken
that language, yet, [1.] This was more strange, and helped to convince
their judgment, that this doctrine was of God; for tongues were for a
sign to those that believed not, 1 Cor. xiv. 22. [2.] It was more kind,
and helped to engage their affections, as it was a plain indication of
the favour intended to the Gentiles, and that the knowledge and worship
of God should no longer be confined to the Jews, but the partition-wall
should be broken down; and this is to us a plain intimation of the mind
and will of God, that the sacred records of God's wonderful works
should be preserved by all nations in their own tongue; that the
scriptures should be read, and public worship performed, in the vulgar
languages of the nations.
3. They wonder at it, and look upon it as an astonishing thing (v. 12):
They were all amazed, they were in an ecstacy, so the word is; and they
were in doubt what the meaning of it was, and whether it was to
introduce the kingdom of the Messiah, which they were big with the
expectation of; they asked themselves and one another ti an theloi
touto einai;--Quid hoc sibi vult?--What is the tendency of this? Surely
it is to dignify, and so to distinguish, these men as messengers from
heaven; and therefore, like Moses at the bush, they will turn aside,
and see this great sight.
III. The scorn which some made of it who were natives of Judea and
Jerusalem, probably the scribes and Pharisees, and chief priests, who
always resisted the Holy Ghost; they said, These men are full of new
wine, or sweet wine; they have drunk too much this festival-time, v.
13. Not that they were so absurd as to think that wine in the head
would enable men to speak languages which they never learned; but
these, being native Jews, knew not, as the others did, that what was
spoken was really the languages of other nations, and therefore took it
to be gibberish and nonsense, such as drunkards, those fools in Israel,
sometimes talk. As when they resolved not to believe the finger of the
Spirit in Christ's miracles, they turned it off with this, "He casteth
out devils by compact with the prince of the devils;" so, when they
resolved not to believe the voice of the Spirit in the apostles'
preaching, they turned it off with this, These men are full of new
wine. And, if they called the Master of the house a wine-bibber, no
marvel if they so call those of his household.
Peter's Sermon at Jerusalem.
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and
said unto them, Ye men of Judæa, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be
this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not
drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.
16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17 And it
shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my
Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream
dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out
in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will
show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood,
and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into
darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of
the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall
call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22 Ye men of Israel,
hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by
miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of
you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by
wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up,
having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he
should be holden of it. 25 For David speaketh concerning him, I
foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand,
that I should not be moved: 26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my
tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27
Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer
thine Holy One to see corruption. 28 Thou hast made known to me the
ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David,
that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this
day. 30 Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn
with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the
flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31 He seeing
this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not
left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32 This Jesus
hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33 Therefore being
by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the
promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see
and hear. 34 For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith
himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35
Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36 Therefore let all the house
of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye
have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
We have here the first-fruits of the Spirit in the sermon which Peter
preached immediately, directed, not to those of other nations in a
strange language (we are not told what answer he gave to those that
were amazed, and said, What meaneth this?) but to the Jews in the
vulgar language, even to those that mocked; for he begins with the
notice of that (v. 15), and addresses his discourse (v. 14) to the men
of Judea and the inhabitants of Jerusalem; but we have reason enough to
think that the other disciples continued to speak to those who
understood them (and therefore flocked about them), in the languages of
their respective countries, the wonderful works of God. And it was not
by Peter's preaching only, but that of all, or most, of the rest of the
hundred and twenty, that three thousand souls were that day converted,
and added to the church; but Peter's sermon only is recorded, to be an
evidence for him that he was thoroughly recovered from his fall, and
thoroughly restored to the divine favour. He that had sneakingly denied
Christ now as courageously confesses him. Observe,
I. His introduction or preface, wherein he craves the attention of the
auditory, or demands it rather: Peter stood up (v. 14), to show that he
was not drunk, with the eleven, who concurred with him in what he said,
and probably in their turns spoke likewise to the same purport; those
that were of greatest authority stood up to speak to the scoffing Jews,
and to confront those who contradicted and blasphemed, but left the
seventy disciples to speak to the willing proselytes from other
nations, who were not so prejudiced, in their own language. Thus among
Christ's ministers, some of greater gifts are called out to instruct
those that oppose themselves, to take hold of sword and spear; others
of meaner abilities are employed in instructing those that resign
themselves, and to be vine-dressers and husband-men. Peter lifted up
his voice, as one that was both well assured of and much affected with
what he said, and was neither afraid nor ashamed to own it. He applied
himself to the men of Judea, andres Ioudaioi--the men that were Jews;
so it should be read; "and you especially that dwell at Jerusalem, who
were accessory to the death of Jesus, be this known unto you, which you
did not know before, and which you are concerned to know now, and
hearken to my words, who would draw you to Christ, and not to the words
of the scribes and Pharisees, that would draw you from him. My Master
is gone, whose words you have often heard in vain, and shall hear no
more as you have done, but he speaks to you by us; hearken now to our
words."
II. His answer to their blasphemous calumny (v. 15): "These men are not
drunken, as you suppose. These disciples of Christ, that now speak with
other tongues, speak good sense, and know what they say, and so do
those they speak to, who are led by their discourses into the knowledge
of the wonderful works of God. You cannot think they are drunk, for it
is but the third hour of the day," nine of the clock in the morning;
and before this time, on the sabbaths and solemn feasts, the Jews did
not eat nor drink: nay, ordinarily, those that are drunk are drunk in
the night, and not in the morning; those are besotted drunkards indeed
who, when they awake, immediately seek it yet again, Prov. xxiii. 35.
III. His account of the miraculous effusion of the Spirit, which is
designed to awaken them all to embrace the faith of Christ, and to join
themselves to his church. Two things he resolves it into:--that it was
the fulfilling of the scripture, and the fruit of Christ's resurrection
and ascension, and consequently the proof of both.
1. That it was the accomplishment of the prophecies of the Old
Testament which related to the kingdom of the Messiah, and therefore an
evidence that this kingdom is come, and the other predictions of it are
fulfilled. He specifies one, that of the prophet Joel, ch. ii. 28. It
is observable that though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and
spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave him utterance, yet he did not set
aside the scriptures, nor think himself above them; nay, much of his
discourse is quotation out of the Old Testament, to which he appeals,
and with which he proves what he says. Christ's scholars never learn
above their Bible; and the Spirit is given not to supersede the
scriptures, but to enable us to understand and improve the scriptures.
Observe,
(1.) The text itself that Peter quotes, v. 17-21. It refers to the last
days, the times of the gospel, which are called the last days because
the dispensation of God's kingdom among men, which the gospel sets up,
is the last dispensation of divine grace, and we are to look for no
other than the continuation of this to the end of time. Or, in the last
days, that is, a great while after the ceasing of prophecy in the
Old-Testament church. Or, in the days immediately preceding the
destruction of the Jewish nation, in the last days of that people, just
before that great and notable day of the Lord spoken of, v. 20. "It was
prophesied of and promised, and therefore you ought to expect it, and
not to be surprised at it; to desire it, and bid it welcome, and not to
dispute it, as not worth taking notice of." The apostle quotes the
whole paragraph, for it is good to take scripture entire; now it was
foretold,
[1.] That there should be a more plentiful and extensive effusion of
the Spirit of grace from on high than had ever yet been. The prophets
of the Old Testament had been filled with the Holy Ghost, and it was
said of the people of Israel that God gave them his good Spirit to
instruct them, Neh. ix. 20. But now the Spirit shall be poured out, not
only upon the Jews, but upon all flesh, Gentiles as well as Jews,
though yet Peter himself did not understand it so, as appears, ch. xi.
17. Or, upon all flesh, that is, upon some of all ranks and conditions
of men. The Jewish doctors taught that the Spirit came only upon wise
and rich men, and such as were of the seed of Israel; but God will not
tie himself to their rules.
[2.] That the Spirit should be in them a Spirit of prophecy; by the
Spirit they should be enabled to foretel things to come, and to preach
the gospel to every creature. This power shall be given without
distinction of sex--now only your sons, but your daughters shall
prophesy; without distinction of age--both your young men and your old
men shall see visions, and dream dreams, and in them receive divine
revelations, to be communicated to the church; and without distinction
of outward condition--even the servants and handmaids shall receive of
the Spirit, and shall prophesy (v. 18); or, in general, men and women,
whom God calls his servants and his handmaids. In the beginning of the
age of prophecy in the Old Testament there were schools of the
prophets, and, before that, the Spirit of prophecy came upon the elders
of Israel that were appointed to the government; but now the Spirit
shall be poured out upon persons of inferior rank, and such as were not
brought up in the schools of the prophets, for the kingdom of the
Messiah is to be purely spiritual. The mention of the daughters (v. 17)
and the handmaidens (v. 18) would make one think that the women who
were taken notice of (ch. i. 14) received the extraordinary gifts of
the Holy Ghost, as well as the men. Philip, the evangelist, had four
daughters who did prophesy (ch. xxi. 9), and St. Paul, finding
abundance of the gifts both of tongues and prophecy in the church of
Corinth, saw it needful to prohibit women's use of those gifts in
public, 1 Cor. xiv. 26, 34.
[3.] That one great thing which they should prophesy of should be the
judgment that was coming upon the Jewish nation, for this was the chief
thing that Christ himself had foretold (Matt. xxiv.) at his entrance
into Jerusalem (Luke xix. 41); and when he was going to die (Luke
xxiii. 29); and these judgments were to be brought upon them to punish
for their contempt of the gospel, and their opposition to it, though it
came to them thus proved. Those that would not submit to the power of
God's grace, in this wonderful effusion of his Spirit, should fall and
lie under the pourings out of the vials of his wrath. Those shall break
that will not bend. First, The destruction of Jerusalem, which was
about forty years after Christ's death, is here called that great and
notable day of the Lord, because it put a final period to the Mosaic
economy; the Levitical priesthood and the ceremonial law were thereby
for ever abolished and done away. The desolation itself was such as was
never brought upon any place or nation, either before or since. It was
the day of the Lord, for it was the day of his vengeance upon that
people for crucifying Christ, and persecuting his ministers; it was the
year of recompences for that controversy; yea, and for all the blood of
the saints and martyrs, from the blood of righteous Abel, Matt. xxiii.
35. It was a little day of judgment; it was a notable day: in Joel it
is called a terrible day, for so it was to men on earth; but here
epiphane (after the Septuagint), a glorious, illustrious day, for so it
was to Christ in heaven; it was the epiphany, his appearing, so he
himself spoke of it, Matt. xxiv. 30. The destruction of the Jews was
the deliverance of the Christians, who were hated and persecuted by
them; and therefore that day was often spoken of by the prophets of
that time, for the encouragement of suffering Christians, that the Lord
was at hand, the coming of the Lord drew nigh, the Judge stood before
the door, James v. 8, 9. Secondly, The terrible presages of that
destruction are here foretold: There shall be wonders in heaven above,
the sun turned into darkness and the moon into blood; and signs too in
the earth beneath, blood and fire. Josephus, in his preface to his
history of the wars of the Jews, speaks of the signs and prodigies that
preceded them, terrible thunders, lightnings, and earthquakes; there
was a fiery comet that hung over the city for a year, and a flaming
sword was seen pointing down upon it; a light shone upon the temple and
the altar at midnight, as if it had been noon-day. Dr. Lightfoot gives
another sense of these presages: The blood of the Son of God, the fire
of the Holy Ghost now appearing, the vapour of the smoke in which
Christ ascended, the sun darkened, and the moon made blood, at the time
of Christ's passion, were all loud warnings given to that unbelieving
people to prepare for the judgments coming upon them. Or, it may be
applied, and very fitly, to the previous judgments themselves by which
that desolation was brought on. The blood points at the wars of the
Jews with the neighbouring nations, with the Samaritans, Syrians, and
Greeks, in which abundance of blood was shed, as there was also in
their civil wars, and the struggles of the seditious (as they called
them), which were very bloody; there was no peace to him that went out
nor to him that came in. The fire and vapour of smoke, here foretold,
literally came to pass in the burning of their cities, and towns, and
synagogues, and temple at last. And this turning of the sun into
darkness, and the moon into blood, bespeaks the dissolution of their
government, civil and sacred, and the extinguishing of all their
lights. Thirdly, The signal preservation of the Lord's people is here
promised (v. 21): Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord Jesus
(which is the description of a true Christian, 1 Cor. i. 2) shall be
saved, shall escape that judgment which shall be a type and earnest of
everlasting salvation. In the destruction of Jerusalem by the
Chaldeans, there was a remnant sealed to be hid in the day of the
Lord's anger; and in the destruction by the Romans not one Christian
perished. Those that distinguish themselves by singular piety shall be
distinguished by special preservation. And observe, the saved remnant
are described by this, that they are a praying people: they call on the
name of the Lord, which intimates that they are not saved by any merit
or righteousness of their own, but purely by the favour of God, which
must be sued out by prayer. It is the name of the Lord which they call
upon that is their strong tower.
(2.) The application of this prophecy to the present event (v. 16):
This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; it is the
accomplishment of that, it is the full accomplishment of it. This is
that effusion of the Spirit upon all flesh which should come, and we
are to look for no other, no more than we are to look for another
Messiah; for as our Messiah ever lives in heaven, reigning and
interceding for his church on earth, so this Spirit of grace, the
Advocate, or Comforter, that was given now, according to the promise,
will, according to the same promise, continue with the church on earth
to the end, and will work all its works in it and for it, and every
member of it, ordinary and extraordinary, by means of the scriptures
and the ministry.
2. That it was the gift of Christ, and the product and proof of his
resurrection and ascension. From this gift of the Holy Ghost, he takes
occasion to preach unto them Jesus; and this part of his sermon he
introduces with another solemn preface (v. 22): "You men of Israel,
hear these words. It is a mercy that you are within hearing of them,
and it is your duty to give heed to them." Words concerning Christ
should be acceptable words to the men of Israel. Here is,
(1.) An abstract of the history of the life of Christ, v. 22. He calls
him Jesus of Nazareth, because by that name he was generally known, but
(which was sufficient to roll away that reproach) he was a man approved
of God among you, censured and condemned by men, but approved of God:
God testified his approbation of his doctrine by the power he gave him
to work miracles: a man marked out by God, so Dr. Hammond reads it;
"signalized and made remarkable among you that now hear me. He was sent
to you, set up, a glorious light in your land; you yourselves are
witnesses how he became famous by miracles, wonders, and signs, works
above the power of nature, out of its ordinary course, and contrary to
it, which God did by him; that is, which he did by that divine power
with which he was clothed, and in which God plainly went along with
him; for no man could do such works unless God were with him." See what
a stress Peter lays upon Christ's miracles. [1.] The matter of fact was
not to be denied: "They were done in the midst of you, in the midst of
your country, your city, your solemn assemblies, as you yourselves also
know. You have been eyewitnesses of his miracles; I appeal to
yourselves whether you have any thing to object against them or can
offer any thing to disprove them." [2.] The inference from them cannot
be disputed; the reasoning is as strong as the evidence; if he did
those miracles, certainly God approved him, declared him to be, what he
declared himself to be, the Son of God and the Saviour of the world;
for the God of truth would never set his seal to a lie.
(2.) An account of his death and sufferings which they were witness of
also but a few weeks ago; and this was the greatest miracle of all,
that a man approved of God should thus seem to be abandoned of him; and
a man thus approved among the people, and in the midst of them, should
be thus abandoned by them too. But both these mysteries are here
explained (v. 23), and his death considered, [1.] As God's act; and in
him it was an act of wonderful grace and wisdom. He delivered him to
death; not only permitted him to be put to death, but gave him up,
devoted him: this is explained Rom. viii. 32, He delivered him up for
us all. And yet he was approved of God, and there was nothing in this
that signified the disapproving of him; for it was done by the
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, in infinite wisdom, and
for holy ends, which Christ himself concurred in, and in the means
leading to them. Thus divine justice must be satisfied, sinners saved,
God and man brought together again, and Christ himself glorified. It
was not only according to the will of God, but according to the counsel
of his will, that he suffered and died; according to an eternal
counsel, which could not be altered. This reconciled him to the cross:
Father, thy will be done; and Father, glorify thy name; let thy purpose
take effect, and let the great end of it be attained. [2.] As the
people's act; and in them it was an act of prodigious sin and folly; it
was fighting against God to persecute one whom he approved as the
darling of heaven; and fighting against their own mercies to persecute
one that was the greatest blessing of this earth. Neither God's
designing it from eternity, nor his bringing good out of it to
eternity, would in the least excuse their sin; for it was their
voluntary act and deed, from a principle morally evil, and therefore
"they were wicked hands with which you have crucified and slain him."
It is probable that some of those were here present who had cried,
Crucify him, crucify him, or had been otherwise aiding and abetting in
the murder; and Peter knew it. However, it was justly looked upon as a
national act, because done both by the vote of the great council and by
the voice of the great crowd. It is a rule, Refertur ad universos quod
publice fit per majorem paretm--That which is done publicly by the
greater part we attribute to all. He charges it particularly on them as
parts of the nation on which it would be visited, the more effectually
to bring them to faith and repentance, because that was the only way to
distinguish themselves from the guilty and discharge themselves from
the guilt.
(3.) An attestation of his resurrection, which effectually wiped away
the reproach of his death (v. 24): Whom God raised up; the same that
delivered him to death delivers him from death, and thereby gave a
higher approbation of him than he had done by any other of the signs
and wonders wrought by him, or by all put together. This therefore he
insists most largely upon.
[1.] He describes his resurrection: God loosed the pains of death,
because it was impossible that he should be holden of it; odinas--the
sorrows of death; the word is used for travailing pains, and some think
it signifies the trouble and agony of his soul, in which it was
exceedingly sorrowful, even to the death; from these pains and sorrows
of soul, this travail of soul, the Father loosed him when at his death
he said, It is finished. Thus Dr. Godwin understands it: "Those terrors
which made Heman's soul lie like the slain (Ps. lxxxviii. 5, 15) had
hold of Christ; but he was too strong for them, and broke through them;
this was the resurrection of his soul (and it is a great thing to bring
a soul out of the depths of spiritual agonies); this was not leaving
his soul in hell; as that which follows, that he should not see
corruption, speaks of the resurrection of his body; and both together
make up the great resurrection." Dr. Lightfoot gives another sense of
this: "Having dissolved the pains of death, in reference to all that
believe in him, God raised up Christ, and by his resurrection broke all
the power of death, and destroyed its pangs upon his own people. He has
abolished death, has altered the property of it, and, because it was
not possible that he should be long holden of it, it is not possible
that they should be for ever holden." But most refer this to the
resurrection of Christ's body. And death (says Mr. Baxter) is by
privation a penal state, though not dolorous by positive evil. But Dr.
Hammond shows that the Septuagint, and from them the apostle here, uses
the word for cords and bands (as Ps. xviii. 4), to which the metaphor
of loosing and being held best agrees. Christ was imprisoned for our
debt, was thrown into the bands of death; but, divine justice being
satisfied, it was not possible he should be detained there, either by
right or by force; for he had life in himself, and in his own power,
and had conquered the prince of death.
[2.] He attests the truth of his resurrection (v. 32): God hath raised
him up, whereof we all are witnesses--we apostles, and others our
companions, that were intimately acquainted with him before his death,
were intimately conversant with him after his resurrection, did eat and
drink with him. They received power, by the descent of the Holy Ghost
upon them, on purpose that they might be skilful, faithful, and
courageous witnesses of this thing, notwithstanding their being charged
by his enemies as having stolen him away.
[3.] He showed it to be the fulfilling of the scripture, and, because
the scripture had said that he must rise again before he saw
corruption, therefore it was impossible that he should be holden by
death and the grave; for David speaks of his being raised, so it comes
in, v. 25. The scripture he refers to is that of David (Ps. xvi. 8-11),
which, though in part applicable to David as a saint, yet refers
chiefly to Jesus Christ, of whom David was a type. Here is,
First, The text quoted at large (v. 25-28), for it was all fulfilled in
him, and shows us, 1. The constant regard that our Lord Jesus had to
his Father in his whole undertaking: I foresaw the Lord before me
continually. He set before him his Father's glory as his end in
all--for he saw that his sufferings would redound abundantly to the
honour of God, and would issue in his own joy; these were set before
him, and these he had an eye to, in all he did and suffered; and with
the prospect of these he was borne up and carried on, John xiii. 31,
32; xvii. 4, 5. 2. The assurance he had of his Father's presence and
power going along with him: "He is on my right hand, the hand of
action, strengthening, guiding, and upholding that, that I should not
be moved, nor driven off from my undertaking, notwithstanding the
hardships I must undergo." This was an article of the covenant of
redemption (Ps. lxxxix. 21), With him my hand shall be established, my
arm also shall strengthen him; and therefore he is confident the work
shall not miscarry in his hand. If God be at our right hand we shall
not be moved. 3. The cheerfulness with which our Lord Jesus went on in
his work, notwithstanding the sorrows he was to pass through: "Being
satisfied that I shall not be moved, but the good pleasure of the Lord
shall prosper in my hand, therefore doth my heart rejoice, and my
tongue is glad, and the thought of my sorrow is as nothing to me."
Note, It was a constant pleasure to our Lord Jesus to look to the end
of his work, and to be sure that the issue would be glorious; so well
pleased is he with his undertaking that it does his heart good to think
how the issue would answer the design. He rejoiced in spirit, Luke x.
21. My tongue was glad. In the psalm it is, My glory rejoiceth; which
intimates that our tongue is our glory, the faculty of speaking is an
honour to us, and never more so than when it is employed in praising
God. Christ's tongue was glad, for when he was just entering upon his
sufferings, in the close of his last supper, he sang a hymn. 4. The
pleasing prospect he had of the happy issue of his death and
sufferings; it was this that carried him, not only with courage, but
with cheerfulness, through them; he was putting off the body, but my
flesh shall rest; the grave shall be to the body, while it lies there,
a bed of repose, and hope shall give it a sweet repose; it shall rest
in hope, hoti, that thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; what follows
is the matter of his hope, or assurance rather, (1.) That the soul
shall not continue in a state of separation from the body; for, besides
that this is some uneasiness to a human soul made for its body, it
would be the continuance of death's triumph over him who was in truth a
conqueror over death: "Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell" (in hades,
in the invisible state, so hades properly signifies); "but, though thou
suffer it for a time to remove thither, and to remain there, yet thou
wilt remand it; thou wilt not leave it there, as thou dost the souls of
other men." (2.) That the body shall lie but a little while in the
grave: Thou wilt not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption; the body
shall not continue dead so long as to begin to putrefy or become
noisome; and therefore it must return to life on or before the third
day after its death. Christ was God's Holy One, sanctified and set
apart to his service in the work of redemption; he must die, for he
must be consecrated by his own blood; but he must not see corruption,
for his death was to be unto God of a sweet smelling savour. This was
typified by the law concerning the sacrifice, that no part of the flesh
of the sacrifice which was to be eaten should be kept till the third
day, for fear it should see corruption and begin to putrefy, Lev. vii.
15-18. (3.) That his death and sufferings should be, not to him only,
but to all his, an inlet to a blessed immortality: "Thou has made known
to me the ways of life, and by me made them known to the world, and
laid them open." When the Father gave to the Son to have life in
himself, a power to lay down his life and to take it again, then he
showed him the way of life, both to and fro; the gates of death were
open to him and the doors of the shadow of death (Job xxxviii. 17), to
pass and repass through them, as his occasion led him, for man's
redemption. (4.) That all his sorrows and sufferings should end in
perfect and perpetual felicity: Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy
countenance. The reward set before him was joy, a fulness of joy, and
that in God's countenance, in the countenance he gave to his
undertaking, and to all those, for his sake, that should believe in
him. The smiles with which the Father received him, when, at his
ascension, he was brought to the Ancient of days, filled him with joy
unspeakable, and that is the joy of our Lord, into which all his shall
enter, and in which they shall be for ever happy.
Secondly, The comment upon this text, especially so much of it as
relates to the resurrection of Christ. He addresses himself to them
with a title of respect, Men and brethren, v. 29. "You are men, and
therefore should be ruled by reason; you are brethren, and therefore
should take kindly what is said to you by one who, being nearly related
to you, is heartily concerned for you, and wishes you well. Now, give
me leave freely to speak to you concerning the patriarch David, and let
it be no offence to you if I tell you that David cannot be understood
here as speaking of himself, but of the Christ to come." David is here
called a patriarch, because he was the father of the royal family, and
a man of great note and eminency in his generation, and whose name and
memory were justly very precious. Now when we read that psalm of his,
we must consider, 1. That he could not say that of himself, for he
died, and was buried, and his sepulchre remained in Jerusalem till now,
when Peter spoke this, and his bones and ashes in it. Nobody ever
pretended that he had risen, and therefore he could never say of
himself that he should not see corruption; for it was plain he did see
corruption. St. Paul urges this, ch. xiii. 35-37. Though he was a man
after God's own heart, yet he went the way of all the earth, as he
saith himself (1 Kings ii. 2), both in death and burial. 2. Therefore
certainly he spoke it as a prophet, with an eye to the Messiah, whose
sufferings the prophets testified beforehand, and with them the glory
that should follow; so did David in that psalm, as Peter here plainly
shows. (1.) David knew that the Messiah should descend from his loins
(v. 30), that God had sworn to him, that of the fruit of his loins,
according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne.
He promised him a Son, the throne of whose kingdom should be
established for ever, 2 Sam. vii. 12. And it is said (Ps. cxxxii. 11),
God swore it in truth unto David. When our Lord Jesus was born, it was
promised that the Lord God would give him the throne of his father
David, Luke i. 32. And all Israel knew that the Messiah was to be the
Son of David, that is, that, according to the flesh, he should be so by
his human nature; for otherwise, according to the spirit, and by his
divine nature, he was to be David's Lord, not his son. God having sworn
to David that the Messiah, promised to his fathers, should be his son
and successor, the fruit of his loins, and heir to his throne, he kept
this in view, in penning his psalms. (2.) Christ being the fruit of his
loins, and consequently in his loins when he penned that psalm (as Levi
is said to be in Abraham's loins when he paid tithes to Melchizedek),
if what he says, as in his own person, be not applicable to himself (as
it is plain that it is not), we must conclude it points to that son of
his that was then in his loins, in whom his family and kingdom were to
have their perfection and perpetuity; and therefore, when he says that
his soul should not be left in its separate state, nor his flesh see
corruption, without doubt he must be understood to speak of the
resurrection of Christ, v. 31. And as Christ died, so he rose again,
according to the scriptures; and that he did so we are witnesses. (3.)
Here is a glance at his ascension too. As David did not rise from the
dead, so neither did he ascend into the heavens, bodily, as Christ did,
v. 34. And further, to prove that when he spoke of the resurrection he
meant it of Christ, he observes that when in another psalm he speaks of
the next step of his exaltation he plainly shows that he spoke of
another person, and such another as was his Lord (Ps. cx. 1): "The Lord
said unto my Lord, when he had raised him from the dead, Sit thou at my
right hand, in the highest dignity and dominion there; be thou
entrusted with the administration of the kingdom both of providence and
grace; sit there as king, until I make thy foes either thy friends or
thy footstool," v. 35. Christ rose from the grave to rise higher, and
therefore it must be of his resurrection that David spoke, and not his
own, in the 16th Psalm; for there was no occasion for him to rise out
of his grave who was not to ascend to heaven.
(4.) The application of this discourse concerning the death,
resurrection, and ascension of Christ.
[1.] This explains the meaning of the present wonderful effusion of the
Spirit in those extraordinary gifts. Some of the people had asked (v.
12), What meaneth this? I will tell you the meaning of it, says Peter.
This Jesus being exalted to the right hand of God, so some read it, to
sit there; exalted by the right hand of God, so we read it, by his
power and authority--it comes all to one; and having received of the
Father, to whom he has ascended, the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath
given what he received (Ps. lxviii. 18), and hath shed forth this which
you now see and hear; for the Holy Ghost was to be given when Jesus was
glorified, and not before, John vii. 39. You see and hear us speak with
tongues that we never learned; probably there was an observable change
in the air of their countenances, which they saw, as well as heard the
change of their voice and language; now this is from the Holy Ghost,
whose coming is an evidence that Jesus is exalted, and he has received
this gift from the Father, to confer it upon the church, which plainly
bespeaks him to be the Mediator, or middle person between God and the
church. The gift of the Holy Ghost was, First, A performance of divine
promises already made; here it is called the promise of the Holy Ghost;
many exceedingly great and precious promises the divine power has given
us, but this is the promise, by way of eminency, as that of the Messiah
had been, and this is the promise that includes all the rest; hence
God's giving the Holy Spirit to those that ask him (Luke xi. 13) is his
giving them all good things, Matt. vii. 11. Christ received the promise
of the Holy Ghost, that is, the promised gift of the Holy Ghost, and
has given it to us; for all the promises are yea and amen in him.
Secondly, It was a pledge of all divine favours further intended; what
you now see and hear is but an earnest of greater things.
[2.] This proves what you are all bound to believe, that Christ Jesus
is the true Messiah and Saviour of the world; this he closes his sermon
with, as the conclusion of the whole matter, the quod erat
demonstrandum--the truth to be demonstrated (v. 36): Therefore let all
the house of Israel know assuredly that this truth has now received its
full confirmation, and we our full commission to publish it, That God
has made that same Jesus whom you have crucified both Lord and Christ.
They were charged to tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ till
after his resurrection (Matt. xvi. 20; xvii. 9); but now it must be
proclaimed on the housetops, to all the house of Israel; he that hath
ears to hear, let him hear it. It is not proposed as probable, but
deposed as certain: Let them know it assuredly, and know that it is
their duty to receive it as a faithful saying, First, That God has
glorified him whom they have crucified. This aggravates their
wickedness, that they crucified one whom God designed to glorify, and
put him to death as a deceiver who had given such pregnant proofs of
his divine mission; and it magnifies the wisdom and power of God that
though they crucified him, and thought thereby to have put him under an
indelible mark of infamy, yet God had glorified him, and the
indignities they had done him served as a foil to his lustre. Secondly,
That he has glorified him to such a degree as to make him both Lord and
Christ: these signify the same; he is Lord of all, and he is not a
usurper, but is Christ, anointed to be so. He is one Lord to the
Gentiles, who had had lords many; and to the Jews he is Messiah, which
includes all his offices. He is the king Messiah, as the Chaldee
paraphrast calls him; or, as the angel to Daniel, Messiah the prince,
Dan. ix. 25. This is the great truth of the gospel which we are to
believe, that that same Jesus, the very same that was crucified at
Jerusalem, is he to whom we owe allegiance, and from whom we are to
expect protection, as Lord and Christ.
Peter's Sermon at Jerusalem.
37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said
unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what
shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized
every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise
is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even
as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words
did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward
generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized:
and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
We have seen the wonderful effect of the pouring out of the Spirit, in
its influence upon the preachers of the gospel. Peter, in all his life,
never spoke at the rate that he had done now, with such fulness,
perspicuity, and power. We are now to see another blessed fruit of the
pouring out of the Spirit in its influence upon the hearers of the
gospel. From the first delivery of that divine message, it appeared
that there was a divine power going along with it, and it was mighty,
through God, to do wonders: thousands were immediately brought by it to
the obedience of faith; it was the rod of God's strength sent out of
Zion, Ps. cx. 2, 3. We have here the first-fruits of that vast harvest
of souls which by it were gathered in to Jesus Christ. Come and see, in
these verses, the exalted Redeemer riding forth, in these chariots of
salvation, conquering and to conquer, Rev. vi. 2.
In these verses we find the word of God the means of beginning and
carrying on a good work of grace in the hearts of many, the Spirit of
the Lord working by it. Let us see the method of it.
I. They were startled, and convinced, and put upon a serious enquiry,
v. 37. When they heard, or having heard, having patiently heard Peter
out, and not given him the interruption they had been used to give to
Christ in his discourses (this was one good point gained, that they
were become attentive to the word), they were pricked to the heart, or
in the heart, and, under a deep concern and perplexity, applied
themselves to the preachers with this question, What shall we do? It
was very strange that such impressions should be made upon such hard
hearts all of a sudden. They were Jews, bred up in the opinion of the
sufficiency of their religion to save them, had lately seen this Jesus
crucified in weakness and disgrace, and were told by their rulers that
he was a deceiver. Peter had charged them with having a hand, a wicked
hand, in his death, which was likely to have exasperated them against
him; yet, when they heard this plain scriptural sermon, they were much
affected with it.
1. It put them in pain: They were pricked in their hearts. We read of
those that were cut to the heart with indignation at the preacher (ch.
vii. 54), but these were pricked to the heart with indignation at
themselves for having been accessory to the death of Christ. Peter,
charging it upon them, awakened their consciences, touched them to the
quick, and the reflection they now made upon it was as a sword in their
bones, it pierced them as they had pierced Christ. Note, Sinners, when
their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin,
cannot but experience an inward uneasiness; this is having the heart
rent (Joel ii. 13), a broken and contrite heart, Ps. li. 17. Those that
are truly sorry for their sins, and ashamed of them, and afraid of the
consequences of them, are pricked to the heart. A prick in the heart is
mortal, and under those commotions (says Paul) I died, Rom. vii. 9.
"All my good opinion of myself and confidence in myself failed me."
2. It put them upon enquiry. Our of the abundance of the heart, thus
pricked, the mouth spoke. Observe,
(1.) To whom they thus addressed themselves: To Peter and to the rest
of the apostles, some to one and some to another; to them they opened
their case; by them they had been convinced, and therefore by them they
expect to be counselled and comforted. They do not appeal from them to
the scribes and Pharisees, to justify them against the apostles'
charge, but apply to them, as owning the charge, and referring the case
to them. They call them men and brethren, as Peter had called them (v.
29): it is a style of friendship and love, rather than a title of
honour: "You are men, look upon us with humanity; you are brethren,
look upon us with brotherly love." Note, Ministers are spiritual
physicians; they should be advised with by those whose consciences are
wounded; and it is good for people to be free and familiar with those
ministers, as men and their brethren, who deal for their souls as for
their own.
(2.) What the address is: What shall we do? [1.] They speak as men at a
stand, that did not know what to do; in a perfect surprise: "Is that
Jesus whom we have crucified both Lord and Christ? Then what will
become of us who crucified him? We are all undone!" Note, No way of
being happy but by seeing ourselves miserable. When we find ourselves
in danger of being lost for ever, there is hope of our being made for
ever, and not till then. [2.] They speak as men at a point, that were
resolved to do any thing they should be directed to immediately; they
are not for taking time to consider, nor for adjourning the prosecution
of their convictions to a more convenient season, but desire now to be
told what they must do to escape the misery they were liable to. Note,
those that are convinced of sin would gladly know the way to peace and
pardon, ch. ix. 6; xvi. 30.
II. Peter and the other apostles direct them in short what they must
do, and what in so doing they might expect, v. 38, 39. Sinners
convinced must be encouraged; and that which is broken must be bound up
(Ezek. xxxiv. 16); they must be told that though their case is sad it
is not desperate, there is hope for them.
1. He here shows them the course they must take. (1.) Repent; this is a
plank after shipwreck. "Let the sense of this horrid guilt which you
have brought upon yourselves by putting Christ to death awaken you to a
penitent reflection upon all your other sins (as the demand of some one
great debt brings to light all the debts of a poor bankrupt) and to
bitter remorse and sorrow for them" This was the same duty that John
the Baptist and Christ had preached, and now that the Spirit is poured
out is it still insisted on: "Repent, repent; change your mind, change
your way; admit an after-thought." (2.) Be baptized every one of you in
the name of Jesus Christ; that is, "firmly believe the doctrine of
Christ, and submit to his grace and government; and make an open solemn
profession of this, and come under an engagement to abide by it, by
submitting to the ordinance of baptism; be proselyted to Christ and to
his holy religion, and renounce your infidelity." They must be baptized
in the name of Jesus Christ. They did believe in the Father and the
Holy Ghost speaking by the prophets; but they must also believe in the
name of Jesus, that he is the Christ, the Messias promised to the
fathers. "Take Jesus for your king, and by baptism swear allegiance to
him; take him for your prophet, and hear him; take him for your priest,
to make atonement for you," which seems peculiarly intended here; for
they must be baptized in his name for the remission of sins upon the
score of his righteousness. (3.) This is pressed upon each particular
person: Every one of you. "Even those of you that have been the
greatest sinners, if they repent and believe, are welcome to be
baptized; and those who think they have been the greatest saints have
yet need to repent, and believe, and be baptized. There is grace enough
in Christ for every one of you, be you ever so many, and grace suited
to the case of every one. Israel of old were baptized unto Moses in the
camp, the whole body of the Israelites together, when they passed
through the cloud and the sea (1 Cor. x. 1, 2), for the covenant of
peculiarity was national; but now every one of you distinctly must be
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and transact for himself in
this great affair." See Col. i. 28.
2. He gives them encouragement to take this course:--(1.) "It shall be
for the remission of sins. Repent of your sin, and it shall not be your
ruin; be baptized into the faith of Christ, and in truth you shall be
justified, which you could never be by the law of Moses. Aim at this,
and depend upon Christ for it, and this you shall have. As the cup in
the Lord's supper is the New Testament in the blood of Christ for the
remission of sins, so baptism is in the name of Christ for the
remission of sins. Be washed, and you shall be washed." (2.) "You shall
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost as well as we; for it is designed
for a general blessing: some of you shall receive these external gifts,
and each of you, if you be sincere in your faith and repentance, shall
receive his internal graces and comforts, shall be sealed with the Holy
Spirit of promise." Note, All that receive the remission of sins
receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. All that are justified are
sanctified. (3.) "Your children shall still have, as they have had, an
interest in the covenant, and a title to the external seal of it. Come
over to Christ, to receive those inestimable benefits; for the promise
of the remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost, is to you and
to your children," v. 39. It was very express (Isa. xliv. 3): I will
pour my Spirit upon thy seed. And (Isa. lix. 21), My Spirit and my word
shall not depart from thy seed, and thy seed's seed. When God took
Abraham into covenant, he said, I will be a God to thee, and to thy
seed (Gen. xvii. 7); and, accordingly, every Israelite had his son
circumcised at eight days old. Now it is proper for an Israelite, when
he is by baptism to come into a new dispensation of this covenant, to
ask, "What must be done with my children? Must they be thrown out, or
taken in with me?" "Taken in" (says Peter) "by all means; for the
promise, that great promise of God's being to you a God, is as much to
you and to your children now as ever it was." (4.) "Though the promise
is still extended to your children as it has been, yet it is not, as it
has been, confined to you and them, but the benefit of it is designed
for all that are afar off;" we may add, and their children, for the
blessing of Abraham comes upon the Gentiles, through Jesus Christ, Gal.
iii. 14. The promise had long pertained to the Israelites (Rom. ix. 4);
but now it is sent to those that are afar off, the remotest nations of
the Gentiles, and every one of them too, all that are afar off. To this
general the following limitation must refer, even as many of them, as
many particular persons in each nation, as the Lord our God shall call
effectually into the fellowship of Jesus Christ. Note, God can make his
call to reach those that are ever so far off, and none come but those
whom he calls.
III. These directions are followed with a needful caution (v. 40): With
many other words, to the same purport, did he testify gospel truths,
and exhort to gospel duties; now that the word began to work he
followed it; he had said much in a little (v. 38, 39), and that which,
one would think, included all, and yet he had more to say. When we have
heard those words which have done our souls good, we cannot but wish to
hear more, to hear many more such words. Among other things he said
(and it should seem inculcated it), Save yourselves from this untoward
generation. Be you free from them. The unbelieving Jews were an
untoward generation, perverse and obstinate; they walked contrary to
God and man (1 Thess. ii. 15), wedded to sin and marked for ruin. Now
as to them, 1. "Give diligence to save yourselves from their ruin, that
you may not be involved in that, and may escape all those things" (as
the Christians did): "Repent, and be baptized; and then you shall not
be sharers in destruction with those with whom you have been sharers in
sin." O gather not my soul with sinners. 2. "In order to this continue
not with them in their sin, persist not with them in infidelity. Save
yourselves, that is, separate yourselves, distinguish yourselves, from
this untoward generation. Be not rebellious like this rebellious house;
partake not with them in their sins, that you share not with them in
their plagues." Note, To separate ourselves from wicked people is the
only way to save ourselves from them; though we hereby expose ourselves
to their rage and enmity, we really save ourselves from them; for, if
we consider whither they are hastening, we shall see it is better to
have the trouble of swimming against their stream than the danger of
being carried down their stream. Those that repent of their sins, and
give up themselves to Jesus Christ, must evidence their sincerity by
breaking off all intimate society with wicked people. Depart from me,
ye evil doers, is the language of one that determines to keep the
commandments of his God, Ps. cxix. 115. We must save ourselves from
them, which denotes avoiding them with dread and holy fear, as we would
save ourselves from an enemy that seeks to destroy us, or from a house
infected with the plague.
IV. Here is the happy success and issue of this, v. 41. The Spirit
wrought with the word, and wrought wonders by it. These same persons
that had many of them been eye-witnesses of the death of Christ, and
the prodigies that attended it, and were not wrought upon by them, were
yet wrought upon by the preaching of the word, for it is this that is
the power of God unto salvation. 1. They received the word; and then
only the word does us good, when we do receive it, embrace it, and bid
it welcome. They admitted the conviction of it, and accepted the offers
of it. 2. They gladly received it. Herod heard the word gladly, but
these gladly received it, were not only glad that they had it to
receive, but glad that by the grace of God they were enabled to receive
it, though it would be a humbling changing word to them, and would
expose them to the enmity of their countrymen. 3. They were baptized;
believing with the heart, they made confession with the mouth, and
enrolled themselves among the disciples of Christ by that sacred rite
and ceremony which he had instituted. And though Peter had said, "Be
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus" (because the doctrine of Christ
was the present truth), yet we have reason to think that, in baptizing
them, the whole form Christ prescribed was used, in the name of the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Note, Those that receive the
Christian covenant ought to receive the Christian baptism. 4. Hereby
there were added to the disciples to the number of about three thousand
souls that same day. All those that had received the Holy Ghost had
their tongues at work to preach, and their hands at work to baptize;
for it was time to be busy, when such a harvest was to be gathered in.
The conversion of these three thousand with these words was a greater
work than the feeding of four or five thousand with a few loaves. Now
Israel began to multiply after the death of our Joseph. They are said
to be three thousand souls (which word is generally used for persons
when women and children are included with men, as Gen. xiv. 21, margin,
Give me the souls; Gen. xlvi. 27, seventy souls), which intimates that
those that were here baptized were not so many men, but so many heads
of families as, with their children and servants baptized, might make
up three thousand souls. These were added to them. Note, Those who are
joined to Christ are added to the disciples of Christ, and join with
them. When we take God for our God, we must take his people to be our
people.
The Fellowship of the Disciples.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and
fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 And fear
came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the
apostles. 44 And all that believed were together, and had all things
common; 45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to
all men, as every man had need. 46 And they, continuing daily with
one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did
eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising
God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the
church daily such as should be saved.
We often speak of the primitive church, and appeal to it, and to the
history of it; in these verses we have the history of the truly
primitive church, of the first days of it, its state of infancy indeed,
but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence.
I. They kept close to holy ordinances, and abounded in all instances of
piety and devotion, for Christianity, admitted in the power of it, will
dispose the soul to communion with God in all those ways wherein he has
appointed us to meet him and promised to meet us.
1. They were diligent and constant inn their attendance upon the
preaching of the word. They continued in the apostles' doctrine, and
never disowned nor deserted it; or, as it may be read, they continued
constant to the apostles' teaching or instruction; by baptism they were
discipled to be taught, and they were willing to be taught. Note, Those
who have given up their names to Christ must make conscience of hearing
his word; for thereby we give honour to him, and build up ourselves in
our most holy faith.
2. They kept up the communion of saints. They continued in fellowship
(v. 42), and continued daily with one accord in the temple, v. 46. They
not only had a mutual affection to each other, but a great deal of
mutual conversation with each other; they were much together. When they
withdrew from the untoward generation, they did not turn hermits, but
were very intimate with one another, and took all occasions to meet;
wherever you saw one disciple, you would see more, like birds of a
feather. See how these Christians love one another. They were concerned
for one another, sympathized with one another, and heartily espoused
one another's interests. They had fellowship with one another in
religious worship. They met in the temple: there was their rendezvous;
for joint-fellowship with God is the best fellowship we can have with
one another, 1 John i. 3. Observe, (1.) They were daily in the temple,
not only on the days of the sabbaths and solemn feasts, but on other
days, every day. Worshipping God is to be our daily work, and, where
there is opportunity, the oftener it is done publicly the better. God
loves the gates of Zion, and so must we. (2.) They were with one
accord; not only no discord nor strife, but a great deal of holy love
among them; and they heartily joined in their public services. Though
they met with the Jews in the courts of the temple, yet the Christians
kept together by themselves, and were unanimous in their separate
devotions.
3. They frequently joined in the ordinance of the Lord's supper. They
continued in the breaking of bread, in celebrating that memorial of
their Master's death, as those that were not ashamed to own their
relation to, and their dependence upon, Christ and him crucified. They
could not forget the death of Christ, yet they kept up this memorial of
it, and made it their constant practice, because it was an institution
of Christ, to be transmitted to the succeeding ages of the church. They
broke bread from house to house; kat oikon--house by house; they did
not think fit to celebrate the eucharist in the temple, for that was
peculiar to the Christian institutes, and therefore they administered
that ordinance in private houses, choosing such houses of the converted
Christians as were convenient, to which the neighbours resorted; and
they went from one to another of these little synagogues or domestic
chapels, houses that had churches in them, and there celebrated the
eucharist with those that usually met there to worship God.
4. They continued in prayers. After the Spirit was poured out, as well
as before, while they were waiting for him, they continued instant in
prayer; for prayer will never be superseded till it comes to be
swallowed up in everlasting praise. Breaking of bread comes in between
the work and prayer, for it has reference to both, and is a help to
both. The Lord's supper is a sermon to the eye, and a confirmation of
God's word to us; and it is an encouragement to our prayers, and a
solemn expression of the ascent of our souls to God.
5. They abounded in thanksgiving; were continually praising God, v. 47.
This should have a part in every prayer, and not be crowded into a
corner. Those that have received the gift of the Holy Ghost will be
much in praise.
II. They were loving one to another, and very kind; their charity was
as eminent as their piety, and their joining together in holy
ordinances knit their hearts to each other, and very much endeared them
to one another.
1. They had frequent meetings for Christian converse (v. 44): All that
believed were together; not all those thousands in one place (this was
impracticable); but, as Dr. Lightfoot explains it, they kept together
in several companies or congregations, according as their languages,
nations, or other associations, brought them and kept them together.
And thus joining together, because it was apart from those that
believed not, and because it was in the same profession and practice of
the duties of religion, they are said to be together, epi to auto. They
associated together, and so both expressed and increased their mutual
love.
2. They had all things common; perhaps they had common tables (as the
Spartans of old), for familiarity, temperance and freedom of
conversation; they ate together, that those who had much might have the
less, and so be kept from the temptations of abundance; and they who
had little might have the more, and so be kept from the temptations of
want and poverty. Or, There was such a concern for one another, and
such a readiness to help one another as there was occasion, that it
might be said, They had all things common, according to the law of
friendship; one wanted not what another had; for he might have it for
the asking.
3. They were very cheerful, and very generous in the use of what they
had. Besides the religion that was in their sacred feasts (their
breaking bread from house to house) a great deal of it appeared in
their common meals; they did eat their meat with gladness and
singleness of heart. They brought the comforts of God's table along
with them to their own, which had two good effects upon them:--(1.) It
made them very pleasant, and enlarged their hearts with holy joy; they
did eat their bread with joy, and drank their wine with a merry heart,
as knowing that God now accepted their works. None have such cause to
be cheerful as good Christians have; it is a pity but that they should
always have hearts to be so. (2.) It made them very liberal to their
poor brethren, and enlarged their hearts in charity. They did eat their
meat with singleness of heart, en apheloteti kardias--with liberality
of heart; so some: they did not eat their morsels alone, but bade the
poor welcome to their table, not grudgingly, but with all the hearty
freedom imaginable. Note, It becomes Christians to be open-hearted and
open-handed, and in every good work to sow plentifully, as those on
whom God hath sown plentifully, and who hope to reap so.
4. They raised a fund for charity (v. 45): They sold their possessions
and goods; some sold their lands and houses, others their stocks and
the furniture of their houses, and parted the money to their brethren,
as every man had need. This was to destroy, not property (as Mr. Baxter
says), but selfishness. Herein, probably, they had an eye to the
command which Christ gave to the rich man, as a test of his sincerity,
Sell that thou hast, and give to the poor. Not that this was intended
for an example to be a constant binding rule, as if all Christians in
all places and ages were bound to sell their estates, and give away the
money in charity. For St. Paul's epistles, after this, often speak of
the distinction of rich and poor, and Christ hath said that the poor we
always have with us, and shall have, and the rich must be always doing
them good out of the rents, issues, and profits, of their estates,
which they disable themselves to do, if they sell them, and give all
away at once. But here the case was extraordinary (1.) They were under
no obligation of a divine command to do this, as appears by what Peter
said to Ananias (ch. v. 4): Was it not in thine own power? But it was a
very commendable instance of their raisedness above the world, their
contempt of it, their assurance of another world, their love to their
brethren, their compassion to the poor, and their great zeal for the
encouraging of Christianity, and the nursing of it in its infancy. The
apostles left all to follow Christ, and were to give themselves wholly
to the word and prayer, and something must be done for their
maintenance; so that this extraordinary liberality was like that of
Israel in the wilderness towards the building of the tabernacle, which
needed to be restrained, Exod. xxxvi. 5, 6. Our rule is, to give
according as God has blessed us; yet, in such an extraordinary case as
this, those are to be praised who give beyond their power, 2 Cor. viii.
3. (2.) They were Jews that did this, and those who believed Christ
must believe that the Jewish nation would shortly be destroyed, and an
end put to the possession of estates and goods in it, and, in the
belief of this, they sold them for the present service of Christ and
his church.
III. God owned them, and gave them signal tokens of his presence with
them (v. 43): Many wonders and signs were done by the apostles of
divers sorts, which confirmed their doctrine, and incontestably proved
that it was from God. Those that could work miracles could have
maintained themselves and the poor that were among them miraculously,
as Christ fed thousands with a little food; but it was as much for the
glory of God that it should be done by a miracle of grace (inclining
people to sell their estates, to do it) as if it had been done by a
miracle in nature.
But the Lord's giving them power to work miracles was not all he did
for them; he added to the church daily. The word in their mouths did
wonders, and God blessed their endeavours for the increase of the
number of believers. Note, It is God's work to add souls to the church;
and it is a great comfort both to ministers and Christians to see it.
IV. The people were influenced by it; those that were without, the
standers by, that were spectators. 1. They feared them, and had a
veneration for them (v. 43): Fear came upon every soul, that is, upon
very many who saw the wonders and signs done by the apostles, and were
afraid lest their not being respected as they should be would bring
desolation upon their nation. The common people stood in awe of them,
as Herod feared John. Though they had nothing of external pomp to
command external respect, as the scribes' long robes gained them the
greetings in the market-places, yet they had abundance of spiritual
gifts that were truly honourable, which possessed men with an inward
reverence for them. Fear came upon every soul; the souls of people were
strangely influenced by their awful preaching and living. 2. They
favoured them. Though we have reason to think there were those that
despised them and hated them (we are sure the Pharisees and chief
priests did), yet far the greater part of the common people had a
kindness for them--they had favour with all the people. Christ was so
violently run upon and run down by a packed mob, which cried, Crucify
him, crucify him, that one would think his doctrine and followers were
never likely to have an interest in the common people any more. And yet
here we find them in favour with them all, by which it appears that
their prosecuting Christ was a sort of force put upon them by the
artifices of the priests; now they returned to their wits, to their
right mind. Note, Undissembled piety and charity will command respect;
and cheerfulness in serving God will recommend religion to those that
are without. Some read it, They had charity to all the people--charin
echontes pros holon ton laon; they did not confine their charity to
those of their own community, but it was catholic and extensive; and
this recommended them very much. 3. They fell over to them. Some or
other were daily coming in, though not so many as the first day; and
they were such as should be saved. Note, Those that God has designed
for eternal salvation shall one time or other be effectually brought to
Christ: and those that are brought to Christ are added to the church in
a holy covenant by baptism, and in holy communion by other ordinances.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. III.
In this chapter we have a miracle and a sermon: the miracle wrought to
make way for the sermon, to confirm the doctrine that was to be
preached, and to make way for it into the minds of the people; and then
the sermon to explain the miracle, and to sow the ground which by it
was broken up. I. The miracle was the healing of a man that was lame
from his birth, with a word speaking (ver. 1-8), and the impression
which this made upon the people, ver. 9-11. II. The scope of the sermon
which was preached here upon was to bring people to Christ, to repent
of their sin in crucifying him (ver. 12-19), to believe in him now that
he was glorified, and to comply with the Father's design in glorifying
him, ver. 20-26. The former part of the discourse opens the wound, the
latter applies the remedy.
The Healing of a Cripple.
1 Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of
prayer, being the ninth hour. 2 And a certain man lame from his
mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the
temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into
the temple; 3 Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple
asked an alms. 4 And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John,
said, Look on us. 5 And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive
something of them. 6 Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none;
but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth
rise up and walk. 7 And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him
up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. 8 And
he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple,
walking, and leaping, and praising God. 9 And all the people saw him
walking and praising God: 10 And they knew that it was he which sat
for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with
wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him. 11 And as
the lame man which was healed held Peter and John, all the people ran
together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly
wondering.
We were told in general (ch. ii. 43) that many signs and wonders were
done by the apostles, which are not written in this book; but here we
have one given us for an instance. As they wrought miracles, not upon
every body as every body had occasion for them, but as the Holy Spirit
gave direction, so as to answer the end of their commission; so all the
miracles they did work are not written in this book, but such only are
recorded as the Holy Ghost thought fit, to answer the end of this
sacred history.
I. The persons by whose ministry this miracle was wrought were Peter
and John, two principal men among the apostles; they were so in
Christ's time, one speaker of the house for the most part, the other
favourite of the Master; and they continue so. When, upon the
conversion of thousands, the church was divided into several societies,
perhaps Peter and John presided in that which Luke associated with, and
therefore he is more particular in recording what they said and did, as
afterwards what Paul said and did when he attended him, both the one
and the other being designed for specimens of what the other apostles
did.
Peter and John had each of them a brother among the twelve, with whom
they were coupled when they were sent out; yet now they seem to be knit
together more closely than either of them to his brother, for the bond
of friendship is sometimes stronger than that of relation: there is a
friend that sticks closer than a brother. Peter and John seem to have
had a peculiar intimacy after Christ's resurrection more than before,
John xx. 2. The reason of which (if I may have liberty to conjecture)
might be this, that John, a disciple made up of love, was more
compassionate to Peter upon his fall and repentance, and more tender of
him in his bitter weeping for his sin, than any other of the apostles
were, and more solicitous to restore him in the spirit of meekness,
which made him very dear to Peter ever after; and it was good evidence
of Peter's acceptance with God, upon his repentance, that Christ's
favourite was made his bosom friend. David prayed, after his fall, Let
those that fear thee turn unto me, Ps. cxix. 79.
II. The time and place are here set down. 1. It was in the temple,
whither Peter and John went up together, because it was the place of
concourse; there were the shoals of fish among which the net of the
gospel was to be cast, especially during the days of pentecost, within
the compass of which we may suppose this to have happened. Note, It is
good to go up to the temple, to attend on public ordinances; and it is
comfortable to go up together to the temple: I was glad when they said
unto me, Let us go. The best society is society in worshipping God. 2.
It was at the hour of prayer, one of the hours of public worship
commonly appointed and observed among the Jews. Time and place are two
necessary circumstances of every action, which must be determined by
consent, as is most convenient for edification. With reference to
public worship, there must be a house of prayer and an hour of prayer:
the ninth hour, that is, three o'clock in the afternoon, was one of the
hours of prayer among the Jews; nine in the morning and twelve at noon
were the other two. See Ps. lv. 17; Dan. vi. 10. It is of use for
private Christians so far to have their hours of prayer as may serve,
though not to bind, yet to remind conscience: every thing is beautiful
in its season.
III. The patient on whom this miraculous cure was wrought is here
described, v. 2. He was a poor lame beggar at the temple gate. 1. He
was a cripple, not by accident, but born so; he was lame from his
mother's womb, as it should seem, by a paralytic distemper, which
weakened his limbs; for it is said in the description of his cure (v.
7), His feet and ankle bones received strength. Some such piteous cases
now and then there are, which we ought to be affected with and look
upon with compassion, and which are designed to show us what we all are
by nature spiritually: without strength, lame from our birth, unable to
work or walk in God's service. 2. He was a beggar. Being unable to work
for his living, he must live upon alms; such are God's poor. He was
laid daily by his friends at one of the gates of the temple, a
miserable spectacle, unable to do any thing for himself but to ask alms
of those that entered into the temple or came out. There was a
concourse,--a concourse of devout good people, from whom charity might
be expected, and a concourse of such people when it might be hoped they
were in the best frame; and there he was laid. Those that need, and
cannot work, must not be ashamed to beg. He would not have been laid
there, and laid there daily, if he had not been used to meet with
supplies, daily supplies there. Note, Our prayers and our alms should
go together; Cornelius's did, ch. x. 4. Objects of charity should be in
a particular manner welcome to us when we go up to the temple to pray;
it is a pity that common beggars at church doors should any of them be
of such a character as to discourage charity; but they ought not always
to be overlooked: some there are surely that merit regard, and better
feed ten drones, yea, and some wasps, than let one bee starve. The gate
of the temple at which he was laid is here named: it was called
Beautiful, for the extraordinary splendour and magnificence of it. Dr.
Lightfoot observes that this was the gate that led out of the court of
the Gentiles into that of the Jews, and he supposes that the cripple
would beg only of the Jews, as disdaining to ask any thing of the
Gentiles. But Dr. Whitby takes it to be at the first entrance into the
temple, and beautified sumptuously, as became the frontispiece of that
place where the divine Majesty vouchsafed to dwell; and it was no
diminution to the beauty of this gate that a poor man lay there
begging. 3. He begged of Peter and John (v. 3), begged an alms; this
was the utmost he expected from them, who had the reputation of being
charitable men, and who, though they had not much, yet did good with
what they had. It was not many weeks ago that the blind and the lame
came to Christ in the temple, and were healed there, Matt. xxi. 14. And
why might not he have asked more than an alms, if he knew that Peter
and John were Christ's messengers, and preached and wrought miracles in
his name? But he had that done for him which he looked not for; he
asked an alms, and had a cure.
IV. We have here the method of the cure.
1. His expectations were raised. Peter, instead of turning his eyes
form him, as many do from objects of charity, turned his eyes to him,
nay, he fastened his eyes upon him, that his eye might affect his heart
with compassion towards him, v. 4. John did so too, for they were both
guided by one and the same Spirit, and concurred in this miracle; they
said, Look on us. Our eye must be ever towards the Lord (the eye of our
mind), and, in token of this, the eye of the body may properly be fixed
on those whom he employs as the ministers of his grace. This man needed
not to be bidden twice to look on the apostles; for he justly thought
this gave him cause to expect that he should receive something form
them, and therefore he gave heed to them, v. 5. Note, We must come to
God both to attend on his word and to apply ourselves to him in prayer,
with hearts fixed and expectations raised. We must look up to heaven
and expect to receive benefit by that which God speaks thence, and an
answer of peace to the prayers sent up thither. I will direct my prayer
unto thee, and will look up.
2. His expectation of an alms was disappointed. Peter said, "Silver and
gold have I none, and therefore none to give thee;" yet he intimated
that if he had had any he would have given him an alms, not brass, but
silver or gold. Note, (1.) It is not often that Christ's friends and
favourites have abundance of the wealth of this world. The apostles
were very poor, had but just enough for themselves, and no overplus.
Peter and John had abundance of money laid at their feet, but this was
appropriated to the maintenance of the poor of the church, and they
would not convert any of it to their own use, nor dispose of it
otherwise than according tot he intention of the donors. Public trusts
ought to be strictly and faithfully observed. (2.) Many who are well
inclined to works of charity are yet not in a capacity of doing any
thing considerable, while others, who have wherewithal to do much, have
not a heart to do any thing.
3. His expectations, notwithstanding, were quite outdone. Peter had not
money to give him; but, (1.) He had that which was better, such an
interest in heaven, such a power from heaven, as to be able to cure his
disease. Note, Those who are poor in the world may yet be rich, very
rich, in spiritual gifts, graces, and comforts; certainly there is that
which we are capable of possessing which is infinitely better than
silver and gold; the merchandise and gain of it are better, Job xxviii.
12, &c.; Prov. iii. 14, &c. (2.) He gave him that which was better--the
cure of his disease, which he would gladly have given a great deal of
silver and gold for, if he had had it, and the cure could have been so
obtained. This would enable him to work for his living, so that he
would not need to beg any more; nay, he would have to give to those
that needed, and it is more blessed to give than to receive. A
miraculous cure would be a greater instance of God's favour, and would
put a greater honour upon him, than thousands of gold and silver could.
Observe, When Peter had no silver and gold to give, yet (says he) such
as I have I give thee. Note, Those may be, and ought to be, otherwise
charitable and helpful to the poor, who have not wherewithal to give in
charity; those who have not silver and gold have their limbs and
senses, and with these may be serviceable to the blind, and lame, and
sick, and if they be not, as there is occasion, neither would they give
to them if they had silver and gold. As every one hath received the
gift, so let him minister it. Let us now see how the cure was wrought.
[1.] Christ sent his word, and healed him (Ps. cvii. 20); for healing
grace is given by the word of Christ; this is the vehicle of the
healing virtue derived from Christ. Christ spoke cures by himself; the
apostles spoke them in his name. Peter bids a lame man rise up and
walk, which would have been a banter upon him if he had not premised in
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth: "I say it by warrant from him,
and it shall be done by power from him, and all the glory and praise of
it shall be ascribed to him." He calls Christ Jesus of Nazareth, which
was a name of reproach, to intimate that the indignities done him on
earth served but as a foil to his glories now that he was in heaven.
"Give him what name you will, call him if you will in scorn Jesus of
Nazareth, in that name you shall see wonders done; for, because he
humbled himself, thus highly was he exalted." He bids the cripple rise
up and walk, which does not prove that he had power in himself to do
it, but that if he attempt to rise and walk, and, in a sense of his own
impotency, depend upon a divine power to enable him to do it, he shall
be enabled; and by rising and walking he must evidence what that power
has wrought upon him; and then let him take the comfort, and let God
have the praise. Thus it is in the healing of our souls, which are
spiritually impotent. [2.] Peter lent his hand, and helped him (v. 7):
He took him by the right hand, in the same name in which he had spoken
to him to arise and walk, and lifted him up. Not that this could
contribute any thing to his cure; but it was a sign, plainly intimating
the help he should receive from God, if he exerted himself as he was
bidden. When God by his word commands us to rise, and walk in the way
of his commandments, if we mix faith with that word, and lay our souls
under the power of it, he will give his Spirit to take us by the hand,
and lift us up. If we set ourselves to do what we can, God has promised
his grace to enable us to do what we cannot; and by that promise we
partake of a new nature, and that grace shall not be in vain; it was
not here: His feet and ankle-bones received strength, which they had
not done if he had not attempted to rise, and been helped up; he does
his part, and Peter does his, and yet it is Christ that does all: it is
he that puts strength into him. As the bread was multiplied in the
breaking, and the water turned into wine in the pouring out, so
strength was given to the cripple's feet in his stirring them and using
them.
V. Here is the impression which this cure made upon the patient
himself, which we may best conceive of if we put our soul into his
soul's stead. 1. He leaped up, in obedience to the command, Arise. He
found in himself such a degree of strength in his feet and ankle-bones
that he did not steal up gently, with fear and trembling, as weak
people do when they begin to recover strength; but he started up, as
one refreshed with sleep, boldly, and with great agility, and as one
that questioned not his own strength. The incomes of strength were
sudden, and he was no less sudden in showing them. He leaped, as one
glad to quit the bed or pad of straw on which he had lain so long lame.
2. He stood, and walked. He stood without either leaning or trembling,
stood straight up, and walked without a staff. He trod strongly, and
moved steadily; and this was to manifest the cure, and that it was a
thorough cure. Note, Those who have had experience of the working of
divine grace upon them should evidence what they have experienced. Has
God put strength into us? Let us stand before him in the exercises of
devotion; let us walk before him in all the instances of a religious
conversation. Let us stand up resolutely for him, and walk cheerfully
with him, and both in strength derived and received form him. 3. He
held Peter and John, v. 11. We need not ask why he held them. I believe
he scarcely knew himself: but it was in a transport of joy that he
embraced them as the best benefactors he had ever met with, and hung
upon them to a degree of rudeness; he would not let them go forward,
but would have them stay with him, while he published to all about him
what God had done for him by them. Thus he testified his affection to
them; he held them, and would not let them go. Some suggest that he
clung to them for fear lest, if they should leave him, his lameness
should return. Those whom God hath healed love those whom he made
instruments of their healing, and see the need of their further help.
4. He entered with them into the temple. His strong affection to them
held them; but it could not hold them so fast as to keep them out of
the temple, whither they were going to preach Christ. We should never
suffer ourselves to be diverted by the utmost affectionate kindnesses
of our friends from going in the way of our duty. But, if they will not
stay with him, he is resolved to go with them, and the rather because
they are going into the temple, whence he had been so long kept by his
weakness and his begging: like the impotent man whom Christ cured, he
was presently found in the temple, John v. 14. He went into the temple,
not only to offer up his praises and thanksgivings to God, but to hear
more from the apostles of that Jesus in whose name he had been healed.
Those that have experienced the power of Christ should earnestly desire
to grow in their acquaintance with Christ. 5. He was there walking, and
leaping, and praising God. Note, The strength God has given us, both in
mind and body, should be made us of to his praise, and we should study
how to honour him with it. Those that are healed in his name must walk
up and down in his name and in his strength, Zech. x. 12. This man, as
soon as he could leap, leaped for joy in God, and praised him. Here was
that scripture fulfilled (Isa. xxxv. 6): Then shall the lame man leap
as a hart. Now that this man was newly cured he was in this excess of
joy and thankfulness. All true converts walk and praise God; but
perhaps young converts leap more in his praises.
VI. How the people that were eye-witnesses of this miracle were
influenced by it we are next told. 1. They were entirely satisfied in
the truth of the miracle, and had nothing to object against it. They
knew it was he that sat begging at the beautiful gate of the temple, v.
10. He had sat there so long that they all knew him; and for this
reason he was chosen to be the vessel of this mercy. Now they were not
so perverse as to make any doubt whether he was the same man, as the
Pharisees had questioned concerning the blind man that Christ cured,
John ix. 9, 18. They now saw him walking, and praising God (v. 9), and
perhaps took notice of a change in his mind; for he was now as loud in
praising God as he had before been in begging relief. The best evidence
that it was a complete cure was that he now praised God for it. Mercies
are then perfected, when they are sanctified. 2. They were astonished
at it: They were filled with wonder and amazement (v. 10); greatly
wondering, v. 11. They were in an ecstasy. There seems to have been
this effect of the pouring out of the Spirit, that the people, at least
those in Jerusalem, were much more affected with the miracles the
apostles wrought than they had been with those of the same kind that
had been wrought by Christ himself; and this was in order to the
miracles answering their end. 3. They gathered about Peter and John:
All the people ran together unto them in Solomon's porch: some only to
gratify their curiosity with the sight of men that had such power;
others with a desire to hear them preach, concluding that their
doctrine must needs be of divine origin, which thus had a divine
ratification. They flocked to them in Solomon's porch, a part of the
court of the Gentiles, where Solomon had built the outer porch of the
temple; or, some cloisters or piazzas which Herod had erected upon the
same foundation upon which Solomon had built the stately porch that
bore his name, Herod being ambitious herein to be a second Solomon.
Here the people met, to see this great sight.
Peter's Address after Healing the Cripple.
12 And when Peter saw it, he answered unto the people, Ye men of
Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as
though by our own power or holiness we had made this man to walk? 13
The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers,
hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in
the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But
ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be
granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath
raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And his name
through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and
know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect
soundness in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brethren, I wot
that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But
those things, which God before had showed by the mouth of all his
prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent
ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when
the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20
And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you:
21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all
things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets
since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A
prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren,
like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say
unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will
not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24
Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as
many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are
the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with
our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the
kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having
raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every
one of you from his iniquities.
We have here the sermon which Peter preached after he had cured the
lame man. When Peter saw it. 1. When he saw the people got together in
a crowd, he took that opportunity to preach Christ to them, especially
the temple being the place of their concourse, and Solomon's porch
there: let them come and hear a more excellent wisdom than Solomon's,
for, behold, a greater than Solomon is here preached. 2. When he saw
the people affected with the miracle, and filed with admiration, then
he sowed the gospel seed in the ground which was thus broken up, and
prepared to receive it. 3. When he saw the people ready to adore him
and John, he stepped in immediately, and diverted their respect from
them, that it might be directed to Christ only; to this he answered
presently, as Paul and Barnabas at Lystra. See ch. xiv. 14, 15. In the
sermon,
I. He humbly disclaims the honour of the miracle as not due to them,
who were only the ministers of Christ, or instruments in his hand for
the doing of it. The doctrines they preached were not of their own
invention, nor were the seals of it their own, but his whose the
doctrines were. He addresses himself to them as men of Israel, men to
whom pertained, not only the law and the promises, but the gospel and
the performances, and who were nearly interested in the present
dispensation. Two things he asks them:--1. Why they were so surprised
at the miracle itself: Why marvel you at this? It was indeed
marvellous, and they justly wondered at it, but it was not more than
what Christ had done many a time, and they had not duly regarded it,
nor been affected with it. It was but a little before that Christ had
raised Lazarus from the dead; and why should this then seem so strange?
Note, Stupid people think that strange now which might have been
familiar to them if it had not been their own fault. Christ had lately
risen from the dead himself; why did they not marvel at this? why were
they not convinced by this? 2. Why they gave so much of the praise of
it to them, who were only the instruments of it: Why look you so
earnestly on us? (1.) It was certain that they had made this man to
walk, by which it appeared that the apostles not only were sent of God,
but were sent to be blessings to the world, benefactors to mankind, and
were sent to heal sick and distempered souls, that were spiritually
lame and impotent, to set broken bones, and make them rejoice. (2.) Yet
they did not do it by any power or holiness of their own. It was not
done by any might of their own, any skill they had in physic or
surgery, nor any virtue in their word: the power they did it by was
wholly derived from Christ. Nor was it done by any merit of their own;
the power which Christ gave them to do it they had not deserved: it was
not by their own holiness; for, as they were weak things, so they were
foolish things, that Christ chose to employ; Peter was a sinful man.
What holiness had Judas? Yet he wrought miracles in Christ's name. What
holiness any of them had it was wrought in them, and they could not
pretend to merit by it. (3.) It was the people's fault that they
attributed it to their power and holiness, and accordingly looked at
them. Note, The instruments of God's favour to us, though they must be
respected, must not be idolized; we must take heed of reckoning that to
be done by the instrument which God is the author of. (4.) It was the
praise of Peter and John that they would not take the honour of this
miracle to themselves, but carefully transmitted it to Christ. Useful
men must see to it that they be very humble. Not unto us, O Lord, not
unto us, but to thy name give glory. Every crown must be cast at the
feet of Christ; not I, but the grace of God with me.
II. He preaches Christ to them; this was his business, that he might
lead them into obedience to Christ.
1. He preaches Christ, as the true Messiah promised to the fathers (v.
13); for, (1.) He is Jesus the Son of God; though they had lately
condemned Christ as a blasphemer for saying that he was the Son of God,
yet Peter avows it: he is his Son Jesus; to him dear as a Son; to us,
Jesus, a Saviour. (2.) God hath glorified him, in raising him up to be
king, priest, and prophet, of his church; he glorified him in his life
and in his death, as well as in his resurrection and ascension. (3.) He
hath glorified him as the God of our fathers, whom he names with
respect (for they were great names with the men of Israel, and justly),
the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob. God sent him into the
world, pursuant to the promises made to those patriarchs, that in their
seed the families of the earth should be blessed, and the covenant made
with them, that God would be a God to them, and their seed. The
apostles call the patriarchs their fathers, and God the God of those
patriarchs from whom the Jews were descended, to intimate to them that
they had no evil design upon the Jewish nation (that they should look
upon them with a jealous eye), but had a value and concern for it, and
were hereby well-wishers to it; and the gospel they preached was the
revelation of the mind and will of the God of Abraham. See ch. xxvi. 7,
22; Luke i. 72, 73.
2. He charges them flatly and plainly with the murder of this Jesus, as
he had done before. (1.) "You delivered him up to your chief priests
and elders, the representative body of the nation; and you of the
common people were influenced by them to clamour against him, as if he
had been a public grievance." (2.) "You denied him, and you disowned
him, would not have him then to be your king, could not look upon him
as the Messiah, because he came not in external pomp and power; you
denied him in the presence of Pilate, renounced all the expectations of
your church, in the presence of the Roman governor, who justly laughed
at you for it; you denied him against the face of Pilate" (so Dr.
Hammond), "in defiance of his reasonings with you" (Pilate had
determined to let him go, but the people opposed it, and overruled
him). "You were worse than Pilate, for he would have released him, if
you had let him follow his own judgment. You denied the Holy One and
the Just, who had approved himself so, and all the malice of his
persecutors could not disprove it." The holiness and justice of the
Lord Jesus, which are something more than his innocency, were a great
aggravation of the sin of those that put him to death. (3.) "You
desired a murderer to be released, and Christ crucified; as if Barabbas
had deserved better at your hands than the Lord Jesus, than which a
greater affront could not be put upon him." (4.) You killed the prince
of life. Observe the antithesis: "You preserved a murderer, a destroyer
of life; and destroyed the Saviour, the author of life. You killed him
who was sent to be to you the prince of life, and so not only forsook,
but rebelled against your own mercies. You did an ungrateful thing, in
taking away his life who would have been your life. You did a foolish
thing to think you could conquer the prince of life, who has life in
himself, and would soon resume the life he resigned."
3. He attests his resurrection as before, ch. xi. 32. "You thought the
prince of life might be deprived of his life, as any other prince might
be deprived of his dignity and dominion, but you found yourselves
mistaken, for God raised him from the dead; so that in putting him to
death you fought against God, and were baffled. God raised him from the
dead, and thereby ratified his demands, and confirmed his doctrine, and
rolled away all the reproach of his sufferings, and for the truth of
his resurrection we are all witnesses."
4. He ascribes the cure of this impotent man to the power of Christ,
(v. 16): His name, through faith in his name, in that discovery which
he hath made of himself, has made this man strong. He repeats it again,
The faith which is by him hath given him this soundness. Here, (1.) He
appeals to themselves concerning the truth of the miracle; the man on
whom it was wrought is one whom you see, and know, and have known; he
was not acquainted with Peter and John before, so that there was no
room to suspect a compact between them: "You know him to have been a
cripple from a child. The miracle was wrought publicly, in the presence
of you all; not in a corner, but in the gate of the temple; you saw in
what manner it was done, so that there could be no juggle in it; you
had liberty to examine it immediately, and may yet. The cure is
complete; it is a perfect soundness; you see the man walks and leaps,
as one that has no remainder either of weakness or pain." (2.) He
acquaints them with the power by which it was wrought. [1.] It is done
by the name of Christ, not merely by naming it as a spell or charm, but
it is done by us as professors and teachers of his name, by virtue of a
commission and instructions we have received from him, and a power
which he has invested us with, that name which Christ has above every
name; his authority, his command has done it; as writs run in the
king's name, though it is an inferior officer that executes them. [2.]
The power of Christ is fetched in through faith in his name, a
confidence in him, a dependence on him, a believing application to him,
and expectation from him, even that faith which is, di autou--by him,
which is of his working; it is not of ourselves, it is the gift of
Christ; and it is for his sake, that he may have the glory of it; for
he is both the author and finisher of our faith. Dr. Lightfoot suggests
that faith is twice named in this verse, because of the apostles' faith
in doing this miracle and the cripple's faith in receiving it; but I
suppose it relates chiefly, if not only, to the former. Those that
wrought this miracle by faith derived power from Christ to work it, and
therefore returned all the glory to him. By this true and just account
of the miracle, Peter both confirmed the great gospel truth they were
to preach to the world--that Jesus Christ is the fountain of all power
and grace, and the great healer and Saviour--and recommended the great
gospel duty of faith in him as the only way of receiving benefit by
him. It explains likewise the great gospel mystery of our salvation by
Christ; it is his name that justifies us, that glorious name of his,
The Lord our righteousness; but we, in particular, are justified by
that name, through faith in it, applying it to ourselves. Thus does
Peter preach unto them Jesus, and him crucified, as a faithful friend
of the bridegroom, to whose service and honour he devoted all his
interest.
III. He encourages them to hope that, though they had been guilty of
putting Christ to death, yet they might find mercy; he does all he can
to convince them, yet is careful not to drive them to despair. The
guilt was very great, but, 1. He mollifies their crime by a candid
imputation of it to their ignorance. Perhaps he perceived by the
countenance of his hearers that they were struck with great horror when
he told them that they had killed the prince of life, and were ready
either to sink down or to fly off, and therefore he saw it needful to
mitigate the rigour of the charge by calling them brethren; and well
might he call them so, for he had been himself a brother with them in
this iniquity: he had denied the holy One and the Just, and sworn that
he did not know him; he did it by surprise; "and, for your parts, I
know that through ignorance you did it, as did also your rulers," v.
17. This was the language of Peter's charity, and teaches us to make
the best of those whom we desire to make better. Peter had searched the
wound to the bottom, and now he begins to think of healing it up, in
order to which it is necessary to beget in them a good opinion of their
physician; and could any thing be more winning than this? That which
bears him out in it is that he has the example of his Master's praying
for his crucifiers, and pleading in their behalf that they knew not
what they did. And it is said of the rulers that if they had known they
would not have crucified the Lord of glory. See 1 Cor. ii. 8. Perhaps
some of the rulers, and of the people, did therein rebel against the
light and the convictions of their own consciences, and did it through
malice; but the generality went down the stream, and did it through
ignorance; as Paul persecuted the church, ignorantly, and in unbelief,
1 Tim. i. 13. 2. He mollifies the effects of their crime--the death of
the prince of life; this sounds very dreadful, but it was according to
the scriptures (v. 18), the predictions of which, though they did not
necessitate their sin, yet did necessitate his sufferings; so he
himself saith: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to
suffer. You did it through ignorance may be taken in this sense: "You
fulfilled the scripture, and did not know it; God, by your hands, hath
fulfilled what he showed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ
should suffer; this was his design in delivering him up to you, but you
had views of your own, and were altogether ignorant of this design; you
meant not so, neither did your heart think so. God was fulfilling the
scripture when you were gratifying your own passions." Observe, It was
not only determined in the secret counsel of God, but declared to the
world many ages before, by the mouth and pen of the prophets, that
Christ should suffer, in order to the accomplishment of his
undertaking; and it was God himself that showed it by them, who will
see that his words be made good; what he showed he fulfilled, he so
fulfilled as he had shown, punctually and exactly, without any
variation. Now, though this is no extenuation at all of their sin in
hating and persecuting Christ to the death (this still appears
exceedingly sinful), yet it was an encouragement to them to repent, and
hope for mercy upon their repentance; not only because in general God's
gracious designs were carried on by it (ant thus it agrees with the
encouragement Joseph gave to his brethren, when they thought their
offence against him almost unpardonable: Fear not, saith he, you
thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, Gen. l. 15, 20),
but because in particular the death and sufferings of Christ were for
the remission of sins, and the ground of that display of mercy for
which he now encouraged them to hope.
IV. He exhorts them all to turn Christians, and assures them it would
be unspeakably for their advantage to do so; it would be the making of
them for ever. This is the application of his sermon.
1. He tells them what they must believe. (1.) They must believe that
Jesus Christ is the promised see, that seed in which God had told
Abraham all the kindreds of the earth should be blessed, v. 25. This
refers to that promise made to Abraham (Gen. xii. 3), which promise was
long ere it was fulfilled, but now at length had its accomplishment in
this Jesus, who was of the seed of Abraham, according to the flesh, and
in him all the families of the earth are blessed, and not the families
of Israel only; all have some benefits by him, and some have all
benefits. (2.) They must believe that Jesus Christ is a prophet, that
prophet like unto Moses whom God had promised to raise up to them from
among their brethren, v. 22. This refers to that promise, Deut. xviii.
18. Christ is a prophet, for by him God speaks unto us; in him all
divine revelation centres, and by him it is handed to us; he is a
prophet like unto Moses, a favourite of Heaven; more intimately
acquainted with the divine counsel, and more familiarly conversed with,
than any other prophet. He was a deliverer of his people out of
bondage, and their guide through the wilderness, like Moses; a prince
and a lawgiver, like Moses; the builder of the true tabernacle, as
Moses was of the typical one. Moses was faithful as a servant, Christ
as a Son. Moses was murmured against by Israel, defied by Pharaoh, yet
God owned him, and ratified his commission. Moses was a pattern of
meekness and patience, so is Christ. Moses died by the word of the
Lord, so did Christ. There was no prophet like unto Moses (Num. xii. 6,
7; Deut. xxxiv. 10), but a greater than Moses is here where Christ is.
He is a prophet of God's raising up, for he took not this honour of
himself, but was called of God to it. He was raised up unto Israel in
the first place. He executed this office in his own person among them
only. They had the first offer of divine grace made to them; and
therefore he was raised up from among them--of them, as concerning the
flesh, Christ came, which, as it was a great honour done to them, so it
was both an obligation upon them and an encouragement to them to
embrace him. If he come to his own, one would think, they should
receive him. The Old-Testament church was blessed with many prophets,
with schools of prophets, for many ages with a constant succession of
prophets (which is here taken notice of, from Samuel, and those that
follow after, v. 24, for from Samuel the prophetic era commenced); but,
these servants being abused, last of all God sent them his Son, who had
been in his bosom. (3.) They must believe that times of refreshing will
come from the presence of the Lord (v. 19), and that they will be the
times of the restitution of all things, v. 21. There is a future state,
another life after this; those times will come from the presence of the
Lord, from his glorious appearance at that day, his coming at the end
of time. The absence of the Lord occasions many of the securities of
sinners and the distrusts of saints; but his presence is hastening on,
which will for ever silence both. Behold, the Judge standeth before the
door. The presence of the Lord will introduce, [1.] The restitution of
all things (v. 21); the new heavens, and the new earth, which will be
the product of the dissolution of all things (Rev. xxi. 1), the
renovation of the whole creation, which is that which it grieves after,
as its present burden under the sin of man is that which it groans
under. Some understand this of a state on this side the end of time;
but it is rather to be understood of that end of all things which God
hath spoken of by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world
began; for this is that which Enoch, the seventh from Adam, prophesied
of (Jude 14), and the temporal judgments which the other prophets
foretold were typical of that which the apostle calls the eternal
judgment. This is more clearly and plainly revealed in the New
Testament than it had been before, and all that receive the gospel have
an expectation of it. [2.] With this will come the times of refreshing
(v. 19), of consolation to the Lord's people, like a cool shade to
those that have borne the burden and heat of the day. All Christians
look for a rest that remains for the people of God, after the travails
and toils of their present state, and, with the prospect of this, they
are borne up under their present sufferings and carried on in their
present services. The refreshing that then comes from the presence of
the Lord will continue eternally in the presence of the Lord.
2. He tells them what they must do. (1.) They must repent, must bethink
themselves of what they have done amiss, must return to their right
mind, admit a second thought, and submit to the convictions of it; they
must begin anew. Peter, who had himself denied Christ, repented, and he
would have them to do so too. (2.) They must be converted, must face
about, and direct both their faces and steps the contrary way to what
they had been; they must return to the Lord their God, from whom they
had revolted. It is not enough to repent of sin, but we must be
converted from it, and not return to it again. They must not only
exchange the profession of Judaism for that of Christianity, but the
power and dominion of a carnal, worldly, sensual mind, for that of
holy, heavenly, and divine principles and affections. (3.) They must
hear Christ, the great prophet: "Him shall you hear in all things
whatsoever he shall say unto you. Attend his dictates, receive his
doctrine, submit to his government. Hear him with a divine faith, as
prophets should be heard, that come with a divine commission. Him shall
you hear, and to him shall you subscribe with an implicit faith and
obedience. Hear him in all things; let his laws govern all your
actions, and his counsels determine all your submissions. Whenever he
has a mouth to speak, you must have an ear to hear. Whatever he saith
to you, though ever so displeasing to flesh and blood, bid it welcome."
Speak, Lord, for thy servant hears. A good reason is here given why we
should be observant of, and obedient to, the word of Christ; for it is
at our peril if we turn a deaf ear to his call and a stiff neck to his
yoke (v. 23): Every soul that will not hear that prophet, and be
directed by what he saith, shall be destroyed from among the people.
The destruction of the city and nation, by war and famine, was
threatened for slighting the prophets of the Old Testament; but the
destruction of the soul, a spiritual and eternal destruction, is
threatened for slighting Christ, this great prophet. Those that will
not be advised by the Saviour can expect no other than to fall into the
hands of the destroyer.
3. He tells them what they might expect.
(1.) That they should have the pardon of their sins; this is always
spoken of as the great privilege of all those that embrace the gospel
(v. 19): Repent, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.
This implies, [1.] That the remission of sin is the blotting of it out,
as a cloud is blotted out by the beams of the sun (Isa. xliv. 22), as a
debt is crossed and blotted out when it is remitted. It intimates that
when God forgives sin he remembers it no more against the sinner; it is
forgotten, as that which is blotted out; all the bitter things written
against the sinner (Job xiii. 26) are wiped out as it were with a
sponge; it is the cancelling of a bond, the vacating of a judgment.
[2.] That we cannot expect our sins should be pardoned unless we repent
of them, and turn from them to God. Though Christ has died to purchase
the remission of sin, yet, that we may have the benefit of that
purchase in the forgiveness of our sins, we must repent, and be
converted: if no repentance, no remission. [3.] Hopes of the pardon of
sin upon repentance should be a powerful inducement to us to repent.
Repent, that your sins may be blotted out: and that repentance is
evangelical which flows from an apprehension of the mercy of God in
Christ, and the hopes of pardon. This was the first and great argument,
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. [4.] The most comfortable
fruit of the forgiveness of our sins will be when the times of
refreshing shall come; if our sins be forgiven us, we have now reason
to be of good cheer; but the comfort will be complete when the pardon
shall be allowed in open court, and our justification published before
angels and men--when whom he has justified, them he glorifies, Rom.
viii. 30. As now we are the sons of God (1 John iii. 2), so now we have
our sins blotted out; but it doth not yet appear what are the blessed
fruits of it, till the times of refreshing shall come. During these
times of toil and conflict (doubts and fears within, troubles and
dangers without) we cannot have that full satisfaction of our pardon,
and in it, that we shall have when the refreshing times come, which
shall wipe away all tears.
(2.) That they should have the comfort of Christ's coming (v. 20, 21):
"He shall send Jesus Christ, the same Jesus, the very same that before
was preached unto you; for you must not expect another dispensation,
another gospel, but the continuance and completion of this; you must
not expect another prophet like unto Jesus, as Moses bade you expect
another like unto him; for, though the heavens must receive him till
the times of the restitution of all things; yet, if you repent and be
converted, you shall find no want of him; some way or other he shall be
seen of you." [1.] We must not expect Christ's personal presence with
us in this world; for the heavens, which received him out of the sight
of the disciples, must retain him till the end of time. To that seat of
the blessed his bodily presence is confined, and will be to the end of
time, the accomplishment of all things (so it may be read); and
therefore those dishonour him, and deceive themselves, who dream of his
corporal presence in the eucharist. It is agreeable to a state of trial
and probation that the glorified Redeemer should be out of sight,
because we must live by that faith in him which is the evidence of
things not seen; because he must be believed on in the world, he must
be received up into glory. Dr. Hammond reads it, Who must receive the
heavens, that is, who must receive the glory and power of the upper
world; he must reign till all be made subject to him, 1 Cor. xv. 25;
Ps. lxxv. 2. [2.] Yet it is promised that he shall be sent to all that
repent and are converted (v. 20): "He shall send Jesus Christ, who was
preached to you by his disciples, both before and since his
resurrection, and is, and will be, all in all to them." First, "You
shall have his spiritual presence. He that is sent into the world shall
be sent to you; you shall have the comfort of his being sent; he shall
be sent among you in his gospel, which shall be his tabernacle, his
chariot of war." Secondly, "He shall send Jesus Christ to destroy
Jerusalem, and the nation of unbelieving Jews, that are enemies to
Christ and Christianity, and to deliver his ministers and people from
them, and give them peace in the profession of the gospel, and that
shall be a time of refreshing, in which you shall share." Then had the
churches rest; so Dr. Hammond. Thirdly, "The sending of Christ to judge
the world, at the end of time, will be a blessing to you; you shall
then lift up your heads with joy, knowing that your redemption draws
nigh." It seems to refer to this, for till then the heavens must
receive him, v. 21. As God's counsels from eternity, so his predictions
from the beginning of time, had a reference to the transactions of the
last day, when the mystery of God shall be finished, as he had declared
to his servants the prophets, Rev. x. 7. The institution of all things
in the church had an eye to the restitution of all things at the end of
time.
4. He tells them what ground they had to expect these things, if they
were converted to Christ. Though they had denied him, and put him to
death, yet they might hope to find favour through him, upon the account
of their being Israelites. For,
(1.) As Israelites, they had the monopoly of the grace of the Old
Testament; they were, above any other, God's favourite nation, and the
favours God bestowed upon them were such as had a reference to the
Messiah, and his kingdom: You are the children of the prophets, and of
the covenant. A double privilege. [1.] They were the children, that is,
the disciples, of the prophets, as children at school; not sons of the
prophets, in the sense that we read of such in the Old Testament, from
Samuel and downward, who were, or are, trained up to be endued with the
spirit of prophecy; but you are of that people from among whom prophets
were raised up, and to whom prophets were sent. It is spoken of as a
great favour to Israel that God raised up of their sons for prophets,
Amos ii. 11. All the inspired writers, both of the Old and New
Testament, were of the seed of Abraham; and it was their honour and
advantage that unto them were committed the oracles of God, Rom. iii.
2. Their government was constituted by prophecy, that is, by divine
revelation; and by it their affairs were for many ages very much
managed. See Hos. xii. 13. By a prophet the Lord brought Israel out of
Egypt, and by a prophet was he preserved. Those of the latter ages of
the church, when prophecy had ceased, might yet be fitly called the
children of the prophets, because they heard, though they did not know,
the voices of the prophets, which were read in their synagogues every
sabbath day, ch. xiii. 27. Now this should quicken them to embrace
Christ, and they might hope to be accepted of him; for their own
prophets had foretold that this grace should be brought unto them at
the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet. i. 13), and therefore ought not
to be neglected by them, nor should be denied to them. Those that are
blessed with prophets and prophecy (as all are that have the
scriptures) are concerned not to receive the grace of God therein in
vain. We may apply it particularly to ministers' children, who, if they
plead their parentage effectually with themselves, as an inducement to
be faithful and forward in religion, may comfortably plead it with God,
and hope that the children of God's servants shall continue. [2.] They
were the children, that is, the heirs, of the covenant which God made
with our Fathers, as children in the family. God's covenant was made
with Abraham and his seed, and they were that seed with whom the
covenant was made, and on whom the blessings of the covenant were
entailed: "The promise of the Messiah was made to you, and therefore if
you forsake not your own mercies, and do not by an obstinate infidelity
put a bar in your own door, you may hope it shall be made good to you."
That promise here mentioned, as the principal article of the covenant,
In thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed, though
referring principally to Christ (Gal. iii. 16), yet may include the
church also, which is his body, all believers, that are the spiritual
seed of Abraham. All the kindreds of the earth were blessed in having a
church for Christ among them; and those that were the seed of Abraham
according to the flesh stood fairest for this privilege. If all the
kindreds of the earth were to be blessed in Christ, much more that
kindred, his kinsmen according to the flesh.
(2.) As Israelites, they had the first offer of the grace of the New
Testament. Because they were the children of the prophets and the
covenant, therefore to them the Redeemer was first sent, which was an
encouragement to them to hope that if they did repent, and were
converted, he should be yet further sent for their comfort (v. 20): He
shall send Jesus Christ, for to you first he hath sent him, v. 26. Unto
you first, you Jews, though not to you only, God, having raised up his
Son Jesus, appointed and authorized him to be a prince and a Saviour,
and, in confirmation of this, raised him from the dead, sent him to
bless you, to make a tender of his blessing to you, especially that
great blessing of turning every one of you from his iniquities; and
therefore it concerns you to receive this blessing, and turn from your
iniquities, and you may be encouraged to hope that you shall. [1.] We
are here told whence Christ had his mission: God raised up his Son
Jesus, and sent him. God raised him up when he constituted him a
prophet, owned his by a voice from heaven, and filled him with his
Spirit without measure, and then sent him; for to this end he raised
him up, that he might be his commissioner to treat of peace. He sent
him to bear witness of the truth, sent him to seek and save lost souls,
sent him against his enemies, to conquer them. Some refer the raising
of him up to the resurrection, which was the first step towards his
exaltation; this was, as it were, the renewing of his commission; and
though, having raised him up, he seemed presently to take him from us,
yet he did really send him afresh to us in his gospel and Spirit. [2.]
To whom he was sent: "Unto you first. You of the seed of Abraham, you
that are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant, to you is
the tender made of gospel grace." The personal ministry of Christ, as
that of the prophets, was confined to the Jews; he was not then sent
but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, and he forbade the
disciples he then sent forth to go any further. After his resurrection,
he was to be preached indeed to all nations, but they must begin at
Jerusalem, Luke xxiv. 47. And, when they went to other nations, they
first preached to the Jews they found therein. They were the
first-born, and, as such, had the privilege of the first offer. So far
were they from being excluded for their putting Christ to death, that,
when he is risen, he is first sent to them, and they are primarily
intended to have benefit by his death. [3.] On what errand he was sent:
"He is sent to you first, to bless you; this is his primary errand, not
to condemn you, as you deserve, but to justify you, if you will accept
of the justification offered you, in the way wherein it is offered; but
he that sends him first to bless you, if you refuse and reject that
blessing, will send him to curse you with a curse," Mal. iv. 6. Note,
First, Christ's errand into the world was to bless us, to bring a
blessing with him, for the Sun of righteousness rose with healing under
his wings; and, when he left the world, he left a blessing behind him
for he was parted from the disciples as he blessed them, Luke xxiv. 51.
He sent his Spirit to be the great blessing, the blessing of blessings,
Isa. xliv. 3. It is by Christ that God sends blessings to us, and
through him only we can expect to receive them. Secondly, The great
blessing wherewith Christ came to bless us was the turning of us away
from our iniquities, the saving of us from our sins (Matt. i. 21), to
turn us from sin, that we may be qualified to receive all other
blessings. Sin is that to which naturally we cleave; the design of
divine grace is to turn us from it, nay, to turn us against it, that we
may not only forsake it, but hate it. The gospel has a direct tendency
to do this, not only as it requires us, every one of us, to turn from
our iniquities, but as it promises us grace to enable us to do so.
"Therefore, do your part; repent, and be converted, because Christ is
ready to do his, in turning you from your iniquities, and so blessing
you."
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A C T S.
CHAP. IV.
In going over the last two chapters, where we met with so many good
things that the apostles did, I wondered what was become of the scribes
and Pharisees, and chief priests, that they did not appear to
contradict and oppose them, as they had used to treat Christ himself;
surely they were so confounded at first with the pouring out of the
Spirit that they were for a time struck dumb! But I find we have not
lost them; their forces rally again, and here we have an encounter
between them and the apostles; for from the beginning the gospel met
with opposition. Here, I. Peter and John are taken up, upon a warrant
from the priests, and committed to jail, ver. 1-4. II. They are
examined by a committee of the great sanhedrim, ver. 5-7. III. They
bravely avow what they have done, and preach Christ to their
persecutors, ver. 8-12. IV. Their persecutors, being unable to answer
them, enjoin them silence, threatening them if they go on to preach the
gospel, and so dismiss them, ver. 13-22. V. They apply to God by
prayer, for the further operations of that grace which they had already
experienced, ver. 23-30. VI. God owns them, both outwardly and
inwardly, by manifest tokens of his presence with them, ver. 31-33.
VII. The believers had their hearts knit together in holy love, and
enlarged their charity to the poor, and the church flourished more than
ever, to the glory of Christ, ver. 33-37.
Peter and John Imprisoned.
1 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of
the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that
they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection
from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold
unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of them
which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five
thousand.
We have here the interests of the kingdom of heaven successfully
carried on, and the powers of darkness appearing against them to put a
stop to them. let Christ's servants be ever so resolute, Satan's agents
will be spiteful; and therefore, let Satan's agents be ever so
spiteful, Christ's servants ought to be resolute.
I. The apostles, Peter and John, went on in their work, and did not
labour in vain. The Spirit enabled the ministers to do their part, and
the people theirs.
1. The preachers faithfully deliver the doctrine of Christ: They spoke
unto the people, to all that were within hearing, v. 1. What they said
concerned them all, and they spoke it openly and publicly. They taught
the people, still taught the people knowledge; taught those that as yet
did not believe, for their conviction and conversion; and taught those
that did believe, for their comfort and establishment. They preached
through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. The doctrine of the
resurrection of the dead, (1.) Was verified in Jesus; this they proved,
that Jesus Christ had risen from the dead, as the first, the chief,
that should rise from the dead, ch. xxvi. 23. They preached the
resurrection of Christ as their warrant for what they did. Or, (2.) It
is secured by him to all believers. The resurrection of the dead
includes all the happiness of the future state. This they preached
through Jesus Christ, attainable through him (Phil. iii. 10, 11), and
through him only. They meddled not with matters of state, but kept to
their business, and preached to the people heaven as their end and
Christ as their way. See ch. xvii. 18.
2. The hearers cheerfully receive it (v. 4): Many of those who heard
the word believed; not all--perhaps not the most, yet many, to the
number of about five thousand, over and above the three thousand we
read of before. See how the gospel got ground, and it was the effect of
the pouring out of the Spirit. Though the preachers were persecuted,
the word prevailed; for sometimes the church's suffering days have been
her growing days: the days of her infancy were so.
II. The chief priests and their party now made head against them, and
did what they could to crush them; their hands were tied awhile, but
their hearts were not in the least changed. Now here observe, 1. Who
they were that appeared against the apostles. They were the priests;
you may be sure, in the first place, they were always sworn enemies to
Christ and his gospel; they were as jealous for their priesthood as
Cæsar for his monarchy, and would not bear one they thought their rival
now, when he was preached as a priest, as much as when he himself
preached as a prophet. With them was joined the captain of the temple,
who, it is supposed, was a Roman officer, governor of the garrison
placed in the tower of Antonia, for the guard of the temple: so that
still here were both Jews and Gentiles confederate against Christ. The
Sadducees also, who denied the being of spirits and the future state,
were zealous against them. "One would wonder" (saith Mr. Baxter) "what
should make such brutists as the Sadducees were to be such furious
silencers and persecutors. If there is no life to come, what harm can
other men's hopes of it do them? But in depraved souls all faculties
are vitiated. A blind man has a malignant heart and a cruel hand, to
this day." 2. How they stood affected to the apostles' preaching: They
were grieved that they taught the people, v. 2. It grieved them, both
that the gospel doctrine was preached (was so preached, so publicly, so
boldly,), and that the people were so ready to hear it. They thought,
when they had put Christ to such an ignominious death, his disciples
would ever after be ashamed and afraid to own him, and the people would
have invincible prejudices against his doctrine; and now it vexed them
to see themselves disappointed, and that his gospel got ground, instead
of losing it. The wicked shall see it, and be grieved, Ps. cxii. 10.
They were grieved at that which they should have rejoiced in, at that
which angels rejoice in. Miserable is their case to whom the glory of
Christ's kingdom is a grief; for, since the glory of that kingdom is
everlasting, it follows of course that their grief will be everlasting
too. It grieved them that the apostles preached through Jesus the
resurrection from the dead. The Sadducees were grieved that the
resurrection from the dead was preached; for they opposed that
doctrine, and could not bear to hear of a future state, to hear it so
well attested. The chief priests were grieved that they preached the
resurrection of the dead through Jesus, that he should have the honour
of it; and, though they professed to believe the resurrection of the
dead against the Sadducees, yet they would rather give up that
important article than have it preached and proved to be through Jesus.
3. How far they proceeded against the apostles (v. 3): They laid hands
on them (that is, their servants and officers did at their command),
and put them in hold, committed them to the custody of the proper
officer until the next day; they could not examine them now, for it was
even-tide, and yet would defer it no longer than till next day. See how
God trains up his servants for sufferings by degrees, and by less
trials prepares them for greater; now they resist unto bonds only, but
afterwards to blood.
Peter and John Examined before the Sanhedrim.
5 And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and
scribes, 6 And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and
Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were
gathered together at Jerusalem. 7 And when they had set them in the
midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?
8 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of
the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the
good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;
10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by
the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God
raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you
whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders,
which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation
in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among
men, whereby we must be saved. 13 Now when they saw the boldness of
Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant
men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had
been with Jesus. 14 And beholding the man which was healed standing
with them, they could say nothing against it.
We have here the trial of Peter and John before the judges of the
ecclesiastical court, for preaching a sermon concerning Jesus Christ,
and working a miracle in his name. This is charged upon them as a
crime, which was the best service they could do to God or men.
I. Here is the court set. An extraordinary court, it should seem, was
called on purpose upon this occasion. Observe, 1. The time when the
court sat (v. 5)--on the morrow; not in the night, as when Christ was
to be tried before them, for they seem not to have been so hot upon
this prosecution as they were upon that; it was well if they began to
relent. But they adjourned it to the morrow, and no longer; for they
were impatient to get them silenced, and would lose no time. 2. The
place where--in Jerusalem (v. 6); there it was that he told his
disciples they must expect to suffer hard things, as he had done before
them in that place. This seems to come in here as an aggravation of
their sin, that in Jerusalem, where there were so many that looked for
redemption before it came, yet there were more that would not look upon
it when it did come. How is that faithful city become a harlot! See
Matt. xxiii. 37. It was in the foresight of Jerusalem's standing in her
own light that Christ beheld the city, and wept over it. 3. The judges
of the court. (1.) Their general character: they were rulers, elders,
and scribes, v. 5. The scribes were men of learning, who came to
dispute with the apostles, and hoped to confute them. The rulers and
elders were men in power, who, if they could not answer them, thought
they could find some cause or other to silence them. If the gospel of
Christ had not been of God, it could not have made its way, for it had
both the learning and power of the world against it, both the colleges
of the scribes and the courts of the elders. (2.) The names of some of
them, who were most considerable. Here were Annas and Caiaphas,
ringleaders in this persecution; Annas the president of the sanhedrim,
and Caiaphas the high priest (though Annas is here called so) and
father of the house of judgment. It should seem that Annas and Caiaphas
executed the high priest's office alternately, year for year. These two
were most active against Christ; then Caiaphas was high priest, now
Annas was; however they were both equally malignant against Christ and
his gospel. John is supposed to be the son of Annas; and Alexander is
mentioned by Josephus as a man that made a figure at that time. There
were others likewise that were of the kindred of the high priest, who
having dependence on him, and expectations from him, would be sure to
say as he said, and vote with him against the apostles. Great
relations, and not good, have been a snare to many.
II. The prisoners are arraigned, v. 7. 1. They are brought to the bar;
they set them in the midst, for the sanhedrim sat in a circle, and
those who had any thing to do in the court stood or sat in the midst of
them (Luke ii. 46), so Dr. Lightfoot. Thus the scripture was fulfilled,
The assembly of the wicked has enclosed me, Ps. xxii. 16. They
compassed me about like bees, Ps. cxviii. 12. They were seated on every
side. 2. The question they asked them was, "By what power, or by what
name, have you done this? By what authority do you these things?" (the
same question that they had asked their Master, Matt. xxi. 23): "Who
commissioned you to preach such a doctrine as this, and empowered you
to work such a miracle as this? You have no warrant nor license from
us, and therefore are accountable to us whence you have your warrant."
Some think this question was grounded upon a fond conceit that the very
naming of some names might do wonders, as ch. xix. 13. The Jewish
exorcists made use of the name of Jesus. Now they would know what name
they made use of in their cure, and consequently what name they set
themselves to advance in their preaching. They knew very well that they
preached Jesus, and the resurrection of the dead, and the healing of
the sick, through Jesus (v. 2), yet they asked them, to tease them, and
try if they could get any thing out of them that looked criminal.
III. The plea they put in, the design of which was not so much to clear
and secure themselves as to advance the name and honour of their
Master, who had told them that their being brought before governors and
kings would give them an opportunity of preaching the gospel to those
to whom otherwise they could not have had access, and it should be a
testimony against them. Mark xiii. 19. Observe,
1. By whom this plea was drawn up: it was dictated by the Holy Ghost,
who fitted Peter more than before for this occasion. The apostles, with
a holy negligence of their own preservation, set themselves to preach
Christ as he had directed them to do in such a case, and then Christ
made good to them his promise, that the Holy Ghost should give them in
that same hour what they should speak. Christ's faithful advocates
shall never want instructions, Mark xiii. 11.
2. To whom it was given in: Peter, who is still the chief speaker,
addresses himself to the judges of the court, as the rulers of the
people, and elders of Israel; for the wickedness of those in power does
not divest them of their power, but the consideration of the power they
are entrusted with should prevail to divest them of their wickedness.
"You are rulers and elders, and should know more than others of the
signs of the times, and not oppose that which you are bound by the duty
of your place to embrace and advance, that is, the kingdom of the
Messiah; you are rulers and elders of Israel, God's people, and if you
mislead them, and cause them to err, you will have a great deal to
answer for."
3. What the plea is: it is a solemn declaration,
(1.) That what they did was in the name of Jesus Christ, which was a
direct answer to the question the court asked them (v. 9, 10): "If we
this day be examined, be called to an account as criminals, so the word
signifies, for a good deed (as any one will own it to be) done to the
impotent man,--if this be the ground of the commitment, this the matter
of the indictment,--if we are put to the question, by what means, or by
whom, he is made whole, we have an answer ready, and it is the same we
gave to the people (ch. iii. 16), we will repeat it to you, as that
which we will stand by. Be it known to you all who pretend to be
ignorant of this matter, and not to you only, but to all the people of
Israel, for they are all concerned to know it, that by the name of
Jesus Christ, that precious, powerful, prevailing name, that name above
every name, even by him whom you in contempt called Jesus of Nazareth,
whom you crucified, both rulers and people, and whom God hath raised
from the dead and advanced to the highest dignity and dominion, even by
him doth this man stand here before you whole, a monument of the power
of the Lord Jesus." Here, [1.] He justifies what he and his colleague
had done in curing the lame man. It was a good deed; it was a kindness
to the man that had begged, but could not work for his living; a
kindness to the temple, and to those that went in to worship, who were
now freed from the noise and clamour of this common beggar. "Now, if we
be reckoned with for this good deed, we have no reason to be ashamed, 1
Pet. ii. 20; ch. iv. 14, 16. Let those be ashamed who bring us into
trouble for it." Note, It is no new thing for good men to suffer ill
for doing well. Bene agere et male pati vere Christianum est--To do
well and to suffer punishment is the Christian's lot. [2.] He transfers
all the praise and glory of this good deed to Jesus Christ. "It is by
him, and not by any power of ours, that this man is cured." The
apostles seek not to raise an interest for themselves, nor to recommend
themselves by this miracle to the good opinion of the court; but, "Let
the Lord alone be exalted, no matter what becomes of us." [3.] He
charges it upon the judges themselves, that they had been the murderers
of this Jesus: "It is he whom you crucified, look how you will answer
it;" in order to the bringing of them to believe in Christ (for he aims
at no less than this) he endeavours to convince them of sin, of that
sin which, one would think, of all others, was most likely to startle
conscience--their putting Christ to death. Let them take it how they
will, Peter will miss no occasion to tell them of it. [4.] He attests
the resurrection of Christ as the strongest testimony for him, and
against his persecutors: "They crucified him, but God raised him from
the dead; they took away his life, but God gave it to him again, and
your further opposition to his interest will speed no better." He tells
them that God raised him from the dead, and they could not for shame
answer him with that foolish suggestion which they palmed upon the
people, that his disciples came by night and stole him away. [5.] He
preaches this to all the bystanders, to be by them repeated to all
their neighbours, and commands all manner of persons, from the highest
to the lowest, to take notice of it at their peril: "Be it known to you
all that are here present, and it shall be made known to all the people
of Israel, wherever they are dispersed, in spite of all your endeavours
to stifle and suppress the notice of it: as the Lord God of gods knows,
so Israel shall know, all Israel shall know, that wonders are wrought
in the name of Jesus, not by repeating it as a charm, but believing in
it as a divine revelation of grace and good-will to men."
(2.) That the name of this Jesus, by the authority of which they acted,
is that name alone by which we can be saved. He passes from this
particular instance to show that it is not a particular sect or party
that is designed to be set up by the doctrine they preached, and the
miracle they wrought, which people might either join with or keep off
from at their pleasure, as it was with the sects of the philosophers
and those among the Jews; but that it is a sacred and divine
institution that is hereby ratified and confirmed, and which all people
are highly concerned to submit to and come into the measures of. It is
not an indifferent thing, but of absolute necessity, that people
believe in this name, and call upon it. [1.] We are obliged to it in
duty to God, and in compliance with his designs (v. 11): "This is the
stone which was set at nought of your builders, you that are the rulers
of the people, and the elders of Israel, that should be the builders of
the church, that pretend to be so, for the church is God's building.
Here was a stone offered you, to be put in the chief place of the
building, to be the main pillar on which the fabric might entirely
rest; but you set it at nought, rejected it, would not make use of it,
but threw it by as good for nothing but to make a stepping-stone of;
but this stone is now become the head of the corner; God has raised up
this Jesus whom you rejected, and, by setting him at his right hand,
has made him both the corner stone and the head stone, the centre of
unity and the fountain of power." Probably St. Peter here chose to make
use of this quotation because Christ had himself made use of it, in
answer to the demand of the chief priests and the elders concerning his
authority, not long before this, Matt. xxi. 42. Scripture is a tried
weapon in our spiritual conflicts: let us therefore stick to it. [2.]
We are obliged to it for our own interest. We are undone if we do not
take shelter in this name, and make it our refuge and strong tower; for
we cannot be saved but by Jesus Christ, and, if we be not eternally
saved, we are eternally undone (v. 12): Neither is there salvation in
any other. As there is no other name by which diseased bodies can be
cured, so there is no other by which sinful souls can be saved. "By
him, and him only, by receiving and embracing his doctrine, salvation
must now be hoped for by all. For there is no other religion in the
world, no, not that delivered by Moses, by which salvation can be had
for those that do not now come into this, at the preaching of it." So.
Dr. Hammond. Observe here, First, Our salvation is our chief concern,
and that which ought to lie nearest to our hearts--our rescue from
wrath and the curse, and our restoration to God's favour and blessing.
Secondly, Our salvation is not in ourselves, nor can be obtained by any
merit or strength of our own; we can destroy ourselves, but we cannot
save ourselves. Thirdly, There are among men many names that pretend to
be saving names, but really are not so; many institutions in religion
that pretend to settle a reconciliation and correspondence between God
and man, but cannot do it. Fourthly, It is only by Christ and his name
that those favours can be expected from God which are necessary to our
salvation, and that our services can be accepted with God. This is the
honour of Christ's name, that it is the only name whereby we must be
saved, the only name we have to plead in all our addresses to God. This
name is given. God has appointed it, and it is an inestimable benefit
freely conferred upon us. It is given under heaven. Christ has not only
a great name in heaven, but a great name under heaven; for he has all
power both in the upper and in the lower world. It is given among men,
who need salvation, men who are ready to perish. We may be saved by his
name, that name of his, The Lord our righteousness; and we cannot be
saved by any other. How far those may find favour with God who have not
the knowledge of Christ, nor any actual faith in him, yet live up to
the light they have, it is not our business to determine. But this we
know, that whatever saving favour such may receive it is upon the
account of Christ, and for his sake only; so that still there is no
salvation in any other. I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not
known me, Isa. xlv. 4.
IV. The stand that the court was put to in the prosecution, by this
plea, v. 13, 14. Now was fulfilled that promise Christ made, that he
would give them a mouth and wisdom, such as all their adversaries
should not be able to gainsay nor resist.
1. They could not deny the cure of the lame man to be both a good deed
and a miracle. He was there standing with Peter and John, ready to
attest the cure, if there were occasion, and they had nothing to say
against it (v. 14), either to disprove it or to disparage it. It was
well that it was not the sabbath day, else they would have had that to
say against it.
2. They could not, with all their pomp and power, face down Peter and
John. This was a miracle not inferior to the cure of the lame man,
considering both what cruel bloody enemies these priests had been to
the name of Christ (enough to make any one tremble that appeared for
him), and considering what cowardly faint-hearted advocates those
disciples had lately been for him, Peter particularly, who denied him
for fear of a silly maid; yet now they see the boldness of Peter and
John, v. 13. Probably there was something extraordinary and very
surprising in their looks; they appeared not only undaunted by the
rulers, but daring and daunting to them; they had something majestic in
their foreheads, sparkling in their eyes, and commanding, if not
terrifying, in their voice. They set their faces like a flint, as the
prophet, Isa. l. 7; Ezek. iii. 9. The courage of Christ's faithful
confessors has often been the confusion of their cruel persecutors.
Now, (1.) We are here told what increased their wonder: They perceived
that they were unlearned and ignorant men. They enquired either of the
apostles or themselves or of others, and found that they were of mean
extraction, born in Galilee, that they were bred fishermen, and had no
learned education, had never been at any university, were not brought
up at the feet of any of the rabbin, had never been conversant in
courts, camps, or colleges; nay, perhaps, talk to them at this time
upon any point in natural philosophy, mathematics, or politics, and you
will find they know nothing of the matter; and yet speak to them of the
Messiah and his kingdom, and they speak with so much clearness,
evidence, and assurance, so pertinently and so fluently, and are so
ready in the scriptures of the Old Testament relating to it, that the
most learned judge upon the bench is not able to answer them, nor to
enter the lists with them. They were ignorant men--idiotai, private
men, men that had not any public character nor employment; and
therefore they wondered they should have such high pretensions. They
were idiots (so the word signifies): they looked upon them with as much
contempt as if they had been mere naturals, and expected no more from
them, which made them wonder to see what freedom they took. (2.) We are
told what made their wonder in a great measure to cease: they took
knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus; they, themselves, it
is probable, had seen them with him in the temple, and now recollected
that they had seen them; or some of their servants or those about them
informed them of it, for they would not be thought themselves to have
taken notice of such inferior people. But when they understood that
they had been with Jesus, had been conversant with him, attendant on
him, and trained up under him, they knew what to impute their boldness
to; nay, their boldness in divine things was enough to show with whom
they had had their education. Note, Those that have been with Jesus, in
converse and communion with him, have been attending on his word,
praying in his name, and celebrating the memorials of his death and
resurrection, should conduct themselves, in every thing, so that those
who converse with them may take knowledge of them that they have been
with Jesus; and this makes them so holy, and heavenly, and spiritual,
and cheerful; this has raised them so much above this world, and filled
them with another. One may know that they have been in the mount by the
shining of their faces.
The Resolution of Peter and John.
15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council,
they conferred among themselves, 16 Saying, What shall we do to these
men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is
manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.
17 But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly
threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. 18
And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach
in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said unto
them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more
than unto God, judge ye. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which
we have seen and heard. 21 So when they had further threatened them,
they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because
of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done. 22
For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing
was showed.
We have here the issue of the trial of Peter and John before the
council. They came off now with flying colours, because they must be
trained up to sufferings by degrees, and by less trials be prepared for
greater. They now but run with the footmen; hereafter we shall have
them contending with horses, Jer. xii. 5.
I. Here is the consultation and resolution of the court about this
matter, and their proceeding thereupon.
1. The prisoners were ordered to withdraw (v. 15): They commanded them
to go aside out of the council, willing enough to get clear of them
(they spoke so home to their consciences), and not willing they should
hear the acknowledgements that were extorted from them; but, though
they might not hear from them, we have them here upon record. The
designs of Christ's enemies are carried on in close cabals, and they
dig deep, as if they would hide their counsels from the Lord.
2. A debate arose upon this matter: They conferred among themselves;
every one is desired to speak his mind freely, and to give advice upon
this important affair. Now the scripture was fulfilled that the rulers
would take counsel together against the Lord, and against his anointed,
Ps. ii. 2. The question proposed was, What shall we do to these men? v.
16. If they would have yielded to the convincing commanding power of
truth, it had been easy to say what they should do to these men. They
should have placed them at the head of their council, and received
their doctrine, and been baptized by them in the name of the Lord
Jesus, and joined in fellowship with them. But, when men will not be
persuaded to do what they should do, it is no marvel that they are ever
and anon at a loss what to do. The truths of Christ, if men would but
entertain them as they should, would give them no manner of trouble or
uneasiness; but, if they hold them or imprison them in unrighteousness
(Rom. i. 18), they will find them a burdensome stone that they will not
know what to do with, Zech. xii. 3.
3. They came at last to a resolution, in two things:--
(1.) That it was not safe to punish the apostles for what they had
done. Very willingly would they have done it, but they had not courage
to do it, because the people espoused their cause, and cried up the
miracle; and they stood now in as much awe of them as they had done
formerly, when they durst not lay hands of Christ for fear of the
people. By this it appears that the outcry of the mob against our
Saviour was a forced or managed thing, the stream soon returned to its
former channel. Now they could not find how they might punish Peter and
John, what colour they might have for it, because of the people. They
knew it would be an unrighteous thing to punish them, and therefore
should have been restrained from it by the fear of God; but they
considered it only as a dangerous thing, and therefore were held in
from it only by the fear of the people. For, [1.] The people were
convinced of the truth of the miracle; it was a notable miracle,
gnoston semeion--a known miracle; it was known that they did it in
Christ's name, and that Christ himself had often the like before. This
was a known instance of the power of Christ, and a proof of his
doctrine. That it was a great miracle, and wrought for the confirmation
of the doctrine they preached (for it was a sign), was manifest to all
that dwelt in Jerusalem: it was an opinion universally received, and,
the miracle being wrought at the gate of the temple, universal notice
was taken of it; and they themselves, with all the craftiness and all
the effrontery they had, could not deny it to be a true miracle; every
body would have hooted at them if they had. They could easily deny it
to their own consciences, but not to the world. The proofs of the
gospel were undeniable. [2.] They went further, and were not only
convinced of the truth of the miracle, but all men glorified God for
that which was done. Even those that were not persuaded by it to
believe in Christ were yet so affected with it, as a mercy to a poor
man and an honour to their country, that they could not but give praise
to God for it; even natural religion taught them to do this. And, if
the priests had punished Peter and John for that for which all men
glorified God, they would have lost all their interest in the people,
and been abandoned as enemies both to God and man. Thus therefore their
wrath shall be made to praise God, and the remainder thereof shall be
restrained.
(2.) That it was nevertheless necessary to silence them for the future,
v. 17, 18. They could not prove that they had said or done any thing
amiss, and yet they must no more say nor do what they have done. All
their care is that the doctrine of Christ spread no further among the
people; as if that healing institution were a plague begun, the
contagion of which must be stopped. See how the malice of hell fights
against the counsels of heaven; God will have the knowledge of Christ
to spread all the world over, but the chief priests would have it
spread no further, which he that sits in heaven laughs at. Now, to
prevent the further spreading of this doctrine, [1.] They charge the
apostles never to preach it any more. Be it enacted by their authority
(which they think every Israelite is bound in conscience to submit to)
that no man speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus, v. 18. We do
not find that they give them any reason why the doctrine of Christ must
be suppressed; they cannot say it is false or dangerous, or of any ill
tendency, and they are ashamed to own the true reason, that it
testifies against their hypocrisy and wickedness, and shocks their
tyranny. But, Stat pro ratione voluntas--They can assign no reason but
their will. "We strictly charge and command you, not only that you do
not preach this doctrine publicly, but that you speak henceforth to no
man, not to any particular person privately, in this name," v. 17.
There is not a greater service done to the devil's kingdom than the
silencing of faithful ministers; and putting those under a bushel that
are the lights of the world. [2.] They threaten them if they do,
strictly threaten them: it is at their peril. This court will reckon
itself highly affronted if they do, and they shall fall under its
displeasure. Christ had not only charged them to preach the gospel to
every creature, but had promised to bear them out in it, and reward
them for it. Now these priests not only forbid the preaching of the
gospel, but threaten to punish it as a heinous crime; but those who
know how to put a just value upon the world's threatenings, though they
be threatenings of slaughter that it breathes out, ch. ix. 1.
II. Here is the courageous resolution of the prisoners to go on in
their work, notwithstanding the resolutions of this court, and their
declaration of this resolution, v. 19, 20. Peter and John needed not
confer together to know one another's minds (for they were both
actuated by one and the same Spirit), but agree presently in the same
sentiments, and jointly put in the answer: "Whether it be right in the
sight of God, to whom both you and we are accountable, to hearken unto
you more than unto God, we appeal to yourselves, judge you; for we
cannot forbear speaking to every body the things which we have seen and
heard, and are ourselves full of, and are charged to publish." The
prudence of the serpent would have directed them to be silent, and,
though they could not with a good conscience promise that they would
not preach the gospel any more, yet they needed not tell the rulers
that they would. But the boldness of the lion directed them thus to set
both the authority and the malignity of their persecutors at defiance.
They do, in effect, tell them that they are resolved to go on in
preaching, and justify themselves in it with two things:--1. The
command of God: "You charge us not to preach the gospel; he has charged
us to preach it, has committed it to us as a trust, requiring us upon
our allegiance faithfully to dispense it; now whom must we obey, God or
you?" Here they appeal to one of the communes notitiæ--to a settled and
acknowledged maxim in the law of nature, that if men's commands and
God's interfere God's commands must take place. It is a rule in the
common law of England that if any statute be made contrary to the law
of God it is null and void. Nothing can be more absurd than to hearken
unto weak and fallible men, that are fellow-creatures and
fellow-subjects, more than unto a God that is infinitely wise and holy,
our Creator and sovereign Lord, and the Judge to whom we are all
accountable. The case is so plain, so uncontroverted and self-evident,
that we will venture to leave it to yourselves to judge of it, though
you are biassed and prejudiced. Can you think it right in the sight of
God to break a divine command in obedience to a human injunction? That
is right indeed which is right in the sight of God; for his judgment,
we are sure, is according to truth, and therefore by that we ought to
govern ourselves. 2. The convictions of their consciences. Even if they
had not had such an express command from heaven to preach the doctrine
of Christ, yet they could not but speak, and speak publicly, those
things which they had seen and heard. Like Elihu, they were full of
this matter, and the Spirit within them constrained them, they must
speak, that they might be refreshed, Job xxxii. 18, 20. (1.) They felt
the influence of it upon themselves, what a blessed change it had
wrought upon them, had brought them into a new world, and therefore
they could not but speak of it: and those speak the doctrine of Christ
best that have felt the power of it, and tasted the sweetness of it,
and have themselves been deeply affected with it; it is as a fire in
their bones, Jer. xx. 9. (2.) They knew the importance of it to others.
They look with concern upon perishing souls, and know that they cannot
escape eternal ruin but by Jesus Christ, and therefore will be faithful
to them in giving them warning, and showing them the right way. They
are things which we have seen and heard, and therefore will be faithful
to them in giving them warning, and showing them the right way. They
are things which we only have seen and heard, and therefore, if we do
not publish them, who will? Who can? Knowing the favour, as well as the
terror of the Lord, we persuade men; for the love of Christ and the
love of souls constrain us, 2 Cor. v. 11, 14.
III. Here is the discharge of the prisoners (v. 21): They further
threatened them, and thought they frightened them, and then let them
go. There were many whom they terrified into an obedience to their
unrighteous decrees; they knew how to keep men in awe with their
excommunication (John ix. 22), and thought they could have the same
influence upon the apostles that they had upon other men; but they were
deceived, for they had been with Jesus. They threatened them, and that
was all they did now: when they had done this they let them go, 1.
Because they durst not contradict the people, who glorified God for
that which was done, and would have been ready (at least they thought
so) to pull them out of their seats, if they had punished the apostles
for doing it. As rulers by the ordinance of God are made a terror and
restraint to wicked people, so people are sometimes by the providence
of God made a terror and restrain to wicked rulers. 2. Because they
could not contradict the miracle: For (v. 22) the man was above forty
years old on whom this miracle of healing was shown. And therefore,
(1.) The miracle was so much the greater, he having been lame from his
mother's womb, ch. iii. 2. The older he grew the more inveterate the
disease was, and the more hardly cured. If those that are grown into
years, and have been long accustomed to evil, are cured of their
spiritual impotency to good, and thereby of their evil customs, the
power of divine grace is therein so much the more magnified. (2.) The
truth of it was so much the better attested; for the man being above
forty years old, he was able, like the blind man whom Christ healed,
when he was asked, to speak for himself, John ix. 21.
The Apostles Return to Their Company; The Devout Appeal of the Apostles.
23 And being let go, they went to their own company, and reported all
that the chief priests and elders had said unto them. 24 And when
they heard that, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and
said, Lord, thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and all that in them is: 25 Who by the mouth of thy servant
David hast said, Why did the heathen rage, and the people imagine vain
things? 26 The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were
gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ. 27 For of
a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both
Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel,
were gathered together, 28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy
counsel determined before to be done. 29 And now, Lord, behold their
threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they
may speak thy word, 30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and
that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and
they spake the word of God with boldness.
We hear no more at present of the chief priests, what they did when
they had dismissed Peter and John, but are to attend those two
witnesses. And here we have,
I. Their return to their brethren, the apostles and ministers, and
perhaps some private Christians (v. 23): Being let go, they went to
their own company, who perhaps at this time were met together in pain
for them, and praying for them; as ch. xii. 12. As soon as ever they
were at liberty, they went to their old friends, and returned to their
church-fellowship. 1. Though God had highly honoured them, in calling
them out to be his witnesses, and enabling them to acquit themselves so
well, yet they were not puffed up with the honour done them, nor
thought themselves thereby exalted above their brethren, but went to
their own company. No advancement in gifts or usefulness should make us
think ourselves above either the duties or the privileges of the
communion of saints. 2. Though their enemies had severely threatened
them, and endeavoured to break their knot, and frighten them from the
work they were jointly engaged in, yet they went to their own company,
and feared not the wrath of their rulers. They might have had comfort,
if, being let go, they had retired to their closets, and spent some
time in devotion there. But they were men in a public station, and must
seek not so much their own personal satisfaction as the public good.
Christ's followers do best in company, provided it be in their own
company.
II. The account they gave them of what had passed: They reported all
that the chief priests and elders had said to them, adding, no doubt,
what they were enabled by the grace of God to reply to them, and how
their trial issued. They related it to them, 1. That they might know
what to expect both from men and from God in the progress of their
work. From men they might expect every thing that was terrifying, but
from God every thing that was encouraging; men would do their utmost to
run them down, but God would take effectual care to bear them up. Thus
the brethren in the Lord would wax confident through their bonds, and
their experiences, as Phil. i. 14. 2. That they might have it recorded
in the history of the church, for the benefit of posterity,
particularly for the confirmation of our faith touching the
resurrection of Christ. The silence of an adversary, in some cases, is
next door to the consent and testimony of an adversary. These apostles
told the chief priests to their faces that God had raised up Jesus from
the dead, and, though they were a body of them together, they had not
the confidence to deny it, but, in the silliest and most sneaking
manner imaginable, bade the apostles not to tell any body of it. 3.
That they might now join with them in prayers and praises; and by such
a concert as this God would be the more glorified, and the church the
more edified. We should therefore communicate to our brethren the
providences of God that relate to us, and our experience of his
presence with us, that they may assist us in our acknowledgment of God
therein.
III. Their address to God upon this occasion: When they heard of the
impotent malice of the priests, and the potent courage of the
sufferers, they called their company together and went to prayer: They
lifted up their voice to God with one accord, v. 24. Not that it can be
supposed that they all said the same words at the same time (though it
was possible they might, being all inspired by one and the same
Spirit), but one in the name of the rest lifted up his voice to God and
the rest joined with him, hymothymadon--with one mind (so the word
signifies); their hearts went along with him, and so, though but one
spoke, they all prayed; one lifted up his voice, and, in concurrence
with him, they all lifted up their hearts, which was, in effect,
lifting up their voice to God; for thoughts are as words to God. Moses
cried unto God, when we find not a word said. Now in this solemn
address to God we have,
1. Their adoration of God as the Creator of the world (v. 24): With one
mind, and so, in effect, with one mouth, they glorified God, Rom. xv.
6. They said, "O Lord, thou art God, God alone; Despota, thou art our
Master and sovereign Ruler" (so the word signifies), "thou art God;
God, and not man; God, and not the work of men's hands; the Creator of
all, and not the creature of men's fancies. Thou art the God who hast
made heaven, and earth, and the sea, the upper and lower world, and all
the creatures that are in both." Thus we Christians distinguish
ourselves from the heathen, that, while they worship gods which they
have made, we are worshipping the God that made us and all the world.
And it is very proper to begin our prayers, as well as our creed, with
the acknowledgement of this, that God is the Father almighty, Maker of
heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. Though the
apostles were at this time full of the mystery of the world's
redemption, yet they did not forget nor overlook the history of the
world's creation; for the Christian religion was intended to confirm
and improve, not to eclipse nor jostle out, the truths and dictates of
natural religion. It is a great encouragement to God's servants, both
in doing work and suffering work, that they serve the God that made all
things, and therefore has the disposal of their times, and all events
concerning them, and is able to strengthen them under all their
difficulties. And, if we give him the glory of this, we may take the
comfort of it.
2. Their reconciling themselves to the present dispensations of
Providence, by reflecting upon those scriptures in the Old Testament
which foretold that the kingdom of the Messiah would meet with such
opposition as this at the first setting of it up in the world, v. 25,
26. God, who made heaven and earth, cannot meet with any [effectual]
opposition to his designs, since none dare [at least, can prevailingly]
dispute or contest with him. Yea, thus it was written, thus he spoke by
the mouth, thus he wrote by the pen, of his servant David, who, as
appears by this, was the penman of the second psalm, and therefore,
most probably, of the first, and other psalms that are not ascribed to
any other, though they have not his name in the title. Let it not
therefore be a surprise to them, nor any discouragement to any in
embracing their doctrine, for the scripture must be fulfilled. It was
foretold, Ps. ii. 1, 2, (1.) That the heathen would rage at Christ and
his kingdom, and be angry at the attempts to set it up, because that
would be the pulling down of the gods of the heathen, and giving a
check to the wickedness of the heathen. (2.) That the people would
imagine all the things that could be against it, to silence the
teachers of it, to discountenance the subjects of it, and to crush all
the interests of it. If they prove vain things in the issue, no thanks
to those who imagined them. (3.) That the kings of the earth,
particularly, would stand up in opposition to the kingdom of Christ, as
if they were jealous (though there is no occasion for their being so)
that it would interfere with their powers, and intrench upon their
prerogatives. The kings of the earth that are most favoured and
honoured by divine Providence, and should do most for God, are
strangers and enemies to divine grace, and do most against God. (4.)
That the rulers would gather together against God and Christ; not only
monarchs, that have the power in their single persons, but where the
power is in many rulers, councils, and senates, they gather together,
to consult and decree against the Lord and against his Christ--against
both natural and revealed religion. What is done against Christ, God
takes as done against himself. Christianity was not only destitute of
the advantage of the countenance and support of kings and rulers (it
had neither their power nor their purses), but it was opposed and
fought against by them, and they combined to run it down and yet it
made its way.
3. Their representation of the present accomplishment of those
predictions in the enmity and malice of the rulers against Christ. What
was foretold we see fulfilled, v. 27, 28. It is of a truth--it is
certainly so, it is too plain to be denied, and in it appears the truth
of the prediction that Herod and Pilate, the two Roman governors, with
the Gentiles (the Roman soldiers under their command), and with the
people of Israel (the rulers of the Jews and the mob that is under
their influence), were gathered together in a confederacy against thy
holy child Jesus whom thou has anointed. Some copies add another
circumstance, en te polei sou taute--in this thy holy city, where,
above any place, he should have been welcomed. But herein they do that
which thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done. See here
(1.) The wise and holy designs God had concerning Christ. He is here
called the child Jesus, as he was called (Luke ii. 27, 43) in his
infancy, to intimate that even in his exalted state he is not ashamed
of his condescensions for us, and that he continues meek and lowly in
heart. In the height of his glory he is the Lamb of God, and the child
Jesus. But he is the holy child Jesus (so he was called, Luke i. 35,
that holy thing), and thy holy child; the word signifies both a son and
a servant, paida sou. He was the Son of God; and yet in the work of
redemption he acted as his Father's servant (Isa. xlii. 1), My servant
whom I uphold. It was he whom God anointed, both qualified for the
undertaking and called to it; and thence he was called the Lord's
Christ, v. 26. And this comes in as a reason why they set themselves
with so much rage and violence against him, because God had anointed
him, and they were resolved not to resign, much less to submit to him.
David was envied by Saul, because he was the Lord's anointed. And the
Philistines came up to seek David when they heard he was anointed, 2
Sam. v. 17. Now the God that anointed Christ determined what should be
done to him, pursuant to that anointing. He was anointed to be a
Saviour, and therefore it was determined he should be a sacrifice to
make atonement for sin. He must die--therefore he must be slain; yet
not by his own hands--therefore God wisely determined before by what
hands it should be done. It must be by the hands of those who will
treat him as a criminal and malefactor, and therefore it cannot be done
by the hands either of angels or of good men; he must therefore be
delivered into the hands of sinners as Job was, ch. xvi. 11. And as
David was delivered to Shimei to be made a curse (2 Sam. xvi. 11): The
Lord has bidden him. God's hand and his counsel determined it--his
will, and his wisdom. God's hand, which properly denotes his executive
power, is here put for his purpose and decree, because with him saying
and doing are not two things, as they are with us. His hand and his
counsel always agree; for whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he. Dr.
Hammon makes this phrase of God's hand determining it to be an allusion
to the high priest's casting lots upon the two goats on the day of
atonement (Lev. xvi. 8), in which he lifted up the hand that he
happened to have the lot for the Lord in, and that goat on which it
fell was immediately sacrificed; and the disposal of this lot was from
the Lord, Prov. xvi. 33. Thus God's hand determined what should be
done, that Christ should be the sacrifice slain. Or, if I may offer a
conjecture, when God's hand is here said to determine, it may be meant,
not of God's acting hand, but his writing hand, as Job xiii. 26, Thou
writest bitter things against us; and God's decree is said to be that
which is written in the scriptures of truth (Dan. x. 21), and in the
volume of the book it was written of Christ, Ps. xl. 7. It was God's
hand that wrote it, his hand according to his counsel. The commission
was given under his hand. (2.) The wicked and unholy instruments that
were employed in the executing of this design, though they meant not
so, neither did their hearts think so. Herod and Pilate, Gentiles and
Jews, who had been at variance with each other, united against Christ.
And God's serving his own purposes by what they did was no excuse at
all for their malice and wickedness in the doing of it, any more than
God's making the blood of the martyrs the seed of the church extenuated
the guilt of their bloody persecutors. Sin is not the less evil for
God's bringing good out of it, but he is by this the more glorified,
and will appear to be so when the mystery of God shall be finished.
4. Their petition with reference to the case at this time. The enemies
were gathered together against Christ, and then no wonder that they
were so against his ministers: the disciple is not better than his
Master, nor must expect better treatment; but, being thus insulted,
they pray,
(1.) That God would take cognizance of the malice of their enemies:
Now, Lord, behold their threatenings, v. 29. Behold them, as thou art
said to behold them in the psalm before quoted (Ps. ii. 4), when they
thought to break his bands asunder, and cast away his cords from them;
he that sits in heaven laughs at them, and has them in derision; and
then the virgin, the daughter of Zion, may despise the impotent menaces
even of the great king, the king of Assyria, Isa. xxxvii. 22. And now,
Lord; ta nyn there is an emphasis upon the now, to intimate that then
is God's time to appear for his people, when the power of their enemies
is most daring and threatening. They do not dictate to God what he
shall do, but refer themselves to and him, like Hezekiah (Isa. xxxvii.
17): "Open thine eyes, O Lord, and see; thou knowest what they say,
thou beholdest mischief and spite (Ps. x. 14); to thee we appeal,
behold their threatenings, and either tie their hands or turn their
hearts; make their wrath, as far as it is let loose, to praise thee,
and the remainder thereof do thou restrain," Ps. lxxvi. 10. It is a
comfort to us that if we be unjustly threatened, and bear it patiently,
we may make ourselves easy by spreading the case before the Lord, and
leaving it with him.
(2.) That God, by his grace, would keep up their spirits, and animate
them to go on cheerfully with their work: Grant unto thy servants that
with all boldness they may speak thy word, though the priests and
rulers have enjoined them silence. Note, In threatening times, our care
should not be so much that troubles may be prevented as that we may be
enabled to go on with cheerfulness and resolution in our work and duty,
whatever troubles we may meet with. Their prayer is not, "Lord, behold
their threatenings, and frighten them, and stop their mouths, and fill
their faces with shame;" but, "Behold their threatenings, and animate
us, open our mouths and fill our hearts with courage." They do not
pray, "Lord, give us a fair opportunity to retire from our work, now
that it is become dangerous;" but, "Lord, give us grace to go on in our
work and not to be afraid of the face of man." Observe, [1.] Those that
are sent on God's errands ought to deliver their message with boldness,
with all boldness, with all liberty of speech, not shunning to declare
the whole counsel of God, whoever is offended; not doubting of what
they say, nor of being borne out in saying it. [2.] God is to be sought
unto for an ability to speak his word with boldness, and those that
desire divine aids and encouragements may depend upon them, and ought
to go forth and go on in the strength of the Lord God. [3.] The
threatenings of our enemies, that are designed to weaken our hands and
drive us off from our work, should rather stir us up to so much the
more courage and resolution in our work. Are they daring that fight
against Christ? For shame, let not us be sneaking that are for him.
(3.) That God would still give them power to work miracles for the
confirmation of the doctrine they preached, which, by the cure of the
lame man, they found to contribute very much to their success, and
would contribute abundantly to their further progress: Lord, grant us
boldness, by stretching forth thy hand to heal. Note, Nothing emboldens
faithful ministers more in their work than the tokens of God's presence
with them, and a divine power going along with them. They pray, [1.]
That God would stretch forth his hand to heal both the bodies and souls
of men; else in vain do they stretch forth their hands, either in
preaching (Isa. lxv. 2), or in curing, ch. ix. 17. [2.] That signs and
wonders might be done by the name of the holy child Jesus, which would
be convincing to the people, and confounding to the enemies. Christ had
promised them a power to work miracles, for the proof of their
commission (Mark xvi. 17, 18); yet they must pray for it; and, though
they had it, must pray for the continuance of it. Christ himself must
ask, and it shall be given him. Observe, It is the honour of Christ
that they aim at in this request, that the wonders might be done by the
name of Jesus, the holy child Jesus, and his name shall have all the
glory.
IV. The gracious answer God gave to this address, not in word, but in
power. 1. God gave them a sign of the acceptance of their prayers (v.
31): When they had prayed (perhaps many of them prayed successively),
one by one, according to the rule (1 Cor. xiv. 31), and when they had
concluded the work of the day, the place was shaken where they were
assembled together; there was a strong mighty wind, such as that when
the Spirit was poured out upon them (ch. ii. 1, 2), which shook the
house, which was now their house of prayer. This shaking of the place
was designed to strike an awe upon them, to awaken and raise their
expectations, and to give them a sensible token that God was with them
of a truth: and perhaps it was to put them in mind of that prophecy
(Hag. ii. 7), I will shake all nations, and will fill this house with
glory. This was to show them what reason they had to fear God more, and
then they would fear man less. He that shook this place could make the
hearts of those who threatened his servants thus to tremble, for he
cuts off the spirit of princes, and is terrible to the kings of the
earth. The place was shaken, that their faith might be established and
unshaken. 2. God gave them greater degrees of his Spirit, which was
what they prayed for. Their prayer, without doubt, was accepted, for it
was answered: They were all filled with the Holy Ghost, more than ever;
by which they were not only encouraged, but enabled to speak the word
of God with boldness, and not to be afraid of the proud and haughty
looks of men. The Holy Ghost taught them not only what to speak, but
how to speak. Those that were endued habitually with the powers of the
Holy Ghost had yet occasion for fresh supplies of the Spirit, according
as the various occurrences of their service were. They were filled with
the Holy Ghost at the bar (v. 8), and now filled with the Holy Ghost in
the pulpit, which teaches us to live in an actual dependence upon the
grace of God, according as the duty of every day requires; we need to
be anointed with fresh oil upon every fresh occasion. As in the
providence of God, so in the grace of God, we not only in general live,
and have our being, but move in every particular action, ch. xvii. 28.
We have here an instance of the performance of that promise, that God
will give the Holy Spirit to those that ask him (Luke xi. 13), for it
was in answer to prayer that they were filled with the Holy Ghost: and
we have also an example of the improvement of that gift, which is
required of all on whom it is bestowed; have it and use it, use it and
have more of it. When they were filled with the Holy Ghost, they spoke
the word with all boldness; for the ministration of the Spirit is given
to every man, to profit withal. Talents must be traded with, not
buried. When they find the Lord God help them by his Spirit, they know
they shall not be confounded, Isa. l. 7.
The Prosperity of the Church; The Liberality of the Disciples.
32 And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one
soul: neither said any of them that ought of the things which he
possessed was his own; but they had all things common. 33 And with
great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord
Jesus: and great grace was upon them all. 34 Neither was there any
among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or
houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,
35 And laid them down at the apostles' feet: and distribution was
made unto every man according as he had need. 36 And Joses, who by
the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The
son of consolation,) a Levite, and of the country of Cyprus, 37
Having land, sold it, and brought the money, and laid it at the
apostles' feet.
We have a general idea given us in these verses, and it is a very
beautiful one, of the spirit and state of this truly primitive church;
it is conspectus sæculi--a view of that age of infancy and innocence.
I. The disciples loved one another dearly. Behold, how good and how
pleasant it was to see how the multitude of those that believed were of
one heart, and of one soul (v. 32), and there was no such thing as
discord nor division among them. Observe here, 1. There were multitudes
that believed; even in Jerusalem, where the malignant influence of the
chief priests was most strong, there were three thousand converted on
one day, and five thousand on another, and, besides these, there were
added to the church daily; and no doubt they were all baptized, and
made profession of the faith; for the same Spirit that endued the
apostles with courage to preach the faith of Christ endued them with
courage to confess it. Note, The increase of the church is the glory of
it, and the multitude of those that believe, more than their quality.
Now the church shines, and her light is come, when souls thus fly like
a cloud into her bosom, and like doves to their windows, Isa. lx. 1, 8.
2. They were all of one heart, and of one soul. Though there were many,
very many, of different ages, tempers, and conditions, in the world,
who perhaps, before they believed, were perfect strangers to one
another, yet, when they met in Christ, they were as intimately
acquainted as if they had known one another many years. Perhaps they
had been of different sects among the Jews, before their conversion, or
had had discords upon civil accounts; but now these were all forgotten
and laid aside, and they were unanimous in the faith of Christ, and,
being all joined to the Lord, they were joined to one another in holy
love. This was the blessed fruit of Christ's dying precept to his
disciples, to love one another, and his dying prayer for them, that
they all might be one. We have reason to think they divided themselves
into several congregations, or worshipping assemblies, according as
their dwellings were, under their respective ministers; and yet this
occasioned no jealousy or uneasiness; for they were all of one heart,
and one soul, notwithstanding; and loved those of other congregations
as truly as those of their own. Thus it was then, and we may not
despair of seeing it so again, when the Spirit shall be poured out upon
us from on high.
II. The ministers went on in their work with great vigour and success
(v. 33): With great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection
of the Lord Jesus. The doctrine they preached was, the resurrection of
Christ: a matter of fact, which served not only for the confirmation of
the truth of Christ's holy religion, but being duly explained and
illustrated, with the proper inferences from it, served for a summary
of all the duties, privileges, and comforts of Christians. The
resurrection of Christ, rightly understood and improved, will let us
into the great mysteries of religion. By the great power wherewith the
apostles attested the resurrection may be meant, 1. The great vigour,
spirit, and courage, with which they published and avowed this
doctrine; they did it not softly and diffidently, but with liveliness
and resolution, as those that were themselves abundantly satisfied of
the truth of it, and earnestly desired that others should be so too.
Or, 2. The miracles which they wrought to confirm their doctrine. With
works of great power, they gave witness to the resurrection of Christ,
God himself, in them, bearing witness too.
III. The beauty of the Lord our God shone upon them, and all their
performances: Great grace was upon them all, not only all the apostles,
but all the believers, charis megale--grace that had something great in
it (magnificent and very extraordinary) was upon them all. 1. Christ
poured out abundance of grace upon them, such as qualified them for
great services, by enduing them with great power; it came upon them
from on high, from above. 2. There were evident fruits of this grace in
all they said and did, such as put an honour upon them, and recommended
them to the favour of God, as being in his sight of great price. 3.
Some think it includes the favour they were in with the people. Every
one saw a beauty and excellency in them, and respected them.
IV. They were very liberal to the poor, and dead to this world. This
was as great an evidence of the grace of God in them as any other, and
recommended them as much to the esteem of the people.
1. They insisted not upon property, which even children seem to have a
sense of and a jealousy for, and which worldly people triumph in, as
Laban (Gen. xxxi. 43): All that thou seest is mine; and Nabal (1 Sam.
xxv. 11): My bread and my water. These believers were so taken up with
the hopes of an inheritance in the other world that this was as nothing
to them. No man said that aught of the things which he possessed was
his own, v. 32. They did not take away property, but they were
indifferent to it. They did not call what they had their own, in a way
of pride and vainglory, boasting of it, or trusting in it. They did not
call it their own, because they had, in affection, forsaken all for
Christ, and were continually expecting to be stripped of all for their
adherence to him. They did not say that aught was their own; for we can
call nothing our own but sin. What we have in the world is more God's
than our own; we have it from him, must use it for him, and are
accountable for it to him. No man said that what he had was his own,
idion--his peculiar; for he was ready to distribute, willing to
communicate, and desired not to eat his morsel alone, but what he had
to spare from himself and family his poor neighbours were welcome to.
Those that had estates were not solicitous to lay up, but very willing
to lay out, and would straiten themselves to help their brethren. No
marvel that they were of one heart and soul, when they sat so loose to
the wealth of this world; for meum--mine, and tuum--thine, are the
great makebates. Men's holding their own, and grasping at more than
their own, are the rise of wars and fightings.
2. They abounded in charity, so that, in effect, they had all things
common; for (v. 34) there was not any among them that lacked, but care
was taken for their supply. Those that had been maintained upon the
public charity were probably excluded when they turned Christians, and
therefore it was fit that the church should take care of them. As there
were many poor that received the gospel, so there were some rich that
were able to maintain them, and the grace of God made them willing.
Those that gather much have nothing over, because what they have over
they have for those who gather little, that they may have no lack, 2
Cor. viii. 14, 15. The gospel hath laid all things common, not so that
the poor are allowed to rob the rich, but so that the rich are
appointed to relieve the poor.
3. They did many of them sell their estates, to raise a fund for
charity: As many as had possession of lands or houses sold them, v. 34.
Dr. Lightfoot computes that this was the year of jubilee in the Jewish
nation, the fiftieth year (the twenty-eighth since they settled in
Canaan fourteen hundred years ago), so that, what was sold that year
being not to return till the next jubilee, lands then took a good
price, and so the sale of those lands would raise the more money. Now,
(1.) We are here told what they did with the money that was so raised:
They laid it at the apostles' feet--the left it to them to be disposed
of as they thought fit; probably they had their support from it; for
whence else could they have it? Observe, The apostles would have it
laid at their feet, in token of their holy contempt of the wealth of
the world; they thought it fitter it should be laid at their feet than
lodged in their hands or in their bosoms. Being laid there, it was not
hoarded up, but distribution was made, by proper persons, unto every
man according as he had need. Great care ought to be taken in the
distribution of public charity, [1.] That it be given to such as have
need; such as are not able to procure a competent maintenance of
themselves, through age, infancy, sickness, or bodily disability, or
incapacity of mind, want either of ingenuity or activity, cross
providences, losses, oppressions, or a numerous charge. Those who upon
any of these accounts, or any other, have real need, and have not
relations of their own to help them--but, above all, those that are
reduced to want for well doing, and for the testimony of a good
conscience, ought to be taken care of, and provided for, and, with such
a prudent application of what is given, as may be most for their
benefit. [2.] That it be given to every man for whom it is intended,
according as he has need, without partiality or respect of persons. It
is a rule in dispensing charity, as well as in administering justice,
ut parium par sit ratio--that those who are equally needy and equally
deserving should be equally helped, and that the charity should be
suited and adapted to the necessity, as the word is.
(2.) Here is one particular person mentioned that was remarkable for
this generous charity: it was Barnabas, afterwards Paul's colleague.
Observe, [1.] The account here given concerning him, v. 36. His name
was Joses; he was of the tribe of Levi, for there were Levites among
the Jews of the dispersion, who, it is probable, presided in their
synagogue--worship, and, according to the duty of that tribe, taught
them the good knowledge of the Lord. He was born in Cyprus, a great way
off from Jerusalem, his parents, though Jews, having a settlement
there. Notice is taken of the apostles' changing his name after he
associated with them. It is probable that he was one of the seventy
disciples, and, as he increased in gifts and graces, grew eminent, and
was respected by the apostles, who, in token of their value for him,
gave him a name, Barnabas--the son of prophecy (so it properly
signifies), he being endued with extraordinary gifts of prophecy. But
the Hellenist Jews (saith Grotius) called praying paraklesis, and
therefore by that word it is rendered here: A son of exhortation (so
some), one that had an excellent faculty of healing and persuading; we
have an instance of it, ch. xi. 22-24. A son of consolation (so we read
it); one that did himself walk very much in the comforts of the Holy
Ghost--a cheerful Christian, and this enlarged his heart in charity to
the poor; or one that was eminent for comforting the Lord's people, and
speaking peace to wounded troubled consciences; he had an admirable
facility that way. There were two among the apostles that were called
Boanerges--sons of thunder (Mark iii. 17); but here was a son of
consolation with them. Each had his several gift. Neither must censure
the other, but both case one another; let the one search the wound, and
then let the other heal it and bind it up. [2.] Here is an account of
his charity, and great generosity to the public fund. This is
particularly taken notice of, because of the eminency of his services
afterwards in the church of God, especially in carrying the gospel to
the Gentiles; and, that this might not appear to come from any ill-will
to his own nation, we have here his benevolence to the Jewish converts.
Or perhaps this is mentioned because it was a leading card, and an
example to others: He having land, whether in Cyprus, where he was
born, or in Judea, where he now lived, or elsewhere, is not certain,
but he sold it, not to buy elsewhere to advantage, but, as a Levite
indeed, who knew he had the Lord God of Israel for his inheritance, he
despised earthly inheritances, would be encumbered no more with them,
but brought the money, and laid it at the apostles' feet, to be given
in charity. Thus, as one that was designed to be a preacher of the
gospel, he disentangled himself from the affairs of this life: and he
lost nothing upon the balance of the account, by laying the
purchase-money at the apostles' feet, when he himself was, in effect,
numbered among the apostles, by that word of the Holy Ghost, Separate
me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them, ch.
xiii. 2. Thus, for the respect he showed to the apostles as apostles,
he had an apostle's reward.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. V.
In this chapter we have, I. The sin and punishment of Ananias and
Sapphira, who, for lying to the Holy Ghost, were struck dead at the
word of Peter, ver. 1-11. II. The flourishing state of the church, in
the power that went along with the preaching of the gospel, ver. 12-16.
III. The imprisonment of the apostles, and their miraculous discharge
out of prison, with fresh orders to go on to preach the gospel, which
they did, to the great vexation of their persecutors, ver. 17-26. IV.
Their arraignment before the great sanhedrim, and their justification
of themselves in what they did, ver. 27-33. V. Gamaliel's counsel
concerning them, that they should not persecute them, but let them
alone, and see what would come of it, and their concurrence, for the
present, with this advice, in the dismission of the apostles with no
more than a scourging, ver. 34-40. VI. The apostles' cheerful progress
in their work notwithstanding the prohibition laid upon them and the
indignity done them, ver. 41, 42.
The Case of Ananias and Sapphira.
1 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a
possession, 2 And kept back part of the price, his wife also being
privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles'
feet. 3 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to
lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land?
4 Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold,
was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in
thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 5 And Ananias
hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear
came on all them that heard these things. 6 And the young men arose,
wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. 7 And it was about
the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was
done, came in. 8 And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold
the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. 9 Then Peter
said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the
Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy
husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. 10 Then fell she
down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young
men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by
her husband. 11 And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as
many as heard these things.
The chapter begins with a melancholy but, which puts a stop to the
pleasant and agreeable prospect of things which we had in the foregoing
chapters; as every man, so every church, in its best state has its but.
1. The disciples were very holy, and heavenly, and seemed to be all
exceedingly good; but there were hypocrites among them, whose hearts
were not right in the sight of God, who, when they were baptized, and
took upon them the form of godliness, denied the power of godliness,
and stopped short of that. There is a mixture of bad with good in the
best societies on this side heaven; tares will grow among the wheat
until the harvest. 2. It was the praise of the disciples that they came
up to that perfection which Christ recommended to the rich young
man--they sold what they had, and gave to the poor; but even that
proved a cloak and cover of hypocrisy which was thought the greatest
proof and evidence of sincerity. 3. The signs and wonders which the
apostles wrought were hitherto miracles of mercy; but now comes in a
miracle of judgment, and here is an instance of severity following the
instances of goodness, that God may be both loved and feared. Observe
here,
I. The sin of Ananias and Sapphira his wife. It is good to see husband
and wife joining together in that which is good, but to be confederate
in evil is to be like Adam and Eve, when they agreed to eat the
forbidden fruit, and were one in their disobedience. Now their sin was,
1. That they were ambitious of being thought eminent disciples, and of
the first rank, when really they were not true disciples; they would
pass for some of the most fruitful trees in Christ's vineyard, when
really the root of the matter was not found in them. They sold a
possession, and brought the money (as Barnabas did) to the apostles'
feet, that they might not seem to be behind the very chief of
believers, but might be applauded and cried up, and stand so much the
fairer for preferment in the church, which perhaps they thought would
shortly shine in secular pomp and grandeur. Note, It is possible that
hypocrites may deny themselves in one thing, but then it is to serve
themselves in another; they may forego their secular advantage in one
instance, with a prospect of finding their account in something else.
Ananias and Sapphira would take upon them a profession of Christianity,
and make a fair show in the flesh with it, and so would mock God, and
deceive others, when they knew they could not go through with the
Christian profession. It was commendable, and so far it was right, in
that rich young man, that he would not pretend to follow Christ, when,
if it should come to a pinch, he knew he could not come up to his
terms, but he went away sorrowful. Ananias and Sapphira pretended they
could come up to the terms, that they might have the credit of being
disciples, when really they could not, and so were a discredit to
discipleship. Note, It is often of fatal consequence for people to go a
greater length in profession than their inward principle will admit of.
2. That they were covetous of the wealth of the world, and distrustful
of God and his providence: They sold their land, and perhaps then, in a
pang of zeal, designed no other than to dedicate the whole of the
purchase-money to pious uses, and made a vow, or at least conceived a
full purpose, to do so; but, when the money was received, their heart
failed them, and they kept back part of the price, (v. 2), because they
loved the money, and thought it was too much to part with at once, and
to trust in the apostles' hands, and because they knew not but they
might want it themselves; though now all things were common, yet it
would not be so long, and what should they do in a time of need, if
they should leave themselves nothing to take to? They could not take
God's word that they should be provided for, but thought they would
play a wiser part than the rest had done, and lay up for a rainy day.
Thus they thought to serve both God and mammon--God, by bringing part
of the money to the apostles' feet, and mammon, by keeping the other
part in their own pockets; as if there were not an all-sufficiency in
God to make up the whole to them, except they retained some in their
own hands by way of caution-money. Their hearts were divided, so they
were found faulty, Hos. x. 2. They halted between two; if they had been
thorough-paced worldlings, they would not have sold their possession;
and, if they had been thorough-paced Christians, they would not have
detained part of the price. 3. That they thought to deceive the
apostles, and make them believe they brought the whole purchase-money,
when really it was but a part. They came with as good an assurance, and
as great a show of piety and devotion, as any of them, and laid the
money at the apostles' feet, as if it were their all. They dissembled
with God and his Spirit, with Christ and his church and ministers; and
this was their sin.
II. The indictment of Ananias, which proved both his condemnation and
execution for this sin. When he brought the money, and expected to be
commended and encouraged, as others were, Peter took him to task about
it, He, without any enquiry or examination of witnesses concerning it,
charges him peremptorily with the crime, and aggravates it, and lays a
load upon him for it, showing it to him in its own colour, v. 3, 4. The
Spirit of God in Peter not only discovered the fact without any
information (when perhaps no man in the world knew it but the man and
his wife themselves), but likewise discerned the principle of reigning
infidelity in the heart of Ananias, which was at the bottom of it, and
therefore proceeded against him so suddenly. Had it been a sin of
infirmity, through the surprise of a temptation, Peter would have taken
Ananias aside, and have bidden him go home, and fetch the rest of the
money, and repent of his folly in attempting to put this cheat upon
them; but he knew that his heart was fully set in him to do this evil,
and therefore allowed him not space to repent. He here showed him,
1. The origin of his sin: Satan filled his heart; he not only suggested
it to him, and put it into his head, but hurried him on with resolution
to do it. Whatever is contrary to the good Spirit proceeds from the
evil spirit, and those hearts are filled by Satan in which worldliness
reigns, and has the ascendant. Some think that Ananias was one of those
that had received the Holy Ghost, and was filled with his gifts, but,
having provoked the Spirit to withdraw from him, now Satan filled his
heart; as, when the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul, an evil
spirit from God troubled him. Satan is a lying spirit; he was so in the
mouth of Ahab's prophets, and so he was in the mouth of Ananias, and by
this made it appear that he filled his heart.
2. The sin itself: He lied to the Holy Ghost; a sin of such a heinous
nature that he could not have been guilty of it if Satan had not filled
his heart.
(1.) The phrase which we render lying to the Holy Ghost, pseusasthai se
to pneuma to hagion, some read, to belie the Holy Ghost, which may be
taken two ways: [1.] That he belied the Holy Ghost in himself; so Dr.
Lightfoot takes it, and supposes that Ananias was not an ordinary
believer, but a minister, and one that had received the gift of the
Holy Ghost with the hundred and twenty (for mention is made of him
immediately after Barnabas); yet he durst thus, by dissembling, belie
and shame that gift. Or thus; Those who had sold their estates, and
laid the money at the apostles' feet, did it by the special impulse of
the Holy Ghost, enabling them to do an act so very great and generous;
and Ananias pretended that he was moved by the Holy Ghost to do what he
did, as others were; whereas it appeared by his baseness that he was
not under the influence of the good Spirit at all; for, had it been his
work, it would have been perfect. [2.] That he belied the Holy Ghost in
the apostles, to whom he brought the money; he misrepresented the
Spirit they were actuated by, either by a suspicion that they would not
faithfully distribute what they were entrusted with (which was a base
suggestion, as if they were false to the trust reposed in them), or by
an assurance that they could not discover the fraud. He belied the Holy
Ghost when by what he did he would have it thought that those who are
endued with the gifts of the Holy Ghost might as easily be imposed upon
as other men; like Gehazi, whom his master convicted of his error by
that word, Went not my heart with thee? 2 Kings v. 26. It is charged
upon the house of Israel and Judah, when, like Ananias here, they dealt
very treacherously, that they belied the Lord, saying, It is not he,
Jer. v. 11, 12. Thus Ananias thought the apostles were altogether such
as himself, and this was belying the Holy Ghost in them, as if he were
not in them a discerner of spirits, whereas they had all the gifts of
the Spirit in them, which to others were divided severally. See 1 Cor.
xii. 8-11. Those that pretend to an inspiration of the Spirit, in
imposing upon the church their own fancies, either in opinion or
practice--that say they are moved from above when they are carried on
by their pride, covetousness, or affectation of dominion, belie the
Holy Ghost.
(2.) But we read it, to lie unto the Holy Ghost, which reading is
countenanced by v. 4, Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. [1.]
Ananias told a lie, a deliberate lie, and with a purpose to deceive; he
told Peter that he had sold a possession (house or lands) and this was
the purchase-money. Perhaps he expressed himself in words that were
capable of a double meaning, used some equivocations about it, which he
thought might palliate the matter a little, and save him from the guilt
of a downright lie: or perhaps he said nothing; but it was all one, he
did as the rest did who brought the whole price, and would be thought
to do so, and expected the praise those had that did so, and the same
privilege and access to the common stock as they had; and therefore it
was an implicit protestation that he brought the whole price, as they
did; and this was a lie, for he kept back part. Note, Many are brought
to gross lying by reigning pride, and affectation of the applause of
men, particularly in works of charity to the poor. That therefore we
may not be found boasting of a false gift given to us, or given by us
(Prov. xxv. 14), we must not boast even of a true gift, which is the
meaning of our Saviour's caution in works of charity, Let not thy left
hand know what thy right hand doeth. Those that boast of good works
they never did, or promise good works they never do, or make the good
works they do more or better than really they are, come under the guilt
of Ananias's lie, which it concerns us all to dread the thought of.
[2.] He told this lie to the Holy Ghost. It was not so much to the
apostles as to the Holy Ghost in them that the money was brought, and
that was said which was said, v. 4, Thou hast not lied unto men (not to
men only, not to men chiefly, though the apostles be but men), but thou
hast lied unto God. Hence it is justly inferred that the Holy Ghost is
God; for he that lieth to the Holy Ghost lieth to God. "Those that lied
to the apostles, actuated and acting by the Spirit of God, are said to
lie to God, because the apostles acted by the power and authority of
God, whence it follows (as Dr. Whitby well observes) that the power and
authority of the Spirit must be the power and authority of God." And,
as he further argues, "Ananias is said to lie to God, because he lied
to that Spirit in the apostles which enabled them to discern the
secrets of men's hearts and actions, which being the property of God
alone, he that lies to him must therefore lie to God, because he lies
to one who has the incommunicable property of God, and consequently the
divine essence."
3. The aggravations of the sin (v. 4): While it remained, was it not
thine own? And, after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Which
may be understood two ways:--(1.) "Thou wast under no temptation to
keep back part of the price; before it was sold it was thy own, and not
mortgaged nor encumbered, nor any way engaged for debt; and when it was
sold it was in thy own power to dispose of the money at thy pleasure;
so that thou mightest as well have brought the whole as a part. Thou
hadst no debts to pay, perhaps no children to provide for; so that thou
wast not under the influence of any particular inducement to keep back
part of the price. Thou was a transgressor without a cause." Or, (2.)
"Thou wast under no necessity of selling thy land at all, nor bringing
any of the money to the apostles' feet. Thou mightest have kept the
money, if thou hadst pleased, and the land too, and never have
pretended to this piece of perfection." This rule of charity the
apostle gives, that people be not pressed, and that it be not urged as
of necessity, because God loves a cheerful giver (2 Cor. ix. 7), and
Philemon must do a good work, not as it were of necessity, but
willingly, Philem. 14. As it is better not to vow than to vow and not
to pay, so better had it been for him not to have sold his land at all
than thus to keep back part of the price; not to have pretended to do
the good work than thus to do it by the halves. "When it was sold, it
was in thine own power; but it was not so when it was vowed: thou hadst
then opened thy mouth to the Lord, and couldst not go back." Thus, in
giving our hearts to God, we are not admitted to divide them. Satan,
like the mother whose own the child was not, would take up with a half;
but God will have all or none.
4. All this guilt, thus aggravated, is charged upon him: Why hast thou
conceived this thing in thine heart? Observe, Though Satan filled his
heart to do it, yet he is said to have conceived it in his own heart,
which shows that we cannot extenuate our sins by laying the fault of
them upon the devil; he tempts, but he cannot force; it is of our own
lusts that we are drawn away and enticed. The evil thing, whatever it
is, that is said or done, the sinner has conceived it in his own heart;
and therefore, if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it. The close of
the charge is very high, but very just: Thou hast not lied unto men,
but unto God. What emphasis does the prophet lay upon that of Ahaz, not
wearying men only, but wearying my God also! Isa. vii. 13. And Moses
upon that of Israel, Your murmurings are not against us, but against
the Lord! Exod. xvi. 8. So here, Thou mightest have imposed upon us,
who are men like thyself; but, be not deceived, God is not mocked. If
we think to put a cheat upon God, we shall prove in the end to have put
a fatal cheat upon our own souls.
III. The death and burial of Ananias, v. 5, 6.
1. He died upon the spot: Ananias, hearing these words, was speechless,
in the same sense that he was who was charged with intruding into the
wedding feast without a wedding garment: he had nothing to say for
himself; but this was not all: he was struck speechless with a witness,
for he was struck dead: He fell down, and gave up the ghost. It does
not appear whether Peter designed and expected that this would follow
upon what he said to him; it is probable that he did, for to Sapphira
his wife Peter particularly spoke death, v. 9. Some think that an angel
struck him, that he died, as Herod, ch. xii. 23. Or, his own conscience
smote him with such horror and amazement at the sense of his guilt,
that he sunk and died away under the load of it. And perhaps, when he
was convicted of lying to the Holy Ghost, he remembered the
unpardonableness of the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, which struck
him like a dagger to the heart. See the power of the word of God in the
mouth of the apostles. As it was to some a savour of life unto life, so
it was to others a savour of death unto death. As there are those whom
the gospel justifies, so there are those whom it condemns. This
punishment of Ananias may seem severe, but we are sure it was just.
(1.) It was designed to maintain the honour of the Holy Ghost as now
lately poured out upon the apostles, in order to the setting up of the
gospel kingdom. It was a great affront which Ananias put upon the Holy
Ghost, as if he could be imposed upon: and it had a direct tendency to
invalidate the apostles' testimony; for, if they could not by the
Spirit discover this fraud, how could they by this Spirit discover the
deep things of God, which they were to reveal to the children of men?
It was therefore necessary that the credit of the apostles' gifts and
powers should be supported, though it was at this expense. (2.) It was
designed to deter others from the like presumptions, now at the
beginning of this dispensation. Simon Magus afterwards was not thus
punished, nor Elymas; but Ananias was made an example now at first,
that, with the sensible proofs given what a comfortable thing it is to
receive the Spirit, there might be also sensible proofs given what a
dangerous thing it is to resist the Spirit, and do despite to him. How
severely was the worshipping of the golden calf punished, and the
gathering of sticks on the sabbath-day, when the laws of the second and
fourth commandments were now newly given! So was the offering of
strange fire by Nadab and Abihu, and the mutiny of Korah and his
company, when the fire from heaven was now newly given, and the
authority of Moses and Aaron now newly established. The doing of this
by the ministry of Peter, who himself with a lie denied his Master but
a little while ago, intimates that it was not the resentment of a wrong
done to himself; for then he, who had himself been faulty, would have
had charity for those that offended; and he, who himself had repented
and been forgiven, would have forgiven this affront, and endeavoured to
bring this offender to repentance; but it was the act of the Spirit of
God in Peter: to him the indignity was done, and by him the punishment
was inflicted.
2. He was buried immediately, for this was the manner of the Jews (v.
6): The young men, who it is probable were appointed to that office in
the church of burying the dead, as among the Romans the libitinarii and
polinctores; or the young men that attended the apostles, and waited on
them, they wound up the dead body in grave-clothes, carried it out of
the city, and buried it decently, though he died in sin, and by an
immediate stroke of divine vengeance.
IV. The reckoning with Sapphira, the wife of Ananias, who perhaps was
first in the transgression, and tempted her husband to eat this
forbidden fruit. She came in to the place where the apostles were,
which, as it should seem, was Solomon's porch, for there we find them
(v. 12), a part of the temple where Christ used to walk, John x. 23.
She came in about three hours after, expecting to share in the thanks
of the house for her coming in, and consenting to the sale of the land,
of which perhaps she was entitled to her dower or thirds; for she knew
not what had been done. It was strange that nobody ran to tell her of
the sudden death of her husband, that she might keep away; perhaps some
one did, and she was not at home; and so when she came to present
herself before the apostles, as a benefactor to the fund she met with a
breach instead of a blessing.
1. She was found guilty of sharing with her husband in his sin, by a
question that Peter asked her (v. 8): Tell me whether you sold the land
for so much? naming the sum which Ananias had brought and laid at the
apostles' feet. "Was this all you received for the sale of the land,
and had you no more for it?" "No," saith she, "we had no more, but that
was every farthing we received." Ananias and his wife agreed to tell
the same story, and the bargain being private, and by consent kept to
themselves, nobody could disprove them, and therefore they thought they
might safely stand in the lie, and should gain credit to it. It is sad
to see those relations who should quicken one another to that which is
good harden one another in that which is evil.
2. Sentence was passed upon her, that she should partake in her
husband's doom, v. 9.
(1.) Her sin is opened: How is it that you have agreed together to
tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Before he passes sentence, he makes her
to know her abominations, and shows her the evil of her sin. Observe,
[1.] That they tempted the Spirit of the Lord; as Israel tempted God in
the desert, when they said, Is the Lord among us, or is he not? after
they had seen so many miraculous proofs of his power; and not only his
presence, but his presidency, when they said, Can God furnish a table?
So here, "Can the Spirit in the apostles discover this fraud? Can they
discern that this is but a part of the price, when we tell them it is
the whole?" Can he judge through this dark cloud? Job xxii. 13. They
saw that the apostles had the gift of tongues; but had they the gift of
discerning spirits? Those that presume upon security and impunity in
sin tempt the Spirit of God; they tempt God as if he were altogether
such a one as themselves. [2.] That they agreed together to do it,
making the bond of their relation to each other (which by the divine
institution is a sacred tie) to become a bond of iniquity. It is hard
to say which is worse between yoke-fellows and other relations--a
discord in good or concord in evil. It seems to intimate that their
agreeing together to do it was a further tempting of the Spirit; as if,
when they had engaged to keep one another's counsel in this matter,
even the Spirit of the Lord himself could not discover them. Thus they
digged deep to hide their counsel from the Lord, but were made to know
it is in vain. "How is it that you are thus infatuated? What strange
stupidity has seized you, that you would venture to make trial of that
which is past dispute? How is it that you, who are baptized Christians,
do not understand yourselves better? How durst you run so great a
risk?"
(2.) Her doom is read: Behold, the feet of those who have buried thy
husband are at the door (perhaps he heard them coming, or knew that
they could not be long): and they shall carry thee out. As Adam and
Eve, who agreed to eat the forbidden fruit, were turned together out of
paradise, so Ananias and Sapphira, who agreed to tempt the Spirit of
the Lord, were together chased out of the world.
3. The sentence executed itself. There needed no executioner, a killing
power went along with Peter's word, as sometimes a healing power did;
for the God in whose name he spoke kills and makes alive; and out of
his mouth (and Peter was now his mouth) both evil and good proceed (v.
10): Then fell she down straightway at his feet. Some sinners God makes
quick work with, while others he bears long with; for which difference,
doubtless, there are good reasons; but he is not accountable to us for
them. She heard not till now that her husband was dead, the notice of
which, with the discovery of her sin, and the sentence of death passed
upon her, struck her as a thunderbolt and took her away as with a
whirlwind. And many instances there are of sudden deaths which are not
to be looked upon as the punishment of some gross sin, like this. We
must not think that all who die suddenly are sinners above others;
perhaps it is in favour to them, that they have a quick passage:
however, it is forewarning to all to be always ready. But here it is
plain that it was in judgment. Some put the question concerning the
eternal state of Ananias and Sapphira, and incline to think that the
destruction of the flesh was that the spirit might be saved in the day
of the Lord Jesus. And I should go in with that charitable opinion if
there had been any space given them to repent, as there was to the
incestuous Corinthian. But secret things belong not to us. It is said,
She fell down at Peter's feet; there, where she should have laid the
whole price and did not, she was herself laid, as it were to make up
the deficiency. The young men that had the care of funerals coming in
found her dead; and it is not said, They wound her up, as they did
Ananias, but, They carried her out as she was, and buried her by her
husband; and probably an inscription was set over their graves,
intimating that they were joint-monuments of divine wrath against those
that lie to the Holy Ghost. Some ask whether the apostles kept the
money which they did bring, and concerning which they lied? I am apt to
think they did; they had not the superstition of those who said, It is
not lawful for us to put it into the treasury: for unto the pure all
things are pure. What they brought was not polluted to those to whom
they brought it; but what they kept back was polluted to those that
kept it back. Use was made of the censers of Korah's mutineers.
V. The impression that this made upon the people. Notice is taken of
this in the midst of the story (v. 5): Great fear came upon all that
heard these things, that heard what Peter said, and saw what followed;
or upon all that heard the story of it; for, no doubt, it was all the
talk of the city. And again (v. 11), Great fear came upon all the
church, and upon as many as heard these things. 1. Those that had
joined themselves to the church were thereby struck with an awe of God
and of his judgments, and with a greater veneration for this
dispensation of the Spirit which they were now under. It was not a damp
or check to their holy joy, but it taught them to be serious in it, and
to rejoice with trembling. All that laid their money at the apostles'
feet after this were afraid of keeping back any part of the price. 2.
All that heard it were put into a consternation by it, and were ready
to say, Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God and his Spirit
in the apostles? As 1 Sam. vi. 20.
The Progress of the Gospel.
12 And by the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders wrought
among the people; (and they were all with one accord in Solomon's
porch. 13 And of the rest durst no man join himself to them: but the
people magnified them. 14 And believers were the more added to the
Lord, multitudes both of men and women.) 15 Insomuch that they
brought forth the sick into the streets, and laid them on beds and
couches, that at the least the shadow of Peter passing by might
overshadow some of them. 16 There came also a multitude out of the
cities round about unto Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which
were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed every one.
We have here an account of the progress of the gospel, notwithstanding
this terrible judgment inflicted upon two hypocrites.
I. Here is a general account of the miracles which the apostles wrought
(v. 12): By the hands of the apostles were many signs and wonders
wrought among the people, many miracles of mercy for one of judgment.
Now the gospel power returned to its proper channel, which is that of
mercy and grace. God had come out of his place to punish, but now
returns to his place, to his mercy-seat again. The miracles they
wrought proved their divine mission. They were not a few, but many, of
divers kinds and often repeated; they were signs and wonders, such
wonders as were confessedly signs of a divine presence and power. They
were not done in a corner, but among the people, who were at liberty to
enquire into them, and, if there had been any fraud or collusion in
them, would have discovered it.
II. We are here told what were the effects of these miracles which the
apostles wrought.
1. The church was hereby kept together, and confirmed in its adherence
both to the apostles and to one another: They of the church were all
with one accord in Solomon's porch. (1.) They met in the temple, in the
open place that was called Solomon's porch. It was strange that the
rulers of the temple suffered them to keep their meeting there. But God
inclined their hearts to tolerate them there awhile, for the more
convenient spreading of the gospel; and those who permitted buyers and
sellers could not for shame prohibit such preachers and healers there.
They all met in public worship; so early was the institution of
religious assemblies observed in the church, which must by no means be
forsaken or let fall, for in them a profession of religion is kept up.
(2.) They were there with one accord, unanimous in their doctrine,
worship, and discipline; and there was no discontent nor murmuring
about the death of Ananias and Sapphira, as there was against Moses and
Aaron about the death of Korah and his company: You have killed the
people of the Lord, Num. xvi. 41. The separation of hypocrites, by
distinguishing judgments, should make the sincere cleave so much the
closer to each other and to the gospel ministry.
2. It gained the apostles, who were the prime ministers in Christ's
kingdom, very great respect. (1.) The other ministers kept their
distance: Of the rest of their company durst no man join himself to
them, as their equal or an associate with them; though others of them
were endued with the Holy Ghost, and spoke with tongues, yet none of
them at this time did such signs and wonders as the apostles did: and
therefore they acknowledged their superiority, and in every thing
yielded to them. (2.) All the people magnified them, and had them in
great veneration, spoke of them with respect, and represented them as
the favourites of Heaven, and unspeakable blessings to this earth.
Though the chief priests vilified them, and did all they could to make
them contemptible, this did not hinder the people from magnifying them,
who saw the thing in a true light. Observe, The apostles were far from
magnifying themselves; they transmitted the glory of all they did very
carefully and faithfully to Christ, and yet the people magnified them;
for those that humble themselves shall be exalted, and those honoured
that honour God only.
3. The church increased in number (v. 14): Believers were the more
added to the Lord, and no doubt joined themselves to the church, when
they saw that God was in it of a truth, even multitudes both of men and
women. They were so far from being deterred by the example that was
made of Ananias and Sapphira that they were rather invited by it into a
society that kept such a strict discipline. Observe, (1.) Believers are
added to the Lord Jesus, joined to him, and so joined to his mystical
body, from which nothing can separate us and cut us off, but that which
separates us and cuts us off from Christ. Many have been brought to the
Lord, and yet there is room for others to be added to him, added to the
number of those that are united to him; and additions will still be
making till the mystery of God shall be finished, and the number of the
elect accomplished. (2.) Notice is taken of the conversion of women as
well as men; more notice than generally was in the Jewish church, in
which they neither received the sign of circumcision nor were obliged
to attend the solemn feasts; and the court of the women was one of the
outer courts of the temple. But, as among those that followed Christ
while he was upon earth, so among those that believed on him after he
went to heaven, great notice was taken of the good women.
4. The apostles had abundance of patients, and gained abundance of
reputation both to themselves and their doctrine by the cure of them
all, v. 15, 16. So many signs and wonders were wrought by the apostles
that all manner of people put in for the benefit of them, both in city
and country, and had it. (1.) In the city: They brought forth their
sick into the streets; for it is probable that the priests would not
suffer them to bring them into the temple to Solomon's porch, and the
apostles had not leisure to go to the houses of them all. And they laid
them on beds and couches (because they were so weak that they could
neither go nor stand), that at the least the shadow of Peter, passing
by, might overshadow some of them, though it could not reach them all;
and, it should seem, it had the desired effect, as the woman's touch of
the hem of Christ's garment had; and in this, among other things, that
word of Christ was fulfilled, Greater works than these shall you do.
God expresses his care of his people, by his being their shade on their
right hand; and the benign influences of Christ as a king are compared
to the shadow of a great rock. Peter comes between them and the sun,
and so heals them, cuts them off from a dependence upon creature
sufficiency as insufficient, that they may expect help only from that
Spirit of grace with whom he was filled. And, if such miracles were
wrought by Peter's shadow, we have reason to think they were so by the
other apostles, as by the handkerchiefs from Paul's body (ch. xix. 12),
no doubt both being with an actual intention in the minds of the
apostles thus to heal; so that it is absurd to infer hence a healing
virtue in the relics of saints that are dead and gone; we read not of
any cured by the relics of Christ himself, after he was gone, as
certainly we should if there had been any such thing. (2.) In the
country towns: Multitudes came to Jerusalem from the cities round
about, bringing sick folks that were afflicted in body, and those that
were vexed with unclean spirits, that were troubled in mind, and they
were healed every one; distempered bodies and distempered minds were
set to rights. Thus opportunity was given to the apostles, both to
convince people's judgments by these miracles of the heavenly origin of
the doctrine they preached, and also to engage people's affections both
to them and it, by giving them a specimen of its beneficial tendency to
the welfare of this lower world.
The Apostles Imprisoned; The Apostles Released by an Angel; The
Disappointment of the Council.
17 Then the high priest rose up, and all they that were with him,
(which is the sect of the Sadducees,) and were filled with indignation,
18 And laid their hands on the apostles, and put them in the common
prison. 19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison
doors, and brought them forth, and said, 20 Go, stand and speak in
the temple to the people all the words of this life. 21 And when they
heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and
taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and
called the council together, and all the senate of the children of
Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought. 22 But when the
officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and
told, 23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and
the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened,
we found no man within. 24 Now when the high priest and the captain
of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of
them whereunto this would grow. 25 Then came one and told them,
saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the
temple, and teaching the people.
Never did any good work go on with any hope of success, but it met with
opposition; those that are bent to do mischief cannot be reconciled to
those who make it their business to do good. Satan, the destroyer of
mankind, ever was, and will be, an adversary to those who are the
benefactors of mankind; and it would have been strange if the apostles
had gone on thus teaching and healing and had had no check. In these
verses we have the malice of hell and the grace of heaven struggling
about them, the one to drive them off from this good work, the other to
animate them in it,
I. The priests were enraged at them, and shut them up in prison, v. 17,
18. Observe, 1. Who their enemies and persecutors were. The high priest
was the ringleader, Annas or Caiaphas, who saw their wealth and
dignity, their power and tyranny, that is, their all, at stake, and
inevitably lost, if the spiritual and heavenly doctrine of Christ
should get ground and prevail among the people. Those that were most
forward to join with the high priest herein were the sect of the
Sadducees, who had a particularly enmity to the gospel of Christ,
because it confirmed and established the doctrine of the invisible
world, the resurrection of the dead, and the future state, which they
denied. It is not strange if men of no religion be bigoted in their
opposition to true and pure religion. 2. How they were affected towards
them, ill affected, and exasperated to the last degree. When they heard
and saw what flocking there was to the apostles, and how considerable
they were become, they rose up in a passion, as men that could no
longer bear it, and were resolved to make head against it, being filled
with indignation at the apostles for preaching the doctrine of Christ,
and curing the sick,--at the people for hearing them, and bringing the
sick to them to be cured,--and at themselves and their own party for
suffering this matter to go so far, and not knocking it on the head at
first. Thus are the enemies of Christ and his gospel a torment to
themselves. Envy slays the silly one. 3. How they proceeded against
them (v. 18): They laid their hands on them, perhaps their own hands
(so low did their malice make them stoop), or, rather, the hands of
their officers, and put them in the common prison, among the worst of
malefactors. Hereby they designed, (1.) To put a restraint upon them;
though they could not lay any thing criminal to their charge worthy of
death or of bonds, yet while they had them in prison they kept them
from going on in their work, and this they reckoned a good point
gained. Thus early were the ambassadors of Christ in bonds. (2.) To put
a terror upon them, and so to drive them off from their work. The last
time they had them before them, they only threatened them (ch. iv. 21);
but now, finding that this did not do, they imprisoned them, to make
them afraid of them. (3.) To put a disgrace upon them, and therefore
they chose to clap them up in the common prison, that, being thus
vilified, the people might not, as they had done, magnify them. Satan
has carried on his design against the gospel very much by making the
preachers and professors of it appear despicable.
II. God sent his angel to release them out of prison, and to renew
their commission to preach the gospel. The powers of darkness fight
against them, but the Father of lights fights for them, and sends an
angel of light to plead their cause. The Lord will never desert his
witnesses, his advocates, but will certainly stand by them, and bear
them out.
1. The apostles are discharged, legally discharged, from their
imprisonment (v. 19): The angel of the Lord by night, in spite of all
the locks and bars that were upon them, opened the prison doors, and,
in spite of all the vigilance and resolution of the keepers that stood
without before the doors, brought forth the prisoners (see v. 23), gave
them authority to go out without crime, and led them through all
opposition. This deliverance is not so particularly related as that of
Peter (ch. xii. 7, &c.); but the miracle here was the very same. Note,
There is no prison so dark, so strong, but God can both visit his
people in it, and, if he pleased, fetch them out of it. This discharge
of the apostles out of prison by an angel was a resemblance of Christ's
resurrection, and his discharge out of the prison of the grave, and
would help to confirm the apostles' preaching of it.
2. They are charged, and legally charged, to go on with their work, so
as thereby to be discharged from the prohibition which the high priest
laid them under; the angel bade them, Go, stand, and speak in the
temple to the people all the words of this life, v. 20. When they were
miraculously set at liberty, they must not think it was that they might
save their lives by making their escape out of the hands of their
enemies. No; it was that they might to on with their work with so much
the more boldness. Recoveries from sickness, releases out of trouble,
are granted us, and are to be looked upon by us as granted, not that we
may enjoy the comforts of our life, but that God may be honoured with
the services of our life. Let my soul live, and it shall praise thee,
Ps. cxix. 175. Bring my soul out of prison (as the apostles here), that
I may praise thy name, Ps. cxliii. 7. See Isa. xxxviii. 22. Now in this
charge given them, observe, (1.) Where they must preach: Speak in the
temple. One would think, though they might not quit their work, yet it
had been prudent to go on with it in a more private place, where it
would give less offence to the priests than in the temple, and so would
the less expose them. No; "Speak in the temple, for this is the place
of concourse, this is your Father's house, and it is not to be as yet
quite left desolate." It is not for the preachers of Christ's gospel to
retire into corners, as long as they can have any opportunity of
preaching in the great congregation. (2.) To whom they must preach:
"Speak to the people; not to the princes and rulers, for they will not
hearken; but to the people, who are willing and desirous to be taught,
and whose souls are as precious to Christ, and ought to be so to you,
as the souls of the greatest. Speak to the people, to all in general,
for all are concerned." (3.) How they must preach: Go, stand, and
speak, which intimates, not only they must speak publicly, stand up and
speak, that all may hear; but that they must speak boldly and
resolutely: Stand and speak; that is, "Speak it as those that resolve
to stand to it, to live and die by it." (4.) What they must speak: All
the words of this life. This life which you have been speaking of among
yourselves, referring perhaps to the conferences concerning heaven
which they had among themselves for their own and one another's
encouragement in prison: "Go, and preach the same to the world, that
others may be comforted with the same comforts with which you
yourselves are comforted of God." Or, "of this life which the Sadducees
deny, and therefore persecute you; preach this, though you know it is
this that they have indignation at." Or, "of this life emphatically;
this heavenly, divine life, in comparison with which the present
earthly life does not deserve the name." Or, "these words of life, the
very same you have preached, these words which the Holy Ghost puts into
your mouth." Note, The words of the gospel are the words of life,
quickening words; they are spirit, and they are life; words whereby we
may be saved--that is the same with this here, ch. xi. 14. The gospel
is the word of this life, for it secures to us the privileges of our
way as well as those of our home, and the promises of the life that now
is as well as of that to come. And yet even spiritual and eternal life
are brought so much to light in the gospel that they may be called this
life; for the word is nigh thee. Note, The gospel is concerning matters
of life and death, and ministers must preach it and people hear it
accordingly. They must speak all the words of this life, and not
conceal any for fear of offending, or in hope of ingratiating
themselves with their rulers. Christ's witnesses are sworn to speak the
whole truth.
III. They went on with their work (v. 21): When they heard this, when
they heard that it was the will of God that they should continue to
preach in the temple, they returned to Solomon's porch, v. 12. 1. It
was a great satisfaction to them to have these fresh orders. Perhaps
they began to question whether, if they had their liberty, they should
preach as publicly in the temple as they had done, because they had
been told, when they were persecuted in one city, to flee to another.
But, now that the angel ordered them to go preach in the temple, their
way was plain, and they ventured without any difficulty, entered into
the temple, and feared not the face of man. Note, If we may but be
satisfied concerning our duty, our business is to keep close to this,
and then we may cheerfully trust God with our safety. (2.) They set
themselves immediately to execute them, without dispute or delay. They
entered into the temples early in the morning (as soon as the gates
were opened, and people began to come together there), and taught them
the gospel of the kingdom: and did not at all fear what man could do
unto them. The case here was extraordinary: the whole treasure of the
gospel is lodged in their hands; if they be silent now the springs are
shut up, and the whole work falls to the ground and is made to cease,
which is not the case of ordinary ministers, who therefore are not by
this example bound to throw themselves into the mouth of danger; and
yet when God gives opportunity of doing good, though we be under the
restraint and terror of human powers, we should venture far rather than
let go such an opportunity.
IV. The high priest and his party went on with their prosecution, v.
21. They, supposing they had the apostles sure enough, called the
council together, a great and extraordinary council, for they summoned
all the senate of the children of Israel. See here,
1. How they were prepared, and how big with expectation, to crush the
gospel of Christ and the preachers of it, for they raised the whole
posse. The last time they had the apostles in custody they convened
them only before a committee of those that were of the kindred of the
high priest, who were obliged to act cautiously; but now, that they
might proceed further and with more assurance, they called together,
pasan ten gerousian--all the eldership, that is (says Dr. Lightfoot),
all the three courts or benches of judges in Jerusalem, not only the
great sanhedrim, consisting of seventy elders, but the other two
judicatories that were erected one in the outer-court gate of the
temple, the other in the inner or beautiful gate, consisting of
twenty-three judges each; so that, if there was a full appearance, here
were one hundred and sixteen judges. Thus God ordered it, that the
confusion of the enemies, and the apostles' testimony against them,
might be more public, and that those might hear the gospel who would
not hear it otherwise than from the bar. Howbeit, the high priest meant
not so, neither did his heart think so; but it was in his heart to
rally all his forces against the apostles, and by a universal consent
to cut them all off at once.
2. How they were disappointed, and had their faces filled with shame:
He that sits in heaven laughs at them, and so may we too, to see how
gravely the court is set; and we may suppose the high priest makes a
solemn speech to them, setting forth the occasion of their coming
together--that a very dangerous faction was now lately raised at
Jerusalem, by the preaching of the doctrine of Jesus, which it was
needful, for the preservation of their church (which never was in such
danger as now), speedily and effectually to suppress--that it was now
in the power of their hands to do it, for he had the ringleaders of the
faction now in the common prison, to be proceeded against, if they
would but agree to it, with the utmost severity. An officer is, in
order hereunto, despatched immediately to fetch the prisoners to the
bar. But see how they are baffled. (1.) The officers come, and tell
them that they are not to be found in the prison, v. 22, 23. They last
time they were forthcoming when they were called for, ch. iv. 7. But
now they were gone, and the report which the officers make is, "The
prison-doors truly found we shut with all safety" (nothing had been
done to weaken them); "the keepers had not been wanting to their duty;
we found them standing without before the doors, and knowing nothing to
the contrary but that the prisoners were all safe: but when we went in
we found no man therein, that is, none of the men we were sent to
fetch." It is probable that they found the common prisoners there.
Which way the angel fetched them, whether by some back way, or opening
the door and fastening it closely again (the keepers all the while
asleep), we are not told; however it was, they were gone. The Lord
knows, though we do not, how to deliver the godly out of temptation,
and how to loose those that are in bonds for his name's sake, and he
will do it, as here, when he has occasion for them. Now think how
confused the court looked, when the officers made this return upon
their order (v. 24): When the high priest, and the captain of the
temple, and the chief priests, heard these things, they were all at a
plunge, and looked one upon another, doubting what this thing should
be. They were extremely perplexed, were at their wits' end, having
never been so disappointed in all their lives of any thing they were so
sure of. It occasioned various speculations, some suggesting that they
were conjured out of the prison, and made their escape by magic arts;
others that the keepers had played tricks with them, knowing how many
friends these prisoners had, that were so much the darlings of the
people. Some feared that, having made such a wonderful escape, they
would be the more followed; others that, though perhaps they had
frightened them from Jerusalem, they should hear of them again in some
part or other of the country, where they would do yet more mischief,
and it would be yet more out of their power to stop the spreading of
the infection; and now they begin to fear that instead of curing the
ill they have made it worse. Note, Those often distress and embarrass
themselves that think to distress and embarrass the cause of Christ.
(2.) Their doubt is, in part, determined; and yet their vexation is
increased by another messenger, who brings them word that their
prisoners are preaching in the temple (v. 25): "Behold, the men whom
you put in prison, and have sent for to your bar, are now hard by you
here, standing in the temple, under your nose and in defiance of you,
teaching the people." Prisoners, that have broken prison, usually
abscond, for fear of being retaken; but these prisoners, that here made
their escape, dare to show their faces even where their persecutors
have the greatest influence. Now this confounded them more than any
thing. Common malefactors may have art enough to break prison; but
those are uncommon ones that have courage enough to avow it when they
have so done.
The Seizing of the Apostles; The Examination of the Apostles; The Advice of
Gamaliel.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without
violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been
stoned. 27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the
council: and the high priest asked them, 28 Saying, Did not we
straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and,
behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to
bring this man's blood upon us. 29 Then Peter and the other apostles
answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 30 The God
of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. 31
Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour,
for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we
are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom
God hath given to them that obey him. 33 When they heard that, they
were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them. 34 Then stood
there up one in the council, a Pharisee, named Gamaliel, a doctor of
the law, had in reputation among all the people, and commanded to put
the apostles forth a little space; 35 And said unto them, Ye men of
Israel, take heed to yourselves what ye intend to do as touching these
men. 36 For before these days rose up Theudas, boasting himself to be
somebody; to whom a number of men, about four hundred, joined
themselves: who was slain; and all, as many as obeyed him, were
scattered, and brought to nought. 37 After this man rose up Judas of
Galilee in the days of the taxing, and drew away much people after him:
he also perished; and all, even as many as obeyed him, were dispersed.
38 And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them
alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to
nought: 39 But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye
be found even to fight against God. 40 And to him they agreed: and
when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that
they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41 And
they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they
were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. 42 And daily in the
temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus
Christ.
We are not told what it was that the apostles preached to the people;
no doubt it was according to the direction of the angel--the words of
this life; but what passed between them and the council we have here an
account of; for in their sufferings there appeared more of a divine
power and energy than even in their preaching. Now here we have,
I. The seizing of the apostles a second time. We may think, if God
designed this, "Why were they rescued from their first imprisonment?"
But this was designed to humble the pride, and check the fury, of their
persecutors; and now he would show that they were discharged, not
because they feared a trial, for they were ready to surrender
themselves and make their appearance before the greatest of their
enemies. 1. They brought them without violence, with all the respect
and tenderness that could be: did not pull them out of the pulpit, nor
bind them, nor drag them along, but accosted them respectfully; and one
would think they had reason to do so, in reverence to the temple, that
holy place, and for fear of the apostles, lest they should strike them,
as they did Ananias, or call for fire from heaven upon them, as Elias
did; but all that restrained their violence was their fear of the
people, who had such a veneration for the apostles that they would have
stoned the officers if they had offered them any abuse. 2. Yet they
brought them to those who, they knew, were violent against them, and
were resolved to take violent courses with them (v. 27): They brought
them, to set them before the council, as delinquents. Thus the powers
that should have been a terror to evil works and workers became so to
the good.
II. Their examination. Being brought before this august assembly, the
high priest, as the mouth of the court, told them what it was they had
to lay to their charge, v. 28. 1. That they had disobeyed the commands
of authority, and would not submit to the injunctions and prohibitions
given them (v. 28), "Did not we, by virtue of our authority, strictly
charge and command you, upon pain of our highest displeasure, that you
should not teach in this name? But you have disobeyed our commands, and
gone on to preach not only without our licence, but against our express
order." Thus those who make void the commandments of God are commonly
very strict in binding on their own commandments, and insisting upon
their own power: Did not we command you? Yes, they did; but did not
Peter at the same time tell them that God's authority was superior to
theirs, and his commands must take place of theirs? And they had
forgotten this. 2. That they had spread false doctrine among the
people, or at least a singular doctrine, which was not allowed by the
Jewish church, nor agreed with what was delivered form Moses's chair.
"You have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and thereby have
disturbed the public peace, and drawn people from the public
establishment." Some take this for a haughty scornful word: "This silly
senseless doctrine of yours, that is not worth taking notice of, you
have made such a noise with, that even Jerusalem, the great and holy
city, is become full of it, and it is all the talk of the town." They
are angry that men, whom they look upon as despicable, should make
themselves thus considerable. 3. That they had a malicious design
against the government, and aimed to stir up the people against it, by
representing it as wicked and tyrannical, and as having made itself
justly odious both to God and man: "You intend to bring this man's
blood, the guilt of it before God, the shame of it before men, upon
us." Thus they charge them not only with contumacy and contempt of the
court, but with sedition and faction, and a plot both to set the people
against them, for having persecuted even to death not only so innocent
but so good and great a man as this Jesus, and also the Romans, for
having drawn them into it. See here how those who with a great deal of
presumption will do an evil thing yet cannot bear to hear of it
afterwards, nor to have it charged upon them. When they were in the
heat of the persecution they could cry daringly enough, "His blood be
upon us and upon our children; let us bear the blame for ever." But now
that they have time for a cooler thought they take it as a great
affront to have his blood laid at their door. Thus are they convicted
and condemned by their own consciences, and dread lying under that
guilt in which they were not afraid to involve themselves.
III. Their answer to the charge exhibited against them: Peter and the
other apostles all spoke to the same purport; whether severally
examined, or answering jointly, they spoke as one and the same Spirit
gave them utterance, depending upon the promise their Master had made
them, that, when they were brought before councils, it should be given
them in that same hour what they should speak, and courage to speak it.
1. They justified themselves in their disobedience to the commands of
the great sanhedrim, great as it was (v. 29): We ought to obey God
rather than men. They do not plead the power they had to work miracles
(this spoke sufficiently for them, and therefore they humbly decline
mentioning it themselves), but they appeal to a maxim universally
owned, which even natural conscience subscribes to, and which comes
home to their case. God had commanded them to teach in the name of
Christ, and therefore they ought to do it, though the chief priests
forbade them. Note, Those rulers set up in opposition to God, and have
a great deal to answer for, who punish men for disobedience to them in
that which is their duty to God.
2. They justified themselves in doing what they could to fill Jerusalem
with the doctrine of Christ, though, in preaching him up, they did
indeed reflect upon those that maliciously ran him down, and if they
thereby bring his blood upon them they may thank themselves. It is
charged upon them as a crime that they preached Christ and his gospel.
"Now," say they, "we will tell you who this Christ is, and what his
gospel is, and then do you judge whether we ought not to preach it;
nay, and we shall take this opportunity to preach it to you, whether
you will hear, or whether you will forbear."
(1.) The chief priests are told to their faces the indignities they did
to this Jesus: "You slew him and hanged him on a tree, you cannot deny
it." The apostles, instead of making an excuse, or begging their
pardon, for bringing the guilt of this man's blood upon them, repeat
the charge, and stand to it: "It was you that slew him; it was your act
and deed," Note, People's being unwilling to hear of their faults is no
good reason why they should not be faithfully told of them. It is a
common excuse made for not reproving sin that the times will not bear
it. But those whose office it is to reprove must not be awed by this;
the times must bear it, and shall bear it. Cry aloud and spare not; cry
aloud and fear not.
(2.) They are told also what honours God put upon this Jesus, and then
let them judge who was in the right, the persecutors of his doctrine or
the preachers of it. He calls God the God of our fathers, not only
ours, but yours, to show that in preaching Christ they did not preach a
new god, nor entice people to come and worship other gods; not did they
set up an institution contrary to that of Moses and the prophets, but
they adhered to the God of the Jewish fathers; and that name of Christ
which they preached answered the promises made to the fathers, and the
covenant God entered into with them, and the types and figures of the
law he gave them. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, is the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; see what honour he did him. [1.] He
raised him up; he qualified him for, and called him to, his great
undertaking. It seems to refer to the promise God made by Moses, A
prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you. God raised him up
out of obscurity, and made him great. Or, it may be meant of his
raising him up from the grave: "You put him to death, but God has
restored him to life, so that God and you are manifestly contesting
about this Jesus; and which must we side with?" [2.] He exalted him
with his right hand, hypsose--hath lifted him up. "You loaded him with
disgrace, but God has crowned him with honour; and ought we not to
honour him whom God honours?" God has exalted him, te dexia autou--with
his right hand, that is, by his power put forth; Christ is said to live
by the power of God. Or, to his right hand, to sit there, to rest
there, to rule there. "He has invested him with the highest authority,
and therefore we must teach in his name, for God has given him a name
above every name." [3.] "He has appointed him to be a prince and a
Saviour, and therefore we ought to preach in his name, and to publish
the laws of his government as he is a prince, and the offers of his
grace as he is a Saviour." Observe, There is no having Christ to be our
Saviour, unless we be willing to take him for our prince. We cannot
expect to be redeemed and healed by him, unless we give up ourselves to
be ruled by him. The judges of old were saviours. Christ's ruling is in
order to his saving, and faith takes an entire Christ, that came, not
to save us in our sins, but to save us from our sins. [4.] He is
appointed, as a prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel and
remission of sins. Therefore they must preach in his name to the people
of Israel, for his favours were designed primarily and principally for
them; and none that truly loved their country could be against this.
Why should the rulers and elders of Israel oppose one who came with no
less a blessing to Israel than repentance and pardon? Had he been
exalted to give deliverance to Israel from the Roman yoke, and dominion
over the neighbouring nations, the chief priests would have welcomed
him with all their hearts. But repentance and remission of sins are
blessings they neither value nor see their need of, and therefore they
can by no means admit his doctrine. Observe here, First, Repentance and
remission go together; wherever repentance is wrought, remission is
without fail granted, and the favour is given to all those to whom is
given the qualification for it. On the other hand, no remission without
repentance; none are freed from the guilt and punishment of sin but
those that are freed from the power and dominion of sin, that are
turned from it and turned against it. Secondly, It is Jesus Christ that
gives, and is authorized to give, both repentance and remission.
Whatsoever is required in the gospel-covenant is promised. Are we
appointed to repent? Christ is appointed to give repentance, by his
Spirit working with the word, to awaken the conscience, to work
contrition for sin, and an effectual change in the heart and life. The
new heart is his work, and the broken spirit a sacrifice of his
providing; and, when he has given repentance, if he should not give
remission he would forsake the work of his own hands. See how necessary
it is that we repent, and that we apply ourselves to Christ by faith
for his grace to work repentance in us. [5.] All this is well attested,
First, by the apostles themselves; they are ready to testify upon oath,
if required, that they saw him alive after his resurrection, and saw
him ascend into heaven; and also that they experienced the power of his
grace upon their hearts, raising them up to that which was far above
their natural capacities: "We are his witnesses, appointed by him to
publish this to the world; and if we should be silent, as you would
have us, we should betray a trust, and be false to it." When a cause is
trying, witnesses, of all men, ought not to be silenced, for the issue
of the cause depends on their testimony. Secondly, By the Spirit of
God: "We are witnesses, competent ones, and whose testimony is
sufficient before any human judicature." But this is not all: The Holy
Ghost is witness, a witness from heaven; for God hath given his gifts
and graces to those that obey Christ. Therefore we must preach in this
name, because for this end the Holy Ghost is given us, whose operations
we cannot stifle. Note, The giving of the Holy Ghost to obedient
believers, not only to bring them to the obedience of faith, but to
make them eminently useful therein, is a very strong proof of the truth
of Christianity. God gave the Holy Ghost by his Son and in his name
(John xiv. 26), and in answer to his prayer (John xiv. 16), nay, it was
Christ that sent him from the Father (John xv. 26; xvi. 7), and this
proves the glory to which the Father has exalted him. The great work of
the Spirit being not only to justify Christ (1 Tim. iii. 16), but to
glorify him, and all his gifts having a direct tendency to exalt his
name, prove that his doctrine is divine, else it would not be carried
on thus by divine power. And, Lastly, The giving of the Holy Ghost to
those that obey Christ, both for their assistance in their obedience
and as a present recompence for their obedience, is a plain evidence
that it is the will of God that Christ should be obeyed; "judge then
whether we ought to obey you in opposition to him."
IV. The impression which the apostles' defence of themselves made upon
the court. It was contrary to what one would have expected from men
that pretended to reason, learning, and sanctity. Surely such fair
reasoning could not but clear the prisoners, and convert the judges.
No, instead of yielding to it, they raged against it, and were filled,
1. With indignation at what the apostles said: They were cut to the
heart, angry to see their own sin set in order before them; stark mad
to find that the gospel of Christ had so much to say for itself, and
consequently was likely to get ground. When a sermon was preached to
the people to this purport, they were pricked to the heart, in remorse
and godly sorrow, ch. ii. 37. These here were cut to the heart with
rage and indignation. Thus the same gospel is to some a savour of life
unto life, to others of death unto death. The enemies of the gospel not
only deprive themselves of its comforts, but fill themselves with
terrors, and are their own tormentors. 2. With malice against the
apostles themselves. Since they see they cannot stop their mouths any
other way than by stopping their breath, they take counsel to slay
them, hoping that so they shall cause the work to cease. While the
apostles went on in the service of Christ, with a holy security and
serenity of mind, perfectly composed, and in a sweet enjoyment of
themselves, their persecutors went on in their opposition to Christ,
with a constant perplexity and perturbation of mind, and vexation to
themselves.
V. The grave advice which Gamaliel, a leading man in the council, gave
upon this occasion, the scope of which was to moderate the fury of
these bigots, and check the violence of the prosecution. This Gamaliel
is here said to be a Pharisee by his profession and sect, and by office
a doctor of the law, one that studied the scriptures of the Old
Testament, read lectures upon the sacred authors, and trained up pupils
in the knowledge of them. Paul was brought up at his feet (ch. xxii.
3), and tradition says that so were Stephen and Barnabas. Some say he
was the son of that Simeon that took up Christ in his arms, when he was
presented in the temple, and grandson of the famous Hillel. He is here
said to be in reputation among all the people for his wisdom and
conduct, it appearing by this passage that he was a moderate man, and
not apt to go in with furious measures. Men of temper and charity are
justly had in reputation, for checking the incendiaries that otherwise
would set the world on fire. Now observe here,
1. The necessary caution he gives to the council, with reference to the
case before them: He commanded to put the apostles forth a little
while, that he might speak the more freely, and be the more freely
answered (it was fit that the prisoners should withdraw when their case
was to be debated); and then put the house in mind of the importance of
this matter, which in their heat they were not capable of considering
as they ought: You men of Israel, saith he, take heed to yourselves,
consider what you do, or intend to do, as touching these men, v. 35. It
is not a common case, and therefore should not be hastily determined.
He calls them men of Israel, to enforce this caution: "You are men,
that should be governed by reason, be not then as the horse and the
mule that have no understanding; you are men of Israel, that should be
governed by revelation, be not then as strangers and heathens, that
have no regard to God and his word. Take heed to yourselves now that
you are angry with these men, lest you meddle to your own hurt." Note,
The persecutors of God's people had best look to themselves, lest they
fall into the pit which they dig. We have need to be cautious whom we
give trouble to, lest we be found making the hearts of the righteous
sad. 2. The cases he cites, to pave the way to his opinion. Two
instances he gives of factious seditious men (such as they would have
the apostles thought to be), whose attempts came to nothing of
themselves; whence he infers that if these men were indeed such as they
represented them the cause would sink with its own weight, and
Providence would infatuate and defeat them, and then they needed not
persecute them. (1.) There was one Theudas, that made a mighty noise
for awhile, as one sent of God, boasting himself to be somebody, some
great one (so the word is), either a teacher or a prince, with a divine
commission to effect some great revolution in the church or in the
state; and he observes here (v. 36) concerning him, [1.] How far he
prevailed: "A number of men, about four hundred in all, joined
themselves to him, that knew not what to do with themselves, or hoped
to better themselves; and they seemed then a formidable body." [2.] How
soon his pretensions were all dashed: "When he was slain" (probably in
war) "there needed no more ado, all, as many as obeyed him, were
scattered, and melted away like snow before the sun. Now compare that
case with this. You have slain Jesus, the ringleader of this faction;
you have taken him off. Now if he was, as you say he was, an impostor
and pretender, his death, like that of Theudas, will be the death of
his cause, and the final dispersion of his followers." From what has
been we may infer what will be in a like case; the smiting of the
shepherd will be the scattering of the sheep: and, if the God of peace
had not brought again from the dead that great Shepherd, the dispersion
of the sheep, at his death, had been total and final. (2.) The case was
the same with Judas of Galilee, v. 37. Observe, [1.] The attempt he
made. It is said to be after this, which some read, besides this, or,
Let me mention, after this,--supposing that Judas's insurrection was
long before that of Theudas; for it was in the time of the taxation,
namely, that at our Saviour's birth (Luke ii. 1), and that of Theudas,
whom Josephus speaks of, that mutinied, in the time of Cuspius Fadus;
but this was in the days of Claudius Cæsar, some years after Gamaliel
spoke this, and therefore could not be the same. It is not easy to
determine particularly when these events happened, nor whether this
taxing was the same with that at our Saviour's birth or one of a later
date. Some think this Judas of Galilee was the same with Judas
Gaulonites, whom Josephus speaks of, others not. It is probable that
they were cases which lately happened, and were fresh in memory. This
Judas drew away much people after him, who gave credit to his
pretensions. But, [2.] Here is the defeat of his attempt, and that
without any interposal of the great sanhedrim, or any decree of theirs
against him (it did not need it); he also perished, and all, even as
many as obeyed him, or were persuaded by him, were dispersed. Many have
foolishly thrown away their lives, and brought others into the same
snares, by a jealousy for their liberties, in the days of the taxing,
who had better have been content, when Providence had so determined, to
serve the king of Babylon.
3. His opinion upon the whole matter.
(1.) That they should not persecute the apostles (v. 38): Now I say
unto you, ta nyn--for the present, as the matter now stands, my advice
is, "Refrain from these men; neither punish them for what they have
done nor restrain them for the future. Connive at them; let them take
their course; let not our hand be upon them." It is uncertain whether
he spoke this out of policy, for fear of offending either the people or
the Romans and making further mischief. The apostles did not attempt
any thing by outward force. The weapons of their warfare were not
carnal; and therefore why should any outward force be used against
them? Or, whether he was under any present convictions, at least of the
probability of the truth of the Christian doctrine, and thought it
deserved better treatment, at least a fair trial. Or, whether it was
only the language of a mild quiet spirit, that was against persecution
for conscience' sake. Or, whether God put this word into his mouth
beyond his own intention, for the deliverance of the apostles at this
time. We are sure there was an overruling Providence in it, that the
servants of Christ might not only come off, but come off honourably.
(2.) That they should refer this matter to Providence: "Wait the issue,
and see what it will come to. If it be of men, it will come to nought
of itself; if of God, it will stand, in spite of all your powers and
policies." That which is apparently wicked and immoral must be
suppressed, else the magistrate bears the sword in vain; but that which
has a show of good, and it is doubtful whether it be of God or men, it
is best to let it alone, and let it take its fate, not to use any
external force for the suppressing of it. Christ rules by the power of
truth, not of the sword. What Christ asked concerning John's baptism,
Was it from heaven or of men? was a question proper to be asked
concerning the apostles' doctrine and baptism, which followed Christ,
as John Baptist's went before him. Now they, having owned, concerning
the former, that they could not tell whether it was from heaven or of
men, ought not to be too confident concerning the latter. But, take it
which way you will, it is a reason why they should not be persecuted.
[1.] "If this counsel, and this work, this forming of a society, and
incorporating it in the name of Jesus, be of men, it will come to
nothing. If it be the counsel and work of foolish crack-brained men
that know not what they do, let them alone awhile, and they will run
themselves out of breath, and their folly will be manifest before all
men, and they will make themselves ridiculous. If it be the counsel and
work of politic and designing men, who under colour of religion are
setting up a secular interest, let them alone awhile, and they will
throw off the mask, and their knavery will be manifest to all men, and
they will make themselves odious; Providence will never countenance it.
It will come to nothing in a little time; and, if so, your persecuting
and opposing it is very needless; there is no occasion for giving
yourselves so much trouble, and bringing such an odium upon yourselves,
to kill that which, if you give it a little time, will die of itself.
The unnecessary use of power is an abuse of it. But," [2.] "If it
should prove (and as wise men as you have been mistaken) that this
counsel and this work is of God, that these preachers have their
commissions and instructions from him, that they are as truly his
messengers to the world as the Old-Testament prophets were, then what
do you think of persecuting them, of this attempt of yours (v. 33) to
slay them? You must conclude it to be," First, "A fruitless attempt
against them: If it be of God, you cannot overthrow it; for there is no
wisdom nor counsel against the Lord; he that sits in heaven laughs at
you." It may be the comfort of all who are sincerely on God's side, who
have a single eye to his will as their rule and his glory as their end,
that whatsoever is of God cannot be overthrown totally and finally,
though it may be very vigorously opposed; it may be run upon, but
cannot be run down. Secondly, "A dangerous attempt to yourselves. Pray
let it alone, lest haply you be found even to fight against God; and I
need not tell you who will come off by the worse in that contest." Woe
unto him that strives with his Maker; for he will not only be overcome
as an impotent enemy, but severely reckoned with as a rebel and traitor
against his rightful prince. Those that hate and abuse God's faithful
people, that restrain and silence his faithful ministers, fight against
God, for he takes what is done against them as done against himself.
Whoso touches them, touches the apple of his eye. Well, this was the
advice of Gamaliel: we wish it were duly considered by those that
persecute for conscience' sake, for it was a good thought, and natural
enough, though we are uncertain what the man was. The tradition of the
Jewish writers is that, for all this, he lived and died an inveterate
enemy to Christ and his gospel; and though (now at least) he was not
for persecuting the followers of Christ, yet he was the man who
composed that prayer which the Jews use to this day for the extirpating
of Christians and Christianity. On the contrary, the tradition of the
Papists is that he turned Christian, and became an eminent patron of
Christianity and a follower of Paul, who had formerly sat at his feet.
If it had been so, it is very probable that we should have heard of him
somewhere in the Acts or Epistles.
VI. The determination of the council upon the whole matter, v. 40. 1.
Thus far they agreed with Gamaliel that they let fall the design of
putting the apostles to death. They saw a great deal of reason in what
Gamaliel said, and, for the present, it gave some check to their fury,
and a reminder of their wrath was restrained by it. 2. Yet they could
not forbear giving some vent to their rage (so outrageous was it)
contrary to the convictions of their judgments and consciences; for,
though they were advised to let them alone, yet, (1.) They beat them,
scourged them as malefactors, stripped them, and whipped them, as they
used to do in the synagogues, and notice is taken (v. 41) of the
ignominy of it. Thus they thought to make them ashamed of preaching,
and the people ashamed of hearing them; as Pilate scourged our Saviour
to expose him, when yet he declared he found no fault in him. (2.) They
commanded them that they should not speak any more in the name of
Jesus, that, if they could find no other fault with their preaching,
they might have this ground to reproach it, that it was against law,
and not only without the permissions, but against the express order of
their superiors.
VII. The wonderful courage and constancy of the apostles in the midst
of all these injuries and indignities done them. When they were
dismissed they departed from the council, and we do not find one word
they said by way of reflection upon the court and the unjust treatment
given them. When they were reviled they reviled not again; and when
they suffered they threatened not; but committed their cause to him to
whom Gamaliel had referred it, even to a God who judgeth righteously.
All their business was to preserve the possession of their own souls,
and to make full proof of their ministry, notwithstanding the
opposition given them; and both these they did to admiration.
1. They bore their sufferings with an invincible cheerfulness (v. 41):
When they went out, perhaps with the marks of the lashes given them on
their arms and hands appearing, hissed at by the servants and rabble,
it may be, or public notice given of the infamous punishment they had
undergone, instead of being ashamed of Christ, and their relation to
him, they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for
his name. They were men, and men in reputation, that had never done any
thing to make themselves vile, and therefore could not but have a sense
of the shame they suffered, which, it should seem, was more grievous to
them than the smart, as it usually is to ingenuous minds; but they
considered that it was for the name of Christ that they were thus
abused, because they belonged to him and served his interest, and their
sufferings should be made to contribute to the further advancement of
his name; and therefore, (1.) They reckoned it an honour, looked upon
it that they were counted worthy to suffer shame, katexiothesan
atimasthenai--that they were honoured to be dishonoured for Christ.
Reproach for Christ is true preferment, as it makes us conformable to
his pattern and serviceable to his interest. (2.) They rejoiced in it,
remembering what their Master had said to them at their first setting
out (Matt. v. 11, 12): When men shall revile you, and persecute you,
rejoice and be exceedingly glad. They rejoiced, not only though they
suffered shame (their troubles did not diminish their joy), but that
they suffered shame; their troubles increased their joy, and added to
it. If we suffer ill for doing well, provided we suffer it well, and as
we should, we ought to rejoice in that grace which enables us so to do.
2. They went on in their work with indefatigable diligence (v. 41):
They were punished for preaching, and were commanded not to preach, and
yet they ceased not to teach and preach; they omitted no opportunity,
nor abated any thing of their zeal or forwardness. Observe, (1.) When
they preached--daily; not only on sabbath days, or on Lord's days, but
every day, as duly as the day came, without intermitting any day, as
their Master did (Matt. xxvi. 55, Luke xix. 47), not fearing that they
should either kill themselves or cloy their hearers. (2.) Where they
preached--both publicly in the temple, and privately in every house; in
promiscuous assemblies, to which all resorted, and in the select
assemblies of Christians for special ordinances. They did not think
that either one would excuse them from the other, for the word must be
preached in season and out of season. Though in the temple they were
more exposed, and under the eye of their enemies, yet they did not
confine themselves to their little oratories in their own houses, but
ventured into the post of danger; and though they had the liberty of
the temple, a consecrated place, yet they made no difficulty of
preaching in houses, in every house, even the poorest cottage. They
visited the families of those that were under their charge, and gave
particular instructions to them according as their case required, even
to the children and servants. (3.) What was the subject matter of their
preaching: They preached Jesus Christ; they preached concerning him;
and this was not all, they preached him up, they proposed him to those
who heard them, to be their prince and Saviour. They did not preach
themselves, but Christ, as faithful friends to the bridegroom, making
it their business to advance his interest. This was the preaching that
gave most offence to the priests, who were willing they should preach
any thing but Christ; but they would not alter their subject to please
them. It ought to be the constant business of gospel ministers to
preach Christ; Christ, and him crucified; Christ, and him glorified;
nothing besides this but what is reducible to it.
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A C T S.
CHAP. VI.
In this chapter we have, I. The discontent that was among the disciples
about the distribution of the public charity, ver. 1. II. The election
and ordination of seven men, who should take care of that matter, and
ease the apostles of the burden, ver. 2-6. III. The increase of the
church, by the addition of many to it, ver. 7. IV. A particular account
of Stephen, one of the seven. 1. His great activity for Christ, ver. 8.
2. The opposition he met with from the enemies of Christianity, and his
disputes with them, ver. 9, 10. 3. The convening of him before the
great sanhedrim, and the crimes laid to his charge, ver. 11-14. 4.
God's owning him upon his trial, ver. 15.
The Appointment of Deacons.
1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied,
there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because
their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the
twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is
not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables. 3
Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report,
full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this
business. 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to
the ministry of the word. 5 And the saying pleased the whole
multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy
Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas,
and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch: 6 Whom they set before the
apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid their hands on them. 7
And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples
multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests
were obedient to the faith.
Having seen the church's struggles with her enemies, and triumphed with
her in her victories, we now come to take a view of the administration
of her affairs at home; and here we have,
I. An unhappy disagreement among some of the church-members, which
might have been of ill consequence, but was prudently accommodated and
taken up in time (v. 1): When the number of the disciples (for so
Christians were at first called, learners of Christ) was multiplied to
many thousands in Jerusalem, there arose a murmuring.
1. It does our hearts good to find that the number of the disciples is
multiplied, as, no doubt, it vexed the priests and Sadducees to the
heart to see it. The opposition that the preaching of the gospel met
with, instead of checking its progress, contributed to the success of
it; and this infant Christian church, like the infant Jewish church in
Egypt, the more it was afflicted, the more it multiplied. The preachers
were beaten, threatened, and abused, and yet the people received their
doctrine, invited, no doubt, thereto by their wonderful patience and
cheerfulness under their trials, which convinced men that they were
borne up and carried on by a better spirit than their own.
2. Yet it casts a damp upon us to find that the multiplying of the
disciples proves an occasion of discord. Hitherto they were all with
one accord. This had been often taken notice of to their honour; but
now that they were multiplied, they began to murmur; as in the old
world, when men began to multiply, they corrupted themselves. Thou hast
multiplied the nation, and not increased their joy, Isa. ix. 3. When
Abraham and Lot increased their families, there was a strife between
their herdsmen; so it was here: There arose a murmuring, not an open
falling out, but a secret heart-burning.
(1.) The complainants were the Grecians, or Hellenists, against the
Hebrews--the Jews that were scattered in Greece, and other parts, who
ordinarily spoke the Greek tongue, and read the Old Testament in the
Greek version, and not the original Hebrew, many of whom being at
Jerusalem at the feast embraced the faith of Christ, and were added to
the church, and so continued there. These complained against the
Hebrews, the native Jews, that used the original Hebrew of the Old
Testament. Some of each of these became Christians, and, it seems,
their joint-embracing of the faith of Christ did not prevail, as it
ought to have done, to extinguish the little jealousies they had one of
another before their conversion, but they retained somewhat of that old
leaven; not understanding, or not remembering, that in Christ Jesus
there is neither Greek nor Jew, no distinction of Hebrew and Hellenist,
but all are alike welcome to Christ, and should be, for his sake, dear
to one another.
(2.) The complaint of these Grecians was that their widows were
neglected in the daily administration, that is in the distribution of
the public charity, and the Hebrew widows had more care taken of them.
Observe, The first contention in the Christian church was about a
money-matter; but it is a pity that the little things of this world
should be makebates among those that profess to be taken up with the
great things of another world. A great deal of money was gathered for
the relief of the poor, but, as often happens in such cases, it was
impossible to please every body in the laying of it out. The apostles,
at whose feet it was laid, did their best to dispose of it so as to
answer the intentions of the donors, and no doubt designed to do it
with the utmost impartiality, and were far from respecting the Hebrews
more than the Grecians; and yet here they are complained to, and
tacitly complained of, that the Grecian widows were neglected; though
they were as real objects of charity, yet they had not so much allowed
them, or not to so many, or not so duly paid them, as the Hebrews. Now,
[1.] Perhaps this complaint was groundless and unjust, and there was no
cause for it; but those who, upon any account, lie under disadvantages
(as the Grecian Jews did, in comparison with those that were Hebrews of
the Hebrews) are apt to be jealous that they are slighted when really
they are not so; and it is the common fault of poor people that,
instead of being thankful for what is given them, they are querulous
and clamorous, and apt to find fault that more is not given them, or
that more is given to others than to them; and there are envy and
covetousness, those roots of bitterness, to be found among the poor as
well as among the rich, notwithstanding the humbling providences they
are under, and should accommodate themselves to. But, [2.] We will
suppose there might be some occasion for their complaint. First, Some
suggest that though their other poor were well provided for, yet their
widows were neglected, because the managers governed themselves by an
ancient rule which the Hebrews observed, that a widow was to be
maintained by her husband's children. See 1 Tim. v. 4. But, Secondly, I
take it that the widows are here put for all the poor, because many of
those that were in the church-book, and received alms, were widows, who
were well provided for by the industry of their husbands while they
lived, but were reduced to straits when they were gone. As those that
have the administration of public justice ought in a particular manner
to protect widows from injury (Isa. i. 17; Luke xviii. 3); so those
that have the administration of public charity ought in a particular
manner to provide for widows what is necessary. See 1 Tim. v. 3. And
observe, The widows here, and the other poor, had a daily ministration;
perhaps they wanted forecast, and could not save for hereafter, and
therefore the managers of the fund, in kindness to them, gave them day
by day their daily bread; they lived from hand to mouth. Now, it seems,
the Grecian widows were, comparatively, neglected. Perhaps those that
disposed of the money considered that there was more brought into the
fund by the rich Hebrews than by the rich Grecians, who had not estates
to sell, as the Hebrews had, and therefore the poor Grecians should
have less out of the fund; this, though there was some tolerant reason
for it, they thought hard and unfair. Note, In the best-ordered church
in the world there will be something amiss, some mal--administration or
other, some grievances, or at least some complaints; those are the best
that have the least and the fewest.
II. The happy accommodating of this matter, and the expedient pitched
upon for the taking away of the cause of this murmuring. The apostles
had hitherto the directing of the matter. Applications were made to
them, and appeals in cases of grievances. They were obliged to employ
persons under them, who did not take all the care they might have
taken, nor were so well fortified as they should have been against
temptations to partiality; and therefore some persons must be chosen to
manage this matter who have more leisure to attend to it than the
apostles had, and were better qualified for the trust than those whom
the apostles employed were. Now observe,
1. How the method was proposed by the apostles: They called the
multitude of the disciples unto them, the heads of the congregations of
Christians in Jerusalem, the principal leading men. The twelve
themselves would not determine any thing without them, for in multitude
of counsellors there is safety; and in an affair of this nature those
might be best able to advise who were more conversant in the affairs of
this life than the apostles were.
(1.) The apostles urge that they could by no means admit so great a
diversion, as this would be, from their great work (v. 2): It is not
reasonable that we should leave the word of God and serve tables. The
receiving and paying of money was serving tables, too like the tables
of the money-changers in the temple. This was foreign to the business
which the apostles were called to. They were to preach the word of God;
and though they had not such occasion to study for what they preached
as we have (it being given in that same hour what they should speak),
yet they thought that was work enough for a whole man, and to employ
all their thoughts, and cares, and time, though one man of them was
more than ten of us, than ten thousand. If they serve tables, they
must, in some measure, leave the word of God; they could not attend
their preaching work so closely as they ought. Pectora nostra duas non
admittentia curas--These minds of ours admit not of two distinct
anxious employments. Though this serving of tables was for pious uses,
and serving the charity of rich Christians and the necessity of poor
Christians, and in both serving Christ, yet the apostles would not take
so much time from their preaching as this would require. They will no
more be drawn from their preaching by the money laid at their feet than
they will be driven from it by the stripes laid on their backs. While
the number of the disciples was small, the apostles might manage this
matter without making it any considerable interruption to their main
business; but, now that their number was increased, they could not do
it. It is not reason, ouk areston estin--it is not fit, or commendable,
that we should neglect the business of feeding souls with the bread of
life, to attend the business of relieving the bodies of the poor. Note,
Preaching the gospel is the best work, and the most proper and needful
that a minister can be employed in, and that which he must give himself
wholly to (1 Tim. iv. 15), which that he may do, he must not entangle
himself in the affairs of this life (2 Tim. ii. 4), no, not in the
outward business of the house of God, Neh. xi. 16.
(2.) They therefore desire that seven men might be chosen, well
qualified for the purpose, whose business it should be to serve tables,
diakonein trapezais--to be deacons to the tables, v. 2. The business
must be minded, must be better minded than it had been, and than the
apostles could mind it; and therefore proper persons must be
occasionally employed in the word, and prayer, were not so entirely
devoted to it as the apostles were; and these must take care of the
church's stock--must review, and pay, and keep accounts--must buy those
things which they had need of against the feast (John xiii. 29), and
attend to all those things which are necessary in ordine ad
spiritualia--in order to spiritual exercises, that every thing might be
done decently and in order, and no person nor thing neglected. Now,
[1.] The persons must be duly qualified. The people are to choose, and
the apostles to ordain; but the people have no authority to choose, nor
the apostles to ordain, men utterly unfit for the office: Look out
seven men; so many they thought might suffice for the present, more
might be added afterwards if there were occasion. These must be, First,
Of honest report, men free from scandal, that were looked upon by their
neighbours as men of integrity, and faithful men, well attested, as men
that might be trusted, not under a blemish for any vice, but, on the
contrary, well spoken of for every thing that is virtuous and
praiseworthy; martyroumenous--men that can produce good testimonials
concerning their conversation. Note, Those that are employed in any
office in the church ought to be men of honest report, of a blameless,
nay, of an admirable character, which is requisite not only to the
credit of their office, but to the due discharge of it. Secondly, They
must be full of the Holy Ghost, must be filled with those gifts and
graces of the Holy Ghost which were necessary to the right management
of this trust. They must not only be honest men, but they must be men
of ability and men of courage; such as were to be made judges in Israel
(Exod. xviii. 21), able men, fearing God; men of truth, and hating
covetousness; and hereby appearing to be full of the Holy Ghost.
Thirdly, They must be full of wisdom. It was not enough that they were
honest, good men, but they must be discreet, judicious men, that could
not be imposed upon, and would order things for the best, and with
consideration: full of the Holy Ghost, and wisdom, that is, of the Holy
Ghost as a Spirit of wisdom. We find the word of wisdom given by the
Spirit, as distinct form the word of knowledge by the same Spirit, 1
Cor. xii. 8. Those must be full of wisdom who are entrusted with public
money, that it may be disposed of, not only with fidelity, but with
frugality.
[2.] The people must nominate the persons: "Look you out among
yourselves seven men; consider among yourselves who are the fittest for
such a trust, and whom you can with the most satisfaction confide in."
They might be presumed to know better, or at least were fitter to
enquire, what character men had, than the apostles; and therefore they
are entrusted with the choice.
[3.] They apostles will ordain them to the service, will give them
their charge, that they may know what they have to do and make
conscience of doing it, and give them their authority, that the persons
concerned may know whom they are to apply to, and submit to, in affairs
of that nature: Men, whom we may appoint. In many editions of our
English Bibles there has been an error of the press here; for they have
read it, whom ye may appoint, as if the power were in the people;
whereas it was certainly in the apostles: whom we may appoint over this
business, to take care of it, and to see that there be neither waste
nor want.
(3.) The apostles engage to addict themselves wholly to their work as
ministers, and the more closely if they can but get fairly quit of this
troublesome office (v. 4): We will give ourselves continually to
prayer, and to the ministry of the word. See here, [1.] What are the
two great gospel ordinances--the word, and prayer; by these two
communion between God and his people is kept up and maintained; by the
word he speaks to them, and by prayer they speak to him; and these have
a mutual reference to each other. By these two the kingdom of Christ
must be advanced, and additions made to it; we must prophesy upon the
dry bones, and then pray for a spirit of life from God to enter into
them. By the word and prayer other ordinances are sanctified to us, and
sacraments have their efficacy. [2.] What is the great business of
gospel ministers--to give themselves continually to prayer, and to the
ministry of the word; they must still be either fitting and furnishing
themselves for those services, or employing themselves in them; either
publicly or privately; in the stated times, or out of them. They must
be God's mouth to the people in the ministry of the word, and the
people's mouth to God in prayer. In order to the conviction and
conversion of sinners, and the edification and consolation of saints,
we must not only offer up our prayers for them, but we must minister
the word to them, seconding our prayers with our endeavours, in the use
of appointed means. Nor must we only minister the word to them, but we
must pray for them, that it may be effectual; for God's grace can do
all without our preaching, but our preaching can do nothing without
God's grace. The apostles were endued with extraordinary gifts of the
Holy Ghost, tongues and miracles; and yet that to which they gave
themselves continually was preaching and praying, by which they might
edify the church: and those ministers, without doubt, are the
successors of the apostles (not in the plenitude of the apostolical
power--those are daring usurpers who pretend to this, but in the best
and most excellent of the apostolical works) who give themselves
continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word; and such Christ
will always be with, even to the end of the world.
2. How this proposal was agreed to, and presently put in execution, by
the disciples. It was not imposed upon them by an absolute power,
though they might have been bold in Christ to do this (Philem. 8), but
proposed, as that which was highly convenient, and then the saying
pleased the whole multitude, v. 5. It pleased them to see the apostles
so willing to have themselves discharged from intermeddling in secular
affairs, and to transmit them to others; it pleased them to hear that
they would give themselves to the word and prayer; and therefore they
neither disputed the matter nor deferred the execution of it.
(1.) They pitched upon the persons. It is not probable that they all
cast their eye upon the same men. Everyone had his friend, whom he
thought well of. But the majority of votes fell upon the persons here
named; and the rest both of the candidates and the electors acquiesced,
and made no disturbance, as the members of societies in such cases
ought to do. An apostle, who was an extraordinary officer, was chosen
by lot, which is more immediately the act of God; but the overseers of
the poor were chosen by the suffrage of the people, in which yet a
regard is to be had to the providence of God, who has all men's hearts
and tongues in his hand. We have a list of the persons chosen. Some
think they were such as were before of the seventy disciples; but this
is not likely, for they were ordained by Christ himself, long since, to
preach the gospel; and there was not more reason that they should leave
the word of God to serve tables than that the apostles should. It is
therefore more probable that they were of those that were converted
since the pouring out of the Spirit; for it was promised to all that
would be baptized that they should receive the gift of the Holy Ghost;
and the gift, according to that promise, is that fulness of the Holy
Ghost which was required in those that were to be chosen to this
service. We may further conjecture, concerning these seven, [1.] That
they were such as had sold their estates, and brought the money into
the common stock; for cæteris paribus--other things being equal, those
were fittest to be entrusted with the distribution of it who had been
most generous in the contribution to it. [2.] That these seven were all
of the Grecian or Hellenist Jews, for they have all Greek names, and
this would be most likely to silence the murmurings of the Grecians
(which occasioned this institution), to have the trust lodged in those
that were foreigners, like themselves, who would be sure not to neglect
them. Nicolas, it is plain, was one of them, for he was a proselyte of
Antioch; and some think the manner of expression intimates that they
were all proselytes of Jerusalem, as he was of Antioch. The first named
is Stephen, the glory of these septemviri, a man full of faith and of
the Holy Ghost; he had a strong faith in the doctrine of Christ, and
was full of it above most; full of fidelity, full of courage (so some),
for he was full of the Holy Ghost, of his gifts and graces. He was an
extraordinary man, and excelled in every thing that was good; his name
signifies a crown. Phillip is put next, because he, having used this
office of a deacon well, thereby obtained a good degree, and was
afterwards ordained to the office of an evangelist, a companion and
assistant to the apostles, for so he is expressly called, ch. xxi. 8.
Compare Eph. iv. 11. And his preaching and baptizing (which we read of
ch. viii. 12) were certainly not as a deacon (for it is plain that that
office was serving tables, in opposition to the ministry of the word),
but as an evangelist; and, when he was preferred to that office, we
have reason to think he quitted this office, as incompatible with that.
As for Stephen, nothing we find done by him proves him to be a preacher
of the gospel; for he only disputes in the schools, and pleads for his
life at the bar, v. 9, and ch. vii. 2. The last named is Nicolas, who,
some say, afterwards degenerated (as the Judas among these seven) and
was the founder of the sect of the Nicolaitans which we read of (Rev.
ii. 6, 15), and which Christ there says, once and again, was a thing he
hated. But some of the ancients clear him from this charge, and tell us
that, though that vile impure sect denominated themselves from him, yet
it was unjustly, and because he only insisted much upon it that those
that had wives should be as though they had none, thence they wickedly
inferred that those that had wives should have them in common, which
therefore Tertullian, when he speaks of the community of goods,
particularly excepts: Omnia indiscreta apud nos, præter uxores--All
things are common among us, except our wives.--Apol. cap, 39.
(2.) The apostles appointed them to this work of serving tables for the
present, v. 6. The people presented them to the apostles, who approved
their choice, and ordained them. [1.] They prayed with them, and for
them, that God would give them more and more of the Holy Ghost and of
wisdom--that he would qualify them for the service to which they were
called, and own them in it, and make them thereby a blessing to the
church, and particularly to the poor of the flock. All that are
employed in the service of the church ought to be committed to the
conduct of the divine grace by the prayers of the church. [2.] They
laid their hands on them, that is, they blessed them in the name of the
Lord, for laying on hands was used in blessing; so Jacob blessed both
the sons of Joseph; and, without controversy, the less is blessed of
the greater (Heb. vii. 7); the deacons are blessed by the apostles, and
the overseers of the poor by the pastors of the congregation. Having by
prayer implored a blessing upon them, they did by the laying on of
hands assure them that the blessing was conferred in answer to the
prayer; and this was giving them authority to execute that office, and
laying an obligation upon the people to be observant of them therein.
III. The advancement of the church hereupon. When things were thus put
into good order in the church (grievances were redressed and
discontents silenced) then religion got ground, v. 7. 1. The word of
God increased. Now that the apostles resolved to stick more closely
than ever to their preaching, it spread the gospel further, and brought
it home with the more power. Ministers disentangling themselves from
secular employments, and addicting themselves entirely and vigorously
to their work, will contribute very much, as a means, to the success of
the gospel. The word of God is said to increase as the seed sown
increases when it comes up again thirty, sixty, a hundred fold. 2.
Christians became numerous: The number of the disciples multiplied in
Jerusalem greatly. When Christ was upon earth, his ministry had least
success in Jerusalem; yet now that city affords most converts. God has
his remnant even in the worst of places. 3. A great company of the
priests were obedient to the faith. Then is the word and grace of God
greatly magnified when those are wrought upon by it that were least
likely, as the priests here, who either had opposed it, or at least
were linked in with those that had. The priests, whose preferments
arose from the law of Moses, were yet willing to let them go for the
gospel of Christ; and, it should seem, they came in a body; many of
them agreed together, for the keeping up of one another's credit, and
the strengthening of one another's hands, to join at once in giving up
their names to Christ: polis ochlos--a great crowd of priests were, by
the grace of God helped over their prejudices, and were obedient to the
faith, so their conversion is described. (1.) They embraced the
doctrine of the gospel; their understandings were captivated to the
power of the truths of Christ, and every opposing objecting thought
brought into obedience to him, 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. The gospel is said to be
made known for the obedience of faith, Rom. xvi. 26. Faith is an act of
obedience, for this is God's commandment, that we believe, 1 John iii.
23. (2.) They evinced the sincerity of their believing the gospel of
Christ by a cheerful compliance with all the rules and precepts of the
gospel. The design of the gospel is to refine and reform our hearts and
lives; faith gives law to us, and we must be obedient to it.
Stephen's Address.
8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles
among the people. 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which
is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and
Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with
Stephen. 10 And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the
spirit by which he spake. 11 Then they suborned men, which said, We
have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God.
12 And they stirred up the people, and the elders, and the scribes,
and came upon him, and caught him, and brought him to the council, 13
And set up false witnesses, which said, This man ceaseth not to speak
blasphemous words against this holy place, and the law: 14 For we
have heard him say, that this Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy this
place, and shall change the customs which Moses delivered us. 15 And
all that sat in the council, looking stedfastly on him, saw his face as
it had been the face of an angel.
Stephen, no doubt was diligent and faithful in the discharge of his
office as distributor of the church's charity, and laid out himself to
put that affair in a good method, which he did to universal
satisfaction; and though it appears here that he was a man of uncommon
gifts, and fitted for a higher station, yet, being called to that
office, he did not think it below him to do the duty of it. And, being
faithful in a little, he was entrusted with more; and, though we do not
find him propagating the gospel by preaching and baptizing, yet we find
him here called out to very honourable services, and owned in them.
I. He proved the truth of the gospel, by working miracles in Christ's
name, v. 8. 1. He was full of faith and power, that is, of a strong
faith, by which he was enabled to do great things. Those that are full
of faith are full of power, because by faith the power of God is
engaged for us. His faith did so fill him that it left no room for
unbelief and made room for the influences of divine grace, so that, as
the prophet speaks, he was full of power by the Spirit of the Lord of
hosts, Mic. iii. 8. By faith we are emptied of self, and so are filled
with Christ, who is the wisdom of God and the power of God. 2. Being so
he did great wonders and miracles among the people, openly, and in the
sight of all; for Christ's miracles feared not the strictest scrutiny.
It is not strange that Stephen, though he was not a preacher by office,
did these great wonders, for we find that these were distinct gifts of
the Spirit, and divided severally, for to one was given the working of
miracles, and to another prophecy, 1 Cor. xii. 10, 11. And these signs
followed not only those that preached, but those that believed. Mark
xvi. 17.
II. He pleaded the cause of Christianity against those that opposed it,
and argued against it (v. 9, 10); he served the interests of religion
as a disputant, in the high places of the field, while others were
serving them as vinedressers and husbandmen.
1. We are here told who were his opponents, v. 9. They were Jews, but
Hellenist Jews, Jews of the dispersion, who seem to have been more
zealous for their religion than the native Jews; it was with difficulty
that they retained the practice and profession of it in the country
where they lived, where they were as speckled birds, and not without
great expense and toil that they kept up their attendance at Jerusalem,
and this made them more active sticklers for Judaism than those were
whose profession of their religion was cheap and easy. They were of the
synagogue which is called the synagogue of the Libertines; the Romans
called those Liberti, or Libertini, who either, being foreigners, were
naturalized, or, being slaves by birth, were manumitted, or made
freemen. Some think that these Libertines were such of the Jews as had
obtained the Roman freedom, as Paul had (ch. xxii. 27, 28); and it is
probable that he was the most forward man of this synagogue of the
Libertines in disputing with Stephen, and engaged others in the
dispute, for we find him busy in the stoning of Stephen, and consenting
to his death. There were others that belonged to the synagogue of the
Cyrenians and Alexandrians, of which synagogue the Jewish writers
speak; and others that belonged to their synagogue who were of Cilicia
and Asia; and if Paul, as a freeman of Rome, did not belong to the
synagogue of the Libertines, he belonged to this, as a native of
Tarsus, a city of Cilicia: it is probable that he might be a member of
both. The Jews that were born in other countries, and had concerns in
them, had frequent occasion, not only to resort to, but to reside in,
Jerusalem. Each nation had its synagogue, as in London there are
French, and Dutch, and Danish churches: and those synagogues were the
schools to which the Jews of those nations sent their youth to be
educated in the Jewish learning. Now those that were tutors and
professors in these synagogues, seeing the gospel grow, and the rulers
conniving at the growth of it, and fearing what would be the
consequence of it to the Jewish religion, which they were jealous for,
being confident of the goodness of their cause, and their own
sufficiency to manage it, would undertake to run down Christianity by
force of argument. It was a fair and rational way of dealing with it,
and what religion is always ready to admit. Produce your cause, saith
the Lord, bring forth your strong reasons, Isa. xli. 21. But why did
they dispute with Stephen? And why not with the apostles themselves?
(1.) Some think because they despised the apostles as unlearned and
ignorant men, whom they thought it below them to engage with; but
Stephen was bred a scholar, and they thought it their honour to meddle
with their match. (2.) Others think it was because they stood in awe of
the apostles, and could not be so free and familiar with them as they
could be with Stephen, who was in an inferior office. (3.) Perhaps,
they having given a public challenge, Stephen was chosen and appointed
by the disciples to be their champion; for it was not meet that the
apostles should leave the preaching of the word of God to engage in
controversy. Stephen, who was only a deacon in the church, and a very
sharp young man, of bright parts, and better qualified to deal with
wrangling disputants than the apostles themselves, was appointed to
this service. Some historians say that Stephen had been bred up at the
feet of Gamaliel, and that Saul and the rest of them set upon him as a
deserter, and with a particular fury made him their mark. (4.) It is
probable that they disputed with Stephen because he was zealous to
argue with them and convince them, and this was the service to which
God had called him.
2. We are here told how he carried the point in this dispute (v. 10):
They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by which he
spoke. They could neither support their own arguments nor answer his.
He proved by such irresistible arguments that Jesus is the Christ, and
delivered himself with so much clearness and fulness that they had
nothing to object against what he said; though they were not convinced,
yet they were confounded. It is not said, They were not able to resist
him, but, They were not able to resist the wisdom and the Spirit by
which he spoke, that Spirit of wisdom which spoke by him. Now was
fulfilled that promise, I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all
your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist, Luke xxi. 15.
They thought they had only disputed with Stephen, and could make their
part good with him; but they were disputing with the Spirit of God in
him, for whom they were an unequal match.
III. At length, he sealed it with his blood; so we shall find he did in
the next chapter; here we have some steps taken by his enemies towards
it. When they could not answer his arguments as a disputant, they
prosecuted him as a criminal, and suborned witnesses against him, to
swear blasphemy upon him. "On such terms (saith Mr. Baxter here) do we
dispute with malignant men. And it is next to a miracle of providence
that no greater number of religious persons have been murdered in the
world, by the way of perjury and pretence of law, when so many
thousands hate them who make no conscience of false oaths." They
suborned men, that is, instructed them what to say, and then hired them
to swear it. They were the more enraged against him because he had
proved them to be in the wrong, and shown them the right way; for which
they ought to have given him their best thanks. Was he therefore become
their enemy, because he told them the truth, and proved it to be so?
Now let us observe here,
1. How with all possible art and industry they incensed both the
government and the mob against him, that, if they could not prevail by
the one, they might by the other (v. 12): They stirred up the people
against him, that, if the sanhedrim should still think fit (according
to Gamaliel's advice) to let him alone, yet they might run him down by
a popular rage and tumult; they also found means to stir up the elders
and scribes against him, that, if the people should countenance and
protect him, they might prevail by authority. Thus they doubted not but
to gain their point, when then had two strings to their bow.
2. How they got him to the bar: They came upon him, when he little
thought of it, and caught him and brought him to the council. They came
upon him in a body, and flew upon him as a lion upon his prey; so the
word signifies. By their rude and violent treatment of him, they would
represent him, both to the people, and to the government, as a
dangerous man, that would either flee from justice if he were not
watched, or fight with it if he were not put under a force. Having
caught him, they brought him triumphantly into the council, and, as it
should seem, so hastily that he had none of his friends with him. They
had found, when they brought many together, that they emboldened one
another, and strengthened one another's hands; and therefore they will
try how to deal with them singly.
3. How they were prepared with evidence ready to produce against him.
They were resolved that they would not be run a-ground, as they were
when they brought our Saviour upon his trial, and then had to seek for
witnesses. These were got ready beforehand, and were instructed to make
oath that they had heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and
against God (v. 11) --against this holy place and the law (v. 13); for
they heard him say what Jesus would do to their place and their
customs, v. 14. It is probable that he had said something to that
purport; and yet those who swore it against him are called false
witnesses, because, though there was something of truth in their
testimony, yet they put a wrong and malicious construction upon what he
had said, and perverted it. Observe,
(1.) What was the general charge exhibited against him--that he spoke
blasphemous words; and, to aggravate the matter, "He ceases not to
speak blasphemous words; it is his common talk, his discourse in all
companies; wheresoever he comes, he makes it his business to instil his
notions into all he converses with." It intimates likewise something of
contumacy and contempt of admonition. "He has been warned against it,
and yet ceases not to talk at this rate." Blasphemy is justly reckoned
a heinous crime (to speak contemptibly and reproachfully of God our
Maker), and therefore Stephen's persecutors would be thought to have a
deep concern upon them for the honour of God's name, and to do this in
a jealousy for that. As it was with the confessors and martyrs of the
Old Testament, so it was with those of the New--their brethren that
hated them, and cast them out, said, Let the Lord be glorified; and
pretended they did him service in it. He is said to have spoken
blasphemous words against Moses and against God. Thus far they were
right, that those who blaspheme Moses (if they meant the writings of
Moses, which were given by inspiration of God) blaspheme God himself.
Those that speak reproachfully of the scriptures, and ridicule them,
reflect upon God himself, and do despite to him. His great intention is
to magnify the law and make it honourable; those therefore that vilify
the law, and make it contemptible, blaspheme his name; for he has
magnified his word above all his name. But did Stephen blaspheme Moses?
By no means, he was far from it. Christ, and the preachers of his
gospel, never said any thing that looked like blaspheming Moses; they
always quoted his writings with respect, appealed to them, and said no
other things than what Moses said should come; very unjustly therefore
is Stephen indicted for blaspheming Moses. But,
(2.) Let us see how this charge is supported and made out; why, truly,
when the thing was to be proved, all they can charge him with is that
he hath spoken blasphemous words against this holy place and the law;
and this must be deemed and taken as blasphemy against Moses and
against God himself. Thus does the charge dwindle when it comes to the
evidence. [1.] He is charged with blaspheming this holy place. Some
understand this of the city of Jerusalem, which was the holy city, and
which they had a mighty jealousy for. But it is rather meant of the
temple, that holy house. Christ was condemned as a blasphemer for words
which were thought to reflect upon the temple, which they seemed
concerned for the honour of, even when they by their wickedness had
profaned it. [2.] He is charged with blaspheming the law, of which they
made their boast, and in which they put their trust, when through
breaking the law they dishonoured God, Rom. ii. 23. Well, but how can
they make this out? Why, here the charge dwindles again; for all they
can accuse him of is that they had themselves heard him say (but how it
came in, or what explication he gave to if, they think not themselves
bound to give account) that this Jesus of Nazareth, who was so much
talked of, shall destroy this place, and change the customs which Moses
delivered to us. He could not be charged with having said any thing to
the disparagement either of the temple or of the law. The priests had
themselves profaned the temple, by making it not only a house of
merchandise, but a den of thieves; yet they would be thought zealous
for the honour of it, against one that had never said any thing amiss
of it, but had attended it more as a house of prayer, according to the
true intention of it, than they had. Nor had he ever reproached the law
as they had. But, First, He had said, Jesus of Nazareth shall destroy
this place, destroy the temple, destroy Jerusalem. It is probable that
he might say so; and what blasphemy was it against the holy place to
say that it should not be perpetual any more than Shiloh was, and that
the just and holy God would not continue the privileges of his
sanctuary to those that abused them? Had not the prophets given the
same warning to their fathers of the destruction of that holy place by
the Chaldeans? Nay, when the temple was first built, had not God
himself given the same warning: This house, which is high, shall be an
astonishment, 2 Chron. vii. 21. And is he a blasphemer, then, who tells
them that Jesus of Nazareth, if they continue their opposition to him,
will bring a just destruction upon their place and nation, and they may
thank themselves? Those wickedly abuse their profession of religion
who, under colour of that, call the reproofs given them for their
disagreeable conversations blasphemous reflections upon their religion.
Secondly, He had said, This Jesus shall change the customs which Moses
delivered to us. And it was expected that in the days of the Messiah
they should be changed, and that the shadows should be done away when
the substance was come; yet this was no essential change of the law,
but the perfecting of it. Christ came, not to destroy, but to fulfil,
the law; and, if he changed some customs that Moses delivered, it was
to introduce and establish those that were much better; and if the
Jewish church had not obstinately refused to come into this new
establishment, and adhered to the ceremonial law, for aught I know
their place had not been destroyed; so that for putting them into a
certain way to prevent their destruction, and for giving them certain
notice of their destruction if they did not take that way, he is
accused as a blasphemer.
IV. We are here told how God owned him when he was brought before the
council, and made it to appear that he stood by him (v. 15): All that
sat in the council, the priests, scribes, and elders, looking
stedfastly on him, being a stranger, and one they had not yet had
before them, saw his face as it had been the face of an angel. It is
usual for judges to observe the countenance of the prisoner, which
sometimes is an indication either of guilt or innocence. Now Stephen
appeared at the bar with the countenance as of an angel. 1. Perhaps it
intimates no more than that he had an extraordinarily pleasant,
cheerful countenance, and there was not in it the least sign either of
fear for himself or anger at his persecutors. He looked as if he had
never been better pleased in his life than he was now when he was
called out to bear his testimony to the gospel of Christ, thus
publicly, and stood fair for the crown of martyrdom. Such an
undisturbed serenity, such an undaunted courage, and such an
unaccountable mixture of mildness and majesty, there was in his
countenance, that every one said he looked like an angel; enough surely
to convince the Sadducees that there are angels, when they saw before
their eyes an incarnate angel. 2. It should rather seem that there was
a miraculous splendour and brightness upon his countenance, like that
of our Saviour when he was transfigured--or, at least, that of Moses
when he came down from the mount--God designing thereby to put honour
upon his faithful witness and confusion upon his persecutors and
judges, whose sin would be highly aggravated, and would be indeed a
rebellion against the light, if, notwithstanding this, they proceeded
against him. Whether he himself knew that the skin of his face shone or
no we are not told; but all that sat in the council saw it, and
probably took notice of it to one another, and an arrant shame it was
that when they saw, and could not but see by it that he was owned of
God, they did not call him from standing at the bar to sit in the chief
seat upon the bench. Wisdom and holiness make a man's face to shine,
and yet these will not secure men from the greatest indignities; and no
wonder, when the shining of Stephen's face could not be his protection;
though it had been easy to prove that if he had been guilty of putting
any dishonour upon Moses God would not thus have put Moses's honour
upon him.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. VII.
When our Lord Jesus called his apostles out to be employed in services
and sufferings for him, he told them that yet the last should be first,
and the first last, which was remarkably fulfilled in St. Stephen and
St. Paul, who were both of them late converts, in comparison of the
apostles, and yet got the start of them both in services and
sufferings; for God, in conferring honours and favours, often crosses
hands. In this chapter we have the martyrdom of Stephen, the first
martyr of the Christian church, who led the van in the noble army. And
therefore his sufferings and death are more largely related than those
of any other, for direction and encouragement to all those who are
called out to resist unto blood, as he did. Here is, I. His defence of
himself before the council, in answer to the matters and things he
stood charged with, the scope of which is to show that it was no
blasphemy against God, nor any injury at all to the glory of his name,
to say that the temple should be destroyed and the customs of the
ceremonial law changed. And, 1. He shows this by going over the history
of the Old Testament, and observing that God never intended to confine
his favours to that place, or that ceremonial law; and that they had no
reason to expect he should, for the people of the Jews had always been
a provoking people, and had forfeited the privileges of their
peculiarity: nay, that that holy place and that law were but figures of
good things to come, and it was no disparagement at all to them to say
that they must give place to better things, ver. 1-50. And then, 2. He
applies this to those that prosecuted him, and sat in judgment upon
him, sharply reproving them for their wickedness, by which they had
brought upon themselves the ruin of their place and nation, and then
could not bear to hear of it, ver. 51-53. II. The putting of him to
death by stoning him, and his patient, cheerful, pious submission to
it, ver. 54-60.
Stephen's Address.
1 Then said the high priest, Are these things so? 2 And he said, Men,
brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our
father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran,
3 And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy
kindred, and come into the land which I shall show thee. 4 Then came
he out of the land of the Chaldæans, and dwelt in Charran: and from
thence, when his father was dead, he removed him into this land,
wherein ye now dwell. 5 And he gave him none inheritance in it, no,
not so much as to set his foot on: yet he promised that he would give
it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, when as yet he
had no child. 6 And God spake on this wise, That his seed should
sojourn in a strange land; and that they should bring them into
bondage, and entreat them evil four hundred years. 7 And the nation
to whom they shall be in bondage will I judge, said God: and after that
shall they come forth, and serve me in this place. 8 And he gave him
the covenant of circumcision: and so Abraham begat Isaac, and
circumcised him the eighth day; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat
the twelve patriarchs. 9 And the patriarchs, moved with envy, sold
Joseph into Egypt: but God was with him, 10 And delivered him out of
all his afflictions, and gave him favour and wisdom in the sight of
Pharaoh king of Egypt; and he made him governor over Egypt and all his
house. 11 Now there came a dearth over all the land of Egypt and
Chanaan, and great affliction: and our fathers found no sustenance.
12 But when Jacob heard that there was corn in Egypt, he sent out our
fathers first. 13 And at the second time Joseph was made known to his
brethren; and Joseph's kindred was made known unto Pharaoh. 14 Then
sent Joseph, and called his father Jacob to him, and all his kindred,
threescore and fifteen souls. 15 So Jacob went down into Egypt, and
died, he, and our fathers, 16 And were carried over into Sychem, and
laid in the sepulchre that Abraham bought for a sum of money of the
sons of Emmor the father of Sychem.
Stephen is now at the bar before the great council of the nation,
indicted for blasphemy: what the witnesses swore against him we had an
account of in the foregoing chapter, that he spoke blasphemous words
against Moses and God; for he spoke against this holy place and the
law. Now here,
I. The high priest calls upon him to answer for himself, v. 1. He was
president, and, as such, the mouth of the court, and therefore he
saith, "You, the prisoner at the bar, you hear what is sworn against
you; what do you say to it? Are these things so? Have you ever spoken
any words to this purport? If you have, will you recant them, or will
you stand to them? Guilty or not guilty?" This carried a show of
fairness, and yet seems to have been spoken with an air of haughtiness;
and thus far he seems to have prejudged the cause, that, if it were so,
that he had spoken such and such words, he shall certainly be adjudged
a blasphemer, whatever he may offer in justification or explanation of
them.
II. He begins his defence, and it is long; but it should seem by his
breaking off abruptly, just when he came to the main point (v. 50),
that it would have been much longer if his enemies would have given him
leave to say all he had to say. In general we may observe,
1. That in this discourse he appears to be a man ready and mighty in
the scriptures, and thereby thoroughly furnished for every good word
and work. He can relate scripture stories, and such as were very
pertinent to his purpose, off-hand without looking in his Bible. He was
filled with the Holy Ghost, not so much to reveal to him new things, or
open to him the secret counsels and decrees of God concerning the
Jewish nation, with them to convict these gainsayers; no, but to bring
to his remembrance the scriptures of the Old Testament, and to teach
him how to make use of them for their conviction. Those that are full
of the Holy Ghost will be full of the scripture, as Stephen was.
2. That he quotes the scriptures according to the Septuagint
translation, by which it appears he was one of the Hellenist Jews, who
used that version in their synagogues. His following this, occasions
divers variations from the Hebrew original in this discourse, which the
judges of the court did not correct, because they knew how he was led
into them; nor is it any derogation to the authority of that Spirit by
which he spoke, for the variations are not material. We have a maxim,
Apices juris non sunt jura--Mere points of law are not law itself.
These verses carry on this his compendium of church history to the end
of the book of Genesis. Observe,
(1.) His preface: Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken. He gives them,
though not flattering titles, yet civil and respectful ones, signifying
his expectation of fair treatment with them; from men he hopes to be
treated with humanity, and he hopes that brethren and fathers will use
him in a fatherly brotherly way. They are ready to look upon him as an
apostate from the Jewish church, and an enemy to them. But, to make way
for their conviction to the contrary, he addresses himself to them as
men, brethren, and fathers, resolving to look on himself as one of
them, though they would not so look on him. He craves their attention:
Hearken; though he was about to tell them what they already knew, yet
he begs them to hearken to it, because, though they knew it all, yet
they would not without a very close application of mind know how to
apply it to the case before them.
(2.) His entrance upon the discourse, which (whatever it may seem to
those that read it carelessly) is far from being a long ramble only to
amuse the hearers, and give them a diversion by telling them an old
story. No; it is all pertinent and ad rem--to the purpose, to show them
that God had no this heart so much upon that holy place and the law as
they had; but, as he had a church in the world many ages before that
holy place was founded and the ceremonial law given, so he would have
when they should both have had their period.
[1.] He begins with the call of Abraham out of Ur of the Chaldees, by
which he was set apart for God to be the trustee of the promise, and
the father of the Old-Testament church. This we had an account of (Gen.
xii. 1, &c.), and it is referred to, Neh. ix. 7, 8. His native country
was an idolatrous country, it was Mesopotamia, (v. 2), the land of the
Chaldeans (v. 4); thence God brought him at two removes, not too far at
once, dealing tenderly with him; he first brought him out of the land
of the Chaldeans to Charran, or Haran, a place midway between that and
Canaan (Gen. xi. 31), and thence five years after, when his father was
dead, he removed him into the land of Canaan, wherein you now dwell. It
should seem, the first time that God spoke to Abraham, he appeared in
some visible display of the divine presence, as the God of glory (v.
2), to settle a correspondence with him: and then afterwards he kept up
that correspondence, and spoke to him from time to time as there was
occasion, without repeating his visible appearances as the God of
glory.
First, From this call of Abraham we may observe, 1. That in all our
ways we must acknowledge God, and attend the directions of his
providence, as of the pillar of cloud and fire. It is not said, Abraham
removed, but, God removed him into this land wherein you now dwell, and
he did but follow his Leader. 2. Those whom God takes into covenant
with himself he distinguishes from the children of this world; they are
effectually called out of the state, out of the land, of their
nativity; they must sit loose to the world, and live above it and every
thing in it, even that in it which is most dear to them, and must trust
God to make it up to them in another and better country, that is, the
heavenly, which he will show them. God's chosen must follow him with an
implicit faith and obedience.
Secondly, But let us see what this is to Stephen's case. 1. They had
charged him as a blasphemer of God, and an apostate from the church;
therefore he shows that he is a son of Abraham, and values himself upon
his being able to say, Our father Abraham, and that he is a faithful
worshipper of the God of Abraham, whom therefore he here calls the God
of glory. He also shows that he owns divine revelation, and that
particularly by which the Jewish church was founded and incorporated.
2. They were proud of their being circumcised; and therefore he shows
that Abraham was taken under God's guidance, and into communion with
him, before he was circumcised, for that was not till v. 8. With this
argument Paul proves that Abraham was justified by faith, because he
was justified when he was in uncircumcision: and so here. 3. They had a
mighty jealousy for this holy place, which may be meant of the whole
land of Canaan; for it was called the holy land, Immanuel's land; and
the destruction of the holy house inferred that of the holy land.
"Now," says Stephen, "you need not be so proud of it; for," (1.) "You
came originally out of Ur of the Chaldees, where your fathers served
other gods (Josh. xxiv. 2), and you were not the first planters of this
country. Look therefore unto the rock whence you were hewn, and the
holy of the pit out of which you were digged;" that is, as it follows
there, "look unto Abraham your father, for I called him alone (Isa. li.
1, 2)--think of the meanness of your beginnings, and how you are
entirely indebted to divine grace, and then you will see boasting to be
for ever excluded. It was God that raised up the righteous man from the
east, and called him to his foot. Isa. xli. 2. But, if his seed
degenerate, let them know that God can destroy this holy place, and
raise up to himself another people, for he is not a debtor to them."
(2.) "God appeared in his glory to Abraham a great way off in
Mesopotamia, before he came near Canaan, nay, before he dwelt in
Charran; so that you must not think God's visits are confined to this
land; no; he that brought the seed of the church from a country so far
east can, if he pleases, carry the fruit of it to another country as
far west." (3.) "God made no haste to bring him into this land, but let
him linger some years by the way, which shows that God has not his
heart so much upon this land as you have yours, neither is his honour,
nor the happiness of his people, bound up in it. It is therefore
neither blasphemy nor treason to say, It shall be destroyed,"
[2.] The unsettled state of Abraham and his seed for many ages after he
was called out of Ur of the Chaldees. God did indeed promise that he
would give it to him for a possession, and to his seed after him, v. 5.
But, First, As yet he had no child, nor any by Sarah for many years
after. Secondly, He himself was but a stranger and a sojourner in that
land, and God gave him no inheritance in it, no, not so much as to set
his foot on; but there he was as in a strange country, where he was
always upon the remove, and could call nothing his own. Thirdly, His
posterity did not come to the possession of it for a long time: After
four hundred years they shall come and serve me in this place, and not
till then, v. 7. Nay, Fourthly, They must undergo a great deal of
hardship and difficulty before they shall be put into the possession of
that land: they shall be brought into bondage, and ill treated in a
strange land: and this, not as the punishment of any particular sin, as
their wandering in the wilderness was, for we never find any such
account given of their bondage in Egypt; but so God had appointed, and
it must be. And at the end of four hundred years, reckoning from the
birth of Isaac, that nation to whom they shall be in bondage will I
judge, saith God. Now this teaches us, 1. That known unto God are all
his works beforehand. When Abraham had neither inheritance nor heir,
yet he was told he should have both, the one a land of promise, and the
other a child of promise; and therefore both had, and received, by
faith. 2. That God's promises, though they are slow, are sure in the
operation of them; they will be fulfilled in the season of them, though
perhaps not so soon as we expect. 3. That though the people of God may
be in distress and trouble for a time, yet God will at length both
rescue them and reckon with those that do oppress them; for, verily
there is a God that judgeth in the earth.
But let us see how this serves Stephen's purpose. 1. The Jewish nation,
for the honour of which they were so jealous, was very inconsiderable
in its beginnings; as their common father Abraham was fetched out of
obscurity in Ur of the Chaldees, so their tribes, and the heads of
them, were fetched out of servitude in Egypt, when they were the fewest
of all people, Deut. vii. 7. And what need is there of so much ado, as
if their ruin, when they bring it upon themselves by sin, must be the
ruin of the world, and of all God's interests in it? No; he that
brought them out of Egypt can bring them into it again, as he
threatened (Deut. xxviii. 68), and yet be no loser, while he can out of
stones raise up children unto Abraham. 2. The slow steps by which the
promise made to Abraham advanced towards the performance, and the many
seeming contradictions here taken notice of, plainly show that it had a
spiritual meaning, and that the land principally intended to be
conveyed and secured by it was the better country, that is, the
heavenly; as the apostle shows from this very argument that the
patriarchs sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country,
thence inferring that they looked for a city that had foundations, Heb.
xi. 9, 10. It was therefore no blasphemy to say, Jesus shall destroy
this place, when at the same time we say, "He shall lead us to the
heavenly Canaan, and put us in possession of that, of which the earthly
Canaan was but a type and figure."
[3.] The building up of the family of Abraham, with the entail of
divine grace upon it, and the disposals of divine Providence concerning
it, which take up the rest of the book of Genesis.
First, God engaged to be a God to Abraham and his seed; and, in token
of this, appointed that he and his male seed should be circumcised,
Gen. xvii. 9, 10. He gave him the covenant of circumcision, that is,
the covenant of which circumcision was the seal; and accordingly, when
Abraham had a son born, he circumcised him the eighth day (v. 8), by
which he was both bound by the divine law and interested in the divine
promise; for circumcision had reference to both, being a seal of the
covenant both on God's part--I will be to thee a God all-sufficient,
and on man's part--Walk before me, and be thou perfect. And then when
effectual care was thus taken for the securing of Abraham's seed, to be
a seed to serve the Lord, they began to multiply: Isaac begat Jacob,
and Jacob the twelve patriarchs, or roots of the respective tribes.
Secondly, Joseph, the darling and blessing of his father's house, was
abused by his brethren; they envied him because of his dreams, and sold
him into Egypt. Thus early did the children of Israel begin to grudge
those among them that were eminent and outshone others, of which their
enmity to Christ, who, like Joseph, was a Nazarite among his brethren,
was a great instance.
Thirdly, God owned Joseph in his troubles, and was with him (Gen.
xxxix. 2, 21), by the influence of his Spirit, both on his mind, giving
him comfort, and on the minds of those he was concerned with, giving
him favour in their eyes. And thus at length he delivered him out of
his afflictions, and Pharaoh made him the second man in the kingdom,
Ps. cv. 20-22. And thus he not only arrived at great preferment among
the Egyptians, but became the shepherd and stone of Israel, Gen. xlix.
24.
Fourthly, Jacob was compelled to go down into Egypt, by a famine which
forced him out of Canaan, a dearth (which was a great affliction), to
that degree that our fathers found no sustenance in Canaan, v. 11. That
fruitful land was turned into barrenness. But, hearing that there was
corn in Egypt (treasured up by the wisdom of his own son), he sent out
our fathers first to fetch corn, v. 12. And the second time that they
went, Joseph, who at first made himself strange to them, made himself
known to them, and it was notified to Pharaoh that they were Joseph's
kindred and had a dependence upon him (v. 13), whereupon, with
Pharaoh's leave, Joseph sent for his father Jacob to him into Egypt,
with all his kindred and family, to the number of seventy-five souls,
to be subsisted there, v. 13. In Genesis they are said to be seventy
souls, Gen. xlvi. 27. But the Septuagint there makes them seventy-five,
and Stephen or Luke follows that version, as Luke iii. 36, where Cainan
is inserted, which is not in the Hebrew text, but in the Septuagint.
Some, by excluding Joseph and his sons, who were in Egypt before (which
reduces the number to sixty-four), and adding the sons of the eleven
patriarch, make the number seventy-five.
Fifthly, Jacob and his sons died in Egypt (v. 15), but were carried
over to be buried in Canaan, v. 16. A very considerable difficulty
occurs here: it is said, They were carried over into Sychem, whereas
Jacob was buried not in Sychem, but near Hebron, in the cave of
Machpelah, where Abraham and Isaac were buried, Gen. l. 13. Joseph's
bones indeed were buried in Sychem (Josh. xxiv. 32), and it seems by
this (though it is not mentioned in the story) that the bones of all
the other patriarchs were carried with his, each of them giving the
same commandment concerning them that he had done; and of them this
must be understood, not of Jacob himself. But then the sepulchre in
Sychem was bought by Jacob (Gen. xxxiii. 19), and by this it is
described, Josh. xxiv. 32. How then is it here said to be bought by
Abraham? Dr. Whitby's solution of this is very sufficient. He supplies
it thus: Jacob went down into Egypt and died, he and our fathers; and
(our fathers) were carried over into Sychem; and he, that is, Jacob,
was laid in the sepulchre that Abraham brought for a sum of money, Gen.
xxiii. 16. (Or, they were laid there, that is, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob.) And they, namely, the other patriarchs, were buried in the
sepulchre bought of the sons of Emmor, the father of Sychem.
Let us now see what this is to Stephen's purpose. 1. He still reminds
them of the mean beginning of the Jewish nation, as a check to their
priding themselves in the glories of that nation; and that it was by a
miracle of mercy that they were raised up out of nothing to what they
were, from so small a number to be so great a nation; but, if they
answer not the intention of their being so raised, they can expect no
other than to be destroyed. The prophets frequently put them in mind of
the bringing of them out of Egypt, as a aggravation of their contempt
of the law of God, and here it is urged upon them as an aggravation of
their contempt of the gospel of Christ. 2. He reminds them likewise of
the wickedness of those that were the patriarchs of their tribes, in
envying their brother Joseph, and selling him into Egypt; and the same
spirit was still working in them towards Christ and his ministers. 3.
Their holy land, which they doted so much upon, their fathers were long
kept out of the possession of, and met with dearth and great affliction
in it; and therefore let them not think it strange if, after it has
been so long polluted with sin, it be at length destroyed. 4. The faith
of the patriarchs in desiring to be buried in the land of Canaan
plainly showed that they had an eye to the heavenly country, to which
it was the design of this Jesus to lead them.
Stephen's Address.
17 But when the time of the promise drew nigh, which God had sworn to
Abraham, the people grew and multiplied in Egypt, 18 Till another
king arose, which knew not Joseph. 19 The same dealt subtilly with
our kindred, and evil entreated our fathers, so that they cast out
their young children, to the end they might not live. 20 In which
time Moses was born, and was exceeding fair, and nourished up in his
father's house three months: 21 And when he was cast out, Pharaoh's
daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son. 22 And Moses
was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words
and in deeds. 23 And when he was full forty years old, it came into
his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel. 24 And seeing
one of them suffer wrong, he defended him, and avenged him that was
oppressed, and smote the Egyptian: 25 For he supposed his brethren
would have understood how that God by his hand would deliver them: but
they understood not. 26 And the next day he showed himself unto them
as they strove, and would have set them at one again, saying, Sirs, ye
are brethren; why do ye wrong one to another? 27 But he that did his
neighbour wrong thrust him away, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a
judge over us? 28 Wilt thou kill me, as thou diddest the Egyptian
yesterday? 29 Then fled Moses at this saying, and was a stranger in
the land of Madian, where he begat two sons.
Stephen here goes on to relate,
I. The wonderful increase of the people of Israel in Egypt; it was by a
wonder of providence that in a little time they advanced from a family
into a nation. 1. It was when the time of the promise drew nigh--the
time when they were to be formed into a people. During the first two
hundred and fifteen years after the promise made to Abraham, the
children of the covenant were increased but to seventy; but in the
latter two hundred and fifteen years they increased to six hundred
thousand fighting men. The motion of providence is sometimes quickest
when it comes nearest the centre. Let us not be discouraged at the
slowness of the proceedings towards the accomplishment of God's
promises; God knows how to redeem the time that seems to have been
lost, and, when the year of the redeemed is at hand, can do a double
work in a single day. 2. It was in Egypt, where they were oppressed,
and ruled with rigour; when their lives were made so bitter to them
that, one would think, they should have wished to be written childless,
yet they married, in faith that God in due time would visit them; and
God blessed them, who thus honoured him, saying, Be fruitful, and
multiply. Suffering times have often been growing times with the
church.
II. The extreme hardships which they underwent there, v. 18, 19. When
the Egyptians observed them to increase in number they increased their
burdens, in which Stephen observes three things:--1. Their base
ingratitude: They were oppressed by another king that knew not Joseph,
that is, did not consider the good service that Joseph had done to that
nation; for, if he had, he would not have made so ill a requital to his
relations and family. Those that injure good people are very
ungrateful, for they are the blessings of the age and place they live
in. 2. Their hellish craft and policy: They dealt subtly with our
kindred. Come on, said they, let us deal wisely, thinking thereby to
secure themselves, but it proved dealing foolishly, for they did but
treasure up wrath by it. Those are in a great mistake who think they
deal wisely for themselves when they deal deceitfully or unmercifully
with their brethren. 3. Their barbarous and inhuman cruelty. That they
might effectually extirpate them, they cast out their young children,
to the end they might not live. The killing of their infant seed seemed
a very likely way to crush an infant nation. Now Stephen seems to
observe this to them, not only that they might further see how mean
their beginnings were, fitly represented (perhaps with an eye to the
exposing of the young children in Egypt) by the forlorn state of a
helpless, out-cast infant (Ezek. xvi. 4), and how much they were
indebted to God for his care of them, which they had forfeited, and
made themselves unworthy of: but also that they might consider that
what they were now doing against the Christian church in its infancy
was as impious and unjust, and would be in the issue as fruitless and
ineffectual, as that was which the Egyptians did against the Jewish
church in its infancy. "You think you deal subtly in your ill treatment
of us, and, in persecuting young converts, you do as they did in
casting out the young children; but you will find it is to no purpose,
in spite of your malice Christ's disciples will increase and multiply."
III. The raising up of Moses to be their deliverer. Stephen was charged
with having spoken blasphemous words against Moses, in answer to which
charge he here speaks very honourably of him. 1. Moses was born when
the persecution of Israel was at the hottest, especially in that most
cruel instance of it, the murdering of the new-born children: At that
time, Moses was born (v. 20), and was himself in danger, as soon as he
came into the world (as our Saviour also was at Bethlehem) of falling a
sacrifice to that bloody edict. God is preparing for his people's
deliverance, when their way is darkest, and their distress deepest. 2.
He was exceedingly fair; his face began to shine as soon as he was
born, as a happy presage of the honour God designed to put upon him; he
was asteios to Theo--fair towards God; he was sanctified from the womb,
and this made him beautiful in God's eyes; for it is the beauty of
holiness that is in God's sight of great price. 3. He was wonderfully
preserved in his infancy, first, by the care of his tender parents, who
nourished him three months in their own house, as long as they durst;
and then by a favourable providence that threw him into the arms of
Pharaoh's daughter, who took him up, and nourished him as her own son
(v. 21); for those whom God designs to make special use of he will take
special care of. And did he thus protect the child Moses? Much more
will he secure the interests of his holy child Jesus (as he is called
ch. iv. 27) from the enemies that are gathered together against him. 4.
He became a great scholar (v. 22): He was learned in all the wisdom of
the Egyptians, who were then famed for all manner of polite literature,
particularly philosophy, astronomy, and (which perhaps helped to lead
them to idolatry) hieroglyphics. Moses, having his education at court,
had opportunity of improving himself by the best books, tutors, and
conversation, in all the arts and sciences, and had a genius for them.
Only we have reason to think that he had not so far forgotten the God
of his fathers as to acquaint himself with the unlawful studies and
practices of the magicians of Egypt, any further than was necessary to
the confuting of them. 5. He became a prime minister of state in Egypt.
This seems to be meant by his being mighty in words and deeds. Though
he had not a ready way of expressing himself, but stammered, yet he
spoke admirably good sense, and every thing he said commanded assent,
and carried its own evidence and force of reason along with it; and, in
business, none went on with such courage, and conduct, and success.
Thus was he prepared, by human helps, for those services, which, after
all, he could not be thoroughly furnished for without divine
illumination. Now, by all this, Stephen will make it appear that,
notwithstanding the malicious insinuations of his persecutors, he had
as high and honourable thoughts of Moses as they had.
IV. The attempts which Moses made to deliver Israel, which they
spurned, and would not close in with. This Stephen insists much upon,
and it serves for a key to this story (Exod. ii. 11-15), as does also
that other construction which is put upon it by the apostle, Heb. xi.
24-26. There it is represented as an act of holy self-denial, here as a
designed prelude to, or entrance upon, the public service he was to be
called out to (v. 23): When he was full forty years old, in the prime
of his time for preferment in the court of Egypt, it came into his
heart (for God put it there) to visit his brethren the children of
Israel, and to see which way he might do them any service; and he
showed himself as a public person, with a public character. 1. As
Israel's saviour. This he gave a specimen of in avenging an oppressed
Israelite, and killing the Egyptian that abused him (v. 24). Seeing one
of his brethren suffer wrong, he was moved with compassion towards the
sufferer, and a just indignation at the wrong-doer, as men in public
stations should be, and he avenged him that was oppressed, and smote
the Egyptian, which, if he had been only a private person, he could not
lawfully have done; but he knew that his commission from heaven would
bear him out, and he supposed that his brethren (who could not but have
some knowledge of the promise made to Abraham, that the nation that
should oppress them God would judge) would have understood that God by
his hand would deliver them; for he could not have had either presence
of mind or strength of body to do what he did, if he had not been
clothed with such a divine power as evinced a divine authority. If they
had but understood the signs of the times, they might have taken this
for the dawning of the day of their deliverance; but they understood
not, they did not take this, as it was designed, for the setting up of
a standard, and sounding of a trumpet, to proclaim Moses their
deliverer. 2. As Israel's judge. This he gave a specimen of, the very
next day, in offering to accommodate matters between two contending
Hebrews, wherein he plainly assumed a public character (v. 26): He
showed himself to them as they strove, and, putting on an air of
majesty and authority, he would have set them at one again, and as
their prince have determined the controversy between them, saying,
Sirs, you are brethren, by birth and profession of religion; why do you
wrong one to another? For he observed that (as in most strifes) there
was a fault on both sides; and therefore, in order to peace and
friendship, there must be a mutual remission and condescension. When
Moses was to be Israel's deliverer out of Egypt, he slew the Egyptians,
and so delivered Israel out of their hands; but, when he was to be
Israel's judge and lawgiver, he ruled them with the golden sceptre, not
the iron rod; he did not kill and slay them when they strove, but gave
them excellent laws and statutes, and decided upon their complaints and
appeals made to him, Exod. xviii. 16. But the contending Israelite that
was most in the wrong thrust him away (v. 27), would not bear the
reproof, though a just and gentle one, but was ready to fly in his
face, with, Who made thee a ruler and a judge over us? Proud and
litigious spirits are impatient of check and control. Rather would
these Israelites have their bodies ruled with rigour by their
task-masters than be delivered, and have their minds ruled with reason,
by their deliverer. The wrong-doer was so enraged at the reproof given
him that he upbraided Moses with the service he had done to their
nation in killing the Egyptian, which, if they had pleased, would have
been the earnest of further and greater service: Wilt thou kill me, as
thou didst the Egyptian yesterday? v. 28, charging that upon him as his
crime, and threatening to accuse him for it, which was the hanging out
of the flag of defiance to the Egyptians, and the banner of love and
deliverance to Israel. Hereupon Moses fled into the land of Midian, and
made no further attempt to deliver Israel till forty years after; he
settled as a stranger in Midian, married, and had two sons, by Jethro's
daughter, v. 29.
Now let us see how this serves Stephen's purpose. 1. They charged him
with blaspheming Moses, in answer to which he retorts upon them the
indignities which their fathers did to Moses, which they ought to be
ashamed of, and humbled for, instead of picking quarrels thus, under
pretence of zeal for the honour of Moses, with one that had as great a
veneration for him as any of them had. 2. They persecuted him for
disputing in defence of Christ and his gospel, in opposition to which
they set up Moses and his law: "But," saith he, "you had best take
heed," (1.) "Lest you hereby do as your fathers did, refuse and reject
one whom God has raised up to be to you a prince and a Saviour; you may
understand, if you will not wilfully shut your eyes against the light,
that God will, by this Jesus, deliver you out of a worse slavery than
that in Egypt; take heed then of thrusting him away, but receive him as
a ruler and a judge over you." (2.) "Lest you hereby fare as your
fathers fared, who for this were very justly left to die in their
slavery, for the deliverance came not till forty years after. This will
be the issue of it, you put away the gospel from you, and it will be
sent to the Gentiles; you will not have Christ, and you shall not have
him, so shall your doom be." Matt. xxiii. 38, 39.
Stephen's Address.
30 And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the
wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a
bush. 31 When Moses saw it, he wondered at the sight: and as he drew
near to behold it, the voice of the Lord came unto him, 32 Saying, I
am the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac,
and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold. 33
Then said the Lord to him, Put off thy shoes from thy feet: for the
place where thou standest is holy ground. 34 I have seen, I have seen
the affliction of my people which is in Egypt, and I have heard their
groaning, and am come down to deliver them. And now come, I will send
thee into Egypt. 35 This Moses whom they refused, saying, Who made
thee a ruler and a judge? the same did God send to be a ruler and a
deliverer by the hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush.
36 He brought them out, after that he had showed wonders and signs in
the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty
years. 37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel,
A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren,
like unto me; him shall ye hear. 38 This is he, that was in the
church in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount
Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give
unto us: 39 To whom our fathers would not obey, but thrust him from
them, and in their hearts turned back again into Egypt, 40 Saying
unto Aaron, Make us gods to go before us: for as for this Moses, which
brought us out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him.
41 And they made a calf in those days, and offered sacrifice unto the
idol, and rejoiced in the works of their own hands.
Stephen here proceeds in his story of Moses; and let any one judge
whether these are the words of one that was a blasphemer of Moses or
no; nothing could be spoken more honourably of him. Here is,
I. The vision which he saw of the glory of God at the bush (v. 30):
When forty years had expired (during all which time Moses was buried
alive in Midian, and was now grown old, and one would think past
service), that it might appear that all his performances were products
of a divine power and promise (as it appeared that Isaac was a child of
promise by his being born of parents stricken in years), now, at eighty
years old, he enters upon that post of honour to which he was born, in
recompence for his self-denial at forty years old. Observe, 1. Where
God appeared to him: In the wilderness of Mount Sinai, v. 30. And, when
he appeared to him there, that was holy ground (v. 33), which Stephen
takes notice of, as a check to those who prided themselves in the
temple, that holy place, as if there were no communion to be had with
God but there; whereas God met Moses, and manifested himself to him, in
a remote obscure place in the wilderness of Sinai. They deceive
themselves if they think God is confined to places; he can bring his
people into a wilderness, and there speak comfortably to them. 2. How
he appeared to him: In a flame of fire (for our God is a consuming
fire), and yet the bush, in which this fire was, though combustible
matter, was not consumed, which, as it represented the state of Israel
in Egypt (where, though they were in the fire of affliction, yet they
were not consumed), so perhaps it may be looked upon as a type of
Christ's incarnation, and the union between the divine and human
nature: God, manifested in the flesh, was as the flame of fire
manifested in the bush. 3. How Moses was affected with this: (1.) He
wondered at the sight, v. 31. It was a phenomenon with the solution of
which all his Egyptian learning could not furnish him. He had the
curiosity at first to pry into it: I will turn aside now, and see this
great sight; but the nearer he drew the more he was struck with
amazement; and, (2.) He trembled, and durst not behold, durst not look
stedfastly upon it; for he was soon aware that it was not a fiery
meteor, but the angel of the Lord; and no other than the Angel of the
covenant, the Son of God himself. This set him a trembling. Stephen was
accused for blaspheming Moses and God (ch. vi. 11), as if Moses had
been a little god; but by this it appears that he was a man, subject to
like passions as we are, and particularly that of fear, upon any
appearance of the divine majesty and glory.
II. The declaration which he heard of the covenant of God (v. 32): The
voice of the Lord came to him; for faith comes by hearing; and this was
it: I am the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; and therefore, 1. "I
am the same that I was." The covenant God made with Abraham some ages
ago was, I will be to thee a God, a God all-sufficient. "Now," saith
God, "that covenant is still in full force; it is not cancelled nor
forgotten, but I am, as I was, the God of Abraham, and now I will make
it to appear so;" for all the favours, all the honours God put upon
Israel, were founded upon this covenant with Abraham, and flowed from
it. 2. "I will be the same that I am." For if the death of Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob, cannot break the covenant-relation between God and
them (as by this it appears it cannot), then nothing else can: and then
he will be a God, (1.) To their souls, which are now separated from
their bodies. Our Saviour by this proves the future state, Matt. xxii.
31, 32. Abraham is dead, and yet God is still his God, therefore
Abraham is still alive. God never did that for him in this world which
would answer the true intent and full extent of that promise, that he
would be the God of Abraham; and therefore it must be done for him in
the other world. Now this is that life and immortality which are
brought to light by the gospel, for the full conviction of the
Sadducees, who denied it. Those therefore who stood up in defence of
the gospel, and endeavoured to propagate it, were so far from
blaspheming Moses that they did the greatest honour imaginable to
Moses, and that glorious discovery which God made of himself to him at
the bush. (2.) To their seed. God, in declaring himself thus the God of
their fathers, intimated his kindness to their seed, that they should
be beloved for the fathers' sakes, Rom. xi. 28; Deut. vii. 8. Now the
preachers of the gospel preached up this covenant, the promise made of
God unto the fathers; unto which promise those of the twelve tribes
that did continue serving God hoped to come, ch. xxvi. 6, 7. And shall
they, under colour of supporting the holy place and the law, oppose the
covenant which was made with Abraham and his seed, his spiritual seed,
before the law was given, and long before the holy place was built?
Since God's glory must be for ever advanced, and our glorying for ever
silenced, God will have our salvation to be by promise, and not by the
law; the Jews therefore who persecuted the Christians, under pretence
that they blasphemed the law, did themselves blaspheme the promise, and
forsook all their own mercies that were contained in it.
III. The commission which God gave him to deliver Israel out of Egypt.
The Jews set up Moses in competition with Christ, and accused Stephen
as a blasphemer because he did not do so too. But Stephen here shows
that Moses was an eminent type of Christ, as he was Israel's deliverer.
When God had declared himself the God of Abraham he proceeded, 1. To
order Moses into a reverent posture: "Put off thy shoes from thy feet.
Enter not upon sacred things with low, and cold, and common thoughts.
Keep thy foot, Eccl. v. 1. Be not hasty and rash in thy approaches to
God; tread softly." 2. To order Moses into a very eminent service. When
he is ready to receive commands, he shall have commission. He is
commissioned to demand leave from Pharaoh for Israel to go out of his
land, and to enforce that demand, v. 34. Observe, (1.) The notice God
took both of their sufferings and of their sense of their sufferings: I
have seen, I have seen their affliction, and have heard their groaning.
God has a compassionate regard to the troubles of his church, and the
groans of his persecuted people; and their deliverance takes rise from
his pity. (2.) The determination he fixed to redeem them by the hand of
Moses: I am come down to deliver them. It should seem, though God is
present in all places, yet he uses that expression here of coming down
to deliver them because that deliverance was typical of what Christ
did, when, for us men, and for our salvation, he came down from heaven;
he that ascended first descended. Moses is the man that must be
employed: Come, and I will send thee into Egypt: and, if God send him,
he will own him and give him success.
IV. His acting in pursuance of this commission, wherein he was a figure
of the Messiah. And Stephen takes notice here again of the slights they
had put upon him, the affronts they had given him, and their refusal to
have him to reign over them, as tending very much to magnify his agency
in their deliverance. 1. God put honour upon him whom they put contempt
upon (v. 35): This Moses whom they refused (whose kind offers and good
offices they rejected with scorn, saying, Who made thee a ruler and a
judge? Thou takest too much upon thee, thou son of Levi, Num. xvi. 3),
this same Moses did God send to be a ruler, and a deliverer, by the
hand of the angel which appeared to him in the bush. It may be
understood either that God sent to him by the hand of the angel going
along with him he became a complete deliverer. Now, by this example,
Stephen would intimate to the council that this Jesus whom they now
refused, as their fathers did Moses, saying, Who made thee a prophet
and a king? Who gave thee this authority? even this same has God
advanced to be a prince and a Saviour, a ruler and a deliverer; as the
apostles had told them awhile ago (ch. v. 30, 31), that the stone which
the builders refused was become the head-stone in the corner, ch. iv.
11. 2. God showed favour to them by him, and he was very forward to
serve them, though they had thrust him away. God might justly have
refused them his service, and he might justly have declined it; but it
is all forgotten: they are not so much as upbraided with it, v. 36. He
brought them out, notwithstanding, after he had shown wonders and signs
in the land of Egypt (which were afterwards continued for the
completing of their deliverance, according as the case called for them)
in the Red Sea and in the wilderness forty years. So far is he from
blaspheming Moses that he admires him as a glorious instrument in the
hand of God for the forming of the Old-Testament church. But it does
not at all derogate from his just honour to say that he was but an
instrument, and that he is outshone by this Jesus, whom he encourages
these Jews yet to close with, and to come into his interest, not
fearing but that then they should be received into his favour, and
receive benefit by him, as the people of Israel were delivered by
Moses, though they had once refused him.
V. His prophecy of Christ and his grace, v. 37. He not only was a type
of Christ (many were so that perhaps had not an actual foresight of his
day), but Moses spoke of him (v. 37): This is that Moses who said unto
the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto
you of your brethren. This is spoken of as one of the greatest honours
God put upon him (nay, as that which exceeded all the rest), that by
him he gave notice to the children of Israel of the great prophet that
should come into the world, raised their expectation of him, and
required them to receive him. When his bringing them out of Egypt is
spoken of it is with an emphasis of honour, This is that Moses, Exod.
vi. 26. And so it is here, This is that Moses. Now this is very full to
Stephen's purpose; in asserting that Jesus should change the customs of
the ceremonial law, he was so far from blaspheming Moses that really he
did him the greatest honour imaginable, by showing how the prophecy of
Moses was accomplished, which was so clear, that, as Christ told them
himself, If they had believed Moses, they would have believed him, John
v. 46. 1. Moses, in God's name, told them that, in the fulness of time,
they should have a prophet raised up among them, one of their own
nation, that should be like unto him (Deut. xviii. 15, 18),--a ruler
and a deliverer, a judge and a lawgiver, like him,--who should
therefore have authority to change the customs that he had delivered,
and to bring in a better hope, as the Mediator of a better testament.
2. He charged them to hear that prophet, to receive his dictates, to
admit the change he would make in their customs, and to submit to him
in every thing; "and this will be the greatest honour you can do to
Moses and to his law, who said, Hear you him; and came to be a witness
to the repetition of this charge by a voice from heaven, at the
transfiguration of Christ, and by his silence gave consent to it,"
Matt. xvii. 5.
VI. The eminent services which Moses continued to do to the people of
Israel, after he had been instrumental to bring them out of Egypt, v.
38. And herein also he was a type of Christ, who yet so far exceeds him
that it is no blasphemy to say, "He has authority to change the customs
that Moses delivered." It was the honour of Moses, 1. That he was in
the church in the wilderness; he presided in all the affairs of it for
forty years, was king in Jeshurun, Deut. xxxiii. 5. The camp of Israel
is here called the church in the wilderness; for it was a sacred
society, incorporated by a divine charter under a divine government,
and blessed with divine revelation. The church in the wilderness was a
church, though it was not yet perfectly formed, as it was to be when
they came to Canaan, but every man did that which was right in his own
eyes, Deut. xii. 8, 9. It was the honour of Moses that he was in that
church, and many a time it had been destroyed if Moses had not been in
it to intercede for it. But Christ is the president and guide of a more
excellent and glorious church than that in the wilderness was, and is
more in it, as the life and soul of it, than Moses could be in that. 2.
That he was with the angel that spoke to him in the mount Sinai, and
with our fathers--was with him in the holy mount twice forty days, with
the angel of the covenant, Michael, our prince. Moses was immediately
conversant with God, but never lay in his bosom as Christ did from
eternity. Or these words may be taken thus: Moses was in the church in
the wilderness, but it was with the angel that spoke to him in mount
Sinai, that is, at the burning bush; for that was said to be at mount
Sinai (v. 30); that angel went before him, and was guide to him, else
he could not have been a guide to Israel; of this God speaks (Exod.
xxiii. 20), I send an angel before thee, and Exod. xxxiii. 2. And see
Num. xx. 16. He was in the church with the angel, without whom he could
have done no service to the church; but Christ is himself that angel
which was with the church in the wilderness, and therefore has an
authority above Moses. 3. That he received the lively oracles to give
unto them; not only the ten commandments, but the other instructions
which the Lord spoke unto Moses, saying, Speak them to the children of
Israel. (1.) The words of God are oracles, certain and infallible, and
of unquestionable authority and obligation; they are to be consulted as
oracles, and by them all controversies must be determined. (2.) They
are lively oracles, for they are the oracles of the living God, not of
the dumb and dead idols of the heathens: the word that God speaks is
spirit and life; not that the law of Moses could give life, but it
showed the way to life: If thou wilt enter into life, keep the
commandments. (3.) Moses received them from God, and delivered nothing
as an oracle to the people but what he had first received from God.
(4.) The lively oracles which he received from God he faithfully gave
to the people, to be observed and preserved. It was the principal
privilege of the Jews that to them were committed the oracles of God;
and it was by the hand of Moses that they were committed. As Moses gave
them not that bread, so neither did he give them that law from heaven
(John vi. 32), but God gave it to them; and he that gave them those
customs by his servant Moses might, no doubt, when he pleased, change
the customs by his Son Jesus, who received more lively oracles to give
unto us than Moses did.
VII. The contempt that was, after this, and notwithstanding this, put
upon him by the people. Those that charged Stephen with speaking
against Moses would do well to answer what their own ancestors had
done, and they tread in their ancestors' steps. 1. They would not obey
him, but thrust him from them, v. 39. They murmured at him, mutinied
against him, refused to obey his orders, and sometimes were ready to
stone him. Moses did indeed give them an excellent law, but by this it
appeared that it could not make the comers there unto perfect (Heb. x.
1), for in their hearts they turned back again into Egypt, and
preferred their garlic and onions there before the manna they had under
the guidance of Moses, or the milk and honey they hoped for in Canaan.
Observe, Their secret disaffection to Moses, with their inclination to
Egyptianism, if I may so call it. This was, in effect, turning back to
Egypt; it was doing it in heart. Many that pretend to be going forward
towards Canaan, by keeping up a show and profession of religion, are,
at the same time, in their hearts turning back to Egypt, like Lot's
wife to Sodom, and will be dealt with as deserters, for it is the heart
that God looks at. Now, if the customs that Moses delivered to them
could not prevail to change them, wonder not that Christ comes to
change the customs, and to introduce a more spiritual way of worship.
2. They made a golden calf instead of him, which besides the affront
that was thereby offered to God, was a great indignity to Moses: for it
was upon this consideration that they made the calf, because "as for
this Moses, who brought us out of the land of Egypt, we know not what
is become of him; therefore make us gods of gold;" as if a calf were
sufficient to supply the want of Moses, and as capable of going before
them into the promised land. So they made a calf in those days when the
law was given them, and offered sacrifices unto the idol, and rejoiced
in the work of their own hands. So proud were they of their new god
that when they had sat down to eat and drink, they rose up to play! By
all this it appears that there was a great deal which the law could not
do, in that it was weak through the flesh; it was therefore necessary
that this law should be perfected by a better hand, and he was no
blasphemer against Moses who said that Christ had done it.
Stephen's Address.
42 Then God turned, and gave them up to worship the host of heaven; as
it is written in the book of the prophets, O ye house of Israel, have
ye offered to me slain beasts and sacrifices by the space of forty
years in the wilderness? 43 Yea, ye took up the tabernacle of Moloch,
and the star of your god Remphan, figures which ye made to worship
them: and I will carry you away beyond Babylon. 44 Our fathers had
the tabernacle of witness in the wilderness, as he had appointed,
speaking unto Moses, that he should make it according to the fashion
that he had seen. 45 Which also our fathers that came after brought
in with Jesus into the possession of the Gentiles, whom God drave out
before the face of our fathers, unto the days of David; 46 Who found
favour before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of
Jacob. 47 But Solomon built him a house. 48 Howbeit the most High
dwelleth not in temples made with hands; as saith the prophet, 49
Heaven is my throne, and earth is my footstool: what house will ye
build me? saith the Lord: or what is the place of my rest? 50 Hath
not my hand made all these things?
Two things we have in these verses:--
I. Stephen upbraids them with the idolatry of their fathers, which God
gave them up to, as a punishment for their early forsaking him in
worshipping the golden calf; and this was the saddest punishment of all
for that sin, as it was of the idolatry of the Gentile world that God
gave them up to a reprobate mind. When Israel was joined to idols,
joined to the golden calf, and not long after to Baal-peor, God said,
Let them alone; let them go on (v. 42): Then God turned, and gave them
up to worship the host of heaven. He particularly cautioned them not to
do it, at their peril, and gave them reasons why they should not; but,
when they were bent upon it, he gave them up to their own hearts; lust,
withdrew his restraining grace, and then they walked in their own
counsels, and were so scandalously mad upon their idols as never any
people were. Compare Deut. iv. 19 with Jer. viii. 2. For this he quotes
a passage out of Amos v. 25. For it would be less invidious to tell
them their own [character and doom] from an Old-Testament prophet, who
upbraids them,
1. For not sacrificing to their own God in the wilderness (v. 42): Have
you offered to me slain beasts, and sacrifices, by the space of forty
years in the wilderness? No; during all that time sacrifices to God
were intermitted; they did not so much as keep the passover after the
second year. It was God's condescension to them that he did not insist
upon it during their unsettled state; but then let them consider how
ill they requited him in offering sacrifices to idols, when God
dispensed with their offering them to him. This is also a check to
their zeal for the customs that Moses delivered to them, and their fear
of having them changed by this Jesus, that immediately after they were
delivered these customs were for forty years together disused as
needless things.
2. For sacrificing to other gods after they came to Canaan (v. 43): You
took up the tabernacle of Moloch. Moloch was the idol of the children
of Ammon, to which they barbarously offered their own children in
sacrifice, which they could not do without great terror and grief to
themselves and their families; yet this unnatural idolatry they arrived
at, when God gave them up to worship the host of heaven. See 2 Chron.
xxviii. 3. It was surely the strongest delusion that ever people were
given up to, and the greatest instance of the power of Satan in the
children of disobedience, and therefore it is here spoken of
emphatically: Yea, you took up the tabernacle of Moloch, you submitted
even to that, and to the worship of the star of your god Remphan. Some
think Remphan signifies the moon, as Moloch does the sun; others take
it for Saturn, for that planet is called Remphan in the Syriac and
Persian languages. The Septuagint puts it for Chiun, as being a name
more commonly known. They had images representing the star, like the
silver shrines for Diana, here called the figures which they made to
worship. Dr. Lightfoot thinks they had figures representing the whole
starry firmament, with all the constellations, and the planets, and
these are called Remphan--"the high representation," like the celestial
globe: a poor thing to make an idol of, and yet better than a golden
calf! Now for this it is threatened, I will carry you away beyond
Babylon. In Amos it is beyond Damascus, meaning to Babylon, the land of
the north. But Stephen changes it, with an eye to the captivity of the
ten tribes, who were carried away beyond Babylon, by the river of
Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, 2 Kings xvii. 6. Let it not
therefore seem strange to them to hear of the destruction of this
place, for they had heard of it many a time from the prophets of the
Old Testament, who were not therefore accused as blasphemers by any but
the wicked rulers. It was observed, in the debate on Jeremiah's case,
that Micah was not called to an account though he prophesied, saying,
Zion shall be ploughed as a field, Jer. xxvi. 18, 19.
II. He gives an answer particularly to the charge exhibited against him
relating to the temple, that he spoke blasphemous words against that
holy place, v. 44-50. He was accused for saying that Jesus would
destroy this holy place: "And what if I did say so?" (saith Stephen)
"the glory of the holy God is not bound up in the glory of this holy
place, but that may be preserved untouched, though this be laid in the
dust;" for, 1. "It was not till our fathers came into the wilderness,
in their way to Canaan, that they had any fixed place of worship; and
yet the patriarchs, many ages before, worshipped God acceptably at the
altars they had adjoining to their own tents in the open air--sub dio;
and he that was worshipped without a holy place in the first, and best,
and purest ages of the Old-Testament church, may and will be so when
this holy place is destroyed, without any diminution to his glory." 2.
The holy place was at first but a tabernacle, mean and movable, showing
itself to be short-lived, and not designed to continue always. Why
might not this holy place, though built of stones, be decently brought
to its end, and give place to its betters, as well as that though
framed of curtains? As it was no dishonour, but an honour to God, that
the tabernacle gave way to the temple, so it is now that the material
temple gives way to the spiritual one, and so it will be when, at last,
the spiritual temple shall give way to the eternal one. 3. That
tabernacle was a tabernacle of witness, or of testimony, a figure of
good things to come, of the true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and
not men, Heb. viii. 2. This was the glory both of the tabernacle and
temple, that they were erected for a testimony of that temple of God
which in the latter days should be opened in heaven (Rev. xi. 19), and
of Christ's tabernacling on earth (as the word is, John i. 14), and of
the temple of his body. 4. That tabernacle was framed just as God
appointed, and according to the fashion which Moses saw in the mount,
which plainly intimates that it had reference to good things to come.
Its rise being heavenly, its meaning and tendency were so; and
therefore it was no diminution at all to its glory to say that this
temple made with hands should be destroyed, in order to the building of
another made without hands, which was Christ's crime (Mark xiv. 58),
and Stephen's. 5. That tabernacle was pitched first in the wilderness;
it was not a native of this land of yours (to which you think it must
for ever be confined), but was brought in in the next age, by our
fathers, who came after those who first erected it, into the possession
of the Gentiles, into the land of Canaan, which had long been in the
possession of the devoted nations whom God drove out before the face of
our fathers. And why may not God set up his spiritual temple, as he had
done the material tabernacle, in those countries that were now the
possession of the Gentiles? That tabernacle was brought in by those who
came with Jesus, that is, Joshua. And I think, for distinction sake,
and to prevent mistakes, it ought to be so read, both here and Heb. iv.
8. Yet in naming Joshua here, which in Greek is Jesus, there may be a
tacit intimation that as the Old-Testament Joshua brought in that
typical tabernacle, so the New-Testament Joshua should bring in the
true tabernacle into the possession of the Gentiles. 6. That tabernacle
continued for many ages, even to the days of David, above four hundred
years, before there was any thought of building a temple, v. 45. David,
having found favour before God, did indeed desire this further favour,
to have leave to build God a house, to be a constant settled
tabernacle, or dwelling-place, for the Shechinah, or the tokens of the
presence of the God of Jacob, v. 46. Those who have found favour with
God should show themselves forward to advance the interests of his
kingdom among men. 7. God had his heart so little upon a temple, or
such a holy place as they were so jealous for, that, when David desired
to build one, he was forbidden to do it; God was in no haste for one,
as he told David (2 Sam. vii. 7), and therefore it was not he, but his
son Solomon, some years after, that built him a house. David had all
that sweet communion with God in public worship which we read of in his
Psalms before there was any temple built. 8. God often declared that
temples made with hands were not his delight, nor could add any thing
to the perfection of his rest and joy. Solomon, when he dedicated the
temple, acknowledged that God dwelleth not in temples made with hands;
he has not need of them, is not benefited by them, cannot be confined
to them. The whole world is his temple, in which he is every where
present, and fills it with his glory; and what occasion has he for a
temple then to manifest himself in? Indeed the pretended deities of the
heathen needed temples made with hands, for they were gods made with
hands (v. 41), and had no other place to manifest themselves in than in
their own temples; but the one only true and living God needs no
temple, for the heaven is his throne, in which he rests, and the earth
is his footstool, over which he rules (v. 49, 50), and therefore, What
house will you build me, comparable to this which I have already? Or,
what is the place of my rest? What need have I of a house, either to
repose myself in or to show myself? Hath not my hand made all these
things? And these show his eternal power and Godhead (Rom. i. 20); they
so show themselves to all mankind that those who worship other gods are
without excuse. And as the world is thus God's temple, wherein he is
manifested, so it is God's temple in which he will be worshipped. As
the earth is full of his glory, and is therefore his temple (Isa. vi.
3), so the earth is, or shall be, full of his praise (Hab. iii. 3), and
all the ends of the earth shall fear him (Ps. lxvii. 7), and upon this
account it is his temple. It was therefore no reflection at all upon
this holy place, however they might take it, to say that Jesus should
destroy this temple, and set up another, into which all nations should
be admitted, ch. xv. 16, 17. And it would not seem strange to those who
considered that scripture which Stephen here quotes (Isa. lxvi. 1-3),
which, as it expressed God's comparative contempt of the external part
of his service, so it plainly foretold the rejection of the unbelieving
Jews, and the welcome of the Gentiles that were of a contrite spirit
into the church.
Stephen's Address.
51 Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always
resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. 52 Which of the
prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them
which showed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been
now the betrayers and murderers: 53 Who have received the law by the
disposition of angels, and have not kept it.
Stephen was going on in his discourse (as it should seem by the thread
of it) to show that, as the temple, so the temple-service must come to
an end, and it would be the glory of both to give way to that worship
of the Father in spirit and in truth which was to be established in the
kingdom of the Messiah, stripped of the pompous ceremonies of the old
law, and so he was going to apply all this which he had said more
closely to his present purpose; but he perceived they could not bear
it. They could patiently hear the history of the Old Testament told (it
was a piece of learning which they themselves dealt much in); but if
Stephen go about to tell them that their power and tyranny must come
down, and that the church must be governed by a spirit of holiness and
love, and heavenly-mindedness, they will not so much as give him the
hearing. It is probable that he perceived this, and that they were
going to silence him; and therefore he breaks off abruptly in the midst
of his discourse, and by that spirit of wisdom, courage, and power,
wherewith he was filled, he sharply rebuked his persecutors, and
exposed their true character; for, if they will not admit the testimony
of the gospel to them, it shall become a testimony against them.
I. They, like their fathers, were stubborn and wilful, and would not be
wrought upon by the various methods God took to reclaim and reform
them; they were like their fathers, inflexible both to the word of God
and to his providences. 1. They were stiff-necked (v. 51), and would
not submit their necks to the sweet and easy yoke of God's government,
nor draw in it, but were like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke; or
they would not bow their heads, no, not to God himself, would not do
obeisance to him, would not humble themselves before him. The stiff
neck is the same with the hard heart, obstinate and contumacious, and
that will not yield--the general character of the Jewish nation, Exod.
xxxii. 9; xxxiii. 3, 5; xxxiv. 9; Deut. ix. 6, 13; xxxi. 27; Ezek. ii.
4. 2. They were uncircumcised in heart and ears their hearts and ears
were not devoted and given up to God, as the body of the people were in
profession by the sign of circumcision: "In name and show you are
circumcised Jews, but in heart and ears you are still uncircumcised
heathens, and pay no more deference to the authority of your God than
they do, Jer. ix. 26. You are under the power of unmortified lusts and
corruptions, which stop your ears to the voice of God, and harden your
hearts to that which is both most commanding and most affecting." They
had not that circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body
of the sins of the flesh, Col. ii. 11.
II. They, like their fathers, were not only not influenced by the
methods God took to reform them, but they were enraged and incensed
against them: You do always resist the Holy Ghost. 1. They resisted the
Holy Ghost speaking to them by the prophets, whom they opposed and
contradicted, hated and ridiculed; this seems especially meant here, by
the following explication, Which of the prophets have not your fathers
persecuted? In persecuting and silencing those that spoke by the
inspiration of the Holy Ghost they resisted the Holy Ghost. Their
fathers resisted the Holy Ghost in the prophets that God raised up to
them, and so did they in Christ's apostles and ministers, who spoke by
the same Spirit, and had greater measures of his gifts than the
prophets of the Old Testament had, and yet were more resisted. 2. They
resisted the Holy Ghost striving with them by their own consciences,
and would not comply with the convictions and dictates of them. God's
Spirit strove with them as with the old world, but in vain; they
resisted him, took part with their corruptions against their
convictions, and rebelled against the light. There is that in our
sinful hearts that always resists the Holy Ghost, a flesh that lusts
against the Spirit, and wars against his motions; but in the hearts of
God's elect, when the fulness of time comes, this resistance is
overcomer and overpowered, and after a struggle the throne of Christ is
set up in the soul, and every thought that had exalted itself against
it is brought into captivity to it, 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. That grace
therefore which effects this change might more fitly be called
victorious grace than irresistible.
III. They, like their fathers, persecuted and slew those whom God sent
unto them to call them to duty, and make them offers of mercy. 1. Their
fathers had been the cruel and constant persecutors of the
Old-Testament prophets (v. 51): Which of the prophets have not your
fathers persecuted? More or less, one time or other, they had a blow at
them all. With regard even to those that lived in the best reigns, when
the princes did not persecute them, there was a malignant party in the
nation that mocked at them and abused them, and most of them were at
last, either by colour of law or popular fury, put to death; and that
which aggravated the sin of persecuting the prophets was, that the
business of the prophets they were so spiteful at was to show before of
the coming of the just One, to give notice of God's kind intentions
towards that people, to send the Messiah among them in the fulness of
time. Those that were the messengers of such glad tidings should have
been courted and caressed, and have had the preferments of the best of
benefactors; but, instead of this, they had the treatment of the worst
of malefactors. 2. They had been the betrayers and murderers of the
just One himself, as Peter had told them, ch. iii. 14, 15; v. 30. They
had hired Judas to betray him, and had in a manner forced Pilate to
condemn him; and therefore it is charged upon them that they were his
betrayers and murders. Thus they were the genuine seed of those who
slew the prophets that foretold his coming, which, by slaying him, they
showed they would have done if they had lived then; and thus, as our
Saviour had told them, they brought upon themselves the guilt of the
blood of all the prophets. To which of the prophets would those have
shown any respect who had no regard to the Son of God himself?
IV. They, like their fathers, put contempt upon divine revelation, and
would not be guided and governed by it; and this was the aggravation of
their sin, that God had given, as to their fathers his law, so to them
his gospel, in vain. 1. Their fathers received the law, and did not
observe it, v. 53. God wrote to them the great things of his law, after
he had first spoken them to them; and yet they were counted by them as
a strange or foreign thing, which they were no way concerned in. The
law is said to be received by the disposition of angels, because angels
were employed in the solemnity of giving the law, in the thunderings
and lightnings, and the sound of the trumpet. It is said to be ordained
by angels (Gal. iii. 19), God is said to come with ten thousand of his
saints to give the law (Deut. xxxiii. 2), and it was a word spoken by
angels, Heb. ii. 2. This put an honour both upon the law and the
Lawgiver, and should increase our veneration for both. But those that
thus received the law yet kept it not, but by making the golden calf
broke it immediately in a capital instance. 2. They received the gospel
now, by the disposition, not of angels, but of the Holy Ghost,--not
with the sound of a trumpet, but, which was more strange, in the gift
of tongues, and yet they did not embrace it. They would not yield to
the plainest demonstrations, any more than their fathers before them
did, for they were resolved not to comply with God either in his law or
in his gospel.
We have reason to think Stephen had a great deal more to say, and would
have said it if they would have suffered him; but they were wicked and
unreasonable men with whom he had to do, that could no more hear reason
than they could speak it.
Stephen's Martyrdom; Stephen's Dying Prayer.
54 When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart, and they
gnashed on him with their teeth. 55 But he, being full of the Holy
Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and
Jesus standing on the right hand of God, 56 And said, Behold, I see
the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of
God. 57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and stopped their
ears, and ran upon him with one accord, 58 And cast him out of the
city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a
young man's feet, whose name was Saul. 59 And they stoned Stephen,
calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And
he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to
their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
We have here the death of the first martyr of the Christian church, and
there is in this story a lively instance of the outrage and fury of the
persecutors (such as we may expect to meet with if we are called out to
suffer for Christ), and of the courage and comfort of the persecuted,
that are thus called out. Here is hell in its fire and darkness, and
heaven in its light and brightness; and these serve as foils to set off
each other. It is not here said that the votes of the council were
taken upon his case, and that by the majority he was found guilty, and
then condemned and ordered to be stoned to death, according to the law,
as a blasphemer; but, it is likely, so it was, and that it was not by
the violence of the people, without order of the council, that he was
put to death; for here is the usual ceremony of regular executions--he
was cast out of the city, and the hands of the witnesses were first
upon him.
Let us observe here the wonderful discomposure of the spirits of his
enemies and persecutors, and the wonderful composure of his spirit.
I. See the strength of corruption in the persecutors of Stephen--malice
in perfection, hell itself broken loose, men become incarnate devils,
and the serpent's seed spitting their venom.
1. When they heard these things they were cut to the heart (v. 54),
dieprionto, the same word that is used Heb. xi. 37, and translated they
were sawn asunder. They were put to as much torture in their minds as
ever the martyrs were put to in their bodies. They were filled with
indignation at the unanswerable arguments that Stephen urged for their
conviction, and that they could find nothing to say against them. They
were not pricked to the heart with sorrow, as those were ch. ii. 37,
but cut to the heart with rage and fury, as they themselves were, ch.
v. 33. Stephen rebuked them sharply, as Paul expresses it (Tit. i. 13),
apotomos--cuttingly, for they were cut to the heart by the reproof.
Note, Rejecters of the gospel and opposers of it are really tormentors
to themselves. Enmity to God is a heart-cutting thing; faith and love
are heart-healing. When they heard how he that looked like an angel
before he began his discourse talked like an angel, like a messenger
from heaven, before he concluded it, they were like a wild bull in a
net, full of the fury of the Lord, (Isa. li. 20), despairing to run
down a cause so bravely pleaded, and yet resolved not to yield to it.
2. They gnashed upon him with their teeth. This denotes, (1.) Great
malice and rage against him. Job complained of his enemy that he
gnashed upon him with his teeth, Job xvi. 9. The language of this was,
Oh that we had of his flesh to eat! Job xxxi. 31. They grinned at him,
as dogs at those they are enraged at; and therefore Paul, cautioning
against those of the circumcision, says, Beware of dogs, Phil. iii. 2.
Enmity at the saints turns men into brute beasts. (2.) Great vexation
within themselves; they fretted to see in him such manifest tokens of a
divine power and presence, and it vexed them to the heart. The wicked
shall see it and be grieved, he shall gnash with his teeth and melt
away, Ps. cxii. 10. Gnashing with the teeth is often used to express
the horror and torments of the damned. Those that have the malice of
hell cannot but have with it some of the pains of hell.
3. They cried out with a loud voice (v. 57), to irritate and excite one
another, and to drown the noise of the clamours of their own and one
another's consciences; when he said, I see heaven opened, they cried
with a loud voice, that he might not be heard to speak. Note, It is
very common for a righteous cause, particularly the righteous cause of
Christ's religion, to be attempted to be run down by noise and clamour;
what is wanting in reason is made up in tumult, and the cry of him that
ruleth among fools, while the words of the wise are heard in quiet.
They cried with a loud voice, as soldiers when they are going to engage
in battle, mustering up all their spirit and vigour for this desperate
encounter.
4. They stopped their ears, that they might not hear their own
noisiness; or perhaps under pretence that they could not bear to hear
his blasphemies. As Caiaphas rent his clothes when Christ said,
Hereafter you shall see the Son of man coming in glory (Matt. xxvi. 64,
65), so here these stopped their ears when Stephen said, I now see the
Son of man standing in glory, both pretending that what was spoken was
not to be heard with patience. Their stopping their ears was, (1.) A
manifest specimen of their wilful obstinacy; they were resolved they
would not hear what had a tendency to convince them, which was what the
prophets often complained of: they were like the deaf adder, that will
not hear the voice of the charmer, Ps. lviii. 4, 5. (2.) It was a fatal
omen of that judicial hardness to which God would give them up. They
stopped their ears, and then God, in a way of righteous judgment,
stopped them. This was the work that was now in doing with the
unbelieving Jews: Make the heart of this people fat, and their ears
heavy; thus was Stephen's character of them answered, You uncircumcised
in heart and ears.
5. They ran upon him with one accord--the people and the elders of the
people, judges, prosecutors, witnesses, and spectators, they all flew
upon him, as beasts upon their prey. See how violent they were, and in
what haste--they ran upon him, though there was no danger of his
outrunning them; and see how unanimous they were in this evil
thing--they ran upon him with one accord, one and all, hoping thereby
to terrify him, and put him into confusion, envying him his composure
and comfort in soul, with which he wonderfully enjoyed himself in the
midst of this hurry; they did all they could to ruffle him.
6. They cast him out of the city, and stoned him, as if he were not
worthy to live in Jerusalem; nay, not worthy to live in this world,
pretending herein to execute the law of Moses (Lev. xxiv. 16), He that
blasphemeth the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death, all the
congregation shall certainly stone him. And thus they had put Christ to
death, when this same court had found him guilty of blasphemy, but
that, for his greater ignominy, they were desirous he should be
crucified, and God overruled it for the fulfilling of the scripture.
The fury with which they managed the execution is intimated in this:
they cast him out of the city, as if they could not bear the sight of
him; they treated him as an anathema, as the offscouring of all things.
The witnesses against him were the leaders in the execution, according
to the law (Deut. xvii. 7), The hands of the witnesses shall be first
upon him, to put him to death, and particularly in the case of
blasphemy, Lev. xxiv. 14; Deut. xiii. 9. Thus they were to confirm
their testimony. Now, the stoning of a man being a laborious piece of
work, the witnesses took off their upper garments, that they might not
hang in their way, and they laid them down at a young man's feet, whose
name was Saul, now a pleased spectator of this tragedy. It is the first
time we find mention of his name; we shall know it and love it better
when we find it changed to Paul, and him changed from a persecutor into
a preacher. This little instance of his agency in Stephen's death he
afterwards reflected upon with regret (ch. xxii. 20): I kept the
raiment of those that slew him.
II. See the strength of grace in Stephen, and the wonderful instances
of God's favour to him, and working in him. As his persecutors were
full of Satan, so was he full of the Holy Ghost, fuller than ordinary,
anointed with fresh oil for the comb at, that, as the day, so might the
strength be. Upon this account those are blessed who are persecuted for
righteousness' sake, that the Spirit of God and of glory rests upon
them, 1 Pet. iv. 14. When he was chosen to public service, he was
described to be a man full of the Holy Ghost (ch. vi. 5), and now he is
called out to martyrdom he has still the same character. Note, Those
that are full of the Holy Ghost are fit for any thing, either to act
for Christ or to suffer for him. And those whom God calls out to
difficult services for his name he will qualify for those services, and
carry comfortably through them, by filling them with the Holy Ghost,
that, as their afflictions for Christ abound, their consolation in him
may yet more abound, and then none of these things move them. Now here
we have a remarkable communion between this blessed martyr and the
blessed Jesus in this critical moment. When the followers of Christ are
for his sake killed all the day long, and accounted as sheep for the
slaughter, does this separate them from the love of Christ? Does he
love them the less? Do they love him the less? No, by no means; and so
it appears by this narrative, in which we may observe.
1. Christ's gracious manifestation of himself to Stephen, both for his
comfort and for his honour, in the midst of his sufferings. When they
were cut to the heart, and gnashed upon him with their teeth, ready to
eat him up, then he had a view of the glory of Christ sufficient to
fill him with joy unspeakable, which was intended not only for his
encouragement, but for the support and comfort of all God's suffering
servants in all ages.
(1.) He, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into
heaven, v. 55. [1.] Thus he looked above the power and fury of his
persecutors, and did as it were despise them, and laugh them to scorn,
as the daughter of Zion, Isa. xxxvii. 22. They had their eyes fixed
upon him, full of malice and cruelty; but he looked up to heaven, and
never minded them, was so taken up with the eternal life now in
prospect that he seemed to have no manner of concern for the natural
life now at state. Instead of looking about him, to see either which
way he was in danger or which way he might make his escape, he looks up
to heaven; thence only comes his help, and thitherward his way is still
open; though they compass him about on every side, they cannot
interrupt his intercourse with heaven. Note, A believing regard to God
and the upper world will be of great use to us, to set us above the
fear of man; for as far as we are under the influence of that fear we
forget the Lord our Maker, Isa. li. 13. [2.] Thus he directed his
sufferings to the glory of God, to the honour of Christ, and did as it
were appeal to heaven concerning them (Lord, for thy sake I suffer
this) and express his earnest expectation that Christ should be
magnified in his body. Now that he was ready to be offered he looks up
stedfastly to heaven, as one willing to offer himself. [3.] Thus he
lifted up his soul with his eyes to God in the heavens, in pious
ejaculations, calling upon God for wisdom and grace to carry him
through this trial in a right manner. God has promised that he will be
with his servants whom he calls out to suffer for him; but he will for
this be sought unto. He is nigh unto them, but it is in that for which
they call upon him. Is any afflicted? Let him pray. [4.] Thus he
breathed after the heavenly country, to which he saw the fury of his
persecutors would presently send him. It is good for dying saints to
look up stedfastly to heaven: "Yonder is the place whither death will
carry my better part, and then, O death! where is thy sting?" [5.] Thus
he made it to appear that he was full of the Holy Ghost; for, wherever
the Spirit of grace dwells, and works, and reigns, he directs the eye
of the soul upward. Those that are full of the Holy Ghost will look up
stedfastly to heaven, for there their heart is. [6.] Thus he put
himself into a posture to receive the following manifestation of the
divine glory and grace. If we expect to hear from heaven, we must look
up stedfastly to heaven.
(2.) He saw the glory of God (v. 55); for he saw, in order to this, the
heavens opened, v. 56. Some think his eyes were strengthened, and the
sight of them so raised above its natural pitch, by a supernatural
power, that he saw into the third heavens, though at so vast a
distance, as Moses's sight was enlarged to see the whole land of
Canaan. Others think it was a representation of the glory of God set
before his eyes, as, before, Isaiah and Ezekiel; heaven did as it were
come down to him, as Rev. xxi. 2. The heavens were opened, to give him
a view of the happiness he was going to, that he might, in prospect of
it, go cheerfully through death, so great a death. Would we by faith
look up stedfastly, we might see the heavens opened by the mediation of
Christ, the veil being rent, and a new and living way laid open for us
into the holiest. The heaven is opened for the settling of a
correspondence between God and men, that his favours and blessings may
come down to us, and our prayers and praises may go up to him. We may
also see the glory of God, as far as he has revealed it in his word,
and the sight of this will carry us through all the terrors of
sufferings and death.
(3.) He saw Jesus standing on the right hand of God (v. 55), the Son of
man, so it is v. 56. Jesus, being the Son of man, having taken our
nature with him to heaven, and being there clothed with a body, might
be seen with bodily eyes, and so Stephen saw him. When the
Old-Testament prophets saw the glory of God it was attended with
angels. The Shechinah or divine presence in Isaiah's vision was
attended with seraphim, in Ezekiel's vision with cherubim, both
signifying the angels, the ministers of God's providence. But here no
mention is made of the angels, though they surround the throne and the
Lamb; instead of them Stephen sees Jesus at the right hand of God, the
great Mediator of God's grace, from whom more glory redounds to God
than from all the ministration of the holy angels. The glory of God
shines brightest in the face of Jesus Christ; for there shines the
glory of his grace, which is the most illustrious instance of his
glory. God appears more glorious with Jesus standing at his right hand
than with millions of angels about him. Now, [1.] Here is a proof of
the exaltation of Christ to the Father's right hand; the apostles saw
him ascend, but they did not see him sit down, A cloud received him out
of their sight. We are told that he sat down on the right hand of God;
but was he ever seen there? Yes, Stephen saw him there, and was
abundantly satisfied with the sight. He saw Jesus at the right hand of
God, denoting both his transcendent dignity and his sovereign dominion,
his uncontrollable ability and his universal agency; whatever God's
right hand gives to us, or receives from us, or does concerning us, it
is by him; for he is his right hand. [2.] He is usually said to sit
there; but Stephen sees him standing there, as one more than ordinarily
concerned at present for his suffering servant; he stood up as a judge
to plead his cause against his persecutors; he is raised up out of his
holy habitation (Zech. ii. 13), comes out of his place to punish, Isa.
xxvi. 21. He stands ready to receive him and crown him, and in the mean
time to give him a prospect of the joy set before him. [3.] This was
intended for the encouragement of Stephen. He sees Christ is for him,
and then no matter who is against him. When our Lord Jesus was in his
agony an angel appeared to him, strengthening him; but Stephen had
Christ himself appearing to him. Note, Nothing so comfortable to dying
saints, nor so animating to suffering saints, as to see Jesus at the
right hand of God; and, blessed be God, by faith we may see him there.
(4.) He told those about him what he saw (v. 56): Behold, I see the
heavens opened. That which was a cordial to him ought to have been a
conviction to them, and a caution to them to take heed of proceeding
against one upon whom heaven thus smiled; and therefore what he saw he
declared, let them make what use they pleased of it. If some were
exasperated by it, others perhaps might be wrought upon to consider
this Jesus whom they persecuted, and to believe in him.
2. Stephen's pious addresses to Jesus Christ. The manifestation of
God's glory to him did not set him above praying, but rather set him
upon it: They stoned Stephen, calling upon God, v. 59. Though he called
upon God, and by that showed himself to be a true-born Israelite, yet
they proceeded to stone him, not considering how dangerous it is to
fight against those who have an interest in heaven. Though they stoned
him, yet he called upon God; nay, therefore he called upon him. Note,
It is the comfort of those who are unjustly hated and persecuted by men
that they have a God to go to, a God all-sufficient to call upon. Men
stop their ears, as they did here (v. 57), but God does not. Stephen
was now cast out of the city, but he was not cast out from his God. He
was now taking his leave of the world, and therefore calls upon God;
for we must do this as long as we live. Note, It is good to die
praying; then we need help--strength we never had, to do a work we
never did--and how can we fetch in that help and strength but by
prayer? Two short prayers Stephen offered up to God in his dying
moments, and in them as it were breathed out his soul:--
(1.) Here is a prayer for himself: Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. Thus
Christ had himself resigned his spirit immediately into the hands of
the Father. We are here taught to resign ours into the hands of Christ
as Mediator, by him to be recommended to the Father. Stephen saw Jesus
standing at the Father's right hand, and he thus calls to him: "Blessed
Jesus, do that for me now which thou standest there to do for all
thine, receive my departing spirit into thy hand." Observe, [1.] The
soul is the man, and our great concern, living and dying, must be about
our souls. Stephen's body was to be miserably broken and shattered, and
overwhelmed with a shower of stones, the earthly house of this
tabernacle violently beaten down and abused; but, however it goes with
that, "Lord," saith he, "'let my spirit be safe; let it go well with my
poor soul." Thus, while we live, our care should be that though the
body be starved or stripped the soul may be fed and clothed, though the
body lie in pain the soul may dwell at ease; and, when we die, that
though the body be thrown by as a despised broken vessel, and a vessel
in which there is no pleasure, yet the soul may be presented a vessel
of honour, that God may be the strength of the heart and its portion,
though the flesh fail. [2.] Our Lord Jesus is God, to whom we are to
seek, and in whom we are to confide and comfort ourselves living and
dying. Stephen here prays to Christ, and so must we; for it is the will
of God that all men should thus honour the Son, even as they honour the
Father. It is Christ we are to commit ourselves to, who alone is able
to keep what we commit to him against that day; it is necessary that we
have an eye to Christ when we come to die, for there is no venturing
into another world but under his conduct, no living comforts in dying
moments but what are fetched from him. [3.] Christ's receiving our
spirits at death is the great thing we are to be careful about, and to
comfort ourselves with. We ought to be in care about this while we
live, that Christ may receive our spirits when we die; for, if he
reject and disown them, whither will they betake themselves? How can
they escape being a prey to the roaring lion? To him therefore we must
commit them daily, to be ruled and sanctified, and made meet for
heaven, and then, and not otherwise, he will receive them. And, if this
has been our care while we live, it may be our comfort when we come to
die, that we shall be received into everlasting habitations.
(2.) Here is a prayer for his persecutors, v. 60.
[1.] The circumstances of this prayer are observable; for it seems to
have been offered up with something more of solemnity than the former.
First, He knelt down, which was an expression of his humility in
prayer. Secondly, He cried with a loud voice, which was an expression
of his importunity. But why should he thus show more humility and
importunity in this request than in the former? Why, none could doubt
of his being in good earnest in his prayers for himself, and therefore
there he needed not to use such outward expressions of it; but in his
prayer for his enemies, because that is so much against the grain of
corrupt nature, it was requisite he should give proofs of his being in
earnest.
[2.] The prayer itself: Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. Herein
he followed the example of his dying Master, who prayed thus for his
persecutors, Father, forgive them; and set an example to all following
sufferers in the cause of Christ thus to pray for those that persecute
them. Prayer may preach. This did so to those who stoned Stephen, and
he knelt down that they might take notice he was going to pray, and
cried with a loud voice that they might take notice of what he said,
and might learn, First, That what they did was a sin, a great sin,
which, if divine mercy and grace did not prevent, would be laid to
their charge, to their everlasting confusion. Secondly, That,
notwithstanding their malice and fury against him, he was in charity
with them, and was so far from desiring that God would avenge his death
upon them that it was his hearty prayer to God that it might not in any
degree be laid to their charge. A sad reckoning there would be for it.
If they did not repent, it would certainly be laid to their charge; but
he, for his part, did not desire the woeful day. Let them take notice
of this, and, when their thoughts were cool, surely they would not
easily forgive themselves for putting him to death who could so easily
forgive them. The blood-thirsty hate the upright, but the just seek his
soul, Prov. xxix. 10. Thirdly, That, though the sin was very heinous,
yet they must not despair of the pardon of it upon their repentance. If
they would lay it to their hearts, God would not lay it to their
charge. "Do you think," saith St. Austin, "that Paul heard Stephen pray
this prayer? It is likely he did and ridiculed it then (audivit
subsannans, sed irrisit--he heard with scorn), but afterwards he had
the benefit of it, and fared the better for it."
3. His expiring with this: When he had said this, he fell asleep; or,
as he was saying this, the blow came that was mortal. Note, Death is
but a sleep to good people; not the sleep of the soul (Stephen had
given that up into Christ's hand), but the sleep of the body; it is its
rest from all its griefs and toils; it is perfect ease from toil and
pain. Stephen died as much in a hurry as ever any man did, and yet,
when he died, he fell asleep. He applied himself to his dying work with
as much composure of mind as if he had been going to sleep; it was but
closing his eyes, and dying. Observe, He fell asleep when he was
praying for his persecutors; it is expressed as if he thought he could
not die in peace till he had done this. It contributes very much to our
dying comfortably to die in charity with all men; we are then found of
Christ in peace; let not the sun of life go down upon our wrath. He
fell asleep; the vulgar Latin adds, in the Lord, in the embraces of his
love. If he thus sleep, he shall do well; he shall awake again in the
morning of the resurrection.
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A C T S.
CHAP. VIII.
In this chapter we have an account of the persecutions of the
Christians, and the propagating of Christianity thereby. It was
strange, but very true, that the disciples of Christ the more they were
afflicted the more they multiplied. I. Here is the church suffering;
upon the occasion of putting Stephen to death a very sharp storm arose,
which forced many from Jerusalem, ver. 1-3. II. Here is the church
spreading by the ministry of Philip and others that were dispersed upon
that occasion. We have here, 1. The gospel brought to Samaria, preached
there (ver. 4, 5), embraced there (ver. 6-8), even by Simon Magus (ver.
9-13); the gift of the Holy Ghost conferred upon some of the believing
Samaritans by the imposition of the hands of Peter and John (ver.
14-17); and the severe rebuke given by Peter to Simon Magus for
offering money for a power to bestow that gift, ver. 18-25. 2. The
gospel sent to Ethiopia, by the eunuch, a person of quality of that
country. He is returning home in his chariot from Jerusalem, ver.
26-28. Philip is sent to him, and in his chariot preaches Christ to him
(ver. 29-35), baptizes him upon his profession of the Christian faith
(ver. 36-38), and the leaves him, ver. 39, 40. Thus in different ways
and methods the gospel was dispersed among the nations, and, one way or
other, "Have they not all heard?"
Persecution of the Church.
1 And Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a
great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they
were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judæa and Samaria,
except the apostles. 2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial,
and made great lamentation over him. 3 As for Saul, he made havock of
the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women
committed them to prison.
In these verses we have,
I. Something more concerning Stephen and his death; how people stood
affected to it--variously, as generally in such cases, according to
men's different sentiments of things. Christ had said to his disciples,
when he was parting with them (John xvi. 20), You shall weep and
lament, but the world shall rejoice. Accordingly here is, 1. Stephen's
death rejoiced in by one--by many, no doubt, but by one in particular,
and that was Saul, who was afterwards called Paul; he was consenting to
his death, syneudokon--he consented to it with delight (so the word
signifies); he was pleased with it. He fed his eyes with this bloody
spectacle, in hopes it would put a stop to the growth of Christianity.
We have reason to think that Paul ordered Luke to insert this, for
shame to himself, and glory to free grace. Thus he owns himself guilty
of the blood of Stephen, and aggravates it with this, that he did not
do it with regret and reluctancy, but with delight and a full
satisfaction, like those who not only do such things, but have pleasure
in those that do them. 2. Stephen's death bewailed by others (v.
2)--devout men, which some understand of those that were properly so
called, proselytes, one of whom Stephen himself probably was. Or, it
may be taken more largely; some of the church that were more devout and
zealous than the rest went and gathered up the poor crushed and broken
remains, to which they gave a decent interment, probably in the field
of blood, which was bought some time ago to bury strangers in. They
buried him solemnly, and made great lamentation over him. Though his
death was of great advantage to himself, and great service to the
church, yet they bewailed it as a general loss, so well qualified was
he for the service, and so likely to be useful both as a deacon and as
a disputant. It is a bad symptom if, when such men are taken away, it
is not laid to heart. Those devout men paid these their last respects
to Stephen, (1.) To show that they were not ashamed of the cause for
which he suffered, nor afraid of the wrath of those that were enemies
to it; for, though they now triumph, the cause is a righteous cause,
and will be at last a victorious one. (2.) To show the great value and
esteem they had for this faithful servant of Jesus Christ, this first
martyr for the gospel, whose memory shall always be precious to them,
notwithstanding the ignominy of his death. They study to do honour to
him upon whom God put honour. (3.) To testify their belief and hope of
the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come.
II. An account of this persecution of the church, which begins upon the
martyrdom of Stephen. When the fury of the Jews ran with such violence,
and to such a height, against Stephen, it could not quickly either stop
itself or spend itself. The bloody are often in scripture called
blood-thirsty; for when they have tasted blood they thirst for more.
One would have thought Stephen's dying prayers and dying comforts
should have overcome them, and melted them into a better opinion of
Christians and Christianity; but it seems they did not: the persecution
goes on; for they were more exasperated when they saw they could
prevail nothing, and, as if they hoped to be too hard for God himself,
they resolve to follow their blow; and perhaps, because they were none
of them struck dead upon the place for stoning Stephen, their hearts
were the more fully set in them to do evil. Perhaps the disciples were
also the more emboldened to dispute against them as Stephen did, seeing
how triumphantly he finished his course, which would provoke them so
much the more. Observe,
1. Against whom this persecution was raised: It was against the church
in Jerusalem, which is no sooner planted than it is persecuted, as
Christ often intimated that tribulation and persecution would arise
because of the word. And Christ had particularly foretold that
Jerusalem would soon be made too hot for his followers, for that city
had been famous for killing the prophets and stoning those that were
sent to it, Matt. xxiii. 37. It should seem that in this persecution
many were put to death, for Paul owns that at this time he persecuted
this way unto the death (ch. xxi. 4), and (ch. xxvi. 10) that when they
were put to death he gave his voice against them.
2. Who was an active man in it; none so zealous, so busy, as Saul, a
young Pharisee, v. 3. As for Saul (who had been twice mentioned before,
and now again for a notorious persecutor) he made havoc of the church;
he did all he could to lay it waste and ruin it; he cared not what
mischief he did to the disciples of Christ, nor knew when to stop. He
aimed at no less than the cutting off of the gospel Israel, that the
name of it should be no more in remembrance, Ps. lxxxiii. 4. He was the
fittest tool the chief priests could find out to serve their purposes;
he was informer-general against the disciples, a messenger of the great
council to be employed in searching for meetings, and seizing all that
were suspected to favour that way. Saul was bred a scholar, a
gentleman, and yet did not think it below him to be employed in the
vilest work of that kind. (1.) He entered into every house, making no
difficulty of breaking open doors, night or day, and having a force
attending him for that purpose. He entered into every house where they
used to hold their meetings, or every house that had any Christians in
it, or was thought to have. No man could be secure in his own house,
though it was his castle. (2.) He haled, with the utmost contempt and
cruelty, both men and women, dragged them along the streets, without
any regard to the tenderness of the weaker sex; he stooped so low as to
take cognizance of the meanest that were leavened with the gospel, so
extremely bigoted was he. (3.) He committed them to prison, in order to
their being tried and put to death, unless they would renounce Christ;
and some, we find, were compelled by him to blaspheme, ch. xxvi. 11.
3. What was the effect of this persecution: They were all scattered
abroad (v. 1), not all the believers, but all the preachers, who were
principally struck at, and against whom warrants were issued out to
take them up. They, remembering our Master's rule (when they persecute
you in one city, flee to another), dispersed themselves by agreement
throughout the regions of Judea and of Samaria; not so much for fear of
sufferings (for Judea and Samaria were not so far off from Jerusalem
but that, if they made a public appearance there, as they determined to
do, their persecutors' power would soon reach them there), but because
they looked upon this as an intimation of Providence to them to
scatter. Their work was pretty well done in Jerusalem, and now it was
time to think of the necessities of other places; for their Master had
told them that they must be his witnesses in Jerusalem first, and then
in all Judea and in Samaria, and then to the uttermost part of the
earth (ch. i. 8), and this method they observe. Through persecution may
not drive us off from our work, yet it may send us, as a hint of
Providence, to work elsewhere. The preachers were all scattered except
the apostles, who, probably, were directed by the Spirit to continue at
Jerusalem yet for some time, they being, by the special providence of
God, screened from the storm, and by the special grace of God enabled
to face the storm. They tarried at Jerusalem, that they might be ready
to go where their assistance was most needed by the other preachers
that were sent to break the ice; as Christ ordered his disciples to go
to those places where he himself designed to go, Luke x. 1. The
apostles continued longer together at Jerusalem than one would have
thought, considering the command and commission given them, to go into
all the world, and to disciple all nations. See ch. xv. 6; Gal. i. 17.
But what was done by the evangelists whom they sent forth was reckoned
as done by them.
The Spreading of the Gospel; Philip's Success.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching
the word. 5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and
preached Christ unto them. 6 And the people with one accord gave heed
unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles
which he did. 7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out
of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and
that were lame, were healed. 8 And there was great joy in that city.
9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the
same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out
that himself was some great one: 10 To whom they all gave heed, from
the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had
bewitched them with sorceries. 12 But when they believed Philip
preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of
Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. 13 Then Simon
himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with
Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
Samson's riddle is here again unriddled: Out of the eater comes forth
meat, and out of the strong sweetness. The persecution that was
designed to extirpate the church was by the overruling providence of
God made an occasion of the enlargement of it. Christ had said, I am
come to send fire on the earth; and they thought, by scattering those
who were kindled with that fire, to have put it out, but instead of
this they did but help to spread it.
I. Here is a general account of what was done by them all (v. 4): They
went every where, preaching the word. They did not go to hide
themselves for fear of suffering, no, nor to show themselves as proud
of their sufferings; but they went up and down to scatter the knowledge
of Christ in every place where they were scattered. They went every
where, into the way of the Gentiles, and the cities of the Samaritans,
which before they were forbidden to go into, Matt. x. 5. They did not
keep together in a body, though this might have been a strength to
them; but they scattered into all parts, not to take their ease, but to
find out work. They went evangelizing the world, preaching the word of
the gospel; it was this which filled them, and which they endeavoured
to fill the country with, those of them that were preachers in their
preaching, and others in their common converse. They were now in a
country where they were no strangers, for Christ and his disciples had
conversed much in the regions of Judea; so that they had a foundation
laid there for them to build upon; and it would be requisite to let the
people there know what that doctrine which Jesus had preached there
some time ago was come to, and that it was not lost and forgotten, as
perhaps they were made to believe.
II. A particular account of what was done by Philip. We shall hear of
the progress and success of others of them afterwards (ch. xi. 19), but
here must attend the motions of Philip, not Philip the apostle, but
Philip the deacon, who was chosen and ordained to serve tables, but
having used the office of a deacon well he purchased to himself a good
degree, and great boldness in the faith, 1 Tim. iii. 13. Stephen was
advanced to the degree of a martyr, Philip to the degree of an
evangelist, which when he entered upon, being obliged by it to give
himself to the word and prayer, he was, no doubt, discharged from the
office of a deacon; for how could he serve tables at Jerusalem, which
by that office he was obliged to do, when he was preaching in Samaria?
And it is probable that two others were chosen in the room of Stephen
and Philip. Now observe,
1. What wonderful success Philip had in his preaching, and what
reception he met with.
(1.) The place he chose was the city of Samaria, the head city of
Samaria, the metropolis of that country, which stood where the city of
Samaria had formerly stood, of the building of which we read, 1 Kings
xvi. 24, now called Sebaste. Some think it was the same with Sychem or
Sychar, that city of Samaria where Christ was, John iv. 5. Many of that
city then believed in Christ, though he did no miracle among them (v.
39, 41), and now Philip, three years after, carries on the work then
begun. The Jews would have no dealings with the Samaritans; but Christ
sent his gospel to slay all enmities, and particularly that between the
Jews and the Samaritans, by making them one in his church.
(2.) The doctrine he preached was Christ; for he determined to know
nothing else. He preached Christ to them; he proclaimed Christ to them
(so the word signifies), as a king, when he comes to the crown, is
proclaimed throughout his dominions. The Samaritans had an expectation
of the Messiah's coming, as appears by John iv. 25. Now Philip tells
them that he is come, and that the Samaritans are welcome to him.
Ministers' business is to preach Christ--Christ, and him
crucified--Christ, and him glorified.
(3.) The proofs he produced for the confirmation of his doctrine were
miracles, v. 6. To convince them that he had his commission from heaven
(and therefore not only they might venture upon what he said, but they
were bound to yield to it), he shows them this broad seal of heaven
annexed to it, which the God of truth would never put to a lie. The
miracles were undeniable; they heard and saw the miracles which he did.
They heard the commanding words he spoke, and saw the amazing effects
of them immediately; that he spoke, and it was done. And the nature of
the miracles was such as suited the intention of his commission, and
gave light and lustre to it. [1.] He was sent to break the power of
Satan; and, in token of this, unclean spirits, being charged in the
name of the Lord Jesus to remove, came out of many that were possessed
with them, v. 7. As far as the gospel prevails, Satan is forced to quit
his hold of men and his interest in them, and then those are restored
to themselves, and to their right mind again, who, while he kept
possession, were distracted. Wherever the gospel gains the admission
and submission it ought to have, evil spirits are dislodged, and
particularly unclean spirits, all inclinations to the lusts of the
flesh, which war against the soul; for God has called us from
uncleanness to holiness, 1 Thess. iv. 7. This was signified by the
casting of these unclean spirits out of the bodies of people, who, it
is here said, came out crying with a loud voice, which signifies that
they came out with great reluctancy, and sorely against their wills,
but were forced to acknowledge themselves overcome by a superior power,
Mark i. 26; iii. 11; ix. 26. [2.] He was sent to heal the minds of men,
to cure a distempered world, and to put it in to a good state of
health; and, in token of this, many that were taken with palsies, and
that were lame, were healed. Those distempers are specified that were
most difficult to be cured by the course of nature (that the miraculous
cure might be the more illustrious), and those that were most
expressive of the disease of sin and that moral impotency which the
souls of men labour under as to the service of God. The grace of God in
the gospel is designed for the healing of those that are spiritually
lame and paralytic, and cannot help themselves, Rom. v. 6.
(4.) The acceptance which Philip's doctrine, thus proved, met with in
Samaria (v. 6): The people with one accord gave heed to those things
which Philip spoke, induced thereto by the miracles which served at
first to gain attention, and so by degrees to gain assent. There then
begin to be some hopes of people when they begin to take notice of what
is said to them concerning the things of their souls and eternity--when
they begin to give heed to the word of God, as those that are well
pleased to hear it, desirous to understand and remember it, and that
look upon themselves as concerned in it. The common people gave heed to
Philip, oi ochloi--a multitude of them, not here and there one, but
with one accord; they were all of a mind, that it was fit the doctrine
of the gospel should be enquired into, and an impartial hearing given
to it.
(5.) The satisfaction they had in attending on, and attending to,
Philip's preaching, and the success it had with many of them (v. 8):
There was great joy in that city; for (v. 12) they believed Philip, and
were baptized into the faith of Christ, the generality of them, both
men and women. Observe, [1.] Philip preached the things concerning the
kingdom of God, the constitution of that kingdom, the laws and
ordinances of it, the liberties and privileges of it, and the
obligations we are all under to be the loyal subjects of that kingdom;
and he preached the name of Jesus Christ, as king of that kingdom--his
name, which is above every name. He preached it up in its commanding
power and influence--all that by which he has made himself known. [2.]
The people not only gave heed to what he said, but at length believed
it, were fully convinced that it was of God and not of men, and gave up
themselves to the direction and government of it. As to this mountain,
on which they had hitherto worshipped God, and placed a great deal of
religion in it, they were now as much weaned from it as every they had
been wedded to it, and become the true worshippers, who worship the
Father in spirit and in truth, and in the name of Christ, the true
temple, John iv. 20-23. [3.] When they believed, without scruple
(though they were Samaritans) and without delay they were baptized,
openly professed the Christian faith, promised to adhere to it, and
then, by washing them with water, were solemnly admitted into the
communion of the Christian church, and owned as brethren by the
disciples. Men only were capable of being admitted into the Jewish
church by circumcision; but, to show that in Jesus Christ there is
neither male nor female (Gal. iii. 28), but both are alike welcome to
him, the initiating ordinance is such as women are capable of, for they
are numbered with God's spiritual Israel, though not with Israel
according to the flesh, Num. i. 2. And hence it is easily gathered that
women are to be admitted to the Lord's supper, though it does not
appear that there were any among those to whom it was first
administered. [4.] This occasioned great joy; each one rejoiced for
himself, as he in the parable who found the treasure hid in the field;
and they all rejoiced for the benefit hereby brought to their city, and
that it came without opposition, which it would scarcely have done if
Samaria had been within the jurisdiction of the chief priests. Note,
The bringing of the gospel to any place is just matter of joy, of great
joy, to that place. Hence the spreading of the gospel in the world is
often prophesied of in the Old Testament as the diffusing of joy among
the nations: Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, Ps. lxvii. 4; 1
Thess. i. 6. The gospel of Christ does not make men melancholy, but
fills them with joy, if it be received as it should be; for it is glad
tidings of great joy to all people, Luke ii. 10.
2. What there was in particular at this city of Samaria that made the
success of the gospel there more than ordinarily wonderful.
(1.) That Simon Magus had been busy there, and had gained a great
interest among the people, and yet they believed the things that Philip
spoke. To unlearn that which is bad proves many times a harder task
than to learn that which is good. These Samaritans, though they were
not idolaters as the Gentiles, nor prejudiced against the gospel by
traditions received from their fathers, yet had of late been drawn to
follow Simon, a conjurer (For so Magus signifies) who made a mighty
noise among them, and had strangely bewitched them. We are told,
[1.] How strong the delusion of Satan was by which they were brought
into the interests of this great deceiver. He had been for some time,
nay, for a long time, in this city, using sorceries; perhaps he came
there by the instigation of the devil, soon after our Saviour had been
there, to undo what he had been doing there; for it was always Satan's
way to crush a good work in its bud and infancy, 2 Cor. xi. 3; 1 Thess.
iii. 5. Now,
First, Simon assumed to himself that which was considerable: He gave
out that he himself was some great one, and would have all people to
believe so and to pay him respect accordingly; and then, as to every
thing else, they might do as they pleased. He had no design to reform
their lives, nor improve their worship and devotion, only to make them
believe that he was, tis megas--some divine person. Justin Martyr says
that he would be worshipped as proton theon--the chief god. He gave out
himself to be the Son of God, the Messiah, so some think; or to be an
angel, or a prophet. Perhaps he was uncertain within himself what title
of honour to pretend to; but he would be thought some great one. Pride,
ambition, and an affectation of grandeur, have always been the cause of
abundance of mischief both to the world and to the church.
Secondly, The people ascribed to him what he pleased. 1. They all gave
heed to him, from the least to the greatest, both young and old, both
poor and rich, both governors and governed. To him they had regard (v.
10, 11), and perhaps the more because the time fixed for the coming of
the Messiah had now expired, which had raised a general expectation of
the appearing of some great one about this time. Probably he was a
native of their country, and therefore they embraced him the more
cheerfully, that by giving honour to him they might reflect it upon
themselves. 2. They said of him, This man is the great power of
God--the power of God, that great power (so it might be read), that
power which made the world. See how ignorant inconsiderate people
mistake that which is done by the power of Satan, as if it were done by
the power of God. Thus, in the Gentile world, devils pass for deities;
and in the antichristian kingdom all the world wonders after a beast,
to whom the dragon gives his power, and who opens his mouth in
blasphemy against God, Rev. xiii. 2-5. 3. They were brought to it by
his sorceries: He bewitched the people of Samaria (v. 9), bewitched
them with sorceries (v. 11), that is, either, (1.) By his magic arts he
bewitched the minds of the people, at least some of them, who drew in
others. Satan, by God's permission, filled their hearts to follow
Simon. O foolish Galatians, saith Paul, who hath bewitched you? Gal.
iii. 1. These people are said to be bewitched by Simon, because they
were so strangely infatuated to believe a lie. Or, (2.) By his magic
arts he did many signs and lying wonders, which seemed to be miracles,
but really were not so: like those of the magicians of Egypt, and those
of the man of sin, 2 Thess. ii. 9. When they knew no better, they were
influenced by his sorceries; but, when they were acquainted with
Philip's real miracles, they saw plainly that the one was real and the
other a sham, and that there was as much difference as between Aaron's
rod and those of the magicians. What is the chaff to the wheat? Jer.
xxiii. 28.
Thus, notwithstanding the influence Simon Magus had had upon them, and
the unwillingness there generally is in people to own themselves in an
error, and to retract it, yet, when they saw the difference between
Simon and Philip, they quitted Simon, gave heed no longer to him, but
to Philip: and thus you see,
[2.] How strong the power of Divine grace is, by which they were
brought to Christ, who is truth itself, and was, as I may say, the
great undeceiver. By that grace working with the word those that had
been led captive by Satan were brought into obedience to Christ. Where
Satan, as a strong man armed, kept possession of the palace, and
thought himself safe, Christ, as a stronger than he, dispossessed him,
and divided the spoil; led captivity captive, and made those the
trophies of his victory whom the devil had triumphed over. Let us not
despair of the worst, when even those whom Simon Magus had bewitched
were brought to believe.
(2.) Here is another thing yet more wonderful, that Simon Magus himself
became a convert to the faith of Christ, in show and profession, for a
time. Is Saul also among the prophets? Yes (v. 13), Simon himself
believed also. He was convinced that Philip preached a true doctrine,
because he saw it confirmed by real miracles, of which he was the
better able to judge because he was conscious to himself of the trick
of his own pretended ones. [1.] The present conviction went so far that
he was baptized, was admitted, as other believers were, into the church
by baptism; and we have no reason to think that Philip did amiss in
baptizing him, no, nor in baptizing him quickly. Though he had been a
very wicked man, a sorcerer, a pretender to divine honours, yet, upon
his solemn profession of repentance for his sin and faith in Jesus
Christ, he was baptized. For, as great wickedness before conversion
keeps not true penitents from the benefits of God's grace, so neither
should it keep professing ones from church-fellowship. Prodigals, when
they return, must be joyfully welcomed home, though we cannot be sure
but that they will play the prodigal again. Nay, though he was now but
a hypocrite, and really in the gall of bitterness and bond of iniquity
all this while, and would soon have been found to be so if he had been
tried awhile, yet Philip baptized him; for it is God's prerogative to
know the heart. The church and its ministers must go by a judgment of
charity, as far as there is room for it. It is a maxim in the law,
Donec contrarium patet, semper præsumitur meliori parti--We must hope
the best as long as we can. And it is a maxim in the discipline of the
church, De secretis non judicat ecclesia--The secrets of the heart God
only judges. [2.] The present conviction lasted so long that he
continued with Philip. Though afterwards he apostatized from
Christianity, yet not quickly. He courted Philip's acquaintance, and
now he that had given out himself to be some great one is content to
sit at the feet of a preacher of the gospel. Even bad men, very bad,
may sometimes be in a good frame, very good; and those whose hearts
still go after their covetousness may possibly not only come before God
as his people come, but continue with them. [3.] The present conviction
was wrought and kept up by the miracles; he wondered to see himself so
far outdone in signs and miracles. Many wonder at the proofs of divine
truths who never experience the power of them.
The Account of Simon Magus.
14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had
received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who,
when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the
Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their
hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost. 18 And when Simon
saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was
given, he offered them money, 19 Saying, Give me also this power,
that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. 20 But
Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast
thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. 21 Thou
hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in
the sight of God. 22 Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and
pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23 For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the
bond of iniquity. 24 Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the
Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon
me. 25 And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the
Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages
of the Samaritans.
God had wonderfully owned Philip in his work as an evangelist at
Samaria, but he could do no more than an evangelist; there were some
peculiar powers reserved to the apostles, for the keeping up of the
dignity of their office, and here we have an account of what was done
by two of them there--Peter and John. The twelve kept together at
Jerusalem (v. 1), and thither these good tidings were brought them that
Samaria had received the word of God (v. 14), that a great harvest of
souls was gathered, and was likely to be gathered in to Christ there.
The word of God was not only preached to them, but received by them;
they bade it welcome, admitted the light of it, and submitted to the
power of it: When they heard it, they sent unto them Peter and John. If
Peter had been, as some say he was, the prince of the apostles, he
would have sent some of them, or, if he had seen cause, would have gone
himself of his own accord; but he was so far from this that he
submitted to an order of the house, and, as a servant to the body, went
whither they sent him. Two apostles were sent, the two most eminent, to
Samaria, 1. To encourage Philip, to assist him, and strengthen his
hands. Ministers in a higher station, and that excel in gifts and
graces, should contrive how they may be helpful to those in a lower
sphere, and contribute to their comfort and usefulness. 2. To carry on
the good work that was begun among the people, and, with those heavenly
graces that had enriched them, to confer upon them spiritual gifts. Now
observe,
I. How they advanced and improved those of them that were sincere. It
is said (v. 16), The Holy Ghost was as yet fallen upon none of them, in
those extraordinary powers which were conveyed by the descent of the
Spirit upon the day of pentecost. They were none of them endued with
the gift of tongues, which seems then to have been the most usual
immediate effect of the pouring out of the Spirit. See ch. x. 45, 46.
This was both an eminent sign to those that believed not, and of
excellent service to those that did. This, and other such gifts, they
had not, only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and so
engaged in him and interested in him, which was necessary to salvation,
and in this they had joy and satisfaction (v. 8), though they could not
speak with tongues. Those that are indeed given up to Christ, and have
experienced the sanctifying influences and operations of the Spirit of
grace, have great reason to be thankful, and no reason to complain,
though they have not those gifts that are for ornament, and would make
them bright. But it is intended that they should go on to the
perfection of the present dispensation, for the greater honour of the
gospel. We have reason to think that Philip had received these gifts of
the Holy Ghost himself, but had not a power to confer them; the
apostles must come to do this; and they did it not upon all that were
baptized, but upon some of them, and, it should seem, such as were
designed for some office in the church, or at least to be eminent
active members of it; and upon some of them one gift of the Holy Ghost,
and upon others another. See 1 Cor. xii. 4, 8; xiv. 26. Now in order to
this, 1. The apostles prayed for them, v. 15. The Spirit is given, not
to ourselves only (Luke xi. 13), but to others also, in answer to
prayer: I will put my Spirit within you (Ezek. xxxvi. 27), but I will
for this be enquired of, v. 37. We may take encouragement from this
example in praying to God to give the renewing graces of the Holy Ghost
to those whose spiritual welfare we are concerned for--for our
children, for our friends, for our ministers. We should pray, and pray
earnestly, that they may receive the Holy Ghost; for this includes all
blessings. 2. They laid their hands on them, to signify that their
prayers were answered, and that the gift of the Holy Ghost was
conferred upon them; for, upon the use of this sign, they received the
Holy Ghost, and spoke with tongues. The laying on of hands was
anciently used in blessing, by those who blessed with authority. Thus
the apostles blessed these new converts, ordained some to be ministers,
and confirmed others in their Christianity. We cannot now, nor can any,
thus give the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands; but this may
intimate to us that those whom we pray for we should use our endeavours
with.
II. How they discovered and discarded him that was a hypocrite among
them, and this was Simon Magus; for they knew how to separate between
the precious and the vile. Now observe here,
1. The wicked proposal that Simon made, by which his hypocrisy was
discovered (v. 18, 19): When he saw that through laying on of the
apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given (which should have confirmed
his faith in the doctrine of Christ, and increased his veneration for
the apostles), it gave him a notion of Christianity as no other than an
exalted piece of sorcery, in which he thought himself capable of being
equal to the apostles, and therefore offered them money, saying, Give
me also this power. He does not desire them to lay their hands on him,
that he might receive the Holy Ghost himself (for he did not foresee
that any thing was to be got by that), but that they would convey to
him a power to bestow the gift upon others. He was ambitious to have
the honour of an apostle, but not at all solicitous to have the spirit
and disposition of a Christian. He was more desirous to gain honour to
himself than to do good to others. Now, in making this motion, (1.) He
put a great affront upon the apostles, as if they were mercenary men,
would do any thing for money, and loved it as well as he did; whereas
they had left what they had, for Christ, so far were they from aiming
to make it more--(2.) He put a great affront upon Christianity, as if
the miracles that were wrought for the proof of it were done by magic
arts, only of a different nature from what he himself had practised
formerly. (3.) He showed that, like Balaam, he aimed at the rewards of
divination; for he would not have offered money for this power if he
had not hoped to get money by it. (4.) He showed that he had a very
high conceit of himself, and that he had never his heart truly humbled.
Such a wretch as he had been before his baptism should have asked, like
the prodigal, to be made as one of the hired servants. But, as soon as
he is admitted into the family, no less a place will serve him than to
be one of the stewards of the household, and to be entrusted with a
power which Philip himself had not, but the apostles only.
2. The just rejection of his proposal, and the cutting reproof Peter
gave him for it, v. 20-23.
(1.) Peter shows him his crime (v. 20): Thou hast thought that the gift
of God may be purchased with money; and thus, [1.] He had overvalued
the wealth of this world, as if it were an equivalent for any thing,
and as if, because, as Solomon saith, it answers all things, relating
to the life that now is, it would answer all things relating to the
other life, and would purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and eternal life. [2.] He had undervalued the gift of the Holy
Ghost and put it upon a level with the common gifts of nature and
providence. He thought the power of an apostle might as well be had for
a good fee as the advice of a physician or a lawyer, which was the
greatest despite that could be done to the Spirit of grace. All the
buying and selling of pardons and indulgences in the church of Rome is
the product of this same wicked thought, that the gift of God may be
purchased with money, when the offer of divine grace so expressly runs,
without money and without price.
(2.) He shows him his character, which is inferred from his crime. From
every thing that a man says or does amiss we cannot infer that he is a
hypocrite in the profession he makes of religion; but this of Simon's
was such a fundamental error as could by no means consist with a state
of grace; his offering money (and that got by sorcery too) was an
incontestable evidence that he was yet under the power of a worldly and
carnal mind, and was yet that natural man which receiveth not the
things of the Spirit of God, neither can he know them. And therefore
Peter tells him plainly, [1.] That his heart was not right in the sight
of God, v. 21. "Though thou professest to believe, and art baptized,
yet thou art not sincere." We are as our hearts are; if they be not
right, we are wrong; and they are open in the sight of God, who knows
them, judges them, and judges of us by them. Our hearts are that which
they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived; and if they be
not right in his sight, whatever our pretensions be, our religion is
vain, and will stand us in no stead: our great concern is to approve
ourselves to him in our integrity, for otherwise we cheat ourselves
into our own ruin. Some refer this particularly to the proposal he
made; what he asked is denied him, because his heart is not right in
the sight of God in asking it. He does not aim at the glory of God nor
the honour of Christ in it, but to make a hand of it for himself; he
asks, and has not, because he asks amiss, that he may consume it upon
his lusts, and be still thought some great one. [2.] That he is in the
gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity: I perceive that thou
art so, v. 23. This is plain dealing, and plain dealing is best when we
are dealing about souls and eternity. Simon had got a great name among
the people, and of late a good name too among God's people, and yet
Peter here gives him a black character. Note, It is possible for a man
to continue under the power of sin, and yet to put on a form of
godliness. I perceive it, saith Peter. It was not so much by the spirit
of discerning, with which Peter was endued, that he perceived this, as
by Simon's discovery of it in the proposal he made. Note, The disguises
of hypocrites many times are soon seen through; the nature of the wolf
shows itself notwithstanding the cover of the sheep's clothing. Now the
character here given of Simon is really the character of all wicked
people. First, They are in the gall of bitterness--odious to God, as
that which is bitter as gall is to us. Sin is an abominable thing,
which the Lord hates, and sinners are by it made abominable to him;
they are vicious in their own nature. Indwelling sin is a root of
bitterness, that bears gall and wormwood, Deut. xxix. 18. The faculties
are corrupted, and the mind embittered against all good, Heb. xii. 15.
It intimates likewise the pernicious consequences of sin; the end is
bitter as wormwood. Secondly, They are in the bond of iniquity--bound
over to the judgment of God by the guilt of sin, and bound under the
dominion of Satan by the power of sin; led captive by him at his will,
and it is a sore bondage, like that in Egypt, making the life bitter.
(3.) He reads him his doom in two things--
[1.] He shall sink with his worldly wealth, which he overvalued: Thy
money perish with thee. First, Hereby Peter rejects his offer with the
utmost disdain and indignation: "Dost thou think thou canst bribe us to
betray our trust, and to put the power we are entrusted with into such
unworthy hands? Away with thee and thy money too; we will have nothing
to do with either. Get thee behind me, Satan." When we are tempted with
money to do an evil thing, we should see what a perishing thing money
is, and scorn to be biassed by it--It is the character of the upright
man that he shakes his hands from holding, from touching bribes, Isa.
xxxiii. 15. Secondly, He warns him of his danger of utter destruction
if he continued in this mind: "Thy money will perish and thou wilt lose
it, and all that thou canst purchase with it. As meats for the belly
and the belly for meats (1 Cor. vi. 13), so goods for money and money
for goods, but God shall destroy both it and them--they perish in the
using; but this is not the worst of it: thou wilt perish with it, and
it with thee; and it will be an aggravation of thy ruin, and a heavy
load upon thy perishing soul, that thou hadst money, which might have
been made to turn to a good account (Luke xvi. 9), which might have
been laid at the apostles' feet, as a charity, and would have been
accepted, but was thrust into their hands as a bribe, and was rejected.
Son, remember this."
[2.] He shall come short of the spiritual blessings which he
undervalued (v. 21): "Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter;
thou hast nothing to do with the gifts of the Holy Ghost, thou dost not
understand them, thou art excluded from them, hast put a bar in thine
own door; thou canst not receive the Holy Ghost thyself, nor power to
confer the Holy Ghost upon others, for thy heart is not right in the
sight of God, if thou thinkest that Christianity is a trade to live by
in this world, and therefore thou hast no part nor lot in the eternal
life in the other world which the gospel offers." Note, First, There
are many who profess the Christian religion, and yet have no part nor
lot in the matter, no part in Christ (John xiii. 8), no lot in the
heavenly Canaan. Secondly, They are those whose hearts are not right in
the sight of God, are not animated by a right spirit, nor guided by a
right rule, nor directed to the right end.
(4.) He gives him good counsel, notwithstanding, v. 22. Though he was
angry with him, yet he did not abandon him; and, though he would have
him see his case to be very bad, yet he would not have him think it
desperate; yet now there is hope in Israel. Observe,
[1.] What it is that he advises him to: He must do his first works.
First, He must repent,--must see his error and retract it--must change
his mind and way--must be humbled and ashamed for what he has done. His
repentance must be particular: "Repent of this, own thyself guilty in
this, and be sorry for it." He must lay a load upon himself for it,
must not extenuate it, by calling it a mistake, or misguided zeal, but
must aggravate it by calling it wickedness, his wickedness, the fruit
of his own corruption. Those that have said and done amiss must, as far
as they can, unsay it and undo it again by repentance. Secondly, He
must pray to God, must pray that God would give him repentance, and
pardon upon repentance. Penitents must pray, which implies a desire
towards God, and a confidence in Christ. Simon Magus, as great a man as
he thinks himself, shall not be courted into the apostles' communion
(how much soever some would think it a reputation to them) upon any
other terms than those upon which other sinners are
admitted--repentance and prayer.
[2.] What encouragement he gives him to do this: If perhaps the thought
of thy heart, this wicked thought of thine, may be forgiven thee. Note,
First, There may be a great deal of wickedness in the thought of the
heart, its false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects,
which must be repented of, or we are undone. Secondly, The thought of
the heart, though ever so wicked, shall be forgiven, upon our
repentance, and not laid to our charge. When Peter here puts a perhaps
upon it, the doubt is of the sincerity of his repentance, not of his
pardon if his repentance be sincere. If indeed the thought of thy heart
may be forgiven, so it may be read. Or it intimates that the greatness
of his sin might justly make the pardon doubtful, though the promise of
the gospel had put the matter out of doubt, in case he did truly
repent: like that (Lam. iii. 29), If so be there may be hope.
[3.] Simon's request to them to pray for him, v. 24. He was startled
and put into confusion by that which Peter said, finding that resented
thus which he thought would have been embraced with both arms; and he
cries out, Pray you to the Lord for me, that none of the things which
you have spoken come upon me. Here was, First, Something well--that he
was affected with the reproof given him, and terrified by the character
given of him, enough to make the stoutest heart to tremble; and, this
being so, he begged the prayers of the apostles for him, wishing to
have an interest in them, who, he believed, had a good interest in
heaven. Secondly, Something wanting. He begged of them to pray for him,
but did not pray for himself, as he ought to have done; and, in
desiring them to pray for him, his concern is more that the judgments
he had made himself liable to might be prevented than that his
corruptions might be mortified, and his heart, by divine grace, be made
right in the sight of God; like Pharaoh, who would have Moses entreat
the Lord for him, that he would take away this death only, not that he
would take away this sin, this hardness of heart, Exod. viii. 8; x. 17.
Some think that Peter had denounced some particular judgments against
him, as against Ananias and Sapphira, which, upon this submission of
his, at the apostle's intercession, were prevented; or, from what is
related, he might infer that some token of God's wrath would fall upon
him, which he thus dreaded and deprecated.
Lastly, Here is the return of the apostles to Jerusalem, when they had
finished the business they came about; for as yet they were not to
disperse; but, though they came hither to do that work which was
peculiar to them as apostles, yet, opportunity offering itself, they
applied themselves to that which was common to all gospel ministers. 1.
There, in the city of Samaria, they were preachers: They testified the
word of the Lord, solemnly attested the truth of the gospel, and
confirmed what the other ministers preached. They did not pretend to
bring them any thing new, though they were apostles, but bore their
testimony to the word of the Lord as they had received it. 2. In their
road home they were itinerant preachers; as they passed through many
villages of the Samaritans they preached the gospel. Though the
congregations there were not so considerable as those in the cities,
either for number or figure, yet their souls were as precious, and the
apostles did not think it below them to preach the gospel to them. God
has a regard to the inhabitants of his villages in Israel (Judg. v.
11), and so should we.
Philip and the Ethiopian.
26 And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go
toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza,
which is desert. 27 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of
Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the
Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to
Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his
chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip,
Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. 30 And Philip ran thither
to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest
thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man
should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit
with him. 32 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He
was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his
shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his
judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his
life is taken from the earth. 34 And the eunuch answered Philip, and
said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of
some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the
same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on
their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See,
here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37 And Philip
said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he
answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38
And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both
into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. 39
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord
caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his
way rejoicing. 40 But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through
he preached in all the cities, till he came to Cæsarea.
We have here the story of the conversion of an Ethiopian eunuch to the
faith of Christ, by whom, we have reason to think, the knowledge of
Christ was sent into that country where he lived, and that scripture
fulfilled, Ethiopia shall soon stretch out her hands (one of the first
of the nations) unto God, Ps. lxviii. 31.
I. Philip the evangelist is directed into the road where he would meet
with this Ethiopian, v. 26. When the churches in Samaria were settled,
and had ministers appointed them, the apostles went back to Jerusalem;
but Philip stays, expecting to be employed in breaking up fresh ground
in the country. And here we have, 1. Direction given him by an angel
(probably in a dream or vision of the night) what course to steer:
Arise, and go towards the south. Though angels were not employed to
preach the gospel, they were often employed in carrying messages to
ministers for advice and encouragement, as ch. v. 19. We cannot now
expect such guides in our way; but doubtless there is a special
providence of God conversant about the removes and settlements of
ministers, and one way or other he will direct those who sincerely
desire to follow him into that way in which he will own them: he will
guide them with his eye. Philip must go southward, to the way that
leads from Jerusalem to Gaza, through the desert or wilderness of
Judah. He would never have thought of going thither, into a desert,
into a common road through the desert; small probability of finding
work there! Yet thither he is sent, according to our Saviour's parable,
fore-telling the call of the Gentiles, Go you into the highways, and
the hedges, Matt. xxii. 9. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to
his ministers in places very unlikely. 2. His obedience to this
direction (v. 27): He arose and went, without objecting, or so much as
asking, "What business have I there?" Or, "What likelihood is there of
doing good there?" He went out, not knowing whither he went, or whom he
was to meet.
II. An account is given of this eunuch (v. 27), who and what he was, on
whom this distinguishing favour was bestowed. 1. He was a foreigner, a
man of Ethiopia. There were two Ethiopias, one in Arabia, but that lay
east from Canaan; it should seem this was Ethiopia in Africa, which lay
south, beyond Egypt, a great way off from Jerusalem; for in Christ
those that were afar off were made nigh, according to the promise, that
the ends of the earth should see the great salvation. The Ethiopians
were looked upon as the meanest and most despicable of the nations,
blackamoors, as if nature had stigmatized them; yet the gospel is sent
to them, and divine grace looks upon them, though they are black,
though the sun has looked upon them. 2. He was a person of quality, a
great man in his own country, a eunuch, not in body, but in office-lord
chamberlain or steward of the household; and either by the dignity of
his place or by his personal character, which commanded respect, he was
of great authority, and bore a mighty sway under Candace queen of the
Ethiopians, who probably was successor to the queen of Sheba, who is
called the queen of the south, that country being governed by queens,
to whom Candace was a common name, as Pharaoh to the kings of Egypt. He
had the charge of all her treasure; so great a trust did she repose in
him. Not many mighty, not many noble, are called; but some are. 3. He
was a proselyte to the Jewish religion, for he came to Jerusalem to
worship. Some think that he was a proselyte of righteousness, who was
circumcised, and kept the feasts; others that he was only a proselyte
of the gate, a Gentile, but who had renounced idolatry, and worshipped
the God of Israel occasionally in the court of the Gentiles; but, if
so, then Peter was not the first that preached the gospel to the
Gentiles, as he says he was. Some think that there were remains of the
knowledge of the true God in this country, ever since the queen of
Sheba's time; and probably the ancestor of this eunuch was one of her
attendants, who transmitted to his posterity what he learned at
Jerusalem.
III. Philip and the eunuch are brought together into a close
conversation; and now Philip shall know the meaning of his being sent
into a desert, for there he meets with a chariot, that shall serve for
a synagogue, and one man, the conversion of whom shall be in effect,
for aught he knows, the conversion of a whole nation.
1. Philip is ordered to fall into company with this traveller that is
going home from Jerusalem towards Gaza, thinking he has done all the
business of his journey, when the great business which the overruling
providence of God designed in it was yet undone. He had been at
Jerusalem, where the apostles were preaching the Christian faith, and
multitudes professing it, and yet there he had taken no notice of it,
and made no enquiries after it--nay, it should seem, had slighted it,
and turned his back upon it; yet the grace of God pursues him,
overtakes him in the desert, and there overcomes him. Thus God is often
found of those that sought him not, Isa. lxv. 1. Philip has this order,
not by an angel, as before, but by the Spirit whispering it in his ear
(v. 29): "Go near, and join thyself to this chariot; go so near as that
gentleman may take notice of thee." We should study to do good to those
we light in company with upon the road: thus the lips of the righteous
may feed many. We should not be so shy of all strangers as some affect
to be. Of those of whom we know nothing else we know this, that they
have souls.
2. He finds him reading in his Bible, as he sat in his chariot (v. 28):
He ran to him, and heard him read; he read out, for the benefit of
those that were with him, v. 30. He not only relieved the tediousness
of the journey, but redeemed time by reading, not philosophy, history,
nor politics, much less a romance or a play, but the scriptures, the
book of Esaias; that book Christ read in (Luke iv. 17) and the eunuch
here, which should recommend it particularly to our reading. Perhaps
the eunuch was now reading over again those portions of scripture which
he had heard read and expounded at Jerusalem, that he might recollect
what he had heard. Note, (1.) It is the duty of every one of us to
converse much with the holy scriptures. (2.) Persons of quality should
abound more than others in the exercises of piety, because their
example will influence many, and they have their time more at command.
(3.) It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties;
time is precious, and it is the best husbandry in the world to gather
up the fragments of time, that none be lost, to fill up every minute
with something that will turn to a good account. (4.) When we are
returning from public worship we should use means in private for the
keeping up of the good affections there kindled, and the preserving of
the good impressions there made, 1 Chron. xxix. 18. (5.) Those that are
diligent in searching the scriptures are in a fair way to improve in
knowledge; for to him that hath shall be given.
3. He puts a fair question to him: Understandest thou what thou
readest? Not by way of reproach, but with design to offer him his
service. Note, What we read and hear of the word of God it highly
concerns us to understand, especially what we read and hear concerning
Christ; and therefore we should often ask ourselves whether we
understand it or no: Have you understood all these things? Matt. xiii.
51. And have you understood them aright? We cannot profit by the
scriptures unless we do in some measure understand them, 1 Cor. xiv.
16, 17. And, blessed by God, what is necessary to salvation is easy to
be understood.
4. The eunuch in a sense of his need of assistance, desires Philip's
company (v. 31): "How can I understand, says he, except some one guide
me? Therefore pray come up, and sit with me." (1.) He speaks as one
that had very low thoughts of himself, and his own capacity and
attainments. He was so far from taking it as an affront to be asked
whether he understood what he read, though Philip was a stranger, on
foot, and probably looked mean (which many a less man would have done,
and have called him an impertinent fellow, and bid him go about his
business, what was it to him?) that he takes the question kindly, makes
a very modest reply, How can I? We have reason to think he was an
intelligent man, and as well acquainted with the meaning of scripture
as most were, and yet he modestly confesses his weakness. Note, Those
that would learn must see their need to be taught. The prophet must
first own that he knows not what these are, and then the angel will
tell him, Zech. iv. 13. (2.) He speaks as one very desirous to be
taught, to have some one to guide him. Observe, He read the scripture,
though there were many things in it which he did not understand. Though
there are many things in the scriptures which are dark and hard to be
understood, nay, which are often misunderstood, yet we must not
therefore throw them by, but study them for the sake of those things
that are easy, which is the likeliest way to come by degrees to the
understanding of those things that are difficult: for knowledge and
grace grow gradually. (3.) He invited Philip to come up and sit with
him; not as Jehu took Jonadab into his chariot, to come and see his
zeal for the Lord of hosts (2 Kings x. 16), but rather, "Come, see my
ignorance, and instruct me." He will gladly do Philip the honour to
take him into the coach with him, if Philip will do him the favour to
expound a portion of scripture to him. Note, In order to our right
understanding of the scripture, it is requisite we should have some one
to guide us; some good books, and some good men, but, above all, the
Spirit of grace, to lead us into all truth.
IV. The portion of scripture which the eunuch recited, with some hints
of Philip's discourse upon it. The preachers of the gospel had a very
good handle to take hold of those by who were conversant with the
scriptures of the Old Testament and received them, especially when they
found them actually engaged in the study of them, as the eunuch was
here.
1. The chapter he was reading was the fifty-third of Isaiah, two verses
of which are here quoted (v. 32, 33), part of the seventh and eighth
verses; they are set down according to the Septuagint version, which in
some things differs from the original Hebrew. Grotius thinks the eunuch
read it in the Hebrew, but that Luke takes the Septuagint translation,
as readier to the language in which he wrote; and he supposes that the
eunuch had learned from the many Jews that were in Ethiopia both their
religion and language. But, considering that the Septuagint version was
made in Egypt, which was the next country adjoining to Ethiopia, and
lay between it and Jerusalem, I rather think that translation was most
familiar to him: it appears by Isa. xx. 4 that there was much
communication between those two nations--Egypt and Ethiopia. The
greatest variation from the Hebrew is that what in the original is, He
was taken from prison and from judgment (hurried with the utmost
violence and precipitation from one judgment-seat to another; or, From
force and from judgment he was taken away; that is, It was from the
fury of the people, and their continual clamours, and the judgment of
Pilate thereupon, that he was taken away), is here read, In his
humiliation his judgment was taken away. He appeared so mean and
despicable in their eyes that they denied him common justice, and
against all the rules of equity, to the benefit of which every man is
entitled, they declared him innocent, and yet condemned him to die;
nothing criminal can be proved upon him, but he is down, and down with
him. Thus in his humiliation his judgment was taken away; so, the sense
is much the same with that of the Hebrew. So that (these verses
foretold concerning the Messiah, (1.) That he should die, should be led
to the slaughter, as sheep that were offered in sacrifice--that his
life should be taken from among men, taken from the earth. With what
little reason then was the death of Christ a stumbling-block to the
unbelieving Jews, when it was so plainly foretold by their own
prophets, and was so necessary to the accomplishment of his
undertaking! Then is the offence of the cross ceased. (2.) That he
should die wrongfully, should die by violence, should be hurried out of
his life, and his judgment shall be taken away--no justice done to him;
for he must be cut off, but not for himself. (3.) That he should die
patiently. Like a lamb dumb before the shearer, nay, and before the
butcher too, so he opened not his mouth. Never was there such an
example of patience as our Lord Jesus was in his sufferings; when he
was accused, when he was abused, he was silent, reviled not again,
threatened not. (4.) That yet he should live for ever, to ages which
cannot be numbered; for so I understand those words, Who shall declare
his generation? The Hebrew word properly signifies the duration of one
life, Eccl. i. 4. Now who can conceive or express how long he shall
continue, notwithstanding this; for his life is taken only from the
earth; in heaven he shall live to endless and innumerable ages, as it
follows in Isa. liii. 10, He shall prolong his days.
2. The eunuch's question upon this is, Of whom speaketh the prophet
this? v. 34. He does not desire Philip to give him some critical
remarks upon the words and phrases, and the idioms of the language, but
to acquaint him with the general scope and design of the prophecy, to
furnish him with a key, in the use of which he might, by comparing one
thing with another, be led into the meaning of the particular passage.
Prophecies had usually in them something of obscurity, till they were
explained by the accomplishment of them, as this now was. It is a
material question he asks, and a very sensible one: "Does the prophet
speak this of himself, in expectation of being used, being misused, as
the other prophets were? or does he speak it of some other man, in his
own age, or in some age to come?" Though the modern Jews will not allow
it to be spoken of the Messiah, yet their ancient doctors did so
interpret it; and perhaps the eunuch knew this, and did partly
understand it so himself, only he proposed this question, to draw on
discourse with Philip; for the way to improve in learning is to consult
the learned. As they must enquire the law at the mouth of the priests
(Mal. ii. 7), so they must enquire the gospel, especially that part of
the treasure which is hid in the field of the Old Testament, at the
mouth of the ministers of Christ. The way to receive good instructions
is to ask good questions.
3. Philip takes this fair occasion given him to open to him the great
mystery of the gospel concerning Jesus Christ, and him crucified. He
began at this scripture, took this for his text (as Christ did another
passage of the same prophecy, Luke iv. 21), and preached unto him
Jesus, v. 35. This is all the account given us of Philip's sermon,
because it was the same in effect with Peter's sermons, which we have
had before. The business of gospel ministers is to preach Jesus, and
this is the preaching that is likely to do good. It is probable that
Philip had now occasion for his gift of tongues, that he might preach
Christ to this Ethiopian in the language of his own country. And here
we have an instance of speaking of the things of God, and speaking of
them to good purpose, not only as we sit in the house, but as we walk
by the way, according to that rule, Deut. vi. 7.
V. The eunuch is baptized in the name of Christ, v. 36-38. It is
probable that the eunuch had heard at Jerusalem of the doctrine of
Christ, so that it was not altogether new to him. But, if he had, what
could that do towards this speedy conquest that was made of his heart
for Christ. It was a powerful working of the Spirit with and by
Philip's preaching that gained the point. Now here we have,
1. The modest proposal which the eunuch made of himself for baptism (v.
36): As they went on their way, discoursing of Christ, the eunuch
asking more questions and Philip answering them to his satisfaction,
they came unto a certain water, a well, river, or pond, the sight of
which made the eunuch think of being baptized. Thus God, by hints of
providence which seem casual, sometimes puts his people in mind of
their duty, of which otherwise perhaps they would not have thought. The
eunuch knew not how little a while Philip might be with him, nor where
he might afterwards enquire for him. He could not expect his travelling
with him to his next stage, and therefore, if Philip think fit, he will
take the present convenience which offers itself of being baptized:
"See, here is water, which perhaps we may not meet with a great while
again; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Canst thou show any cause
why I should not be admitted a disciple and follower of Christ by
baptism?" Observe, (1.) He does not demand baptism, does not say, "Here
is water and here I am resolved I will be baptized;" for, if Philip
have any thing to offer to the contrary, he is willing to waive it for
the present. If he think him not fit to be baptized, or if there be any
thing in the institution of the ordinance which will not admit such a
speedy administration of it, he will not insist upon it. The most
forward zeal must submit to order and rule. But, (2.) He does desire
it, and, unless Philip can show cause why not, he desires it now, and
is not willing to defer it. Note, In the solemn dedicating and devoting
of ourselves to God, it is good to make haste, and not to delay; for
the present time is the best time, Ps. cxix. 60. Those who have
received the thing signified by baptism should not put off receiving
the sign. The eunuch feared lest the good affections now working in him
should cool and abate, and therefore was willing immediately to bind
his soul with the baptismal bonds unto the Lord, that he might bring
the matter to an issue.
2. The fair declaration which Philip made him of the terms upon which
he might have the privilege of baptism (v. 37): "If thou believest with
all thy heart, thou mayest; that is, If thou believest this doctrine
which I have preached to thee concerning Jesus, if thou receivest the
record God has given concerning him, and set to thy seal that it is
true." He must believe with all his heart, for with the heart man
believeth, not with the head only, by an assent to gospel truths in the
understanding; but with the heart, by a consent of the will to gospel
terms. "If thou do indeed believe with all thy heart, thou art by that
united to Christ, and, if thou give proofs and evidences that thou dost
so, thou mayest by baptism be joined to the church."
3. The confession of faith which the eunuch made in order to his being
baptized. It is very short, but it is comprehensive and much to the
purpose, and what was sufficient: I believe that Jesus Christ is the
Son of God. He was before a worshipper of the true God, so that all he
had to do now was to receive Christ Jesus the Lord. (1.) He believes
that Jesus is the Christ, the true Messiah promised, the anointed One.
(2.) That Christ is Jesus--a Saviour, the only Saviour of his people
from their sins. And, (3.) That this Jesus Christ is the Son of God,
that he has a divine nature, as the Son is of the same nature with the
Father; and that, being the Son of God, he is the heir of all things.
This is the principal peculiar doctrine of Christianity, and whosoever
believe this with all their hearts, and confess it, they and their seed
are to be baptized.
4. The baptizing of him hereupon. The eunuch ordered his coachman to
stop, commanded the chariot to stand still. It was the best baiting
place he ever met with in any of his journeys. They went down both into
the water, for they had no convenient vessels with them, being upon a
journey, wherewith to take up water, and must therefore go down into
it; not that they stripped off their clothes, and went naked into the
water, but, going barefoot according to the custom, they went perhaps
up to the ankles or mid-leg into the water, and Philip sprinkled water
upon him, according to the prophecy which this eunuch had probably but
just now read, for it was but a few verses before those which Philip
found him upon, and was very apposite to his case (Isa. lii. 15): So
shall he sprinkle many nations, kings and great men shall shut their
mouths at him, shall submit to him, and acquiesce in him, for that
which had not before been told them shall they see, and that which they
had not heard shall they consider. Observe, Though Philip had very
lately been deceived in Simon Magus, and had admitted him to baptism,
though he afterwards appeared to be no true convert, yet he did not
therefore scruple to baptize the eunuch upon his profession of faith
immediately, without putting him upon a longer trial than usual. If
some hypocrites crowd into the church, who afterwards prove a grief and
scandal to us, yet we must not therefore make the door of admission any
straiter than Christ has made it; they shall answer for their apostasy,
and not we.
VI. Philip and the eunuch are separated presently; and this is as
surprising as the other parts of the story. One would have expected
that the eunuch should either have stayed with Philip, or have taken
him along with him into his own country, and, there being so many
ministers in those parts, he might be spared, and it would be worth
while: but God ordered otherwise. As soon as they had come up out of
the water, before the eunuch went into his chariot again, the Spirit of
the Lord caught away Philip (v. 39), and did not give him time to make
an exhortation to the eunuch, as usual after baptism, which it is
probable the one intended and the other expected. But his sudden
departure was sufficient to make up the want of that exhortation, for
it seems to have been miraculous, and that he was caught up in the air
in the eunuch's sight, and so carried out of his sight; and the working
of this miracle upon Philip was a confirmation of his doctrine, as much
as the working of a miracle by him would have been. He was caught away,
and the eunuch saw him no more, but, having lost his minister, returned
to the use of his Bible again. Now here we are told,
1. How the eunuch was disposed: He went on his way rejoicing. He
pursued his journey. Business called him home, and he must hasten to
it; for it was no way inconsistent with his Christianity, which places
no sanctity nor perfection in men's being hermits or recluses, but is a
religion which men may and ought to carry about with them into the
affairs of this life. But he went on rejoicing; so far was he from
reflecting upon this sudden revolution and change, or advancement
rather, in his religion, with any regret, that his second thoughts
confirmed him abundantly in it, and he went on, rejoicing with joy
unspeakable and full of glory; he was never better pleased in all his
life. He rejoiced, (1.) That he himself was joined to Christ and had an
interest in him. And, (2.) That he had these good tidings to bring to
his countrymen, and a prospect of bringing them also, by virtue of his
interest among them, into fellowship with Christ; for he returned, not
only a Christian, but a minister. Some copies read this verse thus:
And, when they were come up out of the water, the Holy Spirit fell upon
the eunuch (without the ceremony of the apostle's imposition of hands),
but the angel of the Lord caught away Philip.
2. How Philip was disposed of (v. 40): He was found at Azotus or
Ashdod, formerly a city of the Philistines; there the angel or Spirit
of the Lord dropped him, which was about thirty miles from Gaza,
whither the eunuch was going, and where Dr. Lightfoot thinks he took
ship, and went by sea into his own country. But Philip, wherever he
was, would not be idle. Passing through, he preached in all the cities
till he came to Cesarea, and there he settled, and, for aught that
appears, had his principal residence ever after; for at Cesarea we find
him in a house of his own, ch. xxi. 8. He that had been faithful in
working for Christ as an itinerant at length gains a settlement.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. IX.
In this chapter we have, I. The famous story of St. Paul's conversion
from being an outrageous persecutor of the gospel of Christ to be an
illustrious professor and preacher of it. 1. How he was first awakened
and wrought upon by an appearance of Christ himself to him as he was
going upon an errand of persecution to Damascus: and what a condition
he was in while he lay under the power of those convictions and
terrors, ver. 1-9. 2. How he was baptized by Ananias, by immediate
directions from heaven, ver. 10-19. 3. How he immediately commenced
doctor, and preached the faith of Christ, and proved what he preached,
ver. 20-22. 4. How he was persecuted, and narrowly escaped with his
life, ver. 23-25. 5. How he was admitted among the brethren at
Jerusalem: how he preached, and was persecuted there, ver. 26-30. 6.
The rest and quietness which the churches enjoyed for some time after
this, ver. 31. II. The cure wrought by Peter on Eneas, who had long
been laid up with a palsy, ver. 32-35. III. The raising of Tabitha from
death to life, at the prayer of Peter, ver. 36-43.
Saul's Conversion.
1 And Saul, yet breathing out threatenings and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, went unto the high priest, 2 And desired of
him letters to Damascus to the synagogues, that if he found any of this
way, whether they were men or women, he might bring them bound unto
Jerusalem. 3 And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly
there shined round about him a light from heaven: 4 And he fell to
the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou me? 5 And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord
said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick
against the pricks. 6 And he trembling and astonished said, Lord,
what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go
into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. 7 And the
men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but
seeing no man. 8 And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes
were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought
him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither
did eat nor drink.
We found mention made of Saul twice or thrice in the story of Stephen,
for the sacred penman longed to come to his story; and now we are come
to it, not quite taking leave of Peter but from henceforward being
mostly taken up with Paul the apostle of the Gentiles, as Peter was of
the circumcision. His name in Hebrew was Saul--desired, though as
remarkably little in stature as his namesake king Saul was tall and
stately; one of the ancients calls him, Homo tricubitalis--but four
feet and a half in height; his Roman name which he went by among the
citizens of Rome was Paul--little. He was born in Tarsus, a city of
Cilicia, a free city of the Romans, and himself a freeman of that city.
His father and mother were both native Jews; therefore he calls himself
a Hebrew of the Hebrews; he was of the tribe of Benjamin, which adhered
to Judah. His education was in the schools of Tarsus first, which was a
little Athens for learning; there he acquainted himself with the
philosophy and poetry of the Greeks. Thence he was sent to the
university at Jerusalem, to study divinity and the Jewish law. His
tutor was Gamaliel, an eminent Pharisee. He had extraordinary natural
parts, and improved mightily in learning. He had likewise a handicraft
trade (being bred to tent-making), which was common with those among
the Jews who were bred scholars (as Dr. Lightfoot saith), for the
earning of their maintenance, and the avoiding of idleness. This is the
young man on whom the grace of God wrought this mighty change here
recorded, about a year after the ascension of Christ, or little more.
We are here told,
I. How bad he was, how very bad, before his conversion; just before he
was an inveterate enemy to Christianity, did his utmost to root it out,
by persecuting all that embraced it. In other respects he was well
enough, as touching the righteousness which is of the law, blameless, a
man of no ill morals, but a blasphemer of Christ, a persecutor of
Christians, and injurious to both, 1 Tim. i. 13. And so ill informed
was his conscience that he thought he ought to do what he did against
the name of Christ (ch. xxvi. 9) and that he did God service in it, as
was foretold, John xvi. 2. Here we have,
1. His general enmity and rage against the Christian religion (v. 1):
He yet breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of
the Lord. The persons persecuted were the disciples of the Lord;
because they were so, under that character he hated and persecuted
them. The matter of the persecution was threatenings and slaughter.
There is persecution in threatenings (ch. iv. 17, 21); they terrify and
break the spirit: and though we say, Threatened folks live long, yet
those whom Saul threatened, if he prevailed not thereby to frighten
them from Christ, he slew them, he persecuted them to death, ch. xxii.
4. His breathing out threatenings and slaughter intimates that it was
natural to him, and his constant business. He even breathed in this as
in his element. He breathed it out with heat and vehemence; his very
breath, like that of some venomous creatures, was pestilential. He
breathed death to the Christians, wherever he came; he puffed at them
in his pride (Ps. xii. 4, 5), spit his venom at them in his rage. Saul
yet breathing thus intimates, (1.) That he still persisted in it; not
satisfied with the blood of those he had slain, he still cries, Give,
give. (2.) That he should shortly be of another mine; as yet he
breathes out threatenings and slaughter, but he has not long to live
such a life as this, that breath will be stopped shortly.
2. His particular design upon the Christians at Damascus; thither was
the gospel now lately carried by those that fled from the persecution
at Stephen's death, and thought to be safe and quiet there, and were
connived at by those in power there: but Saul cannot be easy if he
knows a Christian is quiet; and therefore, hearing that the Christians
in Damascus were so, he resolves to give them disturbance. In order to
this, he applies to the high priest for a commission (v. 1) to go to
Damascus, v. 2. The high priest needed not to be stirred up to
persecute the Christians, he was forward enough to do it; but it seems
the young persecutor drove more furiously than the old one. Leaders in
sin are the worst of sinners; and the proselytes which the scribes and
Pharisees make often prove seven times more the children of hell than
themselves. He saith (ch. xxii. 5) that this commission was had from
the whole estate of the elders: and proud enough this furious bigot was
to have a commission directed to him, with the seal of the great
sanhedrim affixed to it. Now the commission was to empower him to
enquire among the synagogues, or congregations, of the Jews that were
at Damascus, whether there were any that belonged to them that inclined
to favour this new sect or heresy, that believed in Christ; and if he
found any such, whether men or women, to bring them up prisoners to
Jerusalem, to be proceeded against according to law by the great
council there. Observe, (1.) The Christians are here said to be those
of this way; those of the way, so it is in the original. Perhaps the
Christians sometimes called themselves so, from Christ the Way; or,
because they looked on themselves as but in the way, and not yet at
home; or, the enemies thus represented it as away by itself, a by-way,
a party, a faction. (2.) The high priest and sanhedrim claimed a power
over the Jews in all countries, and had a deference paid to their
authority in matters of religion, by all their synagogues, even those
that were not of the jurisdiction of the civil government of the Jewish
nation. And such a sovereignty the Roman pontiff now claims as the
Jewish pontiff then did, though he has not so much to show for it. (3.)
By this commission, all that worshipped God in the way that they called
heresy, though agreeing exactly with the original institutes even of
the Jewish church, whether they were men or women, were to be
prosecuted. Even the weaker sex, who in a case of this nature might
deserve excuse, or at least compassion, shall find neither with Saul
any more than they do with the popish persecutors. (4.) He was ordered
to bring them all bound to Jerusalem as criminals of the first
magnitude, which, as it would be the more likely to terrify them, so it
would be to magnify Saul, as having the command of the forces that were
to carry them up, and opportunity of breathing out threatenings and
slaughter. Thus was Saul employed when the grace of God wrought that
great change in him. Let not us then despair of renewing grace for the
conversion of the greatest sinners, nor let such despair of the
pardoning mercy of God for the greatest sin; for Paul himself obtained
mercy, that he might be a monument, 1 Tim. i. 13.
II. How suddenly and strangely a blessed change was wrought in him, not
in the use of any ordinary means, but by miracles. The conversion of
Paul is one of the wonders of the church. Here is,
1. The place and time of it: As he journeyed, he came near to Damascus;
and there, Christ met with him.
(1.) He was in the way, travelling upon his journey; not in the temple,
nor in the synagogue, nor in the meeting of the Christians, but by the
way. The work of conversion is not tied to the church, though
ordinarily public administrations are made use of. Some are reclaimed
in slumberings on the bed (Job xxxiii. 15-17), and some in travelling
upon the road alone: Thoughts are as free, and there is as good an
opportunity of communing with our own hearts there, as upon the bed;
and there the Spirit may set in with us, for that wind blows where it
listeth. Some observe that Saul was spoken to abroad in the open air
that there might be no suspicion of imposture, nor of a trick put upon
him in it.
(2.) He was near Damascus, almost at his journey's end, ready to enter
the city, the chief city of Syria. Some observe that he who was to be
the apostle of the Gentiles was converted to the faith of Christ in a
Gentile country. Damascus had been infamous for persecuting God's
people formerly--they threshed Gilead with threshing instruments of
iron (Amos i. 3), and now it was likely to be so again.
(3.) He was in a wicked way, pursuing his design against the Christians
at Damascus, and pleasing himself with the thought that he should
devour this new-born child of Christianity there. Note, Sometimes the
grace of God works upon sinners when they are at the worst, and hotly
engaged in the most desperate sinful pursuits, which is much for the
glory both of God's pity and of his power.
(4.) The cruel edict and decree he had with him drew near to be put in
execution; and now it was happily prevented, which may be considered,
[1.] As a great kindness to the poor saints at Damascus, who had notice
of his coming, as appears by what Ananias said (v. 13, 14), and were
apprehensive of their danger from him, and trembled as poor lambs at
the approach of a ravening wolf; Saul's conversion was their security
for the present. Christ has many ways of delivering the godly out of
temptation, and sometimes does it by a change wrought in their
persecutors, either restraining their wrathful spirits (Ps. lxxvi. 10)
and mollifying them for a time, as the Old-Testament Saul, who relented
towards David more than once (1 Sam. xxiv. 16; xxvi. 21), or renewing
their spirits, and fixing upon them durable impressions, as upon the
New-Testament Saul here. [2.] It was also a very great mercy to Saul
himself to be hindered from executing his wicked design, in which if he
had now proceeded, perhaps it had been the filling up of the measure of
his iniquity. Note, It is to be valued as a signal token of the divine
favour if God, either by the inward operations of his grace or the
outward occurrences of his providence, prevent us from prosecuting and
executing a sinful purpose, 1 Sam. xxv. 32.
2. The appearance of Christ to him in his glory. Here it is only said
that there shone round about him a light from heaven; but it appears
from what follows (v. 17) that the Lord Jesus was in this light, and
appeared to him by the way. He saw that just One (ch. xxii. 14), and
see ch. xxvi. 13. Whether he saw him at a distance, as Stephen saw him,
in the heavens, or nearer in the air, is not certain. It is not
inconsistent with what is said of the heavens receiving Christ till the
end of time (ch. iii. 21) to suppose that he did, upon such an
extraordinary occasion as this, make a personal visit, but a very short
one, to this lower world; it was necessary to Paul's being an apostle
that he should see the Lord, and so he did, 1 Cor. ix. 1; xv. 8. (1.)
This light shone upon him suddenly--exaiphnes, when Paul never thought
of any such thing, and without any previous warning. Christ's
manifestations of himself to poor souls are many times sudden and very
surprising, and he anticipates them with the blessings of his goodness.
This the disciples that Christ called to himself found. Or ever I was
aware, Cant. vi. 12. (2.) It was a light from Heaven, the fountain of
light, from the God of heaven, the Father of lights. It was a light
above the brightness of the sun (ch. xxvi. 13), for it was visible at
mid-day, and outshone the sun in his meridian strength and lustre, Isa.
xxiv. 23. (3.) It shone round about him, not in his face only, but on
every side of him; let him turn which way he will, he finds himself
surrounded with the discoveries of it. And this was designed not only
to startle him, and awaken his attention (for well may he expect to
hear when he is thus made to see something very extraordinary), but to
signify the enlightening of his understanding with the knowledge of
Christ. The devil comes to the soul in darkness; by this he gets and
keeps possession of it. But Christ comes to the soul in light, for he
is himself the light of the world, bright and glorious to us, as light.
The first thing in this new creation, as in that of the world, is
light, 2 Cor. iv. 6. Hence all Christians are said to be children of
the light and of the day, Eph. v. 8.
3. The arresting of Saul, and his detachment: He fell to the earth, v.
4. Some think that he was on foot, and that this light, which perhaps
was accompanied with a thunderclap, so terrified him that he could not
keep his feet, but fell upon his face, usually a posture of adoration,
but here of astonishment. It is probable that he was mounted, as
Balaam, when he went to curse Israel, and perhaps better mounted than
he; for Saul was now in a public post, was in haste, and the journey
was long, so that it is not likely he should travel on foot. The sudden
light would frighten the beast he rode on, and make it throw him; and
it was God's good providence that his body got no hurt by the fall: but
angels had a particular charge concerning him, to keep all his bones,
so that not one of them was broken. It appears (ch. xxvi. 14) that all
that were with him fell to the earth as well as he, but the design was
upon him. This may be considered, (1.) As the effect of Christ's
appearing to him, and of the light which shone round about him. Note,
Christ's manifestations of himself to poor souls are humbling; they lay
them very low, in mean thoughts of themselves, and a humble submission
to the will of God. Now mine eyes see thee, saith Job, I abhor myself.
I saw the Lord, saith Isaiah, sitting upon a throne, and I said, Woe is
me, for I am undone. (2.) As a step towards this intended advancement.
He is designed not only to be a Christian, but to be a minister, an
apostle, a great apostle, and therefore he must thus be cast down.
Note, Those whom Christ designs for the greatest honours are commonly
first laid low. Those who are designed to excel in knowledge and grace
are commonly laid low first, in a sense of their own ignorance and
sinfulness. Those whom God will employ are first struck with a sense of
their unworthiness to be employed.
4. The arraigning of Saul. Being by the fall taken into custody, and as
it were set to the bar, he heard a voice saying to him (and it was
distinguishing, to him only, for though those that were with him heard
a sound, v. 7, yet they knew not the words, ch. xxii. 9), Saul, Saul,
why persecutest thou me? Observe here,
(1.) Saul not only saw a light from heaven, but heard a voice from
heaven; wherever the glory of God was seen, the word of God was heard
(Exod. xx. 18); and to Moses (Num. vii. 89); and to the prophets. God's
manifestations of himself were never dumb shows, for he magnifies his
word above all his name, and what was seen was alway designed to make
way for what was said. Saul heard a voice. Note, Faith comes by
hearing; hence the Spirit is said to be received by the hearing of
faith, Gal. iii. 2. The voice he heard was the voice of Christ. When he
saw that just One, he heard the voice of his mouth, ch. xxii. 14. Note,
The word we hear is likely to profit us when we hear it as the voice of
Christ, 1 Thess. ii. 13. It is the voice of my beloved; no voice but
his can reach the heart. Seeing and hearing are the two learning
senses; Christ here, by both these doors, entered into Saul's heart.
(2.) What he heard was very awakening.
[1.] He was called by his name, and that doubled: Saul, Saul. Some
think, in calling him Saul, he hints at that great persecutor of David
whose name he bore. He was indeed a second Saul, and such an enemy to
the Son of David as the other was to David. Calling him by his name
intimates the particular regard that Christ had to him: I have surnamed
thee, though thou hast not known me, Isa. xlv. 4. See Exod. xxxiii. 12.
His calling him by name brought the conviction home to his conscience,
and put it past dispute to whom the voice spoke this. Note, What God
speaks in general is then likely to do us good when we apply it to
ourselves, and insert our own names into the precepts and promises
which are expressed generally, as if God spoke to us by name, and when
he saith, Ho, every one, he had said, Ho, such a one: Samuel, Samuel;
Saul, Saul. The doubling of it, Saul, Saul, intimates, First, The deep
sleep that Saul was in; he needed to be called again and again, as Jer.
xxii. 29, O earth, earth, earth. Secondly, The tender concern that the
blessed Jesus had for him, and for his recovery. He speaks as one in
earnest; it is like Martha, Martha (Luke x. 41), or Simon, Simon (Luke
xxii. 31), or O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Matt. xxiii. 37. He speaks to him
as to one in imminent danger, at the pit's brink, and just ready to
drop in: "Saul, Saul, dost thou know whither thou art going, or what
thou art doing?"
[2.] The charge exhibited against him is, Why persecutest thou me?
Observe here, First, Before Saul was made a saint, he was made to see
himself a sinner, a great sinner, a sinner against Christ. Now he was
made to see that evil in himself which he never saw before; sin revived
and he died. Note, A humbling conviction of sin is the first step
towards a saving conversion from sin. Secondly, He is convinced of one
particular sin, which he was most notoriously guilty of, and had
justified himself in, and thereby way is made for his conviction of all
the rest. Thirdly, The sin he is convinced of is persecution: Why
persecutest thou me? It is a very affectionate expostulation, enough to
melt a heart of stone. Observe, 1. The person sinning: "It is thou;
thou, that art not one of the ignorant, rude, unthinking crowd, that
will run down any thing they hear put into an ill name, but thou that
hast had a liberal learned education, has good parts and
accomplishments, hast the knowledge of the scriptures, which, if duly
considered, would show thee the folly of it. It is worse in thee than
in another." 2. The person sinned against: "It is I, who never did thee
any harm, who came from heaven to earth to do thee good, who was not
long since crucified for thee; and was not that enough, but must I
afresh be crucified by thee?" 3. The kind and continuance of the sin.
It was persecution, and he was at this time engaged in it: "Not only
thou hast persecuted, but thou persecutest, thou persistest in it." He
was not at this time hauling any to prison, nor killing them; but this
was the errand he came upon to Damascus; he was now projecting it, and
pleasing himself with the thought of it. Note, Those that are designing
mischief are, in God's account, doing mischief. 4. The question put to
him upon it: "Why dost thou do it?" (1.) It is complaining language.
"Why dealest thou thus unjustly, thus unkindly, with my disciples?"
Christ never complained so much of those who persecuted him in his own
person as he did here of those who persecuted him in his followers. He
complains of it as it was Saul's sin: "Why art thou such an enemy to
thyself, to thy God?" Note, The sins of sinners are a very grievous
burden to the Lord Jesus. He is grieved for them (Mark iii. 5), he is
pressed under them, Amos ii. 13. (2.) It is convincing language: "Why
dost thou thus: Canst thou give any good reason for it?" Note, It is
good for us often to ask ourselves why we do so and so, that we may
discern what an unreasonable thing sin is: and of all sins none so
unreasonable, so unaccountable, as the sin of persecuting the disciples
of Christ, especially when it is discovered to be, as certainly it is,
persecuting Christ. Those have no knowledge who eat up God's people,
Ps. xiv. 4. Why persecutest thou me? He thought he was persecuting only
a company of poor, weak, silly people, that were an offence and
eye-sore to the Pharisees, little imagining that is was one in heaven
that he was all this while insulting; for surely, if he had known, he
would not have persecuted the Lord of glory. Note, Those who persecute
the saints persecute Christ himself, and he takes what is done against
them as done against himself, and accordingly will be the judgment in
the great day, Matt. xxv. 45.
5. Saul's question upon his indictment, and the reply to it, v. 5.
(1.) He makes enquiry concerning Christ: Who art thou, Lord? He gives
no direct answer to the charge preferred against him, being convicted
by his own conscience, and self-condemned. If God contend with us for
our sins, we are not able to answer for one of a thousand, especially
such a one as the sin of persecution. Convictions of sin, when they are
set home with power upon the conscience, will silence all excuses and
self-justifications. Though I were righteous, yet would I not answer.
But he desires to know who is his judge; the compellation is
respectful: Lord. He who had been a blasphemer of Christ's name now
speaks to him as his Lord. The question is proper: Who art thou? This
implies his present unacquaintedness with Christ; he knew not his voice
as his own sheep do, but he desired to be acquainted with him; he is
convinced by this light which encloses him that it is one from heaven
that speaks to him, and he has a veneration for every thing that
appears to him to come from heaven; and therefore, Lord, who art thou?
What is thy name? Judg. xiii. 17; Gen. xxxii. 29. Note, there is some
hope of people when they begin to enquire after Jesus Christ.
(2.) He has an answer immediately, in which we have,
[1.] Christ's gracious revelation of himself to him. He is always ready
to answer the serious enquiries of those who covet an acquaintance with
him: I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. The name of Jesus was not
unknown to him; his heart had risen against it many a time, and gladly
would he bury it in oblivion. He knew it was the name that he
persecuted, but little did he think to hear it from heaven, or from the
midst of such a glory as now shone round about him. Note, Christ brings
souls into fellowship with himself by manifesting himself to them. He
said, First, I am Jesus, a Saviour; I am Jesus of Nazareth, so it is,
ch. xxii. 8. Saul used to call him so when he blasphemed him: "I am
that very Jesus whom thou usedst to call in scorn Jesus of Nazareth."
And he would show that now that he is in his glory he is not ashamed of
his humiliation. Secondly, "I am that Jesus whom thou persecutest, and
therefore it will be at thy peril if thou persist in this wicked
course." There is nothing more effectual to awaken and humble the soul
than to see sin to be against Christ, an affront to him, and a
contradiction to his designs.
[2.] His gentle reproof of him: It is hard for thee to kick against the
pricks, or goads--to spurn at the spur. It is hard, it is in itself an
absurd and evil thing, and will be of fatal consequence to him that
does it. Those kick at the goad that stifle and smother the convictions
of conscience, that rebel against God's truths and laws, that quarrel
with his providences, and that persecute and oppose his ministers,
because they reprove them, and their words are as goads and as nails.
Those that revolt more and more when they are stricken by the word or
rod of God, that are enraged at reproofs and fly in the face of their
reprovers, kick against the pricks and will have a great deal to answer
for.
6. His surrender of himself to the Lord Jesus at length, v. 6. See
here,
(1.) The frame and temper he was in, when Christ had been dealing with
him. [1.] He trembled, as one in a great fright. Note, Strong
convictions, set home by the blessed Spirit, will make an awakened soul
to tremble. How can those choose but tremble that are made to see the
eternal God provoked against them, the whole creation at war with them,
and their own souls upon the brink of ruin! [2.] He was astonished, was
filled with amazement, as one brought into a new world, that knew not
where he was. Note, The convincing, converting, work of Christ is
astonishing to the awakened soul, and fills it with admiration. "What
is this that God has done with me, and what will he do?"
(2.) His address to Jesus Christ, when he was in this frame: Lord, what
wilt thou have me to do? This may be taken, [1.] As a serious request
for Christ's teachings: "Lord, I see I have hitherto been out of the
way; thou hast shown me my error, set me to rights; thou hast
discovered sin to me, discover to me the way to pardon and peace." It
is like that, Men and brethren, what must we do? Note, A serious desire
to be instructed by Christ in the way of salvation is an evidence of a
good work begun in the soul. Or, [2.] As a sincere resignation of
himself to the direction and government of the Lord Jesus. This was the
first word that grace spoke in Paul, and with this began a spiritual
life: Lord Jesus, What wilt thou have me to do? Did not he know what he
had to do? Had he not his commission in his pocket? And what had he to
do but to execute it? No, he had done enough of this work already, and
resolves now to change his master, and employ himself better. Now it is
not, What will the high priest and the elders have me to do? What will
my own wicked appetites and passions have me to do? But, What wilt thou
have me to do? The great change in conversion is wrought upon the will,
and consists in the resignation of that to the will of Christ.
(3.) The general direction Christ gave him, in answer to this: Arise,
go into the city of Damascus, which thou art now near to, and it shall
be told thee what thou must do. It is encouragement enough to have
further instruction promised him, but, [1.] He must not have it yet; it
shall be told him shortly what he must do, but, for the present, he
must pause upon what has been said to him, and improve that. Let him
consider awhile what he has done in persecuting Christ, and be deeply
humbled for that, and then he shall be told what he has further to do.
[2.] He must not have it in this way, by a voice from heaven, for it is
plain that he cannot bear it; he trembles, and is astonished. He shall
be told therefore what he must do by a man like himself, whose terror
shall not make him afraid, nor his hand be heavy upon him, which Israel
desired at mount Sinai. Or, it is an intimation that Christ would take
some other time to manifest himself further to him, when he was more
composed, and this fright pretty well over. Christ manifests himself to
his people by degrees; and both what he does and would he have them to
do, though they know not now, they shall know hereafter.
7. How far his fellow travellers were affected with this, and what
impression it made upon them. They fell to the earth, as he did, but
rose without being bidden, which he did not, but lay still till it was
said to him, Arise; for he lay under a heavier load than any of them
did; but when they were up, (1.) They stood speechless, as men in
confusion, and that was all, v. 7. They were going on the same wicked
errand that Paul was, and perhaps, to the best of their power, were as
spiteful as he; yet we do not find that any of them were converted,
though they saw the light, and were struck down and struck dumb by it.
No external means will of themselves work a change in the soul, without
the Spirit and grace of God, which distinguish between some and others;
among these that journeyed together, one is taken, and the others left.
They stood speechless; none of them said, Who art thou, Lord? or, What
wilt thou have me to do? as Paul did, but none of God's children are
born dumb. (2.) They heard a voice, but saw no man; they heard Paul
speak, but saw not him to whom he spoke, nor heard distinctly what was
said to him: which reconciles it with what is said of this matter, ch.
xxii. 9, where it is said, They saw the light and were afraid (which
they might do and yet see no man in the light, as Paul did), and that
they heard not the voice of him that spoke to Paul, so as to understand
what he said, though they did hear a confused noise. Thus those who
came hither to be the instruments of Paul's rage against the church
serve for witnesses of the power of God over him.
8. What condition Saul was in after this, v. 8, 9. (1.) He arose from
the earth, when Christ commanded him, but probably not without help,
the vision had made him so faint and weak, I will not say like
Belshazzar, when the joints of his loins were loosed and his knees
smote one against another, but like Daniel, when upon the sight of a
vision no strength remained in him, Dan. x. 16, 17. (2.) When his eyes
were opened, he found that his sight was gone, and he saw no man, none
of the men that were with him, and began now to be busy about him. It
was not so much this glaring light that, by dazzling his eyes, had
dimmed them--Nimium sensibile lædit sensum; for then those with him
would have lost their sight too; but it was a sight of Christ, whom the
rest saw not, that had this effect upon him. Thus a believing sight of
the glory of God in the face of Christ dazzles the eyes to all things
here below. Christ, in order to the further discovery of himself and
his gospel to Paul, took him off from the sight of other things, which
he must look off, that he may look unto Jesus, and to him only. (3.)
They led him by the hand into Damascus; whether to a public house, or
to some friend's house, is not certain; but thus he who thought to have
led the disciples of Christ prisoners and captives to Jerusalem was
himself led a prisoner and a captive to Christ into Damascus. He was
thus taught what need he had of the grace of Christ to lead his soul
(being naturally blind and apt to mistake) into all truth. (4.) He lay
without sight, and without food, neither did eat nor drink for three
days, v. 9. I do not think, as some do, that now he had his rapture
into the third heavens, which he speaks of, 2 Cor. xii. So far from
this that we have reason to think he was all this time rather in the
belly of hell, suffering God's terrors for his sins, which were now set
in order before him: he was in the dark concerning his own spiritual
state, and was so wounded in spirit for sin that he could relish
neither meat nor drink.
Ananias Sent to Saul; Ananias Restores Saul's Sight; Saul Associates with the
Disciples; Saul Preaches Christ at Damascus.
10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to
him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here,
Lord. 11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street
which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one
called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, 12 And hath seen in
a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him,
that he might receive his sight. 13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I
have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy
saints at Jerusalem: 14 And here he hath authority from the chief
priests to bind all that call on thy name. 15 But the Lord said unto
him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name
before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: 16 For I
will show him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. 17
And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his
hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared
unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest
receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. 18 And
immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he
received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. 19 And when he
had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with
the disciples which were at Damascus. 20 And straightway he preached
Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21 But all that
heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them
which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that
intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? 22 But
Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which
dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.
As for God, his work is perfect; if he begin, he will make an end: a
good work was begun in Saul, when he was brought to Christ's feet, in
that word, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And never did Christ
leave any that were brought to that. Though Saul was sadly mortified
when he lay three days blind, yet he was not abandoned. Christ here
takes care of the work of his own hands. He that hath torn will
heal--that hath smitten will bind up--that hath convinced will comfort.
I. Ananias is here ordered to go and look after him, to heal and help
him; for he that causeth grief will have compassion.
1. The person employed is Ananias, a certain disciple at Damascus, not
lately driven thither from Jerusalem, but a native of Damascus; for it
is said (ch. xxii. 12) that he had a good report of all the Jews who
dwelt there, as a devout man according to the law; he had lately
embraced the gospel, and given up his name to Christ, and, as it should
seem, officiated as a minister, at least pro hac vice--on this
occasion, though it does not appear that he was apostolically ordained.
But why were not some of the apostles from Jerusalem sent for upon this
great occasion, or Philip the evangelist, who had lately baptized the
eunuch, and might have been fetched hither by the Spirit in a little
time? Surely, because Christ would employ variety of hands in eminent
services, that the honours might not be monopolized nor engrossed by a
few--because he would put work into the hands, and thereby put honour
upon the heads, of those that were mean and obscure, to encourage
them--and because he would direct us to make much of the ministers that
are where our lot is cast, if they have ordained mercy to be faithful,
though they are not of the most eminent.
2. The direction given him is to go and enquire at such a house,
probably an inn, for one Saul of Tarsus. Christ, in a vision, called to
Ananias by name, v. 10. It is probable it was not the first time that
he had heard the words of God, and seen the visions of the Almighty;
for, without terror or confusion, he readily answers, "Behold I am
here, Lord, ready to go wherever thou sendest me, and to do whatever
thou biddest me." Go then, saith Christ, into the street which is
called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas (where strangers
used to lodge) for one called Saul of Tarsus. Note, Christ very well
knows where to find out those that are his, in their distresses: when
their relations, it may be, know not what is become of them, they have
a friend in heaven, that knows in what street, in what house, nay, and
which is more, in what frame they are: he knows their souls in
adversity.
3. Two reasons are given him why he must go and enquire for this
stranger, and offer him his service--
(1.) Because he prays, and his coming to him must answer his prayer.
This is a reason, [1.] Why Ananias needed not to be afraid of him, as
we find he was, v. 13, 14. There is no question, saith Christ, but he
is a true convert, for behold he prayeth. Behold denotes the certainty
of it: "Assure thyself it is so; go and see." Christ was so pleased to
find Paul praying that he must have others to take notice of it:
Rejoice with me, for I have found the sheep which I had lost. It
denotes also the strangeness of it: "Behold, and wonder, that he who
but the other day breathed nothing but threatenings and slaughter, now
breathes nothing but prayer." But was it such a strange thing for Saul
to pray? Was he not a Pharisee? and have we not reason to think he did,
as the rest of them did, make long prayers in the synagogues and the
corners of the streets? Yes; but now he began to pray after another
manner than he had done; then he said his prayers, now he prayed them.
Note, Regenerating grace ever more sets people on praying; you may as
soon find a living man without breath as a living Christian without
prayer; if breathless, lifeless; and so, if prayerless, graceless. [2.]
As a reason why Ananias must go to him with all speed. It is no time to
linger, for behold he prayeth: if the child cry, the tender nurse will
hasten to it with the breast. Saul here, like Ephraim, is bemoaning
himself, as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, and kicking against the
goad. "Oh! go to him quickly, and tell him he is a dear son, a pleasant
child, and since I spoke against him, for persecuting me, I do
earnestly remember him still." Jer. xxxi. 18-20. Observe what condition
Saul was now in. He was under conviction of sin, trembling and
astonished; the setting of sin in order before us should drive us to
prayer. He was under a bodily affliction, blind and sick; and, Is any
afflicted? Let him pray. Christ had promised him that it should be
further told him what he should do (v. 6), and he prays that one may be
sent to him to instruct him. Note, What God has promised we must pray
for; he will for this be enquired of, and particularly for divine
instruction.
(2.) Because he hath seen in a vision such a man coming to him, to
restore him to his sight; and Ananias's coming to him must answer his
dream, for it was of God (v. 12): He hath seen in a vision a man named
Ananias, and just such a man as thou art, coming in seasonably for his
relief, and putting his hand on him that he might receive his sight.
Now this vision which Paul had may be considered, [1.] As an immediate
answer to his prayer, and the keeping up of that communion with God
which he had entered into by prayer. He had, in prayer, spread the
misery of his own case before God, and God presently manifests himself
and the kind intentions of his grace to him; and it is very encouraging
to know God's thoughts to us-ward. [2.] As designed to raise his
expectations, and to make Ananias's coming more welcome to him. He
would readily receive him as a messenger from God when he was told
beforehand, in vision, that one of that name would come to him. See
what a great thing it is to bring a spiritual physician and his patient
together: here were two visions in order to it. When God, in his
providence, does it without visions, brings a messenger to the
afflicted soul, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show unto man
his uprightness, it must be acknowledged with thankfulness to his
praise.
II. Ananias objects against going to him, and the Lord answers the
objection. See how condescendingly the Lord admits his servant to
reason with him.
1. Ananias pleads that this Saul was a notorious persecutor of the
disciples of Christ, v. 13, 14. (1.) He had been so at Jerusalem:
"Lord, I have heard by many of this man, what a malicious enemy he is
to the gospel of Christ: all those that were scattered upon the late
persecution, many of whom are come to Damascus, tell how much evil he
hath done to thy saints in Jerusalem, that he was the most virulent,
violent persecutor of all, and a ringleader in the mischief--what havoc
he has made in the church: there was no man they were more afraid of,
no, not the high priest himself, than of Saul; nay," (2.) "His errand
to Damascus at this time is to persecute us Christians: Here he has
authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name, to
treat the worshippers of Christ as the worst of criminals." Now, why
does Ananias object this. Not, "Therefore I do not owe him so much
service. Why should I do him a kindness who has done and designed us so
much unkindness?" No, Christ has taught us another lesson, to render
good for evil, and pray for our persecutors; but if he be such a
persecutor of Christians, [1.] Will it be safe for Ananias to go to
him? Will he not throw himself like a lamb into the mouth of a lion?
And, if he thus bring himself into trouble, he will be blamed for his
indiscretion. [2.] Will it be to any purpose to go to him? Can such a
hard heart ever be softened, or such an Ethiopian ever change his skin?
2. Christ overrules the objection (v. 15, 16): "Do not tell me how bad
he has been, I know it very well; but go thy way with all speed, and
give him all the help thou canst, for he is a chosen vessel, or
instrument, unto me; I design to put confidence in him, and then thou
needest not fear him." He was a vessel in which the gospel-treasure
should be lodged, in order to the conveyance of it to many; an earthen
vessel (2 Cor. iv. 7), but a chosen vessel. The vessel God uses he
himself chooses; and it is fit he should himself have the choosing of
the instruments he employs (John xv. 16): You have not chosen me, but I
have chosen you. He is a vessel of honour, and must not be neglected in
his present forlorn condition, nor thrown away as a despised broken
vessel, or a vessel in which there is no pleasure. He is designed, (1.)
For eminent services: He is to bear my name before the Gentiles, is to
be the apostle of the Gentiles, and to carry the gospel to heathen
nations. Christ's name is the standard to which souls must be gathered,
and under which they must be enlisted, and Saul must be a
standard-bearer. He must bear Christ's name, must bear witness to it
before kings, king Agrippa and Cæsar himself; nay, he must bear it
before the children of Israel, though there were so many hands already
at work about them. (2.) For eminent sufferings (v. 16): I will show
him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake. He that has
been a persecutor shall be himself persecuted. Christ's showing him
this intimates either his bringing him to these trials (as Ps. lx. 3),
Thou hast shown thy people hard things, or his giving notice of them
beforehand, that they might be no surprise to him. Note, Those that
bear Christ's name must expect to bear the cross for his name; and
those that do most for Christ are often called out to suffer most for
him. Saul must suffer great things. This, one would think, was a cold
comfort for a young convert; but it is only like telling a soldier of a
bold and brave spirit, when he is enlisted, that he shall take the
field, and enter upon action, shortly. Saul's sufferings for Christ
shall redound so much to the honour of Christ and the service of the
church, shall be so balanced with spiritual comforts and recompensed
with eternal glories, that it is no discouragement to him to be told
how great things he must suffer for Christ's name's sake.
III. Ananias presently goes on Christ's errand to Saul, and with good
effect. He had started an objection against going to him, but, when an
answer was given to it, he dropped it, and did not insist upon it. When
difficulties are removed, what have we to do but to go on with our
work, and not hang upon an objection?
1. Ananias delivered his message to Saul, v. 17. Probably he found him
in bed, and applied to him as a patient. (1.) He put his hands on him.
It was promised, as one of the signs that should follow those that
believe, that they should lay hands on the sick, and they should
recover (Mark xvi. 18), and it was for that intent that he put his
hands on him. Saul came to lay violent hands upon the disciples at
Damascus, but here a disciple lays a helping healing hand upon him. The
blood-thirsty hate the upright, but the just seek his soul. (2.) He
called him brother, because he was made a partaker of the grace of God,
though not yet baptized; and his readiness to own him as a brother
intimated to him God's readiness to own him as a son, though he had
been a blasphemer of God and a persecutor of his children. (3.) He
produces his commission from the same hand that had laid hold on him by
the way, and now had him in custody. "That same Jesus that appeared
unto thee in the way as thou camest, and convinced thee of thy sin in
persecuting him, has now sent me to thee to comfort thee." Una eademque
manus vulnus opemque tulit--The hand that wounded heals. "His light
struck thee blind, but he hath sent me to thee that thou mightest
receive thy sight; for the design was not to blind thine eyes, but to
dazzle them, that thou mightest see things by another light: he that
then put clay upon thine eyes hath sent me to wash them, that they may
be cured." Ananias might deliver his message to Saul very appositely in
the prophet's words (Hos. vi. 1, 2): Come and turn to the Lord, for he
hath torn and he will heal thee; he hath smitten, and he will bind thee
up; now after two days he will revive thee, and the third day he will
raise thee up, and thou shalt live in his sight. Corrosives shall be no
more applied, but lenitives. (4.) He assures him that he shall not only
have his sight restored, but be filled with the Holy Ghost: he must
himself be an apostle, and must in nothing come behind the chief of the
apostles, and therefore must receive the Holy Ghost immediately, and
not, as others did, by the interposition of the apostles; and Ananias's
putting his hands upon him before he was baptized was for the
conferring of the Holy Ghost.
2. Ananias saw the good issue of his mission. (1.) In Christ's favour
to Saul. At the word of Ananias, Saul was discharged from his
confinement by the restoring of his sight; for Christ's commission to
open the prison to those that were bound (Isa. lxi. 1) is explained by
the giving of sight to the blind, Luke iv. 18; Isa. xlii. 7. Christ's
commission is to open the blind eyes, and to bring out the prisoners
from the prison. Saul is delivered from the spirit of bondage by
receiving sight (v. 18), which was signified by the falling of scales
from his eyes; and this immediately, and forthwith: the cure was
sudden, to show that it was miraculous. This signified the recovering
of him, [1.] From the darkness of his unconverted state. When he
persecuted the church of God, and walked in the spirit and way of the
Pharisees, he was blind; he saw not the meaning either of the law or of
the gospel, Rom. vii. 9. Christ often told the Pharisees that they were
blind, and could not make them sensible of it; they said, We see, John
ix. 41. Saul is saved from his Pharisaical blindness, by being made
sensible of it. Note, Converting grace opens the eyes of the soul, and
makes the scales to fall from them (ch. xxvi. 18), to open men's eyes,
and turn them from darkness to light: this was what Saul was sent among
the Gentiles to do, by the preaching of the gospel, and therefore must
first experience it in himself. [2.] From the darkness of his present
terrors, under the apprehension of guilt upon his conscience, and the
wrath of God against him. This filled him with confusion, during those
three days he sat in darkness, like Jonah for three days in the belly
of hell; but now the scales fell from his eyes, the cloud was
scattered, and the Sun of righteousness rose upon his soul, with
healing under his wings. (2.) In Saul's subjection to Christ: He was
baptized, and thereby submitted to the government of Christ, and cast
himself upon the grace of Christ. Thus he was entered into Christ's
school, hired into his family, enlisted under his banner, and joined
himself to him for better for worse. The point was gained: it is
settled; Saul is now a disciple of Christ, not only ceases to oppose
him, but devotes himself entirely to his service and honour.
IV. The good work that was begun in Saul is carried on wonderfully;
this new-born Christian, though he seemed as one born out of due time,
yet presently comes to maturity.
1. He received his bodily strength, v. 19. He had continued three days
fasting, which, with the mighty weight that was all that time upon his
spirits, had made him very weak; but, when he had received meat, he was
strengthened, v. 19. The Lord is for the body, and therefore care must
be taken of it, to keep it in good plight, that it may be fit to serve
the soul in God's service, and that Christ may be magnified in it,
Phil. i. 20.
2. He associated with the disciples that were at Damascus, fell in with
them, conversed with them, went to their meetings, and joined in
communion with them. He had lately breathed out threatenings and
slaughter against them, but now breathes love and affection to them.
Now the wolf dwells with the lamb, and the leopard lies down with the
kid, Isa. xi. 6. Note, Those that take God for their God take his
people for their people. Saul associated with the disciples, because
now he saw an amiableness and excellency in them, because he loved
them, and found that he improved in knowledge and grace by conversing
with them; and thus he made profession of his Christian faith, and
openly declared himself a disciple of Christ, by associating with those
that were his disciples.
3. He preached Christ in the synagogues, v. 20. To this he had an
extraordinary call, and for it an extraordinary qualification, God
having immediately revealed his Son to him and in him, that he might
preach him, Gal. i. 15, 16. He was so full of Christ himself, that the
Spirit within him constrained him to preach him to others, and, like
Elihu, to speak that he might be refreshed, Job xxxii. 20. Observe,
(1.) Where he preached--in the synagogues of the Jews, for they were to
have the first offer made them. The synagogues were their places of
concourse; there he met with them together, and there they used to
preach against Christ and to punish his disciples, by the same token
that Paul himself had punished them oft in every synagogue (ch. xxvi.
11), and therefore there he would face the enemies of Christ where they
were most daring, and openly profess Christianity where he had most
opposed it. (2.) What he preached: He preached Christ. When he began to
be a preacher, he fixed this for his principle, which he stuck to ever
after: We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus our Lord; nothing but
Christ, and him crucified. He preached concerning Christ, that he is
the Son of God, his beloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, and with
us in him, and not otherwise. (3.) How people were affected with it (v.
21): All that heard him were amazed, and said, "Is not this he that
destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and now does he
call on this name himself, and persuade others to call upon it, and
strengthen the hands of those that do?" Quantum mutatus ab illo--Oh how
changed! Is Saul also among the prophets? Nay, did he not come hither
for that intent, to seize all the Christians he could find, and bring
them bound to the chief priests? Yes, he did. Who would have thought
then that he would ever preach Christ as he does? Doubtless this was
looked upon by many as a great confirmation of the truth of
Christianity, that one who had been such a notorious persecutor of it
came, on a sudden, to be such an intelligent, strenuous, and capacious
preacher of it. This miracle upon the mind of such a man outshone the
miracles upon men's bodies; and giving a man such another heart was
more than giving men to speak with other tongues.
4. He confuted and confounded those that opposed the doctrine of
Christ, v. 22. He signalized himself, not only in the pulpit, but in
the schools, and showed himself supernaturally enabled, not only to
preach the truth, but to maintain and defend it when he had preached
it. (1.) He increased in strength. He became more intimately acquainted
with the gospel of Christ, and his pious affections grew more strong.
He grew more bold and daring and resolute in defence of the gospel: He
increased the more for the reflections that were cast upon him (v. 21),
in which his new friends upbraided him as having been a persecutor, and
his old friends upbraided him as being now a turncoat; but Saul,
instead of being discouraged by the various remarks made upon his
conversion, was thereby so much the more emboldened, finding he had
enough at hand wherewith to answer the worst they could say to him.
(2.) He ran down his antagonists, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in
Damascus; he silenced them, and shamed them--answered their objections
to the satisfaction of all indifferent persons, and pressed them with
arguments which they could make no reply to. In all his discourses with
the Jews he was still proving that this Jesus is very Christ, is the
Christ, the anointed of God, the true Messiah promised to the fathers.
He was proving it, symbibazon--affirming it and confirming it, teaching
with persuasion. And we have reason to think he was instrumental in
converting many to the faith of Christ, and building up the church at
Damascus, which he went thither to make havoc of. Thus out of the eater
came forth meat, and out of the strong sweetness.
The Jews Plot to Kill Saul; Saul Is Received by the Apostles; Prosperity of
the Church.
23 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to
kill him: 24 But their laying await was known of Saul. And they
watched the gates day and night to kill him. 25 Then the disciples
took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket. 26 And
when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the
disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he
was a disciple. 27 But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the
apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way,
and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at
Damascus in the name of Jesus. 28 And he was with them coming in and
going out at Jerusalem. 29 And he spake boldly in the name of the
Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to
slay him. 30 Which when the brethren knew, they brought him down to
Cæsarea, and sent him forth to Tarsus. 31 Then had the churches rest
throughout all Judæa and Galilee and Samaria, and were edified; and
walking in the fear of the Lord, and in the comfort of the Holy Ghost,
were multiplied.
Luke here makes no mention of Paul's journey into Arabia, which he
tells us himself was immediately after his conversion, Gal. i. 16, 17.
As soon as God had revealed his Son in him, that he might preach him,
he went not up to Jerusalem, to receive instructions from the apostles
(as any other convert would have done, that was designed for the
ministry), but he went to Arabia, where there was new ground to break
up, and where he would have opportunity of teaching, but not learning;
thence he returned to Damascus, and there, three years after his
conversion, this happened, which is here recorded.
I. He met with difficulties at Damascus, and had a narrow escape of
being killed there. Observe, 1. What his danger was (v. 23): The Jews
took counsel to kill him, being more enraged at him than at any other
of the preachers of the gospel, not only because he was more lively and
zealous in his preaching than any of them, and more successful, but
because he had been such a remarkable deserter, and his being a
Christian was a testimony against them. It is said (v. 24), The Jews
watched the gates day and night to kill him; they incensed the governor
against him, as a dangerous man, who therefore kept the city with a
guard to apprehend him, at his going out or coming in, 2 Cor. xi. 32.
Now Christ showed Paul what great things he must suffer for his name
(v. 16), when here was presently the government in arms against him,
which was a great thing, and, as all his other sufferings afterwards,
helped to make him considerable. Saul was no sooner a Christian than a
preacher, no sooner a preacher than a sufferer; so quickly did he rise
to the summit of his preferment. Note, Where God gives great grace he
commonly exercises it with great trials. 2. How he was delivered. (1.)
The design against him was discovered: Their lying in wait was known of
Saul, by some intelligence, whether from heaven or from men we are not
told. (2.) The disciples contrived to help him away--hid him, it is
likely, by day; and in the night, the gates being watched, that he
could not get away through them, they let him down by the wall, in a
basket, as he himself relates it (2 Cor. xi. 33), so he escaped out of
their hands. This story, as it shows us that when we enter into the way
of God we must look for temptation, and prepare accordingly, so it
shows us that the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of
temptation, and will with the temptation also make a way to escape,
that we may not be by it deterred nor driven from the way of God.
II. He met with difficulties at Jerusalem the first time he went
thither, v. 26. He came to Jerusalem. This is thought to be that
journey to Jerusalem of which he himself speaks (Gal. i. 18): After
three years I went up to Jerusalem, saith he, to see Peter, and abode
with him fifteen days. But I rather incline to think that this was a
journey before that, because his coming in and going out, his preaching
and disputing (v. 28, 29), seem to be more than would consist with his
fifteen days' stay (for that was no more) and to require a longer time;
and, besides, now he came a stranger, but then he came, historesai
Petron--to confer with Peter, as one he was intimate with; however, it
might possibly be the same. Now observe,
1. How shy his friends were of him (v. 26): When he came to Jerusalem,
he did not go to the chief priests and the Pharisees (he had taken his
leave of them long since), but he assayed to join himself to the
disciples. Wherever he came, he owned himself one of that despised
persecuted people, and associated with them. They were now in his eyes
the excellent ones of the earth, in whom was all his delight. He
desired to be acquainted with them, and to be admitted into communion
with them; but they looked strange upon him, shut the door against him,
and would not go about any of their religious exercises if he were by,
for they were afraid of him. Now might Paul be tempted to think himself
in an ill case, when the Jews had abandoned and persecuted him, and the
Christians would not receive and entertain him. Thus does he fall into
divers temptations, and needs the armour of righteousness, as we all
do, both on the right hand and on the left, that we may not be
discouraged either by the unjust treatment of our enemies or the unkind
treatment of our friends. (1.) See what was the cause of their jealousy
of him: They believed not that he was a disciple, but only pretended to
be so, and came among them as a spy or an informer. They knew what a
bitter persecutor he had been, with what fury he went to Damascus some
time ago; they had heard nothing of him since, and therefore thought he
was but a wolf in sheep's clothing. The disciples of Christ had need to
be cautious whom they admit into communion with them. Believe not every
spirit. There is need of the wisdom of the serpent, to keep the mean
between the extremes of suspicion on the one hand and credulity on the
other; yet methinks it is safer to err on the charitable side, because
it is an adjudged case that it is better the tares should be found
among the wheat than that the wheat should any of it be rooted up and
thrown out of the field. (2.) See how it was removed (v. 27): Barnabas
took him to the apostles themselves, who were not so scrupulous as the
inferior disciples, to whom he first assayed to join himself, and he
declared to them, [1.] What Christ had done for him: He had shown
himself to him in the way and spoken to him; and what he said. [2.]
What he had since done for Christ: He had preached boldly at Damascus
in the name of Jesus. How Barnabas came to know this, more than the
rest of them, we are not told; whether he had himself been at Damascus,
or had had letters thence, or discoursed with some of that city, by
which he came to the knowledge of this; or whether he had formerly been
acquainted with Paul in the Grecian synagogues, or at the feet of
Gamaliel, and had such an account of his conversion from himself as he
saw cause enough to give credit to: but so it was that, being satisfied
himself, he gave satisfaction to the apostles concerning him, he having
brought no testimonials from the disciples at Damascus, thinking he
needed not, as some others, epistles of commendation, 2 Cor. iii. 1.
Note, The introducing of a young convert into the communion of the
faithful is a very good work, and one which, as we have opportunity, we
should be ready to do.
2. How sharp his enemies were upon him. (1.) He was admitted into the
communion of the disciples, which was no little provocation to his
enemies. It vexed the unbelieving Jews to see Saul a trophy of Christ's
victory, and a captive to his grace, who had been such a champion for
their cause--to see him coming in, and going out, with the apostles (v.
28), and to hear them glorying in him, or rather glorifying God in him.
(2.) He appeared vigorous in the cause of Christ, and this was yet more
provoking to them (v. 29): He spoke boldly in the name of the Lord
Jesus. Note, Those that speak for Christ have reason to speak boldly;
for they have a good cause, and speak for one who will at last speak
for himself and them too. The Grecians, or Hellenist Jews, were most
offended at him, because he had been one of them; and they drew him
into a dispute, in which, no doubt, he was too hard for them, as he had
been for the Jews at Damascus. One of the martyrs said, Though she
could not dispute for Christ, she could die for Christ; but Paul could
do both. Now the Lord Jesus divided the spoils of the strong man armed
in Saul. For that same natural quickness and fervour of spirit which,
while he was in ignorance and unbelief, made him a furious bigoted
persecutor of the faith, made him a most zealous courageous defender of
the faith. (3.) This brought him into peril of his life, with which he
narrowly escaped: The Grecians, when they found they could not deal
with him in disputation, contrived to silence him another way; they
went about to slay him, as they did Stephen when they could not resist
the Spirit by which he spoke, ch. vi. 10. That is a bad cause that has
recourse to persecution for its last argument. But notice was given of
this conspiracy too, and effectual care taken to secure this young
champion (v. 30): When the brethren knew what was designed against him
they brought him down to Cesarea. They remembered how the putting of
Stephen to death, upon his disputing with the Grecians, had been the
beginning of a sore persecution; and therefore were afraid of having
such a vein opened again, and hastened Paul out of the way. He that
flies may fight again. He that fled from Jerusalem might do service at
Tarsus, the place of his nativity; and thither they desired him by all
means to go, hoping he might there go on in his work with more safety
than at Jerusalem. Yet it was also by direction from heaven that he
left Jerusalem at this time, as he tells us himself (ch. xxii. 17, 18),
that Christ now appeared to him, and ordered him to go quickly out of
Jerusalem, for he must be sent to the Gentiles, v. 15. Those by whom
God has work to do shall be protected from all the designs of their
enemies against them till it be done. Christ's witnesses cannot be
slain till they have finished their testimony.
III. The churches had now a comfortable gleam of liberty and peace (v.
31): Then had the churches rest. Then, when Saul was converted, so
some; when that persecutor was taken off, those were quiet whom he used
to irritate, and then those were quiet whom he used to molest. Or,
then, when he had gone from Jerusalem, the fury of the Grecian Jews was
a little abated, and they were the more willing to bear with the other
preachers now that Saul had gone out of the way. Observe,
1. The churches had rest. After a storm comes a calm. Though we are
always to expect troublesome times, yet we may expect that they shall
not last always. This was a breathing-time allowed them, to prepare
them for the next encounter. The churches that were already planted
were mostly in Judea, Galilee, and Samaria, within the limits of the
holy land. There were the first Christian churches, where Christ had
himself laid the foundation.
2. They made a good use of this lucid interval. Instead of growing more
secure and wanton in the day of their prosperity, they abounded more in
their duty, and made a good use of their tranquillity. (1.) They were
edified, were built up in their most holy faith; the more free and
constant enjoyment they had of the means of knowledge and grace, the
more they increased in knowledge and grace. (2.) They walked in the
fear of the Lord--were more exemplary themselves for a holy heavenly
conversation. They so lived that all who conversed with them might say,
Surely the fear of God reigns in those people. (3.) They walked in the
comfort of the Holy Ghost--were not only faithful, but cheerful, in
religion; they stuck to the ways of the Lord, and sang in those ways.
The comfort of the Holy Ghost was their consolation, and that which
they made their chief joy. They had recourse to the comfort of the Holy
Ghost, and lived upon that, not only in days of trouble and affliction,
but in days of rest and prosperity. The comforts of the earth, when
they had the most free and full enjoyment of them, could not content
them without the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Observe the connection of
these two: when they walked in the fear of the Lord, then they walked
in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. Those are most likely to walk
cheerfully that walk circumspectly.
3. God blessed it to them for their increase in number: They were
multiplied. Sometimes the church multiplies the more for its being
afflicted, as Israel in Egypt; yet if it were always so, the saints of
the Most High would be worn out. At other times its rest contributes to
its growth, as it enlarges the opportunity of ministers, and invites
those in who at first are afraid of suffering. Or, then, when they
walked in the fear of God and his comforts, they were multiplied. Thus
those that will not be won by the word may be won by the conversation
of professors.
The Cure of Æneas.
32 And it came to pass, as Peter passed throughout all quarters, he
came down also to the saints which dwelt at Lydda. 33 And there he
found a certain man named Æneas, which had kept his bed eight years,
and was sick of the palsy. 34 And Peter said unto him, Æneas, Jesus
Christ maketh thee whole: arise, and make thy bed. And he arose
immediately. 35 And all that dwelt at Lydda and Saron saw him, and
turned to the Lord.
Here we have, I. The visit Peter made to the churches that were newly
planted by the dispersed preachers, v. 32. 1. He passed through all
quarters. As an apostle, he was not to be the resident pastor of any
one church, but the itinerant visitor of many churches, to confirm the
doctrine of inferior preachers, to confer the Holy Ghost on those that
believed, and to ordain ministers. He passed dia panton--among them
all, who pertained to the churches of Judea, Galilee, and Samaria,
mentioned in the foregoing chapter. He was, like his Master, always
upon the remove, and went about doing good; but still his head-quarters
were at Jerusalem, for there we shall find him imprisoned, ch. xii. 2.
He came to the saints at Lydda. This seems to be the same with Lod, a
city in the tribe of Benjamin, mentioned 1 Chron. viii. 12; Ezra ii.
33. The Christians are called saints, not only some particular eminent
ones, as saint Peter and saint Paul, but every sincere professor of the
faith of Christ. These are the saints on the earth, Ps. xvi. 3.
II. The cure Peter wrought on Eneas, a man that had been bedridden
eight years, v. 33. 1. His case was very deplorable: He was sick of the
palsy, a dumb palsy, perhaps a dead palsy. The disease was extreme, for
he kept his bed; it was inveterate, for he kept his bed eight years;
and we may suppose that both he himself and all about him despaired of
relief for him, and concluded upon no other than that he must still
keep his bed till he removed to his grave. Christ chose such patients
as this, whose disease was incurable in a course of nature, to show how
desperate the case of fallen mankind was when he undertook their cure.
When we were without strength, as this poor man, he sent his word to
heal us. 2. His cure was very admirable, v. 34. (1.) Peter interested
Christ in his case, and engaged him for his relief: Eneas, Jesus Christ
maketh thee whole. Peter does not pretend to do it himself by any power
of his own, but declares it to be Christ's act and deed, directs him to
look up to Christ for help, and assures him of an immediate cure--not,
"He will make thee," but, "He does make thee, whole;" and a perfect
cure--not, "He makes thee easy," but "He makes thee whole." He does not
express himself by way of prayer to Christ that he would make him
whole, but as one having authority from Christ, and that knew his mind,
he declares him made whole. (2.) He ordered him to bestir himself, to
exert himself: "Arise and make thy bed, that all may see thou art
thoroughly cured." Let none say that because it is Christ that by the
power of his grace works all our works in us therefore we have no work,
no duty, to do; for, though Jesus Christ makes thee whole, yet thou
must arise and make use of the power he gives thee: "Arise, and make
thy bed, to be to thee no longer a bed of sickness, but a bed of rest."
(3.) Power went along with this word: he arose immediately, and no
doubt very willingly made his own bed.
III. The good influence this had upon many (v. 35): All that dwelt at
Lydda and Saron saw him, and turned to the Lord. We can scarcely think
that every individual person in those countries took cognizance of the
miracle, and was wrought upon by it; but many, the generality of the
people in the town of Lydda and in the country of Saron, or Sharon, a
fruitful plain or valley, of which it was foretold, Sharon shall be a
fold of flocks, Isa. lxv. 10. 1. They all made enquiry into the truth
of the miracle, did not overlook it, but saw him that was healed, and
saw that it was a miraculous cure that was wrought upon him by the
power of Christ, in his name, and with a design to confirm and ratify
that doctrine of Christ which was now preached to the world. 2. They
all submitted to the convincing proof and evidence there was in this of
the divine origin of the Christian doctrine, and turned to the Lord, to
the Lord Jesus. They turned from Judaism to Christianity; they embraced
the doctrine of Christ, and submitted to his ordinances, and turned
themselves over to him to be ruled and taught and saved by him.
Tabitha Raised to Life.
36 Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by
interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and
almsdeeds which she did. 37 And it came to pass in those days, that
she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an
upper chamber. 38 And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the
disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men,
desiring him that he would not delay to come to them. 39 Then Peter
arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the
upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the
coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them. 40 But
Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him
to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she
saw Peter, she sat up. 41 And he gave her his hand, and lifted her
up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
42 And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the
Lord. 43 And it came to pass, that he tarried many days in Joppa with
one Simon a tanner.
Here we have another miracle wrought by Peter, for the confirming of
the gospel, and which exceeded the former--the raising of Tabitha to
life when she had been for some time dead. Here is,
I. The life, and death, and character of Tabitha, on whom this miracle
was wrought, v. 36, 37. 1. She lived at Joppa, a sea-port town in the
tribe of Dan, where Jonah took shipping to go to Tarshish, now called
Japho. 2. Her name was Tabitha, a Hebrew name, the Greek for which is
Dorcas, both signifying a doe, or hind, or deer, a pleasant creature.
Naphtali is compared to a hind let loose, giving goodly words; and the
wife to the kind and tender husband is as the loving hind, and as the
pleasant roe, Prov. v. 19. 3. She was a disciple, one that had embraced
the faith of Christ and was baptized; and not only so, but was eminent
above many for works of charity. She showed her faith by her works, her
good works, which she was full of, that is, in which she abounded. Her
head was full of cares and contrivances which way she should do good.
She devised liberal things, Isa. xxxii. 8. Her hands were full of good
employment; she made a business of doing good, was never idle, having
learned to maintain good works (Tit. iii. 8), to keep up a constant
course and method of them. She was full of good works, as a tree that
is full of fruit. Many are full of good words, who are empty and barren
in good works; but Tabitha was a great doer, no great talker: Non magna
loquimur, sed vivimus--We do not talk great things, but we live them.
Among other good works, she was remarkable for her alms--deeds, which
she did, not only her works of piety, which are good works and the
fruits of faith, but works of charity and beneficence, flowing from
love to her neighbour and a holy contempt of this world. Observe, She
is commended not only for the alms which she gave, but for the
alms--deeds which she did. Those that have not estates wherewith to
give in charity may yet be able to do in charity, working with their
hands, or walking with their feet, for the benefit of the poor. And
those who will not do a charitable deed, whatever they may pretend, if
they were rich would not bestow a charitable gift. She was full of
alms--deeds, hon epoiei--which she made; there is an emphasis upon her
doing them, because what her hand found to do of this kind she did with
all her might, and persevered in. They were alms--deeds, not which she
purposed and designed and said she would do, but which she did; not
which she began to do, but which she did, which she went through with,
which she performed the doing of, 2 Cor. viii. 11; ix. 7. This is the
life and character of a certain disciple,; and should be of all the
disciples of Christ; for, if we thus bear much fruit, then are we his
disciples indeed, John xv. 8. 4. She was removed in the midst of her
usefulness (v. 37): In those days she fell sick, and died. It is
promised to those who consider the poor, not that they shall never be
sick, but that the Lord will strengthen them upon the bed of
languishing, at least with strength in their souls, and so will make
all their bed in their sickness, will make it easy, Ps. xli. 1, 3. They
cannot hope that they shall never die (merciful men are taken away, and
merciful women too, witness Tabitha), but they may hope that they shall
find mercy of the Lord in that day, 2 Tim. i. 18. 5. Her friends and
those about her did not presently bury her, as usual, because they were
in hopes Peter would come and raise her to life again; but they washed
the dead body, according to the custom, which, it is said, was with
warm water, which, if there were any life remaining in the body, would
recover it; so that this was done to show that she was really and truly
dead. They tried all the usual methods to bring her to life, and could
not. Conclamatum est--the last cry was uttered. They laid her out in
her grave-clothes in an upper chamber, which Dr. Lightfoot thinks was
probably the public meeting-room for the believers of that town; and
they laid the body there, that Peter, if he would come, might raise her
to life the more solemnly in that place.
II. The request which her Christian friends sent to Peter to come to
them with all speed, not to attend the funeral, but, if it might be, to
prevent it, v. 38. Lydda, where Peter now was, was nigh to Joppa, and
the disciples at Joppa had heard that Peter was there, and that he had
raised Eneas from a bed of languishing; and therefore they sent him two
men, to make the message the more solemn and respectful, desiring him
that he would not delay to come to them; not telling him the occasion,
lest he should modestly decline coming upon so great an errand as to
raise the dead: if they can but get him to them, they will leave it to
him. Their friend was dead, and it was too late to send for a
physician, but not too late to send for Peter. Post mortem medicus--a
physician after death, is an absurdity, but not Post mortem
apostolus--an apostle after death.
III. The posture in which he found the survivors, when he came to them
(v. 30): Peter arose and went with them. Though they did not tell him
what they wanted him for, yet he was willing to go along with them,
believing it was upon some good account or other that he was sent for.
Let not faithful ministers grudge to be at every body's beck, as far as
they have ability, when the great apostle made himself the servant of
all, 1 Cor. ix. 19. He found the corpse laid in the upper chamber, and
attended by widows, probably such as were in the communion of the
church, poor widows; there they were,
1. Commending the deceased--a good work, when there was that in them
which was truly commendable, and worthy of imitation, and when it is
done modestly and soberly, and without flattery of the survivors or any
sinister intention, but purely for the glory of God and the exciting of
others to that which is virtuous and praiseworthy. The commendation of
Tabitha was like her own virtues, not in word, but in deed. Here were
no encomiums of her in orations, nor poems inscribed to her memory; but
the widows showed the coats and garments which she made for them, and
bestowed upon them while she was with them. It was the comfort of Job,
while he lived, that the loins of the poor blessed him, because they
were warmed with the fleece of his sheep, Job xxxi. 20. And here it was
the credit of Tabitha, when she was dead, that the backs of the widows
praised her for the garments which she made them. And those are
certainly best praised whose own works praise them in the gates,
whether the words of others do or no. It is much more honourable to
clothe a company of decrepit widows with needful clothing for night and
day, who will pray for their benefactors when they do not see them,
than to clothe a company of lazy footmen with rich liveries, who
perhaps behind their backs will curse those that clothe them (Eccl.
vii. 21); and it is what all that are wise and good will take a greater
pleasure in, for goodness is true greatness, and will pass better in
the account shortly. Observe, (1.) Into what channel Tabitha turned
much of her charity. Doubtless there were other instances of her
alms--deeds which she did, but this was now produced; she did, as it
should seem with her own hands, make coats and garments for poor
widows, who perhaps with their own labour could make a shift to get
their bread, but could not earn enough to buy clothes. And this is an
excellent piece of charity, If thou seest the naked, that thou cover
him (Isa. lviii. 7), and not think it enough to say, Be ye warmed,
James ii. 15, 16. (2.) What a grateful sense the poor had of her
kindness: They showed the coats, not ashamed to own that they were
indebted to her for the clothes on their backs. Those are horribly
ungrateful indeed who have kindness shown them and will not make at
least an acknowledgment of it, by showing the kindness that is done
them, as these widows here did. Those who receive alms are not obliged
so industriously to conceal it, as those are who give alms. When the
poor reflect upon the rich as uncharitable and unmerciful, they ought
to reflect upon themselves, and consider whether they are not
unthankful and ungrateful. Their showing the coats and garments which
Dorcas made tended to the praise not only of her charity, but of her
industry, according to the character of the virtuous woman, that she
lays her hands to the spindle, or at least to the needle, and then
stretches out her hand to the poor, and reaches forth her hands to the
needy, of what she has worked; and, when God and the poor have thus had
their due, she makes herself coverings of tapestry and her own clothing
is silk and purple, Prov. xxxi. 19-22.
2. They were here lamenting the loss of her: The widows stood by Peter,
weeping. When the merciful are taken away, it should be laid to heart,
especially by those to whom they have been in a particular manner
merciful. They need not weep for her; she is taken from the evil to
come, she rests from her labours and her works follow her, besides
those she leaves behind her: but they weep for themselves and for their
children, who will soon find the want of such a good woman, that has
not left her fellow. Observe, They take notice of what good Dorcas did
while she was with them, but now she is gone from them, and this is
their grief. Those that are charitable will find that the poor they
have always with them; but it is well if those that are poor find that
they have always the charitable with them. We must make a good use of
the lights that yet a little while are with us, because they will not
be always with us, will not be long with us: and when they are gone we
shall think what they did when they were with us. It should seem, the
widows wept before Peter, as an inducement to him, if he could do any
thing, to have compassion on them and help them, and restore one to
them that used to have compassion on them. When charitable people are
dead, there is no praying them to life again; but, when they are sick,
this piece of gratitude is owing to them, to pray for their recovery,
that, if it be the will of God, those may be spared to live who can ill
be spared to die.
IV. The manner in which she was raised to life. 1. Privately: She was
laid in the upper room where they used to have their public meetings,
and, it should seem, there was great crowding about the dead body, in
expectation of what would be done; but Peter put them all forth, all
the weeping widows, all but some few relations of the family, or
perhaps the heads of the church, to join with him in prayer; as Christ
did, Matt. ix. 25. Thus Peter declined every thing that looked like
vainglory and ostentation; they came to see, but he did not come to be
seen. He put them all forth, that he might with the more freedom pour
out his soul before God in prayer upon this occasion, and not be
disturbed with their noisy and clamorous lamentations. 2. By prayer. In
his healing Eneas there was an implied prayer, but in this greater work
he addressed himself to God by solemn prayer, as Christ when he raised
Lazarus; but Christ's prayer was with the authority of a Son, who
quickens whom he will; Peter's with the submission of a servant, who is
under direction, and therefore he knelt down and prayed. 3. By the
word, a quickening word, a word which is spirit and life: He turned to
the body, which intimates that when he prayed he turned from it; lest
the sight of it should discourage his faith, he looked another way, to
teach us, like Abraham, against hope, to believe in hope, and overlook
the difficulties that lie in the way, not considering the body as now
dead, lest we should stagger at the promise, Rom. iv. 19, 20. But, when
he had prayed, he turned to the body, and spoke in his Master's name,
according to his example: "Tabitha, arise; return to life again." Power
went along with this word, and she came to life, opened her eyes which
death had closed. Thus, in the raising of dead souls to spiritual life,
the first sign of life is the opening of the eyes of the mind, ch.
xxvi. 18. When she saw Peter, she sat up, to show that she was really
and truly alive; and (v. 41) he gave her his hand and lifted her up,
not as if she laboured under any remaining weakness, but thus he would
as it were welcome her to life again, and give her the right hand of
fellowship among the living, from whom she had been cut off. And,
lastly, he called the saints and widows, who were all in sorrow for her
death, and presented her alive to them, to their great comfort,
particularly of the widows, who laid her death much to heart (v. 41);
to them he presented her, as Elijah (1 Kings xvii. 23), and Elisha (2
Kings iv. 36), and Christ (Luke vii. 15), presented the dead sons alive
to their mothers. The greatest joy and satisfaction are expressed by
life from the dead.
V. The good effect of this miracle. 1. Many were by it convinced of the
truth of the gospel, that is was from heaven, and not of men, and
believed in the Lord, v. 42. The thing was known throughout all Joppa;
it would be in every body's mouth quickly, and, it being a town of
seafaring men, the notice of it would be the sooner carried thence to
other countries, and though some never minded it many were wrought upon
by it. This was the design of miracles, to confirm a divine revelation.
2. Peter was hereby induced to continue some time in this city, v. 43.
Finding that a door of opportunity was opened for him there, he tarried
there many days, till he was sent thence, and sent for thence upon
business to another place. He tarried not in the house of Tabitha,
though she was rich, lest he should seem to seek his own glory; but he
took up his lodgings with one Simon a tanner, an ordinary tradesman,
which is an instance of his condescension and humility: and hereby he
has taught us not to mind high things, but to condescend to those of
low estate, Rom. xii. 16. And, though Peter might seem to be buried in
obscurity here in the house of a poor tanner by the sea-side, yet hence
God fetched him to a noble piece of service, which is recorded in the
next chapter; for those that humble themselves shall be exalted.
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A C T S.
CHAP. X.
It is a turn very new and remarkable which the story of this chapter
gives to the Acts of the apostles; hitherto, both at Jerusalem and
every where else where the ministers of Christ came, they preached the
gospel only to the Jews, or those Greeks that were circumcised and
proselyted to the Jews' religion; but now, "Lo, we turn to the
Gentiles;" and to them the door of faith is here opened: good news
indeed to us sinners of the Gentiles. The apostle Peter is the man that
is first employed to admit uncircumcised Gentiles into the Christian
church; and Cornelius, a Roman centurion or colonel, is the first that
with his family and friends is so admitted. Now here we are told, I.
How Cornelius was directed by a vision to send for Peter, and did send
for him accordingly, ver. 1-8. II. How Peter was directed by a vision
to go to Cornelius, though he was a Gentile, without making any scruple
of it, and did go accordingly, ver. 9-23. III. The happy interview
between Peter and Cornelius at Cesarea, ver. 24-33. IV. The sermon
Peter preached in the house of Cornelius to him and to his friends,
ver. 34-43. V. The baptizing of Cornelius and his friends with the Holy
Ghost first, and then with water, ver. 44-48.
The Case of Cornelius.
1 There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of
the band called the Italian band, 2 A devout man, and one that feared
God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed
to God alway. 3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of
the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him,
Cornelius. 4 And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What
is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come
up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa, and call
for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: 6 He lodgeth with one Simon a
tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee what thou
oughtest to do. 7 And when the angel which spake unto Cornelius was
departed, he called two of his household servants, and a devout soldier
of them that waited on him continually; 8 And when he had declared
all these things unto them, he sent them to Joppa.
The bringing of the gospel to the Gentiles, and the bringing of those
who had been strangers and foreigners to be fellow-citizens with the
saints, and of the household of God, were such a mystery to the
apostles themselves, and such a surprise (Eph. iii. 3, 6), that it
concerns us carefully to observe all the circumstances of the beginning
of this great work, this part of the mystery of godliness--Christ
preached to the Gentiles, and believed on in this world, 1 Tim. iii.
16. It is not unlikely that some Gentiles might before now have stepped
into a synagogue of the Jews, and heard the gospel preached; but the
gospel was never yet designedly preached to the Gentiles, nor any of
them baptized--Cornelius was the first; and here we have,
I. An account given us of this Cornelius, who and what he was, who was
the first-born of the Gentiles to Christ. We are here told that he was
a great man and a good man--two characters that seldom meet, but here
they did; and where they do meet they put a lustre upon each other:
goodness makes greatness truly valuable, and greatness makes goodness
much more serviceable. 1. Cornelius was an officer of the army, v. 1.
He was at present quartered in Cesarea, a strong city, lately
re-edified and fortified by Herod the Great, and called Cesarea in
honour of Augustus Cæsar. It lay upon the sea-shore, very convenient
for the keeping up of a correspondence between Rome and its conquests
in those parts. The Roman governor or proconsul ordinarily resided
here, ch. xxiii. 23, 24; xxv. 6. Here there was a band, or cohort, or
regiment, of the Roman army, which probably was the governor's
life-guard, and is here called the Italian band, because, that they
might be the more sure of their fidelity, they were all native Romans,
or Italians. Cornelius had a command in this part of the army. His
name, Cornelius was much used among the Romans, among some of the most
ancient and noble families. He was an officer of considerable rank and
figure, a centurion. We read of one of that rank in our Saviour's time,
of whom he gave a great commendation, Matt. viii. 10. When a Gentile
must be pitched upon to receive the gospel first, it is not a Gentile
philosopher, much less a Gentile priest (who are bigoted to their
notions and worship, and prejudiced against the gospel of Christ), but
a Gentile soldier, who is a man of more free thought; and he that truly
is so, when the Christian doctrine is fairly set before him, cannot but
receive it and bid it welcome. Fishermen, unlearned and ignorant men,
were the first of the Jewish converts, but not so of the Gentiles; for
the world shall know that the gospel has that in it which may recommend
it to men of polite learning and a liberal education, as we have reason
to think this centurion was. Let not soldiers and officers of the army
plead that their employment frees them from the restraints which some
others are under, and, giving them an opportunity of living more at
large, may excuse them if they be not religious; for here was an
officer of the army that embraced Christianity, and yet was neither
turned out of his place nor turned himself out. And, lastly, it was a
mortification to the Jews that not only the Gentiles were taken into
the church, but that the first who was taken in was an officer of the
Roman army, which was to them the abomination of desolation. 2. He was,
according to the measure of the light he had, a religious man. It is a
very good character that is given of him, v. 2. He was no idolater, no
worshipper of false gods or images, nor allowed himself in any of those
immoralities to which the greater part of the Gentile world were given
up, to punish them for their idolatry. (1.) He was possessed with a
principle of regard to the true and living God. He was a devout man and
one that feared God. He believed in one God, the Creator of heaven and
earth, and had a reverence for his glory and authority, and a dread of
offending him by sin; and, though he was a soldier, it was no
diminution to the credit of his valour to tremble before God. (2.) He
kept up religion in his family. He feared God with all his house. He
would not admit any idolaters under his roof, but took care that not
himself only, but all his, should serve the Lord. Every good man will
do what he can that those about him may be good too. (3.) He was a very
charitable man: He gave much alms to the people, the people of the
Jews, notwithstanding the singularities of their religion. Though he
was a Gentile, he was willing to contribute to the relief of one that
was a real object of charity, without asking what religion he was of.
(4.) He was much in prayer: He prayed to God always. He kept up stated
times for prayer, and was constant to them. Note, Wherever the fear of
God rules in the heart, it will appear both in works of charity and of
piety, and neither will excuse us from the other.
II. The orders given him from heaven, by the ministry of an angel, to
send for Peter to come to him, which he would never have done if he had
not been thus directed to do it. Observe,
1. How, and in what way, these orders were given him. He had a vision,
in which an angel delivered them to him. It was about the ninth hour of
the day, at three of the clock in the afternoon, which is with us an
hour of business and conversation; but then, because it was in the
temple the time of offering the evening sacrifice, it was made by
devout people an hour of prayer, to intimate that all our prayers are
to be offered up in the virtue of the great sacrifice. Cornelius was
now at prayer: so he tells us himself, v. 30. Now here we are told,
(1.) That an angel of God came in to him. By the brightness of his
countenance, and the manner of his coming in, he knew him to be
something more than a man, and therefore nothing less than an angel, an
express from heaven. (2.) That he saw him evidently with his bodily
eyes, not in a dream presented to his imagination, but in a vision
presented to his sight; for his greater satisfaction, it carried its
own evidence along with it. (3.) That he called him by his name,
Cornelius, to intimate the particular notice God took of him. (4.) That
this put Cornelius for the present into some confusion (v. 4): When he
looked on him he was afraid. The wisest and best men have been struck
with fear upon the appearance of any extra-ordinary messenger from
heaven; and justly, for sinful man knows that he has no reason to
expect any good tidings thence. And therefore Cornelius cries, "What is
it, Lord? What is the matter?" This he speaks as one afraid of
something amiss, and longing to be eased of that fear, by knowing the
truth; or as one desirous to know the mind of God, and ready to comply
with it, as Joshua: What saith my Lord unto his servant? And Samuel:
Speak, for thy servant heareth.
2. What the message was that was delivered to him.
(1.) He is assured that God accepts him in walking according to the
light he had (v. 4): Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God. Observe, Prayers and alms must go together. We
must follow our prayers with alms; for the fast that God hath chosen is
to draw out the soul to the hungry, Isa. lviii. 6, 7. It is not enough
to pray that what we have may be sanctified to us, but we must give
alms of such things as we have; and then, behold, all things are clean
to us, Luke xi. 41. And we must follow our alms with our prayers that
God would graciously accept them, and that they may be blessed to those
to whom they are given. Cornelius prayed, and gave alms, not as the
Pharisees, to be seen of men, but in sincerity, as unto God; and he is
here told that they were come up for a memorial before God. They were
upon record in heaven, in the book of remembrance that is written there
for all that fear God, and shall be remembered to his advantage: "Thy
prayers shall be answered, and thine alms recompensed." The sacrifices
under the law are said to be for a memorial. See Lev. ii. 9, 16; v. 12;
vi. 15. And prayers and alms are our spiritual offerings, which God is
pleased to take cognizance of, and have regard to. The divine
revelation communicated to the Jews, as far as the Gentiles were
concerned in it, not only as it directed and improved the light and law
of nature, but as it promised a Messiah to come, Cornelius believed and
submitted to. What he did he did in that faith, and was accepted of God
in it; for the Gentiles, to whom the law of Moses came, were not
obliged to become circumcised Jews, as those to whom the gospel of
Christ comes are to become baptized Christians.
(2.) He is appointed to enquire after a further discovery of divine
grace, now lately made to the world, v. 5, 6. He must send forthwith to
Joppa, and enquire for one Simon Peter; he lodgeth at the house of one
Simon a tanner; his house is by the sea side, and, if he be sent for,
he will come; and when he comes he shall tell thee what thou oughtest
to do, in answer to thy question, What is it, Lord? Now here are two
things very surprising, and worthy our consideration--[1.] Cornelius
prays and gives alms in the fear of God, is religious himself and keeps
up religion in his family, and all this so as to be accepted of God in
it, and yet there is something further that he ought to do--he ought to
embrace the Christian religion, now that God has established it among
men. Not, He may do it if he pleases; it will be an improvement and
entertainment to him. But, He must do it; it is indispensably necessary
to his acceptance with God for the future, though he has been accepted
in his services hitherto. He that believed the promise of the Messiah
must now believe the performance of that promise. Now that God has
given a further record concerning his Son than what had been given in
the Old-Testament prophecies he requires that we receive this when it
is brought to us; and now neither our prayers nor our alms can come up
for a memorial before God unless we believe in Jesus Christ, for it is
that further which we ought to do. This is his commandment, that we
believe. Prayers and alms are accepted from those that believe that the
Lord is God, and have not opportunity of knowing more; but, from those
to whom it is preached that Jesus is Christ, it is necessary to the
acceptance of their persons, prayers, and alms, that they believe this,
and rest upon him alone for acceptance. [2.] Cornelius has now an angel
from heaven talking to him, and yet he must not receive the gospel of
Christ from this angel, nor be told by him what he ought to do, but all
that the angel has to say is, "Send for Peter, and he shall tell thee."
As the former observation puts a mighty honour upon the gospel, so does
this upon the gospel ministry: it was not to the highest of angels, but
to those who were less that the least of all saints, that this grace
was given, to preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of
Christ (Eph. iii. 8), that the excellency of the power might be of God,
and the dignity of an institution of Christ supported; for unto the
angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come (Heb. ii. 5),
but to the Son of man as the sovereign, and the sons of men as his
agents and ministers of state, whose terrors shall not make us afraid,
nor their hand be heavy upon us, as this angel's now was to Cornelius.
And as it was an honour to the apostle that he must preach that which
an angel might not, so it was a further honour that an angel was
despatched on purpose from heaven to order him to be sent for. To bring
a faithful minister and a willing people together is a work worthy of
an angel, and what therefore the greatest of men should be glad to be
employed in.
III. His immediate obedience to these orders, v. 7, 8. He sent with all
speed to Joppa, to fetch Peter to him. Had he himself only been
concerned, he would have gone to Joppa to him. But he had a family, and
kinsmen, and friends (v. 24), a little congregation of them, that could
not go with him to Joppa, and therefore he sends for Peter. Observe, 1.
When he sent: As soon as ever the angel which spoke unto him had
departed, without dispute or delay, he was obedient to the heavenly
vision. He perceived, by what the angel said, he was to have some
further work prescribed him, and he longed to have it told him. He made
haste, and delayed not, to do this commandment. In any affair wherein
our souls are concerned it is good for us not to lose time. 2. Whom he
sent: Two of his household servants, who all feared God, and a devout
soldier, one of those that waited on him continually. Observe, a devout
centurion had devout soldiers. A little devotion commonly goes a great
way with soldiers, but there would be more of it in the soldiers if
there were but more of it in the commanders. Officers in an army, that
have such a great power over the soldiers, as we find the centurion had
(Matt. viii. 9), have a great opportunity of promoting religion, at
least of restraining vice and profaneness, in those under their
command, if they would but improve it. Observe, When this centurion had
to choose some of his soldiers to attend his person, and to be always
about him, he pitched upon such of them as were devout; they shall be
preferred and countenanced, to encourage others to be so. He went by
David's rule (Ps. ci. 6), Mine eye shall be upon the faithful in the
land, that they may dwell with me. 3. What instructions he gave them
(v. 8): He declared all these things unto them, told them of the vision
he had, and the orders given him to send for Peter, because Peter's
coming was a thing in which they were concerned, for they had souls to
save as well as he. Therefore he does not only tell them where to find
Peter (which he might have thought it enough to do--the servant knows
not what his Lord doeth), but he tells them on what errand he was to
come, that they might importune him.
Peter's Vision.
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the
city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour:
10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made
ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain
vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the
four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner
of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping
things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise,
Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have
never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice
spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call
not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received
up again into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this
vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent
from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the
gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed
Peter, were lodged there.
Cornelius had received positive orders from heaven to send for Peter,
whom otherwise he had not heard of, or at least not heeded; but here is
another difficulty that lies in the way of bringing them together--the
question is whether Peter will come to Cornelius when he is sent for;
not as if he thought it below him to come at a beck, or as if he were
afraid to preach his doctrine to a polite man as Cornelius was: but it
sticks at a point of conscience. Cornelius is a very worthy man, and
has many good qualities, but he is a Gentile, he is not circumcised;
and, because God in his law had forbidden his people to associate with
idolatrous nations, they would not keep company with any but those of
their own religion, though they were ever so deserving, and they
carried the matter so far that they made even the involuntary touch of
a Gentile to contract a ceremonial pollution, John xviii. 28. Peter had
not got over this stingy bigoted notion of his countrymen, and
therefore will be shy of coming to Cornelius. Now, to remove this
difficulty, he has a vision here, to prepare him to receive the message
sent him by Cornelius, as Ananias had to prepare him to go to Paul. The
scriptures of the Old Testament had spoken plainly of the bringing in
of the Gentiles into the church. Christ had given plain intimations of
it when he ordered them to teach all nations; and yet even Peter
himself, who knew so much of his Master's mind, could not understand
it, till it was here revealed by vision, that the Gentiles should be
fellow-heirs, Eph. iii. 6. Now here observe,
I. The circumstances of this vision.
1. It was when the messengers sent from Cornelius were now nigh the
city, v. 9. Peter knew nothing of their approach, and they knew nothing
of his praying; but he that knew both him and them was preparing things
for the interview, and facilitating the end of their negotiation. To
all God's purposes there is a time, a proper time; and he is pleased
often to bring things to the minds of his ministers, which they had not
thought of, just then when they have occasion to use them.
2. It was when Peter went up upon the house-top to pray, about noon.
(1.) Peter was much in prayer, much in secret prayer, though he had a
great deal of public work upon his hands. (2.) He prayed about the
sixth hour, according to David's example, who, not only morning and
evening, but at noon, addressed himself to God by prayer, Ps. lv. 17.
From morning to night we should think to be too long to be without
meat; yet who thinks it is too long to be without prayer? (3.) He
prayed upon the house-top; thither he retired for privacy, where he
could neither hear nor be heard, and so might avoid both distraction
and ostentation. There, upon the roof of the house, he had a full view
of the heavens, which might assist his pious adoration of the God he
prayed to; and there he had also a full view of the city and country,
which might assist his pious compassion of the people he prayed for.
(4.) He had this vision immediately after he had prayed, as an answer
to his prayer for the spreading of the gospel, and because the ascent
of the heart to God in prayer is an excellent preparative to receive
the discoveries of the divine grace and favour.
3. It was when he became very hungry, and was waiting for his dinner
(v. 10); probably he had not that day eaten before, though doubtless he
had prayed before; and now he would have eaten, ethele geusasthai--he
would have tasted, which intimates his great moderation and temperance
in eating. When he was very hungry, yet he would be content with a
little, with a taste, and would not fly upon the spoil. Now this hunger
was a proper inlet to the vision about meats, as Christ's hunger in the
wilderness was to Satan's temptation to turn stones into bread.
II. The vision itself, which was not so plain as that to Cornelius, but
more figurative and enigmatical, to make the deeper impression. 1. He
fell into a trance or ecstasy, not of terror, but of contemplation,
with which he was so entirely swallowed up as not only not to be
regardful, but not to be sensible, of external things. He quite lost
himself to this world, and so had his mind entirely free for converse
with divine things; as Adam in innocency, when the deep sleep fell upon
him. The more clear we get of the world, the more near we get to
heaven: whether Peter was now in the body or out of the body he could
not himself tell, much less can we, 2 Cor. xii. 2, 3. See Gen. xv. 12;
Acts xxii. 17. 2. He saw heaven opened, that he might be sure that his
authority to go to Cornelius was indeed from heaven--that it was a
divine light which altered his sentiments, and a divine power which
gave him his commission. The opening of the heavens signified the
opening of a mystery that had been hid, Rom. xvi. 25. 3. He saw a great
sheet full of all manner of living creatures, which descended from
heaven, and was let down to him to the earth, that is, to the roof of
the house where he now was. Here were not only beasts of the earth, but
fowls of the air, which might have flown away, laid at his feet; and
not only tame beasts, but wild. Here were no fishes of the sea, because
there were none of them in particular unclean, but whatever had fins
and scales was allowed to be eaten. Some make this sheet, thus filled,
to represent the church of Christ. It comes down from heaven, from
heaven opened, not only to send it down (Rev. xxi. 2), but to receive
souls sent up from it. It is knit at the four corners, to receive those
from all parts of the world that are willing to be added to it; and to
retain and keep those safe that are taken into it, that they may not
fall out; and in this we find some of all countries, nations, and
languages, without any distinction of Greek or Jew, or any disadvantage
put upon Barbarian or Scythian, Col. iii. 11. The net of the gospel
encloses all, both bad and good, those that before were clean and
unclean. Or it may be applied to the bounty of the divine Providence,
which, antecedently to the prohibitions of the ceremonial law, had
given to man a liberty to use all the creatures, to which by the
cancelling of that law we are now restored. By this vision we are
taught to see all the benefit and service we have from the inferior
creatures coming down to us from heaven; it is the gift of God who made
them, made them fit for us, and then gave to man a right to them, and
dominion over them. Lord, what is man that he should be thus magnified!
Ps. viii. 4-8. How should it double our comfort in the creatures, and
our obligations to serve God in the use of them, to see them thus let
down to us out of heaven! 4. He was ordered by a voice from heaven to
make use of this plenty and variety which God had sent him (v. 13):
"Rise, Peter, kill and eat: without putting any difference between
clean and unclean, take which thou hast most mind to." The distinction
of meats which the law made was intended to put a difference between
Jew and Gentile, that it might be difficult to them to dine and sup
with a Gentile, because they would have that set before them which they
were not allowed to eat; and now the taking off of that prohibition was
a plain allowance to converse with the Gentiles, and to be free and
familiar with them. Now they might fare as they fared, and therefore
might eat with them, and be fellow-commoners with them. 5. He stuck to
his principles, and would by no means hearken to the motion, though he
was hungry (v. 14): Not so, Lord. Though hunger will break through
stone walls, God's laws should be to us a stronger fence than stone
walls, and not so easily broken through. And he will adhere to God's
laws, though he has a countermand by a voice from heaven, not knowing
at first but that Kill, and eat, was a command of trial whether he
would adhere to the more sure word, the written law; and if so his
answer had been very good, Not so, Lord. Temptations to eat forbidden
fruit must not be parleyed with, but peremptorily rejected; we must
startle at the thought of it: Not so, Lord. The reason he gives is,
"For I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean; hitherto I
have kept my integrity in this matter, and will still keep it." If God,
by his grace, has preserved us from gross sin unto this day, we should
use this as an argument with ourselves to abstain from all appearance
of evil. So strict were the pious Jews in this matter, that the seven
brethren, those glorious martyrs under Antiochus, choose rather to be
tortured to death in the most cruel manner that ever was than to eat
swine's flesh, because it was forbidden by the law. No wonder then that
Peter says it with so much pleasure, that his conscience could witness
for him that he had never gratified his appetite with any forbidden
food. 6. God, by a second voice from heaven, proclaimed the repeal of
the law in this case (v. 15): What God hath cleansed, that call thou
not common. He that made the law might alter it when he pleased, and
reduce the matter to its first state. God had, for reasons suited to
the Old-Testament dispensation, restrained the Jews from eating such
and such meats, to which, while that dispensation lasted, they were
obliged in conscience to submit; but he has now, for reasons suited to
the New-Testament dispensation, taken off that restraint, and set the
matter at large--has cleansed that which was before polluted to us, and
we ought to make use of, and stand fast in, the liberty wherewith
Christ has made us free, and not call that common or unclean which God
has now declared clean. Note, We ought to welcome it as a great mercy
that by the gospel of Christ we are freed from the distinction of
meats, which was made by the law of Moses, and that now every creature
of God is good, and nothing to be refused; not so much because hereby
we gain the use of swine's flesh, hares, rabbits, and other pleasant
and wholesome food for our bodies, but chiefly because conscience is
hereby freed from a yoke in things of this nature, that we might serve
God without fear. Though the gospel has made duties which were not so
by the law of nature, yet it has not, like the law of Moses, made sins
that were not so. Those who command to abstain from some kinds of meat
at some times of the year, and place religion in it, call that common
which God hath cleansed, and in that error, more than in any truth, are
the successors of Peter. 7. This was done thrice, v. 16. The sheet was
drawn up a little way, and let down again the second time, and so the
third time, with the same call to him, to kill, and eat, and the same
reason, that what God hath cleansed we must not call common; but
whether Peter's refusal was repeated the second and third time is not
certain; surely it was not, when his objection had the first time
received such a satisfactory answer. The trebling of Peter's vision,
like the doubling of Pharaoh's dream, was to show that the thing was
certain, and engage him to take so much the more notice of it. The
instructions given us in the things of God, whether by the ear in the
preaching of the word, or by the eye in sacraments, need to be often
repeated; precept must be upon precept, and line upon line. But at last
the vessel was received up into heaven. Those who make this vessel to
represent the church, including both Jews and Gentiles, as this did
both clean and unclean creatures, make this very aptly to signify the
admission of the believing Gentiles into the church, and into heaven
too, into the Jerusalem above. Christ has opened the kingdom of heaven
to all believers, and there we shall find, besides those that are
sealed out of all the tribes of Israel, an innumerable company out of
every nation (Rev. vii. 9); but they are such as God has cleansed.
III. The providence which very opportunely explained this vision, and
gave Peter to understand the intention of it, v. 17, 18. 1. What Christ
did, Peter knew not just then (John xiii. 7): He doubted within himself
what this vision which he had seen should mean. He had no reason to
doubt the truth of it, that it was a heavenly vision; all his doubt was
concerning the meaning of it. Note, Christ reveals himself to his
people by degrees, and not all at once; and leaves them to doubt
awhile, to ruminate upon a thing, and debate it to and fro in their own
minds, before he clears it up to them. 2. Yet he was made to know
presently, for the men who were sent from Cornelius were just now come
to the house, and were at the gate enquiring whether Peter lodged
there; and by their errand it will appear what was the meaning of this
vision. Note, God knows what services are before us, and therefore how
to prepare us; and we then better know the meaning of what he has
taught us when we find what occasion we have to make use of it.
Peter Directed to Go to Cornelius; Peter Goes to Cornelius; Interview between
Peter and Cornelius.
19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold,
three men seek thee. 20 Arise therefore, and get thee down, and go
with them, doubting nothing: for I have sent them. 21 Then Peter went
down to the men which were sent unto him from Cornelius; and said,
Behold, I am he whom ye seek: what is the cause wherefore ye are come?
22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that
feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was
warned from God by a holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to
hear words of thee. 23 Then called he them in, and lodged them. And
on the morrow Peter went away with them, and certain brethren from
Joppa accompanied him. 24 And the morrow after they entered into
Cæsarea. And Cornelius waited for them, and had called together his
kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius
met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. 26 But Peter
took him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. 27 And as he
talked with him, he went in, and found many that were come together.
28 And he said unto them, Ye know how that it is an unlawful thing for
a man that is a Jew to keep company, or come unto one of another
nation; but God hath showed me that I should not call any man common or
unclean. 29 Therefore came I unto you without gainsaying, as soon as
I was sent for: I ask therefore for what intent ye have sent for me?
30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour; and
at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and, behold, a man stood before
me in bright clothing, 31 And said, Cornelius, thy prayer is heard,
and thine alms are had in remembrance in the sight of God. 32 Send
therefore to Joppa, and call hither Simon, whose surname is Peter; he
is lodged in the house of one Simon a tanner by the sea side: who, when
he cometh, shall speak unto thee. 33 Immediately therefore I sent to
thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we
all here present before God, to hear all things that are commanded thee
of God.
We have here the meeting between Peter the apostle, and Cornelius the
centurion. Though Paul was designed to be the apostle of the Gentiles,
and to gather in the harvest among them, and Peter to be the apostle of
the circumcision, yet it is ordered that Peter shall break the ice, and
reap the first-fruits of the Gentiles, that the believing Jews, who
retained too much of the old leaven of ill-will to the Gentiles, might
be the better reconciled to their admission into the church, when they
were first brought in by their own apostle, which Peter urges against
those that would have imposed circumcision upon the Gentile converts
(ch. xv. 7), You know that God made choice among us that the Gentiles
by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel. Now here,
I. Peter is directed by the Spirit to go along with Cornelius's
messengers (v. 19, 20), and this is the exposition of the vision; now
the riddle is unriddled: While Peter thought on the vision; he was
musing upon it, and then it was opened to him. Note, Those that would
be taught the things of God must think on those things; those that
would understand the scriptures must meditate in them day and night. He
was at a loss about it, and then had it explained, which encourages us,
when we know not what to do, to have our eyes up unto God for
direction. Observe, 1. Whence he had the direction. The Spirit said to
him what he should do. It was not spoken to him by an angel, but spoken
in him by the Spirit, secretly whispering it in his ear as it were, as
God spoke to Samuel (1 Sam. ix. 15), or impressing it powerfully upon
his mind, so that he knew it to be a divine afflatus or inspiration,
according to the promise, John xvi. 13. 2. What the direction was. (1.)
He is told, before any of the servants could come up to tell him, that
three men below want to speak with him (v. 19), and he must arise from
his musings, leave off thinking of the vision, and go down to them, v.
20. Those that are searching into the meaning of the words of God, and
the visions of the Almighty, should not be always poring, no, nor
always praying, but should sometimes look abroad, look about them, and
they may meet with that which will be of use to them in their
enquiries; for the scripture is in the fulfilling every day. (2.) He is
ordered to go along with the messengers to Cornelius, though he was a
Gentile, doubting nothing. He must not only go, but go cheerfully,
without reluctance or hesitation, or any scruple concerning the
lawfulness of it; not doubting whether he might go, no, nor whether he
ought to go; for it was his duty "Go with them, for I have sent them:
and I will bear thee out in going along with them, however thou mayest
be censured for it." Note, When we see our call clear to any service,
we should not suffer ourselves to be perplexed with doubts and scruples
concerning it arising from former prejudices or pre-possessions, or a
fear of men's censure. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own
mind, and prove his own work.
II. He receives both them and their message: He went down to them, v.
21. So far was he from going out of the way, or refusing to be spoken
with, as one that was shy of them, or making them tarry, as one that
took state upon him, that he went to them himself, told them he was the
person they were enquiring for. And 1. He favourably receives their
message; with abundance of openness and condescension he asks what
their business is, what they have to say to him: What is the cause
wherefore you are come? and they tell him their errand (v. 22):
"Cornelius, an officer of the Roman army, a very honest gentleman, and
one who has more religion than most of his neighbours, who fears God
above many (Neh. vii. 2), who, though he is not a Jew himself, has
carried it so well that he is of good report among all the people of
the Jews--they will all give him a good word, for a conscientious,
sober, charitable man, so that it will be no discredit to thee to be
seen in his company--he was warned from God," echrematisthe--"he had an
oracle from God, sent to him by an angel" (and the lively oracles of
the law of Moses were given by the disposition of angels), "by which he
was ordered to send for thee to his house (where he is expecting thee,
and ready to bid thee welcome), and to hear words of thee: they know
not what words, but they are such as he may hear from thee, and not
from any one else so well." Faith comes by hearing. When Peter repeats
this, he tells us more fully, they are words whereby thou and all thy
house shall be saved, ch. xi. 14. "Come to him, for an angel bade him
send for thee: come to him, for he is ready to hear and receive the
saving words thou hast to bring to him." 2. He kindly entertained the
messengers (v. 23): He called them in, and lodged them. He did not bid
them go and refresh and repose themselves in an inn at their own
charge, but was himself at the charge of entertaining them in his own
quarters. What was getting ready for him (v. 10) they should be welcome
to share in; he little thought what company he should have when he
bespoke his dinner, but God foresaw it. Note, It becomes Christians and
ministers to be hospitable, and ready, according as their ability is,
and there is occasion for it, to entertain strangers. Peter lodged
them, though they were Gentiles, to show how readily he complied with
the design of the vision in eating with Gentiles; for he immediately
took them to eat with him. Though they were two of them servants, and
the other a common soldier, yet Peter thought it not below him to take
them into his house. Probably he did it that he might have some talk
with them about Cornelius and his family; for the apostles, though they
had instructions from the Spirit, yet made use of other information, as
they had occasion for it.
III. He went with them to Cornelius, whom he found ready to receive and
entertain him. 1. Peter, when he went with them, was accompanied by
certain brethren from Joppa, where he now was, v. 23. Six of them went
along with him, as we find, ch. xi. 12. Either Peter desired their
company, that they might be witnesses of his proceeding cautiously with
reference to the Gentiles, and of the good ground on which he went, and
therefore he invited them (ch. xi. 12), or they offered their service
to attend him, and desired they might have the honour and happiness of
being his fellow travellers. This was one way in which the primitive
Christians very much showed their respect to their ministers: they
accompanied them in their journeys, to keep them in countenance, to be
their guard, and, as there was occasion, to minister to them; with a
further prospect not only of doing them service, but of being edified
by their converse. It is a pity that those who have skill and will to
do good to others by their discourse should want an opportunity for it
by travelling alone. 2. Cornelius, when he was ready to receive him,
had got some friends together of Cesarea. It seems, it was above a
day's journey, nearly two, from Joppa to Cesarea; for it was the day
after they set out that they entered into Cesarea (v. 24), and the
afternoon of that day, v. 30. It is probable that they travelled on
foot; the apostles generally did so. Now when they came into the house
of Cornelius Peter found, (1.) That he was expected, and this was an
encouragement to him. Cornelius waited for them, and such a guest was
worth waiting for; nor can I blame him if he waited with some
impatience, longing to know what that mighty thing was which an angel
bade him expect to hear from Peter. (2.) That he was expected by many,
and this was a further encouragement to him. As Peter brought some with
him to partake of the spiritual gift he had now to dispense, so
Cornelius had called together, not only his own family, but kinsmen and
near friends, to partake with him of the heavenly instructions he
expected from Peter, which would give Peter a larger opportunity of
doing good. Note, We should not covet to eat our spiritual morsels
alone, Job xxxi. 17. It ought to be both given and taken as a piece of
kindness and respect to our kindred and friends to invite them to join
with us in religious exercises, to go with us to hear a sermon. What
Cornelius ought to do he thought his kinsmen and friends ought to do
too; and therefore let them come and hear it at the first hand, that it
may be no surprise to them to see him change upon it.
IV. Here is the first interview between Peter and Cornelius, in which
we have, 1. The profound and indeed undue respect and honour which
Cornelius paid to Peter (v. 25): He met him as he was coming in, and
instead of taking him in his arms, and embracing him as a friend, which
would have been very acceptable to Peter, he fell down at his feet, and
worshipped him; some think, as a prince and a great man, according to
the usage of the eastern countries; others think, as an incarnate
deity, or as if he took him to be the Messiah himself. His worshipping
a man was indeed culpable; but, considering his present ignorance, it
was excusable, nay, and it was an evidence of something in him that was
very commendable--and that was a great veneration for divine and
heavenly things: no wonder if, till he was better informed, he took him
to be the Messiah, and therefore worshipped him, whom he was ordered to
send for by an angel from heaven. But the worshipping of his pretended
successor, who is not only a man, but a sinful man, the man of sin
himself, is altogether inexcusable, and such an absurdity as would be
incredible if we were not told before that all the world would worship
the beast, Rev. xiii. 4. 2. Peter's modest and indeed just and pious
refusal of this honour that was done him (v. 26): He took him up into
his arms, with his own hands (though time was when he little thought he
should ever either receive so much respect from or show so much
affection to an uncircumcised Gentile), saying, "Stand up, I myself
also am a man, and therefore not to be worshipped thus." The good
angels of the churches, like the good angels of heaven, cannot bear to
have the least of that honour shown to them which is due to God only.
See thou do it not, saith the angel to John (Rev. xix. 10; xxii. 9),
and in like manner the apostle to Cornelius. How careful was Paul that
no man should think of him above what he saw in him! 2 Cor. xii. 6.
Christ's faithful servants could better bear to be vilified than to be
deified. Peter did not entertain a surmise that his great respect for
him, though excessive, might contribute to the success of his
preaching, and therefore if he will be deceived let him be deceived;
no, let him know that Peter is a man, that the treasure is in earthen
vessels, that he may value the treasure for its own sake.
V. The account which Peter and Cornelius give to each other, and to the
company, of the hand of Heaven in bringing them together: As he talked
with him--synomilon auto, he went in, v. 27. Peter went in, talking
familiarly with Cornelius, endeavouring, by the freedom of his converse
with him, to take off something of that dread which he seemed to have
of him; and, when he came in, he found many that were come together,
more than he expected, which added solemnity, as well as opportunity of
doing good, to this service. Now,
1. Peter declares the direction God gave to him to come to those
Gentiles, v. 28, 29. They knew it had never been allowed by the Jews,
but always looked upon as an unlawful thing, athemiton--an abomination,
for a man that is a Jew, a native Jew as I am, to keep company or come
unto one of another nation, a stranger, an uncircumcised Gentile. It
was not made so by the law of God, but by the decree of their wise men,
which they looked upon to be no less binding. They did not forbid them
to converse or traffic with Gentiles in the street or shop, or upon the
exchange, but to eat with them. Even in Joseph's time, the Egyptians
and Hebrews could not eat together, Gen. xliii. 32. The three children
would not defile themselves with the king's meat, Dan. i. 8. They might
not come into the house of a Gentile, for they looked upon it to be
ceremonially polluted. Thus scornfully did the Jews look upon the
Gentiles, who were not behindhand with them in contempt, as appears by
many passages in the Latin poets. "But now," saith Peter, "God hath
shown me, by a vision, that I should not call any man common or
unclean, nor refuse to converse with any man for the sake of his
country." Peter, who had taught his new converts to save themselves
from the untoward generation of wicked men (ch. ii. 40), is now himself
taught to join himself with the towardly generation of devout Gentiles.
Ceremonial characters were abolished, that more regard might be had to
moral ones. Peter thought it necessary to let them know how he came to
change his mind in this matter, and that it was by a divine revelation,
lest he should be upbraided with it as having used lightness. God
having thus taken down the partition-wall, (1.) He assures them of his
readiness to do them all the good offices he could; that, when he kept
at a distance, it was not out of any personal disgust to them, but only
because he wanted leave from heaven, and, having now received
permission, he was at their service: "Therefore came I unto you without
gainsaying, as soon as I was sent for, ready to preach the same gospel
to you that I have preached to the Jews." The disciples of Christ could
not but have some notion of the preaching of the gospel to the
Gentiles, but they imagined it must be only to those Gentiles that were
first proselyted to the Jewish religion, which mistake Peter
acknowledges was not rectified. (2.) He enquires wherein he might be
serviceable to them: "I ask, therefore, for what intent you have sent
for me? What do you expect from me, or what business have you with me?"
Note, Those that desire the help of God's ministers ought to look well
to it that they propose right ends to themselves in it, and do it with
a good intention.
2. Cornelius declares the directions God gave to him to send for Peter,
and that it was purely in obedience to those directions that he had
sent for him. Then we are right in our aims, in sending for and
attending on a gospel-ministry, when we did it with a regard to the
divine appointment instituting that ordinance and requiring us to make
use of it. Now,
(1.) Cornelius gives an account of the angel's appearing to him, and
ordering him to send for Peter; not as glorying in it, but as that
which warranted his expectation of a message from heaven by Peter. [1.]
He tells how this vision found him employed (v. 30): Four days ago I
was fasting until this hour, this hour of the day that it is now when
Peter came, about the middle of the afternoon. By this it appears that
religious fasting, in order to the greater seriousness and solemnity of
praying, was used by devout people who were not Jews; the king of
Nineveh proclaimed a fast, Jonah iii. 5. Some give these words another
sense: From four days ago I have been fasting until this hour; as if he
had eaten no meat, or at least no meal, from that time to this. But it
comes in as an introduction to the story of the vision; and therefore
the former must be the meaning. He was at the ninth hour praying in his
house, not in the synagogue, but at home. I will that men pray wherever
they dwell. His praying in his house intimates that it was not a secret
prayer in his closet, but in a more public room of his house, with his
family about him; and perhaps after prayer he retired, and had this
vision. Observe, At the ninth hour of the day, three of the clock in
the afternoon, most people were travelling or trading, working in the
fields, visiting their friends, taking their pleasure, or taking a nap
after dinner; yet then Cornelius was at his devotions, which shows how
much he made religion his business; and then it was that he had this
message from heaven. Those that would hear comfortably from God must be
much in speaking to him. [2.] He describes the messenger that brought
him this message from heaven: There stood a man before me in bright
clothing, as Christ's was when he was transfigured, and that of the two
angels who appeared at Christ's resurrection (Luke xxiv. 4), and at his
ascension (ch. i. 10), showing their relation to the world of light.
[3.] He repeats the message that was sent to him (v. 31, 32), just as
we had it, v. 4-6. Only here it is said, thy prayer is heard. We are
not told what his prayer was; but if this message was an answer to it,
and it should seem it was, we may suppose that finding the deficiency
of natural light, and that it left him at a loss how to obtain the
pardon of his sin and the favour of God, he prayed that God would make
some further discoveries of himself and of the way of salvation to him.
"Well," saith the angel, "send for Peter, and he shall give thee such a
discovery."
(2.) He declares his own and his friends' readiness to receive the
message Peter had to deliver (v. 33): Immediately therefore I sent to
thee, as I was directed, and thou hast well done that thou hast come to
us, though we are Gentiles. Note, Faithful ministers do well to come to
people that are willing and desirous to receive instruction from them;
to come when they are sent for; it is as good a deed as they can do.
Well, Peter is come to do his part; but will they do theirs? Yes. "Thou
art here prepared to speak, and we are here prepared to hear," 1 Sam.
iii. 9, 10. Observe, [1.] Their religious attendance upon the word: "We
are all here present before God; we are here in a religious manner, are
here as worshippers" (they thus compose themselves into a serious
solemn frame of spirit): "therefore, because thou art come to us by
such a warrant, on such an errand, because we have such a price in our
hand as we never had before and perhaps may never have again, we are
ready now at this time of worship, here in this place of worship"
(though it was in a private house): "we are present, paresmen--we are
at the business, and are ready to come at a call." If we would have
God's special presence at an ordinance, we must be there with a special
presence, an ordinance presence: Here I am. "We are all present, all
that were invited; we, and all that belong to us; we, and all that is
within us." The whole of the man must be present; not the body here,
and the heart, with the fool's eyes, in the ends of the earth. But that
which makes it indeed a religious attendance is, We are present before
God. In holy ordinances we present ourselves unto the Lord, and we must
be as before him, as those that see his eye upon us. [2.] The intention
of this attendance: "We are present to hear all things that are
commanded thee of God, and given thee in charge to be delivered to us."
Observe, First, Peter was there to preach all things that were
commanded him of God; for, as he had an ample commission to preach the
gospel, so he had full instructions what to preach. Secondly, They were
ready to hear, not whatever he pleased to say, but what he was
commanded of God to say. The truths of Christ were not communicated to
the apostles to be published or stifled as they thought fit, but
entrusted with them to be published to the world. "We are ready to hear
all, to come at the beginning of the service and stay to the end, and
be attentive all the while, else how can we hear all? We are desirous
to hear all that thou art commissioned to preach, though it be ever so
displeasing to flesh and blood, and ever so contrary to our former
notions or present secular interests. We are ready to hear all, and
therefore let nothing be kept back that is profitable for us."
Peter Preaches in the House of Cornelius.
34 Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that
God is no respecter of persons: 35 But in every nation he that
feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. 36 The
word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by
Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:) 37 That word, I say, ye know,
which was published throughout all Judæa, and began from Galilee, after
the baptism which John preached; 38 How God anointed Jesus of
Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good,
and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.
39 And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land
of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40 Him God raised up the third day, and showed him openly; 41 Not to
all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us,
who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead. 42 And he
commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he
which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. 43 To
him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever
believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
We have here Peter's sermon preached to Cornelius and his friends: that
is, an abstract or summary of it; for we have reason to think that he
did with many other words testify and exhort to this purport. It is
intimated that he expressed himself with a great deal of solemnity and
gravity, but with freedom and copiousness, in that phrase, he opened
his mouth, and spoke, v. 34. O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open to
you, saith Paul, 2 Cor. vi. 11. "You shall find us communicative, if we
but find you inquisitive." Hitherto the mouths of the apostles had been
shut to the uncircumcised Gentiles, they had nothing to say to them;
but now God gave unto them, as he did to Ezekiel, the opening of the
mouth. This excellent sermon of Peter's is admirably suited to the
circumstances of those to whom he preached it; for it was a new sermon.
I. Because they were Gentiles to whom he preached. He shows that,
notwithstanding this, they were interested in the gospel of Christ,
which he had to preach, and entitled to the benefit of it, upon an
equal footing with the Jews. It was necessary that this should be
cleared, or else with what comfort could either he preach or they hear?
He therefore lays down this as an undoubted principle, that God is no
respecter of persons; doth not know favour in judgment, as the Hebrew
phrase is; which magistrates are forbidden to do (Deut. i. 17; xvi. 19;
Prov. xxiv. 23), and are blamed for doing, Ps. lxxxii. 2. And it is
often said of God that he doth not respect persons, Deut. x. 17; 2
Chron. xix. 7; Job xxxiv. 19; Rom. ii. 11; Col. iii. 25; 1 Pet. i. 17.
He doth not give judgment in favour of a man for the sake of any
external advantage foreign to the merits of the cause. God never
perverts judgment upon personal regards and considerations, nor
countenances a wicked man in a wicked thing for the sake of his beauty,
or stature, his country, parentage, relations, wealth, or honour in the
world. God, as a benefactor, gives favours arbitrarily and by
sovereignty (Deut. vii. 7, 8; ix. 5, 6; Matt. xx. 10); but he does not,
as a judge, so give sentence; but in every nation, and under ever
denomination, he that fears God and works righteousness is accepted of
him, v. 35. The case is plainly thus--
1. God never did, nor ever will, justify and save a wicked Jew that
lived and died impenitent, though he was of the seed of Abraham, and a
Hebrew of the Hebrews, and had all the honour and advantages that
attended circumcision. He does and will render indignation and wrath,
tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil; and of
the Jew first, whose privileges and professions, instead of screening
him from the judgment of God, will but aggravate his guilt and
condemnation. See Rom. ii. 3, 8, 9, 17. Though God has favoured the
Jews, above other nations, with the dignities of visible
church-membership, yet he will not therefore accept of any particular
persons of that dignity, if they allow themselves in immoralities
contradictory to their profession; and particularly in persecution,
which was now, more than any other, the national sin of the Jews.
2. He never did, nor ever will, reject or refuse an honest Gentile,
who, though he has not the privileges and advantages that the Jews
have, yet, like Cornelius, fears God, and worships him, and works
righteousness, that is, is just and charitable towards all men, who
lives up to the light he has, both in a sincere devotion and in a
regular conversation. Whatever nation he is of, though ever so far
remote from kindred to the seed of Abraham, though ever so despicable,
nay, though in ever so ill a name, that shall be no prejudice to him.
God judges of men by their hearts, not by their country or parentage;
and, wherever he finds an upright man, he will be found an upright God,
Ps. xviii. 25. Observe, Fearing God, and working righteousness, must go
together; for, as righteousness towards men is a branch of true
religion, so religion towards God is a branch of universal
righteousness. Godliness and honesty must go together, and neither will
excuse for the want of the other. But, where these are predominant, no
doubt is to be made of acceptance with God. Not that any man, since the
fall, can obtain the favour of God otherwise than through the mediation
of Jesus Christ, and by the grace of God in him; but those that have
not the knowledge of him, and therefore cannot have an explicit regard
to him, may yet receive grace from God for his sake, to fear God and to
work righteousness; and wherever God gives grace to do so, as he did to
Cornelius, he will, through Christ, accept the work of his own hands.
Now, (1.) This was always a truth, before Peter perceived it, that God
respecteth no man's person; it was the fixed rule of judgment from the
beginning: If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And, if not
well, sin, and the punishment of it, lie at the door, Gen. iv. 7. God
will not ask in the great day what country men were of, but what they
were, what they did, and how they stood affected towards him and
towards their neighbours; and, if men's personal characters received
neither advantage nor disadvantage from the great difference that
existed between Jews and Gentiles, much less from any less difference
of sentiments and practices that may happen to be among Christians
themselves, as those about meats and days, Rom. xiv. It is certain the
kingdom of God is not meat and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and
joy in the Holy Ghost; and he that in these things serveth Christ is
accepted of God, and ought to be approved of men; for dare we reject
those whom God doth not? (2.) Yet now it was made more clear than it
had been; this great truth had been darkened by the covenant of
peculiarity made with Israel, and the badges of distinction put upon
them; the ceremonial law was a wall of partition between them and other
nations; it is true that in it God favoured that nation (Rom. iii. 1,
2; ix. 4), and thence particular persons among them were ready to infer
that they were sure of God's acceptance, though they lived as they
listed, and that no Gentile could possibly be accepted of God. God had
said a great deal by the prophets to prevent and rectify this mistake,
but now at length he doth it effectually, by abolishing the covenant of
peculiarity, repealing the ceremonial law, and so setting the matter at
large, and placing both Jew and Gentile upon the same level before God;
and Peter is here made to perceive it, by comparing the vision which he
had with that which Cornelius had. Now in Christ Jesus, it is plain,
neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, Gal. v. 6;
Col. iii. 11.
II. Because they were Gentiles inhabiting a place within the confines
of the land of Israel, he refers them to what they themselves could not
but know concerning the life and doctrine, the preaching and miracles,
the death and sufferings of our Lord Jesus: for these were things the
report of which spread into every corner of the nation, v. 37, &c. It
facilitates the work of ministers, when they deal with such as have
some knowledge of the things of God, to which they may appeal, and on
which they may build.
1. They knew in general, the word, that is, the gospel, which God sent
to the children of Israel: That word, I say, you know, v. 37. Though
the Gentiles were not admitted to hear it (Christ and his disciples
were not sent but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel), yet they
could not but hear of it: it was all the talk both of city and country.
We are often told in the gospels how the fame of Christ went into all
parts of Canaan, when he was on earth, as afterwards the fame of his
gospel went into all parts of the world, Rom. x. 18. That word, that
divine word, that word of power and grace, you know. (1.) What the
purport of this word was. God by it published the glad tidings of peace
by Jesus Christ, so it should be read--euangelizomenos eirenev. It is
God himself that proclaims peace, who justly might have proclaimed war.
He lets the world of mankind know that he is willing to be at peace
with them through Jesus Christ; in him he was reconciling the world to
himself. (2.) To whom it was sent--to the children of Israel, in the
first place. The prime offer is made to them; this all their neighbours
heard of, and were ready to envy them those advantages of the gospel,
more than they ever envied them those of their law. Then said they
among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them, Ps. cxxvi.
2.
2. They knew the several matters of fact relating to this word of the
gospel sent to Israel. (1.) They knew the baptism of repentance which
John preached by way of introduction to it, and in which the gospel
first began, Mark i. 1. They knew what an extraordinary man John was,
and what a direct tendency his preaching had to prepare the way of the
Lord. They knew what great flocking there was to his baptism, what an
interest he had, and what he did. (2.) They knew that immediately after
John's baptism the gospel of Christ, that word of peace, was published
throughout all Judea, and that it took its rise from Galilee. The
twelve apostles, and seventy disciples, and our Master himself,
published these glad tidings in all parts of the land; so that we may
suppose there was not a town or village in all the land of Canaan but
had had the gospel preached in it. (3.) They knew that Jesus of
Nazareth, when he was here upon earth, went about doing good. They knew
what a benefactor he was to that nation, both to the souls and the
bodies of men; how he made it his business to do good to all, and never
did hurt to any. He was not idle, but still doing; not selfish, but
doing good; did not confine himself to one place, nor wait till people
came to him to seek his help, but went to them, went about from place
to place, and wherever he came he was doing good. Hereby he showed that
he was sent of God, who is good and does good; and does good because he
is good: and who hereby left not himself without witness to the world,
in that he did good, ch. xiv. 17. And in this he hath set us an example
of indefatigable industry in serving God and our generation; for we
came into the world that we might do all the good we can in it; and
therein, like Christ, we must always abide and abound. (4.) They knew
more particularly that he healed all that were oppressed of the devil,
and helped them from under his oppressing power. By this it appeared
not only that he was sent of God, as it was a kindness to men, but that
he was sent to destroy the works of the devil; for thus he obtained
many a victory over him. (5.) They knew that the Jews put him to death;
they slew him by hanging him on a tree. When Peter preached to the
Jews, he said whom you slew; but now that he preached to the Gentiles
it is whom they slew; they, to whom he had done and designed so much
good. All this they knew; but lest they should think it was only a
report, and was magnified, as reports usually are, more than the truth,
Peter, for himself and the rest of the apostles, attested it (v. 39):
We are witnesses, eye-witnesses, of all things which he did; and
ear-witnesses of the doctrine which he preached, both in the land of
the Jews and in Jerusalem, in city and country.
3. They did know, or might know, by all this, that he had a commission
from heaven to preach and act as he did. This he still harps upon in
his discourse, and takes all occasions to hint it to them. Let them
know, (1.) That this Jesus is Lord of all; it comes in in a
parenthesis, but is the principal proposition intended to be proved,
that Jesus Christ, by whom peace is made between God and man, is Lord
of all; not only as God over all blessed for evermore, but as Mediator,
all power both in heaven and on earth is put into his hand, and all
judgment committed to him. He is Lord of angels; they are all his
humble servants. He is Lord of the powers of darkness, for he hath
triumphed over them. He is king of nations, has a power over all flesh.
He is king of saints, all the children of God are his scholars, his
subjects, his soldiers. (2.) That God anointed him with the Holy Ghost
and with power; he was both authorized and enabled to do what he did by
a divine anointing, whence he was called Christ--the Messiah, the
anointed One. The Holy Ghost descended upon him at his baptism, and he
was full of power both in preaching and working miracles, which was the
seal of a divine mission. (3.) That God was with him, v. 38. His works
were wrought in God. God not only sent him, but was present with him
all along, owned him, stood by him, and carried him on in all his
services and sufferings. Note, Those whom God anoints he will
accompany; he will himself be with those to whom he has given his
Spirit.
III. Because they had had no more certain information concerning this
Jesus, Peter declares to them his resurrection from the dead, and the
proofs of it, that they might not think that when he was slain there
was an end of him. Probably, they had heard at Cesarea some talk of his
having risen from the dead; but the talk of it was soon silenced by
that vile suggestion of the Jews, that his disciples came by night and
stole him away. And therefore Peter insists upon this as the main
support of that word which preacheth peace by Jesus Christ. 1. The
power by which he arose is incontestably divine (v. 40): Him God raised
up the third day, which not only disproved all the calumnies and
accusations he was laid under by men, but effectually proved God's
acceptance of the satisfaction he made for the sin of man by the blood
of his cross. He did not break prison, but had a legal discharge. God
raised him up. 2. The proofs of his resurrection were incontestably
clear; for God showed him openly. He gave him to be made
manifest--edoken auton emphane genesthai, to be visible, evidently so;
so he appears, as that it appears beyond contradiction to be him, and
not another. It was such a showing of him as amounted to a
demonstration of the truth of his resurrection. He showed him not
publicly indeed (it was not open in this sense), but evidently; not to
all the people, who had been the witnesses of his death. By resisting
all the evidences he had given them of his divine mission in his
miracles, they had forfeited the favour of being eye-witnesses of this
great proof of it. Those who immediately forged and promoted that lie
of his being stolen away were justly given up to strong delusions to
believe it, and not suffered to be undeceived by his being shown to all
the people; and so much the greater shall be the blessedness of those
who have not seen, and yet have believed--Nec ille se in vulgus edixit,
ne impii errore, liberarentur; ut et fides non præmio mediocri
destinato difficultate constaret--He showed not himself to the people
at large, lest the impious among them should have been forthwith loosed
from their error, and that faith, the reward of which is so ample,
might be exercised with a degree of difficulty.--Tertul. Apol. cap. 11.
But, though all the people did not see him, a sufficient number saw him
to attest the truth of his resurrection. The testator's declaring his
last will and testament needs not to be before all the people; it is
enough that it be done before a competent number of credible witnesses;
so the resurrection of Christ was proved before sufficient witnesses.
(1.) They were not so by chance, but they were chosen before of God to
be witnesses of it, and, in order to this, had their education under
the Lord Jesus, and intimate converse with him, that, having known him
so intimately before, they might the better be assured it was he. (2.)
They had not a sudden and transient view of him, but a great deal of
free conversation with him: They did eat and drink with him after he
rose from the dead. This implies that they saw him eat and drink,
witness their dining with him at the sea of Tiberias, and the two
disciples supping with him at Emmaus; and this proved that he had a
true and real body. But this was not all; they saw him without any
terror or consternation, which might have rendered them incompetent
witnesses, for they saw him so frequently, and he conversed with them
so familiarly, that they did eat and drink with him. It is brought as a
proof of the clear view which the nobles of Israel had of the glory of
God (Exod. xxiv. 11), that they saw God, and did eat and drink.
IV. He concludes with an inference from all this, that therefore that
which they all ought to do was to believe in this Jesus: he was sent to
tell Cornelius what he must do, and it is this; his praying and his
giving alms were very well, but one thing he lacked, he must believe in
Christ. Observe,
1. Why he must believe in him. Faith has reference to a testimony, and
the Christian faith is built upon the foundation of the apostles and
prophets, it is built upon the testimony given by them. (1.) By the
apostles. Peter as foreman speaks for the rest, that God commanded
them, and gave them in charge, to preach to the people, and to testify
concerning Christ; so that their testimony was not only credible, but
authentic, and what we may venture upon. Their testimony is God's
testimony; and they are his witnesses to the world. They do not only
say it as matter of news, but testify it as matter of record, by which
men must be judged. (2.) By the prophets of the Old Testament, whose
testimony beforehand, not only concerning his sufferings, but
concerning the design and intention of them, very much corroborates the
apostles' testimony concerning them (v. 43): To him give all the
prophets witness. We have reason to think that Cornelius and his
friends were no strangers to the writings of the prophets. Out of the
mouth of these two clouds of witnesses, so exactly agreeing, this word
is established.
2. What they must believe concerning him. (1.) That we are all
accountable to Christ as our Judge; this the apostles were commanded to
testify to the world, that this Jesus is ordained of God to be the
Judge of the quick and dead, v. 42. He is empowered to prescribe the
terms of salvation, that rule by which we must be judged, to give laws
both to quick and dead, both to Jew and Gentile; and he is appointed to
determine the everlasting condition of all the children of men at the
great day, of those that shall be found alive and of those that shall
be raised from the dead. He hath assured us of this, in that he hath
raised him from the dead (ch. xvii. 31), so that it is the great
concern of every one of us, in the belief of this, to seek his favour,
and to make him our friend. (2.) That if we believe in him we shall all
be justified by him as our righteousness, v. 43. The prophets, when
they spoke of the death of Christ, did witness this, that through his
name, for his sake, and upon the account of his merit, whosoever
believeth in him, Jew or Gentile, shall receive remission of sins. This
is the great thing we need, without which we are undone, and which the
convinced conscience is most inquisitive after, which the carnal Jews
promised themselves from their ceremonial sacrifices and purifications,
yea, and the heathen too from their atonements, but all in vain; it is
to be had only through the name of Christ, and only by those that
believe in his name; and those that do so may be assured of it; their
sins shall be pardoned, and there shall be no condemnation to them. And
the remission of sins lays a foundation for all other favours and
blessings, by taking that out of the way which hinders them. If sin be
pardoned, all is well, and shall end everlastingly well.
The Effect of Peter's Sermon.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them
which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed
were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the
Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46 For they
heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which
have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them
to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry
certain days.
We have here the issue and effect of Peter's sermon to Cornelius and
his friends. He did not labour in vain among them, but they were all
brought home to Christ. Here we have,
I. God's owning Peter's word, by conferring the Holy Ghost upon the
hearers of it, and immediately upon the hearing of it (v. 44): While
Peter was yet speaking these words, and perhaps designed to say more,
he was happily superseded by visible indications that the Holy Ghost,
even in his miraculous gifts and powers, fell on all those who heard
the word, even as he did on the apostles at first; so Peter saith, ch.
xi. 15. Therefore some think it was with a rushing mighty wind, and in
cloven tongues, as that was. Observe, 1. When the Holy Ghost fell upon
them--while Peter was preaching. Thus God bore witness to what he said,
and accompanied it with a divine power. Thus were the signs of an
apostle wrought among them, 2 Cor. xii. 12. Though Peter could not give
the Holy Ghost, yet the Holy Ghost being given along with the word of
Peter, by this it appeared he was sent of God. The Holy Ghost fell upon
others after they were baptized, for their confirmation; but upon these
Gentiles before they were baptized: as Abraham was justified by faith,
being yet in uncircumcision, to show that God is not tied to a method,
nor confines himself to external signs. The Holy Ghost fell upon those
that were neither circumcised nor baptized; for it is the Spirit that
quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing. 2. How it appeared that the
Holy Ghost had fallen upon them (v. 46): They spoke with tongues which
they never learned, perhaps the Hebrew, the holy tongue; as the
preachers were enabled to speak the vulgar tongues, that they might
communicate the doctrine of Christ to the hearers, so, probably, the
hearers were immediately taught the sacred tongue, that they might
examine the proofs which the preachers produced out of the Old
Testament in the original. Or their being enabled to speak with tongues
intimated that they were all designed for ministers, and by this first
descent of the Spirit upon them were qualified to preach the gospel to
others, which they did but now receive themselves. But, observe, when
they spoke with tongues, they magnified God, they spoke of Christ and
the benefits of redemption, which Peter had been preaching to the glory
of God. Thus did they on whom the Holy Ghost first descended, ch. ii.
11. Note, Whatever gift we are endued with, we ought to honour God with
it, and particularly the gift of speaking, and all the improvements of
it. 3. What impression it made upon the believing Jews that were
present (v. 45): Those of the circumcision who believed were
astonished--those six that came along with Peter; it surprised them
exceedingly, and perhaps gave them some uneasiness, because upon the
Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost, which they
thought had been appropriated to their own nation. Had they understood
the scriptures of the Old Testament, which pointed at this, it would
not have been such an astonishment to them; but by our mistaken notions
of things we create difficulties to ourselves in the methods of divine
providence and grace.
II. Peter's owning God's work in baptizing those on whom the Holy Ghost
fell. Observe, 1. Though they had received the Holy Ghost, yet it was
requisite they should be baptized; though God is not tied to instituted
ordinances, we are; and no extraordinary gifts set us above them, but
rather oblige us so much the more to conform to them. Some in our days
would have argued "These are baptized with the Holy Ghost and therefore
what need have they to be baptized with water? It is below them." No;
it is not below them, while water-baptism is an ordinance of Christ,
and the door of admission into the visible church, and a seal of the
new covenant. 2. Though they were Gentiles, yet, having received the
Holy Ghost, they might be admitted to baptism (v. 47): Can any man,
though ever so rigid a Jew, forbid water, that these should not be
baptized, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? The argument
is conclusive; can we deny the sign to those who have received the
thing signified? Are not those on whom God has bestowed the grace of
the covenant plainly entitled to the seals of the covenant? Surely
those that have received the Spirit as well as we ought to receive
baptism as well as we; for it becomes us to follow God's indications,
and to take those into communion with us whom he hath taken into
communion with himself. God hath promised to pour his Spirit upon the
seed of the faithful, upon their offspring; and who then can forbid
water, that they should not be baptized, who have received the promise
of the Holy Ghost as well as we? Now it appears why the Spirit was
given them before they were baptized--because otherwise Peter could not
have persuaded himself to baptize them, any more than to have preached
to them, if he had not been ordered to do it by a vision; at least he
could not have avoided the censure of those of the circumcision that
believed. Thus is there one unusual step of divine grace taken after
another to bring the Gentiles into the church. How well is it for us
that the grace of a good God is so much more extensive than the charity
of some good men! 3. Peter did not baptize them himself, but commanded
them to be baptized, v. 48. It is probable that some of the brethren
who came with him did it by his order, and that he declined it for the
same reason that Paul did--lest those that were baptized by him should
think the better of themselves for it, or he should seem to have
baptized in his own name, 1 Cor. i. 15. The apostles received the
commission to go and disciple all nations by baptism. But is was to
prayer and the ministry of the word that they were to give themselves.
And Paul says that he was sent, not to baptize but to preach, which was
the more noble and excellent work. The business of baptizing was
therefore ordinarily devolved upon the inferior ministers; these acted
by the orders of the apostles, who might therefore be said to do it.
Qui per alterum facit, per seipsum facere dicitur--What a man does by
another, he may be said to do by himself.
III. Their owning both Peter's word and God's work in their desire for
further advantage by Peter's ministry: They prayed him to tarry certain
days. They could not press him to reside constantly among them--they
knew that he had work to do in other places, and that for the present
he was expected at Jerusalem; yet they were not willing he should go
away immediately, but earnestly begged he would stay for some time
among them, that they might be further instructed by him in the things
pertaining to the kingdom of God. Note, 1. Those who have some
acquaintance with Christ cannot but covet more. 2. Even those that have
received the Holy Ghost must see their need of the ministry of the
word.
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A C T S.
CHAP. XI.
In this chapter we have, I. Peter's necessary vindication of what he
did in receiving Cornelius and his friends into the church, from the
censure he lay under for it among the brethren, and their acquiescence
in it, ver. 1-18. II. The good success of the gospel at Antioch, and
the parts adjacent, ver. 19-21. III. The carrying on of the good work
that was begun at Antioch, by the ministry of Barnabas first, and
afterwards of Paul in conjunction with him, and the lasting name of
Christian first given to the disciples there, ver. 22-26. IV. A
prediction of an approaching famine, and the contribution that was made
among the Gentile converts for the relief of the poor saints in Judea,
upon that occasion, ver. 27-30.
Peter's Vindication.
1 And the apostles and brethren that were in Judæa heard that the
Gentiles had also received the word of God. 2 And when Peter was come
up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him,
3 Saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with
them. 4 But Peter rehearsed the matter from the beginning, and
expounded it by order unto them, saying, 5 I was in the city of Joppa
praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, A certain vessel descend, as
it had been a great sheet, let down from heaven by four corners; and it
came even to me: 6 Upon the which when I had fastened mine eyes, I
considered, and saw fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts,
and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 7 And I heard a voice
saying unto me, Arise, Peter; slay and eat. 8 But I said, Not so,
Lord: for nothing common or unclean hath at any time entered into my
mouth. 9 But the voice answered me again from heaven, What God hath
cleansed, that call not thou common. 10 And this was done three
times: and all were drawn up again into heaven. 11 And, behold,
immediately there were three men already come unto the house where I
was, sent from Cæsarea unto me. 12 And the Spirit bade me go with
them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and
we entered into the man's house: 13 And he showed us how he had seen
an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to
Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14 Who shall tell
thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. 15 And as
I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the
beginning. 16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he
said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with
the Holy Ghost. 17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as
he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that
I could withstand God? 18 When they heard these things, they held
their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the
Gentiles granted repentance unto life.
The preaching of the gospel to Cornelius was a thing which we poor
sinners of the Gentiles have reason to reflect upon with a great deal
of joy and thankfulness; for it was the bringing of light to us who sat
in darkness. Now it being so great a surprize to the believing as well
as the unbelieving Jews, it is worth while to enquire how it was
received, and what comments were made upon it. And here we find,
I. Intelligence was presently brought of it to the church in Jerusalem,
and thereabouts; for Cesarea was not so far from Jerusalem but that
they might presently hear of it. Some for good-will, and some for
ill-will, would spread the report of it; so that before he himself had
returned to Jerusalem the apostles and the brethren there and in Judea
heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God, that is, the
gospel of Christ, which is not only a word of God, but the word of God;
for it is the summary and centre of all divine revelation. They
received Christ; for his name is called the Word of God, Rev. xix. 13.
Not only that the Jews who were dispersed into the Gentile countries,
and the Gentiles who were proselyted to the Jewish religion, but that
the Gentiles also themselves, with whom it had hitherto been thought
unlawful to hold common conversation, were taken into church-communion,
that they had received the word of God. That is, 1. That the word of
God was preached to them, which was a greater honour put upon them than
they expected. Yet I wonder this should seem strange to those who were
themselves commissioned to preach the gospel to every creature. But
thus often are the prejudices of pride and bigotry held fast against
the clearest discoveries of divine truth. 2. That it was entertained
and submitted to by them, which was a better work wrought upon them
than they expected. It is likely they had got a notion that if the
gospel were preached to the Gentiles it would be to no purpose, because
the proofs of the gospel were fetched so much out of the Old Testament,
which the Gentiles did not receive: they looked upon them as not
inclined to religion, nor likely to receive the impressions of it; and
therefore were surprized to hear that they had received the word of the
Lord. Note, We are too apt to despair of doing good to those who yet,
when they are tried, prove very tractable.
II. That offence was taken at it by the believing Jews (v. 2, 3): When
Peter had himself come up to Jerusalem, those that were of the
circumcision, those Jewish converts that still retained a veneration
for circumcision, contended with him. They charged it upon him as a
crime that he went in to men uncircumcised, and did eat with them; and
thereby they think he has stained, if not forfeited, the honour of his
apostleship, and ought to come under the censure of the church: so far
were they from looking upon him as infallible, or as the supreme head
of the church that all were accountable to, and he to none. See here,
1. How much it is the bane and damage of the church, to monopolize it,
and to exclude those from it, and from the benefit of the means of
grace, that are not in every thing as we are. There are narrow souls
that are for engrossing the riches of the church, as there are that
would engross the riches of the world, and would be placed alone in the
midst of the earth. These men were of Jonah's mind, who, in a jealousy
for his people, was angry that the Ninevites received the word of God,
and justified himself in it. 2. Christ's ministers must not think it
strange if they be censured and quarrelled with, not only by their
professed enemies, but by their professing friends; not only for their
follies and infirmities, but for their good actions seasonably and well
done; but, if we have proved our own work, we may have rejoicing in
ourselves, as Peter had, whatever reflections we may have from our
brethren. Those that are zealous and courageous in the service of
Christ must expect to be censured by those who, under pretence of being
cautious, are cold and indifferent. Those who are of catholic,
generous, charitable principles, must expect to be censured by such as
are conceited and strait-laced, who say, Stand by thyself, I am holier
than thou.
III. Peter gave such a full and fair account of the matter of fact as
was sufficient, without any further argument or apology, both to
justify him, and to satisfy them (v. 4): He rehearsed the matter from
the beginning, and laid it before them in order, and then could appeal
to themselves whether he had done amiss; for it appeared all along
God's own work, and not his.
1. He takes it for granted that if they had rightly understood how the
matter was they would not have contended with him, and commended him.
And it is a good reason why we should be moderate in our censures, and
sparing of them, because if we rightly understood that which we are so
forward to run down perhaps we should see cause to run in with it. When
we see others do that which looks suspicious, instead of contending
with them, we should enquire of them what ground they went upon; and,
if we have not an opportunity to do that, should ourselves put the best
construction upon it that it will bear, and judge nothing before the
time.
2. He is very willing to stand right in their opinion, and takes pains
to give them satisfaction. He does not insist upon his being the chief
of the apostles, for he was far from the thought of that supremacy
which his pretended successors claim. Nor does he think it enough to
tell them that he is satisfied himself in the grounds he went upon, and
they need not trouble themselves about it; but he is ready to give a
reason of the hope that is in him concerning the Gentiles, and why he
had receded from his former sentiments, which were the same with
theirs. It is a debt we owe both to ourselves and to our brethren to
set those actions of ours in a true light which at first looked ill and
gave offence, that we may remove stumbling-blocks out of our brethren's
way. Let us now see what Peter pleads in his own defence.
(1.) That he was instructed by a vision no longer to keep up the
distinctions which were made by the ceremonial law; he relates the
vision (v. 5, 6), as we had it before ch. x. 9, &c. The sheet which was
there said to be let down to the earth he here says came even to him,
which circumstance intimates that it was particularly designed for
instruction to him. We should thus see all God's discoveries of
himself, which he has made to the children of men, coming even to us,
applying them by faith to ourselves. Another circumstance here added is
that when the sheet came to him he fastened his eyes upon it, and
considered it, v. 6. If we would be led into the knowledge of divine
things, we must fix our minds upon them, and consider them. He tells
them what orders he had to eat of all sorts of meat without
distinction, asking no questions for conscience' sake, v. 7. It was not
till after the flood (as it should seem) that man was allowed to eat
flesh at all, Gen. ix. 3. That allowance was afterwards limited by the
ceremonial law; but now the restrictions were taken off, and the matter
set at large again. It was not the design of Christ to abridge us in
the use of our creature-comforts by any other law than that of sobriety
and temperance, and preferring the meat that endures to eternal life
before that which perishes. He pleads that he was as averse to the
thoughts of conversing with Gentiles, or eating of their dainties, as
they could be, and therefore refused the liberty given him: Not so,
Lord; for nothing common or unclean has at any time entered into my
mouth, v. 8. But he was told from heaven that the case was now altered,
that God had cleansed those persons and things which were before
polluted; and therefore that he must no longer call them common, nor
look upon them as unfit to be meddled with by the peculiar people (v.
9); so that he was not to be blamed for changing his thoughts, when God
had changed the thing. In things of this nature we must act according
to our present light; yet must not be so wedded to our opinion
concerning them as to be prejudiced against further discoveries, when
the matter may either be otherwise or appear otherwise; and God may
reveal even this unto us, Phil. iii. 15. And, that they might be sure
he was not deceived in it, he tells them it was done three times (v.
10), the same command given, to kill and eat, and the same reason,
because that which God hath cleansed is not to be called common,
repeated a second and third time. And, further to confirm him that it
was a divine vision, the things he saw did not vanish away into the
air, but were drawn up again into heaven, whence they were let down.
(2.) That he was particularly directed by the Spirit to go along with
the messengers that Cornelius sent. And, that it might appear that the
vision was designed to satisfy him in this matter, he observes to them
the time when the messengers came--immediately after he had that
vision; yet, lest this should not be sufficient to clear his way, the
Spirit bade him go with the men that were then sent from Cesarea to
him, nothing doubting (v. 11, 12); though they were Gentiles he went
to, and went with, yet he must make no scruple of going along with
them.
(3.) That he took some of his brethren along with him, who were of the
circumcision, that they might be satisfied as well as he; and these he
had brought up from Joppa, to witness for him with what caution he
proceeded, foreseeing the offence that would be taken at it. He did not
act separately, but with advice; not rashly, but upon due deliberation.
(4.) That Cornelius had a vision too, by which he was directed to send
for Peter (v. 13): He showed us how he had seen a angel in his house,
that bade him send to Joppa for one Simon, whose surname is Peter. See
how good it is for those that have communion with God, and keep up a
correspondence with heaven, to compare notes, and communicate their
experiences to each other; for hereby they may strengthen one another's
faith: Peter is the more confirmed in the truth of his vision by
Cornelius's, and Cornelius by Peter's. Here is something added in what
the angel said to Cornelius; before it was, Send for Peter, and he
shall speak to thee, he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do (ch.
x. 6, 32); but here it is, "He shall tell thee words whereby thou and
thy house shall be saved (v. 14), and therefore it is of vast concern
to thee, and will be of unspeakable advantage, to send for him." Note,
[1.] The words of the gospel are words whereby we may be saved,
eternally saved; not merely by hearing them and reading them, but by
believing and obeying them. They set the salvation before us, and show
us what it is; they open the way of salvation to us, and, if we follow
the method prescribed us by them, we shall certainly be saved from
wrath and the curse, and be for ever happy. [2.] Those that embrace the
gospel of Christ will have salvation brought by it to their families:
"Thou and all thy house shall be saved; thou and thy children shall be
taken into covenant, and have the means of salvation; thy house shall
be as welcome to the benefit of the salvation, upon their believing, as
thou thyself, even the meanest servant thou hast. This day is salvation
come to this house," Luke xix. 9. Hitherto salvation was of the Jews
(John iv. 22), but now salvation is brought to the Gentiles as much as
ever it was with the Jews; the promises, privileges, and means of it
are conveyed to all nations as amply and fully, to all intents and
purposes, as ever it had been appropriated to the Jewish nation.
(5.) That which put the matter past all dispute was the descent of the
Holy Ghost upon the Gentile hearers; this completed the evidence that
it was the will of God that he should take the Gentiles into communion.
[1.] The fact was plain and undeniable (v. 15): "As I began to speak"
(and perhaps he felt some secret reluctance in his own breast, doubting
whether he was in the right to preach to the uncircumcised), "presently
the Holy Ghost fell on them in as visible signs as on us at the
beginning, in which there could be no fallacy." Thus God attested what
was done, and declared his approbation of it; that preaching is
certainly right with which the Holy Ghost is given. The apostle
supposes this, when he thus argues with the Galatians: Received you the
Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Gal. iii.
2. [2.] Peter was hereby put in mind of a saying of his Master's, when
he was leaving them (ch. i. 5): John baptized with water; but you shall
be baptized with the Holy Ghost, v. 16. This plainly intimated, First,
that the Holy Ghost was the gift of Christ, and the product and
performance of his promise, that great promise which he left with them
when he went to heaven. It was therefore without doubt from him that
this gift came; and the filling of them with the Holy Ghost was his act
and deed. As it was promised by his mouth, so it was performed by his
hand, and was a token of his favour. Secondly, That the gift of the
Holy Ghost was a kind of baptism. Those that received it were baptized
with it in a more excellent manner than any of those that even the
Baptist himself baptized with water. [3.] Comparing that promise, so
worded, with this gift just now conferred, when the question was
started, whether these persons should be baptized or no, he concluded
that the question was determined by Christ himself (v. 17): "Forasmuch
then as God gave them the like gift as he did to us--gave it to us as
believing in the Lord Jesus Christ, and to them upon their believing in
him--What was I, that I could withstand God? Could I refuse to baptize
them with water, whom God had baptized with the Holy Ghost? Could I
deny the sign to those on whom he had conferred the thing signified?
But, as for me, who was I? What! able to forbid God? Did it become me
to control the divine will, or to oppose the counsels of Heaven?" Note,
Those who hinder the conversion of souls withstand God; and those take
too much upon them who contrive how to exclude from their communion
those whom God has taken into communion with himself.
IV. This account which Peter gave of the matter satisfied them, and all
was well. Thus, when the two tribes and a half gave an account to
Phinehas and the princes of Israel of the true intent and meaning of
their building themselves an altar on the banks of Jordan, the
controversy was dropped, and it pleased them that it was so, Josh.
xxii. 30. Some people, when they have fastened a censure upon a person,
will stick to it, though afterwards it appear ever so plainly to be
unjust and groundless. It was not so here; for these brethren, though
they were of the circumcision, and their bias went the other way, yet,
when they heard this, 1. They let fall their censures: they held their
peace, and said no more against what Peter had done; they laid their
hand upon their mouth, because now they perceived that God did it. Now
those who prided themselves in their dignities as Jews began to see
that God was staining their pride, by letting in the Gentiles to share,
and to share equally, with them. And now that prophecy was fulfilled,
Thou shalt no more be haughty because of my holy mountain, Zeph. iii.
11. 2. They turned them into praises. They not only held their peace
from quarrelling with Peter, but opened their mouths to glorify God for
what he had done by and with Peter's ministry; they were thankful that
their mistake was rectified, and that God had shown more mercy to the
poor Gentiles than they were inclined to show them, saying, Then hath
God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life! He hath granted
them not only the means of repentance, in opening a door of entrance
for his ministers among them, but the grace of repentance, in having
given them his Holy Spirit, who, wherever he comes to be a Comforter,
first convinces, and gives a sight of sin and sorrow for it, and then a
sight of Christ and joy in him. Note, (1.) Repentance, if it be true,
is unto life. It is to spiritual life; all that truly repent of their
sins evidence it by living a new life, a holy, heavenly, and divine
life. Those that by repentance die unto sin thenceforward live unto
God; and then, and not till then, we begin to live indeed, and it shall
be to eternal life. All true penitents shall live, that is, they shall
be restored to the favour of God, which is life, which is better than
life; they shall be comforted with the assurance of the pardon of their
sins, and shall have the earnest of eternal life, and at length the
fruition of it. (2.) Repentance is God's gift; it is not only his free
grace that accepts it, but his mighty grace that works it in us, that
takes away the heart of stone, and gives us a heart of flesh. The
sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; it is he that provides himself
this lamb. (3.) Wherever God designs to give life he gives repentance;
for this is a necessary preparative for the comforts of a sealed pardon
and a settled peace in this world, and for the seeing and enjoying of
God in the other world. (4.) It is a great comfort to us that God has
exalted his Son Jesus, not only to give repentance to Israel, and the
remission of sins (ch. v. 31), but to the Gentiles also.
The Gospel Preached at Antioch; Success of the Gospel at Antioch; Barnabas at
Antioch.
19 Now they which were scattered abroad upon the persecution that arose
about Stephen travelled as far as Phenice, and Cyprus, and Antioch,
preaching the word to none but unto the Jews only. 20 And some of
them were men of Cyprus and Cyrene, which, when they were come to
Antioch, spake unto the Grecians, preaching the Lord Jesus. 21 And
the hand of the Lord was with them: and a great number believed, and
turned unto the Lord. 22 Then tidings of these things came unto the
ears of the church which was in Jerusalem: and they sent forth
Barnabas, that he should go as far as Antioch. 23 Who, when he came,
and had seen the grace of God, was glad, and exhorted them all, that
with purpose of heart they would cleave unto the Lord. 24 For he was
a good man, and full of the Holy Ghost and of faith: and much people
was added unto the Lord. 25 Then departed Barnabas to Tarsus, for to
seek Saul: 26 And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch.
And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with
the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called
Christians first in Antioch.
We have here an account of the planting and watering of a church at
Antioch, the chief city of Syria, reckoned afterwards the third most
considerable city of the empire, only Rome and Alexandria being
preferred before it, next to whose patriarch that of Antioch took
place. It stood where Hamath or Riblah did, which we read of in the Old
Testament. It is suggested that Luke, the penman of this history, as
well as Theophilus, to whom he dedicates it, was of Antioch, which may
be the reason why he takes more particular notice of the success of the
gospel at Antioch, as also because there it was that Paul began to be
famous, towards the story of whom he is hastening. Now concerning the
church at Antioch observe,
I. The first preachers of the gospel there were such as were dispersed
from Jerusalem by persecution, that persecution which arose five or six
years ago (as some compute), at the time of Stephen's death (v. 19):
They travelled as far as Phenice and other places preaching the word.
God suffered them to be persecuted, that thereby they might be
dispersed in the world, sown as seed to God, in order to their bringing
forth much fruit. Thus what was intended for the hurt of the church was
made to work for its good; as Jacob's curse of the tribe of Levi (I
will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel) was turned into
a blessing. The enemies designed to scatter and lose them, Christ
designed to scatter and use them. Thus the wrath of man is made to
praise God. Observe,
1. Those that fled from persecution did not flee from their work;
though for the time they declined suffering, yet they did not decline
service; nay, they threw themselves into a larger field of opportunity
than before. Those that persecuted the preachers of the gospel hoped
thereby to prevent their carrying it to the Gentile world; but it
proved that they did but hasten it the sooner. Howbeit, they meant not
so, neither did their heart think so. Those that were persecuted in one
city fled to another; but they carried their religion along with them,
not only that they might take the comfort of it themselves, but that
they might communicate it to others, thus showing that when they got
out of the way it was not because they were afraid of suffering, but
because they were willing to reserve themselves for further service.
2. They pressed forward in their work, finding that the good pleasure
of the Lord prospered in their hands. When they had preached
successfully in Judea, Samaria, and Galilee, they got out of the
borders of the land of Canaan, and travelled into Phoenicia, into the
island of Cyprus, and into Syria. Though the further they travelled the
more they exposed themselves, yet they travelled on; plus
ultra--further still, was their motto; grudging no pains, and dreading
no perils, in carrying on so good a work, and serving so good a Master.
3. They preached the word to none but to the Jews only who were
dispersed in all those parts, and had synagogues of their own, in which
they met with them by themselves, and preached to them. They did not
yet understand that the Gentiles were to be fellow-heirs, and of the
same body; but left the Gentiles either to turn Jews, and so come into
the church, or else remain as they were.
4. They particularly applied themselves to the Hellenist Jews, here
called the Grecians, that were at Antioch. Many of the preachers were
natives of Judea and Jerusalem; but some of them were by birth of
Cyprus and Cyrene, as Barnabas himself (ch. iv. 36), and Simon (Mark
xv. 21), but had their education in Jerusalem; and these, being
themselves Grecian Jews, had a particular concern for those of their
own denomination and distinction, and applied themselves closely to
them at Antioch. Dr. Lightfoot says that they were there called
Hellenists, or Grecians, because they were Jews of the corporation or
enfranchisement of the city; for Antioch was a Syrogrecian city. To
them they preached the Lord Jesus. This was the constant subject of
their preaching; what else should the ministers of Christ preach, but
Christ--Christ, and him crucified--Christ, and him glorified?
5. They had wonderful success in their preaching, v. 21. (1.) Their
preaching was accompanied with a divine power: The hand of the Lord was
with them, which some understand of the power they were endued with to
work miracles for the confirming of their doctrine; in these the Lord
was working with them, for he confirmed the word with signs following
(Mark xvi. 20); in these God bore them witness, Heb. ii. 4. But I
rather understand it of the power of divine grace working on the hearts
of the hearers, and opening them, as Lydia's heart was opened, because
many saw the miracles who were not converted; but when by the Spirit
the understanding was enlightened, and the will bowed to the gospel of
Christ, that was a day of power, in which volunteers were enlisted
under the banner of the Lord Jesus, Ps. cx. 3. The hand of the Lord was
with them, to bring that home to the hearts and consciences of men
which they could but speak to the outward ear. Then the word of the
Lord gains its end, when the hand of the Lord goes along with it, to
write it in their heart. Then people are brought to believe the report
of the gospel, when with it the arm of the Lord is revealed (Isa. liii.
1), when God teaches with a strong hand, Isa. viii. 11. These were not
apostles, but ordinary ministers, yet they had the hand of the Lord
with them, and did wonders. (2.) Abundance of good was done: A great
number believed, and turned unto the Lord--many more than could have
been expected, considering the outward disadvantages they laboured
under: some of all sorts of people were wrought upon, and brought into
obedience to Christ. Observe, What the change was. [1.] They believed;
they were convinced of the truth of the gospel, and subscribed to the
record God had given in it concerning his Son. [2.] The effect and
evidence of this was that they turned unto the Lord. They could not be
said to turn from the service of idols, for they were Jews, worshippers
of the true God only; but they turned from a confidence in the
righteousness of the law, to rely only upon the righteousness of
Christ, the righteousness which is by faith; they turned from a loose,
careless, carnal way of living, to live a holy, heavenly, spiritual,
and divine life; they turned from worshipping God in show and ceremony,
to worship him in spirit and in truth. They turned to the Lord Jesus,
and he became all in all with them. This was the work of conversion
wrought upon them, and it must be wrought upon every one of us. It was
the fruit of their faith. All that sincerely believe will turn to the
Lord; for, whatever we profess or pretend, we do not really believe the
gospel if we do not cordially embrace Christ offered to us in the
gospel.
II. The good work thus begun at Antioch was carried on to great
perfection; and the church, thus founded, grew to be a flourishing one,
by the ministry of Barnabas and Saul, who built upon the foundation
which the other preachers had laid, and entered into their labours,
John iv. 37, 38.
1. The church at Jerusalem sent Barnabas thither, to nurse this
new-born church, and to strengthen the hands both of preachers and
people, and put a reputation upon the cause of Christ there.
(1.) They heard the good news, that the gospel was received at Antioch,
v. 22. The apostles there were inquisitive how the work went on in the
countries about; and, it is likely, kept up a correspondence with all
parts where preachers were, so that tidings of these things, of the
great numbers that were converted at Antioch, soon came to the ears of
the church that was in Jerusalem. Those that are in the most eminent
stations in the church ought to concern themselves for those in a lower
sphere.
(2.) They despatched Barnabas to them with all speed; they desired him
to go, and assist and encourage these hopeful beginnings. They sent him
forth as an envoy from them, and a representative of their whole body,
to congratulate them upon the success of the gospel among them, as
matter of rejoicing both to preachers and hearers, and with both they
rejoiced. He must go as far as Antioch. It was a great way, but, far as
it was, he was willing to undertake the journey for a public service.
It is probable that Barnabas had a particular genius for work of this
kind, was active and conversable, loved to be in motion, and delighted
in doing good abroad as much as others in doing good at home, was as
much of Zebulun's spirit, who rejoiced in his going out, as others are
of Issachar's, who rejoiced in his tent; and, his talent lying this
way, he was fittest to be employed in this work. God gives various
gifts for various services.
(3.) Barnabas was wonderfully pleased to find that the gospel got
ground, and that some of his countrymen, men of Cyprus (of which
country he was, ch. iv. 36) were instrumental in it (v. 23): When he
came, and had seen the grace of God, the tokens of God's good-will to
the people of Antioch and the evidences of his good work among them, he
was glad. He took time to make his observations, and not only in their
public worship, but in their common conversations and in their
families, he saw the grace of God among them. Where the grace of God is
it will be seen, as the tree is known by its fruits; and, where it is
seen, it ought to be owned. What we see which is good in any we must
call God's grace in them, and give that grace the glory of it; and we
ought ourselves to take the comfort of it, and make it the matter of
our rejoicing. We must be glad to see the grace of God in others, and
the more when we see it where we did not expect it.
(4.) He did what he could to fix them, to confirm those in the faith
who were converted to the faith. He exhorted them--parekalei. It is the
same word with that by which the name of Barnabas is interpreted (ch.
iv. 36), hyios parakleseos--a son of exhortation; his talent lay that
way, and he traded with it; let him that exhorteth attend to
exhortation, Rom. xii. 8. Or, being a son of consolation (for so we
render the word), he comforted or encouraged them with purpose of heart
to cleave to the Lord. The more he rejoiced in the beginning of the
good work among them, the more earnest he was with them to proceed
according to these good beginnings. Those we have comfort in we should
exhort. Barnabas was glad for what he saw of the grace of God among
them, and therefore was the more earnest with them to persevere. [1.]
To cleave to the Lord. Note, Those that have turned to the Lord are
concerned to cleave unto the Lord, not to fall off from following him,
not to flag and tire in following him. To cleave to the Lord Jesus is
to live a life of dependence upon him and devotedness to him: not only
to hold him fast, but to hold fast by him, to be strong in the Lord and
in the power of his might. [2.] To cleave to him with purpose of heart,
with an intelligent, firm, and deliberate resolution, founded upon good
grounds, and fixed upon that foundation, Ps. cviii. 1. It is to bind
our souls with a bond to be the Lord's, and to say as Ruth, Entreat me
not to leave him, or to return from following after him.
(5.) Herein he gave a proof of his good character (v. 24): He was a
good man, and full of the Holy Ghost, and of faith, and approved
himself so upon this occasion. [1.] He showed himself to be a man of a
very sweet, affable, courteous disposition, that had himself the art of
obliging, and could teach others. He was not only a righteous man, but
a good man, a good-tempered man. Ministers that are so recommend
themselves and their doctrine very much to the good opinion of those
that are without. He was a good man, that is, a charitable man; so he
had approved himself, when he sold an estate, and gave the money to the
poor, ch. iv. 37. [2.] By this it appeared that he was richly endued
with the gifts and graces of the Spirit. The goodness of his natural
disposition would not have qualified him for this service if he had not
been full of the Holy Ghost, and so full of power by the Spirit of the
Lord. [3.] He was full of faith, full of the Christian faith himself,
and therefore desirous to propagate it among others; full of the grace
of faith, and full of the fruits of that faith that works by love. He
was sound in the faith, and therefore pressed them to be so.
(6.) He was instrumental to do good, by bringing in those that were
without, as well as by building up those that were within: Much people
were added to the Lord, and thereby added to the church; many were
turned to the Lord before, yet more are to be turned; it is done as
thou hast commanded, and yet there is room.
2. Barnabas went to fetch Saul, to join with him in the work of the
gospel at Antioch. The last news we heard of him was that, when his
life was sought at Jerusalem, he was sent away to Tarsus, the city
where he was born, and, it should seem, he continued there ever since,
doing good, no doubt. But now Barnabas takes a journey to Tarsus on
purpose to see what had become of him, to tell him what a door of
opportunity was opened at Antioch, and to desire him to come and spend
some time with him there, v. 25, 26. And here also it appears that
Barnabas was a good sort of a man in two things--(1.) That he would
take so much pains to bring an active useful man out of obscurity. It
was he that introduced Saul to the disciples at Jerusalem, when they
were shy of him; and it was he that brought him out of the corner into
which he was driven, into a more public station. It is a very good work
to fetch a candle from under a bushel, and to set it in a candlestick.
(2.) That he would bring in Saul at Antioch, who, being a chief speaker
(ch. xiv. 12), and probably a more popular preacher, would be likely to
eclipse him there, by outshining him; but Barnabas is very willing to
be eclipsed when it is for the public service. If God by his grace
inclines us to do what good we can, according to the ability we have,
we ought to rejoice if others that have also larger capacities have
larger opportunities, and do more good than we can do. Barnabas brought
Saul to Antioch, though it might be the lessening of himself, to teach
us to seek the things of Christ more than our own things.
3. We are here further told,
(1.) What service was now done to the church at Antioch. Paul and
Barnabas continued there a whole year, presiding in their religious
assemblies, and preaching the gospel, v. 26. Observe, [1.] The church
frequently assembled. The religious assemblies of Christians are
appointed by Christ for his honour, and the comfort and benefit of his
disciples. God's people of old frequently came together, at the door of
the tabernacle of the congregation; places of meeting are now
multiplied, but they must come together, though it be with difficulty
and peril. [2.] Ministers were the masters of those assemblies, and
held those courts in Christ's name to which all that hold by, from, and
under him, owe suit and service. [3.] Teaching the people is one part
of the work of ministers, when they preside in religious assemblies.
They are not only to be the people's mouth to God in prayer and praise,
but God's mouth to the people in opening the scriptures, and teaching
out of them the good knowledge of the Lord. [4.] It is a great
encouragement to ministers when they have opportunity of teaching much
people, of casting the net of the gospel where there is a large shoal
of fish, in hopes that the more may be enclosed. [5.] Preaching is not
only for the conviction and conversion of those that are without, but
for the instruction and edification of those that are within. A
constituted church must have its teachers.
(2.) What honour was now put upon the church at Antioch: There the
disciples were first called Christians; it is probable they called
themselves so, incorporated themselves by that title, whether by some
solemn act of the church or ministers, or whether this name insensibly
obtained there by its being frequently used in their praying and
preaching, we are not told; but it should seem that two such great men
as Paul and Barnabas continuing there so long, being exceedingly
followed, and meeting with no opposition, Christian assemblies made a
greater figure there than any where, and became more considerable,
which was the reason of their being called Christians first there,
which, if there were to be a mother-church to rule over all other
churches, would give Antioch a better title to the honour than Rome can
pretend to. Hitherto those who gave up their names to Christ were
called disciples, learners, scholars, trained up under him, in order to
their being employed by him; but henceforward they were called
Christians. [1.] Thus the reproachful names which their enemies had
hitherto branded them with would, perhaps, be superseded and disused.
They called them Nazarenes (ch. xxiv. 5), the men of that way, that
by-way, which had no name; and thus they prejudiced people against
them. To remove the prejudice, they gave themselves a name which their
enemies could not but say was proper. [2.] Thus those who before their
conversion had been distinguished by the names of Jews and Gentiles
might after their conversion be called by one and the same name, which
would help them to forget their former dividing names, and prevent
their bringing their former marks of distinction, and with them the
seeds of contention, into the church. Let not one say, "I was a Jew;"
nor the other, "I was a Gentile;" when both the one and the other must
now say, "I am a Christian." [3.] Thus they studied to do honour to
their Master, and showed that they were not ashamed to own their
relation to him, but gloried in it; as the scholars of Plato called
themselves Platonists, and so the scholars of other great men. They
took their denomination not from the name of his person, Jesus, but of
his office, Christ-anointed, so putting their creed into their names,
that Jesus is the Christ; and they were willing all the world should
know that this is the truth they will live and die by. Their enemies
will turn this name to their reproach, and impute it to them as their
crime, but they will glory in it: If this be to be vile, I will be yet
more vile. [4.] Thus they now owned their dependence upon Christ, and
their receivings from him; not only that they believed in him who is
the anointed, but that through him they themselves had the anointing, 1
John ii. 20, 27. And God is said to have anointed us in Christ, 2 Cor.
i. 21. [5.] Thus they laid upon themselves, and all that should ever
profess that name, a strong and lasting obligation to submit to the
laws of Christ, to follow the example of Christ, and to devote
themselves entirely to the honour of Christ--to be to him for a name
and a praise. Are we Christians? Then we ought to think, and speak, and
act, in every thing as becomes Christians, and to do nothing to the
reproach of that worthy name by which we are called; that that may not
be said to us which Alexander said to a soldier of his own name that
was noted for a coward, Aut nomen, aut mores muta--Either change thy
name or mend thy manners. And as we must look upon ourselves as
Christians, and carry ourselves accordingly, so we must look upon
others as Christians, and carry ourselves towards them accordingly. A
Christian, though not in every thing of our mind, should be loved and
respected for his sake whose name he bears, because he belongs to
Christ. [6.] Thus the scripture was fulfilled, for so it was written
(Isa. lxii. 2) concerning the gospel-church, Thou shalt be called by a
new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name. And it is said to the
corrupt and degenerate church of the Jews, The Lord God shall slay
thee, and call his servants by another name, Isa. lxv. 15.
Primitive Charity.
27 And in these days came prophets from Jerusalem unto Antioch. 28
And there stood up one of them named Agabus, and signified by the
Spirit that there should be great dearth throughout all the world:
which came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar. 29 Then the
disciples, every man according to his ability, determined to send
relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judæa: 30 Which also they
did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.
When our Lord Jesus ascended on high he gave gifts unto men, not only
apostles and evangelists, but prophets, who were enabled by the Spirit
to foresee and foretel things to come, which not only served for a
confirmation of the truth of Christianity (for all that these prophets
foretold came to pass, which proved that they were sent of God, Deut.
xviii. 22; Jer. xxviii. 9), but was also of great use to the church,
and served very much for its guidance. Now here we have,
I. A visit which some of these prophets made to Antioch (v. 27): In
these days, during that year that Barnabas and Saul lived at Antioch,
there came prophets from Jerusalem to Antioch: we are not told how
many, nor is it certain whether these were any of those prophets that
we afterwards find in the church at Antioch, ch. xiii. 1. 1. They came
from Jerusalem, probably because they were not now so much regarded
there as they had been; they saw their work in a manner done there, and
therefore thought it time to be gone. Jerusalem had been infamous for
killing the prophets and abusing them, and therefore is now justly
deprived of these prophets. 2. They came to Antioch, because they heard
of the flourishing state of that church, and there they hoped they
might be of some service. Thus should every one as he hath received the
gift minister the same. Barnabas came to exhort them, and they, having
received the exhortation well, now have prophets sent them to show them
things to come, as Christ had promised, John xvi. 13. Those that are
faithful in their little shall be entrusted with more. The best
understanding of scripture-predictions is to be got in the way of
obedience to scripture-instructions.
II. A particular prediction of a famine approaching, delivered by one
of these prophets, his name Agabus; we read of him again prophesying
Paul's imprisonment, ch. xxi. 10, 11. Here he stood up, probably in one
of their public assemblies, and prophesied, v. 28. Observe, 1. Whence
he had his prophecy. What he said was not of himself, nor a fancy of
his own, nor an astronomical prediction, nor a conjecture upon the
present workings of second causes, but he signified it by the Spirit,
the Spirit of prophecy, that there should be a famine; as Joseph, by
the Spirit enabling him, understood Pharaoh's dreams, foretold the
famine in Egypt, and Elijah the famine in Israel in Ahab's time. Thus
God revealed his secrets to his servants the prophets. 2. What the
prophecy was: There should be great dearth throughout all the world, by
unseasonable weather, that corn should be scarce and dear, so that many
of the poor should perish for want of bread. This should be not in one
particular country, but through all the world, that is, all the Roman
empire, which they in their pride, like Alexander before them, called
the world. Christ had foretold in general that there should be famines
(Matt. xxiv. 7; Mark xiii. 8; Luke xxi. 11); but Agabus foretels one
very remarkable famine now at hand. 3. The accomplishment of it: It
came to pass in the days of Claudius Cæsar; it began in the second year
of his reign, and continued to the fourth, if not longer. Several of
the Roman historians make mention of it, as does also Josephus. God
sent them the bread of life, and they rejected it, loathed the plenty
of that manna; and therefore God justly broke the staff of bread, and
punished them with famine; and herein he was righteous. They were
barren, and did not bring forth to God, and therefore God made the
earth barren to them.
III. The good use they made of this prediction. When they were told of
a famine at hand, they did not do as the Egyptians, hoard up corn for
themselves; but, as became Christians, laid by for charity to relieve
others, which is the best preparative for our own sufferings and want.
It is promised to those that consider the poor that God will preserve
them, and keep them alive, and they shall be blessed upon the earth,
Ps. xli. 1, 2. And those who show mercy, and give to the poor, shall
not be ashamed in the evil time, but in the days of famine they shall
be satisfied, Ps. xxxvii. 19, 21. The best provision we can lay up
against a dear time is to lay up an interest in these promises, by
doing good, and communicating, Luke xii. 33. Many give it as a reason
why they should be sparing, but the scripture gives it as a reason why
we should be liberal, to seven, and also to eight, because we know not
what evil shall be upon the earth, Eccl. xi. 2. Observe,
1. What they determined--that every man, according to his ability,
should send relief to the brethren that dwelt in Judea, v. 29. (1.) The
persons that were recommended to them as objects for charity were the
brethren that dwelt in Judea. Though we must, as we have opportunity,
do good to all men, yet we must have a special regard to the household
of faith, Gal. vi. 10. No poor must be neglected, but God's poor most
particularly regarded. The care which every particular church ought to
take of their own poor we were taught by the early instance of that in
the church at Jerusalem, where the ministration was so constant that
none lacked, ch. iv. 34. But the communion of saints in that instance
is here extended further, and provision is made by the church at
Antioch for the relief of the poor in Judea, whom they call their
brethren. It seems it was the custom of the Jews of the dispersion to
send money to those Jews who dwelt in Judea, for the relief of the poor
that were among them, and to make collections for that purpose (Tully
speaks of such a thing in his time, Orat. pro Flacco), which supposes
there were many poor in Judea, more than in other countries, so that
the rich among them were not able to bear the charge of keeping them
from starving; either because their land had become barren, though it
had been a fruitful land, for the iniquity of those that dwelt therein,
or because they had no traffic with other nations. Now we may suppose
that the greatest part of those who turned Christians in that country
were the poor (Matt. xi. 5, The poor are evangelized), and also that
when the poor turned Christians they were put out of the poor's book,
and cut off from their shares in the public charity; and it were easy
to foresee that if there came a famine it would go very hard with them;
and, if any of them should perish for want, it would be a great
reproach to the Christian profession; and therefore this early care was
taken, upon notice of this famine coming, to send them a stock
beforehand, lest, if it should be deferred till the famine came, it
should be too late. (2.) The agreement there was among the disciples
about it, that every man should contribute, according to his ability,
to this good work. The Jews abroad, in other countries, grew rich by
trade, and many of the rich Jews became Christians, whose abundance
ought to be a supply to the want of their poor brethren that were at a
great distance; for the case of such ought to be considered, and not
theirs only that live among us. Charitable people are traders with what
God has given them, and the merchants find their account in sending
effects to countries that lie very remote; and so should we in giving
alms to those afar off that need them, which therefore we should be
forward to do when we are called to it. Every man determined to send
something, more or less, according to his ability, what he could spare
from the support of himself and his family, and according as God had
prospered him. What may be said to be according to our ability we must
judge for ourselves, but must be careful that we judge righteous
judgment.
2. What they did--they did as they determined (v. 30). Which also they
did. They not only talked of it, but they did it. Many a good motion of
that kind is made and commended, but is not prosecuted, and so comes to
nothing. But this was pursued, the collection was made, and was so
considerable that they thought it worth while to send Barnabas and Saul
to Jerusalem, to carry it to the elders there, though they would want
their labours in the mean time at Antioch. They sent it, (1.) To the
elders, the presbyters, the ministers or pastors, of the churches in
Judea, to be by them distributed according to the necessity of the
receivers, as it had been contributed according to the ability of the
givers. (2.) It was sent by Barnabas and Saul, who perhaps wanted an
occasion to go to Jerusalem, and therefore were willing to take this.
Josephus tells us that at this time king Irates sent his charity to the
chief men of Jerusalem, for the poor of that country; and Helena, queen
of the Adiabeni, being now at Jerusalem, and hearing of many that died
of famine there, and in the country about, sent for provisions from
Cyprus and Alexandria, and distributed them among the people; so says
Dr. Lightfoot, who also computes, by the date of Paul's rapture,
"fourteen years before he wrote the second Epistle to the Corinthians"
(2 Cor. xii. 1, 2), that it was in this journey of his to Jerusalem,
with these alms and offerings, that he had his trance in the temple
(which he speaks of, ch. xxii. 17), and in that trance was rapt up into
the third heaven; and then it was that Christ told him he would send
him thence unto the Gentiles, which accordingly he did as soon as ever
he came back to Antioch. It is no disparagement, in an extraordinary
case, for ministers of the gospel to be messengers of the church's
charity, though to undertake the constant care of that matter would
ordinarily be too great a diversion from more needful work to those who
have given themselves to prayer and the ministry of the word.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XII.
In this chapter we have the story, I. Of the martyrdom of James the
apostle, and the imprisonment of Peter by Herod Agrippa, who now
reigned as king in Judea, ver. 1-4. II. The miraculous deliverance of
Peter out of prison by the ministry of an angel, in answer to the
prayers of the church for him, ver. 6-19. III. The cutting off of Herod
in the height of his pride by the stroke of an angel, the minister of
God's justice (ver. 20-23); and this was done while Barnabas and Saul
were at Jerusalem, upon the errand that the church of Antioch sent them
on, to carry their charity; and therefore in the close we have an
account of their return to Antioch, ver. 24, 25.
The Martyrdom of James; Peter's Imprisonment.
1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex
certain of the church. 2 And he killed James the brother of John with
the sword. 3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded
further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.)
4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered
him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter
to bring him forth to the people.
Ever since the conversion of Paul, we have heard no more of the agency
of the priests in persecuting the saints at Jerusalem; perhaps that
wonderful change wrought upon him, and the disappointment it gave to
their design upon the Christians at Damascus, had somewhat mollified
them, and brought them under the check of Gamaliel's advice--to let
those men alone, and see what would be the issue; but here the storm
arises from another point. The civil power, not now, as usual (for
aught that appears) stirred up by the ecclesiastics, acts by itself in
the persecution. But Herod, though originally of an Edomite family, yet
seems to have been a proselyte to the Jewish religion; for Josephus
says he was zealous for the Mosaic rites, a bigot for the ceremonies.
He was not only (as Herod Antipas was) tetrarch of Galilee, but had
also the government of Judea committed to him by Claudius the emperor,
and resided most at Jerusalem, where he was at this time. Three things
we are here told he did--
I. He stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church, v. 1. His
stretching forth his hands to it intimates that his hands had been tied
up by the restraints which perhaps his own conscience held him under in
this matter; but now he broke through them, and stretched forth his
hands deliberately, and of malice prepense. Herod laid hands upon some
of the church to afflict them, so some read it; he employed his
officers to seize them, and take them into custody, in order to their
being prosecuted. See how he advances gradually. 1. He began with some
of the members of the church, certain of them that were of less note
and figure; played first at small game, but afterwards flew at the
apostles themselves. His spite was at the church, and, with regard to
those he gave trouble to, it was not upon any other account, but
because they belonged to the church, and so belonged to Christ. 2. He
began with vexing them only, or afflicting them, imprisoning them,
fining them, spoiling their houses and goods, and other ways molesting
them; but afterwards he proceeded to greater instances of cruelty.
Christ's suffering servants are thus trained up by less troubles for
greater, that tribulation may work patience, and patience experience.
II. He killed James the brother of John with the sword, v. 2. We are
here to consider, 1. Who the martyr was: it was James the brother of
John; so called to distinguish him from the other James the brother of
Joses. This was called Jacobus major--James the greater; that,
minor--the less. This who was here crowned with martyrdom was one of
the first three of Christ's disciples, one of those that were the
witnesses of his transfiguration and agony, whereby he was prepared for
martyrdom; he was one of those whom Christ called Boanerges--Sons of
thunder; and perhaps by his powerful awakening preaching he had
provoked Herod, or those about him, as John Baptist did the other
Herod, and that was the occasion of his coming into this trouble. He
was one of those sons of Zebedee whom Christ told that they should
drink of the cup that he was to drink of, and be baptized with the
baptism that he was to be baptized with, Matt. xx. 23. And now those
words of Christ were made good in him; but it was in order to his
sitting at Christ's right hand; for if we suffer with him, we shall
reign with him. He was one of the twelve who were commissioned to
disciple all nations; and to take him off now, before he had removed
from Jerusalem, was like Cain's killing Abel when the world was to be
peopled, and one man was then more than many at another time. To kill
an apostle now was killing he knew not how many. But why would God
permit it? If the blood of his saints, much more the blood of apostles,
is precious in his eyes, and therefore, we may be sure, is not shed but
upon a valuable consideration. Perhaps God intended hereby to awaken
the rest of the apostles to disperse themselves among the nations, and
not to nestle any longer at Jerusalem. Or it was to show that though
the apostles were appointed to plant the gospel in the world, yet if
they were taken off God could do his work without them, and would do
it. The apostle died a martyr, to show the rest of them what they must
expect, that they might prepare accordingly. The tradition that they
have in the Romish church, that this James had been before this in
Spain, and had planted the gospel there, is altogether groundless; nor
is there any certainty of it, or good authority for it. 2. What kind of
death he suffered: He was slain with the sword, that is, his head was
cut off with a sword, which was looked upon by the Romans to be a more
disgraceful way of being beheaded than with an axe; so Lorinus.
Beheading was not ordinarily used among the Jews; but, when kings gave
verbal orders for private and sudden executions, this manner of death
was used, as most expeditious; and it is probable that this Herod
killed James, as the other Herod killed John Baptist, privately in the
prison. It is strange that we have not a more full and particular
account of the martyrdom of this great apostle, as we had of Stephen.
But even this short mention of the thing is sufficient to let us know
that the first preachers of the gospel were so well assured of the
truth of it that they sealed it with their blood, and thereby have
encouraged us, if at any time we are called to it, to resist unto blood
too. The Old-Testament martyrs were slain with the sword (Heb. xi. 37),
and Christ came not to send peace, but a sword (Matt. x. 34), in
preparation for which we must arm ourselves with the sword of the
Spirit, which is the word of God, and then we need not fear what the
sword of men can do unto us.
III. He imprisoned Peter, of whom he had heard most, as making the
greatest figure among the apostles and whom therefore he would be proud
of the honour of taking off. Observe here, 1. When he had beheaded
James, he proceeded further, he added, to take Peter also. Note, Blood
to the blood-thirsty does but make them more so, and the way of
persecution, as of other sins, is downhill; when men are in it, they
cannot easily stop themselves; when they are in they find they must on.
Male facta male factis tegere ne perpluant--One evil deed is covered
with another, so that there is no passage through them. Those that take
one bold step in a sinful way give Satan advantage against them to
tempt them to take another, and provoke God to leave them to
themselves, to go from bad to worse. It is therefore our wisdom to take
heed of the beginnings of sin. 2. He did this because he saw it pleased
the Jews. Observe, The Jews made themselves guilty of the blood of
James by showing themselves well pleased with it afterwards, though
they had not excited Herod to it. There are accessaries ex post
facto--after the fact; and those will be reckoned with as persecutors
who take pleasure in others' persecuting, who delight to see good men
ill used, and cry, Aha, so would we have it, or at least secretly
approve of it. For bloody persecutors, when they perceive themselves
applauded for that which every one ought to cry shame upon them for,
are encouraged to go on, and have their hands strengthened and their
hearts hardened, and the checks of their own consciences smothered;
nay, it is as strong a temptation to them to do the like as it was here
to Herod, because he saw it pleased the Jews. Though he had no reason
to fear displeasing them if he did not, as Pilate condemned Christ, yet
he hoped to please them by doing it, and so to make an interest among
them, and make amends for displeasing them in something else. Note,
Those make themselves an easy prey to Satan who make it their business
to please men. 3. Notice is taken of the time when Herod laid hold on
Peter: Then were the days of unleavened bread. It was at the feast of
the passover, when their celebrating the memorial of their typical
deliverance should have led them to the acceptance of their spiritual
deliverance; instead of this, they, under pretence of zeal for the law,
were most violently fighting against it, and, in the days of unleavened
bread, were most soured and embittered with the old leaven of malice
and wickedness. At the passover, when the Jews came from all parts to
Jerusalem to keep the feast, they irritated one another against the
Christians and Christianity, and were then more violent than at other
times. 4. Here is an account of Peter's imprisonment (v. 4): When he
had laid hands on him, and, it is likely, examined him, he put him in
prison, into the inner prison; some say, into the same prison into
which he and the other apostles were cast some years before, and were
rescued out of it by an angel, ch. v. 18. He was delivered to four
quaternions of soldiers, that is, to sixteen, who were to be a guard
upon him, four at a time, that he should not make his escape, nor be
rescued by his friends. Thus they thought they had him fast. 5. Herod's
design was, after Easter, to bring him forth unto the people. (1.) He
would make a spectacle of him. Probably he had put James to death
privately, which the people had complained of, not because it was an
unjust thing to put a man to death without giving him a public hearing,
but because it deprived them of the satisfaction of seeing him
executed; and therefore Herod, now he knows their minds, will gratify
them with the sight of Peter in bonds, of Peter upon the block, that
they may feed their eyes with such a pleasing spectacle. And very
ambitious surely he was to please the people who was willing thus to
please them! (2.) He would do this after Easter, meta to pascha--after
the passover, certainly so it ought to be read, for it is the same word
that is always so rendered; and to insinuate the introducing of a
gospel-feast, instead of the passover, when we have nothing in the New
Testament of such a thing, is to mingle Judaism with our Christianity.
Herod would not condemn him till the passover was over, some think, for
fear lest he should have such an interest among the people that they
should demand the release of him, according to the custom of the feast:
or, after the hurry of the feast was over, and the town was empty, he
would entertain them with Peter's public trial and execution. Thus was
the plot laid, and both Herod and the people long to have the feast
over, that they may gratify themselves with this barbarous
entertainment.
Peter's Imprisonment and Deliverance.
5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without
ceasing of the church unto God for him. 6 And when Herod would have
brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two
soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept
the prison. 7 And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a
light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised
him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his
hands. 8 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy
sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about
thee, and follow me. 9 And he went out, and followed him; and wist
not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a
vision. 10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they
came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to
them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one
street; and forthwith the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter
was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord
hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod,
and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 12 And when
he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of
John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together
praying. 13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel
came to hearken, named Rhoda. 14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she
opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood
before the gate. 15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she
constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his
angel. 16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the
door, and saw him, they were astonished. 17 But he, beckoning unto
them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord
had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go show these things
unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another
place. 18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among
the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 19 And when Herod had sought
for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that
they should be put to death. And he went down from Judæa to Cæsarea,
and there abode.
We have here an account of Peter's deliverance out of prison, by which
the design of Herod against him was defeated, and his life preserved
for further service, and a stop given to this bloody torrent. Now,
I. One thing that magnified his deliverance was that it was a signal
answer to prayer (v. 5): Peter was kept in prison with a great deal of
care, so that it was altogether impossible, either by force or by
stealth, to get him out. But prayer was made without ceasing of the
church unto God for him, for prayers and tears are the church's arms;
therewith she fights, not only against her enemies, but for her
friends: and to these means they have recourse. 1. The delay of Peter's
trial gave them time for prayer. It is probable that James was hurried
off so suddenly and so privately that they had not time to pray for
him, God so ordering it that they should not have space to pray, when
he designed they should not have the thing they prayed for. James must
be offered upon the sacrifice and service of their faith, and therefore
prayer for him is restrained and prevented; but Peter must be continued
to them, and therefore prayer for him is stirred up, and time is given
them for it, by Herod's putting off the prosecution. Howbeit, he meant
not so, neither did his heart think so. 2. They were very particular in
their prayers for him, that it would please God, some way or other, to
defeat Herod's purpose, and to snatch the lamb out of the jaws of the
lion. The death of James alarmed them to a greater fervency in their
prayer for Peter; for, if they be broken thus with breach upon breach,
they fear that the enemy will make a full end. Stephen is not, and
James is not, and will they take Peter also? All these things are
against them; this will be sorrow upon sorrow, Phil. ii. 27. Note,
Though the death and sufferings of Christ's ministers may be made
greatly to serve the interests of Christ's kingdom, yet it is the duty
and concern of the church earnestly to pray for their life, liberty,
and tranquillity; and sometimes Providence orders it that they are
brought into imminent danger, to stir up prayer for them. 3. Prayer was
made without ceasing; it was, proseuche ektenes--fervent prayer. It is
the word that is used concerning Christ's praying in his agony more
earnestly; it is the fervent prayer of the righteous man, that is
effectual, and availeth much. Some think it denotes the constancy and
continuance of their prayers; so we take it: They prayed without
ceasing. It was an extended prayer; they prayed for his release in
their public assemblies (private ones, perhaps, for fear of the Jews);
then they went home, and prayed for it in their families; then retired
into their closets, and prayed for it there; so they prayed without
ceasing: or first one knot of them, and then another, and then a third,
kept a day of prayer, or rather a night of prayer, for him, v. 12.
Note, Times of public distress and danger should be praying times with
the church; we must pray always, but then especially.
II. Another thing that magnified his deliverance was that when the
king's commandment and decree drew near to be put in execution, then
his deliverance was wrought, as Esth. ix. 1, 2. Let us observe when his
deliverance came. 1. It was the very night before Herod designed to
bring him forth, which made it to be so much the greater consolation to
his friends and confusion to his enemies. It is probable some who had
an interest in Herod, or those about him, had been improving it to get
a discharge for Peter, but in vain; Herod resolves he shall die. And
now they despair of prevailing in this way, for to-morrow is the day
set for the bringing of him forth; and, it is likely, they will make as
quick work with him as with his Master; and now God opened a door of
escape for him. Note, God's time to help is when things are brought to
the last extremity, when there is none shut up nor left (Deut. xxxii.
36), and for this reason it has been said, "The worse the better." When
Isaac is bound upon the altar, and the knife in the hand, and the hand
stretched out to slay him, then Jehovah--jireh, the Lord will provide.
2. It was when he was fast bound with two chains, between two soldiers;
so that if he offer to stir he wakes them; and, besides this, though
the prison-doors, no doubt, were locked and bolted, yet, to make sure
work, the keepers before the door kept the prison, that no one might so
much as attempt to rescue him. Never could the art of man do more to
secure a prisoner. Herod, no doubt, said, as Pilate (Matt. xxvii. 65),
make it as sure as you can. When men will think to be too hard for God,
God will make it appear that he is too hard for them. 3. It was when he
was sleeping between the soldiers, fast asleep; (1.) Not terrified with
his danger, though it was very imminent, and there was no visible way
for his escape. There was but a step between him and death, and yet he
could lay himself down in peace, and sleep--sleep in the midst of his
enemies--sleep when, it may be, they were awake, having a good cause
that he suffered for, and a good conscience that he suffered with, and
being assured that God would issue his trial that way that should be
most for his glory. Having committed his cause to him that judgeth
righteously, his soul dwells at ease; and even in prison, between two
soldiers, God gives him sleep, as he doth to his beloved. (2.) Not
expecting his deliverance. He did not keep awake, looking to the right
hand, or to the left, for relief, but lay asleep, and was perfectly
surprised with his deliverance. Thus the church (Ps. cxxvi. 1): We were
like those that dream.
III. It also magnified his deliverance very much that an angel was sent
from heaven on purpose to rescue him, which made his escape both
practicable and warrantable. This angel brought him a legal discharge,
and enabled him to make use of it.
1. The angel of the Lord came upon him; epeste--stood over him. He
seemed as one abandoned by men, yet not forgotten of his God; The Lord
thinketh upon him. Gates and guards kept all his friends from him, but
could not keep the angels of God from him: and they invisibly encamp
round about those that fear God, to deliver them (Ps. xxxiv. 7), and
therefore they need not fear, though a host of enemies encamp against
them, Ps. xxvii. 3. Wherever the people of God are, and however
surrounded, they have a way open heavenward, nor can any thing
intercept their intercourse with God.
2. A light shone in the prison. Though it is a dark place, and in the
night, Peter shall see his way clear. Some observe that we do not find
in the Old Testament that where angels appeared the light shone round
about them; for that was a dark dispensation, and the glory of angels
was then veiled. But in the New Testament, when mention is made of the
appearing of the angels, notice is taken of the light that they
appeared in; for it is by the gospel that the upper world is brought to
light. The soldiers to whom Peter was chained were either struck into a
deep sleep for the present (as Saul and his soldiers were when David
carried off his spear and cruise of water), or, if they were awake, the
appearance of the angel made them to shake, and to become as dead men,
as it was with the guard set on Christ's sepulchre.
3. The angel awoke Peter, by giving him a blow on his side, a gentle
touch, enough to rouse him out of his sleep, though so fast asleep that
the light that shone upon him did not awaken him. When good people
slumber in a time of danger, and are not awakened by the light of the
word, and the discoveries it gives them, let them expect to be smitten
on the side by some sharp affliction; better be raised up so than left
asleep. The language of this stroke was, Arise up quickly; not as if
the angel feared coming short by his delay, but Peter must not be
indulged in it. When David hears the sound of the going on the tops of
the mulberry trees, then he must rise up quickly, and bestir himself.
4. His chains fell off from his hands. It seems they had handcuffed
him, to make him sure, but God loosed his bands; and, if they fall off
from his hands, it is as well as if he had the strength of Samson to
break them like threads of tow. Tradition makes a mighty rout about
these chains, and tells a formal story that one of the soldiers kept
them for a sacred relic, and they were long after presented to Eudoxia
the empress, and I know not what miracles are said to have been wrought
by them; and the Romish church keeps a feast on the first of August
yearly in remembrance of Peter's chains, festum vinculorum Petri--The
feast of Peter's chains; whereas this was at the passover. Surely they
are thus fond of Peter's chains in hope with them to enslave the world!
5. He was ordered to dress himself immediately, and follow the angel;
and he did so, v. 8, 9. When Peter was awake he knew not what to do but
as the angel directed him. (1.) He must gird himself; for those that
slept in their clothes ungirded themselves, so that they had nothing to
do, when they got up, but to fasten their girdles. (2.) He must bind on
his sandals, that he might be fit to walk. Those whose bonds are loosed
by the power of divine grace must have their feet shod with the
preparation of the gospel of peace. (3.) He must cast his garments
about him, and come away as he was, and follow the angel; and he might
go with a great deal of courage and cheerfulness who had a messenger
from heaven for his guide and guard. He went out, and followed him.
Those who are delivered out of a spiritual imprisonment must follow
their deliverer, as Israel when they went out of the house of bondage
did; they went out, not knowing whither they went, but whom they
followed. Now it is said, when Peter went out after the angel, he knew
not that it was true which was done by the angel, that it was really a
matter of fact, but thought he saw a vision; and, if he did, it was not
the first he had seen: but by this it appears that a heavenly vision
was so plain, and carried so much of its own evidence along with it,
that it was difficult to distinguish between what was done in fact and
what was done in vision. When the Lord brought back the captivity of
his people we were like those that dream, Ps. cxxvi. 1. Peter was so;
he thought the news was too good to be true.
6. He was led safely by the angel out of danger, v. 10. Guards were
kept at one pass and at another, which they were to make their way
through when they were out of the prison, and they did so without any
opposition; nay, for aught that appears, without any discovery: either
their eyes were closed; or their hands were tied, or their hearts
failed them; so it was that the angel and Peter safely passed the first
and second ward. Those watchmen represented the watchmen of the Jewish
church, on whom God had poured out a spirit of slumber, eyes that they
should not see and ears that they should not hear, Rom. xi. 8. His
watchmen are blind, sleeping, lying down, and loving to slumber. But
still there is an iron gate, after all, that will stop them, and, if
the guards can but recover themselves, there they may recover their
prisoner, as Pharaoh hoped to retake Israel at the Red Sea. However, up
to that gate they march, and, like the Red Sea before Israel, it opened
to them. They did not so much as put a hand to it, but it opened of its
own accord, by an invisible power; and thus was fulfilled in the letter
what was figuratively promised to Cyrus (Isa. xlv. 1, 2): I will open
before him the two-leaved gates, will break in pieces the gates of
brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron. And probably the iron gate
shut again of itself, that none of the guards might pursue Peter. Note,
When God will work salvation for his people, no difficulties in their
way are insuperable; but even gates of iron are made to open of their
own accord. This iron gate led him into the city out of the castle or
tower; whether within the gates of the city or without is not certain,
so that, when they were through this, they were got into the street.
This deliverance of Peter represents to us our redemption by Christ,
which is often spoken of as the setting of prisoners free, not only the
proclaiming of liberty to the captives, but the bringing of them out of
the prison-house. The application of the redemption in the conversion
of souls is the sending forth of the prisoners, by the blood of the
covenant, out of the pit wherein is no water, Zech. ix. 11. The grace
of God, like this angel of the Lord, brings light first into the
prison, by the opening of the understanding, smites the sleeping sinner
on the side by the awakening of the conscience, causes the chains to
fall off from the hands by the renewing of the will, and then gives the
word of command, Gird thyself, and follow me. Difficulties are to be
passed through, and the opposition of Satan and his instruments, a
first and second ward, an untoward generation, from which we are
concerned to save ourselves; and we shall be saved by the grace of God,
if we put ourselves under the divine conduct. And at length the iron
gate shall be opened to us, to enter into the New Jerusalem, where we
shall be perfectly freed from all the marks of our captivity, and
brought into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
7. When this was done, the angel departed from him, and left him to
himself. He was out of danger from his enemies, and needed no guard. He
knew where he was, and how to find out his friends, and needed no
guide, and therefore his heavenly guard and guide bids him farewell.
Note, Miracles are not to be expected when ordinary means are to be
used. When Peter has now no more wards to pass, nor iron gates to get
through, he needs only the ordinary invisible ministration of the
angels, who encamp round about those that fear God, and deliver them.
IV. Having seen how his deliverance was magnified, we are next to see
how it was manifested both to himself and others, and how, being made
great, it was made known. We are here told,
1. How Peter came to himself, and so came himself to the knowledge of
it, v. 11. So many strange and surprising things coming together upon a
man just awoke out of sleep put him for the present into some
confusion; so that he knew not where he was, nor what he did, nor
whether it was fancy or fact; but at length Peter came to himself, was
thoroughly awake, and found that it was not a dream, but a real thing:
"Now I know of a surety, now I know alethos--truly, now I know that it
is truth, and not an illusion of the fancy. Now I am well satisfied
concerning it that the Lord Jesus hath sent his angel, for angels are
subject to him and go on his errands, and by him hath delivered me out
of the hands of Herod, who thought he had me fast, and so hath
disappointed all the expectation of the people of the Jews, who doubted
not to see Peter cut off the next day, and hoped it was the one neck of
Christianity, in which it would all be struck off at one blow." For
this reason it was a cause of great expectation, among not only the
common people, but the great people of the Jews. Peter, when he
recollected himself, perceived of a truth what great things God had
done for him, which at first he could not believe for joy. Thus souls
who are delivered out of a spiritual bondage are not at first aware
what God has wrought in them. Many have the truth of grace that want
the evidence of it. They are questioning whether there be indeed this
change wrought in them, or whether they have not been all this while in
a dream. But when the Comforter comes, whom the Father will send sooner
or later, he will let them know of a surety what a blessed change is
wrought in them, and what a happy state they are brought into.
2. How Peter came to his friends, and brought the knowledge of it to
them. Here is a particular account of this, and it is very interesting.
(1.) He considered the thing (v. 12), considered how imminent his
danger was, how great his deliverance; and now what has he to do? What
improvement must he make of this deliverance? What must he do next?
God's providence leaves room for the use of our prudence; and, though
he has undertaken to perform and perfect what he has begun, yet he
expects we should consider the thing.
(2.) He went directly to a friend's house, which, it is likely, lay
near to the place where he was; it was the house of Mary, a sister of
Barnabas, and mother of John Mark, whose house, it should seem, was
frequently made use of for the private meeting of the disciples, either
because it lay obscure, or because she was more forward than others
were to open her doors to them; and, no doubt, it was, like the house
of Obededom, blessed for the ark's sake. A church in the house makes it
a little sanctuary.
(3.) There he found many that were gathered together praying, at the
dead time of the night, praying for Peter, who was the next day to come
upon his trial, that God would find out some way or other for his
deliverance. Observe, [1.] They continued in prayer, in token of their
importunity; they did not think it enough once to have presented his
case to God, but they did it again and again. Thus men ought always to
pray, and not to faint. As long as we are kept waiting for a mercy we
must continue praying for it. [2.] It should seem that now when the
affair came near to a crisis, and the very next day was fixed for the
determining of it, they were more fervent in prayer than before; and it
was a good sign that God intended to deliver Peter when he thus stirred
up a spirit of prayer for his deliverance, for he never said to the
seed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain. [3.] They gathered together for
prayer on this occasion; though this would made them obnoxious to the
government if they were discovered, yet they know what an encouragement
Christ gave to joint-prayer, Matt. xviii. 19, 20. And it was always the
practice of God's praying people to unite their forces in prayer, as 2
Chron. xx. 4; Esth. iv. 16. [4.] They were many that were got together
for this work, as many perhaps as the room would hold; and first one
prayed, and then another, of those who gave themselves to the word and
prayer, the rest joining with them; or, if they had not ministers among
them, no doubt but there were many private Christians that knew how to
pray, and to pray pertinently, and to continue long in prayer when the
affections of those who joined were so stirred as to keep pace with
them upon such an occasion. This was in the night, when others were
asleep, which was an instance both of their prudence and of their zeal.
Note, It is good for Christians to have private meetings for prayer,
especially in times of distress, and not to let fall nor forsake such
assemblies. [5.] Peter came to them when they were thus employed, which
was an immediate present answer to their prayer. It was as if God
should say, "You are praying that Peter may be restored to you; now
here he is." While they are yet speaking, I will hear, Isa. lxv. 24.
Thus the angel was sent with an answer of peace to Daniel's prayer,
while he was praying, Dan. ix. 20, 21. Ask, and it shall be given.
(4.) He knocked at the gate, and had much ado to get them to let him in
(v. 13-16): Peter knocked at the door of the gate, designing by it to
awaken them out of their sleep, and, for aught that appears, not
knowing that he disturbed them in their devotions. Yet, if his friends
were permitted to speak with him in private in the prison, it is
possible he might know of this appointment, and it was this which he
recollected and considered when he determined to go to that house,
where he knew he should find many of his friends together. Now when he
knocked there, [1.] A damsel came to hearken; not to open the door till
she knew who was there, a friend or a foe, and what their business was,
fearing informers. Whether this damsel was one of the family or one of
the church, whether a servant or a daughter, does not appear; it should
seem, by her being named, that she was of note among the Christians,
and more zealously affected to the better part than most of her age.
[2.] She knew Peter's voice, having often heard him pray, and preach,
and discourse, with a great deal of pleasure. But, instead of letting
him in immediately out of the cold, she opened not the gate for
gladness. Thus sometimes, in a transport of affection to our friends,
we do that which is unkind. In an ecstasy of joy she forgets herself,
and opened not the gate. [3.] She ran in, and probably went up to an
upper room where they were together, and told them that Peter was
certainly at the gate, though she had not courage enough to open the
gate, for fear she should be deceived, and it should be the enemy. But,
when she spoke of Peter's being there, they said, "Thou art mad; it is
impossible it should be he, for he is in prison." Sometimes that which
we most earnestly wish for we are most backward to believe, because we
are afraid of imposing upon ourselves, as the disciples, who, when
Christ had risen, believed not for joy. However, she stood to it that
it was he. Then said they, It is his angel, v. 15. First, "It is a
messenger from him, that makes use of his name;" so some take it;
angelos often signifies no more than a messenger. It is used of John's
messengers (Luke vii. 24, 27), of Christ's, Luke ix. 52. When the
damsel was confident it was Peter, because she knew his voice, they
thought it was because he that stood at the door had called himself
Peter, and therefore offer this solution of the difficulty, "It is one
that comes with an errand from him, and thou didst mistake as if it had
been he himself." Dr. Hammond thinks this the easiest way of
understanding it. Secondly, "It is his guardian angel, or some other
angel that has assumed his shape and voice, and stands at the gate in
his resemblance." Some think that they supposed his angel to appear as
a presage of his death approaching; and this agrees with a notion which
the vulgar have, that sometimes before persons have died their ward has
been seen, that is, some spirit exactly in their likeness for
countenance and dress, when they themselves have been at the same time
in some other place; they call it their ward, that is, their angel, who
is their guard. If so, they concluded this an ill omen, that their
prayers were denied, and that the language of the apparition was, "Let
it suffice you, Peter must die, say no more of that matter." And, if we
understand it so, it only proves that they had then such an opinion of
a man's ward being seen a little before his death, but does not prove
that there is such a thing. Others think they took this to be an angel
from heaven, sent to bring them a grant to their prayers. But why
should they imagine that angel to assume the voice and shape of Peter,
when we find not any thing like it in the appearance of angels? Perhaps
they herein spoke the language of the Jews, who had a fond conceit that
every good man has a particular tutelar angel, that has the charge of
him, and sometimes personates him. The heathen called it a good genius,
that attended a man; but, since no other scripture speaks of such a
thing, this alone is too weak to bear the weight of such a doctrine. We
are sure that the angels are ministering spirits for the good of the
heirs of salvation, that they have a charge concerning them, and pitch
their tents round about them; and we need not be solicitous that every
particular saint should have his guardian angel, when we are assured he
has a guard of angels.
(5.) At length they let him in (v. 16): He continued knocking though
they delayed to open to him, and at last they admitted him. The iron
gate which opposed his enlargement opened of itself, without so much as
once knocking at it; but the door of his friend's house that was to
welcome him does not open of its own accord, but must be knocked at,
long knocked at; lest Peter should be puffed up by the honours which
the angel did him, he meets with this mortification, by a seeming
slight which his friends put upon him. But, when they saw him, they
were astonished, were filled with wonder and joy in him, as much as
they were but just now with sorrow and fear concerning him. It was both
surprising and pleasing to them in the highest degree.
(6.) Peter gave them an account of his deliverance. When he came to the
company that were gathered together with so much zeal to pray for him,
they gathered about him with no less zeal to congratulate him on his
deliverance; and herein they were so noisy that when Peter himself
begged them to consider what peril he was yet in, if they should be
overheard, he could not make them hear him, but was forced to beckon to
them with the hand to hold their peace, and had much ado thereby to
command silence, while he declared unto them how the Lord Jesus had by
an angel brought him out of prison; and it is very likely, having found
them praying for his deliverance, he did not part with them till he and
they had together solemnly given thanks to God for his enlargement; or,
if he could not stay to do it, it is probable they staid together to do
it; for what is won by prayer must be worn with praise; and God must
always have the glory of that which we have the comfort of. When David
declares what God had done for his soul, he blesses God who had not
turned away his prayer, Ps. lxvi. 16, 20.
(7.) Peter sent the account to others of his friends: Go, show these
things to James, and to the brethren with him, who perhaps were met
together in another place at the same time, upon the same errand to the
throne of grace, which is one way of keeping up the communion of saints
and wrestling with God in prayer--acting in concert, though at a
distance, like Esther and Mordecai. He would have James and his company
to know of his deliverance, not only that they might be eased of their
pain and delivered from their fears concerning Peter, but that they
might return thanks to God with him and for him. Observe, Though Herod
had slain one James with the sword, yet here was another James, and
that in Jerusalem too, that stood up in his room to preside among the
brethren there; for, when God has work to do, he will never want
instruments to do it with.
(8.) Peter had nothing more to do for the present than to shift for his
own safety, which he did accordingly: He departed, and went into
another place more obscure, and therefore more safe. He knew the town
very well, and knew where to find a place that would be a shelter to
him. Note, Even the Christian law of self-denial and suffering for
Christ has not abrogated and repealed the natural law of
self-preservation, and care for our own safety, as far as God gives an
opportunity of providing for it by lawful means.
V. Having seen the triumph of Peter's friends in his deliverance, let
us next observe the confusion of his enemies thereupon, which was so
much the greater because people's expectation was so much raised of the
putting of him to death. 1. The guards were in the utmost consternation
upon it, for they knew how highly penal it was to them to let a
prisoner escape that they had charge of (v. 18): As soon as it was day,
and they found the prisoner gone, there was no small stir or strife, as
some read it, among the soldiers, what had become of Peter; he is gone,
and nobody knows how or which way. They thought themselves as sure as
could be of him but last night; yet now the bird is flown, and they can
hear no tale nor tidings of him. This set them together by the ears;
one says, "It was your fault;" the other, "Nay, but it was yours;"
having no other way to clear themselves, but by accusing one another.
With us, if but a prisoner for debt escape, the sheriff must answer for
the debt. Thus have the persecutors of the gospel of Christ been often
filled with vexation to see its cause conquering, notwithstanding the
opposition they have given to it. 2. Houses were searched in vain for
the rescued prisoner (v. 19): Herod sought for him, and found him not.
Who can find whom God hath hidden? Baruch and Jeremiah are safe, though
searched for, because the Lord has hidden them, Jer. xxxvi. 26. In
times of public danger, all believers have God for their hiding-place,
which is such a secret, that there the ignorant world cannot find them;
such a strength, that the impotent world cannot reach them. 3. The
keepers were reckoned with for a permissive escape: Herod examined the
keepers, and finding that they could give no satisfactory account how
Peter got away, he commanded that they should be put to death,
according to the Roman law, and that 1 Kings xx. 39, If by any means he
be missing, then shall thy life go for his life. It is probable that
these keepers had been more severe with Peter than they needed to be
(as the jailor, ch. xvi. 24), and had been abusive to him, and to
others that had been their prisoners upon the like account; and now
justly are they put to death for that which was not their fault, and by
him too that had set them to work to vex the church. When the wicked
are thus snared in the work of their own hands, the Lord is known by
the judgments which he executes. Or, if they had not thus made
themselves obnoxious to the justice of God, and it be thought hard that
innocent men should suffer thus for that which was purely the act of
God, we may easily admit the conjectures of some, that though they were
commanded to be put to death, to please the Jews, who were sadly
disappointed by Peter's escape, yet they were not executed; but Herod's
death, immediately after, prevented it. 4. Herod himself retired upon
it: He went down from Judea to Cesarea, and there abode. He was vexed
to the heart, as a lion disappointed of his prey; and the more because
he had so much raised the expectation of the people of the Jews
concerning Peter, had told them how he would very shortly gratify them
with the sight of Peter's head in a charger, which would oblige them as
much as John Baptist's did Herodias; it made him ashamed to be robbed
of this boasting, and to see himself, notwithstanding his confidence,
disabled to make his words good. This is such a mortification to his
proud spirit that he cannot bear to stay in Judea, but away he goes to
Cesarea. Josephus mentions this coming of Herod to Cesarea, at the end
of the third year of his reign over all Judea (Antiq. 19. 343), and
says, he came thither to solemnize the plays that were kept there, by a
vast concourse of the nobility and gentry of the kingdom, for the
health of Cæsar, and in honour of him.
The Death of Herod.
20 And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but
they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's
chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was
nourished by the king's country. 21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed
in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them.
22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and
not of a man. 23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him,
because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave
up the ghost. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. 25 And
Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled
their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.
In these verses we have,
I. The death of Herod. God reckoned with him, not only for his putting
James to death, but for his design and endeavour to put Peter to death;
for sinners will be called to an account, not only for the wickedness
of their deeds, but for the wickedness of their endeavours (Ps. xxviii.
4), for the mischief they have done and the mischief they would have
done. It was but a little while that Herod lived after this. Some
sinners God makes quick work with. Observe,
1. How the measure of his iniquity was filled up: it was pride that did
it; it is this that commonly goes more immediately before destruction,
and a haughty spirit before a fall. Nebuchadnezzar had been a very
bloody man, and a great persecutor; but the word that was in the king's
mouth when the judgments of God fell upon him was a proud word: Is not
this great Babylon that I have built? Dan. iv. 30, 31. It is the glory
of God to look on every one that is proud, and bring him low, Job xl.
12. The instance of it here is very remarkable, and shows how God
resists the proud.
(1.) The men of Tyre and Sidon had, it seems, offended Herod. Those
cities were now under the Roman yoke, and they had been guilty of some
misdemeanours which Herod highly resented, and was resolved they should
feel his resentment. Some very small matter would serve such a proud
imperious man as Herod was for a provocation, where he was disposed to
pick a quarrel. He was highly displeased with this people, and they
must be made to know that his wrath was as the roaring of a lion, as
messengers of death.
(2.) The offenders truckled, being convinced, if not that they had done
amiss, yet that it was in vain to contend with such a potent adversary,
who, right or wrong, would be too hard for them; they submitted and
were willing upon any terms to make peace with him. Observe, [1.] The
reason why they were desirous to have the matter accommodated: Because
their country was nourished by the king's country. Tyre and Sidon were
trading cities, and had little land belonging to them, but were always
supplied with corn from the land of Canaan; Judah and Israel traded in
their market, with wheat, and honey, and oil, Ezek. xxvii. 17. Now if
Herod should make a law to prohibit the exportation of corn to Tyre and
Sidon (which they knew not but a man so revengeful as he might soon do,
not caring how many were famished by it), their country would be
undone; so that it was their interest to keep in with him. And is it
not then our wisdom to make our peace with God, and humble ourselves
before him, who have a much more constant and necessary dependence upon
him than one country can have upon another? for in him we live, and
move, and have our being. [2.] The method they took to prevent a
rupture: They made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend,
probably with bribes and good presents; that is usually the way for men
to make courtiers their friends. And it is the hard fate of princes
that they must have not only their affairs, but their affections too,
governed by such mercenary tools; yet such men as Herod, that will not
be governed by reason, had better be so governed than by pride and
passion. Blastus had Herod's ear, and has the art of mollifying his
resentments; and a time is fixed for the ambassadors of Tyre and Sidon
to come and make a public submission, to beg his majesty's pardon,
throw themselves upon his clemency, and promise never again to offend
in the like manner; and that which will thus feed his pride shall serve
to cool his passion.
(3.) Herod appeared in all the pomp and grandeur he had: He was arrayed
in his royal apparel (v. 21), and sat upon his throne. Josephus gives
an account of this splendid appearance which Herod made upon this
occasion--Antiq. 19. 344. He says that Herod at this time wore a robe
of cloth of silver, so richly woven, and framed with such art, that
when the sun shone it reflected the light with such a lustre as dazzled
the eyes of the spectators, and struck an awe upon them. Foolish people
value men by their outward appearance; and no better are those who
value themselves by the esteem of such, who court it, and recommend
themselves to it as Herod did, who thought to make up the want of a
royal heart with his royal apparel; and sat upon his throne, as if that
gave him a privilege to trample upon all about him as his footstool.
(4.) He made a speech to the men of Tyre and Sidon, a fine oration, in
which, probably, after he had aggravated their fault, and commended
their submission, he concluded with an assurance that he would pass by
their offence and receive them into his favour again--proud enough that
he had it in his power whom he would to keep alive, as well as whom he
would to slay; and probably he kept them in suspense as to what their
doom should be, till he made this oration to them, that the act of
grace might come to them with the more pleasing surprise.
(5.) The people applauded him, the people that had a dependence upon
him, and had benefit by his favour, they gave a shout; and this was
what they shouted, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man, v. 22.
God is great and good, and they thought such was Herod's greatness in
his apparel and throne, and such his goodness in forgiving them, that
he was worthy to be called no less than a god; and perhaps his speech
was delivered with such an air of majesty, and a mixture of clemency
with it, as affected the auditors thus. Or, it may be, it was not from
any real impression made upon their minds, or any high or good thoughts
they had indeed conceived of him; but, how meanly soever they thought
of him, they were resolved thus to curry favour with him, and
strengthen the new-made peace between him and them. Thus great men are
made an easy prey to flatterers if they lend an ear to them, and
encourage them. Grotius here observes that, though magistrates are
called gods (Ps. lxxxii. 1), yet kings or monarchs, that is, single
persons, are not, lest countenance should thereby be given to the
Gentiles, who gave divine honours to their kings alive and dead, as
here; but they are a college of senators, or a bench of judges, that
are called gods--In collegio toto senatorum non idem erat periculi;
itaque eos, non autem reges, invenimus dictos elohim. Those that live
by sense vilify God, as if he were altogether such a one as themselves,
and deify men, as if they were gods; having their persons in
admiration, because of advantage. This is not only a great affront to
God, giving that glory to others which is due to him alone, but a great
injury to those who are thus flattered, as it makes them forget
themselves, and so puffs them up with pride that they are in the utmost
danger possible of falling into the condemnation of the devil.
(6.) These undue praises he took to himself, pleased himself with them,
and prided himself in them; and this was his sin. We do not find that
he had given any private orders to his confidants to begin such a
shout, or to put those words into the mouths of the people, nor that he
returned them thanks for the compliment and undertook to answer their
opinion of him. But his fault was that he said nothing, did not rebuke
their flattery, nor disown the title they had given him, nor give God
the glory (v. 23); but he took it to himself, was very willing it
should terminate in himself, and that he should be thought a god and
have divine honours paid him. Si populus vult decipi, decipiatur--if
the people will be deceived, let them. And it was worse in him who was
a Jew, and professed to believe in one God only, than it was in the
heathen emperors, who had gods many and lords many.
2. How his iniquity was punished: Immediately (v. 23) the angel of the
Lord smote him (by the order of Christ, for to him all judgment is
committed), because he gave not God the glory (for God is jealous for
his own honour, and will be glorified upon those whom he is not
glorified by); and he was eaten of worms above ground, and gave up the
ghost. Now he was reckoned with for vexing the church of Christ,
killing James, imprisoning Peter, and all the other mischiefs he had
done. Observe in the destruction of Herod,
(1.) It was no less than an angel that was the agent--the angel of the
Lord, that angel that was ordered and commissioned to do it, or that
angel that used to be employed in works of this nature, the destroying
angel: or the angel, that is, that angel that delivered Peter in the
former part of the chapter--that angel smote Herod. For those
ministering spirits are the ministers either of divine justice or of
divine mercy, as God is pleased to employ them. The angel smote him
with a sore disease just at that instant when he was strutting at the
applauses of the people, and adoring his own shadow. Thus the king of
Tyre said in his pride, I am a god, I sit in the seat of God; and set
his heart as the heart of God; but he shall be a man, and no God, a
weak mortal man, in the hand of him that slayeth him (Ezek. xxviii.
2-9), so Herod here. Potent princes must know, not only that God is
omnipotent, but that angels also are greater in power and might than
they. The angel smote him, because he gave not the glory to God; angels
are jealous for God's honour, and as soon as ever they have commission
are ready to smite those that usurp his prerogatives, and rob God of
his honour.
(2.) It was no more than a worm that was the instrument of Herod's
destruction: He was eaten of worms, genomenos skolekobrotos--he became
worm-eaten, so it must be read; rotten he was, and he became like a
piece of rotten wood. The body in the grave is destroyed by worms, but
Herod's body putrefied while he was yet alive, and bred the worms which
began to feed upon it betimes; so Antiochum, that great persecutor,
died. See here, [1.] What vile bodies those are which we carry about
with us; they carry about with them the seeds of their own dissolution,
by which they will soon be destroyed whenever God does but speak the
word. Surprising discoveries have of late been made by microscopes of
the multitude of worms that there are in human bodies, and how much
they contribute to the diseases of them, which is a good reason why we
should not be proud of our bodies, or of any of their accomplishments,
and why we should not pamper our bodies, for this is but feeding the
worms, and feeding them for the worms. [2.] See what weak and
contemptible creatures God can make the instruments of his justice,
when he pleases. Pharaoh is plagued with lice and flies, Ephraim
consumed as with a moth, and Herod eaten with worms. [3.] See how God
delights not only to bring down proud men, but to bring them down in
such a way as is most mortifying, and pours most contempt upon them.
Herod is not only destroyed, but destroyed by worms, that the pride of
his glory may be effectually stained. This story of the death of Herod
is particularly related by Josephus, a Jew, Antiq. 19. 343-350: "That
Herod came down to Cesarea, to celebrate a festival in honour of Cæsar;
that the second day of the festival he went in the morning to the
theatre, clothed with that splendid robe mentioned before; that his
flatterers saluted him as a god, begged that he would be propitious to
them; that hitherto they had reverenced him as a man, but now they
would confess to be in him something more excellent than a mortal
nature. That he did not refuse nor correct this impious flattery (so
the historian expresses it); But, presently after, looking up, he saw
an owl perched over his head, and was at the same instant seized with a
most violent pain in his bowels, and gripes in his belly, which were
exquisite from the very first; that he turned his eyes upon his
friends, and said to this purpose: 'Now I, whom you called a god, and
therefore immortal, must be proved a man, and mortal.' That his torture
continued without intermission, or the least abatement, and then he
died in the fifty-fourth year of his age, when he had been king seven
years."
II. The progress of the gospel after this. 1. The word of God grew and
multiplied, as seed sown, which comes up with a great increase, thirty,
sixty, a hundred fold; wherever the gospel was preached, multitudes
embraced it, and were added to the church by it, v. 24. After the death
of James, the word of God grew; for the church, the more it was
afflicted, the more it multiplied, like Israel in Egypt. The courage
and comfort of the martyrs, and God's owning them, did more to invite
people to Christianity, than their sufferings did to deter them from
it. After the death of Herod the word of God gained ground. When such a
persecutor was taken off by a dreadful judgment, many were thereby
convinced that the cause of Christianity was doubtless the cause of
Christ, and therefore embraced it. 2. Barnabas and Saul returned to
Antioch as soon as they had despatched the business they were sent
upon: When they had fulfilled their ministry, had paid in their money
to the proper persons, and taken care about the due distribution of it
to those for whom it was collected, they returned from Jerusalem.
Though they had a great many friends there, yet at present their work
lay at Antioch; and where our business is there we should be, and no
longer from it than is requisite. When a minister is called abroad upon
any service, when he has fulfilled that ministry, he ought to remember
that he has work to do at home, which wants him there and calls him
thither. Barnabas and Saul, when they went to Antioch, took with them
John, whose surname was Mark, at whose mother's house they had that
meeting for prayer which we read of v. 12. She was sister to Barnabas.
It is probable that Barnabas lodged there, and perhaps Paul with him,
while they were at Jerusalem, and it was that that occasioned the
meeting there at that time (for wherever Paul was he would have some
good work doing), and their intimacy in that family while they were at
Jerusalem occasioned their taking a son of that family with them when
they returned, to be trained up under them, and employed by them, in
the service of the gospel. Educating young men for the ministry, and
entering them into it, is a very good work for elder ministers to take
care of, and of good service to the rising generation.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XIII.
We have not yet met with any things concerning the spreading of the
gospel to the Gentiles which bears any proportion to the largeness of
that commission, "Go, and disciple all nations." The door was opened in
the baptizing of Cornelius and his friends; but since then we had the
gospel preached to the Jews only, ch. xi. 19. It should seem as if the
light which began to shine upon the Gentile world had withdrawn itself.
But here in this chapter that work, that great good work, is revived in
the midst of the years; and though the Jews shall still have the first
offer of the gospel made to them, yet, upon their refusal, the Gentiles
shall have their share of the offer of it. Here is, I. The solemn
ordination of Barnabas and Saul, by divine direction, to the ministry,
to the great work of spreading the gospel among the nations about (and
it is probable that other apostles or apostolical men dispersed
themselves by order from Christ, upon the same errand, ver. 1-3). II.
Their preaching the gospel in Cyprus, and the opposition they met with
there from Elymas the sorcerer, ver. 4-13. III. The heads of a sermon
which Paul preached to the Jews at Antioch in Pisidia, in their
synagogue, which is given us as a specimen of what they usually
preached to the Jews, and the method they took with them, ver. 14-41.
IV. The preaching of the gospel to the Gentiles at their request, and
upon the Jews' refusal of it, wherein the apostles justified themselves
against the displeasure which the Jews conceived at it, and God owned
them, ver. 42-49. V. The trouble which the infidel Jews gave to the
apostles, which obliged them to remove to another place (ver. 50-52),
so that the design of this chapter is to show how cautiously, how
gradually, and with what good reason the apostles carried the gospel
into the Gentile world, and admitted the Gentiles into the church,
which was so great an offence to the Jews, and which Paul is so
industrious to justify in his epistles.
The Mission of Paul and Barnabas.
1 Now there were in the church that was at Antioch certain prophets and
teachers; as Barnabas, and Simeon that was called Niger, and Lucius of
Cyrene, and Manaen, which had been brought up with Herod the tetrarch,
and Saul. 2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy
Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have
called them. 3 And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their
hands on them, they sent them away.
We have here a divine warrant and commission to Barnabas and Saul to go
and preach the gospel among the Gentiles, and their ordination to that
service by the imposition of hands, with fasting and prayer.
I. Here is an account of the present state of the church at Antioch,
which was planted, ch. xi. 20.
1. How well furnished it was with good ministers; there were there
certain prophets and teachers (v. 1), men that were eminent for gifts,
graces, and usefulness. Christ, when he ascended on high, gave some
prophets and some teachers (Eph. iv. 11); these were both. Agabus seems
to have been a prophet and not a teacher, and many were teachers who
were not prophets; but those here mentioned were at times divinely
inspired, and had instructions immediately from heaven upon special
occasions, which gave them the title of prophets; and withal they were
stated teachers of the church in their religious assemblies, expounded
the scriptures, and opened the doctrine of Christ with suitable
applications. These were the prophets, and scribes, or teachers, which
Christ promised to send (Matt. xxiii. 34), such as were every way
qualified for the service of the Christian church. Antioch was a great
city, and the Christians there were many, so that they could not all
meet in one place; it was therefore requisite they should have many
teachers, to preside in their respective assemblies, and to deliver
God's mind to them. Barnabas is first named, probably because he was
the eldest, and Saul last, probably because he was the youngest; but
afterwards the last became first, and Saul more eminent in the church.
Three others are mentioned. (1.) Simeon, or Simon, who for
distinction-sake was called Niger, Simon the Black, from the color of
his hair; like him that with us was surnamed the Black Prince. (2.)
Lucius of Cyrene, who some think (and Dr. Lightfoot inclines to it) was
the same with this Luke that wrote the Acts, originally a Cyrenian, and
educated in the Cyrenian college or synagogue at Jerusalem, and there
first receiving the gospel. (3.) Manaen, a person of some quality, as
it should seem, for he was brought up with Herod the tetrarch, either
nursed of the same milk, or bred at the same school, or pupil to the
same tutor, or rather one that was his constant colleague and
companion--that in every part of his education was his comrade and
intimate, which gave him a fair prospect of preferment at court, and
yet for Christ's sake he quitted all the hopes of it; like Moses, who,
when he had come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's
daughter. Had he joined in with Herod, with whom he was brought up, he
might have had Blastus's place, and have been his chamberlain; but it
is better to be fellow-sufferer with a saint than fellow-persecutor
with a tetrarch.
2. How well employed they were (v. 2): They ministered to the Lord, and
fasted. Observe, (1.) Diligent faithful teachers do truly minister unto
the Lord. Those that instruct Christians serve Christ; they really do
him honour, and carry on the interest of his kingdom. Those that
minister to the church in praying and preaching (both which are
included here), minister unto the Lord, for they are the church's
servants for Christ's sake; to him they must have an eye in their
ministrations, and from him they shall have their recompence. (2.)
Ministering to the Lord, in one way or other, ought to be the stated
business of churches and their teachers; to this work time ought to be
set apart, nay, it is set apart, and in this work we ought to spend
some part of every day. What have we to do as Christians and ministers
but to serve the Lord Christ? Col. iii. 24; Rom. xiv. 18. (3.)
Religious fasting is of use in our ministering to the Lord, both as a
sign of our humiliation and a means of our mortification. Though it was
not so much practised by the disciples of Christ, while the bridegroom
was with them, as it was by the disciples of John and of the Pharisees;
yet, after the bridegroom was taken away, they abounded in it, as those
that had well learned to deny themselves and to endure hardness.
II. The orders given by the Holy Ghost for the setting apart of
Barnabas and Saul, while they were engaged in public exercises, the
ministers of the several congregations in the city joining in one
solemn fast or day of prayer: The Holy Ghost said, either by a voice
from heaven, or by a strong impulse on the minds of those of them that
were prophets, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I
have called them. He does not specify the work, but refers to a former
call of which they themselves knew the meaning, whether others did or
no: as for Saul, he was particularly told that he must bear Christ's
name to the Gentiles (ch. ix. 15), that he must be sent to the Gentiles
(ch. xxii. 21); the matter was settled between them at Jerusalem before
this, that as Peter, James, and John laid out themselves among those of
the circumcision, so Paul and Barnabas should go to the heathen, Gal.
ii. 7-9. Barnabas, it is likely, knew himself designed for this service
as well as Paul. Yet they would not thrust themselves into this
harvest, though it appeared plenteous, till they received their orders
from the Lord of the harvest: Thrust in thy sickle for the harvest is
ripe, Rev. xiv. 15. The orders were, Separate me Barnabas and Saul.
Observe here, 1. Christ by his Spirit has the nomination of his
ministers; for it is by the Spirit of Christ that they are qualified in
some measure for his services, inclined to it, and taken off from other
cares inconsistent with it. There are some whom the Holy Ghost has
separated for the service of Christ, has distinguished from others as
men that are offered and that willingly offer themselves to the temple
service; and concerning them directions are given to those who are
competent judges of the sufficiency of the abilities and the sincerity
of the inclination: Separate them. 2. Christ's ministers are separated
to him and to the Holy Ghost: Separate them to me; they are to be
employed in Christ's work and under the Spirit's guidance, to the glory
of God the Father. 3. All that are separated to Christ as his ministers
are separated to work; Christ keeps no servants to be idle. If any man
desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work; that is what he
is separated to, to labour in the word and doctrine. They are separated
to take pains, not to take state. 4. The work of Christ's ministers, to
which they are to be separated, is work that is already settled, and
that which all Christ's ministers hitherto have been called to, and
which they themselves have first been, by an external call, directed to
and have chosen.
III. Their ordination, pursuant to these orders: not to the ministry in
general (Barnabas and Saul had both of them been ministers long before
this), but to a particular service in the ministry, which had something
peculiar in it, and which required a fresh commission, which commission
God saw fit at this time to transmit by the hands of these prophets and
teachers, for the giving of this direction to the church, that teachers
should ordain teachers (for prophets we are not now any longer to
expect), and that those who have the dispensing of the oracles of
Christ committed to them should, for the benefit of posterity, commit
the same to faithful men, who shall be able also to teach others, 2
Tim. ii. 2. So here, Simeon, and Lucius, and Manaen, faithful teachers
at this time in the church of Antioch, when they had fasted and prayed,
laid their hands on Barnabas and Saul, and sent them away (v. 3),
according to the directions received. Observe, 1. They prayed for them.
When good men are going forth about good work, they ought to be
solemnly and particularly prayed for, especially by their brethren that
are their fellow-labourers and fellow-soldiers. 2. They joined fasting
with their prayers, as they did in their other ministrations, v. 3.
Christ has taught us this by his abstaining from sleep (a night-fast,
if I may so call it) the night before he sent forth his apostles, that
he might spend it in prayer. 3. They laid their hands on them. Hereby,
(1.) They gave them their manumission, dismission, or discharge from
the present service they were engaged in, in the church of Antioch,
acknowledging that they went off not only fairly and with consent, but
honourably and with a good report. (2.) They implored a blessing upon
them in their present undertaking, begged that God would be with them,
and give them success; and, in order to this, that they might be filled
with the Holy Ghost in their work. This very thing is explained ch.
xiv. 26, where it is said, concerning Paul and Barnabas, that from
Antioch they had been recommended to the grace of God for the work
which they fulfilled. As it was an instance of the humility of Barnabas
and Saul that they submitted to the imposition of the hands of those
that were their equals, or rather their inferiors; so it was of the
good disposition of the other teachers that they did not envy Barnabas
and Saul the honour to which they were preferred, but cheerfully
committed it to them, with hearty prayers for them; and they sent them
away with all expedition, out of a concern for those countries where
they were to break up fallow ground.
Elymas Struck with Blindness.
4 So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia;
and from thence they sailed to Cyprus. 5 And when they were at
Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews:
and they had also John to their minister. 6 And when they had gone
through the isle unto Paphos, they found a certain sorcerer, a false
prophet, a Jew, whose name was Bar-jesus: 7 Which was with the deputy
of the country, Sergius Paulus, a prudent man; who called for Barnabas
and Saul, and desired to hear the word of God. 8 But Elymas the
sorcerer (for so is his name by interpretation) withstood them, seeking
to turn away the deputy from the faith. 9 Then Saul, (who also is
called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him, 10 And
said, O full of all subtilty and all mischief, thou child of the devil,
thou enemy of all righteousness, wilt thou not cease to pervert the
right ways of the Lord? 11 And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is
upon thee, and thou shalt be blind, not seeing the sun for a season.
And immediately there fell on him a mist and a darkness; and he went
about seeking some to lead him by the hand. 12 Then the deputy, when
he saw what was done, believed, being astonished at the doctrine of the
Lord. 13 Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came
to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to
Jerusalem.
In these verses we have,
I. A general account of the coming of Barnabas and Saul to the famous
island of Cyprus; and perhaps thitherward they steered their course
because Barnabas was a native of that country (ch. iv. 36), and he was
willing they should have the first-fruits of his labours, pursuant to
his new commission. Observe, 1. Their being sent forth by the Holy
Ghost was the great thing that encouraged them in this undertaking, v.
4. If the Holy Ghost send them forth, he will go along with them,
strengthen them, carry them on in their work, and give them success;
and then they fear no colours, but can cheerfully venture upon a stormy
sea from Antioch, which was now to them a quiet harbour. 2. They came
to Seleucia, the sea-port town opposite to Cyprus, thence crossed the
sea to Cyprus, and in that island the first city they came to was
Salamis, a city on the east side of the island (v. 5); and, when they
had sown good seed there, thence they went onward through the isle (v.
6) till they came to Paphos, which lay on the western coast. 3. They
preached the word of God wherever they came, in the synagogues of the
Jews; so far were they from excluding them that they gave them the
preference, and so left those among them who believed not inexcusable;
they would have gathered them, but they would not. They did not act
clandestinely, nor preach the Messiah to others unknown to them, but
laid their doctrine open to the censure of the rulers of their
synagogues, who might, if they had any thing to say, object against it.
Nor would they have acted separately, but in concert with them, if they
had not driven them out from them, and from their synagogues. 4. They
had John for their minister; not their servant in common things, but
their assistant in the things of God, either to prepare their way in
places where they designed to come or to carry on their work in places
where they had begun it, or to converse familiarly with those to whom
they preached publicly, and explain things to them; and such a one
might be many ways of use to them, especially in a strange country.
II. A particular account of their encounter with Elymas the sorcerer,
whom they met with at Paphos, where the governor resided; a place
famous for a temple built to Venus there, thence called Paphian Venus;
and therefore there was more than ordinary need that the Son of God
should there be manifested to destroy the works of the devil.
1. There the deputy, a Gentile, Sergius Paulus by name, encouraged the
apostles, and was willing to hear their message. He was governor of the
country, under the Roman emperor; proconsul or proprætor, such a one as
we should call lord lieutenant of the island. He had the character of a
prudent man, an intelligent, considerate man, that was ruled by reason,
not passion nor prejudice, which appeared by this, that, having a
character of Barnabas and Saul, he sent for them, and desired to hear
the word of God. Note, When that which we hear has a tendency to lead
us to God, it is prudence to desire to hear more of it. Those are wise
people, however they may be ranked among the foolish of this world, who
are inquisitive after the mind and will of God. Though he was a great
man, and a man in authority, and the preachers of the gospel were men
that made no figure, yet, if they have a message from God, let him know
what it is, and, if it appear to be so, he is ready to receive it.
2. There Elymas, a Jew, a sorcerer, opposed them, and did all he could
to obstruct their progress. This justified the apostles in turning to
the Gentiles, that this Jew was so malignant against them.
(1.) This Elymas was a pretender to the gift of prophecy, a sorcerer, a
false-prophet--one that would be taken for a divine, because he was
skilled in the arts of divination; he was a conjurer, and took on him
to tell people their fortune, and to discover things lost, and probably
was in league with the devil for this purpose; his name was
Bar-jesus--the son of Joshua; it signifies the son of salvation; but
the Syriac calls him, Bar-shoma--the son of pride; filius
inflationis--the son of inflation.
(2.) He was hanging on at court, was with the deputy of the country. It
does not appear that the deputy called for him, as he did for Barnabas
and Saul; but he thrust himself upon him, aiming, no doubt, to make a
hand of him, and get money by him.
(3.) He made it his business to withstand Barnabas and Saul, as the
magicians of Egypt, in Pharaoh's court, withstood Moses and Aaron, 2
Tim. iii. 8. He set up himself to be a messenger from heaven, and
denied that they were. And thus he sought to turn away the deputy from
the faith (v. 8), to keep him from receiving the gospel, which he saw
him inclined to do. Note, Satan is in a special manner busy with great
men and men of power, to keep them from being religious; because he
knows that their example, whether good or bad, will have an influence
upon many. And those who are in any way instrumental to prejudice
people against the truths and ways of Christ are doing the devil's
work.
(4.) Saul (who is here for the first time called Paul) fell upon him
for this with a holy indignation. Saul, who is also called Paul, v. 9.
Saul was his name as he was a Hebrew, and of the tribe of Benjamin;
Paul was his name as he was a citizen of Rome. Hitherto we have had him
mostly conversant among the Jews, and therefore called by his Jewish
name; but now, when he is sent forth among the Gentiles, he is called
by his Roman name, to put somewhat of a reputation upon him in the
Roman cities, Paulus being a very common name among them. But some
think he was never called Paul till now that he was instrumental in the
conversion of Sergius Paulus to the faith of Christ, and that he took
the name Paulus as a memorial of this victory obtained by the gospel of
Christ, as among the Romans he that had conquered a country took his
denomination from it, as Germanicus, Britannicus, Africanus; or rather,
Sergius Paulus himself gave him the name Paulus in token of his favour
and respect to him, as Vespasian gave his name Flavius to Josephus the
Jew. Now of Paul it is said,
[1.] That he was filled with the Holy Ghost upon this occasion, filled
with a holy zeal against a professed enemy of Christ, which was one of
the graces of the Holy Ghost--a spirit of burning; filled with power to
denounce the wrath of God against him, which was one of the gifts of
the Holy Ghost--a spirit of judgment. He felt a more than ordinary
fervour in his mind, as the prophet did when he was full of power by
the Spirit of the Lord (Mic. iii. 8), and another prophet when his face
was made harder than flint (Ezek. iii. 9), and another when his mouth
was made like a sharp sword, Isa. xlix. 2. What Paul said did not come
from any personal resentment, but from the strong impressions which the
Holy Ghost made upon his spirit.
[2.] He set his eyes upon him, to face him down, and to show a holy
boldness, in opposition to his wicked impudence. He set his eyes upon
him, as an indication that the eye of the heart-searching God was upon
him, and saw through and through him; nay, that the face of the Lord
was against him, Ps. xxxiv. 16. He fixed his eyes upon him, to see if
he could discern in his countenance any marks of remorse for what he
had done; for, if he could have discerned the least sign of this, it
would have prevented the ensuing doom.
[3.] He gave him his true character, not in passion, but by the Holy
Ghost, who knows men better than they know themselves, v. 10. He
describes him to be, First, An agent for hell; and such there have been
upon this earth (the seat of the war between the seed of the woman and
of the serpent) ever since Cain who was of that wicked one, an
incarnate devil, slew his brother, for no other reason than because his
own works were evil and his brother's righteous. This Elymas, though
called Bar-jesus--a son of Jesus, was really a child of the devil, bore
his image, did his lusts, and served his interests, John viii. 44. In
two things he resembled the devil as a child does his father--1. In
craftiness. The serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field
(Gen. iii. 1), and Elymas, though void of all wisdom, was full of all
subtlety, expert in all the arts of deceiving men and imposing upon
them. 2. In malice. He was full of all mischief--a spiteful
ill-conditioned man, and a sworn implacable enemy to God and goodness.
Note, A fulness of subtlety and mischief together make a man indeed a
child of the devil. Secondly, An adversary to heaven. If he be a child
of the devil, it follows of course that he is an enemy to all
righteousness, for the devil is so. Note, Those that are enemies to the
doctrine of Christ are enemies to all righteousness, for in it all
righteousness is summed up and fulfilled.
[4.] He charged upon him his present crime, and expostulated with him
upon it: "Wilt thou not cease to pervert the right ways of the Lord, to
misrepresent them, to put false colours upon them, and so to discourage
people from entering into them, and walking in them?" Note, First, The
ways of the Lord are right: they are all so, they are perfectly so. The
ways of the Lord Jesus are right, the only right ways to heaven and
happiness. Secondly, There are those who pervert these right ways, who
not only wander out of these ways themselves (as Elihu's penitent, who
owns, I have perverted that which was right and it profited me not),
but mislead others, and suggest to them unjust prejudices against these
ways: as if the doctrine of Christ were uncertain and precarious, the
laws of Christ unreasonable and impractical, and the service of Christ
unpleasant and unprofitable, which is an unjust perverting of the right
ways of the Lord, and making them seem crooked ways. Thirdly, Those who
pervert the right ways of the Lord are commonly so hardened in it that,
though the equity of those ways be set before them by the most powerful
and commanding evidence, yet they will not cease to do it. Etsi
suaseris, non persuaseris--You may advise, but you will never persuade;
they will have it their own way; they have loved strangers, and after
them they will go.
[5.] He denounced the judgment of God upon him, in a present blindness
(v. 11): "And now, behold, the hand of the Lord is upon thee, a
righteous hand. God is now about to lay hands on thee, and make thee
his prisoner, for thou art taken in arms against him; thou shalt be
blind, not seeing the sun for a season." This was designed both for the
proof of his crime, as it was a miracle wrought to confirm the right
ways of the Lord, and consequently to show the wickedness of him who
would not cease to pervert them, as also for the punishment of his
crime. It was a suitable punishment; he shut his eyes, the eyes of his
mind, against the light of the gospel, and therefore justly were the
eyes of his body shut against the light of the sun; he sought to blind
the deputy (as an agent for the god of this world, who blindeth the
minds of those that believe not, lest the light of the gospel should
shine unto them, 2 Cor. iv. 4), and therefore is himself struck blind.
Yet it was a moderate punishment: he was only struck blind, when he
might most justly have been struck dead; and it was only for a season;
if he will repent, and give glory to God, by making confession, his
sight shall be restored; nay, it should seem, though he do not, yet his
sight shall be restored, to try if he will be led to repentance either
by the judgments of God or by his mercies.
[6.] This judgment was immediately executed: There fell on him a mist
and a darkness, as on the Sodomites when they persecuted Elisha. This
silenced him presently, filled him with confusion, and was an effectual
confutation of all he said against the doctrine of Christ. Let not him
any more pretend to be a guide to the deputy's conscience who is
himself struck blind. It was also an earnest to him of a much sorer
punishment if he repent not; for he is one of those wandering stars to
whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever, Jude 13. Elymas
did himself proclaim the truth of the miracle, when he went about
seeking some to lead him by the hand; and where now is all his skill in
sorcery, upon which he had so much valued himself, when he can neither
find his way nor find a friend that will be so kind as to lead him!
3. Notwithstanding all the endeavours of Elymas to turn away the deputy
from the faith, he was brought to believe, and this miracle, wrought
upon the magician himself (like the boils of Egypt, which were upon the
magicians, so that they could not stand before Moses, Exod. ix. 11),
contributed to it. The deputy was a very sensible man, and observed
something uncommon, and which intimated its divine original, (1.) In
Paul's preaching: he was astonished at the doctrine of the Lord, the
Lord Christ--the doctrine that is from him, the discoveries he has made
of the Father--the doctrine that is concerning him, his person,
natures, offices, undertaking. Note, The doctrine of Christ has a great
deal in it that is astonishing; and the more we know of it the more
reason we shall see to wonder and stand amazed at it. (2.) In this
miracle: When he saw what was done, and how much Paul's power
transcended that of the magician, and how plainly Elymas was baffled
and confounded, he believed. It is not said that he was baptized, and
so made a complete convert, but it is probable that he was. Paul would
not do his business by the halves; as for God, his work is perfect.
When he became a Christian, he neither laid down his government, nor
was turned out of it, but we may suppose, as a Christian magistrate, by
his influence helped very much to propagate Christianity in that
island. The tradition of the Romish church, which has taken care to
find bishoprics for all the eminent converts we read of in the Acts,
has made this Sergius Paulus bishop of Narbon in France, left there by
Paul in his journey to Spain.
III. Their departure from the island of Cyprus. It is probable that
they did a great deal more there than is recorded, where an account is
given only of that which was extraordinary--the conversion of the
deputy. When they had done what they had to do, 1. They quitted the
country, and went to Perga. Those that went were Paul and his company,
which, it is probable, was increased in Cyprus, many being desirous to
accompany him. Anachthentes hoi peri ton Paulon--Those that were about
Paul loosed from Paphos, which supposes that he went too; but such an
affection had his new friends for him that they were always about him,
and by their good will would be never from him. 2. Then John Mark
quitted them, and returned to Jerusalem, without the consent of Paul
and Barnabas; either he did not like the work, or he wanted to go and
see his mother. It was his fault, and we shall hear of it again.
Paul at Antioch in Pisidia.
14 But when they departed from Perga, they came to Antioch in Pisidia,
and went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and sat down. 15 And
after the reading of the law and the prophets the rulers of the
synagogue sent unto them, saying, Ye men and brethren, if ye have any
word of exhortation for the people, say on. 16 Then Paul stood up,
and beckoning with his hand said, Men of Israel, and ye that fear God,
give audience. 17 The God of this people of Israel chose our fathers,
and exalted the people when they dwelt as strangers in the land of
Egypt, and with a high arm brought he them out of it. 18 And about
the time of forty years suffered he their manners in the wilderness.
19 And when he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Chanaan, he
divided their land to them by lot. 20 And after that he gave unto
them judges about the space of four hundred and fifty years, until
Samuel the prophet. 21 And afterward they desired a king: and God
gave unto them Saul the son of Cis, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, by
the space of forty years. 22 And when he had removed him, he raised
up unto them David to be their king; to whom also he gave testimony,
and said, I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own
heart, which shall fulfil all my will. 23 Of this man's seed hath God
according to his promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus: 24 When
John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to
all the people of Israel. 25 And as John fulfilled his course, he
said, Whom think ye that I am? I am not he. But, behold, there cometh
one after me, whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy to loose. 26
Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among
you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. 27 For
they that dwell at Jerusalem, and their rulers, because they knew him
not, nor yet the voices of the prophets which are read every sabbath
day, they have fulfilled them in condemning him. 28 And though they
found no cause of death in him, yet desired they Pilate that he should
be slain. 29 And when they had fulfilled all that was written of him,
they took him down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. 30 But
God raised him from the dead: 31 And he was seen many days of them
which came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are his witnesses
unto the people. 32 And we declare unto you glad tidings, how that
the promise which was made unto the fathers, 33 God hath fulfilled
the same unto us their children, in that he hath raised up Jesus again;
as it is also written in the second psalm, Thou art my Son, this day
have I begotten thee. 34 And as concerning that he raised him up from
the dead, now no more to return to corruption, he said on this wise, I
will give you the sure mercies of David. 35 Wherefore he saith also
in another psalm, Thou shalt not suffer thine Holy One to see
corruption. 36 For David, after he had served his own generation by
the will of God, fell on sleep, and was laid unto his fathers, and saw
corruption: 37 But he, whom God raised again, saw no corruption. 38
Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man
is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that
believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be
justified by the law of Moses. 40 Beware therefore, lest that come
upon you, which is spoken of in the prophets; 41 Behold, ye
despisers, and wonder, and perish: for I work a work in your days, a
work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto
you.
Perga in Pamphylia was a noted place, especially for a temple there
erected to the goddess Diana, yet nothing at all is related of what
Paul and Barnabas did there, only that thither they came (v. 13), and
thence they departed, v. 14. But the history of the apostles' travels,
as that of Christ's, passes by many things worthy to have been
recorded, because, if all had been written, the world could not have
contained the books. But the next place we find them in is another
Antioch, said to be in Pisidia, to distinguish it from that Antioch in
Syria from which they were sent out. Pisidia was a province of the
Lesser Asia, bordering upon Pamphylia; this Antioch, it is likely, was
the metropolis of it. Abundance of Jews lived there, and to them the
gospel was to be first preached; and Paul's sermon to them is what we
have in these verses, which, it is likely, is the substance of what was
preached by the apostles generally to the Jews in all places; for in
dealing with them the proper way was to show them how the New
Testament, which they would have them to receive, exactly agreed with
the Old Testament, which they not only received, but were zealous for.
We have here,
I. The appearance which Paul and Barnabas made in a religious assembly
of the Jews at Antioch, v. 14. Though they had lately had such good
success with a Roman deputy, yet, when they came to Antioch, they did
not enquire for the chief magistrate, nor make their court to him, but
they applied to the Jews, which is a further proof of their good
affection to them and their desire of their welfare. 1. They observed
their time of worship, on the sabbath day, the Jewish sabbath. The
first day of the week they observed among themselves as a Christian
sabbath; but, if they will meet the Jews, it must be on the seventh-day
sabbath, which therefore, upon such occasions, they did as yet
sometimes observe. For, though it was by the death of Christ that the
ceremonial law died, yet it was in the ruins of Jerusalem that it was
to be buried; and therefore, though the morality of the fourth
commandment was entirely transferred to the Christian sabbath, yet it
was not incongruous to join with the Jews in their sabbath
sanctification. 2. They met them in their place of worship, in the
synagogue. Note, Sabbath days should be kept holy in solemn assemblies;
they are instituted chiefly for public worship. The sabbath day is a
holy convocation, and for that reason no servile work must be done
therein. Paul and Barnabas were strangers; but, wherever we come, we
must enquire out God's faithful worshippers, and join with them (as
these apostles here did), as those that desire to keep up a communion
with all saints; though they were strangers, yet they were admitted
into the synagogue, and to sit down there. Care should be taken in
places of public worship that strangers be accommodated, even the
poorest; for, of those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that
they have precious souls, for which our charity binds us to be
concerned.
II. The invitation given them to preach. 1. The usual service of the
synagogue was performed (v. 15): The law and the prophets were read, a
portion of each, the lessons for the day. Note, When we come together
to worship God, we must do it not only by prayer and praise, but by the
reading and hearing of the word of God; hereby we give him the glory
due to his name, as our Lord and Lawgiver. 2. When that was done, they
were asked by the rulers of the synagogue to give them a sermon (v.
15): They sent a messenger to them with the respectful message, Men and
brethren, if you have any word of exhortation for the people, say on.
It is probable that the rulers of the synagogue had met with them, and
been in private conversation with them before; and, if they had not an
affection to the gospel, yet they had at least the curiosity to hear
Paul preach; and therefore not only gave him permission, but begged the
favour of him that he would speak a word of exhortation to the people.
Note, (1.) The bare reading of the scriptures in the public assemblies
is not sufficient, but they should be expounded, and the people
exhorted out of them. This is spreading the net, and assisting people
in doing that which is necessary to the making of the word profitable
to them--that is, the applying of it to themselves. (2.) Those that
preside, and have power, in public assemblies, should provide for a
word of exhortation to the people, whenever they come together. (3.)
Sometimes a word of exhortation from a strange minister may be of great
use to the people, provided he be well approved. It is likely Paul did
often preach in the synagogue, when he was not thus invited to it by
the rulers of the synagogues; for he often preached with much
contention, 1 Thess. ii. 2. But these were more noble, more generous,
than the rulers of the synagogues generally were.
III. The sermon Paul preached in the synagogue of the Jews, at the
invitation of the rulers of the synagogue. He gladly embraced the
opportunity given him to preach Christ to his countrymen the Jews. He
did not object to them that he was a stranger, and that it was none of
his business; nor object to himself, that he might get ill-will by
preaching Christ among the Jews; but stood up, as one prepared and
determined to speak, and beckoned with his hand, to excite and prepare
them to hear. He waved his hand as an orator, not only desiring silence
and attention, but endeavouring to move affection, and to show himself
in earnest. Perhaps, upon the moving of them to give an exhortation to
the people, there were those in the synagogue that were ready to mutiny
against the rulers, and opposed the toleration of Paul's preaching, and
that occasioned some tumult and commotion, which Paul endeavoured to
quiet by that decent motion of his hand; as also by his modest desire
of a patient impartial hearing: "Men of Israel, that are Jews by birth,
and you that fear God, that are proselyted to the Jewish religion, give
audience; let me beg your attention a little, for I have something to
say to you which concerns your everlasting peace, and would not say it
in vain." Now this excellent sermon is recorded, to show that those who
preached the gospel to the Gentiles did it not till they had first used
their utmost endeavours with the Jews, to persuade them to come in and
take the benefit of it; and that they had no prejudice at all against
the Jewish nation, nor any desire that they should perish, but rather
that they should turn and live. Every thing is touched in this sermon
that might be proper either to convince the judgment or insinuate into
the affections of the Jews, to prevail with them to receive and embrace
Christ as the promised Messiah.
1. He owns them to be God's favourite people, whom he had taken into
special relation to himself, and for whom he had done great things.
Probably the Jews of the dispersion, that lived in other countries,
being more in danger of mingling with the nations, were more jealous of
their peculiarity than those that lived in their own land were; and
therefore Paul is here very careful to take notice of it, to their
honour.
(1.) That the God of the whole earth was, in a particular manner, the
God of this people Israel, a God in covenant with them, and that he had
given them a revelation of his mind and will, such as he had not given
to any other nation or people; so that hereby they were distinguished
from, and dignified above, all their neighbours, having peculiar
precepts to be governed by, and peculiar promises to depend upon.
(2.) That he had chosen their fathers to be his friends: Abraham was
called the friend of God; to be his prophets, by whom he would reveal
his mind to his church, and to be the trustees of his covenant with the
church. He puts them in mind of this, to let them know that the reason
why God favoured them, though undeserving, and ill deserving, was
because he would adhere to the choice he had made of their fathers,
Deut. vii. 7, 8. They were beloved purely for the fathers' sakes, Rom.
xi. 28.
(3.) That he had exalted that people, and put a great deal of honour
upon them, had advanced them into a people, and raised them from
nothing, when they dwelt as strangers in the land of Egypt, and had
nothing in them to recommend them to the divine favour. They ought to
remember this, and to infer hence that God was no debtor to them; for
it was ex mero motu--out of his mere good pleasure, and not upon a
valuable consideration, that they had the grant of the divine favour;
and therefore it was revocable at pleasure; and God did them no wrong
if he at length plucked up the hedge of their peculiarity. But they
were debtors to him, and obliged to receive such further discoveries as
he should make to his church.
(4.) That he had with a high hand brought them out of Egypt, where they
were not only strangers, but captives, had delivered them at the
expense of a great many miracles, both of mercy to them and judgment on
their oppressors (signs and wonders, Deut. iv. 34), and at the expense
of a great many lives, all the first-born of Egypt, Pharaoh, and all
his host, in the Red Sea; I gave Egypt for thy ransom, gave men for
thee. Isa. xliii. 3, 4.
(5.) That he had suffered their manners forty years in the wilderness,
v. 18, Etropophoresen. Some think it should be read,
etrophophoresen--he educated them, because this is the word the
Septuagint use concerning the fatherly care God took of that people,
Deut. i. 31. Both may be included; for, [1.] God made a great deal of
provision for them for forty years in the wilderness: miracles were
their daily bread, and kept them from starving: They lacked not any
thing. [2.] He exercised a great deal of patience with them. They were
a provoking, murmuring, unbelieving people; and yet he bore with them,
did not deal with them as they deserved, but suffered his anger many a
time to be turned away by the prayer and intercession of Moses. So many
years as we have each of us lived in this world, we must own that God
has thus been as a tender father to us, has supplied our wants, has fed
us all our life long unto this day, has been indulgent to us, a God of
pardons (as he was to Israel, Neh. ix. 17), and not extreme to mark
what we have done amiss; we have tried his patience, and yet not tired
it. Let not the Jews insist too much upon the privileges of their
peculiarity, for they have forfeited them a thousand times.
(6.) That he had put them in possession of the land of Canaan (v. 19):
When he had destroyed seven nations in the land of Canaan, that were
doomed to be rooted out to make room for them, he divided their land to
them by lot, and put them in possession of it. This was a signal favour
of God to them, and he owns that hereby a great honour was put upon
them, from which he would not in the least derogate.
(7.) That he had raised up men, inspirited from heaven, to deliver them
out of the hands of those that invaded their rights, and oppressed them
after their settlement in Canaan, v. 20, 21. [1.] He gave them judges,
men qualified for public service, and, by an immediate impulse upon
their spirits, called to it, pro re nata--as the occasion required.
Though they were a provoking people, and were never in servitude but
their sin brought them to it, yet upon their petition a deliverer was
raised up. The critics find some difficulty in computing these four
hundred and fifty years. From the deliverance out of Egypt to David's
expulsion of the Jebusites from the stronghold of Zion, which completed
the casting out of the heathen nations, was four hundred and fifty
years; and most of that time they were under judges. Others thus: The
government of the judges, from the death of Joshua to the death of Eli,
was just three hundred and thirty-nine years, but it is said to be [os]
as it were four hundred and fifty years, because the years of their
servitude to the several nations that oppressed them, though really
they were included in the years of the judges, are yet mentioned in the
history as if they had been distinct from them. Now these, all put
together, make one hundred and eleven years, which added to the three
hundred and thirty nine, make them four hundred and fifty; as so many,
though not really so many. [2.] He governed them by a prophet, Samuel,
a man divinely inspired to preside in their affairs. [3.] He afterwards
at their request set a king over them (v. 21), Saul, the son of Cis.
Samuel's government and his lasted forty years, which was a kind of
transition from the theocracy to the kingly government. [4.] At last,
he made David their king, v. 22. When God had removed Saul, for his
mal-administration, he raised up unto them David to be their king, and
made a covenant of royalty with him, and with his seed. When he had
removed one king, he did not leave them as sheep without a shepherd,
but soon raised up another, raised him up from a mean and low estate,
raised him up on high, 2 Sam. xxiii. 1. He quotes the testimony God
gave concerning him, First, That his choice was divine: I have found
David, Ps. lxxxix. 20. God himself pitched upon him. Finding implies
seeking; as if God had ransacked all the families of Israel to find a
man fit for his purpose, and this was he. Secondly, That his character
was divine: A man after my own heart, such a one as I would have, one
on whom the image of God is stamped, and therefore one in whom God is
well pleased and whom he approves. This character was given of him
before he was first anointed, 1 Sam. xiii. 14. The Lord hath sought out
a man after his own heart, such a one as he would have. Thirdly, That
his conduct was divine, and under divine direction: He shall fulfil all
my will. He shall desire and endeavour to do the will of God, and shall
be enabled to do it, and employed in the doing of it, and go through
with it. Now all this seems to show not only the special favour of God
to the people of Israel (with the acknowledgment of which the apostle
is very willing to oblige them) but the further favours of another
nature which he designed them, and which were now, by the preaching of
the gospel, offered to them. Their deliverance out of Egypt, and
settlement in Canaan, were types and figures of good things to come.
The changes of their government showed that it made nothing perfect,
and therefore must give way to the spiritual kingdom of the Messiah,
which was now in the setting up, and which, if they would admit it and
submit to it, would be the glory of their people Israel; and therefore
they needed not conceive any jealousy at all of the preaching of the
gospel, as if it tended in the least to damage the true excellences of
the Jewish church.
2. He gives them a full account of our Lord Jesus, passing from David
to the Son of David, and shows that this Jesus is his promised Seed (v.
23): Of this man's seed, from that root of Jesse, from that man after
God's own heart, hath God, according to his promise, raised unto Israel
a Saviour--Jesus, who carries salvation in his name.
(1.) How welcome should the preaching of the gospel of Christ be to the
Jews, and how should they embrace it, as well worthy of all
acceptation, when it brought them the tidings, [1.] Of a Saviour, to
deliver them out of the hands of their enemies, as the judges of old,
who were therefore called saviours; but this a Saviour to do that for
them which, it appears by the history, those could not do--to save them
from their sins, their worst enemies. [2.] A Saviour of God's raising
up, that has his commission from heaven. [3.] Raised up to be a Saviour
unto Israel, to them in the first place: He was sent to bless them; so
far was the gospel from designing the gathering of them. [4.] Raised up
of the seed of David, that ancient royal family, which the people of
Israel gloried so much in, and which at this time, to the great
disgrace of the whole nation, was buried in obscurity. It ought to be a
great satisfaction to them that God had raised up this horn of
salvation for them in the house of his servant David, Luke i. 69. [5.]
Raised up according to his promise, the promise to David (Ps. cxxxii.
11), the promise to the Old-Testament church in the latter times of it:
I will raise unto David a righteous branch, Jer. xxiii. 5. This promise
was it to which the twelve tribes hoped to come (ch. xxvi. 7); why then
should they entertain it so coldly, now that it was brought to them?
Now,
(2.) Concerning this Jesus, he tells them,
[1.] That John the Baptist was his harbinger and forerunner, that great
man whom all acknowledged to be a prophet. Let them not say that the
Messiah's coming was a surprise upon them, and that this might excuse
them if they took time to consider whether they should entertain him or
no; for they had sufficient warning by John, who preached before his
coming, v. 24. Two things he did--First, He made way for his entrance,
by preaching the baptism of repentance, not to a few select disciples,
but to all the people of Israel. He showed them their sins, warned them
of the wrath to come, called them to repentance, and to bring forth
fruits meet for repentance, and bound those to this who were willing to
be bound by the solemn rite or sign of baptism; and by this he made
ready a people prepared for the Lord Jesus, to whom his grace would be
acceptable when they were thus brought to know themselves. Secondly, He
gave notice of his approach (v. 25): As he fulfilled his course, when
he was going on vigorously in his work, and had had wonderful success
in it, and an established interest: "Now," saith he to those that
attended his ministry, "Whom think you that I am? What notions have you
of me, what expectations from me? You may be thinking that I am the
Messiah, whom you expect; but you are mistaken, I am not he (see John
i. 20), but he is at the door; behold, there cometh one immediately
after me, who will so far exceed me upon all accounts, that I am not
worthy to be employed in the meanest office about him, no, not to help
him on and off with his shoes--whose shoes of his feet I am not worthy
to loose, and you may guess who that must be."
[2.] That the rulers and people of the Jews, who should have welcomed
him, and been his willing, forward, faithful subjects, were his
persecutors and murderers. When the apostles preach Christ as the
Saviour, they are so far from concealing his ignominious death, and
drawing a veil over it, that they always preach Christ crucified, yea,
and (though this added much to the reproach of his sufferings)
crucified by his own people, by those that dwelt in Jerusalem, the holy
city--the royal city, and their rulers, v. 27. First, Their sin was
that though they found no cause of death in him, could not prove him,
no, nor had any colour to suspect him, guilty of any crime (the judge
himself that tried him, when he had heard all they could say against
him, declared he found no fault with him), yet they desired Pilate that
he might be slain (v. 28), and presented their address against Christ
with such fury and outrage that they compelled Pilate to crucify him,
not only contrary to his inclination, but contrary to his conscience;
they condemned him to so great a death, though they could not convict
him of the least sin. Paul cannot charge this upon his hearers, as
Peter did (ch. ii. 23): You have with wicked hands crucified and slain
him; for these, though Jews, were far enough off; but he charges it
upon the Jews at Jerusalem and the rulers, to show what little reason
those Jews of the dispersion had to be so jealous for the honour of
their nation as they were, when it had brought upon itself such a load
and stain of guilt as this, and how justly they might have been cut off
from all benefit by the Messiah, who had thus abused him, and yet they
were not; but, notwithstanding all this, the preaching of this gospel
shall begin at Jerusalem. Secondly, The reason of this was because they
knew him not, v. 27. They knew not who he was, nor what errand he came
into the world upon; for, if they had known, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory. Christ owned this in extenuation of their
crime: They know not what they do; and so did Peter: I wot that through
ignorance you did this, ch. iii. 17. It was also because they knew not
the voice of the prophets though they heard them read every sabbath
day. They did not understand nor consider that it was foretold that the
Messiah should suffer, or else they would never have been the
instruments of his suffering. Note, Many that read the prophets do not
know the voice of the prophets, do not understand the meaning of the
scriptures; they have the sound of the gospel in their ears, but not
the sense of it in their heads, nor the savour of it in their hearts.
And therefore men do not know Christ, nor know how to carry it towards
him, because they do not know the voice of the prophets, who testified
beforehand concerning Christ. Thirdly, God overruled them, for the
accomplishment of the prophecies of the Old-Testament: Because they
knew not the voice of the prophets, which warned them not to touch
God's Anointed, they fulfilled them in condemning him; for so it was
written that Messiah the prince shall be cut off, but not for himself.
Note, It is possible that men may be fulfilling scripture prophecies,
even when they are breaking scripture precepts, particularly in the
persecution of the church, as in the persecution of Christ. And this
justifies the reason which is sometimes given for the obscurity of
scripture prophecies, that, if they were too plain and obvious, the
accomplishment of them would thereby be prevented. So Paul saith here,
Because they knew not the voice of the prophets, therefore they have
fulfilled them, which implies that if they had understood them they
would not have fulfilled them. Fourthly, All that was foretold
concerning the sufferings of the Messiah was fulfilled in Christ (v.
29): When they had fulfilled all the rest that was written of him, even
to the giving of him vinegar to drink in his thirst, then they
fulfilled what was foretold concerning his being buried. They took him
down from the tree, and laid him in a sepulchre. This is taken notice
of here as that which made his resurrection the more illustrious.
Christ was separated from this world, as those that are buried have
nothing more to do with this world, nor this world with them; and
therefore our complete separation from sin is represented by our being
buried with Christ. And a good Christian will be willing to be buried
alive with Christ. They laid him in a sepulchre, and thought they had
him fast.
[3.] That he rose again from the dead, and saw no corruption. This was
the great truth that was to be preached; for it is the main pillar, by
which the whole fabric of the gospel is supported, and therefore he
insists largely upon this, and shows,
First, That he rose by consent. When he was imprisoned in the grave for
our debt, he did not break prison, but had a fair and legal discharge
from the arrest he was under (v. 30): God raised him from the dead,
sent an angel on purpose to roll away the stone from the prison-door,
returned to him the spirit which at his death he had committed into the
hands of his Father, and quickened him by the Holy Ghost. His enemies
laid him in a sepulchre, with design he should always lay there; but
God said, No; and it was soon seen whose purpose should stand, his or
theirs.
Secondly, That there was sufficient proof of his having risen (v. 31):
He was seen many days, in divers places, upon divers occasions, by
those that were most intimately acquainted with him; for they came up
with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, were his constant attendants, and
they are his witnesses unto the people. They were appointed to be so,
have attested the thing many a time, and are ready to attest it, though
they were to die for the same. Paul says nothing of his own seeing him,
which was more convincing to himself than it could be when produced to
others.
Thirdly, That the resurrection of Christ was the performance of the
promise made to the patriarchs; it was not only true news, but good
news: "In declaring this, we declare unto you glad tidings (v. 32, 33),
which should be in a particular manner acceptable to you Jews. So far
are we from designing to put any slur upon you, or do you any wrong,
that the doctrine we preach, if you receive it aright, and understand
it, brings you the greatest honour and satisfaction imaginable; for it
is in the resurrection of Christ that the promise which was made to
your fathers is fulfilled to you." He acknowledges it to be the dignity
of the Jewish nation that to them pertained the promises (Rom. ix. 4),
that they were the heirs of the promise, as they were the children of
the patriarchs to whom the promises were first made. The great promise
of the Old Testament was that of the Messiah, in whom all the families
of the earth should be blessed, and not the family of Abraham only;
though it was to be the peculiar honour of that family that he should
be raised up of it, yet it was to be the common benefit of all families
that he should be raised up to them. Note, 1. God hath raised up Jesus,
advanced him, and exalted him; raised him again (so we read it),
meaning from the dead. We may take in both senses. God raised up Jesus
to be a prophet at his baptism, to be a priest to make atonement at his
death, and to be a king to rule over all at his ascension; and his
raising him up from the dead was the confirmation and ratification of
all these commissions, and proved him raised of God to these offices.
2. This is the fulfilling of the promises made to the fathers, the
promise of sending the Messiah, and of all those benefits and blessings
which were to be had with him and by him: "This is he that should come,
and in him you have all that God promised in the Messiah, though not
all that you promised yourselves." Paul puts himself into the number of
the Jews to whom the promise was fulfilled: To us their children. Now,
if those who preached the gospel brought them these glad tidings,
instead of looking upon them as enemies to their nation, they ought to
caress them as their best friends, and embrace their doctrine with both
arms; for if they valued the promise so much, and themselves by it,
much more the performance. And the preaching of the gospel to the
Gentiles, which was the great thing that the Jews found themselves
aggrieved at, was so far from infringing the promise made to them that
the promise itself, that all the families of the earth should be
blessed in the Messiah, could not otherwise be accomplished.
Fourthly, That the resurrection of Christ was the great proof of his
being the Son of God, and confirms what was written in the second Psalm
(thus ancient was the order in which the Psalms are now placed), Thou
art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. That the resurrection of
Christ from the dead was designed to evidence and evince this is plain
from that of the apostle (Rom. i. 4): He was declared to be the Son of
God with power, by the resurrection from the dead. When he was first
raised up out of obscurity, God declared concerning him by a voice from
heaven, This is my beloved Son (Matt. iii. 17), which has a plain
reference to that in the second Psalm, Thou art my Son. Abundance of
truth there is couched in those words: that this Jesus was begotten of
the Father before all worlds--was the brightness of his glory and the
express image of his person, as the son is of the father's--that he was
the logos, the eternal thought of the eternal mind,--that he was
conceived by the power of the Holy Ghost in the womb of the virgin; for
upon this account, also, that holy thing was called the Son of God
(Luke i. 35), that he was God's agent in creating and governing the
world, and in redeeming it and reconciling it to himself, and faithful
as a son in his own house, and as such was heir of all things. Now all
this, which was declared at Christ's baptism and again at his
transfiguration, was undeniably proved by his resurrection. The decree
which was so long before declared was then confirmed; and the reason
why it was impossible he should be held by the bands of death was
because he was the Son of God, and consequently had life in himself,
which he could not lay down but with a design to resume it. When his
eternal generation is spoken of, it is not improper to say, This day
have I begotten thee; for from everlasting to everlasting is with God
as it were one and the same eternal day. Yet it may also be
accommodated to his resurrection, in a subordinate sense, "This day
have I made it to appear that I have begotten thee, and this day have I
begotten all that are given to thee;" for it is said (1 Pet. i. 3) that
the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, as our God and Father,
hath begotten us again to a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead.
Fifthly, That his being raised the third day, so as not to see
corruption, and to a heavenly life, so as no more to return to
corruption, that is, to the state of the dead, as others did who were
raised to life, further confirms his being the Messiah promised.
a. He rose to die no more; so it is expressed, Rom. vi. 9: As
concerning that he raised him up from the dead, now no more to return
to corruption, that is, to the grave, which is called corruption, Job
xvii. 14. Lazarus came out of the grave with his grave-clothes on,
because he was to use them again; but Christ, having no more occasion
for them, left them behind. Now this was the fulfilling of that
scripture (Isa. lv. 3), I will give you the sure mercies of David; ta
hosia Dabid ta pista--the holy things of David, the faithful things;
for in the promise made to David, and in him to Christ, great stress is
laid upon the faithfulness of God (Ps. lxxxix. 1, 2, 5, 24, 33), and
upon the oath God had sworn by his holiness, Ps. lxxxix. 35. Now this
makes them sure mercies indeed that he who is entrusted with the
dispensing of them has risen to die no more; so that he ever lives to
see his own will executed, and the blessings he hath purchased for us
given out to us. As, if Christ had died and had not risen again, so if
he had risen to die again, we had come short of the sure mercies, or at
least could not have been sure of them.
b. He rose so soon after he was dead that his body did not see
corruption; for it is not till the third day that the body begins to
change. Now this was promised to David; it was one of the sure mercies
of David, for it was said to him in Ps. xvi. 10, Neither wilt thou
suffer thy Holy One to see corruption, v. 35. God had promised to David
that he would raise up the Messiah of his seed, who should therefore be
a man, but should not, like other men, see corruption. This promise
could not have its accomplishment in David, but looked forward to
Christ.
(a.) It could not be accomplished in David himself (v. 36), for David,
after he had served his own generation, by the will of God, who raised
him up to be what he was, fell asleep, and was laid to his fathers, and
saw corruption. Here we have a short account of the life, death, and
burial, of the patriarch David, and his continuance under the power of
death. [a.] His life: He served his own generation, by the will of God,
before he slept the sleep of death. David was a useful good man; he did
good in the world by the will of God. He made God's precepts his rule;
he served his own generation so as therein to serve God; he so served
and pleased men (as whatever the king did pleased the people, 2 Sam.
iii. 36), as still to keep himself the faithful servant of God. See
Gal. i. 10. He served the good of men, but did not serve the will of
men. Or, by the will of God's providence so ordering it, qualifying him
for, and calling him to, a public station, he served his own
generation; for every creature is that to us which God makes it to be.
David was a great blessing to the age wherein he lived; he was the
servant of his generation: many are the curse, and plague, and burden
of their generation. Even those that are in a lower and narrower sphere
must look upon it that they live to serve their generation; and those
that will do good in the world must make themselves servants of all, 1
Cor. ix. 19. We were not born for ourselves, but are members of
communities, to which we must study to be serviceable. Yet here is the
difference between David and Christ, that David was to serve only his
own generation, that generation in which he lived, and therefore when
he had done what he had to do, and written what he had to write, he
died, and continued in the grave; but Christ (not by his writings or
words upon record only as David, but by his personal agency) was to
serve all generations, must ever live to reign over the house of Jacob,
not as David, for forty years, but for all ages, as long as the sun and
moon endure, Ps. lxxxix. 29, 36, 37. His throne must be as the days of
heaven, and all generations must be blessed in him, Ps. lxxii. 17. [b.]
His death: He fell asleep. Death is a sleep, a quiet rest, to those
who, while they lived, laboured in the service of God and their
generation. Observe, He did not fall asleep till he had served his
generation, till he had done the work for which God raised him up.
God's servants have their work assigned them; and, when they have
accomplished as a hireling their day, then, and not till then, they are
called to rest. God's witnesses never die till they have finished their
testimony; and then the sleep, the death, of the labouring man will be
sweet. David was not permitted to build the temple, and therefore when
he had made preparation for it, which was the service he was designed
to, he fell asleep, and left the work to Solomon. [c.] His burial: He
was laid to his fathers. Though he was buried in the city of David (1
Kings ii. 10), and not in the sepulchre of Jesse his father in
Bethlehem, yet he might be said to be laid to his fathers; for the
grave, in general, is the habitation of our fathers, of those that are
gone before us, Ps. xlix. 19. [d.] His continuance in the grave: He saw
corruption. We are sure he did not rise again; this Peter insists upon
when he freely speaks of the patriarch David (ch. ii. 29): He is both
dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. He saw
corruption, and therefore that promise could not have its
accomplishment in him. But,
(b.) It was accomplished in the Lord Jesus (v. 37): He whom God raised
again saw no corruption; for it was in him that the sure mercies were
to be reserved for us. He rose the third day, and therefore did not see
corruption then; and he rose to die no more, and therefore never did.
Of him therefore the promise must be understood, and no other.
c. Having given them this account of the Lord Jesus, he comes to make
application of it.
(a.) In the midst of his discourse, to engage their attention, he had
told his hearers that they were concerned in all this (v. 26): "To you
is the word of this salvation sent, to you first. If you by your
unbelief make it a word of rejection to you, you may thank yourselves;
but it is sent to you for a word of salvation; if it be not so, it is
your own fault." Let them not peevishly argue that because it was sent
to the Gentiles, who had no communion with them, therefore it was not
sent to them; for to them it was sent in the first place. "To you men
this is sent, and not to the angels that sinned. To you living men, and
not to the congregation of the dead and damned, whose day of grace is
over." He therefore speaks to them with tenderness and respect: You are
men and brethren; and so we are to look upon all those that stand fair
with us for the great salvation as having the word of salvation sent to
them. Those to whom he does by warrant from heaven here bring the word
of salvation are, [a.] The native Jews, Hebrews of the Hebrews, as Paul
himself was: "Children of the stock of Abraham, though a degenerate
race, yet to you is this word of salvation sent; nay, it is therefore
sent to you, to save you from your sins." It is an advantage to be of a
good stock; for, though salvation does not always follow the children
of godly parents, yet the word of salvation does: Abraham will command
his children and his house-hold after him. [b.] The proselytes, the
Gentiles by birth, that were in some degree brought over to the Jews'
religion: "Whosoever among you that feareth God. You that have a sense
of natural religion, and have subjected yourselves to the laws of that,
and taken hold of the comforts of that, to you is the word of this
salvation sent; you need the further discoveries and directions of
revealed religion, are prepared for them, and will bid them welcome,
and therefore shall certainly be welcome to take the benefit of them."
(b.) In the close of his discourse he applies what he had said
concerning Christ to his hearers. He had told them a long story
concerning this Jesus; now they would be ready to ask, What is all this
to us? And he tells them plainly what it is to them.
[a.] It will be their unspeakable advantage if they embrace Jesus
Christ, and believe this word of salvation. It will relieve them where
their greatest danger lies; and that is from the guilt of their sins:
"Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren--we are warranted to
proclaim it to you, and you are called to take notice of it." He did
not stand up to preach before them, but to preach to them, and not
without hopes of prevailing with them; for they are men, reasonable
creatures, and capable of being argued with; they are brethren, spoken
to, and dealt with, by men like themselves; not only of the same
nature, but of the same nation. It is proper for the preachers of the
gospel to call their hearers brethren, as speaking familiarly to them,
and with an affectionate concern for their welfare, and as being
equally interested with them in the gospel they preach. Let all that
hear the gospel of Christ know these two things--1st, That it is an act
of indemnity granted by the King of kings to the children of men, who
stand attainted at his bar of treason against his crown and dignity;
and it is for and in consideration of the mediation of Christ between
God and man that this act of grace is passed and proclaimed (v. 38):
"Through this man, who died and rose again, is preached unto you the
forgiveness of sins. We have to tell you, in God's name, that your
sins, though many and great, may be forgiven, and how it is come about
that they may be so, without any injury to God's honour, and how you
may obtain the forgiveness of your sins. We are to preach repentance
for the remission of sins, and divine grace giving both repentance and
remission of sins. The remission of sins is through this man. By his
merit it was purchased, in his name it is offered, and by his authority
it is bestowed; and therefore you are concerned to be acquainted with
him, and interested in him. We preach to you the forgiveness of sins.
That is the salvation we bring you, the word of God; and therefore you
ought to bid us welcome and look upon us as your friends, and
messengers of good tidings." 2ndly, That it does that for us which the
law of Moses could not do. The Jews were jealous for the law, and
because it prescribed expiatory and pacificatory sacrifices, and a
great variety of purifications, fancied they might be justified by it
before God. "No," saith Paul, "be it known to you that it is by Christ
only that those who believe in him, and none else, are justified from
all things, from all the guilt and stain of sin, from which you could
not be justified by the law of Moses" (v. 39); therefore they ought to
entertain and embrace the gospel, and not to adhere to the law in
opposition to it, because the gospel is perfective, not destructive, of
the law. Note, 1. The great concern of sinners it to be justified, to
be acquitted from guilt and accepted as righteous in God's sight. 2.
Those who are truly justified are acquitted from all their guilt; for
if any be left charged upon the sinner he is undone. 3. It was
impossible for a sinner to be justified by the law of Moses. Not by his
moral law, for we have all broken it, and are transgressing it daily,
so that instead of justifying us it condemns us. Not by his remedial
law, for it was not possible that the blood of bulls and goats should
take away sin, should satisfy God's offended justice, or pacify the
sinner's wounded conscience. It was but a ritual and typical
institution. See Heb. ix. 9; x. 1, 4. 4. By Jesus Christ we obtain a
complete justification; for by him a complete atonement was made for
sin. We are justified, not only by him as our Judge, but by him as our
righteousness, the Lord our righteousness. 5. All that believe in
Christ, that rely upon him and give up themselves to be ruled by him,
are justified by him, and none but they. 6. What the law could not do
for us, in that it was weak, that the gospel of Christ does; and
therefore it was folly, out of a jealousy for the law of Moses and the
honour of that institution, to conceive a jealousy of the gospel of
Christ and the designs of that more perfect institution.
[b.] It is at their utmost peril if they reject the gospel of Christ,
and turn their backs upon the offer now made them (v. 40, 41): Beware
therefore; you have a fair invitation given you, look to yourselves,
lest you either neglect or oppose it." Note, Those to whom the gospel
is preached must see themselves upon their trial and good behaviour,
and are concerned to beware lest they be found refusers of the grace
offered. "Beware lest you not only come short of the blessings and
benefits spoken of in the prophets as coming upon those that believe,
but fall under the doom spoken of in the prophets as coming upon those
that persist in unbelief: lest that come upon you which is spoken of."
Note, The threatenings are warnings ; what we are told will come upon
impenitent sinners is designed to awaken us to beware lest it should
come upon us. Now the prophecy referred to we have Hab. i. 5, where the
destruction of the Jewish nation by the Chaldeans is foretold as an
incredible unparalleled destruction; and this is here applied to the
destruction that was coming upon that nation by the Romans, for their
rejecting the gospel of Christ. The apostle follows the Septuagint
translation, which reads, Behold, you despisers (for, behold, you among
the heathen); because it made the text more apposite to his purpose.
1st, "Take heed lest the guilt come upon you which was spoken of in the
prophets--the guilt of despising the gospel and the tenders of it, and
despising the Gentiles that were advanced to partake of it. Beware lest
it be said to you, Behold, you despisers." Note, It is the ruin of many
that they despise religion, they look upon it as a thing below them,
and are not willing to stoop to it. 2ndly, "Take heed lest the judgment
come upon you which was spoken of in the prophets: that you shall
wonder and perish, that is, wonderfully perish; your perdition shall be
amazing to yourselves and all about you." Those that will not wonder
and be saved shall wonder and perish. Those that enjoyed the privileges
of the church, and flattered themselves with a conceit that these would
save them, will wonder when they find their vain presumption overruled
and that their privileges do but make their condemnation the more
intolerable. Let the unbelieving Jews expect that God will work a work
in their days which you shall in no wise believe, though a man declare
it unto you. This may be understood as a prediction, either, 1. Of
their sin, that they should be incredulous, that that great work of
God, the redemption of the world by Christ, though it should be in the
most solemn manner declared unto them, yet they would in no wise
believe it, Isa. liii. 1, Who hath believed our report? Though it was
of God's working, to whom nothing is impossible, and of his declaring,
who cannot lie, yet they would not give credit to it. Those that had
the honour and advantage to have this work wrought in their days had
not the grace to believe it. Or, 2. Of their destruction. The
dissolving of the Jewish polity, the taking of the kingdom of God from
them and giving it to the Gentiles, the destruction of their holy house
and city, and the dispersion of their people, was a work which one
would not have believed should have ever been done, considering how
much they had been the favourites of Heaven. The calamities that were
brought upon them were such as were never before brought upon any
people, Matt. xxiv. 21. It was said of their destruction by the
Chaldeans, and it was true of their last destruction, All the
inhabitants of the world would not have believed that the enemy would
have entered into the gates of Jerusalem as they did, Lam. iv. 12. Thus
is there a strange punishment to the workers of iniquity, especially to
the despisers of Christ, Job xxxi. 3.
Paul at Antioch in Pisidia.
42 And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles
besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.
43 Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and
religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them,
persuaded them to continue in the grace of God. 44 And the next
sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of
God. 45 But when the Jews saw the multitudes, they were filled with
envy, and spake against those things which were spoken by Paul,
contradicting and blaspheming. 46 Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold,
and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been
spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves
unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. 47 For so
hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of
the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the
earth. 48 And when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and
glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal
life believed. 49 And the word of the Lord was published throughout
all the region. 50 But the Jews stirred up the devout and honourable
women, and the chief men of the city, and raised persecution against
Paul and Barnabas, and expelled them out of their coasts. 51 But they
shook off the dust of their feet against them, and came unto Iconium.
52 And the disciples were filled with joy, and with the Holy Ghost.
The design of this story being to vindicate the apostles, especially
Paul (as he doth himself at large, Rom. xi.), from the reflections of
the Jews upon him for preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, it is here
observed that he proceeded therein with all the caution imaginable, and
upon due consideration, of which we have here an instance.
I. There were some of the Jews that were so incensed against the
preaching of the gospel, not to the Gentiles, but to themselves, that
they would not bear to hear it, but went out of the synagogue while
Paul was preaching (v. 42), in contempt of him and his doctrine, and to
the disturbance of the congregation. It is probable they whispered
among themselves, exciting one another to it, and did it by consent.
Now this bespoke, 1. An open infidelity, as plain a profession of
unbelief as coming to hear the gospel is of faith. They thus publicly
avowed their contempt of Christ and of his doctrine and law, were not
ashamed, neither could they blush; and they thus endeavoured to beget
prejudices in the minds of others against the gospel; they went out to
draw others to follow their pernicious ways. 2. An obstinate
infidelity. They went out of the synagogue, not only to show that they
did not believe the gospel, but because they were resolved they would
not, and therefore got out of the hearing of those things that had a
tendency to convince them. They stopped their ears like the deaf adder.
Justly therefore was the gospel taken from them, when they first took
themselves from it, and turned themselves out of the church before they
were turned out of it. For it is certainly true that God never leaves
any till they first leave him.
II. The Gentiles were as willing to hear the gospel as those rude and
ill-conditioned Jews were to get out of the hearing of it: They
besought that these words, or words to this effect, might be preached
to them the next sabbath; in the week between, so some take it; on the
second and fifth days of the week, which in some synagogues were their
lecture days. But it appears (v. 44) that it was the next sabbath day
that they came together. They begged, 1. That the same offer might be
made to them that was made to the Jews. Paul in this sermon had brought
the word of salvation to the Jews and proselytes, but had taken no
notice of the Gentiles; and therefore they begged that forgiveness of
sins through Christ might be preached to them, as it was to the Jews.
The Jews' leavings, nay, loathings, were their longings. This justifies
Paul in his preaching to them, that he was invited to it, as Peter was
sent for to Cornelius. Who could refuse to break the bread of life to
those who begged so hard for it, and to give that to the poor at the
door which the children at the table threw under their feet? 2. That
the same instructions might be given to them. They had heard the
doctrine of Christ, but did not understand it at the first hearing, nor
could they remember all that they had heard, and therefore they begged
it might be preached to them again. Note, It is good to have the word
of Christ repeated to us. What we have heard we should desire to hear
again, that it may take deep root in us, and the nail that is driven
may be clenched and be as a nail in a sure place. To hear the same
things should not be grievous, because it is safe, Phil. iii. 1. It
aggravates the bad disposition of the Jews that the Gentiles desired to
hear that often which they were not willing to hear once; and commends
the good disposition of the Gentiles that they did not follow the bad
example which the Jews set them.
III. There were some, nay, there were many, both of Jews and
proselytes, that were wrought upon by the preaching of the gospel.
Those who aggravated the matter of the Jews' rejection by the preaching
of the gospel, cried out, as is usual in such cases, "They have cast
away, and cast off, all the people of God." "Nay," says Paul, "it is
not so; for abundance of the Jews have embraced Christ, and are taken
in;" himself for one, Rom. xi. 1, 5. So it was here: Many of the Jews
and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, and received
further instructions and encouragement from them. 1. They submitted to
the grace of God, and were admitted to the benefit and comfort of it,
which is implied in their being exhorted to continue in it. They
followed Paul and Barnabas; they became their disciples, or rather the
disciples of Christ, whose agents they were. Those that join themselves
to Christ will join themselves to his ministers, and follow them. And
Paul and Barnabas, though they were sent to the Gentiles, yet bade
those of the Jews welcome that were willing to come under their
instructions, such hearty well-wishers were they to all the Jews and
their friends, if they pleased. 2. They were exhorted and encouraged to
persevere herein: Paul and Barnabas, speaking to them with all the
freedom and friendship imaginable, persuaded them to continue in the
grace of God, to hold fast that which they had received, to continue in
their belief of the gospel of grace, their dependence upon the Spirit
of grace, and their attendance upon the means of grace. And the grace
of God shall not be wanting to those who thus continue in it.
IV. There was a cheerful attendance upon the preaching of the gospel
the next sabbath day (v. 44): Almost the whole city (the generality of
whom were Gentiles) came together to hear the word of God. 1. It is
probable that Paul and Barnabas were not idle in the week-days, but
took all opportunities in the week between (as some think the Gentiles
desired) to bring them acquainted with Christ, and to raise their
expectations from him. They did a great deal of service to the gospel
in private discourse and conversation, as well as in their public
sermons. Wisdom cried in the chief places of concourse, and the opening
of the gates, as well as in the synagogues, Prov. i. 20, 21. 2. This
brought a vast concourse of people to the synagogue on the sabbath day.
Some came out of curiosity, the thing being new; others longing to see
what the Jews would do upon the second tender of the gospel to them;
and many who had heard something of the word of God came to hear more,
and to hear it, not as the word of men but as the word of God, by which
we must be ruled and judged. Now this justified Paul in preaching to
the Gentiles, that he met with the most encouraging auditors among
them. There the fields were white to the harvest, and therefore why
should he not there put in his sickle?
V. The Jews were enraged at this; and not only would not receive the
gospel themselves, but were filled with indignation at those that
crowded after it (v. 45): When the Jews saw the multitudes, and
considered what an encouragement it was to Paul to go on in his work
when he saw the people thus flying like doves to their windows, and
what probability there was that among these multitudes some would be,
without doubt, wrought upon, and probably the greater part, to embrace
Christ--this filled them with envy. 1. They grudged the interest the
apostles had in the people, were vexed to see the synagogue so full
when they were going to preach. This was the same spirit that worked in
the Pharisees towards Christ; they were cut to the heart when they saw
the whole world go after him. When the kingdom of heaven was opened
they not only would not go in themselves, but were angry with those
that did. 2. They opposed the doctrine the apostles preached: They
spoke against those things that were spoken by Paul, cavilled at them,
started objections against them, finding some fault or other with every
thing he said, contradicting and blaspheming; antelegon
antilegontes--contradicting, they contradicted. They did it with the
utmost spite and rage imaginable: they persisted in their
contradiction, and nothing would silence them, they contradicted for
contradiction-sake, and denied that which was most evident; and, when
they could find no colour of objection, they broke out into ill
language against Christ and his gospel, blaspheming him and it. From
the language of the carnal man that receives not the things of the
Spirit of God, and therefore contradicts them, they proceed to the
language of incarnate devils, and blaspheme them. Commonly those who
begin with contradicting end with blaspheming.
VI. The apostles hereupon solemnly and openly declare themselves
discharged from their obligations to the Jews, and at liberty to bring
the word of salvation to the Gentiles, even by the tacit consent of the
Jews themselves. Never let the Jew lay the fault of the carrying of the
kingdom of God to the Gentiles upon the apostles, for that complaint of
theirs is for ever silenced by their own act and deed, for what they
did here is for ever a bar to it. "Tender and refusal (we say) are good
payment in law." The Jews had the tender of the gospel, and did refuse
it, and therefore ought not to say any thing against the Gentiles
having it. In declaring this, it is said (v. 46), Paul and Barnabas
waxed bold, more bold than they had been while they were shy of looking
favourably upon the Gentiles, for fear of giving offence to the Jews,
and laying a stumbling-block in their way. Note, There is a time for
the preachers of the gospel to show as much of the boldness of the lion
as of the wisdom of the serpent and the harmlessness of the dove. When
the adversaries of Christ's cause begin to be daring, it is not for its
advocates to be timid. While there is any hope of working upon those
that oppose themselves they must be instructed with meekness (2 Tim.
ii. 25); but, when that method has long been tried in vain, we must wax
bold, and tell them what will be the issue of their opposition. The
impudence of the enemies of the gospel, instead of frightening, should
rather embolden its friends; for they are sure that they have a good
cause, and they know in whom they have trusted to bear them out. Now
Paul and Barnabas, having made the Jews a fair offer of gospel grace,
here give them fair notice of their bringing it to the Gentiles, if by
any means (as Paul says Rom. xi. 14) they might provoke them to
emulation. 1. They own that the Jews were entitled to the first offer:
"It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to
you, to whom the promise was made, to you of the lost sheep of the
house of Israel, to whom Christ reckoned himself first sent." And his
charge to the preachers of his gospel to begin at Jerusalem (Luke xxiv.
47) was a tacit direction to all that went into other countries to
begin with the Jews, to whom pertained the giving of the law, and
therefore the preaching of the gospel. Let the children first be
served, Mark vii. 27. 2. They charge them with the refusal of it: "You
put it from you; you will not accept of it; nay, you will not so much
as bear the offer of it, but take it as an affront to you." If men put
the gospel from them, God justly takes it from them; why should manna
be given to those that loathe it and call it light bread, or the
privileges of the gospel forced on those that put them away, and say,
We have no part in David? Herein they judge themselves unworthy of
everlasting life. In one sense we must all judge ourselves unworthy of
everlasting life, for there is nothing in us, nor done by us, by which
we can pretend to merit it, and we must be made sensible of this; but
here the meaning is, "You discover, or make it to appear, that you are
not meet for eternal life; you throw away all your claims and give up
your pretensions to it; since you will not take it from his hands, into
whose hand the Father has given it, krinete, you do, in effect, pass
this judgment upon yourselves, and out of your own mouth you shall be
judged; you will not have it by Christ, by whom alone it is to be had,
and so shall your doom be, you shall not have it at all." 3. Upon this
they ground their preaching the gospel to the uncircumcised: "Since you
will not accept eternal life as it is offered, our way is plain, Lo, we
turn to the Gentiles. If one will not, another will. If those that were
first invited to the wedding-feast will not come, we must invite out of
the highways and hedges those that will, for the wedding must be
furnished with guests. If he that is next of kin will not do the
kinsman's part, he must not complain that another will," Ruth iv. 4. 4.
They justify themselves in this by a divine warrant (v. 47): "For so
hath the Lord commanded us; the Lord Jesus gave us directions to
witness to him in Jerusalem and Judea first, and after that to the
utmost part of the earth, to preach the gospel to every creature, to
disciple all nations." This is according to what was foretold in the
Old-Testament. When the Messiah, in the prospect of the Jews'
infidelity, was ready to say, I have laboured in vain, he was told, to
his satisfaction, that though Israel were not gathered, yet he should
be glorious, that his blood should not be shed in vain, nor his
purchase made in vain, nor his doctrine preached in vain, nor his
Spirit sent in vain--"For I have set thee, not only raised thee up, but
established thee, to be a light of the Gentiles, not only a shining
light for a time, but a standing light, set thee for a light, that thou
shouldst be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." Note, (1.)
Christ is not only the Saviour, but the salvation, is himself our
righteousness, and life, and strength. (2.) Wherever Christ is designed
to be salvation, he is set up to be a light; he enlightens the
understanding, and so saves the soul. (3.) He is, and is to be, light
and salvation to the Gentiles, to the ends of the earth. Those of every
nation shall be welcome to him, some of every nation have heard of him
(Rom. x. 18), and all nations shall at length become his kingdom. This
prophecy has had its accomplishment in part in the setting up of the
kingdom of Christ in this island of ours, which lies, as it were, in
the ends of the earth, a corner of the world, and shall be accomplished
more and more when the time comes for the bringing in of the fulness of
the Gentiles.
VII. The Gentiles cheerfully embraced that which the Jews scornfully
rejected, v. 48, 49. Never was land lost for want of heirs; through the
fall of the Jews, salvation is come to the Gentiles: the casting off of
them was the reconciling of the world, and the diminishing of them the
riches of the Gentiles; so the apostle shows at large, Rom. xi. 11, 12,
15. The Jews, the natural branches, were broken off, and the Gentiles,
that were branches of the wild olive, were thereupon grafted in, v. 17,
19. Now here we are told how the Gentiles welcomed this happy turn in
their favour.
1. They took the comfort of it: When they heard this they were glad. It
was good news to them that they might have admission into covenant and
communion with God by a clearer, nearer, and better way than submitting
to the ceremonial law, and being proselyted to the Jewish
religion--that the partition-wall was taken down and they were as
welcome to the benefits of the Messiah's kingdom as the Jews
themselves, and might share in their promise, without coming under
their yoke. This was indeed glad tidings of great joy to all people.
Note, Our being put into a possibility of salvation, and a capacity for
it, ought to be the matter of our rejoicing; when the Gentiles did but
hear that the offers of grace should be made them, the word of grace
preached to them, and the means of grace afforded them, they were glad.
"Now there is some hope for us." Many grieve under doubts whether they
have an interest in Christ or no, when they should be rejoicing that
they have an interest in him; the golden sceptre is held out to them,
and they are invited to come and touch the top of it.
2. They gave God the praise of it: They glorified the word of the Lord;
that is, Christ (so some), the essential Word; they entertained a
profound veneration for him, and expressed the high thoughts they had
of him. Or, rather, the gospel; the more they knew of it, the more they
admired it. Oh! what a light, what a power, what a treasure, does this
gospel bring along with it! How excellent are its truths, its precepts,
its promises! How far transcending all other institutions! How plainly
divine and heavenly is its origin! Thus they glorified the word of the
Lord, and it is this which he has himself magnified above all his name
(Ps. cxxxviii. 2), and will magnify and make honourable, Isa. xlii. 21.
They glorified the word of the Lord, (1.) Because now the knowledge of
it was diffused and not confined to the Jews only. Note, It is the
glory of the word of the Lord that the further it spreads the brighter
it shines, which shows it to be not like the light of the candle, but
like that of the sun when he goes forth in his strength. (2.) Because
now the knowledge of it was brought to them. Note, Those speak best of
the honour of the word of the Lord that speak experimentally, that have
themselves been subdued by its power, and comforted by its sweetness.
3. Many of them became, not only professors of the Christian faith, but
sincerely obedient to the faith: As many as were ordained to eternal
life believed. God by his Spirit wrought true faith in those for whom
he had in his councils from everlasting designed a happiness to
everlasting. (1.) Those believed to whom God gave grace to believe,
whom by a secret and mighty operation he brought into subjection to the
gospel of Christ, and made willing in the day of his power. Those came
to Christ whom the Father drew, and to whom the Spirit made the gospel
call effectual. It is called the faith of the operation of God (Col.
ii. 12), and is said to be wrought by the same power that raised up
Christ, Eph. i. 19, 20. (2.) God gave this grace to believe to all
those among them who were ordained to eternal life (for whom he had
predestinated, them he also called, Rom. viii. 30); or, as many as were
disposed to eternal life, as many as had a concern about their eternal
state, and aimed to make sure of eternal life, believed in Christ, in
whom God hath treasured up that life (1 John v. 11), and who is the
only way to it; and it was the grace of God that wrought it in them.
Thus all those captives, and those only, took the benefit of Cyrus's
proclamation, whose spirit God had raised up to build the house of the
Lord which is in Jerusalem, Ezra i. 5. Those will be brought to believe
in Christ that by his grace are well disposed to eternal life, and make
this their aim.
4. When they believed they did what they could to spread the knowledge
of Christ and his gospel among their neighbours (v. 49): And the word
of the Lord was published throughout all the region. When it was
received with so much satisfaction in the chief city, it soon spread
into all parts of the country. Those new converts were themselves ready
to communicate to others that which they were so full of themselves.
The Lord gave the word, and then great was the company of those that
published it, Ps. lxviii. 11. Those that have become acquainted with
Christ themselves will do what they can to bring others acquainted with
him. Those in great and rich cities that have received the gospel
should not think to engross it, as if, like learning and philosophy, it
were only to be the entertainment of the more polite and elevated part
of mankind, but should do what they can to get it published in the
country among the ordinary sort of people, the poor and unlearned, who
have souls to be saved as well as they.
VIII. Paul and Barnabas, having sown the seeds of a Christian church
there, quitted the place, and went to do the like else-where. We read
not any thing of their working miracles here, to confirm their
doctrine, and to convince people of the truth of it; for, though God
then did ordinarily make use of that method of conviction, yet he
could, when he pleased, do his work without it; and begetting faith by
the immediate influence of his Spirit was itself the greatest miracle
to those in whom it was wrought. Yet, it is probable that they did work
miracles, for we find they did in the next place they came to, ch. xiv.
3. Now here we are told,
1. How the unbelieving Jews expelled the apostles out of that country.
They first turned their back upon them, and then lifted up the heel
against them (v. 50): They raised persecution against Paul and
Barnabas, excited the mob to persecute them in their way by insulting
their persons as they went along the streets; excited the magistrates
to persecute them in their way, by imprisoning and punishing them. When
they could not resist the wisdom and spirit wherewith they spoke, they
had recourse to these brutish methods, the last refuge of an obstinate
infidelity. Satan and his agents are most exasperated against the
preachers of the gospel when they see them go on successfully, and
therefore then will be sure to raise persecution against them. Thus it
has been the common lot of the best men in the world to suffer ill for
doing well, to be persecuted instead of being preferred for the good
services they have done to mankind. Observe, (1.) What method the Jews
took to give them trouble: They stirred up the devout and honourable
women against them. They could not make any considerable interest
themselves, but they applied to some ladies of quality in the city,
that were well affected to the Jewish religion, and were proselytes of
the gate, therefore called devout women. These, according to the genius
of their sex, were zealous in their way, and bigoted; and it was easy,
by false stories and misrepresentations, to incense them against the
gospel of Christ, as if it had been destructive of all religion, of
which really it is perfective. It is good to see honourable women
devout, and well affected to religious worship: The less they have to
do in the world, the more they should do for their souls, and the more
time they should spend in communion with God; but it is sad when, under
colour of devotion to God, they conceive an enmity to Christ, as those
here mentioned. What! women persecutors! Can they forget the tenderness
and compassion of their sex? What! honourable women! Can they thus
stain their honour, and disgrace themselves, and do so mean a thing?
But, which is strangest of all, devout women! Will they kill Christ's
servants, and think therein they do God service? Let those therefore
that have zeal see that it be according to knowledge. By these devout
and honourable women they stirred up likewise the chief men of the
city, the magistrates and the rulers, who had power in their hands and
set them against the apostles, and they had so little consideration as
to suffer themselves to be made the tools of this ill-natured party,
who would neither go into the kingdom of heaven themselves nor suffer
those who were entering to go in. (2.) How far they carried it, so far
that they expelled them out of their coasts; they banished them,
ordered them to be carried, as we say, from constable to constable,
till they were forced out of their jurisdiction; so that it was not by
fear, but downright violence, that they were driven out. This was one
method which the overruling providence of God took to keep the first
planters of the church from staying too long at a place; as Matt. x.
23, When they persecute you in one city flee to another, that thus you
may the sooner go over the cities of Israel. This was likewise a method
God took to make those that were well disposed the more warmly affected
towards the apostles; for it is natural to us to pity those that are
persecuted, to think the better of those that suffer when we know they
suffer unjustly, and to be the more ready to help them. The expelling
of the apostles out of their coasts made people inquisitive what evil
they had done, and perhaps raised them more friends than conniving at
them in their coasts would have done.
2. How the apostles abandoned and rejected the unbelieving Jews (v.
51): They shook off the dust of their feet against them. When they went
out of the city they used this ceremony in the sight of those that sat
in the gate; or, when they went out of the borders of their country, in
the sight of those that were sent to see the country rid of them.
Hereby, (1.) They declared that they would have no more to do with
them, would take nothing that was theirs; for they sought not theirs,
but them. Dust they are, and let them keep their dust to themselves, it
shall not cleave to them. (2.) They expressed their detestation of
their infidelity, and that, though they were Jews by birth, yet, having
rejected the gospel of Christ, they were in their eyes no better than
heathen and profane. As Jews and Gentiles, if they believe, are equally
acceptable to God and good men; so, if they do not, they are equally
abominable. (3.) Thus they set them at defiance, and expressed their
contempt of them and their malice, which they looked upon as impotent.
It was as much as to say, "Do your worst, we do not fear you; we know
whom we serve and whom we have trusted." (4.) Thus they left a
testimony behind them that they had had a fair offer made them of the
grace of the gospel, which shall be proved against them in the day of
judgment. This dust will prove that the preachers of the gospel had
been among them, but were expelled by them. Thus Christ had ordered
them to do, and for this reason, Matt. x. 14; Luke ix. 5. When they
left them, they came to Iconium, not so much for safety, as for work.
3. What frame they left the new converts in at Antioch (v. 52): The
disciples, when they saw with what courage and cheerfulness Paul and
Barnabas not only bore the indignities that were done them, but went on
with their work notwithstanding, they were in like manner inspirited.
(1.) They were very cheerful. One would have expected that when Paul
and Barnabas were expelled out of their coasts, and perhaps forbidden
to return upon pain of death, the disciples would have been full of
grief and full of fear, looking for no other than that, if the planters
of Christianity go, the plantation would soon come to nothing; or that
it would be their turn next to be banished the country, and to them it
would be more grievous, for it was their own. But no; they were filled
with joy in Christ, had such a satisfactory assurance of Christ's
carrying on and perfecting his own work in them and among them, and
that either he would screen them from trouble or bear them up under it,
that all their fears were swallowed up in their believing joys. (2.)
They were courageous, wonderfully animated with a holy resolution to
cleave to Christ, whatever difficulties they met with. This seems
especially to be meant by their being filled with the Holy Ghost, for
the same expression is used of Peter's boldness (ch. iv. 8), and
Stephen's (ch. vii. 55), and Paul's, ch. xiii. 9. The more we relish
the comforts and encouragements we meet with in the power of godliness,
and the fuller our hearts are of them, the better prepared we are to
face the difficulties we meet with in the profession of godliness.
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A C T S.
CHAP. XIV.
We have, in this chapter, a further account of the progress of the
gospel, by the ministry of Paul and Barnabas among the Gentiles; it
goes on conquering and to conquer, yet meeting with opposition, as
before, among the unbelieving Jews. Here is, I. Their successful
preaching of the gospel for some time at Iconium, and their being
driven thence by the violence of their persecutors, both Jews and
Gentiles, and forced into the neighbouring countries, ver. 1-7. II.
Their healing a lame man at Lystra, and the profound veneration which
the people conceived of them thereupon, which they had much ado to keep
from running into an extreme, ver. 8-18. III. The outrage of the people
against Paul, at the instigation of the Jews, the effect of which was
that they stoned him, as they thought, to death; but he was wonderfully
restored to life, ver. 19, 20. IV. The visit which Paul and Barnabas
made to the churches which they had planted, to confirm them, and put
them into order, ver. 21-23. V. They return to Antioch, whence they
were sent forth; the good they did by the way, and the report they made
to the church of Antioch of their expedition, and, if I may so say, of
the campaign they had made, ver. 24-28.
Paul at Iconium.
1 And it came to pass in Iconium, that they went both together into the
synagogue of the Jews, and so spake, that a great multitude both of the
Jews and also of the Greeks believed. 2 But the unbelieving Jews
stirred up the Gentiles, and made their minds evil affected against the
brethren. 3 Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the
Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted
signs and wonders to be done by their hands. 4 But the multitude of
the city was divided: and part held with the Jews, and part with the
apostles. 5 And when there was an assault made both of the Gentiles,
and also of the Jews with their rulers, to use them despitefully, and
to stone them, 6 They were ware of it, and fled unto Lystra and
Derbe, cities of Lycaonia, and unto the region that lieth round about:
7 And there they preached the gospel.
In these verses we have,
I. The preaching of the gospel in Iconium, whither the apostles were
forced to retire from Antioch. As the blood of the martyrs has been the
seed of the church, so the banishment of the confessors has helped to
scatter that seed. Observe, 1. How they made the first offer of the
gospel to the Jews in their synagogues; thither they went, not only as
to a place of meeting, but as to a place of meeting with them, to whom,
wherever they came, they were to apply themselves in the first place.
Though the Jews at Antioch had used them barbarously, yet they did not
therefore decline preaching the gospel to the Jews at Iconium, who
perhaps might be better disposed. Let not those of any denomination be
condemned in the gross, nor some suffer for others' faults; but let us
do good to those who have done evil to us. Though the blood-thirsty
hate the upright, yet the just seek their soul (Prov. xxix. 10), seek
the salvation of it. 2. How the apostles concurred herein. Notice is
taken of this, that they went both together into the synagogue, to
testify their unanimity and mutual affection, that people might say,
See how they love one another, and might think the better of
Christianity, and that they might strengthen one another's hands and
confirm one another's testimony, and out of the mouth of two witnesses
every word might be established. They did not go one one day and
another another, nor one go at the beginning and the other some time
after; but they went in both together.
II. The success of their preaching there: They so spoke that a great
multitude, some hundreds perhaps, if not thousands, both of the Jews
and also of the Greeks, that is the Gentiles, believed. Observe here,
1. That the gospel was now preached to Jews and Gentiles together, and
those of each denomination that believed came together into the church.
In the close of the foregoing chapter it was preached first to the
Jews, and some of them believed, and then to the Gentiles, and some of
them believed; but here they are put together, being put upon the same
level. The Jews have not so lost their preference as to be thrown
behind, only the Gentiles are brought to stand upon even terms with
them; both are reconciled to God in one body (Ephes. ii. 16), and both
together admitted into the church without distinction. 2. There seems
to have been something remarkable in the manner of the apostles'
preaching here, which contributed to their success: They so spoke that
a great multitude believed--so plainly, so convincingly, with such an
evidence and demonstration of the Spirit, and with such power; they so
spoke, so warmly, so affectionately, and with such a manifest concern
for the souls of men, that one might perceive they were not only
convinced, but filled, with the things they spoke of, and that what
they spoke came from the heart and therefore was likely to reach to the
heart; they so spoke, so earnestly and so seriously, so boldly and
courageously, that those who heard them could not but say that God was
with them of a truth. Yet the success was not to be attributed to the
manner of their preaching, but to the Spirit of God, who made use of
that means.
III. The opposition that their preaching met with there, and the
trouble that was created them; lest they should be puffed up with the
multitude of their converts, there was given them this thorn in the
flesh. 1. Unbelieving Jews were the first spring of their trouble here,
as elsewhere (v. 2): they stirred up the Gentiles. The influence which
the gospel had upon many of the Gentiles, and their embracing it, as it
provoked some of the Jews to a holy jealousy and stirred them up to
receive the gospel too (Rom. xi. 14), so it provoked others of them to
a wicked jealousy, and exasperated them against the gospel. Thus as
good instructions, so good examples, which to some are a savour of life
unto life, to others are a savour of death unto death. See 2 Cor. ii.
15, 16. 2. Disaffected Gentiles, irritated by the unbelieving Jews,
were likely to be the instruments of their trouble. The Jews, by false
suggestions, which they were continually buzzing in the ears of the
Gentiles, made their minds evil affected against the brethren, whom of
themselves they were inclined to think favourably of. They not only
took occasion in all companies, as it came in their way, but made it
their business to go purposely to such as they had any acquaintance
with, and said all that their wit or malice could invent to beget in
them not only a mean but an ill opinion of Christianity, telling them
how destructive it would certainly be to their pagan theology and
worship; and, for their parts, they would rather be Gentiles than
Christians. Thus they soured and embittered their spirits against both
the converters and the converted. The old serpent did, by their
poisonous tongues, infuse his venom against the seed of the woman into
the minds of these Gentiles, and this was a root of bitterness in them,
bearing gall and wormwood. It is no wonder if those who are ill
affected towards good people wish ill to them, speak ill of them, and
contrive ill against them; it is all owing to ill will. Ekakosan, they
molested and vexed the minds of the Gentiles (so some of the critics
take it); they were continually teasing them with their impertinent
solicitations. The tools of persecutors have a dog's life, set on
continually.
IV. Their continuance in their work there, notwithstanding this
opposition, and God's owning them in it, v. 3. We have here, 1. The
apostles working for Christ, faithfully and diligently, according to
the trust committed to them. Because the minds of the Gentiles were
evil affected against them, one would think that therefore they should
have withdrawn, and hastened out of the way, or, if they had preached,
should have preached cautiously, for fear of giving further provocation
to those who were already enough enraged. No; on the contrary,
therefore they abode there a long time, speaking boldly in the Lord.
The more they perceived the spite and rancour of the town against the
new converts, the more they were animated to go on in their work, and
the more needful they saw it to continue among them, to confirm them in
the faith, and to comfort them. They spoke boldly, and were not afraid
of giving offence to the unbelieving Jews. What God said to the
prophet, with reference to the unbelieving Jews in his day, was now
made good to the apostles: I have made thy face strong against their
faces, Ezek. iii. 7-9. But observe what it was that animated them: They
spoke boldly in the Lord, in his strength, and trusting in him to bear
them out; not depending upon any thing in themselves. They were strong
in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 2. Christ working with the
apostles, according to his promise, Lo, I am with you always. When they
went on in his name and strength, he failed not to give testimony to
the word of his grace. Note, (1.) The gospel is a word of grace, the
assurance of God's good will to us and the means of his good work in
us. It is the word of Christ's grace, for it is in him alone that we
find favour with God. (2.) Christ himself has attested this word of
grace, who is the Amen, the faithful witness; he has assured us that it
is the word of God, and that we may venture our souls upon it. As it
was said in general concerning the first preachers of the gospel that
they had the Lord working with them, and confirming the word by signs
following (Mark xvi. 20), so it is said particularly concerning the
apostles here that the Lord confirmed their testimony, in granting
signs and wonders to be done by their hands--in the miracles they
wrought in the kingdom of nature--as well as the wonders done by their
word, in the greater miracles wrought on men's minds by the power of
divine grace. The Lord was with them, while they were with him, and
abundance of good was done.
V. The division which this occasioned in the city (v. 4): The multitude
of the city was divided into two parties, and both active and vigorous.
Among the rulers and persons of rank, and among the common people,
there were some that held with the unbelieving Jews, and others that
held with the apostles. Barnabas is here reckoned an apostle, though
not one of the twelve, nor called in the extra-ordinary manner that
Paul was, because set apart by special designation of the Holy Ghost to
the service of the Gentiles. It seems, this business of the preaching
of the gospel was so universally taken notice of with concern that
every person, even of the multitude of the city, was either for it or
against it; none stood neuter. "Either for us or for our adversaries,
for God or Baal, for Christ or Beelzebub." 1. We may here see the
meaning of Christ's prediction that he came not to send peace upon
earth, but rather division, Luke xii. 51-53. If all would have given in
unanimously into his measures, there would have been universal concord;
and, could men have agreed in this, there would have been no dangerous
discord nor disagreement in other things; but, disagreeing here, the
breach was wide as the sea. Yet the apostles must not be blamed for
coming to Iconium, although before they came the city was united, and
now it was divided; for it is better that part of the city go to heaven
than all to hell. 2. We may here take the measures of our expectations;
let us not think it strange if the preaching of the gospel occasion
division, nor be offended at it; it is better to be reproached and
persecuted as dividers for swimming against the stream than yield
ourselves to be carried down the stream that leads to destruction. Let
us hold with the apostles, and not fear those that hold with the Jews.
VI. The attempt made upon the apostles by their enemies. Their evil
affection against them broke out at length into violent outrages, v. 5.
Observe, 1. Who the plotters were: Both the Gentiles and the Jews, with
their rulers. The Gentiles and Jews were at enmity with one another,
and yet united against Christians, like Herod and Pilate, Sadducees and
Pharisees, against Christ; and like Gebal and Ammon and Amalek, of old,
against Israel. If the church's enemies can thus unite for its
destruction, shall not its friends, laying aside all personal feuds,
unite for its preservation? 2. What the plot was. Having now got the
rulers on their side, they doubted not but to carry their point, and
their design was to use the apostles despitefully, to expose them to
disgrace, and then to stone them, to put them to death; and thus they
hoped to sink their cause. They aimed to take away both their
reputation and their life, and this was all they had to lose which men
could take from them, for they had neither lands nor goods.
VII. The deliverance of the apostles out of the hands of those wicked
and unreasonable men, v. 6, 7. They got away, upon notice given them of
the design against them, or the beginning of the attempt upon them, of
which they were soon aware, and they made an honourable retreat (for it
was not an inglorious flight) to Lystra and Derbe; and there, 1. They
found safety. Their persecutors in Iconium were for the present
satisfied that they were thrust out of their borders, and pursued them
no further. God has shelters for his people in a storm; nay, he is, and
will be, himself their hiding place. 2. They found work, and this was
what they went for. When the door of opportunity was shut against them
at Iconium, it was opened at Lystra and Derbe. To these cities they
went, and there, and in the region that lieth round about, they
preached the gospel. In times of persecution ministers may see cause to
quit the spot, when yet they do not quit the work.
The Lame Man Healed at Lystra; Paul and Barnabas at Lystra.
8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a
cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: 9 The same
heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he
had faith to be healed, 10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on
thy feet. And he leaped and walked. 11 And when the people saw what
Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of
Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men. 12 And
they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the
chief speaker. 13 Then the priest of Jupiter, which was before their
city, brought oxen and garlands unto the gates, and would have done
sacrifice with the people. 14 Which when the apostles, Barnabas and
Paul, heard of, they rent their clothes, and ran in among the people,
crying out, 15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are
men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn
from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth,
and the sea, and all things that are therein: 16 Who in times past
suffered all nations to walk in their own ways. 17 Nevertheless he
left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain
from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and
gladness. 18 And with these sayings scarce restrained they the
people, that they had not done sacrifice unto them.
In these verses we have,
I. A miraculous cure wrought by Paul at Lystra upon a cripple that had
been lame from his birth, such a one as was miraculously cured by Peter
and John, ch. iii. 2. That introduced the gospel among the Jews, this
among the Gentiles; both that and this were designed to represent the
impotency of all the children of men in spiritual things: they are lame
from their birth, till the grace of God puts strength into them; for it
was when we were yet without strength that Christ died for the ungodly,
Rom. v. 6. Observe here, 1. The deplorable case of the poor cripple (v.
8): He was impotent in his feet, disabled (so the word is) to such a
degree that it was impossible he should set his foot to the ground, to
lay any stress upon it. It was well known that he had been so from his
mother's womb, and that he never had walked, nor could stand up. We
should take occasion hence to thank God for the use of our limbs; and
those who are deprived of it may observe that their case is not
singular. 2. The expectation that was raised in him of a cure (v. 9):
He heard Paul preach, and, it is likely, was much affected with what he
heard, believed that the messengers, having their commission thence,
had a divine power going along with them, and were therefore able to
cure him of his lameness. This Paul was aware of, by the spirit of
discerning that he had, and perhaps the aspect of his countenance did
in part witness for him: Paul perceived that he had faith to be healed;
desired it, hoped for it, had such a thing in his thoughts, which it
does not appear that the lame man Peter healed had, for he expected no
more than an alms. There was not found such great faith in Israel as
was among the Gentiles, Matt. viii. 10. 3. The cure wrought: Paul,
perceiving that he had faith to be healed, brought the word and healed
him, Ps. cvii. 20. Note, God will not disappoint the desires that are
of his own kindling, nor the hopes of his own raising. Paul spoke to
him with a loud voice, either because he was at some distance, or to
show that the true miracles, wrought by the power of Christ, were far
unlike the lying wonders wrought by deceivers, that peeped, and
muttered, and whispered, Isa. viii. 19. God saith, I have not spoken in
secret, in a dark place of the earth, Isa. xlv. 19. Paul spoke to him
with a loud voice, that the people about might take notice, and have
their expectations raised of the effect. It does not appear that this
cripple was a beggar; it is said (v. 8) that he sat, not that he sat
begging. But we may imagine how melancholy it was to him to see other
people walking about him, and himself disabled; and therefore how
welcome Paul's word was to him, "Stand upright on thy feet; help
thyself, and God shall help thee; try whether thou hast strength, and
thou shalt find that thou hast." Some copies read it, I say unto thee,
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Stand upright on thy feet. It is
certain that this is implied, and very probably was expressed, by Paul,
and power went along with this word; for presently he leaped and
walked, leaped up from the place where he sat, and not only stood
upright, but to show that he was perfectly cured, and that immediately,
he walked to and fro before them all. Herein the scripture was
fulfilled, that when the wilderness of the Gentile world is made to
blossom as the rose then shall the lame man leap as a hart, Isa. xxxv.
1, 6. Those that by the grace of God are cured of their spiritual
lameness must show it by leaping with a holy exultation and walking in
a holy conversation.
II. The impression which this cure made upon the people: they were
amazed at it, had never seen nor heard the like, and fell into an
ecstacy of wonder. Paul and Barnabas were strangers, exiles, refugees,
in their country; every thing concurred to make them mean and
despicable: yet the working of this one miracle was enough to make them
in the eyes of this people truly great and honourable, though the
multitude of Christ's miracles could not screen him from the utmost
contempt among the Jews. We find here, 1. The people take them for gods
(v. 11): They lifted up their voices with an air of triumph, saying in
their own language (for it was the common people that said it), in the
speech of Lycaonia, which was a dialect of the Greek, The gods are come
down to us in the likeness of men. They imagined that Paul and Barnabas
had dropped down to them out of the clouds, and that they were some
divine powers, no less than gods, though in the likeness of men. This
notion of the thing agreed well enough with the pagan theology, and the
fabulous account they had of the visits which their gods made to this
lower world; and proud enough they were to think that they should have
a visit made to them. They carried this notion so far here that they
pretended to tell which of their gods they were, according to the ideas
their poets had given them of the gods (v. 12): They called Barnabas
Jupiter; for, if they will have him to be a god, it is as easy to make
him the prince of their gods as not. It is probable that he was the
senior, and the more portly comely man, that had something of majesty
in his countenance. And Paul they called Mercury, who was the messenger
of the gods, that was sent on their errands; for Paul, though he had
not the appearance that Barnabas had, was the chief speaker, and had a
greater command of language, and perhaps appeared to have something
mercurial in his temper and genius. Jupiter used to take Mercury along
with him, they said, and, if he make a visit to their city, they will
suppose he does so now. 2. The priest thereupon prepares to do
sacrifice to them, v. 13. The temple of Jupiter was, it seems, before
the gate of their city, as its protector and guardian; and the priest
of that idol and temple, hearing the people cry out thus, took the hint
presently, and thought it was time for him to bestir himself to do his
duty: many a costly sacrifice he had offered to the image of Jupiter,
but if Jupiter be among them himself--in propria persona, it concerns
him to do him the utmost honours imaginable; and the people are ready
to join with him in it. See how easily vain minds are carried away with
a popular outcry. If the crowd give a shout, Here is Jupiter, the
priest of Jupiter takes the first hint, and offers his service
immediately. When Christ, the Son of God, came down, and appeared in
the likeness of men, and did many, very many miracles, yet they were so
far from doing sacrifice to him that they made him a sacrifice to their
pride and malice: He was in the world, and the world knew him not; he
came to his own, and his own received him not; but Paul and Barnabas,
upon the working of one miracle, are immediately deified. The same
power of the god of this world which prejudices the carnal mind against
truth makes errors and mistakes to find easy admission; and both ways
his turn is served. They brought oxen, to be sacrificed to them, and
garlands, with which to crown the sacrifices. These garlands were made
up of flowers and ribbons; and they gilded the horns of the oxen they
sacrificed.
Victimæ ad supplicium saginantur,
hostiæ ad poenam corenantur.
So beasts for sacrifice do feed,
First to be crown'd, and then to bleed.
So Octavius in Minutius Felix.
III. Paul and Barnabas protest against this undue respect paid them,
and with much ado prevent it. Many of the heathen emperors called
themselves gods, and took a pride in having divine honours paid them:
but Christ's ministers, though real benefactors to mankind, while these
tyrants only pretended to be so, refused those honours when they were
so tendered. Whose successor therefore he is who sits in the temple of
God, and shows that he is god (2 Thess. ii. 4), and who is adored as
our lord god, the pope, it is easy to say. Observe,
1. The holy indignation which Paul and Barnabas conceived at this: When
they heard this, they rent their clothes. We do not find that they rent
their clothes when the people vilified them, and spoke of stoning them;
they could bear this without disturbance: but when they deified them,
and spoke of worshipping them, they could not bear it, but rent their
clothes, as being more concerned for God's honour than their own.
2. The pains they took to prevent it. They did not connive at it, nor
say, "If people will be deceived, let them be deceived," much less
suggest to themselves and one another that it might contribute both to
the safety of their persons and the success of their ministry if they
suffered the people to continue in this mistake, and so they might make
a good hand of an ill thing. No, God's truth needs not the service of
man's lie. Christ had put honour enough upon them in making them
apostles, they needed not assume either the honour of princes or the
honour of gods; they appeared with much more magnificent titles when
they were called the ambassadors of Christ, and the stewards of the
mysteries of God, than when they were called Jupiter and Mercury. Let
us see how they prevented it.
(1.) They ran in among the people, as soon as they heard of it, and
would not so much as stay awhile to see what the people would do. Their
running in, like servants, among the people, showed that they were far
from looking upon themselves as gods, or taking state upon them; they
did not stand still, expecting honours to be done them, but plainly
declined them by thrusting themselves into the crowd. They ran in, as
men in earnest, with as much concern as Aaron ran in between the living
and the dead, when the plague was begun.
(2.) They reasoned with them, crying out, that all might hear, "Sirs,
why do you these things?" Why do you go about to make gods of us? It is
the most absurd thing you can do; for,
[1.] "Our nature will not admit it: We also are men of like passions
with you" homoiopatheis: it is the same word that is used concerning
Elias, Jam. v. 18, where we render it, subject to like passions as we
are. "We are men, and therefore you wrong yourselves if you expect that
from us which is to be had in God only; and you wrong God if you give
that honour to us, or to any other man, which is to be given to God
only. We not only have such bodies as you see, but are of like passions
with you, have hearts fashioned like as other men (Ps. xxxiii. 15);
for, as in water face answers to face, so doth the heart of man to man,
Prov. xxvii. 19. We are naturally subject to the same infirmities of
the human nature, and liable to the same calamities of the human life;
not only men, but sinful men and suffering men, and therefore will not
be deified."
[2.] "Our doctrine is directly against it. Must we be added to the
number of your gods whose business it is to abolish the gods you have?
We preach unto you that you should turn from these vanities unto the
living God. If we should suffer this, we should confirm you in that
which it is our business to convert you from:" and so they take this
occasion to show them how just and necessary it was that they should
turn to God from idols, 1 Thess. i. 9. When they preached to the Jews,
who hated idolatry, they had nothing to do but to preach the grace of
God in Christ, and needed not, as the prophets in dealing with their
fathers, to preach against idolatry: but, when they had to do with the
Gentiles, they must rectify their mistakes in natural religion, and
bring them off from the gross corruptions of that. See here what they
preached to the Gentiles.
First, That the gods which they and their fathers worshipped, and all
the ceremonies of their worship of them were vanities, idle things,
unreasonable, unprofitable, which no rational account could be given
of, nor any real advantage gained from. Idols are often called vanities
in the Old Testament, Deut. xxxii. 21; 1 Kings x. 13; Jer. xiv. 22. An
idol is nothing in the world (1 Cor. viii. 4): it is not at all what it
is pretended to be, it is a cheat, it is a counterfeit; it deceives
those that trust to it and expect relief from it. Therefore turn from
these vanities, turn from them with abhorrence and detestation, as
Ephraim did (Hos. xiv. 8): "What have I to do any more with idols? I
will never again be thus imposed upon."
Secondly, That the God to whom they would have them turn is the living
God. They had hitherto worshipped dead images, that were utterly unable
to help them (Isa. lxiv. 9), or (as they now attempted) dying men, that
would soon be disabled to help them; but now they are persuaded to
worship a living God, who has life in himself, and life for us, and
lives for evermore.
Thirdly, That this God is the creator of the world, the fountain of all
being and power: "He made heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things
therein, even those things which you worship as gods, so that he is the
God of your gods. You worship gods which you made, the creatures of
your own fancy, and the work of your own hands. We call you to worship
the true God, and cheat not yourselves with pretenders; worship the
Sovereign Lord of all, and disparage not yourselves in bowing down to
his creatures and subjects."
Fourthly, That the world owed it to his patience that he had not
destroyed them long ere this for their idolatry (v. 16): In times past,
for many ages, unto this day, he suffered all nations to walk in their
own ways. These idolaters, that were called from the service of other
gods, might think, "Have we not served these gods hitherto, and our
fathers before us, time out of mind; and why may we not as well go on
to serve them still?"--No, your serving them was a trial of God's
patience, and it was a miracle of mercy that you were not cut off for
it. But, though he did not destroy you for it while you were in
ignorance, and knew no better (ch. xvii. 30) yet now that he has sent
his gospel into the world, and by it has made a clear discovery of
himself and his will to all nations, and not to the Jews only, if you
still continue in your idolatry he will not bear with you as he has
done. All the nations that had not the benefit of divine revelation,
that is, all but the Jews, he suffered to walk in their own ways, for
they had nothing to check them, or control them, but their own
consciences, their own thoughts (Rom. ii. 15), no scriptures, no
prophets; and then they were the more excusable if they mistook their
way: but now that God has sent a revelation into the world which is to
be published to all nations the case is altered. We may understand it
as a judgment upon all nations that God suffered them to walk in their
own ways, gave them up to their own hearts' lusts; but now the time is
come when the veil of the covering spread over all nations should be
taken off (Isa. xxv. 7), and now you will no longer be excused in these
vanities, but must turn from them. Note, 1. God's patience with us
hitherto should lead us to repentance, and not encourage us to presume
upon the continuance of it, while we continue to provoke him. 2. Our
having done ill while we were in ignorance will not bear us out in
doing ill when we are better taught.
Fifthly, That even when they were not under the direction and
correction of the word of God, yet they might have known, and should
have known, to do better by the works of God, v. 17. Though the
Gentiles had not the statutes and judgments that the Jews had to
witness for God against all pretenders, no tables of testimony or
tabernacle of testimony, yet he left not himself without witness;
besides the witness for God within them (the dictates of natural
conscience), they had witnesses for God round about them--the bounty of
common providence. Their having no scriptures did in part excuse them,
and therefore God did not destroy them for their idolatry, as he did
the Jewish nation. This however did not wholly excuse them, but that
notwithstanding this they were highly criminal and deeply guilty before
God; for there were other witnesses for God, sufficient to inform them
that he and he only is to be worshipped, and that to him they owed all
their services from whom they received all their comforts, and
therefore that they were guilty of the highest injustice and
ingratitude imaginable, in alienating them from him. God, having not
left himself without witness, has not left us without a guide, and so
has left us without excuse; for whatever is a witness for God is a
witness against us, if we give that glory to any other which is due to
him only. 1. The bounties of common providence witness to us that there
is a God, for they are all dispensed wisely and with design. The rain
and fruitful seasons could not come by chance, nor are there any of the
vanities of the heathen that can give rain, neither can the heavens of
themselves give showers, Jer. xiv. 22. All the powers of nature witness
to us a sovereign power in the God of nature, from whom they are
derived, and on whom they depend. It is not the heaven that gives us
rain, but God that gives us rain from heaven, he is the Father of the
rain, Job xxxviii. 28. 2. The benefits we have by these bounties
witness to us that we ought to make our acknowledgments not to the
creatures who are made serviceable to us, but to the Creator who makes
them so. He left not himself without witness, in that he did good. God
seems to reckon the instances of his goodness to be more pregnant,
cogent proofs of his title to our homage and adoration than the
evidences of his greatness; for his goodness is his glory. The earth is
full of his goodness; his tender mercies are over all his works; and
therefore they praise him, Ps. cxlv. 9, 10. God does us good, in
preserving to us his air to breathe in, his ground to go upon, the
light of his sun to see by; but, because the most sensible instance of
the goodness of Providence to each of us in particular is that of the
daily provision made by it of meat and drink for us, the apostle
chooses to insist upon that, and shows how God does us good, (1.) In
preparing it for us, and that by a long train of causes which depend
upon him as the first cause: The heavens hear the earth; the earth
hears the corn, and wine, and oil; and they hear Jezreel. Hos. ii. 21,
22. He does us good in giving us rain from heaven--rain for us to
drink, for if there were no rain there would be no springs of water and
we should soon die for thirst--rain for our land to drink, for our meat
as well as drink we have from the rain; in giving us this, he gives us
fruitful seasons. If the heavens be as iron, the earth will soon be as
brass, Lev. xxvi. 19. This is the river of God which greatly enriches
the earth, and by it God prepares us corn, Ps. lxv. 9-13. Of all the
common operations of providence, the heathen chose to form their notion
of the supreme God by that which bespeaks terror, and is proper to
strike an awe of him upon us, and this was the thunder; and therefore
they called Jupiter the thunderer, and represented him with a
thunderbolt in his hand; and it appears by Ps. xxix. 3 that this ought
not to be overlooked; but the apostle here, to engage us to worship
God, sets before us his beneficence, that we may have good thoughts of
him in every thing wherein we have to do with him--may love him and
delight in him, as one that does good, does good to us, does good to
all, in giving rain from heaven and fruitful seasons; and if at any
time rain be withheld, or the seasons be unfruitful, we may thank
ourselves; it is our sin that turns away these good things from us
which were coming to us, and stops the current of God's favours. (2.)
In giving us the comforts of it. It is he that fills our hearts with
food and gladness. God is rich in mercy to all (Rom. x. 12): he gives
us richly all things to enjoy (1 Tim. vi. 17), is not only a
benefactor, but a bountiful one, not only gives us the things we need,
but gives us to enjoy them (Eccl. ii. 24): He fills our hearts with
food, that is, he gives us food to our hearts' content, or according to
our hearts' desire; not merely for necessity, but plenty, dainty, and
variety. Even those nations that had lost the knowledge of him, and
worshipped other gods, yet he filled their houses, filled their mouths,
filled their bellies (Job xxii. 18; Ps. xvii. 14) with good things. The
Gentiles that lived without God in the world, yet lived upon God, which
Christ urges as a reason why we should do good to those that hate us,
Matt. v. 44, 45. Those heathen had their hearts filled with food; this
was their felicity and satisfaction, they desired no more; but these
things will not fill the soul (Ezek. vii. 19), nor will those that know
how to value their own souls be satisfied with them; but the apostles
put themselves in as sharers in the divine beneficence. We must all own
that God fills our hearts with food and gladness; not only food, that
we may live, but gladness, that we may live cheerfully; to him we owe
it that we do not all our days eat in sorrow. Note, We must thank God,
not only for our food, but for our gladness--that he gives us leave to
be cheerful, cause to be cheerful, and hearts to be cheerful. And, if
our hearts be filled with food and gladness, they ought to be filled
with love and thankfulness, and enlarged in duty and obedience, Deut.
viii. 10; xxviii. 47.
Lastly, The success of this prohibition which the apostles gave to the
people (v. 18): By these sayings, with much ado, they restrained the
people from doing sacrifice to them, so strongly were these idolaters
set upon their idolatry. It was not enough for the apostles to refuse
to be deified (this would be construed only a pang of modesty), but
they resented it, they showed the people the evil of it, and all little
enough, for they could scarcely restrain them from it, and some of them
were ready to blame the priest, that he did not go on with his business
notwithstanding. We may see here what gave rise to the pagan idolatry;
it was terminating those regards in the instruments of our comfort
which should have passed through them to the Author. Paul and Barnabas
had cured a cripple, and therefore the people deified them, instead of
glorifying God for giving them such power, which should make us very
cautious that we do not give that honour to another, or take it to
ourselves, which is due to God only.
Paul Stoned at Lystra; The Disciples Exhorted and Encouraged; Paul and
Barnabas Ordain Elders.
19 And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who
persuaded the people, and, having stoned Paul, drew him out of the
city, supposing he had been dead. 20 Howbeit, as the disciples stood
round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day
he departed with Barnabas to Derbe. 21 And when they had preached the
gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to
Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, 22 Confirming the souls of the
disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we
must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. 23 And
when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with
fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed. 24
And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.
25 And when they had preached the word in Perga, they went down into
Attalia: 26 And thence sailed to Antioch, from whence they had been
recommended to the grace of God for the work which they fulfilled. 27
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they
rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the
door of faith unto the Gentiles. 28 And there they abode long time
with the disciples.
We have here a further account of the services and sufferings of Paul
and Barnabas.
I. How Paul was stoned and left for dead, but miraculously came to
himself again, v. 19, 20. They fell upon Paul rather than Barnabas,
because Paul, being the chief speaker, galled and vexed them more than
Barnabas did. Now observe here, 1. How the people were incensed against
Paul; not by any injury they pretended he had done them (if they took
it for an affront that he would not let them misplace divine honours
upon him, when they considered themselves they would easily forgive him
that wrong), but there came certain Jews from Antioch, hearing, it is
likely, and vexed to hear, what respect was shown to Paul and Barnabas
at Lystra; and they incensed the people against them, as factious,
seditious, dangerous persons, not fit to be harboured. See how restless
the rage of the Jews was against the gospel of Christ; they could not
bear that it should have footing any where. 2. To what degree they were
incensed by these barbarous Jews: they were irritated to such a degree
that the mob rose and stoned Paul, not by a judicial sentence, but in a
popular tumult; they threw stones at him, with which they knocked him
down, and then drew him out of the city, as one not fit to live in it,
or drew him out upon a sledge or in a cart, to bury him, supposing he
had been dead. So strong is the bias of the corrupt and carnal heart to
that which is evil, even in contrary extremes, that, as it is with
great difficulty that men are restrained from evil on one side, so it
is with great ease that they are persuaded to evil on the other side.
See how fickle and mutable the minds of carnal worldly people are, that
do not know and consider things. Those that but the other day would
have treated the apostles as more than men now treat them as worse than
brutes, as the worst of men, as the worst of male-factors. To-day
Hosanna, to-morrow Crucify; to-day sacrificed to, to-morrow sacrificed.
We have an instance of a change the other way, ch. xxviii. This man is
a murderer, v. 4; no doubt he is a god, v. 6. Popular breath turns like
the wind. If Paul would have been Mercury, he might have been
enthroned, nay, he might have been enshrined; but, if he will be a
faithful minister of Christ, he shall be stoned, and thrown out of the
city. Thus those who easily submit to strong delusions hate to receive
the truth in the love of it. 3. How he was delivered by the power of
God: When he was drawn out of the city, the disciples stood round about
him, v. 20. It seems there were some here at Lystra that became
disciples, that found the mean between deifying the apostles and
rejecting them; and even these new converts had courage to own Paul
when he was thus run down, though they had reason enough to fear that
the same that stoned him would stone them for owning him. They stood
round about him, as a guard to him against the further outrage of the
people--stood about him to see whether he were alive or dead; and all
of a sudden he rose up. Though he was not dead, yet he was ill crushed
and bruised, no doubt, and fainted away; he was in a deliquium, so that
it was not without a miracle that he came so soon to himself, and was
so well as to be able to go into the city. Note, God's faithful
servants, though they may be brought within a step of death, and may be
looked upon as dead both by friends and enemies, shall not die as long
as he has work for them to do. They are cast down, but not destroyed, 2
Cor. iv. 9.
II. How they went on with their work, notwithstanding the opposition
they met with. All the stones they threw at Paul could not beat him off
from his work: They drew him out of the city (v. 19), but, as one that
set them at defiance, he came into the city again, to show that he did
not fear them; none even of these things move him. However, their being
persecuted here is a known indication to them to seek for opportunities
of usefulness elsewhere, and therefore for the present they quit
Lystra.
1. They went to break up and sow fresh ground at Derbe. Thither the
next day Paul and Barnabas departed, a city not far off; there they
preached the gospel, there they taught many, v. 21. And it should seem
that Timothy was of that city, and was one of the disciples that now
attended Paul, had met him at Antioch and accompanied him in all this
circuit; for, with reference to this story, Paul tells him how fully he
had known the afflictions he endured at Antioch, Iconium, and Lystra, 2
Tim. iii. 10, 11. Nothing is recorded that happened at Derbe.
2. They returned, and went over their work again, watering what they
had sown; and, having staid as long as they thought fit at Derbe, they
came back to Lystra, to Iconium, and Antioch, the cities where they had
preached, v. 21. Now, as we have had a very instructive account of the
methods they took in laying the foundation, and beginning the good
work, so here we have the like of their building upon that foundation,
and carrying on that good work. Let us see what they did,
(1.) They confirmed the souls of the disciples; that is, they
inculcated that upon them which was proper to confirm them, v. 22.
Young converts are apt to waver, and a little thing shocks them. Their
old acquaintances beg they will not leave them. Those that they look
upon to be wiser than themselves set before them the absurdity,
indecency, and danger, of a change. They were allured, by the prospect
of preferment, to stick to the traditions of their fathers; they are
frightened with the danger of swimming against the stream. All this
tempts them to think of making a retreat in time; but the apostles come
and tell them that this is the true grace of God wherein they stand,
and therefore they must stand to it that there is no danger like that
of losing their part in Christ, no advantage like that of keeping their
hold of him; that, whatever their trials may be, they shall have
strength from Christ to pass through them; and, whatever their losses
may be, they shall be abundantly recompensed. And this confirms the
souls of the disciples; it fortifies their pious resolutions, in the
strength of Christ, to adhere to Christ whatever it may cost them.
Note, [1.] Those that are converted need to be confirmed; those that
are planted need to be rooted. Ministers' work is to establish saints
as well as to awaken sinners. Non minor est virtus quam quoerere parta
tueri--To retain is sometimes as difficult as to acquire. Those that
were instructed in the truth must know the certainty of the things in
which they have been instructed; and those that are resolved must be
fixed in their resolutions. [2.] True confirmation is confirmation of
the soul; it is not binding the body by severe penalties on apostates,
but binding the soul. The best ministers can do this only by pressing
those things which are proper to bind the soul; it is the grace of God,
and nothing less, that can effectually confirm the souls of the
disciples, and prevent their apostasy.
(2.) They exhorted them to continue in the faith; or, as it may be
read, they encouraged them. They told them it was both their duty and
interest to persevere; to abide in the belief of Christ's being the Son
of God, and the Saviour of the world. Note, Those that are in the faith
are concerned to continue in the faith, notwithstanding all the
temptations they may be under to desert it, from the smiles or frowns
of this world. And it is requisite that they should often be exhorted
to do so. Those that are continually surrounded with temptations to
apostasy have need to be continually attended with pressing
exhortations to perseverance.
(3.) That which they insisted most upon was that we must through much
tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. Not only they must, but we
must; it must be counted upon that all who will go to heaven must
expect tribulation and persecution in their way thither. But is this
the way to confirm the souls of the disciples, and to engage them to
continue in the faith? One would think it would rather shock them, and
make them weary. No, as the matter is fairly stated and taken entire,
it will help to confirm them, and fix them for Christ. It is true they
will meet with tribulation, with much tribulation; that is the worst of
it: but then, [1.] It is so appointed. They must undergo it, there is
no remedy, the matter is already fixed, and cannot be altered. He that
has the sovereign disposal of us has determined it to be our lot that
all that will live godly in Christ Jesus should suffer persecution; and
he that has the sovereign command over us has determined this to be our
duty, that all that will be Christ's disciples must take up their
cross. When we gave up our names to Jesus Christ it was what we agreed
to; when we sat down and counted the cost, if we reckoned aright, it
was what we counted upon; so that if tribulation and persecution arise
because of the word it is but what we had notice of before, it must be
so: he performeth the thing that is appointed for us. The matter is
fixed unalterably; and shall the rock be for us removed out of its
place? [2.] It is the lot of the leaders in Christ's army, as well as
of the soldiers. It is not only you, but we, that (if it be thought a
hardship) are subject to it; therefore, as your own sufferings must not
be a stumbling-block to you, so neither must ours; see 1 Thess. iii. 3.
Let none be moved by our afflictions, for you yourselves know that we
are appointed thereunto. As Christ did not put the apostles upon any
harder service than what he underwent before them, so neither did the
apostles put the ordinary Christians. [3.] It is true we must count
upon much tribulation, but this is encouraging, that we shall get
through it; we shall not be lost and perish in it. It is a Red Sea, but
the Lord has opened a way through it, for the redeemed of the Lord to
pass over. We must go down to trouble, but we shall come up again. [4.]
We shall not only get through it, but get through it into the kingdom
of God; and the joy and glory of the end will make abundant amends for
all the difficulties and hardships we may meet with in the way. It is
true we must go by the cross, but it is as true that if we keep in the
way, and do not turn aside nor turn back, we shall go to the crown, and
the believing prospect of this will make the tribulation easy and
pleasant.
(4.) They ordained them elders, or presbyters, in every church. Now at
this second visit they settled them in some order, formed them into
religious societies under the guidance of a settled ministry, and
settled that distinction between those that are taught in the word and
those that teach. [1.] Every church had its governors or presidents,
whose office it was to pray with the members of the church, and to
preach to them in their solemn assemblies, to administer all gospel
ordinances to them, and to take the oversight of them, to instruct the
ignorant, warn the unruly, comfort the feeble-minded, and convince
gainsayers. It is requisite that every particular church should have
one or more such to preside in it. [2.] Those governors were then
elders, that had in their qualification the wisdom and gravity of
seniors, and had in their commission the authority and command of
seniors: not to make new laws (this is the prerogative of the Prince,
the great Lawgiver; the government of the church is an absolute
monarchy, and the legislative power entirely in Christ), but to see to
the observance and execution of the laws Christ has made; and so far
they are to be obeyed and submitted to. [3.] These elders were
ordained. The qualifications of such as were proposed or proposed
themselves (whether the apostles or the people put them up) were judged
of by the apostles, as most fit to judge; and they, having devoted
themselves, were solemnly set apart to the work of the ministry, and
bound to it. [4.] These elders were ordained to them, to the disciples,
to their service, for their good. Those that are in the faith have need
to be built up in it, and have need of the elders' help therein--the
pastors and teachers, who are to edify the body of Christ.
(5.) By prayer joined with fasting they commended them to the Lord, to
the Lord Jesus, on whom they believed. Note, [1.] Even when persons are
brought to believe, and that sincerely, yet ministers' care concerning
them is not over; there is need of watching over them still,
instructing and admonishing them still; there is still that lacking in
their faith which needs to be perfected. [2.] The ministers that take
most care of those that believe must after all commend them to the
Lord, and put them under the protection and guidance of his grace:
Lord, keep them through thine own name. To his custody they must commit
themselves, and their ministers must commit them. [3.] It is by prayer
that they must be commended to the Lord. Christ, in his prayer (John
xvii.), commended his disciples to his Father: Thine they were, and
thou gavest them to me. Father, keep them. [4.] It is a great
encouragement to us, in commending the disciples to the Lord, that we
can say, "It is he in whom they believed; we commit to him those who
have committed themselves to him, and who know they have believed in
one who is able to keep what they and we have committed to him against
that day," 2 Tim. i. 12. [5.] It is good to join fasting with prayer,
in token of our humiliation for sin, and in order to add vigour to our
prayers. [6.] When we are parting with our friends, the best farewell
is to commend them to the Lord, and to leave them with him.
3. They went on preaching the gospel in other places where they had
been, but, as it should seem had not made so many converts as that now
at their return they could form them into churches; therefore thither
they came to pursue and carry on conversion-work. From Antioch they
passed through Pisidia, the province in which that Antioch stood;
thence they came into the province of Pamphylia, the head-city of which
was Perga, where they had been before (ch. xiii. 13), and came thither
again to preach the word (v. 25), making a second offer, to see if they
were now better disposed than they were before to receive the gospel.
What success they had there we are not told, but that thence they went
down to Attalia, a city of Pamphylia, on the sea-coast. They staid not
long at a place, but wherever they came endeavoured to lay a foundation
which might afterwards be built upon, and to sow the seeds which would
in time produce a great increase. Now Christ's parables were explained,
in which he compared the kingdom of heaven to a little leaven, which in
time leavened the whole lump--to a grain of mustard-seed, which, though
very inconsiderable at first, grew to a great tree--and to the seed
which a man sowed in his ground, and it sprung up he knew not how.
III. How they at length came back to Antioch in Syria, whence they had
been sent forth upon this expedition. From Attalia they came by sea to
Antioch, v. 26. And we are here told,
1. Why they came thither: because thence they had been recommended to
the grace of God, and such a value did they put upon a solemn
recommendation to the grace of God, though they had themselves a great
interest in heaven, that they never thought they could show respect
enough to those who had so recommended them. The brethren having
recommended them to the grace of God, for the work which they
fulfilled, now that they had fulfilled it they thought they owed them
an account of it, that they might help them by their praises, as they
had been helped by their prayers.
2. What account they gave them of their negociation (v. 27): They
gathered the church together. It is probable that there were more
Christians at Antioch than ordinarily met, or could meet, in one place,
but on this occasion they called together the leading men of them; as
the heads of the tribes are often called the congregation of Israel, so
the ministers and principal members of the church at Antioch are called
the church. Or perhaps as many of the people as the place would hold
came together on this occasion. Or some met at one time, or in one
place, and others at another. But when they had called them together,
they gave them an account of two things--(1.) Of the tokens they had
had of the divine presence with them in their labours: They rehearsed
all that God had done with them. They did not tell what they had done
(this would have savoured of vain-glory), but what God had done with
them and by them. Note, The praise of all the little good we do at any
time must be ascribed to God; for it is he that not only worketh in us
both to will and to do, but then worketh with us to make what we do
successful. God's grace can do any thing without ministers' preaching;
but ministers' preaching, even Paul's, can do nothing without God's
grace; and the operations of that grace must be acknowledged in the
efficacy of the word. (2.) Of the fruit of their labours among the
heathen. They told how God had opened the door of faith unto the
Gentiles; had not only ordered them to be invited to the gospel feast,
but had inclined the hearts of many of them to accept the invitation.
Note, [1.] There is no entering into the kingdom of Christ but by the
door of faith; we must firmly believe in Christ, or we have no part in
him. [2.] It is God that opens the door of faith, that opens to us the
truths we are to believe, opens our hearts to receive them, and makes
this a wide door, and an effectual, into the church of Christ. [3.] We
have reason to be thankful that God has opened the door of faith to the
Gentiles, has both sent them his gospel, which is made known to all
nations for the obedience of faith (Rom. xvi. 26), and has also given
them hearts to entertain the gospel. Thus the gospel was spread, and it
shone more and more, and none was able to shut this door which God had
opened; not all the powers of hell and earth.
3. How they disposed of themselves for the present: There they abode a
long time with the disciples (v. 28), longer than perhaps at first they
intended, not because they feared their enemies, but because they loved
their friends, and were loth to part from them.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XV.
Hitherto we have, with a great deal of pleasure, attended the apostles
in their glorious travels for the propagating of the gospel in foreign
parts, have seen the bounds of the church enlarged by the accession
both of Jews and Gentiles to it; and thanks be to that God who always
caused them to triumph. We left them, in the close of the foregoing
chapter, reposing themselves at Antioch, and edifying the church there
with the rehearsal of their experiences, and it is a pity they should
ever be otherwise employed; but in this chapter we find other work (not
so pleasant) cut out for them. The Christians and ministers are engaged
in controversy, and those that should have been now busied in enlarging
the dominions of the church have as much as they can do to compose the
divisions of it; when they should have been making war upon the devil's
kingdom they have much ado to keep the peace in Christ's kingdom. Yet
this occurrence and the record of it are of great use to the church,
both for warning to us to expect such unhappy discords among
Christians, and direction to us what method to take for accommodating
them. Here is, I. A controversy raised at Antioch by the judaizing
teachers, who would have the believing Gentiles brought under the yoke
of circumcision and the ceremonial law, ver. 1, 2. II. A consultation
held with the church at Jerusalem about this matter, and the sending of
delegates thither for that purpose, which occasioned the starting of
the same question there, ver. 3-5. III. An account of what passed in
the synod that was convened upon this occasion, ver. 6. What Peter
said, ver. 7-11. What Paul and Barnabas discoursed of, ver. 12. And,
lastly, what James proposed for the settling of this matter, ver.
13-21. IV. The result of this debate, and the circular letter that was
written to the Gentile converts, directing them how to govern
themselves with respect to Jews, ver. 22-29. V. The delivering of this
determination to the church at Antioch, and the satisfaction it gave
them, ver. 30-35. VI. A second expedition designed by Paul and Barnabas
to preach to the Gentiles, in which they quarrelled about their
assistant, and separated upon it, one steering one course and the other
another, ver. 36-41.
Controversy Raised at Antioch; Bigotry of the Jewish Converts.
1 And certain men which came down from Judæa taught the brethren, and
said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be
saved. 2 When therefore Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and
disputation with them, they determined that Paul and Barnabas, and
certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and
elders about this question. 3 And being brought on their way by the
church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the
conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the
brethren. 4 And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received
of the church, and of the apostles and elders, and they declared all
things that God had done with them. 5 But there rose up certain of
the sect of the Pharisees which believed, saying, That it was needful
to circumcise them, and to command them to keep the law of Moses.
Even when things go on very smoothly and pleasantly in a state or in a
church, it is folly to be secure, and to think the mountain stands
strong and cannot be moved; some uneasiness or other will arise, which
is not foreseen, cannot be prevented, but must be prepared for. If ever
there was a heaven upon earth, surely it was in the church at Antioch
at this time, when there were so many excellent ministers there, and
blessed Paul among them, building up that church in her most holy
faith. But here we have their peace disturbed, and differences arising.
Here is,
I. A new doctrine started among them, which occasioned this division,
obliging the Gentile converts to submit to circumcision and the
ceremonial law, v. 1. Many that had been proselytes to the Jewish
religion became Christians; and they would have such as were proselyted
to the Christian religion to become Jews.
1. The persons that urged this were certain men who came down from
Judea; some think such as had been of the Pharisees (v. 5), or perhaps
of those priests who were obedient to the faith, ch. vi. 7. They came
from Judea, pretending perhaps to be sent by the apostles at Jerusalem,
at least to be countenanced by them. Having a design to spread their
notions, they came to Antioch, because that was the head-quarters of
those that preached to the Gentiles, and the rendezvous of the Gentile
converts; and, if they could but make an interest there, this leaven
would soon be diffused to all the churches of the Gentiles. They
insinuated themselves into an acquaintance with the brethren, pretended
to be very glad that they had embraced the Christian faith, and
congratulated them on their conversion; but tell them that yet one
thing they lack, they must be circumcised. Note, Those that are ever so
well taught have need to stand upon their guard that they be not
untaught again, or ill taught.
2. The position they laid down, the thesis they gave, was this, that
except the Gentiles who turned Christians were circumcised after the
manner of Moses, and thereby bound themselves to all the observances of
the ceremonial law, they could not be saved. As to this, (1.) Many of
the Jews who embraced the faith of Christ, yet continued very zealous
for the law, ch. xxi. 20. They knew it was from God and its authority
was sacred, valued it for its antiquity, had been bred up in the
observance of it, and it is probable had been often devoutly affected
in their attendance on these observances; they therefore kept them up
after they were by baptism admitted into the Christian church, kept up
the distinction of meats, and used the ceremonial purifyings from
ceremonial pollutions, attend the temple service, and celebrated the
feasts of the Jews. Herein they were connived at, because the
prejudices of education are not to be overcome all at once, and in a
few years the mistake would be effectually rectified by the destruction
of the temple and the total dissolution of the Jewish church, by which
the observance of the Mosaic ritual would become utterly impracticable.
But it did not suffice them that they were herein indulged themselves,
they must have the Gentile converts brought under the same obligations.
Note, There is a strange proneness in us to make our opinion and
practice a rule and a law to every body else, to judge of all about us
by our standard, and to conclude that because we do well all do wrong
that do not just as we do. (2.) Those Jews who believed that Christ was
the Messiah, as they could not get clear of their affection to the law,
so they could not get clear of the notions they had of the Messiah,
that he should set up a temporal kingdom in favour of the Jewish
nation, should make this illustrious and victorious; it was a
disappointment to them that there was as yet nothing done towards this
in the way they expected. But now that they hear the doctrine of Christ
is received among the Gentiles, and his kingdom begins to be set up in
the midst of them, if they can but persuade those that embrace Christ
to embrace the law of Moses too they hope their point will be gained,
the Jewish nation will be made as considerable as they can wish, though
in another way; and "Therefore by all means let the brethren be pressed
to be circumcised and keep the law, and then with our religion our
dominion will be extended, and we shall in a little time be able to
shake off the Roman yoke; and not only so, but to put it on the necks
of our neighbours, and so shall have such a kingdom of the Messiah as
we promised ourselves." Note, It is no wonder if those who have wrong
notions of the kingdom of Christ take wrong measures for the
advancement of it, and such as really tend to the destruction of it, as
these do. (3.) The controversy about the circumcising of the Gentile
proselytes had been on foot among the Jews long before this. This is
observed by Dr. Whitby out of Josephus--Antiq. 20. 38-45: "That when
Izates, the son of Helen queen of Adiabene, embraced the Jews'
religion, Ananias declared he might do it without circumcision; but
Eleazar maintained that it was a great impiety to remain
uncircumcised." And when two eminent Gentiles fled to Josephus (as he
relates in the history of his own life) "the zealots among the Jews
were urgent for their circumcision; but Josephus dissuaded them from
insisting upon it." Such has been the difference in all ages between
bigotry and moderation. (4.) It is observable what a mighty stress they
laid upon it; they do not only say, "You ought to be circumcised after
the manner of Moses, and it will be good service to the kingdom of the
Messiah if you be; it will best accommodate matters between you and the
Jewish converts, and we shall take it very kindly if you will, and
shall converse the more familiarly with you;" but, "Except you be
circumcised you cannot be saved. If you be not herein of our mind and
way, you will never go to heaven, and therefore of course you must go
to hell." Note, it is common for proud impostors to enforce their own
inventions under pain of damnation; and to tell people that unless they
believe just as they would have them believe, and do just as they would
have them do, they cannot be saved, it is impossible they should; not
only their case is hazardous, but it is desperate. Thus the Jews tell
their brethren that except they be of their church, and come into their
communion, and conform to the ceremonies of their worship, though
otherwise good men and believers in Christ, yet they cannot be saved;
salvation itself cannot save them. None are in Christ but those that
are within their pale. We ought to see ourselves well warranted by the
word of God before we say, "Except you do so and so, you cannot be
saved."
II. The opposition which Paul and Barnabas gave to this schismatical
notion, which engrossed salvation to the Jews, now that Christ has
opened the door of salvation to the Gentiles (v. 2): They had no small
dissension and disputation with them. They would by no means yield to
this doctrine, but appeared and argued publicly against it. 1. As
faithful servants of Christ, they would not see his truths betrayed.
They knew that Christ came to free us from the yoke of the ceremonial
law, and to take down that wall of partition between Jews and Gentiles
and unite them both in himself; and therefore could not bear to hear of
circumcising the Gentile converts, when their instructions were only to
baptize them. The Jews would unite with the Gentiles, that is, they
would have them to conform in every thing to their rites, and then, and
not till then they will look upon them as their brethren; and no thanks
to them. But, this not being the way in which Christ designed to unite
them, it is not to be admitted. 2. As spiritual fathers to the Gentile
converts, they would not see their liberties encroached upon. They had
told the Gentiles that if they believed in Jesus Christ they should be
saved; and now to be told that this was not enough to save them, except
they were circumcised and kept the law of Moses, this was such a
discouragement to them at setting out, and would be such a
stumbling-block in their way, as might almost tempt them to think of
returning into Egypt again; and therefore the apostles set themselves
against it.
III. The expedient pitched upon for preventing the mischief of this
dangerous notion, and silencing those that vented it, as well as
quieting the minds of the people with reference to it. They determined
that Paul and Barnabas, and some others of their number, should go to
Jerusalem to the apostles and elders, concerning this doubt. Not that
the church at Antioch had any doubt concerning it: they knew the
liberty wherewith Christ had made them free; but they sent the case to
Jerusalem, 1. Because those who taught this doctrine came from
Jerusalem, and pretended to have directions from the apostles there to
urge circumcision upon the Gentile converts; it was therefore very
proper to send to Jerusalem about it, to know if they had any such
direction from the church there. And it was soon found to be all wrong,
which yet pretended to be of apostolical right. It was true that these
went out from them (v. 24), but they never had any such orders from
them. 2. Because those who were taught this doctrine would be the
better confirmed in their opposition to it, and in the less danger of
being shocked and disturbed by it, if they were sure that the apostles
and elders at Jerusalem (which was the Christian church that of all
others retained the most affection to the law of Moses) were against
it; and, if they could but have this under their hands, it would be the
likeliest means to silence and shame these incendiaries, who had
pretended to have it from them. 3. Because the apostles at Jerusalem
were fittest to be consulted in a point not yet fully settled; and
being most eminent for an infallible spirit, peculiar to them as
apostles, their decision would be likely to end the controversy. It was
owing to the subtlety and malice of the great enemy of the church's
peace (as it appears by Paul's frequent complaints of these judaizing
teachers, these false apostles, these deceitful workers, these enemies
of the cross of Christ), that it had not this effect.
IV. Their journey to Jerusalem upon this errand, v. 3. Where we find,
1. That they were honoured at parting: They were brought on their way
by the church, which was then much used as a token of respect to useful
men, and is directed to be done after a godly sort, 3 John 6. Thus the
church showed their favour to those who witnessed against these
encroachments on the liberties of the Gentile converts, and stood up
for them. 2. That they did good as they went along. They were men that
would not lose time, and therefore visited the churches by the way;
they passed through Phenice and Samaria, and as they went declared the
conversion of the Gentiles, and what wonderful success the gospel had
had among them, which caused great joy to all the brethren. Note, The
progress of the gospel is and ought to be a matter of great joy. All
the brethren, the faithful brethren in Christ's family, rejoice when
more are born into the family; for the family will be never the poorer
for the multitude of its children. In Christ and heaven there is
portion enough, and inheritance enough for them all.
V. Their hearty welcome at Jerusalem, v. 4. 1. The good entertainment
their friends gave them: They were received of the church, and of the
apostles and elders, were embraced as brethren, and had audience as
messengers of the church at Antioch; they received them with all
possible expressions of love and friendship. 2. The good entertainment
they gave their friends: They declared all things that God had done
with them, gave them an account of the success of their ministry among
the Gentiles, not what they had done, but what God had done with them,
what he had by his grace in them enabled them to do, and what he had by
his grace in their hearers enabled them to receive. As they went they
had planted, as they came back they had watered; but in both they were
ready to own it was God that gave the increase. Note, It is a great
honour to be employed for God, to be workers for him; for those that
are so have him a worker with them, and he must have all the glory.
VI. The opposition they met with from the same party at Jerusalem, v.
5. When Barnabas and Paul gave an account of the multitude of the
Gentiles, and of the great harvest of souls gathered in to Christ
there, and all about them congratulated them upon it, there rose up
certain of the sect of the Pharisees, who received the tidings very
coldly, and, though they believed in Christ, yet were not satisfied in
the admission of these converts, but thought it was needful to
circumcise them. Observe here, 1. That those who have been most
prejudiced against the gospel yet have been captivated by it; so mighty
has it been through God to the pulling down of strong-holds. When
Christ was here upon earth, few or none of the rulers and of the
Pharisees believed on him; but now there are those of the sect of the
Pharisees who believed, and many of them, we hope, in sincerity. 2.
That it is very hard for men suddenly to get clear of their prejudices:
those that had been Pharisees, even after they became Christians,
retained some of the old leaven. All did not so, witness Paul, but some
did; and they had such a jealousy for the ceremonial law, and such a
dislike of the Gentiles, that they could not admit the Gentiles into
communion with them, unless they would be circumcised, and thereby
engage themselves to keep the law of Moses. This was, in their opinion,
needful; and for their parts they would not converse with them unless
they submitted to it.
The Council at Jerusalem.
6 And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this
matter. 7 And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and
said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God
made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the
word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts,
bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us;
9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts
by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the
neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to
bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ we shall be saved, even as they. 12 Then all the multitude
kept silence, and gave audience to Barnabas and Paul, declaring what
miracles and wonders God had wrought among the Gentiles by them. 13
And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and
brethren, hearken unto me: 14 Simeon hath declared how God at the
first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his
name. 15 And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is
written, 16 After this I will return, and will build again the
tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the
ruins thereof, and I will set it up: 17 That the residue of men might
seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called,
saith the Lord, who doeth all these things. 18 Known unto God are all
his works from the beginning of the world. 19 Wherefore my sentence
is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned
to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from
pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled,
and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that
preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.
We have here a council called, not by writ, but by consent, on this
occasion (v. 6): The apostles and presbyters came together, to consider
this matter. They did not give their judgment separately, but came
together to do it, that they might hear one another's sense in this
matter; for in the multitude of counsellors there is safety and
satisfaction. They did not give their judgment rashly, but considered
of this matter. Though they were clear concerning it in their own
minds, yet they would take time to consider of it, and to hear what
might be said by the adverse party. Nor did the apostles give their
judgment concerning it without the elders, the inferior ministers, to
whom they thus condescended, and on whom they thus put an honour. Those
that are most eminent in gifts and graces, and are in the most exalted
stations in the church, ought to show respect to their juniors and
inferiors; for, though days should speak, yet there is a spirit in man,
Job xxxii. 7, 8. Here is a direction to the pastors of the churches,
when difficulties arise, to come together in solemn meetings for mutual
advice and encouragement, that they may know one another's mind, and
strengthen one another's hands, and may act in concert. Now here we
have,
I. Peter's speech in this synod. He did not in the least pretend to any
primacy or headship in this synod. He was not master of this assembly,
nor so much as chairman or moderator, pro hac vice--on this occasion;
for we do not find that either he spoke first, to open the synod (there
having been much disputing before he rose up), nor that he spoke last,
to sum up the cause and collect the suffrages; but he was a faithful,
prudent zealous member of this assembly, and offered that which was
very much to the purpose, and which would come better from him than
from another, because he had himself been the first that preached the
gospel to the Gentiles. There had been much disputing, pro and con,
upon this question, and liberty of speech allowed, as ought to be in
such cases; those of the sect of the Pharisees were some of them
present, and allowed to say what they could in defence of those of
their opinion at Antioch, which probably was answered by some of the
elders; such questions ought to be fairly disputed before they are
decided. When both sides had been heard, Peter rose up, and addressed
himself to the assembly, Men and brethren, as did James afterwards, v.
13. And here,
1. He put them in mind of the call and commission he had some time ago
to preach the gospel to the Gentiles; he wondered there should be any
difficulty made of a matter already settled: You know that aph hemeron
archaion--from the beginning of the days of the gospel, many years ago,
God made choice among us apostles of one to preach the gospel to the
Gentiles, and I was the person chosen, that the Gentiles by my mouth
should hear the word, and believe, v. 7. You know I was questioned
about it and cleared myself to the universal satisfaction; every body
rejoiced that God had granted to the Gentiles repentance unto life, and
nobody said a word of circumcising them, nor was there any thought of
such a thing. See ch. xi. 18. "Why should the Gentiles who hear the
word of the gospel by Paul's mouth be compelled to submit to
circumcision, any more than those that heard it by my mouth? Or why
should the terms of their admission now be made harder than they were
then?"
2. He puts them in mind how remarkably God owned him in preaching to
the Gentiles, and gave testimony to their sincerity in embracing the
Christian faith (v. 8): "God, who knows the hearts, and therefore is
able to judge infallibly of men, bore them witness that they were his
indeed, by giving them the Holy Ghost; not only the graces and
comforts, but the extraordinary miraculous gifts of the Holy Ghost,
even as he did unto us apostles." See ch. xi. 15-17. Note, The Lord
knows those that are his, for he knows men's hearts; and we are as our
hearts are. Those to whom God gives the Holy Ghost, he thereby bears
witness to that they are his; hence we are said to be sealed with that
Holy Spirit of promise--marked for God. God had bidden the Gentiles
welcome to the privilege of communion with him, without requiring them
to be circumcised and to keep the law; and therefore shall not we admit
them into communion with us but upon those terms? "God has put no
difference between us and them (v. 9); they, though Gentiles, are as
welcome to the grace of Christ and the throne of grace as we Jews are;
why then should we set them at a distance, as if we were holier than
they?" Isa. lxv. 5. Note, We ought not to make any conditions of our
brethren's acceptance with us but such as God has made the conditions
of their acceptance with him, Rom. xiv. 3. Now the Gentiles were fitted
for communion with God, in having their hearts purified by faith, and
that faith God's own work in them; and therefore why should we think
them unfit for communion with us, unless they will submit to the
ceremonial purifying enjoined by the law to us? Note, (1.) By faith the
heart is purified; we are not only justified, and conscience purified,
but the work of sanctification is begun and carried on. (2.) Those that
have their hearts purified by faith are therein made so nearly to
resemble one another, that, whatever difference there may be between
them, no account is to be made of it; for the faith of all the saints
is alike precious, and has like precious effects (2 Peter i. 1), and
those that by it are united to Christ are so to look upon themselves as
joined to one another as that all distinctions, even that between Jew
and Gentile, are merged and swallowed up in it.
3. He sharply reproves those teachers (some of whom, it is likely, were
present) who went about to bring the Gentiles under the obligation of
the law of Moses, v. 10. The thing is so plain that he cannot forbear
speaking of it with some warmth: "Now therefore, since God has owned
them for his, why tempt you God to put a yoke upon the neck of the
disciples, of the believing Gentiles and their children" (for
circumcision was a yoke upon their infant seed, who are here reckoned
among the disciples), "a yoke which neither our fathers nor we were
able to bear?" Here he shows that in this attempt, (1.) They offered a
very great affront to God: "You tempt him, by calling that in question
which he has already settled and determined by no less an indication
than that of the gift of the Holy Ghost; you do, in effect, ask, 'Did
he know what he did? Or was he in earnest in it? Or will he abide by
his own act?' Will you try whether God, who designed the ceremonial law
for the people of the Jews only, will now, in its last ages, bring the
Gentiles too under the obligation of it, to gratify you?" Those tempt
God who prescribe to him, and say that people cannot be saved but upon
such and such terms, which God never appointed; as if the God of
salvation must come into their measures. (2.) They offered a very great
wrong to the disciples: Christ came to proclaim liberty to the
captives, and they go about to enslave those whom he has made free. See
Neh. v. 8. The ceremonial law was a heavy yoke; they and their fathers
found it difficult to be borne, so numerous, so various, so pompous,
were the institutions of it. The distinction of meats was a heavy yoke,
not only as it rendered conversation less pleasant, but as it
embarrassed conscience with endless scruples. The ado that was made
about even unavoidable touch of a grave or a dead body, the pollution
contracted by it, and the many rules about purifying from that
pollution, were a heavy burden. This yoke Christ came to ease us of,
and called those that were weary and heavy laden under it to come and
take his yoke upon them, his easy yoke. Now for these teachers to go
about to lay that yoke upon the neck of the Gentiles from which he came
to free even the Jews was the greatest injury imaginable to them.
4. Whereas the Jewish teachers had urged that circumcision was
necessary to salvation, Peter shows it was so far from being so that
both Jews and Gentiles were to be saved purely through the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ, and in no other way (v. 11): We believe to be saved
through that grace only; pisteuomen sothenai--We hope to be saved; or,
We believe unto salvation in the same manner as they--kath hontropon
kakeinoi. "We that are circumcised believe to salvation, and so do
those that are uncircumcised; and, as our circumcision will be no
advantage to us, so their uncircumcision will be no disadvantage to
them; for we must depend upon the grace of Christ for salvation, and
must apply that grace by faith, as well as they. There is not one way
of salvation for the Jews and another for the Gentiles; neither
circumcision avails any thing nor uncircumcision (that is neither here
nor there), but faith which works by love, Gal. v. 6. Why should we
burden them with the law of Moses, as necessary to their salvation,
when it is not that, but the gospel of Christ, that is necessary both
to our salvation and theirs?"
II. An account of what Barnabas and Paul said in this synod, which did
not need to be related, for they only gave in a narrative of what was
recorded in the foregoing chapters, what miracles and wonders God had
wrought among the Gentiles by them, v. 12. This they had given in to
the church at Antioch (ch. xiv. 27), to their brethren by the way (ch.
xv. 3), and now again to the synod; and it was very proper to be given
in here. That which was contended for was that the Gentiles ought to
submit to the law of Moses; now, in opposition to this, Paul and
Barnabas undertake to show, by a plain relation of matters of fact,
that God owned the preaching of the pure gospel to them without the
law, and therefore to press the law upon them now was to undo what God
had done. Observe, 1. What account they gave; they declared, or opened
in order, and with all the magnifying and affecting circumstances, what
glorious miracles, what signs and wonders, God had wrought among the
Gentiles by them, what confirmation he had given to their preaching by
miracles wrought in the kingdom of nature, and what success he had
given to it by miracles wrought in the kingdom of grace. Thus God had
honoured these apostles whom Jewish teachers condemned, and had thus
honoured the Gentiles whom they contemned. What need had they of any
other advocate when God himself pleaded their cause? The conversion of
the Gentiles was itself a wonder, all things considered, no less than a
miracle. Now if they received the Holy Ghost by the hearing of faith,
why should they be embarrassed with the works of the law? See Gal. iii.
2. 2. What attention was given to them: All the multitude (who, though
they had not voted, yet came together to hear what was said) kept
silence, and gave audience to Paul and Barnabas; it should seem they
took more notice of their narrative than they did of all the arguments
that were offered. As in natural philosophy and medicine nothing is so
satisfactory as experiments, and in law nothing is so satisfactory as
cases adjudged, so in the things of God the best explication of the
word of grace is the accounts given of the operations of the Spirit of
grace; to these the multitude will with silence give audience. Those
that fear God will most readily hear those that can tell them what God
has done for their souls, or by their means, Ps. lxvi. 16.
III. The speech which James made to the synod. He did not interrupt
Paul and Barnabas, though, it is likely, he had before heard their
narrative, but let them go on with it, for the edification of the
company, and that they might have it from the first and best hand; but,
after they had held their peace, then James stood up. You may all
prophesy one by one, 1 Cor. xiv. 31. God is the God of order. He let
Paul and Barnabas say what they had to say, and then he made the
application of it. The hearing of variety of ministers may be of use
when one truth does not drive out, but clench, another.
1. He addresses himself respectfully to those present: "Men and
brethren, hearken unto me. You are men, and therefore, it is to be
hoped, will hear reason; you are my brethren, and therefore will hear
me with candour. We are all brethren, and equally concerned in this
cause that nothing be done to the dishonour of Christ and the
uneasiness of Christians."
2. He refers to what Peter had said concerning the conversion of the
Gentiles (v. 14): "Simeon" (that is, Simon Peter) "hath declared, and
opened the matter to you--how God at the first did visit the Gentiles,
in Cornelius and his friends, who were the first-fruits of the
Gentiles--how, when the gospel began first to spread, presently the
Gentiles were invited to come and take the benefit of it;" and James
observes here, (1.) That the grace of God was the origin of it; it was
God that visited the Gentiles; and it was a kind visit. Had they been
left to themselves, they would never have visited him, but the
acquaintance began on his part; he not only visited and redeemed his
people, but visited and redeemed those that were lo ammi--not a people.
(2.) that the glory of God was the end of it: it was to take out of
them a people for his name, who should glorify him, and in whom he
would be glorified. As of old he took the Jews, so now the Gentiles, to
be to him for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory, Jer. xiii. 11.
Let all the people of God remember that therefore they are thus
dignified in God, that God may be glorified in them.
3. He confirms this with a quotation out of the Old Testament: he could
not prove the calling of the Gentiles by a vision, as Peter could, nor
by miracles wrought by his hand, as Paul and Barnabas could, but he
would prove that it was foretold in the Old Testament, and therefore it
must be fulfilled, v. 15. To this agree the words of the prophets; most
of the Old-Testament prophets spoke more or less of the calling in of
the Gentiles, even Moses himself, Rom. x. 19. It was the general
expectation of the pious Jews that the Messiah should be a light to
enlighten the Gentiles (Luke ii. 32): but James waives the more
illustrious prophecies of this, and pitches upon one that seemed more
obscure: It is written, Amos ix. 11, 12, where is foretold, (1.) The
setting up of the kingdom of the Messiah (v. 16): I will raise up the
tabernacle of David, that is fallen. The covenant was made with David
and his seed; but the house and family of David are here called his
tabernacle, because David in his beginning was a shepherd, and dwelt in
tents, and his house, that had been as a stately palace, had become a
mean and despicable tabernacle, reduced in a manner to its small
beginning. This tabernacle was ruined and fallen down; there had not
been for many ages a king of the house of David; the sceptre had
departed from Judah, the royal family was sunk and buried in obscurity,
and, as it should seem, not enquired after. But God will return, and
will build it again, raise it out of its ruins, a phoenix out of its
ashes; and this was now lately fulfilled, when our Lord Jesus was
raised out of that family, had the throne of his father David given
him, with a promise that he should reign over the house of Jacob for
ever, Luke i. 32, 33. And, when the tabernacle of David was thus
rebuilt in Christ, all the rest of it was, not many years after, wholly
extirpated and cut off, as was also the nation of the Jews itself, and
all their genealogies were lost. The church of Christ may be called the
tabernacle of David. This may sometimes be brought very low, and may
seem to be in ruins, but it shall be built again, its withering
interests shall revive; it is cast down, but not destroyed: even dry
bones are made to live. (2.) The bringing in of the Gentiles as the
effect and consequence of this (v. 17): That the residue of men might
seek after the Lord; not the Jews only, who thought they had the
monopoly of the tabernacle of David, but the residue of men, such as
had hitherto been left out of the pale of the visible church; they must
now, upon this re-edifying of the tabernacle of David, be brought to
seek after the Lord, and to enquire how they may obtain his favour.
When David's tabernacle is set up, they shall seek the Lord their God,
and David their king, Hos. iii. 5; Jer. xxx. 9. Then Israel shall
possess the remnant of Edom (so it is in the Hebrew); but the Jews
called all the Gentiles Edomites, and therefore the Septuagint leave
out the particular mention of Edom, and read it just as it is here,
that the residue of men might seek (James here adds, after the Lord),
and all the Gentiles, or heathen, upon whom my name is called. The Jews
were for many ages so peculiarly favoured that the residue of men
seemed neglected; but now God will have an eye to them, and his name
shall be called upon by the Gentiles; his name shall be declared and
published among them, and they shall be brought both to know his name
and to call upon it: they shall call themselves the people of God, and
he shall call them so; and thus, by consent of both parties, his name
is called upon them. This promise we may depend upon the fulfilling of
in its season; and now it begins to be fulfilled, for it is added,
saith the Lord, who doeth this; who doeth all these things (so the
Seventy); and the apostle here: he saith it who doeth it, who therefore
said it because he was determined to do it; and who therefore does it
because he hath said it; for though with us saying and doing are two
things they are not so with God. The uniting of Jews and Gentiles in
one body, and all those things that were done in order to it, which
were here foretold, were, [1.] What God did: This was the Lord's doing,
whatever instruments were employed in it: and, [2.] It was what God
delighted in, and was well pleased with; for he is the God of the
Gentiles, as well as the Jews, and it is his honour to be rich in mercy
to all that call upon him.
4. He resolves it into the purpose and counsel of God (v. 18): Known
unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. He not only
foretold the calling of the Gentiles many ages ago by the prophets (and
therefore it ought not to be a surprise or stumbling-block to us), but
he foresaw and foreordained it in his eternal counsels, which are
unquestionably wise and unalterably firm. It is an excellent maxim here
laid down concerning all God's works, both of providence and grace, in
the natural and spiritual kingdom, that they were all known unto him
from the beginning of the world, from the time he first began to work,
which supposes his knowing them (as other scriptures speak) from before
the foundation of the world, and therefore from all eternity. Note,
Whatever God does, he did before design and determine to do; for he
works all, not only according to his will, but according to the counsel
of his will: he not only does whatever he determined (Ps. cxxxv. 6),
which is more than we can do (our purposes are frequently broken off,
and our measures broken), but he determined whatever he does. Whatever
he may say, to prove us, he himself knows what he will do. We know not
our works beforehand, but must do as occasion shall serve, 1 Sam. x. 7.
What we shall do in such or such a case we cannot tell till it comes to
the setting to; but known unto God are all his works; in the volume of
his book (called the scriptures of truth, Dan. x. 21) they are all
written in order, without any erasure or interlining (Ps. xl. 7); and
all God's works will, in the day of review, be found to agree exactly
with his counsels, without the least error or variation. We are poor
short-sighted creatures; the wisest men can see but a little way before
them, and not at all with any certainty; but this is our comfort, that,
whatever uncertainty we are at, there is an infallible certainty in the
divine prescience: known unto God are all his works.
5. He gives his advice what was to be done in the present case, as the
matter now stood with reference to the Gentiles (v. 19): My sentence
is; ego krino--I give it as my opinion, or judgment; not as having
authority over the rest, but as being an adviser with them. Now his
advice is,
(1.) That circumcision and the observance of the ceremonial law be by
no means imposed upon the Gentile converts; no, not so much as
recommended nor mentioned to them. "There are many from among the
Gentiles that are turned to God in Christ, and we hope there will be
many more. Now I am clearly for using them with all possible
tenderness, and putting no manner of hardship or discouragement upon
them," me parenochlein--"not to give them any molestation nor
disturbance, nor suggest any thing to them that may be disquieting, or
raise scruples in their minds, or perplex them." Note, Great care must
be taken not to discourage nor disquiet young converts with matters of
doubtful disputation. Let the essentials of religion, which an awakened
conscience will readily receive, be first impressed deeply upon them,
and these will satisfy them and make them easy; and let not things
foreign and circumstantial be urged upon them, which will but trouble
them. The kingdom of God, in which they are to be trained up, is not
meat and drink, neither the opposition nor the imposition of
indifferent things, which will but trouble them; but it is
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost, which we are sure
will trouble nobody.
(2.) That yet it would be well that in some things, which gave most
offence to the Jews, the Gentiles should comply with them. Because they
must not humour them so far as to be circumcised, and keep the whole
law, it does not therefore follow that they must act in a continual
contradiction to them, and study how to provoke them. It will please
the Jews (and, if a little thing will oblige them, better do so than
cross them) if the Gentile converts abstain, [1.] From pollutions of
idols, and from fornication, which are two bad things, and always to be
abstained from; but writing to them particularly and expressly to
abstain from them (because in these things the Jews were jealous of the
Gentile converts, lest they should transgress) would very much gratify
the Jews; not but that the apostles, both in preaching and writing to
the Gentiles that embraced Christianity, were careful to warn against,
First, Pollutions of idols, that they should have no manner of
fellowship with idolaters in their idolatrous worships, and
particularly not in the feasts they held upon their sacrifices. See 1
Cor. x. 14, &c.; 2 Cor. vi. 14, &c. Secondly, Fornication, and all
manner of uncleanness. How large, how pressing, is Paul in his cautions
against this sin! 1 Cor. vi. 9-15; Eph. v. 3, &c. But the Jews, who
were willing to think the worst of those they did not like, suggested
that these were things in which the Gentiles, even after conversion,
allowed themselves, and the apostle of the Gentiles connived at it.
Now, to obviate this suggestion, and to leave no room for this calumny,
James advises that, besides the private admonitions which were given
them by their ministers, they should be publicly warned to abstain from
pollutions of idols and from fornication--that herein they should be
very circumspect, and should avoid all appearances of these two evils,
which would be in so particular a manner offensive to the Jews. [2.]
From things strangled, and from blood, which, though not evil in
themselves, as the other two, nor designed to be always abstained from,
as those were, had been forbidden by the precepts of Noah (Gen. ix. 4),
before the giving of the law of Moses; and the Jews had a great dislike
to them, and to all those that took a liberty to use them; and
therefore, to avoid giving offence, let the Gentile converts abridge
themselves of their liberty herein, 1 Cor. viii. 9, 13. Thus we must
become all things to all men.
6. He gives a reason for his advice--that great respect ought to be
shown to the Jews for they have been so long accustomed to the solemn
injunctions of the ceremonial law that they must be borne with, if they
cannot presently come off from them (v. 21): For Moses hath of old
those that preach him in every city, his writings (a considerable part
of which is the ceremonial law) being read in the synagogues every
sabbath day. "You cannot blame them if they have a great veneration for
the law of Moses; for besides that they are very sure God spoke to
Moses," (1.) "Moses is continually preached to them, and they are
called upon to remember the law of Moses," Mal. iv. 4. Note, Even that
word of God which is written to us should also be preached: those that
have the scriptures have still need of ministers to help them to
understand and apply the scriptures. (2.) "His writings are read in a
solemn religious manner, in their synagogues, and on the sabbath day,
in the place and at the time of their meetings for the worship of God;
so that from their childhood they have been trained up in a regard to
the law of Moses; the observance of it is a part of their religion."
(3.) "This has been done of old time; they have received from their
fathers an honour for Moses; they have antiquity for it." (4.) "This
had been done in every city, wherever there are any Jews, so that none
of them can be ignorant what stress that law laid upon these things:
and therefore, though the gospel has set us free from these things, yet
they cannot be blamed if they are loth to part with them, and cannot of
a sudden be persuaded to look upon those things as needless and
indifferent which they, and their fathers before them, had been so long
taught, and taught of God too, to place religion in. We must therefore
give them time, must meet them half-way; they must be borne with
awhile, and brought on gradually, and we must comply with them as far
as we can without betraying our gospel liberty." Thus does this apostle
show the spirit of a moderator, that is, a spirit of moderation, being
careful to give no offence either to Jew or Gentile, and contriving, as
much as may be, to please both sides and provoke neither. Note, We are
not to think it strange if people be wedded to customs which they have
had transmitted to them from their fathers, and which they have been
educated in an opinion of as sacred; and therefore allowances must be
made in such cases, and not rigour used.
Decision of the Council at Jerusalem; The Publication of the Decree.
22 Then pleased it the apostles and elders, with the whole church, to
send chosen men of their own company to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas;
namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, chief men among the
brethren: 23 And they wrote letters by them after this manner; The
apostles and elders and brethren send greeting unto the brethren which
are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia: 24 Forasmuch as
we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you
with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and
keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: 25 It seemed good
unto us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men unto you
with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, 26 Men that have hazarded their
lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 27 We have sent
therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things by
mouth. 28 For it seemed good to the Holy Ghost, and to us, to lay
upon you no greater burden than these necessary things; 29 That ye
abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things
strangled, and from fornication: from which if ye keep yourselves, ye
shall do well. Fare ye well. 30 So when they were dismissed, they
came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together,
they delivered the epistle: 31 Which when they had read, they
rejoiced for the consolation. 32 And Judas and Silas, being prophets
also themselves, exhorted the brethren with many words, and confirmed
them. 33 And after they had tarried there a space, they were let go
in peace from the brethren unto the apostles. 34 Notwithstanding it
pleased Silas to abide there still. 35 Paul also and Barnabas
continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with
many others also.
We have here the result of the consultation that was held at Jerusalem
about the imposing of the ceremonial law upon the Gentiles. Much more,
it is likely, was said about it than is here recorded; but at length it
was brought to a head, and the advice which James gave was universally
approved and agreed to nemine contradicente--unanimously; and letters
were accordingly sent by messengers of their own to the Gentile
converts, acquainting them with their sentiments in this matter, which
would be a great confirmation to them against the false teachers. Now
observe here,
I. The choice of the delegates that were to be sent with Paul and
Barnabas on this errand; not as if they had any suspicion of the
fidelity of these great men, and could not trust them with their
letters, nor as if they thought that those to whom they sent them would
suspect them to have altered any thing in their letter; no, their
charity thought no such evil concerning men of such tried integrity;
but,
1. They thought fit to send men of their own company to Antioch, with
Paul and Barnabas, v. 22. This was agreed to by the apostles and
elders, with the whole church, who, it is likely, undertook to bear
their charges, 1 Cor. ix. 7. They sent these messengers, (1.) To show
their respect to the church at Antioch, as a sister-church, though a
younger sister, and that they looked upon it as upon the same level
with them; as also that they were desirous further to know their state.
(2.) To encourage Paul and Barnabas, and to make their journey home the
more pleasant (for it is likely they travelled on foot) by sending such
excellent men to bear them company; amicus pro vehiculo--a friend
instead of a carriage. (3.) To put a reputation upon the letters they
carried, that it might appear a solemn embassy, and so much the more
regard might be paid to the message, which was likely to meet with
opposition from some. (4.) To keep up the communion of the saints, and
cultivate an acquaintance between churches and ministers that were at a
distance from each other, and to show that, though they were many, yet
they were one.
2. Those they sent were not inferior persons, who might serve to carry
the letters, and attest the receipt of them from the apostles; but they
were chosen men, and chief men among the brethren, men of eminent
gifts, graces, and usefulness; for these are the things which
denominate men chief among the brethren, and qualify them to be the
messengers of the churches. They are here named: Judas, who was called
Barsabas (probably the brother of that Joseph who was called Barsabas,
that was a candidate for the apostleship, ch. i. 23), and Silas. The
character which these men had in the church at Jerusalem would have
some influence upon those that came from Judea, as those false teachers
did, and engage them to pay the more deference to the message that was
sent by them.
II. The drawing up of the letters, circular letters, that were to be
sent to the churches, to notify the sense of the synod in this matter.
1. Here is a very condescending obliging preamble to this decree, v.
23. There is nothing in it haughty or assuming, but, (1.) That which
intimates the humility of the apostles, that they join the elders and
brethren in commission with them, the ministers, the ordinary
Christians, whom they had advised with in this case, as they used to do
in other cases. Though never men were so qualified as they were for a
monarchical power and authority in the church, nor had such a
commission as they had, yet their decrees run not, "We, the apostles,
Christ's vicars upon earth, and pastors of all the pastors of the
churches" (as the pope styles himself), "and sole judges in all matters
of faith;" but the apostles, and elders, and brethren, agree in their
orders. Herein they remembered the instructions their Master gave them
(Matt. xxiii. 8): Be not you called Rabbi; for you are all brethren.
(2.) That which bespeaks their respect to the churches they wrote to;
they send to them greeting, wish them health and happiness and joy, and
call them brethren of the Gentiles, thereby owning their admission into
the church, and giving them the right hand of fellowship: "You are our
brethren, though Gentiles; for we meet in Christ, the first born among
many brethren, in God our common Father." Now that the Gentiles are
fellow-heirs and of the same body, they are to be countenanced and
encouraged, and called brethren.
2. Here is a just and severe rebuke to the judaizing teachers (v. 24):
"We have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with
words, and we are very much concerned to hear it; now this is to let
them know that those who preached this doctrine were false teachers,
both as they produced a false commission and as they taught a false
doctrine." (1.) They did a great deal of wrong to the apostles and
ministers at Jerusalem, in pretending that they had instructions from
them to impose the ceremonial law upon the Gentiles, when there was no
colour for such a pretension. "They went out from us indeed--they were
such as belonged to our church, of which, when they had a mind to
travel, we gave them perhaps a testimonial; but, as for their urging
the law of Moses upon you, we gave them no such commandment, nor had we
ever thought of such a thing, nor given them the least occasion to use
our names in it." It is no new thing for apostolical authority to be
pleaded in defence of those doctrines and practices for which yet the
apostles gave neither command nor encouragement. (2.) They did a great
deal of wrong to the Gentile converts, in saying, You must be
circumcised, and must keep the law. [1.] It perplexed them: "They have
troubled you with words, have occasioned disturbance and disquietment
to you. You depended upon those who told you, If you believe in the
Lord Jesus Christ you shall be saved; and now you are startled by those
that tell you you must keep the law of Moses or you cannot be saved, by
which you see yourselves drawn into a snare. They trouble you with
words--words, and nothing else--mere words--sound, but no substance."
How has the church been troubled with words, by the pride of men that
loved to hear themselves talk! [2.] It endangered them; they subverted
their souls, put them into disorder, and pulled down that which had
been built up. They took them off from pursuing pure Christianity, and
minding the business of that, by filling their heads with the necessity
of circumcision, and the law of Moses, which were nothing to the
purpose.
3. Here is an honourable testimony given of the messengers by whom
these letters were sent.
(1.) Of Paul and Barnabas, whom these judaizing teachers had opposed
and censured as having done their work by the halves, because they had
brought the Gentile converts to Christianity only, and not to Judaism.
Let them say what they will of these men, [1.] "They are men that are
dear to us; they are our beloved Barnabas and Paul--men whom we have a
value for, a kindness for, a concern for." Sometimes it is good for
those that are of eminence to express their esteem, not only for the
despised truth of Christ, but for the despised preachers and defenders
of that truth, to encourage them, and weaken the hands of their
opposers. [2.] "They are men that have signalized themselves in the
service of Christ, and therefore have deserved well of all the
churches: they are men that have hazarded their lives for the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ (v. 26), and therefore are worthy of double
honour, and cannot be suspected of having sought any secular advantage
to themselves; for they have ventured their all for Christ, have
engaged in the most dangerous services, as good soldiers of Christ, and
not only in laborious services." It is not likely that such faithful
confessors should be unfaithful preachers. Those that urged
circumcision did it to avoid persecution (Gal. vi. 12, 13); those that
opposed it knew they thereby exposed themselves to persecution; and
which of these were most likely to be in the right?
(2.) Of Judas and Silas: "They are chosen men (v. 25), and they are men
that have heard our debates, and are perfectly apprized of the matter,
and will tell you the same things by mouth," v. 27. What is of use to
us it is good to have both in writing and by word of mouth, that we may
have the advantage both of reading and of hearing it. The apostles
refer them to the bearers for a further account of their judgment and
their reasons, and the bearers will refer them to their letters for the
certainty of the determination.
4. Here is the direction given what to require from the Gentile
converts, where observe,
(1.) The matter of the injunction, which is according to the advice
given by James, that, to avoid giving offence to the Jews, [1.] They
should never eat any thing that they knew had been offered in sacrifice
to an idol, but look upon it as, though clean in itself, yet thereby
polluted to them. This prohibition was afterwards in part taken off,
for they were allowed to eat whatever was sold in the shambles, or set
before them at their friend's table, though it had been offered to
idols, except when there was danger of giving offence by it, that is,
of giving occasion either to a weak Christian to think the worse of our
Christianity, or to a wicked heathen to think the better of his
idolatry; and in these cases it is good to forbear, 1 Cor. x. 25, &c.
This to us is an antiquated case. [2.] That they should not eat blood,
nor drink it; but avoid every thing that looked cruel and barbarous in
that ceremony which had been of so long standing. [3.] That they should
not eat any thing that was strangled, or died of itself, or had not the
blood let out. [4.] That they should be very strict in censuring those
that were guilty of fornication, or marrying within the degrees
prohibited by the Levitical law, which, some think, is principally
intended here. See 1 Cor. v. 1. Dr. Hammond states this matter thus:
The judaizing teachers would have the Gentile converts submit to all
that those submitted to whom they called the proselytes of
righteousness, to be circumcised and keep the whole law; but the
apostles required no more of them than what was required of the
proselytes of the gate, which was to observe the seven precepts of the
sons of Noah, which, he thinks, are here referred to. But the only
ground of this decree being in complaisance to the rigid Jews that had
embraced the Christian faith, and, except in that one case of scandal,
all meats being pronounced free and indifferent to all Christians as
soon as the reason of the decree ceased, which, at furthest, was after
the destruction of Jerusalem, the obligation of it ceased likewise.
"These things are in a particular manner offensive to the Jews, and
therefore do not disoblige them herein for the present; in a little
time the Jews will incorporate with the Gentiles, and then the danger
is over."
(2.) The manner in which it is worded. [1.] They express themselves
with something of authority, that what they wrote might be received
with respect, and deference paid to it: It seemed good to the Holy
Ghost, and to us, that is, to us under the guidance of the Holy Ghost,
and by direction from him: not only the apostles, but others, were
endued with spiritual gifts extraordinary, and knew more of the mind of
God than any since those gifts ceased can pretend to; their
infallibility gave an incontestable authority to their decrees, and
they would not order any thing because it seemed good to them, but that
they knew it first seemed good to the Holy Ghost. Or it refers to what
the Holy Ghost had determined in this matter formerly. When the Holy
Ghost descended upon the apostles, he endued them with the gift of
tongues, in order to their preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, which
was a plain indication of God's purpose to call them in. When the Holy
Ghost descended upon Cornelius and his friends, upon Peter's preaching,
it was plain that Christ designed the taking down of the Jewish pale,
within which they fancied the spirit had been enclosed. [2.] They
express themselves with abundance of tenderness and fatherly concern.
First, They are afraid of burdening them: We will lay upon you no
greater burden. So far were they from delighting to impose upon them
that they dreaded nothing so much as imposing too far upon them, so as
to discourage them at their setting out. Secondly, They impose upon
them no other than necessary things. "The avoiding of fornication is
necessary to all Christians at all times; the avoiding of things
strangled, and of blood, and of things offered to idols, is necessary
at this time, for the keeping up of a good understanding between you
and the Jews, and the preventing of offence;" and as long as it
continues necessary for that end, and no longer, it is enjoined. Note,
Church-rulers should impose only necessary things, things which Christ
has made our duty, which have a real tendency to the edification of the
church, and, as here, to the uniting of good Christians. If they impose
things only to show their own authority, and to try people's obedience,
they forget that they have not authority to make new laws, but only to
see that the laws of Christ be duly executed, and to enforce the
observance of them. Thirdly, They enforce their order with a
commendation of those that shall comply with it, rather than with the
condemnation of those that shall transgress it. They do not conclude,
"From which if you do not keep yourselves, you shall be an anathema,
you shall be cast out of the church, and accursed," according to the
style of after-councils, and particularly that of Trent; but "From
which if you keep yourselves, as we do not question but you will, you
will do well; it will be for the glory of God, the furtherance of the
gospel, the strengthening of the hands of your brethren, and your own
credit and comfort." It is all sweetness and love and good humour, such
as became the followers of him who, when he called us to take his yoke
upon us, assured us we should find him meek and lowly in heart. The
difference of the style of the true apostles from that of the false is
very observable. Those that were for imposing the ceremonial laws were
positive and imperious: Except you keep it, you cannot be saved (v. 1),
you are excommunicated ipso facto--at once, and delivered to Satan. The
apostles of Christ, who only recommend necessary things, are mild and
gentle: "From which if you keep yourselves, you will do well, and as
becomes you. Fare ye well; we are hearty well-wishers to your honour
and peace."
III. The delivering of the letters, and how the messengers disposed of
themselves.
1. When they were dismissed, had had their audience of leave of the
apostles (it is probable that they were dismissed with prayer, and a
solemn blessing in the name of the Lord, and with instructions and
encouragements in their work), They then came to Antioch; they staid no
longer at Jerusalem than till their business was done, and then came
back, and perhaps were met at their return by those that brought them
on their way at their setting out; for those that have taken pains in
public service ought to be countenanced and encouraged.
2. As soon as they came to Antioch, they gathered the multitude
together, and delivered the epistle to them (v. 30, 31), that they
might all know what it was that was forbidden them, and might observe
these orders, which would be no difficulty for them to do, most of them
having been, before their conversion to Christ, proselytes of the gate,
who had laid themselves under these restrictions already. But this was
not all; it was that they might know that no more than this was
forbidden them, that it was no longer a sin to eat swine's flesh, no
longer a pollution to touch a grave or a dead body.
3. The people were wonderfully pleased with the orders that came from
Jerusalem (v. 31): They rejoiced for the consolation; and a great
consolation it was to the multitude, (1.) That they were confirmed in
their freedom from the yoke of the ceremonial law, and were not
burdened with that, as those upstart teachers would have had them to
be. It was a comfort to them to hear that the carnal ordinances were no
longer imposed on them, which perplexed the conscience, but could not
purify nor pacify it. (2.) That those who troubled their minds with an
attempt to force circumcision upon them were hereby for the present
silenced and put to confusion, the fraud of their pretensions to an
apostolical warrant being now discovered. (3.) That the Gentiles were
hereby encouraged to receive the gospel, and those that had received it
to adhere to it. (4.) That the peace of the church was hereby restored,
and that removed which threatened a division. All this was consolation
which they rejoiced in, and blessed God for.
4. They got the strange ministers that came from Jerusalem to give them
each a sermon, and more, v. 32. Judas and Silas, being prophets also
themselves, endued with the Holy Ghost, and called to the work, and
being likewise entrusted by the apostles to deliver some things
relating to this matter by word of mouth, exhorted the brethren with
many words, and confirmed them. Even those that had the constant
preaching of Paul and Barnabas, yet were glad of the help of Judas and
Silas; the diversity of the gifts of ministers is of use to the church.
Observe what is the work of ministers with those that are in Christ.
(1.) To confirm them, by bringing them to see more reason both for
their faith in Christ and their obedience to him; to confirm their
choice of Christ and their resolutions for Christ. (2.) To exhort them
to perseverance, and to the particular duties required of them: to
quicken them to that which is good, and direct them in it. They
comforted the brethren (so it may be rendered), and this would
contribute to the confirming of them; for the joy of the Lord will be
our strength. They exhorted them with many words; they used a very
great copiousness and variety of expression. One word would affect one,
and another another; and therefore, though what they had to say might
have been summed up in a few words, yet it was for the edification of
the church that they used many words, dia logou pollou--with much
speech, much reasoning; precept must be upon precept.
5. The dismission of the Jerusalem ministers, v. 33. When they had
spent some time among them (so it might be read), poiesantes
chronon--having made some stay, and having made it to good purpose, not
having trifled away time, but having filled it up, they were let go in
peace from the brethren at Antioch, to the apostles at Jerusalem, with
all possible expressions of kindness and respect; they thanked them for
their coming and pains, and the good service they had done, wished them
their health and a good journey home, and committed them to the custody
of the peace of God.
6. The continuance of Silas, notwithstanding, together with Paul and
Barnabas, at Antioch. (1.) Silas, when it came to the setting to, would
not go back with Judas to Jerusalem, but let him go home by himself,
and chose rather to abide still at Antioch, v. 34. And we have no
reason at all to blame him for it, though we know not the reason that
moved him to it. I am apt to think the congregations at Antioch were
both more large and more lively than those at Jerusalem, and that this
tempted him to stay there, and he did well: so did Judas, who,
notwithstanding this, returned to his post of service at Jerusalem.
(2.) Paul and Barnabas, though their work lay chiefly among the
Gentiles, yet continued for some time in Antioch, being pleased with
the society of the ministers and people there, which, it should seem by
divers passages, was more than ordinarily inviting. They continued
there, not to take their pleasure, but teaching and preaching the word
of God. Antioch, being the chief city of Syria, it is probable there
was a great resort of Gentiles thither from all parts upon one account
or other, as there was of Jews to Jerusalem; so that in preaching there
they did in effect preach to many nations, for they preached to those
who would carry the report of what they preached to many nations, and
thereby prepare them for the apostles' coming in person to preach to
them. And thus they were not only not idle at Antioch, but were serving
their main intention. (3.) There were many others also there, labouring
at the same oar. The multitude of workmen in Christ's vineyard does not
give us a writ of ease. Even where there are many others labouring in
the word and doctrine, yet there may be opportunity for us; the zeal
and usefulness of others should excite us, not lay us asleep.
Disagreement between Paul and Barnabas.
36 And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and
visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the
Lord, and see how they do. 37 And Barnabas determined to take with
them John, whose surname was Mark. 38 But Paul thought not good to
take him with them, who departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not
with them to the work. 39 And the contention was so sharp between
them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas
took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus; 40 And Paul chose Silas, and
departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God. 41
And he went through Syria and Cilicia, confirming the churches.
We have seen one unhappy difference among the brethren, which was of a
public nature, brought to a good issue; but here we have a private
quarrel between two ministers, no less men than Paul and Barnabas, not
compromised indeed, yet ending well.
I. Here is a good proposal Paul made to Barnabas to go and review their
work among the Gentiles and renew it, to take a circuit among the
churches they had planted, and see what progress the gospel made among
them. Antioch was now a safe and quiet harbour for them: they had there
no adversary nor evil occurrent; but Paul remembered that they only put
in there to refit and refresh themselves, and therefore begins now to
think of putting to sea again; and, having been in winter quarters long
enough, he is for taking the field again, and making another campaign,
in a vigorous prosecution of this holy war against Satan's kingdom.
Paul remembered that the work appointed him was afar off among the
Gentiles, and therefore he is here meditating a second expedition among
them to do the same work, though to encounter the same difficulties;
and this some days after, for his active spirit could not bear to be
long out of work; no, nor his bold and daring spirit to be long out of
danger. Observe, 1. To whom he makes this proposal--to Barnabas, his
old friend and fellow-labourer; he invites his company and help in this
work. We have need one of another, and may be in many ways serviceable
one to another; and therefore should be forward both to borrow and lend
assistance. Two are better than one. Every soldier has his comrade. 2.
For whom the visit is designed: "Let us not presently begin new work,
nor break up new ground; but let us take a view of the fields we have
sown. Come, and let us get up early to the vineyards, let us see if the
vine flourish, Cant. vii. 12. Let us go again and visit our brethren in
every city where we have preached the word of the Lord." Observe, He
calls all the Christians brethren, and not ministers only; for, Have we
not all one Father? He has a concern for them in every city, even where
the brethren were fewest and poorest, and most persecuted and despised;
yet let us visit them. Wherever we have preached the word of the Lord,
let us go and water the seed sown. Note, Those that have preached the
gospel should visit those to whom them have preached it. As we must
look after our praying, and hear what answer God gives to that; so we
must look after our preaching, and see what success that has. Faithful
ministers cannot but have a particular tender concern for those to whom
they have preached the gospel, that they may not bestow upon them
labour in vain. See 1 Thess. iii. 5, 6. 3. What was intended in this
visit: "Let us see how they do," pos echousi--how it is with them. It
was not merely a compliment that he designed, nor did he take such a
journey with a bare How do you do? No, he would visit them that he
might acquaint himself with their case, and impart unto them such
spiritual gifts as were suited to it; as the physician visits his
recovering patient, that he may prescribe what is proper for the
perfecting of his cure, and the preventing of a relapse. Let us see how
they do, that is, (1.) What spirit they are of, how they stand
affected, and how they behave themselves; it is probable that they
frequently heard from them, "But let us go and see them; let us go and
see whether they hold fast what we preached to them, and live up to it,
that we may endeavour to reduce them if we find them wandering, to
confirm them if we find them wavering, and to comfort them if we find
them steady." (2.) What state they are in, whether the churches have
rest and liberty, or whether they are not in trouble or distress, that
we may rejoice with them if they rejoice, and caution them against
security, and may weep with them if they weep, and comfort them under
the cross, and may know the better how to pray for them.
II. The disagreement between Paul and Barnabas about an assistant; it
was convenient to have a young man with them that should attend on them
and minister to them, and be a witness of their doctrine, manner of
life, and patience, and that should be fitted and trained up for
further service, by being occasionally employed in the present service.
Now, 1. Barnabas would have his nephew John, whose surname was Mark, to
go along with them, v. 37. He determined to take him, because he was
his relation, and, it is likely, was brought up under him, and he had a
kindness for him, and was solicitous for his welfare. We should suspect
ourselves of partiality, and guard against it in preferring our
relations. 2. Paul opposed it (v. 38): He thought not good to take him
with them, ouk exiou--he did not think him worthy of the honour, nor
fit for the service, who had departed from them, clandestinely as it
should seem, without their knowledge, or wilfully, without their
consent, from Pamphylia (ch. xiii. 13), and went not with them to the
work, because he was either lazy and would not take the pains that must
be taken, or cowardly and would not run the hazard. He run his colours
just as they were going to engage. It is probable that he promised very
fair now that he would not do so again. But Paul thought it was not fit
he should be thus honoured who had forfeited his reputation, nor thus
employed who had betrayed his trust; at least, not till he had been
longer tried. If a man deceive me once, it is his fault; but, if twice,
it is my own, for trusting him. Solomon saith, Confidence in an
unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot
out of joint, which will hardly be used again, Prov. xxv. 19.
III. The issue of this disagreement: it came to such a height that they
separated upon it. The contention, the paroxysm (so the word is), the
fit of passion which this threw them both into, was so sharp that they
departed asunder one from the other. Barnabas was peremptory that he
would not go with Paul unless they took John Mark with them; Paul was
as peremptory that he would not go if John did go with them. Neither
would yield, and therefore there is no remedy but they must part. Now
here is that which is very humbling, and just matter of lamentation,
and yet very instructive. For we see, 1. That the best of men are but
men, subject to like passions as we are, as these two good men had
expressly owned concerning themselves (ch. xiv. 15), and now it
appeared too true. I doubt there was (as usually there is in such
contentions) a fault on both sides; perhaps Paul was too severe upon
the young man, and did not allow his fault the extenuation it was
capable of, did not consider what a useful woman his mother was in
Jerusalem (ch. xii. 12), nor make the allowances he might have made to
Barnabas's natural affection. But it was Barnabas's fault that he took
this into consideration, in a case wherein the interest of Christ's
kingdom was concerned, and indulged it too much. And they were
certainly both in fault to be hot as to let the contention be sharp (it
is to be feared they gave one another some hard words), as also to be
so stiff as each to stick resolutely to his opinion, and neither to
yield. It is a pity that they did not refer the matter to a third
person, or that some friend did not interpose to prevent its coming to
an open rupture. Is there never a wise man among them to interpose his
good offices, and to accommodate the matter, and to put them in mind of
the Canaanite and the Perizzite that were now in the land, and that not
only Jews and heathens, but the false brethren among themselves, would
warm their hands at the flames of the contention between Paul and
Barnabas? We must own it was their infirmity, and is recorded for our
admonition; not that we must make use of it to excuse our own
intemperate heats and passions, or to rebate the edge of our sorrow and
shame for them; we must not say, "What if I was in a passion, were not
Paul and Barnabas so?" No; but it must check our censures of others,
and moderate them. If good men are soon put into a passion, we must
make the best of it, it was the infirmity once of two of the best men
that ever the world had. Repentance teaches us to be severe in
reflections upon ourselves; but charity teaches us to be candid in our
reflections upon others. It is only Christ's example that is a copy
without a blot. 2. That we are not to think it strange if there be
differences among wise and good men; we were told before that such
offences would come, and here is an instance of it. Even those that are
united to one and the same Jesus, and sanctified by one and the same
Spirit, have different apprehensions, different opinions, different
views, and different sentiments in points of prudence. It will be so
while we are in this state of darkness and imperfection; we shall never
be all of a mind till we come to heaven, where light and love are
perfect. That is charity which never fails. 3. That these differences
often prevail so far as to occasion separations. Paul and Barnabas, who
were not separated by the persecutions of the unbelieving Jews, nor the
impositions of the believing Jews, were yet separated by an unhappy
disagreement between themselves. O the mischief that even the poor and
weak remainders of pride and passion, that are found even in good men,
do in the world, do in the church! Now wonder the consequences are so
fatal where they reign.
IV. The good that was brought out of this evil-meat out of the eater,
and sweetness out of the strong. It was strange that even the
sufferings of the apostles (as Phil. i. 12), but much more strange that
even the quarrels of the apostles, should tend to the furtherance of
the gospel of Christ; yet so it proved here. God would not permit such
things to be, if he knew not how to make them to serve his own
purposes. 1. More places are hereby visited. Barnabas went one way; he
sailed to Cyprus (v. 39), that famous island where they began their
work (ch. xiii. 4), and which was his own country, ch. iv. 36. Paul
went another way into Cilicia, which was his own country, ch. xxi. 39.
Each seems to be influenced by his affection to his native soil, as
usual (Nescio quá natale solum dulcedine cunctos ducit--There is
something that attaches us all to our native soil), and yet God served
his own purposes by it, for the diffusing of gospel light. 2. More
hands are hereby employed in the ministry of the gospel among the
Gentiles; for, (1.) John Mark, who had been an unfaithful hand, is not
rejected, but is again made use of, against Paul's mind, and, for aught
we know, proves a very useful and successful hand, though many think it
was not the same with that Mark that wrote the gospel, and founded the
church at Alexandria, and whom Peter calls his son, 1 Pet. v. 13. (2.)
Silas who was a new hand, and never yet employed in that work, nor
intended to be, but to return to the service of the church at
Jerusalem, had not God changed his mind (v. 33, 34), he is brought in,
and engaged in that noble work.
V. We may further observe, 1. That the church at Antioch seem to
countenance Paul in what he did. Barnabas sailed with his nephew to
Cyprus, and no notice was taken of him, nor a bene discessit--a
recommendation given him. Note, Those that in their service of the
church are swayed by private affections and regards forfeit public
honours and respect. But, when Paul departed, he was recommended by the
brethren to the grace of God. They thought he was in the right in
refusing to make use of John Mark, and could not but blame Barnabas for
insisting upon it, though he was one who had deserved well of the
church (ch. xi. 22) before they knew Paul; and therefore they prayed
publicly for Paul, and for the success of his ministry, encouraged him
to go on in his work, and, though they could do nothing themselves to
further him, they transferred the matter to the grace of God, leaving
it to that grace both to work upon him and to work with him. Note,
Those are happy at all times, and especially in times of disagreement
and contention, who are enabled so to carry themselves as not to
forfeit their interest in the love and prayers of good people. 2. That
yet Paul afterwards seems to have had, though not upon second thoughts,
yet upon further trial, a better opinion of John Mark than now he had;
for he writes to Timothy (2 Tim. iv. 11), Take Mark and bring him with
thee, for he is profitable to me for the ministry; and he writes to the
Colossians concerning Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, that if he came
to them they should receive him, bid him welcome, and employ him (Col.
iv. 10), which teaches us, (1.) That even those whom we justly condemn
we should condemn moderately, and with a great deal of temper, because
we know not but afterwards we may see cause to think better of them,
and both to make use of them and make friendship with them, and we
should so regulate our resentments that if it should prove so we may
not afterwards be ashamed of them. (2.) That even those whom we have
justly condemned, if afterwards they prove more faithful, we should
cheerfully receive, forgive and forget, and put a confidence in, and,
as there is occasion, give a good word to. 3. That Paul, though he
wanted his old friend and companion in the kingdom and patience of
Jesus Christ, yet went on cheerfully in his work (v. 41): He went
through Syria and Cilicia, countries which lay next to Antioch,
confirming the churches. Though we change our colleagues, we do not
change our principal president. And observe, Ministers are well
employed, and ought to think themselves so, and be satisfied, when they
are made use of confirming those that believe, as well as in converting
those that believe not.
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A C T S.
CHAP. XVI.
It is some rebuke to Barnabas that after he left Paul we hear no more
of him, of what he did or suffered for Christ. But Paul, as he was
recommended by the brethren to the grace of God, so his services for
Christ after this are largely recorded; we are to attend him in this
chapter from place to place, wherever he came doing good, either
watering or planting, beginning new work or improving what was done.
Here is, I. The beginning of his acquaintance with Timothy, and taking
him to be his assistant, ver. 1-3. II. The visit he made to the
churches for their establishment, ver. 4, 5. III. His call to Macedonia
(after a restraint he had been under from going to some other places),
and his coming to Philippi, the chief city of Macedonia, with his
entertainment there, ver. 6-13. IV. The conversion of Lydia there, ver.
14, 15. V. The casing of an evil spirit out of a damsel, ver. 16-18.
VI. The accusing and abusing of Paul and Silas for it, their
imprisonment, and the indignities done them, ver. 19-24. VII. The
miraculous conversion of the jailer to the faith of Christ, ver. 25-34.
VIII. The honourable discharge of Paul and Silas by the magistrates,
ver. 35-40.
Paul's Adoption of Timothy.
1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was
there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess,
and believed; but his father was a Greek: 2 Which was well reported
of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Him would Paul
have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the
Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father
was a Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered
them the decrees for to keep, that were ordained of the apostles and
elders which were at Jerusalem. 5 And so were the churches
established in the faith, and increased in number daily.
Paul was a spiritual father, and as such a one we have him here
adopting Timothy, and taking care of the education of many others who
had been begotten to Christ by his ministry: and in all he appears to
have been a wise and tender father. Here is,
I. His taking Timothy into his acquaintance and under his tuition. One
thing designed in the book of the Acts is to help us to understand
Paul's epistles, two of which are directed to Timothy; it was therefore
necessary that in the history of Paul we should have some account
concerning him. And we are here accordingly told, 1. That he was a
disciple, one that belonged to Christ, and was baptized, probably in
his infancy, when his mother became a believer, as Lydia's household
was baptized upon her believing, v. 15. Him, that was a disciple of
Christ, Paul took to be his disciple, that he might further train him
up in the knowledge and faith of Christ; he took him to be brought up
for Christ. 2. That his mother was a Jewess originally, but believed in
Christ; her name was Eunice, his grandmother's name was Lois. Paul
speaks of them both with great respect, as women of eminent virtue and
piety, and commends them especially for their unfeigned faith (2 Tim.
i. 5), their sincerely embracing and adhering to the doctrine of
Christ. 3. That his father was a Greek, a Gentile. The marriage of a
Jewish woman to a Gentile husband (though some would make a difference)
was prohibited as much as the marriage of a Jewish man to a Gentile
wife, Deut. vii. 3. Thou shalt no more give thy daughter to his son
than take his daughter to thy son; yet this seems to have been limited
to the nations that lived among them in Canaan, whom they were most in
danger of infection from. Now because his father was a Greek he was not
circumcised: for the entail of the covenant and the seal of it, as of
other entails in that nation, went by the father, not by the mother; so
that his father being no Jew he was not obliged to circumcision, nor
entitled to it, unless when he grew up he did himself desire it. But,
observe, though his mother could not prevail to have him circumcised in
his infancy, because his father was of another mind and way, yet she
educated him in the fear of God, that though he wanted the sign of the
covenant he might not want the thing signified. 4. That he had gained a
very good character among the Christians: he was well reported of by
the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium; he had not only an
unblemished reputation, and was free from scandal, but he had a bright
reputation, and great encomiums were given of him, as an extraordinary
young man, and one from whom great things were expected. Not only those
in the place where he was born, but those in the neighbouring cities,
admired him, and spoke honourably of him. He had a name for good things
with good people. 5. That Paul would have him to go forth with him, to
accompany him, to give attendance on him, to receive instruction from
him, and to join with him in the work of the gospel--to preach for him
when there was occasion, and to be left behind in places where he had
planted churches. Paul had a great love for him, not only because he
was an ingenious young man, and one of great parts, but because he was
a serious young man, and one of devout affections: for Paul was always
mindful of his tears, 2 Tim. i. 4. 6. That Paul took him and
circumcised him, or ordered it to be done. This was strange. Had not
Paul opposed those with all his might that were for imposing
circumcision upon the Gentile converts? Had he not at this time the
decrees of the council at Jerusalem with him, which witnessed against
it? He had, and yet circumcised Timothy, not, as those teachers
designed in imposing circumcision, to oblige him to keep the ceremonial
law, but only to render his conversation and ministry passable, and, if
it might be, acceptable among the Jews that abounded in those quarters.
He knew Timothy was a man likely to do a great deal of good among them,
being admirably qualified for the ministry, if they were not invincibly
prejudiced against him; and therefore, that they might not shun him as
one unclean, because uncircumcised, he took him and circumcised him.
Thus to the Jews he became as a Jew, that he might gain the Jews, and
all things to all men, that he might gain some. He was against those
who made circumcision necessary to salvation, but used it himself when
it was conducive to edification; nor was he rigid in opposing it, as
they were in imposing it. Thus, though he went not in this instance
according to the letter of the decree, he went according to the spirit
of it, which was a spirit of tenderness towards the Jews, and
willingness to bring them off gradually from their prejudices. Paul
made no difficulty of taking Timothy to be his companion, though he was
uncircumcised; but the Jews would not hear him if he were, and
therefore Paul will humour them herein. It is probable that it was at
this time that Paul laid his hands on Timothy, for the conferring of
the gift of the Holy Ghost upon him, 2 Tim. i. 6.
II. His confirming the churches which he had planted (v. 4, 5): He went
through the cities where he had preached the word of the Lord, as he
intended (ch. xv. 36), to enquire into their state. And we are told,
1. That they delivered them copies of the decrees of the Jerusalem
synod, to be a direction to them in the government of themselves, and
that they might have wherewith to answer the judaizing teachers, and to
justify themselves in adhering to the liberty with which Christ had
made them free. All the churches were concerned in that decree, and
therefore it was requisite they should all have it well attested.
Though Paul had for a particular reason circumcised Timothy, yet he
would not have that drawn into a precedent; and therefore he delivered
the decrees to the churches, to be religiously observed; for they must
abide by the rule, and not be drawn from it by a particular example.
2. That this was of very good service to them. (1.) The churches were
hereby established in the faith, v. 5. They were confirmed particularly
in their opinion against the imposing of the ceremonial law upon the
Gentiles; the great assurance and heat wherewith the judaizing teachers
pressed the necessity of circumcision, and the plausible arguments they
produced for it, had shocked them, so that they began to waver
concerning it. But when they saw the testimony, not only of the
apostles and elders, but of the Holy Ghost in them, against it, they
were established, and did not longer waver about it. Note, Testimonies
to truth, though they may not prevail to convince those that oppose it,
may be of very good use to establish those that are in doubt concerning
it, and to fix them. Nay, the design of this decree being to set aside
the ceremonial law, and the carnal ordinances of that, they were by it
established in the Christian faith in general, and were the more firmly
assured that it was of God, because it set up a spiritual way of
serving God, as more suited to the nature both of God and man; and,
besides, that spirit of tenderness and condescension which appeared in
these letters plainly showed that the apostles and elders were herein
under the guidance of him who is love itself. (2.) They increased in
number daily. The imposing of the yoke of the ceremonial law upon their
converts was enough to frighten people from them. If they had been
disposed to turn Jews, they could have done that long since, before the
apostles came among them; but, if they cannot be interested in the
Christian privileges without submitting to the Jews' yoke, they will be
as they are. But, if they find there is no danger of their being so
enslaved, they are ready to embrace Christianity, and join themselves
to the church. And thus the church increased in numbers daily; not a
day passed but some or other gave up their names to Christ. And it is a
joy to those who heartily wish well to the honour of Christ, and the
welfare of the church and the souls of men, to see such an increase.
Paul Invited into Macedonia; The Conversion of Lydia.
6 Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia,
and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, 7
After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but
the Spirit suffered them not. 8 And they passing by Mysia came down
to Troas. 9 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a
man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and
help us. 10 And after he had seen the vision, immediately we
endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had
called us for to preach the gospel unto them. 11 Therefore loosing
from Troas, we came with a straight course to Samothracia, and the next
day to Neapolis; 12 And from thence to Philippi, which is the chief
city of that part of Macedonia, and a colony: and we were in that city
abiding certain days. 13 And on the sabbath we went out of the city
by a river side, where prayer was wont to be made; and we sat down, and
spake unto the women which resorted thither. 14 And a certain woman
named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, which
worshipped God, heard us: whose heart the Lord opened, that she
attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul. 15 And when she
was baptized, and her household, she besought us, saying, If ye have
judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide
there. And she constrained us.
In these verses we have,
I. Paul's travels up and down to do good. 1. He and Silas his colleague
went throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, where, it should
seem, the gospel was already planted, but whether by Paul's hand or no
is not mentioned; it is likely it was, for in his epistle to the
Galatians he speaks of his preaching the gospel to them at the first,
and how very acceptable he was among them, Gal. iv. 13-15. And it
appears by that epistle that the judaizing teachers had then done a
great deal of mischief to these churches of Galatia, had prejudiced
them against Paul and drawn them from the gospel of Christ, for which
he there severely reproves them. But probably that was a great while
after this. 2. They were forbidden at this time to preach the gospel in
Asia (the country properly so called), because it did not need, other
hands being at work there; or because the people were not yet prepared
to receive it, as they were afterwards (ch. xix. 10), when all those
that dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord; or, as Dr. Lightfoot
suggests, because at this time Christ would employ Paul in a piece of
new work, which was to preach the gospel to a Roman colony at Philippi,
for hitherto the Gentiles to whom he had preached were Greeks. The
Romans were more particularly hated by the Jews than other Gentiles;
their armies were the abomination of desolation; and therefore there is
this among other things extraordinary in his call thither that he is
forbidden to preach the gospel in Asia and other places, in order to
his preaching it there, which is an intimation that the light of the
gospel would in aftertimes be directed more westward than eastward. It
was the Holy Ghost that forbade them, either by secret whispers in the
minds of both of them, which, when they came to compare notes, they
found to be the same, and to come from the same Spirit; or by some
prophets who spoke to them from the Spirit. The removals of ministers,
and the dispensing of the means of grace by them, are in a particular
manner under a divine guidance and direction. We find an Old-Testament
minister forbidden to preach at all (Ezek. iii. 26): Thou shalt be
dumb. But these New-Testament ministers are only forbidden to preach in
one place, while they are directed to another where there is more need.
3. They would have gone into Bithynia, but were not permitted: the
Spirit suffered them not, v. 7. They came to Mysia, and, as it should
seem, preached the gospel there; for though it was a very mean
contemptible country, even to a proverb (Mysorum ultimus, in Cicero, is
a most despicable man), yet the apostles disdained not to visit it,
owning themselves debtors both to the wise and to the unwise, Rom. i.
14. In Bithynia was the city of Nice, where the first general council
was held against the Arians; into these countries Peter sent his
epistle (1 Pet. i. 1); and there were flourishing churches here, for,
though they had not the gospel sent them now, they had it in their
turn, not long after. Observe, Though their judgment and inclination
were to go into Bithynia, yet, having then extraordinary ways of
knowing the mind of God, they were overruled by them, contrary to their
own mind. We must now follow providence, and submit to the guidance of
that pillar of cloud and fire; and, if this suffer us not to do what we
assay to do, we ought to acquiesce, and believe it for the best. The
Spirit of Jesus suffered them not; so many ancient copies read it. The
servants of the Lord Jesus ought to be always under the check and
conduct of the Spirit of the Lord Jesus, by whom he governs men's
minds. 4. They passed by Mysia, or passed through it (so some), sowing
good seed, we may suppose, as they went along; and they came down to
Troas, the city of Troy, so much talked of, or the country thereabouts,
which took its denomination from it. Here a church was planted; for
here we find one in being, ch. xx. 6, 7, and probably planted at this
time, and in a little time. It should seem that at Troas Luke fell in
with Paul, and joined himself to his company; for henceforward, for the
most part, when he speaks of Paul's journeys, he puts himself into the
number of his retinue, we went, v. 10.
II. Paul's particular call to Macedonia, that is, to Philippi, the
chief city, inhabited mostly by Romans, as appears, v. 21. Here we
have,
1. The vision Paul had, v. 9. Paul had many visions, sometimes to
encourage, sometimes, as here, to direct him in his work. An angel
appeared to him, to intimate to him that it was the will of Christ he
should go to Macedonia. Let him not be discouraged by the embargo laid
upon him once and again, by which his designs were crossed; for, though
he shall not go where he has a mind to go, he shall go where God has
work for him to do. Now observe, (1.) The person Paul saw. There stood
by him a man of Macedonia, who by his habit or dialect seemed so to
Paul, or who told him he was so. The angel, some think, assumed the
shape of such a man; or, as others think, impressed upon Paul's fancy,
when between asleep and awake, the image of such a man: he dreamt he
saw such a one. Christ would have Paul directed to Macedonia, not as
the apostles were at other times, by a messenger from heaven, to send
him thither, but by a messenger thence to call him thither, because in
this way he would afterwards ordinarily direct the motions of his
ministers, by inclining the hearts of those who needed them to invite
them. Paul shall be called to Macedonia by a man of Macedonia, and by
him speaking in the name of the rest. Some make this man to be the
tutelar angel of Macedonia, supposing angels to have charge of
particular places as well as persons, and that so much is intimated
Dan. x. 20, where we read of the princes of Persia and Grecia, that
seem to have been angels. But there is no certainty of this. There was
presented either to Paul's eyes or to his mind a man of Macedonia. The
angel must not preach the gospel himself to the Macedonians, but must
bring Paul to them. Nor must he by the authority of an angel order him
to go, but in the person of a Macedonian court him to come. A man of
Macedonia, not a magistrate of the country, much less a priest (Paul
was not accustomed to receive invitations from such) but an ordinary
inhabitant of that country, a plain man, that carried in his
countenance marks of probity and seriousness, that did not come to
banter Paul nor trifle with him, but in good earnest and with all
earnestness to importune his assistance. (2.) The invitation given him.
This honest Macedonian prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia,
and help us; that is, "Come and preach the gospel to us; let us have
the benefit of thy labours." [1.] "Thou hast helped many; we have heard
of those in this and the other country to whom thou hast been very
useful; and why may we not put in for a share? O come and help us." The
benefits others have received from the gospel should quicken our
enquiries, our further enquiries, after it. [2.] "It is thy business,
and it is thy delight, to help poor souls; thou art a physician for the
sick, that art to be ready at the call of every patient; O come and
help us." [3.] "We have need of thy help, as much as any people; we in
Macedonia are as ignorant and as careless in religion as any people in
the world are, are as idolatrous and as vicious as any, and as
ingenious and industrious to ruin ourselves as any; and therefore, O
come, come with all speed among us. If thou canst do any thing, have
compassion on us, and help us." [4.] "Those few among us that have any
sense of divine things, and any concern for their own souls and the
souls of others, have done what can be done, by the help of natural
light; I have done my part for one. We have carried the matter as far
as it will go, to persuade our neighbours to fear and worship God, but
we can do little good among them. O come come, thou over, and help us.
The gospel thou preachest has arguments and powers beyond those we have
yet been furnished with." [5.] "Do not only help us with thy prayers
here: this will not do; thou must come over and help us." Note, People
have great need of help for their souls, and it is their duty to look
out for it and invite those among them that can help them.
2. The interpretation made of the vision (v. 10): They gathered
assuredly from this that the Lord had called them to preach the gospel
there; and they were ready to go wherever God directed. Note, We may
sometimes infer a call of God from a call of man. If a man of Macedonia
says, Come and help us, Paul thence gathers assuredly that God says, Go
an help them. Ministers may go on with great cheerfulness and courage
in their work when they perceive Christ calling them, not only to
preach the gospel, but to preach it at this time, in this place, to
this people.
III. Paul's voyage to Macedonia hereupon: He was not disobedient to the
heavenly vision, but followed this divine direction much more
cheerfully, and with more satisfaction, than he would have followed any
contrivance or inclination of his own. 1. Thitherward he turned his
thoughts. Now that he knows the mind of God in the matter he is
determined, for this is all he wanted; now he thinks no more of Asia,
nor Bithynia, but immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia. Paul
only had the vision, but he communicated it to his companions, and they
all, upon the credit of this, resolved for Macedonia. As Paul will
follow Christ, so all his will follow him, or rather follow Christ with
him. They are getting things in readiness for this expedition
immediately, without delay. Note, God's calls must be complied with
immediately. As our obedience must not be disputed, so it must not be
deferred; do it to-day, lest thy heart be hardened. Observe, They could
not immediately go into Macedonia; but they immediately endeavoured to
go. If we cannot be so quick as we would be in our performances, yet we
may be in our endeavours, and this shall be accepted. 2. Thitherward he
steered his course. They set sail by the first shipping and with the
first fair wind from Troas; for they may be sure they have done what
they had to do there when God calls them to another place. They came
with a straight course, a prosperous voyage, to Samothracia; the next
day they came to Neapolis, a city on the confines of Thrace and
Macedonia; and at last they landed at Philippi, a city so called from
Philip king of Macedon, the father of Alexander the Great; it is said
(v. 12) to be, (1.) The chief city of that part of Macedonia; or, as
some read it, the first city, the first they came to when they came
from Troas. As an army that lands in a country of which they design to
make themselves masters begin with the reduction of the first place
they come to, so did Paul and his assistants: they began with the first
city, because, if the gospel were received there, it would the more
easily spread thence all the country over. (2.) It was a colony. The
Romans not only had a garrison, but the inhabitants of the city were
Romans, the magistrates at least, and the governing part. There were
the greatest numbers and variety of people, and therefore the most
likelihood of doing good.
IV. The cold entertainment which Paul and his companions met with at
Philippi. One would have expected that having such a particular call
from God thither they would have had a joyful welcome there, as Peter
had with Cornelius when the angel sent him thither. Where was the man
of Macedonia that begged Paul to come thither with all speed? Why did
not he stir up his countrymen, some of them at least, to go and meet
him? Why was not Paul introduced with solemnity, and the keys of the
city put into his hand? Here is nothing like this; for, 1. It is a good
while before any notice at all is taken of him: We were in that city
abiding certain days, probably at a public house and at their own
charge, for they had no friend to invite them so much as to a meal's
meat, till Lydia welcomed them. They had made all the haste they could
thither, but, now that they are there, they are almost tempted to think
they might as well have staid where they were. But so it was ordered
for their trial whether they could bear the pain of silence and lying
by, when this was their lot. Those eminent and useful men are not fit
to live in this world that know not how to be slighted and overlooked.
Let not ministers think it strange if they be first strongly invited to
a place, and then looked shyly upon when they come. 2. When they have
an opportunity of preaching it is in an obscure place, and to a mean
and small auditory, v. 13. There was no synagogue of the Jews there,
for aught that appears, to be a door of entrance to them, and they
never went to the idol-temples of the Gentiles, to preach to the
auditories there; but here, upon enquiry, they found out a little
meeting of good women, that were proselytes of the gate, who would be
thankful to them if they would give them a sermon. The place of this
meeting is out of the city; there it was connived at, but would not be
suffered any where within the walls. It was a place where prayer was
wont to be made; proseuche--where an oratory or house of prayer was (so
some), a chapel, or smaller synagogue. But I rather take it, as we read
it, where prayer was appointed or accustomed to be. Those that
worshipped the true God, and would not worship idols, met there to pray
together, and, according to the description of the most ancient and
universal devotion, to call upon the name of the Lord. Each of them
prayed apart every day; this was always the practice of those that
worshipped God: but, besides this, they came together on the sabbath
day. Though they were but a few and discountenanced by the town, though
their meeting was at some distance, though, for aught that appears,
there were none but women, yet a solemn assembly the worshippers of God
must have, if by any means it be possible, on the sabbath day. When we
cannot do as we would we must do as we can; if we have not synagogues,
we must be thankful for more private places, and resort to them, not
forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, according as our
opportunities are. This place is said to be by a river side, which
perhaps was chosen, as befriending contemplation. Idolaters are said to
take their lot among the smooth stones of the stream, Isa. lvii. 6. But
these proselytes had in their eye, perhaps, the example of those
prophets who had their visions, one by the river of Chebar (Ezek. i.
1), another by the great river Hiddekel, Dan. x. 4. Thither Paul and
Silas and Luke went, and sat down, to instruct the congregation, that
they might the better pray with them. They spoke unto the women who
resorted thither, encouraged them in practising according to the light
they had, and led them on further to the knowledge of Christ.
V. The conversion of Lydia, who probably was the first that was wrought
upon there to believe in Christ, though not the last. In this story of
the Acts, we have not only the conversion of places recorded, but of
many particular persons; for such is the worth of souls that the
reducing of one to God is a great matter. Nor have we only the
conversions that were effected by miracle, as Paul's, but some that
were brought about by the ordinary methods of grace, as Lydia's here.
Observe,
1. Who this convert was that there is such particular notice taken of.
Four things are recorded of her:--
(1.) Her name, Lydia. It is an honour to her to have her name recorded
here in the book of God, so that wherever the scriptures are read there
shall this be told concerning her. Note, The names of the saints are
precious with God, and should be so with us; we cannot have our names
recorded in the Bible, but, if God open our hearts, we shall find them
written in the book of life, and this is better (Phil. iv. 3) and more
to be rejoiced in, Luke x. 20.
(2.) Her calling. She was a seller of purple, either of purple dye or
of purple cloth or silk. Observe, [1.] She had a calling, an honest
calling, which the historian takes notice of to her praise; she was
none of those women that the apostle speaks of (1 Tim. v. 13), who
learn to be idle, and not only idle, &c. [2.] It was a mean calling.
She was a seller of purple, not a wearer of purple, few such are
called. The notice here taken of this is an intimation to those who are
employed in honest callings, if they be honest in the management of
them, not to be ashamed of them. [3.] Though she had a calling to mind,
yet she was a worshipper of God, and found time to improve advantages
for her soul. The business of our particular callings may be made to
consist very well with the business of religion, and therefore it will
not excuse us from religious exercises alone, and in our families, or
in solemn assemblies, to say, We have shops to look after, and a trade
to mind; for have we not also a God to serve and a soul to look after?
Religion does not call us from our business in the world, but directs
us in it. Every thing in its time and place.
(3.) The place she was of--of the city of Thyatira, which was a great
way from Philippi; there she was born and bred, but either married at
Philippi, or brought by her trade to settle there. The providence of
God, as it always appoints, so it often removes, the bounds of our
habitation, and sometimes makes the change of our outward condition or
place of our abode wonderfully subservient to the designs of his grace
concerning our salvation. Providence brings Lydia to Philippi, to be
under Paul's ministry, and there, where she met with it, she made a
good use of it; so should we improve opportunities.
(4.) Her religion before the Lord opened her heart. [1.] She worshipped
God according to the knowledge she had; she was one of the devout
women. Sometimes the grace of God wrought upon those who, before their
conversion, were very wicked and vile, publicans and harlots; such were
some of you, 1 Cor. vi. 11. But sometimes it fastened upon those who
were of a good character, who had some good in them, as the eunuch,
Cornelius, and Lydia. Note, It is not enough to be worshippers of God,
but we must be believers in Jesus Christ, for there is no coming to God
as a Father, but by him as Mediator. But those who worshipped God
according to the light they had stood fair for the discoveries of
Christ, and his grace to them; for to him that has shall be given: and
to them Christ would be welcome; for those that know what it is to
worship God see their need of Christ, and know what use to make of his
mediation. [2.] She heard the apostles. Here, where prayer was made,
when there was an opportunity, the word was preached; for hearing the
word of God is a part of religious worship, and how can we expect God
should hear our prayers if we will not hearken to his word? Those that
worshipped God according to the light they had looked out for further
light; we must improve the day of small things, but must not rest in
it.
2. What the work was that was wrought upon her: Whose heart the Lord
opened. Observe here, (1.) The author of this work: it was the
Lord,--the Lord Christ, to whom this judgment is committed,--the Spirit
of the Lord, who is the sanctifier. Note, Conversion-work is God's
work; it is he that works in us both to will and to do; not as if we
had nothing to do, but of ourselves, without God's grace, we can do
nothing; nor as if God were in the least chargeable with the ruin of
those that perish, but the salvation of those that are saved must be
wholly ascribed to him. (2.) The seat of this work; it is in the heart
that the change is made, it is to the heart that this blessed turn is
given; it was the heart of Lydia that was wrought upon. Conversion-work
is heart-work; it is a renewing of the heart, the inward man, the
spirit of the mind. (3.) The nature of the work; she had not only her
heart touched, but her heart opened. An unconverted soul is shut up,
and fortified against Christ, straitly shut up, as Jericho against
Joshua, Josh. vi. 1. Christ, in dealing with the soul, knocks at the
door that is shut against him (Rev. iii. 20); and, when a sinner is
effectually persuaded to embrace Christ, then the heart is opened for
the King of glory to come in--the understanding is open to receive the
divine light, the will opened to receive the divine law, and the
affections opened to receive the divine love. When the heart is thus
opened to Christ, the ear is opened to his word, the lips opened in
prayer, the hand opened in charity, and the steps enlarged in all
manner of gospel obedience.
3. What were the effects of this work on the heart. (1.) She took great
notice of the word of God. Her heart was so opened that she attended to
the things that were spoken by Paul; she not only gave attendance on
Paul's preaching, but gave attention to it; she applied to herself (so
some read it) the things that were spoken by Paul; and then only the
word does us good, and makes an abiding impression upon us, when we
apply it to ourselves. Now this was an evidence of the opening of her
heart, and was the fruit of it; wherever the heart is opened by the
grace of God, it will appear by a diligent attendance on, and attention
to, the word of God, both for Christ's sake, whose word it is, and for
our own sakes, who are so nearly interested in it. (2.) She gave up her
name to Jesus Christ, and took upon her the profession of his holy
religion; She was baptized, and by this solemn rite was admitted a
member of the church of Christ; and with her her household also was
baptized, those of them that were infants in her right, for if the root
be holy so are the branches, and those that were grown up by her
influence and authority. She and her household were baptized by the
same rule that Abraham and his household were circumcised, because the
seal of the covenant belongs to the covenanters and their seed. (3.)
She was very kind to the ministers, and very desirous to be further
instructed by them in the things pertaining to the kingdom of God: She
besought us saying "If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord,
if you take me to be a sincere Christian, manifest your confidence in
me by this, come into my house, and abide there." Thus she desired an
opportunity, [1.] To testify her gratitude to those who had been the
instruments of divine grace in this blessed change that was wrought
upon her. When her heart was open to Christ, her house was open to his
ministers for his sake, and they were welcome to the best entertainment
she had, which she did not think too good for those of whose spiritual
things she had reaped so plentifully. Nay, they are not only welcome to
her house, but she is extremely pressing and importunate with them: She
constrained us; which intimates that Paul was very backward and
unwilling to go, because he was afraid of being burdensome to the
families of the young converts, and would study to make the gospel of
Christ without charge (1 Cor. ix. 18; Acts xx. 34), that those who were
without might have no occasion given them to reproach the preachers of
the gospel as designing, self-seeking men, and that those who were
within might have no occasion to complain of the expenses of their
religion: but Lydia will have no nay; she will not believe that they
take her to be a sincere Christian unless they will oblige her herein;
like Abraham inviting the angels (Gen. xviii. 3), If now I have found
favour in thy sight, pass not away from thy servant. [2.] She desired
an opportunity of receiving further instruction. If she might but have
them for awhile in her family, she might hear them daily (Prov. viii.
34), and not merely on sabbath days at the meeting. In her own house
she might not only hear them, but ask them questions; and she might
have them to pray with her daily, and to bless her household. Those
that know something of Christ cannot but desire to know more, and seek
opportunities of increasing their acquaintance with his gospel.
The Expulsion of an Evil Spirit; Persecution of Philippi.
16 And it came to pass, as we went to prayer, a certain damsel
possessed with a spirit of divination met us, which brought her masters
much gain by soothsaying: 17 The same followed Paul and us, and
cried, saying, These men are the servants of the most high God, which
show unto us the way of salvation. 18 And this did she many days. But
Paul, being grieved, turned and said to the spirit, I command thee in
the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her. And he came out the same
hour. 19 And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was
gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace
unto the rulers, 20 And brought them to the magistrates, saying,
These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21 And teach
customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe,
being Romans. 22 And the multitude rose up together against them: and
the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them.
23 And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into
prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24 Who, having
received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made
their feet fast in the stocks.
Paul and his companions, though they were for some time buried in
obscurity at Philippi, yet now begin to be taken notice of.
I. A damsel that had a spirit of divination caused them to be taken
notice of, by proclaiming them to be the servants of God. Observe,
1. The account that is given of this damsel: She was pythonissa,
possessed with such a spirit of divination as that damsel was by whom
the oracles of Apollo at Delphos were delivered; she was actuated by an
evil spirit, that dictated ambiguous answers to those who consulted
her, which served to gratify their vain desire of knowing things to
come, but often deceived them. In those times of ignorance, infidelity,
and idolatry, the devil, by the divine permission, thus led men captive
at his will; and he could not have gained such adoration from them as
he had, if he had not pretended to give oracles to them, for by both
his usurpation is maintained as the god of this world. This damsel
brought her masters much gain by soothsaying; many came to consult this
witch for the discovery of robberies, the finding of things lost, and
especially to be told their fortune, and none came but with the rewards
of divination in their hands, according to the quality of the person
and the importance of the case. Probably there were many that were thus
kept for fortune-tellers, but, it should seem, this was more in repute
than any of them; for, while others brought some gain, this brought
much gain to her masters, being consulted more than any other.
2. The testimony which this damsel gave to Paul and his companions: She
met them in the street, as they were going to prayer, to the house of
prayer, or rather to the work of prayer there, v. 16. They went thither
publicly, every body knew whither they were going, and what they were
going to do. If what she did was likely to be any distraction to them,
or a hindrance in their work, it is observable how subtle Satan is,
that great tempter, in taking the opportunity to give us diversion when
we are going about any religious exercises, to ruffle us and to put us
out of temper when we need to be most composed. When she met with them
she followed them, crying, "These men, how contemptible soever they
look and are looked upon, are great men, for they are the servants of
the most high God, and men that should be very welcome to us, for they
show unto us the way of salvation, both the salvation that will be our
happiness, and the way to it that will be our holiness."
Now, (1.) This witness is true; it is a comprehensive encomium on the
faithful preachers of the gospel, and makes their feet beautiful, Rom.
x. 15. Though they are men subject to like passions as we are, and
earthen vessels, yet, [1.] "They are the servants of the most high God;
they attend on him, are employed by him, and are devoted to his honour,
as servants; they come to us on his errands, the message they bring is
from him, and they serve the purposes and interest of his kingdom. The
gods we Gentiles worship are inferior beings, therefore not gods, but
these men belong to the supreme Numen, to the most high God, who is
over all men, over all gods, who made us all, and to whom we are all
accountable. They are his servants, and therefore it is our duty to
respect them, and harken to them for their Master's sake, and it is at
our peril if we affront them." [2.] "They show unto us the way of
salvation." Even the heathen had some notion of the miserable
deplorable state of mankind, and their need of salvation, and it was
what they made some enquiries after. "Now," saith she, "these men are
the men that show us what we have in vain sought for in our
superstitious profitless application to our priests and oracles." Note,
God has, in the gospel of his Son, plainly shown us the way of
salvation, has told us what we must do that we may be delivered from
the misery to which by sin we have exposed ourselves.
But, (2.) How came this testimony from the mouth of one that had a
spirit of divination? Is Satan divided against himself? Will he cry up
those whose business it is to pull him down? We may take it either,
[1.] As extorted from this spirit of divination for the honour of the
gospel by the power of God; as the devil was forced to say of Christ
(Mark i. 24): I know thee who thou art, the Holy One of God. The truth
is sometimes magnified by the confession of its adversaries, in which
they are witnesses against themselves. Christ would have this testimony
of the damsel to rise up in judgment against those at Philippi who
slighted and persecuted the apostles; though the gospel needed no such
testimony, yet it shall serve to add to their commendation that the
damsel whom they looked upon as an oracle in other things proclaimed
the apostles God's servants. Or, [2.] As designed by the evil spirit,
that subtle serpent, to the dishonour of the gospel; some think she
designed hereby to gain credit to herself and her prophecies, and so to
increase her master's profit by pretending to be in the interest of the
apostles, who, she thought, had a growing reputation, or to curry
favour with Paul, that he might not separate her and her familiar.
Others think that Satan, who can transform himself into an angel of
light, and can say anything to serve a turn, designed hereby to
disgrace the apostles; as if these divines were of the same fraternity
with their diviners, because they were witnessed to by them, and then
the people might as well adhere to those they had been used to. Those
that were most likely to receive the apostles' doctrine were such as
were prejudiced against these spirits of divination, and therefore
would, by this testimony, be prejudiced against the gospel; and, as for
those who regarded these diviners, the devil thought himself sure of
them.
II. Christ caused them to be taken notice of, by giving them power to
cast the devil out of this damsel. She continued many days clamouring
thus (v. 18); and, it should seem, Paul took no notice of her, not
knowing but it might be ordered of God for the service of his cause,
that she should thus witness concerning his ministers; but finding
perhaps that it did them a prejudice, rather than any service, he soon
silenced her, by casting the devil out of her. 1. He was grieved. It
troubled him to see the damsel made an instrument of Satan to deceive
people, and to see the people imposed upon by her divinations. It was a
disturbance to him to hear a sacred truth so profaned, and good words
come out of such a wicked mouth with such and evil design. Perhaps they
were spoken in an ironical bantering way, as ridiculing the apostles'
pretensions, and mocking them, as when Christ's persecutors
complimented him with Hail, king of the Jews; and then justly might
Paul be grieved, as any good man's heart would be, to hear any good
truth of God bawled out in the streets in a canting jeering way. 2. He
commanded the evil spirit to come out of her. He turned with a holy
indignation, angry both at the flatteries and at the reproaches of the
unclean spirit, and said, I command thee in the name of Jesus Christ to
come out of her; and by this he will show that these men are the
servants of the living God, and are able to prove themselves so,
without her testimony: her silence shall demonstrate it more than her
speaking could do. Thus Paul shows the way of salvation indeed, that it
is by breaking the power of Satan, and chaining him up, that he may not
deceive the world (Rev. xx. 3), and that this salvation is to be
obtained in the name of Jesus Christ only, as in his name the devil was
now cast out and by no other. It was a great blessing to the country
when Christ by a word cast the devil out of those in whom he frightened
people and molested them so that no man might pass by that way (Matt.
viii. 28); but it was a much greater kindness to the country when Paul
now, in Christ's name, cast the devil out of one who deceived people
and imposed upon their credulity. Power went along with the word of
Christ, before which Satan could not stand, but was forced to quit his
hold, and in this case it was a strong hold: He came out the same hour.
III. The masters of the damsel that was dispossessed caused them to be
taken notice of, by bringing them before the magistrates for doing it,
and laying it to their charge as their crime. The preachers of the
gospel would never have had an opportunity of speaking to the
magistrates if they had not been brought before them as evil doers.
Observe here,
1. That which provoked them was, that, the damsel being restored to
herself, her masters saw that the hope of their gain was gone, v. 19.
See here what evil the love of money is the root of! If the preaching
of the gospel ruin the craft of the silversmiths (ch. xix. 24), much
more the craft of the soothsayers; and therefore here is a great outcry
raised, when Satan's power to deceive is broken: the priests hated the
gospel because it turned men from the blind service of dumb idols, and
so the hope of their gains was gone. The power of Christ, which
appeared in dispossessing the woman, and the great kindness done to her
in delivering her out of Satan's hand, made no impression upon them
when they apprehended that they should hereby lose money.
2. The course they took with them was to incense the higher powers
against them, as men fit to be punished: They caught them as they went
along, and, with the utmost fury and violence, dragged them into the
marketplace, where public justice was administered. (1.) They brought
them to the rulers, their justices of peace, to do by them as men taken
into the hands of the law, the duumviri. (2.) From them they hurried
them to the magistrates, the prætors or governors of the city, tois
strategois--the officers of the army, so the word signifies; but it is
taken in general for the judges or chief rulers: to them they brought
their complaint.
3. The charge they exhibited against them was that they were the
troublers of the land, v. 20. They take it for granted that these men
are Jews, a nation at this time as much an abomination to the Romans as
they had long ago been to the Egyptians. Piteous was the case of the
apostles, when it was turned to their reproach that they were Jews, and
yet the Jews were their most violent persecutors! (1.) The general
charge against them is that they troubled the city, sowed discord, and
disturbed the public peace, and occasioned riots and tumults, than
which nothing could be more false and unjust, as was Ahab's character
of Elijah (1 Kings xviii. 17): Art thou he that troubleth Israel? If
they troubled the city, it was but like the angel's troubling the water
of Bethesda's pool, in order to healing-shaking, in order to a happy
settlement. Thus those that rouse the sluggards are exclaimed against
for troubling them. (2.) The proof of this charge is their teaching
customs not proper to be admitted by a Roman colony, v. 21. The Romans
were always very jealous of innovations in religion. Right or wrong,
they would adhere to that, how vain soever, which they had received by
tradition from their fathers. No foreign nor upstart deity must be
allowed, without the approbation of the senate; the gods of their
country must be their gods, true or false. This was one of the laws of
the twelve tables. Hath a nation changed their gods? It incensed them
against the apostles that they taught a religion destructive of
polytheism and idolatry, and preached to them to turn from those
vanities. This the Romans could not bear: "If this grow upon us, in a
little while we shall lose our religion."
IV. The magistrates, by their proceedings against them, caused them to
be taken notice of.
1. By countenancing the persecution they raised the mob upon them (v.
22): The multitude rose up together against them, and were ready to
pull them to pieces. It has been the artifice of Satan to make God's
ministers and people odious to the commonalty, by representing them as
dangerous men, who aimed at the destruction of the constitution and the
changing of the customs, when really there has been no ground for such
an imputation.
2. By going on to an execution they further represented them as the
vilest malefactors: They rent off their clothes, with rage and fury,
not having patience till they were taken off, in order to their being
scourged. This the apostle refers to when he speaks of their being
treated at Philippi, 1 Thess. ii. 2. The magistrates commanded that
they should be whipped as vagabonds, by the lictors or beadles who
attended the prætors, and carried rods with them for that purpose; this
was one of those three times that Paul was beaten with rods, according
to the Roman usage, which was not under the compassionate limitation of
the number of stripes not to exceed forty, which was provided by the
Jewish law. It is here said that they laid many stripes upon them (v.
23), without counting how many, because they seemed vile unto them,
Deut. xxv. 3. Now, one would think, this might have satiated their
cruelty; if they must be whipped, surely they must be discharged. No,
they are imprisoned, and it is probable the present purpose was to try
them for their lives, and put them to death; else why should there be
such care taken to prevent their escape? (1.) The judges made their
commitment very strict: They charged the jailer to keep them safely,
and have a very watchful eye upon them, as if they were dangerous men,
that either would venture to break prison themselves or were in
confederacy with those that would attempt to rescue them. Thus they
endeavoured to render them odious, that they might justify themselves
in the base usage they had given them. (2.) The jailer made their
confinement very severe (v. 24): Having received such a charge, though
he might have kept them safely enough in the outer prison, yet he
thrust them into the inner prison. He was sensible that the magistrates
had a great indignation against these men, and were inclined to be
severe with them, and therefore he thought to ingratiate himself with
them, by exerting his power likewise against them to the uttermost.
When magistrates are cruel, it is no wonder that the officers under
them are so too. He put them into the inner prison, the dungeon, into
which none were usually put but condemned malefactors, dark at
noon-day, damp and cold, dirty, it is likely, and every way offensive,
like that into which Jeremiah was let down (Jer. xxxviii. 6); and, as
if this were not enough, he made their feet fast in the stocks.
Perhaps, having heard a report of the escape of the preachers of the
gospel out of prison, when the doors were fast barred (ch. v. 19; xii.
9), he thought he would be wiser than other jailers had been, and
therefore would effectually secure them by fastening them in the
stocks; and they were not the first of God's messengers that had their
feet in the stocks; Jeremiah was so treated, and publicly too, in the
high-gate of Benjamin (Jer. xx. 2); Joseph had his feet hurt with
fetters, Ps. cv. 18. Oh what hard usage have God's servants met with,
as in the former days, so in the latter times! Witness the Book of
Martyrs, martyrs in queen Mary's time.
Paul and Silas in Prison; Conversion of the Philippian Jailer.
25 And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God:
and the prisoners heard them. 26 And suddenly there was a great
earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and
immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were
loosed. 27 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and
seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have
killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But
Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are
all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came
trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30 And brought them
out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said,
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all
that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the
night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his,
straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set
meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
We have here the designs of the persecutors of Paul and Silas baffled
and broken.
I. The persecutors designed to dishearten and discourage the preachers
of the gospel, and to make them sick of the cause and weary of their
work; but here we find them both hearty and heartened.
1. They were themselves hearty, wonderfully hearty; never were poor
prisoners so truly cheerful, nor so far from laying their hard usage to
heart. Let us consider what their case was. The prætors among the
Romans had rods carried before them, and axes bound upon them, the
fasces and secures. Now they had felt the smart of the rods, the
ploughers had ploughed upon their backs, and made long furrows. The
many stripes they had laid upon them were very sore, and one might have
expected to hear them complaining of them, of the rawness and soreness
of their backs and shoulders. Yet this was not all; they had reason to
fear the axes next. Their master was first scourged and then crucified;
and they might expect the same. In the mean time they were in the inner
prison, their feet in the stocks, which, some think, not only held
them, but hurt them; and yet, at midnight, when they should have been
trying, if possible, to get a little rest, they prayed and sang praises
to God. (1.) They prayed together, prayed to God to support them and
comfort them in their afflictions, to visit them, as he did Joseph in
the prison, and to be with them,--prayed that their consolations in
Christ might abound, as their afflictions for him did,--prayed that
even their bonds and stripes might turn to the furtherance of the
gospel,--prayed for their persecutors, that God would forgive them and
turn their hearts. This was not at an hour of prayer, but at midnight;
it was not in a house of prayer, but in a dungeon; yet it was
seasonable to pray, and the prayer was acceptable. As in the dark, so
out of the depths, we may cry unto God. No place, no time, amiss for
prayer, if the heart be lifted up to God. Those that are companions in
suffering should join in prayer. Is any afflicted? Let him pray. No
trouble, how grievous soever, should indispose us for prayer. (2.) They
sang praises to God. They praised God; for we must in every thing give
thanks. We never want matter for praise, if we do not want a heart. And
what should put the heart of a child of God out of tune for this duty
if a dungeon and a pair of stocks will not do it? They praised God that
they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name, and that they
were so wonderfully supported and borne up under their sufferings, and
felt divine consolations so sweet, so strong, in their souls. Nay, they
not only praised God, but they sang praises to him, in some psalm, or
hymn, or spiritual song, either one of David's, or some modern
composition, or one of their own, as the Spirit gave them utterance. As
our rule is that the afflicted should pray, and therefore, being in
affliction, they prayed; so our rule is that the merry should sing
psalms (James v. 13), and therefore, being merry in their affliction,
merry after a godly sort, they sang psalms. This proves that the
singing of psalms is a gospel ordinance, and ought to be used by all
good Christians; and that it is instituted, not only for the expressing
of their joys in a day of triumph, but for the balancing and relieving
of their sorrows in a day of trouble. It was at midnight that they sang
psalms, according to the example of the sweet psalmist of Israel (Ps.
cxix. 62): At midnight will I rise to give thanks unto thee. (3.)
Notice is here taken of the circumstance that the prisoners heard them.
If the prisoners did not hear them pray, yet they heard them sing
praises. [1.] It intimates how hearty they were in singing praises to
God; they sang so loud that, though they were in the dungeon, they were
heard all the prison over; nay, so loud that they woke the prisoners:
for we may suppose, being at midnight, they were all asleep. We should
sing psalms with all our heart. The saints are called upon to sing
aloud upon their beds, Ps. cxlix. 5. But gospel grace carries the
matter further, and gives us an example of those that sang aloud in the
prison, in the stocks. [2.] Though they knew the prisoners would hear
them, yet they sang aloud, as those that were not ashamed of their
Master, nor of his service. Shall those that would sing psalms in their
families plead, in excuse for their omission of the duty, that they are
afraid their neighbours should hear them, when those that sing profane
songs roar them our, and care not who hears them? [3.] The prisoners
were made to hear the prison-songs of Paul and Silas, that they might
be prepared for the miraculous favour shown to them all for the sake of
Paul and Silas, when the prison-doors were thrown open. By this
extraordinary comfort with which they were filled it was published that
he whom they preached was the consolation of Israel. Let the prisoners
that mean to oppose him hear and tremble before him; let those that are
faithful to him hear and triumph, and take of the comfort that is
spoken to the prisoners of hope, Zech. ix. 12.
2. God heartened them wonderfully by his signal appearances for them,
v. 26. (1.) There was immediately a great earthquake; how far it
extended we are not told, but it was such a violent shock in this place
that the very foundations of the prison were shaken. While the
prisoners were hearkening to the midnight devotions of Paul and Silas,
and perhaps laughing at them and making a jest of them, this earthquake
would strike a terror upon them, and convince them that those men were
the favourites of Heaven, and such as God owned. We had the house of
prayer shaken, in answer to prayer, and as a token of God's acceptance
of it, ch. iv. 31. Here the prison shaken. The Lord was in these
earthquakes, to show his resentment of the indignities done to his
servants, to testify to those whose confidence is in the earth the
weakness and instability of that which they confide, and to teach
people that, though the earth be moved, yet they need not fear. (2.)
The prison-doors were thrown open, and the prisoners' fetters were
knocked off: Every man's bands were loosed. Perhaps the prisoners, when
they heard Paul and Silas pray and sing psalms, admired them, and spoke
honourably of them, and said what the damsel had said of them, Surely,
these men are the servants of the living God. To recompense them for,
and confirm them in, their good opinion of them, they share in the
miracle, and have their bands loosed; as afterwards God gave to Paul
all those that were in the ship with him (ch. xxvii. 24), so now he
gave him all those that were in the prison with him. God hereby
signified to these prisoners, as Grotius observes, that the apostles,
in preaching the gospel, were public blessings to mankind, as they
proclaimed liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison-doors
to those that were bound, Isa. lxi. 1. Et per eos solvi animorum
vincula--and as by them the bonds of souls were unloosed.
II. The persecutors designed to stop the progress of the gospel, that
no more might embrace it; thus they hoped to ruin the meeting by the
river side, that no more hearts should be opened there; but here we
find converts made in the prison, that house turned into a meeting, the
trophies of the gospel's victories erected there, and the jailer, their
own servant, become a servant of Christ. It is probable that some of
the prisoners, if not all, were converted; surely the miracle wrought
on their bodies, in loosing their bands, was wrought on their souls
too. See Job xxxvi. 8-10; Ps. cvii. 14, 15. But it is only the
conversion of the jailer that is recorded.
1. He is afraid he shall lose his life, and Paul makes him easy as to
this care, v. 27, 28. (1.) He awoke out of his sleep. It is probable
that the shock of the earthquake woke him, and the opening of the
prison-doors, and the prisoners' expressions of joy and amazement, when
in the dark they found their bands loosed, and called to tell one
another what they felt: this was enough to awaken the jailer, whose
place required that he should not be hard to wake. This waking him out
of his sleep signified the awakening of his conscience out of its
spiritual slumber. The call of the gospel is, Awake, thou that sleepest
(Eph. v. 14), like that of Jonah, i. 6. (2.) He saw the prison-doors
open, and supposed, as well he might, that the prisoners had fled; and
then what would become of him? He knew the Roman law in that case, and
it was executed not long ago upon the keepers out of whose hands Peter
escaped, ch. xii. 19. It was according to that of the prophet, 1 Kings
xx. 39, 42, Keep this man; if he be missing, thy life shall go for his
life. The Roman lawyers after this, in their readings upon the law, De
custodia reorum--The custody of criminals (which appoints that the
keeper should undergo the same punishment that should have been
inflicted on the prisoner if he let him escape), take care to except an
escape by miracle. (3.) In his fright he drew his sword, and was going
to kill himself, to prevent a more terrible death, and expected one, a
pompous ignominious death, which he knew he was liable to for letting
his prisoners escape and not looking better to them; and the
extraordinarily strict charge which the magistrates gave him concerning
Paul and Silas made him conclude they would be very severe upon him if
they were gone. The philosophers generally allowed self-murder. Seneca
prescribes it as the last remedy which those that are in distress may
have recourse to. The Stoics, notwithstanding their pretended conquest
of the passions, yielded thus far to them. And the Epicureans, who
indulged the pleasures of sense, to avoid its pains chose rather to put
an end to it. This jailer thought there was no harm in anticipating his
own death; but Christianity proves itself to be of God by this, that it
keeps us to the law of our creation--revives, enforces, and establishes
it, obliges us to be just to our own lives, and teaches us cheerfully
to resign them to our graces, but courageously to hold them out against
our corruptions. (4.) Paul stopped him from his proceeding against
himself (v. 28): He cried with a loud voice, not only to make him hear,
but to make him heed, saying, Do not practise any evil to thyself; Do
thyself no harm. All the cautions of the word of God against sin, and
all appearances of it and approaches to it, have this tendency, "Do
thyself no harm. Man, woman, do not wrong thyself, nor ruin thyself;
hurt not thyself, and then none else can hurt thee; do not sin, for
nothing else can hurt thee." Even as to the body, we are cautioned
against those sins which do harm to it, and are taught to hate our own
flesh, but to nourish and cherish it. The jailer needs not fear being
called to an account for the escape of his prisoners, for they are all
here. It was strange that some of them did not slip away, when the
prison-doors were opened, and they were loosed from their bands; but
their amazement held them fast, and, being sensible it was by the
prayers of Paul and Silas that they were loosed, they would not stir
unless they stirred; and God showed his power in binding their spirits,
as much as in loosing their feet.
2. He is afraid he shall lose his soul, and Paul makes him easy as to
this care too. One concern leads him to another, and a much greater;
and, being hindered from hastening himself out of this world, he begins
to think, if he had pursued his intention, whither death would have
brought him, and what would have become of him on the other side
death--a very proper thought for such as have been snatched as a brand
out of the fire, when there was but a step between them and death.
Perhaps the heinousness of the sin he was running into helped to alarm
him.
(1.) Whatever was the cause, he was put into a great consternation. The
Spirit of God, that was sen to convince, in order to his being a
Comforter, struck a terror upon him, and startled him. Whether he took
care to shut the prison-doors again we are not told. Perhaps he forgot
this as the woman of Samaria, when Christ had impressed convictions on
her conscience, left her water-pot and forgot her errand to the well;
for he called for a light with all speed, and sprang in to the inner
prison, and came trembling to Paul and Silas. Those that have sin set
in order before them, and are made to know their abominations, cannot
but tremble at the apprehension of their misery and danger. This
jailer, when he was thus made to tremble, could not apply to a more
proper person than to Paul, for it had once been his own case; he had
been once a persecutor of good men, as this jailer was--had cast them
into prison, as he kept them--and when, like him, he was made sensible
of it, he trembled, and was astonished; and therefore he was able to
speak the more feelingly to the jailer.
(2.) In this consternation, he applied to Paul and Silas for relief.
Observe, [1.] How reverent and respectful his address to them is: He
called for a light, because they were in the dark, and that they might
see what a fright he was in; he fell down before them, as one amazed at
the badness of his own condition, and ready to sink under the load of
his terror because of it; he fell down before them, as one that had
upon his spirit an awe of them, and of the image of God upon them, and
of their commission from God. It is probable that he had heard what the
damsel said of them, that they were the servants of the living God, who
showed to them the way of salvation, and as such he thus expressed his
veneration for them. He fell down before them, to beg their pardon, as
a penitent, for the indignities he had done them, and to beg their
advice, as a supplicant, what he should do. He gave them a title of
respect, Sirs, kyrioi--lords, masters; just now it was, Rogues and
villains, and he was their master; but now, Sirs, lords, and they are
his masters. Converting grace changes people's language of and to good
people and good ministers; and, to such as are thoroughly convinced of
sin, the very feet of those that bring tidings of Christ are beautiful;
yea, though they are disgracefully fastened in the stocks. [2.] How
serious his enquiry is: What must I do to be saved? First, His
salvation is now his great concern, and lies nearest his heart, which
before was the furthest thing from his thoughts. Not, What shall I do
to be preferred, to be rich and great in the world? but, What shall I
do to be saved? Secondly, He does not enquire concerning others, what
they must do; but concerning himself, "What must I do?" It is his own
precious soul that he is in care about: "Let others do as they please;
tell me what I must do, what course I must take." Thirdly, He is
convinced that something must be done, and done by him too, in order to
his salvation: that it is not a thing of course, a thing that will do
itself, but a thing about which we must strive, wrestle, and take
pains. He asks not, "What may be done for me?" but, "What shall I do,
that, being now in fear and trembling, I may work out my salvation?" as
Paul speaks in his epistle to the church at Philippi, of which this
jailer was, perhaps with respect to his trembling enquiry here,
intimating that he must not only ask after salvation (as he had done),
but work out his salvation with a holy trembling, Phil. ii. 12.
Fourthly, He is willing to do any thing: "Tell me what I must do, and I
am here ready to do it. Sirs, put me into any way, if it be but the
right way, and a sure way; though narrow, and thorny, and uphill, yet I
will walk in it." Note, Those who are thoroughly convinced of sin, and
truly concerned about their salvation, will surrender at discretion to
Jesus Christ, will give him a blank to write what he pleases, will be
glad to have Christ upon his own terms, Christ upon any terms. Fifthly,
He is inquisitive what he should do, is desirous to know what he should
do, and asks those that were likely to tell him. If you will enquire,
enquire ye, Isa. xxi. 12. Those that set their faces Zionward must ask
the way thither, Jer. l. 5. We cannot know it of ourselves, but God has
made it known to us by his word, has appointed his ministers to assist
us in consulting the scriptures, and has promised to give his Holy
Spirit to those that ask him, to be their guide in the way of
salvation. Sixthly, He brought them out, to put this question to them,
that their answer might not be by duress or compulsion, but that they
might prescribe to him, though he was their keeper, with the same
liberty as they did to others. He brings them out of the dungeon, in
hopes they will bring him out of a much worse.
(3.) They very readily directed him what he must do, v. 31. They were
always ready to answer such enquiries; though they are cold, and sore,
and sleepy, they do not adjourn this cause to a more convenient time
and place, do not bid him come to them the next sabbath at their
meeting-place by the river side, and they will tell him, but they
strike while the iron is hot, take him now when he is in a good mind,
lest the conviction should wear off. Now that God begins to work, it is
time for them to set in as workers together with God. They do not
upbraid him with his rude and ill carriage towards them, and his going
beyond his warrant; all this is forgiven and forgotten, and they are as
glad to show him the way to heaven as the best friend they have. They
did not triumph over him, though he trembled; they gave him the same
directions they did to others, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. One
would think they should have said, "Repent of thy abusing us, in the
first place." No, that is overlooked and easily passed by, if he will
but believe in Christ. This is an example to ministers to encourage
penitents, to meet those that are coming to Christ and take them by the
hand, not to be hard upon any for unkindness done to them, but to seek
Christ's honour more than their own. Here is the sum of the whole
gospel, the covenant of grace in a few words: Believe in the Lord Jesus
Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Here is, [1.] The
happiness promised: "Thou shalt be saved; not only rescued from eternal
ruin, but brought to eternal life and blessedness. Though thou art a
poor man, an under-jailer or turnkey, mean and of low condition in the
world, yet this shall be no bar to thy salvation. Though a great
sinner, though a persecutor, yet thy heinous transgressions shall be
all forgiven through the merits of Christ; and thy hard embittered
heart shall be softened and sweetened by the grace of Christ, and thus
thou shalt neither die for thy crime nor die of thy disease." [2.] The
condition required: Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. We must admit the
record that God hath given in his gospel concerning his Son, and assent
to it as faithful, and well worthy of all acceptation. We must approve
the method God has taken of reconciling the world to himself by a
Mediator; and accept of Christ as he is offered to us, and give up
ourselves to be ruled and taught and saved by him. This is the only way
and a sure way to salvation. No other way of salvation than by Christ,
and no other way of our being saved by Christ than by believing in him;
and no danger of coming short if we take this way, for it is the way
that God has appointed, and he is faithful that has promised. It is the
gospel that is to be preached to every creature, He that believes shall
be saved. [3.] The extension of this to his family: Thou shalt be
saved, and thy house; that is, "God will be in Christ a God to thee and
to thy seed, as he was to Abraham. Believe, and salvation shall come to
thy house, as Luke xix. 9. Those of thy house that are infants shall be
admitted into the visible church with thee, and thereby put into a fair
way for salvation; those that are grown up shall have the means of
salvation brought to them, and, be they ever so many, let them believe
in Jesus Christ and they shall be saved; they are all welcome to Christ
upon the same terms."
(4.) They proceeded to instruct him and his family in the doctrine of
Christ (v. 32): They spoke unto him the word of the Lord. He was, for
aught that appears, an utter stranger to Christ, and therefore it is
requisite he should be told who this Jesus is, that he may believe in
him, John ix. 36. And, the substance of the matter lying in a little
compass, they soon told him enough to make his being baptized a
reasonable service. Christ's ministers should have the word of the Lord
so ready to them, and so richly dwelling in them, as to be able to give
instructions offhand to any that desire to hear and receive them, for
their direction in the way of salvation. They spoke the word not only
to him, but to all that were in his house. Masters of families should
take care that all under their charge partake of the means of knowledge
and grace, and that the word of the Lord be spoken to them; for the
souls of the poorest servants are as precious as those of their
masters, and are bought with the same price.
(5.) The jailer and his family were immediately baptized, and thereby
took upon them the profession of Christianity, submitted to its laws,
and were admitted to its privileges, upon their declaring solemnly, as
the eunuch did, that they believed that Jesus Christ is the Son of God:
He was baptized, he and all his, straightway. Neither he nor any of his
family desired time to consider whether they should come into baptismal
bonds or no; nor did Paul and Silas desire time to try their sincerity
and to consider whether they should baptize them or no. But the Spirit
of grace worked such a strong faith in them, all on a sudden, as
superseded further debate; and Paul and Silas knew by the Spirit that
it was a work of God that was wrought in them: so that there was no
occasion for demur. This therefore will not justify such precipitation
in ordinary cases.
(6.) The jailer was hereupon very respectful to Paul and Silas, as one
that knew not how to make amends for the injury he had done to them,
much less for the kindness he had received from them: He took them the
same hour of the night, would not let them lie a minute longer in the
inner prison; but, [1.] He washed their stripes, to cool them, and
abate the smart of them; to clean them from the blood which the stripes
had fetched. It is probable that he bathed them with some healing
liquor, as the good Samaritan helped the wounded man by pouring in oil
and wine. [2.] He brought them into his house, bade them welcome to the
best room he had, and prepared his best bed for them. Now nothing was
thought good enough for them, as before nothing bad enough. [3.] He set
meat before them, such as his house would afford, and they were welcome
to it, by which he expressed the welcome which his soul gave to the
gospel. They had spoken to him the word of the Lord, had broken the
bread of life to him and his family; and he, having reaped so
plentifully of their spiritual things, thought it was but reasonable
that they should reap of his carnal things, 1 Cor. ix. 11. What have we
houses and tables for but as we have opportunity to serve God and his
people with them?
(7.) The voice of rejoicing with that of salvation was heard in the
jailer's house; never was such a truly merry night kept there before:
He rejoiced, believing in God, with all his house. There was none in
his house that refused to be baptized, and so made a jar in the
harmony; but they were unanimous in embracing the gospel, which added
much to the joy. Or it may be read, He, believing in God, rejoiced all
the house over; panoiki--he went to every apartment, expressing his
joy. Observe, [1.] His believing in Christ is called believing in God,
which intimates that Christ is God, and that the design of the gospel
is so far from being to draw us from God (saying, Go serve other gods,
Deut. xiii. 2) that it has a direct tendency to bring us to God. [2.]
His faith produced joy. Those that by faith have given up themselves to
God in Christ as theirs have a great deal of reason to rejoice. The
eunuch, when he was converted, went on his way rejoicing; and here the
jailer rejoiced. The conversion of the nations is spoken of in the Old
Testament as their rejoicing, Ps. lxvii. 4; xcvi. 11. For, believing,
we rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Believing in Christ
is rejoicing in Christ. [3.] He signified his joy to all about him. Out
of the abundance of the joy in his heart, his mouth spoke to the glory
of God, and their encouragement who believed in God too. Those who have
themselves tasted the comforts of religion should do what they can to
bring others to the taste of them. One cheerful Christian should make
many.
Paul and Silas Released.
35 And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants, saying, Let
those men go. 36 And the keeper of the prison told this saying to
Paul, The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart,
and go in peace. 37 But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us
openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now
do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves
and fetch us out. 38 And the serjeants told these words unto the
magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans.
39 And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired
them to depart out of the city. 40 And they went out of the prison,
and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the
brethren, they comforted them, and departed.
In these verses we have,
I. Orders sent for the discharge of Paul and Silas out of prison v. 35,
36. 1. The magistrates that had so basely abused them the day before
gave the orders; and their doing it so early, as soon as it was day,
intimates that either they were sensible the terrific earthquake they
felt at midnight was intended to plead the cause of their prisoners, or
their consciences had smitten them for what they had done and made them
very uneasy. While the persecuted were singing in the stocks, the
persecutors were full of tossings to and fro upon their beds, through
anguish of mind, complaining more of the lashes of their consciences
than the prisoners did of the lashes on their backs, and more in haste
to give them a discharge than they were to petition for one. Now God
caused his servants to be pitied of those that had carried them
captives, Ps. cvi. 46. The magistrates sent sergeants,
rabdouchous--those that had the rods, the vergers, the tipstaves, the
beadles, those that had been employed in beating them, that they might
go and ask them forgiveness. The order was, Let those men go. It is
probable that they designed further mischief to them, but God turned
their hearts, and, as he had made their wrath hitherto to praise him,
so the remainder thereof he did restrain, Ps. lxxvi. 10. 2. The jailer
brought them the news (v. 36): The magistrates have sent to let you go.
Some think the jailer had betimes transmitted an account to the
magistrates of what had passed in his house that night, and so had
obtained this order for the discharge of his prisoners: Now therefore
depart. Not that he was desirous to part with them as his guests, but
as his prisoners; they shall still be welcome to his house, but he is
glad they are at liberty from his stocks. God could by his grace as
easily have converted the magistrates as the jailer, and have brought
them to faith and baptism; but God hath chosen the poor of this world,
James ii. 5.
II. Paul's insisting upon the breach of privilege which the magistrates
had been guilty of, v. 37. Paul said to the sergeants, "They have
beaten us openly, uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into
prison against all law and justice, and now do they thrust us out
privily, and think to make us amends with this for the injury done us?
Nay, verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us our, and own
that they have done us wrong." It is probable that the magistrates had
some intimation that they were Romans, and were made sensible that
their fury had carried them further than the law would bear them out;
and that this was the reason why they gave orders for their discharge.
Now observe,
1. Paul did not plead this before he was beaten, though it is probable
that it might have prevented it, lest he should seem to be afraid of
suffering for the truth which he had preached. Tully, in one of his
orations, against Verres, tells of one Ganius, who was ordered by
Verres to be beaten in Sicily, that all the while he was under the lash
he cried out nothing but Civis Romanus sum--I am a citizen of Rome;
Paul did not do so; he had nobler things than this to comfort himself
with in his affliction.
2. He did plead it afterwards, to put an honour upon his sufferings and
upon the cause he suffered for, to let the world know that the
preachers of the gospel were not such despicable men as they were
commonly looked upon to be, and that they merited better treatment. He
did it likewise to mollify the magistrates towards the Christians at
Philippi, and to gain better treatment for them, and beget in the
people a better opinion of the Christian religion, when they saw that
Paul had a fair advantage against their magistrates, might have brought
his action against them and had them called to an account for what they
had done, and yet did not take the advantage, which was very much to
the honour of that worthy name by which he was called. Now here,
(1.) Paul lets them know how many ways they had run themselves into a
premunire, and that he had law enough to know it. [1.] They had beaten
those that were Romans; some think that Silas was a Roman citizen as
well as Paul; others that this does not necessarily follow. Paul was a
citizen, and Silas was his companion. Now both the lex Procia and the
lex Sempronia did expressly forbid liberum corpus Romani civis, virgis
aut aliis verberibus cædi--the free body of a Roman citizen to be
beaten with rods or otherwise. Roman historians give instances of
cities that had their charters taken from them for indignities done to
Roman citizens; we shall afterwards find Paul making use of this plea,
ch. xxii. 25, 26. To tell them they had beaten those who were the
messengers of Christ and the favourites of Heaven would have had no
influence upon them; but to tell them they have abused Roman citizens
will put them into a fright: so common is it for people to be more
afraid of Cæsar's wrath than of Christ's. He that affronts a Roman, a
gentleman, a nobleman, though ignorantly, and through mistake, thinks
himself concerned to cry Peccavi--I have done wrong, and make his
submission; but he that persecutes a Christian because he belongs to
Christ stands to it, and thinks he may do it securely, though God hath
said, He that toucheth them toucheth the apple of my eye, and Christ
has warned us of the danger of offending his little ones. [2.] They had
beaten them uncondemned; indicta causa--without a fair hearing, had not
calmly examined what was said against them, much less enquired what
they had to say for themselves. It is a universal rule of justice,
Causâ cognitâ possunt multi absolvi, incognitâ nemo condemnari
potest--Many may be acquitted in consequence of having had a hearing,
while without a hearing no one can be condemned. Christ's servants
would not have been abused as they have been if they and their cause
might but have had an impartial trial. [3.] It was an aggravation of
this that they had done it openly, which, as it was so much the greater
disgrace to the sufferers, so it was the bolder defiance to justice and
the law. [4.] They had cast them into prison, without showing any cause
of their commitment, and in an arbitrary manner, by a verbal order.
[5.] They now thrust them out privily; they had not indeed the
impudence to stand by what they had done, but yet had not the honesty
to own themselves in a fault.
(2.) He insists upon it that they should make them an acknowledgment of
their error, and give them a public discharge, to make it the more
honourable, as they had done them a public disgrace, which made that
the more disgraceful: "Let them come themselves, and fetch us out, and
give a testimony to our innocency, and that we have done nothing worthy
of stripes or of bonds." It was not a point of honour that Paul stood
thus stiffly upon, but a point of justice, and not to himself so much
as to his cause: "Let them come and stop the clamours of the people, by
confessing that we are not the troublers of the city."
III. The magistrates' submission, and the reversing of the judgment
given against Paul and Silas, v. 38, 39. 1. The magistrates were
frightened when they were told (though it may be they knew it before)
that Paul was a Roman. They feared when they heard it, lest some of his
friends should inform the government of what they had done, and they
should fare the worse for it. The proceedings of persecutors have often
been illegal, even by the law of nations, and often inhuman, against
the law of nature, but always sinful, and against God's law. 2. They
came and besought them not to take advantage of the law against them,
but to overlook the illegality of what they had done and say no more of
it: they brought them out of the prison, owning that they were
wrongfully put into it, and desired them that they would peaceably and
quietly depart out of the city. Thus Pharaoh and his servants, who had
set God and Moses at defiance, came to Moses, and bowed down themselves
to him, saying, Get thee out, Exod. xi. 8. God can make the enemies of
his people ashamed of their envy and enmity to them, Isa. xxvi. 11.
Jerusalem is sometimes made a burdensome stone to those that heave at
it, which they would gladly get clear of, Zech. xii. 3. Yet, if the
repentance of these magistrates had been sincere, they would not have
desired them to depart out of their city (as the Gadarenes desired to
be rid of Christ), but would have courted their stay, and begged of
them to continue in their city, to show them the way of salvation. But
many are convinced that Christianity is not to be persecuted who yet
are not convinced that it ought to be embraced, or at least are not
persuaded to embrace it. They are compelled to do honour to Christ and
his servants, to worship before their feet, and to know that he has
loved them (Rev. iii. 9), and yet do not go so far as to have benefit
by Christ, or to come in for a share in his love.
IV. The departure of Paul and Silas from Philippi, v. 40. They went out
of the prison when they were legally discharged, and not till then,
though they were illegally committed, and then, 1. They took leave of
their friends: they went to the house of Lydia, where probably the
disciples had met to pray for them, and there they saw the brethren, or
visited them at their respective habitations (which was soon done, they
were so few); and they comforted them, by telling them (saith an
ancient Greek commentary) what God had done for them, and how he had
owned them in the prison. They encouraged them to keep close to Christ,
and hold fast the profession of their faith, whatever difficulties they
might meet with, assuring them that all would then end well,
everlastingly well. Young converts should have a great deal said to
them to comfort them, for the joy of the Lord will be very much their
strength. 2. They quitted the town: They departed. I wonder they should
do so; for, now that they had had such an honourable discharge from
their imprisonment, surely they might have gone on at least for some
time in their work without danger; but I suppose they went away upon
that principle of their Master's (Mark i. 38). Let us go into the next
towns, that I may preach there also, for therefore came I forth. Paul
and Silas had an extraordinary call to Philippi; and yet, when they
have come thither, they see little of the fruit of their labours, and
are soon driven thence. Yet they did not come in vain. Though the
beginnings here were small, the latter end greatly increased; now they
laid the foundation of a church at Philippi, which became very eminent,
had its bishops and deacons, and people that were more generous to Paul
than any other church, as appears by his epistle to the Philippians,
ch. i. 1; iv. 25. Let not ministers be discouraged, though they see not
the fruit of their labours presently; the seed sown seems to be lost
under the clods, but it shall come up again in a plentiful harvest in
due time.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XVII.
We have here a further account of the travels of Paul, and his services
and sufferings for Christ. He was not like a candle upon a table, that
gives light only to one room, but like the sun that goes its circuit to
give light to many. He was called into Macedonia, a large kingdom, ch.
xvi. 9. He began with Philippi, because it was the first city he came
to; but he must not confine himself to this. We have him here, I.
Preaching and persecuted at Thessalonica, another city of Macedonia,
ver. 1-9. II. Preaching at Berea, where he met with an encouraging
auditory, but was driven thence also by persecution, ver. 10-15. III.
Disputing at Athens, the famous university of Greece (ver. 16-21), and
the account he gave of natural religion, for the conviction of those
that were addicted to polytheism and idolatry, and to lead them to the
Christian religion (ver. 22-31), together with the success of this
sermon, ver. 32-34.
Paul and Silas at Thessalonica.
1 Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came
to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2 And Paul, as
his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with
them out of the scriptures, 3 Opening and alleging, that Christ must
needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this
Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4 And some of them
believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a
great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5 But the Jews
which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd
fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city
on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring
them out to the people. 6 And when they found them not, they drew
Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These
that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; 7 Whom
Jason hath received: and these all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar,
saying that there is another king, one Jesus. 8 And they troubled the
people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these things. 9
And when they had taken security of Jason, and of the other, they let
them go.
Paul's two epistles to the Thessalonians, the first two he wrote by
inspiration, give such a shining character of that church, that we
cannot but be glad here in the history to meet with an account of the
first founding of the church there.
I. Here is Paul's coming to Thessalonica, which was the chief city of
this country, called at this day Salonech, in the Turkish dominions.
Observe, 1. Paul went on with his work, notwithstanding the ill usage
he had met with at Philippi; he did not fail, nor was discouraged. He
takes notice of this in his first epistle to the church here (1 Thess.
ii. 2): After we were shamefully treated at Philippi, yet we were bold
in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God. The opposition and
persecution that he met with made him the more resolute. Note of these
things moved him; he could never have held out, and held on, as he did,
if he had not been animated by a spirit of power from on high. 2. He
did but pass through Amphipolis and Apollonia, the former a city near
Philippi, the latter near Thessalonica; doubtless he was under divine
direction, and was told by the Spirit (who, as the wind, bloweth where
he listeth) what places he should pass through, and what he should rest
in. Apollonia was a city of Illyricum, which, some think, illustrates
that of Paul, that he had preached the gospel from Jerusalem, and round
about unto Illyricum (Rom. xv. 19), that is, to the borders of
Illyricum where he now was; and we may suppose though he is said only
to pass through these cities, yet that he staid so long in them as to
publish the gospel there, and to prepare the way for the entrance of
other ministers among them, whom he would afterwards send.
II. His preaching to the Jews first, in their synagogue at
Thessalonica. He found a synagogue of the Jews there (v. 1), which
intimates that one reason why he passed through those other cities
mentioned, and did not continue long in them, was because there were no
synagogues in them. But, finding one in Thessalonica, by it he made his
entry. 1. It was always his manner to begin with the Jews, to make them
the first offer of the gospel, and not to turn to the Gentiles till
they had refused it, that their mouths might be stopped from clamouring
against him because he preached to the Gentiles; for if they received
the gospel they would cheerfully embrace the new converts; if they
refused it, they might thank themselves if the apostles carried it to
those that would bid it welcome. That command of beginning at Jerusalem
was justly construed as a direction, wherever they came, to begin with
the Jews. 2. He met them in their synagogue on the sabbath day, in
their place and at their time of meeting, and thus he would pay respect
to both. Sabbaths and solemn assemblies are always very precious to
those to whom Christ is precious, Ps. lxxxiv. 10. It is good being in
the house of the Lord on his day. This was Christ's manner, and Paul's
manner, and has been the manner of all the saints, the good old way
which they have walked in. 3. He reasoned with them out of the
scriptures. They agreed with him to receive the scriptures of the Old
Testament: so far they were of a mind. But they received the scripture,
and therefore thought they had reason to reject Christ; Paul received
the scripture, and therefore saw great reason to embrace Christ. It was
therefore requisite, in order to their conviction, that he should, by
reasoning with them, the Spirit setting with him, convince them that
his inferences from the scripture were right and theirs were wrong.
Note, The preaching of the gospel should be both scriptural preaching
and rational; such Paul's was, for he reasoned out of the scriptures:
we must take the scriptures for our foundation, our oracle, and
touchstone, and then reason out of them and upon them, and against
those who, though they pretend zeal for the scriptures, as the Jews
did, yet wrest them to their own destruction. Reason must not be set up
in competition with the scripture, but it must be made use of in
explaining and applying the scripture. 4. He continued to do this three
sabbath days successively. If he could not convince them the first
sabbath, he would try the second and the third; for precept must be
upon precept, and line upon line. God waits for sinners' conversion,
and so must his ministers; all the labourers come not into the vineyard
at the first hour, nor at the first call, nor are wrought upon so
suddenly as the jailer. 5. The drift and scope of his preaching and
arguing was to prove that Jesus is the Christ; this was that which he
opened and alleged, v. 3. He first explained his thesis, and opened the
terms, and then alleged it, and laid it down, as that which he would
abide by, and which he summoned them in God's name to subscribe to.
Paul had an admirable method of discourse; and showed he was himself
both well apprized of the doctrine he preached and thoroughly
understood it, and that he was fully assured of the truth of it, and
therefore he opened it like one that believed it. He showed them, (1.)
That it was necessary the Messiah should suffer, and die, and rise
again, that the Old-Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah made it
necessary he should. The great objection which the Jews made against
Jesus being the Messiah was his ignominious death and sufferings. The
cross of Christ was to the Jews a stumbling-block, because it did by no
means agree with the idea they had framed of the Messiah; but Paul here
alleges and makes it out undeniably, not only that it was possible he
might be the Messiah, though he suffered, but that, being the Messiah,
it was necessary he should suffer. He could not be made perfect but by
sufferings; for, if he had not died, he could not have risen again from
the dead. This was what Christ himself insisted upon (Luke xxiv. 26):
Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his
glory? And again (v. 46): Thus it is written, and therefore thus it
behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead. He must needs have
suffered for us, because he could not otherwise purchase redemption for
us; and he must needs have risen again because he could not otherwise
apply the redemption to us. (2.) That Jesus is the Messiah: "This Jesus
whom I preach unto you, and call upon you to believe in, is Christ, is
the Christ, is the anointed of the Lord, is he that should come, and
you are to look for no other; for God has both by his word and by his
works (the two ways of his speaking to the children of men), by the
scriptures and by miracles, and the gift of the Spirit to make both
effectual, borne witness to him." Note, [1.] Gospel ministers should
preach Jesus; he must be their principal subject; their business is to
bring people acquainted with him. [2.] That which we are to preach
concerning Jesus is that he is Christ; and therefore we may hope to be
saved by him and are bound to be ruled by him.
III. The success of his preaching there, v. 4. 1. Some of the Jews
believed, notwithstanding their rooted prejudices against Christ and
his gospel, and they consorted with Paul and Silas: they not only
associated with them as friends and companions, but they gave up
themselves to their direction, as their spiritual guides; they put
themselves into their possession as an inheritance into the possession
of the right owner, so the word signifies; they first gave themselves
to the Lord, and then to them by the will of God, 2 Cor. viii. 5. They
adhered to Paul and Silas, and attended them wherever they went. Note,
Those that believe in Jesus Christ come into communion with his
faithful ministers, and associate with them. 2. Many more of the devout
Greeks, and of the chief women, embraced the gospel. These were
proselytes of the gate, the godly among the Gentiles (so the Jews
called them), such as, though they did not submit to the law of Moses,
yet renounced idolatry and immorality, worshipped the true God only,
and did not man any wrong. These were hoi sebomenoi Hellenes--the
worshipping Gentiles; as in America they call those of the natives that
are converted to the faith of Christ the praying Indians. These were
admitted to join with the Jews in their synagogue-worship. Of these a
great multitude believed, more of them than of the thorough-paced Jews,
who were wedded to the ceremonial law. And not a few of the chief women
of the city, that were devout and had a sense of religion, embraced
Christianity. Particular notice is taken of this, for an example to the
ladies, the chief women, and an encouragement to them to employ
themselves in the exercises of devotion and to submit themselves to the
commanding power of Christ's holy religion, in all the instances of it;
for this intimates how acceptable it will be to God, what an honour to
Christ, and what great influence it may have upon many, besides the
advantages of it to their own souls. No mention is here made of their
preaching the gospel to the Gentile idolaters at Thessalonica, and yet
it is certain that they did, and that great numbers were converted;
nay, it should seem that of the Gentile converts that church was
chiefly composed, though notice is not taken of them here; for Paul
writes to the Christians there as having turned to God from idols (1
Thess. i. 9), and that at the first entering in of the apostles among
them.
IV. The trouble that was given to Paul and Silas at Thessalonica.
Wherever they preached, they were sure to be persecuted; bonds and
afflictions awaited them in every city. Observe,
1. Who were the authors of their trouble: the Jews who believed not,
who were moved with envy, v. 5. The Jews were in all places the most
inveterate enemies to the Christians, especially to those Jews that
turned Christians, against whom they had a particular spleen, as
deserters. Now see what that division was which Christ came to send
upon earth; some of the Jews believed the gospel and pitied and prayed
for those that did not; while those that did not envied and hated those
that did. St. Paul in his epistle to this church takes notice of the
rage and enmity of the Jews against the preachers of the gospel, as
their measure-filling sin. 1 Thess. ii. 15, 16.
2. Who were the instruments of the trouble: the Jews made use of
certain lewd persons of the baser sort, whom they picked up and got
together, and who must undertake to give the sense of the city against
the apostles. All wise and sober people looked upon them with respect,
and valued them, and none would appear against them but such as were
the scum of the city, a company of vile men, that were given to all
manner of wickedness. Tertullian pleads this with those that opposed
Christianity, that the enemies of it were generally the worst of men:
Tales semper nobis insecutores, injusti, impii, turpes, quos, et ipsi
damnare consuestis--Our persecutors are invariably unjust, impious,
infamous, whom you yourselves have been accustomed to
condemn.--Apologia, cap. 5. It is the honour of religion that those who
hate it are generally the lewd fellows of the baser sort, that are lost
to all sense of justice and virtue.
3. In what method they proceeded against them. (1.) They set the city
in an uproar, made a noise to put people in a fright, and then every
body ran to see what the matter was; they began a riot, and then the
mob was up presently. See who are the troublers of Israel--not the
faithful preachers of the gospel, but the enemies of it. See how the
devil carries on his designs; he sets cities in an uproar, sets souls
in an uproar, and then fishes in troubled waters. (2.) They assaulted
the house of Jason, where the apostles lodged, with a design to bring
them out to the people, whom they had incensed and enraged against
them, and by whom they hoped to see them pulled to pieces. The
proceedings here were altogether illegal; of Jason's house must be
searched, it ought to be done by the proper officers, and not without a
warrant: "A man's house," the law says, "is his castle," and for them
in a tumultuous manner to assault a man's house, to put him and his
family in fear, was but to show to what outrages men are carried by a
spirit of persecution. If men have offended, magistrates are appointed
to enquire into the offence, and to judge of it; but to make the rabble
judges and executioners too (as these Jews designed to do) was to make
truth fall in the street, to set servants on horseback, and leave
princes to walk as servants on the earth--to depose equity, and
enthrone fury. (3.) When they could not get the apostles into their
hands (whom they would have punished as vagabonds, and incensed the
people against as strangers that came to spy out the land, and devour
its strength, and eat the bread out of their mouths), then they fall
upon an honest citizen of their own, who entertained the apostles in
his house, his name Jason, a converted Jew, and drew him out with some
others of the brethren to the rulers of the city. The apostles were
advised to withdraw, for they were more obnoxious, Currenti cede
furori--Retire before the torrent. But their friends were willing to
expose themselves, being better able to weather this storm. For a good
man, for such good men as the apostles were, some would even dare to
die. (4.) They accused them to the rulers, and represented them a
dangerous persons, not fit to be tolerated; the crime charged upon
Jason is receiving and harbouring the apostles (v. 7), countenancing
them and promoting their interest. And what was the apostles' crime,
that it should be no less than misprision of treason to give them
lodging? Two very black characters are here given them, enough to make
them odious to the people and obnoxious to the magistrates, if they had
been just:--[1.] That they were enemies to the public peace, and threw
every thing into disorder wherever they came: Those that have turned
the world upside down are come hither also. In one sense it is true
that wherever the gospel comes in its power to any place, to any soul,
it works such a change there, gives such a wide change to the stream,
so directly contrary to what it was, that it may be said to turn the
world upside down in that place, in that soul. The love of the world is
rooted out of the heart, and the way of the world contradicted in the
life; so that the world turned upside down there. But in the sense in
which they meant it, it is utterly false; they would have it thought
that the preachers of the gospel were incendiaries and mischief makers
wherever they came, that they sowed discord among relations, set
neighbours together by the ears, obstructed commerce, and inverted all
order and regularity. Because they persuaded people to turn from vice
to virtue, from idols to the living and true God, from malice and envy
to love and peace, they are charged with turning the world upside down,
when it was only the kingdom of the devil in the world that they thus
overturned. Their enemies set the city in an uproar, and then laid the
blame upon them; as Nero set Rome on fire, and then charged it upon the
Christians. If Christ's faithful ministers, even those that are most
quiet in the land, be thus invidiously misrepresented and miscalled,
let them not think it strange nor be exasperated by it; we are not
better than Paul and Silas, who were thus abused. The accusers cry out,
"They are come hither also; they have been doing all the mischief they
could in other places, and now they have brought the infection hither;
it is therefore time for us to bestir ourselves and make head against
them." [2.] That they were enemies to the established government, and
disaffected to that, and their principles and practices were
destructive to monarchy and inconsistent with the constitution of the
state (v. 7): They all do contrary to the decrees of Cæsar; not to any
particular decree, for there was as yet no law of the empire against
Christianity, but contrary to Cæsar's power in general to make decrees;
for they say, There is another king, one Jesus, not only a king of the
Jews, as our Saviour was himself charged before Pilate, but Lord of
all; so Peter called him in the first sermon he preached to the
Gentiles, ch. x. 36. It is true the Roman government, both while it was
a commonwealth and after it came into the Cæsar's hands, was very
jealous of any governor under their dominion taking upon him the title
of king, and there was an express law against it. But Christ's kingdom
was not of this world. His followers said indeed, Jesus is a king, but
not an earthly king, not a rival with Cæsar, nor his ordinances
interfering with the decrees of Cæsar, but who had made it a law of his
kingdom to render unto Cæsar the things that are Cæsar's. There was
nothing in the doctrine of Christ that tended to the dethroning of
princes, nor the depriving them of any of their prerogatives. The Jews
knew this very well, and it was against their consciences that they
brought such a charge against the apostles; and of all people it ill
became the Jews to do it, who hated Cæsar and his government, and
sought the ruin of him and it, and who expected a Messiah that should
be a temporal prince, and overturn the thrones of kingdoms, and were
therefore opposing our Lord Jesus because he did not appear under that
character. Thus those have been most spiteful in representing God's
faithful people as enemies to Cæsar, and hurtful to kings and
provinces, who have been themselves setting up imperium in imperio--a
kingdom within a kingdom, a power not only in competition with Cæsar's
but superior to it, that of the papal supremacy.
4. The great uneasiness which this gave to this city (v. 8): They
troubled the people and the rulers of the city, when they heard these
things. They had no ill opinion of the apostles or their doctrine,
could not apprehend any danger to the state from them, and therefore
were willing to connive at them; but, if they be represented to them by
the prosecutors as enemies to Cæsar, they will be obliged to take
cognizance of them, and to suppress them, for fear of the government,
and this troubled them. Claudius, who then held the reins of
government, is represented by Suetonius as a man very jealous of the
least commotion and timorous to the last degree, which obliged the
rulers under him to be watchful against every thing that looked
dangerous, or gave the least cause of suspicion; and therefore it
troubled them to be brought under a necessity of disturbing good men.
5. The issue of this troublesome affair. The magistrates had no mind to
prosecute the Christians. Care was taken to secure the apostles; they
absconded, and fled, and kept out of their hands; so that nothing was
to be done but to discharge Jason and his friends upon bail, v. 9. The
magistrates here were not so easily incensed against the apostles as
the magistrates at Philippi were, but were more considerate and of
better temper; so they took security of Jason and the other, bound them
to their good behavior; and perhaps they gave bond for Paul and Silas,
that they should be forthcoming when they were called for, if any thing
should afterwards appear against them. Among the persecutors of
Christianity, as there have been instances of the madness and rage of
brutes, so there have been likewise of the prudence and temper of men;
moderation has been a virtue.
The Noble Bereans; Paul and Silas at Berea.
10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto
Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. 11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received
the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily,
whether those things were so. 12 Therefore many of them believed;
also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. 13
But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God
was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up
the people. 14 And then immediately the brethren sent away Paul to go
as it were to the sea: but Silas and Timotheus abode there still. 15
And they that conducted Paul brought him unto Athens: and receiving a
commandment unto Silas and Timotheus for to come to him with all speed,
they departed.
In these verses we have,
I. Paul and Silas removing to Berea, and employed in preaching the
gospel there, v. 10. They had proceeded so far at Thessalonica that the
foundations of a church were laid, and others were raised up to carry
on the work that was begun, against whom the rulers and people were not
so much prejudiced as they were against Paul and Silas; and therefore
when the storm rose they withdrew, taking this as an indication to them
that they must quit that place for the present. That command of Christ
to his disciples, When they persecute you in one city flee to another,
intends their flight to be not so much for their own safety ("flee to
another, to hide there") as for the carrying on of their work ("flee to
another, to preach there"), as appears by the reason given--You shall
not have gone over the cities of Israel till the Son of man come, Matt.
x. 23. Thus out of the eater came forth meat, and the devil was outshot
in his own bow; he thought by persecuting the apostles to stop the
progress of the gospel, but it was so overruled as to be made to
further it. See here, 1. The care that the brethren took of Paul and
Silas, when they perceived how the plot was laid against them: They
immediately sent them away by night, incognito, to Berea. This could be
no surprise to the young converts; For when we were with you (saith
Paul to them, 1 Thess. iii. 4), when we came first among you, we told
you that we should suffer tribulation, even as it came to pass, and you
know. It should seem that Paul and Silas would willingly have staid,
and faced the storm, if the brethren would have let them; but they
would rather be deprived of the apostles' help than expose their lives,
which, it should seem, were dearer to their friends than to themselves.
They sent them away by night, under the covert of that, as if they had
been evil doers. 2. The constancy of Paul and Silas in their work.
Though they fled from Thessalonica, they did not flee from the service
of Christ. When they came to Berea, they went into the synagogue of the
Jews, and made their public appearance there. Though the Jews at
Thessalonica had been their spiteful enemies, and, for aught they knew,
the Jews at Berea would be so too, yet they did not therefore decline
paying their respect to the Jews, either in revenge for the injuries
they had received or for fear of what they might receive. If others
will not do their duty to us, yet we ought to do ours to them.
II. The good character of the Jews in Berea (v. 11): These were more
noble than those in Thessalonica. The Jews in the synagogue at Berea
were better disposed to receive the gospel than the Jews in the
synagogue at Thessalonica; they were not so bigoted and prejudiced
against it, not so peevish and ill-natured; they were more noble,
eugenesteroi--better bred.
1. They had a freer thought, and lay more open to conviction, were
willing to hear reason, and admit the force of it, and to subscribe to
that which appeared to them to be truth, though it was contrary to
their former sentiments. This was more noble.
2. They had a better temper, were not so sour, and morose, and
ill-conditioned towards all that were not of their mind, As they were
ready to come into a unity with those that by the power of truth they
were brought to concur with, so they continued in charity with those
that they saw cause to differ from. This was more noble. They neither
prejudged the cause, nor were moved with envy at the managers of it, as
the Jews at Thessalonica were, but very generously gave both it and
them a fair hearing, without passion or partiality; for, (1.) They
received the word with all readiness of mind; they were very willing to
hear it, presently apprehended the meaning of it, and did not shut
their eyes against the light. They attended to the things that were
spoken by Paul, as Lydia did, and were very well pleased to hear them.
They did not pick quarrels with the word, nor find fault, nor seek
occasion against the preachers of it; but bade it welcome, and put a
candid construction upon every thing that was said. Herein they were
more noble than the Jews in Thessalonica, but walked in the same
spirit, and in the same steps, with the Gentiles there, of whom it is
said that they received the word with joy of the Holy Ghost, and turned
to God from idols, 1 Thess. i. 6-9. This was true nobility. The Jews
gloried much in their being Abraham's seed, thought themselves
well-born and that they could not be better born. But they are here
told who among them were the most noble and the best-bred men--those
that were most disposed to receive the gospel, and had the high and
conceited thoughts in them subdued, and brought into obedience to
Christ. They were the most noble, and, if I may so say, the most
gentleman-like men. Nobilitas sola est atque unica virtus--Virtue and
piety are true nobility, true honour; and, without these, Stemmata quid
prosunt?--What are pedigrees and pompous titles worth? (2.) They
searched the scriptures daily whether those things were so. Their
readiness of mind to receive the word was not such as that they took
things upon trust, swallowed them upon an implicit faith: no; but since
Paul reasoned out of the scriptures, and referred them to the Old
Testament for the proof of what he said, they had recourse to their
Bibles, turned to the places to which he referred them, read the
context, considered the scope and drift of them, compared them with
other places of scripture, examined whether Paul's inferences from them
were natural and genuine and his arguments upon them cogent, and
determined accordingly. Observe, [1.] The doctrine of Christ does not
fear a scrutiny. We that are advocates for his cause desire no more
than that people will not say, These things are not so, till they have
first, without prejudice and partiality, examined whether they be so or
no. [2.] The New Testament is to be examined by the Old. The Jews
received the Old Testament, and those that did so, if they considered
things aright, could not but see cause sufficient to receive the New,
because in it they see all the prophecies and promises of the Old fully
and exactly accomplished. [3.] Those that read and receive the
scriptures must search them (John v. 39), must study them, and take
pains in considering them, both that they may find out the truth
contained in them, and may not mistake the sense of them and so run
into error, or remain in it; and that they may find out the whole truth
contained in them, and may not rest in a superficial knowledge, in the
outward court of the scriptures, but may have an intimate acquaintance
with the mind of God revealed in them. [4.] Searching the scriptures
must be our daily work. Those that heard the word in the synagogue on
the sabbath day did not think this enough, but were searching it every
day in the week, that they might improve what they ha heard the sabbath
before, and prepare for what they were to hear the sabbath after. [5.]
Those are truly noble, and are in a fair way to be more and more so,
that make the scriptures their oracle and touchstone, and consult them
accordingly. Those that rightly study the scriptures, and meditate
therein day and night, have their minds filled with noble thoughts,
fixed to noble principles, and formed for noble aims and designs. These
are more noble.
III. The good effect of the preaching of the gospel at Berea: it had
the desired success; the people's hearts being prepared, a great deal
of work was done suddenly, v. 12. 1. Of the Jews there were many that
believed. At Thessalonica there were only some of them that believed
(v. 4), but at Berea, where they heard with unprejudiced minds, many
believed, many more Jews than at Thessalonica. Note, God gives grace to
those whom he first inclines to make a diligent use of the means of
grace, and particularly to search the scriptures. 2. Of the Greeks
likewise, the Gentiles, many believed, both of the honourable women,
the ladies of quality, and of men not a few, men of the first rank, as
should seem by their being mentioned with the honourable women. The
wives first embraced the gospel, and then they persuaded their husbands
to embrace it. For what knowest thou, O wife, but thou shalt save thy
husband? 1 Cor. vii. 16.
IV. The persecution that was raised against Paul and Silas at Berea,
which forced Paul thence. 1. The Jews at Thessalonica were the
mischief-makers at Berea. They had notice that the word of God was
preached at Berea (for envy and jealousy bring quick intelligence), and
likewise that the Jews there were not so inveterately set against it as
they were. They came thither also, to turn the world upside down there,
and they stirred up the people, and incensed them against the preachers
of the gospel; as if they had such a commission from the prince of
darkness to go from place to place to oppose the gospel as the apostles
had to go from place to place to preach it. Thus we read before that
the Jews of Antioch and Iconium came to Lystra on purpose to incense
the people against the apostles, ch. xiv. 19. See how restless Satan's
agents are in their opposition to the gospel of Christ and the
salvation of the souls of men. This is an instance of the enmity that
is in the serpent's seed against the seed of the woman; and we must not
think it strange if persecutors at home extend their rage to stir up
persecution abroad. 2. This occasioned Paul's removal to Athens. By
seeking to extinguish this divine fire which Christ had already
kindled, they did but spread it the further and the faster; so long
Paul staid at Berea, and such success he had there, that there were
brethren there, and sensible active men too, which appeared by the care
they took of Paul, v. 14. They were aware of the coming of the
persecuting Jews from Thessalonica, and that they were busy in
irritating the people against Paul; and, fearing what it would come to,
they lost no time, but immediately sent Paul away, against whom they
were most prejudiced and enraged, hoping that this would pacify them,
while they retained Silas and Timothy there still, who, now that Paul
had broken the ice, might be sufficient to carry on the work without
exposing him. They sent Paul to go even to the sea, so some; to go as
it were to the sea, so we read it; hos epi ten thalassan. He went out
from Berea, in that road which went to the sea, that the Jews, if they
enquired after him, might think he had gone to a great distance; but he
went by land to Athens, in which there was no culpable dissimulation at
all. Those that conducted Paul (as his guides and guards, he being both
a stranger in the country and one that had many enemies) brought him to
Athens. The Spirit of God, influencing his spirit, directed him to that
famous city,--famous of old for its power and dominion, when the
Athenian commonwealth coped with the Spartan,--famous afterwards for
learning; it was the rendezvous of scholars. Those who wanted learning
went thither to show it. It was a great university, much resorted to
from all parts, and therefore, for the better diffusing of gospel
light, Paul is sent thither, and is not ashamed nor afraid to show his
face among the philosophers there, and there to preach Christ
crucified, though he knew it would be as much foolishness to the Greeks
as it was to the Jews a stumbling-block. 3. He ordered Silas and
Timothy to come to him to Athens, when he found there was a prospect of
doing good there; or because, there being none there that he knew, he
was solitary and melancholy without them. Yet it should seem that,
great as was the haste he was in for them, he ordered Timothy to go
about Thessalonica, to bring him an account of the affairs of that
church; for he says (1 Thess. iii. 1, 2), We thought it good to be left
at Athens alone, and sent Timotheus to establish you.
Paul at Athens.
16 Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in
him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. 17 Therefore
disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout
persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him. 18 Then
certain philosophers of the Epicureans, and of the Stoics, encountered
him. And some said, What will this babbler say? other some, He seemeth
to be a setter forth of strange gods: because he preached unto them
Jesus, and the resurrection. 19 And they took him, and brought him
unto Areopagus, saying, May we know what this new doctrine, whereof
thou speakest, is? 20 For thou bringest certain strange things to our
ears: we would know therefore what these things mean. 21 (For all the
Athenians and strangers which were there spent their time in nothing
else, but either to tell, or to hear some new thing.)
A scholar that has acquaintance, and is in love, with the learning of
the ancients, would think he should be very happy if he were where Paul
now was, at Athens, in the midst of the various sects of philosophers,
and would have a great many curious questions to ask them, for the
explication of the remains we have of the Athenian learning; but Paul,
though bred a scholar, and an ingenious active man, does not make this
any of his business at Athens. He has other work to mind: it is not the
improving of himself in their philosophy that he aims at, he has
learned to call it a vain thing, and is above it (Col. ii. 8); his
business is, in God's name, to correct their disorders in religion, and
to turn them from the service of idols, and of Satan in them, to the
service of the true and living God in Christ.
I. Here is the impression which the abominable ignorance and
superstition of the Athenians made upon Paul's spirit, v. 16. Observe,
1. The account here given of that city: it was wholly given to
idolatry. This agrees with the account which the heathen writers give
of it, that there were more idols in Athens than there were in all
Greece besides put together, and that they had twice as many sacred
feasts as others had. Whatever strange gods were recommended to them,
they admitted them, and allowed them a temple and an altar, so that
they had almost as many gods as men--facilius possis deum quam hominem
invenire. And this city, after the empire became Christian, continued
incurably addicted to idolatry, and all the pious edicts of the
Christian emperors could not root it out, till, by the irruption of the
Goths, that city was in so particular a manner laid waste that there
are now scarcely any remains of it. It is observable that there, where
human learning most flourished, idolatry most abounded, and the most
absurd and ridiculous idolatry, which confirms that of the apostle,
that when they professed themselves to be wise they became fools (Rom.
i. 22), and, in the business of religion, were of all other the most
vain in their imaginations. The world by wisdom knew not God, 1 Cor. i.
21. They might have reasoned against polytheism and idolatry; but, it
seems, the greatest pretenders to reason were the greatest slaves to
idols: so necessary was it to the re-establishing even of natural
religion that there should be a divine revelation, and that centering
in Christ. 2. The disturbance which the sight of this gave to Paul.
Paul was not willing to appear publicly till Silas and Timothy came to
him, that out of the mouth of two or three witnesses the word might be
established; but in the mean time his spirit was stirred within him. He
was filled with concern for the glory of God, which he saw given to
idols, and with compassion to the souls of men, which he saw thus
enslaved to Satan, and led captive by him at his will. He beheld these
transgressors, and was grieved; and horror took hold of him. He had a
holy indignation at the heathen priests, that led the people such an
endless trace of idolatry, and at their philosophers, that knew better,
and yet never said a word against it, but themselves went down the
stream.
II. The testimony that he bore against their idolatry, and his
endeavours to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. He did not, as
Witsius observes, in the heat of his zeal break into the temples, pull
down their images, demolish their altars, or fly in the face of their
priests; nor did he run about the streets crying, "You are all the
bond-slaves of the devil," though it was too true; but he observed
decorum, and kept himself within due bounds, doing that only which
became a prudent man. 1. He went to the synagogue of the Jews, who,
though enemies to Christianity, were free from idolatry, and joined
with them in that among them which was good, and took the opportunity
given him there of disputing for Christ, v. 17. He discoursed with the
Jews, reasoned fairly with them, and put it to them what reason they
could give why, since they expected the Messiah, they would not receive
Jesus. There he met with the devout persons that had forsaken the idol
temples, but rested in the Jews' synagogue, and he talked with these to
lead them on to the Christian church, to which the Jews' synagogue was
but as a porch. 2. He entered into conversation with all that came in
his way about matters of religion: In the market--en te agora, in the
exchange, or place of commerce, he disputed daily, as he had occasion,
with those that met with him, or that he happened to fall into company
with, that were heathen, and never came to the Jews' synagogue. The
zealous advocates for the cause of Christ will be ready to plead it in
all companies, as occasion offers. The ministers of Christ must not
think it enough to speak a good word for Christ once a week, but should
be daily speaking honourably of him to such as meet with them.
III. The enquiries which some of the philosophers made concerning
Paul's doctrine. Observe,
1. Who they were that encountered him, that entered into discourse with
him, and opposed him: He disputed with all that met him, in the places
of concourse, or rather of discourse. Most took no notice of him,
slighted him, and never minded a word he said; but there were some of
the philosophers that thought him worth making remarks upon, an they
were those whose principles were most directly contrary to
Christianity. (1.) The Epicureans, who thought God altogether such a
one as themselves, an idle inactive being, that minded nothing, nor put
any difference between good and evil. They would not own, either that
God made the world or that he governs it; nor that man needs to make
any conscience of what he says or does, having no punishment to fear
nor rewards to hope for, all which loose atheistical notions
Christianity is levelled against. The Epicureans indulged themselves in
all the pleasures of sense, and placed their happiness in them, in what
Christ has taught us in the first place to deny ourselves. (2.) The
Stoics, who thought themselves altogether as good as God, and indulged
themselves as much in the pride of life as the Epicureans did in the
lusts of the flesh and of the eye; they made their virtuous man to be
no way inferior to God himself, nay to be superior. Esse aliquid quo
sapiens antecedat Deum--There is that in which a wise man excels God,
so Seneca: to which Christianity is directly opposite, as it teaches us
to deny ourselves and abase ourselves, and to come off from all
confidence in ourselves, that Christ may be all in all.
2. What their different sentiments were of him; such there were as
there were of Christ, v. 18. (1.) Some called him a babbler, and
thought he spoke, without any design, whatever came uppermost, as men
of crazed imaginations do: What will this babbler say? ho spermologos
houtos--this scatterer of words, that goes about, throwing here one
idle word or story and there another, without any intendment or
signification; or, this picker up of seeds. Some of the critics tell us
that the term is used for a little sort of bird, that is worth nothing
at all, either for the spit or for the cage, that picks up the seeds
that lie uncovered, either in the field or by the way-side, and hops
here and there for that purpose--Avicula parva quæ semina in triviis
dispersa colligere solet; such a pitiful contemptible animal they took
Paul to be, or supposed he went from place to place venting his notions
to get money, a penny here and another there, as that bird picks up
here and there a grain. They looked upon him as an idle fellow, and
regarded him, as we say, no more than a ballad-singer. (2.) Others
called him a setter forth of strange gods, and thought he spoke with
design to make himself considerable by that means. And, if he had
strange gods to set forth, he could not bring them to a better market
than to Athens. He did not, as many did, directly set forth new gods,
nor avowedly; but they thought he seemed to do so, because he preached
unto then Jesus, and the resurrection. From his first coming among them
he ever and anon harped upon these two strings, which are indeed the
principal doctrines of Christianity--Christ and a future state--Christ
our way, and heaven our end; and, though he did not call these gods,
yet they thought he meant to make them so. Ton Iesoun kai ten
anastasin, "Jesus they took for a new god, and anastasis, the
resurrection, for a new goddess." Thus they lost the benefit of the
Christian doctrine by dressing it up in a pagan dialect, as if
believing in Jesus, and looking for the resurrection, were the
worshipping of new demons.
3. The proposal they made to give him a free, full, fair, and public
hearing, v. 19, 20. They had heard some broken pieces of his doctrine,
and are willing to have a more perfect knowledge of it. (1.) They look
upon it as strange and surprising, and very different from the
philosophy that had for many ages been taught and professed at Athens.
"It is a new doctrine, which we do not understand the drift and design
of. Thou bringest certain strange things to our ears, which we never
heard of before, and know not what to make of now." By this it should
seem that, among all the learned books they had, they either had not,
or heeded not, the books of Moses and the prophets, else the doctrine
of Christ would not have been so perfectly new and strange to them.
There was but one book in the world that was of divine inspiration, and
that was the only book they were strangers to, which, if they would
have given a due regard to it, would, in its very first page, have
determined that great controversy among them about the origin of the
universe. (2.) They desired to know more of it, only because it was new
and strange: "May we know what this new doctrine is? Or, is it (like
the mysteries of the gods) to be kept as a profound secret? If it may
be, we would gladly know, and desire thee to tell us, what these things
mean, that we may be able to pass a judgment upon them." This was a
fair proposal; it was fit they should know what this doctrine was
before they embraced it; and they were so fair as not to condemn it
till they had had some account of it. (3.) The place they brought him
to, in order to this public declaration of his doctrine; it was to
Areopagus, the same word that is translated (v. 22) Mars' Hill; it was
the town-house, or guildhall of their city, where the magistrates met
upon public business, and the courts of justice were kept; and it was
as the theatre in the university, or the schools, where learned men met
to communicate their notions. The court of justice which sat here was
famous for its equity, which drew appeals to it from all parts; if any
denied a God, he was liable to the censure of this court. Diagoras was
by them put to death, as a contemner of the gods; nor might any new God
be admitted without their approbation. Hither they brought Paul to be
tried, not as a criminal but as a candidate.
4. The general character of the people of that city given upon this
occasion (v. 21): All the Athenians, that is natives of the place, and
strangers who sojourned there for their improvement, spent their time
in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing, which
comes in as the reason why they were inquisitive concerning Paul's
doctrine, not because it was good, but because it was new. It is a very
sorry character which is here given of these people, yet many
transcribe it. (1.) They were all for conversation. St. Paul exhorts
his pupil to give attendance to reading and meditation (1 Tim. iv. 13,
15), but these people despised those old-fashioned ways of getting
knowledge, and preferred that of telling and hearing. It is true that
good company is of great use to a man, and will polish one that has
laid a good foundation in study; but that knowledge will be very flashy
and superficial which is got by conversation only. (2.) They affected
novelty; they were for telling and hearing some new thing. They were
for new schemes and new notions in philosophy, new forms and plans of
government in politics, and, in religion, for new gods that came newly
up (Deut. xxxii. 17), new demons, new-fashioned images and altars (2
Kings xvi. 10); they were given to change. Demosthenes, an orator of
their own, had charged this upon them long before, in one of his
Philippics, that their common question in the markets, or wherever they
met, was ei ti le etai neoteron--whether there was any news. (3.) They
meddled in other people's business, and were inquisitive concerning
that, and never minded their own. Tattlers are always busy bodies, 1
Tim. v. 13. (4.) They spent their time in nothing else, and a very
uncomfortable account those must needs have to make of their time who
thus spend it. Time is precious, and we are concerned to be good
husbands of it, because eternity depends upon it, and it is hastening
apace into eternity, but abundance of it is wasted in unprofitable
converse. To tell or hear the new occurrences of providence concerning
the public in our own or other nations, and concerning our neighbours
and friends, is of good use now and then; but to set up for
newsmongers, and to spend our time in nothing else, is to lose that
which is very precious for the gain of that which is worth little.
Paul at Athens.
22 Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of
Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious. 23
For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with
this inscription, TO THE UNKNOWN GOD. Whom therefore ye ignorantly
worship, him declare I unto you. 24 God that made the world and all
things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth
not in temples made with hands; 25 Neither is worshipped with men's
hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and
breath, and all things; 26 And hath made of one blood all nations of
men for to dwell on all the face of the earth, and hath determined the
times before appointed, and the bounds of their habitation; 27 That
they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find
him, though he be not far from every one of us: 28 For in him we
live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets
have said, For we are also his offspring. 29 Forasmuch then as we are
the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like
unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device. 30
And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent: 31 Because he hath appointed a day, in the
which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath
ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath
raised him from the dead.
We have here St. Paul's sermon at Athens. Divers sermons we have had,
which the apostles preached to the Jews, or such Gentiles as had an
acquaintance with and veneration for the Old Testament, and were
worshippers of the true and living God; and all they had to do with
them was to open and allege that Jesus is the Christ; but here we have
a sermon to heathens, that worshipped false gods, and were without the
true God in the world, and to them the scope of their discourse was
quite different from what it was to the other. In the former case their
business was to lead their hearers by prophecies and miracles to the
knowledge of the Redeemer, and faith in him; in the latter it was to
lead them by the common works of providence to the knowledge of the
Creator, and the worship of him. One discourse of this kind we had
before to the rude idolaters of Lystra that deified the apostles (ch.
xiv. 15); this recorded here is to the more polite and refined
idolaters at Athens, and an admirable discourse it is, and every way
suited to his auditory and the design he had upon them.
I. He lays down this, as the scope of his discourse, that he aimed to
bring them to the knowledge of the only living and true God, as the
sole and proper object of their adoration. He is here obliged to lay
the foundation, and to instruct them in the first principle of all
religion, that there is a God, and that God is but one. When he
preached against the gods they worshipped, he had no design to draw
them to atheism, but to the service of the true Deity. Socrates, who
had exposed the pagan idolatry, was indicted in this very court, and
condemned, not only because he did not esteem those to be gods whom the
city esteemed to be so, but because he introduced new demons; and this
was the charge against Paul. Now he tacitly owns the former part of the
charge, but guards against the latter, by declaring that he does not
introduce any new gods, but reduce them to the knowledge of one God,
the Ancient of days. Now,
1. He shows them that they needed to be instructed herein; for they had
lost the knowledge of the true God that made them, in the worship of
false gods that they had made (Deos qui rogat ille facit--He who
worships the gods makes them): I perceive that in all things you are
too superstitious. The crime he charges upon them is giving that glory
to others which is due to God only, that they feared and worshipped
demons, spirits that they supposed inhabited the images to which they
directed their worship. "It is time for you to be told that there is
but one God who are multiplying deities above any of your neighbours,
and mingle your idolatries with all your affairs. You are in all things
too superstitious--deisidaimonesteroi, you easily admit every thing
that comes under a show of religion, but it is that which corrupts it
more and more; I bring you that which will reform it." Their neighbours
praised them for this as a pious people, but Paul condemns them for it.
Yet it is observable how he mollifies the charge, does not aggravate
it, to provoke them. He uses a word which among them was taken in a
good sense: You are every way more than ordinarily religious, so some
read it; you are very devout in your way. Or, if it be taken in a bad
sense, it is mitigated: "You are as it were (hos) more superstitious
than you need be;" and he says no more than what he himself perceived;
theoro--I see it, I observe it. They charged Paul with setting forth
new demons: "Nay," says he, "you have demons enough already; I will not
add to the number of them."
2. He shows them that they themselves had given a fair occasion for the
declaring of this one true God to them, by setting up an altar, To the
unknown God, which intimated an acknowledgment that there was a God who
was yet to them an unknown God; and it is sad to think that at Athens,
a place which was supposed to have the monopoly of wisdom, the true God
was an unknown God, the only God that was unknown. "Now you ought to
bed Paul welcome, for this is the God whom he comes to make known to
you, the God whom you tacitly complain that you are ignorant of."
There, where we are sensible we are defective and come short, just
there, the gospel takes us up, and carries us on.
(1.) Various conjectures the learned have concerning this altar
dedicated to the unknown God. [1.] Some think the meaning is, To the
God whose honour it is to be unknown, and that they intended the God of
the Jews, whose name is ineffable, and whose nature is unsearchable. It
is probable they had heard from the Jews, and from the writings of the
Old Testament, of the God of Israel, who had proved himself to be above
all gods, but was a God hiding himself, Isa. xlv. 15. The heathen
called the Jews' God, Deus incertus, incertum Mosis Numen--an uncertain
God, the uncertain Deity of Moses, and the God without name. Now this
God, says Paul, this God, who cannot by searching be found out to
perfection, I now declare unto you. [2.] Others think the meaning is,
To the God whom it is our unhappiness not to know, which intimates that
they would think it their happiness to know him. Some tell us that upon
occasion of a plague that raged at Athens, when they had sacrificed to
all their gods one after another for the staying of the plague, they
were advised to let some sheep go where they pleased, and, where they
lay down, to build an altar, to prosekonti Theo--to the proper God, or
the God to whom that affair of staying the pestilence did belong; and,
because they knew not how to call him, they inscribed it, To the
unknown God. Others, from some of the best historians of Athens, tell
us they had many altars inscribed, To the gods of Asia, Europe, and
Africa--To the unknown God: and some of the neighbouring countries used
to swear by the God that was unknown at Athens; so Lucian.
(2.) Observe, how modestly Paul mentions this. That he might not be
thought a spy, nor one that had intruded himself more than became a
stranger into the knowledge of their mysteries, he tells them that he
observed it as he passed by, and saw their devotions, or their sacred
things. It was public, and he could not forbear seeing it, and it was
proper enough to make his remarks upon the religion of the place; and
observe how prudently and ingeniously he takes occasion from this to
bring in his discourse of the true God. [1.] He tells them that the God
he preached to them was one that they did already worship, and
therefore he was not a setter forth of new or strange gods: "As you
have a dependence upon him, so he has had some kind of homage from
you." [2.] He was one whom they ignorantly worshipped, which was a
reproach to them, who were famous all the world over for their
knowledge. "Now," says he, "I come to take away that reproach, that you
may worship him understandingly whom how you worship ignorantly; and it
cannot but be acceptable to have your blind devotion turned into a
reasonable service, that you may not worship you know not what."
II. He confirms his doctrine of one living and true God, by his works
of creation and providence: "The God whom I declare unto you to be the
sole object of your devotion, and call you to the worship of, is the
God that made the world and governs it; and, by the visible proofs of
these, you may be led to this invisible Being, and be convinced of his
eternal power and Godhead." The Gentiles in general, and the Athenians
particularly, in their devotions were governed, not by their
philosophers, many of whom spoke clearly and excellently well of one
supreme Numen, of his infinite perfections and universal agency and
dominion (witness the writings of Plato, and long after of Cicero); but
by their poets, and their idle fictions. Homer's works were the Bible
of the pagan theology, or demonology rather, not Plato's; and the
philosophers tamely submitted to this, rested in their speculations,
disputed them among themselves, and taught them to their scholars, but
never made the use they ought to have made of them in opposition to
idolatry; so little certainty were they at concerning them, and so
little impression did these things make upon them! Nay, they ran
themselves into the superstition of their country, and thought they
ought to do so. Eamus ad communem errorem--Let us embrace the common
error. Now Paul here sets himself, in the first place, to reform the
philosophy of the Athenians (he corrects the mistakes of that), and to
give them right notions of the one only living and true God, and then
to carry the matter further than they ever attempted for the reforming
of their worship, and the bringing them off from their polytheism and
idolatry. Observe what glorious things Paul here says of that God whom
he served, and would have them to serve.
1. He is the God that made the world, and all things therein; the
Father almighty, the Creator of heaven and earth. This was admitted by
many of the philosophers; but those of Aristotle's school denied it,
and maintained "that the world was from eternity, and every thing
always was from eternity, and every thing always was what now it is."
Those of the school of Epicurus fancied "that the world was made by a
fortuitous concourse of atoms, which, having been in perpetual motion,
at length accidently jumped into this frame." Against both these Paul
here maintains that God by the operations of an infinite power,
according to the contrivance of an infinite wisdom, in the beginning of
time made the world and all things therein, the origin of which was
owing, not as they fancied to an eternal matter, but to an eternal
mind.
2. He is therefore Lord of heaven and earth, that is, he is the
rightful owner, proprietor, and possessor, of all the beings, powers,
and riches of the upper and lower world, material and immaterial,
visible and invisible. This follows from his making heaven and earth.
If he created all, without doubt he has the disposing of all: and,
where he gives being, he has an indisputable right to give law.
3. He is, in a particular manner, the Creator of men, of all men (v.
26): He made of one blood all nations of men. He made the first man, he
makes every man, is the former of every man's body and the Father of
every man's spirit. He has made the nations of men, not only all men in
the nations, but as nations in their political capacity; he is their
founder, and disposed them into communities for their mutual
preservation and benefit. He made them all of one blood, of one and the
same nature; he fashions their heart alike. Descended from one and the
same common ancestor, in Adam they are all akin, so they are in Noah,
that hereby they might be engaged in mutual affection and assistance,
as fellow-creatures and brethren. Have we not all one Father? Hath not
one God created us? Mal. ii. 10. He hath made them to dwell on all the
face of the earth, which, as a bountiful benefactor, he has given, with
all its fulness, to the children of men. He made them not to live in
one place, but to be dispersed over all the earth; one nation therefore
ought not to look with contempt upon another, as the Greeks did upon
all other nations; for those on all the face of the earth are of the
same blood. The Athenians boasted that they sprung out of their own
earth, were aborigines, and nothing akin by blood to any other nation,
which proud conceit of themselves the apostle here takes down.
4. That he is the great benefactor of the whole creation (v. 25): He
giveth to all life, and breath, and all things. He not only breathed
into the first man the breath of life, but still breathes it into every
man. He gave us these souls he formed the spirit of man within him. He
not only gave us our life and breath, when he brought us into being,
but he is continually giving them to us; his providence is a continued
creation; he holds our souls in life; every moment our breath goes
forth, but he graciously gives it us again the next moment; it is no
only his air that we breathe in, but it is in his hand that our breath
is, Dan. v. 23. He gives to all the children of men their life and
breath; for as the meanest of the children of men live upon him, and
receive from him, so the greatest, the wisest philosophers and
mightiest potentates, cannot live without him. He gives to all, not
only to all the children of men, but to the inferior creatures, to all
animals, every thing wherein is the breath of life (Gen. vi. 17); they
have their life and breath from him, and where he gives life and breath
he gives all things, all other things needful for the support of life.
The earth is full of his goodness, Ps. civ. 24, 27.
5. That he is the sovereign disposer of all the affairs of the children
of men, according to the counsel of his will (v. 26): He hath
determined the times before appointed, and the bounds of their
habitation. See here, (1.) The sovereignty of God's disposal concerning
us: he hath determined every event, horisas, the matter is fixed; the
disposals of Providence are incontestable and must not be disputed,
unchangeable and cannot be altered. (2.) The wisdom of his disposals;
he hath determined what was before appointed. The determinations of the
Eternal Mind are not sudden resolves, but the counterparts of an
eternal counsel, the copies of divine decrees. He performeth the thing
that is appointed for me, Job xxiii. 14. Whatever comes forth from God
was before all worlds hid in God. (3.) The things about which his
providence is conversant; these are time and place: the times and
places of our living in this world are determined and appointed by the
God that made us. [1.] He has determined the times that are concerning
us. Times to us seem changeable, but God has fixed them. Our times are
in his hand, to lengthen or shorten, embitter or sweeten, as he
pleases. He has appointed and determined the time of our coming into
the world, and the time of our continuance in the world; our time to be
born, and our time to die (Eccl. iii. 1, 2), and all that little that
lies between them--the time of all our concernments in this world.
Whether they be prosperous times or calamitous times, it is he that has
determined them; and on him we must depend, with reference to the times
that are yet before us. [2.] He has also determined and appointed the
bounds of our habitation. He that appointed the earth to be a
habitation for the children of men has appointed to the children of men
a distinction of habitations upon the earth, has instituted such a
thing as property, to which he has set bounds to keep us from
trespassing one upon another. The particular habitations in which our
lot is cast, the place of our nativity and of our settlement, are of
God's determining and appointing, which is a reason why we should
accommodate ourselves to the habitations we are in, and make the best
of that which is.
6. That he is not far from every one of us, v. 27. He is every where
present, not only is at our right hand, but has possessed our reins
(Ps. cxxxix. 13), has his eye upon us at all times, and knows us better
than we know ourselves. Idolaters made images of God, that they might
have him with them in those images, the absurdity of which the apostle
here shows; for he in an infinite Spirit, that is not far from any of
us, and never the nearer, but in one sense the further off from us, for
our pretending to realize or presentiate him to ourselves by any image.
He is nigh unto us, both to receive the homage we render him and to
give the mercies we ask of him, wherever we are, though near no altar,
image, or temple. The Lord of all, as he is rich (Rom. x. 12), so he is
nigh (Deut. iv. 7), to all that call upon him. He that wills us to pray
every where, assures us that he is no where far from us; whatever
country, nation, or profession we are of, whatever our rank and
condition in the world are, be we in a palace or in a cottage, in a
crowd or in a corner, in a city or in a desert, in the depths of the
sea or afar off upon the sea, this is certain, God is not far from
every one of us.
7. That in him we live, and move, and have our being, v. 28. We have a
necessary and constant dependence upon his providence, as the streams
have upon the spring, and the beams upon the sun. (1.) In him we live;
that is, the continuance of our lives is owing to him and the constant
influence of his providence; he is our life, and the length of our
days. It is not only owing to his patience and pity that our forfeited
lives are not cut off, but it is owing to his power, and goodness, and
fatherly care, that our frail lives are prolonged. There needs not a
positive act of his wrath to destroy us; if he suspend the positive
acts of his goodness, we die of ourselves. (2.) In him we move; it is
by the uninterrupted concourse of his providence that our souls move in
their outgoings and operations, that our thoughts run to and fro about
a thousand subjects, and our affections run out towards their proper
objects. It is likewise by him that our souls move our bodies; we
cannot stir a hand, or foot, or a tongue, but by him, who, as he is the
first cause, so he is the first mover. (3.) In him we have our being;
not only from him we had it at first, but in him we have it still; to
his continued care and goodness we owe it, not only that we have a
being and are not sunk into nonentity, but that we have our being, have
this being, were and still are of such a noble rank of beings, capable
of knowing and enjoying God; and are not thrust into the meanness of
brutes, nor the misery of devils.
8. That upon the whole matter we are God's offspring; he is our Father
that begat us (Deut. xxxii. 6, 18), and he hath nourished and brought
us up as children, Isa. i. 2. The confession of an adversary in such a
case is always looked upon to be of use as argumentum ad hominem--an
argument to the man, and therefore the apostle here quotes a saying of
one of the Greek poets, Aratus, a native of Cilicia, Paul's countryman,
who, in his Phenomena, in the beginning of his book, speaking of the
heathen Jupiter, that is, in the poetical dialect, the supreme God,
says this of him, tou gar kai genos esmen--for we are also his
offspring. And he might have quoted other poets to the purpose of what
he was speaking, that in God we live and move:--
Spiritus intus alit, totamque infusa per artus
Mens agitat molem.
This active mind, infus'd through all the space,
Unites and mingles with the mighty mass.--Virgil, Æneid vi.
Est Deus in nobis, agitante calescimus illo.
'Tis the Divinity that warms our hearts.--Ovid, Fast. vi.
Jupiter est quodeunque vides,
Quocunque moveris.
Where'er you look, where'er you rove
The spacious scene is full of Jove.--Lucan, lib. ii.
But he chooses this of Aratus, as having much in a little. By this it
appears not only that Paul was himself a scholar, but that human
learning is both ornamental and serviceable to a gospel minister,
especially for the convincing of those that are without; for it enables
him to beat them at their own weapons, and to cut off Goliath's head
with his own sword. How can the adversaries of truth be beaten out of
their strong-holds by those that do not know them? It may likewise
shame God's professing people, who forget their relation to God, and
walk contrary to it, that a heathen poet could say of God, We are his
offspring, formed by him, formed for him, more the care of his
providence than ever any children were the care of their parents; and
therefore are obliged to obey his commands, and acquiesce in his
disposals, and to be unto him for a name and a praise. Since in him and
upon him we live, we ought to live to him; since in him we move, we
ought to move towards him; and since in him we have our being, and from
him we receive all the supports and comforts of our being, we ought to
consecrate our being to him, and to apply to him for a new being, a
better being, an eternal well-being.
III. From all these great truths concerning God, he infers the
absurdity of their idolatry, as the prophets of old had done. If this
be so, 1. Then God cannot be represented by an image. If we are the
offspring of God, as we are spirits in flesh, then certainly he who is
the Father of our spirits (and they are the principal part of us, and
that part of us by which we are denominated God's offspring) is himself
a Spirit, and we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold,
or silver, or stone, graven by art and man's device, v. 29. We wrong
God, and put an affront upon him, if we think so. God honoured man in
making his soul after his own likeness; but man dishonours God if he
makes him after the likeness of his body. The Godhead is spiritual,
infinite, immaterial, incomprehensible, and therefore it is a very
false and unjust conception which an image gives us of God, be the
matter ever so rich, fold or silver; be the shape ever so curious, and
be it ever so well graven by art or man's device, its countenance,
posture, or dress, ever so significant, it is a teacher of lies. 2.
Then he dwells not in temples made with hands, v. 24. He is not invited
to any temple men can build for him, nor confined to any. A temple
brings him never the nearer to us, nor keeps him ever the longer among
us. A temple is convenient for us to come together in to worship God;
but God needs not any place of rest or residence, nor the magnificence
and splendour of any structure, to add to the glory of his appearance.
A pious, upright heart, a temple not made with hands, but by the Spirit
of God, is that which he dwells in, and delights to dwell in. See 1
Kings viii. 27; Isa. lxvi. 1, 2. 3. Then he is not worshipped,
therapeuetai, he is not served, or ministered unto, with men's hands,
as though he needed any thing, v. 25. He that made all, and maintains
all, cannot be benefited by any of our services, nor needs them. If we
receive and derive all from him, he is all-sufficient, and therefore
cannot but be self-sufficient, and independent. What need can God have
of our services, or what benefit can he have by them, when he has all
perfection in himself, and we have nothing that is good but what we
have from him? The philosophers, indeed, were sensible of this truth,
that God has no need of us or our services; but the vulgar heathen
built temples and offered sacrifices to their gods, with an opinion
that they needed houses and food. See Job xxxv. 5-8; Ps. l. 8, &c. 4.
Then it concerns us all to enquire after God (v. 27): That they should
seek the Lord, that is, fear and worship him in a right manner.
Therefore God has kept the children of men in a constant dependence
upon him for life and all the comforts of life, that he might keep them
under constant obligations to him. We have plain indications of God's
presence among us, his presidency over us, the care of his providence
concerning us, and his bounty to us, that we might be put upon
enquiring, Where is God our Maker, who giveth songs in the night, who
teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than
the fowls of heaven? Job xxxv. 10, 11. Nothing, one would think, should
be more powerful with us to convince us that there is a God, and to
engage us to seek his honour and glory in our services, and to seek our
happiness in his favour and love, than the consideration of our own
nature, especially the noble powers and faculties of our own souls. If
we reflect upon these, and contemplate these, we may perceive both our
relation and obligation to a God above us. Yet so dark is this
discovery, in comparison with that by divine revelation, and so unapt
are we to receive it, that those who have no other could but haply feel
after God and find him. (1.) It was very uncertain whether they could
by this searching find out God; it is but a peradventure: if haply they
might. (2.) If they did find out something of God, yet it was but some
confused notions of him; they did but feel after him, as men in the
dark, or blind men, who lay hold on a thing that comes in their way,
but know not whether it be that which they are in quest of or no. It is
a very confused notion which this poet of theirs has of the relation
between God and man, and very general, that we are his offspring: as
was also that of their philosophers. Pythagoras said, Theion genos esti
brotoios--Men have a sort of a divine nature. And Heraclitus (apud
Lucian) being asked, What are men? answered, Theoi thnetoi--Mortal
gods; and, What are the gods? answered, athanatoi anthropoi--Immortal
men. And Pindar saith (Nemean, Ode 6), En andron hen theon genos--God
and man are near a-kin. It is true that by the knowledge of ourselves
we may be led to the knowledge of God, but it is a very confused
knowledge. This is but feeling after him. We have therefore reason to
be thankful that by the gospel of Christ we have notices given us of
God much clearer than we could have by the light of nature; we do not
now feel after him, but with open face behold, as in a glass, the glory
of God.
IV. He proceeds to call them all to repent of their idolatries, and to
turn from them, v. 30, 31. This is the practical part of Paul's sermon
before the university; having declared God to them (v. 23), he properly
presses upon them repentance towards God, and would also have taught
them faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ, if they had had the patience
to hear him. Having shown them the absurdity of their worshipping other
gods, he persuades them to go on no longer in that foolish way of
worship, but to return from it to the living and true God. Observe,
1. The conduct of God towards the Gentile world before the gospel came
among them: The times of this ignorance God winked at. (1.) They were
times of great ignorance. Human learning flourished more than ever in
the Gentile world just before Christ's time; but in the things of God
they were grossly ignorant. Those are ignorant indeed who either know
not God or worship him ignorantly; idolatry was owing to ignorance.
(2.) These times of ignorance God winked at. Understand it, [1.] As an
act of divine justice. God despised or neglected these times of
ignorance, and did not send them his gospel, as now he does. It was
very provoking to him to see his glory thus given to another; and he
detested and hated these times. So some take it. Or rather, [2.] As an
act of divine patience and forbearance. He winked at these times; he
did not restrain them from these idolatries by sending prophets to
them, as he did to Israel; he did not punish them in their idolatries,
as he did Israel; but gave them the gifts of his providence, ch. xiv.
16, 17. These things thou hast done, and I kept silence, Ps. l. 21. He
did not give them such calls and motives to repentance as he does now.
He let them alone. Because they did not improve the light they had, but
were willingly ignorant, he did not send them greater lights. Or, he
was not quick and severe with them, but was long-suffering towards
them, because they did it ignorantly, 1 Tim. i. 13.
2. The charge God gave to the Gentile world by the gospel, which he now
sent among them: He now commandeth all men every where to repent--to
change their mind and their way, to be ashamed of their folly and to
act more wisely, to break off the worship of idols and bind themselves
to the worship of the true God. Nay, it is to turn with sorrow and
shame from every sin, and with cheerfulness and resolution to every
duty. (1.) This is God's command. It had been a great favour if he had
only told us that there was room left for repentance, and we might be
admitted to it; but he goes further, he interposes his own authority
for our good, and has made that our duty which is our privilege. (2.)
It is his command to all men, every where,--to men, and not to angels,
that need it not,--to men, and not to devils, that are excluded the
benefit of it,--to all men in all places; all men have made work for
repentance, and have cause enough to repent, and all men are invited to
repent, and shall have the benefit of it. The apostles are commissioned
to preach this every where. The prophets were sent to command the Jews
to repent; but the apostles were sent to preach repentance and
remission of sins to all nations. (3.) Now in gospel times it is more
earnestly commanded, because more encouraged than it had been formerly.
Now the way of remission is more opened than it had been, and the
promise more fully confirmed; and therefore now he expects we should
all repent. "Now repent; now at length, now in time, repent; for you
have too long gone on in sin. Now in time repent, for it will be too
late shortly."
3. The great reason to enforce this command, taken from the judgment to
come. God commands us to repent, because he hath appointed a day in
which he will judge the world in righteousness (v. 31), and has now
under the gospel made a clearer discovery of a state of retribution in
the other world than ever before. Observe, (1.) The God that made the
world will judge it; he that gave the children of men their being and
faculties will call them to an account for the use they have made of
them, and recompense them accordingly, whether the body served the soul
in serving God or the soul was a drudge to the body in making provision
for the flesh; and every man shall receive according to the things done
in the body, 2 Cor. v. 10. The God that now governs the world will
judge it, will reward the faithful friends of his government and punish
the rebels. (2.) There is a day appointed for this general review of
all that men have done in time, and a final determination of their
state for eternity. The day is fixed in the counsel of God, and cannot
be altered; but it is his there, and cannot be known. A day of
decision, a day of recompence, a day that will put a final period to
all the days of time. (3.) The world will be judged in righteousness;
for God is not unrighteous, who taketh vengeance; far be it from him
that he should do iniquity. His knowledge of all men's characters and
actions is infallibly true, and therefore his sentence upon them
incontestably just. And, as there will be no appeal from it, so there
will be no exception against it. (4.) God will judge the world by that
man whom he hath ordained, who can be no other than the Lord Jesus, to
whom all judgment is committed. By him God made the world, by him he
redeemed it, by him he governs it, and by him he will judge it. (5.)
God's raising Christ from the dead is the great proof of his being
appointed and ordained the Judge of quick and dead. His doing him that
honour evidenced his designing him this honour. His raising him from
the dead was the beginning of his exaltation, his judging the world
will be the perfection of it; and he that begins will make an end. God
hath given assurance unto all men, sufficient ground for their faith to
build upon, both that there is a judgment to come and that Christ will
be their judge; the matter is not left doubtful, but is of
unquestionable certainty. Let all his enemies be assured of it, and
tremble before him; let all his friends be assured of it, and triumph
in him. (6.) The consideration of the judgment to come, and of the
great hand Christ will have in that judgment, should engage us all to
repent of our sins and turn from them to God. This is the only way to
make the Judge our friend in that day, which will be a terrible day to
all who live and die impenitent; but true penitents will then lift up
their heads with joy, knowing that their redemption draws nigh.
Paul at Athens.
32 And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked:
and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. 33 So Paul
departed from among them. 34 Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and
believed: among the which was Dionysius the Areopagite, and a woman
named Damaris, and others with them.
We have here a short account of the issue of Paul's preaching at
Athens.
I. Few were the better: the gospel had as little success at Athens as
any where; for the pride of the philosophers there, as of the Pharisees
at Jerusalem, prejudiced them against the gospel of Christ. 1. Some
ridiculed Paul and his preaching. They heard him patiently till he came
to speak of the resurrection of the dead (v. 32), and then some of them
began to hiss him: they mocked. What he had said before was somewhat
like what they had sometimes heard in their own schools, and some
notion they had of a resurrection, as it signifies a future state; but,
if he speak of a resurrection of the dead, though it be of the
resurrection of Christ himself, it is altogether incredible to them,
and they cannot bear so much as to hear of it, as being contrary to a
principle of their philosophy: A privatione ad habitum non datur
regressus--Life when once lost is irrecoverable. They had deified their
heroes after their death, but never thought of their being raised from
the dead, and therefore they could by no means reconcile themselves to
this doctrine of Christ's being raised from the dead; how can this be?
This great doctrine, which is the saints' joy, is their jest; when it
was but mentioned to them they mocked, and made a laughing matter of
it. We are not to think it strange if sacred truths of the greatest
certainty and importance are made the scorn of profane wits. 2. Others
were willing to take time to consider of it; they said, We will hear
thee again of this matter. They would not at present comply with what
Paul said, nor oppose it; but we will hear thee again of this matter,
of the resurrection of the dead. It should seem, they overlooked what
was plain and uncontroverted, and shifted off the application and the
improvement of that, by starting objections against what was
disputable, and would admit a debate. Thus many lose the benefit of the
practical doctrine of Christianity, by wading beyond their depth into
controversy, or, rather, by objecting against that which has some
difficulty in it; whereas, if any man were disposed and determined to
do the will of God, as far as it is discovered to him, he should know
of the doctrine of Christ, that it is of God, and not of man, John vii.
17. Those that would not yield to the present convictions of the word
thought to get clear of them, as Felix did, by putting them off to
another opportunity; they will hear of it again some time or other, but
they know not when; and thus the devil cozens them of all their time,
by cozening them of the present time. 3. Paul thereupon left them for
the present to consider of it (v. 33): He departed from amongst them,
as seeing little likelihood of doing any good with them at this time;
but, it is likely, with a promise to those that were willing to hear
him again that he would meet them whenever they pleased.
II. Yet there were some that were wrought upon, v. 34. If some would
not, others would. 1. There were certain men that adhered to him, and
believed. When he departed from amongst them, they would not part with
him so; wherever he went, they would follow him, with a resolution to
adhere to the doctrine he preached, which they believed. 2. Two are
particularly named; one was an eminent man, Dionysius the Areopagite,
one of that high court or great council that sat in Areopagus, or Mars'
Hill--a judge, a senator, one of those before whom Paul was summoned to
appear; his judge becomes his convert. The account which the ancients
give of this Dionysius is that he was bred at Athens, had studied
astrology in Egypt, where he took notice of the miraculous eclipse at
our Saviour's passion,--that, returning to Athens, he became a senator,
disputed with Paul, and was by him converted from his error and
idolatry; and, being by him thoroughly instructed, was made the first
bishop of Athens. So Eusebius, lib. 5, cap. 4; lib. 4, cap. 22. The
woman named Damaris was, as some think, the wife of Dionysius; but,
rather, some other person of quality; and, though there was not so
great a harvest gathered in at Athens as there was at other places,
yet, these few being wrought upon there, Paul had no reason to say he
had laboured in vain.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XVIII.
In this chapter we have, I. Paul's coming to Corinth, his private
converse with Aquila and Priscilla, and his public reasonings with the
Jews, from whom, when they rejected him, he turned to the Gentiles,
ver. 1-6. II. The great success of his ministry there, and the
encouragement Christ gave him in a vision to continue his labours
there, in hopes of further success, ver. 7-11. III. The molestations
which after some time he met with there from the Jews, which he got
pretty well through by the coldness of Gallio, the Roman governor, in
the cause, ver. 12-17. IV. The progress Paul made through many
countries, after he had continued long at Corinth, for the edifying and
watering of the churches which he had founded and planted, in which
circuit he made a short visit to Jerusalem, ver. 18-23. V. An account
of Apollo's improvement in knowledge, and of his usefulness in the
church, ver. 24-28.
Paul Visits Corinth.
1 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
2 And found a certain Jew named Aquila, born in Pontus, lately come
from Italy, with his wife Priscilla; (because that Claudius had
commanded all Jews to depart from Rome:) and came unto them. 3 And
because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for
by their occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the
synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks. 5 And
when Silas and Timotheus were come from Macedonia, Paul was pressed in
the spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus was Christ. 6 And
when they opposed themselves, and blasphemed, he shook his raiment, and
said unto them, Your blood be upon your own heads; I am clean: from
henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles.
We do not find that Paul was much persecuted at Athens, nor that he was
driven thence by any ill usage, as he was from those places where the
Jews had or could make any interest; but this reception at Athens being
cold, and little prospect of doing good there, he departed from Athens,
leaving the care of those there who believed with Dionysius; and thence
he came to Corinth, where he was now instrumental in planting a church
that became on many accounts considerable. Corinth was the chief city
of Achaia, now a province of the empire, a rich and splendid city. Non
cuivis homini contingit adire Corinthum--It is not permitted every man
to see Corinth. The country thereabouts at this day is called the
Morea. Now here we have,
I. Paul working for his living, v. 2, 3. 1. Though he was bred a
scholar, yet he was master of a handicraft trade. He was a tent-maker,
an upholsterer; he made tents for the use of soldiers and shepherds, of
cloth or stuff, or (as some say tents were then generally made) of
leather or skins, as the outer covering of the tabernacle. Hence to
live in tents was to live sub pellibus--under skins. Dr. Lightfoot
shows that it was the custom of the Jews to bring up their children to
some trade, yea, though they gave them learning or estates. Rabbi Judah
says, "He that teaches not his son a trade is as if he taught him to be
a thief." And another says, "He that has a trade in his hand is as a
vineyard that is fenced." An honest trade, by which a man may get his
bread, is not to be looked upon by any with contempt. Paul, though a
Pharisee, and bred up at the feet of Gamaliel, yet, having in his youth
learned to make tents, did not by disuse lose the art. 2. Though he was
entitled to a maintenance from the churches he had planted, and from
the people to whom he preached, yet he worked at his calling to get
bread, which is more to his praise who did not ask for supplies than to
theirs who did not supply him unasked, knowing what straits he was
reduced to. See how humble Paul was, and wonder that so great a man
could stoop so low; but he had learned condescension of his Master, who
came not to be ministered to, but to minister. See how industrious he
was, and how willing to take pains. He that had so much excellent work
to do with his mind, yet, when there was occasion, did not think it
below him to work with his hands. Even those that are redeemed from the
curse of the law are not exempt from that sentence, In the sweat of thy
face thou shalt eat bread. See how careful Paul was to recommend his
ministry, and to prevent prejudices against it, even the most unjust
and unreasonable; he therefore maintained himself with his own labour
that he might not make the gospel of Christ burdensome, 2 Cor. xi. 7,
&c.; 2 Thess. iii. 8, 9. 3. Though we may suppose he was master of his
trade, yet he did not disdain to work at journey-work: He wrought with
Aquila and Priscilla, who were of that calling, so that he got no more
than day-wages, a bare subsistence. Poor tradesmen must be thankful if
their callings bring them in a maintenance for themselves and their
families, though they cannot do as the rich merchants that raise
estates by their callings. 4. Though he was himself a great apostle,
yet he chose to work with Aquila and Priscilla, because he found them
to be very intelligent in the things of God, as appears afterwards (v.
26), and he owns that they had been his helpers in Christ Jesus, Rom.
xvi. 3. This is an example to those who are going to service to seek
for those services in which they may have the best help for their
souls. Choose to work with those that are likely to be helpers in
Christ Jesus. It is good to be in company and to have conversation with
those that will further us in the knowledge of Christ, and to put
ourselves under the influence of such as are resolved that they will
serve the Lord. Concerning this Aquila we are here told, (1.) That he
was a Jew, but born in Pontus, v. 2. Many of the Jews of the dispersion
were seated in that country, as appears 1 Pet. i. 1. (2.) That he was
lately come from Italy to Corinth. It seems he often changed his
habitation; this is not the world we can propose ourselves a settlement
in. (3.) That the reason of his leaving Italy was because by a late
edict of the emperor Claudius Cæsar all Jews were banished from Rome;
for the Jews were generally hated, and every occasion was taken to put
hardship and disgrace upon them. God's heritage was as a speckled bird,
the birds round about were against her, Jer. xii. 9. Aquila, though a
Christian, was banished because he had been a Jew; and the Gentiles had
such confused notions of the thing that they could not distinguish
between a Jew and a Christian. Suetonius, in the life of Claudius,
speaks of this decree in the ninth year of his reign, and says, The
reason was because the Jews were a turbulent people--assiduo
tumultuantes; and that it was impulsore Christo--upon the account of
Christ; some zealous for him, others bitter against him, which
occasioned great heats, such as gave umbrage to the government, and
provoked the emperor, who was a timorous jealous man, to order them all
to be gone. If Jews persecute Christians, it is not strange if heathens
persecute them both.
II. We have here Paul preaching to the Jews, and dealing with them to
bring them to the faith of Christ, both the native Jews and the Greeks,
that is, those that were more or less proselyted to the Jewish
religion, and frequented their meetings.
1. He reasoned with them in the synagogue publicly every sabbath. See
in what way the apostles propagated the gospel, not by force and
violence, by fire and sword, not by demanding an implicit consent, but
by fair arguing; they drew with the cords of a man, gave a reason for
what they said, and gave a liberty to object against it, having
satisfactory answers ready. God invites us to come and reason with him
(Isa. i. 18), and challenges sinners to produce their cause, and bring
forth their strong reasons, Isa. xli. 21. Paul was a rational as well
as a scriptural preacher.
2. He persuaded them--epeithe. It denotes, (1.) The urgency of his
preaching. He did not only dispute argumentatively with them, but he
followed his arguments with affectionate persuasions, begging of them
for God's sake, for their own soul's sake, for their children's sake,
not to refuse the offer of salvation made to them. Or, (2.) The good
effect of his preaching. He persuaded them, that is, he prevailed with
them; so some understand it. In sententiam suam adducebat--He brought
them over to his own opinion. Some of them were convinced by his
reasonings, and yielded to Christ.
3. He was yet more earnest in this matter when his fellow-labourers,
his seconds, came up with him (v. 5): When Silas and Timothy had come
from Macedonia, and had brought him good tidings from the churches
there, and were ready to assist him here, and strengthened his hands,
then Paul was more than before pressed in spirit, which made him more
than ever pressing in his preaching. He was grieved for the obstinacy
and infidelity of his countrymen the Jews, was more intent than ever
upon their conversion, and the love of Christ constrained him to it (2
Cor. v. 14): it is the word that is used here, it pressed him in spirit
to it. And, being thus pressed, he testified to the Jews with all
possible solemnity and seriousness, as that which he was perfectly well
assured of himself, and attested to them as a faithful saying, and
worthy of all acceptation, that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah
promised to the fathers and expected by them.
III. We have him here abandoning the unbelieving Jews, and turning from
them to the Gentiles, as he had done in other places, v. 6.
1. Many of the Jews, and indeed the most of them, persisted in their
contradiction to the gospel of Christ, and would not yield to the
strongest reasonings nor the most winning persuasions; they opposed
themselves and blasphemed; they set themselves in battle array (so the
word signifies) against the gospel; they joined hand in hand to stop
the progress of it. They resolved they would not believe it themselves,
and would do all they could to keep others from believing it. They
could not argue against it, but what was wanting in reason they made up
in ill language: they blasphemed, spoke reproachfully of Christ, and in
him of God himself, as Rev. xiii. 5, 6. To justify their infidelity,
they broke out into downright blasphemy.
2. Paul hereupon declared himself discharged from them, and left them
to perish in their unbelief. He that was pressed in spirit to testify
to them (v. 5), when they opposed that testimony, and persisted in
their opposition, was pressed in spirit to testify against them (v. 6),
and his zeal herein also he showed by a sign: he shook his raiment,
shaking off the dust from it (as before they shook off the dust from
their feet, ch. xiii. 51), for a testimony against them. thus he
cleared himself from them, but threatened the judgments of God against
them. As Pilate by washing his hands signified the devolving of the
guilt of Christ's blood from himself upon the Jews, so Paul by shaking
his raiment signified what he said, if possible to affect them with it.
(1.) He had done his part, and was clean from the blood of their souls;
he had, like a faithful watchman, given them warning, and thereby had
delivered his soul, though he could not prevail to deliver theirs. He
had tried all methods to work upon them, but all in vain, so that if
they perish in their unbelief their blood is not to be required at his
hands; here, and ch. xx. 26, he plainly refers to Ezek. xxxiii. 8, 9.
It is very comfortable to a minister to have the testimony of his
conscience for him, that he has faithfully discharged his trust by
warning sinners. (2.) They would certainly perish if they persisted in
their unbelief, and the blame would lie wholly upon themselves: "Your
blood be upon your own heads, you will be your own destroyers, your
nation will be ruined in this world, and particular persons will be
ruined in the other world, and you alone shall bear it." If any thing
would frighten them at last into a compliance with the gospel, surely
this would.
3. Having given them over, yet he does not give over his work. Though
Israel be not gathered, Christ and his gospel shall be glorious:
Henceforth I will go unto the Gentiles; and the Jews cannot complain,
for they had the first offer, and a fair one, made to them. The guests
that were first invited will not come, and the provision must not be
lost; guests must be had therefore from the highways and the hedges.
"We would have gathered the Jews (Matt. xxiii. 37), would have healed
them (Jer. li. 9), and they would not; but Christ must not be a head
without a body, nor a foundation without a building, and therefore, if
they will not, we must try whether others will." Thus the fall and
diminishing of the Jews became the riches of the Gentiles; and Paul
said this to their faces, not only because it was what he could
justify, but to provoke them to jealousy, Rom. xi. 12, 14.
Paul Visits Corinth.
7 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man's house, named
Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the
synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed
on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing
believed, and were baptized. 9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the
night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:
10 For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I
have much people in this city. 11 And he continued there a year and
six months, teaching the word of God among them.
Here we are told,
I. That Paul changed his quarters. Christ directed his disciples, when
he sent them forth, not to go from house to house (Luke x. 7), but
there might be occasion to do it, as Paul did here. He departed out of
the synagogue, being driven out by the perverseness of the unbelieving
Jews, and he entered into a certain man's house, named Justus, v. 7. It
should seem, he went to this man's house, not to lodge, for he
continued with Aquila and Priscilla, but to preach. When the Jews would
not let him go on peaceably with his work in their meeting, this honest
man opened his doors to him, and told him he should be welcome to
preach there; and Paul accepted the proposal. It was not the first time
that God's ark had taken up its lodging in a private house. When Paul
could not have liberty to preach in the synagogue, he preached in a
house, without any disparagement to his doctrine. But observe the
account of this man and his house. 1. The man was next door to a Jew;
he was one that worshipped God; he was not an idolater, though he was a
Gentile, but was a worshipper of the God of Israel, and him only, as
Cornelius. That Paul might give the less offence to the Jews, though he
had abandoned them, he set up his meeting in this man's house. Even
when he was under a necessity of breaking off from them to turn to the
Gentiles, yet he would study to oblige them. 2. The house was next door
to the synagogue, it joined close to it, which some perhaps might
interpret as done with design to draw people from the synagogue to the
meeting; but I rather think it was done in charity, to show that he
would come as near to them as he could, and was ready to return to them
if they were but willing to receive his message, and would not
contradict and blaspheme as they had done.
II. That Paul presently saw the good fruit of his labours, both among
Jews and Gentiles. 1. Crispus a Jew, an eminent one, the chief ruler of
the synagogue, believed on the Lord Jesus, with all his house, v. 8. It
was for the honour of the gospel that there were some rulers, and
persons of the first rank both in church and state, that embraced it.
This would leave the Jews inexcusable, that the ruler of their
synagogue, who may be supposed to have excelled the rest in knowledge
of the scriptures and zeal for their religion, believed the gospel, and
yet they opposed and blasphemed it. Not only he, but his house,
believed, and, probably, were baptized with him by Paul, 1 Cor. i. 14.
2. Many of the Corinthians, who were Gentiles (and some of them persons
of bad character, as appears, 1 Cor. vi. 11, such were some of you),
hearing, believed, and were baptized. First, they heard, for faith
comes by hearing. Some perhaps came to hear Paul under some convictions
of conscience that the way they were in was not right; but it is
probable that the most came only for curiosity, because it was a new
doctrine that was preached; but, hearing, they believed, by the power
of God working upon them; and, believing, they were baptized, and so
fixed for Christ, took upon them the profession of Christianity, and
became entitled to the privileges of Christians.
III. That Paul was encouraged by a vision to go on with his work at
Corinth (v. 9): The Lord Jesus spoke to Paul in the night by a vision;
when he was musing on his work, communing with his own heart upon his
bed, and considering whether he should continue here or no, what method
he should take here, and what probability there was of doing good, then
Christ appeared very seasonably to him, and in the multitude of his
thoughts within him delighted his soul with divine consolations. 1. He
renewed his commission and charge to preach the gospel: "Be not afraid
of the Jews; though they are very outrageous, and perhaps the more
enraged by the conversion of the chief ruler of their synagogue. Be not
afraid of the magistrates of the city, for they have no power against
thee but what is given them from above. It is the cause of heaven thou
art pleading, do it boldly. Be not afraid of their words, nor dismayed
at their looks; but speak, and hold not thy peace; let slip no
opportunity of speaking to them; cry aloud, spare not. Do not hold thy
peace from speaking for fear of them, nor hold thy peace in speaking"
(if I may so say); "do not speak shyly and with caution, but plainly
and fully and with courage. Speak out; use all the liberty of spirit
that becomes an ambassador for Christ." 2. He assured him of his
presence with him, which was sufficient to animate him, and put life
and spirit into him: "Be not afraid, for I am with thee, to protect
thee, and bear thee out, and to deliver thee from all thy fears; speak,
and hold not thy peace, for I am with thee, to own what thou sayest, to
work with thee, and to confirm the word by signs following." The same
promise that ratified the general commission (Matt. xxviii. 19, 20), Lo
I am with you always, is here repeated. Those that have Christ with
them need not to fear, and ought not to shrink. 3. He gave him a
warrant of protection to save him harmless: "No man shall set on thee
to hurt thee; thou shalt be delivered out of the hands of wicked and
unreasonable men and shalt not be driven hence, as thou wast from other
places, by persecution." He does not promise that no man should set on
him (for the next news we hear is that he is set upon, and brought to
the judgment-seat, v. 12), but, "No man shall set on thee to hurt thee;
the remainder of their wrath shall be restrained; thou shalt not be
beaten and imprisoned here, as thou wast at Philippi." Paul met with
coarser treatment at first than he did afterwards, and was now
comforted according to the time wherein he had been afflicted. Trials
shall not last always, Ps. lxvi. 10-12. Or we may take it more
generally: "No man shall set on thee, tou kakosai se--to do evil to
thee; whatever trouble they may give thee, there is no real evil in it.
They may kill thee, but they cannot hurt thee; for I am with thee," Ps.
xxiii. 4; Isa. xli. 10. 4. He gave him a prospect of success: "For I
have much people in this city. Therefore no man shall prevail to
obstruct thy work, therefore I will be with thee to own thy work, and
therefore do thou go on vigorously and cheerfully in it; for there are
many in this city that are to be effectually called by thy ministry, in
whom thou shalt see of the travail of thy soul." Laos esti moi
polys--There is to me a great people here. The Lord knows those that
are his, yea, and those that shall be his; for it is by his work upon
them that they become his, and known unto him are all his works. "I
have them, though they yet know me not, though yet they are let captive
by Satan at his will; for the Father has given them to me, to be a seed
to serve me; I have them written in the book of life; I have their
names down, and of all that were given me I will lose none; I have
them, for I am sure to have them;" whom he did predestinate, those he
called. In this city, though it be a very profane wicked city, full of
impurity, and the more so for a temple of Venus there, to which there
was a great resort, yet in this heap, that seems to be all chaff, there
is wheat; in this ore, that seems to be all dross, there is gold. Let
us not despair concerning any place, when even in Corinth Christ had
much people.
IV. That upon this encouragement he made a long stay there (v. 11): He
continued at Corinth a year and six months, not to take his ease, but
to follow his work, teaching the word of God among them; and, it being
a city flocked to from all parts, he had opportunity there of preaching
the gospel to strangers, and sending notice of it thence to other
countries. He staid so long, 1. For the bringing in of those that were
without. Christ had many people there, and by the power of his grace he
could have had them all converted in one month or week, as at the first
preaching of the gospel, when thousands were enclosed at one cast of
the net; but God works variously. The people Christ has at Corinth must
be called in by degrees, some by one sermon, others by another; we see
not yet all things put under Christ. Let Christ's ministers go on in
their duty, though their work be not done all at once; nay, though it
be done but a little at a time. 2. For the building up of those that
were within. Those that are converted have still need to be taught the
word of God, and particular need at Corinth to be taught it by Paul
himself; for no sooner was the good seed sown in that field than the
enemy came and sowed tares, the false apostles, those deceitful
workers, of whom Paul in his epistles to the Corinthians complains so
much. When the hands of Jewish persecutors were tied, who were
professed enemies to the gospel, Paul had a more vexatious trouble
created him, and the church more mischievous damage done it, by the
tongue of judaizing preachers, who, under colour of the Christian name,
undermined the very foundations of Christianity. Soon after Paul came
to Corinth, it is supposed, he wrote the first epistle to the
Thessalonians, which in order of time was the first of all the epistles
he wrote by divine inspiration; and the second epistle to the same
church was written not long after. Ministers may be serving Christ, and
promoting the great ends of their ministry, by writing good letters, as
well as by preaching good sermons.
Paul Visits Corinth.
12 And when Gallio was the deputy of Achaia, the Jews made insurrection
with one accord against Paul, and brought him to the judgment seat,
13 Saying, This fellow persuadeth men to worship God contrary to the
law. 14 And when Paul was now about to open his mouth, Gallio said
unto the Jews, If it were a matter of wrong or wicked lewdness, O ye
Jews, reason would that I should bear with you: 15 But if it be a
question of words and names, and of your law, look ye to it; for I will
be no judge of such matters. 16 And he drave them from the judgment
seat. 17 Then all the Greeks took Sosthenes, the chief ruler of the
synagogue, and beat him before the judgment seat. And Gallio cared for
none of those things.
We have here an account of some disturbance given to Paul and his
friends at Corinth, but no great harm done, nor much hindrance given to
the work of Christ there.
I. Paul is accused by the Jews before the Roman governor, v. 12, 13.
The governor was Gallio, deputy of Achaia, that is, proconsul; for
Achaia was a consular province of the empire. This Gallio was elder
brother to the famous Seneca; in his youth he was called Novatus, but
took the name of Gallio upon his being adopted into the family of
Julius Gallio; he is described by Seneca, his brother, to be a man of
great ingenuous and great probity, and a man of wonderful good temper;
he was called Dulcis Gallio--Sweet Gallio, for his sweet disposition;
and is said to have been universally beloved. Now observe, 1. How
rudely Paul is apprehended, and brought before Gallio; The Jews made
insurrection with one accord against Paul. They were the ringleaders of
all the mischief against Paul, and they entered into a confederacy to
do him a mischief. They were unanimous in it: they came upon him with
one accord; hand joined in hand to do this wickedness. They did it with
violence and fury: They made an insurrection to the disturbance of the
public peace, and hurried Paul away to the judgment-seat, and, for
aught that appears, allowed him no time to prepare for his trial. 2.
How falsely Paul is accused before Gallio (v. 13): This fellow
persuades men to worship God contrary to the law. They could not charge
him with persuading men not to worship God at all, or to worship other
gods (Deut. xiii. 2): but only to worship God in a way contrary to the
law. The Romans allowed the Jews in their provinces the observance of
their own law; and what then? Must those therefore be prosecuted as
criminals who worship God in any other way? Does their toleration
include a power of imposition? But the charge was unjust; for their own
law had in it a promise of a prophet whom God would raise up to them,
and him they should hear. Now Paul persuaded them to believe in this
prophet, who was come, and to hear him, which was according to the law;
for he came not to destroy the law, but to fulfil it. The law relating
to the temple-service those Jews at Corinth could not observe, because
of their distance from Jerusalem, and there was no part of their
synagogue-worship which Paul contradicted. Thus when people are taught
to worship God in Christ, and to worship him in the Spirit, they are
ready to quarrel, as if they were taught to worship him contrary to the
law; whereas this is indeed perfective of the law.
II. Gallio, upon the first hearing, or rather without any hearing at
all, dismisses the cause, and will not take any cognizance of it, v.
14, 15. Paul was going about to make his defence, and to show that he
did not teach men to worship God contrary to the law; but the judge,
being resolved not to pass any sentence upon this cause, would not give
himself the trouble of examining it. Observe,
1. He shows himself very ready to do the part of a judge in any matter
that it was proper for him to take cognizance of. He said to the Jews,
that were the prosecutors, "If it were a matter of wrong, or wicked
lewdness,--if you could charge the prisoner with theft or fraud, with
murder or rapine, or any act of immorality,--I should think myself
bound to bear with you in your complaints, though they were clamorous
and noisy;" for the rudeness of the petitioners was no good reason, if
their cause was just, why they should not have justice done them. It is
the duty of magistrates to right the injured, and to animadvert upon
the injurious; and, if the complaint be not made with all the decorum
that might be, yet they should hear it out. But,
2. He will by no means allow them to make a complaint to him of a thing
that was not within his jurisdiction (v. 15): "If it be a question of
words and names, and of your law, look you to it: end it among
yourselves as you can, but I will be no judge of such matters; you
shall neither burden my patience with the hearing of it, nor burden my
conscience with giving judgment upon it;" and therefore, when they were
urgent and pressing to be heard, he drove them from the judgment-seat
(v. 16), and ordered another cause to be called. Now, (1.) Here was
something right in Gallio's conduct, and praise-worthy--that he would
not pretend to judge of things he did not understand; that he left the
Jews to themselves in matters relating to their own religion, but yet
would not let them, under pretence of that, run down Paul, and abuse
him; or, at least, would not himself be the tool of their malice, to
give judgment against him. He looked upon the matter to be not within
his jurisdiction, and therefore would not meddle in it. But, (2.) It
was certainly wrong to speak so slightly of a law and religion which he
might have known to be of God, and with which he ought to have
acquainted himself. In what way God is to be worshipped, whether Jesus
be the Messiah, whether the gospel be a divine revelation, were not
questions of words and names, as he scornfully and profanely called
them. They are questions of vast importance, and in which, if he had
understood them himself aright, he would have seen himself nearly
concerned. He speaks as if he boasted of his ignorance of the
scriptures, and took a pride in it; as if it were below him to take
notice of the law of God, or make any enquiries concerning it.
III. The abuse done to Sosthenes, and Gallio's unconcernedness in it,
v. 17. 1. The parties put a great contempt upon the court, when they
took Sosthenes and beat him before the judgment-seat. Many conjectures
there are concerning this matter, because it is uncertain who this
Sosthenes was, and who the Greeks were that abused him. It seems most
probable that Sosthenes was a Christian, and Paul's particular friend,
that appeared for him on this occasion, and probably had taken care of
his safety, and conveyed him away, when Gallio dismissed the cause; so
that, when they could not light on Paul, they fell foul on him who
protected him. It is certain that there was one Sosthenes that was a
friend of Paul, and well known at Corinth; it is likely he was a
minister, for Paul calls him his brother, and joins him with himself in
his first epistle to the church at Corinth (1 Cor. i. 1), as he does
Timothy in his second, and it is probable that this was he; he is said
to be a ruler of the synagogue, either joint-ruler with Crispus (v. 8),
or a ruler of one synagogue, as Crispus was of another. As for the
Greeks that abused him, it is very probable that they were either
Hellenist Jews, or Jewish Greeks, those that joined with the Jews in
opposing the gospel (v. 4, 6), and that the native Jews put them on to
do it, thinking it would in them be less offensive. They were so
enraged against Paul that they beat Sosthenes; and so enraged against
Gallio, because he would not countenance the prosecution, that they
beat him before the judgment-seat, whereby they did, in effect, tell
him that they cared not for him; if he would not be their executioner,
they would be their own judges. 2. The court put no less a contempt
upon the cause, and the persons too. But Gallio cared for none of these
things. If by this be meant that he cared not for the affronts of bad
men, it was commendable. While he steadily adhered to the laws and
rules of equity, he might despise their contempts; but, if it be meant
(as I think it is) that he concerned not himself for the abuses done to
good men, it carries his indifference too far, and gives us but an ill
character of him. Here is wickedness done in the place of judgment
(which Solomon complains of, Eccl. iii. 16), and nothing done to
discountenance and suppress it. Gallio, as a judge, ought to have
protected Sosthenes, and restrained and punished the Greeks that
assaulted him. For a man to be mobbed in the street or in the market,
perhaps, may not be easily helped; but to be so in his court, the
judgment-seat, the court sitting and not concerned at it, is an
evidence that truth is fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter;
for he that departeth from evil maketh himself a prey, Isa. lix. 14,
15. Those that see and hear of the sufferings of God's people, and have
no sympathy with them, nor concern for them, do not pity and pray for
the, it being all one to them whether the interests of religion sink or
swim, are of the spirit of Gallio here, who, when a good man was abused
before his face, cared for none of these things; like those that were
at ease in Zion, and were not grieved for the affliction of Joseph
(Amos vi. 6), like the king and Haman, that sat down to drink when the
city Shushan was perplexed, Esth. iii. 15.
Paul's Visit to Ephesus and Jerusalem.
18 And Paul after this tarried there yet a good while, and then took
his leave of the brethren, and sailed thence into Syria, and with him
Priscilla and Aquila; having shorn his head in Cenchrea: for he had a
vow. 19 And he came to Ephesus, and left them there: but he himself
entered into the synagogue, and reasoned with the Jews. 20 When they
desired him to tarry longer time with them, he consented not; 21 But
bade them farewell, saying, I must by all means keep this feast that
cometh in Jerusalem: but I will return again unto you, if God will. And
he sailed from Ephesus. 22 And when he had landed at Cæsarea, and
gone up, and saluted the church, he went down to Antioch. 23 And
after he had spent some time there, he departed, and went over all the
country of Galatia and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the
disciples.
We have here Paul in motion, as we have had him at Corinth for some
time at rest, but in both busy, very busy, in the service of Christ; if
he sat still, if he went about, still it was to do good. Here is,
I. Paul's departure from Corinth, v. 18. 1. He did not go away till
some time after the trouble he met with there; from other places he had
departed when the storm arose, but not from Corinth, because there it
had no sooner risen than it fell again. Some tell us that Gallio did
privately countenance Paul, and took him into his favour, and that this
occasioned a correspondence between Paul and Seneca, Gallio's brother,
which some of the ancients speak of. After this he tarried there yet a
good while, some think, beyond the year and a half mentioned, v. 11.
While he found he laboured not in vain, he continued labouring. 2. When
he went, he took leave of the brethren solemnly, and with much
affection, with suitable comforts and counsels, and prayers at parting,
commending what was good, reproving what was otherwise, and giving them
necessary cautions against the wiles of the false apostles; and his
farewell sermon would leave impressions upon them. 3. He took with him
Priscilla and Aquila, because they had a mind to accompany him; for
they seemed disposed to remove, and not inclined to stay long at a
place, a disposition which may arise from a good principle, and have
good effects, and therefore ought not to be condemned in others, though
it ought to be suspected in ourselves. There was a great friendship
contracted between them and Paul, and therefore, when he went, they
begged to go along with him. 4. At Cenchrea, which was hard by Corinth,
the port where those that went to sea from Corinth took ship, either
Paul or Aquila (for the original does not determine which) had his head
shaved, to discharge himself from the vow of a Nazarite: Having shorn
his head at Cenchrea; for he had a vow. Those that lived in Judea were,
in such a case, bound to do it at the temple: but those who lived in
other countries might do it in other places. The Nazarite's head was to
be shaved when either his consecration was accidentally polluted, in
which case he must begin again, or when the days of his separation were
fulfilled (Num. vi. 9; xiii. 18), which, we suppose, was the case here.
Some throw it upon Aquila, who was a Jew (v. 2), and retained perhaps
more of his Judaism than was convenient; but I see no harm in admitting
it concerning Paul, for concerning him we must admit the same thing
(ch. xxi. 24, 26), not only in compliance for a time with the Jews, to
whom he became as a Jew (1 Cor. ix. 20), that he might win upon them,
but because the vow of the Nazarites, though ceremonial, and as such
ready to vanish away, had yet a great deal of moral and very pious
significance, and therefore was fit to die the last of all the Jewish
ceremonies. The Nazarites are joined with the prophets (Amos ii. 11),
and were very much the glory of Israel (Lam. iv. 7), and therefore it
is not strange if Paul bound himself for some time with the vow of a
Nazarite from wine and strong drink, and from being trimmed, to
recommend himself to the Jews; and from this he now discharged himself.
II. Paul's calling at Ephesus, which was the metropolis of the Lesser
Asia, and a sea-port. 1. There he left Aquila and Priscilla; not only
because they would be but burdensome to him in his journey, but because
they might be serviceable to the interests of the gospel at Ephesus.
Paul intended shortly to settle there for some time, and he left Aquila
and Priscilla there in the mean time, for the same end as Christ sent
his disciple before to every place where he himself would come, to
prepare his way. Aquila and Priscilla might, by private conversation,
being very intelligent judicious Christians, dispose the minds of many
to give Paul, when he should come among them, a favourable reception,
and to understand his preaching; therefore he calls them his helpers in
Christ Jesus, Rom. xvi. 3. 2. There he preached to the Jews in their
synagogue; though he did but call there in his journey, yet he would
not go without giving them a sermon. He entered into the synagogue, not
as a hearer, but as a preacher, for there he reasoned with the Jews.
Though he had abandoned the Jews at Corinth, who opposed themselves,
and blasphemed, yet he did not, for their sakes, decline the synagogues
of the Jews in other places, but still made the first offer of the
gospel to them. We must not condemn a whole body or denomination of
men, for the sake of some that conduct themselves ill. 3. The Jews at
Ephesus were so far from driving Paul away that they courted his stay
with them (v. 20): They desired him to tarry longer with them, to
instruct them, in the gospel of Christ. These were more noble, and
better bred, than those Jews at Corinth, and other places, and it was a
sign that God had not quite cast away his people, but had a remnant
among them. 4. Paul would not stay with them now: He consented not; but
bade them farewell. He had further to go; he must by all means keep
this feast at Jerusalem; not that he thought himself bound in duty to
it (he knew the laws of the feasts were no longer binding), but he had
business t Jerusalem (whatever it was) which would be best done at the
time of the feast, when there was a general rendezvous of all the Jews
from all parts; which of the feasts it was we are not told, probably it
was the passover, which was the most eminent. 5. He intimated his
purpose, after this journey, to come and spend some time at Ephesus,
being encouraged by their kind invitation to hope that he should do
good among them. It is good to have opportunities in reserve, when one
good work is over to have another to apply ourselves to: I will return
again to you, but he inserts that necessary proviso, if God will. Our
times are in God's hand; we purpose, but he disposes; and therefore we
must make all our promises with submission to the will of God. If the
Lord will, we shall live, and do this or that. I will return again to
you, if the Spirit suffer me (ch. xvi. 7); this was included in Paul's
case; not only if providence permit, but if God do not otherwise direct
my motions.
III. Paul's visit to Jerusalem; a short visit it was, but it served as
a token of respect to that truly mother-church. 1. He came by sea to
the port that lay next to Jerusalem. He sailed from Ephesus (v. 21),
and landed at Cæsarea, v. 22. He chose to go by sea, for expedition and
for safety, and that he might see the works of the Lord, and his
wonders in the deep. Joppa had been the port for Jerusalem, but Herod
having improved Cæsarea, and the port at Joppa being dangerous, that
was generally made use of. 2. He went up, and saluted the church, by
which, I think, is plainly meant the church at Jerusalem, which is
emphatically called the church, because there the Christian church
began, ch. xv. 4. Paul thought it requisite to show himself among them,
that they might not think his success among them, that they might not
think his success among the Gentiles had made him think himself either
above them or estranged from them, or that the honour God had put upon
him made him unmindful of the honour he owed to them. His going to
salute the church at Jerusalem intimates, (1.) That it was a very
friendly visit that he made them, in pure kindness, to enquire into
their state, and to testify his hearty good-will to them. Note, The
increase of our new friends should not make us forget our old ones, but
it should be a pleasure to good men, and good ministers, to revive
former acquaintance. The ministers at Jerusalem were constant
residents, Paul was a constant itinerant; but he took care to keep up a
good correspondence with them, that they might rejoice with him in his
going out, and he might rejoice with them in their tents, and they
might both congratulate and wish well to one another's comfort and
success. (2.) That it was but a short visit. He went up, and saluted
them, perhaps with the holy kiss, and made no stay among them. It was
designed but for a transient interview, and yet Paul undertook this
long journey for that. This is not the world we are to be together in.
God's people are the salt of the earth, dispersed and scattered; yet it
is good to see one another sometimes, if it be but to see one another,
that we may confirm mutual love, may the better keep up our spiritual
communion with one another at a distance, and may long the more for
that heavenly Jerusalem in which we hope to be together for ever.
IV. His return through those countries where he had formerly preached
the gospel. 1. He went and spent some time in Antioch, among his old
friends there, whence he was first sent out to preach among the
Gentiles, ch. xiii. 1. He went down to Antioch, to refresh himself with
the sight and conversation of the ministers there; and a very good
refreshment it is to a faithful minister to have for awhile the society
of his brethren; for, as iron sharpeneth iron, so doth a man the
countenance of his friend. Paul's coming to Antioch would bring to
remembrance the former days, which would furnish him with matter for
fresh thanksgiving. 2. Thence he went over the country of Galatia and
Phrygia in order, where he had preached the gospel, and planted
churches, which, though very briefly mentioned (ch. xvi. 6), was yet a
glorious work, as appears by Gal. iv. 14, 15, where Paul speaks of his
preaching the gospel to the Galatians at the first, and their receiving
him as an angel of God. These country churches (for such they were
[Gal. i. 2], and we read not of any city in Galatia where a church was)
Paul visited in order as they lay, watering what he had been
instrumental to plant, and strengthening all the disciples. His very
coming among them, and owning them, were a great strengthening to them
and their ministers. Paul's countenancing them was encouraging them;
but that was not all: he preached that to them which strengthened them,
which confirmed their faith in Christ, their resolutions for Christ,
and their pious affections to him. Disciples need to be strengthened,
for they are compassed about with infirmity; ministers must do what
they can to strengthen them, to strengthen them all, by directing them
to Christ, and bringing them to live upon him, whose strength is
perfected in their weakness, and who is himself their strength and
song.
The Character of Apollos.
24 And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent
man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus. 25 This man was
instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he
spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the
baptism of John. 26 And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue:
whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and
expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly. 27 And when he was
disposed to pass into Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the
disciples to receive him: who, when he was come, helped them much which
had believed through grace: 28 For he mightily convinced the Jews,
and that publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ.
The sacred history leaves Paul upon his travels, and goes here to meet
Apollos at Ephesus, and to give us some account of him, which was
necessary to our understanding some passages in Paul's epistles.
I. Here is an account of his character, when he came to Ephesus.
1. He was a Jew, born at Alexandria in Egypt, but of Jewish parents;
for there were abundance of Jews in that city, since the dispersion of
the people, as it was foretold (Deut. xxviii. 68): The Lord shall bring
thee into Egypt again. His name was not Apollo, the name of one of the
heathen gods, but Apollos, some think the same with Apelles, Rom. xvi.
10.
2. He was a man of excellent good parts, and well fitted for public
service. He was an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures of the
Old Testament, in the knowledge of which he was, as a Jew, brought up.
(1.) He had a great command of language: he was an eloquent man; he was
aner logios--a prudent man, so some; a learned man, so others;
historiarum peritus--a good historian, which is an excellent
qualification for the ministry: he was one that could speak well, so it
properly signifies; he was an oracle of a man; he was famous for
speaking pertinently and closely, fully and fluently, upon any subject.
(2.) He had a great command of scripture-language, and this was the
eloquence he was remarkable for. He came to Ephesus, being mighty in
the scriptures, so the words are placed; having an excellent faculty of
expounding scripture, he came to Ephesus, which was a public place, to
trade with that talent, for the honour of God and the good of many. He
was not only ready in the scriptures, able to quote texts off-hand, and
repeat them, and tell you where to find them (many of the carnal Jews
were so, who were therefore said to have the form of knowledge, and the
letter of the law); but he was mighty in the scriptures. He understood
the sense and meaning of them, he knew how to make use of them and to
apply them, how to reason out of the scriptures, and to reason
strongly; a convincing, commanding, confirming power went along with
all his expositions and applications of the scripture. It is probable
he had given proof of his knowledge of the scriptures, and his
abilities in them, in many synagogues of the Jews.
3. He was instructed in the way of the Lord; that is, he had some
acquaintance with the doctrine of Christ, had obtained some general
notions of the gospel and the principles of Christianity, that Jesus is
the Christ, and that prophet that should come into the world; the first
notice of this would be readily embraced by one that was so mighty in
the scripture as Apollos was, and therefore understood the signs of the
times. He was instructed, katechemenos--he was catechised (so the word
is), either by his parents or by ministers; he was taught something of
Christ and the way of salvation by him. Those that are to teach others
must first be themselves taught the word of the Lord, not only to talk
of it, but to walk in it. It is not enough to have our tongues tuned to
the word of the Lord, but we must have our feet directed into the way
of the Lord.
4. Yet he knew only the baptism of John; he was instructed in the
gospel of Christ as far as John's ministry would carry him, and no
further; he knew the preparing of the way of the Lord by that voice
crying in the wilderness, rather than the way of the Lord itself. We
cannot but think he had heard of Christ's death and resurrection, but
he was not let into the mystery of them, had not had opportunity of
conversing with any of the apostles since the pouring out of the
Spirit; or he had himself been baptized only with the baptism of John,
but was not baptized with the Holy Ghost, as the disciples were at the
day of pentecost.
II. We have here the employment and improvement of his gifts at
Ephesus; he came thither, seeking opportunities of doing and getting
good, and he found both.
1. He there made a very good use of his gifts in public. He came,
probably, recommended to the synagogue of the Jews as a fit man to be a
teacher there, and according to the light he had, and the measure of
the gift given to him, he was willing to be employed (v. 25): Being
fervent in the Spirit, he spoke and taught diligently the things of the
Lord. Though he had not the miraculous gifts of the Spirit, as the
apostles had, he made use of the gifts he had; for the dispensation of
the Spirit, whatever the measure of it is, is given to every man to
profit withal. And our Savior, by a parable, designed to teach his
ministers that though they had but one talent they must not bury that.
We have seen how Apollos was qualified with a good head and a good
tongue: he was an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures; he had
laid in a good stock of useful knowledge, and had an excellent faculty
of communicating it. Let us now see what he had further to recommend
him as a preacher; and his example is recommended to the intimation of
all preachers. (1.) He was a lively affectionate preacher; as he had a
good head, so he had a good heart; he was fervent in Spirit. He had in
him a great deal of divine fire as well as divine light, was burning as
well as shining. He was full of zeal for the glory of God, and the
salvation of precious souls. This appeared both in his forwardness to
preach when he was called to it by the rulers of the synagogue, and in
his fervency in his preaching. He preached as one in earnest, and that
had his heart in his work. What a happy composition was here! Many are
fervent in spirit, but are weak in knowledge, in
scripture-knowledge--have far to seek for proper words and are full of
improper ones; and, on the other hand, many are eloquent enough, and
mighty in the scriptures, and learned, and judicious, but they have no
life or fervency. Here was a complete man of God, thoroughly furnished
for his work; both eloquent and fervent, full both of divine knowledge
and of divine affections. (2.) He was an industrious laborious
preacher. He spoke and taught diligently. He took pains in his
preaching, what he delivered was elaborate; and he did not offer that
to God, or to the synagogue, that either cost nothing or cost him
nothing. He first worked it upon his own heart, and then laboured to
impress it on those he preached to: he taught diligently,
akribos--accurately, exactly; every thing he said was well-weighed.
(3.) He was an evangelical preacher. Though he knew only the baptism of
John, yet that was the beginning of the gospel of Christ, and to that
he kept close; for he taught the things of the Lord, of the Lord
Christ, the things that tended to make way for him, and to set him up.
The things pertaining to the kingdom of the Messiah were the subjects
he chose to insist upon; not the things of the ceremonial law, though
those would be pleasing to his Jewish auditors; not the things of the
Gentile philosophy, though he could have discoursed very well on those
things; but the things of the Lord. (4.) He was a courageous preacher:
He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, as one who, having put
confidence in God, did not fear the face of man; he spoke as one that
knew the truth of what he said, and had no doubt of it, and that knew
the worth of what he said and was not afraid to suffer for it; in the
synagogue, where the Jews not only were present, but had power, there
he preached the things of God, which he knew they were prejudiced
against.
2. He there made a good increase of his gifts in private, not so much
in study, as in conversation with Aquila and Priscilla. If Paul or some
other apostle or evangelist had been at Ephesus, he would have
instructed him; but, for want of better help, Aquila and Priscilla (who
were tent-makers) expounded to him the way of God more perfectly.
Observe, (1.) Aquila and Priscilla heard him preach in the synagogue.
Though in knowledge he was much inferior to them, yet, having excellent
gifts for public service, they encouraged his ministry, by a diligent
and constant attendance upon it. Thus young ministers, that are
hopeful, should be countenanced by grown Christians, for it becomes
them to fulfil all righteousness. (2.) Finding him defective in his
knowledge of Christianity, they took him to them, to lodge in the same
house with them, and expounded to him the way of God, the way of
salvation by Jesus Christ, more perfectly. They did not take occasion
from what they observed of his deficiency either to despise him
themselves, or to disparage him to others; did not call him a young raw
preacher, not fit to come into a pulpit, but considered the
disadvantages he had laboured under, as knowing only the baptism of
John; and, having themselves got great knowledge in the truths of the
gospel by their long intimate conversation with Paul, they communicated
what they knew to him, and gave him a clear, distinct, and methodical
account of those things which before he had but confused notions of.
[1.] See here an instance of that which Christ has promised, that to
him that hath shall be given; he that has, and uses what he has, shall
have more. He that diligently traded with the talent he had doubled it
quickly. [2.] See an instance of truly Christian charity in Aquila and
Priscilla; they did good according to their ability. Aquila, though a
man of great knowledge, yet did no undertake to speak in the synagogue,
because he had not such gifts for public work as Apollos had; but he
furnished Apollos with matter, and then left him to clothe it with
acceptable words. Instructing young Christians and young ministers
privately in conversation, who mean well, and perform well, as far as
they go, is a piece of very good service, both to them and to the
church. [3.] See an instance of great humility in Apollos. He was a
very bright young man, of great parts and learning, newly come from the
university, a popular preacher, and one mightily cried up and followed;
and yet, finding that Aquila and Priscilla were judicious serious
Christians, that could speak intelligently and experimentally of the
things of God, though they were but mechanics, poor tent-makers, he was
glad to receive instructions from them, to be shown by them his defects
and mistakes, and to have his mistakes rectified by them, and his
deficiencies made up. Young scholars may gain a great deal by converse
with old Christians, as young students in the law may by old
practitioners. Apollos, though he was instructed in the way of the
Lord, did not rest in the knowledge he had attained, nor thought he
understood Christianity as well as any man (which proud conceited young
men are apt to do), but was willing to have it expounded to him more
perfectly. Those that know much should covet to know more, and what
they know to know it better, pressing forward towards perfection. [4.]
Here is an instance of a good woman, though not permitted to speak in
the church or in the synagogue, yet doing good with the knowledge God
had given her in private converse. Paul will have the aged women to be
teachers of good things Tit. ii. 3, 4.
III. Here is his preferment to the service of the church of Corinth,
which was a larger sphere of usefulness than Ephesus at present was.
Paul had set wheels a-going in Achaia and particularly at Corinth, the
county-town. Many were stirred up by his preaching to receive the
gospel, and they needed to be confirmed; and many were likewise
irritated to oppose the gospel, and they needed to be confuted. Paul
was gone, was called away to other work, and now there was a fair
occasion in this vacancy for Apollos to set in, who was fitted rather
to water than to plant, to build up those that were within than to
bring in those that were without. Now here we have,
1. His call to this service, not by a vision, as Paul was called to
Macedonia, no, nor so much as by the invitation of those he was to go
to; but, (1.) He himself inclined to go: He was disposed to pass into
Achaia; having heard of the state of the churches there, he had a mind
to try what good he could do among them. Though there were those there
who were eminent for spiritual gifts, yet Apollos thought there might
be some work for him, and God disposed his mind that way. (2.) His
friends encouraged him to go, and approved of his purpose; and, he
being a perfect stranger there, they gave him a testimonial or letters
of recommendation, exhorting the disciples in Achaia to entertain him
and employ him. In this way, among others, the communion of churches is
kept up, by the recommending of members and ministers to each other,
when ministers, as Apollos here, are disposed to remove. Though those
at Ephesus had a great loss of his labours, they did not grudge those
in Achaia the benefit of them; but, on the contrary, used their
interest in them to introduce him; for the churches of Christ, though
they are many, yet they are one.
2. His success in this service, which both ways answered his intention
and expectation; for,
(1.) Believers were greatly edified, and those that had received the
gospel were very much confirmed: He helped those much who had believed
through grace. Note, [1.] Those who believe in Christ, it is through
grace that they believe; it is not of themselves, it is God's gift to
them; it is his work in them. [2.] Those who through grace do believe,
yet still have need of help; as long as they are here in this world
there are remainders of unbelief, and something lacking in their faith
to be perfected, and the work of faith to be fulfilled. [3.] Faithful
ministers are capable of being in many ways helpful to those who
through grace do believe, and it is their business to help them, to
help them much; and, when a divine power goes along with them, they
will be helpful to them.
(2.) Unbelievers were greatly mortified. Their objections were fully
answered, the folly and sophistry of their arguments were discovered,
so that they had nothing to say in defence of the opposition they made
to the gospel; their mouths were stopped, and their faces filled with
shame (v. 28): He mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly,
before the people; he did it, eutonos--earnestly, and with a great deal
of vehemence; he took pains to do it; his heart was upon it, as one
that was truly desirous both to serve the cause of Christ and to save
the souls of men. He did it effectually and to universal satisfaction.
He did it levi negotio--with facility. The case was so plain, and the
arguments were so strong on Christ's side, that it was an easy matter
to baffle all that the Jews could say against it. Though they were so
fierce, yet their cause was so weak that he made nothing of their
opposition. Now that which he aimed to convince them of was that Jesus
is the Christ, that he is the Messiah promised to the fathers, who
should come, and they were to look for not other. If the Jews were but
convinced of this--that Jesus is Christ, even their own law would teach
them to hear him. Note, The business of ministers is to preach Christ:
We preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord. The way he took to
convince them was by the scriptures; thence he fetched his arguments;
for the Jews owned the scriptures to be of divine authority, and it was
easy for him, who was mighty in the scriptures, from them to show that
Jesus is the Christ. Note, Ministers must be able not only to preach
the truth, but to prove it and defend it, and to convince gainsayers
with meekness and yet with power, instructing those that oppose
themselves; and this is real service to the church.
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A C T S.
CHAP. XIX.
We left Paul in his circuit visiting the churches (ch. xviii. 23), but
we have not forgotten, nor has he, the promise he made to his friends
at Ephesus, to return to them, and make some stay there; now this
chapter shows us his performance of that promise, his coming to
Ephesus, and his continuance there two years; we are here told, I. How
he laboured there in the word and doctrine, how he taught some weak
believers that had gone no further than John's baptism (ver. 1-7), how
he taught three months in the synagogue of the Jews (ver. 8), and, when
he was driven thence, how he taught the Gentiles a long time in a
public school (ver. 9, 10), and how he confirmed his doctrine by
miracles, ver. 11, 12. II. What was the fruit of his labour,
particularly among the conjurors, the worst of sinners: some were
confounded, that did but make use of his name (ver. 13-17), but others
were converted, that received and embraced his doctrine, ver. 18-20.
III. What projects he had of further usefulness (ver. 21, 22), and what
trouble at length he met with at Ephesus from the silversmiths, which
forced him thence to pursue the measures he had laid; how a mob was
raised by Demetrius to cry up Diana (ver. 23-34), and how it was
suppressed and dispersed by the town-clerk, ver. 35-41.
Paul at Ephesus.
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having
passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain
disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since
ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard
whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what
then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4 Then
said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying
unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come
after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they
were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 And when Paul had laid
his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with
tongues, and prophesied. 7 And all the men were about twelve.
Ephesus was a city of great note in Asia, famous for a temple built
there to Diana, which was one of the wonders of the world: thither Paul
came to preach the gospel while Apollos was at Corinth (v. 1); while he
was watering there, Paul was planting here, and grudged not that
Apollos entered into his labours and was building upon his foundation,
but rejoiced in it, and went on in the new work that was cut out for
him at Ephesus with the more cheerfulness and satisfaction, because he
knew that such an able minister of the New Testament as Apollos was now
at Corinth, carrying on the good work there. Though there were those
that made him the head of a party against Paul (1 Cor. i. 12), yet Paul
had no jealousy of him, nor any way disliked the affection the people
had for him. Paul having gone through the country of Galatia and
Phrygia, having passed through the upper coasts, Pontus and Bithynia,
that lay north, at length came to Ephesus, where he had left Aquila and
Priscilla, and there found them. At his first coming, he met with some
disciples there, who professed faith in Christ as the true Messiah, but
were as yet in the first and lowest form in the school of Christ, under
his usher John the Baptist. They were in number about twelve (v. 7);
they were much of the standing that Apollos was of when he came to
Ephesus (for he knew only the baptism of John, ch. xviii. 25), but they
had not opportunity of being acquainted with Aquila and Priscilla, or
had not been so long in Ephesus or were not so willing to receive
instruction as Apollos was, otherwise they might have had the way of
God expounded to them more perfectly, as Apollos had. Observe here,
I. How Paul catechised them. He was told, probably by Aquila and
Priscilla, that they were believers, that they did own Christ, and had
given up their names to him; now Paul hereupon takes them under
examination.
1. They did believe in the Son of God; but Paul enquires whether they
had received the Holy Ghost,--whether they believed in the spirit,
whose operations on the minds of men, for conviction, conversion, and
comfort, were revealed some time after the doctrine of Jesus being the
Christ,--whether they had been acquainted with, and had admitted, this
revelation? This was not all; extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost
were conferred upon the apostles and other disciples presently after
Christ's ascension, which was frequently repeated upon occasion; had
they participated in these gifts? "Have you received the Holy Ghost
since you believed? Have you had that seal of the truth of Christ's
doctrine in yourselves?" We are not now to expect any such
extraordinary gifts as they had then. The canon of the New Testament
being long since completed and ratified, we depend upon that as the
most sure word of prophecy. But there are graces of the Spirit given to
all believers, which are as earnests to them, 2 Cor. i. 22; v. 5; Eph.
i. 13, 14. Now it concerns us all who profess the Christian faith
seriously to enquire whether we have received the Holy Ghost or not.
The Holy Ghost is promised to all believers, to all petitioners (Luke
xi. 13); but many are deceived in this matter, thinking they have
received the Holy Ghost when really they have not. As there are
pretenders to the gifts of the Holy Ghost, so there are to his graces
and comforts; we should therefore strictly examine ourselves, Have we
received the Holy Ghost since we believed? The tree will be known by
its fruits. Do we bring forth the fruits of the Spirit? Are we led by
the Spirit? Do we walk in the Spirit? Are we under the government of
the Spirit?
2. They owned their ignorance in this matter: "Whether there be a Holy
Ghost is more than we know. That there is a promise of the Holy Ghost
we know from the scriptures of the Old Testament, and that this promise
will be fulfilled in its season we doubt not; but so much have we been
out of the way of intelligence in this matter that we have not so much
as heard whether the Holy Ghost be indeed yet given as a spirit of
prophecy." They knew (as Dr. Lightfoot observes) that, according to the
tradition of their nation, after the death of Ezra, Haggai, Zechariah,
and Malachi, the Holy Ghost departed from Israel, and went up; and they
professed that they had never heard of his return. They spoke as if
they expected it, and wondered they did not hear of it, and were ready
to welcome the notice of it. The gospel light, like that of the
morning, shone more and more, gradually; not only clearer and clearer,
in the discovery of truths not before heard of, but further and
further, in the discovery of them to persons that had not before heard
of them.
3. Paul enquired how they came to be baptized, if they knew nothing of
the Holy Ghost; for, if they were baptized by any of Christ's
ministers, they were instructed concerning the Holy Ghost, and were
baptized in his name. "Know you not that Jesus being glorified,
consequently the Holy Ghost is given? unto what then were you baptized?
This is strange and unaccountable. What! baptized, and yet know nothing
of the Holy Ghost? Surely your baptism was a nullity, if you know
nothing of the Holy Ghost; for it is the receiving of the Holy Ghost
that is signified and sealed by that washing of regeneration. Ignorance
of the Holy Ghost is as inconsistent with a sincere profession of
Christianity as ignorance of Christ is." Applying it to ourselves, it
intimates that those are baptized to no purpose, and have received the
grace of God therein in vain, that do not receive and submit to the
Holy Ghost. It is also an enquiry we should often make, not only to
whose honour we were born, but into whose service we were baptized,
that we may study to answer the ends both of our birth and of our
baptism. Let us often consider unto what we were baptized, that we may
live up to our baptism.
4. They own that they were baptized unto John's baptism--eis to Ioannou
baptisma that is, as I take it, they were baptized in the name of John,
not by John himself (he was far enough from any such thought), but by
some weak, well-meaning disciple of his, that ignorantly kept up his
name as the head of a party, retaining the spirit and notion of those
disciples of his that were jealous of the growth of Christ's interest,
and complained to him of it, John iii. 26. Some one or more of these,
that found themselves much edified by John's baptism of repentance for
the remission of sins, not thinking that the kingdom of heaven, which
he spoke of as at hand, was so very near as it proved, ran away with
that notion, rested in what they had, and thought they could not do
better than to persuade others to do so too; and so, ignorantly, in a
blind zeal for John's doctrine, they baptized here and there one in
John's name, or, as it is here expressed, unto John's baptism, looking
no further themselves, nor directing those that they baptized any
further.
5. Paul explains to them the true intent and meaning of John's baptism,
as principally referring to Jesus Christ, and so rectifies the mistake
of those who had baptized them into the baptism of John, and had not
directed them to look any further, but to rest in that. Those that have
been left in ignorance, or led into error, by any infelicities of their
education, should not therefore be despised nor rejected by those who
are more knowing and orthodox, but should be compassionately
instructed, and better taught, as these disciples were by Paul. (1.) He
owns that John's baptism was a very good thing, as far as it went: John
verily baptized with the baptism of repentance. By this baptism he
required people to be sorry for their sins, and to confess them and
turn from them; and to bring any to this is a great point gained. But,
(2.) He shows them that John's baptism had a further reference, and he
never designed that those he baptized should rest there, but told them
that they should believe on him who should come after him, that is, on
Christ Jesus,--that his baptism of repentance was designed only to
prepare the way of the Lord, and to dispose them to receive and
entertain Christ, whom he left them big with expectations of; nay, whom
he directed them to: Behold the Lamb of God. "John was a great and good
man; but he was only the harbinger,--Christ is the Prince. His baptism
was the porch which you were to pass through, not the house you were to
rest in; and therefore it was all wrong for you to be baptized into the
baptism of John."
6. When they were thus shown the error they were led into, they
thankfully accepted the discovery, and were baptized in the name of the
Lord Jesus, v. 5. As for Apollos, of whom it was said (ch. xviii. 25)
that he knew the baptism of John--that he rightly understood the
meaning of it when he was baptized with it, though he knew that
only--yet, when he understood the way of God more perfectly, he was no
again baptized, any more than Christ's first disciples that had been
baptized with John's baptism and knew it referred to the Messiah at the
door (and, with an eye to this, submitted to it), were baptized again.
But to these disciples, who received it only with an eye to John and
looked no further, as if he were their saviour, it was such a
fundamental error as was as fatal to it as it would have been for any
to be baptized in the name of Paul (1 Cor. i. 13); and therefore, when
they came to understand things better, they desired to be baptized in
the name of the Lord Jesus, and were so: not by Paul himself, as we
have reason to think, but by some of those who attended him. It does
not therefore follow hence that there was not an agreement between
John's baptism and Christ's, or that they were not for substance the
same; much less does it follow that those who have been once baptized
in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost (which is the appointed
form of Christ's baptism), may be again baptized in the same name; for
those that were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus had never been
so baptized before.
II. How Paul conferred the extraordinary gifts of the Holy Ghost upon
them, v. 6. 1. Paul solemnly prayed to God to give them those gifts,
signified by his laying his hands on them, which was a gesture used in
blessing by the patriarchs, especially in conveying the great trust of
the promise, as Gen. xlviii. 14. The Spirit being the great promise of
the New Testament, the apostles conveyed it by the imposition of hands:
"The Lord bless thee with that blessing, that blessing of blessings,"
Isa. xliv. 3. 2. God granted the thing he prayed for: The Holy Ghost
came upon them in a surprising overpowering manner, and they spoke with
tongues and prophesied, as the apostles did and the first Gentile
converts, ch. x. 44. This was intended to introduce the gospel at
Ephesus, and to awaken in the minds of men an expectation of some great
things from it; and some think that it was further designed to qualify
these twelve men for the work of the ministry, and that these twelve
were the elders of Ephesus, to whom Paul committed the care and
government of that church. They had the Spirit of prophesy, that they
might understand the mysteries of the kingdom of God themselves, and
the gift of tongues, that they might preach them to every nation and
language. Oh, what a wonderful change was here made on a sudden in
these men! those that but just now had not so much as heard that there
was any Holy Ghost are now themselves filled with the Holy Ghost; for
the Spirit, like the wind, blows where and when he listeth.
Paul at Ephesus.
8 And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of
three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the
kingdom of God. 9 But when divers were hardened, and believed not,
but spake evil of that way before the multitude, he departed from them,
and separated the disciples, disputing daily in the school of one
Tyrannus. 10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that
all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both
Jews and Greeks. 11 And God wrought special miracles by the hands of
Paul: 12 So that from his body were brought unto the sick
handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the
evil spirits went out of them.
Paul is here very busy at Ephesus to do good.
I. He begins, as usual, in the Jews' synagogue, and makes the first
offer of the gospel to them, that he might gather in the lost sheep of
the house of Israel, who were now scattered upon the mountains.
Observe,
1. Where he preached to them: in their synagogue (v. 8), as Christ used
to do. He went and joined them in their synagogue-worship, to take off
their prejudices against him, and to ingratiate himself with them,
while there was any hope of winning upon them. Thus he would bear his
testimony to public worship on sabbath days. Where there were no
Christian assemblies yet formed, he frequented the Jewish assemblies,
while the Jews were not as yet wholly cast off. Paul went into the
synagogue, because there he had them together, and had them, it might
be hoped, in a good frame.
2. What he preached to them: The things concerning the kingdom of God
among men, the great things which concerned God's dominion over all men
and favour to them, and men's subjection to God and happiness in God.
He showed them their obligations to God and interest in him, as the
Creator, by which the kingdom of God was set up,--the violation of
those obligations, and the forfeiture of that interest, by sin, by
which the kingdom of God was pulled down,--and the renewing of those
obligations and the restoration of man to that interest again, by the
Redeemer, whereby the kingdom of God was again set up. Or, more
particularly, the things concerning the kingdom of the Messiah, which
the Jews were in expectation of, and promised themselves great matters
from; he opened the scriptures which spoke concerning this, gave them a
right notion of this kingdom, and showeth them their mistakes about it.
3. How he preached to them. (1.) He preached argumentatively: he
disputed; gave reasons, scripture-reasons, for what he preached, and
answered objections, for the convincing of men's judgments and
consciences, that they might not only believe, but might see cause to
believe. He preached dialegomenos--dialogue-wise; he put questions to
them and received their answers, gave them leave to put questions to
him and answered them. (2.) He preached affectionately: he persuaded;
he used not only logical arguments, to enforce what he said upon their
understandings, but rhetorical motives, to impress what he said upon
their affections, showing them that the things he preached concerning
the kingdom of God were things concerning themselves, which they were
nearly concerned in, and therefore ought to concern themselves about, 2
Cor. v. 11, We persuade men. Paul was a moving preacher, and was a
master of the art of persuasion. (3.) He preached undauntedly, and with
a holy resolution: he spoke boldly, as one that had not the least doubt
of the things he spoke of, nor the least distrust of him he spoke from,
nor the least dread of those he spoke to.
4. How long he preached to them: For the space of three months, which
was a competent time allowed them to consider of it; in that time among
them that belonged to the election of grace were called in, and the
rest were left inexcusable. Thus long Paul preached the gospel with
much contention (1 Thess. ii. 2), yet he did not fail, nor was
discouraged.
5. What success his preaching had among them. (1.) There were some that
were persuaded to believe in Christ; some think this is intimated in
the word persuading--he prevailed with them. But, (2.) Many continued
in their infidelity, and were confirmed in their prejudices against
Christianity. When Paul called on them before, and preached only some
general things to them, they courted his stay among them (ch. xviii.
20); but now that he settled among them, and his word came more closely
to their consciences, they were soon weary of him. [1.] They had an
invincible aversion to the gospel of Christ themselves: they were
hardened, and believed not; they were resolved they would not believe,
though the truth shone in their faces with ever such a convincing light
and evidence. Therefore they believed not, because they were hardened.
[2.] They did their utmost to raise and keep up in others an aversion
to the gospel; they not only entered not into the kingdom of God
themselves, but neither did they suffer those that were entering to go
in; for they spoke evil of that way before the multitude, to prejudice
them against it. Though they could not show any manner of evil in it,
yet they said all manner of evil concerning it. These sinners, like the
angels that sinned, became Satans, adversaries and devils, false
accusers.
II. When he had carried the matter as far as it would go in the
synagogue of the Jews, and found that their opposition grew more
obstinate, he left the synagogue, because he could not safely, or
rather because he could not comfortably and successfully, continue in
communion with them. Though their worship was such as he could join in,
and they had not silenced him, nor forbidden him to preach among them,
yet they drove him from them by their railing at those things which he
spoke concerning the kingdom of God: they hated to be reformed, hated
to be instructed, and therefore he departed from them. Here we are sure
there was a separation and no schism; for there was a just cause for it
and a clear call to it. Now observe,
1. When Paul departed from the Jews he took the disciples with him, and
separated them, to save them from that untoward generation (according
to the charge Peter gave to his new converts, ch. ii. 40); lest they
should be infected with the poisonous tongues of those blasphemers, he
separated those who believed, to be the foundation of a Christian
church, now that they were a competent number to be incorporated, that
others might attend with them upon the preaching of the gospel, and
might, upon their believing, be added to them. When Paul departed there
needed no more to separate the disciples; let him go where he will,
they will follow him.
2. When Paul separated from the synagogue he set up a meeting of his
own, he disputed daily in the school of one Tyrannus. He left the
synagogue of the Jews, that he might go on with the more freedom in his
work; still he disputed for Christ and Christianity, and was ready to
answer all opponents whatsoever in defence of them; and he had by this
separation a double advantage. (1.) That now his opportunities were
more frequent. In the synagogue he could only preach every sabbath day
(ch. xiii. 42), but now he disputed daily, he set up a lecture every
day, and thus redeemed time: those whose business would not permit them
to come one day might come another day; and those were welcome who
watched daily at these gates of wisdom, and waited daily at the posts
of her doors. (2.) That now they were more open. To the synagogue of
the Jews none might come, nor could come, but Jews or proselytes;
Gentiles were excluded; but, when he set up a meeting in the school of
Tyrannus, both Jews and Greeks attended his ministry, v. 10. Thus, as
he describes this gate of opportunity at Ephesus (1 Cor. xvi. 8, 9), a
wide door and an effectual was opened to him, though there were many
adversaries. Some think this school of Tyrannus was a divinity-school
of the Jews, and such a one they commonly had in their great cities
besides their synagogue; they called it Bethmidrash, the house of
enquiry, or of repetition; and they went to that on the sabbath day,
after they had been in the synagogue. They go from strength to
strength, from the house of the sanctuary to the house of doctrine. If
this was such a school, it shows that though Paul left the synagogue he
left it gradually, and still kept as near it as he could, as he had
done, ch. xviii. 7. But others think it was a philosophy-school of the
Gentiles, belonging to one Tyrannus, or a retiring place (for so the
word schole sometimes signifies) belonging to a principal man or
governor of the city; some convenient place it was, which Paul and the
disciples had the use of, either for love or money.
3. Here he continued his labours for two years, read his lectures and
disputed daily. These two years commence from the end of the three
months which he spent in the synagogue (v. 8); after they were ended,
he continued for some time in the country about, preaching; therefore
he might justly reckon it in all three years, as he does, ch. xx. 31.
4. The gospel hereby spread far and near (v. 10): All those that dwelt
in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus; not only all that dwelt in
Ephesus, but all that dwelt in that large province called Asia, of
which Ephesus was the head city--Asia the Less it was called. There was
great resort to Ephesus from all parts of the country, for law,
traffic, religion, and education, which gave Paul an opportunity of
sending the report of the gospel to all the towns and villages of that
country. They all heard the word of the Lord Jesus. The gospel is
Christ's word, it is a word concerning Christ. This they heard, or at
least heard of it. Some of all sects, some out of all parts both in
city and country, embraced this gospel, and entertained it, and by them
it was communicated to others; and so they all heard the word of the
Lord Jesus, or might have heard it. Probably Paul sometimes made
excursions himself into the country, to preach the gospel, or sent his
missionaries or assistants that attended him, and thus the word of the
Lord was heard throughout that region. Now those that sat in darkness
saw a great light.
III. God confirmed Paul's doctrine by miracles, which awakened people's
enquiries after it, fixed their affection to it, and engaged their
belief of it, v. 11, 12. I wonder we have not read of any miracle
wrought by Paul since the casting of the evil spirit out of the damsel
at Philippi; why did he not work miracles at Thessalonica, Berea, and
Athens? Or, if he did, why are they not recorded? Was the success of
the gospel, without miracles in the kingdom of nature, itself such a
miracle in the kingdom of grace, and the divine power which went along
with it such a proof of its divine original, that there needed no
other? It is certain that at Corinth he wrought many miracles, though
Luke has recorded none, for he tells them (2 Cor. xii. 12) that the
signs of his apostleship were among them, in wonders and mighty deeds.
But here at Ephesus we have a general account of the proofs of this
kind which he gave his divine mission. 1. They were special
miracles--Dynameis ou tychousas. God exerted powers that were not
according to the common course of nature: Virtutes non vulgares. Things
were done which could by no means be ascribed either to chance or
second causes. Or, they were not only (as all miracles are) out of the
common road, but they were even uncommon miracles, such miracles as had
not been wrought by the hands of any other of the apostles. The
opposers of the gospel were so prejudiced that any miracles would not
serve their turn; therefore God wrought virtutes non quaslibet (so they
render it), something above the common road of miracles. 2. It was not
Paul that wrought them (What is Paul, and what is Apollos?) but it was
God that wrought them by the hand of Paul. He was but the instrument,
God was the principal agent.
3. He not only cured the sick that were brought to him, or to whom he
was brought, but from his body were brought to the sick handkerchiefs
or aprons; they got Paul's handkerchiefs, or his aprons, that is, say
some, the aprons he wore when he worked at his trade, and the
application of them to the sick cured them immediately. Or, they
brought the sick people's handkerchiefs, or their girdles, or caps, or
head-dresses, and laid them for awhile to Paul's body, and then took
them to the sick. The former is more probable. Now was fulfilled that
word of Christ to his disciples, Greater works than these shall you do.
We read of one that was cured by the touch of Christ's garment when it
was upon him, and he perceived that virtue went out of him; but here
were people cured by Paul's garments when they were taken from him.
Christ gave his apostles power against unclean spirits and against all
manner of sickness (Matt. x. 1), and accordingly we find here that
those to whom Paul sent relief had it in both those cases: for the
diseases departed from them and the evil spirits went out of them,
which were both significant of the great design and blessed effect of
the gospel, and the healing of spiritual disease, and freeing the souls
of men from the power and dominion of Satan.
The Disgrace of the Exorcists.
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call
over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We
adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons
of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And
the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but
who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on
them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled
out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the
Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all,
and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that
believed came, and confessed, and showed their deeds. 19 Many of them
also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned
them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it
fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God
and prevailed.
The preachers of the gospel were sent forth to carry on a war against
Satan, and therein Christ went forth conquering and to conquer. The
casting of evil spirits out of those that were possessed was one
instance of Christ's victory over Satan; but, to show in how many ways
Christ triumphed over that great enemy, we have here in these verses
two remarkable instances of the conquest of Satan, not only in those
that were violently possessed by him, but in those that were
voluntarily devoted to him.
I. Here is the confusion of some of Satan's servants, some vagabond
Jews, that were exorcists, who made use of Christ's name profanely and
wickedly in their diabolical enchantments, but were made to pay dearly
for their presumption. Observe,
1. The general character of those who were guilty of this presumption.
They were Jews, but vagabond Jews, were of the Jewish nation and
religion, but went about from town to town to get money by conjuring.
They strolled about to tell people their fortunes, and pretended by
spells and charms to cure diseases, and bring people to themselves that
were melancholy or distracted. They called themselves exorcists,
because in doing their tricks they used forms of adjuration, by such
and such commanding names. The superstitious Jews, to put a reputation
upon these magic arts, wickedly attributed the invention of them to
Solomon. So Josephus (Antiq. 8. 45-46) says that Solomon composed
charms by which diseases were cured, and devils driven out so as never
to return; and that these operations continued common among the Jews to
his time. And Christ seems to refer to this (Matt. xii. 27), By whom do
your children cast them out?
2. A particular account of some at Ephesus that led this course of life
and came thither in their travels; they were seven sons of one Sceva, a
Jew, and chief of the priests, v. 14. It is sad to see the house of
Jacob thus degenerated, much more the house of Aaron, the family that
was in a peculiar manner consecrated to God; it is truly sad to see any
of that race in league with Satan. Their father was a chief of the
priests, head of one of the twenty-four courses of priests. One would
think the temple would find both employment and encouragement enough
for the sons of a chief priest, if they had been twice as many. But
probably it was a vain, rambling, rakish humour that led them to turn
mountebanks, and wander all the world over to cure mad folks.
3. The profaneness they were guilty of: They took upon them to call
over evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus; not as those who had a
veneration for Christ and a confidence in his name, as we read of some
who cast out devils in Christ's name and yet did not follow with his
disciples (Luke ix. 49), whom he would not have to be discouraged; but
as those who were willing to try all methods to carry on their wicked
trade, and, it should seem, had this design:--If the evil spirits
should yield to an adjuration in the name of Jesus by those that did
not believe in him, they would say it was no confirmation of his
doctrine to those that did; for it was all one whether they believed it
or no. If they should not yield to it, they would say the name of
Christ was not so powerful as the other names they used, to which the
devils had often by collusion yielded. They said, We adjure you by
Jesus whom Paul preaches; not, "whom we believe in, or depend upon, or
have any authority from," but whom Paul preaches; as if they had said,
"We will try what that name will do." The exorcists in the Romish
church, who pretend to cast the devil out of melancholy people by
spells and charms which they understand not, and which, not having any
divine warrant, cannot be used in faith, are the followers of these
vagabond Jews.
4. The confusion they were put to in their impious operations. Let them
not be deceived, God is not mocked, nor shall the glorious name of
Jesus be prostituted to such a vile purpose as this; what communion
hath Christ with Belial? (1.) The evil spirit gave them a sharp reply
(v. 15): "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you? I know that
Jesus has conquered principalities and powers, and that Paul has
authority in his name to cast out devils; but what power have you to
command us in his name, or who gave you any such power? What have you
to do to declare the power of Jesus, or to take his covenant and
commands into your mouths, seeing you hate his instructions?" Ps. l.
16, 17. This was extorted out of the mouth of the evil spirit by the
power of God, to gain honour to the gospel, and to put those to shame
that made a bad use of Christ's name. Antichristian powers and factions
pretend a mighty zeal for Jesus and Paul, and to have authority from
them; but, when the matter comes to be looked into, it is a mere
worldly secular interest that is to be thus supported; nay, it is an
enmity to true religion: Jesus we know, and Paul we know; but who are
you? (2.) The man in whom the evil spirit was gave them a warm
reception, fell foul upon them, leaped upon them in the height of his
frenzy and rage, overcame them and all their enchantments, prevailed
against them, and was every way too hard for them; so that they fled
out of the house, not only naked, but wounded; their clothes pulled off
their backs, and their heads broken. This is written for a warning to
all those who name the name of Christ, but do not depart from iniquity.
The same enemy that overcomes them with his temptations will overcome
them with his terrors; and their adjuring him in Christ's name to let
them alone will be no security to them. If we resist the devil by a
true and lively faith in Christ, he will flee from us; but if we think
to resist him by the bare using of Christ's name, or any part of his
word, as a spell or charm, he will prevail against us.
5. The general notice that was taken of this, and the good impression
it made upon many (v. 17): This was known to all the Jews and Greeks
also dwelling at Ephesus. It was the common talk of the town; and the
effect of it was, (1.) That men were terrified: fear fell on them all.
In this instance they saw the malice of the devil whom they served, and
the power of Christ whom they opposed; and both were awful
considerations. They saw that the name of Christ was not to be trifled
with, nor his religion compounded with pagan superstitions. (2.) That
God was glorified; the name of the Lord Jesus, by which his faithful
servants cast out devils and cured diseases, without any resistance,
was the more magnified; for now it appeared to be a name above every
name.
II. Here is the conversion of others of Satan's servants, with the
evidences of their conversion.
1. Those that had been guilty of wicked practices confessed them, v.
18. Many that had believed and were baptized, but had not then been so
particular as they might have been in the confession of their sins,
were so terrified with these instances of the magnifying of the name of
Jesus Christ that they came to Paul, or some of the other ministers
that were with him, and confessed what evil lives they had led, and
what a great deal of secret wickedness their own consciences charged
them with, which the world knew not of--secret frauds and secret
filthiness; they showed their deeds, took shame to themselves and gave
glory to God and warning to others. These confessions were not extorted
from them, but were voluntary, for the ease of their consciences, upon
which the late miracles had struck a terror. Note, Where there is true
contrition for sin there will be an ingenuous confession of sin to God
in every prayer, and to man whom we have offended when the case
requires it.
2. Those that had conversed with wicked books burnt them (v. 19): Many
also of those who used curious arts, ta perierga--impertinent things;
multa nihil ad se pertinentia satagentes--busy bodies (so the word is
used, 2 Thess. iii. 11; 1 Tim. v. 13), that traded in the study of
magic and divination, in books of judicial astrology, casting
nativities, telling fortunes, raising and laying spirits, interpreting
dreams, predicting future events, and the like, to which some think are
to be added plays, romances, love-books, and unchaste and immodest
poems--histrionica, amatoria, saltatoria.--Stres. These, having their
consciences more awakened than ever to see the evil of those practices
in which these books instructed them, brought their books together, and
burnt them before all men. Ephesus was notorious for the use of these
curious arts; hence spells and charms were called Literæ Ephesiæ. Here
people furnished themselves with all those sorts of books, and,
probably, had tutors to instruct them in those black arts. It was
therefore much for the honour of Christ and his gospel to have such a
noble testimony borne against those curious arts, in a place where they
were so much in vogue. It is taken for granted that they were convinced
of the evil of these curious arts, and resolved to deal in them no
longer; but they did not think this enough unless they burnt their
books. (1.) Thus they showed a holy indignation at the sins they had
been guilty of; as the idolaters, when they were brought to repentance,
said to their idols, Get you hence (Isa. xxx. 22), and cast even those
of silver and gold to the moles and to the bats, Isa. ii. 20. They thus
took a pious revenge on those things that had been the instruments of
sin to them, and proclaimed the force of their convictions of the evil
of it, and that those very things were now detectable to them, as much
as ever they had been delectable. (2.) Thus they showed their
resolution never to return to the use of those arts, and the books
which related to them, again. They were so fully convinced of the evil
and danger of them that they would not throw the books by, within reach
of a recall, upon supposition that it was possible they might change
their mind; but, being stedfastly resolved never to make use of them,
they burnt them. (3.) Thus they put away a temptation to return to them
again. Had they kept the books by them, there was danger lest, when the
heat of the present conviction was over, they should have the curiosity
to look into them, and so be in danger of liking them and loving them
again, and therefore they burnt them. Note, Those that truly repent of
sin will keep themselves as far as possible from the occasions of it.
(4.) Thus they prevented their doing mischief to others. If Judas had
been by he would have said, "Sell them, and give the money to the
poor;" or, "Buy Bibles and good books with it." But then who could tell
into whose hands these dangerous books might fall, and what mischief
might be done by them? it was therefore the safest course to commit
them all to the flames. Those that are recovered from sin themselves
will do all they can to keep others from falling into it, and will be
much more afraid of laying an occasion of sin in the way of others.
(5.) Thus they showed a contempt of the wealth of this world; for the
price of the books was cast up, probably by those that persuaded them
not to burn them, and it was found to be fifty thousand pieces of
silver, which some compute to be fifteen hundred pounds of our money.
It is probable that the books were scarce, perhaps prohibited, and
therefore dear. Probably they had cost them so much; yet, being the
devil's books, though they had been so foolish as to buy them, they did
not think this would justify them in being so wicked as to sell them
again. (6.) Thus they publicly testified their joy for their conversion
from these wicked practices, as Matthew did by the great feast he made
when Christ had called him from the receipt of custom. These converts
joined together in making this bonfire, and made it before all men.
They might have burnt the books privately, every one in his own house,
but they chose to do it together, by consent, and to do it at the high
cross (as we say), that Christ and his grace in them might be the more
magnified, and all about them the more edified.
III. Here is a general account of the progress and success of the
gospel in and about Ephesus (v. 20): So mightily grew the word of God,
and prevailed. It is a blessed sight to see the word of God growing and
prevailing mightily, as it did here. 1. To see it grow extensively, by
the addition of many to the church. When still more and more are
wrought upon by the gospel, and wrought up into a conformity to it,
then it grows; when those that were least likely to yield to it, and
that had been most stiff in their opposition to it, are captivated and
brought into obedience to it, then it may be said to grow mightily. 2.
To see it prevail extensively, by the advancement in knowledge and
grace of those that are added to the church; when strong corruptions
are mortified, vicious habits changed, evil customs of long standing
broken off, and pleasant, gainful, fashionable sins are abandoned, then
it prevails mightily; and Christ in it goes on conquering and to
conquer.
The Tumult at Ephesus.
21 After these things were ended, Paul purposed in the spirit, when he
had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying,
After I have been there, I must also see Rome. 22 So he sent into
Macedonia two of them that ministered unto him, Timotheus and Erastus;
but he himself stayed in Asia for a season. 23 And the same time
there arose no small stir about that way. 24 For a certain man named
Demetrius, a silversmith, which made silver shrines for Diana, brought
no small gain unto the craftsmen; 25 Whom he called together with the
workmen of like occupation, and said, Sirs, ye know that by this craft
we have our wealth. 26 Moreover ye see and hear, that not alone at
Ephesus, but almost throughout all Asia, this Paul hath persuaded and
turned away much people, saying that they be no gods, which are made
with hands: 27 So that not only this our craft is in danger to be set
at nought; but also that the temple of the great goddess Diana should
be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed, whom all Asia
and the world worshippeth. 28 And when they heard these sayings, they
were full of wrath, and cried out, saying, Great is Diana of the
Ephesians. 29 And the whole city was filled with confusion: and
having caught Gaius and Aristarchus, men of Macedonia, Paul's
companions in travel, they rushed with one accord into the theatre.
30 And when Paul would have entered in unto the people, the disciples
suffered him not. 31 And certain of the chief of Asia, which were his
friends, sent unto him, desiring him that he would not adventure
himself into the theatre. 32 Some therefore cried one thing, and some
another: for the assembly was confused; and the more part knew not
wherefore they were come together. 33 And they drew Alexander out of
the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander beckoned
with the hand, and would have made his defence unto the people. 34
But when they knew that he was a Jew, all with one voice about the
space of two hours cried out, Great is Diana of the Ephesians. 35 And
when the town clerk had appeased the people, he said, Ye men of
Ephesus, what man is there that knoweth not how that the city of the
Ephesians is a worshipper of the great goddess Diana, and of the image
which fell down from Jupiter? 36 Seeing then that these things cannot
be spoken against, ye ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. 37
For ye have brought hither these men, which are neither robbers of
churches, nor yet blasphemers of your goddess. 38 Wherefore if
Demetrius, and the craftsmen which are with him, have a matter against
any man, the law is open, and there are deputies: let them implead one
another. 39 But if ye enquire any thing concerning other matters, it
shall be determined in a lawful assembly. 40 For we are in danger to
be called in question for this day's uproar, there being no cause
whereby we may give an account of this concourse. 41 And when he had
thus spoken, he dismissed the assembly.
I. Paul is here brought into some trouble at Ephesus, just when he is
forecasting to go thence, and to cut out work for himself elsewhere.
See here,
1. How he laid his purpose of going to other places, v. 21, 22. He was
a man of vast designs for God, and was for making his influences as
widely diffusive as might be. Having spent above two years at Ephesus,
(1.) He designed a visit to the churches of Macedonia and Achaia,
especially of Philippi and Corinth, the chief cities of those
provinces, v. 21. There he had planted churches, and now is concerned
to visit them. He purposed in the spirit, either in his own spirit, not
communicating his purpose as yet, but keeping it to himself; or by the
direction of the Holy Spirit, who was his guide in all his motions, and
by whom he was led. He purposed to go and see how the work of God went
on in those places, that he might rectify what was amiss and encourage
what was good. (2.) Thence he designed to go to Jerusalem, to visit the
brethren there, and give an account to them of the prospering of the
good pleasure of the Lord in his hand; and thence he intended to go to
Rome, to go and see Rome; not as if he designed only the gratifying of
his curiosity with the sight of that ancient famous city, but because
it was an expression people commonly used, that they would go and see
Rome, would look about them there, when that which he designed was to
see the Christians there, and to do them some service, Rom. i. 11. The
good people at Rome were the glory of the city which he longed for a
sight of. Dr. Lightfoot supposes that it was upon the death of the
emperor Claudius, who died the second year of Paul's being at Ephesus,
that Paul thought of going to Rome, because while he lived the Jews
were forbidden Rome, ch. xviii. 2. (3.) He sent Timothy and Erastus
into Macedonia, to give them notice of the visit he intended them, and
to get their collection ready for the poor saints at Jerusalem. Soon
after he wrote the first epistle to the Corinthians, designing to
follow it himself, as appears 1 Cor. iv. 17, 19, I have sent to you
Timotheus; but I will myself come to you shortly, if the Lord will. For
the present, he staid in Asia, in the country about Ephesus, founding
churches.
2. How he was seconded in his purpose, and obliged to pursue it by the
troubles which at length he met with at Ephesus. It was strange that he
had been quiet there so long; yet it should seem he had met with
trouble there not recorded in this story, for in his epistle written at
this time he speaks of his having fought with beasts at Ephesus (1 Cor.
xv. 32), which seems to be meant of his being put to fight with wild
beasts in the theatre, according to the barbarous treatment they
sometimes gave the Christians. And he speaks of the trouble which came
to them in Asia, near Ephesus, when he despaired of life, and received
a sentence of death within himself, 2 Cor. i. 8, 9.
II. But, in the trouble here related, he was worse frightened than
hurt. In general, there arose no small stir about that way, v. 23. Some
historians say that the famous impostor Apollonius Tyanæus, who set up
for a rival with Christ, and gave out himself, as Simon Magus, to be
some great one, was at Ephesus about this time that Paul was there. But
it seems the opposition he gave to the gospel was so insignificant that
St. Luke did not think it worth taking notice of. The disturbance he
gives an account of was of another nature: let us view the particulars
of it. Here is,
1. A great complaint against Paul and the other preachers of the gospel
for drawing people off from the worship of Diana, and so spoiling the
trade of the silversmiths that worked for Diana's temple.
(1.) The complainant is Demetrius, a silversmith, a principal man, it
is likely, of the trade, and one that would be thought to understand
and consult the interests of it more than others of the company.
Whether he worked in other sorts of plate or no we are not told; but
the most advantageous branch of his trade was making silver shrines for
Diana, v. 24. Some think these were medals stamped with the effigies of
Diana, or her temple, or both; others think they were representations
of the temple, with the image of Diana in it in miniature, all of
silver, but so small that people might carry them about with them, as
the papists do their crucifixes. Those that came from far to pay their
devotions at the temple of Ephesus, when they went home bought these
little temples or shrines, to carry home with them, for the gratifying
of the curiosity of their friends, and to preserve in their own minds
the idea of that stately edifice. See how craftsmen, and crafty men too
above the rank of silversmiths, make an advantage to themselves of
people's superstition, and serve their worldly ends by it.
(2.) The persons he appeals to are not the magistrates, but the mob; he
called the craftsmen together, with the workmen of like occupation (a
company of mechanics, who had no sense of any thing but their worldly
interest), and these he endeavoured to incense against Paul, who would
be actuated as little by reason and as much by fury as he could desire.
(3.) His complaint and representation are very full. [1.] He lays it
down for a principle that the art and mystery of making silver shrines
for the worshippers of Diana was very necessary to be supported and
kept up (v. 25): "You know that by this craft we have not only our
subsistence, and our necessary food, but our wealth. We grow rich, and
raise estates. We live great, and have wherewithal to maintain our
pleasures; and therefore, whatever comes of it, we must not suffer this
craft to grow into contempt." Note, It is natural for men to be jealous
for that, whether right or wrong, by which they get their wealth; and
many have, for this reason alone, set themselves against the gospel of
Christ, because it calls men off from those crafts which are unlawful,
how much wealth soever is to be obtained by them. [2.] He charges it
upon Paul that he had dissuaded men from worshipping idols. The words,
as they are laid in the indictment, are, that he had asserted, Those
are no gods which are made with hands, v. 26. Could any truth be more
plain and self-evident than this, or any reasoning more cogent and
convincing than that of the prophets, The workman made it, therefore it
is not God? The first and most genuine notion we have of God is, that
he had his being of himself, and depends upon none; but that all things
have their being from him, and their dependence on him: and then it
must follow that those are no gods which are the creatures of men's
fancy and the work of men's hands. Yet this must be looked upon as an
heretical and atheistical notion, and Paul as a criminal for
maintaining it; not that they could advance any thing against this
doctrine itself, but that the consequence of it was that not only at
Ephesus, the chief city, but almost throughout all Asia, among the
country people, who were their best customers, and whom they thought
they were surest of, he had persuaded and turned away much people from
the worship of Diana; so that there was not now such a demand for the
silver shrines as had been, nor were such good rates given for them.
There are those who will stickle for that which is most grossly absurd
and unreasonable, and which carries along with it its own conviction of
falsehood, as this does, that those are gods which are made with hands,
if it have but human laws, and worldly interest and prescription, on
its side. [3.] He reminds them of the danger which their trade was in
of going to decay. Whatever touches this touches them in a sensible
tender part: "If this doctrine gains credit, we are all undone, and may
even shut up shop; this our craft will be set at nought, will be
convicted, and put into an ill name as superstition, and a cheat upon
the world, and every body will run it down. This our part" (so the word
is), "our interest or share of trade and commerce," kindyneuei hemin to
meros, "will not only come into danger of being lost, but it will bring
us into danger, and we shall become not only beggars, but malefactors."
[4.] He pretends a mighty zeal for Diana, and a jealousy for her
honour: Not only this our craft is in danger; if that were all, he
would not have you think that he would have spoken with so much warmth,
but all his care is lest the temple of the great goddess Diana should
be despised, and her magnificence should be destroyed; and he would
not, for all the world, see the diminution of the honour of that
goddess, whom all Asia and the world worship. See what the worship of
Diana had to plead for itself, and what was the utmost which the most
zealous bigots for it had to say in its behalf. First, That it had pomp
on its side; the magnificence of the temple was the thing that charmed
them, the thing that chained them; they could not bear the thoughts of
any thing that tended to the diminution, much less to the destruction,
of that. Secondly, That it had numbers on its side; All Asia and the
world worship it; and therefore it must needs be the right way of
worship, let Paul say what he will to the contrary. Thus, because all
the world wonders after the beast, therefore the dragon, the devil, the
god of this world, gives him his power, and his seat, and great
authority, Rev. xiii. 2, 3.
2. The popular resentment of this complaint. The charge was managed by
a craftsman, and was framed to incense the common people, and it had
the desired effect; for on this occasion they showed, (1.) A great
displeasure against the gospel and the preachers of it. They were full
of wrath (v. 28), full of fury and indignation, so the word signifies.
The craftsmen went stark mad when they were told that their trade and
their idol were both in danger. (2.) A great jealousy for the honour of
their goddess: They cried out, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians; and we
are resolved to stand by her, and live and die in the defence of her.
Are there any that expose her to contempt, or threaten her destruction?
Let us alone to deal with them. Let Paul say ever so much to prove that
those are no gods which are made with hands, we will abide by it that,
whatever becomes of other gods and goddesses, Great is Diana of the
Ephesians. We must and will stand up for the religion of our country,
which we have received by tradition from our fathers." Thus all people
walked every one in the name of his god, and all thought well of their
own; much more should the servants of the true God do so, who can say,
This God is our God for ever and ever. (3.) A great disorder among
themselves (v. 29): The whole city was full of confusion--the common
and natural effect of intemperate zeal for a false religion; it throws
all into confusion, dethrones reason, and enthrones passion; and men
run together, not only not knowing one another's minds, but not knowing
their own.
3. The proceedings of the mob under the power of these resentments, and
how far they were carried.
(1.) They laid hands on some of Paul's companions, and hurried them
into the theatre (v. 29), some think with design there to make them
fight with beasts, as Paul had sometimes done; or perhaps they intended
only to abuse them, and to make them a spectacle to the crowd. Those
whom they seized were Gaius and Aristarchus, of both of whom we read
elsewhere. Gaius was of Derbe, ch. xx. 4. Aristarchus is also there
spoken of, and Col. iv. 10. They came with Paul from Macedonia, and
this was their only crime, that they were Paul's companions in travel,
both in services and sufferings.
(2.) Paul, who had escaped being seized by them, when he perceived his
friends in distress for his sake, would have entered in unto the
people, to sacrifice himself, if there were no other remedy, rather
than his friends should suffer upon his account; and it was an evidence
of a generous spirit, and that he loved his neighbour as himself.
(3.) He was persuaded from it by the kindness of his friends, who
overruled him. [1.] The disciples suffered him not, for it better
became him to offer it than it would have become them to suffer it.
They had reason to say to Paul, as David's servants did to him, when he
was for exposing himself in a piece of public service, Thou art worth
ten thousand of us, 2 Sam. xviii. 3. [2.] Others of his friends
interposed, to prevent his throwing himself thus into the mouth of
danger. They would treat him much worse than Gaius and Aristarchus,
looking upon him as the ringleader of the party; and therefore better
let them bear the brunt of the storm than that he should venture into
it, v. 31. They were certain of the chief of Asia, the princes of
Asia--Asiarchai. The critics tell us they were the chief of their
priests; or, as others, the chief of their players. Whether they were
converts to the Christian faith (and some such there were even of their
priests and governors), or whether they were only well-wishers to Paul,
as an ingenuous good man, we are not told, only that they were Paul's
friends. Dr. Lightfoot suggests that they kept up a respect and
kindness for him ever since he fought with beasts in their theatre, and
were afraid he should be abused so again. Note, It is a friendly part
to take more care of the lives and comforts of good men than they do
themselves. It would be a very hazardous adventure for Paul to go into
the theatre; it was a thousand to one that it would cost him his life;
and therefore Paul was overruled by his friends to obey the law of
self-preservation, and has taught us to keep out of the way of danger
as long as we can without going out of the way of duty. We may be
called to lay down our lives, but not to throw away our lives. It would
better become Paul to venture into a synagogue than into a theatre.
(4.) The mob was in a perfect confusion (v. 32): Some cried one thing
and some another, according as their fancies and passions, and perhaps
the reports they received, led them. Some cried, Down with the Jews;
others, Down with Paul; but the assembly was confused, as not
understanding one another's minds. They contradicted one another, and
were ready to fly in one another's faces for it, but they did not
understand their own; for the truth was the greater part knew not
wherefore they had come together. They knew not what began the riot,
nor who, much less what business they had there; but, upon such
occasions, the greatest part come only to enquire what the matter is:
they follow the cry, follow the crowd, increase like a snow-ball, and
where there are many there will be more.
(5.) The Jews would have interested themselves in this tumult (in other
places they had been the first movers of such riots) but now at Ephesus
they had not interest enough to raise the mob, and yet, when it was
raised, they had ill-will enough to set in with it (v. 35): They drew
Alexander out of the multitude, called him out to speak on the behalf
of the Jews against Paul and his companions: "You have heard what
Demetrius and the silversmiths have to say against them, as enemies to
their religion; give us leave now to tell you what we have to say
against him as an enemy to our religion." The Jews put him forward to
do this, encouraged him, and told him they would stand by him and
second him; and this they looked upon as necessary in their own
defence, and therefore what he designed to say is called his
apologizing to the people, not for himself in particular, but for the
Jews in general, whom the worshippers of Diana looked upon to be as
much their enemies as Paul was. Now they would have them know that they
were as much Paul's enemies as they were; and those who are thus
careful to distinguish themselves from the servants of Christ now, and
are afraid of being taken for them, shall have their doom accordingly
in the great day. Alexander beckoned with the hand, desiring to be
heard against Paul; for it had been strange if a persecution had been
carried on against the Christians and there were not Jews at one end or
the other of it: if they could not begin the mischief, they would help
it forward, and so make themselves partakers of other men's sins. Some
think this Alexander had been a Christian, but had apostatized to
Judaism, and therefore was drawn out as a proper person to accuse Paul;
and that he was the Alexander the coppersmith that did Paul so much
evil (2 Tim. iv. 14), and whom he had delivered unto Satan, 1 Tim. i.
20.
(6.) This occasioned the prosecutors to drop the prosecution of Paul's
friends, and to turn it into acclamations in honour of their goddess
(v. 34): When they knew that he was a Jew, and, as such, an enemy to
the worship of Diana (for the Jews had now an implacable hatred to
idols and idolatry), whatever he had to say for Paul or against him,
they were resolved not to hear him, and therefore set the mob a
shouting, "Great is Diana of the Ephesians; whoever runs her down, be
he Jew or Christian, we are resolved to cry her up. She is Diana of the
Ephesians, our Diana; and it is our honour and happiness to have her
temple with us; and she is great, a famous goddess, and universally
adored. There are other Dianas, but Diana of the Ephesians is beyond
them all, because her temple is more rich and magnificent than any of
theirs." This was all the cry for two hours together; and it was
thought a sufficient confutation of Paul's doctrine, that those are not
gods which are made with hands. Thus the most sacred truths are often
run down with nothing else but noise and clamour and popular fury. It
was said of old concerning idolaters that they were mad upon their
idols; and here is an instance of it. Diana made the Ephesians great,
for the town was enriched by the vast concourse of people from all
parts to Diana's temple there, and therefore they are concerned by all
means possible to keep up her sinking reputation with, Great is Diana
of the Ephesians.
4. The suppressing and dispersing of these rioters, by the prudence and
vigilance of the town-clerk; he is called, grammateus--the scribe, or
secretary, or recorder; "the register of their games," the Olympic
games (so others), whose business it was to preserve the names of the
victors and the prizes they won. With much ado he, at length, stilled
the noise, so as to be heard, and then made a pacific speech to them,
and gave us an instance of that of Solomon, The words of wise men are
heard in quiet more than the cry of him that rules among fools, as
Demetrius did. Eccl. ix. 17.
(1.) He humours them with an acknowledgment that Diana was the
celebrated goddess of the Ephesians, v. 35. They needed not to be so
loud and strenuous in asserting a truth which nobody denied, or could
be ignorant of: Every one knows that the city of the Ephesians is a
worshipper of the great goddess Diana; is neokoros; not only that the
inhabitants were worshippers of this goddess, but the city, as a
corporation, was, by its charter, entrusted with the worship of Diana,
to take care of her temple, and to accommodate those who came thither
to do her homage. Ephesus is the æditua (they say that is the most
proper word), or the sacrist, of the great goddess Diana. The city was
more the patroness and protectress of Diana than Diana was of the city.
Such great care did idolaters take for the keeping up of the worship of
gods made with hands, while the worship of the true and living God is
neglected, and few nations or cities glory in patronizing and
protecting that. The temple of Diana at Ephesus was a very rich and
sumptuous structure, but, it should seem, the image of Diana in the
temple, because they thought it sanctified the temple, was had in
greater veneration than the temple, for they persuaded the people that
it fell down from Jupiter, and therefore was none of the gods that were
made with men's hands. See how easily the credulity of superstitious
people is imposed upon by the fraud of designing men. Because this
image of Diana had been set up time out of mind, and nobody could tell
who made it, they made the people believe it fell down from Jupiter.
"Now these things," says the town-clerk very gravely (but whether
seriously or no, and as one that did himself believe them, may be
questioned), "cannot be spoken against; they have obtained such
universal credit that you need not fear contradiction, it can do you no
prejudice." Some take it thus: "Seeing the image of Diana fell down
from Jupiter, as we all believe, then what is said against gods made
with hands does not at all affect us."
(2.) He cautions them against all violent and tumultuous proceedings,
which their religion did not need, nor could receive any real advantage
from (v. 36): You ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly. A very
good rule this is to be observed at all times, both in private and
public affairs; not to be hasty and precipitate in our motions, but to
deliberate and take time to consider: not to put ourselves or others
into a heat, but to be calm and composed, and always keep reason in the
throne and passion under check. This word should be ready to us, to
command the peace with, when we ourselves or those about us are growing
disorderly: We ought to be quiet, and to do nothing rashly; to do
nothing in haste, which we may repent of at leisure.
(3.) He wipes off the odium that had been cast upon Paul and his
associates, and tells them, they were not the men that they were
represented to them to be (v. 37): "You have brought hither these men,
and are ready to pull them to pieces; but have you considered what is
their transgression and what is their offence? What can you prove upon
them? They are not robbers of churches, you cannot charge them with
sacrilege, or the taking away of any dedicated thing. They have offered
no violence to Diana's temple or the treasures of it; nor are they
blasphemers of your goddess; they have not given any opprobrious
language to the worshippers of Diana, nor spoken scurrilously of her or
her temple. Why should you prosecute those with all this violence who,
though they are not of your mind, yet do not inveigh with any
bitterness against you? Since they are calm, why should you be hot?" It
was the idol in the heart that they levelled all their force against,
by reason and argument; if they can but get that down, the idol in the
temple will fall of course. Those that preach against idolatrous
churches have truth on their side, and ought vigorously to maintain it
and press it on men's consciences; but let them not be robbers of those
churches (on the prey laid they not their hand, Esth. ix. 15, 16), nor
blasphemers of those worships; with meekness instructing, not with
passion and foul language reproaching, those that oppose themselves;
for God's truth, as it needs not man's lie, so it needs not man's
intemperate heat. The wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of
God.
(4.) He turns them over to the regular methods of the law, which ought
always to supersede popular tumults, and in civilized well-governed
nations will do so. A great mercy it is to live in a country where
provision is made for the keeping of the peace, and the administration
of public justice, and the appointing of a remedy for every wrong; and
herein we of this nation are as happy as any people. [1.] If the
complaint be of a private injury, let them have recourse to the judges
and courts of justice, which are kept publicly at stated times. If
Demetrius and the company of the silversmiths, that have made all this
rout, find themselves aggrieved, or any privilege they are legally
entitled to infringed or entrenched upon, let them bring their action,
take out a process, and the matter shall be fairly tried, and justice
done: The law is open, and there are deputies; there is a proconsul and
his delegate, whose business it is to hear both sides, and to determine
according to equity; and in their determination all parties must
acquiesce, and not be their own judges, nor appeal to the people. Note,
The law is good if a man use it lawfully, as the last remedy both for
the discovery of a right disputed and the recovery of a right denied.
[2.] If the complaint be of a public grievance, relating to the
constitution, it must be redressed, not by a confused rabble, but by a
convention of the states (v. 39): If you enquire any thing concerning
other matters, that are of common concern, it shall be determined in a
lawful assembly of the aldermen and common-council, called together in
a regular way by those in authority. Note, Private persons should not
intermeddle in public matters, so as to anticipate the counsels of
those whose business it is to take cognizance of them; we have enough
to do to mind our own business.
(5.) He makes them sensible of the danger they are in, and of the
premunire they have run themselves into by this riot (v. 40): "It is
well if we be not called in question for this day's uproar, if we be
not complained of at the emperor's court, as a factious and seditious
city, and if a quo warranto be not brought against us and our charter
taken away; for there is no cause whereby we may give an account of
this concourse, we have nothing to say in excuse of it. We cannot
justify ourselves in breaking the peace by saying that others broke it
first, and we only acted defensively; we have no colour for any such
plea, and therefore let the matter go no further, for it has gone too
far already." Note, Most people stand in awe of men's judgment more
than of the judgment of God. How well were it if we would thus still
the tumult of our disorderly appetites and passions, and check the
violence of them, with the consideration of the account we must shortly
give to the Judge of heaven and earth for all these disorders! We are
in danger to be called in question for this day's uproar in our hearts,
in our houses; and how shall we answer it, there being no cause, no
just cause, or no proportionable one, whereby we may give an account of
this concourse, and of this heat and violence? As we must repress the
inordinacy of our appetites, so also of our passions, with this, that
for all these things God will bring us unto judgment (Eccl. xi. 9), and
we are concerned to manage ourselves as those that must give account.
(6.) When he has thus shown them the absurdity of their riotous
meeting, and the bad consequences that might follow from it, he advises
them to separate with all speed (v. 41): he dismissed the assembly,
ordered the crier perhaps to give notice that all manner of persons
should peaceably depart and go about their own business, and they did
so. See here, [1.] How the overruling providence of God preserves the
public peace, by an unaccountable power over the spirits of men. Thus
the world is kept in some order, and men are restrained from being as
the fishes of the sea, where the greater devour the less. Considering
what an impetuous furious thing, what an ungovernable untameable wild
beast the mob is, when it is up, we shall see reason to acknowledge
God's goodness that we are not always under the tyranny of it. He
stills the noise of the sea, noise of her waves, and (which is no less
an instance of his almighty power) the tumult of the people, Ps. lxv.
7. [2.] See how many ways God has of protecting his people. Perhaps
this town-clerk was no friend at all to Paul, nor to the gospel he
preached, yet his human prudence is made to serve the divine purpose.
Many are the troubles of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth them
out of them all.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XX.
In this chapter we have, I. Paul's travels up and down about Macedonia,
Greece, and Asia, and his coming at length to Troas, ver. 1-6. II. A
particular account of his spending one Lord's day at Troas, and his
raising Eutychus to life there, ver. 7-12. III. His progress, or
circuit, for the visiting of the churches he had planted, in his way
towards Jerusalem, where he designed to be by the next feast of
pentecost, ver. 13-16. IV. The farewell sermon he preached to the
presbyters at Ephesus, now that he was leaving that country, ver.
17-35. V. The very sorrowful parting between him and them, ver. 36-38.
And in all these we find Paul very busy to serve Christ, and to do good
to the souls of men, not only in the conversion of heathen, but in the
edification of Christians.
Paul's Departure from Ephesus; Paul's Removal to Troas.
1 And after the uproar was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples,
and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia. 2 And when
he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he
came into Greece, 3 And there abode three months. And when the Jews
laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to
return through Macedonia. 4 And there accompanied him into Asia
Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus;
and Gaius of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas. 6 And we sailed away
from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to
Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.
These travels of Paul which are thus briefly related, if all in them
had been recorded that was memorable and worthy to be written in
letters of gold, the world would not contain the books that would have
been written; and therefore we have only some general hints of
occurrences, which therefore ought to be the more precious. Here is,
I. Paul's departure from Ephesus. He had tarried there longer than he
had done at any one place since he had been ordained to the apostleship
of the Gentiles; and now it was time to think of removing, for he must
preach in other cities also; but after this, to the end of the
scripture-history of his life (which is all we can depend upon), we
never find him breaking up fresh ground again, nor preaching the gospel
where Christ had not been named, as hitherto he had done (Rom. xv. 20),
for in the close of the next chapter we find him made a prisoner, and
so continued, and so left, at the end of this book. 1. Paul left
Ephesus soon after the uproar had ceased, looking upon the disturbance
he met with there to be an indication of Providence to him not to stay
there any longer, v. 1. His removal might somewhat appease the rage of
his adversaries, and gain better quarter for the Christians there.
Currenti cede furori--It is good to lie by in a storm. Yet some think
that before he now left Ephesus he wrote the first epistle to the
Corinthians, and that his fighting with beasts at Ephesus, which he
mentions in that epistle, was a figurative description of this uproar;
but I rather take that literally. 2. He did not leave them abruptly and
in a fright, but took leave of them solemnly: He called unto him the
disciples, the principal persons of the congregation, and embraced
them, took leave of them (saith the Syriac) with the kiss of love,
according to the usage of the primitive church. Loving friends know not
how well they love one another till they come to part, and then it
appears how near they lay to one another's hearts.
II. His visitation of the Greek churches, which he had planted, and
more than once watered, and which appear to have laid very near his
heart. 1. He went first to Macedonia (v. 1), according to his purpose
before the uproar (ch. xix. 21); there he visited the churches of
Philippi and Thessalonica, and gave them much exhortation, v. 2. Paul's
visits to his friends were preaching visits, and his preaching was
large and copious: He gave them much exhortation; he had a great deal
to say to them, and did not stint himself in time; he exhorted them to
many duties, in many cases, and (as some read it) with many reasonings.
He enforced his exhortation with a great variety of motives and
arguments. 2. He staid three months in Greece (v. 2, 3), that is, in
Achaia, as some think, for thither also he purposed to go, to Corinth,
and thereabouts (ch. xix. 21), and, no doubt, there also he gave the
disciples much exhortation, to direct and confirm them, and engage them
to cleave to the Lord.
III. The altering of his measures; for we cannot always stand to our
purposes. Accidents unforeseen put us upon new counsels, which oblige
us to purpose with a proviso. 1. Paul was about to sail into Syria, to
Antioch, whence he was first sent out into the service of the Gentiles,
and which therefore in his journeys he generally contrived to take in
his way; but he changed his mind, and resolved to return to Macedonia,
the same way he came. 2. The reason was because the Jews, expecting he
would steer that course as usual, had way-laid him, designing to be the
death of him; since they could not get him out of the way by stirring
up both mobs and magistrates against him, which they had often
attempted, they contrived to assassinate him. Some think they laid wait
for him, to rob him of the money that he was carrying to Jerusalem for
the relief of the poor saints there; but, considering how very spiteful
the Jews were against him, I suppose they thirsted for his blood more
than for his money.
IV. His companions in his travels when he went into Asia; they are here
named, v. 4. Some of them were ministers, whether they were all so or
no is not certain. Sopater of Berea, it is likely, is the same with
Sosipater, who is mentioned Rom. xvi. 21. Timothy is reckoned among
them, for though Paul, when he departed from Ephesus (v. 1), left
Timothy there, and afterwards wrote his first epistle to him thither,
to direct him as an evangelist how to settle the church there, and in
what hands to leave it (see 1 Tim. i. 3; iii. 14, 15), which epistle
was intended for direction to Timothy what to do, not only at Ephesus
where he now was, but also at other places where he should be in like
manner left, or whither he should be sent to reside as an evangelist
(and not to him only, but to the other evangelists that attended Paul,
and were in like manner employed); yet he soon followed him, and
accompanied him, with others here named. Now, one would think, this was
no good husbandry, to have all these worthy men accompanying Paul, for
there was more need of them where Paul was not than where he was; but
so it was ordered, 1. That they might assist him in instructing such as
by his preaching were awakened and startled; wherever Paul came, the
waters were stirred, and then there was need of many hands to help the
cripples in. It was time to strike when the iron was hot. 2. That they
might be trained up by him, and fitted for future service, might fully
know his doctrine and manner of life, 2 Tim. iii. 10. Paul's bodily
presence was weak and despicable, and therefore these friends of his
accompanied him, to put a reputation upon him, to keep him in
countenance, and to intimate to strangers, who would be apt to judge by
the sight of the eye, that he had a great deal in him truly valuable,
which was not discovered upon the outward appearance.
V. His coming to Troas, where he had appointed a general rendezvous of
his friends. 1. They went before, and staid for him at Troas (v. 5),
designing to go along with him to Jerusalem, as Trophimus particularly
did, ch. xxi. 29. We should not think it hard to stay awhile for good
company in a journey. 2. Paul made the best of his way thither; and, it
should seem, Luke was now in company with him; for he says We sailed
from Philippi (v. 6), and the first time we find him in his company was
here at Troas, ch. xvi. 11. The days of unleavened bread are mentioned
only to describe the time, not to intimate that Paul kept the passover
after the manner of the Jews; for just about this time he had written
in his first epistle to the church at Corinth, and taught, that Christs
is our Passover, and a Christian life our feast of unleavened bread (1
Cor. v. 7, 8), and when the substance was come the shadow was done
away. He came to them to Troas, by sea, in five days, and when he was
there staid but seven days. There is no remedy, but a great deal of
time will unavoidably be lost in travelling to and fro, by those who go
about doing good, yet it shall not be put upon the score of lost time.
Paul thought it worth while to bestow five days in going to Troas,
though it was but for an opportunity of seven days' stay there; but he
knew, and so should we, how to redeem even journeying time, and make it
turn to some good account.
Paul Preaches at Troas; The Recovery of Eutychus.
7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together
to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow;
and continued his speech until midnight. 8 And there were many lights
in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together. 9 And there
sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a
deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep,
and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead. 10 And Paul
went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not
yourselves; for his life is in him. 11 When he therefore was come up
again, and had broken bread, and eaten, and talked a long while, even
till break of day, so he departed. 12 And they brought the young man
alive, and were not a little comforted.
We have here an account of what passed at Troas the last of the seven
days that Paul staid there.
I. There was a solemn religious assembly of the Christians that were
there, according to their constant custom, and the custom of all the
churches. 1. The disciples came together, v. 7. Though they read, and
meditated, and prayed, and sung psalms, apart, and thereby kept up
their communion with God, yet that was not enough; they must come
together to worship God in concert, and so keep up their communion with
one another, by mutual countenance and assistance, and testify their
spiritual communion with all good Christians. There ought to be stated
times for the disciples of Christ to come together; though they cannot
all come together in one place, yet as many as can. 2. They came
together upon the first day of the week, which they called the Lord's
day (Rev. i. 10), the Christian sabbath, celebrated to the honour of
Christ and the Holy Spirit, in remembrance of the resurrection of
Christ, and the pouring out of the Spirit, both on the first day of the
week. This is here said to be the day when the disciples came together,
that is, when it was their practice to come together in all the
churches. Note, The first day of the week is to be religiously observed
by all the disciples of Christ; and it is a sign between Christ and
them, for by this it is known that they are his disciples; and it is to
be observed in solemn assemblies, which are, as it were, the courts
held in the name of our Lord Jesus, and to his honour, by his
ministers, the stewards of his courts, to which all that hold from and
under him owe suit and service, and at which they are to make their
appearance, as tenants at their Lord's courts, and the first day of the
week is appointed to be the court-day. 3. They were gathered together
in an upper chamber (v. 8); they had no temple nor synagogue to meet
in, no capacious stately chapel, but met in a private house, in a
garret. As they were few, and did not need, so they were poor, and
could not build, a large meeting-place; yet they came together, in that
despicable inconvenient place. It will be no excuse for our absenting
ourselves from religious assemblies that the place of them is not so
decent nor so commodious as we would have it to be. 4. They came
together to break bread, that is, to celebrate the ordinance of the
Lord's supper, that one instituted sign of breaking the bread being put
for all the rest. The bread which we break is the communion of the body
of Christ, 1 Cor. x. 16. In the breaking of the bread, not only the
breaking of Christ's body for us, to be a sacrifice for our sins, is
commemorated, but the breaking of Christ's body to us, to be food and a
feast for our souls, is signified. In the primitive times it was the
custom of many churches to receive the Lord's supper every Lord's day,
celebrating the memorial of Christ's death in the former, with that of
his resurrection in the latter; and both in concert, in a solemn
assembly, to testify their joint concurrence in the same faith and
worship.
II. In this assembly Paul gave them a sermon, a long sermon, a farewell
sermon, v. 7. 1. He gave them a sermon: he preached to them. Though
they were disciples already, yet it was very necessary they should have
the word of God preached to them, in order to their increase in
knowledge and grace. Observe, The preaching of the gospel ought to
accompany the sacraments. Moses read the book of the covenant in the
audience of the people, and then sprinkled the blood of the covenant,
which the Lord had made with them concerning all these words, Exod.
xxiv. 7, 8. What does the seal signify without a writing? 2. It was a
farewell sermon, he being ready to depart on the morrow. When he was
gone, they might have the same gospel preached, but not as he preached
it; and therefore they must make the best use of him that they could
while they had him. Farewell sermons are usually in a particular manner
affecting both to the preacher and to the hearers. 3. It was a very
long sermon: He continued his speech until midnight; for he had a great
deal to say, and knew not that ever he should have another opportunity
of preaching to them. After they had received the Lord's supper, he
preached to them the duties they had thereby engaged themselves to, and
the comforts they were interested in, and in this he was very large and
full and particular. There may be occasion for ministers to preach, not
only in season, but out of season. We know some that would have
reproached Paul for this as a long-winded preacher, that tired his
hearers; but they were willing to hear: he saw them so, and therefore
continued his speech. He continued it till midnight; perhaps they met
in the evening for privacy, or in conformity to the example of the
disciples who came together on the first Christian sabbath in the
evening. It is probable he had preached to them in the morning, and yet
thus lengthened out his evening sermon even till midnight; we wish we
had the heads of this long sermon, but we may suppose it was for
substance the same with his epistles. The meeting being continued till
midnight, there were candles set up, many lights (v. 8), that the
hearers might turn to the scriptures Paul quoted, and see whether these
things were so; and that this might prevent the reproach of their
enemies, who said they met in the night for works of darkness.
III. A young man in the congregation, that slept at sermon, was killed
by a fall out of the window, but raised to life again; his name
signifies one that had good fortune--Eutychus, bene fortunatus; and he
answered his name. Observe,
1. The infirmity with which he was overtaken. It is probable his
parents brought him, though but a boy, to the assembly, out of a desire
to have him well instructed in the things of God by such a preacher as
Paul. Parents should bring their children to hear sermons as soon as
they can hear with understanding (Neh. viii. 2), even the little ones,
Deut. xxix. 11. Now this youth was to be blamed, (1.) That he
presumptuously sat in the window, unglazed perhaps, and so exposed
himself; whereas, if he could have been content to sit on the floor, he
had been safe. Boys that love to climb, or otherwise endanger
themselves, to the grief of their parents, consider not how much it is
also an offence to God. (2.) That he slept, nay, he fell into a deep
sleep when Paul was preaching, which was a sign he did not duly attend
to the things that Paul spoke of, though they were weighty things. The
particular notice taken of his sleeping makes us willing to hope none
of the rest slept, though it was sleeping time and after supper; but
this youth fell fast asleep, he was carried away with it (so the word
is), which intimates that he strove against it, but was overpowered by
it, and at last sunk down with sleep.
2. The calamity with which he was seized herein: He fell down from the
third loft, and was taken up dead. Some think that the hand of Satan
was in it, by the divine permission, and that he designed it for a
disturbance to this assembly and a reproach to Paul and it. Others
think that God designed it for a warning to all people to take heed of
sleeping when they are hearing the word preached; and certainly we are
to make this use of it. We must look upon it as an evil thing, as a bad
sign of our low esteem of the word of God, and a great hindrance to our
profiting by it. We must be afraid of it, do what we can to prevent our
being sleepy, not compose ourselves to sleep, but get our hearts
affected with the word we hear to such a degree as may drive sleep far
enough. Let us watch and pray, that we enter not into this temptation,
and by it into worse. Let the punishment of Eutychus strike an awe upon
us, and show us how jealous God is in the matters of his worship; Be
not deceived, God is not mocked. See how severely God visited an
iniquity that seemed little, and but in a youth, and say, Who is able
to stand before this holy Lord God? Apply to this story that
lamentation (Jer. ix. 20, 21), Hear the word of the Lord, for death is
come up into our windows, to cut off the children from without and the
young men from the streets.
3. The miraculous mercy shown him in his recovery to life again, v. 10.
It gave a present distraction to the assembly, and an interruption to
Paul's preaching; but it proved an occasion of that which was a great
confirmation to his preaching, and helped to set it home and make it
effectual. (1.) Paul fell on the dead body, and embraced it, thereby
expressing a great compassion to, and an affectionate concern for, this
young man, so far was he from saying, "He was well enough served for
minding so little what I said!" Such tender spirits as Paul had are
much affected with sad accidents of this kind, and are far from judging
and censuring those that fall under them, as if those on whom the tower
of Siloam fell were sinners above all that dwelt at Jerusalem; I tell
you, nay. But this was not all; his falling on him and embracing him
were in imitation of Elijah (1 Kings xvii. 21), and Elisha (2 Kings iv.
34), in order to the raising of him to life again; not that this could
as a means contribute any thing to it, but as a sign it represented the
descent of that divine power upon the dead body, for the putting of
life into it again, which at the same time he inwardly, earnestly, and
in faith prayed for. (2.) He assured them that he had returned to life,
and it would appear presently. Various speculations, we may suppose,
this ill accident had occasioned in the congregation, but Paul puts an
end to them all: "Trouble not yourselves, be not in any disorder about
it, let it not put you into any hurry, for his life is in him; he is
not dead, but sleepeth: lay him awhile upon a bed, and he will come to
himself, for he is now alive." Thus, when Christ raised Lazarus, he
said, Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. (3.) He returned to
his work immediately after this interruption (v. 11): He came up again
to the meeting, they broke bread together in a love-feast, which
usually attended the eucharist, in token of their communion with each
other, and for the confirmation of friendship among them; and they
talked a long while, even till break of day. Paul did not now go on in
a continued discourse, as before, but he and his friends fell into a
free conversation, the subject of which, no doubt, was good, and to the
use of edifying. Christian conference is an excellent means of
promoting holiness, comfort, and Christian love. They knew not when
they should have Paul's company again, and therefore made the best use
they could of it when they had it, and reckoned a night's sleep well
lost for that purpose. (4.) Before they parted they brought the young
man alive into the congregation, every one congratulating him upon his
return to life from the dead, and they were not a little comforted, v.
12. It was matter of great rejoicing among them, not only to the
relations of the young man, but to the whole society, as it not only
prevented the reproach that would otherwise have been cast upon them,
but contributed very much to the credit of the gospel.
Paul on a Voyage.
13 And we went before to ship, and sailed unto Assos, there intending
to take in Paul: for so had he appointed, minding himself to go afoot.
14 And when he met with us at Assos, we took him in, and came to
Mitylene. 15 And we sailed thence, and came the next day over against
Chios; and the next day we arrived at Samos, and tarried at Trogyllium;
and the next day we came to Miletus. 16 For Paul had determined to
sail by Ephesus, because he would not spend the time in Asia: for he
hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem the day of
Pentecost.
Paul is hastening towards Jerusalem, but strives to do all the good he
can by the way, os en parodo, "as it were by the by." He had called at
Troas, and done good there; and now he makes a sort of coasting voyage,
the merchants would call it a trading voyage, going from place to
place, and no doubt endeavouring to make every place he came to the
better for him, as every good man should do.
I. He sent his companions by sea to Assos, but he himself was minded to
go afoot, v. 13. He had decreed or determined within himself that
whatever importunity should be used with him to the contrary, urging
either his ease or his credit, or the conveniency of a ship that
offered itself, or the company of his friends, he would foot it to
Assos: and, if the land-way which Paul took was the shorter way, yet it
is taken notice of by the ancients as a rough way (Homer, Iliad 6, and
Eustathius upon him, say, it was enough to kill one to go on foot to
Assos.--Lorin. in locum); yet that way Paul would take, 1. That he
might call on his friends by the way, and do good among them, either
converting sinners or edifying saints; and in both he was serving his
great Master, and carrying on his great work. Or, 2. That he might be
alone, and might have the greater freedom of converse with God and his
own heart in solitude. He loved his companions, and delighted in their
company, yet he would show hereby that he did not need it, but could
enjoy himself alone. Or, 3. That he might inure himself to hardship,
and not seem to indulge his ease. Thus he would by voluntary instances
of mortification and self-denial keep under the body, and bring it into
subjection, that he might make his sufferings for Christ, when he was
called out to them, the more easy, 2 Tim. ii. 3. We should use
ourselves to deny ourselves.
II. At Assos he went on board with his friends. There they took him in;
for by this time he had enough of his walk, and was willing to betake
himself to the other way of travelling; or perhaps he could not go any
further by land, but was obliged to go by water. When Christ sent his
disciples away by ship, and tarried behind himself, yet he came to
them, and they took him in, Mark vi. 45, 51.
III. He made the best of his way to Jerusalem. His ship passed by Chios
(v. 15), touched at Samos (these are places of note among the Greek
writers, both poets and historians); they tarried awhile at Trogyllium,
the sea-port next to Samos; and the next day they came to Miletus, the
sea-port that lay next to Ephesus; for (v. 16) he had determined not to
go to Ephesus at this time, because he could not go thither without
being urged by his friends whose importunity he could not resist, to
make some stay with them there; and, because he was resolved not to
stay, he would not put himself into a temptation to stay; for he
hasted, if it were possible for him, to be at Jerusalem on the day of
pentecost. He had been at Jerusalem about four or five years ago (ch.
xviii. 21, 22), and now he was going thither again to pay his continued
respects to that church, with which he was careful to keep a good
correspondence, that he might not be thought alienated from it by his
commission to preach among the Gentiles. He aimed to be there by the
feast of pentecost because it was a time of concourse, which would give
him an opportunity of propagating the gospel among the Jews and
proselytes, who came from all parts to worship at the feast: and the
feast of pentecost had been particularly made famous among the
Christians by the pouring out of the Spirit. Note, Men of business must
fit themselves, and it will contribute to the expediting of it, to set
time (with submission to Providence) and strive to keep it, contriving
to do that first which we judge to be most needful, and not suffering
ourselves to be diverted from it. It is a pleasure to us to be with our
friends; it diverts us, nothing more; but we must not by it be diverted
from our work. When Paul has a call to Jerusalem, he will not loiter
away the time in Asia, though he had more and kinder friends there.
This is not the world we are to be together in; we hope to be so in the
other world.
Paul's Address to the Elders of Ephesus.
17 And from Miletus he sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the
church. 18 And when they were come to him, he said unto them, Ye
know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I
have been with you at all seasons, 19 Serving the Lord with all
humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations, which befell me
by the lying in wait of the Jews: 20 And how I kept back nothing that
was profitable unto you, but have showed you, and have taught you
publicly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews,
and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our
Lord Jesus Christ. 22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto
Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befal me there: 23 Save
that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and
afflictions abide me. 24 But none of these things move me, neither
count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with
joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to
testify the gospel of the grace of God. 25 And now, behold, I know
that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall
see my face no more. 26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that
I am pure from the blood of all men. 27 For I have not shunned to
declare unto you all the counsel of God. 28 Take heed therefore unto
yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath
made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased
with his own blood. 29 For I know this, that after my departing shall
grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. 30 Also of
your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away
disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the
space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with
tears. 32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of
his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an
inheritance among all them which are sanctified. 33 I have coveted no
man's silver, or gold, or apparel. 34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that
these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were
with me. 35 I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye
ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus,
how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
It should seem the ship Paul and his companions were embarked in for
Jerusalem attended him on purpose, and staid or moved as he pleased;
for when he came to Miletus, he went ashore, and tarried thee so long
as to send for the elders of Ephesus to come to him thither; for if he
had gone up to Ephesus, he could never have got away from them. These
elders, or presbyters, some think, were those twelve who received the
Holy Ghost by Paul's hands, ch. xix. 6. But, besides these, it is
probable that Timothy had ordained other elders there for the service
of that church, and the country about; these Paul sent for, that he
might instruct and encourage them to go on in the work to which they
had laid their hands. And what instructions he gave to them they would
give to the people under their charge.
It is a very pathetic and practical discourse with Paul here takes
leave of these elders, and has in it much of the excellent spirit of
this good man.
I. He appeals to them concerning both his life and doctrine, all the
time he had been in and about Ephesus (v. 18): "You know after what
manner I have been with you, and how I have done the work of an apostle
among you." He mentions this as a confirmation of his commission and
consequently of the doctrine he had preached among them. They all knew
him to be a man of serious, gracious, heavenly spirit, that he was no
designing self-seeking man, as seducers are; he could not have been
carried on with so much evenness and constancy in his services and
sufferings, but by the power of divine grace. The temper of his mind,
and the tenour both of his preaching and conversation, were such as
plainly proved that God was with him of a truth, and that he was
actuated and animated by a better spirit than his own.--He likewise
makes this reference to his own conduct as an instruction to them, in
whose hands the work was now left, to follow his example: "You know
after what manner I have been with you, how I have conducted myself as
a minister; in like manner be you with those that are committed to your
charge when I am gone (Phil. iv. 9), what you have seen in me that is
good do."
1. His spirit and conversation were excellent and exemplary; they knew
after what manner he had been among them, and how he had had his
conversation towards them, in simplicity and godly sincerity (2 Cor. i.
12), how holily, justly, and unblamably he behaved himself, and how
gentle he was towards them, 1 Thess. ii. 7, 10. (1.) He had conducted
himself well all along, from the very first day that he came into
Asia--at all seasons; the manner of his entering in among them was such
as nobody could find fault with. He appeared from the first day they
knew him to be a man that aimed not only to do well, but to do good,
wherever he came. He was a man that was consistent with himself, and
all of a piece; take him where you would he was the same at all
seasons, he did not turn with the wind nor change with the weather, but
was uniform like a die, which, throw it which way you will, lights on a
square side. (2.) He had made it his business to serve the Lord, to
promote the honour of God and the interest of Christ and his kingdom
among them. He never served himself, nor made himself a servant of men,
of their lusts and humours, nor was he a time-server; but he made it
his business to serve the Lord. In his ministry, in his whole
conversation, he proved himself what he wrote himself, Paul a servant
of Jesus Christ, Rom. i. 1. (3.) He had done his work with all humility
of mind--meta pases tapeinophrosynes, that is, in all works of
condescension, modesty, and self-abasement. Though he was one that God
had put a great deal of honour upon, and done a great deal of good by,
yet he never took state upon him, nor kept people at a distance, but
conversed as freely and familiarly with the meanest, for their good, as
if he had stood upon a level with them. He was willing to stoop to any
service, and to make himself and his labours as cheap as they could
desire. Note, Those that would in any office serve the Lord acceptably
to him, and profitably to others, must do it with all humility of mind,
Matt. xx. 26, 27. (4.) He had always been very tender, affectionate,
and compassionate, among them; he had served the Lord with many tears.
Paul was herein like his Master; often in tears; in his praying, he
wept and made supplication, Hos. xii. 5. In his preaching, what he had
told them before he told them again, even weeping, Phil. iii. 18. In
his concern for them, though his acquaintance with them was but of a
late standing, yet so near did they lie to his heart that he wept with
those that wept, and mingled his tears with theirs upon every occasion,
which was very endearing. (5.) He had struggled with many difficulties
among them. He went on in his work in the face of much opposition, many
temptations, trials of his patience and courage, such discouragements
as perhaps were sometimes temptations to him, as to Jeremiah in a like
case to say, I will not speak any more in the name of the Lord, Jer.
xx. 8, 9. These befel him by the lying in wait of the Jews, who still
were plotting some mischief or other against him. Note, Those are the
faithful servants of the Lord that continue to serve him in the midst
of troubles and perils, that care not what enemies they make, so that
they can but approve themselves to their Master, and make him their
friend. Paul's tears were owing to his temptations; his afflictions
helped to excite his good affections.
2. His preaching was likewise such as it should be, v. 20, 21. He came
to Ephesus to preach the gospel of Christ among them, and he had been
faithful both to them and to him that appointed him. (1.) He was a
plain preacher, and one that delivered his message so as to be
understood. This is intimated in two words, I have shown you, and have
taught you. He did not amuse them with nice speculations, nor lead them
into, and then lose them in, the clouds of lofty notions and
expressions; but he showed them the plain truths of the gospel, which
were of the greatest consequence and importance, and taught them as
children are taught. "I have shown you the right way to happiness, and
taught you to go in it." (2.) He was a powerful preacher, which is
intimated in his testifying to them; he preached as one upon oath, that
was himself fully assured of the truth of what he preached and was
desirous to convince them of it and to influence and govern them by it.
He preached the gospel, not as a hawker proclaims news in the street
(it is all one to him whether it be true or false), but as a
conscientious witness gives in his evidence at the bar, with the utmost
seriousness and concern. Paul preached the gospel as a testimony to
them if they received it, but as a testimony against them if they
rejected it. (3.) He was a profitable preacher, one that in all his
preaching aimed at doing good to those he preached to; he studied that
which was profitable unto them, which had a tendency to make them wise
and good, wiser and better, to inform their judgments and reform their
hearts and lives. He preached ta sympheronta, such things as brought
with them divine light, and heat, and power to their souls. It is not
enough not to preach that which is hurtful, which leads into error or
hardens in sin, but we must preach that which is profitable. We do all
things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. Paul aimed to preach not
that which was pleasing, but that which was profitable, and to please
only in order to profit. God is said to teach his people to profit,
Isa. xlviii. 17. Those teach for God that teach people to profit. (4.)
He was a painstaking preacher, very industrious and indefatigable in
his work; he preached publicly, and from house to house. He did not
confine himself to a corner when he had opportunity of preaching in the
great congregation; nor did he confine himself to the congregation when
there was occasion for private and personal instruction. He was neither
afraid nor ashamed to preach the gospel publicly, nor did he grudge to
bestow his pains privately, among a few, when there was occasion for
it. He preached publicly to the flock that came together into the green
pastures, and went from house to house to seek those that were weak and
had wandered, and did not think that the one would excuse him from the
other. Ministers should in their private visits, and as they go from
house to house, discourse of those things which they have taught
publicly, repeat them, inculcate them, and explain them, if it be
needful, asking, Have you understood all these things? And, especially,
they should help persons to apply the truth to themselves and their own
case. (5.) He was a faithful preacher. He not only preached that which
was profitable, but he preached every thing that he thought might be
profitable, and kept back nothing, though the preaching of it might
either cost him more pains or be disobliging to some and expose him to
their ill-will. He declined not preaching whatever he thought might be
profitable, though it was not fashionable, nor to some acceptable. He
did not keep back reproofs, when they were necessary and would be
profitable, for fear of offending; nor did he keep back the preaching
of the cross, though he knew it was to the Jews a stumbling-block and
to the Greeks foolishness, as the Roman missionaries in China lately
did. (6.) He was a catholic preacher. He testified both to the Jews and
also to the Greeks. Though he was born and bred a Jew, and had an
entire affection for that nation, and was trained up in their
prejudices against the Gentiles, yet he did not therefore confine
himself to the Jews and avoid the Gentiles; but preached as readily to
them as to the Jews, and conversed as freely with them. And, on the
other hand, though he was called to be the apostle of the Gentiles, and
the Jews had an implacable enmity against him upon that score, had done
him many an ill turn, and here at Ephesus were continually plotting
against him, yet he did not therefore abandon them as reprobates, but
continued to deal with them for their good. Ministers must preach the
gospel with impartiality; for they are ministers of Christ for the
universal church. (7.) He was a truly Christian evangelical preacher.
He did not preach philosophical notions, or matters of doubtful
disputation, nor did he preach politics, or intermeddle at all with
affairs of state or the civil government; but he preached faith and
repentance, the two great gospel graces, the nature and necessity of
them; these he urged upon all occasions. [1.] Repentance towards God;
that those who by sin had gone away from God, and were going further
and further from him into a state of endless separation from him,
should by true repentance look towards God, turn towards him, move
towards him, and hasten to him. He preached repentance as God's great
command (ch. xvii. 30), which we must obey--that men should repent, and
turn to God, and do works meet for repentance (so he explains it, ch.
xxvi. 20); and he preached it as Christ's gift, in order to the
remission of sins (ch. v. 31), and directed people to look up to him
for it. [2.] Faith towards our Lord Jesus Christ. We must be repentance
look towards God as our end; and by faith towards Christ as our way to
God. Sin must by repentance be abandoned and forsaken, and then Christ
must by faith be relied on for the pardon of sin. Our repentance
towards God is not sufficient, we must have a true faith in Christ as
our Redeemer and Saviour, consenting to him as our Lord and our God.
For there is no coming to God, as penitent prodigals to a Father, but
in the strength and righteousness of Jesus Christ as Mediator.
Such a preacher as this they all knew Paul had been; and, if they will
carry on the same work, they must walk in the same spirit, in the same
steps.
II. He declares his expectation of sufferings and afflictions in his
present journey to Jerusalem, v. 22-24. Let them not think that he
quitted Asia now for fear of persecution; nor, he was so far from
running away like a coward from the post of danger that he was now like
a hero hastening to the high places of the field, where the battle was
likely to be hottest: Now, behold, I go bound in the spirit to
Jerusalem, which may be understood either, (1.) Of the certain
foresight he had of trouble before him. Though he was not yet bound in
body, he was bound in spirit; he was in full expectation of trouble,
and made it his daily business to prepare for it. He was bound in
spirit, as all good Christians are poor in spirit, endeavouring to
accommodate themselves to the will of God if they should be reduced to
poverty. Or, (2.) Of the strong impulse he was under from the Spirit of
God working upon his spirit to go this journey: "I go bound in the
spirit, that is, firmly resolved to proceed, and well assured that it
is by a divine direction and influence that I am so, and not from any
humour or design of my own. I go led by the Spirit, and bound to follow
him wherever he leads me."
1. He does not know particularly the things that shall befal him at
Jerusalem. Whence the trouble shall spring, what shall be the occasion
of it, what the circumstances and to what degree it shall arise, God
had not thought fit to reveal to him. It is good for us to be kept in
the dark concerning future events, that we may be always waiting on God
and waiting for him. When we go abroad, it should be with this thought,
we know not the things that shall befal us, nor what a day, or a night,
or an hour, may bring forth; and therefore must refer ourselves to God,
let him do with us as seemeth good in his eyes, and study to stand
complete in his whole will.
2. Yet he does know in general that thee is a storm before him; for the
prophets in every city he passed through told him, by the Holy Ghost,
that bonds and afflictions awaited him. Besides the common notice given
to all Christians and ministers to expect and prepare for sufferings,
Paul had particular intimations of an extraordinary trouble, greater
and longer than any he had yet met with, that was now before him.
3. He fixes a brave and heroic resolution to go on with his work,
notwithstanding. It was a melancholy peal that was rung in his ears in
every city, that bonds and afflictions did abide him; it was a hard
case for a poor man to labour continually to do good, and to be so ill
treated for his pains. Now it is worth while to enquire how he bore it.
He was flesh and blood as well as other men; he was so, and yet by the
grace of God he was enabled to go on with his work, and to look with a
gracious and generous contempt upon all the difficulties and
discouragements he met with in it. Let us take it from his own mouth
here (v. 24), where he speaks not with obstinacy nor ostentation, but
with a holy humble resolution: "None of these things move me; all my
care is to proceed and to persevere in the way of my duty, and to
finish well." Paul is here an example,
(1.) Of holy courage and resolution in our work, notwithstanding the
difficulties and oppositions we meet with in it; he saw them before
him, but he made nothing of them: None of these things move me; oudenos
logon poioumai--I make no account of them. He did not lay these things
to heart, Christ and heaven lay there. None of these things moved him.
[1.] They did not drive him off from his work; he did not tack about,
and go back again, when he saw the storm rise, but went on resolutely,
preaching there, where he knew how dearly it would cost him. [2.] They
did not deprive him of his comfort, nor make him drive on heavily in
his work. In the midst of troubles he was as one unconcerned. In his
patience he possessed his soul, and, when he was as sorrowful, yet he
was always rejoicing, and in all things more than a conqueror. Those
that have their conversation in heaven can look down, not only upon the
common troubles of this earth but upon the threatening rage and malice
of hell itself, and say that none of these things moved them, as
knowing that none of these things can hurt them.
(2.) Of a holy contempt of life, and the continuance and comforts of
it: Neither count I my life dear to myself. Life is sweet, and is
naturally dear to us. All that a man has will he give for his life; but
all that a man has, and life too, will he give who understands himself
aright and his own interest, rather than lose the favour of God and
hazard eternal life. Paul was of this mind. Though to an eye of nature
life is superlatively valuable, yet to an eye of faith it is
comparatively despicable; it is not so dear but it can be cheerfully
parted with for Christ. This explains Luke xiv. 26, where we are
required to hate our own lives, not in a hasty passion, as Job and
Jeremiah, but in a holy submission to the will of God, and a resolution
to die for Christ rather than to deny him.
(3.) Of a holy concern to go through with the work of life, which
should be much more our care than to secure either the outward comforts
of it or the countenance of it. Blessed Paul counts not his life dear
in comparison with this, and resolves in the strength of Christ, non
propter vitam vivendi perdere causas--that he never will, to save his
life, lose the ends of living. He is willing to spend his life in
labour, to hazard his life in dangerous services, to waste it in
toilsome services; nay, to lay down his life in martyrdom, so that he
may but answer the great intentions of his birth, of his baptism, and
of his ordination to the apostleship. Two things this great and good
man is in care about, and if he gain them it is no matter to him what
becomes of life:--[1.] That he may be found faithful to the trust
reposed in him, that he may finish the ministry which he has received
of the Lord Jesus, may do the work which he was sent into the world
about, or, rather, which he was sent into the church about,--that he
may complete the service of his generation, may make full proof of his
ministry,--that he may go through the business of it, and others may
reap the advantage of it, to the utmost of what was designed,--that he
may, as is said of the two witnesses, finish his testimony (Rev. xi.
7), and may not do his work by halves. Observe, First, The apostleship
was a ministry both to Christ and to the souls of men; and those that
were called to it considered more the ministry of it than the dignity
or dominion of it; and, if the apostles did so, much more ought the
pastors and teachers to do so, and to be in the church as those who
serve. Secondly, This ministry was received from the Lord Jesus. He
entrusted them with it, and from him they received their charge; for
him they do their work, in his name, in his strength; and to him they
must give up their account. It was Christ that put them into the
ministry (1 Tim. i. 12); it is he that carries them on in their
ministry, and from him they have strength to do their service and bear
up under the hardships of it. Thirdly, The work of this ministry was to
testify the gospel of the grace of God, to publish it to the world, to
prove it, and to recommend it; and, being the gospel of the grace of
God, it has enough in it to recommend itself. It is a proof of God's
good-will to us, and a means of his good work in us; it shows him
gracious towards us, and tends to make us gracious, and so is the
gospel of the grace of God. Paul made it the business of his life to
testify this, and desired not to live a day longer than he might be
instrumental to spread the knowledge and savour and power of this
gospel. [2.] That he may finish well. He cares not when the period of
his life comes, nor how, be it ever so soon, ever so sudden, ever so
sad, as to outward circumstances, so that he may but finish his course
with joy. First, He looks upon his life as a course, a race, so the
word is. Our life is a race set before us, Heb. xii. 1. This intimates
that we have our labours appointed us, for we were not sent into the
world to be idle; and our limits appointed us, for we were not sent
into the world to be here always, but to pass through the world, nay,
to run through it, and it is soon run through; I may add, to run the
gauntlet through it. Secondly, He counts upon the finishing of his
course, and speaks of it as sure and near, and that which he had his
thoughts continually upon. Dying is the end of our race, when we come
off either with honour or shame. Thirdly, He is full of care to finish
it well, which implies a holy desire of obtaining and a holy fear of
coming short. "Oh! that I may but finish my course with joy; and then
all will be well, perfectly and eternally well." Fourthly, He thinks
nothing too much to do, nor too hard to suffer, so that he may but
finish well, finish with joy. We must look upon it as the business of
our life to provide for a joyful death, that we may not only die
safely, but die comfortably.
III. Counting upon it that this was the last time they should see him,
he appeals to their consciences concerning his integrity, and demands
of them a testimony to it.
1. He tells them that he was now taking his last leave of them (v. 25):
I know that you all, among whom I have been conversant preaching the
kingdom of God, though you may have letters from me, shall never see my
face again. When any of us part with our friends, we may say, and
should say, "We know not that ever we shall see one another again: our
friends may be removed, or we ourselves may." But Paul here speaks it
with assurance, by the Spirit of prophecy, that these Ephesians should
see his face no more; and we cannot think that he who spoke so
doubtfully of that which he was not sure of (not knowing the things
that shall befal me there, v. 22) would speak this with so much
confidence, especially when he foresaw what a trouble it would be to
his friends here, unless he had had a special warrant from the Spirit
to say it, to whom I think those do wrong who suppose that,
notwithstanding this, Paul did afterwards come to Ephesus, and see them
again. He would never have said thus solemnly, Now, behold, I know it,
if he had not known it for certain. Not but that he foresaw that he had
a great deal of time and work yet before him, but he foresaw that his
work would be cut out for him in other places, and in these parts he
had no more to do. Here he had for a great while gone about preaching
the kingdom of God, preaching down the kingdom of sin and Satan, and
preaching up the authority and dominion of God in Christ, preaching the
kingdom of glory as the end and the kingdom of grace as the way. Many a
time they had been glad to see his face in the pulpit, and saw it as it
had been the face of an angel. If the feet of these messengers of peace
were beautiful upon the mountains, what were their faces? But now they
shall see his face no more. Note, We ought often to think of it, that
those who now are preaching to us the kingdom of God will shortly be
removed and we shall see their faces no more: the prophets, do they
live for ever? Yet a little while is their light with us; it concerns
us therefore to improve it while we have it, that when we shall see
their faces no more on earth, yet we may hope to look them in the face
with comfort in the great day.
2. He appeals to them concerning the faithful discharge of his ministry
among them (v. 26): "Wherefore, seeing my ministry is at an end with
you, it concerns both you and me to reflect, and look back;" and, (1.)
He challenges them to prove him unfaithful, or to have said or done any
thing by which he had made himself accessory to the ruin of any
precious soul: I am pure from the blood of all men, the blood of souls.
This plainly refers to that of the prophet (Ezek. xxxiii. 6), where the
blood of him that perishes by the sword of the enemy is said to be
required at the hand of the unfaithful watchman that did not give
warning: "You cannot say but I have given warning, and therefore no
man's blood can be laid at my door." If a minister has approved himself
faithful, he may have this rejoicing in himself, I am pure from the
blood of all men, and ought to have this testimony from others. (2.) He
therefore leaves the blood of those that perish upon their own heads,
because they had fair warning given them, but they would not take it.
(3.) He charges these ministers to look to it that they took care and
pains, as he had done: "I am pure from the blood of all men, see that
you keep yourselves so too. I take you to record this day"--en te
semeron hemera, "I call this day to witness to you:" so Streso. As
sometimes the heaven and earth are appealed to, so here this day shall
be a witness, this parting day.
3. He proves his own fidelity with this (v. 27): For I have not shunned
to declare unto you all the counsel of God. (1.) He had preached to
them nothing but the counsel of God, and had not added any inventions
of his own; "it was pure gospel, and nothing else, the will of God
concerning your salvation." The gospel is the counsel of God; it is
admirably contrived by his wisdom, it is unalterably determined by his
will, and it is kindly designed by his grace for our glory, 1 Cor. ii.
7. This counsel of God it is the business of ministers to declare as it
is revealed, and not otherwise nor any further. (2.) He had preached to
them the whole counsel of God. As he had preached to them the whole
counsel of God. As he had preached to them the gospel pure, so he had
preached it to them entire; he had gone over a body of divinity among
them, that, having the truths of the gospel opened to them methodically
from first to last in order, they might the better understand them, by
seeing them in their several connections with, and dependences upon,
one another. (3.) He had not shunned to do it; had not wilfully nor
designedly avoided the declaring of any part of the counsel of God. He
had not, to save his own pains, declined preaching upon the most
difficult parts of the gospel, nor, to save his own credit, declined
preaching upon the most plain and easy parts of it; he had not shunned
preaching those doctrines which he knew would be provoking to the
watchful enemies of Christianity, or displeasing to the careless
professors of it, but faithfully took his work before him, whether they
would hear or forbear. And thus it was that he kept himself pure from
the blood of all men.
IV. He charges them as ministers to be diligent and faithful in their
work.
1. He commits the care of the church at Ephesus, that is, the saints,
the Christians that were there and thereabouts (Eph. i. 1), to them,
who, though doubtless they were so numerous that they could not all
meet in one place, but worshipped God in several congregations, under
the conduct of several ministers, are yet called here one flock,
because they not only agreed in one faith, as they did with all
Christian churches, but in many instances they kept up communion one
with another. To these elders or presbyters the apostle here, upon the
actual foresight of his own final leaving them, commits the government
of this church, and tells them that not he, but the Holy Ghost, had
made them overseers, episkopous--bishops of the flock. "You that are
presbyters are bishops of the Holy Ghost's making, that are to take the
oversight of this part of the church of God," 1 Pet. v. 1, 2; Tit. i.
5, 7. While Paul was present at Ephesus, he presided in all the affairs
of that church, which made the elders loth to part with him; but now
this eagle stirs up the nest, flutters over her young; now that they
begin to be fledged they must learn to fly themselves, and to act
without him, for the Holy Ghost had made them overseers. They took not
this honour to themselves, nor was it conferred upon them by any prince
or potentate, but the Holy Ghost in them qualified them for, and
enriched them to, this great undertaking, the Holy Ghost fell upon
them, ch. xix. 6. The Holy Ghost also directed those that chose, and
called, and ordained, them to this work in answer to prayer.
2. He commanded them to mind the work to which they were called.
Dignity calls for duty; if the Holy Ghost has made them overseers of
the flock, that is, shepherds, they must be true to their trust. (1.)
They must take heed to themselves in the first place, must have a very
jealous eye upon all the motions of their own souls, and upon all they
said and did, must walk circumspectly, and know how to behave
themselves aright in the house of God, in which they were now advanced
to the office of stewards: "You have many eyes upon you, some to take
example by you, others to pick quarrels with you, and therefore you
ought to take heed to yourselves." Those are not likely to be skilful
or faithful keepers of the vineyards of others that do not keep their
own. (2.) "Take heed to the flock, to all the flock, some to one part
of it, others to another, according as your call and opportunity are,
but see that no part of it be neglected among you." Ministers must not
only take heed to their own souls, but must have a constant regard to
the souls of those who are under their charge, as shepherds have to
their sheep, that they may receive no damage: "Take heed to all the
flock, that none of them either of themselves wander from the fold or
be seized by the beasts of prey; that none of them be missing, or
miscarry, through your neglect." (3.) They must feed the church of God,
must do all the parts of the shepherd's office, must lead the sheep of
Christ into the green pastures, must lay meat before them, must do what
they can to heal those that are distempered and have no appetite to
their meat, must feed them with wholesome doctrine, with a tender
evangelical discipline, and must see that nothing is wanting that is
necessary in order to their being nourished up to eternal life. There
is need of pastors, not only to gather the church of God by bringing in
of those that are without, but to feed it by building up those that are
within. (4.) They must watch (v. 31), as shepherds keep watch over
their flocks by night, must be awake and watchful, must not give way to
spiritual sloth and slumber, but must stir up themselves to their
business and closely attend it. Watch thou in all things (2 Tim. iv.
5), watch against every thing that will be hurtful to the flock, and
watch to every thing that will be advantageous to it; improve every
opportunity of doing it a kindness.
3. He gives them several good reasons why they should mind the business
of their ministry.
(1.) Let them consider the interest of their Master, and his concern
for the flock that was committed to their charge, v. 28. It is the
church which he has purchased with his own blood. [1.] "It is his own;
you are but his servants to take care of it for him. It is your honour
that you are employed for God, who will own you in his service; but
then your carelessness and treachery are so much the worse if you
neglect your work, for you wrong God and are false to him. From him you
received the trust, and to him you must give up your account, and
therefore take heed to yourselves. And, if it be the church of God, he
expects you should show your love to him by feeding his sheep and
lambs." [2.] He has purchased it. The world is God's by right of
creation, but the church is his by right of redemption, and therefore
it ought to be dear to us, for it was dear to him, because it cost him
dear, and we cannot better show it than by feeding his sheep and his
lambs. [3.] This church of God is what he has purchased; not as Israel
of old, when he gave men for them, and people for their life (Isa.
xliii. 3, 4), but with his own blood. This proves that Christ is God,
for he is called so here, where yet he is said to purchase the church
with his own blood; the blood was his as man, yet so close is the union
between the divine and human nature that it is here called the blood of
God, for it was the blood of him who is God, and his being so put such
dignity and worth into it as made it both a valuable ransom of us from
evil, and a valuable purchase for us of all good, nay, a purchase of us
to Christ, to be to him a peculiar people: Thine they were, and thou
gavest them to me. In consideration of this, therefore, feed the church
of God, because it is purchased at so dear a rate. Did Christ lay down
his life to purchase it, and shall his ministers be wanting in any care
and pains to feed it? Their neglect of its true interest is a contempt
of his blood that purchased it.
(2.) Let them consider the danger that the flock was in of being made a
prey to its adversaries, v. 29, 30. "If the flock be thus precious upon
the account of its relation to God, and its redemption by Christ, then
you are concerned to take heed both to yourselves and to it." Here are
reasons for both. [1.] Take heed to the flock, for wolves are abroad,
that seek to devour (v. 29): I know this, that after my departure
grievous wolves shall enter in among you. First, Some understand it of
persecutors, that will inform against the Christians, and incense the
magistrates against them, and will have no compassion on the flock.
They thought, because, while Paul was with them, the rage of the Jews
was most against him, that, when he had gone out of the country, they
would be quiet: "No," says he, "after my departure you will find the
persecuting spirit still working, therefore take heed to the flock,
confirm them in the faith, comfort and encourage them, that they may
not either leave Christ for fear of suffering or lose their peace and
comfort in their sufferings." Ministers must take a more ordinary care
of the flock in times of persecution. Secondly, It is rather to be
understood of seducers and false teachers. Probably Paul has an eye to
those of the circumcision, who preached up the ceremonial law; these he
calls grievous wolves, for though they came in sheep's clothing, nay,
in shepherds' clothing, they made mischief in the congregations of
Christians, sowed discord among them, drew away many from the pure
gospel of Christ, and did all they could to blemish and defame those
that adhered to it; not sparing the most valuable members of the flock,
stirring up those whom they could influence to bite and devour them
(Gal. v. 15); therefore they are called dogs (Phil. iii. 2), as here
wolves. While Paul was at Ephesus, they kept away, for they durst not
face him; but, when he was gone, then they entered in among them, and
sowed their tares where he had sown the good seed. "Therefore take heed
to the flock, and do all you can to establish them in the truth, and to
arm them against the insinuations of the false teachers." [2.] Take
heed to yourselves, for some shepherds will apostatise (v. 30): "Also
of your ownselves, among the members, nay, perhaps, among the ministers
of your own church, among you that I am now speaking to (though I am
willing to hope it does not go so far as that), shall men arise
speaking perverse things, things contrary to the right rule of the
gospel, and destructive of the great intentions of it. Nay, they will
pervert some sayings of the gospel, and wrest them to make them
patronize their errors, 2 Pet. iii. 16. Even those that were well
thought of among you, and that you had confidence in, will grow proud,
and conceited, and opinionative, and will refine upon the gospel, and
will pretend with more nice and curious speculations to advance you to
a higher form; but it is to draw away disciples after them, to make a
party for themselves, that shall admire them, and be led by them, and
pin their faith upon their sleeve." Some read it, to draw away
disciples after them--those that are already disciples of Christ, draw
them from him to follow them. "Therefore, take heed to yourselves; when
you are told that some of you shall betray the gospel, you are each of
you concerned to ask, Is it I? and to look well to yourselves." This
was there fulfilled in Phygellus and Hermogenes, who turned away from
Paul and the doctrine he had preached (2 Tim. i. 15), and in Hymeneus
and Philetus, who concerning the truth erred, and overthrew the faith
of some (2 Tim. ii. 18), which explains the expression here. But,
though there were some such seducers in the church of Ephesus, yet it
should seem by Paul's Epistle to that church (wherein we do not find
such complaints and reprehensions as we meet with in some other of his
epistles) that that church was not so much infested with false
teachers, at least not so much infected with their false doctrine, as
some other churches were; but its peace and purity were preserved by
the blessing of God on the pains and vigilance of these presbyters, to
whom the apostle, in the actual foresight and consideration of the rise
of heresies and schisms, as well as of his own death, committed the
government of this church.
(3.) Let them consider the great pains that Paul had taken in planting
this church (v. 31): "Remember that for the space of three years" (for
so long he had been preaching in Ephesus, and the parts adjacent) "I
ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears; and be not you
negligent in building upon that foundation which I was so diligent to
lay." [1.] Paul, like a faithful watchman, had warned them, and, by the
warnings he gave men of the danger of their continuing in their Judaism
and heathenism, he prevailed with them to embrace Christianity. [2.] He
warned every one; besides the public warnings he gave in his preaching,
he applied himself to particular persons according as he saw their case
called for it, which he had something to say peculiar to. [3.] He was
constant in giving warning; he warned night and day; his time was
filled up with his work. In the night, when he should have been
reposing himself, he was dealing with those he could not get to speak
with in the day about their souls. [4.] He was indefatigable in it; he
ceased not to warn. Though they were ever so obstinate against his
warnings, yet he did not cease to warn, not knowing but that at length
they might, by the grace of God, be overcome; though they were ever so
pliable to his warnings, yet he did not think this would be a
sufficient excuse for him to desist, but still he warned those that
were righteous as not to turn from their righteousness, as he had
warned them when they were wicked to turn from their wickedness, Ezek.
iii. 18-21. [5.] He spoke to them about their souls with a great deal
of affection and concern: he warned them with tears. As he had served
the Lord, so he had served them, with many tears, v. 19. He warned them
with tears of compassion, thereby showing how much he was himself
affected with their misery and danger in a sinful state and way, that
he might affect them with it. Thus Paul had begun the good work at
Ephesus, thus free had he been of his pains; and why then should they
be sparing of their pains in carrying it on?
V. He recommends them to divine direction and influence (v. 32): "And
now, brethren, having given you this solemn charge and caution, I
commend you to God. Now that I have said what I have to say, The Lord
be with you; I must leave you, but I leave you in good hands." They
were in care what would become of them, how they should go on in their
work, break through their difficulties, and what provision would be
made for them and their families. In answer to all these perplexities,
Paul directs them to look up to God with an eye of faith, and beseeches
God to look down on them with an eye of favour.
1. See here to whom he commends them. He calls them brethren, not only
as Christians, but as ministers, and thereby encourages them to hope in
God, as he had done; for they and he were brethren. (1.) He commends
them to God, begs of God to provide for them, to take care of them, and
to supply all their needs, and encourages them to cast all their care
upon him, with an assurance that he cared for them: "Whatever you want,
go to God, let your eye be ever towards him, and your dependence upon
him, in all your straits and difficulties; and let this be your
comfort, that you have a God to go to, a God all sufficient." I commend
you to God, that is, to his providence, and to the protection and care
of that. It is enough that, from whomsoever we are separated, still we
have God nigh unto us, 1 Pet. iv. 19. (2.) He commends them to the word
of his grace, by which some understand Christ: he is the word (John i.
1), the word of life, because life is treasured up for us in him (1
John i. 1), and in the same sense he is here called the word of God's
grace, because from his fulness we receive grace for grace. He commends
them to Christ, puts them into his hand, as being his servants, whom he
would in a particular manner take care of. Paul commends them not only
to God and to his providence, but to Christ and his grace as Christ
himself did his disciples when he was leaving them: You believe in God,
believe also in me. It comes to much the same thing, if by the word of
his grace we understand the gospel of Christ, for it is Christ in the
word that is nigh unto us for our support and encouragement, and his
word is spirit and life: "You will find much relief by acting faith on
the providence of God, but much more by acting faith on the promises of
the gospel." He commends them to the word of Christ's grace, which he
spoke to his disciples when he sent them forth, the commission he gave
them, with assurance that he would be with them always to the end of
the world: "Take hold of that word, and God give you the benefit and
comfort of it, and you need no more." He commends them to the word of
God's grace, not only as the foundation of their hope and the fountain
of their joy, but as the rule of their walking: "I commend you to God,
as your Master, whom you are to serve, and I have found him a good
Master, and to the word of his grace, as cutting you out your work, and
by which you are to govern yourselves; observe the precepts of this
word, and then live upon the promises of it."
2. See here what he commends them to the word of God's grace for, not
so much for a protection from their enemies, or a provision for their
families, as for the spiritual blessings which they most needed and
ought most to value. They had received the gospel of the grace of God,
and were entrusted to preach it. Now he recommends them to that, (1.)
For their edification: "It is able (the Spirit of grace working with it
and by it) to build you up, and you may depend upon this, while you
keep close to it, and are deriving daily from it. Though you are
already furnished with good gifts, yet this is able to build you up;
there is that in it with which you need to be better acquainted and
more affected." Note, Ministers, in preaching the word of grace, must
aim at their own edification as well as at the edification of others.
The most advanced Christians, while they are in this world, are capable
of growing, and they will find the word of grace to have still more and
more in it to contribute to their growth. It is still able to build
them up. (2.) For their glorification: It is able to give you an
inheritance among all those who are sanctified. The word of God's grace
gives it, not only as it gives the knowledge of it (for life and
immortality are brought to light by the gospel), but as it gives the
promise of it, the promise of a God that cannot lie, and which is yea
and amen in Christ; and by the word, as the ordinary vehicle, the
Spirit of grace is given (ch. x. 44), to be the seal of the promise,
and the earnest of the eternal life promised; and thus it is the word
of God's grace that gives us the inheritance. Note, [1.] Heaven is an
inheritance which gives an indefeasible right to all the heirs; it is
an inheritance like that of the Israelites in Canaan, which was by
promise and yet by lot, but was sure to all the seed. [2.] This
inheritance is entailed upon and secured to all those, and those only,
that are sanctified; for as those cannot be welcome guests to the holy
God, or the holy society above, that are unsanctified, so really heaven
would be no heaven to them; but to all that are sanctified, that are
born again, and on whom the image of God is renewed, it is as sure as
almighty power and eternal truth can make it. Those therefore that
would make out a title to that inheritance must make it sure that they
are among the sanctified, are joined to them and incorporated with
them, and partake of the same image and nature; for we cannot expect to
be among the glorified hereafter unless we be among the sanctified
here.
VI. He recommends himself to them as an example of indifference to this
world, and to every thing in it, which, if they would walk in the same
spirit and in the same steps, they would find to contribute greatly to
their easy and comfortable passage through it. He had recommended them
to God, and to the word of his grace, for spiritual blessings, which,
without doubt, are the best blessings; but what shall they do for food
for their families, an agreeable subsistence for themselves, and
portions for their children? "As to these," Paul says, "do as I did;"
and how was that? He here tells them,
1. That he never aimed at worldly wealth (v. 33): "I have coveted no
man's silver, or gold, or apparel; nor do you, and then you will be
easy." There were many in Ephesus, and many of those that had embraced
the Christian faith, who were rich, had a great deal of money, and
plate, and rich furniture, and wore very good clothes, and made a very
good appearance. Now, (1.) Paul was not ambitious to live like them. We
may take it in this sense: "I never coveted to have so much silver and
gold at command as I see others have, nor to wear such rich clothes as
I see others wear. I neither condemn them nor envy them. I can live
comfortably and usefully without living great." The false apostles
desired to make a fair show in the flesh (Gal. vi. 12), to make a
figure in the world; but Paul did not do so. He knew how to want and
how to be abased. (2.) He was not greedy to receive from them, silver,
or gold, or apparel; so far from being always craving that he was not
so much as coveting, nor desired them to allow him so and so for his
pains among them, but was content with such things as he had; he never
made a gain of them, 2 Cor. xii. 17. He could not only say with Moses
(Num. xvi. 15), and with Samuel (1 Sam. xii. 3, 5), Whose ox have I
taken? Or whom have I defrauded? But, "Whose kindness have I coveted,
or asked? Or to whom have I been burdensome?" He protests against
desiring a gift, Phil. iv. 17.
2. That he had worked for his living, and taken a great deal of pains
to get bread (v. 34) "Yea, you yourselves know, and have been
eye-witnesses of it, that these hands of mine have ministered to my
necessities, and to those that were with me; you have seen me busy
early and late, cutting out tents and making them up;" and, they being
commonly made of leather, it was very hard work. Observe, (1.) Paul was
sometimes reduced to necessities, and the want of the common supports
of life, though he was so great a favourite of Heaven and so great a
blessing to this earth. What an unthinking, unkind, and ungrateful
world is this, that could let such a man as Paul be poor in it! (2.) He
desired no more than to have his necessities supplied; he did not work
at his calling to enrich himself, but to maintain himself with food and
raiment. (3.) When he was to earn his bread, he did it by a manual
occupation. Paul had a head and a tongue that he might have got money
by, but they were these hands, saith he, that ministered to my
necessities. What a pity was it that those hands by the laying on of
which the Holy Ghost had been so often conferred, those hands by which
God had wrought special miracles, and both these at Ephesus too (ch.
xix. 6, 11), should there be obliged to lay themselves to the needle
and shears, the awl and tacking-end, in tent-making, purely to get
bread! Paul puts these presbyters (and others in them) in mind of this,
that they may not think it strange if they be thus neglected, and yet
to go on in their work, and make the best shift they can to live; the
less encouragement they have from men, the more they shall have from
God. (4.) He worked not only for himself, but for the support of those
also that were with him. This was hard indeed. It had better become
them to have worked for him (to maintain him as their tutor) than he
for them. But so it is; those that are willing to take the labouring
oar will find those about them willing they should have it. If Paul
will work for the maintenance of his companions, he is welcome to do
it.
Paul Takes Leave of the Elders of Ephesus.
36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them
all. 37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul's neck, and kissed
him, 38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they
should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
After the parting sermon that Paul preached to the elders of Ephesus,
which was very affecting, we have here the parting prayer and tears,
which were yet more affecting; we can scarcely read the account here
given of them, and meditate upon them with dry eyes.
I. They parted with prayer (v. 36): And, when he had thus spoken, he
kneeled down, and prayed with them all. And, no doubt, it was a prayer
every way suited to the present mournful occasion. He committed them to
God in this prayer, prayed that he would not leave them, but continue
his presence with them. 1. It was a joint prayer. He not only prayed
for them, but prayed with them, prayed with them all; that they might
put up the same petitions for themselves and one another that he put up
to God for them all, and that they might learn what to ask of God for
themselves when he was gone. Public prayers are so far from being
intended to supersede our own secret prayers, and make them needless,
that they are designed to quicken and encourage them, and to direct us
in them. When we are alone we should pray over the prayers that our
ministers have put up with us. 2. It was a humble reverent prayer. This
was expressed by the posture they used: He kneeled down, and prayed
with them, which is the most proper gesture in prayer, and significant
both of adoration and of petition, especially petition for the
forgiveness of sin. Paul used it much: I bow my knees, Eph. iii. 14. 3.
It was a prayer after sermon; and, we may suppose, he prayed over what
he had preached. He had committed the care of the church at Ephesus to
those elders, and now he prays that God would enable them faithfully to
discharge this great trust reposed in them, and would give them those
measures of wisdom and grace which it required; he prayed for the
flock, and all that belonged to it, that the great Shepherd of the
sheep would take care of them all, and keep them from being a prey to
the grievous wolves. Thus he taught these ministers to pray for those
they preached to, that they might not labour in vain. 4. It was a
parting prayer, which might be likely to leave lasting impressions, as
the farewell sermon did. It is good for friends, when they part, to
part with prayer, that by praying together just at parting they may be
enabled to pray the more feelingly one for another when they are
separated, which is one part of our Christian duty, and an improvement
of the communion of saints. The Lord watch between us, and watch over
us both, when we are absent one from the other, is a good parting
prayer (Gen. xxxi. 49), as also that our next meeting may be either
nearer heaven or in heaven. Paul here followed the example of Christ,
who, when he took leave of his disciples, after he had preached to
them, prayed with them all, John xvii. 1.
II. They parted with tears, abundance of tears, and most affectionate
embraces, v. 37, 38. 1. They all wept sorely. We have reason to think
the Paul himself began; though he was determined to go, and saw his
call clear to other work, yet he was sorry in his heart to leave them,
and many a tear it cost him. He that was so often in tears while he was
with them (v. 19, 31), no doubt shed many at parting, so watering what
he had sown among them. But the notice is taken of their tears: They
all wept sorely; there was not a dry eye among them, and it is probable
the affectionate expressions Paul used in prayer set them a-weeping.
These were tears of love and mutual endearment, like those of Jonathan
and David, when they were forced to part, and wept one with another,
until (as if they wept for strife) David exceeded, 1 Sam. xx. 41. 2.
They fell upon Paul's neck, and kissed him, all, one after another,
each bewailing his own loss: "How can I part with this invaluable man,
this blessed Paul," says one, "in whom my life is a manner bound
up?"--"Farewell, my dear friend," says another, "a thousand thanks to
thee, and ten thousand to God for thee, and for all the pains thou hast
taken with me for my good." "And must we part?" says another: "must I
lose my spiritual father, nurse, and guide?"--"What will become of us
now?" says another, "when we shall no more have him to apply to, and
receive direction from? What shall I do, if the Lord take away my
master from my head? My father, my father, the chariots of Israel, and
the horsemen thereof." Note, Those that are most loving are commonly
best beloved. Paul, who was a most affectionate friend himself, had
friends that were very affectionate to him. These tears at parting with
Paul were a grateful return for all the tears he had shed in preaching
to them and praying with them. He that watereth shall be watered also
himself. 3. That which cut them to the heart thus, and made this place
such a Bochim, such a place of weepers, was, that word which Paul
spoke, that he was certain they should see his face no more. If he had
given them directions to follow him, as he did to those that were his
usual companions, or any intimation that he would come hereafter and
make them a visit, they could have borne this parting pretty well; but
when they are told that they shall see his face no more in this world,
that it is a final farewell they are now giving and taking, this makes
it a great mourning; it makes farewell just like a funeral, and puts
them into this passion of weeping. There were other things for which
they sorrowed--that they should lose the benefit of his public
performances, and see him no longer presiding in their assemblies,
should have none of his personal counsels and comforts; and, we hope,
they sorrowed for their own sin, in not profiting more by his labours
while they had him among them, and which had provoked God to order his
remove. But that which gave the most sensible accent to their grief was
that they should see his face no more. When our friends are separated
from us by death, this is the consideration with which we raise up our
mourning, that we shall see their faces no more; but we complain of
this as those that have no hope, for if our friends died in Christ, and
we live to him, they are gone to see God's face, to behold his glory,
with the reflection of which their faces shine, and we hope to be with
them shortly. Though we shall see their faces no more in this world, we
hope to see them again in a better world, and to be there together for
ever and with the Lord.
III. They accompanied him unto the ship, partly to show their respect
for him (they would bring him on his way as far as they could), and
partly that they might have a little more of his company and
conversation; if it must be the last interview, they will have as much
of him as they can, and see the last of him. And we have reason to
think that when they came to the water-side, and he was about to go on
board, their tears and embraces were repeated; for loth to part bids
oft farewell. But this was a comfort to both sides, and soon turned
this tide of passion, that the presence of Christ both went with him
and staid with them.
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A C T S.
CHAP. XXI.
We have, with a great deal of pleasure, attended the apostle in his
travels throughout the Gentile nations to preach the gospel, and have
seen a great harvest of souls gathered in to Christ; there we have seen
likewise what persecutions he endured; yet still out of them all the
Lord presently delivered him, 2 Tim. iii. 11. But now we are to attend
him to Jerusalem, and there into lasting bonds; the days of his service
now seem to be over, and nothing to remain but days of suffering, days
of darkness, for they are many. It is a thousand pities that such a
workman should be laid aside; yet so it is, and we must not only
acquiesce, as his friends then did, saying, "The will of the Lord be
done;" but we must believe, and shall find reason to do so, that Paul
in the prison, and at the bar, is as truly glorifying God, and serving
Christ's interest, as Paul in the pulpit was. In this chapter we have,
I. A journal of Paul's voyage from Ephesus to Cæsarea, the next
sea-port to Jerusalem, some places he touched at, and his landing
there, ver. 1-7. II. The struggles he had with his friends at Cæsarea,
who mightily opposed his going up to Jerusalem, but could not prevail,
ver. 8-14. III. Paul's journey from Cæsarea to Jerusalem, and the kind
entertainment which the Christians there gave him, ver. 15-17. IV. His
compliance with the persuasions of the brethren there, who advised him
so far to compliment the Jews as to go and purify that it might appear
he was no such enemy to the Mosaic rites and ceremonies as he was
reported to be, ver. 18-26. V. The turning of this very thing against
him by the Jews, and the apprehending of him in the temple as a
criminal thereupon, ver. 27-30. VI. The narrow escape he had of being
pulled to pieces by the rabble, and the taking of him into fair and
legal custody by the chief captain, who permitted him to speak for
himself to the people, ver. 31-40. And so we have him made a prisoner,
and shall never have him otherwise to the end of the history of this
book.
Paul's Voyage to Cæsarea; Paul's Arrival at Ptolemais.
1 And it came to pass, that after we were gotten from them, and had
launched, we came with a straight course unto Coos, and the day
following unto Rhodes, and from thence unto Patara: 2 And finding a
ship sailing over unto Phenicia, we went aboard, and set forth. 3 Now
when we had discovered Cyprus, we left it on the left hand, and sailed
into Syria, and landed at Tyre: for there the ship was to unlade her
burden. 4 And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who
said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
5 And when we had accomplished those days, we departed and went our
way; and they all brought us on our way, with wives and children, till
we were out of the city: and we kneeled down on the shore, and prayed.
6 And when we had taken our leave one of another, we took ship; and
they returned home again. 7 And when we had finished our course from
Tyre, we came to Ptolemais, and saluted the brethren, and abode with
them one day.
We may observe here,
I. How much ado Paul had to get clear from Ephesus, intimated in the
first words of the chapter, after we had gotten from them, that is,
were drawn from them as by violence. It was a force put upon both
sides; Paul was loth to leave them, and they were loth to part with
him, and yet there was no remedy, but so it must be. When good people
are taken away by death, they are, as it were, gotten from their
friends here below, who struggled hard to have detained them if
possible.
II. What a prosperous voyage they had thence. Without any difficulty,
they came with a straight course, by direct sailing, to Coos, a famous
Grecian island,--the next day to Rhodes, talked of for the Colossus
there,--thence to Patara, a famous port, the metropolis of Lycia (v.
1); here they very happily found a ship sailing over into Phenicia, the
very course they were steering, v. 2. Providence must be acknowledged
when things happen thus opportunely, and we are favoured by some little
circumstances that contribute to the expediting of our affairs; and we
must say, It is God that maketh our way perfect. This ship that was
bound for Phenicia (that is, Tyre) they took the convenience of, went
on board, and set sail for Tyre. In this voyage they discovered Cyprus,
the island that Barnabas was of, and which he took care of, and
therefore Paul did not visit it, but we left it on the left hand (v.
3), sailed upon the coast of Syria, and at length landed at Tyre, that
celebrated mart of the nations, so it had been, but was now reduced;
yet something of a trade it had still, for there the ship was to unlade
her burden, and did so.
III. The halt that Paul made at Tyre; when he had arrived there, he was
upon the coast of the land of Israel, and found now that he could
compass the remainder of his journey within the time he had fixed.
1. At Tyre he found disciples, some that had embraced the gospel, and
professed the Christian faith. Observe, Wherever Paul came, he enquired
what disciples were there, found them out, and associated with them;
for we know what is the usage with birds of a feather. When Christ was
upon earth, though he went sometimes into the coast of Tyre, yet he
never went thither to preach the gospel there; nor did he think fit to
afford to Tyre and Sidon the advantages which Chorazin and Bethsaida
had, though he knew that if they had had them they would have made a
better improvement of them, Luke x. 13, 14. But, after the enlarging of
the gospel-commission, Christ was preached at Tyre, and had disciples
there; and to this, some think, that prophecy concerning Tyre had
reference (Isa. xxiii. 18), Her merchandise and her hire shall be
holiness to the Lord.
2. Paul, finding those disciples at Tyre, tarried there seven days,
they urging him to stay with them as long as he could. He staid seven
days at Troas (ch. xx. 6), and here so many days at Tyre, that he might
be sure to spend one Lord's day with them, and so might have an
opportunity of preaching publicly among them; for it is the desire of
good men to do good wherever they come, and where we find disciples we
may either benefit them or be benefited by them.
3. The disciples at Tyre were endowed with such gifts that they could
by the Spirit foretel the troubles Paul would meet with at Jerusalem;
for the Holy Ghost witnessed it in every city, ch. xx. 23. Being a
thing that would be so much talked of when it came to pass, God saw fit
to have it much prophesied of before, that people's faith, instead of
being offended, might be confirmed. And withal they were endowed with
such graces that foreseeing his troubles, out of love to him and
concern for the church, especially the churches of the Gentiles, that
could ill spare him, they begged of him that he would not go up to
Jerusalem, for they hoped the decree was conditional: If he go up, he
will come into trouble there; as the prediction to David that the men
of Keilah will deliver him up (that is, if he venture himself with
them); and therefore they said to him, by the Spirit, that he should
not go up, because they concluded it would be most for the glory of God
that he should continue at liberty; and it was not at all their fault
to think so, and consequently to dissuade him; but it was their
mistake, for his trial would be for the glory of God and the
furtherance of the gospel, and he knew it; and the importunity that was
used with him, to dissuade him from it, renders his pious and truly
heroic resolution the more illustrious.
4. The disciples of Tyre, though they were none of Paul's converts, yet
showed a very great respect to Paul, whose usefulness in the church
they had heard so much of when he departed from Tyre. Though they had
had but seven days' acquaintance with him, yet, as if he had been some
great man, they all came together, with their wives and children,
solemnly to take leave of him, to beg his blessing, and to bring him as
far on his way as the sea would permit them. Note, (1.) We should pay
respect, not only to our own ministers, that are over us in the Lord,
and admonish us, and, for their work's sake among us, esteem them
highly in love, but we must, as there is occasion, testify our love and
respect to all the faithful ministers of Christ, both for his sake
whose ministers they are, and for their work's sake among others. (2.)
We must, in a particular manner, honour those whom God hath singularly
honoured, by making them eminently useful in their generation. (3.) It
is good to train up children in a respect to good people and good
ministers. This was particularly remarkable at Tyre, which we have not
met with any where else, that they brought their wives and children to
attend Paul, to do him the more honour and to receive benefit by his
instructions and prayers; and as angry notice was taken of the children
of the idolaters of Bethel, that mocked a prophet, so, no doubt,
gracious notice was taken of the children of the disciples at Tyre,
that honoured an apostle, as Christ accepted the hosannas of the little
children. (4.) We should be good husbands of our opportunities, and
make the utmost we can of them for the good of our souls. They brought
Paul on his way, that they might have so much the more of his company
and his prayers. Some refer us to Ps. xlv. 12, as a prediction of this,
The daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; for it is probable
that they made some presents to Paul at parting, as usual to our
friends that are going to sea, ch. xxviii. 10.
5. They parted with prayer, as Paul and the Ephesians elders had done,
ch. xx. 36. Thus Paul has taught us by example, as well as rule, to
pray always, to pray without ceasing. We kneeled down on the shore and
prayed. Paul prayed for himself, prayed for them, prayed for all the
churches; as he was much in prayer so he was mighty in prayer. They
prayed upon the shore, that their last farewell might be sanctified and
sweetened with prayer. Those that are going to sea should, when they
quit the shore, commit themselves to God by prayer, and put themselves
under his protection, as those that hope, even when they leave the
terra firma, to find firm footing for their faith in the providence and
promise of God. They kneeled down on the shore, though we may suppose
it either stony or dirty, and there prayed. Paul would that men should
pray every where, and so he did himself; and, where he lifted up his
prayer, he bowed his knees. Mr. George Herbert says, Kneeling never
spoiled silk stockings.
6. They parted at last (v. 6): When we had taken our leave one of
another, with the most affectionate embraces and expressions of love
and grief, we took ship to be gone, and they returned home again, each
complaining that this is a parting world. Observe how they disposed of
themselves: "We, that had a journey before us, took ship, thankful that
we had a ship to carry us; and those, who had no occasions to call them
abroad returned home again, thankful that they had a home to go to."
Rejoice Zebulun in thy going out, and Issachar in thy tents. Paul left
his blessing behind him with those that returned home, and those that
staid sent their prayers after those that went to sea.
IV. Their arrival at Ptolemais, which was not far from Tyre (v. 27): We
came to Ptolemais, which some think is the same place with Accho, which
we find in the tribe of Asher, Judg. i. 31. Paul begged leave to go
ashore there, to salute the brethren, to enquire of their state, and to
testify his good will to them; though he could not stay long with them,
yet he would not pass by them without paying his respects to them, and
he abode with them one day, perhaps it was a Lord's day; better a short
stay than no visit.
The Prophecy of Agabus; Paul's Adherence to His Resolution to Visit
Jerusalem.
8 And the next day we that were of Paul's company departed, and came
unto Cæsarea: and we entered into the house of Philip the evangelist,
which was one of the seven; and abode with him. 9 And the same man
had four daughters, virgins, which did prophesy. 10 And as we tarried
there many days, there came down from Judæa a certain prophet, named
Agabus. 11 And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and
bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So
shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and
shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. 12 And when we
heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not
to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep
and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also
to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. 14 And when he
would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be
done.
We have here Paul and his company arrived at length at Cæsarea, where
he designed to make some stay, it being the place where the gospel was
first preached to the Gentiles, and the Holy Ghost fell upon them, ch.
x. 1, 44. Now here we are told,
I. Who it was that entertained Paul and his company at Cæsarea. He
seldom had occasion to go to a public house, but, wherever he came,
some friend or other took him in, and bade him welcome. Observe, those
that had sailed together parted when the voyage was accomplished,
according as their business was. "Those that were concerned in the
cargo staid where the ship was to unlade her burden (v. 3); others,
when they came to Ptolemais, went as their occasions led them; but we
that were of Paul's company went where he went, and came to Cæsarea."
Those that travel together through this world will separate at death,
and then it will appear who are of Paul's company and who are not. Now
at Cæsarea.
1. They were entertained by Philip the evangelist, whom we left at
Cæsarea many years ago, after he had baptized the eunuch (ch. viii.
40), and there we now find him again. (1.) He was originally a deacon,
one of the seven that were chosen to serve tables, ch. vi. 5. (2.) He
was now and had long been an evangelist, one that went about to plant
and water churches, as the apostles did, and gave himself, as they did,
to the word and prayer; thus, having used the office of a deacon well,
he purchased to himself a good degree; and, having been faithful in a
few things, was made ruler over many things. (3.) He had a house at
Cæsarea, fit to entertain Paul and all his company, and he bade him and
them very welcome to it; We entered into the house of Philip the
evangelist, and we abode with him. Thus does it become Christians and
ministers, according as their ability is, to use hospitality one to
another, without grudging, 1 Pet. iv. 9.
2. This Philip had four maiden daughters, who did prophesy, v. 9. It
intimates that they prophesied of Paul's troubles at Jerusalem, as
others had done, and dissuaded him from going; or perhaps they
prophesied for his comfort and encouragement, in reference to the
difficulties that were before him. Here was a further accomplishment of
that prophecy, Joel ii. 28, of such a plentiful pouring out of the
Spirit upon all flesh that their sons and their daughters should
prophesy, that is, foretel things to come.
II. A plain and full prediction of the sufferings of Paul, by a noted
prophet, v. 10, 11. 1. Paul and his company tarried many days at
Cæsarea, perhaps Cornelius was yet living there, and (though Philip
lodged them) yet might be many ways kind to them, and induce them to
stay there. What cause Paul saw to tarry so long there, and to make so
little haste at the latter end of his journey to Jerusalem, when he
seemed so much in haste at the beginning of it, we cannot tell; but we
are sure he did not stay either there or any where else to be idle; he
measured his time by days, and numbered them. 2. Agabus the prophet
came to Cæsarea from Judea; this was he of whom we read before, who
came from Jerusalem to Antioch, to foretel a general famine, ch. xi.
27, 28. See how God dispenseth his gifts variously. To Paul was given
the word of wisdom and knowledge, as an apostle, by the Spirit, and the
gifts of healing; to Agabus, and to Philip's daughters, was given
prophecy, by the same Spirit--the foretelling of things to come, which
came to pass according to the prediction. See 1 Cor. xii. 8, 10. So
that that which was the most eminent gift of the Spirit under the Old
Testament, the foretelling of things to come, was under the New
Testament quite outshone by other gifts, and was bestowed upon those
that were of less note in the church. It should seem as if Agabus came
on purpose to Cæsarea, to meet Paul with this prophetic intelligence.
3. He foretold Paul's bonds at Jerusalem, (1.) By a sign, as the
prophets of old did, Isaiah (ch. xx. 3), Jeremiah (ch. xiii. 1; xxvii.
2), Ezekiel (ch. iv. 1; xii. 3), and many others. Agabus took Paul's
girdle, when he laid it by, or perhaps took it from about him, and with
it bound first his own hands, and then his own feet, or perhaps bound
his hands and feet together; this was designed both to confirm the
prophecy (it was as sure to be done as if it were done already) and to
affect those about him with it, because that which we see usually makes
a greater impression upon us than that which we only hear of. (2.) By
an explication of the sign: Thus saith the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of
prophecy, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this
girdle, and, as they dealt with his Master (Matt. xx. 18, 19), shall
deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles, as the Jews in other places
had all along endeavoured to do, by accusing him to the Roman
governors. Paul had this express warning given him of his troubles,
that he might prepare for them, and that when they came they might be
no surprise nor terror to him; the general notice given us that through
much tribulation we must enter into the kingdom of God should be of the
same use to us.
III. The great importunity which his friends used with him to dissuade
him from going forward to Jerusalem, v. 12. "Not only those of that
place, but we that were of Paul's company, and among the rest Luke
himself, who had heard this often before, and seen Paul's resolution
notwithstanding, besought him with tears that he would not go up to
Jerusalem, but steer his course some other way." Now, 1. Here appeared
a commendable affection to Paul, and a value for him, upon account of
his great usefulness in the church. Good men that are very active
sometimes need to be dissuaded from overworking themselves, and good
men that are very bold need to be dissuaded from exposing themselves
too far. The Lord is for the body, and so we must be. 2. Yet there was
a mixture of infirmity, especially in those of Paul's company, who knew
he undertook this journey by divine direction, and had seen with what
resolution he had before broken through the like opposition. But we see
in them the infirmity incident to us all; when we see trouble at a
distance, and have only a general notice of it, we can make light of
it; but when it comes near we begin to shrink, and draw back. Now that
it toucheth thee thou art troubled, Job iv. 5.
IV. The holy bravery and intrepidity with which Paul persisted in his
resolution, v. 13.
1. He reproves them for dissuading him. Here is a quarrel of love on
both sides, and very sincere and strong affections clashing with each
other. They love him dearly, and therefore oppose his resolution; he
loves them dearly, and therefore chides them for opposing it: What mean
you to weep and to break my heart? They were an offence to him, as
Peter was to Christ, when, in a like case, he said, Master, spare
thyself. Their weeping about him broke his heart. (1.) It was a
temptation to him, it shocked him, it began to weaken and slacken his
resolution, and caused him to entertain thoughts of tacking about: "I
know I am appointed to suffering, and you ought to animate and
encourage me, and to say that which will strengthen my heart; but you,
with your tears, break my heart, and discourage me. What do you mean by
doing thus? Has not our Master told us to take up our cross? And would
you have me to avoid mine?" (2.) It was a trouble to him that they
should so earnestly press him to that in which he could not gratify
them without wronging his conscience. Paul was of a very tender spirit.
As he was much in tears himself, so he had a compassionate regard to
the tears of his friends; they made a great impression upon him, and
would bring him almost to yield to any thing. But now it breaks his
heart, when he is under a necessity of denying the request of his
weeping friends. It was an unkind kindness, a cruel pity, thus to
torment him with their dissuasions, and to add affliction to his grief.
When our friends are called out to sufferings, we shall show our love
rather by comforting them than by sorrowing for them. But observe,
These Christians at Cæsarea, if they could have foreseen the
particulars of that event, the general notice of which they received
with so much heaviness, would have been better reconciled to it for
their own sakes; for, when Paul was made a prisoner at Jerusalem, he
was presently sent to Cæsarea, the very place where he now was (ch.
xxiii. 33), and there he continued at least two years (ch. xxiv. 27),
and he was a prisoner at large, as appears (ch. xxiv. 23), orders being
given that he should have liberty to go among his friends, and his
friends to come to him; so that the church at Cæsarea had much more of
Paul's company and help when he was imprisoned than they could have had
if he had been at liberty. That which we oppose, as thinking it to
operate much against us, may be overruled by the providence of God to
work for us, which is a reason why we should follow providence, and not
fear it.
2. He repeats his resolution to go forward, notwithstanding: "What mean
you to weep thus? I am ready to suffer whatever is appointed for me. I
am fully determined to go, whatever comes of it, and therefore it is to
no purpose for you to oppose it. I am willing to suffer, and therefore
why are you unwilling that I should suffer? Am not I nearest myself,
and fittest to judge for myself? If the trouble found me unready, it
would be a trouble indeed, and you might well weep at the thoughts of
it. But, blessed be God, it does not. It is very welcome to me, and
therefore should not be such a terror to you. For my part, I am ready,"
etoimos echo--I have myself in a readiness, as soldiers for an
engagement. "I expect trouble, I count upon it, it will be no surprise
to me. I was told at first what great things I must suffer," ch. ix.
16. "I am prepared for it, by a clear conscience, a firm confidence in
God, a holy contempt of the world and the body, a lively faith in
Christ, and a joyful hope of eternal life. I can bid it welcome, as we
do a friend that we look for, and have made preparation for. I can,
through grace, not only bear it, but rejoice in it." Now, (1.) See how
far his resolution extends: You are told that I must be bound at
Jerusalem, and you would have me keep away for fear of this. I tell
you, "I am ready not only to be bound, but, if the will of God be so,
to die at Jerusalem; not only to lose my liberty, but to lose my life."
It is our wisdom to think of the worst that may befal us, and to
prepare accordingly, that we may stand complete in all the will of God.
(2.) See what it is that carries him out thus, that makes him willing
to suffer and die: it is for the name of the Lord Jesus. All that a man
has will he give for his life; but life itself will Paul give for the
service and honour of the name of Christ.
V. The patient acquiescence of his friends in his resolution, v. 14. 1.
They submitted to the wisdom of a good man. They had carried the matter
as far as they could with decency; but, "when he would not be
persuaded, we ceased our importunity. Paul knows best his own mind, and
what he has to do, and it becomes us to leave it to himself, and not to
censure him for what he does, nor to say he is rash, and wilful, and
humoursome, and has a spirit of contradiction, as some people are apt
to judge of those that will not do just as they would have them do. No
doubt, Paul has a good reason for his resolution, though he sees cause
to keep it to himself, and God has gracious ends to serve in confirming
him in it." It is good manners not to over-press those in their own
affairs that will not be persuaded. 2. They submitted to the will of a
good God: We ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done. They did not
resolve his resolution into his stubbornness, but into his willingness
to suffer, and God's will that he should. Father in heaven, thy will be
done, as it is a rule to our prayers and to our practice, so it is to
our patience. This may refer, (1.) To Paul's present firmness; he is
inflexible, and unpersuadable, and in this they see the will of the
Lord done. "It is he that has wrought this fixed resolution in him, and
therefore we acquiesce in it." Note, In the turning of the hearts of
our friends or ministers, this way or that way (and it may be quite
another way than we could wish), we should eye the hand of God, and
submit to that. (2.) To his approaching sufferings: "If there be no
remedy, but Paul will run himself into bonds, the will of the Lord
Jesus be done. We have done all that we could do on our parts to
prevent it, and now we leave it to God, we leave it to Christ, to whom
the Father has committed all judgment, and therefore we do, not as we
will, but as he will." Note, When we see trouble coming, and
particularly that of our ministers' being silenced or removed from us,
it becomes us to say, The will of the Lord be done. God is wise, and
knows how to make all work for good, and therefore "welcome his holy
will." Not only, "The will of the Lord must be done, and there is no
remedy;" but, "Let the will of the Lord be done, for his will is his
wisdom, and he doeth all according to the counsel of it; let him
therefore do with us and ours as seemeth good in his eyes." When a
trouble is come, this must allay our griefs, that the will of the Lord
is done; when we see it coming, this must silence our fears, that the
will of the Lord shall be done, to which we must say, Amen, let it be
done.
Paul's Visit to Jerusalem; Paul's Conformity to the Jewish Law.
15 And after those days we took up our carriages, and went up to
Jerusalem. 16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of
Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple,
with whom we should lodge. 17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the
brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in
with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he
had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought
among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they
glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many
thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of
the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the
Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they
ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the
customs. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come
together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this
that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24
Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them,
that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things,
whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou
thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. 25 As touching the
Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe
no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered
to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.
26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them
entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of
purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of
them.
In these verses we have,
I. Paul's journey to Jerusalem from Cæsarea, and the company that went
along with him. 1. They took up their carriages, their bag and baggage,
and as it should seem, like poor travellers or soldiers, were their own
porters; so little had they of change of raiment. Omnia mea mecum
porto--My property is all about me. Some think they had with them the
money that was collected in the churches of Macedonia and Achaia for
the poor saints at Jerusalem. If they could have persuaded Paul to go
some other way, they would gladly have gone along with him; but if,
notwithstanding their dissuasive, he will go to Jerusalem, they do no
say, "Let him go by himself then;" but as Thomas, in a like case, when
Christ would go into danger at Jerusalem, Let us go and die with him,
John xi. 16. Their resolution to cleave to Paul was like that of Ittai
to cleave to David (2 Sam. xv. 21): In what place my Lord the king
shall be, whether in death or life, there also will thy servant be.
Thus Paul's boldness emboldened them. 2. Certain of the disciples of
Cæsarea went along with them. Whether they designed to go however, and
took this opportunity of going with so much good company, or whether
they went on purpose to see if they could do Paul any service and if
possible prevent his trouble, or at least minister to him in it, does
not appear. The less while that Paul is likely to enjoy his liberty the
more industrious they are to improve every opportunity of conversation
with him. Elisha kept close to Elijah when he knew the time was at hand
that he should be taken up. 3. They brought with them an honest old
gentleman that had a house of his own at Jerusalem, in which he would
gladly entertain Paul and his company, one Mnason of Cyprus (v. 16),
with whom we should lodge. Such a great concourse of people there was
to the feast that it was a hard matter to get lodgings; the public
houses would be taken up by those of the better sort, and it was looked
upon as a scandalous thing for those that had private houses to let
their rooms out at those times, but they must freely accommodate
strangers with them. Every one then would choose his friends to be his
guests, and Mnason took Paul and his company to be his lodgers; though
he had heard what trouble Paul was likely to come into, which might
bring those that entertained him into trouble too, yet he shall be
welcome to him, whatever comes of it. This Mnason is called an old
disciple--a disciple from the beginning; some think, one of the seventy
disciples of Christ, or one of the first converts after the pouring out
of the Spirit, or one of the first that was converted by the preaching
of the gospel in Cyprus, ch. xiii. 4. However it was, it seems he had
been long a Christian, and was now in years. Note, It is an honourable
thing to be an old disciple of Jesus Christ, to have been enabled by
the grace of God to continue long in a course of duty, stedfast in the
faith, and growing more and more prudent and experienced to a good old
age. And with these old disciples one would choose to lodge; for the
multitude of their years will teach wisdom.
II. Paul's welcome at Jerusalem. 1. Many of the brethren there received
him gladly, v. 17. As soon as they had notice that he was come to town,
they went to his lodgings at Mnason's house, and congratulated him on
his safe arrival, and told him they were glad to see him, and invited
him to their houses, accounting it an honour to be known to one that
was such an eminent servant of Christ. Streso observes that the word
here used concerning the welcome they gave to the apostles, asmenos
apodechein, is used concerning the welcome of the apostles' doctrine,
ch. ii. 41. They gladly received his word. We think if we had Paul
among us we should gladly receive him; but it is a question whether we
should or no it, having his doctrine, we do not gladly receive that. 2.
They paid a visit to James and the elders of the church, at a
church-meeting (v. 18): "The day following, Paul went unto James, and
took us with him, that were his companions, to introduce us into
acquaintance with the church at Jerusalem." It should seem that James
was now the only apostle that was resident at Jerusalem; the rest had
dispersed themselves to preach the gospel in other places. But still
they forecasted to have an apostle at Jerusalem, perhaps sometimes one
and sometimes another, because there was a great resort thither from
all parts. James was now upon the spot, and all the elders or
presbyters that were the ordinary pastors of the church, both to preach
and govern, were present. Paul saluted them all, paid his respects to
them, enquired concerning their welfare, and gave them the right hand
of fellowship. He saluted them, that is, he wished them all health and
happiness, and prayed to God to bless them. The proper signification of
salutation is, wishing salvation to you: salve, or salus tibi sit; like
peace be unto you. And such mutual salutations, or good wishes, very
well become Christians, in token of their love to each other and joint
regard to God.
III. The account they had from him of his ministry among the Gentiles,
and their satisfaction in it. 1. He gave them a narrative of the
success of the gospel in those countries where he had been employed,
knowing it would be very acceptable to them to hear of the enlarging of
Christ's kingdom: He declared particularly what things God had wrought
among the Gentiles by his ministry, v. 19. Observe how modestly he
speaks, not what things he had wrought (he was but the instrument), but
what God had wrought by his ministry. It was not I, but the grace of
God which was with me. He planted and watered, but God gave the
increase. He declared it particularly, that the grace of God might
appear the more illustrious in the circumstances of his success. Thus
David will tell others what God has done for his soul (Ps. lxvi. 16),
as Paul here what God has done by his hand, and both that their friends
may help them to be thankful. 2. Hence they took occasion to give
praise to God (v. 20): When they heart it, they glorified the Lord.
Paul ascribed it all to God, and to God they gave the praise of it.
They did not break out into high encomiums of Paul, but left it to his
Master to say to him, Well done, good and faithful servant; but they
gave glory to the grace of God, which was extended to the Gentiles.
Note, The conversion of sinners ought to be the matter of our joy and
praise as it is of the angels'. God had honoured Paul more than any of
them, in making his usefulness more extensive, yet they did not envy
him, nor were they jealous of his growing reputation, but, on the
contrary, glorified the Lord. And they could not do more to encourage
Paul to go on cheerfully in his work than to glorify God for his
success in it; for, if God be praised, Paul is pleased.
IV. The request of James and the elders of the church at Jerusalem to
Paul, or their advice rather, that he would gratify the believing Jews
by showing some compliance with the ceremonial law, and appearing
publicly in the temple to offer sacrifice, which was not a thing in
itself sinful; for the ceremonial law, though it was by no means to be
imposed upon the Gentile converts (as the false teachers would have it,
and thereby endeavoured to subvert the gospel), yet it was not become
unlawful as yet to those that had been bred up in the observance of it,
but were far from expecting justification by it. It was dead, but not
buried; dead, but not yet deadly. And, being not sinful, they thought
it was a piece of prudence in Paul to conform thus far. Observe the
counsel they give to Paul herein, not as having authority over him, but
an affection for him.
1. They desired him to take notice of the great numbers there were of
the Jewish converts: Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of the
Jews there are who believe. They called him brother, for they looked
upon him as a joint-commissioner with them in gospel-work. Though they
were of the circumcision and he the apostle of the Gentiles, though
they were conformists and he a nonconformist, yet they were brethren,
and owned the relation. Thou hast been in some of our assemblies, and
seest how numerous they are: how many myriads of Jews believe. The word
signifies, not thousands, but ten thousands. Even among the Jews, who
were most prejudiced against the gospel, yet there were great
multitudes that received it; for the grace of God can break down the
strongest holds of Satan. The number of the names at first was but one
hundred and twenty, yet now many thousands. Let none therefore despise
the day of small things; for, though the beginning be small, God can
make the latter end greatly to increase. Hereby it appeared that God
had not quite cast away his people the Jews, for among them there was a
remnant, an election, that obtained (see Rom. xi. 1, 5, 7): many
thousands that believed. And this account which they could give to Paul
of the success of the gospel among the Jews was, no doubt, as grateful
to Paul as the account which he gave them of the conversion of the
Gentiles was to them; for his heart's desire and prayer to God for the
Jews was that they might be saved.
2. They informed him of a prevailing infirmity these believing Jews
laboured under, of which they could not yet be cured: They are all
zealous of the law. They believe in Christ as the true Messiah, they
rest upon his righteousness and submit to his government; but they know
the law of Moses was of God, they have found spiritual benefit in their
attendance on the institutions of it, and therefore they can by no
means think of parting with it, no, nor of growing cold to it. And
perhaps they urged Christ's being made under the law, and observing it
(which was designed to be our deliverance from the law), as a reason
for their continuance under it. This was a great weakness and mistake,
to be so fond of the shadows when the substance was come, to keep their
necks under a yoke of bondage when Christ had come to make them free.
But see, (1.) The power of education and long usage, and especially of
a ceremonial law. (2.) The charitable allowance that must be made in
consideration of these. These Jews that believed were not therefore
disowned and rejected as no Christians because they were for the law,
nay, were zealous for it, while it was only in their own practice, and
they did not impose it upon others. Their being zealous of the law was
capable of a good construction, which charity would put upon it; and it
was capable of a good excuse, considering what they were brought up in,
and among whom they lived.
3. They gave him to understand that these Jews, who were so zealous of
the law, were ill-affected to him, v. 21. Paul himself, though as
faithful a servant as any Christ ever had, yet could not get the good
word of all that belonged to Christ's family: "They are informed of
thee (and form their opinion of thee accordingly) that thou not only
dost not teach the Gentiles to observe the law, as some would have had
thee (we have prevailed with them to drop that), but dost teach all the
Jews who are dispersed among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, not to
circumcise their children nor to walk after the customs of our nation,
which were of divine appointment, so far as they might be observed even
among the Gentiles, at a distance from the temple,--not to observe the
fasts and feasts of the church, not to wear their phylacteries, nor
abstain from unclean meats." Now, (1.) It was true that Paul preached
the abrogation of the law of Moses, taught them that it was impossible
to be justified by it, and therefore we are not bound up any longer to
the observance of it. But, (2.) It was false that he taught them to
forsake Moses; for the religion he preached tended not to destroy the
law, but to fulfil it. He preached Christ (the end of the law for
righteousness), and repentance and faith, in the exercise of which we
are to make great use of the law. The Jews among the Gentiles whom Paul
taught were so far from forsaking Moses that they never understood him
better, nor ever embraced him so heartily as now when they were taught
to make use of him as a schoolmaster to bring them to Christ. But even
the believing Jews, having got this notion of Paul, that he was an
enemy to Moses, and perhaps giving too much regard to the unbelieving
Jews too, were much exasperated against him. Their ministers, the
elders here present, loved and honoured him, and approved of what he
did, and called him brother, but the people could hardly be induced to
entertain a favourable thought of him; for it is certain the least
judicious are the most censorious, the weak-headed are the hot-headed.
They could not distinguish upon Paul's doctrine as they ought to have
done, and therefore condemned it in the gross, through ignorance.
4. They therefore desired Paul that he would by some public act, now
that he had come to Jerusalem, make it to appear that the charge
against him was false, and that he did not teach people to forsake
Moses and to break the customs of the Jewish church, for he himself
retained the use of them.
(1.) They conclude that something of this kind must be done: "What is
it therefore? What must be done? The multitude will hear that thou art
come to town." This is an inconvenience that attends men of fame, that
their coming and going are taken notice of more than other people's,
and will be talked of, by some for good-will and by others for
ill-will. "When they hear thou art come, they must needs come together,
they will expect that we call them together, to advise with them
whether we should admit thee to preach among us as a brother or no; or,
they will come together of themselves expecting to hear thee." Now
something must be done to satisfy them that Paul does not teach the
people to forsake Moses, and they think it necessary, [1.] For Paul's
sake, that his reputation should be cleared, and that so good a man may
not lie under any blemish, nor so useful a man labour under any
disadvantage which may obstruct his usefulness. [2.] For the people's
sake, that they may not continue prejudiced against so good a man, nor
lose the benefit of his ministry by those prejudices. [3.] For their
own sake, that since they knew it was their duty to own Paul their
doing it might not be turned to their reproach among those that were
under their charge.
(2.) They produce a fair opportunity which Paul might take to clear
himself: "Do this that we say unto thee, take our advice in this case.
We have four men, Jews who believe, of our own churches, and they have
a vow on them, a vow of Nazariteship for a certain time; their time has
now expired (v. 23), and they are to offer their offering according to
the law, when they shave the head of their separation, a he-lamb for a
burnt-offering, a ewe-lamb for a sin-offering, and a ram for a
peace-offering, with other offerings pertinent to them, Num. vi. 13-20.
Many used to do this together, when their vow expired about the same
time, either for the greater expedition or for the greater solemnity.
Now Paul having so far of late complied with the law as to take upon
him the vow of a Nazarite, and to signify the expiration of it by
shaving his head at Cenchrea (ch. xviii. 18), according to the custom
of those who lived at a distance from the temple, they desire him but
to go a little further, and to join with these four in offering the
sacrifices of a Nazarite: 'Purify thyself with them according to the
law; and be willing not only to take that trouble, but to be at charges
with them, in buying sacrifices for this solemn occasion, and to join
with them in the sacrifice." This, they think, will effectually stop
the mouth of calumny, and every one will be convinced that the report
was false, that Paul was not the man he was represented to be, did not
teach the Jews to forsake Moses, but that he himself, being originally
a Jew, walked orderly, and kept the law; and then all would be well.
5. They enter a protestation that this shall be no infringement at all
of the decree lately made in favour of the Gentile converts, nor do
they intend by this in the least to derogate from the liberty allowed
them (v. 25): "As touching the Gentiles who believe, we have written
and concluded, and resolve to abide by it, that they observe no such
things; we would not have them to be bound up by the ceremonial law by
any means, but only that they keep themselves from things offered to
idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication;
but let not them be tied to the Jewish sacrifices or purifications, nor
any of their rites and ceremonies." They knew how jealous Paul was for
the preservation of the liberty of the converted Gentiles, and
therefore expressly covenant to abide by that. Thus far is their
proposal.
V. Here is Paul's compliance with it. He was willing to gratify them in
this matter. Though he would not be persuaded not to go to Jerusalem,
yet, when he was there, he was persuaded to do as they there did, v.
26. Then Paul took the men, as they advised, and the very next day,
purifying himself with them, and not with multitude nor tumult, as he
himself pleads (ch. xxiv. 18), he entered into the temple, as other
devout Jews that came upon such errands did, to signify the
accomplishment of the days of purification to the priests; desiring the
priest would appoint a time when the offering should be offered for
every one of them, one for each. Ainsworth, on Num. vi. 18, quotes out
of Maimonides a passage which gives some light to this: If a man say,
Upon me behalf the oblations of a Nazarite, or, Upon me be half the
shaving of a Nazarite, them he brings half the offerings by what
Nazarite he will, and that Nazarite pays his offering out of that which
is his. So Paul did here; he contributed what he vowed to the offerings
of these Nazarites, and some think bound himself to the law of
Nazariteship, and to an attendance at the temple with fastings and
prayers for seven days, not designing that the offering should be
offered till them, which was what he signified to the priest. Now it
has been questioned whether James and the elders did well to give Paul
this advice, and whether he did well to take it. 1. Some have blamed
this occasional conformity of Paul's, as indulging the Jews too much in
their adherence to the ceremonial law, and a discouragement of those
who stood fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made them free. Was
it not enough for James and the elders of Jerusalem to connive at this
mistake in the Jewish converts themselves, but must they wheedle Paul
to countenance them in it? Had it not been better, when they had told
Paul how zealous the believing Jews were for the law, if they had
desired, whom God had endued with such excellent gifts, to take pains
with their people to convince them of their error, and to show them
that they were made free from the law by their marriage to Christ? Rom.
vii. 4. To urge him to encourage them in it by his example seems to
have more in it of fleshly wisdom than of the grace of God. Surely Paul
knew what he had to do better than they could teach him. But, 2. Others
think the advice was prudent and good, and Paul's following it was
justifiable enough, as the case stood. It was Paul's avowed principle,
To the Jews became I as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews, 1 Cor. ix.
20. He had circumcised Timothy, to please the Jews; though he would not
constantly observe the ceremonial law, yet, to gain an opportunity of
doing good, and to show how far he could comply, he would occasionally
go to the temple and join in the sacrifices there. Those that are weak
in the faith are to be borne with, when those that undermine the faith
must be opposed. It is true, this compliance of Paul's sped ill to him,
for this very thing by which he hoped to pacify the Jews did but
provoke them, and bring him into trouble; yet this is not a sufficient
ground to go upon in condemning it: Paul might do well, and yet suffer
for it. But perhaps the wise God overruled both their advice and Paul's
compliance with it to serve a better purpose than was intended; for we
have reason to think that when the believing Jews, who had endeavoured
by their zeal for the law to recommend themselves to the good opinion
of those who believed not, saw how barbarously they used Paul (who
endeavoured to oblige them), they were by this more alienated from the
ceremonial law than they could have been by the most argumentative or
affecting discourses. They saw it was in vain to think of pleasing men
that would be pleased with nothing else but the rooting out of
Christianity. Integrity and uprightness will be more likely to preserve
us than sneaking compliances. And when we consider what a great trouble
it must needs be to James and the presbyters, in the reflection upon
it, that they had by their advice brought Paul into trouble, it should
be a warning to us not to press men to oblige us by doing any thing
contrary to their own mind.
Paul Seized in the Temple; The Tumult at Jerusalem.
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of
Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and
laid hands on him, 28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the
man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law,
and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and
hath polluted this holy place. 29 (For they had seen before with him
in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had
brought into the temple.) 30 And all the city was moved, and the
people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the
temple: and forthwith the doors were shut. 31 And as they went about
to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all
Jerusalem was in an uproar. 32 Who immediately took soldiers and
centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain
and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul. 33 Then the chief
captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two
chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done. 34 And some
cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could
not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried
into the castle. 35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that
he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people. 36 For
the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him. 37
And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief
captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek? 38
Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar,
and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were
murderers? 39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a
city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean city: and, I beseech thee, suffer
me to speak unto the people. 40 And when he had given him licence,
Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people.
And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the
Hebrew tongue, saying,
We have here Paul brought into a captivity which we are not likely to
see the end of; for after this he is either hurried from one bar to
another, or lies neglected, first in one prison and then in another,
and can neither be tried nor bailed. When we see the beginning of a
trouble, we know not either how long it will last or how it will issue.
I. We have here Paul seized, and laid hold on.
1. He was seized in the temple, when he was there attending the days of
his purifying, and the solemn services of those days, v. 27. Formerly
he had been well known in the temple, but now he had been so long in
his travels abroad that he had become a stranger there; so that it was
not till the seven days were almost ended that he was taken notice of
by those that had an evil eye towards him. In the temple, where he
should have been protected, as in a sanctuary, he was most violently
set upon by those who did what they could to have his blood mingled
with his sacrifices--in the temple, where he should have been welcomed
as one of the greatest ornaments of it that ever had been there since
the Lord of the temple left it. The temple, which they themselves
pretended such a mighty zeal for, yet did they themselves thus profane.
Thus is the church polluted by none more than by popish persecutors,
under the colour of the church's name and interest.
2. The informers against him were the Jews of Asia, not those of
Jerusalem--the Jews of the dispersion, who knew him best, and who were
most exasperated against him. Those who seldom came up to worship at
the temple in Jerusalem themselves, but contentedly lived at a distance
from it, in pursuit of their private advantages, yet appeared most
zealous for the temple, as if thereby they would atone for their
habitual neglect of it.
3. The method they took was to raise the mob, and to incense them
against him. They did not go to the high priest, or the magistrates of
the city, with their charge (probably because they expected not to
receive countenance from them), but they stirred up all the people, who
were at this time more than ever disposed to any thing that was
tumultuous and seditious, riotous and outrageous. Those are fittest to
be employed against Christ and Christianity that are governed least by
reason and most by passion; therefore Paul described the Jewish
persecutors to be not only wicked, but absurd unreasonable men.
4. The arguments wherewith they exasperated the people against him were
popular, but very false and unjust. They cried out, "Men of Israel,
help. If you are indeed men of Israel, true-born Jews, that have a
concern for your church and your country, now is your time to show it,
by helping to seize an enemy to both." Thus they cried after him as
after a thief (Job xxx. 5), or after a mad dog. Note, The enemies of
Christianity, since they could never prove it to be an ill thing, have
been always very industrious, right or wrong, to put it into an ill
name, and so run it down by outrage and outcry. It had become men of
Israel to help Paul, who preached up him who was so much the glory of
his people Israel; yet here the popular fury will not allow them to be
men of Israel, unless they will help against him. This was like, Stop
thief, or Athaliah's cry, Treason, treason; what is wanting in right is
made up in noise.
5. They charge upon him both bad doctrine and bad practice, and both
against the Mosaic ritual.
(1.) They charge upon him bad doctrine; not only that he holds corrupt
opinions himself, but that he vents and publishes them, though not here
at Jerusalem, yet in other places, nay in all places, he teaches all
men, every where; so artfully is the crime aggravated, as if, because
he was an itinerant, he was a ubiquitary: "He spreads to the utmost of
his power certain damnable and heretical positions," [1.] Against the
people of the Jews. He had taught that Jews and Gentiles stand on the
same level before God, and neither circumcision avails any thing nor
uncircumcision; nay, he had taught against the unbelieving Jews that
they were rejected (and therefore had separated from them and their
synagogues), and this is interpreted to be speaking against the whole
nation, as if no doubt but they were the people, and wisdom must die
with them (Job xii. 2), whereas God, though he had cast them off, yet
had not cast away his people, Rom. xi. 1. They were Lo-ammi, not a
people (Hos. i. 9), and yet pretended to be the only people. Those
commonly seem most jealous for the church's name that belong to it in
name only. [2.] Against the law. His teaching men to believe the gospel
as the end of the law, and the perfection of it, was interpreted his
preaching against the law; whereas it was so far from making void the
law that it established it, Rom. iii. 31. [3.] Against this place, the
temple. Because he taught men to pray every where, he was reproached as
an enemy to the temple, and perhaps because he sometimes mentioned the
destruction of Jerusalem and the temple, and of the Jewish nation,
which his Master had foretold. Paul had himself been active in
persecuting Stephen, and putting him to death for words spoken against
this holy place, and now the same thing is laid to his charge. He that
was then made use of as the tool is now set up as the butt of Jewish
rage and malice.
(2.) They charge upon him bad practices. To confirm their charge
against him, as teaching people against this holy place, they charge it
upon him that he had himself polluted it, and by an overt-act showed
his contempt of it, and a design to make it common. He has brought
Gentiles also into the temple, into the inner court of the temple,
which none that were uncircumcised were admitted, under any pretence,
to come into; there was written upon the wall that enclosed this inner
court, in Greek and Latin, It is a capital crime for strangers to
enter.--Josephus Antiq. 15. 417. Paul was himself a Jew, and had right
to enter into the court of the Jews. And they, seeing some with him
there that joined with him in his devotions, concluded that Trophimus
an Ephesian, who was a Gentile, was one of them. Why? Did they see him
there? Truly no; but they had seen him with Paul in the streets of the
city, which was no crime at all, and therefore they affirm that he was
with Paul in the inner court of the temple, which was a heinous crime.
They had seen him with him in the city, and therefore they supposed
that Paul had brought him with him into the temple, which was utterly
false. See here, [1.] Innocency is no fence against calumny and false
accusation. It is no new thing for those that mean honestly, and act
regularly, to have things laid to their charge which they know not, nor
ever thought of. [2.] Evil men dig up mischief, and go far to seek
proofs of their false accusations, as they did here, who, because they
saw a Gentile with Paul in the city, will thence infer that he was with
him in the temple. This was a strained innuendo indeed, yet by such
unjust and groundless suggestions have wicked men thought to justify
themselves in the most barbarous outrages committed upon the excellent
ones of the earth. [3.] It is common for malicious people to improve
that against those that are wise and good with which they thought to
have obliged them and ingratiated themselves with them. Paul thought to
recommend himself to their good opinion by going into the temple, he
had not been so maligned by them. This is the genius of ill-nature; for
my love, they are my adversaries, Ps. cix. 4; lxix. 10.
We have Paul in danger of being pulled in pieces by the rabble. They
will not be at the pains to have him before the high priest, or the
sanhedrim; that is a roundabout way: the execution shall be of a piece
with the prosecution, all unjust and irregular. They cannot prove the
crime upon him, and therefore dare not bring him upon a fair trial;
nay, so greedily do they thirst after his blood that they have not
patience to proceed against him by a due course of law, though they
were ever so sure to gain their point; and therefore, as those who
neither feared God nor regarded man, they resolved to knock him on the
head immediately.
1. All the city was in an uproar, v. 30. The people, who though they
had little holiness themselves, yet had a mighty veneration for the
holy place, when they heard a hue-and-cry from the temple, were up in
arms presently, being resolved to stand by that with their lives and
fortunes. All the city was moved, when they were called to from the
temple, Men of Israel, help, with as much violence as if the old
complaint were revived (Ps. lxxix. 1), O God, the heathen are come into
thine inheritance, thy holy temple have they defiled. Just such a zeal
the Jews here show for God's temple as the Ephesians did for Diana's
temple, when Paul was informed against as an enemy to that (ch. xix.
29): The whole city was full of confusion. But God does not reckon
himself at all honoured by those whose zeal for him transports them to
such irregularities, and who, while they pretend to act for him, act in
such a brutish barbarous manner.
2. They drew Paul out of the temple, and shut the doors between the
outer and inner court of the temple, or perhaps the doors of the outer
court. In dragging him furiously out of the temple, (1.) They showed a
real detestation of him as one not fit to be suffered in the temple,
nor to worship there, nor to be looked upon as a member of the Jewish
nation; as if his sacrifice had been an abomination. (2.) They
pretended a veneration for the temple; like that of good Jehoiada, who
would not have Athaliah to be slain in the house of the Lord, 2 Kings
xi. 15. See how absurd these wicked men were; they condemned Paul for
drawing people from the temple, and yet, when he himself was very
devoutly worshipping in the temple, they drew him out of it. The
officers of the temple shut the doors, either, [1.] Lest Paul should
find means to get back and take hold of the horns of the altar, and so
protect himself by that sanctuary from their rage. Or rather, [2.] Lest
the crowd should by the running in of more to them be thrust back into
the temple, and some outrage should be committed, to the profanation of
that holy place. Those that made no conscience of doing so ill a thing
as the murdering of a good man for well-doing, yet would be thought to
scruple doing it in a holy place, or at a holy time: Not in the temple,
as Not on the feast-day.
3. They went about to kill him (v. 31), for they fell a beating him (v.
32), resolving to beat him to death by blows without number, a
punishment which the Jewish doctors allowed in some cases (not at all
to the credit of their nation), and called the beating of the rebels.
Now was Paul, like a lamb, thrown into a den of lions, and made an easy
prey to them, and, no doubt, he was still of the same mind as when he
said, I am ready not only to be bound, but to die at Jerusalem, to die
so great a death.
III. We have here Paul rescued out of the hands of his Jewish enemies
by a Roman enemy. 1. Tidings were brought of the tumult, and that the
mob was up, to the chief captain of the band, the governor of the
castle, or, whoever he was, the now commander-in-chief of the Roman
forces that were quartered in Jerusalem. Somebody that was concerned
not for Paul, but for the public peace and safety, gave this
information to the colonel, who had always a jealous and watchful eye
upon these tumultuous Jews, and he is the man that must be instrumental
to save Paul's life, when never a friend he had was capable of doing
him any service. 2. The tribune, or chief captain, got his forces
together with all possible expedition, and went to suppress the mob: He
took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. Now at the feast,
as at other such solemn times, the guards were up, and the militia more
within call than at other times, and so he had them near at hand, and
he ran down unto the multitude; for at such times delays are dangerous.
Sedition must be crushed at first, lest it grow headstrong. 3. The very
sight of the Roman general frightened them from beating Paul; for they
knew they were doing what they could not justify, and were in danger of
being called in question for this day's uproar, as the town clerk told
the Ephesians. They were deterred from that by the power of the Romans
from which they ought to have been restrained by the justice of God and
the dread of his wrath. Note, God often makes the earth to help the
woman (Rev. xii. 16), and those to be a protection to his people who
yet have no affection for his people; they have only a compassion for
sufferers, and are zealous for the public peace. The shepherd makes use
even of his dogs for the defence of his sheep. It is Streso's
comparison here. See here how these wicked people were frightened away
at the very sight of the chief captain; for the king that sitteth on
the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. The
governor takes him into custody. He rescued him, not out of a concern
for him, because he thought him innocent, but out of a concern for
justice, because he ought not to be put to death without trial; and
because he knew not how dangerous the consequence might be to the Roman
government of such tumultuous proceedings were not timely suppressed,
nor what such an outrageous people might do if once they knew their own
strength: he therefore takes Paul out of the hands of the mob into the
hands of the law (v. 33): He took him, and commanded him to be bound
with two chains, that the people might be satisfied he did not intend
to discharge him, but to examine him, for he demanded of those who were
so eager against him who he was, and what he had done. This violent
taking of him out of the hands of the multitude, though there was all
the reason in the world for it, yet they laid to the charge of the
chief captain as his crime (ch. xxiv. 7): The chief captain Lysias came
with great violence, and took him out of our hands, which refers to
this rescue as appears by comparing ch. xxiii. 27, 28, where the chief
captain gives an account of it to Felix.
IV. The provision which the chief captain made, with much ado, to bring
Paul to speak for himself. One had almost as good enter into a struggle
with the winds and the waves, as with such a mob as was here got
together; and yet Paul made a shift to get liberty of speech among
them.
1. There was no knowing the sense of the people; for when the chief
captain enquired concerning Paul, having perhaps never heard of his
name before (such strangers were the great ones to the excellent ones
of the earth, and affected to be so), some cried one thing, and some
another, among the multitude; so that it was impossible for the chief
captain to know their mind, when really they knew not either one
another's mind or their own, when every one pretended to give the sense
of the whole body. Those that will hearken to the clamours of the
multitude will know nothing for a certainty, any more than the builders
of Babel, when their tongues were confounded.
2. There was no quelling the rage and fury of the people; for when the
chief captain commanded that Paul should be carried into the castle,
the tower of Antonia, where the Roman soldiers kept garrison, near the
temple, the soldiers themselves had much ado to get him safely thither
out of the noise, the people were so violent (v. 35): When he came upon
the stairs, leading up to the castle, the soldiers were forced to take
him up in their arms, and carry him (which they might easily do, for he
was a little man, and his bodily presence weak), to keep him from the
people, who would have pulled him limb from limb if they could. When
they could not reach him with their cruel hands, they followed him with
their sharp arrows, even bitter words: They followed, crying, Away with
him, v. 36. See how the most excellent persons and things are often run
down by a popular clamour. Christ himself was so, with, Crucify him,
crucify him, though they could not say what evil he had done. Take him
out of the land of the living (so the ancients expound it), chase him
out of the world.
3. Paul at length begged leave of the chief captain to speak to him (v.
37): As he was to be led into the castle, with a great deal of calmness
and composedness in himself, and a great deal of mildness and deference
to those about him, he said unto the chief captain, "May I speak unto
thee? Will it be no offence, nor construed as a breach of rule, if I
give thee some account of myself, since my persecutors can give no
account of me?" What a humble modest question was this! Paul knew how
to speak to the greatest of men, and had many a time spoken to his
betters, yet he humbly begs to leave to speak to this commander, and
will not speak till he has obtained leave: May I speak unto thee?
4. The chief captain tells him what notion he had of him: Canst thou
speak Greek? I am surprised to hear thee speak a learned language; for,
Art not thou that Egyptian who made an uproar? The Jews made the
uproar, and then would have it thought that Paul had given them
occasion for it, by beginning first; for probably some of them
whispered this in the ear of the chief captain. See what false mistaken
notions of good people and good ministers many run away with, and will
not be at the pains to have the mistake rectified. It seems, there had
lately been an insurrection somewhere in that country, headed by an
Egyptian, who took on him to be a prophet. Josephus mentions this
story, that "an Egyptian raised a seditious party, promised to show
them the fall of the walls of Jerusalem from the mount of Olives, and
that they should enter the city upon the ruins." The captain here says
that he led out into the wilderness four thousand men that were
murderers--desperadoes, banditti, raparees, cut-throats. What a
degeneracy was there in the Jewish nation, when there were found there
so many that had such a character, and could be drawn into such an
attempt upon the public peace! But Josephus says that "Felix the Roman
president went out against them, killed four hundred, and took two
hundred prisoners, and the rest were dispersed."--Antiq. 20. 171; Wars
2. 263. And Eusebius speaks of it, Hist. 2. 20. It happened in the
thirteenth year of Claudius, a little before those days, about three
years ago. The ringleader of this rebellion, it seems, had made his
escape, and the chief captain concluded that one who lay under so great
an odium as Paul seemed to lie under, and against whom there was so
great an outcry, could not be a criminal of less figure than this
Egyptian. See how good men are exposed to ill-will by mistake.
5. Paul rectifies his mistake concerning him, by informing him
particularly what he was; not such a vagabond, a scoundrel, a rake, as
that Egyptian, who could give no good account of himself. No: I am a
man who is a Jew originally, and no Egyptian--a Jew both by nation and
religion; I am of Tarsus, a city of Cilicia, of honest parents and a
liberal education (Tarsus was a university), and, besides that, a
citizen of no mean city. Whether he means Tarsus or Rome is not
certain; they were neither of them mean cities, and he was a freeman of
both. Though the chief captain had put him under such an invidious
suspicion, that he was that Egyptian, he kept his temper, did not break
out into any passionate exclamations against the times he lived in or
the men he had to do with, did not render railing for railing, but
mildly denied the charge, and owned what he was.
6. He humbly desired a permission from the chief captain, whose
prisoner he now was, to speak to the people. He does not demand it as a
debt, though he might have done so, but sues for it as a favour, which
he will be thankful for: I beseech thee, suffer me to speak to the
people. The chief captain rescued him with no other design than to give
him a fair hearing. Now, to show that his cause needs no art to give it
a plausible colour, he desires he may have leave immediately to defend
himself; for it needed no more than to be set in a true light; nor did
he depend only on the goodness of his cause, but upon the goodness and
fidelity of his patron, and that promise of his to all his advocates,
that it should be given them in that same hour what they should speak.
7. He obtained leave to plead his own cause, for he needed not to have
counsel assigned him, when the Spirit of the Father was ready to
dictate to him, Matt. x. 20. The chief captain gave him license (v.
40), so that now he could speak with a good grace, and with the more
courage; he had, I will not say that favour, but that justice, done him
by the chief captain, which he could not obtain from his countrymen the
Jews; for they would not hear him, but the captain would, though it
were but to satisfy his curiosity. This licence being obtained, (1.)
The people were attentive to hear: Paul stood on the stairs, which gave
a little man like Zaccheus some advantage, and consequently some
boldness, in delivering himself. A sorry pulpit it was, and yet better
than none; it served the purpose, though it was not, like Ezra's pulpit
of wood, made for the purpose. There he beckoned with the hand unto the
people, made signs to them to be quiet and to have a little patience,
for he had something to say to them; and so far he gained his point
that every one cried hush to his neighbour, and there was made a
profound silence. Probably the chief captain also intimated his charge
to all manner of people to keep silence; if the people were not
required to give audience, it was to no purpose at all that Paul was
allowed to speak. When the cause of Christ and his gospel is to be
pleaded, there ought to be a great silence, that we may give the more
earnest heed, and all little enough. (2.) Paul addressed himself to
speak, well assured that he was serving the interest of Christ's
kingdom as truly and effectually as if he had been preaching in the
synagogue: he spoke unto them in the Hebrew tongue, that is, in their
own vulgar tongue, which was the language of their country, to which he
hereby owned not only an abiding relation, but an abiding respect.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XXII.
In the close of the foregoing chapter we had Paul bound, according to
Agabus's prophecy of the hard usage he should receive from the Jews at
Jerusalem, yet he had his tongue set at liberty, by the permission the
chief captain gave him to speak for himself; and so intent he is upon
using that liberty of speech which is allowed him, to the honour of
Christ and the service of his interest, that he forgets the bonds he is
in, makes no mention of them, but speaks of the great things Christ had
done for him with as much ease and cheerfulness as if nothing had been
done to ruffle him or put him into disorder. We have here, I. His
address to the people, and their attention to it, ver. 1, 2. II. The
account he gives of himself. 1. What a bigoted Jew he had been in the
beginning of his time, ver. 3-5. 2. How he was miraculously converted
and brought over to the faith of Christ, ver. 6-11. 3. How he was
confirmed and baptized by the ministry of Ananias, ver. 12-16. 4. How
he was afterwards called, by an immediate warrant from heaven, to be
the apostle of the Gentiles, ver. 17-21. III. The interruption given
him upon this by the rabble, who could not bear to hear any thing said
in favour of the Gentiles, and the violent passion they flew into upon
it, ver. 22, 23. IV. Paul's second rescue out of the hands of the
rabble, and the further course which the chief captain took to find out
the true reason of this mighty clamour against Paul, ver. 24, 25. V.
Paul's pleading his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was
exempted from this barbarous method of inquisition, ver. 26-29. VI. The
chief captain's removing the cause into the high priest's court, and
Paul's appearing there, ver. 30.
Paul's First Defence.
1 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto
you. 2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to
them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)
Paul had, in the last verse of the foregoing chapter, gained a great
point, by commanding so profound a silence after so loud a clamour. Now
here observe,
I. With what an admirable composure and presence of mind he addresses
himself to speak. Never was poor man set upon in a more tumultuous
manner, nor with more rage and fury; and yet, in what he said, 1. There
appears o fright, but his mind is sedate and composed. Thus he makes
his own words good, None of these things move me; and David's (Ps. iii.
6), I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people that have set
themselves against me round about. 2. There appears no passion. Though
the suggestions against him were all frivolous and unjust, though it
would have vexed any man alive to be charged with profaning the temple
just then when he was contriving and designing to show his respect to
it, yet he breaks out into no angry expressions, but is led as a lamb
to the slaughter.
II. What respectful titles he gives even to those who thus abused him,
and how humbly he craves their attention: "Men, brethren, and fathers,
v. 1. To you, O men, I call; men, that should hear reason, and be ruled
by it; men, from whom one may expect humanity. You, brethren of the
common people; you, fathers of the priests." Thus he lets them know
that he was one of them, and had not renounced his relation to the
Jewish nation, but still had a kindness and concern for it. Note,
Though we must not give flattering titles to any, yet we ought to give
titles of due respect to all; and those we would do good to we should
endeavour not to provoke. Though he was rescued out of their hands, and
was taken under the protection of the chief captain, yet he does not
fall foul upon them, with, Hear now, you rebels; but compliments them
with, Men, brethren, and fathers. And observe, he does not exhibit a
charge against them, does not recriminate, Hear now what I have to say
against you, but, Hear now what I have to say for myself: Hear you my
defence; a just and reasonable request, for every man that is accused
has a right to answer for himself, and has not justice done him if his
answer be not patiently and impartially heard.
III. The language he spoke in, which recommended what he said to the
auditory; He spoke in the Hebrew tongue, that is, the vulgar language
of the Jews, which, at this time, was not the pure Old-Testament
Hebrew, but the Syriac, a dialect of the Hebrew, or rather a corruption
of it, as the Italian of the Latin. However, 1. It showed his continued
respect to his countrymen, the Jews. Though he had conversed so much
with the Gentiles, yet he still retained the Jews' language, and could
talk it with ease; by this it appears he is a Jew, for his speech
betrayeth him. 2. What he said was the more generally understood, for
that was the language every body spoke, and therefore to speak in that
language was indeed to appeal to the people, by which he might have
somewhat to insinuate into their affections; and therefore, when they
heard that he spoke in the Hebrew tongue, they kept the more silence.
How can it be thought people should give any attention to that which is
spoken to them in a language they do not understand? The chief captain
was surprised to hear him speak Greek (ch. xxi. 37), the Jews were
surprised to hear him speak Hebrew, and both therefore think the better
of him. But how would they have been surprised if they had enquired, as
they ought to have done, and found in what variety of tongues the
Spirit gave him utterance! 1 Cor. xiv. 18, I speak with tongues more
than you all. But the truth is, many wise and good men are therefore
slighted only because they are not known.
Paul's First Defence.
3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia,
yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught
according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was
zealous toward God, as ye all are this day. 4 And I persecuted this
way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and
women. 5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the
estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the
brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound
unto Jerusalem, for to be punished. 6 And it came to pass, that, as I
made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly
there shone from heaven a great light round about me. 7 And I fell
unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why
persecutest thou me? 8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he
said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. 9 And
they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they
heard not the voice of him that spake to me. 10 And I said, What
shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into
Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are
appointed for thee to do. 11 And when I could not see for the glory
of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came
into Damascus. 12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law,
having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, 13 Came unto
me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And
the same hour I looked up upon him. 14 And he said, The God of our
fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see
that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. 15 For thou
shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord. 17 And it came to pass, that,
when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple,
I was in a trance; 18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get
thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony
concerning me. 19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and
beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee: 20 And when the
blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and
consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.
21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto
the Gentiles.
Paul here gives such an account of himself as might serve not only to
satisfy the chief captain that he was not that Egyptian he took him to
be, but the Jews also that he was not that enemy to their church and
nation, to their law and temple, they took him to be, and that what he
did in preaching Christ, and particularly in preaching him to the
Gentiles, he did by a divine commission. He here gives them to
understand,
I. What his extraction and education were. 1. That he was one of their
own nation, of the stock of Israel, of the seed of Abraham, a Hebrew of
the Hebrews, not of any obscure family, or a renegado of some other
nation: "No, I am verily a man who is a Jew, aner Ioudaios--a Jewish
man; I am a man, and therefore ought not to be treated as a beast; a
man who is a Jew, not a barbarian; I am a sincere friend to your
nation, for I am one of it, and should defile my own nest if I should
unjustly derogate from the honour of your law and your temple." 2. That
he was born in a creditable reputable place, in Tarsus, a city of
Cilicia, and was by his birth a freeman of that city. He was not born
in servitude, as some of the Jews of the dispersion, it is likely,
were; but he was a gentleman born, and perhaps could produce his
certificate of his freedom in that ancient and honourable city. This
was, indeed, but a small matter to make any boast of, and yet it was
needful to be mentioned at this time to those who insolently trampled
upon him, as if he were to be ranked with the children of fools, yea,
the children of base men, Job xxx. 8. 3. That he had a learned and
liberal education. He was not only a Jew, and a gentleman, but a
scholar. He was brought up in Jerusalem, the principal seat of the
Jewish learning, and at the feet of Gamaliel, whom they all knew to be
an eminent doctor of the Jewish law, of which Paul was designed to be
himself a teacher; and therefore he could not be ignorant of their law,
nor be thought to slight it because he did not know it. His parents had
brought him very young to this city, designing him for a Pharisee; and
some think his being brought up at the feet of Gamaliel intimates, not
only that he was one of his pupils, but that he was, above any other,
diligent and constant in attending his lectures, observant of him, and
obsequious to him, in all he said, as Mary, that sat at Jesus' feet,
and heard his word. 4. That he was in his early days a very forward and
eminent professor of the Jews' religion; his studies and learning were
all directed that way. So far was he from being principled in his youth
with any disaffection to the religious usages of the Jews that there
was not a young man among them who had a greater and more entire
veneration for them than he had, was more strict in observing them
himself, or more hot in enforcing them upon others. (1.) He was an
intelligent professor of their religion, and had a clear head. He
minded his business at Gamaliel's feet, and was there taught according
to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers. What departures he had
made from the law were not owing to any confused or mistaken notions of
it, for he understood it to a nicety, kata akribeian--according to the
most accurate and exact method. He was not trained up in the principles
of the latitudinarians, had nothing in him of a Sadducee, but was of
that sect that was most studious in the law, kept most close to it,
and, to make it more strict than it was, added to it the traditions of
the elders, the law of the fathers, the law which was given to them,
and which they gave to their children, and so it was handed down to us.
Paul had as great a value for antiquity, and tradition, and the
authority of the church, as any of them had; and there was never a Jew
of them all that understood his religion better than Paul did, or could
better give an account of it or a reason for it. (2.) He was an active
professor of their religion, and had a warm heart: I was zealous
towards God, as you all are this day. Many that are very well skilled
in the theory of religion are willing to leave the practice of it to
others, but Paul was as much a zealot as a rabbi. He was zealous
against every thing that the law prohibited, and for every thing that
the law enjoined; and this was zeal towards God, because he thought it
was for the honour of God and the service of his interests; and here he
compliments his hearers with a candid and charitable opinion of them,
that they all were this day zealous towards God; he bears them record
(Rom. x. 2), that they have a zeal for God, but not according to
knowledge. In hating him, and casting him out, they said, Let the Lord
be glorified (Isa. lxvi. 5), and, though this did by no means justify
their rage, yet it enabled those that prayed, Father, forgive them, to
plead, as Christ did, For they know not what they do. And when Paul
owns that he had been zealous for God in the law of Moses, as they were
this day, he intimates his hope that they might be zealous for God, in
Christ, as he was this day.
II. What a fiery furious persecutor he had been of the Christian
religion in the beginning of his time, v. 4, 5. He mentions this to
make it the more plainly and evidently to appear that the change which
was wrought upon him, when he was converted to the Christian faith, was
purely the effect of a divine power; for he was so far from having any
previous inclinations to it, or favourable opinions of it, that
immediately before that sudden change was wrought in him he had the
utmost antipathy imaginable to Christianity, and was filled with rage
against it to the last degree. And perhaps he mentions it to justify
God in his present trouble; how unrighteous soever those were that
persecuted him, God was righteous, who permitted them to do it, for
time was when he was a persecutor; and he may have a further view in it
to invite and encourage those people to repent, for he himself had been
a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and yet obtained mercy. Let us view
Paul's picture of himself when he was a persecutor. 1. He hated
Christianity with a mortal enmity: I persecuted this way unto the
death, that is, "Those that walked in this way I aimed, if possible, to
be the death of." He breathed out slaughter against them, ch. ix. 1.
When they were put to death, he gave his voice against them, ch. xxvi.
10. Nay, he persecuted not only those that walked in this way, but the
way itself, Christianity, which was branded as a byway, a sect; he
aimed to persecute this to the death, to be the ruin of this religion.
He persecuted it to the death, that is, he could have been willing
himself to die in his opposition to Christianity, so some understand
it. He would contentedly have lost his life, and would have thought it
well laid out, in defence of the laws and traditions of the fathers. 2.
He did all he could to frighten people from this way, and out of it, by
binding and delivering into prison both men and women; he filled the
jails with Christians. Now that he himself was bound, he lays a
particular stress upon this part of his charge against himself, that he
had bound the Christians, and carried them to prison; he likewise
reflects upon it with a special regret that he had imprisoned not only
the men, but the women, the weaker sex, who ought to be treated with
particular tenderness and compassion. 3. He was employed by the great
sanhedrim, the high priest, and all the estate of the elders, as an
agent for them, in suppressing this new sect; so much had he already
signalized himself for his zeal against it, v. 5. The high priest can
witness for him that he was ready to be employed in any service against
the Christians. When they heard that many of the Jews at Damascus had
embraced the Christian faith, to deter others from doing the like they
resolved to proceed against them with the utmost severity, and could
not think of a fitter person to be employed in that business, nor one
more likely to go through with it, than Paul. They therefore sent him,
and letters by him, to the Jews at Damascus, here called the brethren,
because they all descended from one common stock, and were of one
family in religion too, ordering them to be assisting to Paul in
seizing those among them that had turned Christians, and bringing them
up prisoners to Jerusalem, in order to their being punished as
deserters from the faith and worship of the God of Israel; and so might
either be compelled to retract, or be put to death for a terror to
others. Thus did Saul make havoc of the church, and was in a fair way,
if he had gone on awhile, to ruin it, and root it out. "Such a one,"
says Paul, "I was at first, just such as you now are. I know the heart
of a persecutor, and therefore pity you, and pray that you may know the
heart of a convert, as God soon made me to do. And who was I that I
could withstand God?"
III. In what manner he was converted and made what he now was. It was
not from any natural or external causes; he did not change his religion
from an affectation of novelty, for he was then as well affected to
antiquity as he used to be; nor did it arise from discontent because he
was disappointed in his preferment, for he was now, more than ever, in
the way of preferment in the Jewish church; much less could it arise
from covetousness, or ambition, or any hope of mending his fortune in
the world by turning Christian, for it was to expose himself to all
manner of disgrace and trouble; nor had he any conversation with the
apostles or any other Christians, by whose subtlety and sophistry he
might be thought to have been wheedled into this change. No, it was the
Lord's doing, and the circumstances of the doing of it were enough to
justify him in the change, to all those who believe there is a
supernatural power; and none can condemn him for it, without reflecting
upon that divine energy by which he was he rein overruled. He relates
the story of his conversion here very particularly, as we had it before
(ch. ix.), aiming to show that it was purely the act of God. 1. He was
a fully bent upon persecuting the Christians just before Christ
arrested him as ever. He made his journey, and was come nigh to
Damascus (v. 6), and had no other thought than to execute the cruel
design he was sent upon; he was not conscious of the least
compassionate relentings towards the poor Christians, but still
represented them to himself as heretics, schismatics, and dangerous
enemies both to church and state. 2. It was a light from heaven that
first startled him, a great light, which shone suddenly round about
him, and the Jews knew that God is light, and his angels angels of
light, and that such a light as this shining at noon, and therefore
exceeding that of the sun, must be from God. Had it shone in upon him
into some private room, there might have been a cheat in it, but it
shone upon him in the open road, at high noon, and so strongly that it
struck him to the ground (v. 7), and all that were with him, ch. xxvi.
14. They could not deny but that surely the Lord was in this light. 3.
It was a voice from heaven that first begat in him awful thoughts of
Jesus Christ, of whom before he had had nothing but hateful spiteful
thoughts. The voice called to him by name, to distinguish him from
those that journeyed with him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And
when he asked, Who art thou, Lord? it was answered, I am Jesus of
Nazareth, whom thou persecutest, v. 8. By which it appeared that this
Jesus of Nazareth, whom they also were now persecuting, was one that
spoke from heaven, and they knew it was dangerous resisting one that
did so, Heb. xii. 25. 4. Lest it should be objected, "How came this
light and voice to work such a change upon him, and not upon those that
journeyed with him?" (though, it is very probable, it had a good effect
upon them, and that they thereupon became Christians), he observes that
his fellow travellers saw indeed the light, and were afraid they should
be consumed with fire from heaven, their own consciences, perhaps, now
telling them that the way they were in was not good, but like Balaam's
when he was going to curse Israel, and therefore they might expect to
meet an angel with a flaming glittering sword; but, though the light
made them afraid, they heard not the voice of him that spoke to Paul,
that is, they did not distinctly hear the words. Now faith comes by
hearing, and therefore that change was now presently wrought upon him
that heard the words, and heard them directed to himself, which was not
wrought upon those who only saw the light; and yet it might afterwards
be wrought upon them too. 5. He assures them that when he was thus
startled he referred himself entirely to a divine guidance; he did not
hereupon presently cry out, "Well, I will be a Christian," but, "What
shall I do, Lord? Let the same voice from heaven that has stopped me in
the wrong way guide me into the right way, v. 10. Lord, tell me what I
shall do, and I will do it." And immediately he had directions to go to
Damascus, and there he should hear further from him that now spoke to
him: "No more needs to be said from heaven, there it shall be told
thee, by a man like thyself, in the name of him that now speaks to
thee, all things which are appointed for thee to do." The extraordinary
ways of divine revelation, by visions, and voices, and the appearance
of angels, were designed, both in the Old Testament and in the New,
only to introduce and establish the ordinary method by the scriptures
and a standing ministry, and therefore were generally superseded when
these were settled. The angel did not preach to Cornelius himself, but
bade him send for Peter; so the voice here tells not Paul what he shall
do, but bids him go to Damascus, and there it shall be told him. 6. As
a demonstration of the greatness of that light which fastened upon him,
he tells them of the immediate effect it had upon his eye-sight (v.
11): I could not see for the glory of that light. It struck him blind
for the present. Nimium sensibile lædit sensum--Its radiance dazzled
him. Condemned sinners are struck blind, as the Sodomites and Egyptians
were, by the power of darkness, and it is a lasting blindness, like
that of the unbelieving Jews; but convinced sinners are struck blind,
as Paul here was, not by darkness, but by light: they are for the
present brought to be at a loss within themselves, but it is in order
to their being enlightened, as the putting of clay upon the eyes of the
blind man was the designed method of his cure. Those that were with
Paul had not the light so directly darted into their faces as Paul had
unto his, and therefore they were not blinded, as he was; yet,
considering the issue, who would not rather have chosen his lot than
theirs? They, having their sight, led Paul by the hand into the city.
Paul, being a Pharisee, was proud of his spiritual eyesight. The
Pharisees said, Are we blind also? John ix. 40. Nay, they were
confident that they themselves were guides to the blind, and lights to
those that were in darkness, Rom. ii. 19. Now Paul was thus struck with
bodily blindness to make him sensible of his spiritual blindness, and
his mistake concerning himself, when he was alive without the law, Rom.
vii. 9.
IV. How he was confirmed in the change he had made, and further
directed what he should do, by Ananias who lived at Damascus.
Observe, 1. The character here given of Ananias. He was not a man that
was any way prejudiced against the Jewish nation or religion, but was
himself a devout man according to the law; if not a Jew by birth, yet
one that had been proselyted to the Jewish religion, and therefore
called a devout man, and thence advanced further to the faith of
Christ; and he conducted himself so well that he had a good report of
all the Jews that dwelt at Damascus. This was the first Christian that
Paul had any friendly communication with, and it was not likely that he
should instil into him any such notions as they suspected him to
espouse, injurious to the law or to this holy place.
2. The cure immediately wrought by him upon Paul's eyes, which miracle
was to confirm Ananias's mission to Paul, and to ratify all that he
should afterwards say to him. He came to him (v. 13); and, to assure
him that he came to him from Christ (the very same who had torn and
would heal him, had smitten, but would bind him up, had taken away his
sight, but would restore it again, with advantage), he stood by him,
and said, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. Power went along with this
word, and the same hour, immediately, he recovered his sight, and
looked up upon him, ready to receive from him the instructions sent by
him.
3. The declaration which Ananias makes to him of the favour, the
peculiar favour, which the Lord Jesus designed him above any other.
(1.) In the present manifestation of himself to him (v. 14): The God of
our fathers has chosen thee. This powerful call is the result of a
particular choice; his calling God the God of our fathers intimates
that Ananias was himself a Jew by birth, that observed the law of the
fathers, and lived upon the promise made unto the fathers; and he gives
a reason why he said Brother Saul, when he speaks of God as the God of
our fathers: This God of our fathers has chosen thee that thou
shouldst, [1.] Know his will, the will of his precept that is to be
done by thee, the will of his providence that is to be done concerning
thee. He hath chosen thee that thou shouldst know it in a more peculiar
manner; not of man nor by man, but immediately by the revelation of
Christ, Gal. i. 1, 12. Those whom God hath chosen he hath chosen to
know his will, and to do it. [2.] That thou shouldst see that Just One,
and shouldst hear the voice of his mouth, and so shouldst know his will
immediately from himself. This was what Paul was, in a particular
manner, chosen to above others; it was a distinguishing favour, that he
should see Christ here upon earth after his ascension into heaven.
Stephen saw him standing at the right hand of God, but Paul saw him
standing at his right hand. This honour none had but Paul. Stephen saw
him, but we do not find that he heard the voice of his mouth, as Paul
did, who says, he was last of all seen of me, as of one born out of due
time, 1 Cor. xv. 8. Christ is here called that Just One; for he is
Jesus Christ the righteous, and suffered wrongfully. Observe, Those
whom God has chosen to know his will must have an eye to Christ, and
must see him, and hear the voice of his mouth; for it is by him that
God has made known his will, his good-will to us, and he has said, Hear
you him.
(2.) In the after-manifestation of himself by him to others (v. 15):
"Thou shalt be his witness, not only a monument of his grace, as a
pillar may be, but a witness viva voce--by word of mouth; thou shalt
publish his gospel, as that which thou hast experienced the power of,
and been delivered into, the mould of; thou shalt be his witness unto
all men, Gentiles as well as Jews, of what thou hast seen and heard,
now at the very first." And finding Paul so particularly relating the
manner of his conversation in his apologies for himself, here and ch.
xxvi., we have reason to think that he frequently related the same
narrative in his preaching for the conversion of others; he told them
what God had done for his soul, to encourage them to hope that he would
do something for their souls.
4. The counsel and encouragement he gave him to join himself to the
Lord Jesus by baptism (v. 16): Arise, and be baptized, He had in his
circumcision been given up to God, but he must now by baptism be given
up to God in Christ--must embrace the Christian religion and the
privileges of it, in submission to the precepts of it. This must now be
done immediately upon his conversion, and so was added to his
circumcision: but to the seed of the faithful it comes in the room of
it; for it is, as that was to Abraham and his believing seed, a seal of
the righteousness which is by faith. (1.) The great gospel privilege
which by baptism we have sealed to us is the remission of sins: Be
baptized and wash away thy sins; that is, "Receive the comfort of the
pardon of thy sins in the through Jesus Christ and lay hold of his
righteousness for that purpose, and receive power against sin for the
mortifying of thy corruption;" for our being washed includes our being
both justified and sanctified, 1 Cor. vi. 11. Be baptized, and rest not
in the sign, but make sure of the thing signified, the putting away of
the filth of sin. (2.) The great gospel duty which by our baptism we
are bound to is to call on the name of the Lord, the Lord Jesus; to
acknowledge him to be our Lord and our God, and to apply to him
accordingly; to give honour to him, to put all our petitions in his
hand. To call on the name of Jesus Christ our Lord (Son of David, have
mercy on us) is the periphrasis of a Christian, 1 Cor. i. 2. We must
wash away our sins, calling on the name of the Lord; that is, we must
seek for the pardon of our sins in Christ's name, and in dependence on
him and his righteousness. In prayer, we must not any longer call God
the God of Abraham, but the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in him
our Father; in every prayer, our eye must be to Christ. (3.) We must do
this quickly. Why tarriest thou? Our covenanting with God in Christ is
needful work, that must not be deferred. The case is so plain that it
is needless to deliberate; and the hazard so great that it is folly to
delay. Why should not that be done at the present time that must be
done some time, or we are undone?
V. How he was commissioned to go and preach the gospel to the Gentiles.
This was the great thing for which they were so angry at him, and
therefore it was requisite he should for this, in a special manner,
produce a divine warrant; and here he does it. This commission he did
not receive presently upon his conversion, for this was at Jerusalem,
whither he did not go till three years after, or more (Gal. i. 18); and
whether it was then, or afterwards, that he had this vision here spoken
of, we are not certain. But, to reconcile them, if possible, to his
preaching the gospel among the Gentiles, he tells them, 1. That he
received his orders to do it when he was at prayer, begging of God to
appoint him his work and to show him the course he should steer; and
(which was a circumstance that would have some weight with those he was
now speaking to) he was at prayer in the temple, which was to be called
a house of prayer for all people; not only in which all people should
pray, but in which all people should be prayed for. Now as Paul's
praying in the temple was an evidence, contrary to their malicious
suggestion, that he had a veneration for the temple, though he did not
make an idol of it as they did; so God's giving him this commission
there in the temple was an evidence that the sending him to the
Gentiles would be no prejudice to the temple, unless the Jews by their
infidelity made it so. Now it would be a great satisfaction to Paul
afterwards, in the execution of this commission, to reflect upon it
that he received it when he was at prayer. 2. He received it in a
vision. He fell into a trance (v. 17), his external senses, for the
present, locked up; he was in an ecstasy, as when he was caught up into
the third heaven, and was not at that time sensible whether he was in
the body or out of the body. In this trance he saw Jesus Christ, not
with the eyes of his body, as at his conversion, but represented to the
eye of his mind (v. 18): I saw him saying unto me. Our eye must be upon
Christ when we are receiving the law from his mouth; and we must not
only hear him speak, but see him speaking to us. 3. Before Christ gave
him a commission to go to the Gentiles, he told him it was to no
purpose for him to think of doing any good at Jerusalem; so that they
must not blame him, but themselves, if he be sent to the Gentiles. Paul
came to Jerusalem full of hopes that, by the grace of God, he might be
instrumental to bring those to the faith of Christ who had stood it out
against the ministry of the other apostles; and perhaps this was what
he was now praying for, that he, having had his education at Jerusalem
and being well known there, might be employed in gathering the children
of Jerusalem to Christ that were not yet gathered, which he thought he
had particular advantages for doing of. But Christ crosses the measures
he had laid: "Make haste," says he, "and get thee quickly out of
Jerusalem;" for, though thou thinkest thyself more likely to work upon
them than others, thou wilt find they are more prejudiced against thee
than against any other, and therefore "will not receive thy testimony
concerning me." As God knows before who will receive the gospel, so he
knows who will reject it. 4. Paul, notwithstanding this, renewed his
petition that he might be employed at Jerusalem, because they knew,
better than any did, what he had been before his conversion, and
therefore must ascribe so great a change in him to the power of
almighty grace, and consequently give the greater regard to his
testimony; thus he reasoned, both with himself and with the Lord, and
thought he reasoned justly (v. 19, 20): "Lord," says he, "they know
that I was once of their mind, that I was as bitter an enemy as any of
them to such as believed on thee, that I irritated the civil power
against them, and imprisoned them, and turned the edge of the spiritual
power against them too, and beat them in every synagogue." And
therefore they will not impute my preaching Christ to education nor to
any prepossession in his favour (as they do that of other ministers),
but will the more readily regard what I say because they know I have
myself been one of them: particularly in Stephen's case; they know that
when he was stoned I was standing by, I was aiding and abetting and
consenting to his death, and in token of this kept the clothes of those
that stoned him. Now "Lord," says he, "if I appear among them,
preaching the doctrine that Stephen preached and suffered for, they
will no doubt receive my testimony." "No," says Christ to him, "they
will not; but will be more exasperated against thee as a deserter from,
than against others whom they look upon only as strangers to, their
constitution." 5. Paul's petition for a warrant to preach the gospel at
Jerusalem is overruled, and he has peremptory orders to go among the
Gentiles (v. 21): Depart, for I will send thee far hence, unto the
Gentiles. Note, God often gives gracious answers to the prayers of his
people, not in the thing itself that they pray for, but in something
better. Abraham prays, O that Ishmael may live before thee; and God
hears him for Isaac. So Paul here prays that he may be an instrument of
converting souls at Jerusalem: "No," says Christ, "but thou shalt be
employed among the Gentiles, and more shall be the children of the
desolate than those of the married wife." It is God that appoints his
labourers both their day and their place, and it is fit they should
acquiesce in his appointment, though it may cross their own
inclinations. Paul hankers after Jerusalem: to be a preacher there was
the summit of his ambition; but Christ designs him greater preferment.
He shall not enter into other men's labours (as the other apostles did,
John iv. 38), but shall break up new ground, and preach the gospel
where Christ was not named, Rom. xv. 20. So often does Providence
contrive better for us than we for ourselves; to the guidance of that
we must therefore refer ourselves. He shall choose our inheritance for
us. Observe, Paul shall not go to preach among the Gentiles without a
commission: I will send thee. And, if Christ send him, his Spirit will
go along with him, he will stand by him, will carry him on, and bear
him out, and give him to see the fruit of his labours. Let not Paul set
his heart upon Jerusalem, for he must be sent far hence; his call must
be quite another way, and his work of another kind. And it might be a
mitigation of the offence of this to the Jews that he did not set up a
Gentile church in the neighbouring nations; others did this in their
immediate vicinity; he was sent to places at a distance, a vast way
off, where what he did could not be thought an annoyance to them.
Now, if they would lay all this together, surely they would see that
they had no reason to be angry with Paul for preaching among the
Gentiles, or construe it as an act of ill-will to his own nation, for
he was compelled to it, contrary to his own mind, by an overruling
command from heaven.
Paul's First Defence.
22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their
voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not
fit that he should live. 23 And as they cried out, and cast off their
clothes, and threw dust into the air, 24 The chief captain commanded
him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined
by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that
stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and
uncondemned? 26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the
chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a
Roman. 27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me,
art thou a Roman? He said, Yea. 28 And the chief captain answered,
With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free
born. 29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have
examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that
he was a Roman, and because he had bound him. 30 On the morrow,
because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of
the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests
and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him
before them.
Paul was going on with this account of himself, had shown them his
commission to preach among the Gentiles without any peevish reflections
upon the Jews, and we may suppose designed next to show how he was
afterwards, by a special direction of the Holy Ghost at Antioch,
separated to this service, how tender he was of the Jews, how
respectful to them, and how careful to give them the precedency in all
places whither he came, and to unite Jews and Gentiles in one body; and
then to show how wonderfully God had owned him, and what good service
had been done to the interest of God's kingdom among men in general,
without damage to any of the true interests of the Jewish church in
particular. But, whatever he designs to say, they resolve he shall say
no more to them: They gave him audience to this word. Hitherto they had
heard him with patience and some attention. But when he speaks of being
sent to the Gentiles, though it was what Christ himself said to him,
they cannot bear it, not so much as to hear the Gentiles named, such an
enmity had they to them, and such a jealousy of them. Upon the mention
of this, they have no manner of patience, but forget all rules of
decency and equity; thus were they provoked to jealousy by those that
were no people, Rom. x. 19.
Now here we are told how furious and outrageous the people were against
Paul, for mentioning the Gentiles as taken into the cognizance of
divine grace, and so justifying his preaching among them.
I. They interrupted him, by lifting up their voice, to put him into
confusion, and that nobody might hear a word he said. Galled
consciences kick at the least touch; and those who are resolved not to
be rules by reason commonly resolve not to hear it if they can help it.
And the spirit of enmity against the gospel of Christ commonly shows
itself in silencing the ministers of Christ and his gospel, and
stopping their mouths, as the Jews did Paul's here. Their fathers had
said to the best of seers, See not, Isa. xxx. 10. And so they to the
best of speakers, Speak not. Forbear, wherefore shouldst thou be
smitten? 2 Chron. xxv. 16.
II. They clamoured against him as one that was unworthy of life, much
more of liberty. Without weighing the arguments he had urged in his own
defence, or offering to make any answer to them, they cried out with a
confused noise, "Away with such a fellow as this from the earth, who
pretends to have a commission to preach to the Gentiles; why, it is not
fit that he should live." Thus the men that have been the greatest
blessings of their age have been represented not only as the burdens of
the earth, but the plague of their generation. He that was worthy of
the greatest honours of life is condemned as not worthy of life itself.
See what different sentiments God and men have of good men, and yet
they both agree in this that they are not likely to live long in this
world. Paul says of the godly Jews that they were men of whom the world
was not worthy, Heb. xi. 38. And therefore they must be removed, that
the world may be justly punished with the loss of them. The ungodly
Jews here say of Paul that it was not fit he should live; and therefore
he must be removed, that the world may be eased of the burden of him,
as of the two witnesses, Rev. xi. 10.
III. They went stark mad against Paul, and against the chief captain
for not killing him immediately at their request, or throwing him as a
pry into their teeth, that they might devour him (v. 23); as men whose
reason was quite lost in passion, they cried out like roaring lions or
raging bears, and howled like the evening wolves; they cast off their
clothes with fury and violence, as much as to say that thus they would
tear him if they could but come at him. Or, rather, they thus showed
how ready they were to stone him; those that stoned Stephen threw off
their clothes, v. 20. Or, they rent their clothes, as if he had spoken
blasphemy; and threw dust into the air, in detestation of it; or
signifying how ready they were to throw stones at Paul, if the chief
captain would have permitted them. But why should we go about to give a
reason for these experiences of fury, which they themselves could not
account for? All they intended was to make the chief captain sensible
how much they were enraged and exasperated at Paul, so that he could
not do any thing to gratify them more than to let them have their will
against him.
IV. The chief captain took care for his safety, by ordering him to be
brought into the castle, v. 24. A prison sometimes has been a
protection to good men from popular rage. Paul's hour was not yet come,
he had not finished his testimony, and therefore God raised up one that
took care of him, when none of his friends durst appear on his behalf.
Grant not, O Lord, the desire of the wicked.
V. He ordered him the torture, to force from him a confession of some
flagrant crimes which had provoked the people to such an uncommon
violence against him. He ordered that he should be examined by
scourging (as now in some countries by the rack), that he might know
wherefore they cried so against him. Herein he did not proceed fairly;
he should have singled out some of the clamorous tumultuous
complainants, and taken them into the castle as breakers of the peace,
and should have examined them, and by scourging too, what they had to
lay to the charge of a man that could give so good an account of
himself, and did not appear to have done any thing worthy of death or
of bonds. It was proper to ask them, but not at all proper to ask Paul,
wherefore they cried so against him. He could tell that he had given
them no just cause to do it; if there were any cause, let them produce
it. No man is bound to accuse himself, though he be guilty, much less
ought he to be compelled to accuse himself when he is innocent. Surely
the chief captain did not know the Jewish nation when he concluded that
he must needs have done something very bad whom they cried out against.
Had they not just thus cried out against our Lord Jesus, Crucify him,
crucify him, when they had not one word to say in answer to the judge's
question, Why, what evil has he done? Is this a fair or just occasion
to scourge Paul, that a rude tumultuous mob cry out against him, but
cannot tell why or wherefore, and therefore he must be forced to tell?
VI. Paul pleaded his privilege as a Roman citizen, by which he was
exempted from all trials and punishments of this nature (v. 25): As
they bound him with thongs, or leathern bands, to the whipping post, as
they used to bind the vilest of malefactors in bridewell from whom they
would extort a confession, he made no outcry against the injustice of
their proceedings against an innocent man, but very mildly let them
understand the illegality of their proceedings against him as a citizen
of Rome, which he had done once before at Philippi after he had been
scourged (ch. xvi. 37), but here he makes use of it for prevention. He
said to the centurion that stood by, "You know the law; pray is it
lawful for you who are yourselves Romans to scourge a man that is a
Roman, and uncondemned?" The manner of his speaking plainly intimates
what a holy security and serenity of mind this good man enjoyed, not
disturbed either with anger or fear in the midst of all those
indignities that were done him, and the danger he was in. The Romans
had a law (it was called lex Sempronia), that if any magistrate did
chastise or condemn a freeman of Rome, indicta causa--without hearing
him speak for himself, and deliberating upon the whole of his case, he
should be liable to the sentence of the people, who were very jealous
of their liberties. It is indeed the privilege of every man not to have
wrong done him, except it be proved he has done wrong; as it is of
every Englishman by Magna Charta not to be dis-seized of his life or
freehold, but by a verdict of twelve men of his peers.
VII. The chief captain was surprised at this, and put into a fright. He
had taken Paul to be a vagabond Egyptian, and wondered he could speak
Greek (ch. xxi. 37), but is much more surprised now he finds that he is
as good a gentleman as himself. How many men of great worth and merit
are despised because they are not known, are looked upon and treated as
the offscouring of all things, when those that count them so, if they
knew their true character, would own them to be of the excellent ones
of the earth! The chief captain had centurions, under-officers,
attending him, ch. xxi. 32. One of these reports this matter to the
chief captain (v. 26): Take heed what thou doest, for this man is a
Roman, and what indignity is done to him will be construed an offence
against the majesty of the Roman people, as they loved to speak. They
all knew what a value was put upon this privilege of the Roman
citizens. Tully extols it in one of his orations against Verres, O
nomen dulce libertatis, O jus eximium nostræ civitatis! O lex Porcia! O
leges Semproniæ; facinus est vincere Romanum civem, scelus verberare--O
Liberty! I love thy charming name; and these our Porcian and Sempronian
laws, how admirable! It is a crime to bind a Roman citizen, but an
unpardonable one to beat him. "Therefore" (says the centurion) "let us
look to ourselves; if this man be a Roman, and we do him any indignity,
we shall be in danger to lose our commissions at least." Now, 1. The
chief captain would be satisfied of the truth of this from his own
mouth (v. 27): "Tell me, art thou a Roman? Art thou entitled to the
privileges of a Roman citizen?" "Yes," says Paul, "I am;" and perhaps
produced some ticket or instrument which proved it; for otherwise they
would scarcely have taken his word. 2. The chief captain very freely
compares notes with him upon this matter, and it appears that the
privilege Paul had as a Roman citizen was of the two more honourable
than the colonel's; for the colonel owns that his was purchased: "I am
a freeman of Rome; but with a great sum obtained I this freedom, it
cost me dear, how came you by it?" "Why truly," says Paul, "I was
free-born." Some think he became entitled to this freedom by the place
of his birth, as a native of Tarsus, a city privileged by the emperor
with the same privileges that Rome itself enjoyed; others rather think
it was by his father or grandfather having served in the war between
Cæsar and Antony, or some other of the civil wars of Rome, and being
for some signal piece of service rewarded with a freedom of the city,
and so Paul came to be free-born; and here he pleads it for his own
preservation, for which end not only we may but we ought to use all
lawful means. 3. This put an immediate stop to Paul's trouble. Those
that were appointed to examine him by scourging quitted the spot; they
departed from him (v. 29), lest they should run themselves into a
snare. Nay, and the colonel himself, though we may suppose him to have
a considerable interest, was afraid when he heard he was a Roman,
because, though he had not beaten him, yet he had bound him in order to
his being beaten. Thus many are restrained from evil practices by the
fear of man who would not be restrained from them by the fear of God.
See here the benefit of human laws and magistracy, and what reason we
have to be thankful to God for them; for even when they have given no
countenance nor special protection to God's people and ministers, yet,
by the general support of equity and fair dealing between man and man,
they have served to check the rage of wicked and unreasonable illegal
men, who otherwise would know no bounds, and to say, Hitherto it shall
come, but no further; here shall its proud waves by stayed. And
therefore this service we owe to all in authority, to pray for them,
because this benefit we have reason to expect from them, whether we
have it or no, as long as we are quiet and peaceable--to live quiet and
peaceable lives in all godliness and honesty, 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. 4. The
governor, the next day, brought Paul before the sanhedrim, v. 30. He
first loosed him from his bands, that those might not prejudge his
cause, and that he might not be charged with having pinioned a Roman
citizen, and then summoned the chief priests and all their council to
come together to take cognizance of Paul's case, for he found it to be
a matter of religion, and therefore looked upon them to be the most
proper judges of it. Gallio in this case discharged Paul; finding it to
be a matter of their law, he drove the prosecutors from the
judgement-seat (ch. xviii. 16), and would not concern himself at all in
it; but this Roman, who was a military man, kept Paul in custody, and
appealed from the rabble to the general assembly. Now, (1.) We may hope
that hereby he intended Paul's safety, as thinking, if he were an
innocent and inoffensive man, though the multitude might be incensed
against him, yet the chief priests and elders would do him justice, and
clear him; for they were, or should be, men of learning and
consideration, and their court governed by rules of equity. When the
prophet could find no good among the poorer sort of people, he
concluded that it was because they knew not the way of the Lord, nor
the judgments of their God, and promised himself that he should speed
better among the great men, as the chief captain here did, but soon
found himself disappointed there: these have altogether broken the
yoke, and burst the bonds, Jer. v. 4, 5. But, (2.) That which he is
here said to aim at is the gratifying of his own curiosity: He would
have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews. Had he
sent for Paul to his own chamber, and talked freely with him, he might
soon have learned from him that which would have done more than satisfy
his enquiry, and which might have persuaded him to be a Christian. But
it is too common for great men to affect to set that at a distance from
them which might awaken their consciences, and to desire to have no
more of the knowledge of God's ways than may serve them to talk of.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XXIII.
The close of the foregoing chapter left Paul in the high priest's
court, into which the chief captain (whether to his advantage or no I
know not) had removed his cause from the mob; and, if his enemies act
there against him with less noise, yet it is with more subtlety. Now
here we have, I. Paul's protestation of his own integrity, and of a
civil respect to the high priest, however he had upon a sudden spoken
warmly to him, and justly, ver. 1-5. II. Paul's prudent contrivance to
get himself clear of them, by setting the Pharisees and Sadducees at
variance one with another, ver. 6-9. III. The governor's seasonable
interposal to rescue him out of their hands likewise, ver. 10. IV.
Christ's more comfortable appearing to him, to animate him against
those difficulties that lay before him, and to tell him what he must
expect, ver. 11. V. A bloody conspiracy of some desperate Jews to kill
Paul, and their drawing in the chief priests and the elders to be
aiders and abettors with them in it, ver. 12-15. VI. The discovery of
this conspiracy to Paul, and by him to the chief captain, who perceived
so much of their inveterate malice against Paul that he had reason
enough to believe the truth of it, ver. 16-22. VII. The chief captain's
care of Paul's safety, by which he prevented the execution of the
design; he sent him away immediately under a strong guard from
Jerusalem to Cæsarea, which was now the residence of Felix, the Roman
governor, and there he safely arrived, ver. 23-35.
Paul's Second Defence.
1 And Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I
have lived in all good conscience before God until this day. 2 And
the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him
on the mouth. 3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou
whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest
me to be smitten contrary to the law? 4 And they that stood by said,
Revilest thou God's high priest? 5 Then said Paul, I wist not,
brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt
not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.
Perhaps when Paul was brought, as he often was (corpus cum causa--the
person and the cause together), before heathen magistrates and
councils, where he and his cause were slighted, because not at all
understood, he thought, if he were brought before the sanhedrim at
Jerusalem, he should be able to deal with them to some good purpose,
and yet we do not find that he works at all upon them. Here we have,
I. Paul's protestation of his own integrity. Whether the chief priest
put any question to him, or the chief captain made any representation
of his case to the court, we are not told; but Paul appeared here,
1. With a good courage. He was not at all put out of countenance upon
his being brought before such an august assembly, for which in his
youth he had conceived such a veneration; nor did he fear their calling
him to an account about the letters they gave him to Damascus, to
persecute the Christians there, though (for aught we know) this was the
first time he had ever seem them since; but he earnestly beheld the
council. When Stephen was brought before them, they thought to have
faced him down, but could not, such was his holy confidence; they
looked stedfastly on him, and his face was as that of an angel, ch. vi.
15. Now that Paul was brought before them he thought to have faced them
down, but could not, such was their wicked impudence. However, now was
fulfilled in him what God promised to Ezekiel (ch. iii. 8, 9): I have
made thy face strong against their faces; fear them not, neither be
dismayed at their looks.
2. With a good conscience, and that gave him a good courage.
----Hic murus aheneus esto,
Nil conscire sibi----
Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence,
Still to preserve thy conscious innocence.
He said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before
God unto this day. However I may be reproached, my heart does not
reproach me, but witnesses for me." (1.) He had always been a man
inclined to religion; he never was a man that lived at large, but
always put a difference between moral good and evil; even in his
unregenerate state, he was, as touching the righteousness that was in
the law, blameless. He was no unthinking man, who never considered what
he did, no designing man, who cared not what he did, so he could but
compass his own ends. (2.) Even when he persecuted the church of God,
he thought he ought to do it, and that he did God service in it. Though
his conscience was misinformed, yet he acted according to the dictates
of it. See ch. xxvi. 9. (3.) He seems rather to speak of the time since
his conversion, since he left the service of the high priest, and fell
under their displeasure for so doing; he does not say, From my
beginning until this day; but, "All the time in which you have looked
upon me as a deserter, an apostate, and an enemy to your church, even
to this day, I have lived in all good conscience before God; whatever
you may think of me, I have in every thing approved myself to God, and
lived honestly," Heb. xiii. 18. He had aimed at nothing but to please
God and do his duty, in those things for which they were so incensed
against him; in all he had done towards the setting up of the kingdom
of Christ, and the setting of it up among the Gentiles, he had acted
conscientiously. See here the character of an honest man. [1.] He sets
God before him, and lives as in his sight, and under his eyes, and with
an eye to him. Walk before me, and be thou upright. [2.] He makes
conscience of what he says and does, and, though he may be under some
mistakes, yet, according to the best of his knowledge, he abstains from
that which is evil and cleaves to that which is good. [3.] He is
universally conscientious; and those that are not so are not at all
truly conscientious; is so in all manner of conversation: "I have lived
in all good conscience; have had my whole conversation under the
direction and dominion of conscience." [4.] He continues so, and
perseveres in it: "I have lived so until this day." Whatever changes
pass over him, he is still the same, strictly conscientious. And those
who thus live in all good conscience before God may, like Paul here,
lift up their face without spot; and, if their hearts condemn them not,
may have confidence both towards God and man, as Job had when he still
held fast his integrity, and Paul himself, whose rejoicing was this,
the testimony of his conscience.
II. The outrage of which Ananias the high priest was guilty: he
commanded those that stood by, the beadles that attended the court, to
smite him on the mouth (v. 2), to give him a dash on the teeth, either
with a hand or with a rod. Our Lord Jesus was thus despitefully used in
this court, by one of the servants (John xviii. 22), as was foretold,
Mic. v. 1, They shall smite the Judge of Israel upon the cheek. But
here was an order of court for the doing of it, and, it is likely, it
was done. 1. The high priest was highly offended at Paul; some think,
because he looked so boldly and earnestly at the council, as if he
would face them down; others because he did not address himself
particularly to him as president, with some title of honour and
respect, but spoke freely and familiarly to them all, as men and
brethren. His protestation of his integrity was provocation enough to
one who was resolved to run him down and make him odious. When he could
charge him with no crime, he thought it was crime enough that he
asserted his own innocency. 2. In his rage he ordered him to be
smitten, so to put disgrace upon him, and to be smitten on the mouth,
as having offended with his lips, and in token of his enjoining him
silence. This brutish and barbarous method he had recourse to when he
could not answer the wisdom and spirit wherewith he spoke. Thus
Zedekiah smote Micaiah (1 Kings xxii. 24), and Pashur smote Jeremiah
(Jer. xx. 2), when they spoke in the name of the Lord. If therefore we
see such indignities done to good men, nay, if they be done to us for
well doing and well saying, we must not think it strange; Christ will
give those the kisses of his mouth (Cant. i. 2) who for his sake
receive blows on the mouth. And though it may be expected that, as
Solomon says, every man should kiss his lips that giveth a right answer
(Prov. xxiv. 26), yet we often see the contrary.
III. The denunciation of the wrath of God against the high priest for
this wickedness in the place of judgment (Eccl. iii. 16): it agrees
with what follows there, v. 17, with which Solomon comforted himself (I
said in my heart, God shall judge the righteous and the wicked): God
shall smite thee, thou whited wall, v. 3. Paul did not speak this in
any sinful heat or passion, but in a holy zeal against the high
priest's abuse of his power, and with something of a prophetic spirit,
not at all with a spirit of revenge. 1. He gives him his due character:
Thou whited wall; that is, thou hypocrite--a mud-wall, trash and dirt
and rubbish underneath, but plastered over, or white-washed. It is the
same comparison in effect with that of Christ, when he compares the
Pharisees to whited sepulchres, Matt. xxiii. 27. Those that daubed with
untempered mortar failed not to daub themselves over with something
that made them look not only clean, but gay. 2. He reads him his just
doom: "God shall smite thee, shall bring upon thee his sore judgments,
especially spiritual judgments." Grotius thinks this was fulfilled soon
after, in his removal from the office of the high priest, either by
death or deprivation, for he finds another in that office a little
while after this; probably he was smitten by some sudden stroke of
divine vengeance. Jeroboam's hand was withered when it was stretched
out against a prophet. 3. He assigns a good reason for that doom: "For
sittest thou there as president in the supreme judicature of the
church, pretending to judge me after the law, to convict and condemn me
by the law, and yet commandest me to be smitten before any crime is
proved upon me, which is contrary to the law?" No man must be beaten
unless he be worthy to be beaten, Deut. xxv. 2. It is against all law,
human and divine, natural and positive, to hinder a man from making his
defense, and to condemn him unheard. When Paul was beaten by the
rabble, he could say, Father, forgive them, they know not what they do;
but it is inexcusable in a high priest that is appointed to judge
according to the law.
IV. The offence which was taken at this bold word of Paul's (v. 4):
Those that stood by said, Revilest thou God's high priest? It is a
probable conjecture that those who blamed Paul for what he said were
believing Jews, who were zealous for the law, and consequently for the
honour of the high priest, and therefore took it ill that Paul should
thus reflect upon him, and checked him for it. See here then, 1. What a
hard game Paul had to play, when his enemies were abusive to him, and
his friends were so far from standing by him, and appearing for him,
that they were ready to find fault with his management. 2. How apt even
the disciples of Christ themselves are to overvalue outward pomp and
power. As because the temple had been God's temple, and a magnificent
structure, there were those who followed Christ that could not bear to
have any thing said that threatened the destruction of it; so because
the high priest had been God's high priest, and was a man that made a
figure, though he was an inveterate enemy to Christianity, yet these
were disgusted at Paul for giving him his due.
V. The excuse that Paul made for what he had said, because he found it
was a stumbling-block to his weak brethren, and might prejudice them
against him in other things. These Jewish Christians, though weak, yet
were brethren, so he calls them here, and, in consideration of that, is
almost ready to recall his words; for who is offended, saith he, and I
burn not? 2 Cor. xi. 29. His fixed resolution was rather to abridge
himself in the use of his Christian liberty than give offence to a weak
brother; rather than do this, he will eat no flesh while the world
stands, 1 Cor. viii. 13. And so here though he had taken the liberty to
tell the high priest his own, yet, when he found it gave offence, he
cried Peccavi--I have done wrong. He wished he had not done it; and
though he did not beg the high priest's pardon, nor excuse it to him,
yet he begs their pardon who took offence at it, because this was not a
time to inform them better, nor to say what he could say to justify
himself. 1. He excuses it with this, that he did not consider when he
said it to whom he spoke (v. 5): I wist not, brethren, that he was the
high priest--ouk edein. "I did not just then think of the dignity of
his place, or else I would have spoken more respectfully to him." I see
not how we can with any probability think that Paul did not know him to
be the high priest, for Paul had been seven days in the temple at the
time of the feast, where he could not miss of seeing the high priest;
and his telling him that he sat to judge him after the law shows that
he knew who he was; but, says he, I did not consider it. Dr. Whitby
puts this sense upon it, that the prophetic impulse that was upon him,
and inwardly moved him to say what he did, did not permit him to notice
that it was the high priest, lest this law might have restrained him
from complying with that impulse; but the Jews acknowledged that
prophets might use a liberty in speaking of rulers which others might
not, as Isa. i. 10, 23. Or (as he quotes the sense of Grotius and
Lightfoot) Paul does not go about to excuse what he had said in the
least, but rather to justify it; "I own that God's high priest is not
to be reviled, but I do not own this Ananias to be high priest. He is a
usurper; he came to the office by bribery and corruption, and the
Jewish rabbin say that he who does so is neither a judge nor to be
honoured as such." Yet, 2. He takes care that what he had said should
not be drawn into a precedent, to the weakening of the obligation of
that law in the least: For it is written, and it remains a law in full
force, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people. It is for
the public good that the honour of magistracy should be supported, and
not suffer for the miscarriages of those who are entrusted with it, and
therefore that decorum be observed in speaking both of and to princes
and judges. Even in Job's time it was not thought fit to say to a king,
Thou art wicked, or to princes, You are ungodly, Job xxxiv. 18. Even
when we do well, and suffer for it, we must take it patiently, 1 Pet.
ii. 20. Not as if great men may not hear of their faults, and public
grievances be complained of by proper persons and in a decent manner,
but there must be a particular tenderness for the honour and reputation
of those in authority more than of other people, because the law of God
requires a particular reverence to be paid to them, as God's
vicegerents; and it is of dangerous consequence to have those any way
countenanced who despise dominions, and speak evil of dignities, Jude
8. Curse not the king, no not in thy thought, Eccl. x. 20.
Paul's Second Defence.
6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the
other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a
Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the
dead I am called in question. 7 And when he had so said, there arose
a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude
was divided. 8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection,
neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. 9 And
there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees'
part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a
spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.
10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing
lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the
soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to
bring him into the castle. 11 And the night following the Lord stood
by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of
me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Many are the troubles of the righteous, but some way or other the Lord
delivereth them out of them all. Paul owned he had experienced the
truth of this in the persecutions he had undergone among the Gentiles
(see 2 Tim. iii. 11): Out of them all the Lord delivered me. And now he
finds that he who has delivered does and will deliver. He that
delivered him in the foregoing chapter from the tumult of the people
here delivers him from that of the elders.
I. His own prudence and ingenuity stand him in some stead, and
contribute much to his escape. Paul's greatest honour, and that upon
which he most valued himself, was that he was a Christian, and an
apostle of Christ; and all his other honours he despised and made
nothing of, in comparison with this, counting them but dung, that he
might win Christ; and yet he had sometimes occasion to make use of his
other honours, and they did him service. His being a citizen of Rome
saved him in the foregoing chapter from his being scourged by the chief
captain as a vagabond, and here his being a Pharisee saved him from
being condemned by the sanhedrim, as an apostate from the faith and
worship of the God of Israel. It will consist very well with our
willingness to suffer for Christ to use all lawful methods, nay, and
arts too, both to prevent suffering and to extricate ourselves out of
it. The honest policy Paul used here for his own preservation was to
divide his judges, and to set them at variance one with another about
him; and, by incensing one part of them more against him, to engage the
contrary part for him.
1. The great council was made up of Sadducees and Pharisees, and Paul
perceived it. He knew the characters of many of them ever since he
lived among them, and saw those among them whom he knew to be
Sadducees, and others whom he knew to be Pharisees (v. 6): One part
were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, and perhaps nearly an equal
part. Now these differed very much from one another, and yet they
ordinarily agreed well enough to do the business of the council
together. (1.) The Pharisees were bigots, zealous for the ceremonies,
not only those which God had appointed, but those which were enjoined
by the tradition of the elders. They were great sticklers for the
authority of the church, and for enforcing obedience to its
injunctions, which occasioned many quarrels between them and our Lord
Jesus; but at the same time they were very orthodox in the faith of the
Jewish church concerning the world of spirits, the resurrection of the
dead, and the life of the world to come. (2.) The Sadducees were
deists--no friends to the scripture, or divine revelation. The books of
Moses they admitted as containing a good history and a good law, but
had little regard to the other books of the Old Testament; see Matt.
xxii. 23. The account here given of these Sadducees is, [1.] That they
deny the resurrection; not only the return of the body to life, but a
future state of rewards and punishments. They had neither hope of
eternal happiness nor dread of eternal misery, nor expectation of any
thing on the other side death; and it was upon these principles that
they said, It is in vain to serve God, and called the proud happy, Mal.
iii. 14, 15. [2.] That they denied the existence of angels and spirits,
and allowed of no being but matter. They thought that God himself was
corporeal, and had parts and members as we have. When they read of
angels in the Old Testament, they supposed them to be messengers that
God made and sent on his errands as there was occasion, or that they
were impressions on the fancies of those they were sent to, and no real
existences--that they were this, or that, or any thing rather than what
they were. And, as for the souls of men, they looked upon them to be
nothing else but the temperament of the humours of the body, or the
animal spirits, but denied their existence in a state of separation
from the body, and any difference between the soul of a man and of a
beast. These, no doubt, pretended to be free-thinkers, but really
thought as meanly, absurdly, and slavishly, as possible. It is strange
how men of such corrupt and wicked principles could come into office,
and have a place in the great sanhedrim; but many of them were of
quality and estate, and they complied with the public establishment,
and so got in and kept in. But they were generally stigmatized as
heretics, were ranked with the Epicureans, and were prayed against and
excluded from eternal life. The prayer which the modern Jews use
against Christians, Witsius thinks, was designed by Gamaliel, who made
it, against the Sadducees; and that they meant them in their usual
imprecation, Let the name of the wicked rot. But how degenerate was the
character and how miserable the state of the Jewish church, when such
profane men as these were among their rulers!
2. In this matter of difference between the Pharisees and Sadducees
Paul openly declared himself to be on the Pharisees' side against the
Sadducees (v. 6): He cried out, so as to be heard by all, "I am a
Pharisee, was bred a Pharisee, nay, I was born one, in effect, for I
was the son of a Pharisee, my father was one before me, and thus far I
am still a Pharisee that I hope for the resurrection of the dead, and I
may truly say that, if the matter were rightly understood, it would be
found that this is it for which I am now called in question." When
Christ was upon earth the Pharisees set themselves most against him,
because he witnessed against their traditions and corrupt glosses upon
the law; but, after his ascension, the Sadducees set themselves most
against his apostles, because they preached through Jesus the
resurrection of the dead, ch. iv. 1, 2. And it is said (ch. v. 17) that
they were the sect of the Sadducees that were filled with indignation
at them, because they preached that life and immortality which is
brought to light by the gospel. Now here, (1.) Paul owns himself a
Pharisee, so far as the Pharisees were in the right. Though as
Pharisaism was opposed to Christianity he set himself against it, and
against all its traditions that were set up in competition with the law
of God or in contradiction to the gospel of Christ, yet, as it was
opposed to Sadducism, he adhered to it. We must never think the worse
of any truth of God, nor be more shy of owning it, for its being held
by men otherwise corrupt. If the Pharisees will hope for the
resurrection of the dead, Paul will go along with them in that hope,
and be one of them, whether they will or no. (2.) He might truly say
that being persecuted, as a Christian, this was the thing he was called
in question for. Perhaps he knew that the Sadducees, though they had
not such an interest in the common people as the Pharisees had, yet had
underhand incensed the mob against him, under pretence of his having
preached to the Gentiles, but really because he had preached the hope
of the resurrection. However, being called in question for his being a
Christian, he might truly say he was called in question for the hope of
the resurrection of the dead, as he afterwards pleaded, ch. xxiv. 15,
and ch. xxvi. 6, 7. Though Paul preached against the traditions of the
elders (as his Master had done), and therein opposed the Pharisees, yet
he valued himself more upon his preaching the resurrection of the dead,
and a future state, in which he concurred with the Pharisees.
3. This occasioned a division in the council. It is probable that the
high priest sided with the Sadducees (as he had done ch. v. 17, and
made it to appear by his rage at Paul, v. 2), which alarmed the
Pharisees so much the more; but so it was, there arose a dissension
between the Pharisees and the Sadducees (v. 7), for this word of Paul's
made the Sadducees more warm and the Pharisees more cool in the
prosecution of him; so that the multitude was divided; eschisthe--there
was a schism, a quarrel among them, and the edge of their zeal began to
turn from Paul against one another; nor could they go on to act against
him when they could not agree among themselves, or prosecute him for
breaking the unity of the church when there was so little among them of
the unity of the spirit. All the cry had been against Paul, but now
there arose a great cry against one another, v. 9. So much did a fierce
furious spirit prevail among all orders of the Jews at this time that
every thing was done with clamour and noise; and in such a tumultuous
manner were the great principles of their religion stickled for, by
which they received little service, for the wrath of man worketh not
the righteousness of God. Gainsayers may be convinced by fair
reasoning, but never by a great cry.
4. The Pharisees hereupon (would one think it?) took Paul's part (v.
9): They strove, diemachonto--They fought, saying, We find no evil in
this man. He had conducted himself decently and reverently in the
temple, and had attended the service of the church; and, though it was
but occasionally, yet it showed that he was not such an enemy to it as
he was said to be. He had spoken very handsomely in his own defence,
and given a good account of himself, and had now declared himself
orthodox in the great principles of religion, as well as regular and
conscientious in his conversation; and therefore they cannot see that
he has done any thing worthy of death of bonds. Nay, they go further,
"If a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him concerning Jesus, and put
him upon preaching as he does, though we may not be so far satisfied as
to give credit to him, yet we ought to be cautioned not to oppose him,
lest we be found fighting against God;" as Gamaliel, who was himself a
Pharisee, had argued, ch. v. 39. Now here, (1.) We may observe, to the
honour of the gospel, that it was witnessed to even by its adversaries,
and confessions, not only of its innocency, but of its excellency, were
extorted sometimes by the power of truth even from those that
persecuted it. Pilate found no fault in Christ though he put him to
death, nor Festus in Paul though he detained him in bonds; and the
Pharisees here supposed it possible that Paul might have a commission
sent him for heaven by an angel to do what he did; and yet it should
seem, as elders, they after this joined with the high priest in
prosecuting him, ch. xxiv. 1. They sinned against the knowledge which
they not only had, but sometimes owned, as Christ had said of them,
They have both seen and hated both me and my Father, John xv. 24. Yet,
(2.) We will hope that some of them at least did henceforward conceive
a better opinion of Paul than they had had, and were favourable to him,
having had such a satisfactory account both of his conversation in all
good conscience and of his faith touching another world; and then it
must be observed to their honour that their zeal for the traditions of
the elders, which Paul had departed from, was so far swallowed up in a
zeal for the great and fundamental doctrines of religion, to which Paul
still adhered, that if he will heartily join with them against the
Sadducees, and adhere to the hope of the resurrection of the dead, they
will not think his shaking off the ceremonial law to be an evil in him,
but charitably hope that he walks according to the light God has given
him by some angel or spirit, and are so far from persecuting him that
they are ready to patronize and protect him. The persecuting Pharisees
of the church of Rome are not of this spirit: for let a man be ever so
sincere and zealous for all the articles of the Christian faith, yet,
if he lay not his neck under the yoke of their church's authority, they
find evil enough in him to persecute him unto the death.
II. The chief captain's care and conduct stand him in more stead; for
when he has thrown this bone of contention between the Pharisees and
Sadducees (which set them together by the ears, and gained a fair
testimony from the Pharisees), yet he is never the nearer, but is in
danger of being pulled in pieces by them--the Pharisees pulling to have
him set at liberty, and the Sadducees pulling to have him put to death,
or thrown to the people, like Daniel into the den of lions; so that the
chief captain is forced to come with his soldiers and rescue him, as he
had done, ch. xxi. 32, and ch. xxii. 24. 1. See here Paul's danger.
Between his friends and his enemies he had like to have been pulled to
pieces, the one hugging him to death, the other crushing him to death,
such violences are those liable to that are eminent, and that are
become remarkable, as Paul was, who was by some so much beloved and by
others so much maligned. 2. His deliverance: The chief captain ordered
his soldiers to go down from the upper wards, and to take them by force
from among them, out of that apartment in the temple where he had
ordered the council to meet, and to bring him into the castle, or tower
of Antonio; for he saw he could make nothing of them towards the
understanding of the merits of his cause.
III. Divine consolations stood him in most stead of all. The chief
captain had rescued him out of the hands of cruel men, but still he had
him in custody, and what might be the issue he could not tell. The
castle was indeed a protection to him, but withal it was a confinement;
and, as it was now his preservation from so great a death, it might be
his reservation for a greater. We do not find that any of the apostles
or elders at Jerusalem came to him; either they had not courage or they
had not admission. Perhaps, in the night following, Paul was full of
thoughts and cares what should become of him, and how his present
troubles might be turned to answer some good purpose. Then did the Lord
Jesus make him a kind visit, and, thought at midnight, yet a very
seasonable one (v. 11): The Lord stood by him, came to his bed-side,
though perhaps it was but a bed of straw, to show him that he was all
the day long with him really as sure as he was in the night with him
visibly. Note, Whoever is against us, we need not fear if the Lord
stand by us; if he undertake our protection, we may set those that seek
our ruin at defiance. The Lord is with those that uphold my soul, and
then nothing can come amiss. 1. Christ bids him have a good heart upon
it: "Be of good cheer, Paul; be not discouraged; let not what has
happened sadden thee, nor let what may yet be before thee frighten
thee." Note, It is the will of Christ that his servants who are
faithful should be always cheerful. Perhaps Paul, in the reflection,
began to be jealous of himself whether he had done well in what he said
to the council the day before; but Christ, by his word, satisfies him
that God approved of his conduct. Or, perhaps, it troubled him that his
friends did not come to him; but Christ's visit did itself speak,
though he had not said, Be of good cheer, Paul. 2. It is a strange
argument which he makes use of to encourage him: As thou hast testified
of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. One would
think this was but cold comfort: "As thou hast undergone a great deal
of trouble for me so thou must undergo a great deal more;" and yet this
was designed to encourage him; for hereby he is given to understand,
(1.) That he had been serving Christ as a witness for him in what he
had hitherto endured. It was for no fault that he was buffeted, and it
was not his former persecuting of the church that was now remembered
against him, however he might remember it against himself, but he was
still going on with his work. (2.) That he had not yet finished his
testimony, nor was, by his imprisonment, laid aside as useless, but was
only reserved for further service. Nothing disheartened Paul so much as
the thought of being taken off from doing service to Christ and good to
souls: Fear not, says Christ, I have not done with thee, (3.) Paul
seems to have had a particular fancy, and an innocent one, to go to
Rome, to preach the gospel there, though it was already preached, and a
church planted there; yet, being a citizen of Rome, he longed for a
journey thither, and had designed it (ch. xix. 21): After I have been
at Jerusalem, I must also see Rome. And he had written to the Romans
some time ago that he longed to see them, Rom. i. 11. Now he was ready
to conclude that this had broken his measures, and he should never see
Rome; but even in that Christ tells him he should be gratified, since
he desired it for the honour of Christ and to do good.
A Conspiracy against Paul; Paul Sent to Felix.
12 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound
themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink
till they had killed Paul. 13 And they were more than forty which had
made this conspiracy. 14 And they came to the chief priests and
elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we
will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. 15 Now therefore ye with
the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto
you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly
concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.
16 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went
and entered into the castle, and told Paul. 17 Then Paul called one
of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the
chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. 18 So he took
him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner
called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee,
who hath something to say unto thee. 19 Then the chief captain took
him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What
is that thou hast to tell me? 20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to
desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the
council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.
21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of
them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath,
that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now
are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. 22 So the chief
captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell
no man that thou hast showed these things to me. 23 And he called
unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go
to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred,
at the third hour of the night; 24 And provide them beasts, that they
may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. 25 And
he wrote a letter after this manner: 26 Claudius Lysias unto the most
excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. 27 This man was taken of
the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an
army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. 28 And
when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought
him forth into their council: 29 Whom I perceived to be accused of
questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy
of death or of bonds. 30 And when it was told me how that the Jews
laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment
to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him.
Farewell. 31 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul,
and brought him by night to Antipatris. 32 On the morrow they left
the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: 33 Who, when
they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor,
presented Paul also before him. 34 And when the governor had read the
letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that
he was of Cilicia; 35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers
are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment
hall.
We have here the story of a plot against the life of Paul; how it was
laid, how it was discovered, and how it was defeated.
I. How this plot was laid. They found they could gain nothing by
popular tumult, or legal process, and therefore have a recourse to the
barbarous method of assassination; they will come upon him suddenly,
and stab him, if they can but get him within their reach. So restless
is their malice against this good man that, when one design fails, they
will turn another stone. Now observe here,
1. Who they were that formed this conspiracy. They were certain Jews
that had the utmost degree of indignation against him because he was
the apostle of the Gentiles, v. 12. And they were more than forty that
were in the design, v. 13. Lord, how are they increased that trouble
me!
2. When the conspiracy was formed: When it was day. Satan had filled
their hearts in the night to purpose it, and, as soon as it was day,
they got together to prosecute it; answering to the account which the
prophet gives of some who work evil upon their beds, and when the
morning is light they practise it, and are laid under a woe for it,
Mic. ii. 1. In the night Christ appeared to Paul to protect him, and,
when it was day, here were forty men appearing against him to destroy
him; they were not up so soon but Christ was up before them God shall
help her, and that right early, Ps. xlvi. 5.
3. What the conspiracy was. These men banded together in a league,
perhaps they called it a holy league; they engaged to stand by one
another, and every one, to his power, to be aiding and assisting to
murder Paul. It was strange that so many could so soon be got together,
and that in Jerusalem too, who were so perfectly lost to all sense of
humanity and honour as to engage in so bloody a design. Well might the
prophet's complaint be renewed concerning Jerusalem (Isa. i. 21):
Righteousness has lodged in it, but now murderers. What a monstrous
idea must these men have formed of Paul, before they could be capable
of forming such a monstrous design against him; they must be made to
believe that he was the worst of men, an enemy to God and religion, and
the curse and plague of his generation; when really his character was
the reverse of all this! What laws of truth and justice so sacred, so
strong which malice and bigotry will not break through!
4. How firm they made it, as they thought, that none of them might fly
off, upon conscience of the horror of the fact, at second thoughts:
They bound themselves under an anathema, imprecating the heaviest
curses upon themselves, their souls, bodies, and families, if they did
not kill Paul, and so quickly that they would not eat nor drink till
they had done it. What a complication of wickedness is here! To design
to kill an innocent man, a good man, a useful man, a man that had done
them no harm, but was willing to do them all the good he could, was
going in the way of Cain, and proved them to be of their father the
devil, who was a murderer from the beginning; yet, as if this had been
a small matter, (1.) They bound themselves to it. To incline to do
evil, and intend to do it, is bad; but to engage to do it is much
worse. This is entering into covenant with the devil; it is swearing
allegiance to the prince of darkness; it is leaving no room for
repentance; nay, it is bidding defiance to it. (2.) They bound one
another to it, and did all they could, not only to secure the damnation
of their own souls, but of theirs whom they drew into the association.
(3.) They showed a great contempt of the providence of God, and a
presumption upon it, in that they bound themselves to do such a thing
within so short a time as they could continue fasting, without any
proviso or reserve for the disposal of an overruling Providence. When
we say, To-morrow we will do this or that, be it ever so lawful and
good, forasmuch as we know not what shall be on the morrow, we must
add, If the Lord will. But with what face could they insert a proviso
for the permission of God's providence when they knew that what they
were about was directly against the prohibitions of God's work? (4.)
They showed a great contempt of their own souls and bodies; of their
own souls in imprecating a curse upon them if they did not proceed in
this desperate enterprise (what a woeful dilemma did they throw
themselves upon! God certainly meets them with his curse if they do go
on in it, and they desire he would if they do not!)--and of their own
bodies too (for wilful sinners are the destroyers of both) in tying
themselves out from the necessary supports of life till they had
accomplished a thing which they could never lawfully do, and perhaps
not possibly do. Such language of hell those speak that wish God to
damn them, and the devil to take them, if they do not do so and so. As
they love cursing, so shall it come unto them. Some think the meaning
of this curse was, they would either kill Paul, as an Achan, an
accursed thing, a troubler of the camp; or, if they did not do it, they
would make themselves accursed before God in his stead. (5.) They
showed a most eager desire to compass this matter, and an impatience
till was done: not only like David's enemies, that were mad against
him, and sworn against him (Ps. cii. 8), but like the servants of Job
against his enemy: O that we had of this flesh! we cannot be satisfied,
Job xxxi. 31. Persecutors are said to eat up God's people as they eat
bread; it is as much a gratification to them as meat to one that is
hungry, Ps. xiv. 4.
5. What method they took to bring it about. There is no getting near
Paul in the castle. He is there under the particular protection of the
government, and is imprisoned, not, as others are, lest he should do
harm, but lest he should have harm done him; and therefore the
contrivance is that the chief priests and elders must desire the
governor of the castle to let Paul come to them to the council-chamber,
to be further examined (they have some questions to ask him, or
something to say to him), and the, in his passage from the castle to
the council, they would put an end to all disputes about Paul by
killing him; thus the plot was laid, v. 14, 15. Having been all day
employed in engaging one another to this wickedness, towards evening
they come to the principal members of the great sanhedrim, and, though
they might have concealed their mean design and yet might have moved
them upon some other pretence to send for Paul, they are so confident
of their approbation of this villainy, that they are not ashamed nor
afraid to own to them that they have bound themselves under a great
curse, without consulting the priests first whether they might lawfully
do it, that they will eat nothing the next day till they have killed
Paul. They design to breakfast the next morning upon his blood. They
doubt not but the chief priests will not only countenance them in the
design, but will lend them a helping hand, and be their tools to get
them an opportunity of killing Paul; nay, and tell a lie for them too,
pretending to the chief captain that they would enquire something more
perfectly concerning him, when they meant no such thing. What a mean,
what an ill opinion had they of their priests, when they could apply to
them on such an errand as this! And yet, vile as the proposal was which
was made to them (for aught that appears), the priests and elders
consented to it, and at the first work, without boggling at it in the
least, promised to gratify them. Instead of reproving them, as they
ought, for their wicked conspiracy, they bolstered them up in it,
because it was against Paul whom they hated; and thus they made
themselves partakers of the crime as much as if they had been the first
in the conspiracy.
II. How the plot was discovered. We do not find that the plotters,
though they took an oath of fidelity, took an oath of secrecy, either
because they thought it did not need it (they would every one keep his
own counsel) or because they thought they could accomplish it, though
it should take wind and be known; but Providence so ordered it that it
was brought to light, and so as effectually to be brought to nought.
See here,
1. How it was discovered to Paul, v. 16. There was a youth that was
related to Paul, his sister's son, whose mother probably lived in
Jerusalem; and some how or other, we are not told how, he heard of
their lying in wait, either overheard them talking of it among
themselves, or got intelligence from some that were in the ploy: and he
went into the castle, probably, as he used to do, to attend on his
uncle, and bring him what he wanted, which gave him a free access to
him and he told Paul what he heard. Note, God has many ways of bringing
to light the hidden works of darkness; though the contrivers of them
dig deep to hide them from the Lord, he can made a bird of the air to
carry the voice (Eccl. x. 20), or the conspirators' own tongues to
betray them.
2. How it was discovered to the chief captain by the young man that
told it to Paul. This part of the story is related very particularly,
perhaps because the penman was an eye-witness of the prudent and
successful management of this affair, and remembered it with a great
deal of pleasure. (1.) Paul had got a good interest in the officers
that attended, by his prudent peaceable deportment. He could call one
of the centurions to him, though a centurion was one in authority, that
had soldiers under him, and used to call, not to be called to, and he
was ready to come at his call (v. 17); and he desired that he would
introduce this young man to the chief captain, to give in an
information of something that concerned the honour of the government.
(2.) The centurion very readily gratified him, v. 18. He did not send a
common soldier with him, but went himself to keep the young man in
countenance, to recommend his errand to the chief captain, and to show
his respect to Paul: "Paul the prisoner (this was his title now) called
me to him, and prayed me to bring this young man to thee; what his
business is I know not, but he has something to say to thee." Note, It
is true charity to poor prisoners to act for them as well as to give to
them. "I was sick and in prison, and you went on an errand for me,"
will pass as well in the account as, "I was sick and in prison, and you
came unto me, to visit me, or sent me a token." Those that have
acquaintance and interest should be ready to use them for the
assistance of those that are in distress. This centurion helped to save
Paul's life by this piece of civility, which should engage us to be
ready to do the like when there is occasion. Open thy mouth for the
dumb, Prov. xxxi. 8. Those that cannot give a good gift to God's
prisoners may yet speak a good word for them. (3.) The chief captain
received the information with a great deal of condescension and
tenderness, v. 19. He took the young man by the hand, as a friend or
father, to encourage him, that he might not be put out of countenance,
but might be assured of a favourable audience. The notice that is taken
of this circumstance should encourage great men to take themselves easy
of access to the meanest, upon any errand which may give them an
opportunity of doing good--to condescend to those of low estate. This
familiarity to which this Roman tribune or colonel admitted Paul's
nephew is here upon record to his honour. Let no man think he
disparages himself by his humility or charity. He went with him aside
privately, that none might hear his business, and asked him, "What is
it that thou hast to tell me? Tell me wherein I can be serviceable to
Paul." It is probable that the chief captain was the more obliging in
this case because he was sensible he had run himself into a premunire
in binding Paul, against his privilege as a Roman citizen, which he was
willing now to atone for. (4.) The young man delivered his errand to
the chief captain very readily and handsomely (v. 20, 21). "The Jews"
(he does not say who, lest he should invidiously reflect upon the chief
priests and the elders; and his business was to save his uncle's life,
not to accuse his enemies) "have agreed to desire thee that thou
wouldest bring down Paul to-morrow into the council, presuming that,
being so short a distance, thou wilt send him without a guard; but do
not thou yield unto them, we have reason to believe thou wilt not when
thou knowest the truth; for there lie in wait for him of them more than
forty me, who have sworn to be the death of him, and now are they ready
looking for a promised from thee, but I have happily got the start of
them." (5.) The captain dismissed the young man with a charge of
secrecy: See that thou tell no man that thou hast shown these things
unto me, v. 22. The favours of great men are not always to be boasted
of; and not fit to be employed in business. If it should be known that
the chief captain had this information brought to him, perhaps they
would compass and imagine the death of Paul some other way; "therefore
keep it private."
III. How the plot was defeated: The chief captain, finding how
implacable and inveterate the malice of the Jews was against Paul, how
restless they were in their designs to do him a mischief, and how near
he was to become himself accessory to it as a minister, resolves to
send him away with all speed out of their reach. He received the
intelligence with horror and indignation at the baseness and
bloody-mindedness of these Jews; and seemed afraid lest, if he should
detain Paul in his castle here, under ever so strong a guard, they
would find some way or other to compass their end notwithstanding,
either beating the guards or burning the castle; and, whatever came of
it, he would, if possible, protect Paul, because he looked upon it that
he did not deserve such treatment. What a melancholy observation is it,
that the Jewish chief priests, when they knew of this
assassination-plot, should countenance it, and assist in it, while a
Roman chief captain, purely from a natural sense of justice and
humanity, when he knows it, sets himself to baffle it, and puts himself
to a great deal of trouble to do it effectually!
1. He orders a considerable detachment of the Roman forces under his
command to get ready to go to Cæsarea with all expedition, and to bring
Paul thither to Felix the governor, where he might sooner expect to
have justice done him than by the great sanhedrim at Jerusalem. I see
not but the chief captain might, without any unfaithfulness to the duty
of his place, have set Paul at liberty, and given him leave to shift
for his own safety, for he was never legally committed to his custody
as a criminal, he himself owns that nothing was laid to his charge
worthy of bonds (v. 29), and he ought to have had the same tenderness
for his liberty that he had for his life; but he feared that this would
have incensed the Jews too much against him. Or perhaps, finding Paul
to be a very extraordinary man, he was proud to have him his prisoner,
and under his protection; and the mighty parade with which he sent him
off intimates as much. Two centurions, or captains of the hundreds, are
employed in this business, v. 23, 24. They must get ready two hundred
soldiers, probably those under their own command, to go to Cæsarea; and
with these seventy horse, and two hundred spearmen besides, which some
think were the chief captain's guards; whether they were horse or foot
is not certain, most probably foot, as pikemen for the protection of
the horse. See how justly God brought the Jewish nation under the Roman
yoke, when such a party of the Roman army was necessary to restrain
them from the most execrable villanies! There needed not all this
force, there needed not any of it, to keep Paul from being rescued by
his friends; ten times this force would not have kept him from being
rescued by an angel, if it had pleased God to work his deliverance that
way, as he had sometimes done; but, (1.) The chief captain designed
hereby to expose the Jews, as a headstrong tumultuous people, that
would not be kept within the bounds of duty and decency by the ordinary
ministers of justice, but needed to be awed by such a train as this;
and, hearing how many were in the conspiracy against Paul, he thought
less would not serve to defeat their attempt. (2.) God designed hereby
to encourage Paul; for, being thus attended, he was not only kept
safely in the hands of his friends, but out of the hands of his
enemies. Yet Paul did not desire such a guard, any more than Ezra did
(Ezra viii. 22), and for the same reason, because he trusted in God's
all-sufficiency; it was owing, however, to the governor's own care. But
he was also made considerable; thus his bonds in Christ were made
manifest all the country over (Phil. i. 13); and, son great an honour
having been put upon them before by the prediction of them, it was
agreeable enough that they should be thus honourably attended, that the
brethren in the Lord might wax the more confident by his bonds, when
they same him rather guarded as the patriot of his country than guarded
against as the pest of his country, and so great a preacher made so
great a prisoner. When his enemies hate him, and I doubt his friends
neglect him, then does a Roman tribune patronise him, and carefully
provide, [1.] For his ease: Let them provide beasts, that they may set
Paul on. Had his Jewish persecutors ordered his removal by habeas
corpus to Cæsarea, they would have made him run on foot, or dragged him
thither in a cart, or on a sledge, or have horsed him behind one of the
troopers; but the chief captain treats him like a gentleman, though he
was his prisoner, and orders him a good horse to ride upon, not at all
afraid that he should ride away. Nay, the order being that they should
provide, not a beast, but beasts, to set Paul on, we must either
suppose that he was allowed so great a piece of state as to have a led
horse, or more, that if he did not like one he might take to another;
or (as some expositors conjecture) that he had beasts assigned him for
his friends and companions, as many as pleased to go along with him, to
divert him in his journey, and to minister to him. [2.] For his
security. They have a strict charge given them by their commander in
chief to bring him safely to Felix the governor, to whom he is
consigned, and who was supreme in all civil affairs among the Jews, as
this chief captain was in military affairs. The Roman historians speak
much of this Felix, as a man of mean extraction, but that raised
himself by his shifts to be governor of Judea, in the execution of
which office, Tacitus, Hist. 5, says this of him: Per omnem sævitiam ac
libidinem jus regium servili ingenio exercuit--He used royal power with
a servile genius, and in connection with all the varieties of cruelty
and lust. To the judgement of such a man as this is poor Paul turned
over; and yet better so than in the hands of Ananias the high priest!
Now, a prisoner, thus upon his deliverance by course of law, ought to
be protected as well as a prince.
2. The chief captain orders, for the greater security of Paul, that he
be taken away at the third hour of the night, which some understand of
three hours after sun-set, that, it being now after the feast of
pentecost (that is, in the midst of summer), they might have the cool
of the night to march in. Others understand it of three hours after
midnight, in the third watch, about three in the morning, that they
might have the day before them, and might get out of Jerusalem before
Paul's enemies were stirring, and so might prevent any popular tumult,
and leave them to roar when they rose, like a lion disappointed of his
prey.
3. He writes a letter to Felix the governor of this province, by which
he discharges himself from any further care about Paul, and leaves the
whole matter with Felix. This letter is here inserted totidem
verbis--verbatim, v. 25. It is probable that Luke the historian had a
copy of it by him, having attended Paul in this remove. Now in this
epistle we may observe,
(1.) The compliments he passes upon the governor, v. 26. He is the most
excellent governor Felix, this title being given him of course, his
excellency, &c. He sends him greeting, wishes him all health and
prosperity; may he rejoice, may he ever rejoice.
(2.) The just and fair account which he gives him of Paul's case: [1.]
That he was one that the Jews had a pique against: They had taken him,
and would have killed him; and perhaps Felix knew the temper of the
Jews so well that he did not think much the worse of him for that, v.
27. [2.] That he had protected him because he was a Roman: "When they
were about to kill him, I came with an army, a considerable body of
men, and rescued him;" which action for a citizen of Rome would
recommend him to the Roman governor. [3.] That he could not understand
the merits of his cause, nor what it was that made him so odious to the
Jews, and obnoxious to their ill-will. He took the proper method to
know: he brought him forth into their council (v. 28), to be examined
there, hoping that, either from their complaints or his own confession,
he would learn something of the ground of all this clamour, but he
found that he was accused of questions of their law (v. 29), about the
hope of the resurrection of the dead, v. 6. This chief captain was a
man of sense and honour, and had good principles in him of justice and
humanity; and yet see how slightly he speaks of another world, and the
great things of that world, as if that were a question, which is of
undoubted certainty, and which both sides agreed in, except the
Sadducees; and as if that were a question only of their law, which is
of the utmost concern to all mankind! Or perhaps he refers rather to
the question about their rituals than about their doctrinals, and the
quarrel he perceived they had with him was for lessening the credit and
obligation of their ceremonial law, which he looked upon as a thing not
worth speaking of. The Romans allowed the nations they conquered the
exercise of their own religion, and never offered to impose theirs upon
them; yet, as conservators of the public peace, they wound not suffer
them, under colour of their religion, to abuse their neighbours. [4.]
That thus far he understood that there was nothing laid to his charge
worthy of death or of bonds, much less proved or made out against him.
The Jews had, by their wickedness, made themselves odious to the world,
had polluted their own honour and profaned their own crown, had brought
disgrace upon their church, their law, and their holy place, and then
they cry out against Paul, as having diminished the reputation of them;
and was this a crime worthy of death or bonds?
(3.) His referring Paul's case to Felix (v. 30): "When it was told me
that the Jews laid wait for the man, to kill him, without any legal
process against him, I sent straightaway to thee, who art the most
proper person to head the cause, and give judgment upon it, and let his
accusers go after him, if they please, and say before thee what they
have against him, for, being bred a soldier, I will never pretend to be
a judge, and so farewell."
4. Paul was accordingly conducted to Cæsarea; the soldiers got him
safely out of Jerusalem by night, and left the conspirators to consider
whether they should east and drink or no before they had killed Paul;
and, if they would not repent of the wickedness of their oath as it was
against Paul, they were now at leisure to repent of the rashness of it
as it was against themselves; if any of them did starve themselves to
death, in consequence of their oath and vexation at their
disappointment, they fell unpitied. Paul was conducted to Antipatris,
which was seventeen miles from Jerusalem, and about the mid-way to
Cæsarea, v. 31. Thence the two hundred foot-soldiers, and the two
hundred spearmen, returned back to Jerusalem, to their quarters in the
castle; for, having conducted Paul out of danger, there needed not
strong a guard, but the horsemen might serve to bring him to Cæsarea,
and would do it with more expedition; this they did, not only to save
their own labour, but their master's charge; and it is an example to
servants, not only to act obediently according to their masters'
orders, but to act prudently, so as may be most for their masters'
interest.
5. He was delivered into the hands of Felix, as his prisoner, v. 33.
The officers presented the letter, and Paul with it, to Felix, and so
discharged themselves of their trust. Paul had never affected
acquaintance or society with great men, but with the disciples,
wherever he came; yet Providence overrules his sufferings so as by them
to give him an opportunity of witnessing to Christ before great men;
and so Christ had foretold concerning his disciples, that they should
be brought before rulers and kings for his sake, for a testimony
against them, Mark xiii. 9. The governor enquired of what province of
the empire the prisoner originally was, and was told that he was a
native of Cilicia, v. 34; and, (1.) He promises him a speedy trial (v.
35): "I will hear thee when thing accusers have come, and will have an
ear open to both sides, as becomes a judge." (2.) He ordered him into
custody, that he should be kept a prisoner in Herod's judgment-hall, in
some apartment belonging to that palace which was denominated from
Herod the Great, who built it. There he had opportunity of acquainting
himself with great men that attended the governor's court, and, no
doubt, he improved what acquaintance he got there to the best purposes.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XXIV.
We left Paul a prisoner at Cæsarea, in Herod's judgment-hall, expecting
his trial to come on quickly; for in the beginning of his imprisonment
his affairs moved very quickly, but afterwards very slowly. In this
chapter we have his arraignment and trial before Felix the governor at
Cæsarea; here is, I. The appearing of the prosecutors against him, and
the setting of the prisoner to the bar, ver. 1, 2. II. The opening of
the indictment against him by Tertullus, who was of counsel for the
prosecutors, and the aggravating of the charge, with abundance of
compliments to the judge, and malice to the prisoner, ver. 2-8. III.
The corroborating of the charge by the testimony of the witnesses, or
rather the prosecutors themselves, ver. 9. IV. The prisoner's defence,
in which, with all due deference to the governor (ver. 10), he denies
the charge, and challenges them to prove it (ver. 11-13), owns the
truth, and makes an unexceptionable profession of his faith, which he
declares was it that they hated him for (ver. 14-16), and gives a more
particular account of what had passed from their first seizing him,
challenging them to specify any ill they had found in him, ver. 17-21.
V. The adjourning of the cause, and the continuing of the prisoner in
custody, ver. 22, 23. VI. The private conversation that was between the
prisoner and the judge, by which the prisoner hoped to do good to the
judge and the judge thought to get money by the prisoner, but both in
vain, ver. 24-26. VII. The lengthening out of Paul's imprisonment for
two years, till another governor came (ver. 27), where he seems as much
neglected as there had been ado about him.
The Speech of Tertullus.
1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the
elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the
governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus
began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great
quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy
providence, 3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble
Felix, with all thankfulness. 4 Notwithstanding, that I be not
further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of
thy clemency a few words. 5 For we have found this man a pestilent
fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the
world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes: 6 Who also hath
gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged
according to our law. 7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us,
and with great violence took him away out of our hands, 8 Commanding
his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest
take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him. 9 And the
Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.
We must suppose that Lysias, the chief captain, when he had sent away
Paul to Cæsarea, gave notice to the chief priests, and others that had
appeared against Paul, that if they had any thing to accuse him of they
must follow him to Cæsarea, and there they would find him, and a judge
ready to hear them-thinking, perhaps, they would not have given
themselves so much trouble; but what will not malice do?
I. We have here the cause followed against Paul, and it is vigorously
carried on. 1. Here is no time lost, for they are ready for a hearing
after five days; all other business is laid aside immediately, to
prosecute Paul; so intent are evil men to do evil! Some reckon these
five days from Paul's being first seized, and with most probability,
for he says here (v. 11) that it was but twelve days since he came up
to Jerusalem, and he had spent seven in his purifying the temple, so
that these five must be reckoned from the last of those. 2. Those who
had been his judges do themselves appear here as his prosecutors.
Ananias himself the high priest, who had sat to judge him, now stands
to inform against him. One would wonder, (1.) That he should thus
disparage himself, and forget the dignity of his place. She the high
priest turn informer, and leave all his business in the temple at
Jerusalem, to go to be called as a prosecutor in Herod's judgment-hall?
Justly did God make the priests contemptible and base, when they made
themselves so, Mal. ii. 9. (2.) That he should thus discover himself
and his enmity against Paul!. If men of the first rank have a malice
against any, they think it policy to employ others against them, and to
play least in sight themselves, because of the odium that commonly
attends it; but Ananias is not shamed to own himself a sworn enemy to
Paul. The elders attended him, to signify their concurrence with him,
and to invigorate the prosecution; for they could not find any
attorneys or solicitors that would follow it with so much violence as
they desired. The pains that evil men take in an evil matter, their
contrivances, their condescensions, and their unwearied industry,
should shame us out of our coldness and backwardness, and out
indifference in that which is good.
II. We have here the cause pleaded against Paul. The prosecutors
brought with them a certain orator named Tertullus, a Roman, skilled in
the Roman law and language, and therefore fittest to be employed in a
cause before the Roman governor, and most likely to gain favour. The
high priest, and elders, though they had their own hearts spiteful
enough, did not think their own tongues sharp enough, and therefore
retained Tertullus, who probably was noted for a satirical wit, to be
of counsel for them; and, no doubt, they gave him a good fee, probably
out of the treasury of the temple, which they had the command of, it
being a cause wherein the church was concerned and which therefore must
not be starved. Paul is set to the bar before Felix the governor: He
was called forth, v. 2. Tertullus's business is, on the behalf of the
prosecutors, to open the information against him, and he is a man that
will say any thing for his fee; mercenary tongues will do so. No cause
so unjust but can find advocates to plead it; and yet we hope many
advocates are so just as not knowingly to patronise an unrighteous
cause, but Tertullus was none of these: his speech (or at least an
abstract of it, for it appears, by Tully's orations, that the Roman
lawyers, on such occasions, used to make long harangues) is here
reported, and it is made up of flattery and falsehood; it calls evil
good, and good evil.
1. One of the worst of men is here applauded as one of the best of
benefactors, only because he was the judge. Felix is represented by the
historians of his own nation, as well as by Josephus the Jew, as a very
bad man, who, depending upon his interest in the court, allowed himself
in all manner of wickedness, was a great oppressor, very cruel, and
very covetous, patronising and protecting assassins.--Joseph. Antiq.
20. 162-165. And yet Tertullus here, in the name of the high priest and
elders, and probably by particular directions from them and according
to the instructions of his breviate, compliments him, and extols him to
the sky, as if he were so good a magistrate as never was the like: and
this comes the worse from the high priest and the elders, because he
had given a late instance of his enmity to their order; for Jonathan
the high priest, or one of the chief priests, having offended him by
too free an invective against the tyranny of his government, he had him
murdered by some villains whom he hired for that purpose who afterwards
did the like for others, as they were hired: Cujus facinoris quia nemo
ultor extitit, invitati hac licentia sicarii multos confodiebant, alios
propter privatas inimicitias, alios conducti pecunia, etiam in ipso
templo--No one being found to punish such enormous wickedness, the
assassins, encouraged by this impunity, stabbed several persons, some
from personal malice, some for hire, and that even in the temple
itself. An yet, to engage him to gratify their malice against Paul, and
to return them that kindness for their kindness in overlooking all
this, they magnify him as the greatest blessing to their church and
nation that ever came among them.
(1.) They are very ready to own it (v. 2): "By thee we, of the church,
enjoy great quietness, and we look upon thee as our patron and
protector, and very worthy deeds are done, from time to time, to the
whole nation of the Jews, by thy providence--thy wisdom, and care, and
vigilance." To give him his due, he had been instrumental to suppress
the insurrection of that Egyptian of whom the chief captain spoke (ch.
xxi. 38); but will the praise of that screen him from the just reproach
of his tyranny and oppression afterwards? See here, [1.] The
unhappiness of great men, and a great unhappiness it is, to have their
services magnified beyond measure, and never to be faithfully told of
their faults; and hereby they are hardened and encouraged in evil. [2.]
The policy of bad men, by flattering princes in what they do amiss to
draw them in to do worse. The bishops of Rome got themselves confirmed
in their exorbitant church power, and have been assisted in persecuting
the servants of Christ, by flattering and caressing usurpers and
tyrants, and so making them the tools of their malice, as the high
priest, by his compliments, designed to make Felix here.
(2.) They promise to retain a grateful sense of it (v. 3): "We accept
it always, and in all places, every where and at all times we embrace
it, we admire it, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness. We will be
ready, upon any occasion, to witness for thee, that thou art a wise and
good governor, and very serviceable to the country." And, if it had
been true that he was such a governor, it had been just that they
should thus accept his good offices with all thankfulness. The benefits
which we enjoy by government, especially by the administration of wise
and good governors, are what we ought to be thankful for, both to God
and man. This is part of the honour due to magistrates, to acknowledge
the quietness we enjoy under their protection, and the worthy deeds
done by their prudence.
(3.) They therefore expect his favour in this cause, v. 4. They pretend
a great care not to intrench upon his time: We will not be further
tedious to thee; and yet to be very confident of his patience: I pray
thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words. All this
address is only ad captandam benefolentiam--to induce him to give
countenance to their cause; and they were so conscious to themselves
that it would soon appear to have more malice than matter in it that
they found it necessary thus to insinuate themselves into his favour.
Every body knew that the high priest and the elders were enemies to the
Roman government, and were uneasy under all the marks of that yoke, and
therefore, in their hearts, hated Felix; and yet, to gain their ends
against Paul, they, by their counsel, show him all this respect, as
they did to Pilate and Cæsar when they were persecuting our Saviour.
Princes cannot always judge of the affections of their people by their
applauses; flattery is one thing, and true loyalty is another.
2. One of the best of men is here accused as one of the worst of
malefactors, only because he was the prisoner. After a flourish of
flattery, in which you cannot see matter for words, he comes to his
business, and it is to inform his excellency concerning the prisoner at
the bar; and this part of his discourse is as nauseous for its raillery
as the former part is for its flattery. I pity the man, and believe he
has no malice against Paul, nor does he think as he speaks in
calumniating him, any more than he did in courting Felix; but, a I
cannot but be sorry that a man of wit and sense should have such a
saleable tongue (as one calls it), so I cannot but be angry at those
dignified men that had such malicious hearts as to put such words into
his mouth. Two things Tertullus here complains of to Felix, in the name
of the high priest and the elders:--
(1.) That the peace of the nation was disturbed by Paul. They could not
have baited Christ's disciples if they had not first dressed them up in
the skins of wild beasts, nor have given them as they did the vilest of
treatment if they had not first represented them as the vilest of men,
though the characters they gave of them were absolutely false and there
was not the least colour nor foundation for them. Innocence, may
excellence and usefulness, are no fence against calumny, no, nor
against the impressions of calumny upon the minds both of magistrates
and multitudes to excite their fury and jealousy; for, be the
representation ever so unjust, when it is enforced, as here it was,
with gravity and pretence of sanctity, and with assurance and noise,
something will stick. The old charge against God's prophets was that
they were the troublers of the land, and against God's Jerusalem that
it was a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces (Ezra iv. 15,
19), and against our Lord Jesus that he perverted the nation, and
forbade to give tribute to Cæsar. It is the very same against Paul
here; and, though utterly false, is averred with all the confidence
imaginable. They do not say, "We suspect him to be a dangerous man, and
have taken him up upon that suspicion;" but, as if the thing were past
dispute, "We have found him to be so; we have often and long found him
so;" as if he were a traitor and rebel already convicted. And yet,
after all, there is not a word of truth in this representation; but, if
Paul's just character be enquired into, it will be found directly the
reverse of this.
[1.] Paul was a useful man, and a great blessing to his country, a man
of exemplary candour and goodness, blessing to all, and provoking to
none; and yet he is here called a pestilent fellow (v. 5): "We have
found him, loimon--pestem--the plague of the nation, a walking
pestilence, which supposes him to be a man of a turbulent spirit,
malicious and ill-natured, and one that threw all things in disorder
wherever he came." They would have it thought that he had dome a more
mischief in his time than a plague could do,--that the mischief he did
was spreading and infectious, and that he made others as mischievous as
himself,--that it was of as fatal consequence as the plague is, killing
and destroying, and laying all waste,--that it was as much to be
dreaded and guarded against as a plague is. Many a good sermon he had
preached, and many a good work he had done, and for these he is called
a pestilent fellow.
[2.] Paul was a peace-maker, was a preacher of that gospel which has a
direct tendency to slay all enmities, and to establish true and lasting
peace; he lived peaceably and quietly himself, and taught others to do
so too, and yet is here represented as a mover of sedition among all
the Jews throughout all the world. The Jews were disaffected to the
Roman government; those of them that were most bigoted were the most
so. This Felix knew, and had therefore a watchful eye upon them. Now
they would fain make him believe that this Paul was the man that made
them so, whereas they themselves were the men that sowed the seeds of
faction and sedition among them: and they knew it; and the reason why
they hated Christ and his religion was because he did not go about to
head them in a opposition to the Romans. The Jews were every where much
set against Paul, and stirred up the people to clamour against him;
they moved sedition in all places where he came, and then cast the
blame unjustly upon him as if he had been the mover of the sedition; as
Nero not long after set Rome on fire, and then said the Christians did
it.
[3.] Paul was a man of catholic charity, who did not affect to be
singular, but made himself the servant of all for their good; and yet
he is here charged as being a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes,
a standard-bearer of that sect, so the word signifies. When Cyprian was
condemned to die for being a Christian, this was inserted in hi
sentence, that he was auctor iniqui nominis et signifer--The author and
standard-bearer of a wicked cause. Now it was true that Paul was an
active leading man in propagating Christianity. But, First, It was
utterly false that this was a sect; he did not draw people to a party
or private opinion, nor did he make his own opinions their rule. True
Christianity establishes that which is of common concern to all
mankind, publishes good-will to men, and shows us God in Christ
reconciling the world to himself, and therefore cannot be thought to
take its rise from such narrow opinions and private interests as sects
owe their origin to. True Christianity has a direct tendency to the
uniting of the children of men, and the gathering of them together in
one; and, as far as it obtains its just power and influence upon the
minds of men, will make them meek and quiet, and peaceable and loving,
and every way easy, acceptable, and profitable one to another, and
therefore is far from being a sect, which is supposed to lead to
division and to sow discord. True Christianity aims at no worldly
benefit or advantage, and therefore must by no means be called a sect.
Those that espouse a sect are governed in it by their secular interest,
they aim at wealth and honour; but the professors of Christianity are
so far from this that they expose themselves thereby to the loss and
ruin of all that is dear to them in this world. Secondly, It is
invidiously called the sect of the Nazarenes, by which Christ was
represented as of Nazareth, whence no good thing was expected to arise;
whereas he was of Bethlehem, where the Messiah was to be born. Yet he
was pleased to call himself, Jesus of Nazareth, ch. xxii. 8. And the
scripture has put an honour on the name, Matt. ii. 23. And therefore,
though intended for a reproach, the Christians had not reason to be
ashamed of sharing with their Master in it. Thirdly, It was false that
Paul was the author of standard-bearer of this sect; for he did not
draw people to himself, but to Christ-did not preach himself, but
Christ Jesus.
[4.] Paul had a veneration for the temple, as it was the place which
God had chosen to put his name there, and had lately himself with
reverence attended the temple-service; and yet it is here charged upon
him that he went about to profane the temple, and that he designedly
put contempt upon it, and violated the laws of it, v. 6. Their proof of
this failed; for that they alleged as matter of act was utterly false,
and they knew it, ch. xxi. 29.
(2.) That the course of justice against Paul was obstructed by the
chief captain. [1.] They pleaded that they took him, and would have
judged him according to their law. This was false; they did not go
about to judge him according to their law, but, contrary to all law and
equity, went about to beat him to death or to pull him to pieces,
without hearing what he had to say for himself-went about, under
pretence of having him into their court, to throw him into the hands of
ruffians that lay in wait to destroy him. Was this judging him
according to their law? It is easy for men, when they know what they
should have done, to say, this they would have done, when they meant
nothing less. [2.] They reflected upon the chief captain as having done
them an injury in rescuing Paul out of their hands; whereas he therein
not only did him justice, but them the greatest kindness that could be,
in preventing the guilt they were bringing upon themselves: The chief
captain Lysias came upon us and with great violence (but really no more
than was necessary) took him out of our hands, v. 7. See how
persecutors are enraged at their disappointments, which they ought to e
thankful for. When David in a heat of passion was going upon a bloody
enterprise, he thanked Abigail for stopping him, and God for sending
her to do it, so soon did he correct and recover himself. But these
cruel men justify themselves, and reckon him their enemy who kept them
(as David there speaks) from shedding blood with their own hands. [3.]
They referred the matter to Felix and his judgment, yet seeming uneasy
that they were under a necessity of doing so, the chief captain having
obliged them to it (v. 8): "It was he that forced us to give your
excellency this trouble, and ourselves too; for," First, "He commanded
his accusers to come to thee, that though mightest hear the charge,
when it might as well have been ended in the inferior court." Secondly,
"He has left it to thee to examine him, and try what thou canst get out
of him, and whether thou canst by his confession come to the knowledge
of those things which we lay to his charge."
III. The assent of the Jews to this charge which Tertullus exhibited
(v. 9): They confirmed it, saying that those things were so. 1. Some
think this expresses the proof of their charge by witnesses upon oath,
that were examined as to the particulars of it, and attested them. And
no wonder if, when they had found an orator that would say it, they
found witnesses that would swear it, for money. 2. It rather seems to
intimate the approbation which the high priest and the elders gave to
what Tertullus said. Felix asked them, "Is this your sense, and is it
all that you have to say?" And they answered, "Yes it is;" and so they
made themselves guilty of all the falsehood that was in his speech.
Those that have not the wit and parts to do mischief with that some
others have, that cannot make speeches and hold disputes against
religion, yet make themselves guilty of the mischiefs others do, by
assenting to that which others do, and saying, These things are so,
repeating and standing by what is said, to pervert the right ways of
the Lord. Many that have not learning enough to plead for Baal yet have
wickedness enough to vote for Baal.
Paul's Third Defence.
10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak,
answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge
unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself: 11
Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days
since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship. 12 And they neither
found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the
people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city: 13 Neither can
they prove the things whereof they now accuse me. 14 But this I
confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so
worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written
in the law and in the prophets: 15 And have hope toward God, which
they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the
dead, both of the just and unjust. 16 And herein do I exercise
myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and
toward men. 17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my
nation, and offerings. 18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me
purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult. 19
Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought
against me. 20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found
any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council, 21 Except it
be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the
resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.
We have here Paul's defence of himself, in answer to Tertullus's
charge, and there appears in it a great deal of the spirit of wisdom
and holiness, and an accomplishment of Christ's promise to his
followers that when they were before governors and kings, for his sake,
it should be given them in that same hour what they should speak.
Though Tertullus had said a great many provoking things, yet Paul did
not interrupt him, but let him go on to the end of his speech,
according to the rules of decency and the method in courts of justice,
that the plaintiff be allowed to finish his evidence before the
defendant begins his plea. And when he had done, he did not presently
fly out into passionate exclamations against the iniquity of the times
and the men (O tempora! O mores!--Oh the degeneracy of the times!) but
he waited for a permission from the judge to speak in his turn, and had
it. The governor beckoned to him to speak, v. 10. And now he also may
have leave to speak out, under the protection of the governor, which
was more than he could hitherto obtain. And, when he did speak, he made
no reflections at all upon Tertullus, who he knew spoke for his fee,
and therefore despised what he said, and levelled his defence against
those that employed him. And here,
I. He addressed himself very respectfully to the governor, and with a
confidence that he would do him justice. Here are not such flattering
compliments as Tertullus soothed him up with, but, which was more truly
respectful, a profession that he answered for himself cheerfully, and
with good assurance before him, looking upon him, though not as one
that was his friend, yet as one that would be fair and impartial. He
thus expresses his expectation that he would be so, to engage him to be
so. It was likewise the language of one that was conscious to himself
of his own integrity, and whose heart did not reproach him, whoever
did. He did not stand trembling at the bar; on the contrary, he was
very cheerful when he had one to be his judge that was not a party, but
an indifferent person. Nay, when he considers who his judge is, he
answers the more cheerfully; and why so? He does not say, "Because I
know thee to be a judge of inflexible justice and integrity, that
hatest bribes, and in giving judgment fearest God, and regardest not
man;" for he could not justly say this of him, and therefore would not
say it, though it were to gain his favour ever so much; but, I the more
cheerfully answer from myself, because I know thou hast been many years
a judge to this nation, and this was very true, and being so, 1. He
could say of his own knowledge that there had not formerly been any
complaints against Paul. Such clamours as they raised are generally
against old offenders; but, though he had long say judge there, he
never had Paul brought before him till now; and therefore he was not so
dangerous a criminal as he was represented to be. 2. He was well
acquainted with the Jewish nation, and with their temper and spirit. He
knew how bigoted they were to their own way, what furious zealots they
were against all that did not comply with them, how peevish and
perverse they generally were, and therefore would make allowances for
that in their accusation of him, and not regard that which he had
reason to think came so much from part-malice. Though he did not know
him, he knew his prosecutors, and by this might guess what manner of
man he was.
II. He denies the facts that he was charged with, upon which their
character of him was grounded. Moving sedition, and profaning the
temple, were the crimes for which he stood indicted, crimes which they
knew the Roman governors were not accustomed to enquire into, and
therefore they hoped that the governor would return him back to them to
be judged by their law, and this was all they wished for. But Paul
desires that though he would not enquire into the crimes he would
protect one that was unjustly charged with them from those whom he knew
to be spiteful and ill-natured enough. Now he would have him to
understand (and what he said he was ready, if required, to make out by
witnesses),
1. That he came up to Jerusalem on purpose to worship God in peace and
holiness, so far was he from any design to move sedition among the
people or to profane the temple. He came to keep up his communion with
the Jews, not to put any affront upon them.
2. That it was but twelve days since he came up to Jerusalem, and he
came up to Jerusalem, and he had been six days a prisoner; he was
alone, and it could not be supposed that in so short a time he could do
the mischief they charged upon him. And, as for what he had done in
other countries, they knew nothing of it but by uncertain report, by
which the matter was very unfairly represented.
3. That he had demeaned himself at Jerusalem very quietly and
peaceably, and had made no manner of stir. If it had been true (as they
alleged) that he was a mover of sedition among all the Jews, surely he
would have been industrious to make a party at Jerusalem: but he did
not do so. He was in the temple, attending the public service there. He
was in the synagogues where the law was read and opened. He went about
in the city among his relations and friends, and conversed freely in
the places of concourse; and he was a man of a great genius and an
active spirit, and yet they could not charge him with offering any
thing either against the faith or against the peace of the Jewish
church. (1.) He had nothing in him of a contradicting spirit, as the
movers of sedition have; he had no disposition to quarrel or oppose.
They never found him disputing with any man, either affronting the
learned with captious cavils or perplexing the weak and simple with
curious subtleties. He was ready, if asked, to give a reason of his own
hope, and to give instruction to others; but he never picked a quarrel
with any man about his religion, nor made that the subject of debate,
and controversy, and perverse dispute, which ought always to be treated
of with humility and reverence, with meekness and love. (2.) He had
nothing in him of a turbulent spirit: "They never found me raising up
the people, by incensing them against their governors in church or
state or suggesting to them fears and jealousies concerning public
affairs, nor by setting them at variance one with another or sowing
discord among them." He behaved as became a Christian and minister,
with love and quietness, and due subjection to lawful authority. The
weapons of his warfare were not carnal, not did he ever mention or
think of such a thing as taking up arms for the propagating of the
gospel or the defence of the preachers of it; though he could have
made, perhaps, as strong a party among the common people as his
adversaries, yet he never attempted it.
4. That as to what they had charged him with, of moving sedition in
other countries, he was wholly innocent, and they could not make good
the charge (v. 13): Neither can the prove the things whereof the now
accuse me. Hereby, (1.) He maintains his own innocency; for when he
says, They cannot prove it, he means, The matter is not so. He was no
enemy to the public peace; he had done no real prejudice, but a great
deal of real service, and would gladly have done more, to the nation of
the Jews. He was so far from having any antipathy to them that he had
the strongest affection imaginable for them, and a most passionate
desire for their welfare, Rom. ix. 1-3. (2.) He bemoans his own
calamity, that he was accused of those things which could not be proved
against him. And it has often been the lot of very worthy good men to
be thus injured, to have things laid to their charge which they are the
greatest distance from and abhor the though of. But, while they are
lamenting this calamity, this may be their rejoicing, even the
testimony of their consciences concerning their integrity. (3.) He
shows the iniquity of his prosecutors, who said that which they knew
they could not prove, and thereby did him wrong in his name, liberty,
and life, and did the judge wrong too, in imposing upon him, and doing
what in them lay to pervert his judgment. (4.) He appeals to the equity
of his judge, and awakens him to look about him, that he might not be
drawn into a snare by the violence of the prosecution. The judge must
give sentence secundum allegata et probata--according to that which is
not only alleged but proved, and therefore must enquire, and search,
and ask diligently, whether the thing be true and certain (Deut. xiii.
14); he cannot otherwise give a right judgment.
III. He gives a fair and just account of himself, which does at once
both clear him from crime and likewise intimate what was the true
reason of their violence in prosecuting him.
1. He acknowledges himself to be one whom they looked upon as a
heretic, and that was the reason of their spleen against him. The chief
captain had observed, and the governor now cannot but observe, an
uncommon violence and fury in his prosecutors, which they know not what
to make of, but, guessing at the crime by the cry, conclude he must
needs have been a very bad man only for that reason. Now Paul here
unriddles the matter: I confess that in the way which they call
heresy--or a sect, so worship I the God of my fathers. The controversy
is in a matter of religion, and such controversies are commonly managed
with most fury and violence. Note, It is no new thing for the right way
of worshipping God to be called heresy; and for the best of God's
servants to be stigmatized and run down as sectaries. The reformed
churches are called heretical ones by those who themselves hate to be
reformed, and are themselves heretics. Let us therefore never be driven
off from any good way by its being put in to an ill name; for true and
pure Christianity is never the worse, nor to be the worse thought of,
for its being called heresy; no, not though it be called so by the high
priest and the elders.
2. He vindicates himself from this imputation. They call Paul a
heretic, but he is not so; for,
(1.) He worships the God of his fathers, and therefore is right in the
object of his worship. He does not say, Let us go after other gods,
which we have not known, and let us serve them, as the false prophet is
supposed to do, Deut. xiii. 2. If so, they might justly call his way
heresy, a drawing of them aside into a by-path, and a dangerous one;
but he worships the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not only the God
whom they worshipped, but the God who took them into covenant with
himself, and was and would be called their God. Paul adheres to that
covenant, and sets up no other in opposition to it. The promise made
unto the fathers Paul preached as fulfilled to the children (ch. xiii.
32, 33), and so directed both his own devotions and those of others to
God, as the God of their fathers. He also refers to the practice of all
his pious ancestors: I worship the same God that all my fathers
worshipped. His religion was so far from being chargeable with novelty
that it gloried in its antiquity, and in an uninterrupted succession of
its professors. Note, It is very comfortable in our worshipping God to
have an eye to him as the God of our fathers. Our fathers trusted in
him, and were owned by him, and he engaged to be their God, and the God
of their seed. He approved himself theirs, and therefore, if we serve
him as they did, he will be ours; what an emphasis is laid upon this,
He is my father's God, and I will exalt him! Exod. xv. 2.
(2.) He believes all things which are written in the law and the
prophets, and therefore is right in the rule of his worship. His
religion is grounded upon, and governed by, the holy scriptures; they
are his oracle and touchstone, and he speaks and acts according to
them. He receives the scriptures entire, and believes all things that
are there written; and he receives them pure, for he says no other
things than what are contained in them, as he explains himself, ch.
xxvi. 22. He sets not up any other rule of faith, or practice but the
scriptures-not tradition, nor the authority of the church, nor the
infallibility of any man or company of men on earth, nor the light
within, nor human reason; but divine revelation, as it is in the
scripture, is that which he resolves to live and die by, and therefore
he is not a heretic.
(3.) He has his eye upon a future state, and is a believing expectant
of that, and therefore is right in the end of his worship. Those that
turn aside to heresy have a regard to this world, and some secular
interest, but Paul aims to make heaven of his religion, and neither
more nor less (v. 15): "I have hope towards God, all my expectation is
from him, and therefore all my desire is towards him and all my
dependence upon him; my hope is towards God and not towards the world,
towards another world and not towards this. I depend upon God and upon
his power, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead at the end of
time, of all, both the just and unjust; and the great thing I aim at in
my religion is to obtain a joyful and happy resurrection, a share in
the resurrection of the just." Observe here, [1.] That there shall be a
resurrection of the dead, the dead bodies of men, of all men from the
beginning to the end of time. It is certain, not only that the soul
does not die with the body, but that the body itself shall live again;
we have not only another life to live when our present life is at an
end, but there is to be another world, which shall commence when this
world is at an end, into which all the children of men must enter at
once by a resurrection from the dead, as they entered into this, one
after another, by their birth. [2.] It shall be a resurrection both of
the just and of the unjust, the sanctified and the unsanctified, of
those that did well, and to them our Saviour has told us that it will
be a resurrection of life; and of those that did evil, and to them that
it will be a resurrection of condemnation, John v. 29. See Dan. xii. 2.
This implies that it will be a resurrection to a final judgment, by
which all the children of men will be determined to everlasting
happiness or misery in a world of retribution, according to what they
were and what they did in this state of probation and preparation. The
just shall rise by virtue of their union with Christ as their head; the
unjust shall rise by virtue of Christ's dominion over them as their
Judge. [3.] God is to be depended upon for the resurrection of the
dead: I have hope towards God, and in God, that there shall be a
resurrection; it shall be effected by the almighty power of God, in
performance of the word which God hath spoken; so that those who doubt
of it betray their ignorance both of the scriptures and of the power of
God, Matt. xxii. 29. [4.] The resurrection of the dead is a fundamental
article of our creed, as it was also of that of the Jewish church. It
is what they themselves also allow; nay, it was the expectation of the
ancient patriarchs, witness Job's confession of his faith; but it is
more clearly revealed and more fully confirmed by the gospel, and
therefore those who believed it should have been thankful to the
preachers of the gospel for their explications and proofs of it,
instead of opposing them. [5.] In all our religion we ought to have an
eye to the other world, and to serve God in all instances with a
confidence in him that there will be a resurrection of the dead, doing
all in preparation for that, and expecting our recompence in that.
(4.) His conversation is of a piece with his devotion (v. 16): And
herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offence towards God and towards men. Prophets and their doctrine were
to be tried by their fruits. Paul was far from having made shipwreck of
a good conscience, and therefore it is not likely he has made shipwreck
of the faith, the mystery of which is best held in a pure conscience.
This protestation of Paul's is to the same purport with that which he
made before the high priest (ch. xxiii. 1): I have lived in all good
conscience; and this was his rejoicing. Observe, [1.] What was Paul's
aim and desire: To have a conscience void of offence. Either, First, "A
conscience not offending; not informing me wrong, nor flattering me,
nor dealing deceitfully with me, nor in any thing misleading me." Or,
Secondly, A conscience not offended; it is like Job's resolution, "My
heart shall not reproach me, that is, I will never give it any occasion
to do so. This is what I am ambitious of, to keep upon good terms with
my own conscience, that it may have no cause either to question the
goodness of my spiritual state or to quarrel with me for any particular
action. I am as careful not to offend my conscience as I am not to
offend a friend with whom I daily converse; nay, as I am not to offend
a magistrate whose authority I am under, and to whom I am accountable;
for conscience is God's deputy in my soul." [2.] What was his care and
endeavour, in pursuance of this: "I exercise myself--asko. I make it my
constant business, and govern myself by this intention; I discipline
myself, and live by rule" (those that did so were called ascetics, from
the word here used), "abstain from many a thing which my inclination
leads me to, and abound in all the exercises of religion that are most
spiritual, with this in my eye, that I may keep peace with my own
conscience." [3.] The extent of this care: First, To all times: To have
always a conscience void of offence, always void of gross offence; for
though Paul was conscious to himself that he had not yet attained
perfection, and the evil that he would not do yet he did, yet he was
innocent from the great transgression. Sins of infirmity are uneasy to
conscience, but they do not wound it, and waste it, as presumptuous
sins do; and, though offence may be given to conscience, yet care must
be taken that it be not an abiding offence, but that by the renewed
acts of faith and repentance the matter may be taken up again quickly.
This however we must always exercise ourselves in, and, though we come
short, we must follow after. Secondly, To all things: Both towards God,
and towards man. His conscientious care extended itself to the whole of
his duty, and he was afraid of breaking the law of love either to God
or his neighbour. Conscience, like the magistrate, is custos utriusque
tabulæ--the guardian of each table. We must be very cautious that we do
not think, or speak, or do any thing amiss, either against God or man,
2 Cor. viii. 21. [4.] The inducement to it: Herein, en touto, for this
cause; so it may be read. "Because I look for the resurrection of the
dead and the life of the world to come, therefore I thus exercise
myself." The consideration of the future state should engage us to be
universally conscientious in our present state.
IV. Having made confession of his faith, he gives a plain and faithful
account of his case, and of the wrong done him by his persecutors.
Twice he had been rescued by the chief captain out of the hands of the
Jews, when they were ready to pull him to pieces, and he challenges
them to prove him guilty of any crime either time.
1. In the temple. Here they fell furiously upon him as an enemy to
their nation and the temple, ch. xxi. 28. But was there any colour for
the charge? No, but evidence sufficient against it, (1.) It was very
hard to accuse him as an enemy to their nation, when after long absence
from Jerusalem he came to bring alms to his nation, money which (though
he had need enough himself of it) he had collected among his friends,
for the relief of the poor at Jerusalem. He not only had no malice to
that people, but he had a very charitable concern for them, and was
ready to do them all good offices; and were they his adversaries for
his love? Ps. cix. 4. (2.) It was very hard to accuse him of having
profaned the temple when he brought offerings to the temple, and was
himself at charges therein (ch. xxi. 24), and was found purifying
himself in the temple, according to the law (v. 18), and that in a very
quiet decent manner, neither with multitude nor with tumult. Though he
was a man so much talked of, he was far from coveting to show himself
when he came to Jerusalem, or to be crowded after, but went to the
temple, as much as was possible, incognito. They were Jews from Asia,
his enemies, that caused him to be taken notice of; they had not
pretence to make a tumult and raise a multitude against him, for he had
neither multitude nor tumult for him. And as to what was perhaps
suggested to Felix that he had brought Greeks into the temple, contrary
to their law, and the governor ought to reckon with him for that, the
Romans having stipulated with the nations that submitted to them to
preserve them in their religion, he challenges them to prove it (v.
19): "Those Jews of Asia ought to have been here before thee, that they
might have been examined, whether they had aught against me, that they
would stand by and swear to;" for some that will not scruple to tell a
lie have such heavings of conscience that they scruple confirming it
with an oath.
2. In the council: "Since the Jews of Asia are not here to prove any
thing upon me done amiss in the temple, let these same that are here,
the high priest and the elders, say whether they have found any evil
doing in me, or whether I was guilty of any misdemeanor when I stood
before the council, when also they were ready to pull me in pieces, v.
20. When I was there, they could not take offence at any thing I said;
for all I said was, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called
in question by you this day (v. 21), which gave no offence to any one
but the Sadducees. This I hope was no crime, that I stuck to that which
is the faith of the whole Jewish church, excepting those whom they
themselves call heretics."
Paul Converses with Felix; Felix Trembles; Paul's Trial Adjourned.
22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of
that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain
shall come down, I will know the uttermost of your matter. 23 And he
commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and
that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto
him. 24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife
Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him
concerning the faith in Christ. 25 And as he reasoned of
righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and
answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I
will call for thee. 26 He hoped also that money should have been
given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him
the oftener, and communed with him. 27 But after two years Porcius
Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a
pleasure, left Paul bound.
We have here the result of Paul's trial before Felix, and what was the
consequence of it.
I. Felix adjourned the cause, and took further time to consider of it
(v. 22): He had a more perfect knowledge of that way which the Jews
called heresy than the high priest and the elders thought he had. He
understood something of the Christian religion; for, living at Cæsarea,
where Cornelius, a Roman centurion, was, who was a Christian, from him
and others he had got a notion of Christianity, that it was not such an
evil thing as it was represented. He himself knew some of that way to
be honest good men, and very conscientious, and therefore he put off
the prosecutors with an excuse: "When the chief captain shall come down
hither, I will know the uttermost of your matter, or I shall know the
truth, whether this Paul did go about to raise sedition or no; you are
parties, he is an indifferent person. Either Paul deserves to be
punished for raising the tumult, or you do for doing it yourselves and
then charging it upon him; and I will hear what he says, and determine
accordingly between you." Now, 1. It was a disappointment to the high
priest and the elders that Paul was not condemned, or remitted to their
judgment, which they wished for and expected. But thus sometimes God
restrains the wrath of his people's enemies by the agency, not of their
friends, but of such as are strangers to them. And though they be so,
if they have but some knowledge of their way, they cannot but appear
for their protection. 2. It was an injury to Paul that he was not
released. Felix ought to have avenged him of his adversaries, when he
so plainly saw there was nothing but malice in the prosecution, and to
have delivered him out of the hand of the wicked, according to the duty
of a judge, Ps. lxxxii. 4. But he was a judge that neither feared God
nor regarded man, and what good could be expected from him? It is a
wrong not only to deny justice, but to delay it.
II. He detained the prisoner in custody, and would not take bail for
him; else here at Cæsarea Paul had friends enough that would gladly
have been his security. Felix thought a man of such a public character
as Paul was had many friends, as well as many enemies, and he might
have an opportunity of obliging them, or making a hand of them, if he
did not presently release him, and yet did show him countenance; and
therefore, 1. He continued him a prisoner, commanded a centurion or
captain to keep him, v. 23. He did not commit him to the common jail,
but, being first made an army-prisoner, he shall still be so. 2. Yet he
took care he should be a prisoner at large--in libera custodia; his
keeper must let him have liberty, not bind him nor lock him up, but
make his confinement as easy to him as possible; let him have the
liberty of the castle, and, perhaps, he means liberty to take the air,
or go abroad upon his parole: and Paul was such an honest man that they
might take his word for his return. The high priest and the elders
grudged him his life, but Felix generously allows him a sort of
liberty; for he had not those prejudices against him and his way that
they had. He also gave orders that none of his friends should be
hindered from coming to him; the centurion must not forbid any of his
acquaintances from ministering to him; and a man's prison is as it were
his own house if he has but his friends about him.
III. He had frequent conversation with him afterwards in private, once
particularly, not long after his public trial, v. 24, 25. Observe,
1. With what design Felix sent for Paul. He had a mind to have some
talk with him concerning the faith in Christ, the Christian religion;
he had some knowledge of that way, but he desired to have an account of
it from Paul, who was so celebrated a preacher of that faith, above the
rest. Those that would enlarge their knowledge must discourse with men
of their own profession, and those that would be acquainted with any
profession should consult those that excel in the knowledge of it; and
therefore Felix had a mind to talk with Paul more freely than he could
in open court, where he observed Paul upon his guard, concerning the
faith of Christ; and this only to satisfy his curiosity, or rather the
curiosity of his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, daughter of Herod
Agrippa, that was eaten of worms. Being educated in the Jewish
religion, she was more inquisitive concerning the Christian religion,
which pretended to be the perfection of that, and desired to hear Paul
discourse of it. But it was no great matter what religion she was of;
for, whatever it was, she was a reproach and scandal to it-a Jewess,
but an adulteress; she was another man's wife when Felix took her to be
his wife, and she lived with him in whoredom and was noted for an
impudent woman, yet she desires to hear concerning the faith of Christ.
Many are fond of new notions and speculations in religion, and can hear
and speak of them with pleasure, who yet hate to come under the power
and influence of religion, can be content to have their judgments
informed but not their lives reformed.
2. What the account was which Paul gave him of the Christian religion;
by the idea he had of it, he expected to be amused with a mystical
divinity, but, as Paul represents it to him, he is alarmed with a
practical divinity. Paul, being asked concerning the faith in Christ,
reasoned (for Paul was always a rational preacher) concerning
righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come. It is probable that he
mentioned the peculiar doctrines of Christianity concerning the death
and resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and his being the Mediator between
God and man; but he hastened to his application, in which he designed
to come home to the consciences of his hearers.
(1.) He discoursed with clearness and warmth of righteousness,
temperance, and judgment to come; and here he showed, [1.] That the
faith in Christ is designed to enforce upon the children of men the
great laws of justice and temperance. The grace of God teacheth us to
live soberly and righteously, Tit. ii. 12. Justice and temperance were
celebrated virtues among the heathen moralists; if the doctrine Paul
preaches, which Felix has heard of as proclaiming liberty, will but
free him from an obligation to these, he will readily embrace it: "No,"
says Paul, "it is so far from doing so that it strengthens the
obligations of those sacred laws; it binds all under the highest
penalties to be honest in all their dealings, and to render to all
their due; to deny themselves, and to keep under the body, and bring it
into subjection." The world and the flesh being in our baptism
renounced, all our pursuits of the world and all our gratifications of
the desires of the body are to be under the regulations of religion.
Paul reasoned of righteousness and temperance, to convince Felix of his
unrighteousness and intemperance, of which he had been notoriously
guilty, that, seeing the odiousness of them, and his obnoxiousness to
the wrath of God for them (Eph. v. 6), he might enquire concerning the
faith of Christ, with a resolution to embrace it. [2.] That by the
doctrine of Christ is discovered to us the judgment to come, by the
sentence of which the everlasting state of all the children of men will
be finally and irreversibly determined. Men have their day now, Felix
hath his; but God's day is coming, when everyone shall give account of
himself to God, the Judge of all. Paul reasoned concerning this; that
is, he showed what reason we have to believe that there is a judgment
to come, and what reason we have, in consideration thereof, to be
religious.
(2.) From this account of the heads of Paul's discourse we may gather,
[1.] That Paul in his preaching had no respect to persons, for the word
of God, which he preached, has not: he urged the same convictions and
instructions upon the Roman governor that he did upon other people.
[2.] That Paul in his preaching aimed at the consciences of men, and
came close to them, sought not to please their fancy nor to gratify
their curiosity, but led them to a sight of their sins and a sense of
their duty and interest. [3.] That Paul preferred the serving of
Christ, and the saving of souls, before his own safety. He lay at the
mercy of Felix, who had power (as Pilate said) to crucify him (or,
which was as bad, to deliver him back to the Jews), and he had power to
release him. Now when Paul had his ear, and had him in a good humour,
he had a fair opportunity of ingratiating himself with him, and
obtaining a release, nay, and of incensing him against his prosecutors:
and, on the contrary, if he disobliged him, and put him out of humour,
he might do himself a great diskindness by it; but he is wholly
negligent of these considerations, and is intent upon doing good, at
least discharging his duty. [4.] That Paul was willing to take pains,
and run hazards, in his work, even where there was little probability
of doing good. Felix and Drusilla were such hardened sinners that it
was not at all likely they should be brought to repentance by Paul's
preaching, especially under such disadvantages; and yet Paul deals with
them as one that did not despair of them. Let the watchman give fair
warning, and then they have delivered their own souls, though they
should not prevail to deliver the souls they watch for.
3. What impressions Paul's discourse made upon this great but wicked
man: Felix trembled, emphobos genomenos--being put into a fright, or
made a terror to himself, a magor-missabib, as Pashur, Jer. xx. 3, 4.
Paul never trembled before him, but he was made to tremble before Paul.
"If this be so, as Paul says, what will become of me in another world?
If the unrighteous and intemperate will be condemned in the judgment to
come, I am undone, for ever undone, unless I lead a new course of
life." We do not find that Drusilla trembled, though she was equally
guilty, for she was a Jewess, and depended upon the ceremonial law,
which she adhered to the observance of, to justify her; but Felix for
the present could fasten upon nothing to pacify his conscience, and
therefore trembled. See here, (1.) The power of the word of God, when
it comes with commission; it is searching, it is startling, it can
strike a terror into the heart of the most proud and daring sinner, by
setting his sins in order before him, and showing him the terrors of
the Lord. (2.) The workings of natural conscience; when it is startled
and awakened, it fills the soul with horror and amazement at its own
deformity and danger. Those that are themselves the terror of the
mighty in the land of the living have hereby been made a terror to
themselves. A prospect of the judgment to come is enough to make the
stoutest heart to tremble, as when it comes indeed it will make the
mighty men and the chief captains to call in vain to rocks and
mountains to shelter them.
4. How Felix struggled to get clear of these impressions, and to shake
off the terror of his convictions; he did by them as he did by Paul's
prosecutors (v. 25), he deferred them; he said, Go thy way for this
time, when I have a convenient season I will call for thee. (1.) He
trembled and that was all. Paul's trembling (ch. ix. 6), and the
jailer's (ch. xvi. 29), ended in their conversion, but this of Felix
did not. Many are startled by the word of God who are not effectually
changed by it. Many are in fear of the consequences of sin, and yet
continue in love and league with sin. (2.) He did not fight against his
convictions, nor fly in the face of the word or of the preacher of it,
to be revenged on them for making his conscience fly in his face; he
did not say to Paul, as Amaziah to the prophet, Forbear, why shouldst
thou be smitten? He did not threaten him with a closer confinement, or
with death, for touching him (as John Baptist did Herod) in the sore
place. But, (3.) He artfully shifted off his convictions by putting off
the prosecution of them to another time. He has nothing to object
against what Paul has said; it is weighty and worth considering. But,
like a sorry debtor, he begs a day; Paul has spent himself, and has
tired him and his lady, and therefore, "Go thy way for this time--break
off here, business calls me away; but when I have a convenient season,
and have nothing else to do, I will call for thee, and hear what thou
hast further to say." Note, [1.] Many lose all the benefit of their
convictions for want of striking while the iron is hot. If Felix, now
that he trembled, had but asked, as Paul and the jailer did when they
trembled, What shall I do? he might have been brought to the faith of
Christ, and have been a Felix indeed, happy for ever; but, by dropping
his convictions now, he lost them for ever, and himself with them. [2.]
In the affairs of our souls, delays are dangerous; nothing is of more
fatal consequence than men's putting off their conversion from time to
time. They will repent, and turn to God, but not yet; the matter is
adjourned to some more convenient season, when such a business or
affair is compassed, when they are so much older; and then convictions
cool and wear off, good purposes prove to no purpose, and they are more
hardened than ever in their evil way. Felix put off this matter to a
more convenient season, but we do not find that this more convenient
season ever came; for the devil cozens us of all our time by cozening
us of the present time. The present season is, without doubt, the most
convenient season. Behold, now is the accepted time. To-day if you will
hear his voice.
IV. After all, he detained him a prisoner, and left him so, when two
years after he was removed from the government, v. 26, 27. He was
convinced in his conscience that Paul had done nothing worthy of death
or of bonds, and yet had not the honesty to release him. To little
purpose had Paul reasoned with him about righteousness, though he then
trembled at the thought of his own iniquity, who could thus persist in
such a palpable piece of injustice. But here we are told what
principles he was governed by herein; and they were such as make the
matter yet much worse. 1. The love of money. He would not release Paul
because he hoped to make his market of him, and that at length his
friends would make a purse to purchase his liberty, and then he would
satisfy his conscience by releasing him when he could withal satisfy
his covetousness by it; but he cannot find in his heart to do his duty
as a judge, unless he can get money by it: He hoped that money would
have been given him of Paul, or somebody for him, and then he would
have loosed him, and set him at liberty. In hopes of this, he detains
him a prisoner, and sends for him the oftener, and communes with him;
not any more about the faith of Christ (he had had enough of that, and
of the judgment to come; Paul must not return to those subjects, nor go
on with them), but about his discharge, or ransom rather, out of his
present captivity. He cannot for shame ask Paul what he will give him
to release him, but he sends for him to feel his pulse, and gives him
an opportunity to ask why he would take to release him. And now we see
what became of his promise both to Paul and to himself, that he would
hear more of Christ at some other convenient season. Here were many
seasons convenient enough to have talked that matter through, but
nothing is done in it; all his business now is to get money by Paul,
not to get the knowledge of Christ by him. Note, It is just with God to
say concerning those who trifle with their convictions, and think they
can have the grace of God at command when they please, My Spirit shall
no more strive with them. When men will not hear God's voice to-day,
while it is called to-day, the heart is commonly hardened by the
deceitfulness of sin. Paul was but a poor man himself, silver and gold
he had none to give, to purchase his liberty; but Felix knew there were
those who wished well to him who were able to assist him. He having
lately collected a great deal of money for the poor saints to relieve
them, it might also be expected that the rich saints should contribute
some to release him, and I wonder it was not done. Though Paul is to be
commended that he would not offer money to Felix, nor beg money of the
churches (his great and generous soul disdained both), yet I know not
whether his friends are to be commended, nay, whether they can be
justified, in not doing it for him. They ought to have solicited the
governor as pressingly for him as his enemies did against him: and if a
gift was necessary to make room for them (as Solomon speaks) and to
bring them before great men, they might lawfully have done it. I ought
not to bribe a man to do an unjust thing, but, if he will not do me
justice without a fee, it is but doing myself justice to give it to
him; and, if they might do it, it was a shame they did not do it. I
blush for them, that they would let such an eminent and useful man as
Paul lie in the jail, when a little money would have fetched him out,
and restored him to his usefulness again. The Christians here at
Cæsarea, where he now was, had parted with their tears to prevent his
going to the prison (ch. xxi. 13), and could they not find in their
hearts to part with their money to help him out? Yet there might be a
providence of God in it; Paul's bonds must be for the furtherance of
the gospel of Christ, and therefore he must continue in bonds. However,
this will not excuse Felix, who ought to have released an innocent man,
without demanding or accepting any thing for it: the judge that will
not do right without a bribe will no doubt do wrong for a bribe. 2.
Men-pleasing. Felix was recalled from his government about two years
after this, and Porcius Festus was put in his place, and one should
have expected he would have at least concluded his government with this
act of justice, the release of Paul, but he did not; he left Paul
bound, and the reason here given is because he was willing to do the
Jews a pleasure. Though he would not deliver him to death, to please
them, yet he would continue him a prisoner rather than offend them; and
he did it in hope hereby to atone for the many offences he had done
against them. He did not think Paul had either interest or inclination
to complain of him at court, for detaining him so long in custody,
against all law and equity; but he was jealous of the high priest and
elders, that they would be his accusers to the emperor for the wrongs
he had done them, and therefore hopes by gratifying them in this matter
to stop their mouths. Thus those who do some base things are tempted to
do more to screen themselves and bear them out. If Felix had not
injured the Jews, he needed not to have done this to please them; but,
when he had done it, it seems he did not gain his point. The Jews,
notwithstanding this, accused him to the emperor, and some historians
say he was sent bound to Rome by Festus; and, if so, surely his
remembering how light he had made of Paul's bonds would help to make
his own chain heavy. Those that aim to please God by doing good will
have what they aim at; but so will not those that seek to please men by
doing evil.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XXV.
Some think that Felix was turned out, and Festus succeeded him, quickly
after Paul's imprisonment, and that the two years mentioned in the
close of the foregoing chapter are to be reckoned from the beginning of
Nero's reign; but it seems more natural to compute them from Paul's
being delivered into the hands of Felix. However, we have here much the
same management of Paul's case as we had in the foregoing chapter;
cognizance is here taken of it, I. By Festus the governor; it is
brought before him by the Jews, ver. 1-3. The hearing of it is
appointed to be, not at Jerusalem, as the Jews desired, out at Cæsarea,
ver. 4-6. The Jews appear against Paul and accuse him (ver. 7), but he
stands upon his own innocency (ver. 8); and to avoid the removing of
the cause to Jerusalem, to which he was pressed to consent, he at
length appeals to Cæsar, ver. 9-12. II. By king Agrippa, to whom Festus
relates his case (ver. 13-21), and Agrippa desires he might have the
hearing of it himself, ver. 22. The court is accordingly set, and Paul
brought to the bar (ver. 23), and Festus opens the cause (ver. 24-27),
to introduce Paul's defence in the next chapter.
Paul Arraigned before Festus; Paul's Fourth Defence; Paul Appeals to Cæsar.
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he
ascended from Cæsarea to Jerusalem. 2 Then the high priest and the
chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him, 3 And
desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem,
laying wait in the way to kill him. 4 But Festus answered, that Paul
should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly
thither. 5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go
down with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down
unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat commanded
Paul to be brought. 7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down
from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints
against Paul, which they could not prove. 8 While he answered for
himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the
temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all. 9
But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said,
Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things
before me? 10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar's judgment seat, where
I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very
well knowest. 11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing
worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these
things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I
appeal unto Cæsar. 12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the
council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou
go.
We commonly say, "New lords, new laws, new customs;" but here was a new
governor, and yet Paul had the same treatment from him that he had from
the former, and no better. Festus, like Felix, is not so just to him as
he should have been, for he does not release him; and yet not so unjust
to him as the Jews would have had him to be, for he will not condemn
him to die, nor expose him to their rage. Here is,
I. The pressing application which the high priest and other Jews used
with the governor to persuade him to abandon Paul; for to send him to
Jerusalem was in effect to abandon him. 1. See how speedy they were in
their applications to Festus concerning Paul. As soon as ever he had
come into the province, and had taken possession of the government,
into which, probably, he was installed at Cæsarea, within three days he
went up to Jerusalem, to show himself there, and presently the priests
were upon him to proceed against Paul. He staid three days at Cæsarea,
where Paul was a prisoner, and we do not find that in that time Paul
made any application to him to release him, though, no doubt, he could
have made good friends, that he might hope to have prevailed by; but as
soon as ever he comes up to Jerusalem the priests are in all haste to
make an interest with him against Paul. See how restless a thing malice
is. Paul more patiently bears the lengthening out of his imprisonment
than his enemies do the delay of his prosecution even to the death. 2.
See how spiteful they were in their application. They informed the
governor against Paul (v. 2) before he was brought upon a fair trial,
that so they might, if possible, prejudge the cause with the governor,
and make him a party who was to be the judge. But this artifice, though
base enough, they could not confide in; for the governor would be sure
to hear him himself, and then all their informations against him would
fall to the ground; and therefore they form another project much more
base, and that is to assassinate Paul before he came upon his trial.
These inhuman hellish methods, which all the world profess at least to
abhor, have these persecutors recourse to, to gratify their malice
against the gospel of Christ, and this too under colour of zeal for
Moses. Tantum religio potuit suadere malorum--Such was their dire
religious zeal. 3. See how specious the pretence was. Now that the
governor was himself at Jerusalem they desired he would send for Paul
thither, and try him there, which would save the prosecutors a great
deal of labour, and looked most reasonable, because he was charged with
having profaned the temple at Jerusalem, and it is usual for criminals
to be tried in the court where the fact was committed; but that which
they designed was to way-lay him as he was brought up, and to murder
him upon the road, supposing that he would not be brought up under so
strong a guard as he was sent down with, or that the officers that were
to bring him up might be bribed to give them an opportunity for their
wickedness. It is said, They desired favour against Paul. The business
of prosecutors is to demand justice against one that they suppose to be
a criminal, and, if he be not proved so, it is as much justice to
acquit him as it is to condemn him if he be. But to desire favour
against a prisoner, and from the judge too, who ought to be of counsel
for him, is a very impudent thing. The favour ought to be for the
prisoner, in favorem vitæ--to favour his life, but here they desire it
against him. They will take it as a favour if the governor will but
condemn Paul, though they can prove no crime upon him.
II. The governor's resolution that Paul shall take his trial at
Cæsarea, where he now is, v. 4, 5. See how he manages the prosecutors.
1. He will not do them the kindness to send for him to Jerusalem; no,
he gave orders that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea. It does not appear
that he had any suspicion, much less any certain information, of their
bloody design to murder him by the way, as the chief priests had when
he sent him to Cæsarea (ch. xxiii. 30); but perhaps he was not willing
so far to oblige the high priest and his party, or he would maintain
the honour of his court at Cæsarea and require their attendance there,
or he was not willing to be at the trouble or charge of bringing Paul
up; whatever was his reason for refusing it, God made use of it as a
means of preserving Paul out of the hands of his enemies. Perhaps now
they were more careful to keep their conspiracy secret than they had
been before, that the discovery of it might not be now, as it was then,
the defeat of it. But though God does not, as then, bring it to light,
yet he finds another way, as effectual, to bring it to nought, by
inclining the heart of the governor, for some other reasons, not to
remove Paul to Jerusalem. God is not tied to one method, in working out
salvation for his people. He can suffer the designs against them to be
concealed, and yet not suffer them to be accomplished; and can make
even the carnal policies of great men to serve his gracious purposes.
2. Yet he will do them the justice to hear what they have to say
against Paul, if they will go down to Cæsarea, and appear against him
there: "Let those among you who are able, able in body and purse for
such a journey, or able in mind and tongue to manage the
prosecution--let those among you who are fit to be managers, go down
with me, and accuse this man; or, those who are competent witnesses,
who are able to prove any thing criminal upon him, let them go and give
in their evidence, if there be any such wickedness in him as you charge
upon him." Festus will not take it for granted, as they desire he
should, that there is wickedness in him, till it is proved upon him,
and he has been heard in his own defence; but, if he be guilty, it lies
upon them to prove him so.
III. Paul's trial before Festus. Festus staid at Jerusalem about ten
days, and then went down to Cæsarea, and the prosecutors, it is likely,
in his retinue; for he said they should go down with him; and, since
they are so eager in the prosecution, he is willing this cause should
be first called; and, that they may hasten home, he will despatch it
the next day. Expedition in administering justice is very commendable,
provided more haste be not made than good speed. Now here we have, 1.
The court set, and the prisoner called to the bar. Festus sat in the
judgment-seat, as he used to do when any cause was brought before him
that was of consequence, and he commanded Paul to be brought, and to
make his appearance, v. 6. Christ, to encourage his disciples and keep
up their spirits under such awful trials of their courage as this was
to Paul, promised them that the day should come when they should sit on
thrones, judging the tribes of Israel. 2. The prosecutors exhibiting
their charges against the prisoner (v. 7): The Jews stood round about,
which intimates that they were many. Lord, how are they increased that
trouble me! It intimates also that they were unanimous, they stood by
one another, and resolved to hold together; and that they were intent
upon the prosecution, and eager in clamouring against Paul. They stood
round about, if possible, to frighten the judge into a compliance with
their malicious design, or, at least, to frighten the prisoner, and to
put him out of countenance; but in vain: he had too just and strong an
assurance to be frightened by them. They compassed me about like bees,
but they are quenched as the fire of thorns, Ps. cxviii. 12. When they
stood round about him, they brought many and grievous accusations
against Paul, so it should be read. They charged him with high crimes
and misdemeanors. The articles of impeachment were many, and contained
things of a very heinous nature. They represented him to the court as
black and odious as their wit and malice could contrive; but when they
had opened the cause as they thought fit, and came to the evidence,
there they failed: they could not prove what they alleged against him,
for it was all false, and the complaints were groundless and unjust.
Either the fact was not as they opened it, or there was no fault in it;
they laid to his charge things that he knew not, nor they neither. It
is no new thing for the most excellent ones of the earth to have all
manner of evil said against them falsely, not only in the song of the
drunkards, and upon the seat of the scornful, but even before the
judgment-seat. 3. The prisoner's insisting upon his own vindication, v.
8. Whoever reproaches him, his own heart does not, and therefore his
own tongue shall not; though he die, he will not remove his integrity
from him. When it came to his turn to speak for himself, he insisted
upon his general plea, Not guilty: Neither against the law of the Jews,
nor against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any
thing at all. (1.) He had not violated the law of the Jews, nor taught
any doctrine destructive of it. Did he make void the law by faith? No,
he established the law. Preaching Christ, the end of the law, was no
offence against the law. (2.) He had not profaned the temple, nor put
any contempt at all upon the temple-service; his helping to set up the
gospel temple did not at all offend against that temple which was a
type of it. (3.) He had not offended against Cæsar, nor his government.
By this it appears that now his cause being brought before the
government, to curry favour with the governor and that they might seem
friends to Cæsar, they had charged him with some instances of
disaffection to the present higher powers, which obliged him to purge
himself as to that matter, and to protest that he was no enemy to
Cæsar, not so much as those were who charged him with being so.
IV. Paul's appeal to the emperor, and the occasion of it. This gave the
cause a new turn. Whether he had before designed it, or whether it was
a sudden resolve upon the present provocation, does not appear; but God
puts it into his heart to do it, for the bringing about of that which
he had said to him, that he must bear witness to Christ at Rome, for
there the emperor's court was, ch. xxiii. 11. We have here,
1. The proposal which Festus made to Paul to go and take his trial at
Jerusalem, v. 9. Festus was willing to do the Jews a pleasure, inclined
to gratify the prosecutors rather than the prisoner, as far as he could
go with safety against one that was a citizen of Rome, and therefore
asked him whether he would be willing to go up to Jerusalem, and clear
himself there, where he had been accused, and where he might have his
witnesses ready to vouch for him and confirm what he said. He would not
offer to turn him over to the high priest and the sanhedrim, as the
Jews would have had him; but, Wilt thou go thither, and be judged of
these things before me? The president, if he had pleased, might have
ordered him thither, but he would not do it without his own consent,
which, if he could have wheedled him to give it, would have taken off
the odium of it. In suffering times, the prudence of the Lord's people
is tried as well as their patience; being sent forth therefore as sheep
in the midst of wolves, they have need to be wise as serpents.
2. Paul's refusal to consent to it, and his reasons for it. He knew, if
he were removed to Jerusalem, notwithstanding the utmost vigilance of
the president, the Jews would find some means or other to be the death
of him; and therefore desires to be excused, and pleads, (1.) That, as
a citizen of Rome, it was most proper for him to be tried, not only by
the president, but in that which was properly his court, which sat at
Cæsarea: I stand at Cæsar's judgment-seat, where I ought to be judged,
in the city which is the metropolis of the province. The court being
held in Cæsar's name, and by his authority and commission, before one
that was delegated by him, it might well be said to be his judgment
seat, as, with us, all writs run in the name of the sovereign, in whose
name all courts are held. Paul's owning that he ought to be judged at
Cæsar's judgment-seat plainly proves that Christ's ministers are not
exempted from the jurisdiction of the civil powers, but ought to be
subject to them, as far as they can with a good conscience; and, if
they be guilty of a real crime, to submit to their censure; if
innocent, yet to submit to their enquiry, and to clear themselves
before them. (2.) That, as a member of the Jewish nation, he had done
nothing to make himself obnoxious to them: To the Jews have I done no
wrong, as thou very well knowest. It very well becomes those that are
innocent to plead their innocency, and to insist upon it; it is a debt
we owe to our own good name, not only not to bear false witness against
ourselves, but to maintain our own integrity against those who bear
false witness against us. (3.) That he was willing to abide by the
rules of the law, and to let that take its course, v. 11. If he be
guilty of any capital crime that deserves death, he will not offer
either to make resistance or to make his escape, will neither flee from
justice nor fight with it: "I refuse not to die, but will accept of the
punishment of my iniquity." Not that all who have committed any thing
worthy of death are obliged to accuse themselves, and offer themselves
to justice; but, when they are accused and brought to justice, they
ought to submit, and to say both God and the government are righteous;
as it is necessary that some should be made examples. But, if he be
innocent, as he protests he is, "If there be none of these things
whereof these accuse me,--if the prosecution be malicious and they are
resolved to have my blood right or wrong,--no man may deliver me unto
them, no, not the governor himself, without palpable injustice; for it
is his business as much to protect the innocent as to punish the
guilty;" and he claims his protection.
3. His appealing to court. Since he is continually in danger of the
Jews, and one attempt made after another to get him into their hands,
whose tender mercies were cruel, he flies to the dernier resort--the
last refuge of oppressed innocency, and takes sanctuary there, since he
cannot have justice done him in any other way: "I appeal unto Cæsar.
Rather than be delivered to the Jews" (which Festus seems inclined to
consent to) "let me be delivered to Nero." When David had divers times
narrowly escaped the rage of Saul, and concluded he was such a restless
enemy that he should one day perish by his hands, he came to this
resolution, being in a manner compelled to it, There is nothing better
for me than to take shelter in the land of the Philistines, 1 Sam.
xxvii. 1. So Paul here. But it is a hard case that a son of Abraham
must be forced to appeal to a Philistine, to a Nero, from those who
call themselves the seed of Abraham, and shall be safer in Gath or Rome
than in Jerusalem. How is the faithful city become a harlot!
V. The judgment given upon the whole matter. Paul is neither released
nor condemned. His enemies hoped the cause would be ended in his death;
his friends hoped it would be ended in his deliverance; but it proved
neither so nor so, they are both disappointed, the thing is left as it
was. It is an instance of the slow steps which Providence sometimes
takes, not bringing things to an issue so soon as we expect, by which
we are often made ashamed both of our hopes and of our fears, and are
kept still waiting on God. The cause had before been adjourned to
another time, now to another place, to another court, that Paul's
tribulation might work patience. 1. The president takes advice upon the
matter: He conferred with the council--meta tou symbouliou, not with
the council of the Jews (that is called synedrion), but with his own
counsellors, who were always ready to assist the governor with their
advice. In multitude of counsellors there is safety; and judges should
consult both with themselves and others before they pass sentence. 2.
He determines to send him to Rome. Some think Paul meant not an appeal
to Cæsar's person, but only to his court, the sentence of which he
would abide by, rather than be remitted to the Jew's council, and that
Festus might have chosen whether he would have sent him to Rome, or, at
least, whether he would have joined issue with him upon the appeal. But
it should seem, by what Agrippa said (ch. xxvi. 32), that he might have
been set at liberty if he had not appealed to Cæsar--that, by the
course of the Roman law, a Roman citizen might appeal at any time to a
superior court, even to the supreme, as causes with us are removed by
certiorari, and criminals by habeas corpus, and as appeals are often
made to the house of peers. Festus, therefore, either of choice or of
course, comes to this resolution: Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? Unto
Cæsar thou shalt go. He found there was something very extraordinary in
the case, which he was therefore afraid of giving judgment upon, either
one way or other, and the knowledge of which he thought would be an
entertainment to the emperor, and therefore he transmitted it to his
cognizance. In our judgment before God those that by justifying
themselves appeal to the law, to the law they shall go, and it will
condemn them; but those that by repentance and faith appeal to the
gospel, to the gospel they shall go, and it will save them.
Agrippa's Visit to Festus; Paul Arraigned before Agrippa.
13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to
salute Festus. 14 And when they had been there many days, Festus
declared Paul's cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man
left in bonds by Felix: 15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the
chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have
judgment against him. 16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of
the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused
have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself
concerning the crime laid against him. 17 Therefore, when they were
come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment
seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth. 18 Against whom when
the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I
supposed: 19 But had certain questions against him of their own
superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to
be alive. 20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I
asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of
these matters. 21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the
hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him
to Cæsar. 22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man
myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him. 23 And on the
morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was
entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and
principal men of the city, at Festus' commandment Paul was brought
forth. 24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here
present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the
Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that
he ought not to live any longer. 25 But when I found that he had
committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to
Augustus, I have determined to send him. 26 Of whom I have no certain
thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before
you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination
had, I might have somewhat to write. 27 For it seemeth to me
unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes
laid against him.
We have here the preparation that was made for another hearing of Paul
before King Agrippa, not in order to his giving judgment upon him, but
in order to his giving advice concerning him, or rather only to gratify
his curiosity. Christ had said, concerning his followers, that they
should be brought before governors and kings. In the former part of
this chapter Paul was brought before Festus the governor, here before
Agrippa the king, for a testimony to both. Here is,
I. The kind and friendly visit which king Agrippa made to Festus, now
upon his coming into the government in that province (v. 13): After
certain days, king Agrippa came to Cæsarea. Here is royal visit. Kings
usually think it enough to send their ambassadors to congratulate their
friends, but here was a king that came himself, that made the majesty
of a prince yield to the satisfaction of a friend; for personal
converse is the most pleasant among friends. Observe,
1. Who the visitants were. (1.) King Agrippa, the son of that Herod
(surnamed Agrippa) who killed James the apostle, and was himself eaten
of worms, and great grandson of Herod the Great, under whom Christ was
born. Josephus calls this Agrippa the younger; Claudius the emperor
made him king of Chalcis, and tetrarch of Trachonitis and Abylene,
mentioned Luke iii. 1. The Jewish writers speak of him, and (as Dr.
Lightfoot tells us) among other things relate this story of him, "That
reading the law publicly, in the latter end of the year of release, as
was enjoined, the king, when he came to those words (Deut. xvii. 15),
Thou shalt not set a stranger king over thee, who is not of thy
brethren, the tears ran down his cheeks, for he was not of the seed of
Israel, which the congregation observing, cried out, Be of good
comfort, king Agrippa, thou art our brother; for he was of their
religion, though not of their blood." (2.) Bernice came with him. She
was his own sister, now a widow, the widow of his uncle Herod, king of
Chalcis, after whose death she lived with this brother of hers, who was
suspected to be too familiar with her, and, after she was a second time
married to Polemon king of Cilicia, she got to be divorced from him,
and returned to her brother king Agrippa. Juvenal (Sat. 6) speaks of a
diamond ring which Agrippa gave to Bernice, his incestuous sister:--
--------------Berenices
In digito factus pretiosior; hunc dedit olim
Barbarus incestæ, dedit hunc Agrippa sorori.
That far-famed gem which on the finger glow'd
Of Bernice (dearer thence), bestowed
By an incestuous brother.
Gifford.
And both Tacitus and Suetonius speak of a criminal intimacy afterwards
between her and Titus Vespasian. Drusilla, the wife of Felix, was
another sister. Such lewd people were the great people generally in
those times! Say not that the former days were better.
2. What the design of this visit was: they came to salute Festus, to
give him joy of his new promotion, and to wish him joy in it; they came
to compliment him upon his accession to the government, and to keep up
a good correspondence with him, that Agrippa, who had the government of
Galilee, might act in concert with Festus, who had the government of
Judea; but it is probable they came as much to divert themselves as to
show respect to him, and to share in the entertainments of his court,
and to show their fine clothes, which would do vain people no good if
they did not go abroad.
II. The account which Festus gave to king Agrippa of Paul and his case,
which he gave.
1. To entertain him, and give him some diversion. It was a very
remarkable story, and worth any man's hearing, not only as it was
surprising and entertaining, but, if it were truly and fully told, very
instructive and edifying; and it would be particularly acceptable to
Agrippa, not only because he was a judge, and there were some points of
law and practice in it well worth his notice, but much more as he was a
Jew, and there were some points of religion in it much more deserving
his cognizance.
2. To have his advice. Festus was but newly come to be a judge, at
least to be a judge in these parts, and therefore was diffident of
himself and of his own ability, and willing to have the counsel of
those that were older and more experienced, especially in a matter that
had so much difficulty in it as Paul's case seemed to have, and
therefore he declared it to the king. Let us now see the particular
account he gives to king Agrippa concerning Paul, v. 14-21.
(1.) He found him a prisoner when he came into the government of this
province; and therefore could not of his own knowledge give an account
of his cause from the beginning: There is a certain man left in bonds
by Felix; and therefore, if there were any thing amiss in the first
taking of him into custody, Festus is not to answer for that, for he
found him in bonds. When Felix, to do the Jews a pleasure, left Paul
bound, though he knew him to be innocent, he knew not what he did, knew
not but he might fall into worse hands than he did fall into, though
they were none of the best.
(2.) That the Jewish sanhedrim were extremely set against him: "The
chief priests and the elders informed me against him as a dangerous
man, and not fit to live, and desired he might therefore be condemned
to die." These being great pretenders to religion, and therefore to be
supposed men of honour and honesty, Festus thinks he ought to give
credit to them; but Agrippa knows them better than he does, and
therefore Festus desires his advice in this matter.
(3.) That he had insisted upon the Roman law in favour of the prisoner,
and would not condemn him unheard (v. 16): "It is not the manner of the
Romans, who herein govern themselves by the law of nature and the
fundamental rules of justice, to deliver any man to die, to grant him
to destruction" (so the word is), "to gratify his enemies with his
destruction, before the accused has the accusers face to face, to
confront their testimony, and have both licence and time given him to
answer for himself." He seems to upbraid them as if they reflected upon
the Romans and their government in asking such a thing, or expecting
that they would condemn a man without trying him: "No," says he, "I
would have you to know, whatever you may allow of among yourselves, the
Romans allow not of such a piece of injustice among them." Audi et
alteram partem--Hear the other side, had become a proverb among them.
This rule we ought to be governed by in our private censures in common
conversation; we must not give men bad characters, nor condemn their
words and actions, till we have heard what is to be said in their
vindication. See John vii. 51.
(4.) That he had brought him upon his trial, according to the duty of
his place, v. 17. That he had been expeditious in it, and the
prosecutors had not reason to complain of his being dilatory, for as
soon as ever they had come (and we are sure they lost no time) without
any delay, on the morrow, he had brought on the cause. He had likewise
tried him in the most solemn manner: He sat on the judgment-seat, as
they used to do in weightier causes, while those that were of small
moment they judged de plano--upon even ground. He called a great court
on purpose for the trial of Paul, that the sentence might be
definitive, and the cause ended.
(5.) That he was extremely disappointed in the charge they brought
against him (v. 18, 19): When the accusers stood up against him, and
opened their indictment, they brought no accusations of such things as
I supposed.
[1.] He supposed by the eagerness of their prosecution, and their
urging it thus upon the Roman governors one after another, First, That
they had something to accuse him of that was dangerous either to
private property or the public peace,--that they would undertake to
prove him a robber, or a murderer, or a rebel against the Roman
power,--that he had been in arms to head a sedition,--that if he were
not that Egyptian who lately made an uproar, and commanded a party of
cut-throats, as the chief captain supposed him to be, yet he was one of
the same kidney. Such were the outcries against the primitive
Christians, so loud, so fierce, that the standers-by, who judged of
them by those outcries, could not but conclude them the worst of men;
and to represent them so was the design of that clamour, as it was
against our Saviour. Secondly, That they had something to accuse him of
that was cognizable in the Roman courts, and which the governor was
properly the judge of, as Gallio expected (ch. xviii. 14); otherwise it
was absurd and ridiculous to trouble him with it, and really an affront
to him.
[2.] But to his great surprise he finds the matter is neither so nor
so; they had certain questions against him, instead of proofs and
evidences against him. The worst they had to say against him was
disputable whether it was a crime or no-moot-points, that would bear an
endless debate, but had no tendency to fasten any guilt upon him,
questions fitter for the schools than for the judgment-seat. And they
were questions of their own superstition, so he calls their religion;
or, rather, so he calls that part of their religion which Paul was
charged with doing damage to. The Romans protected their religion
according to their law, but not their superstition, nor the tradition
of their elders. But the great question, it seems, was concerning one
Jesus that was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive. Some think the
superstition he speaks of was the Christian religion, which Paul
preached, and that he had the same notion of it that the Athenians had,
that it was the introducing of a new demon, even Jesus. See how
slightly this Roman speaks of Christ, and of his death and
resurrection, and of the great controversy between the Jews and the
Christians whether he were the Messiah promised or no, and the great
proof of his being the Messiah, his resurrection from the dead, as if
it were no more than this, There was one Jesus that was dead, and Paul
affirmed he was alive. In many causes issue is joined upon this
question, whether such a person that has been long absent be living or
dead, and proofs are brought on both sides; and Festus will have it
thought that this is a matter of no more moment. Whereas this Jesus,
whom he prides himself in being thus ignorant of, as if he were below
his notice, is he that was dead, and is alive, and lives for evermore,
and has the keys of hell and of death, Rev. i. 18. What Paul affirmed
concerning Jesus, that he is alive, is a matter of such vast importance
that if it be not true we are all undone.
(6.) That therefore he had proposed to Paul that the cause might be
adjourned to the Jewish courts, as best able to take cognizance of an
affair of this nature (v. 20): "Because I doubted of such manner of
questions, and thought myself unfit to judge of things I did not
understand, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, appear before
the great sanhedrim, and there be judged of these matters." He would
not force him to it, but would be glad if Paul would consent to it,
that he might not have his conscience burdened with a cause of this
nature.
(7.) That Paul had chosen rather to remove his cause to Rome than to
Jerusalem, as expecting fairer play from the emperor than from the
priests: "He appealed to be reserved to the hearing of Augustus (v.
21), having no other way to stop proceedings here in this inferior
court; and therefore I commanded him to be kept a close prisoner till I
might send him to Cæsar, for I did not see cause to refuse his appeal,
but rather was pleased with it."
III. The bringing of him before Agrippa, that he might have the hearing
of his cause.
1. The king desired it (v. 22): "I thank you for your account of him,
but I would also hear the man myself." Agrippa knows more of this
matter, of the cause and of the person, than Festus does; he has heard
of Paul, and knows of what vast concern this question is, which Festus
makes such a jest of, whether Jesus be alive or no. And nothing would
oblige him more than to hear Paul. Many great men think it below them
to take cognizance of the matters of religion, except they can hear
them like themselves in the judgment-seat. Agrippa would not for all
the world have gone to a meeting to hear Paul preach, any more than
Herod to hear Jesus; and yet they are both glad to have them brought
before them, only to satisfy their curiosity. Perhaps Agrippa desired
to hear him himself, that he might be in a capacity to do him a
kindness, and yet did him none, only put some credit upon him.
2. Festus granted it: To-morrow thou shalt hear him. There was a good
providence in this, for the encouragement of Paul, who seemed buried
alive in his imprisonment, and deprived of all opportunities of doing
good. We know not of any of his epistles that bore date from his prison
at Cæsarea. What opportunity he had of doing good to his friends that
visited him, and perhaps to a little congregation of them that visited
him every Lord's-day, was but a low and narrow sphere of usefulness, so
that he seemed to be thrown by as a despised broken vessel, in which
there was no pleasure; but this gives him an opportunity of preaching
Christ to a great congregation, and (which is more) to a congregation
of great ones. Felix heard him in private concerning the faith of
Christ. But Agrippa and Festus agree he shall be heard in public. And
we have reason to think that his sermon in the next chapter, though it
might not be so instrumental as some other of his sermons for the
conversion of souls, redounded as much to the honour of Christ and
Christianity as any sermon he ever preached in his life.
3. Great preparation was made for it (v. 23): The next day there was a
great appearance in the place of hearing, Paul and his cause being much
talked of, and the more for their being much talked against.
(1.) Agrippa and Bernice took this opportunity to show themselves in
state, and to make a figure, and perhaps for that end desired the
occasion, that they might see and be seen; for they came with great
pomp, richly dressed, with gold and pearls, and costly array; with a
great retinue of footmen in rich liveries, which made a splendid show,
and dazzled the eyes of the gazing crowd. They came meta polles
phantasias--with great fancy, so the word is. Note, Great pomp is but
great fancy. It neither adds any read excellency, nor gains any real
respect, but feeds a vain humour, which wise men would rather mortify
than gratify. It is but a show, a dream, a fantastical thing (so the
word signifies), superficial, and it passeth away. And the pomp of this
appearance would put one for ever out of conceit with pomp, when the
pomp which Agrippa and Bernice appeared in was, [1.] Stained by their
lewd characters, and all the beauty of it sullied, and all virtuous
people that knew them could not but contemn them in the midst of all
this pomp as vile persons, Ps. xv. 4. [2.] Outshone by the real glory
of the poor prisoner at the bar. What was the honour of their fine
clothes, compared with that of his wisdom, and grace, and holiness, his
courage and constancy in suffering for Christ! His bonds in so good a
cause were more glorious than their chains of gold, and his guards than
their equipage. Who would be fond of worldly pomp that here sees so bad
a woman loaded with it and so good a man loaded with the reverse of it?
(2.) The chief captains and principal men of the city took this
opportunity to pay their respects to Festus and to his guests. It
answered the end of a ball at court, it brought the fine folks together
in their fine clothes, and served for an entertainment. It is probable
that Festus sent Paul notice of it overnight, to be ready for a hearing
the next morning before Agrippa. And such confidence had Paul in the
promise of Christ, that it should be given him in that same hour what
he should speak, that he complained not of the short warning, nor was
put into confusion by it. I am apt to think that those who were to
appear in pomp perplexed themselves more with care about their clothes
than Paul, who was to appear as a prisoner, did with care about his
cause; for he knew whom he had believed, and who stood by him.
IV. The speech with which Festus introduced the cause, when the court,
or rather the audience, was set, which is much to the same purport with
the account he had just now given to Agrippa. 1. He addressed himself
respectfully to the company: "King Agrippa, and all men who are here
present with us." He speaks to all the men--pantes andres, as if he
intended a tacit reflection upon Bernice, a woman, for appearing in a
meeting of this nature; he does not refer any thing to her judgment nor
desire her counsel; but, "All you that are present that are men (so the
words are placed), I desire you to take cognizance of this matter." The
word used is that which signifies men in distinction from women; what
had Bernice to do here? 2. He represents the prisoner as one that the
Jews had a very great spite against; not only the rulers, but the
multitude of them, both at Jerusalem and here at Cæsarea, cry out that
he ought not to live any longer, for they think he has lived too long
already, and if he live any longer it will be to do more mischief. They
could not charge him with any capital crime, but they wanted to have
him out of the way. 3. He confesses the prisoner's innocency; and it
was much for the honour of Paul and his bonds that he had such a public
acknowledgement as this from the mouth of his judge (v. 25): I found
that he had committed nothing worthy of death. Upon a full hearing of
the case, it appeared there was no evidence at all to support the
indictment: and therefore, though he was inclinable enough to favour
the prosecutors, yet his own conscience brought in Paul not guilty. And
why did he not discharge him then, for he stood upon his deliverance?
Why, truly, because he was so much clamoured against, and he feared the
clamour would turn upon himself if he should release him. It is a pity
but every man that has a conscience should have courage to act
according to it. Or perhaps because there was so much smoke that he
concluded there could not but be some fire, which would appear at last,
and he would detain him a prisoner in expectation of it. 4. He
acquaints them with the present state of the case, that the prisoner
had appealed to the emperor himself (where by he put ann honour upon
his own cause, as knowing it not unworthy the cognizance of the
greatest of men), and that he had admitted his appeal: I have
determined to send him. And thus the cause now stood. 5. He desires
their assistance in examining the matter calmly and impartially, now
that there was no danger of their being interrupted, as he had been
with the noisiness and outrage of the prosecutors-that he might have at
least such an insight into the cause as was necessary to his stating it
to the emperor, v. 26, 27. (1.) He thought it unreasonable to send a
prisoner, especially so far as Rome, and not withal to signify the
crimes laid against him, that the matter might be prepared as much as
possible, and put in a readiness for the emperor's determination; for
he is supposed to be a man of great business, and therefore every
affair must be laid before him in as little compass as possible. (2.)
He could not as yet write any thing certain concerning Paul; so
confused were the informations that were given in against him, and so
inconsistent, that Festus could make nothing at all of them. He
therefore desired Paul might thus be publicly examined, that he might
be advised by them what to write. See what a great deal of trouble and
vexation those were put to, and to what delay, nay, and to what hazard,
in the administration of public justice, who live at such a distance
from Rome, and yet were subject to the emperor of Rome. The same was
this nation of ours put to (which is about as far distant from Rome the
other way) when it was in ecclesiastical affairs subject to the pope of
Rome, and appeals were upon all occasions made to his court; and the
same mischiefs, and a thousand worse, would those bring upon us who
would again entangle us in that yoke of bondage.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XXVI.
We left Paul at the bar, and Festus, and Agrippa, and Bernice, and all
the great men of the city of Cæsarea, upon the bench, or about it,
waiting to hear what he had to say for himself. Now in this chapter we
have, I. The account he gives of himself, in answer to the calumnies of
the Jews. And in this, 1. His humble address to king Agrippa, and the
compliment he passed upon him, ver. 1-3. 2. His account of his origin,
and education, his profession as a Pharisee, and his adherence still to
that which was then the main article of his creed, in distinction from
the Sadducees, the "resurrection of the dead," however in rituals he
had since departed from it, ver. 3-8. 3. Of his zeal against the
Christian religion, and the professors of it, in the beginning of his
time, ver. 9-11. 4. Of his miraculous conversion to the faith of
Christ, ver. 12-16. 5. Of the commission he received from heaven to
preach the gospel to the Gentiles, ver. 17, 18. 6. Of his proceedings
pursuant to that commission, which had given this mighty offence to the
Jews, ver. 19-21. 7. Of the doctrine which he had made it his business
to preach to the Gentiles, which was so far from destroying the law and
the prophets that it showed the fulfilling of both, ver. 22, 23. II.
The remarks that were made upon his apology. 1. Festus thought he never
heard a man talk so madly, and slighted him as crazed, ver. 24. In
answer to him, he denies the charge, and appeals to king Agrippa, ver.
25-27. 2. King Agrippa, being more closely and particularly dealt with,
thinks he never heard a man talk more rationally and convincingly, and
owns himself almost his convert (ver. 28), and Paul heartily wishes him
so, ver. 29. 3. They all agreed that he was an innocent man, that he
ought to be set at liberty, and that it was a pity he was provoked to
put a bar in his own door by appealing to Cæsar, ver. 30-32.
Paul's Fifth Defence.
1 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself.
Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: 2 I
think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself
this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of
the Jews: 3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all
customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech
thee to hear me patiently. 4 My manner of life from my youth, which
was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after
the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. 6 And now
I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our
fathers: 7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving
God day and night, hope to come. For which hope's sake, king Agrippa, I
am accused of the Jews. 8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible
with you, that God should raise the dead? 9 I verily thought with
myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of
Nazareth. 10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the
saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the
chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against
them. 11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled
them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted
them even unto strange cities.
Agrippa was the most honourable person in the assembly, having the
title of king bestowed upon him, though otherwise having only the power
of other governors under the emperor, and, though not here superior,
yet senior, to Festus; and therefore, Festus having opened the cause,
Agrippa, as the mouth of the court, intimates to Paul a licence given
him to speak for himself, v. 1. Paul was silent till he had this
liberty allowed him; for those are not the most forward to speak that
are best prepared to speak and speak best. This was a favour which the
Jews would not allow him, or not without difficulty; but Agrippa freely
gives it to him. And Paul's cause was so good that he desired no more
than to have liberty to speak for himself; he needed no advocate, no
Tertullus, to speak for him. Notice is taken of his gesture: He
stretched forth his hand, as one that was under no consternation at
all, but had perfect freedom and command of himself; it also intimates
that he was in earnest, and expected their attention while he answered
for himself. Observe, He did not insist upon his having appealed to
Cæsar as an excuse for being silent, did not say, "I will be examined
no more till I come to the emperor himself;" but cheerfully embraced
the opportunity of doing honour to the cause he suffered for. If we
must be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in us to every man
that asketh us, much more to every man in authority, 1 Pet. iii. 15.
Now in this former part of the speech,
I. Paul addressed himself with a very particular respect to Agrippa, v.
2, 3. He answered cheerfully before Felix, because he knew he had been
many years a judge to that nation, ch. xxiv. 10. But his opinion of
Agrippa goes further. Observe, 1. Being accused of the Jews, and having
many base things laid to his charge, he is glad he has an opportunity
of clearing himself; so far is he from imagining that his being an
apostle exempted him from the jurisdiction of the civil powers.
Magistracy is an ordinance of God, which we have all benefit by, and
therefore must all be subject to. 2. Since he is forced to answer for
himself, he is glad it is before king Agrippa, who, being himself a
proselyte to the Jewish religion, understood all matters relating to it
better than the other Roman governors did: I know thee to be expert in
all customs and questions which are among the Jews. It seems, Agrippa
was a scholar, and had been particularly conversant in the Jewish
learning, was expert in the customs of the Jewish religion, and knew
the nature of them, and that they were not designed to be either
universal or perpetual. He was expert also in the questions that arose
upon those customs, in determining which the Jews themselves were not
all of a mind. Agrippa was well versed in the scriptures of the
Old-Testament, and therefore could make a better judgment upon the
controversy between him and the Jews concerning Jesus being the Messiah
than another could. It is an encouragement to a preacher to have those
to speak to that are intelligent, and can discern things that differ.
When Paul says, Judge you what I say, yet he speaks as to wise men, 1
Cor. x. 15. 3. He therefore begs that he would hear him patiently,
makrothymos--with long suffering. Paul designs a long discourse, and
begs that Agrippa will hear him out, and not be weary; he designs a
plain discourse, and begs that he will hear him with mildness, and not
be angry. Paul had some reason to fear that as Agrippa, being a Jew,
was well versed in the Jewish customs, and therefore the more competent
judge of his cause, so he was soured in some measure with the Jewish
leaven, and therefore prejudiced against Paul as the apostle of the
Gentiles; he therefore says this to sweeten him: I beseech thee, hear
me patiently. Surely the least we can expect, when we preach the faith
of Christ, is to be heard patiently.
II. He professes that though he was hated and branded as a apostate,
yet he still adhered to all that good which he was first educated and
trained up in; his religion was always built upon the promise of God
made unto the fathers; and this he still built upon.
1. See here what his religion was in his youth: His manner of life was
well known, v. 4, 5. He was not indeed born among his own nation, but
he was bred among them at Jerusalem. Though he had of late years been
conversant with the Gentiles (which had given great offence to the
Jews), yet at his setting out in the world he was intimately acquainted
with the Jewish nation, and entirely in their interests. His education
was neither foreign nor obscure; it was among his own nation at
Jerusalem, where religion and learning flourished. All the Jews knew
it, all that could remember so long, for Paul made himself remarkable
betimes. Those that knew him from the beginning could testify for him
that he was a Pharisee, that he was not only of the Jewish religion,
and an observer of all the ordinances of it, but that he was of the
most strict sect of that religion, most nice and exact in observing the
institutions of it himself, and most rigid and critical in imposing
them upon others. He was not only called a Pharisee, but he lived a
Pharisee. All that knew him knew very well that never any Pharisee
conformed more punctually to the rules of his order than he did. Nay,
and he was of the better sort of Pharisees; for he was brought up at
the feet of Gamaliel, who was an eminent rabbi of the school of house
of Hillel, which was in much greater reputation for religion than the
school or house of Samai. Now if Paul was a Pharisee, and lived a
Pharisee, (1.) Then he was a scholar, a man of learning, and not an
ignorant, illiterate, mechanic; the Pharisees knew the law, and were
well versed in it, and in the traditional expositions of it. It was a
reproach to the other apostles that they had not had an academical
education, but were bred fishermen, ch. iv. 13. Therefore, that the
unbelieving Jews might be left without excuse, here is an apostle
raised up that had sat at the feet of their most eminent doctors. (2.)
Then he was a moralist, a man of virtue, and not a rake or loose
debauched young man. If he lived like a Pharisee, he was no drunkard
nor fornicator; and, being a young Pharisee, we may hope he was no
extortioner, nor had yet learned the arts which the crafty covetous old
Pharisees had of devouring the houses of poor widows; but he was, as
touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. He was not
chargeable with any instance of open vice and profaneness; and
therefore, as he could not be thought to have deserted his religion
because he did not know it (for he was a learned man), so he could not
be thought to have deserted it because he did not love it, or was
disaffected to the obligations of it, for he was a virtuous man, and
not inclined to any immorality. (3.) Then he was orthodox, sound in the
faith, and not a deist or sceptic, or a man of corrupt principles that
led to infidelity. He was a Pharisee, in opposition to a Sadducee; he
received those books of the Old Testament which the Sadducees rejected,
believed a world of spirits, the immortality of the soul, the
resurrection of the body, and the rewards and punishments of the future
state, all which the Sadducees denied. They could not say, He quitted
his religion for want of a principle, or for want of a due regard to
divine revelation; no, he always had a veneration for the ancient
promise made of God unto the fathers, and built his hope upon it.
Now though Paul knew very well that all this would not justify him
before God, nor make a righteousness for him yet he knew it was for his
reputation among the Jews, and an argument ad hominem--such as Agrippa
would feel, that he was not such a man as they represented him to be.
Though he counted it but loss that he might win Christ, yet he
mentioned it when it might serve to honour Christ. He knew very well
that all this while he was a stranger to the spiritual nature of the
divine law, and to heart-religion, and that except his righteousness
exceeded this he should never go to heaven; yet he reflects upon it
with some satisfaction that he had not been before his conversion an
atheistical, profane, vicious man, but, according to the light he had,
had lived in all good conscience before God.
2. See here what his religion is. He has not indeed such a zeal for the
ceremonial law as he had in his youth. The sacrifices and offerings
appointed by that, he thinks, are superseded by the great sacrifice
which they typified; ceremonial pollutions and purifications from them
he makes no conscience of, and thinks the Levitical priesthood is
honourably swallowed up in the priesthood of Christ; but for the main
principles of his religion he is as zealous for them as ever, and more
so, and resolves to live and die by them.
(1.) His religion is built upon the promise made of God unto the
fathers. It is built upon divine revelation, which he receives and
believes, and ventures his soul upon; it is built upon divine grace,
and that grace manifested and conveyed by promise. The promise of God
is the guide and ground of his religion, the promise made to the
fathers, which was more ancient than the ceremonial law, that covenant
which was confirmed before of God in Christ, and which the law, that
was not till four hundred and thirty years after, could not disannul,
Gal. iii. 17. Christ and heaven are the two great doctrines of the
gospel--that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his
Son. Now these two are the matter of the promise made unto the fathers.
It may look back as far as the promise made to father Adam, concerning
the seed of the woman, and those discoveries of a future state which
the first patriarchs acted faith upon, and were saved by that faith;
but it respects chiefly the promise made to father Abraham, that in his
seed all the families of the earth should be blessed, and that God
would be a God to him, and to his seed after him: the former meaning
Christ, the latter heaven; for, if God had not prepared for them a
city, he would have been ashamed to have called himself their God. Heb.
xi. 16.
(2.) His religion consists in the hopes of this promise. He places it
not, as they did, in meats and drinks, and the observance of carnal
ordinances (God had often shown what little account he made of them),
but in a believing dependence upon God's grace in the covenant, and
upon the promise, which was the great charter by which the church was
first incorporated. [1.] He had hope in Christ as the promised seed; he
hoped to be blessed in him, to receive the blessing of God and to be
truly blessed. [2.] He had hopes of heaven; this is expressly meant, as
appears by comparing ch. xxiv. 15, That there shall be a resurrection
of the dead. Paul had no confidence in the flesh, but in Christ; no
expectation at all of great things in this world, but of greater things
in the other world than any this world can pretend to; he had his eye
upon a future state.
(3.) Herein he concurred with all the pious Jews; his faith was not
only according to the scripture, but according to the testimony of the
church, which was a support to it. Though they set him up as a mark, he
was not singular: "Our twelve tribes, the body of the Jewish church,
instantly serving God day and night, hope to come to this promise, that
is, to the good promised." The people of Israel are called the twelve
tribes, because so they were at first; and, though we read not of the
return of the ten tribes in a body, yet we have reason to think many
particular persons, more or less of every tribe, returned to their own
land; perhaps, by degrees, the greater part of those that were carried
away. Christ speaks of the twelve tribes, Matt. xix. 28. Anna was of
the tribe of Asher, Luke ii. 36. James directs his epistle to the
twelve tribes scattered abroad, Jam. i. 1. "Our twelve tribes, which
make up the body of our nation, to which I and others belong. Now all
the Israelites profess to believe in this promise, both of Christ and
heaven, and hope to come to the benefits of them. They all hope for a
Messiah to come, and we that are Christians hope in a Messiah already
come; so that we all agree to build upon the same promise. They look
for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come, and
this is what I look for. Why should I be looked upon as advancing
something dangerous and heterodox, or as an apostate from the faith and
worship of the Jewish church, when I agree with them in this
fundamental article? I hope to come to the same heaven at last that
they hope to come to; and, if we expect to meet so happily in our end,
why should we fall out so unhappily by the way?" Nay, the Jewish church
not only hoped to come to this promise, but, in the hope of it, they
instantly served God day and night. The temple-service, which consisted
in a continual course of religious duties, morning and evening, day and
night, from the beginning of the year to the end of it, and was kept up
by the priests and Levites, and the stationary men, as they called
them, who continually attended there to lay their hands upon the public
sacrifices, as the representatives of all the twelve tribes, this
service was kept up in the profession of faith in the promise of
eternal life, and, in expectation of it, Paul instantly serves God day
and night in the gospel of his Son; the twelve tribes by their
representatives do so in the law of Moses, but he and they do it in
hope of the same promise: "Therefore they ought not to look upon me as
a deserter from their church, so long as I hold by the same promise
that they hold by." Much more should Christians, who hope in the same
Jesus, for the same heaven, though differing in the modes and
ceremonies of worship, hope the best one of another, and live together
in holy love. Or it may be meant of particular persons who continued in
the communion of the Jewish church, and were very devout in their way,
serving God with great intenseness, and a close application of mind,
and constant in it, night and day, as Anna, who departed not from the
temple, but served God (it is the same word here used) in fastings and
prayers night and day, Luke ii. 37. "In this way they hope to come to
the promise, and I hope they will." Note, Those only can upon good
grounds hope for eternal life that are diligent and constant in the
service of God; and the prospect of that eternal life should engage us
to diligence and constancy in all religious exercises. We should go on
with our work with heaven in our eye. And of those that instantly serve
God day and night, though not in our way, we ought to judge charitably.
(4.) This was what he was now suffering for--for preaching that
doctrine which they themselves, if they did but understand themselves
aright, must own: I am judged for the hope of the promise made unto the
fathers. He stuck to the promise, against the ceremonial law, while his
persecutors stuck to the ceremonial law, against the promise: "It is
for this hope's sake, king Agrippa, that I am accused of the
Jews--because I do that which I think myself obliged to do by the hope
of this promise." It is common for men to hate and persecute the power
of that religion in others which yet they pride themselves in the form
of. Paul's hope was what they themselves also allowed (ch. xxiv. 15),
and yet they were thus enraged against him for practising according to
that hope. But it was his honour that when he suffered as a Christian
he suffered for the hope of Israel, ch. xxviii. 20.
(5.) This was what he would persuade all that heard him cordially to
embrace (v. 8): Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you
that God should raise the dead? This seems to come in somewhat
abruptly; but it is probable Paul said much more than is here recorded,
and that he explained the promise made to the fathers to be the promise
of the resurrection and eternal life, and proved that he was in the
right way of pursuing his hope of that happiness because he believed in
Christ who had risen from the dead, which was a pledge and earnest of
that resurrection which the fathers hoped for. Paul is therefore
earnest to know the power of Christ's resurrection, that by it he might
attain to the resurrection of the dead; see Phil. iii. 10, 11. Now many
of his hearers were Gentiles, most of them perhaps, Festus
particularly, and we may suppose, when they heard him speak so much of
Christ's resurrection, and of the resurrection from the dead, which the
twelve tribes hoped for, that they mocked, as the Athenians did, began
to smile at it, and whispered to one another what an absurd thing it
was, which occasioned Paul thus to reason with them. What! is it
thought incredible with you that God should raise the dead? So it may
be read. If it be marvellous in your eyes, should it be marvellous in
mine eyes, saith the Lord of hosts? Zech. viii. 6. If it be above the
power of nature, yet it is not above the power of the God of nature.
Note, There is no reason why we should think it at all incredible that
God should raise the dead. We are not required to believe any thing
that is incredible, any thing that implies a contradiction. There are
motives of credibility sufficient to carry us through all the doctrines
of the Christian religion, and this particularly of the resurrection of
the dead. Has not God an infinite almighty power, to which nothing is
impossible? Did not he make the world at first out of nothing, with a
word's speaking? Did he not form our bodies, form them out of the clay,
and breathe into us the breath of life at first? and cannot the same
power form them again out of their own clay, and put life into them
again? Do we not see a kind of resurrection in nature, at the return of
every spring? Has the sun such a force to raise dead plants, and should
it seem incredible to us that God should raise dead bodies?
III. He acknowledges that while he continued a Pharisee he was a bitter
enemy to Christians and Christianity, and thought he ought to be so,
and continued so to the moment that Christ wrought that wonderful
change in him. This he mentions,
1. To show that his becoming a Christian and a preacher was not the
product and result of any previous disposition or inclination that way,
or any gradual advance of thought in favour of the Christian doctrine;
he did not reason himself into Christianity by a chain of arguments,
but was brought into the highest degree of an assurance of it,
immediately from the highest degree of prejudice against it, by which
it appeared that he was made a Christian and a preacher by a
supernatural power; so that his conversion in such a miraculous way was
not only to himself, but to others also, a convincing proof of the
truth of Christianity.
2. Perhaps he designs it for such an excuse of his persecutors as
Christ made for his, when he said, They know not what they do. Paul
himself once thought he did what he ought to do when he persecuted the
disciples of Christ, and he charitably thinks they laboured under the
like mistake. Observe,
(1.) What a fool he was in his opinion (v. 9): He thought with himself
that he ought to do many things, every thing that lay in his power,
contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, contrary to his doctrine,
his honour, his interest. That name did not harm, yet, because it
agreed not with the notion he had of the kingdom of the Messiah, he was
for doing all he could against it. He thought he did God good service
in persecuting those who called on the name of Jesus Christ. Note, It
is possible for those to be confident they are in the right who yet are
evidently in the wrong; and for those to think they are doing their
duty who are wilfully persisting in the greatest sin. Those that hated
their brethren, and cast them out, said, Let the Lord be glorified,
Isa. lxvi. 5. Under colour and pretext of religion, the most barbarous
and inhuman villanies have been not only justified, but sanctified and
magnified, John xvi. 2.
(2.) What a fury he was in his practice, v. 10, 11. There is not a more
violent principle in the world than conscience misinformed. When Paul
thought it his duty to do all he could against the name of Christ, he
spared no pains nor cost in it. He gives an account of what he did of
that kind, and aggravates it as one that was truly penitent for it: I
was a blasphemer, a persecutor, 1 Tim. i. 13. [1.] He filled the jails
with Christians, as if they had been the worst of criminals, designing
hereby not only to terrify them, but to make them odious to the people.
He was the devil that cast some of them into prison (Rev. ii. 10), took
them into custody, in order to their being prosecuted. Many of the
saints did I shut up in prison (ch. xxvi. 10), both men and women, ch.
viii. 3. [2.] He made himself the tool of the chief priests. Herein
from them he received authority, as an inferior officer, to put their
laws in execution, and proud enough he was to be a man in authority for
such a purpose. [3.] He was very officious to vote, unasked for, the
putting of Christians to death, particularly Stephen, to whose death
Saul was consenting (ch. viii. 1), and so made himself particeps
criminis--partaker of the crime. Perhaps he was, for his great zeal,
though young, made a member of the sanhedrim, and there voted for the
condemning of Christians to die; or, after they were condemned, he
justified what was done, and commended it, and so made himself guilty
ex post facto--after the deed was committed, as if he had been a judge
or jury-man. [4.] He brought them under punishments of an inferior
nature, in the synagogues, where they were scourged as transgressors of
the rules of the synagogue. He had a hand in the punishing of many;
nay, it should seem the same persons were by his means often punished,
as he himself was five times, 2 Cor. xi. 24. [5.] He not only punished
them for their religion, but, taking a pride in triumphing over men's
consciences, he forced them to abjure their religion, by putting them
to the torture: "I compelled them to blaspheme Christ, and to say he
was a deceiver and they were deceived in him--compelled them to deny
their Master, and renounce their obligations to him." Nothing will lie
heavier upon persecutors than forcing men's consciences, how much
soever they may now triumph in the proselytes they have made by their
violences. [6.] His rage swelled so against Christians and Christianity
that Jerusalem itself was too narrow a stage for it to act upon, but,
being exceedingly mad against them, he persecuted them even to strange
cities. He was mad at them, to see how much they had to say for
themselves, notwithstanding all he did against them, mad to see them
multiply the more for their being afflicted. He was exceedingly mad;
the stream of his fury would admit no banks, no bounds, but he was as
much a terror to himself as he was to them, so great was his vexation
within himself that he could not prevail, as well as his indignation
against them. Persecutors are mad men, and some of them exceedingly
mad. Paul was mad to see that those in other cities were not so
outrageous against the Christians, and therefore made himself busy
where he had no business, and persecuted the Christians even in strange
cities. There is not a more restless principle than malice, especially
that which pretends conscience.
This was Paul's character, and this his manner of life in the beginning
of his time; and therefore he could not be presumed to be a Christian
by education or custom, or to be drawn in by hope of preferment, for
all imaginable external objections lay against his being a Christian.
Paul's Fifth Defence.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from
the chief priests, 13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light
from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me
and them which journeyed with me. 14 And when we were all fallen to
the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew
tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to
kick against the pricks. 15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he
said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. 16 But rise, and stand upon
thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee
a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and
of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; 17 Delivering
thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and
from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of
sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is
in me. 19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the
heavenly vision: 20 But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at
Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the
Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet
for repentance. 21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple,
and went about to kill me. 22 Having therefore obtained help of God,
I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying
none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say
should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the
first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the
people, and to the Gentiles.
All who believe a God, and have a reverence for his sovereignty, must
acknowledge that those who speak and act by his direction, and by
warrant from him, are not to be opposed; for that is fighting against
God. Now Paul here, by a plain and faithful narrative of matters of
fact, makes it out to this august assembly that he had an immediate
call from heaven to preach the gospel of Christ to the Gentile world,
which was the thing that exasperated the Jews against him. He here
shows,
I. That he was made a Christian by a divine power, notwithstanding all
his prejudices against that way. He was brought into it on a sudden by
the hand of heaven; not compelled to confess Christ by outward force,
as he had compelled others to blaspheme him, but by a divine and
spiritual energy, by a revelation of Christ from above, both to him and
in him: and this when he was in the full career of his sin, going to
Damascus, to suppress Christianity by persecuting the Christians there,
as hot as ever in the cause, his persecuting fury not in the least
spent nor tired, nor was he tempted to give it up by the failing of his
friends, for he had at this time as ample an authority and commission
from the chief priests to persecute Christianity as ever he had, when
he was obliged by a superior power to give up that, and accept another
commission to preach up Christianity. Two things bring about this
surprising change, a vision from heaven and a voice from heaven, which
conveyed the knowledge of Christ to him by the two learning senses of
seeing and hearing.
1. He saw a heavenly vision, the circumstances of which were such that
it could not be a delusion--deciptio visus, but it was without doubt a
divine appearance. (1.) He saw a great light, a light from heaven, such
as could not be produced by any art, for it was not in the night, but
at mid day; it was not in a house where tricks might have been played
with him, but it was in the way, in the open air; it was such a light
as was above the brightness of the sun, outshone and eclipsed that
(Isa. xxiv. 23), and this could not be the product of Paul's own fancy,
for it shone round about those that journeyed with him: they were all
sensible of their being surrounded with this inundation of light, which
made the sun itself to be in their eyes a less light. The force and
power of this light appeared in the effects of it; they all fell to the
earth upon the sight of it, such a mighty consternation did it put them
into; this light was lightning for its force, yet did not pass away as
lightning, but continued to shine round about them. In Old-Testament
times God commonly manifested himself in the thick darkness, and made
that his pavilion, 2 Chron. vi. 1. He spoke to Abraham in a great
darkness (Gen. xv. 12), for that was a dispensation of darkness; but
now that life and immortality were brought to light by the gospel
Christ appeared in a great light. In the creation of grace, as of the
world, the first thing created is light, 2 Cor. iv. 6. (2.) Christ
himself appeared to him (v. 16): I have appeared to thee for this
purpose. Christ was in this light, though those that travelled with
Paul saw the light only, and not Christ in the light. It is not every
knowledge that will serve to make us Christians, but it must be the
knowledge of Christ.
2. He heard a heavenly voice, an articulate one, speaking to him; it is
here said to be in the Hebrew tongue (which was not taken notice of
before), his native language, the language of his religion, to intimate
to him that though he must be sent among the Gentiles, yet he must not
forget that he was a Hebrew, nor make himself a stranger to the Hebrew
language. In what Christ said to him we may observe, (1.) That he
called him by his name, and repeated it (Saul, Saul), which would
surprise and startle him; and the more because he was now in a strange
place, where he thought nobody knew him. (2.) That he convinced him of
sin, of that great sin which he was now in the commission of, the sin
of persecuting the Christians, and showed him the absurdity of it. (3.)
That he interested himself in the sufferings of his followers: Thou
persecutest me (v. 14), and again, It is Jesus whom thou persecutest,
v. 15. Little did Paul think, when he was trampling upon those that he
looked upon as the burdens and blemishes of this earth, that he was
insulting one that was so much the glory of heaven. (4.) That he
checked him for his wilful resistance of those convictions: It is hard
for thee to kick against the pricks, or goads, as a bullock
unaccustomed to the yoke. Paul's spirit at first perhaps began to rise,
but he is told it is at his peril, and then he yields. Or, it was
spoken by way of caution: "Take heed lest thou resist these
convictions, for they are designed to affect thee, not to affront
thee." (5.) That, upon his enquiry, Christ made himself known to him.
Paul asked (v. 15), "Who art thou, Lord? Let me know who it is that
speaks to me from heaven, that I may answer him accordingly?" And he
said, "I am Jesus; he whom thou hast despised, and hated, and vilified;
I bear that name which thou hast made so odious, and the naming of it
criminal." Paul thought Jesus was buried in the earth, and, though
stolen out of his own sepulchre, yet laid in some other. All the Jews
were taught to say so, and therefore he is amazed to hear him speak
from heaven, to see him surrounded with all this glory whom he had
loaded with all possible ignominy. This convinced him that the doctrine
of Jesus was divine and heavenly, and not only not to be opposed, but
to be cordially embraced: That Jesus is the Messiah, for he has not
only risen from the dead, but he has received from God the Father
honour and glory; and this is enough to make him a Christian
immediately, to quit the society of the persecutors, whom the Lord from
heaven thus appears against, and to join himself with the society of
the persecuted, whom the Lord from heaven thus appears for.
II. That he was made a minister by a divine authority: That the same
Jesus that appeared to him in that glorious light ordered him to go and
preach the gospel to the Gentiles; he did not run without sending, nor
was he sent by men like himself, but by him whom the Father sent, John
xx. 21. What is said of his being an apostle is here joined immediately
to that which was said to him by the way, but it appears by ch. ix. 15,
and xxii. 15, 17, &c., that it was spoken to him afterwards; but he
puts the two together for brevity-sake: Rise, and stand upon thy feet.
Those whom Christ, by the light of his gospel, casts down in
humiliation for sin, shall find that it is in order to their rising and
standing upon their feet, in spiritual grace, strength, and comfort. If
Christ has torn, it is that he may heal; if he has cast down, it is
that he may raise up. Rise then, and shake thyself from the dust (Isa.
lii. 2), help thyself, and Christ shall help thee. He must stand up,
for Christ shall help thee. He must stand up, for Christ has work for
him to do--has an errand, and a very great errand, to send him upon: I
have appeared to thee to make thee a minister. Christ has the making of
his own ministers; they have both their qualifications and their
commissions from him. Paul thanks Christ Jesus who put him into the
ministry, 1 Tim. i. 12. Christ appeared to him to make him a minister.
One way or other, Christ will manifest himself to all those whom he
makes his ministers; for how can those preach him who do not know him?
And how can those know him to whom he does not by his spirit make
himself known? Observe,
1. The office to which Paul is appointed: he is made a minister, to
attend on Christ, and act for him, as a witness--to give evidence in
his cause, and attest the truth of his doctrine. He must testify the
gospel of the grace of God; Christ appeared to him that he might appear
for Christ before men.
2. The matter of Paul's testimony: he must give an account to the
world, (1.) Of the things which he had seen, now at this time, must
tell people of Christ's manifesting himself to him by the way, and what
he said to him. He saw these things that he might publish them, and he
did take all occasions to publish them, as here, and before, ch. xxii.
(2.) Of those things in which he would appear to him. Christ now
settled a correspondence with Paul, which he designed afterwards to
keep up, and only told him now that he should hear further from him.
Paul at first had but confused notions of the gospel, till Christ
appeared to him and gave him fuller instructions. The gospel he
preached he received from Christ immediately (Gal. i. 12); but he
received it gradually, some at one time and some at another, as there
was occasion. Christ often appeared to Paul, oftener, it is likely,
than is recorded, and still taught him, that he might still teach the
people knowledge.
3. The spiritual protection he was taken under, while he was thus
employed as Christ's witness: all the powers of darkness could not
prevail against him till he had finished his testimony (v. 17),
delivering thee from the people of the Jews and from the Gentiles.
Note, Christ's witnesses are under his special care, and, though they
may fall into the hands of the enemies, yet he will take care to
deliver them out of their hands, and he knows how to do it. Christ had
shown Paul at this time what great things he must suffer (ch. ix. 16),
and yet tells him here he will deliver him from the people. Note, Great
sufferings are reconcilable to the promise of the deliverance of God's
people, for it is not promised that they shall be kept from trouble,
but kept through it; and sometimes God delivers them into the hands of
their persecutors that he may have the honour of delivering them out of
their hands.
4. The special commission given him to go among the Gentiles, and the
errand upon which he is sent to them; it was some years after Paul's
conversion before he was sent to the Gentiles, or (for aught that
appears) knew any thing of his being designed for that purpose (see ch.
xxii. 21); but at length he is ordered to steer his course that way.
(1.) There is great work to be done among the Gentiles, and Paul must
be instrumental in doing it. Two things must be done, which their case
calls for the doing of:--[1.] A world that sits in darkness must be
enlightened; those must be brought to know the things that belong to
their everlasting peace who are yet ignorant of them, to know God as
their end, and Christ as their way, who as yet know nothing of either.
He is sent to open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light.
His preaching shall not only make known to them those things which they
had not before heard of, but shall be the vehicle of that divine grace
and power by which their understandings shall be enlightened to receive
those things, and bid them welcome. Thus he shall open their eyes,
which before were shut against the light, and they shall be willing to
understand themselves, their own case and interest. Christ opens the
heart by opening the eyes, does not lead men blindfold, but gives them
to see their own way. He is sent not only to open their eyes for the
present, but to keep them open, to turn them from darkness to light,
that is, from following false and blind guides, their oracles,
divinations, and superstitious usages, received by tradition from their
fathers, and the corrupt notions and ideas they had of their gods, to
follow a divine revelation of unquestionable certainty and truth. This
was turning them from darkness to light, from the ways of darkness to
those on which the light shines. The great design of the gospel is to
instruct the ignorant, and to rectify the mistakes of those who are in
error, that things may be set and seen in a true light. [2.] A world
that lies in wickedness, in the wicked one, must be sanctified and
reformed; it is not enough for them to have their eyes opened, they
must have their hearts renewed; not enough to be turned from darkness
to light, but they must be turned from the power of Satan unto God,
which will follow of course; for Satan rules by the power of darkness,
and God by the convincing evidence of light. Sinners are under the
power of Satan; idolaters were so in a special manner, they paid their
homage to devils. All sinners are under the influence of his
temptations, yield themselves captives to him, are at his beck;
converting grace turns them from under the dominion of Satan, and
brings them into subjection to God, to conform to the rules of his word
and comply with the dictates and directions of his Spirit, translates
them out of the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of his dear Son.
When gracious dispositions are strong in the soul (as corrupt and
sinful dispositions had been), it is then turned from the power of
Satan unto God.
(2.) There is a great happiness designed for the Gentiles by this
work--that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among
those who are sanctified; they are turned from the darkness of sin to
the light of holiness, from the slavery of Satan to the service of God;
not that God may be a gainer by them, but that they may be gainers by
him. [1.] That they may be restored to his favour, which by sin they
have forfeited and thrown themselves out of: That they may receive
forgiveness of sins. They are delivered from the dominion of sin, that
they may be saved from that death which is the wages of sin. Not that
they may merit forgiveness as a debt of reward, but that they may
receive it as a free gift, that they may be qualified to receive the
comfort of it. They are persuaded to lay down their arms, and return to
their allegiance, that they may have the benefit of the act of
indemnity, and may plead it in arrest of the judgment to be given
against them. [2.] That they may be happy in the fruition of him; not
only that they may have their sins pardoned, but that they may have an
inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith that is in me.
Note, First, Heaven is an inheritance, it descends to all the children
of God; for, if children, then heirs. That they may have, kleron--a lot
(so it might be read), alluding to the inheritances of Canaan, which
were appointed by lot, and that also is the act of God, the disposal
thereof is of the Lord. That they may have a right, so some read it;
not by merit, but purely by grace. Secondly, All that are effectually
turned from sin to God are not only pardoned, but preferred--have not
only their attainder reversed, but a patent of honour given to them,
and a grant of a rich inheritance. And the forgiveness of sins makes
way for this inheritance, by taking that out of the way which alone
hindered. Thirdly, All that shall be saved hereafter are sanctified
now; those that have the heavenly inheritance must have it in this way,
they must be prepared and made meet for it. None can be happy that are
not holy; nor shall any be saints in heaven that are not first saints
on earth. Fourthly, We need no more to make us happy than to have our
lot among those that are sanctified, to fare as they fare; this is
having our lot among the chosen, for they are chosen to salvation
through sanctification. Those who are sanctified shall be glorified.
Let us therefore now cast in our lot among them, by coming into the
communion of saints, and be willing to take our lot with them, and
share with them in their afflictions, which (how grievous soever) our
lot with them in the inheritance will abundantly make amends for.
Fifthly, We are sanctified and saved by faith in Christ. Some refer it
to the word next before, sanctified by faith, for faith purifies the
heart, and applies to the soul those precious promises, and subjects
the soul to the influence of that grace, by which we partake of a
divine nature. Others refer it to the receiving of both pardon and the
inheritance; it is by faith accepting the grant: it comes all to one;
for it is by faith that we are justified, sanctified, and glorified. By
faith, te eis eme--that faith which is in me; it is emphatically
expressed. That faith which not only receives divine revelation in
general, but which in a particular manner fastens upon Jesus Christ and
his mediation, by which we rely upon Christ as the Lord our
righteousness, and resign ourselves to him as the Lord our ruler. This
is that by which we receive the remission of sins, the gift of the Holy
Ghost, and eternal life.
III. That he had discharged his ministry, pursuant to his commission,
by divine aid, and under divine direction and protection. God, who
called him to be an apostle, owned him in his apostolical work, and
carried him on in it with enlargement and success.
1. God gave him a heart to comply with the call (v. 19): I was not
disobedient to the heavenly vision, for any one would say he ought to
be obedient to it. Heavenly visions have a commanding power over
earthly counsels, and it is at our peril if we be disobedient to them;
yet if Paul had conferred with flesh and blood, and been swayed by his
secular interest, he would have done as Jonah did, gone any where
rather than upon this errand; but God opened his ear, and he was not
rebellious. He accepted the commission, and, having with it received
his instructions, he applied himself to act accordingly.
2. God enabled him to go through a great deal of work, though in it he
grappled with a great deal of difficulty, v. 20. He applied himself to
the preaching of the gospel with all vigour. (1.) He began at Damascus,
where he was converted, for he resolved to lose no time, ch. ix. 20.
(2.) When he came to Jerusalem, where he had his education, he there
witnessed for Christ, where he had most furiously set himself against
him, ch. ix. 29. (3.) He preached throughout all the coasts of Judea,
in the country towns and villages, as Christ had done; he made the
first offer of the gospel to the Jews, as Christ had appointed, and did
not leave them till they had wilfully thrust the gospel from them; and
laid out himself for the good of their souls, labouring more abundantly
than any of the apostles, nay perhaps then all put together.
3. His preaching was all practical. He did not go about to fill
people's heads with airy notions, did not amuse them with nice
speculations, nor set them together by the ears with matters of
doubtful disputation, but he showed them, declared it, demonstrated it,
that they ought, (1.) To repent of their sins, to be sorry for them and
to confess them, and enter into covenant against them; they ought to
bethink themselves, so the word metanoein properly signifies; they
ought to change their mind and change their way, and undo what they had
done amiss. (2.) To turn to God. They must not only conceive an
antipathy to sin, but they must come into a conformity to God--must not
only turn from that which is evil, but turn to that which is good; they
must turn to God, in love and affection, and return to God in duty and
obedience, and turn and return from the world and the flesh; this is
that which is required from the whole revolted degenerate race of
mankind, both Jews and Gentiles; epistrephein epi ton Theon--to turn
back to God, even to him: to turn to him as our chief good and highest
end, as our ruler and portion, turn our eye to him, turn our heart to
him, and turn our feet unto his testimonies. (3.) To do works meet for
repentance. This was what John preached, who was the first gospel
preacher, Matt. iii. 8. Those that profess repentance must practise it,
must live a life of repentance, must in every thing carry it as becomes
penitents. It is not enough to speak penitent words, but we must do
works agreeable to those words. As true faith, so true repentance, will
work. Now what fault could be found with such preaching as this? Had it
not a direct tendency to reform the world, and to redress its
grievances, and to revive natural religion?
4. The Jews had no quarrel with him but upon this account, that he did
all he could to persuade people to be religious, and to bring them to
God by bringing them to Christ (v. 21): It was for these causes, and no
other, that the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill
me; and let any one judge whether these were crimes worthy of death or
of bonds. He suffered ill, not only for doing well himself, but for
doing good to others. They attempted to kill him; it was his precious
life that they hunted for, and hated, because it was a useful life;
they caught him in the temple worshipping God, and there they set upon
him, as if the better place the better deed.
5. He had no help but from heaven; supported and carried on by that, he
went on in this great work (v. 22): "Having therefore obtained help of
God, I continue unto this day; hesteka--I have stood, my life has been
preserved, and my work continued; I have stood my ground, and have not
been beaten off; I have stood to what I said, and have not been afraid
nor ashamed to persist in it." It was now above twenty years since Paul
was converted, and all that time he had been very busy preaching the
gospel in the midst of hazards; and what was it that bore him up? Not
any strength of his own resolutions, but having obtained help of God;
for therefore, because the work was so great and he had so much
opposition, he could not otherwise have gone on in it, but by help
obtained of God. Note, Those who are employed in work for God shall
obtain help from God; for he will not be wanting in necessary
assistances to his servants. And our continuance to this day must be
attributed to help obtained of God; we had sunk, if he had not borne us
up--had fallen off, if he had not carried us on; and it must be
acknowledged with thankfulness to his praise. Paul mentions it as an
evidence that he had his commission from God that from him he had
ability to execute it. The preachers of the gospel could never have
done, and suffered, and prospered, as they did, if they had not had
immediate help from heaven, which they would not have had if it had not
been the cause of God that they were now pleading.
6. He preached no doctrine but what agreed with the scriptures of the
Old Testament: He witnessed both to small and great, to young and old,
rich and poor, learned and unlearned, obscure and illustrious, all
being concerned in it. It was an evidence of the condescending grace of
the gospel that it was witnessed to the meanest, and the poor were
welcome to the knowledge of it; and of the incontestable truth and
power of it that it was neither afraid nor ashamed to show itself to
the greatest. The enemies of Paul objected against him that he preached
something more than that men should repent, and turn to God, and do
works meet for repentance. These indeed were but what the prophets of
the old Testament had preached; but, besides these, he had preached
Christ, and his death, and his resurrection, and this was what they
quarrelled with him for, as appears by ch. xxv. 19, that he affirmed
Jesus to be alive: "And so I did," says Paul, "and so I do, but therein
also I say no other than that which Moses and the prophets said should
come; and what greater honour can be done to them than to show that
what they foretold is accomplished, and in the appointed season
too--that what they said should come is come, and at the time they
prefixed?" Three things they prophesied, and Paul preached:--(1.) That
Christ should suffer, that the Messiah should be a sufferer--pathetos;
not only a man, and capable of suffering, but that, as Messiah, he
should be appointed to sufferings; that his ignominious death should be
not only consistent with, but pursuant of, his undertaking. The cross
of Christ was a stumbling-block to the Jews, and Paul's preaching it
was the great thing that exasperated them; but Paul stands to it that,
in preaching that, he preached the fulfilling of the Old-Testament
predictions, and therefore they ought not only not to be offended at
what he preached, but to embrace it, and subscribe to it. (2.) That he
should be the first that should rise from the dead; not the first in
time, but the first in influence--that he should be the chief of the
resurrection, the head, or principal one, protos ex anastaseos, in the
same sense that he is called the first-begotten from the dead (Rev. i.
5), and the first-born from the dead, Col. i. 18. He opened the womb of
the grave, as the first-born are said to do, and made way for our
resurrection; and he is said to be the first-fruits of those that slept
(1 Cor. xv. 20), for he sanctified the harvest. He was the first that
rose from the dead to die no more; and, to show that the resurrection
of all believers is in virtue of his, just when he arose many dead
bodies of saints arose, and went into the holy city, Matt. xxvii. 52,
53. (3.) That he should show light unto the people, and to the
Gentiles, to the people of the Jews in the first place, for he was to
be the glory of his people Israel. To them he showed light by himself,
and then to the Gentiles by the ministry of his apostles, for he was to
be a light to enlighten those who sat in darkness. In this Paul refers
to his commission (v. 18), To turn them from darkness to light. He rose
from the dead on purpose that he might show light to the people, that
he might give a convincing proof of the truth of his doctrine, and
might send it with so much the greater power, both among Jews and
Gentiles. This also was foretold by the Old-Testament prophets, that
the Gentiles should be brought to the knowledge of God by the Messiah;
and what was there in all this that the Jews could justly be displeased
at?
Paul's Fifth Defence.
24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice,
Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25
But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words
of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things,
before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these
things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.
27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou
believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me
to be a Christian. 29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only
thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and
altogether such as I am, except these bonds. 30 And when he had thus
spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that
sat with them: 31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between
themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.
32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at
liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.
We have reason to think that Paul had a great deal more to say in
defence of the gospel he preached, and for the honour of it, and to
recommend it to the good opinion of this noble audience; he had just
fallen upon that which was the life of the cause--the death and
resurrection of Jesus Christ, and here he is in his element; now he
warms more than before, his mouth is opened towards them, his heart is
enlarged. Lead him but to this subject, and let him have leave to go
on, and he will never know when to conclude; for the power of Christ's
death, and the fellowship of his sufferings, are with him inexhaustible
subjects. It was a thousand pities then that he should be interrupted,
as he is here, and that, being permitted to speak for himself (v. 1),
he should not be permitted to say all he designed. But it was a
hardship often put upon him, and is a disappointment to us too, who
read his discourse with so much pleasure. But there is no remedy, the
court thinks it is time to proceed to give in their judgment upon his
case.
I. Festus, the Roman governor, is of opinion that the poor man is
crazed, and that Bedlam is the fittest place for him. He is convinced
that he is no criminal, no bad man, that should be punished, but he
takes him to be a lunatic, a distracted man, that should be pitied, but
at the same time should not be heeded, nor a word he says regarded; and
thus he thinks he has found out an expedient to excuse himself both
from condemning Paul as a prisoner and from believing him as a
preacher; for, if he be not compos mentis--in his senses, he is not to
be either condemned or credited. Now here observe,
1. What it was that Festus said of him (v. 24): He said with a loud
voice, did not whisper it to those that sat next him; if so, it had
been the more excusable, but (without consulting Agrippa, to whose
judgment he had seemed to pay profound deference, ch. xxv. 26), said
aloud, that he might oblige Paul to break off his discourse, and might
divert the auditors from attending to it "Paul, thou art beside
thyself, thou talkest like a madman, like one with a heated brain, that
knowest not what thou sayest;" yet he does not suppose that a guilty
conscience had disturbed his reason, nor that his sufferings, and the
rage of his enemies against him, had given any shock to it; but he puts
the most candid construction that could be upon his delirium: Much
learning hath made thee mad, thou hast cracked thy brains with
studying. This he speaks, not so much in anger, as in scorn and
contempt. He did not understand what Paul said; it was above his
capacity, it was all a riddle to him, and therefore he imputes it all
to a heated imagination. Si non vis intelligi, debes negligi--If thou
art not willing to be understood, thou oughtest to be neglected. (1.)
He owns Paul to be a scholar, and a man of learning, because he could
so readily refer to what Moses and the prophets wrote, books that he
was a stranger to; and even this is turned to his reproach. The
apostles, who were fishermen, were despised because they had no
learning; Paul, who was a university-man, and bred a Pharisee, is
despised as having too much learning, more than did him good. Thus the
enemies of Christ's ministers will always have something or other to
upbraid them with. (2.) He reproaches him as a madman. The prophets of
the Old Testament were thus stigmatized, to prejudice people against
them by putting them into an ill-name: Wherefore came this mad fellow
unto thee? said the captains of the prophet, 2 Kings ix. 11; Hos. ix.
7. John Baptist and Christ were represented as having a devil, as being
crazed. It is probable that Paul now spoke with more life and
earnestness than he did in the beginning of his discourse, and used
more gestures that were expressive of his zeal, and therefore Festus
put this invidious character upon him, which perhaps never a one in the
company but himself thought of. It is not so harmless a suggestion as
some make it to say concerning those that are zealous in religion above
others that they are crazed.
2. How Paul cleared himself from this invidious imputation, which
whether he had ever lain under before is not certain; it should seem,
it had been said of him by the false apostles, for he ways (2 Cor. v.
13), If we be beside ourselves, as they say we are, it is to God; but
he was never charged with this before the Roman governor, and therefore
he must say something to this. (1.) He denies the charge, with due
respect indeed to the governor, but with justice to himself, protesting
that there was neither ground nor colour for it (v. 25): "I am not mad,
most noble Festus, nor ever was, nor any thing like it; the use of my
reason, thanks be to God, has been all my days continued to me, and at
this time I do not ramble, but speak the words of truth and soberness,
and know what I say." Observe, Though Festus gave Paul this base and
contemptuous usage, not becoming a gentlemen, much less a judge, yet
Paul is so far from resenting it, and being provoked by it, that he
gives him all possible respect, compliments him with his title of
honour, most noble Festus, to teach us not to render railing for
railing, nor one invidious character for another, but to speak civilly
to those who speak slightly of us. It becomes us, upon all occasions,
to speak the words of truth and soberness, and then we may despise the
unjust censures of men. (2.) He appeals to Agrippa concerning what he
spoke (v. 26): For the king knows of these things, concerning Christ,
and his death and resurrection, and the prophecies of the Old
Testament, which had their accomplishment therein. He therefore spoke
freely before him, who knew these were no fancies, but matters of fact,
knew something of them, and therefore would be willing to know more:
For I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; no,
not that which he had related concerning his own conversion, and the
commission he had received to preach the gospel. Agrippa could not but
have heard of it, having been so long conversant among the Jews. This
thing was not done in a corner; all the country rang of it; and any of
the Jews present might have witnessed for him that they had heard it
many a time from others, and therefore it was unreasonable to censure
him as a distracted man for relating it, much more for speaking of the
death and resurrection of Christ, which was so universally spoken of.
Peter tells Cornelius and his friends (ch. x. 37), That word you know
which was published throughout all Judea concerning Christ; and
therefore Agrippa could not be ignorant of it, and it was a shame for
Festus that he was so.
II. Agrippa is so far from thinking him a madman that he thinks he
never heard a man argue more strongly, nor talk more to the purpose.
1. Paul applies himself closely to Agrippa's conscience. Some think
Festus was displeased at Paul because he kept his eye upon Agrippa, and
directed his discourse to him all along, and that therefore he gave him
that interruption, v. 24. But, if that was the thing that affronted
him, Paul regards it not: he will speak to those who understand him,
and whom he is likely to fasten something upon, and therefore still
addresses Agrippa; and, because he had mentioned Moses and the prophets
as confirming the gospel he preached, he refers Agrippa to them (v.
27): "King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? Dost thou receive the
scriptures of the Old Testament as a divine revelation, and admit them
as foretelling good things to come?" He does not stay for an answer,
but, in compliment to Agrippa, takes it for granted: I know that thou
believest; for every one knew that Agrippa professed the Jews'
religion, as his fathers had done, and therefore both knew the writings
of the prophets and gave credit to them. Note, It is good dealing with
those who have acquaintance with the scriptures and believe them; for
such one has some hold of.
2. Agrippa owns there was a great deal of reason in what Paul said (v.
28): Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian. Some understand this
as spoken ironically, and read it thus, Wouldst thou in so little a
time persuade me to be a Christian? But, taking it so, it is an
acknowledgement that Paul spoke very much to the purpose, and that,
whatever others thought of it, to his mind there came a convincing
power along with what he said: "Paul, thou art too hasty, thou canst
not think to make a convert of me all of a sudden." Others take it as
spoken seriously, and as a confession that he was in a manner, or
within a little, convinced that Christ was the Messiah; for he could
not but own, and had many a time thought so within himself, that the
prophecies of the Old Testament had had their accomplishment in him;
and now that it is urged thus solemnly upon him he is ready to yield to
the conviction, he begins to sound a parley, and to think of rendering.
He is as near being persuaded to believe in Christ as Felix, when he
trembled, was to leave his sins: he sees a great deal of reason for
Christianity; the proofs of it, he owns, are strong, and such as he
cannot answer; the objections against it trifling, and such as he
cannot for shame insist upon; so that if it were not for his
obligations to the ceremonial law, and his respect to the religion of
his fathers and of his country, or his regard to his dignity as a king
and to his secular interests, he would turn Christian immediately.
Note, Many are almost persuaded to be religious who are not quite
persuaded; they are under strong convictions of their duty, and of the
excellency of the ways of God, but yet are overruled by some external
inducements, and do not pursue their convictions.
3. Paul, not being allowed time to pursue his argument, concludes with
a compliment, or rather a pious wish that all his hearers were
Christians, and this wish turned into a prayer: euxaimen an to Theo--I
pray to God for it (v. 29); it was his heart's desire and prayer to God
for them all that they might be saved, Rom. x. 1. That not only thou
but all that hear me this day (for he has the same kind design upon
them all) were both almost, and altogether, such as I am, except these
bonds. Hereby, (1.) He professes his resolution to cleave to his
religion, as that which he was entirely satisfied in, and determined to
live and die by. In wishing that they were all as he was, he does in
effect declare against ever being as they were, whether Jews or
Gentiles, how much soever it might be to his worldly advantage. He
adheres to the instruction God gave to the prophet (Jer. xv. 19), Let
them return unto thee, but return not thou unto them. (2.) He intimates
his satisfaction not only in the truth, but in the benefit and
advantage of Christianity; he had so much comfort in it for the
present, and was so sure it would end in his eternal happiness, that he
could not wish better to the best friend he had in the world than to
wish him such a one as he was, a faithful zealous disciple of Jesus
Christ. Let my enemy be as the wicked, says Job, ch. xxvii. 7. Let my
friend be as the Christian, says Paul. (3.) He intimates his trouble
and concern that Agrippa went no further than being almost such a one
as he was, almost a Christian, and not altogether one; for he wishes
that he and the rest of them might be not only almost (what good would
that do?) but altogether such as he was, sincere thorough-paced
Christians. (4.) He intimates that it was the concern, and would be the
unspeakable happiness, of every one of them to become true
Christians--that there is grace enough in Christ for all, be they ever
so many--enough for each, be they ever so craving. (5.) He intimates
the hearty good-will he bore to them all; he wishes them, [1.] As well
as he wished his own soul, that they might be as happy in Christ as he
was. [2.] Better than he now was as to his outward condition, for he
excepts these bonds; he wishes they might all be comforted Christians
as he was, but not persecuted Christians as he was--that they might
taste as much as he did of the advantages that attended religion, but
not so much of its crosses. They had made light of his imprisonment,
and were in no concern for him. Felix detained him in bonds to gratify
the Jews. Now this would have tempted many a one to wish them all in
his bonds, that they might know what it was to be confined as he was,
and then they would know the better how to pity him; but he was so far
from this that, when he wished them in bonds to Christ, he desired they
might never be in bonds for Christ. Nothing could be said more tenderly
nor with a better grace.
III. They all agree that Paul is an innocent man, and is wronged in his
prosecution. 1. The court broke up with some precipitation (v. 30):
When he had spoken that obliging word (v. 29), which moved them all,
the king was afraid, if he were permitted to go on, he would say
something yet more moving, which might work upon some of them to appear
more in his favour than was convenient, and perhaps might prevail with
them to turn Christians. The king himself found his own heart begin to
yield, and durst not trust himself to hear more, but, like Felix,
dismissed Paul for this time. They ought in justice to have asked the
prisoner whether he had any more to say for himself; but they thought
he had said enough, and therefore the king rose up, and the governor,
and Bernice, and those that sat with them, concluding the case was
plain, and with this they contented themselves, when Paul had more to
say which would have made it plainer. 2. They all concurred in an
opinion of Paul's innocency, v. 31. The court withdrew to consult of
the matter, to know one another's minds upon it, and they talked among
themselves, all to the same purport, that this man does nothing worthy
of bonds--he is not a dangerous man, whom it is prudent to confine.
After this, Nero made a law for the putting of those to death who
professed the Christian religion, but as yet there was no law of that
kind among the Romans, and therefore no transgression; and this
judgment of theirs is a testimony against that wicked law which Nero
made not long after this, that Paul, the most active zealous Christian
that ever was, was adjudged, even by those that were no friends to his
way, to have done nothing worthy of death, or of bonds. Thus was he
made manifest in the conscience of those who yet would not receive his
doctrine; and the clamours of the hot-headed Jews, who cried out, Away
with him, it is not fit he should live, were shamed by the moderate
counsels of this court. 3. Agrippa gave his judgment that he might have
been set at liberty, if he had not himself appealed to Cæsar (v. 32),
but by that appeal he had put a bar in his own door. Some think that by
the Roman law this was true, that, when a prisoner had appealed to the
supreme court, the inferior courts could no more discharge him than
they could condemn him; and we suppose the law was so, if the
prosecutors joined issue upon the appeal, and consented to it. But it
does not appear that in Paul's case the prosecutors did so; he was
forced to do it, to screen himself from their fury, when he saw the
governor did not take the care he ought to have done for his
protection. And therefore others think that Agrippa and Festus, being
unwilling to disoblige the Jews by setting him at liberty, made this
serve for an excuse of their continuing him in custody, when they
themselves knew they might have justified the discharging of him.
Agrippa, who was but almost persuaded to be a Christian, proves no
better than if he had not been at all persuaded. And now I cannot tell,
(1.) Whether Paul repented of his having appealed to Cæsar, and wished
he had not done it, blaming himself for it as a rash thing, now he saw
that was the only thing that hindered his discharge. He had reason
perhaps to reflect upon it with regret, and to charge himself with
imprudence and impatience in it, and some distrust of the divine
protection. He had better have appealed to God than to Cæsar. It
confirms what Solomon says (Eccl. vi. 12), Who knows what is good for
man in this life? What we think is for our welfare often proves to be a
trap; such short-sighted creatures are we, and so ill-advised in
leaning, as we do, to our own understanding. Or, (2.) Whether,
notwithstanding this, he was satisfied in what he had done, and was
easy in his reflections upon it. His appealing to Cæsar was lawful, and
what became a Roman citizen, and would help to make his cause
considerable; and forasmuch as when he did it it appeared to him, as
the case then stood, to be for the best, though afterwards it appeared
otherwise, he did not vex himself with any self-reproach in the matter,
but believed there was a providence in it, and it would issue well at
last. And besides, he was told in a vision that he must bear witness to
Christ at Rome, ch. xxiii. 11. And it is all one to him whether he goes
thither a prisoner or at his liberty; he knows the counsel of the Lord
shall stand, and says, Let it stand. The will of the Lord be done.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XXVII.
This whole chapter is taken up with an account of Paul's voyage towards
Rome, when he was sent thither a prisoner by Festus the governor, upon
his appeal to Cæsar. I. The beginning of the voyage was well enough, it
was calm and prosperous, ver. 1-8. II. Paul gave them notice of a storm
coming, but could not prevail with them to lie by, ver. 9-11. III. As
they pursued their voyage, they met with a great deal of tempestuous
weather, which reduced them to such extremity that they counted upon
nothing but being cast away, ver. 12-20. IV. Paul assured them that
though they would not be advised by him to prevent their coming into
this danger, yet, by the good providence of God, they should be brought
safely through it, and none of them should be lost, ver. 21-26. V. At
length they were at midnight thrown upon an island, which proved to be
Malta, and then they were in the utmost danger imaginable, but were
assisted by Paul's counsel to keep the mariners in the ship, and
encouraged by his comforts to eat their meat, and have a good heart on
it, ver. 27-36. VI. Their narrow escape with their lives, when they
came to shore, when the ship was wrecked, but all the persons
wonderfully preserved, ver. 37-44.
Paul's Voyage towards Rome.
1 And when it was determined that we should sail into Italy, they
delivered Paul and certain other prisoners unto one named Julius, a
centurion of Augustus' band. 2 And entering into a ship of
Adramyttium, we launched, meaning to sail by the coasts of Asia; one
Aristarchus, a Macedonian of Thessalonica, being with us. 3 And the
next day we touched at Sidon. And Julius courteously entreated Paul,
and gave him liberty to go unto his friends to refresh himself. 4 And
when we had launched from thence, we sailed under Cyprus, because the
winds were contrary. 5 And when we had sailed over the sea of Cilicia
and Pamphylia, we came to Myra, a city of Lycia. 6 And there the
centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing into Italy; and he put us
therein. 7 And when we had sailed slowly many days, and scarce were
come over against Cnidus, the wind not suffering us, we sailed under
Crete, over against Salmone; 8 And, hardly passing it, came unto a
place which is called The fair havens; nigh whereunto was the city of
Lasea. 9 Now when much time was spent, and when sailing was now
dangerous, because the fast was now already past, Paul admonished them,
10 And said unto them, Sirs, I perceive that this voyage will be with
hurt and much damage, not only of the lading and ship, but also of our
lives. 11 Nevertheless the centurion believed the master and the
owner of the ship, more than those things which were spoken by Paul.
It does not appear how long it was after Paul's conference with Agrippa
that he was sent away for Rome, pursuant to his appeal to Cæsar; but it
is likely they took the first convenience they could hear of to do it;
in the mean time Paul is in the midst of his friends at Cæsarea--they
comforts to him, and he a blessing to them. But here we are told,
I. How Paul was shipped off for Italy: a long voyage, but there is no
remedy. He has appealed to Cæsar, and to Cæsar he must go: It was
determined that we should sail into Italy, for to Rome they must go by
sea; it would have been a vast way about to go by land. Hence, when the
Roman conquest of the Jewish nation is foretold, it is said (Num. xxiv.
24), Ships shall come from Chittim, that is, Italy, and shall afflict
Eber, that is, the Hebrews. It was determined by the counsel of God,
before it was determined by the counsel of Festus, that Paul should go
to Rome; for, whatever man intended, God had work for him to do there.
Now here we are told, 1. Whose custody he was committed to--to one
named Julius, a centurion of Augustus's band, as Cornelius was of the
Italian band, or legion, ch. x. 1. He had soldiers under him, who were
a guard upon Paul, that he might not make his escape, and likewise to
protect him, that he might have no mischief done him. 2. What bottom he
embarked in: they went on board a ship of Adramyttium (v. 2), a
sea-port of Africa, whence this ship brought African goods, and, as it
should seem, made a coasting voyage for Syria, where those goods came
to a good market. 3. What company he had in this voyage, there were
some prisoners who were committed to the custody of the same centurion,
and who probably had appealed to Cæsar too, or were upon some other
account removed to Rome, to be tried there, or to be examined as
witnesses against some prisoners there; perhaps some notorious
offenders, like Barabbas, who were therefore ordered to be brought
before the emperor himself. Paul was linked with these, as Christ with
the thieves that were crucified with him, and was obliged to take his
lot with them in this voyage; and we find in this chapter (v. 42) that
for their sakes he had like to have been killed, but for his sake they
were preserved. Note, It is no new thing for the innocent to be
numbered among the transgressors. But he had also some of his friends
with him, Luke particularly, the penman of this book, for he puts
himself in all along, We sailed into Italy, and, We launched, v. 2.
Aristarchus a Thessalonian is particularly named, as being now in his
company. Dr. Lightfoot thinks that Trophimus the Ephesian went off with
him, but that he left him sick at Miletum (2 Tim. iv. 20), when he
passed by those coasts of Asia mentioned here (v. 2), and that there
likewise he left Timothy. It was a comfort to Paul to have the society
of some of his friends in this tedious voyage, with whom he might
converse freely, though he had so much loose profane company about him.
Those that go long voyages at sea are commonly necessitated to sojourn,
as it were, in Mesech and Kedar, and have need of wisdom, that they may
do good to the bad company they are in, may make them better, or at
lest be made never the worse by them.
II. What course they steered, and what places they touched at, which
are particularly recorded for the confirming of the truth of the
history to those who lived at that time, and could by their own
knowledge tell of their being at such and such a place. 1. They touched
at Sidon, not far off from where they went on board; thither they came
the next day. And that which is observable here is, that Julius the
centurion was extraordinarily civil to Paul. It is probable that he
knew his case, and was one of the chief captains, or principal men,
that heard him plead his own cause before Agrippa (ch. xxv. 23), and
was convinced of his innocency, and the injury done him; and therefore,
though Paul was committed to him as a prisoner, he treated him as a
friend, as a scholar, as a gentleman, and as a man that had an interest
in heaven: He gave him liberty, while the business of the ship detained
it at Sidon, to go among his friends there, to refresh himself; and it
would be a great refreshment to him. Julius herein gives an example to
those in power to be respectful to those whom they find worthy of their
respect, and in using their power to make a difference. A Joseph, a
Paul, are not to be used as common prisoners. God herein encourages
those that suffer for him to trust in him; for he can put it into the
hearts of those to befriend them from whom they least expect it--can
cause them to be pitied, nay, can cause them to be prized and valued,
even in the eyes of those that carry them captive, Ps. cvi. 46. And it
is likewise an instance of Paul's fidelity. He did not go about to make
his escape, which he might have easily done; but, being out upon his
parole of honour, he faithfully returns to his imprisonment. If the
centurion is so civil as to take his word, he is so just and honest as
to keep his word. 2. They thence sailed under Cyprus, v. 4. If the wind
had been fair, they had gone forward by direct sailing, and had left
Cyprus on the right hand; but, the wind not favouring them, they were
driven to oblique sailing with a side wind, and so compassed the
island, in a manner, and left it on the left hand. Sailors must do as
they can, when they cannot do as they would, and make the best of their
wind, whatever point it is in; so must we all in our passage over the
ocean of this world. When the winds are contrary yet we must be getting
forward as well as we can. 3. At a port called Myra they changed their
ship; that which they were in, it is probable, having business no
further, they went on board a vessel of Alexandria bound for Italy, v.
5, 6. Alexandria was now the chief city of Egypt, and great trading
there was between that city and Italy; from Alexandria they carried
corn to Rome, and the East-India goods and Persian which they imported
at the Red Sea they exported again to all parts of the Mediterranean,
and especially to Italy. And it was a particular favour shown to the
Alexandrian ships in the ports of Italy that they were not obliged to
strike sail, as other ships were, when they came into port. 4. With
much ado they made The Fair Havens, a port of the island of Crete, v.
7, 8. They sailed slowly many days, being becalmed, or having the wind
against them. It was a great while before they made the point of
Cnidus, a port of Caria, and were forced to sail under Crete, as before
under Cyprus; much difficulty they met with in passing by Salmone, a
promontory on the eastern shore of the island of Crete. Though the
voyage hitherto was not tempestuous, yet it was very tedious. They many
that are not driven backward in their affairs by cross providences, yet
sail slowly, and do not get forward by favourable providences. And many
good Christians make this complaint in the concerns of their souls,
that they do not rid ground in their way of heaven, but have much ado
to keep their ground; they move with many stops and pauses, and lie a
great while wind-bound. Observe, The place they came to was called The
Fair Havens. Travellers say that it is known to this day by the same
name, and that it answers the name from the pleasantness of its
situation and prospect. And yet, (1.) It was not the harbour they were
bound for; it was a fair haven, but it was not their haven. Whatever
agreeable circumstances we may be in in this world, we must remember we
are not at home, and therefore we must arise and depart; for, though it
be a fair haven, it is not the desired haven, Ps. cvii. 30. (2.) It was
not a commodious haven to winter in, so it is said, v. 12. It had a
fine prospect, but it lay exposed to the weather. Note, Every fair
haven is not a safe haven; nay, there may be most danger where there is
most pleasure.
III. What advice Paul gave them with reference to that part of their
voyage they had before them--it was to be content to winter where they
were, and not to think of stirring till a better season of the year. 1.
It was now a bad time for sailing; they had lost a deal of time while
they were struggling with contrary winds. Sailing was now dangerous,
because the fast was already past, that is, the famous yearly fast of
the Jews, the day of atonement, which was on the tenth day of the
seventh month, a day to afflict the soul with fasting; it was about the
20th of our September. That yearly fast was very religiously observed;
but (which is strange) we never have any mention made in all the
scripture history of the observance of it, unless it be meant here,
where it serves only to describe the season of the year. Michaelmas is
reckoned by mariners as a bad time of the year to be at sea as any
other; they complain of their Michaelmas-blasts; it was that time now
with these distressed voyagers. The harvest was past, the summer was
ended; they had not only lost time, but lost the opportunity. 2. Paul
put them in mind of it, and gave them notice of their danger (v. 10):
"I perceive" (either by notice from God, or by observing their wilful
resolution to prosecute the voyage notwithstanding the peril of the
season) "that this voyage will be with hurt and damage; you that have
effects on board are likely to lose them, and it will be a miracle of
mercy if our lives be given us for a prey." There were some good men in
the ship, and many more bad men: but in things of this nature all
things come alike to all, and there is one event to the righteous and
to the wicked. If both be in the same ship, they both are in the same
danger. 3. They would not be advised by Paul in this matter, v. 11.
They thought him impertinent in interposing in an affair of this
nature, who did not understand navigation; and the centurion to whom it
was referred to determine it, though himself a passenger, yet, being a
man in authority, takes upon him to overrule, though he had not been
oftener at sea perhaps than Paul, nor was better acquainted with these
seas, for Paul had planted the gospel in Crete (Tit. i. 5), and knew
the several parts of the island well enough. But the centurion gave
more regard to the opinion of the master and owner of the ship than to
Paul's; for every man is to be credited in his own profession
ordinarily: but such a man as Paul, who was so intimate with Heaven,
was rather to be regarded in seafaring matters than the most celebrated
sailors. Note, Those know not what dangers they run themselves into who
will be governed more by human prudence than by divine revelation. The
centurion was very civil to Paul (v. 3), and yet would not be governed
by his advice. Note, Many will show respect to good ministers that will
not take their advice, Ezek. xxxiii. 31.
Paul's Voyage towards Rome.
12 And because the haven was not commodious to winter in, the more part
advised to depart thence also, if by any means they might attain to
Phenice, and there to winter; which is an haven of Crete, and lieth
toward the south west and north west. 13 And when the south wind blew
softly, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, loosing thence,
they sailed close by Crete. 14 But not long after there arose against
it a tempestuous wind, called Euroclydon. 15 And when the ship was
caught, and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive. 16 And
running under a certain island which is called Clauda, we had much work
to come by the boat: 17 Which when they had taken up, they used
helps, undergirding the ship; and, fearing lest they should fall into
the quicksands, strake sail, and so were driven. 18 And we being
exceedingly tossed with a tempest, the next day they lightened the
ship; 19 And the third day we cast out with our own hands the
tackling of the ship. 20 And when neither sun nor stars in many days
appeared, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope that we should be
saved was then taken away.
In these verses we have,
I. The ship putting to sea again, and pursuing her voyage at first with
a promising gale. Observe, 1. What induced them to leave the fair
havens: it was because they thought the harbour not commodious to
winter in; it was pleasant enough in summer but in the winter they lay
bleak. Or perhaps it was upon some other account incommodious;
provisions perhaps were scarce and dear there; and they ran upon a
mischief to avoid an inconvenience, as we often do. Some of the ship's
crew, or of the council that was called to advise in this matter, were
for staying there, rather than venturing to sea now that the weather
was so uncertain: it is better to be safe in an incommodious harbour
than to be lost in a tempestuous sea. But they were outvoted when it
was put to the question, and the greater part advised to depart thence
also; yet they aimed not to go far, but only to another port of the
same island, here called Phenice, and some think it was so called
because the Phenicians frequented it much, the merchants of Tyre and
Sidon. It is here described to lie towards the south-west and
north-west. Probably the haven was between the two promontories or
juttings-out of land into the sea, one of which pointed to the
north-west and the other to the south-west, by which it was guarded
against the east winds. Thus hath the wisdom of the Creator provided
for the relief and safety of those who go down to the sea in ships, and
do business in great waters. In vain had nature provided for us the
waters to sail on, if it had not likewise provided for us natural
harbours to take shelter in. 2. What encouragement they had at first to
pursue their voyage. They set out with a fair wind (v. 13), the south
wind blew softly, upon which they should gain their point, and so they
sailed close by the coast of Crete and were not afraid of running upon
the rocks or quicksands, because the wind blew so gently. Those who put
to sea with ever so fair a gale know not what storms they may yet meet
with, and therefore must not be secure, nor take it for granted that
they have obtained their purpose, when so many accidents may happen to
cross their purpose. Let not him that girdeth on the harness boast as
though he had put it off.
II. The ship in a storm presently, a dreadful storm. They looked at
second causes, and took their measures from the favourable hints they
gave, and imagined that because the south wind now blew softly it would
always blow so; in confidence of this, they ventured to sea, but were
soon made sensible of their folly in giving more credit to a smiling
wind than to the word of God in Paul's mouth, by which they had fair
warning given them of a storm. Observe,
1. What their danger and distress was, (1.) There arose against them a
tempestuous wind, which was not only contrary to them, and directly in
their teeth, so that they could not get forward, but a violent wind,
which raised the waves, like that which was sent forth in pursuit of
Jonah, though Paul was following God, and going on in his duty, and not
as Jonah running away from God and his duty. This wind the sailors
called Euroclydon, a north-east wind, which upon those seas perhaps was
observed to be in a particular manner troublesome and dangerous. It was
a sort of whirlwind, for the ship is said to be caught by it, v. 15. It
was God that commanded this wind to rise, designing to bring glory to
himself, and reputation to Paul, out of it; stormy winds being brought
out of his treasuries (Ps. cxxxv. 7), they fulfil his word, Ps.
cxlviii. 8. (2.) The ship was exceedingly tossed (v. 18); it was kicked
like a football from wave to wave; its passengers (as it is elegantly
described, Ps. cvii. 26, 27) mount up to the heavens, go down again to
the depths, reel to and fro, stagger like a drunken man, and are at
their wits' end. The ship could not possibly bear up into the wind,
could not make her way in opposition to the wind; and therefore they
folded up their sails, which in such a storm would endanger them rather
than to them any service, and so let the ship drive, Not whither it
would, but whither it was impelled by the impetuous waves--Non quo
voluit, sed quo rapit impetus undæ. Ovid. Trist. It is probable that
they were very near the heaven of Phenice when this tempest arose, and
thought they should presently be in a quiet haven, and were pleasing
themselves with the thought of it, and wintering there, and lo, of a
sudden, they are in this distress. Let us therefore always rejoice with
trembling, and never expect a perfect security, nor a perpetual
security, till we come to heaven. (3.) They saw neither sun nor stars
for many days. This made the tempest the more terrible, that they were
all in the dark; and the use of the loadstone for the direction of
sailors not being then found out (so that they had no guide at all,
when they could see neither sun nor stars) made the case the more
hazardous. Thus melancholy sometimes is the condition of the people of
God upon a spiritual account. They walk in darkness and have no light.
Neither sun nor stars appear; they cannot dwell, nay, they cannot
fasten, upon any thing comfortable or encouraging; thus it may be with
them, and yet light is sown for them. (4.) They had abundance of
winter-weather: No small tempest--cheimon ouk oligos, cold rain, and
snow, and all the rigours of that season of the year, so that they were
ready to perish for cold; and all this continued many days. See what
hardships those often undergo who are much at sea, besides the hazards
of life they run; and yet to get gain there are still those who make
nothing of all this; and it is an instance of divine Providence that it
disposes some to this employment, notwithstanding the difficulties that
attend it, for the keeping up of commerce among the nations, and the
isles of the Gentiles particularly; and Zebulun can as heartily rejoice
in his going out as Issachar in his tents. Perhaps Christ therefore
chose ministers from among seafaring men, because they had been used to
endure hardness.
2. What means they used for their own relief: they betook themselves to
all the poor shifts (for I can call them no better) that sailors in
distress have recourse to. (1.) When they could not make head against
the wind, they let the ship run adrift, finding it was to no purpose to
ply either the oar or the sail. When it is fruitless to struggle, it is
wisdom to yield. (2.) They nevertheless did what they could to avoid
the present danger; there was a little island called Clauda, and when
they were near that, though they could not pursue their voyage, they
took care to prevent their shipwreck, and therefore so ordered their
matters that they did not run against the island, but quietly ran under
it, v. 16. (3.) When they were afraid they should scarcely save the
ship, they were busy to save the boat, which they did with much ado.
They had much work to come by the boat (v. 16), but at last they took
it up, v. 17. This might be of use in any exigence, and therefore they
made hard shift to get it into the ship to them. (4.) They used means
which were proper enough in those times, when the art of navigation was
far short of the perfection it is now come to; they undergirded the
ship, v. 17. They bound the ship under the bottom of it with strong
cables, to keep it from bulging in the extremity of the tempest. (5.)
For fear of falling into the quicksands they struck sail, and then let
the ship go as it would. It is strange how a ship will live at sea (so
they express it), even in very stormy weather, if it have but sea-room;
and, when the sailors cannot make the shore, it is their interest to
keep as far off it as they can. (6.) The next day they lightened the
ship of its cargo, threw the goods and the merchandises overboard (as
Jonah's mariners did, ch. i. 5), being willing rather to be poor
without them than to perish with them. Skin for skin, and all that a
man has, will he give for his life. See what the wealth of this world
is; how much soever it is courted as a blessing, the time may come when
it will be a burden, not only too heavy to be carried safe of itself,
but heavy enough to sink him that has it. Riches are often kept by the
owners thereof to their hurt (Eccl. v. 13); and parted with to their
good. But see the folly of the children of this world, they can be thus
prodigal of their goods when it is for the saving of their lives, and
yet how sparing of them in works of piety and charity, and in suffering
for Christ, though they are told by eternal Truth itself that those
shall be recompensed more than a thousand fold in the resurrection of
the just. Those went upon a principle of faith who took joyfully the
spoiling of their goods, knowing in themselves that they had in heaven
a better and a more enduring substance, Heb. x. 34. Any man will rather
make shipwreck of his goods than of his life; but many will rather make
shipwreck of faith and a good conscience than of their goods. (7.) The
third day they cast out the tacklings of the ship--the utensils of it,
Armamenta (so some render it), as if it were a ship of force. With us
it is common to heave the guns over-board in the extremity of a storm;
but what heavy artillery they had then which it was necessary to
lighten the ship of I do not know; and I question whether it was not
then a vulgar error among seamen thus to throw every thing into the
sea, even that which would be of great use in a storm, and no great
weight.
3. The despair which at last they were brought to (v. 20): All hope
that we should be saved was then taken away. The storm continued, and
they saw no symptoms of its abatement; we have known very blustering
weather to continue for some weeks. The means they had used were
ineffectual, so that they were at their wits' end; and such was the
consternation that this melancholy prospect put them into that they had
no heart either to eat or drink. They had provision enough on board (v.
38), but such bondage were they under, through fear of death, that they
could not admit the supports of life. Why did not Paul, by the power of
Christ, and in his name, lay this storm? Why did he not say to the
winds and waves, Peace, be still, as his Master had done? Surely it was
because the apostles wrought miracles for the confirmation of their
doctrine, not for the serving of a turn for themselves or their
friends.
Paul's Voyage towards Rome.
21 But after long abstinence Paul stood forth in the midst of them, and
said, Sirs, ye should have hearkened unto me, and not have loosed from
Crete, and to have gained this harm and loss. 22 And now I exhort you
to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among
you, but of the ship. 23 For there stood by me this night the angel
of God, whose I am, and whom I serve, 24 Saying, Fear not, Paul; thou
must be brought before Cæsar: and, lo, God hath given thee all them
that sail with thee. 25 Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I
believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me. 26 Howbeit we
must be cast upon a certain island. 27 But when the fourteenth night
was come, as we were driven up and down in Adria, about midnight the
shipmen deemed that they drew near to some country; 28 And sounded,
and found it twenty fathoms: and when they had gone a little further,
they sounded again, and found it fifteen fathoms. 29 Then fearing
lest we should have fallen upon rocks, they cast four anchors out of
the stern, and wished for the day. 30 And as the shipmen were about
to flee out of the ship, when they had let down the boat into the sea,
under colour as though they would have cast anchors out of the
foreship, 31 Paul said to the centurion and to the soldiers, Except
these abide in the ship, ye cannot be saved. 32 Then the soldiers cut
off the ropes of the boat, and let her fall off. 33 And while the day
was coming on, Paul besought them all to take meat, saying, This day is
the fourteenth day that ye have tarried and continued fasting, having
taken nothing. 34 Wherefore I pray you to take some meat: for this is
for your health: for there shall not a hair fall from the head of any
of you. 35 And when he had thus spoken, he took bread, and gave
thanks to God in presence of them all: and when he had broken it, he
began to eat. 36 Then were they all of good cheer, and they also took
some meat. 37 And we were in all in the ship two hundred threescore
and sixteen souls. 38 And when they had eaten enough, they lightened
the ship, and cast out the wheat into the sea. 39 And when it was
day, they knew not the land: but they discovered a certain creek with a
shore, into the which they were minded, if it were possible, to thrust
in the ship. 40 And when they had taken up the anchors, they
committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and
hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore. 41 And
falling into a place where two seas met, they ran the ship aground; and
the forepart stuck fast, and remained unmoveable, but the hinder part
was broken with the violence of the waves. 42 And the soldiers'
counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out,
and escape. 43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them
from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should
cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: 44 And the rest,
some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came
to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
We have here the issue of the distress of Paul and his
fellow-travellers; they escaped with their lives and that was all, and
that was for Paul's sake. We are here told (v. 37) what number there
were on board--mariners, merchants, soldiers, prisoners, and other
passengers, in all two hundred and seventy-six souls; this is taken
notice of to make us the more concerned for them in reading the story,
that they were such a considerable number, whose lives were now in the
utmost jeopardy, and one Paul among them worth more than all the rest.
We left them in despair, giving up themselves for gone. Whether they
called every man on his God, as Jonah's mariners did, we are not told;
it is well if this laudable practice in a storm was not gone out of
fashion and made a jest of. However, Paul among these seamen was not,
like Jonah among his, the cause of the storm, but the comforter in the
storm, and as much a credit to the profession of an apostle as Jonah
was a blemish to the character of a prophet. Now here we have,
I. The encouragement Paul gave them, by assuring them, in the name of
God, that their lives should all be saved, even when, in human
appearance, all hope that they should be saved was taken away. Paul
rescued them from their despair first, that they might not die of that,
and starve themselves in that, and then they were in a fair way to be
rescued from their distress. After long abstinence, as if they were
resolved not to eat till they knew whether they should live or die,
Paul stood forth in the midst of them. During the distress hitherto
Paul hid himself among them, was one of the crowd, helped with the rest
to throw out the tackling (v. 19), but now he distinguished himself,
and, though a prisoner, undertook to be their counsellor and comforter.
1. He reproves them for not taking his advice, which was to stay where
they were, in the road of Lasea (v. 8): "You should have hearkened to
me and not have loosed from Crete, where we might have made a shift to
winter well enough, and then we should not have gained this harm and
loss, that is, we should have escaped them." Harm and loss in the
world, if sanctified to us, may be truly said to be gain; for if they
wean us from present things, and awaken us to think of a future state,
we are truly gainers by them. Observe, They did not hearken to Paul
when he warned them of their danger, and yet if they will but
acknowledge their folly, and repent of it, he will speak comfort and
relief to them now that they are in danger, so compassionate is God to
those that are in misery, though they bring themselves into it by their
own incogitancy, nay, by their own wilfulness, and contempt of
admonition. Paul, before administering comfort, will first make them
sensible of their sin in not hearkening to him, by upbraiding them with
their rashness, and probably, when he tells them of their gaining harm
and loss, he reflects upon what they promised themselves by proceeding
on their voyage, that they should gain so much time, gain this and the
other point: "But," says he, "you have gained nothing but harm and
loss; how will you answer it?" That which they are blamed for is their
loosing from Crete, where they were safe. Note, Most people bring
themselves into inconvenience, because they do not know when they are
well off, but gain harm and loss by aiming against advice to better
themselves.
2. He assures them that though they should lose the ship yet they
should none of them lose their lives: "You see your folly in not being
ruled by me:" he does not say, "Now therefore expect to fare
accordingly, you may thank yourselves if you be all lost, those that
will not be counselled cannot be helped." No, "Yet now there is hope in
Israel concerning this thing; your case is sad, but it is not
desperate, now, I exhort you to be of good cheer." Thus we say to
sinners that are convinced of their sin and folly, and begin to see and
bewail their error, "You should have hearkened unto us, and should have
had nothing to do with sin; yet now we exhort you to be of good cheer:
though you would not take our advice when we said, Do not presume, yet
take it now when we say, Do not despair." They had given up the cause,
and would use no further means, because all hope that they should be
saved was taken away. Now Paul quickens them to bestir themselves yet
in working for their own safety, by telling them that it they would
resume their vigour they should secure their lives. He gives them this
assurance when they were brought to the last extremity, for now it
would be doubly welcome to them to be told that not a life should be
lost when they were ready to conclude they must inevitably be all lost.
He tells them, (1.) That they must count upon the loss of the ship.
Those who were interested in that and the goods were probably those
greater part that were for pushing forward the voyage and running the
venture, notwithstanding Paul's admonition, and they are made to pay
for their rashness. Their ship shall be wrecked. Many a stately,
strong, rich, gallant ship is lost in the mighty waters in a little
time; for vanity of vanities, all is vanity and vexation of spirit.
But, (2.) Not a life shall be lost. This would be good news to those
that were ready to die for fear of dying, and whose guilty consciences
made death look very terrible to them.
3. He tells them what ground he had for this assurance, that it is not
a banter upon them, to put them into humour, nor a human conjecture, he
has a divine revelation for it, and is as confident of it as that God
is true, being fully satisfied that he has his word for it. An angel of
the Lord appeared to him in the night, and told him that for his sake
they should all be preserved (v. 23-25), which would double the mercy
of their preservation, that they should have it not only by providence,
but by promise, and as a particular favour to Paul. Now observe here,
(1.) The solemn profession Paul makes of relation to God, the God from
whom he had this favourable intelligence: It is he whose I am, and whom
I serve. He looks upon God, [1.] As his rightful owner, who has a
sovereign incontestable title to him, and dominion over him: Who I am.
Because God made us and not we ourselves, therefore we are not our own
but his. His we are by creation, for he made us; by preservation, for
he maintains us; by redemption, for he bought us. We are more his than
our own. [2.] As his sovereign ruler and master, who, having given him
being, has right to give him law: Whom I serve. Because his we are,
therefore we are bound to serve him, to devote ourselves to his honour
and employ ourselves in his work. It is Christ that Paul here has an
eye to; he is God, and the angels are his and go on his errands. Paul
often calls himself a servant of Jesus Christ; he is his, and him he
serves, both as a Christian and as an apostle; he does not say, "Whose
we are, and whom we serve," for most that were present were strangers
to him, but, "Whose I am, and whom I serve, whatever others do; nay,
whom I am now in the actual service of, going to Rome, not as you are,
upon worldly business, but to appear as a witness for Christ." Now this
he tells the company, that, seeing their relief coming from his God
whose he was and whom he served, they might thereby be drawn in to take
him for their God, and to serve him likewise; for the same reason Jonah
said to his mariners, I fear the Lord, the God of heaven, who has made
the sea and the dry land, Jonah i. 9.
(2.) The account he gives of the vision he had: There stood by me this
night an angel of God, a divine messenger who used formerly to bring
him messages from heaven; he stood by him, visibly appeared to him,
probably when he was awake upon his bed. Though he was afar off upon
the sea (Ps. lxvi. 5), on the uttermost parts of the sea (Ps. cxxxix.
9), yet this could not intercept his communion with God, nor deprive
him of the benefit of divine visits. Thence he can direct a prayer to
God, and thither God can direct an angel to him. He knows not where he
is himself, yet God's angel knows where to find him out. The ship is
tossed with winds and waves, hurried to and fro with the utmost
violence, and yet the angel finds a way into it. No storms nor tempests
can hinder the communications of God's favour to his people, for he is
a very present help, a help at hand, even when the sea roars and is
troubled, Ps. xlvi. 1, 3. We may suppose that Paul, being a prisoner,
had not a cabin of his own in the ship, much less a bed in the
captain's cabin, but was put down into the hold (any dark or dirty
place was thought good enough for him in common with the rest of the
prisoners), and yet there the angel of God stood by him. Meanness and
poverty set none at a distance from God and his favour. Jacob, when he
has no pillow but a stone, no curtains but the clouds, yet has a vision
of angels. Paul had this vision but this last night. He had himself
been assured by a former vision that he should go to Rome (ch. xxiii.
11), from which he might infer that he himself should be safe; but he
has this fresh vision to assure him of the safety of those with him.
(3.) The encouragements that were given him in the vision, v. 14. [1.]
He is forbidden to fear. Though all about him are at their wits' end,
and lost in despair, yet, Fear not, Paul; fear not their fear, nor be
afraid, Isa. viii. 12. Let the sinners in Zion be afraid, but let not
the saints be afraid, no, not at sea, in a storm; for the Lord of hosts
is with them, and their place of defence shall be the munitions of
rocks, Isa. xxxiii. 14-16. [2.] He is assured that for his part he
shall come safely to Rome: Thou must be brought before Cæsar. As the
rage of the most potent enemies, so the rage of the most stormy sea,
cannot prevail against God's witnesses till they have finished their
testimony. Paul must be preserved in this danger, for he is reserved
for further service. This is comfortable for the faithful servants of
God in straits and difficulties, that as long as God has any work for
them to do their lives shall be prolonged. [3.] That for his sake all
that were in the ship with him should be delivered too from perishing
in this storm: God hath given thee all those that sail with thee. The
angel that was ordered to bring him this message could have singled him
out from this wretched crew, and those that were his friends too, and
have carried them safely to shore, and have left the rest to perish,
because they would not take Paul's counsel. But God chooses rather, by
preserving them all for his sake, to show what great blessings good men
are to the world, than by delivering him only to show how good men are
distinguished from the world. God has given thee all those that sail
with thee, that is, spares them in answer to thy prayers, or for thy
sake. Sometimes good men deliver neither sons nor daughters, but their
own souls only, Ezek. xiv. 18. But Paul here delivers a whole ship's
crew, almost three hundred souls. Note, God often spares wicked people
for the sake of the godly; as Zoar for Lot's sake, and as Sodom might
have been, if there had been ten righteous persons in it. The good
people are hated and persecuted in the world as if they were not worthy
to live in it, yet really it is for their sakes that the world stands.
If Paul had thrust himself needlessly into bad company, he might justly
have been cast away with them, but, God calling him into it, they are
preserved with him. And it is intimated that it was a great favour to
Paul, and he looked upon it to be so, that others were saved for his
sake: They are given thee. There is no greater satisfaction to a good
man than to know that he is a public blessing.
4. He comforts them with the same comforts wherewith he himself was
comforted (v. 25): "Wherefore, Sirs, be of good cheer, you shall see
even this will end well; for I believe God, and depend upon his word,
that it shall be even as it was told me." He would not require them to
give credit to that to which he did not himself give credit; and
therefore solemnly professes that he believes it himself, and the
belief of it makes him easy: "I doubt not but it shall be as it was
told me." Thus he staggers not at the promise of God through unbelief.
Hath God spoken, and shall he not make it good? No doubt he can, no
doubt he will; for he is not a man that he should lie. And shall it be
as God hath said? Then be of good cheer, be of good courage. God is
ever faithful, and therefore let all that have an interest in his
promise be ever cheerful. If with God saying and doing are not two
things, then with us believing and enjoying should not.
5. He gives them a sign, telling them particularly what this
tempestuous voyage would issue in (v. 26): "We must be cast upon a
certain island, and that will both break the ship and save the
passengers; and so the prediction in both respects will be fulfilled."
The pilot had quitted his post, the ship was left to run at random,
they knew not what latitude they were in, much less how to steer their
course; and yet Providence undertakes to bring them to an island that
shall be a refuge for them. When the church of God, like this ship, is
tossed with tempests, and not comforted, when there is none to guide
her of all her sons, yet God can bring her safely to shore, and will do
it.
II. Their coming at length to an anchor upon an unknown shore, v.
27-29. 1. They had been a full fortnight in the storm, continually
expecting death: The fourteenth night, and not sooner, they came near
land; they were that night driven up and down in Adria, not in the
Adriatic Gulf on which Venice stands, but in the Adriatic Sea, a part
of the Mediterranean, containing both the Sicilian and Ionian seas, and
extending to the African shore; in this sea they were tossed, and knew
not whereabouts they were. 2. About midnight the mariners apprehended
that they drew near to some shore, which confirmed what Paul had told
them, that they must be driven upon some island. To try whether it was
so or no, they sounded, in order to their finding the depth of the
water, for the water would be shallower as they drew nearer to shore;
by the first experiment they found they drew twenty fathoms deep of
water, and by the next fifteen fathoms, which was a demonstration that
they were near some shore; God has wisely ordered such a natural notice
to sailors in the dark, that they may be cautious. 3. They took the
hint, and, fearing rocks near the shore, they cast anchor, and wished
for the day; they durst not go forward for fear of rocks, and yet would
not go back in hope of shelter, but they would wait for the morning,
and heartily wished for it; who can blame them when the affair came to
a crisis? When they had light, there was no land to be seen; now that
there was land near them, they had no light to see it by; no marvel
then they wished for day. When those that fear God walk in darkness,
and have no light, yet let them not say, The Lord has forsaken us, or,
Our God has forgotten us; but let them do as these mariners did, cast
anchor, and wish for the day, and be assured that the day will dawn.
Hope is an anchor of the soul, sure and stedfast, entering into that
within the veil. Hold fast by that, think not of putting to sea again,
but abide by Christ, and wait till the day break, and the shadows flee
away.
III. The defeating of the sailors' attempt to quit the ship; here was a
new danger added to their distress, which they narrowly escaped.
Observe, 1. The treacherous design of the seamen, and that was to leave
the sinking ship, which, though a piece of wisdom in others, yet in
those that were entrusted with the care of it was the basest fraud that
could be (v. 30): They were about to flee out of the ship, concluding
no other than that when it ran ashore it must be broken all to pieces;
having the command of the boat, the project was to get all of them into
that, and so save themselves, and leave all the rest to perish. To
cover this vile design, they pretended they would cast anchors out of
the fore-ship, or carry them further off, and in order to this they let
down the boat, which they had taken in (v. 16, 17), and were going into
it, having agreed among themselves, when they were in to make straight
for the shore. The treacherous seamen are like the treacherous
shepherd, who flees when he sees the danger coming, and there is most
need of his help, John x. 12. Thus true is that of Solomon, Confidence
in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth or a
foot out of joint. Let us therefore cease from man. Paul had, in God's
name, assured them that they should come safely to land, but they will
rather trust their own refuge of lies than God's word and truth. 2.
Paul's discovery of it, and protestation against it, v. 31. They all
saw them preparing to go into the boat, but were deceived by the
pretence they made; only Paul saw through it, and gave notice to the
centurion and the soldiers concerning it, and told them plainly, Except
these abide in the ship, you cannot be saved. The skill of a mariner is
seen in a storm, and, in the distress of the ship, then is the proper
time for him to exert himself. Now the greatest difficulty of all was
before them, and therefore the seamen were now more necessary than ever
yet; it was indeed not by any skill of theirs that they were brought to
land, for it was quite beyond their skill, but, now that they are near
land, they must use their art to bring the ship to it. When God has
done that for us which we could not, we must then in his strength help
ourselves. Paul speaks humanly, when he says, You cannot be saved
except these abide in the ship; and he does not at all weaken the
assurances he had divinely given that they should infallibly be saved.
God, who appointed the end, that they should be saved, appointed the
means, that they should be saved by the help of these seamen; though,
if they had gone off, no doubt God would have made his word good some
other way. Paul speaks as a prudent man, not as a prophet, when he
says, These are necessary to your preservation. Duty is ours, events
are God's; and we do not trust God, but tempt him, when we say, "We put
ourselves under his protection," and do not use proper means, such as
are within our power, for our own preservation. 3. The effectual defeat
of it by the soldiers, v. 32. It was not time to stand arguing the case
with the seamen, and therefore they made no more ado, but cut the ropes
of the boat, and though it might otherwise have done them service in
their present distress, they chose rather to let it fall off, and lose
it, than suffer it to do them this disservice. And now the seamen,
being forced to stay in the ship whether they would or no, are forced
likewise to work for the safety of the ship as hard as they could,
because if the rest perish they must perish with them.
IV. The new life which Paul put into the company, by cheerfully
inviting them to take some refreshment, and by the repeated assurances
he gave them that they should all of them have their lives given them
for a prey. Happy they who had such a one as Paul in their company, who
not only had correspondence with Heaven, but was of a hearty lively
spirit with those about him, that sharpened the countenance of his
friend, as iron sharpens iron. Such a friend in distress, when without
are fightings and within are fears, is a friend indeed. Ointment and
perfume rejoice the heart; so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by
hearty counsel, Prov. xxvii. 9. Such was Paul's here to his companions
in tribulation. The day was coming on: those that wish for the day, let
them wait awhile, and they shall have what they wish for. The dawning
of the day revived them a little, and then Paul got them together. 1.
He chid them for their neglect of themselves, that they had so far
given way to fear and despair as to forget or not to mind their food:
This is the fourteenth day that you have tarried, and continued
fasting, having taken nothing; and that is not well, v. 33. Not that
they had all, or any of them, continued fourteen days without any food,
but they had not had any set meal, as they used to have, all that time;
they ate very little, next to nothing. Or, "You have continued fasting,
that is, you have lost your stomach; you have had no appetite at all to
your food, nor any relish of it, through prevailing fear and despair."
A very disconsolate state is thus expressed (Ps. cii. 4), I forget to
eat my bread. It is a sin to starve the body, and to deny it its
necessary supports; he is an unnatural man indeed that hateth his own
flesh, and does not nourish and cherish it; and it is a sore evil under
the sun to have a sufficiency of the good things of this life, and not
to have power to use them, Eccl. vi. 2. If this arise from the sorrow
of the world, and from any inordinate fear or trouble, it is so far
from excusing it that it is another sin, it is discontent, it is
distrust of God, it is all wrong. What folly is it to die for fear of
dying! But thus the sorrow of the world works death, while joy in God
is life and peace in the greatest distresses and dangers. 2. He courts
them to their food (v. 34): "Wherefore I pray you to take some meat. We
have a hard struggle before us, must get to shore as well as we can; if
our bodies be weak through fasting, we shall not be able to help
ourselves." The angel bade Elijah, Arise and eat, for otherwise he
would find the journey too great for him, 1 Kings xix. 7. So Paul will
have these people eat, or otherwise the waves will be too hard for
them: I pray you, parakalo, "I exhort you, if you will be ruled by me,
take some nourishment; though you have no appetite to it, though you
have fasted away your stomach, yet let reason bring you to it, for this
is for your health, or rather your preservation, or safety, at this
time; it is for your salvation, you cannot without nourishment have
strength to shift for your lives." As he that will not labour, let him
not eat; so he that means to labour must eat. Weak and trembling
Christians, that give way to doubts and fears about their spiritual
state, continue fasting from the Lord's supper, and fasting from divine
consolations, and then complain they cannot go on in their spiritual
work and warfare; and it is owing to themselves. If they would feed and
feast as they ought, upon the provision Christ has made for them, they
would be strengthened, and it would be for their souls' health and
salvation. 3. He assures them of their preservation: There shall not a
hair fall from the head of any of you. It is a proverbial expression,
denoting a complete indemnity. It is used 1 Kings i. 51; Luke xxi. 18.
"You cannot eat for fear of dying; I tell you, you are sure of living,
and therefore eat. You will come to shore wet and cold, but sound wind
and limb; your hair wet, but not a hair lost." 4. He himself spread
their table for them; for none of them had any heart to do it, they
were all so dispirited: When he had thus spoken, he took bread, fetched
it from the ship's stores, to which every one might safely have access
when none of them had an appetite. They were not reduced to short
allowance, as sailors sometimes are when they are kept longer at sea
than they expected by distress of weather; they had plenty, but what
good did that do them, when they had no stomach? We have reason to be
thankful to God that we have not only food to our appetite, but
appetite to our food; that our soul abhors not even dainty meat (Job
xxxiii. 20), through sickness or sorrow. 5. He was chaplain to the
ship, and they had reason to be proud of their chaplain. He gave thanks
to God in presence of them all. We have reason to think he had often
prayed with Luke and Aristarchus, and what others there were among them
that were Christians, that they prayed daily together; but whether he
had before this prayed with the whole company promiscuously is not
certain. Now he gave thanks to God, in presence of them all, that they
were alive, and had been preserved hitherto, and that they had a
promise that their lives should be preserved in the imminent peril now
before them; he gave thanks for the provision they had, and begged a
blessing upon it. We must in every thing give thanks; and must
particularly have an eye to God in receiving our food, for it is
sanctified to us by the word of God and prayer, and is to be received
with thanksgiving. Thus the curse is taken off from it, and we obtain a
covenant-right to it and a covenant-blessing upon it, 1 Tim. iv. 3-5.
And it is not by bread alone that man lives, but by the word of God,
which must be met with prayer. He gave thanks in presence of them all,
not only to show that he served a Master he was not ashamed of, but to
invite them into his service too. If we crave a blessing upon our meat,
and give thanks for it in a right manner, we shall not only keep up a
comfortable communion with God ourselves, but credit our profession,
and recommend it to the good opinion of others. 6. He set them a good
example: When he had given thanks, he broke the bread (it was
sea-biscuit) and he began to eat. Whether they would be encouraged or
no, he would; if they would be sullen, and, like froward children,
refuse their victuals because they had not every thing to their mind,
he would eat his meat, and be thankful. Those that teach others are
inexcusable if they do not themselves do as they teach, and the most
effectual way of preaching is by example. 7. It had a happy influence
upon them all (v. 36): Then were they all of good cheer. They then
ventured to believe the message God sent them by Paul when they plainly
perceived that Paul believed it himself, who was in the same common
danger with them. Thus God sends good tidings to the perishing world of
mankind by those who are of themselves, and in the same common danger
with themselves, who are sinners too, and must be saved, if ever they
be saved, in the same way in which they persuade others to venture; for
it is a common salvation which they bring the tidings of; and it is an
encouragement to people to commit themselves to Christ as their Saviour
when those who invite them to do so make it to appear that they do so
themselves. It is here upon this occasion that the number of the
persons is set down, which we took notice of before: they were in all
two hundred threescore and sixteen souls. See how many may be
influenced by the good example of one. They did all eat, nay, they did
all eat enough (v. 38), they were satiated with food, or filled with
it; they made a hearty meal. This explains the meaning of their fasting
before for fourteen days; not that they did not eat during all that
time, but they never had enough all that time, as they had now. 8. They
once more lightened the ship, that it might escape the better in the
shock it was now to have. They had before thrown the wares and the
tackle overboard, and now the wheat, the victuals and provisions they
had; better they should sink the food than that it should sink them.
See what good reason our Saviour had to call our bodily food meat that
perishes. We may ourselves be under a necessity of throwing that away
to save our lives which we had gathered and laid up for the support of
our lives. It is probable that the ship was overloaded with the
multitude of the passengers (for this comes in just after the account
of the number of them) and that this obliged them so often to lighten
the ship.
V. Their putting to shore, and the staving of the ship in the
adventure. It was about break of day when they ate their meat, and when
it was quite day they began to look about them; and here we are told,
1. That they knew not where they were; they could not tell what country
it was they were now upon the coast of, whether it was Europe, Asia, or
Africa, for each had shores washed by the Adriatic Sea. It is probable
that these seamen had often sailed this way, and thought they knew
every country they came near perfectly well, and yet here they were at
a loss. Let not the wise man then glory in his wisdom, since it may
perhaps fail him thus egregiously even in his own profession. 2. They
observed a creek with a level shore, into which they hoped to thrust
the ship, v. 39. Though they knew not what country it was, nor whether
the inhabitants were friends or foes, civil or barbarous, they
determined to cast themselves upon their mercy; it was dry land, which
would be very welcome to those that had been so long at sea. It was a
pity but they had had some help from the shore, a pilot sent them, that
knew the coast, who might steer their ship in, or another second ship,
to take some of the men on board. Those who live on the sea-coast have
often opportunity of succouring those who are in distress at sea, and
of saving precious lives, and they ought to do their utmost in order to
it, with all readiness and cheerfulness; for it is a great sin, and
very provoking to God, to forbear to deliver those that are driven unto
death, and are ready to be slain; and it will not serve for an excuse
to say, Behold, we knew it not, when either we did, or might, and
should, have known it, Prov. xxiv. 11, 12. I have been told there are
some, and in our own nation too, who when from the sea-coast they see a
ship in distress and at a loss will, by misguiding fires or otherwise,
purposely lead them into danger, that the lives may be lost, and they
may have the plunder of the ship. One can scarcely believe that any of
the human species can possibly be so wicked, so barbarously inhuman,
and can have so much of the devil in them; if there be, let them know
of a truth that they shall have judgment without mercy who have shown
no mercy. 3. They made straight to the shore with wind and tide (v.
40): They took up the anchors, the four anchors which they cast out of
the stern, v. 29. Some think that they took pains to weigh them up,
hoping they should have use for them again at the shore; others that
they did it with such precipitation that they were forced to cut the
cables and leave them; the original will admit either. They then
committed themselves to the sea, the wind standing fair to carry them
into the port, and they loosed the rudder-bands, which were fastened
during the storm for the greater steadiness of the ship, but, now that
they were putting into the port, were loosed, that the pilot might
steer with the greater freedom; they then hoisted up the main-sail to
the wind, and made towards shore. The original words here used for the
rudder-bands and the main-sail find the critics a great deal of work to
accommodate them to the modern terms; but they need not give us any
difficulty who are content to know that when they saw the shore they
hastened to it as fast as they could, and perhaps made more haste than
good speed. And should not a poor soul that has long been struggling
with winds and tempests in this world long to put into the safe and
quiet haven of everlasting rest? Should it not get clear from all that
which fastens it to this earth, and straitens the out-goings of its
pious and devout affections heavenward? And should it not hoist up the
main-sail of faith to the wind of the Spirit, and so with longing
desires make to shore? 4. They made a shift among them to run the ship
aground, in a shelf or bed of sand, as it should seem, or an isthmus,
or neck of land, washed with the sea on both sides, and therefore two
seas are said to meet upon it, and there the forepart stuck fast; and
then, when it had no liberty to play, as a ship has when it rides at
anchor, but remained immovable, the hinder part would soon be broken of
course by the violence of the waves. Whether the seamen did not do
their part, being angry that they were disappointed in their design to
escape, and therefore wilfully ran the ship aground, or whether we may
suppose that they did their utmost to save it, but God in his
providence overruled, for the fulfilling of Paul's word, that the ship
must be lost (v. 22), I cannot say; but this we are sure of that God
will confirm the word of his servants, and perform the counsel of his
messengers, Isa. xliv. 26. The ship, that had strangely weathered the
storm in the vast ocean, where it had room to roll, is dashed to pieces
when it sticks fast. Thus if the heart fixes in the world, in love and
affection, and adherence to it, it is lost. Satan's temptations beat
against it, and it is gone; but, as long as it keeps above the world,
though it be tossed with its cares and tumults, there is hope of it.
They had the shore in view, and yet suffered shipwreck in the harbour,
to teach us never to be secure.
VI. A particular danger that Paul and the rest of the prisoners were
in, besides their share in the common calamity, and their deliverance
from it. 1. In this critical moment, when every man hung in doubt of
his life, the soldiers advised the killing of the prisoners that were
committed to their custody, and whom they were to give an account of,
lest any of them should swim out and escape, v. 42. There was no great
danger of that, for they could not escape far, weak and weary as they
were; and, under the eye of so many soldiers that had the charge of
them, it was not likely they should attempt it; and if it should so
happen, though they might be obnoxious to the law for a permissive
escape, yet in such a case as this equity would certainly relieve them.
But it was a brutish barbarous motion, and so much the worse that they
were thus prodigal of other people's lives when without a miracle of
mercy they must lose their own. 2. The centurion, for Paul's sake,
quashed this motion presently. Paul, who was his prisoner, had found
favour with him, as Joseph with the captain of the guard. Julius,
though he despised Paul's advice (v. 11), yet afterwards saw a great
deal of cause to respect him, and therefore, being willing to save
Paul, he prevented the execution of that bloody project, and in favorem
vitæ--from a regard to his life, he kept them from their purpose. It
does not appear that they were any of them malefactors convicted, but
only suspected, and waiting their trial, and in such a case as this
better ten guilty ones should escape than one that was innocent be
slain. As God had saved all in the ship for Paul's sake, so here the
centurion saves all the prisoners for his sake; such a diffusive good
is a good man.
VII. The saving of the lives of all the persons in the ship, by the
wonderful providence of God. When the ship broke under them, surely
there was but a step between them and death; and yet infinite mercy
interposed, and that step was not stepped. 1. Some were saved by
swimming: The centurion commanded his soldiers in the first place, as
many of them as could swim, to get to land first, and to be ready to
receive the prisoners, and prevent their escape. The Romans trained up
their youth, among other exercises, to that of swimming, and it was
often of service to them in their wars: Julius Caesar was a famous
swimmer. It may be very useful to these who deal much at sea, but
otherwise perhaps more lives have been lost by swimming in sport, and
learning to swim, than have been saved by swimming for need. 2. The
rest with much ado scrambled to the shore, some on boards that they had
loose with them in the ship, and others on the broken pieces of the
ship, every one making the best shift he could for himself and his
friends, and the more busy because they were assured their labour
should not be in vain; but so it came to pass that through the good
providence of God none of them miscarried, none of them were by
accident turned off, but they escaped all safely to land. See here an
instance of the special providence of God in the preservation of
people's lives, and particularly in the deliverance of many from perils
by water, ready to sink, and yet kept from sinking, the deep from
swallowing them up and the water-floods from overflowing them, the
storm turned into a calm. They were rescued from the dreaded sea, and
brought to the desired haven. O that men would praise the Lord for his
goodness! Ps. cviii. 30, 31. Here was an instance of the performance of
a particular word of promise which God gave, that all the persons in
this ship should be saved for Paul's sake. Though there be great
difficulty in the way of the promised salvation, yet it shall without
fail be accomplished; and even the wreck of the ship may furnish out
means for the saving of the lives, and, when all seems to be gone, all
proves to be safe, though it be on boards, and broken pieces of the
ship.
__________________________________________________________________
A C T S.
CHAP. XXVIII.
We are the more concerned to take notice of and to improve what is here
recorded concerning blessed Paul because, after the story of this
chapter, we hear no more of him in the sacred history, though we have a
great deal of him yet before us in his epistles. We have attended him
through several chapters from one judgment-seat to another, and could
at last have taken leave of him with the more pleasure if we had left
him at liberty; but in this chapter we are to condole with him, and yet
congratulate him. I. We condole with him as a poor shipwrecked
passenger, stripped of all; and yet congratulate him, 1. As singularly
owned by his God in his distress, preserved himself from receiving hurt
by a viper that fastened on his hand (ver. 1-6), and being made an
instrument of much good in the island on which they were cast, in
healing many that were sick, and particularly the father of Publius,
the chief man of the island, ver. 7-9. 2. As much respected by the
people there, ver. 10. II. We condole with him as a poor confined
prisoner, carried to Rome under the notion of a criminal removed by
"habeas corpus" (ver. 11-16), and yet we congratulate him, 1. Upon the
respect shown him by the Christians at Rome, who came a great way to
meet him, ver. 15. 2. Upon the favour he found with the captain of the
guard, into whose custody he was delivered, who suffered him to dwell
by himself, and did not put him in the common prison, ver. 16. 3. Upon
the free conference he had with the Jews at Rome, both about his own
affair (ver. 17-22) and upon the subject of the Christian religion in
general (ver. 23), the issue of which was that God was glorified, many
were edified, the rest left inexcusable, and the apostles justified in
preaching the gospel to the Gentiles, ver. 24-29. 4. Upon the
undisturbed liberty he had to preach the gospel to all comers in his
own house for two years together, ver. 30-31.
Paul's Voyage towards Rome.
1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called
Melita. 2 And the barbarous people showed us no little kindness: for
they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present
rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle
of sticks, and laid them on the fire, there came a viper out of the
heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the
venomous beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt
this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet
vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into
the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have
swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a
great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and
said that he was a god. 7 In the same quarters were possessions of
the chief man of the island, whose name was Publius; who received us,
and lodged us three days courteously. 8 And it came to pass, that the
father of Publius lay sick of a fever and of a bloody flux: to whom
Paul entered in, and prayed, and laid his hands on him, and healed him.
9 So when this was done, others also, which had diseases in the
island, came, and were healed: 10 Who also honoured us with many
honours; and when we departed, they laded us with such things as were
necessary.
What a great variety of places and circumstances do we find Paul in! He
was a planet, and not a fixed star. Here we have him in an island to
which, in all probability, he had never come if he had not been thrown
upon it by a storm; and yet it seems God has work for him to do here.
Even stormy winds fulfil God's counsel, and an ill wind indeed it is
that blows nobody any good; this ill wind blew good to the island of
Melita; for it gave them Paul's company for three months, who was a
blessing to every place he came to. This island was called Melita,
lying between Sicily and Africa, twenty miles long, and twelve broad;
it lies furthest from the continent of any island in the Mediterranean;
it is about sixty miles from Sicily. It has been famous since for the
knights of Malta, who, when the Turks overran that part of Christendom,
made a noble stand, and gave some check to the progress of their arms.
Now here we have,
I. The kind reception which the inhabitants of this island gave to the
distressed strangers that were shipwrecked on their coast (v. 2): The
barbarous people showed us no little kindness. God had promised that
there should be no loss of any man's life; and, as for God, his work is
perfect. If they had escaped the sea, and when they came ashore had
perished for cold or want, it had been all one; therefore Providence
continues its care of them, and what benefits we receive by the hand of
man must be acknowledged to come from the hand of God; for every
creature is that to us, and no more, that he makes it to be, and when
he pleases, as he can make enemies to be at peace, so he can make
strangers to be friends, friends in need, and those are friends
indeed--friends in adversity, and that is the time that a brother is
born for. Observe, 1. The general notice taken of the kindness which
the natives of Malta showed to Paul and his company. They are called
barbarous people, because they did not, in language and customs,
conform either to the Greeks or Romans, who looked (superciliously
enough) upon all but themselves as barbarians, though otherwise
civilized enough, and perhaps in some cases more civil than they. These
barbarous people, however they were called so, were full of humanity:
They showed us not little kindness. So far were they from making a prey
of this shipwreck, as many, I fear, who are called Christian people,
would have done, that they laid hold of it as an opportunity of showing
mercy. The Samaritan is a better neighbour to the poor wounded man than
the priest or Levite. And verily we have not found greater humanity
among Greeks, or Romans, or Christians, than among these barbarous
people; and it is written for our imitation, that we may hence learn to
be compassionate to those that are in distress and misery, and to
relieve and succour them to the utmost of our ability, as those that
know we ourselves are also in the body. We should be ready to entertain
strangers, as Abraham, who sat at his tent door to invite passengers in
(Heb. xiii. 2), but especially strangers in distress, as these were.
Honour all men. If Providence hath so appointed the bounds of our
habitation as to give us an opportunity of being frequently serviceable
to persons at a loss, we should not place it among the inconveniences
of our lot, but the advantages of it; because it is more blessed to
give than to receive. Who knows but these barbarous people had their
lot cast in this island for such a time as this! 2. A particular
instance of their kindness: They kindled a fire, in some large hall or
other, and they received us everyone--made room for us about the fire,
and bade us all welcome, without asking either what country we were of
or what religion. In swimming to the shore, and coming on the broken
pieces of the ship, we must suppose that they were sadly wet, that they
had not a dry thread on them; and, as if that were not enough, to
complete the deluge, waters from above met those from below, and it
rained so hard that this would wet them to the skin presently; and it
was a cold rain too, so that they wanted nothing so much as a good fire
(for they had eaten heartily but just before on ship-board), and this
they got for them presently, to warm them, and dry their clothes. It is
sometimes as much a piece of charity to poor families to supply them
with fuel as with food or raiment. Be you warmed, is as necessary as Be
you filled. When in the extremities of bad weather we find ourselves
fenced against the rigours of the season, by the accommodations of a
warm house, bed, clothes, and a good fire, we should think how many lie
exposed to the present rain, and to the cold, and pity them, and pray
for them, and help them if we can.
II. The further danger that Paul was in by a viper's fastening on his
hand, and the unjust construction that the people put upon it. Paul is
among strangers, and appears one of the meanest and most contemptible
of the company, therefore God distinguishes him, and soon causes him to
be taken notice of.
1. When the fire was to be made, and too be made bigger, that so great
a company might all have the benefit of it, Paul was as busy as any of
them in gathering sticks, v. 3. Though he was free from all, and of
greater account than any of them, yet he made himself servant of all.
Paul was an industrious active man, and loved to be doing when any
thing was to be done, and never contrived to take his ease. Paul was a
humble self-denying man, and would stoop to any thing by which he might
be serviceable, even to the gathering of sticks to make a fire of. We
should reckon nothing below us but sin, and be willing to condescend to
the meanest offices, if there be occasion, for the good of our
brethren. The people were ready to help them; yet Paul, wet and cold as
he is, will not throw it all upon them, but will help himself. Those
that receive benefit by the fire should help to carry fuel to it.
2. The sticks being old dry rubbish, it happened there was a viper
among them, that lay as dead till it came to the heat, and then
revived, or lay quiet till it felt the fire, and then was provoked, and
flew at him that unawares threw it into the fire, and fastened upon his
hand, v. 3. Serpents and such venomous creatures commonly lie among
sticks; hence we read of him that leans on the wall, and a serpent
bites him, Amos v. 19. It was so common that people were by it
frightened from tearing hedges (Eccl. x. 8): Whoso breaketh a hedge, a
serpent shall bite him. As there is a snake under the green grass, so
there is often under the dry leaves. See how many perils human life is
exposed to, and what danger we are in from the inferior creatures,
which have many of them become enemies to men, since men became rebels
to God; and what a mercy it is that we are preserved from them as we
are. We often meet with that which is mischievous where we expect that
which is beneficial; and many come by hurt when they are honestly
employed, and in the way of their duty.
3. The barbarous people concluded that Paul, being a prisoner, was
certainly a murderer, who had appealed to Rome, to escape justice in
his own country, and that this viper was sent by divine justice to be
the avenger of blood; or, if they were not aware that he was a
prisoner, they supposed that he was in his flight; and when they saw
the venomous animal hand on his hand, which it seems he could not, or
would not, immediately throw off, but let it hang, they concluded, "No
doubt this man is a murderer, has shed innocent blood, and therefore,
though he has escaped the sea, yet divine vengeance pursues him, and
fastens upon him now that he is pleasing himself with the thoughts of
that escape, and will not suffer him to live." Now in this we may see,
(1.) Some of the discoveries of natural light. They were barbarous
people, perhaps had no books nor learning among them, and yet they knew
naturally, [1.] That there is a God that governs the world, and a
providence that presides in all occurrences, that things do not come to
pass by chance, no, not such a thing as this, but by divine direction.
[2.] That evil pursues sinners, that there are good works which God
will reward and wicked works which he will punish; there is a divine
nemesis--a vengeance, which sooner or later will reckon for enormous
crimes. They believe not only that there is a God, but that this God
hath said, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, even to death. [3.] That
murder is a heinous crime, and which shall not long go unpunished, that
whoso sheds man's blood, if his blood be not shed by man (by the
magistrate, as it ought to be) it shall be shed by the righteous Judge
of heaven and earth, who is the avenger of wrong. Those that think they
shall go unpunished in any evil way will be judged out of the mouth of
these barbarians, who could say, without book, Woe to the wicked, for
it shall be ill with them, for the reward of their hands shall be given
them. Those who, because they have escaped many judgments are secure,
and say, We shall have peace though we go on, and have their hearts so
much the more set to do evil because sentence against their evil works
is not executed speedily, may learn from these illiterate people that,
though malefactors have escaped the vengeance of the sea, yet there is
no outrunning divine justice, vengeance suffers not to live. In Job's
time you might ask those that to by the way, ask the next body you met,
and they would tell you that the wicked is reserved to the day of
destruction.
(2.) Some of the mistakes of natural light, which needed to be
rectified by divine revelation. In two things their knowledge was
defective:--[1.] That they thought all wicked people were punished in
this life; that divine vengeance never suffers great and notorious
sinners, such as murderers are, to live long; but that, if they come up
out of the pit, they shall be taken in the snare (Jer. xlviii. 43, 44),
if they flee from a lion, a bear shall meet them (Amos v. 19), if they
escape being drowned, a viper shall fasten upon them; whereas it is not
so. The wicked, even murderers, sometimes live, become old, yea, are
mighty in power; for the day of vengeance is to come in the other
world, the great day of wrath; and though some are made examples of in
this world, to prove that there is a God and a providence, yet many are
left unpunished, to prove that there is a judgment to come. [2.] That
they thought all who were remarkably afflicted in this life were wicked
people; that a man on whose hand a viper fastens may thence be judged
to be a murderer, as if those on whom the tower in Siloam fell must
needs be greater sinners than all in Jerusalem. This mistake Job's
friends went upon, in their judgment upon his case; but divine
revelation sets this matter in a true light--that all things come
ordinarily alike to all, that good men are oftentimes greatly afflicted
in this life, for the exercise and improvement of their faith and
patience.
4. When he shook off the viper from his hand, yet they expected that
divine vengeance would ratify the censure they had passed, and that he
would have swollen and burst, through the force of the poison, or that
he would have fallen down dead suddenly. See how apt men are, when once
they have got an ill opinion of a man, though ever so unjust, to abide
by it, and to think that God must necessarily confirm and ratify their
peevish sentence. It was well they did not knock him down themselves,
when they saw he did not swell and fall down; but so considerate they
are as to let Providence work, and to attend the motions of it.
III. Paul's deliverance from the danger, and the undue construction the
people put upon this. The viper's fastening on his hand was a trial of
his faith; and it was found to praise, and honour, and glory: for, 1.
It does not appear that it put him into any fright or confusion at all.
He did not shriek or start, nor, as it would be natural for us to do,
throw it off with terror and precipitation; for he suffered it to hang
on so long that the people had time to take notice of it and to make
their remarks upon it. Such a wonderful presence of mind he had, and
such a composure, as no man could have upon such a sudden accident, but
by the special aids of divine grace, and the actual belief and
consideration of that word of Christ concerning his disciples (Mark
xvi. 18), They shall take up serpents. This it is to have the heart
fixed, trusting in God. 2. He carelessly shook off the viper into the
fire, without any difficulty, calling for help, or any means used to
loosen its hold; and it is probable that it was consumed in the fire.
Thus, in the strength of the grace of Christ, believers shake off the
temptations of Satan, with a holy resolution, saying, as Christ did,
Get thee behind me, Satan; The Lord rebuke thee; and thus they keep
themselves, that the wicked one toucheth them not, so as to fasten upon
them, 1 John v. 18. When we despise the censures and reproaches of men,
and look upon them with a holy contempt, having the testimony of
conscience for us, then we do, as Paul here, shake off the viper into
the fire. It does us no harm, except we fret at it, or be deterred by
it from our duty, or be provoked to render railing for railing. 3. He
was none the worse. Those that thought it would have been his death
looked a great while, but saw no harm at all come to him. God hereby
intended to make him remarkable among these barbarous people, and so to
make way for the entertainment of the gospel among them. It is reported
that after this no venomous creature would live in that island, any
more than in Ireland; but I do not find that the matter of fact is
confirmed, though the popish writers speak of it with assurance. 4.
They then magnified him as much as before they had vilified him: They
changed their minds, and said that he was a god--an immortal god; for
they thought it impossible that a mortal man should have a viper hang
on his hand so long and be never the worse. See the uncertainty of
popular opinion, how it turns with the wind, and how apt it is to run
into extremes both ways; from sacrificing to Paul and Barnabas to
stoning them; and here, from condemning him as a murderer to idolizing
him as a god.
IV. The miraculous cure of an old gentleman that was ill of a fever,
and of others that were otherwise diseased, by Paul. And, with these
confirmations of the doctrine of Christ, no doubt there was a faithful
publication of it. Observe, 1. The kind entertainment which Publius,
the chief man of the island, gave to these distressed strangers; he had
a considerable estate in the island, and some think was governor, and
he received them and lodged them three days very courteously, that they
might have time to furnish themselves in other places at the best hand.
It is happy when God gives a large heart to those to whom he has given
a large estate. It became him, who was the chief man of the island, to
be most hospitable and generous,--who was the richest man, to be rich
in good works. 2. The illness of the father of Publius: He lay sick of
a fever and a bloody flux, which often go together, and, when they do,
are commonly fatal. Providence ordered it that he should be ill just at
this time, that the cure of him might be a present recompence to
Publius for his generosity, and the cure of him by miracle a recompence
particularly for his kindness to Paul, whom he received in the name of
a prophet, and had this prophet's reward. 3. His cure: Paul took
cognizance of his case, and though we do not find he was urged to it,
for they had no thought of any such thing, yet he entered in, not as a
physician to heal him by medicines, but as an apostle to heal him by
miracle; and he prayed to God, in Christ's name, for his cure, and then
laid his hands on him, and he was perfectly well in an instant. Though
he must needs be in years, yet he recovered his health, and the
lengthening out of his life yet longer would be a mercy to him. 4. The
cure of many others, who were invited by this cure to apply to Paul. If
he can heal diseases so easily, so effectually, he shall soon have
patients enough; and he bade them all welcome, and sent them away with
what they came for. He did not plead that he was a stranger there,
thrown accidentally among them, under no obligations to them and
waiting to be gone by the first opportunity, and therefore might be
excused from receiving their applications. No, a good man will
endeavour to do good wherever the providence of God casts him. Paul
reckoned himself a debtor, not only to the Greeks, but to the
Barbarians, and thanked God for an opportunity of being useful among
them. Nay, he was particularly obliged to these inhabitants of Malta
for the seasonable shelter and supply they had afforded him, and hereby
he did in effect discharge his quarters, which should encourage us to
entertain strangers, for some thereby have entertained angels and some
apostles unawares. God will not be behind--hand with any for kindness
shown to his people in distress. We have reason to think that Paul with
these cures preached the gospel to them, and that, coming thus
confirmed and recommended, it was generally embraced among them. And,
if so, never were any people so enriched by a shipwreck on their coasts
as these Maltese were.
V. The grateful acknowledgement which even these barbarous people made
of the kindness Paul had done them, in preaching Christ unto them. They
were civil to him, and to the other ministers that were with him, who,
it is likely, were assisting to him in preaching among them, v. 10. 1.
They honoured us with many honours. They showed them all possible
respect; they saw God honoured them, and therefore they justly thought
themselves obliged to honour them, and thought nothing too much by
which they might testify the esteem they had for them. Perhaps they
made them free of their island by naturalizing them, and admitted them
members of their guilds and fraternities. The faithful preachers of the
gospel are worthy of a double honour, especially when they succeeded in
their labours. 2. When we departed, they loaded us with such things as
were necessary; or, they put on board such things as we had occasion
for. Paul could not labour with his hands here, for he had nothing to
work upon, and therefore accepted the kindness of the good people of
Melita, not as a fee for his cures (freely he had received, and freely
he gave), but as the relief of his wants, and theirs that were with
him. And, having reaped of their spiritual things, it was but just they
should make them those returns, 1 Cor. ix. 11.
Paul at Rome.
11 And after three months we departed in a ship of Alexandria, which
had wintered in the isle, whose sign was Castor and Pollux. 12 And
landing at Syracuse, we tarried there three days. 13 And from thence
we fetched a compass, and came to Rhegium: and after one day the south
wind blew, and we came the next day to Puteoli: 14 Where we found
brethren, and were desired to tarry with them seven days: and so we
went toward Rome. 15 And from thence, when the brethren heard of us,
they came to meet us as far as Appii forum, and The three taverns: whom
when Paul saw, he thanked God, and took courage. 16 And when we came
to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the
guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that
kept him.
We have here the progress of Paul's voyage towards Rome, and his
arrival there at length. A rough and dangerous voyage he had hitherto
had, and narrowly escaped with his life; but after a storm comes a
calm: the latter part of his voyage was easy and quiet.
Per varios casus, per tot discrimina rerum,
Tendimus ad Latium--------
Through various hazards and events we move
To Latium.
Tendimus ad coelum.
We make for heaven.
--------Dabit Deus his quoque finem.
To these a period will be fixed by Heaven.
We have here,
I. Their leaving Malta. That island was a happy shelter to them, but it
was not their home; when they are refreshed they must put to sea again.
The difficulties and discouragements we have met with in our Christian
course must not hinder us from pressing forward. Notice is here taken,
1. Of the time of their departure: After three months, the three winter
months. Better lie by, though they lay upon charges, than go forward
while the season was dangerous. Paul had warned them against venturing
to sea in winter weather, and they would not take the warning; but, now
that they had learned it by the difficulties and dangers they had gone
through, he needed not to warn them: their learning did them good when
they had paid dearly for it. Experience is therefore called the
mistress of fools, because those are fools that will not learn till
experience has taught them. 2. Of the ship in which they departed. It
was in a ship of Alexandria; so was that which was cast away, ch.
xxvii. 6. This ship had wintered in that isle, and was safe. See what
different issues there are of men's undertakings in this world. Here
were two ships, both of Alexandria, both bound for Italy, both thrown
upon the same island, but one is wrecked there and the other is saved.
Such occurrences may often be observed. Providence sometimes favours
those that deal in the world, and prospers them, that people may be
encouraged to set their hands to worldly business; at other times
Providence crosses them, that people may be warned not to set their
hearts upon it. Events are thus varied, that we may learn both how to
want and how to abound. The historian takes notice of the sign of the
ship, which probably gave it its name: it was Castor and Pollux. Those
little foolish pagan deities, which the poets had made to preside over
storms and to protect seafaring men, as gods of the sea, were painted
or graven upon the fore-part of the ship, and thence the ship took its
name. I suppose this is observed for no other reason than for the
better ascertaining of the story, that ship being well known by that
name and sign by all that dealt between Egypt and Italy. Dr. Lightfoot
thinks that Luke mentions this circumstance to intimate the men's
superstition, that they hoped they should have better sailing under
this badge than they had had before.
II. Their landing in or about Italy, and the pursuing of their journey
towards Rome. 1. They landed first at Syracuse in Sicily, the chief
city of that island. There they tarried three days, probably having
some goods to put ashore, or some merchandise to make there; for it
seems to have been a trading voyage that this ship made. Paul had now
his curiosity gratified with the sight of places he had often heard of
and wished to see, particularly Syracuse, a place of great antiquity
and note; and yet, it should seem, there were no Christians there. 2.
From Syracuse they came to Rhegium, a city in Italy, directly opposite
to Messina in Sicily, belonging to the kingdom of Calabria or Naples.
There, it seems they staid one day; and a very formal story the Romish
legends tell of Paul's preaching here at this time, and the fish coming
to the shore to hear him,--that with a candle he set a stone pillar on
fire, and by that miracle convinced the people of the truth of his
doctrine, and they were many of them baptized, and he ordained Stephen,
one of his companions in this voyage, to be their bishop,--and all
this, they tell you, was done in this one day; whereas it does not
appear that they did so much as go ashore, but only came to an anchor
in the road. 3. From Rhegium they came to Puteoli, a sea-port town not
far from Naples, now called Pozzolana. The ship of Alexandria was bound
for that port, and therefore there Paul, and the rest that were bound
for Rome, were put ashore, and went the remainder of their way by land.
At Puteoli they found brethren, Christians. Who brought the knowledge
of Christ hither we are not told, but here it was, so wonderfully did
the leaven of the gospel diffuse itself. God has many that serve and
worship him in places where we little think he has. And observe, (1.)
Though it is probable there were but few brethren in Puteoli, yet Paul
found them out; either they heard of him, or he enquired them out, but
as it were by instinct they got together. Brethren in Christ should
find out one another, and keep up communion with each other, as those
of the same country do in a foreign land. (2.) They desired Paul and
his companions to tarry with them seven days, that is, to forecast to
stay at least one Lord's day with them, and to assist them in their
public worship that day. They knew not whether ever they should see
Paul at Puteoli again, and therefore he must not go without giving them
a sermon or two, or more. And Paul was willing to allow them so much of
his time; and the centurion under whose command Paul now was, perhaps
having himself friends or business at Puteoli, agreed to stay one week
there, to oblige Paul. 4. From Puteoli they went forward towards Rome;
whether they travelled on foot, or whether they had beasts provided for
them to ride on (as ch. xxiii. 24), does not appear; but to Rome they
must go, and this was their last stage.
III. The meeting which the Christians at Rome gave to Paul. It is
probable that notice was sent to them by the Christians at Puteoli, as
soon as ever Paul had come thither, how long he intended to stay there,
and when he would set forward for Rome, which gave an opportunity for
this interview. Observe,
1. The great honour they did to Paul. They had heard much of his fame,
what use God had made of him, and what eminent service he had done to
the kingdom of Christ in the world, and to what multitudes of souls he
had been a spiritual father. They had heard of his sufferings, and how
God had owned him in them, and therefore they not only longed to see
him, but thought themselves obliged to show him all possible respect,
as a glorious advocate for the cause of Christ. He had some time ago
written a long epistle to them, and a most excellent one, the epistle
to the Romans, in which he had not only expressed his great kindness
for them, but had given them a great many useful instructions, in
return for which they show him this respect. They went to meet him,
that they might bring him in state, as ambassadors and judges make
their public entry, though he was a prisoner. Some of them went as far
as Appii-forum, which was fifty-one miles from Rome; others to a place
called the Three Taverns, which was twenty-eight miles (some reckon it
thirty-three miles) from Rome. They are to be commended for it, that
they were so far from being ashamed of him, or afraid of owning him,
because he was a prisoner, that for that very reason they counted him
worthy of double honour, and were the more careful to show him respect.
2. The great comfort Paul had in this. Now that he was drawing near to
Rome, and perhaps heard at Puteoli what character the emperor Nero now
had, and what a tyrant he had of late become, he began to have some
melancholy thoughts about his appeal to Cæsar, and the consequences of
it. He was drawing near to Rome, where he had never been, where there
were few that knew him or that he knew, and what things might befal him
here he could not tell; but he began to grow dull upon it, till he met
with these good people that came from Rome to show him respect; and
when he saw them, (1.) He thanked God. We may suppose he thanked them
for their civility, told them again and again how kindly he took it;
but this was not all: he thanked God. Note, If our friends be kind to
us, it is God that makes them so, that puts it into their hearts, and
into the power of their hands, to be so, and we must give him the glory
of it. He thanked God, no doubt, for the civility and generosity of the
barbarous people at Melita, but much more for the pious care of the
Christian people at Rome for him. When he saw so many Christians that
were of Rome, he thanked God that the gospel of Christ had had such
wonderful success there in the metropolis of the empire. When we go
abroad, or but look abroad, into the world, and meet with those, even
in strange places, that bear up Christ's name, and fear God, and serve
him, we should lift up our hearts to heaven in thanksgiving; blessed be
God that there are so many excellent ones on this earth, bad as it is.
Paul had thanked God for the Christians at Rome before he had ever seen
them, upon the report he had heard concerning them (Rom. i. 8): I thank
my God for you all. But now that he saw them (and perhaps they appeared
more fashionable and genteel people than most he had conversed with, or
more grave, serious, and intelligent, than most) he thanked God. But
this was not all: (2.) He took courage. It put new life into him,
cheered up his spirits, and banished his melancholy, and now he can
enter Rome a prisoner as cheerfully as ever he had entered Jerusalem at
liberty. he finds there are those there who love and value him, and
whom he may both converse with and consult with as his friends, which
will take off much of the tediousness of his imprisonment, and the
terror of his appearing before Nero. Note, it is an encouragement to
those who are travelling towards heaven to meet with their fellow
travellers, who are their companions in the kingdom and patience of
Jesus Christ. When we see the numerous and serious assemblies of good
Christians, we should not only give thanks to God, but take courage to
ourselves. And this is a good reason why respect should be shown to
good ministers, especially when they are in sufferings, and have
contempt put upon them, that it encourages them, and makes both their
sufferings and their services more easy. Yet it is observable that
though the Christians at Rome were now so respectful to Paul, and he
had promised himself so much from their respect, yet they failed him
when he most needed them; for he says (2 Tim. iv. 16), At my first
answer, no man stood with me, but all men forsook me. They could easily
take a ride of forty or fifty miles to go and meet Paul, for the
pleasantness of the journey; but to venture the displeasure of the
emperor and the disobliging of other great men, by appearing in defence
of Paul and giving evidence for him, here they desire to be excused;
when it comes to this, they will rather ride as far out of town to miss
him as now they did to meet him, which is an intimation to us to cease
from man, and to encourage ourselves in the Lord our God. The courage
we take from his promises will never fail us, when we shall be ashamed
of that which we took from men's compliments. Let God be true, but
every man a liar.
IV. The delivering of Paul into custody at Rome, v. 16. He is now come
to his journey's end. And, 1. He is still a prisoner. He had longed to
see Rome, but, when he comes there, he is delivered, with other
prisoners, to the captain of the guard, and can see no more of Rome
than he will permit him. How many great men had made their entry into
Rome, crowned and in triumph, who really were the plagues of their
generation! But here a good man makes his entry into Rome, chained and
triumphed over as a poor captive, who was really the greatest blessing
to his generation. This thought is enough to put one for ever out of
conceit with this world. 2. Yet he has some favour shown him. He is a
prisoner, but not a close prisoner, not in the common jail: Paul was
suffered to dwell by himself, in some convenient private lodgings which
his friends there provided for him, and a soldier was appointed to be
his guard, who, we hope, was civil to him, and let him take all the
liberty that could be allowed to a prisoner, for he must be very
ill-natured indeed that could be so to such a courteous obliging man as
Paul. Paul, being suffered to dwell by himself, could the better enjoy
himself, and his friends, and his God, than if he had been lodged with
the other prisoners. Note, This may encourage God's prisoners, that he
can give them favour in the eyes of those that carry them captive (Ps.
cvi. 46), as Joseph in the eyes of his keeper (Gen. xxxix. 21), and
Jehoiachin in the eyes of the king of Babylon, 2 Kings xxv. 27, 28.
When God does not deliver his people presently out of bondage, yet, if
he either make it easy to them or them easy under it, they have reason
to be thankful.
Paul at Rome.
17 And it came to pass, that after three days Paul called the chief of
the Jews together: and when they were come together, he said unto them,
Men and brethren, though I have committed nothing against the people,
or customs of our fathers, yet was I delivered prisoner from Jerusalem
into the hands of the Romans. 18 Who, when they had examined me,
would have let me go, because there was no cause of death in me. 19
But when the Jews spake against it, I was constrained to appeal unto
Cæsar; not that I had ought to accuse my nation of. 20 For this cause
therefore have I called for you, to see you, and to speak with you:
because that for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain. 21
And they said unto him, We neither received letters out of Judæa
concerning thee, neither any of the brethren that came showed or spake
any harm of thee. 22 But we desire to hear of thee what thou
thinkest: for as concerning this sect, we know that every where it is
spoken against.
Paul, with a great deal of expense and hazard, is brought a prisoner to
Rome, and when he has come nobody appears to prosecute him or lay any
thing to his charge; but he must call his own cause; and here he
represents it to the chief of the Jews at Rome. It was not long since,
by an edict of Claudius, all the Jews were banished from Rome, and kept
out till his death; but, in the five years since then, many Jews had
come thither, for the advantage of trade, though it does not appear
that they were allowed any synagogue there or place of public worship;
but these chief of the Jews were those of best figure among them, the
most distinguished men of that religion, who had the best estates and
interests. Paul called them together, being desirous to stand right in
their opinion, and that there might be a good understanding between him
and them. And here we are told,
I. What he said to them, and what account he gave them of his cause. He
speaks respectfully to them, calls them men and brethren, and thereby
intimates that he expects to be treated by them both as a man and as a
brother, and engages to treat them as such and to tell them nothing but
the truth; for we are members one of another--all we are brethren. Now,
1. He professes his own innocency, and that he had not given any just
occasion to the Jews to bear him such an ill will as generally they
did: "I have committed nothing against the people of the Jews, have
done nothing to the prejudice of their religion or civil liberties,
have added no affliction to their present miseries, they know I have
not; nor have I committed any thing against the customs of our fathers,
either by abrogating or by innovating in religion." It is true Paul did
not impose the customs of the fathers upon the Gentiles: they were
never intended for them. But it is as true that he never opposed them
in the Jews, but did himself, when he was among them, conform to them.
He never quarrelled with them for practising according to the usages of
their own religion, but only for their enmity to the Gentiles, Gal. ii.
12. Paul had the testimony of his conscience for him that he had done
his duty to the Jews. 2. He modestly complains of the hard usage he had
met with--that, though he had given them no offence, yet he was
delivered prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. If he
had spoken the whole truth in this matter, it would have looked worse
than it did upon the Jews, for they would have murdered him without any
colour of law or justice if the Romans had not protected him; but,
however, they accused him as a criminal, before Felix the governor,
and, demanding judgment against him, were, in effect delivering him
prisoner into the hands of the Romans, when he desired no more than a
fair and impartial trial by their own law. 3. He declares the judgment
of the Roman governors concerning him, v. 18. They examined him,
enquired into his case, heard what was to be said against him, and what
he had to say for himself. The chief captain examined him, so did
Felix, and Festus, and Agrippa, and they could find no cause of death
in him; nothing appeared to the contrary but that he was an honest,
quiet, conscientious, good man, and therefore they would never gratify
the Jews with a sentence of death upon him; but, on the contrary, would
have let him go, and have let him go on in his work too, and have given
him no interruption, for they all heard him and liked his doctrine well
enough. It was for the honour of Paul that those who most carefully
examined his case acquitted him, and none condemned him but unheard,
and such as were prejudiced against him. 4. He pleads the necessity he
was under to remove himself and his cause to Rome; and that it was only
in his own defence, and not with any design to recriminate, or exhibit
a cross bill against the complainants, (v. 19): When the Jews spoke
against it, and entered a caveat against his discharge, designing, if
they could not have him condemned to die, yet to have him made a
prisoner for life, he was constrained to appeal unto Cæsar, finding
that the governors, one after another, stood so much in awe of the Jews
that they could not discharge him, for fear of making him their
enemies, which made it necessary for him to pray the assistance of the
higher powers. This was all he aimed at in this appeal; not to accuse
his nation, but only to vindicate himself. Every man has a right to
plead in his own defence, who yet ought not to find fault with his
neighbours. It is an invidious thing to accuse, especially to accuse a
nation, such a nation. Paul made intercession for them, but never
against them. The Roman government had at this time an ill opinion of
the Jewish nation, as factious, turbulent, disaffected, and dangerous;
and it had been an easy thing for a man with such a fluent tongue as
Paul had, a citizen of Rome, and so injured as he was, to have
exasperated the emperor against the Jewish nation. But Paul would not
for ever so much do such a thing; he was for making the best of every
body, and not making bad worse. 5. He puts his sufferings upon the true
footing, and gives them such an account of the reason of them as should
engage them not only not to join with his persecutors against him, but
to concern themselves for him, and to do what they could on his behalf
(v. 20): "For this cause I have called for you, not to quarrel with
you, for I have no design to incense the government against you, but to
see you and speak with you as my countrymen, and men that I would keep
up a correspondence with, because for the hope of Israel I am bound
with this chain." He carried the mark of his imprisonment about with
him, and probably was chained to the soldier that kept him; and it was,
(1.) Because he preached that the Messiah was come, who was the hope of
Israel, he whom Israel hoped for. "Do not all the Jews agree in this,
that the Messiah will be the glory of his people Israel? And therefore
he is to be hoped for, and this Messiah I preach, and prove he is come.
They would keep up such a hope of a Messiah yet to come as must end in
a despair of him; I preach such a hope in a Messiah already come as
must produce a joy in him." (2.) Because he preached that the
resurrection of the dead would come. This also was the hope of Israel;
so he had called it, ch. xxiii. 6; xxiv. 15; xxvi. 6, 7. "They would
have you still expect a Messiah that would free you from the Roman
yoke, and make you great and prosperous upon earth, and it is this that
occupies their thoughts; and they are angry at me for directing their
expectations to the great things of another world, and persuading them
to embrace a Messiah who will secure those to them, and not external
power and grandeur. I am for bringing you to the spiritual and eternal
blessedness upon which our fathers by faith had their eye, and this is
what they hate me for,--because I would take you off from that which is
the cheat of Israel, and will be its shame and ruin, the notion of a
temporal Messiah, and lead you to that which is the true and real hope
of Israel, and the genuine sense of all the promises made to the
fathers, a spiritual kingdom of holiness and love set up in the hearts
of men, to be the pledge of, and preparative for, the joyful
resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come."
II. What was their reply. They own, 1. That they had nothing to say in
particular against him; nor had any instructions to appear as his
prosecutors before the emperor, either by letter or word of mouth (v.
21): "We have neither received letters out of Judea concerning thee
(have no orders to prosecute thee) nor have any of the brethren of the
Jewish nation that have lately come up to Rome (as many occasions drew
the Jews thither now that their nation was a province of that empire)
shown or spoken any harm of thee." This was very strange, that that
restless and inveterate rage of the Jews which had followed Paul
wherever he went should not follow him to Rome, to get him condemned
there. Some think they told a lie here, and had orders to prosecute
him, but durst not own it, being themselves obnoxious to the emperor's
displeasure, who though he had not, like his predecessors, banished
them all from Rome, yet gave them no countenance there. But I am apt to
think that what they said was true, and Paul now found he had gained
the point he aimed at in appealing to Cæsar, which was to remove his
cause into a court to which they durst not follow it. This was David's
policy, and it was his security (1 Sam. xxvii. 1): There is nothing
better for me than to escape into the land of the Philistines, and Saul
shall despair of me, to seek me any more in any coasts of Israel; so
shall I escape out of his hands: and it proved so, v. 4. When Saul
heard that David had fled to Gath, he sought no more again for him.
Thus did Paul by his appeal: he fled to Rome, where he was out of their
reach; and they said, "Even let him go." 2. That they desired to know
particularly concerning the doctrine he preached, and the religion he
took so much pains to propagate in the face of so much opposition (v.
22): "We desire to hear of thee what thou thinkest--ha phroneis what
thy opinions or sentiments are, what are those things which thou art so
wise about, and hast such a relish of and such a zeal for; for, though
we know little else of Christianity, we know it is a sect every where
spoken against." Those who said this scornful spiteful word of the
Christian religion were Jews, the chief of the Jews at Rome, who
boasted of their knowledge (Rom. ii. 17), and yet this was all they
knew concerning the Christian religion, that it was a sect every where
spoken against. They put it into an ill name, and then ran it down.
(1.) They looked upon it to be a sect, and this was false. True
Christianity establishes that which is of common concern to all
mankind, and is not built upon such narrow opinions and private
interests as sects commonly owe their original to. It aims at no
worldly benefit or advantage as sects do; but all its gains are
spiritual and eternal. And, besides, it has a direct tendency to the
uniting of the children of men, and not the dividing of them, and
setting them at variance, as sects have. (2.) They said it was every
where spoken against, and this was too true. All that they conversed
with spoke against it, and therefore they concluded every body did:
most indeed did. It is, and always has been, the lot of Christ's holy
religion to be every where spoken against.
Paul at Rome.
23 And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into
his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God,
persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out
of the prophets, from morning till evening. 24 And some believed the
things which were spoken, and some believed not. 25 And when they
agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken
one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our
fathers, 26 Saying, Go unto this people, and say, Hearing ye shall
hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and not
perceive: 27 For the heart of this people is waxed gross, and their
ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes have they closed; lest they
should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand
with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. 28
Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto
the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. 29 And when he had said
these words, the Jews departed, and had great reasoning among
themselves.
We have here a short account of a long conference which Paul had with
the Jews at Rome about the Christian religion. Though they were so far
prejudiced against it, because it was every where spoken against, as to
call it a sect, yet they were willing to give it a hearing, which was
more than the Jews at Jerusalem would do. It is probable that these
Jews at Rome, being men of larger acquaintance with the world and more
general conversation, were more free in their enquiries than the
bigoted Jews at Jerusalem were, and would not answer this matter before
they heard it.
I. We are here told how Paul managed this conference in defence of the
Christian religion. The Jews appointed the time, a day was set for this
dispute, that all parties concerned might have sufficient notice, v.
23. Those Jews seemed well disposed to receive conviction, and yet it
did not prove that they all were so. Now when the day came,
1. There were many got together to Paul. Though he was a prisoner and
could not come out to them, yet they were willing to come to him to his
lodging. And the confinement he was now under, if duly considered,
instead of prejudicing them against his doctrine, ought to confirm it
to them; for it was a sign not only that he believed it, but that he
thought it worth suffering for. One would visit such a man as Paul in
his prison rather than not have instruction from him. And he made room
for them in his lodging, not fearing to give offence to the government,
so that he might do good to them.
2. He was very large and full in his discourse with them, seeking their
conviction more than his own vindication. (1.) He expounded, or
explained, the kingdom of God to them,--showed them the nature of that
kingdom and the glorious purposes and designs of it, that it is
heavenly and spiritual, seated in the minds of men, and shines not in
external pomp, but in purity of heart and life. That which kept the
Jews in their unbelief was a misunderstanding of the kingdom of God, as
if it came with observation; let but that be expounded to them, and set
in a true light, and they will be brought into obedience to it. (2.) He
not only expounded the kingdom of God, but he testified it,--plainly
declared it to them, and confirmed it by incontestable proofs, that the
kingdom of God by the Messiah's administration was come, and was now
set up in the world. He attested the extraordinary powers in the
kingdom of grace by which bore his testimony to it from his own
experience of its power and influence upon him, and the manner of his
being brought into subjection to it. (3.) He not only expounded and
testified the kingdom of God, but he persuaded them, urged it upon
their consciences and pressed them with all earnestness to embrace the
kingdom of God, and submit to it, and not to persist in an opposition
to it. He followed his doctrine (the explication and confirmation of
it) with a warm and lively application to his hearers, which is the
most proper and profitable method of preaching. (4.) He persuaded them
concerning Jesus. The design and tendency of his whole discourse were
to bring them to Christ, to convince them of his being the Messiah, and
to engage them to believe in him as he is offered in the gospel. He
urged upon them, ta peri tou Iesou--the things concerning Jesus, the
prophecies of him, which he read to them out of the law of Moses and
out of the prophets, as pointing at the Messiah, and showed how they
had all had their accomplishment in this Jesus. They being Jews, he
dealt with them out of the scriptures of the Old Testament, and
demonstrated that these were so far from making against Christianity
that they were the great proofs of it; so that, if we compare the
history of the New Testament with the prophecy of the Old, we must
conclude that this Jesus is he that should come, and we are to look for
no other.
3. He was very long; for he continued his discourse, and it should seem
to have been a continued discourse, from morning till evening; perhaps
it was a discourse eight or ten hours long. The subject was curious--he
was full of it--it was of vast importance--he was in good earnest, and
his heart was upon it--he knew not when he should have such another
opportunity, and therefore, without begging pardon for tiring their
patience, he kept them all day; but it is probable that he spent some
of the time in prayer with them and for them.
II. What was the effect of this discourse. One would have thought that
so good a cause as that of Christianity, and managed by such a skilful
hand as Paul's, could not but carry the day, and that all the hearers
would have yielded to it presently; but it did not prove so: the child
Jesus is set for the fall of some and the rising again of others, a
foundation stone to some and a stone of stumbling to others. 1. They
did not agree among themselves, v. 25. Some of them thought Paul was in
the right, others would not admit it. This is that division which
Christ came to send, that fire which he came to kindle, Luke xii. 49,
51. Paul preached with a great deal of plainness and clearness, and yet
his hearers could not agree about the sense and evidence of what he
preached. 2. Some believed the things that were spoken, and some
believed not, v. 24. There was the disagreement. Such as this has
always been the success of the gospel; to some it has been a savour of
life unto life, to others a savour of death unto death. Some are
wrought upon by the word, and others hardened; some receive the light,
and others shut their eyes against it. So it was among Christ's
hearers, and the spectators of his miracles, some believed and some
blasphemed. If all had believed, there had been no disagreement; so
that all the blame of the division lay upon those who would not
believe.
III. The awakening word which Paul said to them at parting. He
perceived by what they muttered that there were many among them, and
perhaps the greater part, that were obstinate, and would not yield to
the conviction of what he said; and they were getting up to be gone,
they had had enough of it: "Hold," says Paul, "take one word with you
before you go, and consider of it when you come home: what do you think
will be the effect of your obstinate infidelity? What will you do in
the end hereof? What will it come to?"
1. "You will by the righteous judgment of God be sealed up under
unbelief. You harden your own hearts, and God will harden them as he
did Pharaoh's'; and this is what was prophesied of concerning you. Turn
to that scripture (Isa. vi. 9, 10), and read it seriously, and tremble
lest the case there described should prove to be your case." As there
are in the Old Testament gospel promises, which will be accomplished in
all that believe, so there are gospel threatenings of spiritual
judgments, which will be fulfilled in those that believe not; and this
is one. It is part of the commission given to Isaiah the prophet; he is
sent to make those worse that would not be made better. Well spoke the
Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers. What was spoken by
Jehovah is here said to be spoken by the Holy Ghost, which proves that
the Holy Ghost is God; and what was spoken to Isaiah is here said to be
spoken by him to their fathers, for he was ordered to tell the people
what God said to him; and, though what is there said had in it much of
terror to the people and of grief to the prophet, yet it is here said
to be well spoken. Hezekiah said concerning a message of wrath, Good is
the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken, Isa. xxxix. 8. And he that
believes not shall be damned is gospel, as well as, He that believes
shall be saved, Mark xvi. 16. Or this may be explained by that of our
Saviour (Matt. xv. 7), "Well did Esaias prophesy of you. The Holy Ghost
said to your fathers, that which would be fulfilled in you, Hearing you
shall hear, and shall not understand." (1.) "That which was their great
sin against God is yours; and that is this, you will not see. You shut
your eyes against the most convincing evidence possible, and will not
admit the conclusion, though you cannot deny the premises: Your eyes
you have closed," v. 27. This intimates an obstinate infidelity, and a
willing slavery to prejudice. "As your fathers would not see God's hand
lifted up against them in his judgments (Isa. xxvi. 11), so you will
not see God's hand stretched out to you in gospel grace." It was true
of these unbelieving Jews that they were prejudiced against the gospel;
they did not see, because they were resolved they would not, and none
so blind as those that will not see. They would not prosecute their
convictions, and for this reason would not admit them. They have
purposely closed their eyes, lest they should see with their eyes the
great things which belong to their everlasting peace, should see the
glory of God, the amiableness of Christ, the deformity of sin, the
beauty of holiness, the vanity of this world, and the reality of
another. They will not be changed and governed by these truths, and
therefore will not receive the evidence of them, lest they should hear
with their ears that which they are loth to hear, the wrath of God
revealed from heaven against them, and the will of God revealed from
heaven to them. They stop their ears, like the deaf adder, that will
not hearken to the voice of the charmer, charm he ever so wisely. Thus
their fathers did; they would not hear, Zech. vii. 11, 12. And that
which they are afraid of in shutting up their eyes and ears, and
barricading (as it were) both their learning senses against him that
made both the hearing ear and the seeing eye, is, lest they should
understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal
them. They kept their mind in the dark, or at least in a constant
confusion and tumult, lest, if they should admit a considerate sober
thought, they should understand with their heart how much it is both
their duty and their interest to be religious, and so by degrees the
truth should be too hard for them, and they should be converted from
the evil ways which they take pleasure in, to those exercises to which
they have now an aversion. Observe, God's method is to bring people
first to see and he and so to understand with their hearts, and then to
convert them, and bow their wills, and so heal them, which is the
regular way of dealing with a rational soul; and therefore Satan
prevents the conversion of souls to God by blinding the mind and
darkening the understanding, 2 Cor. iv. 4. And the case is very sad
when the sinner joins with him herein, and puts out his own eyes. Ut
liberius peccent, libenter ignorant--They plunge into ignorance, that
they may sin the more freely. They are in love with their disease, and
are afraid lest God should heal them; like Babylon of old, We would
have healed her, and she would not be healed, Jer. li. 9. This was the
sin. (2.) "That which was the great judgment of God upon them for this
sin is his judgment upon you, and that is, you shall be blind. God will
give you up to a judicial infatuation: Hearing you shall hear--you
shall have the word of God preached to you over and over--but you shall
not understand it; because you will not give your minds to understand
it, God will not give you strength and grace to understand it. Seeing
you shall see--you shall have abundance of miracles and signs done
before your eyes--but you shall not perceive the convincing evidence of
them. Take heed lest what Moses said to your fathers should be true of
you (Deut. xxix. 4), The Lord has not given you a heart to perceive,
and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day; and what Isaiah said
to the men of his generation (Isa. xxix. 10-12), The Lord has poured
out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes." What
with their resisting the grace of God and rebelling against the light,
and God's withdrawing and withholding his grace and light from
them,--what with their not receiving the love of the truth, and God's
giving them up for that to strong delusions, to believe a lie,--what
with their wilful and what with their judicial hardness, the heart of
this people is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing. They
are stupid and senseless, and not wrought upon by all that can be said
to them. No physic that can be given them operates upon them, nor will
reach them, and therefore their disease must be adjudged incurable, and
their case desperate. How should those be happy that will not be healed
of a disease that makes them miserable? And how should those be healed
that will not be converted to the use of the methods of cure? And how
should those be converted that will not be convinced either of their
disease or of their remedy? And how should those be convinced that shut
their eyes and stop their ears? Let all that hear the gospel, and do
not heed it, tremble at this doom; for, when once they are thus given
up to hardness of heart, they are already in the suburbs of hell; for
who shall heal them, if God do not?
2. "Your unbelief will justify God in sending the gospel to the Gentile
world, which is the thing you look upon with such a jealous eye (v.
28): therefore seeing you put the grace of God away from you, and will
not submit to the power of divine truth and love, seeing you will not
be converted and healed in the methods which divine wisdom has
appointed, therefore be it known unto you that the salvation of God is
sent unto the Gentiles, that salvation which was of the Jews only (John
iv. 22), the offer of it is made to them, the means of it afforded to
them, and they stand fairer for it than you do; it is sent to them, and
they will hear it, and receive it, and be happy in it." Now Paul
designs hereby, (1.) To abate their displeasure at the preaching of the
gospel to the Gentiles, by showing them the absurdity of it. They were
angry that the salvation of God was sent to the Gentiles, and thought
it was too great a favour done to them; but, if they thought that
salvation of so small a value as not to be worthy of their acceptance,
surely they could not grudge it to the Gentiles as too good for them,
nor envy them for it. The salvation of God was sent into the world, the
Jews had the first offer of it, it was fairly proposed to them, it was
earnestly pressed upon them, but they refused it; they would not accept
the invitation which was given to them first to the wedding-feast and
therefore must thank themselves if other guests be invited. If they
will not strike the bargain, nor come up to the terms, they ought not
to be angry at those that will. They cannot complain that the Gentiles
took it over their heads, or out of their hands, for they had quite
taken their hands off it, nay, they had lifted up the heel against it;
and therefore it is their fault, for it is through their fall that
salvation is come to the Gentiles, Rom. xi. 11. (2.) To improve their
displeasure at the favour done to the Gentiles to their advantage, and
to bring good out of that evil; for when he had spoken of this very
thing in his epistle to the Romans, the benefit which the Gentiles had
by the unbelief and rejection of the Jews, he says, he took notice of
it on purpose that he might provoke his dear countrymen the Jews to a
holy emulation, and might save some of them, Rom. xi. 14. The Jews have
rejected the gospel of Christ, and pushed it off to the Gentiles, but
it is not yet too late to repent of their refusal, and to accept of the
salvation which they did make light of; they may say No, and take it,
as the elder brother in the parable, who, when he was bidden to go work
in the vineyard, first said, I will not, and yet afterwards repented
and went, Matt. xxi. 29. Is the gospel sent to the Gentiles? Let us go
after it rather than come short of it. And will they hear it, who are
thought to be out of hearing, and have been so long like the idols they
worshipped, that have ears and hear not? And shall not we hear it,
whose privilege it is to have God so nigh to us in all that we call
upon him for? Thus he would have them to argue, and to be shamed into
the belief of the gospel by the welcome it met with among the Gentiles.
And, if it had not that effect upon them, it would aggravate their
condemnation, as it did that of the scribes and Pharisees, who, when
they saw the publicans and harlots submit to John's baptism, did not
afterwards thereupon repent of their folly, that they might believe
him, Matt. xxi. 32.
IV. The breaking up of the assembly, as it should seem, in some
disorder. 1. They turned their backs upon Paul. Those of them that
believed not were extremely nettled at that last word which he said,
that they should be judicially blinded, and that the light of the
gospel should shine among those that sat in darkness. When Paul had
said these words, he had said enough for them, and they departed,
perhaps not so much enraged as some others of their nation had been
upon the like occasion, but stupid and unconcerned, no more affected,
either with those terrible words in the close of his discourse or all
the comfortable words he had spoken before, than the seats they sat on.
They departed, many of them with a resolution never to hear Paul preach
again, nor trouble themselves with further enquiries about this matter.
2. They set their faces one against another; for they had great
disputes among themselves. There was not only a quarrel between those
who believed and those who believed not, but even among those who
believed not there were debates. Those that agreed to depart from Paul,
yet agreed not in the reasons why they departed, but had great
reasoning among themselves. Many have great reasoning who yet do not
reason right, can find fault with one another's opinions, and yet not
yield to truth. Nor will men's reasoning among themselves convince
them, without the grace of God to open their understandings.
Paul Preaches Two Years at Rome.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received
all that came in unto him, 31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and
teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all
confidence, no man forbidding him.
We are here taking our leave of the history of blessed Paul; and
therefore, since God saw it not fit that we should know any more of
him, we should carefully take notice of every particular of the
circumstances in which we must here leave him.
I. It cannot but be a trouble to us that we must leave him in bonds for
Christ, nay, and that we have no prospect given us of his being set at
liberty. Two whole years of that good man's life are here spent in
confinement, and, for aught that appears, he was never enquired after,
all that time, by those whose prisoner he was. He appealed to Cæsar, in
hope of a speedy discharge from his imprisonment, the governors having
signified to his imperial majesty concerning the prisoner that he had
done nothing worthy of death or bonds, and yet he is detained a
prisoner. So little reason have we to trust in men, especially despised
prisoners in great men; witness the case of Joseph, whom the chief
butler remembered not, but forgot, Gen. xl. 23. Yet some think that
though it be not mentioned here, yet it was in the former of these two
years, and early too in that year, that he was first brought before
Nero, and then his bonds in Christ were manifest in Cæsar's court, as
he says, Phil. i. 13. And at this first answer it was that no man stood
by him, 2 Tim. iv. 16. But it seems, instead of being set at liberty
upon this appeal, as he expected, he hardly escaped out of the
emperor's hands with his life; he calls it a deliverance out of the
mouth of the lion, 2 Tim. iv. 17, and his speaking there of his first
answer intimates that since that he had a second, in which he had come
off better, and yet was not discharged. During these two years'
imprisonment he wrote his epistle to the Galatians, then his second
epistle to Timothy, then those to the Ephesians, Philippians,
Colossians, and to Philemon, in which he mentions several things
particularly concerning his imprisonment; and, lastly, his epistle to
the Hebrews just after he was set at liberty, as Timothy also was, who,
coming to visit him, was upon some account or other made his
fellow-prisoner (with whom, writes Paul to the Hebrews, xiii. 23, if he
come shortly, I will see you), but how or by what means he obtained his
liberty we are not told, only that two years he was a prisoner.
Tradition says that after his discharge he went from Italy to Spain,
thence to Crete, and so with Timothy into Judea, and thence went to
visit the churches in Asia, and at length came a second time to Rome,
and there was beheaded in the last year of Nero. But Baronius himself
owns that there is no certainty of any thing concerning him betwixt his
release from this imprisonment and his martyrdom; but it is said by
some that Nero, having, when he began to play the tyrant, set himself
against the Christians, and persecuted them (and he was the first of
the emperors that made a law against them, as Tertullian says, Apol.
cap. 5), the church at Rome was much weakened by that persecution, and
this brought Paul the second time to Rome, to re-establish the church
there, and to comfort the souls of the disciples that were left, and so
he fell a second time into Nero's hand. And Chrysostom relates that a
young woman that was one of Nero's misses (to speak modishly) being
converted, by Paul's preaching, to the Christian faith, and so brought
off from the lewd course of life she had lived, Nero was incensed
against Paul for it, and ordered him first to be imprisoned, and then
put to death. But to keep to this short account here given of it, 1. It
would grieve one to think that such a useful man as Paul was should be
so long in restraint. Two years he was a prisoner under Felix (ch.
xxiv. 27), and, besides all the time that passed between that and his
coming to Rome, he is here two years more a prisoner under Nero. How
many churches might Paul have planted, how many cities and nations
might he have brought over to Christ, in these five years' time (for so
much it was at least), if he had been at liberty! But God is wise, and
will show that he is not debtor to the most useful instruments he
employs, but can and will carry on his own interest, both without their
services and by their sufferings. Even Paul's bonds fell out to the
furtherance of the gospel, Phil. i. 12-14. 2. Yet even Paul's
imprisonment was in some respects a kindness to him, for these two
years he dwelt in his own hired house, and that was more, for aught I
know, than ever he had done before. He had always been accustomed to
sojourn in the houses of others, now he has a house of his own--his own
while he pays the rent of it; and such a retirement as this would be a
refreshment to one who had been all his days an itinerant. He had been
accustomed to be always upon the remove, seldom staid long at a place,
but now he lived for two years in the same house; so that the bringing
of him into this prison was like Christ's call to his disciples to come
into a desert place, and rest awhile, Mark vi. 31. When he was at
liberty, he was in continual fear by reason of the lying in wait of the
Jews (ch. xx. 19), but now his prison was his castle. Thus out of the
eater came forth meat, and out of the strong sweetness.
II. Yet it is a pleasure to us (for we are sure it was to him) that,
though we leave him in bonds for Christ, yet we leave him at work for
Christ, and this made his bonds easy that he was not by them bound out
from serving God and doing good. His prison becomes a temple, a church,
and then it is to him a palace. His hands are tied, but, thanks be to
God, his mouth is not stopped; a faithful zealous minister can better
bear any hardship than being silenced. Here is Paul a prisoner, and yet
a preacher; he is bound, but the word of the Lord is not bound. When he
wrote his epistle to the Romans, he said he longed to see them, that he
might impart unto them some spiritual gift (Rom. i. 11); he was glad to
see some of them (v. 15), but it would not be half his joy unless he
could impart to them some spiritual gift, which here he has an
opportunity to do, and then he will not complain of his confinement.
Observe,
1. To whom he preached: to all that had a mind to hear him, whether
Jews or Gentiles. Whether he had liberty to go to other houses to
preach does not appear; it is likely not; but whoever would had liberty
to come to his house to hear, and they were welcome: He received all
that came to him. Note, Ministers' doors should be open to such as
desire to receive instruction from them, and they should be glad of an
opportunity to advise those that are in care about their souls. Paul
could not preach in a synagogue, or any public place of meeting that
was sumptuous and capacious, but he preached in a poor cottage of his
own. Note, When we cannot do what we would in the service of God we
must do what we can. Those ministers that have but little hired houses
should rather preach in them, if they may be allowed to do that, than
be silent. He received all that came to him, and was not afraid of the
greatest, nor ashamed of the meanest. He was ready to preach on the
first day of the week to Christians, on the seventh day to Jews, and to
all who would come on any day of the week; and he might hope the better
to speed because they came in unto him, which supposed a desire to be
instructed and a willingness to learn, and where these are it is
probable that some good may be done.
2. What he preached. He does not fill their heads with curious
speculations, nor with matters of state and politics, but he keeps to
his text, minds his business as an apostle. (1.) He is God's
ambassador, and therefore preaches the kingdom of God, does all he can
to preach it up, negotiates the affairs of it, in order to the
advancing of all its true interests. He meddles not with the affairs of
the kingdoms of men; let those treat of them whose work it is. He
preaches the kingdom of God among men, and the word of that kingdom;
the same that he defended in his public disputes, testifying the
kingdom of God (v. 23), he enforced in his public preaching, as that
which, if received aright, will make us all wise and good, wiser and
better, which is the end of preaching. (2.) He is an agent for Christ,
a friend of the bridegroom, and therefore teaches those things which
concern the Lord Jesus Christ--the whole history of Christ, his
incarnation, doctrine, life, miracles, death, resurrection, ascension;
all that relates to the mystery of godliness. Paul stuck still to his
principle--to know and preach nothing but Christ, and him crucified.
Ministers, when in their preaching they are tempted to diverge from
that which is their main business, should reduce themselves with this
question, What does this concern the Lord Jesus Christ? What tendency
has it to bring us to him, and to keep us walking in him? For we preach
not ourselves, but Christ.
3. With what liberty he preached. (1.) Divine grace gave him a liberty
of spirit. He preached with all confidence, as one that was himself
well assured of the truth of what he preached--that it was what he
durst stand by; and of the worth of it--that it was what he durst
suffer for. He was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. (2.) Divine
Providence gave him a liberty of speech: No man forbidding him, giving
him any check for what he did or laying any restraint upon him. The
Jews that used to forbid him to speak to the Gentiles had no authority
here; and the Roman government as yet took no cognizance of the
profession of Christianity as a crime. Herein we must acknowledge the
hand of God, [1.] Setting bounds to the rage of persecutors; where he
does not turn the heart, yet he can tie the hand and bridle the tongue.
Nero was a bloody man, and there were many, both Jews and Gentiles, in
Rome, that hated Christianity; and yet so it was, unaccountably, that
Paul though a prisoner was connived at in preaching the gospel, and it
was not construed a breach of the peace. Thus God makes the wrath of
men to praise him, and restrains the remainder of it, Ps. lxxvi. 10.
Though there were so many that had it in their power to forbid Paul's
preaching (even the common soldier that kept him might have done it),
yet God so ordered it, that no man did forbid him. [2.] See God here
providing comfort for the relief of the persecuted. Though it was a
very low and narrow sphere of opportunity that Paul was here placed in,
compared with what he had been in, yet, such as it was, he was not
molested nor disturbed in it. Though it was not a wide door that was
opened to him, yet it was kept open, and no man was suffered to shut
it; and it was to many an effectual door, so that there were saints
even in Cæsar's household, Phil. iv. 22. When the city of our
solemnities is thus made a quiet habitation at any time, and we are fed
from day to day with the bread of life, no man forbidding us, we must
give thanks to God for it and prepare for changes, still longing for
that holy mountain in which there shall never be any pricking brier nor
grieving thorn.
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Romans
Completed by John Evans.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
T H E R O M A N S.
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If we may compare scripture with scripture, and take the opinion of
some devout and pious persons, in the Old Testament David's Psalms, and
in the New Testament Paul's Epistles, are stars of the first magnitude,
that differ from the other stars in glory. The whole scripture is
indeed an epistle from heaven to earth: but in it we have upon record
several particular epistles, more of Paul's than of any other, for he
was the chief of the apostles, and laboured more abundantly than they
all. His natural parts, I doubt not, were very pregnant; his
apprehension was quick and piercing; his expressions were fluent and
copious; his affections, wherever he took, very warm and zealous, and
his resolutions no less bold and daring: this made him, before his
conversion, a very keen and bitter persecutor; but when the strong man
armed was dispossessed, and the stronger than he came to divide the
spoil and to sanctify these qualifications, he became the most skilful
zealous preacher; never any better fitted to win souls, nor more
successful. Fourteen of his epistles we have in the canon of scripture;
many more, it is probable, he wrote in the course of his ministry,
which might be profitable enough for doctrine, for reproof, &c., but,
not being given by inspiration of God, they were not received as
canonical scripture, nor handed down to us. Six epistles, said to be
Paul's, written to Seneca, and eight of Seneca's to him, are spoken of
by some of the ancients [Sixt. Senens. Biblioth. Sanct. lib. 2] and are
extant; but, upon the first view, they appear spurious and counterfeit.
This epistle to the Romans is placed first, not because of the priority
of its date, but because of the superlative excellency of the epistle,
it being one of the longest and fullest of all, and perhaps because of
the dignity of the place to which it is written. Chrysostom would have
this epistle read over to him twice a week. It is gathered from some
passages in the epistle that it was written Anno Christi 56, from
Corinth, while Paul made a short stay there in his way to Troas, Acts
xx. 5, 6. He commendeth to the Romans Phebe, a servant of the church at
Cenchrea (ch. xvi.), which was a place belonging to Corinth. He calls
Gaius his host, or the man with whom he lodged (ch. xvi. 23), and he
was a Corinthian, not the same with Gaius of Derbe, mentioned Acts xx.
Paul was now going up to Jerusalem, with the money that was given to
the poor saints there; and of that he speaks, ch. xv. 26. The great
mysteries treated of in this epistle must needs produce in this, as in
other writings of Paul, many things dark and hard to be understood, 2
Peter iii. 16. The method of this (as of several other of the epistles)
is observable; the former part of it doctrinal, in the first eleven
chapters; the latter part practical, in the last five: to inform the
judgment and to reform the life. And the best way to understand the
truths explained in the former part is to abide and abound in the
practice of the duties prescribed in the latter part; for, if any man
will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, John vii. 17.
I. The doctrinal part of the epistles instructs us,
1. Concerning the way of salvation (1.) The foundation of it laid in
justification, and that not by the Gentiles' works of nature (ch. i.),
nor by the Jews' works of the law (ch. ii., iii.), for both Jews and
Gentiles were liable to the curse; but only by faith in Jesus Christ,
ch. iii. 21, &c.; ch. iv. (2.) The steps of this salvation are, [1.]
Peace with God, ch. v. [2.] Sanctification, ch. vi., vii. [3.]
Glorification, ch. viii.
2. Concerning the persons saved, such as belong to the election of
grace (ch. ix.), Gentiles and Jews, ch. x., xi. By this it appears that
the subjects he discourses of were such as were then the present
truths, as the apostle speaks, 2 Peter i. 12. Two things the Jews then
stumbled at--justification by faith without the works of the law, and
the admission of the Gentiles into the church; and therefore both these
he studied to clear and vindicate.
II. The practical part follows, wherein we find, 1. Several general
exhortations proper for all Christians, ch. xii. 2. Directions for our
behaviour, as members of civil society, ch. xiii. 3. Rules for the
conduct of Christians to one another, as members of the Christian
church, ch. xiv. and ch. xv. 1-14.
III. As he draws towards a conclusion, he makes an apology for writing
to them (ch. xv. 14-16), gives them an account of himself and his own
affairs (v. 17-21), promises them a visit (v. 22-29), begs their
prayers (v. 30-32), sends particular salutations to many friends there
(ch. xvi. 1-16), warns them against those who caused divisions (v.
17-20), adds the salutations of his friends with him (v. 21-23), and
ends with a benediction to them and a doxology to God (v. 24-27).
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R O M A N S.
CHAP. I.
In this chapter we may observe, I. The preface and introduction to the
whole epistle, to ver. 16. II. A description of the deplorable
condition of the Gentile world, which begins the proof of the doctrine
of justification by faith, here laid down at ver. 17. The first is
according to the then usual formality of a letter, but intermixed with
very excellent and savoury expressions.
The Apostle's Commission. (a. d. 58.)
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated
unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his
prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ
our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;
4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit
of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have
received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all
nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus
Christ: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be
saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
In this paragraph we have,
I. The person who writes the epistle described (v. 1): Paul, a servant
of Jesus Christ; this is his title of honour, which he glories in, not
as the Jewish teachers, Rabbi, Rabbi; but a servant, a more immediate
attendant, a steward in the house. Called to be an apostle. Some think
he alludes to his old name Saul, which signifies one called for, or
enquired after: Christ sought him to make an apostle of him, Acts ix.
15. He here builds his authority upon his call; he did not run without
sending, as the false apostles did; kletos apostolos--called an
apostle, as if this were the name he would be called by, though he
acknowledged himself not meet to be called so, 1 Cor. xv. 9. Separated
to the gospel of God. The Pharisees had their name from separation,
because they separated themselves to the study of the law, and might be
called aphorismenoi eis ton nomon; such a one Paul had formerly been;
but now he had changed his studies, was aphorismenos eis to Euangelion,
a gospel Pharisee, separated by the counsel of God (Gal. i. 15),
separated from his mother's womb, by an immediate direction of the
Spirit, and a regular ordination according to that direction (Acts
xiii. 2, 3), by a dedication of himself to this work. He was an entire
devotee to the gospel of God, the gospel which has God for its author,
the origin and extraction of it divine and heavenly.
II. Having mentioned the gospel of God, he digresses, to give us an
encomium of it.
1. The antiquity of it. It was promised before (v. 2); it was no novel
upstart doctrine, but of ancient standing in the promises and
prophecies of the old Testament, which did all unanimously point at the
gospel, the morning-beams that ushered in the sun of righteousness;
this not by word of mouth only, but in the scriptures.
2. The subject-matter of it: it is concerning Christ, v. 3, 4. The
prophets and apostles all bear witness to him; he is the true treasure
hid in the field of the scriptures. Observe, When Paul mentions Christ,
how he heaps up his names and titles, his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, as
one that took a pleasure in speaking of him; and, having mentioned him,
he cannot go on in his discourse without some expression of love and
honour, as here, where in one person he shows us his two distinct
natures. (1.) His human nature: Made of the seed of David (v. 3), that
is, born of the virgin Mary, who was of the house of David (Luke i.
27), as was Joseph his supposed father, Luke ii. 4. David is here
mentioned, because of the special promises made to him concerning the
Messiah, especially his kingly office; 2 Sam. vii. 12; Ps. cxxxii. 11,
compared with Luke i. 32, 33. (2.) His divine nature: Declared to be
the Son of God (v. 4), the Son of God by eternal generation, or, as it
is here explained, according to the Spirit of holiness. According to
the flesh, that is, his human nature, he was of the seed of David; but,
according to the Spirit of holiness, that is, the divine nature (as he
is said to be quickened by the Spirit, 1 Pet. iii. 18, compared with 2
Cor. xiii. 4), he is the Son of God. The great proof or demonstration
of this is his resurrection from the dead, which proved it effectually
and undeniably. The sign of the prophet Jonas, Christ's resurrection,
was intended for the last conviction, Matt. xii. 39, 40. Those that
would not be convinced by that would be convinced by nothing. So that
we have here a summary of the gospel doctrine concerning Christ's two
natures in one person.
3. The fruit of it (v. 5); By whom, that is, by Christ manifested and
made known in the gospel, we (Paul and the rest of the ministers) have
received grace and apostleship, that is, the favour to be made
apostles, Eph. iii. 8. The apostles were made a spectacle to the world,
led a life of toil, and trouble, and hazard, were killed all the day
long, and yet Paul reckons the apostleship a favour: we may justly
reckon it a great favour to be employed in any work or service for God,
whatever difficulties or dangers we may meet with in it. This
apostleship was received for obedience to the faith, that is, to bring
people to that obedience; as Christ, so his ministers, received that
they might give. Paul's was for this obedience among all nations, for
he was the apostle of the Gentiles, ch. xi. 13. Observe the description
here given of the Christian profession: it is obedience to the faith.
It does not consist in a notional knowledge or a naked assent, much
less does it consist in perverse disputings, but in obedience. This
obedience to the faith answers the law of faith, mentioned ch. iii. 27.
The act of faith is the obedience of the understanding to God
revealing, and the product of that is the obedience of the will to God
commanding. To anticipate the ill use which might be made of the
doctrine of justification by faith without the works of the law, which
he was to explain in the following epistle, he here speaks of
Christianity as an obedience. Christ has a yoke. "Among whom are you,
v. 6. You Romans in this stand upon the same level with other Gentile
nations of less fame and wealth; you are all one in Christ." The gospel
salvation is a common salvation, Jude 3. No respect of persons with
God. The called of Jesus Christ; all those, and those only, are brought
to an obedience of the faith that are effectually called of Jesus
Christ.
III. The persons to whom it is written (v. 7): To all that are in Rome,
beloved of God, called to be saints; that is, to all the professing
Christians that were in Rome, whether Jews or Gentiles originally,
whether high or low, bond or free, learned or unlearned. Rich and poor
meet together in Christ Jesus. Here is, 1. The privilege of Christians:
They are beloved of God, they are members of that body which is
beloved, which is God's Hephzibah, in which his delight is. We speak of
God's love by his bounty and beneficence, and so he hath a common love
to all mankind and a peculiar love for true believers; and between
these there is a love he hath for all the body of visible Christians.
2. The duty of Christians; and that is to be holy, for hereunto are
they called, called to be saints, called to salvation through
sanctification. Saints, and only saints, are beloved of God with a
special and peculiar love. Kletois hagiois--called saints, saints in
profession; it were well if all that are called saints were saints
indeed. Those that are called saints should labour to answer to the
name; otherwise, though it is an honour and a privilege, yet it will be
of little avail at the great day to have been called saints, if we be
not really so.
IV. The apostolical benediction (v. 7): Grace to you and peace. This is
one of the tokens in every epistle; and it hath not only the affection
of a good wish, but the authority of a blessing. The priests under the
law were to bless the people, and so are gospel ministers, in the name
of the Lord. In this usual benediction observe, 1. The favours desired:
Grace and peace. The Old-Testament salutation was, Peace be to you; but
now grace is prefixed--grace, that is, the favour of God towards us or
the work of God in us; both are previously requisite to true peace. All
gospel blessings are included in these two: grace and peace. Peace,
that is all good; peace with God, peace in your own consciences, peace
with all that are about you; all these founded in grace. 2. The
fountain of those favours, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ. All good comes, (1.) From God as a Father; he hath put himself
into that relation to engage and encourage our desires and
expectations; we are taught, when we come for grace and peace, to call
him our Father. (2.) From the Lord Jesus Christ, as Mediator, and the
great feoffee in trust for the conveying and securing of these
benefits. We have them from his fulness, peace from the fulness of his
merit, grace from the fulness of his Spirit.
Paul's Love to the Roman Christians. (a. d. 58.)
8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your
faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my
witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that
without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making
request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous
journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see
you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may
be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you
by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you
ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but
was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as
among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the
Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in
me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also.
We may here observe,
I. His thanksgivings for them (v. 8): First, I thank my God. It is good
to begin every thing with blessing God, to make that the alpha and
omega of every song, in every thing to give thanks.--My God. He speaks
this with delight and triumph. In all our thanksgivings, it is good for
us to eye God as our God; this makes every mercy sweet, when we can say
of God, "He is mine in covenant."--Through Jesus Christ. All our duties
and performances are pleasing to God only through Jesus Christ, praises
as well as prayers.--For you all. We must express our love to our
friends, not only by praying for them, but by praising God for them.
God must have the glory of all the comfort we have in our friends; for
every creature is that to us, and no more, which God makes it to be.
Many of these Romans Paul had no personal acquaintance with, and yet he
could heartily rejoice in their gifts and graces. When some of the
Roman Christians met him (Acts xxviii. 15), he thanked God for them,
and took courage; but here his true catholic love extends itself
further, and he thanks God for them all; not only for those among them
that were his helpers in Christ, and that bestowed much labour upon him
(of whom he speaks ch. xvi. 3, 6), but for them all.--That your faith
is spoken of. Paul travelled up and down from place to place, and,
wherever he came, he heard great commendations of the Christians at
Rome, which he mentions, not to make them proud, but to quicken them to
answer the general character people gave of them, and the general
expectation people had from them. The greater reputation a man hath for
religion, the more careful he should be to preserve it, because a
little folly spoils him that is in reputation, Eccl. x. 1.--Throughout
the whole world, that is, the Roman empire, into which the Roman
Christians, upon Claudius's edict to banish all the Jews from Rome,
were scattered abroad, but had now returned, and, it seems, left a very
good report behind them, wherever they had been, in all the churches.
There was this good effect of their sufferings: if they had not been
persecuted, they had not been famous. This was indeed a good name, a
name for good things with God and good people. As the elders of old, so
these Romans, obtained a good report through faith, Heb. xi. 2. It is a
desirable thing to be famous for faith. The faith of the Roman
Christians came to be thus talked of, not only because it was excelling
in itself, but because it was eminent and observable in its
circumstances. Rome was a city upon a hill, every one took notice of
what was done there. Thus those who have many eyes upon them have need
to walk circumspectly, for what they do, good or bad, will be spoken
of. The church of Rome was then a flourishing church; but since that
time how is the gold become dim! How is the most fine gold changed!
Rome is not what it was. She was then espoused a chaste virgin to
Christ, and excelled in beauty; but she has since degenerated, dealt
treacherously, and embraced the bosom of a stranger; so that (as that
good old book, the Practice of Piety, makes appear in no less than
twenty-six instances) even the epistle to the Romans is now an epistle
against the Romans; little reason has she therefore to boast of her
former credit.
II. His prayer for them, v. 9. Though a famous flourishing church, yet
they had need to be prayed for; they had not yet attained. Paul
mentions this as an instance of his love to them. One of the greatest
kindnesses we can do our friends, and sometimes the only kindness that
is in the power of our hands, is, by prayer to recommend them to the
loving-kindness of God. From Paul's example here we may learn, 1.
Constancy in prayer: Always without ceasing. He did himself observe the
same rules he gave to others, Eph. vi. 18; 1 Thess. v. 17. Not that
Paul did nothing else but pray, but he kept up stated times for the
solemn performance of that duty, and those very frequent, and observed
without fail. 2. Charity in prayer: I make mention of you. Though he
had not particular acquaintance with them, nor interest in them, yet he
prayed for them; not only for all saints in general, but he made
express mention of them. It is not unfit sometimes to be express in our
prayers for particular churches and places; not to inform God, but to
affect ourselves. We are likely to have the most comfort in those
friends that we pray most for. Concerning this he makes a solemn appeal
to the searcher of hearts: For God is my witness. It was in a weighty
matter, and in a thing known only to God and his own heart, that he
used this asseveration. It is very comfortable to be able to call God
to witness to our sincerity and constancy in the discharge of a duty.
God is particularly a witness to our secret prayers, the matter of
them, the manner of the performance; then our Father sees in secret,
Matt. vi. 6. God, whom I serve with my spirit. Those that serve God
with their spirits may, with a humble confidence, appeal to him;
hypocrites who rest in bodily exercise cannot. His particular prayer,
among many other petitions he put up for them, was that he might have
an opportunity of paying them a visit (v. 10): Making request, if by
any means, &c. Whatever comfort we desire to find in any creature, we
must have recourse to God for it by prayer; for our times are in his
hand, and all our ways at his disposal. The expressions here used
intimate that he was very desirous of such an opportunity: if by any
means; that he had long and often been disappointed: now at length; and
yet that he submitted it to the divine Providence: a prosperous journey
by the will of God. As in our purposes, so in our desires, we must
still remember to insert this, if the Lord will, James iv. 15. Our
journeys are prosperous or otherwise according to the will of God,
comfortable or not as he pleases.
III. His great desire to see them, with the reasons of it, v. 11-15. He
had heard so much of them that he had a great desire to be better
acquainted with them. Fruitful Christians are as much the joy as barren
professors are the grief of faithful ministers. Accordingly, he often
purposed to come, but was let hitherto (v. 13), for man purposeth, but
God disposeth. He was hindered by other business that took him off, by
his care of other churches, whose affairs were pressing; and Paul was
for doing that first, not which was most pleasant (then he would have
gone to Rome), but which was most needful--a good example to ministers,
who must not consult their own inclinations so much as the necessity of
their people's souls. Paul desired to visit these Romans,
1. That they might be edified (v. 11): That I may impart unto you. He
received, that he might communicate. Never were full breasts so
desirous to be drawn out to the sucking infant as Paul's head and heart
were to be imparting spiritual gifts, that is, preaching to them. A
good sermon is a good gift, so much the better for being a spiritual
gift.--To the end you may be established. Having commended their
flourishing he here expresses his desire of their establishment, that
as they grew upward in the branches they might grow downward in the
root. The best saints, while they are in such a shaking world as this,
have need to be more and more established; and spiritual gifts are of
special use for our establishment.
2. That he might be comforted, v. 12. What he heard of their
flourishing in grace was so much a joy to him that it must needs be
much more so to behold it. Paul could take comfort in the fruit of the
labours of other ministers.--By the mutual faith both of you and me,
that is, our mutual faithfulness and fidelity. It is very comfortable
when there is a mutual confidence between minister and people, they
confiding in him as a faithful minister, and he in them as a faithful
people. Or, the mutual work of faith, which is love; they rejoiced in
the expressions of one another's love, or communicating their faith one
to another. It is very refreshing to Christians to compare notes about
their spiritual concerns; thus are they sharpened, as iron sharpens
iron.--That I might have some fruit, v. 13. Their edification would be
his advantage, it would be fruit abounding to a good account. Paul
minded his work, as one that believed the more good he did the greater
would his reward be.
3. That he might discharge his trust as the apostle of the Gentiles (v.
14): I am a debtor. (1.) His receivings made him a debtor; for they
were talents he was entrusted with to trade for his Master's honour. We
should think of this when we covet great things, that all our
receivings put us in debt; we are but stewards of our Lord's goods.
(2.) His office made him a debtor. He was a debtor as he was an
apostle; he was called and sent to work, and had engaged to mind it.
Paul had improved his talent, and laboured in his work, and done as
much good as ever any man did, and yet, in reflection upon it, he still
writes himself debtor; for, when we have done all, we are but
unprofitable servants.--Debtor to the Greeks, and to the barbarians,
that is, as the following words explain it, to the wise and to the
unwise. The Greeks fancied themselves to have the monopoly of wisdom,
and looked upon all the rest of the world as barbarians, comparatively
so; not cultivated with learning and arts as they were. Now Paul was a
debtor to both, looked upon himself as obliged to do all the good he
could both to the one and to the other. Accordingly, we find him paying
his debt, both in his preaching and in his writing, doing good both to
Greeks and barbarians, and suiting his discourse to the capacity of
each. You may observe a difference between his sermon at Lystra among
the plain Lycaonians (Acts xiv. 15, &c.) and his sermon at Athens among
the polite philosophers, Acts xvii. 22, &c. He delivered both as debtor
to each, giving to each their portion. Though a plain preacher, yet, as
debtor to the wise, he speaks wisdom among those that are perfect, 1
Cor. ii. 6. For these reasons he was ready, if he had an opportunity,
to preach the gospel at Rome, v. 15. Though a public place, though a
perilous place, where Christianity met with a great deal of opposition,
yet Paul was ready to run the risk at Rome, if called to it: I am
ready--prothymon. It denotes a great readiness of mind, and that he was
very forward to it. What he did was not for filthy lucre, but of a
ready mind. It is an excellent thing to be ready to meet every
opportunity of doing or getting good.
Paul's Discourse on Justification. (a. d. 58.)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and
also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by
faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all
ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in
unrighteousness;
Paul here enters upon a large discourse of justification, in the latter
part of this chapter laying down his thesis, and, in order to the proof
of it, describing the deplorable condition of the Gentile world. His
transition is very handsome, and like an orator: he was ready to preach
the gospel at Rome, though a place where the gospel was run down by
those that called themselves the wits; for, saith he, I am not ashamed
of it, v. 16. There is a great deal in the gospel which such a man as
Paul might be tempted to be ashamed of, especially that he whose gospel
it is was a man hanged upon a tree, that the doctrine of it was plain,
had little in it to set it off among scholars, the professors of it
were mean and despised, and every where spoken against; yet Paul was
not ashamed to own it. I reckon him a Christian indeed that is neither
ashamed of the gospel nor a shame to it. The reason of this bold
profession, taken from the nature and excellency of the gospel,
introduces his dissertation.
I. The proposition, v. 16, 17. The excellency of the gospel lies in
this, that it reveals to us,
1. The salvation of believers as the end: It is the power of God unto
salvation. Paul is not ashamed of the gospel, how mean and contemptible
soever it may appear to a carnal eye; for the power of God works by it
the salvation of all that believe; it shows us the way of salvation
(Acts xvi. 17), and is the great charter by which salvation is conveyed
and made over to us. But, (1.) It is through the power of God; without
that power the gospel is but a dead letter; the revelation of the
gospel is the revelation of the arm of the Lord (Isa. liii. 1), as
power went along with the word of Christ to heal diseases. (2.) It is
to those, and those only, that believe. Believing interests us in the
gospel salvation; to others it is hidden. The medicine prepared will
not cure the patient if it be not taken.--To the Jew first. The lost
sheep of the house of Israel had the first offer made them, both by
Christ and his apostles. You first (Acts iii. 26), but upon their
refusal the apostles turned to the Gentiles, Acts xiii. 46. Jews and
Gentiles now stand upon the same level, both equally miserable without
a Saviour, and both equally welcome to the Saviour, Col. iii. 11. Such
doctrine as this was surprising to the Jews, who had hitherto been the
peculiar people, and had looked with scorn upon the Gentile world; but
the long-expected Messiah proves a light to enlighten the Gentiles, as
well as the glory of his people Israel.
2. The justification of believers as the way (v. 17): For therein, that
is, in this gospel, which Paul so much triumphs in, is the
righteousness of God revealed. Our misery and ruin being the product
and consequent of our iniquity, that which will show us the way of
salvation must needs show us the way of justification, and this the
gospel does. The gospel makes known a righteousness. While God is a
just and holy God, and we are guilty sinners, it is necessary we should
have a righteousness wherein to appear before him; and, blessed be God,
there is such a righteousness brought in by Messiah the prince (Dan.
ix. 24) and revealed in the gospel; a righteousness, that is, a
gracious method of reconciliation and acceptance, notwithstanding the
guilt of our sins. This evangelical righteousness, (1.) Is called the
righteousness of God; it is of God's appointing, of God's approving and
accepting. It is so called to cut off all pretensions to a
righteousness resulting from the merit of our own works. It is the
righteousness of Christ, who is God, resulting from a satisfaction of
infinite value. (2.) It is said to be from faith to faith, from the
faithfulness of God revealing to the faith of man receiving (so some);
from the faith of dependence upon God, and dealing with him
immediately, as Adam before the fall, to the faith of dependence upon a
Mediator, and so dealing with God (so others); from the first faith, by
which we are put into a justified state, to after faith, by which we
live, and are continued in that state: and the faith that justifies us
is no less than our taking Christ for our Saviour, and becoming true
Christians, according to the tenour of the baptismal covenant; from
faith engrafting us into Christ, to faith deriving virtue from him as
our root: both implied in the next words, The just shall live by faith.
Just by faith, there is faith justifying us; live by faith, there is
faith maintaining us; and so there is a righteousness from faith to
faith. Faith is all in all, both in the beginning and progress of a
Christian life. It is not from faith to works, as if faith put us into
a justified state, and then works preserved and maintained us in it,
but it is all along from faith to faith, as 2 Cor. iii. 18, from glory
to glory; it is increasing, continuing, persevering faith, faith
pressing forward, and getting ground of unbelief. To show that this is
no novel upstart doctrine, he quotes for it that famous scripture in
the Old Testament, so often mentioned in the New (Hab. ii. 4): The just
shall live by faith. Being justified by faith he shall live by it both
the life of grace and of glory. The prophet there had placed himself
upon the watch-tower, expecting some extraordinary discoveries (v. 1),
and the discovery was of the certainty of the appearance of the
promised Messiah in the fulness of time, not withstanding seeming
delays. This is there called the vision, by way of eminence, as
elsewhere the promise; and while that time is coming, as well as when
it has come, the just shall live by faith. Thus is the evangelical
righteousness from faith to faith--from Old-Testament faith in a Christ
to come to New-Testament faith in a Christ already come.
II. The proof of this proposition, that both Jews and Gentiles stand in
need of a righteousness wherein to appear before God, and that neither
the one nor the other have nay of their own to plead. Justification
must be either by faith or works. It cannot be by works, which he
proves at large by describing the works both of Jews and Gentiles; and
therefore he concludes it must be by faith, ch. iii. 20, 28. The
apostle, like a skilful surgeon, before he applies the plaster,
searches the wound--endeavours first to convince of guilt and wrath,
and then to show the way of salvation. This makes the gospel the more
welcome. We must first see the righteousness of God condemning, and
then the righteousness of God justifying will appear worthy of all
acceptation. In general (v. 18), the wrath of God is revealed. The
light of nature and the light of the law reveal the wrath of God from
sin to sin. It is well for us that the gospel reveals the justifying
righteousness of God from faith to faith. The antithesis is observable.
Here is,
1. The sinfulness of man described; he reduceth it to two heads,
ungodliness and unrighteousness; ungodliness against the laws of the
first table, unrighteousness against those of the second.
2. The cause of that sinfulness, and that is, holding the truth in
unrighteousness. Some communes notitæ, some ideas they had of the being
of God, and of the difference of good and evil; but they held them in
unrighteousness, that is, they knew and professed them in a consistency
with their wicked courses. They held the truth as a captive or
prisoner, that it should not influence them, as otherwise it would. An
unrighteous wicked heart is the dungeon in which many a good truth is
detained and buried. Holding fast the form of sound words in faith and
love is the root of all religion (2 Tim. i. 13), but holding it fast in
unrighteousness is the root of all sin.
3. The displeasure of God against it: The wrath of God is revealed from
heaven; not only in the written word, which is given by inspiration of
God (the Gentiles had not that), but in the providences of God, his
judgments executed upon sinners, which do not spring out of the dust,
or fall out by chance, nor are they to be ascribed to second causes,
but they are a revelation from heaven. Or wrath from heaven is
revealed; it is not the wrath of a man like ourselves, but wrath from
heaven, therefore the more terrible and the more unavoidable.
The Excellency of the Gospel. (a. d. 58.)
19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God
hath showed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the
creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things
that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are
without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified
him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their
imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing
themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of
the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and
to birds, and four footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore
God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own
hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who
changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the
creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For
this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women
did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And
likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in
their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is
unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error
which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in
their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those
things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all
unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness;
full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of
evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding,
covenant-breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things
are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them
that do them.
In this last part of the chapter the apostle applies what he had said
particularly to the Gentile world, in which we may observe,
I. The means and helps they had to come to the knowledge of God. Though
they had not such a knowledge of his law as Jacob and Israel had (Ps.
cxlvii. 20), yet among them he left not himself without witness (Acts
xiv. 17): For that which may be known, &c., v. 19, 20. Observe,
1. What discoveries they had: That which may be known of God is
manifest, en autois--among them; that is, there were some even among
them that had the knowledge of God, were convinced of the existence of
one supreme Numen. The philosophy of Pythagoras, Plato, and the Stoics,
discovered a great deal of the knowledge of God, as appears by
abundance of testimonies. That which may be known, which implies that
there is a great deal which may not be known. The being of God may be
apprehended, but cannot be comprehended. We cannot by searching find
him out, Job xi. 7-9. Finite understandings cannot perfectly know an
infinite being; but, blessed be God, there is that which may be known,
enough to lead us to our chief end, the glorifying and enjoying of him;
and these things revealed belong to us and to our children, while
secret things are not to be pried into, Deut. xxix. 29.
2. Whence they had these discoveries: God hath shown it to them. Those
common natural notions which they had of God were imprinted upon their
hearts by the God of nature himself, who is the Father of lights. This
sense of a Deity, and a regard to that Deity, are so connate with the
human nature that some think we are to distinguish men from brutes by
these rather than by reason.
3. By what way and means these discoveries and notices which they had
were confirmed and improved, namely, by the work of creation (v. 20);
For the invisible things of God, &c.
(1.) Observe what they knew: The invisible things of him, even his
eternal power and Godhead. Though God be not the object of sense, yet
he hath discovered and made known himself by those things that are
sensible. The power and Godhead of God are invisible things, and yet
are clearly seen in their products. He works in secret (Job xxiii. 8,
9; Ps. cxxxix. 15; Eccl. xi. 5), but manifests what he has wrought, and
therein makes known his power and Godhead, and others of his attributes
which natural light apprehends in the idea of a God. They could not
come by natural light to the knowledge of the three persons in the
Godhead (though some fancy they have found footsteps of this in Plato's
writings), but they did come to the knowledge of the Godhead, at least
so much knowledge as was sufficient to have kept them from idolatry.
This was that truth which they held in unrighteousness.
(2.) How they knew it: By the things that are made, which could not
make themselves, nor fall into such an exact order and harmony by any
casual hits; and therefore must have been produced by some first cause
or intelligent agent, which first cause could be no other than an
eternal powerful God. See Ps. xix. 1; Isa. xl. 26; Acts xvii. 24. The
workman is known by his work. The variety, multitude, order, beauty,
harmony, different nature, and excellent contrivance, of the things
that are made, the direction of them to certain ends, and the
concurrence of all the parts to the good and beauty of the whole, do
abundantly prove a Creator and his eternal power and Godhead. Thus did
the light shine in the darkness. And this from the creation of the
world. Understand it either, [1.] As the topic from which the knowledge
of them is drawn. To evince this truth, we have recourse to the great
work of creation. And some think this ktisis kosmou, this creature of
the world (as it may be read), is to be understood of man, the ktisis
kat exochen--the most remarkable creature of the lower world, called
ktisis, Mark xvi. 15. The frame and structure of human bodies, and
especially the most excellent powers, faculties, and capacities of
human souls, do abundantly prove that there is a Creator, and that he
is God. Or, [2.] As the date of the discovery. It as old as the
creation of the world. In this sense apo ktiseos is most frequently
used in scripture. These notices concerning God are not any modern
discoveries, hit upon of late, but ancient truths, which were from the
beginning. The way of the acknowledgement of God is a good old way; it
was from the beginning. Truth got the start of error.
II. Their gross idolatry, notwithstanding these discoveries that God
made to them of himself; described here, v. 21-23, 25. We shall the
less wonder at the inefficacy of these natural discoveries to prevent
the idolatry of the Gentiles if we remember how prone even the Jews,
who had scripture light to guide them, were to idolatry; so miserably
are the degenerate sons of men plunged in the mire of sense. Observe,
1. The inward cause of their idolatry, v. 21, 22. They are therefore
without excuse, in that they did know God, and from what they knew
might easily infer that it was their duty to worship him, and him only.
Though some have greater light and means of knowledge than others, yet
all have enough to leave them inexcusable. But the mischief of it was
that, (1.) They glorified him not as God. Their affections towards him,
and their awe and adoration of him, did not keep pace with their
knowledge. To glorify him as God is to glorify him only; for there can
be but one infinite: but they did not so glorify him, for they set up a
multitude of other deities. To glorify him as God is to worship him
with spiritual worship; but they made images of him. Not to glorify God
as God is in effect not to glorify him at all; to respect him as a
creature is not to glorify him, but to dishonour him. (2.) Neither were
they thankful; not thankful for the favours in general they received
from God (insensibleness of God's mercies is at the bottom of our
sinful departures from him); not thankful in particular for the
discoveries God was pleased to make of himself to them. Those that do
not improve the means of knowledge and grace are justly reckoned
unthankful for them. (3.) But they became vain in their imaginations,
en tois dialogismois--in their reasonings, in their practical
inferences. They had a great deal of knowledge of general truths (v.
19), but no prudence to apply them to particular cases. Or, in their
notions of God, and the creation of the world, and the origination of
mankind, and the chief good; in these things, when they quitted the
plain truth, they soon disputed themselves into a thousand vain and
foolish fancies. The several opinions and hypotheses of the various
sects of philosophers concerning these things were so many vain
imaginations. When truth is forsaken, errors multiply in
infinitum--infinitely. (4.) And their foolish heart was darkened. The
foolishness and practical wickedness of the heart cloud and darken the
intellectual powers and faculties. Nothing tends more to the blinding
and perverting of the understanding than the corruption and
depravedness of the will and affections. (5.) Professing themselves to
be wise, they became fools, v. 22. This looks black upon the
philosophers, the pretenders to wisdom and professors of it. Those that
had the most luxuriant fancy, in framing to themselves the idea of a
God, fell into the most gross and absurd conceits: and it was the just
punishment of their pride and self-conceitedness. It has been observed
that the most refined nations, that made the greatest show of wisdom,
were the arrantest fools in religion. The barbarians adored the sun and
moon, which of all others was the most specious idolatry; while the
learned Egyptians worshipped an ox and an onion. The Grecians, who
excelled them in wisdom, adored diseases and human passions. The
Romans, the wisest of all, worshipped the furies. And at this day the
poor Americans worship the thunder; while the ingenious Chinese adore
the devil. Thus the world by wisdom knew not God, 1 Cor. i. 21. As a
profession of wisdom is an aggravation of folly, so a proud conceit of
wisdom is the cause of a great deal of folly. Hence we read of few
philosophers who were converted to Christianity; and Paul's preaching
was no where so laughed at and ridiculed as among the learned
Athenians, Acts xvii. 18-32. Phaskontes einai--conceiting themselves to
be wise. The plain truth of the being of God would not content them;
they thought themselves above that, and so fell into the greatest
errors.
2. The outward acts of their idolatry, v. 23-25. (1.) Making images of
God (v. 23), by which, as much as in them lay, they changed the glory
of the incorruptible God. Compare Ps. cvi. 20; Jer. ii. 11. They
ascribed a deity to the most contemptible creatures, and by them
represented God. It was the greatest honour God did to man that he made
man in the image of God; but it is the greatest dishonour man has done
to God that he has made God in the image of man. This was what God so
strictly warned the Jews against, Deut. iv. 15, &c. This the apostle
shows the folly of in his sermon at Athens, Acts xvii. 29. See Isa. xl.
18, &c.; xliv. 10, &c. This is called (v. 25) changing the truth of God
into a lie. As it did dishonour his glory, so it did misrepresent his
being. Idols are called lies, for they belie God, as if he had a body,
whereas he is a Spirit, Jer. xxiii. 14; Hos. vii. 1. Teachers of lies,
Hab. ii. 18. (2.) Giving divine honour to the creature: Worshipped and
served the creature, para ton ktisavta--besides the Creator. They did
own a supreme Numen in their profession, but they did in effect disown
him by the worship they paid to the creature; for God will be all or
none. Or, above the Creator, paying more devout respect to their
inferior deities, stars, heroes, demons, thinking the supreme God
inaccessible, or above their worship. The sin itself was their
worshipping the creature at all; but this is mentioned as an
aggravation of the sin, that they worshipped the creature more than the
Creator. This was the general wickedness of the Gentile world, and
became twisted in with their laws and government; in compliance with
which even the wise men among them, who knew and owned a supreme God
and were convinced of the nonsense and absurdity of their polytheism
and idolatry, yet did as the rest of their neighbours did. Seneca, in
his book De Superstitione, as it is quoted by Aug. de Civit. Dei, lib.
6, cap. 10 (for the book itself is lost), after he had largely shown
the great folly and impiety of the vulgar religion, in divers instances
of it, yet concludes, Quæ omnia sapiens servabit tanquam legibus jussa,
non tanquam diis grata--All which a wise man will observe as
established by law, not imagining them grateful to the gods. And
afterwards, Omnem istam ignobilem deorum turbam, quam longo ævo longa
superstitio congessit, sic adorabimus, ut meminerimus cultum ejus magis
ad morem quam ad rem pertinere--All this ignoble rout of gods, which
ancient superstition has amassed together by long prescription, we will
so adore as to remember that the worship of them is rather a compliance
with custom than material in itself. Upon which Augustine observes,
Coleb at quod reprehendebat, agebat quod arguebat, quod culpabat
adorabat--He worshipped that which he censured, he did that which he
had proved wrong, and he adored what he found fault with. I mention
this thus largely because methinks it doth fully explain that of the
apostle here (v. 18): Who hold the truth in unrighteousness. It is
observable that upon the mention of the dishonour done to God by the
idolatry of the Gentiles the apostle, in the midst of his discourse,
expresses himself in an awful adoration of God: Who is blessed for
ever. Amen. When we see or hear of any contempt cast upon God or his
name, we should thence take occasion to think and speak highly and
honourably of him. In this, as in other things, the worse others are,
the better we should be. Blessed for ever, notwithstanding these
dishonours done to his name: though there are those that do not glorify
him, yet he is glorified, and will be glorified to eternity.
III. The judgments of God upon them for this idolatry; not many
temporal judgments (the idolatrous nations were the conquering ruling
nations of the world), but spiritual judgments, giving them up to the
most brutish and unnatural lusts. Paredoken autous--He gave them up; it
is thrice repeated here, v. 24, 26, 28. Spiritual judgments are of all
judgments the sorest, and to be most dreaded. Observe,
1. By whom they were given up. God gave them up, in a way of righteous
judgment, as the just punishment of their idolatry--taking off the
bridle of restraining grace--leaving them to themselves--letting them
alone; for his grace is his own, he is debtor to no man, he may give or
withhold his grace at pleasure. Whether this giving up be a positive
act of God or only privative we leave to the schools to dispute: but
this we are sure of that it is no new thing for God to give men up to
their own hearts' lusts, to send them strong delusions, to let Satan
loose upon them, nay, to lay stumbling-blocks before them. And yet God
is not the author of sin, but herein infinitely just and holy; for,
though the greatest wickedness follow upon this giving up, the fault of
that is to be laid upon the sinner's wicked heart. If the patient be
obstinate, and will not submit to the methods prescribed, but wilfully
takes and does that which is prejudicial to him, the physician is not
to be blamed if he give him up as in a desperate condition; and all the
fatal symptoms that follow are not to be imputed to the physician, but
to the disease itself and to the folly and wilfulness of the patient.
2. To what they were given up.
(1.) To uncleanness and vile affections, v. 24, 26, 27. Those that
would not entertain the more pure and refined notices of natural light,
which tend to preserve the honour of God, justly forfeited those more
gross and palpable sentiments which preserve the honour of human
nature. Man being in honour, and refusing to understand the God that
made him, thus becomes worse than the beasts that perish, Ps. xlix. 20.
Thus one, by the divine permission, becomes the punishment of another;
but it is (as it said here) through the lusts of their own
hearts--there all the fault is to be laid. Those who dishonoured God
were given up to dishonour themselves. A man cannot be delivered up to
a greater slavery than to be given up to his own lusts. Such are given
over, like the Egyptians (Isa. xix. 4), into the hand of a cruel lord.
The particular instances of their uncleanness and vile affections are
their unnatural lusts, for which many of the heathen, even of those
among them who passed for wisemen, as Solon and Zeno, were infamous,
against the plainest and most obvious dictates of natural light. The
crying iniquity of Sodom and Gomorrah, for which God rained hell from
heaven upon them, became not only commonly practised, but avowed, in
the pagan nations. Perhaps the apostle especially refers to the
abominations that were committed in the worship of their idol-gods, in
which the worst of uncleannesses were prescribed for the honour of
their gods; dunghill service for dunghill gods: the unclean spirits
delight in such ministrations. In the church of Rome, where the pagan
idolatries are revived, images worshipped, and saints only substituted
in the room of demons, we hear of these same abominations going
barefaced, licensed by the pope (Fox's Acts and Monuments, vol. 1, p.
808), and not only commonly perpetrated, but justified and pleaded for
by some of their cardinals: the same spiritual plagues for the same
spiritual wickednesses. See what wickedness there is in the nature of
man. How abominable and filthy is man! Lord, what is man? says David;
what a vile creature is he when left to himself! How much are we
beholden to the restraining grace of God for the preserving any thing
of the honour and decency of the human nature! For, were it not for
this, man, who was made but little lower than the angels, would make
himself a great deal lower than the devils. This is said to be that
recompence of their error which was meet. The Judge of all the earth
does right, and observes a meetness between the sin and the punishment
of it.
(2.) To a reprobate mind in these abominations, v. 28.
[1.] They did not like to retain God in their knowledge. The blindness
of their understandings was caused by the wilful aversion of their
wills and affections. They did not retain God in their knowledge,
because they did not like it. They would neither know nor do any thing
but just what pleased themselves. It is just the temper of carnal
hearts; the pleasing of themselves is their highest end. There are many
that have God in their knowledge, they cannot help it, the light shines
so fully in their faces; but they do not retain him there. They say to
the Almighty, Depart (Job xxi. 14), and they therefore do not retain
God in their knowledge because it thwarts and contradicts their lusts;
they do not like it. In their knowledge--en epignosei. There is a
difference between gnosis and epignosis, the knowledge and the
acknowledgement of God; the pagans knew God, but did not, would not,
acknowledge him.
[2.] Answerable to this wilfulness of theirs, in gainsaying the truth,
God gave them over to a wilfulness in the grossest sins, here called a
reprobate mind--eis adokimon noun, a mind void of all sense and
judgment to discern things that differ, so that they could not
distinguish their right hand from their left in spiritual things. See
whither a course of sin leads, and into what a gulf it plunges the
sinner at last; hither fleshly lusts have a direct tendency. Eyes full
of adultery cannot cease from sin, 2 Pet. ii. 14. This reprobate mind
was a blind scared conscience, past feeling, Eph. iv. 19. When the
judgment is once reconciled to sin, the man is in the suburbs of hell.
At first Pharaoh hardened his heart, but afterwards God hardened
Pharaoh's heart. Thus wilful hardness is justly punished with judicial
hardness.--To do those things which are not convenient. This phrase may
seem to bespeak a diminutive evil, but here it is expressive of the
grossest enormities; things that are not agreeable to men, but
contradict the very light and law of nature. And here he subjoins a
black list of those unbecoming things which the Gentiles were guilty
of, being delivered up to a reprobate mind. No wickedness so heinous,
so contrary to the light of nature, to the law of nations, and to all
the interests of mankind, but a reprobate mind will comply with it. By
the histories of those times, especially the accounts we have of the
then prevailing dispositions and practices of the Romans when the
ancient virtue of that commonwealth was so degenerated, it appears that
these sins here mentioned were then and there reigning national sins.
No fewer than twenty-three several sorts of sins and sinners are here
specified, v. 29-31. Here the devil's seat is; his name is legion, for
they are many. It was time to have the gospel preached among them, for
the world had need of reformation.
First, Sins against the first table: Haters of God. Here is the devil
in his own colours, sin appearing sin. Could it be imagined that
rational creatures should hate the chief good, and depending creatures
abhor the fountain of their being? And yet so it is. Every sin has in
it a hatred of God; but some sinners are more open and avowed enemies
to him than others, Zech. xi. 8. Proud men and boasters cope with God
himself, and put those crowns upon their own heads which must be cast
before his throne.
Secondly, Sins against the second table. These are especially
mentioned, because in these things they had a clearer light. In general
here is a charge of unrighteousness. This is put first, for every sin
is unrighteousness; it is withholding that which is due, perverting
that which is right; it is especially put for second-table sins, doing
as we would not be done by. Against the fifth commandment: Disobedient
to parents, and without natural affection--astorgous, that is parents
unkind and cruel to their children. Thus, when duty fails on one side,
it commonly fails on the other. Disobedient children are justly
punished with unnatural parents; and, on the contrary, unnatural
parents with disobedient children. Against the sixth commandment:
Wickedness (doing mischief for mischief's sake), maliciousness, envy,
murder, debate (eridos--contention), malignity, despiteful, implacable,
unmerciful; all expressions of that hatred of our brother which is
heart-murder. Against the seventh commandment: Fornication; he mentions
no more, having spoken before of other uncleannesses. Against the
eighth commandment: Unrighteousness, covetousness. Against the ninth
commandment: Deceit, whisperers, back-biters, covenant-breakers, lying
and slandering. Here are two generals not before mentioned--inventors
of evil things, and without understanding; wise to do evil, and yet
having no knowledge to do good. The more deliberate and politic sinners
are in inventing evil things, the greater is their sin: so quick of
invention in sin, and yet without understanding (stark fools) in the
thoughts of God. Here is enough to humble us all, in the sense of our
original corruption; for every heart by nature has in it the seed and
spawn of all these sins. In the close he mentions the aggravations of
the sins, v. 32. 1. They knew the judgment of God; that is, (1.) They
knew the law. The judgment of God is that which his justice requires,
which, because he is just, he judgeth meet to be done. (2.) They knew
the penalty; so it is explained here: They knew that those who commit
such things were worthy of death, eternal death; their own consciences
could not but suggest this to them, and yet they ventured upon it. It
is a great aggravation of sin when it is committed against knowledge
(James iv. 17), especially against the knowledge of the judgment of
God. It is daring presumption to run upon the sword's point. It argues
the heart much hardened, and very resolutely set upon sin. 2. They not
only do the same, but have pleasure in those that do them. The violence
of some present temptation may hurry a man into the commission of such
sins himself in which the vitiated appetite may take a pleasure; but to
be pleased with other people's sins is to love sin for sin's sake: it
is joining in a confederacy for the devil's kingdom and interest.
Syneudokousi: they do not only commit sin, but they defend and justify
it, and encourage others to do the like. Our own sins are much
aggravated by our concurrence with, and complacency in, the sins of
others.
Now lay all this together, and then say whether the Gentile world,
lying under so much guilt and corruption, could be justified before God
by any works of their own.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. II.
The scope of the first two chapters of this epistle may be gathered
from ch. iii. 9, "We have before proved both Jews and Gentiles that
they are all under sin." This we have proved upon the Gentiles (ch.
i.), now in this chapter he proves it upon the Jews, as appears by ver.
17, "thou art called a Jew." I. He proves in general that Jews and
Gentiles stand upon the same level before the justice of God, to ver.
11. II. He shows more particularly what sins the Jews were guilty of,
notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions (ver. 17 to the
end).
Equity of the Divine Government. (a. d. 58.)
1 Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that
judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for
thou that judgest doest the same things. 2 But we are sure that the
judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such
things. 3 And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do
such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of
God? 4 Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance
and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to
repentance? 5 But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest
up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the
righteous judgment of God; 6 Who will render to every man according
to his deeds: 7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek
for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them
that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey
unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish,
upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of
the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that
worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there
is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned
without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned
in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the
law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the
things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto
themselves: 15 Which show the work of the law written in their
hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the
mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 16 In the day when
God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my
gospel.
In the former chapter the apostle had represented the state of the
Gentile world to be as bad and black as the Jews were ready enough to
pronounce it. And now, designing to show that the state of the Jews was
very bad too, and their sin in many respects more aggravated, to
prepare his way he sets himself in this part of the chapter to show
that God would proceed upon equal terms of justice with Jews and
Gentiles; and not with such a partial hand as the Jews were apt to
think he would use in their favour.
I. He arraigns them for their censoriousness and self-conceit (v. 1):
Thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest. As he
expresses himself in general terms, the admonition may reach those many
masters (Jam. iii. 1), of whatever nation or profession they are, that
assume to themselves a power to censure, control, and condemn others.
But he intends especially the Jews, and to them particularly he applies
this general charge (v. 21), Thou who teachest another teachest thou
not thyself? The Jews were generally a proud sort of people, that
looked with a great deal of scorn and contempt upon the poor Gentiles,
as not worthy to be set with the dogs of their flock; while in the mean
time they were themselves as bad and immoral--though not idolaters, as
the Gentiles, yet sacrilegious, v. 22. Therefore thou art inexcusable.
If the Gentiles, who had but the light of nature, were inexcusable (ch.
i. 20), much more the Jews, who had the light of the law, the revealed
will of God, and so had greater helps than the Gentiles.
II. He asserts the invariable justice of the divine government, v. 2,
3. To drive home the conviction, he here shows what a righteous God
that is with whom we have to do, and how just in his proceedings. It is
usual with the apostle Paul, in his writings, upon mention of some
material point, to make large digressions upon it; as here concerning
the justice of God (v. 2), That the judgment of God is according to
truth,--according to the eternal rules of justice and
equity,--according to the heart, and not according to the outward
appearance (1 Sam. xvi. 7),--according to the works, and not with
respect to persons, is a doctrine which we are all sure of, for he
would not be God if he were not just; but it behoves those especially
to consider it who condemn others for those things which they
themselves are guilty of, and so, while they practise sin and persist
in that practice, think to bribe the divine justice by protesting
against sin and exclaiming loudly upon others that are guilty, as if
preaching against sin would atone for the guilt of it. But observe how
he puts it to the sinner's conscience (v. 3): Thinkest thou this, O
man? O man, a rational creature, a dependent creature, made by God,
subject under him, and accountable to him. The case is so plain that we
may venture to appeal to the sinner's own thoughts: "Canst thou think
that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Can the heart-searching God
be imposed upon by formal pretences, the righteous Judge of all so
bribed and put off?" The most plausible politic sinners, who acquit
themselves before men with the greatest confidence, cannot escape the
judgment of God, cannot avoid being judged and condemned.
III. He draws up a charge against them (v. 4, 5) consisting of two
branches:--
1. Slighting the goodness of God (v. 4), the riches of his goodness.
This is especially applicable to the Jews, who had singular tokens of
the divine favour. Means are mercies, and the more light we sin against
the more love we sin against. Low and mean thoughts of the divine
goodness are at the bottom of a great deal of sin. There is in every
wilful sin an interpretative contempt of the goodness of God; it is
spurning at his bowels, particularly the goodness of his patience, his
forbearance and long-suffering, taking occasion thence to be so much
the more bold in sin, Eccl. viii. 11. Not knowing, that is, not
considering, not knowing practically and with application, that the
goodness of God leadeth thee, the design of it is to lead thee, to
repentance. It is not enough for us to know that God's goodness leads
to repentance, but we must know that it leads us--thee in particular.
See here what method God takes to bring sinners to repentance. He leads
them, not drives them like beasts, but leads them like rational
creatures, allures them (Hos. ii. 14); and it is goodness that leads,
bands of love, Hos. xi. 4. Compare Jer. xxxi. 3. The consideration of
the goodness of God, his common goodness to all (the goodness of his
providence, of his patience, and of his offers), should be effectual to
bring us all to repentance; and the reason why so many continue in
impenitency is because they do not know and consider this.
2. Provoking the wrath of God, v. 5. The rise of this provocation is a
hard and impenitent heart; and the ruin of sinners is their walking
after such a heart, being led by it. To sin is to walk in the way of
the heart; and when that is a hard and impenitent heart (contracted
hardness by long custom, besides that which is natural), how desperate
must the course needs be! The provocation is expressed by treasuring up
wrath. Those that go on in a course of sin are treasuring up unto
themselves wrath. A treasure denotes abundance. It is a treasure that
will be spending to eternity, and yet never exhausted; and yet sinners
are still adding to it as to a treasure. Every wilful sin adds to the
score, and will inflame the reckoning; it brings a branch to their
wrath, as some read that (Ezek. viii. 17), they put the branch to their
nose. A treasure denotes secrecy. The treasury or magazine of wrath is
the heart of God himself, in which it lies hid, as treasures in some
secret place sealed up; see Deut. xxxii. 34; Job xiv. 17. But withal it
denotes reservation to some further occasion; as the treasures of the
hail are reserved against the day of battle and war, Job xxxviii. 22,
23. These treasures will be broken open like the fountains of the great
deep, Gen. vii. 11. They are treasured up against the day of wrath,
when they will be dispensed by the wholesale, poured out by full vials.
Though the present day be a day of patience and forbearance towards
sinners, yet there is a day of wrath coming--wrath, and nothing but
wrath. Indeed, every day is to sinners a day of wrath, for God is angry
with the wicked every day (Ps. vii. 11), but there is the great day of
wrath coming, Rev. vi. 17. And that day of wrath will be the day of the
revelation of the righteous judgment of God. The wrath of God is not
like our wrath, a heat and passion; no, fury is not in him (Isa. xxvii.
4): but it is a righteous judgment, his will to punish sin, because he
hates it as contrary to his nature. This righteous judgment of God is
now many times concealed in the prosperity and success of sinners, but
shortly it will be manifested before all the world, these seeming
disorders set to rights, and the heavens shall declare his
righteousness, Ps. l. 6. Therefore judge nothing before the time.
IV. He describes the measures by which God proceeds in his judgment.
Having mentioned the righteous judgment of God in v. 5, he here
illustrates that judgment, and the righteousness of it, and shows what
we may expect from God, and by what rule he will judge the world. The
equity of distributive justice is the dispensing of frowns and favours
with respect to deserts and without respect to persons: such is the
righteous judgment of God.
1. He will render to every man according to his deeds (v. 6), a truth
often mentioned in scripture, to prove that the Judge of all the earth
does right.
(1.) In dispensing his favours; and this is mentioned twice here, both
in v. 7 and v. 10. For he delights to show mercy. Observe,
[1.] The objects of his favour: Those who by patient continuance, &c.
By this we may try our interest in the divine favour, and may hence be
directed what course to take, that we may obtain it. Those whom the
righteous God will reward are, First, Such as fix to themselves the
right end, that seek for glory, and honour, and immortality; that is,
the glory and honour which are immortal-acceptance with God here and
for ever. There is a holy ambition which is at the bottom of all
practical religion. This is seeking the kingdom of God, looking in our
desires and aims as high as heaven, and resolved to take up with
nothing short of it. This seeking implies a loss, sense of that loss,
desire to retrieve it, and pursuits and endeavours consonant to those
desires. Secondly, Such as, having fixed the right end, adhere to the
right way: A patient continuance in well-doing. 1. There must be
well-doing, working good, v. 10. It is not enough to know well, and
speak well, and profess well, and promise well, but we must do well: do
that which is good, not only for the matter of it, but for the manner
of it. We must do it well. 2. A continuance in well-doing. Not for a
fit and a start, like the morning cloud and the early dew; but we must
endure to the end: it is perseverance that wins the crown. 3. A patient
continuance. This patience respects not only the length of the work,
but the difficulties of it and the oppositions and hardships we may
meet with in it. Those that will do well and continue in it must put on
a great deal of patience.
[2.] The product of his favour. He will render to such eternal life.
Heaven is life, eternal life, and it is the reward of those that
patiently continue in well-doing; and it is called (v. 10) glory,
honour, and peace. Those that seek for glory and honour (v. 7) shall
have them. Those that seek for the vain glory and honour of this world
often miss of them, and are disappointed; but those that seek for
immortal glory and honour shall have them, and not only glory and
honour, but peace. Worldly glory and honour are commonly attended with
trouble; but heavenly glory and honour have peace with them,
undisturbed everlasting peace.
(2.) In dispensing his frowns (v. 8, 9). Observe, [1.] The objects of
his frowns. In general those that do evil, more particularly described
to be such as are contentious and do not obey the truth. Contentious
against God. Every wilful sin is a quarrel with God, it is striving
with our Maker (Isa. xlv. 9), the most desperate contention. The Spirit
of God strives with sinners (Gen. vi. 3), and impenitent sinners strive
against the Spirit, rebel against the light (Job xxiv. 13), hold fast
deceit, strive to retain that sin which the Spirit strives to part them
from. Contentious, and do not obey the truth. The truths of religion
are not only to be known, but to be obeyed; they are directing, ruling,
commanding; truths relating to practice. Disobedience to the truth is
interpreted a striving against it. But obey unrighteousness--do what
unrighteousness bids them do. Those that refuse to be the servants of
truth will soon be the slaves of unrighteousness. [2.] The products or
instances of these frowns: Indignation and wrath, tribulation and
anguish. These are the wages of sin. Indignation and wrath the
causes--tribulation and anguish the necessary and unavoidable effects.
And this upon the soul; souls are the vessels of that wrath, the
subjects of that tribulation and anguish. Sin qualifies the soul for
this wrath. The soul is that in or of man which is alone immediately
capable of this indignation, and the impressions or effects of anguish
therefrom. Hell is eternal tribulation and anguish, the product of
wrath and indignation. This comes of contending with God, of setting
briers and thorns before a consuming fire, Isa. xxvii. 4. Those that
will not bow to his golden sceptre will certainly be broken by his iron
rod. Thus will God render to every man according to his deeds.
2. There is no respect of persons with God, v. 11. As to the spiritual
state, there is a respect of persons; but not as to outward relation or
condition. Jews and Gentiles stand upon the same level before God. This
was Peter's remark upon the first taking down of the partition-wall
(Acts x. 34), that God is no respecter of persons; and it is explained
in the next words, that in every nation he that fears God, and works
righteousness, is accepted of him. God does not save men with respect
to their external privileges or their barren knowledge and profession
of the truth, but according as their state and disposition really are.
In dispensing both his frowns and favours it is both to Jew and
Gentile. If to the Jews first, who had greater privileges, and made a
greater profession, yet also to the Gentiles, whose want of such
privileges will neither excuse them from the punishment of their
ill-doing nor bar them out from the reward of their well-doing (see
Col. iii. 11); for shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?
V. He proves the equity of his proceedings with all, when he shall
actually come to Judge them (v. 12-16), upon this principle, that that
which is the rule of man's obedience is the rule of God's judgment.
Three degrees of light are revealed to the children of men:--
1. The light of nature. This the Gentiles have, and by this they shall
be judged: As many as have sinned without law shall perish without law;
that is, the unbelieving Gentiles, who had no other guide but natural
conscience, no other motive but common mercies, and had not the law of
Moses nor any supernatural revelation, shall not be reckoned with for
the transgression of the law they never had, nor come under the
aggravation of the Jews' sin against and judgment by the written law;
but they shall be judged by, as they sin against, the law of nature,
not only as it is in their hearts, corrupted, defaced, and imprisoned
in unrighteousness, but as in the uncorrupt original the Judge keeps by
him. Further to clear this (v. 14, 15), in a parenthesis, he evinces
that the light of nature was to the Gentiles instead of a written law.
He had said (v. 12) they had sinned without law, which looks like a
contradiction; for where there is no law there is no transgression.
But, says he, though they had not the written law (Ps. cxlvii. 20),
they had that which was equivalent, not to the ceremonial, but to the
moral law. They had the work of the law. He does not mean that work
which the law commands, as if they could produce a perfect obedience;
but that work which the law does. The work of the law is to direct us
what to do, and to examine us what we have done. Now, (1.) They had
that which directed them what to do by the light of nature: by the
force and tendency of their natural notions and dictates they
apprehended a clear and vast difference between good and evil. They did
by nature the things contained in the law. They had a sense of justice
and equity, honour and purity, love and charity; the light of nature
taught obedience to parents, pity to the miserable, conservation of
public peace and order, forbade murder, stealing, lying, perjury, &c.
Thus they were a law unto themselves. (2.) They had that which examined
them as to what they had done: Their conscience also bearing witness.
They had that within them which approved and commended what was well
done and which reproached them for what was done amiss. Conscience is a
witness, and first or last will bear witness, though for a time it may
be bribed or brow-beaten. It is instead of a thousand witnesses,
testifying of that which is most secret; and their thoughts accusing or
excusing, passing a judgment upon the testimony of conscience by
applying the law to the fact. Conscience is that candle of the Lord
which was not quite put out, no, not in the Gentile world. The heathen
have witnessed to the comfort of a good conscience.
--------Hic murus ahoncus esto,
Nil conscire sibi--------
Be this thy brazen bulwark of defence,
Still to preserve thy conscious innocence.
Hor.
and to the terror of a bad one:
--------Quos diri consein facti
Mens habet attonitos, et surdo verbere cædit--
No lash is heard, and yet the guilty heart
Is tortur'd with a self-inflicted smart
Juv. Sat. 13.
Their thoughts the meanwhile, metaxy allelon--among themselves, or one
with another. The same light and law of nature that witnesses against
sin in them, and witnessed against it in others, accused or excused one
another. Vicissim, so some read it, by turns; according as they
observed or broke these natural laws and dictates, their consciences
did either acquit or condemn them. All this did evince that they had
that which was to them instead of a law, which they might have been
governed by, and which will condemn them, because they were not so
guided and governed by it. So that the guilty Gentiles are left without
excuse. God is justified in condemning them. They cannot plead
ignorance, and therefore are likely to perish if they have not
something else to plead.
2. The light of the law. This the Jews had, and by this they shall be
judged (v. 12): As many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by
the law. They sinned, not only having the law, but en nomo--in the law,
in the midst of so much law, in the face and light of so pure and clear
a law, the directions of which were so very full and particular, and
the sanctions of it so very cogent and enforcing. These shall be judged
by the law; their punishment shall be, as their sin is, so much the
greater for their having the law. The Jew first, v. 9. It shall be more
tolerable for Tyre and Sidon. Thus Moses did accuse them (John v. 45),
and they fell under the many stripes of him that knew his master's
will, and did it not, Luke xii. 47. The Jews prided themselves very
much in the law; but, to confirm what he had said, the apostle shows
(v. 13) that their having, and hearing, and knowing the law, would not
justify them, but their doing it. The Jewish doctors bolstered up their
followers with an opinion that all that were Jews, how bad soever they
lived, should have a place in the world to come. This the apostle here
opposes: it was a great privilege that they had the law, but not a
saving privilege, unless they lived up to the law they had, which it is
certain the Jews did not, and therefore they had need of a
righteousness wherein to appear before God. We may apply it to the
gospel: it is not hearing, but doing that will save us, John xiii. 17;
James i. 22.
3. The light of the gospel: and according to this those that enjoyed
the gospel shall be judge (v. 16): According to my gospel; not meant of
any fifth gospel written by Paul, as some conceit; or of the gospel
written by Luke, as Paul's amanuensis (Euseb. Hist. lib 3, cap. 8), but
the gospel in general, called Paul's because he was a preacher of it.
As many as are under that dispensation shall be judged according to
that dispensation, Mark xvi. 16. Some refer those words, according to
my gospel, to what he says of the day of judgment: "There will come a
day of judgment, according as I have in my preaching often told you;
and that will be the day of the final judgment both of Jews and
Gentiles." It is good for us to get acquainted with what is revealed
concerning that day. (1.) There is a day set for a general judgment.
The day, the great day, his day that is coming, Ps. xxxvii. 13. (2.)
The judgment of that day will be put into the hands of Jesus Christ.
God shall judge by Jesus Christ, Acts xvii. 31. It will be part of the
reward of his humiliation. Nothing speaks more terror to sinners, or
more comfort to saints, than this, that Christ shall be the Judge. (3.)
The secrets of men shall then be judged. Secret services shall be then
rewarded, secret sins shall be then punished, hidden things shall be
brought to light. That will be the great discovering day, when that
which is now done in corners shall be proclaimed to all the world.
The Pretensions of the Jews; The Depravity of the Jews. (a. d. 58.)
17 Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest
thy boast of God, 18 And knowest his will, and approvest the things
that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law; 19 And art
confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them
which are in darkness, 20 An instructor of the foolish, a teacher of
babes, which hast the form of knowledge and of the truth in the law.
21 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself?
thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? 22 Thou
that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit
adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? 23
Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law
dishonourest thou God? 24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the
Gentiles through you, as it is written. 25 For circumcision verily
profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law,
thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. 26 Therefore if the
uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his
uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? 27 And shall not
uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee,
who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law? 28 For he
is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision,
which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one
inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not
in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.
In the latter part of the chapter the apostle directs his discourse
more closely to the Jews, and shows what sins they were guilty of,
notwithstanding their profession and vain pretensions. He had said (v.
13) that not the hearers but the doers of the law are justified; and he
here applies that great truth to the Jews. Observe,
I. He allows their profession (v. 17-20) and specifies their particular
pretensions and privileges in which they prided themselves, that they
might see he did not condemn them out of ignorance of what they had to
say for themselves; no, he knew the best of their cause.
1. They were a peculiar people, separated and distinguished from all
others by their having the written law and the special presence of God
among them. (1.) Thou art called a Jew; not so much in parentage as
profession. It was a very honourable title. Salvation was of the Jews;
and this they were very proud of, to be a people by themselves; and yet
many that were so called were the vilest of men. It is no new thing for
the worst practices to be shrouded under the best names, for many of
the synagogue of Satan to say they are Jews (Rev. ii. 9), for a
generation of vipers to boast they have Abraham to their father, Matt.
iii. 7-9. (2.) And restest in the law; that is, they took a pride in
this, that they had the law among them, had it in their books, read it
in their synagogues. They were mightily puffed up with this privilege,
and thought this enough to bring them to heaven, though they did not
live, up to the law. To rest in the law, with a rest of complacency and
acquiescence, is good; but to rest in it with a rest of pride, and
slothfulness, and carnal security, is the ruin of souls. The temple of
the Lord, Jer. vii. 4. Bethel their confidence, Jer. xlviii. 13.
Haughty because of the holy mountain, Zeph. iii. 11. It is a dangerous
thing to rest in external privileges, and not to improve them. (3.) And
makest thy boast of God. See how the best things may be perverted and
abused. A believing, humble, thankful glorying in God, is the root and
summary of all religion, Ps. xxxiv. 2; Isa. xlv. 15; 1 Cor. i. 31. But
a proud vainglorious boasting in God, and in the outward profession of
his name, is the root and summary of all hypocrisy. Spiritual pride is
of all kinds of pride the most dangerous.
2. They were a knowing people (v. 18): and knowest his will, to
thelema--the will. God's will is the will, the sovereign, absolute,
irresistible will. The world will then, and not till then, be set to
rights, when God's will is the only will, and all other wills are
melted into it. They did not only know the truth of God, but the will
of God, that which he would have them to do. It is possible for a
hypocrite to have a great deal of knowledge in the will of God.--And
approvest the things that are more excellent--dokimazeis ta
diapheronta. Paul prays for it for his friends as a very great
attainment, Phil. i. 10. Eis to dokimazein hymas ta diapheronta.
Understand it, (1.) Of a good apprehension in the things of God,
reading it thus, Thou discernest things that differ, knowest how to
distinguish between good and evil, to separate between the precious and
the vile (Jer. xv. 19), to make a difference between the unclean and
the clean, Lev. xi. 47. Good and bad lie sometimes so near together
that it is not easy to distinguish them; but the Jews, having the
touchstone of the law ready at hand, were, or at least thought they
were, able to distinguish, to cleave the hair in doubtful cases. A man
may be a good casuist and yet a bad Christian--accurate in the notion,
but loose and careless in the application. Or, we may, with De Dieu,
understand controversies by the ta diapheronta. A man may be well
skilled in the controversies of religion, and yet a stranger to the
power of godliness. (2.) Of a warm affection to the things of God, as
we read it, Approvest the things that are excellent. There are
excellences in religion which a hypocrite may approve of: there may be
a consent of the practical judgment to the law, that it is good, and
yet that consent overpowerd by the lusts of the flesh, and of the
mind:--
--------Video meliora proboque
Deteriora sequor.
I see the better, but pursue the worse.
and it is common for sinners to make that approbation an excuse which
is really a very great aggravation of a sinful course. They got this
acquaintance with, and affection to, that which is good, by being
instructed out of the law, katechoumenos--being catechised. The word
signifies an early instruction in childhood. It is a great privilege
and advantage to be well catechised betimes. It was the custom of the
Jews to take a great deal of pains in teaching their children when they
were young, and all their lessons were out of the law; it were well if
Christians were but as industrious to teach their children out of the
gospel. Now this is called (v. 20), The form of knowledge, and of the
truth in the law, that is, the show and appearance of it. Those whose
knowledge rests in an empty notion, and does not make an impression on
their hearts, have only the form of it, like a picture well drawn and
in good colours, but which wants life. A form of knowledge produces but
a form of godliness, 2 Tim. iii. 5. A form of knowledge may deceive
men, but cannot impose upon the piercing eye of the heart-searching
God. A form may be the vehicle of the power; but he that takes up with
that only is like sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal.
3. They were a teaching people, or at least thought themselves so (v.
19, 20): And art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind.
Apply it, (1.) To the Jews in general. They thought themselves guides
to the poor blind Gentiles that sat in darkness, were very proud of
this, that whoever would have the knowledge of God must be beholden to
them for it. All other nations must come to school to them, to learn
what is good, and what the Lord requires; for they had the lively
oracles. (2.) To their rabbis, and doctors, and leading men among them,
who were especially those that judged others, v. 1. These prided
themselves much in the possession they had got of Moses's chair, and
the deference which the vulgar paid to their dictates; and the apostle
expresses this in several terms, a guide of the blind, a light of those
who are in darkness, an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes,
the better to set forth their proud conceit of themselves, and contempt
of others. This was a string they loved to be harping upon, heaping up
titles of honour upon themselves. The best work, when it is prided in,
is unacceptable to God. It is good to instruct the foolish, and to
teach the babes: but considering our own ignorance, and folly, and
inability to make these teachings successful without God, there is
nothing in it to be proud of.
II. He aggravates their provocations (v. 21-24) from two things:--
1. That they sinned against their knowledge and profession, did that
themselves which they taught others to avoid: Thou that teachest
another, teachest thou not thyself? Teaching is a piece of that charity
which begins at home, though it must not end there. It was the
hypocrisy of the Pharisees that they did not do as they taught (Matt.
xxiii. 3), but pulled down with their lives what they built up with
their preaching; for who will believe those who do not believe
themselves? Examples will govern more than rules. The greatest
obstructors of the success of the word are those whose bad lives
contradict their good doctrine, who in the pulpit preach so well that
it is a pity they should ever come out, and out of the pulpit live so
ill that it is a pity they should ever come in. He specifies three
particular sins that abound among the Jews:--(1.) Stealing. This is
charged upon some that declared God's statutes (Ps. l. 16, 18), When
thou sawest a thief, then thou consentedst with him. The Pharisees are
charged with devouring widows' houses (Matt. xxiii. 14), and that is
the worst of robberies. (2.) Adultery, v. 22. This is likewise charged
upon that sinner (Ps. l. 18), Thou hast been partaker with adulterers.
Many of the Jewish rabbin are said to have been notorious for this sin.
(3.) Sacrilege-robbing in holy things, which were then by special laws
dedicated and devoted to God; and this is charged upon those that
professed to abhor idols. So the Jews did remarkably, after their
captivity in Babylon; that furnace separated them for ever from the
dross of their idolatry, but they dealt very treacherously in the
worship of God. It was in the latter days of the Old-Testament church
that they were charged with robbing God in tithes and offerings (Mal.
iii. 8, 9), converting that to their own use, and to the service of
their lusts, which was, in a special manner, set apart for God. And
this is almost equivalent to idolatry, though this sacrilege was
cloaked with the abhorrence of idols. Those will be severely reckoned
with another day who, while they condemn sin in others, do the same, or
as bad, or worse, themselves.
2. That they dishonoured God by their sin, v. 23, 24. While God and his
law were an honour to them, which they boasted of and prided themselves
in, they were a dishonour to God and his law, by giving occasion to
those that were without to reflect upon their religion, as if that did
countenance and allow of such things, which, as it is their sin who
draw such inferences (for the faults of professors are not to be laid
upon professions), so it is their sin who give occasion for those
inferences, and will greatly aggravate their miscarriages. This was the
condemnation in David's case, that he had given great occasion to the
enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, 2 Sam. xii. 14. And the apostle here
refers to the same charge against their forefathers: As it is written,
v. 24. He does not mention the place, because he wrote this to those
that were instructed in the law (in labouring to convince, it is some
advantage to deal with those that have knowledge and are acquainted
with the scripture), but he seems to point at Isa. lii. 5; Ezek. xxxvi.
22, 23; and 2 Sam. xii. 14. It is a lamentation that those who were
made to be to God for a name and for a praise should be to him a shame
and dishonour. The great evil of the sins of professors is the
dishonour done to God and religion by their profession. "Blasphemed
through you; that is, you give the occasion for it, it is through your
folly and carelessness. The reproaches you bring upon yourselves
reflect upon your God, and religion is wounded through your sides." A
good caution to professors to walk circumspectly. See 1 Tim. vi. 1.
III. He asserts the utter insufficiency of their profession to clear
them from the guilt of these provocations (v. 25-29): Circumcision
verily profiteth, if thou keep the law; that is, obedient Jews shall
not lose the reward of their obedience, but will gain this by their
being Jews, that they have a clearer rule of obedience than the
Gentiles have. God did not give the law nor appoint circumcision in
vain. This must be referred to the state of the Jews before the
ceremonial policy was abolished, otherwise circumcision to one that
professed faith in Christ was forbidden, Gal. v. 1. But he is here
speaking to the Jews, whose Judaism would benefit them, if they would
but live up to the rules and laws of it; but if not "thy circumcision
is made uncircumcision; that is, thy profession will do thee no good;
thou wilt be no more justified than the uncircumcised Gentiles, but
more condemned for sinning against greater light." The uncircumcised
are in scripture branded as unclean (Isa. lii. 1), as out of the
covenant, (Eph. ii. 11, 12) and wicked Jews will be dealt with as such.
See Jer. ix. 25, 26. Further to illustrate this,
1. He shows that the uncircumcised Gentiles, if they live up to the
light they have, stand upon the same level with the Jews; if they keep
the righteousness of the law (v. 26), fulfil the law (v. 27); that is,
by submitting sincerely to the conduct of natural light, perform the
matter of the law. Some understand it as putting the case of a perfect
obedience to the law: "If the Gentiles could perfectly keep the law,
they would be justified by it as well as the Jews." But it seems rather
to be meant of such an obedience as some of the Gentiles did attain to.
The case of Cornelius will clear it. Though he was a Gentile, and
uncircumcised, yet, being a devout man, and one that feared God with
all his house (Acts x. 2), he was accepted, v. 4. Doubtless, there were
many such instances: and they were the uncircumcision, that kept the
righteousness of the law; and of such he says, (1.) That they were
accepted with God, as if they had been circumcised. Their
uncircumcision was counted for circumcision. Circumcision was indeed to
the Jews a commanded duty, but it was not to all the world a necessary
condition of justification and salvation. (2.) That their obedience was
a great aggravation of the disobedience of the Jews, who had the letter
of the law, v. 27. Judge thee, that is, help to add to thy
condemnation, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress.
Observe, To carnal professors the law is but the letter; they read it
as a bare writing, but are not ruled by it as a law. They did
transgress, not only notwithstanding the letter and circumcision, but
by it, that is, they thereby hardened themselves in sin. External
privileges, if they do not do us good, do us hurt. The obedience of
those that enjoy less means, and make a less profession, will help to
condemn those that enjoy greater means, and make a greater profession,
but do not live up to it.
2. He describes the true circumcision, v. 28, 29. (1.) It is not that
which is outward in the flesh and in the letter. This is not to drive
us off from the observance of external institutions (they are good in
their place), but from trusting to them and resting in them as
sufficient to bring us to heaven, taking up with a name to live,
without being alive indeed. He is not a Jew, that is, shall not be
accepted of God as the seed of believing Abraham, nor owned as having
answered the intention of the law. To be Abraham's children is to do
the works of Abraham, John viii. 39, 40. (2.) It is that which is
inward, of the heart, and in the spirit. It is the heart that God looks
at, the circumcising of the heart that renders us acceptable to him.
See Deut. xxx. 6. This is the circumcision that is not made with hands,
Col. ii. 11, 12. Casting away the body of sin. So it is in the spirit,
in our spirit as the subject, and wrought by God's Spirit as the author
of it. (3.) The praise thereof, though it be not of men, who judge
according to outward appearance, yet it is of God, that is, God himself
will own and accept and crown this sincerity; for he seeth not as man
seeth. Fair pretences and a plausible profession may deceive men: but
God cannot be so deceived; he sees through shows to realities. This is
alike true of Christianity. He is not a Christian that is one
outwardly, nor is that baptism which is outward in the flesh; but he is
a Christian that is one inwardly, and baptism is that of the heart, in
the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men but of
God.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. III.
The apostle, in this chapter, carries on his discourse concerning
justification. He had already proved the guilt both of Gentiles and
Jews. Now in this chapter, I. He answers some objections that might be
made against what he had said about the Jews, ver. 1-8. II. He asserts
the guilt and corruption of mankind in common, both Jews and Gentiles,
ver. 9-18. III. He argues thence that justification must needs be by
faith, and not by the law, which he gives several reasons for (ver. 19
to the end). The many digressions in his writings render his discourse
sometimes a little difficult, but his scope is evident.
The Advantages of the Jews; Objections Answered; The Depravity of Jews and
Gentiles. (a. d. 58.)
1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of
circumcision? 2 Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were
committed the oracles of God. 3 For what if some did not believe?
shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect? 4 God
forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written,
That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome
when thou art judged. 5 But if our unrighteousness commend the
righteousness of God, what shall we say? Is God unrighteous who taketh
vengeance? (I speak as a man) 6 God forbid: for then how shall God
judge the world? 7 For if the truth of God hath more abounded through
my lie unto his glory; why yet am I also judged as a sinner? 8 And
not rather, (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we
say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just. 9
What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before
proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin; 10 As it
is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: 11 There is none
that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are
all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there
is none that doeth good, no, not one. 13 Their throat is an open
sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps
is under their lips: 14 Whose mouth is full of cursing and
bitterness: 15 Their feet are swift to shed blood: 16 Destruction
and misery are in their ways: 17 And the way of peace have they not
known: 18 There is no fear of God before their eyes.
I. Here the apostle answers several objections, which might be made, to
clear his way. No truth so plain and evident but wicked wits and
corrupt carnal hearts will have something to say against it; but divine
truths must be cleared from cavil.
Object. 1. If Jew and Gentile stand so much upon the same level before
God, what advantage then hath the Jew? Hath not God often spoken with a
great deal of respect for the Jews, as a non-such people (Deut. xxxiii.
29), a holy nation, a peculiar treasure, the seed of Abraham his
friend: Did not he institute circumcision as a badge of their
church-membership, and a seal of their covenant-relation to God? Now
does not this levelling doctrine deny them all such prerogatives, and
reflect dishonour upon the ordinance of circumcision, as a fruitless
insignificant thing.
Answer. The Jews are, notwithstanding this, a people greatly privileged
and honoured, have great means and helps, though these be not
infallibly saving (v. 2): Much every way. The door is open to the
Gentiles as well as the Jews, but the Jews have a fairer way up to this
door, by reason of their church-privileges, which are not to be
undervalued, though many that have them perish eternally for not
improving them. He reckons up many of the Jews' privileges Rom. ix. 4,
5; here he mentions but one (which is indeed instar omnium--equivalent
to all), that unto them were committed the oracles of God, that is, the
scriptures of the Old Testament, especially the law of Moses, which is
called the lively oracles (Acts vii. 38), and those types, promises,
and prophecies, which relate to Christ and the gospel. The scriptures
are the oracles of God: they are a divine revelation, they come from
heaven, are of infallible truth, and of eternal consequence as oracles.
The Septuagint call the Urim and Thummim the logia--the oracles. The
scripture is our breast-plate of judgment. We must have recourse to the
law and to the testimony, as to an oracle. The gospel is called the
oracles of God, Heb. v. 12; 1 Pet. iv. 11. Now these oracles were
committed to the Jews; the Old Testament was written in their language;
Moses and the prophets were of their nation, lived among them, preached
and wrote primarily to and for the Jews. They were committed to them as
trustees for succeeding ages and churches. The Old Testament was
deposited in their hands, to be carefully preserved pure and uncorrupt,
and so transmitted down to posterity. The Jews were the Christians'
library-keepers, were entrusted with that sacred treasure for their own
use and benefit in the first place, and then for the advantage of the
world; and, in preserving the letter of the scripture, they were very
faithful to their trust, did not lose one iota or tittle, in which we
are to acknowledge God's gracious care and providence. The Jews had the
means of salvation, but they had not the monopoly of salvation. Now
this he mentions with a chiefly, proton men gar--this was their prime
and principal privilege. The enjoyment of God's word and ordinances is
the chief happiness of a people, is to be put in the imprimis of their
advantages, Deut. iv. 8; xxxiii. 3; Ps. cxlvii. 20.
Object. 2. Against what he had said of the advantages the Jews had in
the lively oracles, some might object the unbelief of many of them. To
what purpose were the oracles of God committed to them, when so many of
them, notwithstanding these oracles, continued strangers to Christ, and
enemies to his gospel? Some did not believe, v. 3.
Answer. It is very true that some, nay most of the present Jews, do not
believe in Christ; but shall their unbelief make the faith of God
without effect? The apostle startles at such a thought: God forbid! The
infidelity and obstinacy of the Jews could not invalidate and overthrow
those prophecies of the Messiah which were contained in the oracles
committed to them. Christ will be glorious, though Israel be not
gathered, Isa. xlix. 5. God's words shall be accomplished, his purposes
performed, and all his ends answered, though there be a generation that
by their unbelief go about to make God a liar. Let God be true but
every man a liar; let us abide by this principle, that God is true to
every word which he has spoken, and will let none of his oracles fall
to the ground, though thereby we give the lie to man; better question
and overthrow the credit of all the men in the world than doubt of the
faithfulness of God. What David said in his haste (Ps. cxvi. 11), that
all men are liars, Paul here asserts deliberately. Lying is a limb of
that old man which we every one of us come into the world clothed with.
All men are fickle, and mutable, and given to change, vanity and a lie
(Ps. lxii. 9), altogether vanity, Ps. xxxix. 5. All men are liars,
compared with God. It is very comfortable, when we find every man a
liar (no faith in man), that God is faithful. When they speak vanity
every one with his neighbour, it is very comfortable to think that the
words of the Lord are pure words, Ps. xii. 2, 6. For the further proof
of this he quotes Ps. li. 4, That thou mightest be justified, the
design of which is to show, 1. That God does and will preserve his own
honour in the world, notwithstanding the sins of men. 2. That it is our
duty, in all our conclusions concerning ourselves and others, to
justify God and to assert and maintain his justice, truth, and
goodness, however it goes. David lays a load upon himself in his
confession, that he might justify God, and acquit him from any
injustice. So here, Let the credit or reputation of man shift for
itself, the matter is not great whether it sink or swim; let us hold
fast this conclusion, how specious soever the premises may be to the
contrary, that the Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all
his works. Thus is God justified in his sayings, and cleared when he
judges (as it is Ps. li. 4), or when he is judged, as it is here
rendered. When men presume to quarrel with God and his proceedings, we
may be sure the sentence will go on God's side.
Object. 3. Carnal hearts might hence take occasion to encourage
themselves in sin. He had said that the universal guilt and corruption
of mankind gave occasion to the manifestation of God's righteousness in
Jesus Christ. Now it may be suggested, If all our sin be so far from
overthrowing God's honour that it commends it, and his ends are
secured, so that there is no harm done, is it not unjust for God to
punish our sin and unbelief so severely? If the unrighteousness of the
Jews gave occasion to the calling in of the Gentiles, and so to God's
greater glory, why are the Jews so much censured? If our
unrighteousness commend the righteousness of God, what shall we say? v.
5. What inference may be drawn from this? Is God unrighteous, me adikos
ho Theos--Is not God unrighteous (so it may be read, more in the form
of an objection), who taketh vengeance? Unbelieving hearts will gladly
take any occasion to quarrel with equity of God's proceedings, and to
condemn him that is most just, Job xxxiv. 17. I speak as a man, that
is, I object this as those of carnal hearts; it is suggested like a
man, a vain, foolish, proud creature.
Answer. God forbid; far be it from us to imagine such a thing.
Suggestions that reflect dishonour upon God and his justice and
holiness are rather to be startled at than parleyed with. Get thee
behind me, Satan; never entertain such a thought. For then how shall
God judge the world? v. 6. The argument is much the same with that of
Abraham (Gen. xviii. 25): Shall not the Judge of all the earth do
right? No doubt, he shall. If he were not infinitely just and
righteous, he would be unfit to be the judge of all the earth. Shall
even he that hateth right govern? Job xxxiv. 17. Compare v. 18, 19. The
sin has never the less of malignity and demerit in it though God bring
glory to himself out of it. It is only accidentally that sin commends
God's righteousness. No thanks to the sinner for that, who intends no
such thing. The consideration of God's judging the world should for
ever silence all our doubtings of, and reflections upon, his justice
and equity. It is not for us to arraign the proceedings of such an
absolute Sovereign. The sentence of the supreme court, whence lies no
appeal, is not to be called in question.
Object. 4. The former objection is repeated and prosecuted (v. 7, 8),
for proud hearts will hardly be beaten out of their refuge of lies, but
will hold fast the deceit. But his setting off the objection in its own
colours is sufficient to answer it: If the truth of God has more
abounded through my lie. He supposes the sophisters to follow their
objection thus: "If my lie, that is, my sin" (for there is something of
a lie in every sin, especially in the sins of professors) "have
occasioned the glorifying of God's truth and faithfulness, why should I
be judged and condemned as a sinner, and not rather thence take
encouragement to go on in my sin, that grace may abound?" an inference
which at first sight appears too black to be argued, and fit to be cast
out with abhorrence. Daring sinners take occasion to boast in mischief,
because the goodness of God endures continually, Ps. lii. 1. Let us do
evil that good may come is oftener in the heart than in the mouth of
sinners, so justifying themselves in their wicked ways. Mentioning this
wicked thought, he observes, in a parenthesis, that there were those
who charged such doctrines as this upon Paul and his fellow-ministers:
Some affirm that we say so. It is no new thing for the best of God's
people and ministers to be charged with holding and teaching such
things as they do most detest and abhor; and it is not to be thought
strange, when our Master himself was said to be in league with
Beelzebub. Many have been reproached as if they had said that the
contrary of which they maintain: it is an old artifice of Satan thus to
cast dirt upon Christ's ministers, Fortiter calumniari, aliquid
adhærebit--Lay slander thickly on, for some will be sure to stick. The
best men and the best truths are subject to slander. Bishop Sanderson
makes a further remark upon this, as we are slanderously
reported--blasphemoumetha. Blasphemy in scripture usually signifies the
highest degree of slander, speaking ill of God. The slander of a
minister and his regular doctrine is a more than ordinary slander, it
is a kind of blasphemy, not for his person's sake, but for his
calling's sake and his work's sake, 1 Thess. v. 13.
Answer. He says no more by way of confutation but that, whatever they
themselves may argue, the damnation of those is just. Some understand
it of the slanderers; God will justly condemn those who unjustly
condemn his truth. Or, rather, it is to be applied to those who
embolden themselves in sin under a pretence of God's getting glory to
himself out of it. Those who deliberately do evil that good may come of
it will be so far from escaping, under the shelter of that excuse, that
it will rather justify their damnation, and render them the more
inexcusable; for sinning upon such a surmise, and in such a confidence,
argues a great deal both of the wit and of the will in the sin--a
wicked will deliberately to choose the evil, and a wicked wit to
palliate it with the pretence of good arising from it. Therefore their
damnation is just; and, whatever excuses of this kind they may now
please themselves with, they will none of them stand good in the great
day, but God will be justified in his proceedings, and all flesh, even
the proud flesh that now lifts up itself against him, shall be silent
before him. Some think Paul herein refers to the approaching ruin of
the Jewish church and nation, which their obstinacy and
self-justification in their unbelief hastened upon them apace.
II. Paul, having removed these objections, next revives his assertion
of the general guilt and corruption of mankind in common, both of Jews
and Gentiles, v. 9-18. "Are we better than they, we Jews, to whom were
committed the oracles of God? Does this recommend us to God, or will
this justify us? No, by no means." Or, "Are we Christians (Jews and
Gentiles) so much better antecedently than the unbelieving part as to
have merited God's grace? Alas! no: before free grace made the
difference, those of us that had been Jews and those that had been
Gentiles were all alike corrupted." They are all under sin. Under the
guilt of sin: under it as under a sentence;--under it as under a bond,
by which they are bound over to eternal ruin and damnation;--under it
as under a burden (Ps. xxxviii. 4) that will sink them to the lowest
hell: we are guilty before God, v. 19. Under the government and
dominion of sin: under it as under a tyrant and cruel task-master,
enslaved to it;--under it as under a yoke;--under the power of it, sold
to work wickedness. And this he had proved, proetiasametha. It is a law
term: We have charged them with it, and have made good our charge; we
have proved the indictment, we have convicted them by the notorious
evidence of the fact. This charge and conviction he here further
illustrates by several scriptures out of the Old Testament, which
describe the corrupt depraved state of all men, till grave restrain or
change them; so that herein as in a glass we may all of us behold our
natural face. The 10th, 11th, and 12th verses are taken from Ps. xiv.
1-3, which are repeated as containing a very weighty truth, Ps. liii.
1-3. The rest that follows here is found in the Septuagint translation
of the 14th Psalm, which some think the apostle chooses to follow as
better known; but I rather think that Paul took these passages from
other places of scripture here referred to, but in later copies of the
LXX. they were all added in Ps. xiv. from this discourse of Paul. It is
observable that, to prove the general corruption of nature, he quotes
some scriptures which speak of the particular corruptions of particular
persons, as of Doeg (Ps. cxl. 3), of the Jews (Isa. lix. 7, 8), which
shows that the same sins that are committed by one are in the nature of
all. The times of David and Isaiah were some of the better times, and
yet to their days he refers. What is said Ps. xiv. is expressly spoken
of all the children of men, and that upon a particular view and
inspection made by God himself. The Lord looked down, as upon the old
world, Gen. vi. 5. And this judgment of God was according to truth. He
who, when he himself had made all, looked upon every thing that he had
made, and behold all was very good, now that man had marred all,
looked, and behold all was very bad. Let us take a view of the
particulars. Observe,
1. That which is habitual, which is two-fold:--
(1.) An habitual defect of every thing that is good. [1.] There is none
righteous, none that has an honest good principle of virtue, or is
governed by such a principle, none that retains any thing of that image
of God, consisting in righteousness, wherein man was created; no, not
one; implying that, if there had been but one, God would have found him
out. When all the world was corrupt, God had his eye upon one righteous
Noah. Even those who through grace are justified and sanctified were
none of them righteous by nature. No righteousness is born with us. The
man after God's own heart owns himself conceived in sin. [2.] There is
none that understandeth, v. 11. The fault lies in the corruption of the
understanding; that is blinded, depraved, perverted. Religion and
righteousness have so much reason on their side that if people had but
any understanding they would be better and do better. But they do not
understand. Sinners are fools. [3.] None that seeketh after God, that
is, none that has any regard to God, any desire after him. Those may
justly be reckoned to have no understanding that do not seek after God.
The carnal mind is so far from seeking after God that really it is
enmity against him. [4.] They are together become unprofitable, v. 12.
Those that have forsaken God soon grow good for nothing, useless
burdens of the earth. Those that are in a state of sin are the most
unprofitable creatures under the sun; for it follows, [5.] There is
none that doeth good; no, not a just man upon the earth, that doeth
good, and sinneth not, Eccl. vii. 23. Even in those actions of sinners
that have some goodness in them there is a fundamental error in the
principle and end; so that it may be said, There is none that doeth
good. Malum oritur ex quolibet defectu--Every defect is the source of
evil.
(2.) An habitual defection to every thing that is evil: They are all
gone out of the way. No wonder that those miss the right way who do not
seek after God, the highest end. God made man in the way, set him in
right, but he hath forsaken it. The corruption of mankind is an
apostasy.
2. That which is actual. And what good can be expected from such a
degenerate race? He instances,
(1.) In their words (v. 13, 14), in three things particularly:--[1.]
Cruelty: Their throat is an open sepulchre, ready to swallow up the
poor and innocent, waiting an opportunity to do mischief, like the old
serpent seeking to devour, whose name is Abaddon and Apollyon, the
destroyer. And when they do not openly avow this cruelty, and vent it
publicly, yet they are underhand intending mischief: the poison of asps
is under their lips (Jam. iii. 8), the most venomous and incurable
poison, with which they blast the good name of their neighbour by
reproaches, and aim at his life by false witness. These passages are
borrowed from Ps. v. 9 and cxl. 3. [2.] Cheating: With their tongues
they have used deceit. Herein they show themselves the devil's
children, for he is a liar, and the father of lies. They have used it:
it intimates that they make a trade of lying; it is their constant
practice, especially belying the ways and people of God. [3.] Cursing:
reflecting upon God, and blaspheming his holy name; wishing evil to
their brethren: Their mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. This is
mentioned as one of the great sins of the tongue, Jam. iii. 9. But
those that thus love cursing shall have enough of it, Ps. cix. 17-19.
How many, who are called Christians, do by these sin evince that they
are still under the reign and dominion of sin, still in the condition
that they were born in.
(2.) In their ways (v. 15-17): Their feet are swift to shed blood; that
is, they are very industrious to compass any cruel design, ready to lay
hold of all such opportunities. Wherever they go, destruction and
misery go along with them; these are their companions--destruction and
misery to the people of God, to the country and neighbourhood where
they live, to the land and nation, and to themselves at last. Besides
the destruction and misery that are at the end of their ways (death is
the end of these things), destruction and misery are in their ways;
their sin is its own punishment: a man needs no more to make him
miserable than to be a slave to his sins.--And the way of peace have
they not known; that is, they know not how to preserve peace with
others, nor how to obtain peace for themselves. They may talk of peace,
such a peace as is in the devil's palace, while he keeps it, but they
are strangers to all true peace; they know not the things that belong
to their peace. These are quoted from Prov. i. 16; Isa. lix. 7, 8.
(3.) The root of all this we have: There is no fear of God before their
eyes, v. 18. The fear of God is here put for all practical religion,
which consists in an awful and serious regard to the word and will of
God as our rule, to the honour and glory of God as our end. Wicked
people have not this before their eyes; that is, they do not steer by
it; they are governed by other rules, aim at other ends. This is quoted
from Ps. xxxvi. 1. Where no fear of God is, no good is to be expected.
The fear of God should lay a restraint upon our spirits, and keep them
right, Neh. v. 15. When once fear is cast off, prayer is restrained
(Job xv. 4), and then all goes to wreck and ruin quickly. So that we
have here a short account of the general depravity and corruption of
mankind; and may say, O Adam! what hast thou done? God made man
upright, but thus he hath sought out many inventions.
Justification by Faith; Christ a Propitiation. (a. d. 58.)
19 Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them
who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the
world may become guilty before God. 20 Therefore by the deeds of the
law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is
the knowledge of sin. 21 But now the righteousness of God without the
law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 22
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto
all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: 23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ
Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith
in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins
that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say,
at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the
justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then?
It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the
deeds of the law. 29 Is he the God of the Jews only? is he not also
of the Gentiles? Yes, of the Gentiles also: 30 Seeing it is one God,
which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision
through faith. 31 Do we then make void the law through faith? God
forbid: yea, we establish the law.
From all this Paul infers that it is in vain to look for justification
by the works of the law, and that it is to be had only by faith, which
is the point he has been all along proving, from ch. i. 17, and which
he lays down (v. 28) as the summary of his discourse, with a quod erat
demonstrandum--which was to be demonstrated. We conclude that a man is
justified by faith, without the deeds of the law; not by the deeds of
the first law of pure innocence, which left no room for repentance, nor
the deeds of the law of nature, how highly soever improved, nor the
deeds of the ceremonial law (the blood of bulls and goats could not
take away sin), nor the deeds of the moral law, which are certainly
included, for he speaks of that law by which is the knowledge of sin
and those works which might be matter of boasting. Man, in his depraved
state, under the power of such corruption, could never, by any works of
his own, gain acceptance with God; but it must be resolved purely into
the free grace of God, given through Jesus Christ to all true believers
that receive it as a free gift. If we had never sinned, our obedience
to the law would have been our righteousness: "Do this, and live." But
having sinned, and being corrupted, nothing that we can do will atone
for our former guilt. It was by their obedience to the moral law that
the Pharisees looked for justification, Luke xviii. 11. Now there are
two things from which the apostle here argues: the guiltiness of man,
to prove that we cannot be justified by the works of the law, and the
glory of God, to prove that we must be justified by faith.
I. He argues from man's guiltiness, to show the folly of expecting
justification by the works of the law. The argument is very plain: we
can never be justified and saved by the law that we have broken. A
convicted traitor can never come off by pleading the statute of 25
Edward III., for that law discovers his crime and condemns him: indeed,
if he had never broken it, he might have been justified by it; but now
it is past that he has broken it, and there is no way of coming off but
by pleading the act of indemnity, upon which he has surrendered and
submitted himself, and humbly and penitently claiming the benefit of it
and casting himself upon it. Now concerning the guiltiness of man,
1. He fastens it particularly upon the Jews; for they were the men that
made their boast of the law, and set up for justification by it. He had
quoted several scriptures out of the Old Testament to show this
corruption: Now, says he (v. 19), this that the law says, it says to
those who are under the law; this conviction belongs to the Jews as
well as others, for it is written in their law. The Jews boasted of
their being under the law, and placed a great deal of confidence in it:
"But," says he, "the law convicts and condemns you--you see it does."
That every mouth may be stopped--that all boasting may be silenced. See
the method that God takes both in justifying and condemning: he stops
every mouth; those that are justified have their mouths stopped by a
humble conviction; those that are condemned have their mouths stopped
too, for they shall at last be convinced (Jude 15), and sent speechless
to hell, Matt. xxii. 12. All iniquity shall stop her mouth, Ps. cvii.
42.
2. He extends it in general to all the world: That all the world may
become guilty before God. If the world lieth in wickedness (1 John v.
19), to be sure it is guilty.--May become guilty; that is, may be
proved guilty, liable to punishment, all by nature children of wrath,
Eph. ii. 3. They must all plead guilty; those that stand most upon
their own justification will certainly be cast. Guilty before God is a
dreadful word, before an all-seeing God, that is not, nor can be,
deceived in his judgment--before a just and righteous judge, who will
by no means clear the guilty. All are guilty, and therefore all have
need of a righteousness wherein to appear before God. For all have
sinned (v. 23); all are sinners by nature, by practice, and have come
short of the glory of God--have failed of that which is the chief end
of man. Come short, as the archer comes short of the mark, as the
runner comes short of the prize; so come short, as not only not to win,
but to be great losers. Come short of the glory of God. (1.) Come short
of glorifying God. See ch. i. 21, They glorified him not as God. Man
was placed at the head of the visible creation, actively to glorify
that great Creator whom the inferior creatures could glorify only
objectively; but man by sin comes short of this, and, instead of
glorifying God, dishonours him. It is a very melancholy consideration,
to look upon the children of men, who were made to glorify God, and to
think how few there are that do it. (2.) Come short of glorying before
God. There is no boasting of innocency: if we go about to glory before
God, to boast of any thing we are, or have, or do, this will be an
everlasting estoppel--that we have all sinned, and this will silence
us. We may glory before men, who are short-sighted, and cannot search
our hearts,--who are corrupt, as we are, and well enough pleased with
sin; but there is no glorying before God, who cannot endure to look
upon iniquity. (3.) Come short of being glorified by God. Come short of
justification, or acceptance with God, which is glory begun--come short
of the holiness or sanctification which is the glorious image of God
upon man, and have overthrown all hopes and expectations of being
glorified with God in heaven by any righteousness of their own. It is
impossible now to get to heaven in the way of spotless innocency. That
passage is blocked up. There is a cherub and a flaming sword set to
keep that way to the tree of life.
3. Further to drive us off from expecting justification by the law, he
ascribes this conviction to the law (v. 20): For by the law is the
knowledge of sin. That law which convicts and condemns us can never
justify us. The law is the straight rule, that rectum which is index
sui et obliqui--that which points out the right and the wrong; it is
the proper use and intendment of the law to open our wound, and
therefore not likely to be the remedy. That which is searching is not
sanative. Those that would know sin must get the knowledge of the law
in its strictness, extent, and spiritual nature. If we compare our own
hearts and lives with the rule, we shall discover wherein we have
turned aside. Paul makes this use of the law, ch. vii. 9, Therefore by
the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified in his sight. Observe,
(1.) No flesh shall be justified, no man, no corrupted man (Gen. vi.
3), for that he also is flesh, sinful and depraved; therefore not
justified, because we are flesh. The corruption that remains in our
nature will for ever obstruct any justification by our own works,
which, coming from flesh, must needs taste of the cask, Job xiv. 4.
(2.) Not justified in his sight. He does not deny that justification
which was by the deeds of the law in the sight of the church: they
were, in their church-estate, as embodied in a polity, a holy people, a
nation of priests; but as the conscience stands in relation to God, in
his sight, we cannot be justified by the deeds of the law. The apostle
refers to Ps. cxliii. 2.
II. He argues from God's glory to prove that justification must be
expected only by faith in Christ's righteousness. There is no
justification by the works of the law. Must guilty man then remain
eternally under wrath? Is there no hope? Is the wound become incurable
because of transgression? No, blessed be God, it is not (v. 21, 22);
there is another way laid open for us, the righteousness of God without
the law is manifested now under the gospel. Justification may be
obtained without the keeping of Moses's law: and this is called the
righteousness of God, righteousness of his ordaining, and providing,
and accepting,--righteousness which he confers upon us; as the
Christian armour is called the armour of God, Eph. vi. 11.
1. Now concerning this righteousness of God observe, (1.) That it is
manifested. The gospel-way of justification is a high-way, a plain way,
it is laid open for us: the brazen serpent is lifted up upon the pole;
we are not left to grope our way in the dark, but it is manifested to
us. (2.) It is without the law. Here he obviates the method of the
judaizing Christians, who would needs join Christ and Moses
together--owning Christ for the Messiah, and yet too fondly retaining
the law, keeping up the ceremonies of it, and imposing it upon the
Gentile converts: no, says he, it is without the law. The righteousness
that Christ hath brought in is a complete righteousness. (3.) Yet it is
witnessed by the law and the prophets; that is, there were types, and
prophecies, and promises, in the Old Testament, that pointed at this.
The law is so far from justifying us that it directs us to another way
of justification, points at Christ as our righteousness, to whom bear
all the prophets witness. See Acts x. 43. This might recommend it to
the Jews, who were so fond of the law and the prophets. (4.) It is by
the faith of Jesus Christ, that faith which hath Jesus Christ for its
object--an anointed Saviour, so Jesus Christ signifies. Justifying
faith respects Christ as a Saviour in all his three anointed offices,
as prophet, priest, and king--trusting in him, accepting of him, and
adhering to him, in all these. It is by this that we become interested
in that righteousness which God has ordained, and which Christ has
brought in. (5.) It is to all, and upon all, those that believe. In
this expression he inculcates that which he had been often harping
upon, that Jews and Gentiles, if they believe, stand upon the same
level, and are alike welcome to God through Christ; for there is no
difference. Or, it is eis pantas--to all, offered to all in general;
the gospel excludes none that do not exclude themselves; but it is epi
pantas tous pisteuontas, upon all that believe, not only tendered to
them, but put upon them as a crown, as a robe; they are, upon their
believing, interested in it, and entitled to all the benefits and
privileges of it.
2. But now how is this for God's glory?
(1.) It is for the glory of his grace (v. 24): Justified freely by his
grace--dorean te autou chariti. It is by his grace, not by the grace
wrought in us as the papists say, confounding justification and
sanctification, but by the gracious favour of God to us, without any
merit in us so much as foreseen. And, to make it the more emphatic, he
says it is freely by his grace, to show that it must be understood of
grace in the most proper and genuine sense. It is said that Joseph
found grace in the sight of his master (Gen. xxxix. 4), but there was a
reason; he saw that what he did prospered. There was something in
Joseph to invite that grace; but the grace of God communicated to us
comes freely, freely; it is free grace, mere mercy; nothing in us to
deserve such favours: no, it is all through the redemption that is in
Jesus Christ. It comes freely to us, but Christ bought it, and paid
dearly for it, which yet is so ordered as not to derogate from the
honour of free grace. Christ's purchase is no bar to the freeness of
God's grace; for grace provided and accepted this vicarious
satisfaction.
(2.) It is for the glory of his justice and righteousness (v. 25, 26):
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation, &c. Note, [1.] Jesus
Christ is the great propitiation, or propitiatory sacrifice, typified
by the hilasterion, or mercy-seat, under the law. He is our throne of
grace, in and through whom atonement is made for sin, and our persons
and performances are accepted of God, 1 John ii. 2. He is all in all in
our reconciliation, not only the maker, but the matter of it--our
priest, our sacrifice, our altar, our all. God was in Christ as in his
mercy-seat, reconciling the world unto himself. [2.] God hath set him
forth to be so. God, the party offended, makes the first overtures
towards a reconciliation, appoints the days-man;
proetheto--fore-ordained him to this, in the counsels of his love from
eternity, appointed, anointed him to it, qualified him for it, and has
exhibited him to a guilty world as their propitiation. See Matt. iii.
17, and xvii. 5. [3.] That by faith in his blood we become interested
in this propitiation. Christ is the propitiation; there is the healing
plaster provided. Faith is the applying of this plaster to the wounded
soul. And this faith in the business of justification hath a special
regard to the blood of Christ, as that which made the atonement; for
such was the divine appointment that without blood there should be no
remission, and no blood but his would do it effectually. Here may be an
allusion to the sprinkling of the blood of the sacrifices under the
law, as Exod. xxiv. 8. Faith is the bunch of hyssop, and the blood of
Christ is the blood of sprinkling. [4.] That all who by faith are
interested in this propitiation have the remission of their sins that
are past. It was for this that Christ was set forth to be a
propitiation, in order to remission, to which the reprieves of his
patience and forbearance were a very encouraging preface. Through the
forbearance of God. Divine patience has kept us out of hell, that we
might have space to repent, and get to heaven. Some refer the sins that
are past to the sins of the Old-Testament saints, which were pardoned
for the sake of the atonement which Christ in the fulness of time was
to make, which looked backward as well as forward. Past through the
forbearance of God. It is owing to the divine forbearance that we were
not taken in the very act of sin. Several Greek copies make en te
anoche tou Theou--through the forbearance of God, to begin v. 26, and
they denote two precious fruits of Christ's merit and God's
grace:--Remission: dia ten paresin--for the remission; and reprieves:
the forbearance of God. It is owing to the master's goodness and the
dresser's mediation that barren trees are let alone in the vineyard;
and in both God's righteousness is declared, in that without a mediator
and a propitiation he would not only not pardon, but not so much as
forbear, not spare a moment; it is owning to Christ that there is ever
a sinner on this side hell. [5.] That God does in all this declare his
righteousness. This he insists upon with a great deal of emphasis: To
declare, I say, at this time his righteousness. It is repeated, as that
which has in it something surprising. He declares his righteousness,
First, In the propitiation itself. Never was there such a demonstration
of the justice and holiness of God as there was in the death of Christ.
It appears that he hates sin, when nothing less than the blood of
Christ would satisfy for it. Finding sin, though but imputed, upon his
own Son, he did not spare him, because he had made himself sin for us,
2 Cor. v. 21. The iniquities of us all being laid upon him, though he
was the Son of his love, yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him, Isa.
liii. 10. Secondly, In the pardon upon that propitiation; so it
follows, by way of explication: That he might be just, and the
justifier of him that believeth. Mercy and truth are so met together,
righteousness and peace have so kissed each other, that it is now
become not only an act of grace and mercy, but an act of righteousness,
in God, to pardon the sins of penitent believers, having accepted the
satisfaction that Christ by dying made to his justice for them. It
would not comport with his justice to demand the debt of the principal
when the surety has paid it and he has accepted that payment in full
satisfaction. See 1 John i. 9. He is just, that is, faithful to his
word.
(3.) It is for God's glory; for boasting is thus excluded, v. 27. God
will have the great work of the justification and salvation of sinners
carried on from first to last in such a way as to exclude boasting,
that no flesh may glory in his presence, 1 Cor. i. 29-31. Now, if
justification were by the works of the law, boasting would not be
excluded. How should it? If we were saved by our own works, we might
put the crown upon our own heads. But the law of faith, that is, the
way of justification by faith, doth for ever exclude boasting; for
faith is a depending, self-emptying, self-denying grace, and casts
every crown before the throne; therefore it is most for God's glory
that thus we should be justified. Observe, He speaks of the law of
faith. Believers are not left lawless: faith is a law, it is a working
grace, wherever it is in truth; and yet, because it acts in a strict
and close dependence upon Jesus Christ, it excludes boasting.
From all this he draws this conclusion (v. 28): That a man is justified
by faith without the deeds of the law.
III. In the close of the chapter he shows the extent of this privilege
of justification by faith, and that it is not the peculiar privilege of
the Jews, but pertains to the Gentiles also; for he had said (v. 22)
that there is no difference: and as to this, 1. He asserts and proves
it (v. 29): Is he the God of the Jews only? He argues from the
absurdity of such a supposition. Can it be imagined that a God of
infinite love and mercy should limit and confine his favours to that
little perverse people of the Jews, leaving all the rest of the
children of men in a condition eternally desperate? This would by no
means agree with the idea we have of the divine goodness, for his
tender mercies are over all his works; therefore it is one God of grace
that justifies the circumcision by faith, and the uncircumcision
through faith, that is, both in one and the same way. However the Jews,
in favour of themselves, will needs fancy a difference, really there is
no more difference than between by and through, that is, no difference
at all. 2. He obviates an objection (v. 31), as if this doctrine did
nullify the law, which they knew came from God: "No," says he, "though
we do say that the law will not justify us, yet we do not therefore say
that it was given in vain, or is of no use to us; no, we establish the
right use of the law, and secure its standing, by fixing it on the
right basis. The law is still of use to convince us of what is past,
and to direct us for the future; though we cannot be saved by it as a
covenant, yet we own it, and submit to it, as a rule in the hand of the
Mediator, subordinate to the law of grace; and so are so far from
overthrowing that we establish the law." Let those consider this who
deny the obligation of the moral law on believers.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. IV.
The great gospel doctrine of justification by faith without the works
of the law was so very contrary to the notions the Jews had learnt from
those that sat in Moses' chair, that it would hardly go down with them;
and therefore the apostle insists very largely upon it, and labours
much in the confirmation and illustration of it. He had before proved
it by reason and argument, now in this chapter he proves it by example,
which in some places serves for confirmation as well as illustration.
The example he pitches upon is that of Abraham, whom he chooses to
mention because the Jews gloried much in their relation to Abraham, put
it in the first rank of their external privileges that they were
Abraham's seed, and truly they had Abraham for their father. Therefore
this instance was likely to be more taking and convincing to the Jews
than any other. His argument stands thus: "All that are saved are
justified in the same way as Abraham was; but Abraham was justified by
faith, and not by works; therefore all that are saved are so
justified;" for it would easily be acknowledged that Abraham was the
father of the faithful. Now this is an argument, not only à pari--from
an equal case, as they say, but à fortiori--from a stronger case. If
Abraham, a man so famous for works, so eminent in holiness and
obedience, was nevertheless justified by faith only, and not by those
works, how much less can any other, especially any of those that spring
from him, and come so far short of him in works, set up for a
justification by their own works? And it proves likewise, ex
abundanti--the more abundantly, as some observe, that we are not
justified, no not by those good works which flow from faith, as the
matter of our righteousness; for such were Abraham's works, and are we
better than he? The whole chapter is taken up with his discourse upon
this instance, and there is this in it, which hath a particular
reference to the close of the foregoing chapter, where he has asserted
that, in the business of justification, Jews and Gentiles stand upon
the same level. Now in this chapter, with a great deal of cogency of
argument, I. He proves that Abraham was justified not by works, but by
faith, ver. 1-8. II. He observes when and why he was so justified, ver.
9-17. III. He describes and commends that faith of his, ver. 17-22. IV.
He applies all this to us, ver. 22-25. And, if he had now been in the
school of Tyrannus, he could not have disputed more argumentatively.
The Case of Abraham. (a. d. 58.)
1 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the
flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath
whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture?
Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of
debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that
justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. 6
Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God
imputeth righteousness without works, 7 Saying, Blessed are they
whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed
is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.
Here the apostle proves that Abraham was justified not by works, but by
faith. Those that of all men contended most vigorously for a share in
righteousness by the privileges they enjoyed, and the works they
performed, were the Jews, and therefore he appeals to the case of
Abraham their father, and puts his own name to the relation, being a
Hebrew of the Hebrews: Abraham our father. Now surely his prerogative
must needs be as great as theirs who claim it as his seed according to
the flesh. Now what has he found? All the world is seeking; but, while
the most are wearying themselves for very vanity, none can be truly
reckoned to have found, but those who are justified before God; and
thus Abraham, like a wise merchant, seeking goodly pearls, found this
one pearl of great price. What has he found, kata sarka--as pertaining
to the flesh, that is, by circumcision and his external privileges and
performances? These the apostle calls flesh, Phil. iii. 3. Now what did
he get by these? Was he justified by them? Was it the merit of his
works that recommended him to God's acceptance? No, by no means, which
he proves by several arguments.
I. If he had been justified by works, room would have been left for
boasting, which must for ever be excluded. If so, he hath whereof to
glory (v. 2), which is not to be allowed. "But," might the Jews say,
"was not his name made great (Gen. xii. 2), and then might not he
glory?" Yes, but not before God; he might deserve well of men, but he
could never merit of God. Paul himself had whereof to glory before men,
and we have him sometimes glorying in it, yet with humility; but
nothing to glory in before God, 1 Cor. iv. 4; Phil. iii. 8, 9. So
Abraham. Observe, He takes it for granted that man must not pretend to
glory in any thing before God; no, not Abraham, as great and as good a
man as he was; and therefore he fetches an argument from it: it would
be absurd for him that glorieth to glory in any but the Lord.
II. It is expressly said that Abraham's faith was counted to him for
righteousness. What saith the scripture? v. 3. In all controversies in
religion this must be our question, What saith the scripture? It is not
what this great man, and the other good man, say, but What saith the
scripture? Ask counsel at this Abel, and so end the matter, 2 Sam. ii.
18. To the law, and to the testimony (Isa. viii. 20), thither is the
last appeal. Now the scripture saith that Abraham believed, and this
was counted to him for righteousness (Gen. xv. 6); therefore he had not
whereof to glory before God, it being purely of free grace that it was
so imputed, and having not in itself any of the formal nature of a
righteousness, further than as God himself was graciously pleased so to
count it to him. It is mentioned in Genesis, upon occasion of a very
signal and remarkable act of faith concerning the promised seed, and is
the more observable in that it followed upon a grievous conflict he had
had with unbelief; his faith was now a victorious faith, newly returned
from the battle. It is not the perfect faith that is required to
justification (there may be acceptable faith where there are remainders
of unbelief), but the prevailing faith, the faith that has the upper
hand of unbelief.
III. If he had been justified by faith, the reward would have been of
debt, and not of grace, which is not to be imagined. This is his
argument (v. 4, 5): Abraham's reward was God himself; so he had told
him but just before (Gen. xv. 1), I am thy exceeding great reward. Now,
if Abraham had merited this by the perfection of his obedience, it had
not been an act of grace in God, but Abraham might have demanded it
with as much confidence as ever any labourer in the vineyard demanded
the penny he had earned. But this cannot be; it is impossible for man,
much more guilty man, to make God a debtor to him, Rom. xi. 35. No, God
will have free grace to have all the glory, grace for grace's sake,
John i. 16. And therefore to him that worketh not--that can pretend to
no such merit, nor show any worth or value in his work, which may
answer such a reward, but disclaiming any such pretension casts himself
wholly upon the free grace of God in Christ, by a lively, active,
obedient faith--to such a one faith is counted for righteousness, is
accepted of God as the qualification required in all those that shall
be pardoned and saved. Him that justifieth the ungodly, that is, him
that was before ungodly. His former ungodliness was no bar to his
justification upon his believing: ton asebe--that ungodly one, that is,
Abraham, who, before his conversion, it should seem, was carried down
the stream of the Chaldean idolatry, Josh. xxiv. 2. No room therefore
is left for despair; though God clears not the impenitent guilty, yet
through Christ he justifies the ungodly.
IV. He further illustrates this by a passage out of the Psalms, where
David speaks of the remission of sins, the prime branch of
justification, as constituting the happiness and blessedness of a man,
pronouncing blessed, not the man who has no sin, or none which deserved
death (for then, while man is so sinful, and God so righteous, where
would be the blessed man?) but the man to whom the Lord imputeth not
sin, who though he cannot plead, Not guilty, pleads the act of
indemnity, and his plea is allowed. It is quoted from Ps. xxxii. 1, 2,
where observe, 1. The nature of forgiveness. It is the remission of a
debt or a crime; it is the covering of sin, as a filthy thing, as the
nakedness and shame of the soul. God is said to cast sin behind his
back, to hide his face from it, which, and the like expressions, imply
that the ground of our blessedness is not our innocency, or our not
having sinned (a thing is, and is filthy, though covered; justification
does not make the sin not to have been, or not to have been sin), but
God's not laying it to our charge, as it follows here: it is God's not
imputing sin (v. 8), which makes it wholly a gracious act of God, not
dealing with us in strict justice as we have deserved, not entering
into judgment, not marking iniquities, all which being purely acts of
grace, the acceptance and the reward cannot be expected as debts; and
therefore Paul infers (v. 6) that it is the imputing of righteousness
without works. 2. The blessedness of it: Blessed are they. When it is
said, Blessed are the undefiled in the way, blessed is the man that
walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, &c., the design is to show
the characters of those that are blessed; but when it is said, Blessed
are those whose iniquities are forgiven, the design is to show what
that blessedness is, and what the ground and foundation of it. Pardoned
people are the only blessed people. The sentiments of the world are,
Those are happy that have a clear estate, and are out of debt to man;
but the sentence of the word is, Those are happy that have their debts
to God discharged. O how much therefore is it our interest to make it
sure to ourselves that our sins are pardoned! For this is the
foundation of all other benefits. So and so I will do for them; for I
will be merciful, Heb. viii. 12.
The Case of Abraham. (a. d. 58.)
9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the
uncircumcision also? for we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for
righteousness. 10 How was it then reckoned? when he was in
circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in
uncircumcision. 11 And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal
of the righteousness of the faith which he had yet being uncircumcised:
that he might be the father of all them that believe, though they be
not circumcised; that righteousness might be imputed unto them also:
12 And the father of circumcision to them who are not of the
circumcision only, but who also walk in the steps of that faith of our
father Abraham, which he had being yet uncircumcised. 13 For the
promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham,
or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of
faith. 14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made
void, and the promise made of none effect: 15 Because the law worketh
wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. 16 Therefore
it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might
be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to
that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us
all, 17a (As it is written, I have made thee a father of many
nations,)
St. Paul observes in this paragraph when and why Abraham was thus
justified; for he has several things to remark upon that. It was before
he was circumcised, and before the giving of the law; and there was a
reason for both.
I. It was before he was circumcised, v. 10. His faith was counted to
him for righteousness while he was in uncircumcision. It was imputed,
Gen. xv. 6, and he was not circumcised till ch. xvii.. Abraham is
expressly said to be justified by faith fourteen years, some say
twenty-five years, before he was circumcised. Now this the apostle
takes notice of in answer to the question (v. 9), Cometh this
blessedness then on the circumcision only, or on the uncircumcision
also? Abraham was pardoned and accepted in uncircumcision, a
circumstance which, as it might silence the fears of the poor
uncircumcised Gentiles, so it might lower the pride and conceitedness
of the Jews, who gloried in their circumcision, as if they had the
monopoly of all happiness. Here are two reasons why Abraham was
justified by faith in uncircumcision:--
1. That circumcision might be a seal of the righteousness of faith, v.
11. The tenour of the covenants must first be settled before the seal
can be annexed. Sealing supposes a previous bargain, which is confirmed
and ratified by that ceremony. After Abraham's justification by faith
had continued several years only a grant by parole, for the
confirmation of Abraham's faith God was pleased to appoint a sealing
ordinance, and Abraham received it; though it was a bloody ordinance,
yet he submitted to it, and even received it as a special favour, the
sign of circumcision, &c. Now we may hence observe, (1.) The nature of
sacraments in general: they are signs and seals--signs to represent and
instruct, seals to ratify and confirm. They are signs of absolute grace
and favour; they are seals of the conditional promises; nay, they are
mutual seals: God does in the sacraments seal to us to be to us a God,
and we do therein seal to him to be to him a people. (2.) The nature of
circumcision in particular: it was the initiating sacrament of the Old
Testament; and it is here said to be, [1.] A sign--a sign of that
original corruption which we are all born with, and which is cut off by
spiritual circumcision,--a commemorating sign of God's covenant with
Abraham,--a distinguishing sign between Jews and Gentiles,--a sign of
admission into the visible church,--a sign prefiguring baptism, which
comes in the room of circumcision, now under the gospel, when (the
blood of Christ being shed) all bloody ordinances are abolished; it was
an outward and sensible sign of an inward and spiritual grace signified
thereby. [2.] A seal of the righteousness of the faith. In general, it
was a seal of the covenant of grace, particularly of justification by
faith--the covenant of grace, called the righteousness which is of
faith (ch. x. 6), and it refers to an Old-Testament promise, Deut. xxx.
12. Now if infants were then capable of receiving a seal of the
covenant of grace, which proves that they then were within the verge of
that covenant, how they come to be now cast out of the covenant and
incapable of the seal, and by what severe sentence they were thus
rejected and incapacitated, those are concerned to make out that not
only reject, but nullify and reproach, the baptism of the seed of
believers.
2. That he might be the father of all those that believe. Not but that
there were those that were justified by faith before Abraham; but of
Abraham first it is particularly observed, and in him commenced a much
clearer and fuller dispensation of the covenant of grace than any that
had been before extant; and there he is called the father of all that
believe, because he was so eminent a believer, and so eminently
justified by faith, as Jabal was the father of shepherds and Jubal of
musicians, Gen. iv. 20, 21. The father of all those that believe; that
is, a standing pattern of faith, as parents are examples to their
children; and a standing precedent of justification by faith, as the
liberties, privileges, honours, and estates, of the fathers descend to
their children. Abraham was the father of believers, because to him
particularly the magna charta was renewed. (1.) The father of believing
Gentiles, though they be not circumcised. Zaccheus, a publican, if he
believe, is reckoned a son of Abraham, Luke xix. 9. Abraham being
himself uncircumcised when he was justified by faith, uncircumcision
can never be a bar. Thus were the doubts and fears of the poor Gentiles
anticipated and no room left to question but that righteousness might
be imputed to them also, Col. iii. 11; Gal. v. 6. (2.) The father of
believing Jews, not merely as circumcised, and of the seed of Abraham
according to the flesh, but because believers, because they are not of
the circumcision only (that is, are not only circumcised), but walk in
the steps of that faith--have not only the sign, but the thing
signified--not only are of Abraham's family, but follow the example of
Abraham's faith. See here who are the genuine children and lawful
successors of those that were the church's fathers: not those that sit
in their chairs, and bear their names, but those that tread in their
steps; this is the line of succession, which holds, notwithstanding
interruptions. It seems, then, those were most loud and forward to call
Abraham father that had least title to the honours and privileges of
his children. Thus those have most reason to call Christ Father, not
that bear his name in being Christians in profession, but that tread in
his steps.
II. It was before the giving of the law, v. 13-16. The former
observation is levelled against those that confined justification to
the circumcision, this against those that expected it by the law; now
the promise was made to Abraham long before the law. Compare Gal. iii.
17, 18. Now observe,
1. What that promise was--that he should be the heir of the world, that
is, of the land of Canaan, the choicest spot of ground in the
world,--or the father of many nations of the world, who sprang from
him, besides the Israelites,--or the heir of the comforts of the life
which now is. The meek are said to inherit the earth, and the world is
theirs. Though Abraham had so little of the world in possession, yet he
was heir of it all. Or, rather, it points at Christ, the seed here
mentioned; compare Gal. iii. 16, To thy seed, which is Christ. Now
Christ is the heir of the world, the ends of the earth are his
possession, and it is in him that Abraham was so. And it refers to that
promise (Gen. xii. 3), In thee shall all the families of the earth be
blessed.
2. How it was made to him: Not through the law, but through the
righteousness of faith. Not through the law, for that was not yet
given: but it was upon that believing which was counted to him for
righteousness; it was upon his trusting God, in his leaving his own
country when God commanded him, Heb. xi. 8. Now, being by faith, it
could not be by the law, which he proves by the opposition there is
between them (v. 14, 15): If those who are of the law be heirs; that
is, those, and those only, and they by virtue of the law (the Jews did,
and still do, boast that they are the rightful heirs of the world,
because to them the law was given), then faith is made void; for, if it
were requisite to an interest in the promise that there should be a
perfect performance of the whole law, then the promise can never take
its effect, nor is it to any purpose for us to depend upon it, since
the way to life by perfect obedience to the law, and spotless sinless
innocency, is wholly blocked up, and the law in itself opens no other
way. This he proves, v. 15. The law worketh wrath--wrath in us to God;
it irritates and provokes that carnal mind which is enmity to God, as
the damming up of a stream makes it swell--wrath in God against us. It
works this, that is, it discovers it, or our breach of the law works
it. Now it is certain that we can never expect the inheritance by a law
that worketh wrath. How the law works wrath he shows very concisely in
the latter part of the verse: Where no law is there is no
transgression, an acknowledged maxim, which implies, Where there is a
law there is transgression and that transgression is provoking, and so
the law worketh wrath.
3. Why the promise was made to him by faith; for three reasons, v. 16.
(1.) That it might be by grace, that grace might have the honour of it;
by grace, and not by the law; by grace, and not of debt, nor of merit;
that Grace, grace, might be cried to every stone, especially to the
top-stone, in this building. Faith hath particular reference to grace
granting, as grace hath reference to faith receiving. By grace, and
therefore through faith, Eph. ii. 8. For God will have every crown
thrown at the feet of grace, free grace, and every song in heaven sung
to that tune, Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name be
the praise. (2.) That the promise might be sure. The first covenant,
being a covenant of works, was not sure: but, through man's failure,
the benefits designed by it were cut off; and therefore, the more
effectually to ascertain and ensure the conveyance of the new covenant,
there is another way found out, not by works (were it so, the promise
would not be sure, because of the continual frailty and infirmity of
the flesh), but by faith, which receives all from Christ, and acts in a
continual dependence upon him, as the great trustee of our salvation,
and in whose keeping it is safe. The covenant is therefore sure,
because it is so well ordered in all things, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. (3.) That
it might be sure to all the seed. If it had been by the law, it had
been limited to the Jews, to whom pertained the glory, and the
covenants, and the giving of the law (ch. ix. 4); but therefore it was
by faith that Gentiles as well as Jews might become interested in it,
the spiritual as well as the natural seed of faithful Abraham. God
would contrive the promise in such a way as might make it most
extensive, to comprehend all true believers, that circumcision and
uncircumcision might break no squares; and for this (v. 17) he refers
us to Gen. xvii. 5, where the reason of the change of his name from
Abram--a high father, to Abraham--the high father of a multitude, is
thus rendered: For a father of many nations have I made thee; that is,
all believers, both before and since the coming of Christ in the flesh,
should take Abraham for their pattern, and call him father. The Jews
say Abraham was the father of all proselytes to the Jewish religion.
Behold, he is the father of all the world, which are gathered under the
wings of the Divine Majesty.--Maimonides.
The Case of Abraham. (a. d. 58.)
17b--Before him whom he believed, even God, who quickeneth the dead,
and calleth those things which be not as though they were. 18 Who
against hope believed in hope, that he might become the father of many
nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. 19
And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead,
when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of
Sara's womb: 20 He staggered not at the promise of God through
unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; 21 And being
fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to
perform. 22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.
Having observed when Abraham was justified by faith, and why, for the
honour of Abraham and for example to us who call him father, the
apostle here describes and commends the faith of Abraham, where
observe,
I. Whom he believed: God who quickeneth. It is God himself that faith
fastens upon: other foundation can no man lay. Now observe what in God
Abraham's faith had an eye to--to that, certainly, which would be most
likely to confirm his faith concerning the things promised:--1. God who
quickeneth the dead. It was promised that he should be the father of
many nations, when he and his wife were now as good as dead (Heb. xi.
11, 12), and therefore he looks upon God as a God that could breathe
life into dry bones. He that quickeneth the dead can do any thing, can
give a child to Abraham when he is old, can bring the Gentiles, who are
dead in trespasses and sins, to a divine and spiritual life, Eph. ii.
1. Compare Eph. i. 19, 20. 2. Who calleth things which are not as
though they were; that is, creates all things by the word of his power,
as in the beginning, Gen. i. 3; 2 Cor. iv. 6. The justification and
salvation of sinners, the espousing of the Gentiles that had not been a
people, were a gracious calling of things which are not as though they
were, giving being to things that were not. This expresses the
sovereignty of God and his absolute power and dominion, a mighty stay
to faith when all other props sink and totter. It is the holy wisdom
and policy of faith to fasten particularly on that in God which is
accommodated to the difficulties wherewith it is to wrestle, and will
most effectually answer the objections. It is faith indeed to build
upon the all-sufficiency of God for the accomplishment of that which is
impossible to anything but that all-sufficiency. Thus Abraham became
the father of many nations before him whom he believed, that is, in the
eye and account of God; or like him whom he believed; as God was a
common Father, so was Abraham. It is by faith in God that we become
accepted of him, and conformable to him.
II. How he believed. He here greatly magnifies the strength of
Abraham's faith, in several expressions. 1. Against hope, he believed
in hope, v. 18. There was a hope against him, a natural hope. All the
arguments of sense, and reason, and experience, which in such cases
usually beget and support hope, were against him; no second causes
smiled upon him, nor in the least favoured his hope. But, against all
those inducements to the contrary, he believed; for he had a hope for
him: He believed in hope, which arose, as his faith did, from the
consideration of God's all-sufficiency. That he might become the father
of many nations. Therefore God, by his almighty grace, enabled him thus
to believe against hope, that he might pass for a pattern of great and
strong faith to all generations. It was fit that he who was to be the
father of the faithful should have something more than ordinary in his
faith--that in him faith should be set in its highest elevation, and so
the endeavours of all succeeding believers be directed, raised, and
quickened. Or this is mentioned as the matter of the promise that he
believed; and he refers to Gen. xv. 5, So shall thy seed be, as the
stars of heaven, so innumerable, so illustrious. This was that which he
believed, when it was counted to him for righteousness, v. 6. And it is
observable that this particular instance of his faith was against hope,
against the surmises and suggestions of his unbelief. He had just
before been concluding hardly that he should go childless, that one
born in his house was his heir (v. 2, 3); and this unbelief was a foil
to his faith, and bespeaks it a believing against hope. 2. Being not
weak in faith, he considered not his own body, v. 19. Observe, His own
body was now dead--become utterly unlikely to beget a child, though the
new life and vigour that God gave him continued after Sarah was dead,
witness his children by Keturah. When God intends some special
blessing, some child of promise, for his people, he commonly puts a
sentence of death upon the blessing itself, and upon all the ways that
lead to it. Joseph must be enslaved and imprisoned before he be
advanced. But Abraham did not consider this, ou katenoese--he did not
dwell in his thoughts upon it. He said indeed, Shall a child be born to
him that is a hundred years old? Gen. xvii. 17. But that was the
language of his admiration and his desire to be further satisfied, not
of his doubting and distrust; his faith passed by that consideration,
and thought of nothing but the faithfulness of the promise, with the
contemplation whereof he was swallowed up, and this kept up his faith.
Being not weak in faith, he considered not. It is mere weakness of
faith that makes a man lie poring upon the difficulties and seeming
impossibilities that lie in the way of a promise. Though it may seem to
be the wisdom and policy of carnal reason, yet it is the weakness of
faith, to look into the bottom of all the difficulties that arise
against the promise. 3. He staggered not at the promise of God through
unbelief (v. 20), and he therefore staggered not because he considered
not the frowns and discouragements of second causes; ou diekrithe--he
disputed not; he did not hold any self-consultation about it, did not
take time to consider whether he should close with it or no, did not
hesitate nor stumble at it, but by a resolute and peremptory act of his
soul, with a holy boldness, ventured all upon the promise. He took it
not for a point that would admit of argument or debate, but presently
determined it as a ruled case, did not at all hang in suspense about
it: he staggered not through unbelief. Unbelief is at the bottom of all
our staggerings at God's promises. It is not the promise that fails,
but our faith that fails when we stagger. 4. He was strong in faith,
giving glory to God, enedynamothe--he was strengthened in faith, his
faith got ground by exercise--crescit eundo. Though weak faith shall
not be rejected, the bruised reed not broken, the smoking flax not
quenched, yet strong faith shall be commended and honoured. The
strength of his faith appeared in the victory it won over his fears.
And hereby he gave glory to God; for, as unbelief dishonours God by
making him a liar ( 1 John v. 10), so faith honours God by setting to
its seal that he is true, John iii. 33. Abraham's faith gave God the
glory of his wisdom, power, holiness, goodness, and especially of his
faithfulness, resting upon the word that he had spoken. Among men we
say, "He that trusts another, gives him credit, and honours him by
taking his word;" thus Abraham gave glory to God by trusting him. We
never hear our Lord Jesus commending any thing so much as great faith
(Matt. viii. 10 and xv. 28): therefore God gives honour to faith, great
faith, because faith, great faith, gives honour to God. 5. He was fully
persuaded that what God had promised he was able to perform,
plerophoretheis--was carried on with the greatest confidence and
assurance; it is a metaphor taken from ships that come into the harbour
with full sail. Abraham saw the storms of doubts, and fears, and
temptations likely to rise against the promise, upon which many a one
would have shrunk back, and lain by for fairer days, and waited a
smiling gale of sense and reason. But Abraham, having taken God for his
pilot, and the promise for his card and compass, resolves to weather
his point, and like a bold adventurer sets up all his sails, breaks
through all the difficulties, regards neither winds nor clouds, but
trusts to the strength of his bottom and the wisdom and faithfulness of
his pilot, and bravely makes to the harbour, and comes home an
unspeakable gainer. Such was his full persuasion, and it was built on
the omnipotence of God: He was able. Our waverings rise mainly from our
distrust of the divine power; and therefore to fix us it is requisite
we believe not only that he is faithful, but that he is able, that hath
promised. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness, v. 22.
Because with such a confidence he ventured his all in the divine
promise, God graciously accepted him, and not only answered, but
out-did, his expectation. This way of glorifying God by a firm reliance
on his bare promise was so very agreeable to God's design, and so very
conducive to his honour, that he graciously accepted it as a
righteousness, and justified him, though there was not that in the
thing itself which could merit such an acceptance. This shows why faith
is chosen to be the prime condition of our justification, because it is
a grace that of all others gives glory to God.
The Case of Abraham. (a. d. 58.)
23 Now it was not written for his sake alone, that it was imputed to
him; 24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe
on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; 25 Who was
delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
In the close of the chapter, he applies all to us; and, having
abundantly proved that Abraham was justified by faith, he here
concludes that his justification was to be the pattern or sampler of
ours: It was not written for his sake alone. It was not intended only
for an historical commendation of Abraham, or a relation of something
peculiar to him (as some antipædobaptists will needs understand that
circumcision was a seal of the righteousness of the faith, v. 11, only
to Abraham himself, and no other); no, the scripture did not intend
hereby to describe some singular way of justification that belonged to
Abraham as his prerogative. The accounts we have of the Old-Testament
saints were not intended for histories only, barely to inform and
divert us, but for precedents to direct us, for ensamples (1 Cor. x.
11) for our learning, ch. xv. 4. And this particularly concerning
Abraham was written for us also, to assure us what that righteousness
is which God requireth and accepteth to our salvation,--for us also,
that are man and vile, that come so far short of Abraham in privileges
and performances, us Gentiles as well as the Jews, for the blessing of
Abraham comes upon the Gentiles through Christ,--for us on whom the
ends of the world are come, as well as for the patriarchs; for the
grace of God is the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. His
application of it is but short. Only we may observe,
I. Our common privilege; it shall be imputed to us, that is,
righteousness shall. The gospel way of justification is by an imputed
righteousness, mellei logizesthai--it shall be imputed; he uses a
future verb, to signify the continuation of this mercy in the church,
that as it is the same now so it will be while God has a church in the
world, and there are any of the children of men to be justified; for
there is a fountain opened that is inexhaustible.
II. Our common duty, the condition of this privilege, and that is
believing. The proper object of this believing is a divine revelation.
The revelation to Abraham was concerning a Christ to come; the
revelation to us is concerning a Christ already come, which difference
in the revelation does not alter the case. Abraham believed the power
of God in raising up an Isaac from the dead womb of Sarah; we are to
believe the same power exerted in a higher instance, the resurrection
of Christ from the dead. The resurrection of Isaac was in a figure
(Heb. xi. 19); the resurrection of Christ was real. Now we are to
believe on him that raised up Christ; not only believe his power, that
he could do it, but depend upon his grace in raising up Christ as our
surety; so he explains it, v. 25, where we have a brief account of the
meaning of Christ's death and resurrection, which are the two main
hinges on which the door of salvation turns. 1. He was delivered for
our offences. God the Father delivered him, he delivered up himself as
a sacrifice for sin. He died indeed as a malefactor, because he died
for sin; but it was not his own sin, but the sins of the people. He
died to make atonement for our sins, to expiate our guilt, to satisfy
divine justice. 2. He was raised again for our justification, for the
perfecting and completing of our justification. By the merit of his
death he paid our debt, in his resurrection he took out our
acquittance. When he was buried he lay a prisoner in execution for our
debt, which as a surety he had undertaken to pay; on the third day an
angel was sent to roll away the stone, and so to discharge the
prisoner, which was the greatest assurance possible that divine justice
was satisfied, the debt paid, or else he would never have released the
prisoner: and therefore the apostle puts a special emphasis on Christ's
resurrection; it is Christ that died, yea, rather that has risen again,
ch. viii. 34. So that upon the whole matter it is very evident that we
are not justified by the merit of our own works, but by a fiducial
obediential dependence upon Jesus Christ and his righteousness, as the
condition on our part of our right to impunity and salvation, which was
the truth that Paul in this and the foregoing chapter had been fixing
as the great spring and foundation of all our comfort.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. V.
The apostle, having made good his point, and fully proved justification
by faith, in this chapter proceeds in the explication, illustration,
and application of that truth. I. He shows the fruits of justification,
ver. 1-5. II. He shows the fountain and foundation of justification in
the death of Jesus Christ, which he discourses of at large in the rest
of the chapter.
Justification and Its Effects. (a. d. 58.)
1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ: 2 By whom also we have access by faith into
this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.
3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that
tribulation worketh patience; 4 And patience, experience; and
experience, hope: 5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of
God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto
us.
The precious benefits and privileges which flow from justification are
such as should quicken us all to give diligence to make it sure to
ourselves that we are justified, and then to take the comfort it
renders to us, and to do the duty it calls for from us. The fruits of
this tree of life are exceedingly precious.
I. We have peace with God, v. 1. It is sin that breeds the quarrel
between us and God, creates not only a strangeness, but an enmity; the
holy righteous God cannot in honour be at peace with a sinner while he
continues under the guilt of sin. Justification takes away the guilt,
and so makes way for peace. And such are the benignity and good-will of
God to man that, immediately upon the removing of that obstacle, the
peace is made. By faith we lay hold of God's arm and of his strength,
and so are at peace, Isa. xxvii. 4, 5. There is more in this peace than
barely a cessation of enmity, there is friendship and loving-kindness,
for God is either the worst enemy or the best friend. Abraham, being
justified by faith, was called the friend of God (Jam. ii. 23), which
was his honour, but not his peculiar honour: Christ has called his
disciples friends, John xv. 13-15. And surely a man needs no more to
make him happy than to have God his friend! But this is through our
Lord Jesus Christ--through him as the great peace-maker, the Mediator
between God and man, that blessed Day's-man that has laid his hand upon
us both. Adam, in innocency, had peace with God immediately; there
needed no such mediator. But to guilty sinful man it is a very dreadful
thing to think of God out of Christ; for he is our peace, Eph. ii. 14,
not only the maker, but the matter and maintainer, of our peace, Col.
i. 20.
II. We have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, v. 2.
This is a further privilege, not only peace, but grace, that is, this
favour. Observe, 1. The saints' happy state. It is a state of grace,
God's loving-kindness to us and our conformity to God; he that hath
God's love and God's likeness is in a state of grace. Now into this
grace we have access prosagogen--an introduction, which implies that we
were not born in this state; we are by nature children of wrath, and
the carnal mind is enmity against God; but we are brought into it. We
could not have got into it of ourselves, nor have conquered the
difficulties in the way, but we have a manuduction, a leading by the
hand,--are led into it as blind, or lame, or weak people are led,--are
introduced as pardoned offenders,--are introduced by some favourite at
court to kiss the king's hand, as strangers, that are to have audience,
are conducted. Prosagogen eschekamen--We have had access. He speaks of
those that have been already brought out of a state of nature into a
state of grace. Paul, in his conversion, had this access; then he was
made nigh. Barnabas introduced him to the apostles (Acts ix. 27), and
there were others that led him by the hand to Damascus (v. 8), but it
was Christ that introduced and led him by the hand into this grace. By
whom we have access by faith. By Christ as the author and principal
agent, by faith as the means of this access. Not by Christ in
consideration of any merit or desert of ours, but in consideration of
our believing dependence upon him and resignation of ourselves to him.
2. Their happy standing in this state: wherein we stand. Not only
wherein we are, but wherein we stand, a posture that denotes our
discharge from guilt; we stand in the judgment (Ps. i. 5), not cast, as
convicted criminals, but our dignity and honour secured, not thrown to
the ground, as abjects. The phrase denotes also our progress; while we
stand, we are going. We must not lie down, as if we had already
attained, but stand as those that are pressing forward, stand as
servants attending on Christ our master. The phrase denotes, further,
our perseverance: we stand firmly and safely, upheld by the power of
God; stand as soldiers stand, that keep their ground, not borne down by
the power of the enemy. It denotes not only our admission to, but our
confirmation in, the favour of God. It is not in the court of heaven as
in earthly courts, where high places are slippery places: but we stand
in a humble confidence of this very thing that he who has begun the
good work will perform it, Phil. i. 6.
III. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Besides the happiness in
hand, there is a happiness in hope, the glory of God, the glory which
God will put upon the saints in heaven, glory which will consist in the
vision and fruition of God. 1. Those, and those only, that have access
by faith into the grace of God now may hope for the glory of God
hereafter. There is no good hope of glory but what is founded in grace;
grace is glory begun, the earnest and assurance of glory. He will give
grace and glory, Ps. lxxxiv. 11. 2. Those who hope for the glory of God
hereafter have enough to rejoice in now. It is the duty of those that
hope for heaven to rejoice in that hope.
IV. We glory in tribulations also; not only notwithstanding our
tribulations (these do not hinder our rejoicing in hope of the glory of
God), but even in our tribulations, as they are working for us the
weight of glory, 2 Cor. iv. 17. Observe, What a growing increasing
happiness the happiness of the saints is: Not only so. One would think
such peace, such grace, such glory, and such a joy in hope of it, were
more than such poor undeserving creatures as we are could pretend to;
and yet it is not only so: there are more instances of our
happiness--we glory in tribulations also, especially tribulations for
righteousness' sake, which seemed the greatest objection against the
saints' happiness, whereas really their happiness did not only consist
with, but take rise from, those tribulations. They rejoiced that they
were counted worthy to suffer, Acts v. 41. This being the hardest
point, he sets himself to show the grounds and reasons of it. How come
we to glory in tribulations? Why, because tribulations, by a chain of
causes, greatly befriend hope, which he shows in the method of its
influence. 1. Tribulation worketh patience, not in and of itself, but
the powerful grace of God working in and with the tribulation. It
proves, and by proving improves, patience, as parts and gifts increase
by exercise. It is not the efficient cause, but yields the occasion, as
steel is hardened by the fire. See how God brings meat out of the
eater, and sweetness out of the strong. That which worketh patience is
matter of joy; for patience does us more good than tribulations can do
us hurt. Tribulation in itself worketh impatience; but, as it is
sanctified to the saints, it worketh patience. 2. Patience experience,
v. 4. It works an experience of God, and the songs he gives in the
night; the patient sufferers have the greatest experience of the divine
consolations, which abound as afflictions abound. It works an
experience of ourselves. It is by tribulation that we make an
experiment of our own sincerity, and therefore such tribulations are
called trials. It works, dokimen--an approbation, as he is approved
that has passed the test. Thus Job's tribulation wrought patience, and
that patience produced an approbation, that still he holds fast his
integrity, Job ii. 3. 3. Experience hope. He who, being thus tried,
comes forth as gold, will thereby be encouraged to hope. This
experiment, or approbation, is not so much the ground, as the evidence,
of our hope, and a special friend to it. Experience of God is a prop to
our hope; he that hath delivered doth and will. Experience of ourselves
helps to evidence our sincerity. 4. This hope maketh not ashamed; that
is, it is a hope that will not deceive us. Nothing confounds more than
disappointment. Everlasting shame and confusion will be caused by the
perishing of the expectation of the wicked, but the hope of the
righteous shall be gladness, Prov. x. 28. See Ps. xxii. 5; lxxi. 1. Or,
It maketh not ashamed of our sufferings. Though we are counted as the
offscouring of all things, and trodden under foot as the mire in the
streets, yet, having hopes of glory, we are not ashamed of these
sufferings. It is in a good cause, for a good Master, and in good hope;
and therefore we are not ashamed. We will never think ourselves
disparaged by sufferings that are likely to end so well. Because the
love of God is shed abroad. This hope will not disappoint us, because
it is sealed with the Holy Spirit as a Spirit of love. It is the
gracious work of the blessed Spirit to shed abroad the love of God in
the hearts of all the saints. The love of God, that is, the sense of
God's love to us, drawing out love in us to him again. Or, The great
effects of his love: (1.) Special grace; and, (2.) The pleasant gust or
sense of it. It is shed abroad, as sweet ointment, perfuming the soul,
as rain watering it and making it fruitful. The ground of all our
comfort and holiness, and perseverance in both, is laid in the shedding
abroad of the love of God in our hearts; it is this which constrains
us, 2 Cor. v. 14. Thus are we drawn and held by the bonds of love.
Sense of God's love to us will make us not ashamed, either of our hope
in him or our sufferings for him.
The First and the Second Adam; The Influence of Grace. (a. d. 58.)
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for
the ungodly. 7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet
peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. 8 But God
commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us. 9 Much more then, being now justified by his
blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. 10 For if, when we
were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much
more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. 11 And not
only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
we have now received the atonement. 12 Wherefore, as by one man sin
entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all
men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the
world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless
death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned
after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him
that was to come. 15 But not as the offence, so also is the free
gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the
grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ,
hath abounded unto many. 16 And not as it was by one that sinned, so
is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free
gift is of many offences unto justification. 17 For if by one man's
offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of
grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one,
Jesus Christ.) 18 Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came
upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the
free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. 19 For as by
one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of
one shall many be made righteous. 20 Moreover the law entered, that
the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more
abound: 21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace
reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
The apostle here describes the fountain and foundation of
justification, laid in the death of the Lord Jesus. The streams are
very sweet, but, if you run them up to the spring-head, you will find
it to be Christ's dying for us; it is in the precious stream of
Christ's blood that all these privileges come flowing to us: and
therefore he enlarges upon this instance of the love of God which is
shed abroad. Three things he takes notice of for the explication and
illustration of this doctrine:--1. The persons he died for, v. 6-8. 2.
The precious fruits of his death, v. 9-11. 3. The parallel he runs
between the communication of sin and death by the first Adam and of
righteousness and life by the second Adam, v. 12, to the end.
I. The character we were under when Christ died for us.
1. We were without strength (v. 6), in a sad condition; and, which is
worse, altogether unable to help ourselves out of that condition--lost,
and no visible way open for our recovery--our condition deplorable, and
in a manner desperate; and, therefore our salvation is here said to
come in due time. God's time to help and save is when those that are to
be saved are without strength, that his own power and grace may be the
more magnified, Deut. xxxii. 36. It is the manner of God to help at a
dead lift,
2. He died for the ungodly; not only helpless creatures, and therefore
likely to perish, but guilty sinful creatures, and therefore deserving
to perish; not only mean and worthless, but vile and obnoxious,
unworthy of such favour with the holy God. Being ungodly, they had need
of one to die for them, to satisfy for guilt, and to bring in a
righteousness. This he illustrates (v. 7, 8) as an unparalleled
instance of love; herein God's thoughts and ways were above ours.
Compare John xv. 13, 14, Greater love has no man. (1.) One would hardly
die for a righteous man, that is, an innocent man, one that is unjustly
condemned; every body will pity such a one, but few will put such a
value upon his life as either to hazard, or much less to deposit, their
own in his stead. (2.) It may be, one might perhaps be persuaded to die
for a good man, that is, a useful man, who is more than barely a
righteous man. Many that are good themselves yet do but little good to
others; but those that are useful commonly get themselves well beloved,
and meet with some that in a case of necessity would venture to be
their antipsychoi--would engage life for life, would be their bail,
body for body. Paul was, in this sense, a very good man, one that was
very useful, and he met with some that for his life laid down their own
necks, ch. xvi. 4. And yet observe how he qualifies this: it is but
some that would do so, and it is a daring act if they do it, it must be
some bold venturing soul; and, after all, it is but a peradventure.
(3.) But Christ died for sinners (v. 8), neither righteous nor good;
not only such as were useless, but such as were guilty and obnoxious;
not only such as there would be no loss of should they perish, but such
whose destruction would greatly redound to the glory of God's justice,
being malefactors and criminals that ought to die. Some think he
alludes to a common distinction the Jews had of their people into
ndyqym--righteous, hsdym--merciful (compare Isa. xvii. 1), and
rssym--wicked. Now herein God commended his love, not only proved or
evidenced his love (he might have done that at a cheaper rate), but
magnified it and made it illustrious. This circumstance did greatly
magnify and advance his love, not only put it past dispute, but
rendered it the object of the greatest wonder and admiration: "Now my
creatures shall see that I love them, I will give them such an instance
of it as shall be without parallel." Commendeth his love, as merchants
commend their goods when they would put them off. This commending of
his love was in order to the shedding abroad of his love in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost. He evinces his love in the most winning, affecting,
endearing way imaginable. While we were yet sinners, implying that we
were not to be always sinners, there should be a change wrought; for he
died to save us, not in our sins, but from our sins; but we were yet
sinners when he died for us. (4.) Nay, which is more, we were enemies
(v. 10), not only malefactors, but traitors and rebels, in arms against
the government; the worst kind of malefactors and of all malefactors
the most obnoxious. The carnal mind is not only an enemy to God, but
enmity itself, ch. viii. 7; Col. i. 21. This enmity is a mutual enmity,
God loathing the sinner, and the sinner loathing God, Zech. xi. 8. And
that for such as these Christ should die is such a mystery, such a
paradox, such an unprecedented instance of love, that it may well be
our business to eternity to adore and wonder at it. This is a
commendation of love indeed. Justly might he who had thus loved us make
it one of the laws of his kingdom that we should love our enemies.
II. The precious fruits of his death.
1. Justification and reconciliation are the first and primary fruit of
the death of Christ: We are justified by his blood (v. 9), reconciled
by his death, v. 10. Sin is pardoned, the sinner accepted as righteous,
the quarrel taken up, the enmity slain, an end made of iniquity, and an
everlasting righteousness brought in. This is done, that is, Christ has
done all that was requisite on his part to be done in order hereunto,
and, immediately upon our believing, we are actually put into a state
of justification and reconciliation. Justified by his blood. Our
justification is ascribed to the blood of Christ because without blood
there is no remission Heb. ix. 22. The blood is the life, and that must
go to make atonement. In all the propitiatory sacrifices, the
sprinkling of the blood was of the essence of the sacrifice. It was the
blood that made an atonement for the soul, Lev. xvii. 11.
2. Hence results salvation from wrath: Saved from wrath (v. 9), saved
by his life, v. 10. When that which hinders our salvation is taken
away, the salvation must needs follow. Nay, the argument holds very
strongly; if God justified and reconciled us when we were enemies, and
put himself to so much charge to do it, much more will he save us when
we are justified and reconciled. He that has done the greater, which is
of enemies to make us friends, will certainly the less, which is when
we are friends to use us friendly and to be kind to us. And therefore
the apostle, once and again, speaks of it with a much more. He that
hath digged so deep to lay the foundation will no doubt build upon that
foundation.--We shall be saved from wrath, from hell and damnation. It
is the wrath of God that is the fire of hell; the wrath to come, so it
is called, 1 Thess. i. 10. The final justification and absolution of
believers at the great day, together with the fitting and preparing of
them for it, are the salvation from wrath here spoken of; it is the
perfecting of the work of grace.--Reconciled by his death, saved by his
life. His life here spoken of is not to be understood of his life in
the flesh, but his life in heaven, that life which ensued after his
death. Compare ch. xiv. 9. He was dead, and is alive, Rev. i. 18. We
are reconciled by Christ humbled, we are saved by Christ exalted. The
dying Jesus laid the foundation, in satisfying for sin, and slaying the
enmity, and so making us salvable; thus is the partition-wall broken
down, atonement made, and the attainder reversed; but it is the living
Jesus that perfects the work: he lives to make intercession, Heb. vii.
25. It is Christ, in his exaltation, that by his word and Spirit
effectually calls, and changes, and reconciles us to God, is our
Advocate with the Father, and so completes and consummates our
salvation. Compare ch. iv. 25 and viii. 34. Christ dying was the
testator, who bequeathed us the legacy; but Christ living is the
executor, who pays it. Now the arguing is very strong. He that puts
himself to the charge of purchasing our salvation will not decline the
trouble of applying it.
3. All this produces, as a further privilege, our joy in God, v. 11.
God is now so far from being a terror to us that he is our joy, and our
hope in the day of evil, Jer. xvii. 17. We are reconciled and saved
from wrath. Iniquity, blessed be God, shall not be our ruin. And not
only so, there is more in it yet, a constant stream of favours; we not
only go to heaven, but go to heaven triumphantly; not only get into the
harbour, but come in with full sail: We joy in God, not only saved from
his wrath, but solacing ourselves in his love, and this through Jesus
Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the foundation-stone and the
top-stone of all our comforts and hopes--not only our salvation, but
our strength and our song; and all this (which he repeats as a string
he loved to be harping upon) by virtue of the atonement, for by him we
Christians, we believers, have now, now in gospel times, or now in this
life, received the atonement, which was typified by the sacrifices
under the law, and is an earnest of our happiness in heaven. True
believers do by Jesus Christ receive the atonement. Receiving the
atonement is our actual reconciliation to God in justification,
grounded upon Christ's satisfaction. To receive the atonement is, (1.)
To give our consent to the atonement, approving of, and agreeing to,
those methods which Infinite Wisdom has taken of saving a guilty world
by the blood of a crucified Jesus, being willing and glad to be saved
in a gospel way and upon gospel terms. (2.) To take the comfort of the
atonement, which is the fountain and the foundation of our joy in God.
Now we joy in God, now we do indeed receive the atonement,
kauchomenoi--glorying in it. God hath received the atonement (Matt.
iii. 17; xvii. 5; xxviii. 2): if we but receive it, the work is done.
III. The parallel that the apostle runs between the communication of
sin and death by the first Adam and of righteousness and life by the
second Adam ( v. 12, to the end), which not only illustrates the truth
he is discoursing of, but tends very much to the commending of the love
of God and the comforting of the hearts of true believers, in showing a
correspondence between our fall and our recovery, and not only a like,
but a much greater power in the second Adam to make us happy, than
there was in the first to make us miserable. Now, for the opening of
this, observe,
1. A general truth laid down as the foundation of his discourse--that
Adam was a type of Christ (v. 14): Who is the figure of him that was to
come. Christ is therefore called the last Adam, 1 Cor. xv. 45. Compare
v. 22. In this Adam was a type of Christ, that in the
covenant-transactions that were between God and him, and in the
consequent events of those transactions, Adam was a public person. God
dealt with Adam and Adam acted as such a one, as a common father and
factor, root and representative, of and for all his posterity; so that
what he did in that station, as agent for us, we may be said to have
done in him, and what was done to him may be said to have been done to
us in him. Thus Jesus Christ, the Mediator, acted as a public person,
the head of all the elect, dealt with God for them, as their father,
factor, root, and representative--died for them, rose for them, entered
within the veil for them, did all for them. When Adam failed, we failed
with him; when Christ performed, he performed for us. Thus was Adam
typos tou mellontos--the figure of him that was to come, to come to
repair that breach which Adam had made.
2. A more particular explication of the parallel, in which observe,
(1.) How Adam, as a public person, communicated sin and death to all
his posterity (v. 12): By one man sin entered. We see the world under a
deluge of sin and death, full of iniquities and full of calamities.
Now, it is worth while to enquire what is the spring that feeds it, and
you will find it to be the general corruption of nature; and at what
gap it entered, and you will find it to have been Adam's first sin. It
was by one man, and he the first man (for if any had been before him
they would have been free), that one man from whom, as from the root,
we all spring. [1.] By him sin entered. When God pronounced all very
good (Gen. i. 31) there was no sin in the world; it was when Adam ate
forbidden fruit that sin made its entry. Sin had before entered into
the world of angels, when many of them revolted from their allegiance
and left their first estate; but it never entered into the world of
mankind till Adam sinned. Then it entered as an enemy, to kill and
destroy, as a thief, to rob and despoil; and a dismal entry it was.
Then entered the guilt of Adam's sin imputed to posterity, and a
general corruption and depravedness of nature. Eph ho--for that (so we
read it), rather in whom, all have sinned. Sin entered into the world
by Adam, for in him we all sinned. As, 1 Cor. xv. 22, in Adam all die;
so here, in him all have sinned; for it is agreeable to the law of all
nations that the acts of a public person be accounted theirs whom they
represent; and what a whole body does every member of the same body may
be said to do. Now Adam acted thus as a public person, by the sovereign
ordination and appointment of God, and yet that founded upon a natural
necessity; for God, as the author of nature, had made this the law of
nature, that man should beget in his own likeness, and so the other
creatures. In Adam therefore, as in a common receptacle, the whole
nature of man was reposited, from him to flow down in a channel to his
posterity; for all mankind are made of one blood (Acts xvii. 26), so
that according as this nature proves through his standing or falling,
before he puts it out of his hands, accordingly it is propagated from
him. Adam therefore sinning and falling, the nature became guilty and
corrupt, and is so derived. Thus in him all have sinned. [2.] Death by
sin, for death is the wages of sin. Sin, when it is finished, brings
forth death. When sin came, of course death came with it. Death is here
put for all that misery which is the due desert of sin, temporal,
spiritual, eternal death. If Adam had not sinned, he had not died; the
threatening was, In the day thou eatest thou shall surely die, Gen. ii.
17. [3.] So death passed, that is, a sentence of death was passed, as
upon a criminal, dielthen--passed through all men, as an infectious
disease passes through a town, so that none escape it. It is the
universal fate, without exception: death passes upon all. There are
common calamities incident to human life which do abundantly prove
this. Death reigned, v. 14. He speaks of death as a mighty prince, and
his monarchy the most absolute, universal, and lasting monarchy. None
are exempted from its sceptre; it is a monarchy that will survive all
other earthly rule, authority, and power, for it is the last enemy, 1
Cor. xv. 26. Those sons of Belial that will be subject to no other rule
cannot avoid being subject to this. Now all this we may thank Adam for;
from him sin and death descend. Well may we say, as that good man,
observing the change that a fit of sickness had made in his
countenance, O Adam! what hast thou done?
Further, to clear this, he shows that sin did not commence with the law
of Moses, but was in the world until, or before, that law; therefore
that law of Moses is not the only rule of life, for there was a rule,
and that rule was transgressed, before the law was given. It likewise
intimates that we cannot be justified by our obedience to the law of
Moses, any more than we were condemned by and for our disobedience to
it. Sin was in the world before the law; witness Cain's murder, the
apostasy of the old world, the wickedness of Sodom. His inference hence
is, Therefore there was a law; for sin is not imputed where there is no
law. Original sin is a want of conformity to, and actual sin is a
transgression of, the law of God: therefore all were under some law.
His proof of it is, Death reigned from Adam to Moses, v. 14. It is
certain that death could not have reigned if sin had not set up the
throne for him. This proves that sin was in the world before the law,
and original sin, for death reigned over those that had not sinned any
actual sin, that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's
transgression, never sinned in their own persons as Adam did--which is
to be understood of infants, that were never guilty of actual sin, and
yet died, because Adam's sin was imputed to them. This reign of death
seems especially to refer to those violent and extraordinary judgments
which were long before Moses, as the deluge and the destruction of
Sodom, which involved infants. It is a great proof of original sin that
little children, who were never guilty of any actual transgression, are
yet liable to very terrible diseases, casualties, and deaths, which
could by no means be reconciled with the justice and righteousness of
God if they were not chargeable with guilt.
(2.) How, in correspondence to this, Christ, as a public person,
communicates righteousness and life to all true believers, who are his
spiritual seed. And in this he shows not only wherein the resemblance
holds, but, ex abundanti, wherein the communication of grace and love
by Christ goes beyond the communication of guilt and wrath by Adam.
Observe,
[1.] Wherein the resemblance holds. This is laid down most fully, v.
18, 19.
First, By the offence and disobedience of one many were made sinners,
and judgment came upon all men to condemnation. Here observe, 1. That
Adam's sin was disobedience, disobedience to a plain and express
command: and it was a command of trial. The thing he did was therefore
evil because it was forbidden, and not otherwise; but this opened the
door to other sins, though itself seemingly small. 2. That the
malignity and poison of sin are very strong and spreading, else the
guilt of Adam's sin would not have reached so far, nor have been so
deep and long a stream. Who would think there should be so much evil in
sin? 3. That by Adam's sin many are made sinners: many, that is, all
his posterity; said to be many, in opposition to the one that offended,
Made sinners, katestathesan. It denotes the making of us such by a
judicial act: we were cast as sinners by due course of law. 4. That
judgment is come to condemnation upon all those that by Adam's
disobedience were made sinners. Being convicted, we are condemned. All
the race of mankind lie under a sentence, like an attainder upon a
family. There is judgment given and recorded against us in the court of
heaven; and, if the judgment be not reversed, we are likely to sink
under it to eternity.
Secondly, In like manner, by the righteousness and obedience of one
(and that one is Jesus Christ, the second Adam), are many made
righteous, and so the free gift comes upon all. It is observable how
the apostle inculcates this truth, and repeats it again and again, as a
truth of very great consequence. Here observe, 1. The nature of
Christ's righteousness, how it is brought in; it is by his obedience.
The disobedience of the first Adam ruined us, the obedience of the
second Adam saves us,--his obedience to the law of mediation, which was
that he should fulfil all righteousness, and then make his soul an
offering for sin. By his obedience to this law he wrought out a
righteousness for us, satisfied God's justice, and so made way for us
into his favour. 2. The fruit of it. (1.) There is a free gift come
upon all men, that is, it is made and offered promiscuously to all. The
salvation wrought is a common salvation; the proposals are general, the
tender free; whoever will may come, and take of these waters of life.
This free gift is to all believers, upon their believing, unto
justification of life. It is not only a justification that frees from
death, but that entitles to life. (2.) Many shall be made
righteous--many compared with one, or as many as belong to the election
of grace, which, though but a few as they are scattered up and down in
the world, yet will be a great many when they come all together.
Katastathesontai--they shall be constituted righteous, as by letters
patent. Now the antithesis between these two, our ruin by Adam and our
recovery by Christ, is obvious enough.
[2.] Wherein the communication of grace and love by Christ goes beyond
the communication of guilt and wrath by Adam; and this he shows, v.
15-17. It is designed for the magnifying of the riches of Christ's
love, and for the comfort and encouragement of believers, who,
considering what a wound Adam's sin has made, might begin to despair of
a proportionable remedy. His expressions are a little intricate, but
this he seems to intend:--First, If guilt and wrath be communicated,
much more shall grace and love; for it is agreeable to the idea we have
of the divine goodness to suppose that he should be more ready to save
upon an imputed righteousness than to condemn upon an imputed guilt:
Much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace. God's goodness is,
of all his attributes, in a special manner his glory, and it is that
grace that is the root (his favour to us in Christ), and the gift is by
grace. We know that God is rather inclined to show mercy; punishing is
his strange work. Secondly, If there was so much power and efficacy, as
it seems there was, in the sin of a man, who was of the earth, earthy,
to condemn us, much more are there power and efficacy in the
righteousness and grace of Christ, who is the Lord from heaven, to
justify and save us. The one man that saves us is Jesus Christ. Surely
Adam could not propagate so strong a poison but Jesus Christ could
propagate as strong an antidote, and much stronger. 3. It is but the
guilt of one single offence of Adam's that is laid to our charge: The
judgment was ex henos eis katakrima, by one, that is, by one offence,
v. 16, 17, Margin. But from Jesus Christ we receive and derive an
abundance of grace, and of the gift of righteousness. The stream of
grace and righteousness is deeper and broader than the stream of guilt;
for this righteousness does not only take away the guilt of that one
offence, but of many other offences, even of all. God in Christ
forgives all trespasses, Col. ii. 13. 4. By Adam's sin death reigned;
but by Christ's righteousness there is not only a period put to the
reign of death, but believers are preferred to reign of life, v. 17. In
and by the righteousness of Christ we have not only a charter of
pardon, but a patent of honour, are not only freed from our chains,
but, like Joseph, advanced to the second chariot, and made unto our God
kings and priests--not only pardoned, but preferred. See this observed,
Rev. i. 5, 6; v. 9, 10. We are by Christ and his righteousness entitled
to, and instated in, more and greater privileges than we lost by the
offence of Adam. The plaster is wider than the wound, and more healing
than the wound is killing.
IV. In the last two verses the apostle seems to anticipate an objection
which is expressed, Gal. iii. 19, Wherefore then serveth the law?
Answer, 1. The law entered that the offence might abound. Not to make
sin to abound the more in itself, otherwise than as sin takes occasion
by the commandment, but to discover the abounding sinfulness of it. The
glass discovers the spots, but does not cause them. When the
commandment came into the world sin revived, as the letting of a
clearer light into a room discovers the dust and filth which were there
before, but were not seen. It was like the searching of a wound, which
is necessary to the cure. The offence, to paraptoma--that offence, the
sin of Adam, the extending of the guilt of it to us, and the effect of
the corruption in us, are the abounding of that offence which appeared
upon the entry of the law. 2. That grace might much more abound--that
the terrors of the law might make gospel-comforts so much the sweeter.
Sin abounded among the Jews; and, to those of them that were converted
to the faith of Christ, did not grace much more abound in the remitting
of so much guilt and the subduing of so much corruption? The greater
the strength of the enemy, the greater the honour of the conqueror.
This abounding of grace he illustrates, v. 21. As the reign of a tyrant
and oppressor is a foil to set off the succeeding reign of a just and
gentle prince and to make it the more illustrious, so doth the reign of
sin set off the reign of grace. Sin reigned unto death; it was a cruel
bloody reign. But grace reigns to life, eternal life, and this through
righteousness, righteousness imputed to us for justification, implanted
in us for sanctification; and both by Jesus Christ our Lord, through
the power and efficacy of Christ, the great prophet, priest, and king,
of his church.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. VI.
The apostle having at large asserted, opened, and proved, the great
doctrine of justification by faith, for fear lest any should suck
poison out of that sweet flower, and turn that grace of God into
wantonness and licentiousness, he, with a like zeal, copiousness of
expression, and cogency of argument, presses the absolute necessity of
sanctification and a holy life, as the inseparable fruit and companion
of justification; for, wherever Jesus Christ is made of God unto any
soul righteousness, he is made of God unto that soul sanctification, 1
Cor. i. 30. The water and the blood came streaming together out of the
pierced side of the dying Jesus. And what God hath thus joined together
let not us dare to put asunder.
On Sanctification. (a. d. 58.)
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may
abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein? 3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized
into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are
buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised
up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should
walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in
the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his
resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him,
that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not
serve sin. 7 For he that is dead is freed from sin. 8 Now if we be
dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: 9
Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death
hath no more dominion over him. 10 For in that he died, he died unto
sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. 11 Likewise
reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto
God through Jesus Christ our Lord. 12 Let not sin therefore reign in
your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. 13
Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto
sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the
dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. 14
For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law,
but under grace. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under
the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye
yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey;
whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But
God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed
from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your
flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and
to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to
righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin,
ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those
things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is
death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to
God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The apostle's transition, which joins this discourse with the former,
is observable: "What shall we say then? v. 1. What use shall we make of
this sweet and comfortable doctrine? Shall we do evil that good may
come, as some say we do? ch. iii. 8. Shall we continue in sin that
grace may abound? Shall we hence take encouragement to sin with so much
the more boldness, because the more sin we commit the more will the
grace of God be magnified in our pardon? Is this a use to be made of
it?" No, it is an abuse, and the apostle startles at the thought of it
(v. 2): "God forbid; far be it from us to think such a thought." He
entertains the objection as Christ did the devil's blackest temptation
(Matt. iv. 10): Get thee hence, Satan. Those opinions that give any
countenance to sin, or open a door to practical immoralities, how
specious and plausible soever they be rendered, by the pretension of
advancing free grace, are to be rejected with the greatest abhorrence;
for the truth as it is in Jesus is a truth according to godliness, Tit.
i. 1. The apostle is very full in pressing the necessity of holiness in
this chapter, which may be reduced to two heads:--His exhortations to
holiness, which show the nature of it; and his motives or arguments to
enforce those exhortations, which show the necessity of it.
I. For the first, we may hence observe the nature of sanctification,
what it is, and wherein it consists. In general it has two things in
it, mortification and vivification--dying to sin and living to
righteousness, elsewhere expressed by putting off the old man and
putting on the new, ceasing to do evil and learning to do well.
1. Mortification, putting off the old man; several ways this is
expressed. (1.) We must live no longer in sin (v. 2), we must not be as
we have been nor do as we have done. The time past of our life must
suffice, 1 Peter iv. 3. Though there are none that live without sin,
yet, blessed be God, there are those that do not live in sin, do not
live in it as their element, do not make a trade of it: this is to be
sanctified. (2.) The body of sin must be destroyed, v. 6. The
corruption that dwelleth in us is the body of sin, consisting of many
parts and members, as a body. This is the root to which the axe must be
laid. We must not only cease from the acts of sin (this may be done
through the influence of outward restraints, or other inducements), but
we must get the vicious habits and inclinations weakened and destroyed;
not only cast away the idols of iniquity out of the heart.--That
henceforth we should not serve sin. The actual transgression is
certainly in a great measure prevented by the crucifying and killing of
the original corruption. Destroy the body of sin, and then, though
there should be Canaanites remaining in the land, yet the Israelites
will not be slaves to them. It is the body of sin that sways the
sceptre, wields the iron rod; destroy this, and the yoke is broken. The
destruction of Eglon the tyrant is the deliverance of oppressed Israel
from the Moabites. (3.) We must be dead indeed unto sin, v. 11. As the
death of the oppressor is a release, so much more is the death of the
oppressed, Job iii. 17, 18. Death brings a writ of ease to the weary.
Thus must we be dead to sin, obey it, observe it, regard it, fulfil its
will no more than he that is dead doth his quandam task-masters--be as
indifference to the pleasures and delights of sin as a man that is
dying is to his former diversions. He that is dead is separated from
his former company, converse, business, enjoyments, employments, is not
what he was, does not what he did, has not what he had. Death makes a
mighty change; such a change doth sanctification make in the soul, it
cuts off all correspondence with sin. (4.) Sin must not reign in our
mortal bodies that we should obey it, v. 12. Though sin may remain as
an outlaw, though it may oppress as a tyrant, yet let it not reign as a
king. Let it not make laws, nor preside in councils, nor command the
militia; let it not be uppermost in the soul, so that we should obey
it. Though we may be sometimes overtaken and overcome by it, yet let us
never be obedient to it in the lusts thereof; let not sinful lusts be a
law to you, to which you would yield a consenting obedience. In the
lusts thereof--en tais epithymiais autou. It refers to the body, not to
sin. Sin lies very much in the gratifying of the body, and humouring
that. And there is a reason implied in the phrase your mortal body;
because it is a mortal body, and hastening apace to the dust, therefore
let not sin reign in it. It was sin that made our bodies mortal, and
therefore do not yield obedience to such an enemy. (5.) We must not
yield our members as instruments of unrighteousness, v. 13. The members
of the body are made use of by the corrupt nature as tools, by which
the wills of the flesh are fulfilled; but we must not consent to that
abuse. The members of the body are fearfully and wonderfully made; it
is a pity they should be the devil's tools of unrighteousness unto sin,
instruments of the sinful actions, according to the sinful
dispositions. Unrighteousness is unto sin; the sinful acts confirm and
strengthen the sinful habits; one sin begets another; it is like the
letting forth of water, therefore leave it before it be meddled with.
The members of the body may perhaps, through the prevalency of
temptation, be forced to be instruments of sin; but do not yield them
to be so, do not consent to it. This is one branch of sanctification,
the mortification of sin.
2. Vivification, or living to righteousness; and what is that? (1.) It
is to walk in newness of life, v. 4. Newness of life supposes newness
of heart, for out of the heart are the issues of life, and there is not
way to make the stream sweet but by making the spring so. Walking, in
scripture, is put for the course and tenour of the conversation, which
must be new. Walk by new rules, towards new ends, from new principles.
Make a new choice of the way. Choose new paths to walk in, new leaders
to walk after, new companions to walk with. Old things should pass
away, and all things become new. The man is what he was not, does what
he did not. (2.) It is to be alive unto God through Jesus Christ our
Lord, v. 11. To converse with God, to have a regard to him, a delight
in him, a concern for him, the soul upon all occasions carried out
towards him as towards an agreeable object, in which it takes a
complacency: this is to be alive to God. The love of God reigning in
the heart is the life of the soul towards God. Anima est ubi amat, non
ubi animat--The soul is where it loves, rather than where it lives. It
is to have the affections and desires alive towards God. Or, living
(our live in the flesh) unto God, to his honour and glory as our end,
by his word and will as our rule--in all our ways to acknowledge him,
and to have our eyes ever towards him; this is to live unto
God.--Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Christ is our spiritual life;
there is no living to God but through him. He is the Mediator; there
can be no comfortable receivings from God, nor acceptable regards to
God, but in and through Jesus Christ; no intercourse between sinful
souls and a holy God, but by the mediation of the Lord Jesus. Through
Christ as the author and maintainer of this life; through Christ as the
head from whom we receive vital influence; through Christ as the root
by which we derive sap and nourishment, and so live. In living to God,
Christ is all in all. (3.) It is to yield ourselves to God, as those
that are alive from the dead, v. 13. The very life and being of
holiness lie in the dedication of ourselves to the Lord, giving our own
selves to the Lord, 2 Cor. viii. 5. "Yield yourselves to him, not only
as the conquered yields to the conqueror, because he can stand it out
no longer; but as the wife yields herself to her husband, to whom her
desire is, as the scholar yields himself to the teacher, the apprentice
to his master, to be taught and ruled by him. Not yield your estates to
him, but yield yourselves; nothing less than your whole selves;"
parastesate eautous--accommodate vos ipsos Deo--accommodate yourselves
to God; so Tremellius, from the Syriac. "Not only submit to him, but
comply with him; not only present yourselves to him once for all, but
be always ready to serve him. Yield yourselves to him as wax to the
seal, to take any impression, to be, and have, and do, what he
pleases." When Paul said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? (Acts ix.
6) he was then yielded to God. As those that are alive from the dead.
To yield a dead carcase to a living God is not to please him, but to
mock him: "Yield yourselves as those that are alive and good for
something, a living sacrifice," ch. xii. 1. The surest evidence of our
spiritual life is the dedication of ourselves to God. It becomes those
that are alive from the dead (it may be understood of a death in law),
that are justified and delivered from death, to give themselves to him
that hath so redeemed them. (4.) It is to yield our members as
instruments of righteousness to God. The members of our bodies, when
withdrawn from the service of sin, are not to lie idle, but to be made
use of in the service of God. When the strong man armed is
dispossessed, let him whose right it is divide the spoils. Though the
powers and faculties of the soul be the immediate subjects of holiness
and righteousness, yet the members of the body are to be instruments;
the body must be always ready to serve the soul in the service of God.
Thus (v. 19), "Yield your members servants to righteousness unto
holiness. Let them be under the conduct and at the command of the
righteous law of God, and that principle of inherent righteousness
which the Spirit, as sanctifier, plants in the soul." Righteousness
unto holiness, which intimates growth, and progress, and ground
obtained. As every sinful act confirms the sinful habit, and makes the
nature more and more prone to sin (hence the members of a natural man
are here said to be servants to iniquity unto iniquity--one sin makes
the heart more disposed for another), so every gracious act confirms
the gracious habit: serving righteousness is unto holiness; one duty
fits us for another; and the more we do the more we may do for God. Or
serving righteousness, eis hagiasmon--as an evidence of sanctification.
II. The motives or arguments here used to show the necessity of
sanctification. There is such an antipathy in our hearts by nature to
holiness that it is no easy matter to bring them to submit to it: it is
the Spirit's work, who persuades by such inducements as these set home
upon the soul.
1. He argues from our sacramental conformity to Jesus Christ. Our
baptism, with the design and intention of it, carried in it a great
reason why we should die to sin, and live to righteousness. Thus we
must improve our baptism as a bridle of restraint to keep us in from
sin, as a spur of constraint to quicken us to duty. Observe this
reasoning.
(1.) In general, we are dead to sin, that is, in profession and in
obligation. Our baptism signifies our cutting off from the kingdom of
sin. We profess to have no more to do with sin. We are dead to sin by a
participation of virtue and power for the killing of it, and by our
union with Christ and interest in him, in and by whom it is killed. All
this is in vain if we persist in sin; we contradict a profession,
violate an obligation, return to that to which we were dead, like
walking ghosts, than which nothing is more unbecoming and absurd. For
(v. 7) he that is dead is freed from sin; that is, he that is dead to
it is freed from the rule and dominion of it, as the servant that is
dead is freed from his master, Job iii. 19. Now shall we be such fools
as to return to that slavery from which we are discharged? When we are
delivered out of Egypt, shall we talk of going back to it again?
(2.) In particular, being baptized into Jesus Christ, we were baptized
into his death, v. 3. We were baptized eis Christon--unto Christ, as 1
Cor. x. 2, eis Mosen--unto Moses. Baptism binds us to Christ, it binds
us apprentice to Christ as our teacher, it is our allegiance to Christ
as our sovereign. Baptism is externa ansa Christi--the external handle
of Christ, by which Christ lays hold on men, and men offer themselves
to Christ. Particularly, we were baptized into his death, into a
participation of the privileges purchased by his death, and into an
obligation both to comply with the design of his death, which was to
redeem us from all iniquity, and to conform to the pattern of his
death, that, as Christ died for sin, so we should die to sin. This was
the profession and promise of our baptism, and we do not do well if we
do not answer this profession, and make good this promise.
[1.] Our conformity to the death of Christ obliges us to die unto sin;
thereby we know the fellowship of his sufferings, Phil. iii. 10. Thus
we are here said to be planted together in the likeness of is death (v.
5), to homoiomati, not only a conformity, but a conformation, as the
engrafted stock is planted together into the likeness of the shoot, of
the nature of which it doth participate. Planting is in order to life
and fruitfulness: we are planted in the vineyard in a likeness to
Christ, which likeness we should evidence in sanctification. Our creed
concerning Jesus Christ is, among other things, that he was crucified,
dead, and buried; now baptism is a sacramental conformity to him in
each of these, as the apostle here takes notice. First, Our old man is
crucified with him, v. 6. The death of the cross was a slow death; the
body, after it was nailed to the cross, gave many a throe and many a
struggle: but it was a sure death, long in expiring, but expired at
last; such is the mortification of sin in believers. It was a cursed
death, Gal. iii. 13. Sin dies as a malefactor, devoted to destruction;
it is an accursed thing. Though it be a slow death, yet this must needs
hasten it that it is an old man that is crucified; not in the prime of
its strength, but decaying: that which waxeth old is ready to vanish
away, Heb. viii. 13. Crucified with him--synestaurothe, not in respect
of time, but in respect of causality. The crucifying of Christ for us
has an influence upon the crucifying of sin in us. Secondly, We are
dead with Christ, v. 8. Christ was obedient to death: when he died, we
might be said to die with him, as our dying to sin is an act of
conformity both to the design and to the example of Christ's dying for
sin. Baptism signifies and seals our union with Christ, our engrafting
into Christ; so that we are dead with him, and engaged to have no more
to do with sin than he had. Thirdly, We are buried with him by baptism,
v. 4. Our conformity is complete. We are in profession quite cut off
from all commerce and communion with sin, as those that are buried are
quite cut off from all the world; not only not of the living, but no
more among the living, have nothing more to do with them. Thus must we
be, as Christ was, separate from sin and sinners. We are buried,
namely, in profession and obligation: we profess to be so, and we are
bound to be so: it was our covenant and engagement in baptism; we are
sealed to be the Lord's, therefore to be cut off from sin. Why this
burying in baptism should so much as allude to any custom of dipping
under water in baptism, any more than our baptismal crucifixion and
death should have any such references, I confess I cannot see. It is
plain that it is not the sign, but the thing signified, in baptism,
that the apostle here calls being buried with Christ, and the
expression of burying alludes to Christ's burial. As Christ was buried,
that he might rise again to a new and more heavenly life, so we are in
baptism buried, that is, cut off from the life of sin, that we may rise
again to a new life of faith and love.
[2.] Our conformity to the resurrection of Christ obliges us to rise
again to newness of life. This is the power of his resurrection which
Paul was so desirous to know, Phil. iii. 10. Christ was raised up from
the dead by the glory of the Father, that is, by the power of the
Father. The power of God is his glory; it is glorious power, Col. i.
11. Now in baptism we are obliged to conform to that pattern, to be
planted in the likeness of his resurrection (v. 5), to live with him,
v. 8. See Col. ii. 12. Conversion is the first resurrection from the
death of sin to the life of righteousness; and this resurrection is
conformable to Christ's resurrection. This conformity of the saints to
the resurrection of Christ seems to be intimated in the rising of so
many of the bodies of the saints, which, though mentioned before by
anticipation, is supposed to have been concomitant with Christ's
resurrection, Matt. xxvii. 52. We have all risen with Christ. In two
things we must conform to the resurrection of Christ:--First, He rose
to die no more, v. 9. We read of many others that were raised from the
dead, but they rose to die again. But, when Christ rose, he rose to die
no more; therefore he left his grave-clothes behind him, whereas
Lazarus, who was to die again, brought them out with him, as one that
should have occasion to use them again: but over Christ death has no
more dominion; he was dead indeed, but he is alive, and so alive that
he lives for evermore, Rev. i. 18. Thus we must rise from the grave of
sin never again to return to it, nor to have any more fellowship with
the works of darkness, having quitted that grave, that land of darkness
as darkness itself. Secondly, He rose to live unto God (v. 10), to live
a heavenly life, to receive that glory which was set before him. Others
that were raised from the dead returned to the same life in every
respect which they had before lived; but so did not Christ: he rose
again to leave the world. Now I am no more in the world, John xiii. 1;
xvii. 11. He rose to live to God, that is, to intercede and rule, and
all to the glory of the Father. Thus must we rise to live to God: this
is what he calls newness of life (v. 4), to live from other principles,
by other rules, with other aims, than we have done. A life devoted to
God is a new life; before, self was the chief and highest end, but now
God. To live indeed is to live to God, with our eyes ever towards him,
making him the centre of all our actions.
2. He argues from the precious promises and privileges of the new
covenant, v. 14. It might be objected that we cannot conquer and subdue
sin, it is unavoidably too hard for us: "No," says he, "you wrestle
with an enemy that may be dealt with and subdued, if you will but keep
your ground and stand to your arms; it is an enemy that is already
foiled and baffled; there is strength laid up in the covenant of grace
for your assistance, if you will but use it. Sin shall not have
dominion." God's promises to us are more powerful and effectual for the
mortifying of sin than our promises to God. Sin may struggle in a
believer, and may create him a great deal of trouble, but it shall not
have dominion; it may vex him, but shall not rule over him. For we are
not under the law, but under grace, not under the law of sin and death,
but under the law of the spirit of life, which is in Christ Jesus: we
are actuated by other principles than we have been: new lords, new
laws. Or, not under the covenant of works, which requires brick, and
gives no straw, which condemns upon the least failure, which runs thus,
"Do this, and live; do it not, and die;" but under the covenant of
grace, which accepts sincerity as our gospel perfection, which requires
nothing but what it promises strength to perform, which is herein well
ordered, that every transgression in the covenant does not put us out
of covenant, and especially that it does not leave our salvation in our
own keeping, but lays it up in the hands of the Mediator, who
undertakes for us that sin shall not have dominion over us, who hath
himself condemned it, and will destroy it; so that, if we pursue the
victory, we shall come off more than conquerors. Christ rules by the
golden sceptre of grace, and he will not let sin have dominion over
those that are willing subjects to that rule. This is a very
comfortable word to all true believers. If we were under the law, we
were undone, for the law curses every one that continues not in every
thing; but we are under grace, grace which accepts the willing mind,
which is not extreme to mark what we do amiss, which leaves room for
repentance, which promises pardon upon repentance; and what can be to
an ingenuous mind a stronger motive than this to have nothing to do
with sin? Shall we sin against so much goodness, abuse such love? Some
perhaps might suck poison out of this flower, and disingenuously use
this as an encouragement to sin. See how the apostle starts at such a
thought (v. 15): Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but
under grace? God forbid. What can be more black and ill-natured than
from a friend's extraordinary expressions of kindness and good-will to
take occasion to affront and offend him? To spurn at such bowels, to
spit in the face of such love, is that which, between man and man, all
the world would cry out shame on.
3. He argues from the evidence that this will be of our state, making
for us, or against us (v. 16): To whom you yield yourselves servants to
obey, his servants you are. All the children of men are either the
servants of God, or the servants of sin; these are the two families.
Now, if we would know to which of these families we belong, we must
enquire to which of these masters we yield obedience. Our obeying the
laws of sin will be an evidence against us that we belong to that
family on which death is entailed. As, on the contrary, our obeying the
laws of Christ will evidence our relation to Christ's family.
4. He argues from their former sinfulness, v. 17-21, where we may
observe,
(1.) What they had been and done formerly. We have need to be often
reminded of our former state. Paul frequently remembers it concerning
himself, and those to whom he writes. [1.] You were the servants of
sin. Those that are now the servants of God would do well to remember
the time when they were the servants of sin, to keep them humble,
penitent, and watchful, and to quicken them in the service of God. It
is a reproach to the service of sin that so many thousands have quitted
the service, and shaken off the yoke; and never any that sincerely
deserted it, and gave themselves to the service of God, have returned
to the former drudgery. "God be thanked that you were so, that is, that
though you were so, yet you have obeyed. You were so; God be thanked
that we can speak of it as a thing past: you were so, but you are not
now so. Nay, your having been so formerly tends much to the magnifying
of divine mercy and grace in the happy change. God be thanked that the
former sinfulness is such a foil and such a spur to your present
holiness." [2.] You have yielded your members servants to uncleanness,
and to iniquity unto iniquity, v. 19. It is the misery of a sinful
state that the body is made a drudge to sin, than which there could not
be a baser or a harder slavery, like that of the prodigal that was sent
into the fields to feed swine. You have yielded. Sinners are voluntary
in the service of sin. The devil could not force them into the service,
if they did not yield themselves to it. This will justify God in the
ruin of sinners, that they sold themselves to work wickedness: it was
their own act and deed. To iniquity unto iniquity. Every sinful act
strengthens and confirms the sinful habit: to iniquity as the work unto
iniquity as the wages. Sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind; growing
worse and worse, more and more hardened. This he speaks after the
manner of men, that is, he fetches a similitude from that which is
common among men, even the change of services and subjections. [3.] You
were free from righteousness (v. 20); not free by any liberty given,
but by a liberty taken, which is licentiousness: "You were altogether
void of that which is good,--void of any good principles, motions, or
inclinations,--void of all subjection to the law and will of God, of
all conformity to his image; and this you were highly pleased with, as
a freedom and a liberty; but a freedom from righteousness is the worst
kind of slavery."
(2.) How the blessed change was made, and wherein it did consist.
[1.] You have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was
delivered to you, v. 17. This describes conversion, what it is; it is
our conformity to, and compliance with, the gospel which was delivered
to us by Christ and his ministers.--Margin. Whereto you were delivered;
eis hon paredothete--into which you were delivered. And so observe,
First, The rule of grace, that form of doctrine--typon didaches. The
gospel is the great rule both of truth and holiness; it is the stamp,
grace is the impression of that stamp; it is the form of healing words,
2 Tim. i. 13. Secondly, The nature of grace, as it is our conformity to
that rule. 1. It is to obey from the heart. The gospel is a doctrine
not only to be believed, but to be obeyed, and that from the heart,
which denotes the sincerity and reality of that obedience; not in
profession only, but in power--from the heart, the innermost part, the
commanding part of us. 2. It is to be delivered into it, as into a
mould, as the wax is cast into the impression of the seal, answering it
line for line, stroke for stroke, and wholly representing the shape and
figure of it. To be a Christian indeed is to be transformed into the
likeness and similitude of the gospel, our souls answering to it,
complying with it, conformed to it--understanding, will, affections,
aims, principles, actions, all according to that form of doctrine.
[2.] Being made free from sin, you became servants of righteousness (v.
18), servants to God, v. 22. Conversion is, First, A freedom from the
service of sin; it is the shaking off of that yoke, resolving to have
no more to do with it. Secondly, A resignation of ourselves to the
service of God and righteousness, to God as our master, to
righteousness as our work. When we are made free from sin, it is not
that we may live as we list, and be our own masters; no: when we are
delivered out of Egypt, we are, as Israel, led to the holy mountain, to
receive the law, and are there brought into the bond of the covenant.
Observe, We cannot be made the servants of God till we are freed from
the power and dominion of sin; we cannot serve two masters so directly
opposite one to another as God and sin are. We must, with the prodigal,
quit the drudgery of the citizen of the country, before we can come to
our Father's house.
(3.) What apprehensions they now had of their former work and way. He
appeals to themselves (v. 21), whether they had not found the service
of sin, [1.] An unfruitful service: "What fruit had you then? Did you
ever get any thing by it? Sit down, and cast up the account, reckon
your gains, what fruit had you then?" Besides the future losses, which
are infinitely great, the very present gains of sin are not worth
mentioning. What fruit? Nothing that deserves the name of fruit. The
present pleasure and profit of sin do not deserve to be called fruit;
they are but chaff, ploughing iniquity, sowing vanity, and reaping the
same. [2.] It is an unbecoming service; it is that of which we are now
ashamed--ashamed of the folly, ashamed of the filth, of it. Shame came
into the world with sin, and is still the certain product of it--either
the shame of repentance, or, if not that, eternal shame and contempt.
Who would wilfully do that which sooner or later he is sure to be
ashamed of?
5. He argues from the end of all these things. it is the prerogative of
rational creatures that they are endued with a power of prospect, are
capable of looking forward, considering the latter end of things. To
persuade us from sin to holiness here are blessing and cursing, good
and evil, life and death, set before us; and we are put to our choice.
(1.) The end of sin is death (v. 21): The end of those things is death.
Though the way may seem pleasant and inviting, yet the end is dismal:
at the last it bites; it will be bitterness in the latter end. The
wages of sin is death, v. 23. Death is as due to a sinner when he hath
sinned as wages are to a servant when he hath done his work. This is
true of every sin. There is no sin in its own nature venial. Death is
the wages of the least sin. Sin is here represented either as the work
for which the wages are given, or as the master by whom the wages are
given; all that are sin's servants and do sin's work must expect to be
thus paid. (2.) If the fruit be unto holiness, if there be an active
principle of true and growing grace, the end will be everlasting
life--a very happy end!--Though the way be up-hill, though it be
narrow, and thorny, and beset, yet everlasting life at the end of it is
sure. So, v. 23, The gift of God is eternal life. Heaven is life,
consisting in the vision and fruition of God; and it is eternal life,
no infirmities attending it, no death to put a period to it. This is
the gift of God. The death is the wages of sin, it comes by desert; but
the life is a gift, it comes by favour. Sinners merit hell, but saints
do not merit heaven. There is no proportion between the glory of heaven
and our obedience; we must thank God, and not ourselves, if ever we get
to heaven. And this gift is through Jesus Christ our Lord. It is Christ
that purchased it, prepared it, prepares us for it, preserves us to it;
he is the Alpha and Omega, All in all in our salvation.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. VII.
We may observe in this chapter, I. Our freedom from the law further
urged as an argument to press upon us sanctification, ver. 1-6. II. The
excellency and usefulness of the law asserted and proved from the
apostle's own experience, notwithstanding, ver. 7-14. III. A
description of the conflict between grace and corruption in the heart,
ver. 14, 15, to the end.
Observations Respecting the Law. (a. d. 58.)
1 Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how
that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2 For the
woman which hath a husband is bound by the law to her husband so long
as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of
her husband. 3 So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married
to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband
be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress,
though she be married to another man. 4 Wherefore, my brethren, ye
also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should
be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we
should bring forth fruit unto God. 5 For when we were in the flesh,
the motions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members to
bring forth fruit unto death. 6 But now we are delivered from the
law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in
newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Among other arguments used in the foregoing chapter to persuade us
against sin, and to holiness, this was one (v. 14), that we are not
under the law; and this argument is here further insisted upon and
explained (v. 6): We are delivered from the law. What is meant by this?
And how is it an argument why sin should not reign over us, and why we
should walk in newness of life? 1. We are delivered from the power of
the law which curses and condemns us for the sin committed by us. The
sentence of the law against us is vacated and reversed, by the death of
Christ, to all true believers. The law saith, The soul that sins shall
die; but we are delivered from the law. The Lord has taken away thy
sin, thou shalt not die. We are redeemed from the curse of the law,
Gal. iii. 13. 2. We are delivered from that power of the law which
irritates and provokes the sin that dwelleth in us. This the apostle
seems especially to refer to (v. 5): The motions of sins which were by
the law. The law, by commanding, forbidding, threatening, corrupt and
fallen man, but offering no grace to cure and strengthen, did but stir
up the corruption, and, like the sun shining upon a dunghill, excite
and draw up the filthy steams. We being lamed by the fall, the law
comes and directs us, but provides nothing to heal and help our
lameness, and so makes us halt and stumble the more. Understand this of
the law not as a rule, but as a covenant of works. Now each of these is
an argument why we should be holy; for here is encouragement to
endeavours, though in many things we come short. We are under grace,
which promises strength to do what it commands, and pardon upon
repentance when we do amiss. This is the scope of these verses in
general, that, in point of profession and privilege, we are under a
covenant of grace, and not under a covenant of works--under the gospel
of Christ, and not under the law of Moses. The difference between a
law-state and a gospel-state he had before illustrated by the
similitude of rising to a new life, and serving a new master; now here
he speaks of is under the similitude of being married to a new husband.
I. Our first marriage was to the law, which, according to the law of
marriage, was to continue only during the life of the law. The law of
marriage is binding till the death of one of the parties, no matter
which, and no longer. The death of either discharges both. For this he
appeals to themselves, as persons knowing the law (v. 1): I speak to
those that know the law. It is a great advantage to discourse with
those that have knowledge, for such can more readily understand and
apprehend a truth. Many of the Christians at Rome were such as had been
Jews, and so were well acquainted with the law. One has some hold of
knowing people. The law hath power over a man as long as he liveth; in
particular, the law of marriage hath power; or, in general, every law
is so limited--the laws of nations, of relations, of families, &c. 1.
The obligation of laws extends no further; by death the servant who,
while he lived, was under the yoke, is freed from his master, Job iii.
19. 2. The condemnation of laws extends no further; death is the
finishing of the law. Actio moritur cum personâ--The action expires
with the person. The severest laws could but kill the body, and after
that there is no more that they can do. Thus while we were alive to the
law we were under the power of it--while we were in our Old-Testament
state, before the gospel came into the world, and before it came with
power into our hearts. Such is the law of marriage (v. 2), the woman is
bound to her husband during life, so bound to him that she cannot marry
another; if she do, she shall be reckoned an adulteress, v. 3. It will
make her an adulteress, not only to be defiled by, but to be married
to, another man; for that is so much the worse, upon this account, that
it abuses an ordinance of God, by making it to patronise the
uncleanness. Thus were we married to the law (v. 5): When we were in
the flesh, that is, in a carnal state, under the reigning power of sin
and corruption--in the flesh as in our element--then the motions of
sins which were by the law did work in our members, we were carried
down the stream of sin, and the law was but as an imperfect dam, which
made the stream to swell the higher, and rage the more. Our desire was
towards sin, as that of the wife towards her husband, and sin ruled
over us. We embraced it, loved it, devoted all to it, conversed daily
with it, made it our care to please it. We were under a law of sin and
death, as the wife under the law of marriage; and the product of this
marriage was fruit brought forth unto death, that is, actual
transgressions were produced by the original corruption, such as
deserve death. Lust, having conceived by the law (which is the strength
of sin, 1 Cor. xv. 56), bringeth forth sin, and sin, when it is
finished, bringeth forth death, Jam. i. 15. This is the posterity that
springs from this marriage to sin and the law. This comes of the
motions of sin working in our members. And this continues during life,
while the law is alive to us, and we are alive to the law.
II. Our second marriage is to Christ: and how comes this about? Why,
1. We are freed, by death, from our obligation to the law as a
covenant, as the wife is from her obligation to her husband, v. 3. This
resemblance is not very close, nor needed it to be. You are become dead
to the law, v. 4. He does not say, "The law is dead" (some think
because he would avoid giving offence to those who were yet zealous for
the law), but, which comes all to one, You are dead to the law. As the
crucifying of the world to us, and of us to the world, amounts to one
and the same thing, so doth the law dying, and our dying to it. We are
delivered from the law (v. 6), katergethemen--we are nulled as to the
law; our obligation to it as a husband is cassated and made void. And
then he speaks of the law being dead as far as it was a law of bondage
to us: That being dead wherein we were held; not the law itself, but
its obligation to punishment and its provocation to sin. It is dead, it
has lost its power; and this (v. 4) by the body of Christ, that is, by
the sufferings of Christ in his body, by his crucified body, which
abrogated the law, answered the demands of it, made satisfaction for
our violation of it, purchased for us a covenant of grace, in which
righteousness and strength are laid up for us, such as were not, nor
could be, by the law. We are dead to the law by our union with the
mystical body of Christ. By being incorporated into Christ in our
baptism professedly, in our believing powerfully and effectually, we
are dead to the law, have no more to do with it than the dead servant,
that is free from his master, hath to do with his master's yoke.
2. We are married to Christ. The day of our believing is the day of our
espousals to the Lord Jesus. We enter upon a life of dependence on him
and duty to him: Married to another, even to him who is raised from the
dead, a periphrasis of Christ and very pertinent here; for as our dying
to sin and the law is in conformity to the death of Christ, and the
crucifying of his body, so our devotedness to Christ in newness of life
is in conformity to the resurrection of Christ. We are married to the
raised exalted Jesus, a very honourable marriage. Compare 2 Cor. xi. 2;
Eph. v. 29. Now we are thus married to Christ, (1.) That we should
bring forth fruit unto God, v. 4. One end of marriage is fruitfulness:
God instituted the ordinance that he might seek a godly seed, Mal. ii.
15. The wife is compared to the fruitful vine, and children are called
the fruit of the womb. Now the great end of our marriage to Christ is
our fruitfulness in love, and grace, and every good work. This is fruit
unto God, pleasing to God, according to his will, aiming at his glory.
As our old marriage to sin produced fruit unto death, so our second
marriage to Christ produces fruit unto God, fruits of righteousness.
Good works are the children of the new nature, the products of our
union with Christ, as the fruitfulness of the vine is the product of
its union with the root. Whatever our professions and pretensions may
be, there is no fruit brought forth to God till we are married to
Christ; it is in Christ Jesus that we are created unto good works, Eph.
ii. 10. The only fruit which turns to a good account is that which is
brought forth in Christ. This distinguishes the good works of believers
from the good works of hypocrites and self-justifiers that they are
brought forth in marriage, done in union with Christ, in the name of
the Lord Jesus, Col. iii. 17. This is, without controversy, one of the
great mysteries of godliness. (2.) That we should serve in newness of
spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter, v. 6. Being married to a
new husband, we must change our way. Still we must serve, but it is a
service that is perfect freedom, whereas the service of sin was a
perfect drudgery: we must now serve in newness of spirit, by new
spiritual rules, from new spiritual principles, in spirit and in truth,
John iv. 24. There must be a renovation of our spirits wrought by the
spirit of God, and in that we must serve. Not in the oldness of the
letter; that is, we must not rest in mere external services, as the
carnal Jews did, who gloried in their adherence to the letter of the
law, and minded not the spiritual part of worship. The letter is said
to kill with its bondage and terror, but we are delivered from that
yoke that we may serve God without fear, in holiness and righteousness,
Luke i. 74, 75. We are under the dispensation of the Spirit, and
therefore must be spiritual, and serve in the spirit. Compare with this
2 Cor. iii. 3, 6, &c. It becomes us to worship within the veil, and no
longer in the outward court.
Excellency of the Law; Usefulness of the Law. (a. d. 58.)
7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? God forbid. Nay, I had not
known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had
said, Thou shalt not covet. 8 But sin, taking occasion by the
commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the
law sin was dead. 9 For I was alive without the law once: but when
the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. 10 And the
commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. 11
For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it
slew me. 12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and
just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me?
God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by
that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding
sinful. 14a For we know that the law is spiritual:--
To what he had said in the former paragraph, the apostle here raises an
objection, which he answers very fully: What shall we say then? Is the
law sin? When he had been speaking of the dominion of sin, he had said
so much of the influence of the law as a covenant upon that dominion
that it might easily be misinterpreted as a reflection upon the law, to
prevent which he shows from his own experience the great excellency and
usefulness of the law, not as a covenant, but as a guide; and further
discovers how sin took occasion by the commandment. Observe in
particular,
I. The great excellency of the law in itself. Far be it from Paul to
reflect upon the law; no, he speaks honourably of it. 1. It is holy,
just, and good, v. 12. The law in general is so, and every particular
commandment is so. Laws are as the law-makers are. God, the great
lawgiver, is holy, just, and good, therefore his law must needs be so.
The matter of it is holy: it commands holiness, encourages holiness; it
is holy, for it is agreeable to the holy will of God, the original of
holiness. It is just, for it is consonant to the rules of equity and
right reason: the ways of the Lord are right. It is good in the design
of it; it was given for the good of mankind, for the conservation of
peace and order in the world. It makes the observers of it good; the
intention of it was to better and reform mankind. Wherever there is
true grace there is an assent to this--that the law is holy, just, and
good. 2. The law is spiritual (v. 14), not only in regard to the effect
of it, as it is a means of making us spiritual, but in regard to the
extent of it; it reaches our spirits, it lays a restraint upon, and
gives a direction to, the motions of the inward man; it is a discerner
of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Heb. iv. 12. It forbids
spiritual wickedness, heart-murder, and heart-adultery. It commands
spiritual service, requires the heart, obliges us to worship God in the
spirit. It is a spiritual law, for it is given by God, who is a Spirit
and the Father of spirits; it is given to man, whose principal part is
spiritual; the soul is the best part, and the leading part of the man,
and therefore the law to the man must needs be a law to the soul.
Herein the law of God is above all other laws, that it is a spiritual
law. Other laws may forbid compassing and imagining, &c., which are
treason in the heart, but cannot take cognizance thereof, unless there
be some overt act; but the law of God takes notice of the iniquity
regarded in the heart, though it go no further. Wash thy heart from
wickedness, Jer. iv. 14. We know this: Wherever there is true grace
there is an experimental knowledge of the spirituality of the law of
God.
II. The great advantage that he had found by the law. 1. It was
discovering: I had not known sin but by the law, v. 7. As that which is
straight discovers that which is crooked, as the looking-glass shows us
our natural face with all its spots and deformities, so there is no way
of coming to that knowledge of sin which is necessary to repentance,
and consequently to peace and pardon, but by comparing our hearts and
lives with the law. Particularly he came to the knowledge of the
sinfulness of lust by the law of the tenth commandment. By lust he
means sin dwelling in us, sin in its first motions and workings, the
corrupt principle. This he came to know when the law said, Thou shalt
not covet. The law spoke in other language than the scribes and
Pharisees made it to speak in; it spoke in the spiritual sense and
meaning of it. By this he knew that lust was sin and a very sinful sin,
that those motions and desires of the heart towards sin which never
came into act were sinful, exceedingly sinful. Paul had a very quick
and piercing judgment, all the advantages and improvements of
education, and yet never attained the right knowledge of indwelling sin
till the Spirit by the law made it known to him. There is nothing about
which the natural man is more blind than about original corruption,
concerning which the understanding is altogether in the dark till the
Spirit by the law reveal it, and make it known. Thus the law is a
schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ, opens and searches the wound, and
so prepares it for healing. Thus sin by the commandment does appear sin
(v. 13); it appears in its own colours, appears to be what it is, and
you cannot call it by a worse name than its own. Thus by the
commandment it becomes exceedingly sinful; that is, it appears to be
so. We never see the desperate venom or malignity there is in sin, till
we come to compare it with the law, and the spiritual nature of the
law, and then we see it to be an evil and a bitter thing. 2. It was
humbling (v. 9): I was alive. He thought himself in a very good
condition; he was alive in his own opinion and apprehension, very
secure and confident of the goodness of his state. Thus he was once,
pote--in times past, when he was a Pharisee; for it was the common
temper of that generation of men that they had a very good conceit of
themselves; and Paul was then like the rest of them, and the reason was
he was then without the law. Though brought up at the feet of Gamaliel,
a doctor of the law, though himself a great student in the law, a
strict observer of it, and a zealous stickler for it, yet without the
law. He had the letter of the law, but he had not the spiritual meaning
of it--the shell, but not the kernel. He had the law in his hand and in
his head, but he had it not in his heart; the notion of it, but not the
power of it. There are a great many who are spiritually dead in sin,
that yet are alive in their own opinion of themselves, and it is their
strangeness to the law that is the cause of the mistake. But when the
commandment came, came in the power of it (not to his eyes only, but to
his heart), sin revived, as the dust in a room rises (that is, appears)
when the sun-shine is let into it. Paul then saw that in sin which he
had never seen before; he then saw sin in its causes, the bitter root,
the corrupt bias, the bent to backslide,--sin in its colours,
deforming, defiling, breaking a righteous law, affronting an awful
Majesty, profaning a sovereign crown by casting it to the ground,--sin
in its consequences, sin with death at the heels of it, sin and the
curse entailed upon it. "Thus sin revived, and then I died; I lost that
good opinion which I had had of myself, and came to be of another mind.
Sin revived, and I died; that is, the Spirit, but the commandment,
convinced me that I was in a state of sin, and in a state of death
because of sin." Of this excellent use is the law; it is a lamp and a
light; it converts the soul, opens the eyes, prepares the way of the
Lord in the desert, rends the rocks, levels the mountains, makes ready
a people prepared for the Lord.
III. The ill use that his corrupt nature made of the law
notwithstanding. 1. Sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in
me all manner of concupiscence, v. 8. Observe, Paul had in him all
manner of concupiscence, though one of the best unregenerate men that
ever was; as touching the righteousness of the law, blameless, and yet
sensible of all manner of concupiscence. And it was sin that wrought
it, indwelling sin, his corrupt nature (he speaks of a sin that did
work sin), and it took occasion by the commandment. The corrupt nature
would not have swelled and raged so much if it had not been for the
restraints of the law; as the peccant humours in the body are raised,
and more inflamed, by a purge that is not strong enough to carry them
off. It is incident to corrupt nature, in vetitum niti--to lean towards
what is forbidden. Ever since Adam ate forbidden fruit, we have all
been fond of forbidden paths; the diseased appetite is carried out most
strongly towards that which is hurtful and prohibited. Without the law
sin was dead, as a snake in winter, which the sunbeams of the law
quicken and irritate. 2. It deceived men. Sin puts a cheat upon the
sinner, and it is a fatal cheat, v. 11. By it (by the commandment) slew
me. There being in the law no such express threatening against sinful
lustings, sin, that is, his won corrupt nature, took occasion thence to
promise him impunity, and to say, as the serpent to our first parents,
You shall not surely die. Thus it deceived and slew him. 3. It wrought
death in me by that which is good, v. 13. That which works
concupiscence works death, for sin bringeth forth death. Nothing so
good but a corrupt and vicious nature will pervert it, and make it an
occasion of sin; no flower so sweet by sin will such poison out of it.
Now in this sin appears sin. The worst thing that sin does, and most
like itself, is the perverting of the law, and taking occasion from it
to be so much the more malignant. Thus the commandment, which was
ordained to life, was intended as a guide in the way to comfort and
happiness, proved unto death, through the corruption of nature, v. 10.
Many a precious soul splits upon the rock of salvation; and the same
word which to some is an occasion of life unto life is to others an
occasion of death unto death. The same sun that makes the garden of
flowers more fragrant makes the dunghill more noisome; the same heat
that softens wax hardens clay; and the same child was set for the fall
and rising again of many in Israel. The way to prevent this mischief is
to bow our souls to the commanding authority of the word and law of
God, not striving against, but submitting to it.
Conflict between Grace and Corruption. (a. d. 58.)
14b--But I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow
not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16
If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is
good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth
in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no
good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that
which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but
the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would
not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I
find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see
another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and
bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.
24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this
death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the
mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Here is a description of the conflict between grace and corruption in
the heart, between the law of God and the law of sin. And it is
applicable two ways:--1. To the struggles that are in a convinced soul,
but yet unregenerate, in the person of whom it is supposed, by some,
that Paul speaks. 2. To the struggles that are in a renewed sanctified
soul, but yet in a state of imperfection; as other apprehend. And a
great controversy there is of which of these we are to understand the
apostle here. So far does the evil prevail here, when he speaks of one
sold under sin, doing it, not performing that which is good, that it
seems difficult to apply it to the regenerate, who are described to
walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit; and yet so far does the
good prevail in hating sin, consenting to the law, delighting in it,
serving the law of God with the mind, that it is more difficult to
apply it to the unregenerate that are dead in trespasses and sins.
I. Apply it to the struggles that are felt in a convinced soul, that is
yet in a state of sin, knows his Lord's will, but does it not, approves
the things that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law,
and yet lives in the constant breach of it, ch. ii. 17-23. Though he
has that within him that witnesses against the sin he commits, and it
is not without a great deal of reluctancy that he does commit it, the
superior faculties striving against it, natural conscience warning
against it before it is committed and smiting for it afterwards, yet
the man continues a slave to his reigning lusts. It is not thus with
every unregenerate man, but with those only that are convinced by the
law, but not changed by the gospel. The apostle had said (ch. vi. 14),
Sin shall not have dominion, because you are not under the law, but
under grace, for the proof of which he here shows that a man under the
law, and not under grace, may be, and is, under the dominion of sin.
The law may discover sin, and convince of sin, but it cannot conquer
and subdue sin, witness the predominancy of sin in many that are under
very strong legal convictions. It discovers the defilement, but will
not wash it off. It makes a man weary and heavy laden (Matt. xi. 28),
burdens him with his sin; and yet, if rested in, it yields no help
towards the shaking off of that burden; this is to be had only in
Christ. The law may make a man cry out, O wretched man that I am! who
shall deliver me? and yet leave him thus fettered and captivated, as
being too weak to deliver him (ch. viii. 3), give him a spirit of
bondage to fear, ch. viii. 15. Now a soul advanced thus far by the law
is in a fair way towards a state of liberty by Christ, though many rest
here and go no further. Felix trembled, but never came to Christ. It is
possible for a man to go to hell with his eyes open (Num. xxiv. 3, 4),
illuminated with common convictions, and to carry about with him a
self-accusing conscience, even in the service of the devil. He may
consent to the law that it is good, delight to know God's ways (as
they, Isa. lviii. 2), may have that within him that witnesses against
sin and for holiness; and yet all this overpowered by the reigning love
of sin. Drunkards and unclean persons have some faint desires to leave
off their sins, and yet persist in them notwithstanding, such is the
impotency and such the insufficiency of their convictions. Of such as
these there are many that will needs have all this understood, and
contend earnestly for it: though it is very hard to imagine why, if the
apostle intended this, he should speak all along in his own person; and
not only so, but in the present tense. Of his own state under
conviction he had spoken at large, as of a thing past (v. 7, &c.): I
died; the commandment I found to be unto death; and if here he speaks
of the same state as his present state, and the condition he was now
in, surely he did not intend to be so understood: and therefore,
II. It seems rather to be understood of the struggles that are
maintained between grace and corruption in sanctified souls. That there
are remainders of indwelling corruption, even where there is a living
principle of grace, is past dispute; that this corruption is daily
breaking forth in sins of infirmity (such as are consistent with a
state of grace) is no less certain. If we say that we have no sin, we
deceive ourselves, 1 John i. 8, 10. That true grace strives against
these sins and corruptions, does not allow of them, hates them, mourns
over them, groans under them as a burden, is likewise certain (Gal. v.
17): The flesh lusteth against the spirit, and the spirit against the
flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, so that you cannot
do the things that you would. These are the truths which, I think, are
contained in this discourse of the apostle. And his design is further
to open the nature of sanctification, that it does not attain to a
sinless perfection in this life; and therefore to quicken us to, and
encourage us in, our conflicts with remaining corruptions. Our case is
not singular, that which we do sincerely strive against, shall not be
laid to our charge, and through grace the victory is sure at last. The
struggle here is like that between Jacob and Esau in the womb, between
the Canaanites and Israelites in the land, between the house of Saul
and the house of David; but great is the truth and will prevail.
Understanding it thus, we may observe here,
1. What he complains of--the remainder of indwelling corruptions, which
he here speaks of, to show that the law is insufficient to justify even
a regenerate man, that the best man in the world hath enough in him to
condemn him, if God should deal with him according to the law, which is
not the fault of the law, but of our own corrupt nature, which cannot
fulfil the law. The repetition of the same things over and over again
in this discourse shows how much Paul's heart was affected with what he
wrote, and how deep his sentiments were. Observe the particulars of
this complaint. (1.) I am carnal, sold under sin, v. 14. He speaks of
the Corinthians as carnal, 1 Cor. iii. 1. Even where there is spiritual
life there are remainders of carnal affections, and so far a man may be
sold under sin; he does not sell himself to work wickedness, as Ahab
did (1 Kings xxi. 25), but he was sold by Adam when he sinned and
fell--sold, as a poor slave that does his master's will against his own
will--sold under sin, because conceived in iniquity and born in sin.
(2.) What I would, that I do not; but what I hate, that do I, v. 15.
And to the same purport, v. 19, 21, When I would do good, evil is
present with me. Such was the strength of corruptions, that he could
not attain that perfection in holiness which he desired and breathed
after. Thus, while he was pressing forward towards perfection, yet he
acknowledges that he had not already attained, neither was already
perfect, Phil. iii. 12. Fain he would be free from all sin, and
perfectly do the will of God, such was his settled judgment; but his
corrupt nature drew him another way: it was like a clog, that checked
and kept him down when he would have soared upward, like the bias in a
bowl, which, when it is thrown straight, yet draws it aside. (3.) In
me, that is in my flesh, dwelleth no good, v. 18. Here he explains
himself concerning the corrupt nature, which he calls flesh; and as far
as that goes there is no good to be expected, any more than one would
expect good corn growing upon a rock, or on the sand which is by the
sea-side. As the new nature, as far as that goes, cannot commit sin (1
John iii. 9), so the flesh, the old nature, as far as that goes, cannot
perform a good duty. How should it? For the flesh serveth the law of
sin (v. 25), it is under the conduct and government of that law; and,
while it is so, it is not likely to do any good. The corrupt nature is
elsewhere called flesh (Gen. vi. 3, John iii. 6); and, though there may
be good things dwelling in those that have this flesh, yet, as far as
the flesh goes, there is no good, the flesh is not a subject capable of
any good. (4.) I see another law in my members warring against the law
of my mind, v. 23. The corrupt and sinful inclination is here compared
to a law, because it controlled and checked him in his good motions. It
is said to be seated in his members, because, Christ having set up his
throne in his heart, it was only the rebellious members of the body
that were the instruments of sin--in the sensitive appetite; or we may
take it more generally for all that corrupt nature which is the seat
not only of sensual but of more refined lusts. This wars against the
law of the mind, the new nature; it draws the contrary way, drives on a
contrary interest, which corrupt disposition and inclination are as
great a burden and grief to the soul as the worst drudgery and
captivity could be. It brings me into captivity. To the same purport
(v. 25), With the flesh I serve the law of sin; that is, the corrupt
nature, the unregenerate part, is continually working towards sin. (5.)
His general complaint we have in v. 24, O wretched man that I am! who
shall deliver me from the body of this death? The thing he complains of
is a body of death; either the body of flesh, which is a mortal dying
body (while we carry this body about with us, we shall be troubled with
corruption; when we are dead, we shall be freed from sin, and not
before), or the body of sin, the old man, the corrupt nature, which
tends to death, that is, to the ruin of the soul. Or, comparing it to a
dead body, the touch of which was by the ceremonial law defiling, if
actual transgressions be dead works (Heb. ix. 14), original corruption
is a dead body. It was as troublesome to Paul as if he had had a dead
body tied to him, which he must have carried about with him. This made
him cry out, O wretched man that I am! A man that had learned in every
state to be content yet complains thus of his corrupt nature. Had I
been required to speak of Paul, I should have said, "O blessed man that
thou art, an ambassador of Christ, a favourite of heaven, a spiritual
father of thousands!" But in his own account he was a wretched man,
because of the corruption of nature, because he was not so good as he
fain would be, had not yet attained, neither was already perfect. Thus
miserably does he complain. Who shall deliver me? He speaks like one
that was sick of it, that would give any thing to be rid of it, looks
to the right hand and to the left for some friend that would part
between him and his corruptions. The remainders of indwelling sin are a
very grievous burden to a gracious soul.
2. What he comforts himself with. The case was sad, but there were some
allays. Three things comforted him:--
(1.) That his conscience witnessed for him that he had a good principle
ruling and prevailing in him, notwithstanding. It is well when all does
not go one way in the soul. The rule of this good principle which he
had was the law of God, to which he here speaks of having a threefold
regard, which is certainly to be found in all that are sanctified, and
no others. [1.] I consent unto the law that it is good, v. 16,
symphemi--I give my vote to the law; here is the approbation of the
judgment. Wherever there is grace there is not only a dread of the
severity of the law, but a consent to the goodness of the law. "It is a
good in itself, it is good for me." This is a sign that the law is
written in the heart, that the soul is delivered into the mould of it.
To consent to the law is so far to approve of it as not to wish it
otherwise constituted than it is. The sanctified judgment not only
concurs to the equity of the law, but to the excellency of it, as
convinced that a conformity to the law is the highest perfection of
human nature, and the greatest honour and happiness we are capable of.
[2.] I delight in the law of God after the inward man, v. 22. His
conscience bore witness to a complacency in the law. He delighted not
only in the promises of the word, but in the precepts and prohibitions
of the word; synedomai expresses a becoming delight. He did herein
concur in affection with all the saints. All that are savingly
regenerate or born again do truly delight in the law of God, delight to
know it, to do it--cheerfully submit to the authority of it, and take a
complacency in that submission, never better pleased than when heart
and life are in the strictest conformity to the law and will of God.
After the inward man; that is, First, The mind or rational faculties,
in opposition to the sensitive appetites and wills of the flesh. The
soul is the inward man, and that is the seat of gracious delights,
which are therefore sincere and serious, but secret; it is the renewing
of the inward man, 2 Cor. iv. 16. Secondly, The new nature. The new man
is called the inner man (Eph. iii. 16), the hidden man of the heart, 1
Pet. iii. 4. Paul, as far as he was sanctified, had a delight in the
law of God. [3.] With the mind I myself serve the law of God, v. 25. It
is not enough to consent to the law, and to delight in the law, but we
must serve the law; our souls must be entirely delivered up into the
obedience of it. Thus it was with Paul's mind; thus it is with every
sanctified renewed mind; this is the ordinary course and way;
thitherward goes the bent of the soul. I myself--autos ego, plainly
intimating that he speaks in his own person, and not in the person of
another.
(2.) That the fault lay in that corruption of his nature which he did
really bewail and strive against: It is no more I that do it, but sin
that dwelleth in me. This he mentions twice (v. 17, 20), not as an
excuse for the guilt of his sin (it is enough to condemn us, if we were
under the law, that the sin which does the evil dwelleth in us), but as
a salvo for his evidences, that he might not sink in despair, but take
comfort from the covenant of grace, which accepts the willingness of
the spirit, and has provided pardon for the weakness of the flesh. He
likewise herein enters a protestation against all that which this
indwelling sin produced. Having professed his consent to the law of
God, he here professes his dissent from the law of sin. "It is not I; I
disown the fact; it is against my mind that it is done." As when in the
senate the major part are bad, and carry every thing the wrong way, it
is indeed the act of the senate, but the honest party strive against
it, bewail what is done, and enter their protestation against it; so
that it is no more they that do it.--Dwelleth in me, as the Canaanites
among the Israelites, though they were put under tribute: dwelleth in
me, and is likely to dwell there, while I live.
(3.) His great comfort lay in Jesus Christ (v. 25): I thank God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. In the midst of his complaints he breaks
out into praises. It is a special remedy against fears and sorrows to
be much in praise: many a poor drooping soul hath found it so. And, in
all our praises, this should be the burden of the son, "Blessed be God
for Jesus Christ." Who shall deliver me? says he (v. 24), as one at a
loss for help. At length he finds an all-sufficient friend, even Jesus
Christ. When we are under the sense of the remaining power of sin and
corruption, we shall see reason to bless God through Christ (for, as he
is the mediator of all our prayers, so he is of all our praises)--to
bless God for Christ; it is he that stands between us and the wrath due
to us for this sin. If it were not for Christ, this iniquity that
dwells in us would certainly be our ruin. He is our advocate with the
Father, and through him God pities, and spares, and pardons, and lays
not our iniquities to our charge. It is Christ that has purchased
deliverance for us in due time. Through Christ death will put an end to
all these complaints, and waft us to an eternity which we shall spend
without sin or sigh. Blessed be God that giveth us this victory through
our Lord Jesus Christ!
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. VIII.
The apostle, having fully explained the doctrine of justification, and
pressed the necessity of sanctification, in this chapter applies
himself to the consolation of the Lord's people. Ministers are helpers
of the joy of the saints. "Comfort ye, comfort ye my people," so runs
our commission, Isa. xl. 1. It is the will of God that his people
should be a comforted people. And we have here such a draught of the
gospel charter, such a display of the unspeakable privileges of true
believers, as may furnish us with abundant matter for joy and peace in
believing, that by all these immutable things, in which it is
impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation. Many of
the people of God have, accordingly, found this chapter a well-spring
of comfort to their souls, living and dying, and have sucked and been
satisfied from these breasts of consolation, and with joy drawn water
out of these wells of salvation. There are three things in this
chapter: I. The particular instances of Christians' privileges, ver.
1-28. II. The ground thereof laid in predestination, ver. 29, 30. III.
The apostle's triumph herein, in the name of all the saints, ver. 31 to
the end.
The Believer's Privileges. (a. d. 58.)
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ
Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the
law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the
law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was
weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of
sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the
righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh
do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the
things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be
spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is
enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither
indeed can be. 8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please
God. 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that
the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of
Christ, he is none of his.
I. The apostle here begins with one signal privilege of true
Christians, and describes the character of those to whom it belongs:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those that are in Christ
Jesus, v. 1. This is his triumph after that melancholy complaint and
conflict in the foregoing chapter--sin remaining, disturbing, vexing,
but, blessed be God, not ruining. The complaint he takes to himself,
but humbly transfers the comfort with himself to all true believers,
who are all interested in it. 1. It is the unspeakable privilege and
comfort of all those that are in Christ Jesus that there is therefore
now no condemnation to them. He does not say, "There is no accusation
against them," for this there is; but the accusation is thrown out, and
the indictment quashed. He does not say, "There is nothing in them that
deserves condemnation," for this there is, and they see it, and own it,
and mourn over it, and condemn themselves for it; but it shall not be
their ruin. He does not say, "There is no cross, no affliction to them
or no displeasure in the affliction," for this there may be; but no
condemnation. They may be chastened of the Lord, but not condemned with
the world. Now this arises from their being in Christ Jesus; by virtue
of their union with him through faith they are thus secured. They are
in Christ Jesus, as in their city of refuge, and so are protected from
the avenger of blood. He is their advocate, and brings them off. There
is therefore no condemnation, because they are interested in the
satisfaction that Christ by dying made to the law. In Christ, God does
not only not condemn them, but is well pleased with them, Matt. xvii.
5. 2. It is the undoubted character of all those who are so in Christ
Jesus as to be freed from condemnation that they walk not after the
flesh but after the Spirit. Observe, The character is given from their
walk, not from any one particular act, but from their course and way.
And the great question is, What is the principle of the walk, the flesh
or the spirit, the old or the new nature, corruption or grace? Which of
these do we mind, for which of these doe we make provision, by which of
these are we governed, which of these do we take part with?
II. This great truth, thus laid down, he illustrates in the following
verses; and shows how we come by this great privilege, and how we may
answer this character.
1. How we come by these privileges--the privilege of justification,
that there is no condemnation to us--the privilege of sanctification,
that we walk after the Spirit, and not after the flesh, which is no
less our privilege than it is our duty. How comes it about?
(1.) The law could not do it, v. 3. It could neither justify nor
sanctify, neither free us from the guilt nor from the power of sin,
having not the promises either of pardon or grace. The law made nothing
perfect: It was weak. Some attempt the law made towards these blessed
ends, but, alas! it was weak, it could not accomplish them: yet that
weakness was not through any defect in the law, but through the flesh,
through the corruption of human nature, by which we became incapable
either of being justified or sanctified by the law. We had become
unable to keep the law, and, in case of failure, the law, as a covenant
of works, made no provision, and so left us as it found us. Or
understand it of the ceremonial law; that was a plaster not wide enough
for the wound, it could never take away sin, Heb. x. 4.
(2.) The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus does it, v. 2. The
covenant of grace made with us in Christ is a treasury of merit and
grace, and thence we receive pardon and a new nature, are freed from
the law of sin and death, that is, both from the guilt and power of
sin--from the course of the law, and the dominion of the flesh. We are
under another covenant, another master, another husband, under the law
of the Spirit, the law that gives the Spirit, spiritual life to qualify
us for eternal. The foundation of this freedom is laid in Christ's
undertaking for us, of which he speaks v. 3, God sending his own Son.
Observe, When the law failed, God provided another method. Christ comes
to do that which the law could not do. Moses brought the children of
Israel to the borders of Canaan, and then died, and left them there;
but Joshua did that which Moses could not do, and put them in
possession of Canaan. Thus what the law could not do Christ did. The
best exposition of this verse we have Heb. x. 1-10. To make the sense
of the words clear, which in our translation is a little intricate, we
may read it thus, with a little transposition:--God sending his own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh, and a sacrifice for sin, condemned sin
in the flesh, which the law could not do, in that it was weak through
the flesh, &c., v. 4. Observe, [1.] How Christ appeared: In the
likeness of sinful flesh. Not sinful, for he was holy, harmless,
undefiled; but in the likeness of that flesh which was sinful. He took
upon him that nature which was corrupt, though perfectly abstracted
from the corruptions of it. His being circumcised, redeemed, baptized
with John's baptism, bespeaks the likeness of sinful flesh. The bitings
of the fiery serpents were cured by a serpent of brass, which had the
shape, though free from the venom, of the serpents that bit them. It
was great condescension that he who was God should be made in the
likeness of flesh; but much greater that he who was holy should be made
in the likeness of sinful flesh. And for sin,--here the best Greek
copies place the comma. God sent him, en homoiomati sarkos hamartias,
kai peri hamartias--in the likeness of sinful flesh, and as a sacrifice
for sin. The LXX. call a sacrifice for sin no more than peri
hamartias--for sin; so Christ was a sacrifice; he was sent to be so,
Heb. ix. 26. [2.] What was done by this appearance of his: Sin was
condemned, that is, God did therein more than ever manifest his hatred
of sin; and not only so, but for all that are Christ's both the damning
and the domineering power of sin is broken and taken out of the way. He
that is condemned can neither accuse nor rule; his testimony is null,
and his authority null. Thus by Christ is sin condemned; though it live
and remain, its life in the saints is still but like that of a
condemned malefactor. It was by the condemning of sin that death was
disarmed, and the devil, who had the power of death, destroyed. The
condemning of sin saved the sinner from condemnation. Christ was made
sin for us (2 Cor. v. 21), and, being so made, when he was condemned
sin was condemned in the flesh of Christ, condemned in the human
nature: So was sanctification made to divine justice, and way made for
the salvation of the sinner. [3.] The happy effect of this upon us (v.
4): That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us. Both in
our justification and in our sanctification, the righteousness of the
law if fulfilled. A righteousness of satisfaction for the breach of the
law is fulfilled by the imputation of Christ's complete and perfect
righteousness, which answers the utmost demands of the law, as the
mercy-seat was as long and as broad as the ark. A righteousness of
obedience to the commands of the law is fulfilled in us, when by the
Spirit the law of love is written upon the heart, and that love is the
fulfilling of the law, ch. xiii. 10. Though the righteousness of the
law is not fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us;
there is that to be found upon and in all true believers which answers
the intention of the law. Us who walk not after the flesh, but after
the Spirit. This is the description of all those that are interested in
this privilege--they act from spiritual and not from carnal principles;
as for others, the righteousness of the law will be fulfilled upon them
in their ruin. Now,
2. Observe how we may answer to this character, v. 5, &c.
(1.) By looking to our minds. How may we know whether we are after the
flesh or after the Spirit? By examining what we mind, the things of the
flesh or the things of the spirit. Carnal pleasure, worldly profit and
honour, the things of sense and time, are the things of the flesh,
which unregenerate people mind. The favour of God, the welfare of the
soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the Spirit, which
those that are after the Spirit do mind. The man is as the mind is. The
mind is the forge of thoughts. As he thinketh in his heart, so is he,
Prov. xxiii. 7. Which way do the thoughts move with most pleasure? On
what do they dwell with most satisfaction? The mind is the seat of
wisdom. Which way go the projects and contrivances? whether are we more
wise for the world or for our souls? phronousi ta tes sarkos--they
savour the things of the flesh; so the word is rendered, Matt. xvi. 23.
It is a great matter what our savour is, what truths, what tidings,
what comforts, we do most relish, and are most agreeable to us. Now, to
caution us against this carnal-mindedness, he shows the great misery
and malignity of it, and compares it with the unspeakable excellency
and comfort of spiritual-mindedness. [1.] It is death, v. 6. It is
spiritual death, the certain way to eternal death. It is the death of
the soul; for it is its alienation from God, in union and communion
with whom the life of the soul consists. A carnal soul is a dead soul,
dead as a soul can die. She that liveth in pleasure is dead (1 Tim. v.
6), not only dead in law as guilty, but dead in state as carnal. Death
includes all misery; carnal souls are miserable souls. But to be
spiritually minded, phronema tou pneumatos--a spiritual savour (the
wisdom that is from above, a principle of grace) is life and peace; it
is the felicity and happiness of the soul. The life of the soul
consists in its union with spiritual things by the mind. A sanctified
soul is a living soul, and that life is peace; it is a very comfortable
life. All the paths of spiritual wisdom are paths of peace. It is life
and peace in the other world, as well as in this. Spiritual-mindedness
is eternal life and peace begun, and an assuring earnest of the
perfection of it. [2.] It is enmity to God (v. 7), and this is worse
than the former. The former speaks the carnal sinner a dead man, which
is bad; but this speaks him a devil of a man. It is not only an enemy,
but enmity itself. It is not only the alienation of the soul from God,
but the opposition of the soul against God; it rebels against his
authority, thwarts his design, opposes his interest, spits in his face,
spurns at his bowels. Can there be a greater enmity? An enemy may be
reconciled, but enmity cannot. How should this humble us for and warn
us against, carnal-mindedness! Shall we harbour and indulge that which
is enmity to God our creator, owner, ruler, and benefactor? To prove
this, he urges that it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
can be. The holiness of the law of God, and the unholiness of the
carnal mind, are as irreconcilable as light and darkness. The carnal
man may, by the power of divine grace, be made subject to the law of
God, but the carnal mind never can; this must be broken and expelled.
See how wretchedly the corrupt will of man is enslaved to sin; as far
as the carnal mind prevails, there is no inclination to the law of God;
therefore wherever there is a change wrought it is by the power of
God's grace, not by the freedom of man's will. Hence he infers (v. 8),
Those that are in the flesh cannot please God. Those that are in a
carnal unregenerate state, under the reigning power of sin, cannot do
the things that please God, wanting grace, the pleasing principle, and
an interest in Christ, the pleasing Mediator. The very sacrifice of the
wicked is an abomination, Prov. xv. 8. Pleasing God is our highest end,
of which those that are in the flesh cannot but fall short; they cannot
please him, nay, they cannot but displease him. We may know our state
and character,
(2.) By enquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or not
(v. 9): You are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. This expresses
states and conditions of the soul vastly different. All the saints have
flesh and spirit in them; but to be in the flesh and to be in the
Spirit are contrary. It denotes our being overcome and subdued by one
of these principles. As we say, A man is in love, or in drink, that is,
overcome by it. Now the great question is whether we are in the flesh
or in the Spirit; and how may we come to know it? Why, by enquiring
whether the Spirit of God dwell in us. The Spirit dwelling in us is the
best evidence of our being in the Spirit, for the indwelling is mutual
(1 John iv. 16): Dwelleth in God, and God in him. The Spirit visits
many that are unregenerate with his motions, which they resist and
quench; but in all that are sanctified he dwells; there he resides and
rules. He is there as a man at his own house, where he is constant and
welcome, and has the dominion. Shall we put this question to our own
hearts, Who dwells, who rules, who keeps house, here? Which interest
has the ascendant? To this he subjoins a general rule of trial: If any
man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. To be Christ's
(that is, to be a Christian indeed, one of his children, his servants,
his friends, in union with him) is a privilege and honour which many
pretend to that have no part nor lot in the matter. None are his but
those that have his Spirit; that is, [1.] That are spirited as he was
spirited--are meek, and lowly, and humble, and peaceable, and patient,
and charitable, as he was. We cannot tread in his steps unless we have
his spirit; the frame and disposition of our souls must be conformable
to Christ's pattern. [2.] That are actuated and guided by the Holy
Spirit of God, as a sanctifier, teacher, and comforter. Having the
Spirit of Christ is the same with having the Spirit of God to dwell in
us. But those two come much to one; for all that are actuated by the
Spirit of God as their rule are conformable to the spirit of Christ as
their pattern. Now this description of the character of those to whom
belongs this first privilege of freedom from condemnation is to be
applied to all the other privileges that follow.
The Believer's Privileges. (a. d. 58.)
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the
Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of him
that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up
Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his
Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors,
not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after
the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the
deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the
Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For ye have not received
the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of
adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth
witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:
In these verses the apostle represents two more excellent benefits,
which belong to true believers.
I. Life. The happiness is not barely a negative happiness, not to be
condemned; but it is positive, it is an advancement to a life that will
be the unspeakable happiness of the man (v. 10, 11): If Christ be in
you. Observe, If the Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the
heart by faith, Eph. iii. 17. Now we are here told what becomes of the
bodies and souls of those in whom Christ is.
1. We cannot say but that the body is dead; it is a frail, mortal,
dying body, and it will be dead shortly; it is a house of clay, whose
foundation is in the dust. The life purchased and promised does not
immortalize the body in its present state. It is dead, that is, it is
appointed to die, it is under a sentence of death: as we say one that
is condemned is a dead man. In the midst of life we are in death: be
our bodies ever so strong, and healthful, and handsome, they are as
good as dead (Heb. xi. 12), and this because of sin. It is sin that
kills the body. This effect the first threatening has (Gen. iii. 19):
Dust thou art. Methinks, were there no other argument, love to our
bodies should make us hate sin, because it is such an enemy to our
bodies. The death even of the bodies of the saints is a remaining token
of God's displeasure against sin.
2. But the spirit, the precious soul, that is life; it is now
spiritually alive, nay, it is life. Grace in the soul is its new
nature; the life of the saint lies in the soul, while the life of the
sinner goes no further than the body. When the body dies, and returns
to the dust, the spirit if life; not only living and immortal, but
swallowed up of life. Death to the saints is but the freeing of the
heaven-born spirit from the clog and load of this body, that it may be
fit to partake of eternal life. When Abraham was dead, yet God was the
God of Abraham, for even then his spirit was life, Matt. xxii. 31, 32.
See Ps. xlix. 15. And this because of righteousness. The righteousness
of Christ imputed to them secures the soul, the better part, from
death; the righteousness of Christ inherent in them, the renewed image
of God upon the soul, preserves it, and, by God's ordination, at death
elevates it, and improves it, and makes it meet to partake of the
inheritance of the saints in light. The eternal life of the soul
consists in the vision and fruition of God, and both assimilating, for
which the soul is qualified by the righteousness of sanctification. I
refer to Ps. xvii. 15, I will behold thy face in righteousness.
3. There is a life reserved too for the poor body at last: He shall
also quicken your mortal bodies, v. 11. The Lord is for the body; and
though at death it is cast aside as a despised broken vessel, a vessel
in which is no pleasure, yet God will have a desire to the work of his
hands (Job xiv. 15), will remember his covenant with the dust, and will
not lose a grain of it; but the body shall be reunited to the soul, and
clothed with a glory agreeable to it. Vile bodies shall be newly
fashioned, Phil. iii. 21; 1 Cor. xv. 42. Two great assurances of the
resurrection of the body are mentioned:-- (1.) The resurrection of
Christ: He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken.
Christ rose as the head, and first-fruits, and forerunner of all the
saints, 1 Cor. xv. 20. The body of Christ lay in the grave, under the
sin of all the elect imputed, and broke through it. O grave, then,
where is thy victory? It is in the virtue of Christ's resurrection that
we shall rise. (2.) The indwelling of the Spirit. The same Spirit that
raiseth the soul now will raise the body shortly: By his Spirit that
dwelleth in you. The bodies of the saints are the temples of the Holy
Ghost, 1 Cor. iii. 16; vi. 19. Now, though these temples may be
suffered for awhile to lie in ruins, yet they shall be rebuilt. The
tabernacle of David, which has fallen down, shall be repaired, whatever
great mountains may be in the way. The Spirit, breathing upon dead and
dry bones, will make them live, and the saints even in their flesh
shall see God. Hence the apostle by the way infers how much it is our
duty to walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit, v. 12, 13. Let
not our life be after the wills and motions of the flesh. Two motives
he mentions here:-- [1.] We are not debtors to the flesh, neither by
relation, gratitude, nor any other bond or obligation. We owe no suit
nor service to our carnal desires; we are indeed bound to clothe, and
feed, and take care of the body, as a servant to the soul in the
service of God, but no further. We are not debtors to it; the flesh
never did us so much kindness as to oblige us to serve it. It is
implied that we are debtors to Christ and to the Spirit: there we owe
our all, all we have and all we can do, by a thousand bonds and
obligations. Being delivered from so great a death by so great a
ransom, we are deeply indebted to our deliverer. See 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20.
[2.] Consider the consequences, what will be at the end of the way.
Here are life and death, blessing and cursing, set before us. If you
live after the flesh, you shall die; that is, die eternally. It is the
pleasing, and serving, and gratifying, of the flesh, that are the ruin
of souls; that is, the second death. Dying indeed is the soul's dying:
the death of the saints is but a sleep. But, on the other hand, You
shall live, live and be happy to eternity; that is the true life: If
you through the Spirit mortify the deeds of the body, subdue and keep
under all fleshly lusts and affections, deny yourselves in the pleasing
and humouring of the body, and this through the Spirit; we cannot do it
without the Spirit working it in us, and the Spirit will not do it
without our doing our endeavour. So that in a word we are put upon this
dilemma, either to displease the body or destroy the soul.
II. The Spirit of adoption is another privilege belonging to those that
are in Christ Jesus, v. 14-16.
1. All that are Christ's are taken into the relation of Children to
God, v. 14. Observe, (1.) Their property: They are led by the Spirit of
God, as a scholar in his learning is led by his tutor, as a traveller
in his journey is led by his guide, as a soldier in his engagements is
led by his captain; not driven as beasts, but led as rational
creatures, drawn with the cords of a man and the bands of love. It is
the undoubted character of all true believers that they are led by the
Spirit of God. Having submitted themselves in believing to his
guidance, they do in their obedience follow that guidance, and are
sweetly led into all truth and all duty. (2.) Their privilege: They are
the sons of God, received into the number of God's children by
adoption, owned and loved by him as his children.
2. And those that are the sons of God have the Spirit,
(1.) To work in them the disposition of children.
[1.] You have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, v. 15.
Understand it, First, Of that spirit of bondage which the Old-Testament
church was under, by reason of the darkness and terror of that
dispensation. The veil signified bondage, 2 Cor. iii. 15. Compare v.
17. The Spirit of adoption was not then so plentifully poured out as
now; for the law opened the wound, but little of the remedy. Now you
are not under that dispensation, you have not received that spirit.
Secondly, Of that spirit of bondage which many of the saints themselves
were under at their conversion, under the convictions of sin and wrath
set home by the Spirit; as those in Acts ii. 37, the jailer (Acts xvi.
30), Paul, Acts ix. 6. Then the Spirit himself was to the saints a
spirit of bondage: "But," says the apostle, "with you this is over."
"God as a Judge," says Dr. Manton, "by the spirit of bondage, sends us
to Christ as Mediator, and Christ as Mediator, by the spirit of
adoption, sends us back again to God as a Father." Though a child of
God may come under fear of bondage again, and may be questioning his
sonship, yet the blessed Spirit is not again a spirit of bondage, for
then he would witness an untruth.
[2.] But you have received the Spirit of adoption. Men may give a
charter of adoption; but it is God's prerogative, when he adopts, to
give a spirit of adoption--the nature of children. The Spirit of
adoption works in the children of God a filial love to God as a Father,
a delight in him, and a dependence upon him, as a Father. A sanctified
soul bears the image of God, as the child bears the image of the
father. Whereby we cry, Abba, Father. Praying is here called crying,
which is not only an earnest, but a natural expression of desire;
children that cannot speak vent their desires by crying. Now, the
Spirit teaches us in prayer to come to God as a Father, with a holy
humble confidence, emboldening the soul in that duty. Abba, Father.
Abba is a Syriac word signifying father or my father; pater, a Greek
work; and why both, Abba, Father? Because Christ said so in prayer
(Mark xiv. 36), Abba, Father: and we have received the Spirit of the
Son. It denotes an affectionate endearing importunity, and a believing
stress laid upon the relation. Little children, begging of their
parents, can say little but Father, Father, and that is rhetoric
enough. It also denotes that the adoption is common both to Jews and
Gentiles: the Jews call him Abba in their language, the Greeks may call
him pater in their language; for in Christ Jesus there is neither Greek
nor Jew.
(2.) To witness to the relation of children, v. 16. The former is the
work of the Spirit as a Sanctifier; this as a Comforter. Beareth
witness with our spirit. Many a man has the witness of his own spirit
to the goodness of his state who has not the concurring testimony of
the Spirit. Many speak peace to themselves to whom the God of heaven
does not speak peace. But those that are sanctified have God's Spirit
witnessing with their spirits, which is to be understood not of any
immediate extraordinary revelation, but an ordinary work of the Spirit,
in and by the means of comfort, speaking peace to the soul. This
testimony is always agreeable to the written word, and is therefore
always grounded upon sanctification; for the Spirit in the heart cannot
contradict the Spirit in the word. The Spirit witnesses to none the
privileges of children who have not the nature and disposition of
children.
The Believer's Privileges. (a. d. 58.)
17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified
together. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in
us. 19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God. 20 For the creature was made
subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath
subjected the same in hope, 21 Because the creature itself also shall
be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty
of the children of God. 22 For we know that the whole creation
groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. 23 And not only
they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit,
even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to
wit, the redemption of our body. 24 For we are saved by hope: but
hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet
hope for? 25 But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with
patience wait for it.
In these words the apostle describes a fourth illustrious branch of the
happiness of believers, namely, a title to the future glory. This is
fitly annexed to our sonship; for as the adoption of sons entitles us
to that glory, so the disposition of sons fits and prepares us for it.
If children, then heirs, v. 17. In earthly inheritances this rule does
not hold, only the first-born are heirs; but the church is a church of
first-born, for they are all heirs. Heaven is an inheritance that all
the saints are heirs to. They do not come to it as purchasers by any
merit or procurement of their own; but as heirs, purely by the act of
God; for God makes heirs. The saints are heirs though in this world
they are heirs under age; see Gal. iv. 1, 2. Their present state is a
state of education and preparation for the inheritance. How comfortable
should this be to all the children of God, how little soever they have
in possession, that, being heirs, they have enough in reversion! But
the honour and happiness of an heir lie in the value and worth of that
which he is heir to: we read of those that inherit the wind; and
therefore we have here an abstract of the premises. 1. Heirs of God.
The Lord himself is the portion of the saints' inheritance (Ps. xvi.
5), a goodly heritage, v. 6. The saints are spiritual priests, that
have the Lord for their inheritance, Num. xviii. 20. The vision of God
and the fruition of God make up the inheritance the saints are heirs
to. God himself will be with them, and will be their God, Rev. xxi. 3.
2. Joint-heirs with Christ. Christ, as Mediator, is said to be the heir
of all things (Heb. i. 2), and true believers, by virtue of their union
with him, shall inherit all things, Rev. xxi. 7. Those that now partake
of the Spirit of Christ, as his brethren, shall, as his brethren,
partake of his glory (John xvii. 24), shall sit down with him upon his
throne, Rev. iii. 21. Lord, what is man, that thou shouldst thus
magnify him! Now this future glory is further spoken of as the reward
of present sufferings and as the accomplishment of present hopes.
I. As the reward of the saints' present sufferings; and it is a rich
reward: If so be that we suffer with him (v. 17), or forasmuch as we
suffer with him. The state of the church in this world always is, but
was then especially, an afflicted state; to be a Christian was
certainly to be a sufferer. Now, to comfort them in reference to those
sufferings, he tells them that they suffered with Christ--for his sake,
for his honour, and for the testimony of a good conscience, and should
be glorified with him. Those that suffered with David in his persecuted
state were advanced by him and with him when he came to the crown; see
2 Tim. ii. 12. See the gains of suffering for Christ; though we may be
losers for him, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by him in the end.
This the gospel is filled with the assurances of. Now, that suffering
saints may have strong supports and consolations from their hopes of
heaven, he holds the balance (v. 18), in a comparison between the two,
which is observable. 1. In one scale he puts the sufferings of this
present time. The sufferings of the saints are but sufferings of this
present time, strike no deeper than the things of time, last no longer
than the present time (2 Cor. iv. 17), light affliction, and but for a
moment. So that on the sufferings he writes tekel, weighed in the
balance and found light. 2. In the other scale he puts the glory, and
finds that a weight, an exceeding and eternal weight: Glory that shall
be revealed. In our present state we come short, not only in the
enjoyment, but in the knowledge of that glory (1 Cor. ii. 9; 1 John
iii. 2): it shall be revealed. It surpasses all that we have yet seen
and known: present vouchsafements are sweet and precious, very
precious, very sweet; but there is something to come, something behind
the curtain, that will outshine all. Shall be revealed in us; not only
revealed to us, to be seen, but revealed in us, to be enjoyed. The
kingdom of God is within you, and will be so to eternity. 3. He
concludes the sufferings not worthy to be compared with the glory--ouk
axia pros ten doxan. They cannot merit that glory; and, if suffering
for Christ will not merit, much less will doing. They should not at all
deter and frighten us from the diligent and earnest pursuit of that
glory. The sufferings are small and short, and concern the body only;
but the glory is rich and great, and concerns the soul, and is eternal.
This he reckons. I reckon--logizomai. It is not a rash and sudden
determination, but the product of a very serious and deliberate
consideration. He had reasoned the case within himself, weighed the
arguments on both sides, and thus at last resolves the point. O how
vastly different is the sentence of the word from the sentiment of the
world concerning the sufferings of this present time! I reckon, as an
arithmetician that is balancing an account. He first sums up what is
disbursed for Christ in the sufferings of this present time, and finds
they come to very little; he then sums up what is secured to us by
Christ in the glory that shall be revealed, and this he finds to be an
infinite sum, transcending all conception, the disbursement abundantly
made up and the losses infinitely countervailed. And who would be
afraid then to suffer for Christ, who as he is before-hand with us in
suffering, so he will not be behind-hand with us in recompence? Now
Paul was as competent a judge of this point as ever any mere man was.
He could reckon not by art only, but by experience; for he knew both.
He knew what the sufferings of this present time were; see 2 Cor. xi.
23-28. He knew what the glory of heaven is; see 2 Cor. xii. 3, 4. And,
upon the view of both, he gives this judgment here. There is nothing
like a believing view of the glory which shall be revealed to support
and bear up the spirit under all the sufferings of this present time.
The reproach of Christ appears riches to those who have respect to the
recompence of reward, Heb. xi. 26.
II. As the accomplishment of the saints' present hopes and
expectations, v. 19, &c. As the saints are suffering for it, so they
are waiting for it. Heaven is therefore sure; for God by his Spirit
would not raise and encourage those hopes only to defeat and disappoint
them. He will establish that word unto his servants on which he has
caused them to hope (Ps. cxix. 49), and heaven is therefore sweet; for,
if hope deferred makes the heart sick, surely when the desire comes it
will be a tree of life, Prov. xiii. 12. Now he observes an expectation
of this glory,
1. In the creatures v. 19-22. That must needs be a great, a
transcendent glory, which all the creatures are so earnestly expecting
and longing for. This observation in these verses has some difficulty
in it, which puzzles interpreters a little; and the more because it is
a remark not made in any other scripture, with which it might be
compared. By the creature here we understand, not as some do the
Gentile world, and their expectation of Christ and the gospel, which is
an exposition very foreign and forced, but the whole frame of nature,
especially that of this lower world--the whole creation, the compages
of inanimate and sensible creatures, which, because of their harmony
and mutual dependence, and because they all constitute and make up one
world, are spoken of in the singular number as the creature. The sense
of the apostle in these four verses we may take in the following
observations:--(1.) That there is a present vanity to which the
creature, by reason of the sin of man, is made subject, v. 20. When man
sinned, the ground was cursed for man's sake, and with it all the
creatures (especially of this lower world, where our acquaintance lies)
became subject to that curse, became mutable and mortal. Under the
bondage of corruption, v. 21. There is an impurity, deformity, and
infirmity, which the creature has contracted by the fall of man: the
creation is sullied and stained, much of the beauty of the world gone.
There is an enmity of one creature to another; they are all subject to
continual alteration and decay of the individuals, liable to the
strokes of God's judgments upon man. When the world was drowned, and
almost all the creatures in it, surely then it was subject to vanity
indeed. The whole species of creatures is designed for, and is
hastening to, a total dissolution by fire. And it is not the least part
of their vanity and bondage that they are used, or abused rather, by
men as instruments of sin. The creatures are often abused to the
dishonour of their Creator, the hurt of his children, or the service of
his enemies. When the creatures are made the food and fuel of our
lusts, they are subject to vanity, they are captivated by the law of
sin. And this not willingly, not of their own choice. All the creatures
desire their own perfection and consummation; when they are made
instruments of sin it is not willingly. Or, They are thus captivated,
not for any sin of their own, which they had committed, but for man's
sin: By reason of him who hath subjected the same. Adam did it
meritoriously; the creatures being delivered to him, when he by sin
delivered himself he delivered them likewise into the bondage of
corruption. God did it judicially; he passed a sentence upon the
creatures for the sin of man, by which they became subject. And this
yoke (poor creatures) they bear in hope that it will not be so always.
Ep elpidi hoti kai, &c.--in hope that the creature itself; so many
Greek copies join the words. We have reason to pity the poor creatures
that for our sin have become subject to vanity. (2.) That the creatures
groan and travail in pain together under this vanity and corruption, v.
22. It is a figurative expression. Sin is a burden to the whole
creation; the sin of the Jews, in crucifying Christ, set the earth a
quaking under them. The idols were a burden to the weary beast, Isa.
xlvi. 1. There is a general outcry of the whole creation against the
sin of man: the stone crieth out of the wall (Hab. ii. 11), the land
cries, Job xxxi. 38. (3.) That the creature, that is now thus burdened,
shall, at the time of the restitution of all things, be delivered from
this bondage into the glorious liberty of the children of God (v.
21)--they shall no more be subject to vanity and corruption, and the
other fruits of the curse; but, on the contrary, this lower world shall
be renewed: when there will be new heavens there will be a new earth (2
Pet. iii. 13; Rev. xxi. 1); and there shall be a glory conferred upon
all the creatures, which shall be (in the proportion of their natures)
as suitable and as great an advancement as the glory of the children of
God shall be to them. The fire at the last day shall be a refining, not
a destroying annihilating fire. What becomes of the souls of brutes,
that go downwards, none can tell. But it should seem by the scripture
that there will be some kind of restoration of them. And if it be
objected, What use will they be of to glorified saints? we may suppose
them of as much use as they were to Adam in innocency; and if it be
only to illustrate the wisdom, power, and goodness of their Creator,
that is enough. Compare with this Ps. xcvi. 10-13; xcviii. 7-9. Let the
heavens rejoice before the Lord, for he cometh. (4.) That the creature
doth therefore earnestly expect and wait for the manifestation of the
children of God, v. 19. Observe, At the second coming of Christ there
will be a manifestation of the children of God. Now the saints are
God's hidden ones, the wheat seems lost in a heap of chaff; but then
they shall be manifested. It does not yet appear what we shall be (1
John iii. 2), but then the glory shall be revealed. The children of God
shall appear in their own colours. And this redemption of the creature
is reserved till then; for, as it was with man and for man that they
fell under the curse, so with man and for man they shall be delivered.
All the curse and filth that now adhere to the creature shall be done
away then when those that have suffered with Christ upon earth shall
reign with him upon the earth. This the whole creation looks and longs
for; and it may serve as a reason why now a good man should be merciful
to his beast.
2. In the saints, who are new creatures, v. 23-25. Observe, (1.) The
grounds of this expectation in the saints. It is our having received
the first-fruits of the Spirit, which both quickens our desires and
encourages our hopes, and both ways raises our expectations. The
first-fruits did both sanctify and ensure the lump. Grace is the
first-fruits of glory, it is glory begun. We, having received such
clusters in this wilderness, cannot but long for the full vintage in
the heavenly Canaan. Not only they--not only the creatures which are
not capable of such a happiness as the first-fruits of the Spirit, but
even we, who have such present rich receivings, cannot but long for
something more and greater. In having the first-fruits of the Spirit we
have that which is very precious, but we have not all we would have. We
groan within ourselves, which denotes the strength and secrecy of these
desires; not making a loud noise, as the hypocrites howling upon the
bed for corn and wine, but with silent groans, which pierce heaven
soonest of all. Or, We groan among ourselves. It is the unanimous vote,
the joint desire, of the whole church, all agree in this: Come, Lord
Jesus, come quickly. The groaning denotes a very earnest and
importunate desire, the soul pained with the delay. Present receivings
and comforts are consistent with a great many groans; not as the pangs
of one dying, but as the throes of a woman in travail--groans that are
symptoms of life, not of death. (2.) The object of this expectation.
What is it we are thus desiring and waiting for? What would we have?
The adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body. Though the soul be
the principal part of the man, yet the Lord has declared himself for
the body also, and has provided a great deal of honour and happiness
for the body. The resurrection is here called the redemption of the
body. It shall then be rescued from the power of death and the grave,
and the bondage of corruption; and, though a vile body, yet it shall be
refined and beautified, and made like that glorious body of Christ,
Phil. iii. 21; 1 Cor. xv. 42. This is called the adoption. [1.] It is
the adoption manifested before all the world, angels and men. Now are
we the sons of God, but it does not yet appear, the honour is now
clouded; but then God will publicly own all his children. The deed of
adoption, which is now written, signed, and sealed, will then be
recognized, proclaimed, and published. As Christ was, so the saints
will be, declared to be the sons of God with power, by the resurrection
from the dead, ch. i. 4. It will then be put past dispute. [2.] It is
the adoption perfected and completed. The children of God have bodies
as well as souls; and, till those bodies are brought into the glorious
liberty of the children of God, the adoption is not perfect. But then
it will be complete, when the Captain of our salvation shall bring the
many sons to glory, Heb. ii. 10. This is that which we expect, in hope
of which our flesh rests, Ps. xvi. 9, 10. All the days of our appointed
time we are waiting, till this change shall come, when he shall call,
and we shall answer, and he will have a desire to the work of his
hands, Job xiv. 14, 15. (3.) The agreeableness of this to our present
state, v. 24, 25. Our happiness is not in present possession: We are
saved by hope. In this, as in other things, God hath made our present
state a state of trial and probation--that our reward is out of sight.
Those that will deal with God must deal upon trust. It is acknowledged
that one of the principal graces of a Christian is hope (1 Cor. xiii.
13), which necessarily implies a good thing to come, which is the
object of that hope. Faith respects the promise, hope the thing
promised. Faith is the evidence, hope the expectation, of things not
seen. Faith is the mother of hope. We do with patience wait. In hoping
for this glory we have need of patience, to bear the sufferings we meet
with in the way to it and the delays of it. Our way is rough and long;
but he that shall come will come, and will not tarry; and therefore,
though he seem to tarry, it becomes us to wait for him.
The Believer's Privileges. (a. d. 58.)
26 Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not
what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh
intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. 27 And he
that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit,
because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of
God. 28 And we know that all things work together for good to them
that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
The apostle here suggests two privileges more to which true Christians
are entitled:--
I. The help of the Spirit in prayer. While we are in this world, hoping
and waiting for what we see not, we must be praying. Hope supposes
desire, and that desire offered up to God is prayer; we groan. Now
observe,
1. Our weakness in prayer: We know not what we should pray for as we
ought. (1.) As to the matter of our requests, we know not what to ask.
We are not competent judges of our own condition. Who knows what is
good for a man in this life? Eccl. vi. 12. We are short-sighted, and
very much biassed in favour of the flesh, and apt to separate the end
from the way. You know not what you ask, Matt. xx. 22. We are like
foolish children, that are ready to cry for fruit before it is ripe and
fit for them; see Luke ix. 54, 55. (2.) As to the manner, we know not
how to pray as we ought. It is not enough that we do that which is
good, but we must do it well, seek in a due order; and here we are
often at a loss--graces are weak, affections cold, thoughts wandering,
and it is not always easy to find the heart to pray, 2 Sam. vii. 27.
The apostle speaks of this in the first person: We know not. He puts
himself among the rest. Folly, and weakness, and distraction in prayer,
are what all the saints are complaining of. If so great a saint as Paul
knew not what to pray for, what little reason have we to go forth about
that duty in our own strength!
2. The assistances which the Spirit gives us in that duty. He helps our
infirmities, meant especially of our praying infirmities, which most
easily beset us in that duty, against which the Spirit helps. The
Spirit in the world helps; many rules and promises there are in the
word for our help. The Spirit in the heart helps, dwelling in us,
working in us, as a Spirit of grace and supplication, especially with
respect to the infirmities we are under when we are in a suffering
state, when our faith is most apt to fail; for this end the Holy Ghost
was poured out. Helpeth, synantilambanetai--heaves with us, over
against us, helps as we help one that would lift up a burden, by
lifting over against him at the other end--helps with us, that is, with
us doing our endeavour, putting forth the strength we have. We must not
sit still, and expect that the Spirit should do all; when the Spirit
goes before us we must bestir ourselves. We cannot without God, and he
will not without us. What help? Why, the Spirit itself makes
intercession for us, dictates our requests, indites our petitions,
draws up our plea for us. Christ intercedes for us in heaven, the
Spirit intercedes for us in our hearts; so graciously has God provided
for the encouragement of the praying remnant. The Spirit, as an
enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for, as a sanctifying
Spirit works and excites praying graces, as a comforting Spirit
silences our fears, and helps us over all our discouragements. The Holy
Spirit is the spring of all our desires and breathings towards God. Now
this intercession which the Spirit makes is, (1.) With groanings that
cannot be uttered. The strength and fervency of those desires which the
Holy Spirit works are hereby intimated. There may be praying in the
Spirit where there is not a word spoken; as Moses prayed (Exod. xiv.
15), and Hannah, 1 Sam. i. 13. It is not the rhetoric and eloquence,
but the faith and fervency, of our prayers, that the Spirit works, as
an intercessor, in us. Cannot be uttered; they are so confused, the
soul is in such a hurry with temptations and troubles, we know not what
to say, nor how to express ourselves. Here is the Spirit interceding
with groans that cannot be uttered. When we can but cry, Abba, Father,
and refer ourselves to him with a holy humble boldness, this is the
work of the Spirit. (2.) According to the will of God, v. 27. The
Spirit in the heart never contradicts the Spirit in the word. Those
desires that are contrary to the will of God do not come from the
Spirit. The Spirit interceding in us evermore melts our wills into the
will of God. Not as I will, but as thou wilt.
3. The sure success of these intercessions: He that searches the heart
knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, v. 27. To a hypocrite, all
whose religion lies in his tongue, nothing is more dreadful than that
God searches the heart and sees through all his disguises. To a sincere
Christian, who makes heart-work of his duty, nothing is more
comfortable than that God searches the heart, for then he will hear and
answer those desires which we want words to express. He knows what we
have need of before we ask, Matt. vi. 8. He knows what is the mind of
his own Spirit in us. And, as he always hears the Son interceding for
us, so he always hears the Spirit interceding in us, because his
intercession is according to the will of God. What could have been done
more for the comfort of the Lord's people, in all their addresses to
God? Christ had said, "Whatever you ask the Father according to his
will he will give it you." But how shall we learn to ask according to
his will? Why, the Spirit will teach us that. Therefore it is that the
seed of Jacob never seek in vain.
II. The concurrence of all providences for the good of those that are
Christ's, v. 28. It might be objected that, notwithstanding all these
privileges, we see believers compassed about with manifold afflictions;
though the Spirit makes intercession for them, yet their troubles are
continued. It is very true; but in this the Spirit's intercession is
always effectual, that, however it goes with them, all this is working
together for their good. Observe here.
1. The character of the saints, who are interested in this privilege;
they are here described by such properties as are common to all that
are truly sanctified. (1.) They love God. This includes all the
out-goings of the soul's affections towards God as the chief good and
highest end. It is our love to God that makes every providence sweet,
and therefore profitable. Those that love God make the best of all he
does, and take all in good part. (2.) They are the called according to
his purpose, effectually called according to the eternal purpose. The
call is effectual, not according to any merit or desert of ours, but
according to God's own gracious purpose.
2. The privilege of the saints, that all things work together for good
to them, that is, all the providences of God that concern them. All
that God performs he performs for them, Ps. lvii. 2. Their sins are not
of his performing, therefore not intended here, though his permitting
sin is made to work for their good, 2 Chron. xxxii. 31. But all the
providences of God are theirs--merciful providences, afflicting
providences, personal, public. They are all for good; perhaps for
temporal good, as Joseph's troubles; at least, for spiritual and
eternal good. That is good for them which does their souls good. Either
directly or indirectly, every providence has a tendency to the
spiritual good of those that love God, breaking them off from sin,
bringing them nearer to God, weaning them from the world, fitting them
for heaven. Work together. They work, as physic works upon the body,
various ways, according to the intention of the physician; but all for
the patient's good. They work together, as several ingredients in a
medicine concur to answer the intention. God hath set the one over
against the other (Eccl. vii. 14): synergei, a very singular, with a
noun plural, denoting the harmony of Providence and its uniform
designs, all the wheels as one wheel, Ezek. x. 13. He worketh all
things together for good; so some read it. It is not from any specific
quality in the providences themselves, but from the power and grace of
God working in, with, and by, these providences. All this we know--know
it for a certainty, from the word of God, from our own experience, and
from the experience of all the saints.
The Believer's Privileges. (a. d. 58.)
29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many
brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called:
and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them
he also glorified.
The apostle, having reckoned up so many ingredients of the happiness of
true believers, comes here to represent the ground of them all, which
he lays in predestination. These precious privileges are conveyed to us
by the charter of the covenant, but they are founded in the counsel of
God, which infallibly secures the event. That Jesus Christ, the
purchaser, might not labour in vain, nor spend his strength and life
for nought and in vain, there is a remnant given him, a seed that he
shall see, so that the good pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his
hands. For the explication of this he here sets before us the order of
the causes of our salvation, a golden chain, which cannot be broken.
There are four links of it:--
I. Whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate to be conformed to the
image of his Son. All that God designed for glory and happiness as the
end he decreed to grace and holiness as the way. Not, whom he did
foreknow to be holy those he predestinated to be so. The counsels and
decrees of God do not truckle to the frail and fickle will of men; no,
God's foreknowledge of the saints is the same with that everlasting
love wherewith he is said to have loved them, Jer. xxxi. 3. God's
knowing his people is the same with his owning them, Ps. i. 6; John x.
14; 2 Tim. ii. 19. See ch. xi. 2. Words of knowledge often in scripture
denote affection; so here: Elect according to the foreknowledge of God,
1 Pet. i. 2. And the same word is rendered fore-ordained, 1 Pet. i. 20.
Whom he did foreknow, that is, whom he designed for his friends and
favourites. I know thee by name, said God to Moses, Exod. xxxiii. 12.
Now those whom god thus foreknew he did predestinate to be conformed to
Christ. 1. Holiness consists in our conformity to the image of Christ.
This takes in the whole of sanctification, of which Christ is the great
pattern and sampler. To be spirited as Christ was, to walk and live as
Christ did, to bear our sufferings patiently as Christ did. Christ is
the express image of his Father, and the saints are conformed to the
image of Christ. Thus it is by the mediation and interposal of Christ
that we have God's love restored to us and God's likeness renewed upon
us, in which two things consists the happiness of man. 2. All that God
hath from eternity foreknown with favour he hath predestinated to this
conformity. It is not we that can conform ourselves to Christ. Our
giving ourselves to Christ takes rise in God's giving us to him; and,
in giving us to him, he predestinated us to be conformable to his
image. It is a mere cavil therefore to call the doctrine of election a
licentious doctrine, and to argue that it gives encouragement to sin,
as if the end were separated from the way and happiness from holiness.
None can know their election but by their conformity to the image of
Christ; for all that are chosen are chosen to sanctification (2 Thess.
ii. 13), and surely it cannot be a temptation to any to be conformed to
the world to believe that they were predestinated to be conformed to
Christ. 3. That which is herein chiefly designed is the honour of Jesus
Christ, that he might be the first-born among many brethren; that is,
that Christ might have the honour of being the great pattern, as well
as the great prince, and in this, as in other things, might have
pre-eminence. It was in the first-born that all the children were
dedicated to God under the law. The first-born was the head of the
family, on whom all the rest did depend: now in the family of the
saints Christ must have the honour of being the first-born. And blessed
be God that there are many brethren; though they seem but a few in one
place at one time, yet, when they come all together, they will be a
great many. There is, therefore, a certain number predestinated, that
the end of Christ's undertaking might be infallibly secured. Had the
event been left at uncertainties in the divine counsels, to depend upon
the contingent turn of man's will, Christ might have been the
first-born among but few or no brethren--a captain without soldiers and
a prince without subjects--to prevent which, and to secure to him many
brethren, the decree is absolute, the thing ascertained, that he might
be sure to see his seed, there is a remnant predestinated to be
conformed to his image, which decree will certainly have its
accomplishment in the holiness and happiness of that chosen race; and
so, in spite of all the opposition of the powers of darkness, Christ
will be the first-born among many, very many brethren.
II. Whom he did predestinate those he also called, not only with the
external call (so many are called that were not chosen, Matt. xx. 16;
xxii. 14), but with the internal and effectual call. The former comes
to the ear only, but this to the heart. All that God did from eternity
predestinate to grace and glory he does, in the fulness of time,
effectually call. The call is then effectual when we come at the call;
and we then come at the call when the Spirit draws us, convinces the
conscience of guilt and wrath, enlightens the understanding, bows the
will, persuades and enables us to embrace Christ in the promises, makes
us willing in the day of his power. It is an effectual call from self
and earth to God, and Christ, and heaven, as our end--from sin and
vanity to grace, and holiness, and seriousness as our way. This is the
gospel call. Them he called, that the purpose of God, according to
election, might stand: we are called to that to which we were chosen.
So that the only way to make our election sure is to make sure our
calling, 2 Pet. i. 10.
III. Whom he called those he also justified. All that are effectually
called are justified, absolved from guilt, and accepted as righteous
through Jesus Christ. They are recti in curia--right in court; no sin
that ever they have been guilty of shall come against them, to condemn
them. The book is crossed, the bond cancelled, the judgment vacated,
the attainder reversed; and they are no longer dealt with as criminals,
but owned and loved as friends and favourites. Blessed is the man whose
iniquity is thus forgiven. None are thus justified but those that are
effectually called. Those that stand it out against the gospel call
abide under guilt and wrath.
IV. Whom he justified those he also glorified. The power of corruption
being broken in effectual calling, and the guilt of sin removed in
justification, all that which hinders is taken out of the way, and
nothing can come between that soul and glory. Observe, It is spoken of
as a thing done: He glorified, because of the certainty of it; he hath
saved us, and called us with a holy calling. In the eternal
glorification of all the elect, God's design of love has its full
accomplishment. This was what he aimed at all along--to bring them to
heaven. Nothing less than that glory would make up the fulness of his
covenant relation to them as God; and therefore, in all he does for
them, and in them, he has this in his eye. Are they chosen? It is to
salvation. Called? It is to his kingdom and glory. Begotten again? It
is to an inheritance incorruptible. Afflicted: It is to work for them
this exceeding and eternal weight of glory. Observe, The author of all
these is the same. It is God himself that predestinated, calleth,
justifieth, glorifieth; so the Lord alone did lead him, and there was
no strange God with him. Created wills are so very fickle, and created
powers so very feeble, that, if any of these did depend upon the
creature, the whole would shake. But God himself hath undertaken the
doing of it from first to last, that we might abide in a constant
dependence upon him and subjection to him, and ascribe all the praise
to him--that every crown may be cast before the throne. This is a
mighty encouragement to our faith and hope; for, as for God, his way,
his work, is perfect. He that hath laid the foundation will build upon
it, and the top-stone will at length be brought forth with shoutings,
and it will be our eternal work to cry, Grace, grace to it.
The Believer's Triumph. (a. d. 58.)
31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be
against us? 32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up
for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
33 Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that
justifieth. 34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea
rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who
also maketh intercession for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the
love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or
famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For
thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for
the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than
conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that
neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers,
nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor
any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The apostle closes this excellent discourse upon the privileges of
believers with a holy triumph, in the name of all the saints. Having
largely set forth the mystery of God's love to us in Christ, and the
exceedingly great and precious privileges we enjoy by him, he concludes
like an orator: What shall we then say to these things? What use shall
we make of all that has been said? He speaks as one amazed and
swallowed up with the contemplation and admiration of it, wondering at
the height and depth, and length and breadth, of the love of Christ,
which passeth knowledge. The more we know of other things the less we
wonder at them; but the further we are led into an acquaintance with
gospel mysteries the more we are affected with the admiration of them.
If Paul was at a loss what to say to these things, no marvel if we be.
And what does he say? Why, if ever Paul rode in a triumphant chariot on
this side of heaven, here it was: with such a holy height and bravery
of spirit, with such a fluency and copiousness of expression, does he
here comfort himself and all the people of God, upon the consideration
of these privileges. In general, he here makes a challenge, throws down
the gauntlet, as it were, dares all the enemies of the saints to do
their worst: If God be for us, who can be against us? The ground of the
challenge is God's being for us; in this he sums up all our privileges.
This includes all, that God is for us; not only reconciled to us, and
so not against us, but in covenant with us, and so engaged for us--all
his attributes for us, his promises for us. All that he is, and has,
and does, is for his people. He performs all things for them. He is for
them, even when he seems to act against them. And, if so, who can be
against us, so as to prevail against us, so as to hinder our happiness?
Be they ever so great and strong, ever so many, ever so might, ever so
malicious, what can they do? While God is for us, and we keep in his
love, we may with a holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness. Let
Satan do his worst, he is chained; let the world do its worst, it is
conquered: principalities and powers are spoiled and disarmed, and
triumphed over, in the cross of Christ. Who then dares fight against
us, while God himself is fighting for us? And this we say to these
things, this is the inference we draw from these premises. More
particularly.
I. We have supplies ready in all our wants (v. 32): He that spared, &c.
Who can be against us, to strip us, to deprive us of our comforts? Who
can cut off our streams, while we have a fountain to go to? 1. Observe
what God has done for us, on which our hopes are built: He spared not
his own Son. When he was to undertake our salvation, the Father was
willing to part with him, did not think him too precious a gift to
bestow for the salvation of poor souls; now we may know that he loves
us, in that he hath not withheld his Son, his own Son, his only Son,
from us, as he said of Abraham, Gen. xxii. 12. If nothing less will
save man, rather than man shall perish let him go, though it were out
of his bosom. Thus did he deliver him up for us all, that is, for all
the elect; for us all, not only for our good, but in our stead, as a
sacrifice of atonement to be a propitiation for sin. When he had
undertaken it, he did not spare him. Though he was his own Son, yet,
being made sin for us, it pleased the Lord to bruise him. Ouk
epheisato--he did not abate him a farthing of that great debt, but
charged it home. Awake, O sword. He did not spare his own Son that
served him, that he might spare us, though we have done him so much
disservice. 2. What we may therefore expect he will do: He will with
him freely give us all things. (1.) It is implied that he will give us
Christ, for other things are bestowed with him: not only with him given
for us, but with him given to us. He that put himself to so much charge
to make the purchase for us surely will not hesitate at making the
application to us. (2.) He will with him freely give us all things, all
things that he sees to be needful and necessary for us, all good
things, and more we should not desire, Ps. xxxiv. 10. And Infinite
Wisdom shall be the judge whether it be good for us and needful for us
or no. Freely give--freely, without reluctancy; he is ready to give,
meets us with his favours;--and freely, without recompence, without
money, and without price. How shall he not? Can it be imagined that he
should do the greater and not do the less? that he should give so great
a gift for us when we were enemies, and should deny us any good thing,
now that through him we are friends and children? Thus may we by faith
argue against our fears of want. He that hath prepared a crown and
kingdom for us will be sure to give us enough to bear our charges in
the way to it. He that hath designed us for the inheritance of sons
when we come to age will not let us want necessaries in the mean time.
II. We have an answer ready to all accusations and a security against
all condemnations (v. 33, 34): Who shall lay any thing? Doth the law
accuse them? Do their own consciences accuse them? Is the devil, the
accuser of the brethren, accusing them before our God day and night?
This is enough to answer all those accusations, It is God that
justifieth. Men may justify themselves, as the Pharisees did, and yet
the accusations may be in full force against them; but, if God
justifies, this answers all. He is the judge, the king, the party
offended, and his judgment is according to truth, and sooner or later
all the world will be brought to be of his mind; so that we may
challenge all our accusers to come and put in their charge. This
overthrows them all; it is God, the righteous faithful God, that
justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? Though they cannot make good the
charge yet they will be ready to condemn; but we have a plea ready to
move in arrest of judgment, a plea which cannot be overruled. It is
Christ that died, &c. It is by virtue of our interest in Christ, our
relation to him, and our union with him, that we are thus secured. 1.
His death: It is Christ that died. By the merit of his death he paid
our debt; and the surety's payment is a good plea to an action of debt.
It is Christ, an able all-sufficient Saviour. 2. His resurrection: Yea,
rather, that has risen again. This is a much greater encouragement, for
it is a convincing evidence that divine justice was satisfied by the
merit of his death. His resurrection was his acquittance, it was a
legal discharge. Therefore the apostle mentions it with a yea, rather.
If he had died, and not risen again, we had been where we were. 3. His
sitting at the right hand of God: He is even at the right hand of
God--a further evidence that he has done his work, and a mighty
encouragement to us in reference to all accusations, that we have a
friend, such a friend, in court. At the right hand of God, which
denotes that he is ready there--always at hand; and that he is ruling
there--all power is given to him. Our friend is himself the judge. 4.
The intercession which he makes there. He is there, not unconcerned
about us, not forgetful of us, but making intercession. He is agent for
us there, an advocate for us, to answer all accusations, to put in our
plea, and to prosecute it with effect, to appear for us and to present
our petitions. And is not this abundant matter for comfort? What shall
we say to these things? Is this the manner of men, O Lord God? What
room is left for doubting and disquietment? Why art thou cast down, O
my soul? Some understand the accusation and condemnation here spoken of
of that which the suffering saints met with from men. The primitive
Christians had many black crimes laid to their charge--heresy,
sedition, rebellion, and what not? For these the ruling powers
condemned them: "But no matter for that" (says the apostle); "while we
stand right at God's bar it is of no great moment how we stand at
men's. To all the hard censures, the malicious calumnies, and the
unjust and unrighteous sentences of men, we may with comfort oppose our
justification before God through Christ Jesus as that which doth
abundantly countervail," 1 Cor. iv. 3, 4.
III. We have good assurance of our preservation and continuance in this
blessed state, v. 35, to the end. The fears of the saints lest they
should lose their hold of Christ are often very discouraging and
disquieting, and create them a great deal of disturbance; but here is
that which may silence their fears, and still such storms, that nothing
can separate them. We have here from the apostle,
1. A daring challenge to all the enemies of the saints to separate
them, if they could, from the love of Christ. Who shall? None shall, v.
35-37. God having manifested his love in giving his own Son for us, and
not hesitating at that, can we imagine that any thing else should
divert or dissolve that love? Observe here,
(1.) The present calamities of Christ's beloved ones supposed--that
they meet with tribulation on all hands, are in distress, know not
which way to look for any succour and relief in this world, are
followed with persecution from an angry malicious world that always
hated those whom Christ loved, pinched with famine, and starved with
nakedness, when stripped of all creature-comforts, exposed to the
greatest perils, the sword of the magistrate drawn against them, ready
to be sheathed in their bowels, bathed in their blood. Can a case be
supposed more black and dismal? It is illustrated (v. 36) by a passage
quoted from Ps. xliv. 22, For thy sake we are killed all the day long,
which intimates that we are not to think strange, no not concerning the
fiery bloody trial. We see the Old-Testament saints had the same lot;
so persecuted they the prophets that were before us. Killed all the day
long, that is, continually exposed to and expecting the fatal stroke.
There is still every day, and all the day long, one or other of the
people of God bleeding and dying under the rage of persecuting enemies.
Accounted as sheep for the slaughter; they make no more of killing a
Christian than of butchering a sheep. Sheep are killed, not because
they are hurtful while they live, but because they are useful when they
are dead. They kill the Christians to please themselves, to be food to
their malice. They eat up my people as they eat bread, Ps. xiv. 4.
(2.) The inability of all these things to separate us from the love of
Christ. Shall they, can they, do it? No, by no means. All this will not
cut the bond of love and friendship that is between Christ and true
believers. [1.] Christ doth not, will not, love us the less for all
this. All these troubles are very consistent with the strong and
constant love of the Lord Jesus. They are neither a cause nor an
evidence of the abatement of his love. When Paul was whipped, and
beaten, and imprisoned, and stoned, did Christ love him ever the less?
Were his favours intermitted? his smiles any whit suspended? his visits
more shy? By no means, but the contrary. These things separate us from
the love of other friends. When Paul was brought before Nero all men
forsook him, but then the Lord stood by him, 2 Tim. iv. 16, 17.
Whatever persecuting enemies may rob us of, they cannot rob us of the
love of Christ, they cannot intercept his love-tokens, they cannot
interrupt nor exclude his visits: and therefore, let them do their
worst, they cannot make a true believer miserable. [2.] We do not, will
not, love him the less for this; and that for this reason, because we
do not think that he loves us the less. Charity thinks no evil,
entertains no misgiving thoughts, makes no hard conclusions, no unkind
constructions, takes all in good part that comes from love. A true
Christian loves Christ never the less though he suffer for him, thinks
never the worse of Christ through he lose all for him.
(3.) The triumph of believers in this ( v. 37): Nay, in all these
things we are more than conquerors.
[1.] We are conquerors: though killed all the day long, yet conquerors.
A strange way of conquering, but it was Christ's way; thus he triumphed
over principalities and powers in his cross. It is a surer and a nobler
way of conquest by faith and patience than by fire and sword. The
enemies have sometimes confessed themselves baffled and overcome by the
invincible courage and constancy of the martyrs, who thus overcame the
most victorious princes by not loving their lives to the death, Rev.
xii. 11.
[2.] We are more than conquerors. In our patiently bearing these trials
we are not only conquerors, but more than conquerors, that is,
triumphers. Those are more than conquerors that conquer, First, With
little loss. Many conquests are dearly bought; but what do the
suffering saints lose? Why, they lose that which the gold loses in the
furnace, nothing but the dross. It is no great loss to lose things
which are not--a body that is of the earth, earthy. Secondly, With
great gain. The spoils are exceedingly rich; glory, honour, and peace,
a crown of righteousness that fades not away. In this the suffering
saints have triumphed; not only have not been separated from the love
of Christ, but have been taken into the most sensible endearments and
embraces of it. As afflictions abound, consolations much more abound, 2
Cor. i. 5. There is one more than a conqueror, when pressed above
measure. He that embraced the stake, and said, "Welcome the cross of
Christ, welcome everlasting life,"--he that dated his letter from the
delectable orchard of the Leonine prison,--he that said, "In these
flames I feel no more pain than if I were upon a bed of down,"--she
who, a little before her martyrdom, being asked how she did, said,
"Well and merry, and going to heaven,"--those that have gone smiling to
the stake, and stood singing in the flames--these were more than
conquerors.
[3.] It is only through Christ that loved us, the merit of his death
taking the sting out of all these troubles, the Spirit of his grace
strengthening us, and enabling us to bear them with holy courage and
constancy, and coming in with special comforts and supports. Thus we
are conquerors, not in our own strength, but in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus. We are conquerors by virtue of our interest in Christ's
victory. He hath overcome the world for us (John xvi. 33), both the
good things and the evil things of it; so that we have nothing to do
but to pursue the victory, and to divide the spoil, and so are more
than conquerors.
2. A direct and positive conclusion of the whole matter: For I am
persuaded, v. 38, 39. It denotes a full, and strong, and affectionate
persuasion, arising from the experience of the strength and sweetness
of the divine love. And here he enumerates all those things which might
be supposed likely to separate between Christ and believers, and
concludes that it could not be done. (1.) Neither death nor
life--neither the terrors of death on the one hand nor the comforts and
pleasures of life on the other, neither the fear of death nor the hope
of life. Or, We shall not be separated from that love either in death
or in life. (2.) Nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers. Both the
good angels and the bad are called principalities and powers: the good,
Eph. i. 21; Col. i. 16; the bad, Eph. vi. 12; Col. ii. 15. And neither
shall do it. The good angels will not, the bad shall not; and neither
can. The good angels are engaged friends, the bad are restrained
enemies. (3.) Nor things present, nor things to come--neither the sense
of troubles present nor the fear of troubles to come. Time shall not
separate us, eternity shall not. Things present separate us from things
to come, and things to come separate and cut us off from things
present; but neither from the love of Christ, whose favour is twisted
in with both present things and things to come. (4.) Nor height, nor
depth--neither the height of prosperity and preferment, nor the depth
of adversity and disgrace; nothing from heaven above, no storms, no
tempests; nothing on earth below, no rocks, no seas, no dungeons. (5.)
Nor any other creature--any thing that can be named or thought of. It
will not, it cannot, separate us from the love of God, which is in
Christ Jesus our Lord. It cannot cut off or impair our love to God, or
God's to us; nothing does it, can do it, but sin. Observe, The love
that exists between God and true believers is through Christ. He is the
Mediator of our love: it is in and through him that God can love us and
that we dare love God. This is the ground of the stedfastness of the
love; therefore God rests in his love (Zeph. iii. 17), because Jesus
Christ, in whom he loves us, is the same yesterday, to-day, and for
ever.
Mr. Hugh Kennedy, an eminent Christian of Ayr, in Scotland, when he was
dying, called for a Bible; but, finding his sight gone, he said, "Turn
me to the eighty of the Romans, and set my finger at these words, I am
persuaded that neither death nor life," &c. "Now," said he, "is my
finger upon them?" And, when they told him it was, without speaking any
more, he said, "Now, God be with you, my children; I have breakfasted
with you, and shall sup with my Lord Jesus Christ this night;" and so
departed.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. IX.
The apostle, having plainly asserted and largely proved that
justification and salvation are to had by faith only, and not by the
works of the law, by Christ and not by Moses, comes in this and the
following chapters to anticipate an objection which might be made
against this. If this be so, then what becomes of the Jews, of them all
as a complex body, especially those of them that do not embrace Christ,
nor believe the gospel? By this rule they must needs come short of
happiness; and then what becomes of the promise made to the fathers,
which entailed salvation upon the Jews? Is not that promise nullified
and made of none effect? Which is not a thing to be imagined concerning
any word of God. That doctrine therefore, might they say, is not to be
embraced, from which flows such a consequence as this. That the
consequence of the rejection of the unbelieving Jews follows from
Paul's doctrine he grants, but endeavours to soften and mollify, ver.
1-5. But that from this it follows that the word of God takes no effect
he denies (ver. 6), and proves the denial in the rest of the chapter,
which serves likewise to illustrate the great doctrine of
predestination, which he had spoken of (ch. viii. 28) as the first
wheel which in the business of salvation sets all the other wheels
a-going.
Paul's Anxiety for the Jews. (a. d. 58.)
1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me
witness in the Holy Ghost, 2 That I have great heaviness and
continual sorrow in my heart. 3 For I could wish that myself were
accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the
flesh: 4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the
glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of
God, and the promises; 5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as
concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for
ever. Amen.
We have here the apostle's solemn profession of a great concern for the
nation and people of the Jews--that he was heartily troubled that so
many of them were enemies to the gospel, and out of the way of
salvation. For this he had great heaviness and continual sorrow. Such a
profession as this was requisite to take off the odium which otherwise
he might have contracted by asserting and proving their rejection. It
is wisdom as much as may be to mollify those truths which sound harshly
and seem unpleasant: dip the nail in oil, it will drive the better. The
Jews had a particular pique at Paul above any of the apostles, as
appears by the history of the Acts, and therefore were the more apt to
take things amiss of him, to prevent which he introduces his discourse
with this tender and affectionate profession, that they might not think
he triumphed or insulted over the rejected Jews or was pleased with the
calamities that were coming upon them. Thus Jeremiah appeals to God
concerning the Jews of his day, whose ruin was hastening on (Jer. xvii.
16), Neither have I desired the woeful day, thou knowest. Nay, Paul was
so far from desiring it that he most pathetically deprecates it. And
lest this should be thought only a copy of his countenance, to flatter
and please them,
I. He asserts it with a solemn protestation (v. 1): I say the truth in
Christ, "I speak it as a Christian, one of God's people, children that
will not lie, as one that knows not how to give flattering title." Or,
"I appeal to Christ, who searches the heart, concerning it." He appeals
likewise to his own conscience, which was instead of a thousand
witnesses. That which he was going to assert was not only a great and
weighty thing (such solemn protestations are not to be thrown away upon
trifles), but it was likewise a secret; it was concerning a sorrow in
his heart to which none was a capable competent witness but God and his
own conscience.--That I have great heaviness, v. 2. He does not say for
what; the very mention of it was unpleasant and invidious; but it is
plain that he means for the rejection of the Jews.
II. He backs it with a very serious imprecation, which he was ready to
make, out of love to the Jews. I could wish; he does not say, I do
wish, for it was no proper means appointed for such an end; but, if it
were, I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my
brethren--a very high pang of zeal and affection for his countrymen. He
would be willing to undergo the greatest misery to do them good. Love
is apt to be thus bold, and venturous, and self-denying. Because the
glory of God's grace in the salvation of many is to be preferred before
the welfare and happiness of a single person, Paul, if they were put in
competition, would be content to forego all his own happiness to
purchase theirs. 1. He would be content to be cut off from the land of
the living, in the most shameful and ignominious manner, as an
anathema, or a devoted person. They thirsted for his blood, persecuted
him as the most obnoxious person in the world, the curse and plague of
his generation, 1 Cor. iv. 13; Acts xxii. 22. "Now," says Paul, "I am
willing to bear all this, and a great deal more, for your good. Abuse
me as much as you will, count and call me at your pleasure; your
unbelief and rejection create in my heart a heaviness so much greater
than all these troubles can that I could look upon them not only as
tolerable, but as desirable, rather than this rejection." 2. He would
be content to be excommunicated from the society of the faithful, to be
separated from the church, and from the communion of saints, as a
heathen man and a publican, if that would do them any good. He could
wish himself no more remembered among the saints, his name blotted out
of the church-records; though he had been so great a planter of
churches, and the spiritual father of so many thousands, yet he would
be content to be disowned by the church, cut off from all communion
with it, and have his name buried in oblivion or reproach, for the good
of the Jews. It may be, some of the Jews had a prejudice against
Christianity for Paul's sake; such a spleen they had at him that they
hated the religion he was of: "If this stumble you," says Paul, "I
could wish I might be cast out, not embraced as a Christian, so you
might but be taken in." Thus Moses (Exod. xxxii. 33), in a like holy
passion of concern, Blot me, I pray thee, out of the book which thou
hast written. 3. Nay, some think that the expression goes further, and
that he could be content to be cut off from all his share of happiness
in Christ, if that might be a means of their salvation. It is a common
charity that begins at home; this is something higher, and more noble
and generous.
III. He gives us the reason of this affection and concern.
1. Because of their relation to them: My brethren, my kinsmen,
according to the flesh. Though they were very bitter against him upon
all occasions, and gave him the most unnatural and barbarous usage, yet
thus respectfully does he speak of them. It shows him to be a man of a
forgiving spirit. Not that I had aught to accuse my nation of, Acts
xxviii. 19. My kinsmen. Paul was a Hebrew of the Hebrews. We ought to
be in a special manner concerned for the spiritual good of our
relations, our brethren and kinsmen. To them we lie under special
engagements, and we have more opportunity of doing good to them; and
concerning them, and our usefulness to them, we must in a special
manner give account.
2. Especially because of their relation to God (v. 4, 5): Who are
Israelites, the seed of Abraham, God's friend, and of Jacob his chosen,
taken into the covenant of peculiarity, dignified and distinguished by
visible church-privileges, many of which are here mentioned:--(1.) The
adoption; not that which is saving, and which entitled to eternal
happiness, but that which was external and typical, and entitled them
to the land of Canaan. Israel is my son, Exod. iv. 22. (2.) And the
glory; the ark with the mercy-seat, over which God dwelt between the
cherubim--this was the glory of Israel, 1 Sam. iv. 21. The many symbols
and tokens of the divine presence and guidance, the cloud, the
Shechinah, the distinguishing favours conferred upon them--these were
the glory. (3.) And the covenants--the covenant made with Abraham, and
often renewed with his seed upon divers occasions. There was a covenant
at Sinai (Exod. xxiv.), in the plains of Moab (Deut. xxix.), at Shechem
(Josh. xxiv.), and often afterwards; and still these pertained to
Israel. Or, the covenant of peculiarity, and in that, as in the type,
the covenant of grace. (4.) And the giving of the law. It was to them
that the ceremonial and judicial law were given, and the moral law in
writing pertained to them. It is a great privilege to have the law of
God among us, and it is to be accounted so, Ps. cxlvii. 19, 20. This
was the grandeur of Israel, Deut. iv. 7, 8. (5.) And the service of
God. They had the ordinances of God's worship among them--the temple,
the altars, the priests, the sacrifices, the feasts, and the
institutions relating to them. They were in this respect greatly
honoured, that, while other nations were worshipping and serving
stocks, and stones, and devils, and they knew not what other idols of
their own invention, the Israelites were serving the true God in the
way of his own appointment. (6.) And the promises--particular promises
added to the general covenant, promises relating to the Messiah and the
gospel state. Observe, The promises accompany the giving of the law,
and the service of God; for the comfort of the promises is to be had in
obedience to that law and attendance upon that service. (7.) Whose are
the fathers (v. 5), Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, those men of renown,
that stood so high in the favour of God. The Jews stand in relation to
them, are their children, and proud enough they are of it: We have
Abraham to our father. It was for the father's sake that they were
taken into covenant, ch. xi. 28. (8.) But the greatest honour of all
was that of them as concerning the flesh (that is, as to his human
nature) Christ came; for he took on him the seed of Abraham, Heb. ii.
16. As to his divine nature, he is the Lord from heaven; but, as to his
human nature, he is of the seed of Abraham. This was the great
privilege of the Jews, that Christ was of kin to them. Mentioning
Christ, he interposes a very great word concerning him, that he is over
all, God blessed for ever. Lest the Jews should think meanly of him,
because he was of their alliance, he here speaks thus honourably
concerning him: and it is a very full proof of the Godhead of Christ;
he is not only over all, as Mediator, but he is God blessed for ever.
Therefore, how much sorer punishment were they worthy of that rejected
him! It was likewise the honour of the Jews, and one reason why Paul
had a kindness for them, that, seeing God blessed for ever would be a
man, he would be a Jew; and, considering the posture and character of
that people at that time, it may well be looked upon as a part of his
humiliation.
The Divine Sovereignty. (a. d. 58.)
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are
not all Israel, which are of Israel: 7 Neither, because they are the
seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be
called. 8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these
are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are
counted for the seed. 9 For this is the word of promise, At this time
will I come, and Sara shall have a son. 10 And not only this; but
when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; 11
(For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or
evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of
works, but of him that calleth;) 12 It was said unto her, The elder
shall serve the younger. 13 As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but
Esau have I hated.
The apostle, having made his way to that which he had to say,
concerning the rejection of the body of his countrymen, with a
protestation of his own affection for them and a concession of their
undoubted privileges, comes in these verses, and the following part of
the chapter, to prove that the rejection of the Jews, by the
establishment of the gospel dispensation, did not at all invalidate the
word of God's promise to the patriarchs: Not as though the word of God
hath taken no effect (v. 6), which, considering the present state of
the Jews, which created to Paul so much heaviness and continual sorrow
(v. 2), might be suspected. We are not to ascribe inefficacy to any
word of God: nothing that he has spoken does or can fall to the ground;
see Isa. lv. 10, 11. The promises and threatenings shall have their
accomplishment; and, one way or other, he will magnify the law and make
it honourable. This is to be understood especially of the promise of
God, which by subsequent providences may be to a wavering faith very
doubtful; but it is not, it cannot be, made of no effect; at the end it
will speak and not lie.
Now the difficulty is to reconcile the rejection of the unbelieving
Jews with the word of God's promise, and the external tokens of the
divine favour, which had been conferred upon them. This he does in four
ways:--1. By explaining the true meaning and intention of the promise,
v. 6-13. 2. By asserting and proving the absolute sovereignty of God,
in disposing of the children of men, v. 14-24. 3. By showing how this
rejection of the Jews, and the taking in of the Gentiles, were foretold
in the Old Testament, v. 25-29. 4. By fixing the true reason of the
Jews' rejection, v. 30, to the end.
In this paragraph the apostle explains the true meaning and intention
of the promise. When we mistake the word, and misunderstand the
promise, no marvel if we are ready to quarrel with God about the
accomplishment; and therefore the sense of this must first be duly
stated. Now he here makes it out that, when God said he would be a God
to Abraham, and to his seed (which was the famous promise made unto the
fathers), he did not mean it of all his seed according to the flesh, as
if it were a necessary concomitant of the blood of Abraham; but that he
intended it with a limitation only to such and such. And as from the
beginning it was appropriated to Isaac and not to Ishmael, to Jacob and
not to Esau, and yet for all this the word of God was not made of no
effect; so now the same promise is appropriated to believing Jews that
embrace Christ and Christianity, and, though it throws off multitudes
that refuse Christ, yet the promise is not therefore defeated and
invalidated, any more than it was by the typical rejection of Ishmael
and Esau.
I. He lays down this proposition--that they are not all Israel who are
of Israel (v. 6), neither because they are, &c., v. 7. Many that
descended from the loins of Abraham and Jacob, and were of that people
who were surnamed by the name of Israel, yet were very far from being
Israelites indeed, interested in the saving benefits of the new
covenant. They are not all really Israel that are so in name and
profession. It does not follow that, because they are the seed of
Abraham, therefore they must needs be the children of God, though they
themselves fancied so, boasted much of, and built much upon, their
relation to Abraham, Matt. iii. 9; John viii. 38, 39. But it does not
follow. Grace does not run in the blood; nor are saving benefits
inseparably annexed to external church privileges, though it is common
for people thus to stretch the meaning of God's promise, to bolster
themselves up in a vain hope.
II. He proves this by instances; and therein shows not only that some
of Abraham's seed were chosen, and others not, but that God therein
wrought according to the counsel of his own will; and not with regard
to that law of commandments to which the present unbelieving Jews were
so strangely wedded.
1. He specifies the case of Isaac and Ishmael, both of them the seed of
Abraham; and yet Isaac only taken into covenant with God, and Ishmael
rejected and cast out. For this he quotes Gen. xxi. 12, In Isaac shall
thy seed be called, which comes in there as a reason why Abraham must
be willing to cast out the bond-woman and her son, because the covenant
was to be established with Isaac, Gen. xvii. 19. And yet the word which
God had spoken, that he would be a God to Abraham and to his seed, did
not therefore fall to the ground; for the blessings wrapt up in that
great word, being communicated by God as a benefactor, he was free to
determine on what head they should rest, and accordingly entailed them
upon Isaac, and rejected Ishmael. This he explains further (v. 8, 9),
and shows what God intended to teach us by this dispensation. (1.) That
the children of the flesh, as such, by virtue of their relation to
Abraham according to the flesh, are not therefore the children of God,
for then Ishmael had put in a good claim. This remark comes home to the
unbelieving Jews, who boasted of their relation to Abraham according to
the flesh, and looked for justification in a fleshly way, by those
carnal ordinances which Christ had abolished. They had confidence in
the flesh, and looked for justification in a fleshly way, by those
carnal ordinances which Christ had abolished. They had confidence in
the flesh, Phil. iii. 3. Ishmael was a child of the flesh, conceived by
Hagar, who was young and fresh, and likely enough to have children.
There was nothing extraordinary or supernatural in his conception, as
there was in Isaac's; he was born after the flesh (Gal. iv. 29),
representing those that expect justification and salvation by their own
strength and righteousness. (2.) That the children of the promise are
counted for the seed. Those that have the honour and happiness of being
counted for the seed have it not for the sake of any merit or desert of
their own, but purely by virtue of the promise, in which God hath
obliged himself of his own good pleasure to grant the promised favour.
Isaac was a child of promise; this his proves, v. 9, quoted from Gen.
xviii. 10. He was a child promised (so were many others), and he was
also conceived and born by force and virtue of the promise, and so a
proper type and figure of those who are now counted for the seed, even
true believers, who are born, not of the will of the flesh, nor of the
will of man, but of God--of the incorruptible seed, even the word of
promise, by virtue of the special promise of a new heart: see Gal. iv.
28. It was through faith that Isaac was conceived, Heb. xi. 11. Thus
were the great mysteries of salvation taught under the Old Testament,
not in express words, but by significant types and dispensations of
providence, which to them then were not so clear as they are to us now,
when the veil is taken away, and the types are expounded by the
antitypes.
2. The case of Jacob and Esau (v. 10-13), which is much stronger, to
show that the carnal seed of Abraham were not, as such, interested in
the promise, but only such of them as God in sovereignty had appointed.
There was a previous difference between Ishmael and Isaac, before
Ishmael was cast out: Ishmael was the son of the bond-woman, born long
before Isaac, was of a fierce and rugged disposition, and had mocked or
persecuted Isaac, to all which it might be supposed God had regard when
he appointed Abraham to cast him out. But, in the case of Jacob and
Esau, it was neither so nor so, they were both the sons of Isaac by one
mother; they were conceived hex henos--by one conception; hex henos
koitou, so some copies read it. The difference was made between them by
the divine counsel before they were born, or had done any good or evil.
Both lay struggling alike in their mother's womb, when it was said, The
elder shall serve the younger, without respect to good or bad works
done or foreseen, that the purpose of God according to election might
stand--that this great truth may be established, that God chooses some
and refuses others as a free agent, by his own absolute and sovereign
will, dispensing his favours or withholding them as he pleases. This
difference that was put between Jacob and Esau he further illustrates
by a quotation from Mal. i. 2, 3, where it is said, not of Jacob and
Esau the person, but the Edomites and Israelites their posterity, Jacob
have I loved, and Esau have I hated. The people of Israel were taken
into the covenant of peculiarity, had the land of Canaan given them,
were blessed with the more signal appearances of God for them in
special protections, supplies, and deliverances, while the Edomites
were rejected, had no temple, altar, priests, nor prophets--no such
particular care taken of them nor kindness shown to them. Such a
difference did God put between those two nations, that both descended
from the loins of Abraham and Isaac, as at first there was a difference
put between Jacob and Esau, the distinguishing heads of those two
nations. So that all this choosing and refusing was typical, and
intended to shadow forth some other election and rejection. (1.) Some
understand it of the election and rejection of conditions or
qualifications. As God chose Isaac and Jacob, and rejected Ishmael and
Esau, so he might and did choose faith to be the condition of salvation
and reject the works of the law. Thus Arminius understands it, De
rejectis et assumptis talibus, certa qualitate notatis--Concerning such
as are rejected and such as are chosen, being distinguished by
appropriate qualities; so John Goodwin. But this very much strains the
scripture; for the apostle speaks all along of persons, he has mercy on
whom (he does not say on what kind of people) he will have mercy,
besides that against this sense those two objections (v. 14, 19) do not
at all arise, and his answer to them concerning God's absolute
sovereignty over the children of men is not at all pertinent if no more
be meant than his appointing the conditions of salvation. (2.) Others
understand it of the election and rejection of particular person--some
loved, and others hated, from eternity. But the apostle speaks of Jacob
and Esau, not in their own persons, but as ancestors--Jacob the people,
and Esau the people; nor does God condemn any, or decree so to do,
merely because he will do it, without any reason taken from their own
deserts. (3.) Others therefore understand it of the election and
rejection of people considered complexly. His design is to justify God,
and his mercy and truth, in calling the Gentiles, and taking them into
the church, and into covenant with himself, while he suffered the
obstinate part of the Jews to persist in unbelief, and so to un-church
themselves--thus hiding from their eyes the things that belonged to
their peace. The apostle's reasoning for the explication and proof of
this is, however, very applicable to, and, no doubt (as is usual in
scripture) was intended for the clearing of the methods of God's grace
towards particular person, for the communication of saving benefits
bears some analogy to the communication of church-privileges. The
choosing of Jacob the younger, and preferring him before Esau the elder
(so crossing hands), were to intimate that the Jews, though the natural
seed of Abraham, and the first-born of the church, should be laid
aside; and the Gentiles, who were as the younger brother, should be
taken in in their stead, and have the birthright and blessing. The
Jews, considered as a body politic, a nation and people, knit together
by the bond and cement of the ceremonial law, the temple and
priesthood, the centre of their unity, had for many ages been the
darlings and favourites of heaven, a kingdom of priests, a holy nation,
dignified and distinguished by God's miraculous appearances among them
and for them. Now that the gospel was preached, and Christian churches
were planted, this national body was thereby abandoned, their
church-polity dissolved; and Christian churches (and in process of time
Christian nations), embodied in like manner, become their successors in
the divine favour, and those special privileges and protections which
were the products of that favour. To clear up the justice of God in
this great dispensation is the scope of the apostle here.
The Divine Sovereignty. (a. d. 58.)
14 What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God
forbid. 15 For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will
have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.
16 So then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth,
but of God that showeth mercy. 17 For the scripture saith unto
Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might
show my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout
all the earth. 18 Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy,
and whom he will he hardeneth. 19 Thou wilt say then unto me, Why
doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20 Nay but, O
man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say
to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21 Hath not the
potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto
honour, and another unto dishonour? 22 What if God, willing to show
his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much longsuffering
the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: 23 And that he might make
known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had
afore prepared unto glory, 24 Even us, whom he hath called, not of
the Jews only, but also of the Gentiles?
The apostle, having asserted the true meaning of the promise, comes
here to maintain and prove the absolute sovereignty of God, in
disposing of the children of men, with reference to their eternal
state. And herein God is to be considered, not as a rector and
governor, distributing rewards and punishments according to his
revealed laws and covenants, but as an owner and benefactor, giving to
the children of men such grace and favour as he has determined in and
by his secret and eternal will and counsel: both the favour of visible
church-membership and privileges, which is given to some people and
denied to others, and the favour of effectual grace, which is given to
some particular persons and denied to others.
Now this part of his discourse is in answer to two objections.
I. It might be objected, Is there unrighteousness with God? If God, in
dealing with the children of men, do thus, in an arbitrary manner,
choose some and refuse others, may it not be suspected that there is
unrighteousness with him? This the apostle startles at the thought of:
God forbid! Far be it from us to think such a thing; shall not the
judge of all the earth do right? Gen. xviii. 25; ch. iii. 5, 6. He
denies the consequences, and proves the denial.
1. In respect of those to whom he shows mercy, v. 15, 16. He quotes
that scripture to show God's sovereignty in dispensing his favours
(Exod. xxxiii. 19): I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious. All
God's reasons of mercy are taken from within himself. All the children
of men being plunged alike into a state of sin and misery, equally
under guilt and wrath, God, in a way of sovereignty, picks out some
from this fallen apostatized race, to be vessels of grace and glory. He
dispenses his gifts to whom he will, without giving us any reason:
according to his own good pleasure he pitches upon some to be monuments
of mercy and grace, preventing grace, effectual grace, while he passes
by others. The expression is very emphatic, and the repetition makes it
more so: I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. It imports a
perfect absoluteness in God's will; he will do what he will, and giveth
not account of any of his matters, nor is it fit he should. As these
great words, I am that I am (Exod. iii. 14) do abundantly express the
absolute independency of his being, so these words, I will have mercy
on whom I will have mercy, do as fully express the absolute prerogative
and sovereignty of his will. To vindicate the righteousness of God, in
showing mercy to whom he will, the apostle appeals to that which God
himself had spoken, wherein he claims this sovereign power and liberty.
God is a competent judge, even in his own case. Whatsoever God does, or
is resolved to do, is both by the one and the other proved to be just.
Eleeso on han heleo--I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy. When
I begin, I will make an end. Therefore God's mercy endures for ever,
because the reason of it is fetched from within himself; therefore his
gifts and callings are without repentance. Hence he infers (v. 16), It
is not of him that willeth. Whatever good comes from God to man, the
glory of it is not to be ascribed to the most generous desire, nor to
the most industrious endeavour, of man, but only and purely to the free
grace and mercy of God. In Jacob's case it was not of him that willeth,
nor of him that runneth; it was not the earnest will and desire of
Rebecca that Jacob might have the blessing; it was not Jacob's haste to
get it (for he was compelled to run for it) that procured him the
blessing, but only the mercy and grace of God. Wherein the holy happy
people of God differ from other people, it is God and his grace that
make them differ. Applying this general rule to the particular case
that Paul has before him, the reason why the unworthy, undeserving,
ill-deserving Gentiles are called, and grafted into the church, while
the greatest part of the Jews are left to perish in unbelief, is not
because those Gentiles were better deserving or better disposed for
such a favour, but because of God's free grace that made that
difference. The Gentiles did neither will it, nor run for it, for they
sat in darkness, Matt. iv. 16. In darkness, therefore not willing what
they knew not; sitting in darkness, a contented posture, therefore not
running to meet it, but anticipated with these invaluable blessings of
goodness. Such is the method of God's grace towards all that partake of
it, for he is found of those that sought him not (Isa. lxv. 1); in this
preventing, effectual, distinguishing grace, he acts as a benefactor,
whose grace is his own. Our eye therefore must not be evil because his
is good; but, of all the grace that we or others have, he must have the
glory: Not unto us, Ps. cxv. 1.
2. In respect of those who perish, v. 17. God's sovereignty, manifested
in the ruin of sinners, is here discovered in the instance of Pharaoh;
it is quoted from Exod. ix. 16. Observe,
(1.) What God did with Pharaoh. He raised him up, brought him into the
world, made him famous, gave him the kingdom and power,--set him up as
a beacon upon a hill, as the mark of all his plagues (compare Exod. ix.
14)--hardened his heart, as he had said he would (Exod. iv. 21): I will
harden his heart, that is, withdraw softening grace, leave him to
himself, let Satan loose against him, and lay hardening providences
before him. Or, by raising him up may be meant the intermission of the
plagues which gave Pharaoh respite, and the reprieve of Pharaoh in
those plagues. In the Hebrew, I have made thee stand, continued thee
yet in the land of the living. Thus doth God raise up sinners, make
them for himself, even for the day of evil (Prov. xvi. 4), raise them
up in outward prosperity, external privileges (Matt. xi. 23), sparing
mercies.
(2.) What he designed in it: That I might show my power in thee. God
would, by all this, serve the honour of his name, and manifest his
power in baffling the pride and insolence of that great and daring
tyrant, who bade defiance to Heaven itself, and trampled upon all that
was just and sacred. If Pharaoh had not been so high and might, so bold
and hardy, the power of God had not been so illustrious in the ruining
of him; but the taking off of the spirit of such a prince, who hectored
at that rate, did indeed proclaim God glorious in holiness, fearful in
praises, doing wonders, Exod. xv. 11. This is Pharaoh, and all his
multitude.
(3.) His conclusion concerning both these we have, v. 18. He hath mercy
on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. The various
dealings of God, by which he makes some to differ from others, must be
resolved into his absolute sovereignty. He is debtor to no man, his
grace is his own, and he may give it or withhold it as it pleaseth him;
we have none of us deserved it, nay, we have all justly forfeited it a
thousand times, so that herein the work of our salvation is admirably
well ordered that those who are saved must thank God only, and those
who perish must thank themselves only, Hos. xiii. 9. We are bound, as
God hath bound us, to do our utmost for the salvation of all we have to
do with; but God is bound no further than he has been pleased to bind
himself by his own covenant and promise, which is his revealed will;
and that is that he will receive, and not cast out, those that come to
Christ; but the drawing of souls in order to that coming is a
preventing distinguishing favour to whom he will. Had he mercy on the
Gentiles? It was because he would have mercy on them. Were the Jews
hardened? It was because it was his own pleasure to deny them softening
grace, and to give them up to their chosen affected unbelief. Even so,
Father, because it seemed good unto thee. That scripture excellently
explains this, Luke x. 21, and, as this, shows the sovereign will of
God in giving or withholding both the means of grace and the effectual
blessing upon those means.
II. It might be objected, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath
resisted his will? v. 19. Had the apostle been arguing only for God's
sovereignty in appointing and ordering the terms and conditions of
acceptance and salvation, there had not been the least colour for this
objection; for he might well find fault if people refused to come up to
the terms on which such a salvation is offered; the salvation being so
great, the terms could not be hard. But there might be colour for the
objection against his arguing for the sovereignty of God in giving and
withholding differencing and preventing grace; and the objection is
commonly and readily advanced against the doctrine of distinguishing
grace. If God, while he gives effectual grace to some, denies it to
others, why doth he find fault with those to whom he denies it? If he
hath rejected the Jews, and hid from their eyes the things that belong
to their peace, why doth he find fault with them for their blindness?
If it be his pleasure to discard them as not a people, and not
obtaining mercy, their knocking off themselves was no resistance of his
will. This objection he answers at large,
1. By reproving the objector (v. 20): Nay but, O man. This is not an
objection fit to be made by the creature against his Creator, by man
against God. The truth, as it is in Jesus, is that which abases man as
nothing, less than nothing, and advances God as sovereign Lord of all.
Observe how contemptibly he speaks of man, when he comes to argue with
God his Maker: "Who art thou, thou that art so foolish, so feeble, so
short-sighted, so incompetent a judge of the divine counsels? Art thou
able to fathom such a depth, dispute such a case, to trace that way of
God which is in the sea, his path in the great waters?" That repliest
against God. It becomes us to submit to him, not to reply against him;
to lie down under his hand, not to fly in his face, nor to charge him
with folly. Ho antapokrinomenos--That answerest again. God is our
master, and we are his servants; and it does not become servants to
answer again, Tit. ii. 9.
2. By resolving all into the divine sovereignty. We are the thing
formed, and he is the former; and it does not become us to challenge or
arraign his wisdom in ordering and disposing of us into this or that
shape of figure. The rude and unformed mass of matter hath no right to
this or that form, but is shaped at the pleasure of him that formeth
it. God's sovereignty over us is fitly illustrated by the power that
the potter hath over the clay; compare Jer. xviii. 6, where, by a like
comparison, God asserts his dominion over the nation of the Jews, when
he was about to magnify his justice in their destruction by
Nebuchadnezzar.
(1.) He gives us the comparison, v. 21. The potter, out of the same
lump, may make either a fashionable vessel, and a vessel fit for
creditable and honourable uses, or a contemptible vessel, and a vessel
in which is no pleasure; and herein he acts arbitrarily, as he might
have chosen whether he would make any vessel of it at all, or whether
he would leave it in the hole of the pit, out of which it was dug.
(2.) The application of the comparison, v. 22-24. Two sorts of vessels
God forms out of the great lump of fallen mankind:--[1.] Vessels of
wrath--vessels filled with wrath, as a vessel of wine is a vessel
filled with wine; full of the fury of the Lord, Isa. li. 20. In these
God is willing to show his wrath, that is, his punishing justice, and
his enmity to sin. This must be shown to all the world, God will make
it appear that he hates sin. He will likewise make his power known, to
dynaton autou. It is a power of strength and energy, an inflicting
power, which works and effects the destruction of those that perish; it
is a destruction that proceeds from the glory of his power, 2 Thess. i.
9. The eternal damnation of sinners will be an abundant demonstration
of the power of God; for he will act in it himself immediately, his
wrath preying as it were upon guilty consciences, and his arm stretched
out totally to destroy their well-being, and yet at the same instant
wonderfully to preserve the being of the creature. In order to this,
God endured them with much long-suffering--exercised a great deal of
patience towards them, let them alone to fill up the measure of sin, to
grow till they were ripe for ruin, and so they became fitted for
destruction, fitted by their own sin and self-hardening. The reigning
corruptions and wickedness of the soul are its preparedness and
disposedness for hell: a soul is hereby made combustible matter, fit
for the flames of hell. When Christ said to the Jews (Matt. xxiii. 32),
Fill you up then the measure of your father, that upon you may come all
the righteous blood (v. 35), he did, as it were, endure them with much
long-suffering, that they might, by their own obstinacy and wilfulness
in sin, fit themselves for destruction. [2.] Vessels of mercy--filled
with mercy. The happiness bestowed upon the saved remnant is the fruit,
not of their merit, but of God's mercy. The spring of all the joy and
glory of heaven is that mercy of God which endures for ever. Vessels of
honour must to eternity own themselves vessels of mercy. Observe,
First, What he designs in them: To make known the riches of his glory,
that is, of his goodness; for God's goodness is his greatest glory,
especially when it is communicated with the greatest sovereignty. I
beseech thee show me thy glory, says Moses, Exod. xxxiii. 18. I will
make all my goodness to pass before thee, says God (v. 19), and that
given out freely: I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious. God
makes known his glory, this goodness of his, in the preservation and
supply of all the creatures: the earth is full of his goodness, and the
year crowned with it; but when he would demonstrate the riches of his
goodness, unsearchable riches, he does it in the salvation of the
saints, that will be to eternity glorious monuments of divine grace.
Secondly, What he does for them he does before prepare them to glory.
Sanctification is the preparation of the soul for glory, making it meet
to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light. This is God's
work. We can destroy ourselves fast enough, but we cannot save
ourselves. Sinners fit themselves for hell, but it is God that prepares
saints for heaven; and all those that God designs for heaven hereafter
he prepares and fits for heaven now: he works them to the self-same
thing, 2 Cor. v. 5. And would you know who these vessels of mercy are?
Those whom he hath called (v. 24); for whom he did predestinate those
he also called with an effectual call: and these not of the Jews only,
but of the Gentiles; for, the partition-wall being taken down, the
world was laid in common, and not (as it had been) God's favour
appropriated to the Jews, and they put a degree nearer his acceptance
than the rest of the world. They now stood upon the same level with the
Gentiles; and the question is not now whether of the seed of Abraham or
no, that is neither here nor there, but whether or no called according
to his purpose.
Conversion of the Gentiles. (a. d. 58.)
25 As he saith also in Osee, I will call them my people, which were not
my people; and her beloved, which was not beloved. 26 And it shall
come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, Ye are not
my people; there shall they be called the children of the living God.
27 Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the
children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:
28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness:
because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. 29 And as
Esaias said before, Except the Lord of Sabaoth had left us a seed, we
had been as Sodoma, and been made like unto Gomorrha.
Having explained the promise, and proved the divine sovereignty, the
apostle here shows how the rejection of the Jews, and the taking in of
the Gentiles, were foretold in the Old Testament, and therefore must
needs be very well consistent with the promise made to the fathers
under the Old Testament. It tends very much to the clearing of a truth
to observe how the scripture is fulfilled in it. The Jews would, no
doubt, willingly refer it to the Old Testament, the scriptures of which
were committed to them. Now he shows how this, which was so uneasy to
them, was there spoken of.
I. By the prophet Hosea, who speaks of the taking in of a great many of
the Gentiles, Hos. ii. 23 and Hos. i. 10. The Gentiles had not been the
people of God, not owning him, nor being owned by him in that relation:
"But," says he, "I will call them my people, make them such and own
them as such, notwithstanding all their unworthiness." A blessed
change! Former badness is no bar to God's present grace and mercy.--And
her beloved which was not beloved. Those whom God calls his people he
calls beloved: he loves those that are his own. And lest it might be
supposed that they should become God's people only by being proselyted
to the Jewish religion, and made members of that nation, he adds, from
Hos. i. 10, In the place where it was said, &c., there shall they be
called. They need not be embodied with the Jews, nor go up to Jerusalem
to worship; but, wherever they are scattered over the face of the
earth, there will God own them. Observe the great dignity and honour of
the saints, that they are called the children of the living God; and
his calling them so makes them so. Behold, what manner of love! This
honour have all his saints.
II. By the prophet Isaiah, who speaks of the casting off of many of the
Jews, in two places.
1. One is Isa. x. 22, 23, which speaks of the saving of a remnant, that
is, but a remnant, which, though in the prophecy it seems to refer to
the preservation of a remnant from the destruction and desolation that
were coming upon them by Sennacherib and his army, yet is to be
understood as looking further, and sufficiently proves that it is no
strange thing for God to abandon to ruin a great many of the seed of
Abraham, and yet maintain his word of promise to Abraham in full force
and virtue. This is intimated in the supposition that the number of
children of Israel was as the sand of the sea, which was part of the
promise made to Abraham, Gen. xxii. 17. And yet only a remnant shall be
saved; for many are called, but few are chosen. In this salvation of
the remnant we are told (v. 28) from the prophet, (1.) That he will
complete the work: He will finish the work. When God begins he will
make an end, whether in ways of judgment or of mercy. The rejection of
the unbelieving Jews god would finish in their utter ruin by the
Romans, who soon after this quite took away their place and nation. The
assuming of Christian churches into the divine favour, and the
spreading of the gospel in other nations, was a work which God would
likewise finish, and be known by his name Jehovah. As for God, his work
is perfect. Margin, He will finish the account. God, in his eternal
counsels, has taken an account of the children of men, allotted them to
such or such a condition, to such a share of privileges; and, as they
come into being, his dealings with them are pursuant to these counsels:
and he will finish the account, complete the mystical body, call in as
many as belong to the election of grace, and then the account will be
finished. (2.) That he will contract it; not only finish it, but finish
it quickly. Under the Old Testament he seemed to tarry, and to make a
longer and more tedious work of it. The wheels moved but slowly towards
the extent of the church; but now he will cut it short, and make a
short work upon the earth. Gentile converts were now flying as a cloud.
But he will cut it short in righteousness, both in wisdom and in
justice. Men, when they cut short, do amiss; they do indeed despatch
causes; but, when God cuts short, it is always in righteousness. So the
fathers generally apply it. Some understand it of the evangelical law
and covenant, which Christ has introduced and established in the world:
he has in that finished the work, put an end to the types and
ceremonies of the Old Testament. Christ said, It is finished, and then
the veil was rent, echoing as it were to the word that Christ said upon
the cross. And he will cut it short. The work (it is logos--the word,
the law) was under the Old Testament very long; a long train of
institutions, ceremonies, conditions: but now it is cut short. Our duty
is now, under the gospel, summed up in much less room than it was under
the law; the covenant was abridged and contracted; religion is brought
into a less compass. And it is in righteousness, in favour to us, in
justice to his own design and counsel. With us contractions are apt to
darken things:--
--------Brevis esse laboro,
Obscurus fio--------
I strive to be concise, but prove obscure.
but it is not so in this case. Though it be cut short, it is clear and
plain; and, because short, the more easy.
2. Another is quoted from Isa. i. 9, where the prophet is showing how
in a time of general calamity and destruction God would preserve a
seed. This is to the same purport with the former; and the scope of it
is to show that it was no strange thing for God to leave the greatest
part of the people of the Jews to ruin, and to reserve to himself only
a small remnant: so he had done formerly, as appears by their own
prophets; and they must not wonder if he did so now. Observe, (1.) What
God is. He is the Lord of sabaoth, that is, the Lord of hosts--a Hebrew
word retained in the Greek, as James v. 4. All the host of heaven and
earth are at his beck and disposal. When God secures a seed to himself
out of a degenerate apostate world, he acts as Lord of sabaoth. It is
an act of almighty power and infinite sovereignty. (2.) What his people
are; they are a seed, a small number. The corn reserved for next year's
seedings is but little, compared with that which is spent and eaten.
But they are a useful number--the seed, the substance, of the next
generation, Isa. vi. 13. It is so far from being an impeachment of the
justice and righteousness of God that so many perish and are destroyed,
that it is a wonder of divine power and mercy that all are not
destroyed, that there are any saved; for even those that are left to be
a seed, if God had dealt with them according to their sins, had
perished with the rest. This is the great truth which this scripture
teacheth us.
Reception of the Gentiles and Rejection of the Jews. (a. d. 58.)
30 What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after
righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness
which is of faith. 31 But Israel, which followed after the law of
righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. 32
Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the
works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone; 33 As it
is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence:
and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
The apostle comes here at last to fix the true reason of the reception
of the Gentiles, and the rejection of the Jews. There was a difference
in the way of their seeking, and therefore there was that different
success, though still it was the free grace of God that made them
differ. He concludes like an orator, What shall we say then? What is
the conclusion of the whole dispute?
I. Concerning the Gentiles observe, 1. How they had been alienated from
righteousness: they followed not after it; they knew not their guilt
and misery, and therefore were not at all solicitous to procure a
remedy. In their conversion preventing grace was greatly magnified: God
was found of those that sought him not, Isa. lxv. 1. There was nothing
in them to dispose them for such a favour more than what free grace
wrought in them. Thus doth God delight to dispense grace in a way of
sovereignty and absolute dominion. 2. How they attained to
righteousness, notwithstanding: By faith; not by being proselyted to
the Jewish religion, and submitting to the ceremonial law, but by
embracing Christ, and believing in Christ, and submitting to the
gospel. They attained to that by the short cut of believing sincerely
in Christ for which the Jews had been long in vain beating about the
bush.
II. Concerning the Jews observe, 1. How they missed their end: they
followed after the law of righteousness (v. 31)--they talked much of
justification and holiness, seemed very ambitious of being the people
of God and the favourites of heaven, but they did not attain to it,
that is, the greatest part of them did not; as many as stuck to their
old Jewish principles and ceremonies, and pursued a happiness in those
observances, embracing the shadows now that the substance was come,
these fell short of acceptance with God, were not owned as his people,
nor went to their house justified. 2. How they mistook their way, which
was the cause of their missing the end, v. 32, 33. They sought, but not
in the right way, not in the humbling way, not in the instituted
appointed way. Not by faith, not by embracing the Christian religion,
and depending upon the merit of Christ, and submitting to the terms of
the gospel, which were the very life and end of the law. But they
sought by the works of the law; as if they were to expect justification
by their observance of the precepts and ceremonies of the law of Moses.
This was the stumbling-stone at which they stumbled. They could not get
over this corrupt principle which they had espoused, That the law was
given them for no end but that merely by their observance of it, and
obedience to it, they might be justified before God: and so they could
by no means be reconciled to the doctrine of Christ, which brought them
off from that to expect justification through the merit and
satisfaction of another. Christ himself is to some a stone of
stumbling, for which he quotes Isa. viii. 14; xxviii. 16. It is sad
that Christ should be set for the fall of any, and yet it is so (Luke
ii. 34), that ever poison should be sucked out of the balm of Gilead,
that the foundation-stone should be to any a stone of stumbling, and
the rock of salvation a rock of offence; so he is to multitudes; so he
was to the unbelieving Jews, who rejected him, because he put an end to
the ceremonial law. But still there is a remnant that do believe on
him; and they shall not be ashamed, that is, their hopes and
expectations of justification by him shall not be disappointed, as
theirs are who expect it by the law. So that, upon the whole, the
unbelieving Jews have no reason to quarrel with God for rejecting them;
they had a fair offer of righteousness, and life, and salvation, made
to them upon gospel terms, which they did not like, and would not come
up to; and therefore, if they perish, they may thank themselves--their
blood is upon their own heads.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. X.
The dissolving of the peculiar church-state of the Jews, and the
rejection of that polity by the repealing of their ceremonial law, the
vacating of all the institutions of it, the abolishing of their
priesthood, the burning of their temple, and the taking away of their
place and nation, and in their room the substituting and erecting of a
catholic church-state among the Gentile nations, though to us, now that
these things have long since been done and completed, they may seem no
great matter, yet to those who lived when they were doing, who knew how
high the Jews had stood in God's favour, and how deplorable the
condition of the Gentile world had been for many ages, it appeared very
great and marvellous, and a mystery hard to be understood. The apostle,
in this chapter, as in the foregoing and that which follows, is
explaining and proving it; but with several very useful digressions,
which a little interrupt the thread of his discourse. To two great
truths I would reduce this chapter:--I. That there is a great
difference between the righteousness of the law, which the unbelieving
Jews were wedded to, and the righteousness of faith offered in the
gospel, ver. 1-11. II. That there is no difference between Jews and
Gentiles; but, in point of justification and acceptance with God, the
gospel sets them both upon the same level, ver. 12 to the end.
Paul's Discourse of Righteousness; The Method of Salvation. (a. d. 58.)
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that
they might be saved. 2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal
of God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For they being ignorant of
God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own
righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of
God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every
one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is
of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say
not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring
Christ down from above:) 7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that
is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The
word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the
word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy
mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath
raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart
man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on
him shall not be ashamed.
The scope of the apostle in this part of the chapter is to show the
vast difference between the righteousness of the law and the
righteousness of faith, and the great pre-eminence of the righteousness
of faith above that of the law; that he might induce and persuade the
Jews to believe in Christ, aggravate the folly and sin of those that
refused, and justify God in the rejection of such refusers.
I. Paul here professes his good affection to the Jews, with the reason
of it (v. 1, 2), where he gives them a good wish, and a good witness.
1. A good wish (v. 1), a wish that they might be saved--saved from the
temporal ruin and destruction that were coming upon them--saved from
the wrath to come, eternal wrath, which was hanging over their heads.
It is implied in this wish that they might be convinced and converted;
he could not pray in faith that they might be saved in their unbelief.
Though Paul preached against them, yet he prayed for them. Herein he
was merciful, as God is, who is not willing that any should perish (2
Pet. iii. 9), desires not the death of sinners. It is our duty truly
and earnestly to desire the salvation of our own. This, he says, was
his heart's desire and prayer, which intimates, (1.) The strength and
sincerity of his desire. It was his heart's desire; it was not a formal
compliment, as good wishes are with many from the teeth outward, but a
real desire. This it was before it was his prayer. The soul of prayer
is the heart's desire. Cold desires do but beg denials; we must even
breathe out our souls in every prayer. (2.) The offering up of this
desire to God. It was not only his heart's desire, but it was his
prayer. There may be desires in the heart, and yet no prayer, unless
those desires be presented to God. Wishing and woulding, if that be
all, are not praying.
2. A good witness, as a reason of his good wish (v. 2): I bear them
record that they have a zeal of God. The unbelieving Jews were the most
bitter enemies Paul had in the world, and yet Paul gives them as good a
character as the truth would bear. We should say the best we can even
of our worst enemies; this is blessing those that curse us. Charity
teaches us to have the best opinion of persons, and to put the best
construction upon words and actions, that they will bear. We should
take notice of that which is commendable even in bad people. They have
a zeal of God. Their opposition to the gospel is from a principle of
respect to the law, which they know to have come from God. There is
such a thing as a blind misguided zeal: such was that of the Jews, who,
when they hated Christ's people and ministers, and cast them out, said,
Let the Lord be glorified (Isa. lxvi. 5); nay, they killed them, and
thought they did God good service, John xvi. 2.
II. He here shows the fatal mistake that the unbelieving Jews were
guilty of, which was their ruin. Their zeal was not according to
knowledge. It is true God gave them that law for which they were so
zealous; but they might have known that, by the appearance of the
promised Messiah, an end was put to it. He introduced a new religion
and way of worship, to which the former must give place. He proved
himself the Son of God, gave the most convincing evidence that could be
of his being the Messiah; and yet they did not know and would not own
him, but shut their eyes against the clear light, so that their zeal
for the law was blind. This he shows further, v. 3, where we may
observe,
1. The nature of their unbelief. They have not submitted themselves to
the righteousness of God, that is, they have not yielded to
gospel-terms, nor accepted the tender of justification by faith in
Christ, which is made in the gospel. Unbelief is a non-submission to
the righteousness of God, standing it out against the gospel
proclamation of indemnity. Have not submitted. In true faith, there is
need of a great deal of submission; therefore the first lesson Christ
teaches is to deny ourselves. It is a great piece of condescension for
a proud heart to be content to be beholden to free grace; we are loth
to sue sub forma pauperis--as paupers.
2. The causes of their unbelief, and these are two:--(1.) Ignorance of
God's righteousness. They did not understand, and believe, and
consider, the strict justice of God, in hating and punishing sin, and
demanding satisfaction, did not consider what need we have of a
righteousness wherein to appear before him; if they had, they would
never have stood out against the gospel offer, nor expected
justification by their own works, as if they could satisfy God's
justice. Or, being ignorant of God's way of justification, which he has
now appointed and revealed by Jesus Christ. They did not know it,
because they would not; they shut their eyes against the discoveries of
it, and love darkness rather. (2.) A proud conceit of their own
righteousness: Going about to establish their own--a righteousness of
their own devising, and of their own working out, by the merit of their
works, and by their observance of the ceremonial law. They thought they
needed not to be beholden to the merit of Christ, and therefore
depended upon their own performances as sufficient to make up a
righteousness wherein to appear before God. They could not with Paul
disclaim a dependence upon this (Phil. iii. 9), Not having my own
righteousness. See an instance of this pride in the Pharisee, Luke
xviii. 10, 11. Compare v. 14.
III. He here shows the folly of that mistake, and what an unreasonable
thing it was for them to be seeking justification by the works of the
law, now that Christ had come, and had brought in an everlasting
righteousness; considering,
1. The subserviency of the law to the gospel (v. 4): Christ is the end
of the law for righteousness. The design of the law was to lead people
to Christ. The moral law was but for the searching of the wound, the
ceremonial law for the shadowing forth of the remedy; but Christ is the
end of both. See 2 Cor. iii. 7, and compare Gal. iii. 23, 24. The use
of the law was to direct people for righteousness to Christ. (1.)
Christ is the end of the ceremonial law; he is the period of it,
because he is the perfection of it. When the substance comes, the
shadow is gone. The sacrifices, and offerings, and purifications
appointed under the Old Testament, prefigured Christ, and pointed at
him; and their inability to take away sin discovered the necessity of a
sacrifice that should, by being once offered, take away sin. (2.)
Christ is the end of the moral law in that he did what the law could
not do (ch. viii. 3), and secured the great end of it. The end of the
law was to bring men to perfect obedience, and so to obtain
justification. This is now become impossible, by reason of the power of
sin and the corruption of nature; but Christ is the end of the law. The
law is not destroyed, nor the intention of the lawgiver frustrated,
but, full satisfaction being made by the death of Christ for our breach
of the law, the end is attained, and we are put in another way of
justification. Christ is thus the end of the law for righteousness,
that is, for justification; but it is only to every one that believeth.
Upon our believing, that is, our humble consent to the terms of the
gospel, we become interested in Christ's satisfaction, and so are
justified through the redemption that is in Jesus.
2. The excellency of the gospel above the law. This he proves by
showing the different constitution of these two.
(1.) What is the righteousness which is of the law? This he shows, v.
5. The tenour of it is, Do, and live. Though it directs us to a better
and more effectual righteousness in Christ, yet in itself, considered
as a law abstracted from its respect to Christ and the gospel (for so
the unbelieving Jews embraced and retained it), it owneth nothing as a
righteousness sufficient to justify a man but that of perfect
obedience. For this he quotes that scripture (Lev. xviii. 5), You shall
therefore keep my statutes and my judgments, which if a man do, he
shall live in them. To this he refers likewise, Gal. iii. 12, The man
that doeth them, shall live in them. Live, that is, be happy, not only
in the land of Canaan, but in heaven, of which Canaan was a type and
figure. The doing supposed must be perfect and sinless, without the
least breach or violation. The law which was given upon Mount Sinai,
though it was not a pure covenant of works (for who then could be saved
under that dispensation?) yet, that is might be the more effectual to
drive people to Christ and to make the covenant of grace welcome, it
had a very great mixture of the strictness and terror of the covenant
of works. Now, was it not extreme folly in the Jews to adhere so
closely to this way of justification and salvation, which was in itself
so hard, and by the corruption of nature now become impossible, when
there was a new and a living way opened?
(2.) What is that righteousness which is of faith, v. 6, &c. This he
describes in the words of Moses, in Deuteronomy, in the second law (so
Deuteronomy signifies), where there was a much clearer revelation of
Christ and the gospel than there was in the first giving of the law: he
quotes it from Deut. xxx. 11-14, and shows,
[1.] That it is not at all hard or difficult. The way of justification
and salvation has in it no such depths or knots as may discourage us,
no insuperable difficulties attending it; but, as was foretold, it is a
high-way, Isa. xxxv. 8. We are not put to climb for it--it is not in
heaven; we are not put to dive for it--it is not in the deep. First, We
need not go to heaven, to search the records there, or to enquire into
the secrets of the divine counsel. It is true Christ is in heaven; but
we may be justified and saved without going thither, to fetch him
thence, or sending a special messenger to him. Secondly, We need not go
to the deep, to fetch Christ out of the grave, or from the state of the
dead: Into the deep, to bring up Christ from the dead. This plainly
shows that Christ's descent into the deep, or into hades, was no more
than his going into the state of the dead, in allusion to Jonah. It is
true that Christ was in the grave, and it is as true that he is now in
heaven; but we need not perplex and puzzle ourselves with fancied
difficulties, nor must we create to ourselves such gross and carnal
ideas of these things as if the method of salvation were impracticable,
and the design of the revelation were only to amuse us. No, salvation
is not put at so vast a distance from us.
[2.] But it is very plain and easy: The word is nigh thee. When we
speak of looking upon Christ, and receiving Christ, and feeding upon
Christ, it is not Christ in heaven, nor Christ in the deep, that we
mean; but Christ in the promise, Christ exhibited to us, and offered,
in the word. Christ is nigh thee, for the word is nigh thee: nigh thee
indeed: it is in thy mouth, and in thy heart; there is no difficulty in
understanding, believing, and owning it. The work thou hast to do lies
within thee: the kingdom of God is within you, Luke xvii. 21. Thence
thou must fetch thy evidences, not out of the records of heaven. It is,
that is, it is promised that it shall be, in thy mouth (Isa. lix. 21),
and in thy heart, Jer. xxxi. 33. All that which is done for us is
already done to our hands. Christ is come down from heaven; we need not
go to fetch him. He is come up from the deep; we need not perplex
ourselves how to bring him up. There is nothing now to be done, but a
work in us; this must be our care, to look to our heart and mouth.
Those that were under the law were to do all themselves, Do this, and
live; but the gospel discovers the greatest part of the work done
already, and what remains cut short in righteousness, salvation offered
upon very plain and easy terms, brought to our door, as it were, in the
word which is nigh us. It is in our mouth--we are reading it daily; it
is in our heart--we are, or should be, thinking of it daily. Even the
word of faith; the gospel and the promise of it, called the word of
faith because it is the object of faith about which it is conversant,
the word which we believe;--because it is the precept of faith,
commanding it, and making it the great condition of justification;--and
because it is the ordinary means by which faith is wrought and
conveyed. Now what is this word of faith? We have the tenour of it, v.
9, 10, the sum of the gospel, which is plain and easy enough. Observe,
First, What is promised to us: Thou shalt be saved. It is salvation
that the gospel exhibits and tenders--saved from guilt and wrath, with
the salvation of the soul, an eternal salvation, which Christ is the
author of, a Saviour to the uttermost.
Secondly, Upon what terms.
a. Two things are required as conditions of salvation:--(a.) Confessing
the Lord Jesus--openly professing relation to him and dependence on
him, as our prince and Saviour, owning Christianity in the face of all
the allurements and affrightments of this world, standing by him in all
weathers. Our Lord Jesus lays a great stress upon this confessing of
him before men; see Matt. x. 32, 33. It is the product of many graces,
evinces a great deal of self-denial, love to Christ, contempt of the
world, a mighty courage and resolution. It was a very great thing,
especially, when the profession of Christ or Christianity hazarded
estate, honour, preferment, liberty, life, and all that is dear in this
world, which was the case in the primitive times. (b.) Believing in the
heart that God raised him from the dead. The profession of faith with
the mouth, if there be not the power of it in the heart, is but a
mockery; the root of it must be laid in an unfeigned assent to the
revelation of the gospel concerning Christ, especially concerning his
resurrection, which is the fundamental article of the Christian faith,
for thereby he was declared to be the Son of God with power, and full
evidence was given that God accepted his satisfaction.
b. This is further illustrated (v. 10), and the order inverted, because
there must first be faith in the heart before there can be an
acceptable confession with the mouth. (a.) Concerning faith: It is with
the heart that man believeth, which implies more than an assent of the
understanding, and takes in the consent of the will, an inward, hearty,
sincere, and strong consent. It is not believing (not to be reckoned
so) if it be not with the heart. This is unto righteousness. There is
the righteousness of justification and the righteousness of
sanctification. Faith is to both; it is the condition of our
justification (ch. v. 1), and it is the root and spring of our
sanctification; in it it is begun; by it it is carried on, Acts xv. 9.
(b.) Concerning profession: It is with the mouth that confession is
made--confession to God in prayer and praise (ch. xv. 6), confession to
men by owning the ways of God before others, especially when we are
called to it in a day of persecution. It is fit that God should be
honoured with the mouth, for he made man's mouth (Exod. iv. 11), and at
such a time has promised to give his faithful people a mouth and
wisdom, Luke xxi. 15. It is part of the honour of Christ that every
tongue shall confess, Phil. ii. 11. And this is said to be unto
salvation, because it is the performance of the condition of that
promise, Matt. x. 32. Justification by faith lays the foundation of our
title to salvation; but by confession we build upon that foundation,
and come at last to the full possession of that to which we were
entitled. So that we have here a brief summary of the terms of
salvation, and they are very reasonable; in short this, that we must
devote, dedicate, and give up, to God, our souls and our bodies--our
souls in believing with the heart, and our bodies in confessing with
the mouth. This do, and thou shalt live. For this (v. 11) he quotes
Isa. xxviii. 16, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed; ou
kataischynthesetai. That is, [a.] He will not be ashamed to own that
Christ in whom he trusts; he that believes in the heart will not be
ashamed to confess with the mouth. It is sinful shame that makes people
deny Christ, Mark viii. 38. He that believeth will not make haste (so
the prophet has it)--will not make haste to run away from the
sufferings he meets with in the way of his duty, will not be ashamed of
a despised religion. [b.] He shall not be ashamed of his hope in
Christ; he shall not be disappointed of his end. It is our duty that we
must not, it is our privilege that we shall not, be ashamed of our
faith in Christ. He shall never have cause to repent his confidence in
reposing such a trust in the Lord Jesus.
Importance of Preaching the Gospel; Perverseness of Israel. (a. d. 58.)
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the
same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How
then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how
shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall
they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except
they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that
preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who
hath believed our report? 17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and
hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, Have they not heard? Yes
verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the
ends of the world. 19 But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses
saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and
by a foolish nation I will anger you. 20 But Esaias is very bold, and
saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto
them that asked not after me. 21 But to Israel he saith, All day long
I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying
people.
The first words express the design of the apostle through these verses,
that there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, but they stand
upon the same level in point of acceptance with God. In Jesus Christ
there is neither Greek nor Jews, Col. iii. 11. God doth not save any
nor reject any because they are Jews, nor because they are Greeks, but
doth equally accept both upon gospel terms: There is no difference. For
the proof of this he urges two arguments:--
I. That God is the same to all: The same Lord over all is rich unto
all. There is not one God to the Jews who is more kind, and another to
the Gentiles who is less kind; but he is the same to all, a common
father to all mankind. When he proclaimed his name, The Lord, the Lord
god, gracious and merciful, he thereby signified not only what he was
to the Jews, but what he is and will be to all his creatures that seek
unto him: not only good, but rich, plenteous in goodness: he hath
wherewith to supply them all, and he is free and ready to give out to
them; he is both able and willing: not only rich, but rich unto us,
liberal and bountiful in dispensing his favours to all that call upon
him. Something must be done by us, that we may reap of this bounty; and
it is as little as can be, we must call upon him. He will for this be
enquired of (Ezek. xxxvi. 37), and surely that which is not worth the
asking is not worth the having. We have nothing to do but to draw out
by prayer, as there is occasion.
II. That the promise is the same to all (v. 13): Whoever shall
call--one as well as another, without exception. This extent, this
undifferencing extent, of the promise both to Jews and Gentiles he
thinks should not be surprising, for it was foretold by the prophet,
Joel ii. 32. Calling upon the name of the Lord is here put for all
practical religion. What is the life of a Christian but a life of
prayer? It implies a sense of our dependence on him, an entire
dedication of ourselves to him, and a believing expectation of our all
from him. He that thus calls upon him shall be saved. It is but ask and
have; what would we have more? for the further illustration of this he
observes,
1. How necessary it was that the gospel should be preached to the
Gentiles, v. 14, 15. This was what the Jews were so angry with Paul
for, that he was the apostle of the Gentiles, and preached the gospel
to them. Now he shows how needful it was to bring them within the reach
of the forementioned promise, an interest in which they should not envy
to any of their fellow-creatures. (1.) They cannot call on him in whom
they have not believed. Except they believe that he is God, they will
not call upon him by prayer; to what purpose should they? The grace of
faith is absolutely necessary to the duty of prayer; we cannot pray
aright, nor pray to acceptation, without it. He that comes to God by
prayer must believe, Heb. xi. 6. Till they believed the true God, they
were calling upon idols, O Baal, hear us. (2.) They cannot believe in
him of whom they have not heard. some way or other the divine
revelation must be made known to us, before we can receive it and
assent to it; it is not born with us. In hearing is included reading,
which is tantamount, and by which many are brought to believe (John xx.
31): These things are written that you may believe. But hearing only is
mentioned, as the more ordinary and natural way of receiving
information. (3.) They cannot hear without a preacher; how should they?
Somebody must tell them what they are to believe. Preachers and hearers
are correlates; it is a blessed thing when they mutually rejoice in
each other--the hearers in the skill and faithfulness of the preacher,
and the preacher in the willingness and obedience of the hearers. (4.)
They cannot preach except they be sent, except they be both
commissioned and in some measure qualified for their preaching work.
How shall a man act as an ambassador, unless he have both his
credentials and his instructions from the prince that sends him? This
proves that to the regular ministry there must be a regular mission and
ordination. It is God's prerogative to send ministers; he is the Lord
of the harvest, and therefore to him we must pray that he would send
forth labourers, Matt. ix. 38. He only can qualify men for, and incline
them to, the work of the ministry. But the competency of that
qualification, and the sincerity of that inclination, must not be left
to the judgment of every man for himself: the nature of the thing will
by no means admit this; but, for the preservation of due order in the
church, this must needs be referred and submitted to the judgment of a
competent number of those who are themselves in that office and of
approved wisdom and experience in it, who, as in all other callings,
are presumed the most able judges, and who are empowered to set apart
such as they find so qualified and inclined to this work of the
ministry, that by this preservation of the succession the name of
Christ may endure for ever and his throne as the days of heaven. And
those that are thus set apart, not only may, but must preach, as those
that are sent.
2. How welcome the gospel ought to be to those to whom it was preached,
because it showed the way to salvation, v. 15. For this he quotes Isa.
lii. 7. The like passage we have, Nah. i. 15, which, if it point at the
glad tidings of the deliverance of Israel out of Babylon in the type,
yet looks further to the gospel, the good news of our salvation by
Jesus Christ. Observe, (1.) What the gospel is: It is the gospel of
peace; it is the word of reconciliation between God and man. On earth
peace, Luke ii. 14. Or, peace is put in general for all good; so it is
explained here; it is glad tidings of good things. The things of the
gospel are good things indeed, the best things; tidings concerning them
are the most joyful tidings, the best news that ever came from heaven
to earth. (2.) What the work of ministers is: To preach this gospel, to
bring these glad tidings; to evangelize peace (so the original is), to
evangelize good things. Every good preacher is in this sense an
evangelist: he is not only a messenger to carry the news, but an
ambassador to treat; and the first gospel preachers were angels, Luke
ii. 13, &c. (3.) How acceptable they should therefore be to the
children of men for their work's sake: How beautiful are the feet, that
is, how welcome are they! Mary Magdalene expressed her love to Christ
by kissing his feet, and afterwards by holding him by the feet, Matt.
xxviii. 9. And, when Christ was sending forth his disciples, he washed
their feet. Those that preach the gospel of peace should see to it that
their feet (their life and conversation) be beautiful: the holiness of
ministers' lives is the beauty of their feet. How beautiful! namely, in
the eyes of those that hear them. Those that welcome the message cannot
but love the messengers. See 1 Thess. v. 12, 13.
3. He answers an objection against all this, which might be taken from
the little success which the gospel had in many places (v. 16): But
they have not all obeyed the gospel. All the Jews have not, all the
Gentiles have not; far the greater part of both remain in unbelief and
disobedience. Observe, The gospel is given us not only to be known and
believed, but to be obeyed. It is not a system of notions, but a rule
of practice. This little success of the word was likewise foretold by
the prophet (Isa. liii. 1): Who hath believed our report? Very few
have, few to what one would think should have believed it, considering
how faithful a report it is and how well worthy of all
acceptation,--very few to the many that persist in unbelief. It is no
strange thing, but it is a very sad and uncomfortable thing, for the
ministers of Christ to bring the report of the gospel, and not to be
believed in it. Under such a melancholy consideration it is good for us
to go to God and make our complaint to him. Lord, who hath believed,
&c. In answer to this,
(1.) He shows that the word preached is the ordinary means of working
faith (v. 17): So then, ara--however; though many that hear do not
believe, yet those that believe have first heard. Faith cometh by
hearing. It is the summary of what he had said before, v. 14. The
beginning, progress, and strength of faith, are by hearing. The word of
God is therefore called the word of faith: it begets and nourishes
faith. God gives faith, but it is by the word as the instrument.
Hearing (that hearing which works faith) is by the word of God. It is
not hearing the enticing words of man's wisdom, but hearing the word of
God, that will befriend faith, and hearing it as the word of God. See 1
Thess. ii. 13.
(2.) That those who would not believe the report of the gospel, yet,
having heard it, were thereby left inexcusable, and may thank
themselves for their own ruin, v. 18, to the end.
[1.] The Gentiles have heard it (v. 18): Have they not heard? Yes, more
or less, they have either heard the gospel, or at least heard of it.
Their sound went into all the earth; not only a confused sound, but
their words (more distinct and intelligible notices of these things)
are gone unto the ends of the world. The commission which the apostles
received runs thus: Go you into all the world--preach to every
creature--disciple all nations; and they did with indefatigable
industry and wonderful success pursue that commission. See the extent
of Paul's province, ch. xv. 19. To this remote island of Britain, one
of the utmost corners of the world, not only the sound, but the words,
of the gospel came within a few years after Christ's ascension. It was
in order to this that the gift of tongues was at the very first poured
so plentifully upon the apostles, Acts ii. In the expression here he
plainly alludes to Ps. xix. 4, which speaks of the notices which the
visible works of God in the creation give to all the world of the power
and Godhead of the Creator. As under the Old Testament God provided for
the publishing of the work of creation by the sun, moon, and stars, so
now for the publishing of the work of redemption to all the world by
the preaching of gospel ministers, who are therefore called stars.
[2.] The Jews have heard it too, v. 19-21. For this he appeals to two
passages of the Old Testament, to show how inexcusable they are too.
Did not Israel know that the Gentiles were to be called in? They might
have known it from Moses and Isaiah.
First, One is taken from Deut. xxxii. 21, I will provoke you to
jealousy. The Jews not only had the offer, but saw the Gentiles
accepting it and benefitted by that acceptance, witness their vexation
at the event. They had the refusal: To you first, Acts iii. 26. In all
places where the apostles came still the Jews had the first offer, and
the Gentiles had but their leavings. If one would not, another would.
Now this provoked them to jealousy. They, as the elder brother in the
parable (Luke xv.) envied the reception and entertainment of the
prodigal Gentiles upon their repentance. The Gentiles are here called
no people, and a foolish nation, that is, not the professing people of
God. How much soever there be of the wit and wisdom of the world, those
that are not the people of God are, and in the end will be found to be,
a foolish people. Such was the state of the Gentile world, who yet were
made the people of God, and Christ to them the wisdom of God. What a
provocation it was to the Jews to see the Gentiles taken into favour we
may see, Acts xiii. 45; xvii. 5, 13, and especially Acts xxii. 22. It
was an instance of the great wickedness of the Jews that they were thus
enraged; and this in Deuteronomy is the matter of a threatening. God
often makes people's sin their punishment. A man needs no greater
plague than to be left to the impetuous rage of his own lusts.
Secondly, Another is taken from Isa. lxv. 1, 2, which is very full, and
in it Esaias is very bold--bold indeed, to speak so plainly of the
rejection of his own countrymen. Those that will be found faithful have
need to be very bold. Those that are resolved to please God must not be
afraid to displease any man. Now Esaias speaks boldly and plainly,
a. Of the preventing grace and favour of God in the reception and
entertainment of the Gentiles (v. 20): I was found of those that sought
me not. The prescribed method is, Seek and find; this is a rule for us,
not a rule for God, who is often found of those that do not seek. His
grace is his own, distinguishing grace his own, and he dispenses it in
a way of sovereignty, gives of withholds it at pleasure--anticipates us
with the blessings, the riches choicest blessings, of his goodness.
Thus he manifested himself to the Gentiles, by sending the light of the
gospel among them, when they were so far from seeking him and asking
after him that they were following after lying vanities, and serving
dumb idols. Was not this our own particular case? Did not God begin in
love, and manifest himself to us when we did not ask after him? And was
not that a time of love indeed, to be often remembered with a great
deal of thankfulness?
b. Of the obstinacy and perverseness of Israel, notwithstanding the
fair offers and affectionate invitations they had, v. 21. Observe,
(a.) God's great goodness to them: All day long I have stretched forth
my hands. [a.] His offers: I have stretched forth my hands, offering
them life and salvation with the greatest sincerity and seriousness
that can be, with all possible expressions of earnestness and
importunity, showing them the happiness tendered, setting it before
them with the greatest evidence, reasoning the case with them.
Stretching forth the hands is the gesture of those that require
audience (Acts xxvi. 1), or desire acceptance, Prov. i. 24. Christ was
crucified with his hands stretched out. Stretched forth my hands as
offering reconciliation--come let us shake hands and be friends; and
our duty is to give the hand to him, 2 Chron. xxx. 8. [b.] His patience
in making these offers: All day long. The patience of God towards
provoking sinners is admirable. He waits to be gracious. The time of
God's patience is here called a day, lightsome as a day and fit for
work and business, but limited as a day, and a night at the end of it.
he bears long, but he will not bear always.
(b.) Their great badness to him. They were a disobedient gainsaying
people. One word in the Hebrew, in Isaiah, is here well explained by
two; not only disobedient to the call, not yielding to it, but
gainsaying, and quarrelling with it, which is much worse. Many that
will not accept of a good proposal will yet acknowledge that they have
nothing to say against it: but the Jews who believed not rested not
there, but contradicted and blasphemed. God's patience with them was a
very great aggravation of their disobedience, and rendered it the more
exceedingly sinful; as their disobedience advanced the honour of God's
patience and rendered it the more exceedingly gracious. It is a wonder
of mercy in God that his goodness is not overcome by man's badness; and
it is a wonder of wickedness in man that his badness is not overcome by
God's goodness.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. XI.
The apostle, having reconciled that great truth of the rejection of the
Jews with the promise made unto the fathers, is, in this chapter,
further labouring to mollify the harshness of it, and to reconcile it
to the divine goodness in general. It might be said, "Hath God then
cast away his people?" The apostles therefore sets himself, in this
chapter, to make a reply to this objection, and that two ways:--I. He
shows at large what the mercy is that is mixed with this wrath, ver.
1-32. II. He infers thence the infinite wisdom and sovereignty of God,
with the adoration of which he concludes this chapter and subject, ver.
33-36.
The State of the Jews; The State of the Gentiles; The Gentiles Warned; The
Future Conversion of the Jews. (a. d. 58.)
1 I say then, Hath God cast away his people? God forbid. For I also am
an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God
hath not cast away his people which he foreknew. Wot ye not what the
scripture saith of Elias? how he maketh intercession to God against
Israel, saying, 3 Lord, they have killed thy prophets, and digged
down thine altars; and I am left alone, and they seek my life. 4 But
what saith the answer of God unto him? I have reserved to myself seven
thousand men, who have not bowed the knee to the image of Baal. 5
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to
the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then is it no more of
works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is
it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. 7 What then? Israel
hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath
obtained it, and the rest were blinded 8 (According as it is written,
God hath given them the spirit of slumber, eyes that they should not
see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. 9 And David
saith, Let their table be made a snare, and a trap, and a
stumblingblock, and a recompence unto them: 10 Let their eyes be
darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway. 11 I
say then, Have they stumbled that they should fall? God forbid: but
rather through their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, for to
provoke them to jealousy. 12 Now if the fall of them be the riches of
the world, and the diminishing of them the riches of the Gentiles; how
much more their fulness? 13 For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as
I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14 If by any
means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might
save some of them. 15 For if the casting away of them be the
reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life
from the dead? 16 For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also
holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of
the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert
graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness
of the olive tree; 18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou
boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee. 19 Thou wilt say
then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in. 20
Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by
faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: 21 For if God spared not the
natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. 22 Behold
therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell,
severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness:
otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. 23 And they also, if they abide
not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff
them in again. 24 For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is
wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive
tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be
graffed into their own olive tree? 25 For I would not, brethren, that
ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your
own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the
fulness of the Gentiles be come in. 26 And so all Israel shall be
saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer,
and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: 27 For this is my
covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins. 28 As
concerning the gospel, they are enemies for your sakes: but as touching
the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. 29 For the
gifts and calling of God are without repentance. 30 For as ye in
times past have not believed God, yet have now obtained mercy through
their unbelief: 31 Even so have these also now not believed, that
through your mercy they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God hath
concluded them all in unbelief, that he might have mercy upon all.
The apostle proposes here a plausible objection, which might be urged
against the divine conduct in casting off the Jewish nation (v. 1):
"Hath God cast away his people? Is the rejection total and final? Are
they all abandoned to wrath and ruin, and that eternal? Is the extent
of the sentence so large as to be without reserve, or the continuance
of it so long as to be without repeal? Will he have no more a peculiar
people to himself?" In opposition to this, he shows that there was a
great deal of goodness and mercy expressed along with this seeming
severity, particularly he insists upon three things:--1. That, though
some of the Jews were cast off, yet they were not all so. 2. That,
though the body of the Jews were cast off, yet the Gentiles were taken
in. And, 3. That, though the Jews were cast off at present, yet in
God's due time they should be taken into his church again.
I. The Jews, it is true, were many of them cast off, but not all. The
supposition of this he introduces with a God forbid. He will by no
means endure such a suggestions. God had made a distinction between
some of them and others.
1. There was a chosen remnant of believing Jews, that obtained
righteousness and life by faith in Jesus Christ, v. 1-7. These are said
to be such as he foreknew (v. 2), that is, had thoughts of love to,
before the world was; for whom he thus foreknew he did predestinate.
her lies the ground of the difference. They are called the election (v.
7), that is, the elect, God's chosen ones, whom he calls the election,
because that which first distinguished them from the dignified them
above others was God's electing love. Believers are the election, all
those and those only whom God hath chosen. Now,
(1.) He shows that he himself was one of them: For I also am an
Israelite; as if he had said, "Should I say that all the Jews are
rejected, I should cut off my own claims, and see myself abandoned."
Paul was a chosen vessel (Acts ix. 15), and yet he was of the seed of
Abraham, and particularly of the tribe of Benjamin, the least and
youngest of all the tribes of Israel.
(2.) He suggests that as in Elias's time, so now, this chosen remnant
was really more and greater than one would think it was, which
intimates likewise that it is no new nor unusual thing for God's grace
and favour to Israel to be limited and confined to a remnant of that
people; for so it was in Elijah's time. The scripture saith it of
Elias, en Elia--in the story of Elias, the great reformer of the Old
Testament. Observe, [1.] His mistake concerning Israel; as if their
apostasy in the days of Ahab was so general that he himself was the
only faithful servant God had in the world. He refers to 1 Kings xix.
14, where (it is here said) he maketh intercession to God against
Israel. A strange kind of intercession: entynchanei to Theo kata tou
Israel--He deals with God against Israel; so it may be read; so
entynchano is translated, Acts xxv. 24. The Jews enetychon moi--have
dealt with me. In prayer we deal with God, commune with him, discourse
with him: it is said of Elijah (Jam. v. 17) that he prayed in praying.
We are then likely to pray in praying, to make a business of that duty,
when we pray as those that are dealing with God in the duty. Now Elijah
in this prayer spoke as if there were one left faithful in Israel but
himself. See to what a low ebb the profession of religion may sometimes
be brought, and how much the face of it may be eclipsed, that the most
wise and observing men may give it up for gone. So it was in Elijah's
time. That which makes the show of a nation is the powers and the
multitude. The powers of Israel were then persecuting powers: They have
killed thy prophets, and digged down thine altars, and they seek my
life. The multitude of Israel were then idolatrous: I am left alone.
Thus those few that were faithful to God were not only lost in the
crowd of idolaters, but crushed and driven into corners by the rage of
persecutors. When the wicked rise, a man is hidden, Prov. xxviii.
12.--Digged down thine altars; not only neglected them, and let them go
out of repair, but digged them down. When altars were set up for Baal,
it is no wonder if God's altars were pulled down; they could not endure
that standing testimony against their idolatry. This was his
intercession against Israel; as if he had said, "Lord, is not this a
people ripe for ruin, worthy to be cast off? What else canst thou do
for thy great name?" It is a very sad thing for any person or people to
have the prayers of God's people against them, especially of God's
prophets, for God espouses, and sooner or later will visibly own, the
cause of his praying people. [2.] The rectifying of this mistake by the
answer of God (v. 4): I have reserved. Note, First, Things are often
much better with the church of God than wise and good men think they
are. They are ready to conclude hardly, and to give up all for gone,
when it is not so. Secondly, In times of general apostasy, there is
usually a remnant that keep their integrity--some, though but a few;
all do not go one way. Thirdly, That when there is a remnant who keep
their integrity in times of general apostasy it is God that reserves to
himself that remnant. If he had left them to themselves, they had gone
down the stream with the rest. It is his free and almighty grace that
makes the difference between them and others.--Seven thousand: a
competent number to bear their testimony against the idolatry of
Israel, and yet, compared with the many thousands of Israel, a very
small number, one of a city, and two of a tribe, like the
grape-gleanings of the vintage. Christ's flock is but a little flock;
and yet, when they come all together at last, they will be a great and
innumerable multitude, Rev. vii. 9. Now the description of this remnant
is that they had not bowed the knee to the image of Baal, which was
then the reigning sin of Israel. In court, city, and country, Baal had
the ascendant; and the generality of people, more or less, paid their
respect to Baal. The best evidence of integrity is a freedom from the
present prevailing corruptions of the times and places that we live in,
to swim against the stream when it is strong. Those God will own for
his faithful witnesses that are bold in bearing their testimony to the
present truth, 2 Pet. i. 12. This is thank-worthy, not to bow to Baal
when every body bows. Sober singularity is commonly the badge of true
sincerity. [3.] The application of this instance to the case in hand:
Even so at this present time, v. 5-7. God's methods of dispensation
towards his church are as they used to be. As it has been, so it is. In
Elijah's time there was a remnant, and so there is now. If then there
was a remnant left under the Old Testament, when the displays of grace
were less clear and the pourings out of the Spirit less plentiful, much
more now under the gospel, when the grace of God, which bringeth
salvation, appears more illustrious.--A remnant, a few of many, a
remnant of believing Jews when the rest were obstinate in their
unbelief. This is called a remnant according to the election of grace;
they are such as were chosen from eternity in the counsels of divine
love to be vessels of grace and glory. Whom he did predestinate those
he called. If the difference between them and others be made purely by
the grace of God, as certainly it is (I have reserved them, saith he,
to myself), then it must needs be according to the election; for we are
sure that whatever God does he does it according to the counsel of his
own will. Now concerning this remnant we may observe, First, Whence it
takes its rise, from the free grace of God (v. 6), that grace which
excludes works. The eternal election, in which the difference between
some and others is first founded, is purely of grace, free grace; not
for the sake of works done or foreseen; if so, it would not be grace.
Gratia non est ullo modo gratia, si non sit omni modo gratuita--It is
not grace, properly so called, if it be not perfectly free. Election is
purely according to the good pleasure of his will, Eph. i. 5. Paul's
heart was so full of the freeness of God's grace that in the midst of
his discourse he turns aside, as it were, to make this remark, If of
grace, then not of works. And some observe that faith itself, which in
the matter of justification if opposed to works, is here included in
them; for faith has a peculiar fitness to receive the free grace of God
for our justification, but not to receive that grace for our election.
Secondly, What it obtains: that which Israel, that is, the body of that
people, in van sought for (v. 7): Israel hath not obtained that which
he seeketh for, that is, justification, and acceptance with God (see
ch. ix. 31), but the election have obtained it. In them the promise of
God has its accomplishment, and God's ancient kindness for that people
is remembered. He calls the remnant of believers, not the elect, but
the election, to show that the sole foundation of all their hopes and
happiness is laid in election. They were the persons whom God had in
his eye in the counsels of his love; they are the election; they are
God's choice. Such was the favour of God to the chosen remnant. But,
2. The rest were blinded, v. 7. Some are chosen and called, and the
call is made effectual. But others are left to perish in their
unbelief; nay, they are made worse by that which should have made them
better. The gospel, which to those that believed was the savour of life
unto life, to the unbelieving was the savour of death unto death. The
same sun softens wax and hardens clay. Good old Simeon foresaw that the
child Jesus was set for the fall, as well as for the rising again, of
many in Israel, Luke ii. 34.--Were blinded; eporothesan--they were
hardened; so some. They were seared, and made brawny and insensible.
They could neither see the light, nor feel the touch, of gospel grace.
Blindness and hardness are expressive of the same senselessness and
stupidity of spirit. They shut their eyes, and would not see; this was
their sin: and then God, in a way of righteous judgment, blinded their
eyes, that they could not see; this was their punishment. This seemed
harsh doctrine: to qualify it, therefore, he vouches two witnesses out
of the Old Testament, who speak of such a thing.
(1.) Isaiah, who spoke of such a judgment in his day, ch. xxix. 10; vi.
9. The spirit of slumber, that is, an indisposedness to mind either
their duty or interest. They are under the power of a prevailing
unconcernedness, like people that are slumbering and sleeping; not
affected with any thing that is said or done. They were resolved to
continue as they were, and would not stir. The following words explain
what is meant by the spirit of slumber: Eyes, that they should not see,
and ears, that they should not hear. They had the faculties, but in the
things that belonged to their peace they had not the use of those
faculties; they were quite infatuated, they saw Christ, but they did
not believe in him; they heard his word, but they did not receive it;
and so both their hearing and their seeing were in vain. It was all one
as if they had neither seen nor heard. Of all judgments spiritual
judgments are the sorest, and most to be dreaded, though they make the
least noise.--Unto this day. Ever since Esaias prophesied, this
hardening work has been in the doing; some among them have been blind
and senseless. Or, rather, ever since the first preaching of the
gospel: though they have had the most convincing evidences that could
be of the truth of it, the most powerful preaching, the fairest offers,
the clearest calls from Christ himself, and from his apostles, yet to
this day they are blinded. It is still true concerning multitudes of
them, even to this day in which we live; they are hardened and blinded,
the obstinacy and unbelief go by succession from generation to
generation, according to their own fearful imprecation, which entailed
the curse: His blood be upon us and upon our children.
(2.) David (v. 9, 10), quoted from Ps. lxix. 22, 23, where David having
in the Spirit foretold the sufferings of Christ from his own people the
Jews, particularly that of their giving him vinegar to drink (v. 21,
which was literally fulfilled, Matt. xxvii. 48), an expression of the
greatest contempt and malice that could be, in the next words, under
the form of an imprecation, he foretels the dreadful judgments of God
upon them for it: Let their table become a snare, which the apostle
here applies to the present blindness of the Jews, and the offence they
took at the gospel, which increased their hardness. This teaches us how
to understand other prayers of David against his enemies; they are to
be looked upon as prophetic of the judgments of God upon the public and
obstinate enemies of Christ and his kingdom. His prayer that it might
be so was a prophecy that it should be so, and not the private
expression of his own angry resentments. It was likewise intended to
justify God, and to clear his righteousness in such judgments. He
speaks here, [1.] Of the ruin of their comforts: Let their table be
made a snare, that is, as the psalmist explains it, Let that which
should be for their welfare be a trap to them. The curse of God will
turn meat into poison. It is a threatening like that in Mal. ii. 2, I
will curse your blessings. Their table a snare, that is, an occasion of
sin and an occasion of misery. Their very food, that should nourish
them, shall choke them. [2.] Of the ruin of their powers and faculties
(v. 10), their eyes darkened, their backs bowed down, that they can
neither find the right way, nor, if they could, are they able to walk
in it. The Jews, after their national rejection of Christ and his
gospel, became infatuated in their politics, so that their very
counsels turned against them, and hastened their ruin by the Romans.
They looked like a people designed for slavery and contempt, their
backs bowed down, to be ridden and trampled upon by all the nations
about them. Or, it may be understood spiritually; their backs are bowed
down in carnality and worldly-mindedness. Curvæ in terris animæ--They
mind earthly things. This is an exact description of the state and
temper of the present remainder of that people, than whom, if the
accounts we have of them be true, there is not a more worldly, wilful,
blind, selfish, ill-natured, people in the world. They are manifestly
to this day under the power of this curse. Divine curses will work
long. It is a sign we have our eyes darkened if we are bowed down in
worldly-mindedness.
II. Another thing which qualified this doctrine of the rejection of the
Jews was that though they were cast off and unchurched, yet the
Gentiles were taken in (v. 11-14), which he applies by way of caution
to the Gentiles, v. 17-22.
1. The rejection of the Jews made room for the reception of the
Gentiles. The Jews' leavings were a feast for the poor Gentiles (v.
11): "Have they stumbled that they should fall? Had God no other end in
forsaking and rejecting them than their destruction?" He startles at
this, rejecting the thought with abhorrence, as usually he does when
any thing is suggested which seems to reflect upon the wisdom, or
righteousness, or goodness of God: God forbid! no, through their fall
salvation is come to the Gentiles. Not but that salvation might have
come to the Gentiles if they had stood; but by the divine appointment
it was so ordered that the gospel should be preached to the Gentiles
upon the Jews' refusal of it. Thus in the parable (Matt. xxii. 8, 9),
Those that were first bidden were not worthy--Go ye therefore into the
highways, Luke xiv. 21. And so it was in the history (Acts xiii. 46):
It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to
you; but, seeing you put it from you, lo, we turn to the Gentiles; so
Acts xviii. 6. God will have a church in the world, will have the
wedding furnished with guests; and, if one will not come, another will,
or why was the offer made? The Jews had the refusal, and so the tender
came to the Gentiles. See how Infinite Wisdom brings light out of
darkness, good out of evil, meat out of the eater, and sweetness out of
the strong. To the same purport he says (v. 12), The fall of them was
the riches of the world, that is, it hastened the gospel so much the
sooner into the Gentile world. The gospel is the greatest riches of the
place where it is; it is better than thousands of gold and silver. Or,
The riches of the Gentiles was the multitude of converts among them.
True believers are God's jewels. To the same purport (v. 15): The
casting away of them is the reconciling of the world. God's displeasure
towards them made way for his favour towards the Gentiles. God was in
Christ reconciling the world, 2 Cor. v. 19. And therefore he took
occasion from the unbelief of the Jews openly to disavow and disown
them, though they had been his peculiar favourites, to show that in
dispensing his favours he would now no longer act in such a way of
peculiarity and restriction, but that in every nation he that feared
God and wrought righteousness should be accepted of him, Acts x. 34,
35.
2. The use that the apostle makes of this doctrine concerning the
substitution of the Gentiles in the room of the Jews.
(1.) As a kinsman to the Jews, here is a word of excitement and
exhortation to them, to stir them up to receive and embrace the
gospel-offer. This God intended in his favour to the Gentiles, to
provoke the Jews to jealousy (v. 11), and Paul endeavours to enforce it
accordingly (v. 14): If by any means I might provoke to emulation those
who are my flesh. "Shall the despised Gentiles run away with all the
comforts and privileges of the gospel, and shall not we repent of our
refusal, and now at last put in for a share? Shall not we believe and
obey, and be pardoned and saved, as well as the Gentiles?" See an
instance of such an emulation in Esau, Gen. xxviii. 6-9. There is a
commendable emulation in the affairs of our souls: why should not we be
as holy and happy as any of our neighbours? In this emulation there
needs no suspicion, undermining or countermining; for the church has
room enough, and the new covenant grace and comfort enough, for us all.
The blessings are not lessened by the multitudes of the sharers.--And
might save some of them. See what was Paul's business, to save souls;
and yet the utmost he promises himself is but to save some. Though he
was such a powerful preacher, spoke and wrote with such evidence and
demonstration of the Spirit, yet of the many he dealt with he could but
save some. Ministers must think their pains well bestowed if they can
but be instrumental to save some.
(2.) As an apostle to the Gentiles, here is a word of caution for them:
"I speak to you Gentiles. You believing Romans, you hear what riches of
salvation are come to you by the fall of the Jews, but take heed lest
you do any thing to forfeit it." Paul takes this, as other occasions,
to apply his discourse to the Gentiles, because he was the apostle of
the Gentiles, appointed for the service of their faith, to plant and
water churches in the Gentile nations. This was the purport of his
extraordinary mission, Acts xxii. 21, I will send thee far hence unto
the Gentiles; compare Acts ix. 15. It was likewise the intention of his
ordination, Gal. ii. 9. Compare Acts xiii. 2. It ought to be our great
and special care to do good to those that are under our charge: we must
particularly mind that which is our own work. It was an instance of
God's great love to the poor Gentiles that he appointed Paul, who in
gifts and graces excelled all the apostles, to be the apostle of the
Gentiles. The Gentile world was a wider province; and the work to be
done in it required a very able, skilful, zealous, courageous workman:
such a one was Paul. God calls those to special work whom he either
sees or makes fit for it.--I magnify my office. There were those that
vilified it, and him because of it. It was because he was the apostle
of the Gentiles that the Jews were so outrageous against him (Acts
xxii. 21, 22), and yet he thought never the worse of it, though it set
him up as the butt of all the Jewish rage and malice. It is a sign of
true love to Jesus Christ to reckon that service and work for him truly
honourable which the world looks upon with scorn, as mean and
contemptible. The office of the ministry is an office to be magnified.
Ministers are ambassadors for Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of
God, and for their work's sake are to be esteemed highly in love.--My
office; ten diakonian mou--my ministry, my service, not my lordship and
dominion. It was not the dignity and power, but the duty and work, of
an apostle, that Paul was so much in love with. Now two things he
exhorts the Gentiles to, with reference to the rejected Jews:--
[1.] To have a respect for the Jews, notwithstanding, and to desire
their conversion. This is intimated in the prospect he gives them of
the advantage that would accrue to the church by their conversion, v.
12, 15. It would be as life from the dead; and therefore they must not
insult and triumph over those poor Jews, but rather pity them, and
desire their welfare, and long for the receiving of them in again.
[2.] To take heed to themselves, lest they should stumble and fall, as
they Jews had done, v. 17-22. Here observe,
First, The privilege which the Gentiles had by being taken into the
church. They were grafted in (v. 17), as a branch of a wild olive into
a good olive, which is contrary to the way and custom of the
husbandman, who grafts the good olive into the bad; but those that God
grafts into the church he finds wild and barren, and good for nothing.
Men graft to mend the tree; but God grafts to mend the branch. 1. The
church of God is an olive-tree, flourishing and fruitful as an olive
(Ps. lii. 8; Hos. xiv. 6), the fruit useful for the honour both of God
and man, Judg. ix. 9. 2. Those that are out of the church are as wild
olive-trees, not only useless, but what they do produce is sour and
unsavoury: Wild by nature, v. 24. This was the state of the poor
Gentiles, that wanted church privileges, and in respect of real
sanctification; and it is the natural state of every one of us, to be
wild by nature. 3. Conversion is the grafting in of wild branches into
the good olive. We must be cut off from the old stock, and be brought
into union with a new root. 4. Those that are grafted into the good
olive-tree partake of the root and fatness of the olive. It is
applicable to a saving union with Christ; all that are by a lively
faith grafted into Christ partake of him as the branches of the
root--receive from his fulness. But it is here spoken of a visible
church-membership, from which the Jews were as branches broken off; and
so the Gentiles were grafted in, autois--among those that continued, or
in the room of those that were broken off. The Gentiles, being grafted
into the church, partake of the same privileges that the Jews did, the
root and fatness. The olive-tree is the visible church (called so Jer.
xi. 16); the root of this tree was Abraham, not the root of
communication, so Christ only is the root, but the root of
administration, he being the first with whom the covenant was so
solemnly made. Now the believing Gentiles partake of this root: he also
is ason of Abraham (Luke xix. 9), the blessing of Abraham comes upon
the Gentiles (Gal. iii. 14), the same fatness of the olive-tree, the
same for substance, special protection, lively oracles, means of
salvation, a standing ministry, instituted ordinances; and, among the
rest, the visible church-membership of their infant seed, which was
part of the fatness of the olive-tree that the Jews had, and cannot be
imagined to be denied to the Gentiles.
Secondly, A caution not to abuse these privileges. 1. "Be not proud (v.
18): Boast not against the branches. Do not therefore trample upon the
Jews as a reprobate people, nor insult over those that are broken off,
much less over those that do continue." Grace is given, not to make us
proud, but to make us thankful. The law of faith excludes all boasting
either of ourselves or against others. "Do not say (v. 19): They were
broken off that I might be grafted in; that is, do not think that thou
didst merit more at the hand of God than they, or didst stand higher in
his favour." "But remember, thou bearest not the root, but the root
thee. Though thou art grafted in, thou art still but a branch borne by
the root; nay, and an engrafted branch, brought into the good olive
contrary to nature (v. 24), not free-born, but by an act of grace
enfranchised and naturalized. Abraham, the root of the Jewish church,
is not beholden to thee; but thou art greatly obliged to him, as the
trustee of the covenant and the father of many nations. Therefore, if
thou boast, know (this word must be supplied to clear the sense) thou
bearest not the root but the root thee." 2. "Be not secure (v. 20): Be
not high-minded, but fear. Be not too confident of your own strength
and standing." A holy fear is an excellent preservative against
high-mindedness: happy is the man that thus feareth always. We need not
fear but God will be true to his word; all the danger is lest we be
false to ours. Let us therefore fear, Heb. iv. 1. The church of Rome
now boasts of a patent of perpetual preservation; but the apostle here,
in his epistle to that church when she was in her infancy and
integrity, enters an express caveat against that boast, and all claims
of that kind.--Fear what? "Why fear lest thou commit a forfeiture as
they have done, lest thou lose the privileges thou now enjoyest, as
they have lost theirs." The evils that befal others should be warnings
to us. Go (saith God to Jerusalem Jer. vii. 12), and see what I did to
Shiloh; so now, let all the churches of God go and see what he did to
Jerusalem, and what is become of the day of their visitation, that we
may hear and fear, and take heed of Jerusalem's sin. The patent which
churches have of their privileges is not for a certain term, nor
entailed upon them and their heirs; but it runs as long as they carry
themselves well, and no longer. Consider, (1.) "How they were broken
off. It was not undeservedly, by an act of absolute sovereignty and
prerogative, but because of unbelief." It seems, then, it is possible
for churches that have long stood by faith to fall into such a state of
infidelity as may be their ruin. Their unbelief did not only provoke
God to cut them off, but they did by this cut themselves off; it was
not only the meritorious, but the formal cause of their separation.
"Now, thou art liable to the same infirmity and corruption that they
fell by." Further observe, They were natural branches (v. 21), not only
interested in Abraham's covenant, but descending from Abraham's loins,
and so born upon the premises, and thence had a kind of tenant-right:
yet, when they sunk into unbelief, God did not spare them.
Prescription, long usage, the faithfulness of their ancestors, would
not secure them. It was in vain to plead, though they insisted much
upon it, that they were Abraham's seed, Matt. iii. 9; John viii. 33. It
is true they were the husbandmen to whom the vineyard was first let
out; but, when they forfeited it, it was justly taken from them, Matt.
xxi. 41, 43. This is called here severity, v. 22. God laid
righteousness to the line and judgment to the plummet, and dealt with
them according to their sins. Severity is a word that sounds harshly;
and I do not remember that it is any where else in scripture ascribed
to God; and it is here applied to the unchurching of the Jews. God is
most severe towards those that have been in profession nearest to him,
if they rebel against him, Amos iii. 2. Patience and privileges abused
turn to the greatest wrath. Of all judgments, spiritual judgments are
the sorest; for of these he is here speaking, v. 8. (2.) "How thou
standest, thou that art engrafted in." He speaks to the Gentile
churches in general, though perhaps tacitly reflecting on some
particular person, who might have expressed some such pride and triumph
in the Jews' rejection. "Consider then," [1.] "By what means thou
standest: By faith, which is a depending grace, and fetches in strength
from heaven. Thou dost not stand in any strength of thy own, of which
thou mightest be confident: thou art no more than the free grace of God
makes thee, and his grace is his own, which he gives or withholds at
pleasure. That which ruined them was unbelief, and by faith thou
standest; therefore thou hast no faster hold than they had, thou
standest on no firmer foundation than they did." [2.] "On what terms
(v. 22): Towards thee goodness, if thou continue in his goodness, that
is, continue in a dependence upon and compliance with the free grace of
God, the want of which it was that ruined the Jews--if thou be careful
to keep up thine interest in the divine favour, by being continually
careful to please God and fearful of offending him." The sum of our
duty, the condition of our happiness, is to keep ourselves in the love
of God. Fear the Lord and his goodness. Hos. iii. 5.
III. Another thing that qualified this doctrine of the Jews' rejection
is that, though for the present they are cast off, yet the rejection is
not final; but, when the fulness of time is come, they will be taken in
again. They are not cast off for ever, but mercy is remembered in the
midst of wrath. Let us observe,
1. How this conversion of the Jews is here described. (1.) It is said
to be their fulness (v. 12), that is, the addition of them to the
church, the filling up again of that place which became vacant by their
rejection. This would be the enriching of the world (that is, the
church in the world) with a great deal of light and strength and
beauty. (2.) It is called the receiving of them. The conversion of a
soul is the receiving of that soul, so the conversion of a nation. They
shall be received into favour, into the church, into the love of
Christ, whose arms are stretched out for the receiving of all those
that will come to him. And this will be as life from the dead--so
strange and surprising, and yet withal so welcome and acceptable. The
conversion of the Jews will bring great joy to the church. See Luke xv.
32, He was dead, and is alive; and therefore it was meet we should make
merry and be glad. (3.) It is called the grafting of them in again (v.
23), into the church, from which they had been broken off. That which
is grafted in receives sap and virtue from the root; so does a soul
that is truly grafted into the church receive life, and strength, and
grace from Christ the quickening root. They shall be grafted into their
own olive-tree (v. 24); that is, into the church of which they had
formerly been the most eminent and conspicuous members, to retrieve
those privileges of visible church-membership which they had so long
enjoyed, but have now sinned away and forfeited by their unbelief. (4.)
It is called the saving of all Israel, v. 26. True conversion may well
be called salvation; it is salvation begun. See Acts ii. 47. The adding
of them to the church is the saving of them: tous sozomenous, in the
present tense, are saved. When conversion-work goes on, salvation-work
goes on.
2. What it is grounded upon, and what reason we have to look for it.
(1.) Because of the holiness of the first-fruits and the root, v. 16.
Some by the first-fruits understand those of the Jews that were already
converted to the faith of Christ and received into the church, who were
as the first-fruits dedicated to God, as earnests of a more plentiful
and sanctified harvest. A good beginning promises a good ending. Why
may we not suppose that others may be savingly wrought upon as well as
those who are already brought in? Others by the first-fruits understand
the same with the root, namely, the patriarchs, Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, from whom the Jews descended, and with whom, as the prime
trustees, the covenant was deposited: and so they were the root of the
Jews, not only as a people, but as a church. Now, if they were holy,
which is not meant so much of inherent as of federal holiness--if they
were in the church and in the covenant--then we have reason to conclude
that God hath a kindness for the lump--the body of that people; and for
the branches--the particular members of it. The Jews are in a sense a
holy nation (Exod. xix. 6), being descended from holy parents. Now it
cannot be imagined that such a holy nation should be totally and
finally cast off. This proves that the seed of believers, as such, are
within the pale of the visible church, and within the verge of the
covenant, till they do, by their unbelief, throw themselves out; for,
if the root be holy, so are the branches. Though real qualifications
are not propagated, yet relative privileges are. Though a wise man does
not beget a wise man, yet a free man begets a free man. Though grace
does not run in the blood, yet external privileges do (till they are
forfeited), even to a thousand generations. Look how they will answer
it another day that cut off the entail, by turning the seed of the
faithful out of the church, and so not allowing the blessing of Abraham
to come upon the Gentiles. The Jewish branches are reckoned holy,
because the root was so. This is expressed more plainly (v. 28): They
are beloved for the fathers' sakes. In this love to the fathers the
first foundation of their church-state was laid (Deut. iv. 37): Because
he loved they fathers, therefore he chose their seed after them. And
the same love would revive their privileges, for still the ancient
loving-kindness is remembered; they are beloved for the fathers' sakes.
It is God's usual method of grace. Kindness to the children for the
father's sake is therefore called the kindness of God, 2 Sam. ix. 3, 7.
Though, as concerning the gospel (namely, in the present dispensation
of it), they are enemies to it for your sakes, that is, for the sake of
the Gentiles, against whom they have such an antipathy; yet, when God's
time shall come, this will wear off, and God's love to their fathers
will be remembered. See a promise that points at this, Lev. xxvi. 42.
The iniquity of the fathers is visited but to the third and fourth
generation; but there is mercy kept for thousands. Many fare the better
for the sake of their godly ancestors. It is upon this account that the
church is called their own olive-tree. Long it had been their own
peculiar, which is some encouragement to us to hope that there may be
room for them in it again, for old acquaintance-sake. That which hath
been may be again. Though particular persons and generations wear off
in unbelief, yet there having been a national church-membership, though
for the present suspended, we may expect that it will be revived.
(2.) Because of the power of God (v. 23): God is able to graft them in
again. The conversion of souls is a work of almighty power; and when
they seem most hardened, and blinded, and obstinate, our comfort is
that God is able to work a change, able to graft those in that have
been long cast out and withered. When the house is kept by the strong
man armed, with all his force, yet God is stronger than he, and is able
to dispossess him. The condition of their restoration is faith: If they
abide not still in unbelief. So that nothing is to be done but to
remove that unbelief that is the great obstacle; and God is able to
take that away, though nothing less than an almighty power will do it,
the same power that raised up Christ from the dead, Eph. i. 19, 29.
Otherwise, can these dry bones live?
(3.) Because of the grace of God manifested to the Gentiles. Those that
have themselves experienced the grace of God, preventing,
distinguishing grace, may thence take encouragement to hope well
concerning others. This is his argument (v. 24): "If thou wast grafted
into a good olive, that was wild by nature, much more shall these that
were the natural branches, and may therefore be presumed somewhat
nearer to the divine acceptance." This is a suggestion very proper to
check the insolence of those Gentile Christians that looked with
disdain and triumph upon the condition of the rejected Jews, and
trampled upon them; as if he had said, "Their condition, bad as it is,
is not so bad as yours was before your conversion; and therefore why
may it not be made as good as yours is?" This is his argument (v. 30,
31): As you in times past have not, &c. It is good for those that have
found mercy with God to be often thinking what they were in time past,
and how they obtained that mercy. This would help to soften our
censures of those that still continue in unbelief, and quicken our
prayers for them. He argues further from the occasion of the Gentiles'
call, that is, the unbelief of the Jews; thence it took rise: "You have
obtained mercy through their unbelief; much more shall they obtain
mercy through your mercy. If the putting out of their candle was the
lighting of yours, by that power of God which brings good out of evil,
much more shall the continued light of your candle, when God's time
shall come, be a means of lighting theirs again." "That through your
mercy they might obtain mercy, that is, that they may be beholden to
you, as you have been to them." He takes it for granted that the
believing Gentiles would do their utmost endeavour to work upon the
Jews--that, when God had persuaded Japhet, Japhet would be labouring to
persuade Shem. True grace hates monopolies. Those that have found mercy
themselves should endeavour that through their mercy others also may
obtain mercy.
(4.) Because of the promises and prophecies of the Old Testament, which
point at this. He quotes a very remarkable one, v. 26, from Isa. lix.
20, 21. Where we may observe, [1.] The coming of Christ promised: There
shall come out of Zion the deliverer. Jesus Christ is the great
deliverer, which supposes mankind in a state of misery and danger. In
Isaiah it is, the Redeemer shall come to Zion. There he is called the
Redeemer; here the deliverer; he delivers in a way of redemption, by a
price. There he is said to come to Zion, because when the prophet
prophesied he was yet to come into the world, and Zion was his first
head-quarters. Thither he came, there he took up his residence: but,
when the apostle wrote this, he had come, he had been in Zion; and he
is speaking of the fruits of his appearing, which shall come out of
Zion; thence, as from the spring, issued forth those streams of living
water which in the everlasting gospel watered the nations. Out of Zion
went forth the law, Isa. ii. 3. Compare Luke xxiv. 47. [2.] The end and
purpose of this coming: He shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
Christ's errand into the world was to turn away ungodliness, to turn
away the guilt by the purchase of pardoning mercy, and to turn away the
power by the pouring out of renewing grace, to save his people from
their sins (Matt. i. 21), to separate between us and our sins, that
iniquity might not be our ruin, and that it might not be our ruler.
Especially to turn it away from Jacob, which is that for the sake of
which he quotes the text, as a proof of the great kindness God intended
for the seed of Jacob. What greater kindness could he do them than to
turn away ungodliness from them, to take away that which comes between
them and all happiness, take away sin, and then make way for all good?
This is the blessing that Christ was sent to bestow upon the world, and
to tender it to the Jews in the first place (Acts iii. 26), to turn
people from their iniquities. In Isaiah it is, The Redeemer shall come
to Zion, and unto those that turn from transgression in Jacob, which
shown who in Zion were to have a share in and to reap benefit by the
deliverance promised, those and those only that leave their sins and
turn to God; to them Christ comes as a Redeemer, but as an avenger to
those that persist in impenitence. See Deut. xxx. 2, 3. Those that turn
from sin will be owned as the true citizens of Zion (Eph. ii. 19), the
right Jacob, Ps. xxiv. 4, 6. Putting both these readings together, we
learn that none have an interest in Christ but those that turn from
their sins, nor can any turn from their sins but by the strength of the
grace of Christ.--For this is my covenant with them--this, that the
deliverer shall come to them--this, that my Spirit shall not depart
from them, as it follows, Isa. lix. 21. God's gracious intentions
concerning Israel were made the matter of a covenant, which the God
that cannot lie could not but be true and faithful to. They were the
children of the covenant, Acts iii. 25. The apostle adds, When I shall
take away their sins, which some think refers to Isa. xxvii. 9, or only
to the foregoing words, to turn away ungodliness. Pardon of sin is laid
as the foundation of all the blessings of the new covenant (Heb. viii.
12): For I will be merciful. Now from all this he infers that certainly
God had great mercy in store for that people, something answerable to
the extent of these rich promises: and he proves his inference (v. 29)
by this truth: For the gifts and callings of God are without
repentance. Repentance is sometimes taken for a change of mind, and so
God never repents, for he is in one mind and who can turn him?
Sometimes for a change of way, and that is here understood, intimating
the constancy and unchangeableness of that love of God which is founded
in election. Those gifts and callings are immutable; whom he so loves,
he loves to the end. We find God repenting that he had given man a
being (Gen. vi. 6, It repented the Lord that he had made man), and
repenting that he had given a man honour and power (1 Sam. xv. 11, It
repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king); but we never find God
repenting that he had given a man grace, or effectually called him;
those gifts and callings are without repentance.
The Divine Sovereignty. (a. d. 58.)
33 O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! 34
For who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who hath been his
counsellor? 35 Or who hath first given to him, and it shall be
recompensed unto him again? 36 For of him, and through him, and to
him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.
The apostle having insisted so largely, through the greatest part of
this chapter, upon reconciling the rejection of the Jews with the
divine goodness, he concludes here with the acknowledgment and
admiration of the divine wisdom and sovereignty in all this. Here the
apostle does with great affection and awe adore,
I. The secrecy of the divine counsels: O the depth! in these
proceedings towards the Jews and Gentiles; or, in general, the whole
mystery of the gospel, which we cannot fully comprehend.--The riches of
the wisdom and knowledge of God, the abundant instances of his wisdom
and knowledge in contriving and carrying on the work of our redemption
by Christ, a depth which the angels pry into, 1 Pet. i. 12. Much more
may it puzzle any human understanding to give an account of the
methods, and reasons, and designs, and compass of it. Paul was as well
acquainted with the mysteries of the kingdom of God as ever any mere
man was; and yet he confesses himself at a loss in the contemplation,
and, despairing to find the bottom, he humbly sits down at the brink,
and adores the depth. Those that know most in this state of
imperfection cannot but be most sensible of their own weakness and
short-sightedness, and that after all their researches, and all their
attainments in those researches, while they are here they cannot order
their speech by reason of darkness. Praise is silent to thee, Ps. lxv.
1.-- The depth of the riches. Men's riches of all kinds are shallow,
you may soon see the bottom; but God's riches are deep (Ps. xxxvi. 6):
Thy judgments are a great deep. There is not only depth in the divine
counsels, but riches too, which denotes an abundance of that which is
precious and valuable, so complete are the dimensions of the divine
counsels; they have not only depth and height, but breadth and length
(Eph. iii. 18), and that passing knowledge, v. 19.--Riches of the
wisdom and knowledge of God. His seeing all things by one clear, and
certain, and infallible view--all things that are, or ever were, or
ever shall be,--that all is naked and open before him: there is his
knowledge. His ruling and ordering all things, directing and disposing
them to his own glory, and bringing about his own purposes and counsels
in all; this is his wisdom. And the vast extent of both these is such a
depth as is past our fathoming, and we may soon lose ourselves in the
contemplation of them. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, Ps.
cxxxix. 6. Compare v. 17, 18.--How unsearchable are his judgments! that
is, his counsels and purposes: and his ways, that is, the execution of
these counsels and purposes. We know not what he designs. When the
wheels are set in motion, and Providence has begun to work, yet we know
not what he has in view; it is past finding out. This does not only
overturn all our positive conclusions about the divine counsels, but it
also checks all our curious enquiries. Secret things belong not to us,
Deut. xxix. 29. God's way is in the sea, Ps. lxxvii. 19. Compare Job
xxiii. 8, 9; Ps. xcvii. 2. What he does we know not now, John xiii. 7.
We cannot give a reason of God's proceedings, nor by searching find out
God. See Job v. 9; ix. 10. The judgments of his mouth, and the way of
our duty, blessed be God, are plain and easy, it is a high-way; but the
judgments of his hands, and the ways of his providence, are dark and
mysterious, which therefore we must not pry into, but silently adore
and acquiesce in. The apostle speaks this especially with reference to
that strange turn, the casting off of the Jews and the entertainment of
the Gentiles, with a purpose to take in the Jews again in due time;
these were strange proceedings, the choosing of some, the refusing of
others, and neither according to the probabilities of human conjecture.
Even so, Father, because it seemed good in thing eyes. These are
methods unaccountable, concerning which we must say, O the depth!--Past
finding out, anexichniastoi--cannot be traced. God leaves no prints nor
footsteps behind him, does not make a path to shine after him; but his
paths of providence are new every morning. He does not go the same way
so often as to make a track of it. How little a portion is heard of
him! Job xxvi. 14. It follows (v. 34), For who hath known the mind of
the Lord? Is there any creature made of his cabinet-council, or laid,
as Christ was, in the bosom of the Father? Is there any to whom he has
imparted his counsels, or that is able, upon the view of his
providences, to know the way that he takes? There is so vast a distance
and disproportion between God and man, between the Creator and the
creature, as for ever excludes the thought of such an intimacy and
familiarity. The apostle makes the same challenge (1 Cor. ii. 16): For
who hath known the mind of the Lord? And yet there he adds, But we have
the mind of Christ, which intimates that through Christ true believers,
who have his Spirit, know so much of the mind of God as is necessary to
their happiness. He that knew the mind of the Lord has declared him,
John i. 18. And so, though we know not the mind of the Lord, yet, if we
have the mind of Christ, we have enough. The secret of the Lord is with
those that fear him, Ps. xxv. 14. Shall I hide from Abraham the thing
which I do? See John xv. 15.--Or who has been his counsellor? He needs
no counsellor, for he is infinitely wise; nor is any creature capable
of being his counsellor; this would be like lighting a candle to the
sun. This seems to refer to that scripture (Isa. xl. 13, 14), Who hath
directed the Spirit of the Lord, or, being his counsellor, hath taught
him? With whom took he counsel? &c. It is the substance of God's
challenge to Job concerning the work of creation (Job xxxviii.), and is
applicable to all the methods of his providence. It is nonsense for any
man to prescribe to God, or to teach him how to govern the world.
II. The sovereignty of the divine counsels. In all these things God
acts as a free agent, does what he will, because he will, and gives not
account of any of his matters (Job xxiii. 13; xxxiii. 13), and yet
there is no unrighteousness with him. To clear which,
1. He challenges any to prove God a debtor to him (v. 35): Who hath
first given to him? Who is there of all the creatures that can prove
God is beholden to him? Whatever we do for him, or devote to him, it
must be with that acknowledgment, which is for ever a bar to such
demands (1 Chron. xxix. 14): Of thine own we have given thee. All the
duties we can perform are not requitals, but rather restitutions. If
any can prove that God is his debtor, the apostle here stands bound for
the payment, and proclaims, in God's name, that payment is ready: It
shall be recompensed to him again. It is certain God will let nobody
lose by him; but never any one yet durst make a demand of this kind, or
attempt to prove it. This is here suggested, (1.) To silence the
clamours of the Jews. When God took away their visible
church-privileges from them, he did but take his own: and may he not do
what he will with his own--give or withhold his grace where and when he
pleases? (2.) To silence the insultings of the Gentiles. When God sent
the gospel among them, and gave so many of them grace and wisdom to
accept of it, it was not because he owed them so much favour, or that
they could challenge it as a debt, but of his own good pleasure.
2. He resolves all into the sovereignty of God (v. 36): For of him, and
through him, and to him, are all things, that is, God is all in all.
All things in heaven and earth (especially those things which relate to
our salvation, the things which belong to our peace) are of him by way
of creation, through him by way of providential influence, that they
may be to him in their final tendency and result. Of God as the spring
and fountain of all, through Christ, God-man, as the conveyance, to God
as the ultimate end. These three include, in general, all God's causal
relations to his creatures: of him as the first efficient cause,
through him as the supreme directing cause, to him as the ultimate
final cause; for the Lord hath made all for himself, Rev. iv. 11. If
all be of him and through him, there is all the reason in the world
that all should be to him and for him. It is a necessary circulation;
if the rivers received their waters from the sea, they return them to
the sea again, Eccl. i. 7. To do all to the glory of God is to make a
virtue of necessity; for all shall in the end be to him, whether we
will or no. And so he concludes with a short doxology: To whom be glory
for ever, Amen. God's universal agency as the first cause, the
sovereign ruler, and the last end, ought to be the matter of our
adoration. Thus all his works do praise him objectively; but his saints
do bless him actively; they hand that praise to him which all the
creatures do minister matter for, Ps. cxlv. 10. Paul had been
discoursing at large of the counsels of God concerning man, sifting the
point with a great deal of accuracy; but, after all, he concludes with
the acknowledgment of the divine sovereignty, as that into which all
these things must be ultimately resolved, and in which alone the mind
can safely and sweetly rest. This is, if not the scholastic way, yet
the Christian way, of disputation. Whatever are the premises, let god's
glory be the conclusion; especially when we come to talk of the divine
counsels and actings, it is best for us to turn our arguments into
awful and serious adorations. The glorified saints, that see furthest
into these mysteries, never dispute, but praise to eternity.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. XII.
The apostle, having at large cleared and confirmed the prime
fundamental doctrines of Christianity, comes in the next place to press
the principal duties. We mistake our religion if we look upon it only
as a system of notions and a guide to speculation. No, it is a
practical religion, that tends to the right ordering of the
conversation. It is designed not only to inform our judgments, but to
reform our hearts and lives. From the method of the apostle's writing
in this, as in some other of the epistles (as from the management of
the principal ministers of state in Christ's kingdom) the stewards of
the mysteries of God may take direction how to divide the word of
truth: not to press duty abstracted from privilege, nor privilege
abstracted from duty; but let both go together, with a complicated
design, they will greatly promote and befriend each other. The duties
are drawn from the privileges, by way of inference. The foundation of
Christian practice must be laid in Christian knowledge and faith. We
must first understand how we receive Christ Jesus the Lord, and then we
shall know the better how to walk in him. There is a great deal of duty
prescribed in this chapter. The exhortations are short and pithy,
briefly summing up what is good, and what the Lord our God in Christ
requires of us. It is an abridgment of the Christian directory, an
excellent collection of rules for the right ordering of the
conversation, as becomes the gospel. It is joined to the foregoing
discourse by the word "therefore." It is the practical application of
doctrinal truths that is the life of preaching. He had been discoursing
at large of justification by faith, and of the riches of free grace,
and the pledges and assurances we have of the glory that is to be
revealed. Hence carnal libertines would be apt to infer."Therefore we
may live as we list, and walk in the way of our hearts and the sight of
our eyes." Now this does not follow; the faith that justifies is a
faith that "works by love." And there is no other way to heaven but the
way of holiness and obedience. Therefore what God hath joined together
let no man put asunder. The particular exhortations of this chapter are
reducible to the three principal heads of Christian duty: our duty to
God t ourselves, and to our brother. The grace of God teaches us, in
general, to live "godly, soberly, and righteously;" and to deny all
that which is contrary hereunto. Now this chapter will give us to
understand what godliness, sobriety, and righteousness, are though
somewhat intermixed.
Consecration to God; Duty towards God; Duty towards Ourselves; Due Exercise
of Spiritual Gifts; Duty towards Our Brethren; Brotherly Love; Love to
Enemies. (a. d. 58.)
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye
present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God,
which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this
world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may
prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. 3
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among
you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to
think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of
faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, and all members
have not the same office: 5 So we, being many, are one body in
Christ, and every one members one of another. 6 Having then gifts
differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy,
let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; 7 Or ministry,
let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; 8
Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it
with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that showeth mercy,
with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that
which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned
one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in
prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to
hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but
condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight
of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live
peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but
rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I
will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed
him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap
coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome
evil with good.
We may observe here, according to the scheme mentioned in the contents,
the apostle's exhortations,
I. Concerning our duty to God, We see what is godliness.
1. It is to surrender ourselves to God, and so to lay a good
foundation. We must first give our own selves unto the Lord, 2 Cor.
viii. 5. This is here pressed as the spring of all duty and obedience,
v. 1, 2. Man consists of body and soul, Gen. ii. 7; Eccl. xii. 7.
(1.) The body must be presented to him, v. 1. The body is for the Lord,
and the Lord for the body, 1 Cor. vi. 13, 14. The exhortation is here
introduced very pathetically: I beseech you, brethren. Though he was a
great apostle, yet he calls the meanest Christians brethren, a term of
affection and concern. He uses entreaty; this is the gospel way: As
though God did beseech you by us, 2 Cor. v. 20. Though he might with
authority command, yet for love's sake he rather beseeches, Philem. 8,
9. The poor useth entreaty, Prov. xviii. 23. This is to insinuate the
exhortation, that it might come with the more pleasing power. Many are
sooner wrought upon if they be accosted kindly, are more easily led
than driven. Now observe,
[1.] The duty pressed--to present our bodies a living sacrifice,
alluding to the sacrifices under the law, which were presented or set
before God at the altar, ready to be offered to him. Your bodies--your
whole selves; so expressed because under the law the bodies of beasts
were offered in sacrifice, 1 Cor. vi. 20. Our bodies and spirits are
intended. The offering was sacrificed by the priest, but presented by
the offerer, who transferred to God all his right, title, and interest
in it, by laying his hand on the head of it. Sacrifice is here taken
for whatsoever is by God's own appointment dedicated to himself; see 1
Pet. ii. 5. We are temple, priest, and sacrifice, as Christ was in his
peculiar sacrificing. There were sacrifices of atonement and sacrifices
of acknowledgment. Christ, who was once offered to bear the sins of
many, is the only sacrifice of atonement; but our persons and
performances, tendered to God through Christ our priest, are as
sacrifices of acknowledgment to the honour of God. Presenting them
denotes a voluntary act, done by virtue of that absolute despotic power
which the will has over the body and all the members of it. It must be
a free-will offering. Your bodies; not your beasts. Those legal
offerings, as they had their power from Christ, so they had their
period in Christ. The presenting of the body to God implies not only
the avoiding of the sins that are committed with or against the body,
but the using of the body as a servant of the soul in the service of
God. It is to glorify God with our bodies (1 Cor. vi. 20), to engage
our bodies in the duties of immediate worship, and in a diligent
attendance to our particular callings, and be willing to suffer for God
with our bodies, when we are called to it. It is to yield the members
of our bodies as instruments of righteousness, ch. vi. 13. Though
bodily exercise alone profits little, yet in its place it is a proof
and product of the dedication of our souls to God. First, Present them
a living sacrifice; not killed, as the sacrifices under the law. A
Christian makes his body a sacrifice to God, though he does not give it
to be burned. A body sincerely devoted to God is a living sacrifice. A
living sacrifice, by way of allusion--that which was dead of itself
might not be eaten, much less sacrificed, Deut. xiv. 21; and by ways of
opposition--"The sacrifice was to be slain, but you may be sacrificed,
and yet live on"--an unbloody sacrifice. The barbarous heathen
sacrificed their children to their idol-gods, not living, but slain
sacrifices: but God will have mercy, and not such sacrifice, though
life is forfeited to him. A living sacrifice, that is, inspired with
the spiritual life of the soul. It is Christ living in the soul by
faith that makes the body a living sacrifice, Gal. ii. 20. Holy love
kindles the sacrifices, puts life into the duties; see ch. vi. 13.
Alive, that is, to God, v. 11. Secondly, They must be holy. There is a
relative holiness in every sacrifice, as dedicated to God. But, besides
this, there must be that real holiness which consists in an entire
rectitude of heart and life, by which we are conformed in both to the
nature and will of God: even our bodies must not be made the
instruments of sin and uncleanness, but set apart for God, and put to
holy uses, as the vessels of the tabernacle were holy, being devoted to
God's service. It is the soul that is the proper subject of holiness;
but a sanctified soul communicates a holiness to the body it actuates
and animates. That is holy which is according to the will of God; when
the bodily actions are no, the body is holy. They are the temples of
the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. vi. 19. Possess the body in sanctification, 1
Thess. iv. 4, 5.
[2.] The arguments to enforce this, which are three:--First, Consider
the mercies of God: I beseech you by the mercies of God. An
affectionate obtestation, and which should melt us into a compliance:
dia ton oiktirmon tou Theou. This is an argument most sweetly cogent.
There is the mercy that is in God and the mercy that is from God--mercy
in the spring and mercy in the streams: both are included here; but
especially gospel-mercies (mentioned ch. ix.), the transferring of what
the Jews forfeited and lost by their unbelief unto us Gentiles (Eph.
iii. 4-6): the sure mercies of David, Isa. lv. 3. God is a merciful
God, therefore let us present our bodies to him; he will be sure to use
them kindly, and knows how to consider the frames of them, for he is of
infinite compassion. We receive from him every day the fruits of his
mercy, particularly mercy to our bodies: he made them, he maintains
them, he bought them, he has put a great dignity upon them. It is of
the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, that our souls are held in
life; and the greatest mercy of all is that Christ hath made not his
body only, but his soul, an offering for sin, that he gave himself for
us and gives himself to us. Now surely we cannot but be studying what
we shall render to the Lord for all this. And what shall we render? Let
us render ourselves as an acknowledgment of all these favours--all we
are, all we have, all we can do; and, after all, it is but very poor
returns for very rich receivings: and yet, because it is what we have,
Secondly, It is acceptable to God. The great end we should all labour
after is to be accepted of the Lord (2 Cor. v. 9), to have him
well-pleased with our persons and performances. Now these living
sacrifices are acceptable to God; while the sacrifices of the wicked,
though fat and costly, are an abomination to the Lord. It is God's
great condescension that he will vouchsafe to accept of any thing in
us; and we can desire no more to make us happy; and, if the presenting
of ourselves will but please him, we may easily conclude that we cannot
bestow ourselves better. Thirdly, It is our reasonable service. There
is an act of reason in it; for it is the soul that presents the body.
Blind devotion, that has ignorance for the mother and nurse of it, is
fit to be paid only to those dunghill-gods that have eyes and see not.
Our God must be served in the spirit and with the understanding. There
is all the reason in the world for it, and no good reason can possibly
be produced against it. Come now, and let us reason together, Isa. i.
18. God does not impose upon us any thing hard or unreasonable, but
that which is altogether agreeable to the principles of right reason.
Ten logiken latreian hymon--your service according to the word; so it
may be read. The word of God does not leave out the body in holy
worship. That service only is acceptable to God which is according to
the written word. It must be gospel worship, spiritual worship. That is
a reasonable service which we are able and ready to give a reason for,
in which we understand ourselves. God deals with us as with rational
creatures, and will have us so to deal with him. Thus must the body be
presented to God.
(2.) The mind must be renewed for him. This is pressed (v. 2): "Be you
transformed by the renewing of your mind; see to it that there be a
saving change wrought in you, and that it be carried on." Conversion
and sanctification are the renewing of the mind, a change not of the
substance, but of the qualities of the soul. It is the same with making
a new heart and a new spirit--new dispositions and inclinations, new
sympathies and antipathies; the understanding enlightened, the
conscience softened, the thoughts rectified; the will bowed to the will
of God, and the affections made spiritual and heavenly: so that the man
is not what he was--old things are passed away, all things are become
new; he acts from new principles, by new rules, with new designs. The
mind is the acting ruling part of us; so that the renewing of the mind
is the renewing of the whole man, for out of it are the issues of life,
Prov. iv. 23. The progress of sanctification, dying to sin more and
more and living to righteousness more and more, is the carrying on of
this renewing work, till it be perfected in glory. This is called the
transforming of us; it is like putting on a new shape and figure.
Metamorphousthe--Be you metamorphosed. The transfiguration of Christ is
expressed by this word (Matt. xvii. 2), when he put on a heavenly
glory, which made his face to shine like the sun; and the same word is
used 2 Cor. iii. 18, where we are said to be changed into the same
image from glory to glory. This transformation is here pressed as a
duty; not that we can work such a change ourselves: we could as soon
make a new world as make a new heart by any power of our own; it is
God's work, Ezek. xi. 19; xxxvi. 26, 27. But be you transformed, that
is, "use the means which God hath appointed and ordained for it." It is
God that turns us, and then we are turned; but we must frame our doings
to turn, Hos. v. 4. "Lay your souls under the changing transforming
influences of the blessed Spirit; seek unto God for grace in the use of
all the means of grace." Though the new man be created of God, yet we
must put it on (Eph. iv. 24), and be pressing forward towards
perfection. Now in this verse we may further observe,
[1.] What is the great enemy to this renewing, which we must avoid; and
that is, conformity to this world: Be not conformed to this world. All
the disciples and followers of the Lord Jesus must be nonconformists to
this world. Me syschematizesthe--Do not fashion yourselves according to
the world. We must not conform to the things of the world; they are
mutable, and the fashion of them is passing away. Do not conform either
to the lusts of the flesh or the lusts of the eye. We must not conform
to the men of the world, of that world which lies in wickedness, not
walk according to the course of this world (Eph. ii. 2); that is, we
must not follow a multitude to do evil, Exod. xxiii. 2. If sinners
entice us, we must not consent to them, but in our places witness
against them. Nay, even in things indifferent, and which are not in
themselves sinful, we must so far not conform to the custom and way of
the world as not to act by the world's dictates as our chief rule, nor
to aim at the world's favours as our highest end. True Christianity
consists much in a sober singularity. Yet we must take heed of the
extreme of affected rudeness and moroseness, which some run into. In
civil things, the light of nature and the custom of nations are
intended for our guidance; and the rule of the gospel in those cases is
a rule of direction, not a rule of contrariety.
[2.] What is the great effect of this renewing, which we must labour
after: That you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect will of God. by the will of God here we are to understand his
revealed will concerning our duty, what the Lord our God requires of
us. This is the will of God in general, even our sanctification, that
will which we pray may be done by us as it is done by the angels;
especially his will as it is revealed in the New Testament, where he
hath in these last days spoken to us by his Son. First, The will of God
is good, and acceptable, and perfect; three excellent properties of a
law. It is good (Mic. vi. 8); it is exactly consonant to the eternal
reason of good and evil. It is good in itself. It is good for us. Some
think the evangelical law is here called good, in distinction from the
ceremonial law, which consisted of statutes that were not good, Ezek.
xx. 25. It is acceptable, it is pleasing to God; that and that only is
so which is prescribed by him. The only way to attain his favour as the
end is to conform to his will as the rule. It is perfect, to which
nothing can be added. The revealed will of God is a sufficient rule of
faith and practice, containing all things which tend to the perfection
of the man of God, to furnish us thoroughly to every good work, 2 Tim.
iii. 16, 17. Secondly, That it concerns Christians to prove what is
that will of God which is good, and acceptable, and perfect; that is,
to know it with judgment and approbation, to know it experimentally, to
know the excellency of the will of God by the experience of a
conformity to it. It is to approve things that are excellent (Phil. i.
10); it is dokimazein (the same word that is used here) to try things
that differ, in doubtful cases readily to apprehend what the will of
God is and to close in with it. It is to be of quick understanding in
the fear of the Lord, Isa. xi. 3. Thirdly, That those are best able to
prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God, who
are transformed by the renewing of their mind. A living principle of
grace is in the soul, as far as it prevails, an unbiassed unprejudiced
judgment concerning the things of God. It disposes the soul to receive
and entertain the revelations of the divine will. The promise is (John
vii. 17), If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine. A
good wit can dispute and distinguish about the will of God; while an
honest, humble heart, that has spiritual senses exercised, and is
delivered into the mould of the word, loves it, and practises it, and
has the relish and savour of it. Thus to be godly is to surrender
ourselves to God.
2. When this is done, to serve him in all manner of gospel obedience.
Some hints of this we have here (v. 11, 12), Serving the Lord.
Wherefore do we present ourselves to him, but that we may serve him?
Acts xxvii. 23, Whose I am; and then it follows, whom I serve. To be
religious is to serve God. How? (1.) We must make a business of it, and
not be slothful in that business. Not slothful in business. There is
the business of the world, that of our particular calling, in which we
must not be slothful, 1 Thess. iv. 11. But this seems to be meant of
the business of serving the Lord, our Father's business, Luke ii. 49.
Those that would approve themselves Christians indeed must make
religion their business--must choose it, and learn it, and give
themselves to it; they must love it, and employ themselves in it, and
abide by it, as their great and main business. And, having made it our
business, we must not be slothful in it: not desire our own ease, and
consult that, when it comes in competition with our duty. We must not
drive on slowly in religion. Slothful servants will be reckoned with us
wicked servants. (2.) We must be fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.
God must be served with the spirit (ch. i. 9; John iv. 24), under the
influences of the Holy Spirit. Whatever we do in religion it is
pleasing to God no further than it is done with our spirits wrought
upon by the Spirit of God. And there must be fervency in the spirit--a
holy zeal, and warmth, and ardency of affection in all we do, as those
that love God not only with the heart and soul, but with all our
hearts, and with all our souls. This is the holy fire that kindles the
sacrifice, and carries it up to heaven, an offering of a sweet-smelling
savour.--Serving the Lord. To kairo douleuontes (so some copies read
it), serving the time, that is, improving your opportunities and making
the best of them, complying with the present seasons of grace. (3.)
Rejoicing in hope. God is worshipped and honoured by our hope and trust
in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope, take a complacency in
that confidence, which argues a great assurance of the reality and a
great esteem of the excellency of the good hoped for. (4.) Patient in
tribulation. Thus also God is served, not only by working for him when
he calls us to work, but by sitting still quietly when he calls us to
suffer. Patience for God's sake, and with an eye to his will and glory,
is true piety. Observe, Those that rejoice in hope are likely to be
patient in tribulation. It is a believing prospect of the joy set
before us that bears up the spirit under all outward pressure. (5.)
Continuing instant in prayer. Prayer is a friend to hope and patience,
and we do in it serve the Lord. Proskarterountes. It signifies both
fervency and perseverance in prayer. We should not be cold in the duty,
nor soon weary of it, Luke xviii. 1; 1 Thess. v. 17; Eph. vi. 18; Col.
iv. 2. This is our duty which immediately respects God.
II. Concerning our duty which respects ourselves; this is sobriety.
1. A sober opinion of ourselves, v. 3. It is ushered in with a solemn
preface: I say, through the grace given unto me: the grace f wisdom, by
which he understood the necessity and excellency of this duty; the
grace of apostleship, by which he had authority to press and enjoin it.
"I say it, who am commissioned to say it, in God's name. I say it, and
it is not for you to gainsay it." It is said to every one of us, one as
well as another. Pride is a sin that is bred in the bone of all of us,
and we have therefore each of us need to be cautioned and armed against
it.--Not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think. We
must take heed of having too great an opinion of ourselves, or putting
too high a valuation upon our own judgments, abilities, persons,
performances. We must not be self-conceited, nor esteem too much our
own wisdom and other attainments, not think ourselves to be something,
Gal. vi. 3. There is a high thought of ourselves which we may and must
have to think ourselves too good to be the slaves of sin and drudges to
this world. But, on the other hand, we should think soberly, that is,
we must have a low and modest opinion of ourselves and our own
abilities, our gifts and graces, according to what we have received
from God, and not otherwise. We must not be confident and hot in
matters of doubtful disputation; not stretch ourselves beyond our line;
not judge and censure those that differ from us; not desire to make a
fair show in the flesh. These and the like are the fruits of a sober
opinion of ourselves. The words will bear yet another sense agreeable
enough. Of himself is not in the original; therefore it may be read,
That no man be wise above what he ought to be wise, but be wise unto
sobriety. We must not exercise ourselves in things too high for us (Ps.
cxxxi. 1, 2), not intrude into those things which we have not seen
(Col. ii. 18), those secret things which belong not to us (Deut. xxix.
29), not covet to be wise above what is written. There is a knowledge
that puffs up, which reaches after forbidden fruit. We must take heed
of this, and labour after that knowledge which tends to sobriety, to
the rectifying of the heart and the reforming of the life. Some
understand it of the sobriety which keeps us in our own place and
station, from intruding into the gifts and offices of others. See an
instance of this sober modest care in the exercise of the greatest
spiritual gifts, 2 Cor. x. 13-15. To this head refers also that
exhortation (v. 16), Be not wise in your own conceits. It is good to be
wise, but it is bad to think ourselves so; for there is more hope of a
fool than of him that is wise in his own eyes. It was an excellent
thing for Moses to have his face shine and not know it. Now the reasons
why we must have such a sober opinion of ourselves, our own abilities
and attainments, are these:--
(1.) Because whatever we have that is good, God hath dealt it to us;
every good and perfect gift comes from above, James i. 17. What have we
that we have not received? And, if we have received it, why then do we
boast? 1 Cor. iv. 7. The best and most useful man in the world is no
more, no better, than what the free grace of God makes him every day.
When we are thinking of ourselves, we must remember to think not how we
attained, as though our might and the power of our hand had gotten us
these gifts; but think how kind God hath been to us, for it is he that
gives us power to do any thing that is good, and in him is all our
sufficiency.
(2.) Because God deals out his gifts in a certain measure: According to
the measure of faith. Observe, The measure of spiritual gifts he calls
the measure of faith, for this is the radical grace. What we have and
do that is good is so far right and acceptable as it is founded in
faith, and flows from faith, and no further. Now faith, and other
spiritual gifts with it, are dealt by measure, according as Infinite
Wisdom sees meet for us. Christ had the Spirit given him without
measure, John iii. 34. But the saints have it by measure; see Eph. iv.
7. Christ, who had gifts without measure, was meek and lowly; and shall
we, that are stinted, be proud and self-conceited?
(3.) Because God has dealt out gifts to others as well as to us: Dealt
to every man. Had we the monopoly of the Spirit, or a patent to be sole
proprietors of spiritual gifts, there might be some pretence for this
conceitedness of ourselves; but others have their share as well as we.
God is a common Father, and Christ a common root, to all the saints,
who all drive virtue from him; and therefore it ill becomes us to lift
up ourselves, and to despise others, as if we only were the people in
favour with heaven, and wisdom should die with us. This reasoning he
illustrates by a comparison taken from the members of the natural body
(as 1 Cor. xii. 12; Eph. iv. 16): As we have many members in one body,
&c., v. 4, 5. Here observe, [1.] All the saints make up one body in
Christ, who is the head of the body, and the common centre of their
unity. Believers lie not in the world as a confused disorderly heap,
but are organized and knit together, as they are united to one common
head, and actuated and animated by one common Spirit. [2.] Particular
believers are members of this body, constituent parts, which speak them
less than the whole, and in relation to the whole, deriving life and
spirits from the head. Some members in the body are bigger and more
useful than others, and each receives spirits from the head according
to its proportion. If the little finger should receive as much
nourishment as the leg, how unseemly and prejudicial would it be! We
must remember that we are not the whole; we think above what is meet if
we think so; we are but parts and members. [3.] All the members have
not the same office (v. 4), but each hath its respective place and work
assigned it. The office of the eye is to see, the office of the hand is
to work, &c. So in the mystical body, some are qualified for, and
called to, one sort of work; others are, in like manner, fitted for,
and called to, another sort of work. Magistrates, ministers, people, in
a Christian commonwealth, have their several offices, and must not
intrude one upon another, nor clash in the discharge of their several
offices. [4.] Each member hath its place and office, for the good and
benefit of the whole, and of every other member. We are not only
members of Christ, but we are members one of another, v. 5. We stand in
relation one to another; we are engaged to do all the good we can one
to another, and to act in conjunction for the common benefit. See this
illustrated at large, 1 Cor. xii. 14, &c. Therefore we must not be
puffed up with a conceit of our own attainments, because, whatever we
have, as we received it, so we received it not for ourselves, but for
the good of others.
2. A sober use of the gifts that God hath given us. As we must not on
the one hand be proud of our talents, so on the other hand we must not
bury them. Take heed lest, under a pretence of humility and
self-denial, we be slothful in laying out ourselves for the good of
others. We must not say, "I am nothing, therefore I will sit still, and
do nothing;" but, "I am nothing in myself, and therefore I will lay out
myself to the utmost in the strength of the grace of Christ." He
specifies the ecclesiastical offices appointed in particular churches,
in the discharge of which each must study to do his own duty, for the
preserving of order and the promotion of edification in the church,
each knowing his place and fulfilling it. Having then gifts. The
following induction of particulars supplies the sense of this general.
Having gifts, let us use them. Authority and ability for the
ministerial work are the gift of God.--Gifts differing. The immediate
design is different, though the ultimate tendency of all is the same.
According to the grace, charismata kata ten charin. The free grace of
God is the spring and original of all the gifts that are given to men.
It is grace that appoints the office, qualifies and inclines the
person, works both to will and to do. There were in the primitive
church extraordinary gifts of tongues, of discerning, of healing; but
he speaks here of those that are ordinary. Compare 1 Cor. xii. 4; 1
Tim. iv. 14; 1 Pet. iv. 10. Seven particular gifts he specifies (v.
6-8), which seem to be meant of so many distinct offices, used by the
prudential constitution of many of the primitive churches, especially
the larger. There are two general ones here expressed by prophesying
and ministering, the former the work of the bishops, the latter the
work of the deacons, which were the only two standing officers, Phil.
i. 1. But the particular work belonging to each of these might be, and
it should seem was, divided and allotted by common consent and
agreement, that it might be done the more effectually, because that
which is every body's work is nobody's work, and he despatches his
business best that is vir unius negotii--a man of one business. Thus
David sorted the Levites (1 Chron. xxiii. 4, 5), and in this wisdom is
profitable to direct. The five latter will therefore be reduced to the
two former.
(1.) Prophecy. Whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the
proportion of faith. It is not meant of the extraordinary gifts of
foretelling things to come, but the ordinary office of preaching the
word: so prophesying is taken, 1 Cor. xiv. 1-3, &c.; xi. 4; 1 Thess. v.
20. The work of the Old-Testament prophets was not only to foretel
future things, but to warn the people concerning sin and duty, and to
be their remembrancers concerning that which they knew before. And thus
gospel preachers are prophets, and do indeed, as far as the revelation
of the word goes, foretel things to come. Preaching refers to the
eternal condition of the children of men, points directly at a future
state. Now those that preach the word must do it according to the
proportion of faith--kata ten analogian tes pisteos, that is, [1.] As
to the manner of our prophesying, it must be according to the
proportion of the grace of faith. He had spoken (v. 3) of the measure
of faith dealt to every man. Let him that preaches set all the faith he
hath on work, to impress the truths he preaches upon his own heart in
the first place. As people cannot hear well, so ministers cannot preach
well, without faith. First believe and then speak, Ps. cxvi. 10; 2 Cor.
iv. 13. And we must remember the proportion of faith--that, though all
men have not faith, yet a great many have besides ourselves; and
therefore we must allow others to have a share of knowledge and ability
to instruct, as well as we, even those that in less things differ from
us. "Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself; and do not make it a ruling
rule to others, remembering that thou hast but thy proportion." [2.] As
to the matter of our prophesying, it must be according to the
proportion of the doctrine of faith, as it is revealed in the holy
scriptures of the Old and New Testament. By this rule of faith the
Bereans tried Paul's preaching, Acts xvii. 11. Compare Acts xxvi. 22;
Gal. i. 9. There are some staple-truths, as I may call them, some prima
axiomata--first axioms, plainly and uniformly taught in the scripture,
which are the touchstone of preaching, by which (though we must not
despise prophesying) we must prove all things, and then hold fast that
which is good, 1 Thess. v. 20, 21. Truths that are more dark must be
examined by those that are more clear; and then entertained when they
are found to agree and comport with the analogy of faith; for it is
certain one truth can never contradict another. See here what ought to
be the great care of preachers--to preach sound doctrine, according to
the form of wholesome words, Tit. ii. 8; 2 Tim. i. 13. It is not so
necessary that the prophesying be according to the proportion of art,
the rules of logic and rhetoric; but it is necessary that it be
according to the proportion of faith: for it is the word of faith that
we preach. Now there are two particular works which he that prophesieth
hath to mind--teaching and exhorting, proper enough to be done by the
same person at the same time, and when he does the one let him mind
that, when he does the other let him do that too as well as he can. If,
by agreement between the ministers of a congregation, this work be
divided, either constantly or interchangeably, so that one teaches and
the other exhorts (that is, in our modern dialect, one expounds and the
other preaches), let each do his work according to the proportion of
faith. First, let him that teacheth wait on teaching. Teaching is the
bare explaining and proving of gospel truths, without practical
application, as in the expounding of the scripture. Pastors and
teachers are the same office (Eph. iv. 11), but the particular work is
somewhat different. Now he that has a faculty of teaching, and has
undertaken that province, let him stick to it. It is a good gift, let
him use it, and give his mind to it. He that teacheth, let him be in
his teaching; so some supply it, Ho didaskon, en te didaskalia. Let him
be frequent and constant, and diligent in it; let him abide in that
which is his proper work, and be in it as his element. See 1 Tim. iv.
15, 16, where it is explained by two words, en toutois isthi, and
epimene autois, be in these things and continue in them. Secondly, Let
him that exhorteth wait on exhortation. Let him give himself to that.
This is the work of the pastor, as the former of the teacher; to apply
gospel truths and rules more closely to the case and condition of the
people, and to press upon them that which is more practical. Many that
are very accurate in teaching may yet be very cold and unskilful in
exhorting; and on the contrary. The one requires a clearer head, the
other a warmer heart. Now where these gifts are evidently separated
(that the one excels in the one and the other in the other) it conduces
to edification to divide the work accordingly; and, whatsoever the work
is that we undertake, let us mind it. To wait on our work is to bestow
the best of our time and thoughts upon it, to lay hold of all
opportunities for it, and to study not only to do it, but to do it
well.
(2.) Ministry. If a man hath diakonian--the office of a deacon, or
assistant to the pastor and teacher, let him use that office well--a
churchwarden (suppose), an elder, or an overseer of the poor; and
perhaps there were more put into these offices, and there was more
solemnity in them, and a greater stress of care and business lay upon
them in the primitive churches, than we are now well aware of. It
includes all those offices which concern the ta exo of the church, the
outward business of the house of God. See Neh. xi. 16. Serving tables,
Acts vi. 2. Now let him on whom this care of ministering is devolved
attend to it with faithfulness and diligence; particularly, [1.] He
that giveth, let him do it with simplicity. Those church-officers that
were the stewards of the church's alms, collected money, and
distributed it according as the necessities of the poor were. Let them
do it en aploteti--liberally and faithfully; not converting what they
receive to their own use, nor distributing it with any sinister design,
or with respect of person: not froward and peevish with the poor, nor
seeking pretences to put them by; but with all sincerity and integrity,
having no other intention in it than to glorify God and do good. Some
understand it in general of all almsgiving: He that hath wherewithal,
let him give, and give plentifully and liberally; so the word is
translated, 2 Cor. viii. 2; ix. 13. God loves a cheerful bountiful
giver. [2.] He that ruleth with diligence. It should seem, he means
those that were assistants to the pastors in exercising
church-discipline, as their eyes, and hands, and mouth, in the
government of the church, or those ministers that in the congregation
did chiefly undertake and apply themselves to this ruling work; for we
find those ruling that laboured in the word and doctrine, 1 Tim. v. 17.
Now such must do it with diligence. The word denotes both care and
industry to discover what is amiss, to reduce those that go astray, to
reprove and admonish those that have fallen, to keep the church pure.
Those must take a great deal of pains that will approve themselves
faithful in the discharge of this trust, and not let slip any
opportunity that may facilitate and advance that work. [3.] He that
showeth mercy with cheerfulness. Some think it is meant in general of
all that in any thing show mercy: Let them be willing to do it, and
take a pleasure in it; God loves a cheerful giver. But it seems to be
meant of some particular church-officers, whose work it was to take
care of the sick and strangers; and those were generally widows that
were in this matter servants to the church-deaconesses (1 Tim. v. 9,
10), though others, it is likely, might be employed. Now this must be
done with cheerfulness. A pleasing countenance in acts of mercy is a
great relief and comfort to the miserable; when they see it is not done
grudgingly and unwillingly, but with pleasant looks and gentle words,
and all possible indications of readiness and alacrity. Those that have
to do with such as are sick and sore, and commonly cross and peevish,
have need to put on not only patience, but cheerfulness, to make the
work the more easy and pleasant to them, and the more acceptable to
God.
III. Concerning that part of our duty which respects our brethren, of
which we have many instances, in brief exhortations. Now all our duty
towards one another is summer up in one word, and that a sweet work,
love. In that is laid the foundation of all our mutual duty; and
therefore the apostle mentions this first, which is the livery of
Christ's disciples, and the great law of our religion: Let love be
without dissimulation; not in compliment and pretence, but in reality;
not in word and tongue only, 1 John iii. 18. The right love is love
unfeigned; not as the kisses of an enemy, which are deceitful. We
should be glad of an opportunity to prove the sincerity of our love, 2
Cor. viii. 8. More particularly, there is a love owing to our friends,
and to our enemies. He specifies both.
1. To our friends. He that hath friends must show himself friendly.
There is a mutual love that Christians owe, and must pay.
(1.) An affectionate love (v. 10): Be kindly affectioned one to
another, with brotherly love, philostorgoi--it signifies not only love,
but a readiness and inclination to love, the most genuine and free
affection, kindness flowing out as from a spring. It properly denotes
the love of parents to their children, which, as it is the most tender,
so it is the most natural, of any, unforced, unconstrained; such must
our love be to one another, and such it will be where there is a new
nature and the law of love is written in the heart. This kind affection
puts us on to express ourselves both in word and action with the
greatest courtesy and obligingness that may be.--One to another. This
may recommend the grace of love to us, that, as it is made our duty to
love others, so it is as much their duty to love us. And what can be
sweeter on this side heaven than to love and be beloved? He that thus
watereth shall be watered also himself.
(2.) A respectful love: In honour preferring one another. Instead of
contending for superiority, let us be forward to give to others the
pre-eminence. This is explained, Phil. ii. 3, Let each esteem other
better than themselves. And there is this good reason for it, because,
if we know our own hearts, we know more evil by ourselves than we do by
any one else in the world. We should be forward to take notice of the
gifts, and graces, and performances of our brethren, and value them
accordingly, be more forward to praise another, and more pleased to
hear another praised, than ourselves; te time allelous
proegoumenoi--going before, or leading one another in honour; so some
read it: not in taking honour, but in giving honour. "Strive which of
you shall be most forward to pay respect to those to whom it is due,
and to perform all Christian offices of love (which are all included in
the word honour) to your brethren, as there is occasion. Let all your
contention be which shall be most humble, and useful, and
condescending." So the sense is the same with Tit. iii. 14, Let them
learn, proistasthai--to go before in good works. For though we must
prefer others (as our translation reads it), and put on others, as more
capable and deserving than ourselves, yet we must not make that an
excuse for our lying by and doing nothing, nor under a pretence of
honouring others, and their serviceableness and performances, indulge
ourselves in ease and slothfulness. Therefore he immediately adds (v.
11), Not slothful in business.
(3.) A liberal love (v. 13): Distributing to the necessities of saints.
It is but a mock love which rests in the verbal expressions of kindness
and respect, while the wants of our brethren call for real supplies,
and it is in the power of our hands to furnish them. [1.] It is no
strange thing for saints in this world to want necessaries for the
support of their natural live. In those primitive times prevailing
persecutions must needs reduce many of the suffering saints to great
extremities; and still the poor, even the poor saints, we have always
with us. Surely the things of this world are not the best things; if
they were, the saints, who are the favourites of heaven, would not be
put off with so little of them. [2.] It is the duty of those who have
wherewithal to distribute, or (as it might better be read) to
communicate to those necessities. It is not enough to draw out the
soul, but we must draw out the purse, to the hungry. See Jam. ii. 15,
16; 1 John iii. 17. Communicating--koinonountes. It intimates that our
poor brethren have a kind of interest in that which God hath given us;
and that our reliving them should come from a sense and fellow-feeling
of their wants, as though we suffered with them. The charitable
benevolence of the Philippians to Paul is called their communicating
with his affliction, Phil. iv. 14. We must be ready, as we have ability
and opportunity, to relieve any that are in want; but we are in a
special manner bound to communicate to the saints. There is a common
love owing to our fellow-creatures, but a special love owing to our
fellow-christians (Gal. vi. 10), Especially to those who are of the
household of faith. Communicating, tais mneiais--to the memories of the
saints; so some of the ancients read it, instead of tais chreiais.
There is a debt owing to the memory of those who through faith and
patience inherit the promises--to value it, to vindicate it, to embalm
it. Let the memory of the just be blessed; so some read Prov. x. 7. He
mentions another branch of this bountiful love: Given to hospitality.
Those who have houses of their own should be ready to entertain those
who go about doing good, or who, for fear of persecution, are forced to
wander for shelter. They had not then so much of the convenience of
common inns as we have; or the wandering Christians durst not frequent
them; or they had not wherewithal to bear the charges, and therefore it
was a special kindness to bid them welcome on free-cost. Nor is it yet
an antiquated superseded duty; as there is occasion, we must welcome
strangers, for we know not the heart of a stranger. I was a stranger,
and you took me in, is mentioned as one instance of the mercifulness of
those that shall obtain mercy: ten philoxenian diokontes--following or
pursuing hospitality. It intimates, not only that we must take
opportunity, but that we must seek opportunity, thus to show mercy. As
Abraham, who sat at the tent-door (Gen. xviii. 1), and Lot, who sat in
the gate of Sodom (Gen. xix. 1), expecting travellers, whom they might
meet and prevent with a kind invitation, and so they entertained angels
unawares, Heb. xiii. 2.
(4.) A sympathizing love (v. 15): Rejoice with those that do rejoice,
and weep with those that weep. Where there is a mutual love between the
members of the mystical body, there will be such a fellow-feeling. See
1 Cor. xii. 26. True love will interest us in the sorrows and joys of
one another, and teach us to make them our own. Observe the common
mixture in this world, some rejoicing, and others weeping (as the
people, Ezra iii. 12, 13), for the trial, as of other graces, so of
brotherly love and Christian sympathy. Not that we must participate in
the sinful mirths or mournings of any, but only in just and reasonable
joys and sorrows: not envying those that prosper, but rejoicing with
them; truly glad that others have the success and comfort which we have
not; not despising those that are in trouble, but concerned for them,
and ready to help them, as being ourselves in the body. This is to do
as God does, who not only has pleasure in the prosperity of his
servants (Ps. xxxv. 27), but is likewise afflicted in all their
afflictions, Isa. lxiii. 9.
(5.) A united love: "Be of the same mind one towards another (v. 16),
that is, labour, as much as you can, to agree in apprehension; and,
wherein you come short of this, yet agree in affection; endeavour to be
all one, not affecting to clash, and contradict, and thwart one
another; but keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, Phil.
ii. 2; iii. 15, 16; 1 Cor. i. 10; to auto eis allelous
phronountes--wishing the same good to others that you do to
yourselves;" so some understand it. This is to love our brethren as
ourselves, desiring their welfare as our own.
(6.) A condescending love: Mind not high things, but condescend to men
of low estate, v. 16. True love cannot be without lowliness, Eph. iv.
1, 2; Phil. ii. 3. When our Lord Jesus washed his disciples' feet, to
teach us brotherly love (John xiii. 5; xiv. 34), it was designed
especially to intimate to us that to love one another aright is to be
willing to stoop to the meanest offices of kindness for the good of one
another. Love is a condescending grace: Non bene conveniunt--majestas
et amor--Majesty and love do but ill assort with each other. Observe
how it is pressed here. [1.] Mind not high things. We must not be
ambitious of honour and preferment, nor look upon worldly pomp and
dignity with any inordinate value or desire but rather with a holy
contempt. When David's advancements were high, his spirit was humble
(Ps. cxxxi. 1): I do not exercise myself in great matters. The Romans,
living in the imperial city, which reigned over the kings of the earth
(Rev. xvii. 18), and was at that time in the meridian of its splendour,
were perhaps ready to take occasion thence to think the better of
themselves. Even the holy seed were tainted with this leaven. Roman
Christians, as some citizens do upon the country; and therefore the
apostle so often cautions them against high-mindedness; compare ch. xi.
20. They lived near the court, and conversed daily with the gaiety and
grandeur of it: "Well," saith he, "do not mind it, be not in love with
it." [2.] Condescend to men of low estate--Tois tapeinois
synapagomenoi. First, It may be meant of mean things, to which we must
condescend. If our condition in the world be poor and low, our
enjoyments coarse and scanty, our employments despicable and
contemptible, yet we must bring our minds to it, and acquiesce in it.
So the margin: Be contented with mean things. Be reconciled to the
place which God in his providence hath put us in, whatever it be. We
must account nothing below us but sin: stoop to mean habitations, mean
fare, mean clothing, mean accommodations when they are our lot, and not
grudge. Nay, we must be carried with a kind of impetus, by the force of
the new nature (so the word synapagomai properly signifies, and it is
very significant), towards mean things, when God appoints us to them;
as the old corrupt nature is carried out towards high things. We must
accommodate ourselves to mean things. We should make a low condition
and mean circumstances more the centre of our desires than a high
condition. Secondly, It may be meant of mean persons; so we read it (I
think both are to be included) Condescend to men of low estate. We must
associate with, and accommodate ourselves to, those that are poor and
mean in the world, if they be such as fear God. David, though a king
upon the throne, was a companion for all such, Ps. cxix. 63. We need
not be ashamed to converse with the lowly, while the great God
overlooks heaven and earth to look at such. True love values grace in
rags as well as in scarlet. A jewel is a jewel, though it lie in the
dirt. The contrary to this condescension is reproved, Jam. ii. 1-4.
Condescend; that is, suit yourselves to them, stoop to them for their
good; as Paul, 1 Cor. ix. 19, &c. Some think the original word is a
metaphor taken from travellers, when those that are stronger and
swifter of foot stay for those that are weak and slow, make a halt, and
take them with them; thus must Christians be tender towards their
fellow travellers. As a means to promote this, he adds, Be not wise in
your own conceits; to the same purport with v. 3. We shall never find
in our hearts to condescend to others while we find there so great a
conceit of ourselves: and therefore this must needs be mortified. Me
ginesthe phronimoi par heautois--"Be not wise by yourselves, be not
confident of the sufficiency of your own wisdom, so as to despise
others, or think you have no need of them (Prov. iii. 7), nor be shy of
communicating what you have to others. We are members one of another,
depend upon one another, are obliged to one another; and therefore, Be
not wise by yourselves, remembering it is the merchandise of wisdom
that we profess; now merchandise consists in commerce, receiving and
returning."
(7.) A love that engages us, as much as lies in us, to live peaceably
with all men, v. 18. Even those with whom we cannot live intimately and
familiarly, by reason of distance in degree or profession, yet we must
with such live peaceably; that is, we must be harmless and inoffensive,
not giving others occasion to quarrel with us; and we must be gall-less
and unrevengeful, not taking occasion to quarrel with them. Thus must
we labour to preserve the peace, that it be not broken, and to piece it
again when it is broken. The wisdom from above is pure and peaceable.
Observe how the exhortation is limited. It is not expressed so as to
oblige us to impossibilities: If it be possible, as much as lies in
you. Thus Heb. xii. 14, Follow peace. Eph. iv. 3, Endeavouring to keep.
Study the things that make for peace.--If it be possible. It is not
possible to preserve the peace when we cannot do it without offending
God and wounding conscience: Id possumus quod jure possumus--That is
possible which is possible without incurring blame. The wisdom that is
from above is first pure and then peaceable, Jam. iii. 17. Peace
without purity is the peace of the devil's palace.--As much as lieth in
you. There must be two words to the bargain of peace. We can but speak
for ourselves. We may be unavoidably striven with; as Jeremiah, who was
a man of contention (Jer. xv. 10), and this we cannot help; our care
must be that nothing be wanting on our parts to preserve the peace, Ps.
cxx. 7. I am for peace, though, when I speak, they are for war.
2. To our enemies. Since men became enemies to God, they have been
found very apt to be enemies one to another. Let but the centre of love
be once forsaken, and the lines will either clash and interfere, or be
at an uncomfortable distance. And, of all men, those that embrace
religion have reason to expect to meet with enemies in a world whose
smiles seldom concur with Christ's. Now Christianity teaches us how to
behave towards our enemies; and in this instruction it quite differs
from all other rules and methods, which generally aim at victory and
dominion; but this at inward peace and satisfaction. Whoever are our
enemies, that wish us ill and seek to do us ill, our rule is to do them
no hurt, but all the good we can.
(1.) To do them no hurt (v. 17): Recompense to no man evil for evil,
for that is a brutish recompence, and befitting only those animals
which are not conscious either of any being above them or of any state
before them. Or, if mankind were made (as some dream) in a state of
war, such recompences as these were agreeable enough; but we have not
so learned God, who does so much for his enemies (Matt. v. 45), much
less have we so learned Christ, who died for us when we were enemies
(ch. v. 8, 10), so loved that world which hated him without a
cause.--"To no man; neither to Jew nor Greek; not to one that has been
thy friend, for by recompensing evil for evil thou wilt certainly lose
him; not to one that has been thine enemy, for by not recompensing evil
for evil thou mayest perhaps gain him." To the same purport, v. 19,
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves. And why must this be ushered in
with such an affectionate compellation, rather than any other of the
exhortations of this chapter? Surely because this is intended for the
composing of angry spirits, that are hot in the resentment of a
provocation. He addresses himself to such in this endearing language,
to mollify and qualify them. Any thing that breathes love sweetens the
blood, lays the storm, and cools the intemperate heat. Would you pacify
a brother offended? Call him dearly beloved. Such a soft word, fitly
spoken, may be effectual to turn away wrath. Avenge not yourselves;
that is, when any body has done you any ill turn, do not desire nor
endeavour to bring the like mischief or inconvenience upon him. It is
not forbidden to the magistrate to do justice to those that are
wronged, by punishing the wrong-doer; nor to make and execute just and
wholesome laws against malefactors; but it forbids private revenge,
which flows from anger and ill-will; and this is fitly forbidden, for
it is presumed that we are incompetent judges in our own case. Nay, if
persons wronged in seeking the defence of the law, and magistrates in
granting it, act from any particular personal pique or quarrel, and not
from a concern that public peace and order be maintained and right
done, even such proceedings, though seemingly regular, will fall under
this prohibited self-revenging. See how strict the law of Christ is in
this matter, Matt. v. 38-40. It is forbidden not only to take it into
our own hands to avenge ourselves, but to desire and thirst after event
that judgment in our case which the law affords, for the satisfying of
a revengeful humour. This is a hard lesson to corrupt nature; and
therefore he subjoins, [1.] A remedy against it: Rather give place unto
wrath. Not to our own wrath; to give place to this is to give place to
the devil, Eph. iv. 26, 27. We must resist, and stifle, and smother,
and suppress this; but, First, To the wrath of our enemy. "Give place
to it, that is, be of a yielding temper; do not answer wrath with
wrath, but with love rather. Yielding pacifies great offences, Eccl. x.
4. Receive affronts and injuries, as a stone is received into a heap of
wool, which gives way to it, and so it does not rebound back, nor go
any further." So it explains that of our Saviour (Matt. v. 39),
Whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
also. Instead of meditating how to revenge one wrong, prepare to
receive another. When men's passions are up, and the stream is strong,
let it have its course, lest by an unseasonable opposition it be made
to rage and swell the more. When others are angry, let us be calm; this
is a remedy against revenge, and seems to be the genuine sense. But,
Secondly, Many apply it to the wrath of God: "Give place to this, make
room for him to take the throne of judgment, and let him alone to deal
with thine adversary." [2.] A reason against it: For it is written,
Vengeance is mine. We find it written, Deut. xxxii. 35. God is the
sovereign King, the righteous Judge, and to him it belongs to
administer justice; for, being a God of infinite knowledge, by him
actions are weighed in unerring balances; and, being a God of infinite
purity, he hates sin and cannot endure to look upon iniquity. Some of
this power he hath trusted in the hands of the civil magistrates (Gen.
ix. 6; ch. xiii. 4); their legal punishments therefore are to be looked
upon as a branch of God's revengings. This is a good reason why we
should not avenge ourselves; for, if vengeance be God's, then, First,
We may not do it. We step into the throne of God if we do and take his
work out of his hand. Secondly, We need not do it. For God will, if we
meekly leave the matter with him; he will avenge us as far as there is
reason or justice for it, and further we cannot desire it. See Ps.
xxxviii. 14, 15, I heard not, for thou wilt hear; and if God hears what
need is there for me to hear?
(2.) We must not only not to hurt to our enemies, but our religion goes
higher, and teaches us to do them all the good we can. It is a command
peculiar to Christianity, and which does highly commend it: Love your
enemies, Matt. v. 44. We are here taught to show that love to them both
in word and deed.
[1.] In word: Bless those who persecute you, v. 14. It has been the
common lot of God's people to be persecuted, either with a powerful
hand or with a spiteful tongue. Now we are here taught to bless those
that so persecute us. Bless them; that is, First, "Speak well of them.
If there be any thing in them that is commendable and praiseworthy,
take notice of it, and mention it to their honour." Secondly, "Speak
respectfully to them, according as their place is, not rendering
railing for railing, and bitterness for bitterness." And, Thirdly, We
must wish well to them, and desire their good, so far from seeking any
revenge. Nay, Fourthly, We must offer up that desire to God, by prayer
for them. If it be not in the power of our hand to do any thing else
for them, yet we can testify our good-will by praying for them, for
which our master hath given us not only a rule, but an example to back
that rule, Luke xxiii. 34--Bless, and curse not. It denotes a thorough
good-will in all the instances and expressions of it; not, "bless them
when you are at prayer, and curse them at other times;" but, "bless
them always, and curse not at all." Cursing ill becomes the mouths of
those whose work it is to bless God, and whose happiness it is to be
blessed of him.
[2.] In deed (v. 20): "If thine enemy hunger, as thou hast ability and
opportunity, be ready and forward to show him any kindness, and do him
any office of love for his good; and be never the less forward for his
having been thine enemy, but rather the more, that thou mayest thereby
testify the sincerity of thy forgiveness of him." It is said of
archbishop Cranmer that the way for a man to make him his friend was to
do him an ill turn. The precept is quoted from Prov. xxv. 21, 22; so
that, high as it seems to be, the Old Testament was not a stranger to
it. Observe here, First, What we must do. We must do good to our
enemies. "If he hunger, do not insult over him, and say, Now God is
avenging me of him, and pleading my cause; do not make such a
construction of his wants. But feed him." Then, when he has need of thy
help, and thou hast an opportunity of starving him and trampling upon
him, then feed him (psomize auton, a significant word)--"feed him
abundantly, nay, feed him carefully and indulgently:" frustulatim
pasce--feed him with small pieces, "feed him, as we do children and
sick people, with much tenderness. Contrive to do it so as to express
thy love. If he thirst, give him drink: potize auton--drink to him, in
token of reconciliation and friendship. So confirm your love to him."
Secondly, Why we must do this. Because in so doing thou shalt heap
coals of fire on his head. Two senses are given of this, which I think
are both to be taken in disjunctively. Thou shalt heap coals of fire on
his head; that is, "Thou shalt either," 1. "Melt him into repentance
and friendship, and mollify his spirit towards thee" (alluding to those
who melt metals; they not only put fire under them, but heap fire upon
them; thus Saul was melted and conquered with the kindness of David, 1
Sam. xxiv. 16; xxvi. 21)--"thou wilt win a friend by it, and if thy
kindness have not that effect then," 2. "It will aggravate his
condemnation, and make his malice against thee the more inexcusable.
Thou wilt hereby hasten upon him the tokens of God's wrath and
vengeance." Not that this must be our intention in showing him
kindness, but, for our encouragement, such will be the effect. To this
purpose is the exhortation in the last verse, which suggests a paradox
not easily understood by the world, that in all matters of strife and
contention those that revenge are the conquered, and those that forgive
are the conquerors. (1.) "Be not overcome of evil. Let not the evil of
any provocation that is given you have such a power over you, or make
such an impression upon you, as to dispossess you of yourselves, to
disturb your peace, to destroy your love, to ruffle and discompose your
spirits, to transport you to any indecencies, or to bring you to study
or attempt any revenge." He that cannot quietly bear an injury is
perfectly conquered by it. (2.) "But overcome evil with good, with the
good of patience and forbearance, nay, and of kindness and beneficence
to those that wrong you. Learn to defeat their ill designs against you,
and either to change them, or at least to preserve your own peace." He
that hath this rule over his spirit is better than the mighty.
3. To conclude, there remain two exhortations yet untouched, which are
general, and which recommend all the rest as good in themselves, and of
good report.
(1.) As good in themselves (v. 9): Abhor that which is evil, cleave to
that which is good. God hath shown us what is good: these Christian
duties are enjoined; and that is evil which is opposite to them. Now
observe, [1.] We must not only not do evil, but we must abhor that
which is evil. We must hate sin with an utter and irreconcilable
hatred, have an antipathy to it as the worst of evils, contrary to our
new nature, and to our true interest--hating all the appearances of
sin, even the garment spotted with the flesh. [2.] We must not only do
that which is good, but we must cleave to it. It denotes a deliberate
choice of, a sincere affection for, and a constant perseverance in,
that which is good. "So cleave to it as not to be allured nor
affrighted from it, cleave to him that is good, even to the Lord (Acts
xi. 23), with a dependence and acquiescence." It is subjoined to the
precept of brotherly love, as directive of it; we must love our
brethren, but not love them so much as for their sakes to commit any
sin, or omit any duty; not think the better of any sin for the sake of
the person that commits it, but forsake all the friends in the world,
to cleave to God and duty.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. XIII.
There are three good lessons taught us in this chapter, where the
apostle enlarges more upon his precepts than he had done in the
foregoing chapter, finding them more needful to be fully pressed. I. A
lesson of subjection to lawful authority, ver. 1-6. II. A lesson of
justice and love to our brethren, ver. 7-10. III. A lesson of sobriety
and godliness in ourselves, ver. 11 to the end.
Obedience to Magistrates Enforced. (a. d. 58.)
1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no
power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever
therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they
that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are
not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be
afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise
of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if
thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in
vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon
him that doeth evil. 5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only
for wrath, but also for conscience sake. 6 For for this cause pay ye
tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon
this very thing.
We are here taught how to conduct ourselves towards magistrates, and
those that are in authority over us, called here the higher powers,
intimating their authority (they are powers), and their dignity (they
are higher powers), including not only the king as supreme, but all
inferior magistrates under him: and yet it is expressed, not by the
persons that are in that power, but the place of power itself, in which
they are. However the persons themselves may be wicked, and of those
vile persons whom the citizen of Zion contemneth (Ps. xv. 4), yet the
just power which they have must be submitted to and obeyed. The apostle
had taught us, in the foregoing chapter, not to avenge ourselves, nor
to recompense evil for evil; but, lest it should seem as if this did
cancel the ordinance of a civil magistracy among Christians, he takes
occasion to assert the necessity of it, and of the due infliction of
punishment upon evil doers, however it may look like recompensing evil
for evil. Observe,
I. The duty enjoined: Let every soul be subject. Every soul--every
person, one as well as another, not excluding the clergy, who call
themselves spiritual persons, however the church of Rome may not only
exempt such from subjection to the civil powers, but place them in
authority above them, making the greatest princes subject to the pope,
who thus exalteth himself above all that is called God.--Every soul.
Not that our consciences are to be subjected to the will of any man. It
is God's prerogative to make laws immediately to bind conscience, and
we must render to God the things that are God's. But it intimates that
our subjection must be free and voluntary, sincere and hearty. Curse
not the king, no, not in thy thought, Eccl. x. 20. To compass and
imagine are treason begun. The subjection of soul here required
includes inward honour (1 Pet. ii. 17) and outward reverence and
respect, both in speaking to them and in speaking of them--obedience to
their commands in things lawful and honest, and in other things a
patient subjection to the penalty without resistance--a conformity in
every thing to the place and duty of subjects, bringing our minds to
the relation and condition, and the inferiority and subordination of
it. "They are higher powers; be content they should be so, and submit
to them accordingly." Now there was good reason for the pressing of
this duty of subjection to civil magistrates, 1. Because of the
reproach which the Christian religion lay under in the world, as an
enemy to public peace, order, and government, as a sect that turned the
world upside down, and the embracers of it as enemies to Cæsar, and the
more because the leaders were Galileans--an old slander. Jerusalem was
represented as a rebellious city, hurtful to kings and provinces, Ezra
iv. 15, 16. Our Lord Jesus was so reproached, though he told them his
kingdom was not of this world: no marvel, then, if his followers have
been loaded in all ages with the like calumnies, called factious,
seditious, and turbulent, and looked upon as the troublers of the land,
their enemies having found such representations needful for the
justifying of their barbarous rage against them. The apostle therefore,
for the obviating of this reproach and the clearing of Christianity
from it, shows that obedience to civil magistrates is one of the laws
of Christ, whose religion helps to make people good subjects; and it
was very unjust to charge upon Christianity that faction and rebellion
to which its principles and rules are so directly contrary. 2. Because
of the temptation which the Christians lay under to be otherwise
affected to civil magistrates, some of them being originally Jews, and
so leavened with a principle that it was unmeet for any of the seed of
Abraham to be subject to one of another nation--their king must be of
their brethren, Deut. xvii. 15. Besides, Paul had taught them that they
were not under the law, they were made free by Christ. Lest this
liberty should be turned into licentiousness, and misconstrued to
countenance faction and rebellion, the apostle enjoins obedience to
civil government, which was the more necessary to be pressed now
because the magistrates were heathens and unbelievers, which yet did
not destroy their civil power and authority. Besides, the civil powers
were persecuting powers; the body of the law was against them.
II. The reasons to enforce this duty. Why must we be subject?
1. For wrath's sake. Because of the danger we run ourselves into by
resistance. Magistrates bear the sword, and to oppose them is to hazard
all that is dear to us in this world; for it is to no purpose to
contend with him that bears the sword. The Christians were then in
those persecuting times obnoxious to the sword of the magistrate for
their religion, and they needed not make themselves more obnoxious by
their rebellion. The least show of resistance or sedition in a
Christian would soon be aggravated and improved, and would be very
prejudicial to the whole society; and therefore they had more need than
others to be exact in their subjection, that those who had so much
occasion against them in the matter of their God might have no other
occasion. To this head must that argument be referred (v. 2), Those
that resist shall receive to themselves damnation: krima lepsontai,
they shall be called to an account for it. God will reckon with them
for it, because the resistance reflects upon him. The magistrates will
reckon with them for it. They will come under the lash of the law, and
will find the higher powers too high to be trampled upon, all civil
governments being justly strict and severe against treason and
rebellion; so it follows (v. 3), Rulers are a terror. This is a good
argument, but it is low for a Christian.
2. We must be subject, not only for wrath, but for conscience' sake;
not so much formidine poenæ--from the fear of punishment, as virtutis
amore--from the love of virtue. This makes common civil offices
acceptable to God, when they are done for conscience' sake, with an eye
to God, to his providence putting us into such relations, and to his
precept making subjection the duty of those relations. Thus the same
thing may be done from a very different principle. Now to oblige
conscience to this subjection he argues, v. 1-4, 6,
(1.) From the institution of magistracy: There is no power but of God.
God as the ruler and governor of the world hath appointed the ordinance
of magistracy, so that all civil power is derived from him as from its
original, and he hath by his providence put the administration into
those hands, whatever they are that have it. By him kings reign, Prov.
viii. 15. The usurpation of power and the abuse of power are not of
God, for he is not the author of sin; but the power itself is. As our
natural powers, though often abused and made instruments of sin, are
from God's creating power, so civil powers are from God's governing
power. The most unjust and oppressive princes in the world have no
power but what is given them from above (John xix. 11), the divine
providence being in a special manner conversant about those changes and
revolutions of governments which have such an influence upon states and
kingdoms, and such a multitude of particular persons and smaller
communities. Or, it may be meant of government in general: it is an
instance of God's wisdom, power, and goodness, in the management of
mankind, that he has disposed them into such a state as distinguishes
between governors and governed, and has not left them like the fishes
of the sea, where the greater devour the less. He did herein consult
the benefit of his creatures.--The powers that be: whatever the
particular form and method of government are--whether by monarchy,
aristocracy, or democracy--wherever the governing power is lodged, it
is an ordinance of God, and it is to be received and submitted to
accordingly; though immediately an ordinance of man (1 Pet. ii. 13),
yet originally an ordinance of God.--Ordained of God--tetagmenai; a
military word, signifying not only the ordination of magistrates, but
the subordination of inferior magistrates to the supreme, as in an
army; for among magistrates there is a diversity of gifts, and trusts,
and services. Hence it follows (v. 2) that whosoever resisteth the
power resisteth the ordinance of God. There are other things from God
that are the greatest calamities; but magistracy is from God as an
ordinance, that is, it is a great law, and it is a great blessing: so
that the children of Belial, that will not endure the yoke of
government, will be found breaking a law and despising a blessing.
Magistrates are therefore called gods (Ps. lxxxii. 6), because they
bear the image of God's authority. And those who spurn at their power
reflect upon God himself. This is not at all applicable to the
particular rights of kings and kingdoms, and the branches of their
constitution; nor can any certain rule be fetched from this for the
modelling of the original contracts between the governors and governed;
but it is intended for direction to private persons in their private
capacity, to behave themselves quietly and peaceably in the sphere in
which God has set them, with a due regard to the civil powers which God
in his providence has set over them, 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. Magistrates are
here again and again called God's ministers. He is the minister of God,
v. 4, 6. Magistrates are in a more peculiar manner God's servants; the
dignity they have calls for duty. Though they are lords to us, they are
servants to God, have work to do for him, and an account to render to
him. In the administration of public justice, the determining of
quarrels, the protecting of the innocent, the righting of the wronged,
the punishing of offenders, and the preserving of national peace and
order, that every man may not do what is right in his own eyes--in
these things it is that magistrates act as God's ministers. As the
killing of an inferior magistrate, while he is actually doing his duty,
is accounted treason against the prince, so the resisting of any
magistrates in the discharge of these duties of their place is the
resisting of an ordinance of God.
(2.) From the intention of magistracy: Rulers are not a terror to good
works, but to the evil, &c. Magistracy was designed to be,
[1.] A terror to evil works and evil workers. They bear the sword; not
only the sword of war, but the sword of justice. They are heirs of
restraint, to put offenders to shame; Laish wanted such, Judg. xviii.
7. Such is the power of sin and corruption that many will not be
restrained from the greatest enormities, and such as are most
pernicious to human society, by any regard to the law of God and nature
or the wrath to come; but only by the fear of temporal punishments,
which the wilfulness and perverseness of degenerate mankind have made
necessary. Hence it appears that laws with penalties for the lawless
and disobedient (1 Tim. i. 9) must be constituted in Christian nations,
and are agreeable with, and not contradictory to, the gospel. When men
are become such beasts, such ravenous beasts, one to another, they must
be dealt with accordingly, taken and destroyed in terrorem--to deter
others. The horse and the mule must thus be held in with bit and
bridle. In this work the magistrate is the minister of God, v. 4. He
acts as God's agent, to whom vengeance belongs; and therefore must take
heed of infusing into his judgments any private personal resentments of
his own.--To execute wrath upon him that doeth evil. In this the
judicial processes of the most vigilant faithful magistrates, though
some faint resemblance and prelude of the judgments of the great day,
yet come far short of the judgment of God: they reach only to the evil
act, can execute wrath only on him that doeth evil: but God's judgment
extends to the evil thought, and is a discerner of the intents of the
heart.--He beareth not the sword in vain. It is not for nothing that
God hath put such a power into the magistrate's hand; but it is
intended for the restraining and suppressing of disorders. And
therefore, "If thou do that which is evil, which falls under the
cognizance and censure of the civil magistrate, be afraid; for civil
powers have quick eyes and long arms." It is a good thing when the
punishment of malefactors is managed as an ordinance of God, instituted
and appointed by him. First, As a holy God, that hates sin, against
which, as it appears and puts up its head, a public testimony is thus
borne. Secondly, As King of nations, and the God of peace and order,
which are hereby preserved. Thirdly, As the protector of the good,
whose persons, families, estates, and names, are by this means hedged
about. Fourthly, As one that desires not the eternal ruin of sinners,
but by the punishment of some would terrify others, and so prevent the
like wickedness, that others may hear and fear, and do no more
presumptuously. Nay, it is intended for a kindness to those that are
punished, that by the destruction of the flesh the spirit may be saved
in the day of the Lord Jesus.
[2.] A praise to those that do well. Those that keep in the way of
their duty shall have the commendation and protection of the civil
powers, to their credit and comfort. "Do that which is good (v. 3), and
thou needest not be afraid of the power, which, though terrible,
reaches none but those that by their own sin make themselves obnoxious
to it; the fire burns only that which is combustible: nay, thou shalt
have praise of it." This is the intention of magistracy, and therefore
we must, for conscience' sake, be subject to it, as a constitution
designed for the public good, to which all private interests must give
way. But pity it is that ever this gracious intention should be
perverted, and that those who bear the sword, while they countenance
and connive at sin, should be a terror to those who do well. But so it
is, when the vilest men are exalted (Ps. xii. 1, 8); and yet even then
the blessing and benefit of a common protection, and a face of
government and order, are such that it is our duty in that case rather
to submit to persecution for well-doing, and to take it patiently, than
by any irregular and disorderly practices to attempt a redress. Never
did sovereign prince pervert the ends of government as Nero did, and
yet to him Paul appealed, and under him had the protection of the law
and the inferior magistrates more than once. Better a bad government
than none at all.
(3.) From our interest in it: "He is the minister of God to thee for
good. Thou hast the benefit and advantage of the government, and
therefore must do what thou canst to preserve it, and nothing to
disturb it." Protection draws allegiance. If we have protection from
the government, we owe subjection to it; by upholding the government,
we keep up our own hedge. This subjection is likewise consented to by
the tribute we pay (v. 6): "For this cause pay you tribute, as a
testimony of your submission, and an acknowledgment that in conscience
you think it to be due. You do by paying taxes contribute your share to
the support of the power; if therefore you be not subject, you do but
pull down with one hand what you support with the other; and is that
conscience?" "By your paying tribute you not only own the magistrate's
authority, but the blessing of that authority to yourselves, a sense of
which you thereby testify, giving him that as a recompence for the
great pains he takes in the government; for honour is a burden: and, if
he do as he ought, he is attending continually upon this very thing,
for it is enough to take up all a man's thoughts and time, in
consideration of which fatigue, we pay tribute, and must be
subject."--Pay you tribute, phorous seleite. He does not say, "You give
it as an alms," but, "You pay it as a just debt, or lend it to be
repaid in all the blessings and advantages of public government, of
which you reap the benefit." This is the lesson the apostle teaches,
and it becomes all Christians to learn and practise it, that the godly
in the land may be found (whatever others are) the quiet and the
peaceable in the land.
Justice and Charity. (a. d. 58.)
7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due;
custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour. 8
Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth
another hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit
adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not
bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other
commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou
shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his
neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.
We are here taught a lesson of justice and charity.
I. Of justice (v. 7): Render therefore to all their dues, especially to
magistrates, for this refers to what goes before; and likewise to all
with whom we have to do. To be just is to give to all their due, to
give every body his own. What we have we have as stewards; others have
an interest in it, and must have their dues. "Render to God his due in
the first place, to yourselves, to you families, your relations, to the
commonwealth, to the church, to the poor, to those that you have
dealings with in buying, selling, exchanging, &c. Render to all their
dues; and that readily and cheerfully, not tarrying till you are by law
compelled to it." He specifies, 1. Due taxes: Tribute to whom tribute
is due, custom to whom custom. Most of the countries where the gospel
was first preached were subject at this time to the Roman yoke, and
were made provinces of the empire. He wrote this to the Romans, who, as
they were rich, so they were drained by taxes and impositions, to the
just and honest payment of which they are here pressed by the apostle.
Some distinguish between tribute and custom, understanding by the
former constant standing taxes, and by the latter those which were
occasionally required, both which are to be faithfully and
conscientiously paid as they become legally due. Our Lord was born when
his mother went to be taxed; and he enjoined the payment of tribute to
Cæsar. Many, who in other things seem to be just, yet make no
conscience of this, but pass it off with a false ill-favoured maxim,
that it is no sin to cheat the king, directly contrary to Paul's rule,
Tribute to whom tribute is due. 2. Due respect: Fear to whom fear,
honour to whom honour. This sums up the duty which we owe not only to
magistrates, but to all superiors, parents, masters, all that are over
us in the Lord, according to the fifth commandment: Honour thy father
and mother. Compare Lev. xix. 3, You shall fear every man his mother
and his father; not with a fear of amazement, but a loving, reverent,
respectful, obediential fear. Where there is not this respect in the
heart to our superiors, no other duty will be paid aright. 3. Due
payment of debts (v. 8): "Owe no man any thing; that is, do not
continue in any one's debt, while you are able to pay it, further than
by, at least, the tacit consent of the person to whom you are indebted.
Give every one his own. Do not spend that upon yourselves, which you
owe to others." The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again, Ps. xxxvii.
21. Many that are very sensible of the trouble think little of the sin
of being in debt.
II. Of charity: Owe no man any thing; opheilete--you do owe no man any
thing; so some read it: "Whatever you owe to any relation, or to any
with whom you have to do, it is eminently summer up and included in
this debt of love. But to love one another, this is a debt that must be
always in the paying, and yet always owing." Love is a debt. The law of
God and the interest of mankind make it so. It is not a thing which we
are left at liberty about, but it is enjoined us, as the principle and
summary of all duty owing one to another; for love is the fulfilling of
the law; not perfectly, but it is a good step towards it. It is
inclusive of all the duties of the second table, which he specifies, v.
9, and these suppose the love of God. See 1 John iv. 20. If the love be
sincere, it is accepted as the fulfilling of the law. Surely we serve a
good master, that has summed up all our duty in one word, and that a
short word and a sweet word--love, the beauty and harmony of the
universe. Loving and being loved is all the pleasure, joy, and
happiness, of an intelligent being. God is love (1 John iv. 16), and
love is his image upon the soul: where it is, the soul is well moulded,
and the heart fitted for every good work. Now, to prove that love is
the fulfilling of the law, he gives us, 1. An induction of particular
precepts, v. 9. He specifies the last five of the ten commandments,
which he observes to be all summed up in this royal law, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself--with an as of quality, not of
equality--"with the same sincerity that thou lovest thyself, though not
in the same measure and degree." He that loves his neighbour as himself
will be desirous of the welfare of his neighbour's body, goods, and
good name, as of his own. On this is built that golden rule of doing as
we would be done by. Were there no restraints of human laws in these
things, no punishments incurred (which the malignity of human nature
hath made necessary), the law of love would of itself be effectual to
prevent all such wrongs and injuries, and to keep peace and good order
among us. In the enumeration of these commandments, the apostle puts
the seventh before the sixth, and mentions this first, Thou shalt not
commit adultery; for though this commonly goes under the name of love
(pity it is that so good a word should be so abused) yet it is really
as great a violation of it as killing and stealing is, which shows that
true brotherly love is love to the souls of our brethren in the first
place. He that tempts others to sin, and defiles their minds and
consciences, though he may pretend the most passionate love (Prov. vii.
15, 18), does really hate them, just as the devil does, who wars
against the soul. 2. A general rule concerning the nature of brotherly
love: Love worketh no ill (v. 10)--he that walks in love, that is
actuated and governed by a principle of love, worketh no ill; he
neither practises nor contrives any ill to his neighbour, to any one
that he has any thing to do with: ouk ergazetai. The projecting of evil
is in effect the performing of it. Hence devising iniquity is called
working evil upon the bed, Mic. ii. 1. Love intends and designs no ill
to any body, is utterly against the doing of that which may turn to the
prejudice, offence, or grief of any. It worketh no ill; that is, it
prohibits the working of any ill: more is implied than is expressed; it
not only worketh no ill, but it worketh all the good that may be,
deviseth liberal things. For it is a sin not only to devise evil
against thy neighbour, but to withhold good from those to whom it is
due; both are forbidden together, Prov. iii. 27-29. This proves that
love is the fulfilling of the law, answers all the end of it; for what
else is that but to restrain us from evil-doing, and to constrain us to
well-doing? Love is a living active principle of obedience to the whole
law. The whole law is written in the heart, if the law of love be
there.
The Christian Directory. (a. d. 58.)
11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of
sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. 12 The
night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the
works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. 13 Let us
walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in
chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye
on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to
fulfil the lusts thereof.
We are here taught a lesson of sobriety and godliness in ourselves. Our
main care must be to look to ourselves. Four things we are here taught,
as a Christian's directory for his day's work: when to awake, how to
dress ourselves, how to walk, and what provision to make.
I. When to awake: Now it is high time to awake (v. 11), to awake out of
the sleep of sin (for a sinful condition is a sleeping condition), out
of the sleep of carnal security, sloth and negligence, out of the sleep
of spiritual death, and out of the sleep of spiritual deadness; both
the wise and foolish virgins slumbered and slept, Matt. xxv. 5. We have
need to be often excited and stirred up to awake. The word of command
to all Christ's disciples is, Watch. "Awake--be concerned about your
souls and your eternal interest; take heed of sin, be ready to, and
serious in, that which is good, and live in a constant expectation of
the coming of our Lord. Considering," 1. "The time we are cast into:
Knowing the time. Consider what time of day it is with us, and you will
see it is high time to awake. It is gospel time, it is the accepted
time, it is working time; it is a time when more is expected than was
in the times of that ignorance which God winked at, when people sat in
darkness. It is high time to awake; for the sun has been up a great
while, and shines in our faces. Have we this light to sleep in? See 1
Thess. v. 5, 6. It is high time to awake; for others are awake and up
about us. Know the time to be a busy time; we have a great deal of work
to do, and our Master is calling us to it again and again. Know the
time to be a perilous time. We are in the midst of enemies and snares.
It is high time to awake, for the Philistines are upon us; our
neighbour's house is on fire, and our own in danger. It is time to
awake, for we have slept enough (1 Pet. iv. 3), high time indeed, for
behold the bridegroom cometh." 2. "The salvation we are upon the brink
of: Now is our salvation nearer than when we believed--than when we
first believed, and so took upon us the profession of Christianity. The
eternal happiness we chose for our portion is now nearer to us than it
was when we became Christians. Let us mind our way and mend our pace,
for we are now nearer our journey's end than we were when we had our
first love. The nearer we are to our centre the quicker should our
motion be. Is there but a step between us and heaven, and shall we be
so very slow and dull in our Christian course, and move so heavily? The
more the days are shortened, and the more grace is increased, the
nearer is our salvation, and the more quick and vigorous we should be
in our spiritual motions."
II. How to dress ourselves. This is the next care, when we are awake
and up: "The night is far spent, the day is at hand; therefore it is
time to dress ourselves. Clearer discoveries will be quickly made of
gospel grace than have been yet made, as light gets ground. The night
of Jewish rage and cruelty is just at an end; their persecuting power
is near a period; the day of our deliverance from them is at hand, that
day of redemption which Christ promised, Luke xxi. 28. And the day of
our complete salvation, in the heavenly glory, is at hand. Observe
then,"
1. "What we must put off; put off our night-clothes, which it is a
shame to appear abroad in: Cast off the works of darkness." Sinful
works are works of darkness; they come from the darkness of ignorance
and mistake, they covet the darkness of privacy and concealment, and
they end in the darkness of hell and destruction. "Let us therefore,
who are of the day, cast them off; not only cease from the practice of
them, but detest and abhor them, and have no more to do with them.
Because eternity is just at the door, let us take heed lest we be found
doing that which will then make against us," 2 Pet. iii. 11, 14.
2. "What we must put on." Our care must be wherewithal we shall be
clothed, how shall we dress our souls? (1.) Put on the armour of light.
Christians are soldiers in the midst of enemies, and their life a
warfare, therefore their array must be armour, that they may stand upon
their defence--the armour of God, to which we are directed, Eph. vi.
13, &c. A Christian may reckon himself undressed if he be unarmed. The
graces of the Spirit are this armour, to secure the soul from Satan's
temptations and the assaults of this present evil world. This is called
the armour of light, some think alluding to the bright glittering
armour which the Roman soldiers used to wear; or such armour as it
becomes us to wear in the day-light. The graces of the Spirit are
suitable splendid ornaments, are in the sight of God of great price.
(2.) Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 14. This stands in opposition to
a great many base lusts, mentioned v. 13. Rioting and drunkenness must
be cast off: one would think it should follows, but, "Put on sobriety,
temperance, chastity," the opposite virtues: no, "Put on Christ, this
includes all. Put on the righteousness of Christ for justification; be
found in him (Phil. iii. 9) as a man is found in his clothes; put on
the priestly garments of the elder brother, that in them you may obtain
the blessing. Put on the spirit and grace of Christ for sanctification;
put on the new man (Eph. iv. 24); get the habit of grace confirmed, the
acts of it quickened." Jesus Christ is the best clothing for Christians
to adorn themselves with, to arm themselves with; it is decent,
distinguishing, dignifying, and defending. Without Christ, we are
naked, deformed; all other things are filthy rages, fig-leaves, a sorry
shelter. God has provided us coats of skins--large, strong, warm, and
durable. By baptism we have in profession put on Christ, Gal. iii. 27.
Let us do it in truth and sincerity. The Lord Jesus Christ. "Put him on
as Lord to rule you, as Jesus to save you, and in both as Christ,
anointed and appointed by the Father to this ruling saving work."
III. How to walk. When we are up and dressed, we are not to sit still
in an affected closeness and privacy, as monks and hermits. What have
we good clothes for, but to appear abroad in them?--Let us walk.
Christianity teaches us how to walk so as to please God, whose eye is
upon us: 1 Thess. iv. 1, Walk honestly as in the day. Compare Eph. v.
8, Walk as children of light. Our conversation must be as becomes the
gospel. Walk honestly; euschemonos--decently and becomingly, so as to
credit your profession, and to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour,
and recommend religion in its beauty to others. Christians should be in
a special manner careful to conduct themselves well in those things
wherein men have an eye upon them, and to study that which is lovely
and of good report. Particularly, here are three pairs of sins we are
cautioned against:--1. We must not walk in rioting and drunkenness; we
must abstain from all excess in eating and drinking. We must not give
the least countenance to revelling, nor indulge our sensual appetite in
any private excesses. Christians must not overcharge their hearts with
surfeiting and drunkenness, Luke xxi. 34. This is not walking as in the
day; for those that are drunk are drunk in the night, 1 Thess. v. 7. 2.
Not in chambering and wantonness; not in any of those lusts of the
flesh, those works of darkness, which are forbidden in the seventh
commandment. Downright adultery and fornication are the chambering
forbidden. Lascivious thoughts and affections, lascivious looks, words,
books, sons, gestures, dances, dalliances, which lead to, and are
degrees of, that uncleanness, are the wantonness here
forbidden--whatsoever transgresseth the pure and sacred law of chastity
and modesty. 3. Not in strife and envying. These are also works of
darkness; for, though the acts and instances of strife and envy are
very common, yet none are willing to own the principles, or to
acknowledge themselves envious and contentious. It may be the lot of
the best saints to be envied and striven with; but to strive and to
envy ill becomes the disciples and followers of the peaceable and
humble Jesus. Where there are riot and drunkenness, there usually are
chambering and wantonness, and strife and envy. Solomon puts them all
together, Prov. xxiii. 29, &c. Those that tarry long at the wine (v.
30) have contentions and wounds without cause (v. 29) and their eyes
behold strange women, v. 33.
IV. What provision to make (v. 14): "Make not provision for the flesh.
Be not careful about the body." Our great care must be to provide for
our souls; but must we take no care about our bodies? Must we not
provide for them, when they need it? Yes, but two things are here
forbidden:--1. Perplexing ourselves with an inordinate care, intimated
in these words, pronoian me poieisthe. "Be not solicitous in
forecasting for the body; do not stretch your wits, nor set your
thoughts upon the tenter-hooks, in making this provision; be not
careful and cumbered about it; do not take thought," Matt. vi. 31. It
forbids an anxious encumbering care. 2. Indulging ourselves in an
irregular desire. We are not forbidden barely to provide for the body
(it is a lamp that must be supplied with oil), but we are forbidden to
fulfil the lusts thereof. The necessities of the body must be
considered, but the lusts of it must not be gratified. Natural desires
must be answered, but wanton appetites must be checked and denied. To
ask meat for our necessities is duty: we are taught to pray for daily
bread; but to ask meat for our lusts is provoking, Ps. lxxviii. 18.
Those who profess to walk in the spirit must not fulfil the lusts of
the flesh, Gal. v. 16.
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R O M A N S.
CHAP. XIV.
The apostle having, in the former chapter, directed our conduct one
towards another in civil things, and prescribed the sacred laws of
justice, peaceableness, and order, to be observed by us as members of
the commonwealth, comes in this and part of the following chapter in
like manner to direct our demeanour one towards another in sacred
things, which pertain more immediately to conscience and religion, and
which we observe as members of the church. Particularly, he gives rules
how to manage our different apprehensions about indifferent things, in
the management of which, it seems, there was something amiss among the
Roman Christians, to whom he wrote, which he here labours to redress.
But the rules are general, and of standing use in the church, for the
preservation of that Christian love which he had so earnestly pressed
in the foregoing chapter as the fulfilling of the law. It is certain
that nothing is more threatening, nor more often fatal, to Christian
societies, than the contentions and divisions of their members. By
these wounds the life and soul of religion expire. Now in this chapter
we are furnished with the sovereign balm of Gilead; the blessed apostle
prescribes like a wise physician. "Why then is not the hurt of the
daughter of my people recovered," but because his directions are not
followed? This chapter, rightly understood, made use of, and lived up
to, would set things to rights, and heal us all.
Exhortations to Candour; The Dominion of Christ. (a. d. 58.)
1 Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful
disputations. 2 For one believeth that he may eat all things:
another, who is weak, eateth herbs. 3 Let not him that eateth despise
him that eateth not; and let not him which eateth not judge him that
eateth: for God hath received him. 4 Who art thou that judgest
another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea,
he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. 5 One man
esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let
every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. 6 He that regardeth the
day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to
the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for
he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth
not, and giveth God thanks. 7 For none of us liveth to himself, and
no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the
Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live
therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. 9 For to this end Christ both
died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and
living. 10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set
at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat
of Christ. 11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every
knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God. 12 So
then every one of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Let us
not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that
no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's
way. 14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is
nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be
unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 But if thy brother be grieved with
thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy
meat, for whom Christ died. 16 Let not then your good be evil spoken
of: 17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but
righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. 18 For he that
in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of
men. 19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for
peace, and things wherewith one may edify another. 20 For meat
destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil
for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good neither to eat
flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth,
or is offended, or is made weak. 22 Hast thou faith? have it to
thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that
thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat,
because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
We have in this chapter,
I. An account of the unhappy contention which had broken out in the
Christian church. Our Master had foretold that offences would come;
and, it seems, so they did, for want of that wisdom and love which
would have prevented discord, and kept up union among them.
1. There was a difference among them about the distinction of meats and
days; these are the two things specified. There might be other similar
occasions of difference, while these made the most noise, and were most
taken notice of. The case was this: The members of the Christian church
at Rome were some of them originally Gentiles, and others of them Jews.
We find Jews at Rome believing, Acts xxviii. 24. Now those that had
been Jews were trained up in the observance of the ceremonial
appointments touching meats and days. This, which had been bred in the
bone with them, could hardly be got out of the flesh, even after they
turned Christians; especially with some of them, who were not easily
weaned from what they had long been wedded to. They were not well
instructed touching the cancelling of the ceremonial law by the death
of Christ, and therefore retained the ceremonial institutions, and
practised accordingly; while other Christians that understood
themselves better, and knew their Christian liberty, made no such
difference. (1.) Concerning meats (v. 2): One believeth that he may eat
all things--he is well satisfied that the ceremonial distinction of
meats into clean and unclean is no longer in force, but that every
creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused; nothing unclean of
itself, v. 14. This he was assured of, not only from the general tenour
and scope of the gospel, but particularly from the revelation which
Peter, the apostle of the circumcision (and therefore more immediately
concerned in it), had to this purport, Acts x. 15, 28. This the strong
Christian is clear in, and practises accordingly, eating what is set
before him, and asking no question for conscience' sake, 1 Cor. x. 27.
On the other hand, another, who is weak, is dissatisfied in this point,
is not clear in his Christian liberty, but rather inclines to think
that the meats forbidden by the law remain still unclean; and
therefore, to keep at a distance from them, he will eat no flesh at
all, but eateth herbs, contenting himself with only the fruits of the
earth. See to what degrees of mortification and self-denial a tender
conscience will submit. None know but those that experience it how
great both the restraining and the constraining power of conscience is.
(2.) Concerning days, v. 5. Those who thought themselves still under
some kind of obligation to the ceremonial law esteemed one day above
another--kept up a respect to the times of the passover, pentecost, new
moons, and feasts of tabernacles; thought those days better than other
days, and solemnized them accordingly with particular observances,
binding themselves to some religious rest and exercise on those days.
Those who knew that all these things were abolished and done away by
Christ's coming esteemed every day alike. We must understand it with an
exception of the Lord's day, which all Christians unanimously observed;
but they made no account, took no notice, of those antiquated festivals
of the Jews. Here the apostle speaks of the distinction of meats and
days as a thing indifferent, when it went no further than the opinion
and practice of some particular persons, who had been trained up all
their days to such observances, and therefore were the more excusable
if they with difficulty parted with them. But in the epistle to the
Galatians, where he deals with those that were originally Gentiles, but
were influenced by some judaizing teachers, not only to believe such a
distinction and to practise accordingly, but to lay a stress upon it as
necessary to salvation, and to make the observance of the Jewish
festivals public and congregational, here the case was altered, and it
is charged upon them as the frustrating of the design of the gospel,
falling from grace, Gal. iv. 9-11. The Romans did it out of weakness,
the Galatians did it out of wilfulness and wickedness; and therefore
the apostle handles them thus differently. This epistle is supposed to
have been written some time before that to the Galatians. The apostle
seems willing to let the ceremonial law wither by degrees, and to let
it have an honourable burial; now these weak Romans seem to be only
following it weeping to its grave, but those Galatians were raking it
out of its ashes.
2. It was not so much the difference itself that did the mischief as
the mismanagement of the difference, making it a bone of contention.
(1.) Those who were strong, and knew their Christian liberty, and made
use of it, despised the weak, who did not. Whereas they should have
pitied them, and helped them, and afforded them meek and friendly
instruction, they trampled upon them as silly, and humoursome, and
superstitious, for scrupling those things which they knew to be lawful:
so apt are those who have knowledge to be puffed up with it, and to
look disdainfully and scornfully upon their brethren. (2.) Those who
were weak, and durst not use their Christian liberty, judged and
censured the strong, who did, as if they were loose Christians, carnal
professors, that cared not what they did, but walked at all adventures,
and stuck at nothing. They judged them as breakers of the law,
contemners of God's ordinance, and the like. Such censures as these
discovered a great deal of rashness and uncharitableness, and would
doubtless tend much to the alienating of affection. Well, this was the
disease, and we see it remaining in the church to this day; the like
differences, in like manner mismanaged, are still the disturbers of the
church's peace. But,
II. We have proper directions and suggestions laid down for allaying
this contention, and preventing the ill consequences of it. The
apostle, as a wise physician, prescribes proper remedies for the
disease, which are made up of rules and reasons. Such gentle methods
does he take, with such cords of a man does he draw them together; not
by excommunicating, suspending, and silencing either side, but by
persuading them both to a mutual forbearance: and as a faithful daysman
he lays his hand upon them both, reasoning the case with the strong
that they should not be so scornful, and with the weak that they should
not be so censorious. If the contending parties will but submit to this
fair arbitration, each abate of his rigour, and sacrifice their
differences to their graces, all will be well quickly. Let us observe
the rules he gives, some to the strong and some to the weak, and some
to both, for they are interwoven; and reduce the reasons to their
proper rules.
1. Those who are weak must be received, but not to doubtful
disputations, v. 1. Take this for a general rule; spend your zeal in
those things wherein you and all the people of God are agreed, and do
not dispute about matters that are doubtful. Receive him,
proslambavesthe--take him to you, bid him welcome, receive him with the
greatest affection and tenderness; porrigite manum (so the Syriac):
lend him your hand, to help him, to fetch him to you, to encourage him.
Receive him into your company, and converse, and communion, entertain
him with readiness and condescension, and treat him with all possible
endearments. Receive him: not to quarrel with him, and to argue about
uncertain points that are in controversy, which will but confound him,
and fill his head with empty notions, perplex him, and shake his faith.
Let not your Christian friendship and fellowship be disturbed with such
vain janglings and strifes of words.--Not to judge his doubtful
thoughts (so the margin), "not to pump out his weak sentiments
concerning those things which he is in doubt about, that you may
censure and condemn him." Receive him, not to expose him, but to
instruct and strengthen him. See 1 Cor. i. 10; Phil. iii. 15, 16.
2. Those who are strong must by no means despise the weak; nor those
who are weak judge the strong, v. 3. This is levelled directly against
the fault of each party. It is seldom that any such contention exists
but there is a fault on both sides, and both must mend. He argues
against both these jointly: we must not despise nor judge our brethren.
Why so?
(1.) Because God hath received them; and we reflect upon him if we
reject those whom he hath received. God never cast off any one that had
true grace, though he was but weak in it; never broke the bruised reed.
Strong believers and weak believers, those that eat and those that eat
not, if they be true believers, are accepted of God. It will be good
for us to put this question to ourselves, when we are tempted to behave
scornfully towards our brethren, to disdain and censure them: "Hast not
God owned them; and, if he has, dare I disown them?" "Nay, God doth not
only receive him, but hold him up, v. 4. You think that he who eateth
will fall by his presumption, or that he who eateth not will sink under
the weight of his own fears and scruples; but if they have true faith,
and an eye to God, the one in the intelligent use of his Christian
liberty and the other in the conscientious forbearance of it, they
shall be held up--the one in his integrity, and the other in his
comfort. This hope is built upon the power of God, for God is able to
make him stand; and, being able, no doubt he is willing to exert that
power for the preservation of those that are his own." In reference to
spiritual difficulties and dangers (our own and others), much of our
hope and comfort are grounded upon the divine power, 1 Pet. i. 5; Jude
24.
(2.) Because they are servants to their own master (v. 4): Who art thou
that judgest another man's servant? We reckon it a piece of ill manners
to meddle with other people's servants, and to find fault with them and
censure them. Weak and strong Christians are indeed our brethren, but
they are not our servants. This rash judging is reproved, Jam. iii. 1,
under the notion of being many masters. We make ourselves our
brethren's masters, and do in effect usurp the throne of God, when we
take upon us thus to judge them, especially to judge their thoughts and
intentions, which are out of our view, to judge their persons and
state, concerning which it is hard to conclude by those few indications
which fall within our cognizance. God sees not as man sees; and he is
their master, and not we. In judging and censuring our brethren, we
meddle with that which does not belong to us: we have work enough to do
at home; and, if we must needs be judging, let us exercise our faculty
upon our own hearts and ways.--To his own master he stands or falls;
that is, his doom will be according to his master's sentence, and not
according to ours. How well for us is it that we are not to stand nor
fall by the judgment one of another, but by the righteous and unerring
judgment of God, which is according to truth! "While thy brother's
cause is before thy judgment, it is coram non judice--before one who is
not the judge; the court of heaven is the proper court for trial,
where, and where only, the sentence is definitive and conclusive; and
to this, if his heart be upright, he may comfortably appeal from thy
rash censure."
(3.) Because both the one and the other, if they be true believers, and
are right in the main, have an eye to God, and do approve themselves to
God in what they do, v. 6. He that regards the day--that makes
conscience of the observance of the Jewish fasts and festivals, not
imposing it upon others, nor laying a stress upon it, but willing to be
as he thinks on the surer side, as thinking there is no harm in resting
from worldly labours, and worshipping God on those days--it is well. We
have reason to think, because in other things he conducts himself like
a good Christian, that in this also his eye is single, and that he
regardeth it unto the Lord; and God will accept of his honest
intention, though he be under a mistake about the observance of days;
for the sincerity and uprightness of the heart were never rejected for
the weakness and infirmity of the head: so good a master do we serve.
On the other hand, he that regards not the day--that does not make a
difference between one day and another, does not call one day holy and
another profane, one day lucky and another unlucky, but esteems every
day alike--he does not do it out of a spirit of opposition,
contradiction, or contempt of his brother. If he be a good Christian,
he does not, he dares not, do it from such a principle; and therefore
we charitably conclude that to the Lord he does not regard it. he makes
no such difference of days only because he knows God hath made none;
and therefore intends his honour in endeavouring to dedicate ever day
to him. So for the other instance: He that eateth whatever is set
before him, though it be blood, though it be swine's flesh, if it be
food convenient for him, he eateth to the Lord. He understands the
liberty that God has granted him, and uses it to the glory of God, with
an eye to his wisdom and goodness in enlarging our allowance now under
the gospel, and taking off the yoke of legal restraints; and he giveth
God thanks for the variety of food he has, and the liberty he has to
eat it, and that in those things his conscience is not fettered. On the
other hand, he that eatest not those meats which were forbidden by the
ceremonial law, to the Lord he eateth not. It is for God's sake,
because he is afraid of offending God by eating that which he is sure
was once prohibited; and he giveth God thanks too that there is enough
besides. If he conscientiously deny himself that which he takes to be
forbidden fruit, yet he blesses God that of other trees in the garden
he may freely eat. Thus, while both have an eye to God in what they do,
and approve themselves to him in their integrity, why should either of
them be judged or despised? Observe, Whether we eat flesh, or eat
herbs, it is a thankful regard to God, the author and giver of all our
mercies, that sanctifies and sweetens it. Bishop Sanderson, in his 34th
sermon, upon 1 Tim. iv. 4, justly makes this observation: It appears by
this that saying grace (as we commonly call it, perhaps from 1 Cor. x.
30) before and after meat was the common known practice of the church,
among Christians of all sorts, weak and strong: an ancient,
commendable, apostolical, Christian practice, derived down from
Christ's example through all the ages of the church, Matt. xiv. 19; xv.
36; Luke ix. 16; John vi. 11; Matt. xxvi. 26, 27; Acts xxvii. 35.
Blessing the creatures in the name of God before we use them, and
blessing the name of God for them after, are both included; for
eulogein and eucharistein are used promiscuously. To clear this
argument against rash judging and despising, he shows how essential it
is to true Christianity to have a regard to God and not to ourselves,
which therefore, unless the contrary do manifestly appear, we must
presume concerning those that in minor things differ from us. Observe
his description of true Christians, taken from their end and aim (v. 7,
8), and the ground of it, v. 9.
[1.] Our end and aim: not self, but the Lord. As the particular end
specifies the action, so the general scope and tendency specify the
state. If we would know what way we walk in, we must enquire what end
we walk towards. First, Not to self. We have learned to deny ourselves;
this was our first lesson: None of us liveth to himself. This is a
thing in which all the people of God are one, however they differ in
other things; though some are weak and others are strong, yet both
agree in this, not to live to themselves. Not one that hath given up
his name to Christ is allowedly a self-seeker; it is contrary to the
foundation of true Christianity. We neither live to ourselves nor die
to ourselves. We are not our own masters, nor our own proprietors--we
are not at our own disposal. The business of our lives is not to please
ourselves, but to please God. The business of our deaths, to which we
are every day exposed and delivered, is not to make ourselves talked
of; we run not such hazards out of vain-glory, while we are dying
daily. When we come to die actually, neither is that to ourselves; it
is not barely that we would be unclothed, and eased of the burden of
the flesh, but it is to the Lord, that we may depart and be with
Christ, may be present with the Lord. Secondly, But to the Lord (v. 8),
to the Lord Christ, to whom all power and judgment are committed, and
in whose name we are taught, as Christians, to do every thing we do
(Col. iii. 17), with an eye to the will of Christ as our rule, to the
glory of Christ as our end, Phil. i. 21. Christ is the gain we aim at,
living and dying. We live to glorify him in all the actions and affairs
of life; we die, whether a natural or a violent death, to glorify him,
and to go to be glorified with him. Christ is the centre, in which all
the lines of life and death do meet. This is true Christianity, which
makes Christ all in all. So that, whether we live or die, we are the
Lord's, devoted to him, depending on him, designed and designing for
him. Though some Christians are weak and others strong,--though of
different sizes, capacities, apprehensions, and practices, in minor
things, yet they are all the Lord's--all eying, and serving, and
approving themselves to Christ, and are accordingly owned and accepted
of him. Is it for us then to judge or despise them, as if we were their
masters, and they were to make it their business to please us, and to
stand or fall by our dooms?
[2.] The ground of this, v. 9. It is grounded upon Christ's absolute
sovereignty and dominion, which were the fruit and end of his death and
resurrection. To this end he both died, and rose, and revived (he,
having risen, entered upon a heavenly life, the glory which he had
before) that he might be Lord both of dead and living--that he might be
universal monarch, Lord of all (Acts x. 36), all the animate and
inanimate creatures; for he is head over all things to the church. He
is Lord of those that are living to rule them, of those that are dead
to receive them and raise them up. This was that name above every name
which God gave him as the reward of his humiliation, Phil. ii. 8, 9. It
was after he had died and risen that he said, All power is given unto
me (Matt. xxviii. 18), and presently he exerts that power in issuing
out commissions, v. 19, 20. Now if Christ paid so dearly for his
dominion over souls and consciences, and has such a just and undisputed
right to exercise that dominion, we must not so much as seem to invade
it, nor intrench upon it, by judging the consciences of our brethren,
and arraigning them at our bar. When we are ready to reproach and
reflect upon the name and memory of those that are dead and gone, and
to pass a censure upon them (which some the rather do, because such
judgments of the dead are more likely to pass uncontrolled and
uncontradicted), we must consider that Christ is Lord of the dead, as
well as of the living. If they are dead, they have already given up
their account, and let that suffice. And this leads to another reason
against judging and despising,
(4.) Because both the one and the other must shortly give an account,
v. 10-12. A believing regard to the judgment of the great day would
silence all these rash judgings: Why dost thou that art weak judge thy
brother that is strong? And why dost thou that art strong set at nought
thy brother that is weak? Why is all this clashing, and contradicting,
and censuring, among Christians? We shall all stand before the
judgment-seat of Christ, 2 Cor. v. 10. Christ will be the judge, and he
has both authority and ability to determine men's eternal state
according to their works, and before him we shall stand as persons to
be tried, and to give up an account, expecting our final doom from him,
which will be eternally conclusive. To illustrate this (v. 11), he
quotes a passage out of the Old Testament, which speaks of Christ's
universal sovereignty and dominion, and that established with an oath:
As I live (saith the Lord), every knee shall bow to me. It is quoted
from Isa. xlv. 23. There it is, I have sworn by myself; here it is, As
I live. So that whenever God saith As I live, it is to be interpreted
as swearing by himself; for it is God's prerogative to have life in
himself: there is a further ratification of it there, The word is gone
out of my mouth. It is a prophecy, in general, of Christ's dominion;
and here very fully applied to the judgment of the great day, which
will be the highest and most illustrious exercise of that dominion.
Here is a proof of Christ's Godhead: he is the Lord and he is God,
equal with the Father. Divine honour is due to him, and must be paid.
It is paid to God through him as Mediator. God will judge the world by
him, Acts xvii. 31. The bowing of the knee to him, and the confession
made with the tongue, are but outward expressions of inward adoration
and praise. Every knee and every tongue, either freely or by force.
[1.] All his friends do it freely, are made willing in the day of his
power. Grace is the soul's cheerful, entire, and avowed subjection to
Jesus Christ. First, Bowing to him--the understanding bowed to his
truths, the will to his laws, the whole man to his authority; and this
expressed by the bowing of the knee, the posture of adoration and
prayer. It is proclaimed before our Joseph, Bow the knee, Gen. xli. 43.
Though bodily exercise alone profits little, yet, as it is guided by
inward fear and reverence, it is accepted. Secondly, Confessing to
him--acknowledging his glory, grace, and greatness--acknowledging our
own meanness and vileness, confessing our sins to him; so some
understand it.
[2.] All his foes shall be constrained to do it, whether they will or
no. When he shall come in the clouds, and every eye shall see him,
then, and not till then, will all those promises which speak of his
victories over his enemies and their subjection to him have their full
and complete accomplishment; then his foes shall be his footstool, and
all his enemies shall lick the dust. Hence he concludes (v. 12), Every
one of us shall give account of himself to God. We must not give
account for others, nor they for us; but every one for himself. We must
give account how we have spent our time, how we have improved our
opportunities, what we have done and how we have done it. And
therefore, First, We have little to do to judge others, for they are
not accountable to us, nor are we accountable for them (Gal. ii. 6):
Whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me, God accepteth no man's
person. Whatever they are, and whatever they do, they must give account
to their own master, and not to us; if we can in any thing be helpers
of their joy, it is well; but we have not dominion over their faith.
And, Secondly, We have the more to do to judge ourselves. We have an
account of our own to make up, and that is enough for us; let every man
prove his own work (Gal. vi. 4), state his own accounts, search his own
heart and life; let this take up his thoughts, and he that is strict in
judging himself and abasing himself will not be apt to judge and
despise his brother. Let all these differences be referred to the
arbitration of Christ at the great day.
(5.) Because the stress of Christianity is not to be laid upon these
things, nor are they at all essential to religion, either on the one
side or on the other. This is his reason (v. 17, 18), which is
reducible to this branch of exhortation. Why should you spend your zeal
either for or against those things which are so minute and
inconsiderable in religion? Some make it a reason why, in case of
offence likely to be taken, we should refrain the use of our Christian
liberty; but it seems directed in general against that heat about those
things which he observed on both sides. The kingdom of God is not meat,
&c. Observe here,
[1.] The nature of true Christianity, what it is: it is here called,
The kingdom of God; it is a religion intended to rule us, a kingdom: it
stands in a true and hearty subjection to God's power and dominion. The
gospel dispensation is in a special manner called the kingdom of God,
in distinction from the legal dispensation, Matt. iii. 2; iv. 17.
First, It is not meat and drink: it does not consist either in using or
in abstaining from such and such meats and drinks. Christianity gives
no rule in that case, either in one way or another. The Jewish religion
consisted much in meats and drinks (Heb. ix. 10), abstaining from some
meats religiously (Lev. xi. 2), eating other meats religiously, as in
several of the sacrifices, part of which were to be eaten before the
Lord: but all those appointments are now abolished and are no more,
Col. ii. 21, 22. The matter is left at large. Every creature of God is
good, 1 Tim. iv. 4. So, as to other things, it is neither circumcision
nor uncircumcision (Gal. v. 6; vi. 15; 1 Cor. vii. 19), it is not being
of this party and persuasion, of this or the other opinion in minor
things, that will recommend us to God. It will not be asked at the
great day, "Who ate flesh, and who ate herbs?" "Who kept holy days, and
who did not?" Nor will it be asked, "Who was conformist and who was
non-conformist?" But it will be asked, "Who feared God and worked
righteousness, and who did not?" Nothing more destructive to true
Christianity than placing it in modes, and forms, and circumstantials,
which eat out the essentials. Secondly, It is righteousness, and peace,
and joy in the Holy Ghost. These are some of the essentials of
Christianity, things in which all the people of God are agreed, in the
pursuit of which we must spend our zeal, and which we must mind with an
excelling care. Righteousness, peace, and joy, are very comprehensive
words; and each of them includes much, both of the foundation and the
superstructure of religion. Might I limit the sense of them, it should
be thus:--As to God, our great concern is righteousness--to appear
before him justified by the merit of Christ's death, sanctified by the
Spirit of his grace; for the righteous Lord loveth righteousness. As to
our brethren, it is peace--to live in peace and love, and charity with
them, following peace with all men: Christ came into the world to be
the great peace-maker. As to ourselves, it is joy in the Holy
Ghost--that spiritual joy which is wrought by the blessed Spirit in the
hearts of believers, which respects God as their reconciled Father and
heaven as their expected home. Next to our compliance with God, the
life of religion consists in our complacency in him; to delight
ourselves always in the Lord. Surely we serve a good Master, who makes
peace and joy so essential to our religion. Then and then only we may
expect peace and joy in the Holy Ghost when the foundation is laid in
righteousness, Isa. xxxii. 17. Thirdly, It is in these things to serve
Christ (v. 18), to do all this out of respect to Christ himself as our
Master, to his will as our rule and to his glory as our end. That which
puts an acceptableness upon all our good duties is a regard to Christ
in the doing of them. We are to serve his interests and designs in the
world, which are in the first place to reconcile us one to another.
What is Christianity but the serving of Christ? And we may well afford
to serve him who for us and for our salvation took upon him the form of
a servant.
[2.] The advantages of it. He that duly observeth these things, First,
Is acceptable to God. God is well pleased with such a one, though he be
not in every thing just of our length. He has the love and favour of
God; his person, his performances, are accepted of God, and we need no
more to make us happy. If God now accepts thy works, thou mayest eat
thy bread with joy. Those are most pleasing to God that are best
pleased with him; and they are those that abound most in peace and joy
in the Holy Ghost. Secondly, He is approved of men--of all wise and
good men, and the opinion of others is not to be regarded. The persons
and things which are acceptable to God should be approved of us. Should
not we be pleased with that which God is pleased with? What is it to be
sanctified, but to be of God's mind? Observe, The approbation of men is
not to be slighted; for we must provide things honest in the sight of
all men, and study those things that are lovely and of good report: but
the acceptance of God is to be desired and aimed at in the first place,
because, sooner or later, God will bring all the world to be of his
mind.
3. Another rule here given is this, that in these doubtful things every
one not only may, but must, walk according to the light that God hath
given him. This is laid down v. 5, Let every man be fully persuaded in
his own mind; that is, "Practise according to your own judgment in
these things, and leave others to do so too. Do not censure the
practice of others; let them enjoy their own opinion; if they be
persuaded in their own mind that they ought to do so and so, do not
condemn them, but, if your sober sentiments be otherwise, do not make
their practice a rule to you, any more than you must prescribe yours as
a rule to them. Take heed of acting contrary to the dictates of a
doubting conscience. First be persuaded that what you do is lawful,
before you venture to do it." In doubtful things, it is good keeping on
the sure side of the hedge. If a weak Christian doubts whether it be
lawful to eat flesh, while he remains under that doubt he had best
forbear, till he be fully persuaded in his own mind. We must not pin
our faith upon any one's sleeve, nor make the practice of others our
rule; but follow the dictates of our own understanding. To this purport
he argues, v. 14 and 23, which two verses explain this, and give us a
rule not to act against the dictates,
(1.) Of a mistaken conscience, v. 14. If a thing be indifferent, so
that it is not in itself a sin not to do it, if we really think it a
sin to do it it is to us a sin, though not to others, because we act
against our consciences, though mistaken and misinformed. He specifies
the case in hand, concerning the difference of meats. Observe,
[1.] His own clearness in this matter. "I know and am persuaded--I am
fully persuaded, I am acquainted with my Christian liberty, and am
satisfied in it, without any doubt or scruple, that there is nothing
unclean of itself, that is, no kind of meat that lies under any
ceremonial uncleanness, nor is forbidden to be eaten, if it be food
proper for human bodies." Several kinds of meat were forbidden to the
Jews, that in that, as in other things, they might be a peculiar and
separate people, Lev. xi. 44; Deut. xiv. 2, 3. Sin had brought a curse
upon the whole creation: Cursed is the ground for thy sake; the use of
the creatures and dominion over them were forfeited, so that to man
they were all unclean (Tit. i. 15), in token of which God in the
ceremonial law prohibited the use of some, to show what he might have
done concerning all; but now that Christ has removed the curse the
matter is set at large again, and that prohibition is taken away.
Therefore Paul says that he was persuaded by the Lord Jesus, not only
as the author of that persuasion, but as the ground of it; it was built
upon the efficacy of Christ's death, which removed the curse, took off
the forfeiture, and restored our right to the creature in general, and
consequently put a period to that particular distinguishing
prohibition. So that now there is nothing unclean of itself, every
creature of God is good; nothing common: so the margin, ouden koinon;
nothing which is common to others to eat, from the use of which the
professors of religion are restrained: nothing profane; in this sense
the Jews used the word common. It is explained by the word akatharton,
Acts x. 14, nothing common or unclean. It was not only from the
revelation made to Peter in this matter, but from the tenour and
tendency of the whole gospel, and from the manifest design of Christ's
death in general, that Paul learned to count nothing common or unclean.
This was Paul's own clearness, and he practised accordingly.
[2.] But here is a caution he gives to those who had not that clearness
in this matter which he had: To him that esteemeth any thing to be
unclean, though it be his error, yet to him it is unclean. This
particular case, thus determined, gives a general rule, That he who
does a thing which he verily believes to be unlawful, however the thing
be in itself, to him it is a sin. This arises from that unchangeable
law of our creation, which is, that our wills, in all their choices,
motions, and directions, should follow the dictates of our
understandings. This is the order of nature, which order is broken if
the understanding (though misguided) tell us that such a thing is a
sin, and yet we will do it. This is a will to do evil; for, if it
appears to us to be sin, there is the same pravity and corruption of
the will in the doing of it as if really it were a sin; and therefore
we ought not to do it. Not that it is in the power of any man's
conscience to alter the nature of the action in itself, but only as to
himself. It must be understood likewise with this proviso, though men's
judgments and opinions may make that which is good in itself to become
evil to them, yet they cannot make that which is evil in itself to
become good, either in itself or to them. If a man were verily
persuaded (it is Dr. Sanderson's instance, sermon on ch. xiv. 23) that
it were evil to ask his father's blessing, that mispersuasion would
make it become evil to him: but, if he should be as verily persuaded
that it were good to curse his father, this would not make it become
good. The Pharisees taught people to plead conscience, when they made
corban an excuse for denying relief to their parents, Matt. xv. 5, 6.
But this would not serve any more than Paul's erroneous conscience
would justify his rage against Christianity (Acts xxvi. 9), or theirs,
John xvi. 2.
(2.) Nor must we act against the dictates of a doubting conscience. In
those indifferent things which we are sure it is no sin not to do, and
yet are not clear that it is lawful to do them, we must not do them
while we continue under those doubts; for he that doubteth is damned if
he eat (v. 23), that is, it turns into sin to him; he is damned,
katakekritai--he is condemned of his own conscience, because he eateth
not of faith, because he does that which he is not fully persuaded he
may lawfully do. He is not clear that it is lawful for him to eat
swine's flesh (suppose), and yet is drawn, notwithstanding his doubts,
to eat it, because he sees others do it, because he would gratify his
appetite with it, or because he would not be reproached for his
singularity. Here his own heart cannot but condemn him as a
transgressor. Our rule is, to walk as far as we have attained, not
further, Phil. iii. 15, 16.--For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Taking it in general, it is the same with that of the apostle (Heb. xi.
6), Without faith it is impossible to please God. Whatever we do in
religion, it will not turn to any good account, except we do it from a
principle of faith, with a believing regard to the will of Christ as
our rule, to the glory of Christ as our end, and to the righteousness
of Christ as our plea. Here it seems to be taken more strictly;
whatever is not of faith (that is, whatever is done while we are not
clearly persuaded of the lawfulness of it), is a sin against
conscience. He that will venture to do that which his own conscience
suggests to him to be unlawful, when it is not so in itself, will by a
like temptation be brought to do that which his conscience tells him is
unlawful when it is really so. The spirit of a man is the candle of the
Lord, and it is a dangerous thing to debauch and put a force upon
conscience, though it be under a mistake. This seems to be the meaning
of that aphorism, which sounds somewhat darkly (v. 22), Happy is he
that condemns not himself in that thing which he allows. Many a one
allows himself in practice to do that which yet in his judgment and
conscience he condemns himself for--allows it for the sake of the
pleasure, profit, or credit of it--allows it in conformity to the
custom; and yet whilst he does it, and pleas for it, his own heart
gives him the lie, and his conscience condemns him for it. Now, happy
is the man who so orders his conversation as not in any action to
expose himself to the challenges and reproaches of his own
conscience--that does not make his own heart his adversary, as he must
needs do who does that which he is not clear he may lawfully do. He is
happy that has peace and quietness within, for the testimony of
conscience will be a special cordial in troublesome times. Though men
condemn us, it is well enough if our own hearts condemn us not, 1 John
iii. 21.
4. Another rule here prescribed is to those who are clear in these
matters, and know their Christian liberty, yet to take heed of using it
so as to give offence to a weak brother. This is laid down v. 13, Let
us not judge one another any more. "Let it suffice that you have
hitherto continued in this uncharitable practice, and do so no more."
The better to insinuate the exhortation, he puts himself in; Let us
not; as if he had said, "It is what I have resolved against, therefore
do you leave it: but judge this rather, instead of censuring the
practice of others, let us look to our own, that no man put a
stumbling-block, or an occasion to fall, in his brother's
way,"--proskomma, e skandalon. We must take heed of saying or doing any
thing which may occasion our brother to stumble or fall; the one
signifies a less, the other a greater degree of mischief and
offence--that which may be an occasion,
(1.) Of grief to our brother, "One that is weak, and thinks it unlawful
to eat such and such meats, will be greatly troubled to see thee eat
them, out of a concern for the honour of the law which he thinks
forbids them, and for the good of thy soul which he thinks is wronged
by them, especially when thou dost it wilfully and with a seeming
presumption, and not with that tenderness and that care to give
satisfaction to thy weak brother which would become thee." Christians
should take heed of grieving one another, and of saddening the hearts
of Christ's little ones. See Matt. xviii. 6, 10.
(2.) Of guilt to our brother. The former is a stumbling-block, that
gives our brother a great shake, and is a hindrance and discouragement
to him; but this is an occasion to fall. "If thy weak brother, purely
by thy example and influence, without any satisfaction received
concerning his Christian liberty, be drawn to act against his
conscience and to walk contrary to the light he has, and so to contract
guilt upon his soul, though the thing were lawful to thee, yet not
being so to him (he having not yet thereto attained), thou art to be
blamed for giving the occasion." See this case explained, 1 Cor. viii.
9-11. To the same purport (v. 21) he recommends it to our care not to
give offence to any one by the use of lawful things: It is good neither
to eat flesh nor to drink wine; these are things lawful indeed and
comfortable, but not necessary to the support of human life, and
therefore we may, and must, deny ourselves in them, rather than give
offence. It is good--pleasing to God, profitable to our brother, and no
harm to ourselves. Daniel and his fellows were in better liking with
pulse and water than those were who ate the portion of the king's meat.
It is a generous piece of self-denial, for which we have Paul's example
(1 Cor. viii. 13), If meat make my brother to offend; he does not say,
I will eat no meat, that is to destroy himself; but I will eat no
flesh, that is to deny himself, while the world stands. This is to be
extended to all such indifferent things whereby thy brother stumbleth,
or is offended, is involved either in sin or in trouble: or is made
weak--his graces weakened, his comforts weakened, his resolutions
weakened. Is made weak, that is, takes occasion to show his weakness by
his censures and scruples. We must not weaken those that are weak; that
is to quench the smoking flax and to break the bruised reed. Observe
the motives to enforce this caution.
[1.] Consider the royal law of Christian love and charity, which is
hereby broken (v. 15): If thy brother be grieved with thy meat--be
troubled to see thee eat those things which the law of Moses did
forbid, which yet thou mayest lawfully do; possibly thou art ready to
say, "Now he talks foolishly and weakly, and it is no great matter what
he says." We are apt, in such a case, to lay all the blame on that
side. But the reproof is here given to the stronger and more knowing
Christian: Now walkest thou not charitably. Thus the apostle takes part
with the weakest, and condemns the defect in love on the one side more
than the defect in knowledge on the other side; agreeably to his
principles elsewhere, that the way of love is the more excellent way, 1
Cor. xii. 31. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth, 1 Cor. viii.
1-3. Now walkest thou not charitably. Charity to the souls of our
brethren is the best charity. True love would make us tender of their
peace and purity, and beget a regard to their consciences as well as to
our own. Christ deals gently with those that have true grace, though
they are weak in it.
[2.] Consider the design of Christ's death: Destroy not him with thy
meat for whom Christ died, v. 15. First, Drawing a soul to sin
threatens the destruction of that soul. By shaking his faith, provoking
his passion, and tempting him to act against the light of his own
conscience, thou dost, as much as in thee lies, destroy him, giving him
an occasion to return to Judaism. Me apollye. It denotes an utter
destruction. The beginning of sin is as the letting forth of water; we
are not sure that it will stop any where on this side of eternal
destruction. Secondly, The consideration of the love of Christ in dying
for souls should make us very tender of the happiness and salvation of
souls, and careful not to do any thing which may obstruct and hinder
them. Did Christ quit a life for souls, such a life, and shall not we
quit a morsel of meat for them? Shall we despise those whom Christ
valued at so high a rate? Did he think it worth while to deny himself
so much for them as to die for them, and shall not we think it worth
while to deny ourselves so little for them as abstaining from flesh
comes to?--with thy meat. Thou pleadest that it is thy own meat, and
thou mayest do what thou wilt with it; but remember that, though the
meat is thine, the brother offended by it is Christ's, and a part of
his purchase. While thou destroyest thy brother thou art helping
forward the devil's design, for he is the great destroyer; and, as much
as in thee lies, thou art crossing the design of Christ, for he is the
great Saviour, and dost not only offend thy brother, but offend Christ;
for the work of salvation is that which his heart is upon. But are any
destroyed for whom Christ died? If we understand it of the sufficiency
and general intendment of Christ's death, which was to save all upon
gospel terms, no doubt but multitudes are. If of the particular
determination of the efficacy of his death to the elect, then, though
none that were given to Christ shall perish (John vi. 39), yet thou
mayest, as much as is in thy power, destroy such. No thanks to thee if
they be not destroyed; by doing that which has a tendency to it, thou
dost manifest a great opposition to Christ. Nay, and thou mayest
utterly destroy some whose profession may be so justifiable that thou
art bound to believe, in a judgment of charity, that Christ died for
them. Compare this with 1 Cor. viii. 10, 11.
[3.] Consider the work of God (v. 20): "For meat destroy not the work
of God--the work of grace, particularly the work of faith in thy
brother's soul." The works of peace and comfort are destroyed by such
an offence given; take heed of it therefore; do not undo that which God
hath done. You should work together with God, do not countermine his
work. First, The work of grace and peace is the work of God; it is
wrought by him, it is wrought for him; it is a good work of his
beginning, Phil. i. 6. Observe, The same for whom Christ died (v. 15)
are here called the work of God; besides the work that is wrought for
us there is a work to be wrought in us, in order to our salvation.
Every saint is God's workmanship, his husbandry, his building, Eph. ii.
10; 1 Cor. iii. 9. Secondly, We must be very careful to do nothing
which tends to the destruction of this work, either in ourselves or
others. We must deny ourselves in our appetites, inclinations, and in
the use of Christian liberty, rather than obstruct and prejudice our
own or others' grace and peace. Many do for meat and drink destroy the
work of God in themselves (nothing more destructive to eh soul than
pampering and pleasing the flesh, and fulfilling the lusts of it), so
likewise in others, by wilful offence given. Think what thou
destroyest--the work of God, whose work is honourable and glorious;
think for what thou destroyest it--for meat, which was but for the
belly, and the belly for it.
[4.] Consider the evil of giving offence, and what an abuse it is of
our Christian liberty. He grants that all things indeed are pure. We
may lawfully eat flesh, even those meats which were prohibited by the
ceremonial law; but, if we abuse this liberty, it turns into sin to us:
It is evil to him that eats with offence. Lawful things may be done
unlawfully.--Eats with offence, either carelessly or designedly giving
offence to his brethren. It is observable that the apostle directs his
reproof most against those who gave the offence; not as if those were
not to be blamed who causelessly and weakly took the offence from their
ignorance of Christian liberty, and the want of that charity which is
not easily provoked and which thinketh no evil (he several times
tacitly reflects upon them), but he directs his speech to the strong,
because they were better able to bear the reproof, and to begin the
reformation. For the further pressing of this rule, we may here observe
two directions which have relation to it:--First, Let not then your
good be evil spoken of (v. 16)--take heed of doing any thing which may
give occasion to others to speak evil, either of the Christian religion
in general, or of your Christian liberty in particular. The gospel is
your good; the liberties and franchises, the privileges and immunities,
granted by it, are your good; your knowledge and strength of grace to
discern and use your liberty in things disputed are your good, a good
which the weak brother hath not. Now let not this be evil spoken of. It
is true we cannot hinder loose and ungoverned tongues from speaking
evil of us, and of the best things we have; but we must not (if we can
help it) give them any occasion to do it. Let not the reproach arise
from any default of ours; as 1 Tim. iv. 12, Let no man despise thee,
that is, do not make thyself despicable. So here, Do not use your
knowledge and strength in such a manner as to give occasion to people
to call it presumption and loose walking, and disobedience to God's
law. We must deny ourselves in many cases for the preservation of our
credit and reputation, forbearing to do that which we rightly know we
may lawfully do, when our doing it may be a prejudice to our good name;
as, when it is suspicious and has the appearance of evil, or when it
becomes scandalous among good people, or has any way a brand upon it.
In such a case we must rather cross ourselves than shame ourselves.
Though it be but a little folly, it may be like a dead fly, very
prejudicial to one that is in reputation for wisdom and honour, Eccl.
x. 1. We may apply it more generally. We should manage all our good
duties in such a manner that they may not be evil spoken of. That which
for the matter of it is good and unexceptionable may sometimes, by
mismanagement, be rendered liable to a great deal of censure and
reproach. Good praying, preaching, and discourse, may often, for want
of prudence in ordering the time, the expression, and other
circumstances to edification, be evil spoken of. It is indeed their sin
who do speak evil of that which is good for the sake of any such
circumstantial errors, but it is our folly if we give any occasion to
do so. As we tender the reputation of the good we profess and practise,
let us so order it that it may not be evil spoken of. Secondly, Hast
thou faith? Have it to thyself before God, v. 22. It is not meant of
justifying faith (that must not be hid, but manifested by our works),
but of a knowledge and persuasion of our Christian liberty in things
disputed. "Hast thou clearness in such a particular? Art thou satisfied
that thou mayest eat all meats, and observe all days (except the Lord's
day) alike? Have it to thyself, that is, enjoy the comfort of it in thy
own bosom, and do not trouble others by the imprudent use of it, when
it might give offence, and cause thy weak brother to stumble and fall."
In these indifferent things, though we must never contradict our
persuasion, yet we may sometimes conceal it, when the avowing of it
will do more hurt than good. Have it to thyself--a rule to thyself (not
to be imposed upon others, or made a rule to them), or a rejoicing to
thyself. Clearness in doubtful matters contributes very much to our
comfortable walking, as it frees us from those scruples, jealousies,
and suspicions, which those who have not such clearness are entangled
in endlessly. Compare Gal. vi. 4, Let every man prove his own work,
that is, bring it to the touchstone of the word and try it by that so
exactly as to be well satisfied in what he does; and then he shall have
rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. Paul had faith in these
things: I am persuaded that there is nothing unclean of itself; but he
had it to himself, so as not to use his liberty to the offence of
others. How happy were it for the church if those that have a clearness
in disputable things would be satisfied to have it to themselves before
God, and not impose those things upon others, and make them terms of
communions, than which nothing is more opposite to Christian liberty,
nor more destructive both to the peace of churches and the peace of
consciences. That healing method is not the less excellent for being
common: in things necessary let there be unity, things unnecessary let
there be liberty, and in both let there be charity, then all will be
well quickly.--Have it to thyself before God. The end of such knowledge
is that, being satisfied in our liberty, we may have a conscience void
of offence towards God, and let that content us. That is the true
comfort which we have before God. Those are right indeed that are so in
God's sight.
__________________________________________________________________
R O M A N S.
CHAP. XV.
The apostle, in this chapter, continues the discourse of the former,
concerning mutual forbearance in indifferent things; and so draws
towards a conclusion of the epistle. Where such differences of
apprehension, and consequently distances of affection, are among
Christians, there is need of precept upon precept, line upon line, to
allay the heat, and to beget a better temper. The apostle, being
desirous to drive the nail home, as a nail in a sure place, follows his
blow, unwilling to leave the subject till he has some hopes of
prevailing, to which end he orders the cause before them and fills his
mouth with the most pressing arguments. We may observe, in this
chapter, I. His precepts to them. II. His prayers for them. III. His
apology for writing to them. IV. His account of himself and his own
affairs. V. His declaration of his purpose to come and see them. VI.
His desire of a share in their prayers.
Condescension and Self-denial; Tenderness and Generosity. (a. d. 58.)
1 We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak,
and not to please ourselves. 2 Let every one of us please his
neighbour for his good to edification. 3 For even Christ pleased not
himself; but, as it is written, The reproaches of them that reproached
thee fell on me. 4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were
written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
scriptures might have hope.
The apostle here lays down two precepts, with reasons to enforce them,
showing the duty of the strong Christian to consider and condescend to
the weakest.
I. We must bear the infirmities of the weak, v. 1. We all have our
infirmities; but the weak are more subject to them than others--the
weak in knowledge or grace, the bruised reed and the smoking flax. We
must consider these; not trample upon them, but encourage them, and
bear with their infirmities. If through weakness they judge and censure
us, and speak evil of us, we must bear with them, pity them, and not
have our affections alienated from them. Alas! it is their weakness,
they cannot help it. Thus Christ bore with his weak disciples, and
apologised for them. But there is more in it; we must also bear their
infirmities by sympathizing with them, concerning ourselves for them,
ministering strength to them, as there is occasion. This is bearing one
another's burdens.
II. We must not please ourselves, but our neighbour, v. 1, 2. We must
deny our own humour, in consideration of our brethren's weakness and
infirmity.
1. Christians must not please themselves. We must not make it our
business to gratify all the little appetites and desires of our own
heart; it is good for us to cross ourselves sometimes, and then we
shall the better bear others crossing of us. We shall be spoiled (as
Adonijah was) if we be always humoured. The first lesson we have to
learn is to deny ourselves, Matt. xvi. 24.
2. Christians must please their brethren. The design of Christianity is
to soften and meeken the spirit, to teach us the art of obliging and
true complaisance; not to be servants to the lust of any, but to the
necessities and infirmities of our brethren--to comply with all that we
have to do with as fare as we can with a good conscience. Christians
should study to be pleasing. As we must not please ourselves in the use
of our Christian liberty (which was allowed us, not for our own
pleasure, but for the glory of God and the profit and edification of
others), so we must please our neighbour. How amiable and comfortable a
society would the church of Christ be if Christians would study to
please one another, as now we see them commonly industrious to cross,
and thwart, and contradict one another!--Please his neighbour, not in
every thing, it is not an unlimited rule; but for his good, especially
for the good of his soul: not please him by serving his wicked wills,
and humouring him in a sinful way, or consenting to his enticements, or
suffering sin upon him; this is a base way of pleasing our neighbour to
the ruin of his soul: if we thus please men, we are not the servants of
Christ; but please him for his good; not for our own secular good, or
to make a prey of him, but for his spiritual good.--To edification,
that is, not only for his profit, but for the profit of others, to
edify the body of Christ, by studying to oblige one another. The closer
the stones lie, and the better they are squared to fit one another, the
stronger is the building. Now observe the reason why Christians must
please one another: For even Christ pleased not himself. The
self-denial of our Lord Jesus is the best argument against the
selfishness of Christians. Observe,
(1.) That Christ pleased not himself. He did not consult his own
worldly credit, ease, safety, nor pleasure; he had not where to lay his
head, lived upon alms, would not be made a king, detested no proposal
with greater abhorrence than that, Master, spare thyself, did not seek
his own will (John v. 30), washed his disciples' feet, endured the
contradiction of sinners against himself, troubled himself (John xi.
33), did not consult his own honour, and, in a word, emptied himself,
and made himself of no reputation: and all this for our sakes, to bring
in a righteousness for us, and to set us an example. His whole life was
a self-denying self-displeasing life. He bore the infirmities of the
weak, Heb. iv. 15.
(2.) That herein the scripture was fulfilled: As it is written, The
reproaches of those that reproached thee fell on me. This is quoted out
of Ps. lxix. 9, the former part of which verse is applied to Christ
(John ii. 17), The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up; and the latter
part here; for David was a type of Christ, and his sufferings of
Christ's sufferings. It is quoted to show that Christ was so far from
pleasing himself that he did in the highest degree displease himself.
Not as if his undertaking, considered on the whole, were a task and
grievance to him, for he was very willing to it and very cheerful in
it; but in his humiliation the content and satisfaction of natural
inclination were altogether crossed and denied. He preferred our
benefit before his own ease and pleasure. This the apostle chooses to
express in scripture language; for how can the things of the Spirit of
God be better spoken of than in the Spirit's own words? And this
scripture he alleges, The reproaches of those that reproached thee fell
on me. [1.] The shame of those reproaches, which Christ underwent.
Whatever dishonour was done to God was a trouble to the Lord Jesus. He
was grieved for the hardness of people's hearts, beheld a sinful place
with sorrow and tears. When the saints were persecuted, Christ so far
displeased himself as to take what was done to them as done against
himself: Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? Christ also did himself
endure the greatest indignities; there was much of reproach in his
sufferings. [2.] The sin of those reproaches, for which Christ
undertook to satisfy; so many understand it. Every sin is a kind of
reproach to God, especially presumptuous sins; now the guilt of these
fell upon Christ, when he was made sin, that is, a sacrifice, a
sin-offering for us. When the Lord laid upon him the iniquities of us
all, and he bore our sins in his own body upon the tree, they fell upon
him as upon our surety. Upon me be the curse. This was the greatest
piece of self-displacency that could be: considering his infinite
spotless purity and holiness, the infinite love of the Father to him,
and his eternal concern for his Father's glory, nothing could be more
contrary to him, nor more against him, than to be made sin and a curse
for us, and to have the reproaches of God fall upon him, especially
considering for whom he thus displeased himself, for strangers,
enemies, and traitors, the just for the unjust, 1 Pet. iii. 18. This
seems to come in as a reason why we should bear the infirmities of the
weak. We must not please ourselves, for Christ pleased not himself; we
must bear the infirmities of the weak, for Christ bore the reproaches
of those that reproached God. He bore the guilt of sin and the curse
for it; we are only called to bear a little of the trouble of it. He
bore the presumptuous sins of the wicked; we are called only to bear
the infirmities of the weak.--Even Christ; kai gar ho Christos. Even he
who was infinitely happy in the enjoyment of himself, who needed not us
nor our services,--even he who thought it no robbery to be equal with
God, who had reason enough to pleas himself, and no reason to be
concerned, much less to be crossed, for us,--even he pleased not
himself, even he bore our sins. And should not we be humble, and
self-denying, and ready to consider one another, who are members one of
another?
(3.) That therefore we must go and do likewise: For whatsoever things
were written aforetime were written for our learning. [1.] That which
is written of Christ, concerning his self-denial and sufferings, is
written for our learning; he hath left us an example. If Christ denied
himself, surely we should deny ourselves, from a principle of
ingenuousness and of gratitude, and especially of conformity to his
image. The example of Christ, in what he did and said, is recorded for
our imitation. [2.] That which is written in the scriptures of the Old
Testament in the general is written for our learning. What David had
said in his own person Paul had just now applied to Christ. Now lest
this should look like a straining of the scripture, he gives us this
excellent rule in general, that all the scriptures of the Old Testament
(much more those of the New) were written for our learning, and are not
to be looked upon as of private interpretation. What happened to the
Old-Testament saint happened to them for ensample; and the scriptures
of the Old Testament have many fulfillings. The scriptures are left for
a standing rule to us: they are written, that they might remain for our
use and benefit. First, For our learning. There are many things to be
learned out of the scriptures; and that is the best learning which is
drawn from these fountains. Those are the most learned that are most
mighty in the scriptures. We must therefore labour, not only to
understand the literal meaning of the scripture, but to learn out of it
that which will do us good; and we have need of help therefore not only
to roll away the stone, but to draw out the water, for in many places
the well is deep. Practical observations are more necessary than
critical expositions. Secondly, That we through patience and comfort of
the scriptures might have hope. That hope which hath eternal life for
its object is here proposed as the end of scripture-learning. The
scripture was written that we might know what to hope for from God, and
upon what grounds, and in what way. This should recommend the scripture
to us that it is a special friend to Christian hope. Now the way of
attaining this hope is through patience and comfort of the scripture.
Patience and comfort suppose trouble and sorrow; such is the lot of the
saints in this world; and, were it not so, we should have no occasion
for patience and comfort. But both these befriend that hope which is
the life of our souls. Patience works experience, and experience hope,
which maketh not ashamed, ch. v. 3-5. The more patience we exercise
under troubles the more hopefully we may look through our troubles;
nothing more destructive to hope than impatience. And the comfort of
the scriptures, that comfort which springs from the word of God (that
is the surest and sweetest comfort) is likewise a great stay to hope,
as it is an earnest in hand of the good hoped for. The Spirit, as a
comforter, is the earnest of our inheritance.
Christian Unity. (a. d. 58.)
5 Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be like-minded
one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 6 That ye may with one
mind and one mouth glorify God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
The apostle, having delivered two exhortations, before he proceeds to
more, intermixes here a prayer for the success of what he had said.
Faithful ministers water their preaching with their prayers, because,
whoever sows the seed, it is God that gives the increase. We can but
speak to the ear; it is God's prerogative to speak to the heart.
Observe,
I. The title he gives to God: The God of patience and consolation, who
is both the author and the foundation of all the patience and
consolation of the saints, from whom it springs and on whom it is
built. He gives the grace of patience; he confirms and keeps it up as
the God of consolation; for the comforts of the Holy Ghost help to
support believers, and to bear them up with courage and cheerfulness
under all their afflictions. When he comes to beg the pouring out of
the spirit of love and unity he addresses himself to God as the God of
patience and consolation; that is, 1. As a God that bears with us and
comforts us, is not extreme to mark what we do amiss, but is ready to
comfort those that are cast down--to teach us so to testify our love to
our brethren, and by these means to preserve and maintain unity, by
being patient one with another and comfortable one to another. Or, 2.
As a God that gives us patience and comfort. He had spoken (v. 4) of
patience and comfort of the scriptures; but here he looks up to God as
the God of patience and consolation: it comes through the scripture as
the conduit-pipe, but from God as the fountain-head. The more patience
and comfort we receive from God, the better disposed we are to love one
another. Nothing breaks the peace more than an impatient, and peevish,
and fretful melancholy temper.
II. The mercy he begs of God: Grant you to be like-minded one towards
another, according to Christ Jesus. 1. The foundation of Christian love
and peace is laid in like-mindedness, a consent in judgment as far as
you have attained, or at least a concord and agreement in affection. To
auto phronein--to mind the same thing, all occasions of difference
removed, and all quarrels laid aside. 2. This like-mindedness must be
according to Christ Jesus, according to the precept of Christ, the
royal law of love, according to the pattern and example of Christ,
which he had propounded to them for their imitation, v. 3. Or, "Let
Christ Jesus be the centre of your unity. Agree in the truth, not in
any error." It was a cursed concord and harmony of those who were of
one mind to give their power and strength to the beast (Rev. xvii. 13);
this was not a like-mindedness according to Christ, but against Christ;
like the Babel-builders, who were one in their rebellion, Gen. xi. 6.
The method of our prayer must be first for truth, and then for peace;
for such is the method of the wisdom that is from above: it is first
pure, then peaceable. This is to be like-minded according to Christ
Jesus. 3. Like-mindedness among Christians, according to Christ Jesus,
is the gift of God; and a precious gift it is, for which we must
earnestly seek unto him. He is the Father of spirits, and fashions the
hearts of men alike (Ps. xxxiii. 15), opens the understanding, softens
the heart, sweetens the affections, and gives the grace of love, and
the Spirit as a Spirit of love, to those that ask him. We are taught to
pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done in
heaven--now there it is done unanimously, among the angels, who are one
in their praises and services; and our desire must be that the saints
on earth may be so too.
III. The end of his desire: that God may be glorified, v. 6. This is
his plea with God in prayer, and is likewise an argument with them to
seek it. We should have the glory of God in our eye in every prayer;
therefore our first petition, as the foundation of all the rest, must
be, Hallowed be thy name. Like-mindedness among Christians is in order
to our glorifying God, 1. With one mind and one mouth. It is desirable
that Christians should agree in every thing, that so they may agree in
this, to praise God together. It tends very much to the glory of God,
who is one, and his name one, when it is so. It will not suffice that
there be one mouth, but there must be one mind, for God looks at the
heart; nay, there will hardly be one mouth where there is not one mind,
and God will scarcely be glorified where there is not a sweet
conjunction of both. One mouth in confessing the truths of God, in
praising the name of God--one mouth in common converse, not jarring,
biting, and devouring one another--one mouth in the solemn assembly,
one speaking, but all joining. 2. As the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ. This is his New-Testament style. God must be glorified as he
has now revealed himself in the face of Jesus Christ, according to the
rules of the gospel, and with an eye to Christ, in whom he is our
Father. The unity of Christians glorifies God as the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, because it is a kind of counter-part or representation of
the oneness that is between the Father and the Son. We are warranted so
to speak of it, and, with that in our eye, to desire it, and pray for
it, from John xvii. 21, That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art
in me, and I in thee: a high expression of the honour and sweetness of
the saints' unity. And it follows, The the world may believe that thou
hast sent me; and so God may be glorified as the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ.
Christian Unity. (a. d. 58.)
7 Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the
glory of God. 8 Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the
circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto
the fathers: 9 And that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy;
as it is written, For this cause I will confess to thee among the
Gentiles, and sing unto thy name. 10 And again he saith, Rejoice, ye
Gentiles, with his people. 11 And again, Praise the Lord, all ye
Gentiles; and laud him, all ye people. 12 And again, Esaias saith,
There shall be a root of Jesse, and he that shall rise to reign over
the Gentiles; in him shall the Gentiles trust.
The apostle here returns to his exhortation to Christians. What he says
here (v. 7) is to the same purport with the former; but the repetition
shows how much the apostle's heart was upon it. "Receive one another
into your affection, into your communion, and into your common
conversation, as there is occasion." He had exhorted the strong to
receive the weak (ch. xiv. 1), here, Receive one another; for sometimes
the prejudices of the weak Christian make him shy of the strong, as
much as the pride of the strong Christian makes him shy of the weak,
neither of which ought to be. Let there be a mutual embracing among
Christians. Those that have received Christ by faith must receive all
Christians by brotherly love; though poor in the world, though
persecuted and despised, though it may be matter of reproach and danger
to you to receive them, though in the less weighty matters of the law
they are of different apprehensions, though there may have been
occasion for private piques, yet, laying aside these and the like
considerations, receive you one another. Now the reason why Christians
must receive one another is taken, as before, from the condescending
love of Christ to us: As Christ also received us, to the glory of God.
Can there be a more cogent argument? Has Christ been so kind to us, and
shall we be so unkind to those that are his? Was he so forward to
entertain us, and shall we be backward to entertain our brethren?
Christ has received us into the nearest and dearest relations to
himself: has received us into his fold, into his family, into the
adoption of sons, into a covenant of friendship, yea, into a
marriage-covenant with himself; he has received us (though we were
strangers and enemies, and had played the prodigal) into fellowship and
communion with himself. Those words, to the glory of God, may refer
both to Christ's receiving us, which is our pattern, and to our
receiving one another, which is our practice according to that pattern.
I. Christ hath received us to the glory of God. The end of our
reception by Christ is that we might glorify God in this world, and be
glorified with him in that to come. It was the glory of God, and our
glory in the enjoyment of God, that Christ had in his eye when he
condescended to receive us. We are called to an eternal glory by Christ
Jesus, John xvii. 24. See to what he received us-to a happiness
transcending all comprehension; see for what he received us--for his
Father's glory; he had this in his eye in all the instances of his
favour to us.
II. We must receive one another to the glory of God. This must be our
great end in all our actions, that God may be glorified; and nothing
more conduces to this than the mutual love and kindness of those that
profess religion; compare v. 6, That you may with one mind and one
mouth glorify God. That which was a bone of contention among them was a
different apprehension about meats and drinks, which took rise in
distinction between Jews and Gentiles. Now, to prevent and make up this
different, he shows how Jesus Christ has received both Jews and
Gentiles; in him they are both one, one new man, Eph. ii. 14-16. Now it
is a rule, Quæ conveniunt in aliquo tertio, inter se conveniunt--Things
which agree with a third thing agree with each other. Those that agree
in Christ, who is the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, and
the great centre of unity, may well afford to agree among themselves.
This coalescence of the Jews and Gentiles in Christ and Christianity
was a thing that filled and affected Paul so much that he could not
mention it without some enlargement and illustration.
1. He received the Jews, v. 8. Let not any think hardly or scornfully
therefore of those that were originally Jews, and still, through
weakness, retain some savour of their old Judaism; for, (1.) Jesus
Christ was a minister of the circumcision. That he was a minister,
diakonos--a servant, bespeaks his great and exemplary condescension,
and puts an honour upon the ministry: but that he was a minister of the
circumcision, was himself circumcised and made under the law, and did
in his own person preach the gospel to the Jews, who were of the
circumcision--this makes the nation of the Jews more considerable than
otherwise they appear to be. Christ conversed with the Jews, blessed
them, looked upon himself as primarily sent to the lost sheep of the
house of Israel, laid hold of the seed of Abraham (Heb. ii. 16,
margin), and by them, as it were, caught at the whole body of mankind.
Christ's personal ministry was appropriated to them, though the
apostles had their commission enlarged. (2.) He was so for the truth of
God. That which he preached to them was the truth; for he came into the
world to bear witness to the truth, John xviii. 37. And he is himself
the truth, John xiv. 6. Or, for the truth of God, that is, to make good
the promises given to the patriarchs concerning the special mercy God
had in store for their seed. It was not for the merit of the Jews, but
for the truth of God, that they were thus distinguished--that God might
approve himself true to this word which he had spoken.--To confirm the
promises made unto the fathers. The best confirmation of promises is
the performance of them. It was promised that in the seed of Abraham
all the nations of the earth should be blessed, that Shiloh should come
from between the feet of Judah, that out of Israel should he proceed
that should have the dominion, that out of Zion should go forth the
law, and many the like. There were many intermediate providences which
seemed to weaken those promises, providences which threatened the fatal
decay of that people; but when Messiah the Prince appeared in the
fulness of time, as a minister of the circumcision, all these promises
were confirmed, and the truth of them was made to appear; for in Christ
all the promises of God, both those of the Old Testament and those of
the New, are Yea, and in him Amen. Understanding by the promises made
to the fathers the whole covenant of grace, darkly administered under
the Old Testament, and brought to a clearer light now under the gospel,
it was Christ's great errand to confirm that covenant, Dan. ix. 27. He
confirmed it by shedding the blood of the covenant.
2. He received the Gentiles likewise. This he shows, v. 9-12.
(1.) Observe Christ's favour to the Gentiles, in taking them in to
praise God--the work of the church on earth and the wages of that in
heaven. One design of Christ was that the Gentiles likewise might be
converted that they might be one with the Jews in Christ's mystical
body. A good reason why they should not think the worse of any
Christian for his having been formerly a Gentile; for Christ has
received him. He invites the Gentiles, and welcomes them. Now observe
how their conversion is here expressed: That the Gentiles might glorify
God for his mercy. A periphrasis of conversion. [1.] They shall have
matter for praise, even the mercy of God. Considering the miserable and
deplorable condition that the Gentile world was in, the receiving of
them appears more as an act of mercy than the receiving of the Jews.
Those that were Lo-ammi--not a people, were Lo-ruhama--not obtaining
mercy, Hos. i. 6, 9; ii. 23. The greatest mercy of God to any people is
the receiving of them into covenant with himself: and it is good to
take notice of God's mercy in receiving us. [2.] They shall have a
heart for praise. They shall glorify God for his mercy. Unconverted
sinners do nothing to glorify God; but converting grace works in the
soul a disposition to speak and do all to the glory of God; God
intended to reap a harvest of glory from the Gentiles, who had been so
long turning his glory into shame.
(2.) The fulfilling of the scriptures in this. The favour of God to the
Gentiles was not only mercy, but truth. Though there were not promises
directly given to them, as to the fathers of the Jews, yet there were
many prophesies concerning them, which related to the calling of them,
and the embodying of them in the church, some of which he mentions
because it was a thing that the Jews were hardly persuaded to believe.
Thus, by referring them to the Old Testament, he labours to qualify
their dislike of the Gentiles, and so to reconcile the parties at
variance. [1.] It was foretold that the Gentiles should have the gospel
preached to them: "I will confess to thee among the Gentiles (v. 9),
that is, thy name shall be known and owned in the Gentile world, there
shall gospel grace and love be celebrated." This is quoted from Ps.
xviii. 49, I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the heathen. A
thankful explication and commemoration of the name of God are an
excellent means of drawing others to know and praise God. Christ, in
and by his apostles and ministers, whom he sent to disciple all
nations, did confess to God among the Gentiles. The exaltation of
Christ, as well as the conversion of sinners, is set forth by the
praising of God. Christ's declaring God's name to his brethren is
called his praising God in the midst of the congregation, Ps. xxii. 22.
Taking these words as spoken by David, they were spoken when he was old
and dying, and he was not likely to confess to God among the Gentiles;
but when David's psalms are read and sung among the Gentiles, to the
praise and glory of God, it may be said that David is confessing to God
among the Gentiles, and singing to his name. He that was the sweet
psalmist of the Gentiles. Converting grace makes people greatly in love
with David's psalms. Taking them as spoken by Christ, the Son of David,
it may be understood of his spiritual indwelling by faith in the hearts
of all the praising saints. If any confess to God among the Gentiles,
and sing to his name, it is not they, but Christ and his grace in them.
I live, yet not I, but Christ liveth in me; so, I praise, yet not I,
but Christ in me. [2.] That the Gentiles should rejoice with his
people, v. 10. This is quoted from that song of Moses, Deut. xxxii. 43.
Observe, Those who were incorporated among his people are said to
rejoice with his people. No greater joy can come to any people than the
coming of the gospel among them in power. Those Jews that retain a
prejudice against the Gentiles will by no means admit them to any of
their joyful festivities; for (say they) a stranger intermeddleth not
with the joy, Prov. xiv. 10. But, the partition-wall being taken down,
the Gentiles are welcome to rejoice with his people. Being brought into
the church, they share in its sufferings, are companions in patience
and tribulation, to recompense which they share in the joy. [3.] That
they should praise God (v. 11): Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles. This
is quoted out of that short psalm, Ps. cxvii. 1. Converting grace sets
people a praising God, furnishes with the richest matter for praise,
and gives a heart to it. The Gentiles had been, for many ages, praising
their idols of wood and stone, but now they are brought to praise the
Lord; and this David in spirit speaks of. In calling upon all the
nations to praise the Lord, it is intimated that they shall have the
knowledge of him. [4.] That they should believe in Christ (v. 12),
quoted from Isa. xi. 10, where observe, First, The revelation of
Christ, as the Gentiles' king. He is here called the root of Jesse,
that is, such a branch from the family of David as is the very life and
strength of the family: compare Isa. xi. 1. Christ was David's Lord,
and yet withal he was the Son of David (Matt. xxii. 45), for he was the
root and offspring of David, Rev. xxii. 16. Christ, as God, was David's
root; Christ, as man, was David's offspring.--And he that shall rise to
reign over the Gentiles. This explains the figurative expression of the
prophet, he shall stand for an ensign of the people. When Christ rose
from the dead, when he ascended on high, it was to reign over the
Gentiles. Secondly, The recourse of the Gentiles to him: In him shall
the Gentiles trust. Faith is the soul's confidence in Christ and
dependence on him. The prophet has it, to him shall the Gentiles seek.
The method of faith is first to seek unto Christ, as to one proposed to
us for a Saviour; and, finding him able and willing to save, then to
trust in him. Those that know him will trust in him. Or, this seeking
to him is the effect of a trust in him; seeking him by prayer, and
pursuant endeavours. We shall never seek to Christ till we trust in
him. Trust is the mother; diligence in the use of means the daughter.
Jews and Gentiles being thus united in Christ's love, why should they
not be united in one another's love?
The God of Hope. (a. d. 58.)
13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing,
that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
Here is another prayer directed to God, as the God of hope; and it is,
as the former (v. 5, 6), for spiritual blessings: these are the blest
blessings, and to be first and chiefly prayed for.
I. Observe how he addresses himself to God, as the God of hope. It is
good in prayer to fasten upon those names, titles, and attributes of
God, which are most suitable to the errand we come upon, and will best
serve to encourage our faith concerning it. Every word in the prayer
should be a plea. Thus should the cause be skilfully ordered, and the
mouth filled with arguments. God is the God of hope. He is the
foundation on which our hope is built, and he is the builder that doth
himself raise it: he is both the object of our hope, and the author of
it. That hope is but fancy, and will deceive us, which is not fastened
upon God (as the goodness hoped for, and the truth hoped in), and which
is not of his working in us. We have both together, Ps. cxix. 49. Thy
word--there is God the object; on which thou hast caused me to
hope--there is God the author of our hope, 1 Pet. i. 3.
II. What he asks of God, not for himself, but for them.
1. That they might be filled with all joy and peace in believing. Joy
and peace are two of those things in which the kingdom of God consists,
ch. xiv. 17. Joy in God, peace of conscience, both arising from a sense
of our justification; see ch. v. 1, 2. Joy and peace in our own bosoms
would promote a cheerful unity and unanimity with our brethren.
Observe, (1.) How desirable this joy and peace are: they are filling.
Carnal joy puffs up the soul, but cannot fill it; therefore in laughter
the heart is sad. True, heavenly, spiritual joy is filling to the soul;
it has a satisfaction in it, answerable to the soul's vast and just
desires. Thus does God satiate and replenish the weary soul. Nothing
more than this joy, only more of it, even the perfection of it in
glory, is the desire of the soul that hath it, Ps. iv. 6, 7; xxxvi. 8;
lxiii. 5; lxv. 4. (2.) How it is attainable. [1.] By prayer. We must go
to God for it; he will for this be enquired of. Prayer fetches in
spiritual joy and peace. [2.] By believing; that is the means to be
used. It is vain, and flashy, and transient joy, that is the product of
fancy; true substantial joy is the fruit of faith. Believing, you
rejoice with joy unspeakable, 1 Pet. i. 8. It is owing to the weakness
of our faith that we are so much wanting in joy and peace. Only
believe; believe the goodness of Christ, the love of Christ, the
promises of the covenant, and the joys and glories of heaven; let faith
be the substance and evidence of these things, and the result must
needs be joy and peace. Observe, It is all joy and peace--all sorts of
true joy and peace. When we come to God by prayer we must enlarge our
desires; we are not straitened in him, why should we be straitened in
ourselves? Ask for all joy; open thy mouth wide, and he will fill it.
2. That they might abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.
The joy and peace of believers arise chiefly from their hopes. What is
laid out upon them is but little, compared with what is laid up for
them; therefore the more hope they have the more joy and peace they
have. We do then abound in hope when we hope for great things from God,
and are greatly established and confirmed in these hopes. Christians
should desire and labour after an abundance of hope, such hope as will
not make ashamed. This is through the power of the Holy Ghost. The same
almighty power that works grace begets and strengthens this hope. Our
own power will never reach it; and therefore where this hope is, and is
abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory.
Paul Commends the Brethren. (a. d. 58.)
14 And I myself also am persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are
full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one
another. 15 Nevertheless, brethren, I have written the more boldly
unto you in some sort, as putting you in mind, because of the grace
that is given to me of God, 16 That I should be the minister of Jesus
Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the
offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by
the Holy Ghost.
Here, I. He commends these Christians with the highest characters that
could be. He began his epistle with their praises (ch. i. 8), Your
faith is spoken of throughout the world, thereby to make way for his
discourse: and, because sometimes he had reproved them sharply, he now
concludes with the like commendation, to qualify them, and to part
friends. This he does like an orator. It was not a piece of idle
flattery and compliment, but a due acknowledgment of their worth, and
of the grace of God in them. We must be forward to observe and commend
in others that which is excellent and praise-worthy; it is part of the
present recompence of virtue and usefulness, and will be of use to
quicken others to a holy emulation. It was a great credit to the Romans
to be commended by Paul, a man of such great judgment and integrity,
too skilful to be deceived and too honest to flatter. Paul had no
personal acquaintance with these Christians, and yet he says he was
persuaded of their excellencies, though he knew them only be hearsay.
As we must not, on the one hand, be so simple as to believe every word;
so, on the other hand, we must not be so skeptical as to believe
nothing; but especially we must be forward to believe good concerning
others: in this case charity hopeth all things, and believeth all
things, and (if the probabilities be any way strong, as here they were)
is persuaded. It is safer to err on this side. Now observe what it was
that he commended them for. 1. That they were full of goodness;
therefore the more likely to take in good part what he had written, and
to account it a kindness; and not only so, but to comply with it, and
to put it in practice, especially that which relates to their union and
to the healing of their differences. A good understanding of one
another, and a good will to one another, would soon put an end to
strife. 2. Filled with all knowledge. Goodness and knowledge together!
A very rare and an excellent conjunction; the head and the heart of the
new man. All knowledge, all necessary knowledge, all the knowledge of
those things which belong to their everlasting peace. 3. Able to
admonish one another. To this there is a further gift requisite, even
the gift of utterance. Those that have goodness and knowledge should
communicate what they have for the use and benefit of others. "You that
excel so much in good gifts may think you have no need of any
instructions of mine." It is a comfort to faithful ministers to see
their work superseded by the gifts and graces of their people. How
gladly would ministers leave off their admonishing work, if people were
able and willing to admonish one another! Would to God that all the
Lord's people were prophets. But that which is every body's work is
nobody's work; and therefore,
II. He clears himself from the suspicion of intermeddling needlessly
with that which did not belong to him, v. 15. Observe how
affectionately he speaks to them: My brethren (v. 14), and again,
brethren, v. 15. He had himself, and taught others, the art of
obliging. He calls them all his brethren, to teach them brotherly love
one to another. Probably he wrote the more courteously to them because,
being Roman citizens living near the court, they were more genteel, and
made a better figure; and therefore Paul, who became all things to all
men, was willing, by the respectfulness of his style, to please them
for their good. He acknowledges he had written boldly in some
sort--tolmeroteron apo merous, in a manner that looked like boldness
and presumption, and for which some might perhaps charge him with
taking too much upon him. But then consider,
1. He did it only as their remembrancer: As putting you in mind. such
humble thoughts had Paul of himself, though he excelled in knowledge,
that he would not pretend to tell them that which they did not know
before, but only to remind them of that in which they had formerly been
by others instructed. So Peter, 2 Pet. i. 12; iii. 1. People commonly
excuse themselves from hearing the word with this, that the minister
can tell them nothing but what they knew before. If it be so, yet have
they not need to know it better, and to be put in mind of it?
2. He did it as the apostle of the Gentiles. It was in pursuance of his
office: Because of the grace (that is, the apostleship, ch. i. 5) given
to me of God, to be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, v.
16. Paul reckoned it a great favour, and an honour that God had put
upon him, in putting him into that office, ch. i. 13. Now, because of
this grace given to him, he thus laid out himself among the Gentiles,
that he might not receive that grace of God in vain. Christ received
that he might give; so did Paul; so have we talents which must not be
buried. Places and offices must be filled up with duty. It is good for
ministers to be often remembering the grace that is given unto them of
God. Minister verbi es, hoc age--You are a minister of the word; give
yourself wholly to it, was Mr. Perkins's motto. Paul was a minister.
Observe here, (1.) Whose minister he was: the minister of Jesus Christ,
1 Cor. iv. 1. He is our Master; his we are, and him we serve. (2.) To
whom: to the Gentiles. So God had appointed him, Acts xxii. 21. So
Peter and he had agreed, Gal. ii. 7-9. These Romans were Gentiles:
"Now," says he, "I do not thrust myself upon you, nor seek any lordship
over you; I am appointed to it: if you think I am rude and bold, my
commission is my warrant, and must bear me out." (3.) What he
ministered: the gospel of God; hierourgounta to euangelion--ministering
as about holy things (so the word signifies), executing the office of a
Christian priest, more spiritual, and therefore more excellent, than
the Levitical priesthood. (4.) For what end: that the offering up (or
sacrificing) of the Gentiles might be acceptable--that god might have
the glory which would redound to his name by the conversion of the
Gentiles. Paul laid out himself thus to bring about something that
might be acceptable to God. Observe how the conversion of the Gentiles
is expressed: it is the offering up of the Gentiles; it is prosphora
ton ethnon--the oblation of the Gentiles, in which the Gentiles are
looked upon either, [1.] As the priests, offering the oblation of
prayer and praise and other acts of religion. Long had the Jews been
the holy nation, the kingdom of priests, but now the Gentiles are made
priests unto God (Rev. v. 10), by their conversion to the Christian
faith consecrated to the service of God, that the scripture may be
fulfilled, In ever place incense shall be offered, and a pure offering,
Mal. i. 11. The converted Gentiles are said to be made nigh (Eph. ii.
13)-- the periphrasis of priests. Or, [2.] The Gentiles are themselves
the sacrifice offered up to God by Paul, in the name of Christ, a
living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, ch. xii. 1. A sanctified
soul is offered up to God in the flames of love, upon Christ the altar.
Paul gathered in souls by his preaching, not to keep them to himself,
but to offer them up to God: Behold, I, and the children that God hath
given me. And it is an acceptable offering, being sanctified by the
Holy Ghost. Paul preached to them, and dealt with them; but that which
made them sacrifices to God was their sanctification; and this was not
his work, but the work of the Holy Ghost. None are acceptably offered
to God but those that are sanctified: unholy things can never be
pleasing to the holy God.
The Apostle's Labours. (a. d. 58.)
17 I have therefore whereof I may glory through Jesus Christ in those
things which pertain to God. 18 For I will not dare to speak of any
of those things which Christ hath not wrought by me, to make the
Gentiles obedient, by word and deed, 19 Through mighty signs and
wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God; so that from Jerusalem, and
round about unto Illyricum, I have fully preached the gospel of Christ.
20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was
named, lest I should build upon another man's foundation: 21 But as
it is written, To whom he was not spoken of, they shall see: and they
that have not heard shall understand.
The apostle here gives some account of himself and of his own affairs.
Having mentioned his ministry and apostleship, he goes on further to
magnify his office in the efficacy of it, and to mention to the glory
of God the great success of his ministry and the wonderful things that
God had done by him, for encouragement to the Christian church at Rome,
that they were not alone in the profession of Christianity, but though,
compared with the multitude of their idolatrous neighbours, they were
but a little flock, yet, up and down the country, there were many that
were their companions in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ. It
was likewise a great confirmation of the truth of the Christian
doctrine that it had such strange success, and was so far propagated by
such weak and unlikely means, such multitudes captivated to the
obedience of Christ by the foolishness of preaching. Therefore Paul
gives them this account, which he makes the matter of his glorying; not
vain glory, but holy gracious glorying, which appears by the
limitations; it is through Jesus Christ. Thus does he centre all his
glorying in Christ; he teaches us so to do, 1 Cor. i. 31. Not unto us,
Ps. cxv. 1. And it is in those things which pertain to God. The
conversion of souls is one of those things that pertain to God, and
therefore is the matter of Paul's glorying; not the things of the
flesh. Whereof I may glory, echo oun kauchesin en Christo Iesou ta pros
Theon. I would rather read it thus: Therefore I have a rejoicing in
Christ Jesus (it is the same word that is used, 2 Cor. i. 12, and Phil.
iii. 3, where it is the character of the circumcision that they
rejoice--kauchomenoi, in Christ Jesus) concerning the things of God; or
those things that are offered to God--the living sacrifices of the
Gentiles, v. 16. Paul would have them to rejoice with him in the extent
and efficacy of his ministry, of which he speaks not only with the
greatest deference possible to the power of Christ, and the effectual
working of the Spirit as all in all; but with a protestation of the
truth of what he said (v. 18): I will not dare to speak of any of those
things which Christ hath not wrought by me. He would not boast of
things without his line, nor take the praise of another man's work, as
he might have done when he was writing to distant strangers, who
perhaps could not contradict him; but (says he) I dare not do it: a
faithful man dares not lie, however he be tempted, dares be true,
however he be terrified. Now, in this account of himself, we may
observe,
I. His unwearied diligence and industry in his work. He was one that
laboured more abundantly than they all.
1. He preached in many places: From Jerusalem, whence the law went
forth as a lamp that shineth, and round about unto Illyricum, many
hundred miles distant from Jerusalem. We have in the book of the Acts
an account of Paul's travels. There we find him, after he was sent
forth to preach to the Gentiles (Acts xiii.), labouring in that blessed
work in Seleucia, Cyprus, Pamphylia, Pisidia, and Lycaonia (Acts xiii.
and xiv.), afterwards travelling through Syria and Cilicia, Phrygia,
Galatia, Mysia, Troas, and thence called over to Macedonia, and so into
Europe, Acts xv. and xvi. Then we find him very busy at Thessalonica,
Berea, Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, and the parts adjacent. Those that
know the extent and distance of these countries will conclude Paul an
active man, rejoicing as a strong man to run a race. Illyricum is the
country now called Sclavonia, bordering upon Hungary. Some take it for
the same with Bulgaria; others for the lower Pannonia: however, it was
a great way from Jerusalem. Now it might be suspected that if Paul
undertook so much work, surely he did it by the halves. "No," says he,
"I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ--have given them a full
account of the truth and terms of the gospel, have not shunned to
declare the whole counsel of God (Acts xx. 27), have kept back nothing
that was necessary for them to know." Filled the gospel, so the word
is; peplerokenai to euangelion, filled it as the net is filled with
fishes in a large draught; or filled the gospel, that is, filled them
with the gospel. Such a change does the gospel make that, when it comes
in power to any place, it fills the place. Other knowledge is airy, and
leaves souls empty, but he knowledge of the gospel is filling.
2. He preached in places that had not heard the gospel before, v. 20,
21. He broke up the fallow ground, laid the first stone in many places,
and introduced Christianity where nothing had reigned for many ages but
idolatry and witchcraft, and all sorts of diabolism. Paul broke the
ice, and therefore must needs meet with the more difficulties and
discouragements in his work. Those who preached in Judea had upon this
account a much easier task than Paul, who was the apostle of the
Gentiles; for they entered into the labours of others, John iv. 38.
Paul, being a hardy man, was called out to the hardest work; there were
many instructors, but Paul was the great father--many that watered, but
Paul was the great planter. Well, he was a bold man that made the first
attack upon the palace of the strong man armed in the Gentile world,
that first assaulted Satan's interest there, and Paul was that man who
ventured the first onset in many places, and suffered greatly for it.
He mentions this as a proof of his apostleship; for the office of the
apostles was especially to bring in those that were without, and to lay
the foundations of the new Jerusalem; see Rev. xxi. 14. Not but that
Paul preached in many places where others had been at work before him;
but he principally and mainly laid himself out for the good of those
that sat in darkness. He was in care not to build upon another man's
foundation, lest he should thereby disprove his apostleship, and give
occasion to those who sought occasion to reflect upon him. He quotes a
scripture for this out of Isa. lii. 15, To whom he was not spoken of,
they shall see. That which had not been told them, shall they see; so
the prophet has it, much to the same purport. This made the success of
Paul's preaching the more remarkable. The transition from darkness to
light is more sensible than the after-growth and increase of that
light. And commonly the greatest success of the gospel is at its first
coming to a place; afterwards people become sermon-proof.
II. The great and wonderful success that he had in his work: It was
effectual to make the Gentiles obedient. The design of the gospel is to
bring people to be obedient; it is not only a truth to be believed, but
a law to be obeyed. This Paul aimed at in all his travels; not his own
wealth and honour (if he had, he had sadly missed his aim), but the
conversion and salvation of souls: this his heart was upon, and for
this he travailed in birth again. Now how was this great work wrought?
1. Christ was the principal agent. He does not say, "which I worked,"
but "which Christ wrought by me," v. 18. Whatever good we do, it is not
we, but Christ by us, that does it; the work is his, the strength his;
he is all in all, he works all our works, Phil. ii. 13; Isa. xxvi. 12.
Paul takes all occasions to own this, that the whole praise might be
transmitted to Christ. 2. Paul was a very active instrument: By word
and deed, that is, by his preaching, and by the miracles he wrought to
confirm his doctrine; or his preaching and his living. Those ministers
are likely to win souls that preach both by word and deed, by their
conversation showing forth the power of the truths they preach. This is
according to Christ's example, who began both to do and teach, Acts i.
1.--Through mighty signs and wonders: en dynamei semeion--by the power,
or in the strength, of signs and wonders. These made the preaching of
the word so effectual, being the appointed means of conviction, and the
divine seal affixed to the gospel-charter, Mark xvi. 17, 18. 3. The
power of the Spirit of God made this effectual, and crowned all with
the desired success, v. 19. (1.) The power of the Spirit in Paul, as in
the other apostles, for the working of those miracles. Miracles were
wrought by the power of the Holy Ghost (Acts i. 8), therefore
reproaching the miracles is called the blasphemy against the Holy
Ghost. Or, (2.) The power of the Spirit in the hearts of those to whom
the word was preached, and who saw the miracles, making these means
effectual to some and not to others. It is the Spirit's operation that
makes the difference. Paul himself, as great a preacher as he was, with
all his might signs and wonders, could not make one soul obedient
further than the power of the Spirit of God accompanied his labours. It
was the Spirit of the Lord of hosts that made those great mountains
plain before this Zerubbabel. This is an encouragement to faithful
ministers, who labour under the sense of great weakness and infirmity,
that it is all one to the blessed Spirit to work by many, or by those
that have on power. The same almighty Spirit that wrought with Paul
often perfects strength in weakness, and ordains praise out of the
mouths of babes and sucklings. This success which he had in preaching
is that which he here rejoices in; for the converted nations were his
joy and crown of rejoicing: and he tells them of it, not only that they
might rejoice with him, but that they might be the more ready to
receive the truths which he had written to them, and to own him whom
Christ had thus signally owned.
The Apostle's Labours; Paul's Desire to See the Romans; Contributions for the
Poor Saints. (a. d. 58.)
22 For which cause also I have been much hindered from coming to you.
23 But now having no more place in these parts, and having a great
desire these many years to come unto you; 24 Whensoever I take my
journey into Spain, I will come to you: for I trust to see you in my
journey, and to be brought on my way thitherward by you, if first I be
somewhat filled with your company. 25 But now I go unto Jerusalem to
minister unto the saints. 26 For it hath pleased them of Macedonia
and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are
at Jerusalem. 27 It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they
are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual
things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things. 28
When therefore I have performed this, and have sealed to them this
fruit, I will come by you into Spain. 29 And I am sure that, when I
come unto you, I shall come in the fulness of the blessing of the
gospel of Christ.
St. Paul here declares his purpose to come and see the Christians at
Rome. Upon this head his matter is but common and ordinary, appointing
a visit to his friends; but the manner of his expression is gracious
and savoury, very instructive, and for our imitation. We should learn
by it to speak of our common affairs in the language of Canaan. Even
our common discourse should have an air of grace; by this it will
appear what country we belong to. It should seem that Paul's company
was very much desired at Rome. He was a man that had as many friends
and as many enemies as most men ever had: he passed through evil report
and good report. No doubt they had heard much of him at Rome, and
longed to see him. Should the apostle of the Gentiles be a stranger at
Rome, the metropolis of the Gentile world? Why as to this he excuses it
that he had not come yet, he promises to come shortly, and gives a good
reason why he could not come now.
I. He excuses it that he never came yet. Observe how careful Paul was
to keep in with his friends, and to prevent or anticipate any
exceptions against him; not as one that lorded it over God's heritage.
1. He assures them that he had a great desire to see them; not to see
Rome, though it was now in its greatest pomp and splendour, nor to see
the emperor's court, nor to converse with the philosophers and learned
men that were then at Rome, though such conversation must needs be very
desirable to so great a scholar as Paul was, but to come unto you (v.
3), a company of poor despised saints in Rome, hated of the world, but
loving God, and beloved of him. These were the men that Paul was
ambitious of an acquaintance with at Rome; they were the excellent ones
in whom he delighted, Ps. xvi. 3. And he had a special desire to see
them, because of the great character they had in all the churches for
faith and holiness; they were men that excelled in virtue, and
therefore Paul was so desirous to come to them. This desire Paul had
had for many years, and yet could never compass it. The providence of
God wisely overrules the purposes and desires of men. God's dearest
servants are not always gratified in every thing that they have a mind
to. Yet all that delight in God have the desire of their heart
fulfilled (Ps. xxxvii. 4), though all the desires in their heart be not
humoured. 2. He tells them that the reason why he could not come to
them was because he had so much work cut out for him elsewhere. For
which cause, that is, because of his labours in other countries, he was
so much hindered. God had opened a wide door for him in other places,
and so turned him aside. Observe in this, (1.) The gracious providence
of God conversant in a special manner about his ministers, casting
their lot, not according to their contrivance, but according to his own
purpose. Paul was several times crossed in his intentions; sometimes
hindered by Satan (as 1 Thess. ii. 18), sometimes forbidden by the
Spirit (Acts xvi. 7), and here diverted by other work. Man purposes but
God disposes, Prov. xvi. 9; xix. 21; Jer. x. 23. Ministers purpose, and
their friends purpose concerning them, but God overrules both, and
orders the journeys, removals, and settlements, of his faithful
ministers as he pleases. The stars are in the right hand of Christ, to
shine where he sets them. The gospel does not come by chance to any
place, but by the will and counsel of God. (2.) The gracious prudence
of Paul, in bestowing his time and pains where there was most need. Had
Paul consulted his own ease, wealth, and honour, the greatness of the
word would never have hindered him from seeing Rome, but would rather
have driven him thither, where he might have had more preferment and
taken less pains. But Paul sought the things of Christ more than his
own things, and therefore would not leave his work of planting
churches, no, not for a time, to go and see Rome. The Romans were
whole, and needed not the physician as other poor places that were sick
and dying. While men and women were every day dropping into eternity,
and their precious souls perishing for lack of vision, it was no time
for Paul to trifle. There was now a gale of opportunity, the fields
were white unto the harvest; such a season slipped might never be
retrieved; the necessities of poor souls were pressing, and called
aloud, and therefore Paul must be busy. It concerns us all to do that
first which is most needful. True grace teaches us to prefer that which
is necessary before that which is unnecessary, Luke x. 41, 42. And
Christian prudence teaches us to prefer that which is more necessary
before that which is less so. This Paul mentions as a sufficient
satisfying reason. We must not take it ill of our friends if they
prefer necessary work, which is pleasing to God, before unnecessary
visits and compliments, which may be pleasing to us. In this, as in
other things, we must deny ourselves.
II. He promised to come and see them shortly, v. 23, 24, 29. Having no
more place in these parts, namely, in Greece, where he then was. The
whole of that country being more or less leavened with the savour of
the gospel, churches being planted in the most considerable towns and
pastors settled to carry on the work which Paul had begun, he had
little more to do there. He had driven the chariot of the gospel to the
sea-coast, and having thus conquered Greece he is ready to wish there
were another Greece to conquer. Paul was one that went through with his
work, and yet then did not think of taking his ease, but set himself to
contrive more work, to devise liberal things. Here was a workman that
needed not to be ashamed. Observe,
1. How he forecasted his intended visit. His project was to see them in
his way to Spain. It appears by this that Paul intended a journey into
Spain, to plant Christianity there. The difficulty and peril of the
work, the distance of the place, the danger of the voyage, the other
good works (though less needful, he thinks) which Paul might find to do
in other places, did not quench the flame of his holy zeal for the
propagating of the gospel, which did even eat him up, and make him
forget himself. But it is not certain whether ever he fulfilled his
purpose, and went to Spain. Many of the best expositors think he did
not, but was hindered in this as he was in others of his purposes. He
did indeed come to Rome, but he was brought thither a prisoner, and
there was detained two years; and whither he went after is uncertain:
but several of his epistles which he wrote in prison intimate his
purpose to go eastward, and not towards Spain. However, Paul, forasmuch
as it was in thine heart to bring the light of the gospel into Spain,
thou didst well, in that it was in thine heart; as God said to David, 2
Chron. vi. 8. The grace of God often with favour accepts the sincere
intention, when the providence of God in wisdom prohibits the
execution. And do not we serve a good Master then? 2 Cor. viii. 12.
Now, in his way to Spain he proposed to come to them. Observe his
prudence. It is wisdom for every one of us to order our affairs so that
we may do the most work in the least time. Observe how doubtfully he
speaks: I trust to see you: not, "I am resolved I will," but, "I hope I
shall." We must purpose all our purposes and make all our promises in
like manner with a submission to the divine providence; not boasting
ourselves of to-morrow, because we know not what a day may bring forth,
Prov. xxvii. 1; James iv. 13-15.
2. What he expected in his intended visit. (1.) What he expected from
them. He expected they would bring him on his way towards Spain. It was
not a stately attendance, such as princes have but a loving attendance,
such as friends give, that Paul expected. Spain was then a province of
the empire, well known to the Romans, who had a great correspondence
with it, and therefore they might be helpful to Paul in his voyage
thither; and it was not barely their accompanying him part of the way,
but their furthering him in his expedition, that he counted upon: not
only out of their respect to Paul, but out of respect to the souls of
those poor Spaniards that Paul was going to preach to. It is justly
expected from all Christians that they should lay out themselves for
the promoting and furthering of every good work, especially that
blessed work of the conversion of souls, which they should contrive to
make as easy as may be to their ministers, and as successful as may be
to poor souls. (2.) What he expected in them: to be somewhat filled
with their company. That which Paul desired was their company and
conversation. The good company of the saints is very desirable and
delightful. Paul was himself a man of great attainments in knowledge
and grace, taller by head and shoulders than other Christians in these
things, and yet see how he pleased himself with the thoughts of good
company; for as iron sharpens iron so does a man the countenance of his
friend. He intimates that he intended to make some stay with them, for
he would be filled with their company; not just look at them, and away:
and yet he thinks their converse so pleasant that he should never have
enough of it; it is but somewhat filled, he thought he should leave
them with a desire of more of their company. Christian society, rightly
managed and improved, is a heaven upon earth, a comfortable earnest of
our gathering together unto Christ at the great day. Yet observe, It is
but somewhat filled, apo merous--in part. The satisfaction we have in
communion with the saints in this world is but partial; we are but
somewhat filled. It is partial compared with our communion with Christ;
that, and that only, will completely satisfy, that will fill the soul.
It is partial compared with the communion we hope to have with the
saints in the other world. When we shall sit down with Abraham, and
Isaac, and Jacob, with all the saints, and none but saints, and saints
made perfect, we shall have enough of that society, and be quite filled
with that company. (3.) What he expected from God with them, v. 29. He
expected to come in the fulness of the blessing of the gospel of
Christ. Observe, Concerning what he expected from them he speaks
doubtfully: I trust to be brought on my way, and to be filled with your
company. Paul had learnt not to be too confident of the best. These
very men slipped from him afterwards, when he had occasion to use them
(2 Tim. iv. 16), At my first answer, no man stood by me; none of the
Christians at Rome. The Lord teach us to cease from man. But concerning
what he expected from God he speaks confidently. It was uncertain
whether he should come or no, but I am sure when I do come I shall come
in the fulness, &c. We cannot expect too little from man, nor too much
from God. Now Paul expected that God would bring him to them, loaded
with blessings, so that he should be an instrument of doing a great
deal of good among them, and fill them with the blessings of the
gospel. Compare ch. i. 11, That I may impart unto you some spiritual
gift. The blessing of the gospel of Christ is the best and most
desirable blessing. When Paul would raise their expectation of
something great and good in his coming, he directs them to hope for the
blessings of the gospel, spiritual blessings, knowledge, and grace, and
comfort. There is then a happy meeting between people and ministers,
when they are both under the fulness of the blessing. The blessing of
the gospel is the treasure which we have in earthen vessels. When
ministers are fully prepared to give out, and people fully prepared to
receive, this blessing, both are happy. Many have the gospel who have
not the blessing of the gospel, and so they have it in vain. The gospel
will not profit, unless God bless it to us; and it is our duty to wait
upon him for that blessing, and for the fulness of it.
III. He gives them a good reason why he could not come and see them
now, because he had other business upon his hands, which required his
attendance, upon which he must first make a journey to Jerusalem, v.
25-28. He gives a particular account of it, to show that the excuse was
real. He was going to Jerusalem, as the messenger of the church's
charity to the poor saints there. Observe what he says,
1. Concerning this charity itself. And he speaks of that upon this
occasion probably to excite the Roman Christians to do the like,
according to their ability. Examples are moving, and Paul was very
ingenious at begging, not for himself, but for others. Observe, (1.)
For whom it was intended: For the poor saints which are at Jerusalem,
v. 26. It is no strange thing for saints to be poor. Those whom God
favours the world often frowns upon; therefore riches are not the best
things, nor is poverty a curse. It seems, the saints at Jerusalem were
poorer than other saints, either because the wealth of that people in
general was now declining, as their utter ruin was hastening on (and,
to be sure, if any must be kept poor, the saints must), or because the
famine that was over all the world in the days of Claudius Cæsar did in
a special manner prevail in Judea, a dry country; and, God having
called the poor of this world, the Christians smarted most by it. This
was the occasion of that contribution mentioned Acts xi. 28-30. Or,
because the saints at Jerusalem suffered most by persecution; for of
all people the unbelieving Jews were most inveterate in their rage and
malice against the Christians, wrath having come upon them to the
uttermost, 1 Thess. ii. 16. The Christian Hebrews are particularly
noted too as having had their good spoiled (Heb. x. 34), in
consideration of which this contribution was made for them. Though the
saints at Jerusalem were at a great distance form them, yet they thus
extended their bounty and liberality to them, to teach us as we have
ability, and as there is occasion, to stretch out the hand of our
charity to all that are of the household of faith, though in places
distant from us. Though in personal instances of poverty every church
should take care to maintain their own poor (for such poor we have
always with us), yet sometimes, when more public instances of poverty
are presented as objects of our charity, though a great way off from
us, we must extend our bounty, as the sun his beams; and, with the
virtuous woman, stretch out our hands to the poor, and reach forth our
hands to the needy, Prov. xxxi. 20. (2.) By whom it was collected: By
those of Macedonia (the chief of whom were the Philippians) and Achaia
(the chief of whom were the Corinthians), two flourishing churches,
though yet in their infancy, newly converted to Christianity. And I
wish the observation did not hold that people are commonly more liberal
at their first acquaintance with the gospel than they are afterwards,
that, as well as other instances of the first love and the love of the
espousals, being apt to cool and decay after a while. It seems those of
Macedonia and Achaia were rich and wealthy, while those at Jerusalem
were poor and needy, Infinite Wisdom ordering it so that some should
have what others want, and so this mutual dependence of Christians one
upon another might be maintained.--It pleased them. This intimates how
ready they were to it--they were not pressed nor constrained to it, but
they did it of their own accord; and how cheerful they were in it--they
took a pleasure in doing good; and God loves a cheerful giver.--To make
a certain contribution; koinonian tina--a communication, in token of
the communion of saints, and their fellow-membership, as in the natural
body one member communicates to the relief, and succour, and
preservation of another, as there is occasion. Every thing that passes
between Christians should be a proof and instance of that common union
which they have one with another in Jesus Christ. Time was when the
saints at Jerusalem were on the giving hand, and very liberal they
were, when they laid their estates at the apostles' feet for charitable
uses, and took special care that the Grecian widows should not be
neglected in the daily ministration, Acts vi. 1, &c. And now that the
providence of God had turned the scale, and made them necessitous, they
found the Grecians kind to them; for the merciful shall obtain mercy.
We should give a portion to seven, and also to eight, because we know
not what evil may be on the earth, which may make us glad to be
beholden to others. (3.) What reason there was for it (v. 27): And
their debtors they are. Alms are called righteousness, Ps. cxii. 9.
Being but stewards of what we have, we owe it where our great Master
(by the calls of providence, concurring with the precepts of the word)
orders us to dispose of it: but here there was a special debt owing;
the Gentiles were greatly beholden to the Jews, and were bound in
gratitude to be very kind to them. From the stock of Israel came Christ
himself, according to the flesh, who is the light to enlighten the
Gentiles; out of the same stock came the prophets, and apostles, and
first preachers of the gospel. The Jews, having had the lively oracles
committed to them, were the Christians' library-keepers--out of Zion
went forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem; their
political church-state was dissolved, and they were cut off, that the
Gentiles might be admitted in. Thus did the Gentiles partake of their
spiritual things, and receive the gospel of salvation as it were at
second-hand from the Jews; and therefore their duty is, they are bound
in gratitude to minister unto them in carnal things: it is the least
they can do: leitourgesai--to minister as unto God in holy things; so
the word signifies. A conscientious regard to God in works of charity
and almsgiving makes them an acceptable service and sacrifice to God,
and fruit abounding to a good account. Paul mentions this, probably, as
the argument he had used with them to persuade them to it, and it is an
argument of equal cogency to other Gentile churches.
2. Concerning Paul's agency in this business. He could himself
contribute nothing; silver and gold he had none, but lived upon the
kindness of his friends; yet he ministered unto the saints (v. 25) by
stirring up others, receiving what was gathered, and transmitting it to
Jerusalem. Many good works of that kind stand at a stay for want of
some one active person to lead in them, and to set the wheels a going.
Paul's labour in this work is not to be interpreted as any neglect of
his preaching-work, nor did Paul leave the word of God, to serve
tables; for, besides this, Paul had other business in this journey, to
visit and confirm the churches, and took this by the bye; this was
indeed a part of the trust committed to him, in which he was concerned
to approve himself faithful (Gal. ii. 10): They would that we should
remember the poor. Paul was one that laid out himself to do good every
way, like his Master, to the bodies as well as to the souls of people.
Ministering to the saints is good work, and is not below the greatest
apostles. This Paul had undertaken, and therefore he resolves to go
through with it, before he fell upon other work (v. 28): When I have
sealed to them this fruit. He calls the alms fruit, for it is one of
the fruits of righteousness; it sprang from a root of grace in the
givers, and redounded to the benefit and comfort of the receivers. And
his sealing it intimates his great care about it, that what was given
might be kept entire, and not embezzled, but disposed of according to
the design of the givers. Paul was very solicitous to approve himself
faithful in the management of this matter: an excellent pattern for
ministers to write after, that the ministry may in nothing be blamed.
Paul's Desire for the Church's Prayers. (a. d. 58.)
30 Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and
for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your
prayers to God for me; 31 That I may be delivered from them that do
not believe in Judæa; and that my service which I have for Jerusalem
may be accepted of the saints; 32 That I may come unto you with joy
by the will of God, and may with you be refreshed. 33 Now the God of
peace be with you all. Amen.
Here we have, I. St. Paul's desire of a share in the prayers of the
Romans for him, expressed very earnestly, v. 30-32. Though Paul was a
great apostle, yet he begged the prayers of the meanest Christians, not
here only, but in several other of the epistles. He had prayed much for
them, and this he desires as the return of his kindness. Interchanging
prayers is an excellent token of the interchanging of loves. Paul
speaks like one that knew himself, and would hereby teach us how to
value the effectual fervent prayer of the righteous. How careful should
we be lest we do any thing to forfeit our interest in the love and
prayers of god's praying people!
1. Observe why they must pray for him. He begs it with the greatest
importunity. He might suspect they would forget him in their prayers,
because they had no personal acquaintance with him, and therefore he
urges it so closely, and begs it with the most affectionate
obtestations, by all that is sacred and valuable: I beseech you, (1.)
"For the Lord Jesus Christ's sake. He is my Master, I am going about
his work, and his glory is interested in the success of it: if you have
any regard to Jesus Christ, and to his cause and kingdom, pray for me.
You love Christ, and own Christ; for his sake then do me this
kindness." (2.) "For the love of the Spirit. As a proof and instance of
that love which the Spirit works in the hearts of believers one to
another, pray for me; as a fruit of that communion which we have one
with another by the Spirit though we never saw one another. If ever you
experienced the Spirit's love to you, and would be found returning your
love to the Spirit, be not wanting in this office of kindness."
2. How they must pray for him: That you strive together. (1.) That you
strive in prayer. We must put forth all that is within us in that duty;
pray with fixedness, faith, and fervency; wrestle with God, as Jacob
did; pray in praying, as Elias did (Jam. v. 17), and stir up ourselves
to take hold on God (Isa. lxiv. 7); and this is not only when we are
praying for ourselves, but when we are praying for our friends. True
love to our brethren should make us as earnest for them as sense of our
own need makes us for ourselves. (2.) That you strive together with me.
When he begged their prayers for him, he did not intend thereby to
excuse his praying for himself; no, "Strive together with me, who am
wrestling with God daily, upon my own and my friends' account." He
would have them to ply the same oar. Paul and these Romans were distant
in place, and likely to be so, and yet they might join together in
prayer; those who are put far asunder by the disposal of God's
providence may yet meet together at the throne of his grace. Those who
beg the prayers of others must not neglect to pray for themselves.
3. What they must beg of God for him. He mentions particulars; for, in
praying both for ourselves and for our friends, it is good to be
particular. What wilt thou that I shall do for thee? So says Christ,
when he holds out the golden sceptre. Though he knows our state and
wants perfectly, he will know them from us. He recommends himself to
their prayers, with reference to three things:--(1.) The dangers which
he was exposed to: That I may be delivered from those that do not
believe in Judea. The unbelieving Jews were the most violent enemies
Paul had and most enraged against him, and some prospect he had of
trouble from them in this journey; and therefore they must pray that
God would deliver him. We may, and must, pray against persecution. This
prayer was answered in several remarkable deliverances of Paul,
recorded Acts xxi., xxii., xxiii., and xxiv. (2.) His services: Pray
that my service which I have for Jerusalem may be accepted of the
saints. Why, was there any danger that it would not be accepted? Can
money be otherwise than acceptable to the poor? Yes, there was some
ground of suspicion in this case; for Paul was the apostle of the
Gentiles, and as the unbelieving Jews looked spitefully at him, which
was their wickedness, so those that believed were shy of him upon that
account, which was their weakness. He does not say, "Let them choose
whether they will accept it or no; if they will not, it shall be better
bestowed;" but, "Pray that it may be accepted." As God must be sought
unto for the restraining of the ill will of our enemies, so also for
the preserving and increasing of the good will of our friends; for God
has the hearts both of the one and of the other in his hands. (3.) His
journey to them. To engage their prayers for him, he interests them in
his concerns (v. 32): That I may come unto you with joy. If his present
journey to Jerusalem proved unsuccessful, his intended journey to Rome
would be uncomfortable. If he should not do good, and prosper, in one
visit, he thought he should have small joy of the next: may come with
joy, by the will of God. All our joy depends upon the will of God. The
comfort of the creature is in every thing according to the disposal of
the Creator.
II. Here is another prayer of the apostle for them (v. 33): Now the God
of peace be with you all, Amen. The Lord of hosts, the God of battle,
is the God of peace, the author and lover of peace. He describes God
under this title here, because of the divisions among them, to
recommend peace to them; if God be the God of peace, let us be men of
peace. The Old-Testament blessing was, Peace be with you; now, The god
of peace be with you. Those who have the fountain cannot want any of
the streams. With you all; both weak and strong. To dispose them to a
nearer union, he puts them altogether in this prayer. Those who are
united in the blessing of God should be united in affection one to
another.
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R O M A N S.
CHAP. XVI.
Paul is now concluding this long and excellent epistle, and he does it
with a great deal of affection. As in the main body of the epistle he
appears to have been a very knowing man, so in these appurtenances of
it he appears to have been a very loving man. So much knowledge and so
much love are a very rare, but (where they exist) a very excellent and
amiable--composition; for what is heaven but knowledge and love made
perfect? It is observable how often Paul speaks as if he were
concluding, and yet takes fresh hold again. One would have thought that
solemn benediction which closed the foregoing chapter should have ended
the epistle; and yet here he begins again, and in this chapter he
repeats the blessing (ver. 20), "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you, Amen." And yet he has something more to say; nay, again he
repeats the blessing (ver. 24), and yet has not done; an expression of
his tender love. These repeated benedictions, which stand for
valedictions, speak Paul loth to part. Now, in this closing chapter, we
may observe, I. His recommendation of one friend to the Roman
Christians, and his particular salutation of several among them, ver.
1-16. II. A caution to take heed of those who caused divisions, ver.
17-20. III. Salutations added from some who were with Paul, ver. 21-24.
IV. He concludes with a solemn celebration of the glory of God, ver.
25-27.
Friendly Salutations; Apostolic Salutations. (a. d. 58.)
1 I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church
which is at Cenchrea: 2 That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh
saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of
you: for she hath been a succourer of many, and of myself also. 3
Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus: 4 Who have for
my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks,
but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the
church that is in their house. Salute my wellbeloved Epenetus, who is
the firstfruits of Achaia unto Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who bestowed
much labour on us. 7 Salute Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen, and my
fellowprisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in
Christ before me. 8 Greet Amplias my beloved in the Lord. 9 Salute
Urbane, our helper in Christ, and Stachys my beloved. 10 Salute
Apelles approved in Christ. Salute them which are of Aristobulus'
household. 11 Salute Herodion my kinsman. Greet them that be of the
household of Narcissus, which are in the Lord. 12 Salute Tryphena and
Tryphosa, who labour in the Lord. Salute the beloved Persis, which
laboured much in the Lord. 13 Salute Rufus chosen in the Lord, and
his mother and mine. 14 Salute Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas,
Hermes, and the brethren which are with them. 15 Salute Philologus,
and Julia, Nereus, and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints
which are with them. 16 Salute one another with a holy kiss. The
churches of Christ salute you.
Such remembrances as these are usual in letters between friends; and
yet Paul, by the savouriness of his expressions, sanctifies these
common compliments.
I. Here is the recommendation of a friend, by whom (as some think) this
epistle was sent--one Phebe, v. 1, 2. It should seem that she was a
person of quality and estate, who had business which called her to
Rome, where she was a stranger; and therefore Paul recommends her to
the acquaintance of the Christians there: an expression of his true
friendship to her. Paul was as well skilled in the art of obliging as
most men. True religion, rightly received, never made any man uncivil.
Courtesy and Christianity agree well together. It is not in compliment
to her, but in sincerity, that,
1. He gives a very good character of her. (1.) As a sister to Paul:
Phebe our sister; not in nature, but in grace; not in affinity or
consanguinity, but in pure Christianity: his own sister in the faith of
Christ, loving Paul, and beloved of him, with a pure and chaste and
spiritual love, as a sister; for there is neither male nor female, but
all are one in Christ Jesus, Gal. iii. 28. Both Christ and his apostles
had some of their best friends among the devout (and upon that account
honourable) women. (2.) As a servant to the church at Cenchrea:
diakonon, a servant by office, a stated servant, not to preach the word
(that was forbidden to women), but in acts of charity and hospitality.
Some think she was one of the widows that ministered to the sick and
were taken into the church's number, 1 Tim. v. 9. But those were old
and poor, whereas Phebe seems to have been a person of some account;
and yet it was no disparagement to her to be a servant to the church.
Probably they used to meet at her house, and she undertook the care of
entertaining the ministers, especially strangers. Every one in his
place should strive to serve the church, for therein he serves Christ,
and it will turn to a good account another day. Cenchrea was a small
sea-port town adjoining to Corinth, about twelve furlongs distant. Some
think there was a church there, distinct from that at Corinth, though,
being so near, it is very probable that the church of Corinth is called
the church of Cenchrea, because their place of meeting might be there,
on account of the great opposition to them in the city (Acts xviii.
12), as at Philippi they met out of the city by the water-side, Acts
xvi. 13. So the reformed church of Paris might be called the church at
Charenton, where they formerly met, out of the city. (3.) As a
succourer of many, and particularly of Paul, v. 2. She relieved many
that were in want and distress--a good copy for women to write after
that have ability. she was kind to those that needed kindness,
intimated in her succouring them; and her bounty was extensive, she was
a succourer of many. Observe the gratitude of Paul in mentioning her
particular kindness to him: And to myself also. Acknowledgment of
favours is the least return we can make. It was much to her honour that
Paul left this upon record; for wherever this epistle is read her
kindness to Paul is told for a memorial of her.
2. He recommends her to their care and kindness, as one worthy to be
taken notice of with peculiar respect. (1.) "Receive her in the Lord.
Entertain her; bid her welcome." This pass, under Paul's hand, could
not but recommend her to any Christian church. "Receive her in the
Lord," that is, "for the Lord's sake; receive her as a servant and
friend of Christ." As it becometh saints to receive, who love Christ,
and therefore love all that are his for his sake; or, as becometh
saints to be received, with love and honour and the tenderest
affection. There may be occasion sometimes to improve our interest in
our friends, not only for ourselves, but for others also, interest
being a price in the hand for doing good. (2.) Assist her in whatsoever
business she has need of you. Whether she had business of trade, or
law-business at the court, is not material; however being a woman, a
stranger, a Christian, she had need of help: and Paul engaged them to
be assistant to her. It becomes Christians to be helpful one to another
in their affairs, especially to be helpful to strangers; for we are
members one of another and we know not what need of help we may have
ourselves. Observe, Paul bespeaks help for one that had been so helpful
to many; he that watereth shall be watered also himself.
II. Here are commendations to some particular friends among those to
whom he wrote, more than in any other of the epistles. Though the care
of all the churches came upon Paul daily, enough to distract an
ordinary head, yet he could retain the remembrance of so many; and his
heart was so full of love and affection as to send salutations to each
of them with particular characters of them, and expressions of love to
them and concern for them. Greet them, salute them; it is the same
word, aspasasthe. "Let them know that I remember them, and love them,
and wish them well." There is something observable in several of these
salutations.
1. Concerning Aquila and Priscilla, a famous couple, that Paul had a
special kindness for. They were originally of Rome, but were banished
thence by the edict of Claudius, Acts xviii. 2. At Corinth, Paul became
acquainted with them, wrought with them at the trade of tent-making;
after some time, when the edge of that edict was rebated, they returned
to Rome, and thither he now sends commendations to them. He calls them
his helpers in Christ Jesus, by private instructions and converse
furthering the success of Paul's public preaching, one instance of
which we have in their instructing Apollos, Acts xviii. 26. Those are
helpers to faithful ministers that lay out themselves in their families
and among their neighbours to do good to souls. Nay, they did not only
do much, but they ventured much, for Paul: They have for my life laid
down their own necks. They exposed themselves to secure Paul, hazarded
their own lives for the preservation of his, considering how much
better they might be spared than he. Paul was in a great deal of danger
at Corinth, while he sojourned with them; but they sheltered him,
though they thereby made themselves obnoxious to the enraged
multitudes, Acts xviii. 12, 17. It was a good while ago that they had
done Paul this kindness; and yet he speaks as feelingly of it as if it
had been but yesterday. To whom (says he) not only I give thanks, but
also all the churches of the Gentiles; who were all beholden to these
good people for helping to save the life of him that was the apostle of
the Gentiles. Paul mentions this, to engage the Christians at Rome to
be the more kind to Aquila and Priscilla. He sends likewise greeting to
the church in their house, v. 5. It seems then, a church in a house is
no such absurd thing as some make it to be. Perhaps there was a
congregation of Christians that used to meet at their house at stated
times; and then, no doubt, it was, like the house of Obed-Edom, blessed
for the ark's sake. Others think that the church was no more than a
religious, pious, well-governed family, that kept up the worship of
God. Religion, in the power of it, reigning in a family, will turn a
house into a church. And doubtless it had a good influence upon this
that Priscilla the good wife of the family was so very eminent and
forward in religion, so eminent that she is often named first. A
virtuous woman, that looks well to the ways of her household, may do
much towards the advancement of religion in a family. When Priscilla
and Aquila were at Ephesus, though but sojourners there, yet there also
they had a church in their house, 1 Cor. xvi. 19. A truly godly man
will be careful to take religion along with him wherever he goes. When
Abraham removed his tent, he renewed his altar, Gen. xiii. 18.
2. Concerning Epenetus, v. 5. He calls him his well-beloved. Where the
law of love is in the heart the law of kindness will be in the tongue.
Endearing language should pass among Christians to express love, and to
engage love. So he calls Amplias, beloved in the Lord, with true
Christian love for Christ's sake; and Stachys, his beloved: a sign that
Paul had been in the third heaven, he was so much made up of love. Of
Epenetus it is further said that he was the first-fruit of Achaia unto
Christ; not only one of the most eminent believers in that country, but
one of the first that was converted to the faith of Christ: one that
was offered up to God by Paul, as the first-fruits of his ministry
there; an earnest of a great harvest; for in Corinth, the chief city of
Achaia, God had much people, Acts xviii. 10. Special respect is to be
paid to those that set out early, and come to work in the vineyard at
the first hour, at the first call. The household of Stephanas is
likewise said to be the first-fruits of Achaia, 1 Cor. xvi. 15. Perhaps
Epenetus was one of that household; or, at least, he was one of the
first three; not the first alone, but one of the first fleece of
Christians, that the region of Achaia afforded.
3. Concerning Mary, and some others who were laborious in that which is
good, industrious Christians: Mary, who bestowed much labour on us.
True love never sticks at labour, but rather takes a pleasure in it;
where there is much love there will be much labour. Some think this
Mary had been at some of those places where Paul was, though now
removed to Rome, and had personally ministered to him; others think
Paul speaks of her labour as bestowed upon him because it was bestowed
upon his friends and fellow-labourers, and he took what was done to
them as done to himself. He says of Tryphena and Tryphosa, two useful
women in their places, that they laboured in the Lord (v. 12), and of
the beloved Persis, another good woman, that she laboured much in the
Lord, more than others, abounding more in the work of the Lord.
4. Concerning Andronicus and Junia, v. 7. Some take them for a man and
his wife, and the original will well enough bear it; and, considering
the name of the latter, this is more probable than that they should be
two men, as others think, and brethren. Observe, (1.) They were Paul's
cousins, akin to him; so was Herodion, v. 11. Religion does not take
away, but rectifies, sanctifies, and improves, our respect to our
kindred, engaging us to lay out ourselves most for their good, and to
rejoice in them the more, when we find them related to Christ by faith.
(2.) They were his fellow-prisoners. Partnership in suffering sometimes
does much towards the union of souls and the knitting of affections. We
do not find in the story of the Acts any imprisonment of Paul before
the writing of this epistle, but that at Philippi, Acts xvi. 23. But
Paul was in prisons more frequent (2 Cor. xi. 23), in some of which, it
seems, he met with his friends Andronicus and Junia, yoke-fellows, as
in other things, so in suffering for Christ and bearing his yoke. (3.)
They were of note among the apostles, not so much perhaps because they
were persons of estate and quality in the world as because they were
eminent for knowledge, and gifts, and graces, which made them famous
among the apostles, who were competent judges of those things, and were
endued with a spirit of discerning not only the sincerity, but the
eminency, of Christians. (4.) Who also were in Christ before me, that
is, were converted to the Christian faith. In time they had the start
of Paul, though he was converted the next year after Christ's
ascension. How ready was Paul to acknowledge in others any kind of
precedency!
5. Concerning Apelles, who is here said to be approved in Christ (v.
10), a high character! He was one of known integrity and sincerity in
his religion, one that had been tried; his friends and enemies had
tried him, and he was as gold. He was of approved knowledge and
judgment, approved courage and constancy; a man that one might trust
and repose a confidence in.
6. Concerning Aristobulus and Narcissus; notice is taken of their
household, v. 10, 11. Those of their household who are in the Lord (as
it is limited, v. 11), that were Christians. How studious was Paul to
leave none out of his salutations that he had any knowledge of or
acquaintance with! Aristobulus and Narcissus themselves, some think,
were absent, or lately dead; others think they were unbelievers, and
such as did not themselves embrace Christianity; so Pareus: and some
think this Narcissus was the same with one of that name who is
frequently mentioned in the life of Claudius, as a very rich man that
had a great family, but was very wicked and mischievous. It seems,
then, there were some good servants, or other retainers, even in the
family of a wicked man, a common case, 1 Tim. vi. 1. Compare v. 2. The
poor servant is called, and chosen, and faithful, while the rich master
is passed by, and left to perish in unbelief. Even so, Father, because
it seemed good unto thee.
7. Concerning Rufus (v. 13), chosen in the Lord. He was a choice
Christian, whose gifts and graces evinced that he was eternally chosen
in Christ Jesus. He was one of a thousand for integrity and
holiness.--And his mother and mine, his mother by nature and mine by
Christian love and spiritual affection; as he calls Phebe his sister,
and teaches Timothy to treat the elder women as mothers, 1 Tim. v. 2.
This good woman, upon some occasion or other, had been as a mother to
Paul, in caring for him, and comforting him; and Paul here gratefully
owns it, and calls her mother.
8. Concerning the rest this is observable, that he salutes the brethren
who are with them (v. 14), and the saints who are with them (v. 15),
with them in family-relations, with them in the bond of Christian
communion. It is the good property of saints to delight in being
together; and Paul thus joins them together in his salutations to
endear them one to another. Lest any should find themselves aggrieved,
as if Paul had forgotten them, he concludes with the remembrance of the
rest, as brethren and saints, though not named. In Christian
congregations there should be smaller societies linked together in love
and converse, and taking opportunities of being often together. Among
all those to whom Paul sends greeting here is not a word of Peter,
which gives occasion to suspect that he was not bishop of Rome, as the
Papists say he was; for, if he was, we cannot but suppose him resident,
or at least how could Paul write so long an epistle to the Christians
there, and take no notice of him?
Lastly, He concludes with the recommendation of them to the love and
embraces one of another: Salute one another with a holy kiss. Mutual
salutations, as they express love, so they increase and strengthen
love, and endear Christians one to another: therefore Paul here
encourages the use of them, and only directs that they may be holy--a
chaste kiss, in opposition to that which is wanton and lascivious; a
sincere kiss, in opposition to that which is treacherous and
dissembling, as Judas's, when he betrayed Christ with a kiss. He adds,
in the close, a general salutation to them all, in the name of the
churches of Christ (v. 16): "The churches of Christ salute you; that
is, the churches which I am with, and which I am accustomed to visit
personally, as knit together in the bonds of the common Christianity,
desire me to testify their affection to you and good wishes for you."
This is one way of maintaining the communion of saints.
Apostolic Salutations. (a. d. 58.)
17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and
offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid
them. 18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but
their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts
of the simple. 19 For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I
am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto
that which is good, and simple concerning evil. 20 And the God of
peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
The apostle having endeavoured by his endearing salutations to unite
them together, it was not improper to subjoin a caution to take heed of
those whose principles and practices were destructive to Christian
love. And we may observe,
I. The caution itself, which is given in the most obliging manner that
could be: I beseech you, brethren. He does not will and command, as one
that lorded it over God's heritage, but for love's sake beseeches. How
earnest, how endearing, are Paul's exhortations! He teaches them, 1. To
see their danger: Mark those who cause divisions and offences. Our
Master had himself foretold that divisions and offences would come, but
had entailed a woe on those by whom they come (Matt. xviii. 7), and
against such we are here cautioned. Those who burden the church with
dividing and offending impositions, who uphold and enforce those
impositions, who introduce and propagate dividing and offending
notions, which are erroneous or justly suspected, who out of pride,
ambition, affectation of novelty, or the like, causelessly separate
from their brethren, and by perverse disputes, censures, and evil
surmisings, alienate the affections of Christians one from
another--these cause divisions and offences, contrary to, or different
from (for that also is implied, it is para ten didachen), the doctrine
which we have learned. Whatever varies from the form of sound doctrine
which we have in the scriptures opens a door to divisions and offences.
If truth be once deserted, unity and peace will not last long. Now,
mark those that thus cause divisions, skopein. Observe them, the method
they take, the end they drive at. There is need of a piercing watchful
eye to discern the danger we are in from such people; for commonly the
pretences are plausible, when the projects are very pernicious. Do not
look only at the divisions and offences, but run up those streams to
the fountain, and mark those that cause them, and especially that in
them which causes these divisions and offences, those lusts on each
side whence come these wars and fightings. A danger discovered is half
prevented. 2. To shun it: "Avoid them. Shun all necessary communion and
communication with them, lest you be leavened and infected by them. Do
not strike in with any dividing interests, nor embrace any of those
principles or practices which are destructive to Christian love and
charity, or to the truth which is according to godliness.--Their word
will eat as doth a canker." Some think he especially warns them to take
heed of the judaizing teachers, who, under convert of the Christian
name, kept up the Mosaical ceremonies, and preached the necessity of
them, who were industrious in all places to draw disciples after them,
and whom Paul in most of his epistles cautions the churches to take
heed of.
II. The reasons to enforce this caution.
1. Because of the pernicious policy of these seducers, v. 18. The worse
they are, the more need we have to watch against them. Now observe his
description of them, in two things:-- (1.) The master they serve: not
our Lord Jesus Christ. Though they call themselves Christians, they do
not serve Christ; do not aim at his glory, promote his interest, nor do
his will, whatever they pretend. How many are there who call Christ
Master and Lord, that are far from serving him! But they serve their
own belly--their carnal, sensual, secular interests. It is some base
lust or other that they are pleasing; pride, ambition, covetousness,
luxury, lasciviousness, these are the designs which they are really
carrying on. Their God is their belly, Phil. iii. 19. What a base
master do they serve, and how unworthy to come in competition with
Christ, that serve their own bellies, that make gain their godliness,
and the gratifying of a sensual appetite the very scope and business of
their lives, to which all other purposes and designs must truckle and
be made subservient. (2.) The method they take to compass their design:
By good words and fair speeches they deceive the hearts of the simple.
Their words and speeches have a show of holiness and zeal for God (it
is an easy thing to be godly from the teeth outward), and show of
kindness and love to those into whom they instil their corrupt
doctrines, accosting them courteously when they intend them the
greatest mischief. Thus by good words and fair speeches the serpent
beguiled Eve. Observe, They corrupt their heads by deceiving their
hearts, pervert their judgments by slyly insinuating themselves into
their affections. We have a great need therefore to keep our hearts
with all diligence, especially when seducing spirits are abroad.
2. Because of the peril we are in, through our proneness and aptness to
be inveigled and ensnared by them: "For your obedience has come abroad
unto all men--you are noted in all the churches for a willing,
tractable, complying people." And, (1.) Therefore, because it was so,
these seducing teachers would be the more apt to assault them. The
devil and his agents have a particular spite against flourishing
churches and flourishing souls. The ship that is known to be richly
laden is most exposed to privateers. The adversary and enemy covets
such a prey, therefore look to yourselves, 2 John v. 8. "The false
teachers hear that you are an obedient people, and therefore they will
be likely to come among you, to see if you will be obedient to them."
It has been the common policy of seducers to set upon those who are
softened by convictions, and begin to enquire what they shall do,
because such do most easily receive the impressions of their opinions.
Sad experience witnesses how many who have begun to ask the way to
Zion, with their faces thitherward, have fatally split upon this rock,
which proves it to be much the duty of ministers, with a double care,
to feed the lambs of the flock, to lay a good foundation, and gently to
lead those that are with young. (2.) Though it were so, yet they were
in danger from these seducers. This Paul suggests with a great deal of
modesty and tenderness; not as one suspicious of them, but as one
solicitous for them: "You obedience has come abroad unto all men; we
grant this and rejoice in it: I am glad therefore on your behalf." Thus
does he insinuate their commendation, the better to make way for the
caution. A holy jealousy of our friends may very well comport with a
holy joy in them. "You think yourselves a very happy people, and so do
I too: but for all that you must not be secure: I would have you wise
unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil. You are a willing
good-natured people, but you had best take heed of being imposed upon
by those seducers." A pliable temper is good when it is under good
government; but otherwise it may be very ensnaring; and therefore he
gives two general rules:-- [1.] To be wise unto that which is good,
that is, to be skilful and intelligent in the truths and ways of God.
"Be wise to try the spirits, to prove all things, and then to hold fast
that only which is good." There is need of a great deal of wisdom in
our adherence to good truths, and good duties, and good people, lest in
any of these we be imposed upon and deluded. Be ye therefore wise as
serpents (Matt. x. 16), wise to discern that which is really good and
that which is counterfeit; wise to distinguish things that differ, to
improve opportunities. While we are in the midst of so many deceivers,
we have great need of that wisdom of the prudent which is to understand
his way, Prov. xiv. 8. [2.] To be simple concerning evil--so wise as
not to be deceived, and yet so simple as not to be deceivers. It is a
holy simplicity, not to be able to contrive, nor palliate, nor carry
on, any evil design; akeraious--harmless, unmixed, inoffensive. In
malice be you children, 1 Cor. xiv. 20. The wisdom of the serpent
becomes Christians, but not the subtlety of the old serpent. We must
withal be harmless as doves. That is a wisely simple man that knows not
how to do any thing against the truth. Now Paul was the more solicitous
for the Roman church, that it might preserve its integrity, because it
was so famous; it was a city upon a hill, and many eyes were upon the
Christians there, so that an error prevailing there would be a bad
precedent, and have an ill influence upon other churches: as indeed it
has since proved in fact, the great apostasy of the latter days taking
its rise from that capital city. The errors of leading churches are
leading errors. When the bishop of Rome fell as a great star from
heaven (Rev. viii. 10), his tail drew a third part of the stars after
him, Rev. xii. 4.
3. Because of the promise of God, that we shall have victory at last,
which is given to quicken and encourage, not to supersede, our watchful
cares and vigorous endeavours. It is a very sweet promise (v. 20): The
God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet.
(1.) The titles he gives to God: The God of peace, the author and giver
of all good. When we come to God for spiritual victories, we must not
only eye him as the Lord of hosts, whose all power is, but as the God
of peace, a God at peace with us, speaking peace to us, working peace
in us, creating peace for us. Victory comes from God more as the God of
peace than as the God of war; for, in all our conflicts, peace is the
thing we must contend for. God, as the God of peace, will restrain and
vanquish all those that cause divisions and offences, and so break and
disturb the peace of the church.
(2.) The blessing he expects from God--a victory over Satan. If he mean
primarily those false doctrines and seducing spirits spoken of before,
of which Satan was the prime founder and author, yet doubtless, it
comprehends all the other designs and devices of Satan against souls,
to defile, disturb, and destroy them, all his attempts to keep us from
the purity of heaven, the peace of heaven here, and the possession of
heaven hereafter. Satan tempting and troubling, acting as a deceiver
and as a destroyer, the God of peace will bruise under our feet. He had
cautioned them before against simplicity: now they, being conscious of
their own great weakness and folly, might think, "How shall we evade
and escape these snares that are laid for us? Will not these
adversaries of our souls be at length too hard for us?" "No," says he,
"fear not; though you cannot overcome in your own strength and wisdom,
yet the God of peace will do it for you; and through him that loved us
we shall be more than conquerors." [1.] The victory shall be complete:
He shall bruise Satan under your feet, plainly alluding to the first
promise the Messiah made in paradise (Gen. iii. 15), that the seed of
the woman should break the serpent's head, which is in the fulfilling
every day, while the saints are enabled to resist and overcome the
temptations of Satan, and will be perfectly fulfilled when, in spite of
all the powers of darkness, all that belong to the election of grace
shall be brought triumphantly to glory. When Joshua had conquered the
kings of Canaan, he called the captains of Israel to set their feet
upon the necks of those kings (Josh. x. 24), so will Christ, our
Joshua, enable all his faithful servants and soldiers to set their feet
upon Satan's neck, to trample upon, and triumph over, their spiritual
enemies. Christ hath overcome for us; disarmed the strong man armed,
broken his power, and we have nothing to do but to pursue the victory
and divide the spoil. Let this quicken us to our spiritual conflict, to
fight the good fight of faith--we have to do with a conquered enemy,
and the victory will be perfect shortly. [2.] The victory shall be
speedy: He shall do it shortly. Yet a little while, and he that shall
come will come. He hath said it, Behold, I come quickly. When Satan
seems to have prevailed, and we are ready to give up all for lost, then
will the God of peace cut the work short in righteousness. It will
encourage soldiers when they know the war will be at an end quickly, in
such a victory. Some refer it to the happy period of their contentions
in true love and unity; others to the period of the church's
persecutions in the conversion of the powers of the empire to
Christianity, when the bloody enemies of the church were subdued and
trampled on by Constantine, and the church under his government. It is
rather to be applied to the victory which all the saints shall have
over Satan when they come to heaven, and shall be for ever out of his
reach, together with the present victories which through grace they
obtain in earnest of that. Hold out therefore, faith and patience, yet
a little while; when we have once got through the Red Sea, we shall see
our spiritual enemies dead on the shore, and triumphantly sing the song
of Moses and the song of the Lamb. To this therefore he subjoins the
benediction, The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you--the
good-will of Christ towards you, the good work of Christ in you. This
will be the best preservative against the snares of heretics, and
schismatics, and false teachers. If the grace of Christ be with us, who
can be against us so as to prevail? Be strong therefore in the grace
which is in Christ Jesus. Paul, not only as a friend, but as a minister
and an apostle, who had received grace for grace, thus with authority
blesses them with this blessing, and repeats it, v. 24.
Apostolic Salutations. (a. d. 58.)
21 Timotheus my workfellow, and Lucius, and Jason, and Sosipater, my
kinsmen, salute you. 22 I Tertius, who wrote this epistle, salute you
in the Lord. 23 Gaius mine host, and of the whole church, saluteth
you. Erastus the chamberlain of the city saluteth you, and Quartus a
brother. 24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
As the Apostle had before sent his own salutations to many of this
church, and that of the churches round him to them all, he here adds an
affectionate remembrance of them from some particular persons who were
now with him, the better to promote acquaintance and fellowship among
distant saints, and that the subscribing of these worthy names, known
to them, might the more recommend this epistle. He mentions, 1. Some
that were his particular friends, and probably known to the Roman
Christians: Timotheus my work-fellow. Paul sometimes calls Timothy his
son, as an inferior; but here he styles him his work-fellow, as one
equal with him, such a respect does he put upon him: and Lucius,
probably Lucius of Cyrene, a noted man in the church of Antioch (Acts
xiii. 1), as Jason was at Thessalonica, where he suffered for
entertaining Paul (Acts xvii. 5, 6): and Sosipater, supposed to be the
same with Sopater of Berea, mentioned Acts xx. 4. These Paul calls his
kinsmen; not only more largely, as they were Jews, but as they were in
blood or affinity nearly allied to him. It seems, Paul was of a good
family, that he met with so many of his kindred in several places. It
is a very great comfort to see the holiness and usefulness of our
kindred. 2. One that was Paul's amanuensis (v. 22): I Tertius, who
wrote this epistle. Paul made use of a scribe, not out of state nor
idleness, but because he wrote a bad hand, which was not very legible,
which he excuses, when he writes to the Galatians with his own hand
(Gal. vi. 11): pelikois grammasi--with what kind of letters. Perhaps
this Tertius was the same with Silas; for Silas (as some think)
signifies the third in Hebrew, as Tertius in Latin. Tertius either
wrote as Paul dictated, or transcribed it fairly over out of Paul's
foul copy. The least piece of service done to the church, and the
ministers of the church, shall not pass without a remembrance and a
recompence. It was an honour to Tertius that he had a hand, though but
as a scribe, in writing this epistle. 3. Some others that were of note
among the Christians (v. 23): Gaius my host. It is uncertain whether
this was Gaius of Derbe (Acts xx. 4), or Gaius of Macedonia (Acts xix.
29), or rather Gaius of Corinth (1 Cor. i. 14), and whether any of
these was he to whom John wrote his third epistle. However, Paul
commends him for his great hospitality; not only my host, but of the
whole church--one that entertained them all as there was occasion,
opened his doors to their church-meetings, and eased the rest of the
church by his readiness to treat all Christian stranger that came to
them. Erastus, the chamberlain of the city is another; he means the
city of Corinth, whence this epistle was dated. It seems he was a
person of honour and account, one in public place, steward or
treasurer. Not many mighty, not many noble, are called, but some are.
His estate, and honour, and employment, did not take him off from
attending on Paul and laying out himself for the good of the church, it
should seem, in the work of the ministry; for he is joined with Timothy
(Acts xix. 22), and is mentioned 2 Tim. iv. 20. It was no disparagement
to the chamberlain of the city to be a preacher of the gospel of
Christ. Quartus is likewise mentioned, and called a brother; for as one
is our Father, even Christ, so all we are brethren.
Description of the Gospel; The Apostle's Doxology. (a. d. 58.)
25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel,
and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the
mystery, which was kept secret since the world began, 26 But now is
made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the
commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the
obedience of faith: 27 To God only wise, be glory through Jesus
Christ for ever. Amen.
Here the apostle solemnly closes his epistle with a magnificent
ascription of glory to the blessed God, as one that terminated all in
the praise and glory of God, and studied to return all to him, seeing
all is of him and from him. He does, as it were, breathe out his soul
to these Romans in the praise of God, choosing to make that the end of
his epistle which he made the end of his life. Observe here,
I. A description of the gospel of God, which comes in in a parenthesis;
having occasion to speak of it as the means by which the power of God
establishes souls, and the rule of that establishment: To establish you
according to my gospel. Paul calls it his gospel, because he was the
preacher of it and because he did so much glory in it. Some think he
means especially that declaration, explication, and application, of the
doctrine of the gospel, which he had now made in this epistle; but it
rather takes in all the preaching and writing of the apostles, among
whom Paul was a principal labourer. Through their word (John xvii. 20),
the word committed to them. Ministers are the ambassadors, and the
gospel is their embassy. Paul had his head and heart so full of the
gospel that he could scarcely mention it without a digression to set
forth the nature and excellency of it.
1. It is the preaching of Jesus Christ. Christ was the preacher of it
himself; it began to be spoken by the Lord, Heb. ii. 3. So pleased was
Christ with his undertaking for our salvation that he would himself be
the publisher of it. Or, Christ is the subject-matter of it; the sum
and substance of the whole gospel is Jesus Christ and him crucified. We
preach not ourselves, says Paul, but Christ Jesus the Lord. That which
establishes souls is the plain preaching of Jesus Christ.
2. It is the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret since the
world began, and by the scriptures of the prophets made known. The
subject-matter of the gospel is a mystery. Our redemption and salvation
by Jesus Christ, in the foundation, method, and fruits of it, are,
without controversy, a great mystery of godliness, 1 Tim. iii. 16. This
bespeaks the honour of the gospel; it is no vulgar common thing,
hammered out by any human wit, but it is the admirable product of the
eternal wisdom and counsel of God, and has in it such an inconceivable
height, such an unfathomable depth, as surpass knowledge. It is a
mystery which the angels desire to look into, and cannot find the
bottom of. And yet, blessed be God, there is as much of this mystery
made plain as will suffice to bring us to heaven, if we do not wilfully
neglect so great salvation. Now,
(1.) This mystery was kept secret since the world began: chronois
aioniois sesigemenou. It was wrapped up in silence from eternity; so
some--a temporibus æternis; it is no new and upstart notion, no late
invention, but took rise from the days of eternity and the purposes of
God's everlasting love. Before the foundation of the world was laid,
the mystery was hid in God, Eph. iii. 9. Or, since the world began, so
we translate it. During all the times of the Old-Testament this mystery
was comparatively kept secret in the types and shadows of the
ceremonial law, and the dark predictions of the prophets, which pointed
at it, but so that they could not stedfastly look to the end of those
things, 2 Cor. iii. 13. Thus it was hid from ages and generations, even
among the Jews, much more among the Gentiles that sat in darkness and
had no notices at all of it. Even the disciples of Christ themselves,
before his resurrection and ascension, were very much in the dark about
the mystery of redemption, and their notion of it was very much clouded
and confused; such a secret was it for many ages. But,
(2.) It is now made manifest. The veil is rent, the shadows of the
evening are done away, and life and immortality are brought to light by
the gospel, and the Sun of righteousness has risen upon the world. Paul
does not pretend to have the monopoly of this discovery, as if he alone
knew it; no, it is made manifest to many others. But how is it made
manifest by the scriptures of the prophets? Surely, because now the
event has given the best exposition to the prophecies of the Old
Testament. Being accomplished, they are explained. The preaching of the
prophets, as far as it related to this mystery, was in a great measure
dark and unintelligible in the ages wherein they lived; but the
scriptures of the prophets, the things which they left in writing, are
now not only made plain in themselves, but by them this mystery is made
known to all nations. The Old Testament does not only borrow light
from, but return light to, the revelation of the New Testament. If the
New Testament explains the Old, the Old Testament, by way of requital,
very much illustrates the New. Thus the Old-Testament prophets prophesy
again, now their prophecies are fulfilled, before many people, and
nations, and tongues. I refer to Rev. x. 11, which this explains. Now
Christ appears to have been the treasure hid in the field of the Old
Testament. To him bear all the prophets witness. See Luke xxiv. 27.
(3.) It is manifested according to the commandment of the everlasting
God--the purpose, counsel, and decree of God from eternity, and the
commission and appointment given first to Christ and then to the
apostles, in the fulness of time. They received commandment from the
Father to do what they did in preaching the gospel. Lest any should
object, "Why was this mystery kept secret so long, and why made
manifest now?"--he resolves it into the will of God, who is an absolute
sovereign, and gives not an account of any of his matters. The
commandment of the everlasting God was enough to bear out the apostles
and ministers of the gospel in their preaching. The everlasting God.
This attribute of eternity is here given up to God very emphatically.
[1.] He is from everlasting, which intimates that though he had kept
this mystery secret since the world began, and had but lately revealed
it, yet he had framed and contrived it from everlasting, before the
worlds were. The oaths and covenants in the written word are but the
copy of the oath and covenant which were between the Father and the Son
from eternity: those the extracts, these the original. And, [2.] He is
to everlasting, intimating the eternal continuance to us. We must never
look for any new revelation, but abide by this, for this is according
to the commandment of the everlasting God. Christ, in the gospel, is
the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.
(4.) It is made known to all nations for the obedience of faith. The
extent of this revelation he often takes notice of; that whereas
hitherto in Judah only God was known, now Christ is salvation to the
ends of the earth, to all nations. And the design of it is very
observable; it is for the obedience of faith--that they may believe and
obey it, receive it and be rules by it. The gospel is revealed, not to
be talked of and disputed about, but to be submitted to. The obedience
of faith is that obedience which is paid to the word of faith (see that
phrase, Acts vi. 7), and which is produced by the grace of faith. See
here what is the right faith--even that which works in obedience; and
what is the right obedience--even that which springs from faith; and
what is the design of the gospel--to bring us to both.
II. A doxology to that God whose gospel it is, ascribing glory to him
for ever (v. 27), acknowledging that he is a glorious God, and adoring
him accordingly, with the most awful affections, desiring and longing
to be at this work with the holy angels, where we shall be doing it to
eternity. This is praising God, ascribing glory to him for ever.
Observe,
1. The matter of this praise. In thanking God, we fasten upon his
favours to us; in praising and adoring God, we fasten upon his
perfections in himself. Two of his principal attributes are here taken
notice of:--(1.) His power (v. 25): To him that is of power to
establish you. It is no less than a divine power that establishes the
saints. Considering the disposition there is in them to fall, the
industry of their spiritual enemies that seek to overthrow them, and
the shaking times into which their lot is cast, no less than an
almighty power will establish them. That power of God which is put
forth for the establishment of the saints is and ought to be the matter
of our praise, as Jude 24, To him that is able to keep you from
falling. In giving God the glory of this power we may, and must, take
to ourselves the comfort of it--that whatever our doubts, and
difficulties, and fears, may be, our God, whom we serve, is of power to
establish us. See 1 Pet. i. 5; John x. 29. (2.) His wisdom (v. 27): To
God only wise. Power to effect without wisdom to contrive, and wisdom
to contrive without power to effect, are alike vain and fruitless; but
both together, and both infinite, make a perfect being. He is only
wise; not the Father only wise, exclusive of the Son, but Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost, three persons and one God, only wise, compared with the
creatures. Man; the wisest of all the creatures in the lower world, is
born like a wild ass's colt; nay, the angels themselves are charged
with folly, in comparison with God. He only is perfectly and infallibly
wise; he only is originally wise, in and of himself; for he is the
spring and fountain of all the wisdom of the creatures, the Father of
all the lights of wisdom that any creature can pretend to (James i.
17): with him are strength and wisdom, the deceived and deceiver are
his.
2. The Mediator of this praise: Through Jesus Christ. To God only wise
through Jesus Christ; so some. It is in and through Christ that God is
manifested to the world as the only wise God; for he is the wisdom of
God, and the power of God. Or rather, as we read it, glory through
Jesus Christ. All the glory that passes from fallen man to God, so as
to be accepted of him, must go through the hands of the Lord Jesus, in
whom alone it is that our persons and performances are, or can be,
pleasing to God. Of his righteousness therefore we must make mention,
even of his only, who, as he is the Mediator of all our prayers, so he
is, and I believe will be to eternity, the Mediator of all our praises.
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First Corinthians
Completed by Simon Browne.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE
C O R I N T H I A N S.
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Corinth was a principal city of Greece, in that particular division of
it which was called Achaia. It was situated on the isthmus (or neck of
land) that joined Peloponnesus to the rest of Greece, on the southern
side, and had two ports adjoining, one at the bottom of the Corinthian
Gulf, called Lechæum, not far from the city, whence they traded to
Italy and the west, the other at the bottom of the Sinus Saronicus,
called Cenchrea, at a more remote distance, whence they traded to Asia.
From this situation, it is no wonder that Corinth should be a place of
great trade and wealth; and, as affluence is apt to produce luxury of
all kinds, neither is it to be wondered at if a place so famous for
wealth and arts should be infamous for vice. It was in a particular
manner noted for fornication, insomuch that a Corinthian woman was a
proverbial phrase for a strumpet, and korinthiazein,
korinthiasesthai--to play the Corinthian, is to play the whore, or
indulge whorish inclinations. Yet in this lewd city did Paul, by the
blessing of God on his labours, plant and raise a Christian church,
chiefly among the Gentiles, as seems very probable from the history of
this matter, Acts xviii. 1-18, compared with some passages in this
epistle, particularly xii. 2, where the apostle tells them, You know
that you wee Gentiles, carried away to those dumb idols even as you
were led, though it is not improbable that many Jewish converts might
be also among them, for we are told that Crispus, the chief ruler of
the synagogue, believed on the Lord, with all his house, Acts xviii. 8.
He continued in this city nearly two years, as is plain from Acts
xviii. 11 and 18 compared, and laboured with great success, being
encouraged by a divine vision assuring him God had much people in that
city, Acts xviii. 9, 10. Nor did he use to stay long in a place where
his ministry met not with acceptance and success.
Some time after he left them he wrote this epistle to them, to water
what he had planted and rectify some gross disorders which during his
absence had been introduced, partly from the interest some false
teacher or teachers had obtained amongst them, and partly from the
leaven of their old maxims and manners, that had not been thoroughly
purged out by the Christian principles they had entertained. And it is
but too visible how much their wealth had helped to corrupt their
manners, from the several faults for which the apostle reprehends them.
Pride, avarice, luxury, lust (the natural offspring of a carnal and
corrupt mind), are all fed and prompted by outward affluence. And with
all these either the body of this people or some particular persons
among them are here charged by the apostle. Their pride discovered
itself in their parties and factions, and the notorious disorders they
committed in the exercise of their spiritual gifts. And this vice was
not wholly fed by their wealth, but by the insight they had into the
Greek learning and philosophy. Some of the ancients tell us that the
city abounded with rhetoricians and philosophers. And these were men
naturally vain, full of self-conceit, and apt to despise the plain
doctrine of the gospel, because it did not feed the curiosity of an
inquisitive and disputing temper, nor please the ear with artful
speeches and a flow of fine words. Their avarice was manifest in their
law-suits and litigations about meum--mine, and tuum--thine, before
heathen judges. Their luxury appeared in more instances than one, in
their dress, in their debauching themselves even at the Lord's table,
when the rich, who were most faulty on this account, were guilty also
of a very proud and criminal contempt of their poor brethren. Their
lust broke out in a most flagrant and infamous instance, such as had
not been named among the Gentiles, not spoken of without
detestation--that a man should have his father's wife, either as his
wife, or so as to commit fornication with her. This indeed seems to be
the fault of a particular person; but the whole church were to blame
that they had his crime in no greater abhorrence, that they could
endure one of such very corrupt morals and of so flagitious a behaviour
among them. But their participation in his sin was yet greater, if, as
some of the ancients tell us, they were puffed up on behalf of the
great learning and eloquence of this incestuous person. And it is plain
from other passages of the epistle that they were not so entirely free
from their former lewd inclinations as not to need very strict cautions
and strong arguments against fornication: see vi. 9-20. The pride of
their learning had also carried many of them so far as to disbelieve or
dispute against the doctrine of the resurrection. It is not improbable
that they treated this question problematically, as they did many
questions in philosophy, and tried their skill by arguing it pro and
con.
It is manifest from this state of things that there was much that
deserved reprehension, and needed correction, in this church. And the
apostle, under the direction and influence of the Holy Spirit, sets
himself to do both with all wisdom and faithfulness, and with a due
mixture of tenderness and authority, as became one in so elevated and
important a station in the church. After a short introduction at the
beginning of the epistle, he first blames them for their discord and
factions, enters into the origin and source of them, shows them how
much pride and vanity, and the affectation of science, and learning,
and eloquence, flattered by false teachers, contributed to the
scandalous schism; and prescribes humility, and submission to divine
instruction, the teaching of God by his Spirit, both by external
revelation and internal illumination, as a remedy for the evils that
abounded amongst them. He shows them the vanity of their pretended
science and eloquence on many accounts. This he does through the first
four chapters. In the fifth he treats of the case of the incestuous
person, and orders him to be put out from among them. Nor is what the
ancients say improbable, that this incestuous person was a man in great
esteem, and head of one party at least among them. The apostle seems to
tax them with being puffed up on his account, v. 2. In the sixth
chapter he blames them for their law-suits, carried on before heathen
judges, when their disputes about property should have been amicably
determined amongst themselves, and in the close of the chapter warns
them against the sin of fornication, and urges his caution with a
variety of arguments. In the seventh chapter he gives advice upon a
case of conscience, which some of that church had proposed to him in an
epistle, about marriage, and shows it to be appointed of God as a
remedy against fornication, that the ties of it were not dissolved,
though a husband or wife continued a heathen, when the other became a
Christian; and, in short, that Christianity made no change in men's
civil states and relations. He gives also some directions here about
virgins, in answer, as is probable, to the Corinthians' enquiries. In
the eighth he directs them about meats offered to idols, and cautions
them against abusing their Christian liberty. From this he also takes
occasion, in the ninth chapter, to expatiate a little on his own
conduct upon this head of liberty. For, though he might have insisted
on a maintenance from the churches where he ministered, he waived this
demand, that he might make the gospel of Christ without charge, and did
in other things comply with and suit himself to the tempers and
circumstances of those among whom he laboured, for their good. In the
tenth chapter he dissuades them, from the example of the Jews, against
having communion with idolaters, by eating of their sacrifices,
inasmuch as they could not be at once partakers of the Lord's table and
the table of devils, though they were not bound to enquire concerning
meat sold in the shambles, or set before them at a feast made by
unbelievers, whether it were a part of the idol-sacrifices or no, but
were at liberty to eat without asking questions. In the eleventh
chapter he gives direction about their habit in public worship, blames
them for their gross irregularities and scandalous disorders in
receiving the Lord's supper, and solemnly warns them against the abuse
of so sacred an institution. In the twelfth chapter he enters on the
consideration of spiritual gifts, which were poured forth in great
abundance on this church, upon which they were not a little elated. He
tells them, in this chapter, that all came from the same original, and
were all directed to the same end. They issued from one Spirit, and
were intended for the good of the church, and must be abused when they
were not made to minister to this purpose. Towards the close he informs
them that they were indeed valuable gifts, but he could recommend to
them something far more excellent, upon which he breaks out, in the
thirteenth chapter, into the commendation and characteristics of
charity. And them, in the fourteenth, he directs them how to keep up
decency and order in the churches in the use of their spiritual gifts,
in which they seem to have been exceedingly irregular, through pride of
their gifts and a vanity of showing them. The fifteenth chapter is
taken up in confirming and explaining the great doctrine of the
resurrection. The last chapter consists of some particular advices and
salutations; and thus the epistle closes.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. I.
In this chapter we have, I. The preface or introduction to the whole
epistle, ver. 1-9. II. One principal occasion of writing it hinted,
namely, their divisions and the origin of them, ver. 10-13. III. An
account of Paul's ministry among them, which was principally preaching
the gospel, ver. 14-17. IV. The manner wherein he preached the gospel,
and the different success of it, with an account how admirably it was
fitted to bring glory to God and beat down the pride and vanity of men,
ver. 17 to the end.
The Apostle's Salutation. (a. d. 57.)
1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of
God, and Sosthenes our brother, 2 Unto the church of God which is at
Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be
saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ
our Lord, both theirs and ours: 3 Grace be unto you, and peace, from
God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God
always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus
Christ; 5 That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all
utterance, and in all knowledge; 6 Even as the testimony of Christ
was confirmed in you: 7 So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting
for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: 8 Who shall also confirm you
unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus
Christ. 9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship
of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
We have here the apostle's preface to his whole epistle, in which we
may take notice,
I. Of the inscription, in which, according to the custom of writing
letters then, the name of the person by whom it was written and the
persons to whom it was written are both inserted. 1. It is an epistle
from Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, to the church of Corinth, which
he himself had planted, though there were some among them that now
questioned his apostleship (ch. ix. 1, 2), and vilified his person and
ministry, 2 Cor. x. 10. The most faithful and useful ministers are not
secure from this contempt. He begins with challenging this character:
Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ, through the will of God.
He had not taken this honour to himself, but had a divine commission
for it. It was proper at any time, but necessary at this time, to
assert his character, and magnify his office, when false teachers made
a merit of running him down, and their giddy and deluded followers were
so apt to set them up in competition with him. It was not pride in
Paul, but faithfulness to his trust, in this juncture, to maintain his
apostolical character and authority. And, to make this more fully
appear, he joins Sosthenes with him in writing, who was a minister of a
lower rank. Paul, and Sosthenes his brother, not a fellow-apostle, but
a fellow-minister, once a ruler of the Jewish synagogue, afterwards a
convert to Christianity, a Corinthian by birth, as is most probable,
and dear to this people, for which reason Paul, to ingratiate himself
with them, joins them with himself in his first salutations. There is
no reason to suppose he was made a partaker of the apostle's
inspiration, for which reasons he speaks, through the rest of the
epistle, in his own name, and in the singular number. Paul did not in
any case lessen his apostolical authority, and yet he was ready upon
all occasions to do a kind and condescending thing for their good to
whom he ministered. The persons to whom this epistle was directed were
the church of God that was at Corinth, sanctified in Christ Jesus, and
called to be saints. All Christians are thus far sanctified in Christ
Jesus, that they are by baptism dedicated and devoted to him, they are
under strict obligations to be holy, and they make profession of real
sanctity. If they be not truly holy, it is their own fault and
reproach. Note, It is the design of Christianity to sanctify us in
Christ. He gave himself for us, to redeem us from all iniquity, and
purify us to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. In
conjunction with the church at Corinth, he directs the epistle to all
that in every place call on the name of Christ Jesus our Lord, both
theirs and ours. Hereby Christians are distinguished from the profane
and atheistical, that they dare not live without prayer; and hereby
they are distinguished from Jews and Pagans, that they call on the name
of Christ. He is their common head and Lord. Observe, In every place in
the Christian world there are some that call on the name of Christ. God
hath a remnant in all places; and we should have a common concern for
and hold communion with all that call on Christ's name.
II. Of the apostolical benediction. Grace be to you, and peace, from
God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. An apostle of the
prince of peace must be a messenger and minister of peace. This
blessing the gospel brings with it, and this blessing every preacher of
the gospel should heartily wish and pray may be the lot of all among
whom he ministers. Grace and peace--the favour of God, and
reconciliation to him. It is indeed the summary of all blessings. The
Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace, was the
form of benediction under the Old Testament (Num. vi. 26), but this
advantage we have by the gospel, 1. That we are directed how to obtain
that peace from God: it is in and by Christ. Sinners can have no peace
with God, nor any good from him, but through Christ. 2. We are told
what must qualify us for this peace; namely, grace: first grace, then
peace. God first reconciles sinners to himself, before he bestows his
peace upon them.
III. Of the apostle's thanksgiving to God on their behalf. Paul begins
most of his epistles with thanksgiving to God for his friends and
prayer for them. Note, The best way of manifesting our affection to our
friends is by praying and giving thanks for them. It is one branch of
the communion of saints to give thanks to God mutually for our gifts,
graces, and comforts. He gives thanks, 1. For their conversion to the
faith of Christ: For the grace which was given you through Jesus
Christ, v. 4. He is the great procurer and disposer of the favours of
God. Those who are united to him by faith, and made to partake of his
Spirit and merits, are the objects of divine favour. God loves them,
bears them hearty good-will, and bestows on them his fatherly smiles
and blessings. 2. For the abundance of their spiritual gifts. This the
church of Corinth was famous for. They did not come behind any of the
churches in any gift, v. 7. He specifies utterance and knowledge, v. 5.
Where God has given these two gifts, he has given great capacity for
usefulness. Many have the flower of utterance that have not the root of
knowledge, and their converse is barren. Many have the treasure of
knowledge, and want utterance to employ it for the good of others, and
then it is in a manner wrapped up in a napkin. But, where God gives
both, a man is qualified for eminent usefulness. When the church of
Corinth was enriched with all utterance and all knowledge, it was fit
that a large tribute of praise should be rendered to God, especially
when these gifts were a testimony to the truth of the Christian
doctrine, a confirmation of the testimony of Christ among them, v. 6.
They were signs and wonders and gifts of the Holy Ghost, by which God
did bear witness to the apostles, both to their mission and doctrine
(Heb. ii. 4), so that the more plentifully they were poured forth on
any church the more full attestation was given to that doctrine which
was delivered by the apostles, the more confirming evidence they had of
their divine mission. And it is no wonder that when they had such a
foundation for their faith they should live in expectation of the
coming of their Lord Jesus Christ, v. 7. It is the character of
Christians that they wait for Christ's second coming; all our religion
has regard to this: we believe it, and hope for it, and it is the
business of our lives to prepare for it, if we are Christians indeed.
And the more confirmed we are in the Christian faith the more firm is
our belief of our Lord's second coming, and the more earnest our
expectation of it.
IV. Of the encouraging hopes the apostle had of them for the time to
come, founded on the power and love of Christ, and the faithfulness of
God, v. 8, 9. He who had begun a good work in them, and carried it on
thus far, would not leave it unfinished. Those that wait for the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ will be kept by him, and confirmed to the end;
and those that are so will be blameless in the day of Christ: not upon
the principle of strict justice, but gracious absolution; not in rigour
of law, but from rich and free grace. How desirable is it to be
confirmed and kept of Christ for such a purpose as this! How glorious
are the hopes of such a privilege, whether for ourselves or others! To
be kept by the power of Christ from the power of our own corruption and
Satan's temptation, that we may appear without blame in the great day!
O glorious expectation, especially when the faithfulness of God comes
in to support our hopes! He who hath called us into the fellowship of
his Son is faithful, and will do it, 1 Thess. v. 24. He who hath
brought us into near and dear relation to Christ, into sweet and
intimate communion with Christ, is faithful; he may be trusted with our
dearest concerns. Those that come at his call shall never be
disappointed in their hopes in him. If we approve ourselves faithful to
God, we shall never find him unfaithful to us. He will not suffer his
faithfulness to fail, Ps. lxxxix. 33.
Party-Spirit Reproved. (a. d. 57.)
10 Now I beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye all speak the same thing, and that there be no divisions among
you; but that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in
the same judgment. 11 For it hath been declared unto me of you, my
brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are
contentions among you. 12 Now this I say, that every one of you
saith, I am of Paul; and I of Apollos; and I of Cephas; and I of
Christ. 13 Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye
baptized in the name of Paul?
Here the apostle enters on his subject.
I. He extorts them to unity and brotherly love, and reproves them for
their divisions. He had received an account from some that wished them
well of some unhappy differences among them. It was neither ill-will to
the church, nor to their ministers, that prompted them to give this
account; but a kind and prudent concern to have these heats qualified
by Paul's interposition. He writes to them in a very engaging way: "I
beseech you, brethren, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; if you
have any regard to that dear and worthy name by which you are called,
be unanimous. Speak all the same thing; avoid divisions or schisms" (as
the original is), "that is, all alienation of affection from each
other. Be perfectly joined together in the same mind, as far as you
can. In the great things of religion be of a mind: but, when there is
not a unity of sentiment, let there be a union of affections. The
consideration of being agreed in greater things should extinguish all
feuds and divisions about minor ones."
II. He hints at the origin of these contentions. Pride lay at the
bottom, and this made them factious. Only of pride cometh contention,
Prov. xiii. 10. They quarrelled about their ministers. Paul and Apollos
were both faithful ministers of Jesus Christ, and helpers of their
faith and joy: but those who were disposed to be contentious broke into
parties, and set their ministers at the head of their several factions:
some cried up Paul, perhaps as the most sublime and spiritual teacher;
others cried up Apollos, perhaps as the most eloquent speaker; some
Cephas, or Peter, perhaps for the authority of his age, or because he
was the apostle of the circumcision; and some were for none of them,
but Christ only. So liable are the best things in the world to be
corrupted, and the gospel and its institutions, which are at perfect
harmony with themselves and one another, to be made the engines of
variance, discord, and contention. This is no reproach to our religion,
but a very melancholy evidence of the corruption and depravity of human
nature. Note, How far will pride carry Christians in opposition to one
another! Even so far as to set Christ and his own apostles at variance,
and make them rivals and competitors.
III. He expostulates with them upon their discord and quarrels: "Is
Christ divided? No, there is but one Christ, and therefore Christians
should be on one heart. Was Paul crucified for you? Was he your
sacrifice and atonement? Did I ever pretend to be your saviour, or any
more than his minister? Or, were you baptized in the name of Paul? Were
you devoted to my service, or engaged to be my disciples, by that
sacred rite? Did I challenge that right in you, or dependence from you,
which is the proper claim of your God and Redeemer?" No; ministers,
however instrumental they are of good to us, are not to be put in
Christ's stead. They are not to usurp Christ's authority, nor encourage
any thing in the people that looks like transferring his authority to
them. He is our Saviour and sacrifice, he is our Lord and guide. And
happy were it for the churches if there were no name of distinction
among them, as Christ is not divided.
Party-Spirit Reproved. (a. d. 57.)
14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 15
Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name. 16 And I
baptized also the household of Stephanas: besides, I know not whether I
baptized any other.
Here the apostle gives an account of his ministry among them. He thanks
God he had baptized but a few among them, Crispus, who had been a ruler
of a synagogue at Corinth (Acts xviii. 8), Gaius, and the household of
Stephanas, besides whom, he says, he did not remember that he had
baptized any. But how was this a proper matter for thankfulness? Was it
not a part of the apostolical commission to baptize all nations? And
could Paul give thanks to God for his own neglect of duty? He is not to
be understood in such a sense as if he were thankful for not having
baptized at all, but for not having done it in present circumstances,
lest it should have had this very bad construction put upon it--that he
had baptized in his own name, made disciples for himself, or set
himself up as the head of a sect. He left it to other ministers to
baptize, while he set himself to more useful work, and filled up his
time with preaching the gospel. This, he thought, was more his
business, because the more important business of the two. He had
assistants that could baptize, when none could discharge the other part
of his office so well as himself. In this sense he says, Christ sent
him not to baptize, but to preach the gospel--not so much to baptize as
to preach. Note, Ministers should consider themselves sent and set
apart more especially to that service in which Christ will be most
honoured and the salvation of souls promoted, and for which they are
best fitted, though no part of their duty is to be neglected. The
principal business Paul did among them was to preach the gospel (v.
17), the cross (v. 18), Christ crucified, v. 23. Ministers are the
soldiers of Christ, and are to erect and display the banner of the
cross. He did not preach his own fancy, but the gospel--the glad
tidings of peace, and reconciliation to God, through the mediation of a
crucified Redeemer. This is the sum and substance of the gospel. Christ
crucified is the foundation of all our joys. By his death we live. This
is what Paul preached, what all ministers should preach, and what all
the saints live upon.
The Efficacy of the Gospel; The Character of the Gospel. (a. d. 57.)
17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not
with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none
effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish
foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. 19
For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will
bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. 20 Where is the
wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath
not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? 21 For after that in
the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by
the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 22 For the
Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: 23 But we
preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the
Greeks foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Jews and
Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. 25 Because
the foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is
stronger than men. 26 For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not
many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are
called: 27 But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to
confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to
confound the things which are mighty; 28 And base things of the
world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things
which are not, to bring to nought things that are: 29 That no flesh
should glory in his presence. 30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus,
who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and
sanctification, and redemption: 31 That, according as it is written,
He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord.
We have here,
I. The manner in which Paul preached the gospel, and the cross of
Christ: Not with the wisdom of words (v. 17), the enticing words of
man's wisdom (ch. ii. 4), the flourish of oratory, or the accuracies of
philosophical language, upon which the Greeks so much prided
themselves, and which seem to have been the peculiar recommendations of
some of the heads of the faction in this church that most opposed this
apostle. He did not preach the gospel in this manner, lest the cross of
Christ should be of no effect, lest the success should be ascribed to
the force of art, and not of truth; not to the plain doctrine of a
crucified Jesus, but to the powerful oratory of those who spread it,
and hereby the honour of the cross be diminished or eclipsed. Paul had
been bred up himself in Jewish learning at the feet of Gamaliel, but in
preaching the cross of Christ he laid his learning aside. He preached a
crucified Jesus in plain language, and told the people that that Jesus
who was crucified at Jerusalem was the Son of God and Saviour of men,
and that all who would be saved must repent of their sins, and believe
in him, and submit to his government and laws. This truth needed no
artificial dress; it shone out with the greatest majesty in its own
light, and prevailed in the world by its divine authority, and the
demonstration of the Spirit, without any human helps. The plain
preaching of a crucified Jesus was more powerful than all the oratory
and philosophy of the heathen world.
II. We have the different effects of this preaching: To those who
perish it is foolishness, but to those who are saved it is the power of
God, v. 18. It is to the Jews a stumbling-block, and to the Greeks
foolishness; but unto those who are called, both Jews and Greeks,
Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God, v. 23, 24. 1. Christ
crucified is a stumbling-block to the Jews. They could not get over it.
They had a conceit that their expected Messiah was to be a great
temporal prince, and therefore would never own one who made so mean an
appearance in life, and died so accursed a death, for their deliverer
and king. They despised him, and looked upon him as execrable, because
he was hanged on a tree, and because he did not gratify them with a
sign to their mind, though his divine power shone out in innumerable
miracles. The Jews require a sign, v. 22. See Matt. xii. 38. 2. He was
to the Greeks foolishness. They laughed at the story of a crucified
Saviour, and despised the apostles' way of telling it. They sought for
wisdom. They were men of wit and reading, men that had cultivated arts
and sciences, and had, for some ages, been in a manner the very mint of
knowledge and learning. There was nothing in the plain doctrine of the
cross to suit their taste, nor humour their vanity, nor gratify a
curious and wrangling temper: they entertained it therefore with scorn
and contempt. What, hope to be saved by one that could not save
himself! And trust in one who was condemned and crucified as a
malefactor, a man of mean birth and poor condition in life, and cut off
by so vile and opprobrious a death! This was what the pride of human
reason and learning could not relish. The Greeks thought it little
better than stupidity to receive such a doctrine, and pay this high
regard to such a person: and thus were they justly left to perish in
their pride and obstinacy. Note, It is just with God to leave those to
themselves who pour such proud contempt on divine wisdom and grace. 3.
To those who are called and saved he is the wisdom of God, and the
power of God. Those who are called and sanctified, who receive the
gospel, and are enlightened by the Spirit of God, discern more glorious
discoveries of God's wisdom and power in the doctrine of Christ
crucified than in all his other works. Note, Those who are saved are
reconciled to the doctrine of the cross, and led into an experimental
acquaintance with the mysteries of Christ crucified.
III. We have here the triumphs of the cross over human wisdom,
according to the ancient prophecy (Isa. xxix. 14): I will destroy the
wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the
prudent. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer
of this world? Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? v.
19, 20, All the valued learning of this world was confounded, baffled,
and eclipsed, by the Christian revelation and the glorious triumphs of
the cross. The heathen politicians and philosophers, the Jewish rabbis
and doctors, the curious searchers into the secrets of nature, were all
posed and put to a nonplus. This scheme lay out of the reach of the
deepest statesmen and philosophers, and the greatest pretenders to
learning both among the Jews and Greeks. When God would save the world,
he took a way by himself; and good reason, for the world by wisdom knew
not God, v. 21. All the boasted science of the heathen world did not,
could not, effectually bring home the world to God. In spite of all
their wisdom, ignorance still prevailed, iniquity still abounded. Men
were puffed up by their imaginary knowledge, and rather further
alienated from God; and therefore it pleased him, by the foolishness of
preaching, to save those that believe. By the foolishness of
preaching--not such in truth, but in vulgar reckoning.
1. The thing preached was foolishness in the eyes of worldly-wise men.
Our living through one who died, our being blessed by one who was made
a curse, our being justified by one who was himself condemned, was all
folly and inconsistency to men blinded with self-conceit and wedded to
their own prejudices and the boasted discoveries of their reason and
philosophy.
2. The manner of preaching the gospel was foolishness to them too. None
of the famous men for wisdom or eloquence were employed to plant the
church or propagate the gospel. A few fishermen were called out, and
sent upon this errand. These were commissioned to disciple the nations:
these vessels chosen to convey the treasure of saving knowledge to the
world. There was nothing in them that at first view looked grand or
august enough to come from God; and the proud pretenders to learning
and wisdom despised the doctrine for the sake of those who dispensed
it. And yet the foolishness of God is wiser than men, v. 25. Those
methods of divine conduct that vain men are apt to censure as unwise
and weak have more true, solid, and successful wisdom in them, than all
the learning and wisdom that are among men: "You see your calling,
brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty,
not many noble, are called, v. 26, &c. You see the state of
Christianity; not many men of learning, or authority, or honourable
extraction, are called." There is a great deal of meanness and weakness
in the outward appearance of our religion. For, (1.) Few of
distinguished character in any of these respects were chosen for the
work of the ministry. God did not choose philosophers, nor orators, nor
statesmen, nor men of wealth and power and interest in the world, to
publish the gospel of grace and peace. Not the wise men after the
flesh, though men would apt to think that a reputation for wisdom and
learning might have contributed much to the success of the gospel. Not
the mighty and noble, however men might be apt to imagine that secular
pomp and power would make way for its reception in the world. But God
seeth not as man seeth. He hath chosen the foolish things of the world,
the weak things of the world, the base and despicable things of the
world, men of mean birth, of low rank, of no liberal education, to be
the preachers of the gospel and planters of the church. His thoughts
are not as our thoughts, nor his ways as our ways. He is a better judge
than we what instruments and measures will best serve the purposes of
his glory. (2.) Few of distinguished rank and character were called to
be Christians. As the teachers were poor and mean, so generally were
the converts. Few of the wise, and mighty, and noble, embraced the
doctrine of the cross. The first Christians, both among Jews and
Greeks, were weak, and foolish, and base; men of mean furniture as to
their mental improvements, and very mean rank and condition as to their
outward estate; and yet what glorious discoveries are there of divine
wisdom in the whole scheme of the gospel, and in this particular
circumstance of its success!
IV. We have an account how admirably all is fitted, 1. To beat down the
pride and vanity of men. God hath chosen the foolish things of the
world to confound the wise--men of no learning to confound the most
learned; the weak things of the world to confound the might--men of
mean rank and circumstances to confound and prevail against all the
power and authority of earthly kings; and base things, and things which
are despised--things which men have in the lowest esteem, or in the
utmost contempt, to pour contempt and disgrace on all they value and
have in veneration; and things which are not, to bring to nought (to
abolish) things that are--the conversion of the Gentiles (of whom the
Jews had the most contemptuous and vilifying thoughts) was to open a
way to the abolishing of that constitution of which they were so fond,
and upon which they valued themselves so much as for the sake of it to
despise the rest of the world. It is common for the Jews to speak of
the Gentiles under this character, as things that are not. Thus, in the
apocryphal book of Esther, she is brought in praying that God would not
give his sceptre to those who are not, Esth. xiv. 11. Esdras, in one of
the apocryphal books under his name, speaks to God of the heathen as
those who are reputed as nothing, 2 Esdras vi. 56, 57. And the apostle
Paul seems to have this common language of the Jews in his view when he
calls Abraham the father of us all before him whom he believed, God,
who calleth those things that are not as though they were, Rom. iv. 17.
The gospel is fitted to bring down the pride of both Jews and Greeks,
to shame the boasted science and learning of the Greeks, and to take
down that constitution on which the Jews valued themselves and despised
all the world besides, that no flesh should glory in his presence (v.
29), that there might be no pretence for boasting. Divine wisdom alone
had the contrivance of the method of redemption; divine grace alone
revealed it, and made it known. It lay, in both respects, out of human
reach. And the doctrine and discovery prevailed, in spite of all the
opposition it met with from human art or authority: so effectually did
God veil the glory and disgrace the pride of man in all. The gospel
dispensation is a contrivance to humble man. But, 2. It is as admirably
fitted to glorify God. There is a great deal of power and glory in the
substance and life of Christianity. Though the ministers were poor and
unlearned, and the converts generally of the meanest rank, yet the hand
of the Lord went along with the preachers, and was mighty in the hearts
of the hearers; and Jesus Christ was made both to ministers and
Christians what was truly great and honourable. All we have we have
from God as the fountain, and in and through Christ as the channel of
conveyance. He is made of God to us wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification, and redemption (v. 30): all we need, or can desire. We
are foolishness, ignorant and blind in the things of God, with all our
boasted knowledge; and he is made wisdom to us. We are guilty,
obnoxious to justice; and he is made righteousness, our great atonement
and sacrifice. We are depraved and corrupt; and he is made
sanctification, the spring of our spiritual life; from him, the head,
it is communicated to all the members of his mystical body by his Holy
Spirit. We are in bonds, and he is made redemption to us, our Saviour
and deliverer. Observe, Where Christ is made righteousness to any soul,
he is also made sanctification. He never discharges from the guilt of
sin, without delivering from the power of it; and he is made
righteousness and sanctification, that he may in the end be made
complete redemption, may free the soul from the very being of sin, and
loose the body from the bonds of the grave: and what is designed in all
is that all flesh may glory in the Lord, v. 31. Observe, It is the will
of God that all our glorifying should be in the Lord: and, our
salvation being only through Christ, it is thereby effectually provided
that it should be so. Man is humbled, and God glorified and exalted, by
the whole scheme.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. II.
The apostle proceeds with his argument in this chapter, and, I. Reminds
the Corinthians of the plain manner wherein he delivered the gospel to
them, ver. 1-5. But yet, II. Shows them that he had communicated to
them a treasure of the truest and highest wisdom, such as exceeded all
the attainments of learned men, such as could never have entered into
the heart of man if it had not been revealed, nor can be received and
improved to salvation but by the light and influence of that Spirit who
revealed it, ver. 6 to the end.
The Apostle's Ministry. (a. d. 57.)
1 And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of
speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. 2 For I
determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him
crucified. 3 And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much
trembling. 4 And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing
words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power:
5 That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the
power of God.
In this passage the apostle pursues his design, and reminds the
Corinthians how he acted when he first preached the gospel among them.
I. As to the matter or subject he tell us (v. 2), He determined to know
nothing among them but Jesus Christ and him crucified--to make a show
of no other knowledge than this, to preach nothing, to discover the
knowledge of nothing, but Jesus Christ, and him crucified. Note,
Christ, in his person and offices, is the sum and substance of the
gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister's
preaching. His business is to display the banner of the cross, and
invite people under it. Anyone that heard Paul preach found him to harp
so continually on this string that he would say he knew nothing but
Christ and him crucified. Whatever other knowledge he had, this was the
only knowledge he discovered, and showed himself concerned to propagate
among his hearers.
II. The manner wherein he preached Christ is here also observable. 1.
Negatively. He came not among them with excellency of speech or wisdom,
v. 1. His speech and preaching were not with enticing words of man's
wisdom, v. 4. He did not affect to appear a fine orator or a deep
philosopher; nor did he insinuate himself into their minds, by a
flourish of words, or a pompous show of deep reason and extraordinary
science and skill. He did not set himself to captivate the ear by fine
turns and eloquent expressions, nor to please and entertain the fancy
with lofty flights of sublime notions. Neither his speech, nor the
wisdom he taught, savoured of human skill: he learnt both in another
school. Divine wisdom needed not to be set off with such human
ornaments. 2. Positively. He came among them declaring the testimony of
God, v. 1. He published a divine revelation, and gave in sufficient
vouchers for the authority of it, both by its consonancy to ancient
predictions and by present miraculous operations; and there he left the
matter. Ornaments of speech and philosophical skill and argument could
add no weight to what came recommended by such authority. He was also
among them in weakness and fear, and in much trembling; and yet his
speech and preaching were in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
v. 3, 4. His enemies in the church of Corinth spoke very contemptuously
of him: His bodily presence, say they, is weak, and his speech
contemptible, 2 Cor. x. 10. Possibly he had a little body, and a low
voice; but, though he had not so good an elocution as some, it is plain
that he was no mean speaker. The men of Lystra looked on him to be the
heathen god Mercury, come down to them in the form of a man, because he
was the chief speaker, Acts xiv. 12. Nor did he want courage nor
resolution to go through his work; he was in nothing terrified by his
adversaries. Yet he was no boaster. He did not proudly vaunt himself,
like his opposers. He acted in his office with much modesty, concern,
and care. He behaved with great humility among them; not as one grown
vain with the honour and authority conferred on him, but as one
concerned to approve himself faithful, and fearful of himself, lest he
should mismanage in his trust. Observe, None know the fear and
trembling of faithful ministers, who are zealous over souls with a
godly jealousy; and a deep sense of their own weakness is the occasion
of this fear and trembling. They know how insufficient they are, and
are therefore fearful for themselves. But, though Paul managed with
this modesty and concern, yet he spoke with authority: In the
demonstration of the Spirit and of power. He preached the truths of
Christ in their native dress, with plainness of speech. He laid down
the doctrine as the Spirit delivered it; and left the Spirit, by his
external operation in signs and miracles, and his internal influences
on the hearts of men, to demonstrate the truth of it, and procure its
reception.
III. Here is the end mentioned for which he preached Christ crucified
in this manner: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man,
but the power of God (v. 5)--that they might not be drawn by human
motives, nor overcome by mere human arguments, lest it should be said
that either rhetoric or logic had made them Christians. But, when
nothing but Christ crucified was plainly preached, the success must be
founded, not on human wisdom, but divine evidence and operation. The
gospel was so preached that God might appear and be glorified in all.
Discoveries of the Gospel; Spiritual Things Spiritually Discerned. (a.
d. 57.)
6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the
wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to
nought: 7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the
hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory: 8
Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it,
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But as it is
written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into
the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love
him. 10 But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the
Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. 11 For what
man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in
him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit
which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to
us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which
man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing
spiritual things with spiritual. 14 But the natural man receiveth not
the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him:
neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15
But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged
of no man. 16 For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may
instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ.
In this part of the chapter the apostle shows them that though he had
not come to them with the excellency of human wisdom, with any of the
boasted knowledge and literature of the Jews or Greeks, yet he had
communicated to them a treasure of the truest and the highest wisdom:
We speak wisdom among those who are perfect (v. 6), among those who are
well instructed in Christianity, and come to some maturity in the
things of God. Those that receive the doctrine as divine, and, having
been illuminated by the Holy Spirit, have looked well into it, discover
true wisdom in it. They not only understand the plain history of
Christ, and him crucified, but discern the deep and admirable designs
of the divine wisdom therein. Though what we preach is foolishness to
the world, it is wisdom to them. They are made wise by it, and can
discern wisdom in it. Note, Those who are wise themselves are the only
proper judges of what is wisdom; not indeed the wisdom of this world,
nor of the princes of this world, but the wisdom of God in a mystery
(v. 6, 7); not worldly wisdom, but divine; not such as the men of this
world could have discovered, nor such as worldly men, under the
direction of pride, and passion, and appetite, and worldly interest,
and destitute of the Spirit of God, can receive. Note, How different is
the judgment of God from that of the world! He seeth not as man seeth.
The wisdom he teaches is of a quite different kind from what passes
under that notion in the world. It is not the wisdom of politicians,
nor philosophers, nor rabbis (see v. 6), not such as they teach nor
such as they relish; but the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden
wisdom of God--what he had a long time kept to himself, and concealed
from the world, and the depth of which, now it is revealed, none but
himself can fathom. It is the mystery which hath been hid from ages and
generations, though now made manifest to the saints (Col. i. 26), hid
in a manner entirely from the heathen world, and made mysterious to the
Jews, by being wrapped up in dark types and distant prophecies, but
revealed and made known to us by the Spirit of God. Note, See the
privilege of those who enjoy the gospel revelation: to them types are
unveiled, mysteries made plain, prophecies interpreted, and the secret
counsels of God published and laid open. The wisdom of God in a mystery
is now made manifest to the saints. Now, concerning this wisdom,
observe,
I. The rise and origin of it: It was ordained of God, before the world,
to our glory, v. 7. It was ordained of God; he had determined long ago
to reveal and make it known, from many ages past, from the beginning,
nay, from eternity; and that to our glory, the glory of us, either us
apostles or us Christians. It was a great honour put upon the apostles,
to be entrusted with the revelation of this wisdom. It was a great and
honourable privilege for Christians to have this glorious wisdom
discovered to them. And the wisdom of God discovered to them. And the
wisdom of God discovered in the gospel, the divine wisdom taught by the
gospel, prepares for our everlasting glory and happiness in the world
to come. The counsels of God concerning our redemption are dated from
eternity, and designed for the glory and happiness of the saints. And
what deep wisdom was in these counsels! Note, The wisdom of God is both
employed and displayed for the honour of the saints--employed from
eternity, and displayed in time, to make them glorious both here and
hereafter, in time and to eternity. What honour does he put on his
saints!
II. The ignorance of the great men of the world about it: Which none of
the princes of this world knew (v. 8), the principal men in authority
and power, or in wisdom and learning. The Roman governor, and the
guides and rulers of the Jewish church and nation, seem to be the
persons here chiefly meant. These were the princes of this world, or
this age, who, had they known this true and heavenly wisdom, would not
have crucified the Lord of glory. This Pilate and the Jewish rulers
literally did when our Redeemer was crucified upon the sentence of the
one and the clamorous demands of the other. Observe, Jesus Christ is
the Lord of Glory, a title much too great for any creature to bear: and
the reason why he was hated was because he was not known. Had his
crucifiers known him, known who and what he was, they would have
withheld their impious hands, and not have taken and slain him. This he
pleaded with his Father for their pardon: Father, forgive them, for
they know not what they do, Luke xxiii. 34. Note, There are many things
which people would not do if they knew the wisdom of God in the great
work of redemption. They act as they do because they are blind or
heedless. They know not the truth, or will not attend to it.
III. It is such wisdom as could not have been discovered without a
revelation, according to what the prophet Isaiah says (Isa. lxiv. 4),
Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of
man the things which God hath prepared for those that love him--for him
that waiteth for him, that waiteth for his mercy, so the LXX. It was a
testimony of love to God in the Jewish believers to live in expectation
of the accomplishment o evangelical promises. Waiting upon God is an
evidence of love to him. Lo, this is our God, we have waited for him,
Isa. xxv. 9. Observe, There are things which God hath prepared for
those that love him, and wait for him. There are such things prepared
in a future life for them, things which sense cannot discover, no
present information can convey to our ears, nor can yet enter our
hearts. Life and immortality are brought to light through the gospel, 2
Tim. i. 10. But the apostle speaks here of the subject-matter of the
divine revelation under the gospel. These are such as eye hath not seen
nor ear heard. Observe, The great truths of the gospel are things lying
out of the sphere of human discovery: Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard
them, nor have they entered into the heart of man. Were they objects of
sense, could they be discovered by an eye of reason, and communicated
by the ear to the mind, as matters of common human knowledge may, there
had been no need of a revelation. But, lying out of the sphere of
nature, we cannot discover them but by the light of revelation. And
therefore we must take them as they lie in the scriptures, and as God
has been pleased to reveal them.
IV. We here see by whom this wisdom is discovered to us: God hath
revealed them to us by his Spirit, v. 10. The scripture is given by
inspiration of God. Holy men spoke of old as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. i. 21. And the apostles spoke by inspiration of the
same Spirit, as he taught them, and gave them utterance. Here is a
proof of the divine authority of the holy scriptures. Paul wrote what
he taught: and what he taught was revealed of God by his Spirit, that
Spirit that searches all things, yea, the deep things of God, and knows
the things of God, as the spirit of a man that is in him knows the
things of a man, v. 11. A double argument is drawn from these words in
proof of the divinity of the Holy Ghost:--1. Omniscience is attributed
to him: He searches all things, even the deep things of God. He has
exact knowledge of all things, and enters into the very depths of God,
penetrates into his most secret counsels. Now who can have such a
thorough knowledge of God but God? 2. This allusion seems to imply that
the Holy Spirit is as much in God as a man's mind is in himself. Now
the mind of the man is plainly essential to him. He cannot be without
his mind. Now can God be without his Spirit. He is as much and as
intimately one with God as the man's mind is with the man. The man
knows his own mind because his mind is one with himself. The Spirit of
God knows the things of God because he is one with God. And as no man
can come at the knowledge of what is in another man's mind till he
communicates and reveals it, so neither can we know the secret counsels
and purposes of God till they are made known to us by his Holy Spirit.
We cannot know them at all till he had proposed them objectively (as it
is called) in the external revelation; we cannot know or believe them
to salvation till he enlightens the faculty, opens the eye of the mind,
and gives us such a knowledge and faith of them. And it was by this
Spirit that the apostles had received the wisdom of God in a mystery,
which they spoke. "Now we have received not the spirit of the world,
but the Spirit which is of God, that we might know the things freely
given to us of God (v. 12); not the spirit which is in the wise men of
the world (v. 6), nor in the rulers of the world (v. 8), but the Spirit
which is of God, or proceedeth from God. We have what we deliver in the
name of God by inspiration from him; and it is by his gracious
illumination and influence that we know the things freely given to us
of God unto salvation"--that is, "the great privileges of the gospel,
which are the free gift of God, distributions of mere and rich grace."
Though these things are given to us, and the revelation of this gift is
made to us, we cannot know them to any saving purpose till we have the
Spirit. The apostles had the revelation of these things from the Spirit
of God, and the saving impression of them from the same Spirit.
V. We see here in what manner this wisdom was taught or communicated:
Which things we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teaches, but
which the Holy Ghost teaches, v. 13. They had received the wisdom they
taught, not from the wise men of the world, but from the Spirit of God.
Nor did they put a human dress on it, but plainly declared the doctrine
of Christ, in terms also taught them by the Holy Spirit. He not only
gave them the knowledge of these things, but gave them utterance.
Observe, The truths of God need no garnishing by human skill or
eloquence, but look best in the words which the Holy Ghost teaches. The
Spirit of God knows much better how to speak of the things of God than
the best critics, orators, or philosophers. Comparing spiritual things
with spiritual--one part of revelation with another, the revelation of
the gospel with that of the Jews, the discoveries of the New Testament
with the types and prophecies of the Old. The comparing of matters of
revelation with matters of science, things supernatural with things
natural and common, is going by a wrong measure. Spiritual things, when
brought together, will help to illustrate one another; but, if the
principles of human art and science are to be made a test of
revelation, we shall certainly judge amiss concerning it, and the
things contained in it. Or, adapting spiritual things to
spiritual--speaking of spiritual matters, matters of revelation, and
the spiritual life, in language that is proper and plain. The language
of the Spirit of God is the most proper to convey his meaning.
VI. We have an account how this wisdom is received.
1. The natural man receiveth not the things of God, for they are
foolishness to him, neither can he know them, because they are
spiritually discerned, v. 14. The natural man, the animal man. Either,
(1.) The man under the power of corruption, and never yet illuminated
by the Spirit of God, such as Jude calls sensual, not having the
Spirit, v. 19. Men unsanctified receive not the things of God. The
understanding, through the corruption of nature by the fall, and
through the confirmation of this disorder by customary sin, is utterly
unapt to receive the rays of divine light; it is prejudiced against
them. The truths of God are foolishness to such a mind. The man looks
on them as trifling and impertinent things, not worth his minding. The
light shineth in darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not, John
i. 5. Not that the natural faculty of discerning is lost, but evil
inclinations and wicked principles render the man unwilling to enter
into the mind of God, in the spiritual matters of his kingdom, and
yield to their force and power. It is the quickening beams of the
Spirit of truth and holiness that must help the mind to discern their
excellency, and to so thorough a conviction of their truth as heartily
to receive and embrace them. Thus the natural man, the man destitute of
the Spirit of God, cannot know them, because they are spiritually
discerned. Or, (2.) The natural man, that is, the wise man of the world
(ch. i. 19, 20), the wise man after the flesh, or according to the
flesh (v. 26), one who hath the wisdom of the world, man's wisdom (ch.
ii. 4-6), a man, as some of the ancients, that would learn all truth by
his own ratiocinations, receive nothing by faith, nor own any need of
supernatural assistance. This was very much the character of the
pretenders to philosophy and the Grecian learning and wisdom in that
day. Such a man receives not the things of the Spirit of God.
Revelation is not with him a principle of science; he looks upon it as
delirium and dotage, the extravagant thought of some deluded dreamer.
It is no way to wisdom among the famous masters of the world; and for
that reason he can have no knowledge of things revealed, because they
are only spiritually discerned, or made known by the revelation of the
Spirit, which is a principle of science or knowledge that he will not
admit.
2. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is
judged, or discerned, of no man, v. 15. Either, (1.) He who is
sanctified and made spiritually-minded (Rom. viii. 6) judgeth all
things, or discerneth all things--he is capable of judging about
matters of human wisdom, and has also a relish and savour of divine
truths; he sees divine wisdom, and experiences divine power, in gospel
revelations and mysteries, which the carnal and unsanctified mind looks
upon as weakness and folly, as things destitute of all power and not
worthy any regard. It is the sanctified mind that must discern the real
beauties of holiness; but, by the refinement of its facilities, they do
not lose their power of discerning and judging about common and natural
things. The spiritual man may judge of all things, natural and
supernatural, human and divine, the deductions of reason and the
discoveries of revelation. But he himself is judged or discerned of no
man. God's saints are his hidden ones, Ps. lxxxiii. 3. Their life is
hid with Christ in God, Col. iii. 3. The carnal man knows no more of a
spiritual man than he does of other spiritual things. He is a stranger
to the principles, pleasures, and actings, of the divine life. The
spiritual man does not lie open to his observation. Or, (2.) He that is
spiritual (who has had divine revelations made to him, receives them as
such, and founds his faith and religion upon them) can judge both of
common things and things divine; he can discern what is, and what is
not, the doctrine of the gospel and of salvation, and whether a man
preaches the truths of God or not. He does not lose the power of
reasoning, nor renounce the principles of it, by founding his faith and
religion on revelation. But he himself is judged of no man--can be
judged, so as to be confuted, by no man; nor can any man who is not
spiritual, not under a divine afflatus himself (see ch. xiv. 37), or
not founding his faith on a divine revelation, discern or judge whether
what he speaks be true or divine, or not. In short, he who founds all
his knowledge upon principles of science, and the mere light of reason,
can never be a judge of the truth or falsehood of what is received by
revelation. For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may
instruct him (v. 16), that is, the spiritual man? Who can enter so far
into the mind of God as to instruct him who has the Spirit of God, and
is under his inspiration? He only is the person to whom God immediately
communicates the knowledge of his will. And who can inform or instruct
him in the mind of God who is so immediately under the conduct of his
own Spirit? Very few have known any thing of the mind of God by a
natural power. But, adds the apostle, we have the mind of Christ; and
the mind of Christ is the mind of God. He is God, and the principal
messenger and prophet of God. And the apostles were empowered by his
Spirit to make known his mind to us. And in the holy scriptures the
mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are fully revealed to
us. Observe, It is the great privilege of Christians that they have the
mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. III.
In this chapter the apostle, I. Blames the Corinthians for their
carnality and divisions, ver. 1-4. II. He instructs them how what was
amiss among them might be rectified, by remembering, 1. That their
ministers were no more than ministers, ver. 5. 2. That they were
unanimous, and carried on the same design, ver. 6-10. 3. That they
built on one and the same foundation, ver. 11-15. III. He exhorts them
to give due honour to their bodies, by keeping them pure (ver. 16, 17),
and to humility and self-diffidence, ver. 18-21. IV. And dehorts them
from glorying in particular ministers, because of the equal interest
they had in all, ver. 22 to the end.
The Spirit of Party Reproved. (a. d. 57.)
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as
unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. 2 I have fed you with
milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it,
neither yet now are ye able. 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas
there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not
carnal, and walk as men? 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and
another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
Here, I. Paul blames the Corinthians for their weakness and
nonproficiency. Those who are sanctified are so only in part: there is
still room for growth and increase both in grace and knowledge, 2 Pet.
iii. 18. Those who through divine grace are renewed to a spiritual life
may yet in many things be defective. The apostle tells them he could
not speak to them as unto spiritual men, but as unto carnal men, as to
babes in Christ, v. 1. They were so far from forming their maxims and
measures upon the ground of divine revelation, and entering into the
spirit of the gospel, that is was but too evident they were much under
the command of carnal and corrupt affections. They were still mere
babes in Christ. They had received some of the first principles of
Christianity, but had not grown up to maturity of understanding in
them, or of faith and holiness; and yet it is plain, from several
passages in this epistle, that the Corinthians were very proud of their
wisdom and knowledge. Note, It is but too common for persons of very
moderate knowledge and understanding to have a great measure of
self-conceit. The apostle assigns their little proficiency in the
knowledge of Christianity as a reason why he had communicated no more
of the deep things of it to them. They could not bear such food, they
needed to be fed with milk, not with meat, v. 2. Note, It is the duty
of a faithful minister of Christ to consult the capacities of his
hearers and teach them as they can bear. And yet it is natural for
babes to grow up to men; and babes in Christ should endeavour to grow
in Stature, and become men in Christ. It is expected that their
advances in knowledge should be in proportion to their means and
opportunities, and their time of professing religion, that they may be
able to bear discourses on the mysteries of our religion, and not
always rest in plain things. It was a reproach to the Corinthians that
they had so long sat under the ministry of Paul and had made no more
improvement in Christian knowledge. Note, Christians are utterly to
blame who do not endeavour to grow in grace and knowledge.
II. He blames them for their carnality, and mentions their contention
and discord about their ministers as evidence of it: For you are yet
carnal; for whereas there are among you envyings, and strifes, and
divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men? v. 3. They had mutual
emulations, and quarrels, and factions among them, upon the account of
their ministers, while one said, I am of Paul; and another, I am of
Apollos, v. 4. These were proofs of their being carnal, that fleshly
interests and affections too much swayed them. Note, Contentions and
quarrels about religion are sad evidences of remaining carnality. True
religion makes men peaceable and not contentious. Factious spirits act
upon human principles, not upon principles of true religion; they are
guided by their own pride and passions, and not by the rules of
Christianity: Do you not walk as men? Note, It is to be lamented that
many who should walk as Christians, that is, above the common rate of
men, do indeed walk as men, live and act too much like other men.
Mutual Agreement of Ministers. (a. d. 57.)
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye
believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted,
Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he
that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth
the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one:
and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye
are God's building. 10 According to the grace of God which is given
unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and
another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereupon.
Here the apostle instructs them how to cure this humour, and rectify
what was amiss among them upon this head,
I. By reminding them that the ministers about whom they contended were
but ministers: Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by
whom you believed? Even as the Lord gave to every man, v. 5. They are
but ministers, mere instruments used by the God of all grace. Some of
the factious people in Corinth seem to have made more of them, as if
they were lords of their faith, authors of their religion. Note, We
should take care not to deify ministers, nor put them into the place of
God. Apostles were not the authors of our faith and religion, though
they were authorized and qualified to reveal and propagate it. They
acted in this office as God gave to every man. Observe, All the gifts
and powers that even apostles discovered and exerted in the work of the
ministry were from God. They were intended to manifest their mission
and doctrine to be divine. It was perfectly wrong, upon their account,
to transfer that regard to the apostles which was solely to be paid to
the divine authority by which they acted, and to God, from whom they
had their authority. Paul had planted and Apollos had watered, v. 6.
Both were useful, one for one purpose, the other for another. Note, God
makes use of variety of instruments, and fits them to their several
uses and intentions. Paul was fitted for planting work, and Apollos for
watering work, but God gave the increase. Note, The success of the
ministry must be derived from the divine blessing: Neither he that
planteth is any thing, nor he that watereth, but God who giveth the
increase, v. 7. Even apostolical ministers are nothing of themselves,
can do nothing with efficacy and success unless God give the increase.
Note, The best qualified and most faithful ministers have a just sense
of their own insufficiency, and are very desirous that God should have
all the glory of their success. Paul and Apollos are nothing at all in
their own account, but God is all in all.
II. By representing to them the unanimity of Christ's ministers: He
that planteth and he that watereth are one (v. 8), employed by one
Master, entrusted with the same revelation, busied in one work, and
engaged in one design--in harmony with one another, however they may be
set in opposition to each other by factious party-makers. They have
their different gifts from one and the same Spirit, for the very same
purposes; and they heartily carry on the same design. Planters and
waterers are but fellow-labourers in the same work. Note, All the
faithful ministers of Christ are one in the great business and
intention of their ministry. They may have differences of sentiment in
minor things; they may have their debates and contests; but they
heartily concur in the great design of honouring God and saving souls,
by promoting true Christianity in the world. All such may expect a
glorious recompence of their fidelity, and in proportion to it: Every
man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour. Their
business is one, but some may mind it more than others: their end or
design is one, but some may pursue it more closely than others: their
Master also is one, and yet this good and gracious Master may make a
difference in the rewards he gives, according to the different service
they do: Every one's own work shall have its own reward. Those that
work hardest shall fare best. Those that are most faithful shall have
the greatest reward; and glorious work it is in which all faithful
ministers are employed. They are labourers with God,
synergoi--co-workers, fellow-labourers (v. 9), not indeed in the same
order and degree, but in subordination to him, as instruments in his
hand. They are engaged in his business. They are working together with
God, in promoting the purposes of his glory, and the salvation of
precious souls; and he who knows their work will take care they do not
labour in vain. Men may neglect and vilify one minister while they cry
up another, and have no reason for either: they may condemn when they
should commend, and applaud what they should neglect and avoid; but the
judgment of God is according to truth. He never rewards but upon just
reason, and he ever rewards in proportion to the diligence and
faithfulness of his servants. Note, Faithful ministers, when they are
ill used by men, should encourage themselves in God. And it is to God,
the chief agent and director of the great work of the gospel, to whom
those that labour with him should endeavour to approve themselves. They
are always under his eye, employed in his husbandry and building; and
therefore, to be sure, he will carefully look over them: "You are God's
husbandry, you are God's building; and therefore are neither of Paul
nor of Apollos; neither belong to one nor the other, but to God: they
only plant and water you, but it is the divine blessing on his own
husbandry that alone can make it yield fruit. You are not our
husbandry, but God's. We work under him, and with him, and for him. It
is all for God that we have been doing among you. You are God's
husbandry and building." He had employed the former metaphor before,
and now he goes on to the other of a building: According to the grace
of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid
the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. Paul here calls himself a
wise master-builder, a character doubly reflecting honour on him. It
was honourable to be a master-builder in the edifice of God; but it
added to his character to be a wise one. Persons may be in an office
for which they are not qualified, or not so thoroughly qualified as
this expression implies Paul was. But, though he gives himself such a
character, it is not to gratify his own pride, but to magnify divine
grace. He was a wise master-builder, but the grace of God made him
such. Note, It is no crime in a Christian, but much to his
commendation, to take notice of the good that is in him, to the praise
of divine grace. Spiritual pride is abominable: it is making use of the
greatest favours of God to feed our own vanity, and make idols of
ourselves. But to take notice of the favours of God to promote our
gratitude to him, and to speak of them to his honour (be they of what
sort they will), is but a proper expression of the duty and regard we
own him. Note, Ministers should not be proud of their gifts or graces;
but the better qualified they are for their work, and the more success
they have in it, the more thankful should they be to God for his
distinguishing goodness: I have laid the foundation, and another
buildeth thereon. As before he had said, I have planted, Apollos
watered. It was Paul that laid the foundation of a church among them.
He had begotten them through the gospel, ch. iv. 15. Whatever
instructors they had besides, they had not many fathers. He would
derogate from none that had done service among them, nor would he be
robbed of his own honour and respect. Note, Faithful ministers may and
ought to have a concern for their own reputation. Their usefulness
depends much upon it. But let every man take heed how he buildeth
thereon. This is a proper caution; there may be very indifferent
building on a good foundation. It is easy to err here; and great care
should be used, not only to lay a sure and right foundation, but to
erect a regular building upon it. Nothing must be laid upon it but what
the foundation will bear, and what is of a piece with it. Gold and dirt
must not be mingled together. Note, Ministers of Christ should take
great care that they do not build their own fancies or false reasonings
on the foundation of divine revelation. What they preach should be the
plain doctrine of their Master, or what is perfectly agreeable with it.
The Spiritual Foundation. (a. d. 57.)
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is
Jesus Christ. 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold,
silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 13 Every man's work
shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall
be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what
sort it is. 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon,
he shall receive a reward. 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he
shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Here the apostle informs us what foundation he had laid at the bottom
of all his labours among them--even Jesus Christ, the chief
corner-stone, Eph. ii. 20. Upon this foundation all the faithful
ministers of Christ build. Upon this rock all the Christians found
their hopes. Those that build their hopes of heaven on any other
foundation build upon the sand. Other foundation can no man lay besides
what is laid--even Jesus Christ. Note, The doctrine of our Saviour and
his mediation is the principal doctrine of Christianity. It lies at the
bottom, and is the foundation, of all the rest. Leave out this, and you
lay waste all our comforts, and leave no foundation for our hopes as
sinners. It is in Christ only that God is reconciling a sinful world to
himself, 2 Cor. v. 19. But of those that hold the foundation, and
embrace the general doctrine of Christ's being the mediator between God
and man, there are two sorts:--
I. Some build upon this foundation gold, silver, and precious stones
(v. 12), namely, those who receive and propagate the pure truths of the
gospel, who hold nothing but the truth as it is in Jesus, and preach
nothing else. This is building well upon a good foundation, making all
of apiece, when ministers not only depend upon Christ as the great
prophet of the church, and take him for their guide and infallible
teacher, but receive and spread the doctrines he taught, in their
purity, with out any corrupt mixtures, without adding or diminishing.
II. Others build wood, hay, and stubble, on this foundation; that is,
though they adhere to the foundation, they depart from the mind of
Christ in many particulars, substitute their own fancies and inventions
in the room of his doctrines and institutions, and build upon the good
foundation what will not abide the test when the day of trial shall
come, and the fire must make it manifest, as wood, hay, and stubble,
will not bear the trial by fire, but must be consumed in it. There is a
time coming when a discovery will be made of what men have built on
this foundation: Every man's work shall be made manifest, shall be laid
open to view, to his own view and that of others. Some may, in the
simplicity of their hearts, build wood and stubble on the good
foundation, and know not, all the while, what they have been doing; but
in the day of the Lord their own conduct shall appear to them in its
proper light. Every man's work shall be made manifest to himself, and
made manifest to others, both those that have been misled by him and
those that have escaped his errors. Now we may be mistaken in ourselves
and others; but there is a day coming that will cure all our mistakes,
and show us ourselves, and show us our actions in the true light,
without covering or disguise: For the day shall declare it (that is,
every man's work), because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire
shall try every man's work, of what sort it is, v. 13. The day shall
declare and make it manifest, the last day, the great day of trial; see
ch. iv. 5. Though some understand it of the time when the Jewish nation
was destroyed and their constitution thereby abolished, when the
superstructure which judaizing teachers would have raised on the
Christian foundation was manifested to be no better than hay and
stubble, that would not bear the trial. The expression carries in it a
plain allusion to the refiner's art, in which the fire separates and
distinguishes the dross from the gold and silver; as it also will
silver and gold and precious stones, that will endure the fire, from
wood and hay and stubble, that will be consumed in it. Note, There is a
day coming that will as nicely distinguish one man from another, and
one man's work from another's, as the fire distinguishes gold from
dross, or metal that will bear the fire from other materials that will
be consumed in it. In that day, 1. Some men's works will abide the
trial--will be found standard. It will appear that they not only held
the foundation, but that they built regularly and well upon it--that
they laid on proper materials, and in due form and order. The
foundation and the superstructure were all of a piece. The
foundation-truths, and those that had a manifest connection with them,
were taught together. It may not be so easy to discern this connection
now, nor know what works will abide the trial then; but that day will
make a full discovery. And such a builder shall not, cannot fail of a
reward. He will have praise and honour in that day, and eternal
recompence after it. Note, Fidelity in the ministers of Christ will
meet with a full and ample reward in a future life. Those who spread
true and pure religion in all the branches of it, and whose work will
abide in the great day, shall receive a reward. And, Lord, how great!
how much exceeding their deserts! 2. There are others whose works shall
be burnt (v. 15), whose corrupt opinions and doctrines, or vain
inventions and usages in the worship of God, shall be discovered,
disowned, and rejected, in that day--shall be first manifested to be
corrupt, and then disapproved of God and rejected. Note, The great day
will pluck off all disguises, and make things appear as they are: He
whose work shall be burnt will suffer loss. If he have built upon the
right foundation wood and hay and stubble, he will suffer loss. His
weakness and corruption will be the lessening of his glory, though he
may in the general have been an honest and an upright Christian. This
part of his work will be lost, turning no way to his advantage, though
he himself may be saved. Observe, Those who hold the foundation of
Christianity, though they build hay, wood, and stubble, upon it, may be
saved. This may help to enlarge our charity. We should not reprobate
men for their weakness: for nothing will damn men but wickedness. He
shall be saved, yet so as by fire, saved out of the fire. He himself
shall be snatched out of that flame which will consume his work. This
intimates that it will be difficult for those that corrupt and deprave
Christianity to be saved. God will have no mercy on their works, though
he may pluck them as brands out of the burning. On this passage of
scripture the papists found their doctrine of purgatory, which is
certainly hay and stubble: a doctrine never originally fetched from
scripture, but invented in barbarous ages, to feed the avarice and
ambition of the clergy, at the cost of those who would rather part with
their money than their lusts, for the salvation of their souls. It can
have no countenance from this text, (1.) Because this is plainly meant
of a figurative fire, not of a real one: for what real fire can consume
religious rites or doctrines? (2.) Because this fire is to try men's
works, of what sort they are; but purgatory-fire is not for trial, not
to bring men's actions to the test, but to punish for them. They are
supposed to be venial sins, not satisfied for in this life, for which
satisfaction must be made by suffering the fire of purgatory. (3.)
Because this fire is to try every man's works, those of Paul and
Apollos, as well as those of others. Now, no papists will have the
front to say apostles must have passed through purgatory fires.
Holiness Prescribed. (a. d. 57.)
16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of
God dwelleth in you? 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him
shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
Here the apostle resumes his argument and exhortation, founding it on
his former allusion, You are God's building, v. 9, and here, Know you
not that you are the temple of God, and the Spirit of God dwelleth in
you? If any man defile (corrupt and destroy) the temple of God, him
shall God destroy (the same word is in the original in both clauses);
for the temple of God is holy, which temple you are. It looks from
other parts of the epistle, where the apostle argues to the very same
purport (see ch. vi. 13-20), as if the false teachers among the
Corinthians were not only loose livers, but taught licentious
doctrines, and what was particularly fitted to the taste of this lewd
city, on the head of fornication. Such doctrine was not to be reckoned
among hay and stubble, which would be consumed while the person who
laid them on the foundation escaped the burning; for it tended to
corrupt, to pollute, and destroy the church, which was a building
erected for God, and consecrated to him, and therefore should be kept
pure and holy. Those who spread principles of this sort would provoke
God to destroy them. Note, Those who spread loose principles, that have
a direct tendency to pollute the church of God, and render it unholy
and unclean, are likely to bring destruction on themselves. It may be
understood also as an argument against their discord and factious
strifes, division being the way to destruction. But what I have been
mentioning seems to be the proper meaning of the passage: Know you not
that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in
you? It may be understood of the church of Corinth collectively, or of
every single believer among them; Christian churches are temples of
God. He dwells among them by his Holy Spirit. They are built together
for a habitation of God through the Spirit, Eph. ii. 22. Every
Christian is a living temple of the living God. God dwelt in the Jewish
temple, took possession of it, and resided in it, by that glorious
cloud that was the token of his presence with that people. So Christ by
his Spirit dwells in all true believers. The temple was devoted and
consecrated to God, and set apart from every common to a holy use, to
the immediate service of God. So all Christians are separated from
common uses, and set apart for God and his service. They are sacred to
him--a very good argument this against all fleshly lusts, and all
doctrines that give countenance to them. If we are the temples of God,
we must do nothing that shall alienate ourselves from him, or corrupt
and pollute ourselves, and thereby unfit ourselves for his use; and we
must hearken to no doctrine nor doctor that would seduce us to any such
practices. Note, Christians are holy by profession, and should be pure
and clean both in heart and conversation. We should heartily abhor, and
carefully avoid, what will defile God's temple, and prostitute what
ought to be sacred to him.
Humility Prescribed. (a. d. 57.)
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise
in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 19 For the
wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He
taketh the wise in their own craftiness. 20 And again, The Lord
knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
Here he prescribes humility, and a modest opinion of themselves, for
the remedy of the irregularities in the church of Corinth, the
divisions and contests among them: "Let no man deceive himself, v. 18.
Do not be led away from the truth and simplicity of the gospel by
pretenders to science and eloquence, by a show of deep learning, or a
flourish of words, by rabbis, orators, or philosophers." Note, We are
in great danger of deceiving ourselves when we have too high an opinion
of human wisdom and arts; plain and pure Christianity will be likely to
be despised by those who can suit their doctrines to the corrupt taste
of their hearers, and set them off with fine language, or support them
with a show of deep and strong reasoning. But he who seems to be wise
must become a fool that he may be wise. He must be sensible of his own
ignorance, and lament it; he must distrust his own understanding, and
not lean on it. To have a high opinion of our wisdom is but to flatter
ourselves, and self-flattery is the very next step to self-deceit. The
way to true wisdom is to sink our opinion of our own to a due level,
and be willing to be taught of God. He must become a fool who would be
truly and thoroughly wise. The person who resigns his own
understanding, that he may follow the instruction of God, is in the way
to true and everlasting wisdom. The meek will he guide in judgment, the
meek will he teach his way, Ps. xxv. 9. He that has a low opinion of
his own knowledge and powers will submit to better information; such a
person may be informed and improved by revelation: but the proud man,
conceited of his own wisdom and understanding, will undertake to
correct even divine wisdom itself, and prefer his own shallow
reasonings to the revelations of infallible truth and wisdom. Note, We
must abase ourselves before God if we would be either truly wise or
good: For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God, v. 19. The
wisdom which worldly men esteem (policy, philosophy, oratory) is
foolishness with God. It is so in a way of comparison with his wisdom.
He chargeth his angels with folly (Job iv. 18), and much more the
wisest among the children of men. His understanding is infinite, Ps.
cxlvii. 5. There can be no more comparison between his wisdom and ours
than between his power and being and ours. There is no common measure
by which to compare finite and infinite. And much more is the wisdom of
man foolishness with God when set in competition with his. How justly
does he despise, how easily can he baffle and confound it! He taketh
the wise in their own craftiness (Job v. 13), he catches them in their
own nets, and entangles them in their own snares: he turns their most
studies, plausible, and promising schemes against themselves, and ruins
them by their own contrivance. Nay, He knows the thoughts of the wise,
that they are vain (v. 20), that they are vanity, Ps. xciv. 11. Note,
God has a perfect knowledge of the thoughts of men, the deepest
thoughts of the wisest men, their most secret counsels and purposes:
nothing is hidden from him, but all things are naked and bare before
him, Heb. iv. 13. And he knows them to be vanity. The thoughts of the
wisest men in the world have a great mixture of vanity, of weakness and
folly, in them; and before God their wisest and best thoughts are very
vanity, compared, I mean, with his thoughts of things. And should not
all this teach us modesty, diffidence in ourselves, and a deference to
the wisdom of God, make us thankful for his revelations, and willing to
be taught of God, and not be led away by specious pretences to human
wisdom and skill, from the simplicity of Christ, or a regard to his
heavenly doctrine? Note, He who would be wise indeed must learn of God,
and not set his own wisdom up in competition with God's.
Against Overvaluing Teachers. (a. d. 57.)
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; 22
Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death,
or things present, or things to come; all are yours; 23 And ye are
Christ's; and Christ is God's.
Here the apostle founds an exhortation against over-valuing their
teachers on what he had just said, and on the consideration that they
had an equal interest in all their ministers: Therefore let no man
glory in men (v. 21)--forget that their ministers are men, or pay that
deference to them that is due only to God, set them at the head of
parties, have them in immoderate esteem and admiration, and servilely
and implicitly follow their directions and submit to their dictates,
and especially in contradiction to God and the truths taught by his
Holy Spirit. Mankind are very apt to make the mercies of God cross
their intentions. The ministry is a very useful and very gracious
institution, and faithful ministers are a great blessing to any people;
yet the folly and weakness of people may do much mischief by what is in
itself a blessing. They may fall into factions, side with particular
ministers, and set them at their head, glory in their leaders, and be
carried by them they know not whither. The only way to avoid this
mischief is to have a modest opinion of ourselves, a due sense of the
common weakness of human understanding, and an entire deference to the
wisdom of God speaking in his word. Ministers are not to be set up in
competition with one another. All faithful ministers are serving one
Lord and pursuing one purpose. They were appointed of Christ, for the
common benefit of the church: "Paul, and Apollos, and Cephas, are all
yours. One is not to be set up against another, but all are to be
valued and used for your own spiritual benefit." Upon this occasion
also he gives in an inventory of the church's possessions, the
spiritual riches of a true believer: "All is yours--ministers of all
ranks, ordinary and extraordinary. Nay the world itself is yours." Not
that saints are proprietors of the world, but it stands for their sake,
they have as much of it as Infinite Wisdom sees to be fit for them, and
they have all they have with the divine blessing. "Life is yours, that
you may have season and opportunity to prepare for the life of heaven;
and death is yours, that you may go to the possession of it. It is the
kind messenger that will fetch you to your Father's house. Things
present are yours, for your support on the road; things to come are
yours, to enrich and regale you for ever at your journey's end." Note,
If we belong to Christ, and are true to him, all good belongs to us,
and is sure to us. All is ours, time and eternity, earth and heaven,
life and death. We shall want no good thing, Ps. lxxxiv. 11. But it
must be remembered, at the same time, that we are Christ's, the
subjects of his kingdom, his property. He is Lord over us, and we must
own his dominion, and cheerfully submit to his command and yield
themselves to his pleasure, if we would have all things minister to our
advantage. All things are ours, upon no other ground than our being
Christ's. Out of him we are without just title or claim to any thing
that is good. Note, Those that would be safe for time, and happy to
eternity, must be Christ's. And Christ is God's. He is the Christ of
God, anointed of God, and commissioned by him, to bear the office of a
Mediator, and to act therein for the purposes of his glory. Note, All
things are the believer's, that Christ might have honour in his great
undertaking, and God in all might have the glory. God in Christ
reconciling a sinful world to himself, and shedding abroad the riches
of his grace on a reconciled world, is the sum and substance of the
gospel.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. IV.
In this chapter the apostle, I. Directs them how to account of him and
his fellow-ministers, and therein, tacitly at least, reproves them for
their unworthy carriage towards him, ver. 1-6. II. He cautions them
against pride and self-elation, and hints at the many temptations they
had to conceive too highly of themselves, and despise him and other
apostles, because of the great diversity in their circumstances and
condition, ver. 7-13. III. He challenges their regard to him as their
father in Christ, ver. 14-16. IV. He tells them of his having sent
Timothy to them, and of his own purpose to come to them shortly,
however some among them had pleased themselves, and grown vain, upon
the quite contrary expectation, ver. 17 to the end.
The Stewardship of the Apostles. (a. d. 57.)
1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and
stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 Moreover it is required in
stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very
small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea,
I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I
not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore
judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring
to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the
counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred to myself
and to Apollos for your sakes; that ye might learn in us not to think
of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up for
one against another.
Here, I. The apostle challenges the respect due to him on account of
his character and office, in which many among them had at least very
much failed: Let a man so account of us as of the ministers of Christ,
and stewards of the mysteries of God (v. 1), though possibly others
might have valued them too highly, by setting him up as the head of a
party, and professing to be his disciples. In our opinion of ministers,
as well as all other things, we should be careful to avoid extremes.
Apostles themselves were, 1. Not to be overvalued, for they were
ministers, not masters; stewards, not lords. They were servants of
Christ, and no more, though they were servants of the highest rank,
that had the care of his household, that were to provide food for the
rest, and appoint and direct their work. Note, It is a very great abuse
of their power, and highly criminal in common ministers, to lord it
over their fellow-servants, and challenge authority over their faith or
practice. For even apostles were but servants of Christ, employed in
his work, and sent on his errand, and dispensers of the mysteries of
God, or those truths which had been hidden from the world in ages and
generations past. They had no authority to propagate their own fancies,
but to spread Christian faith. 2. Apostles were not to be undervalued;
for, though they were ministers, they were ministers of Christ. The
character and dignity of their master put an honour on them. Though
they are but stewards, they are not stewards of the common things of
the world, but of divine mysteries. They had a great trust, and for
that reason had an honourable office. They were stewards of God's
household, high-stewards in his kingdom of grace. They did not set up
for masters, but they deserved respect and esteem in this honourable
service. Especially,
II. When they did their duty in it, and approved themselves faithful:
It is required in stewards that a man be found faithful (v. 2),
trustworthy. The stewards in Christ's family must appoint what he hath
appointed. They must not set their fellow-servants to work for
themselves. They must not require any thing from them without their
Master's warrant. They must not feed them with the chaff of their own
inventions, instead of the wholesome food of Christian doctrine and
truth. They must teach what he hath commanded, and not the doctrines
and commandments of men. They must be true to the interest of their
Lord, and consult his honour. Note, The ministers of Christ should make
it their hearty and continual endeavour to approve themselves
trustworthy; and when they have the testimony of a good conscience, and
the approbation of their Master, they must slight the opinions and
censures of their fellow-servants: But with me, saith the apostle, it
is a small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment,
v. 3. Indeed, reputation and esteem among men are a good step towards
usefulness in the ministry; and Paul's whole argument upon this head
shows he had a just concern for his own reputation. But he that would
make it his chief endeavour to please men would hardly approve himself
a faithful servant of Christ, Gal. i. 10. He that would be faithful to
Christ must despise the censures of men for his sake. He must look upon
it as a very little thing (if his Lord approves him) what judgment men
form of him. They may think very meanly or very hardly of him, while he
is doing his duty; but it is not by their judgment that he must stand
or fall. And happy is it for faithful ministers that they have a more
just and candid judge than their fellow-servants; one who knows and
pities their imperfections, though he has none of his own. It is better
to fall into the hands of God than into the hands of men, 2 Sam. xxiv.
14. The best of men are too apt to judge rashly, and harshly, and
unjustly; but his judgment is always according to truth. It is a
comfort that men are not to be our final judges. Nay, we are not thus
to judge ourselves: "Yea, I judge not myself. For though I know nothing
by myself, cannot charge myself with unfaithfulness, yet I am not
thereby justified, this will not clear me of the charge; but he that
judgeth me is the Lord. It is his judgment that must determine me. By
his sentence I must abide. Such I am as he shall find and judge me to
be." Note, It is not judging well of ourselves, justifying ourselves,
that will prove us safe and happy. Nothing will do this but the
acceptance and approbation of our sovereign Judge. Not he that
commendeth himself is approved, but he whom the Lord commendeth, 2 Cor.
x. 18.
III. The apostle takes occasion hence to caution the Corinthians
against censoriousness--the forward and severe judging of others:
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, v. 5. It
is judging out of season, and judging at an adventure. He is not to be
understood of judging by persons in authority, within the verge of
their office, nor of private judging concerning facts that are
notorious; but of judging persons' future state, or the secret springs
and principles of their actions, or about facts doubtful in themselves.
To judge in these cases, and give decisive sentence, is to assume the
seat of God and challenge his prerogative. Note, How bold a sinner is
the forward and severe censurer! How ill-timed and arrogant are his
censures! But there is one who will judge the censurer, and those he
censures, without prejudice, passion, or partiality. And there is a
time coming when men cannot fail judging aright concerning themselves
and others, by following his judgment. This should make them now
cautious of judging others, and careful in judging themselves. There is
a time coming when the Lord will bring to light the hidden things of
darkness, and make manifest the counsels of the hearts--deeds of
darkness that are now done in secret, and all the secret inclinations,
purposes, and intentions, of the hidden man of the heart. Note, There
is a day coming that will dispel the darkness and lay open the face of
the deep, will fetch men's secret sins into open day and discover the
secrets of their hearts: The day shall declare it. The judge will bring
these things to light. The Lord Jesus Christ will manifest the counsels
of the heart, of all hearts. Note, The Lord Jesus Christ must have the
knowledge of the counsels of the heart, else he could not make them
manifest. This is a divine prerogative (Jer. xvii. 10), and yet it is
what our Saviour challenges to himself in a very peculiar manner (Rev.
ii. 23): All the churches shall know that I am HE who searcheth the
reins and hearts, and I will give to every one of you according to your
works. Note, We should be very careful how we censure others, when we
have to do with a Judge from whom we cannot conceal ourselves. Others
do not lie open to our notice, but we lie all open to his: and, when he
shall come to judge, every man shall have praise of God. Every man,
that is, every one qualified for it, every one who has done well.
Though none of God's servants can deserve any thing from him, though
there be much that is blamable even in their best services, yet shall
their fidelity be commended and crowned by him; and should they be
condemned, reproached, or vilified, by their fellow-servants, he will
roll away all such unjust censures and reproaches, and show them in
their own amiable light. Note, Christians may well be patient under
unjust censures, when they know such a day as this is coming,
especially when they have their consciences testifying to their
integrity. But how fearful should they be of loading any with
reproaches now whom their common Judge shall hereafter commend.
IV. The apostle here lets us into the reason why he had used his own
name and that of Apollos in this discourse of his. He had done it in a
figure, and he had done it for their sakes. He chose rather to mention
his own name, and the name of a faithful fellow-labourer, than the
names of any heads of factions among them, that hereby he might avoid
what would provoke, and so procure for his advice the greater regard.
Note, Ministers should use prudence in their advices and admonitions,
but especially in their reproofs, lest they lose their end. The advice
the apostle would by this means inculcate was that they might learn not
to think of men above what is written (above what he had been writing),
nor be puffed up for one against another (v. 6). Apostles were not to
be esteemed other than planters or waterers in God's husbandry,
master-builders in his building, stewards of his mysteries, and
servants of Christ. And common ministers cannot bear these characters
in the same sense that apostles did. Note, We must be very careful not
to transfer the honour and authority of the Master to his servant. We
must call no man Master on earth; one is our Master, even Christ, Matt.
xxiii. 8, 10. We must not think of them above what is written. Note,
The word of God is the best rule by which to judge concerning men. And
again, judging rightly concerning men, and not judging more highly of
them than is fit, is one way to prevent quarrels and contentions in the
churches. Pride commonly lies at the bottom of these quarrels.
Self-conceit contributes very much to our immoderate esteem of our
teachers, as well as ourselves. Our commendation of our own taste and
judgment commonly goes along with our unreasonable applause, and always
with a factious adherence to one teacher, in opposition to others that
may be equally faithful and well qualified. But to think modestly of
ourselves, and not above what is written of our teachers, is the most
effectual means to prevent quarrels and contests, sidings and parties,
in the church. We shall not be puffed up for one against another if we
remember that they are all instruments employed by God in his husbandry
and building, and endowed by him with their various talents and
qualifications.
Caution against Censoriousness; Distressed Condition of the Apostles. (a.
d. 57.)
7 For who maketh thee to differ from another? and what hast thou that
thou didst not receive? now if thou didst receive it, why dost thou
glory, as if thou hadst not received it? 8 Now ye are full, now ye
are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye
did reign, that we also might reign with you. 9 For I think that God
hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for
we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men. 10
We are fools for Christ's sake, but ye are wise in Christ; we are weak,
but ye are strong; ye are honourable, but we are despised. 11 Even
unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and
are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place; 12 And labour,
working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted,
we suffer it: 13 Being defamed, we intreat: we are made as the filth
of the world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
Here the apostle improves the foregoing hint to a caution against pride
and self-conceit, and sets forth the temptations the Corinthians had to
despise him, from the difference of their circumstances.
I. He cautions them against pride and self-conceit by this
consideration, that all the distinction made among them was owing to
God: Who maketh thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou didst not
receive? v. 7. Here the apostle turns his discourse to the ministers
who set themselves at the head of these factions, and did but too much
encourage and abet the people in those feuds. What had they to glory
in, when all their peculiar gifts were from God? They had received
them, and could not glory in them as their own, without wronging God.
At the time when they reflected on them to feed their vanity, they
should have considered them as so many debts and obligations to divine
bounty and grace. But it may be taken as a general maxim: We have no
reason to be proud of our attainments, enjoyments, or performances; all
that we have, or are, or do, that is good, is owing to the free and
rich grace of God. Boasting is for ever excluded. There is nothing we
have that we can properly call our own: all is received from God. It is
foolish in us therefore, and injurious to him, to boast of it; those
who receive all should be proud of nothing, Ps. cxv. 1. Beggars and
dependents may glory in their supports; but to glory in themselves is
to be proud at once of meanness, impotence, and want. Note, Due
attention to our obligations to divine grace would cure us of arrogance
and self-conceit.
II. He presses the duty of humility upon them by a very smart irony, or
at least reproves them for their pride and self-conceit: "You are full,
you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us. You have not only a
sufficiency, but an affluence, of spiritual gifts; nay, you can make
them the matter of your glory without us, that is, in my absence, and
without having any need of me." There is a very elegant gradation from
sufficiency to wealth, and thence to royalty, to intimate how much the
Corinthians were elated by the abundance of their wisdom and spiritual
gifts, which was a humour that prevailed among them while the apostle
was away from them, and made them forget what an interest he had in
all. See how apt pride is to overrate benefits and overlook the
benefactor, to swell upon its possessions and forget from whom they
come; nay, it is apt to behold them in a magnifying-glass: "You have
reigned as kings," says the apostle, "that is, in your own conceit; and
I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you. I wish
you had as much of the true glory of a Christian church upon you as you
arrogate to yourselves. I should come in then for a share of the
honour: I should reign with you: I should not be overlooked by you as
now I am, but valued and regarded as a minister of Christ, and a very
useful instrument among you." Note, Those do not commonly know
themselves best who think best of themselves, who have the highest
opinion of themselves. The Corinthians might have reigned, and the
apostle with them, if they had not been blown up with an imaginary
royalty. Note, Pride is a great prejudice to our improvement. He is
stopped from growing wiser or better who thinks himself at the height;
not only full, but rich, nay, a king.
III. He comes to set forth his own circumstances and those of the other
apostles, and compares them with theirs. 1. To set forth the case of
the apostles: For I think it hath pleased God to set forth us the
apostles last, as it were appointed to death. For we are made a
spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men. Paul and his
fellow-apostles were exposed to great hardships. Never were any men in
this world so hunted and worried. They carried their lives in their
hands: God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to
death, v. 9. An allusion is made to some of the bloody spectacles in
the Roman amphitheatres, where men were exposed to fight with wild
beasts, or to cut one another to pieces, to make diversion for the
populace, where the victor did not escape with his life, though he
should destroy his adversary, but was only reserved for another combat,
and must be devoured or cut in pieces at last; so that such wretched
criminals (for they were ordinarily condemned persons that were thus
exposed) might very properly be called epithanatioi--persons devoted or
appointed to death. They are said to be set forth last, because the
meridian gladiators, those who combated one another in the after-part
of the day, were most exposed, being obliged to fight naked; so that
(as Seneca says, epist. 7) this was perfect butchery, and those exposed
to beasts in the morning were treated mercifully in comparison with
these. The general meaning is that the apostles were exposed to
continual danger of death, and that of the worst kinds, in the faithful
discharge of their office. God had set them forth, brought them into
view, as the Roman emperors brought their combatants into the arena,
the place of show, though not for the same purposes. They did it to
please the populace, and humour their own vanity, and sometimes a much
worse principle. The apostles were shown to manifest the power of
divine grace, to confirm the truth of their mission and doctrine, and
to propagate religion in the world. These were ends worthy of
God--noble views, fit to animate them to the combat. But they had like
difficulties to encounter, and were in a manner as much exposed as
these miserable Roman criminals. Note, The office of an apostle was, as
an honourable, so a hard and hazardous one: "For we are made a
spectacle to the world, and to angels, and to men, v. 9. A show. We are
brought into the theatre, brought out to the public view of the world.
Angels and men are witnesses to our persecutions, sufferings, patience,
and magnanimity. They all see that we suffer for our fidelity to
Christ, and how we suffer; how great and imminent are our dangers, and
how bravely we encounter them; how sharp our sufferings, and how
patiently we endure them, by the power of divine grace and our
Christian principles. Ours is hard work, but honourable; it is
hazardous, but glorious. God will have honour from us, religion will be
credited by us. The world cannot but see and wonder at our undaunted
resolution, our invincible patience and constancy." And how contentedly
could they be exposed, both to sufferings and scorn, for the honour of
their Master! Note, The faithful ministers and disciples of Christ
should contentedly undergo any thing for his sake and honour. 2. He
compares his own case with that of the Corinthians: "We are fools for
Christ's sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are
strong; you are honourable, but we are despised, v. 10. We are fools
for Christ's sake; such in common account, and we are well content to
be so accounted. We can pass for fools in the world, and be despised as
such, so that the wisdom of God and the honour of the gospel may by
this means be secured and displayed." Note, Faithful ministers can bear
being despised, so that the wisdom of God and the power of his grace be
thereby displayed. "But you are wise in Christ. You have the fame of
being wise and learned Christians, and you do not a little value
yourselves upon it. We are under disgrace for delivering the plain
truths of the gospel, and in as plain a manner: you are in reputation
for your eloquence and human wisdom, which among many make you pass for
wise men in Christ. We are weak, but you are strong. We are suffering
for Christ's sake" (so being weak plainly signifies, 2 Cor. xii. 10),
"when you are in easy and flourishing circumstances." Note, All
Christians are not alike exposed. Some suffer greater hardships than
others who are yet engaged in the same warfare. The standard-bearers in
an army are most struck at. So ministers in a time of persecution are
commonly the first and greatest sufferers. Or else, "We pass upon the
world for persons of but mean endowments, mere striplings in
Christianity; but you look upon yourselves, and are looked upon by
others, as men, as those of a much more advanced growth and confirmed
strength." Note, Those are not always the greatest proficients in
Christianity who think thus of themselves, or pass for such upon
others. It is but too easy and common for self-love to commit such a
mistake. The Corinthians may think themselves, and be esteemed by
others, as wiser and stronger men in Christ than the apostles
themselves. But O! how gross is the mistake!
IV. He enters into some particularities of their sufferings: Even to
this present hour; that is, after all the service we have been doing
among you and other churches, we hunger and thirst, and are naked, and
are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place, and labour, working
with our own hands, v. 11, 12. Nay, they were made as the filth of the
world, and the off-scouring of all things, v. 13. They were forced to
labour with their own hands to get subsistence, and had so much, and so
much greater, business to mind, that they could not attend enough to
this, to get a comfortable livelihood, but were exposed to hunger,
thirst, and nakedness--many times wanted meat, and drink, and clothes.
They were driven about the world, without having any fixed abode, any
stated habitation. Poor circumstances indeed, for the prime ministers
of our Saviour's kingdom to have no house nor home, and to be destitute
of food and raiment! But yet no poorer than his who had not where to
lay his head, Luke ix. 58. But O glorious charity and devotion, that
would carry them through all these hardships! How ardently did they
love God, how vehemently did they thirst for the salvation of souls!
Theirs was voluntary, it was pleasing poverty. They thought they had a
rich amends for all the outward good things they wanted, if they might
but serve Christ and save souls. Nay, though they were made the filth
of the world, and the off-scouring of all things. They were treated as
men not fit to live, perikatharmata. It is reasonably thought by the
critics that an allusion is here made to a common custom of many
heathen nations, to offer men in sacrifice in a time of pestilence, or
other like grievous calamity. These were ordinarily the vilest of men,
persons of the lowest rank and worst character. Thus, in the first
ages, Christians were counted the source of all public calamities, and
were sacrificed to the people's rage, if not to appease their angry
deities. And apostles could not meet with better usage. They suffered
in their persons and characters as the very worst and vilest men, as
the most proper to make such a sacrifice: or else as the very dirt of
the world, that was to be swept away: nay, as the off-scouring of all
things, the dross, the filings of all things. They were the
common-sewer into which all the reproaches of the world were to be
poured. To be the off-scouring of any thing is bad, but what is it to
be the off-scouring of all things! How much did the apostles resemble
their Master, and fill up that which was behind of his afflictions, for
his body's sake, which is the church! Col. i. 24. They suffered for
him, and they suffered after his example. Thus poor and despised was he
in his life and ministry. And every one who would be faithful in Christ
Jesus must prepare for the same poverty and contempt. Note, Those may
be very dear to God, and honourable in his esteem, whom men may think
unworthy to live, and use and scorn as the very dirt and refuse of the
world. God seeth not as man seeth, 1 Sam. xvi. 7.
V. We have here the apostles' behaviour under all; and the return they
made for this mal-treatment: Being reviled, we bless; being persecuted,
we suffer it; being defamed, we entreat, v. 12, 13. They returned
blessings for reproaches, and entreaties and kind exhortations for the
rudest slanders and defamation, and were patient under the sharpest
persecutions. Note, The disciples of Christ, and especially his
ministers, should hold fast their integrity, and keep a good
conscience, whatever opposition of hardships they meet with from the
world. Whatever they suffer from men, they must follow the example, and
fulfil the will and precepts, of their Lord. They must be content, with
him and for him, to be despised and abused.
Paul's Tenderness and Affection. (a. d. 57.)
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn
you. 15 For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet
have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you
through the gospel. 16 Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of
me.
Here Paul challenges their regard to him as their father. He tells
them, 1. That what he had written was not for their reproach, but
admonition; not with the gall of an enemy, but the bowels of a father
(v. 14): I write not to shame you, but as my beloved children I warn
you. Note, In reproving for sin, we should have a tender regard to the
reputation, as well as the reformation, of the sinner. We should aim to
distinguish between them and their sins, and take care not to discover
any spite against them ourselves, nor expose them to contempt and
reproach in the world. Reproofs that expose commonly do but exasperate,
when those that kindly and affectionately warn are likely to reform.
When the affections of a father mingle with the admonitions of a
minister, it is to be hoped that they may at once melt and mend; but to
lash like an enemy or executioner will provoke and render obstinate. To
expose to open shame is but the way to render shameless. 2. He shows
them upon what foundation he claimed paternal relation to them, and
called them his sons. They might have other pedagogues or instructors,
but he was their father; for in Christ Jesus he had begotten them by
the gospel, v. 15. They were made Christians by his ministry. He had
laid the foundation of a church among them. Others could only build
upon it. Whatever other teachers they had, he was their spiritual
father. He first brought them off from pagan idolatry to the faith of
the gospel and the worship of the true and living God. He was the
instrument of their new birth, and therefore claimed the relation of a
father to them, and felt the bowels of a father towards them. Note,
There commonly is, and always ought to be, an endeared affection
between faithful ministers and those they beget in Christ Jesus through
the gospel. They should love like parents and children. 3. We have here
the special advice he urges on them: Wherefore I beseech you be you
followers of me, v. 16. This he elsewhere explains and limits (ch. xi.
1): "Be you followers of me, as I also am of Christ. Follow me as far
as I follow Christ. Come up as close as you can to my example in those
instances wherein I endeavour to copy after his pattern. Be my
disciples, as far as I manifest myself to be a faithful minister and
disciple of Christ, and no further. I would not have you be my
disciples, but his. But I hope I have approved myself a faithful
steward of the mysteries of Christ, and a faithful servant of my master
Christ; so far follow me, and tread in my steps." Note, Ministers
should so live that their people may take pattern from them, and live
after their copy. They should guide them by their lives as well as
their lips, go before them in the way to heaven, and not content
themselves with pointing it out. Note, As ministers are to set a
pattern, others must take it. They should follow them as far as they
are satisfied that they follow Christ in faith and practice.
Paul's Affection and Authority. (a. d. 57.)
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timotheus, who is my beloved
son, and faithful in the Lord, who shall bring you into remembrance of
my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up, as though I would not come to you. 19 But
I will come to you shortly, if the Lord will, and will know, not the
speech of them which are puffed up, but the power. 20 For the kingdom
of God is not in word, but in power. 21 What will ye? shall I come
unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
Here, I. He tells them of his having sent Timothy to them, to bring
them into remembrance of his ways in Christ, as he taught every where
in every church (v. 17)--to remind them of his ways in Christ, to
refresh their memory as to his preaching and practice, what he taught,
and how he lived among them. Note, Those who have had ever so good
teaching are apt to forget, and need to have their memories refreshed.
The same truth, taught over again, if it give no new light, may make
new and quicker impression. He also lets them know that his teaching
was the same every where, and in every church. He had not one doctrine
for one place and people, and another for another. He kept close to his
instructions. What he received of the Lord, that he delivered, ch. xi.
23. This was the gospel revelation, which was the equal concern of all
men, and did not very from itself. He therefore taught the same things
in every church, and lived after the same manner in all times and
places. Note, The truth of Christ is one and invariable. What one
apostle taught every one taught. What one apostle taught at one time
and in one place, he taught at all times and in all places. Christians
may mistake and differ in their apprehensions, but Christ and Christian
truth are the same yesterday, today, and for ever, Heb. xiii. 8. To
render their regard to Timothy the greater, he gives them his
character. He was his beloved son, a spiritual child of his, as well as
themselves. Note, Spiritual brotherhood should engage affection as well
as what is common and natural. The children of one father should have
one heart. But he adds, "He is faithful in the Lord--trustworthy, as
one that feared the Lord. He will be faithful in the particular office
he has now received of the Lord, the particular errand on which he
comes; not only from me, but from Christ. He knows what I have taught,
and what my conversation has been in all places, and, you may depend
upon it, he will make a faithful report." Note, It is a great
commendation of any minister that he is faithful in the Lord, faithful
to his soul, to his light, to his trust from God; this must go a great
way in procuring regard to his message with those that fear God.
II. He rebukes the vanity of those who imagined he would not come to
them, by letting them know this was his purpose, though he had sent
Timothy: "I will come to you shortly, though some of you are so vain as
to think I will not." But he adds, if the Lord will. It seems, as to
the common events of life, apostles knew no more than other men, nor
were they in these points under inspiration. For, had the apostle
certainly known the mind of God in this matter, he would not have
expressed himself with this certainty. But he sets a good example to us
in it. Note, All our purposes must be formed with a dependence on
Providence, and a reserve for the overruling purposes of God. If the
Lord will, we shall live, and do this and that, Jam. iv. 15.
III. He lets them know what would follow upon his coming to them: I
will know, not the speech of those that are puffed up, but the power,
v. 19. He would bring the great pretenders among them to a trial, would
know what they were, not by their rhetoric or philosophy, but by the
authority and efficacy of what they taught, whether they could confirm
it by miraculous operations, and whether it was accompanied with divine
influences and saving effects on the minds of men. For, adds he, the
kingdom of God is not in word, but in power. It is not set up, nor
propagated, nor established, in the hearts of men, by plausible
reasonings nor florid discourses, but by the external power of the Holy
Spirit in miraculous operations at first, and the powerful influence of
divine truth on the minds and manners of men. Note, It is a good way in
the general to judge of a preacher's doctrine, to see whether the
effects of it upon men's hearts to be truly divine. That is most likely
to come from God which in its own nature is most fit, and in event is
found to produce most likeness to God, to spread piety and virtue, to
change men's hearts and mend their manners.
IV. He puts it to their choice how he should come among them, whether
with a rod or in love and the spirit of meekness (v. 21); that is,
according as they were they would find him. If they continued perverse
among themselves and with him, it would be necessary to come with a
rod; that is, to exert his apostolical power in chastising them, by
making some examples, and inflicting some diseases and corporal
punishments, or by other censures for their faults. Note, Stubborn
offenders must be used with severity. In families, in Christian
communities, paternal pity and tenderness, Christian love and
compassion, will sometimes force the use of the rod. But this is far
from being desirable, if it may be prevented. And therefore the apostle
adds that it was in their own option whether he should come with a rod
or in a quite different disposition and manner: Or in love and the
spirit of meekness. As much as if he had said, "Take warning, cease
your unchristian feuds, rectify the abuses among you, and return to
your duty, and you shall find me as gentle and benign as you can with.
It will be a force upon my inclination to proceed with severity. I had
rather come and display the tenderness of a father among you than
assert his authority. Do but your duty, and you have no reason to avoid
my presence." Note, It is a happy temper in a minister to have the
spirit of love and meekness predominant, and yet to maintain his just
authority.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. V.
In this chapter the apostle, I. Blames them for their indulgence in the
case of the incestuous person, and orders him to be excommunicated, and
delivered to Satan, ver. 1-6. II. He exhorts them to Christian purity,
by purging out the old leaven, ver. 7, 8. And, III. Directs them to
shun even the common conversation of Christians who were guilty of any
notorious and flagitious wickedness, ver. 9 to the end.
A Case of Gross Criminality; Christian Purity. (a. d. 57.)
1 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such
fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one
should have his father's wife. 2 And ye are puffed up, and have not
rather mourned, that he that hath done this deed might be taken away
from among you. 3 For I verily, as absent in body, but present in
spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him
that hath so done this deed, 4 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our
Lord Jesus Christ, 5 To deliver such an one unto Satan for the
destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of
the Lord Jesus. 6 Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a
little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?
Here the apostle states the case; and,
I. Lets them know what was the common or general report concerning
them, that one of their community was guilty of fornication, v. 1. It
was told in all places, to their dishonour, and the reproach of
Christians. And it was the more reproachful because it could not be
denied. Note, The heinous sins of professed Christians are quickly
noted and noised abroad. We should walk circumspectly, for many eyes
are upon us, and many mouths will be opened against us if we fall into
any scandalous practice. This was not a common instance of fornication,
but such as was not so much as named among the Gentiles, that a man
should have his father's wife--either marry her while his father was
alive, or keep her as his concubine, either when he was dead or while
he was alive. In either of these cases, his criminal conversation with
her might be called fornication; but had his father been dead, and he,
after his decease, married to her, it had been incest still, but
neither fornication nor adultery in the strictest sense. But to marry
her, or keep her as a concubine, while his father was alive, though he
had repudiated her, or she had deserted him, whether she were his own
mother or not, was incestuous fornication: Scelus incredibile (as
Cicero calls it), et prater unum in omni vitâ inauditum (Orat. pro
Cluent.), when a woman had caused her daughter to be put away, and was
married to her husband. Incredible wickedness! says the orator; such I
never heard of in all my life besides. Not that there were no such
instances of incestuous marriages among the heathens; but, whenever
they happened, they gave a shock to every man of virtue and probity
among them. They could not think of them without horror, nor mention
them without dislike and detestation. Yet such a horrible wickedness
was committed by one in the church of Corinth, and, as is probable, a
leader of one of the factions among them, a principal man. Note, The
best churches are, in this state of imperfection, liable to very great
corruptions. Is it any wonder when so horrible a practice was tolerated
in an apostolical church, a church planted by the great apostle of the
Gentiles?
II. He greatly blames them for their own conduct hereupon: They were
puffed up (v. 2), they gloried, 1. Perhaps on account of this very
scandalous person. He might be a man of great eloquence, of deep
science, and for this reason very greatly esteemed, and followed, and
cried up, by many among them. They were proud that they had such a
leader. Instead of mourning for his fall, and their own reproach upon
his account, and renouncing him and removing him from the society, they
continued to applaud him and pride themselves in him. Note, Pride or
self-esteem often lies at the bottom of our immoderate esteem of
others, and this makes us as blind to their faults as to our own. It is
true humility that will bring a man to a sight and acknowledgement of
his errors. The proud man either wholly overlooks or artfully disguises
his faults, or endeavours to transform his blemishes into beauties.
Those of the Corinthians that were admirers of the incestuous person's
gifts could overlook or extenuate his horrid practices. Or else, 2. It
may intimate to us that some of the opposite party were puffed up. They
were proud of their own standing, and trampled upon him that fell.
Note, It is a very wicked thing to glory over the miscarriages and sins
of others. We should lay them to heart, and mourn for them, not be
puffed up with them. Probably this was one effect of the divisions
among them. The opposite party made their advantage of this scandalous
lapse, and were glad of the opportunity. Note, It is a sad consequence
of divisions among Christians that it makes them apt to rejoice in
iniquity. The sins of others should be our sorrow. Nay, churches should
mourn for the scandalous behaviour of particular members, and, if they
be incorrigible, should remove them. He that had done this wicked deed
should have been taken away from among them.
III. We have the apostle's direction to them how they should now
proceed with this scandalous sinner. He would have him excommunicated
and delivered to Satan (v. 3-5); as absent in body, yet present in
spirit, he had judged already as if he had been present; that is, he
had, by revelation and the miraculous gift of discerning vouchsafed him
by the Spirit, as perfect a knowledge of the case, and had hereupon
come to the following determination, not without special authority from
the Holy Spirit. He says this to let them know that, though he was at a
distance, he did not pass an unrighteous sentence, nor judge without
having as full cognizance of the case as if he had been on the spot.
Note, Those who would appear righteous judges to the world will take
care to inform them that they do not pass sentence without full proof
and evidence. The apostle adds, him who hath so done this deed. The
fact was not only heinously evil in itself, and horrible to the
heathens, but there were some particular circumstances that greatly
aggravated the offence. He had so committed the evil as to heighten the
guilt by the manner of doing it. Perhaps he was a minister, a teacher,
or a principal man among them. By this means the church and their
profession were more reproached. Note, In dealing with scandalous
sinners, not only are they to be charged with the fact, but the
aggravating circumstances of it. Paul had judged that he should be
delivered to Satan (v. 5), and this was to be done in the name of
Christ, with the power of Christ, and in a full assembly, where the
apostle would be also present in spirit, or by his spiritual gift of
discerning at a distance. Some think that this is to be understood of a
mere ordinary excommunication, and that delivering him to Satan for the
destruction of the flesh is only meant of disowning him, and casting
him out of the church, that by this means he might be brought to
repentance, and his flesh might be mortified. Christ and Satan divide
the world: and those that live in sin, when they profess relation to
Christ, belong to another master, and by excommunication should be
delivered up to him; and this in the name of Christ. Note,
Church-censures are Christ's ordinances, and should be dispensed in his
name. It was to be done also when they were gathered together, in full
assembly. The more public the more solemn, and the more solemn the more
likely to have a good effect on the offender. Note, Church-censures on
notorious and incorrigible sinners should be passed with great
solemnity. Those who sin in this manner are to be rebuked before all,
that all may fear, 1 Tim. v. 20. Others think the apostle is not to be
understood of mere excommunication, but of a miraculous power or
authority they had of delivering a scandalous sinner into the power of
Satan, to have bodily diseases inflicted, and to be tormented by him
with bodily pains, which is the meaning of the destruction of the
flesh. In this sense the destruction of the flesh has been a happy
occasion of the salvation of the spirit. It is probable that this was a
mixed case. It was an extraordinary instance: and the church was to
proceed against him by just censure; the apostle, when they did so, put
forth an act of extraordinary power, and gave him up to Satan, nor for
his destruction, but for his deliverance, at least for the destruction
of the flesh, that the soul might be saved. Note, The great end of
church-censures is the good of those who fall under them, their
spiritual and eternal good. It is that their spirit may be saved in the
day of the Lord Jesus, v. 5. Yet it is not merely a regard to their
benefit that is to be had in proceeding against them. For,
IV. He hints the danger of contagion from this example: Your glorying
is not good. Know you not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole
lump? The bad example of a man in rank and reputation is very
mischievous, spreads the contagion far and wide. It did so, probably,
in this very church and case: see 2 Cor. xii. 21. They could not be
ignorant of this. The experience of the whole world was for it; one
scabbed sheep infects a whole flock. A little heaven will quickly
spread the ferment through a great lump. Note, Concern for their purity
and preservation should engage Christian churches to remove gross and
scandalous sinners.
Exhortation to Christian Purity. (a. d. 57.)
7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye
are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8
Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the
leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of
sincerity and truth.
Here the apostle exhorts them to purity, by purging out the old leaven.
In this observe,
I. The advice itself, addressed either, 1. To the church in general;
and so purging out the old leaven, that they might be a new lump,
refers to the putting away from themselves that wicked person, v. 13.
Note, Christian churches should be pure and holy, and not bear such
corrupt and scandalous members. They are to be unleavened, and should
endure no such heterogeneous mixture to sour and corrupt them. Or, 2.
To each particular member of the church. And so it implies that they
should purge themselves from all impurity of heart and life, especially
from this kind of wickedness, to which the Corinthians were addicted to
a proverb. See the argument at the beginning. This old leaven was in a
particular manner to be purged out, that they might become a new lump.
Note, Christians should be careful to keep themselves clean, as well as
purge polluted members out of their society. And they should especially
avoid the sins to which they themselves were once most addicted, and
the reigning vices of the places and the people where they live. They
were also to purge themselves from malice and wickedness--all ill-will
and mischievous subtlety. This is leaven that sours the mind to a great
degree. It is not improbable that this was intended as a check to some
who gloried in the scandalous behaviour of the offender, both out of
pride and pique. Note, Christians should be careful to keep free from
malice and mischief. Love is the very essence and life of the Christian
religion. It is the fairest image of God, for God is love (1 John iv.
16), and therefore it is no wonder if it be the greatest beauty and
ornament of a Christian. But malice is murder in its principles: He
that hates his brother is a murderer (1 John iii. 15), he bears the
image and proclaims him the offspring of him who was a murderer from
the beginning, John viii. 44. How hateful should every thing be to a
Christian that looks like malice and mischief.
II. The reason with which this advice is enforced: For Christ our
passover is sacrificed for us, v. 7. This is the great doctrine of the
gospel. The Jews, after they had killed the passover, kept the feast of
unleavened bread. So must we; not for seven days only, but all our
days. We should die with our Saviour to sin, be planted into the
likeness of his death by mortifying sin, and into the likeness of his
resurrection by rising again to newness of life, and that internal and
external. We must have new hearts and new lives. Note, The whole life
of a Christian must be a feast of unleavened bread. His common
conversation and his religious performances must be holy. He must purge
out the old leaven, and keep the feast of unleavened bread of sincerity
and truth. He must be without guilt in his conduct towards God and man.
And the more there is of sincerity in our own profession, the less
shall we censure that of others. Note, On the whole, The sacrifice of
our Redeemer is the strongest argument with a gracious heart for purity
and sincerity. How sincere a regard did he show to our welfare, in
dying for us! and how terrible a proof was his death of the detestable
nature of sin, and God's displeasure against it! Heinous evil, that
could not be expiated but with the blood of the Son of God! And shall a
Christian love the murderer of his Lord? God forbid.
Advice to Shun Scandalous Professors. (a. d. 57.)
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10
Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the
covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go
out of the world. 11 But now I have written unto you not to keep
company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or
covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an
extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 For what have I to do
to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are
within? 13 But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away
from among yourselves that wicked person.
Here the apostle advises them to shun the company and converse of
scandalous professors. Consider,
I. The advice itself: I wrote to you in a letter not to company with
fornicators, v. 9. Some think this was an epistle written to them
before, which is lost. Yet we have lost nothing by it, the Christian
revelation being entire in those books of scripture which have come
down to us, which are all that were intended by God for the general use
of Christians, or he could and would in his providence have preserved
more of the writings of inspired men. Some think it is to be understood
of this very epistle, that he had written this advice before he had
full information of their whole case, but thought it needful now to be
more particular. And therefore on this occasion he tells them that if
any man called a brother, any one professing Christianity, and being a
member of a Christian church, were a fornicator, or covetous, or an
idolater, or a railer, that they should not keep company with him, nor
so much as eat with such a one. They were to avoid all familiarity with
him; they were to have no commerce with him; they were to have no
commerce with him: but, that they might shame him, and bring him to
repentance, must disclaim and shun him. Note, Christians are to avoid
the familiar conversation of fellow-christians that are notoriously
wicked, and under just censure for their flagitious practices. Such
disgrace the Christian name. They may call themselves brethren in
Christ, but they are not Christian brethren. They are only fit
companions for the brethren in iniquity; and to such company they
should be left, till they mend their ways and doings.
II. How he limits this advice. He does not forbid the Christians the
like commerce with scandalously wicked heathens. He does not forbid
their eating nor conversing with the fornicators of this world, &c.
They know no better. They profess no better. The gods they serve, and
the worship they render to many of them, countenance such wickedness.
"You must needs go out of the world if you will have no conversation
with such men. Your Gentile neighbours are generally vicious and
profane; and it is impossible, as long as you are in the world, and
have any worldly business to do, but you must fall into their company.
This cannot be wholly avoided." Note, Christians may and ought to
testify more respect to loose worldlings than to loose Christians. This
seems a paradox. Why should we shun the company of a profane or loose
Christian, rather than that of a profane or loose heathen?
III. The reason of this limitation is here assigned. It is impossible
the one should be avoided. Christians must have gone out of the world
to avoid the company of loose heathens. But this was impossible, as
long as they had business in the world. While they are minding their
duty, and doing their proper business, God can and will preserve them
from contagion. Besides, they carry an antidote against the infection
of their bad example, and are naturally upon their guard. They are apt
to have a horror at their wicked practices. But the dread of sin wears
off by familiar converse with wicked Christians. Our own safety and
preservation are a reason of this difference. But, besides, heathens
were such as Christians had nothing to do to judge and censure, and
avoid upon a censure passed; for they are without (v. 12), and must be
left to God's judgment, v. 13. But, as to members of the church, they
are within, are professedly bound by the laws and rules of
Christianity, and not only liable to the judgment of God, but to the
censures of those who are set over them, and the fellow-members of the
same body, when they transgress those rules. Every Christian is bound
to judge them unfit for communion and familiar converse. They are to be
punished, by having this mark of disgrace put upon them, that they may
be shamed, and, if possible, reclaimed thereby: and the more because
the sins of such much more dishonour God than the sins of the openly
wicked and profane can do. The church therefore is obliged to clear
herself from all confederacy with them, or connivance at them, and to
bear testimony against their wicked practices. Note, Though the church
has nothing to do with those without, it must endeavour to keep clear
of the guilt and reproach of those within.
IV. How he applies the argument to the case before him: "Therefore put
away from among yourselves that wicked person, v. 13. Cast him out of
your fellowship, and avoid his conversation."
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. VI.
In this chapter the apostle, I. Reproves them for going to law with one
another about small matters, and bringing the cause before heathen
judges, ver. 1-8. II. He takes occasion hence to warn them against many
gross sins, to which they had been formerly addicted, ver. 9-11. III.
And, having cautioned them against the abuse of their liberty, he
vehemently dehorts them from fornication, by various arguments, ver. 12
to the end.
Causes of Litigation Censured. (a. d. 57.)
1 Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before
the unjust, and not before the saints? 2 Do ye not know that the
saints shall judge the world? and if the world shall be judged by you,
are ye unworthy to judge the smallest matters? 3 Know ye not that we
shall judge angels? how much more things that pertain to this life? 4
If then ye have judgments of things pertaining to this life, set them
to judge who are least esteemed in the church. 5 I speak to your
shame. Is it so, that there is not a wise man among you? no, not one
that shall be able to judge between his brethren? 6 But brother goeth
to law with brother, and that before the unbelievers. 7 Now therefore
there is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with
another. Why do ye not rather take wrong? why do ye not rather suffer
yourselves to be defrauded? 8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that
your brethren.
Here the apostle reproves them for going to law with one another before
heathen judges for little matters; and therein blames all vexatious
law-suits. In the previous chapter he had directed them to punish
heinous sins among themselves by church-censures. Here he directs them
to determine controversies with one another by church-counsel and
advice, concerning which observe,
I. The fault he blames them for: it was going to law. Not but that the
law is good, if a man use it lawfully. But, 1. Brother went to law with
brother (v. 6), one member of the church with another. The near
relation could not preserve peace and good understanding. The bonds of
fraternal love were broken through. And a brother offended, as Solomon
says, is harder to be won than a strong city; their contentions are
like the bars of a castle, Prov. xviii. 19. Note, Christians should not
contend with one another, for they are brethren. This, duly attended
to, would prevent law-suits, and put an end to quarrels and
litigations. 2. They brought the matter before the heathen magistrates:
they went to law before the unjust, not before the saints (v. 1),
brought the controversy before unbelievers (v. 6), and did not compose
it among themselves, Christians and saints, at least in profession.
This tended much to the reproach of Christianity. It published at once
their folly and unpeaceableness; whereas they pretended to be the
children of wisdom, and the followers of the Lamb, the meek and lowly
Jesus, the prince of peace. And therefore, says the apostle, "Dare any
of you, having a controversy with another, go to law, implead him,
bring the matter to a hearing before the unjust?" Note, Christians
should not dare to do any thing that tends to the reproach of their
Christian name and profession. 3. Here is at least an intimation that
they went to law for trivial matters, things of little value; for the
apostle blames them that they did not suffer wrong rather than go to
law (v. 7), which must be understood of matters not very important. In
matters of great damage to ourselves or families, we may use lawful
means to right ourselves. We are not bound to sit down and suffer the
injury tamely, without stirring for our own relief; but, in matters of
small consequence, it is better to put up with the wrong. Christians
should be of a forgiving temper. And it is more for their ease and
honour to suffer small injuries and inconveniences than seem to be
contentious.
II. He lays before them the aggravations of their fault: Do you not
know that the saints shall judge the world (v. 2), shall judge angels?
v. 3. And are they unworthy to judge the smallest matters, the things
of this life? It was a dishonour to their Christian character, a
forgetting of their real dignity, as saints, for them to carry little
matters, about the things of life, before heathen magistrates. When
they were to judge the world, nay, to judge, it is unaccountable that
they could not determine little controversies among one another. By
judging the world and angels, some think, is to be understood, their
being assessors to Christ in the great judgment-day; it being said of
our Saviour's disciples that they should at that day sit on twelve
thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel, Matt. xix. 28. And
elsewhere we read of our Lord's coming with ten thousand of his saints
to execute judgment on all, &c., Jude 14, 15. He will come to judgment
with all his saints, 1 Thess. iii. 13. They themselves are indeed to be
judged (see Matt. xxv. 31-41), but they may first be acquitted, and
then advanced to the bench, to approve and applaud the righteous
judgment of Christ both on men and angels. In no other sense can they
be judges. They are not partners in their Lord's commission, but they
have the honour to sit by, and see his proceeding against the wicked
world, and approve it. Others understand this judging of the world to
be meant when the empire should become Christian. But it does not
appear that the Corinthians had knowledge of the empire's becoming
Christian; and, if they had, in what sense could Christian emperors be
said to judge angels? Others understand it of their condemning the
world by their faith and practice, and casting out evil angels by
miraculous power, which was not confined to the first ages, nor to the
apostles. The first sense seems to be most natural; and at the same
time it gives the utmost force to the argument. "Shall Christians have
the honour to sit with the sovereign Judge at the last day, whilst he
passes judgment on sinful men and evil angels, and are they not worthy
to judge of the trifles about which you contend before heathen
magistrates? Cannot they make up your mutual differences? Why must you
bring them before heathen judges? When you are to judge them, as it fit
to appeal to their judicature? Must you, about the affairs of this
life, set those to judge who are of no esteem in the church?" (so some
read, and perhaps most properly, v. 4), heathen magistrates,
exouthenemenous, the things that are not, ch. i. 28. "Must those be
called in to judge in your controversies of whom you ought to entertain
so low an opinion? Is this not shameful?" v. 5. Some who read it as our
translators make it an ironical speech: "If you have such controversies
depending, set those to judge who are of least esteem among yourselves.
The meanest of your own members are able surely to determine these
disputes. Refer the matters in variance to any, rather than go to law
about them before heathen judges. They are trifles not worth contending
about, and may easily be decided, if you have first conquered your own
spirits, and brought them into a truly Christian temper. Bear and
forbear, and the men of meanest skill among you may end your quarrels.
I speak it to your shame," v. 5. Note, It is a shame that little
quarrels should grow to such a head among Christians, that they cannot
be determined by arbitration of the brethren.
III. He puts them on a method to remedy this fault. And this
twofold:--1. By referring it to some to make it up: "Is it so that
there is no wise man among you, no one able to judge between his
brethren? v. 5. You who value yourselves so much upon your wisdom and
knowledge, who are so puffed up upon your extraordinary gifts and
endowments, is there none among you fit for this office, none that has
wisdom enough to judge in these differences? Must brethren quarrel, and
the heathen magistrate judge, in a church so famous as yours for
knowledge and wisdom? It is a reproach to you that quarrels should run
so high, and none of your wise men interpose to prevent them." Note,
Christians should never engage in law-suits till all other remedies
have been tried in vain. Prudent Christians should prevent, if
possible, their disputes, and not courts of judicature decide them,
especially in matters of no great importance. 2. By suffering wrong
rather than taking this method to right themselves: It is utterly a
fault among you to go to law in this matter: it is always a fault of
one side to go to law, except in a case where the title is indeed
dubious, and there is a friendly agreement of both parties to refer it
to the judgment of those learned in the law to decide it. And this is
referring it, rather than contending about it, which is the thing the
apostle here seems chiefly to condemn: Should you not rather take
wrong, rather suffer yourselves to be defrauded? Note, A Christian
should rather put up with a little injury than tease himself, and
provoke others, by a litigious contest. The peace of his own mind, and
the calm of his neighbourhood, are more worth than victory in such a
contest, or reclaiming his own right, especially when the quarrel must
be decided by those who are enemies to religion. But the apostle tells
them they were so far from bearing injuries that they actually did
wrong, and defrauded, and that their brethren. Note, It is utterly a
fault to wrong and defraud any; but it is an aggravation of this fault
to defraud our Christian brethren. The ties of mutual love ought to be
stronger between them than between others. And love worketh no ill to
his neighbour, Rom. xiii. 10. Those who love the brotherhood can never,
under the influence of this principle, hurt or injure them.
Solemn Warnings. (a. d. 57.)
9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of
God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor
adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor
extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some
of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified
in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
Here he takes occasion to warn them against many heinous evils, to
which they had been formerly addicted.
I. He puts it to them as a plain truth, of which they could not be
ignorant, that such sinners should not inherit the kingdom of God. The
meanest among them must know thus much, that the unrighteous shall not
inherit the kingdom of God (v. 9), shall not be owned as true members
of his church on earth, nor admitted as glorious members of the church
in heaven. All unrighteousness is sin; and all reigning sin, nay, every
actual sin committed deliberately, and not repented of, shuts out of
the kingdom of heaven. He specifies several sorts of sins: against the
first and second commandments, as idolaters; against the seventh, as
adulterers, fornicators, effeminate, and Sodomites; against the eighth,
as thieves and extortioners, that by force or fraud wrong their
neighbours; against the ninth, as revilers; and against the tenth, as
covetous and drunkards, as those who are in a fair way to break all the
rest. Those who knew any thing of religion must know that heaven could
never be intended for these. The scum of the earth are no ways fit to
fill the heavenly mansions. Those who do the devil's work can never
receive God's wages, at least no other than death, the just wages of
sin, Rom. vi. 23.
II. Yet he warns them against deceiving themselves: Be not deceived.
Those who cannot but know the fore-mentioned truth are but too apt not
to attend to it. Men are very much inclined to flatter themselves that
God is such a one as themselves, and that they may live in sin and yet
die in Christ, may lead the life of the devil's children and yet go to
heaven with the children of God. But this is all a gross cheat. Note,
It is very much the concern of mankind that they do not cheat
themselves in the matters of their souls. We cannot hope to sow to the
flesh and yet reap everlasting life.
III. He puts them in mind what a change the gospel and grace of God had
made in them: Such were some of you (v. 11), such notorious sinners as
he had been reckoning up. The Greek word is tauta--such things were
some of you, very monsters rather than men. Note, Some that are
eminently good after their conversion have been as remarkably wicked
before. Quantum mutatus ab illo!--How glorious a change does grace
make! It changes the vilest of men into saints and the children of God.
Such were some of you, but you are not what you were. You are washed,
you are sanctified, you are justified in the name of Christ, and by the
Spirit of our God. Note, The wickedness of men before conversion is no
bar to their regeneration and reconciliation to God. The blood of
Christ, and the washing of regeneration, can purge away all guilt and
defilement. Here is a rhetorical change of the natural order: You are
sanctified, you are justified. Sanctification is mentioned before
justification: and yet the name of Christ, by which we are justified,
is placed before the Spirit of God, by whom we are sanctified. Our
justification is owing to the merit of Christ; our sanctification to
the operation of the Spirit: but both go together. Note, None are
cleansed from the guilt of sin, and reconciled to God through Christ,
but those who are also sanctified by his Spirit. All who are made
righteous in the sight of God are made holy by the grace of God.
Against Fornication. (a. d. 57.)
12 All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all
things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of
any. 13 Meats for the belly, and the belly for meats: but God shall
destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for fornication, but for
the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up
the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not
that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the
members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to a harlot is one body?
for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto
the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man
doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth
against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the
temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye
are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore
glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
The twelfth verse and former part of the thirteenth seem to relate to
that early dispute among Christians about the distinction of meats, and
yet to be prefatory to the caution that follows against fornication.
The connection seems plain enough if we attend to the famous
determination of the apostles, Acts xv., where the prohibition of
certain foods was joined with that of fornication. Now some among the
Corinthians seem to have imagined that they were as much at liberty in
the point of fornication as of meats, especially because it was not a
sin condemned by the laws of their country. They were ready to say,
even in the case of fornication, All things are lawful for me. This
pernicious conceit Paul here sets himself to oppose: he tells them that
many things lawful in themselves were not expedient at certain times,
and under particular circumstances; and Christians should not barely
consider what is in itself lawful to be done, but what is fit for them
to do, considering their profession, character, relations, and hopes:
they should be very careful that by carrying this maxim too far they be
not brought into bondage, either to a crafty deceiver or a carnal
inclination. All things are lawful for me, says he, but I will not be
brought under the power of any, v. 12. Even in lawful things, he would
not be subject to the impositions of a usurped authority: so far was he
from apprehending that in the things of God it was lawful for any power
on earth to impose its own sentiments. Note, There is a liberty
wherewith Christ has made us free, in which we must stand fast. But
surely he would never carry this liberty so far as to put himself into
the power of any bodily appetite. Though all meats were supposed
lawful, he would not become a glutton nor a drunkard. And much less
would he abuse the maxim of lawful liberty to countenance the sin of
fornication, which, though it might be allowed by the Corinthian laws,
was a trespass upon the law of nature, and utterly unbecoming a
Christian. He would not abuse this maxim about eating and drinking to
encourage any intemperance, nor indulge a carnal appetite: "Though
meats are for the belly and the belly for meats (v. 13), though the
belly was made to receive food, and food was originally ordained to
fill the belly, yet if it be not convenient for me, and much more if it
be inconvenient, and likely to enslave me, if I am in danger of being
subjected to my belly and appetite, I will abstain. But God shall
destroy both it and them, at least as to their mutual relation. There
is a time coming when the human body will need no further recruits of
food." Some of the ancients suppose that this is to be understood of
abolishing the belly as well as the food; and that though the same body
will be raised at the great day, yet not with all the same members,
some being utterly unnecessary in a future state, as the belly for
instance, when the man is never to hunger, nor thirst, nor eat, nor
drink more. But, whether this be true or no, there is a time coming
when the need and use of food shall be abolished. Note, The expectation
we have of being without bodily appetites in a future life is a very
good argument against being under their power in the present life. This
seems to me the sense of the apostle's argument; and that this passage
is plainly to be connected with his caution against fornication, though
some make it a part of the former argument against litigious law-suits,
especially before heathen magistrates and the enemies of true religion.
These suppose that the apostle argues that though it may be lawful to
claim our rights yet it is not always expedient, and it is utterly
unfit for Christians to put themselves into the power of infidel
judges, lawyers, and solicitors, on these accounts. But this connection
seems not so natural. The transition to his arguments against
fornication, as I have laid it, seems very natural: But the body is not
for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body, v. 13.
Meats and the belly are for one another; not so fornication and the
body.
I. The body is not for fornication, but for the Lord. This is the first
argument he uses against this sin, for which the heathen inhabitants of
Corinth were infamous, and the converts to Christianity retained too
favourable an opinion of it. It is making things to cross their
intention and use. The body is not for fornication; it was never formed
for any such purpose, but for the Lord, for the service and honour of
God. It is to be an instrument of righteousness to holiness (Rom. vi.
19), and therefore is never to be made an instrument of uncleanness. It
is to be a member of Christ, and therefore must not be made the member
of a harlot, v. 15. And the Lord is for the body, that is, as some
think, Christ is to be Lord of the body, to have property in it and
dominion over it, having assumed a body and been made to partake of our
nature, that he might be head of his church, and head over all things,
Heb. ii. 5, 18. Note, We must take care that we do not use what belongs
to Christ as if it were our own, and much less to his dishonour.
II. Some understand this last passage, The Lord is for the body, thus:
He is for its resurrection and glorification, according to what
follows, v. 14, which is a second argument against this sin, the honour
intended to be put on our bodies: God hath both raised up our Lord, and
will raise us up by his power (v. 14), by the power of him who shall
change our vile body, and make it like to his glorious body by that
power whereby he is able to subdue all things to himself, Phil. iii.
21. It is an honour done to the body that Jesus Christ was raised from
the dead: and it will be an honour to our bodies that they will be
raised. Let us not abuse those bodies by sin, and make them vile,
which, if they be kept pure, shall, notwithstanding their present
vileness, be made like to Christ's glorious body. Note, The hopes of a
resurrection to glory should restrain Christians from dishonouring
their bodies by fleshly lusts.
III. A third argument is the honour already put on them: Know you not
that your bodies are the members of Christ? v. 15. If the soul be
united to Christ by faith, the whole man is become a member of his
mystical body. The body is in union with Christ as well as the soul.
How honourable is this to the Christian! His very flesh is a part of
the mystical body of Christ. Note, It is good to know in what
honourable relations we stand, that we may endeavour to become them.
But now, says the apostle, shall I take the members of Christ, and make
them the members of a harlot? God forbid. Or, take away the members of
Christ? Would not this be a gross abuse, and the most notorious injury?
Would it not be dishonouring Christ, and dishonouring ourselves to the
very last degree? What, make a Christ's members the members of a
harlot, prostitute them to so vile a purpose! The thought is to be
abhorred. God forbid. Know you not that he who is joined to a harlot is
one body with hers? For two, says he, shall be one flesh. But he who is
joined to the Lord is one spirit, v. 16, 17. Nothing can stand in
greater opposition to the honourable relations and alliances of a
Christian man than this sin. He is joined to the Lord in union with
Christ, and made partaker by faith of his Spirit. One spirit lives and
breathes and moves in the head and members. Christ and his faithful
disciples are one, John xvii. 21, 22. But he that is joined to a harlot
is one body, for two shall be one flesh, by carnal conjunction, which
was ordained of God only to be in a married state. Now shall one in so
close a union with Christ as to be one spirit with him yet be so united
to a harlot as to become one flesh with her? Were not this a vile
attempt to make a union between Christ and harlots? And can a greater
indignity he offered to him or ourselves? Can any thing be more
inconsistent with our profession or relation? Note, The sin of
fornication is a great injury in a Christian to his head and lord, and
a great reproach and blot on his profession. It is no wonder therefore
that the apostle should say, "Flee fornication (v. 18), avoid it, keep
out of the reach of temptations to it, of provoking objects. Direct the
eyes and mind to other things and thoughts." Alia vitia pugnando, sola
libido fugiendo vincitur--Other vices may be conquered in fight, this
only by flight; so speak many of the fathers.
IV. A fourth argument is that it is a sin against our own bodies. Every
sin that a man does is without the body; he that committeth fornication
sinneth against his own body (v. 18); every sin, that is, every other
sin, every external act of sin besides, is without the body. It is not
so much an abuse of the body as of somewhat else, as of wine by the
drunkard, food by the glutton, &c. Nor does it give the power of the
body to another person. Nor does it so much tend to the reproach of the
body and render it vile. This sin is in a peculiar manner styled
uncleanness, pollution, because no sin has so much external turpitude
in it, especially in a Christian. He sins against his own body; he
defiles it, he degrades it, making it one with the body of that vile
creature with whom he sins. He casts vile reproach on what he Redeemer
has dignifies to the last degree by taking it into union with himself.
Note, We should not make our present vile bodies more vile by sinning
against them.
V. The fifth argument against this sin is that the bodies of Christians
are the temples of the Holy Ghost which is in them, and which they have
of God, v. 19. He that is joined to Christ is one spirit. He is yielded
up to him, is consecrated thereby, and set apart for his use, and is
hereupon possessed, and occupied, and inhabited, by his Holy Spirit.
This is the proper notion of a temple--a place where God dwells, and
sacred to his use, by his own claim and his creature's surrender. Such
temples real Christians are of the Holy Ghost. Must he not therefore be
God? But the inference is plain that hence we are not our own. We are
yielded up to God, and possessed by and for God; nay, and this is
virtue of a purchase made of us: You are bought with a price. In short,
our bodies were made for God, they were purchased for him. If we are
Christians indeed they are yielded to him, and he inhabits and occupies
them by his Spirit: so that our bodies are not our own, but his. And
shall we desecrate his temple, defile it, prostitute it, and offer it
up to the use and service of a harlot? Horrid sacrilege! This is
robbing God in the worst sense. Note, The temple of the Holy Ghost must
be kept holy. Our bodies must be kept as his whose they are, and fit
for his use and residence.
VI. The apostle argues from the obligation we are under to glorify God
both with our body and spirit, which are his, v. 20. He made both, he
bought both, and therefore both belong to him and should be used and
employed for him, and therefore should not be defiled, alienated from
him, and prostituted by us. No, they must be kept as vessels fitted for
our Master's use. We must look upon our whole selves as holy to the
Lord, and must use our bodies as property which belongs to him and is
sacred to his use and service. We are to honour him with our bodies and
spirits, which are his; and therefore, surely, must abstain from
fornication; and not only from the outward act, but from the adultery
of the heart, as our Lord calls it, Matt. v. 28. Body and spirit are to
be kept clean, that God may be honoured by both. But God is dishonoured
when either is defiled by so beastly a sin. Therefore flee fornication,
nay, and every sin. Use your bodies for the glory and service of their
Lord and Maker. Note, We are not proprietors of ourselves, nor have
power over ourselves, and therefore should not use ourselves according
to our own pleasure, but according to his will, and for his glory,
whose we are, and whom we should serve, Acts xxvii. 23.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. VII.
In this chapter the apostle answers some cases proposed to him by the
Corinthians about marriage. He, I. Shows them that marriage was
appointed as a remedy against fornication, and therefore that persons
had better marry than burn, ver. 1-9. II. He gives direction to those
who are married to continue together, though they might have an
unbelieving relative, unless the unbeliever would part, in which case a
Christian would not be in bondage, ver. 10-16. III. He shows them that
becoming Christians does not change their external state; and therefore
advises every one to continue, in the general, in that state in which
he was called, ver. 17-24. IV. He advises them, by reason of the
present distress, to keep themselves unmarried; hints the shortness of
time, and how they should improve it, so as to grow dead and
indifferent to the comforts of the world; and shows them how worldly
cares hinder their devotions, and distract them in the service of God,
ver. 25-35. V. He directs them in the disposal of their virgins, ver.
36-38. VI. And closes the chapter with advice to widows how to dispose
of themselves in that state, ver. 39, 40.
Against Fornication. (a. d. 57.)
1 Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a
man not to touch a woman. 2 Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let
every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband.
3 Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise
also the wife unto the husband. 4 The wife hath not power of her own
body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of
his own body, but the wife. 5 Defraud ye not one the other, except it
be with consent for a time, that ye may give yourselves to fasting and
prayer; and come together again, that Satan tempt you not for your
incontinency. 6 But I speak this by permission, and not of
commandment. 7 For I would that all men were even as I myself. But
every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and
another after that. 8 I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, It
is good for them if they abide even as I. 9 But if they cannot
contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn.
The apostle comes now, as a faithful and skilful casuist, to answer
some cases of conscience which the Corinthians had proposed to him.
Those were things whereof they wrote to him, v. 1. As the lips of
ministers should keep knowledge, so the people should ask the law at
their mouths. The apostle was as ready to resolve as they were to
propose their doubts. In the former chapter, he warns them to avoid
fornication; here he gives some directions about marriage, the remedy
God had appointed for it. He tells them in general,
I. That it was good, in that juncture of time at least, to abstain from
marriage altogether: It is good for a man not to touch a woman (not to
take her to wife), by good here not understanding what is so
conformable to the mind and will of God as if to do otherwise were sin,
an extreme into which many of the ancients have run in favour of
celibacy and virginity. Should the apostle be understood in this sense,
he would contradict much of the rest of his discourse. But it is good,
that is, either abstracting from circumstances there are many things in
which the state of celibacy has the advantage above the marriage state;
or else at this juncture, by reason of the distress of the Christian
church, it would be a convenience for Christians to keep themselves
single, provided they have the gift of continency, and at the same time
can keep themselves chaste. The expression also may carry in it an
intimation that Christians must avoid all occasions of this sin, and
flee all fleshly lusts, and incentives to them; must neither look on
nor touch a woman, so as to provoke lustful inclinations. Yet,
II. He informs them that marriage, and the comforts and satisfactions
of that state, are by divine wisdom prescribed for preventing
fornication (v. 2), Porneias--Fornications, all sorts of lawless lust.
To avoid these, Let every man, says he, have his own wife, and every
woman her own husband; that is, marry, and confine themselves to their
own mates. And, when they are married, let each render the other due
benevolence (v. 3), consider the disposition and exigency of each
other, and render conjugal duty, which is owing to each other. For, as
the apostle argues (v. 4), in the married state neither person has
power over his own body, but has delivered it into the power of the
other, the wife hers into the power of the husband, the husband his
into the power of the wife. Note, Polygamy, or the marriage of more
persons than one, as well as adultery, must be a breach of
marriage-covenants, and a violation of the partner's rights. And
therefore they should not defraud one another of the use of their
bodies, nor any other of the comforts of the conjugal state, appointed
of God for keeping the vessel in sanctification and honour, and
preventing the lusts of uncleanness, except it be with mutual consent
(v. 5) and for a time only, while they employ themselves in some
extraordinary duties of religion, or give themselves to fasting and
prayer. Note, Seasons of deep humiliation require abstinence from
lawful pleasures. But this separation between husband and wife must not
be for a continuance, lest they expose themselves to Satan's
temptations, by reason of their incontinence, or inability to contain.
Note, Persons expose themselves to great danger by attempting to
perform what is above their strength, and at the same time not bound
upon them by any law of God. If they abstain from lawful enjoyments,
they may be ensnared into unlawful ones. The remedies God hath provided
against sinful inclinations are certainly best.
III. The apostle limits what he had said about every man's having his
own wife, &c. (v. 2): I speak this by permission, not of command. He
did not lay it as an injunction upon every man to marry without
exception. Any man might marry. No law of God prohibited the thing.
But, on the other hand, not law bound a man to marry so that he sinned
if he did not; I mean, unless his circumstances required it for
preventing the lust of uncleanness. It was a thing in which men, by the
laws of God, were in a great measure left at liberty. And therefore
Paul did not bind every man to marry, though every man had an
allowance. No, he could wish all men were as himself (v. 7), that is,
single, and capable of living continently in that state. There were
several conveniences in it, which at that season, if not at others,
made it more eligible in itself. Note, It is a mark of true goodness to
wish all men as happy as ourselves. But it did not answer the
intentions of divine Providence as well for all men to have as much
command of this appetite as Paul had. It was a gift vouchsafed to such
persons as Infinite Wisdom thought proper: Every one hath his proper
gift of God, one after this manner and another after that. Natural
constitutions vary; and, where there may not be much difference in the
constitution, different degrees of grace are vouchsafed, which may give
some a greater victory over natural inclination than others. Note, The
gifts of God, both in nature and grace, are variously distributed. Some
have them after this manner and some after that. Paul could wish all
men were as himself, but all men cannot receive such a saying, save
those to whom it is given, Matt. xix. 11.
IV. He sums up his sense on this head (v. 9, 10): I say therefore to
the unmarried and widows, to those in a state of virginity or
widowhood, It is good for them if they abide even as I. There are many
conveniences, and especially at this juncture, in a single state, to
render it preferable to a married one. It is convenient therefore that
the unmarried abide as I, which plainly implies that Paul was at that
time unmarried. But, if they cannot contain, let them marry; for it is
better to marry than to burn. This is God's remedy for lust. The fire
may be quenched by the means he has appointed. And marriage, with all
its inconveniences, is much better than to burn with impure and lustful
desires. Marriage is honourable in all; but it is a duty in those who
cannot contain nor conquer those inclinations.
Inviolability of the Marriage Bond. (a. d. 57.)
10 And unto the married I command, yet not I, but the Lord, Let not the
wife depart from her husband: 11 But and if she depart, let her
remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the
husband put away his wife. 12 But to the rest speak I, not the Lord:
If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to
dwell with him, let him not put her away. 13 And the woman which hath
a husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her,
let her not leave him. 14 For the unbelieving husband is sanctified
by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband:
else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. 15 But if the
unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under
bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. 16 For what
knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how
knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
In this paragraph the apostle gives them direction in a case which must
be very frequent in that age of the world, especially among the Jewish
converts; I mean whether they were to live with heathen relatives in a
married state. Moses's law permitted divorce; and there was a famous
instance in the Jewish state, when the people were obliged to put away
their idolatrous wives, Ezra x. 3. This might move a scruple in many
minds, whether converts to Christianity were not bound to put away or
desert their mates, continuing infidels. Concerning this matter the
apostle here gives direction. And,
I. In general, he tells them that marriage, by Christ's command, is for
life; and therefore those who are married must not think of separation.
The wife must not depart from the husband (v. 10), nor the husband put
away his wife, v. 11. This I command, says the apostle; yet not I, but
the Lord. Not that he commanded any thing of his own head, or upon his
own authority. Whatever he commanded was the Lord's command, dictated
by his Spirit and enjoined by his authority. But his meaning is that
the Lord himself, with his own mouth, had forbidden such separations,
Matt. v. 32; xix. 9; Mark x. 11; Luke xvi. 18. Note, Man and wife
cannot separate at pleasure, nor dissolve, when they will, their
matrimonial bonds and relation. They must not separate for any other
cause than what Christ allows. And therefore the apostle advises that
if any woman had been separated, either by a voluntary act of her own
or by an act of her husband, she should continue unmarried, and seek
reconciliation with her husband, that they might cohabit again. Note,
Husbands and wives should not quarrel at all, or should be quickly
reconciled. They are bound to each other for life. The divine law
allows of no separation. They cannot throw off the burden, and
therefore should set their shoulders to it, and endeavour to make it as
light to each other as they can.
II. He brings the general advice home to the case of such as had an
unbelieving mate (v. 12): But to the rest speak I, not the Lord; that
is, the Lord had not so expressly spoken to this case as to the former
divorce. It does not mean that the apostle spoke without authority from
the Lord, or decided this case by his own wisdom, without the
inspiration of the Holy Ghost. He closes this subject with a
declaration to the contrary (v. 40), I think also that I have the
Spirit of God. But, having thus prefaced his advice, we may attend,
1. To the advice itself, which is that if an unbelieving husband or
wife were pleased to dwell with a Christian relative, the other should
not separate. The husband should not put away an unbelieving wife, nor
the wife leave an unbelieving husband, v. 12, 13. The Christian calling
did not dissolve the marriage covenant, but bind it the faster, by
bringing it back to the original institution, limiting it to two
persons, and binding them together for life. The believer is not by
faith in Christ loosed from matrimonial bonds to an unbeliever, but is
at once bound and made apt to be a better relative. But, though a
believing wife or husband should not separate from an unbelieving mate,
yet if the unbelieving relative desert the believer, and no means can
reconcile to a cohabitation, in such a case a brother or sister is not
in bondage (v. 15), not tied up to the unreasonable humour, and bound
servilely to follow or cleave to the malicious deserter, or not bound
to live unmarried after all proper means for reconciliation have been
tried, at least of the deserter contract another marriage or be guilty
of adultery, which was a very easy supposition, because a very common
instance among the heathen inhabitants of Corinth. In such a case the
deserted person must be free to marry again, and it is granted on all
hands. And some think that such a malicious desertion is as much a
dissolution of the marriage-covenant as death itself. For how is it
possible that the two shall be one flesh when the one is maliciously
bent to part from or put away the other? Indeed, the deserter seems
still bound by the matrimonial contract; and therefore the apostle says
(v. 11), If the woman depart from her husband upon the account of his
infidelity, let her remain unmarried. But the deserted party seems to
be left more at liberty (I mean supposing all the proper means have
been used to reclaim the deserter, and other circumstances make it
necessary) to marry another person. It does not seem reasonable that
they should be still bound, when it is rendered impossible to perform
conjugal duties or enjoy conjugal comforts, through the mere fault of
their mate: in such a case marriage would be a state of servitude
indeed. But, whatever liberty be indulged Christians in such a case as
this, they are not allowed, for the mere infidelity of a husband or
wife, to separate; but, if the unbeliever be willing, they should
continue in the relation, and cohabit as those who are thus related.
This is the apostle's general direction.
2. We have here the reasons of this advice. (1.) Because the relation
or state is sanctified by the holiness of either party: For the
unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife
by the husband (v. 14), or hath been sanctified. The relation itself,
and the conjugal use of each other, are sanctified to the believer. To
the pure all things are pure, Tit. i. 15. Marriage is a divine
institution; it is a compact for life, by God's appointment. Had
converse and congress with unbelievers in that relation defiled the
believer, or rendered him or her offensive to God, the ends of marriage
would have been defeated, and the comforts of it in a manner destroyed,
in the circumstances in which Christians then were. But the apostle
tells them that, though they were yoked with unbelievers, yet, if they
themselves were holy, marriage was to them a holy state, and marriage
comforts, even with an unbelieving relative, were sanctified
enjoyments. It was no more displeasing to God for them to continue to
live as they did before, with their unbelieving or heathen relation,
than if they had become converts together. If one of the relatives had
become holy, nothing of the duties or lawful comforts of the married
state could defile them, and render them displeasing to God, though the
other were a heathen. He is sanctified for the wife's sake. She is
sanctified for the husband's sake. Both are one flesh. He is to be
reputed clean who is one flesh with her that is holy, and vice versâ:
Else were your children unclean, but now are they holy (v. 14), that
is, they would be heathen, out of the pale of the church and covenant
of God. They would not be of the holy seed (as the Jews are called,
Isa. vi. 13), but common and unclean, in the same sense as heathens in
general were styled in the apostle's vision, Acts x. 28. This way of
speaking is according to the dialect of the Jews, among whom a child
begotten by parents yet heathens, was said to be begotten out of
holiness; and a child begotten by parents made proselytes was said to
be begotten intra sanctitatem--within the holy enclosure. Thus
Christians are called commonly saints; such they are by profession,
separated to be a peculiar people of God, and as such distinguished
from the world; and therefore the children born to Christians, though
married to unbelievers, are not to be reckoned as part of the world,
but of the church, a holy, not a common and unclean seed. "Continue
therefore to live even with unbelieving relatives; for, if you are
holy, the relation is so, the state is so, you may make a holy use even
of an unbelieving relative, in conjugal duties, and your seed will be
holy too." What a comfort is this, where both relatives are believers!
(2.) Another reason is that God hath called Christians to peace, v. 15.
The Christian religion obliges us to act peaceably in all relations,
natural and civil. We are bound, as much as in us lies, to live
peaceably with all men (Rom. xii. 18), and therefore surely to promote
the peace and comfort of our nearest relatives, those with whom we are
one flesh, nay, though they should be infidels. Note, It should be the
labour and study of those who are married to make each other as easy
and happy as possible. (3.) A third reason is that it is possible for
the believing relative to be an instrument of the other's salvation (v.
16): What knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband?
Note, It is the plain duty of those in so near a relation to seek the
salvation of those to whom they are related. "Do not separate. There is
other duty now called for. The conjugal relation calls for the most
close and endeared affection; it is a contract for life. And should a
Christian desert a mate, when an opportunity offers to give the most
glorious proof of love? Stay, and labour heartily for the conversion of
thy relative. Endeavour to save a soul. Who knows but this may be the
event? It is not impossible. And, though there be no great probability,
saving a soul is so good and glorious a service that the bare
possibility should put one on exerting one's self." Note, Mere
possibility of success should be a sufficient motive with us to use our
diligent endeavours for saving the souls of our relations. "What know I
but I may save his soul? should move me to attempt it."
Christian Contentment. (a. d. 57.)
17 But as God hath distributed to every man, as the Lord hath called
every one, so let him walk. And so ordain I in all churches. 18 Is
any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is
any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised. 19
Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping
of the commandments of God. 20 Let every man abide in the same
calling wherein he was called. 21 Art thou called being a servant?
care not for it: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. 22
For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's
freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's
servant. 23 Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of
men. 24 Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide
with God.
Here the apostle takes occasion to advise them to continue in the state
and condition in which Christianity found them, and in which they
became converts to it. And here,
I. He lays down this rule in general--as God hath distributed to every
one. Note, Our states and circumstances in this world are distributions
of divine Providence. This fixes the bounds of men's habitations, and
orders their steps. God setteth up and pulleth down. And again, As the
Lord hath called every one, so let him walk. Whatever his circumstances
or condition was when he was converted to Christianity, let him abide
therein, and suit his conversation to it. The rules of Christianity
reach every condition. And in every state a man may live so as to be a
credit to it. Note, It is the duty of every Christian to suit his
behaviour to his condition and the rules of religion, to be content
with his lot, and conduct himself in his rank and place as becomes a
Christian. The apostle adds that this was a general rule, to be
observed at all times and in all places; So ordain I in all churches.
II. He specifies particular cases; as, 1. That of circumcision. Is any
man called being circumcised? Let him not be uncircumcised. Is any man
called being uncircumcised? Let him not be circumcised. It matters not
whether a man be a Jew or Gentile, within the covenant of peculiarity
made with Abraham or without it. He who is converted, being a Jew, has
no need to give himself uneasiness upon that head, and wish himself
uncircumcised. Nor, is he who is converted from Gentilism under an
obligation to be circumcised: nor should he be concerned because he
wants that mark of distinction which did heretofore belong to the
people of God. For, as the apostle goes on, circumcision is nothing,
and uncircumcision is nothing, but keeping the commandments of God, v.
19. In point of acceptance with God, it is neither here nor there
whether men be circumcised or not. Note, It is practical religion,
sincere obedience to the commands of God, on which the gospel lays
stress. External observances without internal piety are as nothing.
Therefore let every man abide in the calling (the state) wherein he was
called, v. 20. 2. That of servitude and freedom. It was common in that
age of the world for many to be in a state of slavery, bought and sold
for money, and so the property of those who purchased them. "Now," says
the apostle, "art thou called being a servant? Care not for it. Be not
over-solicitous about it. It is not inconsistent with thy duty,
profession, or hopes, as a Christian. Yet, if thou mayest be made free,
use it rather," v. 21. There are many conveniences in a state of
freedom above that of servitude: a man has more power over himself, and
more command of his time, and is not under the control of another lord;
and therefore liberty is the more eligible state. But men's outward
condition does neither hinder nor promote their acceptance with God.
For he that is called being a servant is the Lord's
freed-man--apeleutheros, as he that is called being free is the Lord's
servant. Though he be not discharged from his master's service, he is
freed from the dominion and vassalage of sin. Though he be not enslaved
to Christ, yet he is bound to yield himself up wholly to his pleasure
and service; and yet that service is perfect freedom. Note, Our comfort
and happiness depend on what we are to Christ, not what we are in the
world. The goodness of our outward condition does not discharge us from
the duties of Christianity, nor the badness of it debar us from
Christian privileges. He who is a slave may yet be a Christian freeman;
he who is a freeman may yet be Christ's servant. He is bought with a
price, and should not therefore be the servant of man. Not that he must
quit the service of his master, or not take all proper measures to
please him (this were to contradict the whole scope of the apostle's
discourse); but he must not be so the servant of men but that Christ's
will must be obeyed, and regarded, more than his master's. He has paid
a much dearer price for him, and has a much fuller property in him. He
is to be served and obeyed without limitation or reserve. Note, The
servants of Christ should be at the absolute command of no other master
besides himself, should serve no man, any further than is consistent
with their duty to him. No man can serve two masters. Though some
understand this passage of persons being bought out of slavery by the
bounty and charity of fellow-Christians; and read the passage thus,
Have you been redeemed out of slavery with a price? Do not again become
enslaved; just as before he had advised that, if in slavery they had
any prospect of being made free, they should choose it rather. This
meaning the words will bear, but the other seems the more natural. See
ch. vi. 20.
III. He sums up his advice: Let every man wherein he is called abide
therein with God, v. 24. This is to be understood of the state wherein
a man is converted to Christianity. No man should make his faith or
religion an argument to break through any natural or civil obligations.
He should quietly and comfortably abide in the condition in which he
is; and this he may well do, when he may abide therein with God. Note,
The special presence and favour of God are not limited to any outward
condition or performance. He may enjoy it who is circumcised; and so
may he who is uncircumcised. He who is bound may have it as well as he
who is free. In this respect there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcision nor uncircumcision, barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free,
Col. iii. 11. The favour of God is not bound.
Prudential Directions to Virgins. (a. d. 57.)
25 Now concerning virgins I have no commandment of the Lord: yet I give
my judgment, as one that hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be
faithful. 26 I suppose therefore that this is good for the present
distress, I say, that it is good for a man so to be. 27 Art thou
bound unto a wife? seek not to be loosed. Art thou loosed from a wife?
seek not a wife. 28 But and if thou marry, thou hast not sinned; and
if a virgin marry, she hath not sinned. Nevertheless such shall have
trouble in the flesh: but I spare you. 29 But this I say, brethren,
the time is short: it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as
though they had none; 30 And they that weep, as though they wept not;
and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy,
as though they possessed not; 31 And they that use this world, as not
abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth away. 32 But I
would have you without carefulness. He that is unmarried careth for the
things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord: 33 But he
that is married careth for the things that are of the world, how he may
please his wife. 34 There is difference also between a wife and a
virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she
may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth
for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. 35 And
this I speak for your own profit; not that I may cast a snare upon you,
but for that which is comely, and that ye may attend upon the Lord
without distraction.
The apostle here resumes his discourse, and gives directions to virgins
how to act, concerning which we may take notice,
I. Of the manner wherein he introduces them: "Now concerning virgins I
have no commandment of the Lord, v. 25. I have no express and universal
law delivered by the Lord himself concerning celibacy; but I give my
judgment, as one who hath obtained mercy of the Lord to be faithful,"
namely, in the apostleship. He acted faithfully, and therefore his
direction was to be regarded as a rule of Christ: for he gave judgment
as one who was a faithful apostle of Christ. Though Christ had before
delivered no universal law about that matter, he now gives direction by
an inspired apostle, one who had obtained mercy of the Lord to be
faithful. Note, Faithfulness in the ministry is owing to the grace and
mercy of Christ. It is what Paul was ready to acknowledge upon all
occasions: I laboured more abundantly than they all; yet not I, but the
grace of God which was with me, ch. xv. 10. And it is a great mercy
which those obtain from God who prove faithful in the ministry of his
word, either ordinary or extraordinary.
II. The determination he gives, which, considering the present
distress, was that a state of celibacy was preferable: It is good for a
man so to be, that is, to be single. I suppose, says the apostle, or it
is my opinion. It is worded with modesty, but delivered,
notwithstanding, with apostolic authority. It is not the mere opinion
of a private man, but the very determination of the Spirit of God in an
apostle, though it be thus spoken. And it was thus delivered to give it
the more weight. Those that were prejudiced against the apostle might
have rejected this advice had it been given with a mere authoritative
air. Note, Ministers do not lose their authority by prudent
condescensions. They must become all things to all men, that they may
do them the more good. This is good, says he, for the present distress.
Christians, at the first planting of their religion, were grievously
persecuted. Their enemies were very bitter against them, and treated
them very cruelly. They were continually liable to be tossed and
hurried by persecution. This being the then state of things, he did not
think it so advisable for Christians that were single to change
conditions. The married state would bring more care and cumber along
with it (v. 33, 34), and would therefore make persecution more
terrible, and render them less able to bear it. Note, Christians, in
regulating their conduct, should not barely consider what is lawful in
itself, but what may be expedient for them.
III. Notwithstanding he thus determines, he is very careful to satisfy
them that he does not condemn marriage in the gross, nor declare it
unlawful. And therefore, though he says, "If thou art loosed from a
wife (in a single state, whether bachelor or widower, virgin or widow)
do not seek a wife, do not hastily change conditions;" yet he adds, "If
thou art bound to a wife, do not seek to be loosed. It is thy duty to
continue in the married relation, and do the duties of it." And though
such, if they were called to suffer persecution, would find peculiar
difficulties in it; yet, to avoid these difficulties, they must not
cast off nor break through the bonds of duty. Duty must be done, and
God trusted with events. But to neglect duty is the way to put
ourselves out of the divine protection. He adds therefore, I thou marry
thou hast not sinned; or if a virgin marry she hath not sinned: but
such shall have trouble in the flesh. Marrying is not in itself a sin,
but marrying at that time was likely to bring inconvenience upon them,
and add to the calamities of the times; and therefore he thought it
advisable and expedient that such as could contain should refrain from
it; but adds that he would not lay celibacy on them as a yoke, nor, by
seeming to urge it too far, draw them into any snare; and therefore
says, But I spare you. Note, How opposite in this are the papist
casuists to the apostle Paul! They forbid many to marry, and entangle
them with vows of celibacy, whether they can bear the yoke or no.
IV. He takes this occasion to give general rules to all Christians to
carry themselves with a holy indifferency towards the world, and every
thing in it. 1. As to relations: Those that had wives must be as though
they had none; that is, they must not set their hearts too much on the
comforts of the relation; they must be as though they had none. They
know not how soon they shall have none. This advice must be carried
into every other relation. Those that have children should be as though
they had none. Those that are their comfort now may prove their
greatest cross. And soon may the flower of all comforts be cut down. 2.
As to afflictions: Those that weep must be as though they wept not;
that is, we must not be dejected too much with any of our afflictions,
nor indulge ourselves in the sorrow of the world, but keep up a holy
joy in God in the midst of all our troubles, so that even in sorrow the
heart may be joyful, and the end of our grief may be gladness. Weeping
may endure for a night, but joy will come in the morning. If we can but
get to heaven at last, all tears shall be wiped from our eyes; and the
prospect of it now should make us moderate our sorrows and refrain our
tears. 3. As to worldly enjoyments: Those that rejoice should be as
though they rejoiced not; that is, they should not take too great a
complacency in any of their comforts. They must be moderate in their
mirth, and sit loose to the enjoyments they most value. Here is not
their rest, nor are these things their portion; and therefore their
hearts should not be set on them, nor should they place their solace or
satisfaction in them. 4. As to worldly traffic and employment: Those
that buy must be as though they possessed not. Those that prosper in
trade, increase in wealth, and purchase estates, should hold these
possessions as though they held them not. It is but setting their
hearts on that which is not (Prov. xxiii. 5) to do otherwise. Buying
and possessing should not too much engage our minds. They hinder many
people altogether from minding the better part. Purchasing land and
trying oxen kept the guests invited from the wedding-supper, Luke xiv.
18, 19. And, when they do not altogether hinder men from minding their
chief business, they do very much divert them from a close pursuit.
Those are most likely to run so as to obtain the prize who ease their
minds of all foreign cares and cumbrances. 5. As to all worldly
concerns: Those that use this world as not abusing it, v. 31. The world
may be used, but must not be abused. It is abused when it is not used
to those purposes for which it is given, to honour God and do good to
men--when, instead of being oil to the wheels of our obedience, it is
made fuel to lust--when, instead of being a servant, it is made our
master, our idol, and has that room in our affections which should be
reserved for God. And there is great danger of abusing it in all these
respects, if our hearts are too much set upon it. We must keep the
world as much as may be out of our hearts, that we may not abuse it
when we have it in our hands.
V. He enforces these advices with two reasons:--1. The time is short,
v. 29. We have but little time to continue in this world; but a short
season for possessing and enjoying worldly things; kairos
synestalmenos. It is contracted, reduced to a narrow compass. It will
soon be gone. It is just ready to be wrapped up in eternity. Therefore
do not set your hearts on worldly enjoyments. Do not be overwhelmed
with worldly cares and troubles. Possess what you must shortly leave
without suffering yourselves to be possessed by it. Why should your
hearts be much set on what you must quickly resign? 2. The fashion of
this world passeth away (v. 31), schema--the habit, figure, appearance,
of the world, passeth away. It is daily changing countenance. It is in
a continual flux. It is not so much a world as the appearance of one.
All is show, nothing solid in it; and it is transient show too, and
will quickly be gone. How proper and powerful an argument is this to
enforce the former advice! How irrational is it to be affected with the
images, the fading and transient images, of a dream! Surely man walketh
in a vain show (Ps. xxxix. 6), in an image, amidst the faint and
vanishing appearances of things. And should he be deeply affected, or
grievously afflicted, with such a scene?
VI. He presses his general advice by warning them against the
embarrassment of worldly cares: But I would have you without
carefulness, v. 32. Indeed to be careless is a fault; a wise concern
about worldly interests is a duty; but to be careful, full of care, to
have an anxious and perplexing care about them, is a sin. All that care
which disquiets the mind, and distracts it in the worship of God, is
evil; for God must be attended upon without distraction, v. 35. The
whole mind should be engaged when God is worshipped. The work ceases
while it diverts to any thing else, or is hurried and drawn hither and
thither by foreign affairs and concerns. Those who are engaged in
divine worship should attend to this very thing, should make it their
whole business. But how is this possible when the mind is swallowed up
of the cares of this life? Note, It is the wisdom of a Christian so to
order his outward affairs, and choose such a condition in life, as to
be without distracting cares, that he may attend upon the Lord with a
mind at leisure and disengaged. This is the general maxim by which the
apostle would have Christians govern themselves. In the application of
it Christian prudence must direct. That condition of life is best for
every man which is best for his soul, and keeps him most clear of the
cares and snares of the world. By this maxim the apostle solves the
case put to him by the Corinthians, whether it were advisable to marry?
To this he says, That, by reason of the present distress, and it may be
in general, at that time, when Christians were married to infidels, and
perhaps under a necessity of being so, if married at all: I say, in
these circumstances, to continue unmarried would be the way to free
themselves from any cares and incumbrances, and allow them more
vacation for the service of God. Ordinarily, the less care we have
about the world the more freedom we have for the service of God. Now
the married state at that time (if not at all times) did bring most
worldly care along with it. He that is married careth for the things of
the world, that he may please his wife, v. 33. And she that is married
careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. But
the unmarried man and woman mind the things of the Lord, that they may
please the Lord, and be holy both in body and spirit, v. 32, 34. Not
but the married person may be holy both in body and spirit too.
Celibacy is not in itself a state of greater purity and sanctity than
marriage; but the unmarried would be able to make religion more their
business at that juncture, because they would have less distraction
from worldly cares. Marriage is that condition of life that brings care
along with it, though sometimes it brings more than at others. It is
the constant care of those in that relation to please each other;
though this is more difficult to do at some reasons, and in some cases,
than in others. At that season, therefore, the apostle advises that
those who were single should abstain from marriage, if they were under
no necessity to change conditions. And, where the same reason is plain
at other times, the rule is as fit to be observed. And the very same
rule must determine persons for marriage where there is the same
reason, that is, if in the unmarried state persons are likely to be
more distracted in the service of God than if they were married, which
is a case supposable in many respects. This is the general rule, which
every one's discretion must apply to his own particular case; and by it
should he endeavour to determine, whether it be for marriage or
against. That condition of life should be chosen by the Christian in
which it is most likely he will have the best helps, and the fewest
hindrances, in the service of God and the affairs of his own salvation.
Prudential Directions to the Unmarried. (a. d. 57.)
36 But if any man think that he behaveth himself uncomely toward his
virgin, if she pass the flower of her age, and need so require, let him
do what he will, he sinneth not: let them marry. 37 Nevertheless he
that standeth stedfast in his heart, having no necessity, but hath
power over his own will, and hath so decreed in his heart that he will
keep his virgin, doeth well. 38 So then he that giveth her in
marriage doeth well; but he that giveth her not in marriage doeth
better.
In this passage the apostle is commonly supposed to give advice about
the disposal of children in marriage, upon the principle of his former
determination. In this view the general meaning is plain. It was in
that age, and those parts of the world, and especially among the Jews,
reckoned a disgrace for a woman to remain unmarried past a certain
number of years: it gave a suspicion of somewhat that was not for her
reputation. "Now," says the apostle, "if any man thinks he behaves
unhandsomely towards his daughter, and that it is not for her credit to
remain unmarried, when she is of full age, and that upon this principle
it is needful to dispose of her in marriage, he may use his pleasure.
It is no sin in him to dispose of her to a suitable mate. But if a man
has determined in himself to keep her a virgin, and stands to this
determination, and is under no necessity to dispose of her in marriage,
but is at liberty, with her consent, to pursue his purpose, he does
well in keeping her a virgin. In short, he that gives her in marriage
does well; but he that keeps her single, if she can be easy and
innocent in such a state, does what is better; that is, more convenient
for her in the present state of things, if not at all times and
seasons." Note, 1. Children should be at the disposal of their parents,
and not dispose of themselves in marriage. Yet, 2. Parents should
consult their children's inclinations, both to marriage in general and
to the person in particular, and not reckon they have uncontrollable
power to do with them, and dictate to them, as they please. 3. It is
our duty not only to consider what is lawful, but in many cases, at
least, what is fit to be done, before we do it.
But I think the apostle is here continuing his former discourse, and
advising unmarried persons, who are at their own disposal, what to do,
the man's virgin being meant of his virginity. Terein ten heautou
parthenon seems to be rather meant of preserving his own virginity than
keeping his daughter a virgin, though it be altogether uncommon to use
the word in this sense. Several other reasons may be seen in Locke and
Whitby, by those who will consult them. And it was a common matter of
reproach among Jews and civilized heathens, for a man to continue
single beyond such a term of years, though all did not agree in
limiting the single life to the same term. The general meaning of the
apostle is the same, that it was no sin to marry, if a man thought
there was a necessity upon, to avoid popular reproach, much less to
avoid the hurrying fervours of lust. But he that was in his own power,
stood firm in his purpose, and found himself under no necessity to
marry, would, at that season, and in the circumstances of Christians at
that time, at least, make a choice every way most for his own
conveniency, ease, and advantage, as to his spiritual concerns. And it
is highly expedient, if not a duty, for Christians to be guided by such
a consideration.
Prudential Directions to Widows. (a. d. 57.)
39 The wife is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if
her husband be dead, she is at liberty to be married to whom she will;
only in the Lord. 40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my
judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.
The whole is here closed up with advice to widows: As long as the
husband liveth the wife is bound by the law, confined to one husband,
and bound to continue and cohabit with him. Note, The marriage-contract
is for life; death only can annul the bond. But, the husband being
dead, she is at liberty to marry whom she will. There is no limitation
by God's law to be married only for such a number of times. It is
certain, from this passage, that second marriages are not unlawful; for
then the widow could not be at liberty to marry whom she pleased, nor
to marry a second time at all. But the apostle asserts she has such a
liberty, when her husband is dead, only with a limitation that she
marry in the Lord. In our choice of relations, and change of
conditions, we should always have an eye to God. Note, Marriages are
likely to have God's blessing only when they are made in the Lord, when
persons are guided by the fear of God, and the laws of God, and act in
dependence on the providence of God, in the change and choice of a
mate--when they can look up to God, and sincerely seek his direction,
and humbly hope for his blessing upon their conduct. But she is
happier, says the apostle, if she so abide (that is, continue a widow)
in my judgment; and I think I have the Spirit of God, v. 40. At this
juncture, at least, if not ordinarily, it will be much more for the
peace and quiet of such, and give them less hindrance in the service of
God, to continue unmarried. And this, he tells them, was by inspiration
of the Spirit. "Whatever your false apostles may think of me, I think,
and have reason to know, that I have the Spirit of God." Note, Change
of condition in marriage is so important a matter that it ought not to
be made but upon due deliberation, after careful consideration of
circumstances, and upon very probable grounds, at least, that it will
be a change to advantage in our spiritual concerns.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. VIII.
The apostle, in this chapter, answers another case proposed to him by
some of the Corinthians, about eating those things that had been
sacrificed to idols. I. He hints at the occasion of this case, and
gives a caution against too high an esteem of their knowledge, ver.
1-3. II. He asserts the vanity of idols, the unity of the Godhead, and
the sole mediation of Christ between God and man, ver. 4-6. III. He
tells them that upon supposition that it were lawful in itself to eat
of things offered to idols (for that they themselves are nothing), yet
regard must be had to the weakness of Christian brethren, and nothing
done that would lay a stumbling block before them, and occasion their
sin and destruction, ver. 7 to the end.
On Things Offered to Idols. (a. d. 57.)
1 Now as touching things offered unto idols, we know that we all have
knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but charity edifieth. 2 And if any
man think that he knoweth any thing, he knoweth nothing yet as he ought
to know. 3 But if any man love God, the same is known of him.
The apostle comes here to the case of things that had been offered to
idols, concerning which some of them sought satisfaction: a case that
frequently occurred in that age of Christianity, when the church of
Christ was among the heathen, and the Israel of God must live among the
Canaanites. For the better understanding of it, it must be observed
that it was a custom among the heathens to make feasts on their
sacrifices, and not only to eat themselves, but invite their friends to
partake with them. These were usually kept in the temple, where the
sacrifice was offered (v. 10), and, if any thing was left when the
feast ended, it was usual to carry away a portion to their friends;
what remained, after all, belonged to the priests, who sometimes sold
it in the markets. See ch. x. 25. Nay, feasts, as Athenæus informs us,
were always accounted, among the heathen, sacred and religious things,
so that they were wont to sacrifice before all their feasts; and it was
accounted a very profane thing among them, athyta esthiein, to eat at
their private tables any meat whereof they had not first sacrificed on
such occasions. In this circumstance of things, while Christians lived
among idolaters, had many relations and friends that were such, with
whom they must keep up acquaintance and maintain good neighbourhood,
and therefore have occasion to eat at their tables, what should they do
if any thing that had been sacrificed should be set before them? What,
if they should be invited to feast with them in their temples? It seems
as if some of the Corinthians had imbibed an opinion that even this
might be done, because they knew an idol was nothing in the world, v.
4. The apostle seems to answer more directly to the case (ch. x.), and
here to argue, upon supposition of their being right in this thought,
against their abuse of their liberty to the prejudice of others; but he
plainly condemns such liberty in ch. x. The apostle introduces his
discourse with some remarks about knowledge that seem to carry in them
a censure of such pretences to knowledge as I have mentioned: We know,
says the apostle, that we all have knowledge (v. 1); as if he had said,
"You who take such liberty are not the only knowing persons; we who
abstain know as much as you of the vanity of idols, and that they are
nothing; but we know too that the liberty you take is very culpable,
and that even lawful liberty must be used with charity and not to the
prejudice of weaker brethren." Knowledge puffeth up, but charity
edifieth, v. 1. Note, 1. The preference of charity to conceited
knowledge. That is best which is fitted to do the greatest good.
Knowledge, or at least a high conceit of it, is very apt to swell the
mind, to fill it with wind, and so puff it up. This tends to no good to
ourselves, but in many instances is much to the hurt of others. But
true love, and tender regard to our brethren, will put us upon
consulting their interest, and acting as may be for their edification.
Observe, 2. That there is no evidence of ignorance more common than a
conceit of knowledge: If any man think that he knoweth any thing, he
knoweth nothing yet as he ought to know. He that knows most best
understands his own ignorance, and the imperfection of human knowledge.
He that imagines himself a knowing man, and is vain and conceited on
this imagination, has reason to suspect that he knows nothing aright,
nothing as he ought to know it. Note, It is one thing to know truth,
and another to know it as we ought, so as duly to improve our
knowledge. Much may be known when nothing is known to any good purpose,
when neither ourselves nor others are the better for our knowledge. And
those who think they know any thing, and grow fain hereupon, are of all
men most likely to make no good use of their knowledge; neither
themselves nor others are likely to be benefited by it. But, adds the
apostle, if any man love God, the same is known of God. If any man love
God, and is thereby influenced to love his neighbour, the same is known
of God; that is, as some understand it, is made by him to know, is
taught of God. Note, Those that love God are most likely to be taught
of God, and be made by him to know as they ought. Some understand it
thus: He shall be approved of God; he will accept him and have pleasure
in him. Note, The charitable person is most likely to have God's
favour. Those who love God, and for his sake love their brethren and
seek their welfare, are likely to be beloved of God; and how much
better is it to be approved of God than to have a vain opinion of
ourselves!
On Eating Things Offered to Idols. (a. d. 57.)
4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered
in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the world,
and that there is none other God but one. 5 For though there be that
are called gods, whether in heaven or in earth, (as there be gods many,
and lords many,) 6 But to us there is but one God, the Father, of
whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom
are all things, and we by him.
In this passage he shows the vanity of idols: As to the eating of
things that have been sacrificed to idols, we know that an idol is
nothing in the world; or, there is no idol in the world; or, an idol
can do nothing in the world: for the form of expression in the original
is elliptical. The meaning in the general is, that heathen idols have
no divinity in them; and therefore the Old Testament they are commonly
called lies and vanities, or lying vanities. They are merely imaginary
gods, and many of them no better than imaginary beings; they have no
power to pollute the creatures of God, and thereby render them unfit to
be eaten by a child or servant of God. Every creature of God is good,
if it be received with thanksgiving, 1 Tim. iv. 4. It is not in the
power of the vanities of the heathens to change its nature.--And there
is no other God but one. Heathen idols are not gods, nor to be owned
and respected as gods, for there is no other God but one. Note, the
unity of the Godhead is a fundamental principle in Christianity, and in
all right religion. The gods of the heathens must be nothing in the
world, must have no divinity in them, nothing of real godhead belonging
to them; for there is no other God but one. Others may be called gods:
There are that are called gods, in heaven and earth, gods many, and
lords many; but they are falsely thus called. The heathens had many
such, some in heaven and some on earth, celestial deities, that were of
highest rank and repute among them, and terrestrial ones, men made into
gods, that were to mediate for men with the former, and were deputed by
them to preside over earthly affairs. These are in scripture commonly
called Baalim. They had gods of higher and lower degree; nay, many in
each order: gods many, and lords many; but all titular deities and
mediators: so called, but not such in truth. All their divinity and
mediation were imagery. For, 1. To us there is but one God, says the
apostle, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in or for him. We
Christians are better informed; we well know there is but one God, the
fountain of being, the author of all things, maker, preserver, and
governor of the whole world, of whom and for whom are all things. Not
one God to govern one part of mankind, or one rank and order of men,
and another to govern another. One God made all, and therefore has
power over all. All things are of him, and we, and all things else, are
for him. Called the Father here, not in contradistinction to the other
persons of the sacred Trinity, and to exclude them from the Godhead,
but in contradistinction to all creatures that were made by God, and
whose formation is attributed to each of these three in other places of
scripture, and not appropriated to the Father alone. God the Father, as
Fons et fundamentum Trinitatis--as the first person in the Godhead, and
the original of the other two, stands here for the Deity, which yet
comprehends all three, the name God being sometimes in scripture
ascribed to the Father, kat exochen, or by way of eminency, because he
is fons et principiam Deitatis (as Calvin observes), the fountain of
the Deity in the other two, they having it by communication from him:
so that there is but one God the Father, and yet the Son is God too,
but is not another God, the Father, with his Son and Spirit, being the
one God, but not without them, or so as to exclude them from the
Godhead. 2. There is to us but one Lord, one Mediator between God and
men, even Jesus Christ. Not many mediators, as the heathen imagined,
but one only, by whom all things were created and do consist, and to
whom all our hope and happiness are owing--the man Christ Jesus; but a
man in personal union with the divine Word, or God the Son. This very
man hath God made both Lord and Christ, Acts ii. 36. Jesus Christ, in
his human nature and mediatorial state, has a delegated power, a name
given him, though above every name, that at his name every knee should
bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord. And thus he is the only
Lord, the only Mediator, that Christians acknowledge, the only person
who comes between God and sinners, administers the world's affairs
under God, and mediates for men with God. All the lords of this sort
among heathens are merely imaginary ones. Note, It is the great
privilege of us Christians that we know the true God, and true Mediator
between God and man: the true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent,
John xvii. 3.
On Eating Things Offered to Idols. (a. d. 57.)
7 Howbeit there is not in every man that knowledge: for some with
conscience of the idol unto this hour eat it as a thing offered unto an
idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. 8 But meat
commendeth us not to God: for neither, if we eat, are we the better;
neither, if we eat not, are we the worse. 9 But take heed lest by any
means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are
weak. 10 For if any man see thee which hast knowledge sit at meat in
the idol's temple, shall not the conscience of him which is weak be
emboldened to eat those things which are offered to idols; 11 And
through thy knowledge shall the weak brother perish, for whom Christ
died? 12 But when ye sin so against the brethren, and wound their
weak conscience, ye sin against Christ. 13 Wherefore, if meat make my
brother to offend, I will eat no flesh while the world standeth, lest I
make my brother to offend.
The apostle, having granted, and indeed confirmed, the opinion of some
among the Corinthians, that idols were nothing, proceeds now to show
them that their inference from this assumption was not just, namely,
that therefore they might go into the idol-temple, and eat of the
sacrifices, and feast there with their heathen neighbours. He does not
indeed here so much insist upon the unlawfulness of the thing in itself
as the mischief such freedom might do to weaker Christians, persons
that had not the same measure of knowledge with these pretenders. And
here,
I. He informs them that every Christian man, at that time, was not so
fully convinced and persuaded that an idol was nothing. Howbeit, there
is not in every man this knowledge; for some, with conscience of the
idol, unto this hour, eat it as a thing offered unto an idol; with
conscience of the idol; that is, some confused veneration for it.
Though they were converts to Christianity, and professed the true
religion, they were not perfectly cured of the old leaven, but retained
an unaccountable respect for the idols they had worshipped before.
Note, Weak Christians may be ignorant, or have but a confused knowledge
of the greatest and plainest truths. Such were those of the one God and
one Mediator. And yet some of those who were turned form heathenism to
Christianity among the Corinthians seem to have retained a veneration
for their idols, utterly irreconcilable with those great principles; so
that when an opportunity offered to eat things offered to idols they
did not abstain, to testify their abhorrence of idolatry, nor eat with
a professed contempt of the idol, by declaring they looked upon it to
be nothing; and so their conscience, being weak, was defiled; that is,
they contracted guilt; they ate out of respect to the idol, with an
imagination that it had something divine in it, and so committed
idolatry: whereas the design of the gospel was to turn men from dumb
idols to the living God. They were weak in their understanding, not
thoroughly apprized of the vanity of idols; and, while they ate what
was sacrificed to them out of veneration for them, contracted the guilt
of idolatry, and so greatly polluted themselves. This seems to be the
sense of the place; though some understand it of weak Christians
defiling themselves by eating what was offered to an idol with an
apprehension that thereby it became unclean, and made those so in a
moral sense who should eat it, every one not having a knowledge that
the idol was nothing, and therefore that it could not render what was
offered to it in this sense unclean. Note, We should be careful to do
nothing that may occasion weak Christians to defile their consciences.
II. He tells them that mere eating and drinking had nothing in them
virtuous nor criminal, nothing that could make them better nor worse,
pleasing nor displeasing to God: Meat commendeth us not to God; for
neither if we eat are we the better, nor if we eat not are we the
worse, v. 8. It looks as if some of the Corinthians made a merit of
their eating what had been offered to idols, and that in their very
temples too (v. 10), because it plainly showed that they thought the
idols nothing. But eating and drinking are in themselves actions
indifferent. It matters little what we eat. What goes into the man of
this sort neither purifies nor defiles. Flesh offered to idols may in
itself be as proper for food as any other; and the bare eating, or
forbearing to eat, has no virtue in it. Note, It is a gross mistake to
think that distinction of food will make any distinction between men in
God's account. Eating this food, and forbearing that, having nothing in
them to recommend a person to God.
III. He cautions them against abusing their liberty, the liberty they
thought they had in this matter. For that they mistook this matter, and
had no allowance to sit at meat in the idol's temple, seems plain from
ch. x. 20, &c. But the apostle argues here that, even upon the
supposition that they had such power, they must be cautious how they
use it; it might be a stumbling-block to the weak (v. 9), it might
occasion their falling into idolatrous actions, perhaps their falling
off from Christianity and revolting again to heathenism. "If a man see
thee, who hast knowledge (hast superior understanding to his, and
hereupon concedest that thou hast a liberty to sit at meat, or feast,
in an idol's temple, because an idol, thou sayest, is nothing), shall
not one who is less thoroughly informed in this matter, and thinks an
idol something, be emboldened to eat what was offered to the idol, not
as common food, but sacrifice, and thereby be guilty of idolatry?" Such
an occasion of falling they should be careful of laying before their
weak brethren, whatever liberty or power they themselves had. The
apostle backs this caution with two considerations:--1. The danger that
might accrue to weak brethren, even those weak brethren for whom Christ
died. We must deny ourselves even what is lawful rather than occasion
their stumbling, and endanger their souls (v. 11): Through thy
knowledge shall thy weak brother perish, for whom Christ died? Note,
Those whom Christ hath redeemed with his most precious blood should be
very precious and dear to us. If he had such compassion as to die for
them, that they might not perish, we should have so much compassion for
them as to deny ourselves, for their sakes, in various instances, and
not use our liberty to their hurt, to occasion their stumbling, or
hazard their ruin. That man has very little of the spirit of the
Redeemer who had rather his brother should perish than himself be
abridged, in any respect, of his liberty. He who hath the Spirit of
Christ in him will love those whom Christ loved, so as to die for them,
and will study to promote their spiritual and eternal warfare, and shun
every thing that would unnecessarily grieve them, and much more every
thing that would be likely to occasion their stumbling, or falling into
sin. 2. The hurt done to them Christ takes as done to himself: When you
sin so against the weak brethren and wound their consciences, you sin
against Christ, v. 12. Note, Injuries done to Christians are injuries
to Christ, especially to babes in Christ, to weak Christians; and most
of all, involving them in guilt: wounding their consciences is wounding
him. He has a particular care of the lambs of the flock: He gathers
them in his arm and carries them in his bosom, Isa. lx. 11. Strong
Christians should be very careful to avoid what will offend weak ones,
or lay a stumbling-block in their way. Shall we be void of compassion
for those to whom Christ has shown so much? Shall we sin against Christ
who suffered for us? Shall we set ourselves to defeat his gracious
designs, and help to ruin those whom he died to save?
IV. He enforces all with his own example (v. 13): Wherefore if meat
make my brother to offend I will eat no flesh while the world standeth,
lest I make my brother to offend. He does not say that he will never
eat more. This were to destroy himself, and to commit a heinous sin, to
prevent the sin and fall of a brother. Such evil must not be done that
good may come of it. But, though it was necessary to eat, it was not
necessary to eat flesh. And therefore, rather than occasion sin in a
brother, he would abstain from it as long as he lived. He had such a
value for the soul of his brother that he would willingly deny himself
in a matter of liberty, and forbear any particular food, which he might
have lawfully eaten and might like to eat, rather than lay a
stumbling-block in a weak brother's way, and occasion him to sin, by
following his example, without being clear in his mind whether it were
lawful or no. Note, We should be very tender of doing any thing that
may be an occasion of stumbling to others, though it may be innocent in
itself. Liberty is valuable, but the weakness of a brother should
induce, and sometimes bind, us to waive it. We must not rigorously
claim nor use our own rights, to the hurt and ruin of a brother's soul,
and so to the in jury of our Redeemer, who died for him. When it is
certainly foreseen that my doing what I may forbear will occasion a
fellow-christian to do what he ought to forbear, I shall offend,
scandalize, or lay a stumbling-block in his way, which to do is a sin,
however lawful the thing itself be which is done. And, if we must be so
careful not to occasion other men's sins, how careful should we be to
avoid sin ourselves! If we must not endanger other men's souls, how
much should we be concerned not to destroy our own!
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. IX.
In this chapter the apostle seems to answer some cavils against
himself. I. He asserts his apostolical mission and authority, and gives
in his success among them as a testimony to it, ver. 1, 2. II. He
claims a right to subsist by his ministry, and defends it by several
arguments from natural reason and the Mosaical law, and asserts it also
to be a constitution of Christ, ver. 3-14. III. He shows that he had
willingly waived this privilege and power for their benefit, ver.
15-18. IV. He specifies several other things, in which he had denied
himself for the sake of other men's spiritual interest and salvation,
ver. 19-23. And, V. Concludes his argument by showing what animated him
to this course, even the prospect of an incorruptible crown, ver. 24,
to the end.
Rights of a Christian Minister. (a. d. 57.)
1 Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our
Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2 If I be not an apostle unto
others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are
ye in the Lord.
Blessed Paul, in the work of his ministry, not only met with opposition
from those without, but discouragement from those within. He was under
reproach; false brethren questioned his apostleship, and were very
industrious to lessen his character and sink his reputation;
particularly here at Corinth, a place to which he had been instrumental
in doing much good, and from which he had deserved well; and yet there
were those among them who upon these heads created him great
uneasiness. Note, It is no strange nor new thing for a minister to meet
with very unkind returns for great good-will to a people, and diligent
and successful services among them. Some among the Corinthians
questioned, if they did not disown, his apostolical character. To their
cavils he here answers, and in such a manner as to set forth himself as
a remarkable example of that self-denial, for the good of others, which
he had been recommending in the former chapter. And, 1. He asserts his
apostolical mission and character: Am I not an apostle? Have I not seen
Jesus Christ our Lord? To be a witness of his resurrection was one
great branch of the apostolical charge. "Now," says Paul, "have not I
seen the Lord, though not immediately after his resurrection, yet since
his ascent?" See ch. iv. 8. "Am I not free? Have I not the same
commission, and charge, and powers, with the other apostles? What
respect, or honour, or subsistence, can they challenge, which I am not
at liberty to demand as well as they?" It was not because he had no
right to live of the gospel that he maintained himself with his own
hands, but for other reasons. 2. He offers the success of his ministry
among them, and the good he had done to them, as a proof of his
apostleship: "Are not you my work in the Lord? Through the blessing of
Christ on my labours, have not I raised a church among you? The seal of
my apostleship are you in the Lord. Your conversion by my means is a
confirmation from God of my mission." Note, The ministers of Christ
should not think it strange to be put upon the proof of their ministry
by some who have had experimental evidence of the power of it and the
presence of God with it. 3. He justly upbraids the Corinthians with
their disrespect: "Doubtless, if I am not an apostle to others, I am so
to you, v. 2. I have laboured so long, and with so much success, among
you, that you, above all others, should own and honour my character,
and not call it in question." Note, It is no new thing for faithful
ministers to meet with the worst treatment where they might expect the
best. This church at Corinth had as much reason to believe, and as
little reason to question, his apostolical mission, as any; they had as
much reason, perhaps more than any church, to pay him respect. He had
been instrumental in bringing them to the knowledge and faith of
Christ; he laboured long among them, nearly two years, and he laboured
to good purpose, God having much people among them. See Acts xviii. 10,
11. It was aggravated ingratitude for this people to call in question
his authority.
Rights of a Christian Minister. (a. d. 57.)
3 Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4 Have we not power
to eat and to drink? 5 Have we not power to lead about a sister, a
wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and
Cephas? 6 Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear
working? 7 Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who
planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who
feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock? 8 Say I
these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also? 9 For it
is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the
ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen? 10 Or
saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is
written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that
thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope. 11 If we have sown
unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your
carnal things? 12 If others be partakers of this power over you, are
not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all
things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ. 13 Do ye not know
that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the
temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?
14 Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel
should live of the gospel.
Having asserted his apostolical authority, he proceeds to claim the
rights belonging to his office, especially that of being maintained by
it.
I. These he states, v. 3-6. "My answer to those that do examine me
(that is, enquire into my authority, or the reasons of my conduct, if I
am an apostle) is this: Have we not power to eat and drink (v. 4), or a
right to maintenance? Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife,
as well as other apostles, and the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas;
and, not only to be maintained ourselves, but have them maintained
also?" Though Paul was at that time single, he had a right to take a
wife when he pleased, and to lead her about with him, and expect a
maintenance for her, as well as himself, from the churches. Perhaps
Barnabas had a wife, as the other apostles certainly had, and led them
about with them. For that a wife is here to be understood by the
sister-woman~adelphen gynaika, is plain from this, that it would have
been utterly unfit for the apostles to have carried about women with
them unless they were wives. The word implies that they had power over
them, and could require their attendance on them, which none could have
over any but wives or servants. Now the apostles, who worked for their
bread, do not seem to have been in a capacity to buy or have servants
to carry with them. Not to observe that it would have raised suspicion
to have carried about even women-servants, and much more other women to
whom they were not married, for which the apostles would never give any
occasion. The apostle therefore plainly asserts he had a right to marry
as well as other apostles, and claim a maintenance for his wife, nay,
and his children too, if he had any, from the churches, without
labouring with his own hands to procure it. Or I only and Barnabas,
have not we power to for bear working? v. 6. In short, the apostle here
claims a maintenance from the churches, both for him and his. This was
due from them, and what he might claim.
II. He proceeds, by several arguments, to prove his claim. 1. From the
common practice and expectations of mankind. Those who addict and give
themselves up to any way of business in the world expect to live out of
it. Soldiers expect to be paid for their service. Husbandmen and
shepherds expect to get a livelihood out of their labours. If they
plant vineyards, and dress and cultivate them, it is with expectation
of fruit; if they feed a flock, it is with the expectation of being fed
and clothed by it! Who goeth a warfare at any time at his own charge?
Who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not the fruit thereof? Who feedeth
a flock, and eateth not the milk thereof? v. 7-9. Note, It is very
natural, and very reasonable, for ministers to expect a livelihood out
of their labours. 2. He argues it out of the Jewish law: Say I these
things as a man? Or saith not the law the same also? v. 8. Is this
merely a dictate of common reason and according to common usage only?
No, it is also consonant to the old law. God had therein ordered that
the ox should not be muzzled while he was treading out the corn, nor
hindered from eating while he was preparing the corn for man's use, and
treading it out of the ear. But this law was not chiefly given out of
God's regard to oxen, or concern for them, but to teach mankind that
all due encouragement should be given to those who are employed by us,
or labouring for our good--that the labourers should taste of the fruit
of their labours. Those who plough should plough in hope; and those who
thresh in hope should be partakers of their hope, v. 10. The law saith
this about oxen for our sakes. Note, Those that lay themselves out to
do our souls good should not have their mouths muzzled, but have food
provided for them. 3. He argues from common equity: If we have sown
unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your
carnal things? What they had sown was much better than they expected to
reap. They had taught them the way to eternal life, and laboured
heartily to put them in possession of it. It was no great matter,
surely, while they were giving themselves up to this work, to expect a
support of their own temporal life. They had been instruments of
conveying to them the greater spiritual blessings; and had they no
claim to as great a share in their carnal things as was necessary to
subsist them? Note, Those who enjoy spiritual benefits by the ministry
of the word should not grudge a maintenance to such as are employed in
this work. If they have received a real benefit, one would think they
could not grudge them this. What, get so much good by them, and yet
grudge to do so little good to them! Is this grateful or equitable? 4.
He argues from the maintenance they afforded others: "If others are
partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? You allow others
this maintenance, and confess their claim just; but who has so just a
claim as I from the church of Corinth? Who has given greater evidence
of the apostolic mission? Who had laboured so much for your good, or
done like service among you?" Note, Ministers should be valued and
provided for according to their worth. "Nevertheless," says the
apostle, "we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we
should hinder the gospel of Christ. We have not insisted on our right,
but have rather been in straits to serve the interests of the gospel,
and promote the salvation of souls." He renounced his right, rather
than by claiming it he would hinder his success. He denied himself, for
fear of giving offence; but asserted his right lest his self-denial
should prove prejudicial to the ministry. Note, He is likely to plead
most effectually for the rights of others who shows a generous
disregard to his own. It is plain, in this case, that justice, and not
self-love, is the principle by which he is actuated. 5. He argues from
the old Jewish establishment: "Do you not know that those who minister
about holy things live of the things of the temple, and those who wait
at the altar are partakers with the altar? v. 13. And, if the Jewish
priesthood was maintained out of the holy things that were then
offered, shall not Christ's ministers have a maintenance out of their
ministry? Is there not as much reason that we should be maintained as
they?" He asserts it to be the institution of Christ: "Even so hath the
Lord ordained that those who preach the gospel should live of the
gospel (v. 14), should have a right to a maintenance, though not bound
to demand it, and insist upon it." It is the people's duty to maintain
their minister, by Christ's appointment, though it be not a duty bound
on every minister to call for or accept it. He may waive his right, as
Paul did, without being a sinner; but those transgress an appointment
of Christ who deny or withhold it. Those who preach the gospel have a
right to live by it; and those who attend on their ministry, and yet
take no thought about their subsistence, fail very much in their duty
to Christ, and respect owing to them.
The Apostle's Devotedness. (a. d. 57.)
15 But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these
things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to
die, than that any man should make my glorying void. 16 For though I
preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid
upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel! 17 For if I
do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a
dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me. 18 What is my reward
then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of
Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.
Here he tells them that he had, notwithstanding, waived his privilege,
and lays down his reason for doing it.
I. He tells them that he had neglected to claim his right in times
past: I have used none of these things, v. 15. He neither ate nor drank
himself at their cost, nor led about a wife to be maintained by them,
nor forbore working to maintain himself. From others he received a
maintenance, but not from them, for some special reasons. Nor did he
write this to make his claim now. Though he here asserts his right, yet
he does not claim his due; but denies himself for their sakes, and the
gospel.
II. We have the reason assigned of his exercising this self-denial. He
would not have his glorying made void: It were better for his to die
than that any man should make his glorying void, v. 15. This glorying
did imply nothing in it of boasting, or self-conceit, or catching at
applause, but a high degree of satisfaction and comfort. It was a
singular pleasure to him to preach the gospel without making it
burdensome; and he was resolved that among them he would not lose this
satisfaction. His advantages for promoting the gospel were his glory,
and he valued them above his rights, or his very life: Better were it
for him to die than to have his glorying made void, than to have it
justly said that he preferred his wages to his work. No, he was ready
to deny himself for the sake of the gospel. Note, It is the glory of a
minister to prefer the success of his ministry to his interest, and
deny himself, that he may serve Christ, and save souls. Not that in so
doing he does more than he ought; he is still acting within the bounds
of the law of charity. But he acts upon truly noble principles, he
brings much honour to God in so doing; and those that honour him he
will honour. It is what God will approve and commend, what a man may
value himself for and take comfort in, though he cannot make a merit of
it before God.
III. He shows that this self-denial was more honourable in itself, and
yielded him much more content and comfort, than his preaching did:
"Though I preach the gospel, I have nothing whereof to glory; for
necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the
gospel, v. 16. It is my charge, my business; it is the work for which I
am constituted an apostle, ch. i. 17. This is a duty expressly bound
upon me. It is not in any degree a matter of liberty. Necessity is upon
me. I am false and unfaithful to my trust, I break a plain and express
command, and woe be to me, if I do not preach the gospel." Those who
are set apart to the office of the ministry have it in charge to preach
the gospel. Woe be to them if they do not. From this none is excepted.
But it is not given in charge to all, nor any preacher of the gospel,
to do his work gratis, to preach and have no maintenance out of it. It
is not said, "Woe be to him if he do not preach the gospel, and yet
maintain himself." In this point he is more at liberty. It may be his
duty to preach at some seasons, and under some circumstances, without
receiving a maintenance for it; but he has, in the general, a right to
it, and may expect it from those among whom he labours. When he
renounces this right for the sake of the gospel and the souls of men,
though he does not supererogate, yet he denies himself, waives his
privilege and right; he does more than his charge and office in
general, and at all times, obliges him to. Woe be to him if he do not
preach the gospel; but it may sometimes be his duty to insist on his
maintenance for so doing, and whenever he forbears to claim it he parts
with his right, though a man may sometimes be bound to do so by the
general duties of love to God and charity to men. Note, It is a high
attainment in religion to renounce our own rights for the good of
others; this will entitle to a peculiar reward from God. For,
IV. The apostle here informs us that doing our duty with a willing mind
will meet with a gracious recompence from God: If I do this thing, that
is, either preach the gospel or take no maintenance, willingly, I have
a reward. Indeed, it is willing service only that is capable of reward
from God. It is not the bare doing of any duty, but the doing of it
heartily (that is, willingly and cheerfully) that God has promised to
reward. Leave the heart out of our duties, and God abhors them: they
are but the carcasses, without the life and spirit, of religion. Those
must preach willingly who would be accepted of God in this duty. They
must make their business a pleasure, and not esteem it a drudgery. And
those who, out of regard to the honour of God or good of souls, give up
their claim to a maintenance, should do this duty willingly, if they
would be accepted in it or rewarded for it. But whether the duty of the
office be done willingly or with reluctance, whether the heart be in it
or averse from it, all in office have a trust and charge from God, for
which they must be accountable. Ministers have a dispensation of the
gospel, or stewardship--oikonomia (Luke xvi. 2), committed to them.
Note, Christ's willing servants shall not fail of a recompence, and
that proportioned to their fidelity, zeal, and diligence; and his
slothful and unwilling servants shall all be called to an account.
Taking his name, and professing to do his business, will make men
accountable at his bar. And how sad an account have slothful servants
to give!
V. The apostle sums up the argument, by laying before them the
encouraging hope he had of a large recompence for his remarkable
self-denial: What is my reward then? v. 18. What is it I expect a
recompence from God for? That when I preach the gospel I may make it
without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel. Or, "not so to
claim my rights as to make them destroy the great intentions and ends
of my office, but renounce them for the sake of these." It is an abuse
of power to employ it against the very ends for which it is given. And
the apostle would never use his power, or privilege of being maintained
by his ministry, so as to frustrate the ends of it, but would willingly
and cheerfully deny himself for the honour of Christ and the interest
of souls. That ministers who follows his example may have cheerful
expectations of a full recompence.
The Apostle's Devotedness. (a. d. 57.)
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant
unto all, that I might gain the more. 20 And unto the Jews I became
as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law,
as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21
To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to
God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are
without law. 22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the
weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save
some. 23 And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be
partaker thereof with you.
The apostle takes occasion from what he had before discoursed to
mention some other instances of his self-denial and parting with his
liberty for the benefit of others.
I. He asserts his liberty (v. 19): Though I be free from all men. He
was free-born, a citizen of Rome. He was in bondage to none, nor
depended upon any for his subsistence; yet he made himself a servant to
all, that he might gain the more. He behaved as a servant; he laboured
for their good as a servant; he was careful to please, as a servant to
his master; he acted in many cases as if he had no privileges; and this
that he might gain the more, or make the more converts to Christianity.
He made himself a servant, that they might be made free.
II. He specifies some particulars wherein he made himself a servant to
all. He accommodated himself to all sorts of people. 1. To the Jews,
and those under the law, he became a Jew, and as under the law, to gain
them. Though he looked on the ceremonial law as a yoke taken off by
Christ, yet in many instances he submitted to it, that he might work
upon the Jews, remove their prejudices, prevail with them to hear the
gospel, and win them over to Christ. 2. To those that are without the
law as without law that is, to the Gentiles, whether converted to the
Christian faith or not. In innocent things he could comply with
people's usages or humours for their advantage. He would reason with
the philosophers in their own way. And, as to converted Gentiles, he
behaved among them as one that was not under the bondage of the Jewish
laws, as he had asserted and maintained concerning them, though he did
not act as a lawless person, but as one who was bound by the laws of
Christ. He would transgress no laws of Christ to please or humour any
man; but he would accommodate himself to all men, where he might do it
lawfully, to gain some. Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles, and so,
one would have thought, might have excused himself from complying with
the Jews; and yet, to do them good, and win them over to Christ, he
did, in innocent things, neglect the power he had to do otherwise, and
conformed to some of their usages and laws. And though he might, by
virtue of that character, have challenged authority over the Gentiles,
yet he accommodated himself, as much as he innocently might, to their
prejudices and ways of thinking. Doing good was the study and business
of his life; and, so that he might reach this end, he did not stand on
privileges and punctilios. 3. To the weak he became as weak, that he
might gain the weak, v. 22. He was willing to make the best of them. He
did not despise nor judge them, but became as one of them, forbore to
use his liberty for their sake, and was careful to lay no
stumbling-block in their way. Where any, through the weakness of their
understanding, or the strength of their prejudices, were likely to fall
into sin, or fall off from the gospel into heathen idolatry, through
his use of his liberty, he refrained himself. He denied himself for
their sakes, that he might insinuate into their affections, and gain
their souls. In short, he became all things to all men, that he might
by all means (all lawful means) gain some. He would not sin against God
to save the soul of his neighbour, but he would very cheerfully and
readily deny himself. The rights of God he could not give up, but he
might resign his own, and he very often did so for the good of others.
III. He assigns his reason for acting in this manner (v. 23): This I do
for the gospel's sake, and that I may be partaker thereof with you;
that is, for the honour of Christ, whose the gospel is, and for the
salvation of souls, for which it was designed, and that he and they
might communicate in the privileges of it, or partake together of them.
For these ends did he thus condescend, deny himself as to his liberty,
and accommodate himself to the capacities and usages of those with whom
he had to do, where he lawfully might. Note, A heart warmed with zeal
for God, and breathing after the salvation of men, will not plead and
insist upon rights and privileges in bar to this design. Those
manifestly abuse their power in the gospel who employ it not to
edification but destruction, and therefore breathe nothing of its
spirit.
The Apostle's Devotedness. (a. d. 57.)
24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth
the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that striveth
for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a
corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. 26 I therefore so run,
not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: 27
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by
any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
castaway.
In these verses the apostle hints at the great encouragement he had to
act in this manner. He had a glorious prize, an incorruptible crown, in
view. Upon this head he compares himself to the racers and combatants
in the Isthmian games, an allusion well known to the Corinthians,
because they were celebrated in their neighbourhood: "Know you not that
those who run in a race run all, but one obtaineth the prize? v. 24.
All run at your games, but only one gets the race and wins the crown."
And here,
I. He excites them to their duty: "So run that you may obtain. It is
quite otherwise in the Christian race than in your races; only one wins
the prize in them. You may all run so as to obtain. You have great
encouragement, therefore, to persist constantly, and diligently, and
vigorously, in your course. There is room for all to get the prize. You
cannot fail if you run well. Yet there should be a noble emulation; you
should endeavour to outdo one another. And it is a glorious contest who
shall get first to heaven, or have the best rewards in that blessed
world. I make it my endeavour to run; so do you, as you see me go
before you." Note, It is the duty of Christians to follow their
ministers closely in the chase of eternal glory, and the honour and
duty of ministers to lead them in the way.
II. He directs them in their course, by setting more fully to view his
own example, still carrying on the allusion. 1. Those that ran in their
games were kept to a set diet: "Every man that strives for the mastery
is temperate in all things, v. 23. The fighters and wrestlers in your
exercises are kept to strict diet and discipline; nay, they keep
themselves to it. They do not indulge themselves, but restrain
themselves from the food they eat and so from the liberties they use on
other occasions. And should not Christians much more abridge themselves
of their liberty, for so glorious an end as winning the race, and
obtaining the prize set before them? They used a very spare diet, and
course food, and denied themselves much, to prepare for their race and
combat; so do I; so should you, after my example. It is hard if, for
the heavenly crown, you cannot abstain from heathen sacrifices." 2.
They were not only temperate, but inured themselves to hardships. Those
who fought with one another in these exercises prepared themselves by
beating the air, as the apostle calls it, or by throwing out their
arms, and thereby inuring themselves, beforehand, to deal about their
blows in close combat, or brandish them by way of flourish. There is no
room for any such exercise in the Christian warfare. Christians are
ever in close combat. There enemies make fierce and hearty opposition,
and are ever at hand; and for this reason they must lay about them in
earnest, and never drop the contest, nor flag and faint in it. They
must fight, not as those that beat the air, but must strive against
their enemies with all their might. One enemy the apostle here
mentions, namely, the body; this must be kept under, beaten black and
blue, as the combatants were in these Grecian games, and thereby
brought into subjection. By the body we are to understand fleshly
appetites and inclinations. These the apostle set himself to curb and
conquer, and in this the Corinthians were bound to imitate him. Note,
Those who would aright pursue the interests of their souls must beat
down their bodies, and keep them under. They must combat hard with
fleshly lusts, and not indulge a wanton appetite, and long for
heathenish sacrifices, nor eat them, to please their flesh, at the
hazard of their brethren's souls. The body must be made to serve the
mind, not suffered to lord over it.
III. The apostle presses this advice on the Corinthians by proper
arguments drawn from the same contenders. 1. They take pains, and
undergo all those hardships, to obtain a corruptible crown (v. 25), but
we an incorruptible. Those who conquered in these games were crowned
only with the withering leaves or boughs of trees, of olive, bays, or
laurel. But Christians have an incorruptible crown in view, a crown of
glory that never fadeth away, an inheritance incorruptible, reserved in
heaven for them. And would they yet suffer themselves to be outdone by
these racers or wrestlers? Can they use abstinence in diet, exert
themselves in racing, expose their bodies to so much hardship in a
combat, who have no more in view than the trifling huzzas of a giddy
multitude, or a crown of leaves? And shall not Christians, who hope for
the approbation of the sovereign Judge, and a crown of glory from his
hands, stretch forward in the heavenly race, and exert themselves in
beating down their fleshly inclinations, and the strong-holds of sin?
2. The racers in these games run at uncertainty. All run, but one
receives the prize, v. 24. Every racer, therefore, is at a great
uncertainty whether he shall win it or no. But the Christian racer is
at no such uncertainty. Every one may run here so as to obtain; but
then he must run within the lines, he must keep to the path of duty
prescribed, which, some think, is the meaning of running not as
uncertainly, v. 26. He who keeps within the limits prescribed, and
keeps on in his race, will never miss his crown, though others may get
theirs before him. And would the Grecian racers keep within their
bounds, and exert themselves to the very last, when one only could win,
and all must be uncertain which that one would be? And shall not
Christians be much more exact and vigorous when all are sure of a crown
when they come to the end of their race? 3. He sets before himself and
them the danger of yielding to fleshly inclinations, and pampering the
body and its lusts and appetites: I keep my body under, lest that by
any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a
cast-away (v. 27), rejected, disapproved, adokimos, one to whom the
brabeutes--the judge or umpire of the race, will not decree the crown.
The allusion to the games runs through the whole sentence. Note, A
preacher of salvation may yet miss it. He may show others the way to
heaven, and never get thither himself. To prevent this, Paul took so
much pains in subduing and keeping under bodily inclinations, lest by
any means he himself, who had preached to others, should yet miss the
crown, be disapproved and rejected by his sovereign Judge. A holy fear
of himself was necessary to preserve the fidelity of an apostle; and
how much more necessary is it to our preservation? Note, Holy fear of
ourselves, and not presumptuous confidence, is the best security
against apostasy from God, and final rejection by him.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. X.
In this chapter the apostle prosecutes the argument at the close of the
last, and, I. Warns the Corinthians against security, by the example of
the Jews, who, notwithstanding their profession and privileges, were
terribly punished of God for their many sins, their history being left
upon record for the admonition of Christians, ver. 1-14. II. He resumes
his former argument (ch. viii.), about eating things offered to idols;
and shows that it was utterly inconsistent with true Christianity, that
it was downright gross idolatry, to eat them as things offered to
idols; it is having fellowship with devils, which cannot consist with
having fellowship with God, ver. 15-22. III. He lets them yet know that
though they must not eat of things sacrificed to idols as such, and out
of any regard to the idol, yet they might buy such flesh in the
markets, or eat it at the table of heathen acquaintances, without
asking any questions; for that the heathens' abuse of them did not
render the creatures of God unfit to be the food of his servants. Yet
liberty of this kind must be used with a due regard to weak
consciences, and no offence given by it t Jew nor Gentile, nor to the
church of God, ver. 23, to the end.
Admonitions and Warnings. (a. d. 57.)
1 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that
all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea;
2 And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; 3 And
did all eat the same spiritual meat; 4 And did all drink the same
spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed
them: and that Rock was Christ. 5 But with many of them God was not
well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.
In order to dissuade the Corinthians from communion with idolaters, and
security in any sinful course, he sets before them the example of the
Jews, the church under the Old Testament. They enjoyed great
privileges, but, having been guilty of heinous provocations, they fell
under very grievous punishments. In these verses he reckons up their
privileges, which, in the main, were the same with ours.
I. He prefaces this discourse with a note of regard: "Moreover,
brethren, I would not that you should be ignorant. I would not have you
without the knowledge of this matter; it is a thing worthy both of your
knowledge and attention. It is a history very instructive and
monitory." Judaism was Christianity under a veil, wrapt up in types and
dark hints. The gospel was preached to them, in their legal rites and
sacrifices. And the providence of God towards them, and what happened
to them notwithstanding these privileges, may and ought to be warnings
to us.
II. He specifies some of their privileges. He begins, 1. With their
deliverance from Egypt: "Our fathers, that is, the ancestors of us
Jews, were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea. They were
all under the divine covering and conduct." The cloud served for both
purposes: it sometimes contracted itself into a cloudy pillar, shining
on one side to show them their way, dark on the other to hide them from
their pursuing enemies; and sometimes spread itself over them as a
mighty sheet, to defend them from the burning sun in the sandy desert,
Ps. cv. 39. They were miraculously conducted through the Red Sea, where
the pursuing Egyptians were drowned: it was a lane to them, but a grave
to these: a proper type of our redemption by Christ, who saves us by
conquering and destroying his enemies and ours. They were very dear to
God, and much in his favour, when he would work such miracles for their
deliverance, and take them so immediately under his guidance and
protection. 2. They had sacraments like ours. (1.) They were all
baptized unto Moses in the cloud, and in the sea (v. 2), or into Moses,
that is, brought under obligation to Moses's law and covenant, as we
are by baptism under the Christian law and covenant. It was to them a
typical baptism. (2.) They did all eat of the same spiritual meat, and
drink of the same spiritual drink, that we do. The manna on which they
fed was a type of Christ crucified, the bread which came down from
heaven, which whoso eateth shall live forever. Their drink was a stream
fetched from a rock which followed them in all their journeyings in the
wilderness; and this rock was Christ, that is, in type and figure. He
is the rock on which the Christian church is built; and of the streams
that issue from him do all believers drink, and are refreshed. Now all
the Jews did eat of this meat, and drink of this rock, called here a
spiritual rock, because it typified spiritual things. These were great
privileges. One would think that this should have saved them; that all
who ate of that spiritual meat, and drank of that spiritual drink,
should have been holy and acceptable to God. Yet was it otherwise: With
many of them God was not well pleased; for they were overthrown in the
wilderness, v. 5. Note, Men may enjoy many and great spiritual
privileges in this world, and yet come short of eternal life. Many of
those who were baptized unto Moses in the cloud and sea, that is, had
their faith of his divine commission confirmed by these miracles, were
yet overthrown in the wilderness, and never saw the promised land. Let
none presume upon their great privileges, or profession of the truth;
these will not secure heavenly happiness, nor prevent judgments here on
earth, except the root of the matter be in us.
Admonitions and Warnings. (a. d. 57.)
6 Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust
after evil things, as they also lusted. 7 Neither be ye idolaters, as
were some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and
drink, and rose up to play. 8 Neither let us commit fornication, as
some of them committed, and fell in one day three and twenty thousand.
9 Neither let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were
destroyed of serpents. 10 Neither murmur ye, as some of them also
murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer. 11 Now all these
things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our
admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. 12 Wherefore
let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. 13 There
hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is
faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able;
but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be
able to bear it. 14 Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry.
The apostle, having recited their privileges, proceeds here to an
account of their faults and punishments, their sins and plagues, which
are left upon record for an example to us, a warning against the like
sins, if we would escape the like punishments. We must not do as they
did, lest we suffer as they suffered.
I. Several of their sins are specified as cautions to us; as, 1. We
should shun inordinate desires after carnal objects: Not lust after
evil things, as they lusted, v. 6. God fed them with manna, but they
must have flesh, Num. xi. 4. They had food for their supply, but, not
content with this, they asked meat for their lusts, Ps. xvi. 14. Carnal
desires get head by indulgence, and therefore should be observed and
checked in their first rise: if once they prevail, and bear sway in us,
we know not whither they will carry us. This caution stands first,
because carnal appetites indulged are the root and source of much sin.
2. He warns against idolatry (v. 7): Neither be you idolaters, as were
some of them; as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink,
and rose up to play. The sin of the golden calf is referred to, Exod.
xxxii. 6. They first sacrificed to their idol, then feasted on the
sacrifices, and then danced before it. Though only eating and drinking
are mentioned here, yet the sacrifice is supposed. The apostle is
speaking to the case of the Corinthians, who were tempted to feast on
the heathen sacrifices, things offered to idols, though they do not
seem to have been under any temptation to offer sacrifice themselves.
Even eating and drinking of the sacrifices before the idol, and as
things sacrificed, was idolatry, which, by the example of the
Israelites, they should be warned to avoid. 3. He cautions against
fornication, a sin to which the inhabitants of Corinth were in a
peculiar manner addicted. They had a temple among them dedicated to
Venus (that is, to lust), with above a thousand priestesses belonging
to it, all common prostitutes. How needful was a caution against
fornication to those who lived in so corrupt a city, and had been used
to such dissolute manners, especially when they were under temptations
to idolatry too! and spiritual whoredom did in many cases lead to
bodily prostitution. Most of the gods whom the heathens served were
represented as patterns of lewdness; and much lewdness was committed in
the very worship of many of them. Many of the Jewish writers, and many
Christians after them, think that such worship was paid to Baal-Peor;
and that fornication was committed with the daughters of Moab in the
worship of that idol. They were enticed by these women both to
spiritual and corporal whoredom; first to feast on the sacrifice, if
not to do more beastly acts, in honour of the idol, and then to defile
themselves with strange flesh (Num. xxv.), which brought on a plague,
that in one day slew twenty-three thousand, besides those who fell by
the hand of public justice. Note, Whoremongers and adulterers God will
judge, in whatever external relation they may stand to him, and
whatever outward privileges he may bestow upon them. Let us fear the
sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. 4. He warns us against
tempting Christ (as some of them tempted, and were destroyed of
serpents, v. 9), or provoking him to jealousy, v. 22. He was with the
church in the wilderness; he was the angel of the covenant, who went
before them. But he was greatly grieved and provoked by them in many
ways: They spoke against him and Moses, Wherefore have you brought us
out of Egypt to die in the wilderness? for which reason God sent fiery
serpents among them (Num. xxi. 5, 6), by which many of them were stung
mortally. And it is but just to fear that such as tempt Christ under
the present dispensation will be left by him in the power of the old
serpent. 5. He warns against murmuring: Neither murmur you as some of
them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer (v. 10), by a
destroying angel, an executioner of divine vengeance. They quarrelled
with God, and murmured against Moses his minister, when any
difficulties pressed them. When they met with discouragements in the
way to Canaan, they were very apt to fly in the face of their leaders,
were for displacing them, and going back to Egypt under the conduct of
others of their own choosing. Something like this seems to have been
the case of the Corinthians; they murmured against Paul, and in him
against Christ, and seem to have set up other teachers, who would
indulge and soothe them in their inclinations, and particularly in a
revolt to idolatry. Rather let them feast on idol sacrifices than bear
the reproach, or expose themselves to the ill-will, of heathen
neighbours. Such conduct was very provoking to God, and was likely to
bring upon them swift destruction, as it did on the Israelites, Num.
xiv. 37. Note, Murmuring against divine disposals and commands is a sin
that greatly provokes, especially when it grows to such a head as to
issue in apostasy, and a revolt from him and his good ways.
II. The apostle subjoins to these particular cautions a more general
one (v. 11): All these things happened to them for ensamples, and were
written for our admonition. Not only the laws and ordinances of the
Jews, but the providences of God towards them, were typical. Their sins
against God, and backslidings from him, were typical of the infidelity
of many under the gospel. God's judgments on them were types of
spiritual judgments now. Their exclusion from the earthly Canaan
typified the exclusion of many under the gospel out of the heavenly
Canaan, for their unbelief. Their history was written, to be a standing
monitor to the church, even under the last and most perfect
dispensation: To us, on whom the end of the world is come, the
concluding period of God's gracious government over men. Note, Nothing
in scripture is written in vain. God had wise and gracious purposes
towards us in leaving the Jewish history upon record; and it is our
wisdom and duty to receive instruction from it. Upon this hint the
apostle grounds a caution (v. 12): Let him that thinketh he standeth
take heed lest he fall. Note, The harms sustained by others should be
cautious to us. He that thinks he stands should not be confident and
secure, but upon his guard. Others have fallen, and so may we. And then
we are most likely to fall when we are most confident of our own
strength, and thereupon most apt to be secure, and off our guard.
Distrust of himself, putting him at once upon vigilance and dependence
on God, is the Christian's best security against all sin. Note, He who
thinks he stands is not likely to keep his footing, if he fears no
fall, nor guards against it. God has not promised to keep us from
falling, if we do not look to ourselves: his protection supposes our
own care and caution.
III. But to this word of caution he adds a word of comfort, v. 13.
Though it is displeasing to God for us to presume, it is not pleasing
to him for us to despair. If the former be a great sin, the latter is
far from being innocent. Though we must fear and take heed lest we
fall, yet should we not be terrified and amazed; for either our trials
will be proportioned to our strength, or strength will be supplied in
proportion to our temptations. We live indeed in a tempting world,
where we are compassed about with snares. Every place, condition,
relation, employment, and enjoyment, abounds with them; yet what
comfort may we fetch from such a passage! For, 1. "No temptation," says
the apostle, "hath yet taken you, but such as is common to man, what is
human; that is, such as you may expect from men of such principles as
heathens, and such power; or else such as is common to mankind in the
present state; or else such as the spirit and resolution of mere men
may bear you through." Note, The trials of common Christians are but
common trials: others have the like burdens and the like temptations;
what they bear up under, and break through, we may also. 2. God is
faithful. Though Satan be a deceiver, God is true. Men may be false,
and the world may be false; but God is faithful, and our strength and
security are in him. He keepeth his covenant, and will never disappoint
the filial hope and trust of his children. 3. He is wise as well as
faithful, and will proportion our burden to our strength. He will not
suffer us to be tempted above what we are able. He knows what we can
bear, and what we can bear up against; and he will, in his wise
providence, either proportion our temptations to our strength or make
us able to grapple with them. He will take care that we be not
overcome, if we rely upon him, and resolve to approve ourselves
faithful to him. We need not perplex ourselves with the difficulties in
our way when God will take care that they shall not be too great for us
to encounter, especially. 4. When he will make them to issue well. He
will make a way to escape, either the trial itself, or at least the
mischief of it. There is no valley so dark but he can find a way
through it, no affliction so grievous but he can prevent, or remove, or
enable us to support it, and in the end overrule it to our advantage.
IV. And upon this argument he grounds another caution against idolatry:
Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry. Observe, 1. How he
addresses them: My dearly beloved. It is out of tender affection to
them that he presses this advice upon them. 2. The matter of his
advice: "Flee idolatry; shun it, and all approaches towards it."
Idolatry is the most heinous injury and affront to the true God; it is
transferring his worship and honour to a rival. 3. The ground of this
advice: "Seeing you have such encouragement to trust God, and to be
faithful, do you approve yourselves men, be not shaken by any
discouragements your heathen enemies may lay before you. God will
succour and assist, help you in your trials, and help you out of them;
and therefore be not guilty of any idolatrous compliances." Note, We
have all the encouragement in the world to flee sin and prove faithful
to God. We cannot fall by a temptation if we cleave fast to him.
Against Countenancing Idolatry. (a. d. 57.)
15 I speak as to wise men; judge ye what I say. 16 The cup of
blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of
Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body
of Christ? 17 For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we
are all partakers of that one bread. 18 Behold Israel after the
flesh: are not they which eat of the sacrifices partakers of the altar?
19 What say I then? that the idol is any thing, or that which is
offered in sacrifice to idols is any thing? 20 But I say, that the
things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not
to God: and I would not that ye should have fellowship with devils.
21 Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and the cup of devils: ye
cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and of the table of devils.
22 Do we provoke the Lord to jealousy? are we stronger than he?
In this passage the apostle urges the general caution against idolatry,
in the particular case of eating the heathen sacrifices as such, and
out of any religious respect to the idol to whom they were sacrificed.
I. He prefaces his argument with an appeal to their own reason and
judgment: "I speak to wise men, judge you what I say, v. 15. You are
great pretenders to wisdom, to close reasoning and argument; I can
leave it with your own reason and conscience whether I do not argue
justly." Note, It is no dishonour to an inspired teacher, nor
disadvantage to his argument, to appeal for the truth of it to the
reason and consciences of his hearers. It comes upon them with the
greater force when it comes with this conviction. Paul, an inspired
apostle, would yet, in some cases, leave it with the Corinthians to
judge whether what he taught was not conformable to their own light and
sense.
II. He lays down his argument from the Lord's supper: The cup which we
bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which
we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? Is not this
sacred rite an instrument of communion with God? Do we not therein
profess to be in friendship, and to have fellowship, with him? Is it
not a token whereby we professedly hold communion with Christ, whose
body was broken, and blood shed, to procure remission of our sins, and
the favour of God? And can we be in alliance with Christ, or friendship
with God, without being devoted to him? In short, the Lord's supper is
a feast on the sacrificed body and blood of our Lord, epulum ex
oblatis. And to eat of the feast is to partake of the sacrifice, and so
to be his guests to whom the sacrifice was offered, and this in token
of friendship with him. Thus to partake of the Lord's table is to
profess ourselves his guests and covenant people. This is the very
purpose and intention of this symbolical eating and drinking; it is
holding communion with God, and partaking of those privileges, and
professing ourselves under those obligations, which result from the
death and sacrifice of Christ; and this in conjunction with all true
Christians, with whom we have communion also in this ordinance. Because
the bread is one, we, being many, are one body, for we are made
partakers of one bread, or loaf (v. 17), which I think is thus more
truly rendered: "By partaking of one broken loaf, the emblem of our
Saviour's broken body, who is the only true bread that came down from
heaven, we coalesce into one body, become members of him and one
another." Those who truly partake by faith have this communion with
Christ, and one another; and those who eat the outward elements make
profession of having this communion, of belonging to God and the
blessed fraternity of his people and worshippers. This is the true
meaning of this holy rite.
III. He confirms this from the Jewish worship and customs: Behold
Israel after the flesh: are not those who eat of the sacrifices
partakers of the altar, that is, of the sacrifice offered upon it?
Those who were admitted to eat of the offerings were reckoned to
partake of the sacrifice itself, as made for them, and to be sanctified
thereby; and therefore surely to worship God, and be in alliance or
covenant with him, even the God of Israel, to whom the sacrifice was
made: this was a symbol or token of holding communion with him.
IV. He applies this to the argument against feasting with idolaters on
their sacrifices, and to prove those that do so idolaters. This he
does, 1. By following the principle on which they would argue it to be
lawful, namely, that an idol was nothing. Many of them were nothing at
all, none of them had any divinity in them. What was sacrificed to
idols was nothing, no way changed from what it was before, but was
every whit as fit for food, considered in itself. They indeed seem to
argue that, because an idol was nothing, what was offered was no
sacrifice, but common and ordinary food, of which they might therefore
eat with as little scruple. Now the apostle allows that the food was
not changed as to its nature, was as fit to be eaten as common food,
where it was set before any who knew not of its having been offered to
an idol. But, 2. He proves that the eating of it as a part of a heathen
sacrifice was, (1.) A partaking with them in their idolatry. It was
having fellowship with devils, because what the Gentiles sacrificed
they sacrificed to devils; and to feast with them upon these sacrifices
was to partake in the sacrifice, and therefore to worship the god to
whom it was made, and have fellowship or communion with him just as he
who eats the Lord's supper is supposed to partake in the Christian
sacrifice; or as those who ate the Jewish sacrifices partook of what
was offered on their altar. But heathens sacrificed to devils:
"Therefore do not feast on their sacrifices. Doing it is a token of
your having fellowship with the demons to whom they are offered. I
would not have you be in communion with devils." (2.) It was a virtual
renouncing of Christianity: You cannot drink the cup of the Lord, and
the cup of devils: you cannot be partakers of the Lord's table, and the
table of devils, v. 21. To partake of this Christian feast was to have
communion with Christ: to partake of the feasts made in honour of the
heathen idols, and made of things sacrificed to them, was to have
communion with devils. Now this was to compound contraries; it was by
no means consistent. Communion with Christ, and communion with devils,
could never be had at once. One must be renounced, if the other was
maintained. He who held communion with Christ must renounce that with
devils; he who held communion with devils must by that very deed
renounce communion with Christ. And what a manifest self-contradiction
must that man's conduct be that would partake of the Lord's table, and
yet partake of the table of demons! God and mammon can never be served
together, nor fellowship be at once had with Christ and Satan. Those
who communicate with devils must virtually renounce Christ. This may
also intimate that such as indulge themselves in gluttony or
drunkenness, and by so doing make their own table the table of devils,
or keep up fellowship with Satan by a course of known and wilful
wickedness, cannot partake truly of the cup and table of the Lord. They
may use the sign, but do not the thing signified thereby. For a man can
never be at once in communication with Christ and his church and yet in
fellowship with Satan. Note, How much reason have we to look to it that
every sin and idol be renounced by us, when we eat and drink at the
Lord's table.
V. He warns them, upon the whole, against such idolatry, by signifying
to them that God is a jealous God (v. 22): Do we provoke the Lord to
jealousy? Are we stronger than he? It is very probable that many among
the Corinthians made light of being at these heathen feasts, and
thought there was no harm in it. But the apostle bids them beware. The
reason with which the second commandment is enforced is, I am a jealous
God. God cannot endure a rival in matter of worship; nor give his
glory, nor suffer it to be given, to another. Those who have fellowship
with other gods provoke him to jealousy, Deut. xxxii. 16. And, before
this be done, persons should consider whether they are stronger than
he. It is a dangerous thing to provoke God's anger, unless we could
withstand his power. But who can stand before him when he is angry?
Nah. i. 6. This should be considered by all who continue in the love
and liking of sin, and in league with it, while yet they profess to
keep up communion with Christ. Is not this the way to provoke his
jealousy and indignation? Note, Attention to the greatness of God's
power should restrain us from provoking his jealousy, from doing any
thing to displease him. Shall we rouse almighty wrath? And how shall we
withstand it? Are we a match for God? Can we resist his power, or
control it? And, if not, shall we arm it against us, by provoking him
to jealousy? No, let us fear his power, and let this restrain us from
all provocation.
Christian Liberty. (a. d. 57.)
23 All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all
things are lawful for me, but all things edify not. 24 Let no man
seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 25 Whatsoever is sold
in the shambles, that eat, asking no question for conscience sake: 26
For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27 If any of
them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go;
whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience
sake. 28 But if any man say unto you, This is offered in sacrifice
unto idols, eat not for his sake that showed it, and for conscience
sake: for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof: 29
Conscience, I say, not thine own, but of the other: for why is my
liberty judged of another man's conscience? 30 For if I by grace be a
partaker, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks?
31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to
the glory of God. 32 Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to
the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: 33 Even as I please all men
in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many,
that they may be saved.
In this passage the apostle shows in what instances, notwithstanding,
Christians might lawfully eat what had been sacrificed to idols. They
must not eat it out of religious respect to the idol, nor go into his
temple, and hold a feast there, upon what they knew was an
idol-sacrifice; nor perhaps out of the temple, if they knew it was a
feast held upon a sacrifice, but there were cases wherein they might
without sin eat what had been offered. Some such the apostle here
enumerates.--But,
I. He gives a caution against abusing our liberty in lawful things.
That may be lawful which is not expedient, which will not edify. A
Christian must not barely consider what is lawful, but what is
expedient, and for the use of edification. A private Christian should
do so even in his private conduct. He must not seek his own only, but
his neighbour's wealth. He must be concerned not to hurt his neighbour,
nay, he must be concerned to promote his welfare; and must consider how
to act so that he may help others, and not hinder them in their
holiness, comfort, or salvation. Those who allow themselves in every
thing not plainly sinful in itself will often run into what is evil by
accident, and do much mischief to others. Every thing lawful in itself
to be done is not therefore lawfully done. Circumstances may make that
a sin which in itself is none. These must be weighed, and the
expediency of an action, and its tendency to edification, must be
considered before it be done. Note, The welfare of others, as well as
our own convenience, must be consulted in many things we do, if we
would do them well.
II. He tells them that what was sold in the shambles they might eat
without asking questions. The priest's share of heathen sacrifices was
thus frequently offered for sale, after it had been offered in the
temple. Now the apostle tells them they need not be so scrupulous as to
ask the butcher in the market whether the meat he sold had been offered
to an idol? It was there sold as common food, and as such might be
bought and used; for the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof
(v. 26), and the fruit and products of the earth were designed by him,
the great proprietor, for the use and subsistence of mankind, and more
especially of his own children and servants. Every creature of God is
good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving;
for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer, 1 Tim. iv. 4, 5. To
the pure all things are pure, Tit. i. 15. Note, Though it is sinful to
use any food in an idolatrous manner, it is no sin, after such abuse,
to apply it, in a holy manner, to its common use.
III. He adds that if they were invited by any heathen acquaintances to
a feast, they might go, and eat what was set before them, without
asking questions (v. 27), nay, though they knew things sacrificed to
idols were served up at such entertainments, as well as sold in the
shambles. Note, The apostle does not prohibit their going to a feast
upon the invitation of those that believed not. There is a civility
owing even to infidels and heathens. Christianity does by no means bind
us up from the common offices of humanity, nor allow us an uncourteous
behaviour to any of our own kind, however they may differ from us in
religious sentiments or practices. And when Christians were invited to
feast with infidels they were not to ask needless questions about the
food set before them, but eat without scruple. Needless enquiries might
perplex their minds and consciences, for which reason they were to be
avoided. Any thing fit to be eaten, that was set before them at a
common entertainment, they might lawfully eat. And why then should they
scrupulously enquire whether what was set before them had been
sacrificed? It is to be understood of civil feasting, not religious;
for the latter among the heathens was feasting upon their sacrifices,
which he had condemned before as a participation in their idolatrous
worship. At a common feast they might expect common food; and they
needed not to move scruples in their own minds whether what was set
before them was otherwise or no. Note, Though Christians should be very
careful to know and understand their duty, yet they should not, by
needless enquiries, perplex themselves.
IV. Yet, even at such an entertainment, he adds, if any should say it
was a thing that had been offered to idols, they should refrain: Eat
not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience' sake. Whether it
were the master of the feast or any of the guests, whether it were
spoken in the hearing of all or whispered in the ear, they should
refrain for his sake who suggested this to them, whether he were an
infidel or an infirm Christian; and for conscience' sake, out of regard
to conscience, that they might show a regard to it in themselves, and
keep up a regard to it in others. This he backs with the same reason as
the former: For the earth is the Lord's. There is food enough provided
by our common Lord, of which we maya eat without scruple. The same
doctrine may be variously improved, as here: "The earth is the Lord's,
therefore you may eat any thing without scruple that is set before you
as common food; and yet, because the earth is the Lord's, eat nothing
that will give offence, lay a stumbling-block before others, and
encourage some in idolatry, or tempt others to eat when they are not
clear in their own mind that it is lawful, and so sin, and wound their
own consciences." Note, Christians should be very cautious of doing
what may thus prejudice the consciences of others, and weaken their
authority with them, which is by all means to be kept up.
V. He urges them to refrain where they will give offence, while yet he
allows it lawful to eat what was set before them as common food, though
it had been offered in sacrifice. "Another man's conscience is no
measure to our conduct. What he thinks unlawful is not thereby made
unlawful to me, but may be a matter of liberty still; and as long as I
own God as a giver of my food, and render him thanks for it, it is very
unjust to reproach me for using it." This must be understood abstracted
from the scandal given by eating in the circumstance mentioned. Though
some understand it to mean, "Why should I, by using the liberty I have,
give occasion to those who are scandalized to speak evil of me?"
According to that advice of the apostle (Rom. xiv. 16), Let not your
good be evil spoken of. Note, Christians should take care not to use
their liberty to the hurt of others, nor their own reproach.
VI. The apostle takes occasion from this discourse to lay down a rule
for Christians' conduct, and apply it to this particular case (v. 31,
32), namely, that in eating and drinking, and in all we do, we should
aim at the glory of God, at pleasing and honouring him. This is the
fundamental principle of practical godliness. The great end of all
practical religion must direct us where particular and express rules
are wanting. Nothing must be done against the glory of God, and the
good of our neighbours, connected with it. Nay, the tendency of our
behaviour to the common good, and the credit of our holy religion,
should give direction to it. And therefore nothing should be done by us
to offend any, whether Jew, or Gentile, or the church, v. 32. The Jews
should not be unnecessarily grieved nor prejudiced, who have such an
abhorrence of idols that they reckon every thing offered to them
thereby defiled, and that it will pollute and render culpable all who
partake of it; nor should heathens be countenanced in their idolatry by
any behaviour of ours, which they may construe as homage or honour done
to their idols; nor young converts from Gentilism take any
encouragement from our conduct to retain any veneration for the heathen
gods and worship, which they have renounced: nor should we do any thing
that may be a means to pervert any members of the church from their
Christian profession or practice. Our own humour and appetite must not
determine our practice, but the honour of God and the good and
edification of the church. We should not so much consult our own
pleasure and interest as the advancement of the kingdom of God among
men. Note, A Christian should be a man devoted to God, and of a public
spirit.
VII. He presses all upon them by his own example: Even as I please all
men (or study to do it) in all things (that I lawfully can), not
seeking my own profit, but that of many, that they may be saved, v. 33.
Note, A preacher may press his advice home with boldness and authority
when he can enforce it with his own example. He is most likely to
promote a public spirit in others who can give evidence of it in
himself. And it is highly commendable in a minister to neglect his own
advantage that he may promote the salvation of his hearers. This shows
that he has a spirit suitable to his function. It is a station for
public usefulness, and can never be faithfully discharged by a man of a
narrow spirit and selfish principles.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XI.
In this chapter the apostle blames, and endeavours to rectify, some
great indecencies and manifest disorders in the church of Corinth; as,
I. The misconduct of their women (some of whom seem to have been
inspired) in the public assembly, who laid by their veils, the common
token of subjection to their husbands in that part of the world. This
behaviour he reprehends, requires them to keep veiled, asserts the
superiority of the husband, yet so as to remind the husband that both
were made for mutual help and comfort, ver. 1-16. II. He blames them
for their discord and neglect and contempt of the poor, at the Lord's
supper, ver. 17-22. III. To rectify these scandalous disorders, he sets
before them the nature and intentions of this holy institution, directs
them how they should attend on it, and warns them of the danger of a
conduct to indecent as theirs, and of all unworthy receiving, ver. 23,
to the end.
Directions Concerning Attire; Female Subjection. (a. d. 57.)
1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise
you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the
ordinances, as I delivered them to you. 3 But I would have you know,
that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the
man; and the head of Christ is God. 4 Every man praying or
prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head. 5 But
every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered
dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
6 For if the woman be not covered, let her also be shorn: but if it
be a shame for a woman to be shorn or shaven, let her be covered. 7
For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the
image and glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. 8 For
the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. 9 Neither was
the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. 10 For this
cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels.
11 Nevertheless neither is the man without the woman, neither the
woman without the man, in the Lord. 12 For as the woman is of the
man, even so is the man also by the woman; but all things of God. 13
Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?
14 Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long
hair, it is a shame unto him? 15 But if a woman have long hair, it is
a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. 16 But if
any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom, neither the
churches of God.
Paul, having answered the cases put to him, proceeds in this chapter to
the redress of grievances. The first verse of the chapter is put, by
those who divided the epistle into chapters, as a preface to the rest
of the epistle, but seems to have been a more proper close to the last,
in which he had enforced the cautions he had given against the abuse of
liberty, by his own example: Be ye followers of me, as I also am of
Christ (v. 1), fitly closes his argument; and the way of speaking in
the next verse looks like a transition to another. But, whether it more
properly belong to this or the last chapter, it is plain from it that
Paul not only preached such doctrine as they ought to believe, but led
such a life as they ought to imitate. "Be ye followers of me," that is,
"Be imitators of me; live as you see me live." Note, Ministers are
likely to preach most to the purpose when they can press their hearers
to follow their example. Yet would not Paul be followed blindly
neither. He encourages neither implicit faith nor obedience. He would
be followed himself no further than he followed Christ. Christ's
pattern is a copy without a blot; so is no man's else. Note, We should
follow no leader further than he follows Christ. Apostles should be
left by us when they deviate from the example of their Master. He
passes next to reprehend and reform an indecency among them, of which
the women were more especially guilty, concerning which observe,
I. How he prefaces it. He begins with a commendation of what was
praiseworthy in them (v. 2): I praise you, that you remember me in all
things, and keep the ordinances as I delivered them to you. Many of
them, it is probable, did this in the strictest sense of the
expression: and he takes occasion thence to address the body of the
church under this good character; and the body might, in the main, have
continued to observe the ordinances and institutions of Christ, though
in some things they deviated from, and corrupted, them. Note, When we
reprove what is amiss in any, it is very prudent and fit to commend
what is good in them; it will show that the reproof is not from
ill-will, and a humour of censuring and finding fault; and it will
therefore procure the more regard to it.
II. How he lays the foundation for his reprehension by asserting the
superiority of the man over the woman: I would have you know that the
head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is the man, and
the head of Christ is God. Christ, in his mediatorial character and
glorified humanity, is at the head of mankind. He is not only first of
the kind, but Lord and Sovereign. He has a name above every name:
though in this high office and authority he has a superior, God being
his head. And as God is the head of Christ, and Christ the head of the
whole human kind, so the man is the head of the two sexes: not indeed
with such dominion as Christ has over the kind or God has over the man
Christ Jesus; but a superiority and headship he has, and the woman
should be in subjection and not assume or usurp the man's place. This
is the situation in which God has placed her; and for that reason she
should have a mind suited to her rank, and not do any thing that looks
like an affectation of changing places. Something like this the women
of the church of Corinth seem to have been guilty of, who were under
inspiration, and prayed and prophesied even in their assemblies, v. 5.
It is indeed an apostolical canon, that the women should keep silence
in the churches (ch. xiv. 34; 1 Tim. ii. 12), which some understand
without limitation, as if a woman under inspiration also must keep
silence, which seems very well to agree with the connection of the
apostle's discourse, ch. xiv. Others with a limitation: though a woman
might not from her own abilities pretend to teach, or so much as
question and debate any thing in the church yet when under inspiration
the case was altered, she had liberty to speak. Or, though she might
not preach even by inspiration (because teaching is the business of a
superior), yet she might pray or utter hymns by inspiration, even in
the public assembly. She did not show any affectation of superiority
over the man by such acts of public worship. It is plain the apostle
does not in this place prohibit the thing, but reprehend the manner of
doing it. And yet he might utterly disallow the thing and lay an
unlimited restraint on the woman in another part of the epistle. These
things are not contradictory. It is to his present purpose to reprehend
the manner wherein the women prayed and prophesied in the church,
without determining in this place whether they did well or ill in
praying or prophesying. Note, The manner of doing a thing enters into
the morality of it. We must not only be concerned to do good, but that
the good we do be well done.
III. The thing he reprehends is the woman's praying or prophesying
uncovered, or the man's doing either covered, v. 4, 5. To understand
this, it must be observed that it was a signification either of shame
or subjection for persons to be veiled, or covered, in the eastern
countries, contrary to the custom of ours, where the being bare-headed
betokens subjection, and being covered superiority and dominion. And
this will help us the better to understand,
IV. The reasons on which he grounds his reprehension. 1. The man that
prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonoureth his head,
namely, Christ, the head of every man (v. 3), by appearing in a habit
unsuitable to the rank in which God has placed him. Note, We should,
even in our dress and habits, avoid every thing that may dishonour
Christ. The woman, on the other hand, who prays or prophesies with her
head uncovered dishonoureth her head, namely, the man, v. 3. She
appears in the dress of her superior, and throws off the token of her
subjection. She might, with equal decency, cut her hair short, or cut
it close, which was the custom of the man in that age. This would be in
a manner to declare that she was desirous of changing sexes, a manifest
affectation of that superiority which God had conferred on the other
sex. And this was probably the fault of these prophetesses in the
church of Corinth. It was doing a thing which, in that age of the
world, betokened superiority, and therefore a tacit claim of what did
not belong to them but the other sex. Note, The sexes should not affect
to change places. The order in which divine wisdom has placed persons
and things is best and fittest: to endeavour to amend it is to destroy
all order, and introduce confusion. The woman should keep to the rank
God has chosen for her, and not dishonour her head; for this, in the
result, is to dishonour God. If she was made out of the man, and for
the man, and made to be the glory of the man, she should do nothing,
especially in public, that looks like a wish of having this order
inverted. 2. Another reason against this conduct is that the man is the
image and glory of God, the representative of that glorious dominion
and headship which God has over the world. It is the man who is set at
the head of this lower creation, and therein he bears the resemblance
of God. The woman, on the other hand, is the glory of the man (v. 7):
she is his representative. Not but she has dominion over the inferior
creatures, as she is a partaker of human nature, and so far is God's
representative too, but it is at second-hand. She is the image of God,
inasmuch as she is the image of the man: For the man was not made out
of the woman, but the woman out of the man, v. 8. The man was first
made, and made head of the creation here below, and therein the image
of the divine dominion; and the woman was made out of the man, and
shone with a reflection of his glory, being made superior to the other
creatures here below, but in subjection to her husband, and deriving
that honour from him out of whom she was made. 3. The woman was made
for the man, to be his help-meet, and not the man for the woman. She
was naturally, therefore, made subject to him, because made for him,
for his use, and help, and comfort. And she who was intended to be
always in subjection to the man should do nothing, in Christian
assemblies, that looks like an affectation of equality. 4. She ought to
have power on her head, because of the angels. Power, that is, a veil,
the token, not of her having the power or superiority, but being under
the power of her husband, subjected to him, and inferior to the other
sex. Rebekah, when she met Isaac, and was delivering herself into his
possession, put on her veil, in token of her subjection, Gen. xxiv. 65.
Thus would the apostle have the women appear in Christian assemblies,
even though they spoke there by inspiration, because of the angels,
that is, say some, because of the evil angels. The woman was first in
the transgression, being deceived by the devil (1 Tim. ii. 14), which
increased her subjection to man, Gen. iii. 16. Now, believe evil angels
will be sure to mix in all Christian assemblies, therefore should women
wear the token of their shamefacedness and subjection, which in that
age and country, was a veil. Others say because of the good angels.
Jews and Christians have had an opinion that these ministering spirits
are many of them present in their assemblies. Their presence should
restrain Christians from all indecencies in the worship of God. Note,
We should learn from all to behave in the public assemblies of divine
worship so as to express a reverence for God, and a content and
satisfaction with that rank in which he has placed us.
V. He thinks fit to guard his argument with a caution lest the
inference be carried too far (v. 11, 12): Nevertheless, neither is the
man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord. They
were made for one another. It is not good for him to be alone (Gen. ii.
18), and therefore was a woman made, and made for the man; and the man
was intended to be a comfort, and help, and defence, to the woman,
though not so directly and immediately made for her. They were made to
be a mutual comfort and blessing, not one a slave and the other a
tyrant. Both were to be one flesh (Gen. ii. 24), and this for the
propagation of a race of mankind. They are reciprocal instruments of
each other's production. As the woman was first formed out of the man,
the man is ever since propagated by the woman (v. 12), all by the
divine wisdom and power of the First Cause so ordaining it. The
authority and subjection should be no greater than are suitable to two
in such near relation and close union to each other. Note, As it is the
will of God that the woman know her place, so it is his will also that
the man abuse not his power.
VI. He enforces his argument from the natural covering provided for the
woman (v. 13-15): "Judge in yourselves--consult your own reason,
hearken to what nature suggests--is it comely for a woman to pray to
God uncovered? Should there not be a distinction kept up between the
sexes in wearing their hair, since nature has made one? Is it not a
distinction which nature has kept up among all civilized nations? The
woman's hair is a natural covering; to wear it long is a glory to her;
but for a man to have long hair, or cherish it, is a token of softness
and effeminacy." Note, It should be our concern, especially in
Christian and religious assemblies, to make no breach upon the rules of
natural decency.
VII. He sums up all by referring those who were contentious to the
usages and customs of the churches, v. 16. Custom is in a great measure
the rule of decency. And the common practice of the churches is what he
would have them govern themselves by. He does not silence the
contentious by mere authority, but lets them know that they would
appear to the world as very odd and singular in their humour if they
would quarrel for a custom to which all the churches of Christ were at
that time utter strangers, or against a custom in which they all
concurred, and that upon the ground of natural decency. It was the
common usage of the churches for women to appear in public assemblies,
and join in public worship, veiled; and it was manifestly decent that
they should do so. Those must be very contentious indeed who would
quarrel with this, or lay it aside.
Profanation of the Lord's Supper. (a. d. 57.)
17 Now in this that I declare unto you I praise you not, that ye come
together not for the better, but for the worse. 18 For first of all,
when ye come together in the church, I hear that there be divisions
among you; and I partly believe it. 19 For there must be also
heresies among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest
among you. 20 When ye come together therefore into one place, this is
not to eat the Lord's supper. 21 For in eating every one taketh
before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken.
22 What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the
church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you?
shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.
In this passage the apostle sharply rebukes them for much greater
disorders than the former, in their partaking of the Lord's supper,
which was commonly done in the first ages, as the ancients tell us,
with a love-feast annexed, which gave occasion to the scandalous
disorders which the apostle here reprehends, concerning which observe,
I. The manner in which he introduces his charge: "Now in this that I
declare to you I praise you not, v. 17. I cannot commend, but must
blame and condemn you." It is plain, from the beginning of the chapter,
that he was willing and pleased to commend as far as he could. But such
scandalous disorders, in so sacred an institution, as they were guilty
of, called for a sharp reprehension. They quite turned the institution
against itself. It was intended to make them better, to promote their
spiritual interests; but it really made them worse. They came together,
not for the better, but for the worse. Note, The ordinances of Christ,
if they do not make us better, will be very apt to make us worse; if
they do not do our souls good, they do us harm; if they do not melt and
mend, they will harden. Corruptions will be confirmed in us, if the
proper means do not work a cure of them.
II. He enters upon his charge against them in more particulars than
one. 1. He tells them that, upon coming together, they fell into
divisions, schisms--schismata. Instead of concurring unanimously in
celebrating the ordinance, they fell a quarrelling with one another.
Note, There may be schism where there is no separation of communion.
Persons may come together in the same church, and sit down at the same
table of the Lord, and yet be schismatics. Uncharitableness, alienation
of affection, especially if it grows up to discord, and feuds, and
contentions, constitute schism. Christians may separate from each
other's communion, and yet be uncharitable one towards another; they
may continue in the same communion, and yet be uncharitable. This
latter is schism, rather than the former. The apostle had heard a
report of the Corinthians' divisions, and he tells them he had too much
reason to believe it. For, adds he, there must be heresies also; not
only quarrels, but factions, and perhaps such corrupt opinions as
strike at the foundation of Christianity, and all sound religion. Note,
No marvel there should be breaches of Christian love in the churches,
when such offences will come as shall make shipwreck of faith and a
good conscience. Such offences must come. Note that men are
necessitated to be guilty of them; but the event is certain, and God
permits them, that those who are approved (such honest hearts as will
bear the trial) may be set to view, and appear faithful by their
constant adherence to the truths and ways of God, notwithstanding the
temptations of seducers. Note, The wisdom of God can make the
wickedness and errors of others a foil to the piety and integrity of
the saints. 2. He charges them not only with discord and division, but
with scandalous disorder: For in eating every one taketh before the
other his own supper; and one is hungry, and another is drunken, v. 21.
Heathens used to drink plentifully at their feasts upon their
sacrifices. Many of the wealthier Corinthians seem to have taken the
same liberty at the Lord's table, or at least at their Agapai, or
love-feasts, that were annexed to the supper. They would not stay for
one another; the rich despised the poor, and ate and drank up the
provisions they themselves brought, before the poor were allowed to
partake; and thus some wanted, while others had more than enough. This
was profaning a sacred institution, and corrupting a divine ordinance,
to the last degree. What was appointed to feed the soul was employed to
feed their lusts and passions. What should have been a bond of mutual
amity and affection was made an instrument of discord and disunion. The
poor were deprived of the food prepared for them, and the rich turned a
feast of charity into a debauch. This was scandalous irregularity.
III. The apostle lays the blame of this conduct closely on them, 1. By
telling them that their conduct perfectly destroyed the purpose and use
of such an institution: This is not to eat the Lord's supper, v. 20. It
was coming to the Lord's table, and not coming. They might as well have
staid away. Thus to eat the outward elements was not to eat Christ's
body. Note, There is a careless and irregular eating of the Lord's
supper which is as none at all; it will turn to no account, but to
increase guilt. Such an eating was that of the Corinthians; their
practices were a direct contradiction to the purposes of this sacred
institution. 2. Their conduct carried in it a contempt of God's house,
or of the church, v. 22. If they had a mind to feast, they might do it
at home in their own houses; but to come to the Lord's table, and cabal
and quarrel, and keep the poor from their share of the provision there
made for them as well as rich, was such an abuse of the ordinance, and
such a contempt of the poorer members of the church more especially, as
merited a very sharp rebuke. Such a behaviour tended much to the shame
and discouragement of the poor, whose souls were as dear to Christ, and
cost him as much, as those of the rich. Note, Common meals may be
managed after a common manner, but religious feasts should be attended
religiously. Note, also, It is a heinous evil, and severely to be
censured, for Christians to treat their fellow-christians with contempt
and insolence, but especially at the Lord's table. This is doing what
they can to pour contempt on divine ordinances. And we should look
carefully to it that nothing in our behaviour at the Lord's table have
the appearance of contemning so sacred an institution.
Design of the Lord's Supper. (a. d. 57.)
23 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto
you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took
bread: 24 And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take,
eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance
of me. 25 After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had
supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye,
as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 26 For as often as ye
eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do show the Lord's death till he
come. 27 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup
of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord. 28 But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that
bread, and drink of that cup. 29 For he that eateth and drinketh
unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning
the Lord's body. 30 For this cause many are weak and sickly among
you, and many sleep. 31 For if we would judge ourselves, we should
not be judged. 32 But when we are judged, we are chastened of the
Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world. 33 Wherefore,
my brethren, when ye come together to eat, tarry one for another. 34
And if any man hunger, let him eat at home; that ye come not together
unto condemnation. And the rest will I set in order when I come.
To rectify these gross corruptions and irregularities, the apostle sets
the sacred institution here to view. This should be the rule in the
reformation of all abuses.
I. He tells us how he came by the knowledge of it. He was not among the
apostles at the first institution; but he had received from the Lord
what he delivered to them, v. 23. He had the knowledge of this matter
by revelation from Christ: and what he had received he communicated,
without varying from the truth a tittle, without adding or diminishing.
II. He gives us a more particular account of the institution than we
meet with elsewhere. We have here an account,
1. Of the author--our Lord Jesus Christ. The king of the church only
has power to institute sacraments.
2. The time of the institution: It was the very night wherein he was
betrayed; just as he was entering on his sufferings which are therein
to be commemorated.
3. The institution itself. Our Saviour took bread, and when he had
given thanks, or blessed (as it is in Matt. xxvi. 26), he broke, and
said, Take, eat; this is my body, broken for you; this do in
remembrance of me. And in like manner he took the cup, when he had
supped, saying, This cup is the New Testament in my blood; this do, as
oft as you drink it, in remembrance of me, v. 24, 25. Here observe,
(1.) The materials of this sacrament; both, [1.] As to the visible
signs; these are bread and the cup, the former of which is called bread
many times over in this passage, even after what the papists call
consecration. What is eaten is called bread, though it be at the same
time said to be the body of the Lord, a plain argument that the apostle
knew nothing of their monstrous and absurd doctrine of
transubstantiation. The latter is as plainly a part of this institution
as words can make it. St. Matthew tells us, our Lord bade them all
drink of it (ch. xxvi. 27), as if he would, by this expression, lay in
a caveat against the papists' depriving the laity of the cup. Bread and
the cup are both made use of, because it is a holy feast. Nor is it
here, or any where, made necessary, that any particular liquor should
be in the cup. In one evangelist, indeed, it is plain that wine was the
liquor used by our Saviour, though it was, perhaps, mingled with water,
according to the Jewish custom; vide Lightfoot on Matt. xxvi. But this
by no means renders it unlawful to have a sacrament where persons
cannot come at wine. In every place of scripture in which we have an
account of this part of the institution it is always expressed by a
figure. The cup is put for what was in it, without once specifying what
the liquor was, in the words of the institution. [2.] The things
signified by these outward signs; they are Christ's body and blood, his
body broken, his blood shed, together with all the benefits which flow
from his death and sacrifice: it is the New Testament in his blood. His
blood is the seal and sanction of all the privileges of the new
covenant; and worthy receivers take it as such, at this holy ordinance.
They have the New Testament, and their own title to all the blessings
of the new covenant, confirmed to them by his blood.
(2.) We have here the sacramental actions, the manner in which the
materials of the sacrament are to be used. [1.] Our Saviour's actions,
which are taking the bread and cup, giving thanks, breaking the bread,
and giving about both the one and the other. [2.] The actions of the
communicants, which were to take the bread and eat, to take the cup and
drink, and both in remembrance of Christ. But the external acts are not
the whole nor the principal part of what is to be done at this holy
ordinance; each of them has a significancy. Our Saviour, having
undertaken to make an offering of himself to God, and procure, by his
death, the remission of sins, with all other gospel benefits, for true
believers, did, at the institution, deliver his body and blood, with
all the benefits procured by his death, to his disciples, and continues
to do the same every time the ordinance is administered to the true
believers. This is here exhibited, or set forth, as the food of souls.
And as food, though ever so wholesome or rich, will yield no
nourishment without being eaten, here the communicants are to take and
eat, or to receive Christ and feed upon him, his grace and benefits,
and by faith convert them into nourishment to their souls. They are to
take him as their Lord and life, yield themselves up to him, and live
upon him. He is our life, Col. iii. 4.
(3.) We have here an account of the ends of this institution. [1.] It
was appointed to be done in remembrance of Christ, to keep fresh in our
minds an ancient favour, his dying for us, as well as to remember an
absent friend, even Christ interceding for us, in virtue of his death,
at God's right hand. The best of friends, and the greatest acts of
kindness, are here to be remembered, with the exercise of suitable
affections and graces. The motto on this ordinance, and the very
meaning of it, is, When this you see, remember me. [2.] It was to show
forth Christ's death, to declare and publish it. It is not barely in
remembrance of Christ, of what he has done and suffered, that this
ordinance was instituted; but to commemorate, to celebrate, his
glorious condescension and grace in our redemption. We declare his
death to be our life, the spring of all our comforts and hopes. And we
glory in such a declaration; we show forth his death, and spread it
before God, as our accepted sacrifice and ransom. We set it in view of
our own faith, for our own comfort and quickening; and we own before
the world, by this very service, that we are the disciples of Christ,
who trust in him alone for salvation and acceptance with God.
(4.) It is moreover hinted here, concerning this ordinance, [1.] That
it should be frequent: As often as you eat this bread, &c. Our bodily
meals return often; we cannot maintain life and health without this.
And it is fit that this spiritual diet should be taken often tool The
ancient churches celebrated this ordinance every Lord's day, if not
every day when they assembled for worship. [2.] That it must be
perpetual. It is to be celebrated till the Lord shall come; till he
shall come the second time, without sin, for the salvation of those
that believe, and to judge the world. This is our warrant for keeping
this feast. It was our Lord's will that we should thus celebrate the
memorials of his death and passion, till he come in his own glory, and
the Father's glory, with his holy angels, and put an end to the present
state of things, and his own mediatorial administration, by passing the
final sentence. Note, The Lord's supper is not a temporary, but a
standing and perpetual ordinance.
III. He lays before the Corinthians the danger of receiving unworthily,
of prostituting this institution as they did, and using it to the
purposes of feasting and faction, with intentions opposite to its
design, or a temper of mind altogether unsuitable to it; or keeping up
the covenant with sin and death, while they are there professedly
renewing and confirming their covenant with God. 1. It is great guilt
which such contract. They shall be guilty of the body and blood of the
Lord (v. 27), of violating this sacred institution, of despising his
body and blood. They act as if they counted the blood of the covenant,
wherewith they are sanctified, an unholy thing, Heb. x. 29. They
profane the institution, and in a manner crucify their Saviour over
again. Instead of being cleansed by his blood, they are guilty of his
blood. 2. It is a great hazard which they run: They eat and drink
judgment to themselves, v. 29. They provoke God, and are likely to
bring down punishment on themselves. No doubt but they incur great
guilt, and so render themselves liable to damnation, to spiritual
judgments and eternal misery. Every sin is in its own nature damning;
and therefore surely so heinous a sin as profaning such a holy
ordinance is so. And it is profaned in the grossest sense by such
irreverence and rudeness as the Corinthians were guilty of. But fearful
believers should not be discouraged from attending at this holy
ordinance by the sound of these words, as if they bound upon themselves
the sentence of damnation by coming to the table of the Lord
unprepared. Thus sin, as well as all others, leaves room for
forgiveness upon repentance; and the Holy Spirit never indited this
passage of scripture to deter serious Christians from their duty,
though the devil has often made this advantage of it, and robbed good
Christians of their choicest comforts. The Corinthians came to the
Lord's table as to a common feast, not discerning the Lord's body--not
making a difference or distinction between that and common food, but
setting both on a level: nay, they used much more indecency at this
sacred feast than they would have done at a civil one. This was very
sinful in them, and very displeasing to God, and brought down his
judgments on them: For this cause many are weak and sickly among you,
and many sleep. Some were punished with sickness, and some with death.
Note, A careless and irreverent receiving of the Lord's supper may
bring temporal punishments. Yet the connection seems to imply that even
those who were thus punished were in a state of favour with God, at
least many of them: They were chastened of the Lord, that they should
not be condemned with the world, v. 32. Now divine chastening is a sign
of divine love: Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth (Heb. xii. 6),
especially with so merciful a purpose, to prevent their final
condemnation. In the midst of judgment, God remembers mercy: he
frequently punishes those whom he tenderly loves. It is kindness to use
the rod to prevent the child's ruin. He will visit such iniquity as
this under consideration with stripes, and yet make those stripes the
evidence of his lovingkindness. Those were in the favour of God who yet
so highly offended him in this instance, and brought down judgments on
themselves; at least many of them were; for they were punished by him
out of fatherly good-will, punished now that they might not perish for
ever. Note, It is better to bear trouble in this world than to be
miserable to eternity. And God punishes his people now, to prevent
their eternal woe.
IV. He points out the duty of those who would come to the Lord's table.
1. In general: Let a man examine himself (v. 28), try and approve
himself. Let him consider the sacred intention of this holy ordinance,
its nature, and use, and compare his own views in attending on it and
his disposition of mind for it; and, when he has approved himself to
his own conscience in the sight of God, then let him attend. Such
self-examination is necessary to a right attendance at this holy
ordinance. Note, Those who, through weakness of understanding, cannot
try themselves, are by no means fit to eat of this bread and drink of
this cup; nor those who, upon a fair trial, have just ground to charge
themselves with impenitency, unbelief, and alienation from the life of
God. Those should have the wedding-garment on who would be welcome at
this marriage-feast--grace in habit, and grace in exercise. 2. The duty
of those who were yet unpunished for their profanation of this
ordinance: If we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged, v. 31.
If we would thoroughly search and explore ourselves, and condemn and
correct what we find amiss, we should prevent divine judgments. Note,
To be exact and severe on ourselves and our own conduct is the most
proper way in the world not to fall under the just severity of our
heavenly Father. We must not judge others, lest we be judged (Matt.
vii. 1); but we must judge ourselves, to prevent our being judged and
condemned by God. We may be critical as to ourselves, but should be
very candid in judging others.
V. He closes all with a caution against the irregularities of which
they were guilty (v. 33, 34), charging them to avoid all indecency at
the Lord's table. They were to eat for hunger and pleasure only at
home, and not to change the holy supper to a common feast; and much
less eat up the provisions before those who could bring none did
partake of them, lest they should come together for condemnation. Note,
Our holy duties, through our own abuse, may prove matter of
condemnation. Christians may keep Sabbaths, hear sermons, attend at
sacraments, and only aggravate guilt, and bring on a heavier doom. A
sad but serious truth! O! let all look to it that they do not come
together at any time to God's worship, and all the while provoke him,
and bring down vengeance on themselves. Holy things are to be used in a
holy manner, or else they are profaned. What else was amiss in this
matter, he tells them, he would rectify when he came to them.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XII.
In this chapter the apostle, I. Considers the case of spiritual gifts,
which were very plentifully poured out on the Corinthian church. He
considers their original, that they are from God; their variety and
use, that they were all intended for one and the same general end, the
advancement of Christianity and the church's edification, ver. 1-11.
II. He illustrates this by an allusion to a human body, in which all
the members have a mutual relation and subserviency, and each has its
proper place and use, ver. 12-26. III. He tells us that the church is
the body of Christ, and the members are variously gifted for the
benefit of the whole body, and each particular member, ver. 27-30. And
them, IV. Closes with an exhortation to seek somewhat more beneficial
than these gifts, ver. 31.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
1 Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you
ignorant. 2 Ye know that ye were Gentiles, carried away unto these
dumb idols, even as ye were led. 3 Wherefore I give you to
understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus
accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the
Holy Ghost. 4 Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same
Spirit. 5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same
Lord. 6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same
God which worketh all in all. 7 But the manifestation of the Spirit
is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is given by the
Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same
Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts
of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the working of miracles;
to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another
divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to
every man severally as he will.
The apostle comes now to treat of spiritual gifts, which abounded in
the church of Corinth, but were greatly abused. What these gifts were
is at large told us in the body of the chapter; namely, extraordinary
offices and powers, bestowed on ministers and Christians in the first
ages, for conviction of unbelievers, and propagation of the gospel.
Gifts and graces, charismata and charis, greatly differ. Both indeed
were freely given of God. But where grace is given it is for the
salvation of those who have it. Gifts are bestowed for the advantage
and salvation of others. And there may be great gifts where there is
not a dram of grace, but persons possessed of them are utterly out of
the divine favour. They are great instances of divine benignity to men,
but do not by themselves prove those who have them to be the objects of
divine complacency. This church was rich in gifts, but there were many
things scandalously out of order in it. Now concerning these spiritual
gifts, that is, the extraordinary powers they had received from the
Spirit,
I. The apostle tells them he would not have them ignorant either of
their original or use. They came from God, and were to be used for him.
It would lead them far astray if they were ignorant of one or the other
of these. Note, Right information is of great use as to all religious
practice. It is wretched work which gifted men make who either do not
know or do not advert to the nature and right use of the gifts with
which they are endowed.
II. He puts them in the mind of the sad state out of which they had
been recovered: You were Gentiles, carried away to dumb idols, even as
you were led, v. 2. While they were so, they could have no pretensions
to be spiritual men, nor to have spiritual gifts. While they were under
the conduct of the spirit of Gentilism, they could not be influenced by
the Spirit of Christ. If they well understood their former condition,
they could not but know that all true spiritual gifts were from God.
Now concerning this observe, 1. Their former character: they were
Gentiles. Not God's peculiar people, but of the nations whom he had in
a manner abandoned. The Jews were, before, his chosen people,
distinguished from the rest of the world by his favour. To them the
knowledge and worship of the true God were in a manner confined. The
rest of the world were strangers to the covenant of promise, aliens
from the commonwealth of Israel, and in a manner without God, Eph. ii.
12. Such Gentiles were the body of the Corinthians, before their
conversion to Christianity. What a change was here! Christian
Corinthians were once Gentiles. Note, It is of great use to the
Christian, and a proper consideration to stir him up both to duty and
thankfulness, to think what once he was: You were Gentiles. 2. The
conduct they were under: Carried away to these dumb idols, even as you
were led. They were hurried upon the grossest idolatry, the worship
even of stocks and stones, through the force of a vain imagination, and
the fraud of their priests practising on their ignorance, for, whatever
were the sentiments of their philosophers, this was the practice of the
herd. The body of the people paid their homage and worship to dumb
idols, that had ears but could not hear, and mouths but could not
speak, Ps. cxv. 5, 6. Miserable abjectness of mind! And those who
despised these gross conceptions of the vulgar yet countenanced them by
their practice. O dismal state of Gentilism! Could the Spirit of God be
among such stupid idolators, or they be influenced by it? How did the
prince of this world triumph in the blindness of mankind! How thick a
mist had he cast over their minds!
III. He shows them how they might discern those gifts that were from
the Spirit of God, true spiritual gifts: No man, speaking by the
Spirit, calls Jesus accursed. Thus did both Jews and Gentiles: they
blasphemed him as an impostor, and execrated his name, and deemed it
abominable. And yet many Jews, who were exorcists and magicians, went
about, pretending to work wonders by the Spirit of God (vid.
Lightfoot's Horæ in loc.), and many among the Gentiles pretended to
inspiration. Now the apostle tells them none could act under the
influence, nor by the power, of the Spirit of God, who disowned and
blasphemed Christ: for the Spirit of God bore uncontrollable witness to
Christ by prophecy, miracles, his resurrection from the dead, the
success of his doctrine among men, and its effect upon them; and could
never so far contradict itself as to declare him accursed. And on the
other hand no man could say Jesus was the Lord (that is, live by this
faith, and work miracles to prove it), but it must be by the Holy
Ghost. To own this truth before men, and maintain it to the death, and
live under the influence of it, could not be done without the
sanctification of the Holy Ghost. No man can call Christ Lord, with a
believing subjection to him and dependence upon him, unless that faith
be wrought by the Holy Ghost. No man can confess this truth in the day
of trial but by the Holy Ghost animating and encouraging him. Note, We
have as necessary a dependence on the Spirit's operation and influence
for our sanctification and perseverance as on the mediation of Christ
for our reconciliation and acceptance with God: and no man could
confirm this truth with a miracle but by the Holy Ghost. No evil spirit
would lend assistance, if it were in his power, to spread a doctrine
and religion so ruinous to the devil's kingdom. The substance of what
the apostle asserts and argues here is that whatever pretences there
were to inspiration or miracles, among those who were enemies to
Christianity, they could not be from the Spirit of God; but no man
could believe this with his heart, nor prove with a miracle that Jesus
was Christ, but by the Holy Ghost: so that the extraordinary operations
and powers among them did all proceed from the Spirit of God. He adds,
IV. These spiritual gifts, though proceeding from the same Spirit, are
yet various. They have one author and original, but are themselves of
various kinds. A free cause may produce variety of effects; and the
same giver may bestow various gifts, v. 4. There are diversities of
gifts, such as revelations, tongues, prophecy, interpretations of
tongues; but the same Spirit. There are differences of administrations,
or different offices, and officers to discharge them, different
ordinances and institutions (see v. 28-30), but the same Lord, who
appointed all, v. 6. There are diversities of operations, or miraculous
powers, called energemata dynameon (v. 10), as here energemata, but it
is the same God that worketh all in all. There are various gifts,
administrations, and operations, but all proceed from one God, one
Lord, one Spirit; that is, from Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, the spring
and origin of all spiritual blessings and bequests: all issue from the
same fountain; all have the same author. However different they may be
in themselves, in this they agree; all are from God. And several of the
kinds are here specified, v. 8-10. Several persons had their several
gifts, some one, some another, all from and by the same Spirit. To one
was given the word of wisdom; that is, say some, a knowledge of the
mysteries of the gospel, and ability to explain them, an exact
understanding of the design, nature, and doctrines, of the Christian
religion. Others say an uttering of grave sentences, like Solomon's
proverbs. Some confine this word of wisdom to the revelations made to
and by the apostles.--To another the word of knowledge, by the same
Spirit; that is, say some, the knowledge of mysteries (ch. ii. 13):
wrapped up in the prophecies, types, and histories of the Old
Testament: say others, a skill and readiness to give advice and counsel
in perplexed cases.--To another faith, by the same Spirit; that is, the
faith of miracles, or a faith in the divine power and promise, whereby
they were enabled to trust God in any emergency, and go on in the way
of their duty, and own and profess the truths of Christ, whatever was
the difficulty or danger.--To another the gift of healing, by the same
Spirit; that is, healing the sick, either by laying on of hands, or
anointing with oil, or with a bare word.--To another the working of
miracles; the efficacies of powers, energemata dynameon, such as
raising the dead, restoring the blind to sight, giving speech to the
dumb, hearing to the deaf, and the use of limbs to the lame.--To
another prophecy, that is, ability to foretel future events, which is
the more usual sense of prophecy; or to explain scripture by a peculiar
gift of the Spirit. See ch. xiv. 24.--To another the discerning of
Spirits, power to distinguish between true and false prophets, or to
discern the real and internal qualifications of any person for an
office, or to discover the inward workings of the mind by the Holy
Ghost, as Peter did those of Ananias, Acts v. 3.--To another divers
kinds of tongues, or ability to speak languages by inspiration.--To
another the interpretation of tongues, or ability to render foreign
languages readily and properly into their own. With such variety of
spiritual gifts were the first ministers and churches blessed.
V. The end for which these gifts were bestowed: The manifestation of
the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal, v. 7. The Spirit was
manifested by the exercise of these gifts; his influence and interest
appeared in them. But they were not distributed for the mere honour and
advantage of those who had them, but for the benefit of the church, to
edify the body, and spread and advance the gospel. Note, Whatever gifts
God confers on any man, he confers them that he may do good with them,
whether they be common or spiritual. The outward gifts of his bounty
are to be improved for his glory, and employed in doing good to others.
No man has them merely for himself. They are a trust put into his
hands, to profit withal; and the more he profits others with them, the
more abundantly will they turn to his account in the end, Phil. iv. 17.
Spiritual gifts are bestowed, that men may with them profit the church
and promote Christianity. They are not given for show, but for service;
not for pomp and ostentation, but for edification; not to magnify those
that have them, but to edify others.
VI. The measure and proportion in which they are given: All these
worketh one and the same Spirit, dividing to every man as he will. It
is according to the sovereign pleasure of the donor. What more free
than a gift? And shall not the Spirit of God do what he will with his
own? May he not give to what persons he pleases, and in what proportion
he pleases; one gift to one man, and another to another; to one more,
and another fewer, as he thinks fit? Is he not the best judge how his
own purpose shall be served, and his own donatives bestowed? It is not
as men will, nor as they may think fit, but as the Spirit pleases.
Note, The Holy Ghost is a divine person. He works divine effects and
divides divine gifts a he will, by his own power, and according to his
own pleasure, without dependence or control. But though he distributes
these gifts freely and uncontrollably, they are intended by him, not
for private honour and advantage, but for public benefit, for the
edification of the body, the church.
Union Recommended. (a. d. 57.)
12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members
of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 13 For
by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or
Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit. 14 For the body is not one member, but many. 15 If
the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is
it therefore not of the body? 16 And if the ear shall say, Because I
am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body?
17 If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the
whole were hearing, where were the smelling? 18 But now hath God set
the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. 19
And if they were all one member, where were the body? 20 But now are
they many members, yet but one body. 21 And the eye cannot say unto
the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I
have no need of you. 22 Nay, much more those members of the body,
which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: 23 And those members of
the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow
more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant
comeliness. 24 For our comely parts have no need: but God hath
tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that
part which lacked: 25 That there should be no schism in the body; but
that the members should have the same care one for another. 26 And
whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one
member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
The apostle here makes out the truth of what was above asserted, and
puts the gifted men among the Corinthians in mind of their duty, by
comparing the church of Christ to a human body.
I. By telling us that one body may have many members, and that the many
members of the same body make but one body (v. 12): As the body is one,
and hath many members, and all members of that one body, being many,
are one body, so also is Christ; that is, Christ mystical, as divines
commonly speak. Christ and his church making one body, as head and
members, this body is made up of many parts or members, yet but one
body; for all the members are baptized into the same body, and made to
drink of the same Spirit, v. 13. Jews and Gentiles, bond and free, are
upon a level in this: all are baptized into the same body, and made
partakers of the same Spirit. Christians become members of this body by
baptism: they are baptized into one body. The outward rite is of divine
institution, significant of the new birth, called therefore the washing
of regeneration, Tit. iii. 5. But it is by the Spirit, by the renewing
of the Holy Ghost, that we are made members of Christ's body. It is the
Spirit's operation, signified by the outward administration, that makes
us members. And by communion at the other ordinance we are sustained;
but then it is not merely by drinking the wine, but by drinking into
one Spirit. The outward administration is a means appointed of God for
our participation in this great benefit; but it is baptism by the
Spirit, it is internal renovation and drinking into one Spirit,
partaking of his sanctifying influence from time to time, that makes us
true members of Christ's body, and maintains our union with him. Being
animated by one Spirit makes Christians one body. Note, All who have
the spirit of Christ, without difference, are the members of Christ,
whether Jew or Gentile, bond or free; and none but such. And all the
members of Christ make up one body; the members many, but the body one.
They are one body, because they have one principle of life; all are
quickened and animated by the same Spirit.
II. Each member has its particular form, place, and use. 1. The meanest
member makes a part of the body. The foot and ear are less useful,
perhaps, than the hand and eye; but because one is not a hand, and the
other an eye, shall they say, therefore, that they do not belong to the
body? v. 15, 16. So every member of the body mystical cannot have the
same place and office; but what then? Shall it hereupon disown relation
to the body? Because it is not fixed in the same station, or favoured
with the same gifts as others, shall it say, "I do not belong to
Christ?" No, the meanest member of his body is as much a member as the
noblest, and as truly regarded by him. All his members are dear to him.
2. There must be a distinction of members in the body: Were the whole
body eye, where were the hearing? Were the whole ear, where were the
smelling? v. 17. If all were one member, where were the body? v. 19.
They are many members, and for that reason must have distinction among
them, and yet are but one body, v. 20. One member of a body is not a
body; this is made up of many; and among these many there must be a
distinction, difference of situation, shape, use, &c. So it is in the
body of Christ; its members must have different uses, and therefore
have different powers, and be in different places, some having one
gift, and others a different one. Variety in the members of the body
contributes to the beauty of it. What a monster would a body be if it
were all ear, or eye, or arm! So it is for the beauty and good
appearance of the church that there should be diversity of gifts and
offices in it. 3. The disposal of members in a natural body, and their
situation, are as God pleases: But now hath God set the members, every
one of them, in the body, as it hath pleased him, v. 18. We may plainly
perceive the divine wisdom in the distribution of the members; but it
was made according to the counsel of his will; he distinguished and
distributed them as he pleased. So is it also in the members of
Christ's body: they are chosen out to such stations, and endued with
such gifts, as God pleases. He who is sovereign Lord of all disposes
his favours and gifts as he will. And who should gainsay his pleasure?
What foundation is here for repining in ourselves, or envying others?
We should be doing the duties of our own place, and not murmuring in
ourselves, nor quarrelling with others, that we are not in theirs. 4.
All the members of the body are, in some respect, useful and necessary
to each other: The eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of thee;
nor the head to the feet, I have no need of your: nay, those members of
the body which seem to be more feeble (the bowels, &c.) are necessary
(v. 21, 22); God has so fitted and tempered them together that they are
all necessary to one another, and to the whole body; there is no part
redundant and unnecessary. Every member serves some good purpose or
other: it is useful to its fellow-members, and necessary to the good
state of the whole body. Nor is there a member of the body of Christ
but may and ought to be useful to his fellow-members, and at some
times, and in some cases, is needful to them. None should despise and
envy another, seeing God has made the distinction between them as he
pleased, yet so as to keep them all in some degree of mutual
dependence, and make them valuable to each other, and concerned for
each other, because of their mutual usefulness. Those who excel in any
gift cannot say that they have no need of those who in that gift are
their inferiors, while perhaps, in other gifts, they exceed them. Nay,
the lowest members of all have their use, and the highest cannot do
well without them. The eye has need of the hand, and the head of the
feet. 5. Such is the man's concern for his whole body that on the less
honourable members more abundant honour is bestowed, and our uncomely
parts have more abundant comeliness. Those parts which are not fit,
like the rest, to be exposed to view, which are either deformed or
shameful, we most carefully clothe and cover; whereas the comely parts
have no such need. The wisdom of Providence has so contrived and
tempered things that the most abundant regard and honour should be paid
to that which most wanted it, v. 24. So should the members of Christ's
body behave towards their fellow-members: instead of despising them, or
reproaching them, for their infirmities, they should endeavour to cover
and conceal them, and put the best face upon them that they can. 6.
Divine wisdom has contrived and ordered things in this manner that the
members of the body should not be schismatics, divided from each other
and acting upon separate interests, but well affected to each other,
tenderly concerned for each other, having a fellow-feeling of each
other's griefs and a communion in each other's pleasures and joys, v.
25, 26. God has tempered the members of the body natural in the manner
mentioned, that there might be no schism in the body (v. 25), no
rupture nor disunion among the members, nor so much as the least mutual
disregard. This should be avoided also in the spiritual body of Christ.
There should be no schism in this body, but the members should be
closely united by the strongest bonds of love. All decays of this
affection are the seeds of schism. Where Christians grow cold towards
each other, they will be careless and unconcerned for each other. And
this mutual disregard is a schism begun. The members of the natural
body are made to have a care and concern for each other, to prevent a
schism in it. So should it be in Christ's body; the members should
sympathize with each other. As in the natural body the pain of the one
part afflicts the whole, the ease and pleasure of one part affects the
whole, so should Christians reckon themselves honoured in the honours
of their fellow-christians, and should suffer in their sufferings.
Note, Christian sympathy is a great branch of Christian duty. We should
be so far from slighting our brethren's sufferings that we should
suffer with them, so far from envying their honours that we should
rejoice with them and reckon ourselves honoured in them.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
27 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. 28 And
God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets,
thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps,
governments, diversities of tongues. 29 Are all apostles? are all
prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 30 Have all
the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? 31
But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more
excellent way.
I. Here the apostle sums up the argument, and applies this similitude
to the church of Christ, concerning which observe,
1. The relation wherein Christians stand to Christ and one another. The
church, or whole collective body of Christians, in all ages, is his
body. Every Christian is a member of his body, and every other
Christian stands related to him as a fellow-member (v. 27): Now you are
the body of Christ, and members in particular, or particular members.
Each is a member of the body, not the whole body; each stands related
to the body as a part of it, and all have a common relation to one
another, dependence upon one another, and should have a mutual care and
concern. Thus are the members of the natural body, thus should the
members of the mystical body be, disposed. Note, Mutual indifference,
and much more contempt, and hatred, and envy, and strife, are very
unnatural in Christians. It is like the members of the same body being
destitute of all concern for one another, or quarrelling with each
other. This is the apostle's scope in this argument. He endeavours in
it to suppress the proud, vaunting, and contentious spirit, that had
prevailed among the Corinthians, by reason of their spiritual gifts.
2. The variety of offices instituted by Christ, and gifts or favours
dispensed by him (v. 28): God hath set some in the church; first,
apostles, the chief ministers entrusted with all the powers necessary
to found a church, and make an entire revelation of God's will.
Secondarily, prophets, or persons enabled by inspiration, as the
evangelists did. Thirdly, teachers, those who labour in word and
doctrine, whether with pastoral charge or without it. After that,
miracles, or miracle-workers. The gifts of healing, or those who had
power to heal diseases; helps, or such as had compassion on the sick
and weak, and ministered to them; governments, or such as had the
disposal of the charitable contributions of the church, and dealt them
out to the poor; diversities of tongues, or such as could speak divers
languages. Concerning all these observe, (1.) The plenteous variety of
these gifts and offices. What a multitude are they! A good God was free
in his communications to the primitive church; he was no niggard of his
benefits and favours. No, he provided richly for them. They had no
want, but a store-all that was necessary, and even more; what was
convenient for them too. (2.) Observe the order of these offices and
gifts. They are here placed in their proper ranks. Those of most value
have the first place. Apostles, prophets, and teachers, were all
intended to instruct the people, to inform them well in the things of
God, and promote their spiritual edification: without them, neither
evangelical knowledge nor holiness could have been promoted. But the
rest, however fitted to answer the great intentions of Christianity,
had no such immediate regard to religion, strictly so called. Note, God
does, and we should, value things according to their real worth: and
the use of things is the best criterion of their real worth. Those are
most valuable that best answer the highest purposes. Such were
apostolical powers, compared with theirs who had only the gift of
healing and miracles. What holds the last and lowest rank in this
enumeration is diversity of tongues. It is by itself the most useless
and insignificant of all these gifts. Healing diseases, relieving the
poor, helping the sick, have their use: but how vain a thing is it to
speak languages, if a man does it merely to amuse or boast himself!
This may indeed raise the admiration, but cannot promote the
edification, of the hearers, nor do them any good. And yet it is
manifest from ch. xiv. that the Corinthians valued themselves
exceedingly on this gift. Note, How proper a method it is to beat down
pride to let persons know the true value of what they pride themselves
in! It is but too common a thing for men to value themselves most on
what is least worth: and it is of great use to bring them to a sober
mind by letting them know how much they are mistaken. (3.) The various
distribution of these gifts, not all to one, nor to every one alike.
All members and officers had not the same rank in the church, nor the
same endowments (v. 29, 30): Are all apostles? Are all prophets? This
were to make the church a monster: all one as if the body were all ear
or all eye. Some are fit for one office and employment, and some for
another; and the Spirit distributes to every one as he will. We must be
content with our own rank and share, if they be lower and less than
those of others. We must not be conceited of ourselves, and despise
others, if we are in the higher rank and have greater gifts. Every
member of the body is to preserve its own rank, and do its own office;
and all are to minister to one another, and promote the good of the
body in general, without envying, or despising, or neglecting, or
ill-using, any one particular member. How blessed a constitution were
the Christian church, if all the members did their duty!
II. He closes this chapter with an advice (as the generality read it)
and a hint. 1. An advice to covet the best gifts, charismata ta
kreittona--dona potiora, præstantiora, either the most valuable in them
selves or the most serviceable to others; and these are, in truth, most
valuable in themselves, though men may be apt to esteem those most that
will raise their fame and esteem highest. Those are truly best by which
God will be most honoured and his church edified. Such gifts should be
most earnestly coveted. Note, We should desire that most which is best,
and most worth. Grace is therefore to be preferred before gifts; and,
of gifts, those are to be preferred which are of greatest use. But some
read this passage, not as an advice, but a charge: zeloute, You are
envious at each other's gifts. In ch. xiii. 4, the same word is thus
translated. You quarrel and contend about them. This they certainly
did. And this behaviour the apostle here reprehends, and labours to
rectify. Only of pride cometh contention. These contests in the church
of Corinth sprang from this original. It was a quarrel about precedency
(as most quarrels among Christians are, with whatever pretences they
are gilded over); and it is no wonder that a quarrel about precedence
should extinguish charity. When all would stand in the first rank, no
wonder if they jostle, or throw down, or thrust back, their brethren.
Gifts may be valued for their use, but they are mischievous when made
the fuel of pride and contention. This therefore the apostle endeavours
to prevent. 2. By giving them the hint of a more excellent way, namely,
of charity, of mutual love and good-will. This was the only right way
to quiet and cement them, and make their gifts turn to the advantage
and edification of the church. This would render them kind to each
other, and concerned for each other, and therefore calm their spirits,
and put an end to their little piques and contests, their disputes
about precedency. Those would appear to be in the foremost rank,
according to the apostle, who had most of true Christian love. Note,
True charity is greatly to be preferred to the most glorious gifts. To
have the heart glow with mutual love is vastly better than to glare
with the most pompous titles, offices, or powers.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XIII.
In this chapter the apostle goes on to show more particularly what that
more excellent way was of which he had just before been speaking. He
recommends it, I. By showing the necessity and importance of it, ver.
1-3. II. By giving a description of its properties and fruits, ver.
4-7. III. By showing how much it excels the best of gifts and other
graces, by its continuance, when they shall be no longer in being, or
of any use, ver. 8, to the end.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And
though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and
all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove
mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow
all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned,
and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
Here the apostle shows what more excellent way he meant, or had in
view, in the close of the former chapter, namely, charity, or, as it is
commonly elsewhere rendered, love--agape: not what is meant by charity
in our common use of the word, which most men understand of
alms-giving, but love in its fullest and most extensive meaning, true
love to God and man, a benevolent disposition of mind towards our
fellow-christians, growing out of sincere and fervent devotion to God.
This living principle of all duty and obedience is the more excellent
way of which the apostle speaks, preferable to all gifts. Nay, without
this the most glorious gifts are nothing, of no account to us, of no
esteem in the sight of God. He specifies, 1. The gift of tongues:
Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not
charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal, v. 1.
Could a man speak all the languages on earth, and that with the
greatest propriety, elegance, and fluency, could he talk like an angel,
and yet be without charity, it would be all empty noise, mere
unharmonious and useless sound, that would neither profit nor delight.
It is not talking freely, nor finely, nor learnedly, of the things of
God, that will save ourselves, or profit others, if we are destitute of
holy love. It is the charitable heart, not the voluble tongue, that is
acceptable with God. The apostle specifies first this gift because
hereupon the Corinthians seemed chiefly to value themselves and despise
their brethren. 2. Prophecy, and the understanding of mysteries, and
all knowledge. This without charity is as nothing, v. 2. Had a man ever
so clear an understanding of the prophecies and types under the old
dispensation, ever so accurate a knowledge of the doctrines of
Christianity, nay, and this by inspiration, from the infallible
dictates and illumination of the Spirit of God, without charity he
would be nothing; all this would stand him in no stead. Note, A clear
and deep head is of no signification, without a benevolent and
charitable heart. It is not great knowledge that God sets a value upon,
but true and hearty devotion and love. 3. Miraculous faith, the faith
of miracles, or the faith by which persons were enabled to work
miracles: Had I all faith (the utmost degree of this kind of faith),
that I could remove mountains (or say to them, "Go hence into the midst
of the sea," and have my command obeyed, Mark xi. 23), and had no
charity, I am nothing. The most wonder-working faith, to which nothing
is in a manner impossible, is itself nothing without charity. Moving
mountains is a great achievement in the account of men; but one dram of
charity is, in God's account, of much greater worth than all the faith
of this sort in the world. Those may do many wondrous works in Christ's
name whom yet he will disown, and bid depart from him, as workers of
iniquity, Matt. vii. 22, 23. Saving faith is ever in conjunction with
charity, but the faith of miracles may be without it. 4. The outward
acts of charity: Bestowing his goods to feed the poor, v. 3. Should all
a man has be laid out in this manner, if he had no charity, it would
profit him nothing. There may be an open and lavish hand, where there
is no liberal and charitable heart. The external act of giving alms may
proceed from a very ill principle. Vain-glorious ostentation, or a
proud conceit of merit, may put a man to large expense this way who has
no true love to God nor men. Our doing good to others will do none to
us, if it be not well done, namely, from a principle of devotion and
charity, love to God, and good-will to men. Note, If we leave charity
out of religion, the most costly services will be of no avail to us. If
we give away all we have, while we withhold the heart from God, it will
not profit. 5. Even sufferings, and even those of the most grievous
kind: If we give our bodies to be burnt, without charity, it profiteth
nothing, v. 3. Should we sacrifice our lives for the faith of the
gospel, and be burnt to death in maintenance of its truth, this will
stand us in no stead without charity, unless we be animated to these
sufferings by a principle of true devotion to God, and sincere love to
his church and people, and good-will to mankind. The outward carriage
may be plausible, when the invisible principle is very bad. Some men
have thrown themselves into the fire to procure a name and reputation
among men. It is possible that the very same principle may have worked
up some to resolution enough to die for their religion who never
heartily believed and embraced it. But vindicating religion at the cost
of our lives will profit nothing if we feel not the power of it; and
true charity is the very heart and spirit of religion. If we feel none
of its sacred heat in our hearts, it will profit nothing, though we be
burnt to ashes for the truth. Note, The most grievous sufferings, the
most costly sacrifices, will not recommend us to God, if we do not love
the brethren; should we give our own bodies to be burnt, it would not
profit us. How strange a way of recommending themselves to God are
those got into who hope to do it by burning others, by murdering, and
massacring, and tormenting their fellow-christians, or by any injurious
usage of them! My soul, enter not thou into their secrets. If I cannot
hope to recommend myself to God by giving my own body to be burnt while
I have no charity, I will never hope to do it by burning or maltreating
others, in open defiance to all charity.
Charity Described. (a. d. 57.)
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity
vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself
unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no
evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7
Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth
all things.
The apostle gives us in these verses some of the properties and effects
of charity, both to describe and commend it, that we may know whether
we have this grace and that if we have not we may fall in love with
what is so exceedingly amiable, and not rest till we have obtained it.
It is an excellent grace, and has a world of good properties belonging
to it. As,
I. It is long suffering--makrothymei. It can endure evil, injury, and
provocation, without being filled with resentment, indignation, or
revenge. It makes the mind firm, gives it power over the angry
passions, and furnishes it with a persevering patience, that shall
rather wait and wish for the reformation of a brother than fly out in
resentment of his conduct. It will put up with many slights and
neglects from the person it loves, and wait long to see the kindly
effects of such patience on him.
II. It is kind--chresteuetai. It is benign, bountiful; it is courteous
and obliging. The law of kindness is in her lips; her heart is large,
and her hand open. She is ready to show favours and to do good. She
seeks to be useful; and not only seizes on opportunities of doing good,
but searches for them. This is her general character. She is patient
under injuries, and apt and inclined to do all the good offices in her
power. And under these two generals all the particulars of the
character may be reduced.
III. Charity suppresses envy: It envieth not; it is not grieved at the
good of others; neither at their gifts nor at their good qualities,
their honours not their estates. If we love our neighbour we shall be
so far from envying his welfare, or being displeased with it, that we
shall share in it and rejoice at it. His bliss and sanctification will
be an addition to ours, instead of impairing or lessening it. This is
the proper effect of kindness and benevolence: envy is the effect of
ill-will. The prosperity of those to whom we wish well can never grieve
us; and the mind which is bent on doing good to all can never with ill
to any.
IV. Charity subdues pride and vain-glory; It vaunteth not itself, is
not puffed up, is not bloated with self-conceit, does not swell upon
its acquisitions, nor arrogate to itself that honour, or power, or
respect, which does not belong to it. It is not insolent, apt to
despise others, or trample on them, or treat them with contempt and
scorn. Those who are animated with a principle of true brotherly love
will in honour prefer one another, Rom. xii. 10. They will do nothing
out of a spirit of contention or vain-glory, but in lowliness of mind
will esteem others better than themselves, Phil. ii. 3. True love will
give us an esteem of our brethren, and raise our value for them; and
this will limit our esteem of ourselves, and prevent the tumours of
self-conceit and arrogance. These ill qualities can never grow out of
tender affection for the brethren, nor a diffusive benevolence. The
word rendered in our translation vaunteth itself bears other
significations; nor is the proper meaning, as I can find, settled; but
in every sense and meaning true charity stands in opposition to it. The
Syriac renders it, non tumultuatur--does not raise tumults and
disturbances. Charity calms the angry passions, instead of raising
them. Others render it, Non perperàm et perversè agit--It does not act
insidiously with any, seek to ensnare them, nor tease them with
needless importunities and addresses. It is not froward, nor stubborn
and untractable, nor apt to be cross and contradictory. Some understand
it of dissembling and flattery, when a fair face is put on, and fine
words are said, without any regard to truth, or intention of good.
Charity abhors such falsehood and flattery. Nothing is commonly more
pernicious, nor more apt to cross the purposes of true love and good
will.
V. Charity is careful not to pass the bounds of decency; ouk
aschemonei--it behaveth not unseemly; it does nothing indecorous,
nothing that in the common account of men is base or vile. It does
nothing out of place or time; but behaves towards all men as becomes
their rank and ours, with reverence and respect to superiors, with
kindness and condescension to inferiors, with courtesy and good-will
towards all men. It is not for breaking order, confounding ranks
bringing all men on a level; but for keeping up the distinction God has
made between men, and acting decently in its own station, and minding
its own business, without taking upon it to mend, or censure, or
despise, the conduct of others. Charity will do nothing that misbecomes
it.
VI. Charity is an utter enemy to selfishness: Seeketh not its own, does
not inordinately desire nor seek its own praise, or honour, or profit,
or pleasure. Indeed self-love, in some degree, is natural to all men,
enters into their very constitution. And a reasonable love of self is
by our Saviour made the measure of our love to others, that charity
which is here described, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The
apostle does not mean that charity destroys all regard to self; he does
not mean that the charitable man should never challenge what is his
own, but utterly neglect himself and all his interests. Charity must
then root up that principle which is wrought into our nature. But
charity never seeks its own to the hurt of others, or with the neglect
of others. It often neglects its own for the sake of others; prefers
their welfare, and satisfaction, and advantage, to its own; and it ever
prefers the weal of the public, of the community, whether civil or
ecclesiastical, to its private advantage. It would not advance, nor
aggrandize, nor enrich, nor gratify itself, at the cost and damage of
the public.
VII. It tempers and restrains the passions. Ou paroxynetai--is not
exasperated. It corrects a sharpness of temper, sweetens and softens
the mind, so that it does not suddenly conceive, nor long continue, a
vehement passion. Where the fire of love is kept in, the flames of
wrath will not easily kindle, nor long keep burning. Charity will never
be angry without a cause, and will endeavour to confine the passions
within proper limits, that they may not exceed the measure that is
just, either in degree or duration. Anger cannot rest in the bosom
where love reigns. It is hard to be angry with those we love, but very
easy to drop our resentments and be reconciled.
VIII. Charity thinks no evil. It cherishes no malice, nor gives way to
revenge: so some understand it. It is not soon, nor long, angry; it is
never mischievous, nor inclined to revenge; it does not suspect evil of
others, ou logizetai to kakon--it does not reason out evil, charge
guilt upon them by inference and innuendo, when nothing of this sort
appears open. True love is not apt to be jealous and suspicious; it
will hide faults that appear, and draw a veil over them, instead of
hunting and raking out those that lie covered and concealed: it will
never indulge suspicion without proofs, but will rather incline to
darken and disbelieve evidence against the person it affects. It will
hardly give into an ill opinion of another, and it will do it with
regret and reluctance when the evidence cannot be resisted; hence it
will never be forward to suspect ill, and reason itself into a bad
opinion upon mere appearances, nor give way to suspicion without any.
It will not make the worst construction of things, but put the best
face that it can on circumstances that have no good appearance.
IX. The matter of its joy and pleasure is here suggested: 1.
Negatively: It rejoiceth not in iniquity. It takes no pleasure in doing
injury or hurt to any. It thinks not evil of any, without very clear
proof. It wishes ill to none, much less will it hurt or wrong any, and
least of all make this matter of its delight, rejoice in doing harm and
mischief. Nor will it rejoice at the faults and failings of others, and
triumph over them, either out of pride or ill-will, because it will set
off its own excellences or gratify its spite. The sins of others are
rather the grief of a charitable spirit than its sport or delight; they
will touch it to the quick, and stir all its compassion, but give it no
entertainment. It is the very height of malice to take pleasure in the
misery of a fellow-creature. And is not falling into sin the greatest
calamity that can befal one? How inconsistent is it with Christian
charity, to rejoice at such fall! 2. Affirmatively: It rejoiceth in the
truth, is glad of the success of the gospel, commonly called the truth,
by way of emphasis, in the New Testament; and rejoices to see men
moulded into an evangelical temper by it, and made good. It takes no
pleasure in their sins, but is highly delighted to see them do well, to
approve themselves men of probity and integrity. It gives it much
satisfaction to see truth and justice prevail among men, innocency
cleared, and mutual faith and trust established, and to see piety and
true religion flourish.
X. It beareth all things, it endureth all things, panta stegei, panta
hypomenei. Some read the first, covers all things. So the original also
signifies. Charity will cover a multitude of sins, 1 Pet. iv. 8. It
will draw a veil over them, as far as it can consistently with duty. It
is not for blazing nor publishing the faults of a brother, till duty
manifestly demands it. Necessity only can extort this from the
charitable mind. Though such a man be free to tell his brother his
faults in private, he is very unwilling to expose him by making them
public. Thus we do by our own faults, and thus charity would teach us
to do by the faults of others; not publish them to their shame and
reproach, but cover them from public notice as long as we can, and be
faithful to God and to others. Or, it beareth all things,--will pass by
and put up with injuries, without indulging anger or cherishing
revenge, will be patient upon provocation, and long patient, panta
hypomenei--holds firm, though it be much shocked, and borne hard upon;
sustains all manner of injury and ill usage, and bears up under it,
such as curses, contumacies, slanders, prison, exile, bonds, torments,
and death itself, for the sake of the injurious, and of others; and
perseveres in this firmness. Note, What a fortitude and firmness
fervent love will give the mind! What cannot a lover endure for the
beloved and for his sake! How many slights and injuries will he put up
with! How many hazards will he run and how many difficulties encounter!
XI. Charity believes and hopes well of others: Believeth all things;
hopeth all things. Indeed charity does by no means destroy prudence,
and, out of mere simplicity and silliness, believe every word, Prov.
xiv. 15. Wisdom may dwell with love, and charity be cautious. But it is
apt to believe well of all, to entertain a good opinion of them when
there is no appearance to the contrary; nay, to believe well when there
may be some dark appearances, if the evidence of ill be not clear. All
charity is full of candour, apt to make the best of every thing, and
put on it the best face and appearance? it will judge well, and believe
well, as far as it can with any reason, and will rather stretch its
faith beyond appearances for the support of a kind opinion; but it will
go into a bad one with the upmost reluctance, and fence against it as
much as it fairly and honestly can. And when, in spite of inclination,
it cannot believe well of others, it will yet hope well, and continue
to hope as long as there is any ground for it. It will not presently
conclude a case desperate, but wishes the amendment of the worst of
men, and is very apt to hope for what it wishes. How well-natured and
amiable a thing is Christian charity? How lovely a mind is that which
is tinctured throughout with such benevolence, and has it diffused over
its whole frame! Happy the man who has this heavenly fire glowing in
his heart, flowing out of his mouth, and diffusing its warmth over all
with whom he has to do! How lovely a thing would Christianity appear to
the world, if those who profess it were more actuated and animated by
this divine principle, and paid a due regard to a command on which its
blessed author laid a chief stress! A new commandment give I to you,
that you love one another, as I have loved you, that you also love one
another, John xiii. 34. By this shall all men know that you are my
disciples, v. 35. Blessed Jesus! how few of thy professed disciples are
to be distinguished and marked out by this characteristic!
Charity Commended. (a. d. 57.)
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall
fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be
knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we
prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then
that which is in part shall be done away. 11 When I was a child, I
spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but
when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see
through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but
then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith,
hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
Here the apostle goes on to commend charity, and show how much it is
preferable to the gifts on which the Corinthians were so apt to pride
themselves, to the utter neglect, and almost extinction, of charity.
This he makes out,
I. From its longer continuance and duration: Charity never faileth. It
is a permanent and perpetual grace, lasting as eternity; whereas the
extraordinary gifts on which the Corinthians valued themselves were of
short continuance. They were only to edify the church on earth, and
that but for a time, not during its whole continuance in this world;
but in heaven would be all superseded, which yet is the very seat and
element of love. Prophecy must fail, that is, either the prediction of
things to come (which is its most common sense) or the interpretation
of scripture by immediate inspiration. Tongues will cease, that is, the
miraculous power of speaking languages without learning them. There
will be but one language in heaven. There is no confusion of tongues in
the region of perfect tranquility. And knowledge will vanish away. Not
that, in the perfect state above, holy and happy souls shall be
unknowing, ignorant: it is a very poor happiness that can consist with
utter ignorance. The apostle is plainly speaking of miraculous gifts,
and therefore of knowledge to be had out of the common way (see ch.
xiv. 6), a knowledge of mysteries supernaturally communicated. Such
knowledge was to vanish away. Some indeed understand it of common
knowledge acquired by instruction, taught and learnt. This way of
knowing is to vanish away, though the knowledge itself, once acquired,
will not be lost. But it is plain that the apostle is here setting the
grace of charity in opposition to supernatural gifts. And it is more
valuable, because more durable; it shall last, when they shall be no
more; it shall enter into heaven, where they will have no place,
because they will be of no use, though, in a sense, even our common
knowledge may be said to cease in heaven, by reason of the improvement
that will then be made in it. The light of a candle is perfectly
obscured by the sun shining in its strength.
II. He hints that these gifts are adapted only to a state of
imperfection: We know in part, and we prophesy in part, v. 9. Our best
knowledge and our greatest abilities are at present like our condition,
narrow and temporary. Even the knowledge they had by inspiration was
but in part. How little a portion of God, and the unseen world, was
heard even by apostles and inspired men! How much short do others come
of them! But these gifts were fitted to the present imperfect state of
the church, valuable in themselves, but not to be compared with
charity, because they were to vanish with the imperfections of the
church, nay, and long before, whereas charity was to last for ever.
III. He takes occasion hence to show how much better it will be with
the church hereafter than it can be here. A state of perfection is in
view (v. 10): When that which is perfect shall come, then that which is
in part shall be done away. When the end is once attained, the means
will of course be abolished. There will be no need of tongues, and
prophecy, and inspired knowledge, in a future life, because then the
church will be in a state of perfection, complete both in knowledge and
holiness. God will be known then clearly, and in a manner by intuition,
and as perfectly as the capacity of glorified minds will allow; not by
such transient glimpses, and little portions, as here. The difference
between these two states is here pointed at in two particulars: 1. The
present state is a state of childhood, the future that of manhood: When
I was a child, I spoke as a child (that is, as some think, spoke with
tongues), I understood as a child; ephronoun--sapiebam (that is, "I
prophesied, I was taught the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, in
such an extraordinary way as manifested I was not out of my childish
state"), I thought, or reasoned, elogizomen, as a child; but, when I
became a man, I put away childish things. Such is the difference
between earth and heaven. What narrow views, what confused and
indistinct notions of things, have children, in comparison of grown
men! And how naturally do men, when reason is ripened and matured,
despise and relinquish their infant thoughts, put them away, reject
them, esteem as nothing! Thus shall we think of our most valued gifts
and acquisitions in this world, when we come to heaven. We shall
despise our childish folly, in priding ourselves in such things when we
are grown up to men in Christ. 2. Things are all dark and confused now,
in comparison of what they will be hereafter: Now we see through a
glass darkly (en ainigmati, in a riddle), then face to face; now we
know in part, but then we shall know as we are known. Now we can only
discern things at a great distance, as through a telescope, and that
involved in clouds and obscurity; but hereafter the things to be known
will be near and obvious, open to our eyes; and our knowledge will be
free from all obscurity and error. God is to be seen face to face; and
we are to know him as we are known by him; not indeed as perfectly, but
in some sense in the same manner. We are known to him by mere
inspection; he turns his eye towards us, and sees and searches us
throughout. We shall then fix our eye on him, and see him as he is, 1
John iii. 2. We shall know how we are known, enter into all the
mysteries of divine love and grace. O glorious change! To pass from
darkness to light, from clouds to the clear sunshine of our Saviour's
face, and in God's own light to see light! Ps. xxxvi. 9. Note, It is
the light of heaven only that will remove all clouds and darkness from
the face of God. It is at best but twilight while we are in this world;
there it will be perfect and eternal day.
IV. To sum up the excellences of charity, he prefers it not only to
gifts, but to other graces, to faith and hope (v. 13): And now abide
faith, hope, and charity; but the greatest of these is charity. True
grace is much more excellent than any spiritual gifts whatever. And
faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces, of which charity
is the chief, being the end to which the other two are but means. This
is the divine nature, the soul's felicity, or its complacential rest in
God, and holy delight in all his saints. And it is everlasting work,
when faith and hope shall be no more. Faith fixes on the divine
revelation, and assents to that: hope fastens on future felicity, and
waits for that: and in heaven faith well be swallowed up in vision, and
hope in fruition. There is no room to believe and hope, when we see and
enjoy. But love fastens on the divine perfections themselves, and the
divine image on the creatures, and our mutual relation both to God and
them. These will all shine forth in the most glorious splendours in
another world, and there will love be made perfect; there we shall
perfectly love God, because he will appear amiable for ever, and our
hearts will kindle at the sight, and glow with perpetual devotion. And
there shall we perfectly love one another, when all the saints meet
there, when none but saints are there, and saints made perfect. O
blessed state! How much surpassing the best below! O amiable and
excellent grace of charity! How much does it exceed the most valuable
gift, when it outshines every grace, and is the everlasting
consummation of them! When faith and hope are at an end, true charity
will burn for ever with the brightest flame. Note, Those border most
upon the heavenly state and perfection whose hearts are fullest of this
divine principle, and burn with the most fervent charity. It is the
surest offspring of God, and bears his fairest impression. For God is
love, 1 John iv. 8, 16. And where God is to be seen as he is, and face
to face, there charity is in its greatest height--there, and there
only, will it be perfected.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XIV.
In this chapter the apostle directs them about the use of their
spiritual gifts, preferring those that are best and fitted to do the
greatest good. I. He begins with advising them of all spiritual gifts
to prefer prophesying, and shows that this is much better than speaking
with tongues, ver. 1-5. II. He goes on to show them how unprofitable
the speaking of foreign languages is, and useless to the church; it is
like piping in one tone, like sounding a trumpet without any certain
note, like talking gibberish; whereas gifts should be used for the good
of the church, ver. 6-14. III. He advises that worship should be
celebrated so that the most ignorant might understand, and join in
prayer and praise, and presses the advice by his own example, ver.
15-20. IV. He informs them that tongues were a sign for unbelievers
rather than those that believe; and represents the advantage of
prophecy above speaking with tongues, from the different suggestions
they would give to the mind of an unbeliever coming into their
assemblies, ver. 21-25. V. He blames them for the disorder and
confusion they had brought into the assembly, by their vanity and
ostentation of their gifts; and directs them in using the gifts both of
tongues and prophecy, ver. 26-33. VI. He forbids women speaking in the
church; and closes this subject by requiring them to perform every
thing in the public worship with order and decency, ver. 34, to the
end.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
1 Follow after charity, and desire spiritual gifts, but rather that ye
may prophesy. 2 For he that speaketh in an unknown tongue speaketh
not unto men, but unto God: for no man understandeth him; howbeit in
the spirit he speaketh mysteries. 3 But he that prophesieth speaketh
unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort. 4 He that
speaketh in an unknown tongue edifieth himself; but he that prophesieth
edifieth the church. 5 I would that ye all spake with tongues, but
rather that ye prophesied: for greater is he that prophesieth than he
that speaketh with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may
receive edifying.
The apostle, in the foregoing chapter, had himself preferred, and
advised the Corinthians to prefer, Christian charity to all spiritual
gifts. Here he teaches them, among spiritual gifts, which they should
prefer, and by what rules they should make comparison. He begins the
chapter,
I. With an exhortation to charity (v. 1): Follow after charity, pursue
it. The original, diokete, when spoken of a thing, signifies a singular
concern to obtain it; and is commonly taken in a good and laudable
sense. It is an exhortation to obtain charity, to get this excellent
disposition of mind upon any terms, whatever pains or prayers it may
cost: as if he had said, "In whatever you fail, see you do not miss of
this; the principal of all graces is worth your getting at any rate."
II. He directs them which spiritual gift to prefer, from a principle of
charity: "Desire spiritual gifts, but rather that you may prophesy, or
chiefly that you may prophesy." While they were in close pursuit of
charity, and made this Christian disposition their chief scope, they
might be zealous of spiritual gifts, be ambitious of them in some
measure, but especially of prophesying, that is, of interpreting
scripture. This preference would most plainly discover that they were
indeed upon such pursuit, that they had a due value for Christian
charity, and were intent upon it. Note, Gifts are fit objects of our
desire and pursuit, in subordination to grace and charity. That should
be sought first and with the greatest earnestness which is most worth.
III. He assigns the reasons of this preference. And it is remarkable
here that he only compares prophesying with speaking with tongues. It
seems, this was the gift on which the Corinthians principally valued
themselves. This was more ostentatious than the plain interpretation of
scripture, more fit to gratify pride, but less fit to pursue the
purposes of Christian charity; it would not equally edify nor do good
to the souls of men. For, 1. He that spoke with tongues must wholly
speak between God and himself; for, whatever mysteries might be
communicated in his language, none of his own countrymen could
understand them, because they did not understand the language, v. 2.
Note, What cannot be understood can never edify. No advantage can be
reaped from the most excellent discourses, if delivered in
unintelligible language, such as the audience can neither speak nor
understand: but he that prophesies speaks to the advantage of his
hearers; they may profit by his gift. Interpretation of scripture will
be for their edification; they may be exhorted and comforted by it, v.
3. And indeed these two must go together. Duty is the proper way to
comfort; and those that would be comforted must bear being exhorted. 2.
He that speaks with tongues may edify himself, v. 4. He may understand
and be affected with what he speaks; and so every minister should; and
he that is most edified himself is in the disposition and fitness to do
good to others by what he speaks; but he that speaks with tongues, or
language unknown, can only edify himself; others can reap no benefit
from his speech. Whereas the end of speaking in the church is to edify
the church (v. 4), to which prophesying, or interpreting scripture by
inspiration or otherwise, is immediately adapted. Note, That is the
best and most eligible gift which best answers the purposes of charity
and does most good; not that which can edify ourselves only, but that
which will edify the church. Such is prophesying, or preaching, and
interpreting scripture, compared with speaking in an unknown tongue. 3.
Indeed, no gift is to be despised, but the best gifts are to be
preferred. I could wish, says the apostle, that you all spoke with
tongues, but rather that you prophesied, v. 5. Every gift of God is a
favour from God, and may be improved for his glory, and as such is to
be valued and thankfully received; but then those are to be most valued
that are most useful. Greater is he that prophesieth than he that
speaketh with tongues, unless he interpret, that the church may receive
edifying, v. 5. Benevolence makes a man truly great. It is more blessed
to give than to receive. And it is true magnanimity to study and seek
to be useful to others, rather than to raise their admiration and draw
their esteem. Such a man has a large soul, copious and diffused in
proportion to his benevolence and bent of mind for public good. Greater
is he who interprets scripture to edify the church than he who speaks
tongues to recommend himself. And what other end he who spoke with
tongues could have, unless he interpreted what he spoke, is not easy to
say, Note, That makes most for the honour of a minister which is most
for the church's edification, not that which shows his gifts to most
advantage. He acts in a narrow sphere, while he aims at himself; but
his spirit and character increase in proportion to his usefulness, I
mean his own intention and endeavours to be useful.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
6 Now, brethren, if I come unto you speaking with tongues, what shall I
profit you, except I shall speak to you either by revelation, or by
knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? 7 And even things
without life giving sound, whether pipe or harp, except they give a
distinction in the sounds, how shall it be known what is piped or
harped? 8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall
prepare himself to the battle? 9 So likewise ye, except ye utter by
the tongue words easy to be understood, how shall it be known what is
spoken? for ye shall speak into the air. 10 There are, it may be, so
many kinds of voices in the world, and none of them is without
signification. 11 Therefore if I know not the meaning of the voice, I
shall be unto him that speaketh a barbarian, and he that speaketh shall
be a barbarian unto me. 12 Even so ye, forasmuch as ye are zealous of
spiritual gifts, seek that ye may excel to the edifying of the church.
13 Wherefore let him that speaketh in an unknown tongue pray that he
may interpret. 14 For if I pray in an unknown tongue, my spirit
prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.
In this paragraph he goes on to show how vain a thing the ostentation
of speaking unknown and unintelligible language must be. It was
altogether unedifying and unprofitable (v. 6): If I come to you
speaking with tongues, what will it profit you, unless I speak to you
by revelation, or by knowledge, or by prophesying, or by doctrine? It
would signify nothing to utter any of these in an unknown tongue. An
apostle, with all his furniture, could not edify, unless he spoke to
the capacity of his hearers. New revelations, the most clear
explications of old ones, the most instructive discourses in
themselves, would be unprofitable in a language not understood. Nay,
interpretations of scripture made in an unknown tongue would need to be
interpreted over again, before they could be of any use.
I. He illustrates this by several allusions. 1. To a pipe and a harp
playing always in one tone. Of what use can this be to those who are
dancing? If there be no distinction of sounds, how should they order
their steps or motions? Unintelligible language is like piping or
harping without distinction of sounds: it gives no more direction how a
man should order his conversation than a pipe with but one stop or a
harp with but one string can direct a dancer how he should order his
steps, v. 7. 2. To a trumpet giving an uncertain sound, adelon phonen,
a sound not manifest; either not the proper sound for the purpose, or
not distinct enough to be discerned from every other sound. If, instead
of sounding on onset, it sounded a retreat, or sounded one knew not
what, who would prepare for the battle? To talk in an unknown language
in a Christian assembly is altogether as vain and to no purpose as for
a trumpet to give no certain sound in the field or day of battle. The
army in one case, and the congregation in the other, must be all in
suspense, and at a perfect nonplus. To speak words that have no
significancy to those who hear them is to leave them ignorant of what
is spoken; it is speaking to the air, v. 9. Words without a meaning can
convey no notion nor instruction to the mind; and words not understood
have no meaning with those who do not understand them: to talk to them
in such language is to waste our breath. 3. He compares the speaking in
an unknown tongue to the gibberish of barbarians. There are, as he says
(v. 10), many kinds of voices in the world, none of which is without
its proper signification. This is true of the several languages spoken
by different nations. All of them have their proper signification.
Without this they would be phonai aphonoi--a voice, and no voice. For
that is no language, nor can it answer the end of speaking, which has
no meaning. But whatever proper signification the words of any language
may have in themselves, and to those who understand them, they are
perfect gibberish to men of another language, who understand them not.
In this case, speaker and hearers are barbarians to each other (v. 11),
they talk and hear only sounds without sense; for this is to be a
barbarian. For thus says the polite Ovid, when banished into Pontus,
Barbarus hic ego sum, quia non intelligor ulli,
I am a barbarian here, none understand me.
To speak in the church in an unknown tongue is to talk gibberish; it is
to play the barbarian; it is to confound the audience, instead of
instructing them; and for this reason is utterly vain and unprofitable.
II. Having thus established his point, in the two next verses he
applies, 1. By advising them to be chiefly desirous of those gifts that
were most for the church's edification, v. 12. "Forasmuch as you are
zealous of spiritual gifts, this way it will become commendable zeal,
be zealous to edify the church, to promote Christian knowledge and
practice, and covet those gifts most that will do the best service to
men's souls." This is the great rule he gives, which, 2. He applies to
the matter in hand, that, if they did speak a foreign language, they
should beg of God the gift of interpreting it, v. 13. That these were
different gifts, see ch. xii. 10. Those might speak and understand a
foreign language who could not readily translate it into their own: and
yet was this necessary to the church's edification; for the church must
understand, that it might be edified, which yet it could not do till
the foreign language was translated into its own. Let him therefore
pray for the gift of interpreting what he speaks in an unknown tongue;
or rather covet and ask of God the gift of interpreting than of
speaking in a language that needs interpretation, this being most for
the church's benefit, and therefore among the gifts that excel; vide v.
12. Some understand it, "Let him pray so as to interpret what he utters
in prayer in a language unintelligible without it." The sum is that
they should perform all religious exercises in their assemblies so that
all might join in them and profit by them. 3. He enforces this advice
with a proper reason, that, if he prayed in an unknown tongue, his
spirit might pray, that is, a spiritual gift might be exercised in
prayer, or his own mind might be devoutly engaged, but his
understanding would be unfruitful (v. 14), that is, the sense and
meaning of his words would be unfruitful, he would not be understood,
nor therefore would others join with him in his devotions. Note, It
should be the concern of such as pray in public to pray intelligibly,
not in a foreign language, nor in a language that, if it be not
foreign, is above the level of his audience. Language that is most
obvious and easy to be understood is the most proper for public
devotion and other religious exercises.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
15 What is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with
the understanding also: I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing
with the understanding also. 16 Else when thou shalt bless with the
spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen
at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest?
17 For thou verily givest thanks well, but the other is not edified.
18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all: 19 Yet in
the church I had rather speak five words with my understanding, that by
my voice I might teach others also, than ten thousand words in an
unknown tongue. 20 Brethren, be not children in understanding:
howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
The apostle here sums up the argument hitherto, and,
I. Directs them how they should sing and pray in public (v. 15): What
is it then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will pray with the
understanding also. I will sing with the spirit, &c. He does not forbid
their praying or singing under a divine afflatus, or when they were
inspired for this purpose, or had such a spiritual gift communicated to
them; but he would have them perform both so as to be understood by
others, that others might join with them. Note, Public worship should
be performed so as to be understood.
II. He enforces the argument with several reasons.
1. That otherwise the unlearned could not say Amen to their prayers or
thanksgivings, could not join in the worship, for they did not
understand it, v. 16. He who fills up or occupies the place of the
unlearned, that is, as the ancients interpret it, the body of the
people, who, in most Christian assemblies, are illiterate; how should
they say Amen to prayers in an unknown tongue? How should they declare
their consent and concurrence? This is saying Amen, So be it. God grant
the thing we have requested; or, We join in the confession that has
been made of sin, and in the acknowledgment that has been made of
divine mercies and favours. This is the import of saying Amen. All
should say Amen inwardly; and it is not improper to testify this inward
concurrence in public prayers and devotions, by an audible Amen. The
ancient Christians said Amen aloud. Vide Just. Mart. apol. 2. propè
fin. Now, how should the people say Amen to what they did not
understand? Note, There can be no concurrence in those prayers that are
not understood. The intention of public devotions is therefore entirely
destroyed if they are performed in an unknown tongue. He who performs
may pray well, and give thanks well, but not in that time and place,
because others are not, cannot be, edified (v. 17) by what they
understand not.
2. He alleges his own example, to make the greater impression,
concerning which observe, (1.) That he did not come behind any of them
in this spiritual gift: "I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than
you all (v. 18); not only more than any single person among you, but
more than all together." It was not envy at their better furniture that
made Paul depreciate what they so highly valued and so much vaunted of;
he surpassed them all in this very gift of tongues, and did not vilify
their gift because he had it not. This spirit of envy is too common in
the world. But the apostle took care to guard against this
misconstruction of his purpose, by letting them know there was more
ground for them to envy him upon this head than for him to envy them.
Note, When we beat down men's unreasonable value for themselves, or any
of their possessions or attainments, we should let them see, if
possible, that this does not proceed from an envious and grudging
spirit. We miss our aim if they can fairly give our conduct this
invidious turn. Paul could not be justly censured, nor suspected for
any such principle in this whole argument. He spoke more language than
they all. Yet, (2.) He had rather speak five words with understanding,
that is, so as to be understood, and instruct and edify others, than
ten thousand words in an unknown tongue, v. 19. He was so far from
valuing himself upon talking languages, or making ostentation of his
talents of this kind, that he had rather speak five intelligible words,
to benefit others, than make a thousand, ten thousand fine discourses,
that would do no one else any good, because they did not understand
them. Note, A truly Christian minister will value himself much more
upon doing the least spiritual good to men's souls than upon procuring
the greatest applause and commendation to himself. This is true
grandeur and nobleness of spirit; it is acting up to his character; it
is approving himself the servant of Christ, and not a vassal to his own
pride and vanity.
3. He adds a plain intimation that the fondness then discovered for
this gift was but too plain an indication of the immaturity of their
judgment: Brethren, be not children in understanding; in malice be you
children, but in understanding be men, v. 20. Children are apt to be
struck with novelty and strange appearances. They are taken with an
outward show, without enquiring into the true nature and worth of
things. Do not you act like them, and prefer noise and show to worth
and substance; show a greater ripeness of judgment, and act a more
manly part; be like children in nothing but an innocent and inoffensive
disposition. A double rebuke is couched in this passage, both of their
pride upon account of their gifts, and their arrogance and haughtiness
towards each other, and the contests and quarrels proceeding from them.
Note, Christians should be harmless and inoffensive as children, void
of all guile and malice; but should have wisdom and knowledge that are
ripe and mature. They should not be unskilful in the word of
righteousness (Heb. v. 13), though they should be unskilful in all the
arts of mischief.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips
will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear
me, saith the Lord. 22 Wherefore tongues are for a sign, not to them
that believe, but to them that believe not: but prophesying serveth not
for them that believe not, but for them which believe. 23 If
therefore the whole church be come together into one place, and all
speak with tongues, and there come in those that are unlearned, or
unbelievers, will they not say that ye are mad? 24 But if all
prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned,
he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: 25 And thus are the
secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he
will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.
In this passage the apostle pursues the argument, and reasons from
other topics; as,
I. Tongues, as the Corinthians used them, were rather a token of
judgment from God than mercy to any people (v. 21): In the law (that
is, the Old Testament) it is written, With men of other tongues and
other lips will I speak to this people; and yet for all this they will
not hear me, saith the Lord, Isa. xxviii. 11. Compare Deut. xxviii. 46,
49. To both these passages, it is thought, the apostle refers. Both are
delivered by way of threatening, and one is supposed to interpret the
other. The meaning in this view is that it is an evidence that a people
are abandoned of God when he gives them up to this sort of instruction,
to the discipline of those who speak in another language. And surely
the apostle's discourse implies, "You should not be fond of the tokens
of divine displeasure. God can have no gracious regards to those who
are left merely to this sort of instruction, and taught in language
which they cannot understand. They can never be benefited by such
teaching as this; and, when they are left to it, it is a sad sign that
God gives them over as past cure." And should Christians covet to be in
such a state, or to bring the churches into it? Yet thus did the
Corinthian preachers in effect, who would always deliver their
inspirations in an unknown tongue.
II. Tongues were rather a sign to unbelievers than to believers, v. 22.
They were a spiritual gift, intended for the conviction and conversion
of infidels, that they might be brought into the Christian church; but
converts were to be built up in Christianity by profitable instructions
in their own language. The gift of tongues was necessary to spread
Christianity, and gather churches; it was proper and intended to
convince unbelievers of that doctrine which Christians had already
embraced; but prophesying, and interpreting scripture in their own
language, were most for the edification of such as did already believe:
so that speaking with tongues in Christians assemblies was altogether
out of time and place; neither one nor the other was proper for it.
Note, That gifts may be rightly used, it is proper to know the ends
which they are intended to serve. To go about the conversion of
infidels, as the apostles did, had been a vain undertaking without the
gift of tongues, and the discovery of this gift; but, in an assembly of
Christians already converted to the Christian faith, to make use and
ostentation of this gift would be perfectly impertinent, because it
would be of no advantage to the assembly; not for conviction of truth,
because they had already embraced it; not for their edification,
because they did not understand, and could not get benefit without
understanding, what they heard.
III. The credit and reputation of their assemblies among unbelievers
required them to prefer prophesying before speaking with tongues. For,
1. If, when they were all assembled for Christian worship, their
ministers, or all employed in public worship, should talk
unintelligible language, and infidels should drop in, they would
conclude them to be mad, to be no better than a parcel of wild
fanatics. Who in their right senses could carry on religious worship in
such a manner? Or what sort of religion is that which leaves out sense
and understanding? Would not this make Christianity ridiculous to a
heathen, to hear the ministers of it pray, or preach, or perform any
other religious exercise, in a language that neither he nor the
assembly understood? Note, The Christian religion is a sober and
reasonable thing in itself, and should not, by the ministers of it, be
made to look wild or senseless. Those disgrace their religion, and
vilify their own character, who do any thing that has this aspect. But,
on the other hand, 2. If, instead of speaking with tongues, those who
minister plainly interpret scripture, or preach, in language
intelligible and proper, the great truths and rules of the gospel, a
heathen or unlearned person, coming in, will probably be convinced, and
become a convert to Christianity (v. 24, 25); his conscience will be
touched, the secrets of his heart will be revealed to him, he will be
condemned by the truth he hears, and so will be brought to confess his
guilt, to pay his homage to God, and own that he is indeed among you,
present in the assembly. Note, Scripture--truth, plainly and duly
taught, has a marvellous aptness to awaken the conscience, and touch
the heart. And is not this much more for the honour of our religion
than that infidels should conclude the ministers of it a set of madmen,
and their religious exercises only fits of frenzy? This last would at
once cast contempt on them and their religion too. Instead of procuring
applause for them, it would render them ridiculous, and involve their
profession in the same censure: whereas prophesying would certainly
edify the church, much better keep up their credit, and might probably
convince and convert infidels who might occasionally hear them. Note,
Religious exercises in Christian assemblies should be such as are fit
to edify the faithful, and convince, affect, and convert unbelievers.
The ministry was not instituted to make ostentation of gifts and parts,
but to save souls.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
26 How is it then, brethren? when ye come together, every one of you
hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, hath a revelation, hath
an interpretation. Let all things be done unto edifying. 27 If any
man speak in an unknown tongue, let it be by two, or at the most by
three, and that by course; and let one interpret. 28 But if there be
no interpreter, let him keep silence in the church; and let him speak
to himself, and to God. 29 Let the prophets speak two or three, and
let the other judge. 30 If any thing be revealed to another that
sitteth by, let the first hold his peace. 31 For ye may all prophesy
one by one, that all may learn, and all may be comforted. 32 And the
spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets. 33 For God is
not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the
saints.
In this passage the apostle reproves them for their disorder, and
endeavours to correct and regulate their conduct for the future.
I. He blames them for the confusion they introduced into the assembly,
by ostentation of their gifts (v. 26): When you come together every one
hath a psalm, hath a doctrine, hath a tongue, &c.; that is, "You are
apt to confound the several parts of worship; and, while one has a
psalm to utter by inspiration, another has a doctrine, or revelation;"
or else, "You are apt to be confused in the same branch of worship,
many of you having psalms or doctrines to propose at the same time,
without staying for one another. Is not this perfect uproar? Can this
be edifying? And yet all religious exercises in public assemblies
should have this view, Let all things be done to edifying."
II. He corrects their faults, and lays down some regulations for their
future conduct. 1. As to speaking in an unknown tongue, he orders that
no more than two or three should do it at one meeting, and this not
altogether, but successively, one after another. And even this was not
to be done unless there were some one to interpret (v. 27, 28), some
other interpreter besides himself, who spoke; for to speak in an
unknown tongue what he himself was afterwards to interpret could only
be for ostentation. But, if another were present who could interpret,
two miraculous gifts might be exercised at once, and thereby the church
edified, and the faith of the hearers confirmed at the same time. But,
if there were none to interpret, he was to be silent in the church, and
only exercise his gift between God and himself (v. 28), that is (as I
think) in private, at home; for all who are present at public worship
should join in it, and not be at their private devotions in public
assemblies. Solitary devotions are out of time and place when the
church has met for social worship. 2. As to prophesying he orders, (1.)
That two or three only should speak at one meeting (v. 20), and this
successively, not all at once; and that the other should examine and
judge what he delivered, that is, discern and determine concerning it,
whether it were of divine inspiration or not. There might be false
prophets, mere pretenders to divine inspiration; and the true prophets
were to judge of these, and discern and discover who was divinely
inspired, and by such inspiration interpreted scripture, and taught the
church, and who was not--what was of divine inspiration and what was
not. This seems to be the meaning of this rule. For where a prophet was
known to be such, and under the divine afflatus, he could not be
judged; for this were to subject even the Holy Spirit to the judgment
of men. He who was indeed inspired, and known to be so, was above all
human judgment. (2.) He orders that, if any assistant prophet had a
revelation, while another was prophesying, the other should hold his
peace, be silent (v. 30), before the inspired assistant uttered his
revelation. Indeed, it is by many understood that the former speaker
should immediately hold his peace. But this seems unnatural, and not so
well to agree with the context. For why must one that was speaking by
inspiration be immediately silent upon another man's being inspired,
and suppress what was dictated to him by the same Spirit? Indeed, he
who had the new revelation might claim liberty of speech in his turn,
upon producing his vouchers; but why must liberty of speech be taken
from him who was speaking before, and his mouth stopped, when he was
delivering the dictates of the same Spirit, and could produce the same
vouchers? Would the Spirit of God move one to speak, and, before he had
delivered what he had to say, move another to interrupt him, and put
him to silence? This seems to me an unnatural thought. Nor is it more
agreeable to the context, and the reason annexed (v. 31): That all
might prophesy, one by one, or one after another, which could not be
where any one was interrupted and silenced before he had done
prophesying; but might easily be if he who was afterwards inspired
forbore to deliver his new revelation till the former prophet had
finished what he had to say. And, to confirm this sense, the apostle
quickly adds, The spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets
(v. 33); that is, the spiritual gifts they have leave them still
possessed of their reason, and capable of using their own judgment in
the exercise of them. Divine inspirations are not, like the diabolical
possessions of heathen priests, violent and ungovernable, and prompting
them to act as if they were beside themselves; but are sober and calm,
and capable of regular conduct. The man inspired by the Spirit of God
may still act the man, and observe the rules of natural order and
decency in delivering his revelations. His spiritual gift is thus far
subject to his pleasure, and to be managed by his discretion.
III. The apostle gives the reasons of these regulations. As, 1. That
they would be for the church's benefit, their instruction and
consolation. It is that all may learn, and all may be comforted or
exhorted, that the prophets were to speak in the orderly manner the
apostle advises. Note, The instruction, edification, and comfort of the
church, is that for which God instituted the ministry. And surely
ministers should, as much as possible, fit their ministrations to these
purposes. 2. He tells them, God is not the God of confusion, but of
peace and good order, v. 33. Therefore divine inspiration should by no
means throw Christian assemblies into confusion, and break through all
rules of common decency, which yet would be unavoidable if several
inspired men should all at once utter what was suggested to them by the
Spirit of God, and not wait to take their turns. Note, The honour of
God requires that things should be managed in Christian assemblies so
as not to transgress the rules of natural decency. If they are managed
in a tumultuous and confused manner, what a notion must this give of
the God who is worshipped, to considerate observers! Does it look as if
he were the God of peace and order, and an enemy to confusion? Things
should be managed so in divine worship that no unlovely nor
dishonourable notion of God should be formed in the minds of observers.
3. He adds that things were thus orderly managed in all the other
churches: As in all the churches of the saints (v. 33); they kept to
these rules in the exercise of their spiritual gifts, which was a
manifest proof that the church of Corinth might observe the same
regulations. And it would be perfectly scandalous for them, who
exceeded most churches in spiritual gifts, to be more disorderly than
any in the exercise of them. Note, Though other churches are not to be
our rule, yet the regard they pay to the rules of natural decency and
order should restrain us from breaking these rules. Thus far they may
be proposed as examples, and it is a shame not to follow them.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
34 Let your women keep silence in the churches: for it is not permitted
unto them to speak; but they are commanded to be under obedience, as
also saith the law. 35 And if they will learn any thing, let them ask
their husbands at home: for it is a shame for women to speak in the
church.
Here the apostle, 1. Enjoins silence on their women in public
assemblies, and to such a degree that they must not ask questions for
their own information in the church, but ask their husbands at home.
They are to learn in silence with all subjection; but, says the
apostle, I suffer them not to teach, 1 Tim. ii. 11, 12. There is indeed
an intimation (ch. xi. 5) as if the women sometimes did pray and
prophecy in their assemblies, which the apostle, in that passage, does
not simply condemn, but the manner of performance, that is, praying or
prophesying with the head uncovered, which, in that age and country,
was throwing off the distinction of sexes, and setting themselves on a
level with the men. But here he seems to forbid all public performances
of theirs. They are not permitted to speak (v. 34) in the church,
neither in praying nor prophesying. The connection seems plainly to
include the latter, in the limited sense in which it is taken in this
chapter, namely, for preaching, or interpreting scripture by
inspiration. And, indeed, for a woman to prophesy in this sense were to
teach, which does not so well befit her state of subjection. A teacher
of others has in that respect a superiority over them, which is not
allowed the woman over the man, nor must she therefore be allowed to
teach in a congregation: I suffer them not to teach. But praying, and
uttering hymns inspired, were not teaching. And seeing there were women
who had spiritual gifts of this sort in that age of the church (see
Acts xxii. 9), and might be under this impulse in the assembly, must
they altogether suppress it? Or why should they have this gift, if it
must never be publicly exercised? For these reasons, some think that
these general prohibitions are only to be understood in common cases;
but that upon extraordinary occasions, when women were under a divine
afflatus, and known to be so, they might have liberty of speech. They
were not ordinarily to teach, nor so much as to debate and ask
questions in the church, but learn in silence there; and, if
difficulties occurred, ask their own husbands at home. Note, As it is
the woman's duty to learn in subjection, it is the man's duty to keep
up his superiority, by being able to instruct her; if it be her duty to
ask her husband at home, it is his concern and duty to endeavour at
lest to be able to answer her enquiries; if it be a shame for her to
speak in the church, where she should be silent, it is a shame for him
to be silent when he should speak, and not be able to give an answer,
when she asks him at home. 2. We have here the reason of this
injunction: It is God's law and commandment that they should be under
obedience (v. 34); they are placed in subordination to the man, and it
is a shame for them to do any thing that looks like an affectation of
changing ranks, which speaking in public seemed to imply, at least in
that age, and among that people, as would public teaching much more: so
that the apostle concludes it was a shame for women to speak in the
church, in the assembly. Shame is the mind's uneasy reflection on
having done an indecent thing. And what more indecent than for a woman
to quit her rank, renounce the subordination of her sex, or do what in
common account had such aspect and appearance? Note, Our spirit and
conduct should be suitable to our rank. The natural distinctions God
has made, we should observe. Those he has placed in subjection to
others should not set themselves on a level, nor affect or assume
superiority. The woman was made subject to the man, and she should keep
her station and be content with it. For this reason women must be
silent in the churches, not set up for teachers; for this is setting up
for superiority over the man.
On Spiritual Gifts. (a. d. 57.)
36 What? came the word of God out from you? or came it unto you only?
37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him
acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments
of the Lord. 38 But if any man be ignorant, let him be ignorant. 39
Wherefore, brethren, covet to prophesy, and forbid not to speak with
tongues. 40 Let all things be done decently and in order.
In these verses the apostle closes his argument, 1. With a just rebuke
of the Corinthians for their extravagant pride and self-conceit: they
so managed with their spiritual gifts as no church did like them; they
behaved in a manner by themselves, and would not easily endure control
nor regulation. Now, says the apostle, to beat down this arrogant
humour, "Came the gospel out from you? Or came it to you only? v. 36.
Did Christianity come our of Corinth? was its original among you? Or,
if not, is it now limited and confined to you? are you the only church
favoured with divine revelations, that you will depart from the decent
usages of all other churches, and, to make ostentation of your
spiritual gifts, bring confusion into Christian assemblies? How
intolerably assuming is this behaviour! Pray bethink yourselves." When
it was needful or proper the apostle could rebuke with all authority;
and surely his rebukes, if ever, were proper here. Note, Those must be
reproved and humbled whose spiritual pride and self-conceit throw
Christian churches and assemblies into confusion, though such men will
hardly bear even the rebukes of an apostle. 2. He lets them know that
what he said to them was the command of God; nor durst any true
prophet, any one really inspired, deny it (v. 37): "If any man think
himself a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge, &c., nay, let him
be tried by this very rule. If he will not own what I deliver on this
head to be the will of Christ, he himself never had the Spirit of
Christ. The Spirit of Christ can never contradict itself; if it speak
in me, and in them, it must speak the same things in both. If their
revelations contradict mine, they do not come from the same Spirit;
either I or they must be false prophets. By this therefore you may know
them. If they say that my directions in this matter are no divine
commandments, you may depend upon it they are not divinely inspired.
But if any continue after all, through prejudice or obstinacy,
uncertain or ignorant whether they or I speak by the Spirit of God,
they must be left under the power of this ignorance. If their pretences
to inspiration can stand in competition with the apostolical character
and powers which I have, I have lost all my authority and influence;
and the persons who allow of this competition against me are out of the
reach of conviction, and must be left to themselves." Note, It is just
with God to leave those to the blindness of their own minds who
wilfully shut out the light. Those who would be ignorant in so plain a
case were justly left under the power of their mistake. 3. He sums up
all in two general advices:--(1.) That though they should not despise
the gift of tongues, nor altogether disuse it, under the regulations
mentioned, yet they should prefer prophesying. This is indeed the scope
of the whole argument. It was to be preferred to the other, because it
was the more useful gift. (2.) He charges them to let all things be
done decently and in order (v. 40), that is, that they should avoid
every thing that was manifestly indecent and disorderly. Not that they
should hence take occasion to bring into the Christian church and
worship any thing that a vain mind might think ornamental to it, or
that would help to set it off. Such indecencies and disorders as he had
remarked upon were especially to be shunned. They must do nothing that
was manifestly childish (v. 20), or that would give occasion to say
they were mad (v. 23), nor must they act so as to breed confusion, v.
33. This would be utterly indecent; it would make a tumult and mob of a
Christian assembly. But they were to do things in order; they were to
speak one after another, and not all at once; take their turns, and not
interrupt one another. To do otherwise was to destroy the end of a
Christians ministry, and all assemblies for Christian worship. Note,
Manifest indecencies and disorders are to be carefully kept out of all
Christian churches, and every part of divine worship. They should have
nothing in them that is childish, absurd, ridiculous, wild, or
tumultuous; but all parts of divine worship should be carried on in a
manly, grave, rational, composed, and orderly manner. God is not to be
dishonoured, nor his worship disgraced, by our unbecoming and
disorderly performance of it and attendance at it.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XV.
In this chapter the apostle treats of that great article of
Christianity--the resurrection of the dead. I. He establishes the
certainty of our Saviour's resurrection, ver. 1-11. II. He, from this
truth, sets himself to refute those who said, There is no resurrection
of the dead, ver. 12-19. III. From our Saviour's resurrection he
establishes the resurrection of the dead and confirms the Corinthians
in the belief of it by some other considerations, ver. 20-34. IV. He
answers an objection against this truth, and takes occasion thence to
show what a vast change will be made in the bodies of believers at the
resurrection, ver. 35-50. V. He informs us what a change will be made
in those who shall be living at the sound of the last trumpet, and the
complete conquest the just shall then obtain over death and the grave,
ver. 51-57. And, VI. He sums up the argument with a very serious
exhortation to Christians, to be resolved and diligent in their Lord's
service, because they know they shall be so gloriously rewarded by him,
ver. 58.
The Resurrection of Christ. (a. d. 57.)
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached
unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By
which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you,
unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of
all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins
according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he
rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he
was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of
above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain
unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. 7 After that, he was
seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was
seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least
of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I
persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I
am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I
laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God
which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we
preach, and so ye believed.
It is the apostle's business in this chapter to assert and establish
the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, which some of the
Corinthians flatly denied, v. 12. Whether they turned this doctrine
into allegory, as did Hymeneus and Philetus, by saying it was already
past (2 Tim. ii. 17, 18), and several of the ancient heretics, by
making it mean no more than a changing of their course of life; or
whether they rejected it as absurd, upon principles of reason and
science; it seems they denied it in the proper sense. And they disowned
a future state of recompences, by denying the resurrection of the dead.
Now that heathens and infidels should deny this truth does not seem so
strange; but that Christians, who had their religion by revelation,
should deny a truth so plainly discovered is surprising, especially
when it is a truth of such importance. It was time for the apostle to
confirm them in this truth, when the staggering of their faith in this
point was likely to shake their Christianity; and they were yet in
great danger of having their faith staggered. He begins with an epitome
or summary of the gospel, what he had preached among them, namely, the
death and resurrection of Christ. Upon this foundation the doctrine of
the resurrection of the dead is built. Note, Divine truths appear with
greatest evidence when they are looked upon in their mutual connection.
The foundation may be strengthened, that the superstructure may be
secured. Now concerning the gospel observe,
I. What a stress he lays upon it (v. 1, 2): Moreover, brethren, I
declare unto you the gospel which I preached to you. 1. It was what he
constantly preached. His word was not yea and nay: he always preached
the same gospel, and taught the same truth. He could appeal to his
hearers for this. Truth is in its own nature invariable; and the
infallible teachers of divine truth could never be at variance with
themselves or one another. The doctrine which Paul had heretofore
taught, he still taught. 2. It was what they had received; they had
been convinced of the faith, believed it in their hearts, or at least
made profession of doing so with their mouths. It was no strange
doctrine. It was that very gospel in which, or by which, they had
hitherto stood, and must continue to stand. If they gave up this truth,
they left themselves no ground to stand upon, no footing in religion.
Note, The doctrine of Christ's death and resurrection is at the
foundation of Christianity. Remove this foundation, and the whole
fabric falls, all our hopes for eternity sink at once. And it is by
holding this truth firmly that Christians are made to stand in a day of
trial, and kept faithful to God. 3. It was that alone by which they
could hope for salvation (v. 2), for there is no salvation in any other
name; no name given under heaven by which we may be saved, but by the
name of Christ. And there is no salvation in his name, but upon
supposition of his death and resurrection. These are the saving truths
of our holy religion. The crucifixion of our Redeemer and his conquest
over death are the very source of our spiritual life and hopes. Now
concerning these saving truths observe, (1.) They must be retained in
mind, they must be held fast (so the word is translated, Heb. x. 23):
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith. Note, The saving truths
of the gospel must be fixed in our mind, revolved much in our thoughts,
and maintained and held fast to the end, if we would be saved. They
will not save us, if we do not attend to them, and yield to their
power, and continue to do so to the end. He only that endureth to the
end shall be saved, Matt. x. 22. (2.) We believe in vain, unless we
continue and persevere in the faith of the gospel. We shall be never
the better for a temporary faith; nay, we shall aggravate our guilt by
relapsing into infidelity. And in vain is it to profess Christianity,
or our faith in Christ, if we deny the resurrection; for this must
imply and involve the denial of his resurrection; and, take away this,
you make nothing of Christianity, you leave nothing for faith or hope
to fix upon.
II. Observe what this gospel is, on which the apostle lays such stress.
It was that doctrine which he had received, and delivered to them, en
protois--among the first, the principal. It was a doctrine of the first
rank, a most necessary truth, That Christ died for our sins, and was
buried, and rose again: or, in other words, that he was delivered for
our offences and rose again for our justification (Rom. iv. 25), that
he was offered in sacrifice for our sins, and rose again, to show that
he had procured forgiveness for them, and was accepted of God in this
offering. Note, Christ's death and resurrection are the very sum and
substance of evangelical truth. Hence we derive our spiritual life now,
and here we must found our hopes of everlasting life hereafter.
III. Observe how this truth is confirmed,
1. By Old-Testament predictions. He died for our sins, according to the
scriptures; he was buried, and rose from the dead, according to the
scriptures, according to the scripture-prophecies, and scripture-types.
Such prophecies as Ps. xvi. 10; Isa. liii. 4-6; Dan. ix. 26, 27; Hos.
vi. 2. Such scripture-types as Jonah (Matt. xii. 4), as Isaac, who is
expressly said by the apostle to have been received from the dead in a
figure, Heb. xi. 19. Note, It is a great confirmation of our faith of
the gospel to see how it corresponds with ancient types and prophecies.
2. By the testimony of many eye-witnesses, who saw Christ after he had
risen from the dead. He reckons up five several appearances, beside
that to himself. He was seen of Cephas, or Peter, then of the twelve,
called so, though Judas was no longer among them, because this was
their usual number; then he was seen of above five hundred brethren at
once, many of whom were living when the apostle wrote this epistle,
though some had fallen asleep. This was in Galilee, Matt. xxviii. 10.
After that, he was seen of James singly, and then by all the apostles
when he was taken up into heaven. This was on mount Olivet, Luke xxiv.
50. Compare Acts i. 2, 5-7. Note, How uncontrollably evident was
Christ's resurrection from the dead, when so many eyes saw him at so
many different times alive, and when he indulged the weakness of one
disciple so far as to let him handle him, to put his resurrection out
of doubt! And what reason have we to believe those who were so steady
in maintaining this truth, though they hazarded all that was dear to
them in this world, by endeavouring to assert and propagate it! Even
Paul himself was last of all favoured with the sight of him. It was one
of the peculiar offices of an apostle to be a witness of our Saviour's
resurrection (Luke xxiv. 48); and, when Paul was called to the
apostolical office, he was made an evidence of this sort; the Lord
Jesus appeared to him by the way to Damascus, Acts ix. 17. Having
mentioned this favour, Paul takes occasion from it to make a humble
digression concerning himself. He was highly favoured of God, but he
always endeavoured to keep up a mean opinion of himself, and to express
it. So he does here, by observing, (1.) That he was one born out of due
time (v. 8), an abortive, ektroma, a child dead born, and out of time.
Paul resembled such a birth, in the suddenness of his new birth, in
that he was not matured for the apostolic function, as the others were,
who had personal converse with our Lord. He was called to the office
when such conversation was not to be had, he was out of time for it. He
had not known nor followed the Lord, nor been formed in his family, as
the others were, for this high and honourable function. This was in
Paul's account a very humbling circumstance. (2.) By owning himself
inferior to the other apostles: Not meet to be called an apostle. The
least, because the last of them; called latest to the office, and not
worthy to be called an apostle, to have either the office or the title,
because he had been a persecutor of the church of God, v. 9. Indeed, he
tells us elsewhere that he was not a whit behind the very chief
apostles (2 Cor. xi. 5)--for gifts, graces, service, and sufferings,
inferior to none of them. Yet some circumstances in his case made him
think more meanly of himself than of any of them. Note, A humble
spirit, in the midst of high attainments, is a great ornament to any
man; it sets his good qualities off to much greater advantage. What
kept Paul low in an especial manner was the remembrance of his former
wickedness, his raging and destructive zeal against Christ and him
members. Note, How easily God can bring a good out of the greatest
evil! When sinners are by divine grace turned into saints, he makes the
remembrance of their former sins very serviceable, to make them humble,
and diligent, and faithful. (3.) By ascribing all that was valuable in
him to divine grace: But by the grace of God I am what I am, v. 10. It
is God's prerogative to say, I am that I am; it is our privilege to be
able to say, "By God's grace we are what we are." We are nothing but
what God makes us, nothing in religion but what his grace makes us. All
that is good in us is a stream from this fountain. Paul was sensible of
this, and kept humble and thankful by this conviction; so should we.
Nay, though he was conscious of his own diligence, and zeal, and
service, so that he could say of himself, the grace of God was not
given him in vain, but he laboured more abundantly than they all: he
thought himself so much more the debtor to divine grace. Yet not I, but
the grace of God which was with me. Note, Those who have the grace of
God bestowed on them should take care that it be not in vain. They
should cherish, and exercise, and exert, this heavenly principle. So
did Paul, and therefore laboured with so much heart and so much
success. And yet the more he laboured, and the more good he did, the
more humble he was in his opinion of himself, and the more disposed to
own and magnify the favour of God towards him, his free and unmerited
favour. Note, A humble spirit will be very apt to own and magnify the
grace of God. A humble spirit is commonly a gracious one. Where pride
is subdued there it is reasonable to believe grace reigns.
After this digression, the apostle returns to his argument, and tells
them (v. 11) that he not only preached the same gospel himself at all
times, and in all places, but that all the apostles preached the same:
Whether it were they or I, so we preached, and so you believed. Whether
Peter, or Paul, or any other apostle, had converted them to
Christianity, all maintained the same truth, told the same story,
preached the same doctrine, and confirmed it by the same evidence. All
agreed in this that Jesus Christ, and him crucified and slain, and then
rising from the dead, was the very sum and substance of Christianity;
and this all true Christians believe. All the apostles agreed in this
testimony; all Christians agree in the belief of it. By this faith they
live. In this faith they die.
The Resurrection of Saints. (a. d. 57.)
12 Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some
among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? 13 But if there
be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: 14 And if
Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also
vain. 15 Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we
have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up,
if so be that the dead rise not. 16 For if the dead rise not, then is
not Christ raised: 17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is
vain; ye are yet in your sins. 18 Then they also which are fallen
asleep in Christ are perished. 19 If in this life only we have hope
in Christ, we are of all men most miserable.
Having confirmed the truth of our Saviour's resurrection, the apostle
goes on to refute those among the Corinthians who said there would be
none: If Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some
among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? v. 12. It seems
from this passage, and the course of the argument, there were some
among the Corinthians who thought the resurrection an impossibility.
This was a common sentiment among the heathens. But against this the
apostle produces an incontestable fact, namely, the resurrection of
Christ; and he goes on to argue against them from the absurdities that
must follow from their principle. As,
I. If there be (can be) no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has
not risen (v. 13); and again, "If the dead rise not, cannot be raised
or recovered to life, then is Christ not raised, v. 16. And yet it was
foretold in ancient prophecies that he should rise; and it has been
proved by multitudes of eye-witnesses that he had risen. And will you
say, will any among you dare to say, that is not, cannot be, which God
long ago said should be, and which is now undoubted matter of fact?"
II. It would follow hereupon that the preaching and faith of the gospel
would be vain: If Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and
your faith vain, v. 14. This supposition admitted, would destroy the
principal evidence of Christianity; and so, 1. Make preaching vain. "We
apostles should be found false witnesses of God; we pretend to be God's
witnesses for truth, and to work miracles by his power in confirmation
of it, and are all the while deceivers, liars for God, if in his name,
and by power received from him, we go forth, and publish and assert a
thing false in fact, and impossible to be true. And does not this make
us the vainest men in the world, and our office and ministry the
vainest and most useless thing in the world? What end could we propose
to ourselves in undertaking this hard and hazardous service, if we knew
our religion stood on no better foundation, nay, if we were not well
assured of the contrary? What should we preach for? Would not our
labour be wholly in vain? We can have no very favourable expectations
in this life; and we could have none beyond it. If Christ be not
raised, the gospel is a jest; it is chaff and emptiness." 2. This
supposition would make the faith of Christians vain, as well as the
labours of ministers: If Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; you
are yet in your sins (v. 17), yet under the guilt and condemnation of
sin, because it is through his death and sacrifice for sin alone that
forgiveness is to be had. We have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, Eph. i. 7. No remission of sins is to be had but
through the shedding of his blood. And had his blood been shed, and his
life taken away, without ever being restored, what evidence could we
have had that through him we should have justification and eternal
life? Had he remained under the power of death, how could he have
delivered us from its power? And how vain a thing is faith in him, upon
this supposition! He must rise for our justification who was delivered
for our sins, or in vain we look for any such benefit by him. There had
been no justification nor salvation if Christ had not risen. And must
not faith in Christ be vain, and of no signification, if he be still
among the dead?
III. Another absurdity following from this supposition is that those
who have fallen asleep in Christ have perished. if there be no
resurrection, they cannot rise, and therefore are lost, even those who
have died in the Christian faith, and for it. It is plain from this
that those among the Corinthians who denied the resurrection meant
thereby a state of future retribution, and not merely the revival of
the flesh; they took death to be the destruction and extinction of the
man, and not merely of the bodily life; for otherwise the apostle could
not infer the utter loss of those who slept in Jesus, from the
supposition that they would never rise more or that they had no hopes
in Christ after life; for they might have hope of happiness for their
minds if these survived their bodies, and this would prevent the
limiting of their hopes in Christ to this life only. "Upon supposition
there is no resurrection in your sense, no after-state and life, then
dead Christians are quite lost. How vain a thing were our faith and
religion upon this supposition!" And this,
IV. Would infer that Christ's ministers and servants were of all men
most miserable, as having hope in him in this life only (v. 19), which
is another absurdity that would follow from asserting no resurrection.
Their condition who hope in Christ would be worse than that of other
men. Who hope in Christ. Note, All who believe in Christ have hope in
him; all who believe in him as a Redeemer hope for redemption and
salvation by him; but if there be no resurrection, or state of future
recompence (which was intended by those who denied the resurrection at
Corinth), their hope in him must be limited to this life: and, if all
their hopes in Christ lie within the compass of this life, they are in
a much worse condition than the rest of mankind, especially at that
time, and under those circumstances, in which the apostles wrote; for
then they had no countenance nor protection from the rulers of the
world, but were hated and persecuted by all men. Preachers and private
Christians therefore had a hard lot if in this life only they had hope
in Christ. Better be any thing than a Christian upon these terms; for
in this world they are hated, and hunted, and abused, stripped of all
worldly comforts and exposed to all manner of sufferings: they fare
much harder than other men in this life, and yet have no further nor
better hopes. And is it not absurd for one who believes in Christ to
admit a principle that involves so absurd an inference? Can that man
have faith in Christ who can believe concerning him that he will leave
his faithful servants, whether ministers or others, in a worse state
than his enemies? Note, It were a gross absurdity in a Christian to
admit the supposition of no resurrection or future state. It would
leave no hope beyond this world, and would frequently make his
condition the worst in the world. Indeed, the Christian is by his
religion crucified to this world, and taught to live upon the hope of
another. Carnal pleasures are insipid to him in a great degree; and
spiritual and heavenly pleasures are those which he affects and pants
after. How sad is his case indeed, if he must be dead to worldly
pleasures and yet never hope for any better!
The Resurrection of Christ; The Resurrection of Saints. (a. d. 57.)
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of
them that slept. 21 For since by man came death, by man came also the
resurrection of the dead. 22 For as in Adam all die, even so in
Christ shall all be made alive. 23 But every man in his own order:
Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ's at his coming.
24 Then cometh the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom
to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all
authority and power. 25 For he must reign, till he hath put all
enemies under his feet. 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is
death. 27 For he hath put all things under his feet. But when he
saith all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted,
which did put all things under him. 28 And when all things shall be
subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him
that put all things under him, that God may be all in all. 29 Else
what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise
not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? 30 And why stand
we in jeopardy every hour? 31 I protest by your rejoicing which I
have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. 32 If after the manner of
men I have fought with beasts at Ephesus, what advantageth it me, if
the dead rise not? let us eat and drink; for to morrow we die. 33 Be
not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. 34 Awake to
righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I
speak this to your shame.
In this passage the apostle establishes the truth of the resurrection
of the dead, the holy dead, the dead in Christ,
I. On the resurrection of Christ. 1. Because he is indeed the
first-fruits of those that slept, v. 20. He has truly risen himself,
and he has risen in this very quality and character, as the
first-fruits of those who sleep in him. As he has assuredly risen, so
in his resurrection there is as much an earnest given that the dead in
him shall rise as there was that the Jewish harvest in general should
be accepted and blessed by the offering and acceptance of the
first-fruits. The whole lump was made holy by the consecration of the
first-fruits (Rom. xi. 16), and the whole body of Christ, all that are
by faith united to him, are by his resurrection assured of their own.
As he has risen, they shall rise; just as the lump is holy because the
first fruits are so. He has not risen merely for himself, but as head
of the body, the church; and those that sleep in him God will bring
with him, 1 Thess. iv. 14. Note, Christ's resurrection is a pledge and
earnest of ours, if we are true believers in him; because he has risen,
we shall rise. We are a part of the consecrated lump, and shall partake
of the acceptance and favour vouchsafed the first-fruits. This is the
first argument used by the apostle in confirmation of the truth; and it
is, 2. Illustrated by a parallel between the first and second Adam.
For, since by man came death, it was every way proper that by man
should come deliverance from it, or, which is all one, a resurrection,
v. 21. And so, as in Adam all die, in Christ shall all be made alive;
as through the sin of the first Adam all men became mortal, because all
derived from him the same sinful nature, so through the merit and
resurrection of Christ shall all who are made to partake of the Spirit,
and the spiritual nature, revive, and become immortal. All who die die
through the sin of Adam; all who are raised, in the sense of the
apostle, rise through the merit and power of Christ. But the meaning is
not that, as all men died in Adam, so all men, without exception, shall
be made alive in Christ; for the scope of the apostle's argument
restrains the general meaning. Christ rose as the first-fruits;
therefore those that are Christ's (v. 23) shall rise too. Hence it will
not follow that all men without exception shall rise too; but it will
fitly follow that all who thus rise, rise in virtue of Christ's
resurrection, and so that their revival is owing to the man Christ
Jesus, as the mortality of all mankind was owing to the first man; and
so, as by man came death, by man came deliverance. Thus it seemed fit
to the divine wisdom that, as the first Adam ruined his posterity by
sin, the second Adam should raise his seed to a glorious immortality.
3. Before he leaves the argument he states that there will be an order
observed in their resurrection. What that precisely will be we are
nowhere told, but in the general only here that there will be order
observed. Possibly those may rise first who have held the highest rank,
and done the most eminent service, or suffered the most grievous evils,
or cruel deaths, for Christ's sake. It is only here said that the
first-fruits are supposed to rise first, and afterwards all who are
Christ's, when he shall come again. Not that Christ's resurrection must
in fact go before the resurrection of any of his, but it must be laid
as the foundation: as it was not necessary that those who lived remote
from Jerusalem must go thither and offer the first-fruits before they
could account the lump holy, yet they must be set apart for this
purpose, till they could be offered, which might be done at any time
from pentecost till the feast of dedication. See Bishop Patrick on Num.
xxiv. 2. The offering of the first-fruits was what made the lump holy;
and the lump was made holy by this offering, though it was not made
before the harvest was gathered in, so it were set apart for that end,
and duly offered afterwards. So Christ's resurrection must, in order of
nature, precede that of his saints, though some of these might rise in
order of time before him. It is because he has risen that they rise.
Note, Those that are Christ's must rise, because of their relation to
him.
II. He argues from the continuance of the mediatorial kingdom till all
Christ's enemies are destroyed, the last of which is death, v. 24-26.
He has risen, and, upon his resurrection, was invested with sovereign
empire, had all power in heaven and earth put into his hands (Matt.
xxviii. 18), had a name given him above every name, that every knee
might bow to him, and every tongue confess him Lord. Phil. ii. 9-11.
And the administration of this kingdom must continue in his hands till
all opposing power, and rule, and authority, be put down (v. 24), till
all enemies are put under his feet (v. 25), and till the last enemy is
destroyed, which is death, v. 26.
1. This argument implies in it all these particulars:--(1.) That our
Saviour rose from the dead to have all power put into his hands, and
have and administer a kingdom, as Mediator: For this end he died, and
rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living,
Rom. xiv. 9. (2.) That this mediatorial kingdom is to have an end, at
least as far as it is concerned in bringing his people safely to glory,
and subduing all his and their enemies: Then cometh the end, v. 24.
(3.) That it is not to have an end till all opposing power be put down,
and all enemies brought to his feet, v. 24, 25. (4.) That, among other
enemies, death must be destroyed (v. 26) or abolished; its powers over
its members must be disannulled. Thus far the apostle is express; but
he leaves us to make the inference that therefore the saints must rise,
else death and the grave would have power over them, nor would our
Saviour's kingly power prevail against the last enemy of his people and
annul its power. When saints shall live again, and die no more, then,
and not till then, will death be abolished, which must be brought about
before our Saviour's mediatorial kingdom is delivered up, which yet
must be in due time. The saints therefore shall live again and die no
more. This is the scope of the argument; but,
2. The apostle drops several hints in the course of it which it will be
proper to notice: as, (1.) That our Saviour, as man and mediator
between God and man, has a delegated royalty, a kingdom given: All
things are put under him, he excepted that did put all things under
him, v. 27. As man, all his authority must be delegated. And, though
his mediation supposes his divine nature, yet as Mediator he does not
so explicitly sustain the character of God, but a middle person between
God and man, partaking of both natures, human and divine, as he was to
reconcile both parties, God and man, and receiving commission and
authority from God the Father to act in this office. The Father
appears, in this whole dispensation, in the majesty and with the
authority of God: the Son, made man, appears as the minister of the
Father, though he is God as well as the Father. Nor is this passage to
be understood of the eternal dominion over all his creatures which
belongs to him as God, but of a kingdom committed to him as Mediator
and God-man, and that chiefly after his resurrection, when, having
overcome, he sat down with his Father on his throne, Rev. iii. 21. Then
was the prediction verified, I have set my king upon my holy hill of
Zion (Ps. ii. 6), placed him on his throne. This is meant by the phrase
so frequent in the writings of the New Testament, of sitting at the
right hand of God (Mark xvi. 19; Rom. viii. 34; Col. iii. 1, &c.), on
the right hand of power (Mark xiv. 62; Luke xxii. 69), on the right
hand of the throne of God (Heb. xii. 2), on the right hand of the
throne of the Majesty in the heavens, Heb. viii. 1. Sitting down in
this seat is taking upon him the exercise of his mediatorial power and
royalty, which was done upon his ascension into heaven, Mark xvi. 19.
And it is spoken of in scripture as a recompence made him for his deep
humiliation and self-abasement, in becoming man, and dying for man the
accursed death of the cross, Phil. ii. 6-12. Upon his ascension, he was
made head over all things to the church, had power given him to govern
and protect it against all its enemies, and in the end destroy them and
complete the salvation of all that believe in him. This is not a power
appertaining to Godhead as such; it is not original and unlimited
power, but power given and limited to special purposes. And though he
who has it is God, yet, inasmuch as he is somewhat else besides God,
and in this whole dispensation acts not as God, but as Mediator, not as
the offended Majesty, but as one interposing in favour of his offending
creatures, and this by virtue of his consent and commission who acts
and appears always in that character, he may properly be said to have
this power given him; he may reign as God, with power unlimited, and
yet may reign as Mediator, with a power delegated, and limited to these
particular purposes. (2.) That this delegated royalty must at length be
delivered up to the Father, from whom it was received (v. 24); for it
is a power received for particular ends and purposes, a power to govern
and protect his church till all the members of it be gathered in, and
the enemies of it for ever subdued and destroyed (v. 25, 26), and when
these ends shall be obtained the power and authority will not need to
be continued. The Redeemer must reign till his enemies be destroyed,
and the salvation of his church and people accomplished; and, when this
end is attained, then will he deliver up the power which he had only
for this purpose, though he may continue to reign over his glorified
church and body in heaven; and in this sense it may notwithstanding be
said that he shall reign for ever and ever (Rev. xi. 15), that he shall
reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there shall
be no end (Luke i. 33), that his dominion is an everlasting dominion,
which shall not pass away, Dan. vii. 14. See also Mich. iv. 7. (3.) The
Redeemer shall certainly reign till the last enemy of his people be
destroyed, till death itself be abolished, till his saints revive and
recover perfect life, never to be in fear and danger of dying any more.
He shall have all power in heaven and earth till then--he who loved us,
and gave himself for us, and washed us from our sins in his own
blood--he who is so nearly related to us, and so much concerned for us.
What support should this be to his saints in every hour of distress and
temptation! He is alive who was dead, and liveth for ever, and doth
reign, and will continue to reign, till the redemption of his people be
completed, and the utter ruin of their enemies effected. (4.) When this
is done, and all things are put under his feet, then shall the Son
become subject to him that put all things under him, that God may be
all in all, v. 28. The meaning of this I take to be that then the man
Christ Jesus, who hath appeared in so much majesty during the whole
administration of his kingdom, shall appear upon giving it up to be a
subject of the Father. Things are in scripture many times said to be
when they are manifested and made to appear; and this delivering up of
the kingdom will make it manifest that he who appeared in the majesty
of the sovereign king was, during this administration, a subject of
God. The glorified humanity of our Lord Jesus Christ, with all the
dignity and power conferred on it, was no more than a glorious
creature. This will appear when the kingdom shall be delivered up; and
it will appear to the divine glory, that God may be all in all, that
the accomplishment of our salvation may appear altogether divine, and
God alone may have the honour of it. Note, Though the human nature must
be employed in the work of our redemption, yet God was all in all in
it. It was the Lord's doing and should be marvellous in our eyes.
III. He argues for the resurrection, from the case of those who were
baptized for the dead (v. 29): What shall those do who are baptized for
the dead, if the dead rise not at all? Why are they baptized for the
dead? What shall they do if the dead rise not? What have they done? How
vain a thing hath their baptism been! Must they stand by it, or
renounce it? why are they baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not?
hyper ton nekron. But what is this baptism for the dead? It is
necessary to be known, that the apostle's argument may be understood;
whether it be only argumentum ad hominem, or ad rem; that is, whether
it conclude for the thing in dispute universally, or only against the
particular persons who were baptized for the dead. But who shall
interpret this very obscure passage, which, though it consists of no
more than three words, besides the articles, has had more than three
times three senses put on it by interpreters? It is not agreed what is
meant by baptism, whether it is to be taken in a proper or figurative
sense, and, if in a proper sense, whether it is to be understood or
Christian baptism properly so called, or some other ablution. And as
little is it agreed who are the dead, or in what sense the preposition
hyper is to be taken. Some understand the dead of our Saviour himself;
vide Whitby in loc. Why are persons baptized in the name of a dead
Saviour, a Saviour who remains among the dead, if the dead rise not?
But it is, I believe, and instance perfectly singular for hoi nekroi to
mean no more than one dead person; it is a signification which the
words have nowhere else. And the hoi baptizomenoi (the baptized) seem
plainly to mean some particular persons, not Christians in general,
which yet must be the signification if the hoi nekroi (the dead) be
understood of our Saviour. Some understand the passage of the martyrs:
Why do they suffer martyrdom for their religion? This is sometimes
called the baptism of blood by ancients, and, by our Saviour himself,
baptism indefinitely, Matt. xx. 22; Luke xii. 50. But in what sense can
those who die martyrs for their religion be said to be baptized (that
is, die martyrs) for the dead? Some understand it of a custom that was
observed, as some of the ancients tell us, among many who professed the
Christian name in the first ages, of baptizing some in the name and
stead of catechumens dying without baptism. But this savoured of such
superstition that, if the custom had prevailed in the church so soon,
the apostle would hardly have mentioned it without signifying a dislike
of it. Some understand it of baptizing over the dead, which was a
custom, they tell us, that early obtained; and this to testify their
hope of the resurrection. This sense is pertinent to the apostle's
argument, but it appears not that any such practice was in use in the
apostle's time. Others understand it of those who have been baptized
for the sake, or on occasion, of the martyrs, that is, the constancy
with which they died for their religion. Some were doubtless converted
to Christianity by observing this: and it would have been a vain thing
for persons to have become Christians upon this motive, if the martyrs,
by losing their lives for religion, became utterly extinct, and were to
live no more. But the church at Corinth had not, in all probability,
suffered much persecution at this time, or seem many instances of
martyrdom among them, nor had many converts been made by the constancy
and firmness which the martyrs discovered. Not to observe that hoi
nekroi seems to be too general an expression to mean only the martyred
dead. It is as easy an explication of the phrase as any I have met
with, and as pertinent to the argument, to suppose the hoi nekroi to
mean some among the Corinthians, who had been taken off by the hand of
God. We read that many were sickly among them, and many slept (ch. xi.
30), because of their disorderly behaviour at the Lord's table. These
executions might terrify some into Christianity; as the miraculous
earthquake did the jailer, Acts xvi. 29, 30, &c. Persons baptized on
such an occasion might be properly said to be baptized for the dead,
that is, on their account. And the hoi baptizomenoi (the baptized) and
the hoi nekroi (the dead) answer to one another; and upon this
supposition the Corinthians could not mistake the apostle's meaning.
"Now," says he, "what shall they do, and why were they baptized, if the
dead rise not? You have a general persuasion that these men have done
right, and acted wisely, and as they ought, on this occasion; but why,
if the dead rise not, seeing they may perhaps hasten their death, by
provoking a jealous God, and have no hopes beyond it?" But whether this
be the meaning, or whatever else be, doubtless the apostle's argument
was good and intelligible to the Corinthians. And his next is as plain
to us.
IV. He argues from the absurdity of his own conduct and that of other
Christians upon this supposition,
1. It would be a foolish thing for them to run so many hazards (v. 30):
"Why stand we in jeopardy every hour? Why do we expose ourselves to
continual peril--we Christians, especially we apostles?" Every one
knows that it was dangerous being a Christian, and much more a preacher
and an apostle, at that time. "Now," says the apostle, "what fools are
we to run these hazards, if we have no better hopes beyond death, if
when we die we die wholly, and revive no more!" Note, Christianity were
a foolish profession if it proposed no hopes beyond this life, at least
in such hazardous times as attended the first profession of it; it
required men to risk all the blessings and comforts of this life, and
to face and endure all the evils of it, without any future prospects.
And is this a character of his religion fit for a Christian to endure?
And must he not fix this character on it if he give up his future
hopes, and deny the resurrection of the dead? This argument the apostle
brings home to himself: "I protest," says he, "by your rejoicing in
Jesus Christ, by all the comforts of Christianity, and all the peculiar
succours and supports of our holy faith, that I die daily," v. 31. He
was in continual danger of death, and carried his life, as we say, in
his hand. And why should he thus expose himself, if he had no hopes
after life? To live in daily view and expectation of death, and yet
have no prospect beyond it, must be very heartless and uncomfortable,
and his case, upon this account, a very melancholy one. He had need be
very well assured of the resurrection of the dead, or he was guilty of
extreme weakness, in hazarding all that was dear to him in this world,
and his life into the bargain. He had encountered very great
difficulties and fierce enemies; he had fought with beasts at Ephesus
(v. 32), and was in danger of being pulled to pieces by an enraged
multitude, stirred up by Demetrius and the other craftsmen (Acts xix.
24, &c.), though some understand this literally of Paul's being exposed
to fight with wild beasts in the amphitheatre, at a Roman show in that
city. And Nicephorus tells a formal story to this purport, and of the
miraculous complaisance of the lions to him when they came near him.
But so remarkable a trial and circumstance of his life, methinks, would
not have been passed over by Luke, and much less by himself, when he
gives us so large and particular a detail of his sufferings, 2 Cor. xi.
24, ad fin. When he mentioned that he was five times scourged of the
Jews, thrice beaten with rods, once stoned, thrice shipwrecked, it is
strange that he should not have said that he was once exposed to fight
with the beasts. I take it, therefore, that this fighting with beasts
is a figurative expression, that the beasts intended were men of a
fierce and ferine disposition, and that this refers to the passage
above cited. "Now," says he, "what advantage have I from such contests,
if the dead rise not? Why should I die daily, expose myself daily to
the danger of dying by violent hands, if the dead rise not? And if post
mortem nihil--if I am to perish by death, and expect nothing after it,
could any thing be more weak?" Was Paul so senseless? Had he given the
Corinthians any ground to entertain such a thought of him? If he had
not been well assured that death would have been to his advantage,
would he, in this stupid manner, have thrown away his life? Could any
thing but the sure hopes of a better life after death have extinguished
the love of life in him to this degree? "What advantageth it me, if the
dead rise not? What can I propose to myself?" Note, It is very lawful
and fit for a Christian to propose advantage to himself by his fidelity
to God. Thus did Paul. Thus did our blessed Lord himself, Heb. xii. 2.
And thus we are bidden to do after his example, and have our fruit to
holiness, that our end may be everlasting life. This is the very end of
our faith, even the salvation of our souls (1 Pet. i. 9), not only what
it will issue in, but what we should aim at.
2. It would be a much wiser thing to take the comforts of this life:
Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die (v. 32); let us turn
epicures. Thus this sentence means in the prophet, Isa. xxii. 13. Let
us even live like beasts, if we must die like them. This would be a
wiser course, if there were no resurrection, no after-life or state,
than to abandon all the pleasures of life, and offer and expose
ourselves to all the miseries of life, and live in continual peril of
perishing by savage rage and cruelty. This passage also plainly
implies, as I have hinted above, that those who denied the resurrection
among the Corinthians were perfect Sadducees, of whose principles we
have this account in the holy writings, that they say, There is no
resurrection, neither angel nor spirit (Acts xxiii. 8), that is, "Man
is all body, there is nothing in him to survive the body, nor will
that, when once he is dead, ever revive again." Such Sadducees were the
men against whom the apostle argued; otherwise his arguments had no
force in them; for, though the body should never revive, yet, as long
as the mind survived it, he might have much advantage from all the
hazards he ran for Christ's sake. Nay, it is certain that the mind is
to be the principal seat and subject of the heavenly glory and
happiness. But, if there were no hopes after death, would not every
wise man prefer an easy comfortable life before such a wretched one as
the apostle led; nay, and endeavour to enjoy the comforts of life as
fast as possible, because the continuance of it is short? Note, Nothing
but the hopes of better things hereafter can enable a man to forego all
the comforts and pleasures here, and embrace poverty, contempt, misery,
and death. Thus did the apostles and primitive Christians; but how
wretched was their case, and how foolish their conduct, if they
deceived themselves, and abused the world with vain and false hopes!
V. The apostle closes his argument with a caution, exhortation, and
reproof. 1. A caution against the dangerous conversation of bad men,
men of loose lives and principles: Be not deceived, says he; evil
communications corrupt good manners, v. 33. Possibly, some of those who
said that there was no resurrection of the dead were men of loose
lives, and endeavoured to countenance their vicious practices by so
corrupt a principle; and had that speech often in their mouths Let us
eat and drink, for to-morrow we die. Now, the apostle grants that their
talk was to the purpose if there was no future state. But, having
confuted their principle, he now warns the Corinthians how dangerous
such men's conversation must prove. He tells them that they would
probably be corrupted by them, and fall in with their course of life,
if they gave into their evil principles. Note, Bad company and
conversation are likely to make bad men. Those who would keep their
innocence must keep good company. Error and vice are infectious: and,
if we would avoid the contagion, we must keep clear of those who have
taken it. He that walketh with wise men shall be wise; but a companion
of fools shall be destroyed, Prov. xiii. 20. 2. Here is an exhortation
to break off their sins, and rouse themselves, and lead a more holy and
righteous life (v. 34): Awake to righteousness, or awake righteously,
eknepsate dikaios, and sin not, or sin no more. "Rouse yourselves,
break off your sins by repentance: renounce and forsake every evil way,
correct whatever is amiss, and do not, by sloth and stupidity, be led
away into such conversation and principles as will sap your Christian
hopes, and corrupt your practice." The disbelief of a future state
destroys all virtue and piety. But the best improvement to be made of
the truth is to cease from sin, and set ourselves to the business of
religion, and that in good earnest. If there will be a resurrection and
a future life, we should live and act as those who believe it, and
should not give into such senseless and sottish notions as will debauch
our morals, and render us loose and sensual in our lives. 3. Here is a
reproof, and a sharp one, to some at least among them: Some of you have
not the knowledge of God; I speak this to your shame. Note, It is a
shame in Christians not to have the knowledge of God. The Christian
religion gives the best information that can be had about God, his
nature, and grace, and government. Those who profess this religion
reproach themselves, by remaining without the knowledge of God; for it
must be owing to their own sloth, and slight of God, that they are
ignorant of him. And is it not a horrid shame for a Christian to slight
God, and be so wretchedly ignorant in matters that so nearly and highly
concern him? Note, also, It must be ignorance of God that leads men
into the disbelief of a resurrection and future life. Those who know
God know that he will not abandon his faithful servants, nor leave them
exposed to such hardships and sufferings without any recompence or
reward. They know he is not unfaithful nor unkind, to forget their
labour and patience, their faithful services and cheerful sufferings,
or let their labour be in vain. But I am apt to think that the
expression has a much stronger meaning; that there were atheistical
people among them who hardly owned a God, or one who had any concern
with or took cognizance of human affairs. These were indeed a scandal
and shame to any Christian church. Note, Real atheism lies at the
bottom of men's disbelief of a future state. Those who own a God and a
providence, and observe how unequal the distributions of the present
life are, and how frequently the best men fare worst, can hardly doubt
an after state, where every thing will be set to rights.
The Resurrection of Saints. (a. d. 57.)
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what
body do they come? 36 Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not
quickened, except it die: 37 And that which thou sowest, thou sowest
not that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of wheat, or
of some other grain: 38 But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased
him, and to every seed his own body. 39 All flesh is not the same
flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts,
another of fishes, and another of birds. 40 There are also celestial
bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one,
and the glory of the terrestrial is another. 41 There is one glory of
the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars:
for one star differeth from another star in glory. 42 So also is the
resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption: 43 It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it
is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: 44 It is sown a natural
body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there
is a spiritual body. 45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was
made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. 46
Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is
natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. 47 The first man is
of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. 48 As
is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the
heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. 49 And as we have
borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the
heavenly. 50 Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot
inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit
incorruption.
The apostle comes now to answer a plausible and principal objection
against the doctrine of the resurrection of the dead, concerning which
observe the proposal of the objection: Some man will say, How are the
dead raised up? And with what body do they come? v. 35. The objection
is plainly two-fold. How are they raised up? that is, "By what means?
How can they be raised? What power is equal to this effect?" It was an
opinion that prevailed much among the heathens, and the Sadducees seem
to have been in the same sentiment, that it was not within the compass
of divine power, mortales æternitate donare, aut revocare defunctos--to
make mortal men immortal, or revive and restore the dead. Such sort of
men those seem to have been who among the Corinthians denied the
resurrection of the dead, and object here, "How are they raised? How
should they be raised? Is it not utterly impossible?" The other part of
the objection is about the quality of their bodies, who shall rise:
"With what body will they come? Will it be with the same body, with
like shape, and form, and stature, and members, and qualities, or
various?" The former objection is that of those who opposed the
doctrine, the latter the enquiry of curious doubters.
I. To the former the apostle replies by telling them this was to be
brought about by divine power, that very power which they had all
observed to do something very like it, year after year, in the death
and revival of the corn; and therefore it was an argument of great
weakness and stupidity to doubt whether the resurrection of the dead
might not be effected by the same power: Thou fool! that which thou
sowest is not quickened unless it die, v. 36. It must first corrupt,
before it will quicken and spring up. It not only sprouts after it is
dead, but it must die that it may live. And why should any be so
foolish as to imagine that the man once dead cannot be made to live
again, by the same power which every year brings the dead grain to
life? This is the substance of the apostle's answer to the first
question. Note, It is a foolish thing to question the divine power to
raise the dead, when we see it every day quickening and reviving things
that are dead.
II. But he is longer in replying to the second enquiry.
1. He begins by observing that there is a change made in the grain that
is sown: It is not that body which shall be that is sown, but bare
grain, of wheat or barley, &c.; but God gives it such a body as he
will, and in such way as he will, only so as to distinguish the kinds
from each other. Every seed sown has its proper body, is constituted of
such materials, and figured in such a manner, as are proper to it,
proper to that kind. This is plainly in the divine power, though we no
more know how it is done than we know how a dead man is raised to life
again. It is certain the grain undergoes a great change, and it is
intimated in this passage that so will the dead, when they rise again,
and live again, in their bodies, after death.
2. He proceeds hence to observe that there is a great deal of variety
among others bodies, as there is among plants: as, (1.) In bodies of
flesh: All flesh is not the same; that of men is of one kind, that of
beasts another, another that of fishes, and that of birds another, v.
39. There is a variety in all the kinds, and somewhat peculiar in every
kind, to distinguish it from the other. (2.) In bodies celestial and
terrestrial there is also a difference; and what is for the glory of
one is not for the other; for the true glory of every being consists in
its fitness for its rank and state. Earthly bodies are not adapted to
the heavenly regions, nor heavenly bodies fitted to the condition of
earthly beings. Nay, (3.) There is a variety of glory among heavenly
bodies themselves: There is one glory of the sun, and another of the
moon, and another of the stars; for one star differs from another star
in glory, v. 41. All this is to intimate to us that the bodies of the
dead, when they rise, will be so far changed, that they will be fitted
for the heavenly regions, and that there will be a variety of glories
among the bodies of the dead, when they shall be raised, as there is
among the sun, and moon, and stars, nay among the stars themselves. All
this carries an intimation along with it that it must be as easy to
divine power to raise the dead, and recover their mouldered bodies, as
out of the same materials to form so many different kinds of flesh and
plants, and, for aught we know, celestial bodies as well as terrestrial
ones. The sun and stars may, for aught we know, be composed of the same
materials as the earth we tread on, though as much refined and changed
by the divine skill and power. And can he, out of the same materials,
form such various beings, and yet not be able to raise the dead? Having
thus prepared the way, he comes,
3. To speak directly to the point: So also, says he, is the
resurrection of the dead; so (as the plant growing out of the putrefied
grain), so as no longer to be a terrestrial but a celestial body, and
varying in glory from the other dead, who are raised, as one star does
from another. But he specifies some particulars: as, (1.) It is sown in
corruption, it is raised in incorruption. It is sown. Burying the dead
is like sowing them; it is like committing the seed to the earth, that
it may spring out of it again. And our bodies, which are sown, are
corruptible, liable to putrefy and moulder, and crumble to dust; but,
when we rise, they will be out of the power of the grave, and never
more be liable to corruption. (2.) It is sown in dishonour, it is
raised in glory. Ours is at present a vile body, Phil. iii. 21. Nothing
is more loathsome than a dead body; it is thrown into the grave as a
despised and broken vessel, in which there is no pleasure. But at the
resurrection a glory will be put upon it; it will be made like the
glorious body of our Saviour; it will be purged from all the dregs of
earth, and refined into an ethereal substance, and shine out with a
splendour resembling his. (3.) It is sown in weakness, it is raised in
power. It is laid in the earth, a poor helpless thing, wholly in the
power of death, deprived of all vital capacities and powers, of life
and strength: it is utterly unable to move or stir. But when we arise
our bodies will have heavenly life and vigour infused into them; they
will be hale, and firm, and durable, and lively, and liable no more to
any infirmity, weakness, or decay. (4.) It is sown a natural, or animal
body, soma psychikon, a body fitted to the low condition and sensitive
pleasures and enjoyments of this life, which are all gross in
comparison of the heavenly state and enjoyments. But when we rise it
will be quite otherwise; our body will rise spiritual. Not that body
would be changed into spirit: this would be a contradiction in our
common conceptions; it would be as much as to say, Body changed into
what is not body, matter made immaterial. The expression is to be
understood comparatively. We shall at the resurrection have bodies
purified and refined to the last degree, made light and agile; and,
though they are not changed into spirit, yet made fit to be perpetual
associates of spirits made perfect. And why should it not be as much in
the power of God to raise incorruptible, glorious, lively, spiritual
bodies, out of the ruins of those vile, corruptible, lifeless, and
animal ones, as first to make matter out of nothing, and then, out of
the same mass of matter, produce such variety of beings, both in earth
and heaven? To God all things are possible; and this cannot be
impossible.
4. He illustrates this by a comparison of the first and second Adam:
There is an animal body, says he, and there is a spiritual body; and
then goes into the comparison in several instances. (1.) As we have our
natural body, the animal body we have in this world, from the first
Adam, we expect our spiritual body from the second. This is implied in
the whole comparison. (2.) This is but consonant to the different
characters these two persons bear: The first Adam was made a living
soul, such a being as ourselves, and with a power of propagating such
beings as himself, and conveying to them a nature and animal body like
his own, but none other, nor better. The second Adam is a quickening
Spirit; he is the resurrection and the life, John xi. 25. He hath life
in himself, and quickeneth whom he will, John v. 20, 21. The first man
was of the earth, made out of the earth, and was earthy; his body was
fitted to the region of his abode: but the second Adam is the Lord from
heaven; he who came down from heaven, and giveth life to the world
(John vi. 33); he who came down from heaven and was in heaven at the
same time (John iii. 13); the Lord of heaven and earth. If the first
Adam could communicate to us natural and animal bodies, cannot the
second Adam make our bodies spiritual ones? If the deputed lord of this
lower creation could do the one, cannot the Lord from heaven, the Lord
of heaven and earth, do the other? (3.) We must first have natural
bodies from the first Adam before we can have spiritual bodies from the
second (v. 49); we must bear the image of the earthy before we can bear
the image of the heavenly. Such is the established order of Providence.
We must have weak, frail, mortal bodies by descent from the first Adam,
before we can have lively, spiritual, and immortal ones by the
quickening power of the second. We must die before we can live to die
no more. (4.) Yet if we are Christ's, true believers in him (for this
whole discourse relates to the resurrection of the saints), it is as
certain that we shall have spiritual bodies as it is now that we have
natural or animal ones. By these we are as the first Adam, earthy, we
bear his image; by those we shall be as the second Adam, have bodies
like his own, heavenly, and so bear him image. And we are as certainly
intended to bear the one as we have borne the other. As surely
therefore as we have had natural bodies, we shall have spiritual ones.
The dead in Christ shall not only rise, but shall rise thus gloriously
changed.
5. He sums up this argument by assigning the reason of this change (v.
50): Now this I say that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of
God; nor doth corruption inherit incorruption. The natural body is
flesh and blood, consisting of bones, muscles, nerves, veins, arteries,
and their several fluids; and, as such, it is of a corruptible frame
and form, liable to dissolution, to rot and moulder. But no such thing
shall inherit the heavenly regions; for this were for corruption to
inherit incorruption, which is little better than a contradiction in
terms. The heavenly inheritance is incorruptible, and never fadeth
away, 1 Pet. i. 4. How can this be possessed by flesh and blood, which
is corruptible and will fade away? It must be changed into ever-during
substance, before it can be capable of possessing the heavenly
inheritance. The sum is that the bodies of the saints, when they shall
rise again, will be greatly changed from what they are now, and much
for the better. They are now corruptible, flesh and blood; they will be
then incorruptible, glorious, and spiritual bodies, fitted to the
celestial world and state, where they are ever afterwards to dwell, and
have their eternal inheritance.
The Resurrection of Saints. (a. d. 57.)
51 Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall
all be changed, 52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the
last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised
incorruptible, and we shall be changed. 53 For this corruptible must
put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. 54 So
when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal
shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying
that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. 55 O death, where
is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 56 The sting of death is
sin; and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God,
which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
To confirm what he had said of this change,
I. He here tells them what had been concealed from or unknown to them
till then--that all the saints would not die, but all would be changed.
Those that are alive at our Lord's coming will be caught up into the
clouds, without dying, 1 Thess. iv. 11. But it is plain from this
passage that it will not be without changing from corruption to
incorruption. The frame of their living bodies shall be thus altered,
as well as those that are dead; and this in a moment, in the twinkling
of an eye, v. 52. What cannot almighty power effect? That power that
calls the dead into life can surely thus soon and suddenly change the
living; for changed they must be as well as the dead, because flesh and
blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. This is the mystery which the
apostle shows the Corinthians: Behold, I show you a mystery; or bring
into open light a truth dark and unknown before. Note, There are many
mysteries shown to us in the gospel; many truths that before were
utterly unknown are there made known; many truths that were but dark
and obscure before are there brought into open day, and plainly
revealed; and many things are in part revealed that will never be fully
known, nor perhaps clearly understood. The apostle here makes known a
truth unknown before, which is that the saints living at our Lord's
second coming will not die, but be changed, that this change will be
made in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, and at the sound of the
last trump; for, as he tells us elsewhere, the Lord himself shall
descend with a shout, with a voice of the archangel, and with the trump
of God (1 Thess. iv. 16), so here, the trumpet must sound. It is the
loud summons of all the living and all the dead, to come and appear at
the tribunal of Christ. At this summons the graves shall open, the dead
saints shall rise incorruptible, and the living saints be changed to
the same incorruptible state, v. 52.
II. He assigns the reason of this change (v. 53): For this corruptible
must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. How
otherwise could the man be a fit inhabitant of the incorruptible
regions, or be fitted to possess the eternal inheritance? How can that
which is corruptible and mortal enjoy what is incorruptible, permanent,
and immortal? This corruptible body must be made incorruptible, this
mortal body must be changed into immortal, that the man may be capable
of enjoying the happiness designed for him. Note, It is this
corruptible that must put on incorruption; the demolished fabric that
must be reared again. What is sown must be quickened. Saints will come
in their own bodies (v. 38), not in other bodies.
III. He lets us know what will follow upon this change of the living
and dead in Christ: Then shall be brought to pass that saying, Death is
swallowed up in victory; or, He will swallow up death in victory. Isa.
xxv. 8. For mortality shall be then swallowed up of life (2 Cor. v. 4),
and death perfectly subdued and conquered, and saints for ever
delivered from its power. Such a conquest shall be obtained over it
that it shall for ever disappear in those regions to which our Lord
will bear his risen saints. And therefore will the saints hereupon sing
their epinikion, their song of triumph. Then, when this mortal shall
have put on immortality, will death be swallowed up, for ever swallowed
up, eis nikos. Christ hinders it from swallowing his saints when they
die; but, when they rise again, death shall, as to them, be swallowed
for ever. And upon this destruction of death will they break out into a
song of triumph.
1. They will glory over death as a vanquished enemy, and insult this
great and terrible destroyer: "O death! where is thy sting? Where is
now thy sting, thy power to hurt? What mischief hast thou done us? We
are dead; but behold we live again, and shall die no more. Thou art
vanquished and disarmed, and we are out of the reach of thy deadly
dart. Where now is thy fatal artillery? Where are thy stores of death?
We fear no further mischiefs from thee, nor heed thy weapons, but defy
thy power, and despise thy wrath. And, O grave! where is thy victory?
Where now is thy victory? What has become of it? Where are the spoils
and trophies of it? Once we were thy prisoners, but the prison-doors
are burst open, the locks and bolts have been forced to give way, our
shackles are knocked off, and we are for ever released. Captivity is
taken captive. The imaginary victor is conquered, and forced to resign
his conquest and release his captives. Thy triumphs, grave, are at an
end. The bonds of death are loosed, and we are at liberty, and are
never more to be hurt by death, nor imprisoned in the grave." In a
moment, the power of death, and the conquests and spoils of the grave,
are gone; and, as to the saints, the very signs of them will not
remain. Where are they? Thus will they raise themselves, when they
become immortal, to the honour of their Saviour and the praise of
divine grace: they shall glory over vanquished death.
2. The foundation for this triumph is here intimated, (1.) In the
account given whence death had its power to hurt: The sting of death is
sin. This gives venom to his dart: this alone puts it into the power of
death to hurt and kill. Sin unpardoned, and nothing else, can keep any
under his power. And the strength of sin is the law; it is the divine
threatening against the transgressors of the law, the curse there
denounced, that gives power to sin. Note, Sin is the parent of death,
and gives it all its hurtful power. By one man sin entered into the
world, and death by sin, Rom. v. 12. It is its cursed progeny and
offspring. (2.) In the account given of the victory saints obtain over
it through Jesus Christ, v. 56. The sting of death is sin; but Christ,
by dying, has taken out this sting. He has made atonement for sin; he
has obtained remission of it. It may hiss therefore, but it cannot
hurt. The strength of sin is the law; but the curse of the law is
removed by our Redeemer's becoming a curse for us. So that sin is
deprived of its strength and sting, through Christ, that is, by his
incarnation, suffering, and death. Death may seize a believer, but
cannot sting him, cannot hold him in his power. There is a day coming
when the grave shall open, the bands of death be loosed, the dead
saints revive, and become incorruptible and immortal, and put out of
the reach of death for ever. And then will it plainly appear that, as
to them, death will have lost its strength and sting; and all by the
mediation of Christ, by his dying in their room. By dying, he conquered
death, and spoiled the grave; and, through faith in him, believers
become sharers in his conquests. They often rejoice beforehand, in the
hope of this victory; and, when they arise glorious from the grave,
they will boldly triumph over death. Note, It is altogether owing to
the grace of God in Christ that sin is pardoned and death disarmed. The
law puts arms into the hand of death, to destroy the sinner; but pardon
of sin takes away this power from the law, and deprives death of its
strength and sting. It is by the grace of God, through the redemption
which is in Christ Jesus, that we are freely justified, Rom. iii. 24.
It is no wonder, therefore, (3.) If this triumph of the saints over
death should issue in thanksgiving to God: Thanks be to God, who giveth
us the victory through Christ Jesus, our Lord, v. 57. The way to
sanctify all our joy is to make it tributary to the praise of God. Then
only do we enjoy our blessings and honours in a holy manner when God
has his revenue of glory out of it, and we are free to pay it to him.
And this really improves and exalts our satisfaction. We are conscious
at once of having done our duty and enjoyed our pleasure. And what can
be more joyous in itself than the saints' triumph over death, when they
shall rise again? And shall they not then rejoice in the Lord, and be
glad in the God of their salvation? Shall not their souls magnify the
Lord? When he shows such wonders to the dead, shall they not arise and
praise him? Ps. lxxxviii. 10. Those who remain under the power of death
can have no heart to praise; but such conquests and triumphs will
certainly tune the tongues of the saints to thankfulness and
praise--praise for the victory (it is great and glorious in itself),
and for the means whereby it is obtained (it is given of God through
Christ Jesus), a victory obtained not by our power, but the power of
God; not given because we are worthy, but because Christ is so, and has
by dying obtained this conquest for us. Must not this circumstance
endear the victory to us, and heighten our praise to God? Note, How
many springs of joy to the saints and thanksgiving to God are opened by
the death and resurrection, the sufferings and conquests, of our
Redeemer! With what acclamations will saints rising from the dead
applaud him! How will the heaven of heavens resound his praises for
ever! Thanks be to God will be the burden of their song; and angels
will join the chorus, and declare their consent with a loud Amen,
Hallelujah.
The Obligations of Christians. (a. d. 57.)
58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always
abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your
labour is not in vain in the Lord.
In this verse we have the improvement of the whole argument, in an
exhortation, enforced by a motive resulting plainly from it.
I. An exhortation, and this threefold:--1. That they should be
stedfast--hedraioi, firm, fixed in the faith of the gospel, that gospel
which he had preached and they had received, namely, That Christ died
for our sins, and arose again the third day, according to the
scriptures (v. 3, 4), and fixed in the faith of the glorious
resurrection of the dead, which, as he had shown, had so near and
necessary a connection with the former. "Do not let your belief of
these truths be shaken or staggered. They are most certain, and of the
last importance." Note, Christians should be stedfast believers of this
great article of the resurrection of the dead. It is evidently founded
on the death of Christ. Because he lives, his servants shall live also,
John xiv. 19. And it is of the last importance; a disbelief of a future
life will open a way to all manner of licentiousness, and corrupt men's
morals to the last degree. It will be easy and natural to infer hence
that we may live like beasts, and eat and drink, for to-morrow we die.
2. He exhorts them to be immovable, namely, in their expectation of
this great privilege of being raised incorruptible and immortal.
Christians should not be moved away from this hope of this gospel (Col.
i. 23), this glorious and blessed hope; they should not renounce nor
resign their comfortable expectations. They are not vain, but solid
hopes, built upon sure foundations, the purchase and power of their
risen Saviour, and the promise of God, to whom it is impossible to
lie--hopes that shall be their most powerful supports under all the
pressures of life, the most effectual antidotes against the fears of
death, and the most quickening motives to diligence and perseverance in
Christian duty. Should they part with these hopes? Should they suffer
them to be shaken? Note, Christians should live in the most firm
expectation of a blessed resurrection. This hope should be an anchor to
their souls, firm and sure, Heb. vi. 19. 3. He exhorts them to abound
in the work of the Lord, and that always, in the Lord's service, in
obeying the Lord's commands. They should be diligent and persevering
herein, and going on towards perfection; they should be continually
making advances in true piety, and ready and apt for every good work.
The most cheerful duty, the greatest diligence, the most constant
perseverance, become those who have such glorious hopes. Can we too
much abound in zeal and diligence in the Lord's work, when we are
assured of such abundant recompences in a future life? What vigour and
resolution, what constancy and patience, should those hopes inspire!
Note, Christians should not stint themselves as to their growth in
holiness, but be always improving in sound religion, and abounding in
the work of the Lord.
II. The motive resulting from the former discourse is that their labour
shall not be in vain in the Lord; nay, they know it shall not. They
have the best grounds in the world to build upon: they have all the
assurance that can rationally be expected: as surely as Christ is
risen, they shall rise; and Christ is as surely risen as the scriptures
are true, and the word of God. The apostles saw him after his death,
testified this truth to the world in the face of a thousand deaths and
dangers, and confirmed it by miraculous powers received from him. Is
there any room to doubt a fact so well attested? Note, True Christians
have undoubted evidence that their labour will not be in vain in the
Lord; not their most diligent services, nor their most painful
sufferings; they will not be in vain, not be vain and unprofitable.
Note, The labour of Christians will not be lost labour; they may lose
for God, but they will lose nothing by him; nay, there is more implied
than is expressed in this phrase: it means that they shall be
abundantly rewarded. He will never be found unjust to forget their
labour of love, Heb. vi. 10. Nay, he will do exceedingly abundantly
above what they can now ask or think. Neither the services they do for
him, nor the sufferings they endure for him here, are worthy to be
compared with the joy hereafter to be revealed in them, Rom. viii. 18.
Note, Those who serve God have good wages; they cannot do too much nor
suffer too much for so good a Master. If they serve him now, they shall
see him hereafter; if they suffer for him on earth, they shall reign
with him in heaven; if they die for his sake, they shall rise again
from the dead, be crowned with glory, honour, and immortality, and
inherit eternal life.
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F I R S T C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XVI.
In this chapter the apostle, I. Gives directions about some charitable
collection to be made in this church, for the afflicted and
impoverished churches in Judea, ver. 1-4. II. He talks of paying them a
visit, ver. 5-9. III. He recommends Timothy to them, and tells them
Apollos intended to come to them, ver. 10-12. IV. He presses them to
watchfulness, constancy, charity, and to pay a due regard to all who
helped him and his fellow-labourers in their work, ver. 13-19. V. After
salutations from others, and his own, he closes the epistle with a
solemn admonition to them, and his good wishes for them, ver. 20, to
the end.
Contributions for the Poor. (a. d. 57.)
1 Now concerning the collection for the saints, as I have given order
to the churches of Galatia, even so do ye. 2 Upon the first day of
the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath
prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 3 And when I
come, whomsoever ye shall approve by your letters, them will I send to
bring your liberality unto Jerusalem. 4 And if it be meet that I go
also, they shall go with me.
In this chapter Paul closes this long epistle with some particular
matters of less moment; but, as all was written by divine inspiration,
it is all profitable for our instruction. He begins with directing them
about a charitable collection on a particular occasion, the distresses
and poverty of Christians in Judea, which at this time were
extraordinary, partly through the general calamities of that nation and
partly through the particular sufferings to which they were exposed.
Now concerning this observe,
I. How he introduces his direction. It was not a peculiar service which
he required of them; he had given similar orders to the churches of
Galatia, v. 1. He desired them only to conform to the same rules which
he had given to other churches on a similar occasion. He did not desire
that others should be eased and they burdened, 2 Cor. viii. 13. He also
prudently mentions these orders of his to the churches of Galatia, to
excite emulation, and stir them up to be liberal, according to their
circumstances, and the occasion. Those who exceeded most churches in
spiritual gifts, and, as it is probable, in worldly wealth (see the
argument), surely would not suffer themselves to come behind any in
their bounty to their afflicted brethren. Note, The good examples of
other Christians and churches should excite in us a holy emulation. It
is becoming a Christian not to bear to be outdone by a fellow-christian
in any thing virtuous and praise-worthy, provided this consideration
only makes him exert himself, not envy others; and the more advantages
we have above others the more should we endeavour to exceed them. The
church of Corinth should not be outdone in this service of love by the
churches of Galatia, which do not appear to have been enriched with
equal spiritual gifts nor outward ability.
II. The direction itself, concerning which observe,
1. The manner in which the collection was to be made: Every one was to
lay by in store (v. 2), have a treasury, or fund, with himself, for
this purpose. The meaning is that he should lay by as he could spare
from time to time, and by this means make up a sum for this charitable
purpose. Note, It is a good thing to lay up in store for good uses.
Those who are rich in this world should be rich in good works, 1 Tim.
vi. 17, 18. The best way to be so is to appropriate of their income,
and have a treasury for this purpose, a stock for the poor as well as
for themselves. By this means they will be ready to every good work as
the opportunity offers; and many who labour with their own hands for a
livelihood should so work that they may have to give to him that
needeth, Eph. iv. 28. Indeed their treasury for good works can never be
very large (though, according to circumstances, it may considerably
vary); but the best way in the world for them to get a treasury for
this purpose is to lay by from time to time, as they can afford. Some
of the Greek fathers rightly observe here that this advice was given
for the sake of the poorer among them. They were to lay by from week to
week, and not bring in to the common treasury, that by this means their
contributions might be easy to themselves, and yet grow into a fund for
the relief of their brethren. "Every little," as the proverb says,
"would make a mickle." Indeed all our charity and benevolence should be
free and cheerful, and for that reason should be made as easy to
ourselves as may be. And what more likely way to make us easy in this
matter than thus to lay by? We may cheerfully give when we know that we
can spare, and that we have been laying by in store that we may.
2. Here is the measure in which they are to lay by: As God hath
prospered them; ti an euodotai, as he has been prospered, namely, by
divine Providence, as God has been pleased to bless and succeed his
labours and business. Note, All our business and labour are that to us
which God is pleased to make them. It is not the diligent hand that
will make rich by itself, without the divine blessing, Prov. x. 4, 22.
Our prosperity and success are from God and not from ourselves; and he
is to be owned in all and honoured with all. It is his bounty and
blessing to which we owe all we have; and whatever we have is to be
used, and employed, and improved, for him. His right to ourselves and
all that is ours is to be owned and yielded to him. And what argument
more proper to excite us to charity to the people and children of God
than to consider all we have as his gift, as coming from him? Note,
When God blesses and prospers us, we should be ready to relieve and
comfort his needy servants; when his bounty flows forth upon us, we
should not confine it to ourselves, but let it stream out to others.
The good we receive from him should stir us up to do good to others, to
resemble him in our beneficence; and therefore the more good we receive
from God the more we should do good to others. They were to lay by as
God had blessed them, in that proportion. The more they had, through
God's blessing, gained by their business or labour, their traffic or
work, the more they were to lay by. Note, God expects that our
beneficence to others should hold some proportion to his bounty to us.
All we have is from God; the more he gives (circumstances being
considered), the more he enables us to give, and the more he expects we
should give, that we should give more than others who are less able,
that we should give more than ourselves when we were less able. And, on
the other hand, from him to whom God gives less he expects less. He is
no tyrant nor cruel taskmaster, to exact brick without straw, or expect
men shall do more good than he gives ability. Note, Where there is a
willing mind he accepts according to what a man hath, and not according
to what he hath not (2 Cor. viii. 12); but as he prospers and blesses
us, and puts us in a capacity to do good, he expects we should. The
greater ability he gives, the more enlarged should our hearts be, and
the more open our hands; but, where the ability is less, the hands
cannot be as open, however willing the mind and however large the
heart; nor does God expect it.
3. Here is the time when this is to be done: The first day of the week,
kata mian sabbaton (Luke xxiv. 1), the Lord's day, the Christian
holiday, when public assemblies were held and public worship was
celebrated, and the Christian institutions and mysteries (as the
ancients called them) were attended upon; then let every one lay by
him. It is a day of holy rest; and the more vacation the mind has from
worldly cares and toils the more disposition has it to show mercy: and
the other duties of the day should stir us up to the performance of
this; works of charity should always accompany works of piety. True
piety towards God will beget kind and friendly dispositions towards
men. This commandment have we from him that he who loveth God love his
brother also, 1 John iv. 21. Works of mercy are the genuine fruits of
true love to God, and therefore are a proper service on his own day.
Note, God's day is a proper season on which to lay up for charitable
uses, or lay out in them, according as he has prospered us; it is
paying tribute for the blessings of the past week, and it is a proper
way to procure his blessing on the work of our hands for the next.
4. We have here the disposal of the collections thus made: the apostle
would have every thing ready against he came, and therefore gave
direction as before: That there be no gatherings when I come, v. 2.
But, when he came, as to the disposal of it, he would leave it much to
themselves. The charity was theirs, and it was fit they should dispose
of it in their own way, so it answered its end, and was applied to the
right use. Paul no more pretended to lord it over the purses of his
hearers than over their faith; he would not meddle with their
contributions without their consent. (1.) He tells them that they
should give letters of credence, and send messengers of their own with
their liberality, v. 3. This would be a proper testimony of their
respect and brotherly love to their distressed brethren, to send their
gift by members of their own body, trusty and tenderhearted, who would
have compassion on their suffering brethren, and a Christian concern
for them, and not defraud them. It would argue that they were very
hearty in this service, when they should send some of their own body on
so long and hazardous a journey or voyage, to convey their liberality.
Note, We should not only charitably relieve our poor fellow-christians
but do it in such a way as will best signify our compassion to them and
care of them. (2.) He offers to go with their messengers, if they think
proper, v. 4. His business, as an apostle, was not to serve tables, but
to give himself to the word and prayer; yet he was never wanting to set
on foot, or help forward, a work of charity, when an opportunity
offered. He would go to Jerusalem, to carry the contributions of the
church at Corinth to their suffering brethren, rather than they should
go without them, or the charity of the Corinthians fail of a due
effect. It was no hindrance to his preaching work, but a great
furtherance to the success of it, to show such a tender and benign
disposition of mind. Note, Ministers are doing their proper business
when they are promoting or helping in works of charity. Paul stirs up
the Corinthians to gather for the relief of the churches in Judea, and
he is ready to go with their messengers, to convey what is gathered;
and he is still in the way of his duty, in the business of his office.
Paul Promises to Visit Corinth. (a. d. 57.)
5 Now I will come unto you, when I shall pass through Macedonia: for I
do pass through Macedonia. 6 And it may be that I will abide, yea,
and winter with you, that ye may bring me on my journey whithersoever I
go. 7 For I will not see you now by the way; but I trust to tarry a
while with you, if the Lord permit. 8 But I will tarry at Ephesus
until Pentecost. 9 For a great door and effectual is opened unto me,
and there are many adversaries.
In this passage the apostle notifies and explains his purpose of
visiting them, concerning which, observe, 1. His purpose: he intended
to pass out of Asia, where he now was (vide v. 8, 19) and to go through
Macedonia into Achaia, where Corinth was, and to stay some time with
them, and perhaps the winter, v. 5, 6. He had long laboured in this
church, and done much good among them, and had his heart set upon doing
much more (if God saw fit), and therefore he had it in his thoughts to
see them, and stay with them. Note, The heart of a truly Christian
minister must be much towards that people among whom he has long
laboured, and with remarkable success. No wonder that Paul was willing
to see Corinth and stay with them as long as the other duties of his
office would permit. Though some among this people despised him, and
made a faction against him, doubtless there were many who loved him
tenderly, and paid him all the respect due to an apostle and their
spiritual father. And is it any wonder that he should be willing to
visit them, and stay with them? And as to the rest, who now manifested
great disrespect, he might hope to reduce them to a better temper, and
thereby rectify what was out of order in the church, by staying among
them for some time. It is plain that he hoped for some good effect,
because he says he intended to stay, that they might bring him on his
journey whithersoever he went (v. 6); not that they might accompany him
a little way on the road, but expedite and furnish him for his journey,
help and encourage him to it, and provide him for it. He is to be
understood of being brought forward in his journey after a godly sort
(as it is expressed, 3 John 6), so that nothing might be wanting to
him, as he himself speaks, Tit. iii. 13. His stay among them, he hoped,
would cure their factious humour, and reconcile them to himself and
their duty. Note, It was a just reason for an apostle to make his abode
in a place that he had a prospect of doing good. 2. His excuse for not
seeing them now, because it would be only by the way (v. 7), en
parodo--in transitu--en passant: it would only be a transient visit. He
would not see them because he could not stay with them. Such a visit
would give neither him nor them any satisfaction or advantage; it would
rather raise the appetite than regale it, rather heighten their desires
of being together than satisfy them. He loved them so much that he
longed for an opportunity to stay with them, take up his abode among
them for some length of time. This would be more pleasing to himself,
and more serviceable to them, than a cursory visit in his way; and
therefore he would not see them now, but another time, when he could
tarry longer. 3. We have the limitation of this purpose: I trust to
tarry awhile with you, if the Lord permit, v. 7. Though the apostles
wrote under inspiration, they did not know thereby how God would
dispose of them. Paul had a purpose of coming to Corinth, and staying
there, and hoped to do good thereby. This was not a purpose proceeding
from any extraordinary motion or impulse of the Spirit of God; it was
not the effect of inspiration; for had it been such he could not have
spoken of it in this manner. A purpose formed thus in him must have
been the purpose of God, signified to him by his Spirit; and could he
say he would come to Corinth upon this view only, if God permit, that
is, that he would execute God's own purpose concerning himself, with
God's permission? It is to be understood then of a common purpose,
formed in his own spirit. And concerning all our purposes it is fit we
should say, "We will execute them if the Lord permit." Note, All our
purposes must be made with submission to the divine providence. We
should say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this and that,
James iv. 15. It is not in us to effect our own designs, without the
divine leave. It is by God's power and permission, and under his
direction, that we must do every thing. Heathens have concurred in
acknowledging this concern of Providence in all our actions and
concerns; surely we should readily own it, and frequently and seriously
attend to it. 4. We have his purpose expressed of staying at Ephesus
for the present. He says he would stay there till pentecost, v. 8. It
is very probable that at the time of writing this epistle he was in
Ephesus, from this passage, compared with v. 19, where he says, The
churches of Asia salute you. A proper salutation from Ephesus, but
hardly so proper had he been at Philippi, as the subscription to this
epistle in our common copies has it. "The churches of Macedonia salute
you" had been much more properly inserted in the close of a letter from
Philippi, than the other. But, 5. We have the reason given for his
staying at Ephesus for the present: Because a great door, and
effectual, was opened to him, and there were many adversaries, v. 9. A
great door and effectual was opened to him; many were prepared to
receive the gospel at Ephesus, and God gave him great success among
them; he had brought over many to Christ, and he had great hope of
bringing over many more. For this reason he determined to stay awhile
at Ephesus. Note, Success, and a fair prospect of more, was a just
reason to determine an apostle to stay and labour in a particular
place. And there were many adversaries, because a great door, and an
effectual, was opened. Note, Great success in the work of the gospel
commonly creates many enemies. The devil opposes those most, and makes
them most trouble, who most heartily and successfully set themselves to
destroy his kingdom. There were many adversaries; and therefore the
apostle determined to stay. Some think he alludes in this passage to
the custom of the Roman Circus, and the doors of it, at which the
charioteers were to enter, as their antagonists did at the opposite
doors. True courage is whetted by opposition; and it is no wonder that
the Christian courage of the apostle should be animated by the zeal of
his adversaries. They were bent to ruin him, and prevent the effect of
his ministry at Ephesus; and should he at this time desert his station,
and disgrace his character and doctrine? No, the opposition of
adversaries only animated his zeal. He was in nothing daunted by his
adversaries; but the more they raged and opposed the more he exerted
himself. Should such a man as he flee? Note, Adversaries and opposition
do not break the spirits of faithful and successful ministers, but only
enkindle their zeal, and inspire them with fresh courage. Indeed, to
labour in vain is heartless and discouraging. This damps the spirits,
and breaks the heart. But success will give life and vigour to a
minister, though enemies rage, and blaspheme, and persecute. It is not
the opposition of enemies, but the hardness and obstinacy of his
hearers, and the backslidings and revolt of professors, that damp a
faithful minister, and break his heart.
The Apostle Recommends Timothy; General Directions. (a. d. 57.)
10 Now if Timotheus come, see that he may be with you without fear: for
he worketh the work of the Lord, as I also do. 11 Let no man
therefore despise him: but conduct him forth in peace, that he may come
unto me: for I look for him with the brethren. 12 As touching our
brother Apollos, I greatly desired him to come unto you with the
brethren: but his will was not at all to come at this time; but he will
come when he shall have convenient time.
In this passage,
I. He recommends Timothy to them, in several particulars. As, 1. He
bids them take care that he should be among them without feat, v. 10.
Timothy was sent by the apostle to correct the abuses which had crept
in among them; and not only to direct, but to blame, and censure, and
reprove, those who were culpable. They were all in factions, and no
doubt the mutual strife and hatred ran very high among them. There were
some very rich, as it is probable; and many very proud, upon account
both of their outward wealth and spiritual gifts. Proud spirits cannot
easily bear reproof. It was reasonable therefore to think young Timothy
might be roughly used; hence the apostle warns them against using him
ill. Not but that he was prepared for the worst; but, whatever his
firmness and prudence might be, it was their duty to behave themselves
well towards him, and not discourage and dishearten him in his Lord's
work. They should not fly out into resentment at his reproof. Note,
Christians should bear faithful reproofs from their ministers, and not
terrify and discourage them from doing their duty. 2. He warns them
against despising him, v. 11. He was but a young man, and alone, as
Ecumenius observes. He had no one to back him, and his own youthful
face and years commanded but little reverence; and therefore the great
pretenders to wisdom among them might be apt to entertain contemptuous
thoughts of him. "Now," says the apostle, "guard against this." Not
that he distrusted Timothy; he knew that Timothy would do nothing to
bring contempt on his character, nothing to make his youth despicable.
But pride was a reigning sin among the Corinthians, and such a caution
was but too necessary. Note, Christians should be very careful not to
pour contempt on any, but especially on ministers, the faithful
ministers of Christ. These, whether young or old, are to be had in high
esteem for their works sake. 3. He tells them they should give him all
due encouragement, use him well while he was with them; and, as an
evidence of this, they should send him away in friendship, and well
prepared for his journey back again to Paul. This, as I have before
observed, is the meaning of bringing him on his journey in peace, v.
11. Note, Faithful ministers are not only to be well received by a
people among whom they may for a season minister, but are to be sent
away with due respect.
II. He assigns the reasons why they should behave thus towards Timothy.
1. Because he was employed in the same work as Paul, and acted in it by
the same authority, v. 10. He did not come on Paul's errand among them,
nor to do his work, but the work of the Lord. Though he was not an
apostle, he was assistant to one, and was sent upon this very business
by a divine commission. And therefore to vex his spirit would be to
grieve the Holy Spirit; to despise him would be to despise him that
sent him, not Paul, but Paul's Lord and theirs. Note, Those who work
the work of the Lord should be neither terrified nor despised, but
treated with all tenderness and respect. Such are all the faithful
ministers of the word, though not all in the same rank and degree.
Pastors and teachers, as well as apostles and evangelists, while they
are doing their duty, are to be treated with honour and respect. 2.
Another reason is implied; as they were to esteem him for his work's
sake, so also for Paul's sake, who had sent him to Corinth; not of his
own errand indeed, but to work the work of the Lord: Conduct him forth
in peace, that he may come to me, for I look for him with the brethren
(v. 11); or I with the brethren look for him (the original will bear
either), ekdechomai gar auton meta ton adelphon--"I am expecting his
return, and his report concerning you; and shall judge by your conduct
towards him what your regard and respect for me will be. Look to it
that you send him back with no evil report." Paul might expect from the
Corinthians, that a messenger from him, upon such an errand, should be
regarded, and well treated. His services and success among them, his
authority with them as an apostle, would challenge this at their hands.
They would hardly dare to send back Timothy with a report that would
grieve or provoke the apostle. "I and the brethren expect his return,
wait for the report he is to make; and therefore do not use him ill,
but respect him, regard his message, and let him return in peace."
III. He informs them of Apollos's purpose to see them. 1. He himself
had greatly desired him to come to them, v. 12. Though one party among
them had declared for Apollos against Paul (if that passage is to be
understood literally, vide ch. iv. 6), yet Paul did not hinder Apollos
from going to Corinth in his own absence, nay, he pressed him to go
thither. He had no suspicions of Apollos, as if he would lessen Paul's
interest and respect among them, to the advancement of his own. Note,
Faithful ministers are not apt to entertain jealousies of each other,
nor suspect of such selfish designs. True charity and brotherly love
think no evil. And where should these reign, if not in the breasts of
the ministers of Christ? 2. Apollos could not be prevailed on for the
present to come, but would at a more convenient season. Perhaps their
feuds and factions might render the present season improper. He would
not go to be set at the head of a party and countenance the dividing
and contentious humour. When this had subsided, through Paul's epistle
to them and Timothy's ministry among them, he might conclude a visit
would be more proper. Apostles did not vie with each other, but
consulted each other's comfort and usefulness. Paul intimates his great
regard to the church of Corinth, when they had used him ill, by
entreating Apollos to go to them; and Apollos shows his respect to
Paul, and his concern to keep up his character and authority, by
declining the journey till the Corinthians were in better temper. Note,
It is very becoming the ministers of the gospel to have and manifest a
concern for each other's reputation and usefulness.
Particular Directions. (a. d. 57.)
13 Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong.
14 Let all your things be done with charity. 15 I beseech you,
brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits
of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of
the saints,) 16 That ye submit yourselves unto such, and to every one
that helpeth with us, and laboureth. 17 I am glad of the coming of
Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus: for that which was lacking on
your part they have supplied. 18 For they have refreshed my spirit
and yours: therefore acknowledge ye them that are such.
In this passage the apostle gives,
I. Some general advices; as, 1. That they should watch (v. 13), be
wakeful and upon their guard. A Christian is always in danger, and
therefore should ever be on the watch; but the danger is greater at
some times and under some circumstances. The Corinthians were in
manifest danger upon many accounts: their feuds ran high, the
irregularities among them were very great, there were deceivers got
among them, who endeavoured to corrupt their faith in the most
important articles, those without which the practice of virtue and
piety could never subsist. And surely in such dangerous circumstances
it was their concern to watch. Note, If a Christian would be secure, he
must be on his guard; and the more his danger the greater vigilance is
needful for his security. 2. He advises them to stand fast in the
faith, to keep their ground, adhere to the revelation of God, and not
give it up for the wisdom of the world, nor suffer it to be corrupted
by it--stand for the faith of the gospel, and maintain it even to
death; and stand in it, so as to abide in the profession of it, and
feel and yield to its influence. Note, A Christian should be fixed in
the faith of the gospel, and never desert nor renounce it. It is by
this faith alone that he will be able to keep his ground in an hour of
temptation; it is by faith that we stand (2 Cor. i. 24); it is by this
that we must overcome the world (1 John v. 4), both when it fawns and
when it frowns, when it tempts and when it terrifies. We must stand
therefore in the faith of the gospel, if we would maintain our
integrity. 3. He advises them to act like men, and be strong: "Act the
manly, firm, and resolved part: behave strenuously, in opposition to
the bad men who would divide and corrupt you, those who would split you
into factions or seduce you from the faith: be not terrified nor
inveigled by them; but show yourselves men in Christ, by your
steadiness, by your sound judgment and firm resolution." Note,
Christians should be manly and firm in all their contests with their
enemies, in defending their faith, and maintaining their integrity.
They should, in an especial manner, be so in those points of faith that
lie at the foundation of sound and practical religion, such as were
attacked among the Corinthians: these must be maintained with solid
judgment and strong resolution. 4. He advises them to do every thing in
charity, v. 14. Our zeal and constancy must be consistent with charity.
When the apostle would have us play the man for our faith or religion,
he puts in a caution against playing the devil for it. We may defend
our faith, but we must, at the same time, maintain our innocence, and
not devour and destroy, and think with ourselves that the wrath of man
will work the righteousness of God, James i. 24. Note, Christians
should be careful that charity not only reign in their hearts, but
shine out in their lives, nay, in their most manly defences of the
faith of the gospel. There is a great difference between constancy and
cruelty, between Christian firmness and feverish wrath and transport.
Christianity never appears to so much advantage as when the charity of
Christians is most conspicuous when they can bear with their mistaken
brethren, and oppose the open enemies of their holy faith in love, when
every thing is done in charity, when they behave towards one another,
and towards all men, with a spirit of meekness and good will.
II. Some particular directions how they should behave towards some that
had been eminently serviceable to the cause of Christ among them.
1. He gives us their character (1.) The household of Stephanas is
mentioned by him, and their character is, that they were the
first-fruits of Achaia, the first converts to Christianity in that
region of Greece in which Corinth was. Note, It is an honourable
character to any man to be early a Christian, betimes in Christ. But
they had moreover addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints, to
serve the saints. They have disposed and devoted themselves--etaxan
heautous, to serve the saints, to do service to the saints. It is not
meant of the ministry of the word properly, but of serving them in
other respects, supplying their wants, helping and assisting them upon
all occasions, both in their temporal and spiritual concerns. The
family of Stephanas seems to have been a family of rank and importance
in those parts, and yet they willingly offered themselves to this
service. Note, It is an honour to persons of the highest rank to devote
themselves to the service of the saints. I do not mean to change ranks,
and become proper servants to the inferiors, but freely and voluntarily
to help them, and do good to them in all their concerns. (2.) He
mentions Stephanas, and Fortunatus, and Achaicus, as coming to him from
the church of Corinth. The account he gives of them is that they
supplied the deficiencies of the church towards him, and by so doing
refreshed his spirit and theirs, v. 17, 18. They gave him a more
perfect account of the state of the church by word of mouth than he
could acquire by their letter, and by that means much quieted his mind,
and upon their return from him would quiet the minds of the
Corinthians. Report had made their cause much worse than it was in
fact, and their letters had not explained it sufficiently to give the
apostle satisfaction; but he had been made more easy by converse with
them. It was a very good office they did, by truly stating facts, and
removing the ill opinion Paul had received by common fame. They came to
him with a truly Christian intention, to set the apostle right, and
give him as favourable sentiments of the church as they could, as
peace-makers. Note, It is a great refreshment to the spirit of a
faithful minister to hear better of a people by wise and good men of
their own body than by common report, to find himself misinformed
concerning them, that matters are not so bad as they had been
represented. It is a grief to him to hear ill of those he loves; it
gladdens his heart to hear the report thereof is false. And the greater
value he has for those who give him this information, and the more he
can depend upon their veracity, the greater is his joy.
2. Upon this account of the men, he directs how they should behave
towards them; and, (1.) He would have them acknowledged (v. 11), that
is, owned and respected. They deserve it for their good offices. Those
who serve the saints, those who consult the honour and good esteem of
the churches, and are concerned to wipe off reproaches from them, and
take off from the ill opinion fame had propagated, are to be valued,
and esteemed, and loved. Those who discover so good a spirit cannot
easily be over-valued. (2.) He advises that they should submit
themselves to such, and to all who helped with the apostles, and
laboured, v. 16. This is not to be understood of subjection to proper
superiors, but of a voluntary acknowledgment of their worth. They were
persons to whom they owed peculiar respect, and whom they should have
in veneration. Note, It is a venerable character which those bear who
serve the saints and labour hard to help the success of the gospel, who
countenance and encourage the faithful ministers of Christ, and
endeavour to promote their usefulness. Such should be had in honourable
esteem.
Commendations and Salutations. (a. d. 57.)
19 The churches of Asia salute you. Aquila and Priscilla salute you
much in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. 20 All the
brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss. 21 The
salutation of me Paul with mine own hand. 22 If any man love not the
Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema Maranatha. 23 The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you. 24 My love be with you all in Christ
Jesus. Amen. <<The first epistle to the Corinthians was written
from Philippi by Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus and
Timotheus.>>
The apostle closes his epistle,
I. With salutations to the church of Corinth, first from those of Asia,
from Priscilla and Aquila (who seem to have been at this time
inhabitants of Ephesus, vid. Acts xviii. 26), with the church in their
house (v. 19), and from all the brethren (v. 20) at Ephesus, where, it
is highly probable at least, he then was. All these saluted the church
at Corinth, by Paul. Note, Christianity does by no means destroy
civility and good manners. Paul could find room in an epistle treating
of very important matters to send the salutations of friends. Religion
should promote a courteous and obliging temper towards all. Those
misrepresent and reproach it who would take any encouragement from it
to be sour and morose. Some of these salute them much in the Lord.
Note, Christian salutations are not empty compliments; they carry in
them real expressions of good-will, and are attended with hearty
recommendations to the divine grace and blessing. Those who salute in
the Lord wish their brethren all good from the Lord, and breathe out
their good wishes in fervent prayers. We read also of a church in a
private family, v. 19. It is very probable that the family itself is
called the church in their house. Note, Every Christian family should
in some respects be a Christian church. In some cases (as, for
instance, were they cast away on a foreign shore, where there are no
other Christians), they should be a church themselves, if large enough,
and live in the use of all ordinances; but in common cases they should
live under the direction of Christian rules, and daily offer up
Christian worship. Wherever two or three are gathered together, and
Christ is among them, there is a church. To these salutations he
subjoins, 1. An advice, that they should greet one another with a holy
kiss (v. 20), or with sincere good-will, a tacit reproof of their feuds
and factions. When the churches of Asia, and the Christian brethren so
remote, did so heartily salute them in the Lord, and own and love them
as brethren, and expressed so much good-will to them, it would be a
shame for them not to own and love one another as brethren. Note, The
love of the brethren should be a powerful incentive to mutual love.
When the other churches of Christ love us all, we are very culpable if
we do not love one another. 2. He subjoins his own salutation: The
salutation of me Paul with my own hand, v. 21. His amanuensis, it is
reasonable to think, wrote the rest of his epistle from his mouth, but
at the close it was fit that himself should sign it, that they might
know it to be genuine; and therefore it is added (2 Thess. iii. 17),
Which is my token in every epistle, the mark of its being genuine; so
he wrote in every epistle which he did not wholly pen, as he did that
to the Galatians, Gal. vi. 11. Note, Those churches to whom apostolical
letters were sent were duly certified of their being authentic and
divine. Nor would Paul be behind the rest of the brethren in respect to
the Corinthians; and therefore, after he has given their salutations,
he adds his own.
II. With a very solemn warning to them: If any man love not the Lord
Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema, Maran-atha, v. 22. We sometimes need
words of threatening, that we may fear. Blessed is he, says the wise
man, who feareth always. Holy fear is a very good friend both to holy
faith and holy living. An how much reason have all Christians to fear
falling under this doom! If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let
him be Anathema, Maran-atha. Here observe, 1. The person described, who
is liable to this doom: He that loveth not the Lord Jesus Christ. A
meiosis, as some think; he who blasphemes Christ disowns his doctrine,
slights and contemns his institutions, or, through pride of human
knowledge and learning, despises his revelations. It stands here as a
warning to the Corinthians and a rebuke of their criminal behaviour. It
is an admonition to them not to be led away from the simplicity of the
gospel, or those principles of it which were the great motives to
purity of life, by pretenders to science, by the wisdom of the world,
which would call their religion folly, and its most important doctrines
absurd and ridiculous. Those men had a spite at Christ; and, if the
Corinthians give ear to their seducing speeches, they were in danger of
apostatizing from him. Against this he gives them here a very solemn
caution. "Do not give into such conduct, if you would escape the
severest vengeance." Note, Professed Christians will, by contempt of
Christ, and revolt from him, bring upon themselves the most dreadful
destruction. Some understand the words as they lie, in their plain and
obvious meaning, for such as are without holy and sincere affection for
the Lord Jesus Christ. Many who have his name much in their mouths have
no true love to him in their hearts, will not have him to rule over
them (Luke xix. 27), no, not though they have very towering hopes of
being saved by him. And none love him in truth who do not love his laws
and keep his commandments. Note, There are many Christians in name who
do not love Christ Jesus the Lord in sincerity. But can any thing be
more criminal or provoking? What, not love the most glorious lover in
the world! Him who loved us, and gave himself for us, who shed his
blood for us, to testify his love to us, and that after heinous wrong
and provocation! What had we a power of loving for, if we are unmoved
with such love as this, and without affection to such a Saviour? But,
2. We have here the doom of the person described: "Let him be Anathema,
Maran-atha, lie under the heaviest and most dreadful curse. Let him be
separated from the people of God, from the favour of God, and delivered
up to his final, irrevocable, and inexorable vengeance" Maran-atha is a
Syriac phrase, and signifies The Lord cometh. That very Lord whom they
do not love, to whom they are inwardly and really disaffected whatever
outward profession they make, is coming to execute judgment. And to be
exposed to his wrath, to be divided to his left hand, to be condemned
by him, how dreadful! If he will destroy, who can save? Those who fall
under his condemning sentence must perish, and that for ever. Note,
Those who love not the Lord Jesus Christ must perish without remedy.
The wrath of God abides on every one who believes not on the Son, John
iii. 36. And true faith in Christ will evermore be productive of
sincere love to him. Those who love him not cannot be believers in him.
III. With his good wishes for them and expressions of good-will to
them. 1. With his good wishes: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you, v. 23. As much as if he had said, "Though I warn you against
falling under his displeasure, I heartily wish you an interest in his
dearest love and his eternal favour." The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ comprehends in it all that is good, for time or eternity. To
wish our friends may have this grace with them is wishing them the
utmost good. And this we should wish all our friends and brethren in
Christ. We can wish them nothing more, and we should wish them nothing
less. We should heartily pray that they may value, and seek, and
obtain, and secure, the grace and good-will of their Lord and Judge.
Note, The most solemn warnings are the result of the tenderest
affection and the greatest good-will. We may tell our brethren and
friends with great plainness and pathos that, if they love not the Lord
Jesus Christ, they must perish, while we heartily wish the grace of
Christ may be with them. Nay, we may give them this warning that they
may prize and lay hold of this grace. Note also, How much true
Christianity enlarges our hearts; it makes us wish those whom we love
the blessings of both worlds; for this is implied in wishing the grace
of Christ to be with them. And therefore it is no wonder that the
apostle should close all, 2. With the declaration of his love to them
in Christ Jesus: My love be with you all, in Christ Jesus, Amen, v. 24.
He had dealt very plainly with them in this epistle, and told them of
their faults with just severity; but, to show that he was not
transported with passion, he parts with them in love, makes solemn
profession of his love to them, nay, to them all in Christ Jesus, that
is, for Christ's sake. He tells them that his heart was with them, that
he truly loved them; but lest this, after all, should be deemed
flattery and insinuation, he adds that his affection was the result of
his religion, and would be guided by the rules of it. His heart would
be with them, and he would bear them dear affection as long as their
hearts were with Christ, and they bore true affection to his cause and
interest. Note, We should be cordial lovers of all who are in Christ,
and who love him in sincerity. Not but we should love all men, and wish
them well, and do them what good is in our power; but those must have
our dearest affection who are dear to Christ, and lovers of him. May
our love be with all those who are in Christ Jesus! Amen.
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Second Corinthians
Completed by Daniel Mayo.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE
C O R I N T H I A N S.
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In his former epistle the apostle had signified his intentions of
coming to Corinth, as he passed through Macedonia (xvi. 5), but, being
providentially hindered for some time, he writes this second epistle to
them about a year after the former; and there seem to be these two
urgent occasions:--1. The case of the incestuous person, who lay under
censure, required that with all speed he should be restored and
received again into communion. This therefore he gives directions about
(ch. ii.), and afterwards (ch. vii.) he declares the satisfaction he
had upon the intelligence he received of their good behaviour in that
affair. 2. There was a contribution now making for the poor saints at
Jerusalem, in which he exhorts the Corinthians to join, ch. viii., ix.
There are divers other things very observable in this epistle; for
example, I. The account the apostle gives of his labours and success in
preaching the gospel in several places, ch. ii. II. The comparison he
makes between the Old and New Testament dispensation, ch. iii. III. The
manifold sufferings that he and his fellow-labourers met with, and the
motives and encouragements for their diligence and patience, ch. iv.,
v. IV. The caution he gives the Corinthians against mingling with
unbelievers, ch. vi. V. The way and manner in which he justifies
himself and his apostleship from the opprobrious insinuations and
accusations of false teachers, who endeavoured to ruin his reputation
at Corinth, ch. x.-xii., and throughout the whole epistle.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. I.
After the introduction (ver. 1, 2) the apostle begins with the
narrative of his troubles and God's goodness, which he had met with in
Asia, by way of thanksgiving to God (ver. 3-6), and for the edification
of the Corinthians, ver. 7-11. Then he attests his and his
fellow-labourers' integrity (ver. 12-14), and afterwards vindicates
himself from the imputation of levity and inconstancy, ver. 15-24.
Grateful Acknowledgments. (a. d. 57.)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our
brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the
saints which are in all Achaia: 2 Grace be to you and peace from God
our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
This is the introduction to this epistle, in which we have,
I. The inscription; and therein, 1. The person from whom it was sent,
namely, Paul, who calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will
of God. The apostleship itself was ordained by Jesus Christ, according
to the will of God; and Paul was called to it by Jesus Christ,
according to the will of God. He joins Timotheus with himself in
writing this epistle; not because he needed his assistance, but that
out of the mouth of two witnesses the word might be established; and
this dignifying Timothy with the title of brother (either in the common
faith, or in the work of the ministry) shows the humility of this great
apostle, and his desire to recommend Timothy (though he was then a
young man) to the esteem of the Corinthians, and give him a reputation
among the churches. 2. The persons to whom this epistle was sent,
namely, the church of God at Corinth: and not only to them, but also to
all the saints in all Achaia, that is, to all the Christians who lived
in the region round about. Note, In Christ Jesus no distinction is made
between the inhabitants of city and country; all Achaia stands upon a
level in his account.
II. The salutation or apostolical benediction, which is the same as in
his former epistle; and therein the apostle desires the two great and
comprehensive blessings, grace and peace, for those Corinthians. These
two benefits are fitly joined together, because there is no good and
lasting peace without true grace; and both of them come from God our
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the procurer and
dispenser of those benefits to fallen man, and is prayed to as God.
Paul's Sufferings and Consolations. (a. d. 57.)
3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father
of mercies, and the God of all comfort; 4 Who comforteth us in all
our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any
trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also
aboundeth by Christ. 6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your
consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the
same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is
for your consolation and salvation.
After the foregoing preface, the apostle begins with the narrative of
God's goodness to him and his fellow-labourers in their manifold
tribulations, which he speaks of by way of thanksgiving to God, and to
advance the divine glory (v. 3-6); and it is fit that in all things,
and in the first place, God be glorified. Observe,
I. The object of the apostle's thanksgiving, to whom he offers up
blessing and praise, namely, the blessed God, who only is to be
praised, whom he describes by several glorious and amiable titles. 1.
The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: ho Theos kai pater tou
Kyriou hemon Iesou Christou. God is the Father of Christ's divine
nature by eternal generation, of his human nature by miraculous
conception in the womb of the virgin, and of Christ as God-man, and our
Redeemer, by covenant-relation, and in and through him as Mediator our
God and our Father, John xx. 17. In the Old Testament we often meet
with this title, The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, to
denote God's covenant-relation to them and their seed; and in the New
Testament God is styled the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to
denote his covenant-relation to the Mediator and his spiritual seed.
Gal. iii. 16. 2. The Father of mercies. There is a multitude of tender
mercies in God essentially, and all mercies are from God originally:
mercy in his genuine offspring and his delight. He delighteth in mercy,
Mic. vii. 18. 3. The God of all comfort; from his proceedeth the
Comforter, John xv. 26. He giveth the earnest of the Spirit in our
hearts, v. 22. All our comforts come from God, and our sweetest
comforts are in him.
II. The reasons of the apostle's thanksgivings, which are these:--
1. The benefits that he himself and his companions had received from
God; for God had comforted them in all their tribulations, v. 4. In the
world they had trouble, but in Christ they had peace. The apostles met
with many tribulations, but they found comfort in them all: their
sufferings (which are called the sufferings of Christ, v. 5, because
Christ sympathized with his members when suffering for his sake) did
abound, but their consolation by Christ did abound also. Note, (1.)
Then are we qualified to receive the comfort of God's mercies when we
set ourselves to give him the glory of them. (2.) Then we speak best of
God and his goodness when we speak from our own experience, and, in
telling others, tell God also what he has done for our souls.
2. The advantage which others might receive; for God intended that they
should be able to comfort others in trouble (v. 4), by communicating to
them their experiences of the divine goodness and mercy; and the
sufferings of good men have a tendency to this good end (v. 6) when
they are endued with faith and patience. Note, (1.) What favours God
bestows on us are intended not only to make us cheerful ourselves, but
also that we may be useful to others. (2.) If we do imitate the faith
and patience of good men in their afflictions, we may hope to partake
of their consolations here and their salvation hereafter.
Paul's Sincerity and Affliction. (a. d. 57.)
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of
the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation. 8 For we
would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us
in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch
that we despaired even of life: 9 But we had the sentence of death in
ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God which
raiseth the dead: 10 Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth
deliver: in whom we trust that he will yet deliver us; 11 Ye also
helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us
by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
In these verses the apostle speaks for the encouragement and
edification of the Corinthians; and tells them (v. 7) of his persuasion
or stedfast hope that they should receive benefit by the troubles he
and his companions in labour and travel had met with, that their faith
should not be weakened, but their consolations increased. In order to
this he tells them, 1. What their sufferings had been (v. 8): We would
not have you ignorant of our trouble. It was convenient for the
churches to know what were the sufferings of their ministers. It is not
certain what particular troubles in Asia are here referred to; whether
the tumult raised by Demetrius at Ephesus, mentioned Acts xix., or the
fight with beasts at Ephesus, mentioned in the former epistle (ch.
xv.), or some other trouble; for the apostle was in deaths often. This
however is evident, that they were great tribulations. They were pushed
out of measure, to a very extraordinary degree, above the common
strength of men, or of ordinary Christians, to bear up under them,
insomuch that they despaired even of life (v. 8), and thought they
should have been killed, or have fainted away and expired. 2. What they
did in their distress: They trusted in God. And they were brought to
this extremity in order that they should not trust in themselves but in
God, v. 9. Note, God often brings his people into great straits, that
they may apprehend their own insufficiency to help themselves, and may
be induced to place their trust and hope in his all-sufficiency. Our
extremity is God's opportunity. In the mount will the Lord be seen; and
we may safely trust in God, who raiseth the dead, v. 9. God's raising
the dead is a proof of his almighty power. He that can do this can do
any thing, can do all things, and is worthy to be trusted in at all
times. Abraham's faith fastened upon this instance of the divine power:
He believed God who quickeneth the dead, Rom. iv. 17. If we should be
brought so low as to despair even of life, yet we may then trust in
God, who can bring back not only from the gates, but from the jaws, of
death. 3. What the deliverance was that they had obtained; and this was
seasonable and continued. Their hope and trust were not in vain, nor
shall any who trust in him be ashamed. God had delivered them, and did
still deliver them, v. 10. Having obtained help of God, they continued
to that day, Acts xxvi. 22. 4. What use they made of this deliverance:
We trust that he will yet deliver us (v. 10), that God will deliver to
the end, and preserve to his heavenly kingdom. Note, Past experiences
are great encouragements to faith and hope, and they lay great
obligations to trust in God for time to come. We reproach our
experiences if we distrust God in future straits, who hath delivered as
in former troubles. David, even when a young man, and when he had but a
small stock of experiences, argued after the manner of the apostle
here, 1 Sam. xvii. 37. 5. What was desired of the Corinthians upon this
account: That they would help together by prayer for them (v. 11), by
social prayer, agreeing and joining together in prayer on their behalf.
Note, our trusting in God must not supersede the use of any proper and
appointed means; and prayer is one of those means. We should pray for
ourselves and for one another. The apostle had himself a great interest
in the throne of grace, yet he desires the help of others' prayers. If
we thus help one another by our prayers, we may hope for an occasion of
giving thanks by many for answer of prayer. And it is our duty not only
to help one another with prayer, but in praise and thanksgiving, and
thereby to make suitable returns for benefits received.
Paul's Sincerity and Affliction. (a. d. 57.)
12 For our rejoicing is this, the testimony of our conscience, that in
simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom, but by the
grace of God, we have had our conversation in the world, and more
abundantly to you-ward. 13 For we write none other things unto you,
than what ye read or acknowledge; and I trust ye shall acknowledge even
to the end; 14 As also ye have acknowledged us in part, that we are
your rejoicing, even as ye also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus.
The apostle in these verses attests their integrity by the sincerity of
their conversation. This he does not in a way of boasting and
vain-glory, but as one good reason for desiring the help of prayer, as
well as for the more comfortably trusting in God (Heb. xiii. 18), and
for the necessary vindication of himself from the aspersions of some
persons at Corinth, who reproached his person and questioned his
apostleship. Here,
I. He appeals to the testimony of conscience with rejoicing (v. 12), in
which observe, 1. The witness appealed to, namely, conscience, which is
instead of a thousand witnesses. This God's deputy in the soul, and the
voice of conscience is the voice of God. They rejoiced in the testimony
of conscience, when their enemies reproached them, and were enraged
against them. Note, The testimony of conscience for us, if that be
right and upon good grounds, will be matter of rejoicing at all times
and in all conditions. 2. The testimony this witness gave. And here
take notice, Conscience witnessed, (1.) Concerning their conversation,
their constant course and tenour of life: by that we may judge of
ourselves, and not by this or that single act. (2.) Concerning the
nature or manner of their conversation; that it was in simplicity and
godly sincerity. This blessed apostle was a true Israelite, a man of
plain dealing; you might know where to have him. He was not a man who
seemed to be one thing and was another, but a man of sincerity. (3.)
Concerning the principle they acted from in all their conversation,
both in the world and towards these Corinthians; and that was not
fleshly wisdom, nor carnal politics and worldly views, but it was the
grace of God, a vital gracious principle in their hearts, that cometh
from God, and tendeth to God. Then will our conversation be well
ordered when we live and act under the influence and command of such a
gracious principle in the heart.
II. He appeals to the knowledge of the Corinthians with hope and
confidence, v. 13, 14. Their conversation did in part fall under the
observation of the Corinthians; and these knew how they behaved
themselves, how holily, and justly, and unblamably; they never found
any thing in them unbecoming an honest man. This they had acknowledged
in part already, and he doubted not but they would still do so to the
end, that is, that they would never have any good reason to think or
say otherwise of him, but that he was an honest man. And so there would
be mutual rejoicing in one another. We are your rejoicing, even as you
also are ours in the day of the Lord Jesus. Note, It is happy when
ministers and people do rejoice in each other here; and this joy will
be complete in that day when the great Shepherd of the sheep shall
appear.
Paul's Sincerity and Affliction. (a. d. 57.)
15 And in this confidence I was minded to come unto you before, that ye
might have a second benefit; 16 And to pass by you into Macedonia,
and to come again out of Macedonia unto you, and of you to be brought
on my way toward Judæa. 17 When I therefore was thus minded, did I
use lightness? or the things that I purpose, do I purpose according to
the flesh, that with me there should be yea yea, and nay nay? 18 But
as God is true, our word toward you was not yea and nay. 19 For the
Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me
and Silvanus and Timotheus, was not yea and nay, but in him was yea.
20 For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto
the glory of God by us. 21 Now he which stablisheth us with you in
Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and
given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts. 23 Moreover I call God
for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto
Corinth. 24 Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are
helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand.
The apostle here vindicates himself from the imputation of levity and
inconstancy, in that he did not hold his purpose of coming to them at
Corinth. His adversaries there sought all occasions to blemish his
character, and reflect upon his conduct; and, it seemed, they took hold
of this handle to reproach his person and discredit his ministry. Now,
for his justification,
I. He avers the sincerity of his intention (v. 15-17), and he does this
in confidence of their good opinion of him, and that they would believe
him, when he assured them he was minded, or did really intend, to come
to them, and that with the design, not that he might receive, but that
they might receive a second benefit, that is, a further advantage by
his ministry. He tells them that he had not herein used lightness (v.
17), that, as he aimed not at any secular advantage to himself (for his
purpose was not according to the flesh, that is, with carnal views and
aims), so it was not a rash and inconsiderate resolution that he had
taken up, for he had laid his measures thus of passing by them to
Macedonia, and coming again to them from Macedonia in his way to Judea
(v. 16), and therefore they might conclude that it was for some weighty
reasons that he had altered his purpose; and that with him there was
not yea yea, and nay nay, v. 17. He was not to be accused of levity and
inconstancy, nor a contradiction between his words and intentions.
Note, Good men should be careful to preserve the reputation of
sincerity and constancy; they should not resolve but upon mature
deliberation, and they will not change their resolves but for weighty
reasons.
II. He would not have the Corinthians to infer that his gospel was
false or uncertain, nor that it was contradictory in itself, nor unto
truth, v. 18, 19. For if it had been so, that he had been fickle in his
purposes, or even false in the promises he made of coming to them
(which he was not justly to be accused of, and so some understand his
expression, v. 18, Our word towards you was not yea and nay), yet it
would not follow that the gospel preached not only by him, but also by
others in full agreement with him, was either false or doubtful. For
God is true, and the Son of God, Jesus Christ, is true. The true God,
and eternal life. Jesus Christ, whom the apostle preached, is not yea
and nay, but in him was yea (v. 19), nothing but infallible truth. And
the promises of God in Christ are not yea and nay, but yea and amen, v.
20. There is an inviolable constancy and unquestionable sincerity and
certainty in all the parts of the gospel of Christ. If in the promises
that the ministers of the gospel make as common men, and about their
own affairs, they see cause sometimes to vary from them, yet the
promises of the gospel covenant, which they preach, stand firm and
inviolable. Bad men are false; good men are fickle; but God is true,
neither fickle nor false. The apostle, having mentioned the stability
of the divine promises, makes a digression to illustrate this great and
sweet truth, that all the promises of God are yea and amen. For, 1.
They are the promises of the God of truth (v. 20), of him that cannot
lie, whose truth as well as mercy endureth for ever. 2. They are made
in Christ Jesus (v. 20), the Amen, the true and faithful witness; he
hath purchased and ratified the covenant of promises, and is the surety
of the covenant, Heb. vii. 22. 3. They are confirmed by the Holy
Spirit. He does establish Christians in the faith of the gospel; he has
anointed them with his sanctifying grace, which in scripture is often
compared to oil; he has sealed them, for their security and
confirmation; and he is given as an earnest in their hearts, v. 21, 22.
An earnest secures the promise, and is part of the payment. The
illumination of the Spirit is an earnest of everlasting life; and the
comforts of the Spirit are an earnest of everlasting joy. Note, The
veracity of God, the mediation of Christ, and the operation of the
Spirit, are all engaged that the promises shall be sure to all the
seed, and the accomplishment of them shall be to the glory of God (v.
20) for the glory of his rich and sovereign grace, and never-failing
truth and faithfulness.
III. The apostle gives a good reason why he did not come to Corinth, as
was expected, v. 23. It was that he might spare them. They ought
therefore to own his kindness and tenderness. He knew there were things
amiss among them, and such as deserved censure, but was desirous to
show tenderness. He assures them that this is the true reason, after
this very solemn manner: I call God for a record upon my soul--a way of
speaking not justifiable where used in trivial matters; but this was
very justifiable in the apostle, for his necessary vindication, and for
the credit and usefulness of his ministry, which was struck at by his
opposers. He adds, to prevent mistakes, that he did not pretend to have
any dominion over their faith, v. 24. Christ only is the Lord of our
faith; he is the author and finisher of our faith, Heb. xii. 2. He
reveals to us what we must believe. Paul, and Apollos, and the rest of
the apostles, were but ministers by whom they believed (1 Cor. iii. 5),
and so the helpers of their joy, even the joy of faith. For by faith we
stand firmly, and live safely and comfortably. Our strength and ability
are owing to faith, and our comfort and joy must flow from faith.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. II.
In this chapter the apostle proceeds in the account of the reasons why
he did not come to Corinth, ver. 1-4. Then he writes concerning the
incestuous person who lay under censure; and gives direction for
restoring him, together with the reasons for their so doing (ver.
5-11), and afterwards informs them of his labours and success in
preaching the gospel in several places, ver. 12-17.
Paul Expresses His Affection. (a. d. 57.)
1 But I determined this with myself, that I would not come again to you
in heaviness. 2 For if I make you sorry, who is he then that maketh
me glad, but the same which is made sorry by me? 3 And I wrote this
same unto you, lest, when I came, I should have sorrow from them of
whom I ought to rejoice; having confidence in you all, that my joy is
the joy of you all. 4 For out of much affliction and anguish of heart
I wrote unto you with many tears; not that ye should be grieved, but
that ye might know the love which I have more abundantly unto you.
In these verses, 1. The apostle proceeds in giving an account of the
reason why he did not come to Corinth, as was expected; namely, because
he was unwilling to grieve them, or be grieved by them, v. 1, 2. He had
determined not to come to them in heaviness, which yet he would have
done had he come and found scandal among them not duly animadverted
upon: this would have been cause of grief both to him and them, for
their sorrow or joy at meeting would have been mutual. If he had made
them sorry, that would have been a sorrow to himself, for there would
have been none to have made him glad. But his desire was to have a
cheerful meeting with them, and not to have it embittered by any
unhappy occasion of disagreeing. 2. He tells them it was to the same
intent that he wrote his former epistle, v. 3, 4. (1.) That he might
not have sorrow from those of whom he ought to rejoice; and that he had
written to them in confidence of their doing what was requisite, in
order to their benefit and his comfort. The particular thing referred
to, as appears by the following verses, was the case of the incestuous
person about whom he had written in the first epistle, ch. v. Nor was
the apostle disappointed in his expectation. (2.) He assures them that
he did not design to grieve them, but to testify his love to them, and
that he wrote to them with much anguish and affliction in his own
heart, and with great affection to them. He had written with tears,
that they might know his abundant love to them. Note, [1.] Even in
reproofs, admonitions, and acts of discipline, faithful ministers show
their love. [2.] Needful censures, and the exercise of
church-discipline towards offenders, are a grief to tender-spirited
ministers, and are administered with regret.
Case of the Incestuous Person. (a. d. 57.)
5 But if any have caused grief, he hath not grieved me, but in part:
that I may not overcharge you all. 6 Sufficient to such a man is this
punishment, which was inflicted of many. 7 So that contrariwise ye
ought rather to forgive him, and comfort him, lest perhaps such a one
should be swallowed up with overmuch sorrow. 8 Wherefore I beseech
you that ye would confirm your love toward him. 9 For to this end
also did I write, that I might know the proof of you, whether ye be
obedient in all things. 10 To whom ye forgive any thing, I forgive
also: for if I forgave any thing, to whom I forgave it, for your sakes
forgave I it in the person of Christ; 11 Lest Satan should get an
advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.
In these verses the apostle treats concerning the incestuous person who
had been excommunicated, which seems to be one principal cause of his
writing this epistle. Here observe, 1. He tells them that the crime of
that person had grieved him in part; and that he was grieved also with
a part of them, who, notwithstanding this scandal had been found among
them, were puffed up and had not mourned, 1 Cor. v. 2. However, he was
unwilling to lay too heavy a charge upon the whole church, especially
seeing they had cleared themselves in that matter by observing the
directions he had formerly given them. 2. He tells them that the
punishment which had been inflicted upon this offender was sufficient,
v. 6. The desired effect was obtained, for the man was humbled, and
they had shown the proof of their obedience to his directions. 3. He
therefore directs them, with all speed, to restore the excommunicated
person, or to receive him again to their communion, v. 7, 8. This is
expressed several ways. He beseeches them to forgive him, that is, to
release him from church-censures, for they could not remit the guilt or
offence against God; and also to comfort him, for in many cases the
comfort of penitents depends upon their reconciliation not only with
God, but with men also, whom they have scandalized or injured. They
must also confirm their love to him; that is, they should show that
their reproofs and censures proceeded from love to his person, as well
as hatred to his sin, and that their design was to reform, not to ruin
him. Or thus: If his fall had weakened their love to him, that they
could not take such satisfaction in him as formerly; yet, now that he
was recovered by repentance, they must renew and confirm their love to
him. 4. He uses several weighty arguments to persuade them to do thus,
as, (1.) The case of the penitent called for this; for he was in danger
of being swallowed up with over-much sorrow, v. 7. He was so sensible
of this fault, and so much afflicted under his punishment, that he was
in danger of falling into despair. When sorrow is excessive it does
hurt; and even sorrow for sin is too great when it unfits for other
duties, and drives men to despair. (2.) They had shown obedience to his
directions in passing a censure upon the offender and now he would have
them comply with his desire to restore him, v. 9. (3.) He mentions his
readiness to forgive this penitent, and concur with them in this
matter. "To whom you forgive I forgive also, v. 10. I will readily
concur with you in forgiving him." And this he would do for their
sakes, for love to them and for their advantage; and for Christ's sake,
or in his name, as his apostle, and in conformity to his doctrine and
example, which are so full of kindness and tender mercy towards all
those who truly repent. (4.) He gives another weighty reason (v. 11):
Lest Satan get an advantage against us. Not only was there danger lest
Satan should get an advantage against the penitent, by driving him to
despair; but against the churches also, and the apostles or ministers
of Christ, by representing them as too rigid and severe, and so
frightening people from coming among them. In this, as in other things,
wisdom is profitable to direct, so to manage according as the case may
be that the ministry may not be blamed, for indulging sin on the one
hand, or for too great severity towards sinners on the other hand.
Note, Satan is a subtle enemy, and uses many stratagems to deceive us;
and we should not be ignorant of his devices: he is also a watchful
adversary, ready to take all advantages against us, and we should be
very cautious lest we give him any occasion so to do.
Effects of the Christian Ministry. (a. d. 57.)
12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach Christ's gospel, and a
door was opened unto me of the Lord, 13 I had no rest in my spirit,
because I found not Titus my brother: but taking my leave of them, I
went from thence into Macedonia. 14 Now thanks be unto God, which
always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour
of his knowledge by us in every place. 15 For we are unto God a sweet
savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish: 16
To the one we are the savour of death unto death; and to the other the
savour of life unto life. And who is sufficient for these things? 17
For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of
sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.
After these directions concerning the excommunicated person the apostle
makes a long digression, to give the Corinthians an account of his
travels and labours for the furtherance of the gospel, and what success
he had therein, declaring at the same time how much he was concerned
for them in their affairs, how he had no rest in his spirit, when he
found not Titus at Troas (v. 13), as he expected, from whom he hoped to
have understood more perfectly how it fared with them. And we find
afterwards (ch. vii. 5-7) that when the apostle had come into Macedonia
he was comforted by the coming of Titus, and the information he gave
him concerning them. So that we may look upon all that we read from
this second chapter, v. 12, to ch. vii. 5, as a kind of parenthesis.
Observe here,
I. Paul's unwearied labour and diligence in his work, v. 12, 13. He
travelled from place to place, to preach the gospel. He went to Troas
from Philippi by sea (Acts xx. 6), and thence he went to Macedonia; so
that he was prevented from passing by Corinth, as he had designed, ch.
i. 16. But, though he was prevented in his design as to the place of
working, yet he was unwearied in his work.
II. His success in his work: A great door was opened to him of the
Lord, v. 12. He had a great deal of work to do wherever he came, and
had good success in his work; for God made manifest the savour of his
knowledge by him in every place where he came. He had an opportunity to
open the door of his mouth freely, and God opened the hearts of his
hearers, as the heart of Lydia (Acts xvi. 14), and the apostle speaks
of this as a matter of thankfulness to God and of rejoicing to his
soul: Thanks be to God, who always causeth us to triumph in Christ.
Note, 1. A believer's triumphs are all in Christ. In ourselves we are
weak, and have neither joy nor victory; but in Christ we may rejoice
and triumph. 2. True believers have constant cause of triumph in
Christ, for they are more than conquerors through him who hath loved
them, Rom. viii. 37. 3. God causeth them to triumph in Christ. It is
God who has given us matter for triumph, and hearts to triumph. To him
therefore be the praise and glory of all. 4. The good success of the
gospel is a good reason for a Christian's joy and rejoicing.
III. The comfort that the apostle and his companions in labour found,
even when the gospel was not successful to the salvation of some who
heard it, v. 15-17. Here observe,
1. The different success of the gospel, and its different effects upon
several sorts of persons to whom it is preached. The success is
different; for some are saved by it, while others perish under it. Nor
is this to be wondered at, considering the different effects the gospel
has. For, (1.) Unto some it is a savour of death unto death. Those who
are willingly ignorant, and wilfully obstinate, disrelish the gospel,
as men dislike an ill savour, and therefore they are blinded and
hardened by it: it stirs up their corruptions, and exasperates their
spirits. They reject the gospel, to their ruin, even to spiritual and
eternal death. (2.) Unto others the gospel is a savour of life unto
life. To humble and gracious souls the preaching of the word is most
delightful and profitable. As it is sweeter than honey to the taste, so
it is more grateful than the most precious odours to the senses, and
much more profitable; for as it quickened them at first, when they were
dead in trespasses and sins, so it makes them more lively, and will end
in eternal life.
2. The awful impressions this matter made upon the mind of the apostle,
and should also make upon our spirits: Who is sufficient for these
things? v. 16. Tis hikanos--who is worthy to be employed in such
weighty work, a work of such vast importance, because of so great
consequence? Who is able to perform such a difficult work, that
requires so much skill and industry? The work is great and our strength
is small; yea, of ourselves we have no strength at all; all our
sufficiency is of God. Note, If men did seriously consider what great
things depend upon the preaching of the gospel, and how difficult the
work of the ministry is, they would be very cautious how they enter
upon it, and very careful to perform it well.
3. The comfort which the apostle had under this serious consideration,
(1.) Because faithful ministers shall be accepted of God, whatever
their success be: We are, if faithful, unto God a sweet savour of
Christ (v. 15), in those who are saved and in those also who perish.
God will accept of sincere intentions, and honest endeavours, though
with many they are not successful. Ministers shall be accepted, and
recompensed, not according to their success, but according to their
fidelity. Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the
eyes of the Lord, Isa. xlix. 5. (2.) Because his conscience witnessed
to his faithfulness, v. 17. Though many did corrupt the word of God,
yet the apostle's conscience witnessed to his fidelity. He did not mix
his own notions with the doctrines and institutions of Christ; he durst
not add to, nor diminish from, the word of God; he was faithful in
dispensing the gospel, as he received it from the Lord, and had no
secular turn to serve; his aim was to approve himself to God,
remembering that his eye was always upon him; he therefore spoke and
acted always as in the sight of God, and therefore in sincerity. Note,
What we do in religion is not of God, does not come from God, will not
reach to God, unless it be done in sincerity, as in the sight of God.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. III.
The apostle makes an apology for his seeming to commend himself, and is
careful not to assume too much to himself, but to ascribe all praise
unto God, ver. 1-5. He then draws a comparison between the Old
Testament and the New, and shows the excellency of the later above the
former (ver. 6-11), whence he infers what is the duty of gospel
ministers, and the advantage of those who live under the gospel above
those who lived under the law, ver. 12, to the end.
Apology for Seeming Self-Commendation. (a. d. 57.)
1 Do we begin again to commend ourselves? or need we, as some others,
epistles of commendation to you, or letters of commendation from you?
2 Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:
3 Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ
ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the
living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
4 And such trust have we through Christ to God-ward: 5 Not that we
are sufficient of ourselves to think any thing as of ourselves; but our
sufficiency is of God;
In these verses,
I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend himself. He
thought it convenient to protest his sincerity to them, because there
were some at Corinth who endeavoured to blast his reputation; yet he
was not desirous of vain-glory. And he tells them, 1. That he neither
needed nor desired any verbal commendation to them, nor letters
testimonial from them, as some others did, meaning the false apostles
or teachers, v. 1. His ministry among them had, without controversy,
been truly great and honourable, how little soever his person was in
reality, or how contemptible soever some would have him thought to be.
2. The Corinthians themselves were his real commendation, and a good
testimonial for him, that God was with him of a truth, that he was sent
of God: You are our epistle, v. 2. This was the testimonial he most
delighted in, and what was most dear to him--they were written in his
heart; and this he could appeal to upon occasion, for it was, or might
be, known and read of all men. Note, There is nothing more delightful
to faithful ministers, nor more to their commendation, than the success
of their ministry, evidenced in the hearts and lives of those among
whom they labour.
II. The apostle is careful not to assume too much to himself, but to
ascribe all the praise to God. Therefore, 1. He says they were the
epistle of Christ, v. 3. The apostle and others were but instruments,
Christ was the author of all the good that was in them. The law of
Christ was written in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad
in their hearts. This epistle was not written with ink, but with the
Spirit of the living God; nor was it written in tables of stone, as the
law of God given to Moses, but on the heart; and that heart not a stony
one, but a heart of flesh, upon the fleshy (not fleshly, as fleshliness
denotes sensuality) tables of the heart, that is, upon hearts that are
softened and renewed by divine grace, according to that gracious
promise, I will take away the stony heart, and I will give you a heart
of flesh, Ezek. xxxvi. 26. This was the good hope the apostle had
concerning these Corinthians (v. 4) that their hearts were like the ark
of the covenant, containing the tables of the law and the gospel,
written with the finger, that is, by the Spirit, of the living God. 2.
He utterly disclaims the taking of any praise to themselves, and
ascribes all the glory to God: "We are not sufficient of ourselves, v.
5. We could never have made such good impressions on your hearts, nor
upon our own. Such are our weakness and inability that we cannot of
ourselves think a good thought, much less raise any good thoughts or
affections in other men. All our sufficiency is of God; to him
therefore are owing all the praise and glory of that good which is
done, and from him we must receive grace and strength to do more." This
is true concerning ministers and all Christians; the best are no more
than what the grace of God makes them. Our hands are not sufficient for
us, but our sufficiency is of God; and his grace is sufficient for us,
to furnish us for every good word and work.
Law and Gospel Compared. (a. d. 57.)
6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the
letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit
giveth life. 7 But if the ministration of death, written and engraven
in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not
stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance;
which glory was to be done away: 8 How shall not the ministration of
the spirit be rather glorious? 9 For if the ministration of
condemnation be glory, much more doth the ministration of righteousness
exceed in glory. 10 For even that which was made glorious had no
glory in this respect, by reason of the glory that excelleth. 11 For
if that which is done away was glorious, much more that which remaineth
is glorious.
Here the apostle makes a comparison between the Old Testament and the
New, the law of Moses and the gospel of Jesus Christ, and values
himself and his fellow-labourers by this, that they were able ministers
of the New Testament, that God had made them so, v. 6. This he does in
answer to the accusations of false teachers, who magnify greatly the
law of Moses.
I. He distinguishes between the letter and the spirit even of the New
Testament, v. 6. As able ministers of the New Testament, they were
ministers not merely of the letter, to read the written word, or to
preach the letter of the gospel only, but they were ministers of the
Spirit also; the Spirit of God did accompany their ministrations. The
letter killeth; this the letter of the law does, for that is the
ministration of death; and if we rest only in the letter of the gospel
we shall be never the better for so doing, for even that will be a
savour of death unto death; but the Spirit of the gospel, going along
with the ministry of the gospel, giveth life spiritual and life
eternal.
II. He shows the difference between the Old Testament and the New, and
the excellency of the gospel above the law. For, 1. The Old-Testament
dispensation was the ministration of death (v. 7), whereas that of the
New Testament is the ministration of life. The law discovered sin, and
the wrath and curse of God. This showed us a God above us and a God
against us; but the gospel discovers grace, and Emmanuel, God with us.
Upon this account the gospel is more glorious than the law; and yet
that had a glory in it, witness the shining of Moses's face (an
indication thereof) when he came down from the mount with the tables in
his hand, that reflected rays of brightness upon his countenance. 2.
The law was the ministration of condemnation, for that condemned and
cursed every one who continued not in all things written therein to do
them; but the gospel is the ministration of righteousness: therein the
righteousness of God by faith is revealed. This shows us that the just
shall live by his faith. This reveals the grace and mercy of God
through Jesus Christ, for obtaining the remission of sins and eternal
life. The gospel therefore so much exceeds in glory that in a manner it
eclipses the glory of the legal dispensation, v. 10. As the shining of
a burning lamp is lost, or not regarded, when the sun arises and goes
forth in his strength; so there was no glory in the Old Testament, in
comparison with that of the New. 3. The law is done away, but the
gospel does and shall remain, v. 11. Not only did the glory of Moses's
face go away, but the glory of Moses's law is done away also; yea, the
law of Moses itself is now abolished. That dispensation was only to
continue for a time, and then to vanish away; whereas the gospel shall
remain to the end of the world, and is always fresh and flourishing and
remains glorious.
Superiority of the Gospel. (a. d. 57.)
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of
speech: 13 And not as Moses, which put a vail over his face, that the
children of Israel could not stedfastly look to the end of that which
is abolished: 14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day
remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old
testament; which vail is done away in Christ. 15 But even unto this
day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. 16
Nevertheless when it shall turn to the Lord, the vail shall be taken
away. 17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the
Lord is, there is liberty. 18 But we all, with open face beholding as
in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from
glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
In these verses the apostle draws two inferences from what he had said
about the Old and New Testament:--
I. Concerning the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great
plainness or clearness of speech. They ought not, like Moses, to put a
veil upon their faces, or obscure and darken those things which they
should make plain. The gospel is a more clear dispensation than the
law; the things of God are revealed in the New Testament, not in types
and shadows, and ministers are much to blame if they do not set
spiritual things, and gospel-truth and grace, in the clearest light
that is possible. Though the Israelites could not look stedfastly to
the end of what was commanded, but is now abolished, yet we may. We may
see the meaning of those types and shadows by the accomplishment,
seeing the veil is done away in, Christ and he is come, who was the end
of the law for righteousness to all those who believe, and whom Moses
and all the prophets pointed to, and wrote of.
II. Concerning the privilege and advantage of those who enjoy the
gospel, above those who lived under the law. For, 1. Those who lived
under the legal dispensation had their minds blinded (v. 14), and there
was a veil upon their hearts, v. 15. Thus it was formerly, and so it
was especially as to those who remained in Judaism after the coming of
the Messiah and the publication of his gospel. Nevertheless, the
apostle tells us, there is a time coming when this veil also shall be
taken away, and when it (the body of that people) shall turn to the
Lord, v. 16. Or, when any particular person is converted to God, then
the veil of ignorance is taken away; the blindness of the mind, and the
hardness of the heart, are cured. 2. The condition of those who enjoy
and believe the gospel is much more happy. For, (1.) They have liberty:
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, and where he worketh, as he does under
the gospel-dispensation, there is liberty (v. 17), freedom from the
yoke of the ceremonial law, and from the servitude of corruption;
liberty of access to God, and freedom of speech in prayer. The heart is
set at liberty, and enlarged, to run the ways of God's commandments.
(2.) They have light; for with open face we behold the glory of the
Lord, v. 18. The Israelites saw the glory of God in a cloud, which was
dark and dreadful; but Christians see the glory of the Lord as in a
glass, more clearly and comfortably. It was the peculiar privilege of
Moses for God to converse with him face to face, in a friendly manner;
but now all true Christians see him more clearly with open face. He
showeth them his glory. (3.) This light and liberty are transforming;
we are changed into the same image, from glory to glory (v. 18), from
one degree of glorious grace unto another, till grace here be
consummated in glory for ever. How much therefore should Christians
prize and improve these privileges! We should not rest contented
without an experimental knowledge of the transforming power of the
gospel, by the operation of the Spirit, bringing us into a conformity
to the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. IV.
In this chapter we have an account, I. Of the constancy of the apostle
and his fellow-labourers in their work. Their constancy in declared
(ver. 1), their sincerity is vouched (ver. 2), an objection is obviated
(ver. 3, 4), and their integrity proved, ver. 5-7. II. Of their courage
and patience under their sufferings. Where see what their sufferings
were, together with their allays (ver. 8-12), and what it was that kept
them from sinking and fainting under them, ver. 13, to the end.
Constancy and Sincerity of the Apostles; The Apostle's Integrity. (a. d. 57.)
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we
faint not; 2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not
walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by
manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's
conscience in the sight of God. 3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid
to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded
the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 5
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves
your servants for Jesus' sake. 6 For God, who commanded the light to
shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of
the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 7 But
we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the
power may be of God, and not of us.
The apostle had, in the foregoing chapter, been magnifying his office,
upon the consideration of the excellency or glory of that gospel about
which he did officiate; and now in this chapter his design is to
vindicate their ministry from the accusation of false teachers, who
charged them as deceitful workers, or endeavoured to prejudice the
minds of the people against them on account of their sufferings. He
tells them, therefore, how they believed, and how they showed their
value for their office as ministers of the gospel. They were not puffed
up with pride, but spurred on to great diligence: "Seeing we have this
ministry, are so much distinguished and dignified, we do not take state
upon ourselves, nor indulge in idleness, but are excited to the better
performance of our duty."
I. Two things in general we have an account of:--Their constancy and
sincerity in their work and labour, concerning which observe, 1. Their
constancy and perseverance in their work are declared: "We faint not
(v. 1) under the difficulty of our work, nor do we desist from our
labour." And this their stedfastness was owing to the mercy of God.
From the same mercy and grace from which they received the apostleship
(Rom. i. 5), they received strength to persevere in the work of that
office. Note, As it is great mercy and grace to be called to be saints,
and especially to be counted faithful, and be put into the ministry (1
Tim. i. 12), so it is owing to the mercy and grace of God if we
continue faithful and persevere in our work with diligence. The best
men in the world would faint in their work, and under their burdens, if
they did not receive mercy from God. By the grace of God I am what I
am, said this great apostle in his former epistle to these Corinthians,
ch. xv. 10. And that mercy which has helped us out, and helped us on,
hitherto, we may rely upon to help us even to the end. 2. Their
sincerity in their work is avouched (v. 2) in several expressions: We
have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty. The things of
dishonesty are hidden things, that will not bear the light; and those
who practise them are, or should be, ashamed of them, especially when
they are known. Such things the apostle did not allow of, but did
renounce and avoid with indignation: Not walking in craftiness, or in
disguise, acting with art and cunning, but in great simplicity, and
with open freedom. They had no base and wicked designs covered with
fair and specious pretences of something that was good. Nor did they in
their preaching handle the word of God deceitfully; but, as he said
before, they used great plainness of speech, and did not make their
ministry serve a turn, or truckle to base designs. They had not cheated
the people with falsehood instead of truth. Some think the apostle
alludes to the deceit which treacherous gamesters use, or that of
hucksters in the market, who mix bad wares with good. The apostles
acted not like such persons, but they manifested the truth to every
man's conscience, declaring nothing but what in their own conscience
they believed to be true, and what might serve for the conviction of
their consciences who heard them, who were to judge for themselves, and
to give an account for themselves. And all this they did as in the
sight of God, desirous thus to commend themselves to God, and to the
consciences of men, by their undisguised sincerity. Note, A stedfast
adherence to the truths of the gospel will commend ministers and
people; and sincerity or uprightness will preserve a man's reputation,
and the good opinion of wise and good men concerning him.
II. An objection is obviated, which might be thus formed: "If it be
thus, how then does it come to pass, that the gospel is hid, and proves
ineffectual, as to some who hear it?" To which the apostle answers, by
showing that this was not the fault of the gospel, nor of the preachers
thereof. But the true reasons of this are, 1. Those are lost souls to
whom the gospel is hid, or is ineffectual, v. 3. Christ came to save
that which was lost (Matt. xvii. 11), and the gospel of Christ is sent
to save such; and, if this do not find and save them, they are lost for
ever; they must never expect any thing else to save them, for there is
no other method or means of salvation. The hiding of the gospel
therefore from souls is both an evidence and cause of their ruin. 2.
The god of this world hath blinded their minds, v. 4. They are under
the influence and power of the devil, who is here called the god of
this world, and elsewhere the prince of this world, because of the
great interest he has in this world, the homage that is paid to him by
multitudes in this world, and the great sway that, by divine
permission, he bears in the world, and in the hearts of his subjects,
or rather slaves. And as he is the prince of darkness, and ruler of the
darkness of this world, so he darkens the understandings of men, and
increases their prejudices, and supports his interest by keeping them
in the dark, blinding their minds with ignorance, and error, and
prejudices, that they should not behold the light of the glorious
gospel of Christ, who is the image of God. Observe, (1.) Christ's
design by his gospel is to make a glorious discovery of God to the
minds of men. Thus, as the image of God, he demonstrates the power and
wisdom of God, and the grace and mercy of God for their salvation. But,
(2.) The design of the devil is to keep men in ignorance; and, when he
cannot keep the light of the gospel out of the world, he makes it his
great business to keep it out of the hearts of men.
III. A proof of their integrity is given, v. 5. They made it their
business to preach Christ, and not themselves: We preach not ourselves.
Self was not the matter nor the end of the apostles' preaching: they
did not give their own notions and private opinions, nor their passions
and prejudices, for the word and will of God; nor did they seek
themselves, to advance their own secular interest or glory. But they
preached Christ Jesus the Lord; and thus it did become them and behove
them to do, as being Christ's servants. Their business was to make
their Master known to the world as the Messiah, or the Christ of God,
and as Jesus, the only Saviour of men, and as the rightful Lord, and to
advance his honour and glory. Note, All the lines of Christian doctrine
centre in Christ; and in preaching Christ we preach all we should
preach. "As to ourselves," says the apostle, "we preach, or declare,
that we are your servants for Jesus' sake." This was no compliment, but
a real profession of a readiness to do good to their souls, and to
promote their spiritual and eternal interest, and that for Jesus' sake;
not for their own sake or their own advantage, but for Christ's sake,
that they might imitate his great example, and advance his glory. Note,
Ministers should not be of proud spirits, lording it over God's
heritage, who are servants to the souls of men: yet, at the same time,
they must avoid the meanness of spirit implied in becoming the servants
of the humours or the lusts of men; if they should thus seek to please
men, they would not be the servants of Christ, Gal. i. 10. And there
was good reason, 1. Why they should preach Christ. For by gospel light
we have the knowledge of the glory of God, which shines in the face of
Jesus Christ, v. 6. And the light of this Sun of righteousness is more
glorious than that light which God commanded to shine out of darkness.
It is a pleasant thing for the eye to behold the sun in the firmament;
but it is more pleasant and profitable when the gospel shines in the
heart. Note, As light was the first-born of the first creation, so it
is in the new creation: the illumination of the Spirit is his first
work upon the soul. The grace of God created such a light in the soul
that those who were sometimes darkness are made light in the Lord, Eph.
v. 8. 2. Why they should not preach themselves: because they were but
earthen vessels, things of little or no worth or value. Here seems to
be an allusion to the lamps which Gideon's soldiers carried in earthen
pitchers, Jud. vii. 16. The treasure of gospel light and grace is put
into earthen vessels. The ministers of the gospel are weak and frail
creatures, and subject to like passions and infirmities as other men;
they are mortal, and soon broken in pieces. And God has so ordered it
that the weaker the vessels are the stronger his power may appear to
be, that the treasure itself should be valued the more. Note, There is
an excellency of power in the gospel of Christ, to enlighten the mind,
to convince the conscience, to convert the soul, and to rejoice the
heart; but all this power is from God the author, and not from men, who
are but instruments, so that God in all things must be glorified.
The Apostles' Sufferings and Supports. (a. d. 57.)
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed,
but not in despair; 9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but
not destroyed; 10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the
Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our
body. 11 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus'
sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal
flesh. 12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you. 13 We
having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I
believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore
speak; 14 Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise
up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 15 For all things
are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the
thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 16 For which cause
we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is
renewed day by day. 17 For our light affliction, which is but for a
moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory; 18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the
things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal;
but the things which are not seen are eternal.
In these verses the apostle gives an account of their courage and
patience under all their sufferings, where observe,
I. How their sufferings, and patience under them, are declared, v.
8-12. The apostles were great sufferers; therein they followed their
Master: Christ had told them that in the world they should have
tribulation, and so they had; yet they met with wonderful support,
great relief, and many allays of their sorrows. "We are," says the
apostle, "troubled on every side, afflicted many ways, and we meet with
almost all sorts of troubles; yet not distressed, v. 8. We are not
hedged in nor cooped up, because we can see help in God, and help from
God, and have liberty of access to God." Again, "We are perplexed,
often uncertain, and in doubt what will become of us, and not always
without anxiety in our minds on this account; yet not in despair (v.
8), even in our greatest perplexities, knowing that God is able to
support us, and to deliver us, and in him we always place our trust and
hope." Again, "We are persecuted by men, pursued with hatred and
violence from place to place, as men not worthy to live; yet not
forsaken of God," v. 9. Good men may be sometimes forsaken of their
friends, as well as persecuted by their enemies; but God will never
leave them nor forsake them. Again, "We are sometimes dejected, or cast
down; the enemy may in a great measure prevail, and our spirits begin
to fail us; there may be fears within, as well as fightings without;
yet we are not destroyed," v. 9. Still they were preserved, and kept
their heads above water. Note, Whatever condition the children of God
may be in, in this world, they have a "but not" to comfort themselves
with; their case sometimes is bad, yea very bad, but not so bad as it
might be. The apostle speaks of their sufferings as constant, and as a
counterpart of the sufferings of Christ, v. 10. The sufferings of
Christ were, after a sort, re-acted in the sufferings of Christians;
thus did they bear about the dying of the Lord Jesus in their body,
setting before the world the great example of a suffering Christ, that
the life of Jesus might also be made manifest, that is, that people
might see the power of Christ's resurrection, and the efficacy of grace
in and from the living Jesus, manifested in and towards them, who did
yet live, though they were always delivered to death (v. 11), and
though death worked in them (v. 12), they being exposed to death, and
ready to be swallowed up by death continually. So great were the
sufferings of the apostles that, in comparison with them, other
Christians were, even at this time, in prosperous circumstances: Death
worketh in us; but life in you, v. 12.
II. What it was that kept them from sinking and fainting under their
sufferings, v. 13-18. Whatever the burdens and troubles of good men may
be, they have cause enough not to faint.
1. Faith kept them from fainting: We have the same spirit of faith (v.
13), that faith which is of the operation of the Spirit; the same faith
by which the saints of old did and suffered such great things. Note,
The grace of faith is a sovereign cordial, and an effectual antidote
against fainting-fits in troublous times. The spirit of faith will go
far to bear up the spirit of a man under his infirmities; and as the
apostle had David's example to imitate, who said (Ps. cxvi. 10), I have
believed, and therefore have I spoken, so he leaves us his example to
imitate: We also believe, says he, and therefore speak. Note, As we
receive help and encouragement from the good words and examples of
others, so we should be careful to give a good example to others.
2. Hope of the resurrection kept them from sinking, v. 14. They knew
that Christ was raised, and that his resurrection was an earnest and
assurance of theirs. This he had treated of largely in his former
epistle to these Corinthians, ch. xv. And therefore their hope was
firm, being well grounded, that he who raised up Christ the head will
also raise up all his members. Note, The hope of the resurrection will
encourage us in a suffering day, and set us above the fear of death;
for what reason has a good Christian to fear death, that dies in hope
of a joyful resurrection?
3. The consideration of the glory of God and the benefit of the church,
by means of their sufferings, kept them from fainting, v. 15. Their
sufferings were for the church's advantage (ch. i. 6), and thus did
redound to God's glory. For, when the church is edified, then God is
glorified; and we may well afford to bear sufferings patiently and
cheerfully when we see others are the better for them--if they are
instructed and edified, if they are confirmed and comforted. Note, The
sufferings of Christ's ministers, as well as their preaching and
conversation, are intended for the good of the church and the glory of
God.
4. The thoughts of the advantage their souls would reap by the
sufferings of their bodies kept them from fainting: Though our outward
man perish, our inward man is renewed day by day, v. 16. Here note,
(1.) We have every one of us an outward and an inward man, a body and a
soul. (2.) If the outward man perish, there is no remedy, it must and
will be so, it was made to perish. (3.) It is our happiness if the
decays of the outward man do contribute to the renewing of the inward
man, if afflictions outwardly are gain to us inwardly, if when the body
is sick, and weak, and perishing, the soul is vigorous and prosperous.
The best of men have need of further renewing of the inward man, even
day by day. Where the good work is begun there is more work to be done,
for carrying it forward. And as in wicked men things grow every day
worse and worse, so in godly men they grow better and better.
5. The prospect of eternal life and happiness kept them from fainting,
and was a mighty support and comfort. As to this observe, (1.) The
apostle and his fellow-sufferers saw their afflictions working towards
heaven, and that they would end at last (v. 17), whereupon they weighed
things aright in the balance of the sanctuary; they did as it were put
the heavenly glory in one scale and their earthly sufferings in the
other; and, pondering things in their thoughts, they found afflictions
to be light, and the glory of heaven to be a far more exceeding weight.
That which sense was ready to pronounce heavy and long, grievous and
tedious, faith perceived to be light and short, and but for a moment.
On the other hand, the worth and weight of the crown of glory, as they
are exceedingly great in themselves, so they are esteemed to be by the
believing soul--far exceeding all his expressions and thoughts; and it
will be a special support in our sufferings when we can perceive them
appointed as the way and preparing us for the enjoyment of the future
glory. (2.) Their faith enabled them to make this right judgment of
things: We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen, v. 18. It is by faith that we see God, who is
invisible (Heb. xi. 27), and by this we look to an unseen heaven and
hell, and faith is the evidence of things not seen. Note, [1.] There
are unseen things, as well as things that are seen. [2.] There is this
vast difference between them: unseen things are eternal, seen things
but temporal, or temporary only. [3.] By faith we not only discern
these things, and the great difference between them, but by this also
we take our aim at unseen things, and chiefly regard them, and make it
our end and scope, not to escape present evils, and obtain present
good, both of which are temporal and transitory, but to escape future
evil and obtain future good things, which though unseen, are real, and
certain, and eternal; and faith is the substance of things hoped for,
as well as the evidence of things not seen, Heb. xi. 1.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. V.
The apostle proceeds in showing the reasons why they did not faint
under their afflictions, namely, their expectation, desire, and
assurance of happiness after death (ver. 1-5), and deduces an inference
for the comfort of believers in their present state (ver. 6-8), and
another to quicken them in their duty, ver. 9-11. Then he makes an
apology for seeming to commend himself, and gives a good reason for his
zeal and diligence (ver. 12-15), and mentions two things that are
necessary in order to our living to Christ, regeneration and
reconciliation, ver. 16, to the end.
The Believer's Prospect beyond Death. (a. d. 57.)
1 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were
dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands,
eternal in the heavens. 2 For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to
be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: 3 If so be that
being clothed we shall not be found naked. 4 For we that are in this
tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be
unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of
life. 5 Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God,
who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. 6 Therefore we
are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body,
we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
8 We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the
body, and to be present with the Lord. 9 Wherefore we labour, that,
whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him. 10 For we must
all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may
receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done,
whether it be good or bad. 11 Knowing therefore the terror of the
Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust
also are made manifest in your consciences.
The apostle in these verses pursues the argument of the former chapter,
concerning the grounds of their courage and patience under afflictions.
And,
I. He mentions their expectation, and desire, and assurance, of eternal
happiness after death, v. 1-5. Observe particularly,
1. The believer's expectation of eternal happiness after death, v. 1.
He does not only know, or is well assured by faith of the truth and
reality of the thing itself--that there is another and a happy life
after this present life is ended, but he has good hope through grace of
his interest in that everlasting blessedness of the unseen world: "We
know that we have a building of God, we have a firm and well-grounded
expectation of the future felicity." Let us take notice, (1.) What
heaven is in the eye and hope of a believer. He looks upon it as a
house, or habitation, a dwelling-place, a resting-place, a
hiding-place, our Father's house, where there are many mansions, and
our everlasting home. It is a house in the heavens, in that high and
holy place which as far excels all the palaces of this earth as the
heavens are high above the earth. It is a building of God, whose
builder and maker is God, and therefore is worthy of its author; the
happiness of the future state is what God hath prepared for those that
love him. It is eternal in the heavens, everlasting habitations, not
like the earthly tabernacles, the poor cottages of clay in which our
souls now dwell, which are mouldering and decaying, and whose
foundations are in the dust. (2.) When it is expected this happiness
shall be enjoyed--immediately after death, so soon as our house of this
earthly tabernacle is dissolved. Note, [1.] That the body, this earthly
house, is but a tabernacle, that must be dissolved shortly; the nails
or pins will be drawn, and the cords be loosed, and then the body will
return to dust as it was. [2.] When this comes to pass, then comes the
house not made with hands. The spirit returns to God who gave it; and
such as have walked with God here shall dwell with God for ever.
2. The believer's earnest desire after this future blessedness, which
is expressed by this word, stenazomen--we groan, which denotes, (1.) A
groaning of sorrow under a heavy load; so believers groan under the
burden of life: In this we groan earnestly, v. 2. We that are in this
tabernacle groan, being burdened, v. 4. The body of flesh is a heavy
burden, the calamities of life are a heavy load. But believers groan
because burdened with a body of sin, and the many corruptions that are
still remaining and raging in them. This makes them complain, O
wretched man that I am! Rom. vii. 24. (2.) There is a groaning of
desire after the happiness of another life; and thus believers groan:
Earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from
heaven (v. 2), to obtain a blessed immortality, that mortality might be
swallowed up of life (v. 4), that being found clothed, we may not be
naked (v. 3), that, if it were the will of God, we might not sleep, but
be changed; for it is not desirable in itself to be unclothed. Death
considered merely as a separation of soul and body is not to be
desired, but rather dreaded; but, considered as a passage to glory, the
believer is willing rather to die than live, to be absent from the
body, that he may be present with the Lord (v. 1), to leave this body
that he may go to Christ, and to put off these rags of mortality that
he may put on the robes of glory. Note, [1.] Death will strip us of the
clothing of flesh, and all the comforts of life, as well as put an end
to all our troubles here below. Naked we came into this world, and
naked shall we go out of it. But, [2.] Gracious souls are not found
naked in the other world; no, they are clothed with garments of praise,
with robes of righteousness and glory. They shall be delivered out of
all their troubles, and shall have washed their robes and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb, Rev. vii. 14.
3. The believer's assurance of his interest in this future blessedness,
on a double account:--(1.) From the experience of the grace of God, in
preparing and making him meet for this blessedness. He that hath
wrought us for the self-same thing is God, v. 5. Note, All who are
designed for heaven hereafter are wrought or prepared for heaven while
they are here; the stones of that spiritual building and temple above
are squared and fashioned here below. And he that hath wrought us for
this is God, because nothing less than a divine power can make a soul
partaker of a divine nature; no hand less than the hand of God can work
us for this thing. A great deal is to be done to prepare our souls for
heaven, and that preparation of the heart is from the Lord. (2.) The
earnest of the Spirit gave them this assurance: for an earnest is part
of payment, and secures the full payment. The present graces and
comforts of the Spirit are earnests of everlasting grace and comfort.
II. The apostle deduces an inference for the comfort of believers in
their present state and condition in this world, v. 6-8. Here observe,
1. What their present state or condition is: they are absent from the
Lord (v. 6); they are pilgrims and strangers in this world; they do but
sojourn here in their earthly home, or in this tabernacle; and though
God is with us here, by his Spirit, and in his ordinances, yet we are
not with him as we hope to be: we cannot see his face while we live:
For we walk by faith, not by sight, v. 7. We have not the vision and
fruition of God, as of an object that is present with us, and as we
hope for hereafter, when we shall see as we are seen. Note, Faith is
for this world, and sight is reserved for the other world: and it is
our duty, and will be our interest, to walk by faith, till we come to
live by sight. 2. How comfortable and courageous we ought to be in all
the troubles of life, and in the hour of death: Therefore we are, or
ought to be, always confident (v. 6), and again (v. 8), We are
confident, and willing rather to be absent from the body. True
Christians, if they duly considered the prospect faith gives them of
another world, and the good reasons of their hope of blessedness after
death, would be comforted under the troubles of life, and supported in
the hour of death: they should take courage, when they are encountering
the last enemy, and be willing rather to die than live, when it is the
will of God that they should put off this tabernacle. Note, As those
who are born from above long to be there, so it is but being absent
from the body, and we shall very soon be present with the Lord--but to
die, and be with Christ--but to close our eyes to all things in this
world, and we shall open them in a world of glory. Faith will be turned
into sight.
III. He proceeds to deduce an inference to excite and quicken himself
and others to duty, v. 9-11. So it is that well-grounded hopes of
heaven will be far from giving the least encouragement to sloth and
sinful security; on the contrary, they should stir us up to use the
greatest care and diligence in religion: Wherefore, or because we hope
to be present with the Lord, we labour and take pains, v. 9.
Philotimoumetha--We are ambitious, and labour as industriously as the
most ambitious men do to obtain what they aim at. Here observe, 1. What
it was that the apostle was thus ambitious of--acceptance with God. We
labour that, living and dying, whether present in the body or absent
from the body, we may be accepted of him, the Lord (v. 9), that we may
please him who hath chosen us, that our great Lord may say to us, Well
done. This they coveted as the greatest favour and the highest honour:
it was the summit of their ambition. 2. What further quickening motives
they had to excite their diligence, from the consideration of the
judgment to come, v. 10, 11. There are many things relating to this
great matter that should awe the best of men into the utmost care and
diligence in religion; for example, the certainty of this judgment, for
we must appear; the universality of it, for we must all appear; the
great Judge before whose judgment-seat we must appear, the Lord Jesus
Christ, who himself will appear in flaming fire; the recompence to be
then received, for things done in the body, which will be very
particular (unto every one), and very just, according to what we have
done, whether good or bad. The apostle calls this awful judgment the
terror of the Lord (v. 11), and, by the consideration thereof, was
excited to persuade men to repent, and live a holy life, that, when
Christ shall appear terribly, they may appear before him comfortably.
And, concerning his fidelity and diligence, he comfortably appeals unto
God, and the consciences of those he wrote to: We are made manifest
unto God, and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
Apology for Seeming Self-Commendation. (a. d. 57.)
12 For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion
to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which
glory in appearance, and not in heart. 13 For whether we be beside
ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge,
that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15 And that he died for
all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves,
but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
Here observe, I. The apostle makes an apology for seeming to commend
himself and his fellow-labourers (v. 13), and tells them, 1. It was not
to commend themselves, nor for their own sakes, that he had spoken of
their fidelity and diligence in the former verses; nor was he willing
to suspect their good opinion of him. But, 2. The true reason was this,
to put an argument in their mouths wherewith to answer his accusers,
who made vain boastings, and gloried in appearances only; that he might
give them an occasion to glory on their behalf, or to defend them
against the reproaches of their adversaries. And if the people can say
that the word has been manifested to their consciences, and been
effectual to their conversion and edification, this is the best defence
they can make for the ministry of the word, when they are vilified and
reproached.
II. He gives good reasons for their great zeal and diligence. Some of
Paul's adversaries had, it is likely, reproached him for his zeal and
fervour, as if he had been a madman, or, in the language of our days, a
fanatic; they imputed all to enthusiasm, as the Roman governor told
him, Much learning has made thee mad, Acts xxvi. 24. But the apostle
tells them, 1. It was for the glory of God, and the good of the church,
that he was thus zealous and industrious: "Whether we be beside
ourselves, or whether we be sober (whether you or others do think the
one or the other), it is to God, and for his glory: and it is for your
cause, or to promote your good," v. 13. If they manifested the greatest
ardour and vehemency at some times, and used the greatest calmness in
strong reasonings at other times, it was for the best ends; and in both
methods they had good reason for what they did. For, 2. The love of
Christ constrained them, v. 14. They were under the sweetest and
strongest constraints to do what they did. Love has a constraining
virtue to excite ministers and private Christians in their duty. Our
love to Christ will have this virtue; and Christ's love to us, which
was manifested in this great instance of his dying for us, will have
this effect upon us, if it be duly considered and rightly judged of.
For observe how the apostle argues for the reasonableness of love's
constraints, and declares, (1.) What we were before, and must have
continued to be, had not Christ died for us: We were dead, v. 14. If
one died for all, then were all dead; dead in law, under sentence of
death; dead in sins and trespasses, spiritually dead. Note, This was
the deplorable condition of all those for whom Christ died: they were
lost and undone, dead and ruined, and must have remained thus miserable
for ever if Christ had not died for them. (2.) What such should do, for
whom Christ died; namely, that they should live to him. This is what
Christ designed, that those who live, who are made alive unto God by
means of his death, should live to him that died for them, and rose
again for their sakes also, and that they should not live to
themselves, v. 15. Note, We should not make ourselves, but Christ, the
end of our living and actions: and it was one end of Christ's death to
cure us of this self-love, and to excite us always to act under the
commanding influence of his love. A Christian's life should be
consecrated to Christ; and then do we live as we ought to live when we
live to Christ, who died for us.
Ministry of the Apostles. (a. d. 57.)
16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we
have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no
more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. 18 And all
things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ,
and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 To wit, that
God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing
their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye
reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew
no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
In these verses the apostle mentions two things that are necessary in
order to our living to Christ, both of which are the consequences of
Christ's dying for us; namely, regeneration and reconciliation.
I. Regeneration, which consists of two things; namely, 1. Weanedness
from the world: "Henceforth we know no man after the flesh, v. 16. We
do not own nor affect any person or thing in this world for carnal ends
and outward advantage: we are enabled, by divine grace, not to mind nor
regard this world, nor the things of this world, but to live above it.
The love of Christ is in our hearts, and the world is under our feet."
Note, Good Christians must enjoy the comforts of this life, and their
relations in this world, with a holy indifference. Yea, though we have
known Christ after the flesh, yet, says the apostle, we know him no
more. It is questioned whether Paul had seen Christ in the flesh.
However, the rest of the apostles had, and so might some among those he
was now writing to. However, he would not have them value themselves
upon that account; for even the bodily presence of Christ is not to be
desired nor doted upon by his disciples. We must live upon his
spiritual presence, and the comfort it affords. Note, Those who make
images of Christ, and use them in their worship, do not take the way
that God has appointed for strengthening their faith and quickening
their affections; for it is the will of God that we should not know
Christ any more after the flesh. 2. A thorough change of the heart: For
if any man be in Christ, if any man be a Christian indeed, and will
approve himself such, he is, or he must be, a new creature, v. 17. Some
read it, Let him be a new creature. This ought to be the care of all
who profess the Christian faith, that they be new creatures; not only
that they have a new name, and wear a new livery, but that they have a
new heart and new nature. And so great is the change the grace of God
makes in the soul, that, as it follows, old things are passed away--old
thoughts, old principles, and old practices, are passed away; and all
these things must become new. Note, Regenerating grace creates a new
world in the soul; all things are new. The renewed man acts from new
principles, by new rules, with new ends, and in new company.
II. Reconciliation, which is here spoken of under a double notion:--
1. As an unquestionable privilege, v. 18, 19. Reconciliation supposes a
quarrel, or breach of friendship; and sin has made a breach, it has
broken the friendship between God and man. The heart of the sinner is
filled with enmity against God, and God is justly offended with the
sinner. Yet, behold, there may be a reconciliation; the offended
Majesty of heaven is willing to be reconciled. And observe, 1. He has
appointed the Mediator of reconciliation. He has reconciled us to
himself by Jesus Christ, v. 18. God is to be owned from first to last
in the undertaking and performance of the Mediator. All things relating
to our reconciliation by Jesus Christ are of God, who by the mediation
of Jesus Christ has reconciled the world to himself, and put himself
into a capacity of being actually reconciled to offenders, without any
wrong or injury to his justice or holiness, and does not impute to men
their trespasses, but recedes from the rigour of the first covenant,
which was broken, and does not insist upon the advantage he might
justly take against us for the breach of that covenant, but is willing
to enter into a new treaty, and into a new covenant of grace, and,
according to the tenour thereof, freely to forgive us all our sins, and
justify freely by his grace all those who do believe. 2. He has
appointed the ministry of reconciliation, v. 18. By the inspiration of
God the scriptures were written, which contain the word of
reconciliation, showing us that peace was made by the blood of the
cross, that reconciliation is wrought, and directing us how we may be
interested therein. And he has appointed the office of the ministry,
which is a ministry of reconciliation: ministers are to open and
proclaim to sinners the terms of mercy and reconciliation, and persuade
them to comply therewith. For,
2. Reconciliation is here spoken of as our indispensable duty, v. 20.
As God is willing to be reconciled to us, we ought to be reconciled to
God. And it is the great end and design of the gospel, that word of
reconciliation, to prevail upon sinners to lay aside their enmity
against God. Faithful ministers are Christ's ambassadors, sent to treat
with sinners on peace and reconciliation: they come in God's name, with
his entreaties, and act in Christ's stead, doing the very thing he did
when he was upon this earth, and what he wills to be done now that he
is in heaven. Wonderful condescension! Though God can be no loser by
the quarrel, nor gainer by the peace, yet by his ministers he beseeches
sinners to lay aside their enmity, and accept of the terms he offers,
that they would be reconciled to him, to all his attributes, to all his
laws, and to all his providences, to believe in the Mediator, to accept
the atonement, and comply with his gospel, in all the parts of it and
in the whole design of it. And for our encouragement so to do the
apostle subjoins what should be well known and duly considered by us
(v. 21), namely, (1.) The purity of the Mediator: He knew no sin. (2.)
The sacrifice he offered: He was made sin; not a sinner, but sin, that
is, a sin-offering, a sacrifice for sin. (3.) The end and design of all
this: that we might be made the righteousness of God in him, might be
justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption which is in
Christ Jesus. Note, [1.] As Christ, who knew no sin of his own, was
made sin for us, so we, who have no righteousness of our own, are made
the righteousness of God in him. [2.] Our reconciliation to God is only
through Jesus Christ, and for the sake of his merit: on him therefore
we must rely, and make mention of his righteousness and his only.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. VI.
In this chapter the apostle gives an account of his general errand to
all to whom he preached; with the several arguments and methods he
used, ver. 1-10. Then he addresses himself particularly to the
Corinthians, giving them good cautions with great affection and strong
arguments, ver. 11-18.
Ministry of the Apostles. (a. d. 57.)
1 We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye
receive not the grace of God in vain. 2 (For he saith, I have heard
thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured
thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of
salvation.) 3 Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be
not blamed: 4 But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers
of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in
distresses, 5 In stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labours,
in watchings, in fastings; 6 By pureness, by knowledge, by
longsuffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, 7
By the word of truth, by the power of God, by the armour of
righteousness on the right hand and on the left, 8 By honour and
dishonour, by evil report and good report: as deceivers, and yet true;
9 As unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and, behold, we live; as
chastened, and not killed; 10 As sorrowful, yet alway rejoicing; as
poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all
things.
In these verses we have an account of the apostle's general errand and
exhortation to all to whom he preached in every place where he came,
with the several arguments and methods he used. Observe,
I. The errand or exhortation itself, namely, to comply with the gospel
offers of reconciliation--that, being favoured with the gospel, they
would not receive this grace of God in vain, v. 1. The gospel is a word
of grace sounding in our ears; but it will be in vain for us to hear
it, unless we believe it, and comply with the end and design of it. And
as it is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to exhort and persuade
their hearers to accept of grace and mercy which are offered to them,
so they are honoured with this high title of co-workers with God. Note,
1. They must work; and must work for God and his glory, for souls and
their good: and they are workers with God, yet under him, as
instruments only; however, if they be faithful, they may hope to find
God working with them, and their labour will be effectual. 2. Observe
the language and way of the spirit of the gospel: it is not with
roughness and severity, but with all mildness and gentleness, to
beseech and entreat, to use exhortations and arguments, in order to
prevail with sinners and overcome their natural unwillingness to be
reconciled to God and to be happy for ever.
II. The arguments and method which the apostle used. And here he tells
them,
1. The present time is the only proper season to accept of the grace
that is offered, and improve that grace which is afforded: Now is the
accepted time, now is the day of salvation, v. 2. The gospel day is a
day of salvation, the means of grace the means of salvation, the offers
of the gospel the offers of salvation, and the present time the only
proper time to accept of these offers: To-day, while it is called
to-day. The morrow is none of ours: we know not what will be on the
morrow, nor where we shall be; and we should remember that present
seasons of grace are short and uncertain, and cannot be recalled when
they are past. It is therefore our duty and interest to improve them
while we have them, and no less than our salvation depends upon our so
doing.
2. What caution they used not to give offence that might hinder the
success of their preaching: Giving no offence in any thing, v. 3. The
apostle had great difficulty to behave prudently and inoffensively
towards the Jews and Gentiles, for many of both sorts watched for his
halting, and sought occasion to blame him and his ministry, or his
conversation; therefore he was very cautious not to give offence to
those who were so apt to take offence, that he might not offend the
Jews by unnecessary zeal against the law, nor the Gentiles by
unnecessary compliances with such as were zealous for the law. He was
careful, in all his words and actions, not to give offence, or occasion
of guilt or grief. Note, When others are too apt to take offence, we
should be cautious lest we give offence; and ministers especially
should be careful lest they do any thing that may bring blame on their
ministry or render that unsuccessful.
3. Their constant aim and endeavor in all things to approve themselves
faithful, as became the ministers of God, v. 4. We see how much stress
the apostle upon all occasions lays on fidelity in our work, because
much of our success depends upon that. His eye was single, and his
heart upright, in all his ministrations; and his great desire was to be
the servant of God, and to approve himself so. Note, Ministers of the
gospel should look upon themselves as God's servants or ministers, and
act in every thing suitably to that character. So did the apostle, (1.)
By much patience in afflictions. He was a great sufferer, and met with
many afflictions, was often in necessities, and wanted the
conveniences, if not the necessaries, of life; in distresses, being
straitened on every side, hardly knowing what to do; in stripes often
(ch. xi. 24); in imprisonments; in tumults raised by the Jews and
Gentiles against him; in labours, not only in preaching the gospel, but
in travelling from place to place for that end, and working with his
hands to supply his necessities; in watchings and in fastings, either
voluntary or upon a religious account, or involuntary for the sake of
religion: but he exercised much patience in all, v. 4, 5. Note, [1.] It
is the lot of faithful ministers often to be reduced to great
difficulties, and to stand in need of much patience. [2.] Those who
would approve themselves to God must approve themselves faithful in
trouble as well as in peace, not only in doing the work of God
diligently, but also in bearing the will of God patiently. (2.) By
acting from good principles. The apostle went by a good principle in
all he did, and tells them what his principles were (v. 6, 7); namely,
pureness; and there is no piety without purity. A care to keep
ourselves unspotted from the world is necessary in order to our
acceptance with God. Knowledge was another principle; and zeal without
this is but madness. He also acted with long-suffering and kindness,
being not easily provoked, but bearing with the hardness of men's
hearts, and hard treatment from their hands, to whom he kindly
endeavoured to do good. He acted under the influence of the Holy Ghost,
from the noble principle of unfeigned love, according to the rule of
the word of truth, under the supports and assistances of the power of
God, having on the armour of righteousness (a consciousness of
universal righteousness and holiness), which is the best defence
against the temptations of prosperity on the right hand, and of
adversity on the left. (3.) By a due temper and behaviour under all the
variety of conditions in this world, v. 8-10. We must expect to meet
with many alterations of our circumstances and conditions in this
world; and it will be a great evidence of our integrity if we preserve
a right temper of mind, and duly behave ourselves, under them all. The
apostles met with honour and dishonour, good report and evil report:
good men in this world must expect to meet with some dishonour and
reproaches, to balance their honour and esteem; and we stand in need of
the grace of God to arm us against the temptations of honour on the one
hand, so as to bear good report without pride, and of dishonour on the
other hand, so as to bear reproaches without impatience or
recrimination. It should seem that persons differently represented the
apostles in their reports; that some represented them as the best, and
others as the worst, of men: by some they were counted deceivers, and
run down as such; by others as true, preaching the gospel of truth, and
men who were true to the trust reposed in them. They were slighted by
the men of the world as unknown, men of no figure or account, not worth
taking notice of; yet in all the churches of Christ they were well
known, and of great account: they were looked upon as dying, being
killed all the day long, and their interest was thought to be a dying
interest; "and yet behold," says the apostle, "we live, and live
comfortably, and bear up cheerfully under all our hardships, and go on
conquering and to conquer." They were chastened, and often fell under
the lash of the law, yet not killed: and though it was thought that
they were sorrowful, a company of mopish and melancholy men, always
sighing and mourning, yet they were always rejoicing in God, and had
the greatest reason to rejoice always. They were despised as poor, upon
the account of their poverty in this world; and yet they made many
rich, by preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ. They were thought
to have nothing, and silver and gold they had none, houses and lands
they had none; yet they possessed all things: they had nothing in this
world, but they had a treasure in heaven. Their effects lay in another
country, in another world. They had nothing in themselves, but
possessed all things in Christ. Such a paradox is a Christian's life,
and through such a variety of conditions and reports lies our way to
heaven; and we should be careful in all these things to approve
ourselves to God.
Cautions against Mingling with Unbelievers. (a. d. 57.)
11 O ye Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
12 Ye are not straitened in us, but ye are straitened in your own
bowels. 13 Now for a recompence in the same, (I speak as unto my
children,) be ye also enlarged. 14 Be ye not unequally yoked together
with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with
unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 And
what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that
believeth with an infidel? 16 And what agreement hath the temple of
God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath
said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God,
and they shall be my people. 17 Wherefore come out from among them,
and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing;
and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye
shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
The apostle proceeds to address himself more particularly to the
Corinthians, and cautions them against mingling with unbelievers. Here
observe,
I. How the caution is introduced with a profession, in a very pathetic
manner, of the most tender affection to them, even like that of a
father to his children, v. 11-13. Though the apostle was happy in a
great fluency of expressions, yet he seemed to want words to express
the warm affections he had for these Corinthians. As if he had said, "O
ye Corinthians, to whom I am now writing, I would fain convince you how
well I love you: we are desirous to promote the spiritual and eternal
welfare of all to whom we preach, yet our mouth is open unto you, and
our heart is enlarged unto you, in a special manner." And, because his
heart was thus enlarged with love to them, therefore he opened his
mouth so freely to them in kind admonitions and exhortations: "You are
not," says he, "straitened in us; we would gladly do you all the
service we can, and promote your comfort, as helpers of your faith and
your joy; and, if it be otherwise, the fault is in yourselves; it is
because you are straitened in yourselves, and fail in suitable returns
to us, through some misapprehensions concerning us; and all we desire
as a recompense is only that you would be proportionably affected
towards us, as children should love their father." Note, It is
desirable that there should be a mutual good affection between
ministers and their people, and this would greatly tend to their mutual
comfort and advantage.
II. The caution or exhortation itself, not to mingle with unbelievers,
not to be unequally yoked with them, v. 14. Either,
1. In stated relations. It is wrong for good people to join in affinity
with the wicked and profane; these will draw different ways, and that
will be galling and grievous. Those relations that are our choice must
be chosen by rule; and it is good for those who are themselves the
children of God to join with those who are so likewise; for there is
more danger that the bad will damage the good than hope that the good
will benefit the bad.
2. In common conversation. We should not yoke ourselves in friendship
and acquaintance with wicked men and unbelievers. Though we cannot
wholly avoid seeing, and hearing, and being with such, yet we should
never choose them for our bosom-friends.
3. Much less should we join in religious communion with them; we must
not join with them in their idolatrous services, nor concur with them
in their false worship, nor any abominations; we must not confound
together the table of the Lord and the table of devils, the house of
God and the house of Rimmon. The apostle gives several good reasons
against this corrupt mixture. (1.) It is a very great absurdity, v. 14,
15. It is an unequal yoking of things together that will not agree
together; as bad as for the Jews to have ploughed with an ox and an ass
or to have sown divers sorts of grain intermixed. What an absurdity is
it to think of joining righteousness and unrighteousness, or mingling
light and darkness, fire and water, together! Believers are, and should
be, righteous; but unbelievers are unrighteous. Believers are made
light in the Lord, but unbelievers are in darkness; and what
comfortable communion can these have together? Christ and Belial are
contrary one to the other; they have opposite interests and designs, so
that it is impossible there should be any concord or agreement between
them. It is absurd, therefore, to think of enlisting under both; and,
if the believer has part with an infidel, he does what in him lies to
bring Christ and Belial together. (2.) It is a dishonour to the
Christian's profession (v. 16); for Christians are by profession, and
should be in reality, the temples of the living God--dedicated to, and
employed for, the service of God, who has promised to reside in them,
to dwell and walk in them, to stand in a special relation to them, and
take a special care of them, that he will be their God and they shall
be his people. Now there can be no agreement between the temple of God
and idols. Idols are rivals with God for his honour, and God is a
jealous God, and will not give his glory to another. (3.) There is a
great deal of danger in communicating with unbelievers and idolators,
danger of being defiled and of being rejected; therefore the
exhortation is (v. 17) to come out from among them, and keep at a due
distance, to be separate, as one would avoid the society of those who
have the leprosy or the plague, for fear of taking infection, and not
to touch the unclean thing, lest we be defiled. Who can touch pitch,
and not be defiled by it? We must take care not to defile ourselves by
converse with those who defile themselves with sin; so is the will of
God, as we ever hope to be received, and not rejected, by him. (4.) It
is base ingratitude to God for all the favours he has bestowed upon
believers and promised to them, v. 18. God has promised to be a Father
to them, and that they shall be his sons and his daughters; and is
there a greater honour or happiness than this? How ungrateful a thing
then must it be if those who have this dignity and felicity should
degrade and debase themselves by mingling with unbelievers! Do we thus
requite the Lord, O foolish and unwise?
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. VII.
This chapter begins with an exhortation to progressive holiness and a
due regard to the ministers of the gospel, ver. 1-4. Then the apostle
returns from a long digression to speak further of the affair
concerning the incestuous person, and tells them what comfort he
received in his distress about that matter, upon his meeting with Titus
(ver. 5-7), and how re rejoiced in their repentance, with the evidences
thereof, ver. 8-11. And, lastly, he concludes with endeavouring to
comfort the Corinthians, upon whom his admonitions had had so good an
effect, ver. 12-16.
Progressive Holiness. (a. d. 57.)
1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting
holiness in the fear of God. 2 Receive us; we have wronged no man, we
have corrupted no man, we have defrauded no man. 3 I speak not this
to condemn you: for I have said before, that ye are in our hearts to
die and live with you. 4 Great is my boldness of speech toward you,
great is my glorying of you: I am filled with comfort, I am exceeding
joyful in all our tribulation.
These verses contain a double exhortation:--
I. To make a progress in holiness, or to perfect holiness in the fear
of God, v. 1. This exhortation is given with most tender affection to
those who were dearly beloved, and enforced by strong arguments, even
the consideration of those exceedingly great and precious promises
which were mentioned in the former chapter, and which the Corinthians
had an interest in and a title to. The promises of God are strong
inducements to sanctification, in both the branches thereof; namely, 1.
The dying unto sin, or mortifying our lusts and corruptions: we must
cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit. Sin is
filthiness, and there are defilements of body and mind. There are sins
of the flesh, that are committed with the body, and sins of the spirit,
spiritual wickednesses; and we must cleanse ourselves from the
filthiness of both, for God is to be glorified both with body and soul.
2. The living unto righteousness and holiness. If we hope God is our
Father, we must endeavour to be partakers of his holiness, to be holy
as he is holy, and perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect. We must
be still perfecting holiness, and not be contented with sincerity
(which is our gospel perfection), without aiming at sinless perfection,
though we shall always come short of it while we are in this world; and
this we must do in the fear of God, which is the root and principle of
all religion, and there is no holiness without it. Note, Faith and hope
in the promises of God must not destroy our fear of God, who taketh
pleasure in those that fear him and hope in his mercy.
II. To show a due regard to the ministers of the gospel: Receive us, v.
2. Those who labour in the word and doctrine should be had in
reputation, and be highly esteemed for their work's sake: and this
would be a help to making progress in holiness. If the ministers of the
gospel are thought contemptible because of their office, there is
danger lest the gospel itself be contemned also. The apostle did not
think it any disparagement to court the favour of the Corinthians; and,
though we must flatter none, yet we must be gentle towards all. He
tells them, 1. He had done nothing to forfeit their esteem and
good-will, but was cautious not to do any thing to deserve their
ill-will (v. 2): "We have wronged no man: we have done you no harm, but
always designed your good." I have coveted no man's silver, nor gold,
nor apparel, said he to the elders of Ephesus, Acts xx. 33. "We have
corrupted no man, by false doctrines or flattering speeches. We have
defrauded no man; we have not sought ourselves, nor to promote our own
secular interests by crafty and greedy measures, to the damage of any
persons." This is an appeal like that of Samuel, 1 Sam. xii. Note, Then
may ministers the more confidently expect esteem and favour from the
people when they can safely appeal to them that they are guilty of
nothing that deserves disesteem or displeasure. 2. He did not herein
reflect upon them for want of affection to him, v. 3, 4. So tenderly
and cautiously did the apostle deal with the Corinthians, among whom
there were some who would be glad of any occasion to reproach him, and
prejudice the minds of others against him. To prevent any insinuations
against him on account of what he had said, as if he intended to charge
them with wronging him, or unjust accusations of him for having wronged
them, he assures them again of his great affection to them, insomuch
that he could spend his last breath at Corinth, and live and die with
them, if his business with other churches, and his work as an apostle
(which was not to be confined to one place only), would permit him to
do so. An he adds it was his great affection to them that made him use
such boldness or freedom of speech towards them, and caused him to
glory, or make his boast of them, in all places, and upon all
occasions, being filled with comfort, and exceedingly joyful in all
their tribulations.
Various Exhortations. (a. d. 57.)
5 For, when we were come into Macedonia, our flesh had no rest, but we
were troubled on every side; without were fightings, within were fears.
6 Nevertheless God, that comforteth those that are cast down,
comforted us by the coming of Titus; 7 And not by his coming only,
but by the consolation wherewith he was comforted in you, when he told
us your earnest desire, your mourning, your fervent mind toward me; so
that I rejoiced the more. 8 For though I made you sorry with a
letter, I do not repent, though I did repent: for I perceive that the
same epistle hath made you sorry, though it were but for a season. 9
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to
repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might
receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the
world worketh death. 11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye
sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea,
what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear,
yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all
things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
There seems to be a connection between ch. ii. 13 (where the apostle
said he had no rest in his spirit when he found not Titus at Troas) and
the fifth verse of this chapter: and so great was his affection to the
Corinthians, and his concern about their behaviour in relation to the
incestuous person, that, in his further travels, he still had no rest
till he heard from them. And now he tells them,
I. How he was distressed, v. 5. He was troubled when he did not meet
with Titus at Troas, and afterwards when for some time he did not meet
with him in Macedonia: this was a grief to him, because he could not
hear what reception he met with at Corinth, nor how their affairs went
forward. And, besides this, they met with other troubles, with
incessant storms of persecutions; there were fightings without, or
continual contentions with, and opposition from, Jews and Gentiles; and
there were fears within, and great concern for such as had embraced the
Christian faith, lest they should be corrupted or seduced, and give
scandal to others, or be scandalized.
II. How he was comforted, v. 6, 7. Here observe, 1. The very coming of
Titus was some comfort to him. It was matter of joy to see him, whom he
long desired and expected to meet with. The very coming of Titus and
his company, who was dear to him as his own son in the common faith
(Tit. i. 4), was a great comfort to the apostle in his travels and
troubles. But, 2. The good news which Titus brought concerning the
Corinthians was matter of greater consolation. He found Titus to be
comforted in them; and this filled the apostle with comfort, especially
when he acquainted him with their earnest desire to give good
satisfaction in the things about which the apostle had written to them;
and of their mourning for the scandal that was found among them and the
great grief they had caused to others, and their fervent mind or great
affection towards the apostle, who had dealt so faithfully with them in
reproving their faults: so true is the observation of Solomon (Prov.
xxviii. 23), He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour
than he that flattereth with his tongue. 3. He ascribes all his comfort
to God as the author. It was God who comforted him by the coming of
Titus, even the God of all comfort: God, who comforteth those that are
cast down, v. 6. Note, We should look above and beyond all means and
instruments, unto God, as the author of all the consolation and the
good that we enjoy.
III. How greatly he rejoiced at their repentance, and the evidences
thereof. The apostle was sorry that he had grieved them, that some
pious persons among them laid to heart very greatly what he said in his
former epistle, or that it was needful he should make those sorry whom
he would rather have made glad, v. 8. But now he rejoiced, when he
found they had sorrowed to repentance, v. 9. Their sorrow in itself was
not the cause of his rejoicing; but the nature of it, and the effect of
it (repentance unto salvation, v. 10), made him rejoice; for now it
appeared that they had received damage by him in nothing. Their sorrow
was but for a season; it was turned into joy, and that joy was durable.
Observe here,
1. The antecedent of true repentance is godly sorrow; this worketh
repentance. It is not repentance itself, but it is a good preparative
to repentance, and in some sense the cause that produces repentance.
The offender had great sorrow, he was in danger of being swallowed up
with overmuch sorrow; and the society was greatly sorrowful which
before was puffed up: and this sorrow of theirs was after a godly
manner, or according to God (as it is in the original), that is, it was
according to the will of God, tended to the glory of God, and was
wrought by the Spirit of God. It was a godly sorrow, because a sorrow
for sin, as an offence against God, an instance of ingratitude, and a
forfeiture of God's favour. There is a great difference between this
sorrow of a godly sort and the sorrow of this world. Godly sorrow
produces repentance and reformation, and will end in salvation; but
worldly sorrow worketh death. The sorrows of worldly men for worldly
things will bring down gray hairs the sooner to the grave, and such a
sorrow even for sin as Judas had will have fatal consequences, as his
had, which wrought death. Note, (1.) Repentance will be attended with
salvation. Therefore, (2.) True penitents will never repent that they
have repented, nor of any thing that was conducive thereto. (3.)
Humiliation and godly sorrow are previously necessary in order to
repentance, and both of them are from God, the giver of all grace.
2. The happy fruits and consequences of true repentance are mentioned
(v. 11); and those fruits that are meet for repentance are the best
evidences of it. Where the heart is changed, the life and actions will
be changed too. The Corinthians made it evident that their sorrow was a
godly sorrow, and such as wrought repentance, because it wrought in
them great carefulness about their souls, and to avoid sin, and please
God; it wrought also a clearing of themselves, not by insisting upon
their own justification before God, especially while they persisted in
their sin, but by endeavours to put away the accursed thing, and so
free themselves from the just imputation of approving the evil that had
been done. It wrought indignation at sin, at themselves, at the tempter
and his instruments; it wrought fear, a fear of reverence, a fear of
watchfulness, and a fear of distrust, not a distrust of God, but of
themselves; an awful fear of God, a cautious fear of sin, and a jealous
fear of themselves. It wrought vehement desires after a thorough
reformation of what had been amiss, and of reconciliation with God whom
they had offended. It wrought zeal, a mixture of love and anger, a zeal
for duty, and against sin. It wrought, lastly, revenge against sin and
their own folly, by endeavours to make all due satisfaction for
injuries that might be done thereby. And thus in all things had they
approved themselves to be clear in that matter. Not that they were
innocent, but that they were penitent, and therefore clear of guilt
before God, who would pardon and not punish them; and they ought no
longer to be reproved, much less to be reproached, by men, for what
they had truly repented of.
Case of Incestuous Person. (a. d. 57.)
12 Wherefore, though I wrote unto you, I did it not for his cause that
had done the wrong, nor for his cause that suffered wrong, but that our
care for you in the sight of God might appear unto you. 13 Therefore
we were comforted in your comfort: yea, and exceedingly the more joyed
we for the joy of Titus, because his spirit was refreshed by you all.
14 For if I have boasted any thing to him of you, I am not ashamed; but
as we spake all things to you in truth, even so our boasting, which I
made before Titus, is found a truth. 15 And his inward affection is
more abundant toward you, whilst he remembereth the obedience of you
all, how with fear and trembling ye received him. 16 I rejoice
therefore that I have confidence in you in all things.
In these verses the apostle endeavours to comfort the Corinthians, upon
whom his admonitions had had such good effect. And in order thereto, 1.
He tells them he had a good design in his former epistle, which might
be thought severe, v. 12. It was not chiefly for his cause that did the
wrong, not only for his benefit, much less merely that he should be
punished; nor was it merely for his cause that suffered wrong, namely,
the injured father, and that he might have what satisfaction could be
given him; but it was also to manifest his great and sincere concern
and care for them, for the whole church, lest that should suffer by
letting such a crime, and the scandal thereof, remain among them
without due remark and resentment. 2. He acquaints them with the joy of
Titus as well as of himself upon the account of their repentance and
good behaviour. Titus was rejoiced, and his spirit refreshed, with
their comfort, and this comforted and rejoiced the apostle also (v.
13); and, as Titus was comforted while he was with them, so when he
remembered his reception among them, expressing their obedience to the
apostolical directions, and their fear and trembling at the reproofs
that were given them, the thoughts of these things inflamed and
increased his affections to them, v. 15. Note, Great comfort and joy
follow upon godly sorrow. As sin occasions general grief, so repentance
and reformation occasion general joy. Paul was glad, and Titus was
glad, and the Corinthians were comforted, and the penitent ought to be
comforted; and well may all this joy be on earth, when there is joy in
heaven over one sinner that repenteth. 3. He concludes this whole
matter with expressing the entire confidence he had in them: He was not
ashamed of his boasting concerning them to Titus (v. 14); for he was
not disappointed in his expectation concerning them, which he signified
to Titus, and he could now with great joy declare what confidence he
still had in them as to all things, that he did not doubt of their good
behaviour for the time to come. Note, It is a great comfort and joy to
a faithful minister to have to do with a people whom he can confide in,
and who he has reason to hope will comply with every thing he proposes
to them that is for the glory of God, the credit of the gospel, and
their advantage.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. VIII.
In this and the following chapter Paul is exhorting and directing the
Corinthians about a particular work of charity--to relieve the
necessities of the poor saints at Jerusalem and in Judea, according to
the good example of the churches in Macedonia, Rom. xv. 26. The
Christians at Jerusalem, through war, famine, and persecution, had
become poor, many of them had fallen into decay, and perhaps most of
them were but poor when they first embraced Christianity; for Christ
said, "The poor receive the gospel." Now Paul, though he was the
apostle of the Gentiles, had a fonder regard, and kind concern, for
those among the Jews who were converted to the Christian faith; and,
though many of them had not so much affection to the Gentile converts
as they ought to have had, yet the apostle would have the Gentiles to
be kind to them, and stirred them up to contribute liberally for their
relief. Upon this subject he is very copious, and writes very
affectingly. In this eighth chapter he acquaints the Corinthians with,
and commends, the good example of the Macedonians in this work of
charity, and that Titus was sent to Corinth to collect their bounty,
ver. 1-6. He the proceeds to urge this duty with several cogent
arguments (ver. 7-15), and commends the persons who were employed in
this affair, ver. 16-24.
Charity of the Macedonians. (a. d. 57.)
1 Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on
the churches of Macedonia; 2 How that in a great trial of affliction
the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the
riches of their liberality. 3 For to their power, I bear record, yea,
and beyond their power they were willing of themselves; 4 Praying us
with much intreaty that we would receive the gift, and take upon us the
fellowship of the ministering to the saints. 5 And this they did, not
as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us
by the will of God. 6 Insomuch that we desired Titus, that as he had
begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.
Observe here,
I. The apostle takes occasion from the good example of the churches of
Macedonia, that is, of Philippi, Thessalonica, Berea, and others in the
region of Macedonia, to exhort the Corinthians and the Christians in
Achaia to the good work of charity. And,
1. He acquaints them with their great liberality, which he calls the
grace of God bestowed on the churches, v. 1. Some think the words
should be rendered, the gift of God given in or by the churches. He
certainly means the charitable gifts of these churches, which are
called the grace or gifts of God, either because they were very large,
or rather because their charity to the poor saints did proceed from God
as the author, and was accompanied with true love to God, which also
was manifested this way. The grace of God must be owned as the root and
fountain of all the good that is in us, or done by us, at any time; and
it is great grace and favour from God, and bestowed on us, if we are
made useful to others, and are forward to any good work.
2. He commends the charity of the Macedonians, and sets it forth with
good advantage. He tells them, (1.) They were but in a low condition,
and themselves in distress, yet they contributed to the relief of
others. They were in great tribulation and deep poverty, v. 2. It was a
time of great affliction with them, as may be seen, Acts xviii. 17. The
Christians in these parts met with ill treatment, which had reduced
them to deep poverty; yet, as they had abundance of joy in the midst of
tribulation, they abounded in their liberality; they gave out of a
little, trusting in God to provide for them, and make it up to them.
(2.) They gave very largely, with the riches of liberality (v. 2), that
is, as liberally as if they had been rich. It was a large contribution
they made, all things considered; it was according to, yea beyond,
their power (v. 3), as much as could well be expected from them, if not
more. Note, Though men may condemn the indiscretion, yet God will
accept the pious zeal, of those who in real works of piety and charity
do rather beyond their power. (3.) They were very ready and forward to
this good work. They were willing of themselves (v. 3), and were so far
from needing that Paul should urge and press them with many arguments
that they prayed him with much entreaty to receive the gift, v. 4. It
seems Paul was backward to undertake this trust, for he would give
himself to the word and prayer; or, it may be, he was apprehensive how
ready his enemies would be to reproach and blacken him upon all
occasions, and might take a handle against him upon account of so large
a sum deposited in his hands, to suspect or accuse him of indiscretion
and partiality in the distribution, if not of some injustice. Note, How
cautious ministers should be, especially in money-matters, not to give
occasion to those who seek occasion to speak reproachfully! (4.) Their
charity was founded in true piety, and this was the great commendation
of it. They performed this good work in a right method: First they gave
themselves to the Lord, and then they gave unto us their contributions,
by the will of God (v. 5), that is, according as it was the will of God
they should do, or to be disposed of as the will of God should be, and
for his glory. This, it seems, exceeded the expectation of the apostle;
it was more than he hoped for, to see such warm and pious affections
shining in these Macedonians, and this good work performed with so much
devotion and solemnity. They solemnly, jointly, and unanimously, made a
fresh surrender of themselves, and all they had, unto the Lord Jesus
Christ. They had done this before, and now they do it again upon this
occasion; sanctifying their contributions to God's honour, by first
giving themselves to the Lord. Note, [1.] We should give ourselves to
God; we cannot bestow ourselves better. [2.] When we give ourselves to
the Lord, we then give him all we have, to be called for and disposed
of according to his will. [3.] Whatever we use or lay out for God, it
is only giving to him what is his own. [4.] What we give or bestow for
charitable uses will not be accepted of God, nor turn to our advantage,
unless we first give ourselves to the Lord.
II. The apostle tells them that Titus was desired to go and make a
collection among them (v. 6), and Titus, he knew, would be an
acceptable person to them. He had met with a kind reception among them
formerly. They had shown good affection to him, and he had a great love
for them. Besides, Titus had already begun this work among them,
therefore he was desired to finish it. So that he was, on all accounts,
a proper person to be employed; and, when so good a work had already
prospered in so good a hand, it would be a pity if it should not
proceed and be finished. Note, It is an instance of wisdom to use
proper instruments in a work we desire to do well; and the work of
charity will often succeed the best when the most proper persons are
employed to solicit contributions and dispose of them.
Charity Urged. (a. d. 57.)
7 Therefore, as ye abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and
knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye
abound in this grace also. 8 I speak not by commandment, but by
occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of
your love. 9 For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that,
though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through
his poverty might be rich. 10 And herein I give my advice: for this
is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also
to be forward a year ago. 11 Now therefore perform the doing of it;
that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance
also out of that which ye have. 12 For if there be first a willing
mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to
that he hath not. 13 For I mean not that other men be eased, and ye
burdened: 14 But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance
may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a
supply for your want: that there may be equality: 15 As it is
written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had
gathered little had no lack.
In these verses the apostle uses several cogent arguments to stir up
the Corinthians to this good work of charity.
I. He urges upon them the consideration of their eminence in other
gifts and graces, and would have them excel in this of charity also, v.
7. Great address and much holy art are here used by the apostle. When
he would persuade the Corinthians to this good thing, he commends them
for other good things that were found in them. Most people love to be
complimented, especially when we ask a gift of them for ourselves or
others; and it is a justice we owe to those in whom God's grace shines
to give them their due commendation. Observe here, What it was that the
Corinthians abounded in. Faith is mentioned first, for that is the
root; and, as without faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. xi.
6), so those who abound in faith will abound in other graces and good
works also; and this will work and show itself by love. To their faith
was added utterance, which is an excellent gift, and redounds much to
the glory of God and the good of the church. Many have faith who want
utterance. But these Corinthians excelled most churches in spiritual
gifts, and particularly in utterance; and yet this was not in them, as
in too many, both the effect and evidence of ignorance; for with their
utterance there appeared knowledge, abundance of knowledge. They had a
treasury of things new and old, and in their utterance they brought out
of this treasury. They abounded also in all diligence. Those who have
great knowledge and ready utterance are not always the most diligent
Christians. Great talkers are not always the best doers; but these
Corinthians were diligent to do, as well as know and talk, well. And
further, they had abundant love to their minister; and were not like
too many, who, having gifts of their own, are but too apt to slight
their ministers, and neglect them. Now to all these good things the
apostle desires them to add this grace also, to abound in charity to
the poor; that, where so much good was found, there should be found yet
more good. Before the apostle proceeds to another argument he takes
care to prevent any misapprehensions of his design to impose on them,
or to bind heavy burdens upon them by his authority; and tells them (v.
8) he does not speak by commandment, or in a way of authority. I give
my advice, v. 10. He took occasion from the forwardness of others to
propose what would be expedient for them, and would prove the sincerity
of their love, or be the genuine effect and evidence thereof. Note, A
great difference should be made between plain and positive duty, and
the improvement of a present opportunity of doing or getting good. Many
a thing which is good for us to do, yet can not be said to be, by
express and indispensable commandment, our duty at this or that time.
II. Another argument is taken from the consideration of the grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ. The best arguments for Christian duties are
those that are taken from the love of Christ, that constraineth us. The
example of the churches of Macedonia was such as the Corinthians should
imitate; but the example of our Lord Jesus Christ should have much
greater influence. And you know, saith the apostle, the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ (v. 9), that though he was rich, as being God, equal
in power and glory with the Father, rich in all the glory and
blessedness of the upper world, yet for your sakes he became poor; not
only did become man for us, but he became poor also. He was born in
poor circumstances, lived a poor life, and died in poverty; and this
was for our sakes, that we thereby might be made rich, rich in the love
and favour of God, rich in the blessings and promises of the new
covenant, rich in the hopes of eternal life, being heirs of the
kingdom. This is a good reason why we should be charitable to the poor
out of what we have, because we ourselves live upon the charity of the
Lord Jesus Christ.
III. Another argument is taken from their good purposes, and their
forwardness to begin this good work. As to this he tells them, 1. It
was expedient for them to perform what they purposed, and finish what
they had begun, v. 10, 11. What else did their good purposes and good
beginnings signify? Good purposes, indeed, are good things; they are
like buds and blossoms, pleasant to behold, and give hopes of good
fruit; but they are lost, and signify nothing, without performances. So
good beginnings are amiable; but we shall lose the benefit unless there
be perseverance, and we bring forth fruit to perfection. Seeing
therefore the Corinthians had shown a readiness to will, he would have
them be careful also in the performance, according to their ability.
For, 2. This would be acceptable to God. This willing mind is accepted
(v. 12), when accompanied with sincere endeavours. When men purpose
that which is good, and endeavour, according to their ability, to
perform also, God will accept of what they have, or can do, and not
reject them for what they have not, and what is not in their power to
do: and this is true as to other things besides the work of charity.
But let us note here that this scripture will by no means justify those
who think good meanings are enough, or that good purposes, and the
profession of a willing mind, are sufficient to save them. It is
accepted, indeed, where there is a performance as far as we are able,
and when Providence hinders the performance, as in David's case
concerning building a house for the Lord, 2 Sam. vii.
IV. Another argument is taken from the discrimination which the divine
Providence makes in the distribution of the things of this world, and
the mutability of human affairs, v. 13-15. The force of the arguing
seems to be this:--Providence gives to some more of the good things of
this world, and to some less, and that with this design, that those who
have a greater abundance may supply those who are in want, that there
may be room for charity. And further, considering the mutability of
human affairs, and how soon there may be an alteration, so that those
who now have an abundance may stand in need of being supplied
themselves in their wants, this should induce them to be charitable
while they are able. It is the will of God that, by our mutually
supplying one another, there should be some sort of equality; not an
absolute equality indeed, or such a levelling as would destroy
property, for in such a case there could be no exercise of charity. But
as in works of charity there should be an equitable proportion
observed, that the burden should not lie too heavy on some, while
others are wholly eased, so all should think themselves concerned to
supply those who are in want. This is illustrated by the instance of
gathering and distributing manna in the wilderness, concerning which
(as we may read, Exod. xvi.) it was the duty of every family, and all
in the family, to gather what they could, which, when it was gathered,
was put into some common receptacle for each family, whence the master
of the family distributed to every one as he had occasion, to some more
than they were able, through age and infirmity, to gather up; to others
less than they gathered, because they did not need so much: and thus he
that had gathered much (more than he had occasion for) had nothing
over, when a communication was made to him that had gathered little,
who by this method had no lack. Note, Such is the condition of men in
this world that we mutually depend on one another, and should help one
another. Those who have ever so much of this world have no more than
food and raiment; and those who have but a little of this world seldom
want these; nor, indeed, should those who have abundance suffer others
to want, but be ready to afford supply.
Commendations of Titus and Others. (a. d. 57.)
16 But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart
of Titus for you. 17 For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but
being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. 18 And we
have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel
throughout all the churches; 19 And not that only, but who was also
chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is
administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of
your ready mind: 20 Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in
this abundance which is administered by us: 21 Providing for honest
things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of
men. 22 And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have
oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent,
upon the great confidence which I have in you. 23 Whether any do
enquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or
our brethren be enquired of, they are the messengers of the churches,
and the glory of Christ. 24 Wherefore show ye to them, and before the
churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
In these verses the apostle commends the brethren who were sent to them
to collect their charity; and as it were, gives them letters
credential, that, if they were enquired after (v. 23), if any should be
inquisitive or suspicious concerning them, it might be known who they
were and how safely they might be trusted.
I. He commends Titus, 1. For his earnest care and great concern of
heart for them, and desire in all things to promote their welfare. This
is mentioned with thankfulness to God (v. 16), and it is cause of
thankfulness if God hath put it into the hearts of any to do us or
others any good. 2. For his readiness to this present service. He
accepted the office, and was forward to go upon this good errand, v.
17. Asking charity for the relief of others is by many looked upon as a
thankless office; yet it is a good office, and what we should not be
shy of when we are called to it.
II. He commends another brother, who was sent with Titus. It is
generally thought that this was Luke. He is commended, 1. As a man
whose praise was in the gospel through all the churches, v. 18. His
ministerial services of several kinds were well known, and he had
approved himself praiseworthy in what he had done. 2. As one chosen of
the churches (v. 19) and joined with the apostle in his ministration.
This was done, it is most likely, at the motion and request of Paul
himself; for this reason, that no man might blame him in that abundance
which was administered by him (v. 20), so cautious was the apostle to
avoid all occasions that evil-minded men might lay hold on to blacken
him. He would not give occasion to any to accuse him of injustice or
partiality in this affair, and thought it to be his duty, as it is the
duty of all Christians, to provide for things honest, not only in the
sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men; that is, to act so
prudently as to prevent, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions
concerning us, and all occasions of scandalous imputations. Note, We
live in a censorious world, and should cut off occasion from those who
seek occasion to speak reproachfully. It is the crime of others if they
reproach or censure us without occasion; and it is our imprudence at
least if we give them any occasion, when there may not be a just cause
for them so to do.
III. He commends also another brother who was joined with the two
former in this affair. This brother is thought to be Apollos. Whoever
he was, he had approved himself diligent in many things; and therefore
was fit to be employed in this affair. Moreover, he had great desire to
this work, because of the confidence or good opinion he had of the
Corinthians (v. 22), and it is a great comfort to see those employed in
good works who have formerly approved themselves diligent.
IV. He concludes this point with a general good character of them all
(v. 23), as fellow-labourers with him for their welfare; as the
messengers of the churches; as the glory of Christ, who were to him for
a name and a praise, who brought glory to Christ as instruments and had
obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful and employed in his
service. Wherefore, upon the whole, he exhorts them to show their
liberality, answerable to the great expectation others had concerning
them at this time, that these messengers of the churches, and the
churches themselves, might see a full proof of their love to God and to
their afflicted brethren, and that it was with good reason the apostle
had even boasted on their behalf, v. 24. Note, The good opinion others
entertain of us should be an argument with us to do well.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. IX.
In this chapter the apostle seems to excuse his earnestness in pressing
the Corinthians to the duty of charity (ver. 1-5), and proceeds to give
directions about the acceptable way and manner of performing it,
namely, bountifully, deliberately, and freely; and gives good
encouragement for so doing, ver. 6, to the end.
Charity Urged. (a. d. 57.)
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for
me to write to you: 2 For I know the forwardness of your mind, for
which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year
ago; and your zeal hath provoked very many. 3 Yet have I sent the
brethren, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf;
that, as I said, ye may be ready: 4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia
come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, ye) should
be ashamed in this same confident boasting. 5 Therefore I thought it
necessary to exhort the brethren, that they would go before unto you,
and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof ye had notice before, that
the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of
covetousness.
In these verses the apostle speaks very respectfully to the
Corinthians, and with great skill; and, while he seems to excuse his
urging them so earnestly to charity, still presses them thereto, and
shows how much his heart was set upon this matter.
I. He tells them it was needless to press them with further arguments
to afford relief to their poor brethren (v. 1), being satisfied he had
said enough already to prevail with those of whom he had so good an
opinion. For, 1. He knew their forwardness to every good work, and how
they had begun this good work a year ago, insomuch that, 2. He had
boasted of their zeal to the Macedonians, and this had provoked many of
them to do as they had done. Wherefore he was persuaded, that, as they
had begun well, they would go on well; and so, commending them for what
they had done, he lays an obligation on them to proceed and persevere.
II. He seems to apologize for sending Titus and the other brethren to
them. He is unwilling they should be offended at him for this, as if he
were too earnest, and pressed too hard upon them; and tells the true
reasons why he sent them, namely, 1. That, having this timely notice,
they might be fully ready (v. 3), and not surprised with hasty demands,
when he should come to them. When we would have others to do that which
is good we must act towards them prudently and tenderly, and give them
time. 2. That he might not be ashamed of his boasting concerning them,
if they should be found unready, v. 3, 4. He intimates that some from
Macedonia might haply come with him: and, if the collection should not
then be made, this would make him, not to say them, ashamed,
considering the boasting of the apostle concerning them. Thus careful
was he to preserve their reputation and his own. Note, Christians
should consult the reputation of their profession, and endeavour to
adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour.
Charity Urged. (a. d. 57.)
6 But this I say, He which soweth sparingly shall reap also sparingly;
and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully. 7 Every
man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not
grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 8 And
God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having
all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work: 9 (As
it is written, He hath dispersed abroad; he hath given to the poor: his
righteousness remaineth for ever. 10 Now he that ministereth seed to
the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed
sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;) 11 Being
enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us
thanksgiving to God. 12 For the administration of this service not
only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many
thanksgivings unto God; 13 Whiles by the experiment of this
ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the
gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto
all men; 14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the
exceeding grace of God in you. 15 Thanks be unto God for his
unspeakable gift.
Here we have,
I. Proper directions to be observed about the right and acceptable
manner of bestowing charity; and it is of great concernment that we not
only do what is required, but do it as is commanded. Now, as to the
manner in which the apostle would have the Corinthians give, observe,
1. It should be bountifully; this was intimated, v. 5, that a liberal
contribution was expected, a matter of bounty, not what savoured of
covetousness; and he offers to their consideration that men who expect
a good return at harvest are not wont to pinch and spare in sowing
their seed, for the return is usually proportionable to what they sow,
v. 6. 2. It should be deliberately Every man, according as he purposes
in his heart, v. 7. Works of charity, like other good works, should be
done with thought and design; whereas some do good only by accident.
They comply, it may be hastily, with the importunity of others, without
any good design, and give more than they intended, and then repent of
it afterwards. Or possibly, had they duly considered all things, they
would have given more. Due deliberation, as to this matter of our own
circumstances, and those of the persons we are about to relieve, will
be very helpful to direct us how liberal we should be in our
contributions for charitable uses. 3. It should be freely, whatever we
give, be it more or less: Not grudgingly, nor of necessity, but
cheerfully, v. 7. Persons sometimes will give merely to satisfy the
importunity of those who ask their charity, and what they give is in a
manner squeezed or forced from them, and this unwillingness spoils all
they do. We ought to give more freely than the modesty of some
necessitous persons will allow them to ask: we should not only deal out
bread, but draw out our souls to the hungry, Isa. lviii. 10. We should
give liberally, with an open hand, and cheerfully, with an open
countenance, being glad we have ability and an opportunity to be
charitable.
II. Good encouragement to perform this work of charity in the manner
directed. Here the apostle tells the Corinthians,
1. They themselves would be no losers by what they gave in charity.
This may serve to obviate a secret objection in the minds of many
against this good work who are ready to think they may want what they
give away; but such should consider that what is given to the poor in a
right manner is far from being lost; as the precious seed which is cast
into the ground is not lost, though it is buried there for a time, for
it will spring up, and bear fruit; the sower shall receive it again
with increase, v. 6. Such good returns may those expect who give freely
and liberally in charity. For, (1.) God loveth a cheerful giver (v. 7),
and what may not those hope to receive who are the objects of the
divine love? Can a man be a loser by doing that with which God is
pleased? May not such a one be sure that he shall some way or other be
a gainer? Nay, are not the love and favour of God better than all other
things, better than life itself? (2.) God is able to make our charity
redound to our advantage, v. 8. We have no reason to distrust the
goodness of God, and surely we have no reason to question his power; he
is able to make all grace abound towards us, and abound in us; to give
a large increase of spiritual and temporal good things. He can cause us
to have a sufficiency in all things, to be content with what we have,
to make up what we give, to be able to give yet more: as it is written
(Ps. cxii. 9) concerning the charitable man, He hath dispersed abroad.
He hath given to the poor. His righteousness, that is, his almsgiving,
endureth for ever. The honour of it is lasting, the reward of it
eternal, and he is still able to live comfortably himself and to give
liberally to others. (3.) The apostle puts up a prayer to God in their
behalf that they might be gainers, and not losers, v. 10, 11. Here
observe, [1.] To whom the prayer is made--to God, who ministereth seed
to the sower, who by his providence giveth such an increase of the
fruits of the earth that we have not only bread sufficient to eat for
one year, but enough to sow again for a future supply: or thus, It is
God who giveth us not only a competency for ourselves, but that also
wherewith we may supply the wants of others, and so should be as seed
to be sown. [2.] For what he prayeth. There are several things which he
desires for them, namely, that they may have bread for their food,
always a competency for themselves, food convenient,--that God will
multiply their seed sown, that they may still be able to do more
good,--and that there may be an increase of the fruits of
righteousness, that they may reap plentifully, and have the best and
most ample returns of their charity, so as to be enriched in every
thing to all bountifulness (v. 11),--that upon the whole they may find
it true that they shall be no losers, but great gainers. Note, Works of
charity are so far from impoverishing us that they are the proper means
truly to enrich us, or make us truly rich.
2. While they would be no losers, the poor distressed saints would be
gainers; for this service would supply their wants, v. 12. If we have
reason to think them to be saints, whom we believe to be of the
household of faith, whose wants are great, how ready should we be to do
them good! Our goodness can not extend unto God, but we should freely
extend it to these excellent ones of the earth, and thus show that we
delight in them.
3. This would redound to the praise and glory of God. Many
thanksgivings would be given to God on this account, by the apostle,
and by those who were employed in this ministration, v. 11. These would
bless God, who had made them happy instruments in so good a work, and
rendered them successful in it. Besides these, others also would be
thankful; the poor, who were supplied in their wants, would not fail to
be very thankful to God, and bless God for them; and all who wished
well to the gospel would glorify God for this experiment, or proof of
subjection to the gospel of Christ, and true love to all men, v. 13.
Note, (1.) True Christianity is a subjection to the gospel, a yielding
of ourselves to the commanding influence of its truths and laws. (2.)
We must evince the sincerity of our subjection to the gospel by works
of charity. (3.) This will be for the credit of our profession, and to
the praise and glory of God.
4. Those whose wants were supplied would make the best return they were
able, by sending up many prayers to God for those who had relieved
them, v. 14. And thus should we recompense the kindnesses we receive
when we are not in a capacity of recompensing them in any other way;
and, as this is the only recompence the poor can make, so it is often
greatly for the advantage of the rich.
Lastly, The apostle concludes this whole matter with this doxology,
Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift, v. 15. Some think that by
this unspeakable gift he means the gift of grace bestowed on the
churches, in making them able and willing to supply the necessities of
the saints, which would be attended with unspeakable benefit both to
the givers and receivers. It should seem rather that he means Jesus
Christ, who is indeed the unspeakable gift of God unto this world, a
gift we have all reason to be very thankful for.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. X.
There was no place in which the apostle Paul met with more opposition
from false apostles than at Corinth; he had many enemies there. Let not
any of the ministers of Christ think it strange if they meet with
perils, not only from enemies, but from false brethren; for blessed
Paul himself did so. Though he was so blameless and inoffensive in all
his carriage, so condescending and useful to all, yet there were those
who bore him ill-will, who envied him, and did all they could to
undermine him, and lesson his interest and reputation. Therefore he
vindicates himself from their imputation, and arms the Corinthians
against their insinuations. In this chapter the apostle, in a mild and
humble manner, asserts the power of his preaching, and to punish
offenders, ver. 1-6. He then proceeds to reason the case with the
Corinthians, asserting his relation to Christ, and his authority as an
apostle of Christ (ver. 7-11), and refuses to justify himself, or to
act by such rules as the false teachers did, but according to the
better rules he had fixed for himself, ver. 12, to the end.
The Apostle's Spiritual Authority. (a. d. 57.)
1 Now I Paul myself beseech you by the meekness and gentleness of
Christ, who in presence am base among you, but being absent am bold
toward you: 2 But I beseech you, that I may not be bold when I am
present with that confidence, wherewith I think to be bold against
some, which think of us as if we walked according to the flesh. 3 For
though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For
the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to
the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and
every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and
bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6
And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your
obedience is fulfilled.
Here we may observe,
I. The mild and humble manner in which the blessed apostle addresses
the Corinthians, and how desirous he is that no occasion may be given
him to use severity. 1. He addresses them in a very mild and humble
manner: I Paul myself beseech you, v. 1. We find, in the introduction
to this epistle, he joined Timothy with himself; but now he speaks only
for himself, against whom the false apostles had particularly levelled
their reproaches; yet in the midst of the greatest provocations he
shows humility and mildness, from the consideration of the meekness and
gentleness of Christ, and desires this great example may have the same
influence on the Corinthians. Note, When we find ourselves tempted or
inclined to be rough and severe towards any body, we should think of
the meekness and gentleness of Christ, that appeared in him in the days
of his flesh, in the design of his undertaking, and in all the acts of
his grace towards poor souls. How humbly also does this great apostle
speak of himself, as one in presence base among them! So his enemies
spoke of him with contempt, and he seems to acknowledge it; while
others thought meanly, and spoke scornfully of him, he had low thoughts
of himself, and spoke humbly of himself. Note, We should be sensible of
our own infirmities, and think humbly of ourselves, even when men
reproach us for them.
2. He is desirous that no occasion may be given to use severity, v. 2.
He beseeches them to give no occasion for him to be bold, or to
exercise his authority against them in general, as he had resolved to
do against some who unjustly charged him as walking according to the
flesh, that is, regulating his conduct, even in his ministerial
actions, according to carnal policy or with worldly views. This was
what the apostle had renounced, and this is contrary to the spirit and
design of the gospel, and was far from being the aim and design of the
apostle. Hereupon,
II. He asserts the power of his preaching and his power to punish
offenders.
1. The power of his preaching, v. 3, 5. Here observe, (1.) The work of
the ministry is a warfare, not after the flesh indeed, for it is a
spiritual warfare, with spiritual enemies and for spiritual purposes.
And though ministers walk in the flesh, or live in the body, and in the
common affairs of life act as other men, yet in their work and warfare
they must not go by the maxims of the flesh, nor should they design to
please the flesh: this must be crucified with its affections and lusts;
it must be mortified and kept under. (2.) The doctrines of the gospel
and discipline of the church are the weapons of this warfare; and these
are not carnal: outward force, therefore, is not the method of the
gospel, but strong persuasions, by the power of truth and the meekness
of wisdom. A good argument this is against persecution for conscience'
sake: conscience is accountable to God only; and people must be
persuaded to God and their duty, not driven by force of arms. And so
the weapons of our warfare are mighty, or very powerful; the evidence
of truth is convincing and cogent. This indeed is through God, or owing
to him, because they are his institutions, and accompanied with his
blessing, which makes all opposition to fall before his victorious
gospel. We may here observe, [1.] What opposition is made against the
gospel by the powers of sin and Satan in the hearts of men. Ignorance,
prejudices, beloved lusts, are Satan's strong-holds in the souls of
some; vain imaginations, carnal reasonings, and high thoughts, or proud
conceits, in others, exalt themselves against the knowledge of God,
that is, by these ways the devil endeavours to keep men from faith and
obedience to the gospel, and secures his possession of the hearts of
men, as his own house or property. But then observe, [2.] The conquest
which the word of God gains. These strong-holds are pulled down by the
gospel as the means, through the grace and power of God accompanying it
as the principal efficient cause. Note, The conversion of the soul is
the conquest of Satan in that soul.
2. The apostle's power to punish offenders (and that in an
extraordinary manner) is asserted in v. 6. The apostle was a
prime-minister in the kingdom of Christ, and chief officer in his army,
and had in readiness (that is, he had power and authority at hand) to
revenge all disobedience, or to punish offenders in a most exemplary
and extraordinary manner. The apostle speaks not of personal revenge,
but of punishing disobedience to the gospel, and disorderly walking
among church-members, by inflicting church-censures. Note, Though the
apostle showed meekness and gentleness, yet he would not betray his
authority; and therefore intimates that when he would commend those
whose obedience was fulfilled or manifested others would fall under
severe censures.
The Apostle's Spiritual Authority. (a. d. 57.)
7 Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust
to himself that he is Christ's, let him of himself think this again,
that, as he is Christ's, even so are we Christ's. 8 For though I
should boast somewhat more of our authority, which the Lord hath given
us for edification, and not for your destruction, I should not be
ashamed: 9 That I may not seem as if I would terrify you by letters.
10 For his letters, say they, are weighty and powerful; but his
bodily presence is weak, and his speech contemptible. 11 Let such an
one think this, that, such as we are in word by letters when we are
absent, such will we be also in deed when we are present.
In these verses the apostle proceeds to reason the case with the
Corinthians, in opposition to those who despised him, judged him, and
spoke hardly of him: "Do you," says he, "look on things after the
outward appearance? v. 7. Is this a fit measure or rule to make an
estimate of things or persons by, and to judge between me and my
adversaries?" In outward appearance, Paul was mean and despicable with
some; he did not make a figure, as perhaps some of his competitors
might do: but this was a false rule to make a judgment by. It should
seem that some boasted mighty things of themselves, and made a fair
show. But there are often false appearances. A man may seem to be
learned who has not learned Christ, and appear virtuous when he has not
a principle of grace in his heart. However, the apostle asserts two
things of himself:--
I. His relation to Christ: If any man trust to himself that he is
Christ's, even so are we Christ's, v. 7. It would seem by this that
Paul's adversaries boasted of their relation to Christ as his ministers
and servants. Now the apostle reasons thus with the Corinthians:
"Suppose it to be so, allowing what they say to be true (and let us
observe that, in fair arguing, we should allow all that may be
reasonably granted, and should not think it impossible but those who
differ from us very much may yet belong to Christ, as well as we),
allowing them," might the apostle say, "what they boast of, yet they
ought also to allow this to us, that we also are Christ's." Note, 1. We
must not, by the most charitable allowances we make to others who
differ from us, cut ourselves off from Christ, nor deny our relation to
him. For, 2. There is room in Christ for many; and those who differ
much from one another may yet be one in him. It would help to heal the
differences that are among us if we would remember that, how confident
soever we may be that we belong to Christ, yet, at the same time, we
must allow that those who differ from us may belong to Christ too, and
therefore should be treated accordingly. We must not think that we are
the people, and that none belong to Christ but ourselves. This we may
plead for ourselves, against those who judge us and despise us that,
how weak soever we are, yet, as they are Christ's, so are we: we
profess the same faith, we walk by the same rule, we build upon the
same foundation, and hope for the same inheritance.
II. His authority from Christ as an apostle. This he had mentioned
before (v. 6), and now he tells them that he might speak of it again,
and that with some sort of boasting, seeing it was a truth, that the
Lord had given it to him, and it was more than his adversaries could
justly pretend to. It was certainly what he should not be ashamed of,
v. 8. Concerning this observe, 1. The nature of his authority: it was
for edification, and not for destruction. This indeed is the end of all
authority, civil and ecclesiastical, and was the end of that
extraordinary authority which the apostles had, and of all
church-discipline. 2. The caution with which he speaks of his
authority, professing that his design was not to terrify them with big
words, nor by angry letters, v. 9. Thus he seems to obviate an
objection that might have been formed against him, v. 10. But the
apostle declares he did not intend to frighten those who were obedient,
nor did he write any thing in his letters that he was not able to make
good by deeds against the disobedient; and he would have his
adversaries know this (v. 11), that he would, by the exercise of his
apostolical power committed to him, make it appear to have a real
efficacy.
The Apostle Asserts His Claims. (a. d. 57.)
12 For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves
with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
13 But we will not boast of things without our measure, but according
to the measure of the rule which God hath distributed to us, a measure
to reach even unto you. 14 For we stretch not ourselves beyond our
measure, as though we reached not unto you: for we are come as far as
to you also in preaching the gospel of Christ: 15 Not boasting of
things without our measure, that is, of other men's labours; but having
hope, when your faith is increased, that we shall be enlarged by you
according to our rule abundantly, 16 To preach the gospel in the
regions beyond you, and not to boast in another man's line of things
made ready to our hand. 17 But he that glorieth, let him glory in the
Lord. 18 For not he that commendeth himself is approved, but whom the
Lord commendeth.
In these verses observe,
I. The apostle refuses to justify himself, or to act by such rules as
the false apostles did, v. 12. He plainly intimates that they took a
wrong method to commend themselves, in measuring themselves by
themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, which was not
wise. They were pleased, and did pride themselves, in their own
attainments, and never considered those who far exceeded them in gifts
and graces, in power and authority; and this made them haughty and
insolent. Note, If we would compare ourselves with others who excel us,
this would be a good method to keep us humble; we should be pleased and
thankful for what we have of gifts or graces, but never pride ourselves
therein, as if there were none to be compared with us or that did excel
us. The apostle would not be of the number of such vain men: let us
resolve that we will not make ourselves of that number.
II. He fixes a better rule for his conduct, namely, not to boast of
things without his measure, which was the measure God had distributed
to him, v. 13. His meaning is, either that he would not boast of more
gifts or graces, or power and authority, than God had really bestowed
on him; or, rather, that he would not act beyond his commission as to
persons or things, nor go beyond the line prescribed to him, which he
plainly intimates the false apostles did, while they boasted of other
men's labors. The apostle's resolution was to keep within his own
province, and that compass of ground which God had marked out for him.
His commission as an apostle was to preach the gospel every where,
especially among the Gentiles, and he was not confined to one place;
yet he observed the directions of Providence, and the Holy Spirit, as
to the particular places whither he went or where he did abide.
III. He acted according to this rule: We stretch not ourselves beyond
our measure, v. 14. And, particularly, he acted according to this rule
in preaching at Corinth, and in the exercise of his apostolical
authority there; for he came thither by divine direction, and there he
converted many to Christianity; and, therefore, in boasting of them as
his charge, he acted not contrary to his rule, he boasted not of other
men's labours, v. 15.
IV. He declares his success in observing this rule. His hope was that
their faith was increased, and that others beyond them, even in the
remoter parts of Achaia, would embrace the gospel also; and in all this
he exceeded not his commission, nor acted in another man's line.
V. He seems to check himself in this matter, as if he had spoken too
much in his own praise. The unjust accusations and reflections of his
enemies had made it needful he should justify himself; and the wrong
methods they took gave him good occasion to mention the better rule he
had observed: yet he is afraid of boasting, or taking any praise to
himself, and therefore he mentions two things which ought to be
regarded:--1. He that glorieth should glory in the Lord, v. 17. If we
are able to fix good rules for our conduct, or act by them, or have any
good success in so doing, the praise and glory of all are owing unto
God. Ministers in particular must be careful not to glory in their
performances, but must give God the glory of their work, and the
success thereof. 2. Not he that commendeth himself is approved, but he
whom the Lord commendeth, v. 18. Of all flattery, self-flattery is the
worst, and self-applause is seldom any better than self-flattery and
self-deceit. At the best, self-commendation is no praise, and it is
oftentimes as foolish and vain as it is proud; therefore, instead of
praising or commending ourselves, we should strive to approve ourselves
to God, and his approbation will be our best commendation.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XI.
In this chapter the apostle goes on with his discourse, in opposition
to the false apostles, who were very industrious to lessen his interest
and reputation among the Corinthians, and had prevailed too much by
their insinuations. I. He apologizes for going about to commend
himself, and gives the reason for what he did, ver. 1-4. II. He
mentions, in his own necessary vindication, his equality with the other
apostles, and with the false apostles in this particular of preaching
the gospel to the Corinthians freely, without wages, ver. 5-15. III. He
makes another preface to what he was about further to say in his own
justification, ver. 16-21. And, IV. He gives a large account of his
qualifications, labours, and sufferings, in which he exceeded the false
apostles, ver. 22, to the end.
The Apostle Asserts His Claims. (a. d. 57.)
1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed
bear with me. 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I
have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste
virgin to Christ. 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent
beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted
from the simplicity that is in Christ. 4 For if he that cometh
preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive
another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye
have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
Here we may observe, 1. The apology the apostle makes for going about
to commend himself. He is loth to enter upon this subject of
self-commendation: Would to God you could bear with me a little in my
folly, v. 1. He calls this folly, because too often it is really no
better. In his case it was necessary; yet, seeing others might
apprehend it to be folly in him, he desires them to bear with it. Note,
As much against the grain as it is with a proud man to acknowledge his
infirmities, so much is it against the grain with a humble man to speak
in his own praise. It is no pleasure to a good man to speak well of
himself, yet in some cases it is lawful, namely, when it is for the
advantage of others, or for our own necessary vindication; as thus it
was here. For, 2. We have the reasons for what the apostle did. (1.) To
preserve the Corinthians from being corrupted by the insinuations of
the false apostles, v. 2, 3. He tells them he was jealous over them
with godly jealousy; he was afraid lest their faith should be weakened
by hearkening to such suggestions as tended to lessen their regard to
his ministry, by which they were brought to the Christian faith. He had
espoused them to one husband, that is, converted them to Christianity
(and the conversion of a soul is its marriage to the Lord Jesus); and
he was desirous to present them as a chaste virgin--pure, and spotless,
and faithful, not having their minds corrupted with false doctrines by
false teachers, as Eve was beguiled by the subtlety of the serpent.
This godly jealousy in the apostle was a mixture of love and fear; and
faithful ministers cannot but be afraid and concerned for their people,
lest they should lose that which they have received, and turn from what
they have embraced, especially when deceivers have gone abroad, or have
crept in among them. (2.) To vindicate himself against the false
apostles, forasmuch as they could not pretend they had another Jesus,
or another Spirit, or another gospel, to preach to them, v. 4. If this
had been the case, there would have been some colour of reason to bear
with them, or to hearken to them. But seeing there is but one Jesus,
one Spirit, and one gospel, that is, or at least that ought to be,
preached to them and received by them, what reason could there be why
the Corinthians should be prejudiced against him, who first converted
them to the faith, by the artifices of any adversary? It was a just
occasion of jealousy that such persons designed to preach another
Jesus, another Spirit, and another gospel.
The Apostle Asserts His Claims. (a. d. 57.)
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 6
But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been
thoroughly made manifest among you in all things. 7 Have I committed
an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have
preached to you the gospel of God freely? 8 I robbed other churches,
taking wages of them, to do you service. 9 And when I was present
with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was
lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in
all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so
will I keep myself. 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall
stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. 11 Wherefore?
because I love you not? God knoweth. 12 But what I do, that I will
do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that
wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. 13 For such are
false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the
apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is
transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing
if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be according to their works.
After the foregoing preface to what he was about to say, the apostle in
these verses mentions,
I. His equality with the other apostles--that he was not a whit behind
the very chief of the apostles, v. 5. This he expresses very modestly:
I suppose so. He might have spoken very positively. The apostleship, as
an office, was equal in all the apostles; but the apostles, like other
Christians, differed one from another. These stars differed one from
another in glory, and Paul was indeed of the first magnitude; yet he
speaks modestly of himself, and humbly owns his personal infirmity,
that he was rude in speech, had not such a graceful delivery as some
others might have. Some think that he was a man of very low stature,
and that his voice was proportionably small; others think that he may
have had some impediment in his speech, perhaps a stammering tongue.
However, he was not rude in knowledge; he was not unacquainted with the
best rules of oratory and the art of persuasion, much less was he
ignorant of the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, as had been
thoroughly manifested among them.
II. His equality with the false apostles in this particular--the
preaching of the gospel unto them freely, without wages. This the
apostle largely insists on, and shows that, as they could not but own
him to be a minister of Christ, so they ought to acknowledge he had
been a good friend to them. For, 1. He had preached the gospel to them
freely, v. 7-10. He had proved at large, in his former epistle to them,
the lawfulness of ministers' receiving maintenance from the people, and
the duty of the people to give them an honourable maintenance; and here
he says he himself had taken wages of other churches (v. 8), so that he
had a right to have asked and received from them: yet he waived his
right, and chose rather to abase himself, by working with his hands in
the trade of tent-making to maintain himself, than be burdensome to
them, that they might be exalted, or encouraged to receive the gospel,
which they had so cheaply; yea, he chose rather to be supplied from
Macedonia than to be chargeable unto them. 2. He informs them of the
reason of this his conduct among them. It was not because he did not
love them (v. 11), or was unwilling to receive tokens of their love
(for love and friendship are manifested by mutual giving and
receiving), but it was to avoid offence, that he might cut off occasion
from those that desired occasion. He would not give occasion for any to
accuse him of worldly designs in preaching the gospel, or that he
intended to make a trade of it, to enrich himself; and that others who
opposed him at Corinth might not in this respect gain an advantage
against him: that wherein they gloried, as to this matter, they might
be found even as he, v. 12. It is not improbable to suppose that the
chief of the false teachers at Corinth, or some among them, were rich,
and taught (or deceived) the people freely, and might accuse the
apostle or his fellow-labourers as mercenary men, who received hire or
wages, and therefore the apostle kept to his resolution not to be
chargeable to any of the Corinthians.
III. The false apostles are charged as deceitful workers (v. 13), and
that upon this account, because they would transform themselves into
the likeness of the apostles of Christ, and, though they were the
ministers of Satan, would seem to be the ministers of righteousness.
They would be as industrious and as generous in promoting error as the
apostles were in preaching truth; they would endeavour as much to
undermine the kingdom of Christ as the apostles did to establish it.
There were counterfeit prophets under the Old Testament, who wore the
garb and learned the language of the prophets of the Lord. So there
were counterfeit apostles under the New Testament, who seemed in many
respects like the true apostles of Christ. And no marvel (says the
apostle); hypocrisy is a thing not to be much wondered at in this
world, especially when we consider the great influence Satan has upon
the minds of many, who rules in the hearts of the children of
disobedience. As he can turn himself into any shape, and put on almost
any form, and look sometimes like an angel of light, in order to
promote his kingdom of darkness, so he will teach his ministers and
instruments to do the same. But it follows, Their end is according to
their works (v. 15); the end will discover them to be deceitful
workers, and their work will end in ruin and destruction.
The Apostle Asserts His Claims. (a. d. 57.)
16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool
receive me, that I may boast myself a little. 17 That which I speak,
I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this
confidence of boasting. 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I
will glory also. 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves
are wise. 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man
devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man
smite you on the face. 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though
we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak
foolishly,) I am bold also.
Here we have a further excuse that the apostle makes for what he was
about to say in his own vindication. 1. He would not have them think he
was guilty of folly, in saying what he said to vindicate himself: Let
no man think me a fool, v. 16. Ordinarily, indeed, it is unbecoming a
wise man to be much and often speaking in his own praise. Boasting of
ourselves is usually not only a sign of a proud mind, but a mark of
folly also. However, says the apostle, yet as a fool receive me; that
is, if you count it folly in me to boast a little, yet give due regard
to what I shall say. 2. He mentions a caution, to prevent the abuse of
what he should say, telling them that what he spoke, he did not speak
after the Lord, v. 17. He would not have them think that boasting of
ourselves, or glorying in what we have, is a thing commanded by the
Lord in general unto Christians, nor yet that this is always necessary
in our own vindication; though it may be lawfully used, because not
contrary to the Lord, when, strictly speaking, it is not after the
Lord. It is the duty and practice of Christians, in obedience to the
command and example of the Lord, rather to humble and abase themselves;
yet prudence must direct in what circumstances it is needful to do that
which we may do lawfully, even speak of what God has wrought for us,
and in us, and by us too. 3. He gives a good reason why they should
suffer him to boast a little; namely, because they suffered others to
do so who had less reason. Seeing many glory after the flesh (of carnal
privileges, or outward advantages and attainments), I will glory also,
v. 18. But he would not glory in those things, though he had as much or
more reason than others to do so. But he gloried in his infirmities, as
he tells them afterwards. The Corinthians thought themselves wise, and
might think it an instance of wisdom to bear with the weakness of
others, and therefore suffered others to do what might seem folly;
therefore the apostle would have them bear with him. Or these words,
You suffer fools gladly, seeing you yourselves are wise (v. 19), may be
ironical, and then the meaning is this: "Notwithstanding all your
wisdom, you willingly suffer yourselves to be brought into bondage
under the Jewish yoke, or suffer others to tyrannize over you; nay, to
devour you, or make a prey of you, and take of you hire for their own
advantage, and to exalt themselves above you, and lord it over you;
nay, even to smite you on the face, or impose upon you to your very
faces (v. 20), upbraiding you while they reproach me, as if you had
been very weak in showing regard to me," v. 21. Seeing this was the
case, that the Corinthians, or some among them, could so easily bear
all this from the false apostles, it was reasonable for the apostle to
desire, and expect, they should bear with what might seem to them an
indiscretion in him, seeing the circumstances of the case were such as
made it needful that whereinsoever any were bold he should be bold
also, v. 21.
The Apostle Recounts His Sufferings. (a. d. 57.)
22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they
the seed of Abraham? so am I. 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I
speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above
measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. 24 Of the Jews five
times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with
rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day
I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of
waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in
perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the
wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst,
in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. 28 Beside those things that
are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the
churches. 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I
burn not? 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which
concern mine infirmities. 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. 32 In
Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the
Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: 33 And through
a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands.
Here the apostle gives a large account of his own qualifications,
labours, and sufferings (not out of pride or vain-glory, but to the
honour of God, who had enabled him to do and suffer so much for the
cause of Christ), and wherein he excelled the false apostles, who would
lessen his character and usefulness among the Corinthians. Observe,
I. He mentions the privileges of his birth (v. 22), which were equal to
any they could pretend to. He was a Hebrew of the Hebrews; of a family
among the Jews that never intermarried with the Gentiles. He was also
an Israelite, and could boast of his being descended from the beloved
Jacob as well as they, and was also of the seed of Abraham, and not of
the proselytes. It should seem from this that the false apostles were
of the Jewish race, who gave disturbance to the Gentile converts.
II. He makes mention also of his apostleship, that he was more than an
ordinary minister of Christ, v. 23. God had counted him faithful, and
had put him into the ministry. He had been a useful minister of Christ
unto them; they had found full proofs of his ministry: Are they
ministers of Christ? I am more so.
III. He chiefly insists upon this, that he had been an extraordinary
sufferer for Christ; and this was what he gloried in, or rather he
gloried in the grace of God that had enabled him to be more abundant in
labours, and to endure very great sufferings, such as stripes above
measure, frequent imprisonments, and often the dangers of death, v. 23.
Note, When the apostle would prove himself an extraordinary minister,
he proves that he had been an extraordinary sufferer. Paul was the
apostle of the Gentiles, and for that reason was hated of the Jews.
They did all they could against him; and among the Gentiles also he met
with hard usage. Bonds and imprisonments were familiar to him; never
was the most notorious malefactor more frequently in the hands of
public justice than Paul was for righteousness' sake. The jail and the
whipping-post, and all other hard usages of those who are accounted the
worst of men, were what he was accustomed to. As to the Jews, whenever
he fell into their hands, they never spared him. Five times he fell
under their lash, and received forty stripes save one, v. 24. Forty
stripes was the utmost their law allowed (Deut. xxv. 3), but it was
usual with them, that they might not exceed, to abate one at least of
that number. And to have the abatement of one only was all the favour
that ever Paul received from them. The Gentiles were not tied up to
that moderation, and among them he was thrice beaten with rods, of
which we may suppose once was at Philippi, Acts xvi. 22. Once he was
stoned in a popular tumult, and was taken up for dead, Acts xiv. 19. He
says that thrice he suffered shipwreck; and we may believe him, though
the sacred history gives a relation but of one. A night and a day he
had been in the deep (v. 25), in some deep dungeon or other, shut up as
a prisoner. Thus he was all his days a constant confessor; perhaps
scarcely a year of his life, after his conversion, passed without
suffering some hardship or other for his religion; yet this was not
all, for, wherever he went, he went in perils; he was exposed to perils
of all sorts. If he journeyed by land, or voyaged by sea, he was in
perils of robbers, or enemies of some sort; the Jews, his own
countrymen, sought to kill him, or do him a mischief; the heathen, to
whom he was sent, were not more kind to him, for among them he was in
peril. If he was in the city, or in the wilderness, still he was in
peril. He was in peril not only among avowed enemies, but among those
also who called themselves brethren, but were false brethren, v. 26.
Besides all this, he had great weariness and painfulness in his
ministerial labours, and these are things that will come into account
shortly, and people will be reckoned with for all the care and pains of
their ministers concerning them. Paul was a stranger to wealth and
plenty, power and pleasure, preferment and ease; he was in watchings
often, and exposed to hunger and thirst; in fastings often, it may be
out of necessity; and endured cold and nakedness, v. 27. Thus was he,
who was one of the greatest blessings of the age, used as if he had
been the burden of the earth, and the plague of his generation. And yet
this is not all; for, as an apostle, the care of all the churches lay
on him, v. 28. He mentions this last, as if this lay the heaviest upon
him, and as if he could better bear all the persecutions of his enemies
than the scandals that were to be found in the churches he had the
oversight of. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is offended, and I
burn not? v. 29. There was not a weak Christian with whom he did not
sympathize, nor any one scandalized, but he was affected therewith. See
what little reason we have to be in love with the pomp and plenty of
this world, when this blessed apostle, one of the best of men that ever
lived, excepting Jesus Christ, felt so much hardship in it. Nor was he
ashamed of all this, but, on the contrary, it was what he accounted his
honour; and therefore, much against the grain as it was with him to
glory, yet, says he, if I must needs glory, if my adversaries will
oblige me to it in my own necessary vindication, I will glory in these
my infirmities, v. 30. Note, Sufferings for righteousness' sake will,
the most of any thing, redound to our honour.
In the last two verses, he mentions one particular part of his
sufferings out of its place, as if he had forgotten it before, or
because the deliverance God wrought for him was most remarkable;
namely, the danger he was in at Damascus, soon after he was converted,
and not settled in Christianity, at least in the ministry and
apostleship. This is recorded, Acts ix. 24, 25. This was his first
great danger and difficulty, and the rest of his life was a piece with
this. And it is observable that, lest it should be thought he spoke
more than was true, the apostle confirms this narrative with a solemn
oath, or appeal to the omniscience of God, v. 31. It is a great comfort
to a good man that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is
an omniscient God, knows the truth of all he says, and knows all he
does and all he suffers for his sake.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XII.
In this chapter the apostle proceeds in maintaining the honour of his
apostleship. He magnified his office when there were those who vilified
it. What he says in his own praise was only in his own justification
and the necessary defence of the honour of his ministry, the
preservation of which was necessary to its success. First, He makes
mention of the favour God had shown him, the honour done him, the
methods God took to keep him humble, and the use he made of this
dispensation, ver. 1-10. Then he addresses himself to the Corinthians,
blaming them for what was faulty among them, and giving a large account
of his behaviour and kind intentions towards them, ver. 11, to the end.
The Apostle's Rapture. (a. d. 57.)
1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions
and revelations of the Lord. 2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen
years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the
body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third
heaven. 3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the
body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) 4 How that he was caught up into
paradise, and heard unspeakable words, which it is not lawful for a man
to utter. 5 Of such an one will I glory: yet of myself I will not
glory, but in mine infirmities. 6 For though I would desire to glory,
I shall not be a fool; for I will say the truth: but now I forbear,
lest any man should think of me above that which he seeth me to be, or
that he heareth of me. 7 And lest I should be exalted above measure
through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn
in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be
exalted above measure. 8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice,
that it might depart from me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most
gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power
of Christ may rest upon me. 10 Therefore I take pleasure in
infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in
distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
Here we may observe,
I. The narrative the apostle gives of the favours God had shown him,
and the honour he had done him; for doubtless he himself is the man in
Christ of whom he speaks. Concerning this we may take notice, 1. Of the
honour itself which was done to the apostle: he was caught up into the
third heaven, v. 2. When this was we cannot say, whether it was during
those three days that he lay without sight at his conversion or at some
other time afterwards, much less can we pretend to say how this was,
whether by a separation of his soul from his body or by an
extraordinary transport in the depth of contemplation. It would be
presumption for us to determine, if not also to enquire into, this
matter, seeing the apostle himself says, Whether in the body or out of
the body, I cannot tell. It was certainly a very extraordinary honour
done him: in some sense he was caught up into the third heaven, the
heaven of the blessed, above the aërial heaven, in which the fowls fly,
above the starry heaven, which is adorned with those glorious orbs: it
was into the third heaven, where God most eminently manifests his
glory. We are not capable of knowing all, nor is it fit we should know
very much, of the particulars of that glorious place and state; it is
our duty and interest to give diligence to make sure to ourselves a
mansion there; and, if that be cleared up to us, then we should long to
be removed thither, to abide there for ever. This third heaven is
called paradise (v. 4), in allusion to the earthly paradise out of
which Adam was driven for his transgression; it is called the paradise
of God (Rev. ii. 7), signifying to us that by Christ we are restored to
all the joys and honours we lost by sin, yea, to much better. The
apostle does not mention what he saw in the third heaven or paradise,
but tells us that he heard unspeakable words, such as it is not
possible for a man to utter--such are the sublimity of the matter and
our unacquaintedness with the language of the upper world: nor was it
lawful to utter those words, because, while we are here in this world,
we have a more sure word of prophecy than such visions and revelations.
2 Pet. i. 19. We read of the tongue of angels as well as men, and Paul
knew as much of that as ever any man upon earth did, and yet preferred
charity, that is, the sincere love of God and our neighbour. This
account which the apostle gives us of his vision should check our
curious desires after forbidden knowledge, and teach us to improve the
revelation God has given us in his word. Paul himself, who had been in
the third heaven, did not publish to the world what he had heard there,
but adhered to the doctrine of Christ: on this foundation the church is
built, and on this we must build our faith and hope. 2. The modest and
humble manner in which the apostle mentions this matter is observable.
One would be apt to think that one who had had such visions and
revelations as these would have boasted greatly of them; but, says he,
It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory, v. 1. He therefore did
not mention this immediately, nor till above fourteen years after, v.
2. And then it is not without some reluctancy, as a thing which in a
manner he was forced to by the necessity of the case. Again, he speaks
of himself in the third person, and does not say, I am the man who was
thus honoured above other men. Again, his humility appears by the check
he seems to put upon himself (v. 6), which plainly shows that he
delighted not to dwell upon this theme. Thus was he, who was not behind
the chief of the apostles in dignity, very eminent for his humility.
Note, It is an excellent thing to have a lowly spirit in the midst of
high advancements; and those who abase themselves shall be exalted.
II. The apostle gives an account of the methods God took to keep him
humble, and to prevent his being lifted up above measure; and this he
speaks of to balance the account that was given before of the visions
and revelations he had had. Note, When God's people communicate their
experiences, let them always remember to take notice of what God has
done to keep them humble, as well as what he has done in favour to them
and for their advancement. Here observe,
1. The apostle was pained with a thorn in the flesh, and buffeted with
a messenger of Satan, v. 7. We are much in the dark what this was,
whether some great trouble or some great temptation. Some think it was
an acute bodily pain or sickness; others think it was the indignities
done him by the false apostles, and the opposition he met with from
them, particularly on the account of his speech, which was
contemptible. However this was, God often brings this good out of evil,
that the reproaches of our enemies help to hide pride from us; and this
is certain, that what the apostle calls a thorn in his flesh was for a
time very grievous to him: but the thorns Christ wore for us, and with
which he was crowned, sanctify and make easy all the thorns in the
flesh we may at any time be afflicted with; for he suffered, being
tempted, that he might be able to succour those that are tempted.
Temptations to sin are most grievous thorns; they are messengers of
Satan, to buffet us. Indeed it is a great grievance to a good man to be
so much as tempted to sin.
2. The design of this was to keep the apostle humble: Lest he should be
exalted above measure, v. 7. Paul himself knew he had not yet attained,
neither was already perfect; and yet he was in danger of being lifted
up with pride. If God love us, he will hide pride from us, and keep us
from being exalted above measure; and spiritual burdens are ordered, to
cure spiritual pride. This thorn in the flesh is said to be a messenger
of Satan, which he did not send with a good design, but on the
contrary, with ill intentions, to discourage the apostle (who had been
so highly favoured of God) and hinder him in his work. But God designed
this for good, and he overruled it for good, and made this messenger of
Satan to be so far from being a hindrance that it was a help to the
apostle.
3. The apostle prayed earnestly to God for the removal of this sore
grievance. Note, Prayer is a salve for every sore, a remedy for every
malady; and when we are afflicted with thorns in the flesh we should
give ourselves to prayer. Therefore we are sometimes tempted that we
may learn to pray. The apostle besought the Lord thrice, that it might
depart from him, v. 8. Note, Though afflictions are sent for our
spiritual benefit, yet we may pray to God for the removal of them: we
ought indeed to desire also that they may reach the end for which they
are designed. The apostle prayed earnestly, and repeated his requests;
he besought the Lord thrice, that is, often. So that if an answer be
not given to the first prayer, nor to the second, we must hold on, and
hold out, till we receive an answer. Christ himself prayed to his
Father thrice. As troubles are sent to teach us to pray, so they are
continued to teach us to continue instant in prayer.
4. We have an account of the answer given to the apostle's prayer,
that, although the trouble was not removed, yet an equivalent should be
granted: My grace is sufficient for thee. Note, (1.) Though God accepts
the prayer of faith, yet he does not always answer it in the letter; as
he sometimes grants in wrath, so he sometimes denies in love. (2.) When
God does not remove our troubles and temptations, yet, if he gives us
grace sufficient for us, we have no reason to complain, nor to say that
he deals ill by us. It is a great comfort to us, whatever thorns in the
flesh we are pained with, that God's grace is sufficient for us. Grace
signifies two things:--[1.] The good-will of God towards us, and this
is enough to enlighten and enliven us, sufficient to strengthen and
comfort us, to support our souls and cheer up our spirits, in all
afflictions and distresses. [2.] The good work of God in us, the grace
we receive from the fulness that is in Christ our head; and from him
there shall be communicated that which is suitable and seasonable, and
sufficient for his members. Christ Jesus understands our case, and
knows our need, and will proportion the remedy to our malady, and not
only strengthen us, but glorify himself. His strength is made perfect
in our weakness. Thus his grace is manifested and magnified; he ordains
his praise out of the mouths of babes and sucklings.
III. Here is the use which the apostle makes of this dispensation: He
gloried in his infirmities (v. 9), and took pleasure in them, v. 10. He
does not mean his sinful infirmities (those we have reason to be
ashamed of and grieved at), but he means his afflictions, his
reproaches, necessities, persecutions, and distresses for Christ's
sake, v. 10. And the reason of his glory and joy on account of these
things was this--they were fair opportunities for Christ to manifest
the power and sufficiency of his grace resting upon him, by which he
had so much experience of the strength of divine grace that he could
say, When I am weak, then am I strong. This is a Christian paradox:
when we are weak in ourselves, then we are strong in the grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ; when we see ourselves weak in ourselves, then we go
out of ourselves to Christ, and are qualified to receive strength from
him, and experience most of the supplies of divine strength and grace.
Paul's Expostulations. (a. d. 57.)
11 I am become a fool in glorying; ye have compelled me: for I ought to
have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very
chiefest apostles, though I be nothing. 12 Truly the signs of an
apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders,
and mighty deeds. 13 For what is it wherein ye were inferior to other
churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive
me this wrong. 14 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you;
and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for
the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for
the children. 15 And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you;
though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. 16 But be
it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you
with guile. 17 Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent
unto you? 18 I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did
Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we
not in the same steps? 19 Again, think ye that we excuse ourselves
unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly
beloved, for your edifying. 20 For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall
not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such
as ye would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes,
backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: 21 And lest, when I
come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail
many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the
uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have
committed.
In these verses the apostle addresses himself to the Corinthians two
ways:--
I. He blames them for what was faulty in them; namely, that they had
not stood up in his defence as they ought to have done, and so made it
the more needful for him to insist so much on his own vindication. They
in manner compelled him to commend himself, who ought to have been
commended of them v. 11. And had they, or some among them, not failed
on their part, it would have been less needful for him to have said so
much on his own behalf. He tells them further that they in particular
had good reason to speak well of him, as being in nothing behind the
very chief apostles, because he had given them full proof and evidence
of his apostleship; for the signs of an apostle were wrought among them
in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. Note, 1. It
is a debt we owe to good men to stand up in the defence of their
reputation; and we are under special obligations to those we have
received benefit by, especially spiritual benefit, to own them as
instruments in God's hand of good to us, and to vindicate them when
they are calumniated by others. 2. How much soever we are, or ought to
be, esteemed by others, we ought always to think humbly of ourselves.
See an example of this in this great apostle, who thought himself to be
nothing, though in truth he was not behind the greatest apostles--so
far was he from seeking praise from men, though he tells them their
duty to vindicate his reputation--so far was he from applauding
himself, when he was forced to insist upon his own necessary
self-defence.
II. He gives a large account of his behaviour and kind intentions
towards them, in which we may observe the character of a faithful
minister of the gospel. 1. He was not willing to be burdensome to them,
nor did he seek theirs, but them. He says (v. 13) he had not been
burdensome to them, for the time past, and tells them (v. 14) he would
not be burdensome to them for the time to come, when he should come to
them. He spared their purses, and did not covet their money: I seek not
yours but you. He sought not to enrich himself, but to save their
souls: he did not desire to make a property of them to himself, but to
gain them over to Christ, whose servant he was. Note, Those who aim at
clothing themselves with the fleece of the flock, and take no care of
the sheep, are hirelings, and not good shepherds. 2. He would gladly
spend and be spent for them (v. 15); that is, he was willing to take
pains and to suffer loss for their good. He would spend his time, his
parts, his strength, his interest, his all, to do them service; nay, so
spend as to be spent, and be like a candle, which consumes itself to
give light to others. 3. He did not abate in his love to them,
notwithstanding their unkindness and ingratitude to him; and therefore
was contented and glad to take pains with them, though the more
abundantly he loved them the less he was loved, v. 15. This is
applicable to other relations: if others be wanting in their duty to us
it does not follow therefore that we may neglect our duty to them. 4.
He was careful not only that he himself should not be burdensome, but
that none he employed should. This seems to be the meaning of what we
read, v. 16-18. If it should be objected by any that though he did not
himself burden them, yet, being crafty, he caught them with guile, that
is, he sent those among them who pillaged them, and afterwards he
shared with them in the profit: "This was not so," says the apostle; "I
did not make a gain of you myself, nor by any of those whom I sent; nor
did Titus, nor any others--We walked by the same spirit and in the same
steps." They all agreed in this matter to do them all the good they
could, without being burdensome to them, to promote the gospel among
them and make it as easy to them as possible. Or, this may be read with
an interrogation, as utterly disclaiming any guile in himself and
others towards them. 5. He was a man who did all things for edifying,
v. 19. This was his great aim and design, to do good, to lay the
foundation well, and then with care and diligence to build the
superstructure. 6. He would not shrink from his duty for fear of
displeasing them, though he was so careful to make himself easy to
them. Therefore he was resolved to be faithful in reproving sin, though
he was therein found to be such as they would not, v. 20. The apostle
here mentions several sins that are too commonly found among professors
of religion, and are very reprovable: debates, envyings, wraths,
strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults; and, though
those who are guilty of these sins can hardly bear to be reproved for
them, yet faithful ministers must not fear offending the guilty by
sharp reproofs, as they are needful, in public and in private. 7. He
was grieved at the apprehension that he should find scandalous sins
among them not duly repented of. This, he tells them, would be the
cause of great humiliation and lamentation. Note, (1.) The falls and
miscarriages of professors cannot but be a humbling consideration to a
good minister; and God sometimes takes this way to humble those who
might be under temptation to be lifted up: I fear lest my God will
humble me among you. (2.) We have reason to bewail those who sin and do
not repent, to bewail many that have sinned, and have not repented, v.
21. If these have not, as yet, grace to mourn and lament their own
case, their case is the more lamentable; and those who love God, and
love them, should mourn for them.
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S E C O N D C O R I N T H I A N S.
CHAP. XIII.
In this chapter the apostle threatens to be severe against obstinate
sinners, and assigns the reason thereof (ver. 1-6); then he makes a
suitable prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, with the
reasons inducing him thereto (ver. 7-10), and concludes his epistle
with a valediction and a benediction, ver. 11-14.
The Apostle Asserts His Claims. (a. d. 57.)
1 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or
three witnesses shall every word be established. 2 I told you before,
and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being
absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all
other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: 3 Since ye seek a
proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is
mighty in you. 4 For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he
liveth by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall
live with him by the power of God toward you. 5 Examine yourselves,
whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own
selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? 6
But I trust that ye shall know that we are not reprobates.
In these verses observe,
I. The apostle threatens to be severe against obstinate sinners when he
should come to Corinth, having now sent to them a first and second
epistle, with proper admonitions and exhortations, in order to reform
what was amiss among them. Concerning this we may notice, 1. The
caution with which he proceeded in his censures: he was not hasty in
using severity, but gave a first and second admonition. So some
understand his words (v. 1): This is the third time I am coming to you,
referring to his first and second epistles, by which he admonished
them, as if he were present with them, though in person he was absent,
v. 2. According to this interpretation, these two epistles are the
witnesses he means in the first verse, referring rather to the
direction of our Saviour (Matt. xvii. 16) concerning the manner how
Christians should deal with offenders before they proceed to extremity
than to the law of Moses (Deut. xvii. 6; xix. 15) for the behaviour of
judges in criminal matters. We should go, or send, to our brother, once
and again, to tell him of his fault. Thus the apostle had told these
Corinthians before, in his former epistle, and now he tells them, or
writes to those who heretofore had sinned, and to all others, giving
warning unto all before he came in person the third time, to exercise
severity against scandalous offenders. Others think that the apostle
had designed and prepared for his journey to Corinth twice already, but
was providentially hindered, and now informs them of his intentions a
third time to come to them. However this be, it is observable that he
kept an account how often he endeavoured, and what pains he took with
these Corinthians for their good: and we may be sure that an account is
kept in heaven, and we must be reckoned with another day for the helps
we have had for our souls, and how we have improved them. 2. The
threatening itself: That if (or when) he came again (in person) he
would not spare obstinate sinners, and such as were impenitent, in
their scandalous enormities. He had told them before, he feared God
would humble him among them, because he should find some who had sinned
and had not repented; and now he declares he would not spare such, but
would inflict church-censures upon them, which are thought to have been
accompanied in those early times with visible and extraordinary tokens
of divine displeasure. Note, Though it is God's gracious method to bear
long with sinners, yet he will not bear always; at length he will come,
and will not spare those who remain obstinate and impenitent,
notwithstanding all his methods to reclaim and reform them.
II. The apostle assigns a reason why he would be thus severe, namely,
for a proof of Christ's speaking in him, which they sought after, v. 3.
The evidence of his apostleship was necessary for the credit,
confirmation, and success, of the gospel he preached; and therefore
such as denied this were justly and severely to be censured. It was the
design of the false teachers to make the Corinthians call this matter
into question, of which yet they had not weak, but strong and mighty
proofs (v. 3), notwithstanding the mean figure he made in the world and
the contempt which by some was cast upon him. Even as Christ himself
was crucified through weakness, or appeared in his crucifixion as a
weak and contemptible person, but liveth by the power of God, or in his
resurrection and life manifests his divine power (v. 4), so the
apostles, how mean and contemptible soever they appeared to the world,
did yet, as instruments, manifest the power of God, and particularly
the power of his grace, in converting the world to Christianity. And
therefore, as a proof to those who among the Corinthians sought a proof
of Christ's speaking in the apostle, he puts them upon proving their
Christianity (v. 5): Examine yourselves, &c. Hereby he intimates that,
if they could prove their own Christianity, this would be a proof of
his apostleship; for if they were in the faith, if Jesus Christ was in
them, this was a proof that Christ spoke in him, because it was by his
ministry that they did believe. He had been not only an instructor, but
a father to them. He had begotten them again by the gospel of Christ.
Now it could not be imagined that a divine power should go along with
his ministrations if he had not his commission from on high. If
therefore they could prove themselves not to be reprobates, not to be
rejected of Christ, he trusted they would know that he was not a
reprobate (v. 6), not disowned by Christ. What the apostle here says of
the duty of the Corinthians to examine themselves, &c., with the
particular view already mentioned, is applicable to the great duty of
all who call themselves Christians, to examine themselves concerning
their spiritual state. We should examine whether we be in the faith,
because it is a matter in which we may be easily deceived, and wherein
a deceit is highly dangerous: we are therefore concerned to prove our
own selves, to put the question to our own souls, whether Christ be in
us, or not; and Christ is in us, except we be reprobates: so that
either we are true Christians or we are great cheats; and what a
reproachful thing is it for a man not to know himself, not to know his
own mind!
The Apostle Asserts His Claims. (a. d. 57.)
7 Now I pray to God that ye do no evil; not that we should appear
approved, but that ye should do that which is honest, though we be as
reprobates. 8 For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the
truth. 9 For we are glad, when we are weak, and ye are strong: and
this also we wish, even your perfection. 10 Therefore I write these
things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness,
according to the power which the Lord hath given me to edification, and
not to destruction.
Here we have,
I. The apostle's prayer to God on the behalf of the Corinthians, that
they might do no evil, v. 7. This is the most desirable thing we can
ask of God, both for ourselves and for our friends, to be kept from
sin, that we and they may do no evil; and it is most needful that we
often pray to God for his grace to keep us, because without this we
cannot keep ourselves. We are more concerned to pray that we may not do
evil than that we may not suffer evil.
II. The reasons why the apostle put up this prayer to God on behalf of
the Corinthians, which reasons have a special reference to their case,
and the subject-matter about which he was writing to them. Observe, he
tells them, 1. It was not so much for his own personal reputation as
for the honour of religion: "Not that we should appear approved, but
that you should do that which is honest, or decent, and for the credit
of religion, though we should be reproached and vilified, and accounted
as reprobates," v. 7. Note, (1.) The great desire of faithful ministers
of the gospel is that the gospel they preach may be honoured, however
their persons may be vilified. (2.) The best way to adorn our holy
religion is to do that which is honest, and of good report, to walk as
becomes the gospel of Christ. 2. Another reason was this: that they
might be free from all blame and censure when he should come to them.
This is intimated in v. 8, We can do nothing against the truth, but for
the truth. If therefore they did not do evil, nor act contrary to their
profession of the gospel, the apostle had no power nor authority to
punish them. He had said before (ch. x. 8) and says here (v. 10) that
the power which the Lord had given him was to edification, not to
destruction; so that, although the apostle had great powers committed
to him for the credit and advancement of the gospel, yet he could not
do anything to the disparagement of the truth, nor the discouragement
of those who obeyed it. He could not, that is, he would not, he dared
not, he had no commission to act against the truth; and it is
remarkable how the apostle did rejoice in this blessed impotency: "We
are glad," says he (v. 9), "when we are weak and you are strong; that
is, that we have no power to censure those who are strong in faith and
fruitful in good works." Some understand this passage thus: "Though we
are weak through persecutions and contempt, we bear it patiently, and
also joyfully, while we see that you are strong, that you are
prosperous in holiness, and persevering in well-doing." For, 3. He
desired their perfection (v. 9); that is, that they might be sincere,
and aim at perfection (sincerity is our gospel-perfection), or else he
wished there might be a thorough reformation among them. He not only
desired that they might be kept from sin, but also that they might grow
in grace, and increase in holiness, and that all that was amiss among
them might be rectified and reformed. This was the great end of his
writing this epistle, and that freedom he used with them by writing
these things (those friendly admonitions and warnings), being absent,
that so, being present, he should not use sharpness (v. 10), that is,
not proceed to the utmost extremity in the exercise of the power which
the Lord had given him as an apostle, to revenge all disobedience, ch.
x. 6.
The Apostolic Benediction. (a. d. 57.)
11 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of
one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with
you. 12 Greet one another with a holy kiss. 13 All the saints
salute you. 14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of
God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen.
Thus the apostle concludes this epistle with,
I. A valediction. He gives them a parting farewell, and takes his leave
of them for the present, with hearty good wishes for their spiritual
welfare. In order to this,
1. He gives them several good exhortations. (1.) To be perfect, or to
be knit together in love, which would tend greatly to their advantage
as a church, or Christian society. (2.) To be of good comfort under all
the sufferings and persecutions they might endure for the cause of
Christ or any calamities and disappointments they might meet with in
the world. (3.) To be of one mind, which would greatly tend to their
comfort; for the more easy we are with our brethren the more ease we
shall have in our own souls. The apostle would have them, as far as was
possible, to be of the same opinion and judgment; however, if this
could not be attained, yet, (4.) He exhorts them to live in peace, that
difference in opinion should not cause an alienation of
affections--that they should be at peace among themselves. He would
have all the schisms that were among them healed, that there should be
no more contention and wrath found among them, to prevent which they
should avoid debates, envyings, backbitings, whisperings, and such like
enemies to peace.
2. He encourages them with the promise of God's presence among them:
The God of love and peace shall be with you, v. 11. Note, (1.) God is
the God of love and peace. He is the author of peace, and lover of
concord. He hath loved us, and is willing to be at peace with us; he
commands us to love him, and to be reconciled to him, and also that we
love one another, and be at peace among ourselves. (2.) God will be
with those who live in love and peace. He will love those who love
peace; he will dwell with them here, and they shall dwell with him for
ever. Such shall have God's gracious presence here, and be admitted to
his glorious presence hereafter.
3. He gives directions to them to salute each other, and sends kind
salutations to them from those who were with him, v. 12, 13. He would
have them testify their affection to one another by the sacred rite of
a kiss of charity, which was then used, but has long been disused, to
prevent all occasions of wantonness and impurity, in the more declining
and degenerate state of the church.
II. The apostolical benediction (v. 14): The grace of the Lord Jesus
Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be
with you all. Thus the apostle concludes his epistle, and thus it is
usual and proper to dismiss worshipping assemblies. This plainly proves
the doctrine of the gospel, and is an acknowledgment that Father, Son,
and Spirit, are three distinct persons, yet but one God; and herein the
same, that they are the fountain of all blessings to men. It likewise
intimates our duty, which is to have an eye by faith to Father, Son,
and Holy Ghost--to live in a continual regard to the three persons in
the Trinity, into whose name we were baptized, and in whose name we are
blessed. This is a very solemn benediction, and we should give all
diligence to inherit this blessing. The grace of Christ, the love of
God, and the communion (or communication) of the Holy Ghost: the grace
of Christ as Redeemer, the love of God who sent the Redeemer, and all
the communications of this grace and love, which come to us by the Holy
Ghost; it is the communications of the Holy Ghost that qualify us for
an interest in the grace of Christ, and the love of God: and we can
desire no more to make us happy than the grace of Christ, the love of
God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost. Amen.
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Galatians
Completed by Joshua Bayes.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
T H E G A L A T I A N S.
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This epistle of Paul is directed not to the church or churches of a
single city, as some others are, but of a country or province, for so
Galatia was. It is very probable that these Galatians were first
converted to the Christian faith by his ministry; or, if he was not the
instrument of planting, yet at least he had been employed in watering
these churches, as is evident from this epistle itself, and also from
Acts xviii. 23, where we find him going over all the country of Galatia
and Phrygia in order, strengthening all the disciples. While he was
with them, they had expressed the greatest esteem and affection both
for his person and ministry; but he had not been long absent from them
before some judaizing teachers got in among them, by whose arts and
insinuations they were soon drawn into a meaner opinion both of the one
and of the other. That which these false teachers chiefly aimed at was
to draw them off from the truth as it is in Jesus, particularly in the
great doctrine of justification, which they grossly perverted, by
asserting the necessity of joining the observance of the law of Moses
with faith in Christ in order to it: and, the better to accomplish this
their design, they did all they could to lessen the character and
reputation of the apostle, and to raise up their own on the ruins of
his, representing him as one who, if he was to be owned as an apostle,
yet was much inferior to others, and particularly who deserved not such
a regard as Peter, James, and John, whose followers, it is likely, they
pretended to be: and in both these attempts they had but too great
success. This was the occasion of his writing this epistle, wherein he
expresses his great concern that they had suffered themselves to be so
soon turned aside from the faith of the gospel, vindicates his own
character and authority as an apostle against the aspersions of his
enemies, showing that his mission and doctrine were both divine, and
that he was not, upon any account, behind the very chief of the
apostles, 2 Cor. xi. 5. He then sets himself to assert and maintain the
great gospel doctrine of justification by faith without the works of
the law, and to obviate some difficulties that might be apt to arise in
their minds concerning it: and, having established this important
doctrine, he exhorts them to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ
had made them free, cautions them against the abuse of this liberty,
gives them several very needful counsels and directions and then
concludes the epistle by giving them a just description of those false
teachers by whom they had been ensnared, and, on the contrary, of his
own temper and behaviour. In all this his great scope and design were
to recover those who had been perverted, to settle those who might be
wavering, and to confirm such among them as had kept their integrity.
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G A L A T I A N S.
CHAP. I.
In this chapter, after the preface or introduction (ver. 1-5), the
apostle severely reproves these churches for their defection from the
faith (ver. 6-9), and then proves his own apostleship, which his
enemies had brought them to question, I. From his end and design in
preaching the gospel, ver. 10. II. From his having received it by
immediate revelation, ver. 11, 12. For the proof of which he acquaints
them, 1. What his former conversation was, ver. 13, 14. 2. How he was
converted, and called to the apostleship, ver. 15, 16. 3. How he
behaved himself afterwards, ver. 16, to the end.
The Introductory Address. (a. d. 56.)
1 Paul, an apostle, (not of men, neither by man, but by Jesus Christ,
and God the Father, who raised him from the dead;) 2 And all the
brethren which are with me, unto the churches of Galatia: 3 Grace be
to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,
4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this
present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: 5 To
whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
In these verses we have the preface or introduction to the epistle,
where observe,
I. The person or persons from whom this epistle is sent--from Paul an
apostle, &c., and all the brethren that were with him. 1. The epistle
is sent from Paul; he only was the penman of it. And, because there
were some among the Galatians who endeavoured to lessen his character
and authority, in the front of it he gives a general account both of
his office and of the manner in which he was called to it, which
afterwards, in this and the following chapter, he enlarges more upon.
As to his office, he was an apostle. He is not afraid to style himself
so, though his enemies would scarcely allow him this title: and, to let
them see that he did not assume this character without just ground, he
acquaints them how he was called to this dignity and office, and
assures them that his commission to it was wholly divine, for he was an
apostle, not of man, neither by man; he had not the common call of an
ordinary minister, but an extraordinary call from heaven to this
office. He neither received his qualification for it, nor his
designation to it, by the mediation of men, but had both the one and
the other directly from above; for he was an apostle by Jesus Christ,
he had his instructions and commission immediately from him, and
consequently from God the Father, who was one with him in respect of
his divine nature, and who had appointed him, as Mediator, to be the
apostle and high priest of our profession, and as such to authorize
others to this office. He adds, Who raised him from the dead, both to
acquaint us that herein God the Father gave a public testimony to
Christ's being his Son and the promised Messiah, and also that, as his
call to the apostleship was immediately from Christ, so it was after
his resurrection from the dead, and when he had entered upon his
exalted state; so that he had reason to look upon himself, not only as
standing upon a level with the other apostles, but as in some sort
preferred above them; for, whereas they were called by him when on
earth, he had his call from him when in heaven. Thus does the apostle,
being constrained to it by his adversaries, magnify his office, which
shows that though men should by no means be proud of any authority they
are possessed of, yet at certain times and upon certain occasions it
may become needful to assert it. But, 2. He joins all the brethren that
were with him in the inscription of the epistle, and writes in their
name as well as his own. By the brethren that were with him may be
understood either the Christians in common of that place where he now
was, or such as were employed as ministers of the gospel. These,
notwithstanding his own superior character and attainments, he is ready
to own as his brethren; and, though he alone wrote the epistle, yet he
joins them with himself in the inscription of it. Herein, as he shows
his own great modesty and humility, and how remote he was from an
assuming temper, so he might do this to dispose these churches to a
greater regard to what he wrote, since hereby it would appear that he
had their concurrence with him in the doctrine which he had preached,
and was now about to confirm, and that it was no other than what was
both published and professed by others as well as himself.
II. To whom this epistle is sent--to the churches of Galatia. There
were several churches at that time in this country, and it should seem
that all of them were more or less corrupted through the arts of those
seducers who had crept in among them; and therefore Paul, on whom came
daily the care of all the churches, being deeply affected with their
state, and concerned for their recovery to the faith and establishment
in it, writes this epistle to them. He directs it to all of them, as
being all more or less concerned in the matter of it; and he gives them
the name of churches, though they had done enough to forfeit it, for
corrupt churches are never allowed to be churches: no doubt there were
some among them who still continued in the faith, and he was not
without hope that others might be recovered to it.
III. The apostolical benediction, v. 3. Herein the apostle, and the
brethren who were with him, wish these churches grace and peace from
God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the usual
blessing wherewith he blesses the churches in the name of the
Lord--grace and peace. Grace includes God's good-will towards us and
his good work upon us; and peace implies in it all that inward comfort,
or outward prosperity, which is really needful for us; and they come
from God the Father as the fountain, through Jesus Christ as the
channel of conveyance. Both these the apostle wishes for these
Christians. But we may observe, First grace, and then peace, for there
can be no true peace without grace. Having mentioned the Lord Jesus
Christ, he cannot pass without enlarging upon his love; and therefore
adds (v. 4), Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver, &c.
Jesus Christ gave himself for our sins, as a great sacrifice to make
atonement for us; this the justice of God required, and to this he
freely submitted for our sakes. One great end hereof was to deliver us
from this present evil world; not only to redeem us from the wrath of
God, and the curse of the law, but also to recover us from the
corruption that is in the world through lust, and to rescue us from the
vicious practices and customs of it, unto which we are naturally
enslaved; and possibly also to set us free from the Mosaic
constitution, for so aion houtos is used, 1 Cor. ii. 6, 8. From this we
may note, 1. This present world is an evil world: it has become so by
the sin of man, and it is so on account of the sin and sorrow with
which it abounds and the many snares and temptations to which we are
exposed as long as we continue in it. But, 2. Jesus Christ has died to
deliver us from this present evil world, not presently to remove his
people out of it, but to rescue them from the power of it, to keep them
from the evil of it, and in due time to possess them of another and
better world. This, the apostle informs us, he has done according to
the will of God and our Father. In offering up himself a sacrifice for
this end and purpose, he acted by the appointment of the Father, as
well as with his own free consent; and therefore we have the greatest
reason to depend upon the efficacy and acceptableness of what he has
done and suffered for us; yea, hence we have encouragement to look upon
God as our Father, for thus the apostle here represents him: as he is
the Father of our Lord Jesus, so in and through him he is also the
Father of all true believers, as our blessed Saviour himself acquaints
us (John xx. 17), when he tells his disciples that he was ascending to
his Father and their Father.
The apostle, having thus taken notice of the great love wherewith
Christ hath loved us, concludes this preface with a solemn ascription
of praise and glory to him (v. 5): To whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen. Intimating that on this account he is justly entitled to our
highest esteem and regard. Or this doxology may be considered as
referring both to God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom
he had just before been wishing grace and peace. They are both the
proper objects of our worship and adoration, and all honour and glory
are perpetually due to them, both on account of their own infinite
excellences, and also on account of the blessings we receive from them.
The Apostle's Concern at Their Defection. (a. d. 56.)
6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into
the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 Which is not another; but
there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.
8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be
accursed. 9 As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach
any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be
accursed.
Here the apostle comes to the body of the epistle; and he begins it
with a more general reproof of these churches for their unsteadiness in
the faith, which he afterwards, in some following parts of it, enlarges
more upon. Here we may observe,
I. How much he was concerned at their defection: I marvel, &c. It
filled him at once with the greatest surprise and sorrow. Their sin and
folly were that they did not hold fast the doctrine of Christianity as
it had been preached to them, but suffered themselves to be removed
from the purity and simplicity of it. And there were several things by
which their defection was greatly aggravated; as, 1. That they were
removed from him that had called them; not only from the apostle, who
had been the instrument of calling them into the fellowship of the
gospel, but from God himself, by whose order and direction the gospel
was preached to them, and they were invited to a participation of the
privileges of it: so that herein they had been guilty of a great abuse
of his kindness and mercy towards them. 2. That they had been called
into the grace of Christ. As the gospel which had been preached to them
was the most glorious discovery of divine grace and mercy in Christ
Jesus; so thereby they had been called to partake of the greatest
blessings and benefits, such as justification, and reconciliation with
God here, and eternal life and happiness hereafter. These our Lord
Jesus has purchased for us at the expense of his precious blood, and
freely bestows upon all who sincerely accept of him: and therefore, in
proportion to the greatness of the privilege they enjoyed, such were
their sin and folly in deserting it and suffering themselves to be
drawn off from the established way of obtaining these blessings. 3.
That they were so soon removed. In a very little time they lost that
relish and esteem of this grace of Christ which they seemed to have,
and too easily fell in with those who taught justification by the works
of the law, as many did, who had been bred up in the opinions and
notions of the Pharisees, which they mingled with the doctrine of
Christ, and so corrupted it; and this, as it was an instance of their
weakness, so it was a further aggravation of their guilt. 4. That they
were removed to another gospel, which yet was not another. Thus the
apostle represents the doctrine of these judaizing teachers; he calls
it another gospel, because it opened a different way of justification
and salvation from that which was revealed in the gospel, namely, by
works, and not by faith in Christ. And yet he adds, "Which is not
another--you will find it to be no gospel at all--not really another
gospel, but the perverting of the gospel of Christ, and the overturning
of the foundations of that"--whereby he intimates that those who go
about to establish any other way to heaven than what the gospel of
Christ has revealed are guilty of a gross perversion of it, and in the
issue will find themselves wretchedly mistaken. Thus the apostle
endeavours to impress upon these Galatians a due sense of their guilt
in forsaking the gospel way of justification; and yet at the same time
he tempers his reproof with mildness and tenderness towards them, and
represents them as rather drawn into it by the arts and industry of
some that troubled them than as coming into it of their own accord,
which, though it did not excuse them, yet was some extenuation of their
fault. And hereby he teaches us that, in reproving others, as we should
be faithful, so we should also be gentle, and endeavour to restore them
in the spirit of meekness, ch. vi. 1.
II. How confident he was that the gospel he had preached to them was
the only true gospel. He was so fully persuaded of this that he
pronounced an anathema upon those who pretended to preach any other
gospel (v. 8), and, to let them see that this did not proceed from any
rashness or intemperate zeal in him, he repeated it, v. 9. This will
not justify our thundering out anathemas against those who differ from
us in minor things. It is only against those who forge a new gospel,
who overturn the foundation of the covenant of grace, by setting up the
works of the law in the place of Christ's righteousness, and corrupting
Christianity with Judaism, that Paul denounces this. He puts the case:
"Suppose we should preach any other gospel; nay, suppose an angel from
heaven should:" not as if it were possible for an angel from heaven to
be the messenger of a lie; but it is expressed so the more to
strengthen what he was about to say. "If you have any other gospel
preached to you by any other person, under our name, or under colour of
having it from an angel himself, you must conclude that you are imposed
upon: and whoever preaches another gospel lays himself under a curse,
and is in danger of laying you under it too."
The Apostle's Integrity. (a. d. 56.)
10 For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for
if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ. 11 But I
certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not
after man. 12 For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught
it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. 13 For ye have heard of my
conversation in time past in the Jews' religion, how that beyond
measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: 14 And
profited in the Jews' religion above many my equals in mine own nation,
being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. 15
But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother's womb, and
called me by his grace, 16 To reveal his Son in me, that I might
preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh
and blood: 17 Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were
apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto
Damascus. 18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see
Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. 19 But other of the apostles
saw I none, save James the Lord's brother. 20 Now the things which I
write unto you, behold, before God, I lie not. 21 Afterwards I came
into the regions of Syria and Cilicia; 22 And was unknown by face
unto the churches of Judæa which were in Christ: 23 But they had
heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the
faith which once he destroyed. 24 And they glorified God in me.
What Paul had said more generally, in the preface of this epistle, he
now proceeds more particularly to enlarge upon. There he had declared
himself to be an apostle of Christ; and here he comes more directly to
support his claim to that character and office. There were some in the
churches of Galatia who were prevailed with to call this in question;
for those who preached up the ceremonial law did all they could to
lessen Paul's reputation, who preached the pure gospel of Christ to the
Gentiles: and therefore he here sets himself to prove the divinity both
of his mission and doctrine, that thereby he might wipe off the
aspersions which his enemies had cast upon him, and recover these
Christians into a better opinion of the gospel he had preached to them.
This he gives sufficient evidence of,
I. From the scope and design of his ministry, which was not to persuade
men, but God, &c. The meaning of this may be either that in his
preaching the gospel he did not act in obedience to men, but God, who
had called him to this work and office; or that his aim therein was to
bring persons to the obedience, not of men, but of God. As he professed
to act by a commission from God; so that which he chiefly aimed at was
to promote his glory, by recovering sinners into a state of subjection
to him. And as this was the great end he was pursuing, so, agreeably
hereunto, he did not seek to please men. He did not, in his doctrine,
accommodate himself to the humours of persons, either to gain their
affection or to avoid their resentment; but his great care was to
approve himself to God. The judaizing teachers, by whom these churches
were corrupted, had discovered a very different temper; they mixed
works with faith, and the law with the gospel, only to please the Jews,
whom they were willing to court and keep in with, that they might
escape persecution. But Paul was a man of another spirit; he was not so
solicitous to please them, nor to mitigate their rage against him, as
to alter the doctrine of Christ either to gain their favour or to avoid
their fury. And he gives this very good reason for it, that, if he yet
pleased men, he would not be the servant of Christ. These he knew were
utterly inconsistent, and that no man could serve two such masters; and
therefore, though he would not needlessly displease any, yet he dared
not allow himself to gratify men at the expense of his faithfulness to
Christ. Thus, from the sincerity of his aims and intentions in the
discharge of his office, he proves that he was truly an apostle of
Christ. And from this his temper and behaviour we may note, 1. That the
great end which ministers of the gospel should aim at is to bring men
to God. 2. That those who are faithful will not seek to please men, but
to approve themselves to God. 3. That they must not be solicitous to
please men, if they would approve themselves faithful servants to
Christ. But, if this argument should not be thought sufficient, he goes
on to prove his apostleship,
II. From the manner wherein he received the gospel which he preached to
them, concerning which he assures them (v. 11, 12) that he had it not
by information from others, but by revelation from heaven. One thing
peculiar in the character of an apostle was that he had been called to,
and instructed for, this office immediately by Christ himself. And in
this he here shows that he was by no means defective, whatever his
enemies might suggest to the contrary. Ordinary ministers, as they
receive their call to preach the gospel by the mediation of others, so
it is by means of the instruction and assistance of others that they
are brought to the knowledge of it. But Paul acquaints them that he had
his knowledge of the gospel, as well as his authority to preach it,
directly from the Lord Jesus: the gospel which he preached was not
after man; he neither received it of man, nor was he taught it by man,
but by immediate inspiration, or revelation from Christ himself. This
he was concerned to make out, to prove himself an apostle: and to this
purpose,
1. He tells them what his education was, and what, accordingly, his
conversation in time past had been, v. 13, 14. Particularly, he
acquaints them that he had been brought up in the Jewish religion, and
that he had profited in it above many his equals of his own
nation--that he had been exceedingly zealous of the traditions of the
elders, such doctrines and customs as had been invented by their
fathers, and conveyed down from one generation to another; yea, to such
a degree that, in his zeal for them, he had beyond measure persecuted
the church of God, and wasted it. He had not only been a rejecter of
the Christian religion, notwithstanding the many evident proofs that
were given of its divine origin; but he had been a persecutor of it
too, and had applied himself with the utmost violence and rage to
destroy the professors of it. This Paul often takes notice of, for the
magnifying of that free and rich grace which had wrought so wonderful a
change in him, whereby of so great a sinner he was made a sincere
penitent, and from a persecutor had become an apostle. And it was very
fit to mention it here; for it would hence appear that he was not led
to Christianity, as many others are, purely by education, since he had
been bred up in an enmity and opposition to it; and they might
reasonably suppose that it must be something very extraordinary which
had made so great a change in him, which had conquered the prejudices
of his education, and brought him not only to profess, but to preach,
that doctrine, which he had before so vehemently opposed.
2. In how wonderful a manner he was turned from the error of his ways,
brought to the knowledge and faith of Christ, and appointed to the
office of an apostle, v. 15, 16. This was not done in an ordinary way,
nor by ordinary means, but in an extraordinary manner; for, (1.) God
had separated him hereunto from his mother's womb: the change that was
wrought in him was in pursuance of a divine purpose concerning him,
whereby he was appointed to be a Christian and an apostle, before he
came into the world, or had done either good or evil. (2.) he was
called by his grace. All who are savingly converted are called by the
grace of God; their conversion is the effect of his good pleasure
concerning them, and is effected by his power and grace in them. But
there was something peculiar in the case of Paul, both in the
suddenness and in the greatness of the change wrought in him, and also
in the manner wherein it was effected, which was not by the mediation
of others, as the instruments of it, but by Christ's personal
appearance to him, and immediate operation upon him, whereby it was
rendered a more special and extraordinary instance of divine power and
favour. (3.) He had Christ revealed in him. He was not only revealed to
him, but in him. It will but little avail us to have Christ revealed to
us if he is not also revealed in us; but this was not the case of Paul.
It pleased God to reveal his Son in him, to bring him to the knowledge
of Christ and his gospel by special and immediate revelation. And, (4.)
It was with this design, that he should preach him among the heathen;
not only that he should embrace him himself, but preach him to others;
so that he was both a Christian and an apostle by revelation.
3. He acquaints them how he behaved himself hereupon, from v. 16, to
the end. Being thus called to his work and office, he conferred not
with flesh and blood. This may be taken more generally, and so we may
learn from it that, when God calls us by his grace, we must not consult
flesh and blood. But the meaning of it here is that he did not consult
men; he did not apply to any others for their advice and direction;
neither did he go up to Jerusalem, to those that were apostles before
him, as though he needed to be approved by them, or to receive any
further instructions or authority from them: but, instead of that, he
steered another course, and went into Arabia, either as a place of
retirement proper for receiving further divine revelations, or in order
to preach the gospel there among the Gentiles, being appointed to be
the apostle of the Gentiles; and thence he returned again to Damascus,
where he had first begun his ministry, and whence he had with
difficulty escaped the rage of his enemies, Acts ix. It was not till
three years after his conversion that he went up to Jerusalem, to see
Peter; and when he did so he made but a very short stay with him, no
more than fifteen days; nor, while he was there, did he go much into
conversation; for others of the apostles he saw none, but James, the
Lord's brother. So that it could not well be pretended that he was
indebted to any other either for his knowledge of the gospel or his
authority to preach it; but it appeared that both his qualifications
for, and his call to, the apostolic office were extraordinary and
divine. This account being of importance, to establish his claim to
this office, to remove the unjust censures of his adversaries, and to
recover the Galatians from the impressions they had received to his
prejudice, he confirms it by a solemn oath (v. 20), declaring, as in
the presence of God, that what he had said was strictly true, and that
he had not in the least falsified in what he had related, which, though
it will not justify us in solemn appeals to God upon every occasion,
yet shows that, in matters of weight and moment, this may sometimes not
only be lawful, but duty. After this he acquaints them that he came
into the regions of Syria and Cilicia: having made this short visit to
Peter, he returns to his work again. He had no communication at that
time with the churches of Christ in Judea, they had not so much as seen
his face; but, having heard that he who persecuted them in times past
now preached the faith which he once destroyed, they glorified God
because of him; thanksgivings were rendered by many unto God on that
behalf; the very report of this mighty change in him, as it filled them
with joy, so it excited them to give glory to God on the account of it.
__________________________________________________________________
G A L A T I A N S.
CHAP. II.
The apostle, in this chapter, continues the relation of his past life
and conduct, which he had begun in the former; and, by some further
instances of what had passed between him and the other apostles, makes
it appear that he was not beholden to them either for his knowledge of
the gospel or his authority as an apostle, as his adversaries would
insinuate; but, on the contrary, that he was owned and approved even by
them, as having an equal commission with them to this office. I. He
particularly informs them of another journey which he took to Jerusalem
many years after the former, and how he behaved himself at that time,
ver. 1-10. And, II. Gives them an account of another interview he had
with the apostle Peter at Antioch, and how he was obliged to behave
himself towards him there. From the subject-matter of that
conversation, he proceeds to discourse on the great doctrine of
justification by faith in Christ, without the works of the law, which
it was the main design of this epistle to establish, and which he
enlarges more upon in the two following chapters.
Paul's Journey to Jerusalem; Paul's Decision and Fidelity. (a. d. 56.)
1 Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas,
and took Titus with me also. 2 And I went up by revelation, and
communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles,
but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I
should run, or had run, in vain. 3 But neither Titus, who was with
me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4 And that
because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to
spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might
bring us into bondage: 5 To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not
for a hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you. 6
But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it
maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who
seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: 7 But
contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was
committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;
8 (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9 And
when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the
grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right
hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto
the circumcision. 10 Only they would that we should remember the
poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
It should seem, by the account Paul gives of himself in this chapter,
that, from the very first preaching and planting of Christianity, there
was a difference of apprehension between those Christians who had first
been Jews and those who had first been Gentiles. Many of those who had
first been Jews retained a regard to the ceremonial law, and strove to
keep up the reputation of that; but those who had first been Gentiles
had no regard to the law of Moses, but took pure Christianity as
perfective of natural religion, and resolved to adhere to that. Peter
was the apostle to them; and the ceremonial law, though dead with
Christ, yet not being as yet buried, he connived at the respect kept up
for it. But Paul was the apostle of the Gentiles; and, though he was a
Hebrew of the Hebrews, yet he adhered to pure Christianity. Now in this
chapter he tells us what passed between him and the other apostles, and
particularly between him and Peter hereupon.
In these verses he informs us of another journey which he took to
Jerusalem, and of what passed between him and the other apostles there,
v. 1-10. Here he acquaints us,
I. With some circumstances relating to this his journey thither. As
particularly, 1. With the time of it: that it was not till fourteen
years after the former (mentioned ch. i. 18), or, as others choose to
understand it, from his conversion, or from the death of Christ. It was
an instance of the great goodness of God that so useful a person was
for so many years preserved in his work. And it was some evidence that
he had no dependence upon the other apostles, but had an equal
authority with them, that he had been so long absent from them, and was
all the while employed in preaching and propagating pure Christianity,
without being called into question by them for it, which it may be
thought he would have been, had he been inferior to them, and his
doctrine disapproved by them. 2. With his companions in it: he went up
with Barnabas, and took with him Titus also. If the journey here spoken
of was the same with that recorded Acts xv. (as many think), then we
have a plain reason why Barnabas went along with him; for he was chosen
by the Christians at Antioch to be his companion and associate in the
affair he went about. But, as it does not appear that Titus was put
into the same commission with him, so the chief reason of his taking
him along with him seems to have been to let those at Jerusalem see
that he was neither ashamed nor afraid to own the doctrine which he had
constantly preached; for though Titus had now become not only a convert
to the Christian faith, but a preacher of it too, yet he was by birth a
Gentile and uncircumcised, and therefore, by making him his companion,
it appeared that their doctrine and practice were of a piece, and that
as he had preached the non-necessity of circumcision, and observing the
law of Moses, so he was ready to own and converse with those who were
uncircumcised. 3. With the reason of it, which was a divine revelation
he had concerning it: he went up be revelation; not of his own head,
much less as being summoned to appear there, but by special order and
direction from Heaven. It was a privilege with which this apostle was
often favoured to be under a special divine direction in his motions
and undertakings; and, though this is what we have no reason to expect,
yet it should teach us, in every thing of moment we go about, to
endeavour, as far as we are capable, to see our way made plain before
us, and to commit ourselves to the guidance of Providence.
II. He gives us an account of his behaviour while he was at Jerusalem,
which was such as made it appear that he was not in the least inferior
to the other apostles, but that both his authority and qualifications
were every way equal to theirs. He particularly acquaints us,
1. That he there communicated the gospel to them, which he preached
among the Gentiles, but privately, &c. Here we may observe both the
faithfulness and prudence of our great apostle. (1.) His faithfulness
in giving them a free and fair account of the doctrine which he had all
along preached among the Gentiles, and was still resolved to
preach--that of pure Christianity, free from all mixtures of Judaism.
This he knew was a doctrine that would be ungrateful to many there, and
yet he was not afraid to own it, but in a free and friendly manner lays
it open before them and leaves them to judge whether or no it was not
the true gospel of Christ. And yet, (2.) He uses prudence and caution
herein, for fear of giving offence. He chooses rather to do it in a
more private than in a public way, and to those that were of
reputation, that is, to the apostles themselves, or to the chief among
the Jewish Christians, rather than more openly and promiscuously to
all, because, when he came to Jerusalem, there were multitudes that
believed, and yet continued zealous for the law, Acts xxi. 20. And the
reason of this his caution was lest he should run, or had run, in vain,
lest he should stir up opposition against himself and thereby either
the success of his past labours should be lessened, or his future
usefulness be obstructed; for nothing more hinders the progress of the
gospel than differences of opinion about the doctrines of it,
especially when they occasion quarrels and contentions among the
professors of it, as they too usually do. It was enough to his purpose
to have his doctrine owned by those who were of greatest authority,
whether it was approved by others or not. And therefore, to avoid
offence, he judges it safest to communicate it privately to them, and
not in public to the whole church. This conduct of the apostle may
teach all, and especially ministers, how much need they have of
prudence, and how careful they should be to use it upon all occasions,
as far as is consistent with their faithfulness.
2. That in his practice he firmly adhered to the doctrine which he had
preached. Paul was a man of resolution, and would adhere to his
principles; and therefore, though he had Titus with him, who was a
Greek, yet he would not suffer him to be circumcised, because he would
not betray the doctrine of Christ, as he had preached it to the
Gentiles. It does not appear that the apostles at all insisted upon
this; for, though they connived at the use of circumcision among the
Jewish converts, yet they were not for imposing it upon the Gentiles.
But there were others who did, whom the apostle here calls false
brethren, and concerning whom he informs us that they were unawares
brought in, that is, into the church, or into their company, and that
they came only to spy out their liberty which they had in Christ Jesus,
or to see whether Paul would stand up in defence of that freedom from
the ceremonial law which he had taught as the doctrine of the gospel,
and represented as the privilege of those who embraced the Christian
religion. Their design herein was to bring them into bondage, which
they would have effected could they have gained the point they aimed
at; for, had they prevailed with Paul and the other apostles to have
circumcised Titus, they would easily have imposed circumcision upon
other Gentiles, and so have brought them under the bondage of the law
of Moses. But Paul, seeing their design, would by no means yield to
them; he would not give place by subjection, no, not for an hour, not
in this one single instance; and the reason of it was that the truth of
the gospel might continue with them--that the Gentile Christians, and
particularly the Galatians, might have it preserved to them pure and
entire, and not corrupted with the mixtures of Judaism, as it would
have been had he yielded in this matter. Circumcision was at that time
a thing indifferent, and what in some cases might be complied with
without sin; and accordingly we find even Paul himself sometimes giving
way to it, as in the case of Timothy, Acts xvi. 3. But when it is
insisted on as necessary, and his consenting to it, though only in a
single instance, is likely to be improved as giving countenance to such
an imposition, he has too great a concern for the purity and liberty of
the gospel, to submit to it; he would not yield to those who were for
the Mosaic rites and ceremonies, but would stand fast in the liberty
wherewith Christ hath made us free, which conduct of his may give us
occasion to observe that what under some circumstances may lawfully be
complied with, yet, when that cannot be done without betraying the
truth, or giving up the liberty, of the gospel, it ought to be refused.
3. That, though he conversed with the other apostles, yet he did not
receive any addition to his knowledge or authority from them, v. 6. By
those who seemed to be somewhat he means the other apostles,
particularly James, Peter, and John, whom he afterwards mentions by
name, v. 9. And concerning these he grants that they were deservedly
had in reputation by all, that they were looked upon (and justly too)
as pillars of the church, who were set not only for its ornament, but
for its support, and that on some accounts they might seem to have the
advantage of him, in that they had seen Christ in the flesh, which he
had not, and were apostles before him, yea, even while he continued a
persecutor. But yet, whatever they were, it was no matter to him. This
was no prejudice to his being equally an apostle with them; for God
does not accept the persons of men on the account of any such outward
advantages. As he had called them to this office, so he was at liberty
to qualify others for it, and to employ them in it. And it was evident
in this case that he had done so; for in conference they added nothing
to him, they told him nothing but what he before knew by revelation,
nor could they except against the doctrine which he communicated to
them, whence it appeared that he was not at all inferior to them, but
was as much called and qualified to be an apostle as they themselves
were.
4. That the issue of this conversation was that the other apostles were
fully convinced of his divine mission and authority, and accordingly
acknowledged him as their fellow-apostle, v. 7-10. They were not only
satisfied with his doctrine, but they saw a divine power attending him,
both in preaching it and in working miracles for the confirmation of
it: that he who wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the
circumcision, the same was mighty in him towards the Gentiles. And
hence they justly concluded that the gospel of the uncircumcision was
committed to Paul, as the gospel of the circumcision was to Peter. And
therefore, perceiving the grace that was given to him (that he was
designed to the honour and office of an apostle as well as themselves)
they gave unto him and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, a symbol
whereby they acknowledged their equality with them, and agreed that
these should go to the heathen, while they continued to preach to the
circumcision, as judging it most agreeable to the mind of Christ, and
most conducive to the interest of Christianity, so to divide their
work. And thus this meeting ended in an entire harmony and agreement;
they approved both Paul's doctrine and conduct, they were fully
satisfied in him, heartily embraced him as an apostle of Christ, and
had nothing further to add, only that they would remember the poor,
which of his own accord he was very forward to do. The Christians of
Judea were at that time labouring under great wants and difficulties;
and the apostles, out of their compassion to them and concern for them,
recommend their case to Paul, that he should use his interest with the
Gentile churches to procure a supply for them. This was a reasonable
request; for, if the Gentiles were made partakers of their spiritual
things, it was their duty to minister to them in carnal things, as Rom.
xv. 27. And he very readily falls in with it, whereby he showed his
charitable and catholic disposition, how ready he was to own the Jewish
converts as brethren, though many of them could scarcely allow the like
favour to the converted Gentiles, and that mere difference of opinion
was no reason with him why he should not endeavour to relieve and help
them. Herein he has given us an excellent pattern of Christian charity,
and has taught us that we should by no means confine it to those who
are just of the same sentiments with us, but be ready to extend it to
all whom we have reason to look upon as the disciples of Christ.
Peter Reproved by Paul. (a. d. 56.)
11 But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face,
because he was to be blamed. 12 For before that certain came from
James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he
withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the
circumcision. 13 And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him;
insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation.
14 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the
truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being
a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why
compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? 15 We who are
Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 Knowing that a
man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus
Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be
justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for
by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17 But if, while
we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners,
is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18 For if I
build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor.
19 For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto
God. 20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I,
but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I
live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for
me. 21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come
by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.
I. From the account which Paul gives of what passed between him and the
other apostles at Jerusalem, the Galatians might easily discern both
the falseness of what his enemies had insinuated against him and their
own folly and weakness in departing from that gospel which he had
preached to them. But to give the greater weight to what he had already
said, and more fully to fortify them against the insinuations of the
judaizing teachers, he acquaints them with another interview which he
had with the apostle Peter at Antioch, and what passed between them
there, v. 11-14. Antioch was one of the chief churches of the Gentile
Christians, as Jerusalem was of those Christians who turned from
Judaism to the faith of Christ. There is no colour of reason for the
supposition that Peter was bishop of Antioch. If he had, surely Paul
would not have withstood him in his own church, as we here find he did;
but, on the contrary, it is here spoken of as an occasional visit which
he made thither. In their other meeting, there had been good harmony
and agreement. Peter and the other apostles had both acknowledged
Paul's commission and approved his doctrine, and they parted very good
friends. But in this Paul finds himself obliged to oppose Peter, for he
was to be blamed, a plain evidence that he was not inferior to him, and
consequently of the weakness of the pope's pretence to supremacy and
infallibility, as the successor of Peter. Here we may observe,
1. Peter's fault. When he came among the Gentile churches, he complied
with them, and did eat with them, though they were not circumcised,
agreeably to the instructions which were given in particular to him
(Acts x.), when he was warned by the heavenly vision to call nothing
common or unclean. But, when there came some Jewish Christians from
Jerusalem, he grew more shy of the Gentiles, only to humour those of
the circumcision and for fear of giving them offence, which doubtless
was to the great grief and discouragement of the Gentile churches. Then
he withdrew, and separated himself. His fault herein had a bad
influence upon others, for the other Jews also dissembled with him;
though before they might be better disposed, yet now, from his example,
they took on them to scruple eating with the Gentiles, and pretended
they could not in conscience do it, because they were not circumcised.
And (would you think it?) Barnabas himself, one of the apostles of the
Gentiles, and one who had been instrumental in planting and watering
the churches of the Gentiles, was carried away with their
dissimulation. Here note, (1.) The weakness and inconstancy of the best
of men, when left to themselves, and how apt they are to falter in
their duty to God, out of an undue regard to the pleasing of men. And,
(2.) The great force of bad examples, especially the examples of great
men and good men, such as are in reputation for wisdom and honour.
2. The rebuke which Paul gave him for his fault. Notwithstanding
Peter's character, yet, when he observes him thus behaving himself to
the great prejudice both of the truth of the gospel and the peace of
the church, he is not afraid to reprove him for it. Paul adhered
resolutely to his principles, when others faltered in theirs; he was as
good a Jew as any of them (for he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews), but he
would magnify his office as the apostle of the Gentiles, and therefore
would not see them discouraged and trampled upon. When he saw that they
walked not uprightly, according to the truth of the gospel--that they
did not live up to that principle which the gospel taught, and which
they had professed to own and embrace, namely, that by the death of
Christ the partition-wall between Jew and Gentile was taken down, and
the observance of the law of Moses was no longer in force--when he
observed this, as Peter's offence was public, so he publicly reproved
him for it: He said unto him before them all, If thou, being a Jew,
livest after the manner of the Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why
compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? Herein one part of
his conduct was a contradiction to the other; for if he, who was a Jew,
could himself sometimes dispense with the use of the ceremonial law,
and live after the manner of the Gentiles, this showed that he did not
look upon the observance of it as still necessary, even for the Jews
themselves; and therefore that he could not, consistently with his own
practice, impose it upon the Gentile Christians. And yet Paul charges
him with this, yea, represents him as compelling the Gentiles to live
as did the Jews--not by open force and violence, but this was the
tendency of what he did; for it was in effect to signify this, that the
Gentiles must comply with the Jews, or else not be admitted into
Christian communion.
II. Paul having thus established his character and office, and
sufficiently shown that he was not inferior to any of the apostles, no,
not to Peter himself, from the account of the reproof he gave him he
takes occasion to speak of that great fundamental doctrine of the
gospel--That justification is only by faith in Christ, and not by the
works of the law (though some think that all he says to the end of the
chapter is what he said to Peter at Antioch), which doctrine condemned
Peter for his symbolizing with the Jews. For, if it was the principle
of his religion that the gospel is the instrument of our justification
and not the law, then he did very ill in countenancing those who kept
up the law, and were for mixing it with faith in the business of our
justification. This was the doctrine which Paul had preached among the
Galatians, to which he still adhered, and which it is his great
business in this epistle to mention and confirm. Now concerning this
Paul acquaints us,
1. With the practice of the Jewish Christians themselves: "We," says
he, "who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles (even we
who have been born and bred in the Jewish religion, and not among the
impure Gentiles), knowing that a man is not justified by the works of
the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we ourselves have
believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of
Christ, and not by the works of the law. And, if we have thought it
necessary to seek justification by the faith of Christ, why then should
we hamper ourselves with the law? What did we believe in Christ for?
Was it not that we might be justified by the faith of Christ? And, if
so, is it not folly to go back to the law, and to expect to be
justified either by the merit of moral works or the influence of any
ceremonial sacrifices or purifications? And if it would be wrong in us
who are Jews by nature to return to the law, and expect justification
by it, would it not be much more so to require this of the Gentiles,
who were never subject to it, since by the works of the law no flesh
shall be justified?" To give the greater weight to this he adds (v.
17), "But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves
also are found sinners, is Christ the minister of sin? If, while we
seek justification by Christ alone, and teach others to do so, we
ourselves are found giving countenance or indulgence to sin, or rather
are accounted sinners of the Gentiles, and such as it is not fit to
have communion with, unless we also observe the law of Moses, is Christ
the minister of sin? Will it not follow that he is so, if he engage us
to receive a doctrine that gives liberty to sin, or by which we are so
far from being justified that we remain impure sinners, and unfit to be
conversed with?" This, he intimates, would be the consequence, but he
rejects it with abhorrence: "God forbid," says he, "that we should
entertain such a thought of Christ, or of his doctrine, that thereby he
should direct us into a way of justification that is defective and
ineffectual, and leave those who embrace it still unjustified, or that
would give the least encouragement to sin and sinners." This would be
very dishonourable to Christ, and it would be very injurious to them
also. "For," says he (v. 18), "if I build again the things which I
destroyed--if I (or any other), who have taught that the observance of
the Mosaic law is not necessary to justification, should now, by word
or practice, teach or intimate that it is necessary--I make myself a
transgressor; I own myself to be still an impure sinner, and to remain
under the guilt of sin, notwithstanding my faith in Christ; or I shall
be liable to be charged with deceit and prevarication, and acting
inconsistently with myself." Thus does the apostle argue for the great
doctrine of justification by faith without the works of the law from
the principles and practice of the Jewish Christians themselves, and
from the consequences that would attend their departure from it, whence
it appeared that Peter and the other Jews were much in the wrong in
refusing to communicate with the Gentile Christians, and endeavouring
to bring them under the bondage of the law.
2. He acquaints us what his own judgment and practice were. (1.) That
he was dead to the law. Whatever account others might make of it, yet,
for his part, he was dead to it. He knew that the moral law denounced a
curse against all that continue not in all things written therein, to
do them; and therefore he was dead to it, as to all hope of
justification and salvation that way. And as for the ceremonial law, he
also knew that it was now antiquated and superseded by the coming of
Christ, and therefore, the substance having come, he had no longer any
regard to the shadow. He was thus dead to the law, through the law
itself; it discovered itself to be at an end. By considering the law
itself, he saw that justification was not to be expected by the works
of it (since none could perform a perfect obedience to it) and that
there was now no further need of the sacrifices and purifications of
it, since they were done away in Christ, and a period was put to them
by his offering up himself a sacrifice for us; and therefore, the more
he looked into it the more he saw that there was no occasion for
keeping up that regard to it which the Jews pleaded for. But, though he
was thus dead to the law, yet he did not look upon himself as with law.
He had renounced all hopes of justification by the works of it, and was
unwilling any longer to continue under the bondage of it; but he was
far from thinking himself discharged from his duty to God; on the
contrary, he was dead to the law, that he might live unto God. The
doctrine of the gospel, which he had embraced, instead of weakening the
bond of duty upon him, did but the more strengthen and confirm it; and
therefore, though he was dead to the law, yet it was only in order to
his living a new and better life to God (as Rom. vii. 4, 6), such a
life as would be more agreeable and acceptable to God than his
observance of the Mosaic law could now be, that is, a life of faith in
Christ, and, under the influence thereof, of holiness and righteousness
towards God. Agreeably hereunto he acquaints us, (2.) That, as he was
dead to the law, so he was alive unto God through Jesus Christ (v. 20):
I am crucified with Christ, &c. And here in his own person he gives us
an excellent description of the mysterious life of a believer. [1.] He
is crucified, and yet he lives; the old man is crucified (Rom. vi. 6),
but the new man is living; he is dead to the world, and dead to the
law, and yet alive to God and Christ; sin is mortified, and grace
quickened. [2.] He lives, and yet not he. This is strange: I live, and
yet not I; he lives in the exercise of grace; he has the comforts and
the triumphs of grace; and yet that grace is not from himself, but from
another. Believers see themselves living in a state of dependence. [3.]
He is crucified with Christ, and yet Christ lives in him; this results
from his mystical union with Christ, by means of which he is interested
in the death of Christ, so as by virtue of that to die unto sin; and
yet interested in the life of Christ, so as by virtue of that to live
unto God. [4.] He lives in the flesh, and yet lives by faith; to
outward appearance he lives as other people do, his natural life is
supported as others are; yet he has a higher and nobler principle that
supports and actuates him, that of faith in Christ, and especially as
eyeing the wonders of his love in giving himself for him. Hence it is
that, though he lives in the flesh, yet he does not live after the
flesh. Note, Those who have true faith live by that faith; and the
great thing which faith fastens upon is Christ's loving us and giving
himself for us. The great evidence of Christ's loving us is his giving
himself for us; and this is that which we are chiefly concerned to mix
faith with, in order to our living to him.
Lastly, The apostle concludes this discourse with acquainting us that
by the doctrine of justification by faith in Christ, without the works
of the law (which he asserted, and others opposed), he avoided two
great difficulties, which the contrary opinion was loaded with:--1.
That he did not frustrate the grace of God, which the doctrine of the
justification by the works of the law did; for, as he argues (Rom. xi.
6), If it be of works, it is no more of grace. 2. That he did not
frustrate the death of Christ; whereas, if righteousness come by the
law, then it must follow that Christ has died in vain; for, if we look
for salvation by the law of Moses, then we render the death of Christ
needless: for to what purpose should he be appointed to die, if we
might have been saved without it?
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G A L A T I A N S.
CHAP. III.
The apostle in this chapter, I. Reproves the Galatians for their folly,
in suffering themselves to be drawn away from the faith of the gospel,
and endeavours, from several considerations, to impress them with a
sense of it. II. He proves the doctrine which he had reproved them for
departing from--that of justification by faith without the works of the
law, 1. From the example of Abraham's justification. 2. From the nature
and tenour of the law. 3. From the express testimony of the Old
Testament; and, 4. From the stability of the covenant of God with
Abraham. Lest any should hereupon say, "Wherefore then serveth the
law?" he answers, (1.) It was added because of transgressions. (2.) It
was given to convince the world of the necessity of a Saviour. (3.) It
was designed as a schoolmaster, to bring us to Christ. And then he
concludes the chapter by acquainting us with the privilege of
Christians under the gospel state.
Justification by Faith. (a. d. 56.)
1 O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey
the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set
forth, crucified among you? 2 This only would I learn of you,
Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of
faith? 3 Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now
made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have ye suffered so many things in vain?
if it be yet in vain. 5 He therefore that ministereth to you the
Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the
law, or by the hearing of faith?
The apostle is here dealing with those who, having embraced the faith
of Christ, still continued to seek for justification by the works of
the law; that is, who depended upon their own obedience to the moral
precepts as their righteousness before God, and, wherein that was
defective, had recourse to the legal sacrifices and purifications to
make it up. These he first sharply reproves, and then endeavours, by
the evidence of truth, to convince them. This is the right method, when
we reprove any for a fault or an error, to convince them that it is an
error, that it is a fault.
He reproves them, and the reproof is very close and warm: he calls them
foolish Galatians, v. 1. Though as Christians they were Wisdom's
children, yet as corrupt Christians they were foolish children. Yea, he
asks, Who hath bewitched you? whereby he represents them as enchanted
by the arts and snares of their seducing teachers, and so far deluded
as to act very unlike themselves. That wherein their folly and
infatuation appeared was that they did not obey the truth; that is,
they did not adhere to the gospel way of justification, wherein they
had been taught, and which they had professed to embrace. Note, It is
not enough to know the truth, and to say we believe it, but we must
obey it too; we must heartily submit to it, and stedfastly abide by it.
Note, also, Those are spiritually bewitched who, when the truth as it
is in Jesus is plainly set before them, will not thus obey it. Several
things proved and aggravated the folly of these Christians.
1. Jesus Christ had been evidently set forth as crucified among them;
that is, they had had the doctrine of the cross preached to them, and
the sacrament of the Lord's supper administered among them, in both
which Christ crucified had been set before them. Now, it was the
greatest madness that could be for those who had acquaintance with such
sacred mysteries, and admittance to such great solemnities, not to obey
the truth which was thus published to them, and signed and sealed in
that ordinance. Note, The consideration of the honours and privileges
we have been admitted to as Christians should shame us out of the folly
of apostasy and backsliding.
2. He appeals to the experiences they had had of the working of the
Spirit upon their souls (v. 2); he puts them in mind that, upon their
becoming Christians, they had received the Spirit, that many of them at
least had been made partakers not only of the sanctifying influences,
but of the miraculous gifts, of the Holy Spirit, which were eminent
proofs of the truth of the Christian religion and the several doctrines
of it, and especially of this, that justification is by Christ only,
and not by the works of the law, which was one of the peculiar and
fundamental principles of it. To convince them of the folly of their
departing from this doctrine, he desires to know how they came by these
gifts and graces: Was it by the works of the law, that is, the
preaching of the necessity of these in order to justification? This
they could not say, for that doctrine had not then been preached to
them, nor had they, as Gentiles, any pretence to justification in that
way. Or was it by the hearing of faith, that is, the preaching of the
doctrine of faith in Christ as the only way of justification? This, if
they would say the truth, they were obliged to own, and therefore must
be very unreasonable if they should reject a doctrine of the good
effects of which they had had such experience. Note, (1.) It is usually
by the ministry of the gospel that the Spirit is communicated to
persons. And, (2.) Those are very unwise who suffer themselves to be
turned away from the ministry and doctrine which have been blessed to
their spiritual advantage.
3. He calls upon them to consider their past and present conduct, and
thence to judge whether they were not acting very weakly and
unreasonably (v. 3, 4): he tells them that they had begun in the
Spirit, but now were seeking to be made perfect by the flesh; they had
embraced the doctrine of the gospel, by means of which they had
received the Spirit, and wherein only the true way of justification is
revealed. And thus they had begun well; but now they were turning to
the law, and expected to be advanced to higher degrees of perfection by
adding the observance of it to faith in Christ, in order to their
justification, which could end in nothing but their shame and
disappointment: for this, instead of being an improvement upon the
gospel, was really a perversion of it; and, while they sought to be
justified in this way, they were so far from being more perfect
Christians that they were more in danger of becoming no Christians at
all; hereby they were pulling down with one hand what they had built
with the other, and undoing what they had hitherto done in
Christianity. Yea, he further puts them in mind that they had not only
embraced the Christian doctrine, but suffered for it too; and therefore
their folly would be the more aggravated, if now they should desert it:
for in this case all that they had suffered would be in vain--it would
appear that they had been foolish in suffering for what they now
deserted, and their sufferings would be altogether in vain, and of no
advantage to them. Note, (1.) It is the folly of apostates that they
lose the benefit of all they have done in religion, or suffered for it.
And, (2.) It is very sad for any to live in an age of services and
sufferings, of sabbaths, sermons, and sacraments, in vain; in this case
former righteousness shall not be mentioned.
4. He puts them in mind that they had had ministers among them (and
particularly himself) who came with a divine seal and commission; for
they had ministered the Spirit to them, and wrought miracles among
them: and he appeals to them whether they did it by the works of the
law or by the hearing of faith, whether the doctrine that was preached
by them, and confirmed by the miraculous gifts and operations of the
Spirit, was that of justification by the works of the law or by the
faith of Christ; they very well knew that it was not the former, but
the latter; and therefore must needs be inexcusable in forsaking a
doctrine which had been so signally owned and attested, and exchanging
it for one that had received no such attestations.
Justification by Faith. (a. d. 56.)
6 Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for
righteousness. 7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the
same are the children of Abraham. 8 And the scripture, foreseeing
that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the
gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 9
So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. 10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it
is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which
are written in the book of the law to do them. 11 But that no man is
justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just
shall live by faith. 12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man
that doeth them shall live in them. 13 Christ hath redeemed us from
the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written,
Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: 14 That the blessing of
Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might
receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. 15 Brethren, I speak
after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it
be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. 16 Now to
Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to
seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God
in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after,
cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect. 18
For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God
gave it to Abraham by promise.
The apostle having reproved the Galatians for not obeying the truth,
and endeavoured to impress them with a sense of their folly herein, in
these verses he largely proves the doctrine which he had reproved them
for rejecting, namely, that of justification by faith without the works
of the law. This he does several ways.
I. From the example of Abraham's justification. This argument the
apostle uses, Rom. iv. Abraham believed God, and that was accounted to
him for righteousness (v. 6); that is, his faith fastened upon the word
and promise of God, and upon his believing he was owned and accepted of
God as a righteous man: as on this account he is represented as the
father of the faithful, so the apostle would have us to know that those
who are of faith are the children of Abraham (v. 7), not according to
the flesh, but according to the promise; and, consequently, that they
are justified in the same way that he was. Abraham was justified by
faith, and so are they. To confirm this, the apostle acquaints us that
the promise made to Abraham (Gen. xii. 3), In thee shall all nations be
blessed, had a reference hereunto, v. 8. The scripture is said to
foresee, because he that indited the scripture did foresee, that God
would justify the heathen world in the way of faith; and therefore in
Abraham, that is, in the seed of Abraham, which is Christ, not the Jews
only, but the Gentiles also, should be blessed; not only blessed in the
seed of Abraham, but blessed as Abraham was, being justified as he was.
This the apostle calls preaching the gospel to Abraham; and thence
infers (v. 9) that those who are of faith, that is, true believers, of
what nation soever they are, are blessed with faithful Abraham. They
are blessed with Abraham the father of the faithful, by the promise
made to him, and therefore by faith as he was. It was through faith in
the promise of God that he was blessed, and it is only in the same way
that others obtain this privilege.
II. He shows that we cannot be justified but by faith fastening on the
gospel, because the law condemns us. If we put ourselves upon trial in
that court, and stand to the sentence of it, we are certainly cast, and
lost, and undone; for as many as are of the works of the law are under
the curse, as many as depend upon the merit of their own works as their
righteousness, as plead not guilty, and insist upon their own
justification, the cause will certainly go against them; for it is
written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which
are written in the book of the law, to do them, v. 10, and Deut. xxvii.
26. The condition of life, by the law, is perfect, personal, and
perpetual, obedience; the language of it is, Do this and live; or, as
v. 12, The man that doeth them shall live in them: and for every
failure herein the law denounces a curse. Unless our obedience be
universal, continuing in all things that are written in the book of the
law, and unless it be perpetual too (if in any instance at any time we
fail and come short), we fall under the curse of the law. The curse is
wrath revealed, and ruin threatened: it is a separation unto all evil,
and this is in full force, power, and virtue, against all sinners, and
therefore against all men; for all have sinned and become guilty before
God: and if, as transgressors of the law, we are under the curse of it,
it must be a vain thing to look for justification by it. But, though
this is not to be expected from the law, yet the apostle afterwards
acquaints us that there is a way open to our escaping this curse, and
regaining the favour of God, namely, through faith in Christ, who (as
he says, v. 13) hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, &c. A
strange method it was which Christ took to redeem us from the curse of
the law; it was by his being himself made a curse for us. Being made
sin for us, he was made a curse for us; not separated from God, but
laid for the present under that infamous token of the divine
displeasure upon which the law of Moses had put a particular brand,
Deut. xxi. 22. The design of this was that the blessing of Abraham
might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ--that all who believed
on Christ, whether Jews or Gentiles, might become heirs of Abraham's
blessing, and particularly of that great promise of the Spirit, which
was peculiarly reserved for the times of the gospel. Hence it appeared
that it was not by putting themselves under the law, but by faith in
Christ, that they become the people of God and heirs of the promise.
Here note, 1. The misery which as sinners we are sunk into--we are
under the curse and condemnation of the law. 2. The love and grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ towards us--he has submitted to be made a curse
for us, that he might redeem us from the curse of the law. 3. The happy
prospect which we now have through him, not only of escaping the curse,
but of inheriting the blessing. And, 4. That it is only through faith
in him that we can hope to obtain this favour.
III. To prove that justification is by faith, and not by the works of
the law, the apostle alleges the express testimony of the Old
Testament, v. 11. The place referred to is Habak. ii. 4, where it is
said, The just shall live by faith; it is again quoted, Rom. i. 17, and
Heb. x. 38. The design of it is to show that those only are just or
righteous who do truly live, who are freed from death and wrath, and
restored into a state of life in the favour of God; and that it is only
through faith that persons become righteous, and as such obtain this
life and happiness--that they are accepted of God, and enabled to live
to him now, and are entitled to an eternal life in the enjoyment of him
hereafter. Hence the apostle says, It is evident that no man is
justified by the law in the sight of God. Whatever he may be in the
account of others, yet he is not so in the sight of God; for the law is
not of faith--that says nothing concerning faith in the business of
justification, nor does it give life to those who believe; but the
language of it is, The man that doeth them shall live in them, as Lev.
xviii. 5. It requires perfect obedience as the condition of life, and
therefore now can by no means be the rule of our justification. This
argument of the apostle's may give us occasion to remark that
justification by faith is no new doctrine, but what was established and
taught in the church of God long before the times of the gospel. Yea,
it is the only way wherein any sinners ever were, or can be, justified.
IV. To this purpose the apostle urges the stability of the covenant
which God made with Abraham, which was not vacated nor disannulled by
the giving of the law to Moses, v. 15, &c. Faith had the precedence of
the law, for Abraham was justified by faith. It was a promise that he
built upon, and promises are the proper objects of faith. God entered
into covenant with Abraham (v. 8), and this covenant was firm and
steady; even men's covenants are so, and therefore much more his. When
a deed is executed, or articles of agreement are sealed, both parties
are bound, and it is too late then to settle things otherwise; and
therefore it is not to be supposed that by the subsequent law the
covenant of God should be vacated. The original word diatheke signifies
both a covenant and a testament. Now the promise made to Abraham was
rather a testament than a covenant. When a testament has become of
force by the death of the testator, it is not capable of being altered;
and therefore, the promise that was given to Abraham being of the
nature of a testament, it remains firm and unalterable. But, if it
should be said that a grant or testament may be defeated for want of
persons to claim the benefit of it (v. 16), he shows that there is no
danger of that in this case. Abraham is dead, and the prophets are
dead, but the covenant is made with Abraham and his seed. And he gives
us a very surprising exposition of this. We should have thought it had
been meant only of the people of the Jews. "Nay," says the apostle, "it
is in the singular number, and points at a single person--that seed is
Christ," So that the covenant is still in force; for Christ abideth for
ever in his person, and in his spiritual seed, who are his by faith.
And if it be objected that the law which was given by Moses did
disannul this covenant, because that insisted so much upon works, and
there was so little in it of faith or of the promised Messiah, he
answers that the subsequent law could not disannul the previous
covenant or promise (v. 18): If the inheritance be of the law, it is no
more of promise; but, says he, God gave it to Abraham by promise, and
therefore it would be inconsistent with his holiness, wisdom, and
faithfulness, by any subsequent act to set aside the promise, and so
alter the way of justification which he had thus established. If the
inheritance was given to Abraham by promise, and thereby entailed upon
his spiritual seed, we may be sure that God would not retract that
promise; for he is not a man that he should repent.
Design of the Law; The True Children of Abraham. (a. d. 56.)
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of
transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made;
and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a
mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one. 21 Is the law then
against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law
given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have
been by the law. 22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin,
that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that
believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut
up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. 24 Wherefore
the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be
justified by faith. 25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer
under a schoolmaster. 26 For ye are all the children of God by faith
in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as have been baptized into
Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there
is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are
all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
The apostle having just before been speaking of the promise made to
Abraham, and representing that as the rule of our justification, and
not the law, lest they should think he did too much derogate from the
law, and render it altogether useless, he thence takes occasion to
discourse of the design and tendency of it, and to acquaint us for what
purposes it was given. It might be asked, "If that promise be
sufficient for salvation, wherefore then serveth the law? Or, Why did
God give the law by Moses?" To this he answers,
I. The law was added because of transgressions, v. 19. It was not
designed to disannul the promise, and to establish a different way of
justification from that which was settled by the promise; but it was
added to it, annexed on purpose to be subservient to it, and it was so
because of transgressions. The Israelites, though they were chosen to
be God's peculiar people, were sinners as well as others, and therefore
the law was given to convince them of their sin, and of their
obnoxiousness to the divine displeasure on the account of it; for by
the law is the knowledge of sin (Rom. iii. 20), and the law entered
that sin might abound, Rom. v. 20. And it was also intended to restrain
them from the commission of sin, to put an awe upon their minds, and be
a curb upon their lusts, that they should not run into that excess of
riot to which they were naturally inclined; and yet at the same time it
was designed to direct them to the true and only way whereby sin was to
be expiated, and wherein they might obtain the pardon of it; namely,
through the death and sacrifice of Christ, which was the special use
for which the law of sacrifices and purifications was given.
The apostle adds that the law was given for this purpose till the seed
should come to whom the promise was made; that is, either till Christ
should come (the principle seed referred to in the promise, as he had
before shown), or till the gospel dispensation should take place, when
Jews and Gentiles, without distinction, should, upon believing, become
the seed of Abraham. The law was added because of transgressions, till
this fulness of time, or this complete dispensation, should come. But
when the seed came, and a fuller discovery of divine grace in the
promise was made, then the law, as given by Moses, was to cease; that
covenant, being found faulty, was to give place to another, and a
better, Heb. viii. 7, 8. And though the law, considered as the law of
nature, is always in force, and still continues to be of use to
convince men of sin and to restrain them from it, yet we are now no
longer under the bondage and terror of that legal covenant. The law
then was not intended to discover another way of justification,
different from that revealed by the promise, but only to lead men to
see their need of the promise, by showing them the sinfulness of sin,
and to point them to Christ, through whom alone they could be pardoned
and justified.
As a further proof that the law was not designed to vacate the promise,
the apostle adds, It was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
It was given to different persons, and in a different manner from the
promise, and therefore for different purposes. The promise was made to
Abraham, and all his spiritual seed, including believers of all
nations, even of the Gentiles as well as the Jews; but the law was
given to the Israelites as a peculiar people, and separated from the
rest of the world. And, whereas the promise was given immediately by
God himself, the law was given by the ministry of angels, and the hand
of a mediator. Hence it appeared that the law could not be designed to
set aside the promise; for (v. 20), A mediator is not a mediator of
one, of one party only; but God is one, but one party in the promise or
covenant made with Abraham: and therefore it is not to be supposed that
by a transaction which passed only between him and the nation of the
Jews he should make void a promise which he had long before made to
Abraham and all his spiritual seed, whether Jews or Gentiles. This
would not have been consistent with his wisdom, nor with his truth and
faithfulness. Moses was only a mediator between God and the spiritual
seed of Abraham; and therefore the law that was given by him could not
affect the promise made to them, much less be subversive of it.
II. The law was given to convince men of the necessity of a Saviour.
The apostle asks (v. 21), as what some might be willing to object, "Is
the law then against the promises of God? Do they really clash and
interfere with each other? Or do you not set the covenant with Abraham,
and the law of Moses, at variance with one another?" To this he
answers, God forbid; he was far from entertaining such a thought, nor
could it be inferred from what he had said. The law is by no means
inconsistent with the promise, but subservient to it, as the design of
it is to discover men's transgressions, and to show them the need they
have of a better righteousness than that of the law. That consequence
would much rather follow from their doctrine than from his; for, if
there had been a law given that could have given life, verily
righteousness would have been by the law, and in that case the promise
would have been superseded and rendered useless. But that in our
present state could not be, for the scripture hath concluded all under
sin (v. 22), or declared that all, both Jew and Gentile, are in a state
of guilt, and therefore unable to attain to righteousness and
justification by the works of the law. The law discovered their wounds,
but could not afford them a remedy: it showed that they were guilty,
because it appointed sacrifices and purifications, which were
manifestly insufficient to take away sin: and therefore the great
design of it was that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be
given to those that believe, that being convinced of their guilt, and
the insufficiency of the law to effect a righteousness for them, they
might be persuaded to believe on Christ, and so obtain the benefit of
the promise.
III. The law was designed for a schoolmaster, to bring men to Christ,
v. 24. In the foregoing verse, the apostle acquaints us with the state
of the Jews under the Mosaic economy, that before faith came, or before
Christ appeared and the doctrine of justification by faith in him was
more fully discovered, they were kept under the law, obliged, under
severe penalties, to a strict observance of the various precepts of it;
and at that time they were shut up, held under the terror and
discipline of it, as prisoners in a state of confinement: the design of
this was that hereby they might be disposed more readily to embrace the
faith which should afterwards be revealed, or be persuaded to accept
Christ when he came into the world, and to fall in with that better
dispensation he was to introduce, whereby they were to be freed from
bondage and servitude, and brought into a state of greater light and
liberty. Now, in that state, he tells them, the law was their
schoolmaster, to bring them to Christ, that they might be justified by
faith. As it declared the mind and will of God concerning them, and at
the same time denounced a curse against them for every failure in their
duty, so it was proper to convince them of their lost and undone
condition in themselves, and to let them see the weakness and
insufficiency of their own righteousness to recommend them to God. And
as it obliged them to a variety of sacrifices, &c., which, though they
could not of themselves take away sin, were typical of Christ, and of
the great sacrifice which he was to offer up for the expiation of it,
so it directed them (though in a more dark and obscure manner) to him
as their only relief and refuge. And thus it was their schoolmaster, to
instruct and govern them in their state of minority, or, as the word
paidagogos most properly signifies, their servant, to lead and conduct
them to Christ (as children were wont to be led to school by those
servants who had the care of them); that they might be more fully
instructed by him as their schoolmaster, in the true way of
justification and salvation, which is only by faith in him, and of
which he was appointed to give the fullest and clearest discoveries.
But lest it should be said, If the law was of this use and service
under the Jewish, why may it not continue to be so under the Christian
state too, the apostle adds (v. 25) that after faith has come, and the
gospel dispensation has taken place, under which Christ, and the way of
pardon and life through faith in him, are set in the clearest light, we
are no longer under a schoolmaster--we have no such need of the law to
direct us to him as there was then. Thus the apostle acquaints us for
what uses and purposes the law served; and, from what he says
concerning this matter, we may observe,
1. The goodness of God to his people of old, in giving the law to them;
for though, in comparison of the gospel state, it was a dispensation of
darkness and terror, yet it furnished them with sufficient means and
helps both to direct them in their duty to God and to encourage their
hopes in him.
2. The great fault and folly of the Jews, in mistaking the design of
the law, and abusing it to a very different purpose from that which God
intended in the giving of it; for they expected to be justified by the
works of it, whereas it was never designed to be the rule of their
justification, but only a means of convincing them of their guilt and
of their need of a Saviour, and of directing them to Christ, and faith
in him, as the only way of obtaining this privilege. See Rom. ix. 31,
32; x. 3, 4.
3. The great advantage of the gospel state above the legal, under which
we not only enjoy a clearer discovery of divine grace and mercy than
was afforded to the Jews of old, but are also freed from the state of
bondage and terror under which they were held. We are not now treated
as children in a state of minority, but as sons grown up to a full age,
who are admitted to greater freedoms, and instated in larger
privileges, than they were. This the apostle enlarges upon in the
following verses. For, having shown for what intent the law was given,
in the close of the chapter he acquaints us with our privilege by
Christ, where he particularly declares,
(1.) That we are the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, v. 26.
And here we may observe, [1.] The great and excellent privilege which
real Christians enjoy under the gospel: They are the children of God;
they are no longer accounted servants, but sons; they are not now kept
at such a distance, and under such restraints, as the Jews were, but
are allowed a nearer and freer access to God than was granted to them;
yea, they are admitted into the number, and have a right to all the
privileges, of his children. [2.] How they come to obtain this
privilege, and that is by faith in Christ Jesus. Having accepted him as
their Lord and Saviour, and relying on him alone for justification and
salvation, they are hereupon admitted into this happy relation to God,
and are entitled to the privileges of it; for (John i. 12) as many as
received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to
those that believe on his name. And this faith in Christ, whereby they
became the children of God, he reminds us (v. 27), was what they
professed in baptism; for he adds, As many of you as have been baptized
into Christ have put on Christ. Having in baptism professed their faith
in him, they were thereby devoted to him, and had, as it were, put on
his livery, and declared themselves to be his servants and disciples;
and having thus become the members of Christ, they were through him
owned and accounted as the children of God. Here note, First, Baptism
is now the solemn rite of our admission into the Christian church, as
circumcision was into that of the Jews. Our Lord Jesus appointed it to
be so, in the commission he gave to his apostles (Matt. xxviii. 19),
and accordingly it was their practice to baptize those whom they had
discipled to the Christian faith; and perhaps the apostle might take
notice of their baptism here, and of their becoming the children of God
through faith in Christ, professed therein, to obviate a further
objection, which the false teachers might be apt to urge in favour of
circumcision. They might be ready to say, "Though it should be allowed
that the law, as given at mount Sinai, was abrogated by the coming of
Christ the promised seed, yet why should circumcision be set aside too,
when that was given to Abraham together with the promise, and long
before the giving of the law by Moses?" But this difficulty is
sufficiently removed when the apostle says, Those who are baptized into
Christ have put on Christ; for thence it appears that under the gospel
baptism comes in the room of circumcision, and that those who by
baptism are devoted to Christ, and do sincerely believe in him, are to
all intents and purposes as much admitted into the privileges of the
Christian state as the Jews were by circumcision into those of the
legal (Phil. iii. 3), and therefore there was no reason why the use of
that should still be continued. Note, Secondly, In our baptism we put
on Christ; therein we profess our discipleship to him, and are obliged
to behave ourselves as his faithful servants. Being baptized into
Christ, we are baptized into his death, that as he died and rose again,
so, in conformity thereunto, we should die unto sin, and walk in
newness of life (Rom. vi. 3, 4); it would be of great advantage to us
did we oftener remember this.
(2.) That this privilege of being the children of God, and of being by
baptism devoted to Christ, is now enjoyed in common by all real
Christians. The law indeed made a difference between Jew and Greek,
giving the Jews on many accounts the pre-eminence: that also made a
difference between bond and free, master and servant, and between male
and female, the males being circumcised. But it is not so now; they all
stand on the same level, and are all one in Christ Jesus; as the one is
not accepted on the account of any national or personal advantages he
may enjoy above the other, so neither is the other rejected for the
want of them; but all who sincerely believe on Christ, of what nation,
or sex, or condition, soever they be, are accepted of him, and become
the children of God through faith in him.
(3.) That, being Christ's, we are Abraham's seed, and heirs according
to the promise. Their judaizing teachers would have them believe that
they must be circumcised and keep the law of Moses, or they could not
be saved: "No," says the apostle, "there is no need of that; for if you
be Christ's, if you sincerely believe on him, who is the promised seed,
in whom all the nations of the earth were to be blessed, you therefore
become the true seed of Abraham, the father of the faithful, and as
such are heirs according to the promise, and consequently are entitled
to the great blessings and privileges of it." And therefore upon the
whole, since it appeared that justification was not to be attained by
the works of the law, but only by faith in Christ, and that the law of
Moses was a temporary institution and was given for such purposes as
were only subservient to and not subversive of the promise, and that
now, under the gospel, Christians enjoy much greater and better
privileges than the Jews did under that dispensation, it must needs
follow that they were very unreasonable and unwise, in hearkening to
those who at once endeavoured to deprive them of the truth and liberty
of the gospel.
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G A L A T I A N S.
CHAP. IV.
The apostle, in this chapter, is still carrying on the same general
design as in the former--to recover these Christians from the
impressions made upon them by the judaizing teachers, and to represent
their weakness and folly in suffering themselves to be drawn away from
the gospel doctrine of justification, and to be deprived of their
freedom from the bondage of the law of Moses. For this purpose he makes
use of various considerations; such as, I. The great excellence of the
gospel state above the legal, ver. 1-7. II. The happy change that was
made in them at their conversion, ver. 8-11. III. The affection they
had had for him and his ministry, ver. 12-16. IV. The character of the
false teachers by whom they had been perverted, ver. 17, 18. V. The
very tender affection he had for them, ver. 19, 20. VI. The history of
Isaac and Ishmael, by a comparison taken from which he illustrates the
difference between such as rested in Christ and such as trusted in the
law. And in all these, as he uses great plainness and faithfulness with
them, so he expresses the tenderest concern for them.
The Redemption by Christ. (a. d. 56.)
1 Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing
from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2 But is under tutors and
governors until the time appointed of the father. 3 Even so we, when
we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: 4
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made
of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the
law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. 6 And because ye are
sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,
crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a
son; and if a son, then a heir of God through Christ.
In this chapter the apostle deals plainly with those who hearkened to
the judaizing teachers, who cried up the law of Moses in competition
with the gospel of Christ, and endeavored to bring them under the
bondage of it. To convince them of their folly, and to rectify their
mistake herein, in these verses he prosecutes the comparison of a child
under age, which he had touched upon in the foregoing chapter, and
thence shows what great advantages we have now, under the gospel, above
what they had under the law. And here.
I. He acquaints us with the state of the Old-Testament church: it was
like a child under age, and it was used accordingly, being kept in a
state of darkness and bondage, in comparison of the greater light and
liberty which we enjoy under the gospel. That was indeed a dispensation
of grace, and yet it was comparatively a dispensation of darkness; for
as the heir, in his minority, is under tutors and governors till the
time appointed of his father, by whom he is educated and instructed in
those things which at present he knows little of the meaning of, though
afterwards they are likely to be of great use to him; so it was with
the Old-Testament church--the Mosaic economy, which they were under,
was what they could not fully understand the meaning of; for, as the
apostle says (2 Cor. iii. 13), They could not stedfastly look to the
end of that which is abolished. But to the church, when grown up to
maturity, in gospel days, it becomes of great use. And as that was a
dispensation of darkness, so of bondage too; for they were in bondage
under the elements of the world, being tied to a great number of
burdensome rites and observances, by which, as by a kind of first
rudiments, they were taught and instructed, and whereby they were kept
in a state of subjection, like a child under tutors and governors. The
church then lay more under the character of a servant, being obliged to
do every thing according to the command of God, without being fully
acquainted with the reason of it; but the service under the gospel
appears to be more reasonable than that was. The time appointed of the
Father having come, when the church was to arrive at its full age, the
darkness and bondage under which it before lay are removed, and we are
under a dispensation of greater light and liberty.
II. He acquaints us with the much happier state of Christians under the
gospel-dispensation, v. 4-7. When the fulness of time had come, the
time appointed of the Father, when he would put an end to the legal
dispensation, and set up another and a better in the room of it, he
sent forth his Son, &c. The person who was employed to introduce this
new dispensation was no other than the Son of God himself, the
only-begotten of the Father, who, as he had been prophesied of and
promised from the foundation of the world, so in due time he was
manifested for this purpose. He, in pursuance of the great design he
had undertaken, submitted to be made of a woman--there is his
incarnation; and to be made under the law--there is his subjection. He
who was truly God for our sakes became man; and he who was Lord of all
consented to come into a state of subjection and to take upon him the
form of a servant; and one great end of all this was to redeem those
that were under the law--to save us from that intolerable yoke and to
appoint gospel ordinances more rational and easy. He had indeed
something more and greater in his view, in coming into the world, than
merely to deliver us from the bondage of the ceremonial law; for he
came in our nature, and consented to suffer and die for us, that hereby
he might redeem us from the wrath of God, and from the curse of the
moral law, which, as sinners, we all lay under. But that was one end of
it, and a mercy reserved to be bestowed at the time of his
manifestation; then the more servile state of the church was to come to
a period, and a better to succeed in the place of it; for he was sent
to redeem us, that we might receive the adoption of sons--that we might
no longer be accounted and treated as servants, but as sons grown up to
maturity, who are allowed greater freedoms, and admitted to larger
privileges, than while they were under tutors and governors. This the
course of the apostle's argument leads us to take notice of, as one
thing intended by this expression, though no doubt it may also be
understood as signifying that gracious adoption which the gospel so
often speaks of as the privilege of those who believe in Christ. Israel
was God's son, his first-born, Rom. ix. 4. But now, under the gospel,
particular believers receive the adoption; and, as an earnest and
evidence of it, they have together therewith the Spirit of adoption,
putting them upon the duty of prayer, and enabling them in prayer to
eye God as a Father (v. 6): Because you are sons, God hath sent forth
the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying Abba, Father. And
hereupon (v. 7) the apostle concludes this argument by adding,
Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and, if a son, then an
heir of God through Christ; that is, Now, under the gospel state, we
are no longer under the servitude of the law, but, upon our believing
in Christ, become the sons of God; we are thereupon accepted of him,
and adopted by him; and, being the sons, we are also heirs of God, and
are entitled to the heavenly inheritance (as he also reasons Rom. viii.
17), and therefore it must needs be the greatest weakness and folly to
turn back to the law, and to seek justification by the works of it.
From what the apostle says in these verses, we may observe,
1. The wonders of divine love and mercy towards us, particularly of God
the Father, in sending his Son into the world to redeem and save
us,--of the Son of God, in submitting so low, and suffering so much,
for us, in pursuance of that design,--and of the Holy Spirit, in
condescending to dwell in the hearts of believers for such gracious
purposes.
2. The great and invaluable advantages which Christians enjoy under the
gospel; for, (1.) We receive the adoption of sons. Whence note, It is
the great privilege which believers have through Christ that they are
adopted children of the God of heaven. We who by nature are children of
wrath and disobedience have become by grace children of love. (2.) We
receive the Spirit of adoption. Note, [1.] All who have the privilege
of adoption have the Spirit of adoption--all who are received into the
number partake of the nature of the children of God; for he will have
all his children to resemble him. [2.] The Spirit of adoption is always
the Spirit of prayer, and it is our duty in prayer to eye God as a
Father. Christ has taught us in prayer to eye God as our Father in
heaven. [3.] If we are his sons, then his heirs. It is not so among
men, with whom the eldest son is heir; but all God's children are
heirs. Those who have the nature of sons shall have the inheritance of
sons.
Affectionate Remonstrance. (a. d. 56.)
8 Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by
nature are no gods. 9 But now, after that ye have known God, or
rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly
elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? 10 Ye observe
days, and months, and times, and years. 11 I am afraid of you, lest I
have bestowed upon you labour in vain.
In these verses the apostle puts them in mind of what they were before
their conversion to the faith of Christ, and what a blessed change
their conversion had made upon them; and thence endeavours to convince
them of their great weakness in hearkening to those who would bring
them under the bondage of the law of Moses.
I. He reminds them of their past state and behaviour, and what they
were before the gospel was preached to them. Then they knew not God;
they were grossly ignorant of the true God, and the way wherein he is
to be worshipped: and at that time they were under the worst of
slaveries, for they did service to those which by nature were no gods,
they were employed in a great number of superstitious and idolatrous
services to those who, though they were accounted gods, were yet really
no gods, but mere creatures, and perhaps of their own making, and
therefore were utterly unable to hear and help them. Note, 1. Those who
are ignorant of the true God cannot but be inclined to false gods.
Those who forsook the God who made the world, rather than be without
gods, worshipped such as they themselves made. 2. Religious worship is
due to none but to him who is by nature God; for, when the apostle
blames the doing service to such as by nature were no gods, he plainly
shows that he only who is by nature God is the proper object of our
religious worship.
II. He calls upon them to consider the happy change that was made in
them by the preaching of the gospel among them. Now they had known God
(they were brought to the knowledge of the true God and of his Son
Jesus Christ, whereby they were recovered out of the ignorance and
bondage under which they before lay) or rather were known of God; this
happy change in their state, whereby they were turned from idols to the
living God, and through Christ had received the adoption of sons, was
not owing to themselves, but to him; it was the effect of his free and
rich grace towards them, and as such they ought to account it; and
therefore hereby they were laid under the greater obligation to adhere
to the liberty wherewith he had made them free. Note, All our
acquaintance with God begins with him; we know him, because we are
known of him.
III. Hence he infers the unreasonableness and madness of their
suffering themselves to be brought again into a state of bondage. He
speaks of it with surprise and deep concern of mind that such as they
should do so: How turn you again, &c., says he, v. 9. "How is it that
you, who have been taught to worship God in the gospel way, should not
be persuaded to comply with the ceremonial way of worship? that you,
who have been acquainted with a dispensation of light, liberty, and
love, as that of the gospel is, should now submit to a dispensation of
darkness, and bondage, and terror, as that of the law is?" This they
had the less reason for, since they had never been under the law of
Moses, as the Jews had been; and therefore on this account they were
more inexcusable than the Jews themselves, who might be supposed to
have some fondness for that which had been of such long standing among
them. Besides, what they suffered themselves to be brought into bondage
to were but weak and beggarly elements, such things as had no power in
them to cleanse the soul, nor to afford any solid satisfaction to the
mind, and which were only designed for that state of pupillage under
which the church had been, but which had now come to a period; and
therefore their weakness and folly were the more aggravated, in
submitting to them, and in symbolizing with the Jews in observing their
various festivals, here signified by days, and months, and times, and
years. Here note, 1. It is possible for those who have made great
professions of religion to be afterwards drawn into very great
defections from the purity and simplicity of it, for this was the case
of these Christians. And, 2. The more mercy God has shown to any, in
bringing them into an acquaintance with the gospel, and the liberties
and privileges of it, the greater are their sin and folly in suffering
themselves to be deprived of them; for this the apostle lays a special
stress upon, that after they had known God, or rather were known of
him, they desired to be in bondage under the weak and beggarly elements
of the law.
IV. Hereupon he expresses his fears concerning them, lest he had
bestowed on them labour in vain. He had been at a great deal of pains
about them, in preaching the gospel to them, and endeavouring to
confirm them in the faith and liberty of it; but now they were giving
up these, and thereby rendering his labour among them fruitless and
ineffectual, and with the thoughts of this he could not but be deeply
affected. Note, 1. A great deal of the labour of faithful ministers is
labour in vain; and, when it is so, it cannot but be a great grief to
those who desire the salvation of souls. Note, 2. The labour of
ministers is in vain upon those who begin in the Spirit and end in the
flesh, who, though they seem to set out well, yet afterwards turn aside
from the way of the gospel. Note, 3. Those will have a great deal to
answer for upon whom the faithful ministers of Jesus Christ bestow
labour in vain.
Affectionate Remonstrance. (a. d. 56.)
12 Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not
injured me at all. 13 Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I
preached the gospel unto you at the first. 14 And my temptation which
was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected; but received me as an
angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 Where is then the blessedness
ye spake of? for I bear you record, that, if it had been possible, ye
would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. 16
Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?
That these Christians might be the more ashamed of their defection from
the truth of the gospel which Paul had preached to them, he here
reminds them of the great affection they formerly had for him and his
ministry, and puts them upon considering how very unsuitable their
present behaviour was to what they then professed. And here we may
observe,
I. How affectionately he addresses himself to them. He styles them
brethren, though he knew their hearts were in a great measure alienated
from him. He desires that all resentments might be laid aside, and that
they would bear the same temper of mind towards him which he did to
them; he would have them to be as he was, for he was as they were, and
moreover tells them that they had not injured him at all. He had no
quarrel with them upon his own account. Though, in blaming their
conduct, he had expressed himself with some warmth and concern of mind
he assured them that it was not owing to any sense of personal injury
or affront (as they might be ready to think), but proceeded wholly from
a zeal for the truth and purity of the gospel, and their welfare and
happiness. Thus he endeavours to mollify their spirits towards him,
that so they might be the better disposed to receive the admonitions he
was giving them. Hereby he teaches us that in reproving others we
should take care to convince them that our reproofs do not proceed from
any private pique or resentment, but from a sincere regard to the
honour of God and religion and their truest welfare; for they are then
likely to be most successful when they appear to be most disinterested.
II. How he magnifies their former affection to him, that hereby they
might be the more ashamed of their present behaviour towards him. To
this purpose, 1. He puts them in mind of the difficulty under which he
laboured when he came first among them: I knew, says he, how, through
infirmity of the flesh, I preached the gospel unto you at the first.
What this infirmity of the flesh was, which in the following words he
expresses by his temptation that was in his flesh (though, no doubt, it
was well known to those Christians to whom he wrote), we can now have
no certain knowledge of: some take it to have been the persecutions
which he suffered for the gospel's sake; others, to have been something
in his person, or manner of speaking, which might render his ministry
less grateful and acceptable, referring to 2 Cor. x. 10, and to ch.
xii. 7-10. But, whatever it was, it seems it made no impression on them
to his disadvantage. For, 2. He takes notice that, notwithstanding this
his infirmity (which might possibly lessen him in the esteem of some
others), they did not despise nor reject him on the account of it, but,
on the contrary, received him as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.
They showed a great deal of respect to him, he was a welcome messenger
to them, even as though an angel of God or Jesus Christ himself had
preached to them; yea, so great was their esteem of him, that, if it
would have been any advantage to him, they could have plucked out their
own eyes, and have given them to him. Note, How uncertain the respects
of people are, how apt they are to change their minds, and how easily
they are drawn into contempt of those for whom they once had the
greatest esteem and affection, so that they are ready to pluck out the
eyes of those for whom they would before have plucked out their own! We
should therefore labour to be accepted of God, for it is a small thing
to be judged of man's judgment, 1 Cor. iv. 2.
III. How earnestly he expostulates with them hereupon: Where is then,
says he, the blessedness you spoke of? As if he had said, "Time was
when you expressed the greatest joy and satisfaction in the glad
tidings of the gospel, and were very forward in pouring out your
blessings upon me as the publisher of them; whence is it that you are
now so much altered, that you have so little relish of them or respect
for me? You once thought yourselves happy in receiving the gospel; have
you now any reason to think otherwise?" Note, Those who have left their
first love would do well to consider, Where is now the blessedness they
once spoke of? What has become of that pleasure they used to take in
communion with God, and in the company of his servants? The more to
impress upon them a just shame of their present conduct, he again asks
(v. 16), "Am I become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? How is
it that I, who was heretofore your favourite, am now accounted your
enemy? Can you pretend any other reason for it than that I have told
you the truth, endeavoured to acquaint you with, and to confirm you in,
the truth of the gospel? And, if not, how unreasonable must your
disaffection be!" Note, 1. It is no uncommon thing for men to account
those their enemies who are really their best friends; for so,
undoubtedly, those are, whether ministers or others, who tell them the
truth, and deal freely and faithfully with them in matters relating to
their eternal salvation, as the apostle now did with these Christians.
2. Ministers may sometimes create enemies to themselves by the faithful
discharge of their duty; for this was the case of Paul, he was
accounted their enemy for telling them the truth. 3. Yet ministers must
not forbear speaking the truth, for fear of offending others and
drawing their displeasure upon them. 4. They may be easy in their own
minds, when they are conscious to themselves that, if others have
become their enemies, it is only for telling them the truth.
Affectionate Remonstrance. (a. d. 56.)
17 They zealously affect you, but not well; yea, they would exclude
you, that ye might affect them. 18 But it is good to be zealously
affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with
you.
The apostle is still carrying on the same design as in the foregoing
verses, which was, to convince the Galatians of their sin and folly in
departing from the truth of the gospel: having just before been
expostulating with them about the change of their behaviour towards him
who endeavoured to establish them in it, he here gives them the
character of those false teachers who made it their business to draw
them away from it, which if they would attend to, they might soon see
how little reason they had to hearken to them: whatever opinion they
might have of them, he tells them they were designing men, who were
aiming to set up themselves, and who, under their specious pretences,
were more consulting their own interest than theirs: "They zealously
affect you," says he; "they show a mighty respect for you, and pretend
a great deal of affection to you, but not well; they do it not with any
good design, they are not sincere and upright in it, for they would
exclude you, that you might affect them. That which they are chiefly
aiming at is to engage your affections to them; and, in order to this,
they are doing all they can to draw off your affections from me and
from the truth, that so they may engross you to themselves." This, he
assures them, was their design, and therefore they must needs be very
unwise in hearkening to them. Note, 1. There may appear to be a great
deal of zeal where yet there is but little truth and sincerity. 2. It
is the usual way of seducers to insinuate themselves into people's
affections, and by that means to draw them into their opinions. 3.
Whatever pretences such may make, they have usually more regard to
their own interest than that of others, and will not stick at ruining
the reputation of others, if by that means they can raise their own. On
this occasion the apostle gives us that excellent rule which we have,
v. 18, It is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing. What
our translation renders in a good man, and so consider the apostle as
pointing to himself; this sense, they think, is favoured both by the
preceding context and also by the words immediately following, and not
only when I am present with you, which may be as if he had said, "Time
was when you were zealously affected towards me; you once took me for a
good man, and have now no reason to think otherwise of me; surely then
it would become you to show the same regard to me, now that I am absent
from you, which you did when I was present with you." But, if we adhere
to our own translation, the apostle here furnishes us with a very good
rule to direct and regulate us in the exercise of our zeal: there are
two things which to this purpose he more especially recommends to us:--
(1.) That it be exercised only upon that which is good; for zeal is
then only good when it is in a good thing: those who are zealously
affected to that which is evil will thereby only to do so much the more
hurt. And, (2.) That herein it be constant and steady: it is good to be
zealous always in a good thing; not for a time only, or now and then,
like the heat of an ague-fit, but, like the natural heat of the body,
constant. Happy would it be for the church of Christ if this rule were
better observed among Christians!
Affectionate Remonstrance. (a. d. 56.)
19 My little children, of whom I travail in birth again until Christ be
formed in you, 20 I desire to be present with you now, and to change
my voice; for I stand in doubt of you.
That the apostle might the better dispose these Christians to bear with
him in the reproofs which he was obliged to give them, he here
expresses his great affection to them, and the very tender concern he
had for their welfare: he was not like them--one thing when among them
and another when absent from them. Their disaffection to him had not
removed his affection from them; but he still bore the same respect to
them which he had formerly done, nor was he like their false teachers,
who pretended a great deal of affection to them, when at the same time
they were only consulting their own interest; but he had a sincere
concern for their truest advantage; he sought not theirs, but them.
They were too ready to account him their enemy, but he assures them
that he was their friend; nay, not only so, but that he had the bowels
of a parent towards them. He calls them his children, as he justly
might, since he had been the instrument of their conversion to the
Christian faith; yea, he styles them his little children, which, as it
denotes a greater degree of tenderness and affection to them, so it may
possibly have a respect to their present behaviour, whereby they showed
themselves too much like little children, who are easily wrought upon
by the arts and insinuations of others. He expresses his concern for
them, and earnest desire of their welfare and soul-prosperity, by the
pangs of a travailing woman: He travailed in birth for them: and the
great thing which he was in so much pain about, and which he was so
earnestly desirous of, was not so much that they might affect him as
that Christ might be formed in them, that they might become Christians
indeed, and be more confirmed and established in the faith of the
gospel. From this we may note, 1. The very tender affection which
faithful ministers bear towards those among whom they are employed; it
is like that of the most affectionate parents to their little children.
2. That the chief thing they are longing and even travailing in birth
for, on their account, is that Christ may be formed in them; not so
much that they may gain their affections, much less that they may make
a prey of them, but that they may be renewed in the spirit of their
minds, wrought into the image of Christ, and more fully settled and
confirmed in the Christian faith and life: and how unreasonably must
those people act who suffer themselves to be prevailed upon to desert
or dislike such ministers! 3. That Christ is not fully formed in men
till they are brought off from trusting in their own righteousness, and
made to rely only upon him and his righteousness.
As further evidence of the affection and concern which the apostle had
for these Christians, he adds (v. 20) that he desired to be then
present with them--that he would be glad of an opportunity of being
among them, and conversing with them, and that thereupon he might find
occasion to change his voice towards them; for at present he stood in
doubt of them. He knew not well what to think of them. He was not so
fully acquainted with their state as to know how to accommodate himself
to them. He was full of fears and jealousies concerning them, which was
the reason of his writing to them in such a manner as he had done; but
he would be glad to find that matters were better with them than he
feared, and that he might have occasion to commend them, instead of
thus reproving and chiding them. Note, Though ministers too often find
it necessary to reprove those they have to do with, yet this is no
grateful work to them; they had much rather there were no occasion for
it, and are always glad when they can see reason to change their voice
towards them.
Affectionate Remonstrance. (a. d. 56.)
21 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the law, do ye not hear the law?
22 For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, the one by a
bondmaid, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the
bondwoman was born after the flesh; but he of the freewoman was by
promise. 24 Which things are an allegory: for these are the two
covenants; the one from the mount Sinai, which gendereth to bondage,
which is Agar. 25 For this Agar is mount Sinai in Arabia, and
answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her
children. 26 But Jerusalem which is above is free, which is the
mother of us all. 27 For it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that
bearest not; break forth and cry, thou that travailest not: for the
desolate hath many more children than she which hath a husband. 28
Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are the children of promise. 29 But
as then he that was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born
after the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what saith the
scripture? Cast out the bondwoman and her son: for the son of the
bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman. 31 So
then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman, but of the free.
In these verses the apostle illustrates the difference between
believers who rested in Christ only and those judaizers who trusted in
the law, by a comparison taken from the story of Isaac and Ishmael.
This he introduces in such a manner as was proper to strike and impress
their minds, and to convince them of their great weakness in departing
from the truth, and suffering themselves to be deprived of the liberty
of the gospel: Tell me, says he, you that desire to be under the law,
do you not hear the law? He takes it for granted that they did hear the
law, for among the Jews it was wont to be read in their public
assemblies every sabbath day; and, since they were so very fond of
being under it, he would have them duly to consider what is written
therein (referring to what is recorded Gen. xvi. and xxi.), for, if
they would do this, they might soon see how little reason they had to
trust in it. And here, 1. He sets before them the history itself (v.
22, 23): For it is written, Abraham had two sons, &c. Here he
represents the different state and condition of these two sons of
Abraham--that the one, Ishmael, was by a bond-maid, and the other,
Isaac, by a free-woman; and that whereas the former was born after the
flesh, or by the ordinary course of nature, the other was by promise,
when in the course of nature there was no reason to expect that Sarah
should have a son. 2. He acquaints them with the meaning and design of
this history, or the use which he intended to make of it (v. 24-27):
These things, says he, are an allegory, wherein, besides the literal
and historical sense of the words, the Spirit of God might design to
signify something further to us, and that was, That these two, Agar and
Sarah, are the two covenants, or were intended to typify and prefigure
the two different dispensations of the covenant. The former, Agar,
represented that which was given from mount Sinai, and which gendereth
to bondage, which, though it was a dispensation of grace, yet, in
comparison of the gospel state, was a dispensation of bondage, and
became more so to the Jews, through their mistake of the design of it,
and expecting to be justified by the works of it. For this Agar is
mount Sinai in Arabia (mount Sinai was then called Agar by the
Arabians), and it answereth to Jerusalem which now is, and is in
bondage with her children; that is, it justly represents the present
state of the Jews, who, continuing in their infidelity and adhering to
that covenant, are still in bondage with their children. But the other,
Sarah, was intended to prefigure Jerusalem which is above, or the state
of Christians under the new and better dispensation of the covenant,
which is free both from the curse of the moral and the bondage of the
ceremonial law, and is the mother of us all--a state into which all,
both Jews and Gentiles, are admitted, upon their believing in Christ.
And to this greater freedom and enlargement of the church under the
gospel dispensation, which was typified by Sarah the mother of the
promised seed, the apostle refers that of the prophet, Isa. liv. 1,
where it is written, Rejoice, thou barren that bearest not; break forth
and cry, thou that travailest not; for the desolate hath many more
children than she who hath a husband. 3. He applies the history thus
explained to the present case (v. 28); Now we, brethren, says he, as
Isaac was, are the children of the promise. We Christians, who have
accepted Christ, and rely upon him, and look for justification and
salvation by him alone, as hereby we become the spiritual, though we
are not the natural, seed of Abraham, so we are entitled to the
promised inheritance and interested in the blessings of it. But lest
these Christians should be stumbled at the opposition they might meet
with from the Jews, who were so tenacious of their law as to be ready
to persecute those who would not submit to it, he tells them that this
was no more than what was pointed to in the type; for as then he that
was born after the flesh persecuted him that was born after the Spirit,
they must expect it would be so now. But, for their comfort in this
case, he desires them to consider what the scripture saith (Gen. xxi.
10), Cast out the bond-woman and her son, for the son of the bond-woman
shall not be heir with the son of the free-woman. Though the judaizers
should persecute and hate them, yet the issue would be that Judaism
would sink, and wither, and perish; but true Christianity should
flourish and last for ever. And then, as a general inference from the
whole of the sum of what he had said, he concludes (v. 31), So then,
brethren, we are not children of the bond-woman, but of the free.
__________________________________________________________________
G A L A T I A N S.
CHAP. V.
In this chapter the apostle comes to make application of his foregoing
discourse. He begins it with a general caution, or exhortation (ver.
1), which he afterwards enforces by several considerations, ver. 2-12.
He then presses them to serious practical godliness, which would be the
best antidote against the snares of their false teachers; particularly,
I. That they should not strive with one another, ver. 13-15. II. That
they would strive against sin, where he shows, 1. That there is in
every one a struggle between flesh and spirit, ver. 17. 2. That it is
our duty and interest, in this struggle, to side with the better part,
ver. 16, 18. 3. He specifies the works of the flesh, which must be
watched against and mortified, and the fruits of the Spirit, which must
be brought forth and cherished, and shows of what importance it is that
they be so, ver. 19-24. And then concludes the chapter with a caution
against pride and envy.
Exhortation to Stedfastness; Persuasives to Stedfastness. (a. d. 56.)
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us
free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. 2 Behold,
I Paul say unto you, that if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you
nothing. 3 For I testify again to every man that is circumcised, that
he is a debtor to do the whole law. 4 Christ is become of no effect
unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from
grace. 5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness
by faith. 6 For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any
thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. 7 Ye did
run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8
This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven
leaveneth the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you through the
Lord, that ye will be none otherwise minded: but he that troubleth you
shall bear his judgment, whosoever he be. 11 And I, brethren, if I
yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is the
offence of the cross ceased. 12 I would they were even cut off which
trouble you.
In the former part of this chapter the apostle cautions the Galatians
to take heed of the judaizing teachers, who endeavoured to bring them
back under the bondage of the law. He had been arguing against them
before, and had largely shown how contrary the principles and spirit of
those teachers were to the spirit of the gospel; and now this is as it
were the general inference or application of all that discourse. Since
it appeared by what had been said that we can be justified only by
faith in Jesus Christ, and not by the righteousness of the law, and
that the law of Moses was no longer in force, nor Christians under any
obligation to submit to it, therefore he would have them to stand fast
in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and not to be again
entangled with the yoke of bondage. Here observe, 1. Under the gospel
we are enfranchised, we are brought into a state of liberty, wherein we
are freed from the yoke of the ceremonial law and from the curse of the
moral law; so that we are no longer tied to the observance of the one,
nor tied up to the rigour of the other, which curses every one that
continues not in all things written therein to do them, ch. iii. 10. 2.
We owe this liberty to Jesus Christ. It is he who has made us free; by
his merits he has satisfied the demands of the broken law, and by his
authority as a king he has discharged us from the obligation of those
carnal ordinances which were imposed on the Jews. And, 3. It is
therefore our duty to stand fast in this liberty, constantly and
faithfully to adhere to the gospel and to the liberty of it, and not to
suffer ourselves, upon any consideration, to be again entangled in the
yoke of bondage, nor persuaded to return back to the law of Moses. This
is the general caution or exhortation, which in the following verses
the apostle enforces by several reasons or arguments. As,
I. That their submitting to circumcision, and depending on the works of
the law for righteousness, were an implicit contradiction of their
faith as Christians and a forfeiture of all their advantages by Jesus
Christ, v. 2-4. And here we may observe, 1. With what solemnity the
apostle asserts and declares this: Behold, I Paul say unto you (v. 2),
and he repeats it (v. 3), I testify unto you; as it he had said, "I,
who have proved myself an apostle of Christ, and to have received my
authority and instructions from him, do declare, and am ready to pawn
my credit and reputation upon it, that if you be circumcised Christ
shall profit you nothing, &c.," wherein he shows that what he was now
saying was not only a matter of great importance, but what might be
most assuredly depended on. He was so far from being a preacher of
circumcision (as some might report him to be) that he looked upon it as
a matter of the greatest consequence that they did not submit to it. 2.
What it is which he so solemnly, and with so much assurance, declares;
it is that, if they were circumcised, Christ would profit them nothing,
&c. We are not to suppose that it is mere circumcision which the
apostle is here speaking of, or that it was his design to say that none
who are circumcised could have any benefit by Christ; for all the
Old-Testament saints had been circumcised, and he himself had consented
to the circumcising of Timothy. But he is to be understood as speaking
of circumcision in the sense in which the judaizing teachers imposed
it, who taught that except they were circumcised, and kept the law of
Moses, they could not be saved, Acts xv. 1. That this is his meaning
appears from v. 4, where he expresses the same thing by their being
justified by the law, or seeking justification by the works of it. Now
in this case, if they submitted to circumcision in this sense, he
declares that Christ would profit them nothing, that they were debtors
to do the whole law, that Christ had become of no effect to them, and
that they were fallen from grace. From all these expressions it appears
that thereby they renounced that way of justification which God had
established; yea, that they laid themselves under an impossibility of
being justified in his sight, for they became debtors to do the whole
law, which required such an obedience as they were not capable of
performing, and denounced a curse against those who failed in it, and
therefore condemned, but could not justify them; and, consequently,
that having thus revolted from Christ, and built their hopes upon the
law, Christ would profit them nothing, nor be of any effect to them.
Thus, as by being circumcised they renounced their Christianity, so
they cut themselves off from all advantage by Christ; and therefore
there was the greatest reason why they should stedfastly adhere to that
doctrine which they had embraced, and not suffer themselves to be
brought under this yoke of bondage. Note, (1.) Though Jesus Christ is
able to save to the uttermost, yet there are multitudes whom he will
profit nothing. (2.) All those who seek to be justified by the law do
thereby render Christ of no effect to them. By building their hopes on
the works of the law, they forfeit all their hopes from him; for he
will not be the Saviour of any who will not own and rely upon him as
their only Saviour.
II. To persuade them to stedfastness in the doctrine and liberty of the
gospel, he sets before them his own example, and that of other Jews who
had embraced the Christian religion, and acquaints them what their
hopes were, namely, That through the Spirit they were waiting for the
hope of righteousness by faith. Though they were Jews by nature, and
had been bred up under the law, yet being, through the Spirit, brought
to the knowledge of Christ, they had renounced all dependence on the
works of the law, and looked for justification and salvation only by
faith in him; and therefore it must needs be the greatest folly in
those who had never been under the law to suffer themselves to be
brought into subjection to it, and to found their hopes upon the works
of it. Here we may observe, 1. What it is that Christians are waiting
for: it is the hope of righteousness, by which we are chiefly to
understand the happiness of the other world. This is called the hope of
Christians, as it is the great object of their hope, which they are
above every thing else desiring and pursuing; and the hope of
righteousness, as their hopes of it are founded on righteousness, not
their own, but that of our Lord Jesus: for, though a life of
righteousness is the way that leads to this happiness, yet it is the
righteousness of Christ alone which has procured it for us, and on
account of which we can expect to be brought to the possession of it.
2. How they hope to obtain this happiness, namely, by faith, that is,
in our Lord Jesus Christ, not by the works of the law, or any thing
they can do to deserve it, but only by faith, receiving and relying
upon him as the Lord our righteousness. It is in this way only that
they expect either to be entitled to it here or possessed of it
hereafter. And, 3. Whence it is that they are thus waiting for the hope
of righteousness: it is through the Spirit. Herein they act under the
direction and influence of the Holy Spirit; it is under his conduct,
and by his assistance, that they are both persuaded and enabled to
believe on Christ, and to look for the hope of righteousness through
him. When the apostle thus represents the case of Christians, it is
implied that if they expected to be justified and saved in any other
way they were likely to meet with a disappointment, and therefore that
they were greatly concerned to adhere to the doctrine of the gospel
which they had embraced.
III. He argues from the nature and design of the Christian institution,
which was to abolish the difference between Jew and Gentile, and to
establish faith in Christ as the way of our acceptance with God. He
tells them (v. 6) that in Christ Jesus, or under the gospel
dispensation, neither circumcision availeth any thing nor
uncircumcision. Though, while the legal state lasted, there was a
difference put between Jew and Greek, between those who were and those
who were not circumcised, the former being admitted to those privileges
of the church of God from which the other were excluded, yet it was
otherwise in the gospel state: Christ, who is the end of the law,
having come, now it was neither here nor there whether a man were
circumcised or uncircumcised; he was neither the better for the one nor
the worse for the other, nor would either the one or the other
recommend him to God; and therefore as their judaizing teachers were
very unreasonable in imposing circumcision upon them, and obliging them
to observe the law of Moses, so they must needs be very unwise in
submitting to them herein. But, though he assures them that neither
circumcision nor uncircumcision would avail to their acceptance with
God, yet he informs them what would do so, and that is faith, which
worketh by love: such a faith in Christ as discovers itself to be true
and genuine by a sincere love to God and our neighbour. If they had
this, it mattered not whether they were circumcised or uncircumcised,
but with out it nothing else would stand them in any stead. Note, 1. No
external privileges nor profession will avail to our acceptance with
God, without a sincere faith in our Lord Jesus. 2. Faith, where it is
true, is a working grace: it works by love, love to God and love to our
brethren; and faith, thus working by love, is all in all in our
Christianity.
IV. To recover them from their backslidings, and engage them to greater
stedfastness for the future, he puts them in mind of their good
beginnings, and calls upon them to consider whence it was that they
were so much altered from what they had been, v. 7.
1. He tells them that they did run well; at their first setting out in
Christianity they had behaved themselves very commendably, they had
readily embraced the Christian religion, and discovered a becoming zeal
in the ways and work of it; as in their baptism they were devoted to
God, and had declared themselves the disciples of Christ, so their
behaviour was agreeable to their character and profession. Note, (1.)
The life of a Christian is a race, wherein he must run, and hold on, if
he would obtain the prize. (2.) It is not enough that we run in this
race, by a profession of Christianity, but we must run well, by living
up to that profession. Thus these Christians had done for awhile, but
they had been obstructed in their progress, and were either turned out
of the way or at least made to flag and falter in it. Therefore,
2. He asks them, and calls upon them to ask themselves, Who did hinder
you? How came it to pass that they did not hold on in the way wherein
they had begun to run so well? He very well knew who they were, and
what it was that hindered them; but he would have them to put the
question to themselves, and seriously consider whether they had any
good reason to hearken to those who gave them this disturbance, and
whether what they offered was sufficient to justify them in their
present conduct. Note, (1.) Many who set out fair in religion, and run
well for awhile--run within the bounds appointed for the race, and run
with zeal and alacrity too--are yet by some means or other hindered in
their progress, or turned out of the way. (2.) It concerns those who
have run well, but now begin either to turn out of the way or to tire
in it, to enquire what it is that hinders them. Young converts must
expect that Satan will be laying stumbling blocks in their way, and
doing all he can to divert them from the course they are in; but,
whenever they find themselves in danger of being turned out of it, they
would do well to consider who it is that hinders them. Whoever they
were that hindered these Christians, the apostle tells them that by
hearkening to them they were kept from obeying the truth, and were
thereby in danger of losing the benefit of what they had done in
religion. The gospel which he had preached to them, and which they had
embraced and professed, he assures them was the truth; it was therein
only that the true way of justification and salvation was fully
discovered, and, in order to their enjoying the advantage of it, it was
necessary that they should obey it, that they should firmly adhere to
it, and continue to govern their lives and hopes according to the
directions of it. If therefore they should suffer themselves to be
drawn away from it they must needs be guilty of the greatest weakness
and folly. Note, [1.] The truth is not only to be believed, but to be
obeyed, to be received not only in the light of it, but in the love and
power of it. [2.] Those do not rightly obey the truth, who do not
stedfastly adhere to it. [3.] There is the same reason for our obeying
the truth that there was for our embracing it: and therefore those act
very unreasonably who, when they have begun to run well in the
Christian race, suffer themselves to be hindered, so as not to
persevere in it.
V. He argues for their stedfastness in the faith and liberty of the
gospel from the ill rise of that persuasion whereby they were drawn
away from it (v. 8): This persuasion, says he, cometh not of him that
calleth you. The opinion or persuasion of which the apostle here speaks
was no doubt that of the necessity of their being circumcised, and
keeping the law of Moses, or of their mixing the works of the law with
faith in Christ in the business of justification. This was what the
judaizing teachers endeavoured to impose upon them, and what they had
too easily fallen into. To convince them of their folly herein, he
tells them that this persuasion did not come of him that called them,
that is, either of God, by whose authority the gospel had been preached
to them and they had been called into the fellowship of it, or of the
apostle himself, who had been employed as the instrument of calling
them hereunto. It could not come from God, for it was contrary to that
way of justification and salvation which he had established; nor could
they have received it from Paul himself; for, whatever some might
pretend, he had all along been an opposer and not a preacher of
circumcision, and, if in any instance he had submitted to it for the
sake of peace, yet he had never pressed the use of it upon Christians,
much less imposed it upon them as necessary to salvation. Since then
this persuasion did not come of him that had called them, he leaves
them to judge whence it must arise, and sufficiently intimates that it
could be owing to none but Satan and his instruments, who by this means
were endeavouring to overthrow their faith and obstruct the progress of
the gospel, and therefore that the Galatians had every reason to reject
it, and to continue stedfast in the truth which they had before
embraced. Note, 1. In order to our judging aright of the different
persuasions in religion which there are among Christians, it concerns
us to enquire whether they come of him that calleth us, whether or no
they are founded upon the authority of Christ and his apostles. 2. If,
upon enquiry, they appear to have no such foundation, how forward
soever others may be to impose them upon us, we should by no means
submit to them, but reject them.
VI. The danger there was of the spreading of this infection, and the
ill influence it might have upon others, are a further argument which
the apostle urges against their complying with their false teachers in
what they would impose on them. It is possible that, to extenuate their
fault, they might be ready to say that there were but few of those
teachers among them who endeavoured to draw them into this persuasion
and practice, or that they were only some smaller matters wherein they
complied with them--that though they submitted to be circumcised, and
to observe some few rites of the Jewish laws, yet they had by no means
renounced their Christianity and gone over to Judaism. Or, suppose
their complying thus far was as faulty as he could represent it, yet
perhaps they might further say that there were but few among them who
had done so, and therefore he needed not be so much concerned about it.
Now, to obviate such pretences as these, and to convince them that
there was more danger in it than they were aware of, he tells them (v.
9) that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump--that the whole lump
of Christianity may be tainted and corrupted by one such erroneous
principle, or that the whole lump of the Christian society may be
infected by one member of it, and therefore that they were greatly
concerned not to yield in this single instance, or, if any had done so,
to endeavour by all proper methods to purge out the infection from
among them. Note, It is dangerous for Christian churches to encourage
those among them who entertain, especially who set themselves to
propagate, destructive errors. This was the case here. The doctrine
which the false teachers were industrious to spread, and which some in
these churches had been drawn into, was subversive of Christianity
itself, as the apostle had before shown; and therefore, though the
number either of the one or the other of these might be but small, yet,
considering the fatal tendency of it and the corruption of human
nature, whereby others were too much disposed to be infected with it,
he would not have them on that account to be easy and unconcerned, but
remember that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump. If these were
indulged the contagion might soon spread further and wider; and, if
they suffered themselves to be imposed upon in this instance, it might
soon issue in the utter ruin of the truth and liberty of the gospel.
VII. That he might conciliate the greater regard to what he had said,
he expresses the hopes he had concerning them (v. 10): I have
confidence in you, says he, through the Lord, that you will be none
otherwise minded. Though he had many fears and doubts about them (which
was the occasion of his using so much plainness and freedom with them),
yet he hoped that through the blessing of God upon what he had written
they might be brought to be of the same mind with him, and to own and
abide by that truth and that liberty of the gospel which he had
preached to them, and was now endeavouring to confirm them in. Herein
he teaches us that we ought to hope the best even of those concerning
whom we have cause to fear the worst. That they might be the less
offended at the reproofs he had given them for their unstedfastness in
the faith, he lays the blame of it more upon others than themselves;
for he adds, But he that troubleth you shall bear his judgment,
whosoever he be. He was sensible that there were some that troubled
them, and would pervert the gospel of Christ (as ch. i. 7), and
possibly he may point to some one particular man who was more busy and
forward than others, and might be the chief instrument of the disorder
that was among them; and to this he imputes their defection or
inconstancy more than to any thing in themselves. This may give us
occasion to observe that, in reproving sin and error, we should always
distinguish between the leaders and the led, such as set themselves to
draw others thereinto and such as are drawn aside by them. Thus the
apostle softens and alleviates the fault of these Christians, even
while he is reproving them, that he might the better persuade them to
return to, and stand fast in, the liberty wherewith Christ had made
them free: but as for him or those that troubled them, whoever he or
they were, he declares they should bear their judgment, he did not
doubt but God would deal with them according to their deserts, and out
of his just indignation against them, as enemies of Christ and his
church, he wishes that they were even cut off--not cut off from Christ
and all hopes of salvation by him, but cut off by the censures of the
church, which ought to witness against those teachers who thus
corrupted the purity of the gospel. Those, whether ministers or others,
who set themselves to overthrow the faith of the gospel, and disturb
the peace of Christians, do thereby forfeit the privileges of Christian
communion and deserve to be cut off from them.
VIII. To dissuade these Christians from hearkening to their judaizing
teachers, and to recover them from the ill impressions they had made
upon them, he represents them as men who had used very base and
disingenuous methods to compass their designs, for they had
misrepresented him, that they might the more easily gain their ends
upon them. That which they were endeavouring was to bring them to
submit to circumcision, and to mix Judaism with their Christianity;
and, the better to accomplish this design, they had given out among
them that Paul himself was a preacher of circumcision: for when he says
(v. 11), And I brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, it plainly
appears that they had reported him to have done so, and that they had
made use of this as an argument to prevail with the Galatians to submit
to it. It is probable that they grounded this report upon his having
circumcised Timothy, Acts xvi. 3. But, though for good reasons he had
yielded to circumcision in that instance, yet that he was a preacher of
it, and especially in that sense wherein they imposed it, he utterly
denies. To prove the injustice of that charge upon him, he offers such
arguments as, if they would allow themselves to consider, could not
fail to convince them of it. 1. If he would have preached circumcision,
he might have avoided persecution. If I yet preach circumcision, says
he, why do I yet suffer persecution? It was evident, and they could not
but be sensible of it, that he was hated and persecuted by the Jews;
but what account could be given of this their behaviour towards him, if
he had so far symbolized with them as to preach up circumcision, and
the observance of the law of Moses, as necessary to salvation? This was
the great point they were contending for; and, if he had fallen in with
them herein, instead of being exposed to their rage he might have been
received into their favour. When therefore he was suffering persecution
from them, this was a plain evidence that he had not complied with
them; yea, that he was so far from preaching the doctrine he was
charged with, that, rather than do so, he was willing to expose himself
to the greatest hazards. 2. If he had yielded to the Jews herein, then
would the offence of the cross have ceased. They would not have taken
so much offence against the doctrine of Christianity as they did, nor
would he and others have been exposed to so much suffering on the
account of it as they were. He informs us (1 Cor. i. 23) that the
preaching of the cross of Christ (or the doctrine of justification and
salvation only by faith in Christ crucified) was to the Jews a
stumbling-block. That which they were most offended at in Christianity
was, that thereby circumcision, and the whole frame of the legal
administration, were set aside, as no longer in force. This raised
their greatest outcries against it, and stirred them up to oppose and
persecute the professors of it. Now if Paul and others could have given
into this opinion, that circumcision was still to be retained, and the
observance of the law of Moses joined with faith in Christ as necessary
to salvation, then their offence against it would have been in a great
measure removed, and they might have avoided the sufferings they
underwent for the sake of it. But though others, and particularly those
who were so forward to asperse him as a preacher of this doctrine,
could easily come into it, yet so could not he. He rather chose to
hazard his ease and credit, yea his very life itself, than thus to
corrupt the truth and give up the liberty of the gospel. Hence it was
that the Jews continued to be so much offended against Christianity,
and against him as the preacher of it. Thus the apostle clears himself
from the unjust reproach which his enemies had cast upon him, and at
the same time shows how little regard was due to those men who could
treat him in such an injurious manner, and how much reason he had to
wish that they were even cut off.
Practical Godliness Enforced; Works of the Flesh and of the Spirit; The
Fruits of the Spirit. (a. d. 56.)
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not
liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself. 15 But if ye bite and devour one
another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another. 16 This I
say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the
flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit
against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that
ye cannot do the things that ye would. 18 But if ye be led of the
Spirit, ye are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are
manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance,
emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders,
drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before,
as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things
shall not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit
is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23
Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that
are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let
us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one
another.
In the latter part of this chapter the apostle comes to exhort these
Christians to serious practical godliness, as the best antidote against
the snares of the false teachers. Two things especially he presses upon
them:--
I. That they should not strive with one another, but love one another.
He tells them (v. 13) that they had been called unto liberty, and he
would have them to stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ had made
them free; but yet he would have them be very careful that they did not
use this liberty as an occasion to the flesh--that they did not thence
take occasion to indulge themselves in any corrupt affections and
practices, and particularly such as might create distance and
disaffection, and be the ground of quarrels and contentions among them:
but, on the contrary, he would have them by love to serve one another,
to maintain that mutual love and affection which, notwithstanding any
minor differences there might be among them, would dispose them to all
those offices of respect and kindness to each other which the Christian
religion obliged them to. Note, 1. The liberty we enjoy as Christians
is not a licentious liberty: though Christ has redeemed us from the
curse of the law, yet he has not freed us from the obligation of it;
the gospel is a doctrine according to godliness (1 Tim. vi. 3), and is
so far from giving the least countenance to sin that it lays us under
the strongest obligations to avoid and subdue it. 2. Though we ought to
stand fast in our Christian liberty, yet we should not insist upon it
to the breach of Christian charity; we should not use it as an occasion
of strife and contention with our fellow Christians, who may be
differently minded from us, but should always maintain such a temper
towards each other as may dispose us by love to serve one another. To
this the apostle endeavours to persuade these Christians, and there are
two considerations which he sets before them for this purpose:-- (1.)
That all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself, v. 14. Love is the sum of the whole law;
as love to God comprises the duties of the first table, so love to our
neighbour those of the second. The apostle takes notice of the latter
here, because he is speaking of their behaviour towards one another;
and, when he makes use of this as an argument to persuade them to
mutual love, he intimates both that this would be a good evidence of
their sincerity in religion and also the most likely means of rooting
out those dissensions and divisions that were among them. It will
appear that we are the disciples of Christ indeed when we have love one
to another (John xiii. 35); and, where this temper is kept up, if it do
not wholly extinguish those unhappy discords that are among Christians,
yet at least it will so far accommodate them that the fatal
consequences of them will be prevented. (2.) The sad and dangerous
tendency of a contrary behaviour (v. 15): But, says he, if instead of
serving one another in love, and therein fulfilling the law of God, you
bite and devour one another, take heed that you be not consumed one of
another. If, instead of acting like men and Christians, they would
behave themselves more like brute beasts, in tearing and rending one
another, they could expect nothing as the consequence of it, but that
they would be consumed one of another; and therefore they had the
greatest reason not to indulge themselves in such quarrels and
animosities. Note, Mutual strifes among brethren, if persisted in, are
likely to prove a common ruin; those that devour one another are in a
fair way to be consumed one of another. Christian churches cannot be
ruined but by their own hands; but if Christians, who should be helps
to one another and a joy one to another, be as brute beasts, biting and
devouring each other, what can be expected but that the God of love
should deny his grace to them, and the Spirit of love should depart
from them, and that the evil spirit, who seeks the destruction of them
all, should prevail?
II. That they should all strive against sin; and happy would it be for
the church if Christians would let all their quarrels be swallowed up
of this, even a quarrel against sin--if, instead of biting and
devouring one another on account of their different opinions, they
would all set themselves against sin in themselves and the places where
they live. This is what we are chiefly concerned to fight against, and
that which above every thing else we should make it our business to
oppose and suppress. To excite Christians hereunto, and to assist them
herein, the apostle shows,
1. That there is in every one a struggle between the flesh and the
spirit (v. 17): The flesh (the corrupt and carnal part of us) lusts
(strives and struggles with strength and vigour) against the spirit: it
opposes all the motions of the Spirit, and resists every thing that is
spiritual. On the other hand, the spirit (the renewed part of us)
strives against the flesh, and opposes the will and desire of it: and
hence it comes to pass that we cannot do the things that we would. As
the principle of grace in us will not suffer us to do all the evil
which our corrupt nature would prompt us to, so neither can we do all
the good that we would, by reason of the oppositions we meet with from
that corrupt and carnal principle. Even as in a natural man there is
something of this struggle (the convictions of his conscience and the
corruption of his own heart strive with one another; his convictions
would suppress his corruptions, and his corruptions silence his
convictions), so in a renewed man, where there is something of a good
principle, there is a struggle between the old nature and the new
nature, the remainders of sin and the beginnings of grace; and this
Christians must expect will be their exercise as long as they continue
in this world.
2. That it is our duty and interest in this struggle to side with the
better part, to side with our convictions against our corruptions and
with our graces against our lusts. This the apostle represents as our
duty, and directs us to the most effectual means of success in it. If
it should be asked, What course must we take that the better interest
may get the better? he gives us this one general rule, which, if duly
observed, would be the most sovereign remedy against the prevalence of
corruption; and that is to walk in the Spirit (v. 16): This I say,
then, Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfil the lust of the
flesh. By the Spirit here may be meant either the Holy Spirit himself,
who condescends to dwell in the hearts of those whom he has renewed and
sanctified, to guide and assist them in the way of their duty, or that
gracious principle which he implants in the souls of his people and
which lusts against the flesh, as that corrupt principle which still
remains in them does against it. Accordingly the duty here recommended
to us is that we set ourselves to act under the guidance and influence
of the blessed Spirit, and agreeably to the motions and tendency of the
new nature in us; and, if this be our care in the ordinary course and
tenour of our lives, we may depend upon it that, though we may not be
freed from the stirrings and oppositions of our corrupt nature, we
shall be kept from fulfilling it in the lusts thereof; so that though
it remain in us, yet it shall not obtain a dominion over us. Note, The
best antidote against the poison of sin is to walk in the Spirit, to be
much in conversing with spiritual things, to mind the things of the
soul, which is the spiritual part of man, more than those of the body,
which is his carnal part, to commit ourselves to the guidance of the
word, wherein the Holy Spirit makes known the will of God concerning
us, and in the way of our duty to act in a dependence on his aids and
influences. And, as this would be the best means of preserving them
from fulfilling the lusts of the flesh, so it would be a good evidence
that they were Christians indeed; for, says the apostle (v. 18), If you
be led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. As if he had said,
"You must expect a struggle between flesh and spirit as long as you are
in the world, that the flesh will be lusting against the spirit as well
as the spirit against the flesh; but if, in the prevailing bent and
tenour of your lives, you be led by the Spirit,--if you act under the
guidance and government of the Holy Spirit and of that spiritual nature
and disposition he has wrought in you,--if you make the word of God
your rule and the grace of God your principle,--it will hence appear
that you are not under the law, not under the condemning, though you
are still under the commanding, power of it; for there is now no
condemnation to those that are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the
flesh, but after the Spirit; and as many as are led by the Spirit of
God, they are the sons of God," Rom. viii. 1-14.
3. The apostle specifies the works of the flesh, which must be watched
against and mortified, and the fruits of the Spirit, which must be
cherished and brought forth (v. 19, &c.); and by specifying particulars
he further illustrates what he is here upon. (1.) He begins with the
works of the flesh, which, as they are many, so they are manifest. It
is past dispute that the things he here speaks of are the works of the
flesh, or the product of corrupt and depraved nature; most of them are
condemned by the light of nature itself, and all of them by the light
of scripture. The particulars he specifies are of various sorts; some
are sins against the seventh commandment, such as adultery,
fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, by which are meant not only
the gross acts of these sins, but all such thoughts, and words, and
actions, as have a tendency towards the great transgression. Some are
sins against the first and second commandments, as idolatry and
witchcraft. Others are sins against our neighbour, and contrary to the
royal law of brotherly love, such as hatred, variance, emulations,
wrath, strife, which too often occasion seditions, heresies, envyings,
and sometimes break out into murders, not only of the names and
reputation, but even of the very lives, of our fellow-creatures. Others
are sins against ourselves, such as drunkenness and revellings; and he
concludes the catalogue with an et cetera, and gives fair warning to
all to take care of them, as they hope to see the face of God with
comfort. Of these and such like, says he, I tell you before, as I have
also told you in times past, that those who do such things, how much
soever they may flatter themselves with vain hopes, shall not inherit
the kingdom of God. These are sins which will undoubtedly shut men out
of heaven. The world of spirits can never be comfortable to those who
plunge themselves in the filth of the flesh; nor will the righteous and
holy God ever admit such into his favour and presence, unless they be
first washed and sanctified, and justified in the name of our Lord
Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. vi. 11. (2.) He specifies
the fruits of the Spirit, or the renewed nature, which as Christians we
are concerned to bring forth, v. 22, 23. And here we may observe that
as sin is called the work of the flesh, because the flesh, or corrupt
nature, is the principle that moves and excites men to it, so grace is
said to be the fruit of the Spirit, because it wholly proceeds from the
Spirit, as the fruit does from the root: and whereas before the apostle
had chiefly specified those works of the flesh which were not only
hurtful to men themselves but tended to make them so to one another, so
here he chiefly takes notice of those fruits of the Spirit which had a
tendency to make Christians agreeable one to another, as well as easy
to themselves; and this was very suitable to the caution or exhortation
he had before given (v. 13), that they should not use their liberty as
an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another. He
particularly recommends to us, love, to God especially, and to one
another for his sake,--joy, by which may be understood cheerfulness in
conversation with our friends, or rather a constant delight in
God,--peace, with God and conscience, or a peaceableness of temper and
behaviour towards others,--long-suffering, patience to defer anger, and
a contentedness to bear injuries,--gentleness, such a sweetness of
temper, and especially towards our inferiors, as disposes us to be
affable and courteous, and easy to be entreated when any have wronged
us,--goodness (kindness, beneficence), which shows itself in a
readiness to do good to all as we have opportunity,--faith, fidelity,
justice, and honesty, in what we profess and promise to
others,--meekness, wherewith to govern our passions and resentments, so
as not to be easily provoked, and, when we are so, to be soon
pacified,--and temperance, in meat and drink, and other enjoyments of
life, so as not to be excessive and immoderate in the use of them.
Concerning these things, or those in whom these fruits of the Spirit
are found, the apostle says, There is no law against them, to condemn
and punish them. Yea, hence it appears that they are not under the law,
but under grace; for these fruits of the Spirit, in whomsoever they are
found, plainly show that such are led by the Spirit, and consequently
that they are not under the law, as v. 18. And as, by specifying these
works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, the apostle directs us
both what we are to avoid and oppose and what we are to cherish and
cultivate, so (v. 24) he informs us that this is the sincere care and
endeavour of all real Christians: And those that are Christ's, says he
(those who are Christians indeed, not only in show and profession, but
in sincerity and truth), have crucified the flesh with the affections
and lusts. As in their baptism they were obliged hereunto (for, being
baptized into Christ, they were baptized into his death, Rom. vi. 3),
so they are now sincerely employing themselves herein, and, in
conformity to their Lord and head, are endeavouring to die unto sin, as
he had died for it. They have not yet obtained a complete victory over
it; they have still flesh as well as Spirit in them, and that has its
affections and lusts, which continue to give them no little
disturbance, but as it does not now reign in their mortal bodies, so as
that they obey it in the lusts thereof (Rom. vi. 12), so they are
seeking the utter ruin and destruction of it, and to put it to the same
shameful and ignominious, though lingering death, which our Lord Jesus
underwent for our sakes. Note, If we should approve ourselves to be
Christ's, such as are united to him and interested in him, we must make
it our constant care and business to crucify the flesh with its corrupt
affections and lusts. Christ will never own those as his who yield
themselves the servants of sin. But though the apostle here only
mentions the crucifying of the flesh with the affections and lusts, as
the care and character of real Christians, yet, no doubt, it is also
implied that, on the other hand, we should show forth those fruits of
the Spirit which he had just before been specifying; this is no less
our duty than that, nor is it less necessary to evidence our sincerity
in religion. It is not enough that we cease to do evil, but we must
learn to do well. Our Christianity obliges us not only to die unto sin,
but to live unto righteousness; not only to oppose the works of the
flesh, but to bring forth the fruits of the Spirit too. If therefore we
would make it appear that we do indeed belong to Christ, this must be
our sincere care and endeavour as well as the other; and that it was
the design of the apostle to represent both the one and the other of
these as our duty, and as necessary to support our character as
Christians, may be gathered from what follows (v. 25), where he adds,
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit; that is, "If
we profess to have received the Spirit of Christ, or that we are
renewed in the Spirit of Christ, or that we are renewed in the spirit
of our minds, and endued with a principle of spiritual life, let us
make it appear by the proper fruits of the Spirit in our lives." He had
before told us that the Spirit of Christ is a privilege bestowed on all
the children of God, ch. iv. 6. "Now," says he, "if we profess to be of
this number, and as such to have obtained this privilege, let us show
it by a temper and behaviour agreeable hereunto; let us evidence our
good principles by good practices." Our conversation will always be
answerable to the principle which we are under the guidance and
government of: as those that are after the flesh do mind the things of
the flesh, so those that are after the Spirit do mind the things of the
Spirit, Rom. viii. 5. If therefore we would have it appear that we are
Christ's, and that we are partakers of his Spirit, it must be by our
walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit. We must set
ourselves in good earnest both to mortify the deeds of the body, and to
walk in newness of life.
4. The apostle concludes this chapter with a caution against pride and
envy, v. 26. He had before been exhorting these Christians by love to
serve one another (v. 13), and had put them in mind of what would be
the consequence if, instead of that, they did bite and devour one
another, v. 15. Now, as a means of engaging them to the one and
preserving them from the other of these, he here cautions them against
being desirous of vain-glory, or giving way to an undue affectation of
the esteem and applause of men, because this, if it were indulged,
would certainly lead them to provoke one another and to envy one
another. As far as this temper prevails among Christians, they will be
ready to slight and despise those whom they look upon as inferior to
them, and to be put out of humour if they are denied that respect which
they think is their due from them, and they will also be apt to envy
those by whom their reputation is in any danger of being lessened: and
thus a foundation is laid for those quarrels and contentions which, as
they are inconsistent with that love which Christians ought to maintain
towards each other, so they are greatly prejudicial to the honour and
interest of religion itself. This therefore the apostle would have us
by all means to watch against. Note, (1.) The glory which comes from
men is vain-glory, which, instead of being desirous of, we should be
dead to. (2.) An undue regard to the approbation and applause of men is
one great ground of the unhappy strifes and contentions that exist
among Christians.
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G A L A T I A N S.
CHAP. VI.
This chapter chiefly consists of two parts. In the former the apostle
gives us several plain and practical directions, which more especially
tend to instruct Christians in their duty to one another, and to
promote the communion of saints in love, ver. 1-10. In the latter he
revives the main design of the epistle, which was to fortify the
Galatians against the arts of their judaizing teachers, and confirm
them in the truth and liberty of the gospel, for which purpose he, I.
Gives them the true character of these teachers, and shows them from
what motives, and with what views, they acted, ver. 11-14. And, II. On
the other hand he acquaints them with his own temper and behaviour.
From both these they might easily see how little reason they had to
slight him, and to fall in with them. And then he concludes the epistle
with a solemn benediction.
Tenderness in Reproving; Self-Examination; Spiritual Mindedness and
Beneficence. (a. d. 56.)
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual,
restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself,
lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so
fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be
something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. 4 But let every
man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself
alone, and not in another. 5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that
teacheth in all good things. 7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that
soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that
soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And
let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if
we faint not. 10 As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good
unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.
The apostle having, in the foregoing chapter, exhorted Christians by
love to serve one another ( v. 13), and also cautioned us (v. 16)
against a temper which, if indulged, would hinder us from showing the
mutual love and serviceableness which he had recommended, in the
beginning of this chapter he proceeds to give some further directions,
which, if duly observed, would both promote the one and prevent the
other of these, and render our behaviour both more agreeable to our
Christian profession and more useful and comfortable to one another:
particularly,
I. We are here taught to deal tenderly with those who are overtaken in
a fault, v. 1. He puts a common case: If a man be overtaken in a fault,
that is, be brought to sin by the surprise of temptation. It is one
thing to overtake a fault by contrivance and deliberation, and a full
resolution in sin, and another thing to be overtaken in a fault. The
latter is the case here supposed, and herein the apostle shows that
great tenderness should be used. Those who are spiritual, by whom is
meant, not only the ministers (as if none but they were to be called
spiritual persons), but other Christians too, especially those of the
higher form in Christianity; these must restore such a one with the
spirit of meekness. Here observe, 1. The duty we are directed to--to
restore such; we should labour, by faithful reproofs, and pertinent and
seasonable councils, to bring them to repentance. The original word,
katartizete, signifies to set in joint, as a dislocated bone;
accordingly we should endeavour to set them in joint again, to bring
them to themselves, by convincing them of their sin and error,
persuading them to return to their duty, comforting them in a sense of
pardoning mercy thereupon, and having thus recovered them, confirming
our love to them. 2. The manner wherein this is to be done: With the
spirit of meekness; not in wrath and passion, as those who triumph in a
brother's falls, but with meekness, as those who rather mourn for them.
Many needful reproofs lose their efficacy by being given in wrath; but
when they are managed with calmness and tenderness, and appear to
proceed from sincere affection and concern for the welfare of those to
whom they are given, they are likely to make a due impression. 3. A
very good reason why this should be done with meekness: Considering
thyself, lest thou also be tempted. We ought to deal very tenderly with
those who are overtaken in sin, because we none of us know but it may
some time or other be our own case. We also may be tempted, yea, and
overcome by the temptation; and therefore, if we rightly consider
ourselves, this will dispose us to do by others as we desire to be done
by in such a case.
II. We are here directed to bear one another's burdens, v. 2. This may
be considered either as referring to what goes before, and so may teach
us to exercise forbearance and compassion towards one another, in the
case of those weaknesses, and follies, and infirmities, which too often
attend us--that, though we should not wholly connive at them, yet we
should not be severe against one another on account of them; or as a
more general precept, and so it directs us to sympathize with one
another under the various trials and troubles that we may meet with,
and to be ready to afford each other the comfort and counsel, the help
and assistance, which our circumstances may require. To excite us
hereunto, the apostle adds, by way of motive, that so we shall fulfil
the law of Christ. This is to act agreeably to the law of his precept,
which is the law of love, and obliges us to a mutual forbearance and
forgiveness, to sympathy with and compassion towards each other; and it
would also be agreeable to his pattern and example, which have the
force of a law to us. He bears with us under our weaknesses and
follies, he is touched with a fellow-feeling of our infirmities; and
therefore there is good reason why we should maintain the same temper
towards one another. Note, Though as Christians we are freed from the
law of Moses, yet we are under the law of Christ; and therefore,
instead of laying unnecessary burdens upon others (as those who urged
the observance of Moses's law did), it much more becomes us to fulfil
the law of Christ by bearing one another's burdens. The apostle being
aware how great a hindrance pride would be to the mutual condescension
and sympathy which he had been recommending, and that a conceit of
ourselves would dispose us to censure and contemn our brethren, instead
of bearing with their infirmities and endeavouring to restore them when
overtaken with a fault, he therefore (v. 3) takes care to caution us
against this; he supposes it as a very possible thing (and it would be
well if it were not too common) for a man to think himself to be
something--to entertain a fond opinion of his own sufficiency, to look
upon himself as wiser and better than other men, and as fit to dictate
and prescribe to them--when in truth he is nothing, has nothing of
substance or solidity in him, or that can be a ground of the confidence
and superiority which he assumes. To dissuade us from giving way to
this temper he tells us that such a one does but deceive himself; while
he imposes upon others, by pretending to what he has not, he puts the
greatest cheat upon himself, and sooner or later will find the sad
effects of it. This will never gain him that esteem, either with God or
good men, which he is ready to expect; he is neither the freer from
mistakes nor will he be the more secure against temptations for the
good opinion he has of his own sufficiency, but rather the more liable
to fall into them, and to be overcome by them; for he that thinks he
stands has need to take heed lest he fall. Instead therefore of
indulging such a vain-glorious humour, which is both destructive of the
love and kindness we owe to our fellow-christians and also injurious to
ourselves, it would much better become us to accept the apostle's
exhortation (Phil. ii. 3), Do nothing through strife nor vain-glory;
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself.
Note, Self-conceit is but self-deceit: as it is inconsistent with that
charity we owe to others (for charity vaunteth not itself, is not
puffed up, 1 Cor. xiii. 4), so it is a cheat upon ourselves; and there
is not a more dangerous cheat in the world than self-deceit. As a means
of preventing this evil,
III. We are advised every one to prove his own work, v. 4. By our own
work is chiefly meant our own actions or behaviour. These the apostle
directs us to prove, that is seriously and impartially to examine them
by the rule of God's word, to see whether or no they are agreeable to
it, and therefore such as God and conscience do approve. This he
represents as the duty of every man; instead of being forward to judge
and censure others, it would much more become us to search and try our
own ways; our business lies more at home than abroad, with ourselves
than with other men, for what have we to do to judge another man's
servant? From the connection of this exhortation with what goes before
it appears that if Christians did duly employ themselves in this work
they might easily discover those defects and failings in themselves
which would soon convince them how little reason they have either to be
conceited of themselves or severe in their censures of others; and so
it gives us occasion to observe that the best way to keep us from being
proud of ourselves is to prove our ownselves: the better we are
acquainted with our own hearts and ways, the less liable shall we be to
despise and the more disposed to compassionate and help others under
their infirmities and afflictions. That we may be persuaded to this
necessary and profitable duty of proving our own work, the apostle
urges two considerations very proper for this purpose:--
1. This is the way to have rejoicing in ourselves alone. If we set
ourselves in good earnest to prove our own work, and, upon the trial,
can approve ourselves to God, as to our sincerity and uprightness
towards him, then may we expect to have comfort and peace in our own
souls, having the testimony of our own consciences for us (as 2 Cor. i.
12), and this, he intimates, would be a much better ground of joy and
satisfaction than to be able to rejoice in another, either in the good
opinion which others may have of us or in having gained over others to
our opinion, which the false teachers were wont to glory in (as we see
v. 13), or by comparing ourselves with others, as, it should seem, some
did, who were ready to think well of themselves, because they were not
so bad as some others. Too many are apt to value themselves upon such
accounts as these; but the joy that results thence is nothing to that
which arises from an impartial trial of ourselves by the rule of God's
word, and our being able thereupon to approve ourselves to him. Note,
(1.) Though we have nothing in ourselves to boast of, yet we may have
the matter of rejoicing in ourselves: our works can merit nothing at
the hand of God; but, if our consciences can witness for us that they
are such as he for Christ's sake approves and accepts, we may upon good
ground rejoice therein. (2.) The true way to have rejoicing in
ourselves is to be much in proving our own works, in examining
ourselves by the unerring rule of God's word, and not by the false
measures of what others are, or may think of us. (3.) It is much more
desirable to have matter of glorying in ourselves than in another. If
we have the testimony of our consciences that we are accepted of God,
we need not much concern ourselves about what others think or say of
us; and without this the good opinion of others will stand us in little
stead.
2. The other argument which the apostle uses to press upon us this duty
of proving our own work is that every man shall bear his own burden (v.
5), the meaning of which is that at the great day every one shall be
reckoned with according as his behaviour here has been. He supposes
that there is a day coming when we must all give an account of
ourselves to God; and he declares that then the judgment will proceed,
and the sentence pass, not according to the sentiments of the world
concerning us, or any ungrounded opinion we may have had of ourselves,
or upon our having been better or worse than others, but according as
our state and behaviour have really been in the sight of God. And, if
there be such an awful time to be expected, when he will render to
every one according to his works, surely there is the greatest reason
why we should prove our own works now: if we must certainly be called
to an account hereafter, surely we ought to be often calling ourselves
to an account here, to see whether or no we are such as God will own
and approve then: and, as this is our duty, so if it were more our
practice we should entertain more becoming thoughts both of ourselves
and our fellow-christians, and instead of bearing hard upon one
another, on account of any mistakes or failings we may be guilty of, we
should be more ready to fulfil that law of Christ by which we must be
judged in bearing one another's burdens.
IV. Christians are here exhorted to be free and liberal in maintaining
their ministers (v. 6): Let him that is taught in the word communicate
to him that teacheth, in all good things. Here we may observe, 1. The
apostle speaks of it as a thing known and acknowledged, that, as there
are some to be taught, so there are others who are appointed to teach
them. The office of the ministry is a divine institution, which does
not lie open in common to all, but is confined to those only whom God
has qualified for it and called to it: even reason itself directs us to
put a difference between the teachers and the taught (for, if all were
teachers, there would be none to be taught), and the scriptures
sufficiently declare that it is the will of God we should do so. 2. It
is the word of God wherein ministers are to teach and instruct others;
that which they are to preach is the word, 2 Tim. iv. 2. That which
they are to declare is the counsel of God, Acts xx. 27. They are not
lords of our faith, but helpers of our joy, 2 Cor. i. 24. It is the
word of God which is the only rule of faith and life; this they are
concerned to study, and to open, and improve, for the edification of
others, but they are no further to be regarded than as they speak
according to this rule. 3. It is the duty of those who are taught in
the word to support those who are appointed to teach them; for they are
to communicate to them in all good things, freely and cheerfully to
contribute, of the good things with which God has blessed them, what is
needful for their comfortable subsistence. Ministers are to give
attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine (1 Tim. iv. 13);
they are not to entangle themselves with the affairs of this life (2
Tim. ii. 4), and therefore it is but fit and equitable that, while they
are sowing to others spiritual things, they should reap their carnal
things. And this is the appointment of God himself; for as, under the
law, those who ministered about holy things lived of the things of the
temple, so hath the Lord ordained that those who preach the gospel
should live of the gospel, 1 Cor. ix. 11, 13, 14.
V. Here is a caution to take heed of mocking God, or of deceiving
ourselves, by imagining that he can be imposed upon by mere pretensions
or professions (v. 7): Be not deceived, God is not mocked. This may be
considered as referring to the foregoing exhortation, and so the design
of it is to convince those of their sin and folly who endeavoured by
any plausible pretences to excuse themselves from doing their duty in
supporting their ministers: or it may be taken in a more general view,
as respecting the whole business of religion, and so as designed to
take men off from entertaining any vain hopes of enjoying its rewards
while they live in the neglect of its duties. The apostle here supposes
that many are apt to excuse themselves from the work of religion, and
especially the more self-denying and chargeable parts of it, though at
the same time they may make a show and profession of it; but he assures
them that this their way is their folly, for, though hereby they may
possibly impose upon others, yet they do but deceive themselves if they
think to impose upon God, who is perfectly acquainted with their hearts
as well as actions, and, as he cannot be deceived, so he will not be
mocked; and therefore, to prevent this, he directs us to lay down as a
rule to ourselves, That whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also
reap; or that according as we behave ourselves now, so will our account
be in the great day. Our present time is seed-time: in the other world
there will be a great harvest; and, as the husbandman reaps in the
harvest according as he sows in the seedness, so we shall reap then as
we sow now. And he further informs us (v. 8) that, as there are two
sorts of seedness, sowing to the flesh and sowing to the Spirit, so
accordingly will the reckoning be hereafter: If we sow to the flesh, we
shall of the flesh reap corruption. If we sow the wind, we shall reap
the whirlwind. Those who live a carnal sensual life, who instead of
employing themselves to the honour of God and the good of others, spend
all their thoughts, and care, and time, about the flesh, must expect no
other fruit of such a course than corruption--a mean and short-lived
satisfaction at present, and ruin and misery at the end of it. But, on
the other hand, those who sow to the Spirit, who under the guidance and
influence of the Spirit do live a holy and spiritual life, a life of
devotedness to God and of usefulness and serviceableness to others, may
depend upon it that of the Spirit they shall reap life
everlasting--they shall have the truest comfort in their present
course, and an eternal life and happiness at the end of it. Note, Those
who go about to mock God do but deceive themselves. Hypocrisy in
religion is the greatest folly as well as wickedness, since the God we
have to do with can easily see through all our disguises, and will
certainly deal with us hereafter, not according to our professions, but
our practices.
VI. Here is a further caution given us, not to be weary in well doing,
v. 9. As we should not excuse ourselves from any part of our duty, so
neither should we grow weary in it. There is in all of us too great a
proneness to this; we are very apt to flag and tire in duty, yea to
fall off from it, particularly that part of it to which the apostle has
here a special regard, that of doing good to others. This therefore he
would have us carefully to watch and guard against; and he gives this
very good reason for it, because in due season we shall reap, if we
faint not, where he assures us that there is a recompence of reward in
reserve for all who sincerely employ themselves in well doing; that
this reward will certainly be bestowed on us in the proper season--if
not in this world, yet undoubtedly in the next; but then that it is
upon supposition that we faint not in the way of our duty; if we grow
weary of it, and withdraw from it, we shall not only miss of this
reward, but lose the comfort and advantage of what we have already
done; but, if we hold on and hold out in well-doing, though our reward
may be delayed, yet it will surely come, and will be so great as to
make us an abundant recompence for all our pains and constancy. Note,
Perseverance in well-doing is our wisdom and interest, as well as our
duty, for to this only is the reward promised.
VII. Here is an exhortation to all Christians to do good in their
places ( v. 10): As we have therefore an opportunity, &c. It is not
enough that we be good to others, if we would approve ourselves to be
Christians indeed. The duty here recommended to us is the same that is
spoken of in the foregoing verses; and, as there the apostle exhorts us
to sincerity and perseverance in it, so here he directs us both as to
the objects and rule of it. 1. The objects of this duty are more
generally all men. We are not to confine our charity and beneficence
within too narrow bounds, as the Jews and judaizing Christians were apt
to do, but should be ready to extend it to all who partake of the same
common nature with us, as far as we are capable and they stand in need
of us. But yet, in the exercise of it, we are to have a special regard
to the household of faith, or to those who profess the same common
faith, and are members of the same body of Christ, with us: though
others are not to be excluded, yet these are to be preferred. The
charity of Christians should be extensive charity: but yet therein a
particular respect is to be had to good people. God does good to all,
but in an especial manner he is good to his own servants; and we must
in doing good be followers of God as dear children. 2. The rule which
we are to observe in doing good to others is as we have opportunity,
which implies, (1.) That we should be sure to do it while we have
opportunity, or while our life lasts, which is the only season wherein
we are capable of doing good to others. If therefore we would behave
ourselves aright in this matter, we must not, as too many do, neglect
it in our life-time, and defer it till we come to die, under a pretence
of doing something of this nature then: for, as we cannot be sure that
we shall then have an opportunity for it, so neither, if we should,
have we any ground to expect that what we do will be so acceptable to
God, much less that we can atone for our past neglects by leaving
something behind us for the good of others, when we can no longer keep
it ourselves. But we should take care to do good in our life-time, yea,
to make this the business of our lives. And, (2.) That we be ready to
improve every opportunity for it: we should not content ourselves in
having done some good already; but, whenever fresh occasions offer
themselves, as far as our capacity reaches we should be ready to
embrace them too, for we are directed to give a portion to seven and
also to eight, Eccl. xi. 2. Note, [1.] As God has made it our duty to
do good to others, so he takes care in his providence to furnish us
with opportunities for it. The poor we have always with us, Matt. xxvi.
11. [2.] Whenever God gives us an opportunity of being useful to
others, he expects we should improve it, according to our capacity and
ability. [3.] We have need of godly wisdom and discretion to direct us
in the exercise of our charity or beneficence, and particularly in the
choice of the proper objects of it; for, though none who stand in need
of us are to be wholly overlooked, yet there is a difference to be made
between some and others.
Character of Seducing Teachers; Efficacy of the Cross of Christ; Apostolical
Benediction. (a. d. 56.)
11 Ye see how large a letter I have written unto you with mine own
hand. 12 As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they
constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer
persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For neither they themselves
who are circumcised keep the law; but desire to have you circumcised,
that they may glory in your flesh. 14 But God forbid that I should
glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is
crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus
neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new
creature. 16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on
them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 17 From henceforth let
no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Amen.
The apostle, having at large established the doctrine of the gospel,
and endeavoured to persuade these Christians to a behaviour agreeable
to it, seems as if he intended here to have put an end to the epistle,
especially when he had acquainted them that, as a particular mark of
his respect for them, he had written this large letter with his own
hand, and had not made use of another as his amanuensis, and only
subscribed his name to it, as he was wont to do in his other epistles:
but such is his affection to them such his concern to recover them from
the bad impressions made upon them by their false teachers, that he
cannot break off till he has once again given them the true character
of those teachers, and an account of his own contrary temper and
behaviour, that by comparing these together they might the more easily
see how little reason they had to depart from the doctrine he had
taught them and to comply with theirs.
I. He gives them the true character of those teachers who were
industrious to seduce them, in several particulars. As, 1. They were
men who desired to make a fair show in the flesh, v. 12. They were very
zealous for the externals of religion, forward to observe, and to
oblige others to observe, the rites of the ceremonial law, though at
the same time they had little or no regard to real piety; for, as the
apostle says of them in the following verse, neither do they themselves
keep the law. Proud, vain, and carnal hearts desire nothing more than
to make a fair show in the flesh, and they can easily be content with
so much religion as will help them to keep up such a fair show; but
frequently those have least of the substance of religion who are most
solicitous to make a show of it. 2. They were men who were afraid of
suffering, for they constrained the Gentile Christians to be
circumcised, only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of
Christ. It was not so much out of a regard to the law as to themselves;
they were willing to sleep in a whole skin, and to save their worldly
cargo, and cared not though they made shipwreck of faith and a good
conscience. That which they chiefly aimed at was to please the Jews,
and to keep up their reputation among them, and so to prevent the
trouble that Paul, and other faithful professors of the doctrine of
Christ, lay open to. And, 3. Another part of their character was that
they were men of a party spirit, and who had no further zeal for the
law than as it subserved their carnal and selfish designs; for they
desired to have these Christians circumcised, that they might glory in
their flesh (v. 13), that they might say they had gained them over to
their side, and made proselytes of them, of which they carried the mark
in their flesh. And thus, while they pretended to promote religion,
they were the greatest enemies of it; for nothing has been more
destructive to the interest of religion than men-siding and
party-making.
II. He acquaints us, on the other hand, with his own temper and
behaviour, or makes profession of his own faith, hope, and joy;
particularly,
1. That his principle glory was in the cross of Christ: God forbid,
says he, that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus
Christ, v. 14. By the cross of Christ is here meant his sufferings and
death on the cross, or the doctrine of salvation by a crucified
Redeemer. This was what the Jews stumbled at and the Greeks accounted
foolishness; and the judaizing teachers themselves, though they had
embraced Christianity, yet were so far ashamed of it that in compliance
with the Jews, and to avoid persecution from them, they were for mixing
the observance of the law of Moses with faith in Christ, as necessary
to salvation. But Paul had a very different opinion of it; he was so
far from being offended at the cross of Christ, or ashamed of it, or
afraid to own it, that he gloried in it; yea, he desired to glory in
nothing else, and rejected the thought of setting up anything in
competition with it, as the object of his esteem, with the utmost
abhorrence; God forbid, &c. This was the ground of all his hope as a
Christian: this was the doctrine which, as an apostle, he was resolved
to preach; and, whatever trials his firm adherence to it might bring
upon him, he was ready, not only to submit to them, but to rejoice in
them. Note, The cross of Christ is a good Christian's chief glory, and
there is the greatest reason why we should glory in it, for to it we
owe all our joys and hopes.
2. That he was dead to the world. By Christ, or by the cross of Christ,
the world was crucified to him, and he to the world; he had experienced
the power and virtue of it in weaning him from the world, and this was
one great reason of his glorying in it. The false teachers were men of
a worldly temper, their chief concern was about their secular
interests, and therefore they accommodated their religion thereunto.
But Paul was a man of another spirit; as the world had no kindness for
him, so neither had he any great regard to it; he had got above both
the smiles and the frowns of it, and had become as indifferent to it as
one who is dying out of it. This is a temper of mind that all
Christians should be labouring after; and the best way to attain it is
to converse much with the cross of Christ. The higher esteem we have of
him the meaner opinion shall we have of the world, and the more we
contemplate the sufferings our dear Redeemer met with from the world
the less likely shall we be to be in love with it.
3. That he did not lay the stress of his religion on one side or the
other of the contesting interests, but on sound Christianity, v. 15.
There was at that time an unhappy division among Christians;
circumcision and uncircumcision had become names by which they were
distinguished from each other; for (ch. ii. 9, 12) the Jewish
Christians are called the circumcision, and those of the circumcision.
The false teachers were very zealous for circumcision; yea, to such a
degree as to represent it as necessary to salvation, and therefore they
did all they could to constrain the Gentile Christians to submit to it.
In this they had carried the matter much further than others did; for,
though the apostles connived at the use of it among the Jewish
converts, yet they were by no means for imposing it upon the Gentiles.
But what they laid so great a stress upon Paul made very little account
of. It was indeed of great importance to the interest of Christianity
that circumcision should not be imposed on the Gentile converts, and
therefore this he had set himself with the utmost vigour to oppose; but
as for mere circumcision or uncircumcision, whether those who embraced
the Christian religion had been Jews or Gentiles, and whether they were
for or against continuing the use of circumcision, so that they did not
place their religion in it--this was comparatively a matter of little
moment with him; for he very well knew that in Jesus Christ, that is,
in his account, or under the Christian dispensation, neither
circumcision availed any thing nor uncircumcision, as to men's
acceptance with God, but a new creature. Here he instructs us both
wherein real religion does not and wherein it does consist. It does not
consist in circumcision or uncircumcision, in our being in this or the
other denomination of Christians; but it consists in our being new
creatures; not in having a new name, or putting on a new face, but in
our being renewed in the spirit of our minds and having Christ formed
in us: this is of the greatest account with God, and so it was with the
apostle. If we compare this text with some others, we may more fully
see what it is that renders us most acceptable to God, and about which
we should therefore be chiefly concerned. Here we are told that it is a
new creature, and in ch. v. 6 that it is faith which worketh by love,
and in 1 Cor. vii. 19 that it is the keeping of the commandments of
God, from all which it appears that it is a change of mind and heart,
whereby we are disposed and enabled to believe in the Lord Jesus and to
live a life of devotedness to God; and that where this inward, vital,
practical religion is wanting, no outward professions, nor particular
names, will ever stand us in any stead, or be sufficient to recommend
us to him. Were Christians duly concerned to experience this in
themselves, and to promote it in others, if it did not make them lay
aside their distinguishing names, yet it would at least take them off
from laying so great a stress upon them as they too often do. Note,
Christians should take care to lay the stress of their religion where
God has laid it, namely, on those things which are available to our
acceptance with him; so we see the apostle did, and it is our wisdom
and interest herein to follow his example. The apostle having shown
what was of chief consideration in religion, and what he laid the
greatest stress upon, namely, not a mere empty name or profession, but
a sound and saving change, in v. 16 he pronounces a blessing upon all
those who walk according to this rule: And as many as walk according to
this rule peace be upon them, and mercy upon the Israel of God. The
rule which he here speaks of may signify more generally the whole word
of God, which is the complete and perfect rule of faith and life, or
that doctrine of the gospel, or way of justification and salvation,
which he had laid down in this epistle, namely, by faith in Christ
without the works of the law; or it may be considered as more
immediately referring to the new creature, of which he had just before
been speaking. The blessings which he desires for those who walk
according to this rule, or which he gives them the hope and prospect of
(for the words may be taken either as a prayer or a promise), are peace
and mercy--peace with God and conscience, and all the comforts of this
life as far as they are needful for them, and mercy, or an interest in
the free love and favour of God in Christ, which are the spring and
fountain of all other blessings. A foundation is laid for these in that
gracious change which is wrought in them; and while they behave
themselves as new creatures, and govern their lives and hopes by the
rule of the gospel, they may most assuredly depend upon them. These, he
declares, shall be the portion of all the Israel of God, by whom he
means all sincere Christians, whether Jews or Gentiles, all who are
Israelites indeed, who, though they may not be the natural, yet are
become the spiritual seed of Abraham; these, being heirs of his faith,
are also heirs together with him of the same promise, and consequently
entitled to the peace and mercy here spoken of. The Jews and judaizing
teachers were for confining these blessings to such as were circumcised
and kept the law of Moses; but, on the contrary, the apostle declares
that they belong to all who walk according to the rule of the gospel,
or of the new creature, even to all the Israel of God, intimating that
those only are the true Israel of God who walk according to this rule,
and not that of circumcision, which they insisted so much upon, and
therefore that this was the true way to obtain peace and mercy. Note,
(1.) Real Christians are such as walk by rule; not a rule of their own
devising, but that which God himself has prescribed to them. (2.) Even
those who walk according to this rule do yet stand in need of the mercy
of God. But, (3.) All who sincerely endeavour to walk according to this
rule may be assured that peace and mercy will be upon them: this is the
best way to have peace with God, ourselves, and others; and hereupon,
as we may be sure of the favour of God now, so we may be sure that we
shall find mercy with him hereafter.
4. That he had cheerfully suffered persecution for the sake of Christ
and Christianity, v. 17. As the cross of Christ, or the doctrine of
salvation by a crucified Redeemer, was what he chiefly gloried in, so
he had been willing to run all hazards rather than he would betray this
truth, or suffer it to be corrupted. The false teachers were afraid of
persecution, and this was the great reason why they were zealous for
circumcision, as we see, v. 12. But this was the least of Paul's
concern; he was not moved at any of the afflictions he met with, nor
did he count his life dear to him, so that he might finish his course
with joy, and the ministry which he had received of the Lord Jesus, to
testify the gospel of the grace of God, Acts xx. 24. He had already
suffered much in the cause of Christ, for he bore in his body the marks
of the Lord Jesus, the scars of those wounds which he had sustained
from persecuting enemies, for his steady adherence to him, and that
doctrine of the gospel which he had received from him. As from this it
appeared that he was firmly persuaded of the truth and importance of
it, and that he was far from being a favourer of circumcision, as they
had falsely reported him to be, so hereupon, with a becoming warmth and
vehemence, suitable to his authority as an apostle and to the deep
concern of mind he was under, he insists upon it that no man should
henceforth trouble him, namely by opposing his doctrine or authority,
or by any such calumnies and reproaches as had been cast upon him; for
as, both from what he had said and what he had suffered, they appeared
to be highly unjust and injurious, so also those were very unreasonable
who either raised or received them. Note, (1.) It may justly be
presumed that men are fully persuaded of those truths in the defence of
which they are willing to suffer. And (2.) It is very unjust to charge
those things upon others which are contrary not only to their
profession, but their sufferings too.
III. The apostle, having now finished what he intended to write for the
conviction and recovery of the churches of Galatia, concludes the
epistle with his apostolical benediction, v. 18. He calls them his
brethren, wherein he shows his great humility, and the tender affection
he had for them, notwithstanding the ill treatment he had met with from
them; and takes his leave of them with this very serious and
affectionate prayer, that the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ may be
with their spirit. This was a usual farewell wish of the apostle's, as
we see, Rom. xvi. 20, 24, and 1 Cor. xvi. 23. And herein he prays that
they might enjoy the favour of Christ, both in its special effects and
its sensible evidences, that they might receive from him all that grace
which was needful to guide them in their way, to strengthen them in
their work, to establish them in their Christian course, and to
encourage and comfort them under all the trials of life and the
prospect of death itself. This is fitly called the grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ, as he is both the sole purchaser and the appointed
dispenser of it; and though these churches had done enough to forfeit
it, by suffering themselves to be drawn into an opinion and practice
highly dishonourable to Christ, as well as dangerous to them, yet, out
of his great concern for them, and knowing of what importance it was to
them, he earnestly desires it on their behalf; yea, that it might be
with their spirit, that they might continually experience the
influences of it upon their souls, disposing and enabling them to act
with sincerity and uprightness in religion. We need desire no more to
make us happy than the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. This the apostle
begs for these Christians, and therein shows us what we are chiefly
concerned to obtain; and, both for their and our encouragement to hope
for it, he adds his Amen.
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Ephesians
Completed by Samuel Rosewell.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
T H E E P H E S I A N S.
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Some think that this epistle to the Ephesians was a circular letter
sent to several churches, and that the copy directed to the Ephesians
happened to be taken into the canon, and so it came to bear that
particular inscription. And they have been induced the rather to think
this because it is the only one of all Paul's epistles that has nothing
in it peculiarly adapted to the state or case of that particular
church; but it has much of common concernment to all Christians, and
especially to all who, having been Gentiles in times past, were
converted to Christianity. But then it may be observed, on the other
hand, that the epistle is expressly inscribed (1:1) to the saints which
are at Ephesus; and in the close of it he tells them that he had sent
Tychicus unto them, whom, in 2 Tim. iv. 12, he says he had sent to
Ephesus. It is an epistle that bears date out of a prison: and some
have observed that what this apostle wrote when he was a prisoner had
the greatest relish and savour in it of the things of God. When his
tribulations did abound, his consolations and experiences did much more
abound, whence we may observe that the afflictive exercises of God's
people, and particularly of his ministers, often tend to the advantage
of others as well as to their own. The apostle's design is to settle
and establish the Ephesians in the truth, and further to acquaint them
with the mystery of the gospel, in order to it. In the former part he
represents the great privilege of the Ephesians, who, having been in
time past idolatrous heathens, were now converted to Christianity and
received into covenant with God, which he illustrates from a view of
their deplorable state before their conversion, ch. 1-3. In the latter
part (which we have in the 4th, 5th, and 6th chapters) he instructs
them in the principal duties of religion, both personal and relative,
and exhorts and quickens them to the faithful discharge of them. Zanchy
observes that we have here an epitome of the whole Christian doctrine,
and of almost all the chief heads of divinity.
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E P H E S I A N S.
CHAP. I.
In this chapter we have, I. The introduction to the whole epistle,
which is much the same as in others, ver. 1, 2. II. The apostle's
thanksgivings and praises to God for his inestimable blessings bestowed
on the believing Ephesians, ver. 3-14. III. His earnest prayers to God
in their behalf, ver. 15-23. This great apostle was wont to abound in
prayers and in thanksgivings to almighty God, which he generally so
disposes and orders that at the same time they carry with them and
convey the great and important doctrines of the Christian religion, and
the most weighty instructions to all those who seriously peruse them.
Introduction. (a. d. 61.)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints
which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace be
to you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.
Here is, 1. The title St. Paul takes to himself, as belonging to
him--Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, &c. He reckoned it a great
honour to be employed by Christ, as one of his messengers to the sons
of men. The apostles were prime officers in the Christian church, being
extraordinary ministers appointed for a time only. They were furnished
by their great Lord with extraordinary gifts and the immediate
assistance of the Spirit, that they might be fitted for publishing and
spreading the gospel and for governing the church in its infant state.
Such a one Paul was, and that not by the will of man conferring that
office upon him, nor by his own intrusion into it; but by the will of
God, very expressly and plainly intimated to him, he being immediately
called (as the other apostles were) by Christ himself to the work.
Every faithful minister of Christ (though his call and office are not
of so extraordinary a nature) may, with our apostle, reflect on it as
an honour and comfort to himself that he is what he is by the will of
God. 2. The persons to whom this epistle is sent: To the saints who are
at Ephesus, that is, to the Christians who were members of the church
at Ephesus, the metropolis of Asia. He calls them saints, for such they
were in profession, such they were bound to be in truth and reality,
and many of them were such. All Christians must be saints; and, if they
come not under that character on earth, they will never be saints in
glory. He calls them the faithful in Christ Jesus, believers in him,
and firm and constant in their adherence to him and to his truths and
ways. Those are not saints who are not faithful, believing in Christ,
firmly adhering to him, and true to the profession they make of
relation to their Lord. Note, It is the honour not only of ministers,
but of private Christians too, to have obtained mercy of the Lord to be
faithful.--In Christ Jesus, from whom they derive all their grace and
spiritual strength, and in whom their persons, and all that they
perform, are made accepted. 3. The apostolical benediction: Grace be to
you, &c. This is the token in every epistle; and it expresses the
apostle's good-will to his friends, and a real desire of their welfare.
By grace we are to understand the free and undeserved love and favour
of God, and those graces of the Spirit which proceed from it; by peace
all other blessings, spiritual and temporal, the fruits and product of
the former. No peace without grace. No peace, nor grace, but from God
the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. These peculiar blessings
proceed from God, not as a Creator, but as a Father by special
relation: and they come from our Lord Jesus Christ, who, having
purchased them for his people, has a right to bestow them upon them.
Indeed the saints, and the faithful in Christ Jesus, had already
received grace and peace; but the increase of these is very desirable,
and the best saints stand in need of fresh supplies of the graces of
the Spirit, and cannot but desire to improve and grow: and therefore
they should pray, each one for himself and all for one another, that
such blessings may still abound unto them.
After this short introduction he comes to the matter and body of the
epistle; and, though it may seem somewhat peculiar in a letter, yet the
Spirit of God saw fit that his discourse of divine things in this
chapter should be cast into prayers and praises, which, as they are
solemn addresses to God, so they convey weighty instructions to others.
Prayer may preach; and praise may do so too.
Praise for Spiritual Blessings. (a. d. 61.)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath
blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the
world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: 5
Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ
to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, 6 To the
praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in
the beloved. 7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the
forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; 8 Wherein
he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; 9 Having made
known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure
which he hath purposed in himself: 10 That in the dispensation of the
fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ,
both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: 11 In
whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated
according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the
counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his
glory, who first trusted in Christ. 13 In whom ye also trusted, after
that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom
also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of
promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the
redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
He begins with thanksgivings and praise, and enlarges with a great deal
of fluency and copiousness of affection upon the exceedingly great and
precious benefits which we enjoy by Jesus Christ. For the great
privileges of our religion are very aptly recounted and enlarged upon
in our praises to God.
I. In general he blesses God for spiritual blessings, v. 3, where he
styles him the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; for, as
Mediator, the Father was his God; as God, and the second person in the
blessed Trinity, God was his Father. It bespeaks the mystical union
between Christ and believers, that the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ is their God and Father, and that in and through him. All
blessings come from God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. No good
can be expected from a righteous and holy God to sinful creatures, but
by his mediation. He hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings.
Note, Spiritual blessings are the best blessings with which God blesses
us, and for which we are to bless him. He blesses us by bestowing such
things upon us as make us really blessed. We cannot thus bless God
again; but must do it by praising, and magnifying, and speaking well of
him on that account. Those whom God blesses with some he blesses with
all spiritual blessings; to whom he gives Christ, he freely gives all
these things. It is not so with temporal blessings; some are favoured
with health, and not with riches; some with riches, and not with
health, &c. But, where God blesses with spiritual blessings, he blesses
with all. They are spiritual blessings in heavenly places; that is, say
some, in the church, distinguished from the world, and called out of
it. Or it may be read, in heavenly things, such as come from heaven,
and are designed to prepare men for it, and to secure their reception
into it. We should hence learn to mind spiritual and heavenly things as
the principal things, spiritual and heavenly blessings as the best
blessings, with which we cannot be miserable and without which we
cannot but be so. Set not your affections on things on the earth, but
on those things which are above. These we are blessed with in Christ;
for, as all our services ascend to God through Christ, so all our
blessings are conveyed to us in the same way, he being the Mediator
between God and us.
II. The particular spiritual blessings with which we are blessed in
Christ, and for which we ought to bless God, are (many of them) here
enumerated and enlarged upon. 1. Election and predestination, which are
the secret springs whence the others flow, v. 4, 5, 11. Election, or
choice, respects that lump or mass of mankind out of which some are
chosen, from which they are separated and distinguished. Predestination
has respect to the blessings they are designed for; particularly the
adoption of children, it being the purpose of God that in due time we
should become his adopted children, and so have a right to all the
privileges and to the inheritance of children. We have here the date of
this act of love: it was before the foundation of the world; not only
before God's people had a being, but before the world had a beginning;
for they were chosen in the counsel of God from all eternity. It
magnifies these blessings to a high degree that they are the products
of eternal counsel. The alms which you give to beggars at your doors
proceed from a sudden resolve; but the provision which a parent makes
for his children is the result of many thoughts, and is put into his
last will and testament with a great deal of solemnity. And, as this
magnifies divine love, so it secures the blessings to God's elect; for
the purpose of God according to election shall stand. He acts in
pursuance of his eternal purpose in bestowing spiritual blessings upon
his people. He hath blessed us--according as he hath chosen us in him,
in Christ the great head of the election, who is emphatically called
God's elect, his chosen; and in the chosen Redeemer an eye of favour
was cast upon them. Observe here one great end and design of this
choice: chosen--that we should be holy; not because he foresaw they
would be holy, but because he determined to make them so. All who are
chosen to happiness as the end are chosen to holiness as the means.
Their sanctification, as well as their salvation, is the result of the
counsels of divine love.--And without blame before him--that their
holiness might not be merely external and in outward appearance, so as
to prevent blame from men, but internal and real, and what God himself,
who looketh at the heart, will account such, such holiness as proceeds
from love to God and to our fellow-creatures, this charity being the
principle of all true holiness. The original word signifies such an
innocence as no man can carp at; and therefore some understand it of
that perfect holiness which the saints shall attain in the life to
come, which will be eminently before God, they being in his immediate
presence for ever. Here is also the rule and the fontal cause of God's
election: it is according to the good pleasure of his will (v. 5), not
for the sake of any thing in them foreseen, but because it was his
sovereign will, and a thing highly pleasing to him. It is according to
the purpose, the fixed and unalterable will, of him who worketh all
things after the counsel of his own will (v. 11), who powerfully
accomplishes whatever concerns his elect, as he has wisely and freely
fore-ordained and decreed, the last and great end and design of all
which is his own glory: To the praise of the glory of his grace (v. 6),
that we should be to the praise of his glory (v. 12), that is, that we
should live and behave ourselves in such a manner that his rich grace
might be magnified, and appear glorious, and worthy of the highest
praise. All is of God, and from him, and through him, and therefore all
must be to him, and centre in his praise. Note, The glory of God is his
own end, and it should be ours in all that we do. This passage has been
understood by some in a very different sense, and with a special
reference to the conversion of these Ephesians to Christianity. Those
who have a mind to see what is said to this purpose may consult Mr.
Locke, and other well-known writers, on the place. 2. The next
spiritual blessing the apostle takes notice of is acceptance with God
through Jesus Christ: Wherein, or by which grace, he hath made us
accepted in the beloved, v. 6. Jesus Christ is the beloved of his
Father (Matt. iii. 17), as well as of angels and saints. It is our
great privilege to be accepted of God, which implies his love to us and
his taking us under his care and into his family. We cannot be thus
accepted of God, but in and through Jesus Christ. He loves his people
for the sake of the beloved. 3. Remission of sins, and redemption
through the blood of Jesus, v. 7. No remission without redemption. It
was by reason of sin that we were captivated, and we cannot be released
from our captivity but by the remission of our sins. This redemption we
have in Christ, and this remission through his blood. The guilt and the
stain of sin could be no otherwise removed than by the blood of Jesus.
All our spiritual blessings flow down to us in that stream. This great
benefit, which comes freely to us, was dearly bought and paid for by
our blessed Lord; and yet it is according to the riches of God's grace.
Christ's satisfaction and God's rich grace are very consistent in the
great affair of man's redemption. God was satisfied by Christ as our
substitute and surety; but it was rich grace that would accept of a
surety, when he might have executed the severity of the law upon the
transgressor, and it was rich grace to provide such a surety as his own
Son, and freely to deliver him up, when nothing of that nature could
have entered into our thoughts, nor have been any otherwise found out
for us. In this instance he has not only manifested riches of grace,
but has abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence (v. 8), wisdom
in contriving the dispensation, and prudence in executing the counsel
of his will, as he has done. How illustrious have the divine wisdom and
prudence rendered themselves, in so happily adjusting the matter
between justice and mercy in this grand affair, in securing the honour
of God and his law, at the same time that the recovery of sinners and
their salvation are ascertained and made sure! 4. Another privilege
which the apostle here blesses God for is divine revelation--that God
hath made known to us the mystery of his will (v. 9), that is, so much
of his good-will to men, which had been concealed for a long time, and
is still concealed from so great a part of the world: this we owe to
Christ, who, having lain in the bosom of the Father from eternity, came
to declare his will to the children of men. According to his good
pleasure, his secret counsels concerning man's redemption, which he had
purposed, or resolved upon, merely in and from himself, and not for any
thing in them. In this revelation, and in his making known unto us the
mystery of his will, the wisdom and the prudence of God do abundantly
shine forth. It is described (v. 13) as the word of truth, and the
gospel of our salvation. Every word of it is true. It contains and
instructs us in the most weighty and important truths, and it is
confirmed and sealed by the very oath of God, whence we should learn to
betake ourselves to it in all our searches after divine truth. It is
the gospel of our salvation: it publishes the glad tidings of
salvation, and contains the offer of it: it points out the way that
leads to it; and the blessed Spirit renders the reading and the
ministration of it effectual to the salvation of souls. O, how ought we
to prize this glorious gospel and to bless God for it! This is the
light shining in a dark place, for which we have reason to be thankful,
and to which we should take heed. 5. Union in and with Christ is a
great privilege, a spiritual blessing, and the foundation of many
others. He gathers together in one all things in Christ, v. 10. All the
lines of divine revelation meet in Christ; all religion centres in him.
Jews and Gentiles were united to each other by being both united to
Christ. Things in heaven and things on earth are gathered together in
him; peace made, correspondence settled, between heaven and earth,
through him. The innumerable company of angels become one with the
church through Christ: this God purposed in himself, and it was his
design in that dispensation which was to be accomplished by his sending
Christ in the fulness of time, at the exact time that God had prefixed
and settled. 6. The eternal inheritance is the great blessing with
which we are blessed in Christ: In whom also we have obtained an
inheritance, v. 11. Heaven is the inheritance, the happiness of which
is a sufficient portion for a soul: it is conveyed in the way of an
inheritance, being the gift of a Father to his children. If children,
then heirs. All the blessings that we have in hand are but small if
compared with the inheritance. What is laid out upon an heir in his
minority is nothing to what is reserved for him when he comes to age.
Christians are said to have obtained this inheritance, as they have a
present right to it, and even actual possession of it, in Christ their
head and representative. 7. The seal and earnest of the Spirit are of
the number of these blessings. We are said to be sealed with that Holy
Spirit of promise, v. 13. The blessed Spirit is holy himself, and he
makes us holy. He is called the Spirit of promise, as he is the
promised Spirit. By him believers are sealed; that is, separated and
set apart for God, and distinguished and marked as belonging to him.
The Spirit is the earnest of our inheritance, v. 14. The earnest is
part of payment, and it secures the full sum: so is the gift of the
Holy Ghost; all his influences and operations, both as a sanctifier and
a comforter, are heaven begun, glory in the seed and bud. The Spirit's
illumination is an earnest of everlasting light; sanctification is an
earnest of perfect holiness; and his comforts are earnests of
everlasting joys. He is said to be the earnest, until the redemption of
the purchased possession. It may be called here the possession, because
this earnest makes it as sure to the heirs as though they were already
possessed of it; and it is purchased for them by the blood of Christ.
The redemption of it is mentioned because it was mortgaged and
forfeited by sin; and Christ restores it to us, and so is said to
redeem it, in allusion to the law of redemption. Observe, from all
this, what a gracious promise that is which secures the gift of the
Holy Ghost to those who ask him.
The apostle mentions the great end and design of God in bestowing all
these spiritual privileges, that we should be to the praise of his
glory who first trusted in Christ--we to whom the gospel was first
preached, and who were first converted to the faith of Christ, and to
the placing of our hope and trust in him. Note, Seniority in grace is a
preferment: Who were in Christ before me, says the apostle (Rom. xvi.
7); those who have for a longer time experienced the grace of Christ
are under more special obligations to glorify God. They should be
strong in faith, and more eminently glorify him; but this should be the
common end of all. For this we were made, and for this we were
redeemed; this is the great design of our Christianity, and of God in
all that he has done for us: unto the praise of his glory, v. 14. He
intends that his grace and power and other perfection should by this
means become conspicuous and illustrious, and that the sons of men
should magnify him.
The Apostle's Prayer. (a. d. 61.)
15 Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and
love unto all the saints, 16 Cease not to give thanks for you, making
mention of you in my prayers; 17 That the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and
revelation in the knowledge of him: 18 The eyes of your understanding
being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling,
and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, 19
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who
believe, according to the working of his mighty power, 20 Which he
wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his
own right hand in the heavenly places, 21 Far above all principality,
and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not
only in this world, but also in that which is to come: 22 And hath
put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all
things to the church, 23 Which is his body, the fulness of him that
filleth all in all.
We have come to the last part of this chapter, which consists of Paul's
earnest prayer to God in behalf of these Ephesians. We should pray for
the persons for whom we give thanks. Our apostle blesses God for what
he had done for them, and then he prays that he would do more for them.
He gives thanks for spiritual blessings, and prays for further supplies
of them; for God will for this be enquired of by the house of Israel,
to do it for them. He has laid up these spiritual blessings for us in
the hands of his Son, the Lord Jesus; but then he has appointed us to
draw them out, and fetch them in, by prayer. We have no part nor lot in
the matter, any further than we claim it by faith and prayer. One
inducement to pray for them was the good account he had of them, of
their faith in the Lord Jesus and love to all the saints, v. 15. Faith
in Christ, and love to the saints, will be attended with all other
graces. Love to the saints, as such, and because they are such, must
include love to God. Those who love saints, as such, love all saints,
how weak in grace, how mean in the world, how fretful and peevish
soever, some of them may be. Another inducement to pray for them was
because they had received the earnest of the inheritance: this we may
observe from the words being connected with the preceding ones by the
particle wherefore. "Perhaps you will think that, having received the
earnest, it should follow, therefore you are happy enough, and need
take no further care: you need not pray for yourselves, nor I for you."
No, quite the contrary. Wherefore--I cease not to give thanks for you,
making mention of you in my prayers, v. 16. While he blesses God for
giving them the Spirit, he ceases not to pray that he would give unto
them the Spirit (v. 17), that he would give greater measures of the
Spirit. Observe, Even the best of Christians need to be prayed for:
and, while we hear well of our Christian friends, we should think
ourselves obliged to intercede with God for them, that they may abound
and increase yet more and more. Now what is it that Paul prays for in
behalf of the Ephesians? Not that they might be freed from persecution;
nor that they might possess the riches, honours, or pleasures of the
world; but the great thing he prays for is the illumination of their
understandings, and that their knowledge might increase and abound: he
means it of a practical and experimental knowledge. The graces and
comforts of the Spirit are communicated to the soul by the enlightening
of the understanding. In this way he gains and keeps possession. Satan
takes a contrary way: he gets possession by the senses and passions,
Christ by the understanding. Observe,
I. Whence this knowledge must come from the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, v. 17. The Lord is a God of knowledge, and there is no sound
saving knowledge but what comes from him; and therefore to him we must
look for it, who is the God of our Lord Jesus Christ (see v. 3) and the
Father of glory. It is a Hebraism. God is infinitely glorious in
himself all glory is due to him from his creatures, and he is the
author of all that glory with which his saints are or shall be
invested. Now he gives knowledge by giving the Spirit of knowledge; for
the Spirit of God is the teacher of the saints, the Spirit of wisdom
and revelation. We have the revelation of the Spirit in the word: but
will that avail us, if we have not the wisdom of the Spirit in the
heart? If the same Spirit who indited the sacred scriptures do not take
the veil from off our hearts, and enable us to understand and improve
them, we shall be never the better.--In the knowledge of him, or for
the acknowledgment of him; not only a speculative knowledge of Christ,
and of what relates to him, but an acknowledgment of Christ's authority
by an obedient conformity to him, which must be by the help of the
Spirit of wisdom and revelation. This knowledge is first in the
understanding. He prays that the eyes of their understanding may be
enlightened, v. 18. Observe, Those who have their eyes opened, and have
some understanding in the things of God, have need to be more and more
enlightened, and to have their knowledge more clear, and distinct, and
experimental. Christians should not think it enough to have warm
affections, but they should labour to have clear understandings; they
should be ambitious of being knowing Christians, and judicious
Christians.
II. What it is that he more particularly desire they should grow in the
knowledge of. 1. The hope of his calling, v. 18. Christianity is our
calling. God has called us to it, and on that account it is said to be
his calling. There is a hope in this calling; for those who deal with
God deal upon trust. And it is a desirable thing to know what this hope
of our calling is, to have such an acquaintance with the immense
privileges of God's people, and the expectations they have from God,
and with respect to the heavenly world, as to be quickened thereby to
the utmost diligence and patience in the Christian course. We ought to
labour after, and pray earnestly for, a clearer insight into, and a
fuller acquaintance with, the great objects of a Christian's hopes. 2.
The riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints. Besides the
heavenly inheritance prepared for the saints, there is a present
inheritance in the saints; for grace is glory begun, and holiness is
happiness in the bud. There is a glory in this inheritance, riches of
glory, rendering the Christian more excellent and more truly honourable
than all about him: and it is desirable to know this experimentally, to
be acquainted with the principles, pleasures, and powers, of the
spiritual and divine life. It may be understood of the glorious
inheritance in or among the saints in heaven, where God does, as it
were, lay forth all his riches, to make them happy and glorious, and
where all that the saints are in possession of is transcendently
glorious, as the knowledge that can be attained of this upon earth is
very desirable, and must be exceedingly entertaining and delightful.
Let us endeavour then, by reading, contemplation, and prayer, to know
as much of heaven as we can, that we may be desiring and longing to be
there. 3. The exceeding greatness of God's power towards those who
believe, v. 19. The practical belief of the all-sufficiency of God, and
of the omnipotence of divine grace, is absolutely necessary to a close
and steady walking with him. It is a desirable thing to know
experimentally the mighty power of that grace beginning and carrying on
the work of faith in our souls. It is a difficult thing to bring a soul
to believe in Christ, and to venture its all upon his righteousness,
and upon the hope of eternal life. It is nothing less than an almighty
power that will work this in us. The apostle speaks here with a mighty
fluency and copiousness of expression, and yet, at the same time, as if
he wanted words to express the exceeding greatness of God's almighty
power, that power which God exerts towards his people, and by which he
raised Christ from the dead, v. 20. That indeed was the great proof of
the truth of the gospel to the world: but the transcript of that in
ourselves (our sanctification, and rising from the death of sin, in
conformity to Christ's resurrection) is the great proof to us. Though
this cannot prove the truth of the gospel to another who knows nothing
of the matter (there the resurrection of Christ is the proof), yet to
be able to speak experimentally, as the Samaritans, "We have heard him
ourselves, we have felt a mighty change in our hearts," will make us
able to say, with the fullest satisfaction, Now we believe, and are
sure, that this is the Christ, the Son of God. Many understand the
apostle here as speaking of that exceeding greatness of power which God
will exert for raising the bodies of believers to eternal life, even
the same mighty power which he wrought in Christ when he raised him,
&c. And how desirable a thing must it be to become at length acquainted
with that power, by being raised out of the grave thereby unto eternal
life!
Having said something of Christ and his resurrection, the apostle
digresses a little from the subject he is upon to make some further
honourable mention of the Lord Jesus and his exaltation. He sits at the
Father's right hand in the heavenly places, &c., v. 20, 21. Jesus
Christ is advanced above all, and he is set in authority over all, they
being made subject to him. All the glory of the upper world, and all
the powers of both worlds, are entirely devoted to him. The Father hath
put all things under his feet (v. 22), according to the promise, Ps.
cx. 1. All creatures whatsoever are in subjection to him; they must
either yield him sincere obedience or fall under the weight of his
sceptre, and receive their doom from him. God gave him to be head over
all things. It was a gift to Christ, considered as a Mediator, to be
advanced to such dominion and headship, and to have such a mystical
body prepared for him: and it was a gift to the church, to be provided
with a head endued with so much power and authority. God gave him to be
the head over all things. He gave him all power both in heaven and in
earth. The Father loves the Son, and hath given all things into his
hands. But that which completes the comfort of this is that he is the
head over all things to the church; he is entrusted with all power,
that is, that he may dispose of all the affairs of the providential
kingdom in subserviency to the designs of his grace concerning his
church. With this therefore we may answer the messengers of the
nations, that the Lord hath founded Zion. The same power that supports
the world support the church; and we are sure he loves his church, for
it is his body (v. 23), his mystical body, and he will care for it. It
is the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Jesus Christ filleth all
in all; he supplies all defects in all his members, filling them with
his Spirit, and even with the fulness of God, ch. iii. 19. And yet the
church is said to be his fulness, because Christ as Mediator would not
be complete if he had not a church. How could he be a king if he had
not a kingdom? This therefore comes in to the honour of Christ, as
Mediator, that the church is his fulness.
__________________________________________________________________
E P H E S I A N S.
CHAP. II.
This chapter contains an account, I. Of the miserable condition of
these Ephesians by nature (ver. 1-3) and again, ver. 11, 12. II. Of the
glorious change that was wrought in them by converting grace (ver.
4-10) and again, ver. 13. III. Of the great and mighty privileges that
both converted Jews and Gentiles receive from Christ, ver. 14-22. The
apostle endeavours to affect them with a due sense of the wonderful
change which divine grace had wrought in them; and this is very
applicable to that great change which the same grace works in all those
who are brought into a state of grace. So that we have here a lively
picture both of the misery of unregenerate men and of the happy
condition of converted souls, enough to awaken and alarm those who are
yet in their sins and to put them upon hastening out of that state, and
to comfort and delight those whom God hath quickened, with a
consideration of the mighty privileges with which they are invested.
State of the Ephesians by Nature. (a. d. 61.)
1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2
Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world,
according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now
worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had
our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the
children of wrath, even as others.
The miserable condition of the Ephesians by nature is here in part
described. Observed, 1. Unregenerate souls are dead in trespasses and
sins. All those who are in their sins, are dead in sins; yea, in
trespasses and sins, which may signify all sorts of sins, habitual and
actual, sins of heart and of life. Sin is the death of the soul.
Wherever that prevails there is a privation of all spiritual life.
Sinners are dead in state, being destitute of the principles, and
powers of spiritual life; and cut off from God, the fountain of life:
and they are dead in law, as a condemned malefactor is said to be a
dead man. 2. A state of sin is a state of conformity to this world, v.
2. In the first verse he speaks of their internal state, in this of
their outward conversation: Wherein, in which trespasses and sins, in
time past you walked, you lived and behaved yourselves in such a manner
as the men of the world are used to do. 3. We are by nature bond-slaves
to sin and Satan. Those who walk in trespasses and sins, and according
to the course of this world, walk according to the prince of the power
of the air. The devil, or the prince of devils, is thus described. See
Matt. xii. 24, 26. The legions of apostate angels are as one power
united under one chief; and therefore what is called the powers of
darkness elsewhere is here spoken of in the singular number. The air is
represented as the seat of his kingdom: and it was the opinion of both
Jews and heathens that the air is full of spirits, and that there they
exercise and exert themselves. The devil seems to have some power (by
God's permission) in the lower region of the air; there he is at hand
to tempt men, and to do as much mischief to the world as he can: but it
is the comfort and joy of God's people that he who is head over all
things to the church has conquered the devil and has him in his chain.
But wicked men are slaves to Satan, for they walk according to him;
they conform their lives and actions to the will and pleasure of this
great usurper. The course and tenour of their lives are according to
his suggestions, and in compliance with his temptations; they are
subject to him, and are led captive by him at his will, whereupon he is
called the god of this world, and the spirit that now worketh in the
children of disobedience. The children of disobedience are such as
choose to disobey God, and to serve the devil; in these he works very
powerfully and effectually. As the good Spirit works that which is good
in obedient souls, so this evil spirit works that which is evil in
wicked men; and he now works, not only heretofore, but even since the
world has been blessed with the light of the glorious gospel. The
apostle adds, Among whom also we all had our conversation in times
past, which words refer to the Jews, whom he signifies here to have
been in the like sad and miserable condition by nature, and to have
been as vile and wicked as the unregenerate Gentiles themselves, and
whose natural state he further describes in the next words. 4. We are
by nature drudges to the flesh, and to our corrupt affections, v. 3. By
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, men contract that
filthiness of flesh and spirit from which the apostle exhorts
Christians to cleanse themselves, 2 Cor. vii. 1. The fulfilling of the
desires of the flesh and of the mind includes all the sin and
wickedness that are acted in and by both the inferior and the higher or
nobler powers of the soul. We lived in the actual commission of all
those sins to which corrupt nature inclined us. The carnal mind makes a
man a perfect slave to his vicious appetite.--The fulfilling of the
wills of the flesh, so the words may be rendered, denoting the efficacy
of these lusts, and what power they have over those who yield
themselves up unto them. 5. We are by nature the children of wrath,
even as others. The Jews were so, as well as the Gentiles; and one man
is as much so as another by nature, not only by custom and imitation,
but from the time when we began to exist, and by reason of our natural
inclinations and appetites. All men, being naturally children of
disobedience, are also by nature children of wrath: God is angry with
the wicked every day. Our state and course are such as deserve wrath,
and would end in eternal wrath, if divine grace did not interpose. What
reason have sinners then to be looking out for that grace that will
make them, of children of wrath, children of God and heirs of glory!
Thus far the apostle has described the misery of a natural state in
these verses, which we shall find him pursuing again in some following
ones.
The Change Wrought in the Ephesians. (a. d. 61.)
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved
us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with
Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together,
and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That
in the ages to come he might show the exceeding riches of his grace in
his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace are ye
saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath
before ordained that we should walk in them.
Here the apostle begins his account of the glorious change that was
wrought in them by converting grace, where observe,
I. By whom, and in what manner, it was brought about and effected. 1.
Negatively: Not of yourselves, v. 8. Our faith, our conversion, and our
eternal salvation, are not the mere product of any natural abilities,
nor of any merit of our own: Not of works, lest any man should boast,
v. 9. These things are not brought to pass by any thing done by us, and
therefore all boasting is excluded; he who glories must not glory in
himself, but in the Lord. There is no room for any man's boasting of
his own abilities and power; or as though he had done any thing that
might deserve such immense favours from God. 2. Positively: But God,
who is rich in mercy, &c., v. 4. God himself is the author of this
great and happy change, and his great love is the spring and fontal
cause of it; hence he resolved to show mercy. Love is his inclination
to do us good considered simply as creatures; mercy respects us as
apostate and as miserable creatures. Observe, God's eternal love or
good-will towards his creatures is the fountain whence all his mercies
vouch-safed to us proceed; and that love of God is great love, and that
mercy of his is rich mercy, inexpressibly great and inexhaustibly rich.
And then by grace you are saved (v. 5), and by grace are you saved
through faith--it is the gift of God, v. 8. Note, Every converted
sinner is a saved sinner. Such are delivered from sin and wrath; they
are brought into a state of salvation, and have a right given them by
grace to eternal happiness. The grace that saves them is the free
undeserved goodness and favour of God; and he saves them, not by the
works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus, by means of which
they come to partake of the great blessings of the gospel; and both
that faith and that salvation on which it has so great an influence are
the gift of God. The great objects of faith are made known by divine
revelation, and made credible by the testimony and evidence which God
hath given us; and that we believe to salvation and obtain salvation
through faith is entirely owing to divine assistance and grace; God has
ordered all so that the whole shall appear to be of grace. Observe,
II. Wherein this change consists, in several particulars, answering to
the misery of our natural state, some of which are enumerated in this
section, and others are mentioned below. 1. We who were dead are
quickened (v. 5), we are saved from the death of sin and have a
principle of spiritual life implanted in us. Grace in the soul is a new
life in the soul. As death locks up the senses, seals up all the powers
and faculties, so does a state of sin, as to any thing that is good.
Grace unlocks and opens all, and enlarges the soul. Observe, A
regenerate sinner becomes a living soul: he lives a life of
sanctification, being born of God; and he lives in the sense of the
law, being delivered from the guilt of sin by pardoning and justifying
grace. He hath quickened us together with Christ. Our spiritual life
results from our union with Christ; it is in him that we live: Because
I live, you shall live also. 2. We who were buried are raised up, v. 6.
What remains yet to be done is here spoken of as though it were already
past, though indeed we are raised up in virtue of our union with him
whom God hath raised from the dead. When he raised Christ from the
dead, he did in effect raise up all believers together with him, he
being their common head; and when he placed him at his right hand in
heavenly places, he advanced and glorified them in and with him, their
raised and exalted head and forerunner.--And made us sit together in
heavenly places in Christ Jesus. This may be understood in another
sense. Sinners roll themselves in the dust; sanctified souls sit in
heavenly places, are raised above the world; the world is as nothing to
them, compared with what it has been, and compared with what the other
world is. Saints are not only Christ's freemen, but they are assessors
with him; by the assistance of his grace they have ascended with him
above this world to converse with another, and they live in the
constant expectation of it. They are not only servants to the best of
masters in the best work, but they are exalted to reign with him; they
sit upon the throne with Christ, as he has sat down with his Father on
his throne.
III. Observe what is the great design and aim of God in producing and
effecting this change: And this, 1. With respect to others: That in the
ages to come he might show, &c. (v. 7), that he might give a specimen
and proof of his great goodness and mercy, for the encouragement of
sinners in future time. Observe, The goodness of God in converting and
saving sinners heretofore is a proper encouragement to others in
after-time to hope in his grace and mercy, and to apply themselves to
these. God having this in his design, poor sinners should take great
encouragement from it. And what may we not hope for from such grace and
kindness, from riches of grace, to which this change is owing? Through
Christ Jesus, by and through whom God conveys all his favour and
blessings to us. 2. With respect to the regenerated sinners themselves:
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
&c., v. 10. It appears that all is of grace, because all our spiritual
advantages are from God. We are his workmanship; he means in respect of
the new creation; not only as men, but as saints. The new man is a new
creature; and God is its Creator. It is a new birth, and we are born or
begotten of his will. In Christ Jesus, that is, on the account of what
he has done and suffered, and by the influence and operation of his
blessed Spirit. Unto good works, &c. The apostle having before ascribed
this change to divine grace in exclusion of works, lest he should seem
thereby to discourage good works, he here observes that though the
change is to be ascribed to nothing of that nature (for we are the
workmanship of God), yet God, in his new creation, has designed and
prepared us for good works: Created unto good works, with a design that
we should be fruitful in them. Wherever God by his grace implants good
principles, they are intended to be for good works. Which God hath
before ordained, that is, decreed and appointed. Or, the words may be
read, To which God hath before prepared us, that is, by blessing us
with the knowledge of his will, and with the assistance of his Holy
Spirit; and by producing such a change in us. That we should walk in
them, or glorify God by an exemplary conversation and by our
perseverance in holiness.
The Miserable Condition of the Ephesians by Nature. (a. d. 61.)
11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the
flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the
Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; 12 That at that time ye were
without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and
strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without
God in the world: 13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were
far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
In these verses the apostle proceeds in his account of the miserable
condition of these Ephesians by nature. Wherefore remember, &c., v. 11.
As if he had said, "You should remember what you have been, and compare
it with what you now are, in order to humble yourselves and to excite
your love and thankfulness to God." Note, Converted sinners ought
frequently to reflect upon the sinfulness and misery of the state they
were in by nature. Gentiles in the flesh, that is, living in the
corruption of their natures, and being destitute of circumcision, the
outward sign of an interest in the covenant of grace. Who are called
uncircumcision by that, &c., that is, "You were reproached and
upbraided for it by the formal Jews, who made an external profession,
and who looked no further than the outward ordinance." Note,
Hypocritical professors are wont to value themselves chiefly on their
external privileges, and to reproach and despise others who are
destitute of them. The apostle describes the misery of their case in
several particulars, v. 12. "At that time, while you were Gentiles, and
in an unconverted state, you were," 1. "In a Christless condition,
without the knowledge of the Messiah, and without any saving interest
in him or relation to him." It is true of all unconverted sinners, all
those who are destitute of faith, that they have no saving interest in
Christ; and it must be a sad and deplorable thing for a soul to be
without a Christ. Being without Christ, they were, 2. Aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel; they did not belong to Christ's church, and had
no communion with it, that being confined to the Israelitish nation. It
is no small privilege to be placed in the church of Christ, and to
share with the members of it in the advantages peculiar to it. 3. They
are strangers from the covenants of promise. The covenant of grace has
ever been the same for substance, though, having undergone various
additions and improvements in the several ages of the church, it is
called covenants; and the covenants of promise, because it is made up
of promises, and particularly contains the great promise of the
Messiah, and of eternal life through him. Now the Ephesians, in their
gentilism, were strangers to this covenant, having never had any
information nor overture of it; and all unregenerate sinners are
strangers to it, as they have no interest in it. Those who are without
Christ, and so have no interest in the Mediator of the covenant, have
none in the promises of the covenant. 4. They had no hope, that is,
beyond this life--no well-grounded hope in God, no hope of spiritual
and eternal blessings. Those who are with out Christ, and strangers
from the covenant, can have no good hope; for Christ and the covenant
are the ground and foundation of all the Christian's hopes. They were
in a state of distance and estrangement from God: Without God in the
world; not without some general knowledge of a deity, for they
worshipped idols, but living without any due regard to him, any
acknowledged dependence on him, and any special interest in him. The
words are, atheists in the world; for, though they worshipped many
gods, yet they were without the true God.
The apostle proceeds (v. 13) further to illustrate the happy change
that was made in their state: But now, in Christ Jesus, you who
sometimes were far off, &c. They were far off from Christ, from his
church, from the promises, from the Christian hope, and from God
himself; and therefore from all good, like the prodigal son in the far
country: this had been represented in the preceding verses. Unconverted
sinners remove themselves at a distance from God, and God puts them at
a distance: He be holds the proud afar off. "But now in Christ Jesus,
&c., upon your conversion, by virtue of union with Christ, and interest
in him by faith, you are made nigh." They were brought home to God,
received into the church, taken into the covenant, and possessed of all
other privileges consequent upon these. Note, The saints are a people
near to God. Salvation is far from the wicked; but God is a help at
hand to his people; and this is by the blood of Christ, by the merit of
his sufferings and death. Every believing sinner owes his nearness to
God, and his interest in his favour, to the death and sacrifice of
Christ.
The Union of Jews and Gentiles. (a. d. 61.)
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down
the middle wall of partition between us; 15 Having abolished in his
flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances;
for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; 16 And
that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having
slain the enmity thereby: 17 And came and preached peace to you which
were afar off, and to them that were nigh. 18 For through him we both
have access by one Spirit unto the Father. 19 Now therefore ye are no
more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and
of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the
apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner
stone; 21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto
a holy temple in the Lord: 22 In whom ye also are builded together
for a habitation of God through the Spirit.
We have now come to the last part of the chapter, which contains an
account of the great and mighty privileges that converted Jews and
Gentiles both receive from Christ. The apostle here shows that those
who were in a state of enmity are reconciled. Between the Jews and the
Gentiles there had been a great enmity; so there is between God and
every unregenerate man. Now Jesus Christ is our peace, v. 14. He made
peace by the sacrifice of himself; and came to reconcile, 1. Jews and
Gentiles to each other. He made both one, by reconciling these two
divisions of men, who were wont to malign, to hate, and to reproach
each other before. He broke down the middle wall of partition, the
ceremonial law, that made the great feud, and was the badge of the
Jews' peculiarity, called the partition-wall by way of allusion to the
partition in the temple, which separated the court of the Gentiles from
that into which the Jews only had liberty to enter. Thus he abolished
in his flesh the enmity, v. 15. By his sufferings in the flesh, to took
away the binding power of the ceremonial law (so removing that cause of
enmity and distance between them), which is here called the law of
commandments contained in ordinances, because it enjoined a multitude
of external rites and ceremonies, and consisted of many institutions
and appointments about the outward parts of divine worship. The legal
ceremonies were abrogated by Christ, having their accomplishment in
him. By taking these out of the way, he formed one church of believers,
whether they had been Jews or Gentiles. Thus he made in himself of
twain one new man. He framed both these parties into one new society,
or body of God's people, uniting them to himself as their common head,
they being renewed by the Holy Ghost, and now concurring in a new way
of gospel worship, so making peace between these two parties, who were
so much at variance before. 2. There is an enmity between God and
sinners, whether Jews and Gentiles; and Christ came to slay that
enmity, and to reconcile them both to God, v. 16. Sin breeds a quarrel
between God and men. Christ came to take up the quarrel, and to bring
it to an end, by reconciling both Jew and Gentile, now collected and
gathered into one body, to a provoked and an offended God: and this by
the cross, or by the sacrifice of himself upon the cross, having slain
the enmity thereby. He, being slain or sacrificed, slew the enmity that
there was between God and poor sinners. The apostle proceeds to
illustrate the great advantages which both parties gain by the
mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, v. 17. Christ, who purchased peace
on the cross, came, partly in his own person, as to the Jews, who are
here said to have been nigh, and partly in his apostles, whom he
commissioned to preach the gospel to the Gentiles, who are said to have
been afar off, in the sense that has been given before. And preached
peace, or published the terms of reconciliation with God and of eternal
life. Note here, When the messengers of Christ deliver his truths, it
is in effect the same as if he did it immediately himself. He is said
to preach by them, insomuch that he who receiveth them receiveth him,
and he who despiseth them (acting by virtue of his commission, and
delivering his message) despiseth and rejecteth Christ himself. Now the
effect of this peace is the free access which both Jews and Gentiles
have unto God (v. 18): For through him, in his name and by virtue of
his mediation, we both have access or admission into the presence of
God, who has become the common reconciled Father of both: the throne of
grace is erected for us to come to, and liberty of approach to that
throne is allowed us. Our access is by the Holy Spirit. Christ
purchased for us leave to come to God, and the Spirit gives us a heart
to come and strength to come, even grace to serve God acceptably.
Observe, We draw nigh to God, through Jesus Christ, by the help of the
Spirit. The Ephesians, upon their conversion, having such an access to
God, as well as the Jews, and by the same Spirit, the apostle tells
them, Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners, v. 19.
This he mentions by way of opposition to what he had observed of them
in their heathenism: they were now no longer aliens from the
commonwealth of Israel, and no longer what the Jews were wont to
account all the nations of the earth besides themselves (namely,
strangers to God), but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the
household of God, that is, members of the church of Christ, and having
a right to all the privileges of it. Observe here, The church is
compared to a city, and every converted sinner is free of it. It is
also compared to a house, and every converted sinner is one of the
domestics, one of the family, a servant and a child in God's house. In
v. 20 the church is compared to a building. The apostles and prophets
are the foundation of that building. They may be so called in a
secondary sense, Christ himself being the primary foundation; but we
are rather to understand it of the doctrine delivered by the prophets
of the Old Testament and the apostles of the New. It follows, Jesus
Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. In him both Jews and
Gentiles meet, and constitute one church; and Christ supports the
building by his strength: In whom all the building, fitly framed
together, &c., v. 21. All believers, of whom it consists, being united
to Christ by faith, and among themselves by Christian charity, grow
unto a holy temple, become a sacred society, in which there is much
communion between God and his people, as in the temple, they
worshipping and serving him, he manifesting himself unto them, they
offering up spiritual sacrifices to God and he dispensing his blessings
and favours to them. Thus the building, for the nature of it, is a
temple, a holy temple; for the church is the place which God hath
chosen to put his name there, and it becomes such a temple by grace and
strength derived from himself--in the Lord. The universal church being
built upon Christ as the foundation-stone, and united in Christ as the
corner-stone, comes at length to be glorified in him as the top-stone:
In whom you also are built together, &c., v. 22. Observe, Not only the
universal church is called the temple of God, but particular churches;
and even every true believer is a living temple, is a habitation of God
through the Spirit. God dwells in all believers now, they having become
the temple of God through the operations of the blessed Spirit, and his
dwelling with them now is an earnest of their dwelling together with
him to eternity.
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E P H E S I A N S.
CHAP. III.
This chapter consists of two parts. I. Of the account which Paul gives
the Ephesians concerning himself, as he was appointed by God to be the
apostle of the Gentiles, ver. 1-13. II. Of his devout and affectionate
prayer to God for the Ephesians, ver. 14-21. We may observe it to have
been very much the practice of this apostle to intermix, with his
instructions and counsels, intercessions and prayers to God for those
to whom he wrote, as knowing that all his instructions and teachings
would be useless and vain, except God did co-operate with them, and
render them effectual. This is an example that all the ministers of
Christ should copy after, praying earnestly that the efficacious
operations of the divine Spirit may attend their ministrations, and
crown them with success.
The Apostle's Sufferings; Paul's Appointment as an Apostle; Paul's Labours as
an Apostle. (a. d. 61.)
1 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,
2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is
given me to you-ward: 3 How that by revelation he made known unto me
the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words, 4 Whereby, when ye read,
ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in
other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now
revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That
the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers
of his promise in Christ by the gospel: 7 Whereof I was made a
minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by
the effectual working of his power. 8 Unto me, who am less than the
least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among
the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; 9 And to make all men
see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of
the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:
10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in
heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of
God, 11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ
Jesus our Lord: 12 In whom we have boldness and access with
confidence by the faith of him. 13 Wherefore I desire that ye faint
not at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.
Here we have the account which Paul gives the Ephesians concerning
himself, as he was appointed by God the apostle of the Gentiles.
I. We may observe that he acquaints them with the tribulations and
sufferings which he endured in the discharge of that office, v. 1. The
first clause refers to the preceding chapter, and may be understood
either of these two ways:--1. "For this cause,--for having preached the
doctrine contained in the foregoing chapter, and for asserting that the
great privileges of the gospel belong not only to the Jews, but to
believing Gentiles also, though they are not circumcised,--for this I
am now a prisoner, but a prisoner of Jesus Christ, as I suffer in his
cause and for his sake, and continue his faithful servant and the
object of his special protection and care, while I am thus suffering
for him." Observe, Christ's servants, if they come to be prisoners, are
his prisoners; and he despises not his prisoners. He thinks never the
worse of them for the bad character which the world gives them or the
evil treatment that they met with in it. Paul adhered to Christ, and
Christ owned him, when he was in prison.--For you, Gentiles; the Jews
persecuted and imprisoned him because he was the apostle of the
Gentiles, and preached the gospel to them. We may learn hence that the
faithful ministers of Christ are to dispense his sacred truths, however
disagreeable they may be to some, and whatever they themselves may
suffer for doing so. Or, 2. The words may be thus understood:--"For
this cause,--since you are no more strangers and foreigners (as ch. ii.
19), but are united to Christ, and admitted into communion with his
church,--I Paul, who am the prisoner of Jesus Christ, pray that you may
be enabled to act as becomes persons thus favoured by God, and made
partakers of such privileges." To this purport you find him expressing
himself in v. 14, where, after the digression contained in the several
verses intervening, he proceeds with what he began in the first verse.
Observe, Those who have received grace and signal favours from God
stand in need of prayer, that they may improve and advance, and
continue to act as becomes them. And, seeing Paul while he was a
prisoner employed himself in such prayers to God in behalf of the
Ephesians, we should learn that no particular sufferings of our own
should make us so solicitous about ourselves as to neglect the cases of
others in our supplications and addresses to God. He speaks again of
his sufferings: Wherefore I desire that you faint not at my tribulation
for you, which is your glory, v. 13. While he was in prison, he
suffered much there; and, though it was upon their account that he
suffered, yet he would not have them discouraged nor dismayed at this,
seeing God had done such great things for them by his ministry. What a
tender concern was here for these Ephesians! The apostle seems to have
been more solicitous lest they should be discouraged and faint upon his
tribulations than about what he himself endured; and, to prevent this,
he tells them that his sufferings were their glory, and would be so far
from being a real discouragement, if they duly considered the matter,
that they ministered cause to them for glorying and for rejoicing, as
this discovered the great esteem and regard which God bore to them, in
that he not only sent his apostles to preach the gospel to them, but
even to suffer for them, and to confirm the truths they delivered by
the persecutions they underwent. Observe, Not only the faithful
ministers of Christ themselves, but their people too, have some special
cause for joy and glorying, when they suffer for the sake of dispensing
the gospel.
II. The apostle informs them of God's appointing him to the office, and
eminently fitting and qualifying him for it, by a special revelation
that he made unto him. 1. God appointed him to the office: If you have
heard of the dispensation of the grace of God, which is given me to
you-ward, v. 2. They could not have heard of this, and therefore he
does not design to speak doubtfully of this matter. Eige is sometimes
an affirmative particle, and we may read it, Since you have heard, &c.
He styles the gospel the grace of God here (as in other places) because
it is the gift of divine grace to sinful men; and all the gracious
overtures that it makes, and the joyful tidings that it contains,
proceed from the rich grace of God; and it is also the great instrument
in the hands of the Spirit by which God works grace in the souls of
men. He speaks of the dispensation of this grace given to him; he means
as he was authorized and commissioned by God to dispense the doctrine
of the gospel, which commission and authority were given to him chiefly
for he service of the Gentiles: to you-ward. And again, speaking of the
gospel, he says, Whereof I was made a minister, &c., v. 7. Here he
again asserts his authority. He was made a minister--he did not make
himself such; he took not to himself that honour--and he was made such
according to the gift of the grace of God unto him. God supplied and
furnished him for his work; and in the performance of it suitably
assisted him with all needful gifts and graces, both ordinary and
extraordinary, and that by the effectual working of his power, in
himself more especially, and also in great numbers of those to whom he
preached, by which means his labours among them were successful.
Observe, What God calls men to he fits them for, and does it with an
almighty power. An effectual working of divine power attends the gifts
of divine grace. 2. As God appointed him to the office, so he eminently
qualified him for it, by a special revelation that he made unto him. He
makes mention both of the mystery that was revealed and of the
revelation of it. (1.) The mystery revealed is that the Gentiles should
be fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in
Christ, by the gospel (v. 6); that is, that they should be joint-heirs
with the believing Jews of the heavenly inheritance; and that they
should be members of the same mystical body, be received into the
church of Christ, and be interested in the gospel-promises, as well as
the Jews, and particularly in that great promise of the Spirit. And
this in Christ, being united to Christ, in whom all the promises are
yea and amen; and by the gospel, that is, in the times of the gospel,
as some understand it; or, by the gospel preached to them, which is the
great instrument and means by which God works faith in Christ, as
others. This was the great truth revealed to the apostles, namely, that
God would call the Gentiles to salvation by faith in Christ, and that
without the works of the law. (2.) Of the revelation of this truth he
speaks, v. 3-5. Here we may observe that the coalition of Jews and
Gentiles in the gospel church was a mystery, a great mystery, what was
designed in the counsel of God before all worlds, but what could not be
fully understood for many ages, till the accomplishment expounded the
prophecies of it. It is called a mystery because the several
circumstances and peculiarities of it (such as the time and manner and
means by which it should be effected) were concealed and kept secret in
God's own breast, till be an immediate revelation he made them known to
his servant. See Acts xxvi. 16-18. And it is called the mystery of
Christ because it was revealed by him (Gal. i. 12), and because it
relates so very much to him. Of this the apostle has given some hints
afore, or a little before; that is, in the preceding chapters. Whereby,
when you read; or, as those words may be read, unto which attending
(and it is not enough for us barely to read the scriptures, unless we
attend to them, and seriously consider and lay to heart what we read),
you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ; so as to
perceive how God had fitted and qualified him to be an apostle to the
Gentiles, which might be to them an evident token of his divine
authority. This mystery, he says, in other ages was not made known unto
the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and
prophets by the Spirit (v. 5); that is, "It was not so fully and
clearly discovered in the ages before Christ as it is now revealed unto
the prophets of this age, the prophets of the New Testament, who are
immediately inspired and taught by the Spirit." Let us observe, that
the conversion of the Gentile world to the faith of Christ was an
adorable mystery, and we ought to bless God for it. Who would have
imagined that those who had been so long in the dark, and at so great a
distance, would be enlightened with the marvellous light, and be made
nigh? Let us learn hence not to despair of the worst, of the worst of
persons, and the worst of nations. Nothing is too hard for divine grace
to do: none so unworthy but God may please to confer great grace upon
them. And how much are we ourselves interested in this affair; not only
as we live in a time in which the mystery is revealed, but particularly
as we are a part of the nations which in times past were foreigners and
strangers, and lived in gross idolatry; but are now enlightened with
the everlasting gospel, and partake of its promises!
III. The apostle informs them how he was employed in this office, and
that with respect to the Gentiles, and to all men.
1. With respect to the Gentiles, he preached to them the unsearchable
riches of Christ, v. 8. Observe, in this verse, how humbly he speaks of
himself, and how highly he speaks of Jesus Christ. (1.) How humbly he
speaks of himself: I am less than the least of all saints. St. Paul,
who was the chief of the apostles, calls himself less than the least of
all saints: he means on account of his having been formerly a
persecutor of the followers of Christ. He was, in his own esteem, as
little as could be. What can be less than the least? To speak himself
as little as could be, he speaks himself less than could be. Observe,
Those whom God advances to honourable employments he humbles and makes
low in their own eyes; and, where God gives grace to be humble, there
he gives all other grace. You may also observe in what a different
manner the apostle speaks of himself and of his office. While he
magnifies his office, he debases himself. Observe, A faithful minister
of Christ may be very humble, and think very meanly of himself, even
when he thinks and speaks very highly and honourably of his sacred
function. (2.) How highly he speaks of Jesus Christ: The unsearchable
riches of Christ. There is a mighty treasury of mercy, grace, and love,
laid up in Christ Jesus, and that both for Jews and Gentiles. Or, the
riches of the gospel are here spoken of as the riches of Christ: the
riches which Christ purchased for, and bestows upon, all believers. And
they are unsearchable riches, which we cannot find the bottom of, which
human sagacity could never have discovered, and men could no otherwise
attain to the knowledge of them but by revelation. Now it was the
apostle's business and employment to preach these unsearchable riches
of Christ among the Gentiles: and it was a favour he greatly valued,
and looked upon it as an unspeakable honour to him: "Unto me is this
grace given; this special favour God has granted to such an unworthy
creature as I am." And it is an unspeakable favour to the Gentile world
that to them the unsearchable riches of Christ are preached. Though
many remain poor, and are not enriched with these riches, yet it is a
favour to have them preached among us, to have an offer of them made to
us; and, if we are not enriched with them, it is our own fault.
2. With respect to all men, v. 9. His business and employment were to
make all men see (to publish and make known to the whole world) what is
the fellowship of the mystery (that the Gentiles who have hitherto been
strangers to the church, shall be admitted into communion with it)
which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God (kept secret
in his purpose), who created all things by Jesus Christ: as John i. 3,
All things were made by him, and without him was not any thing made
that was made; and therefore no wonder that he saves the Gentiles as
well as the Jews; for he is the common Creator of them both: and we may
conclude that he is able to perform the work of their redemption,
seeing he was able to accomplish the great work of creation. It is true
that both the first creation, when God made all things out of nothing,
and the new creation, whereby sinners are made new creatures by
converting grace, are of God by Jesus Christ. The apostle adds, To the
intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places
might be known, by the church, the manifold wisdom of God, v. 10. This
was one things, among others, which God had in his eye in revealing
this mystery, that the good angels, who have a pre-eminence in
governing the kingdoms and principalities of the world, and who are
endued with great power to execute the will of God on this earth
(though their ordinary residence is in heaven) may be informed, from
what passes in the church and is done in and by it, of the manifold
wisdom of God; that is, of the great variety with which God wisely
dispenses things, or of his wisdom manifested in the many ways and
methods he takes in ordering his church in the several ages of it, and
especially in receiving the Gentiles into it. The holy angels, who look
into the mystery of our redemption by Christ, could not but take notice
of this branch of that mystery, that among the Gentiles is preached the
unsearchable riches of Christ. And this is according to the eternal
purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord, v. 11. Some
translate the words kata prothesin ton aionon thus According to the
fore-disposing of the ages which he made, &c. So Dr. Whitby, &c. "In
the first of the ages," says this author, "his wisdom seeing fit to
give the promise of a Saviour to a fallen Adam: in the second age to
typify and represent him to the Jews in sacred persons, rites, and
sacrifices: and in the age of the Messiah, or the last age, to reveal
him to the Jews, and preach him to the Gentiles." Others understand it,
according to our translation, of the eternal purpose which God purposed
to execute in and through Jesus Christ, the whole of what he has done
in the great affair of man's redemption being in pursuance of his
eternal decree about that matter. The apostle, having mentioned our
Lord Jesus Christ, subjoins concerning him, In whom we have boldness
and access with confidence by the faith of him (v. 12); that is, "By
(or through) whom we have liberty to open our minds freely to God, as
to a Father, and a well-grounded persuasion of audience and of
acceptance with him; and this by means of the faith we have in him, as
our great Mediator and Advocate." We may come with humble boldness to
hear from God, knowing that the terror of the curse is done away; and
we may expect to hear from him good words and comfortable. We may have
access with confidence to speak to God, knowing that we have such a
Mediator between God and us, and such an Advocate with the Father.
The Apostle's Prayer. (a. d. 61.)
14 For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, 15 Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
16 That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be
strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man; 17 That
Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and
grounded in love, 18 May be able to comprehend with all saints what
is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; 19 And to know the
love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with
all the fulness of God. 20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding
abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that
worketh in us, 21 Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus
throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
We now come to the second part of this chapter, which contains Paul's
devout and affectionate prayer to God for his beloved Ephesians.--For
this cause. This may be referred either to the immediately foregoing
verse, That you faint not, &c., or, rather, the apostle is here
resuming what he began at the first verse, from which he digressed in
those which are interposed. Observe,
I. To whom he prays--to God, as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of
which see ch. i. 3.
II. His outward posture in prayer, which was humble and reverent: I bow
my knees. Note, When we draw nigh to God, we should reverence him in
our hearts, and express our reverence in the most suitable and becoming
behaviour and gesture. Here, having mentioned Christ, he cannot pass
without an honourable encomium of his love, v. 15. The universal church
has a dependence upon the Lord Jesus Christ: Of whom the whole family
in heaven and earth is named. The Jews were wont to boast of Abraham as
their father, but now Jews and Gentiles are both denominated from
Christ (so some); while others understand it of the saints in heaven,
who wear the crown of glory, and of saints on earth who are going on in
the work of grace here. Both the one and the other make but one family,
one household; and from him they are named Christians, as they really
are such, acknowledging their dependence upon, and their relation to,
Christ.
III. What the apostle asks of God for these his friends--spiritual
blessings, which are the best blessings, and the most earnestly to be
sought and prayed for by every one of us, both for ourselves and for
our friends. 1. Spiritual strength for the work and duty to which they
were called, and in which they were employed: That he would grant you,
according to the riches of his grace, to be strengthened, &c. The inner
man is the heart or soul. To be strengthened with might is to be
mightily strengthened, much more than they were at present; to be
endued with a high degree of grace, and spiritual abilities for
discharging duty, resisting temptations, enduring persecutions, &c. And
the apostle prays that this may be according to the riches of his
glory, or according to his glorious riches--answerable to that great
abundance of grace, mercy, and power, which resides in God, and is his
glory: and this by his Spirit, who is the immediate worker of grace in
the souls of God's people. Observe from these things, That strength
from the Spirit of God in the inner man is the best and most desirable
strength, strength in the soul, the strength of faith and other graces,
strength to serve God and to do our duty, and to persevere in our
Christian course with vigour and with cheerfulness. And let us further
observe that as the work of grace is first begun so it is continued and
carried on, by the blessed Spirit of God. 2. The indwelling of Christ
in their hearts, v. 17. Christ is said to dwell in his people, as he is
always present with them by his gracious influences and operations.
Observe, It is a desirable thing to have Christ dwell in our hearts;
and if the law of Christ be written there, and the love of Christ be
shed abroad there, then Christ dwells there. Christ is an inhabitant in
the soul of every good Christian. Where his spirit dwells, there he
swells; and he dwells in the heart by faith, by means of the continual
exercise of faith upon him. Faith opens the door of the soul, to
receive Christ; faith admits him, and submits to him. By faith we are
united to Christ, and have an interest in him. 3. The fixing of pious
and devout affections in the soul: That you being rooted and grounded
in love, stedfastly fixed in your love to God, the Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ, and to all the saints, the beloved of our Lord Jesus
Christ. Many have some love to God and to his servants, but it is a
flash, like the crackling of thorns under a pot, it makes a great
noise, but is gone presently. We should earnestly desire that good
affections may be fixed in us, that we may be rooted and grounded in
love. Some understand it of their being settled and established in the
sense of God's love to them, which would inspire them with greater
ardours of holy love to him, and to one another. And how very desirable
is it to have a settled fixed sense of the love of God and Christ to
our souls, so as to be able to say with the apostle at all times, He
has loved me! Now the best way to attain this is to be careful that we
maintain a constant love to God in our souls; this will be the evidence
of the love of God to us. We love him, because he first loved us. In
order to this he prays, 4. For their experimental acquaintance with the
love of Jesus Christ. The more intimate acquaintance we have with
Christ's love to us, the more our love will be drawn out to him, and to
those who are his, for his sake: That you may be able to comprehend
with all saints, &c. (v. 18, 19); that is, more clearly to understand,
and firmly to believe, the wonderful love of Christ to his, which the
saints do understand and believe in some measure, and shall understand
more hereafter. Christians should not aim to comprehend above all
saints; but be content that God deals with them as he uses to do with
those who love and fear his name: we should desire to comprehend with
all saints, to have so much knowledge as the saints are allowed to have
in this world. We should be ambitious of coming up with the first
three; but not of going beyond what is the measure of the stature of
other saints. It is observable how magnificently the apostle speaks of
the love of Christ. The dimensions of redeeming love are admirable: The
breadth, and length, and depth, and height. By enumerating these
dimensions, the apostle designs to signify the exceeding greatness of
the love of Christ, the unsearchable riches of his love, which is
higher than heaven, deeper than hell, longer than the earth, and
broader than the sea, Job xi. 8, 9. Some describe the particulars thus:
By the breadth of it we may understand the extent of it to all ages,
nations, and ranks of men; by the length of it, its continuance from
everlasting to everlasting; by the depth of it, its stooping to the
lowest condition, with a design to relieve and save those who have sunk
into the depths of sin and misery; by its height, its entitling and
raising us up to the heavenly happiness and glory. We should desire to
comprehend this love: it is the character of all the saints that they
do so; for they all have a complacency and a confidence in the love of
Christ: And to know the love of Christ which passeth knowledge, v. 19.
If it passeth knowledge, how can we know it? We must pray and endeavour
to know something, and should still covet and strive to know more and
more of it, though, after the best endeavours, none can fully
comprehend it: in its full extent it surpasses knowledge. Though the
love of Christ may be better perceived and known by Christians than it
generally is, yet it cannot be fully understood on this side heaven. 5.
He prays that they may be filled with all the fulness of God. It is a
high expression: we should not dare to use it if we did not find it in
the scriptures. It is like those other expressions, of being partakers
of a divine nature, and of being perfect as our Father in heaven is
perfect. We are not to understand it of his fulness as God in himself,
but of his fulness as a God in covenant with us, as a God to his
people: such a fulness as God is ready to bestow, who is willing to
fill them all to the utmost of their capacity, and that with all those
gifts and graces which he sees they need. Those who receive grace for
grace from Christ's fulness may be said to be filled with the fulness
of God, according to their capacity, all which is in order to their
arriving at the highest degree of the knowledge and enjoyment of God,
and an entire conformity to him.
The apostle closes the chapter with a doxology, v. 20, 21. It is proper
to conclude our prayers with praises. Our blessed Saviour has taught us
to do so. Take notice how he describes God, and how he ascribes glory
to him. He describes him as a God that is able to do exceedingly
abundantly above all that we ask or think. There is an inexhaustible
fulness of grace and mercy in God, which the prayers of all the saints
can never draw dry. Whatever we may ask, or think to ask, still God is
still able to do more, abundantly more, exceedingly abundantly more.
Open thy mouth ever so wide, still he hath wherewithal to fill it.
Note, In our applications to God we should encourage our faith by a
consideration of his all-sufficiency and almighty power. According to
the power which worketh in us. As if he had said, We have already had a
proof of this power of God, in what he hath wrought in us and done for
us, having quickened us by his grace, and converted us to himself. The
power that still worketh for the saints is according to that power that
hath wrought in them. Wherever God gives of his fulness he gives to
experience his power. Having thus described God, he ascribes glory to
him. When we come to ask for grace from God, we ought to give glory to
God. Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus. In ascribing
glory to God, we ascribe all excellences and perfections to him, glory
being the effulgency and result of them all. Observe, The seat of God's
praises is in the church. That little rent of praise which God receives
from this world is from the church, a sacred society constituted for
the glory of God, every particular member of which, both Jew and
Gentile, concurs in this work of praising God. The Mediator of these
praises is Jesus Christ. All God's gifts come from his to us through
the hand of Christ; and all our praises pass from us to him through the
same hand. And God should and will be praised thus throughout all ages,
world without end; for he will ever have a church to praise him, and he
will ever have his tribute of praise from his church. Amen. So be it;
and so it will certainly be.
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E P H E S I A N S.
CHAP. IV.
We have gone through the former part of this epistle, which consists of
several important doctrinal truths, contained in the three preceding
chapters. We enter now on the latter part of it, in which we have the
most weighty and serious exhortations that can be given. We may observe
that in this, as in most others of Paul's epistles, the former part is
doctrinal, and fitted to inform the minds of men in the great truths
and doctrines of the gospel, the latter is practical, and designed for
the direction of their lives and manners, all Christians being bound to
endeavour after soundness in the faith, and regularity in life and
practice. In what has gone before we have heard of Christian
privileges, which are the matter of our comfort. In what follows we
shall hear of Christian duties, and what the Lord our God requires of
us in consideration of such privileges vouchsafed to us. The best way
to understand the mysteries and partake of the privileges of which we
have read before is conscientiously to practise the duties prescribed
to us in what follows: as, on the other hand, a serious consideration
and belief of the doctrines that have been taught us in the foregoing
chapters will be a good foundation on which to build the practice of
the duties prescribed in those which are yet before us. Christian faith
and Christian practice mutually befriend each other. In this chapter we
have divers exhortations to important duties. I. One that is more
general, ver. 1. II. An exhortation to mutual love, unity, and concord,
with the proper means and motives to promote them, ver. 2-16. III. An
exhortation to Christian purity and holiness of life; and that both
more general (ver. 17-24) and in several particular instances, ver. 25,
to the end.
Consistency Enforced. (a. d. 61.)
1 I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk
worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,
This is a general exhortation to walk as becomes our Christian
profession. Paul was now a prisoner at Rome; and he was the prisoner of
the Lord, or in the Lord, which signifies as much as for the Lord. See
of this, ch. iii. 1. He mentions this once and again, to show that he
was not ashamed of his bonds, well knowing that he suffered not as an
evil doer: and likewise to recommend what he wrote to them with the
greater tenderness and with some special advantage. It was a doctrine
he thought worth suffering for, and therefore surely they should think
it worthy their serious regards and their dutiful observance. We have
here the petition of a poor prisoner, one of Christ's prisoners: "I
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you," &c. Considering what
God has done for you, and to what a state and condition he has called
you, as has been discoursed before, I now come with an earnest request
to you (not to send me relief, nor to use your interest for the
obtaining of my liberty, the first thing which poor prisoners are wont
to solicit from their friends, but) that you would approve yourselves
good Christians, and live up to your profession and calling; That you
walk worthily, agreeably, suitably, and congruously to those happy
circumstances into which the grace of God has brought you, whom he has
converted from heathenism to Christianity. Observe, Christians ought to
accommodate themselves to the gospel by which they are called, and to
the glory to which they are called; both are their vocation. We are
called Christians; we must answer that name, and live like Christians.
We are called to God's kingdom and glory; that kingdom and glory
therefore we must mind, and walk as becomes the heirs of them.
Exhortation to Unity; Persuasives to Unity. (a. d. 61.)
2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one
another in love; 3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in
the bond of peace. 4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye
are called in one hope of your calling; 5 One Lord, one faith, one
baptism, 6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through
all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8 Wherefore he saith,
When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts
unto men. 9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also
descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He that
descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that
he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, apostles; and some,
prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the
edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of
the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man,
unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14 That we
henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about
with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15 But speaking the
truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head,
even Christ: 16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and
compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the
effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the
body unto the edifying of itself in love.
Here the apostle proceeds to more particular exhortations. Two he
enlarges upon in this chapter:--To unity an love, purity and holiness,
which Christians should very much study. We do not walk worthy of the
vocation wherewith we are called if we be not faithful friends to all
Christians, and sworn enemies to all sin.
This section contains the exhortation to mutual love, unity, and
concord, with the proper means and motives to promote them. Nothing is
pressed upon us more earnestly in the scriptures than this. Love is the
law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school, the livery of his
family. Observe,
I. The means of unity: Lowliness and meekness, long-suffering, and
forbearing one another in love, v. 2. By lowliness we are to understand
humility, entertaining mean thoughts of ourselves, which is opposed to
pride. By meekness, that excellent disposition of soul which makes men
unwilling to provoke others, and not easily to be provoked or offended
with their infirmities; and it is opposed to angry resentments and
peevishness. Long-suffering implies a patient bearing of injuries,
without seeking revenge. Forbearing one another in love signifies
bearing their infirmities out of a principle of love, and so as not to
cease to love them on the account of these. The best Christians have
need to bear one with another, and to make the best one of another, to
provoke one another's graces and not their passions. We find much in
ourselves which it is hard to forgive ourselves; and therefore we must
not think it much if we find that in others which we think hard to
forgive them, and yet we must forgive them as we forgive ourselves. Now
without these things unity cannot be preserved. The first step towards
unity is humility; without this there will be no meekness, no patience,
or forbearance; and without these no unity. Pride and passion break the
peace, and make all the mischief. Humility and meekness restore the
peace, and keep it. Only by pride comes contention; only by humility
comes love. The more lowly-mindedness the more like-mindedness. We do
not walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called if we be not
meek and lowly of heart: for he by whom we are called, he to whom we
are called, was eminent for meekness and lowliness of heart, and has
commanded us therein to learn of him.
II. The nature of that unity which the apostle prescribes: it is the
unity of the Spirit, v. 3. The seat of Christian unity is in the heart
or spirit: it does not lie in one set of thoughts, nor in one form and
mode of worship, but in one heart and one soul. This unity of heart and
affection may be said to be of the Spirit of God; it is wrought by him,
and is one of the fruits of the Spirit. This we should endeavour to
keep. Endeavouring is a gospel word. We must do our utmost. If others
will quarrel with us, we must take all possible care not to quarrel
with them. If others will despise and hate us, we must not despise and
hate them. In the bond of peace. Peace is a bond, as it unites persons,
and makes them live friendly one with another. A peaceable disposition
and conduct bind Christians together, whereas discord and quarrelling
disband and disunite their hearts and affections. Many slender twigs,
bound together, become strong. The bond of peace is the strength of
society. Not that it can be imagined that all good people, and all the
members of societies, should be in every thing just of the same length,
and the same sentiments, and the same judgment: buy the bond of peace
unites them all together, with a non obstante to these. As in a bundle
of rods, they may be of different lengths and different strength; but,
when they are tied together by one bond, they are stronger than any,
even than the thickest and strongest was of itself.
III. The motives proper to promote this Christian unity and concord.
The apostle urges several, to persuade us thereto.
1. Consider how many unities there are that are the joy and glory of
our Christian profession. There should be one heart; for there is one
body, and one spirit, v. 4. Two hearts in one body would be monstrous.
If there be but one body, all that belong to that body should have one
heart. The Catholic church is one mystical body of Christ, and all good
Christians make up but one body, incorporated by one charter, that of
the gospel, animated by one Spirit, the same Holy Spirit who by his
gifts and graces quickens, enlivens, and governs that body. If we
belong to Christ, we are all actuated by one and the same Spirit, and
therefore should be one. Even as you are called in one hope of your
calling. Hope is here put for its object, the thing hoped for, the
heavenly inheritance, to the hope of which we are called. All
Christians are called to the same hope of eternal life. There is one
Christ that they all hope in, and one heaven that they are all hoping
for; and therefore they should be of one heart. One Lord (v. 5), that
is, Christ, the head of the church, to whom, by God's appointment, all
Christians are immediately subject. One faith, that is, the gospel,
containing the doctrine of the Christian faith: or, it is the same
grace of faith (faith in Christ) whereby all Christians are saved. One
baptism, by which we profess our faith, being baptized in the name of
the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; and so the same sacramental covenant,
whereby we engage ourselves to the Lord Christ. One God and Father of
all, v. 6. One God, who owns all the true members of the church for his
children; for he is the Father of all such by special relation, as he
is the Father of all men by creation: and he is above all, by his
essence, and with respect to the glorious perfections of his nature,
and as he has dominion over all creatures and especially over his
church, and through all, by his providence upholding and governing
them: and in you all, in all believers, in whom he dwells as in his
holy temple, by his Spirit and special grace. If then there be so many
ones, it is a pity but there should be one more--one heart, or one
soul.
2. Consider the variety of gifts that Christ has bestowed among
Christians: But unto every one of us is given grace according to the
measure of the gift of Christ. Though the members of Christ's church
agree in so many things, yet there are some things wherein they differ:
but this should breed no difference of affection among them, since they
are all derived from the same bountiful author and designed for the
same great ends. Unto every one of us Christians is given grace, some
gift of grace, in some kind or degree or other, for the mutual help of
one another. Unto every one of us ministers is given grace; to some a
greater measure of gifts, to others a less measure. The different gifts
of Christ's ministers proved a great occasion of contention among the
first Christians: one was for Paul, and another for Apollos. The
apostle shows that they had no reason to quarrel about them, but all
the reason in the world to agree in the joint use of them, for common
edification; because all was given according to the measure of the gift
of Christ, in such a measure as seemed best to Christ to bestow upon
every one. Observe, All the ministers, and all the members of Christ,
owe all the gifts and graces that they are possessed of to him; and
this is a good reason why we should love one another, because to every
one of us is given grace. All to whom Christ has given grace, and on
whom he has bestowed his gifts (though they are of different sizes,
different names, and different sentiments, yet), ought to love one
another. The apostle takes this occasion to specify some of the gifts
which Christ bestowed. And that they were bestowed by Christ he makes
appear by those words of David wherein he foretold this concerning him
(Ps. lxviii. 18), Wherefore he saith (v. 8), that is, the Psalmist
saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave
gifts unto men. David prophesied of the ascension of Christ; and the
apostle descants upon it here, and in the three following verses. When
he ascended up on high. We may understand the apostle both of the place
into which he ascended in his human nature, that is, the highest
heavens, and particularly of the state to which he was advanced, he
being then highly exalted, and eminently glorified, by his Father. Let
us set ourselves to think of the ascension of Jesus Christ: that our
blessed Redeemer, having risen from the dead, in gone to heaven, where
he sits at the right hand of the Majesty on high, which completed the
proof of his being the Son of God. As great conquerors, when they rode
in their triumphal chariots, used to be attended with the most
illustrious of their captives led in chains, and were wont to scatter
their largesses and bounty among the soldiers and other spectators of
their triumphs, so Christ, when he ascended into heaven, as a
triumphant conqueror, led captivity captive. It is a phrase used in the
Old Testament to signify a conquest over enemies, especially over such
as formerly had led others captive; see Judges v. 12. Captivity is here
put for captives, and signifies all our spiritual enemies, who brought
us into captivity before. He conquered those who had conquered us; such
as sin, the devil, and death. Indeed, he triumphed over these on the
cross; but the triumph was completed at his ascension, when he became
Lord over all, and had the keys of death and hades put into his hands.
And he gave gifts unto men: in the psalm it is, He received gifts for
men. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure
of gifts and graces; particularly, he enriched his disciples with the
gift of the Holy Ghost. The apostle, thus speaking of the ascension of
Christ, takes notice that he descended first, v. 9. As much as if he
had said, "When David speaks of Christ's ascension, he intimates the
knowledge he had of Christ's humiliation on earth; for, when it is said
that he ascended, this implies that he first descended: for what is it
but a proof or demonstration of his having done so?" Into the lower
parts of the earth; this may refer either to his incarnation, according
to that of David, Ps. cxxxix. 15, My substance was not hidden from
thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest
parts of the earth; or, to his burial, according to that of Ps. lxiii.
9, Those that seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts
of the earth. He calls his death (say some of the fathers) his descent
into the lower parts of the earth. He descended to the earth in his
incarnation. He descended into the earth in his burial. As Jonas was
three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so was the Son of man
in the heart of the earth. He that descended is the same also that
ascended up far above all heavens (v. 10), far above the airy and
starry (which are the visible) heavens, into the heaven of heavens;
that he might fill all things, all the members of his church, with
gifts and graces suitable to their several conditions and stations.
Observe, Our Lord humbled himself first, and then he was exalted. He
descended first, and then ascended. The apostle next tells us what were
Christ's gifts at his ascension: He gave some apostles, &c., v. 11.
Indeed he sent forth some of these before his ascension, Matt. x. 1-5.
But one was then added, Acts i. 26. And all of them were more solemnly
installed, and publicly confirmed, in their office, by his visibly
pouring forth the Holy Ghost in an extraordinary manner and measure
upon them. Note, The great gift that Christ gave to the church at his
ascension was that of the ministry of peace and reconciliation. The
gift of the ministry is the fruit of Christ's ascension. And ministers
have their various gifts, which are all given them by the Lord Jesus.
The officers which Christ gave to his church were of two
sorts--extraordinary ones advanced to a higher office in the church:
such were apostles, prophets, and evangelists. The apostles were chief.
These Christ immediately called, furnished them with extraordinary
gifts and the power of working miracles, and with infallibility in
delivering his truth; and, they having been the witnesses of his
miracles and doctrine, he sent them forth to spread the gospel and to
plant and govern churches. The prophets seem to have been such as
expounded the writings of the Old Testament, and foretold things to
come. The evangelists were ordained persons (2 Tim. i. 6), whom the
apostles took for their companions in travel (Gal. ii. 1), and sent
them out to settle and establish such churches as the apostles
themselves had planted (Acts xix. 22), and, not being fixed to any
particular place, they were to continue till recalled, 2 Tim. iv. 9.
And then there are ordinary ministers, employed in a lower and narrower
sphere; as pastors and teachers. Some take these two names to signify
one office, implying the duties of ruling and teaching belonging to it.
Others think they design two distinct offices, both ordinary, and of
standing use in the church; and then pastors are such as are fixed at
the head of particular churches, with design to guide, instruct, and
feed them in the manner appointed by Christ; and they are frequently
called bishops and elders: and the teachers were those whose work it
was also to preach the gospel and to instruct the people by way of
exhortation. We see here that it is Christ's prerogative to appoint
what officers and offices he pleases in his church. And how rich is the
church, that had at first such a variety of officers and has still such
a variety of gifts! How kind is Christ to his church! How careful of it
and of its edification! When he ascended, he procured the gift of the
Holy Ghost; and the gifts of the Holy Ghost are various: some have
greater, others have less measures; but all for the good of the body,
which brings us to the third argument,
3. Which is taken from Christ's great end and design in giving gifts
unto men. The gifts of Christ were intended for the good of his church,
and in order to advance his kingdom and interest among men. All these
being designed for one common end is a good reason why all Christians
should agree in brotherly love, and not envy one another's gifts. All
are for the perfecting of the saints (v. 12); that is, according to the
import of the original, to bring into an orderly spiritual state and
frame those who had been as it were dislocated and disjointed by sin,
and then to strengthen, confirm, and advance them therein, that so
each, in his proper place and function, might contribute to the good of
the whole.--For the work of the ministry, or for the work of
dispensation; that is, that they might dispense the doctrines of the
gospel, and successfully discharge the several parts of their
ministerial function.--For the edifying of the body of Christ; that is,
to build up the church, which is Christ's mystical body, by an increase
of their graces, and an addition of new members. All are designed to
prepare us for heaven: Till we all come, &c., v. 13. The gifts and
offices (some of them) which have been spoken of are to continue in the
church till the saints be perfected, which will not be till they all
come in the unity of the faith (till all true believers meet together,
by means of the same precious faith) and of the knowledge of the Son of
God, by which we are to understand, not a bare speculative knowledge,
or the acknowledging of Christ to be the Son of God and the great
Mediator, but such as is attended with appropriation and affection,
with all due honour, trust, and obedience.--Unto a perfect man, to our
full growth of gifts and graces, free from those childish infirmities
that we are subject to in the present world.--Unto the measure of the
stature of the fulness of Christ, so as to be Christians of a full
maturity and ripeness in all the graces derived from Christ's fulness:
or, according to the measure of that stature which is to make up the
fulness of Christ, which is to complete his mystical body. Now we shall
never come to the perfect man, till we come to the perfect world. There
is a fulness in Christ, and a fulness to be derived from him; and a
certain stature of that fulness, and a measure of that stature, are
assigned in the counsel of God to every believer, and we never come to
that measure till we come to heaven. God's children, as long as they
are in this world, are growing. Dr Lightfoot understands the apostle as
speaking here of Jews and Gentiles knit in the unity of the faith and
of the knowledge of the Son of God, so making a perfect man, and the
measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. The apostle further
shows, in the following verses, what was God's design in his sacred
institutions, and what effect they ought to have upon us. As, (1.) That
we henceforth be no more children, &c. (v. 14); that is, that we may be
no longer children in knowledge, weak in the faith, and inconstant in
our judgments, easily yielding to every temptation, readily complying
with every one's humour, and being at every one's back. Children are
easily imposed upon. We must take care of this, and of being tossed to
and fro, like ships without ballast, and carried about, like clouds in
the air, with such doctrines as have no truth nor solidity in them, but
nevertheless spread themselves far and wide, and are therefore compared
to wind. By the sleight of men; this is a metaphor taken from
gamesters, and signifies the mischievous subtlety of seducers: and
cunning craftiness, by which is meant their skilfulness in finding ways
to seduce and deceive; for it follows, whereby they lie in wait to
deceive, as in an ambush, in order to circumvent the weak, and draw
them from the truth. Note, Those must be very wicked and ungodly men
who set themselves to seduce and deceive others into false doctrines
and errors. The apostle describes them here as base men, using a great
deal of devilish art and cunning, in order thereunto. The best method
we can take to fortify ourselves against such is to study the sacred
oracles, and to pray for the illumination and grace of the Spirit of
Christ, that we may know the truth as it is in Jesus, and be
established in it. (2.) That we should speak the truth in love (v. 15),
or follow the truth in love, or be sincere in love to our
fellow-christians. While we adhere to the doctrine of Christ, which is
the truth, we should live in love one with another. Love is an
excellent thing; but we must be careful to preserve truth together with
it. Truth is an excellent thing; yet it is requisite that we speak it
in love, and not in contention. These two should go together--truth and
peace. (3.) That we should grow up into Christ in all things. Into
Christ, so as to be more deeply rooted in him. In all things; in
knowledge, love, faith, and all the parts of the new man. We should
grow up towards maturity, which is opposed to being children. Those are
improving Christians who grow up into Christ. The more we grow into an
acquaintance with Christ, faith in him, love to him, dependence upon
him, the more we shall flourish in every grace. He is the head; and we
should thus grow, that we may thereby honour our head. The Christian's
growth tends to the glory of Christ. (4.) We should be assisting and
helpful one to another, as members of the same body, v. 16. Here the
apostle makes a comparison between the natural body and Christ's
mystical body, that body of which Christ is the head: and he observes
that as there must be communion and mutual communications of the
members of the body among themselves, in order to their growth and
improvement, so there must be mutual love and unity, together with the
proper fruits of these, among Christians, in order to their spiritual
improvement and growth in grace. From whom, says he (that is, from
Christ their head, who conveys influence and nourishment to every
particular member), the whole body of Christians, fitly joined together
and compacted (being orderly and firmly united among themselves, every
one in his proper place and station), by that which every joint
supplies (by the assistance which every one of the parts, thus united,
gives to the whole, or by the Spirit, faith, love, sacraments, &c.,
which, like the veins and arteries in the body, serve to unite
Christians to Christ their head, and to one another as fellow-members),
according to the effectual working in the measure of every part (that
is, say some, according to the power which the Holy Ghost exerts to
make God's appointed means effectual for this great end, in such a
measure as Christ judges to be sufficient and proper for every member,
according to its respective place and office in the body; or, as
others, according to the power of Christ, who, as head, influences and
enlivens every member; or, according to the effectual working of every
member, in communicating to others of what it has received, nourishment
is conveyed to all in their proportions, and according to the state and
exigence of every part) makes increase of the body, such an increase as
is convenient for the body. Observe, Particular Christians receive
their gifts and graces from Christ for the sake and benefit of the
whole body. Unto the edifying of itself in love. We may understand this
two ways:--Either that all the members of the church may attain a
greater measure of love to Christ and to one another; or that they are
moved to act in the manner mentioned from love to Christ and to one
another. Observe, Mutual love among Christians is a great friend to
spiritual growth: it is in love that the body edifies itself; whereas a
kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.
Exhortation to Purity and Holiness; Cautions against Sin; Against Grieving
the Spirit. (a. d. 61.)
17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth
walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God
through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of
their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over
unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 But
ye have not so learned Christ; 21 If so be that ye have heard him,
and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put
off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt
according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be renewed in the spirit of
your mind; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is
created in righteousness and true holiness. 25 Wherefore putting away
lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one
of another. 26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon
your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil. 28 Let him that
stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands
the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that
which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto
the hearers. 30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are
sealed unto the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness, and wrath,
and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with
all malice: 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.
The apostle having gone through his exhortation to mutual love, unity,
and concord, in the foregoing verses, there follows in these an
exhortation to Christian purity and holiness of heart and life, and
that both more general (v. 17-24) and in several particular instances,
v. 25-32. This is solemnly introduced: "This I say therefore, and
testify in the Lord; that is, seeing the matter is as above described,
seeing you are members of Christ's body and partakers of such gifts,
this I urge upon your consciences, and bear witness to as your duty in
the Lord's name, and by virtue of the authority I have derived from
him." Consider,
I. The more general exhortation to purity and holiness of heart and
life.
1. It begins thus, "That you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles
walk--that for the time to come you do not live, and behave yourselves,
as ignorant and unconverted heathens do, who are wholly guided by an
understanding employed about vain things, their idols and their worldly
possessions, things which are no way profitable to their souls, and
which will deceive their expectations." Converted Gentiles must not
live as unconverted Gentiles do. Though they live among them, they must
not live like them. Here,
(1.) The apostle takes occasion to describe the wickedness of the
Gentile world, out of which regenerate Christians were snatched as
brands out of the burning. [1.] Their understandings were darkened, v.
18. They were void of all saving knowledge; yea, ignorant of many
things concerning God which the light of nature might have taught them.
They sat in darkness, and they loved it rather than light: and by their
ignorance they were alienated from the life of God. They were estranged
from, and had a dislike and aversion to, a life of holiness, which is
not only that way of life which God requires and approves, and by which
we live to him, but which resembles God himself, in his purity,
righteousness, truth, and goodness. Their wilful ignorance was the
cause of their estrangement from this life of God, which begins in
light and knowledge. Gross and affected ignorance is destructive to
religion and godliness. And what was the cause of their being thus
ignorant? It was because of the blindness or the hardness of their
heart. It was not because God did not make himself known to them by his
works, but because they would not admit the instructive rays of the
divine light. They were ignorant because they would be so. Their
ignorance proceeded from their obstinacy and the hardness of their
hearts, their resisting the light and rejecting all the means of
illumination and knowledge. [2.] Their consciences were debauched and
seared: Who being past feeling, v. 19. They had no sense of their sin,
nor of the misery and danger of their case by means of it; whereupon
they gave themselves over unto lasciviousness. They indulged themselves
in their filthy lusts; and, yielding themselves up to the dominion of
these, they became the slaves and drudges of sin and the devil, working
all uncleanness with greediness. They made it their common practice to
commit all sorts of uncleanness, and even the most unnatural and
monstrous sins, and that with insatiable desires. Observe, When men's
consciences are once seared, there are no bounds to their sins. When
they set their hearts upon the gratification of their lusts, what can
be expected but the most abominable sensuality and lewdness, and that
their horrid enormities will abound? This was the character of the
Gentiles; but,
(2.) These Christians must distinguish themselves from such Gentiles:
You have not so learned Christ, v. 20. It may be read, But you not so;
you have learned Christ. Those who have learned Christ are saved from
the darkness and defilement which others lie under; and, as they know
more, they are obliged to live in a better manner than others. It is a
good argument against sin that we have not so learned Christ. Learn
Christ! Is Christ a book, a lesson, a way, a trade? The meaning is,
"You have not so learned Christianity--the doctrines of Christ and the
rules of life prescribed by him. Not so as to do as others do. If so
be, or since, that you have heard him (v. 21), have heard his doctrine
preached by us, and have been taught by him, inwardly and effectually,
by his Spirit." Christ is the lesson; we must learn Christ: and Christ
is the teacher; we are taught by him. As the truth is in Jesus. This
may be understood two ways: either, "You have been taught the real
truth, as held forth by Christ himself, both in his doctrine and in his
life." Or thus, "The truth has made such an impression on your hearts,
in your measure, as it did upon the heart of Jesus." The truth of
Christ then appears in its beauty and power, when it appears as in
Jesus.
2. Another branch of the general exhortation follows in those words,
That you put off, concerning the former conversation, the old man, &c.,
v. 22-24. "This is a great part of the doctrine which has been taught
you, and which you have learned." Here the apostle expresses himself in
metaphors taken from garments. The principles, habits, and dispositions
of the soul must be changed, before there can be a saving change of the
life. There must be sanctification, which consists of these two
things:-- (1.) The old man must be put off. The corrupt nature is
called a man, because, like the human body, it consists of divers
parts, mutually supporting and strengthening one another. It is the old
man, as old Adam, from whom we derive it. It is bred in the bone, and
we brought it into the world with us. It is subtle as the old man; but
in all God's saints decaying and withering as an old man, and ready to
pass away. It is said to be corrupt; for sin in the soul is the
corruption of its faculties: and, where it is not mortified, it grows
daily worse and worse, and so tends to destruction. According to the
deceitful lusts. Sinful inclinations and desires are deceitful lusts:
they promise men happiness, but render them more miserable, and if not
subdued and mortified betray them into destruction. These therefore
must be put off as an old garment that we should be ashamed to be seen
in: they must be subdued and mortified. These lusts prevailed against
them in their former conversation, that is, during their state of
unregeneracy and heathenism. (2.) The new man must be put on. It is not
enough to shake off corrupt principles, but we must be actuated by
gracious ones. We must embrace them, espouse them, and get them written
on our hearts: it is not enough to cease to do evil, but we must learn
to do well. "Be renewed in the spirit of your mind (v. 23); that is,
use the proper and prescribed means in order to have the mind, which is
a spirit, renewed more and more." And that you put on the new man, v.
24. By the new man is meant the new nature, the new creature, which is
actuated by a new principle, even regenerating grace, enabling a man to
lead a new life, that life of righteousness and holiness which
Christianity requires. This new man is created, or produced out of
confusion and emptiness, by God's almighty power, whose workmanship it
is, truly excellent and beautiful. After God, in imitation of him, and
in conformity to that grand exemplar and pattern. The loss of God's
image upon the soul was both the sinfulness and misery of man's fallen
state; and that resemblance which it bears to God is the beauty, the
glory, and the happiness, of the new creature. In righteousness towards
men, including all the duties of the second table; and in holiness
towards God, signifying a sincere obedience to the commands of the
first table; true holiness in opposition to the outward and ceremonial
holiness of the Jews. We are said to put on this new man when, in the
use of all God's appointed means, we are endeavouring after this divine
nature, this new creature. This is the more general exhortation to
purity and holiness of heart and life.
II. The apostle proceeds to some things more particular. Because
generals are not so apt to affect, we are told what are those
particular limbs of the old man that must be mortified, those filthy
rags of the old nature that must be put off, and what are the peculiar
ornaments of the new man wherewith we should adorn our Christian
profession. 1. Take heed of lying, and be ever careful to speak the
truth (v. 25): "Wherefore, since you have been so well instructed in
your duty, and are under such obligations to discharge it, let it
appear, in your future behaviour and conduct, that there is a great and
real change wrought in you, particularly by putting away lying." Of
this sin the heathen were very guilty, affirming that a profitable lie
was better than a hurtful truth; and therefore the apostle exhorts them
to cease from lying, from every thing that is contrary to truth. This
is a part of the old man that must be put off; and that branch of the
new man that must be put on in opposition to it is speaking the truth
in all our converse with others. It is the character of God's people
that they are children who will not lie, who dare not lie, who hate and
abhor lying. All who have grace make conscience of speaking the truth,
and would not tell a deliberate lie for the greatest gain and benefit
to themselves. The reason here given for veracity is, We are members
one of another. Truth is a debt we owe to one another; and, if we love
one another, we shall not deceive nor lie one to another. We belong to
the same society or body, which falsehood or lying tends to dissolve;
and therefore we should avoid it, and speak truth. Observe, Lying is a
very great sin, a peculiar violation of the obligations which
Christians are under, and very injurious and hurtful to Christian
society. 2. "Take heed of anger and ungoverned passions. Be you angry,
and sin not," v. 26. This is borrowed from the LXX. translation of Ps.
iv. 4, where we render it, Stand in awe, and sin not. Here is an easy
concession; for as such we should consider it, rather than as a
command. Be you angry. This we are apt enough to be, God knows: but we
find it difficult enough to observe the restriction, and sin not. "If
you have a just occasion to be angry at any time, see that it be
without sin; and therefore take heed of excess in your anger." If we
would be angry and not sin (says one), we must be angry at nothing but
sin; and we should be more jealous for the glory of God than for any
interest or reputation of our own. One great and common sin in anger is
to suffer it to burn into wrath, and then to let it rest; and therefore
we are here cautioned against that. "If you have been provoked and have
had your spirits greatly discomposed, and if you have bitterly resented
any affront that has been offered, before night calm and quiet your
spirits, be reconciled to the offender, and let all be well again: Let
not the sun go down upon your wrath. If it burn into wrath and
bitterness of spirit, O see to it that you suppress it speedily."
Observe, Though anger in itself is not sinful, yet there is the upmost
danger of its becoming so if it be not carefully watched and speedily
suppressed. And therefore, though anger may come into the bosom of a
wise man, it rests only in the bosom of fools. Neither give place to
the devil, v. 27. Those who persevere in sinful anger and in wrath let
the devil into their hearts, and suffer him to gain upon them, till he
bring them to malice, mischievous machinations, &c. "Neither give place
to the calumniator, or the false accuser" (so some read the words);
that is, "let your ears be deaf to whisperers, talebearers, and
slanderers." 3. We are here warned against the sin of stealing, the
breach of the eighth commandment, and advised to honest industry and to
beneficence: Let his that stole steal no more, v. 28. It is a caution
against all manner of wrong-doing, by force or fraud. "Let those of you
who, in the time of your gentilism, have been guilty of this enormity,
be no longer guilty of it." But we must not only take heed of the sin,
but conscientiously abound in the opposite duty: not only not steal,
but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing that is
good. Idleness makes thieves. So Chrysostom, To gar kleptein argias
estin.--Stealing is the effect of idleness. Those who will not work,
and who are ashamed to beg, expose themselves greatly to temptations to
thievery. Men should therefore be diligent and industrious, not in any
unlawful way, but in some honest calling: Working the thing which is
good. Industry, in some honest way, will keep people out of temptation
of doing wrong. But there is another reason why men ought to be
industrious, namely, that they may be capable of doing some good, as
well as that they may be preserved from temptation: That he may have to
give to him that needeth. They must labour not only that they may live
themselves, and live honestly, but they may distribute for supplying
the wants of others. Observe, Even those who get their living by their
labour should be charitable out of their little to those who are
disabled for labour. So necessary and incumbent a duty is it to be
charitable to the poor that even labourers and servants, and those who
have but little for themselves, must cast their mite into the treasury.
God must have his dues and the poor are his receivers. Observe further,
Those alms that are likely to be acceptable to God must not be the
produce of unrighteousness and robbery, but of honesty and industry.
God hates robbery for burnt-offerings. 4. We are here warned against
corrupt communication; and directed to that which is useful and
edifying, v. 29. Filthy and unclean words and discourse are poisonous
and infectious, as putrid rotten meat: they proceed from and prove a
great deal of corruption in the heart of the speaker, and tend to
corrupt the minds and manners of others who hear them; and therefore
Christians should beware of all such discourse. It may be taken in
general for all that which provokes the lusts and passions of others.
We must not only put off corrupt communications, but put on that which
is good to the use of edifying. The great use of speech is to edify
those with whom we converse. Christians should endeavour to promote a
useful conversation: that it may minister grace unto the hearers; that
it may be good for, and acceptable to, the hearers, in the way of
information, counsel, pertinent reproof, or the like. Observe, It is
the great duty of Christians to take care that they offend not with
their lips, and that they improve discourse and converse, as much as
may be, for the good of others. 5. Here is another caution against
wrath and anger, with further advice to mutual love and kindly
dispositions towards each other, v. 31, 32. By bitterness, wrath, and
anger, are meant violent inward resentment and displeasure against
others: and, by clamour, big words, loud threatenings, and other
intemperate speeches, by which bitterness, wrath, and anger, vent
themselves. Christians should not entertain these vile passions in
their hearts not be clamorous with their tongues. Evil speaking
signifies all railing, reviling, and reproachful speeches, against such
as we are angry with. And by malice we are to understand that rooted
anger which prompts men to design and to do mischief to others. The
contrary to all this follows: Be you kind one to another. This implies
the principle of love in the heart, and the outward expressions of it,
in an affable, humble, courteous behaviour. It becomes the disciples of
Jesus to be kind one to another, as those who have learned, and would
teach, the art of obliging. Tender-hearted; that is, merciful, and
having tender sense of the distresses and sufferings of others, so as
to be quickly moved to compassion and pity. Forgiving one another.
Occasions of difference will happen among Christ's disciples; and
therefore they must be placable, and ready to forgive, therein
resembling God himself, who for Christ's sake hath forgiven them, and
that more than they can forgive one another. Note, With God there is
forgiveness; and he forgives sin for the sake of Jesus Christ, and on
account of that atonement which he has made to divine justice. Note
again, Those who are forgiven of God should be of a forgiving spirit,
and should forgive even as God forgives, sincerely and heartily,
readily and cheerfully, universally and for ever, upon the sinner's
sincere repentance, as remembering that they pray, Forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. Now we may
observe concerning all these particulars that the apostle has insisted
on that they belong to the second table, whence Christians should learn
the strict obligations they are under to the duties of the second
table, and that he who does not conscientiously discharge them can
never fear nor love God in truth and in sincerity, whatever he may
pretend to.
In the midst of these exhortations and cautions the apostle interposes
that general one, And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, v. 30. By
looking to what precedes, and to what follows, we may see what it is
that grieves the Spirit of God. In the previous verses it is intimated
that all lewdness and filthiness, lying, and corrupt communications
that stir up filthy appetites and lusts, grieve the Spirit of God. In
what follows it is intimated that those corrupt passions of bitterness,
and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, and malice,
grieve this good Spirit. By this we are not to understand that this
blessed Being could properly be grieved or vexed as we are; but the
design of the exhortation is that we act not towards him in such a
manner as is wont to be grievous and disquieting to our
fellow-creatures: we must not do that which is contrary to his holy
nature and his will; we must not refuse to hearken to his counsels, nor
rebel against his government, which things would provoke him to act
towards us as men are wont to do towards those with whom they are
displeased and grieved, withdrawing themselves and their wonted
kindness from such, and abandoning them to their enemies. O provoke not
the blessed Spirit of God to withdraw his presence and his gracious
influences from you! It is a good reason why we should not grieve him
that by him we are sealed unto the day of redemption. There is to be a
day of redemption; the body is to be redeemed from the power of the
grave at the resurrection-day, and then God's people will be delivered
from all the effects of sin, as well as from all sin and misery, which
they are not till rescued out of the grave: and then their full and
complete happiness commences. All true believers are sealed to that
day. God has distinguished them from others, having set his mark upon
them; and he gives them the earnest and assurance of a joyful and
glorious resurrection; and the Spirit of God is the seal. Wherever that
blessed Spirit is as a sanctifier, he is the earnest of all the joys
and glories of the redemption-day; and we should be undone should God
take away his Holy Spirit from us.
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E P H E S I A N S.
CHAP. V.
We had several important exhortations in the close of the foregoing
chapter, and they are continued in this: particularly, I. We have here
an exhortation to mutual love and charity, ver. 1, 2. II. Against all
manner of uncleanness, with proper arguments and remedies proposed
against such sins: and some further cautions are added, and other
duties recommended, ver. 3-20. III. The apostle directs to the
conscientious discharge of relative duties, from ver. 21, throughout
this, and in the beginning of the next chapter.
Cautions against Impurity. (a. d. 61.)
1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in
love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an
offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.
Here we have the exhortation to mutual love, or to Christian charity.
The apostle had been insisting on this in the former chapter, and
particularly in the last verses of it, to which the particle therefore
refers, and connects what he had said there with what is contained in
these verses, thus: "Because God, for Christ's sake, has forgiven you,
therefore be you followers of God, or imitators of him;" for so the
word signifies. Pious persons should imitate the God whom they worship,
as far as he has revealed himself as imitable by them. They must
conform themselves to his example, and have his image renewed upon
them. This puts a great honour upon practical religion, that it is the
imitating of God. We must be holy as God is holy, merciful as he is
merciful, perfect as he is perfect. But there is no one attribute of
God more recommended to our imitation than that of his goodness. Be you
imitators of God, or resemble him, in every grace, and especially in
his love, and in his pardoning goodness. God is love; and those that
dwell in love dwell in God and God in them. Thus he has proclaimed his
name, Gracious and merciful, and abundant in goodness. As dear
children, as children (who are wont to be greatly beloved by their
parents) usually resemble them in the lineaments and features of their
faces, and in the dispositions and qualities of their minds; or as
becomes the children of God, who are beloved and cherished by their
heavenly Father. Children are obliged to imitate their parents in what
is good, especially when dearly beloved by them. The character that we
bear of God's children obliges us to resemble him, especially in his
love and goodness, in his mercy and readiness to forgive. And those
only are God's dear children who imitate him in these. It follows, And
walk in love, v. 2. This godlike grace should conduct and influence our
whole conversation, which is meant by walking in it. It should be the
principle from which we act; it should direct the ends at which we aim.
We should be more careful to give proof of the sincerity of our love
one to another. As Christ also hath loved us. Here the apostle directs
us to the example of Christ, whom Christians are obliged to imitate,
and in whom we have an instance of the most free and generous love that
ever was, that great love wherewith he hath loved us. We are all joint
sharers in that love, and partakers of the comfort of it, and therefore
should love one another, Christ having loved us all and given such
proof of his love to us; for he hath given himself for us. The apostle
designedly enlarges on the subject; for what can yield us more
delightful matter for contemplation than this? Christ gave himself to
die for us; and the death of Christ was the great sacrifice of
atonement: An offering and a sacrifice to God; or an offering, even a
sacrifice--a propitiatory sacrifice, to expiate our guilt, which had
been prefigured in the legal oblations and sacrifices; and this for a
sweet-smelling savour. Some observe that the sin-offerings were never
said to be of a sweet-smelling savour; but this is said of the Lamb of
God, which taketh away the sin of the world. As he offered himself with
a design to be accepted of God, so God did accept, was pleased with,
and appeased by, that sacrifice. Note, As the sacrifice of Christ was
efficacious with God, so his example should be prevailing with us, and
we should carefully copy after it.
Preservatives from Impurity; Cautions and Admonitions. (a. d. 61.)
3 But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be
once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 Neither filthiness, nor
foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather
giving of thanks. 5 For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor
unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no man deceive
you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of
God upon the children of disobedience. 7 Be not ye therefore
partakers with them. 8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye
light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 (For the fruit of the
Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;) 10 Proving
what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the
unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. 12 For it is a
shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.
13 But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for
whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 Wherefore he saith, Awake
thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee
light. 15 See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as
wise, 16 Redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17
Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord
is. 18 And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled
with the Spirit; 19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and
spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the
name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
These verses contain a caution against all manner of uncleanness, with
proper remedies and arguments proposed: some further cautions are
added, and other duties recommended. Filthy lusts must be suppressed,
in order to the supporting of holy love. Walk in love, and shun
fornication and all uncleanness. Fornication is folly committed between
unmarried persons. All uncleanness includes all other sorts of filthy
lusts, which were too common among the Gentiles. Or covetousness, which
being thus connected, and mentioned as a thing which should not be once
named, some understand it, in the chaste style of the scripture, of
unnatural lust; while others take it in the more common sense, for an
immoderate desire of gain or an insatiable love of riches, which is
spiritual adultery; for by this the soul, which was espoused to God,
goes astray from him, and embraces the bosom of a stranger, and
therefore carnal worldlings are called adulterers: You adulterers and
adulteresses, know you not that the friendship of the world is enmity
with God? Now these sins must be dreaded and detested in the highest
degree: Let it not be once named among you, never in a way of
approbation nor without abhorrence, as becometh saints, holy persons,
who are separated from the world, and dedicated unto God. The apostle
not only cautions against the gross acts of sin, but against what some
may be apt to make light of, and think to be excusable. Neither
filthiness (v. 4), by which may be understood all wanton and unseemly
gestures and behaviour; nor foolish talking, obscene and lewd
discourse, or, more generally, such vain discourse as betrays much
folly and indiscretion, and is far from edifying the hearers; nor
jesting. The Greek word eutrapelia is the same which Aristotle, in his
Ethics, makes a virtue: pleasantness of conversation. And there is no
doubt an innocent and inoffensive jesting, which we cannot suppose the
apostle here forbids. Some understand him of such scurrilous and
abusive reflections as tend to expose others and to make them appear
ridiculous. This is bad enough: but the context seems to restrain it to
such pleasantry of discourse as is filthy and obscene, which he may
also design by that corrupt, or putrid and rotten, communication that
he speaks of, ch. iv. 29. Of these things he says, They are not
convenient. Indeed there is more than inconvenience, even a great deal
of mischief, in them. They are so far from being profitable that they
pollute and poison the hearers. But the meaning is, Those things do not
become Christians, and are very unsuitable to their profession and
character. Christians are allowed to be cheerful and pleasant; but they
must be merry and wise. The apostle adds, But rather giving of thanks:
so far let the Christian's way of mirth be from that of obscene and
profane wit, that he may delight his mind, and make himself cheerful,
by a grateful remembrance of God's goodness and mercy to him, and by
blessing and praising him on account of these. Note, 1. We should take
all occasions to render thanksgivings and praises to God for his
kindness and favours to us. 2. A reflection on the grace and goodness
of God to us, with a design to excite our thankfulness to him, is
proper to refresh and delight the Christian's mind, and to make him
cheerful. Dr. Hammond thinks that eucharistia may signify gracious,
pious, religious discourse in general, by way of opposition to what the
apostle condemns. Our cheerfulness, instead of breaking out into what
is vain and sinful, and a profanation of God's name, should express
itself as becomes Christians, and in what may tend to his glory. If men
abounded more in good and pious expressions, they would not be so apt
to utter ill and unbecoming words; for shall blessing and cursing,
lewdness and thanksgivings, proceed out of the same mouth?
I. To fortify us against the sins of uncleanness, &c., the apostle
urges several arguments, and prescribes several remedies, in what
follows,
1. He urges several arguments, As, (1.) Consider that these are sins
which shut persons out of heaven: For this you know, &c., v. 5. They
knew it, being informed of it by the Christian religion. By a covetous
man some understand a lewd lascivious libertine, who indulges himself
in those vile lusts which were accounted the certain marks of a heathen
and an idolater. Others understand it in the common acceptation of the
word; and such a man is an idolater because there is spiritual idolatry
in the love of this world. As the epicure makes a god of his belly, so
the covetous man makes a god of his money, sets those affectations upon
it, and places that hope, confidence, and delight, in worldly good,
which should be reserved for God only. He serves mammon instead of God.
Of these persons it is said that they have no inheritance in the
kingdom of Christ and of God; that is, the kingdom of Christ, who is
God, or the kingdom which is God's by nature, and Christ's as he is
Mediator, the kingdom which Christ has purchased and which God bestows.
Heaven is here described as a kingdom (as frequently elsewhere) with
respect to its eminency and glory, its fulness and sufficiency, &c. In
this kingdom the saints and servants of God have an inheritance; for it
is the inheritance of the saints in light. But those who are
impenitent, and allow themselves either in the lusts of the flesh or
the love of the world, are not Christians indeed, and so belong not to
the kingdom of grace, nor shall they ever come to the kingdom of glory.
Let us then be excited to be on our guard against those sins which
would exclude and shut us out of heaven. (2.) These sins bring the
wrath of God upon those who are guilty of them: "Let no man deceive you
with vain words, &c., v. 6. Let none flatter you, as though such things
were tolerable and to be allowed of in Christians, or as though they
were not very provoking and offensive unto God, or as though you might
indulge yourselves in them and yet escape with impunity. These are vain
words." Observe, Those who flatter themselves and others with hopes of
impunity in sin do but put a cheat upon themselves and others. Thus
Satan deceived our first parents with vain words when he said to them,
You shall not surely die. They are vain words indeed; for those who
trust to them will find themselves wretchedly imposed upon, for because
of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of
disobedience. By children of disobedience may be meant the Gentiles,
who disbelieved, and refused to comply with, and to submit themselves
to, the gospel: or, more generally, all obstinate sinners, who will not
be reclaimed, but are given over to disobedience. Disobedience is the
very malignity of sin. And it is by a usual Hebraism that such sinners
are called children of disobedience; and such indeed they are from
their childhood, going astray as soon as they are born. The wrath of
God comes upon such because of their sins; sometimes in this world, but
more especially in the next. And dare we make light of that which will
lay us under the wrath of God? O no. Be not you therefore partakers
with them, v. 7. "Do not partake with them in their sins, that you may
not share in their punishment." We partake with other men in their
sins, not only when we live in the same sinful manner that they do, and
consent and comply with their temptations and solicitations to sin, but
when we encourage them in their sins, prompt them to sin, and do not
prevent and hinder them, as far as it may be in our power to do so.
(3.) Consider what obligations Christians are under to live at another
rate than such sinners do: For you were sometimes darkness, but now,
&c., v. 8. The meaning is, "Such courses are very unsuitable to your
present condition; for, whereas in your Gentile and your unregenerate
state you were darkness, you have now undergone a great change." The
apostle calls their former condition darkness in the abstract, to
express the great darkness they were in. They lived wicked and profane
lives, being destitute of the light of instruction without and of the
illumination and grace of the blessed Spirit within. Note, A state of
sin is a state of darkness. Sinners, like men in the dark, are going
they know not whither, and doing they know not what. But the grace of
God had produced a mighty change in their souls: Now are you light in
the Lord, savingly enlightened by the word and the Spirit of God. Now,
upon your believing in Christ, and your receiving the gospel. Walk as
children of light. Children of light, according to the Hebrew dialect,
are those who are in a state of light, endued with knowledge and
holiness. "Now, being such, let your conversation be suitable to your
condition and privileges, and accordingly live up to the obligation you
are under by that knowledge and those advantages you enjoy--Proving
what is acceptable unto the Lord (v. 10), examining and searching
diligently what God has revealed to be his will, and making it appear
that you approve it by conforming yourselves to it." Observe, We must
not only dread and avoid that which is displeasing to God, but enquire
and consider what will be acceptable to him, searching the scriptures
with this view, thus keeping at the greatest distance from these sins.
2. The apostle prescribes some remedies against them. As, (1.) If we
would not be entangled by the lusts of the flesh, we must bring forth
the fruits of the Spirit, v. 9. This is expected from the children of
light, that, being illuminated, they be also sanctified by the Spirit,
and thereupon bring forth his fruit, which is in all goodness, an
inclination to do good and to show mercy, and righteousness, which
signifies justice in our dealings. Thus they are taken more strictly;
but, more generally, all religion is goodness and righteousness. And in
and with these must be truth, or sincerity and uprightness of heart.
(2.) We must have no fellowship with sin nor sinners, v. 11. Sinful
works are works of darkness: they come from the darkness of ignorance,
they seek the darkness of concealment, and they lead to the darkness of
hell. These works of darkness are unfruitful works; there is nothing
got by them in the long run, whatever profit is pretended by sin, it
will by no means balance the loss; for it issues in the utter ruin and
destruction of the impenitent sinner. We must therefore have no
fellowship with these unfruitful works; as we must not practise them
ourselves, so we must not countenance others in the practice of them.
There are many ways of our being accessary to the sins of others, by
commendation, counsel, consent, or concealment. And, if we share with
others in their sin, we must expect to share with them in their
plagues. Nay, if we thus have fellowship with them, we shall be in the
utmost danger of acting as they do ere long. But, rather than have
fellowship with them, we must reprove them, implying that if we do not
reprove the sins of others we have fellowship with them. We must
prudently and in our places witness against the sins of others, and
endeavour to convince them of their sinfulness, when we can do it
seasonably and pertinently, in our words; but especially by the
holiness of our lives, and a religious conversation. Reprove their sins
by abounding in the contrary duties. One reason given is, For it is a
shame even to speak of those things, &c., v. 12. They are so filthy and
abominable that it is a shame to mention them, except in a way of
reproof, much more must it be a shame to have any fellowship with them.
The things which are done of them in secret. The apostle seems to speak
here of the Gentile idolaters, and of their horrid mysteries, which
abounded with detestable wickedness, and which none were permitted to
divulge upon pain of death. Observe, A good man is ashamed to speak
that which many wicked people are not ashamed to act; but, as far as
their wickedness appears, it should be reproved by good men. There
follows another reason for such reproof: But all things that are
reproved are made manifest by the light, v. 13. The meaning of this
passage may be this: "All those unfruitful works of darkness which you
are called upon to reprove are laid open, and made to appear in their
proper colours to the sinners themselves, by the light of doctrine or
of God's word in your mouths, as faithful reprovers, or by that
instructive light which is diffused by the holiness of your lives and
by your exemplary walk." Observe, The light of God's word, and the
exemplification of it in a Christian conversation, are proper means to
convince sinners of their sin and wickedness. It follows, For
whatsoever doth make manifest is light; that is, it is the light that
discovers what was concealed before in darkness; and accordingly it
becomes those who are children of light, who are light in the Lord, to
discover to others their sins, and to endeavour to convince them of the
evil and danger of them, thus shining as lights in the world. The
apostle further urges this duty from the example of God or Christ:
Wherefore he saith, &c. (v. 14); as if he had said, "In doing this, you
will copy after the great God, who has set himself to awaken sinners
from their sleep, and to raise them from the death of sin, that they
might receive light from Christ." He saith. The Lord is constantly
saying in his word what is more particularly expressed in Isa. lx. 1.
Or, Christ, by his ministers, who preach the everlasting gospel, is
continually calling upon sinners to this effect: Awake, thou that
sleepest, and arise from the dead. The same thing in the main is
designed by these different expressions; and they serve to remind us of
the great stupidity and the wretched security of sinners, how
insensible they are of their danger, and how unapt they naturally are
to spiritual motions, sensations, and actions. When God calls upon them
to awake, and to arise, his meaning is that they would break off their
sins by repentance, and enter on a course of holy obedience, and he
encourages them to essay and do their utmost that way, by that gracious
promise, And Christ shall give thee light; or Christ shall enlighten
thee, or shall shine upon thee. "He shall bring thee into a state of
knowledge, holiness, and comfort, assisting thee with his grace, and
refreshing thy mind with joy and peace here and rewarding thee with
eternal glory at length." Observe, When we are endeavouring to convince
sinners, and to reform them from their sins, we are imitating God and
Christ in that which is their great design throughout the gospel. Some
indeed understand this as a call to sinners and to saints: to sinners
to repent and turn; to saints to stir up themselves to their duty. The
former must arise from their spiritual death; and the latter must awake
from their spiritual deadness. (3.) Another remedy against sin is
circumspection, care, or caution (v. 15): See then, &c. This may be
understood either with respect to what immediately precedes, "If you
are to reprove others for their sins, and would be faithful to your
duty in this particular, you must look well to yourselves, and to your
own behaviour and conduct" (and, indeed, those only are fit to reprove
others who walk with due circumspection and care themselves): or else
we have here another remedy or rather preservative from the
before-mentioned sins; and this I take to be the design of the apostle,
being impossible to maintain purity and holiness of heart and life
without great circumspection and care. Walk circumspectly, or, as the
word signifies, accurately, exactly, in the right way, in order to
which we must be frequently consulting our rule, and the directions we
have in the sacred oracles. Not as fools, who walk at all adventures,
and who have no understanding of their duty, nor of the worth of their
souls, and through neglect, supineness, and want of care, fall into
sin, and destroy themselves; but as wise, as persons taught of God and
endued with wisdom from above. Circumspect walking is the effect of
true wisdom, but the contrary is the effect of folly. It follows,
redeeming the time (v. 16), literally, buying the opportunity. It is a
metaphor taken from merchants and traders who diligently observe and
improve the seasons for merchandise and trade. It is a great part of
Christian wisdom to redeem the time. Good Christians must be good
husbands of their time, and take care to improve it to the best of
purposes, by watching against temptations, by doing good while it is in
the power of their hands, and by filling it up with proper
employment--one special preservative from sin. They should make the
best use they can of the present seasons of grace. Our time is a talent
given us by God for some good end, and it is misspent and lost when it
is not employed according to his design. If we have lost our time
heretofore, we must endeavour to redeem it by doubling our diligence in
doing our duty for the future. The reason given is because the days are
evil, either by reason of the wickedness of those who dwell in them, or
rather "as they are troublesome and dangerous times to you who live in
them." Those were times of persecution wherein the apostle wrote this:
the Christians were in jeopardy every hour. When the days are evil we
have one superadded argument to redeem time, especially because we know
not how soon they may be worse. People are very apt to complain of bad
times; it were well if that would stir them up to redeem time.
"Wherefore," says the apostle (v. 17), "because of the badness of the
times, be you not unwise, ignorant of your duty and negligent about
your souls, but understanding what the will of the Lord is. Study,
consider, and further acquaint yourselves with the will of God, as
determining your duty." Observe, Ignorance of our duty, and neglect of
our souls, are evidences of the greatest folly; while an acquaintance
with the will of God, and a care to comply with it, bespeak the best
and truest wisdom.
II. In the three following verses the apostle warns against some other
particular sins, and urges some other duties. 1. He warns against the
sin of drunkenness: And be not drunk with wine, v. 18. This was a sin
very frequent among the heathens; and particularly on occasion of the
festivals of their gods, and more especially in their Bacchanalia: then
they were wont to inflame themselves with wine, and all manner of
inordinate lusts were consequent upon it: and therefore the apostle
adds, wherein, or in which drunkenness, is excess. The word asotia may
signify luxury or dissoluteness; and it is certain that drunkenness is
no friend to chastity and purity of life, but it virtually contains all
manner of extravagance, and transports men into gross sensuality and
vile enormities. Note, Drunkenness is a sin that seldom goes alone, but
often involves men in other instances of guilt: it is a sin very
provoking to God, and a great hindrance to the spiritual life. The
apostle may mean all such intemperance and disorder as are opposite to
the sober and prudent demeanor he intends in his advice, to redeem the
time. 2. Instead of being filled with wine, he exhorts them to be
filled with the Spirit. Those who are full of drink are not likely to
be full of the Spirit; and therefore this duty is opposed to the former
sin. The meaning of the exhortation is that men should labour for a
plentiful measure of the graces of the Spirit, that would fill their
souls with great joy, strength, and courage, which things sensual men
expect their wine should inspire them with. We cannot be guilty of any
excess in our endeavours after these: nay, we ought not to be satisfied
with a little of the Spirit, but to be aspiring after measures, so as
to be filled with the Spirit. Now by this means we shall come to
understand what the will of the Lord is; for the Spirit of God is given
as a Spirit of wisdom and of understanding. And because those who are
filled with the Spirit will be carried out in acts of devotion, and all
the proper expressions of it, therefore the apostle exhorts, 3. To sing
unto the Lord, v. 19. Drunkards are wont to sing obscene and profane
songs. The heathens, in their Bacchanalia, used to sing hymns to
Bacchus, whom they called the god of wine. Thus they expressed their
joy; but the joy of Christians should express itself in songs of praise
to their God. In these they should speak to themselves in their
assemblies and meetings together, for mutual edification. By psalms may
be meant David's psalms, or such composures as were fitly sung with
musical instruments. By hymns may be meant such others as were confined
to matter of praise, as those of Zacharias, Simeon, &c. Spiritual songs
may contain a greater variety of matter, doctrinal, prophetical,
historical, &c. Observe here, (1.) The singing of psalms and hymns is a
gospel ordinance: it is an ordinance of God, and appointed for his
glory. (2.) Though Christianity is an enemy to profane mirth, yet it
encourages joy and gladness, and the proper expressions of these in the
professors of it. God's people have reason to rejoice, and to sing for
joy. They are to sing and to make melody in their hearts; not only with
their voices, but with inward affection, and then their doing this will
be as delightful and acceptable to God as music is to us: and it must
be with a design to please him, and to promote his glory, that we do
this; and then it will be done to the Lord. 4. Thanksgiving is another
duty that the apostle exhorts to, v. 20. We are appointed to sing
psalms, &c., for the expression of our thankfulness to God; but, though
we are not always singing, we should never want a disposition for this
duty, as we never want matter for it. We must continue it throughout
the whole course of our lives; and we should give thanks for all
things; not only for spiritual blessings enjoyed, and eternal ones
expected (for what of the former we have in hand, and for what of the
other we have in hope), but for temporal mercies too; not only for our
comforts, but also for our sanctified afflictions; not only for what
immediately concerns ourselves, but for the instances of God's kindness
and favour to others also. It is our duty in every thing to give thanks
unto God and the Father, to God as the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
and our Father in him, in whose name we are to offer up all our
prayers, and praises, and spiritual services, that they may be
acceptable to God.
Duties of Husbands and Wives. (a. d. 61.)
21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. 22 Wives,
submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 23 For
the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the
church: and he is the saviour of the body. 24 Therefore as the church
is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in
every thing. 25 Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved
the church, and gave himself for it; 26 That he might sanctify and
cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might
present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle,
or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. 28
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth
his wife loveth himself. 29 For no man ever yet hated his own flesh;
but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: 30 For
we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. 31 For
this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined
unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. 32 This is a great
mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even
as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
Here the apostle begins his exhortation to the discharge of relative
duties. As a general foundation for these duties, he lays down that
rule v. 21. There is a mutual submission that Christians owe one to
another, condescending to bear one another's burdens: not advancing
themselves above others, nor domineering over one another and giving
laws to one another. Paul was an example of this truly Christian
temper, for he became all things to all men. We must be of a yielding
and of a submissive spirit, and ready to all the duties of the
respective places and stations that God has allotted to us in the
world. In the fear of God, that is, so far as is consistent with the
fear of God, for his sake, and out of conscience towards him, and that
hereby we may give proof that we truly fear him. Where there is this
mutual condescension and submission, the duties of all relations will
be the better performed. From v. 22 to the end he speaks of the duties
of husbands and wives; and he speaks of these in a Christian manner,
setting the church as an example of the wife's subjection, and Christ
as an example of love in husbands.
I. The duty prescribed to wives is submission to their husbands in the
Lord (v. 22), which submission includes the honouring and obeying of
them, and that from a principle of love to them. They must do this in
compliance with God's authority, who has commanded it, which is doing
it as unto the Lord; or it may be understood by way of similitude and
likeness, so that the sense may be, "as, being devoted to God, you
submit yourselves unto him." From the former sense we may learn that by
a conscientious discharge of the duties we owe to our fellow-creatures
we obey and please God himself; and, from the latter, that God not only
requires and insists on those duties which immediately respect himself,
but such as respect our neighbours too. The apostle assigns the reason
of this submission from wives: For the husband is the head of the wife,
v. 23. The metaphor is taken from the head in the natural body, which,
being the seat of reason, of wisdom, and of knowledge, and the fountain
of sense and motion, is more excellent than the rest of the body. God
has given the man the pre-eminence and a right to direct and govern by
creation, and in that original law of the relation, Thy desire shall be
to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Whatever there is of
uneasiness in this, it is an effect of sin coming into the world.
Generally, too, the man has (what he ought to have) a superiority in
wisdom and knowledge. He is therefore the head, even as Christ is the
head of the church. There is a resemblance of Christ's authority over
the church in that superiority and headship which God has appointed to
the husband. The apostle adds, and he is the Saviour of the body.
Christ's authority is exercised over the church for the saving of her
from evil, and the supplying of her with every thing good for her. In
like manner should the husband be employed for the protection and
comfort of his spouse; and therefore she should the more cheerfully
submit herself unto him. So it follows, Therefore as the church is
subject unto Christ (v. 24), with cheerfulness, with fidelity, with
humility, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing--in
every thing to which their authority justly extends itself, in every
thing lawful and consistent with duty to God.
II. The duty of husbands (on the other hand), is to love their wives
(v. 25); for without this they would abuse their superiority and
headship, and, wherever this prevails as it ought to do, it will infer
the other duties of the relation, it being a special and peculiar
affection that is required in her behalf. The love of Christ to the
church is proposed as an example of this, which love of his is a
sincere, a pure, an ardent, and constant affection, and that
notwithstanding the imperfections and failures that she is guilty of.
The greatness of his love to the church appeared in his giving himself
unto the death for it. Observe, As the church's subjection to Christ is
proposed as an exemplar to wives, so the love of Christ to his church
is proposed as a pattern to husbands; and while such exemplars are
offered to both, and so much is required of each, neither has reason to
complain of the divine injunctions. The love which God requires from
the husband in behalf of his wife will make amends for the subjection
which he demands from her to her husband; and the prescribed subjection
of the wife will be an abundant return for that love of the husband
which God has made her due. The apostle, having mentioned Christ's love
to the church, enlarges upon it, assigning the reason why he gave
himself for it, namely, that he might sanctify it in this world, and
glorify it in the next: That he might sanctify and cleanse it, with the
washing of water by the word (v. 26)--that he might endue all his
members with a principle of holiness, and deliver them from the guilt,
the pollution, and the dominion of sin. The instrumental means whereby
this is affected are the instituted sacraments, particularly the
washing of baptism and the preaching and reception of the gospel. And
that he might present it to himself, &c., v. 27. Dr. Lightfoot thinks
the apostle alludes here to the Jews' extraordinary carefulness in
their washings for purification. They were careful that there should be
no wrinkle to keep the flesh from the water, and no spot nor dirt which
was not thoroughly washed. Others understand him as alluding to a
garment come newly out of the fuller's hand, purged from spots,
stretched from wrinkles, the former newly contracted, the latter by
long time and custom. That he might present it to himself--that he
might perfectly unite it to himself in the great day, a glorious
church, perfect in knowledge and in holiness, not having spot, nor
wrinkle, nor any such thing, nothing of deformity or defilement
remaining, but being entirely amiable and pleasing in his eye, holy and
without blemish, free from the least remains of sin. The church in
general, and particular believers, will not be without spot or wrinkle
till they come to glory. From this and the former verse together we may
take notice that the glorifying of the church is intended in the
sanctifying of it: and that those, and those only, who are sanctified
now, will be glorified hereafter.--So ought men to love their wives as
their own bodies, &c., v. 28. The wife being made one with her husband
(not in a natural, but in a civil and in a relative sense), this is an
argument why he should love her with as cordial and as ardent an
affection as that which he loves himself. For no man ever yet hated his
own flesh, v. 29--(no man in his right senses ever hated himself,
however deformed, or whatever his imperfections might be); so far from
it that he nourishes and cherishes it; he uses himself with a great
deal of care and tenderness, and is industrious to supply himself with
every thing convenient or good for him, with food and clothing, &c.
Even as the Lord the church: that is, as the Lord nourishes and
cherishes the church, which he furnishes with all things that he sees
needful or good for her, with whatever conduces to her everlasting
happiness and welfare. The apostle adds, For we are members of his
body, of his flesh and of his bones, v. 30. He assigns this as a reason
why Christ nourishes and cherishes his church--because all who belong
to it are members of his body, that is, of his mystical body. Or, we
are members out of his body: all the grace and glory which the church
has are from Christ, as Eve was taken out of the man. But, as one
observes, it being the manner of the sacred writings to express a
complex body by the enumeration of its several parts, as the heaven and
earth for the world, evening and morning for the natural day, so here,
by body, flesh, and bones, we are to understand himself, the meaning of
the verse being that we are members of Christ.--For this cause (because
they are one, as Christ and his church are one) shall a man leave his
father and mother; the apostle refers to the words of Adam, when Eve
was given to him for a meet help, Gen. ii. 24. We are not to understand
by this that a man's obligation to other relations is cancelled upon
his marriage, but only that this relation is to be preferred to all
others, there being a nearer union between these two than between any
others, that the man must rather leave any of those than his wife.--And
they two shall be one flesh, that is, by virtue of the matrimonial
bond. This is a great mystery, v. 32. Those words of Adam, just
mentioned by the apostle, are spoken literally of marriage; but they
have also a hidden mystical sense in them, relating to the union
between Christ and his church, of which the conjugal union between Adam
and the mother of us all was a type: though not instituted or appointed
by God to signify this, yet it was a kind of natural type, as having a
resemblance to it: I speak concerning Christ and the church.
After this, the apostle concludes this part of his discourse with a
brief summary of the duty of husbands and wives, v. 33. "Nevertheless
(though there be such a secret mystical sense, yet the plain literal
sense concerns you) let every one of you in particular so love his wife
even as himself, with such a sincere, peculiar, singular, and
prevailing affection as that is which he bears to himself. And the wife
see that she reverence her husband." Reverence consists of love and
esteem, which produce a care to please, and of fear, which awakens a
caution lest just offence be given. That the wife thus reverence her
husband is the will of God and the law of the relation.
__________________________________________________________________
E P H E S I A N S.
CHAP. VI.
In this chapter, I. The apostle proceeds in the exhortation to relative
duties which he began in the former, particularly he insists on the
duties of children and parents, and of servants and masters, ver. 1-9.
II. He exhorts and directs Christians how to behave themselves in the
spiritual warfare with the enemies of their souls; and to the exercise
of several Christian graces, which he proposes to them as so many
pieces of spiritual armour, to preserve and defend them in the
conflict, ver. 10-18. III. We have here the conclusion of the epistle,
in which he takes his leave of them, recommending himself to the
prayers of the believing Ephesians, and praying for them, ver. 19-24.
Duties of Children to Parents; Duties of Servants to Masters. (a. d. 61.)
1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. 2
Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with
promise;) 3 That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long
on the earth. 4 And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath:
but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. 5
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the
flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto
Christ; 6 Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of
Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; 7 With good will doing
service, as to the Lord, and not to men: 8 Knowing that whatsoever
good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord,
whether he be bond or free. 9 And, ye masters, do the same things
unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in
heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
Here we have further directions concerning relative duties, in which
the apostle is very particular.
I. The duty of children to their parents. Come, you children, hearken
to me, I will teach you the fear of the Lord. The great duty of
children is to obey their parents (v. 1), parents being the instruments
of their being, God and nature having given them an authority to
command, in subserviency to God; and, if children will be obedient to
their pious parents, they will be in a fair way to be pious as they
are. That obedience which God demands from their children, in their
behalf, includes an inward reverence, as well as the outward
expressions and acts. Obey in the Lord. Some take this as a limitation,
and understand it thus: "as far as is consistent with your duty to
God." We must not disobey our heavenly Father in obedience to earthly
parents; for our obligation to God is prior and superior to all others.
I take it rather as a reason: "Children, obey your parents; for the
Lord has commanded it: obey them therefore for the Lord's sake, and
with an eye to him." Or it may be a particular specification of the
general duty: "Obey your parents, especially in those things which
relate to the Lord. Your parents teach you good manners, and therein
you must obey them. They teach you what is for your health, and in this
you must obey them: but the chief things in which you are to do it are
the things pertaining to the Lord." Religious parents charge their
children to keep the ways of the Lord, Gen. xviii. 19. They command
them to be found in the way of their duty towards God, and to take heed
of those sins most incident to their age; in these things especially
they must see that they be obedient. There is a general reason given:
For this is right, there is a natural equity in it, God has enjoined
it, and it highly becomes Christians. It is the order of nature that
parents command and children obey. Though this may seem a hard saying,
yet it is duty, and it must be done by such as would please God and
approve themselves to him. For the proof of this the apostle quotes the
law of the fifth commandment, which Christ was so far from designing to
abrogate and repeal that he came to confirm it, as appears by his
vindicating it, Matt. xv. 4, &c. Honour thy father and mother (v. 2),
which honour implies reverence, obedience, and relief and maintenance,
if these be needed. The apostle adds, which is the first commandment
with promise. Some little difficulty arises from this, which we should
not overlook, because some who plead for the lawfulness of images bring
this as a proof that we are not bound by the second commandment. But
there is no manner of force in the argument. The second commandment has
not a particular promise; but only a general declaration or assertion,
which relates to the whole law of God's keeping mercy for thousands.
And then by this is not meant the first commandment of the decalogue
that has a promise, for there is no other after it that has, and
therefore it would be improper to say it is the first; but the meaning
may be this: "This is a prime or chief commandment, and it has a
promise; it is the first commandment in the second table, and it has a
promise." The promise is, That it may be well with thee, &c., v. 3.
Observe, Whereas the promise in the commandment has reference to the
land of Canaan, the apostle hereby shows that this and other promises
which we have in the Old Testament relating to the land of Canaan are
to be understood more generally. That you may not think that the Jews
only, to whom God gave the land of Canaan, were bound by the fifth
commandment, he here gives it a further sense, That it may be well with
thee, &c. Outward prosperity and long life are blessings promised to
those who keep this commandment. This is the way to have it well with
us, and obedient children are often rewarded with outward prosperity.
Not indeed that it is always so; there are instances of such children
who meet with much affliction in this life: but ordinarily obedience is
thus rewarded, and, where it is not, it is made up with something
better. Observe, 1. The gospel has its temporal promises, as well as
spiritual ones. 2. Although the authority of God be sufficient to
engage us in our duty, yet we are allowed to have respect to the
promised reward: and, 3. Though it contains some temporal advantage,
even this may be considered as a motive and encouragement to our
obedience.
II. The duty of parents: And you fathers, v. 4. Or, you parents, 1. "Do
not provoke your children to wrath. Though God has given you power, you
must not abuse that power, remembering that your children are, in a
particular manner, pieces of yourselves, and therefore ought to be
governed with great tenderness and love. Be not impatient with them,
use no unreasonable severities and lay no rigid injunctions upon them.
When you caution them, when you counsel them, when you reprove them, do
it in such a manner as not to provoke them to wrath. In all such cases
deal prudently and wisely with them, endeavouring to convince their
judgments and to work upon their reason." 2. "Bring them up well, in
the nurture and admonition of the Lord, in the discipline of proper and
of compassionate correction, and in the knowledge of that duty which
God requires of them and by which they may become better acquainted
with him. Give them a good education." It is the great duty of parents
to be careful in the education of their children: "Not only bring them
up, as the brutes do, taking care to provide for them; but bring them
up in nurture and admonition, in such a manner as is suitable to their
reasonable natures. Nay, not only bring them up as men, in nurture and
admonition, but as Christians, in the admonition of the Lord. Let them
have a religious education. Instruct them to fear sinning; and inform
them of, and excite them to, the whole of their duty towards God."
III. The duty of servants. This also is summed up in one word, which
is, obedience. He is largest on this article, as knowing there was the
greatest need of it. These servants were generally slaves. Civil
servitude is not inconsistent with Christian liberty. Those may be the
Lord's freemen who are slaves to men. "Your masters according to the
flesh (v. 5), that is, who have the command of your bodies, but not of
your souls and consciences: God alone has dominion over these." Now,
with respect to servants, he exhorts, 1. That they obey with fear and
trembling. They are to reverence those who are over them, fearing to
displease them, and trembling lest they should justly incur their anger
and indignation. 2. That they be sincere in their obedience: In
singleness of heart; not pretending obedience when they design
disobedience, but serving them with faithfulness. 3. They should have
an eye to Jesus Christ in all the service that they perform to their
masters (v. 5-7), doing service as to the Lord, and not to men; that
is, not to men only or principally. When servants, in the discharge of
the duty of their places, have an eye to Christ, this puts an honour
upon their obedience, and an acceptableness into it. Service done to
their earthly masters, with an eye to him, becomes acceptable service
to him also. To have an eye to Christ is to remember that he sees them
and is ever present with them, and that his authority obliges them to a
faithful and conscientious discharge of the duties of their station. 4.
They must not serve their masters with eye-service (v. 6)--that is,
only when their master's eye is upon them; but they must be as
conscientious in the discharge of their duty, when they are absent and
out of the way, because then their Master in heaven beholds them: and
therefore they must not act as men-pleasers--as though they had no
regard to the pleasing of God, and approving themselves to him, if they
can impose upon their masters. Observe, A steady regard to the Lord
Jesus Christ will make men faithful and sincere in every station of
life. 5. What they do they must do cheerfully: Doing the will of God
from the heart, serving their masters as God wills they should, not
grudgingly, nor by constraint, but from a principle of love to them and
their concerns. This is doing it with good-will (v. 7), which will make
their service easy to themselves, pleasing to their masters, and
acceptable to the Lord Christ. There should be good-will to their
masters, good-will to the families they are in; and especially a
readiness to do their duty to God. Observe, Service, performed with
conscience, and from a regard to God, though it be to unrighteous
masters, will be accounted by Christ as service done to himself. 6. Let
faithful servants trust God for their wages, while they do their duty
in his fear: Knowing that whatsoever good thing (v. 8), how poor and
mean soever it may be, considered in itself,--the same shall he receive
of the Lord, that is, by a metonymy, the reward of the same. Though his
master on earth should neglect or abuse him, instead of rewarding him,
he shall certainly be rewarded by the Lord Christ, whether he be bond
or free, whether he be a poor bond-servant or a freeman or master.
Christ regards not these differences of men at present; nor will he in
the great and final judgment. You think, "A prince, or a magistrate, or
a minister, that does his duty here, will be sure to receive his reward
in heaven: but what capacity am I, a poor servant, in, of recommending
myself to the favour of God." Why, God will as certainly reward thee
for the meanest drudgery that is done from a sense of duty and with an
eye to himself. And what can be said more proper either to engage or to
encourage servants to their duty?
IV. The duty of masters: "And you masters, do the same things unto them
(v. 9); that is, act after the same manner. Be just to them, as you
expect they should be to you: show the like good-will and concern for
them, and be careful herein to approve yourselves to God." Observe,
Masters are under as strict obligations to discharge their duty to
their servants as servants are to be obedient and dutiful to them.
"Forbearing threatening; anientes--moderating threatening, and
remitting the evils with which you threaten them. Remember that your
servants are made of the same mould with yourselves, and therefore be
not tyrannical and imperious over them, knowing that your Master also
is in heaven:" some copies read, both your and their Master. "You have
a Master to obey who makes this your duty; and you and they are but
fellow-servants in respect of Christ. You will be as punishable by him,
for the neglect of your duty, or for acting contrary to it, as any
others of meaner condition in the world. You are therefore to show
favour to others, as ever you expect to find favour with him; and you
will never be a match for him, though you may be too hard for your
servants." Neither is there respect of persons with him; a rich, a
wealthy, and a dignified master, if he be unjust, imperious, and
abusive, is not a jot the nearer being accepted of God for his riches,
wealth, and honour. He will call masters and servants to an impartial
account for their conduct one to another, and will neither spare the
former because they are more advanced nor be severe towards the latter
because they are inferior and mean in the world. If both masters and
servants would consider their relation and obligation to God and the
account they must shortly give to him, they would be more careful of
their duty to each other. Thus the apostle concludes his exhortation to
relative duties.
The Spiritual Warfare. (a. d. 61.)
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his
might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to
stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against
flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against
the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness
in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God,
that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all,
to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with
truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your
feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all,
taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all
the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation,
and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying
always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching
thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Here is a general exhortation to constancy in our Christian course, and
to encourage in our Christian warfare. Is not our life a warfare? It is
so; for we struggle with the common calamities of human life. Is not
our religion much more a warfare? It is so; for we struggle with the
opposition of the powers of darkness, and with many enemies who would
keep us from God and heaven. We have enemies to fight against, a
captain to fight for, a banner to fight under, and certain rules of war
by which we are to govern ourselves. "Finally, my brethren (v. 10), it
yet remains that you apply yourselves to your work and duty as
Christian soldiers." Now it is requisite that a soldier be both
stout-hearted and well armed. If Christians be soldiers of Jesus
Christ,
I. They must see that they be stout-hearted. This is prescribed here:
Be strong in the Lord, &c. Those who have so many battles to fight, and
who, in their way to heaven, must dispute every pass, with dint of
sword, have need of a great deal of courage. Be strong therefore,
strong for service, strong for suffering, strong for fighting. Let a
soldier be ever so well armed without, if he have not within a good
heart, his armour will stand him in little stead. Note, spiritual
strength and courage are very necessary for our spiritual warfare. Be
strong in the Lord, either in his cause and for his sake or rather in
his strength. We have no sufficient strength of our own. Our natural
courage is as perfect cowardice, and our natural strength as perfect
weakness; but all our sufficiency is of God. In his strength we must go
forth and go on. By the actings of faith, we must fetch in grace and
help from heaven to enable us to do that which of ourselves we cannot
do, in our Christian work and warfare. We should stir up ourselves to
resist temptations in a reliance upon God's all-sufficiency and the
omnipotence of his might.
II. They must be well armed: "Put on the whole armour of God (v. 11),
make use of all the proper defensitives and weapons for repelling the
temptations and stratagems of Satan--get and exercise all the Christian
graces, the whole armour, that no part be naked and exposed to the
enemy." Observe, Those who would approve themselves to have true grace
must aim at all grace, the whole armour. It is called the armour of
God, because he both prepares and bestows it. We have no armour of our
own that will be armour of proof in a trying time. Nothing will stand
us in stead but the armour of God. This armour is prepared for us, but
we must put it on; that is, we must pray for grace, we must use the
grace given us, and draw it out into act and exercise as there is
occasion. The reason assigned why the Christian should be completely
armed is that he may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil--that he may be able to hold out, and to overcome,
notwithstanding all the devil's assaults, both of force and fraud, all
the deceits he puts upon us, all the snares he lays for us, and all his
machinations against us. This the apostle enlarges upon here, and
shows,
1. What our danger is, and what need we have to put on this whole
armour, considering what sort of enemies we have to deal with--the
devil and all the powers of darkness: For we wrestle not against flesh
and blood, &c., v. 12. The combat for which we are to be prepared is
not against ordinary human enemies, not barely against men compounded
of flesh and blood, nor against our own corrupt natures singly
considered, but against the several ranks of devils, who have a
government which they exercise in this world. (1.) We have to do with a
subtle enemy, an enemy who uses wiles and stratagems, as v. 11. He has
a thousand ways of beguiling unstable souls: hence he is called a
serpent for subtlety, an old serpent, experienced in the art and trade
of tempting. (2.) He is a powerful enemy: Principalities, and powers,
and rulers. They are numerous, they are vigorous; and rule in those
heathen nations which are yet in darkness. The dark parts of the world
are the seat of Satan's empire. Yea, they are usurping princes over all
men who are yet in a state of sin and ignorance. Satan's is a kingdom
of darkness; whereas Christ's is a kingdom of light. (3.) They are
spiritual enemies: Spiritual wickedness in high places, or wicked
spirits, as some translate it. The devil is a spirit, a wicked spirit;
and our danger is the greater from our enemies because they are unseen,
and assault us ere we are aware of them. The devils are wicked spirits,
and they chiefly annoy the saints with, and provoke them to, spiritual
wickednesses, pride, envy, malice, &c. These enemies are said to be in
high places, or in heavenly places, so the word is, taking heaven (as
one says) for the whole expansum, or spreading out of the air between
the earth and the stars, the air being the place from which the devils
assault us. Or the meaning may be, "We wrestle about heavenly places or
heavenly things;" so some of the ancients interpret it. Our enemies
strive to prevent our ascent to heaven, to deprive us of heavenly
blessings and to obstruct our communion with heaven. They assault us in
the things that belong to our souls, and labour to deface the heavenly
image in our hearts; and therefore we have need to be upon our guard
against them. We have need of faith in our Christian warfare, because
we have spiritual enemies to grapple with, as well as of faith in our
Christian work, because we have spiritual strength to fetch in. Thus
you see your danger.
2. What our duty is: to take and put on the whole armour of God, and
then to stand our ground, and withstand our enemies.
(1.) We must withstand, v. 13. We must not yield to the devil's
allurements and assaults, but oppose them. Satan is said to stand up
against us, 1 Chron. xxi. 1. If he stand up against us, we must stand
against him; set up, and keep up, an interest in opposition to the
devil. Satan is the wicked one, and his kingdom is the kingdom of sin:
to stand against Satan is to strive against sin. That you may be able
to withstand in the evil day, in the day of temptation, or of any sore
affliction.
(2.) We must stand our ground: And, having done all, to stand. We must
resolve, by God's grace, not to yield to Satan. Resist him, and he will
flee. If we distrust our cause, or our leader, or our armour, we give
him advantage. Our present business is to withstand the assaults of the
devil, and to stand it out; and then, having done all that is incumbent
on the good soldiers of Jesus Christ, our warfare will be accomplished,
and we shall be finally victorious.
(3.) We must stand armed; and this is here most enlarged upon. Here is
a Christian in complete armour: and the armour is divine: Armour of
God, armour of light, Rom. xiii. 12. Armour of righteousness, 2 Cor.
vi. 7. The apostle specifies the particulars of this armour, both
offensive and defensive. The military girdle or belt, the breast-plate,
the greaves (or soldier's shoes), the shield, the helmet, and the
sword. It is observable that, among them all, there is none for the
back; if we turn our back upon the enemy, we lie exposed. [1.] Truth or
sincerity is our girdle, v. 14. It was prophesied of Christ (Isa. xi.
5) that righteousness should be the girdle of his loins and
faithfulness the girdle of his reins. That which Christ was girded with
all Christians must be girded with. God desires truth, that is,
sincerity, in the inward parts. This is the strength of our loins; and
it girds on all other pieces of our armour, and therefore is first
mentioned. I know no religion without sincerity. Some understand it of
the doctrine of the truths of the gospel: they should cleave to us as
the girdle does to the loins, Jer. xiii. 11. This will restrain from
libertinism and licentiousness, as a girdle restrains and keeps in the
body. This is the Christian soldier's belt: ungirded with this, he is
unblessed. [2.] Righteousness must be our breast-plate. The
breast-plate secures the vitals, shelters the heart. The righteousness
of Christ imputed to us is our breast-plate against the arrows of
divine wrath. The righteousness of Christ implanted in us is our
breast-plate to fortify the heart against the attacks which Satan makes
against us. The apostle explains this in 1 Thess. v. 8, Putting on the
breast-plate of faith and love. Faith and love include all Christian
graces; for by faith we are united to Christ and by love to our
brethren. These will infer a diligent observance of our duty to God,
and a righteous deportment towards men, in all the offices of justice,
truth, and charity. [3.] Resolution must be as the greaves to our legs:
And their feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, v. 15.
Shoes, or greaves of brass, or the like, were formerly part of the
military armour (1 Sam. xvii. 6): the use of them was to defend the
feet against the gall-traps, and sharp sticks, which were wont to be
laid privily in the way, to obstruct the marching of the enemy, those
who fell upon them being unfit to march. The preparation of the gospel
of peace signifies a prepared and resolved frame of heart, to adhere to
the gospel and abide by it, which will enable us to walk with a steady
pace in the way of religion, notwithstanding the difficulties and
dangers that may be in it. It is styled the gospel of peace because it
brings all sorts of peace, peace with God, with ourselves, and with one
another. It may also be meant of that which prepares for the
entertainment of the gospel, namely, repentance. With this our feet
must be shod: for by living a life of repentance we are armed against
temptations to sin, and the designs of our great enemy. Dr. Whitby
thinks this may be the sense of the words: "That you may be ready for
the combat, be shod with the gospel of peace, endeavour after that
peaceable and quiet mind which the gospel calls for. Be not easily
provoked, nor prone to quarrel: but show all gentleness and all
long-suffering to all men, and this will certainly preserve you from
many great temptations and persecutions, as did those shoes of brass
the soldiers from those galltraps," &c. [4.] Faith must be our shield:
Above all, or chiefly, taking the shield of faith, v. 16. This is more
necessary than any of them. Faith is all in all to us in an hour of
temptation. The breast-plate secures the vitals; but with the shield we
turn every way. This is the victory over the world, even our faith. We
are to be fully persuaded of the truth of all God's promises and
threatenings, such a faith being of great use against temptations.
Consider faith as it is the evidence of things not seen and the
substance of things hoped for, and it will appear to be of admirable
use for this purpose. Faith, as receiving Christ and the benefits of
redemption, so deriving grace from him, is like a shield, a sort of
universal defence. Our enemy the devil is here called the wicked one.
He is wicked himself, and he endeavours to make us wicked. His
temptations are called darts, because of their swift and undiscerned
flight, and the deep wounds that they give to the soul; fiery darts, by
way of allusion to the poisonous darts which were wont to inflame the
parts which were wounded with them, and therefore were so called, as
the serpents with poisonous stings are called fiery serpents. Violent
temptations, by which the soul is set on fire of hell, are the darts
which Satan shoots at us. Faith is the shield with which we must quench
these fiery darts, wherein we should receive them, and so render them
ineffectual, that they may not hit us, or at least that they may not
hurt us. Observe, Faith, acted upon the word of God and applying that,
acted upon the grace of Christ and improving that, quenches the darts
of temptation. [5.] Salvation must be our helmet (v. 17); that is,
hope, which has salvation for its object; so 1 Thess. v. 8. The helmet
secures the head. A good hope of salvation, well founded and well
built, will both purify the soul and keep it from being defiled by
Satan, and it will comfort the soul and keep it from being troubled and
tormented by Satan. He would tempt us to despair; but good hope keeps
us trusting in God, and rejoicing in him. [6.] The word of God is the
sword of the Spirit. The sword is a very necessary and useful part of a
soldier's furniture. The word of God is very necessary, and of great
use to the Christian, in order to his maintaining the spiritual warfare
and succeeding in it. It is called the sword of the Spirit, because it
is of the Spirit's inditing and he renders it efficacious and powerful,
and sharper than a two-edged sword. Like Goliath's sword, none like
that; with this we assault the assailants. Scripture-arguments are the
most powerful arguments to repel temptation with. Christ himself
resisted Satan's temptations with, It is written, Matt. iv. 4, 6, 7,
10. This, being hid in the heart, will preserve from sin (Ps. cxix.
11), and will mortify and kill those lusts and corruptions that are
latent there. [7.] Prayer must buckle on all the other parts of our
Christian armour, v. 18. We must join prayer with all these graces, for
our defence against these spiritual enemies, imploring help and
assistance of God, as the case requires: and we must pray always. Not
as though we were to do nothing else but pray, for there are other
duties of religion and of our respective stations in the world that are
to be done in their place and season; but we should keep up constant
times of prayer, and be constant to them. We must pray upon all
occasions, and as often as our own and others' necessities call us to
it. We must always keep up a disposition to prayer, and should intermix
ejaculatory prayers with other duties, and with common business. Though
set and solemn prayer may sometimes be unseasonable (as when other
duties are to be done), yet pious ejaculations can never be so. We must
pray with all prayer and supplication, with all kinds of prayer:
public, private, and secret, social and solitary, solemn and sudden;
with all the parts of prayer: confession of sin, petition for mercy,
and thanksgivings for favours received. We must pray in the Spirit; our
spirits must be employed in the duty and we must do it by the grace of
God's good Spirit. We must watch thereunto, endeavouring to keep our
hearts in a praying frame, and taking all occasions, and improving all
opportunities, for the duty: we must watch to all the motions of our
own hearts towards the duty. When God says, Seek my face, our hearts
must comply, Ps. xxvii. 8. This we must do with all perseverance. We
must abide by the duty of prayer, whatever change there may be in our
outward circumstances; and we must continue in it as long as we live in
the world. We must persevere in a particular prayer; not cutting it
short, when our hearts are disposed to enlarge, and there is time for
it, and our occasions call for it. We must likewise persevere in
particular requests, notwithstanding some present discouragements and
repulses. And we must pray with supplication, not for ourselves only,
but for all saints; for we are members one of another. Observe, None
are so much saints, and in so good a condition in this world, but they
need our prayers, and they ought to have them. The apostle passes hence
to the conclusion of the epistle.
The Conclusion. (a. d. 61.)
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my
mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 For which I
am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought
to speak. 21 But that ye also may know my affairs, and how I do,
Tychicus, a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord, shall
make known to you all things: 22 Whom I have sent unto you for the
same purpose, that ye might know our affairs, and that he might comfort
your hearts. 23 Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from
God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace be with all them
that love our Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen.
Here, I. He desires their prayers for him, v. 19. Having mentioned
supplication for all saints, he puts himself into the number. We must
pray for all saints, and particularly for God's faithful ministers.
Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may run and be
glorified. Observe what it is he would have them pray for in his
behalf: "That utterance may be given unto me; that I may be enlarged
from my present restraints, and so have liberty to propagate the faith
of Christ; that I may have ability to express myself in a suitable and
becoming manner; and that I may open my mouth boldly, that is, that I
may deliver the whole counsel of God, without any base fear, shame, or
partiality." To make known the mystery of the gospel; some understand
it of that part of the gospel which concerns the calling of the
Gentiles, which had hitherto, as a mystery, been concealed. But the
whole gospel was a mystery, till made known by divine revelation; and
it is the work of Christ's ministers to publish it. Observe, Paul had a
great command of language; they called him Mercury, because he was the
chief speaker (Acts xiv. 12), and yet he would have his friends ask of
God the gift of utterance for him. He was a man of great courage, and
often signalized himself for it; yet he would have them pray that God
would give him boldness. He knew as well what to say as any man; yet he
desires them to pray for him, that he may speak as he ought to speak.
The argument with which he enforces his request is that for the sake of
the gospel he was an ambassador in bonds, v. 20. He was persecuted and
imprisoned for preaching the gospel; though, notwithstanding, he
continued in the embassy committed to him by Christ, and persisted in
preaching it. Observe, 1. It is no new thing for Christ's ministers to
be in bonds. 2. It is a hard thing for them to speak boldly when that
is their case. 3. The best and most eminent ministers have need of, and
may receive advantage by, the prayers of good Christians; and therefore
should earnestly desire them. Having thus desired their prayers,
II. He recommends Tychicus unto them, v. 21, 22. He sent him with this
epistle, that he might acquaint them with what other churches were
informed of, namely, how he did, and what he did; how he was used by
the Romans in his bonds, and how he behaved himself in his present
circumstances. It is desirable to good ministers both that their
Christian friends should know their state and that they should be
acquainted with the condition of their friends; for by this means they
may the better help each other in their prayers.--And that he might
comfort their hearts, by giving such an account of his sufferings, of
the cause of them, and of the temper of his mind and his behaviour
under them, as might prevent their fainting at his tribulations and
even minister matter of joy and thanksgiving unto them. He tells them
that Tychicus was a beloved brother and faithful minister in the Lord.
He was a sincere Christian, and so a brother in Christ: he was a
faithful minister in the work of Christ, and he was very dear to Paul,
which makes Paul's love to these Christian Ephesians the more
observable, in that he should now part with so good and dear a friend
for their sakes, when his company and conversation must have been
peculiarly delightful and serviceable to himself. But the faithful
servants of Jesus Christ are wont to prefer the public good to their
own private or personal interests.
III. He concludes with his good wishes and prayers for them, and not
for them only, but for all the brethren, v. 23, 24. His usual
benediction was, Grace and peace; here it is, Peace be to the brethren,
and love with faith. By peace we are to understand all manner of
peace--peace with God, peace with conscience, peace among themselves:
and all outward prosperity is included in the word; as if he had said,
"I wish the continuance and increase of all happiness to you." And love
with faith. This in part explains what he means in the following verse
by grace; not only grace in the fountain, or the love and favour of
God, but grace in the streams, the grace of the Spirit flowing from
that divine principle, faith and love including all the rest. It is the
continuance and increase of these that he desires for them, in whom
they were already begun. It follows, from God the Father, &c. All Grace
and blessings are derived to the saints from God, through the merit and
intercession of Jesus Christ our Lord. The closing benediction is more
extensive than the former; for in this he prays for all true believers
at Ephesus, and every where else. It is the undoubted character of all
the saints that they love our Lord Jesus Christ. Our love to Christ is
not acceptable, unless it be in sincerity: indeed there is no such
thing as love to Christ, whatever men may pretend, where there is not
sincerity. The words may be read, Grace be with all those who love our
Lord Jesus Christ in incorruption, who continue constant in their love
to him, so as not to be corrupted out of it by any baits or seductions
whatsoever, and whose love to him is uncorrupted by any opposite lust,
or the love of any thing displeasing to him. Grace, that is, the favour
of God, and all good (spiritual and temporal), that is, the product of
it, are and shall be with all those who thus love our Lord Jesus
Christ. And it is, or ought to be, the desire and prayer of every lover
of Christ that it may be so with all his fellow-christians. Amen, so be
it.
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Philippians
Completed by William Harris.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
T H E P H I L I P P I A N S.
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Philippi was a chief city of the western part of Macedonia, prote tes
meridos tes Makedonias polis, Acts xvi. 12. It took its name from
Philip, the famous king of Macedon, who repaired and beautified it, and
it was afterwards made a Roman colony. Near this place were the Campi
Philippici, remarkable for the famous battles between Julius Cæsar and
Pompey the Great, and that between Augustus and Antony on one side and
Cassius and Brutus on the other. But it is most remarkable among
Christians for this epistle, which was written when Paul was a prisoner
at Rome, A.D. 62. Paul seems to have had a very particular kindness for
the church at Philippi, which he himself had been instrumental in
planting; and, though he had the care of all the churches, he had, upon
that account, a particular fatherly tender care of this. To those to
whom God has employed us to do any good we should look upon ourselves
both as encouraged and engaged to study to do more good. He looked upon
them as his children, and, having begotten them by the gospel, he was
desirous by the same gospel to nourish and nurse them up. I. He was
called in an extraordinary manner to preach the gospel at Philippi,
Acts xvi. 9. A vision appeared to Paul in the night: There stood a man
of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and
help us. He saw God going before him, and was encouraged to use all
means for carrying on the good work which was begun among them, and
building upon the foundation which was laid. II. At Philippi he
suffered hard things; he was scourged, and put into the stocks (Acts
xvi. 23, 24); yet he had not the less kindness for the place for the
hard usage he met with there. We must never love our friends the less
for the ill treatment which our enemies give us. III. The beginnings of
that church were very small; Lydia was converted there, and the jailer,
and a few more: yet that did not discourage him. If good be not done at
first, it may be done afterwards, and the last works may be more
abundant. We must not be discouraged by small beginnings. IV. It seems,
by many passages in this epistle, that this church at Philippi grew
into a flourishing church, and particularly that the brethren were very
kind to Paul. He had reaped of their temporal things, and he made a
return in spiritual things. He acknowledges the receipt of a present
they had sent him (iv. 18), and this when no other church communicated
with him as concerning giving and receiving (v. 15); and he gives them
a prophet's, an apostle's reward, in this epistle, which is of more
value than thousands of gold and silver.
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P H I L I P P I A N S.
CHAP. I.
He begins with the inscription and benediction, ver. 1, 2. He gives
thanks for the saints at Philippi, ver. 3-6. He speaks of his great
affection and concern for their spiritual welfare (ver. 7, 8), his
prayers for them (ver. 9-11), his care to prevent their offence at his
sufferings (ver. 12-20), his readiness to glorify Christ by life or
death (ver. 21-26), and then concludes with a double exhortation to
strictness and constancy, ver. 27-30.
Apostolic Benediction. (a. d. 62.)
1 Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints
in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
2 Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord
Jesus Christ.
We have here the inscription and benediction. Observe,
I. The persons writing the epistle--Paul and Timotheus. Though Paul was
alone divinely inspired, he joins Timothy with himself, to express his
own humility, and put honour upon Timothy. Those who are aged, and
strong, and eminent, should pay respect to, and support the reputation
of, those who are younger, and weaker, and of less note. The servants
of Jesus Christ; not only in the common relation of his disciples, but
in the peculiar work of the ministry, the high office of an apostle and
an evangelist. Observe, The highest honour of the greatest apostle, and
most eminent ministers, is to be the servants of Jesus Christ; not the
masters of the churches, but the servants of Christ. Observe,
II. The persons to whom it is directed. 1. To all the saints in Christ
who are at Philippi. He mentions the church before the ministers,
because the ministers are for the church, for their edification and
benefit, not the churches for the ministers, for their dignity,
dominion, and wealth. Not for that we have dominion over your faith,
but are helpers of your joy, 2 Cor. i. 24. They are not only the
servants of Christ, but the servants of the church for his sake.
Ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake, 2 Cor. iv. 5. Observe, The
Christians here are called saints; set apart for God, or sanctified by
his Spirit, either by visible profession or real holiness. And those
who are not really saints on earth will never be saints in heaven.
Observe, It is directed to all the saints, one as well as another, even
the meanest, the poorest, and those of the least gifts. Christ makes no
difference; the rich and the poor meet together in him: and the
ministers must not make a difference in their care and tenderness upon
these accounts. We must not have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ
with respect of persons, James ii. 1. Saints in Christ Jesus; saints
are accepted only by virtue of their being in Christ Jesus, or as they
are Christians. Out of Christ the best saints will appear sinners, and
unable to stand before God. 2. It is directed to the ministers, or
church-officers--with the bishops and deacons, the bishops or elders,
in the first place, whose office it was to teach and rule, and the
deacons, or overseers of the poor, who took care of the outward
business of the house of God: the place, the furniture, the maintenance
of the ministers, and provision for the poor. These were all the
offices which were then known in the church, and which were of divine
appointment. The apostle, in the direction of his epistle to a
Christian church, acknowledges but two orders, which he calls bishops
and deacons. And whosoever shall consider that the same characters and
titles, the same qualifications, the same acts of office, and the same
honour and respect, are every where ascribed throughout the New
Testament to those who are called bishops and presbyters (as Dr.
Hammond and other learned men allow), will find it difficult to make
them a different office or distinct order of ministry in the scripture
times.
III. Here is the apostolical benediction: Grace be unto you, and peace,
from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, v. 2. This is the
same, almost word for word, in all the epistles, to teach us that we
must not be shy of forms, though we are not to be tied down to them,
especially such as are not scriptural. The only form in the Old
Testament is that of a benediction (Num. vi. 23-26), On this wise you
shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The Lord bless
thee and keep thee: the Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be
gracious unto thee: the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon
thee, and give thee peace. So in the New Testament, the good which is
wished is spiritual good, grace and peace--the free favour and
good-will of God, and all the blessed fruits and effects of it, and
that from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, jointly from
them both, though in a different way. Observe, 1. No peace without
grace. Inward peace springs from a sense of divine favour. 2. No grace
and peace but from God our Father, the fountain and original of all
blessings, the Father of lights, from whom cometh down every good and
perfect gift, James i. 17. 3. No grace and peace from God our Father,
but in and through our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ, as Mediator, is the
channel of conveyance of all spiritual blessings to the church, and
directs the disposal of them to all his members.
The Apostle's Thankfulness and Joy. (a. d. 62.)
3 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, 4 Always in every
prayer of mine for you all making request with joy, 5 For your
fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now; 6 Being
confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in
you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
The apostle proceeds after the inscription and benediction to
thanksgiving for the saints at Philippi. He tells them what it was he
thanked God for, upon their account. Observe here,
I. Paul remembered them: he bore them much in his thoughts; and though
they were out of sight, and he was at a distance from them, yet they
were not out of his mind: or, Upon every mention of you--epi pase te
mneia. As he often thought of them, so he often spoke of them, and
delighted to hear them spoken of. The very mention of them was grateful
to him: it is a pleasure to hear of the welfare of an absent friend.
II. He remembered them with joy. At Philippi he was maltreated; there
he was scourged and put into the stocks, and for the present saw little
of the fruit of his labour; and yet he remembers Philippi with joy. He
looked upon his sufferings for Christ as his credit, his comfort, his
crown, and was pleased at every mention of the place where he suffered.
So far was he from being ashamed of them, or loth to hear of the scene
of his sufferings, that he remembered it with joy.
III. He remembered them in prayer: Always in every prayer of mine for
you all, v. 4. The best remembrance of our friends is to remember them
at the throne of grace. Paul was much in prayer for his friends, for
all his friends, for these particularly. It should seem, by this manner
of expression, that he mentioned at the throne of grace the several
churches he was interested in and concerned for particularly and by
name. He had seasons of prayer for the church at Philippi. God gives us
leave to be thus free with him, though, for our comfort, he knows whom
we mean when we do not name them.
IV. He thanked God upon every joyful remembrance of them. Observe,
Thanksgiving must have a part in every prayer; and whatsoever is the
matter of our rejoicing ought to be the matter of our thanksgiving.
What we have the comfort of, God must have the glory of. He thanked
God, as well as made requests with joy. As holy joy is the heart and
soul of thankful praise, so thankful praise is the lip and language of
holy joy.
V. As in our prayers, so in our thanksgiving, we must eye God as our
God: I thank my God. It encourages us in prayer, and enlarges the heart
in praise, to see every mercy coming from the hand of God as our
God.--I thank my God upon every remembrance of you. We must thank our
God for others' graces and comforts, and gifts and usefulness, as we
receive the benefit of them, and God receives glory by them. But what
is the matter of this thanksgiving? 1. He gives thanks to God for the
comfort he had in them: for your fellowship in the gospel, from the
first day until now, v. 5. Observe, Gospel fellowship is a good
fellowship; and the meanest Christians have fellowship in the gospel
with the greatest apostles, for the gospel salvation is a common
salvation ( Jude 3), and they obtain like precious faith with them, 2
Pet. i. 1. Those who sincerely receive and embrace the gospel have
fellowship in it from the very first day: a new-born Christian, if he
is true-born, is interested in all the promises and privileges of the
gospel from the first day of his becoming such.--Until now. Observe, It
is a great comfort to ministers when those who begin well hold on and
persevere. Some, by their fellowship in the gospel, understand their
liberality towards propagating the gospel, and translate koinonia, not
communion, but communication. But, comparing it with Paul's
thanksgiving on the account of other churches, it rather seems to be
taken more generally for the fellowship which they had, in faith, and
hope, and holy love, with all good Christians--a fellowship in gospel
promises, ordinances, privileges, and hopes; and this from the first
day until now. 2. For the confidence he had concerning them (v. 6):
Being confident of this very thing, &c. Observe, The confidence of
Christians is the great comfort of Christians, and we may fetch matter
of praise from our hopes as well as from our joys; we must give thanks
not only for what we have the present possession and evidence of, but
for what we have the future prospect of. Paul speaks with much
confidence concerning the good estate of others, hoping well concerning
them in the judgment of charity, and being confident in the judgment of
faith that if they were sincere they would be happy: That he who has
begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ.
A good work among you--en hymin, so it may be read: understand it, in
the general, of the planting of the church among them. He who hath
planted Christianity in the world will preserve it as long as the world
stands. Christ will have a church till the mystery of God shall be
finished and the mystical body completed. The church is built upon a
rock, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. But it is
rather to be applied to particular persons, and then it speaks of the
certain accomplishment of the work of grace wherever it is begun.
Observe here, (1.) The work of grace is a good work, a blessed work;
for it makes us good, and is an earnest of good to us. It makes us like
God, and fits us for the enjoyment of God. That may well be called a
good work which does us the greatest good. (2.) Wherever this good work
is begun it is of God's beginning: He has begun a good work in you. We
could not begin it ourselves, for we are by nature dead in trespasses
and sins: and what can dead men do towards raising themselves to life;
or how can they begin to act till they are enlivened in the same
respect in which they are said to be dead? It is God who quickens those
who are thus dead, Eph. ii. 1; Col. ii. 13. (3.) The work of grace is
but begun in this life; it is not finished here; as long as we are in
this imperfect state there is something more to be done. (4.) If the
same God who begins the good work did not undertake the carrying on and
finishing of it, it would lie for ever unfinished. He must perform it
who began it. (5.) We may be confident, or well persuaded, that God not
only will not forsake, but that he will finish and crown the work of
his own hands. For, as for God, his work is perfect. (6.) The work of
grace will never be perfected till the day of Jesus Christ, the day of
his appearance. When he shall come to judge the world, and finish his
mediation, then this work will be complete, and the top-stone will be
brought forth with shouting. We have the same expression, v. 10.
The Apostle's Affection and Hope. (a. d. 62.)
7 Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have
you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and
confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace. 8 For
God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of
Jesus Christ.
The apostle expresses the ardent affection he had for them, and his
concern for their spiritual welfare: I have you in my heart, v. 7. He
loved them as his own soul, and they lay near his heart. He thought
much of them, and was in care about them. Observe, 1. Why he had them
in his heart: Inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and
confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of my grace; that is,
they had received benefit by him and by his ministry; they were
partakers of that grace of God which by him, and through his hands, was
communicated to them. This makes people dear to their ministers--their
receiving benefit by their ministry. Or, "You are partakers of my
grace, you have joined with me in doing and suffering." They were
partakers of his affliction by sympathy and concern, and readiness to
assist him. Thus he calls being partakers of his grace; for those who
suffer with the saints are and shall be comforted with them; and those
shall share in the reward, who bear their part of the burden. He loved
them because they adhered to him in his bonds, and in the defence and
confirmation of the gospel: they were as ready to appear in their
places, and according to their capacity, for the defence of the gospel,
as the apostle was in his; and therefore he had them in his heart.
Fellow sufferers should be dear one to another; those who have ventured
and suffered in the same good cause of God and religion should for that
reason love one another dearly: or, because you have me at heart--dia
to echein me en te kardia hymas. They manifested their respect for him
by adhering firmly to the doctrine he preached, and readily suffering
for it along with him. The truest mark of respect towards our ministers
is receiving and abiding by the doctrine they preach. 2. The evidence
of it: It is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you
in my heart. By this it appeared that he had them in his heart, because
he had a good opinion of them and good hopes concerning them. Observe,
It is very proper to think the best of other people, and as well as we
can of them--to suppose as well of them as the matter will admit in all
cases. 3. An appeal to God concerning the truth of this (v. 8): For God
is my record how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus
Christ. Having them in his heart, he longed after them; either he
longed to see them, longed to hear from them, or he longed for their
spiritual welfare and their increase and improvement in knowledge and
grace. He had joy in them (v. 4), because of the good he saw and heard
of among them; yet still he longed after them, to hear of more of it
among them; and he longed after them all, not only those among them who
were witty and wealthy, but even the meanest and poorest; and he longed
greatly after them, or with strong affection and great good-will; and
this in the bowels of Jesus Christ, with that tender concern which
Christ himself has and has shown to precious souls. Paul was herein a
follower of Christ, and all good ministers should aim to be so. O the
bowels of compassion which are in Jesus Christ to poor souls! It was in
compassion to them that he undertook their salvation, and put himself
to so vast an expense to compass it. Now, in conformity to the example
of Christ, Paul had a compassion for them, and longed after them all in
the bowels of Jesus Christ. Shall not we pity and love those souls whom
Christ had such a love and pity for? For this he appeals to God: God is
my record. It was an inward disposition of mind that he expressed
towards them, to the sincerity of which God only was witness, and
therefore to him he appeals. "Whether you know it or not, or are
sensible of it, God, who knows the heart, knows it."
The Apostle's Affection and Hope. (a. d. 62.)
9 And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in
knowledge and in all judgment; 10 That ye may approve things that are
excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of
Christ; 11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are
by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
These verses contain the prayers he put up for them. Paul often let his
friends know what it was he begged of God for them, that they might
know what to beg for themselves and be directed in their own prayers,
and that they might be encouraged to hope they should receive from God
the quickening, strengthening, everlasting, comforting grace, which so
powerful an intercessor as Paul asked of God for them. It is an
encouragement to us to know that we are prayed for by our friends, who,
we have reason to think, have an interest at the throne of grace. It
was intended likewise for their direction in their walk, and that they
might labour to answer his prayers for them; for by this it would
appear that God had answered them. Paul, in praying thus for them,
expected good concerning them. It is an inducement to us to do our
duty, that we may not disappoint the expectations of praying friends
and ministers. He prayed, 1. That they might be a loving people, and
that good affections might abound among them; That your love might
abound yet more and more. He means it of their love to God, and one
another, and all men. Love is the fulfilling both of the law and of the
gospel. Observe, Those who abound much in any grace have still need to
abound more and more, because there is still something wanting in it
and we are imperfect in our best attainments. 2. That they might be a
knowing and judicious people: that love might abound in knowledge and
in all judgment. It is not a blind love that will recommend us to God,
but a love grounded upon knowledge and judgment. We must love God
because of his infinite excellence and loveliness, and love our
brethren because of what we see of the image of God upon them. Strong
passions, without knowledge and a settled judgment, will not make us
complete in the will of God, and sometimes do more hurt than good. The
Jews had a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge, and were
transported by it to violence and rage, Rom. x. 2; John xvi. 2. 3. That
they might be a discerning people. This would be the effect of their
knowledge and judgment: That you may approve the things which are
excellent (v. 10); or, as it is in the margin, Try the things which
differ; eis to dokimazein humas ta diapheronta, that we may approve the
things which are excellent upon the trial of them, and discern their
difference from other things. Observe, The truths and laws of Christ
are excellent things; and it is necessary that we every one approve
them, and esteem them such. We only need to try them, to approve of
them; and they will easily recommend themselves to any searching and
discerning mind. 4. That they might be an honest upright-hearted
people: That you may be sincere. Sincerity is our gospel perfection,
that in which we should have our conversation in the world, and which
is the glory of all our graces. When the eye is single, when we are
inward with God in what we do, are really what we appear to be, and
mean honestly, then we are sincere. 5. That they might be an
inoffensive people: that you may be without offence until the day of
Christ; not apt to take offence; and very careful not to give offence
to God or their brethren, to live in all good conscience before God
(Acts xxiii. 1), and to exercise ourselves to have always a conscience
void of offence towards God and towards men, Acts xxiv. 16. And we must
continue to the end blameless, that we may be presented so at the day
of Christ. He will present the church without spot or wrinkle (Eph. v.
27), and present believers faultless before the presence of his glory
with exceeding joy, Jude 24. 6. That they might be a fruitful useful
people (v. 11): Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, &c. From
God is our fruit found, and therefore from him it must be asked. The
fruits of righteousness are the evidences and effects of our
sanctification, the duties of holiness springing from a renewed heart,
the root of the matter in us. Being filled with them. Observe, Those
who do much good should still endeavour to do more. The fruits of
righteousness, brought forth for the glory of God and edification of
his church, should really fill us, and wholly take us up. Fear not
being emptied by bringing forth the fruits of righteousness, for you
will be filled with them. These fruits are by Jesus Christ, by his
strength and grace, for without him we can do nothing. He is the root
of the good olive, from which it derives its fatness. We are strong in
the grace which is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. ii. 1) and strengthened with
might by his Spirit (Eph. iii. 16), and they are unto the glory and
praise of God. We must not aim at our own glory in our fruitfulness,
but at the praise and glory of God, that God may be glorified in all
things (1 Peter iv. 11), and whatsoever we do we must do all to the
glory of God, 1 Cor. x. 31. It is much for the honour of God, when
Christians not only are good, but do good, and abound in good works.
The Apostle's Success and Joy. (a. d. 62.)
12 But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which
happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the
gospel; 13 So that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace,
and in all other places; 14 And many of the brethren in the Lord,
waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word
without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife;
and some also of good will: 16 The one preach Christ of contention,
not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds: 17 But the
other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel.
18 What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in
truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will
rejoice. 19 For I know that this shall turn to my salvation through
your prayer, and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, 20
According to my earnest expectation and my hope, that in nothing I
shall be ashamed, but that with all boldness, as always, so now also
Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by
death.
We see here the care the apostle takes to prevent their being offended
at his sufferings. He was now a prisoner at Rome; this might be a
stumbling-block to those who had received the gospel by his ministry.
They might be tempted to think, If this doctrine were indeed of God,
God would not suffer one who was so active and instrumental in
preaching and propagating it to be thrown by as a despised broken
vessel. They might be shy of owning this doctrine, lest they should be
involved in the same trouble themselves. Now to take off the offence of
the cross, he expounds this dark and hard chapter of his sufferings,
and makes it very easy and intelligible, and reconcilable to the wisdom
and goodness of God who employed him.
I. He suffered by the sworn enemies of the gospel, who laid him in
prison, and aimed at taking away his life; but they should not be
stumbled at this, for good was brought out of it, and it tended to the
furtherance of the gospel (v. 12): The things which happened unto me
have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel. A strange
chemistry of Providence this, to extract so great a good as the
enlargement of the gospel out of so great an evil as the confinement of
the apostle. "I suffer trouble as an evil-doer, even unto bonds; but
the word of God is not bound, 2 Tim. ii. 9. They cannot imprison the
word of God; that has its free course, though I am confined." But how
was this?
1. It alarmed those who were without (v. 13): "My bonds in Christ, or
for Christ, are manifest in all the palace and in all other places. The
emperor, the courtiers, the magistrates, are convinced that I do not
suffer as an evil-doer, but as an honest man, with a good conscience.
They know that I suffer for Christ, and not for any wickedness."
Observe, (1.) Paul's sufferings made him known at court, where perhaps
he would never have otherwise been known; and this might lead some of
them to enquire after the gospel for which he suffered, which they
might otherwise have never heard of. (2.) When his bonds were manifest
in the palace, they were manifest in all other places. The sentiments
of the court have a great influence on the sentiments of all
people--Regis ad exemplum totus componitur orbis.
2. It emboldened those who were within. As his enemies were startled at
his sufferings, so his friends were encouraged by them. Upright men
shall be astonished at this, and the innocent shall stir up himself
against the hypocrite. The righteous also shall hold on his way, and he
who has clean hands shall be stronger and stronger, Job xvii. 8, 9. So
it was here: Many of the brethren in the Lord waxing confident by my
bonds, v. 14. The expectation of trouble for their religion, in
general, perhaps disheartened and discouraged them; but, when they saw
Paul imprisoned for Christ, they were so far from being deterred from
preaching Christ and praising his name, that it made them the more
bold; for they could gladly suffer in Paul's company. If they should be
hurried from the pulpit to the prison, they could be reconciled to it,
because they would be there in such good company. Besides, the comfort
which Paul had in his sufferings, his extraordinary consolations
received from Christ in a suffering state, greatly encouraged them.
They saw that those who served Christ served a good Master, who could
both bear them up and bear them out, in their sufferings for him.
Waxing confident by my bonds. Pepoithotas. They were more fully
satisfied and persuaded by what they saw. Observe the power of divine
grace; that which was intended by the enemy to discourage the preachers
of the gospel was overruled for their encouragement. And are much more
bold to speak the word without fear; they see the worst of it, and
therefore are not afraid to venture. Their confidence gave them
courage, and their courage preserved them from the power of fear.
II. He suffered from false friends as well as from enemies (v. 15, 16):
Some preach Christ even of envy and strife. The one preach Christ of
contention, not sincerely. Now this would be a stumbling-block and
discouragement to some, that there were those who envied Paul's
reputation in the churches, and the interest he had among the
Christians, and endeavoured to supplant and undermine him. They were
secretly pleased when he was laid up in prison, that they might have
the better opportunity to steal away the people's affections; and they
laid themselves out the more in preaching, that they might gain to
themselves the reputation they envied him: Supposing to add affliction
to my bonds. They thought hereby to grieve his spirit, and make him
afraid of losing his interest, uneasy under his confinement, and
impatient for release. It is sad that there should be men who profess
the gospel, especially who preach it, who are governed by such
principles as these, who should preach Christ in spite to Paul, and to
increase the affliction of his bonds. Let us not think it strange if in
these later and more degenerate ages of the church there should be any
such. However, there were others who were animated by Paul's sufferings
to preach Christ the more vigorously: Some also of good will, and love:
from sincere affection to the gospel, that the work might not stand
while the workman was laid up.--Knowing that I am set for the defence
of the gospel. They knew that he was appointed to support and propagate
the gospel in the world, against all the violence and opposition of its
enemies, and were afraid lest the gospel should suffer by his
confinement. This made them the more bold to preach the word and supply
his lack of service to the church.
III. It is very affecting to see how easy he was in the midst of all:
Notwithstanding every way, whether in pretence or in truth, Christ is
preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and I will rejoice, v. 18.
Note, The preaching of Christ is the joy of all who wish well to his
kingdom among men. Since it may tend to the good of many, we ought to
rejoice in it, though it be done in pretence, and not in reality. It is
God's prerogative to judge of the principles men act upon; this is out
of our line. Paul was so far from envying those who had liberty to
preach the gospel while he was under confinement that he rejoiced in
the preaching of it even by those who do it in pretence, and not in
truth. How much more then should we rejoice in the preaching of the
gospel by those who do it in truth, yea, though it should be with much
weakness and some mistake! Two things made the apostle rejoice in the
preaching of the gospel:--
1. Because it tended to the salvation of the souls of men: I know that
this shall turn to my salvation, v. 19. Observe, God can bring good out
of evil; and what does not turn to the salvation of the ministers may
yet, by the grace of God, be made to turn to the salvation of the
people. What reward can those expect who preach Christ out of strife,
and envy, and contention, and to add affliction to a faithful
minister's bonds? who preach in pretence, and not in truth? And yet
even this may turn to the salvation of others; and Paul's rejoicing in
it turned to his salvation too. This is one of the things which
accompany salvation--to be able to rejoice that Christ is preached,
though it be to the diminution of us and our reputation. This noble
spirit appeared in John the Baptist, at the first public preaching of
Christ: "This my joy therefore is fulfilled. He must increase, but I
must decrease, John iii. 29, 30. Let him shine, though I be obscured;
and his glory be exalted, though upon my ruins." Others understand this
expression of the malice of his enemies being defeated, and
contributing towards his deliverance from his confinement. Through your
prayers, and the supply of the Spirit of Christ. Note, Whatever turns
to our salvation is by the supply or the aids and assistance of the
Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of fetching in that
supply. The prayers of the people may bring a supply of the Spirit to
their ministers, to support them in suffering, as well as in preaching
the gospel.
2. Because it would turn to the glory of Christ, v. 20, where he takes
occasion to mention his own entire devotedness to the service and
honour of Christ: According to my earnest expectation and hope, that in
nothing I shall be ashamed, &c. Here observe, (1.) The great desire of
every true Christian is that Christ may be magnified and glorified,
that his name may be great, and his kingdom come. (2.) Those who truly
desire that Christ may be magnified desire that he may be magnified in
their body. They present their bodies a living sacrifice (Rom. xii. 1),
and yield their members as instruments of righteousness unto God, Rom.
vi. 13. They are willing to serve his designs, and be instrumental to
his glory, with every member of their body, as well as faculty of their
soul. (3.) It is much for the glory of Christ that we should serve him
boldly and not be ashamed of him, with freedom and liberty of mind, and
without discouragement: That in nothing I shall be ashamed, but that
with all boldness Christ may be magnified. The boldness of Christians
is the honour of Christ. (4.) Those who make Christ's glory their
desire and design may make it their expectation and hope. If it be
truly aimed at, it shall certainly be attained. If in sincerity we
pray, Father, glorify thy name, we may be sure of the same answer to
that prayer which Christ had: I have glorified it, and I will glorify
it again, John xii. 28. (5.) Those who desire that Christ may be
magnified in their bodies have a holy indifference whether it be by
life or by death. They refer it to him which way he will make them
serviceable to his glory, whether by their labours or sufferings, by
their diligence or patience, by their living to his honour in working
for him or dying to his honour in suffering for him.
The Apostle's Generous Exultation. (a. d. 62.)
21 For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. 22 But if I live
in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour: yet what I shall choose I
wot not. 23 For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to
depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: 24 Nevertheless
to abide in the flesh is more needful for you. 25 And having this
confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue with you all for
your furtherance and joy of faith; 26 That your rejoicing may be more
abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.
We have here an account of the life and death of blessed Paul: his life
was Christ, and his death was gain. Observe, 1. It is the undoubted
character of every good Christian that to him to live is Christ. The
glory of Christ ought to be the end of our life, the grace of Christ
the principle of our life, and the word of Christ the rule of it. The
Christian life is derived from Christ, and directed to him. He is the
principle, rule, and end of it. 2. All those to whom to live is Christ
to them to die will be gain: it is great gain, a present gain,
everlasting gain. Death is a great loss to a carnal worldly man; for he
loses all his comforts and all his hopes: but to a good Christian it is
gain, for it is the end of all his weakness and misery and the
perfection of his comforts and accomplishment of his hopes; it delivers
him from all the evils of life, and brings him to the possession of the
chief good. Or, To me to die is gain; that is, "to the gospel as well
as to myself, which will receive a further confirmation by the seal of
my blood, as it had before by the labours of my life." So Christ would
be magnified by his death, v. 20. Some read the whole expression thus:
To me, living and dying, Christ is gain; that is, "I desire no more,
neither while I live nor when I die, but to win Christ and be found in
him." It might be thought, if death were gain to him, he would be weary
of life, and impatient for death. No, says he,
I. If I live in the flesh, this is the fruit of my labour (v. 22), that
is, Christ is. He reckoned his labour well bestowed, if he could be
instrumental to advance the honour and interest of the kingdom of
Christ in the world. It is the fruit of my labour--karpos ergou--operæ
pretium. It is worth while for a good Christian and a good minister to
live in the world as long as he can glorify God and do good to his
church. Yet what I shall choose I wot not; for I am in a strait betwixt
two. It was a blessed strait which Paul was in, not between two evil
things, but between two good things. David was in a strait by three
judgments--sword, famine, and pestilence: Paul was in a strait between
two blessings--living to Christ, and being with him. Here we have him
reasoning with himself upon the matter.
1. His inclination was for death. See the power of faith and of divine
grace; it can reconcile the mind to death, and make us willing to die,
though death is the destruction of our present nature and the greatest
natural evil. We have naturally an aversion to death, but he had an
inclination to it (v. 23); Having a desire to depart, and to be with
Christ, Observe, (1.) It is being with Christ which makes a departure
desirable to a good man. It is not simply dying, or putting off the
body, it is not of itself and for its own sake a desirable thing; but
it may be necessarily connected with something else which may make it
truly so. If I cannot be with Christ without departing, I shall reckon
it desirable on that account to depart. (2.) As soon as ever the soul
departs, it is immediately with Christ. This day shalt thou be with me
in paradise, Luke xxiii. 43. Absent from the body and present with the
Lord (2 Cor. v. 8), without any interval between. Which is far better,
pollo gar mallon kreisson--very much exceeding, or vastly preferable.
Those who know the value of Christ and heaven will readily acknowledge
it far better to be in heaven than to be in this world, to be with
Christ than to be with any creature; for in this world we are compassed
about with sin, born to trouble, born again to it; but, if we come to
be with Christ, farewell sin and temptation, farewell sorrow and death,
for ever.
2. His judgment was rather to live awhile longer in this world, for the
service of the church (v. 24): Nevertheless to abide in the flesh is
more needful for you. It is needful for the church to have ministers;
and faithful ministers can ill be spared when the harvest is plenteous
and the labourers are few. Observe, Those who have most reason to
desire to depart should be willing to continue in the world as long as
God has any work for them to do. Paul's strait was not between living
in this world and living in heaven; between these two there is no
comparison: but his strait was between serving Christ in this world and
enjoying him in another. Still it was Christ that his heart was upon:
though, to advance the interest of Christ and his church, he chose
rather to tarry here, where he met with oppositions and difficulties,
and to deny himself for awhile the satisfaction of his reward.
II. And, having this confidence, I know that I shall abide and continue
with you all for your furtherance and joy of faith, v. 25. Observe
here, 1. What a great confidence Paul had in the divine Providence,
that it would order all for the best to him. "Having this confidence
that it will be needful for you that I should abide in the flesh, I
know that I shall abide." 2. Whatsoever is best for the church, we may
be sure God will do. If we know what is needful for building up the
body of Christ, we may certainly know what will be; for he will take
care of its interests, and do what is best, all things considered, in
every condition it is in. 3. Observe what ministers are continued for:
For our furtherance and joy of faith, our further advancement in
holiness and comfort. 4. What promotes our faith and joy of faith is
very much for our furtherance in the way to heaven. The more faith the
more joy, and the more faith and joy the more we are furthered in our
Christian course. 5. There is need of a settled ministry, not only for
the conviction and conversion of sinners, but for the edification of
saints, and their furtherance in spiritual attainments.
III. That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me,
by my coming to you again, v. 26. They rejoiced in the hope of seeing
him, and enjoying his further labours among them. Observe, 1. The
continuance of ministers with the church ought to be the rejoicing of
all who wish well to the church, and to its interests. 2. All our joys
should terminate in Christ. Our joy in good ministers should be our joy
in Christ Jesus for them; for they are but the friends of the
bridegroom, and are to be received in his name, and for his sake.
The Apostle's Exhortations. (a. d. 62.)
27 Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ:
that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your
affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel; 28 And in nothing terrified by
your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but
to you of salvation, and that of God. 29 For unto you it is given in
the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer
for his sake; 30 Having the same conflict which ye saw in me, and now
hear to be in me.
The apostle concludes the chapter with two exhortations:--
I. He exhorts them to strictness of conversation (v. 27): Only let your
conversation be as becometh the gospel of Christ. Observe, Those who
profess the gospel of Christ should have their conversation as becomes
the gospel, or in a suitableness and agreeableness to it. Let it be as
becomes those who believe gospel truths, submit to gospel laws, and
depend upon gospel promises; and with an answerable faith, holiness,
and comfort. Let it be in all respects as those who belong to the
kingdom of God among men, and are members and subjects of it. It is an
ornament to our profession when our conversation is of a piece with
it.--That whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of
your affairs. He had spoken in v. 26 of his coming to them again, and
had spoken it with some assurance, though he was now a prisoner; but he
would not have them build upon that. Our religion must not be bound up
in the hands of our ministers: "Whether I come or no, let me hear well
of you, and do you stand fast." Whether ministers come or no, Christ is
always at hand. He is nigh to us, never far from us; and hastens his
second coming. The coming of the Lord draws nigh, James v. 8. Let me
hear of you that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving
together for the faith of the gospel. Three things he desired to hear
of them; and they are all such as become the gospel:--1. It becomes
those who profess the gospel to strive for it, to use a holy violence
in taking the kingdom of heaven. The faith of the gospel is the
doctrine of faith, or the religion of the gospel. There is that in the
faith of the gospel which is worth striving for. If religion is worth
any thing, it is worth every thing. There is much opposition, and there
is need of striving. A man may sleep and go to hell; but he who will go
to heaven must look about him and be diligent. 2. The unity and
unanimity of Christians become the gospel: Strive together, not strive
one with another; all of you must strive against the common adversary.
One spirit and one mind become the gospel; for there is one Lord, one
faith, one baptism. There may be a oneness of heart and affection among
Christians, where there is diversity of judgment and apprehensions
about many things. 3. Stedfastness becomes the gospel: Stand fast in
one spirit, with one mind. Be stedfast and immovable by any opposition.
It is a shame to religion when the professors of it are off and on,
unfixed in their minds, and unstable as water; for they will never
excel. Those who would strive for the faith of the gospel must stand
firm to it.
II. He exhorts them to courage and constancy in suffering: And in
nothing terrified by your adversaries, v. 28. The professors of the
gospel have all along met with adversaries, especially at the first
planting of Christianity. Our great care must be to keep close to our
profession, and be constant to it: whatever oppositions we meet with,
we must not be frightened at them, considering that the condition of
the persecuted is much better and more desirable than the condition of
the persecutors; for persecuting is an evident token of perdition.
Those who oppose the gospel of Christ, and injure the professors of it,
are marked out for ruin. But being persecuted is a token of salvation.
Not that it is a certain mark; many hypocrites have suffered for their
religion; but it is a good sign that we are in good earnest in
religion, and designed for salvation, when we are enabled in a right
manner to suffer for the cause of Christ.--For to you it is given on
the behalf of Christ not only to believe, but also to suffer for his
name, v. 29. Here are two precious gifts given, and both on the behalf
of Christ:--1. To believe in him. Faith is God's gift on the behalf of
Christ, who purchased for us not only the blessedness which is the
object of faith, but the grace of faith itself: the ability or
disposition to believe is from God. 2. To suffer for the sake of Christ
is a valuable gift too: it is a great honour and a great advantage; for
we may be very serviceable to the glory of God, which is the end of our
creation, and encourage and confirm the faith of others. And there is a
great reward attending it too: Blessed are you when men shall persecute
you, for great is your reward in heaven, Matt. v. 11, 12. And, if we
suffer with him, we shall also reign with him, 2 Tim. ii. 12. If we
suffer reproach and loss for Christ, we are to reckon it a great gift,
and prize it accordingly, always provided we behave under our
sufferings with the genuine temper of martyrs and confessors (v. 30):
"Having the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in
me; that is, suffering in the same manner as you saw and now hear of me
that I suffer." It is not simply the suffering, but the cause, and not
only the cause, but the spirit, which makes the martyr. A man may
suffer in a bad cause, and then he suffers justly; or in a good cause,
but with a wrong mind, and then his sufferings lose their value.
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P H I L I P P I A N S.
CHAP. II.
The apostle proceeds to further exhortations to several duties, to be
like-minded, and lowly-minded, which he presses from the example of
Christ (ver. 1-11), to be diligent and serious in the Christian course
(ver. 12, 13), and to adorn their Christian profession by several
suitable graces, ver. 14-18. He then concludes with particular notice
and commendation of two good ministers, Timothy and Epaphroditus, whom
he designed to send to them, ver. 19-30.
Brotherly Love Recommended; Glory and Condescension of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of
love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies, 2
Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of
one accord, of one mind. 3 Let nothing be done through strife or
vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than
themselves. 4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man
also on the things of others. 5 Let this mind be in you, which was
also in Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not
robbery to be equal with God: 7 But made himself of no reputation,
and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness
of men: 8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. 9
Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which
is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should
bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the
earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is
Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
The apostle proceeds in this chapter where he left off in the last,
with further exhortations to Christian duties. He presses them largely
to like-mindedness and lowly-mindedness, in conformity to the example
of the Lord Jesus, the great pattern of humility and love. Here we may
observe,
I. The great gospel precept passed upon us; that is, to love one
another. This is the law of Christ's kingdom, the lesson of his school,
the livery of his family. This he represents (v. 2) by being
like-minded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. We
are of a like mind when we have the same love. Christians should be one
in affection, whether they can be one in apprehension or no. This is
always in their power, and always their duty, and is the likeliest way
to bring them nearer in judgment. Having the same love. Observe, The
same love that we are required to express to others, others are bound
to express to us. Christian love ought to be mutual love. Love, and you
shall be loved. Being of one accord, and of one mind; not crossing and
thwarting, or driving on separate interests, but unanimously agreeing
in the great things of God and keeping the unity of the Spirit in other
differences. Here observe,
1. The pathetic pressing of the duty. He is very importunate with them,
knowing what an evidence it is of our sincerity, and what a means of
the preservation and edification of the body of Christ. The inducements
to brotherly love are these:-- (1.) "If there is any consolation in
Christ. Have you experienced consolation in Christ? Evidence that
experience by loving one another." The sweetness we have found in the
doctrine of Christ should sweeten our spirits. Do we expect consolation
in Christ? If we would not be disappointed, we must love one another.
If we have not consolation in Christ, where else can we expect it?
Those who have an interest in Christ have consolation in him, strong
and everlasting consolation (Heb. vi. 18; 2 Thess. ii. 16), and
therefore ought to love one another. (2.) "Comfort of love. If there is
any comfort in Christian love, in God's love to you, in your love to
God, or in your brethren's love to us, in consideration of all this, be
you like-minded. If you have ever found that comfort, if you would find
it, if you indeed believe that the grace of love is a comfortable
grace, abound in it." (3.) "Fellowship of the Spirit. If there is such
a thing as communion with God and Christ by the Spirit, such a thing as
the communion of saints, by virtue of their being animated and actuated
by one and the same Spirit, be you like-minded; for Christian love and
like-mindedness will preserve to us our communion with God and with one
another." (4.) "Any bowels and mercies, in God and Christ, towards you.
If you expect the benefit of God's compassions to yourselves, be you
compassionate one to another. If there is such a thing as mercy to be
found among the followers of Christ, if all who are sanctified have a
disposition to holy pity, make it appear this way." How cogent are
these arguments! One would think them enough to tame the most fierce,
and mollify the hardest, heart. (5.) Another argument he insinuates is
the comfort it would be to him: Fulfil you my joy. It is the joy of
ministers to see people like-minded and living in love. He had been
instrumental in bringing them to the grace of Christ and the love of
God. "Now," says he, "if you have found any benefit by your
participation of the gospel of Christ, if you have any comfort in it,
or advantage by it, fulfil the joy of your poor minister, who preached
the gospel to you."
2. He proposes some means to promote it. (1.) Do nothing through strife
and vain glory, v. 3. There is no greater enemy to Christian love than
pride and passion. If we do things in contradiction to our brethren,
this is doing them through strife; if we do them through ostentation of
ourselves, this is doing them through vain-glory: both are destructive
of Christian love and kindle unchristian heats. Christ came to slay all
enmities; therefore let there not be among Christians a spirit of
opposition. Christ came to humble us, and therefore let there not be
among us a spirit of pride. (2.) We must esteem others in lowliness of
mind better than ourselves, be severe upon our own faults and
charitable in our judgments of others, be quick in observing our own
defects and infirmities, but ready to overlook and make favourable
allowances for the defects of others. We must esteem the good which is
in others above that which is in ourselves; for we best know our own
unworthiness and imperfections. (3.) We must interest ourselves in the
concerns of others, not in a way of curiosity and censoriousness, or as
busy-bodies in other men's matters, but in Christian love and sympathy:
Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things
of others, v. 4. A selfish spirit is destructive of Christian love. We
must be concerned not only for our own credit, and ease, and safety,
but for those of others also; and rejoice in the prosperity of others
as truly as in our own. We must love our neighbour as ourselves, and
make his case our own.
II. Here is a gospel pattern proposed to our imitation, and that is the
example of our Lord Jesus Christ: Let this mind be in you which was
also in Christ Jesus, v. 5. Observe, Christians must be of Christ's
mind. We must bear a resemblance to his life, if we would have the
benefit of his death. If we have not the Spirit of Christ, we are none
of his, Rom. viii. 9. Now what was the mind of Christ? He was eminently
humble, and this is what we are peculiarly to learn of him. Learn of
me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, Matt. xi. 29. If we were
lowly-minded, we should be like-minded; and, if we were like Christ, we
should be lowly-minded. We must walk in the same spirit and in the same
steps with the Lord Jesus, who humbled himself to sufferings and death
for us; not only to satisfy God's justice, and pay the price of our
redemption, but to set us an example, and that we might follow his
steps. Now here we have the two natures and the two states of our Lord
Jesus. It is observable that the apostle, having occasion to mention
the Lord Jesus, and the mind which was in him, takes the hint to
enlarge upon his person, and to give a particular description of him.
It is a pleasing subject, and a gospel minister needs not think himself
out of the way when he is upon it; any fit occasion should be readily
taken.
1. Here are the two natures of Christ: his divine nature and his human
nature. (1.) Here is his divine nature: Who being in the form of God
(v. 6), partaking of the divine nature, as the eternal and only
begotten Son of God. This agrees with John i. 1, In the beginning was
the Word, and the Word was with God: it is of the same import with
being the image of the invisible God (Col. i. 15), and the brightness
of his glory, and express image of his person, Heb. i. 3. He thought it
no robbery to be equal with God; did not think himself guilty of any
invasion of what did not belong to him, or assuming another's right. He
said, I and my Father are one, John x. 30. It is the highest degree of
robbery for any mere man or mere creature to pretend to be equal with
God, or profess himself one with the Father. This is for a man to rob
God, not in tithes and offerings, but of the rights of his Godhead,
Mal. iii. 8. Some understand being in the form of God--en morphe Theou
hyparchon, of his appearance in a divine majestic glory to the
patriarchs, and the Jews, under the Old Testament, which was often
called the glory, and the Shechinah. The word is used in such a sense
by the LXX. and in the New Testament. He appeared to the two disciples,
en hetera morphe--In another form, Mark xvi. 12. Metemorphothe--he was
transfigured before them, Matt. xvii. 2. And he thought it no robbery
to be equal with God; he did not greedily catch at, nor covet and
affect to appear in that glory; he laid aside the majesty of his former
appearance while he was here on earth, which is supposed to be the
sense of the peculiar expression, ouk harpagmon hegesato. Vid. Bishop
Bull's Def. cap. 2 sect. 4 et alibi, and Whitby in loc. (2.) His human
nature: He was made in the likeness of men, and found in fashion as a
man. He was really and truly man, took part of our flesh and blood,
appeared in the nature and habit of man. And he voluntarily assumed
human nature; it was his own act, and by his own consent. We cannot say
that our participation of the human nature is so. Herein he emptied
himself, divested himself of the honours and glories of the upper
world, and of his former appearance, to clothe himself with the rags of
human nature. He was in all things like to us, Heb. ii. 17.
2. Here are his two estates, of humiliation and exaltation. (1.) His
estate of humiliation. He not only took upon him the likeness and
fashion of a man, but the form of a servant, that is, a man of mean
estate. He was not only God's servant whom he had chosen, but he came
to minister to men, and was among them as one who serveth in a mean and
servile state. One would think that the Lord Jesus, if he would be a
man, should have been a prince, and appeared in splendour. But quite
the contrary: He took upon him the form of a servant. He was brought up
meanly, probably working with his supposed father at his trade. His
whole life was a life of humiliation, meanness, poverty, and disgrace;
he had nowhere to lay his head, lived upon alms, was a man of sorrows
and acquainted with grief, did not appear with external pomp, or any
marks of distinction from other men. This was the humiliation of his
life. But the lowest step of his humiliation was his dying the death of
the cross. He became obedient to death, even the death of the cross. He
not only suffered, but was actually and voluntarily obedient; he obeyed
the law which he brought himself under as Mediator, and by which he was
obliged to die. I have power to lay down my life, and I have power to
take it again: this commandment have I received of my Father, John x.
18. And he was made under the law, Gal. iv. 4. There is an emphasis
laid upon the manner of his dying, which had in it all the
circumstances possible which are humbling: Even the death of the cross,
a cursed, painful, and shameful death,--a death accursed by the law
(Cursed is he that hangeth on a tree)--full of pain, the body nailed
through the nervous parts (the hands and feet) and hanging with all its
weight upon the cross,--and the death of a malefactor and a slave, not
of a free-man,--exposed as a public spectacle. Such was the
condescension of the blessed Jesus. (2.) His exaltation: Wherefore God
also hath highly exalted him. His exaltation was the reward of his
humiliation. Because he humbled himself, God exalted him; and he highly
exalted him, hyperypsose, raised him to an exceeding height. He exalted
his whole person, the human nature as well as the divine; for he is
spoken of as being in the form of God as well as in the fashion of man.
As it respects the divine nature, it could only be the recognizing of
his rights, or the display and appearance of the glory he had with the
Father before the world was (John xvii. 5), not any new acquisition of
glory; and so the Father himself is said to be exalted. But the proper
exaltation was of his human nature, which alone seems to be capable of
it, though in conjunction with the divine. His exaltation here is made
to consist in honour and power. In honour; so he had a name above every
name, a title of dignity above all the creatures, men and angels. And
in power: Every knee must bow to him. The whole creation must be in
subjection to him: things in heaven, and things in earth, and things
under the earth, the inhabitants of heaven and earth, the living and
the dead. At the name of Jesus; not at the sound of the word, but the
authority of Jesus; all should pay a solemn homage. And that every
tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord--every nation and
language should publicly own the universal empire of the exalted
Redeemer, and that all power in heaven and earth is given to him, Matt.
xxviii. 18. Observe the vast extent of the kingdom of Christ; it
reaches to heaven and earth, and to all the creatures in each, to
angels as well as men, and to the dead as well as the living.--To the
glory of God the Father. Observe, It is to the glory of God the Father
to confess that Jesus Christ is Lord; for it is his will that all men
should honour the Son as they honour the Father, John v. 23. Whatever
respect is paid to Christ redounds to the honour of the Father. He who
receiveth me receiveth him who sent me, Matt. x. 40.
Practical Religion. (a. d. 62.)
12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my
presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own
salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in
you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
I. He exhorts them to diligence and seriousness in the Christian
course: Work out your own salvation. It is the salvation of our souls
(1 Pet. i. 9), and our eternal salvation (Heb. v. 9), and contains
deliverance from all the evils sin had brought upon us and exposed us
to, and the possession of all good and whatsoever is necessary to our
complete and final happiness. Observe, It concerns us above all things
to secure the welfare of our souls: whatever becomes of other things,
let us take care of our best interests. It is our own salvation, the
salvation of our own souls. It is not for us to judge other people; we
have enough to do to look to ourselves; and, though we must promote the
common salvation ( Jude 3) as much as we can, yet we must upon no
account neglect our own. We are required to work out our salvation,
katergazesthe. The word signifies working thoroughly at a thing, and
taking true pains. Observe, We must be diligent in the use of all the
means which conduce to our salvation. We must not only work at our
salvation, by doing something now and then about it; but we must work
out our salvation, by doing all that is to be done, and persevering
therein to the end. Salvation is the great thing we should mind, and
set our hearts upon; and we cannot attain salvation without the utmost
care and diligence. He adds, With fear and trembling, that is, with
great care and circumspection: "Trembling for fear lest you miscarry
and come short. Be careful to do every thing in religion in the best
manner, and fear lest under all your advantages you should so much as
seem to come short," Heb. iv. 1. Fear is a great guard and preservative
from evil.
II. He urges this from the consideration of their readiness always to
obey the gospel: "As you have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, v. 12. You have been always
willing to comply with every discovery of the will of God; and that in
my absence as well as presence. You make it to appear that regard to
Christ, and care of your souls, sway more with you than any mode of
showing respect whatsoever." They were not merely awed by the apostle's
presence, but did it even much more in his absence. "And because it is
God who worketh in you, do you work out your salvation. Work, for he
worketh." It should encourage us to do our utmost, because our labour
shall not be in vain. God is ready to concur with his grace, and assist
our faithful endeavours. Observe, Though we must use our utmost
endeavours in working out our salvation, yet still we must go forth,
and go on, in a dependence upon the grace of God. His grace works in us
in a way suitable to our natures, and in concurrence with our
endeavours; and the operations of God's grace in us are so far from
excusing, that they are intended to quicken and engage our endeavours.
"And work out our salvation with fear and trembling, for he worketh in
you." All our working depends upon his working in us. "Do not trifle
with God by neglects and delays, lest you provoke him to withdraw his
help, and all your endeavours prove in vain. Work with fear, for he
works of his good pleasure."--To will and to do: he gives the whole
ability. It is the grace of God which inclines the will to that which
is good: and then enables us to perform it, and to act according to our
principles. Thou hast wrought all our works in us, Isa. xxvi. 12. Of
his good pleasure. As there is no strength in us, so there is no merit
in us. As we cannot act without God's grace, so we cannot claim it, nor
pretend to deserve it. God's good will to us is the cause of his good
work in us; and he is under no engagements to his creatures, but those
of his gracious promise.
Practical Religion. (a. d. 62.)
14 Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15 That ye may be
blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst
of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the
world; 16 Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the
day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
17 Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your
faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18 For the same cause also do
ye joy, and rejoice with me.
The apostle exhorts them in these verses to adorn their Christian
profession by a suitable temper and behaviour, in several instances. 1.
By a cheerful obedience to the commands of God (v. 14): "Do all things,
do your duty in every branch of it, without murmurings. Do it, and do
not find fault with it. Mind your work, and do not quarrel with it."
God's commands were given to be obeyed, not to be disputed. This
greatly adorns our profession, and shows we serve a good Master, whose
service is freedom and whose work is its own reward. 2. By
peaceableness and love one to another. "Do all things without
disputing, wrangling, and debating one another; because the light of
truth and the life of religion are often lost in the heats and mists of
disputation." 3. By a blameless conversation towards all men (v. 15):
"That you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without
rebuke; that you be not injurious to any in word or deed, and give no
just occasion of offence." We should endeavour not only to be harmless,
but to be blameless; not only not to do hurt, but not to come under the
just suspicion of it. Blameless and sincere; so some read it. Blameless
before men, sincere towards God. The sons of God. It becomes those to
be blameless and harmless who stand in such a relation, and are
favoured with such a privilege. The children of God should differ from
the sons of men. Without rebuke--amometa. Momus was a carping deity
among the Greeks, mentioned by Hesiod and Lucian, who did nothing
himself, and found fault with every body and every thing. From him all
carpers at other men, and rigid censurers of their works, were called
Momi. The sense of the expression is, "Walk so circumspectly that Momus
himself may have no occasion to cavil at you, that the severest
censurer may find no fault with you." We should aim and endeavour, not
only to get to heaven, but to get thither without a blot; and, like
Demetrius, to have a good report of all men, and of the truth, 3 John
12. In the midst of a crooked and perverse generation; that is, among
the heathens, and those who are without. Observe, Where there is no
true religion, little is to be expected but crookedness and
perverseness; and the more crooked and perverse others are among whom
we live, and the more apt to cavil, the more careful we should be to
keep ourselves blameless and harmless. Abraham and Lot must not strive,
because the Canaanite and Perizzite dwelt in the land, Gen. xiii. 7.
Among whom you shine as lights in the world. Christ is the light of the
world, and good Christians are lights in the world. When God raises up
a good man in any place, he sets up a light in that place. Or it may be
read imperatively: Among whom shine you as lights: compare Matt. v. 16,
Let your light so shine before men. Christians should endeavour not
only to approve themselves to God, but to recommend themselves to
others, that they may also glorify God. They must shine as well as be
sincere.--Holding forth the word of life, v. 16. The gospel is called
the word of life because it reveals and proposes to us eternal life
through Jesus Christ. Life and immortality are brought to light by the
gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10. It is our duty not only to hold fast, but to hold
forth the word of life; not only to hold it fast for our own benefit,
but to hold it forth for the benefit of others, to hold it forth as the
candlestick holds forth the candle, which makes it appear to advantage
all around, or as the luminaries of the heavens, which shed their
influence far and wide. This Paul tells them would be his joy: "That I
may rejoice in the day of Christ; not only rejoice in your
stedfastness, but in your usefulness." He would have them think his
pains well bestowed, and that he had not run in vain, nor laboured in
vain. Observe, (1.) The work of the ministry requires the putting forth
of the whole man: all that is within us is little enough to be employed
in it; as in running and labouring. Running denotes vehemence and
vigour, and continual pressing forward; labour denotes constancy and
close application. (2.) It is a great joy to ministers when they
perceive that they have not run in vain, nor laboured in vain; and it
will be their rejoicing in the day of Christ, when their converts will
be their crown. What is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are
not even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
For you are our glory and joy, 1 Thess. ii. 19, 20. The apostle not
only ran and laboured for them with satisfaction, but shows that he was
ready to suffer for their good (v. 17): Yea, and if I be offered upon
the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy and rejoice with you
all. He could reckon himself happy if he could promote the honour of
Christ, the edification of the church, and the welfare of the souls of
men; though it were not only by hazarding, but by laying down, his
life: he could willingly be a sacrifice at their altars, to serve the
faith of God's elect. Could Paul think it worth while to shed his blood
for the service of the church, and shall we think it much to take a
little pains? Is not that worth our labour which he thought worth his
life? If I be offered, or poured out as the wine of the
drink-offerings, spendomai. 2 Tim. iv. 6, I am now ready to be offered.
He could rejoice to seal his doctrine with his blood (v. 18): For the
same cause also do you joy and rejoice with me. It is the will of God
that good Christians should be much in rejoicing; and those who are
happy in good ministers have a great deal of reason to joy and rejoice
with them. If the minister loves the people, and is willing to spend
and be spent for their welfare, the people have reason to love the
minister and to joy and rejoice with him.
Praise of Timothy and Epaphroditus. (a. d. 62.)
19 But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you,
that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20 For I
have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. 21
For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ's. 22
But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath
served with me in the gospel. 23 Him therefore I hope to send
presently, so soon as I shall see how it will go with me. 24 But I
trust in the Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. 25 Yet I
supposed it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother, and
companion in labour, and fellowsoldier, but your messenger, and he that
ministered to my wants. 26 For he longed after you all, and was full
of heaviness, because that ye had heard that he had been sick. 27 For
indeed he was sick nigh unto death: but God had mercy on him; and not
on him only, but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow.
28 I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him
again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful. 29
Receive him therefore in the Lord with all gladness; and hold such in
reputation: 30 Because for the work of Christ he was nigh unto death,
not regarding his life, to supply your lack of service toward me.
Paul takes particular notice of two good ministers; for though he was
himself a great apostle, and laboured more abundantly than they all,
yet he took all occasions to speak with respect of those who were far
his inferiors.
I. He speaks of Timothy, whom he intended to send to the Philippians,
that he might have an account of their state. See Paul's care of the
churches, and the comfort he had in their well-doing. He was in pain
when he had not heard of them for a good while, and therefore would
send Timothy to enquire, and bring him an account: For I have no man
like-minded, who will naturally care for your state. Timothy was a
non-such. There were, no doubt, many good ministers, who were in care
for the souls of those for whom they preached; but none comparable to
Timothy, a man of an excellent spirit and tender heart. Who will
naturally care for your state. Observe, It is best with us when our
duty becomes in a manner natural to us. Timothy was a genuine son of
blessed Paul, and walked in the same spirit and the same steps.
Naturally, that is, sincerely, and not in pretence only: with a willing
heart and upright view, so agreeably to the make of his mind. Note, 1.
It is the duty of ministers to care for the state of their people and
be concerned for their welfare: I seek not yours, but you, 2 Cor. xii.
14. 2. It is a rare thing to find one who does it naturally: such a one
is remarkable and distinguished among his brethren. All seek their own,
not the things which are Jesus Christ's, v. 21. Did Paul say this in
haste, as David said, All men are liars? Ps. cxvi. 11. Was there so
general a corruption among ministers so early that there was not one
among them who cared for the state of their people? We must not
understand it so: he means the generality; all, that is, either the
most, or all in comparison of Timothy. Note, Seeking our own interest
to the neglect of Jesus Christ is a very great sin, and very common
among Christians and ministers. Many prefer their own credit, ease, and
safety, before truth, holiness, and duty, the things of their own
pleasure and reputation before the things of Christ's kingdom and his
honour and interest in the world: but Timothy was none of these.--You
know the proof of him, v. 22. Timothy was a man who had been tried, and
had made full proof of his ministry (2 Tim. iv. 5), and was faithful in
all that befel him. All the churches with whom he had acquaintance knew
the proof of him. He was a man as good as he seemed to be; and served
Christ so as to be acceptable to God, and approved of men, Rom. xiv.
18. "You not only know the name of him, and the face of him, but the
proof of him, and have experienced his affection and fidelity in your
service," that, as a son with a father, he hath served with me in the
gospel. He was Paul's assistant in many places where he preached, and
served with him in the gospel with all the dutiful respect which a
child pays to a father, and with all the love and cheerfulness with
which a child is serviceable to his father. Their ministrations
together were with great respect on the one side and great tenderness
and kindness on the other--an admirable example to elder and younger
ministers united in the same service. Paul designed to send him
shortly: Him therefore I hope to send presently, as soon as I shall see
how it will go with me, v. 23. He was now a prisoner, and did not know
what would be the issue; but, according as it turned, he would dispose
of Timothy. Nay, he hoped to come himself (v. 24): But I trust in the
Lord that I also myself shall come shortly. He hoped he should soon be
set at liberty, and be able to pay them a visit. Paul desired his
liberty, not that he might take his pleasure, but that he might do
good.--I trust in the Lord. He expresses his hope and confidence of
seeing them, with a humble dependence and submission to the divine
will. See Acts xviii. 21; 1 Cor. iv. 19; James iv. 15; and Heb. vi. 3.
II. Concerning Epaphroditus, whom he calls his brother, and companion
in labour, and fellow-soldier, his Christian brother, to whom he bore a
tender affection,--his companion in the work and sufferings of the
gospel, who submitted to the same labours and hardships with
himself,--and their messenger, one who was sent by them to him,
probably to consult him about some affairs relating to their church, or
to bring a present from them for his relief for he adds, and who
ministered to my wants. He seems to be the same who is called Epaphras,
Col. iv. 12. He had an earnest desire to come to them, and Paul was
willing he should. It seems, 1. Epaphroditus had been sick: They had
heard that he had been sick, v. 26. And indeed he was sick, nigh unto
death, v. 27. Sickness is a calamity common to men, to good men and
ministers. But why did not the apostle heal him, who was endued with a
power of curing diseases, as well as raising the dead? Acts xx. 10.
Probably because that was intended as a sign to others, and to confirm
the truth of the gospel, and therefore needed not be exercised one
towards another. These signs shall follow those who believe, they shall
lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark xvi. 17, 18. And
perhaps they had not that power at all times, and at their own
discretion, but only when some great end was to be served by it, and
when God saw fit. It was proper to Christ, who had the Spirit above
measure. 2. The Philippians were exceedingly sorry to hear of his
sickness. They were full of heaviness, as well as he, upon the tidings
of it: for he was one, it seems, for whom they had a particular respect
and affection, and thought fit to choose out to send to the apostle. 3.
It pleased God to recover and spare him: But God had mercy on him, v.
27. The apostle owns it is a great mercy to himself, as well as to
Epaphroditus and others. Though the church was blessed at that time
with extraordinary gifts, they could even then ill spare a good
minister. He was sensibly touched with the thoughts of so great a loss:
Lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow; that is, "Lest, besides the
sorrow of my own imprisonment, I should have the sorrow of his death."
Or perhaps some other good ministers had died lately, which had been a
great affliction to him: and, if this had died now, it would have been
a fresh grief to him, and sorrow added to sorrow. 4. Epaphroditus was
willing to pay a visit to the Philippians, that he might be comforted
with those who had sorrowed for him when he was sick: "That when you
see him again you may rejoice (v. 28), that you may yourselves see how
well he has recovered, and what reason you have for the thankfulness
and joy upon his account." He gave himself the pleasure of comforting
them by the sight of so dear a friend. 5. Paul recommends him to their
esteem and affection: "Receive him therefore in the Lord with all
gladness, and hold such in reputation: account such men valuable, who
are zealous and faithful, and let them be highly loved and regarded.
Show your joy and respect by all the expressions of hearty affection
and good opinion." It seems he had caught his illness in the work of
God: It was for the work of Christ that he was nigh to death, and to
supply their lack of service to him. The apostle does not blame him for
his indiscretion in hazarding his life, but reckons they ought to love
him the more upon that account. Observe, (1.) Those who truly love
Christ, and are hearty in the interests of his kingdom, will think it
very well worth their while to hazard their health and life to do him
service, and promote the edification of his church. (2.) They were to
receive him with joy, as newly recovered from sickness. It is an
endearing consideration to have our mercies restored to us after danger
of removal, and should make them the more valued and improved. What is
given us in answer to prayer should be received with great thankfulness
and joy.
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P H I L I P P I A N S.
CHAP. III.
He cautions them against judaizing seducers (ver. 1-3) and proposes his
own example: and here he enumerates the privileges of his Jewish state
which he rejected (ver. 4-8), describes the matter of his own choice
(ver. 9-16), and closes with an exhortation to beware of wicked men,
and to follow his example, ver. 17-21.
Description of True Christians. (a. d. 62.)
1 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things
to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. 2
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. 3
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and
rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
It seems the church of the Philippians, though a faithful and
flourishing church, was disturbed by the judaizing teachers, who
endeavoured to keep up the law of Moses, and mix the observances of it
with the doctrine of Christ and his institutions. He begins the chapter
with warnings against these seducers.
I. He exhorts them to rejoice in the Lord (v. 1), to rest satisfied in
the interest they had in him and the benefit they hoped for by him. It
is the character and temper of sincere Christians to rejoice in Christ
Jesus. The more we take of the comfort of our religion the more closely
we shall cleave to it: the more we rejoice in Christ the more willing
we shall be to do and suffer for him, and the less danger we shalt be
in of being drawn away from him. The joy of the Lord is our strength,
Neh. viii. 10.
II. He cautions them to take heed of those false teachers: To write the
same thing to you to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe;
that is, the same things which I have already preached to you; as if he
had said, "What has been presented to your ears shall be presented to
your eyes: what I have spoken formerly shall now be written; to show
that I am still of the same mind." To me indeed is not grievous.
Observe, 1. Ministers must not think any thing grievous to themselves
which they have reason to believe is safe and edifying to the people.
2. It is good for us often to hear the same truths, to revive the
remembrance and strengthen the impression of things of importance. It
is a wanton curiosity to desire always to hear some new thing. It is a
needful caution he here gives: Beware of dogs, v. 2. The prophet calls
the false prophets dumb dogs (Isa. lxvi. 10), to which the apostle here
seems to refer. Dogs, for their malice against the faithful professors
of the gospel of Christ, barking at them and biting them. They cried up
good works in opposition to the faith of Christ; but Paul calls them
evil workers: they boasted themselves to be of the circumcision; but he
calls them the concision: they rent and tore the church of Christ, and
cut it to pieces; or contended for an abolished rite, a mere
insignificant cutting of the flesh.
III. He describes true Christians, who are indeed the circumcision, the
spiritual circumcision, the peculiar of people of God, who are in
covenant with him, as the Old-Testament Israelites were: We are the
circumcision, who worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ
Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Here are three
characters:--1. They worshipped in the spirit, in opposition to the
carnal ordinances of the Old-Testament, which consist in meats, and
drinks, and divers washings, &c. Christianity takes us off from these
things, and teaches us to be inward with God in all the duties of
religious worship. We must worship God in spirit, John iv. 24. The work
of religion is to no purpose any further than the heart is employed in
it. Whatsoever we do, we must do it heartily as unto the Lord; and we
must worship God in the strength and grace of the Divine Spirit, which
is so peculiar to the gospel state, which is the ministration of the
spirit, 2 Cor. iii. 8. 2. They rejoice in Christ Jesus, and not in the
peculiar privileges of the Jewish church, or what answers to them in
the Christian church--mere outward enjoyments and performances. They
rejoice in their relation to Christ and interest in him. God made it
the duty of the Israelites to rejoice before him in the courts of his
house; but now that the substance has come the shadows are done away,
and we are to rejoice in Christ Jesus only. 3. They have no confidence
in the flesh, in those carnal ordinances and outward performances. We
must be taken off from trusting in our own bottom, that we may build
only on Jesus Christ, the everlasting foundation. Our confidence, as
well as our joy, is proper to him.
False Confidence Renounced. (a. d. 62.)
4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man
thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5
Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of
Benjamin, a hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; 6
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness
which is in the law, blameless. 7 But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yea doubtless, and I count all
things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my
Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count
them but dung, that I may win Christ,
The apostle here proposes himself for an example of trusting in Christ
only, and not in his privileges as an Israelite.
I. He shows what he had to boast of as a Jew and a Pharisee. Let none
think that the apostle despised these things (as men commonly do)
because he had them not himself to glory in. No, if he would have
gloried and trusted in the flesh, he had as much cause to do so as any
man: If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof to trust in the
flesh, I more, v. 4. He had as much to boast of as any Jew of them all.
1. His birth-right privileges. He was not a proselyte, but a native
Israelite: of the stock of Israel. And he was of the tribe of Benjamin,
in which tribe the temple stood, and which adhered to Judah when all
the other tribes revolted. Benjamin was the father's darling, and this
was a favourite tribe. A Hebrew of the Hebrews, an Israelite on both
sides, by father and mother, and from one generation to another; none
of his ancestors had matched with Gentiles. 2. He could boast of his
relations to the church and the covenant, for he was circumcised the
eighth day; he had the token of God's covenant in his flesh, and was
circumcised the very day which God had appointed. 3. For learning, he
was a Pharisee, brought up at the feet of Gamaliel, an eminent doctor
of the law: and was a scholar learned in all the learning of the Jews,
taught according to the perfect manner of the laws of the fathers, Acts
xxii. 3. He was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee (Acts xxiii. 6), and
after the most strict sect of his religion lived a Pharisee, Acts xxvi.
5. 4. He had a blameless conversation: Toughing the righteousness which
is of the law, blameless: as far as the Pharisees' exposition of the
law went, and as to the mere letter of the law and outward observance
of it, he could acquit himself from the breach of it and could not be
accused by any. 5. He had been an active man for his religion. As he
made a strict profession of it, under the title and character of a
Pharisee, so he persecuted those whom he looked upon as enemies to it.
Concerning zeal, persecuting the church. 6. He showed that he was in
good earnest, though he had a zeal without knowledge to direct and
govern the exercise of it: I was zealous towards God, as you all are
this day, and I persecuted this way unto the death, Acts xxii. 3, 4.
All this was enough to have made a proud Jew confident, and was stock
sufficient to set up with for his justification. But,
II. The apostle tells us here how little account he made of these, in
comparison of his interest in Christ and his expectations from him: But
what things were gain to me those have I counted loss for Christ (v.
7); that is, those things which he had counted gain while he was a
Pharisee, and which he had before reckoned up, these he counted loss
for Christ. "I should have reckoned myself an unspeakable loser of, to
adhere to them, I had lost my interest in Jesus Christ." He counted
them loss; not only insufficient to enrich him, but what would
certainly impoverish and ruin him, if he trusted to them, in opposition
to Christ. Observe, The apostle did not persuade them to do any thing
but what he had himself did, to quit any thing but what he had himself
quitted, nor venture on any bottom but what he himself had ventured his
immortal soul upon.--Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for
the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, v. 8. Here the
apostle explains himself. 1. He tells us what it was that he was
ambitious of and reached after: it was the knowledge of Christ Jesus
his Lord, a believing experimental acquaintance with Christ as Lord;
not a merely notional and speculative, but a practical and efficacious
knowledge of him. So knowledge is sometimes put for faith: By his
knowledge, or the knowledge of him, shall my righteous servant justify
many, Isa. liii. 11. And it is the excellency of knowledge. There is an
abundant and transcendent excellency in the doctrine of Christ, or the
Christian religion above all the knowledge of nature, and improvements
of human wisdom; for it is suited to the case of fallen sinners, and
furnishes them with all they need and all they can desire and hope for,
with all saving wisdom and saving grace. 2. He shows how he had quitted
his privileges as a Jew and a Pharisee: Yea doubtless; his expression
rises with a holy triumph and elevation, alla men oun ge kai. There are
five particles in the original: But indeed even also do I count all
things but loss. He had spoken before of those things, his Jewish
privileges: here he speaks of all things, all worldly enjoyments and
mere outward privileges whatsoever, things of a like kind or any other
kind which could stand in competition with Christ for the throne in his
heart, or pretend to merit and desert. There he had said that he did
count them but loss; but it might be asked, "Did he continue still in
the same mind, did he not repent his renouncing them?" No, now he
speaks in the present tense: Yea doubtless, I do count them but loss.
But it may be said, "It is easy to say so; but what would he do when he
came to the trial?" Why he tells us that he had himself practised
according to this estimate of the case: For whom I have suffered the
loss of all things. He had quitted all his honours and advantages, as a
Jew and a Pharisee, and submitted to all the disgrace and suffering
which attended the profession and preaching of the gospel. When he
embarked in the bottom of the Christian religion, he ventured all in
it, and suffered the loss of all for the privileges of a Christian.
Nay, he not only counted them loss, but dung, skybala--offals thrown to
dogs; they are not only less valuable than Christ, but in the highest
degree contemptible, when they come in competition with him. Note, The
New Testament never speaks of saving grace in any terms of diminution,
but on the contrary represents it as the fruits of the divine Spirit
and the image of God in the soul of man; as a divine nature, and the
seed of God: and faith is called precious faith; and meekness is in the
sight of God of great price, 1 Pet. iii. 4; 2 Pet. i. 1, &c.
The Apostle's Concern, Hope, and Aim. (a. d. 62.)
9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of
the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the
righteousness which is of God by faith: 10 That I may know him, and
the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings,
being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I might
attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had
already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if
that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ
Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this
one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching
forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
We now heard what the apostle renounced; let us now see what he laid
hold on, and resolved to cleave to, namely, Christ and heaven. He had
his heart on these two great peculiarities of the Christian religion.
I. The apostle had his heart upon Christ as his righteousness. This is
illustrated in several instances. 1. He desired to win Christ; and an
unspeakable gainer he would reckon himself if he had but an interest in
Christ and his righteousness, and if Christ became his Lord and his
Saviour: That I may win him; as the runner wins the prize, as the
sailor makes the port he is bound for. The expression intimates that we
have need to strive for him and after him, and that all is little
enough to win him. 2. That he might be found in him (v. 9), as the
manslayer was found in the city of refuge, where he was safe from the
avenger of blood, Num. xxxv. 25. Or it alludes to a judicial
appearance; so we are to be found of our Judge in peace, 2 Pet. iii.
14. We are undone without a righteousness wherein to appear before God,
for we are guilty. There is a righteousness provided for us in Jesus
Christ, and it is a complete and perfect righteousness. None can have
interest or benefit by it but those who come off from confidence in
themselves, and are brought heartily to believe in him. "Not having my
own righteousness, which is of the law; not thinking that my outward
observances and good deeds are able to atone for my bad ones, or that
by setting the one over against the other I can come to balance
accounts with God. No, the righteousness which I depend upon is that
which is through the faith of Christ, not a legal, but evangelical
righteousness: The righteousness which is of God by faith, ordained and
appointed of God." The Lord Jesus Christ is the Lord our righteousness,
Isa. xlv. 24; Jer. xxiii. 6. Had he not been God, he could not have
been our righteousness; the transcendent excellence of the divine
nature put such a value upon, and such a virtue into, his sufferings,
that they became sufficient to satisfy for the sins of the world, and
to bring in a righteousness which will be effectual to all that
believe. Faith is the ordained means of actual interest and saving
benefit in all the purchase of his blood. It is by faith in his blood,
Rom. iii. 25. 3. That he might know Christ (v. 10): That I may know
him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his
sufferings. Faith is called knowledge, Isa. liii. 11. Knowing him here
is believing in him: it is an experimental knowledge of the power of
his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, or feeling the
transforming efficacy and virtue of them. Observe, The apostle was as
ambitious of being sanctified as he was of being justified. He was as
desirous to know the power of Christ's death and resurrection killing
sin in him, and raising him up to newness of life, as he was to receive
the benefit of Christ's death and resurrection in his justification. 4.
That he might be conformable unto him, and this also is meant of his
sanctification. We are then made conformable to his death when we die
to sin, as Christ died for sin, when we are crucified with Christ, the
flesh and affections of it mortified, and the world is crucified to us,
and we to the world, by virtue of the cross of Christ. This is our
conformity to his death.
II. The apostle had his heart upon heaven as his happiness: If by any
means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead, v. 11.
1. The happiness of heaven is here called the resurrection of the dead,
because, though the souls of the faithful, when they depart, are
immediately with Christ, yet their happiness will not be complete till
the general resurrection of the dead at the last day, when soul and
body shall be glorified together. Anastasis sometimes signifies the
future state. This the apostle had his eye upon; this he would attain.
There will be a resurrection of the unjust, who shall arise to shame
and everlasting contempt; and our care must be to escape that: but the
joyful and glorious resurrection of saints is called the resurrection,
kat exochen--by eminence, because it is in virtue of Christ's
resurrection, as their head and first-fruits; whereas the wicked shall
rise only by the power of Christ, as their judge. To the saints it will
be indeed a resurrection, a return to bliss, and life, and glory; while
the resurrection of the wicked is a rising from the grave, but a return
to a second death. It is called the resurrection of the just, and the
resurrection of life (John v. 29), and they are counted worthy to
obtain that world and the resurrection from the dead, Luke xx. 35.
2. This joyful resurrection the apostle pressed towards. He was willing
to do any thing, or suffer any thing, that he might attain that
resurrection. The hope and prospect of it carried him with so much
courage and constancy through all the difficulties he met with in his
work. He speaks as if they were in danger of missing it, and coming
short of it. A holy fear of coming short is an excellent means of
perseverance. Observe, His care to be found in Christ was in order to
his attaining the resurrection of the dead. Paul himself did not hope
to attain it through his own merit and righteousness, but through the
merit and righteousness of Jesus Christ. "Let me be found in Christ,
that I may attain the resurrection of the dead, be found a believer in
him, and interested in him by faith," Observe,
(1.) He looks upon himself to be in a state of imperfection and trial:
Not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect, v. 12.
Observe, The best men in the world will readily own their imperfection
in the present state. We have not yet attained, are not already
perfect; there is still much wanting in all our duties, and graces, and
comforts. If Paul had not attained to perfection (who had reached to so
high a pitch of holiness), much less have we. Again, Brethren, I count
not myself to have apprehended (v. 13), ou logizomai. "I make this
judgment of the case; I thus reason with myself." Observe, Those who
think they have grace enough give proof that they have little enough,
or rather that they have none at all; because, wherever there is true
grace, there is a desire of more grace, and a pressing towards the
perfection of grace.
(2.) What the apostle's actings were under this conviction. Considering
that he had not already attained, and had not apprehended, he pressed
forward: "I follow after (v. 12), dioko--I pursue with vigour, as one
following after the game. I endeavour to get more grace and do more
good, and never think I have done enough: If that I may apprehend that
for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus." Observe, [1.] Whence
our grace comes--from our being apprehended of Christ Jesus. It is not
our laying hold of Christ first, but his laying hold of us, which is
our happiness and salvation. We love him because he first loved us, 1
John iv. 19. Not our keeping hold of Christ, but his keeping hold of
us, is our safety. We are kept by his mighty power through faith unto
salvation, 1 Pet. i. 5. Observe, [2.] What the happiness of heaven is:
it is to apprehend that for which we are apprehended of Christ. When
Christ laid hold of us, it was to bring us to heaven; and to apprehend
that for which he apprehended us is to attain the perfection of our
bliss. He adds further (v. 13): This one thing I do (this was his great
care and concern), forgetting those things which are behind, and
reaching forth to those things which are before. There is a sinful
forgetting of past sins and past mercies, which ought to be remembered
for the exercise of constant repentance and thankfulness to God. But
Paul forgot the things which were behind so as not to be content with
present measures of grace: he was still for having more and more. So he
reaches forth, epekteinomenos--stretched himself forward, bearing
towards his point: it is expressive of a vehement concern.
(3.) The apostle's aim in these actings: I press towards the mark, for
the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus, v. 14. He pressed
towards the mark. As he who runs a race never takes up short of the
end, but is still making forwards as fast as he can, so those who have
heaven in their eye must still be pressing forward to it in holy
desires and hopes, and constant endeavours and preparations. The fitter
we grow for heaven the faster we must press towards it. Heaven is
called here the mark, because it is that which every good Christian has
in his eye; as the archer has his eye fixed upon the mark he designs to
hit. For the prize of the high calling. Observe, A Christian's calling
is a high calling: it is from heaven, as its original; and it is to
heaven in its tendency. Heaven is the prize of the high calling; to
brabeion--the prize we fight for, and run for, and wrestle for, what we
aim at in all we do, and what will reward all our pains. It is of great
use in the Christian course to keep our eye upon heaven. This is proper
to give us measures in all our service, and to quicken us every step we
take; and it is of God, from whom we are to expect it. Eternal life is
the gift of God (Rom. vi. 23), but it is in Christ Jesus; through his
hand it must come to us, as it is procured for us by him. There is no
getting to heaven as our home but by Christ as our way.
Warnings and Exhortations. (a. d. 62.)
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in
any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the
same rule, let us mind the same thing.
The apostle, having proposed himself as an example, urges the
Philippians to follow it. Let the same mind be in us which was in
blessed Paul. We see here how he was minded; let us be like-minded, and
set our hearts upon Christ and heaven, as he did. 1. He shows that this
was the thing wherein all good Christians were agreed, to make Christ
all in all, and set their hearts upon another world. This is that
whereto we have all attained. However good Christians may differ in
their sentiments about other things, this is what they are agreed in,
that Christ is a Christian's all, that to win Christ and to be found in
him involve our happiness both here and hereafter. And therefore let us
walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing. Having made Christ our
all, to us to live must be Christ. Let us agree to press towards the
mark, and make heaven our end. 2. That this is a good reason why
Christians who differ in smaller matters should yet bear with one
another, because they are agreed in the main matter: "If in any thing
you be otherwise minded--if you differ from one another, and are not of
the same judgment as to meats and days, and other matters of the Jewish
law--yet you must not judge one another, while you all meet now in
Christ as your centre, and hope to meet shortly in heaven as your home.
As for other matters of difference, lay no great stress upon them, God
shall reveal even this unto you. Whatever it is wherein you differ, you
must wait till God give you a better understanding, which he will do in
his due time. In the mean time, as far as you have attained, you must
go together in the ways of God, join together in all the great things
in which you are agreed, and wait for further light in the minor things
wherein you differ."
The Apostle Urges His Own Example. (a. d. 62.)
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so
as ye have us for an ensample. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told
you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of
the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their
belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body,
that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the
working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.
He closes the chapter with warnings and exhortations.
I. He warns them against following the examples of seducers and evil
teachers (v. 18, 19): Many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now
tell you weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ.
Observe,
1. There are many called by Christ's name who are enemies to Christ's
cross, and the design and intention of it. Their walk is a surer
evidence what they are than their profession. By their fruits you shall
know them, Matt. vii. 20. The apostle warns people against such, (1.)
Very frequently: I have told you often. We so little heed the warnings
given us that we have need to have them repeated. To write the same
things is safe, v. 1. (2.) Feelingly and affectionately: I now tell you
weeping. Paul was upon proper occasions a weeping preacher, as Jeremiah
was a weeping prophet. Observe, An old sermon may be preached with new
affections; what we say often we may say again, if we say it
affectionately, and are ourselves under the power of it.
2. He gives us the characters of those who were the enemies of the
cross of Christ. (1.) Whose God is their belly. They minded nothing but
their sensual appetites. A wretched idol it is, and a scandal for any,
but especially for Christians, to sacrifice the favour of God, the
peace of their conscience, and their eternal happiness to it. Gluttons
and drunkards make a god of their belly, and all their care is to
please it and make provision for it. The same observance which good
people give to God epicures give to their appetites. Of such he says,
They serve not the Lord Jesus Christ, but their own bellies, Rom. xvi.
18. (2.) They glory in their shame. They not only sinned, but boasted
of it and gloried in that of which they ought to have been ashamed. Sin
is the sinner's shame, especially when it is gloried in. "They value
themselves for what is their blemish and reproach." (3.) They mind
earthly things. Christ came by his cross to crucify the world to us and
us to the world; and those who mind earthly things act directly
contrary to the cross of Christ, and this great design of it. They
relish earthly things, and have no relish of the things which are
spiritual and heavenly. They set their hearts and affections on earthly
things; they love them, and even dote upon them, and have a confidence
and complacency in them. He gives them this character, to show how
absurd it would be for Christians to follow the example of such or be
led away by them; and, to deter us all from so doing, he reads their
doom. (4.) Whose end is destruction. Their way seems pleasant, but
death and hell are at the end of it. What fruit had you then in those
things whereof you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is
death, Rom. vi. 21. It is dangerous following them, though it is going
down the stream; for, if we choose their way, we have reason to fear
their end. Perhaps he alludes to the total destruction of the Jewish
nation.
II. He proposes himself and his brethren for an example, in opposition
to these evil examples: Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark
those who walk as you have us for an example, v. 17. Mark them out for
your pattern. He explains himself (v. 20) by their regard to Christ and
heaven: For our conversation is in heaven. Observe, Good Christians,
even while they are here on earth, have their conversation in heaven.
Their citizenship is there, politeuma. As if he had said, We stand
related the that world, and are citizens of the New Jerusalem. This
world is not our home, but that is. There our greatest privileges and
concerns lie. And, because our citizenship is there, our conversation
is there; being related to that world, we keep up a correspondence with
it. The life of a Christian is in heaven, where his head is, and his
home is, and where he hopes to be shortly; he sets his affections upon
things above; and where his heart is there will his conversation be.
The apostle had pressed them to follow him and other ministers of
Christ: "Why," might they say, "you are a company of poor, despised,
persecuted people, who make no figure, and pretend to no advantages in
the world; who will follow you?" "Nay," says he, "but our conversation
is in heaven. We have a near relation and a great pretension to the
other world, and are not so mean and despicable as we are represented."
It is good having fellowship with those who have fellowship with
Christ, and conversation with those whose conversation is in heaven.
1. Because we look for the Saviour from heaven (v. 20): Whence also we
look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is not here, he has
ascended, he has entered within the veil for us; and we expect his
second coming thence, to gather in all the citizens of that New
Jerusalem to himself.
2. Because at the second coming of Christ we expect to be happy and
glorified there. There is good reason to have our conversation in
heaven, not only because Christ is now there, but because we hope to be
there shortly: Who shall change our vile bodies, that they may be
fashioned like unto his glorious body, v. 21. There is a glory reserved
for the bodies of the saints, which they will be instated in at the
resurrection. The body is now at the best a vile body, to soma tes
tapeinoseos hemon--the body of our humiliation: it has its rise and
origin from the earth, it is supported out of the earth, and is subject
to many diseases and to death at last. Besides, it is often the
occasion and instrument of much sin, which is called the body of this
death, Rom. vii. 24. Or it may be understood of its vileness when it
lies in the grave; at the resurrection it will be found a vile body,
resolved into rottenness and dust; the dust will return to the earth as
it was, Eccl. xii. 7. But it will be made a glorious body; and not only
raised again to life, but raised to great advantage. Observe, (1.) The
sample of this change, and that is, the glorious body of Christ; when
he was transfigured upon the mount, his face did shine as the sun, and
his raiment was white as the light, Matt. xvii. 2. He went to heaven
clothed with a body, that he might take possession of the inheritance
in our nature, and be not only the first-born from the dead, but the
first-born of the children of the resurrection. We shall be conformed
to the image of his Son, that he may be the first-born among many
brethren, Rom. viii. 29. (2.) The power by which this change will be
wrought: According to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all
things unto himself. There is an efficacy of power, an exceeding
greatness of power, and the working of mighty power, Eph. i. 19. It is
matter of comfort to us that he can subdue all things to himself, and
sooner or later will bring over all into his interest. And the
resurrection will be wrought by this power. I will raise him up at the
last day, John vi. 44. Let this confirm our faith of the resurrection,
that we not only have the scriptures, which assure us it shall be, but
we know the power of God, which can effect it, Matt. xxii. 29. At
Christ's resurrection was a glorious instance of the divine power, and
therefore he is declared to be the Son of God with power, by the
resurrection from the dead (Rom. i. 4), so will our resurrection be:
and his resurrection is a standing evidence, as well as pattern, of
ours. And then all the enemies of the Redeemer's kingdom will be
completely conquered. Not only he who had the power of death, that is,
the devil (Heb. ii. 14), but the last enemy, shall be destroyed, that
is, death, 1 Cor. xv. 26, shall be swallowed up in victory, v. 54.
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P H I L I P P I A N S.
CHAP. IV.
Exhortations to several Christian duties, as stedfastness, unanimity,
joy, &c., ver. 1-9. The apostle's grateful acknowledgments of the
Philippians' kindness to him, with expressions of his own content, and
desire of their good, ver. 10-19. He concludes the epistle with praise,
salutations, and blessing, ver. 20-23.
Various Exhortations. (a. d. 62.)
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and
crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. 2 I beseech
Euodias, and beseech Syntyche, that they be of the same mind in the
Lord. 3 And I intreat thee also, true yokefellow, help those women
which laboured with me in the gospel, with Clement also, and with other
my fellowlabourers, whose names are in the book of life. 4 Rejoice in
the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. 5 Let your moderation be
known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. 6 Be careful for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let
your requests be made known unto God. 7 And the peace of God, which
passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. 8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever
things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of
good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think
on these things. 9 Those things, which ye have both learned, and
received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be
with you.
The apostle begins the chapter with exhortations to divers Christian
duties.
I. To stedfastness in our Christian profession, v. 1. It is inferred
from the close of the foregoing chapter: Therefore stand fast, &c.
Seeing our conversation is in heaven, and we look for the Saviour to
come thence and fetch us thither, therefore let us stand fast. Note,
The believing hope and prospect of eternal life should engage us to be
steady, even, and constant, in our Christian course. Observe here,
1. The compellations are very endearing: My brethren, dearly beloved
and longed for, my joy and crown; and again, My dearly beloved. Thus he
expresses the pleasure he took in them, the kindness he had for them,
to convey his exhortations to them with so much the greater advantage.
He looked upon them as his brethren, though he was a great apostle. All
we are brethren. There is difference of gifts, graces, and attainments,
yet, being renewed by the same Spirit, after the same image, we are
brethren; as the children of the same parents, though of different
ages, statures, and complexions. Being brethren, (1.) He loved them,
and loved them dearly: Dearly beloved; and again, My dearly beloved.
Warm affections become ministers and Christians towards one another.
Brotherly love must always go along with brotherly relation. (2.) He
loved them and longed for them, longed to see them and hear from them,
longed for their welfare and was earnestly desirous of it. I long after
you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ, ch. i. 8. (3.) He loved them and
rejoiced in them. They were his joy; he had no greater joy than to hear
of their spiritual health and prosperity. I rejoiced greatly that I
found of thy children walking in the truth, 2 John 4; 3 John 4. (4.) he
loved them and gloried in them. They were his crown as well as his joy.
Never was proud ambitious man more pleased with the ensigns of honour
than Paul was with the evidences of the sincerity of their faith and
obedience. All this is to prepare his way to greater regard.
2. The exhortation itself: So stand fast in the Lord. Being in Christ,
they must stand fast in him, be even and steady in their walk with him,
and close and constant unto the end. Or, To stand fast in the Lord is
to stand fast in his strength and by his grace; not trusting in
ourselves, and disclaiming any sufficiency of our own. We must be
strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might, Eph. vi. 10. "So
stand fast, so as you have done hitherto, stand fast unto the end, so
as you are by beloved, and my joy and crown; so stand fast as those in
whose welfare and perseverance I am so nearly interested and
concerned."
II. He exhorts them to unanimity and mutual assistance (v. 2, 3): I
beseech Euodias and Syntyche that they be of the same mind in the Lord.
This is directed to some particular persons. Sometimes there is need of
applying the general precepts of the gospel to particular persons and
cases. Euodias and Syntyche, it seems, were at variance, either one
with the other or with the church; either upon a civil account (it may
be they were engaged in a law-suit) or upon a religious account--it may
be they were of different opinions and sentiments. "Pray," says he,
"desire them from me to be of the same mind in the Lord, to keep the
peace and live in love, to be of the same mind one with another, not
thwarting and contradicting, and to be of the same mind with the rest
of the church, not acting in opposition to them." Then he exhorts to
mutual assistance (v. 3), and this exhortation he directs to particular
persons: I entreat thee also, true yoke-fellow. Who this person was
whom he calls true yoke-fellow is uncertain. Some think Epaphroditus,
who is supposed to have been one of the pastors of the church of the
Philippians. Others think it was some eminently good woman, perhaps
Paul's wife, because he exhorts his yoke-fellow to help the women who
laboured with him. Whoever was the yoke-fellow with the apostle must be
a yoke-fellow too with his friends. It seems, there were women who
laboured with Paul in the gospel; not in the public ministry (for the
apostle expressly forbids that, 1 Tim. ii. 12, I suffer not a woman to
teach), but by entertaining the ministers, visiting the sick,
instructing the ignorant, convincing the erroneous. Thus women may be
helpful to ministers in the work of the gospel. Now, says the apostle,
do thou help them. Those who help others should be helped themselves
when there is occasion. "Help them, that is, join with them, strengthen
their hands, encourage them in their difficulties."--With Clement also,
and other my fellow-labourers. Paul had a kindness for all his
fellow-labourers; and, as he had found the benefit of their assistance,
he concluded how comfortable it would be to them to have the assistance
of others. Of his fellow-labourers he says, Whose names are in the book
of life; either they were chosen of God from all eternity, or
registered and enrolled in the corporation and society to which the
privilege of eternal life belongs, alluding to the custom among the
Jews and Gentiles of registering the inhabitants or the freemen of the
city. So we read of their names being written in heaven (Luke x. 20),
not blotting his name out of the book of life (Rev. iii. 5), and of
those who are written in the Lamb's book of life, Rev. xxi. 27.
Observe, There is a book of life; there are names in that book and not
characters and conditions only. We cannot search into that book, or
know whose names are written there; but we may, in a judgment of
charity, conclude that those who labour in the gospel, and are faithful
to the interest of Christ and souls, have their names in the book of
life.
III. He exhorts to holy joy and delight in God: Rejoice in the Lord
always, and again I say, Rejoice, v. 4. All our joy must terminate in
God; and our thoughts of God must be delightful thoughts. Delight
thyself in the Lord (Ps. xxxvii. 4), in the multitude of our thoughts
within us (grievous and afflicting thoughts) his comforts delight our
souls (Ps. xciv. 19), and our meditation of him is sweet, Ps. civ. 34.
Observe, It is our duty and privilege to rejoice in God, and to rejoice
in him always; at all times, in all conditions; even when we suffer for
him, or are afflicted by him. We must not think the worse of him or of
his ways for the hardships we meet with in his service. There is enough
in God to furnish us with matter of joy in the worst circumstance on
earth. He had said it before (ch. iii. 1): Finally, my brethren,
rejoice in the Lord. Here he says it again, Rejoice in the Lord always;
and again I say Rejoice. Joy in God is a duty of great consequence in
the Christian life; and Christians need to be again and again called to
it. If good men have not a continual feast, it is their own fault.
IV. We are here exhorted to candour and gentleness, and good temper
towards our brethren: "Let your moderation be known to all men, v. 5.
In things indifferent do not run into extremes; avoid bigotry and
animosity; judge charitably concerning one another." The word to
epieikes signifies a good disposition towards other men; and this
moderation is explained, Rom. xiv. Some understand it of the patient
bearing of afflictions, or the sober enjoyment of worldly good; and so
it well agrees with the following verse. The reason is, the Lord is at
hand. The consideration of our Master's approach, and our final
account, should keep us from smiting our fellow-servants, support us
under present sufferings, and moderate our affections to outward good.
"He will take vengeance on your enemies, and reward your patience."
V. Here is a caution against disquieting perplexing care (v. 6): Be
careful for nothing--meden merimnate: the same expression with that
Matt. vi. 25, Take no thought for your life; that is, avoid anxious
care and distracting thought in the wants and difficulties of life.
Observe, It is the duty and interest of Christians to live without
care. There is a care of diligence which is our duty, and consists in a
wise forecast and due concern; but there is a care of diffidence and
distrust which is our sin and folly, and which only perplexes and
distracts the mind. "Be careful for nothing, so as by your care to
distrust God, and unfit yourselves for his service."
VI. As a sovereign antidote against perplexing care he recommends to us
constant prayer: In every thing by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. Observe, 1. We
must not only keep up stated times for prayer, but we must pray upon
every particular emergency: In every thing by prayer. When any thing
burdens our spirits, we must ease our minds by prayer; when our affairs
are perplexed or distressed, we must seek direction and support. 2. We
must join thanksgiving with our prayers and supplications. We must not
only seek supplies of good, but own receipts of mercy. Grateful
acknowledgments of what we have argue a right disposition of mind, and
are prevailing motives for further blessings. 3. Prayer is the offering
up of our desires to God, or making them known to him: Let your
requests be made known to God. Not that God needs to be told either our
wants or desires; for he knows them better than we can tell him: but he
will know them from us, and have us show our regards and concern,
express our value of the mercy and sense of our dependence on him. 4.
The effect of this will be the peace of God keeping our hearts, v. 7.
The peace of God, that is, the comfortable sense of our reconciliation
to God and interest in his favour, and the hope of the heavenly
blessedness, and enjoyment of God hereafter, which passeth all
understanding, is a great good than can be sufficiently valued or duly
expressed. It has not entered into the heart of ham, 1 Cor. ii. 9. This
peace will keep our hearts and minds through Christ Jesus; it will keep
us from sinning under our troubles, and from sinking under them; keep
us calm and sedate, without discomposure of passion, and with inward
satisfaction. Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed
on thee, Isa. xxvi. 3.
VII. We are exhorted to get and keep a good name, a name for good
things with God and good men: Whatsoever things are true and honest (v.
8), a regard to truth in our words and engagements, and to decency and
becomingness in our behaviour, suitable to our circumstances and
condition of life. Whatsoever things are just and pure,--agreeable to
the rules of justice and righteousness in all our dealings with men,
and without the impurity or mixture of sin. Whatsoever things are
lovely and of good report, that is, amiable; that will render us
beloved, and make us well spoken of, as well as well thought of, by
others. If there is any virtue, if there is any praise--any thing
really virtuous of any kind and worthy of commendation. Observe, 1. The
apostle would have the Christians learn any thing which was good of
their heathen neighbours: "If there be any virtue, think of these
things--imitate them in what is truly excellent among them, and let not
them outdo you in any instance of goodness." We should not be ashamed
to learn any good thing of bad men, or those who have not our
advantages. 2. Virtue has its praise, and will have. We should walk in
all the ways of virtue, and abide therein; and then, whether our praise
be of men or no, it will be of God, Rom. ii. 29.
In these things he proposes himself to them for an example (v. 9):
Those things which you have learned, and received, and heard and seen
in me, do. Observe, Paul's doctrine and life were of a piece. What they
saw in him was the same thing with what they heard from him. He could
propose himself as well as his doctrine to their imitation. It gives a
great force to what we say to others when we can appeal to what they
have seen in us. And this is the way to have the God of peace with
us--to keep close to our duty to him. The Lord is with us while we are
with him.
Kindness Acknowledged; Christian Contentment. (a. d. 62.)
10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at the last your care
of me hath flourished again; wherein ye were also careful, but ye
lacked opportunity. 11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I
have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. 12 I
know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and
in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to
abound and to suffer need. 13 I can do all things through Christ
which strengtheneth me. 14 Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye
did communicate with my affliction. 15 Now ye Philippians know also,
that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no
church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye
only. 16 For even in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto my
necessity. 17 Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that
may abound to your account. 18 But I have all, and abound: I am full,
having received of Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you, an
odour of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, wellpleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in
glory by Christ Jesus.
In these verses we have the thankful grateful acknowledgment which the
apostle makes of the kindness of the Philippians in sending him a
present for his support, now that he was a prisoner at Rome. And here,
I. He takes occasion to acknowledge their former kindnesses to him, and
to make mention of them, v. 15, 16. Paul had a grateful spirit; for,
though what his friends did for him was nothing in comparison of what
he deserved from them and the obligations he had laid upon them, yet he
speaks of their kindness as if it had been a piece of generous charity,
when it was really far short of a just debt. If they had each of them
contributed half their estates to him, they had not given him too much,
since they owed to him even their own souls; and yet, when they send a
small present to him, how kindly does he take it, how thankfully does
he mention it, even in this epistle which was to be left upon record,
and read in the churches, through all ages; so that wherever this
epistle shall be read there shall this which they did to Paul be told
for a memorial of them. Surely never was present so well repaid. He
reminds them that in the beginning of the gospel no church communicated
with him as to giving and receiving but they only, v. 15. They not only
maintained him comfortably while he was with them, but when he departed
from Macedonia they sent tokens of their kindness after him; and this
when no other church did so. None besides sent after him of their
carnal things, in consideration of what they had reaped of his
spiritual things. In works of charity, we are ready to ask what other
people do. But the church of the Philippians never considered that. It
redounded so much the more to their honour that they were the only
church who were thus just and generous. Even in Thessalonica (after he
had departed from Macedonia) you sent once and again to my necessity,
v. 16. Observe, 1. It was but little which they sent; they sent only to
his necessity, just such things as he had need of; perhaps it was
according to their ability, and he did not desire superfluities nor
dainties. 2. It is an excellent thing to see those to whom God has
abounded in the gifts of his grace abounding in grateful returns to his
people and ministers, according to their own ability and their
necessity: You sent once and again. Many people make it an excuse for
their charity that they have given once; why should the charge come
upon them again? But the Philippians sent once and again; they often
relieved and refreshed him in his necessities. He makes this mention of
their former kindness, not only out of gratitude, but for their
encouragement.
II. He excuses their neglect of late. It seems, for some time they had
not sent to enquire after him, or sent him any present; but now at the
last their care of him flourished again (v. 10), like a tree in the
spring, which seemed all the winter to be quite dead. Now, in
conformity to the example of his great Master, instead of upbraiding
them for their neglect, he makes an excuse for them: Wherein you were
also careful, but you lacked opportunity. How could they lack
opportunity, if they had been resolved upon it? They might have sent a
messenger on purpose. But the apostle is willing to suppose, in favour
of them, that they would have done it if a fair opportunity had
offered. How contrary is this to the behaviour of many to their
friends, by whom neglects which really are excusable are resented very
heinously, when Paul excused that which he had reason enough to resent.
III. He commends their present liberality: Notwithstanding, you have
well done that you did communicate with my affliction, v. 14. It is a
good work to succour and help a good minister in trouble. Here see what
is the nature of true Christian sympathy; not only to be concerned for
our friends in their troubles, but to do what we can to help them. They
communicated with his affliction, in relieving him under it. He who
says, Be you warmed, be you filled, and giveth not those things they
have need of, what doth it profit? Jam. ii. 16. He rejoiced greatly in
it (v. 10), because it was an evidence of their affection to him and
the success of his ministry among them. When the fruit of their charity
abounded towards the apostle, it appeared that the fruit of his
ministry abounded among them.
IV. He takes care to obviate the bad use some might make of his taking
so much notice of what was sent him. It did not proceed either from
discontent and distrust (v. 11) or from covetousness and love of the
world, v. 12. 1. It did not come from discontent, or distrust of
Providence: Not that I speak in respect of want (v. 11); not in respect
of any want he felt, nor of any want he feared. As to the former, he
was content with the little he had, and that satisfied him; as to the
latter, he depended upon the providence of God to provide for him from
day to day, and that satisfied him: so that he did not speak in respect
of want any way. For I have learned, in whatsoever state I am,
therewith to be content. We have here an account of Paul's learning,
not that which he got at the feet of Gamaliel, but that which he got at
the feet of Christ. He had learnt to be content; and that was the
lesson he had as much need to learn as most men, considering the
hardships and sufferings with which he was exercised. He was in bonds,
and imprisonments, and necessities, often; but in all he had learnt to
be content, that is, to bring his mind to his condition, and make the
best of it.--I know both how to be abased and I know how to abound, v.
12. This is a special act of grace, to accommodate ourselves to every
condition of life, and carry an equal temper of mind through all the
varieties of our state. (1.) To accommodate ourselves to an afflicted
condition--to know how to be abased, how to be hungry, how to suffer
want, so as not to be overcome by the temptations of it, either to lose
our comfort in God or distrust his providence, or to take any indirect
course for our own supply. (2.) To a prosperous condition--to know how
to abound, how to be full, so as not to be proud, or secure, or
luxurious. And this is as hard a lesson as the other; for the
temptations of fulness and prosperity are not less than those of
affliction and want. But how must we learn it? I can do all things
through Christ who strengthens me, v. 13. We have need of strength from
Christ, to enable us to perform not only those duties which are purely
Christian, but even those which are the fruit of moral virtue. We need
his strength to teach us to be content in every condition. The apostle
had seemed to boast of himself, and of his own strength: I know how to
be abased (v. 12); but here he transfers all the praise to Christ.
"What do I talk of knowing how to be abased, and how to abound? It is
only through Christ who strengthens me that I can do it, not in my own
strength." So we are required to be strong in the Lord, and in the
power of his might (Eph. vi. 10), and to be strong in the grace which
is in Christ Jesus (2 Tim. ii. 1); and we are strengthened with might
by his Spirit in the inner man, Eph. iii. 16. The word in the original
is a participle of the present tense, en to endynamounti me Christo,
and denotes a present and continued act; as if he had said, "Through
Christ, who is strengthening me, and does continually strengthen me; it
is by his constant and renewed strength I am enabled to act in every
thing; I wholly depend upon him for all my spiritual power." 2. It did
not come from covetousness, or an affection to worldly wealth: "Not
because I desired a gift (v. 17): that is, I welcome your kindness, not
because it adds to my enjoyments, but because it adds to your account."
He desired not so much for his own sake, but theirs: "I desire fruit
that may abound to your account, that is, that you may be enabled to
make such a good use of your worldly possessions that you may give an
account of them with joy." It is not with any design to draw more from
you, but to encourage you to such an exercise of beneficence as will
meet with a glorious reward hereafter. "For my part," says he, "I have
all, and abound, v. 18. What can a man desire more than enough? I do
not desire a gift for the gift's sake, for I have all, and abound."
They sent him a small token, and he desired no more; he was not
solicitous for a present superfluity, or a future supply: I am full,
having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent by you.
Note, A good man will soon have enough of this world; not only of
living in it, but of receiving from it. A covetous worldling, if he has
ever so much, would still have more; but a heavenly Christian, though
he has little, has enough.
V. The apostle assures them that God did accept, and would recompense,
their kindness to him. 1. He did accept it: It is an odour of a sweet
smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God. Not a sacrifice of
atonement, for none makes atonement for sin but Christ; but a sacrifice
of acknowledgment, and well-pleasing to God. It was more acceptable to
God as it was the fruit of their grace than it was to Paul as it was
the supply of his want. With such sacrifices God is well pleased, Heb.
xiii. 16. 2. He would recompense it: But my God shall supply all your
wants according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus, v. 19. He does
as it were draw a bill upon the exchequer in heaven, and leaves it to
God to make them amends for the kindness they had shown him. "He shall
do it, not only as your God, but as my God, who takes what is done to
me as done to himself. You supplied my needs, according to your
poverty; and he shall supply yours, according to his riches." But still
it is by Christ Jesus; through him we have grace to do that which is
good, and through him we must expect the reward of it. Not of debt, but
of grace; for the more we do for God the more we are indebted to him,
because we receive the more from him.
Conclusion. (a. d. 62.)
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 21
Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me
greet you. 22 All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of
Cæsar's household. 23 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all. Amen.
The apostle concludes the epistle in these verses,
1. With praises to God: Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever
and ever, Amen, v. 20. Observe, (1.) God is to be considered by us as
our Father: Now unto God and our Father. It is a great condescension
and favour in God to own the relation of Father to sinners, and allow
us to say to him, Our Father; and it is a title peculiar to the gospel
dispensation. It is also a great privilege and encouragement to us to
consider him as our Father, as one so nearly related and who bears so
tender an affection towards us. We should look upon God, under all our
weaknesses and fears, not as a tyrant or an enemy, but as a Father, who
is disposed to pity us and help us. (2.) We must ascribe glory to God
as a Father, the glory of his own excellence and of all his mercy unto
us. We must thankfully own the receipt of all from him, and give the
praise of all to him. And our praise must be constant and perpetual; it
must be glory for ever and ever.
2. With salutations to his friends at Philippi: "Salute every saint in
Christ Jesus (v. 21); give my hearty love to all the Christians in your
parts." He desires remembrances not only to the bishops and deacons,
and the church in general, but to every particular saint. Paul had a
kind affection to all good Christians.
3. He sends salutations from those who were at Rome: "The brethren who
are with me salute you; the ministers, and all the saints here, send
their affectionate remembrances to you. Chiefly those who are of
Cæsar's household; the Christian converts who belonged to the emperor's
court." Observe, (1.) There were saints in Cæsar's household. Though
Paul was imprisoned at Rome, for preaching the gospel, by the emperor's
command, yet there were some Christians in his own family. The gospel
early obtained among some of the rich and great. Perhaps the apostle
fared the better, and received some favour, by means of his friends at
court. (2.) Chiefly those, &c. Observe, They, being bred at court, were
more complaisant than the rest. See what an ornament to religion
sanctified civility is.
4. The apostolical benediction, as usual: "The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you all, Amen. The free favour and good will of Christ
be your portion and happiness."
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Colossians
Completed by William Harris.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
T H E C O L O S S I A N S.
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Colosse was a considerable city of Phrygia, and probably not far from
Laodicea and Hierapolis; we find these mentioned together, iv. 13. It
is now buried in ruins, and the memory of it chiefly preserved in this
epistle. The design of the epistle is to warn them of the danger of the
Jewish zealots, who pressed the necessity of observing the ceremonial
law; and to fortify them against the mixture of the Gentile philosophy
with their Christian principles. He professes a great satisfaction in
their stedfastness and constancy, and encourages them to perseverance.
It was written about the same time with the epistles to the Ephesians
and Philippians, A.D. 62, and in the same place, while he was now a
prisoner at Rome. He was not idle in his confinement, and the word of
God was not bound.
This epistle, like that to the Romans, was written to those he had
never seen, nor had any personal acquaintance with. The church planted
at Colosse was not by Paul's ministry, but by the ministry of Epaphras
or Epaphroditus, an evangelist, one whom he delegated to preach the
gospel among the Gentiles; and yet, I. There was a flourishing church
at Colosse, and one which was eminent and famous among the churches.
One would have thought none would have come to be flourishing churches
but those which Paul himself had planted; but here was a flourishing
church planted by Epaphras. God is sometimes pleased to make use of the
ministry of those who are of less note, and lower gifts, for doing
great service to his church. God uses what hands he pleases, and is not
tied to those of note, that the excellence of the power may appear to
be of God and not of men, 2 Cor. iv. 7. II. Though Paul had not the
planting of this church, yet he did not therefore neglect it; nor, in
writing his epistles, does he make any difference between that and
other churches. The Colossians, who were converted by the ministry of
Epaphras, were as dear to him, and he was as much concerned for their
welfare, as the Philippians, or any others who were converted by his
ministry. Thus he put an honour upon an inferior minister, and teaches
us not to be selfish, nor think all that honour lost which goes beside
ourselves. We learn, in his example, not to think it a disparagement to
us to water what others have planted, or build upon the foundation
which others have laid: as he himself, as a wise master-builder, laid
the foundation, and another built thereon, 1 Cor. iii. 10.
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C O L O S S I A N S.
CHAP. I.
We have here, I. The inscription, as usual, ver. 1, 2. II. His
thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them--their faith,
love, and hope, ver. 3-8. III. His prayer for their knowledge,
fruitfulness, and strength, ver. 9-11. IV. An admirable summary of the
Christian doctrine concerning the operation of the Spirit, the person
of the Redeemer, the work of redemption, and the preaching of it in the
gospel, ver. 12-29.
Inscription and Apostolical Benediction. (a. d. 62.)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timotheus
our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ which
are at Colosse: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father and
the Lord Jesus Christ.
I. The inscription of this epistle is much the same with the rest; only
it is observable that, 1. He calls himself an apostle of Jesus Christ
by the will of God. An apostle is a prime-minister in the kingdom of
Christ, immediately called by Christ, and extraordinarily qualified;
his work was peculiarly to plant the Christian church, and confirm the
Christian doctrine. He attributes this not to his own merit, strength,
or sufficiency; but to the free grace and good-will of God. He thought
himself engaged to do his utmost, as an apostle, because he was made so
by the will of God. 2. He joins Timothy in commission with himself,
which is another instance of his humility; and, though he elsewhere
calls him his son (2 Tim. ii. 1), yet here he calls him his brother,
which is an example to the elder and more eminent ministers to look
upon the younger and more obscure as their brethren, and to treat them
accordingly with kindness and respect. 3. He calls the Christians at
Colosse saints, and faithful brethren in Christ. As all good ministers,
so all good Christians, are brethren one to another, who stand in a
near relation and owe a mutual love. Towards God they must be saints,
consecrated to his honour and sanctified by his grace, bearing his
image and aiming at his glory. And in both these, as saints to God and
as brethren to one another, they must be faithful. Faithfulness runs
through every character and relation of the Christian life, and is the
crown and glory of them all.
II. The apostolical benediction is the same as usual: Grace be unto
you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. He
wishes them grace and peace, the free favour of God and all the blessed
fruits of it; every kind of spiritual blessings, and that from God our
Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ; jointly from both, and distinctly
from each; as in the former epistle.
Paul's Thanksgiving for the Colossians. (a. d. 62.)
3 We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
praying always for you, 4 Since we heard of your faith in Christ
Jesus, and of the love which ye have to all the saints, 5 For the
hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the
word of the truth of the gospel; 6 Which is come unto you, as it is
in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you,
since the day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of God in truth: 7
As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is for you a
faithful minister of Christ; 8 Who also declared unto us your love in
the Spirit.
Here he proceeds to the body of the epistle, and begins with
thanksgiving to God for what he had heard concerning them, though he
had no personal acquaintance with them, and knew their state and
character only by the reports of others.
I. He gave thanks to God for them, that they had embraced the gospel of
Christ, and given proofs of their fidelity to him. Observe, In his
prayers for them he gave thanks for them. Thanksgiving ought to be a
part of every prayer; and whatever is the matter of our rejoicing ought
to be the matter of our thanksgiving. Observe, 1. Whom he gives thanks
to: To God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. In our
thanksgiving we must have an eye to God as God (he is the object of
thanksgiving as well as prayer), and is the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, in and through whom all good comes to us. He is the Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ as well as our Father; and it is a matter of
encouragement, in all our addresses to God, that we can look to him as
Christ's Father and our Father, as his God and our God, John xx. 17.
Observe, 2. What he gives thanks to God for--for the graces of God in
them, which were evidences of the grace of God towards them: Since we
heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the love you have to all
the saints; for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, v. 4, 5.
Faith, hope, and love, are the three principal graces in the Christian
life, and proper matter of our prayer and thanksgiving. (1.) He gives
thanks for their faith in Christ Jesus, that they were brought to
believe in him, and take upon them the profession of his religion, and
venture their souls upon his undertaking. (2.) For their love. Besides
the general love which is due to all men, there is a particular love
owing to the saints, or those who are of the Christian brotherhood, 1
Pet. ii. 17. We must love all the saints, bear an extensive kindness
and good-will to good men, notwithstanding smaller points of
difference, and many real weaknesses. Some understand it of their
charity to the saints in necessity, which is one branch and evidence of
Christian love. (3.) For their hope: The hope which is laid up for you
in heaven, v. 5. The happiness of heaven is called their hope, because
it is the thing hoped for, looking for the blessed hope, Tit. ii. 13.
What is laid out upon believers in this world is much; but what is laid
up for them in heaven is much more. And we have reason to give thanks
to God for the hope of heaven which good Christians have, or their
well-grounded expectation of the future glory. Their faith in Christ,
and love to the saints, had an eye to the hope laid up for them in
heaven. The more we fix our hopes on the recompence of reward in the
other world, the more free and liberal shall we be of our earthly
treasure upon all occasions of doing good.
II. Having blessed God for these graces, he blesses God for the means
of grace which they enjoyed: Wherein you heard before in the word of
the truth of the gospel. They had heard in the word of the truth of the
gospel concerning this hope laid up for them in heaven. Observe, 1. The
gospel is the word of truth, and what we may safely venture our
immortal souls upon: it proceeds from the God of truth and the Spirit
of truth, and is a faithful saying. He calls it the grace of God in
truth, v. 6. 2. It is a great mercy to hear this word of truth; for the
great thing we learn from it is the happiness of heaven. Eternal life
is brought to light by the gospel, 2 Tim. i. 10. They heard of the hope
laid up in heaven in the word of the truth of the gospel. "Which has
come unto you, as it hath to all the world, and bringeth forth fruit,
as it doth also in you, v. 6. This gospel is preached and brings forth
fruit in other nations; it has come to you, as it hath to all the
world, according to the commission, Go preach the gospel in all the
nations, and to every creature." Observe, (1.) All who hear the word of
the gospel ought to bring forth the fruit of the gospel, that is, be
obedient to it, and have their principles and lives formed according to
it. This was the doctrine first preached: Bring forth therefore fruits
meet for repentance, Matt. iii. 8. And our Lord says, If you know these
things, happy are you if you do them, John xiii. 17. Observe, (2.)
Wherever the gospel comes, it will bring forth fruit to the honour and
glory of God: It bringeth forth fruit, as it doth also in you. We
mistake, if we think to monopolize the comforts and benefits of the
gospel to ourselves. Does the gospel bring forth fruit in us? So it
does in others.
III. He takes this occasion to mention the minister by whom they
believed (v. 7, 8): As you also learned of Epaphras, our dear
fellow-servant, who is for you a faithful minister of Christ. He
mentions him with great respect, to engage their love to him. 1. He
calls him his fellow-servant, to signify not only that they served the
same Master, but that they were engaged in the same work. They were
fellow-labourers in the work of the Lord, though one was an apostle and
the other an ordinary minister. 2. He calls him his dear
fellow-servant: all the servants of Christ ought to love one another,
and it is an endearing consideration that they are engaged in the same
service. 3. He represents him as one who was a faithful minister of
Christ to them, who discharged his trust and fulfilled his ministry
among them. Observe, Christ is our proper Master, and we are his
ministers. He does not say who is your minister; but who is the
minister of Christ for you. It is by his authority and appointment,
though for the people's service. 4. He represents him as one who gave
them a good word: Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit, v.
8. He recommends him to their affection, from the good report he made
of their sincere love to Christ and all his members, which was wrought
in them by the Spirit, and is agreeable to the spirit of the gospel.
Faithful ministers are glad to be able to speak well of their people.
Paul's Prayer for the Colossians. (a. d. 62.)
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to
pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge
of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 That ye
might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in
every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all
patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
The apostle proceeds in these verses to pray for them. He heard that
they were good, and he prayed that they might be better. He was
constant in this prayer: We do not cease to pray for you. It may be he
could hear of them but seldom, but he constantly prayed for them.--And
desire that you may be filled with the knowledge, &c. Observe what it
is that he begs of God for them,
I. That they might be knowing intelligent Christians: filled with the
knowledge of his will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.
Observe, 1. The knowledge of our duty is the best knowledge. A mere
empty notion of the greatest truths is insignificant. Our knowledge of
the will of God must be always practical: we must know it, in order to
do it. 2. Our knowledge is then a blessing indeed when it is in wisdom,
when we know how to apply our general knowledge to our particular
occasions, and to suit it to all emergencies. 3. Christians should
endeavour to be filled with knowledge; not only to know the will of
God, but to know more of it, and to increase in the knowledge of God
(as it is v. 10), and to grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our
Lord and Saviour, 2 Pet. iii. 18.
II. That their conversation might be good. Good knowledge without a
good life will not profit. Our understanding is then a spiritual
understanding when we exemplify it in our way of living: That you may
walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing (v. 10), that is, as becomes
the relation we stand in to him and the profession we make of him. The
agreeableness of our conversation to our religion is pleasing to God as
well as to good men. We walk unto all well-pleasing when we walk in all
things according to the will of God. Being fruitful in every good work.
This is what we should aim at. Good words will not do without good
works. We must abound in good works, and in every good work: not in
some only, which are more easy, and suitable, and safe, but in all, and
every instance of them. There must be a regular uniform regard to all
the will of God. And the more fruitful we are in good works the more we
shall increase in the knowledge of God. He who doeth his will shall
know of the doctrine whether it be of God, John vii. 17.
III. That they might be strengthened: Strengthened with all might
according to his glorious power (v. 11), fortified against the
temptations of Satan and furnished for all their duty. It is a great
comfort to us that he who undertakes to give strength to his people is
a God of power and of glorious power. Where there is spiritual life
there is still need of spiritual strength, strength for all the actions
of the spiritual life. To be strengthened is to be furnished by the
grace of God for every good work, and fortified by that grace against
every evil one: it is to be enabled to do our duty, and still to hold
fast our integrity. The blessed Spirit is the author of this strength;
for we are strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inward man,
Eph. iii. 16. The word of God is the means of it, by which he conveys
it; and it must be fetched in by prayer. It was in answer to earnest
prayer that the apostle obtained sufficient grace. In praying for
spiritual strength we are not straitened in the promises, and therefore
should not be straitened in our own hopes and desires. Observe, 1. He
prayed that they might be strengthened with might: this seems a
tautology; but he means, that they might be mightily strengthened, or
strengthened with might derived from another. 2. It is with all might.
It seems unreasonable that a creature should be strengthened with all
might, for that is to make him almighty; but he means, with all that
might which we have occasion for, to enable us to discharge our duty or
preserve our innocence, that grace which is sufficient for us in all
the trials of life and able to help us in time of need. 3. It is
according to his glorious power. He means, according to the grace of
God: but the grace of God in the hearts of believers is the power of
God; and there is a glory in this power; it is an excellent and
sufficient power. And the communications of strength are not according
to our weakness, to whom the strength is communicated, but according to
his power, from whom it is received. When God gives he gives like
himself, and when he strengthens he strengthens like himself. 4. The
special use of this strength was for suffering work: That you may be
strengthened unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness. He
prays not only that they may be supported under their troubles, but
strengthened for them: the reason is there is work to be done even when
we are suffering. And those who are strengthened according to his
glorious power are strengthened, (1.) To all patience. When patience
hath its perfect work (Jam. i. 4) then we are strengthened to all
patience--when we not only bear our troubles patiently, but receive
them as gifts from God, and are thankful for them. To you it is given
to suffer, Phil. i. 29. When we bear our troubles well, though ever so
many, and the circumstances of them ever so aggravating, then we bear
them with all patience. And the same reason for bearing one trouble
will hold for bearing another, if it be a good reason. All patience
includes all the kinds of it; not only bearing patience, but waiting
patience. (2.) This is even unto long-suffering, that is, drawn out to
a great length: not only to bear trouble awhile, but to bear it as long
as God pleases to continue it. (3.) It is with joyfulness, to rejoice
in tribulation, to take joyfully the spoiling of our goods, and rejoice
that we are counted worthy to suffer for his name, to have joy as well
as patience in the troubles of life. This we could never do by any
strength of our own, but as we are strengthened by the grace of God.
The Redeemer's Dignity; The Work of Redemption; Paul's Preaching. (a. d. 62.)
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 13 Who hath
delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into
the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through
his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 15 Who is the image of the
invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 16 For by him were
all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible
and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
17 And he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 18
And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the
firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the
preeminence. 19 For it pleased the Father that in him should all
fulness dwell; 20 And, having made peace through the blood of his
cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say,
whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 21 And you,
that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works,
yet now hath he reconciled 22 In the body of his flesh through death,
to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
23 If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved
away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was
preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am
made a minister; 24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and
fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh
for his body's sake, which is the church: 25 Whereof I am made a
minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for
you, to fulfil the word of God; 26 Even the mystery which hath been
hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his
saints: 27 To whom God would make known what is the riches of the
glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the
hope of glory: 28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching
every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in
Christ Jesus: 29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his
working, which worketh in me mightily.
Here is a summary of the doctrine of the gospel concerning the great
work of our redemption by Christ. It comes in here not as the matter of
a sermon, but as the matter of a thanksgiving; for our salvation by
Christ furnishes us with abundant matter of thanksgiving in every view
of it: Giving thanks unto the Father, v. 12. He does not discourse of
the work of redemption in the natural order of it; for then he would
speak of the purchase of it first, and afterwards of the application of
it. But here he inverts the order, because, in our sense and feeling of
it, the application goes before the purchase. We first find the
benefits of redemption in our hearts, and then are led by those streams
to the original and fountain-head. The order and connection of the
apostle's discourse may be considered in the following manner:--
I. He speaks concerning the operations of the Spirit of grace upon us.
We must give thanks for them, because by these we are qualified for an
interest in the mediation of the Son: Giving thanks to the Father, &c.,
v. 12, 13. It is spoken of as the work of the Father, because the
Spirit of grace is the Spirit of the Father, and the Father works in us
by his Spirit. Those in whom the work of grace is wrought must give
thanks unto the Father. If we have the comfort of it, he must have the
glory of it. Now what is it which is wrought for us in the application
of redemption? 1. "He hath delivered us from the power of darkness, v.
13. He has rescued us from the state of heathenish darkness and
wickedness. He hath saved us from the dominion of sin, which is
darkness (1 John i. 6), from the dominion of Satan, who is the prince
of darkness (Eph. vi. 12), and from the damnation of hell, which is
utter darkness," Matt. xxv. 30. They are called out of darkness, 1 Pet.
ii. 9. 2. "He hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son,
brought us into the gospel-state, and made us members of the church of
Christ, which is a state of light and purity." You were once darkness,
but now are you light in the Lord, Eph. v. 8. Who hath called you out
of darkness into his marvellous light, 1 Pet. ii. 9. Those were made
willing subjects of Christ who were the slaves of Satan. The conversion
of a sinner is the translation of a soul into the kingdom of Christ out
of the kingdom of the devil. The power of sin is shaken off, and the
power of Christ submitted to. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ
Jesus makes them free from the law of sin and death; and it is the
kingdom of his dear Son, or the Son of his peculiar love, his beloved
Son (Matt. iii. 17), and eminently the beloved, Eph. i. 6. 3. "He hath
not only done this, but hath made us meet to partake of the inheritance
of the saints in light, v. 12. He hath prepared us for the eternal
happiness of heaven, as the Israelites divided the promised land by
lot; and has given us the earnest and assurance of it." This he
mentions first because it is the first indication of the future
blessedness, that by the grace of God we find ourselves in some measure
prepared for it. God gives grace and glory, and we are here told what
they both are. (1.) What that glory is. It is the inheritance of the
saints in light. It is an inheritance, and belongs to them as children,
which is the best security and the sweetest tenure: If children, then
heirs, Rom. viii. 17. And it is an inheritance of the saints-proper to
sanctified souls. Those who are not saints on earth will never be
saints in heaven. And it is an inheritance in light; the perfection of
knowledge, holiness, and joy, by communion with God, who is light, and
the Father of lights, Jam. i. 17; John i. 5. (2.) What this grace is.
It is a meetness for the inheritance: "He hath made us meet to be
partakers, that is, suited and fitted us for the heavenly state by a
proper temper and habit of soul; and he makes us meet by the powerful
influence of his Spirit." It is the effect of the divine power to
change the heart, and make it heavenly. Observe, All who are designed
for heaven hereafter are prepared for heaven now. As those who live and
die unsanctified go out of the world with their hell about them, so
those who are sanctified and renewed go out of the world with their
heaven about them. Those who have the inheritance of sons have the
education of sons and the disposition of sons: they have the Spirit of
adoption, whereby they cry, Abba, Father. Rom. viii. 15. And, because
you are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your
hearts, crying, Abba, Father, Gal. iv. 6. This meetness for heaven is
the earnest of the Spirit in our heart, which is part of payment, and
assures the full payment. Those who are sanctified shall be glorified
(Rom. viii. 30), and will be for ever indebted to the grace of God,
which hath sanctified them.
II. Concerning the person of the Redeemer. Glorious things are here
said of him; for blessed Paul was full of Christ, and took all
occasions to speak honourably of him. He speaks of him distinctly as
God, and as Mediator. 1. As God he speaks of him, v. 15-17. (1.) He is
the image of the invisible God. Not as man was made in the image of God
(Gen. i. 27), in his natural faculties and dominion over the creatures:
no, he is the express image of his person, Heb. i. 3. He is so the
image of God as the son is the image of his father, who has a natural
likeness to him; so that he who has seen him has seen the Father, and
his glory was the glory of the only-begotten of the Father, John i. 14;
xiv. 9. (2.) He is the first-born of every creature. Not that he is
himself a creature; for it is prototokos pases ktiseos--born or
begotten before all the creation, or before any creature was made,
which is the scripture-way of representing eternity, and by which the
eternity of God is represented to us: I was set up from everlasting,
from the beginning, or ever the earth was; when there was no depth,
before the mountains were settled, while as yet he had not made the
earth, Prov. viii. 23-26. It signifies his dominion over all things, as
the first-born in a family is heir and lord of all, so he is the heir
of all things, Heb. i. 2. The word, with only the change of the accent,
prototokos, signifies actively the first begetter or producer of all
things, and so it well agrees with the following clause. Vid. Isidor.
Peleus. epist. 30 lib. 3. (3.) He is so far from beginning himself a
creature that he is the Creator: For by him were all things created,
which are in heaven and earth, visible and invisible, v. 16. He made
all things out of nothing, the highest angel in heaven, as well as men
upon earth. He made the world, the upper and lower world, with all the
inhabitants of both. All things were made by him, and without him was
not any thing made which was made, John i. 3. He speaks here as if
there were several orders of angels: Whether thrones, or dominions, or
principalities, or powers, which must signify either different degrees
of excellence or different offices and employments. Angels,
authorities, and powers, 1 Pet. iii. 22. Christ is the eternal wisdom
of the Father, and the world was made in wisdom. He is the eternal
Word, and the world was made by the word of God. He is the arm of the
Lord, and the world was made by that arm. All things are created by him
and for him; di autou kai eis auton. Being created by him, they were
created for him; being made by his power, they were made according to
his pleasure and for his praise. He is the end, as well as the cause of
all things. To him are all things, Rom. xi. 36; eis auton ta panta.
(4.) He was before all things. He had a being before the world was
made, before the beginning of time, and therefore from all eternity.
Wisdom was with the Father, and possessed by him in the beginning of
his ways, before his works of old, Prov. viii. 22. And in the beginning
the Word was with God and was God, John i. 1. He not only had a being
before he was born of the virgin, but he had a being before all time.
(5.) By him all things consist. They not only subsist in their beings,
but consist in their order and dependences. He not only created them
all at first, but it is by the word of his power that they are still
upheld, Heb. i. 3. The whole creation is kept together by the power of
the Son of God, and made to consist in its proper frame. It is
preserved from disbanding and running into confusion.
2. The apostle next shows what he is as Mediator, v. 18, 19. (1.) He is
the head of the body the church: not only a head of government and
direction, as the king is the head of the state and has right to
prescribe laws, but a head of vital influence, as the head in the
natural body: for all grace and strength are derived from him: and the
church is his body, the fulness of him who filleth all in all, Eph. i.
22, 23. (2.) He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, arche,
prototokos--the principle, the first-born from the dead; the principle
of our resurrection, as well as the first-born himself. All our hopes
and joys take their rise from him who is the author of our salvation.
Not that he was the first who ever rose from the dead, but the first
and only one who rose by his own power, and was declared to be the Son
of God, and Lord of all things. And he is the head of the resurrection,
and has given us an example and evidence of our resurrection from the
dead. He rose as the first-fruits, 1 Cor. xv. 20. (3.) He hath in all
things the pre-eminence. It was the will of the Father that he should
have all power in heaven and earth, that he might be preferred above
angels and all the powers in heaven (he has obtained a more excellent
name than they, Heb. i. 4), and that in all the affairs of the kingdom
of God among men he should have the pre-eminence. He has the
pre-eminence in the hearts of his people above the world and the flesh;
and by giving him the pre-eminence we comply with the Father's will,
That all men should honour the Son even as they honour the Father, John
v. 23. (4.) All fulness dwells in him, and it pleased the Father it
should do so (v. 19), not only a fulness of abundance for himself, but
redundance for us, a fulness of merit and righteousness, of strength
and grace. As the head is the seat and source of the animal spirits, so
is Christ of all graces to his people. It pleased the Father that all
fulness should dwell in him; and we may have free resort to him for all
that grace for which we have occasion. He not only intercedes for it,
but is the trustee in whose hands it is lodged to dispense to us: Of
his fulness we receive, and grace for grace, grace in us answering to
that grace which is in him (John i. 16), and he fills all in all, Eph.
i. 23.
III. Concerning the work of redemption. He speaks of the nature of it,
or wherein it consists; and of the means of it, by which it was
procured.
1. Wherein it consists. It is made to lie in two things:--(1.) In the
remission of sin: In whom we have redemption, even the forgiveness of
sins, v. 14. It was sin which sold us, sin which enslaved us: if we are
redeemed, we must be redeemed from sin; and this is by forgiveness, or
remitting the obligation to punishment. So Eph. i. 7, In whom we have
redemption, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace. (2.) In reconciliation to God. God by him reconciled all things
to himself, v. 20. He is the Mediator of reconciliation, who procures
peace as well as pardon for sinners, who brings them into a state of
friendship and favour at present, and will bring all holy creatures,
angels as well as men, into one glorious and blessed society at last:
things in earth, or things in heaven. So Eph. i. 10, He will gather
together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and
which are on earth. The word is anakephalaiosasthai--he will bring them
all under one head. The Gentiles, who were alienated, and enemies in
their minds by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, v. 21. Here
see what was their condition by nature, and in their Gentile
state--estranged from God, and at enmity with God: and yet this enmity
is slain, and, notwithstanding this distance, we are now reconciled.
Christ has laid the foundation for our reconciliation; for he has paid
the price of it, has purchased the proffer and promise of it, proclaims
it as a prophet, applies it as a king. Observe, The greatest enemies to
God, who have stood at the greatest distance and bidden him defiance,
may be reconciled, if it by not their own fault.
2. How the redemption is procured: it is through his blood (v. 14); he
has made peace through the blood of his cross (v. 20), and it is in the
body of his flesh through death, v. 22. It was the blood which made an
atonement, for the blood is the life; and without the shedding of blood
there is no remission, Heb. ix. 22. There was such a value in the blood
of Christ that, on account of Christ's shedding it, God was willing to
deal with men upon new terms to bring them under a covenant of grace,
and for his sake, and in consideration of his death upon the cross, to
pardon and accept to favour all who comply with them.
IV. Concerning the preaching of this redemption. Here observe,
1. To whom it was preached: To every creature under heaven (v. 23),
that is, it was ordered to be preached to every creature, Mark xvi. 15.
It may be preached to every creature; for the gospel excludes none who
do not exclude themselves. More or less it has been or will be preached
to every nation, though many have sinned away the light of it and
perhaps some have never yet enjoyed it.
2. By whom it was preached: Whereof I Paul am made a minister. Paul was
a great apostle; but he looks upon it as the highest of his titles of
honour to be a minister of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Paul takes all
occasions to speak of his office; for he magnified his office, Rom. xi.
13. And again in v. 25, Whereof I am made a minister. Observe here,
(1.) Whence Paul had his ministry: it was according to the dispensation
of God which was given to him (v. 25), the economy or wise disposition
of things in the house of God. He was steward and master-builder, and
this was given to him: he did not usurp it, nor take it to himself; and
he could not challenge it as a debt. He received it from God as a gift,
and took it as a favour.
(2.) For whose sake he had his ministry: "It is for you, for your
benefit: ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake, 2 Cor. iv. 5. We are
Christ's ministers for the good of his people, to fulfil the word of
God (that is, fully to preach it), of which you will have the greater
advantage. The more we fulfil our ministry, or fill up all the parts of
it, the greater will be the benefit of the people; they will be the
more filled with knowledge, and furnished for service."
(3.) What kind of preacher Paul was. This is particularly represented.
[1.] He was a suffering preacher: Who now rejoice in my sufferings for
you, v. 24. He suffered in the cause of Christ, and for the good of the
church. He suffered for preaching the gospel to them. And, while he
suffered in so good a cause, he could rejoice in his sufferings,
rejoice that he was counted worthy to suffer, and esteem it an honour
to him. And fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ
in my flesh. Not that the afflictions of Paul, or any other, were
expiations for sin, as the sufferings of Christ were. There was nothing
wanting in them, nothing which needed to be filled up. They were
perfectly sufficient to answer the intention of them, the satisfaction
of God's justice, in order to the salvation of his people. But the
sufferings of Paul and other good ministers made them conformable to
Christ; and they followed him in his suffering state: so they are said
to fill up what was behind of the sufferings of Christ, as the wax
fills up the vacuities of the seal, when it receives the impression of
it. Or it may be meant not of Christ's sufferings, but of his suffering
for Christ. He filled that which was behind. He had a certain rate and
measure of suffering for Christ assigned him; and, as his sufferings
were agreeable to that appointment, so he was still filling up more and
more what was behind, or remained of them to his share.
[2.] He was a close preacher: he preached not only in public, but from
house to house, from person to person. Whom we preach, warning every
man, and teaching every man in all wisdom, v. 28. Every man has need to
be warned and taught, and therefore let every man have his share.
Observe, First, When we warn people of what they do amiss, we must
teach them to do better: warning and teaching must go together.
Secondly, Men must be warned and taught in all wisdom. We must choose
the fittest seasons, and use the likeliest means, and accommodate
ourselves to the different circumstances and capacities of those we
have to do with, and teach them as they are able to bear. That which he
aimed at was to present every man perfect in Christ Jesus, teleios,
either perfect in the knowledge of the Christian doctrine (Let us
therefore, as many as are perfect, be thus minded, Phil. iii. 15; 2
Tim. iii. 17), or else crowned with a glorious reward hereafter, when
he will present to himself a glorious church (Eph. v. 27), and bring
them to the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb. xii. 23. Observe,
Ministers ought to aim at the improvement and salvation of every
particular person who hears them. Thirdly, He was a laborious preacher,
and one who took pains: he was no loiter, and did not do his work
negligently (v. 29): Whereunto I also labour, striving according to his
working, which worketh in me mightily. He laboured and strove, used
great diligence and contended with many difficulties, according to the
measure of grace afforded to him and the extraordinary presence of
Christ which was with him. Observe, As Paul laid out himself to do much
good, so he had this favour, that the power of God wrought in him the
more effectually. The more we labour in the work of the Lord the
greater measures of help we may expect from him in it (Eph. iii. 7):
According to the gift of the grace of God given unto me, by the
effectual working of his power.
3. The gospel which was preached. We have an account of this: Even the
mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but is now
made manifest to his saints, v. 26, 27. Observe, (1.) The mystery of
the gospel was long hidden: it was concealed from ages and generations,
the several ages of the church under the Old-Testament dispensation.
They were in a state of minority, and training up for a more perfect
state of things, and could not look to the end of those things which
were ordained, 2 Cor. iii. 13. (2.) This mystery now, in the fulness of
time, is made manifest to the saints, or clearly revealed and made
apparent. The veil which was over Moses's face is done away in Christ,
2 Cor. iii. 14. The meanest saint under the gospel understands more
than the greatest prophets under the law. He who is least in the
kingdom of heaven is greater than they. The mystery of Christ, which in
other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, is now revealed
unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit, Eph. iii. 4, 5. And
what is this mystery? It is the riches of God's glory among the
Gentiles. The peculiar doctrine of the gospel was a mystery which was
before hidden, and is now made manifest and made known. But the great
mystery here referred to is the breaking down of the partition-wall
between the Jew and Gentile, and preaching the gospel to the Gentile
world, and making those partakers of the privileges of the gospel state
who before lay in ignorance and idolatry: That the Gentiles should be
fellow-heirs, and of the same body, and partakers together of his
promise in Christ by the gospel, Eph. iii. 6. This mystery, thus made
known, is Christ in you (or among you) the hope of glory. Observe,
Christ is the hope of glory. The ground of our hope is Christ in the
word, or the gospel revelation, declaring the nature and methods of
obtaining it. The evidence of our hope is Christ in the heart, or the
sanctification of the soul, and its preparation for the heavenly glory.
4. The duty of those who are interested in this redemption: If you
continue in the faith, grounded and settled, and be not moved away from
the hope of the gospel which you have heard, v. 23. We must continue in
the faith grounded and settled, and not be moved away from the hope of
the gospel; that is, we must be so well fixed in our minds as not to be
moved from it by any temptations. We must be stedfast and immovable (1
Cor. xv. 58) and hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering, Heb. x. 23. Observe, We can expect the happy end of our faith
only when we continue in the faith, and are so far grounded and settled
in it as not to be moved from it. We must not draw back unto perdition,
but believe unto the saving of the soul, Heb. x. 39. We must be
faithful to death, through all trials, that we may receive the crown of
life, and receive the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls, 1
Pet. i. 9.
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C O L O S S I A N S.
CHAP. II.
I. The apostle expresses concern for the Colossians, ver. 1-3. II. He
repeats it again, ver. 5. III. He cautions them against false teachers
among the Jews (ver. 4, 6, 7), and against the Gentile philosophy, ver.
8-12. IV. He represents the privileges of Christians, ver. 13-15. And,
V. Concludes with a caution against the judaizing teachers, and those
who would introduce the worship of angels, ver. 16-23.
Paul's Concern for the Colossians. (a. d. 62.)
1 For I would that ye knew what great conflict I have for you, and for
them at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the
flesh; 2 That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in
love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to
the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of
Christ; 3 In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
We may observe here the great concern which Paul had for these
Colossians and the other churches which he had not any personal
knowledge of. The apostle had never been at Colosse, and the church
planted there was not of his planting; and yet he had as tender a care
of it as if it had been the only people of his charge (v. 1): For I
would that you knew what great conflict I have for you, and for those
at Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh.
Observe, 1. Paul's care of the church was such as amounted to a
conflict. He was in a sort of agony, and had a constant fear respecting
what would become of them. Herein he was a follower of his Master, who
was in an agony for us, and was heard in that he feared. (2.) We may
keep up a communion by faith, hope, and holy love, even with those
churches and fellow-christians of whom we have no personal knowledge,
and with whom we have no conversation. We can think, and pray, and be
concerned for one another, at the greatest distance; and those we never
saw in the flesh we may hope to meet in heaven. But,
I. What was it that the apostle desired for them? That their hearts may
be comforted, being knit together in love, &c., v. 2. It was their
spiritual welfare about which he was solicitous. He does not say that
they may be healthy, and merry, and rich, and great, and prosperous;
but that their hearts may be comforted. Note, The prosperity of the
soul is the best prosperity, and what we should be most solicitous
about for ourselves and others. We have here a description of
soul-prosperity.
1. When our knowledge grows to an understanding of the mystery of God,
and of the Father, and of Christ,--when we come to have a more clear,
distinct, methodical knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus, then the
soul prospers: To understand the mystery, either what was before
concealed, but is now made known concerning the Father and Christ, or
the mystery before mentioned, of calling the Gentiles into the
Christian church, as the Father and Christ have revealed it in the
gospel; and not barely to speak of it by rote, or as we have been
taught it by our catechisms, but to be led into it, and enter into the
meaning and design of it. This is what we should labour after, and then
the soul prospers.
2. When our faith grows to a full assurance and bold acknowledgment of
this mystery. (1.) To a full assurance, or a well-settled judgment,
upon their proper evidence, of the great truths of the gospel, without
doubting, or calling them in question, but embracing them with the
highest satisfaction, as faithful sayings and worthy of all
acceptation. (2.) When it comes to a free acknowledgment, and we not
only believe with the heart, but are ready, when called to it, to make
confession with our mouth, and are not ashamed of our Master and our
holy religion, under the frowns and violence of their enemies. This is
called the riches of the full assurance of understanding. Great
knowledge and strong faith make a soul rich. This is being rich towards
God, and rich in faith, and having the true riches, Luke xii. 21; xvi.
11; Jam. ii. 5.
3. It consists in the abundance of comfort in our souls: That their
hearts might be comforted. The soul prospers when it is filled with joy
and peace (Rom. xv. 13), and has a satisfaction within which all the
troubles without cannot disturb, and is able to joy in the Lord when
all other comforts fail, Hab. iii. 17, 18.
4. The more intimate communion we have with our fellow-christians the
more the soul prospers: Being knit together in love. Holy love knits
the hearts of Christians one to another; and faith and love both
contribute to our comfort. The stronger our faith is, and the warmer
our love, the greater will our comfort be. Having occasion to mention
Christ (v. 2), according to his usual way, he makes this remark to his
honour (v. 3): In whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge. He had said (ch. i. 19) that all fulness dwells in him: here
he mentions particularly the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. There
is a fulness of wisdom in him, as he has perfectly revealed the will of
God to mankind. Observe, The treasures of wisdom are hidden not from
us, but for us, in Christ. Those who would be wise and knowing must
make application to Christ. We must spend upon the stock which is laid
up for us in him, and draw from the treasures which are hidden in him.
He is the wisdom of God, and is of God made unto us wisdom, &c., 1 Cor.
i. 24, 30.
II. His concern for them is repeated (v. 5): Though I am absent in the
flesh, yet am I with you in the spirit, joying, and beholding your
order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. Observe, 1. We may
be present in spirit with those churches and Christians from whom we
are absent in body; for the communion of saints is a spiritual thing.
Paul had heard concerning the Colossians that they were orderly and
regular; and though he had never seen them, nor was present with them,
he tells them he could easily think himself among them, and look with
pleasure upon their good behaviour. 2. The order and stedfastness of
Christians are matter of joy to ministers; they joy when they behold
their order, their regular behaviour and stedfast adherence to the
Christian doctrine. 3. The more stedfast our faith in Christ is, the
better order there will be in our whole conversation; for we live and
walk by faith, 2 Cor. v. 7; Heb. x. 38.
The Glory of the Christian Economy. (a. d. 62.)
4 And this I say, lest any man should beguile you with enticing words.
5 For though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the
spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your
faith in Christ. 6 As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the
Lord, so walk ye in him: 7 Rooted and built up in him, and stablished
in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with
thanksgiving. 8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and
vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the
world, and not after Christ. 9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of
the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head
of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised
with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of
the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: 12 Buried with
him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of
the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
The apostle cautions the Colossians against deceivers (v. 4): And this
I say lest any man beguile you with enticing words; and v. 8, Lest any
man spoil you. He insists so much upon the perfection of Christ and the
gospel revelation, to preserve them from the ensnaring insinuations of
those who would corrupt their principles. Note, 1. The way in which
Satan spoils souls is by beguiling them. He deceives them, and by this
means slays them. He is the old serpent who beguiled Eve through his
subtlety, 2 Cor. xi. 3. He could not ruin us if he did not cheat us;
and he could not cheat us but by our own fault and folly. 2. Satan's
agents, who aim to spoil them, beguile them with enticing words. See
the danger of enticing words; how many are ruined by the flattery of
those who lie in wait to deceive, and by the false disguises and fair
appearances of evil principles and wicked practices. By good words, and
fair speeches, they deceive the hearts of the simple, Rom. xvi. 18.
"You ought to stand upon your guard against enticing words, and be
aware and afraid of those who would entice you to any evil; for that
which they aim at is to spoil you." If sinners entice thee, consent
thou not, Prov. i. 10. Observe,
I. A sovereign antidote against seducers (v. 6, 7): As you have
therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk you in him, rooted
and built up, &c. Here note, 1. All Christians have, in profession at
least, received Jesus Christ the Lord, received him as Christ, the
great prophet of the church, anointed by God to reveal his will; as
Jesus the great high priest, and Saviour from sin and wrath, by the
expiatory sacrifice of himself; and as Lord, or sovereign and king,
whom we are to obey and be subject to.--Received him, consented to him,
taken him for ours in every relation and every capacity, and for all
the purposes and uses of them. 2. The great concern of those who have
received Christ is to walk in him--to make their practices conformable
to their principles and their conversation agreeable to their
engagements. As we have received Christ, or consented to be his, so we
must walk with him in our daily course and keep up our communion with
him. 3. The more closely we walk with Christ the more we are rooted and
established in the faith. A good conversation is the best establishment
of a good faith. If we walk in him, we shall be rooted in him; and the
more firmly we are rooted in him the more closely we shall walk in him:
Rooted and built up. Observe, We cannot be built up in Christ, unless
we be first rooted in him. We must be united to him by a lively faith,
and heartily consent to his covenant, and then we shall grow up in him
in all things.--As you have been taught--"according to the rule of the
Christian doctrine, in which you have been instructed." Observe, A good
education has a good influence upon our establishment. We must be
established in the faith, as we have been taught, abounding therein.
Observe, Being established in the faith, we must abound therein, and
improve in it more and more; and this with thanksgiving. The way to
have the benefit and comfort of God's grace is to be much in giving
thanks for it. We must join thanksgiving to all our improvements, and
be sensible of the mercy of all our privileges and attainments.
Observe,
II. The fair warning given us of our danger: Beware lest any man spoil
you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men,
after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ, v. 8. There is
a philosophy which is a noble exercise of our reasonable faculties, and
highly serviceable to religion, such a study of the works of God as
leads us to the knowledge of God and confirms our faith in him. But
there is a philosophy which is vain and deceitful, which is prejudicial
to religion, and sets up the wisdom of man in competition with the
wisdom of God, and while it pleases men's fancies ruins their faith; as
nice and curious speculations about things above us, or of no use and
concern to us; or a care of words and terms of art, which have only an
empty and often a cheating appearance of knowledge. After the tradition
of men, after the rudiments of the world: this plainly reflects upon
the Jewish pedagogy or economy, as well as the Pagan learning. The Jews
governed themselves by the traditions of their elders and the rudiments
or elements of the world, the rites and observances which were only
preparatory and introductory to the gospel state; the Gentiles mixed
their maxims of philosophy with their Christian principles; and both
alienated their minds from Christ. Those who pin their faith on other
men's sleeves, and walk in the way of the world, have turned away from
following after Christ. The deceivers were especially the Jewish
teachers, who endeavoured to keep up the law of Moses in conjunction
with the gospel of Christ, but really in competition with it and
contradiction to it. Now here the apostle shows,
1. That we have in Christ the substance of all the shadows of the
ceremonial law; for example, (1.) Had they then the Shechinah, or
special presence of God, called the glory, from the visible token of
it? So have we now in Jesus Christ (v. 9): For in him dwelleth all the
fulness of the Godhead bodily. Under the law, the presence of God dwelt
between the cherubim, in a cloud which covered the mercy-seat; but now
it dwells in the person of our Redeemer, who partakes of our nature,
and is bone of our bone and flesh of our flesh, and has more clearly
declared the Father to us. It dwells in him bodily; not as the body is
opposed to the spirit, but as the body is opposed to the shadow. The
fulness of the Godhead dwells in the Christ really, and not
figuratively; for he is both God and man. (2.) Had they circumcision,
which was the seal of the covenant? In Christ we are circumcised with
the circumcision made without hands (v. 11), by the work of
regeneration in us, which is the spiritual or Christian circumcision.
He is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart,
Rom. ii. 29. This is owing to Christ, and belongs to the Christian
dispensation. It is made without hands; not by the power of any
creature, but by the power of the blessed Spirit of God. We are born of
the Spirit, John iii. 5. And it is the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Spirit, Tit. iii. 5. It consists in putting off
the body of the sins of the flesh, in renouncing sin and reforming our
lives, not in mere external rites. It is not the putting away of the
filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards God, 1
Pet. iii. 21. And it is not enough to put away some one particular sin,
but we must put off the whole body of sin. The old man must be
crucified, and the body of sin destroyed, Rom. vi. 6. Christ was
circumcised, and, by virtue of our union to him, we partake of that
effectual grace which puts off the body of the sins of the flesh.
Again, The Jews thought themselves complete in the ceremonial law; but
we are complete in Christ, v. 10. That was imperfect and defective; if
the first covenant had been faultless, there would no place have been
sought for the second (Heb. viii. 7), and the law was but a shadow of
good things, and could never, by those sacrifices, make the comers
thereunto perfect, Heb. x. 1. But all the defects of it are made up in
the gospel of Christ, by the complete sacrifice for sin and revelation
of the will of God. Which is the head of all principality and power. As
the Old-Testament priesthood had its perfection in Christ, so likewise
had the kingdom of David, which was the eminent principality and power
under the Old Testament, and which the Jews valued themselves so much
upon. And he is the Lord and head of all the powers in heaven and
earth, of angels and men. Angels, and authorities, and powers are
subject to him, 1 Pet. iii. 22.
2. We have communion with Christ in his whole undertaking (v. 12):
Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you have risen with him. We
are both buried and rise with him, and both are signified by our
baptism; not that there is anything in the sign or ceremony of baptism
which represents this burying and rising, any more than the crucifixion
of Christ is represented by any visible resemblance in the Lord's
supper: and he is speaking of the circumcision made without hands; and
says it is through the faith of the operation of God. But the thing
signified by our baptism is that we are buried with Christ, as baptism
is the seal of the covenant and an obligation to our dying to sin; and
that we are raised with Christ, as it is a seal and obligation to our
living to righteousness, or newness of life. God in baptism engages to
be to us a God, and we become engaged to be his people, and by his
grace to die to sin and to live to righteousness, or put off the old
man and put on the new.
The Glory of the Christian Economy. (a. d. 62.)
13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your
flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all
trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way,
nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and
powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
The apostle here represents the privileges we Christians have above the
Jews, which are very great.
I. Christ's death is our life: And you, being dead in your sins and the
uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, v.
13. A state of sin is a state of spiritual death. Those who are in sin
are dead in sin. As the death of the body consists in its separation
from the soul, so the death of the soul consists in its separation from
God and the divine favour. As the death of the body is the corruption
and putrefaction of it, so sin is the corruption or depravation of the
soul. As a man who is dead is unable to help himself by any power of
his own, so an habitual sinner is morally impotent: though he has a
natural power, or the power of a reasonable creature, he has not a
spiritual power, till he has the divine life or a renewed nature. It is
principally to be understood of the Gentile world, who lay in
wickedness. They were dead in the uncircumcision of their flesh, being
aliens to the covenant of promise, and without God in the world, Eph.
ii. 11, 12. By reason of their uncircumcision they were dead in their
sins. It may be understood of the spiritual uncircumcision or
corruption of nature; and so it shows that we are dead in law, and dead
in state. Dead in law, as a condemned malefactor is called a dead man
because he is under a sentence of death; so sinners by the guilt of sin
are under the sentence of the law and condemned already, John iii. 18.
And dead in state, by reason of the uncircumcision of our flesh. An
unsanctified heart is called an uncircumcised heart: this is our state.
Now through Christ we, who were dead in sins, are quickened; that is,
effectual provision is made for taking away the guilt of sin, and
breaking the power and dominion of it. Quickened together with him--by
virtue of our union to him, and in conformity to him. Christ's death
was the death of our sins; Christ's resurrection is the quickening of
our souls.
II. Through him we have the remission of sin: Having forgiven you all
trespasses. This is our quickening. The pardon of the crime is the life
of the criminal: and this is owing to the resurrection of Christ, as
well as his death; for, as he died for our sins, so he rose again for
our justification, Rom. iv. 25.
III. Whatever was in force against us is taken out of the way. He has
obtained for us a legal discharge from the hand-writing of ordinances,
which was against us (v. 14), which may be understood, 1. Of that
obligation to punishment in which consists the guilt of sin. The curse
of the law is the hand-writing against us, like the hand-writing on
Belshazzar's wall. Cursed is every one who continues not in every
thing. This was a hand-writing which was against us, and contrary to
us; for it threatened our eternal ruin. This was removed when he
redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us, Gal.
iii. 13. He cancelled the obligation for all who repent and believe.
"Upon me be the curse, my father." He vacated and disannulled the
judgment which was against us. When he was nailed to the cross, the
curse was as it were nailed to the cross. And our indwelling corruption
is crucified with Christ, and by virtue of his cross. When we remember
the dying of the Lord Jesus, and see him nailed to the cross, we should
see the hand-writing against us taken out of the way. Or rather, 2. It
must be understood of the ceremonial law, the hand-writing of
ordinances, the ceremonial institutions or the law of commandments
contained in ordinances (Eph. ii. 15), which was a yoke to the Jews and
a partition-wall to the Gentiles. The Lord Jesus took it out of the
way, nailed it to his cross; that is, disannulled the obligation of it,
that all might see and be satisfied that it was no more binding. When
the substance came, the shadows fled away. It is abolished (2 Cor. iii.
13), and that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away,
Heb. viii. 13. The expressions are in allusion to the ancient methods
of cancelling a bond, either by crossing the writing or striking it
through with a nail.
IV. He has obtained a glorious victory for us over the powers of
darkness: And, having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show
of them openly, triumphing over them in it, v. 15. As the curse of the
law was against us, so the power of Satan was against us. He treated
with God as the Judge, and redeemed us out of the hands of his justice
by a price; but out of the hands of Satan the executioner he redeemed
us by power and with a high hand. He led captivity captive. The devil
and all the powers of hell were conquered and disarmed by the dying
Redeemer. The first promise pointed at this; the bruising of the heel
of Christ in his sufferings was the breaking of the serpent's head,
Gen. iii. 15. The expressions are lofty and magnificent: let us turn
aside and see this great sight. The Redeemer conquered by dying. See
his crown of thorns turned into a crown of laurels. He spoiled them,
broke the devil's power, and conquered and disabled him, and made a
show of them openly--exposed them to public shame, and made a show of
them to angels and men. Never had the devil's kingdom such a mortal
blow given to it as was given by the Lord Jesus. He tied them to his
chariot-wheels, and rode forth conquering and to conquer--alluding to
the custom of a general's triumph, who returned victorious.--Triumphing
over them in it; that is, either in his cross and by his death; or, as
some read it, in himself, by his own power; for he trod the wine-press
alone, and of the people there was none with him.
The Glory of the Christian Economy. (a. d. 62.)
16 Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect
of a holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: 17 Which
are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ. 18 Let no
man beguile you of your reward in a voluntary humility and worshipping
of angels, intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly
puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 And not holding the Head, from
which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered,
and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. 20 Wherefore
if ye be dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as
though living in the world, are ye subject to ordinances, 21 (Touch
not; taste not; handle not; 22 Which all are to perish with the
using;) after the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 Which things
have indeed a show of wisdom in will worship, and humility, and
neglecting of the body; not in any honour to the satisfying of the
flesh.
The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to proper duty,
which he infers from the foregoing discourse.
I. Here is a caution to take heed of judaizing teachers, or those who
would impose upon Christians the yoke of the ceremonial law: Let no man
therefore judge you in meat nor drink, &c., v. 16. Much of the
ceremonies of the law of Moses consisted in the distinction of meats
and days. It appears by Rom. xiv. that there were those who were for
keeping up those distinctions: but here the apostle shows that since
Christ has come, and has cancelled the ceremonial law, we ought not to
keep it up. "Let no man impose those things upon you, for God has not
imposed them: if God has made you free, be not you again entangled in
that yoke of bondage." And this the rather because these things were
shadows of things to come (v. 17), intimating that they had no
intrinsic worth in them and that they are now done away. But the body
is of Christ: the body, of which they were shadows, has come; and to
continue the ceremonial observances, which were only types and shadows
of Christ and the gospel, carries an intimation that Christ has not yet
come and the gospel state has not yet commenced. Observe the advantages
we have under the gospel, above what they had under the law: they had
the shadows, we have the substance.
II. He cautions them to take heed of those who would introduce the
worship of angels as mediators between God and them, as the Gentile
philosophers did: Let no man beguile you of your reward, in a voluntary
humility and worshipping of angels, v. 18. It looked like a piece of
modesty to make use of the mediation of angels, as conscious to
ourselves of our unworthiness to speak immediately to God; but, though
it has a show of humility, it is a voluntary, not a commanded humility;
and therefore it is not acceptable, yea, it is not warrantable: it is
taking that honour which is due to Christ only and giving it to a
creature. Besides, the notions upon which this practice was grounded
were merely the inventions of men and not by divine revelation,--the
proud conceits of human reason, which make a man presume to dive into
things, and determine them, without sufficient knowledge and warrant:
Intruding into those things which he hath not seen, vainly puffed up by
his fleshly mind--pretending to describe the order of angels, and their
respective ministries, which God has hidden from us; and therefore,
though there was a show of humility in the practice, there was a real
pride in the principle. They advanced those notions to gratify their
own carnal fancy, and were fond of being thought wiser than other
people. Pride is at the bottom of a great many errors and corruptions,
and even of many evil practices, which have great show and appearance
of humility. Those who do so do not hold the head, v. 19. They do in
effect disclaim Christ, who is the only Mediator between God and man.
It is the highest disparagement to Christ, who is the head of the
church, for any of the members of it to make use of any intercessors
with God but him. When men let go their hold of Christ, they catch at
that which is next them and will stand them in no stead.--From which
all the body, by joints and bands, having nourishment ministered, and
knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Observe, 1. Jesus
Christ is not only a head of government over the church, but a head of
vital influence to it. They are knit to him by joints and bands, as the
several members of the body are united to the head, and receive life
and nourishment from him. 2. The body of Christ is a growing body: it
increaseth with the increase of God. The new man is increasing, and the
nature of grace is to grow, where there is not an accidental
hindrance.--With the increase of God, with an increase of grace which
is from God as its author; or, in a usual Hebraism, with a large and
abundant increase.--That you may be filled with all the fulness of God,
Eph. iii. 19. See a parallel expression, Which is the head, even
Christ, from whom the whole body, fitly joined together, maketh
increase of the body, Eph. iv. 15, 16.
III. He takes occasion hence to warn them again: "Wherefore, if you be
dead with Christ from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living
in the world, are you subject to ordinances? v. 20. If as Christians
you are dead to the observances of the ceremonial law, why are you
subject to them? Such observances as, Touch not, taste not, handle
not," v. 21, 22. Under the law there was a ceremonial pollution
contracted by touching a dead body, or any thing offered to an idol; or
by tasting any forbidden meats, &c., which all are to perish with the
using, having no intrinsic worth in themselves to support them, and
those who used them saw them perishing and passing away; or, which tend
to corrupt the Christian faith, having no other authority than the
traditions and injunctions of men.--Which things have indeed a show of
wisdom in will-worship and humility. They thought themselves wiser than
their neighbours, in observing the law of Moses together with the
gospel of Christ, that they might be sure in the one, at least, to be
in the right; but, alas! it was but a show of wisdom, a mere invention
and pretence. So they seem to neglect the body, by abstaining from such
and such meats, and mortifying their bodily pleasures and appetites;
but there is nothing of true devotion in these things, for the gospel
teaches us to worship God in spirit and truth and not by ritual
observances, and through the mediation of Christ alone and not of any
angels. Observe, 1. Christians are freed by Christ from the ritual
observances of Moses's law, and delivered from that yoke of bondage
which God himself had laid upon them. 2. Subjection to ordinances, or
human appointments in the worship of God, is highly blamable, and
contrary to the freedom and liberty of the gospel. The apostle requires
Christians to stand fast in the liberty with which Christ hath made
them free, and not to be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, Gal.
v. 1. And the imposition of them is invading the authority of Christ,
the head of the church, and introducing another law of commandments
contained in ordinances, when Christ has abolished the old one, Eph.
ii. 15. 3. Such things have only a show of wisdom, but are really
folly. It is true wisdom to keep close to the appointments of the
gospel, and an entire subjection to Christ, the only head of the
church.
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C O L O S S I A N S.
CHAP. III.
I. The apostle exhorts us to set our hearts upon heaven and take them
off from this world, ver. 1-4. II. He exhorts to the mortification of
sin, in the various instances of it, ver. 5-11. III. He earnestly
presses to mutual love and compassion, ver. 12-17. And concludes with
exhortations to relative duties, of wives and husbands, parents and
children, masters and servants, ver. 18-25.
The Spiritual Life. (a. d. 62.)
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above,
where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection
on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For ye are dead, and
your life is hid with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life,
shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.
The apostle, having described our privileges by Christ in the former
part of the epistle, and our discharge from the yoke of the ceremonial
law, comes here to press upon us our duty as inferred thence. Though we
are made free from the obligation of the ceremonial law, it does not
therefore follow that we may live as we list. We must walk the more
closely with God in all the instances of evangelical obedience. He
begins with exhorting them to set their hearts on heaven, and take them
off from this world: If you then have risen with Christ. It is our
privilege that we have risen with Christ; that is, have benefit by the
resurrection of Christ, and by virtue of our union and communion with
him are justified and sanctified, and shall be glorified. Hence he
infers that we must seek those things which are above. We must mind the
concerns of another world more than the concerns of this. We must make
heaven our scope and aim, seek the favour of God above, keep up our
communion with the upper world by faith, and hope, and holy love, and
make it our constant care and business to secure our title to and
qualifications for the heavenly bliss. And the reason is because Christ
sits at the right hand of God. He who is our best friend and our head
is advanced to the highest dignity and honour in heaven, and has gone
before to secure to us the heavenly happiness; and therefore we should
seek and secure what he has purchased at so vast an expense, and is
taking so much care about. We must live such a life as Christ lived
here on earth and lives now in heaven, according to our capacities.
I. He explains this duty (v. 2): Set your affections on things above,
not on things on the earth. Observe, To seek heavenly things is to set
our affections upon them, to love them and let our desires be towards
them. Upon the wings of affection the heart soars upwards, and is
carried forth towards spiritual and divine objects. We must acquaint
ourselves with them, esteem them above all other things, and lay out
ourselves in preparation for the enjoyment of them. David gave this
proof of his loving the house of God, that he diligently sought after
it, and prepared for it, Ps. xxvii. 4. This is to be spiritually minded
(Rom. viii. 6), and to seek and desire a better country, that is, a
heavenly, Heb. xi. 14, 16. Things on earth are here set in opposition
to things above. We must not dote upon them, nor expect too much from
them, that we may set our affections on heaven; for heaven and earth
are contrary one to the other, and a supreme regard to both is
inconsistent; and the prevalence of our affection to one will
proportionably weaken and abate our affection to the other.
II. He assigns three reasons for this, v. 3, 4.
1. That we are dead; that is, to present things, and as our portion. We
are so in profession and obligation; for we are buried with Christ, and
planted into the likeness of his death. Every Christian is crucified
unto the world, and the world is crucified unto him, Gal. vi. 14. And
if we are dead to the earth, and have renounced it as our happiness, it
is absurd for us to set our affections upon it, and seek it. We should
be like a dead thing to it, unmoved and unaffected towards it.
2. Our true life lies in the other world: You are dead, and your life
is hid with Christ in God, v. 3. The new man has its livelihood thence.
It is born and nourished from above; and the perfection of its life is
reserved for that state. It is hid with Christ; not hid from us only,
in point of secrecy, but hid for us, denoting security. The life of a
Christian is hid with Christ. Because I live you shall live also, John
xiv. 19. Christ is at present a hidden Christ, or one whom we have not
seen; but this is our comfort, that our life is hid with him, and laid
up safely with him. As we have reason to love him whom we have not seen
(1 Pet. i. 8), so we may take the comfort of a happiness out of sight,
and reserved in heaven for us.
3. Because at the second coming of Christ we hope for the perfection of
our happiness. If we live a life of Christian purity and devotion now,
when Christ, who is our life, shall appear, we shall also appear with
him in glory, v. 4. Observe, (1.) Christ is a believer's life. I live,
yet not I, but Christ lives in me, Gal. ii. 20. He is the principle and
end of the Christian's life. He lives in us by his Spirit, and we live
to him in all we do. To me to live is Christ, Phil. i. 21. (2.) Christ
will appear again. He is now hid; and the heavens must contain him; but
he will appear in all the pomp of the upper world, with his holy
angels, and in his own glory and his Father's glory, Mark viii. 38;
Luke ix. 26. (3.) We shall then appear with him in glory. It will be
his glory to have his redeemed with him; he will come to be glorified
in his saints (2 Thess. i. 10); and it will be their glory to come with
him, and be with him for ever. At the second coming of Christ there
will be a general meeting of all the saints; and those whose life is
now hid with Christ shall then appear with Christ in that glory which
he himself enjoys, John xvii. 24. Do we look for such a happiness, and
should we not set our affections upon that world, and live above this?
What is there here to make us fond of it? What is there not there to
draw our hearts to it? Our head is there, our home is there, our
treasure is there, and we hope to be there for ever.
Necessity of Mortifying Sin. (a. d. 62.)
5 Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication,
uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and
covetousness, which is idolatry: 6 For which things' sake the wrath
of God cometh on the children of disobedience: 7 In the which ye also
walked some time, when ye lived in them.
The apostle exhorts the Colossians to the mortification of sin, the
great hindrance to seeking the things which are above. Since it is our
duty to set our affections upon heavenly things, it is our duty to
mortify our members which are upon the earth, and which naturally
incline us to the things of the world: "Mortify them, that is, subdue
the vicious habits of mind which prevailed in your Gentile state. Kill
them, suppress them, as you do weeds or vermin which spread and destroy
all about them, or as you kill an enemy who fights against you and
wounds you."--Your members which are upon the earth; either the members
of the body, which are the earthly part of us, and were curiously
wrought in the lower parts of the earth (Ps. cxxxix. 15), or the
corrupt affections of the mind, which lead us to earthly things, the
members of the body of death, Rom. vii. 24. He specifies,
I. The lusts of the flesh, for which they were before so very
remarkable: Fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil
concupiscence--the various workings of the carnal appetites and fleshly
impurities, which they indulged in their former course of life, and
which were so contrary to the Christian state and the heavenly hope.
II. The love of the world: And covetousness, which is idolatry; that
is, an inordinate love of present good and outward enjoyments, which
proceeds from too high a value in the mind, puts upon too eager a
pursuit, hinders the proper use and enjoyment of them, and creates
anxious fear and immoderate sorrow for the loss of them. Observe,
Covetousness is spiritual idolatry: it is the giving of that love and
regard to worldly wealth which are due to God only, and carries a
greater degree of malignity in it, and is more highly provoking to God,
than is commonly thought. And it is very observable that among all the
instances of sin which good men are recorded in the scripture to have
fallen into (and there is scarcely any but some or other, in one or
other part of their life, have fallen into) there is no instance in all
the scripture of any good man charged with covetousness. He proceeds to
show how necessary it is to mortify sins, v. 6, 7. 1. Because, if we do
not kill them, they will kill us: For which things' sake the wrath of
God cometh on the children of disobedience, v. 6. See what we are all
by nature more or less: we are children of disobedience: not only
disobedient children, but under the power of sin and naturally prone to
disobey. The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon
as they are born, speaking lies, Ps. lviii. 3. And, being children of
disobedience, we are children of wrath, Eph. ii. 3. The wrath of God
comes upon all the children of disobedience. Those who do not obey the
precepts of the law incur the penalties of it. The sins he mentions
were their sins in their heathen and idolatrous state, and they were
then especially the children of disobedience; and yet these sins
brought judgments upon them, and exposed them to the wrath of God. 2.
We should mortify these sins because they have lived in us: In which
you also walked some time, when you lived in them, v. 7. Observe, The
consideration that we have formerly lived in sin is a good argument why
we should now forsake it. We have walked in by-paths, therefore let us
walk in them no more. If I have done iniquity, I will do no more, Job
xxxiv. 32. The time past our lives may suffice us to have wrought the
will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, 1 Pet. iv.
3.--When you lived among those who did such things (so some understand
it), then you walked in those evil practices. It is a hard thing to
live among those who do the works of darkness and not have fellowship
with them, as it is to walk in the mire and contract no soil. Let us
keep out of the way of evil-doers.
Necessity of Mortifying Sin. (a. d. 62.)
8 But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy,
filthy communication out of your mouth. 9 Lie not one to another,
seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; 10 And have
put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of
him that created him: 11 Where there is neither Greek nor Jew,
circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free:
but Christ is all, and in all.
As we are to mortify inordinate appetites, so we are to mortify
inordinate passions (v. 8): But now you also put off all these, anger
wrath, malice; for these are contrary to the design of the gospel, as
well as grosser impurities; and, though they are more spiritual
wickedness, have not less malignity in them. The gospel religion
introduces a change of the higher as well as the lower powers of the
soul, and supports the dominion of right reason and conscience over
appetite and passion. Anger and wrath are bad, but malice is worse,
because it is more rooted and deliberate; it is anger heightened and
settled. And, as the corrupt principles in the heart must be cut off,
so the product of them in the tongue; as blasphemy, which seems there
to mean, not so much speaking ill of God as speaking ill of men, giving
ill language to them, or raising ill reports of them, and injuring
their good name by any evil arts,--filthy communication, that is, all
lewd and wanton discourse, which comes from a polluted mind in the
speaker and propagates the same defilements in the hearers,--and lying:
Lie not one to another (v. 9), for it is contrary both to the law of
truth and the law of love, it is both unjust and unkind, and naturally
tends to destroy all faith and friendship among mankind. Lying makes us
like the devil (who is the father of lies), and is a prime part of the
devil's image upon our souls; and therefore we are cautioned against
this sin by this general reason: Seeing you have put off the old man
with his deeds, and have put on the new man, v. 10. The consideration
that we have by profession put away sin and espoused the cause and
interest of Christ, that we have renounced all sin and stand engaged to
Christ, should fortify us against this sin of lying. Those who have put
off the old man have put it off with its deeds; and those who have put
on the new man must put on all its deeds--not only espouse good
principles but act them in a good conversation. The new man is said to
be renewed in knowledge, because an ignorant soul cannot be a good
soul. Without knowledge the heart cannot be good, Prov. xix. 2. The
grace of God works upon the will and affections by renewing the
understanding. Light is the first thing in the new creation, as it was
in the first: after the image of him who created him. It was the honour
of man in innocence that he was made after the image of God; but that
image was defaced and lost by sin, and is renewed by sanctifying grace:
so that a renewed soul is something like what Adam was in the day he
was created. In the privilege and duty of sanctification there is
neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian,
Scythian, bond nor free, v. 11. There is now no difference arising from
different country or different condition and circumstance of life: it
is as much the duty of the one as of the other to be holy, and as much
the privilege of the one as of the other to receive from God the grace
to be so. Christ came to take down all partition-walls, that all might
stand on the same level before God, both in duty and privilege. And for
this reason, because Christ is all in all. Christ is a Christian's all,
his only Lord and Saviour, and all his hope and happiness. And to those
who are sanctified, one as well as another and whatever they are in
other respects, he is all in all, the Alpha and Omega, the beginning
and the end: he is all in all things to them.
Love Recommended. (a. d. 62.)
12 Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of
mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; 13
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a
quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. 14
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of
perfectness. 15 And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the
which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. 16 Let the
word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and
admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. 17 And whatsoever ye
do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks
to God and the Father by him.
The apostle proceeds to exhort to mutual love and compassion: Put on
therefore bowels of mercy, v. 12. We must not only put off anger and
wrath (as v. 8), but we must put on compassion and kindness; not only
cease to do evil, but learn to do well; not only not do hurt to any,
but do what good we can to all.
I. The argument here used to enforce the exhortation is very affecting:
Put on, as the elect of God, holy and beloved. Observe, 1. Those who
are holy are the elect of God; and those who are the elect of God, and
holy, are beloved--beloved of God, and ought to be so of all men. 2.
Those who are the elect of God, holy and beloved, ought to conduct
themselves in every thing as becomes them, and so as not to lose the
credit of their holiness, nor the comfort of their being chosen and
beloved. It becomes those who are holy towards God to be lowly and
loving towards all men. Observe, What we must put on in particular.
(1.) Compassion towards the miserable: Bowels of mercy, the tenderest
mercies. Those who owe so much to mercy ought to be merciful to all who
are proper objects of mercy. Be you merciful, as your Father is
merciful, Luke vi. 36. (2.) Kindness towards our friends, and those who
love us. A courteous disposition becomes the elect of God; for the
design of the gospel is not only to soften the minds of men, but to
sweeten them, and to promote friendship among men as well as
reconciliation with God. (3.) Humbleness of mind, in submission to
those above us, and condescension to those below us. There must not
only be a humble demeanour, but a humble mind. Learn of me, for I am
meek and lowly in heart, Matt. xi. 29. (4.) Meekness towards those who
have provoked us, or been any way injurious to us. We must not be
transported into any indecency by our resentment of indignities and
neglects: but must prudently bridle our own anger, and patiently bear
the anger of others. (5.) Long-suffering towards those who continue to
provoke us. Charity suffereth long, as well as is kind, 1 Cor. xiii. 4.
Many can bear a short provocation who are weary of bearing when it
grows long. But we must suffer long both the injuries of men and the
rebukes of divine Providence. If God is long-suffering to us, under all
our provocations of him, we should exercise long-suffering to others in
like cases. (6.) Mutual forbearance, in consideration of the
infirmities and deficiencies under which we all labour: Forbearing one
another. We have all of us something which needs to be borne with, and
this is a good reason why we should bear with others in what is
disagreeable to us. We need the same good turn from others which we are
bound to show them. (7.) A readiness to forgive injuries: Forgiving one
another, if any man have a quarrel against any. While we are in this
world, where there is so much corruption in our hearts, and so much
occasion of difference and contention, quarrels will sometimes happen,
even among the elect of God, who are holy and beloved, as Paul and
Barnabas had a sharp contention, which parted them asunder one from the
other (Acts xv. 39), and Paul and Peter, Gal. ii. 14. But it is our
duty to forgive one another in such cases; not to bear any grudge, but
put up with the affront and pass it by. And the reason is: Even as
Christ forgave you, so also do you. The consideration that we are
forgiven by Christ so many offences is a good reason why we should
forgive others. It is an argument of the divinity of Christ that he had
power on earth to forgive sins; and it is a branch of his example which
we are obliged to follow, if we ourselves would be forgiven. Forgive us
our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us, Matt. vi.
12.
II. In order to all this, we are exhorted here to several things:--1.
To clothe ourselves with love (v. 14): Above all things put on charity:
epi pasi de toutois--over all things. Let this be the upper garment,
the robe, the livery, the mark of our dignity and distinction. Or, Let
this be principal and chief, as the whole sum and abstract of the
second table. Add to faith virtue, and to brotherly-kindness charity, 2
Pet. i. 5-7. He lays the foundation in faith, and the top-stone in
charity, which is the bond of perfectness, the cement and centre of all
happy society. Christian unity consists of unanimity and mutual love.
2. To submit ourselves to the government of the peace of God (v. 15):
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts, that is, God's being at peace
with you, and the comfortable sense of his acceptance and favour: or, a
disposition to peace among yourselves, a peaceable spirit, that keeps
the peace, and makes peace. This is called the peace of God, because it
is of his working in all who are his. The kingdom of God is
righteousness and peace, Rom. xiv. 17. "Let this peace rule in your
heart--prevail and govern there, or as an umpire decide all matters of
difference among you."--To which you are called in one body. We are
called to this peace, to peace with God as our privilege and peace with
our brethren as our duty. Being united in one body, we are called to be
at peace one with another, as the members of the natural body; for we
are the body of Christ, and members in particular, 1 Cor. xii. 27. To
preserve in us this peaceable disposition, we must be thankful. The
work of thanksgiving to God is such a sweet and pleasant work that it
will help to make us sweet and pleasant towards all men. "Instead of
envying one another upon account of any particular favours and
excellence, be thankful for his mercies, which are common to all of
you." 3. To let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, v. 16. The
gospel is the word of Christ, which has come to us; but that is not
enough, it must dwell in us, or keep house--enoikeito, not as a servant
in a family, who is under another's control, but as a master, who has a
right to prescribe to and direct all under his roof. We must take our
instructions and directions from it, and our portion of meat and
strength, of grace and comfort, in due season, as from the master of
the household. It must dwell in us; that is, be always ready and at
hand to us in every thing, and have its due influence and use. We must
be familiarly acquainted with it, and know it for our good, Job v. 27.
It must dwell in us richly: not only keep house in our hearts, but keep
a good house. Many have the word of Christ dwelling in them, but it
dwells in them but poorly; it has no mighty force and influence upon
them. Then the soul prospers when the word of God dwells in us richly,
when we have abundance of it in us, and are full of the scriptures and
of the grace of Christ. And this in all wisdom. The proper office of
wisdom is to apply what we know to ourselves, for our own direction.
The word of Christ must dwell in us, not in all notion and speculation,
to make us doctors, but in all wisdom, to make us good Christians, and
enable us to conduct ourselves in every thing as becomes Wisdom's
children. 4. To teach and admonish one another. This would contribute
very much to our furtherance in all grace; for we sharpen ourselves by
quickening others, and improve our knowledge by communicating it for
their edification. We must admonish one another in psalms and hymns.
Observe, Singing of psalms is a gospel ordinance: psalmois kai hymnois
kai odais--the Psalms of David, and spiritual hymns and odes, collected
out of the scripture, and suited to special occasions, instead of their
lewd and profane songs in their idolatrous worship. Religious poesy
seems countenanced by these expressions and is capable of great
edification. But, when we sing psalms, we make no melody unless we sing
with grace in our hearts, unless we are suitably affected with what we
sing and go along in it with true devotion and understanding. Singing
of psalms is a teaching ordinance as well as a praising ordinance; and
we are not only to quicken and encourage ourselves, but to teach and
admonish one another, mutually excite our affections, and convey
instructions. 5. All must be done in the name of Christ (v. 17): And
whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord
Jesus, according to his command and in compliance with his authority,
by strength derived from him, with an eye to his glory, and depending
upon his merit for the acceptance of what is good and the pardon of
what is amiss, Giving thanks to God and the Father by him. Observe,
(1.) We must give thanks in all things; whatsoever we do, we must still
give thanks, Eph. v. 20, Giving thanks always for all things. (2.) The
Lord Jesus must be the Mediator of our praises as well as of our
prayers. We give thanks to God and the Father in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ, Eph. v. 20. Those who do all things in Christ's name will
never want matter of thanksgiving to God, even the Father.
Relative Duties. (a. d. 62.)
18 Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the
Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.
20 Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing
unto the Lord. 21 Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest
they be discouraged. 22 Servants, obey in all things your masters
according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in
singleness of heart, fearing God: 23 And whatsoever ye do, do it
heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 24 Knowing that of the
Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the
Lord Christ. 25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong
which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons.
The apostle concludes the chapter with exhortations to relative duties,
as before in the epistle to the Ephesians. The epistles which are most
taken up in displaying the glory of divine grace, and magnifying the
Lord Jesus, are the most particular and distinct in pressing the duties
of the several relations. We must never separate the privileges and
duties of the gospel religion.
I. He begins with the duties of wives and husbands (v. 18): Wives,
submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord.
Submission is the duty of wives, hypotassesthe. It is the same word
which is used to express our duty to magistrates (Rom. xiii. 1, Let
every soul be subject to the higher powers), and is expressed by
subjection and reverence, Eph. v. 24, 33. The reason is that Adam was
first formed, then Eve: and Adam was not deceived, but the woman, being
deceived, was in the transgression, 1 Tim. ii. 13, 14. He was first in
the creation and last in the transgression. The head of the woman is
the man; and the man is not of the woman, but the woman of the man;
neither was the man created for the woman, but the woman for the man, 1
Cor. xi. 3, 8, 9. It is agreeable to the order of nature and the reason
of things, as well as the appointment and will of God. But then it is
submission, not to a rigorous lord or absolute tyrant, who may do his
will and is without restraints, but to a husband, and to her own
husband, who stands in the nearest relation, and is under strict
engagements to proper duty too. And this is fit in the Lord, it is
becoming the relation, and what they are bound in duty to do, as an
instance of obedience to the authority and law of Christ. On the other
hand, husbands must love their wives, and not be bitter against them,
v. 19. They must love them with tender and faithful affection, as
Christ loved the church, and as their own bodies, and even as
themselves (Eph. v. 25, 28, 33), with a love peculiar to the nearest
relation and the greatest comfort and blessing of life. And they must
not be bitter against them, not use them unkindly, with harsh language
or severe treatment, but be kind and obliging to them in all things;
for the woman was made for the man, neither is the man without the
woman, and the man also is by the woman, 1 Cor. xi. 9, 11, 12.
II. The duties of children and parents: Children, obey your parents in
all things, for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord, v. 20. They must
be willing to do all their lawful commands, and be at their direction
and disposal; as those who have a natural right and are fitter to
direct them than themselves. The apostle (Eph. vi. 2) requires them to
honour as well as obey their parents; they must esteem them and think
honourably of them, as the obedience of their lives must proceed from
the esteem and opinion of their minds. And this is well-pleasing to
God, or acceptable to him; for it is the first commandment with promise
(Eph. vi. 2), with an explicit promise annexed to it, namely, That it
shall be well with them, and they shall live long on the earth. Dutiful
children are the most likely to prosper in the world and enjoy long
life. And parents must be tender, as well as children obedient (v. 21):
"Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.
Let not your authority over them be exercised with rigour and severity,
but with kindness and gentleness, lest you raise their passions and
discourage them in their duty, and by holding the reins too tight make
them fly out with greater fierceness." The bad temper and example of
imprudent parents often prove a great hindrance to their children and a
stumbling-block in their way; see Eph. vi. 4. And it is by the
tenderness of parents, and dutifulness of children, that God ordinarily
furnishes his church with a seed to serve him, and propagates religion
from age to age.
III. Servants and masters: Servants, obey your masters in all things
according to the flesh, v. 22. Servants must do the duty of the
relation in which they stand, and obey their master's commands in all
things which are consistent with their duty to God their heavenly
Master. Not with eye-service, as men-pleasers--not only when their
master's eye is upon them, but when they are from under their master's
eye. They must be both just and diligent. In singleness of heart,
fearing God--without selfish designs, or hypocrisy and disguise, as
those who fear God and stand in awe of him. Observe, The fear of God
ruling in the heart will make people good in every relation. Servants
who fear God will be just and faithful when they are from under their
master's eye, because they know they are under the eye of God. See Gen.
xx. 11, Because I thought, Surely the fear of God is not in this place.
Neh. v. 15, But so did not I, because of the fear of God. "And
whatsoever you do, do it heartily (v. 23), with diligence, not idly and
slothfully:" or, "Do it cheerfully, not discontented at the providence
of God which put you in that relation."--As to the Lord, and not as to
men. It sanctifies a servant's work when it is done as unto God--with
an eye to his glory and in obedience to his command, and not merely as
unto men, or with regard to them only. Observe, We are really doing our
duty to God when we are faithful in our duty to men. And, for servants'
encouragement, let them know that a good and faithful servant is never
the further from heaven for his being a servant: "Knowing that of the
Lord you shall receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the
Lord Christ, v. 24. Serving your masters according to the command of
Christ, you serve Christ, and he will be your paymaster: you will have
a glorious reward at last. Though you are now servants, you will
receive the inheritance of sons. But, on the other hand, He who does
wrong will receive for the wrong which he has done," v. 25. There is a
righteous God, who, if servants wrong their masters, will reckon with
them for it, though they may conceal it from their master's notice. And
he will be sure to punish the unjust as well as reward the faithful
servant: and so if masters wrong their servants.--And there is no
respect of persons with him. The righteous Judge of the earth will be
impartial, and carry it with an equal hand towards the master and
servant; not swayed by any regard to men's outward circumstances and
condition of life. The one and the other will stand upon a level at his
tribunal.
It is probable that the apostle has a particular respect, in all these
instances of duty, to the case mentioned 1 Cor. vii. of relations of a
different religion, as a Christian and heathen, a Jewish convert and an
uncircumcised Gentile, where there was room to doubt whether they were
bound to fulfil the proper duties of their several relations to such
persons. And, if it hold in such cases, it is much stronger upon
Christians one towards another, and where both are of the same
religion. And how happy would the gospel religion make the world, if it
every where prevailed; and how much would it influence every state of
things and every relation of life!
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C O L O S S I A N S.
CHAP. IV.
I. He continues his account of the duty of masters, from the close of
the former chapter, ver. 1. II. He exhorts to the duty of prayer (ver.
2-4), and to a prudent and decent conduct towards those with whom we
converse, ver. 5, 6. III. He closes the epistle with the mention of
several of his friends, of whom he gives an honourable testimony, ver.
7-18.
Relative Duties. (a. d. 62.)
1 Masters, give unto your servants that which is just and equal;
knowing that ye also have a Master in heaven.
The apostle proceeds with the duty of masters to their servants, which
might have been joined to the foregoing chapter, and is a part of that
discourse. Here observe, 1. Justice is required of them: Give unto your
servants that which is just and equal (v. 1), not only strict justice,
but equity and kindness. Be faithful to your promises to them, and
perform your agreements; not defrauding them of their dues, nor keeping
back by fraud the hire of the labourers, Jam. v. 4. Require no more of
them than they are able to perform; and do not lay unreasonable burdens
upon them, and beyond their strength. Provide for them what is fit,
supply proper food and physic, and allow them such liberties as may fit
them the better for cheerful service and make it the easier to them,
and this though they be employed in the meanest and lowest offices, and
of another country and a different religion from yourselves. 2. A good
reason for this regard: "Knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.
You who are masters of others have a Master yourself, and are servants
of another Lord. You are not lords of yourselves, and are accountable
to one above you. Deal with your servants as you expect God should deal
with you, and as those who believe they must give an account. You are
both servants of the same Lord in the different relations in which you
stand, and are equally accountable to him at last. Knowing that your
Master also is in heaven, neither is there respect of persons with
him," Eph. vi. 9.
Apostolic Exhortations. (a. d. 62.)
2 Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving; 3
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of
utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in
bonds: 4 That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
If this be considered as connected with the foregoing verse, then we
may observe that it is part of the duty which masters owe their
servants to pray with them, and to pray daily with them, or continue in
prayer. They must not only do justly and kindly by them, but act a
Christian and religious part, and be concerned for their souls as well
as their bodies: "As parts of your charge, and under your influence, be
concerned for the blessing of God upon them, as well as the success of
your affairs in their hands." And this is the duty of every one--to
continue in prayer. "Keep up your constant times of prayer, without
being diverted from it by other business; keep your hearts close to the
duty, without wandering or deadness, and even to the end of it:
Watching the same." Christians should lay hold of all opportunities for
prayer, and choose the fittest seasons, which are least liable to
disturbance from other things, and keep their minds lively in the duty,
and in suitable frames.--With thanksgiving, or solemn acknowledgment of
the mercies received. Thanksgiving must have a part in every
prayer.--Withal praying also for us, v. 3. The people must pray
particularly for their ministers, and bear them upon their hearts at
all times at the throne of grace. As if he had said, "Do not forget us,
whenever you pray for yourselves," Eph. vi. 19; 1 Thess. v. 25; Heb.
xiii. 18. That God would open to us a door of utterance, that is,
either afford opportunity to preach the gospel (so he says, a great
door and effectual is opened to me, 1 Cor. xvi. 9), or else give me
ability and courage, and enable me with freedom and faithfulness; so
Eph. vi. 19, And for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may
open my mouth boldly, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am
also in bonds; that is, either the deepest doctrines of the gospel with
plainness, of which Christ is the principal subject (he calls it the
mystery of the gospel, Eph. vi. 19), or else he means the preaching of
the gospel to the Gentile world, which he calls the mystery hidden from
ages (ch. i. 26) and the mystery of Christ, Eph. iii. 4. For this he
was now in bonds. He was a prisoner at Rome, by the violent opposition
of the malicious Jews. He would have them pray for him, that he might
not be discouraged in his work, nor driven from it by his sufferings:
"That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak, v. 4. That I may
make this mystery known to those who have not heard of it, and make it
plain to their understanding, in such a manner as I ought to do." He
had been particular in telling them what he prayed for on their behalf,
ch. i. Here he tells them particularly what he would have them pray for
on his behalf. Paul knew as well as any man how to speak; and yet he
begged their prayers for him, that he might be taught to speak. The
best and most eminent Christians need the prayers of meaner Christians,
and are not above asking them. The chief speakers need prayer, that God
would give them a door of utterance, and that they may speak as they
ought to speak.
Apostolic Exhortations. (a. d. 62.)
5 Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time. 6
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may
know how ye ought to answer every man.
The apostle exhorts them further to a prudent and decent conduct
towards all those with whom they conversed, towards the heathen world,
or those out of the Christian church among whom they lived (v. 5): Walk
in wisdom towards those who are without. Be careful, in all your
converse with them, to get no hurt by them, or contract any of their
customs; for evil communications corrupt good manners; and to do not
hurt to them, or increase their prejudices against religion, and give
them an occasion of dislike. Yea, do them all the good you can, and by
all the fittest means and in the proper seasons recommend religion to
them.--Redeeming the time; that is, either "improving every opportunity
of doing them good, and making the best use of your time in proper
duty" (diligence in redeeming time very much recommends religion to the
good opinion of others), or else "walking cautiously and with
circumspections, to give them no advantage against you, nor expose
yourselves to their malice and ill-will," Eph. v. 15, 16. Walk
circumspectly, redeeming the time, because the days are evil, that is,
dangerous, or times of trouble and suffering. And towards others, or
those who are within as well as those who are without, "Let your speech
be always with grace, v. 6. Let all your discourse be as becomes
Christians, suitable to your profession--savoury, discreet,
seasonable." Though it be not always of grace, it must be always with
grace; and, though the matter of our discourse be that which is common,
yet there must be an air of piety upon it and it must be in a Christian
manner seasoned with salt. Grace is the salt which seasons our
discourse, makes it savoury, and keeps it from corrupting. That you may
know how to answer every man. One answer is proper for one man, and
another for another man Prov. xxvi. 4, 5. We have need of a great deal
of wisdom and grace to give proper answers to every man, particularly
in answering the questions and objections of adversaries against our
religion, giving the reasons of our faith, and showing the
unreasonableness of their exceptions and cavils to the best advantage
for our cause and least prejudice to ourselves. Be ready always to give
an answer to every man who asketh you a reason of the hope that is in
you, with meekness and fear, 1 Pet. iii. 15.
Various Salutations. (a. d. 62.)
7 All my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved
brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord: 8
Whom I have sent unto you for the same purpose, that he might know your
estate, and comfort your hearts; 9 With Onesimus, a faithful and
beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all
things which are done here. 10 Aristarchus my fellowprisoner saluteth
you, and Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, (touching whom ye received
commandments: if he come unto you, receive him;) 11 And Jesus, which
is called Justus, who are of the circumcision. These only are my
fellowworkers unto the kingdom of God, which have been a comfort unto
me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth
you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand
perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him
record, that he hath a great zeal for you, and them that are in
Laodicea, and them in Hierapolis. 14 Luke, the beloved physician, and
Demas, greet you. 15 Salute the brethren which are in Laodicea, and
Nymphas, and the church which is in his house. 16 And when this
epistle is read among you, cause that it be read also in the church of
the Laodiceans; and that ye likewise read the epistle from Laodicea.
17 And say to Archippus, Take heed to the ministry which thou hast
received in the Lord, that thou fulfil it. 18 The salutation by the
hand of me Paul. Remember my bonds. Grace be with you. Amen.
In the close of this epistle the apostle does several of his friends
the honour to leave their names upon record, with some testimony of his
respect, which will be spoken of wherever the gospel comes, and last to
the end of the world.
I. Concerning Tychicus, v. 7. By him this epistle was sent; and he does
not give them an account in writing of his present state, because
Tychicus would do it by word of mouth more fully and particularly. He
knew they would be glad to hear how it fared with him. The churches
cannot but be concerned for good ministers and desirous to know their
state. He gives him this character, A beloved brother and faithful
minister. Paul, though a great apostle, owns a faithful minister for a
brother and a beloved brother. Faithfulness in any one is truly lovely,
and renders him worthy our affection and esteem. And a fellow-servant
in the Lord. Ministers are servants to Christ, and fellow-servants to
one another. They have one Lord, though they have different stations
and capacities of service. Observe, It adds much to the beauty and
strength of the gospel ministry when ministers are thus loving and
condescending one to another, and by all just means support and advance
one another's reputation. Paul sent him not only to tell them of his
affairs, but to bring him an account of theirs: Whom I have sent unto
you for the same purpose, that he might know your estate, and comfort
your hearts, v. 8. He was willing to hear from them as they could be to
hear from him, and thought himself as much obliged to sympathize with
them as he thought them obliged to sympathize with him. It is a great
comfort, under the troubles and difficulties of life, to have the
mutual concern of fellow-christians.
II. Concerning Onesimus (v. 9): With Onesimus, a faithful and beloved
brother, who is one of you. He was sent back from Rome along with
Tychicus. This was he whom Paul had begotten in his bonds, Philem. 10.
He had been servant to Philemon, and was a member, if not a minister,
of their church. He was converted at Rome, whither he had fled from his
master's service; and was now sent back, it is probable, with the
epistle to Philemon, to introduce him again into his master's family.
Observe, Though he was a poor servant, and had been a bad man, yet,
being now a convert, Paul calls him a faithful and beloved brother. The
meanest circumstance of life, and greatest wickedness of former life,
make no difference in the spiritual relation among sincere Christians:
they partake of the same privileges, and are entitles to the same
regards. The righteousness of God by faith of Jesus Christ is unto all
and upon all those that believe; for there is no difference (Rom. iii.
22): and there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, for you
are all one in Christ Jesus, Gal. iii. 28. Perhaps this was some time
after he was converted and sent back to Philemon, and by this time he
had entered into the ministry, because Paul calls him a brother.
III. Aristarchus, a fellow-prisoner. Those who join in services and
sufferings should be thereby engaged to one another in holy love. Paul
had a particular affection for his fellow-servants and his
fellow-prisoners.
IV. Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas. This is supposed to be the same
who wrote the gospel which bears his name. If he come unto you receive
him. Paul had a quarrel with Barnabas upon the account of this Mark,
who was his nephew, and thought not good to take him with them, because
he departed from them from Pamphylia, and went not with them to the
work, Acts xv. 38. He would not take Mark with him, but took Silas,
because Mark had deserted them; and yet Paul is not only reconciled to
him himself, but recommends him to the respect of the churches, and
gives a great example of a truly Christian forgiving spirit. If men
have been guilty of a fault, it must not be always remembered against
them. We must forget as well as forgive. If a man be overtaken in a
fault, you who are spiritual restore such a one in the spirit of
meekness, Gal. vi. 1.
V. Here is one who is called Jesus, which is the Greek name for the
Hebrew Joshua. If Jesus had given them rest, then would he not
afterwards have spoken of another day, Heb. iv. 8. Who is called
Justus. It is probable that he changed his name for that of Justus, in
honour to the name of the Redeemer. Or else Jesus was his Jewish name,
for he was of the circumcision; and Justus his Roman or Latin name.
These are my fellow-labourers unto the kingdom of God, who have been a
comfort unto me. Observe, What comfort the apostle had in the communion
of saints and ministers! One is his fellow-servant, another his
fellow-prisoner, and all his fellow-workers, who were working out their
own salvation and endeavouring to promote the salvation of others. Good
ministers take great comfort in those who are their fellow-workers unto
the kingdom of God. Their friendship and converse together are a great
refreshment under the sufferings and difficulties in their way.
VI. Epaphras (v. 12), the same with Epaphroditus. He is one of you, one
of your church; he salutes you, or sends his service to you, and his
best affections and wishes. Always labouring fervently for you in
prayers. Epaphras had learned of Paul to be much in prayer for his
friends. Observe, 1. In what manner he prayed for them. He laboured in
prayer, laboured fervently, and always laboured fervently for them.
Those who would succeed in prayer must take pains in prayer; and we
must be earnest in prayer, not only for ourselves, but for others also.
It is the effectual fervent prayer which is the prevailing prayer, and
availeth much (Jam. v. 16), and Elias prayed earnestly that it might
not rain, v. 17. 2. What is the matter of this prayer: That you may
stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Observe, To stand
perfect and complete in the will of God is what we should earnestly
desire both for ourselves and others. We must stand complete in all the
will of God; in the will of his precepts by a universal obedience, and
in the will of his providence by a cheerful submission to it: and we
stand perfect and complete in both by constancy and perseverance unto
the end. The apostle was witness for Epaphras that he had a great zeal
for them: "I bear him record; I can testify for him that he has a great
concern for you, and that all he does for you proceeds from a warm
desire for your good." And his zeal extended to all about them: to
those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. He had a great concern for
the Christian interest in the neighbouring places, as well as among
them.
VII. Luke is another here mentioned, whom he calls the beloved
physician. This is he who wrote the Gospel and Acts, and was Paul's
companion. Observe, He was both a physician and an evangelist. Christ
himself both taught and healed, and was the great physician as well as
prophet of the church. He was the beloved physician; one who
recommended himself more than ordinary to the affections of his
friends. Skill in physic is a useful accomplishment in a minister and
may be improved to more extensive usefulness and greater esteem among
Christians.
VIII. Demas. Whether this was written before the second epistle to
Timothy or after is not certain. There we read (2 Tim. iv. 10), Demas
hath forsaken me, having loved this present world. Some have thought
that this epistle was written after; and then it is an evidence that,
though Demas forsook Paul, yet he did not forsake Christ; or he forsook
him but for a time, and recovered himself again, and Paul forgave him
and owned him as a brother. But others think more probably that this
epistle was written before the other; this in anno 62, that in 66, and
then it is an evidence how considerable a man Demas was, who yet
afterwards revolted. Many who have made a great figure in profession,
and gained a great name among Christians, have yet shamefully
apostatized: They went forth from us, because they were not of us, 1
John ii. 19.
IX. The brethren in Laodicea are here mentioned, as living in the
neighbourhood of Colosse: and Paul sends salutations to them, and
orders that this epistle should be read in the church of the Laodiceans
(v. 16), that a copy of it should be sent thither, to be read publicly
in their congregation. And some think Paul sent another epistle at this
time to Laodicea, and ordered them to send for that from Laodicea, and
read it in their church: And that you likewise read the epistle from
Laodicea. If so, that epistle is now lost, and did not belong to the
canon; for all the epistles which the apostles ever wrote were not
preserved, any more than the words and actions of our blessed Lord.
There are many other things which Jesus did, which if they should be
written every one, I suppose the world itself could not contain the
books which would be written, John xxi. 25. But some think it was the
epistle to the Ephesians, which is still extant.
X. Nymphas is mentioned (v. 15) as one who lived at Colosse, and had a
church in his house; that is, either a religious family, where the
several parts of worship were daily performed; or some part of the
congregation met there, when they had no public places of worship
allowed, and they were forced to assemble in private houses for fear of
their enemies. The disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews (John
xx. 19), and the apostle preached in his own lodging and hired house,
Acts xxviii. 23, 30. In the former sense it showed his exemplary piety;
in the latter his zeal and public spirit.
XI. Concerning Archippus, who was one of their ministers at Colosse.
They are bidden to admonish him to mind his work as a minister, to take
heed to it, and to fulfil it--to be diligent and careful of all the
parts of it, and to persevere in it unto the end. They must attend to
the main design of their ministry, without troubling themselves or the
people with things foreign to it, or of less moment. Observe, (1.) The
ministry we have received is a great honour; for it is received in the
Lord, and is by his appointment and command. (2.) Those who have
received it must fulfil it, or do the full duty of it. Those betray
their trust, and will have a sad account at last, who do this work of
the Lord negligently. (3.) The people may put their ministers in mind
of their duty, and excite them to it: Say to Archippus, Take heed to
the ministry, though no doubt with decency and respect, not from pride
and conceit.
XII. Concerning himself (v. 18): The salutation of me Paul. Remember my
bonds. He had a scribe to write all the rest of the epistle, but these
words he wrote with his own hand: Remember my bonds. He does not say,
"Remember I am a prisoner, and send me supply;" but, "Remember I am in
bonds as the apostle of the Gentiles, and let this confirm your faith
in the gospel of Christ:" it adds weight to this exhortation: I
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy, Eph.
iv. 1. "Grace be with you. The favour of God, and all good, the blessed
fruits and effects of it, be with you, and be your portion."
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First Thessalonians
Completed by Daniel Mayo.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE
T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
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Thessalonica was formerly the metropolis of Macedonia; it is now called
Salonichi, and is the best peopled, and one of the best towns for
commerce, in the Levant. The apostle Paul, being diverted from his
design of going into the provinces of Asia, properly so called, and
directed after an extraordinary manner to preach the gospel in
Macedonia (Acts xvi. 9, 10), in obedience to the call of God went from
Troas to Samothracia, thence to Neapolis, and thence to Philippi, where
he had good success in his ministry, but met with hard usage, being
cast into prison with Silas his companion in travel and labour, from
which being wonderfully delivered, they comforted the brethren there,
and departed. Passing through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to
Thessalonica, where the apostle planted a church that consisted of some
believing Jews and many converted Gentiles, Acts xvii. 1-4. But a
tumult being raised in the city by the unbelieving Jews, and the lewd
and baser sort of the inhabitants, Paul and Silas, for their safety,
were sent away by night unto Berea, and afterwards Paul was conducted
to Athens, leaving Silas and Timotheus behind him, but sent directions
that they should come to him with all speed. When they came, Timotheus
was sent to Thessalonica, to enquire after their welfare and to
establish them in the faith (1 Thess. iii. 2), and, returning to Paul
while he tarried at Athens, was sent again, together with Silas, to
visit the churches in Macedonia. So that Paul, being left at Athens
alone (1 Thess. iii. 1), departed thence to Corinth, where he continued
a year and a half, in which time Silas and Timotheus returned to him
from Macedonia (Acts xviii. 5), and then he wrote this epistle to the
church of Christ at Thessalonica, which, though it is placed after the
other epistles of this apostle, is supposed to be first in time of all
Paul's epistles, and to be written about A.D. 51. The main scope of it
is to express the thankfulness of this apostle for the good success his
preaching had among them, to establish them in the faith, and persuade
them to a holy conversation.
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F I R S T T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
CHAP. I.
After the introduction (ver. 1) the apostle begins with a thanksgiving
to God for the saving benefits bestowed on them, ver. 2-5. And then
mentions the sure evidences of the good success of the gospel among
them, which was notorious and famous in several other places, ver.
6-10.
Inscription and Apostolical Salutation. (a. d. 51.)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the
Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ:
Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus
Christ.
In this introduction we have,
I. The inscription, where we have, 1. The persons from whom this
epistle came, or by whom it was written. Paul was the inspired apostle
and writer of this epistle, though he makes no mention of his
apostleship, which was not doubted of by the Thessalonians, nor opposed
by any false apostle among them. He joins Silvanus (or Silas) and
Timotheus with himself (who had now come to him with an account of the
prosperity of the churches in Macedonia), which shows this great
apostle's humility, and how desirous he was to put honour upon the
ministers of Christ who were of an inferior rank and standing. A good
example this is to such ministers as are of greater abilities and
reputation in the church than some others. 2. The persons to whom this
epistle is written, namely, the church of the Thessalonians, the
converted Jews and Gentiles in Thessalonica; and it is observable that
this church is said to be in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus
Christ; they had fellowship with the Father, and his Son Jesus Christ,
1 John i. 3. They were a Christian church, because they believed in God
the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ. They believed the principles
both of natural and revealed religion. The Gentiles among them were
turned to God from idols, and the Jews among them believed Jesus to be
the promised Messias. All of them were devoted and dedicated to God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: to God as their chief good and
highest end, to Jesus Christ as their Lord and Mediator between God and
man. God the Father is the original centre of all natural religion; and
Jesus Christ is the author and centre of all revealed religion. You
believe in God, says our Saviour, believe also in me. John xiv. 1.
II. The salutation or apostolical benediction: Grace be with you, and
peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the same
for substance as in the other epistles. Grace and peace are well joined
together; for the free grace or favour of God is the spring or fountain
of all the peace and prosperity we do or can enjoy; and where there are
gracious dispositions in us we may hope for peaceful thoughts in our
own breasts; both grace and peace, and all spiritual blessings, come to
us from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ; from God the original
of all good, and from the Lord Jesus the purchaser of all good for us;
from God in Christ, and so our Father in covenant, because he is the
God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Note, As all good comes from
God, so no good can be hoped for by sinners but from God in Christ. And
the best good may be expected from God as our Father for the sake of
Christ.
Thanksgiving to God. (a. d. 51.)
2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in
our prayers; 3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and
labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the
sight of God and our Father; 4 Knowing, brethren beloved, your
election of God. 5 For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but
also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance; as ye know
what manner of men we were among you for your sake.
I. The apostle begins with thanksgiving to God. Being about to mention
the things that were matter of joy to him, and highly praiseworthy in
them, and greatly for their advantage, he chooses to do this by way of
thanksgiving to God, who is the author of all that good that comes to
us, or is done by us, at any time. God is the object of all religious
worship, of prayer and praise. And thanksgiving to God is a great duty,
to be performed always or constantly; even when we do not actually give
thanks to God by our words, we should have a grateful sense of God's
goodness upon our minds. Thanksgiving should be often repeated; and not
only should we be thankful for the favours we ourselves receive, but
for the benefits bestowed on others also, upon our fellow-creatures and
fellow-christians. The apostle gave thanks not only for those who were
his most intimate friends, or most eminently favoured of God, but for
them all.
II. He joined prayer with his praise or thanksgiving. When we in every
thing by prayer and supplication make our requests known to God, we
should join thanksgiving therewith, Phil. iv. 6. So when we give thanks
for any benefit we receive we should join prayer. We should pray always
and without ceasing, and should pray not only for ourselves, but for
others also, for our friends, and should make mention of them in our
prayers. We may sometimes mention their names, and should make mention
of their case and condition; at least, we should have their persons and
circumstances in our minds, remembering them without ceasing. Note, As
there is much that we ought to be thankful for on the behalf of
ourselves and our friends, so there is much occasion of constant prayer
for further supplies of good.
III. He mentions the particulars for which he was so thankful to God;
namely,
1. The saving benefits bestowed on them. These were the grounds and
reasons of his thanksgiving. (1.) Their faith and their work of faith.
Their faith he tells them (v. 8) was very famous, and spread abroad.
This is the radical grace; and their faith was a true and living faith,
because a working faith. Note, Wherever there is a true faith, it will
work: it will have an influence upon heart and life; it will put us
upon working for God and for our own salvation. We have comfort in our
own faith and the faith of others when we perceive the work of faith.
Show me thy faith by thy works, Jam. ii. 18. (2.) Their love and labour
of love. Love is one of the cardinal graces; it is of great use to us
in this life and will remain and be perfected in the life to come.
Faith works by love; it shows itself in the exercise of love to God and
love to our neighbour; as love will show itself by labour, it will put
us upon taking pains in religion. (3.) Their hope and the patience of
hope. We are saved by hope. This grace is compared to the soldier's
helmet and sailor's anchor, and is of great use in times of danger.
Wherever there is a well-grounded hope of eternal life, it will appear
by the exercise of patience; in a patient bearing of the calamities of
the present time and a patient waiting for the glory to be revealed.
For, if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for
it, Rom. viii. 25.
2. The apostle not only mentions these three cardinal graces, faith,
hope and love, but also takes notice, (1.) Of the object and efficient
cause of these graces, namely, our Lord Jesus Christ. (2.) Of the
sincerity of them: being in the sight of God even our Father. The great
motive to sincerity is the apprehension of God's eye as always upon us;
and it is a sign of sincerity when in all we do we endeavour to approve
ourselves to God, and that is right which is so in the sight of God.
Then is the work of faith, or labour of love, or patience of hope,
sincere, when it is done under the eye of God. (3.) He mentions the
fountain whence these graces flow, namely, God's electing love:
Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God, v. 4. Thus he runs up
these streams to the fountain, and that was God's eternal election.
Some by their election of God would understand only the temporary
separation of the Thessalonians from the unbelieving Jews and Gentiles
in their conversion; but this was according to the eternal purpose of
him who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will,
Eph. i. 11. Speaking of their election, he calls them, brethren
beloved; for the original of the brotherhood that is between Christians
and the relation wherein they stand one to another is election. And it
is a good reason why we should love one another, because we are all
beloved of God, and were beloved of him in his counsels when there was
not any thing in us to merit his love. The election of these
Thessalonians was known to the apostles, and therefore might be known
to themselves, and that by the fruits and effects thereof--their
sincere faith, and hope, and love, by the successful preaching of the
gospel among them. Observe, [1.] All those who in the fulness of time
are effectually called and sanctified were from eternity elected and
chosen to salvation. [2.] The election of God is of his own good
pleasure and mere grace, not for the sake of any merit in those who are
chosen. [3.] The election of God may be known by the fruits thereof.
[4.] Whenever we are giving thanks to God for his grace either to
ourselves or others, we should run up the streams to the fountain, and
give thanks to God for his electing love, by which we are made to
differ.
3. Another ground or reason of the apostle's thanksgiving is the
success of his ministry among them. He was thankful on his own account
as well as theirs, that he had not laboured in vain. He had the seal
and evidence of his apostleship hereby, and great encouragement in his
labours and sufferings. Their ready acceptance and entertainment of the
gospel he preached to them were an evidence of their being elected and
beloved of God. It was in this way that he knew their election. It is
true he had been in the third heavens; but he had not searched the
records of eternity, and found their election there, but knew this by
the success of the gospel among them (v. 5), and he takes notice with
thankfulness, (1.) That the gospel came to them also not in word only,
but in power; they not only heard the sound of it, but submitted to the
power of it. It did not merely tickle the ear and please the fancy, not
merely fill their heads with notions and amuse their minds for awhile,
but it affected their hearts: a divine power went along with it for
convincing their consciences and amending their lives. Note, By this we
may know our election, if we not only speak of the things of God by
rote as parrots, but feel the influence of these things in our hearts,
mortifying our lusts, weaning us from the world, and raising us up to
heavenly things. (2.) It came in the Holy Ghost, that is, with the
powerful energy of the divine Spirit. Note, Wherever the gospel comes
in power, it is to be attributed to the operation of the Holy Ghost;
and unless the Spirit of God accompany the word of God, to render it
effectual by his power, it will be to us but as a dead letter; and the
letter killeth, it is the Spirit that giveth life. (3.) The gospel came
to them in much assurance. Thus did they entertain it by the power of
the Holy Ghost. They were fully convinced of the truth of it, so as not
to be easily shaken in mind by objections and doubts; they were willing
to leave all for Christ, and to venture their souls and everlasting
condition upon the verity of the gospel revelation. The word was not to
them, like the sentiments of some philosophers about matters of opinion
and doubtful speculation, but the object of their faith and assurance.
Their faith was the evidence of things not seen; and the Thessalonians
thus knew what manner of men the apostle and his fellow-labourers were
among them, and what they did for their sake, and with what good
success.
Evidence of the Apostle's Success. (a. d. 51.)
6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the
word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost: 7 So that ye
were ensamples to all that believe in Macedonia and Achaia. 8 For
from you sounded out the word of the Lord not only in Macedonia and
Achaia, but also in every place your faith to God-ward is spread
abroad; so that we need not to speak any thing. 9 For they themselves
show of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye
turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; 10 And to
wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus,
which delivered us from the wrath to come.
In these words we have the evidence of the apostle's success among the
Thessalonians, which was notorious and famous in several places. For,
I. They were careful in their holy conversation to imitate the good
examples of the apostles and ministers of Christ, v. 6. As the apostle
took care to demean himself well, not only for his own credit's sake,
but for the benefit of others, by a conversation suitable to his
doctrine, that he might not pull down with one hand what he built up
with the other, so the Thessalonians, who observed what manner of men
they were among them, how their preaching and living were all of a
piece, showed a conscientious care to be followers of them, or to
imitate their good example. Herein they became also followers of the
Lord, who is the perfect example we must strive to imitate; and we
should be followers of others no further than they are followers of
Christ, 1 Co. xi. 1. The Thessalonians acted thus, notwithstanding
their affliction, that much affliction which the apostles and
themselves also were exposed to. They were willing to share in the
sufferings that attended the embracing and professing of Christianity.
They entertained the gospel, notwithstanding the troubles and hardships
which attended the preachers and professors of it too. Perhaps this
made the word more precious, being dear--bought; and the examples of
the apostles shone very bright under their afflictions; so that the
Thessalonians embraced the word cheerfully, and followed the example of
the suffering apostles joyfully, with joy in the Holy Ghost--such solid
and spiritual and lasting joy as the Holy Ghost is the author of, who,
when our afflictions abound, makes our consolations much more to
abound.
II. Their zeal prevailed to such a degree that they were themselves
examples to all about them, v. 7, 8. Observe here,
1. Their example was very effectual to make good impressions upon many
others. They were typoi--stamps, or instruments to make impression
with. They had themselves received good impressions from the preaching
and conversation of the apostles, and they made good impressions, and
their conversation had an influence upon others. Note, Christians
should be so good as by their example to influence others.
2. It was very extensive, and reached beyond the confines of
Thessalonica, even to the believers of all Macedonia, and further, in
Achaia; the Philippians, and others who received the gospel before the
Thessalonians, were edified by their example. Note, Some who were last
hired into the vineyard may sometimes outstrip those who come in before
them, and become examples to them.
3. It was very famous. The word of the Lord, or its wonderful effects
upon the Thessalonians, sounded, or was famous and well known, in the
regions round about that city, and in every place; not strictly every
where, but here and there, up and down in the world: so that, from the
good success of the gospel among them, many others were encouraged to
entertain it, and to be willing, when called, to suffer for it. Their
faith was spread abroad. (1.) The readiness of their faith was famed
abroad. These Thessalonians embraced the gospel as soon as it was
preached to them; so that every body took notice what manner of
entering in among them the apostles had, that there were no such delays
as at Philippi, where it was a great while before much good was done.
(2.) The effects of their faith were famous. [1.] They quitted their
idolatry; they turned from their idols, and abandoned all the false
worship they had been educated in. [2.] They gave themselves up to God,
to the living and true God, and devoted themselves to his service. [3.]
They set themselves to wait for the Son of God from heaven, v. 10. And
this is one of the peculiarities of our holy religion, to wait for
Christ's second coming, as those who believe he will come and hope he
will come to our joy. The believers under the Old Testament waited for
the coming of the Messiah, and believers now wait for his second
coming; he is yet to come. And there is good reason to believe he will
come, because God has raised him from the dead, which is full assurance
unto all men that he will come to judgment, Acts xvii. 31. And there is
good reason to hope and wait for his coming, because he has delivered
us from the wrath to come. He came to purchase salvation, and will,
when he comes again, bring salvation with him, full and final
deliverance from sin, and death, and hell, from that wrath which is yet
to come upon unbelievers, and which, when it has once come, will be yet
to come, because it is everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his
angels, Mt. xxv. 41.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
CHAP. II.
In this chapter the apostle puts the Thessalonians in mind of the
manner of his preaching among them, ver. 1-6. Then of the manner of his
conversation among them, ver. 7-12. Afterwards of the success of his
ministry, with the effects both on himself and on them (ver. 13-16),
and then apologizes for his absence, ver. 17-20.
The Primitive Ministers. (a. d. 51.)
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you, that it was
not in vain: 2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were
shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God
to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention. 3 For our
exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile: 4
But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even
so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. 5
For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a
cloak of covetousness; God is witness: 6 Nor of men sought we glory,
neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome,
as the apostles of Christ.
Here we have an account of Paul's manner of preaching, and his
comfortable reflection upon his entrance in among the Thessalonians. As
he had the testimony of his own conscience witnessing to his integrity,
so he could appeal to the Thessalonians how faithful he, and Silas, and
Timotheus, his helpers in the work of the Lord, had discharged their
office: You yourselves, brethren, know our entrance in unto you. Note,
It is a great comfort to a minister to have his own conscience and the
consciences of others witnessing for him that he set out well, with
good designs and from good principles; and that his preaching was not
in vain, or, as some read it, was not fain. The apostle here comforts
himself either in the success of his ministry, that it was not
fruitless or in vain (according to our translation), or as others
think, reflecting upon the sincerity of his preaching, that it was not
vain and empty, or deceitful and treacherous. The subject-matter of the
apostle's preaching was not vain and idle speculations about useless
niceties and foolish questions, but sound and solid truth, such as was
most likely to profit his hearers. A good example this is, to be
imitated by all the ministers of the gospel. Much less was the
apostle's preaching vain or deceitful. He could say to these
Thessalonians what he told the Corinthians (2 Cor. iv. 2): We have
renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness,
nor handling the word of God deceitfully. He had no sinister or worldly
design in his preaching, which he puts them in mind to have been,
I. With courage and resolution: We were bold in our God to speak unto
you the gospel of God, v. 2. The apostle was inspired with a holy
boldness, nor was he discouraged at the afflictions he met with, or the
opposition that was made against him. He had met with ill usage at
Philippi, as these Thessalonians well knew. There it was that he and
Silas were shamefully treated, being put in the stocks; yet no sooner
were they set at liberty than they went to Thessalonica, and preached
the gospel with as much boldness as ever. Note, Suffering in a good
cause should rather sharpen than blunt the edge of holy resolution. The
gospel of Christ, at its first setting out in the world, met with much
opposition; and those who preached it preached it with contention, with
great agony, which denoted either the apostles' striving in their
preaching or their striving against the opposition they met with. This
was Paul's comfort; he was neither daunted in his work, nor driven from
it.
II. With great simplicity and godly sincerity: Our exhortation was not
of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile, v. 3. This, no doubt, was
matter of the greatest comfort to the apostle--the consciousness of his
own sincerity; and was one reason of his success. It was the sincere
and uncorrupted gospel that he preached and exhorted them to believe
and obey. His design was not to set up a faction, to draw men over to a
party, but to promote pure religion and undefiled before God and the
Father. The gospel he preached was without deceit, it was true and
faithful; it was not fallacious, nor a cunningly-devised fable. Nor was
it of uncleanness. His gospel was pure and holy, worthy of its holy
author, tending to discountenance all manner of impurity. The word of
God is pure. There should be no corrupt mixtures therewith; and, as the
matter of the apostle's exhortation was thus true and pure, the manner
of his speaking was without guile. He did not pretend one thing and
intend another. He believed, and therefore he spoke. He had no sinister
and secular aims and views, but was in reality what he seemed to be.
The apostle not only asserts his sincerity, but subjoins the reasons
and evidences thereof. The reasons are contained, v. 4.
1. They were stewards, put in trust with the gospel: and it is required
of a steward that he be faithful. The gospel which Paul preached was
not his own, but the gospel of God. Note, Ministers have a great favour
shown them, and honour put upon them, and trust committed to them. They
must not dare to corrupt the word of God: they must diligently make use
of what is entrusted with them, so as God hath allowed and commanded,
knowing they shall be called to an account, when they must be no longer
stewards.
2. Their design was to please God and not men. God is a God of truth,
and requires truth in the inward parts; and, if sincerity be wanting,
all that we do cannot please God. The gospel of Christ is not
accommodated to the fain fancies and lusts of men, to gratify their
appetites and passions; but, on the contrary, it was designed for the
mortifying of their corrupt affections, and delivering them from the
power of fancy, that they might be brought under the power of faith. If
I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ, Gal. i. 10.
3. They acted under the consideration of God's omniscience, as in the
sight of him who tries our hearts. This is indeed the great motive to
sincerity, to consider that God not only seeth all that we do, but
knoweth our thoughts afar off, and searcheth the heart. He is well
acquainted with all our aims and designs, as well as our actions. And
it is from this God who trieth our hearts that we must receive our
reward. The evidences of the apostle's sincerity follow; and they are
these:--(1.) He avoided flattery: Neither at any time used we
flattering words, as you know, v. 5. He and his fellow-labourers
preached Christ and him crucified, and did not aim to gain an interest
in men's affections for themselves, by glorying, and fawning and
wheedling them. No, he was far from this; nor did he flatter men in
their sins; nor tell them, if they would be of his party, they might
live as they listed. He did not flatter them with fain hopes, nor
indulge them in any evil work or way, promising them life, and so
daubing with untempered mortar. (2.) He avoided covetousness. He did
not make the ministry a cloak, or a covering, for covetousness, as God
was witness, v. 5. His design was not to enrich himself by preaching
the gospel; so far from this, he did not stipulate with them for bread.
He was not like the false apostles, who, through covetousness, with
feigned words made merchandise of the people, 2 Pet. ii. 3. (3.) He
avoided ambition and vain-glory: Nor of men sought we glory, neither of
you nor yet of others, v. 6. They expected neither people's purses nor
their caps, neither to be enriched by them nor caressed, and adored,
and called Rabbi by them. This apostle exhorts the Galatians (ch. v.
26) not to be desirous of vain glory; his ambition was to obtain that
honour which comes from God, John v. 44. He tells them that they might
have used greater authority as apostles, and expected greater esteem,
and demanded maintenance, which is meant by the phrase of being
burdensome, because perhaps some would have thought this too great a
burden for them to bear.
The Primitive Ministers. (a. d. 51.)
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her
children: 8 So being affectionately desirous of you, we were willing
to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own
souls, because ye were dear unto us. 9 For ye remember, brethren, our
labour and travail: for labouring night and day, because we would not
be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10 Ye are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and
unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe: 11 As ye
know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a
father doth his children, 12 That ye would walk worthy of God, who
hath called you unto his kingdom and glory.
In these words the apostle reminds the Thessalonians of the manner of
his conversation among them. And,
I. He mentions the gentleness of their behaviour: We were gentle among
you, v. 7. He showed great mildness and tenderness who might have acted
with the authority of an apostle of Christ. Such behaviour greatly
recommends religion, and is most agreeable to God's gracious dealing
with sinners, in and by the gospel. This great apostle, though he
abhorred and avoided flattery, was most condescending to all men. He
accommodated himself to all men's capacities, and became all things to
all men. He showed the kindness and care of a nurse that cherishes her
children. This is the way to win people, rather than to rule with
rigour. The word of God is indeed powerful; and as it comes often with
awful authority upon the minds of men, as it always has enough in it to
convince every impartial judgment, so it comes with the more pleasing
power, when the ministers of the gospel recommend themselves to the
affections of the people. And as a nursing mother bears with
frowardness in a child, and condescends to mean offices for its good,
and draws out her breast, cherishing it in her bosom, so in like manner
should the ministers of Christ behave towards their people. The servant
of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men, and patient, 2
Tim. ii. 24. This gentleness and goodness the apostle expressed several
ways. 1. By the most affectionate desire of their welfare: Being
affectionately desirous of you, v. 8. The apostle had a most
affectionate love to their persons, and sought them, not theirs;
themselves, not their goods; and to gain them, not to be a gainer by
them, or to make a merchandise of them: it was their spiritual and
eternal welfare and salvation that he was earnestly desirous of. 2. By
great readiness to do them good, willingly imparting to them, not the
gospel of God only, but also our own souls, v. 8. See here the manner
of Paul's preaching. He spared no pains therein. He was willing to run
hazards, and venture his soul, or life, in preaching the gospel. He was
willing to spend and be spent in the service of men's souls; and, as
those who give bread to the hungry from a charitable principle are said
to impart their souls in what they give (Isa. xviii. 10), so did the
apostles in giving forth the bread of life; so dear were these
Thessalonians in particular to this apostle, and so great was his love
to them. 3. By bodily labour to prevent their charge, or that his
ministry might not be expensive and burdensome to them: You remember
our labour and travail; for, labouring night and day, &c., v. 9. He
denied himself the liberty he had of taking wages from the churches. To
the labour of the ministry he added that of his calling, as a
tent-maker, that he might get his own bread. We are not to suppose that
the apostle spent the whole night and day in bodily labour, or work, to
supply the necessities of his body; for then he would have had no time
for the work of the ministry. But he spent part of the night, as well
as the day, in this work; and was willing to forego his rest in the
night, that he might have an opportunity to do good to the souls of men
in the day time. A good example is here set before the ministers of the
gospel, to be industrious for the salvation of men's souls, though it
will not follow that they are always obliged to preach freely. There is
no general rule to be drawn from this instance, either that ministers
may at no time work with their hands, for the supply of their outward
necessities, or that they ought always to do so. 4. By the holiness of
their conversation, concerning which he appeals not only to them, but
to God also (v. 10): You are witnesses, and God also. They were
observers of their outward conversation in public before men, and God
was witness not only of their behaviour in secret, but of the inward
principles from which they acted. Their behaviour was holy towards God,
just towards all men, and unblamable, without giving cause of scandal
or offence; and they were careful to give no offence either to those
who were without, or to those who believed, that they might give no ill
example; that their preaching and living might be all of a piece.
Herein, said this apostle, do I exercise myself, to have always a
conscience void of offence towards God, and towards men, Acts xxiv. 16.
II. He mentions their faithful discharge of the work and office of the
ministry, v. 11, 12. Concerning this also he could appeal to them as
witnesses. Paul and his fellow-labourers were not only good Christians,
but faithful ministers. And we should not only be good as to our
general calling as Christians, but in our particular callings and
relations. Paul exhorted the Thessalonians, not only informing them in
their duty, but exciting and quickening them to the performance of it,
by proper motives and arguments. And he comforted them also,
endeavouring to cheer and support their spirits under the difficulties
and discouragements they might meet with. And this he did not only
publicly, but privately also, and from house to house (Acts xx. 20),
and charged every one of them by personal addresses: this, some think,
is intended by the similitude of a father's charging his children. This
expression also denotes the affectionate and compassionate counsels and
consolations which this apostle used. He was their spiritual father;
and, as he cherished them like a nursing mother, so he charged them as
a father, with a father's affection rather than a father's authority.
As my beloved sons, I warn you, 1 Cor. iv. 14. The manner of this
apostle's exhortation ought to be regarded by ministers in particular
for their imitation, and the matter of it is greatly to be regarded by
them and all others; namely, that they would walk worthy of God, who
hath called them to his kingdom and glory, v. 12. Observe, 1. What is
our great gospel privilege--that God has called us to his kingdom and
glory. The gospel calls us into the kingdom and state of grace here and
unto the kingdom and state of glory hereafter, to heaven and happiness
as our end and to holiness as the way to that end. 2. What is our great
gospel duty--that we walk worthy of God, that the temper of our minds
and tenour of our lives be answerable to this call and suitable to this
privilege. We should accommodate ourselves to the intention and design
of the gospel, and live suitably to our profession and privileges, our
hopes and expectations, as becomes those who are called with such a
high and holy calling.
Effects of the Christian Ministry. (a. d. 51.)
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye
received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as
the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which
effectually worketh also in you that believe. 14 For ye, brethren,
became followers of the churches of God which in Judæa are in Christ
Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen,
even as they have of the Jews: 15 Who both killed the Lord Jesus, and
their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God,
and are contrary to all men: 16 Forbidding us to speak to the
Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins alway: for the
wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
Here observe, I. The apostle makes mention of the success of his
ministry among these Thessalonians (v. 13), which is expressed,
1. By the manner of their receiving the word of God: When you received
the word of God, which you heard of us, you received it, not as the
word of men, but (as it is in truth) the word of God. Where note, (1.)
The word of the gospel is preached by men like ourselves, men of like
passions and infirmities with others: We have this treasure in earthen
vessels. The word of God, which these Thessalonians received, they
heard from the apostles. (2.) However, it is in truth the word of God.
Such was the word the apostles preached by divine inspiration, and such
is that which is left upon record, written in the scriptures by divine
inspiration; and such is that word which in our days is preached, being
either contained, or evidently founded on, or deduced from, these
sacred oracles. (3.) Those are greatly to blame who give out their own
fancies or injunctions for the word of God. This is the vilest way of
imposing upon a people, and to deal unfaithfully. (4.) Those are also
to blame who, in hearing the word, look no further than to the ministry
of men, who are only, or chiefly, pleased with the elegance of the
style, or the beauty of the composition, or the voice and manner in
which the word is preached, and expect to receive their advantage
herein. (5.) We should receive the word of God as the word of God, with
affections suitable to the holiness, wisdom, verity, and goodness,
thereof. The words of men are frail and perishing, like themselves, and
sometimes false, foolish, and fickle: but God's word is holy, wise,
just, and faithful; and, like its author, lives and abides for ever.
Let us accordingly receive and regard it.
2. By the wonderful operation of this word they received: It
effectually worketh in those that believe, v. 13. Those who by faith
receive the word find it profitable. It does good to those that walk
uprightly, and by its wonderful effects evidences itself to be the word
of God. This converts their souls, and enlightens their minds, and
rejoices their hearts (Ps. xix.); and such as have this inward
testimony of the truth of the scriptures, the word of God, by the
effectual operations thereof on their hearts, have the best evidence of
their divine original to themselves, though this is not sufficient to
convince others who are strangers thereto.
II. He mentions the good effects which his successful preaching had,
1. Upon himself and fellow-labourers. It was a constant cause of
thankfulness: For this cause thank we God without ceasing, v. 13. The
apostle expressed his thankfulness to God so often upon this account
that he seemed to think he never could be sufficiently thankful that
God had counted him faithful, and put him into the ministry, and made
his ministrations successful.
2. Upon them. The word wrought effectually in them, not only to be
examples unto others in faith and good works (which he had mentioned
before), but also in constancy and patience under sufferings and trials
for the sake of the gospel: You became followers of the churches of
God, and have suffered like things as they have done (v. 14), and with
like courage and constancy, with like patience and hope. Note, The
cross is the Christian's mark: if we are called to suffer we are called
only to be followers of the churches of God; so persecuted they the
prophets that were before you, Matt. v. 12. It is a good effect of the
gospel when we are enabled to suffer for its sake. The apostle mentions
the sufferings of the churches of God, which in Judea were in Christ
Jesus. Those in Judea first heard the gospel, and they first suffered
for it: for the Jews were the most bitter enemies Christianity had, and
were especially enraged against their countrymen who embraced
Christianity. Note, Bitter zeal and fiery persecution will set
countrymen at variance, and break through all the bonds of nature, as
well as contradict all the rules of religion. In every city where the
apostles went to preach the gospel the Jews stirred up the inhabitants
against them. They were the ringleaders of persecution in all places;
so in particular it was at Thessalonica: Acts xvii. 5, The Jews that
believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of
the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city in an
uproar. Upon this occasion, the apostle gives a character of the
unbelieving Jews (v. 15), enough to justify their final rejection and
the ruin of their place, and church, and nation, which was now
approaching. (1.) They killed the Lord Jesus, and impudently and
presumptuously wished that his blood might be on them and their
children. (2.) They killed their own prophets: so they had done all
along; their fathers had done so: they had been a persecuting
generation. (3.) They hated the apostles, and did them all the mischief
they could. They persecuted them, and drove and chased them from place
to place: and no marvel, if they killed the Lord Jesus, that they
persecuted his followers. (4.) They pleased not God. They had quite
lost all sense of religion, and due care to do their duty to God. It
was a most fatal mistake to think that they did God service by killing
God's servants. Murder and persecution are most hateful to God and
cannot be justified on any pretence; they are so contrary to natural
religion that no zeal for any true or only pretended institution of
religion can ever excuse them. (5.) They were contrary to all men.
Their persecuting spirit was a perverse spirit; contrary to the light
of nature, and contrary to humanity, contrary to the welfare of all
men, and contrary to the sentiments of all men not under the power of
bigotry. (6.) They had an implacable enmity to the Gentiles, and envied
them the offers of the gospel: Forbidding the apostles to speak to the
Gentiles, that they might be saved. The means of salvation had long
been confined to the Jews. Salvation is of the Jews, says our Saviour.
And they were envious against the Gentiles, and angry that they should
be admitted to share in the means of salvation. Nothing provoked them
more than our Saviour's speaking to them at any time concerning this
matter; this enraged the Jews at Jerusalem, when, in his defence, Paul
told them, he was sent unto the Gentiles, Acts xxii. 21. They heard him
patiently till he uttered these words, but then could endure no longer,
but lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the
earth, for it is not fit that he should live. Thus did the Jews fill up
their sins; and nothing tends more to any person or people's filling up
the measure of their sins than opposing the gospel, obstructing the
progress of it, and hindering the salvation of precious souls. For the
sake of these things wrath has come upon them to the uttermost; that
is, wrath was determined against them, and would soon overtake them. It
was not many years after this that Jerusalem was destroyed, and the
Jewish nation cut off by the Romans. Note, When the measure of any
man's iniquity is full, and he has sinned to the uttermost, then comes
wrath, and that to the uttermost.
Effects of the Christian Ministry. (a. d. 51.)
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence,
not in heart, endeavoured the more abundantly to see your face with
great desire. 18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul,
once and again; but Satan hindered us. 19 For what is our hope, or
joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord
Jesus Christ at his coming? 20 For ye are our glory and joy.
In these words the apostle apologizes for his absence. Here observe, 1.
He tells them they were involuntarily forced from them: We, brethren,
were taken from you, v. 17. Such was the rage of his persecutors. He
was unwillingly sent away by night to Berea, Acts xvii. 10. 2. Though
he was absent in body, yet he was present in heart. He had still a
remembrance of them, and great care for them. 3. Even his bodily
absence was but for a short time, the time of an hour. Time is short,
all our time on earth is short and uncertain, whether we are present
with our friends or absent from them. This world is not a place where
we are always, or long, to be together. It is in heaven that holy souls
shall meet, and never part more. 4. He earnestly desired and
endeavoured to see them again: We endeavoured more abundantly to see
your face with great desire, v. 17. So that the apostle at least
intended his absence should be but for a short time. His desire and
endeavour were to return again very soon to Thessalonica. But men of
business are not masters of their own time. Paul did his endeavour, and
he could do no more, v. 18. 5. He tells them that Satan hindered his
return (v. 18), that is, either some enemy or enemies, or the great
enemy of mankind, who stirred up opposition to Paul, either in his
return to Thessalonica, when he intended to return thither, or stirred
up such contentions or dissensions in those places whether he went as
made his presence necessary. Note, Satan is a constant enemy to the
work of God, and does all he can to obstruct it. 6. He assures them of
his affection and high esteem for them, though he was not able, as yet,
to be present with them according to his desire. They were his hope,
and joy, and crown of rejoicing; his glory and joy. These are
expressions of great and endeared affection, and high estimation. And
it is happy when ministers and people have such mutual affection and
esteem of each other, and especially if they shall thus rejoice, if
those that sow and those that reap shall rejoice together, in the
presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming.
The apostle here puts the Thessalonians in mind that though he could
not come to them as yet, and though he should never be able to come to
them, yet our Lord Jesus Christ will come, nothing shall hinder this.
And further, when he shall come, all must appear in his presence, or
before him. Ministers and people must all appear before him, and
faithful people will be the glory and joy of faithful ministers in that
great and glorious day.
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F I R S T T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
CHAP. III.
In this chapter the apostle gives further evidence of his love to the
Thessalonians, reminding them of his sending Timothy to them, with the
mention of his design therein and his inducements so to do, ver. 1-5.
He acquaints them also with his great satisfaction at the return of
Timothy, with good tidings concerning them, ver. 6-10. And concludes
with fervent prayer for them, ver. 11, to the end.
The Mission of Timothy. (a. d. 51.)
1 Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be
left at Athens alone; 2 And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister
of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish
you, and to comfort you concerning your faith: 3 That no man should
be moved by these afflictions: for yourselves know that we are
appointed thereunto. 4 For verily, when we were with you, we told you
before that we should suffer tribulation; even as it came to pass, and
ye know. 5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to
know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and
our labour be in vain.
In these words the apostle gives an account of his sending Timothy to
the Thessalonians. Though he was hindered from going to them himself,
yet his love was such that he could not forbear sending Timothy to
them. Though Timothy was very useful to him, and he could not well
spare him, yet Paul was content, for their good, to be left alone at
Athens. Note, Those ministers do not duly value the establishment and
welfare of their people who cannot deny themselves in many things for
that end. Observe,
I. The character he gives of Timothy (v. 2): We sent Timotheus, our
brother. Elsewhere he calls him his son; here he calls him brother.
Timothy was Paul's junior in age, his inferior in gifts and graces, and
of a lower rank in the ministry: for Paul was an apostle, and Timothy
but an evangelist; yet Paul calls him brother. This was an instance of
the apostle's humility, and showed his desire to put honour upon
Timothy and to recommend him to the esteem of the churches. He calls
him also a minister of God. Note, Ministers of the gospel of Christ are
ministers of God, to promote the kingdom of God among men. He calls him
also his fellow-labourer in the gospel of Christ. Note, Ministers of
the gospel must look upon themselves as labourers in the Lord's
vineyard; they have an honourable office and hard work, yet a good
work. This is a true saying, If any man desire the office of a bishop,
he desires a good work, 1 Tim. iii. 1. And ministers should look upon
one another, and strengthen one another's hands, not strive and contend
one with another (which will hinder their work), but strive together to
carry on the great work they are engaged in, namely, to preach and
publish the gospel of Christ, and to persuade people to embrace and
entertain it and live suitably thereto.
II. The end and design why Paul sent Timothy: To establish you and to
comfort you concerning your faith, v. 2. Paul had converted them to the
Christian faith, and now he was desirous that they might be confirmed
and comforted, that they might confirmed in the choice they had made of
the Christian religion, and comforted in the profession and practice of
it. Note, The more we are comforted, the more we shall be confirmed,
because, when we find pleasure in the ways of God, we shall thereby be
engaged to continue and persevere therein. The apostle's design was to
establish and comfort the Thessalonians concerning their
faith,--concerning the object of their faith, namely, the truths of the
gospel, and particularly that Jesus Christ was the Saviour of the
world, and so wise and good, so powerful and faithful, that they might
rely upon him,--concerning the recompence of faith, which was more than
sufficient to balance all their losses and reward all their labours.
III. The motive inducing Paul to send Timothy for this end, namely, a
godly fear or jealousy, lest they should be moved from the faith of
Christ, v. 3. He was desirous that no man, no one among them, should be
moved or shaken in mind, that they should not apostatize or waver in
the faith. And yet,
1. He apprehended there was danger, and feared the consequence.
(1.) There was danger, [1.] By reason of affliction and persecution for
the sake of the gospel, v. 3. These Thessalonians could not but
perceive what afflictions the apostles and preachers of the gospel met
with, and this might possibly stumble them; and also those who made
profession of the gospel were persecuted, and without doubt these
Thessalonians themselves were afflicted. [2.] By reason of the
tempter's subtlety and malice. The apostle was afraid lest by any means
the tempter had tempted them, v. 5. The devil is a subtle and unwearied
tempter, who seeks an opportunity to beguile and destroy us, and takes
all advantages against us, both in a time of prosperity and adversity;
and he has often been successful in his attacks upon persons under
afflictions. He has often prejudiced the minds of men against religion
on account of the sufferings its professors are exposed to. We have
reason therefore to be jealous over ourselves and others, lest we be
ensnared by him.
(2.) The consequence the apostle feared was lest his labour should be
in vain. And thus it would have been, if the tempter had tempted them,
and prevailed against them, to move them from the faith. They would
have lost what they had wrought, and the apostle would have lost what
he laboured for. Note, It is the devil's design to hinder the good
fruit and effect of the preaching of the gospel. If he cannot hinder
ministers from labouring in the word and doctrine, he will, if he be
able, hinder them of the success of their labours. Note also, Faithful
ministers are much concerned about the success of their labours. No one
would willingly labour in vain; and ministers are loth to spend their
strength, and pains, and time, for nought.
2. To prevent this danger, with its bad consequence, the apostle tells
them what care he took in sending Timothy, (1.) To put them in mind of
what he had told them before concerning suffering tribulation (v. 4),
he says (v. 3), We are appointed thereunto, that is, unto afflictions.
So is the will and purpose of God that through many afflictions we must
enter into his kingdom. Their troubles and persecutions did not come by
chance, not merely from the wrath and malice of the enemies of
religion, but by the appointment of God. The event only came to pass
according as God had determined, and they knew he had told them before
it would be; so that they should not think it strange, and, being
fore-warned, they should be fore-armed. Note, The apostles were so far
from flattering people with an expectation of worldly prosperity in
religion that, on the contrary, they told them plainly they must count
upon trouble in the flesh. And herein they followed the example of
their great Master, the author or our faith. Besides, it might prove a
confirmation of their faith, when they perceived that it only happened
to them as was predicted before. (2.) To know their faith, that so he
might inform the apostles whether they remained stedfast under all
their sufferings, whether their faith failed or not, because, if their
faith did not fail, they would be able to stand their ground against
the tempter and all his temptations: their faith would be a shield, to
defend them against all the fiery darts of the wicked, Eph. vi. 16.
The Mission of Timothy. (a. d. 51.)
6 But now when Timotheus came from you unto us, and brought us good
tidings of your faith and charity, and that ye have good remembrance of
us always, desiring greatly to see us, as we also to see you: 7
Therefore, brethren, we were comforted over you in all our affliction
and distress by your faith: 8 For now we live, if ye stand fast in
the Lord. 9 For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for
all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God; 10 Night
and day praying exceedingly that we might see your face, and might
perfect that which is lacking in your faith?
Here we have Paul's great satisfaction upon the return of Timothy with
good tidings from the Thessalonians, in which we may observe,
I. The good report Timothy made concerning them, v. 6. Without
question, he was a willing messenger of these good tidings. Concerning
their faith, that is, concerning their stedfastness in the faith, that
they were not shaken in mind, nor turned aside form the profession of
the gospel. Their love also continued; their love to the gospel, and
the ministers of the gospel. For they had a good and a kind remembrance
of the apostles, and that constantly, or always. The names of the
apostles were very dear to them, and the thoughts of them, and what
they themselves had received from them, were very precious, insomuch
that they desired greatly to see them again, and receive some spiritual
gift from them; and there was no love lost, for the apostle was as
desirous to see them. It is happy where there is such mutual love
between minister and people. This tends to promote religion, and the
success of the gospel. The world hates them, and therefore they should
love one another.
II. The great comfort and satisfaction the apostle had in this good
report concerning them (v. 7, 8): Therefore, brethren, we were
comforted in all our affliction and distress. The apostle thought this
good news of them was sufficient to balance all the troubles he met
with. It was easy to him to bear affliction, or persecution, or
fightings from without, when he found the good success of his ministry
and the constancy of the converts he had made to Christianity; and his
distress of mind on account of his fears within, lest he had laboured
in vain, was now in a good measure over, when he understood their faith
and the perseverance of it. This put new life and spirit into the
apostle and made him vigorous and active in the work of the Lord. Thus
he was not only comforted, but greatly rejoiced also: Now we live, if
you stand fast in the Lord, v. 8. It would have been a killing thing to
the apostles if the professors of religion had been unsteady, or proved
apostates; whereas nothing was more encouraging than their constancy.
III. The effects of this were thankfulness and prayer to God on their
behalf. Observe, 1. How thankful the apostle was, v. 9. He was full of
joy, and full of praise and thanksgiving. When we are most cheerful we
should be most thankful. What we rejoice in we should give thanks for.
This is to rejoice before our God, to spiritualize our joy. Paul speaks
as if he could not tell how to express his thankfulness to God, or his
joy and rejoicing for their sakes. But he was careful God should not
lose the glory of the comfort he received in the welfare of his
friends. His heart was enlarged with love to them and with thanksgiving
to God. He was willing to express the one and the other as well as he
could. As to thankfulness to God, this especially is very imperfect in
the present state; but, when we come to heaven, we shall do this work
better than now we can. 2. He prayed for them night and day (v. 10),
evening and morning, or very frequently, in the midst of the business
of the day or slumber of the night lifting up his heart to God in
prayer. Thus we should pray always. And Paul's prayer was fervent
prayer. He prayed exceedingly, and was earnest in his supplication.
Note, When we are most thankful we should always give ourselves to
prayer; and those we give thanks for have yet need to be prayed for.
Those whom we most rejoice in, and who are our greatest comforts, must
be our constant care, while in this world of temptation and
imperfection. There was something still lacking in their faith; Paul
desired that this might be perfected, and to see their face in order
thereunto. Note, (1.) The best of men have something wanting in their
faith, if not as to the matter of it, there being some mysteries or
doctrines not sufficiently known or believed by them, yet as to the
clearness and certainty of their faith, there being some remaining
darkness and doubtings, or at least as to the effects and operations of
it, these being not so conspicuous and perfect as they should be. And,
(2.) The ministry of the word and ordinances is helpful, and to be
desired and used for the perfecting of that which is lacking in our
faith.
Apostolic Prayer. (a. d. 51.)
11 Now God himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct
our way unto you. 12 And the Lord make you to increase and abound in
love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you:
13 To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness
before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
with all his saints.
In these words we have the earnest prayer of the apostle. He desired to
be instrumental in the further benefit of the Thessalonians; and the
only way to be so while at a distance was by prayer for them, together
with his writing or sending to them. He desired that their faith might
be perfected, which he could not be the proper cause or author of; for
he pretended not to dominion over their faith, nor to have the donation
of it, and he therefore concludes with prayer for them. Observe,
I. Whom he prays to, namely, God and Christ. Prayer is a part of
religious worship, and all religious worship is due unto God only.
Prayer is here made to God, even the Father and our Father; and also to
Christ, even our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore Jesus Christ our Lord is
God, even as God our Father is God. Prayer is to be offered to God as
our Father. So Christ taught his disciples to pray; and so the Spirit
of adoption prompts them to pray, to cry, Abba Father. Prayer is not
only to be offered in the name of Christ, but offered up to Christ
himself, as our Lord and our Saviour.
II. What he prays for, with respect to himself and his
fellow-labourers, and on behalf of the Thessalonians.
1. He prays that himself and fellow-labourers might have a prosperous
journey to them by the will of God, that their way might be directed to
them, v. 11. The taking of a journey to this or that place, one would
think, is a thing depending so much on a man's own will, and lies so
much in his own power, that Paul needed not by prayer to go to God
about it. But the apostle knew that in God we live, and move, and have
our being, that we depend upon God in all our motions and actions, as
well as for the continuance of life and being, that divine Providence
orders all our affairs and that it is owing thereto if we prosper
therein, that God our Father directs and orders his children whither
they shall go and what they shall do, that our Lord Jesus Christ in a
particular manner directs the motions of his faithful ministers, those
stars which he holds in his right hand. Let us acknowledge God in all
our ways, and he will direct our paths.
2. He prays for the prosperity of the Thessalonians. Whether he should
have an opportunity of coming to them or not, yet he earnestly prayed
for the prosperity of their souls. And there are two things he desired
for them, which we should desire for ourselves and friends:--(1.) That
they might increase and abound in love (v. 12), in love to one another
and in love to all men. Note, Mutual love is required of all
Christians, and not only that they love one another, but that they also
have a charitable disposition of mind and due concern for the welfare
of all men. Love is of God, and is the fulfilling of the gospel as well
as of the law. Timothy brought good tidings of their faith, yet
something was lacking therein; and of their charity, yet the apostle
prays that this might increase and abound. Note, We have reason to
desire to grow in every grace, and have need of the Spirit's influence
in order to growth in grace; and the way to obtain this is by prayer.
We are beholden to God not only for the stock put into our hands at
first, but for the improvement of it also. And to our prayer we must
add endeavour. To excite this in the Thessalonians the apostle again
mentions his love, his abounding love, towards them. The more we are
beloved, the more affectionate we should be. (2.) That they might be
established unblamable in holiness, v. 13. This spiritual benefit is
mentioned as an effect of increasing and abounding love: To the end
that he (the Lord) may establish your hearts. Note, The more we grow
and abound in grace, and particularly in the grace of love, the more we
are established and confirmed in it. Note also, Holiness is required of
all those who would go to heaven, and therein we must be unblamable;
that is, we must act in every thing so that we may not in the least
contradict the profession we make of holiness. Our desire should be to
have our hearts established in holiness before God, and be preserved
safe, to the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ; and that we may be
unblamable before God, even the Father, now, and be presented blameless
before the throne of his glory, when the Lord Jesus shall come with all
his saints. Note, [1.] The Lord Jesus will certainly come, and come in
his glory. [2.] When he comes, his saints will come with him: They
shall appear with him in glory. [3.] Then the excellency as well as the
necessity of holiness will appear, because without this no hearts shall
be established at that day, nor shall any one be unblamable, or avoid
everlasting condemnation.
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F I R S T T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
CHAP. IV.
In this chapter the apostle gives earnest exhortations to abound in
holiness, with a caution against uncleanness, enforced with several
arguments, ver. 1-8. He then mentions the great duties of brotherly
love, and quietness with industry in our callings, ver. 9-12. And
concludes with comforting those who mourned for their relations and
friends that died in the Lord, ver. 13-18.
Exhortations to Holiness; Caution against Impurity. (a. d. 51.)
1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord
Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to
please God, so ye would abound more and more. 2 For ye know what
commandments we gave you by the Lord Jesus. 3 For this is the will of
God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication:
4 That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in
sanctification and honour; 5 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even
as the Gentiles which know not God: 6 That no man go beyond and
defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger
of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. 7 For God
hath not called us unto uncleanness, but unto holiness. 8 He
therefore that despiseth, despiseth not man, but God, who hath also
given unto us his holy Spirit.
Here we have,
I. An exhortation to abound in holiness, to abound more and more in
that which is good, v. 1, 2. We may observe,
1. The manner in which the exhortation is given--very affectionately.
The apostle entreats them as brethren; he calls them so, and loved them
as such. Because his love to them was very great, he exhorts them very
earnestly: We beseech and exhort you. The apostle was unwilling to take
any denial, and therefore repeats his exhortation again and again.
2. The matter of his exhortation--that they would abound more and more
in holy walking, or excel in those things that are good, in good works.
Their faith was justly famed abroad, and they were already examples to
other churches: yet the apostle would have them yet further to excel
others, and to make further progress in holiness. Note, (1.) Those who
most excel others fall short of perfection. The very best of us should
forget those things which are behind, and reach forth unto those things
which are before. (2.) It is not enough that we abide in the faith of
the gospel, but we must abound in the work of faith. We must not only
persevere to the end, but we should grow better, and walk more evenly
and closely with God.
3. The arguments with which the apostle enforces his exhortation. (1.)
They had been informed of their duty. They knew their Master's will,
and could not plead ignorance as an excuse. Now as faith, so knowledge,
is dead without practice. They had received of those who had converted
them to Christianity, or been taught of them, how they ought to walk.
Observe, The design of the gospel is to teach men not only what they
should believe, but also how they ought to live; not so much to fill
men's minds with notions as to regulate their temper and behaviour. The
apostle taught them how to walk, not how to talk. To talk well without
living well will never bring us to heaven: for the character of those
who are in Christ Jesus is this: They walk not after the flesh, but
after the Spirit. (2.) Another argument is that the apostle taught and
exhorted them in the name, or by the authority, of the Lord Jesus
Christ. He was Christ's minister and ambassador, declaring to them what
was the will and command of the Lord Jesus. (3.) Another argument is
this. Herein they would please God. Holy walking is most pleasing to
the holy God, who is glorious in holiness. This ought to be the aim and
ambition of every Christian, to please God and to be accepted of him.
We should not be men-pleasers, nor flesh-pleasers, but should walk so
as to please God. (4.) The rule according to which they ought to walk
and act--the commandments they had given them by the Lord Jesus Christ,
which were the commandments of the Lord Jesus Christ himself, because
given by authority and direction from him and such as were agreeable to
his will. The apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ were only commissioned
by him to teach men to observe all things whatsoever he had commanded
them, Matt. xxviii. 20. Though they had great authority from Christ,
yet that was to teach men what Christ had commanded, not to give forth
commandments of their own. They did not act as lords over God's
heritage (1 Pet. v. 3), nor should any do so that pretend to be their
successors. The apostle could appeal to the Thessalonians, who knew
what commandments he gave them, that they were no other than what he
had received from the Lord Jesus.
II. A caution against uncleanness, this being a sin directly contrary
to sanctification, or that holy walking to which he so earnestly
exhorts them. This caution is expressed, and also enforced by many
arguments,
1. It is expressed in these words: That you should abstain from
fornication (v. 3), by which we are to understand all uncleanness
whatsoever, either in a married or unmarried state. Adultery is of
course included, though fornication is particularly mentioned. And
other sorts of uncleanness are also forbidden, of which it is a shame
even to speak, though they are done by too many in secret. All that is
contrary to chastity in heart, speech, and behaviour, is contrary to
the command of God in the decalogue, and contrary to that holiness
which the gospel requires.
2. There are several arguments to enforce this caution. As, (1.) This
branch of sanctification in particular is the will of God, v. 3. It is
the will of God in general that we should be holy, because he that
called us is holy, and because we are chosen unto salvation through the
sanctification of the Spirit; and not only does God require holiness in
the heart, but also purity in our bodies, and that we should cleanse
ourselves from all filthiness both of flesh and spirit, 2 Cor. vii. 1.
Whenever the body is, as it ought to be, devoted to God, and dedicated
and set apart for him, it should be kept clean and pure for his
service; and, as chastity is one branch of our sanctification, so this
is one thing which God commands in his law, and what his grace effects
in all true believers. (2.) This will be greatly for our honour: so
much is plainly implied, v. 4. Whereas the contrary will be a great
dishonour. And his reproach shall not be wiped away, Prov. vi. 33. The
body is here called the vessel of the soul, which dwells therein (so 1
Sam. xxi. 5), and it must be kept pure from defiling lusts. Every one
should be careful in this matter, as he values his own honour and will
not be contemptible on this account, that his inferior appetites and
passions gain not the ascendant, tyrannizing over his reason and
conscience, and enslaving the superior faculties of his soul. What can
be more dishonourable than for a rational soul to be enslaved by bodily
affections and brutal appetites? (3.) To indulge the lust of
concupiscence is to live and act like heathens? Even as the Gentiles
who know not God, v. 5. The Gentiles, and especially the Grecians, were
commonly guilty of some sins of uncleanness which were not so evidently
forbidden by the light of nature. But they did not know God, nor his
mind and will, so well as Christians know, and should know, this his
will, namely our sanctification in this branch of it. It is not so much
to be wondered at, therefore, if the Gentiles indulge their fleshly
appetites and lusts; but Christians should not walk as unconverted
Gentiles, in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings,
banquetings, &c. (1 Pet. iv. 3), because those who are in Christ have
crucified the flesh with its affections and lusts. (4.) The sin of
uncleanness, especially adultery, is a great piece of injustice that
God will be the avenger of; so we may understand those words, That no
man go beyond or defraud his brother (v. 6), in any matter--en to
pragmati, in this matter of which the apostle is speaking in the
preceding and following verses, namely, the sin of uncleanness. Some
understand these words as a further warning and caution against
injustice and oppression, all fraud and deceit in our dealings with
men, which are certainly criminal, and contrary to the gospel. And
Christians should not impose upon the ignorance and necessity of those
they deal with, and so go beyond them, nor should they by equivocations
or lying arts defraud them; and although this may be practised by some
and lie long undiscovered, and so go unpunished among men, yet the
righteous God will render a recompence. But the meaning may rather be
to show the injustice and wrong that in many cases are done by the sin
of uncleanness. Not only are fornication and other acts of uncleanness
sins against his own body who commits them (1 Cor. vi. 18), not only
are they very injurious to the sinner himself both in soul and body,
but sometimes they are very injurious, and no less than defrauding,
acts of injustice to others, particularly to those who are joined
together in the marriage covenant and to their posterity. And, as this
sin is of such a heinous nature, so it follows that God will be the
avenger of it. Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge, Heb. xiii.
4. This the apostle had forewarned and testified by his gospel, which,
as it contained exceedingly great and precious promises, so also it
revealed from heaven the wrath of God against all ungodliness and
unrighteousness among men, Rom. i. 18. (5.) The sin of uncleanness is
contrary to the nature and design of our Christian calling: For God
hath called us not unto uncleanness, but unto holiness, v. 7. The law
of God forbids all impurity, and the gospel requires the greatest
purity; it calls us from uncleanness unto holiness. (6.) The contempt
therefore of God's law and gospel is the contempt of God himself: He
that despises despises God, not man only. Some might possibly make
light of the precepts of purity and holiness, because they heard them
from men like themselves; but the apostle lets them know that they were
God's commands, and to violate them was no less than to despise God. He
adds, God hath given Christians his Spirit, intimating that all sorts
of uncleanness do in an especial manner grieve the Holy Spirit, and
will provoke him to withdraw from us; and also the Holy Spirit is given
unto us to arm us against these sins, and to help us to mortify these
deeds of the body, that we may live, Rom. viii. 13.
Brotherly Love. (a. d. 51.)
9 But as touching brotherly love ye need not that I write unto you: for
ye yourselves are taught of God to love one another. 10 And indeed ye
do it toward all the brethren which are in all Macedonia: but we
beseech you, brethren, that ye increase more and more; 11 And that ye
study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your
own hands, as we commanded you; 12 That ye may walk honestly toward
them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
In these words the apostle mentions the great duties,
I. Of brotherly love. This he exhorts them to increase in yet more and
more. The exhortation is introduced, not with a compliment, but with a
commendation, because they were remarkable in the exercise of it, which
made it less needful that he should write to them about it, v. 9. Thus
by his good opinion of them he insinuated himself into their
affections, and so made way for his exhortation to them. Note, We
should take notice of that in others which is good, to their praise,
that by so doing we may lay engagements upon them to abound therein
more and more. Observe,
1. What it is that the apostle commends in them. It was not so much
their own virtue as God's grace; yet he takes notice of the evidence
they gave of the grace of God in them. (1.) It was God's grace that he
took special notice of: that God had taught them this good lesson: You
yourselves are taught of God to love one another, v. 9. Whoever does
that which is good is taught of God to do it, and God must have the
glory. All who are savingly taught of God are taught this lesson, to
love one another. This is the livery of Christ's family. Note also, The
teaching of the Spirit exceeds the teaching of men; and, as no man
should teach contrary to what God teaches, so none can teach so
effectually as he teaches; and men's teaching is fain and useless
unless God teach also. (2.) The Thessalonians gave good evidence of
their being taught of God by their love to the brethren in all
Macedonia, v. 10. They not only loved those of their own city and
society, or such as were near them and just of their own sentiments,
but their love was extensive. And a true Christian's is so to all the
saints, though distant from him in place, and differing from him in
some opinions or practices of less moment.
2. The exhortation itself is to increase more and more in this great
grace and duty of brotherly love, v. 10. Though these Thessalonians had
in some sense no need of an exhortation to brotherly love, as if it
were wholly wanting, yet they must be exhorted to pray for more, and
labour for more. There are none on this side heaven who love in
perfection. Those who are eminent in this or any other grace have need
of increase therein as well as of perseverance unto the end.
II. Of quietness and industry in their callings. Observe, 1. The
apostle exhorts to these duties: that they should study to be quiet, v.
11. It is the most desirable thing to have a calm and quiet temper, and
to be of a peaceable and quiet behaviour. This tends much to our own
and others' happiness; and Christians should study how to be quiet. We
should be ambitious and industrious how to be calm and quiet in our
minds, in patience to possess our own souls, and to be quiet towards
others; or of a meek and mild, a gentle and peaceable disposition, not
given to strife, contention, or division. Satan is very busy to
disquiet us; and we have that in our own hearts that disposes us to be
disquiet; therefore let us study to be quiet. It follows, Do your own
business. When we go beyond this, we expose ourselves to a great deal
of inquietude. Those who are busy-bodies, meddling in other men's
matters, generally have but little quiet in their own minds and cause
great disturbances among their neighbours; at least they seldom mind
the other exhortation, to be diligent in their own calling, to work
with their own hands; and yet this was what the apostle commanded them,
and what is required of us also. Christianity does not discharge us
from the work and duty of our particular callings, but teaches us to be
diligent therein. 2. The exhortation is enforced with a double
argument; namely, (1.) So we shall live creditably. Thus we shall walk
honestly, or decently and creditably, towards those that are without,
v. 12. This will be to act as becomes the gospel, and will gain a good
report from those that are strangers, yea, enemies to it. Note, It is a
great ornament to religion when the professors of it are of meek and
quiet spirits, diligent to do their own business, and not busy-bodies
in other men's matters. (2.) We shall live comfortably, and have lack
of nothing, v. 12. People often by their slothfulness bring themselves
into narrow circumstances, and reduce themselves to great straits, and
are liable to many wants, when such as are diligent in their own
business live comfortably and have lack of nothing. They are not
burdensome to their friends, nor scandalous to strangers. They earn
their own bread, and have the greatest pleasure in so doing.
State of Departed Saints. (a. d. 51.)
13 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them
which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no
hope. 14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so
them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. 15 For this
we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and
remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are
asleep. 16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a
shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and
the dead in Christ shall rise first: 17 Then we which are alive and
remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the
Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord. 18 Wherefore
comfort one another with these words.
In these words the apostle comforts the Thessalonians who mourned for
the death of their relations and friends that died in the Lord. His
design is to dissuade them from excessive grief, or inordinate sorrow,
on that account. All grief for the death of friends is far from being
unlawful; we may weep at least for ourselves if we do not weep for
them, weep for own loss, though it may be their fain. Yet we must not
be immoderate in our sorrows, because,
I. This looks as if we had no hope, v. 13. It is to act too much like
the Gentiles, who had no hope of a better life after this; whereas we
Christians, who have a most sure hope, the hope of eternal life after
this, which God who cannot lie hath promised us, should moderate all
our joys and our sorrows on account of any worldly thing. This hope is
more than enough to balance all our griefs upon account of any of the
crosses of the present time.
II. This is an effect of ignorance concerning those who are dead, v.
13. There are some things which we cannot be ignorant of concerning
those that are asleep; for the land they are removed to is a land of
darkness, which we know but little of and have no correspondence with.
To go among the dead is to go among we know not whom, and to live we
know not how. Death is an unknown thing, and the state of the dead, or
the state after death, we are much in the dark about; yet there are
some things concerning those especially who die in the Lord that we
need not, and ought not, to be ignorant of; and, if these things be
really understood and duly considered, they will be sufficient to allay
our sorrow concerning them.
1. They sleep in Jesus. They are asleep, v. 13. They have fallen asleep
in Christ, 1 Cor. xv. 18. Death does not annihilate them. It is but a
sleep to them. It is their rest, and undisturbed rest. They have
retired out of this troublesome world, to rest from all their labours
and sorrows, and they sleep in Jesus, v. 14. Being still in union with
him, they sleep in his arms and are under his special care and
protection. Their souls are in his presence, and their dust is under
his care and power; so that they are not lost, nor are they losers, but
great gainers by death, and their removal out of this world is into a
better.
2. They shall be raised up from the dead, and awakened out of their
sleep, for God will bring them with him, v. 14. They then are with God,
and are better where they are than when they were here; and when God
comes he will bring them with him. The doctrine of the resurrection and
the second coming of Christ is a great antidote against the fear of
death and inordinate sorrow for the death of our Christian friends; and
this doctrine we have a full assurance of, because we believe that
Jesus died and rose again, v. 14. It is taken for granted that as
Christians they knew and believed this. The death and resurrection of
Christ are fundamental articles of the Christian religion, and give us
hope of a joyful resurrection; for Christ, having risen from the dead,
has become the first fruits of those that slept; and therefore those
who have fallen asleep in him have not perished nor are lost, 1 Cor.
xv. 18, 20. His resurrection is a full confirmation of all that is said
in the gospel, or by the word of the Lord, which has brought life and
immortality to light.
3. Their state and condition shall be glorious and happy at the second
coming of Christ. This the apostle informs the Thessalonians of by the
word of the Lord (v. 15), by divine revelation from the Lord Jesus; for
though the resurrection of the dead, and a future state of blessedness,
were part of the creed of the Old-Testament saints, yet they are much
more clearly revealed in and by the gospel. By this word of the Lord we
know, (1.) That the Lord Jesus will come down from heaven in all the
pomp and power of the upper world (v. 16): The Lord himself shall
descend from heaven with a shout. He ascended into heaven after his
resurrection, and passed through these material heavens into the third
heaven, which must retain him till the restitution of all things; and
then he will come again, and appear in his glory. He will descend from
heaven into this our air, v. 17. The appearance will be with pomp and
power, with a shout--the shout of a king, and the power and authority
of a mighty king and conqueror, with the voice of the archangel; an
innumerable company of angels will attend him. Perhaps one, as general
of those hosts of the Lord, will give notice of his approach, and the
glorious appearance of this great Redeemer and Judge will be proclaimed
and ushered in by the trump of God. For the trumpet shall sound, and
this will awaken those that sleep in the dust of the earth, and will
summon all the world to appear. For, (2.) The dead shall be raised: The
dead in Christ shall rise first (v. 16), before those who are found
alive at Christ's coming shall be changed; and so it appears that those
who shall then be found alive shall not prevent those that are asleep,
v. 15. The first care of the Redeemer in that day will be about his
dead saints; he will raise them before the great change passes on those
that shall be found alive: so that those who did not sleep in death
will have no greater privilege or joy at that day than those who fell
asleep in Jesus. (3.) Those that shall be found alive will then be
changed. They shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to
meet the Lord in the air, v. 17. At, or immediately before, this
rapture into the clouds, those who are alive will undergo a mighty
change, which will be equivalent to dying. This change is so mysterious
that we cannot comprehend it: we know little or nothing of it, 1 Cor.
xv. 51. Only, in the general, this mortal must put on immortality, and
these bodies will be made fit to inherit the kingdom of God, which
flesh and blood in its present state are not capable of. This change
will be in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye (1 Cor. xv. 52), in the
very instant, or not long after the raising up of those that sleep in
Jesus. And those who are raised, and thus changed, shall meet together
in the clouds, and there meet with their Lord, to congratulate him on
his coming, to receive the crown of glory he will then bestow upon
them, and to be assessors with him in judgment, approving and
applauding the sentence he will then pass upon the prince of the power
of the air, and all the wicked, who shall be doomed to destruction with
the devil and his angels. (4.) Here is the bliss of the saints at that
day: they shall be ever with the Lord, v. 17. It will be some part of
their felicity that all the saints shall meet together, and remain
together for ever; but the principal happiness of heaven is this, to be
with the Lord, to see him, live with him, and enjoy him, for ever. This
should comfort the saints upon the death of their friends, that,
although death has made a separation, yet their souls and bodies will
meet again; we and they shall meet together again: we and they shall
meet together again: we and they with all the saints shall meet our
Lord, and be with him for ever, no more to be separated wither from him
or from one another for ever. And the apostle would have us comfort one
another with these words, v. 18. We should endeavour to support one
another in times of sorrow, not deaden one another's spirits, nor
weaken one another's hands, but should comfort one another; and this
may be done by serious consideration and discourse on the many good
lessons to be learned from the doctrine of the resurrection of the
dead, the second coming of Christ, and the glory of the saints in that
day.
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F I R S T T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
CHAP. V.
The apostle, having spoken in the end of the foregoing chapter
concerning the resurrection, and the second coming of Christ, proceeds
to speak concerning the uselessness of enquiring after the particular
time of Christ's coming, which would be sudden and terrible to the
wicked, but comfortable to the saints, ver. 1-5. He then exhorts them
to the duties of watchfulness, sobriety, and the exercise of faith,
love, and hope, as being suitable to their state, ver. 6-10. In the
next words he exhorts them to several duties they owed to others, or to
one another (ver. 11-15), afterwards to several other Christian duties
of great importance (ver. 16-22), and then concludes this epistle, ver.
23-28.
The Coming of Christ. (a. d. 51.)
1 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I
write unto you. 2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the
Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. 3 For when they shall say,
Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail
upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape. 4 But ye,
brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a
thief. 5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the
day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.
In these words observe,
I. The apostle tells the Thessalonians it was needless or useless to
enquire about the particular time of Christ's coming: Of the times and
seasons you need not that I write unto you, v. 1. The thing is certain
that Christ will come, and there is a certain time appointed for his
coming; but there was no need that the apostle should write about this,
and therefore he had no revelation given him; nor should they or we
enquire into this secret, which the Father has reserved in his own
power. Of that day and hour knoweth no man. Christ himself did not
reveal this while upon earth; it was not in his commission as the great
prophet of the church: nor did he reveal this to his apostles; there
was no need of this. There are times and seasons for us to do our work
in: these it is our duty and interest to know and observe; but the time
and season when we must give up our account we know not, nor is it
needful that we should know them. Note, There are many things which our
vain curiosity desires to know which there is no necessity at all of
our knowing, nor would our knowledge of them do us good.
II. He tells them that the coming of Christ would be sudden, and a
great surprise to most men, v. 2. And this is what they knew perfectly,
or might know, because our Lord himself had so said: In such an hour as
you think not, the Son of man cometh, Matt. xxiv. 44. So Mark xiii. 35,
36, Watch you therefore, for you know not when the master of the house
cometh; lest, coming suddenly, he find you sleeping. And no doubt the
apostle had told them, as of the coming of Christ, so also of his
coming suddenly, which is the meaning of his coming as a thief in the
night, Rev. xvi. 15. As the thief usually cometh in the dead time of
the night, when he is least expected, such a surprise will the day of
the Lord be; so sudden and surprising will be his appearance. The
knowledge of this will be more useful than to know the exact time,
because this should awaken us to stand upon our watch, that we may be
ready whenever he cometh.
III. He tells them how terrible Christ's coming would be to the
ungodly, v. 3. It will be to their destruction in that day of the Lord.
The righteous God will bring ruin upon his and his people's enemies;
and this their destruction, as it will be total and final, so, 1. It
will be sudden. It will overtake them, and fall upon them, in the midst
of their carnal security and jollity, when they say in their hearts,
Peace and safety, when they dream of felicity and please themselves
with vain amusements of their fancies or their senses, and think not of
it,--as travail cometh upon a woman with child, at the set time indeed,
but not perhaps just then expected, nor greatly feared. 2. It will be
unavoidable destruction too: They shall not escape; they shall in no
wise escape. There will be no means possible for them to avoid the
terror nor the punishment of that day. There will be no place where the
workers of iniquity shall be able to hide themselves, no shelter from
the storm, nor shadow from the burning heat that shall consume the
wicked.
IV. He tells them how comfortable this day will be to the righteous, v.
4, 5. Here observe, 1. Their character and privilege. They are not in
darkness; they are the children of the light, &c. This was the happy
condition of the Thessalonians as it is of all true Christians. They
were not in a state of sin and ignorance as the heathen world. They
were some time darkness, but were made light in the Lord. They were
favoured with the divine revelation of things that are unseen and
eternal, particularly concerning the coming of Christ, and the
consequences thereof. They were the children of the day, for the
day-star had risen upon them; yea, the Sun of righteousness had arisen
on them with healing under his wings. They were no longer under the
darkness of heathenism, nor under the shadows of the law, but under the
gospel, which brings life and immortality to light. 2 Tim. i. 10. 2.
Their great advantage on this account: that that day should not
overtake them as a thief, v. 4. It was at least their own fault if they
were surprised by that day. They had fair warning, and sufficient helps
to provide against that day, and might hope to stand with comfort and
confidence before the Son of man. This would be a time of refreshing to
them from the presence of the Lord, who to those that look for him will
appear without sin unto their salvation, and will come to them as a
friend in the day, not as a thief in the night.
Watchfulness and Sobriety. (a. d. 51.)
6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be
sober. 7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be
drunken are drunken in the night. 8 But let us, who are of the day,
be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for a
helmet, the hope of salvation. 9 For God hath not appointed us to
wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died
for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with
him.
On what had been said, the apostle grounds seasonable exhortations to
several needful duties.
I. To watchfulness and sobriety, v. 6. These duties are distinct, yet
they mutually befriend one another. For, while we are compassed about
with so many temptations to intemperance and excess, we shall not keep
sober, unless we be upon our guard, and, unless we keep sober, we shall
not long watch. 1. Then let us not sleep as do others, but let us
watch; we must not be secure and careless, nor indulge spiritual sloth
and idleness. We must not be off our watch, but continually upon our
guard against sin, and temptation to it. The generality of men are too
careless of their duty and regardless of their spiritual enemies. They
say, Peace and safety, when they are in the greatest danger, doze away
their precious moments on which eternity depends, indulging idle
dreams, and have no more thoughts nor cares about another world than
men that are asleep have about this. Either they do not consider the
things of another world at all, because they are asleep; or they do not
consider them aright, because they dream. But let us watch, and act
like men that are awake, and that stand upon their guard. 2. Let us
also be sober, or temperate and moderate. Let us keep our natural
desires and appetites after the things of this world within due bounds.
Sobriety is usually opposed to excess in meats and drinks, and here
particularly it is opposed to drunkenness; but it also extends to all
other temporal things. Thus our Saviour warned his disciples to take
heed lest their hearts should be overcharged with surfeiting and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come on them
unawares, Luke xxi. 34. Our moderation then, as to all temporal things,
should be known to all men, because the Lord is at hand. Besides this,
watchfulness and sobriety are most suitable to the Christian's
character and privilege, as being children of the day; because those
that sleep sleep in the night, and those that are drunken are drunken
in the night, v. 7. It is a most reproachful thing for men to sleep
away the day-time, which is for work and not for sleep, to be drunken
in the day, when so many eyes are upon them, to behold their shame. It
was not so strange if those who had not the benefit of divine
revelation suffered themselves to be lulled asleep by the devil in
carnal security, and if they laid the reins upon the neck of their
appetites, and indulged themselves in all manner of riot and excess;
for it was night-time with them. They were not sensible of their
danger, therefore they slept; they were not sensible of their duty,
therefore they were drunk: but it ill becomes Christians to do thus.
What! shall Christians, who have the light of the blessed gospel
shining in their faces, be careless about their souls, and unmindful of
another world? Those who have so many eyes upon them should conduct
themselves with peculiar propriety.
II. To be well armed as well as watchful: to put on the whole armour of
God. This is necessary in order to such sobriety as becomes us and will
be a preparation for the day of the Lord, because our spiritual enemies
are many, and mighty, and malicious. They draw many to their interest,
and keep them in it, by making them careless, secure, and presumptuous,
by making them drunk--drunk with pride, drunk with passion, drunk and
giddy with self-conceit, drunk with the gratifications of sense: so
that we have need to arm ourselves against their attempts, by putting
on the spiritual breast-plate to keep the heart, and the spiritual
helmet to secure the head; and this spiritual armour consists of three
great graces of Christians, faith, love, and hope, v. 8. 1. We must
live by faith, and this will keep us watchful and sober. If we believe
that the eye of God (who is a spirit) is always upon us, that we have
spiritual enemies to grapple with, that there is a world of spirits to
prepare for, we shall see reason to watch and be sober. Faith will be
our best defence against the assaults of our enemies. 2. We must get a
heart inflamed with love; and this also will be our defence. True and
fervent love to God, and the things of God, will keep us watchful and
sober, and hinder our apostasy in times of trouble and temptation. 3.
We must make salvation our hope, and should have a lively hope of it.
This good hope, through grace, of eternal life, will be as a helmet to
defend the head, and hinder our being intoxicated with the pleasures of
sin, which are but for a season. If we have hope of salvation, let us
take heed of doing any thing that shall shake our hopes, or render us
unworthy of or unfit for the great salvation we hope for. Having
mentioned salvation and the hope of it, the apostle shows what grounds
and reasons Christians have to hope for this salvation, as to which
observe, He says nothing of their meriting it. No, the doctrine of our
merits is altogether unscriptural and antiscriptural; there is no
foundation of any good hope upon that account. But our hopes are to be
grounded, (1.) Upon God's appointment: because God hath not appointed
us to wrath, but to obtain salvation, v. 9. If we would trace our
salvation to the first cause, that is God's appointment. Those who live
and die in darkness and ignorance, who sleep and are drunken as in the
night, are, it is but too plain, appointed to wrath; but as for those
who are of the day, if they watch and be sober, it is evident that they
are appointed to obtain salvation. And the sureness and firmness of the
divine appointment are the great support and encouragement of our hope.
Were we to obtain salvation by our own merit or power, we could have
but little or no hope of it; but seeing we are to obtain it by virtue
of God's appointment, which we are sure cannot be shaken (for his
purpose, according to election, shall stand), on this we build unshaken
hope, especially when we consider, (2.) Christ's merit and grace, and
that salvation is by our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us. Our
salvation therefore is owing to, and our hopes of it are grounded on,
Christ's atonement as well as God's appointment: and, as we should
think on God's gracious design and purpose, so also on Christ's death
and sufferings, for this end, that whether we wake or sleep (whether we
live or die, for death is but a sleep to believers, as the apostles had
before intimated) we should live together with Christ live in union and
in glory with him for ever. And, as it is the salvation that Christians
hope for to be for ever with the Lord, so one foundation of their hope
is their union with him. And if they are united with Christ, and live
in him, and live to him, here, the sleep of death will be no prejudice
to the spiritual life, much less to the life of glory hereafter. On the
contrary, Christ died for us, that, living and dying, we might be his;
that we might live to him while we are here, and live with him when we
go hence.
Various Exhortations; Duty towards Fellow-Christians. (a. d. 51.)
11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even
as also ye do. 12 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which
labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; 13
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at
peace among yourselves. 14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them
that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient
toward all men. 15 See that none render evil for evil unto any man;
but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all
men.
In these words the apostle exhorts the Thessalonians to several duties.
I. Towards those who were nearly related one to another. Such should
comfort themselves, or exhort one another, and edify one another, v.
11. 1. They must comfort or exhort themselves and one another; for the
original word may be rendered both these ways. And we may observe, As
those are most able and likely to comfort others who can comfort
themselves, so the way to have comfort ourselves, or to administer
comfort to others, is by compliance with the exhortation of the word.
Note, We should not only be careful about our own comfort and welfare,
but to promote the comfort and welfare of others also. He was a Cain
that said, Am I my brother's keeper? We must bear one another's
burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 2. They must edify one
another, by following after those things whereby one may edify another,
Rom. xiv. 19. As Christians are lively stones built up together a
spiritual house, they should endeavour to promote the good of the whole
church by promoting the work of grace in one another. And it is the
duty of every one of us to study that which is for the edification of
those with whom we converse, to please all men for their real profit.
We should communicate our knowledge and experiences one to another. We
should join in prayer and praise one with another. We should set a good
example one before another. And it is the duty of those especially who
live in the same vicinity and family thus to comfort and edify one
another; and this is the best neighbourhood, the best means to answer
the end of society. Such as are nearly related together and have
affection for one another, as they have the greatest opportunity, so
they are under the greatest obligation, to do this kindness one to
another. This the Thessalonians did (which also you do), and this is
what they are exhorted to continue and increase in doing. Note, Those
who do that which is good have need of further exhortations to excite
them to do good, to do more good, as well as continue in doing what
they do.
II. He shows them their duty towards their ministers, v. 12, 13. Though
the apostle himself was driven from them, yet they had others who
laboured among them, and to whom they owed these duties. The apostle
here exhorts them to observe,
1. How the ministers of the gospel are described by the work of their
office; and they should rather mind the work and duty they are called
to than affect venerable and honourable names that they may be called
by. Their work is very weighty, and very honourable and useful. (1.)
Ministers must labour among their people, labour with diligence, and
unto weariness (so the word in the original imports); they must labour
in the word and doctrine, 1 Tim. v. 17. They are called labourers, and
should not be loiterers. They must labour with their people, to
instruct, comfort, and edify them. And, (2.) Ministers are to rule
their people also, so the word is rendered, 1 Tim. v. 17. They must
rule, not with rigour, but with love. They must not exercise dominion
as temporal lords; but rule as spiritual guides, by setting a good
example to the flock. They are over the people in the Lord, to
distinguish them from civil magistrates, and to denote also that they
are but ministers under Christ, appointed by him, and must rule the
people by Christ's laws, and not by laws of their own. This may also
intimate the end of their office and all their labour; namely, the
service and honour of the Lord. (3.) They must also admonish the
people, and that not only publicly, but privately, as there may be
occasion. They must instruct them to do well, and should reprove when
they do ill. It is their duty not only to give good counsel, but also
to give admonition, to give warning to the flock of the dangers they
are liable to, and reprove for negligence or what else may be amiss.
2. What the duty of the people is towards their ministers. There is a
mutual duty between ministers and people. If ministers should labour
among the people, then, (1.) The people must know them. As the shepherd
should know his flock, so the sheep must know their shepherd. They must
know his person, hear his voice, acknowledge him for their pastor, and
pay due regard to his teaching, ruling, and admonitions. (2.) They must
esteem their ministers highly in love; they should greatly value the
office of the ministry, honour and love the persons of their ministers,
and show their esteem and affection in all proper ways, and this for
their work's sake, because their business is to promote the honour of
Christ and the welfare of men's souls. Note, Faithful ministers ought
to be so far from being lightly esteemed because of their work that
they should be highly esteemed on account of it. The work of the
ministry is so far from being a disgrace to those who upon other
accounts deserve esteem, that it puts an honour upon those who are
faithful and diligent, to which otherwise they could lay no claim, and
will procure them that esteem and love among good people which
otherwise they could not expect.
III. He gives divers other exhortations touching the duty Christians
owe to one another. 1. To be at peace among themselves, v. 13. Some
understand this exhortation (according to the reading in some copies)
as referring to the people's duty to their ministers, to live peaceably
with them, and not raise nor promote dissensions at any time between
minister and people, which will certainly prove a hindrance to the
success of a minister's work and the edification of the people. This is
certain, that ministers and people should avoid every thing that tends
to alienate their affections one from another. And the people should be
at peace among themselves, doing all they can to hinder any differences
from rising or continuing among them, and using all proper means to
preserve peace and harmony. 2. To warn the unruly, v. 14. There will be
in all societies some who walk disorderly, who go out of their rank and
station; and it is not only the duty of ministers, but of private
Christians also, to warn and admonish them. Such should be reproved for
their sin, warned of their danger, and told plainly of the injury they
do their own souls, and the hurt they may do to others. Such should be
put in mind of what they should do, and be reproved for doing
otherwise. 3. To comfort the feebleminded, v. 14. By these are intended
the timorous and faint-hearted, or such as are dejected and of a
sorrowful spirit. Some are cowardly, afraid of difficulties, and
disheartened at the thoughts of hazards, and losses, and afflictions;
now such should be encouraged; we should not despise them, but comfort
them; and who knows what good a kind and comfortable word may do them?
4. To support the weak, v. 14. Some are not well able to perform their
work, nor bear up under their burdens; we should therefore support
them, help their infirmities, and lift at one end of the burden, and so
help to bear it. It is the grace of God, indeed, that must strengthen
and support such; but we should tell them of that grace, and endeavour
to minister of that grace to them. 5. To be patient towards all men, v.
14. We must bear and forbear. We must be long-suffering, and suppress
our anger, if it begin to rise upon the apprehension of affronts or
injuries; at least we must not fail to moderate our anger: and this
duty must be exercised towards all men, good and bad, high and low. We
must not be high in our expectations and demands, nor harsh in our
resentments, nor hard in our impositions, but endeavour to make the
best we can of every thing, and think the best we can of every body. 6.
Not to render evil for evil to any man, v. 15. This we must look to,
and be very careful about, that is, we must by all means forbear to
avenge ourselves. If others do us an injury, this will not justify us
in returning it, in doing the same, or the like, or any other injury to
them. It becomes us to forgive, as those that are, and that hope to be,
forgiven of God. 7. Ever to follow that which is good, v. 15. In
general, we must study to do what is our duty, and pleasing to God, in
all circumstances, whether men do us good turns or ill turns; whatever
men do to us, we must do good to others. We must always endeavour to be
beneficent and instrumental to promote the welfare of others, both
among ourselves (in the first place to those that are of the household
o faith), and then, as we have opportunity, unto all men, Gal. vi. 10.
Various Short Exhortations. (a. d. 51.)
16 Rejoice evermore. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 In every thing
give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning
you. 19 Quench not the Spirit. 20 Despise not prophesyings. 21
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22 Abstain from all
appearance of evil.
Here we have divers short exhortations, that will not burden our
memories, but will be of great use to direct the motions of our hearts
and lives; for the duties are of great importance, and we may observe
how they are connected together, and have a dependence upon one
another. 1. Rejoice evermore, v. 16. This must be understood of
spiritual joy; for we must rejoice in our creature-comforts as if we
rejoiced not, and must not expect to live many years, and rejoice in
them all; but, if we do rejoice in God, we may do that evermore. In him
our joy will be full; and it is our fault if we have not a continual
feast. If we are sorrowful upon any worldly account, yet still we may
always rejoice, 2 Cor. vi. 10. Note, A religious life is a pleasant
life, it is a life of constant joy. 2. Pray without ceasing, v. 17.
Note, The way to rejoice evermore is to pray without ceasing. We should
rejoice more if we prayed more. We should keep up stated times for
prayer, and continue instant in prayer. We should pray always, and not
faint: pray without weariness, and continue in prayer, till we come to
that world where prayer shall be swallowed up in praise. The meaning is
not that men should do nothing but pray, but that nothing else we do
should hinder prayer in its proper season. Prayer will help forward and
not hinder all other lawful business, and every good work. 3. In every
thing give thanks, v. 18. If we pray without ceasing, we shall not want
matter for thanksgiving in every thing. As we must in every thing make
our requests known to God by supplications, so we must not omit
thanksgiving, Phil. iv. 6. We should be thankful in every condition,
even in adversity as well as prosperity. It is never so bad with us but
it might be worse. If we have ever so much occasion to make our humble
complaints to God, we never can have any reason to complain of God, and
have always much reason to praise and give thanks: the apostle says,
This is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning us, that we give
thanks, seeing God is reconciled to us in Christ Jesus; in him, through
him, and for his sake, he allows us to rejoice evermore, and appoints
us in every thing to give thanks. It is pleasing to God. 4. Quench not
the Spirit (v. 19), for it is this Spirit of grace and supplication
that helpeth our infirmities, that assisteth us in our prayers and
thanksgivings. Christians are said to be baptized with the Holy Ghost
and with fire. He worketh as fire, by enlightening, enlivening, and
purifying the souls of men. We must be careful not to quench this holy
fire. As fire is put out by withdrawing fuel, so we quench the Spirit
if we do not stir up our spirits, and all that is within us, to comply
with the motions of the good Spirit; and as fire is quenched by pouring
water, or putting a great quantity of dirt upon it, so we must be
careful not to quench the Holy Spirit by indulging carnal lusts and
affections, or minding only earthly things. 5. Despise not prophesyings
(v. 20); for, if we neglect the means of grace, we forfeit the Spirit
of grace. By prophesyings here we are to understand the preaching of
the word, the interpreting and applying of the scriptures; and this we
must not despise, but should prize and value, because it is the
ordinance of God, appointed of him for our furtherance and increase in
knowledge and grace, in holiness and comfort. We must not despise
preaching, though it be plain, and not with enticing words of men's
wisdom, and though we be told no more than what we knew before. It is
useful, and many times needful, to have our minds stirred up, our
affections and resolutions excited, to those things that we knew before
to be our interest and our duty. 6. Prove all things, but hold fast
that which is good, v. 21. This is a needful caution, to prove all
things; for, though we must put a value on preaching, we must not take
things upon trust from the preacher, but try them by the law and the
testimony. We must search the scriptures, whether what they say be true
or not. We must not believe every spirit, but must try the spirits. But
we must not be always trying, always unsettled; no, at length we must
be settled, and hold fast that which is good. When we are satisfied
that any thing is right, and true, and good, we must hold it fast, and
not let it go, whatever opposition or whatever persecution we meet with
for the sake thereof. Note, The doctrines of human infallibility,
implicit faith, and blind obedience, are not the doctrines of the
Bible. Every Christian has and ought to have, the judgment of
discretion, and should have his senses exercised in discerning between
good and evil, truth and falsehood, Heb. v. 13, 14. And proving all
things must be in order to holding fast that which is good. We must not
always be seekers, or fluctuating in our minds, like children tossed to
and fro with every wind of doctrine. 7. Abstain from all appearance of
evil, v. 22. This is a good means to prevent our being deceived with
false doctrines, or unsettled in our faith; for our Saviour has told us
(John vii. 17), If a man will do his will, he shall know of the
doctrine whether it be of God. Corrupt affections indulged in the
heart, and evil practices allowed of in the life, will greatly tend to
promote fatal errors in the mind; whereas purity of heart, and
integrity of life, will dispose men to receive the truth in the love of
it. We should therefore abstain from evil, and all appearances of evil,
from sin, and that which looks like sin, leads to it, and borders upon
it. He who is not shy of the appearances of sin, who shuns not the
occasions of sin, and who avoids not the temptations and approaches to
sin, will not long abstain from the actual commission of sin.
Paul's Prayer for the Thessalonians. (a. d. 51.)
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your
whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming
of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who
also will do it. 25 Brethren, pray for us. 26 Greet all the
brethren with a holy kiss. 27 I charge you by the Lord that this
epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. 28 The grace of our Lord
Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
In these words, which conclude this epistle, observe,
I. Paul's prayer for them, v. 23. He had told them, in the beginning of
this epistle, that he always made mention of them in his prayers; and,
now that he is writing to them, he lifts up his heart to God in prayer
for them. Take notice, 1. To whom the apostle prays, namely, The very
God of peace. He is the God of grace, and the God of peace and love. He
is the author of peace and lover of concord; and by their peaceableness
and unity, from God as the author, those things would best be obtained
which he prays for. 2. The things he prays for on behalf of the
Thessalonians are their sanctification, that God would sanctify them
wholly; and their preservation, that they might be preserved blameless.
He prays that they may be wholly sanctified, that the whole man may be
sanctified, and then that the whole man, spirit, soul, and body, may be
preserved: or, he prays that they may be wholly sanctified, that is,
more perfectly, for the best are sanctified but in part while in this
world; and therefore we should pray for and press towards complete
sanctification. Where the good work of grace is begun, it shall be
carried on, be protected and preserved; and all those who are
sanctified in Christ Jesus shall be preserved to the coming of our Lord
Jesus Christ. And because, if God did not carry on his good work in the
soul, it would miscarry, we should pray to God to perfect his work, and
preserve us blameless, free from sin and impurity, till at length we
are presented faultless before the throne of his glory with exceeding
joy.
II. His comfortable assurance that God would hear his prayer: Faithful
is he who calleth you, who will also do it, v. 24. The kindness and
love of God had appeared to them in calling them to the knowledge of
his truth, and the faithfulness of God was their security that they
should persevere to the end; and therefore, the apostle assures them,
God would do what he desired; he would effect what he had promised; he
would accomplish all the good pleasure of his goodness towards them.
Note, Our fidelity to God depends upon his faithfulness to us.
III. His request of their prayers: Brethren, pray for us, v. 25. We
should pray for one another; and brethren should thus express brotherly
love. This great apostle did not think it beneath him to call the
Thessalonians brethren, nor to request their prayers. Ministers stand
in need of their people's prayers; and the more people pray for their
ministers the more good ministers may have from God, and the more
benefit people may receive by their ministry.
IV. His salutation: Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss, v. 26.
Thus the apostle sends a friendly salutation from himself, and
Silvanus, and Timotheus, and would have them salute each other in their
names; and thus he would have them signify their mutual love and
affection to one another by the kiss of charity (1 Pet. v. 14), which
is here called a holy kiss, to intimate how cautious they should be of
all impurity in the use of this ceremony, then commonly practised; as
it should not be a treacherous kiss like that of Judas, so not a
lascivious kiss like that of the harlot, Prov. vii. 13.
V. His solemn charge for the reading of this epistle, v. 27. This is
not only an exhortation, but an adjuration by the Lord. And this
epistle was to be read to all the holy brethren. It is not only allowed
to the common people to read the scriptures, and what none should
prohibit, but it is their indispensable duty, and what they should be
persuaded to do. In order to this, these holy oracles should not be
kept concealed in an unknown tongue, but translated into the vulgar
languages, that all men, being concerned to know the scriptures, may be
able to read them, and be acquainted with them. The public reading of
the law was one part of the worship of the sabbath among the Jews in
their synagogues, and the scriptures should be read in the public
assemblies of Christians also.
VI. The apostolical benediction that is usual in other epistles: The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen, v. 28. We need no
more to make us happy than to know that grace which our Lord Jesus
Christ has manifested, be interested in that grace which he has
purchased, and partake of that grace which dwells in him as the head of
the church. This is an ever-flowing and overflowing fountain of grace
to supply all our wants.
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Second Thessalonians
Completed by Daniel Mayo.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO THE
T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
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This Second Epistle was written soon after the former, and seems to
have been designed to prevent a mistake, which might arise from some
passages in the former epistle, concerning the second coming of Christ,
as if it were near at hand. The apostle in this epistle is careful to
prevent any wrong use which some among them might make of those
expressions of his that were agreeable to the dialect of the prophets
of the Old Testament, and informs them that there were many
intermediate counsels yet to be fulfilled before that day of the Lord
should come, though, because it is sure, he had spoken of it as near.
There are other things that he writes about for their consolation under
sufferings, and exhortation and direction in duty.
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S E C O N D
T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
CHAP. I.
After the introduction (ver. 1, 2) the apostle begins this epistle with
an account of his high esteem for these Thessalonians, ver. 3, 4. He
then comforts them under their afflictions and persecutions (ver. 5-10)
and tells them what his prayers were to God for them, ver. 11, 12.
Introduction. (a. d. 52.)
1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the
Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2 Grace
unto you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3
We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet,
because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every
one of you all toward each other aboundeth; 4 So that we ourselves
glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all
your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure:
Here we have,
I. The introduction (v. 1, 2), in the same words as in the former
epistle, from which we may observe that as this apostle did not count
it grievous to him to write the same things (Phil. iii. 1) in his
epistles that he had delivered in preaching, so he willingly wrote the
same things to one church that he did to another. The occurrence of the
same words in this epistle as in the former shows us that ministers
ought not so much to regard the variety of expression and elegance of
style as the truth and usefulness of the doctrines they preach. And
great care should be taken lest, from an affectation of novelty in
method and phrases, we advance new notions or doctrines, contrary to
the principles of natural or revealed religion, upon which this church
of the Thessalonians was built, as all true churches are; namely, in
God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
II. The apostle's expression of the high esteem he had for them. He not
only had a great affection for them (as he had expressed in his former
epistle, and now again in his pious wish of grace and peace for them),
but he also expresses his great esteem for them, concerning which
observe,
1. How his esteem of them is expressed. (1.) He glorified God on their
behalf: We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is
meet, v. 3. He chose rather to speak of what was praiseworthy in them
in a way of thanksgiving to God than by commendation of them; and, as
what he mentions was matter of his rejoicing, he accounted it matter of
thanksgiving, and it was meet or fit it should be so, for we are bound,
and it is our duty, to be thankful to God for all the good that is
found in us or others: and it not only is an act of kindness to our
fellow-christians, but our duty, to thank God on their behalf. (2.) He
also glories in them before the churches of God, v. 4. The apostle
never flattered his friends, but he took pleasure in commending them,
and speaking well of them, to the glory of God and for the excitement
and encouragement of others. Paul did not glory in his own gifts, nor
in his labour among them, but he gloried in the grace of God which was
bestowed upon them, and so his glorying was good, because all the
commendation he gave to them, and the pleasure he took himself,
centered in the praise and glory of God.
2. For what he esteemed them and thanked God; namely, the increase of
their faith, and love, and patience. In his former epistle (ch. i. 3)
he gave thanks for their faith, love, and patience; here he gives
thanks for the increase of all those graces, that they were not only
true Christians, but growing Christians. Note, Where there is the truth
of grace there will be increase of it. The path of the just is as the
shining light, which shines more and more unto the perfect day. And
where there is the increase of grace God must have all the glory of it.
We are as much indebted to him for the improvement of grace, and the
progress of that good work, as we are for the first work of grace and
the very beginning of it. We may be tempted to think that though when
we were bad we could not make ourselves good, yet when we are good we
can easily make ourselves better; but we have as much dependence on the
grace of God for increasing the grace we have as for planting grace
when we had it not. The matter of the apostle's thanksgiving and
glorying on behalf of the Thessalonians was, (1.) That their faith grew
exceedingly, v. 3. They were more confirmed in the truth of
gospel-revelations, confided in gospel-promises, and had lively
expectations of another world. The growth of their faith appeared by
the works of faith; and, where faith grows, all other graces grow
proportionably. (2.) Their charity abounded (v. 3), their love to God
and man. Note, Where faith grows love will abound, for faith works by
love; and not only the charity of some few of them, but of every one to
each other, did abound. There were no such divisions among them as in
some other churches. (3.) Their patience as well as faith increased in
all their persecutions and tribulations. And patience has then its
perfect work when it extends itself to all trials. There were many
persecutions which the Thessalonians endured for the sake of
righteousness, as well as other troubles which they met with in this
calamitous life; yet they endured all these, by faith seeing him that
is invisible, and looking to the recompence of reward; and endured them
with patience, not with an insensibility under them, but with patience
arising from Christian principles, which kept them quiet and
submissive, and afforded them inward strength and support.
Prospect of Persecuted Saints. (a. d. 52.)
5 Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye
may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:
6 Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation
to them that trouble you; 7 And to you who are troubled rest with us,
when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty
angels, 8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God,
and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9 Who shall be
punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord,
and from the glory of his power; 10 When he shall come to be
glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
(because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.
Having mentioned their persecutions and tribulations, which they
endured principally for the cause of Christ, the apostle proceeds to
offer several things for their comfort under them; as,
I. He tells them of the present happiness and advantage of their
sufferings, v. 5. Their faith being thus tried, and patience exercised,
they were improved by their sufferings, insomuch that they were counted
worthy of the kingdom of God. Their sufferings were a manifest token of
this, that they were worthy or meet to be accounted Christians indeed,
seeing they could suffer for Christianity. And the truth is, Religion,
if it is worth any thing, is worth every thing; and those either have
no religion at all, or none that is worth having, or know not how to
value it, that cannot find in their hearts to suffer for it. Besides,
from their patient suffering, it appeared that, according to the
righteous judgment of God, they should be counted worthy of the
heavenly glory: not by worthiness of condignity, but of congruity only;
not that they could merit heaven, but they were made meet for heaven.
We cannot by all our sufferings, any more than by our services, merit
heaven as a debt; but by our patience under our sufferings we are
qualified for the joy that is promised to patient sufferers in the
cause of God.
II. He tells them next of the future recompence that shall be given to
persecutor and persecuted.
1. In this future recompence there will be, (1.) A punishment inflicted
on persecutors: God will recompense tribulation to those that trouble
you, v. 6. And there is nothing that more infallibly marks a man for
eternal ruin than a spirit of persecution, and enmity to the name and
people of God: as the faith, patience, and constancy of the saints are
to them an earnest of everlasting rest and joy, so the pride, malice,
and wickedness of their persecutors are to them an earnest of
everlasting misery; for every man carries about with him, and carries
out of the world with him, either his heaven or his hell. God will
render a recompence, and will trouble those that trouble his people.
This he has done sometimes in this world, witness the dreadful end of
many persecutors; but especially this he will do in the other world,
where the portion of the wicked must be weeping, and wailing, and
gnashing of teeth. (2.) A reward for those that are persecuted: God
will recompense their trouble with rest, v. 7. There is a rest that
remains for the people of God, a rest from sin and sorrow. Though many
may be the troubles of the righteous now, yet God will deliver them out
of them all. The future rest will abundantly recompense all their
present troubles. The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to
be compared with the glory that shall be revealed. There is enough in
heaven to countervail all that we may lose or suffer for the name of
Christ in this world. The apostle says, To you who are troubled rest
with us. In heaven, ministers and people shall rest together, and
rejoice together, who suffer together here; and the meanest Christian
shall rest with the greatest apostle: nay, what is far more, if we
suffer for Christ, we shall also reign with him, 2 Tim. ii. 12.
2. Concerning this future recompence we are further to observe,
(1.) The certainty of it, proved by the righteousness and justice of
God: It is a righteous thing with God (v. 6) to render to every man
according to his works. The thoughts of this should be terrible to
wicked men and persecutors, and the great support of the righteous and
such as are persecuted; for, seeing there is a righteous God, there
will be a righteous recompence. God's suffering people will lose
nothing by their sufferings, and their enemies will gain nothing by
their advantages against them.
(2.) The time when this righteous recompence shall be made: When the
Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, v. 7. That will be the day of
the revelation of the righteous judgment of God; for then will God
judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath appointed,
even Jesus Christ the righteous Judge. The righteousness of God does
not so visibly appear to all men in the procedure of his providence as
it will in the process of the great judgment-day. The scripture has
made known to us the judgment to come, and we are bound to receive the
revelation here given concerning Christ. As,
[1.] That the Lord Jesus will in that day appear from heaven. Now the
heavens retain him, they conceal him; but then he will be revealed and
made manifest. He will come in all the pomp and power of the upper
world, whence we look for the Saviour.
[2.] He will be revealed with his mighty angels (v. 7), or the angels
of his power: these will attend upon him, to grace the solemnity of
that great day of his appearance; they will be the ministers of his
justice and mercy in that day; they will summon the criminals to his
tribunal, and gather in the elect, and be employed in executing his
sentence.
[3.] He will come in flaming fire, v. 8. A fire goeth before him, which
shall consume his enemies. The earth, and all the works that are
therein, shall be burnt up, and the elements shall melt with fervent
heat. This will be a trying fire, to try every man's work,--a refining
fire, to purify the saints, who shall share in the purity, and partake
of the felicity, of the new heaven and the new earth,--a consuming fire
to the wicked. His light will be piercing, and his power consuming, to
all those who in that day shall be found as chaff.
[4.] The effects of this appearance will be terrible to some and joyful
to others.
First, They will be terrible to some; for he will then take vengeance
on the wicked. 1. On those that sinned against the principles of
natural religion, and rebelled against the light of nature, that knew
not God (v. 8), though the invisible things of him are manifested in
the things that are seen. 2. On those that rebel against the light of
revelation, that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. And this
is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men love
darkness rather than light. This is the great crime of multitudes--the
gospel is revealed to them, and they will not believe it; or, if they
pretend to believe it, they will not obey it. Note, Believing the
truths of the gospel is in order to our obeying the precepts of the
gospel: there must be the obedience of faith. To such persons as are
here mentioned the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ will be
terrible, because of their doom, which is mentioned, v. 9. Here
observe, (1.) They will then be punished. Though sinners may be long
reprieved, yet they will be punished at last. Their misery will be a
proper punishment for their crimes, and only what they have deserved.
They did sin's work, and must receive sin's wages. (2.) Their
punishment will be no less than destruction, not of their being, but of
their bliss; not that of the body alone, but both as to body and soul.
(3.) This destruction will be everlasting. They shall be always dying,
and yet never die. Their misery will run parallel with the line of
eternity. The chains of darkness are everlasting chains, and the fire
is everlasting fire. It must needs be so, since the punishment is
inflicted by an eternal God, fastening upon an immortal soul, set out
of the reach of divine mercy and grace. (4.) This destruction shall
come from the presence of the Lord, that is, immediately from God
himself. Here God punishes sinners by creatures, by instruments; but
then he will take the work into his own hands. It will be destruction
from the Almighty, more terrible than the consuming fire which consumed
Nadab and Abihu, which came from before the Lord. (5.) It shall come
from the glory of his power, or from his glorious power. Not only the
justice of God, but this almighty power, will be glorified in the
destruction of sinners; and who knows the power of his anger? He is
able to cast into hell.
Secondly, It will be a joyful day to some, even to the saints, unto
those that believe and obey the gospel. And then the apostle's
testimony concerning this day will be confirmed and believed (v. 10);
in that bright and blessed day, 1. Christ Jesus will be glorified and
admired by his saints. They will behold his glory, and admire it with
pleasure; they will glorify his grace, and admire the wonders of his
power and goodness towards them, and sing hallelujahs to him in that
day of his triumph, for their complete victory and happiness. 2. Christ
will be glorified and admired in them. His grace and power will then be
manifested and magnified, when it shall appear what he has purchased
for, and wrought in, and bestowed upon, all those who believe in him.
As his wrath and power will be made known in and by the destruction of
his enemies, so his grace and power will be magnified in the salvation
of his saints. Note, Christ's dealings with those who believe will be
what the world one day shall wonder at. Now, they are a wonder to many;
but how will they be wondered at in this great and glorious day; or,
rather, how will Christ, whose name is Wonderful, be admired, when the
mystery of God shall be finished! Christ will not be so much admired in
the glorious esteem of angels that he will bring from heaven with him
as in the many saints, the many sons, that he will bring to glory.
The Apostle Prayer. (a. d. 52.)
11 Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you
worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his
goodness, and the work of faith with power: 12 That the name of our
Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in him, according to
the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
In these verses the apostle again tells the Thessalonians of his
earnest and constant prayer for them. He could not be present with
them, yet he had a constant remembrance of them; they were much upon
his thoughts; he wished them well, and could not express his good-will
and good wishes to them better than in earnest constant prayer to God
for them: Wherefore also we pray, &c. Note, The believing thoughts and
expectation of the second coming of Christ should put us upon prayer to
God for ourselves and others. We should watch and pray, so our Saviour
directs his disciples (Luke xxi. 36), Watch therefore, and pray always,
that you may be counted worthy to stand before the Son of man. Observe,
I. What the apostle prayed for, v. 11. It is a great concern to be well
instructed what to pray for; and without divine instruction we know not
what to pray for, as without divine assistance we shall not pray in
such a manner as we ought. Our prayers should be suitable to our
expectations. Thus the apostle prays for them, 1. That God would begin
his good work of grace in them; so we may understand this expression:
That our God would count you (or, as it might be read, make you) worthy
of this calling. We are called with a high and holy calling; we are
called to God's kingdom and glory; and no less than the inheritance of
the saints is the hope of our calling, nothing less than the enjoyment
of that glory and felicity which shall be revealed when Christ Jesus
shall be revealed from heaven. Now, if this be our calling, our great
concern should be to be worthy of it, or meet and prepared for this
glory: and because we have no worthiness of our own, but what is owing
purely to the grace of God, we should pray that he would make us
worthy, and then count us worthy, of this calling, or that he would
make us meet to partake of the inheritance of the saints in light, Col.
i. 12. 2. That God would carry on the good work that is begun, and
fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness. The good pleasure of God
denotes his gracious purposes towards his people, which flow from his
goodness, and are full of goodness towards them; and it is thence that
all good comes to us. If there be any good in us, it is the fruit of
God's good-will to us, it is owing to the good pleasure of his
goodness, and therefore is called grace. Now, there are various and
manifold purposes of grace and good-will in God towards his people; and
the apostle prays that all of them may be fulfilled or accomplished
towards these Thessalonians. There are several good works of grace
begun in the hearts of God's people, which proceed from this good
pleasure of God's goodness, and we should desire that they may be
completed and perfected. In particular, the apostle prays that God
would fulfil in them the work of faith with power. Note, (1.) The
fulfilling of the work of faith is in order to the fulfilling of every
other good work. And, (2.) It is the power of God that not only begins,
but that carries on and perfects the work of faith.
II. Why the apostle prayed for these things (v. 12): That the name of
the Lord Jesus may be glorified; this is the end we should aim at in
every thing we do and desire, that God and Christ in all things may be
glorified. Our own happiness and that of others should be subordinate
to this ultimate end. Our good works should so shine before men that
others may glorify God, that Christ may be glorified in and by us, and
then we shall be glorified in and with him. And this is the great end
and design of the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ, which is
manifested to us and wrought in us. Or thus: it is according to the
grace of God and Christ, that is, it is an agreeable thing, considering
the grace that is manifested to us and bestowed on us, by God and
Christ, that we direct all we do to the glory of our Creator and
Redeemer.
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S E C O N D
T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
CHAP. II.
The apostle is very careful to hinder the spreading of an error into
which some among them had fallen concerning the coming of Christ, as
being very near, ver. 1-3. Then he proceeds to confute the error he
cautioned them against, by telling them of two great events that were
antecedent to the coming of Christ--a general apostasy, and the
revelation of antichrist, concerning whom the apostle tells them many
remarkable things, about his name, his character, his rise, his fall,
his reign, and the sin and ruin of his subjects, ver. 4-12. He then
comforts them against the terror of this apostasy, and exhorts them to
stedfastness, ver. 13-15. And concludes with a prayer for them, ver.
16, 17.
Cautions against False Alarm. (a. d. 52.)
1 Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and by our gathering together unto him, 2 That ye be not soon shaken
in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter
as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. 3 Let no man
deceive you by any means--
From these words it appears that some among the Thessalonians had
mistaken the apostle's meaning, in what he had written in his former
epistle about the coming of Christ, by thinking that it was near at
hand,--that Christ was just ready to appear and come to judgment. Or,
it may be, some among them pretended that they had the knowledge of
this by particular revelation from the Spirit, or from some words they
had heard from the apostle, when he was with them, or some letter he
had written or they pretended he had written to them or some other
person: and hereupon the apostle is careful to rectify this mistake,
and to prevent the spreading of this error. Observe, If errors and
mistakes arise among Christians, we should take the first opportunity
to rectify them, and hinder the spreading thereof; and good men will be
especially careful to suppress errors that may arise from a mistake of
their words and actions, though that which was spoken or done was ever
so innocent or well. We have a subtle adversary, who watches all
opportunities to do mischief, and will sometimes promote errors even by
means of the words of scripture. Observe,
I. How very earnest and solicitous this apostle was to prevent
mistakes: We beseech you, brethren, &c., v. 1. He entreats them as
brethren who might have charged them as a father charges his children:
he shows great kindness and condescension, and insinuates himself into
their affections. And this is the best way to deal with men when we
would preserve or recover them from errors, to deal gently and
affectionately with them: rough and rigorous treatment will but
exasperate their spirits, and prejudice them against the reasons we may
offer. He obtests and even conjures them in the most solemn manner: By
the coming of Christ, &c. The words are in the form of an oath; and his
meaning is that if they believed Christ would come, and if they desired
he would come, and rejoiced in the hope of his coming, they should be
careful to avoid the error, and the evil consequences of it, against
which he was now cautioning them. From this form of obtestation used by
the apostle, we may observe,
1. It is most certain that the Lord Jesus Christ will come to judge the
world, that he will come in all the pomp and power of the upper world
in the last day, to execute judgment upon all. Whatever uncertainty we
are at, or whatever mistakes may arise about the time of his coming,
his coming itself is certain. This has been the faith and hope of all
Christians in all ages of the church; nay, it was the faith and hope of
the Old-Testament saints, ever since Enoch the seventh from Adam, who
said, Behold, the Lord cometh, &c., Jude 14.
2. At the second coming of Christ all the saints will be gathered
together to him; and this mention of the gathering of the saints
together unto Christ at his coming shows that the apostle speaks of
Christ's coming to judgment day, and not of his coming to destroy
Jerusalem. He speaks of a proper, and not a metaphorical advent: and,
as it will be part of Christ's honour in that day, so it will be the
completing of the happiness of his saints. (1.) That they all shall be
gathered together. There will then be a general meeting of all the
saints, and none but saints; all the Old-Testament saints, who got
acquaintance with Christ by the dark shadows of the law, and saw this
day at a distance; and all the New-Testament saints, to whom life and
immortality were brought to light by the gospel; they will all be
gathered together. There will then come from the four winds of heaven
all that are, or ever were, or ever shall be, from the beginning to the
end of time. All shall be gathered together. (2.) That they shall be
gathered together to Christ. He will be the great centre of their
unity. They shall be gathered together to him, to be attendants on him,
to be assessors with him, to be presented by him to the Father, to be
with him for ever, and altogether happy in his presence to all
eternity. (3.) The doctrine of Christ's coming and our gathering
together to him is of a great moment and importance to Christians;
otherwise it would not be the proper matter of the apostle's
obtestation. We ought therefore not only to believe these things, but
highly to account of them also, and look upon them as things we are
greatly concerned in and should be much affected with.
II. The thing itself against which the apostle cautions the
Thessalonians is that they should not be deceived about the time of
Christ's coming, and so be shaken in mind, or be troubled. Note, Errors
in the mind tend greatly to weaken our faith, and cause us trouble; and
such as are weak in faith and of troubled minds are oftentimes apt to
be deceived, and fall a prey to seducers. 1. The apostle would not have
them be deceived: Let no man deceive you by any means, v. 3. There are
many who lie in wait to deceive, and they have many ways of deceiving;
we have reason therefore to be cautious and stand upon our guard. Some
deceivers will pretend new revelations, others misinterpret scripture,
and others will be guilty of gross forgeries; divers means and
artifices of deceit men will use; but we must be careful that no man
deceive us by any means. The particular matter in which the apostle
cautions them not to be deceived is about the near approach of Christ's
coming, as if it was to have been in the apostle's days; and harmless
as this error might seem to many, yet, because it was indeed an error,
it would have proved of bad consequences to many persons. Therefore, 2.
He gives them warning, and would not have them be soon shaken in mind,
nor be troubled. (1.) He would not have their faith weakened. We should
firmly believe the second coming of Christ, and be settled and
established in the faith of this; but there was danger lest the
Thessalonians, if they apprehended the coming of Christ was just at
hand, upon finding that they, or others whom they too much regarded,
were mistaken as to the time, should thereupon question the truth or
certainty of the thing itself; whereas they ought not to waver in their
minds as to this great thing, which is the faith and hope of all the
saints. False doctrines are like winds, that toss the water to and fro,
and they are apt to unsettle the minds of men, who are sometimes as
unstable as water. Then, (2.) He would not have their comforts
lessened, that they should not be troubled nor affrighted with false
alarms. It is probable that the coming of Christ was represented in so
much terror as to trouble many serious Christians among them, though in
itself it should be matter of the believer's hope and joy; or else many
might be troubled with the thought how surprising this day would be, or
with the fear of their unpreparedness, or upon the reflection on their
mistake about the time of Christ's coming: we should always watch and
pray, but must not be discouraged nor uncomfortable at the thought of
Christ's coming.
Apostasy Foretold. (a. d. 52.)
3--For that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first,
and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; 4 Who opposeth
and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is
worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing
himself that he is God. 5 Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with
you, I told you these things? 6 And now ye know what withholdeth that
he might be revealed in his time. 7 For the mystery of iniquity doth
already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out
of the way. 8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord
shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the
brightness of his coming: 9 Even him, whose coming is after the
working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, 10 And
with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because
they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11
And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they
should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believed
not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
In these words the apostle confutes the error against which he had
cautioned them, and gives the reasons why they should not expect the
coming of Christ as just at hand. There were several events previous to
the second coming of Christ; in particular, he tells them there would
be,
I. A general apostasy, there would come a falling away first, v. 3. By
this apostasy we are not to understand a defection in the state, or
from civil government, but in spiritual or religious matters, from
sound doctrine, instituted worship and church government, and a holy
life. The apostle speaks of some very great apostasy, not only of some
converted Jews or Gentiles, but such as should be very general, though
gradual, and should give occasion to the revelation of rise of
antichrist, that man of sin. This, he says (v. 5), he had told them of
when he was with them, with design, no doubt, that they should not take
offence nor be stumbled at it. And let us observe that no sooner was
Christianity planted and rooted in the world than there began to be a
defection in the Christian church. It was so in the Old-Testament
church; presently after any considerable advance made in religion there
followed a defection: soon after the promise there was revolting; for
example, soon after men began to call upon the name of the Lord all
flesh corrupted their way,--soon after the covenant with Noah the
Babel-builders bade defiance to heaven,--soon after the covenant with
Abraham his seed degenerated in Egypt,--soon after the Israelites were
planted in Canaan, when the first generation was worn off, they forsook
God and served Baal,--soon after God's covenant with David his seed
revolted, and served other gods,--soon after the return out of
captivity there was a general decay of piety, as appears by the story
of Ezra and Nehemiah; and therefore it was no strange thing that after
the planting of Christianity there should come a falling away.
II. A revelation of that man of sin, that is (v. 3), antichrist would
take his rise from this general apostasy. The apostle afterwards speaks
of the revelation of that wicked one (v. 8), intimating the discovery
which should be made of his wickedness, in order to his ruin: here he
seems to speak of his rise, which should be occasioned by the general
apostasy he had mentioned, and to intimate that all sorts of false
doctrines and corruptions should centre in him. Great disputes have
been as to who or what is intended by this man of sin and son of
perdition: and, if it be not certain that the papal power and tyranny
are principally or only intended, yet this is plain, What is here said
does very exactly agree thereto. For observe,
1. The names of this person, or rather the state and power here spoken
of. He is called the man of sin, to denote his egregious wickedness;
not only is he addicted to, and practises, wickedness himself, but he
also promotes, countenances, and commands sin and wickedness in others;
and he is the son of perdition, because he himself is devoted to
certain destruction, and is the instrument of destroying many others
both in soul and body. These names may properly be applied, for these
reasons, to the papal state; and thereto agree also,
2. The characters here given, v. 4. (1.) That he opposes and exalts
himself above all that is called God, or is worshipped; and thus have
the bishops of Rome not only opposed God's authority, and that of the
civil magistrates, who are called gods, but have exalted themselves
above God and earthly governors, in demanding greater regard to their
commands than to the commands of God or the magistrate. (2.) As God, he
sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. As God was
in the temple of old, and worshipped there, and is in and with his
church now, so the antichrist here mentioned is some usurper of God's
authority in the Christian church, who claims divine honours; and to
whom can this better apply than to the bishops of Rome, to whom the
most blasphemous titles have been given, as Dominus Deus noster
papa--Our Lord God the pope; Deus alter in terrâ--Another God on earth;
Idem est dominium Dei et papæ--The dominion of God and the pope is the
same?
3. His rise is mentioned, v. 6, 7. Concerning this we are to observe
two things:--(1.) There was something that hindered or withheld, or
let, until it was taken away. This is supposed to be the power of the
Roman empire, which the apostle did not think fit to mention more
plainly at that time; and it is notorious that, while this power
continued, it prevented the advances of the bishops of Rome to that
height of tyranny to which soon afterwards they arrived. (2.) This
mystery of iniquity was gradually to arrive at its height; and so it
was in effect that the universal corruption of doctrine and worship in
the Romish church came in by degrees, and the usurpation of the bishops
of Rome was gradual, not all at once; and thus the mystery of iniquity
did the more easily, and almost insensibly, prevail. The apostle justly
calls it a mystery of iniquity, because wicked designs and actions were
concealed under false shows and pretences, at least they were concealed
from the common view and observation. By pretended devotion,
superstition and idolatry were advanced; and, by a pretended zeal for
God and his glory, bigotry and persecution were promoted. And he tells
us that this mystery of iniquity did even then begin, or did already
work. While the apostles were yet living, the enemy came, and sowed
tares; there were then the deeds of the Nicolaitans, persons who
pretended zeal for Christ, but really opposed him. Pride, ambition, and
worldly interest of church-pastors and church-rulers, as in Diotrephes
and others, were the early working of the mystery of iniquity, which,
by degrees, came to that prodigious height which has been visible in
the church of Rome.
4. The fall or ruin of the antichristian state is declared, v. 8. The
head of this antichristian kingdom is called that wicked one, or that
lawless person who sets up a human power in competition with, and
contradiction to, the divine dominion and power of the Lord Jesus
Christ; but, as he would thus manifest himself to be the man of sin, so
the revelation or discovery of this to the world would be the sure
presage and the means of his ruin. The apostle assures the
Thessalonians that the Lord would consume and destroy him; the
consuming of him precedes his final destruction, and that is by the
Spirit of his mouth, by his word of command; the pure word of God,
accompanied with the Spirit of God, will discover this mystery of
iniquity, and make the power of antichrist to consume and waste away;
and in due time it will be totally and finally destroyed, and this will
be by the brightness of Christ's coming. Note, The coming of Christ to
destroy the wicked will be with peculiar glory and eminent lustre and
brightness.
5. The apostle further describes the reign and rule of this man of sin.
Here we are to observe, (1.) The manner of his coming, or ruling, and
working: in general, that it is after the example of Satan, the grand
enemy of souls, the great adversary of God and man. He is the great
patron of error and lies, the sworn enemy of the truth as it is in
Jesus and all the faithful followers of Jesus. More particularly, it is
with Satanical power and deceit. A divine power is pretended for the
support of this kingdom, but it is only after the working of Satan.
Signs and wonders, visions and miracles, are pretended; by these the
papal kingdom was first set up, and has all along been kept up, but
they have false signs to support false doctrines; and lying wonders, or
only pretended miracles that have served their cause, things false in
fact, or fraudulently managed, to impose upon the people: and the
diabolical deceits with which the antichristian state has been
supported are notorious. The apostle calls it all deceivableness of
unrighteousness, v. 10. Others may call them pious frauds, but the
apostle called them unrighteous and wicked frauds; and, indeed, all
fraud (which is contrary to truth) is an impious thing. Many are the
subtle artifices the man of sin has used, and various are the plausible
pretences by which he had beguiled unwary and unstable souls to embrace
false doctrines, and submit to his usurped dominion. (2.) The persons
are described who are his willing subjects, or most likely to become
such, v. 10. They are such as love not the truth that they may be
saved. They heard the truth (it may be), but they did not love it; they
could not bear sound doctrine, and therefore easily imbibed false
doctrines; they had some notional knowledge of what was true, but they
indulged some powerful prejudices, and so became a prey to seducers.
Had they loved the truth, they would have persevered in it, and been
preserved by it; but no wonder if they easily parted with what they
never had any love to. And of these persons it is said that they perish
or are lost; they are in a lost condition, and in danger to be lost for
ever. For,
6. We have the sin and ruin of the subjects of antichrist's kingdom
declared, v. 11, 12. (1.) Their sin is this: They believed not the
truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness: they did not love the
truth, and therefore they did not believe it; and, because they did not
believe the truth, therefore they had pleasure in unrighteousness, or
in wicked actions, and were pleased with false notions. Note, An
erroneous mind and vicious life often go together and help forward one
another. (2.) Their ruin is thus expressed: God shall send them strong
delusions, to believe a lie. Thus he will punish men for their
unbelief, and for their dislike of the truth and love to sin and
wickedness; not that God is the author of sin, but in righteousness he
sometimes withdraws his grace from such sinners as are here mentioned;
he gives them over to Satan, or leaves them to be deluded by his
instruments; he gives them up to their own hearts' lusts, and leaves
them to themselves, and then sin will follow of course, yea, the worst
of wickedness, that shall end at last in eternal damnation. God is just
when he inflicts spiritual judgments here, and eternal punishments
hereafter, upon those who have no love to the truths of the gospel, who
will not believe them, nor live suitably to them, but indulge false
doctrines in their minds, and wicked practices in their lives and
conversations.
Apostasy Foretold. (a. d. 52.)
13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren
beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to
salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the
glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast,
and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or
our epistle.
Here observe, I. The consolation the Thessalonians might take against
the terrors of this apostasy, v. 13, 14. For they were chosen to
salvation, and called to the obtaining of glory. Note, When we hear of
the apostasy of many, it is matter of great comfort and joy that there
is a remnant according to the election of grace which does and shall
persevere; and especially we should rejoice if we have reason to hope
that we are of that number. The apostle reckoned himself bound in duty
to be thankful to God on this account: We are bound to give thanks to
God always for you. He had often given thanks on their behalf, and he
is still abounding in thanksgiving for them; and there was good reason,
because they were beloved by the Lord, as appeared in this
matter--their security from apostatizing. This preservation of the
saints is owing,
1. To the stability of the election of grace, v. 13. Therefore were
they beloved of the Lord, because God had chosen them from the
beginning. He had loved them with an everlasting love. Concerning this
election of God we may observe, (1.) The eternal date of it--it is from
the beginning; not the beginning of the gospel, but the beginning of
the world, before the foundation of the world, Eph. i. 4. Then, (2.)
The end to which they were chosen--salvation, complete and eternal
salvation from sin and misery, and the full fruition of all good. (3.)
The means in order to obtaining this end--sanctification of the spirit
and belief of the truth. The decree of election therefore connects the
end and the means, and these must not be separated. We are not the
elected of God because we were holy, but that we might be holy. Being
chosen of God, we must not live as we list; but, if we are chosen to
salvation as the end, we must be prepared for it by sanctification as
the necessary means to obtain that end, which sanctification is by the
operation of the Holy Spirit as the author and by faith on our part.
There must be the belief of the truth, without which there can be by
true sanctification, nor perseverance in grace, nor obtaining of
salvation. Faith and holiness must be joined together, as well as
holiness and happiness; therefore our Saviour prayed for Peter that his
faith might not fail (Luke xxii. 32), and for his disciples (John xvii.
17), Sanctify them by thy truth; thy word is truth.
2. To the efficacy of the gospel call, v. 14. As they were chosen to
salvation, so they were called thereunto by the gospel. Whom he did
predestinate those he also called, Rom. viii. 30. The outward call of
God is by the gospel; and this is rendered effectual by the inward
operation of the Spirit. Note, Wherever the gospel comes it calls and
invites men to the obtaining of glory; it is a call to honour and
happiness, even the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glory he has
purchased, and the glory he is possessed of, to be communicated unto
those who believe in him and obey his gospel; such shall be with
Christ, to behold his glory, and they shall be glorified with Christ
and partake of his glory. Hereupon there follows,
II. An exhortation to stedfastness and perseverance: Therefore,
brethren, stand fast, v. 15. Observe, He does not say, "You are chosen
to salvation, and therefore you may be careless and secure;" but
therefore stand fast. God's grace in our election and vocation is so
far from superseding our diligent care and endeavour that it should
quicken and engage us to the greatest resolution and diligence. So the
apostle John having told those to whom he wrote that they had received
the anointing which should abide in them, and that they should abide in
him (in Christ), subjoins this exhortation, Now abide in him, 1 John
ii. 27, 28. The Thessalonians are exhorted to stedfastness in their
Christian profession, to hold fast the traditions which they had been
taught, or the doctrine of the gospel, which had been delivered by the
apostle, by word or epistle. As yet the canon of scripture was not
complete, and therefore some things were delivered by the apostles in
their preaching, under the guidance of the infallible Spirit, which
Christians were bound to observe as coming from God; other things were
afterwards by them committed to writing, as the apostle had written a
former epistle to these Thessalonians; and these epistles were written
as the writers were moved by the Holy Ghost. Note, There is no argument
hence for regarding oral traditions in our days, now that the canon of
scripture is complete, as of equal authority with the sacred writings.
Such doctrines and duties as were taught by the inspired apostles we
must stedfastly adhere to; but we have no certain evidence of any thing
delivered by them more than what we find contained in the holy
scriptures.
Apostolic Prayer. (a. d. 52.)
16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which
hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope
through grace, 17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good
word and work.
In these words we have the apostle's earnest prayer for them, in which
observe,
I. To whom he prays: Our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our
Father. We may and should direct our prayers, not only to God the
Father, through the mediation of our Lord Jesus Christ, but also to our
Lord Jesus Christ himself; and should pray in his name unto God, not
only as his Father but as our Father in and through him.
II. From what he takes encouragement in his prayer--from the
consideration of what God had already done for him and them: Who hath
loved us, and given us everlasting consolation and good hope through
grace, v. 16. Here observe, 1. The love of God is the spring and
fountain of all the good we have or hope for; our election, vocation,
justification, and salvation, are all owing to the love of God in
Christ Jesus. 2. From this fountain in particular all our consolation
flows. And the consolation of the saints is an everlasting consolation.
The comforts of the saints are not dying things; they shall not die
with them. The spiritual consolations God gives none shall deprive them
of; and God will not take them away: because he love them with an
everlasting love, therefore they shall have everlasting consolation. 3.
Their consolation is founded on the hope of eternal life. They rejoice
in hope of the glory of God, and are not only patient, but joyful, in
tribulations; and there is good reason for these strong consolations,
because the saints have good hope: their hope is grounded on the love
of God, the promise of God, and the experience they have had of the
power, the goodness, and the faithfulness of God, and it is good hope
through grace; the free grace and mercy of God are what they hope for,
and what their hopes are founded on, and not on any worth or merit of
their own.
III. What it is that he asks of God for them--that he would comfort
their hearts, and establish them in every good word and work, v. 17.
God had given them consolations, and he prayed that they might have
more abundant consolation. There was good hope, through grace, that
they would be preserved, and he prayed that they might be established:
it is observable how comfort and establishment are here joined
together. Note therefore, 1. Comfort is a means of establishment; for
the more pleasure we take in the word, and work, and ways of God, the
more likely we shall be to persevere therein. And, 2. Our establishment
in the ways of God is a likely means in order to comfort; whereas, if
we are wavering in faith, and of a doubtful mind, or if we are halting
and faltering in our duty, no wonder if we are strangers to the
pleasures and joys of religion. What is it that lies at the bottom of
all our uneasiness, but our unsteadiness in religion? We must be
established in every good word and work, in the word of truth and the
work of righteousness: Christ must be honoured by our good works and
good words; and those who are sincere will endeavour to do both, and in
so doing they may hope for comfort and establishment, till at length
their holiness and happiness be completed.
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S E C O N D
T H E S S A L O N I A N S.
CHAP. III.
In the close of the foregoing chapter, the apostle had prayed earnestly
for the Thessalonians, and now he desires their prayers, encouraging
them to trust in God, to which he subjoins another petition for them,
ver. 1-5. He then proceeds to give them commands and directions for
correcting some things he was informed were amiss among them (ver.
6-15) and concludes with benedictions and prayers, ver. 16-18.
The Apostle's Pious Request. (a. d. 52.)
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have
free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you: 2 And that we
may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not
faith. 3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep
you from evil. 4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you,
that ye both do and will do the things which we command you. 5 And
the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient
waiting for Christ.
In these words observe,
I. The apostle desires the prayers of his friends: Finally, brethren,
pray for us, v. 1. He always remembered them in his prayers, and would
not have them forget him and his fellow-labourers, but bear them on
their hearts at the throne of grace. Note, 1. This is one way by which
the communion of saints is kept us, not only by their praying together,
or with one another, but by their praying for one another when they are
absent one from another. And thus those who are at great distance may
meet together at the throne of grace; and thus those who are not
capable of doing or receiving any other kindness may yet this way do
and receive real and very great kindness. 2. It is the duty of people
to pray for their ministers; and not only for their own pastors, but
also for all good and faithful ministers. And, 3. Ministers need, and
therefore should desire, the prayers of their people. How remarkable is
the humility, and how engaging the example, of this great apostle, who
was so mighty in prayer himself, and yet despised not the prayers of
the meanest Christian, but desired an interest in them. Observe,
further, what they are desired and directed to pray for; namely, (1.)
For the success of the gospel ministry: That the word of the Lord may
have free course, and be glorified, v. 1. This was the great thing that
Paul was most solicitous about. He was more solicitous that God's name
might be sanctified, his kingdom advanced, and his will done, than he
was about his own daily bread. He desired that the word of the Lord
might run (so it is in the original), that it might get ground, that
the interest of religion in the world might go forward and not
backward, and not only go forward, but go apace. All the forces of hell
were then, and still are, more or less, raised and mustered to oppose
the word of the Lord, to hinder its publication and success. We should
pray, therefore, that oppositions may be removed, that so the gospel,
may have free course to the ears, the hearts, and the consciences of
men, that it may be glorified in the conviction and conversion of
sinners, the confutation, of gainsayers, and the holy conversation of
the saints. God, who magnified the law, and made it honourable, will
glorify the gospel, and make that honourable, and so will glorify his
own name; and good ministers and good Christians may very well be
contented to be little, to be any thing, to be nothing, if Christ be
magnified and his gospel be glorified. Paul was now at Athens, or, as
some think, at Corinth, and would have the Thessalonians pray that he
might have as good success there as he had at Thessalonica, that it
might be as well with others even as it was with them. Note, If
ministers have been successful in one place, they should desire to be
successful in every place where they may preach the gospel. (2.) For
the safety of gospel ministers. He asks their prayers, nor for
preferment, but for preservation: That we may be delivered from
unreasonable and wicked men, v. 2. Note, Those who are enemies to the
preaching of the gospel, and persecutors of the faithful preachers of
it, are unreasonable and wicked men. They act against all the rules and
laws of reason and religion, and are guilty of the greatest absurdity
and impiety. Not only in the principles of atheism and infidelity, but
also in the practice of the vice and immorality, and especially in
persecution, there is the greatest absurdity in the world, as well as
impiety. There is need of the spiritual protection, as well as the
assistance, of godly and faithful ministers, for these are as the
standard-bearers, who are most struck at; and therefore all who wish
well to the interest of Christ in the world should pray for them. For
all men have not faith; that is, many do not believe the gospel; they
will not embrace it themselves, and no wonder if such are restless and
malicious in their endeavours to oppose the gospel, decry the ministry,
and disgrace the ministers of the word; and too many have not common
faith or honesty; there is no confidence that we can safely put in
them, and we should pray to be delivered from those who have no
conscience nor honour, who never regard what they say or do. We may
sometimes be in as much or more danger from false and pretended friends
as from open and avowed enemies.
II. He encourages them to trust in God. We should not only pray to God
for his grace, but also place our trust and confidence in his grace,
and humbly expect what we pray for. Observe,
1. What the good is which we may expect from the grace of
God-establishment, and preservation from evil; and the best Christians
stand in need of these benefits. (1.) That God would establish them.
This the apostle had prayed for on their behalf ( ch. 2:17), and now he
encourages them to expect this favour. We stand no longer than God
holds us up; unless he hold up our goings in his paths, our feet will
slide, and we shall fall. (2.) That God will keep them from evil. We
have as much need of the grace of God for our perseverance to the end
as for the beginning of the good work. The evil of sin is the greatest
evil, but there are other evils which God will also preserve his saints
from--the evil that is in the world, yea, from all evil, to his
heavenly kingdom.
2. What encouragement we have to depend upon the grace of God: The Lord
is faithful. He is faithful to his promises, and is the Lord who cannot
lie, who will not alter the thing that has gone out of his mouth. When
once the promise therefore is made, performance is sure and certain. He
is faithful to his relation, a faithful God and a faithful friend; we
may depend upon his filling up all the relations he stands in to his
people. Let it be our care to be true and faithful in our promises, and
to the relations we stand in to this faithful God. He adds,
3. A further ground of hope that God would do this for them, seeing
they did and would do the things they were commanded, v. 4. The apostle
had this confidence in them, and this was founded upon his confidence
in God; for there is otherwise no confidence in man. Their obedience is
described by doing what he and his fellow-labourers had commanded them,
which was no other thing than the commandments of the Lord; for the
apostles themselves had no further commission than to teach men to
observe and to do what the Lord had commanded, Matt. xxviii. 20. And as
the experience the apostle had of their obedience for the time past was
one ground of his confidence that they would do the things commanded
them for the time to come, so this is one ground to hope that
whatsoever we ask of God we shall receive of him, because we keep his
commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight, 1
John iii. 22.
III. He makes a short prayer for them, v. 5. It is a prayer for
spiritual blessings. Two things of the greatest importance the apostle
prays for:--1. That their hearts may be brought into the love of God,
to be in love with God as the most excellent and amiable Being, the
best of all beings; and this is not only most reasonable and necessary
in order to our happiness, but is our happiness itself; it is a great
part of the happiness of heaven itself, where this love shall be made
perfect. We can never attain to this unless God by his grace direct our
hearts aright, for our love is apt to go astray after other things.
Note, We sustain a great deal of damage by misplacing our affections;
it is our sin and our misery that we place our affections upon wrong
objects. If God directs our love aright upon himself, the rest of the
affections will thereby be rectified. 2. That a patient waiting for
Christ may be joined with this love of God. There is no true love of
God without faith in Jesus Christ. We must wait for Christ, which
supposes our faith in him, that we believe he came once in flesh and
will come again in glory: and we must expect this second coming of
Christ, and be careful to get ready for it; there must be a patient
waiting, enduring with courage and constancy all that we may meet with
in the mean time: and we have need of patience, and need of divine
grace to exercise Christian patience, the patience of Christ (as some
read the word), patience for Christ's sake and after Christ's example.
Cautions to the Disorderly. (a. d. 52.)
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that ye withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly,
and not after the tradition which he received of us. 7 For yourselves
know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly
among you; 8 Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but
wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be
chargeable to any of you: 9 Not because we have not power, but to
make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. 10 For even when we
were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work,
neither should he eat. 11 For we hear that there are some which walk
among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. 12 Now
them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that
with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. 13 But ye,
brethren, be not weary in well doing. 14 And if any man obey not our
word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that
he may be ashamed. 15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him
as a brother.
The apostle having commended their obedience for the time past, and
mentioned his confidence in their obedience for the time to come,
proceeds to give them commands and directions to some who were faulty,
correcting some things that were amiss among them. Observe, The best
society of Christians may have some faulty persons among them, and some
things that ought to be reformed. Perfection is not to be found on this
side heaven: but evil manners beget good laws; the disorders that Paul
heard of as existing among the Thessalonians occasioned the good laws
we find in these verses, which are of constant use to us, and all
others whom they may concern. Observe,
I. That which was amiss among the Thessalonians, which is expressed,
1. More generally. There were some who walked disorderly, not after the
tradition they received from the apostle, v. 6. Some of the brethren
were guilty of this disorderly walking; they did not live regularly,
nor govern themselves according to the rules of Christianity, nor
agreeably to their profession of religion; not according to the
precepts delivered by the apostle, which they had received, and
pretended to pay a regard to. Note, It is required of those who have
received the gospel, and who profess a subjection to it, that they live
according to the gospel. If they do not, they are to be counted
disorderly persons.
2. In particular, there were among them some idle persons and
busy-bodies, v. 11. This the apostle was so credibly informed of that
he had sufficient reason to give commands and directions with relation
to such persons, how they ought to behave, and how the church should
act towards them. (1.) There were some among them who were idle, not
working at all, or doing nothing. It does not appear that they were
gluttons or drunkards, but idle, and therefore disorderly people. It is
not enough for any to say they do no hurt; for it is required of all
persons that they do good in the places and relations in which
Providence has placed them. It is probable that these persons had a
notion (by misunderstanding some passages in the former epistle)
concerning the near approach of the coming of Christ, which served them
for a pretence to leave off the work of their callings, and live in
idleness. Note, It is a great error, or abuse of religion, to make it a
cloak for idleness or any other sin. If we were sure that the day of
judgment were ever so near, we must, notwithstanding, do the work of
the day in its day, that when our Lord comes he may find us doing. The
servant who waits for the coming of his Lord aright must be working as
his Lord has commanded, that all may be ready when he comes. Or, it may
be, these disorderly persons pretended that the liberty wherewith
Christ had made them free discharged them from the services and
business of their particular callings and employments in the world:
where as they were to abide in the same calling wherein they were
called of God, and therein abide with God, 1 Cor. vii. 20, 24. Industry
in our particular callings as men is a duty required of us by our
general calling as Christians. Or perhaps the general charity there was
then among Christians to their poor brethren encouraged some to live in
idleness, as knowing the church would maintain them: whatever was the
cause, they were much to blame. (2.) There were busy-bodies among them:
and it should seem, by the connection, that the same persons who were
idle were busy-bodies also. This may seem to be a contradiction; but so
it is, that most commonly those persons who have no business of their
own to do, or who neglect it, busy themselves in other men's matters.
If we are idle, the devil and a corrupt heart will soon find us
something to do. The mind of man is a busy thing; if it be not employed
in doing good, it will be doing evil. Note, Busy-bodies are disorderly
walkers, such as are guilty of vain curiosity, and impertinent meddling
with things that do not concern them, and troubling themselves and
others with other men's matters. The apostle warns Timothy (1 Tim. v.
13) to beware of such as learn to be idle, wandering about from house
to house, and are not only idle, but tatlers also, and busy-bodies,
speaking things which they ought not.
II. The good laws which were occasioned by these evil manners,
concerning which we may take notice,
1. Whose laws they are: they are commands of the apostles of our Lord,
given in the name of their Lord and ours, that is, the commands of our
Lord himself. We command you, brethren, in the name of the Lord Jesus
Christ, v. 6. Again, We command and exhort you by our Lord Jesus
Christ, v. 12. The apostle uses words of authority and entreaty: and,
where disorders are to be rectified or prevented, there is need of
both. The authority of Christ should awe our minds to obedience, and
his grace and goodness should allure us.
2. What the good laws and rules are. The apostle gives directions to
the whole church, commands to those disorderly persons, and an
exhortation to those in particular who did well among them.
(1.) His commands and directions to the whole church regard, [1.] Their
behaviour towards the disorderly persons who were among them, which is
thus expressed (v. 6), to withdraw themselves from such, and afterwards
to mark that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed;
yet not to count him as an enemy, but to admonish him as a brother. The
directions of the apostle are carefully to be observed in our conduct
towards disorderly persons. We must be very cautious in church-censures
and church-discipline. We must, First, Note that man who is suspected
or charged with not obeying the word of God, or walking contrary
thereto, that is, we must have sufficient proof of his fault before we
proceed further. We must, Secondly, Admonish him in a friendly manner;
we must put him in mind of his sin, and of his duty; and this should be
done privately (Matt. xviii. 15); then, if he will not hear, we must,
Thirdly, Withdraw from him, and not keep company with him, that is, we
must avoid familiar converse and society with such, for two reasons,
namely, that we may not learn his evil ways; for he who follows vain
and idle persons, and keeps company with such, is in danger of becoming
like them. Another reason is for the shaming, and so the reforming, of
those that offend, that when idle and disorderly persons see how their
loose practices are disliked by all wise and good people they may be
ashamed of them, and walk more orderly. Love therefore to the persons
of our offending brethren, even when we hate their vices, should be the
motive of our withdrawing from them; and even those who are under the
censures of the church must not be accounted as enemies (v. 15); for,
if they be reclaimed and reformed by these censures, they will recover
their credit and comfort, and right to church-privileges as brethren.
[2.] Their general conduct and behaviour ought to be according to the
good example the apostle and those who were with him had given them:
Yourselves know how you ought to follow us, v. 7. Those who planted
religion among them had set a good example before them; and the
ministers of the gospel should be ensamples to the flock. It is the
duty of Christians not only to walk according to the traditions of the
apostles, and the doctrines they preached, but also according to the
good example they set before them, to be followers of them so far as
they were followers of Christ. The particular good example the apostle
mentions was their diligence, which was so different from what was
found in the disorderly walkers he takes notice of: "We behaved not
ourselves disorderly among you (v. 7), we did not spend our time idly,
in idle visits, idle talk, idle sports." They took pains in their
ministry, in preaching the gospel, and in getting their own living.
Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought, v. 8. Though he might
justly have demanded a maintenance, because those who preach the gospel
may of right expect to live by the gospel. This is a just debt that
people owe to their ministers, and the apostle had power or authority
to have demanded this (v. 9); but he waived his right from affection to
them, and for the sake of the gospel, and that he might be an example
for them to follow (v. 9), that they might learn how to fill up time,
and always be employed in something that would turn to good account.
(2.) He commands and directs those that live idle lives to reform, and
set themselves to their business. He had given commandments to this
purport, as well as a good example of this, when he was among them:
Even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any man
would not work neither should he eat, v. 10. It was a proverbial speech
among the Jews, He who does not labour does not deserve to eat. The
labourer is worthy of his meat; but what is the loiterer worthy of? It
is the will of God that every man should have a calling, and mind his
calling, and make a business of it, and that none should live like
useless drones in the world. Such persons do what in them lies to
defeat the sentence, In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat thy bread.
It was not the mere humour of the apostle, who was an active stirring
man himself and therefore would have every body else to be so too, but
it was the command of our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness we
work, and eat our own bread, v. 12. Men ought some way or other to earn
their own living, otherwise they do not eat their own bread. Observe,
There must be work or labour, in opposition to idleness; and there must
be quietness, in opposition to being busy-bodies in other men's
matters. We must study to be quiet, and do our own business. This is an
excellent but rare composition, to be of an active yet quiet spirit,
active in our own business and yet quiet as to other people's.
(3.) He exhorts those that did well not to be weary in well-doing (v.
13); as if he had said, "Go on and prosper. The Lord is with you while
you are with him. See that whatever you do, that is good, you persevere
therein. Hold on your way, and hold out to the end. You must never give
over, nor tire in your work. It will be time enough to rest when you
come to heaven, that everlasting rest which remains for the people of
God."
Apostolic Benediction. (a. d. 52.)
16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means.
The Lord be with you all. 17 The salutation of Paul with mine own
hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write. 18 The grace
of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
In this conclusion of the epistle we have the apostle's benediction and
prayers for these Thessalonians. Let us desire them for ourselves and
our friend. There are three blessings pronounced upon them, or desired
for them:--
I. That God would give them peace. Note, 1. Peace is the blessing
pronounced or desired. By peace we may understand all manner of
prosperity; here it may signify, in particular, peace with God, peace
in their own minds and consciences, peace among themselves, and peace
with all men. 2. This peace is desired for them always, or in every
thing; and he desired they might have all good things at all times. 3.
Peace by all means: that, as they enjoyed the means of grace, they
might with success use all the means and methods of peace too; for
peace is often difficult, as it is always desirable. 4. That God would
give them peace, who is the Lord of peace. If we have any peace that is
desirable, God must give it, who is the author of peace and lover of
concord. We shall neither have peaceable dispositions ourselves nor
find men disposed to be at peace with us, unless the God of peace give
us both.
II. That the presence of God might be with them: The Lord be with you
all. We need nothing more to make us safe and happy, nor can we desire
any thing better for ourselves and our friends, than to have God's
gracious presence with us and them. This will be a guide and guard in
every way that we may go, and our comfort in every condition we may be
in. It is the presence of God that makes heaven to be heaven, and this
will make this earth to be like heaven. No matter where we are if God
be with us, nor who is absent if God be with us, nor who is absent if
God be present with us.
III. That the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ might be with them. So
this apostle concluded his first epistle to these Thessalonians; and it
is through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ that we may comfortably
hope to have peace with God and enjoy the presence of God, for he has
made those nigh that were afar off. It is this grace that is all in all
to make us happy. This is what the apostle admired and magnified on all
occasions, what he delighted and trusted in; and by this salutation or
benediction, written with his own hand, as the token of every epistle
(when the rest was written by an amanuensis), he took care lest the
churches he wrote to should be imposed on by counterfeit epistles,
which he knew would be of dangerous consequence.
Let us be thankful that we have the canon of scripture complete, and by
the wonderful and special care of divine Providence preserved pure and
uncorrupt through so many successive ages, and not dare to add to it,
nor diminish from it. Let us believe the divine original of the sacred
scriptures, and conform our faith and practice to this our sufficient
and only rule, which is able to make us wise unto salvation, through
faith which is in Christ Jesus. Amen.
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First Timothy
Completed by Benjamin Andrews Atkinson.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE FIRST EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
T I M O T H Y.
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Hitherto Paul's epistles were directed to churches; now follow some to
particular persons: two to Timothy, one to Titus, and another to
Philemon--all three ministers. Timothy and Titus were evangelists, an
inferior order to the apostles, as appears by Eph. iv. 11, Some
prophets, some apostles, some evangelists. Their commission and work
was much the same with that of the apostles, to plant churches, and
water the churches that were planted; and accordingly they were
itinerants, as we find Timothy was. Timothy was first converted by
Paul, and therefore he calls him his own son in the faith: we read of
his conversion, Acts xvi. 3.
The scope of these two epistles is to direct Timothy how to discharge
his duty as an evangelist at Ephesus, where he now was, and where Paul
ordered him for some time to reside, to perfect the good work which he
had begun there. As for the ordinary pastoral charge of that church, he
had very solemnly committed it to the presbytery, as appears from Acts
xx. 28, where he charges the presbyters to feed the flock of God, which
he had purchased with his own blood.
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F I R S T T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. I.
After the inscription (ver. 1, 2) we have, I. The charge given to
Timothy, ver. 3, 4. II. The true end of the law (ver. 5-11), where he
shows that it is entirely agreeable to the gospel. III. He mentions his
own call to be an apostle, for which he expresses his thankfulness,
ver. 12-16. IV. His doxology, ver. 17. V. A renewal of the charge to
Timothy, ver. 18. And of Hymenæus and Alexander, ver. 19, 20.
The Inscription and Apostolic Benediction. (a. d. 64.)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our
Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; 2 Unto Timothy, my
own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and
Jesus Christ our Lord. 3 As I besought thee to abide still at
Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some
that they teach no other doctrine, 4 Neither give heed to fables and
endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly
edifying which is in faith: so do.
Here is, I. The inscription of the epistle, from whom it is sent: Paul
an apostle of Jesus Christ, constituted an apostle by the commandment
of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ. His credentials were
unquestionable. He had not only a commission, but a commandment, not
only from God our Saviour, but from Jesus Christ: he was a preacher of
the gospel of Christ, and a minister of the kingdom of Christ. Observe,
God is our Saviour.--Jesus Christ, who is our hope. Observe, Jesus
Christ is a Christian's hope; our hope is in him, all our hope of
eternal life is built upon him; Christ is in us the hope of glory, Col.
i. 27. He calls Timothy his own son, because he had been an instrument
of his conversion, and because he had been a son that served him,
served with him in the gospel, Phil. ii. 22. Timothy had not been
wanting in the duty of a son to Paul, and Paul was not wanting in the
care and tenderness of a father to him.
II. The benediction is, grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father.
Some have observed that whereas in all the epistles to the churches the
apostolical benediction is grace and peace, in these two epistles to
Timothy and that to Titus it is grace, mercy, and peace: as if
ministers had more need of God's mercy than other men. Ministers need
more grace than others, to discharge their duty faithfully; and they
need more mercy than others, to pardon what is amiss in them: and if
Timothy, so eminent a minister, must be indebted to the mercy of God,
and needed the increase and continuance of it, how much more do we
ministers, in these times, who have so little of his excellent spirit!
III. Paul tells Timothy what was the end of his appointing him to this
office: I besought thee to abide at Ephesus. Timothy had a mind to go
with Paul, was loth to go from under his wing, but Paul would have it
so; it was necessary for the public service: I besought thee, says he.
Though he might assume an authority to command him, yet for love's sake
he chose rather to beseech him. Now his business was to take care to
fix both the ministers and the people of that church: Charge them that
they teach no other doctrine than what they have received, that they do
not add to the Christian doctrine, under pretence of improving it or
making up the defects of it, that they do no alter it, but cleave to it
as it was delivered to them. Observe, 1. Ministers must not only be
charged to preach the true doctrine of the gospel, but charged to
preach no other doctrine. If an angel from heaven preach any other
doctrine, let him be anathema, Gal. i. 8. 2. In the times of the
apostles there were attempts made to corrupt Christianity (we are not
as many, who corrupt the word, 2 Cor. ii. 17), otherwise this charge to
Timothy might have been spared. 3. He must not only see to it that he
did not preach any other doctrine, but he must charge others that they
might not add any thing of their own to the gospel, or take any thing
from it, but that they preach it pure and uncorrupt. He must also take
care to prevent their regarding fables, and endless genealogies, and
strifes of words. This is often repeated in these two epistles (as ch.
iv. 7; vi. 4; 2 Tim. ii. 23), as well as in the epistle to Titus. As
among the Jews there were some who brought Judaism into Christianity;
so among the Gentiles there were some who brought paganism into
Christianity. "Take heed of these," says he, "watch against them, or
they will be the corrupting and ruining of religion among you, for they
minister questions rather than edifying." That which ministers
questions is not for edifying; that which gives occasion for doubtful
disputes pulls down the church rather than builds it up. And I think,
by a parity of reason, every thing else that ministers questions rather
than godly edifying should be disclaimed and disregarded by us, such as
an uninterrupted succession in the ministry from the apostles down to
these times, the absolute necessity of episcopal ordination, and of the
intention of the minister to the efficacy and validity of the
sacraments he ministers. These are as bad as Jewish fables and endless
genealogies, for they involve us in inextricable difficulties, and tend
only to shake the foundations of a Christian's hope and to fill his
mind with perplexing doubts and fears. Godly edifying is the end
ministers should aim at in all their discourses, that Christians may be
improving in godliness and growing up to a greater likeness to the
blessed God. Observe, further, Godly edifying must be in faith: the
gospel is the foundation on which we build; it is by faith that we come
to God at first (Heb. xi. 6), and it must be in the same way, and by
the same principle of faith, that we must be edified. Again, Ministers
should avoid, as much as may be, what will occasion disputes; and would
do well to insist on the great and practical points of religion, about
which there can be no disputes; for even disputes about great and
necessary truths draw off the mind from the main design of
Christianity, and eat out the vitals of religion, which consist in
practice and obedience as well as in faith, that we may not hold the
truth in unrighteousness, but may keep the mystery of the faith in a
pure conscience.
Timothy Reminded of His Charge. (a. d. 64.)
5 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of
a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned: 6 From which some having
swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; 7 Desiring to be
teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof
they affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it
lawfully; 9 Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous
man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for
sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers
of mothers, for manslayers, 10 For whoremongers, for them that defile
themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured
persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound
doctrine; 11 According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God,
which was committed to my trust.
Here the apostle instructs Timothy how to guard against the judaizing
teachers, or others who mingled fables and endless genealogies with the
gospel. He shows the use of the law, and the glory of the gospel.
I. He shows the end and uses of the law: it is intended to promote
love, for love is the fulfilling of the law, Rom. xiii. 10.
1. The end of the commandment is charity, or love, Rom. xiii. 8. The
main scope and drift of the divine law are to engage us to the love of
God and one another; and whatever tends to weaken either our love to
God or love to the brethren tends to defeat the end of the commandment:
and surely the gospel, which obliges us to love our enemies, to do good
to those who hate us (Matt. v. 44) does not design to lay aside or
supersede a commandment the end whereof is love; so far from it that,
on the other hand, we are told that though we had all advantages and
wanted charity, we are but as sounding brass and a tinkling cymbal, 1
Cor. xiii. 1. By this shall all men know that you are my disciples, if
you love one another, John xiii. 35. Those therefore who boasted of
their knowledge of the law, but used it only as a colour for the
disturbance that they gave to the preaching of the gospel (under
pretence of zeal for the law, dividing the church and distracting it),
defeated that which was the very end of the commandment, and that is
love, love out of a pure heart, a heart purified by faith, purified
from corrupt affections. In order to the keeping up of holy love our
hearts must be cleansed from all sinful love; our love must arise out
of a good conscience, kept without offence. Those answer the end of the
commandment who are careful to keep a good conscience, from a real
belief of the truth of the word of God which enjoins it, here called a
faith unfeigned. Here we have the concomitants of that excellency grace
charity; they are three:--(1.) A pure heart; there it must be seated,
and thence it must take its rise. (2.) A good conscience, in which we
must exercise ourselves daily, that we may not only get it, but that we
may keep it, Acts xxiv. 16. (3.) Faith unfeigned must also accompany
it, for it is love without dissimulation: the faith that works by it
must be of the like nature, genuine and sincere. Now some who set up
for teachers of the law swerved from the very end of the commandment:
they set up for disputers, but their disputes proved vain jangling;
they set up for teachers, but they pretended to teach others what they
themselves did not understand. If the church be corrupted by such
teachers, we must not think it strange, for we see from the beginning
it was so. Observe, [1.] When persons, especially ministers, swerve
from the great law of charity--the end of the commandment, they will
turn aside to vain jangling; when a man misses his end and scope, it is
no wonder that every step he takes is out of the way. [2.] Jangling,
especially in religion, is vain; it is unprofitable and useless as to
all that is good, and it is very pernicious and hurtful: and yet many
people's religion consists of little else but vain jangling. [3.] Those
who deal much in vain jangling are fond and ambitious to be teachers of
others; they desire (that is, they affect) the office of teaching. [4.]
It is too common for men to intrude into the office of the ministry
when they are very ignorant of those things about which they are ton
speak: they understand neither what they say nor whereof they affirm;
and by such learned ignorance, no doubt, they edify their hearers very
much!
2. The use of the law (v. 8): The law is good, if a man use it
lawfully. The Jews used it unlawfully, as an engine to divide the
church, a cover to the malicious opposition they made to the gospel of
Christ; they set it up for justification, and so used it unlawfully. We
must not therefore think to set it aside, but use it lawfully, for the
restraint of sin. The abuse which some have made of the law does not
take away the use of it; but, when a divine appointment has been
abused, call it back to its right use and take away the abuses, for the
law is still very useful as a rule of life; though we are not under it
as under a covenant of works, yet it is good to teach us what is sin
and what is duty. It is not made for a righteous man, that is, it is
not made for those who observe it; for, if we could keep the law,
righteousness would be by the law (Gal. iii. 21): but it is made for
wicked persons, to restrain them, to check them, and to put a stop to
vice and profaneness. It is the grace of God that changes men's hearts;
but the terrors of the law may be of use to tie their hands and
restrain their tongues. A righteous man does not want those restraints
which are necessary for the wicked; or at least the law is not made
primarily and principally for the righteous, but for sinners of all
sorts, whether in a greater or less measure, v. 9, 10. In this black
roll of sinners, he particularly mentions breaches of the second table,
duties which we owe to our neighbour; against the fifth and sixth
commandments, murderers of fathers and mothers, and manslayers; against
the seventh, whoremongers, and those that defile themselves with
mankind; against the eighth, men-stealers; against the ninth, liars and
perjured persons; and then he closes his account with this, and if
there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine. Some
understand this as an institution of a power in the civil magistrate to
make laws against such notorious sinners as are specified, and to see
those laws put in execution.
II. He shows the glory and grace of the gospel. Paul's epithets are
expressive and significant; and frequently every one is a sentence: as
here (v. 11), According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God. Let
us learn hence, 1. To call God blessed God, infinitely happy in the
enjoyment of himself and his own perfections. 2. To call the gospel the
glorious gospel, for so it is: much of the glory of God appears in the
works of creation and providence, but much more in the gospel, where it
shines in the face of Jesus Christ. Paul reckoned it a great honour put
upon him, and a great favour done him, that this glorious gospel was
committed to his trust; that is, the preaching of it, for the framing
of it is not committed to any man or company of men in the world. The
settling of the terms of salvation in the gospel of Christ is God's own
work; but the publishing of it to the world is committed to the
apostles and ministers. Note here, (1.) The ministry is a trust, for
the gospel was committed unto this apostle; it is an office of trust as
well as of power, and the former more than the latter; for this reason
ministers are called stewards, 1 Cor. iv. 1. (2.) It is a glorious
trust, because the gospel committed to them is a glorious gospel; it is
a trust of very great importance. God's glory is very much concerned in
it. Lord, what a trust is committed to us! How much grace do we want,
to be found faithful in this great trust!
Perverters Reproved. (a. d. 64.)
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he
counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; 13 Who was before
a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy,
because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord
was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that
Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.
16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus
Christ might show forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which
should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting. 17 Now unto the
King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and
glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Here the apostle, I. Returns thanks to Jesus Christ for putting him
into the ministry. Observe, 1. It is Christ's work to put men into the
ministry, Acts xxvi. 16, 17. God condemned the false prophets among the
Jews in these words, I have not sent these prophets, yet they ran: I
have not spoken to them, yet they prophesied, Jer. xxiii. 21.
Ministers, properly speaking, cannot make themselves ministers; for it
is Christ's work, as king and head, prophet and teacher, of his church.
2. Those whom he puts into the ministry he fits for it; whom he calls
he qualifies. Those ministers who are no way fit for their work, nor
have ability for it, are not of Christ's putting into the ministry,
though there are different qualifications as to gifts and graces. 3.
Christ gives not only ability, but fidelity, to those whom he puts into
the ministry: He counted me faithful; and none are counted faithful but
those whom he makes so. Christ's ministers are trusty servants, and
they ought to be so, having so great a trust committed to them. 4. A
call to the ministry is a great favour, for which those who are so
called ought to give thanks to Jesus Christ: I thank Christ Jesus our
Lord, who hath put me into the ministry.
II. The more to magnify the grace of Christ in putting him into the
ministry, he gives an account of his conversion.
1. What he was before his conversion: A blasphemer, a persecutor, and
injurious. Saul breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the
disciples of the Lord, Acts ix. 1. He made havoc of the church, Acts
viii. 3. He was a blasphemer of God, a persecutor of the saints, and
injurious to both. Frequently those who are designed for great and
eminent services are left to themselves before their conversion, to
fall into great wickedness, that the mercy of God may be the more
glorified in their remission, and the grace of God in their
regeneration. The greatness of sin is no bar to our acceptance with
God, no, nor to our being employed for him, if it be truly repented of.
Observe here, (1.) Blasphemy, persecution, and injuriousness, are very
great and heinous sins, and those who are guilty of them are sinners
before God exceedingly. To blaspheme God is immediately and directly to
strike at God; to persecute his people is to endeavour to wound him
through their sides; and to be injurious is to be like Ishmael, whose
hand was against every one, and every one was against him; for such
invade God's prerogative, and encroach upon the liberties of their
fellow-creatures. (2.) True penitents, to serve a good purpose, will
not be backward to own their former condition before they were brought
home to God: this good apostle often confessed what his former life had
been, as Acts xxii. 4; xxvi. 10, 11.
2. The great favour of God to him: But I obtained mercy. This was a
blessed but indeed, a great favour, that so notorious a rebel should
find mercy with his prince.
(1.) If Paul had persecuted the Christians wilfully, knowing them to be
the people of God, for aught I know he had been guilty of the
unpardonable sin; but, because he did it ignorantly and in unbelief, he
obtained mercy. Note, [1.] What we do ignorantly is a less crime than
what we do knowingly; yet a sin of ignorance is a sin, for he that knew
not his Master's will, but did commit things worthy of stripes, shall
be beaten with few stripes, Luke xii. 48. Ignorance in some cases will
extenuate a crime, though it do not take it away. [2.] Unbelief is at
the bottom of what sinners do ignorantly; they do not believe God's
threatenings, otherwise they could not do as they do. [3.] For these
reasons Paul obtained mercy: But I obtained mercy, because I did it
ignorantly, in unbelief. [4.] Here was mercy for a blasphemer, a
persecutor, and an injurious person: "But I obtained mercy, I a
blasphemer," &c.
(2.) Here he takes notice of the abundant grace of Jesus Christ, v. 14.
The conversion and salvation of great sinners are owing to the grace of
Christ, his exceedingly abundant grace, even that grace of Christ which
appears in his glorious gospel (v. 15): This is a faithful saying, &c.
Here we have the sum of the whole gospel, that Jesus Christ came into
the world. The Son of God took upon him our nature, was made flesh, and
dwelt among us, John i. 14. He came into the world, not to call the
righteous but sinners to repentance, Matt. ix. 13. His errand into the
world was to seek and find, and so save, those that were lost, Luke
xix. 10. The ratification of this is that it is a faithful saying, and
worthy of all acceptation. It is good news, worthy of all acceptation;
and yet not too good to be true, for it is a faithful saying. It is a
faithful saying, and therefore worthy to be embraced in the arms of
faith: it is worthy of all acceptation, and therefore to be received
with holy love, which refers to the foregoing verse, where the grace of
Christ is said to abound in faith and love. In the close of the verse
Paul applies it to himself: Of whom I am chief. Paul was a sinner of
the first rank; so he acknowledges himself to have been, for he
breathed out threatenings and slaughter against the disciples of the
Lord, &c., Acts ix. 1, 2. Persecutors are some of the worst of sinners:
such a one Paul had been. Or, of whom I am chief, that is, of pardoned
sinners I am chief. It is an expression of his great humility; he that
elsewhere calls himself the least of all saints (Eph. iii. 8) here
calls himself the chief of sinners. Observe, [1.] Christ Jesus has come
into the world; the prophecies concerning his coming are now fulfilled.
[2.] He came to save sinners; he came to save those who could not save
and help themselves. [3.] Blasphemers and persecutors are the chief of
sinners, so Paul reckoned them. [4.] The chief of sinners may become
the chief of saints; so this apostle was, for he was not a whit behind
the very chief apostles (2 Cor. xi. 5), for Christ came to save the
chief of sinners. [5.] This is a very great truth, it is a faithful
saying; these are true and faithful words, which may be depended on.
[6.] It deserves to be received, to be believed by us all, for our
comfort and encouragement.
(3.) The mercy which Paul found with God, notwithstanding his great
wickedness before his conversion, he speaks of,
[1.] For the encouragement of others to repent and believe (v. 16): For
this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show
forth all long-suffering, for a pattern to those who should hereafter
believe. It was an instance of the long-suffering of Christ that he
would bear so much with one who had been so very provoking; and it was
designed for a pattern to all others, that the greatest sinners might
not despair of mercy with God. Note here, First, Our apostle was one of
the first great sinners converted to Christianity. Secondly, He was
converted, and obtained mercy, for the sake of others as well as of
himself; he was a pattern to others. Thirdly, The Lord Jesus Christ
shows great long-suffering in the conversion of great sinners.
Fourthly, Those who obtain mercy believe on the Lord Jesus Christ; for
without faith it is impossible to please God, Heb. xi. 6. Fifthly,
Those who believe on Christ believe on him to life everlasting; they
believe to the saving of the soul, Heb. x. 39.
[2.] He mentions it to the glory of God having spoken of the mercy he
had found with God, he could not go on with his letter without
inserting a thankful acknowledgment of God's goodness to him: Now unto
the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and
glory for ever and ever. Amen. Observe, First, That grace which we have
the comfort of God must have the glory of. Those who are sensible of
their obligations to the mercy and grace of God will have their hearts
enlarged in his praise. Here is praise ascribed to him, as the King
eternal, immortal, invisible. Secondly, When we have found God good we
must not forget to pronounce him great; and his kind thoughts of us
must not at all abate our high thoughts of him, but rather increase
them. God had taken particular cognizance of Paul, and shown him mercy,
and taken him into communion with himself, and yet he calls him the
King eternal, &c. God's gracious dealings with us should fill us with
admiration of his glorious attributes. He is eternal, without beginning
of days, or end of life, or change of time. He is the Ancient of days,
Dan. vii. 9. He is immortal, and the original of immortality; he only
has immortality (1 Tim. vi. 16), for he cannot die. He is invisible,
for he cannot be seen with mortal eyes, dwelling in the light to which
no man can approach, whom no man hath seen nor can see, 1 Tim. vi. 16.
He is the only wise God (Jude 25); he only is infinitely wise, and the
fountain of all wisdom. "To him be glory for ever and ever," or, "Let
me be for ever employed in giving honour and glory to him, as the
thousands of thousands do," Rev. v. 12, 13.
Paul's Charge to Timothy. (a. d. 64.)
18 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the
prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a
good warfare; 19 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some
having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: 20 Of whom is
Hymenæus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may
learn not to blaspheme.
Here is the charge he gives to Timothy to proceed in his work with
resolution, v. 18. Observe here, The gospel is a charge committed to
the ministers of it; it is committed to their trust, to see that it be
duly applied according to the intent and meaning of it, and the design
of its great Author. It seems, there had been prophecies before
concerning Timothy, that he should be taken into the ministry, and
should prove eminent in the work of the ministry; this encouraged Paul
to commit this charge to him. Observe, 1. The ministry is a warfare, it
is a good warfare against sin and Satan: and under the banner of the
Lord Jesus, who is the Captain of our salvation (Heb. ii. 10), and in
his cause, and against his enemies, ministers are in a particular
manner engaged. 2. Ministers must war this good warfare, must execute
their office diligently and courageously, notwithstanding oppositions
and discouragements. 3. The prophecies which went before concerning
Timothy are here mentioned as a motive to stir him up to a vigorous and
conscientious discharge of his duty; so the good hopes that others have
entertained concerning us should excite us to our duty: That thou by
them mightest war a good warfare. 4. We must hold both faith and a good
conscience: Holding faith and a good conscience, v. 19. Those that put
away a good conscience will soon make shipwreck of faith. Let us live
up to the directions of a renewed enlightened conscience, and keep
conscience void of offence (Acts xxiv. 16), a conscience not debauched
by any vice or sin, and this will be a means of preserving us sound in
the faith; we must look to the one as well a the other, for the mystery
of the faith must be held in a pure conscience, ch. iii. 9. As for
those who had made shipwreck of the faith, he specifies two, Hymeneus
and Alexander, who had made a profession of the Christian religion, but
had quitted that profession; and Paul had delivered them to Satan, had
declared them to belong to the kingdom of Satan, and, as some think,
had, by an extraordinary power, delivered them to be terrified or
tormented by Satan, that they might learn not to blaspheme not to
contradict or revile the doctrine of Christ and the good ways of the
Lord. Observe, The primary design of the highest censure in the
primitive church was to prevent further sin and to reclaim the sinner.
In this case it was for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit
might be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus, 1 Cor. v. 5. Observe, (1.)
Those who love the service and work of Satan are justly delivered over
to the power of Satan: Whom I have delivered over to Satan. (2.) God
can, if he please, work by contraries: Hymeneus and Alexander are
delivered to Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme, when one
would rather think they would learn of Satan to blaspheme the more.
(3.) Those who have put away a good conscience, and made shipwreck of
faith, will not stick at any thing, blasphemy not excepted. (4.)
Therefore let us hold faith and a good conscience, if we would keep
clear of blasphemy; for, if we once let go our hold of these, we do not
know where we shall stop.
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F I R S T T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. II.
In this chapter Paul treats, I. Of prayer, with many reasons for it,
ver. 1-8. II. Of women's apparel, ver. 9, 10. III. Of their subjection,
with the reasons of it, ver. 11-14. IV. A promise given for their
encouragement in child-bearing, ver. 15.
Universal Prayer Recommended. (a. d. 64.)
1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers,
intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; 2 For
kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. 3 For this is good and
acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; 4 Who will have all men
to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there
is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
6 Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. 7
Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth
in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity.
8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands,
without wrath and doubting.
Here is, I. A charge given to Christians to pray for all men in
general, and particularly for all in authority. Timothy must take care
that this be done. Paul does not send him any prescribed form of
prayer, as we have reason to think he would if he had intended that
ministers should be tied to that way of praying; but, in general, that
they should make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of
thanks: supplications for the averting of evil, prayers for the
obtaining of good, intercessions for others, and thanksgivings for
mercies already received. Paul thought it enough to give them general
heads; they, having the scripture to direct them in prayer and the
Spirit of prayer poured out upon them, needed not any further
directions. Observe, The design of the Christian religion is to promote
prayer; and the disciples of Christ must be praying people. Pray always
with all prayer, Eph. vi. 18. There must be prayers for ourselves in
the first place; this is implied here. We must also pray for all men,
for the world of mankind in general, for particular persons who need or
desire our prayers. See how far the Christian religion was from being a
sect, when it taught men this diffusive charity, to pray, not only for
those of their own way, but for all men. Pray for kings (v. 2); though
the kings at this time were heathens, enemies to Christianity, and
persecutors of Christians, yet they must pray for them, because it is
for the public good that there should be civil government, and proper
persons entrusted with the administration of it, for whom therefore we
ought to pray, yea, though we ourselves suffer under them. For kings,
and all that are in authority, that is, inferior magistrates: we must
pray for them, and we must give thanks for them, pray for their welfare
and for the welfare of their kingdoms, and therefore must not plot
against them, that in the peace thereof we may have peace, and give
thanks for them and for the benefit we have under their government,
that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and
honesty. Here see what we must desire for kings, that God will so turn
their hearts, and direct them and make use of them, that we under them
may lead a quiet and peaceable life. He does not say, "that we may get
preferments under them, grow rich, and be in honour and power under
them;" no, the summit of the ambition of a good Christian is to lead a
quiet and peaceable life, to get through the world unmolested in a low
private station. We should desire that we and others may lead a
peaceable life in all godliness and honesty, implying that we cannot
expect to be kept quiet and peaceable unless we keep in all godliness
and honesty. Let us mind our duty, and then we may expect to be taken
under the protection both of God and the government. In all godliness
and honesty. Here we have our duty as Christians summed up in two
words: godliness, that is, the right worshipping of God; and honesty,
that is, a good conduct towards all men. These two must go together; we
are not truly honest if we are not godly, and do not render to God his
due; and we are not truly godly if we are not honest, for God hates
robbery for burnt-offering. Here we may observe, 1. Christians are to
be men much given to prayer: they ought to abound herein, and should
use themselves to prayers, supplications, &c. 2. In our prayers we are
to have a generous concern for others as well as for ourselves; we are
to pray for all men, and to give thanks for all men; and must not
confine our prayers nor thanksgiving to our own persons or families. 3.
Prayer consists of various parts, of supplications, intercessions, and
thanksgivings; for we must pray for the mercies we want, as well as be
thankful for mercies already received; and we are to deprecate the
judgments which our own sins or the sins of others have deserved. 4.
All men, yea, kings themselves, and those who are in authority, are to
be prayed for. They want our prayers, for they have many difficulties
to encounter, many snares to which their exalted stations expose them.
5. In praying for our governors, we take the most likely course to lead
a peaceable and quiet life. The Jews at Babylon were commanded to seek
the peace of the city whither the Lord had caused them to be carried
captives, and to pray to the Lord for it; for in the peace thereof they
should have peace, Jer. xxix. 7. 6. If we would lead a peaceable and
quiet life, we must live in all godliness and honesty; we must do our
duty to God and man. He that will love life, and see good days, let him
refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile;
let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and pursue it, 1
Pet. iii. 10, 11. Now the reason he gives for this is because this is
good in the sight of God our Saviour; that is, the gospel of Christ
requires this. That which is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour
we should do, and should abound in.
II. As a reason why we should in our prayers concern ourselves for all
men, he shows God's love to mankind in general, v. 4.
1. One reason why all men are to be prayed for is because there is one
God, and that God bears a good will to all mankind. There is one God
(v. 5), and one only, there is no other, there can be no other, for
there can be but one infinite. This one God will have all men to be
saved; he desires not the death and destruction of any (Ezek. xxxiii.
11), but the welfare and salvation of all. Not that he has decreed the
salvation of all, for then all men would be saved; but he has a good
will to the salvation of all, and none perish but by their own fault,
Matt. xxiii. 37. He will have all to be saved, and to come to the
knowledge of the truth, to be saved in the way that he has appointed
and not otherwise. It concerns us to get the knowledge of the truth,
because that is the way to be saved; Christ is the way and the truth,
and so he is the life.
2. There is one Mediator, and that mediator gave himself a ransom for
all. As the mercy of God extends itself to all his works, so the
mediation of Christ extends itself thus far to all the children of men
that he paid a price sufficient for the salvation of all mankind; he
brought mankind to stand upon new terms with God, so that they are not
now under the law as a covenant of works, but as a rule of life. They
are under grace; not under the covenant of innocence, but under a new
covenant: He gave himself a ransom. Observe, The death of Christ was a
ransom, a counter-price. We deserved to have died. Christ died for us,
to save us from death and hell; he gave himself a ransom voluntarily, a
ransom for all; so that all mankind are put in a better condition than
that of devils. He died to work out a common salvation: in order
hereunto, he put himself into the office of Mediator between God and
man. A mediator supposes a controversy. Sin had made a quarrel between
us and God; Jesus Christ is a Mediator who undertakes to make peace, to
bring God and man together, in the nature of an umpire or arbitrator, a
days-man who lays his hand upon u both, Job ix. 33. He is a ransom that
was to be testified in due time; that is, in the Old-Testament times,
his sufferings and the glory that should follow were spoken of as
things to be revealed in the last times, 1 Pet. i. 10, 11. And they are
accordingly revealed, Paul himself having been ordained a preacher and
an apostle, to publish to the Gentiles the glad tidings of redemption
and salvation by Jesus Christ. This doctrine of Christ's mediation Paul
was entrusted to preach to every creature, Mark xvi. 15. He was
appointed to be a teacher of the Gentiles; besides his general call to
the apostleship, he was commissioned particularly to preach to the
Gentiles, in faith and truth, or faithfully and truly. Note, (1.) It is
good and acceptable in the sight of God and our Saviour that we pray
for kings and for all men, and also that we lead a peaceable and quiet
life; and this is a very good reason why we should do the one as well
as the other. (2.) God has a good will to the salvation of all; so that
it is not so much the want of a will in God to save them as it is a
want of will in themselves to be saved in God's way. Here our blessed
Lord charges the fault: You will not come unto me that you may have
life, John v. 40. I would have gathered you, and you would not. (3.)
Those who are saved must come to the knowledge of the truth, for this
is God's appointed way to save sinners. Without knowledge the heart
cannot be good; if we do not know the truth, we cannot be ruled by it.
(4.) It is observable that the unity of God is asserted, and joined
with the unity of the Mediator; and the church of Rome might as well
maintain a plurality of gods as a plurality of mediators. (5.) He that
is a Mediator in the New-Testament sense, gave himself a ransom. Vain
then is the pretence of the Romanists that there is but one Mediator of
satisfaction, but many of intercession; for, according to Paul,
Christ's giving himself a ransom was a necessary part of the Mediator's
office; and indeed this lays the foundation for his intercession. (6.)
Paul was ordained a minister, to declare this to the Gentiles, that
Christ is the one Mediator between God and men, who gave himself a
ransom for all. This is the substance of which all ministers are to
preach, to the end of the world; and Paul magnified his office, as he
was the apostle of the Gentiles, Rom. xi. 13. (7.) Ministers must
preach the truth, what they apprehend to be so, and they must believe
it themselves; they are, like our apostle, to preach in faith and
verity, and they must also be faithful and trusty.
III. A direction how to pray, v. 8. 1. Now, under the gospel, prayer is
not to be confined to any one particular house of prayer, but men must
pray every where: no place is amiss for prayer, no place more
acceptable to God than another, John iv. 21. Pray every where. We must
pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when
we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether more
public or private. 2. It is the will of God that in prayer we should
lift up holy hands: Lifting up holy hands, or pure hands, pure from the
pollution of sin, washed in the fountain opened for sin and
uncleanness. I will wash my hands, &c., Ps. xxvi. 6. 3. We must pray in
charity: Without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. 4. We must
pray in faith without doubting (Jam. i. 6), or, as some read it,
without disputing, and then it falls under the head of charity.
Paul's Charge to Females. (a. d. 64.)
9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel,
with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or
pearls, or costly array; 10 But (which becometh women professing
godliness) with good works. 11 Let the woman learn in silence with
all subjection. 12 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp
authority over the man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was first
formed, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being
deceived was in the transgression. 15 Notwithstanding she shall be
saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and
holiness with sobriety.
I. Here is a charge, that women who profess the Christian religion
should be modest, sober, silent, and submissive, as becomes their
place. 1. They must be very modest in their apparel, not affecting
gaudiness, gaiety, or costliness (you may read the vanity of a person's
mind in the gaiety and gaudiness of his habit), because they have
better ornaments with which they should adorn themselves, with good
works. Note, Good works are the best ornament; these are, in the sight
of God, of great price. Those that profess godliness should, in their
dress, as well as other things, act as becomes their profession;
instead of laying out their money on fine clothes, they must lay it out
in works of piety and charity, which are properly called good works. 2.
Women must learn the principles of their religion, learn Christ, learn
the scriptures; they must not think that their sex excuses them from
that learning which is necessary to salvation. 3. They must be silent,
submissive, and subject, and not usurp authority. The reason given is
because Adam was first formed, then Eve out of him, to denote her
subordination to him and dependence upon him; and that she was made for
him, to be a help-meet for him. And as she was last in the creation,
which is one reason for her subjection, so she was first in the
transgression, and that is another reason. Adam was not deceived, that
is, not first; the serpent did not immediately set upon him, but the
woman was first in the transgression (2 Cor. xi. 3), and it was part of
the sentence, Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule
over thee, Gen. iii. 16. But it is a word of comfort (v. 15) that those
who continue in sobriety shall be saved in child-bearing, or with
child-bearing--the Messiah, who was born of a woman, should break the
serpent's head (Gen. iii. 15); or the sentence which they are under for
sin shall be no bar to their acceptance with Christ, if they continue
in faith, and charity, and holiness, with sobriety.
II. Here observe, 1. The extensiveness of the rules of Christianity;
they reach not only to men, but to women, not only to their persons,
but also to their dress, which must be modest, like their sex; and to
their outward deportment and behaviour, it must be in silence, with all
subjection. 2. Women are to profess godliness as well as men; for they
are baptized, and thereby stand engaged to exercise themselves to
godliness; and, to their honour be it spoken, many of them were eminent
professors of Christianity in the days of the apostles, as the book of
Acts will inform us. 3. Women being more in danger of exceeding in
their apparel, it was more necessary to caution them in this respect.
4. The best ornaments for professors of godliness are good works. 5.
According to Paul, women must be learners, and are not allowed to be
public teachers in the church; for teaching is an office of authority,
and the woman must not usurp authority over the man, but is to be in
silence. But, notwithstanding this prohibition, good women may and
ought to teach their children at home the principles of religion.
Timothy from a child had known the holy scriptures; and who should
teach him but his mother and grandmother? 2 Tim. iii. 15. Aquila and
his wife Priscilla expounded unto Apollos the way of God more
perfectly; but then they did it privately, for they took him unto them,
Acts xviii. 26. 6. Here are two very good reasons given for the man's
authority over the woman, and her subjection to the man, v. 13, 14.
Adam was first formed, then Eve; she was created for the man, and not
the man for the woman (1 Cor. xi. 9); then she was deceived, and
brought the man into the transgression. 7. Though the difficulties and
dangers of childbearing are many and great, as they are part of the
punishment inflicted on the sex for Eve's transgression, yet here is
much for her support and encouragement: Notwithstanding she shall be
saved, &c. Though in sorrow, yet she shall bring forth, and be a living
mother of living children; with this proviso, that they continue in
faith, and charity, and holiness, with sobriety: and women, under the
circumstance of child-bearing should by faith lay hold of this promise
for their support in the needful time.
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F I R S T T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. III.
In this chapter our apostle treats of church-officers. He specifies, I.
The qualifications of a person to be admitted to the office of a
bishop, ver. 1-7. II. The qualifications of deacons (ver. 8-10), and of
their wives (ver. 11), again of the deacons, ver. 12, 13. III. The
reasons of his writing to Timothy, whereupon he speaks of the church
and the foundation-truth professed therein, ver. 14, to the end.
Duties of Bishops and Deacons. (a. d. 64.)
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he
desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband
of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality,
apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy
lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth
well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity;
5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take
care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with
pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must
have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into
reproach and the snare of the devil.
The two epistles to Timothy, and that to Titus, contain a
scripture-plan of church-government, or a direction to ministers.
Timothy, we suppose, was an evangelist who was left at Ephesus, to take
care of those whom the Holy Ghost had made bishops there, that is, the
presbyters, as appears by Acts xx. 28, where the care of the church was
committed to the presbyters, and they were called bishops. It seems
they were very loth to part with Paul, especially because he told them
they should see his face no more (Acts xx. 38); for their church was
but newly planted, they were afraid of undertaking the care of it, and
therefore Paul left Timothy with them to set them in order. And here we
have the character of a gospel minister, whose office it is, as a
bishop, to preside in a particular congregation of Christians: If a man
desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work, v. 1. Observe,
I. The ministry is a work. However the office of a bishop may be now
thought a good preferment, then it was thought a good work. 1. The
office of a scripture-bishop is an office of divine appointment, and
not of human invention. The ministry is not a creature of the state,
and it is a pity that the minister should be at any time the tool of
the state. The office of the ministry was in the church before the
magistrate countenanced Christianity, for this office is one of the
great gifts Christ has bestowed on the church, Eph. iv. 8-11. 2. This
office of a Christian bishop is a work, which requires diligence and
application: the apostle represents it under the notion and character
of a work; not of great honour and advantage, for ministers should
always look more to their work than to the honour and advantage of
their office. 3. It is a good work, a work of the greatest importance,
and designed for the greatest good: the ministry is conversant about no
lower concerns than the life and happiness of immortal souls; it is a
good work, because designed to illustrate the divine perfections in
bringing many sons to glory; the ministry is appointed to open men's
eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of
Satan unto God, &c., Acts xxvi. 18. 4. There ought to be an earnest
desire of the office in those who would be put into it; if a man
desire, he should earnestly desire it for the prospect he has of
bringing greater glory to God, and of doing the greatest good to the
souls of men by this means. This is the question proposed to those who
offer themselves to the ministry of the church of England: "Do you
think you are moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you this office?"
II. In order to the discharge of this office, the doing of this work,
the workman must be qualified. 1. A minister must be blameless, he must
not lie under any scandal; he must give as little occasion for blame as
can be, because this would be a prejudice to his ministry and would
reflect reproach upon his office. 2. He must be the husband of one
wife; not having given a bill of divorce to one, and then taken
another, or not having many wives at once, as at that time was too
common both among Jews and Gentiles, especially among the Gentiles. 3.
He must be vigilant and watchful against Satan, that subtle enemy; he
must watch over himself, and the souls of those who are committed to
his charge, of whom having taken the oversight, he must improve all
opportunities of doing them good. A minister ought to be vigilant,
because our adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking
whom he may devour, 1 Pet. v. 8. 4. He must be sober, temperate,
moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts.
Sobriety and watchfulness are often in scripture put together, because
they mutually befriend one another: Be sober, be vigilant. 5. He must
be of good behaviour, composed and solid, and not light, vain, and
frothy. 6. He must be given to hospitality, open-handed to strangers,
and ready to entertain them according to his ability, as one who does
not set his heart upon the wealth of the world and who is a true lover
of his brethren. 7. Apt to teach. Therefore this is a preaching bishop
whom Paul describes, one who is both able and willing to communicate to
others the knowledge which God has given him, one who is fit to teach
and ready to take all opportunities of giving instructions, who is
himself well instructed in the things of the kingdom of heaven, and is
communicative of what he knows to others. 8. No drunkard: Not given to
wine. The priests were not to drink wine when they went in to minister
(Lev. x. 8, 9), lest they should drink and pervert the law. 9. No
striker; one who is not quarrelsome, nor apt to use violence to any,
but does every thing with mildness, love, and gentleness. The servant
of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all, &c., 2 Tim. ii.
24. 10. One who is not greedy of filthy lucre, who does not make his
ministry to truckle to any secular design or interest, who uses no
mean, base, sordid ways of getting money, who is dead to the wealth of
this world, lives above it, and makes it appear he is so. 11. He must
be patient, and not a brawler, of a mild disposition. Christ, the great
Shepherd and Bishop of souls, is so. Not apt to be angry or
quarrelsome; as not a striker with his hands, so not a brawler with his
tongue; for how shall men teach others to govern their tongues who do
not make conscience of keeping them under good government themselves?
12. Not covetous. Covetousness is bad in any, but it is worst in a
minister, whose calling leads him to converse so much with another
world. 13. He must be one who keeps his family in good order: That
rules well his own house, that he may set a good example to other
masters of families to do so too, and that he may thereby give a proof
of his ability to take care of the church of God: For, if a man know
not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of
God. Observe, The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to
all others families. Ministers must have their children in subjection;
then it is the duty of ministers' children to submit to the
instructions that are given them.--With all gravity. The best way to
keep inferiors in subjection, is to be grave with them. Not having his
children in subjection with all austerity, but with all gravity. 14. He
must not be a novice, not one newly brought to the Christian religion,
or not one who is but meanly instructed in it, who knows no more of
religion than the surface of it, for such a one is apt to be lifted up
with pride: the more ignorant men are the more proud they are: Lest,
being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil.
The devils fell through pride, which is a good reason why we should
take heed of pride, because it is a sin that turned angels into devils.
15. He must be of good reputation among his neighbours, and under no
reproach from former conversation; for the devil will make use of that
to ensnare others, and work in them an aversion to the doctrine of
Christ preached by those who have not had a good report.
III. Upon the whole, having briefly gone through the qualifications of
a gospel-bishop, we may infer, 1. What great reason we have to cry out,
as Paul does, Who is sufficient for these things? 2 Cor. ii. 16. Hic
labor, hoc opus--This is a work indeed. What piety, what prudence, what
zeal, what courage, what faithfulness, what watchfulness over
ourselves, our lusts, appetites, and passions, and over those under our
charge; I say, what holy watchfulness is necessary in this work! 2.
Have not the best qualified and the most faithful and conscientious
ministers just reason to complain against themselves, that so much is
requisite by way of qualification, and so much work is necessary to be
done? And, alas! how far short do the best come of what they should be
and what they should do! 3. Yet let those bless God, and be thankful,
whom the Lord has enabled, and counted faithful, putting them into the
ministry: if God is pleased to make any in some degree able and
faithful, let him have the praise and glory of it. 4. For the
encouragement of all faithful ministers, we have Christ's gracious word
of promise, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,
Matt. xxviii. 20. And, if he be with us, he will fit us for our work in
some measure, will carry us through the difficulties of it with
comfort, graciously pardon our imperfections, and reward our
faithfulness with a crown of glory that fadeth not away, 1 Pet. v. 4.
Qualifications of Deacons. (a. d. 64.)
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to
much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the
faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved;
then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11
Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in
all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling
their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used
the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and
great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the
temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the
ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the
ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word
and prayer, Acts vi. 2, 4. Of the institution of this office, with that
which gave occasion to it, you have an account in Acts vi. 1-7. Now it
was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they
were assistants to the ministers, appeared and acted publicly, and had
a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave. Gravity becomes all
Christians, but especially those who are in the office in the church.
Not doubled-tongued; that will say one thing to one and another thing
to another, according as their interests leads them: a double tongue
comes from a double heart; flatterers and slanderers are
double-tongued. Not given to much wine; for this is a great
disparagement to any man, especially to a Christian, and one in office,
unfits men for business, opens the door to many temptations. Not greedy
of filthy lucre; this would especially be bad in the deacons, who were
entrusted with the church's money, and, if they were covetous and
greedy of filthy lucre, would be tempted to embezzle it, and convert
that to their own use which was intended for the public service.
Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience, v. 9. Note, The
mystery of faith is best held in a pure conscience. The practical love
of truth is the most powerful preservative from error and delusion. If
we keep a pure conscience (take heed of every thing that debauches
conscience, and draws us away from God), this will preserve in our
souls the mystery of faith. Let these also first be proved, v. 10. It
is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any,
till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business they
are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their zeal
for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be
proved. Their wives likewise must have a good character (v. 11); they
must be of a grave behaviour, not slanderers, tale-bearers, carrying
stories to make mischief and sow discord; they must be sober and
faithful in all things, not given to any excess, but trusty in all that
is committed to them. All who are related to ministers must double
their care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ, lest, if they in
any thing walk disorderly, the ministry be blamed. As he said before of
the bishops or ministers, so here of the deacons, they must be the
husband of one wife, such as had not put away their wives, upon
dislike, and married others; they must rule their children and their
own houses well; the families of deacons should be examples to other
families. And the reason why the deacons must be thus qualified is (v.
13) because, though the office of a deacon be of an inferior degree,
yet it is a step towards the higher degree; and those who had served
tables well the church might see cause afterwards to discharge from
that service, and prefer to serve in preaching the word and in prayer.
Or it may be meant of the good reputation that a man would gain by his
fidelity in this office: they will purchase to themselves great
boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Observe, 1. In the
primitive church there were but two orders of ministers or officers,
bishops and deacons, Phil. i. 1. After-ages have invented the rest. The
office of the bishop, presbyter, pastor, or minister, was confined to
prayer and to the ministry of the word; and the office of the deacon
was confined to, or at least principally conversant about, serving
tables. Clemens Romanus, in his epistle to the Christian (cap. 42, 44),
speaks very fully and plainly to this effect, that the apostles,
foreknowing, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would arise in the
Christian church a controversy about the name episcopacy, appointed the
forementioned orders, bishops and deacons. 2. The scripture-deacon's
main employment was to serve tables, and not to preach or baptize. It
is true, indeed, that Philip did preach and baptize in Samaria (Acts
viii.), but you read that he was an evangelist (Acts xxi. 8), and he
might preach and baptize, and perform any other part of the ministerial
office, under that character; but still the design of the deacon's
office was to mind the temporal concerns of the church, such as the
salaries of the ministers and providing for the poor. 3. Several
qualifications were very necessary, even for these inferior officers:
The deacons must be grave, &c. 4. Some trial should be made of persons'
qualifications before they are admitted into office in the church, or
have any trust committed to them: Let these also first be proved. 5.
Integrity and uprightness in an inferior office are the way to be
preferred to a higher station in the church: They purchase to
themselves a good degree. 6. This will also give a man great boldness
in the faith, whereas a want of integrity and uprightness will make a
man timorous, and ready to tremble at his own shadow. The wicked fleeth
when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion, Prov.
xxviii. 1.
The Mystery of Godliness. (a. d. 64.)
14 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly:
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to
behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living
God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy
great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh,
justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles,
believed on in the world, received up into glory.
He concludes the chapter with a particular direction to Timothy. He
hoped shortly to come to him, to give him further directions and
assistance in his work, and to see that Christianity was well planted,
and took root well, at Ephesus; he therefore wrote the more briefly to
him. But he wrote lest he should tarry long, that Timothy might know
how to behave himself in the house of God, how to conduct himself as
became an evangelist, and the apostle's substitute. Observe,
I. Those who are employed in the house of God must see to it that they
behave themselves well, lest they bring reproach upon the house of God,
and that worthy name by which they are called. Ministers ought to
behave themselves well, and to look not only to their praying and
preaching, but to their behaviour: their office binds them to their
good behaviour, for any behaviour will not do in this case. Timothy
must know how to behave himself, not only in the particular church
where he was now appointed to reside for some time, but being an
evangelist, and the apostle's substitute, he must learn how to behave
himself in other churches, where he should in like manner be appointed
to reside for some time; and therefore it is not the church of Ephesus,
but the catholic church, which is here called the house of God, which
is the church of the living God. Observe here, 1. God is the living
God; he is the fountain of life, he is life in himself, and he gives
life, breath, and all things to his creatures; in him we live, and
move, and have our being, Acts xvii. 25, 28. 2. The church is the house
of God, he dwells there; the Lord has chosen Zion, to dwell there.
"This is my rest, here will I dwell, for I have chosen it;" there may
we see God's power and glory, Ps. lxiii. 2.
II. It is the great support of the church that it is the church of the
living God, the true God in opposition to false gods, dumb and dead
idols.
1. As the church of God, it is the pillar and ground of truth; that is,
either, (1.) The church itself is the pillar and ground of truth. Not
that the authority of the scriptures depends upon that of the church,
as the papists pretend, for truth is the pillar and ground of the
church; but the church holds forth the scripture and the doctrine of
Christ, as the pillar to which a proclamation is affixed holds forth
the proclamation. Even to the principalities and powers in heavenly
places is made known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, Eph.
iii. 10. (2.) Others understand it of Timothy. He, not he himself only,
but he as an evangelist, he and other faithful ministers, are the
pillars and ground of truth; it is their business to maintain, hold up,
and publish, the truths of Christ in the church. It is said of the
apostles that they seemed to be pillars, Gal. ii. 9. [1.] Let us be
diligent and impartial in our own enquiries after truth; let us buy the
truth at any rate, and not think much of any pains to discover it. [2.]
Let us be careful to keep and preserve it. "Buy the truth, and sell it
not (Prov. xxiii. 23), do not part with it on any consideration." [3.]
Let us take care to publish it, and to transmit it safe and uncorrupted
unto posterity. [4.] When the church ceases to be the pillar and ground
of truth, we may and ought to forsake her; for our regard to truth
should be greater than our regard to the church; we are no longer
obliged to continue in the church than she continues to be the pillar
and ground of truth.
2. But what is the truth which the churches and ministers are the
pillars and grounds of? He tells us (v. 16) that without controversy
great is the mystery of godliness. The learned Camero joins this with
what goes before, and then it runs thus: "The pillar and ground of the
truth, and without controversy great is the mystery of godliness." He
supposes this mystery to be the pillar, &c. Observe,
(1.) Christianity is a mystery, a mystery that could not have been
found out by reason or the light of nature, and which cannot be
comprehended by reason, because it is above reason, though not contrary
thereto. It is a mystery, not of philosophy or speculation; but of
godliness, designed to promote godliness; and herein it exceeds all the
mysteries of the Gentiles. It is also a revealed mystery, not shut up
and sealed; and it does not cease to be a mystery because now in part
revealed. But,
(2.) What is the mystery of godliness? It is Christ; and here are six
things concerning Christ, which make up the mystery of godliness. [1.]
That he is God manifest in the flesh: God was manifest in the flesh.
This proves that he is God, the eternal Word, that was made flesh and
was manifest in the flesh. When God was to be manifested to man he was
pleased to manifest himself in the incarnation of his own Son: The Word
was made flesh, John i. 14. [2.] He is justified in the Spirit. Whereas
he was reproached as a sinner, and put to death as a malefactor, he was
raised again by the Spirit, and so was justified from all the calumnies
with which he was loaded. He was made sin for us, and was delivered for
our offences; but, being raised again, he was justified in the Spirit;
that is, it was made to appear that his sacrifice was accepted, and so
he rose again for our justification, as he was delivered for our
offences, Rom. iv. 25. He was put to death in the flesh, but quickened
by the Spirit, 1 Pet. iii. 18. [3.] He was seen of angels. They
worshipped him (Heb. i. 6); they attended his incarnation, his
temptation, his agony, his death, his resurrection, his ascension; this
is much to his honour, and shows what a mighty interest he had in the
upper world, that angels ministered to him, for he is the Lord of
angels. [4.] He is preached unto the Gentiles. This is a great part of
the mystery of godliness, that Christ was offered to the Gentiles a
Redeemer and Saviour; that whereas, before, salvation was of the Jews,
the partition-wall was now taken down, and the Gentiles were taken in.
I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, Acts xiii. 47. [5.] That
he was believed on in the world, so that he was not preached in vain.
Many of the Gentiles welcomed the gospel which the Jews rejected. Who
would have thought that the world, which lay in wickedness, would
believe in the Son of God, would take him to be their Saviour who was
himself crucified at Jerusalem? But, notwithstanding all the prejudices
they laboured under, he was believed on, &c. [6.] He was received up
into glory, in his ascension. This indeed was before he was believed on
in the world; but it is put last, because it was the crown of his
exaltation, and because it is not only his ascension that is meant, but
his sitting at the right hand of God, where he ever lives, making
intercession, and has all power, both in heaven and earth, and because,
in the apostasy of which he treats in the following chapter, his
remaining in heaven would be denied by those who pretend to bring him
down on their altars in the consecrated wafers. Observe, First, He who
was manifest in flesh was God, really and truly God, God by nature, and
not only so by office, for this makes it to be a mystery. Secondly, God
was manifest in flesh, real flesh. Forasmuch as the children are
partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the
same, Heb. ii. 14. And, what is more amazing, he was manifest in the
flesh after all flesh had corrupted his way, though he himself was holy
from the womb. Thirdly, Godliness is a mystery in all its parts and
branches, from the beginning to the end, from Christ's incarnation to
his ascension. Fourthly, It being a great mystery, we should rather
humbly adore it, and piously believe it, than curiously pry into it, or
be too positive in our explications of it and determinations about it,
further than the holy scriptures have revealed it to us.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. IV.
Paul here foretels, I. A dreadful apostasy, ver. 1-3. II. He treats of
Christian liberty, ver. 4, 5. III. He gives Timothy divers directions
with respect to himself, his doctrine, and the people under his care,
ver. 6, to the end.
Apostasy Foretold; Christian Liberty. (a. d. 64.)
1 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some
shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils; 2 Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their
conscience seared with a hot iron; 3 Forbidding to marry, and
commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received
with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. 4 For
every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be
received with thanksgiving: 5 For it is sanctified by the word of God
and prayer.
We have here a prophecy of the apostasy of the latter times, which he
had spoken of as a thing expected and taken for granted among
Christians, 2 Thess. ii.
I. In the close of the foregoing chapter, we had the mystery of
godliness summed up; and therefore very fitly, in the beginning of this
chapter, we have the mystery of iniquity summed up: The Spirit speaks
expressly that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith;
whether he means the Spirit in the Old Testament, or the Spirit in the
prophets of the New Testament, or both. The prophecies concerning
antichrist, as well as the prophecies concerning Christ, came from the
Spirit. The Spirit in both spoke expressly of a general apostasy from
the faith of Christ and the pure worship of God. This should come in
the latter times, during the Christian dispensation, for these are
called the latter days; in the following ages of the church, for the
mystery of iniquity now began to work. Some shall depart from the
faith, or there shall be an apostasy from the faith. Some, not all; for
in the worst of times God will have a remnant, according to the
election of grace. They shall depart from the faith, the faith
delivered to the saints (Jude 3), which was delivered at once, the
sound doctrine of the gospel. Giving heed to seducing spirits, men who
pretended to the Spirit, but were not really guided by the Spirit, 1
John iv. 1. Beloved, believe not every spirit, every one who pretends
to the Spirit. Now here observe,
1. One of the great instances of the apostasy, namely, giving heed to
doctrines of demons, or concerning demons; that is, those doctrines
which teach the worship of saints and angels, as a middle sort of
deities, between the immortal God and mortal men, such as the heathen
called demons, and worshipped under that notion. Now this plainly
agrees to the church of Rome, and it was one of the first steps towards
that great apostasy, the enshrining of the relics of martyrs, paying
divine honours to them, erecting altars, burning incense, consecrating
images and temples, and making prayers and praises to the honour of
saints departed. This demon-worship is paganism revived, the image of
the first beast.
2. The instruments of promoting and propagating this apostasy and
delusion. (1.) It will be done by hypocrisy of those that speak lies,
the agents and emissaries of Satan, who promote these delusions by lies
and forgeries and pretended miracles, v. 2. It is done by their
hypocrisy, professing honour to Christ, and yet at the same time
fighting against all his anointed offices, and corrupting or profaning
all his ordinances. This respects also the hypocrisy of those who have
their consciences seared with a red-hot iron, who are perfectly lost to
the very first principles of virtue and moral honesty. If men had not
their consciences seared as with a hot iron, they could never maintain
a power to dispense with oaths for the good of the catholic cause,
could never maintain that no faith is to be kept with heretics, could
never divest themselves of all remains of humanity and compassion, and
clothe themselves with the most barbarous cruelty, under pretence of
promoting the interest of the church. (2.) Another part of their
character is that they forbid to marry, forbid their clergy to marry,
and speak very reproachfully of marriage, though an ordinance of God;
and that they command to abstain from meats, and place religion in such
abstinence at certain times and seasons, only to exercise a tyranny
over the consciences of men.
3. On the whole observe, (1.) The apostasy of the latter times should
not surprise us, because it was expressly foretold by the Spirit. (2.)
The Spirit is God, otherwise he could not certainly foresee such
distant events, which as to us are uncertain and contingent, depending
on the tempers, humours, and lusts of men. (3.) The difference between
the predictions of the Spirit and the oracles of the heathen is
remarkable; the Spirit speaks expressly, but the oracles of the heathen
were always doubtful and uncertain. (4.) It is comfortable to think
that in such general apostasies all are not carried away, but only
some. (5.) It is common for seducers and deceivers to pretend to the
Spirit, which is a strong presumption that all are convinced that this
is the most likely to work in us an approbation of what pretends to
come from the Spirit. (6.) Men must be hardened, and their consciences
seared, before they can depart from the faith, and draw in others to
side with them. (7.) It is a sign that men have departed from the faith
when they will command what God has forbidden, such as saint and angel
or demon-worship; and forbid what God has allowed or commanded, such as
marriage and meats.
II. Having mentioned their hypocritical fastings, the apostle takes
occasion to lay down the doctrine of the Christian liberty, which we
enjoy under the gospel, of using God's good creatures,--that, whereas
under the law there was a distinction of meats between clean and
unclean (such sorts of flesh they might eat, and such they might not
eat), all this is now taken away; and we are to call nothing common or
unclean, Acts x. 15. Here observe, 1. We are to look upon our food as
that which God has created; we have it from him, and therefore must use
it for him. 2. God, in making those things, had a special regard to
those who believe and know the truth, to good Christians, who have a
covenant right to the creatures, whereas others have only a common
right. 3. What God has created is to be received with thanksgiving. We
must not refuse the gifts of God's bounty, nor be scrupulous in making
differences where God has made none; but receive them, and be thankful,
acknowledging the power of God the Maker of them, and the bounty of God
the giver of them: Every creature of God is good, and nothing to be
refused, v. 4. This plainly sets us at liberty from all the
distinctions of meats appointed by the ceremonial law, as particularly
that of swine's flesh, which the Jews were forbidden to eat, but which
is allowed to us Christians, by this rule, Every creature of God is
good, &c. Observe, God's good creatures are then good, and doubly sweet
to us, when they are received with thanksgiving.--For it is sanctified
by the word of God and prayer, v. 5. It is a desirable thing to have a
sanctified use of our creature-comforts. Now they are sanctified to us,
(1.) By the word of God; not only his permission, allowing us the
liberty of the use of these things, but his promise to feed us with
food convenient for us. This gives us a sanctified use of our
creature-comforts. (2.) By prayer, which blesses our meat to us. The
word of God and prayer must be brought to our common actions and
affairs, and then we do all in faith. Here observe, [1.] Every creature
is God's, for he made all. Every beast in the forest is mine (says
God), and the cattle upon a thousand hills. I know all the fowls of the
mountains, and the wild beasts of the field are mine, Ps. l. 10, 11.
[2.] Every creature of God is good: when the blessed God took a survey
of all his works, God saw all that was made, and, behold, it was very
good, Gen. i. 31. [3.] The blessing of God makes every creature
nourishing to us; man lives not by bread alone, but by every word that
proceeds out of the mouth of God (Matt. iv. 4), and therefore nothing
ought to be refused. [4.] We ought therefore to ask his blessing by
prayer, and so to sanctify the creatures we receive by prayer.
Exhortation to Godliness; Exhortation to Ministerial Duties. (a. d. 64.)
6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt
be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith
and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained. 7 But refuse
profane and old wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather unto
godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is
profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and
of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of
all acceptation. 10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach,
because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men,
specially of those that believe. 11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the
believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith,
in purity. 13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to
exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee,
which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of
the presbytery. 15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to
them; that thy profiting may appear to all. 16 Take heed unto
thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this
thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
The apostle would have Timothy to instil into the minds of Christians
such sentiments as might prevent their being seduced by the judaizing
teachers. Observe, Those are good ministers of Jesus Christ who are
diligent in their work; not that study to advance new notions, but that
put the brethren in remembrance of those things which they have
received and heard. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always
in remembrance of these things, though you knew them, 2 Pet. i. 12. And
elsewhere, I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance, 2 Pet. iii.
1. And, says the apostle Jude, I will therefore put you in remembrance,
Jude 5. You see that the apostles and apostolical men reckoned it a
main part of their work to put their hearers in remembrance; for we are
apt to forget, and slow to learn and remember, the things of
God.--Nourished up in the words of faith and good doctrine, whereunto
thou hast attained. Observe, 1. Even ministers themselves have need to
be growing and increasing in the knowledge of Christ and his doctrine:
they must be nourished up in the words of faith. 2. The best way for
ministers to grow in knowledge and faith is to put the brethren in
remembrance; while we teach others, we teach ourselves. 3. Those whom
ministers teach are brethren, and are to be treated like brethren; for
ministers are not lords of God's heritage.
I. Godliness is here pressed upon him and others: Refuse profane and
old wives' sayings, v. 7, 8, The Jewish traditions, which some people
fill their heads with, have nothing to do with them. But exercise
thyself rather unto godliness; that is, mind practical religion. Those
who would be godly must exercise themselves unto godliness; it requires
a constant exercise. The reason is taken from the fain of godliness;
bodily exercise profits little, or for a little time. Abstinence from
meats and marriage, and the like, though they pass for acts of
mortification and self-denial, yet profit little, they turn to little
account. What will it avail us to mortify the body if we do not mortify
sin? Observe, 1. There is a great deal to be got by godliness; it will
be of use to us in the whole of our life, for it has the promise of the
life that now is, and of that which is to come. 2. The gain of
godliness lies much in the promise: and the promises made to godly
people relate to the life that now is, but especially they relate to
the life that is to come. Under the Old Testament the promises were
mostly of temporal blessings, but under the New Testament of spiritual
and eternal blessings. If godly people have but little of the good
things of the life that now is, yet it shall be made up to them in the
good things of the life that is to come. 3. There were profane and old
wives' fables in the days of the apostles; and Timothy, though an
excellent man, was not above such a word of advice, Refuse profane, &c.
4. It is not enough that we refuse profane and old wives' fables, but
we must exercise ourselves to godliness; we must not only cease to do
evil, but we must learn to do well (Isa. i. 16, 17), and we must make a
practice of exercising ourselves to godliness. And, 5. Those who are
truly godly shall not be losers at last, whatever becomes of those who
content themselves with bodily exercise, for godliness has the promise,
&c.
II. The encouragement which we have to proceed in the ways of
godliness, and to exercise ourselves to it, notwithstanding the
difficulties and discouragements that we meet with in it. He had said
(v. 8) that it is profitable for all things, having the promise of the
life which now is. But the question is, Will the profit balance the
loss? For, if it will not, it is not profit. Yes, we are sure it will.
Here is another of Paul's faithful sayings, worthy of all
acceptation--that all our labours and losses in the service of God and
the work of religion will be abundantly recompensed, so that though we
lose for Christ we shall not lose by him. Therefore we labour and
suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, v. 10. Observe,
1. Godly people must labour and expect reproach; they must do well, and
yet expect at the same time to suffer ill: toil and trouble are to be
expected by us in this world, not only as men, but as saints.
2. Those who labour and suffer reproach in the service of God and the
work of religion may depend upon the living God that they shall not
lose by it. Let this encourage them, We trust in the living God. The
consideration of this, that the God who has undertaken to be our
pay-master is the living God, who does himself live for ever and is the
fountain of life to all who serve him, should encourage us in all our
services and in all our sufferings for him, especially considering that
he is the Saviour of all men. (1.) By his providences he protects the
persons, and prolongs the lives, of the children of men. (2.) He has a
general good-will to the eternal salvation of all men thus far that he
is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to
repentance. He desires not the death of sinners; he is thus far the
Saviour of all men that none are left in the same desperate condition
that fallen angels are in. Now, if he be thus the Saviour of all men,
we may hence infer that much more he will be the rewarder of those who
seek and serve him; if he has such a good-will for all his creatures,
much more will he provide well for those who are new creatures, who are
born again. He is the Saviour of all men, but especially of those that
believe; and the salvation he has in store for those that believe is
sufficient to recompense them for all their services and sufferings.
Here we see, [1.] The life of a Christian is a life of labour and
suffering: We labour and suffer. [2.] The best we can expect to suffer
in the present life is reproach for our well-doing, for our work of
faith and labour of love. [3.] True Christians trust in the living God;
for cursed is the man that trusts in man, or in any but the living God;
and those that trust in him shall never be ashamed. Trust in him at all
times. [4.] God is the general Saviour of all men, as he has put them
into a salvable state; but he is in a particular manner the Saviour of
true believers; there is then a general and a special redemption.
III. He concludes the chapter with an exhortation to Timothy,
1. To command and teach these things that he had now been teaching him.
"Command them to exercise themselves unto godliness, teach them the
profit of it, and that if they serve God they serve one who will be
sure to bear them out."
2. To conduct himself with that gravity and prudence which might gain
him respect, notwithstanding his youth: "Let no man despise thy youth;
that is, give no man an occasion to despise thy youth." Men's youth
will not be despised if they do not by youthful vanities and follies
make themselves despicable; and this men may do who are old, who may
therefore thank themselves if they be despised.
3. To confirm his doctrine by a good example: Be thou an example of the
believers, &c. Observe, Those who teach by their doctrine must teach by
their live, else they pull down with one hand what they build up with
the other: they must be examples both in word and conversation. Their
discourse must be edifying, and this will be a good example: their
conversation must be strict, and this will be a good example: they must
be examples in charity, or love to God and all good men, examples in
spirit, that is, in spiritual-mindedness, in spiritual worship,--in
faith, that is, in the profession of Christian faith,--and in purity or
chastity.
4. He charges him to study hard: Till I come, give attendance to
reading, to exhortation, to doctrine, to meditation upon these things,
v. 13. Though Timothy had extraordinary gifts, yet he must use ordinary
means. Or it may be meant of the public reading of the scriptures; he
must read and exhort, that is, read and expound, read and press what he
read upon them; he must expound it both by way of exhortation and by
way of doctrine; he must teach them both what to do and what to
believe. Observe, (1.) Ministers must teach and command the things that
they are themselves taught and commanded to do; they must teach people
to observe all things whatsoever Christ has commanded, Matt. xxviii.
20. (2.) The best way for ministers to avoid being despised is to teach
and practise the things that are given them in charge. No wonder if
ministers are despised who do not teach these things, or who, instead
of being examples of good to believers, act directly contrary to the
doctrines they preach; for ministers are to be ensamples of their
flock. (3.) Those ministers that are the best accomplished for their
work must yet mind their studies, that they may be improving in
knowledge; and they must mind also their work; they are to give
attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
5. He charges him to beware of negligence: Neglect not the gift that is
in thee, v. 14. The gifts of God will wither if they be neglected. It
may be understood either of the office to which he was advanced, or of
his qualifications for that office; if of the former, it was ordination
in an ordinary way; if of the latter, it was extraordinary. It seems to
be the former, for it was by laying on of hands, &c. Here see the
scripture-way of ordination: it was by the laying on of hands, and the
laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Observe, Timothy was ordained
by men in office. It was an extraordinary gift that we read of
elsewhere as being conferred on him by the laying on of Paul's hands,
but he was invested in the office of the ministry by the laying on of
the hands of the presbytery. (1.) We may note, The office of the
ministry is a gift, it is the gift of Christ; when he ascended on high,
he received gifts for men, and he gave some apostles, and some pastors
and teachers (Eph. iv. 8, 11), and this was a very kind gift to his
church. (2.) Ministers ought not to neglect the gift bestowed upon
them, whether by gift we are here to understand the office of the
ministry or the qualifications for the office; neither the one nor the
other must be neglected. (3.) Though there was a prophecy in the case
of Timothy (the gift was given by prophecy), yet this was accompanied
by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery, that is, a number of
presbyters; the office was conveyed to him this way; and I should think
here is a sufficient warrant for ordination by presbyters, since it
does not appear that Paul was concerned in Timothy's ordination. It is
true, extraordinary gifts were conferred on him by the laying on of the
apostle's hands (2 Tim. i. 6), but, if he was concerned in his
ordination, the presbytery was not excluded, for that is particularly
mentioned, whence it seems pretty evident that the presbytery have the
inherent power of ordination.
6. Having this work committed to him, he must give himself wholly to
it: "Be wholly in those things, that thy profiting may appear." He was
a wise knowing man, and yet must still be profiting, and make it appear
that he improved in knowledge. Observe, (1.) Ministers are to be much
in meditation. They are to consider beforehand how and what they must
speak. They are to meditate on the great trust committed to them, on
the worth and value of immortal souls, and on the account they must
give at the last. (2.) Ministers must be wholly in these things, they
must mind these things as their principal work and business: Give
thyself wholly to them. (3.) By this means their profiting will appear
in all things, as well a to all persons; this is the way for them to
profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others.
7. He presses it upon him to be very cautious: "Take heed to thyself
and to the doctrine, consider what thou preachest; continue in them, in
the truths that thou hast received; and this will be the way to save
thyself, and those that hear thee." Observe, (1.) Ministers are engaged
in saving work, which makes it a good work. (2.) The care of ministers
should be in the first place to save themselves: "Save thyself in the
first place, so shalt thou be instrumental to save those that hear
thee." (3.) Ministers in preaching should aim at the salvation of those
that hear them, next to the salvation of their own souls. (4.) The best
way to answer both these ends is to take heed to ourselves, &c.
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F I R S T T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. V.
Here the apostle, I. Directs Timothy how to reprove, ver. 1, 2. II.
Adverts to widows, both elder and younger, ver. 3-16. III. To elders,
ver. 17-19. IV. Treats of public reproof, ver. 20. V. Gives a solemn
charge concerning ordination, ver. 21, 22. VI. Refers to his health
(ver. 23), and states men's sins to be very different in their effects,
ver. 24, 25.
Directions Concerning Reproofs. (a. d. 64.)
1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men
as brethren; 2 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters,
with all purity.
Here the apostle gives rules to Timothy, and in him to other ministers,
in reproving. Ministers are reprovers by office; it is a part, though
the least pleasing part, of their office; they are to preach the word,
to reprove and rebuke, 2 Tim. iv. 2. A great difference is to be made
in our reproofs, according to the age, quality, and other
circumstances, of the persons rebuked; thus, and elder in age or office
must be entreated as a father; on some have compassion, making a
difference, Jude 22. Now the rule is, 1. To be very tender in rebuking
elders--elders in age, elders by office. Respect must be had to the
dignity of their years and place, and therefore they must not be
rebuked sharply nor magisterially; but Timothy himself, though an
evangelist, must entreat them as fathers, for this would be the
likeliest way to work upon them, and to win upon them. 2. The younger
must be rebuked as brethren, with love and tenderness; not as desirous,
to spy faults or pick quarrels, but as being willing to make the best
of them. There is need of a great deal of meekness in reproving those
who deserve reproof. 3. The elder women must be reproved, when there is
occasion, as mothers. Hos. ii. 2, Plead with your mother, plead. 4. The
younger women must be reproved, but reproved as sisters, with all
purity. If Timothy, so mortified a man to this world and to the flesh
and lusts of it, had need of such a caution as this, much more have we.
Directions Concerning Widows. (a. d. 64.)
3 Honour widows that are widows indeed. 4 But if any widow have
children or nephews, let them learn first to show piety at home, and to
requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. 5
Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and
continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she that
liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. 7 And these things give
in charge, that they may be blameless. 8 But if any provide not for
his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the
faith, and is worse than an infidel. 9 Let not a widow be taken into
the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children,
if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if
she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every
good work. 11 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun
to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; 12 Having damnation,
because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And withal they
learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house; and not only
idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they
ought not. 14 I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear
children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak
reproachfully. 15 For some are already turned aside after Satan. 16
If any man or woman that believeth have widows, let them relieve them,
and let not the church be charged; that it may relieve them that are
widows indeed.
Directions are here given concerning the taking of widows into the
number of those who were employed by the church and had maintenance
from the church: Honour widows that are widows indeed. Honour them,
that is, maintain them, admit them into office. There was in those
times an office in the church in which widows were employed, and that
was to tend the sick and the aged, to look to them by the direction of
the deacons. We read of the care taken of widows immediately upon the
first forming of the Christian church (Acts vi. 1), where the Grecians
thought their widows were neglected in the daily ministration and
provision made for poor widows. The general rule is to honour widows
that are widows indeed, to maintain them, to relieve them with respect
and tenderness.
I. It is appointed that those widows only should be relieved by the
charity of the church who were pious and devout, and not wanton widows
that lived in pleasure, v. 5, 6. She is to be reckoned a widow indeed,
and it to be maintained at the church's charge, who, being desolate,
trusteth in God. Observe, It is the duty and comfort of those who are
desolate to trust in God. Therefore God sometimes brings his people
into such straits that they have nothing else to trust to, that they
may with more confidence trust in him. Widowhood is a desolate estate;
but let the widows trust in me (Jer. xlix. 11), and rejoice that they
have a God to trust to. Again, Those who trust in God must continue in
prayer. If by faith we confide in God, by prayer we must give glory to
God and commit ourselves to his guidance. Anna was a widow indeed, who
departed not from the temple (Luke ii. 37), but served God with fasting
and prayer night and day. But she is not a widow indeed that lives in
pleasure (v. 6), or who lives licentiously. A jovial widow is not a
widow indeed, not fit to be taken under the care of the church. She
that lives in pleasure is dead while she lives, is no living member of
the church, but as a carcase in it, or a mortified member. We may apply
it more generally; those who live in pleasure are dead while they live,
spiritually dead, dead in trespasses and sins; they are in the world to
no purpose, buried alive as to the great ends of living.
II. Another rule he gives is that the church should not be charged with
the maintenance of those widows who had relations of their own that
were able to maintain them. This is mentioned several times (v. 4): If
any widow have children or nephews, that is grandchildren or near
relations, let them maintain them, and let not the church be burdened.
So v. 16. This is called showing piety at home (v. 4), or showing piety
towards their own families. Observe, The respect of children to their
parents, with their care of them, is fitly called piety. This is
requiting their parents. Children can never sufficiently requite their
parents for the care they have taken of them, and the pains they have
taken with them; but they must endeavour to do it. It is the
indispensable duty of children, if their parents be in necessity, and
they in ability to relieve them, to do it to the utmost of their power,
for this is good and acceptable before God. The Pharisees taught that a
gift to the altar was more acceptable to God than relieving a poor
parent, Matt. xv. 5. But here we are told that this is better than all
burnt-offerings and sacrifices; this is good and acceptable, &c. He
speaks of this again (v. 8), If any provide not for his own, &c. If any
men or women do not maintain their own poor relations who belong to
them, they do in effect deny the faith; for the design of Christ was to
confirm the law of Moses, and particularly the law of the fifth
commandment, which is, Honour thy father and mother; so that those deny
the faith who disobey that law, much more if they provide not for their
wives and children, who are parts of themselves; if they spend that
upon their lusts which should maintain their families, they have denied
the faith and are worse than infidels. One reason why this care must be
taken that those who are rich should maintain their poor relations, and
not burden the church with them is (v. 16) that it may relieve those
who are widows indeed. Observe, Charity misplaced is a great hindrance
to true charity; there should be prudence in the choice of the objects
of charity, that it may not be thrown away upon those who are not
properly so, that there may be the more for those who are real objects
of charity.
III. He gives directions concerning the characters of the widows that
were to be taken into the number to receive the church's charity: not
under sixty years old, nor any who have divorced their husbands or been
divorced from them and have married again; she must have been the wife
of one man, such as had been a housekeeper, had a good name for
hospitality and charity, well reported of for good works. Observe,
Particular care ought to be taken to relieve those, when they fall into
decay, who, when they had wherewithal, were ready to every good work.
Here are instances of such good works as are proper to be done by good
wives: If she have brought up children: he does not say, If she have
borne children (children are a heritage of the Lord), that depends on
the will of God; but, if she had not children of her own, yet if she
had brought up children. If she have lodged strangers, and washed the
saints' feet; if she have been ready to give entertainment to good
Christians and good ministers, when they were in their travels for the
spreading of the gospel. Washing of the feet o their friends was a part
of their entertainments. If she have relieved the afflicted when she
had ability, let her be relieved now. Observe, Those who would find
mercy when they are in distress must show mercy when they are in
prosperity.
IV. He cautions them to take heed of admitting into the number those
who are likely to be no credit to them (v. 11): The younger widows
refuse: they will be weary of their employments in the church, and of
living by rule, as they must do; so they will marry, and cast off their
first faith. You read of a first love (Rev. ii. 4), and here of a first
faith, that is, the engagements they gave to the church to behave well,
and as became the trust reposed in them: it does not appear that by
their first faith is meant their vow not to marry, for the scripture is
very silent on that head; besides the apostle here advises the younger
widows to marry (v. 14), which he would not if hereby they must have
broken their vows. Dr. Whitby well observes, "If this faith referred to
a promise made to the church not to marry, it could not be called their
first faith." Withal they learn to be idle, and not only idle, but
tattlers, &c., v. 13. Observe, It is seldom that those who are idle are
idle only, they learn to be tattlers and busy-bodies, and to make
mischief among neighbours, and sow discord among brethren. Those who
had not attained to such a gravity of mind as was fit for the
deaconesses (or the widows who were taken among the church's poor), let
them marry, bear children, &c., v. 14. Observe, If housekeepers do not
mind their business, but are tattlers, they give occasion to the
adversaries of Christianity to reproach the Christian name, which, it
seems, there were some instances of, v. 15. We learn hence, 1. In the
primitive church there was care taken of poor widows, and provision
made for them; and the churches of Christ in these days should follow
so good an example, as far as they are able. 2. In the distribution of
the church's charity, or alms, great care is to be taken that those
share in the public bounty who most want it and best deserve it. A
widow was not to be taken into the primitive church that had relations
who were able to maintain her, or who was not well reported of for good
works, but lived in pleasure: But the younger widows refuse, for, when
they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry. 3. The
credit of religion, and the reputation of Christian churches, are very
much concerned in the character and behaviour of those that are taken
into any employment in the church, though of a lower nature (such as
the business of deaconesses), or that receive alms of the church; if
they do not behave well, but are tatlers and busy-bodies, they will
give occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 4. Christianity
obliges its professors to relieve their indigent friends, particularly
poor widows, that the church may not be charged with them, that it may
relieve those that are widows indeed: rich people should be ashamed to
burden the church with their poor relations, when it is with difficulty
that those are supplied who have no children or nephews, that is,
grand-children, who are in a capacity to relieve them.
Directions Concerning Elders; Concerning Church Discipline. (a. d. 64.)
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour,
especially they who labour in the word and doctrine. 18 For the
scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the
corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward. 19 Against an elder
receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. 20 Them
that sin rebuke before all, that others also may fear. 21 I charge
thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that
thou observe these things without preferring one before another, doing
nothing by partiality. 22 Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be
partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure. 23 Drink no longer
water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often
infirmities. 24 Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to
judgment; and some men they follow after. 25 Likewise also the good
works of some are manifest beforehand; and they that are otherwise
cannot be hid.
Here are directions,
I. Concerning the supporting of ministers. Care must be taken that they
be honourably maintained (v. 17): Let the elders that rule well be
counted worthy of double honour (that is, of double maintenance, double
to what they have had, or to what others have), especially those who
labour in the word and doctrine, those who are more laborious than
others. Observe, The presbytery ruled, and the same that ruled were
those who laboured in the word and doctrine: they had not one to preach
to them and another to rule them, but the work was done by one and the
same person. Some have imagined that by the elders that rule well the
apostle means lay-elders, who were employed in ruling but not in
teaching, who were concerned in church-government, but did not meddle
with the administration of the word and sacraments; and I confess this
is the plainest text of scripture that can be found to countenance such
an opinion. But it seem a little strange that mere ruling elders should
be accounted worthy of double honour, when the apostle preferred
preaching to baptizing, and much more would he prefer it to ruling the
church; and it is more strange that the apostle should take no notice
of them when he treats of church-officers; but, as it is hinted before,
they had not, in the primitive church, one to preach to them and
another to rule them, but ruling and teaching were performed by the
same persons, only some might labour more in the word and doctrine than
others. Here we have, 1. The work of ministers; it consists principally
in two things: ruling well and labouring in the word and doctrine. This
was the main business of elders or presbyters in the days of the
apostles. 2. The honour due to those who were not idle, but laborious
in this work; they were worthy of double honour, esteem, and
maintenance. He quotes a scripture to confirm this command concerning
the maintenance of ministers that we might think foreign; but it
intimates what a significancy there was in many of the laws of Moses,
and particularly in this, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treads out
the corn, Deut. xxv. 4. The beasts that were employed in treading out
the corn (for that way they took instead of threshing it) were allowed
to feed while they did the work, so that the more work they did the
more food they had; therefore let the elders that labour in the word
and doctrine be well provided for; for the labourer is worthy of his
reward (Matt. x. 10), and there is all the reason in the world that he
should have it. We hence learn, (1.) God, both under the law, and now
under the gospel, has taken care that his ministers be well provided
for. Does God take care for oxen, and will he not take care of his own
servants? The ox only treads out the corn of which they make the bread
that perishes; but ministers break the bread of life which endures for
ever. (2.) The comfortable subsistence of ministers, as it is God's
appointment that those who preach the gospel should live of the gospel
(1 Cor. ix. 14), so it is their just due, as much as the reward of the
labourer; and those who would have ministers starved, or not
comfortably provided for, God will require it of them another day.
II. Concerning the accusation of ministers (v. 19): Against an elder
receive not an accusation, but before two or three witnesses. Here is
the scripture-method of proceeding against an elder, when accused of
any crime. Observe, 1. There must be an accusation; it must not be a
flying uncertain report, but an accusation, containing a certain
charge, must be drawn up. Further, He is not to be proceeded against by
way of enquiry; this is according to the modern practice of the
inquisition, which draws up articles for men to purge themselves of
such crimes, or else to accuse themselves; but, according to the advice
of Paul, there must be an accusation brought against an elder. 2. This
accusation is not to be received unless supported by two or three
credible witnesses; and the accusation must be received before them,
that is, the accused must have the accusers face to face, because the
reputation of a minister is, in a particular manner, a tender thing;
and therefore, before any thing be done in the least to blemish that
reputation, great care should be taken that the thing alleged against
him be well proved, that he be not reproached upon an uncertain
surmise; "but (v. 20) those that sin rebuke before all; that is, thou
needest not be so tender of other people, but rebuke them publicly." Or
"those that sin before all rebuke before all, that the plaster may be
as wide as the wound, and that those who are in danger of sinning by
the example of their fall may take warning by the rebuke given them for
it, that others also may fear." Observe, (1.) Public scandalous sinners
must be rebuked publicly: as their sin has been public, and committed
before many, or at least come to the hearing of all, so their reproof
must be public, and before all. (2.) Public rebuke is designed for the
good of others, that they may fear, as well as for the good of the
party rebuked; hence it was ordered under the law that public offenders
should receive public punishment, that all Israel might hear, and fear,
and do no more wickedly.
III. Concerning the ordination of ministers (v. 22): Lay hands suddenly
on no man; it seems to be meant of the ordaining of men to the office
of the ministry, which ought not to be done rashly and inconsiderately,
and before due trial made of their gifts and graces, their abilities
and qualifications for it. Some understand it of absolution: "Be not
too hasty in laying hands on any; remit not the censure of the church
to any, till time be first taken for the proof of their sincerity in
their repentance, neither be partakers of other men's sins, implying
that those who are too easy in remitting the censures of the church
encourage others in the sins which are thus connived at, and make
themselves thereby guilty." Observe, We have great need to watch over
ourselves at all times, that we do not make ourselves partakers of
other men's sins. "Keep thyself pure, not only from doing the like
thyself, but from countenancing it, or being any way accessary to it,
in others." Here is, 1. A caution against the rash ordination of
ministers, or absolution of those who have been under church-censures:
Lay hands suddenly on no man. 2. Those who are rash, either in the one
case or the other, will make themselves partakers in other men's sins.
3. We must keep ourselves pure, if we will be pure; the grace of God
makes and keeps us pure, but it is by our own endeavours.
IV. Concerning absolution, to which v. 24, 25, seem to refer: Some
men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment, and some
follow after, &c. Observe, Ministers have need of a great deal of
wisdom, to know how to accommodate themselves to the variety of
offences and offenders that they have occasion to deal with. Some men's
sins are so plain and obvious, and not found by secret search, that
there is no dispute concerning the bringing of them under the censures
of the church; they go before to judgment, to lead them to
censure.--Others they follow after; that is, their wickedness does not
presently appear, nor till after a due search has been made concerning
it. Or, as some understand it, some men's sins continue after they are
censured; they are not reformed by the censure, and in that case there
must be no absolution. So, also, as to the evidences of repentance: The
good works of some are manifest beforehand. And those that are
otherwise, whose good works do not appear, their wickedness cannot be
hid, and so it will be easy to discern who are to be absolved, and who
are not. Observe, 1. There are secret, and there are open sins; some
men's sins are open beforehand, and going unto judgment, and some they
follow after. 2. Sinners must be differently dealt with by the church.
3. The effects of church-censures are very different; some are thereby
humbled and brought to repentance, so that their good works are
manifest beforehand, while it is quite otherwise with others. 4. The
incorrigible cannot be hid; for God will bring to light the hidden
things of darkness, and make manifest the counsels of all hearts.
V. Concerning Timothy himself. 1. Here is a charge to him to be careful
of his office; and a solemn charge it is: I charge thee before God, as
thou wilt answer it to God before the holy and elect angels, observe
these things without partiality, v. 21. Observe, It ill becomes
ministers to be partial, and to have respect of persons, and to prefer
one before another upon any secular account. He charges him, by all
that is dear, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect
angels, to guard against partiality. Ministers must give an account to
God and the Lord Jesus Christ, whether, and how, they have observed all
things given them in charge: and woe to them if they have been partial
in their ministrations, out of an worldly politic view. 2. He charges
him to take care of his health: Drink no longer water, &c. It seems
Timothy was a mortified man to the pleasures of sense; he drank water,
and he was a man of no strong constitution of body, and for this reason
Paul advises him to use wine for the helping of his stomach and the
recruiting of his nature. Observe, It is a little wine, for ministers
must not be given to much wine; so much as may be for the health of the
body, not so as to distemper it, for God has made wine to rejoice man's
heart. Note, (1.) It is the will of God that people should take all due
care of their bodies. As we are not to make them our masters, so
neither our slaves; but to use them so that they may be most fit and
helpful to us in the service of God. (2.) Wine is most proper for
sickly and weak people, whose stomachs are often out of order, and who
labour under infirmities. Give strong drink to him that is ready to
perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts, Prov. xxxi. 6. (3.)
Wine should be used as a help, and not a hindrance, to our work and
usefulness.
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F I R S T T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. VI.
I. He treats of the duty of servants, ver. 1, 2. II. Of false teachers,
ver. 3-5. III. Of godliness and covetousness, ver. 6-10. IV. What
Timothy was to flee, and what to follow, ver. 11, 12. V. A solemn
charge, ver. 13-16. VI. A charge for the rich, ver. 17-19. And lastly,
a charge to Timothy, ver. 20, 21.
The Duty of Servants. (a. d. 64.)
1 Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters
worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not
blasphemed. 2 And they that have believing masters, let them not
despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service,
because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These
things teach and exhort. 3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent
not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to
the doctrine which is according to godliness; 4 He is proud, knowing
nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof
cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, 5 Perverse disputings
of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that
gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
I. Here is the duty of servants. The apostle had spoken before of
church-relations, here of our family-relations. Servants are here said
to be under the yoke, which denotes both subjection and labour; they
are yoked to work, not to be idle. If Christianity finds servants under
the yoke, it continues them under it; for the gospel does not cancel
the obligations any lie under either by the law of nature or by mutual
consent. They must respect their masters, count them worthy of all
honour (because they are their masters), of all the respect,
observance, compliance, and obedience, that are justly expected from
servants to their masters. Not that they were to think that of them
which they were not; but as their masters they must count them worthy
of all that honour which was fit for them to receive, that the name of
God be not blasphemed. If servants that embraced the Christian religion
should grow insolent and disobedient to their masters, the doctrine of
Christ would be reflected on for their sakes, as if it had made men
worse livers than they had been before they received the gospel.
Observe, If the professors of religion misbehave themselves, the name
of God and his doctrine are in danger of being blasphemed by those who
seek occasion to speak evil of that worthy name by which we are called.
And this is a good reason why we should all conduct ourselves well,
that we may prevent the occasion which many seek, and will be very apt
to lay hold of, to speak ill of religion for our sakes. Or suppose the
master were a Christian, and a believer, and the servant a believer
too, would not this excuse him, because in Christ there is neither bond
nor free? No, by no means, for Jesus Christ did not come to dissolve
the bond of civil relation, but to strengthen it: Those that have
believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren;
for this brotherhood relates only to spiritual privileges, not to any
outward dignity or advantage (those misunderstood and abuse their
religion who make it a pretence for denying the duties that they owe to
their relations); nay, rather do them service, because they are
faithful and beloved. They must think themselves the more obliged to
serve them because the faith and love that bespeak men Christians
oblige them to do good; and that is all wherein their service consists.
Observe, It is a great encouragement to us in doing our duty to our
relations if we have reason to think they are faithful and beloved, and
partakers of the benefit, that is, of the benefit of Christianity.
Again, Believing masters and servants are brethren, and partakers of
the benefit; for in Christ Jesus there is neither bond nor free, for
you are all one in Christ Jesus, Gal. iii. 28. Timothy is appointed to
teach and exhort these things. Ministers must preach not only the
general duties of all, but the duties of particular relations.
II. Paul here warns Timothy to withdraw from those who corrupted the
doctrine of Christ, and made it the subject off strife, debate, and
controversy: If any man teach otherwise (v. 3-5), do not preach
practically, do not teach and exhort that which is for the promoting of
serious godliness--if he will not consent to wholesome words, words
that have a direct tendency to heal the soul--if he will not consent to
these, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ. Observe, We are not
required to consent to any words as wholesome words except the words of
our Lord Jesus Christ; but to those we must give our unfeigned assent
and consent, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.
Observe, The doctrine of our Lord Jesus is a doctrine according to
godliness; it has a direct tendency to make people godly. But he that
does not consent to the words of Christ is proud (v. 4) and
contentious, ignorant, and does a great deal of mischief to the church,
knowing nothing. Observe, Commonly those are most proud who know least;
for with all their knowledge they do not know themselves.--But doting
about questions. Those who fall off from the plain practical doctrines
of Christianity fall in with controversies, which eat out the life and
power of religion; they dote about questions and strifes of words,
which do a great deal of mischief in the church, are the occasion of
envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings. When men are not content with
the words of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according
to godliness, but will frame notions of their own and impose them, and
that too in their own words, which man's wisdom teaches, and not in the
words which the Holy Ghost teaches (1 Cor. ii. 13), they sow the seeds
of all mischief in the church. Hence come perverse disputings of men of
corrupt minds (v. 5), disputes that are all subtlety, and no solidity.
Observe, Men of corrupt minds are destitute of the truth. The reason
why men's minds are corrupt is because they do not stick to the truth
as it is in Jesus: supposing that gain is godliness, making religion
truckle to their secular interest. From such as these Timothy is warned
to withdraw himself. We observe, 1. The words of our Lord Jesus Christ
are wholesome words, they are the fittest to prevent or heal the
church's wounds, as well as to heal a wounded conscience; for Christ
has the tongue of the learned, to speak a word in season to him that is
weary, Isa. l. 4. The words of Christ are the best to prevent ruptures
in the church; for none who profess faith in him will dispute the
aptness or authority of his words who is their Lord and teacher, and it
has never gone well with the church since the words of men have claimed
a regard equal to his words, and in some cases a much greater. 2.
Whoever teaches otherwise, and does not consent to these wholesome
words, he is proud, knowing nothing; for pride and ignorance commonly
go together. 3. Paul sets a brand only on those who consent not to the
words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the doctrine which is according to
godliness; they are proud, knowing nothing: other words more wholesome
he knew not. 4. We learn the sad effects of doting about questions and
strifes of words; of such doting about questions comes envy, strife,
evil surmisings, and perverse disputings; when men leave the wholesome
words of our Lord Jesus Christ, they will never agree in other words,
either of their own or other men's invention, but will perpetually
wrangle and quarrel about them; and this will produce envy, when they
see the words of others preferred to those they have adopted for their
own; and this will be attended with jealousies and suspicions of one
another, called here evil surmisings; then they will proceed to
perverse disputings. 5. Such persons as are given to perverse
disputings appear to be men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the
truth; especially such as act in this manner for the sake of gain,
which is all their godliness, supposing gain to be godliness, contrary
to the apostle's judgment, who reckoned godliness great gain. 6. Good
ministers and Christians will withdraw themselves from such. "Come out
from among them, my people, and be ye separate," says the Lord: from
such withdraw thyself.
Excellence of Contentment; Evil of Covetousness. (a. d. 64.)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought
nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.
8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. 9 But they
that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many
foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and
perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which
while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced
themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But thou, O man of God, flee
these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love,
patience, meekness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on
eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good
profession before many witnesses.
From the mention of the abuse which some put upon religion, making it
to serve their secular advantages, the apostle,
I. Takes occasion to show the excellency of contentment and the evil of
covetousness.
1. The excellency of contentment, v. 6-8. Some account Christianity an
advantageous profession for this world. In the sense they mean this is
false; yet it is undoubtedly true that, though Christianity is the
worst trade, it is the best calling in the world. Those that make a
trade of it, merely to serve their turn for this world, will be
disappointed, and find it a sorry trade; but those that mind it as
their calling, and make a business of it, will find it a gainful
calling, for it has the promise of the life that now is, as well as of
that which is to come.
(1.) The truth he lays down is that godliness with contentment is great
gain. Some read it, godliness with a competency; that is, if a man have
but a little in this world, yet, if he have but enough to carry him
through it, he needs desire no more, his godliness with that will be
his great gain. For a little which a righteous man has is better than
the riches of many wicked, Ps. xxxvii. 16. We read it, godliness with
contentment; godliness is itself great gain, it is profitable to all
things; and, wherever there is true godliness, there will be
contentment; but those have arrived at the highest pitch of contentment
with their godliness are certainly the easiest happiest people in this
world. Godliness with contentment, that is, Christian contentment
(content must come from principles of godliness) is great gain; it is
all the wealth in the world. He that is godly is sure to be happy in
another world; and if withal he do by contentment accommodate himself
to his condition in this world he has enough. Here we have, [1.] A
Christian's gain; it is godliness with contentment, this is the true
way to gain, yea, it is gain itself. [2.] A Christian's gain is great:
it is not like the little gain of worldlings, who are so fond of a
little worldly advantage. [3.] Godliness is ever accompanied with
contentment in a great or less degree; all truly godly people have
learned with Paul, in whatever state they are, to be therewith content,
Phil. iv. 11. They are content with what God allots for them, well
knowing that this is best for them. Let us all then endeavour after
godliness with contentment.
(2.) The reason he gives for it is, For we brought nothing with us into
this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out, v. 7. This is a
reason why we should be content with a little. [1.] Because we can
challenge nothing as a debt that is due to us, for we came naked into
the world. Whatever we have had since, we are obliged to the providence
of God for it; but he that gave may take what and when he pleases. We
had our beings, our bodies, our lives (which are more than meat, and
which are more than raiment), when we came into the world, though we
came naked, and brought nothing with us; may we not then be content
while our beings and lives are continued to us, though we have not
every thing we would have? We brought nothing with us into this world,
and yet God provided for us, care was taken of us, we have been fed all
our lives long unto this day; and therefore, when we are reduced to the
greatest straits, we cannot be poorer than when we came into this
world, and yet then we were provided for; therefore let us trust in God
for the remaining part of our pilgrimage. [2.] We shall carry nothing
with us out of this world. A shroud, a coffin, and a grave, are all
that the richest man in the world can have from his thousands.
Therefore why should we covet much? Why should we not be content with a
little, because, how much soever we have, we must leave it behind us?
Eccl. v. 15, 16.
(3.) Hence he infers, having food and raiment, let us be therewith
content, v. 8. Food and a covering, including habitation as well as
raiment. Observe, If God give us the necessary supports of life, we
ought to be content therewith, though we have not the ornaments and
delights of it. If nature should be content with a little, grace should
be content with less; though we have not dainty food, though we have
not costly raiment, if we have but food and raiment convenient for us
we ought to be content. This was Agur's prayer: Give me neither poverty
nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me, Prov. xxx. 8. Here we
see, [1.] The folly of placing our happiness in these things, when we
did not bring any thing into this world with us, and we can carry
nothing out. What will worldlings do when death shall strip them of
their happiness and portion, and they must take an everlasting farewell
of all these things, on which they have so much doted? They may say
with poor Micah, You have taken away my gods; and what have I more?
Jud. xviii. 24. [2.] The necessaries of life are the hounds of a true
Christian's desire, and with these he will endeavour to be content; his
desires are not insatiable; no, a little, a few comforts of this life,
will serve him, and these may hope to enjoy: Having food and raiment.
2. The evil of covetousness. Those that will be rich (that set their
hearts upon the wealth of this world, and are resolved right or wrong,
they will have it), fall into temptation and a snare, v. 9. It is not
said, those that are rich, but those that will be rich, that is, that
place their happiness in worldly wealth, that covet it inordinately,
and are eager and violent in the pursuit of it. Those that are such
fall into temptation and a snare, unavoidably; for, when the devil sees
which way their lusts carry them, he will soon bait his hook
accordingly. He knew how fond Achan would be of a wedge of gold, and
therefore laid that before him. They fall into many foolish and hurtful
lusts. Observe,
(1.) The apostle supposes that, [1.] Some will be rich; that is, they
are resolved upon it, nothing short of a great abundance will satisfy.
[2.] Such will not be safe nor innocent, for they will be in danger of
ruining themselves for ever; they fall into temptation, and a snare,
&c. [3.] Worldly lusts are foolish and hurtful, for they drown men in
destruction and perdition. [4.] It is good for us to consider the
mischievousness of worldly fleshly lusts. They are foolish, and
therefore we should be ashamed of them, hurtful, and therefore we
should be afraid of them, especially considering to what degree they
are hurtful, for they drown men in destruction and perdition.
(2.) The apostle affirms that the love of money is the root of all
evil, v. 10. What sins will not men be drawn to by the love of money?
Particularly this was at the bottom of the apostasy of many from the
faith of Christ; while they coveted money, they erred from the faith,
they quitted their Christianity, and pierced themselves through with
many sorrows. Observe, [1.] What is the root of all evil; the love of
money: people may have money, and yet not love it; but, if they love it
inordinately, it will push them on to all evil. [2.] Covetous persons
will quit the faith, if that be the way to get money: Which while some
coveted after, they have erred from the faith. Demas hath forsaken me,
having loved this present world, 2 Tim. iv. 10. For the world was
dearer to him than Christianity. Observe, Those that err from the faith
pierce themselves with many sorrows; those that depart from God do but
treasure up sorrows for themselves.
II. Hence he takes occasion to caution Timothy, and to counsel him to
keep in the way of God and his duty, and particularly to fulfil the
trust reposed in him as a minister. He addresses himself to him as a
man of God. Ministers are men of God, and ought to conduct themselves
accordingly in every thing; they are men employed for God, devoted to
his honour more immediately. The prophets under the Old Testament were
called men of God. 1. He charges Timothy to take heed of the love of
money, which had been so pernicious to many: Flee these things. It ill
becomes any men, but especially men of God, to set their hearts upon
the things of this world; men of God should be taken up with the things
of God. 2. To arm him against the love of the world, he directs him to
follow that which is good. Follow after righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, patience, meekness: righteousness in his conversation
towards men, godliness towards God, faith and love as living
principles, to support him and carry him on in the practice both of
righteousness and godliness. Those that follow after righteousness and
godliness, from a principle of faith and love, have need to put on
patience and meekness--patience to bear both the rebukes of Providence
and the reproaches of men, and meekness wherewith to instruct
gainsayers and pass by the affronts and injuries that are done us.
Observe, It is not enough that men of God flee these things, but they
must follow after what is directly contrary thereto. Further, What
excellent persons men of God are who follow after righteousness! They
are the excellent of the earth, and, being acceptable to God, they
should be approved of men. 3. He exhorts him to do the part of a
soldier: Fight the good fight of faith. Note, Those who will get to
heaven must fight their way thither. There must be a conflict with
corruption and temptations, and the opposition of the powers of
darkness. Observe, It is a good fight, it is a good cause, and it will
have a good issue. It is the fight of faith; we do not war after the
flesh, for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, 2 Cor. x. 3, 4.
He exhorts him to lay hold on eternal life. Observe, (1.) Eternal life
is the crown proposed to us, for our encouragement to war, and to fight
the good fight of faith, the good warfare. (2.) This we must lay hold
on, as those that are afraid of coming short of it and losing it. Lay
hold, and take heed of losing your hold. Hold fast that which thou
hast, that no man take thy crown, Rev. iii. 11. (3.) We are called to
the fight, and to lay hold on eternal life. (4.) The profession Timothy
and all faithful ministers make before many witnesses is a good
profession; for they profess and engage to fight the good fight of
faith, and to lay hold on eternal life; their calling and their own
profession oblige them to this.
The Apostle's Solemn Charge; Caution to Rich. (a. d. 64.)
13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things,
and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good
confession; 14 That thou keep this commandment without spot,
unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: 15 Which
in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the
King of kings, and Lord of lords; 16 Who only hath immortality,
dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath
seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen. 17
Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded,
nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us
richly all things to enjoy; 18 That they do good, that they be rich
in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; 19 Laying
up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come,
that they may lay hold on eternal life. 20 O Timothy, keep that which
is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and
oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing
have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.
The apostle here charges Timothy to keep this commandment (that is, the
whole work of his ministry, all the trust reposed in him, all the
service expected from him) without spot, unrebukable; he must conduct
himself so in his ministry that he might not lay himself open to any
blame nor incur any blemish. What are the motives to move him to this?
I. He gives him a solemn charge: I give thee charge in the sight of God
that thou do this. He charges him as he will answer it at the great day
to that God whose eyes are upon us all, who sees what we are and what
we do:--God, who quickens all things, who has life in himself and is
the fountain of life. This should quicken us to the service of God that
we serve a God who quickens all things. He charges him before Christ
Jesus, to whom in a peculiar manner he stood related as a minister of
his gospel: Who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession.
Observe, Christ died not only as a sacrifice, but as a martyr; and he
witnessed a good confession when he was arraigned before Pilate, saying
(John xviii. 36, 37), My kingdom is not of this world: I am come to
bear witness unto the truth. That good confession of his before Pilate,
My kingdom is not of this world, should be effectual to draw off all
his followers, both ministers and people, from the love of this world.
II. He reminds him of the confession that he himself had made: Thou
hast professed a good profession before many witnesses (v. 12), namely,
when he was ordained by the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
The obligation of that was still upon him, and he must live up to that,
and be quickened by that, to do the work of his ministry.
III. He reminds him of Christ's second coming: "Keep this
commandment-until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ; keep it as
long as thou live, till Christ come at death to give thee a discharge.
Keep it with an eye to his second coming, when we must all give an
account of the talents we have been entrusted with," Luke xvi. 2.
Observe, The Lord Jesus Christ will appear, and it will be a glorious
appearing, not like his first appearing in the days of his humiliation.
Ministers should have an eye to this appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ
in all their ministrations, and, till his appearing, they are to keep
this commandment without spot, unrebukable. Mentioning the appearing of
Christ, as one that loved it, Paul loves to speak of it, and loves to
speak of him who shall then appear. The appearing of Christ is certain
(he shall show it), but it is not for us to know the time and season of
it, which the Father has kept in his own power: let this suffice us,
that in time he will show it, in the time that he thinks fit for it.
Observe,
1. Concerning Christ and God the Father the apostle here speaks great
things. (1.) That God is the only Potentate; the powers of earthly
princes are all derived from him, and depend upon him. The powers that
exist are ordained of God, Rom. xiii. 1. He is the only Potentate that
is absolute and sovereign, and perfectly independent. (2.) He is the
blessed and the only Potentate, infinitely happy, and nothing can in
the least impair his happiness. (3.) He is King of kings, and Lord of
lords. All the kings of the earth derive their power from him; he gave
them their crowns, they hold them under him, and he has a sovereign
dominion over them. This is Christ's title (Rev. xix. 16), upon his
vesture and his thigh; for he has a name higher than the kings of the
earth. (4.) He only has immortality. He only is immortal in himself,
and has immortality as he is the fountain of it, for the immortality of
angels and spirits derived from him. (5.) He dwells in inaccessible
light, light which no man can approach unto: no man can get to heaven
but those whom he is pleased to bring thither, and admit into his
kingdom. (6.) He is invisible: Whom no man hath seen, nor can see. It
is impossible that mortal eyes should bear the brightness of the divine
glory. No man can see God and live.
2. Having mentioned these glorious attributes, he concludes with a
doxology: To him be honour and power everlasting. Amen. God having all
power and honour to himself, it is our duty to ascribe all power and
honour to him. (1.) What an evil is sin, when committed against such a
God, the blessed and only Potentate! The evil of it rises in proportion
to the dignity of him against whom it is committed. (2.) Great is his
condescension, to take notice of such mean and vile creatures as we
are. What are we then, that the blessed God, the King of kings and Lord
of lords, should seek after us? (3.) Blessed are those who are admitted
to dwell with this great and blessed Potentate. Happy are thy men (says
the queen of Sheba to king Solomon), happy are these thy servants, who
stand continually before thee, 1 Kings x. 8. Much more happy are those
who are allowed to stand before the King of kings. (4.) Let us love,
adore, and praise, the great God; for who shall not fear thee, O Lord,
and glorify thy name? For thou only art holy, Rev. xv. 4.
IV. The apostle adds, by way of postscript, a lesson for rich people,
v. 17-19.
1. Timothy must charge those that are rich to beware of the
temptations, and improve the opportunities, of their prosperous estate.
(1.) He must caution them to take heed of pride. This is a sin that
easily besets rich people, upon whom the world smiles. Charge them that
they be not high-minded, or think of themselves above what is meet, or
be puffed up with their wealth. (2.) He must caution them against vain
confidence in their wealth. Charge them that they trust not in
uncertain riches. Nothing is more uncertain than the wealth of this
world; many have had much of it one day and been stripped of all the
next. Riches make themselves wings, and fly away as an eagle, &c.,
Prov. xxiii. 5. (3.) He must charge them to trust in God, the living
God, to make him their hope, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.
Those who are rich must see God giving them their riches, and giving
them to enjoy them richly; for many have riches, but enjoy them poorly,
not having a heart to use them. (4.) He must charge them to do good
with what they have (for what is the best estate worth, any more than
as it gives a man an opportunity of doing so much the more good?): That
they be rich in good works. Those are truly rich who are rich in good
works. That they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate: not
only to do it, but to do it willingly, for God loves a cheerful giver.
(5.) He must charge them to think of another world, and prepare for
that which is to come by works of charity: Laying up in store a good
foundation against the time to come, that they may take hold on eternal
life.
2. Hence we may observe, (1.) Ministers must not be afraid of the rich;
be they ever so rich, they must speak to them, and charge them. (2.)
They must caution them against pride, and vain confidence in their
riches: That they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches.
Stir them up to works of piety and charity: That they do good, &c. (3.)
This is the way for the rich to lay up in store for themselves for the
time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life; in the way of
well-doing we are to seek for glory, honour, and immortality, and
eternal life will be the end of all, Rom. ii. 7. (4.) Here is a lesson
for ministers in the charge given to Timothy: Keep that which is
committed to thy trust. Every minister is a trustee, and it is a
treasure committed to his trust, which he has to keep. The truths of
God, the ordinances of God, keep these, avoiding profane and vain
babblings; not affecting human eloquence, which the apostle calls vain
babbling, or human learning, which often opposes the truths of God, but
keep close to the written word, for that is committed to our trust.
Some who have been very proud of their learning, their science, which
is falsely so called, have by that been debauched in their principles
and been drawn away from the faith of Christ, which is a good reason
why we should keep to the plain word of the gospel, and resolve to live
and die by that. Observe, [1.] Ministers cannot be too earnestly
exhorted to keep what is committed to their trust, because it is a
great trust lodged with them: O Timothy, keep that which is committed
to thy trust! as if he had said, "I cannot conclude without charging
thee again; whatever thou doest, be sure to keep this trust, for it is
too great a trust to be betrayed." [2.] Ministers are to avoid
babblings, if they would keep what is committed to them, because they
are vain and profane. [3.] That science that opposes the truth of the
gospel is falsely so called; it is not true science, for if it were it
would approve of the gospel and consent to it. [4.] Those who are so
fond of such science are in great danger of erring concerning the
faith; those who are for advancing reason above faith are in danger of
leaving faith.
V. Our apostle concludes with a solemn prayer and benediction: Grace be
with thee. Amen. Observe, this is a short, yet comprehensive prayer for
our friends, for grace comprehends in it all that is good, and grace is
an earnest, yea, a beginning, of glory; for, wherever God gives grace,
he will give glory, and will not withhold any good thing from him who
walketh uprightly. Grace be with you all. Amen.
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Second Timothy
Completed by Benjamin Andrews Atkinson.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
T I M O T H Y.
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This second epistle Paul wrote to Timothy from Rome, when he was a
prisoner there and in danger of his life; this is evident from these
words, I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at
hand, ch. iv. 6. It appears that his removal out of this world, in his
own apprehension, was not far off, especially considering the rage and
malice of his persecutors; and that he had been brought before the
emperor Nero, which he calls his first answer, when no man stood with
him, but all men forsook him, ch. iv. 16. And interpreters agree that
this was the last epistle he wrote. Where Timothy now was is not
certain. The scope of this epistle somewhat differs from that of the
former, not so much relating to his office as an evangelist as to his
personal conduct and behaviour.
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S E C O N D T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. I.
After the introduction (ver. 1, 2) we have, I. Paul's sincere love to
Timothy, ver. 3-5. II. Divers exhortations given to him, ver. 6-14.
III. He speaks of Phygellus and Hermogenes, with others, and closes
with Onesiphorus, ver. 15, to the end.
Introduction; Timothy's Faith and Holiness. (a. d. 66.)
1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the
promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my dearly
beloved son: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and Christ
Jesus our Lord. 3 I thank God, whom I serve from my forefathers with
pure conscience, that without ceasing I have remembrance of thee in my
prayers night and day; 4 Greatly desiring to see thee, being mindful
of thy tears, that I may be filled with joy; 5 When I call to
remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in thee, which dwelt first in
thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in
thee also.
Here is, I. The inscription of the epistle Paul calls himself an
apostle by the will of God, merely by the good pleasure of God, and by
his grace, which he professes himself unworthy of. According to the
promise of life which is in Christ Jesus, or according to the gospel.
The gospel is the promise of life in Christ Jesus; life is the end, and
Christ the way, John xiv. 6. The life is put into the promise, and both
are sure in Christ Jesus the faithful witness; for all the promises of
God in Christ Jesus are yea, and all amen, 2 Cor. i. 20. He calls
Timothy his beloved son. Paul felt the warmest affection for him both
because he had been an instrument of his conversion and because as a
son with his father he had served with him in the gospel. Observe, 1.
Paul was an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God; as he did not
receive the gospel of man, nor was taught it, but had it by the
revelation of Jesus Christ (Gal. i. 12), so his commission to be an
apostle was not by the will of man, but of God: in the former epistle
he says it was by the commandment of God our Saviour, and here by the
will of God. God called him to be an apostle. 2. We have the promise of
life, blessed be God for it: In hope of eternal life, which God, who
cannot lie, promised before the world began, Tit. i. 2. It is a promise
to discover the freeness and certainty of it. 3. This, as well as all
other promises, is in and through Jesus Christ; they all take their
rise from the mercy of God in Christ, and they are sure, so that we may
safely depend on them. 4. The grace, mercy, and peace, which even
Paul's dearly beloved son Timothy wanted, comes from God the Father and
Christ Jesus our Lord; and therefore the one as well as the other is
the giver of these blessings, and ought to be applied to for them. 5.
The best want these blessings, and they are the best we can ask for our
dearly-beloved friends, that they may have grace to help them in the
time of need, and mercy to pardon what is amiss, and so may have peace
with God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
II. Paul's thanksgiving to God for Timothy's faith and holiness: he
thanks God that he remembered Timothy in his prayers. Observe, Whatever
good we do, and whatever good office we perform for our friends, God
must have the glory of it, and we must give him thanks. It is he who
puts it into our hearts to remember such and such in our prayers. Paul
was much in prayer, he prayed night and day; in all his prayers he was
mindful of his friends, he particularly prayed for good ministers, he
prayed for Timothy, and had remembrance of him in his prayers night and
day; he did this without ceasing; prayer was his constant business, and
he never forgot his friends in his prayers, as we often do. Paul served
God from his forefathers with a pure conscience. It was a comfort to
him that he was born in God's house, and was of the seed of those that
served God; as likewise that he had served him with a pure conscience,
according to the best of his light; he had kept a conscience void of
offence, and made it his daily exercise to do so, Acts xxiv. 16. He
greatly desired to see Timothy, out of the affection he had for him,
that he might have some conversation with him, being mindful of his
tears at their last parting. Timothy was sorry to part with Paul, he
wept at parting, and therefore Paul desired to see him again, because
he had perceived by that what a true affection he had for him. He
thanks God that Timothy kept up the religion of his ancestors, v. 5.
Observe, The entail of religion descended upon Timothy by the mother's
side; he had a good mother, and a good grandmother: they believed,
though his father did not, Acts xvi. 1. It is a comfortable thing when
children imitate the faith and holiness of their godly parents, and
tread in their steps, 3 John 4.--Dwelt in thy grandmother and thy
mother, and I am persuaded that in thee also. Paul had a very
charitable opinion of his friends, was very willing to hope the best
concerning them; indeed he had a great deal of reason to believe well
of Timothy, for he had no man like-minded, Phil. ii. 20. Observe, 1. We
are, according to St. Paul, to serve God with a pure conscience, so did
his and our pious forefathers; this is to draw near with a true heart,
in full assurance of faith, having our heart sprinkled from an evil
conscience, Heb. x. 22. 2. In our prayers we are to remember without
ceasing our friends, especially the faithful ministers of Christ. Paul
had remembrance of his dearly beloved son Timothy in his prayers night
and day. 3. The faith that dwells in real believers is unfeigned; it is
without hypocrisy, it is a faith that will stand the trial, and it
dwells in them as a living principle. It was the matter of Paul's
thanksgiving that Timothy inherited the faith of his mother Eunice and
his grandmother Lois, and ought to be ours whenever we see the like; we
should rejoice wherever we see the grace of God; so did Barnabas, Acts
xi. 23, 24. I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in
the truth, 2 John 4.
Cautions and Exhortations; Ministerial Fidelity. (a. d. 66.)
6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of
God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. 7 For God hath
not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a
sound mind. 8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our
Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions
of the gospel according to the power of God; 9 Who hath saved us, and
called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but
according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the
appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and
hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: 11
Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of
the Gentiles. 12 For the which cause I also suffer these things:
nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am
persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him
against that day. 13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou
hast heard of me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. 14 That
good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy Ghost which
dwelleth in us.
Here is an exhortation and excitation of Timothy to his duty (v. 6): I
put thee in remembrance. The best men need remembrancers; what we know
we should be reminded of. 2 Pet. iii. 1, I write this, to stir up your
pure minds by way of remembrance.
I. He exhorts him to stir up the gift of God that was in him. Stir it
up as fire under the embers. It is meant of all the gifts and graces
the God had given him, to qualify him for the work of an evangelist,
the gifts of the Holy Ghost, the extraordinary gifts that were
conferred by the imposition of the apostle's hands. These he must stir
up; he must exercise them and so increase them: use gifts and have
gifts. To him that hath shall be given, Matt. xxv. 29. He must take all
opportunities to use these gifts, and so stir them up, for that is the
best way of increasing them. Whether the gift of God in Timothy was
ordinary or extraordinary (though I incline to the latter), he must
stir it up, otherwise it would decay. Further, you see that this gift
was in him by the putting on of the apostle's hands, which I take to be
distinct from his ordination, for that was performed by the hands of
the presbytery, 1 Tim. iv. 14. It is probable that Timothy had the Holy
Ghost, in his extraordinary gifts and graces, conferred on him by the
laying on of the apostle's hands (for I reckon that none but the
apostles had the power of giving the Holy Ghost), and afterwards, being
thus richly furnished for the work of the ministry, was ordained by the
presbytery. Observe, 1. The great hindrance of usefulness in the
increase of our gifts is slavish fear. Paul therefore warns Timothy
against this: God hath not given us the spirit of fear, v. 7. It was
through base fear that the evil servant buried his talent, and did not
trade with it, Matt. xxv. 25. Now God hath therefore armed us against
the spirit of fear, by often bidding us fear not. "Fear not the face of
man; fear not the dangers you may meet with in the way of your duty."
God hath delivered us from the spirit of fear, and hath given us the
spirit of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. The spirit of power,
or of courage and resolution to encounter difficulties and
dangers;--the spirit of love to God, which will carry us through the
opposition we may meet with, as Jacob made nothing of the hard service
he was to endure for Rachel: the spirit of love to God will set us
above the fear of man, and all the hurt that a man can do us;--and the
spirit of a sound mind, or quietness of mind, a peaceable enjoyment of
ourselves, for we are oftentimes discouraged in our way and work by the
creatures o our own fancy and imagination, which a sober, solid,
thinking mind would obviate, and would easily answer. 2. The spirit God
gives to his ministers is not a fearful, but a courageous spirit; it is
a spirit of power, for they speak in his name who has all power, both
in heaven and earth; and it is a spirit of love, for love to God and
the souls of men must inflame ministers in all their service; and it is
a spirit of a sound mind, for they speak the words of truth and
soberness.
II. He exhorts him to count upon afflictions, and get ready for them:
"Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me
his prisoner. Be not thou ashamed of the gospel, of the testimony thou
hast borne to it." Observe,
1. The gospel of Christ is what we have none of us reason to be ashamed
of. We must not be ashamed of those who are suffering for the gospel of
Christ. Timothy must not be ashamed of good old Paul, though he was now
in bonds. As he must not himself be afraid of suffering, so he must not
be afraid of owning those who were sufferers for the cause of Christ.
(1.) The gospel is the testimony of our Lord; in and by this he bears
testimony of himself to us, and by professing our adherence to it we
bear testimony of him and for him. (2.) Paul was the Lord's prisoner,
his prisoner, Eph. iv. 1. For his sake he was bound with a chain. (3.)
We have no reason to be ashamed either of the testimony of our Lord or
of his prisoners; if we are ashamed of either now, Christ will be
ashamed of us hereafter. "But be thou partaker of the afflictions of
the gospel, according to the power of God, that is, expect afflictions
for the gospel's sake, prepare for them, count upon them, be willing to
take thy lot with the suffering saints in this world. Be partaker of
the afflictions of the gospel;" or, as it may be read, Do thou suffer
with the gospel; "not only sympathize with those who suffer for it, but
be ready to suffer with them and suffer like them." If at any time the
gospel be in distress, he who hopes for life and salvation by it will
be content to suffer with it. Observe, [1.] Then we are likely to bear
afflictions as well, when we fetch strength and power from God to
enable us to bear them: Be thou partaker of the afflictions of the
gospel, according to the power of God. [2.] All Christians, but
especially ministers, must expect afflictions and persecutions for the
sake of the gospel. [3.] These shall be proportioned, according to the
power of God (1 Cor. x. 13) resting upon us.
2. Mentioning God and the gospel, he takes notice what great things God
has done for us by the gospel, v. 9, 10. To encourage him to suffer, he
urges two considerations:--
(1.) The nature of that gospel which he was called to suffer for, and
the glorious and gracious designs and purposes of it. It is usual with
Paul, when he mentions Christ, and the gospel of Christ, to digress
from his subject, and enlarge upon them; so full was he of that which
is all our salvation, and ought to be all our desire. Observe, [1.] The
gospel aims at our salvation: He has saved us, and we must not think
much to suffer for that which we hope to be saved by. He has begun to
save us, and will complete it in due time; for God calls those things
that are not (that are not yet completed) as though they were (Rom. iv.
17); therefore he says, who has saved us. [2.] It is designed for our
sanctification: And called us with a holy calling, called us to
holiness. Christianity is a calling, a holy calling; it is the calling
wherewith we are called, the calling to which we are called, to labour
in it. Observe, All who shall be saved hereafter are sanctified now.
Wherever the call of the gospel is an effectual call, it is found to be
a holy call, making those holy who are effectually called. [3.] The
origin of it is the free grace and eternal purpose of God in Christ
Jesus. If we had merited it, it had been hard to suffer for it; but our
salvation by it is of free grace, and not according to our works, and
therefore we must not think much to suffer for it. This grace is said
to be given us before the world began, that is, in the purpose and
designs of God from all eternity; in Christ Jesus, for all the gifts
that come from God to sinful man come in and through Christ Jesus. [4.]
The gospel is the manifestation of this purpose and grace: By the
appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who had lain in the bosom of the
Father from eternity, and was perfectly apprised of all his gracious
purposes. By his appearing this gracious purpose was made manifest to
us. Did Jesus Christ suffer for it, and shall we think much to suffer
for it? [5.] By the gospel of Christ death is abolished: He has
abolished death, not only weakened it, but taken it out of the way, has
broken the power of death over us; by taking away sin he has abolished
death (for the sting of death is sin, 1 Cor. xv. 56), in altering the
property of it, and breaking the power of it. Death now of an enemy has
become a friend; it is the gate by which we pass out of a troublesome,
vexatious, sinful world, into a world of perfect peace and purity; and
the power thereof is broken, for death does not triumph over those who
believe the gospel, but they triumph over it. O death! where is thy
sting? O grave! where is thy victory? 1 Cor. xv. 55. [6.] He has
brought life and immortality to light by the gospel; he has shown us
another world more clearly than it was before discovered under any
former dispensation, and the happiness of that world, the certain
recompence of our obedience by faith: we all with open face, as in a
glass, behold the glory of God. He has brought it to light, not only
set it before us, but offered it to us, by the gospel. Let us value the
gospel more than ever, as it is that whereby life and immortality are
brought to light, for herein it has the pre-eminence above all former
discoveries; so that it is the gospel of life and immortality, as it
discovers them to us, and directs us in the ready way that leads
thereto, as well as proposes the most weighty motives to excite our
endeavours in seeking after glory, honour, and immortality.
(2.) Consider the example of blessed Paul, v. 11, 12. He was appointed
to preach the gospel, and particularly appointed to teach the Gentiles.
He though it a cause worth suffering for, and why should not Timothy
think so too? No man needs to be afraid nor ashamed to suffer for the
cause of the gospel: I am not ashamed, says Paul, for I know whom I
have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I
have committed unto him against that day. Observe, [1.] Good men often
suffer many things for the best cause in the world: For which cause I
suffer these things; that is, "for my preaching, and adhering to the
gospel." [2.] They need not be ashamed, the cause will bear them out;
but those who oppose it shall be clothed with shame. [3.] Those who
trust in Christ know whom they have trusted. The apostle speaks with a
holy triumph and exultation, as much as to say, "I stand on firm
ground. I know I have lodged the great trust in the hands of the best
trustee." And am persuaded, &c. What must we commit to Christ? The
salvation of our souls, and their preservation to the heavenly kingdom;
and what we so commit to him he will keep. There is a day coming when
our souls will be enquired after: "Man! Woman! thou hadst a soul
committed to thee, what hast thou done with it? To whom it was offered,
to God or Satan? How was it employed, in the service of sin or in the
service of Christ?" There is a day coming, and it will be a very solemn
and awful day, when we must give an account of our stewardship (Luke
xvi. 2), give an account of our souls: now, if by an active obedient
faith we commit it to Jesus Christ, we may be sure he is able to keep
it, and it shall be forthcoming to our comfort in that day.
III. He exhorts him to hold fast the form of sound words, v. 13. 1.
"Have a form of sound words" (so it may be read), "a short form, a
catechism, an abstract of the first principles of religion, according
to the scriptures, a scheme of sound words, a brief summary of the
Christian faith, in a proper method, drawn out by thyself from the holy
scriptures for thy own use;" or, rather, by the form of sound words I
understand the holy scriptures themselves. 2. "Having it, hold it fast,
remember it, retain it, adhere to it. Adhere to it in opposition to all
heresies and false doctrine, which corrupt the Christian faith. Hold
that fast which thou hast heard of me." Paul was divinely inspired. It
is good to adhere to those forms of sound words which we have in the
scriptures; for these, we are sure, were divinely inspired. That is
sound speech, which cannot be condemned, Tit. ii. 8. But how must it be
held fast? In faith and love; that is, we must assent to it as a
faithful saying, and bid it welcome as worthy of all acceptation. Hold
it fast in a good heart, this is the ark of the covenant, in which the
tables both of law and gospel are most safely and profitably deposited,
Ps. cxix. 11. Faith and love must go together; it is not enough to
believe the sound words, and to give an assent to them, but we must
love them, believe their truth and love their goodness, and we must
propagate the form of sound words in love; speaking the truth in love,
Eph. iv. 15. Faith and love which are in Christ Jesus; it must be
Christian faith and love, faith and love fastening upon Jesus Christ,
in and by whom God speaks to us and we to him. Timothy, as a minister,
must hold fast the form of sound words, for the benefit of others. Of
healing words, so it may read; there is healing virtue in the word of
God; he sent his word, and healed them. To the same purport is that (v.
14), That good thing which was committed unto thee keep by the Holy
Ghost, which dwelleth in us. That good thing was the form of sound
words, the Christian doctrine, which was committed to Timothy in his
baptism and education as he was a Christian, and in his ordination as
he was a minister. Observe, (1.) The Christian doctrine is a trust
committed to us. It is committed to Christians in general, but to
ministers in particular. It is a good thing, of unspeakable value in
itself, and which will be of unspeakable advantage to us; it is a good
thing indeed, it is an inestimable jewel, for it discovers to us the
unsearchable riches of Christ, Eph. iii. 8. It is committed to us to be
preserved pure and entire, and to be transmitted to those who shall
come after us, and we must keep it, and not contribute any thing to the
corrupting of its purity, the weakening of its power, or the
diminishing of its perfection: Keep it by the Holy Ghost that dwelleth
in us. Observe, Even those who are ever so well taught cannot keep what
they have learned, any more than they could at first learn it, without
the assistance of the Holy Spirit. We must not think to keep it by our
own strength, but keep it by the Holy Ghost. (2.) The Holy Ghost dwells
in all good ministers and Christians; they are his temples, and he
enables them to keep the gospel pure and uncorrupt; and yet they must
use their best endeavours to keep this good thing, for the assistance
and indwelling of the Holy Ghost do not exclude men's endeavours, but
they very well consist together.
Ministerial Fortitude. (a. d. 66.)
15 This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away
from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 16 The Lord give mercy
unto the house of Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not
ashamed of my chain: 17 But, when he was in Rome, he sought me out
very diligently, and found me. 18 The Lord grant unto him that he may
find mercy of the Lord in that day: and in how many things he
ministered unto me at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.
Having (v. 13, 14) exhorted Timothy to hold fast,
I. He mentions the apostasy of many from the doctrine of Christ, v. 15.
It seems, in the best and purest ages of the church, there were those
that had embraced the Christian faith, and yet afterwards revolted from
it, nay, there were many such. He does not say that they had turned
away from the doctrine of Christ (though it should seem they had) but
they had turned away from him, they had turned their backs upon him,
and disowned him in the time of his distress. And should we wonder at
it, when many turned their backs on a much better than Paul? I mean the
Lord Jesus Christ, John vi. 66.
II. He mentions the constancy of one that adhered to him, namely,
Onesiphorus: For he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my
chain, v. 16. Observe, 1. What kindness Onesiphorus had shown to Paul:
he refreshed him, he often refreshed him with his letters, and
counsels, and comforts, and he was not ashamed of his chains. He was
not ashamed of him, not withstanding the disgrace he was now under. He
was kind to him not once or twice, but often; not only when he was at
Ephesus among his own friends, but when Onesiphorus was at Rome; he
took care to seek Paul out very diligently, and found him, v. 17.
Observe, A good man will seek opportunities of doing good, and will not
shun any that offer. At Ephesus he had ministered to him, and been very
kind to him: Timothy knew it. 2. How Paul returns his kindness, v.
16-18. He that receives a prophet shall have a prophet's reward. He
repays him with his prayers: The Lord give mercy to Onesiphorus. It is
probable that Onesiphorus was now absent from home, and in company with
Paul; Paul therefore prays that his house might be kept during his
absence. Though the papists will have it that he was now dead; and,
from Paul's praying for him that he might find mercy, they conclude the
warrantableness of praying for the dead; but who told them that
Onesiphorus was dead? And can it be safe to ground a doctrine and
practice of such importance on a mere supposition and very great
uncertainty?
III. He prays for Onesiphorus himself, as well as for his house: That
he may find mercy in that day, in the day of death and of judgment,
when Christ will account all the good offices done to his poor members
as done to himself. Observe, 1. The day of death and judgment is an
awful day, and may be emphatically called that day. 2. We need desire
no more to make us happy than to find mercy of the Lord in that day,
when those that have shown no mercy will have judgment without mercy.
3. The best Christians will want mercy in that day; looking for the
mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, Jude 21. 4. If you would have mercy
then, you must seek for it now of the Lord. 5. It is of and from the
Lord that we must have mercy; for, unless the Lord has mercy on us, in
vain will be the pity and compassion of men or angels. 6. We are to
seek and ask for mercy of the Lord, who is the giver and bestower of
it; for the Lord Jesus Christ has satisfied justice, that mercy might
be displayed. We are to come to a throne of grace, that we may obtain
mercy, and find grace to help in the time of need. 7. The best thing we
can seek, either for ourselves or our friends, is that the Lord will
grant to them that they may find mercy of the Lord in that day, when
they must pass our of time into eternity, and exchange this world for
the other, and appear before the judgment-seat of Christ: the Lord then
grant unto all of us that we may find mercy of the Lord in that day.
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S E C O N D T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. II.
In this chapter our apostle gives Timothy many exhortations and
directions, which may be of great use to other, both ministers and
Christians, for whom they were designed as well as for him. I. He
encourages him in his work, showing him whence he must fetch help, ver.
1. II. He must take care of a succession in the ministry, that the
office might not die with him, ver. 2. III. He exhorts him to constancy
and perseverance in this work, as a soldier and as a husbandman,
considering what would be the end of all his sufferings, &c., ver.
3-15. IV. He must shun profane and vain babblings (ver. 16-18), for
they will be pernicious and mischievous. V. He speaks of the foundation
of God, which standeth sure, ver. 19-21. VI. What he is to
avoid--youthful lusts, and foolish and unlearned questions; and what to
do, ver. 22, to the end.
Ministerial Fortitude. (a. d. 66.)
1 Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ
Jesus. 2 And the things that thou hast heard of me among many
witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to
teach others also. 3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good
soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 No man that warreth entangleth himself
with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen
him to be a soldier. 5 And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is
he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. 6 The husbandman that
laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. 7 Consider what I
say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.
Here Paul encourages Timothy to constancy and perseverance in his work:
Be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, v. 1. Observe, Those
who have work to do for God must stir up themselves to do it, and
strengthen themselves for it. Being strong in the grace that is in
Christ Jesus may be understood in opposition to the weakness of grace.
Where there is the truth of grace there must be a labouring after the
strength of grace. As our trials increase, we have need to grow
stronger and stronger in that which is good; our faith stronger, our
resolution stronger, our love to God and Christ stronger. Or it may be
understood in opposition to our being strong in our own strength: "Be
strong, not confiding in thy own sufficiency, but in the grace that is
in Jesus Christ." Compare Eph. vi. 10, Be strong in the Lord, and in
the power of his might. When Peter promised rather to die for Christ
than to deny him he was strong in his own strength; had he been strong
in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, he would have kept his standing
better. Observe, 1. There is grace in Christ Jesus; for the law was
given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ, John i. 17.
There is grace enough in him for all of us. 2. We must be strong in
this grace; not in ourselves, in our own strength, or in the grace we
have already received, but in the grace that is in him, and that is the
way to be strong in grace. 3. As a father exhorts his son, so does Paul
exhort Timothy, with great tenderness and affection: Thou, therefore,
my son, be strong, &c. Observe,
I. Timothy must count upon sufferings, even unto blood, and therefore
he must train up others to succeed him in the ministry of the gospel,
v. 2. He must instruct others, and train them up for the ministry, and
so commit to them the things which he had heard; and he must also
ordain them to the ministry, lodge the gospel as a trust in their
hands, and so commit to them the things which he had heard. Two things
he must have an eye to in ordaining ministers:--Their fidelity or
integrity ("Commit them to faithful men, who will sincerely aim at the
glory of God, the honour of Christ, the welfare of souls, and the
advancement of the kingdom of the Redeemer among men"), and also their
ministerial ability. They must not only be knowing themselves, but be
able to teach others also, and be apt to teach. Here we have, 1. The
things Timothy was to commit to others--what he had heard of the
apostle among many witnesses; he must not deliver any thing besides,
and what Paul delivered to him and others he had received of the Lord
Jesus Christ. 2. He was to commit them as a trust, as a sacred deposit,
which they were to keep, and to transmit pure and uncorrupt unto
others. 3. Those to whom he was to commit these things must be
faithful, that is, trusty men, and who were skilful to teach others. 4.
Though men were both faithful and able to teach others, yet these
things must be committed to them by Timothy, a minister, a man in
office; for none must intrude themselves into the ministry, but must
have these things committed to them by those already in that office.
II. He must endure hardness (v. 3): Thou therefore, &c. 1. All
Christians, but especially ministers, are soldiers of Jesus Christ;
they fight under his banner, in his cause, and against his enemies, for
he is the captain of our salvation, Heb. ii. 10. 2. The soldiers of
Jesus Christ must approve themselves good soldiers, faithful to their
captain, resolute in his cause, and must not give over fighting till
they are made more than conquerors, through him that loved them, Rom.
viii. 37. 3. Those who would approve themselves good soldiers of Jesus
Christ must endure hardness; that is, we must expect it and count upon
it in this world, must endure and accustom ourselves to it, and bear it
patiently when it comes, and not be moved by it from our integrity.
III. He must not entangle himself in the affairs of this world, v. 4. A
soldier, when he has enlisted, leaves his calling, and all the business
of it, that he may attend his captain's orders. If we have given up
ourselves to be Christ's soldiers, we must sit loose to this world; and
though there is no remedy, but we must employ ourselves in the affairs
of this life while we are here (we have something to do here), we must
not entangle ourselves with those affairs, so as by them to be diverted
and drawn aside from our duty to God and the great concerns of our
Christianity. Those who will war the good warfare must sit loose to
this world. That we may please him who hath chosen us to be soldiers.
Observe, 1. The great care of a soldier should be to please his
general; so the great care of a Christian should be to please Christ,
to approve ourselves to him. The way to please him who hath chosen us
to be soldiers is not to entangle ourselves with the affairs of this
life, but to be free from such entanglements as would hinder us in our
holy warfare.
IV. He must see to it that in carrying on the spiritual warfare he went
by rule, that he observed the laws of war (v. 5): If a man strive for
masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully. We are
striving for mastery, to get the mastery of our lusts and corruptions,
to excel in that which is good, but we cannot expect the prize unless
we observe the laws. In doing that which is good we must take care that
we do it in a right manner, that our good may not be evil spoken of.
Observe here, 1. A Christian is to strive for masteries; he must aim at
mastering his own lusts and corruptions. 2. Yet he must strive
according to the laws given to him; he must strive lawfully. 3. Those
who do so shall be crowned at last, after a complete victory is
obtained.
V. He must be willing to wait for a recompence (v. 6): The husbandman
that laboureth must be first partaker of the fruits. Or, as it should
be read, The husbandman labouring first must partake of the fruits, as
appears by comparing it with Jam. v. 7. If we would be partakers of the
fruits, we must labour; if we would gain the prize, we must run the
race. And, further, we must first labour as the husbandman does, with
diligence and patience, before we are partakers of the fruit; we must
do the will of God, before we receive the promises, for which reason we
have need of patience, Heb. x. 36.
The apostle further commends what he had said to the attention of
Timothy, and expresses his desire and hope respecting him: Consider
what I say, and the Lord give thee understanding in all things, v. 7.
Here, 1. Paul exhorts Timothy to consider those thing about which he
admonished him. Timothy must be reminded to use his considering
faculties about the things of God. Consideration is as necessary to a
good conversation as to a sound conversion. 2. He prays for him: The
Lord give thee understanding in all things. Observe, It is God who
gives understanding. The most intelligent man needs more and more of
this gift. If he who gave the revelation in the word does not give the
understanding in the heart, we are nothing. Together with our prayers
for others, that the Lord would give them understanding in all things,
we must exhort and stir them up to consider what we say, for
consideration is the way to understand, remember, and practise, what we
hear or read.
Ministerial Encouragements. (a. d. 66.)
8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the
dead according to my gospel: 9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil
doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound. 10 Therefore
I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain
the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 It is a
faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with
him: 12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him,
he also will deny us: 13 If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful:
he cannot deny himself.
I. To encourage Timothy in suffering, the apostle puts him in mind of
the resurrection of Christ (v. 8): Remember that Jesus Christ, of the
seed of David, was raised from the dead, according to my gospel. This
is the great proof of his divine mission, and therefore a great
confirmation of the truth of the Christian religion; and the
consideration of it should make us faithful to our Christian
profession, and should particularly encourage us in suffering for it.
Let suffering saints remember this. Observe, 1. We are to look to
Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was
set before him, endured the cross, despised the shame, and has now sat
down at the right hand of the throne of God, Heb. xii. 2. 2. The
incarnation and resurrection of Jesus Christ, heartily believed and
rightly considered, will support a Christian under all sufferings in
the present life.
II. Another thing to encourage him in suffering was that he had Paul
for an example. Observe,
1. How the apostle suffered (v. 9): Wherein I suffer as an evil-doer;
and let not Timothy the son expect any better treatment than Paul the
father. Paul was a man who did good, and yet suffered as an evil-doer:
we must not think it strange if those who do well fare ill in this
world, and if the best of men meet with the worst of treatment; but
this was his comfort that the word of God was not bound. Persecuting
powers may silence ministers and restrain them, but they cannot hinder
the operation of the word of God upon men's hearts and consciences;
that cannot be bound by any human force. This might encourage Timothy
not to be afraid of bonds for the testimony of Jesus; for the word of
Christ, which ought to be dearer to him than liberty, or life itself,
should in the issue suffer nothing by those bonds. Here we see, (1.)
The good apostle's treatment in the world: I suffer trouble; to this he
was called and appointed. (2.) The pretence and colour under which he
suffered: I suffer as an evil-doer; so the Jews said to Pilate
concerning Christ, If he were not a malefactor, we would not have
delivered him up to thee, John xviii. 30. (3.) The real and true cause
of his suffering trouble as an evil-doer: Wherein; that is, in or for
the sake of the gospel. The apostle suffered trouble unto bonds, and
afterwards he resisted unto blood, striving against sin, Heb. xii. 4.
Though the preachers of the word are often bound, yet the word is never
bound.
2. Why he suffered cheerfully: I endure all things for the elects'
sake, v. 10. Observe, (1.) Good ministers may and should encourage
themselves in the hardest services and the hardest sufferings, with
this, that God will certainly bring good to his church, and benefit to
his elect, out of them.--That they may obtain the salvation which is in
Christ Jesus. Next to the salvation of our own souls we should be
willing to do and suffer any thing to promote the salvation of the
souls of others. (2.) The elect are designed to obtain salvation: God
hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation, 1 Thess. v. 9.
(3.) This salvation is in Christ Jesus, in him as the fountain, the
purchaser, and the giver of it; and it is accompanied with eternal
glory: there is no salvation in Christ Jesus without it. (4.) The
sufferings of our apostle were for the elects' sake, for their
confirmation and encouragement.
III. Another thing with which he encourages Timothy is the prospect of
a future state.
1. Those who faithfully adhere to Christ and to his truths and ways,
whatever it cost them, will certainly have the advantage of it in
another world: If we be dead with him, we shall live with him, v. 11.
If we be dead with him, we shall live with him, v. 11. If, in
conformity to Christ, we be dead to this world, its pleasures, profits,
and honours, we shall go to live with him in a better world, to be for
ever with him. Nay, though we be called out to suffer for him, we shall
not lose by that. Those who suffer for Christ on earth shall reign with
Christ in heaven, v. 12. Those who suffered with David in his
humiliation were preferred with him in his exaltation: so it will be
with those who suffer with the Son of David.
2. It is at our peril if we prove unfaithful to him: If we deny him, he
also will deny us. If we deny him before man, he will deny us before
his Father, Matt. x. 33. And that man must needs be for ever miserable
whom Christ disowns at last. This will certainly be the issue, whether
we believe it or no (v. 13): If we believe not, yet he abideth
faithful; he cannot deny himself. He is faithful to his threatenings,
faithful to his promises; neither one nor the other shall fall to the
ground, no, not the least, jot nor tittle of them. If we be faithful to
Christ, he will certainly be faithful to us. If we be false to him, he
will be faithful to his threatenings: he cannot deny himself, cannot
recede from any word that he hath spoken, for he is yea, and amen, the
faithful witness. Observe, (1.) Our being dead with Christ precedes our
living with him, and is connected with it: the one is in order to the
other; so our suffering for him is the way to reign with him. You that
have followed me in the regeneration, when the Son of man shall sit on
the throne of his glory, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones,
judging the twelve tribes of Israel Matt. xix. 28. (2.) This is a
faithful saying, and may be depended on and ought to be believed. But,
(3.) If we deny him, out of fear, or shame, or for the sake of some
temporal advantage, he will deny and disown us, and will not deny
himself, but will continue faithful to his word when he threatens as
well as when he promises.
Cautions against Error. (a. d. 66.)
14 Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the
Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the
subverting of the hearers. 15 Study to show thyself approved unto
God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth. 16 But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will
increase unto more ungodliness. 17 And their word will eat as doth a
canker: of whom is Hymenæus and Philetus; 18 Who concerning the truth
have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow
the faith of some.
Having thus encouraged Timothy to suffer, he comes in the next place to
direct him in his work.
I. He must make it his business to edify those who were under his
charge, to put them in remembrance of those things which they did
already know; for this is the work of ministers; not to tell people
that which they never knew before, but to put them in mind of that
which they do know, charging them that they strive not about words.
Observe, Those that are disposed to strive commonly strive about
matters of very small moment. Strifes of words are very destructive to
the things of God. That they strive not about words to no profit. If
people did but consider of what little use most of the controversies in
religion are, they would not be so zealous in their strifes of words,
to the subverting of the hearers, to the drawing of them away from the
great things of God, and occasioning unchristian heats and animosities,
by which truth is often in danger of being lost. Observe, People are
very prone to strive about words, and such strifes never answer any
other ends than to shake some and subvert others; they are not only
useless, but they are very hurtful, and therefore ministers are to
charge the people that they do not strive about words, and they are
most likely to be regarded when they charge them before the Lord, that
is, in his name and from his word; when they produce their warrant for
what they say.--Study to show thyself approved unto God, v. 15.
Observe, The care of ministers must be to approve themselves unto God,
to be accepted of him, and to show that they are so approved unto God.
In order thereunto, there must be constant care and industry: Study to
show thyself such a one, a workman that needs not be ashamed. Ministers
must be workmen; they have work to do, and they must take pains in it.
Workmen that are unskilful, or unfaithful, or lazy, have need to be
ashamed; but those who mind their business, and keep to their work, are
workmen that need not be ashamed. And what is their work? It is rightly
to divide the word of truth. Not to invent a new gospel, but rightly to
divide the gospel that is committed to their trust. To speak terror to
those to whom terror belongs, comfort to whom comfort; to give every
one his portion in due season, Matt. xxiv. 45. Observe here, 1. The
word which ministers preach is the word of truth, for the author of it
is the God of truth. 2. It requires great wisdom, study, and care, to
divide this word of truth rightly; Timothy must study in order to do
this well.
II. He must take heed of that which would be a hindrance to him in his
work, v. 16. He must take heed of error: Shun profane and vain
babblings. The heretics, who boasted of their notions and their
arguments, thought their performances such as might recommend them; but
the apostle calls them profane and vain babblings: when once men become
fond of those they will increase unto more ungodliness. The way of
error is down-hill; one absurdity being granted or contended for, a
thousand follow: Their word will eat as doth a canker, or gangrene;
when errors or heresies come into the church, the infecting of one
often proves the infecting of many, or the infecting of the same person
with one error often proves the infecting of him with many errors. Upon
this occasion the apostle mentions some who had lately advanced
erroneous doctrines: Hymeneus and Philetus. He names these corrupt
teachers, by which he sets a brand upon them, to their perpetual
infamy, and warns all people against hearkening to them. They have
erred concerning the truth, or concerning one of the fundamental
articles of the Christian religion, which is truth. The resurrection of
the dead is one of the great doctrines of Christ. Now see the subtlety
of the serpent and the serpent's seed. They did not deny the
resurrection (for that had been boldly and avowedly to confront the
word of Christ), but they put a corrupt interpretation upon that true
doctrine, saying that the resurrection was past already, that what
Christ spoke concerning the resurrection was to be understood
mystically and by way of allegory, that it must be meant of a spiritual
resurrection only. It is true, there is a spiritual resurrection, but
to infer thence that there will not be a true and real resurrection of
the body at the last day is to dash one truth of Christ in pieces
against another. By this they overthrew the faith of some, took them
off from the belief of the resurrection of the dead; and if there be no
resurrection of the dead, nor future state, no recompence of our
services and sufferings in another world, we are of men the most
miserable, 1 Cor. xv. 19. Whatever takes away the doctrine of a future
state overthrows the faith of Christians. The apostle had largely
disproved this error (1 Cor. xv.), and therefore does not here enter
into the arguments against it. Observe, 1. The babblings Timothy was to
shun were profane and vain; they were empty shadows, and led to
profaneness: For they will increase unto more ungodliness. 2. Error is
very productive, and on that account the more dangerous: it will eat
like a gangrene. 3. When men err concerning the truth, they always
endeavour to have some plausible pretence for it. Hymeneus and Philetus
did not deny a resurrection, but pretended it was already past. 4.
Error, especially that which affects the foundation, will overthrow the
faith of some.
Cautions against Error. (a. d. 66.)
19 Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal,
The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the
name of Christ depart from iniquity. 20 But in a great house there
are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of
earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. 21 If a man
therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour,
sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good
work.
Here we see what we may comfort ourselves with, in reference to this,
and the little errors and heresies that both infect and infest the
church, and do mischief.
I. It may be a great comfort to us that the unbelief of men cannot make
the promise of God of no effect. Though the faith of some particular
persons be overthrown, yet the foundation of God standeth sure (v. 19);
it is not possible that they should deceive the elect. Or it may be
meant of the truth itself, which they impugn. All the attacks which the
powers of darkness have made upon the doctrine of Christ cannot shake
it; it stands firm, and weathers all the storms which have been raised
against it. The prophets and apostles, that is, the doctrines of the
Old and New Testament, are still firm; and they have a seal with two
mottoes upon it, one on the one side, and the other on the other, as is
usual in a broad seal. 1. One expresses our comfort--that the Lord
knows those that are his, and those that are not; knows them, that is,
he owns them, so knows them that he will never lose them. Though the
faith of some be overthrown, yet the Lord is said to know the ways of
the righteous, Ps. i. 6. None can overthrow the faith of any whom God
hath chosen. 2. Another declares our duty--that every one who names the
name of Christ must depart from iniquity. Those who would have the
comfort of the privilege must make conscience of the duty. If the name
of Christ be called upon us, we must depart from iniquity, else he will
not own us; he will say in the great day (Matt. vii. 23), Depart from
me, I never knew you, you workers of iniquity. Observe, (1.) Whatever
errors are introduced into the church, the foundation of God standeth
sure, his purpose can never be defeated. (2.) God hath some in the
church who are his and whom he knows to be his. (3.) Professing
Christians name the name of Christ, are called by his name, and
therefore are bound to depart from iniquity; for Christ gave himself
for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, Tit. ii. 14.
II. Another thing that may comfort us is that though there are some
whose faith is overthrown, yet there are others who keep their
integrity, and hold it fast (v. 20): In a great house there are not
only vessels of gold, &c. The church of Christ is a great house, a
well-furnished house: now some of the furniture of this house is of
great value, as the plate in a house; some of small value, and put to
mean uses, as the vessels of wood and earth; so it is in the church of
God. There are some professors of religion that are like the vessels of
wood and earth, they are vessels of dishonour. But at the same time all
are not vessels of dishonour; there are vessels of gold and silver,
vessels of honour, that are sanctified and meet for the Master's use.
When we are discouraged by the badness of some, we must encourage
ourselves by the consideration of the goodness of others. Now we should
see to it that we be vessels of honour: we must purge ourselves from
these corrupt opinions, that we may be sanctified for our Master's use.
Observe, 1. In the church there are some vessels of honour and some of
dishonour; there are some vessels of mercy and other vessels of wrath,
Rom. ix. 22, 23. Some dishonour the church by their corrupt opinions
and wicked lives; and others honour and credit it by their exemplary
conversation. 2. A man must purge himself from these before he can be a
vessel of honour, or meet for his Master's use. 3. Every vessel must be
fit for its Master's use; every one in the church whom God approves
must be devoted to his Master's service and meet for his use. 4.
Sanctification in the heart is our preparation for every good work. The
tree must be made good, and then the fruit will be good.
Cautions against Contention. (a. d. 66.)
22 Flee also youthful lusts: but follow righteousness, faith, charity,
peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But
foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender
strifes. 24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be
gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, 25 In meekness
instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give
them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they
may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken
captive by him at his will.
I. Paul here exhorts Timothy to beware of youthful lusts, v. 22. Though
he was a holy good man, very much mortified to the world, yet Paul
thought it necessary to caution him against youthful lusts: "Flee them,
take all possible care and pains to keep thyself pure from them." The
lusts of the flesh are youthful lusts, which young people must
carefully watch against, and the best must not be secure. He prescribes
an excellent remedy against youthful lusts: Follow righteousness,
faith, charity peace, &c. Observe, 1. Youthful lusts are very
dangerous, for which reason even hopeful young people should be warned
of them, for they war against the soul, 1 Pet. ii. 11. 2. The exciting
of our graces will be the extinguishing of our corruptions; the more we
follow that which is good the faster and the further we shall flee from
that which is evil. Righteousness, and faith, and love, will be
excellent antidotes against youthful lusts. Holy love will cure impure
lust.--Follow peace with those that call on the Lord. The keeping up of
the communion of saints will take us off from all fellowship with
unfruitful works of darkness. See the character of Christians: they are
such as call on the Lord Jesus Christ, out of a pure heart. Observe,
Christ is to be prayed to. It is the character of all Christians that
they call upon him; but our prayers to God and Christ are not
acceptable nor successful except they come out of a pure heart.
II. He cautions him against contention, and, to prevent this (v. 23),
cautions him against foolish and unlearned questions, that tend to no
benefit, strifes of words. Those who advanced them, and doted upon
them, thought themselves wise and learned; but Paul calls them foolish
and unlearned. The mischief of these is that they gender strifes, that
they breed debates and quarrels among Christians and ministers. It is
very remarkable how often, and with what seriousness, the apostle
cautions Timothy against disputes in religion, which surely was not
without some such design as this, to show that religion consists more
in believing and practising what God requires than in subtle
disputes.--The servant of the Lord must not strive, v. 24. Nothing
worse becomes the servant of the Lord Jesus, who himself did not strive
nor cry (Matt. xii. 19), but was a pattern of meekness, and mildness,
and gentleness to all, than strife and contention. The servant of the
Lord must be gentle to all men, and thereby show that he is himself
subject to the commanding power of that holy religion which he is
employed in preaching and propagating.--Apt to teach. Those are unapt
to teach who are apt to strive, and are fierce and froward. Ministers
must be patient, bearing with evil, and in meekness instructing (v. 25)
not only those who subject themselves, but those who oppose themselves.
Observe, 1. Those who oppose themselves to the truth are to be
instructed; for instruction is the scripture-method of dealing with the
erroneous, which is more likely to convince them of their errors than
fire and faggot: he does not bid us kill their bodies, under pretence
of saving their souls. 2. Such as oppose themselves are to be
instructed in meekness, for our Lord is meek and lowly (Matt. xi. 29),
and this agrees well with the character of the servant of the Lord (v.
24): He must not strive, but be gentle to all men, apt to teach,
patient. This is the way to convey truth in its light and power, and to
overcome evil with good, Rom. xii. 21. 3. That which ministers must
have in their eyes, in instructing those who oppose themselves, must be
their recovery: If God, peradventure, will give them repentance to the
acknowledging of the truth. Observe, (1.) Repentance is God's gift.
(2.) It is a gift with a peradventure in the case of those who oppose
themselves; and therefore, though we are not to despair of the grace of
God, yet we must take heed of presuming upon it. To the acknowledging
of the truth. (3.) The same God who gives us the discovery of the truth
does by his grace bring us to the acknowledging of it, otherwise our
hearts would continue in rebellion against it, for we are to confess
with our mouths as well as to believe with our hearts, Rom. x. 9, 10.
And thus sinners recover themselves out of the snare of the devil; see
here, [1.] The misery of sinners: they are in the snare of the devil,
and are led captive by him at his will, v. 26. They are slaves to the
worst of task-masters; he is the spirit that now worketh in the
children of disobedience, Eph. ii. 2. They are taken in a snare, and in
the worst snare, because it is the devil's; they are as fishes that are
taken in n evil net, and as the birds that are caught in the snare.
Further, They are under Ham's curse (a servant of servants shall he be,
Gen. ix. 25), they are slaves to him who is but a slave and vassal.
[2.] The happiness of those who repent: they recover themselves out of
this snare, as a bird out of the snare of the fowler; the snare is
broken and they have escaped; and the greater the danger the greater
the deliverance. When sinners repent, those who before were led captive
by the devil at his will come to be led into the glorious liberty of
the children of God, and have their wills melted into the will of the
Lord Jesus. The good Lord recover us all out of the snare.
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S E C O N D T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. III.
I. The apostle forewarns Timothy what the last days would be, with the
reasons thereof, ver. 1-9. II. Prescribes various remedies against them
(ver. 10, to the end), particularly his own example ("But thou hast
fully known my doctrine," &c.) and the knowledge of the holy
scriptures, which are able to make us wise unto salvation, and will be
the best antidote against the corruptions of the times we live in. In
this chapter Paul tells Timothy how bad others would be, and therefore
how good he should be; and this use we should make of the badness of
others, thereby to engage us to hold our own integrity so much the
firmer.
Marks of Perilous Times. (a. d. 66.)
1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. 2
For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud,
blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, 3 Without
natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good, 4 Traitors, heady, highminded,
lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; 5 Having a form of
godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. 6 For
of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly
women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 7 Ever learning,
and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. 8 Now as Jannes
and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of
corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. 9 But they shall
proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as
theirs also was.
Timothy must not think it strange if there were in the church bad men;
for the net of the gospel was to enclose both good fish and bad, Matt.
xxii. 47, 48. Jesus Christ had foretold (Matt. xxiv.) that there would
come seducers, and therefore we must not be offended at it, nor think
the worse of religion or the church for it. Even in gold ore there will
be dross, and a great deal of chaff among the wheat when it lies on the
floor.
I. Timothy must know that in the last days (v. 1), in gospel times,
there would come perilous times. Though gospel times were times of
reformation in many respects, let him know that even in gospel times
there would be perilous times; not so much on account of persecution
from without as on account of corruptions within. These would be
difficult times, wherein it would be difficult for a man to keep a good
conscience. He does not say, "Perilous times shall come, for both Jews
and Gentiles shall be combined to root out Christianity;" but "perilous
times shall come, for such as have the form of godliness (v. 5) shall
be corrupt and wicked, and do a great deal of damage to the church."
Two traitors within the garrison may do more hurt to it than two
thousand besiegers without. Perilous times shall come, for men shall be
wicked. Note, 1. Sin makes the times perilous. When there is a general
corruption of manners, and of the tempers of men, this makes the times
dangerous to live in; for it is hard to keep our integrity in the midst
of general corruption. 2. The coming of perilous times is an evidence
of the truth of scripture-predictions; if the event in this respect did
not answer to the prophecy, we might be tempted to question the
divinity of the Bible. 3. We are all concerned to know this, to believe
and consider it, that we may not be surprised when we see the times
perilous: This know also.
II. Paul tells Timothy what would be the occasion of making these times
perilous, or what shall be the marks and signs whereby these times may
be known, v. 2, &c. 1. Self-love will make the times perilous. Who is
there who does not love himself? But this is meant of an irregular
sinful self-love. Men love their carnal selves better than their
spiritual selves. Men love to gratify their own lusts, and make
provision for them, more than to please God and do their duty. Instead
of Christian charity, which takes care for the good of others, they
will mind themselves only, and prefer their own gratification before
the church's edification. 2. Covetousness. Observe, Self-love brings in
a long train of sins and mischiefs. When men are lovers of themselves,
no good can be expected from them, as all good may be expected from
those who love God with all their hearts. When covetousness generally
prevails, when every man is for what he can get and for keeping what he
has, this makes men dangerous to one another, and obliges every man to
stand on his guard against his neighbour. 3. Pride and vain-glory. The
times are perilous when men, being proud of themselves, are boasters
and blasphemers, boasters before men whom they despise and look upon
with scorn, and blasphemers of God and of his name. When men do not
fear God they will not regard man, and so vice versâ. 4. When children
are disobedient to their parents, and break through the obligations
which they lie under to them both in duty and gratitude, and frequently
in interest, having their dependence upon them and their expectation
from them, they make the times perilous; for what wickedness will those
stick at who will be abusive to their own parents and rebel against
them? 5. Unthankfulness and unholiness make the times perilous, and
these two commonly go together. What is the reason that men are unholy
and without the fear of God, but that they are unthankful for the
mercies of God? Ingratitude and impiety go together; for call a man
ungrateful, and you can call him by no worse name. Unthankful, and
impure, defiled with fleshly lusts, which is an instance of great
ingratitude to that God who has provided so well for the support of the
body; we abuse his gifts, if we make them the food and fuel of our
lusts. 6. The times are perilous when men will not be held by the bonds
either of nature or common honesty, when they are without natural
affection, and truce-breakers, v. 3. There is a natural affection due
to all. Wherever there is the human nature, there should be humanity
towards those of the same nature, but especially between relations.
Times are perilous when children are disobedient to their parents (v.
2) and when parents are without natural affection to their children, v.
3. See what a corruption of nature sin is, how it deprives men even of
that which nature has implanted in them for the support of their own
kind; for the natural affection of parents to their children is that
which contributes very much to the keeping up of mankind upon the
earth. And those who will not be bound by natural affection, no marvel
that they will not be bound by the most solemn leagues and covenants.
They are truce-breakers, that make no conscience of the engagements
they have laid themselves under. 7. The times are perilous when men are
false accusers one of another, diaboloi--devils one to another, having
no regard to the good name of others, or to the religious obligations
of an oath, but thinking themselves at liberty to say and do what they
please, Ps. xii. 4. 8. When men have no government of themselves and
their own appetites: not of their own appetites, for they are
incontinent; not of their own passions, for they are fierce; when they
have no rule over their own spirits, and therefore are like a city that
is broken down, and has no walls; they are soon fired, upon the least
provocation. 9. When that which is good and ought to be honoured is
generally despised and looked upon with contempt. It is the pride of
persecutors that they look with contempt upon good people, though they
are more excellent than their neighbours. 10. When men are generally
treacherous, wilful, and haughty, the times are perilous (v. 4)-- when
men are traitors, heady, high-minded. Our Saviour has foretold that the
brother shall betray the brother to death and the father the child
(Matt. x. 21), and those are the worst sort of traitors: those who
delivered up their Bibles to persecutors were called traditores, for
they betrayed the trust committed to them. When men are petulant and
puffed up, behaving scornfully to all about them, and when this temper
generally prevails, then the times are perilous. 11. When men are
generally lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God. When there are
more epicures than true Christians, then the times are bad indeed. God
is to be loved above all. That is a carnal mind, and is full of enmity
against him, which prefers any thing before him, especially such a
sordid thing as carnal pleasure is. 12. When, notwithstanding all this,
they have the form of godliness (v. 5), are called by the Christian
name, baptized into the Christian faith, and make a show of religion;
but, how plausible soever their form of godliness is, they deny the
power of it. When they take upon them the form which should and would
bring along with it the power thereof, they will put asunder what God
hath joined together: they will assume the form of godliness, to take
away their reproach; but they will not submit to the power of it, to
take away their sin. Observe here, (1.) Men may be very bad and wicked
under a profession of religion; they may be lovers of themselves, &c.,
yet have a form of godliness. (2.) A form of godliness is a very
different thing from the power of it; men may have the one and be
wholly destitute of the other; yea, they deny it, at least practically
in their lives. (3.) From such good Christians must withdraw
themselves.
III. Here Paul warns Timothy to take heed of certain seducers, not only
that he might not be drawn away by them himself, but that he might arm
those who were under his charge against their seduction. 1. He shows
how industrious they were to make proselytes (v. 6): they applied
themselves to particular persons, visited them in their houses, not
daring to appear openly; for those that do evil hate the light, John
iii. 20. They were not forced into houses, as good Christians often
were by persecution; but they of choice crept into houses, to insinuate
themselves into the affections and good opinion of people, and so to
draw them over to their party. And see what sort of people those were
that they gained, and made proselytes of; they were such as were weak,
silly women; and such as were wicked, laden with sins, and led away
with divers lusts. A foolish head and a filthy heart make persons,
especially women, an easy prey to seducers. 2. He shows how far they
were from coming to the knowledge of the truth, though they pretended
to be ever learning, v. 7. In one sense we must all be ever learning,
that is, growing in knowledge, following on to know the Lord, pressing
forward; but these were sceptics, giddy and unstable, who were forward
to imbibe every new notion, under pretence of advancement in knowledge,
but never came to a right understanding of the truth as it is in Jesus.
3. He foretels the certain stop that should be put to their progress
(v. 8, 9), comparing them to the Egyptian magicians who withstood
Moses, and who are here named, Jannes and Jambres; though the names are
not to be met with in the story of the Old Testament, yet they are
found in some old Jewish writers. When Moses came with a divine command
to fetch Israel out of Egypt, these magicians opposed him. Thus those
heretics resisted the truth and like them were men of corrupt minds,
men who had their understandings perverted, biassed and prejudiced
against the truth, and reprobate concerning the faith, or very far from
being true Christians; but they shall proceed no further, or not much
further, as some read it. Observe, (1.) Seducers seek for corners, and
love obscurity; for they are afraid to appear in public, and therefore
creep into houses. Further, They attack those who are the least able to
defend themselves, silly and wicked women. (2.) Seducers in all ages
are much alike. Their characters are the same--namely, Men of corrupt
minds, &c.; their conduct is much the same--they resist the truth, as
Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses; and they will be alike in their
disappointment. (3.) Those who resist the truth are guilty of folly,
yea, of egregious folly; for magna est veritas, et prævalebit--Great is
the truth, and shall prevail. (4.) Though the spirit of error may be
let loose for a time, God has it in a chain. Satan can deceive the
nations and the churches no further and no longer than God will permit
him: Their folly shall be manifest, it shall appear that they are
imposters, and every man shall abandon them.
Marks of Perilous Times; Excellence of the Scriptures. (a. d. 66.)
10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose,
faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, 11 Persecutions,
afflictions, which came unto me at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra; what
persecutions I endured: but out of them all the Lord delivered me. 12
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer
persecution. 13 But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse,
deceiving, and being deceived. 14 But continue thou in the things
which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou
hast learned them; 15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy
scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through
faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 All scripture is given by
inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of God
may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.
Here the apostle, to confirm Timothy in that way wherein he walked,
I. Sets before him his own example, which Timothy had been an
eye-witness of, having long attended Paul (v. 10): Thou hast fully
known my doctrine. The more fully we know the doctrine of Christ and
the apostles, the more closely we shall cleave to it; the reason why
many sit loose to it is because they do not fully know it. Christ's
apostles had no enemies but those who did not know them, or not know
them fully; those who knew them best loved and honoured them the most.
Now what is it that Timothy had so fully known in Paul? 1. The doctrine
that he preached. Paul kept back nothing from his hearers, but declared
to them the whole counsel of God (Acts xx. 27), so that if it were not
their own fault they might fully know it. Timothy had a great advantage
in being trained up under such a tutor, and being apprised of the
doctrine he preached. 2. He had fully known his conversation: Thou hast
fully know my doctrine, and manner of life; his manner of life was of a
piece with his doctrine, and did not contradict it. He did not pull
down by his living what he built up by his preaching. Those ministers
are likely to do good, and leave lasting fruits of their labours, whose
manner of life agrees with their doctrine; as, on the contrary, those
cannot expect to profit the people at all that preach well and live
ill. 3. Timothy fully knew what was the great thing that Paul had in
view, both in his preaching and in his conversation: "Thou hast known
my purpose, what I drive at, how far it is from any worldly, carnal,
secular design, and how sincerely I aim at the glory of God and the
good of the souls of men." 4. Timothy fully knew Paul's good character,
which he might gather from his doctrine, manner of life, and purpose;
for he gave proofs of his faith (that is, of his integrity and
fidelity, or his faith in Christ, his faith concerning another world,
by which Paul lived), his long-suffering towards the churches to which
he preached and over which he presided, his charity towards all men,
and his patience. These were graces that Paul was eminent for, and
Timothy knew it. 5. He knew that he had suffered ill for doing well (v.
11): "Thou hast fully known the persecutions and afflictions that came
unto me" (he mentions those only which happened to him while Timothy
was with him, at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra); "and therefore let it
be no surprise to thee if thou suffer hard things, it is no more than I
have endured before." 6. He knew what care God had taken of him:
Notwithstanding out of them all the Lord delivered me; as he never
failed his cause, so his God never failed him. Thou hast fully known my
afflictions. When we know the afflictions of good people but in part,
they are a temptation to us to decline that cause which they suffer
for; when we know only the hardships they undergo for Christ, we may be
ready to say, "We will renounce that cause that is likely to cost us so
dear in the owning of it;" but when we fully know the afflictions, not
only how they suffer, but how they are supported and comforted under
their sufferings, then, instead of being discouraged, we shall be
animated by them, especially considering that we are told before that
we must count upon such things (v. 12): All that will live godly in
Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution: not always alike; at that time
those who professed the faith of Christ were more exposed to
persecution than at other times; but at all times, more or less, those
who will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. They must
expect to be despised, and that their religion will stand in the way of
their preferment; those who will live godly must expect it, especially
those who will live godly in Christ Jesus, that is, according to the
strict rules of the Christian religion, those who will wear the livery
and bear the name of the crucified Redeemer. All who will show their
religion in their conversation, who will not only be godly, but live
godly, let them expect persecution, especially when they are resolute
in it. Observe, (1.) The apostle's life was very exemplary for three
things: for his doctrine, which was according to the will of God; for
his life, which was agreeable to his doctrine; and for his persecutions
and sufferings. (2.) Though his life was a life of great usefulness,
yet it was a life of great sufferings; and none, I believe, came nearer
to their great Master for eminent services and great sufferings than
Paul: he suffered almost in every place; the Holy Ghost witnessed that
bonds and afflictions did abide him, Acts xx. 23. Here he mentions his
persecutions and afflictions at Antioch, at Iconium, at Lystra, besides
what he suffered elsewhere. (3.) The apostle mentions the Lord's
delivering him out of them all, for Timothy's and our encouragement
under sufferings. (4.) We have the practice and treatment of true
Christians: they live godly in Jesus Christ--this is their practice;
and they shall suffer persecution--this is the usage they must expect
in this world.
II. He warns Timothy of the fatal end of seducers, as a reason why he
should stick closely to the truth as it is in Jesus: But evil men and
seducers shall wax worse and worse, &c., v. 13. Observe, As good men,
by the grace of God, grow better and better, so bad men, through the
subtlety of Satan and the power of their own corruptions, grow worse
and worse. The way of sin is down-hill; for such proceed from bad to
worse, deceiving and being deceived. Those who deceive others do but
deceive themselves; those who draw others into error run themselves
into more and more mistakes, and they will find it so at last, to their
cost.
III. He directs him to keep close to a good education, and particularly
to what he had learned out of the holy scriptures (v. 14, 15): Continue
thou in the things which thou hast learned. Note, It is not enough to
learn that which is good, but we must continue in it, and persevere in
it unto the end. Then are we Christ's disciples indeed, John viii. 31.
We should not be any more children, tossed to and fro, and carried
about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men and cunning
craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive, Eph. iv. 14. Be not
carried about with divers and strange doctrines; for it is a good thing
that the heart be established with grace, Heb. xiii. 9. And for this
reason we should continue in the things we have learned from the holy
scriptures; not that we ought to continue in any errors and mistakes
which we may have been led into, in the time of our childhood and youth
(for these, upon an impartial enquiry and full conviction, we should
forsake); but this makes nothing against our continuing in those things
which the holy scriptures plainly assert, and which he that runs may
read. If Timothy would adhere to the truth as he had been taught it,
this would arm him against the snares and insinuations of seducers.
Observe, Timothy must continue in the things which he had learned and
had been assured of.
1. It is a great happiness to know the certainty of the things wherein
we have been instructed (Luke i. 4); not only to know what the truths
are, but to know that they are of undoubted certainty. What we have
learned we must labour to be more and more assured of, that, being
grounded in the truth, we may be guarded against error, for certainty
in religion is of great importance and advantage: Knowing, (1.) "That
thou hast had good teachers. Consider of whom thou hast learned them;
not of evil men and seducers, but good men, who had themselves
experienced the power of the truths they taught thee, and been ready to
suffer for them, and thereby would give the fullest evidence of their
belief of these truths." (2.) "Knowing especially the firm foundation
upon which thou hast built, namely, that of the scripture (v. 15): That
from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures."
2. Those who would acquaint themselves with the things of God, and be
assured of them, must know the holy scriptures, for these are the
summary of divine revelation.
3. It is a great happiness to know the holy scriptures from our
childhood; and children should betimes get the knowledge of the
scriptures. The age of children is the learning age; and those who
would get true learning must get it out of the scriptures.
4. The scriptures we are to know are the holy scriptures; they come
from the holy God, were delivered by holy men, contain holy precepts,
treat of holy things, and were designed to make us holy and to lead us
in the way of holiness to happiness; being called the holy scriptures,
they are by this distinguished from profane writings of all sorts, and
from those that only treat morality, and common justice and honesty,
but do not meddle with holiness. If we would know the holy scriptures,
we must read and search them daily, as the noble Bereans did, Acts
xvii. 11. They must not lie by us neglected, and seldom or never looked
into. Now here observe,
(1.) What is the excellency of the scripture. It is given by
inspiration of God (v. 16), and therefore is his word. It is a divine
revelation, which we may depend upon as infallibly true. The same
Spirit that breathed reason into us breathes revelation among us: For
the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man, but holy men
spoke as they were moved or carried forth by the Holy Ghost, 2 Pet. i.
21. The prophets and apostles did not speak from themselves, but what
they received of the Lord that they delivered unto us. That the
scripture was given by inspiration of God appears from the majesty of
its style,--from the truth, purity, and sublimity, of the doctrines
contained in it,--from the harmony of its several parts,--from its
power and efficacy on the minds of multitudes that converse with
it,--from the accomplishment of many prophecies relating to things
beyond all human foresight,--and from the uncontrollable miracles that
were wrought in proof of its divine original: God also bearing them
witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles and
gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will, Heb. ii. 4.
(2.) What use it will be of to us. [1.] It is able to make us wise to
salvation; that is, it is a sure guide in our way to eternal life.
Note, Those are wise indeed who are wise to salvation. The scriptures
are able to make us truly wise, wise for our souls and another world.
"To make thee wise to salvation through faith." Observe, The scriptures
will make us wise to salvation, if they be mixed with faith, and not
otherwise, Heb. iv. 2. For, if we do not believe their truth and
goodness, they will do us no good. [2.] It is profitable to us for all
the purposes of the Christian life, for doctrine, for reproof, for
correction, for instruction in righteousness. It answers all the ends
of divine revelation. It instructs us in that which is true, reproves
us for that which is amiss, directs us in that which is good. It is of
use to all, for we all need to be instructed, corrected, and reproved:
it is of special use to ministers, who are to give instruction,
correction, and reproof; and whence can they fetch it better than from
the scripture? [3.] That the man of God may be perfect, v. 17. The
Christian, the minister, is the man of God. That which finishes a man
of God in this world is the scripture. By it we are thoroughly
furnished for every good work. There is that in the scripture which
suits every case. Whatever duty we have to do, whatever service is
required from us, we may find enough in the scriptures to furnish us
for it.
(3.) On the whole we here see, [1.] That the scripture has various
uses, and answers divers ends and purposes: It is profitable for
doctrine, for reproof, for correction of all errors in judgment and
practice, and for instruction in righteousness. [2.] The scripture is a
perfect rule of faith and practice, and was designed for the man of
God, the minister as well as the Christian who is devoted to God, for
it is profitable for doctrine, &c. [3.] If we consult the scripture,
which was given by inspiration of God, and follow its directions, we
shall be made men of God, perfect, and thoroughly furnished to every
good work. [4.] There is no occasion for the writings of the
philosopher, nor for rabbinical fables, nor popish legends, nor
unwritten traditions, to make us perfect men of God, since the
scripture answers all these ends and purposes. O that we may love our
Bibles more, and keep closer to them than ever! and then shall we find
the benefit and advantage designed thereby, and shall at last attain
the happiness therein promised and assured to us.
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S E C O N D T I M O T H Y.
CHAP. IV.
In this chapter, I. Paul with great solemnity and earnestness presses
Timothy to the diligent and conscientious discharge of his work and
office as an evangelist; and the charge given to him all gospel
ministers are to take to themselves, ver. 1-5. II. The reason of his
concern in this case, Why must Timothy now be instant in season, &c.,
in a particular manner? Because the church was likely to be deprived of
the apostle's labours, for his departure was at hand, ver. 6-8. III.
Divers particular matters, with a hint and caution, about Alexander the
coppersmith, ver. 9-15. IV. He informs him of what befel him at his
first answer; though men forsook him, the Lord stood by him, and this
encouraged him to hope for future deliverance (ver. 16-18) And then he
concludes with salutations and a benediction, ver. 19, to the end.
Ministerial Duties; The Apostle's Joyful Expectation. (a. d. 66.)
1 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who
shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;
2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove,
rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time
will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own
lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4
And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned
unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do
the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I
am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept
the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at
that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing.
Observe, I. How awfully this charge is introduced (v. 1): I charge thee
before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and
the dead at his appearing and his kingdom. Observe, The best of men
have need to be awed into the discharge of their duty. The work of a
minister is not an indifferent thing, but absolutely necessary. Woe be
to him if he preach not the gospel, 1 Cor. ix. 16. To induce him to
faithfulness, he must consider, 1. That the eye of God and Jesus Christ
was upon him: I charge thee before God and the Lord Jesus Christ; that
is, "as thou tenderest the favour of God and Jesus Christ; as thou wilt
approve thyself to God and Jesus Christ, by the obligations both of
natural and revealed religion; as thou wilt make due returns to the God
who made thee and the Lord Jesus Christ who redeemed thee." 2. He
charges him as he will answer it at the great day, reminding him of the
judgment to come, which is committed to the Lord Jesus. He shall judge
the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom, that is, when
he appears in his kingdom. It concerns all, both ministers and people,
seriously to consider the account that they must shortly give to Jesus
Christ of all the trusts reposed in them. Christ shall judge the quick
and the dead, that is, those that at the last day shall be found alive,
and those who shall be raised to life out of the grave. Note, (1.) The
Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead. God hath
committed all judgment unto the Son, and hath appointed him the Judge
of quick and dead, Acts x. 42. (2.) He will appear; he will come the
second time, and it will be a glorious appearance, as the word
epiphaneia signifies. (3.) Then his kingdom shall appear in its glory:
At his appearing and kingdom; for he will then appear in his kingdom,
sitting on a throne, to judge the world.
II. What is the matter of the charge, v. 2-5. He is charged,
1. To preach the word. This is ministers' business; a dispensation is
committed to them. It is not their own notions and fancies that they
are to preach, but the pure plain word of God; and they must not
corrupt it, but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God,
they speak in Christ, 2 Cor. ii. 17.
2. To urge what he preached, and to press it with all earnestness upon
his hearers: "Be instant in season and out of season, reprove, rebuke,
exhort; do this work with all fervency of spirit. Call upon those under
thy charge to take heed of sin, to do their duty: call upon them to
repent, and believe, and live a holy life, and this both in season and
out of season. In season, when they are at leisure to hear thee, when
some special opportunity offers itself of speaking to them with
advantage. Nay, do it out of season, even when there is not that
apparent probability of fastening something upon them, because thou
dost not know but the Spirit of God may fasten upon them; for the wind
bloweth where it listeth; and in the morning we must sow our seed, and
in the evening not withhold our hand," Eccl. xi. 6. We must do it in
season, that is, let slip no opportunity; and do it out of season, that
is, not shift off the duty, under pretence that it is out of season.
3. He must tell people of their faults: "Reprove them, rebuke them.
Convince wicked people of the evil and danger of their wicked courses.
Endeavour, by dealing plainly with them, to bring them to repentance.
Rebuke them with gravity and authority, in Christ's name, that they may
take thy displeasure against them as an indication of God's
displeasure."
4. He must direct, encourage, and quicken those who began well. "Exhort
them (persuade them to hold on, and endure to the end) and this with
all long-suffering and doctrine." (1.) He must do it very patiently:
With all long-suffering. "If thou do not see the effect of thy labours
presently, yet do not therefore give up the cause; be not weary of
speaking to them." While God shows to them all long-suffering, let
ministers exhort with all long-suffering. (2.) He must do it
rationally, not with passion, but with doctrine, that is, "In order to
the reducing of them to good practices, instil into them good
principles. Teach them the truth as it is in Jesus, reduce them to a
firm belief of it, and this will be a means both to reclaim them from
evil and to bring them to good." Observe, [1.] A minister's work has
various parts: he is to preach the word, to reprove, rebuke, and
exhort. [2.] He is to be very diligent and careful; he must be instant
in season and out of season; he must spare no pains nor labour, but
must be urgent with them to take care of their souls and their eternal
concerns.
5. He must watch in all things. "Seek an opportunity of doing them a
kindness; let no fair occasion slip, through thy negligence. Watch to
thy work; watch against the temptations of Satan, by which thou mayest
be diverted from it; watch over the souls of those who are committed to
thy charge."
6. He must count upon afflictions, and endure them, make the best of
them. Kakopatheson, endure patiently. "Be not discouraged by the
difficulties thou meetest with, but bear them with an evenness of
spirit. Inure thyself to hardships."
7. He must remember his office, and discharge its duties: Do the work
of an evangelist. The office of the evangelist was, as the apostles'
deputies, to water the churches that they planted. They were not
settled pastors, but for some time resided in, and presided over, the
churches that the apostles had planted, till they were settled under a
standing ministry. This was Timothy's work.
8. He must fulfil his ministry: Make full proof of it. It was a great
trust that was reposed in him, and therefore he must answer it, and
perform all the parts of his office with diligence and care. Observe,
(1.) A minister must expect afflictions in the faithful discharge of
his duty. (2.) He must endure them patiently, like a Christian hero.
(3.) These must not discourage him in his work, for he must do his
work, and fulfil his ministry. (4.) The best way to make full proof of
our ministry is to fulfil it, to fill it up in all its parts with
proper work.
III. The reasons to enforce the charge.
1. Because errors and heresies were likely to creep into the church, by
which the minds of many professing Christians would be corrupted (v. 3,
4): "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine.
Therefore improve the present time, when they will endure it. Be busy
now, for it is seedtime; when the fields are white unto the harvest,
put in the sickle, for the present gale of opportunity will be soon
over. They will not endure sound doctrine. There will be those who will
heap to themselves corrupt teachers, and will turn away their ears from
the truth; and therefore secure as many as thou canst, that, when these
storms and tempests do arise, they may be well fixed, and their
apostasy may be prevented." People must hear, and ministers must
preach, for the time to come, and guard against the mischiefs that are
likely to arise hereafter, though they do not yet arise. They will turn
away their ears from the truth; they will grow weary of the old plain
gospel of Christ, and then they will be greedy of fables, and take
pleasure in them, and God will give them up to those strong delusions,
because they received not the truth in the love of it, 2 Thess. ii. 11,
12. Observe, (1.) These teachers were of their own heaping up, and not
of God's sending; but they chose them, to gratify their lusts, and to
please their itching ears. (2.) People do so when they will not endure
sound doctrine, that preaching which is searching, plain, and to the
purpose; then they will have teachers of their own. (3.) There is a
wide difference between the word of God and the word of such teachers;
the one is sound doctrine, the word of truth, the other is only fables.
(4.) Those that are turned unto fables first turn away their ears from
the truth, for they cannot hear and mind both, any more than they can
serve two masters. Nay, further, it is said, They shall be turned unto
fables. God justly suffers those to turn to fables who grow weary of
the truth, and gives them up to be led aside from the truth by fables.
2. Because Paul for his part had almost done his work: Do thou make
full proof of thy ministry, for I am now ready to be offered, v. 6.
And,
(1.) "Therefore there will be the more occasion for thee." When
labourers are removed out of the vineyard, it is no time for those to
loiter that are left behind, but to double their diligence. The fewer
hands there are to work the more industrious those hands must be that
are at work.
(2.) "I have done the work of my day and generation; do thou in like
manner do the work of thy day and generation."
(3.) The comfort and cheerfulness of Paul, in the prospect of his
approaching departure, might encourage Timothy to the utmost industry,
and diligence, and seriousness in his work. Paul was an old soldier of
Jesus Christ, Timothy was but newly enlisted. "Come," says Paul, "I
have found our Master kind and the cause good; I can look back upon my
warfare with a great deal of pleasure and satisfaction; and therefore
be not afraid of the difficulties thou must meet with. The crown of
life is as sure to thee as if it were already upon thy head; and
therefore endure afflictions, and make full proof of thy ministry." The
courage and comfort of dying saints and ministers, and especially dying
martyrs, are a great confirmation of the truth of the Christian
religion, and a great encouragement to living saints and ministers in
their work. Here the apostle looks forward, upon his death approaching:
I am now ready to be offered. The Holy Ghost witnessed in every city
that bonds and afflictions did abide him, Acts xx. 23. He was now at
Rome, and it is probable that he had particular intimations from the
Spirit that there he should seal the truth with his blood; and he looks
upon it now as near at hand: I am already poured out; so it is in the
original, ede spendomai; that is, I am already a martyr in affection.
It alludes to the pouring out of the drink-offerings; for the blood of
the martyrs, though it was not a sacrifice of atonement, was a
sacrifice of acknowledgment to the honour of the grace of God and his
truths. Observe,
[1.] With what pleasure he speaks of dying. He calls it his departure;
though it is probable that he foresaw he must die a violent bloody
death, yet he calls it his departure, or his release. Death to a good
man is his release from the imprisonment of this world and his
departure to the enjoyments of another world; he does not cease to be,
but is only removed from one world to another.
[2.] With what pleasure he looks back upon the life he had lived (v.
7): I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, &c. He did
not fear death, because he had the testimony of his conscience that by
the grace of God he had in some measure answered the ends of living. As
a Christian, as a minister, he had fought a good fight. He had done the
service, gone through the difficulties of his warfare, and had been
instrumental in carrying on the glorious victories of the exalted
Redeemer over the powers of darkness. His life was a course, and he had
now finished it; as his warfare was accomplished, so his race was run.
"I have kept the faith. I have kept the doctrines of the gospel, and
never betrayed any of them." Note, First, The life of a Christian, but
especially of a minister, is a warfare and a race, sometimes compared
to the one in the scripture, and sometimes to the other. Secondly, It
is a good fight, a good warfare; the cause is good, and the victory is
sure, if we continue faithful and courageous. Thirdly, We must fight
this good fight; we must fight it out, and finish our course; we must
not give over till we are made more than conquerors through him who
hath loved us, Rom. viii. 37. Fourthly, It is a great comfort to a
dying saint, when he can look back upon his past life and say with our
apostle, "I have fought, &c. I have kept the faith, the doctrine of
faith and the grace of faith." Towards the end of our days to be able
to speak in this manner, what comfort, unspeakable comfort, will it
afford! Let it then be our constant endeavour, by the grace of God,
that we may finish our course with joy, Acts xx. 24.
[3.] With what pleasure he looks forward to the life he was to live
hereafter (v. 8): Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of
righteousness, &c. He had lost for Christ, but he was sure he should
not lose by him, Phil. iii. 8. Let this encourage Timothy to endure
hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ that there is a crown of
life before us, the glory and joy of which will abundantly recompense
all the hardships and toils of our present warfare. Observe, It is
called a crown of righteousness, because it will be the recompence of
our services, which God is not unrighteous to forget; and because our
holiness and righteousness will there be perfected, and will be our
crown. God will give it as a righteous Judge, who will let none love by
him. And yet this crown of righteousness was not peculiar to Paul, as
if it belonged only to apostles and eminent ministers and martyrs, but
to all those also that love his appearing. Observe, It is the character
of all the saints that they love the appearing of Jesus Christ: they
loved his first appearing, when he appeared to take away sin by the
sacrifice of himself (Heb. ix. 26); they love to think of it; they love
his second appearing at the great day; love it, and long for it: and,
with respect to those who love the appearing of Jesus Christ, he shall
appear to their joy; there is a crown of righteousness reserved for
them, which shall then be given them, Heb. ix. 28. We learn hence,
First, The Lord is the righteous Judge, for his judgment is according
to truth. Secondly, The crown of believers is a crown of righteousness,
purchased by the righteousness of Christ, and bestowed as the reward of
the saints' righteousness. Thirdly, This crown, which believers shall
wear, is laid up for them; they have it not at present, for here they
are but heirs; they have it not in possession, and yet it is sure, for
it is laid up for them. Fourthly, The righteous Judge will give it to
all who love, prepare, and long for his appearing. Surely I come
quickly. Amen, even so come, Lord Jesus.
The Apostle's Directions to Timothy. (a. d. 66.)
9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me: 10 For Demas hath
forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto
Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia. 11 Only Luke
is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to
me for the ministry. 12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus. 13 The
cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with
thee, and the books, but especially the parchments. 14 Alexander the
coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his
works: 15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood
our words.
Here are divers particular matters which Paul mentions to Timothy, now
at the closing of the epistle. 1. He bids him hasten to him, if
possible (v. 9): So thy diligence to come shortly to me. For Timothy
was an evangelist, one who was not a fixed pastor of any one place, but
attended the motions of the apostles, to build upon their foundation.
Paul wanted Timothy's company and help; and the reason he gives is
because several had left him (v. 10); one from an ill principle,
namely, Demas, who abides under an ill name for it: Demas hath forsaken
me, having loved this present world. He quitted Paul and his interest,
either for fear of suffering (because Paul was now a prisoner, and he
was afraid of coming into trouble upon his account) or being called off
from his ministry by secular affairs, in which he entangled himself;
his first love to Christ and his gospel was forsaken and forgotten, and
he fell in love with the world. Note, Love to this present world is
often the cause of apostasy from the truths and ways of Jesus Christ.
He has gone off, has departed to Thessalonica, called thither perhaps
by trade, or by some other worldly business. Crescens had gone one way
and Titus another way. Luke however remained with Paul (v. 11, 12), and
was not this enough? Paul did not think it so; he loved the company of
his friends. 2. He speaks respectfully concerning Mark: He is
profitable to me for the ministry. It is supposed that this Mark was he
about whom Paul and Barnabas had contended, Acts xv. 39. Paul would not
take him with him to the work, because he had once flinched and drawn
back: but now, says he, Take Mark, and bring him with thee. By this it
appears that Paul was now reconciled to Mark, and had a better opinion
of him than he had had formerly. This teaches us to be of a forgiving
spirit; we must not therefore disclaim for ever making use of those
that are profitable and useful, though they may have done amiss. 3.
Paul orders Timothy to come to him, bids him as he came through Troas
to bring with him thence those things which he had left behind him
there (v. 13), the cloak he had left there, which, it may be, Paul had
the more occasion for in a cold prison. It is probable that it was the
habit Paul usually wore, a plain dress. Some read it, the roll of
parchment I left at Troas; others, the desk that I left. Paul was
guided by divine inspiration, and yet he would have his books with him.
Whereas he had exhorted Timothy to give attendance to reading, so he
did himself, though he was now ready to be offered. As long as we live,
we must be still learning. But especially the parchments, which some
think were the originals of his epistles; others think they were the
skins of which he made his tents, whereby he obtained a livelihood,
working with his own hands. 4. He mentions Alexander, and the mischief
that he had done him, v. 14, 15. This is he who is spoken of Acts xix.
33. It should seem, he had been a professor of the Christian religion,
a forward professor, for he was there particularly maligned by the
worshippers of Diana, and yet he did Paul much evil. Paul was in as
much danger from false brethren (2 Cor. xi. 26) as from open enemies.
Paul foretels that God would reckon with him. It is a prophetical
denunciation of the just judgment of God that would befal him: The Lord
will reward him according to his works. He cautions Timothy to take
heed of him: "Of whom be thou aware also, that he do not, under
pretence of friendship, betray thee to mischief." It is dangerous
having any thing to do with those who would be enemies to such a man as
Paul. Observe, (1.) Some who were once Paul's hearers and admirers did
not give him reason to remember them with much pleasure; for one
forsook him, and another did him much evil, and greatly withstood his
words. Yet, (2.) At the same time he mentions some with pleasure; the
badness of some did not make him forget the goodness of others; such as
Timothy, Titus, Mark, and Luke. (3.) The apostle has left a brand on
the names and memory of two persons; the one is Demas, who forsook him,
having loved the present world, and the other is Alexander, who greatly
withstood his words. (4.) God will reward evil-doers, particularly
apostates, according to their works. (5.) Of such as are of Alexander's
spirit and temper we should beware; for they will do us no good, but
all the mischief that is in their power.
The Apostle's Directions to Timothy; Salutations and Benedictions. (a.
d. 66.)
16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I
pray God that it may not be laid to their charge. 17 Notwithstanding
the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching
might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was
delivered out of the mouth of the lion. 18 And the Lord shall deliver
me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly
kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. 19 Salute Prisca
and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20 Erastus abode at
Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. 21 Do thy
diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and
Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. 22 The Lord Jesus Christ be
with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.
Here, I. He gives Timothy an account of his own present circumstances.
1. He had lately been called to appear before the emperor, upon his
appeal to Cæsar; and then no man stood with him (v. 16), to plead his
cause, to bear testimony for him, or so much as to keep him in
countenance, but all men forsook him. This was strange, that so good a
man as Paul should have nobody to own him, even at Rome, where there
were many Christians, whose faith was spoken of throughout the world,
Rom. i. 8. But men are but men. The Christians at Rome were forward to
go and meet him (Acts xxviii.); but when it came to the pinch, and they
would be in danger of suffering with him, then they all forsook him. He
prays that God would not lay it to their charge, intimating that it was
a great fault, and God might justly be angry with them, but he prays
God to forgive them. See what a distinction is put between sins of
presumption and sins of infirmity. Alexander the coppersmith, who
maliciously withstood Paul, he prays against: The Lord reward him
according to his works; but respecting these Christians, who through
weakness shrunk from Paul in time of trial, he says, The Lord lay it
not to their charge. Observe, (1.) Paul had his trials in his friends'
forsaking him in a time of danger as well as in the opposition made by
enemies: all forsook him. (2.) It was their sin not to appear for the
good apostle, especially at his first answer; but it was a sin of
weakness, and therefore the more excusable. Yet, (3.) God might lay it
to their charge, but Paul endeavours to prevent it by his earnest
prayers: Let it not be laid to their charge.
2. Notwithstanding this God stood by him (v. 17), gave him
extraordinary wisdom and courage, to enable him to speak so much the
better himself. When he had nobody to keep him in countenance, God made
his face to shine.--That by me the preaching might be fully known, that
is, "God brought me out from that difficulty that I might preach the
gospel, which is my business." Nay, it should seem, that he might
preach the gospel at that time; for Paul knew how to preach at the bar
as well as in the pulpit. And that all the Gentiles might hear; the
emperor himself and the great men who would never have heard Paul
preach if he had not been brought before them. And I was delivered out
of the mouth of the lion, that is, of Nero (as some think) or some
other judge. Some understand it only as a proverbial form of speech, to
signify that he was in imminent danger. And the Lord shall deliver me
from every evil work. See how Paul improved his experiences: "He that
delivered doth deliver, and we trust he will yet deliver, will deliver
me from every evil work, from any ill done to me by others. And shall
preserve me to his heavenly kingdom." And for this he gives glory to
God, rejoicing in hope of the glory of God. Observe, (1.) If the Lord
stand by us, he will strengthen us, in a time of difficulty and danger,
and his presence will more than supply every one's absence. (2.) When
the Lord preserves his servants from great and imminent danger, it is
for eminent work and service. Paul was preserved that by him the
preaching might be fully known, &c. (3.) Former deliverances should
encourage future hopes. (4.) There is a heavenly kingdom, to which the
Lord will preserve his faithful witnessing or suffering servants. (5.)
We ought to give God the glory of all past, present, and future
deliverances: To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
II. He sends salutations to Aquila, and Priscilla, and the household of
Onesiphorus, v. 19. He mentions his leaving Trophimus sick at Miletum
(v. 20), by which it appears that though the apostles healed all manner
of diseases miraculously, for the confirmation of their doctrine, yet
they did not exert that power upon their own friends, lest it should
have looked like a collusion.
III. He hastens Timothy to come to him before winter (v. 21), because
he longed to see him, and because in the winter the journey or voyage
would be more dangerous.
IV. He sends commendations to him from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia,
and all the brethren. One of the heathen writers at this time mentions
one Pudens and his wife Claudia, and says the Claudia was a Briton,
whence some have gathered that it was this Pudens, and that Claudia
here was his wife, and that they were eminent Christians at Rome.
V. He concludes with a prayer, that the Lord Jesus would be with his
spirit. We need no more to make us happy than to have the Lord Jesus
Christ with our spirits; for in him all spiritual blessings are summed
up. And it is the best prayer we can put up for our friends, that the
Lord Jesus Christ may be with their spirits, to sanctify and save them,
and at last to receive them to himself; as Stephen the proto-martyr
prayed, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit, Acts vii. 59. "Lord Jesus,
receive that spirit which thou hast been with while it was united to
the body; do not now leave it in its separate state." Grace be with
you. Amen. This was our apostle's token in every epistle; so he wrote.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen, 2 Thess. iii.
17, 18. And if grace be with us here to convert and change us, to make
us holy, to keep us humble, and to enable us to persevere to the end,
glory will crown us hereafter: for the Lord is a sun, and a shield; the
Lord will give grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold from
those that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that
trusteth in thee, Ps. lxxxiv. 11, 12. Now unto the King eternal,
immortal, invisible, the only wise God our Saviour, be honour and glory
for ever and ever. Amen.
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Titus
Completed by Jeremiah Smith.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
T I T U S.
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This Epistle of Paul to Titus is much of the same nature with those to
Timothy; both were converts of Paul, and his companions in labours and
sufferings; both were in the office of evangelists, whose work was to
water the churches planted by the apostles, and to set in order the
things that were wanting in them: they were vice-apostles, as it were,
working the work of the Lord, as they did, and mostly under their
direction, though not despotic and arbitrary, but with the concurring
exercise of their own prudence and judgment, 1 Cor. xvi. 10, 12. We
read much of this Titus, his titles, character, and active usefulness,
in many places--he was a Greek, Gal. ii. 3. Paul called him his son
(Tit. i. 4), his brother (2 Cor. ii. 13), his partner and fellow-helper
(2 Cor. viii. 23), one that walked in the same spirit and in the same
steps with himself. He went up with the apostles to the church at
Jerusalem (Gal. ii. 1), was much conversant at Corinth, for which
church he had an earnest care, 2 Cor. viii. 16. Paul's second epistle
to them, and probably his first also, was sent by his hand, 2 Cor.
viii. 16-18, 23; ix. 2-4; xii. 18. He was with the apostle at Rome, and
thence went into Dalmatia (2 Tim. iv. 10), after which no more occurs
of him in the scriptures. So that by them he appears not to have been a
fixed bishop; if such he were, and in those times, the church of
Corinth, where he most laboured, had the best title to him. In Crete
(now called Candia, formerly Hecatompolis, from the hundred cities that
were in it), a large island at the mouth of the Ægean Sea, the gospel
had got some footing; and here were Paul and Titus in one of their
travels, cultivating this plantation; but the apostle of the Gentiles,
having on him the care of all the churches, could not himself tarry
long at this place. He therefore left Titus some time there, to carry
on the work which had been begun, wherein, probably, meeting with more
difficulty than ordinary, Paul wrote this epistle to him; and yet
perhaps not so much for his own sake as for the people's, that the
endeavours of Titus, strengthened with apostolic advice and authority,
might be more significant and effectual among them. He was to see all
the cities furnished with good pastors, to reject and keep out the
unmeet and unworthy, to teach sound doctrine, and instruct all sorts in
their duties, to set forth the free grace of God in man's salvation by
Christ, and withal to show the necessity of maintaining good works by
those who have believed in God and hope for eternal life from him.
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T I T U S.
CHAP. I.
In this chapter we have, I. The preface or introduction to the epistle,
showing from and to whom it was written, with the apostle's salutation
and prayer for Titus, wishing all blessings to him, ver. 1-4. II.
Entrance into the matter, by signifying the end of Titus's being left
at Crete, ver. 5. III. And how the same should be pursued in reference
both to good and bad ministers, ver. 6, to the end.
Introduction; The Apostle's Charge to Titus. (a. d. 66.)
1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to
the faith of God's elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is
after godliness; 2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot
lie, promised before the world began; 3 But hath in due times
manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me
according to the commandment of God our Saviour; 4 To Titus, mine own
son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Here is the preface to the epistle, showing,
I. The writer. Paul, a Gentile name taken by the apostle of the
Gentiles, Acts xiii. 9, 46, 47. Ministers will accommodate even smaller
matters, so that they may be any furthering of acceptance in their
work. When the Jews rejected the gospel, and the Gentiles received it,
we read no more of this apostle by his Jewish name Saul, but by his
Roman one, Paul. A servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ. Here
he is described by his relation and office: A servant of God, not in
the general sense only, as a man and a Christian, but especially as a
minister, serving God in the gospel of his Son, Rom. i. 9. This is a
high honour; it is the glory of angels that they are ministering
spirits, and sent forth to minister for those who shall be heirs of
salvation, Heb. i. 14. Paul is described more especially as a chief
minister, an apostle of Jesus Christ; one who had seen the Lord, and
was immediately called and commissioned by him, and had his doctrine
from him. Observe, The highest officers in the church are but servants.
(Much divinity and devotion are comprehended in the inscriptions of the
epistles.) The apostles of Jesus Christ, who were employed to spread
and propagate his religion, were therein also the servants of God; they
did not set up any thing inconsistent with the truths and duties of
natural religion. Christianity, which they preached, was in order to
clear and enforce those natural principles, as well as to advance them,
and to superadd what was fit and necessary in man's degenerate and
revolted state: therefore the apostles of Jesus Christ were the
servants of God, according to the faith of God's elect. Their doctrine
agreed with the faith of all the elect from the beginning of the world,
and was for propagating and promoting the same. Observe, There are
elect of God (1 Pet. i. 2), and in these the Holy Spirit works precious
divine faith, proper to those who are chosen to eternal life (2 Thess.
ii. 13, 14): God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation,
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, whereunto
he called you by our gospel. Faith is the first principle of
sanctification. And the acknowledging of the truth which is after
godliness. The gospel is truth; the great, sure, and saving truth (Col.
i. 5), the word of the truth of the gospel. Divine faith rests not on
fallible reasonings and probable opinions, but on the infallible word,
the truth itself, which is after godliness, of a godly nature and
tendency, pure, and purifying the heart of the believer. By this mark
judge of doctrines and of spirits--whether they be of God or not; what
is impure, and prejudicial to true piety and practical religion, cannot
be of divine original. All gospel truth is after godliness, teaching
and nourishing reverence and fear of God, and obedience to him; it is
truth not only to be known, but acknowledged; it must be held forth in
word and practice, Phil. ii. 15, 16. With the heart man believes to
righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation,
Rom. x. 10. Such as retain the truth in unrighteousness neither know
nor believe as they ought. To bring to this knowledge and faith, and to
the acknowledging and professing of the truth which is after godliness,
is the great end of the gospel ministry, even of the highest degree and
order in it; their teachings should have this chief aim, to beget faith
and confirm in it. In (orfor) hope of eternal life, v. 2. This is the
further intent of the gospel, to beget hope as well as faith; to take
off the mind and heart from the world, and to raise them to heaven and
the things above. The faith and godliness of Christians lead to eternal
life, and give hope and well-grounded expectation of it; for God, that
cannot lie, hath promised it. It is the honour of God that he cannot
lie or deceive: and this is the comfort of believers, whose treasure is
laid up in his faithful promises. But how is he said to promise before
the world began? Answer, By promise some understand his decree: he
purposed it in his eternal counsels, which were as it were his promise
in embryo: or rather, say some, pro chronon aionion is before ancient
times, or many years ago, referring to the promise darkly delivered,
Gen. iii. 15. Here is the stability and antiquity of the promise of
eternal life to the saints. God, who cannot lie, hath promised before
the world began, that is, many ages since. How excellent then is the
gospel, which was the matter of divine promise so early! how much to be
esteemed by us, and what thanks due for our privilege beyond those
before us! Blessed are your eyes, for they see, &c. No wonder if the
contempt of it be punished severely, since he has not only promised it
of old, but (v. 3) has in due times manifested his word through
preaching; that is, made that his promise, so darkly delivered of old,
in due time (the proper season before appointed) more plain by
preaching; that which some called foolishness of preaching has been
thus honoured. Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,
by the word preached. Which is committed unto me. The ministry is a
trust; none taketh this honour, but he who is thereunto appointed; and
whoso is appointed and called must preach the word. 1 Cor. ix. 16, Woe
is unto me if I preach not the gospel. Nonpreaching ministers are none
of the apostle's successors. According to the commandment of God our
Saviour. Preaching is a work appointed by a God as a Saviour. See a
proof here of Christ's deity, for by him was the gospel committed to
Paul when he was converted (Acts ix. 15, 17, and ch. xxii. 10, 14, 15),
and again when Christ appeared to him, v. 17-21. He therefore is this
Saviour; not but that the whole Timothy concur therein: the Father
saves by the Son through the Spirit, and all concur in sending
ministers. Let none rest therefore in men's calling, without God's; he
furnishes, inclines, authorizes, and gives opportunity for the work.
II. The person written to, who is described, 1. By his name, Titus, a
Gentile Greek, yet called both to the faith and ministry. Observe, the
grace of God is free and powerful. What worthiness or preparation was
there in one of heathen stock and education? 2. By his spiritual
relation to the apostle: My own (or my genuine) son, not by natural
generation, but by supernatural regeneration. I have begotten you
through the gospel, said he to the Corinthians, 1 Cor. iv. 15.
Ministers are spiritual fathers to those whom they are the means of
converting, and will tenderly affect and care for them, and must be
answerably regarded by them. "My own son after the common faith, that
faith which is common to all the regenerate, and which thou hast in
truth, and expressest to the life." This might be said to distinguish
Titus from hypocrites and false teachers, and to recommend him to the
regard of the Cretans, as being among them a lively image of the
apostle himself, in faith, and life, and heavenly doctrine. To this
Titus, deservedly so dear to the apostle, is,
III. The salutation and prayer, wishing all blessings to him: Grace,
mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ our
Saviour. Here are, 1. The blessings wished: Grace, mercy, and peace.
Grace, the free favour of God, and acceptance with him. Mercy, the
fruits of that favour, in pardon of sins, and freedom from all miseries
by it, both here and hereafter. And peace, the positive effect and
fruit of mercy. Peace with God through Christ who is our peace, and
with the creatures and ourselves; outward and inward peace,
comprehending all good whatsoever, that makes for our happiness in time
and to eternity. Observe, Grace is the fountain of all blessings.
Mercy, and peace, and all good, spring out of this. Get into God's
favour, and all must be well; for, 2. These are the persons from whom
blessings are wished: From God the Father, the fountain of all good.
Every blessing, every comfort, comes to us from God as a Father; he is
the Father of all by creation, but of the good by adoption and
regeneration. And the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour, as the way and
means of procurement and conveyance. All is from the Father by the Son,
who is Lord by nature, heir of all things, and our Lord, Redeemer, and
head, ordering and ruling his members. All are put under him; we hold
of him, as in capite, and owe subjection and obedience to him, who is
also Jesus and Christ, the anointed Saviour, and especially our
Saviour, who believe in him, delivering us from sin and hell, and
bringing us to heaven and happiness.
Thus far is the preface to the epistle; then follows the entrance into
the matter, by signifying the end of Titus's being left in Crete.
Ordination of Elders. (a. d. 66.)
5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order
the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had
appointed thee:
Here is the end expressed,
I. More generally: For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou
shouldst set in order the things that are wanting. This was the
business of evangelists (in which office Titus was), to water where the
apostles had planted (1 Cor. iii. 6), furthering and finishing what
they had begun; so much epidiorthoun imports, to order after another.
Titus was to go on in settling what the apostle himself had not time
for, in his short stay there. Observe, 1. The apostle's great diligence
in the gospel; when he had set things on foot in one place, he hastened
away to another. He was debtor to the Greeks and to the barbarians, and
laboured to spread the gospel as far as he could among them all. And,
2. His faithfulness and prudence. He neglected not the places that he
went from; but left some to cultivate the young plantation, and carry
on what was begun. 3. His humility; he disdained not to be helped in
his work, and that by such as were not of so high a rank in the
ministry, nor of so great gifts and furniture, as himself; so that the
gospel might be furthered and the good of souls promoted, he willingly
used the hands of others in it: a fit example for exciting zeal and
industry, and engaging to faithfulness and care of the flock, and
present or absent, living and dying, for ministers, as much as in them
lies, to provide for the spiritual edification and comfort of their
people. We may here also observe, 4. That Titus, though inferior to an
apostle, was yet above the ordinary fixed pastors or bishops, who were
to tend particular churches as their peculiar stated charge; but Titus
was in a higher sphere, to ordain such ordinary pastors where wanting,
and settle things in their first state and form, and then to pass to
other places for like service as there might be need. Titus was not
only a minister of the catholic church (as all others also are), but a
catholic minister. Others had power habitual, and in actu primo, to
minister any where, upon call and opportunity; but evangelists, such as
Titus was, had power in actu secundo et exercito, and could exercise
their ministry wherever they came, and claim maintenance of the
churches. They were every where actually in their diocese or province,
and had a right to direct and preside among the ordinary pastors and
ministers. Where an apostle could act as an apostle an evangelist could
act as an evangelist; for they worked the work of the Lord as they did
(1 Cor. xvi. 10), in a like unfixed and itinerant manner. Here at Crete
Titus was but occasionally, and for a short time; Paul willed him to
despatch the business he was left for, and come to him at Nicopolis,
where he purposed to winter; after this he was sent to Corinth, was
with the apostle at Rome, and was sent thence into Dalmatia, which is
the last we read of him in scripture, so that from scripture no fixed
episcopacy in him does appear; he left Crete, and we find not that he
returned thither any more. But what power had either Paul or Titus
here? Was not what they did an encroachment on the rights of civil
rulers? In no sort; they came not to meddle with the civil rights of
any. Luke xii. 14, Who made me a judge or a divider over you? Their
work was spiritual, to be carried on by conviction and persuasion, no
way interfering with, or prejudicing, or weakening, the power of
magistrates, but rather securing and strengthening it; the things
wanting were not such as civil magistrates are the fountains or authors
of, but divine and spiritual ordinances, and appointments for spiritual
ends, derived from Christ the king and head of the church: for settling
these was Titus left. And observe, No easy thing is it to raise
churches, and bring them to perfection. Paul had himself been here
labouring, and yet were there things wanting; materials are out of
square, need much hewing and fitting, to bring them into right form,
and, when they are set therein, to hold and keep them so. The best are
apt to decay and to go out of order. Ministers are to help against
this, to get what is amiss rectified, and what is wanting supplied.
This in general was Titus's work in Crete: and,
II. In special: To ordain elders in every city, that is, ministers, who
were mostly out of the elder and most understanding and experienced
Christians; or, if younger in years, yet such as were grave and solid
in their deportment and manners. These were to be set where there was
any fit number of Christians, as in larger towns and cities was usually
the case; though villages, too, might have them where there were
Christians enough for it. These presbyters or elders were to have the
ordinary and stated care and charge of the churches; to feed and govern
them, and perform all pastoral work and duty in and towards them. The
word is used sometimes more largely for any who bear ecclesiastical
function in the church, and so the apostles were presbyters or elders
(1 Pet. v. 1); but here it is meant of ordinary fixed pastors, who
laboured in the word and doctrine, and were over the churches in the
Lord; such as are described here throughout the chapter. This word
presbyter some use in the same sense as sacerdos, and translate it
priest, a term not given to gospel ministers, unless in a figurative or
allusive way, as all God's people are said to be made kings and priests
unto God (hiereis, not presbyterous), to offer up spiritual sacrifices
of prayers, praises, and alms. But properly we have no priest under the
gospel, except Christ alone, the high priest of our profession (Heb.
iii. 1), who offered up himself a sacrifice to God for us, and ever
lives, in virtue thereof, to make intercession in our behalf.
Presbyters here therefore are not proper priests, to offer sacrifices,
either typical or real; but only gospel ministers, to dispense Christ's
ordinances, and to feed the church of God, over which the Holy Ghost
has made them overseers. Observe, 1. A church without a fixed and
standing ministry in it is imperfect and wanting. 2. Where a fit number
of believers is, presbyters or elders must be set; their continuance in
churches is as necessary as their first appointment, for perfecting the
saints, and edifying the body of Christ, till all come to a perfect man
in Christ, till the whole number of God's chosen be called and united
to Christ in one body, and brought to their full stature and strength,
and that measure of grace that is proper and designed for them, Eph.
iv. 12, 13. This is work that must and will be doing to the world's
end, to which therefore the necessary and appointed means for it must
last. What praise is due to God for such an institution! What
thankfulness from those that enjoy the benefits of it! What pity and
prayer for such as want it! Pray the Lord of the harvest that he will
send forth labourers into his harvest. Faith comes by hearing, and is
preserved, maintained, and made fruitful, through it also. Ignorance
and corruption, decays of good and increase of all evil, come by want
of a teaching and quickening ministry. On such accounts therefore was
Titus left in Crete, to set in order the things that were wanting, and
to ordain elders in every city; but this he was to do, not ad libitum,
or according to his own will or fancy, but according to apostolic
direction.
III. The rule of his proceeding: As I had appointed thee, probably when
he was going from him, and in the presence and hearing of others, to
which he may now refer, not so much for Titus's own sake as for the
people's, that they might the more readily yield obedience to Titus,
knowing and observing that in what he did he was warranted and
supported by apostolic injunction and authority. As under the law all
things were to be made according to the pattern shown to Moses in the
mount; so under the gospel all must be ordered and managed according to
the direction of Christ, and of his chief ministers, who were
infallibly guided by him. Human traditions and inventions may not be
brought into the church of God. Prudent disposals for carrying on the
ends of Christ's appointments, according to the general rules of the
word, there may, yea, must be; but none may alter any thing in the
substance of the faith or worship, or order and discipline, of the
churches. If an evangelist might not do any thing but by appointment,
much less may others. The church is the house of God, and to him it
belongs to appoint the officers and orders of it, as he pleases: the as
here refers to the qualifications and character of the elders that he
was to ordain: "Ordain elders in every city, as I appointed thee, such
as I then described and shall now again more particularly point out to
thee," which he does from the sixth verse to the ninth inclusive.
The Qualifications of a Bishop; The Necessity of Sharp Reproof. (a. d. 66.)
6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful
children not accused of riot or unruly. 7 For a bishop must be
blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not
given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; 8 But a lover
of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; 9
Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be
able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.
10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially
they of the circumcision: 11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who
subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy
lucre's sake. 12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own,
said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies. 13
This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be
sound in the faith; 14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and
commandments of men, that turn from the truth. 15 Unto the pure all
things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is
nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled. 16 They
profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being
abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
The apostle here gives Titus directions about ordination, showing whom
he should ordain, and whom not.
I. Of those whom he should ordain. He points out their qualifications
and virtues; such as respect their life and manners, and such as relate
to their doctrine: the former in the sixth, seventh, and eighth verses,
and the latter in the ninth.
1. Their qualifications respecting their life and manners are,
(1.) More general: If any be blameless; not absolutely without fault,
so none are, for there is none that liveth and sinneth not; nor
altogether unblamed, this is rare and difficult. Christ himself and his
apostles were blamed, though not worthy of it. In Christ thee was
certainly nothing blamable; and his apostles were not such as their
enemies charged them to be. But the meaning is, He must be one who lies
not under an ill character; but rather must have good report, even from
those that are without; not grossly or scandalously guilty, so as would
bring reproach upon the holy function; he must not be such a one.
(2.) More particularly.
[1.] There is his relative character. In his own person, he must be of
conjugal chastity: The husband of one wife. The church of Rome says the
husband of no wife, but from the beginning it was not so; marriage is
an ordinance from which no profession nor calling is a bar. 1 Cor. ix.
5, Have I not power, says Paul, to lead about a sister, a wife, as well
as other apostles? Forbidding to marry is one of the erroneous
doctrines of the antichristian church, 1 Tim. iv. 3. Not that ministers
must be married; this is not meant; but the husband of one wife may be
either not having divorced his wife and married another (as was too
common among those of the circumcision, even for slight causes), or the
husband of one wife, that is, at one and the same time, no bigamist;
not that he might not be married to more than one wife successively,
but, being married, he must have but one wife at once, not two or more,
according to the too common sinful practice of those times, by a
perverse imitation of the patriarchs, from which evil custom our Lord
taught a reformation. Polygamy is scandalous in any, as also having a
harlot or concubine with his lawful wife; such sin, or any wanton
libidinous demeanour, must be very remote from such as would enter into
so sacred a function. And, as to his children, having faithful
children, obedient and good, brought up in the true Christian faith,
and living according to it, at least as far as the endeavours of the
parents can avail. It is for the honour of ministers that their
children be faithful and pious, and such as become their religion. Not
accused of riot, nor unruly, not justly so accused, as having given
ground and occasion for it, for otherwise the most innocent may be
falsely so charged; they must look to it therefore that there be no
colour for such censure. Children so faithful, and obedient, and
temperate, will be a good sign of faithfulness and diligence in the
parent who has so educated and instructed them; and, from his
faithfulness in the less, there may be encouragement to commit to him
the greater, the rule and government of the church of God. The ground
of this qualification is shown from the nature of his office (v. 7):
For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God. Those before
termed presbyters, or elders, are in this verse styled bishops; and
such they were, having no ordinary fixed and standing officers above
them. Titus's business here, it is plain, was but occasional, and his
stay short, as was before noted. Having ordained elders, and settled in
their due form, he went and left all (for aught that appears in
scripture) in the hands of those elders whom the apostle here calls
bishops and stewards of God. We read not in the sacred writings of any
successor he had in Crete; but to those elders or bishops was committed
the full charge of feeding, ruling, and watching over their flock; they
wanted not any powers necessary for carrying on religion and the
ministry of it among them, and committing it down to succeeding ages.
Now, being such bishops and overseers of the flock, who were to be
examples to them, and God's stewards to take care of the affairs of his
house, to provide for and dispense to them things needful, there is
great reason that their character should be clear and good, that they
should be blameless. How else could it be but that religion must
suffer, their work be hindered, and souls prejudiced and endangered,
whom they were set to save? These are the relative qualifications with
the ground of them.
[2.] The more absolute ones are expressed, First, Negatively, showing
what an elder or bishop must not be: Not self-willed. The prohibition
is of large extent, excluding self-opinion, or overweening conceit of
parts and abilities, and abounding in one's own sense,--self-love, and
self-seeking, making self the centre of all,--also self-confidence and
trust, and self-pleasing, little regarding or setting by others,--being
proud, stubborn, froward, inflexible, set on one's own will and way, or
churlish as Nabal: such is the sense expositors have affixed to the
term. A great honour it is to a minister not to be thus affected, to be
ready to ask and to take advice, to be ready to defer as much as
reasonably may be to the mind and will of others, becoming all things
to all men, that they may gain some. Not soon angry, me orgilon, not
one of a hasty angry temper, soon and easily provoked and inflamed. How
unfit are those to govern a church who cannot govern themselves, or
their own turbulent and unruly passions! The minister must be meek and
gentle, and patient towards all men. Not given to wine; thee is no
greater reproach on a minister than to be a wine-bibber, one who loves
it, and gives himself undue liberty this way who continues at the wine
or strong drink till it inflames him. Seasonable and moderate use of
this, as of the other good creatures of God, is not unlawful. Use a
little wine for thy stomach's sake, and thine often infirmities, said
Paul to Timothy, 1 Tim. v. 23. But excess therein is shameful in all,
especially in a minister. Wine takes away the heart, turns the man into
a brute: here most proper is that exhortation of the apostle (Eph. v.
18), Be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the
Spirit. Here is no exceeding, but in the former too easily there may:
take heed therefore of going too near the brink. No striker, in any
quarrelsome or contentious manner, not injuriously nor out of revenge,
with cruelty or unnecessary roughness. Not given to filthy lucre; not
greedy of it (as 1 Tim. iii. 3), whereby is not meant refusing a just
return for their labours, in order to their necessary support and
comfort; but not making gain their first or chief end, not entering
into the ministry nor managing it with base worldly views. Nothing is
more unbecoming a minister, who is to direct his own and others' eyes
to another world, than to be too intent upon this. It is called filthy
lucre, from its defiling the soul that inordinately affects or greedily
looks after it, as if it were any otherwise desirable than for the good
and lawful uses of it. Thus of the negative part of the bishop's
character. But, Secondly, Positively: he must be (v. 8) a lover of
hospitality, as an evidence that he is not given to filthy lucre, but
is willing to use what he has to the best purposes, not laying up for
himself, so as to hinder charitable laying out for the good of others;
receiving and entertaining strangers (as the word imports), a great and
necessary office of love, especially in those times of affliction and
distress, when Christians were made to fly and wander for safety from
persecution and enemies, or in travelling to and fro where there were
not such public houses for reception as in our days, nor, it may be,
had many poor saints sufficiency of their own for such uses--then to
receive and entertain them was good and pleasing to God. And such a
spirit and practice, according to ability and occasion, are very
becoming such as should be examples of good works. A lover of good men,
or of good things; ministers should be exemplary in both; this will
evince their open piety, and likeness to God and their Master Jesus
Christ: Do good to all, but especially to those of the household of
faith, those who are the excellent of the earth, in whom should be all
our delight. Sober, or prudent, as the word signifies; a needful grace
in a minister both for his ministerial and personal carriage and
management. He should be a wise steward, and one who is not rash, or
foolish, or heady; but who can govern well his passions and affections.
Just in things belonging to civil life, and moral righteousness, and
equity in dealings, giving to all their due. Holy, in what concerns
religion; one who reverences and worships God, and is of a spiritual
and heavenly conversation. Temperate; it comes from a word that
signifies strength, and denotes one who has power over his appetite and
affections, or, in things lawful, can, for good ends, restrain and hold
them in. Nothing is more becoming a minister than such things as these,
sobriety, temperance, justice, and holiness--sober in respect of
himself, just and righteous towards all men, and holy towards God. And
thus of the qualifications respecting the minister's life and manners,
relative and absolute, negative and positive, what he must not, and
what he must, be and do.
2. As to doctrine,
(1.) Here is his duty: Holding fast the faithful word, as he has been
taught, keeping close to the doctrine of Christ, the word of his grace,
adhering thereto according to the instructions he has received--holding
it fast in his own belief and profession, and in teaching others.
Observe, [1.] The word of God, revealed in the scripture, is a true and
infallible word; the word of him that is the amen, the true and
faithful witness, and whose Spirit guided the penmen of it. Holy men of
God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. [2.] Ministers must
hold fast, and hold forth, the faithful word in their teaching and
life. I have kept the faith, was Paul's comfort (2 Tim. iv. 7), and not
shunned to declare the whole counsel of God; there was his
faithfulness, Acts xx. 27.
(2.) Here is the end: That he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to
exhort, and to convince the gainsayers, to persuade and draw others to
the true faith, and to convince the contrary-minded. How should he do
this if he himself were uncertain or unsteady, not holding fast that
faithful word and sound doctrine which should be the matter of this
teaching, and the means and ground of convincing those that oppose the
truth? We see here summarily the great work of the ministry--to exhort
those who are willing to know and do their duty, and to convince those
that contradict, both which are to be done by sound doctrine, that is,
in a rational instructive way, by scripture-arguments and testimonies,
which are the infallible words of truth, what all may and should rest
and be satisfied in and determined by. And thus of the qualifications
of the elders whom Titus was to ordain.
II. The apostle's directory shows whom he should reject or avoid--men
of another character, the mention of whom is brought in as a reason of
the care he had recommended about the qualifications of ministers, why
they should be such, and only such, as he had described. The reasons he
takes both from bad teachers and hearers among them, v. 10, to the end.
1. From bad teachers. (1.) Those false teachers are described. They
were unruly, headstrong and ambitious of power, refractory and
untractable (as some render it), and such as would not bear nor submit
themselves to the discipline and necessary order in the church,
impatient of good government and of sound doctrine. And vain talkers
and deceivers, conceiting themselves to be wise, but really foolish,
and thence great talkers, falling into errors and mistakes, and fond of
them, and studious and industrious to draw others into the same. Many
such there were, especially those of the circumcision, converts as they
pretended, at least, from the Jews, who yet were for mingling Judaism
and Christianity together, and so making a corrupt medley. These were
the false teachers. (2.) Here is the apostle's direction how to deal
with them (v. 11): Their mouths must be stopped; not by outward force
(Titus had no such power, nor was this the gospel method), but by
confutation and conviction, showing them their error, not giving place
to them even for an hour. In case of obstinacy indeed, breaking the
peace of the church, and corrupting other churches, censures are to
have place, the last means for recovering the faulty and preventing the
hurt of many. Observe, Faithful ministers must oppose seducers in good
time, that, their folly being made manifest, they may proceed no
further. (3.) The reasons are given for this. [1.] From the pernicious
effects of their errors: They subvert whole houses, teaching things
which they ought not (namely, the necessity of circumcision, and of
keeping the law of Moses, &c.), so subverting the gospel and the souls
of men; not some few only, but whole families. It was unjustly charged
on the apostles that they turned the world upside down; but justly on
these false teachers that they drew many from the true faith to their
ruin: the mouths of such should be stopped, especially considering,
[2.] Their base end in what they do: For filthy lucre's sake, serving a
worldly interest under pretence of religion. Love of money is the root
of all evil. Most fit it is that such should be resisted, confuted, and
put to shame, by sound doctrine, and reasons from the scriptures. Thus
of the grounds respecting the bad teachers.
II. In reference to their people or hearers, who are described from
ancient testimony given of them.
1. Here is the witness (v. 12): One of themselves, even a prophet of
their own, that is, one of the Cretans, not of the Jews, Epimenides a
Greek poet, likely to know and unlikely to slander them. A prophet of
their own; so their poets were accounted, writers of divine oracles;
these often witnessed against the vices of the people: Aratus,
Epimenides, and others among the Greeks; Horace, Juvenal, and Persius,
among the Latins: much smartness did they use against divers vices.
2. Here is the matter of his testimony: Kretes aei pseustai, kaka
theria, gasteres argai--The Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, slow
bellies. Even to a proverb, they were infamous for falsehood and lying;
kretizein, to play the Cretan, or to lie, is the same; and they were
compared to evil beasts for their sly hurtfulness and savage nature,
and called slow bellies for their laziness and sensuality, more
inclined to eat than to work and live by some honest employment.
Observe, Such scandalous vices as were the reproach of heathens should
be far from Christians: falsehood and lying, invidious craft and
cruelty, all beastly and sensual practices, with idleness and sloth,
are sins condemned by the light of nature. For these were the Cretans
taxed by their own poets.
3. Here is the verification of this by the apostle himself: v. 13. This
witness is true, The apostle saw too much ground for that character.
The temper of some nations is more inclined to some vices than others.
The Cretans were too generally such as here described, slothful and
ill-natured, false and perfidious, as the apostle himself vouches. And
thence,
4. He instructs Titus how to deal with them: Wherefore rebuke them
sharply. When Paul wrote to Timothy he bade him instruct with meekness;
but now, when he writes to Titus, he bids him rebuke them sharply. The
reason of the difference may be taken from the different temper of
Timothy and Titus; the former might have more keenness in his
disposition, and be apt to be warm in reproving, whom therefore he bids
to rebuke with meekness; and the latter might be one of more mildness,
therefore he quickens him, and bids him rebuke sharply. Or rather it
was from the difference of the case and people: Timothy had a more
polite people to deal with, and therefore he must rebuke them with
meekness; and Titus had to do with those who were more rough and
uncultivated, and therefore he must rebuke them sharply; their
corruptions were many and gross, and committed without shame or
modesty, and therefore should be dealt with accordingly. There must in
reproving be a distinguishing between sins and sins; some are more
gross and heinous in their nature, or in the manner of their
commission, with openness and boldness, to the greater dishonour of God
and danger and hurt to men: and between sinners and sinners; some are
of a more tender and tractable temper, apter to be wrought on by
gentleness, and to be sunk and discouraged by too much roughness and
severity; others are more hardy and stubborn, and need more cutting
language to beget in them remorse and shame. Wisdom therefore is
requisite to temper and manage reproofs aright, as may be most likely
to do good. Jude 22, 23, Of some have compassion, making a difference;
and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire. The Cretans'
sins and corruptions were many, great, and habitual; therefore they
must be rebuked sharply. But that such direction might not be
misconstrued,
5. Here is the end of it noted: That they may be sound in the faith (v.
14), not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that
turn from the truth; that is, that they may be and show themselves
truly and effectually changed from such evil tempers and manners as
those Cretans in their natural state lived in, and may not adhere to
nor regard (as some who were converted might be too ready to do) the
Jewish traditions and the superstitions of the Pharisees, which would
be apt to make them disrelish the gospel, and the sound and wholesome
truths of it. Observe, (1.) The sharpest reproofs must aim at the good
of the reproved: they must not be of malice, nor hatred, nor ill-will,
but of love; not to gratify pride, passion, nor any evil affection in
the reprover, but to reclaim and reform the erroneous and the guilty.
(2.) Soundness in the faith is most desirable and necessary. This is
the soul's health and vigour, pleasing to God, comfortable to the
Christian, and what makes ready to be cheerful and constant in duty.
(3.) A special means to soundness in the faith is to turn away the ear
from fables and the fancies of men (1 Tim. i. 4): Neither give heed to
fables and endless genealogies, that minister questions rather than
godly edifying, which is in faith. So ch. iv. 7, Refuse profane and old
wives' fables, and exercise thyself rather to godliness. Fancies and
devices of men in the worship of God are contrary to truth and piety.
Jewish ceremonies and rites, that were at first divine appointments,
the substance having come and their season and use being over, are now
but unwarranted commands of men, which not only stand not with, but
turn from, the truth, the pure gospel truth and spiritual worship, set
up by Christ instead of that bodily service under the law. (4.) A
fearful judgment it is to be turned away from the truth, to leave
Christ for Moses, the spiritual worship of the gospel for the carnal
ordinances of the law, or the true divine institutions and precepts for
human inventions and appointments. Who hath bewitched you (said Paul to
the Galatians, ch. iii. 1, 3) that you should not obey the truth?
Having begun in the Spirit, are you made perfect by the flesh? Thus
having shown the end of sharply reproving the corrupt and vicious
Cretans, that they might be sound in the faith, and not heed Jewish
fables and commands of men,
6. He gives the reasons of this, from the liberty we have by the gospel
from legal observances, and the evil and mischief of a Jewish spirit
under the Christian dispensation in the last two verses. To good
Christians that are sound in the faith and thereby purified all things
are pure. Meats and drinks, and such things as were forbidden under the
law (the observances of which some still maintain), in these there is
now no such distinction, all are pure (lawful and free in their use),
but to those that are defiled and unbelieving nothing is pure; things
lawful and good they abuse and turn to sin; they suck poison out of
that from which others draw sweetness; their mind and conscience, those
leading faculties, being defiled, a taint is communicated to all they
do. The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, Prov.
xv. 8. And ch. xxi. 4, The ploughing of the wicked is sin, not in
itself, but as done by him; the carnality of the mind and heart mars
all the labour of the hand.
Objection. But are not these judaizers (as you call them) men who
profess religion, and speak well of God, and Christ, and righteousness
of life, and should they be so severely taxed? Answer, They profess
that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and
disobedient, and to every good work reprobate, v. 16. There are many
who in word and tongue profess to know God, and yet in their lives and
conversations deny and reject him; their practice is a contradiction to
their profession. They come unto thee as the people cometh, and they
sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will
not do them: with their mouth they show much love, but their heart
goeth after their covetousness, Ezek. xxxiii. 31. Being abominable, and
disobedient, and to every good work reprobate. The apostle, instructing
Titus to rebuke sharply, does himself rebuke sharply; he gives them
very hard words, yet doubtless no harder than their case warranted and
their need required. Being abominable--bdelyktoi, deserving that God
and good men should turn away their eyes from them as nauseous and
offensive. And disobedient--apeitheis, unpersuadable and unbelieving.
They might do divers things; but it was not the obedience of faith, nor
what was commanded, or short of the command. To every good work
reprobate, without skill or judgment to do any thing aright. See the
miserable condition of hypocrites, such as have a form of godliness,
but without the power; yet let us not be so ready to fix this charge on
others as careful that it agree not to ourselves, that there be not in
us an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God; but
that we be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ, being
filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ unto
the glory and praise of God, Phil. i. 10, 11.
__________________________________________________________________
T I T U S.
CHAP. II.
The apostle here directs Titus about the faithful discharge of his own
office generally (ver. 1), and particularly as to several sorts of
persons (ver. 2-10) and gives the grounds of these and of other
following directions (ver. 11-14), with a summary direction in the
close, ver. 15.
Relative Duties. (a. d. 66.)
1 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine: 2 That the
aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in
patience. 3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as
becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers
of good things; 4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to
love their husbands, to love their children, 5 To be discreet,
chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the
word of God be not blasphemed. 6 Young men likewise exhort to be
sober minded. 7 In all things showing thyself a pattern of good
works: in doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, 8 Sound
speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part
may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you. 9 Exhort servants
to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all
things; not answering again; 10 Not purloining, but showing all good
fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things.
Here is the third thing in the matter of the epistle. In the chapter
foregoing, the apostle had directed Titus about matters of government,
and to set in order the things that were wanting in the churches. Now
here he exhorts him,
I. Generally, to a faithful discharge of his own office. His ordaining
others to preach would not excuse himself from preaching, nor might he
take care of ministers and elders only, but he must instruct private
Christians also in their duty. The adversative particle (but) here
points back to the corrupt teachers, who vented fables, things vain and
unprofitable: in opposition to them, says he, "But speak thou the
things that become sound doctrine, what is agreeable to the word, which
is pure and uncorrupt, healthful and nourishing to eternal life."
Observe, (1.) The true doctrines of the gospel are sound doctrines,
formally and effectively; they are in themselves good and holy, and
make the believers so; they make them fit for, and vigorous in, the
service of God. (2.) Ministers must be careful to teach only such
truths. If the common talk of Christians must be uncorrupt, to the use
of edifying, such as may minister grace to the hearers (Eph. iv. 29),
much more must ministers' preaching be such. Thus the apostle exhorts
Titus generally: and then,
II. Specially and particularly, he instructs him to apply this sound
doctrine to several sorts of persons, from v. 2-10. Ministers must not
stay in generals, but must divide to every one his portion, what
belongs to his age, or place, or condition of life; they must be
particular as well as practical in their preaching; they must teach men
their duty, and must teach all and each his duty. Here is an excellent
Christian directory, accommodated to the old and to the young; to men
and women; to the preacher himself and to servants.
1. To the aged men. By aged men some understand elders by office,
including deacons, &c. But it is rather to be taken of the aged in
point of years. Old disciples of Christ must conduct themselves in
every thing agreeably to the Christian doctrine. That the aged men be
sober, not thinking that the decays of nature, which they feel in old
age, will justify them in any inordinacy or intemperance, whereby they
conceit to repair them; they must keep measure in things, both for
health and for fitness, for counsel and example to the younger. Grave:
levity is unbecoming in any, but especially in the aged; they should be
composed and stayed, grave in habit, speech, and behaviour; gaudiness
in dress, levity and vanity in the behaviour, how unbeseeming in their
years! Temperate, moderate and prudent, one who governs well his
passions and affections, so as not to be hurried away by them to any
thing that is evil or indecent. Sound in the faith, sincere and
stedfast, constantly adhering to the truth of the gospel, not fond of
novelties, nor ready to run into corrupt opinions or parties, nor to be
taken with Jewish fables or traditions, or the dotages of their rabbin.
Those who are full of years should be full of grace and goodness, the
inner man renewing more and more as the outer decays. In charity, or
love; this is fitly joined with faith, which works by, and must be seen
in, love, love to God and men, and soundness therein. It must be
sincere love, without dissimulation: love of God for himself, and of
men for God's sake. The duties of the second table must be done in
virtue of those of the first; love to men as men, and to the saints as
the excellent of the earth, in whom must be special delight; and love
at all times, in adversity as well as prosperity. Thus must there be
soundness in charity or love. And in patience. Aged persons are apt to
be peevish, fretful, and passionate; and therefore need to be on their
guard against such infirmities and temptations. Faith, love, and
patience, are three main Christian graces, and soundness in these is
much of gospel perfection. There is enduring patience and waiting
patience, both of which must be looked after; to bear evils becomingly,
and contentedly to want the good till we are fit for it and it for us,
being followers of those who through faith and patience inherit the
promises. Thus as to the aged men.
2. To the aged women. These also must be instructed and warned. Some by
these aged women understand the deaconesses, who were mostly employed
in looking after the poor and attending the sick; but it is rather to
be taken (as we render it) of all aged women professing religion. They
must be in behaviour as becometh holiness: both men and women must
accommodate their behaviour to their profession. Those virtues before
mentioned (sobriety, gravity, temperance, soundness in the faith,
charity, and patience), recommended to aged men, are not proper to them
only, but applicable to both sexes, and to be looked to by aged women
as well as men. Women are to hear and learn their duty from the word,
as well as the men: there is not one way of salvation for one sex or
sort, and another for another; but both must learn and practise the
same things, both as aged and as Christians; the virtues and duties are
common. That the aged women likewise (as well as the men) be in
behaviour as becometh holiness; or as beseems and is proper for holy
persons, such as they profess to be and should be, keeping a pious
decency and decorum in clothing and gesture, in looks and speech, and
all their deportment, and this from an inward principle and habit of
holiness, influencing and ordering the outward conduct at all times.
Observe, Though express scripture do not occur, or be not brought, for
every word, or look, or fashion in particular, yet general rules there
are according to which all must be ordered; as 1 Cor. x. 31, Whatever
you do, do all to the glory of God. And Phil. iv. 8, Whatsoever things
are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever
things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any
praise, think on these things. And here, whatsoever things are
beseeming or unbeseeming holiness form a measure and rule of conduct to
be looked to. Not false accusers--me diabolous, no calumniators or
sowers of discord, slandering and backbiting their neighbours, a great
and too common fault; not only loving to speak, but to speak ill, of
people, and to separate very friends. A slanderer is one whose tongue
is set on fire of hell; so much, and so directly, do these do the
devil's work, that for it the devil's name is given to such. This is a
sin contrary to the great duties of love, justice, and equity between
one another; it springs often from malice and hatred, or envy, and such
like evil causes, to be shunned as well as the effect. Not given to
much wine; the word denotes such addictedness thereto as to be under
the power and mastery of it. This is unseemly and evil in any, but
especially in this sex and age, and was too much to be found among the
Greeks of that time and place. How immodest and shameful, corrupting
and destroying purity both of body and mind! Of what evil example and
tendency, unfitting for the thing, which is a positive duty of aged
matrons, namely, to be teachers of good things! Not public preachers,
that is forbidden (1 Cor. xiv. 34, I permit not a woman to speak in the
church), but otherwise teach they may and should, that is, by example
and good life. Hence observe, Those whose actions and behaviour become
holiness are thereby teachers of good things; and, besides this, they
may and should also teach by doctrinal instruction at home, and in a
private way. The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy his mother taught
him. Such a woman is praised, She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in
her tongue is the law of kindness, Prov. xxxi. 1, 26. Teachers of good
things are opposed to teachers of things corrupt, or to what is
trifling and vain, of no good use or tendency, old wives' fables or
superstitious sayings and observances; in opposition to these, their
business is, and they may be called on to it, to be teachers of good
things.
3. There are lessons for young women also, whom the aged women must
teach, instructing and advising them in the duties of religion
according to their years. For teaching such things aged women have
often better access than the men, even than ministers have, which
therefore they must improve in instructing the young women, especially
the young wives; for he speaks of their duty to their husbands and
children. These young women the more aged must teach, (1.) To bear a
good personal character: To be sober and discreet, contrary to the
vanity and rashness which younger years are subject to: discreet in
their judgments and sober in their affections and behaviour. Discreet
and chaste stand well together; many expose themselves to fatal
temptations by that which at first might be but indiscretion. Prov. ii.
11, Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee from
the evil way. Chaste, and keepers at home, are well joined too. Dinah,
when she went to see the daughters of the land, lost her chastity.
Those whose home is their prison, it is to be feared, feel that their
chastity is their fetters. Not but there are occasions, and will be, of
going abroad; but a gadding temper for merriment and company sake, to
the neglect of domestic affairs, or from uneasiness at being in her
place, is the opposite evil intended, which is commonly accompanied
with, or draws after it, other evils. 1 Tim. v. 13, 14, They learn to
be idle, wandering from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers
also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not. Their
business is to guide the house, and they should give no occasion to the
enemy to speak reproachfully. Good, generally, in opposition to all
vice; and specially, in her place, kind, helpful, and charitable; as
Dorcas, full of good works and almsdeeds. It may also have, as some
think, a more particular sense; one of a meek and yet cheerful spirit
and temper, not sullen nor bitter; not taunting not fretting and
galling any; not of a troublesome or jarring disposition, uneasy in
herself and to those about her; but of a good nature and pleasing
conversation, and likewise helpful by her advice and pains: thus
building her house, and doing her husband good, and not evil, all her
days. Thus in their personal character sober, discreet, chaste, keepers
at home, and good: and, (2.) In their relative capacities: To love
their husbands, and to be obedient to them; and where there is true
love this will be no difficult command. God, in nature, and by his
will, hath made this subordination: I suffer not a woman to usurp
authority over the man (1 Tim. ii. 12); and the reason is added: For
Adam was first formed, then Eve. Adam was not deceived, but the woman,
being deceived, was in the transgression, v. 13, 14. She fell first,
and was the means of seducing the husband. She was given to be a
helper, but proved a most grievous hinderer, even the instrument of his
fall and ruin, on which the bond of subjection was confirmed, and tied
faster on her (Gen. iii. 16): Thy desire shall be to thy husband, and
he shall rule over thee, with less easiness, it may be, than before. It
is therefore doubly enjoined: first in innocency, when was settled a
subordination of nature, Adam being first formed and then Eve, and the
woman being taken out of the man; and then upon the fall, the woman
being first in the transgression, and seducing the man; here now began
to be a subjection not so easy and comfortable, being a part of the
penalty in her case; yet through Christ is this nevertheless a
sanctified state. Eph. v. 22, 23, Wives submit yourselves unto you own
husbands, as unto the Lord, as owning Christ's authority in them, whose
image they bear; for the husband is the head of the wife, even as
Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
God would have a resemblance of Christ's authority over the church held
forth in the husband's over the wife. Christ is the head of the church,
to protect and save it, to supply it with all good, and secure or
deliver it from evil; and so the husband over the wife, to keep her
from injuries, and to provide comfortably for her, according to his
ability. Therefore, as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the
wives be unto their own husbands, as is fit in the Lord (Col. iii. 18),
as comports with the law of Christ, and is for his and the Father's
glory. It is not then an absolute, or unlimited, nor a slavish
subjection that is required; but a loving subordination, to prevent
disorder or confusion, and to further all the ends of the relation.
Thus, in reference to the husbands, wives must be instructed in their
duties of love and subjection to them. And to love their children, not
with a natural affection only, but a spiritual, a love springing from a
holy sanctified heart and regulated by the word; not a fond foolish
love, indulging them in evil, neglecting due reproof and correction
where necessary, but a regular Christian love, showing itself in their
pious education, forming their life and manners aright, taking care of
their souls as well as of their bodies, of their spiritual welfare as
well as of their temporal, of the former chiefly and in the first
place. The reason is added: That the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Failures in such relative duties would be greatly to the reproach of
Christianity. "What are these the better for this their new religion?"
would the infidels be ready to say. The word of God and the gospel of
Christ are pure, excellent, and glorious, in themselves; and their
excellency should be expressed and shown in the lives and conduct of
their professors, especially in relative duties; failures here being
disgrace. Rom. ii. 24, The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles
through you. "Judge what a God he is," would they be ready to say, "by
these his servants; and what his word, and doctrine, and religion, are
by these his followers." Thus would Christ be wounded in the house of
his friends. Thus of the duties of the younger women.
4. Here is the duty of young men. They are apt to be eager and hot,
thoughtless and precipitant; therefore they must be earnestly called
upon and exhorted to be considerate, not rash; advisable and
submissive, not wilful and head-strong; humble and mild, not haughty
and proud; for there are more young people ruined by pride than by any
other sin. The young should be grave and solid in their deportment and
manners, joining the seriousness of age with the liveliness and vigour
of youth. This will make even those younger years to pass to good
purpose, and yield matter of comfortable reflection when the evil days
come; it will be preventive of much sin and sorrow, and lay the
foundation for doing and enjoying much good. Such shall not mourn at
the last, but have peace and comfort in death, and after it a glorious
crown of life.
5. With these instructions to Titus, respecting what he should teach
others--the aged men and women, and the younger of both sexes (Titus
himself probably at this time being a young man also), the apostle
inserts some directions to himself. He could not expect so successfully
to teach others, if he did not conduct himself well both in his
conversation and preaching. (1.) Here is direction for his
conversation: In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works, v.
7. Without this, he would pull down with one hand what he built with
the other. Observe, Preachers of good works must be patterns of them
also; good doctrine and good life must go together. Thou that teachest
another, teachest thou not thyself? A defect here is a great blemish
and a great hindrance. In all things; some read, above all things, or
above all men. Instructing others in the particulars of their duty is
necessary, and, above all things, example, especially that of the
teacher himself, is needful; hereby both light and influence are more
likely to go together. "Let them see a lively image of those virtues
and graces in thy life which must be in theirs. Example may both teach
and impress the things taught; when they see purity and gravity,
sobriety and all good life, in thee, they may be more easily won and
brought thereto themselves; they may become pious and holy, sober and
righteous, as thou art." Ministers must be examples to the flock, and
the people followers of them, as they are of Christ. And here is
direction, (2.) For his teaching and doctrine, as well as for his life:
In doctrine showing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech,
that cannot be condemned, v. 7, 8. They must make it appear that the
design of their preaching is purely to advance the honour of God, the
interest of Christ and his kingdom, and the welfare and happiness of
souls; that this office was not entered into nor used with secular
views, not from ambition nor covetousness, but a pure aim at the
spiritual ends of its institution. In their preaching, therefore, the
display of wit or parts, or of human learning or oratory, is not to be
affected; but sound speech must be used, which cannot be condemned;
scripture-language, as far as well may be, in expressing
scripture-truths. This is sound speech, that cannot be condemned. We
have more than once these duties of a minister set together. 1 Tim. iv.
16, Take heed to thyself, and to thy doctrine: and, v. 12. of the same
chapter, "Let no man despise thy youth, but be thou an example of
believers in word--in thy speech, as a Christian, being grave, serious,
and to the use of edifying; and in thy preaching, that it be the pure
word of God, or what is agreeable to it and founded on it. Thus be an
example in word: and in conversation, the life corresponding with the
doctrine. In doing this thou shalt both save thyself and those that
hear thee." In 2 Tim. iii. 10, Thou hast fully known my doctrine and
manner of life (says the same apostle), how agreeable these have been.
And so must it be with others; their teaching must be agreeable to the
word, and their life with their teaching. This is the true and good
minister. 1 Thess. ii. 9, 10. Labouring night and day, we preached to
you the gospel of God; and you are witnesses, and God also, how holily,
and justly, and unblamably, we behaved ourselves among you. This must
be looked to, as the next words show, which are, (3.) The reason both
for the strictness of the minister's life and the gravity and soundness
of his preaching: That he who is of the contrary part may be ashamed,
having no evil thing to say of you. Adversaries would be seeking
occasion to reflect, and would do so could they find any thing amiss in
doctrine or life; but, if both were right and good, such ministers
might set calumny itself at defiance; they would have not evil thing to
say justly, and so must be ashamed of their opposition. Observe,
Faithful ministers will have enemies watching for their halting, such
as will endeavour to find or pick holes in their teaching or behaviour;
the more need therefore for them to look to themselves, that no just
occasion be found against them. Opposition and calumny perhaps may not
be escaped; men of corrupt minds will resist the truth, and often
reproach the preachers and professors of it; but let them see that with
well-doing they put to silence the ignorance of foolish men; that, when
they speak evil of them as evil-doers; those may be ashamed who falsely
accuse their good conversation in Christ. This is the direction to
Titus himself, and so of the duties of free persons, male and female,
old and young. Then follow,
6. The directions respecting servants. Servants must not think that
their mean and low state puts them beneath God's notice or the
obligations of his laws--that, because they are servants of men, they
are thereby discharged from serving God. No; servants must know and do
their duty to their earthly masters, but with an eye to their heavenly
one: and Titus must not only instruct and warn earthly masters of their
duties, but servants also of theirs, both in his public preaching and
private admonitions. Servants must attend the ordinances of God for
their instruction and comfort, as well as the masters themselves. In
this direction to Titus there are the duties themselves, to which he
must exhort servants, and a weighty consideration wherewith he was to
enforce them.
(1.) The duties themselves are these:--
[1.] To be obedient to their own masters, v. 9. This is the prime duty,
that by which they are characterized. Rom. vi. 16, His servants you are
whom you obey. There must be inward subjection and dutiful respect and
reverence in the mind and thoughts. "If I be a master, where is my
fear, the dutiful affection you show to me, together with the suitable
outward significations and expressions of it, in doing what I command
you?" This must be in servants; their will must be subject to their
master's will, and their time and labour at their master's disposal and
command. 1 Pet. ii. 18, Servants, be subject to your masters with all
fear, not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. The
duty results from the will of God, and relation in which, by his
providence, he has put such; not from the quality of the person. If he
be a master, the duties of a servant are to be paid to him as such.
Servants therefore are to be exhorted to be obedient to their own
masters. And,
[2.] To please them well in all things, in all lawful things, and such
as belong to them to command, or at least as are not contrary to the
will of their great and superior Lord. We are not to understand it
either of obeying or pleasing them absolutely, without any limitation;
but always with a reserve of God's right, which may in no case be
entrenched upon. If his command and the earthly master's come in
competition, we are instructed to obey God rather than man; but then
servants must be upon good grounds in this, that there is an
inconsistency, else are they not held to be excused. And not only must
the will of God be the measure of the servant's obedience, but the
reason of it also. All must be done with a respect to him, in virtue of
his authority, and for pleasing him primarily and chiefly, Col. iii.
22-24. In serving the earthly master according to Christ's will, he is
served; and such shall be rewarded by him accordingly. But how are
servants to please their masters in all things, and yet not be
men-pleasers? Answer, Men-pleasers, in the faulty sense, are such as
eye men alone, or chiefly, in what they do, leaving God out, or
subordinating him to man; when the will of man shall carry it, though
against God's will, or man's pleasure is more regarded than his,--when
this can content them, that the earthly master is pleased, though God
be displeased,--or when more care, or more satisfaction, is taken in
man's being pleased than in God's, this is sinful man-pleasing, of
which all must take heed. Eph. vi. 5-7, "Servants, be obedient to those
that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling,
with singleness of your heart, as unto Christ. Not with eye-service, as
men-pleasers (who look at nothing but the favour or displeasure of men,
or at nothing so much as this), but as the servants of Christ, doing
the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the
Lord, and not to men;" not to them chiefly, but to Christ, who
requires, and who will reward, any good done, whether by bond or free.
Observe therefore, Christian liberty comports well with civil servitude
and subjection. Persons may serve men, and yet be the servants of
Christ; these are not contrary, but subordinate, so far as serving men
is according to Christ's will and for his sake. Christ came not to
destroy or prejudice civil order and differences. "Art thou called,
being a servant? Care not for it, 1 Cor. vii. 21. Let not this trouble
thee, as if it were a condition unworthy of a Christian, or wherein the
person so called is less pleasing unto God; for he that is called in
the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman, not free from that
service, but free in it; free spiritually, though not in a civil sense.
Likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant; he is
bound to him, though he be not under civil subjection to any; so that,
bond or free, all are one in Christ." Servants therefore should not
regret nor be troubled at their condition, but be faithful and cheerful
in the station wherein God hath set them, striving to please their
masters in all things. Hard it may be under some churlish Nabals, but
it must be aimed at as much as possible.
[3.] Not answering again; not contradicting them, nor disputing it with
them; not giving them any disrespectful or provoking language. Job
complained of his servants, that he called them, and they gave him no
answer; that was faulty another way: Non respondere pro convitio
est--Such silence is contempt: but here it is respect, rather to take a
check or reproof with humble silence, not making any confident nor bold
replies. When conscious of a fault, to palliate or stand in
justification of it doubles it. Yet this not answering again excludes
not turning away wrath with a soft answer, when season and
circumstances admit. Good and wise masters will be ready to hear and do
right; but answering unseasonably, or in an unseemly manner, or, where
the case admits not excuse, to be pert or confident, shows a want of
the humility and meekness which such relation requires.
[4.] Not purloining, but showing all good fidelity. This is another
great essential of good servants, to be honest, never converting that
to their own use which is their master's, nor wasting the goods they
are entrusted with; that is, purloining. They must be just and true,
and do for their masters as they would or should for themselves. Prov.
xxviii. 24, Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no
transgression, the same is the companion of a destroyer; he will be
ready to join with him. Thus having such light thoughts of taking
beyond what is right, though it be from a parent or master, is likely
to harden conscience to go further; it is both wicked in itself, and it
tends to more. Be it so that the master is hard and strait, scarcely
making sufficient provision for servants; yet they must not be their
own carvers, nor go about by theft to right themselves; they must bear
their lot, committing their cause to God for righting and providing for
them. I speak not of cases of extremity, for preserving life, the
necessaries for which the servant has a right to. Not purloining, but
showing all good fidelity; he must not only not steal nor waste, but
must improve his master's goods, and promote his prosperity and
thriving, to his utmost. He that increased not his master's talent is
accused of unfaithfulness, though he had not embezzled nor lost it.
Faithfulness in a servant lies in the ready, punctual, and thorough
execution of his master's orders; keeping his secrets and counsels,
despatching his affairs, and managing with frugality, and to as much
just advantage for his master as he is able; looking well to his
trusts, and preventing, as far as he can, all spoil, or loss, or
damage. This is a way to bring a blessing upon himself, as the contrary
often brings utter ruin. If you have not been faithful in that which is
another man's, who shall give you that which is your own? Luke xvi. 12.
Thus of the duties themselves, to which servants are to be exhorted.
Then,
(2.) Here is the consideration with which Titus was to enforce them:
That they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things; that
is, that they may recommend the gospel and Christ's holy religion to
the good opinion of those that are without, by their meek, humble,
obedient, and faithful conduct in all things. Even servants, though
they may think that such as they, in so low and inferior a condition,
can do little to bring repute to Christianity, or adorn the doctrine of
Christ, and set forth the excellences of his truth and ways, yet, if
they be careful to do their duty, it will redound to the glory of God
and the credit of religion. The unbelieving masters would think the
better of that despised way, which was every where spoken against, when
they found that those of their servants who were Christians were better
than their other servants--more obedient and submissive, more just and
faithful, and more diligent in their places. True religion is an honour
to the professors of it; and they should see that they do not any
dishonour to it, but adorn it rather in all that they are able. Our
light must shine among men, so that they, seeing our good works, may
glorify our Father who is in heaven. And thus of the apostle's
directions to Titus, about the discharge of his office, in reference to
several sorts of persons.
Nature and Design of the Gospel; The Holy Tendency of the Gospel; Nature of
Christ's Redemption. (a. d. 66.)
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all
men, 12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we
should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the
great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; 14 Who gave himself for us,
that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a
peculiar people, zealous of good works.
Here we have the grounds or considerations upon which all the foregoing
directions are urged, taken from the nature and design of the gospel,
and the end of Christ's death.
I. From the nature and design of the gospel. Let young and old, men and
women, masters and servants, and Titus himself, let all sorts do their
respective duties, for this is the very aim and business of
Christianity, to instruct, and help, and form persons, under all
distinctions and relations, to a right frame and conduct. For this,
1. They are put under the dispensation of the grace of God, so the
gospel is called, Eph. iii. 2. It is grace in respect of the spring of
it--the free favour and good-will of God, not any merit or desert in
the creature; as manifesting and declaring this good-will in an eminent
and signal manner; and as it is the means of conveying and working
grace in the hearts of believers. Now grace is obliging and
constraining to goodness: Let not sin reign, but yield yourselves unto
God; for you are not under the law, but under grace, Rom. vi. 12-14.
The love of Christ constrains us not to live to self, but to him (2
Cor. v. 14, 15); without this effect, grace is received in vain.
2. This gospel grace brings salvation (reveals and offers it to sinners
and ensures it to believers)--salvation from sin and wrath, from death
and hell. Hence it is called the word of life; it brings to faith, and
so to life, the life of holiness now and of happiness hereafter. The
law is the ministration of death, but the gospel the ministration of
life and peace. This therefore must be received as salvation (its rules
minded, its commands obeyed), that the end of it may be obtained, the
salvation of the soul. And more inexcusable will the neglecters of this
grace of God bringing salvation now be, since,
3. It hath appeared, or shone out more clearly and illustriously than
ever before. The old dispensation was comparatively dark and shadowy;
this is a clear and shining light; and, as it is now more bright, so
more diffused and extensive also. For,
4. It hath appeared to all men; not to the Jews only, as the glory of
God appeared at mount Sinai to that particular people, and out of the
view of all others; but gospel grace is open to all, and all are
invited to come and partake of the benefit of it, Gentiles as well as
Jews. The publication of it is free and general: Disciple all nations:
Preach the gospel to every creature. The pale is broken down; there is
no such enclosure now as formerly. The preaching of Jesus Christ, which
was kept secret since the world began, now is made manifest, and by the
scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the
everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith,
Rom. xvi. 25, 26. The doctrine of grace and salvation by the gospel is
for all ranks and conditions of men (slaves and servants, as well as
masters), therefore engaging and encouraging all to receive and believe
it, and walk suitably to it, adorning it in all things.
5. This gospel revelation is to teach, and not by way of information
and instruction only, as a schoolmaster does his scholars, but by way
of precept and command, as a sovereign who gives laws to his subjects.
It directs what to shun and what to follow, what to avoid and what to
do. The gospel is not for speculation only or chiefly, but for practice
and right ordering of life; for it teaches us,
(1.) To abandon sin: Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts; to renounce
and have no more to do with these, as we have had: Put off, concerning
the former conversation, the old man which is corrupt; that is, the
whole body of sins, here distributed into ungodliness and worldly
lusts. "Put away ungodliness and irreligion, all unbelief, neglect or
disesteem of the divine Being, not loving, nor fearing, nor trusting in
him, nor obeying him as we should, neglecting his ordinances, slighting
his worship, profaning his name or day. Thus deny ungodliness (hate and
put it away); and worldly lusts, all corrupt and vicious desires and
affections that prevail in worldly men, and carry out to worldly things
the lust of the flesh also, and of the eye, and the pride of life, all
sensuality and filthiness, covetous desires and ambition, seeking and
valuing more the praise of men than of God; put away all these." An
earthly sensual conversation suits not a heavenly calling. Those that
are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
They have done it by covenant-engagement and promise, and have
initially and prevailingly done it in act; they are going on in the
work, cleansing themselves more and more from all filthiness of flesh
and spirit. Thus the gospel first unteaches that which is evil, to
abandon sin; and then,
(2.) To make conscience of that which is good: To live soberly,
righteously, and godly, &c. Religion is not made up of negatives only;
there must be doing good as well as eschewing evil; in these conjunctly
is sincerity proved and the gospel adorned. We should live soberly with
respect to ourselves, in the due government of our appetites and
passions, keeping the limits of moderation and temperance, avoiding all
inordinate excesses; and righteously towards all men, rendering to all
their due, and injuring none, but rather doing good to others,
according to our ability and their need: this seems a part of justice
and righteousness, for we are not born for ourselves alone, and
therefore may not live to ourselves only. We are members one of
another, and must seek every man another's wealth, 1 Cor. x. 24; xii.
25. The public, especially, which includes the interests of all, must
have the regards of all. Selfishness is a sort of unrighteousness; it
robs others of that share in us which is their due. How amiable then
will a just and righteous conduct be! It secures and promotes all
interests, not particular only, but general and public, and so
contributes to the peace and happiness of the world. Live righteously
therefore as well as soberly. And godly towards God, in the duties of
his worship and service. Regards to him indeed should run through all.
Whether you eat, or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of
God, 1 Cor. x. 31. Personal and relative duties must be done in
obedience to his commands, with due aim at pleasing and honouring him,
from principles of holy love and fear of him. But there is an express
and direct duty also that we owe to God, namely, belief and
acknowledgment of his being and perfections, paying him internal and
external worship and homage,--loving, fearing, and trusting in
him,--depending on him, and devoting ourselves to him,--observing all
those religious duties and ordinances that he has appointed,--praying
to him, praising him, and meditating on his word and works. This is
godliness, looking and coming to God, as our state now is, not
immediately, but as he has manifested himself in Christ; so does the
gospel direct and require. To go to God in any other way, namely, by
saints or angels, is unsuitable, yea, contrary to the gospel rule and
warrant. All communications from God to us are through his Son, and our
returns must also be by him. God in Christ we must look at as the
object of our hope and worship. Thus must we exercise ourselves to
godliness, without which there can be no adorning of that gospel which
is according to it, which teaches and requires such a deportment. A
gospel conversation must needs be a godly conversation, expressing our
love and fear and reverence of God, our hope and trust and confidence
in him, as manifested in his Son. We are the circumcision (who have in
truth what was signified by that sacrament) who worship God in the
Spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the
flesh. See in how small a compass our duty is comprised; it is put into
few words, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, and living soberly,
righteously, and godly, in this present world. The gospel teaches us
not only how to believe and hope well, but also to live well, as
becomes that faith and hope in this present world, and as expectants of
another and better. There is the world that now is, and that which is
to come; the present is the time and place of our trial, and the gospel
teaches us to live well here, not, however, as our final state, but
with an eye chiefly to a future: for it teaches us in all,
(3.) To look for the glories of another world, to which a sober,
righteous, and godly life in this is preparative: Looking for that
blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ. Hope, by a metonymy, is put for the thing hoped
for, namely, heaven and the felicities thereof, called emphatically
that hope, because it is the great thing we look and long and wait for;
and a blessed hope, because, when attained, we shall be completely
happy for ever. And the glorious appearing of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ. This denotes both the time of the accomplishing
of our hope and the sureness and greatness of it: it will be at the
second appearing of Christ, when he shall come in his own glory, and in
his Father's, and of the holy angels, Luke ix. 26. His own glory which
he had before the world was; and his Father's, being the express image
of his person, and as God-man, his delegated ruler and Judge; and of
the holy angels, as his ministers and glorious attendants. His first
coming was in meanness, to satisfy justice and purchase happiness; his
second will be in majesty, to bestow and instate his people in it.
Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto those that
look for him will he appear the second time, without sin, unto
salvation, Heb. ix. 28. The great God and our Saviour (or even our
Saviour) Jesus Christ; for they are not two subjects, but one only, as
appears by the single article, tou megalou Theou kai Soteros, not kai
tou Soteros, and so is kai rendered 1 Cor. xv. 24, When he shall have
delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; to Theo kai Patri.
Christ then is the great God, not figuratively, as magistrates and
others are sometimes called gods, or as appearing and acting in the
name of God, but properly and absolutely, the true God (1 John v. 20),
the mighty God (Isa. ix. 6), who, being in the form of God, thought it
not robbery to be equal with God, Phil. ii. 6. In his second coming he
will reward his servants, and bring them to glory with him. Observe,
[1.] There is a common and blessed hope for all true Christians in the
other world. If in this life only they had hope in Christ, they were of
all men the most miserable, 1 Cor. xv. 19. By hope is meant the thing
hoped for, namely, Christ himself, who is called our hope (1 Tim. i.
1), and blessedness in and through him, even riches of glory (Eph. i.
18), hence fitly termed here that blessed hope. [2.] The design of the
gospel is to stir up all to a good life by this blessed hope. Gird up
the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace
that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, 1
Pet. i. 13. To the same purport here, Denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world,
looking for the blessed hope; not as mercenaries, but as dutiful and
thankful Christian. What manner of persons ought you to be in all holy
conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening to the coming of
the day of God! 2 Pet. iii. 11, 12. Looking and hastening, that is,
expecting and diligently preparing for it. [3.] At, and in, the
glorious appearing of Christ will the blessed hope of Christians be
attained; for their felicity will be this, To be where he is, and to
behold his glory, John xvii. 24. The glory of the great God and our
Saviour will then break out as the sun. Though in the exercise of his
judiciary power he will appear as the Son of man, yet will he be
mightily declared to be the Son of God too. The divinity, which on
earth was much veiled, will shine out then as the sun in its strength.
Hence the work and design of the gospel are to raise the heart to wait
for this second appearing of Christ. We are begotten again to a lively
hope of it (1 Pet. i. 3), turned to serve the living God, and wait for
his Son from heaven, 1 Thess. i. 9, 10. Christians are marked by this,
expecting their Master's coming (Luke xii. 36), loving his appearance,
2 Tim. iv. 8. Let us then look to this hope; let our loins be girt, and
our lights burning, and ourselves like those who wait for their Lord;
the day or hour we know not, but he that shall come will come, and will
not tarry, Heb. x. 37. [4.] The comfort and joy of Christians are that
their Saviour is the great God, and will gloriously manifest himself at
his second coming. Power and love, majesty and mercy, will then appear
together in the highest lustre, to the terror and confusion of the
wicked, but to the everlasting triumph and rejoicing of the godly. Were
he not thus the great God, and not a mere creature, he could not be
their Saviour, nor their hope. Thus of the considerations to enforce
the directions of all sorts to their respective duties from the nature
and design of the gospel. And herewith is connected another ground,
namely,
II. From the end of Christ's death: Who gave himself for us, that he
might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar
people, zealous of good works, v. 14. To bring us to holiness and
happiness was the end of Christ's death, as well as the scope of his
doctrine. Here we have,
1. The purchaser of salvation--Jesus Christ, that great God and our
Saviour, who saves not simply as God, much less as man alone; but as
God-man, two natures in one person: man, that he might obey, and
suffer, and die, for man, and be meet to deal with him and for him; and
God, that he might support the manhood, and give worth and efficacy to
his undertakings, and have due regard to the rights and honour of the
deity, as well as the good of his creature, and bring about the latter
to the glory of the former. Such a one became us; and this was,
2. The price of our redemption: He gave himself. The Father gave him,
but he gave himself too; and, in the freeness and voluntariness, as
well as the greatness of the offering, lay the acceptableness and merit
of it. Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life,
that I might take it again. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down
of myself, John x. 17, 18. So John xvii. 19, "For their sakes I
sanctify myself, or separate and devote myself to this work, to be both
a priest and a sacrifice to God for the sins of men." The human nature
was the offering, and the divine the altar, sanctifying the gift, and
the whole the act of the person. He gave himself a ransom for all, 1
Tim. ii. 6. Once in the end of the world hath he appeared, to put away
sin by the sacrifice of himself. He was the priest and sacrifice too.
We are redeemed, not with silver and gold, but the precious blood of
Christ (1 Pet. i. 18, 19), called the blood of God (Acts xx. 28), that
is, of him who is God.
3. The persons for whom: For us, us poor perishing sinners, gone off
from God, and turned rebels against him. He gave himself for us, not
only for our good, but in our stead. Messiah was cut off, not for
himself, but for us. He suffered, the just for the unjust, that he
might bring us to God, 1 Pet. iii. 18. He was made sin for us (an
offering and sacrifice for sin), that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him, 2 Cor. v. 21. Wonderful condescension and
grace! He loved us, and gave himself for us; what can we do less than
love and give up ourselves to him? Especially considering,
4. The ends of his giving himself for us, (1.) That he might redeem us
from all iniquity. This is fitted to the first lesson, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts. Christ gave himself to redeem us from
these, therefore put them away. To love and live in sin is to trample
under foot redeeming blood, to despise and reject one of the greatest
benefits of it, and to act counter to its design. But how could the
short sufferings of Christ redeem us from all iniquity? Answer, Through
the infinite dignity of his person. He who was God suffered, though not
as God. The acts and properties of either nature are attributed to the
person. God purchased his church with his own blood, Acts xx. 28. Could
payment be made at once, no need of suffering for ever. A mere creature
could not do this, from the finiteness of his nature; but God-man
could. The great God and our Saviour gave himself for us: this accounts
for it. By one offering he hath for ever perfected those that are
sanctified, Heb. ix. 25, 26; x. 14. He needed not to offer himself
often, nor could he be holden of death, when he had once undergone it.
Happy end and fruit of Christ's death, redemption from all iniquity!
Christ died for this: and, (2.) To purify to himself a peculiar people.
This enforces the second lesson: To live soberly, righteously, and
godly, in this present world. Christ died to purify as well as to
pardon--to obtain grace, to heal the nature, as well as to free from
guilt and condemnation. He gave himself for his church, to cleanse it.
Thus does he make to himself a peculiar people, by purifying them. Thus
are they distinguished from the world that lies in wickedness; they are
born of God, and assimilated to him, bear his image, are holy as their
heavenly Father is holy. Observe, Redemption from sin and
sanctification of the nature go together, and both make a peculiar
people unto God: freedom from guilt and condemnation, freedom from the
power of lusts, and purification of soul by the Spirit. These are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and so a peculiar
people. And, (3.) Zealous of good works. This peculiar people, as they
are made so by grace purifying them, so must they be seen to be so by
doing good, and a zeal therein. Observe, The gospel is not a doctrine
of licentiousness, but of holiness and good life. We are redeemed from
our vain conversation, to serve God in holiness and righteousness all
the days of our life. Let us see then that we do good, and have zeal in
it; only looking that zeal be guided by knowledge and spirited with
love, directed to the glory of God, and always in some good thing. And
thus of the motive to the duties directed, from the end of Christ's
death.
Exhortation to Various Duties. (a. d. 66.)
15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let
no man despise thee.
The apostle closes the chapter (as he began it) with a summary
direction to Titus upon the whole, in which we have the matter and
manner of ministers' teaching, and a special instruction to Titus in
reference to himself.
I. The matter of ministers' teaching: These thing, namely, those before
mentioned: not Jewish fables and traditions, but the truths and duties
of the gospel, of avoiding sin, and living soberly, righteously, and
godly, in this present world. Observe, Ministers in their preaching
must keep close to the word of God. If any man speak, let him speak as
the oracles of God, 1 Pet. iv. 11, and not the figments and inventions
of his own brain.
II. The manner; by doctrine, and exhortation, and reproof with all
authority. 2 Tim. iii. 16, All scripture is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and
for instruction in righteousness; that is, to teach sound doctrine, to
convince of sin and refute error, to reform the life, and to carry
forward in what is just and good; that the man of God (the Christian or
minister) may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works that
are to be practised by himself or to be taught to others. Here is what
will furnish for all parts of his duty, and the right discharge of
them. "These things speak, or teach; shun not to declare the whole
counsel of God." The great and necessary truths and duties of the
gospel, especially, these speak and exhort, parakalei, press with much
earnestness. Ministers must not be cold and lifeless in delivering
heavenly doctrine and precepts, as if they were indifferent things or
of little concern; but they must urge them with earnestness suitable to
their nature and importance; they must call upon persons to mind and
heed, and not be hearers only, deceiving themselves; but doers of the
word, that they may be blessed therein. And rebuke; convince and
reprove such as contradict or gainsay, or neglect and do not receive
the truth as they should, or retain it in unrighteousness--those who
hear it not with such a believing and obedient mind and heart as they
ought, but, instead of this (it may be) live in contrary practices,
showing themselves stubborn and disobedient, and to every good work
reprobate. Rebuke with all authority, as coming in the name of God, and
armed with his threatenings and discipline, whoever make light of which
will do it at their peril. Ministers are reprovers in the gate.
III. Here is a special instruction to Titus in reference to himself:
"Let no man despise thee; that is, give no occasion to do so, nor
suffer it without reproof, considering that he who despiseth despiseth
not man, but God." Or thus, "Speak and exhort these things, press them
upon all, as they may respectively be concerned; with boldness and
faithfulness reprove sin, and carefully look to thyself and thy own
conduct, and then none will despise thee." The most effectual way for
ministers to secure themselves from contempt is to keep close to the
doctrine of Christ, and imitate his example--to preach and live well,
and do their duty with prudence and courage; this will best preserve
both their reputation and their comfort.
Perhaps too an admonition might be here intended to the people--that
Titus, though young, and but a substitute of the apostle, yet should
not be condemned by them, but considered and respected as a faithful
minister of Christ, and encouraged and supported in his work and
office. "Know those that labour among you, and are over you in the
Lord, and admonish you; and esteem them very highly in love for their
work's sake, 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. Mind their teaching, respect their
persons, support them in their function, and, what in you lies, further
their endeavours for the honour of God and the salvation of souls."
__________________________________________________________________
T I T U S.
CHAP. III.
Of duties which concern Christians more in common, and the reasons of
them, ver. 1-8. What Titus in teaching should avoid, and how he should
deal with a heretic, with some other directions (ver. 9-14), and
salutations in the close, ver. 15.
Exhortations to Several Duties; Characteristics of an Unrenewed State; The
Import and Origin of Salvation; Regeneration; Justification. (a. d. 66.)
1 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates, to be ready to every good work, 2 To speak evil of no
man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men.
3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient,
deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and
envy, hateful, and hating one another. 4 But after that the kindness
and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved
us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to
the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these
things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have
believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things
are good and profitable unto men.
Here is the fourth thing in the matter of the epistle. The apostle had
directed Titus in reference to the particular and special duties of
several sorts of persons; now he bids him exhort to what concerned them
more in common, namely, to quietness and submission to rulers, and
readiness to do good, and to equitable and gentle behaviour towards all
men--things comely and ornamental of religion; he must therefore put
them in mind of such things. Ministers are people's remembrancers of
their duty. As they are remembrancers for the people to God in prayers
(Isa. lxii. 6), so are they from God to them in preaching: I will not
be negligent to put you always in remembrance, 2 Pet. i. 12.
Forgetfulness of duty is a common frailty; there is need therefore of
reminding and quickening them thereto. Here are the duties themselves,
and the reasons of them.
I. The duties themselves, which they were to be reminded of. 1. Put
them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey
magistrates. Magistracy is God's ordinance for the good of all, and
therefore must be regarded and submitted to by all; not for wrath and
by force only, but willingly and for conscience' sake. Principalities,
and powers, and magistrates, that is, all civil rulers, whether supreme
and chief or subordinate, in the government under which they live, of
whatever form it be; that they be subject to them and obey them in
things lawful and honest, and which it belongs to their office to
require. The Christian religion was misrepresented by its adversaries
as prejudicial to the rights of princes and civil powers, and tending
to faction and sedition, and to rebellion against lawful authority;
therefore to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and stop the
mouths of malicious enemies, Christians must be reminded to show
themselves examples rather of all due subjection and obedience to the
government that is over them. Natural desire of liberty must be guided
and bounded by reason and scripture. Spiritual privileges do not make
void or weaken, but confirm and strengthen, their obligations to civil
duties: "Remind them therefore to be subject to principalities and
powers and to obey magistrates." And, 2. To be ready to every good
work. Some refer this to such good works as are required by magistrates
and within their sphere: "Whatever tends to good order, and to promote
and secure public tranquility and peace, be not backward, but ready, to
promote such things." But, though this be included, if not first
intended, yet is it not to be hereto restrained. The precept regards
doing good in all kinds, and on every occasion that may offer, whether
resecting God, ourselves, or our neighbour--what may bring credit to
religion in the world. Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure,
lovely, of good report: if there be any virtue, if there be any praise,
think on these things (Phil. iv. 8), to do and follow and further them.
Mere harmlessness, or good words and good meanings only, are not enough
without good works. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the
Father is this, to visit the fatherless, and the widow in their
affliction, and keep unspotted from the world. "Not only take, but
seek, occasion for doing good, keep fitness and readiness that way; put
it not off to others, but embrace and lay hold on it thyself, delight
and rejoice therein, put all in mind of this." And, 3. To speak evil of
no man: medena blasphemein, to revile, or curse, or blaspheme none: or
(as our translation more generally) to speak evil of none, unjustly and
falsely, or unnecessarily, without call, and when it may do hurt but no
good to the person himself or any other. If no good can be spoken,
rather than speak evil unnecessarily, say nothing. We must never take
pleasure in speaking ill of others, nor make the worst of any thing,
but the best we can. We must not go up and down as tale-bearers,
carrying ill-natured stories, to the prejudice of our neighbour's good
name and the destruction of brotherly love. Misrepresentations, or
insinuations of bad intentions, or of hypocrisy in what is done, things
out of our reach or cognizance, these come within the reach of this
prohibition. As this evil is too common, so it is of great malignity.
If any man seemeth to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, that
man's religion is vain, Jam. i. 26. Such loose uncharitable talk is
displeasing to God, and hurtful among men. Prov. xvii. 9, He that
covereth a transgression seeketh love (that is, to himself by this
tenderness and charity, or rather to the transgressor); but he that
repeateth a matter (that blazes and tells the faults of another abroad)
separateth very friends; he raises dissensions and alienates his friend
from himself, and perhaps from others. This is among the sins to be put
off (Eph. iv. 31); for, if indulged, it unfits for Christians communion
here and the society of the blessed in heaven, 1 Cor. vi. 10. Remind
them therefore to avoid this. And, 4. To be no brawlers; amachous
einai--no fighters, either with hand or tongue, no quarrelsome
contentious persons, apt to give or return ill and provoking language.
A holy contending there is for matters good and important, and in a
manner suitable and becoming, not with wrath nor injurious violence.
Christian must follow the things that are conducive to peace, and that
in a peaceful, not a rough and boisterous and hurtful way, but as
becomes the servants of the God of peace and love (Rom. xii. 19),
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto
wrath; this is the Christian's wisdom and duty. The glory of a man is
to pass over a transgression; it is the duty of a reasonable, and
therefore certainly of a Christian man, whose reason is improved and
advanced by religion; such may not, and will not, presently fall foul
on one who has offended him, but, like God, will be slow to anger, and
ready to forgive. Contention and strife arise from men's lusts, and
exorbitant unruly passions, which must be curbed and moderated, not
indulged; and Christians need to be reminded of these things, that they
do not by a wrathful contentious spirit and behaviour displease and
dishonour God and discredit religion, promoting feuds in the places
where they live. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. Wherefore it
follows, 5. But gentle; epieikeis, equitable and just, or candid and
fair in constructions of things, not taking words or actions in the
worst sense; and for peace sometimes yielding somewhat of strict right.
And, 6. Showing all meekness to all men. We must be of a mild
disposition, and not only have meekness in our hearts, but show it in
our speech and conduct. All meekness--meekness in all instances and
occasions, not towards friends only, but to all men, though still with
wisdom, as James admonishes, Jam. iii. 13. "Distinguish the person and
the sin; pity the one and hate the other. Distinguish between sin and
sin; look not on all alike, there are motes and beams. Distinguish also
between sinner and sinner: of some have compassion, others save with
fear, pulling them out of the fire, thus making a difference, Jude 22,
23. Mind these things; the wisdom that is from above is pure and
peaceable, gentle and easy to be entreated." Meekness of spirit and
demeanour renders religion amiable; it is a commanded imitation of
Christ the grand exemplar, and what brings it own reward with it, in
the ease and comfort of the disposition itself and the blessings
accompanying it. These shall be glad and rejoice, shall be taught and
guided in their way, and satisfied with bread, and beautified with
salvation. Thus of the duties themselves, which Titus was to put people
in mind of: for which,
II. He adds the reasons, which are derived
1. From their own past condition. Consideration of men's natural
condition is a great means and ground of equity and gentleness, and all
meekness, towards those who are yet in such a state. This has a
tendency to abate pride and work pity and hope in reference to those
who are yet unconverted: "We ourselves also were so and so, corrupt and
sinful, therefore we should not be impatient and bitter, hard and
severe, towards those who are but as ourselves once were. Should we
then have been willing to be contemned, and proudly and rigorously
dealt with? No, but treated with gentleness and humanity; and therefore
we should now so treat those who are unconverted, according to that
rule of equity: Quod tibi non vis fieri, alteri ne feceris--What you
would not have done to you that do not you to another." Their past
natural condition is set forth in divers particulars. We ourselves also
were sometimes, (1.) Foolish; without true spiritual understanding and
knowledge, ignorant of heavenly things. Observe, Those should be most
disposed to bear with others' follies who may remember many of their
own; those should be meek and gentle, and patient towards others, who
once needed and doubtless then expected the same. We ourselves also
were sometimes foolish. And, (2.) Disobedient; heady and unpersuadable,
resisting the word, and rebellious even against the natural laws of
God, and those which human society requires. Well are these set
together, foolish and obedient. For what folly like this, to disobey
God and his laws, natural or revealed? This is contrary to right
reason, and men's true and greatest interests; and what so foolish as
to violate and go counter to these? (3.) Deceived, or wandering;
namely, out of the ways of truth and holiness. Man in this his
degenerate state is of a straying nature, thence compared to a lost
sheep; this must be sought and brought back, and guided in the right
way, Ps. cxix. 176. He is weak, and ready to be imposed upon by the
wiles and subtleties of Satan, and of men lying in wait to seduce and
mislead. (4.) Serving divers lusts and pleasures; namely, as vassals
and slaves under them. Observe, Men deceived are easily entangled and
ensnared; they would not serve divers lusts and pleasures as they do,
were they not blinded and beguiled into them. See here too what a
different notion the word gives of a sensual and fleshly life from what
the world generally has of it. Carnal people think they enjoy their
pleasures; the word calls it servitude and vassalage: they are very
drudges and bond slaves under them; so far are they from freedom and
felicity in them that they are captivated by them, and serve them as
taskmasters and tyrants. Observe further, It is the misery of the
servants of sin that they have many masters, one lust hurrying them one
way, and another; pride commands one thing, covetousness another, and
often a contrary. What vile slaves are sinners, while they conceit
themselves free! the lusts that tempt them promise them liberty, but in
yielding they become the servants of corruption; for of whom a man is
overcome of the same is he brought into bondage. (5.) Living in malice,
one of those lusts that bear rule in them. Malice desires hurt to
another and rejoices in it. (6.) And envy, which grudges and repines at
another's good, frets at his prosperity and success in any thing: both
are roots of bitterness, whence many evils spring: evil thoughts and
speeches, tongues set on fire of hell, detracting from and impairing
the just and due praises of others. Their words are swords, wherewith
they slay the good name and honour of their neighbour. This was the sin
of Satan, and of Cain who was of that evil one, and slew his brother;
for wherefore slew he him, but of this envy and malice, because his own
works were evil, and his brother's righteous? These were some of the
sins in which we lived in our natural state. And, (7.) Hateful, or
odious--deserving to be hated. (8.) And hating one another. Observe,
Those that are sinful, living and allowing themselves in sin, are
hateful to God and all good men. Their temper and ways are so, though
not simply their persons. It is the misery of sinners that thy hate one
another, as it is the duty and happiness of saints to love one another.
What contentions and quarrels flow from men's corruptions, such as were
in the nature of those who by conversion are now good, but in their
unconverted state made them ready to run like furious wild beasts one
upon another! The consideration of its having been thus with us should
moderate our spirits, and dispose us to be more equal and gentle, meek
and tenderhearted, towards those who are such. This is the argument
from their own past condition here described. And he reasons,
2. From their present state. "We are delivered out of that our
miserable condition by no merit nor strength of our own; but only by
the mercy and free grace of God, and merit of Christ, and operation of
his Spirit. Therefore we have no ground, in respect of ourselves, to
condemn those who are yet unconverted, but rather to pity them, and
cherish hope concerning them, that they, though in themselves as
unworthy and unmeet as we were, yet may obtain mercy, as we have:" and
so upon this occasion the apostle again opens the causes of our
salvation, v. 4-7.
(1.) We have here the prime author of our salvation--God the Father,
therefore termed here God our Saviour. All things are of God, who hath
reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, 2 Cor. v. 18. All things
belonging to the new creation, and recovery of fallen man to life and
happiness, of which the apostle is there speaking, all these things are
of God the Father, as contriver and beginner of this work. There is an
order in acting, as in subsisting. The Father begins, the Son manages,
and the Holy Spirit works and perfects all. God (namely, the Father) is
a Saviour by Christ, through the Spirit. John iii. 16, God so loved the
world as to give his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him
might not perish, but have everlasting life. He is the Father of
Christ, and through him the Father of mercies; all spiritual blessings
are by Christ from him, Eph. i. 3. We joy in God through Jesus Christ,
Rom. v. 11. And with one mind, and one mouth, glorify God, even the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Rom. xv. 5.
(2.) The spring and rise of it--the divine philanthropy, or kindness
and love of God to man. By grace we are saved from First to last. This
is the ground and motive. God's pity and mercy to man in misery were
the first wheel, or rather the Spirit in the wheels, that sets and
keeps them all in motion. God is not, cannot be, moved by any thing out
of himself. The occasion is in man, namely, his misery and
wretchedness. Sin bringing that misery, wrath might have issued out
rather than compassion; but God, knowing how to adjust all with his own
honour and perfections, would pity and save rather than destroy. He
delights in mercy. Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. We
read of riches of goodness and mercy, Rom. ii. 4; Eph. ii. 7. Let us
acknowledge this, and give him the glory of it, not turning it to
wantonness, but to thankfulness and obedience.
(3.) Here is the means, or instrumental cause--the shining out of this
love and grace of God in the gospel, after it appeared, that is, in the
word. The appearing of love and grace has, through the Spirit, great
virtue to soften and change and turn to God, and so is the power of God
to salvation to every one that believeth. Thus having asserted God to
be the author, his free grace the spring, and the manifestation of this
in the gospel the means of salvation, that the honour of all still may
be the better secured to him,
(4.) False grounds and motives are here removed: Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved
us; not for foreseen works of ours, but his own free grace and mercy
alone. Works must be in the saved (where there is room for it), but not
among the causes of his salvation; they are the way to the kingdom, not
the meriting price of it; all is upon the principle of undeserved
favour and mercy from first to last. Election is of grace: we are
chosen to be holy, not because it was antecedently seen that we should
be so, Eph. i. 4. It is the fruit, not the cause, of election: God hath
from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of
the Spirit and belief of the truth, 2 Thess. ii. 13. So effectual
calling, in which election breaks out, and is first seen: He hath saved
us, and called us with a holy calling; not according to our works, but
according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ
Jesus before the world began, 2 Tim. i. 9. We are justified freely by
grace (Rom. iii. 24), and sanctified and saved by grace: By grace you
are saved, through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of
God, Eph. ii. 8. Faith and all saving graces are God's free gift and
his work; the beginning, increase, and perfection of them in glory, all
are from him. In building men up to be a holy temple unto God, from the
foundation to the top-stone, we must cry nothing but Grace, grace unto
it. It is not of works, lest any man should boast; but of grace, that
he who glorieth should glory only in the Lord. Thus the true cause is
shown, and the false removed.
(5.) Here is the formal cause of salvation, or that wherein it lies,
the beginnings of it at least--in regeneration or spiritual renewing,
as it is here called. Old things pass away, and all things become new,
in a moral and spiritual, not in a physical and natural, sense. It is
the same man, but with other dispositions and habits; evil ones are
done away, as to the prevalency of them at present; and all remains of
them in due time will be so, when the work shall be perfected in
heaven. A new prevailing principle of grace and holiness is wrought,
which inclines, and sways, and governs, and makes the man a new man, a
new creature, having new thoughts, desires, and affections, a new and
holy turn of life and actions; the life of God in man, not only from
God in a special manner, but conformed and tending to him. Here is
salvation begun, and which will be growing and increasing to
perfection; therefore it is said, He saved us. What is so begun, as
sure to be perfected in time, is expressed as if it already were so.
Let us look to this therefore without delay; we must be initially saved
now, by regeneration, if on good ground we would expect complete
salvation in heaven. The change then will be but in degree, not in
kind. Grace is glory begun, as glory is but grace in its perfection.
How few mind this! Most act as if they were afraid to be happy before
the time; they would have heaven, they pretend, at last, yet care not
for holiness now; that is, they would have the end without the
beginning; so absurd are sinners. But without regeneration, that is,
the first resurrection, there is no attaining the second glorious one,
the resurrection of the just. Here then is formal salvation, in the new
divine life wrought by the gospel.
(6.) Here is the outward sign and seal thereof in baptism, called
therefore the washing of regeneration. The work itself is inward and
spiritual; but it is outwardly signified and sealed in this ordinance.
Water is of a cleansing and purifying nature, does away the filth of
the flesh, and so was apt to signify the doing away of the guilt and
defilement of sin by the blood and Spirit of Christ, though that
aptness alone, without Christ's institution, would not have been
sufficient. This it is that makes it of this signification on God's
part, a seal of righteousness by faith, as circumcision was, in the
place of which it succeeds; and on ours an engagement to be the Lord's.
Thus baptism saves figuratively and sacramentally, where it is rightly
used. Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling upon the
name of the Lord, Acts xxii. 16. So Eph. v. 26, That he might sanctify
and cleanse us by the washing of water by the word. Slight not this
outward sign and seal, where it may be had according to Christ's
appointment; yet rest not in the outward washing, but look to the
answer of a good conscience, without which the external washing will
avail nothing. The covenant sealed in baptism binds to duties, as well
as exhibits and conveys benefits and privileges; if the former be not
minded, in vain are the latter expected. Sever not what God has joined;
in both the outer and inner part is baptism complete; as he that was
circumcised became debtor to the whole law (Gal. v. 3), so is he that
is baptized to the gospel, to observe all the commands and ordinances
thereof, as Christ appointed. Disciple all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching
them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, Matt.
xxviii. 19, 20. This is the outward sign and seal of salvation,
baptism, called here the washing of regeneration.
(7.) Here is the principal efficient, namely, the Spirit of God; it is
the renewing of the Holy Ghost; not excluding the Father and the Son,
who in all works without themselves are concurring; nor the use of
means, the word and sacraments, by which the Spirit works; through his
operation it is that they have their saving effect. In the economy of
our salvation, the applying and effecting part is especially attributed
to the Holy Spirit. We are said to be born of the Spirit, to be
quickened and sanctified by the Spirit, to be led and guided,
strengthened and helped, by the Spirit. Through him we mortify sin,
perform duty, walk in God's ways; all the acts and operations of the
divine life in us, the works and fruits of righteousness without us,
all are through this blessed and Holy Spirit, who is therefore called
the Spirit of life, and of grace and holiness; all grace is from him.
Earnestly therefore is he to be sought, and greatly to be heeded by us,
that we quench not his holy motions, nor resist and oppose him in his
workings. Res delicatula est Spiritus--The Spirit is a tender thing. As
we act towards him, so may we expect he will to us; if we slight, and
resist, and oppose his workings, he will slacken them; if we continue
to vex him, he will retire. Grieve not therefore the Holy Spirit of
God, whereby you are sealed to the day of redemption, Eph. iv. 30. The
Spirit seals by his renewing and sanctifying, his witnessing and
assuring work; he distinguishes and marks out for salvation, and fits
for it; it is his work: we could not turn to God by any strength of our
own, any more than we can be justified by any righteousness of our own.
(8.) Here is the manner of God's communicating this Spirit in the gifts
and graces of it; not with a scanty and niggardly hand, but most freely
and plentifully: Which he shed on us abundantly. More of the Spirit in
its gifts and graces is poured out under the gospel than was under the
law, whence it is eminently styled the ministration of the Spirit, 2
Cor. iii. 8. A measure of the Spirit the church has had in all ages,
but more in gospel times, since the coming of Christ, than before. The
law came by Moses, but grace and truth by Jesus Christ; that is, a more
plentiful effusion of grace, fulfilling the promises and prophecies of
old. Isa. xliv. 3, I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and
floods upon the dry ground. I will pour my Spirit upon thy seed, and my
blessing upon thy offspring: this greatest and best of blessings, an
effusion of grace, and of the sanctifying gifts of the Spirit. Joel ii.
28, I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh; not on Jews only, but
Gentiles also. This was to be in gospel times; and accordingly (Acts
ii. 17, 18, 33), speaking of Christ risen and ascended, having received
of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth (says
Peter) this that you now see and hear: and ch. x. 44, 45, The Holy
Ghost fell on all those that heart the word, Gentiles as well as Jews.
This indeed was, in a great measure, in the miraculous gifts of the
Holy Ghost, but not without his sanctifying graces also accompanying
many if not all of them. There was then great abundance of common gifts
of illumination, outward calling and profession, and general faith, and
of more special gifts of sanctification too, such as faith, and hope,
and love, and other graces of the Spirit. Let us get a share in these.
What will it signify if much be shed forth and we remain dry? Our
condemnation will but be aggravated the more if under such a
dispensation of grace we remain void of grace. Be filled with the
Spirit, says the apostle; it is duty as well as privilege, because of
the means which God in the gospel is ready to bless and make effectual;
this is the manner of God's communicating grace and all spiritual
blessings under the gospel--plentifully; he is not straitened towards
us, but we towards him and in ourselves.
(9.) Here is the procuring cause of all, namely, Christ: Through Jesus
Christ our Saviour. He it is who purchased the Spirit and his saving
gifts and graces. All come through him, and through him as a Saviour,
whose undertaking and work it is to bring to grace and glory; he is our
righteousness and peace, and our head, from whom we have all spiritual
life and influences. He is made of God to us wisdom, righteousness,
sanctification, and redemption. Let us praise God for him above all;
let us go to the Father by him, and improve him to all sanctifying and
saving purposes. Have we grace? Let us thank him with the Father and
Spirit for it: account all things but loss and dung for the excellency
of the knowledge of him, and grow and increase therein more and more.
(10.) Here are the ends why we are brought into this new spiritual
condition, namely, justification, and heirship, and hope of eternal
life: That, being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs
according to the hope of eternal life. Justification in the gospel
sense is the free remission of a sinner, and accepting him as righteous
through the righteousness of Christ received by faith. In it there is
the removing of guilt that bound to punishment, and the accepting and
dealing with the person as one that now is righteous in God's sight.
This God does freely as to us, yet through the intervention of Christ's
sacrifice and righteousness, laid hold on by faith (Rom. iii. 20, &c.):
By the deeds of the law shall no flesh be justified; but through the
righteousness of God, which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and
upon all those that believe, whence (v. 24) we are said to be justified
freely by his grace, through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ,
whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his
blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins, that he
might be just, and the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus. God,
in justifying a sinner in the way of the gospel, is gracious to him,
and yet just to himself and his law, forgiveness being through a
perfect righteousness, and satisfaction made to justice by Christ, who
is the propitiation for sin, and not merited by the sinner himself. So
it is here: Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, that, being justified by his grace,
we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. It is by
grace, as the spring and rise (as was said), though through the
redemption that is in Christ as making the way, God's law and justice
being thereby satisfied, and by faith applying that redemption. By him
(by Christ) all that believe are justified from all things from which
they could not be justified by the law of Moses, Acts xiii. 39. Hence
the apostle desires to be found in him, not having his own
righteousness, which was of the law, but that which is through the
faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. Let us not
trust therefore in our own righteousness or merit of good works, but in
Christ's righteousness alone, received by faith for justification and
acceptance with God. Inherent righteousness we must have, and the
fruits of it in works of obedience; not however as our justifying
righteousness before God, but as fruits of our justification, and
evidences of our interest in Christ and qualification for life and
happiness, and the very beginning and part of it; but the procuring of
all this is by Christ, that, being justified by his grace, we should be
made heirs. Observe, Our justification is by the grace of God, and our
justification by that grace is necessary in order to our being made
heirs of eternal life; without such justification there can be no
adoption and sonship, and so no right of inheritance. John i. 12,
Whoever received him (namely, Christ), to them gave he power to become
the sons of God, even to those that believed on his name. Eternal life
is set before us in the promise, the Spirit works faith in us and hope
of that life, and so are we made heirs of it and have a kind of
possession of it even now; faith and hope bring it near, and fill with
joy in the well-grounded expectation of it. The meanest believer is a
great heir. Though he has not his portion in hand, he has good hope
through grace, and may bear up under all difficulties. There is a
better state in view. He is waiting for an inheritance incorruptible,
undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for him. How
well may such comfort themselves with these words! And now all this
gives good reason why we should show all meekness to all men, because
we have experienced so much benefit by the kindness and love of God to
us, and may hope that they, in God's time, may be partakers of the like
grace as we are. And thus of the reasons of equal and gentle, meek and
tender behaviour to wards others, from their own bad condition in time
past, and the present more happy state into which they are brought,
without any merit or deservings of their own, and whereinto by the same
grace others may be brought also.
III. The apostle, having opened the duties of Christians in common,
with the reasons respecting themselves, adds another from their
goodness and usefulness to men. Observe, When he has opened the grace
of God towards us, he immediately presses the necessity of good works;
for we must not expect the benefit of God's mercy, unless we make
conscience of our duty (v. 8): This is a faithful saying, and these
things I will that thou affirm constantly (this is a true Christian
doctrine of highest importance, and which ministers must most earnestly
and constantly press and inculcate), that those who have believed in
God do not think that a bare naked faith will save them; but it must be
an operative working faith, bringing forth the fruit of righteousness;
they must make it their care to maintain good works, not to do them
occasionally only, and when opportunities come in their way, but to
seek opportunities for doing them. These things are good and profitable
unto men: these good works, say some, or the teaching of these things,
rather than idle questions, as follows. These things are good in
themselves and the teaching of them useful to mankind, making persons a
common good in their places. Note, Ministers, in teaching, must see
that they deliver what is sound and good in itself, and profitable to
those that hear: all must be to the use of edifying both of persons and
societies.
The Treatment of Heretics; Apostolic Benediction. (a. d. 66.)
9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. 10 A man
that is a heretic after the first and second admonition reject; 11
Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned
of himself. 12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be
diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to
winter. 13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey
diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them. 14 And let ours also
learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not
unfruitful. 15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love
us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.
Here is the fifth and last thing in the matter of the epistle: what
Titus should avoid in teaching; how he should deal with a heretic; with
some other directions. Observe,
I. That the apostle's meaning might be more clear and full, and
especially fitted to the time and state of things in Crete, and the
many judaizers among them, he tells Titus what, in teaching, he should
shun, v. 9. There are needful questions to be discussed and cleared,
such as make for improvement in useful knowledge; but idle and foolish
enquiries, tending neither to God's glory nor the edification of men,
must be shunned. Some may have a show of wisdom, but are vain, as many
among the Jewish doctors, as well as of later schoolmen, who abound
with questions of no moment or use to faith or practice; avoid
these.--And genealogies (of the gods, say some, that the heathen poets
made such noise about; or rather those that the Jews were so curious
in): some lawful and useful enquiries might be made into these things,
to see the fulfilling of the scriptures in some cases, and especially
in the descent of Christ the Messiah; but all that served to pomp only,
and to feed vanity, in boasting of a long pedigree, and much more such
as the Jewish teachers were ready to busy themselves in and trouble
their hearers with, even since Christ had come, and that distinction of
families and tribes had been taken away, as if they would build again
that policy which now is abolished, these Titus must withstand as
foolish and vain.--And contentious, and strivings about the law. There
were those who were for the Mosaic rites and ceremonies, and would have
them continued in the church, though by the gospel and the coming of
Christ they were superseded and done away. Titus must give no
countenance to these, but avoid and oppose them; for they are
unprofitable and vain: this is to be referred to all those foolish
questions and genealogies, as well as those strivings about the law.
They are so far from instructing and building up in godliness, that
they are hindrances of it rather: the Christian religion, and good
works, which are to be maintained, will hereby be weakened and
prejudiced, the peace of the church disturbed, and the progress of the
gospel hindered. Observe, Ministers must not only teach things good and
useful, but shun and oppose the contrary, what would corrupt the faith,
and hinder godliness and good works; nor should people have itching
ears, but love and embrace sound doctrine, which tends most to the use
of edifying.
II. But because, after all, there will be heresies and heretics in the
church, the apostle next directs Titus what to do in such a case, and
how to deal with such, v. 10. He who forsakes the truth as it is in
Christ Jesus, who broaches false doctrines and propagates them to the
corrupting of the faith in weighty and momentous points, and breaks the
peace of the church about them, after due means used to reclaim him,
must be rejected. "Admonish him once and again, that, if possible, he
may be brought back, and thou mayest gain thy brother; but, if this
will not reduce him, that others be not hurt, cast him out of the
communion, and warn all Christians to avoid him."--Knowing that he that
is such is subverted (turned off from the foundation) and sinneth
grievously, being self-condemned. Those who will not be reclaimed by
admonitions, but are obstinate in their sins and errors, are subverted
and self-condemned; they inflict that punishment upon themselves which
the governors of the church should inflict upon them: they throw
themselves out of the church, and throw off its communion, and so are
self-condemned. Observe, 1. How great an evil real heresy is, not
lightly therefore to be charged upon any, though greatly to be taken
heed of by all. Such a one is subverted or perverted--a metaphor from a
building so ruined as to render it difficult if not impossible to
repair and raise it up again. Real heretics have seldom been recovered
to the true faith: not so much defect of judgment, as perverseness of
the will, being in the case, through pride, or ambition, or
self-willedness, or covetousness, or such like corruption, which
therefore must be taken heed of: "Be humble, love the truth and
practise it, and damning heresy will be escaped." 2. Pains and patience
must be used about those that err most grievously. They are not easily
and soon to be given up and cast off, but competent time and means must
be tried for their recovery. 3. The church's means even with heretics
are persuasive and rational. They must be admonished, instructed, and
warned; so much nouthesia imports. 4. Upon continued obstinacy and
irreclaimableness, the church has power, and is obliged, to preserve
its own purity, by severing such a corrupt member which discipline may
by God's blessing become effectual to reform the offender, or if not it
will leave him the more inexcusable in his condemnation.
III. The apostle subjoins some further directions, v. 12, 13. Here are
two personal things enjoined:--
1. That Titus should hold himself ready to come to Paul at Nicopolis (a
city of Thrace, as is reckoned, on the borders of Macedonia), as soon
as Artemas or Tychicus should be sent to Crete, to supply his place,
and take care of the churches there when he should leave them. The
apostle would not have them in their young and weak state be without
one or other of chief sufficiency, to guide and help them. Titus, it
seems, was not their ordinary fixed bishop or pastor, but an
evangelist, otherwise Paul would not have called him so much from his
charge. Of Artemas we read little, but Tychicus is mentioned on many
occasions with respect. Paul calls him a beloved brother, and faithful
minister, and fellow-servant in the Lord: one fit therefore for the
service intimated. When Paul says to Titus, Be diligent to come to me
to Nicopolis, for I have determined there to winter, it is plain that
the epistle was not written from Nicopolis, as the postscript would
have it, for then he would have said, I determined here, not there, to
winter.
2. The other personal charge to Titus is that he would bring two of his
friends on their journey diligently, and see them furnished, so that
nothing should be wanting to them. This was to be done, not as a piece
of common civility only, but of Christian piety, out of respect both to
them and the work they were sent about, which probably was to preach
the gospel, or to be in some way serviceable to the churches. Zenas is
styled the lawyer, whether in reference to the Roman or the Mosaic law,
as having some time been his profession, is doubtful. Apollos was an
eminent and faithful minister. Accompanying such persons part of their
way, and accommodating them for their work and journeys, was a pious
and needful service; and to further this, and lay in for it, what the
apostle had before exhorted Titus to teach (v. 8) he repeats here: Let
ours also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be
not unfruitful, v. 14. Let Christians, those who have believed in God,
learn to maintain good works, especially such as these, supporting
ministers in their work of preaching and spreading the gospel, hereby
becoming fellow-helpers to the truth, 3 John 5-8. That they be not
unfruitful. Christianity is not a fruitless profession; the professors
of it must be filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by
Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. It is not enough that
they be harmless, but they must be profitable, doing good, as well as
eschewing evil.--"Let ours set up and maintain some honest labour and
employment, to provide for themselves and their families, that they be
not unprofitable burdens on the earth;" so some understand it. Let them
not think that Christianity gives them a writ of ease; no, it lays an
obligation upon them to seek some honest work and calling, and therein
to abide with God. This is of good report, will credit religion and be
good to mankind; they will not be unprofitable members of the body, not
burdensome and chargeable to others, but enabled to be helpful to those
in want. To maintain good works for necessary uses; not living like
drones on the labours of others, but themselves fruitful to the common
benefit.
IV. The apostle concludes with salutations and benedictions, v. 5.
Though perhaps not personally known (some of them at least), yet all by
Paul testify their love and good wishes to Titus, owning him thereby in
his work, and stimulating him to go on therein. Great comfort and
encouragement it is to have the heart and prayers of other Christians
with and for us. Greet those that love us in the faith, or for the
faith, who are our loving fellow-christians. Holiness, or the image of
God in any, is the great endearing thing that gives strength to all
other bonds, and is itself the best. Grace be with you all. Amen. This
is the closing benediction, not to Titus alone, but to all the faithful
with him, which shows that though the epistle bears the single name of
Titus in the inscription, yet it was for the use of the churches there,
and they were in the eye, and upon the heart, of the apostle, in the
writing of it. "Grace be with you all, the love and favour of God, with
the fruits and effects thereof, according to need, spiritual ones
especially, and the increase and feeling of them more and more in your
souls." This is the apostle's wish and prayer, showing his affection to
them, his desire of their good, and a means of obtaining for them, and
bringing down upon them, the thing requested. Observe, Grace is the
chief thing to be wished and begged for, with respect to ourselves or
others; it is, summarily, all good. Amen shuts up the prayer,
expressing desire and hope, that so it may, and so it shall be.
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Philemon
Completed by Jeremiah Smith.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE EPISTLE OF ST. PAUL TO
P H I L E M O N.
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This epistle to Philemon is placed the last of those with the name of
Paul to them, perhaps because the shortest, and of an argument peculiar
and different from all the others; yet such as the Spirit of God, who
indited it, saw would, in its kind, be very instructive and useful in
the churches. The occasion of it was this:--Philemon, one of note and
probably a minister in the church of Colosse, a city of Phrygia, had a
servant named Onesimus, who, having purloined his goods, ran away from
him, and in his rambles came to Rome, where Paul was then a prisoner
for the gospel, and, providentially coming under his preaching there,
was, by the blessing of God, converted by him, after which he
ministered awhile to the apostle in bonds, and might have been further
useful to him, but, understanding him to be another man's servant, Paul
would not, without his consent, detain him, but sends him back with
this letter-commendatory, wherein he earnestly sues for his pardon and
kind reception.
Before we enter on the exposition, such general things as follow may be
taken notice of from the epistle and what relates to it; namely, I. The
goodness and mercy of God to a poor wandering sinner, bringing him by
his gracious providence under the means, and making them effectual to
his conversion. Thus came he to be sought of him that asked not for
him, and to be found of him that sought him not, Isa. lxv. 1. II. The
great and endeared affection between a true convert and him whom God
used to be the instrument of his conversion. Paul regards this poor
fugitive now as his son in the faith, and terms him his own bowels; and
Onesimus readily serves Paul in prison, and would gladly have continued
to do so, would duty have permitted; but, being another's servant, he
must return and submit himself to his master, and be at his disposal.
III. The tender and good spirit of this blessed apostle Paul. With what
earnestness does he concern himself for the poor slave! Being now,
through his preaching, reconciled to God, he labours for reconciliation
between him and his master. How pathetic a letter does he here write in
his behalf! Scarcely any argument is forgotten that could possible be
used in the case; and all are pressed with such force that, had it been
the greatest favour to himself that he was asking, he could not have
used more. IV. The remarkable providence of God in preserving such a
short writing as this, that might be thought of little concern to the
church, being not only a letter to a particular person (as those to
Timothy, and Titus, and Gaius, and the elect lady, likewise were), but
of a private personal matter, namely, the receiving of a poor fugitive
servant into the favour and family of his injured master. What in this
is there that concerns the common salvation? And yet over this has
there been a special divine care, it being given (as the other
scriptures were) by inspiration of God, and in some sort, as they are,
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for
instruction in righteousness. God would have extant a proof and
instance of his rich and free grace for the encouragement and comfort
of the meanest and vilest of sinners, looking to him for mercy and
forgiveness; and for instruction to ministers and others not to despise
any, much less to judge them as to their final state, as if they were
utter cast-aways, but rather to attempt their conversion, hoping they
may be saved; likewise how to behave towards them. Joy must be on
earth, as well as there is in heaven, over one sinner who repenteth.
Such must now be loved, and helped, and confirmed in good, and
furthered in it; and, in their outward concerns, their comfort and
welfare must be consulted and promoted as much as possible. And, on
their part, they must be humble and grateful, acknowledging God and his
instruments in what good they have received, ready to all suitable
returns, making what reparation they can in case of injuries, and
living a life of thankfulness and obedience. To such purposes may this
epistle have been written and preserved. And perhaps, V. There may be
something further in all this; at least, by way of allusion, it is
applicable to the mediation and intercession of Christ for poor
sinners. We, like Onesimus, were revolters from God's service, and had
injured him in his rights. Jesus Christ finds us, and by his grace
works a change in us, and then intercedes for us with the Father, that
we may be received into his favour and family again, and past offences
may be forgiven; and we are sure that the Father heareth him always.
There is no reason to doubt but Paul prevailed with Philemon to forgive
and receive Onesimus: and more reason have we to be confident that the
intercession of Christ with the Father is prevalent for the acceptance
of all whose case he takes in hand and recommends to him. From these
general observations we come to the epistle itself.
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P H I L E M O N.
CHAP. I.
In this epistle we have, I. The preface, ver. 1-7. II. The substance
and body of it, ver. 8-21. And then the conclusion, ver. 22, to the
end.
Apostolic Salutations; Gratitude on Philemon's Behalf. (a. d. 62.)
1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto
Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to our beloved
Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy
house: 3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord
Jesus Christ. 4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my
prayers, 5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the
Lord Jesus, and toward all saints; 6 That the communication of thy
faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing
which is in you in Christ Jesus. 7 For we have great joy and
consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed
by thee, brother.
I. In the first two verses of the preface we have the persons from and
to whom it is written, with some annexed note or title, implying
somewhat of argument to the purpose of the letter.
1. The persons writing: Paul, the principal, who calls himself a
prisoner of Jesus Christ, that is, for Jesus Christ. To be a prisoner
simply is no comfort nor honour; but such as Paul was, for the faith
and preaching of the gospel, this was true glory, and proper to move
Philemon upon the request made to him by such a one. A petition from
one suffering for Christ and his gospel would surely be tenderly
regarded by a believer and minister of Christ, especially when
strengthened too with the concurrence of Timothy, one eminent in the
church, sometimes called by Paul his son in the faith, but now, it is
likely, grown more in years, he styles him his brother. What could be
denied to two such petitioners? Paul is not slight in serving a poor
convert; he gets all the additional help he can in it.
2. The persons written to are Philemon and Apphia, and with them
Archippus, and the church in Philemon's house. Philemon, the master of
Onesimus, was the principal, to whom the letter is inscribed, the head
of the family, in whom were the authority and power of taking in or
shutting out, and whose property Onesimus was: with him therefore
chiefly lay the business. To Philemon our dearly beloved, and
fellow-labourer; a good man he was, and probably a minister, and on
both accounts dearly beloved by Paul. A lover of good men is one
property of a good minister (Tit. i. 8), and especially must such love
those who labour with them in the work of the gospel, and who are
faithful therein. The general calling as Christians knits those
together who are Christian; but, when conjunction in the special
calling as ministers is added, this will be further endearing. Paul, in
the highest degree of ministry, not only calls Timothy, an evangelist,
his brother, but Philemon, an ordinary pastor, his dearly beloved
fellow-labourer--an example of humility and condescension, and of all
affectionate regards, even in those that are highest in the church,
towards others that are labourers in the same special heavenly calling.
With Philemon Apphia is joined, probably his yoke-fellow; and, having a
concern in the domestic affairs, the apostle directs to her likewise.
She was a party offended and injured by Onesimus, and therefore proper
to be taken notice of in a letter for reconciliation and forgiveness.
Justice and prudence would direct Paul to this express notice of her,
who might be helpful in furthering the good ends of his writing. She is
set before Archippus, as more concerned and having more interest. A
kind conjunction there is in domestic matters between husband and wife,
whose interests are one, and whose affections and actings must
correspond. These are the principal parties written to. The less
principal are, Archippus, and the church in Philemon's house. Archippus
was a minister in the church of Colosse, Philemon's friend, and
probably co-pastor with him; Paul might think him one whom Philemon
would advise with, and who might be capable of furthering the good work
of peace-making and forgiveness, and therefore might judge fit to put
him in the inscription of the letter, with the adjunct of
fellow-soldier. He had called Philemon his fellow-labourer. Ministers
must look on themselves as labourers and soldiers, who must therefore
take pains, and endure hardship; they must stand on their guard, and
make good their post; must look on one another as fellow-labourers, and
fellow-soldiers, who must stand together, and strengthen one another's
hands and hearts in any work of their holy function and calling: they
need see to it that they be provided with spiritual weapons, and skill
to use them; as labourers they must minister the word, and sacraments,
and discipline, and watch over souls, as those that must give an
account of them; and, as soldiers, they must fight the Lord's battles,
and not entangle themselves in the things of this life, but attend to
the pleasing of him who hath chosen them to be soldiers, 2 Tim. ii. 4.
To those it is added, And to the church in thy house, his whole family,
in which the worship of God was kept up, so that he had, as it were, a
church in his house. Observe, (1.) Families which generally may be most
pious and orderly may yet have one or other in them impious and wicked.
This was the aggravation of Onesimus's sin, that it was where he might
and should have learned better; it is likely that he was secret in him
misconduct, till his flight discovered him. Hearts are unknown but to
God, till overt acts discover them. (2.) This one evil servant did not
hinder Philemon's house from being called and counted a church, for the
religious worship and order that were kept up in it; and such should
all families be--nurseries of religion, societies where God is called
on, his word is read, his sabbaths are observed, and the members are
instructed in the knowledge of him and of their duty to him, neglect of
which is followed with ignorance and all corruption. Wicked families
are nurseries for hell, as good ones are for heaven. (3.) Masters and
others of the family may not think it enough to be good, singly and
severally in their personal capacities, but they must be socially so;
as here Philemon's house was a church; and Paul, for some concern that
all might have in this matter of Onesimus, directs to them all, that
their affection as well as Philemon's might return to him, and that in
their way and place they might further, and not hinder, the
reconciliation wished and sought. Desirable it is that all in a family
be well affected towards one another, for furthering their particular
welfare and for the common good and benefit of all. On such accounts
might it be that Paul inscribed his letter here so generally, that all
might be the more ready to own and receive this poor convert, and to
behave affectionately towards him. Next to this inscription is,
II. The apostle's salutation of those named by him (v. 3): Grace to you
and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the
token in every epistle; so the apostle writes. He is a hearty
well-wisher to all his friends, and wishes for them the best things;
not gold, nor silver, nor any earthly good, in the first or chief
place, but grace and peace from God in Christ; he cannot give them
himself, but he prays for them from him who can bestow them. Grace, the
free favour and good-will of God, the spring and fountain of all
blessings; and peace, all good, as the fruit and effect of that grace.
To you, that is, be bestowed on you, and continued to you, with the
comfortable feeling and sense of it in yourselves. From God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit also is understood, though
not named; for all acts towards the creatures of the whole Trinity:
from the Father, who is our Father in Christ, the first in order of
acting as of subsisting; and from Christ, his favour and good-will as
God, and the fruits of it through him as Mediator, God-man. It is in
the beloved that we are accepted, and through him we have peace and all
good things, who is, with the Father and Spirit, to be looked to and
blessed and praised for all, and to be owned, not only as Jesus and
Christ, but as Lord also. In 2 Cor. xiii. 14 the apostle's benediction
is full: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all, Amen. Observe,
Spiritual blessings are first and especially to be sought for ourselves
and others. The favour of God and peace with him, as in itself it is
the best and most desirable good, so is it the cause of all other, and
what puts sweetness into every mercy and can make happy even in the
want of all earthly things. Though there be no herd in the stall, and
the labour of the olive fail, yet may such rejoice in the Lord, and joy
in the God of their salvation, Hab. iii. 17, 18. There are many that
say, Who will show us any good? But, if God lift up the light of his
countenance, this will put more joy and gladness into the heart than
all worldly increase, Ps. iv. 6, 7. And Num. vi. 26, The Lord lift up
the light of his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. In this is
summarily all good, and from this one fountain, God the Father, Son,
and Spirit, all comes. After this salutation of the apostle to
Philemon, and his friends and family, for better making way still for
his suit to him,
III. He expresses the singular and affection he had for him, by
thanksgiving and prayer to God in his behalf, and the great joy for the
many good things he knew and heard to be in him, v. 4-7. The apostle's
thanksgiving and prayer for Philemon are here set forth by the object,
circumstance, and matter of them, with the way whereby much of the
knowledge of Philemon's goodness came to him.
1. Here is the object of Paul's praises and prayers for Philemon: I
thank my God, making mention of thee in my prayers, v. 4. Observe, (1.)
God is the author of all the good that is in any, or that is done by
them. From me is thy fruit found, Hos. xiv. 8. To him therefore is all
the praise due. 1 Chron. xxix. 13, 14, But [or for] who am I, and what
is my people, that we should be able to offer so willingly after this
sort? For all things come of thee, both wherewith to offer, and the
will and heart to do it. On this account (says he) we thank thee our
God, and praise thy glorious name. (2.) It is the privilege of good men
that their praises and prayers they come to God as their God: Our God,
we thank thee, said David; and I thank my God, said Paul. (3.) Our
prayers and praises should be offered up to God, not for ourselves
only, but for others also. Private addresses should not be altogether
with a private spirit, minding our own things only, but others must be
remembered by us. We must be affected with joy and thankfulness for any
good in them, or done by them, or bestowed on them, as far as is known
to us, and seek for them what they need. In this lies no little part of
the communion of saints. Paul, in his private thanksgivings and
prayers, was often particular in remembering his friends: I thank my
God, making mention of thee in my prayers; sometimes it may be by name,
or at least having them particularly in his thoughts; and God knows who
is meant, though not named. This is a means of exercising love, and
obtaining good for others. Strive with me, by your prayers to God for
me, said the apostle: and what he desired for himself he surely
practised on behalf of others; so should all. Pray one for another,
says James, v. 16.
2. Here is the circumstance: Always making mention of thee.
Always--usually, not once or twice only, but frequently. So must we
remember Christian friends much and often, as their case may need,
bearing them in our thoughts and upon our hearts before our God.
3. Here is the matter both of his praises and prayers, in reference to
Philemon.
(1.) Of his praises. [1.] He thanks God for the love which he heard
Philemon had towards the Lord Jesus. He is to be loved as God
superlatively, as his divine perfections require; and as related to us,
the Lord, and our Lord, our Maker, Redeemer, and Saviour, who loved us,
and gave himself for us. Paul thanks God for what he heard of this, the
signal marks and expressions of it in Philemon. [2.] For his faith in
Christ also. Love to Christ, and faith in him, are prime Christian
graces, for which there is great ground of praise to God, where he has
blessed any with them, as Rom. i. 8, I thank my God because your faith
is published throughout the world; and, in reference to the Colossians
(ch. i. 3, 4), We give thanks to God since we heard of your faith in
Christ Jesus. This is a saving grace, and the very principle of
Christian life and of all good works. [3.] He praises God likewise for
Philemon's love to all the saints. These two must go together; for he
who loveth him that begat must and will love those also that are
begotten of him. The apostle joins them in that (Col. i. 3, 4), We give
thanks to God since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and of the
love which you have to all the saints. These bear the image of Christ,
which will be loved by every Christian. Different sentiments and ways
in what is not essential will not make a difference of affection as to
the truth, though difference in the degrees of love will be according
as more or less of that image is discerned. Mere external differences
are nothing here. Paul calls a poor converted slave his bowels. We must
love, as God does, all saints. Paul thanked God for the good that was
not only in the churches, but in the particular persons he wrote to,
and though this too was known to him merely by report: Hearing of thy
love and faith, which thou hast towards the Lord Jesus, and towards all
saints. This was what he enquired after concerning his friends, the
truth, and growth, and fruitfulness of their graces, their faith in
Christ, and love to him and to all the saints. Love to saints, if it be
sincere, will be catholic and universal love towards all saints; but
faith and love, though in the heart they are hidden things, are known
by the effects of them. Therefore,
(2.) The apostle joins prayer with his praises, that the fruits of
Philemon's faith and love might be more and more conspicuous, so as
that the communication of them might constrain others to the
acknowledgment of all the good things that were in him and in his house
towards Christ Jesus; that their light might so shine before men that
they, seeing their good works, might be stirred up to imitate them, and
to glorify their Father who is in heaven. Good works must be done, not
of vain-glory to be seen, yet such as may be seen to God's glory and
the good of men.
4. He adds a reason, both of his prayer and his praises (v. 7): For "we
have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the
saints are refreshed by thee, brother. The good thou hast done and
still doest is abundant matter of joy and comfort to me and others, who
therefore desire you may continue and abound in such good fruits more
and more, to God's honour and the credit of religion. The
administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the
saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God," 2 Cor.
ix. 12.
The Apostle's Plea for Onesimus; Salutations. (a. d. 62.)
8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that
which is convenient, 9 Yet for love's sake I rather beseech thee,
being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus
Christ. 10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten
in my bonds: 11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now
profitable to thee and to me: 12 Whom I have sent again: thou
therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels: 13 Whom I would have
retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in
the bonds of the gospel: 14 But without thy mind would I do nothing;
that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.
15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou
shouldest receive him for ever; 16 Not now as a servant, but above a
servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto
thee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord? 17 If thou count me
therefore a partner, receive him as myself. 18 If he hath wronged
thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account; 19 I Paul have
written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to
thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides. 20 Yea,
brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the
Lord. 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee,
knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say. 22 But withal prepare
me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be
given unto you. 23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in
Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my
fellowlabourers. 25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your
spirit. Amen.
We have here,
I. The main business of the epistle, which was to plead with Philemon
on behalf of Onesimus, that he would receive him and be reconciled to
him. Many arguments Paul urges for this purpose, v. 8-21. The
1st Argument is taken from what was before noted, and is carried in the
illative wherefore: "Seeing so much good is reported of thee and found
in thee, especially thy love to all saints, now let me see it on a
fresh and further occasion; refresh the bowels of Onesimus and mine
also, in forgiving and receiving him, who is now a convert, and so a
saint indeed, and meet for thy favour and love." Observe, A disposition
to do good, together with past instances and expressions of it, is a
good handle to take hold of for pressing to more. "Be not weary of
well-doing, go on as thou art able, and as new objects and occasions
occur, to do the same still." The
2nd Argument is from the authority of him that was now making this
request to him: I might be very bold in Christ to enjoin thee that
which is convenient, v. 8. The apostles had under Christ great power in
the church over the ordinary ministers, as well as the members of it,
for edification; they might require of them what was fit, and were
therein to be obeyed, which Philemon should consider. This was a matter
within the compass of the apostle's power to require, though he would
not in this instance act up to it. Observe, Ministers, whatever their
power be in the church, are to use prudence in the exercise of it; they
may not unseasonably, nor further than is requisite, put it forth; in
all they must use godly wisdom and discretion. Wherefore this may be a
3rd Argument, Waiving the authority which yet he had to require, he
chooses to entreat it of him (v. 9): Yet for love's sake I rather
beseech thee. Observe, It is no disparagement for those who have power
to be condescending, and sometimes even to beseech, where, in
strictness of right, they might command; so does Paul here, though an
apostle: he entreats where he might enjoin, he argues from love rather
than authority, which doubtless must carry engaging influence with it.
And especially, which may be a
4th Argument, When any circumstance of the person pleading gives
additional force to his petition, as here: Being such a one as Paul the
aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ. Years bespeak respect;
and the motions of such, in things lawful and fit, should be received
with regard. The request of an aged apostle, and now suffering for
Christ and his gospel, should be tenderly considered. "If thou wilt do
any thing for a poor aged prisoner, to comfort me in my bonds, and make
my chain lighter, grant me this which I desire: hereby in a manner you
will do honour to Christ in the person of an aged suffering servant of
his, which doubtless he will take as done to himself." He makes also a
5th Argument, From the spiritual relation now between Onesimus and
himself: I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my
bonds, v. 10. "Though of right and in a civil respect he by thy
servant, yet in a spiritual sense he is now a son to me, God having
made me the instrument of his conversion, even here, where I am a
prisoner for Christ's sake." Thus does God sometimes honour and comfort
his suffering servants, not only working good in themselves by their
sufferings, exercising and improving thereby their own graces, but
making them a means of much spiritual good to others, either of their
conversion, as of Onesimus here, or of their confirmation and
strengthening, as Phil. i. 14, Many brethren, waxing confident by my
bonds, are much more bold to speak the word of the Lord without fear.
When God's servants are bound, yet his word and Spirit are not bound;
spiritual children may then be born to them. The apostle lays an
emphasis here: My son, whom I have begotten in my bonds; he was dear to
him, and he hoped would be so to Philemon, under this consideration.
Prison-mercies are sweet and much set by. Paul makes an argument to
Philemon from this dear relation that now was between Onesimus and him,
his son begotten in his bonds. And a
6th Argument is from Philemon's own interest: Who in time past was to
thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me, v. 11.
Observe, (1.) Unsanctified persons are unprofitable persons; they
answer not the great end of their being and relations. Grace makes good
for somewhat: "In time past unprofitable, but now profitable, inclined
and fitted to be so, and will be so to thee, his master, if thou
receive him, as he has since his conversion been here to me,
ministering to me in my confinement." There seems an allusion to the
name Onesimus, which signifies profitable. Now he will answer to his
name. It may be noted also how the apostle speaks in this matter, not
as Onesimus's former case and conduct might warrant; he had wronged his
master, and ran away from him, and lived as if he were his own and not
his; yet as God covers the sins of penitents, forgives and does not
upbraid, so should men. How tenderly does Paul here speak! Not that
Onesimus's sin was small, nor that he would have any, much less
himself, to take it so; but having been humbled for it, and doubtless
taken shame to himself on account thereof, the apostle now would not
sink his spirit by continuing to load and burden him therewith, but
speaks thus tenderly when he is pleading with Philemon not to make
severe reflections on his servant's misconduct, but to forgive. (2.)
What happy changes conversion makes--of evil good! of unprofitable
useful! Religious servants are a treasure in a family. Such will make
conscience of their time and trusts, promoting the interests of those
whom they serve, and managing all they can for the best. This then is
the argument here urged: "It will now be for thy advantage to receive
him: thus changed, as he is, thou mayest expect him to be a dutiful and
faithful servant, though in time past he was not so." Whereupon,
7th Argument, He urges Philemon from the strong affection that he had
to Onesimus. He had mentioned the spiritual relation before, My son
begotten in my bonds; and now he signifies how dear he was to him: Thou
therefore receive him, that is my own bowels, v. 12. "I love him as I
do myself, and have sent him back to thee for this end, that thou
shouldst receive him; do it therefore for my sake, receive him as one
thus dear to me." Observe, Even good men may sometimes need great
earnestness and entreaty to lay their passions, let go their
resentments, and forgive those who have injured and offended them. Some
have thought it to look this way, when Paul is so pathetic and earnest,
mustering up so many pleas and arguments to gain what he requests.
Philemon, a Phrygian, might perhaps be naturally of a rough and
difficult temper, and thence need no little pains in touching all the
springs that might move him to forgiveness and reconciliation; but
rather should we strive to be like God, who is slow to anger, ready to
forgive, and abundant in pardons. And again, an
8th Argument is from the apostle's denying himself in sending back
Onesimus: though he might have presumed upon Philemon's leave to detain
him longer, yet he would not, v. 13, 14. Paul was now in prison, and
wanted a friend or servant to act for him, and assist him, for which he
found Onesimus fit and ready, and therefore would have detained him to
minister to him, instead of Philemon himself, whom if he had requested
to have come to him in person for such purpose, he might have presumed
he would not have refused; much less might he have reckoned that he
would be unwilling his servant should do this in his stead; yet he
would not take this liberty, though his circumstances needed it: I have
sent him back to thee, that any good office of thine to me might not be
of necessity, but willingly. Observe, Good deeds are most acceptable to
God and man when done with most freedom. And Paul herein,
notwithstanding his apostolical power, would show what regard he had to
civil rights, which Christianity does by no means supersede or weaken,
but rather confirm and strengthen. Onesimus, he knew, was Philemon's
servant, and therefore without his consent not to be detained from him.
In his unconverted state he had violated that right, and withdrawn
himself, to his master's injury; but, now that he had seen his sin and
repented, he was willing and desirous to return to his duty, and Paul
would not hinder this, but rather further it. He might indeed have
presumed on Philemon's willingness; but, but notwithstanding his need,
he would deny himself rather than take that way. And he further urges,
9th Argument, That such a change was now wrought in Onesimus that
Philemon needed not fear his ever running from him, or injuring him any
more: For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou
shouldest receive him for ever, v. 15. There are those of whom Solomon
says, If thou deliver them, thou must do it again (Prov. xix. 19); but
the change wrought in Onesimus was such that he would never again need
one thus to intercede for him. Charity would so hope and judge, yea, so
it would be; yet the apostle speaks cautiously, that none might be bold
to make another such experiment in expectation of a like gracious
issue. Observe, (1.) In matters that may be wrested to ill, ministers
must speak warily, that kind providences of God towards sinners be not
abused to encouragements to sin, or abatements of just abhorrence of
it: Perhaps he therefore departed from thee for a season, &c. (2.) How
tenderly still the sins of penitents are spoken of; he calls it a
departure for a season, instead of giving it the term that it deserved.
As overruled and ordered by God, it was a departure; but in itself, and
in respect of the disposition and manner of the act, it was a criminal
going away. When we speak of the nature of any sin or offence against
God, the evil of it is not to be lessened; but in the person of a
penitent sinner, as God covers it, so must we: "He departed for a
season, that thou shouldst receive him for ever, that upon conversion
he may return, and be a faithful and useful servant to thee as long as
he lives." Bray a fool in a mortar, yet will not his folly depart from
him. But it is not so with true penitents: they will not return to
folly. (3.) Observe the wisdom, and goodness, and power of God, in
causing that to end so happily which was begun and carried on for some
time so wickedly, thus regarding a poor vassal, one of such low rank
and condition and so little regarded by men, working so good and great
a change in him who was so far gone in evil ways, who had wronged a
master so good, had run from a family so pious, from the means of
grace, the church in his house, that he should be led into the way of
salvation who had fled from it, and find means made effectual at Rome
who had been hardened under them at Colosse. What riches are here of
divine grace! None so low, nor mean, nor vile, as utterly to be
despaired of. God can meet with them when running from him; can make
means effectual at one time and place, which have not been so at
another. So was it in this instance of Onesimus; having returned to
God, he now returns to his master, who will have more service and
better hold of him than ever--by conscience of his duty and
faithfulness in it to his life's end; his interest therefore it will be
now to receive him. So God often brings gain to his people out of their
losses. And, besides interest, a
10th Argument is taken from the capacity under which Onesimus now would
return, and must be received by Philemon (v. 16): "Not now as a servant
(that is, not merely or so much), but above a servant (in a spiritual
respect), a brother beloved, one to be owned as a brother in Christ,
and to be beloved as such, upon account of this holy change that is
wrought in him, and one therefore who will be useful unto thee upon
better principles and in a better manner than before, who will love and
promote the best things in thy family, be a blessing in it, and help to
keep up the church that is in thy house." Observe, (1.) There is a
spiritual brotherhood between all true believers, however distinguished
in civil and outward respects; they are all children of the same
heavenly Father, have a right to the same spiritual privileges and
benefits, must love and do all good offices to and for one another as
brethren, though still in the same rank, and degree, and station,
wherein they were called. Christianity does not annul nor confound the
respective civil duties, but strengthens the obligation to them, and
directs to a right discharge of them. (2.) Religious servants are more
than mere ordinary servants; they have grace in their hearts, and have
found grace in God's sight, and so will in the sight of religious
masters. Ps. ci. 6, Mine eyes are upon the faithful of the land, that
they may dwell with me. He that walketh in a perfect way, he shall
serve me. "Onesimus having now become such, receive and regard him as
one that is partaker of the same common faith, and so a brother
beloved, specially to me who have been the instrument of his
conversion." Good ministers love not so much according to the outward
good which they receive as the spiritual good which they do. Paul
called Onesimus his own bowels, and other converts his joy and crown.
"A brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more to thee, both in
the flesh and in the Lord; by a double tie therefore (both civil and
religious) thy servant: thy property, one of thy house and family, and
now, in a spiritual respect, thy brother in Christ, which heightens the
engagement. He is God's servant and thine too; here are more ties than
he is under to me. How readily therefore should he be received and
loved by thee, as one of thy family and one of the true faith, one of
thy house and one of the church in thy house!" This argument is
strengthened by another, the
11th Argument, From the communion of saints: If thou count me therefore
a partner, receive him as myself, v. 17. There is a fellowship among
saints; they have interest one in another, and must love and act
accordingly. "Now show thy love to me, and the interest I have in thee,
by loving and receiving one so near and dear to me, even as myself; own
and treat him as thou wouldst me, with a like ready and true, though
perhaps not equal, affection." But why such concern and earnestness for
a servant, a slave, and such a one as had misbehaved? Answer, Onesimus
being now penitent, it was doubtless to encourage him, and to support
him against the fears he might have in returning to a master whom he
had so much abused and wronged, to keep him from sinking into
despondency and dejection, and encourage him to his duty. Wise and good
ministers will have great and tender care of young converts, to
encourage and hearten them what they can to and in their duty.
Objection, But Onesimus had wronged as well as offended his master. The
answer to this makes a
12th Argument, A promise of satisfaction to Philemon: If he hath
wronged thee, or oweth thee aught, &c., v. 18, 19. Here are three
things:
(1.) A confession of Onesimus's debt to Philemon: If he hath wronged
thee, or oweth thee aught. It is not an if of doubting, but of illation
and concession; seeing he hath wronged thee, and thereby has become
indebted to thee; such an if as Col. iii. 1 and 2 Pet. ii. 4, &c.
Observe, True penitents will be ingenuous in owning their faults, as
doubtless Onesimus had been to Paul, upon his being awakened and being
brought to repentance; and especially is this to be done in cases of
injury to others. Onesimus by Paul owns the wrong. And,
(2.) Paul here engages for satisfaction: Put that on my account; I Paul
have written it with my own hand, I will repay it. Observe, [1.] The
communion of saints does not destroy distinction of property: Onesimus,
now converted, and become a brother beloved, is yet Philemon's servant
still, and indebted to him for wrongs that he had done, and not to be
discharged but by free and voluntary remission, or on reparation made
by himself, or some other in his behalf, which part, rather than fail,
the apostle undertakes for him. [2.] Suretiship is not in all cases
unlawful, but in some is a good and merciful undertaking. Only know the
person and case, be not surety for a stranger (Prov. xi. 15), and go
not beyond ability; help thy friend thou mayest, as far as will comport
with justice and prudence. And how happy for us that Christ would be
made the surety of a better covenant (Heb. vii. 22), that he would be
made sin for us who knew no sin, that we might be made the
righteousness of God in him! And, [3.] Formal securities by writing, as
well as by word and promise, may be required and given. Persons die,
and words may be forgotten or mistaken; writing better preserves right
and peace, and has been in use with good persons, as well as others, in
all ages, Jer. xxxii. 9, &c.; Luke xvi. 5-7. It was much that Paul, who
lived on contributions himself, would undertake to make good all loss
by an evil servant to his master; but hereby he expresses his real and
great affection for Onesimus, and his full belief of the sincerity of
his conversion: and he might have hope that, notwithstanding this
generous offer, Philemon would not insist on it, but freely remit all,
considering,
(3.) The reason of things between him and Philemon: "Albeit, I do not
say to thee how thou owest unto me even thy own self besides; thou wilt
remember, without my reminding thee, that thou are on other accounts
more in debt to me than this comes to." Modesty in self-praises is true
praise. The apostle glances at the benefits he had conferred on
Philemon: "That thou art any thing in grace and acceptation with God,
or enjoyest any thing in a right and comfortable manner, it is, under
God, owing to my ministry. I have been the instrument in his hand of
all that spiritual good to thee; and what thy obligation to me on this
account is I leave to thee to consider. Thy forgiving a pecuniary debt
to a poor penitent for my sake and at my request, and which, however, I
now take upon myself to answer, thy remitting it to him, or to me, now
his surety, thou wilt confess, is not so great a thing; here is more
per contra: Thou owest to me even thy ownself besides." Observe, How
great the endearments are between ministers and those towards whom
their endeavours have been blessed to their conversion or spiritual
edification! If it had been possible (said Paul to the Galatians), you
would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me, Gal.
iv. 15. On the other hand he calls them his children, of whom he
travailed again, till Christ was formed in them, that is, the likeness
of Christ more fully. So 1 Thess. ii. 8, We were willing to have
imparted to you not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls,
because you were dear unto us. By way of allusion, this may illustrate
Christ's undertaking for us. We had revolted from God, and by sin had
wronged him, but Christ undertakes to make satisfaction, the just for
the unjust, that he might bring us unto God. "If the sinner owes thee
aught, put it upon my account, I will pay the debt; let his iniquity be
laid on me, I will bear the penalty." Further, a
13th Argument is from the joy and comfort the apostle hereby would have
on Philemon's own account, as well as on Onesimus's in such a
seasonable and acceptable fruit of Philemon's faith and obedience: Yea,
brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the
Lord, v. 20. Philemon was Paul's son in the faith, yet he entreats him
as a brother; Onesimus a poor slave, yet he solicits for him as if he
were seeking some great thing for himself. How pathetic is he! "Yea,
brother, or O my brother (it is an adverb of wishing or desiring), let
me have joy of thee in the Lord. Thou knowest that I am now a prisoner
or the Lord, for his sake and cause, and need all the comfort and
support that my friends in Christ can give me: now this will be a joy
to me, I shall have joy of thee in the Lord, as seeing such an evidence
and fruit of thy own Christian faith and love, and on Onesimus's
account, who hereby will be relieved and encouraged." Observe, (1.)
Christians should do the things that may rejoice the hearts of one
another, both people and minister reciprocally, and ministers of their
brethren. From the world they expect trouble; and where may they look
for comfort and joy but in one another? (2.) Fruits of faith and
obedience in people are the minister's greatest joy, especially the
more of love appears in them to Christ and his members, forgiving
injuries, showing compassion, being merciful as their heavenly Father
is merciful. "Refresh my bowels in the Lord. It is not any carnal
selfish respect I am actuated by, but what is pleasing to Christ, and
that he may have honour therein." Observe, [1.] The Lord's honour and
service are a Christian's chief aim in all things. And, [2.] It is meat
and drink to a good minister to see people ready and zealous in what is
good, especially in acts of charity and beneficence, as occasions
occur, forgiving injuries, remitting somewhat of their right, and the
like. And, once more, his last, which is the
14th Argument, Lies in the good hope and opinion which he expresses of
Philemon: Having confidence in thy obedience, I wrote unto thee,
knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say, v. 21. Good thoughts
and expectations of us more strongly move and engage us to do the
things expected from us. The apostle knew Philemon to be a good man,
and was thence persuaded of his readiness to do good, and that not in a
scanty and niggardly manner, but with a free and liberal hand. Observe,
Good persons will be ready for good works, and not narrow and pinching,
but abundant in them. Isa. xxxii. 8, The liberal deviseth liberal
things. The Macedonians first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to
his apostles by the will of God, to do what good they could with what
they had, according as occasions offered.
Thus far is the substance and body of the epistle. We have,
II. The conclusion, where,
1. He signifies his good hope of deliverance, through their prayers,
and that shortly he might see them, desiring Philemon to make provision
for him: But withal prepare me also a lodging; for I trust that through
your prayers I shall be given unto you, v. 22. But withal, or moreover.
He comes to another thing, yet, as may seem, not without some eye to
the matter which he had been upon, that might be furthered by this
intimation that he hoped he should himself soon follow, and know the
effect of his epistle, which Philemon would therefore be the more
stirred up to see might be to his satisfaction. Now here is,
(1.) The thing requested: Prepare me also a lodging; under this all
necessaries for a stranger are included. He wills Philemon to do it,
intending to be his guest, as most to his purpose. Observe, Hospitality
is a great Christian duty, especially in ministers, and towards
ministers, such as the apostle was, coming out of such dangers and
sufferings for Christ and his gospel. Who would not show the utmost of
affectionate regards to such a one? It is an honourable title that he
gives Gaius (Rom. xvi. 23), My host, and of the whole church.
Onesiphorus is also affectionately remembered by the apostle on this
account (2 Tim. i. 16, 18), The Lord give mercy to the house of
Onesiphorus; for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;
and in how many things he ministered to me at Ephesus, thou knowest.
(2.) Here is the ground of the apostle's request: For I trust that
through your prayers I shall be given unto you. He did not know how God
might deal with him, but the benefit of prayer he had often found, and
hoped he should again, for deliverance, and liberty to come to them.
Observe, [1.] Our dependence is on God for life and liberty and
opportunity of service; all is by divine pleasure. [2.] When abridged
of these or any other mercies, our trust and hope must be in God,
without fainting or succumbing, while our case is depending. But yet,
[3.] Trust must be with the use of means, prayer especially, though no
other should be at hand; this hath unlocked heaven and opened
prison-doors. The fervent effectual prayer of the righteous availeth
much. [4.] Prayer of people for ministers, especially when they are in
distress and danger, is their great duty; ministers need and request
it. Paul, though an apostle, did so with much earnestness, Rom. xv. 30;
2 Cor. i. 11; Eph. vi. 18, 19; 1 Thess. v. 25. The least may in this
way be helpful to the greatest. Yet, [5.] Though prayer obtains, yet it
does not merit the things obtained: they are God's gift, and Christ's
purchase. I trust that through your prayers, charisthesomai hymin--I
shall be freely bestowed on you. What God gives, he will yet be sought
to for, that mercies may be valued the more, and known whence they
come, and God may have the praise. Minister's lives and labours are for
the people's good; the office was set up for them; he gave gifts for
men, apostles, &c. Eph. iv. 8, 11, 12. Their gifts, and labours, and
lives, all are for their benefit. 1 Cor. iii. 21, 22, All things are
yours, Apollos, Cephas, &c. [6.] In praying for faithful ministers,
people in effect pray for themselves: "I trust I shall be given unto
you, for your service, and comfort, and edification in Christ." See 2
Cor. iv. 15. [7.] Observe the humility of the apostle; his liberty,
should he have it, he would own to be through their prayers, as well
as, or more than, his own; he mentions them only through the high
thoughts he had of the prayers of many, and the regard God would show
to his praying people. Thus of the first thing in the apostle's
conclusion.
2. he sends salutations from one who was his fellow-prisoner, and four
more who were his fellow-labourers, v. 23, 24. Saluting is wishing
health and peace. Christianity is no enemy to courtesy, but enjoins it,
1 Pet. iii. 8. It is a mere expression of love and respect, and a means
of preserving and nourishing them. There salute thee Epaphras, my
fellow-prisoner in Christ Jesus. he was of Colosse, and so countryman
and fellow-citizen with Philemon; by office he seems to have been an
evangelist, who laboured among the Colossians (if he was not the first
converter of them), for whom he had special affection. Our dear
fellow-servant (said St. Paul), and for you a faithful minister of
Christ (Col. i. 7), and ( ch. iv. 12, 13), A servant of Christ, always
labouring for you in prayers. I bear him record that he hath a great
zeal for you, &c. A very eminent person therefore this was, who, being
at Rome, perhaps accompanying Paul, and labouring in the same work of
preaching and propagating the gospel, was confined in the same prison,
and for the same cause; both termed prisoners in Christ Jesus,
intimating the ground of their imprisonment, not any crime or
wickedness, but for the faith of Christ and their service to him. An
honour it is to suffer shame for Christ's name. My fellow-prisoner in
Christ Jesus is mentioned as his glory and the apostle's comfort; not
that he was a prisoner and so hindered from his work (this was matter
of affliction), but that, seeing God thus permitted and called him to
suffer, his providence so ordered it that they suffered together, and
so had the benefit and comfort of one another's prayers, and help, it
may be, in some things; this was a mercy. So God sometimes lightens the
sufferings of his servants by the communion of saints, the sweet
fellowship they have one with another in their bonds. Never more
enjoyment of God have they found than when suffering together for God.
So Paul and Silas, when their feet were fast in the stocks, had their
tongues set at liberty, and their hearts tuned for the praises of
God.--Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellow-labourers. The
mention of these seems in a manner to interest them in the business of
the latter. How ill would it look by denial of the request of it to
slight so many worthy names as most of these, at least, were! Marcus,
cousin of Barnabas, and son of Mary, who was so hospitable to the
saints at Jerusalem (Col. iv. 10, Acts xii. 12), and whose house was
the place of meeting for prayer and the worship of God. Though some
failing seems to have been in him when Paul and he parted, yet in
conjunction with Barnabas he went on with his work, and here Paul and
he, we perceive, were reconciled, and differences forgotten, 2 Tim. iv.
11. He bids Mark to be brought to him, for he is profitable to me for
the ministry, that is, of an evangelist. Aristarchus is mentioned with
Marcus (Col. iv. 10), and called there by Paul his fellow-prisoner; and
speaking there of Marcus, sister's son to Barnabas, he adds, Touching
whom you received commandments; if he come unto you, receive him: an
evidence that he himself had received him, and was reconciled to him.
Next is Demas, who hitherto, it seems, appeared not faulty, though he
is censured (2 Tim. iv. 10) as having forsaken Paul, from love of this
present world. But how far his forsaking was, whether total from his
work and profession, or partial only, and whether he repented and
returned to his duty, scripture is silent, and so much we be: no mark
of disgrace lay on him here, but he is joined with others who were
faithful, as he is also in Col. iv. 14. Lucas is the last, that beloved
physician and evangelist, who came to Rome, companion with Paul, Col.
iv. 14; 2 Tim. iv. 11. He was Paul's associate in his greatest dangers,
and his fellow-labourer. The ministry is not a matter of carnal ease
nor pleasure, but of pains; if any are idle in it, they answer not
their calling. Christ bids his disciples pray the Lord of the harvest
to send forth labourers, not loiterers, into his harvest, Matt. ix. 38.
And the people are extorted to know those that labour among them, and
are over them in the Lord, and to esteem them very highly in love for
their work's sake, 1 Thess. v. 12, 13. My fellow-labourers, says the
apostle: ministers must be helpers together of the truth; they serve
the same Lord, in the same holy work and function, and are expectants
of the same glorious reward; therefore they must be assistants to each
other in furthering the interest of their great and common Master. Thus
of the salutations, and then,
3. Here is the apostle's closing prayer and benediction, v. 25.
Observe, (1.) What is wished and prayed for: Grace, the free favour and
love of God, together with the fruits and effects of it in all good
things, for soul and body, for time and eternity. Observe, Grace is the
best wish for ourselves and others; with this the apostle begins and
ends. (2.) From whom: Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, second
Person in the Trinity, Lord by natural right, by whom, and for whom,
all things were created (Col. i. 16, John i. 1-3), and who is heir of
all things, and, as God-man and Mediator, who purchased us, and to whom
we are given by the Father. Jesus, the Saviour, Matt. i. 21. We were
lost and undone; he recovers us, and repairs the ruin. He saves by
merit, procuring pardon and life for us; and by power, rescuing us from
sin, and Satan, and hell, and renewing us to the likeness, and bringing
us to the enjoyment, of God: thus is he Jesus; and Christ, the Messiah
or anointed, consecrated and fitted to be king, priest, and prophet, to
his church. To all those offices were there anointings under the law
with oil, and to them was the Saviour spiritually anointed with the
Holy Ghost, Acts x. 38. In none but him were all these together and in
such eminence. He was anointed with the oil of gladness above his
fellows, Ps. xlv. 7. This Lord Jesus Christ is ours by original title
to us, by gospel offers and gift, his purchase of us, and our own
acceptance of him, resignation to him, and mystical union with him: Our
Lord Jesus Christ. Observe, All grace to us is from Christ; he
purchased, and he bestows it. Of his fulness we all receive, and grace
for grace, John i. 16. He filleth all in all, Eph. i. 23. (3.) To whom:
Your spirit, meta tou pneumatos hymon, not of Philemon only, but of all
who were named in the inscription. With your spirit, that is, with you,
the soul or spirit being the immediate seat of grace, whence it
influences the whole man, and flows out in gracious and holy actings.
All the house saluted are here joined in the closing benediction, the
more to remind and quicken all to further the end of the epistle.
Amen is added, not only for strong and affectionate summing up the
prayer and wish, so let it be; but as an expression of faith that it
will be heard, so shall it be. And what need we more to make us happy
than to have the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ with our spirit? This
is the usual benediction, but it may be taken here to have some special
respect also to the occasion; the grace of Christ with their spirits,
Philemon's especially, would sweeten and mollify them, take off too
deep and keen resentments of injuries, and dispose to forgive others as
God for Christ's sake hath forgiven us.
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Hebrews
Completed by William Tong.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE EPISTLE TO
T H E H E B R E W S.
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Concerning this epistle we must enquire, I. Into the divine authority
of it; for this has been questioned by some, whose distempered eyes
could not bear the light of it, or whose errors have been confuted by
it; such as the Arians, who deny the Godhead and self-existence of
Christ; and the Socinians, who deny his satisfaction; but, after all
the attempts of such men to disparage this epistle, the divine original
of it shines forth with such strong and unclouded rays that he who runs
may read it is an eminent part of the canon of scripture. The divinity
of the matter, the sublimity of the style, the excellency of the
design, the harmony of this with other parts of scripture, and its
general reception in the church of God in all ages--these are the
evidences of its divine authority. II. As to the divine amanuensis or
penman of this epistle, we are not so certain; it does not bear the
name of any in the front of it, as the rest of the epistles do, and
there has been some dispute among the learned to whom they should
ascribe it. Some have assigned it to Clemens of Rome; other to Luke;
and many to Barnabas, thinking that the style and manner of expression
is very agreeable to the zealous, authoritative, affectionate temper
that Barnabas appears to be of, in the account we have of him in the
acts of the Apostles; and one ancient father quotes an expression out
of this epistle as the words of Barnabas. But it is generally assigned
to the apostle Paul; and some later copies and translations have put
Paul's name in the title. In the primitive times it was generally
ascribed to him, and the style and scope of it very well agree with his
spirit, who was a person of a clear head and a warm heart, whose main
end and endeavour it was to exalt Christ. Some think that the apostle
Peter refers to this epistle, and proves Paul to be the penman of it,
by telling the Hebrews, to whom he wrote, of Paul's having written to
them, 2 Pet. iii. 15. We read of no other epistle that he ever wrote to
them but this. And though it has been objected that, since Paul put his
name to all his other epistles, he would not have omitted it here; yet
others have well answered that he, being the apostle of the Gentiles,
who were odious to the Jews, might think fit to conceal his name, lest
their prejudices against him might hinder them from reading and
weighing it as they ought to do. III. As to the scope and design of
this epistle, it is very evident that it was clearly to inform the
minds, and strongly to confirm the judgment, of the Hebrews in the
transcendent excellency of the gospel above the law, and so to take
them off from the ceremonies of the law, to which they were so wedded,
of which they were so fond, that they even doted on them, and those of
them who were Christians retained too much of the old leaven, and
needed to be purged from it. The design of this epistle was to persuade
and press the believing Hebrews to a constant adherence to the
Christian faith, and perseverance in it, notwithstanding all the
sufferings they might meet with in so doing. In order to this, the
apostle speaks much of the excellency of the author of the gospel, the
glorious Jesus, whose honour he advances, and whom he justly prefers
before all others, showing him to be all in all, and this in lofty
strains of holy rhetoric. It must be acknowledged that there are many
things in this epistle hard to be understood, but the sweetness we
shall find therein will make us abundant amends for all the pains we
take to understand it. And indeed, if we compare all the epistles of
the New Testament, we shall not find any of them more replenished with
divine, heavenly matter than this to the Hebrews.
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H E B R E W S.
CHAP. I.
In this chapter we have a twofold comparison stated: I. Between the
evangelical and legal dispensation; and the excellency of the gospel
above that of the law is asserted and proved, ver. 1-3. II. Between the
glory of Christ and that of the highest creatures, the angels; where
the pre-eminence is justly given to the Lord Jesus Christ, and clearly
demonstrated to belong to him, ver. 4, to the end.
Law and Gospel Compared; Dignity and Glory of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
1 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past
unto the fathers by the prophets, 2 Hath in these last days spoken
unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom
also he made the worlds; 3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and
the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word
of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the
right hand of the Majesty on high;
Here the apostle begins with a general declaration of the excellency of
the gospel dispensation above that of the law, which he demonstrates
from the different way and manner of God's communicating himself and
his mind and will to men in the one and in the other: both these
dispensations were of God, and both of them very good, but there is a
great difference in the way of their coming from God. Observe,
I. The way wherein God communicated himself and his will to men under
the Old Testament. We have here an account, 1. Of the persons by whom
God delivered his mind under the Old Testament; they were the prophets,
that is, persons chosen of God, and qualified by him, for that office
of revealing the will of God to men. No man takes this honour to
himself, unless called; and whoever are called of God are qualified by
him. 2. The persons to whom God spoke by the prophets: To the fathers,
to all the Old-Testament saints who were under that dispensation. God
favoured and honoured them with much clearer light than that of nature,
under which the rest of the world were left. 3. The order in which God
spoke to men in those times that went before the gospel, those past
times: he spoke to his ancient people at sundry times and in divers
manners. (1.) At sundry times, or by several parts, as the word
signifies, which may refer either to the several ages of the
Old-Testament dispensation--the patriarchal, the Mosaic, and the
prophetic; or to the several gradual openings of his mind concerning
the Redeemer: to Adam, that the Messiah should come of the seed of the
woman,--to Abraham, that he should spring from his loins,--to Jacob,
that he should be of the tribe of Judah,--to David, that he should be
of his house,--to Micah, that he should be born at Bethlehem,--to
Isaiah, that he should be born of a virgin. (2.) In divers manners,
according to the different ways in which God though fit to communicate
his mind to his prophets; sometimes by the illapses of his Spirit,
sometimes by dreams, sometimes by visions, sometimes by an audible
voice, sometimes by legible characters under his own hand, as when he
wrote the ten commandments on tables of stone. Of some of these
different ways God himself gave an account in Num. xii. 6-8, If there
be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known to him in a
vision, and will speak to him in a dream. Not so with my servant Moses:
with him I will speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark
speeches.
II. God's method of communicating his mind and will under the
New-Testament dispensation, these last days as they are called, that
is, either towards the end of the world, or the end of the Jewish
state. The times of the gospel are the last times, the gospel
revelation is the last we are to expect from God. There was first the
natural revelation; then the patriarchal, by dreams, visions, and
voices; then the Mosaic, in the law given forth and written down; then
the prophetic, in explaining the law, and giving clearer discoveries of
Christ: but now we must expect no new revelation, but only more of the
Spirit of Christ to help us better to understand what is already
revealed. Now the excellency of the gospel revelation above the former
consists in two things:--
1. It is the final, the finishing revelation, given forth in the last
days of divine revelation, to which nothing is to be added, but the
canon of scripture is to be settled and sealed: so that now the minds
of men are no longer kept in suspense by the expectation of new
discoveries, but they rejoice in a complete revelation of the will of
God, both preceptive and providential, so far as is necessary for them
to know in order to their direction and comfort. For the gospel
includes a discovery of the great events that shall befal the church of
God to the end of the world.
2. It is a revelation which God has made by his Son, the most excellent
messenger that was ever sent into the world, far superior to all the
ancient patriarchs and prophets, by whom God communicated his will to
his people in former times. And here we have an excellent account of
the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
(1.) The glory of his office, and that in three respects:--[1.] God
hath appointed him to be heir of all things. As God, he was equal to
the Father; but, as God-man and Mediator, he was appointed by the
Father to be the heir of all things, the sovereign Lord of all, the
absolute disposer, director, and governor of all persons and of all
things, Ps. ii. 6, 7. All power in heaven and earth is given to him;
all judgment is committed to him, Matt. xxviii. 18; John v. 22. [2.] By
him God made the worlds, both visible and invisible, the heavens and
the earth; not as an instrumental cause, but as his essential word and
wisdom. By him he made the old creation, by him he makes the new
creature, and by him he rules and governs both. [3.] He upholds all
things by the word of his power: he keeps the world from dissolving. By
him all things consist. The weight of the whole creation is laid upon
Christ: he supports the whole and all the parts. When, upon the
apostasy, the world was breaking to pieces under the wrath and curse of
God, the Son of God, undertaking the work of redemption, bound it up
again, and established it by his almighty power and goodness. None of
the ancient prophets sustained such an office as this, none was
sufficient for it.
(2.) Hence the apostle passes to the glory of the person of Christ, who
was able to execute such an office: He was the brightness of his
Father's glory, and the express image of his person, v. 3. This is a
high and lofty description of the glorious Redeemer, this is an account
of his personal excellency. [1.] He is, in person, the Son of God, the
only-begotten Son of God, and as such he must have the same nature.
This personal distinction always supposes one and the same nature.
Every son of man is man; were not the nature the same, the generation
would be monstrous. [2.] The person of the Son is the glory of the
Father, shining forth with a truly divine splendour. As the beams are
effulgent emanations of the sun, the father and fountain of light,
Jesus Christ in his person is God manifest in the flesh, he is light of
light, the true Shechinah. [3.] The person of the Son is the true image
and character of the person of the Father; being of the same nature, he
must bear the same image and likeness. In beholding the power, wisdom,
and goodness, of the Lord Jesus Christ, we behold the power, wisdom,
and goodness, of the Father; for he hath the nature and perfections of
God in him. He that hath seen the Son hath seen the Father; that is, he
hath seen the same Being. He that hath known the Son hath known the
Father, John xiv. 7-9. For the Son is in the Father, and the Father in
the Son; the personal distinction is no other than will consist with
essential union. This is the glory of the person of Christ; the fulness
of the Godhead dwells, not typically, but really, in him.
(3.) From the glory of the person of Christ he proceeds to mention the
glory of his grace; his condescension itself was truly glorious. The
sufferings of Christ had this great honour in them, to be a full
satisfaction for the sins of his people: By himself he purged away our
sins, that is, by the proper innate merit of his death and bloodshed,
by their infinite intrinsic value; as they were the sufferings of
himself, he has made atonement for sin. Himself, the glory of his
person and nature, gave to his sufferings such merit as was a
sufficient reparation of honour to God, who had suffered an infinite
injury and affront by the sins of men.
(4.) From the glory of his sufferings we are at length led to consider
the glory of his exaltation: When by himself he had purged away our
sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, at his
Father's right hand. As Mediator and Redeemer, he is invested with the
highest honour, authority, and activity, for the good of his people;
the Father now does all things by him, and receives all the services of
his people from him. Having assumed our nature, and suffered in it on
earth, he has taken it up with him to heaven, and there it has the high
honour to be next to God, and this was the reward of his humiliation.
Now it was by no less a person than this that God in these last days
spoke to men; and, since the dignity of the messenger gives authority
and excellency to the message, the dispensations of the gospel must
therefore exceed, very far exceed, the dispensation of the law.
The Dignity of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance
obtained a more excellent name than they. 5 For unto which of the
angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten
thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a
Son? 6 And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the
world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. 7 And of
the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a
flame of fire. 8 But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for
ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy
kingdom. 9 Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity;
therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of
gladness above thy fellows. 10 And, Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast
laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of
thine hands: 11 They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all
shall wax old as doth a garment; 12 And as a vesture shalt thou fold
them up, and they shall be changed: but thou art the same, and thy
years shall not fail. 13 But to which of the angels said he at any
time, Sit on my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool?
14 Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for
them who shall be heirs of salvation?
The apostle, having proved the pre-eminence of the gospel above the law
from the pre-eminence of the Lord Jesus Christ above the prophets, now
proceeds to show that he is much superior not only to the prophets, but
to the angels themselves. In this he obviates an objection that the
Jewish zealots would be ready to make, that the law was not only
delivered by men, but ordained by angels (Gal. iii. 19), who attended
at the giving forth of the law, the hosts of heaven being drawn forth
to attend the Lord Jehovah on that awful occasion. Now the angels are
very glorious beings, far more glorious and excellent than men; the
scripture always represents them as the most excellent of all
creatures, and we know of no being but God himself that is higher than
the angels; and therefore that law that was ordained by angels ought to
be held in great esteem. To take off the force of this argument, the
penman of this epistle proceeds to state the comparison between Jesus
Christ and the holy angels, both in nature and office, and to prove
that Christ is vastly superior to the angels themselves: Being made so
much better than the angels, as he hath by inheritance obtained a more
excellent name than they. Here observe,
I. The superior nature of Christ is proved from his superior name. The
scripture does not give high and glorious titles without a real
foundation and reason in nature; nor would such great things have been
said of our Lord Jesus Christ if he had not been as great and excellent
as those words import. When it is said that Christ was made so much
better than the angels, we are not to imagine that he was a mere
creature, as the angels are; the word genomenos, when joined with an
adjective, is nowhere to be rendered created, and here may very well be
read, being more excellent, as the Syriac version hath it. We read
ginesthe ho Theos alethes--let God be true, not made so, but
acknowledged to be so.
II. The superiority of the name and nature of Christ above the angels
is declared in the holy scriptures, and to be deduced thence. We should
have known little or nothing either of Christ or of the angels, without
the scriptures; and we must therefore be determined by them in our
conceptions of the one and the other. Now here are several passages of
scripture cited, in which those things are said of Christ that were
never said of the angels.
1. It was said of Christ, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten
thee (Ps. ii. 7), which may refer to his eternal generation, or to his
resurrection, or to his solemn inauguration into his glorious kingdom
at his ascension and session at the right hand of the Father. Now this
was never said concerning the angels, and therefore by inheritance he
has a more excellent nature and name than they.
2. It was said concerning Christ, but never concerning the angels, I
will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son; taken from 2 Sam.
vii. 14. Not only, "I am his Father, and he is my Son, by nature and
eternal promanation;" but, "I will be his Father, and he shall be my
Son, by wonderful conception, and this his son-ship shall be the
fountain and foundation of every gracious relation between me and
fallen man."
3. It is said of Christ, When God bringeth his First-begotten into the
world, let all the angels of God worship him; that is, when he is
brought into this lower world, at his nativity, let the angels attend
and honour him; or when he is brought into the world above, at his
ascension, to enter upon his mediatorial kingdom, or when he shall
bring him again into the world, to judge the world, then let the
highest creatures worship him. God will not suffer an angel to continue
in heaven who will not be in subjection to Christ, and pay adoration to
him; and he will at last make the fallen angels and wicked men to
confess his divine power and authority and to fall before him. Those
who would not have him to reign must then be brought forth and slain
before him. The proof of this is taken out of Ps. xcvii. 7, Worship
him, all you gods, that is, "All you that are superior to men, own
yourselves to be inferior to Christ in nature and power."
4. God has said concerning Christ, Thy throne, O God, is forever and
ever, &c., v. 8-12. But of the angels he has only said that he hath
made them spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire, v. 7. Now, upon
comparing what he here says of the angels with what he says to Christ,
the vast inferiority of the angels to Christ will plainly appear.
(1.) What does God say here of the angels? He maketh his angels
spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. This we have in Ps. civ. 4,
where it seems to be more immediately spoken of the winds and
lightning, but is here applied to the angels, whose agency the divine
Providences makes use of in the winds, and in thunder and lightnings.
Observe, [1.] The office of the angels: they are God's ministers, or
servants, to do his pleasure. It is the glory of God that he has such
servants; it is yet more so that he does not need them. [2.] How the
angels are qualified for this service; he makes them spirits and a
flame of fire, that is, he endows them with light and zeal, with
activity and ability, readiness and resolution to do his pleasure: they
are no more than what God has made them to be, and they are servants to
the Son as well as to the Father. But observe,
(2.) How much greater things are said of Christ by the Father. Here two
passages of scripture are quoted.
[1.] One of these is out of Ps. xlv. 6, 7, where God declares of
Christ, First, His true and real divinity, and that with much pleasure
and affection, not grudging him that glory: Thy throne, O God. Here one
person calls another person God, O God. And, if God the Father declares
him to be so, he must be really and truly so; for God calls persons and
things as they are. And now let who will deny him to be essentially God
at their peril, but let us own and honour him as God; for, if he had
not been God, he had never been fit to have done the Mediator's work
nor to have worn the Mediator's crown. Secondly, God declares his
dignity and dominion, as having a throne, a kingdom, and a sceptre of
that kingdom. He has all right, rule, authority, and power, both as the
God of nature, grace, and glory, and as Mediator; and so he is fully
adequate to all the intents and purposes of his mediatorial kingdom.
Thirdly, God declares the eternal duration of the dominion and dignity
of Christ, founded upon the divinity of his person: Thy throne, O God,
is for ever and ever, from everlasting to everlasting, through all the
ages of time, maugre all the attempts of earth and hell to undermine
and overthrow it, and through all the endless ages of eternity, when
time shall be no more. This distinguishes Christ's throne from all
earthly thrones, which are tottering, and will at length tumble down;
but the throne of Christ shall be as the days of heaven. Fourthly, God
declares of Christ the perfect equity of his administration, and of the
execution of his power, through all the parts of his government: A
sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom, v. 8. He came
righteously to the sceptre, and he uses it in perfect righteousness;
the righteousness of his government proceeds from the righteousness of
his person, from an essential eternal love of righteousness and hatred
of iniquity, not merely from considerations of prudence or interest,
but from an inward and immovable principle: Thou lovest righteousness
and hatest iniquity, v. 9. Christ came to fulfil all righteousness, to
bring in an everlasting righteousness; and he was righteous in all his
ways and holy in all his works. He has recommended righteousness to
men, and restored it among them, as a most excellent and amiable thing.
He came to finish transgression, and to make an end of sin as a hateful
as well as hurtful thing. Fifthly, God declares of Christ how he was
qualified for the office of Mediator, and how he was installed and
confirmed in it (v. 9): Therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee
with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. 1. Christ has the name
Messiah from his being anointed. God's anointing of Christ signifies
both his qualifying him for the office of the Mediator with the Holy
Spirit and all his graces, and likewise his inauguration of him into
the office, as prophets, priests, and kings, were by anointing. God,
even thy God, imports the confirmation of Christ in the office of
Mediator by the covenant of redemption and peace, that was between the
Father and the Son. God is the God of Christ, as Christ is man and
Mediator. 2. This anointing of Christ was with the oil of gladness,
which signifies both the gladness and cheerfulness with which Christ
undertook and went through the office of Mediator (finding himself so
absolutely sufficient for it), and also that joy which was set before
him as the reward of his service and sufferings, that crown of glory
and gladness which he should wear for ever after the suffering of
death. 3. This anointing of Christ was above the anointing of his
fellows: God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness
above thy fellows. Who are Christ's fellows? Has he any equals? Not as
God, except the Father and Spirit, but these are not here meant. As
man, however, he has his fellows, and as an anointed person; but his
unction is beyond all theirs. (1.) Above the angels, who may be said to
be his fellows, as they are the sons of God by creation, and God's
messengers, whom he employs in his service. (2.) Above all prophets,
priests, and kings, that ever were anointed with oil, to be employed in
the service of God on earth. (3.) Above all the saints, who are his
brethren, children of the same father, as he was a partaker with them
of flesh and blood. (4.) Above all those who were related to him as
man, above all the house of David, all the tribe of Judah, all his
brethren and kinsmen in the flesh. All God's other anointed ones had
only the Spirit in a certain measure; Christ had the Spirit above
measure, without any limitation. None therefore goes through his work
as Christ did, none takes so much pleasure in it as Christ does; for he
was anointed with the oil of gladness above his fellows.
[2.] The other passage of scripture in which is the superior excellence
of Christ to the angels is taken out of Ps. cii. 25-27, and is recited
in v. 10-12, where the omnipotence of the Lord Jesus Christ is declared
as it appears both in creating the world and in changing it.
First, In creating the world (v. 10): And thou, Lord, in the beginning
hast laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of
thy hands. The Lord Christ had the original right to govern the world,
because he made the world in the beginning. His right, as Mediator, was
by commission from the Father. His right, as God with the Father, was
absolute, resulting from his creating power. This power he had before
the beginning of the world, and he exerted it in giving a beginning and
being to the world. He must therefore be no part of the world himself,
for then he must give himself a beginning. He was pro panton--before
all things, and by him all things consist, Col. i. 17. He was not only
above all things in condition, but before all things in existence; and
therefore must be God, and self-existent. He laid the foundations of
the earth, did not only introduce new forms into pre-existent matter,
but made out of nothing the foundations of the earth, the primordia
rerum--the first principles of things; he not only founded the earth,
but the heavens too are the work of his hands, both the habitation and
the inhabitants, the hosts of heaven, the angels themselves; and
therefore he must needs be infinitely superior to them.
Secondly, In changing the world that he has made; and here the
mutability of this world is brought in to illustrate the immutability
of Christ. Observe, 1. This world is mutable, all created nature is so;
this world has passed through many changes, and shall pass through
more; all these changes are by the permission and under the direction
of Christ, who made the world (v. 11, 12): They shall perish, they
shall all wax old as doth a garment; as a vesture shalt thou fold them
up, and they shall be changed. This our visible world (both the earth
and visible heavens) is growing old. Not only men and beasts and trees
grow old, but this world itself grows old, and is hastening to its
dissolution; it changes like a garment, has lost much of its beauty and
strength; it grew old betimes on the first apostasy, and it has been
waxing older and growing weaker ever since; it bears the symptoms of a
dying world. But then its dissolution will not be its utter
destruction, but its change. Christ will fold up this world as a
garment not to be abused any longer, not to be any longer so used as it
has been. Let us not then set our hearts upon that which is not what we
take it to be, and will not be what it now is. Sin has made a great
change in the world for the worse, and Christ will make a great change
in it for the better. We look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein
dwelleth righteousness. Let the consideration of this wean us from the
present world, and make us watchful, diligent, and desirous of that
better world, and let us wait on Christ to change us into a meetness
for that new world that is approaching; we cannot enter into it till we
be new creatures. 2. Christ is immutable. Thus the Father testifies of
him, Thou remainest, thy years shall not fail. Christ is the same in
himself, the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever, and the same to
his people in all the changes of time. This may well support all who
have an interest in Christ under all the changes they meet with in the
world, and under all they feel in themselves. Christ is immutable and
immortal: his years shall not fail. This may comfort us under all
decays of nature that we may observe in ourselves or in our friends,
though our flesh and heart fail and our days are hastening to an end.
Christ lives to take care of us while we live, and of ours when we are
gone, and this should quicken us all to make our interest in him clear
and sure, that our spiritual and eternal life may be hid with Christ in
God.
III. The superiority of Christ to the angels appears in this that God
never said to the angels what he has said to Christ, v. 13, 14.
1. What has God said to Christ? He has said, "Sit thou at my right
hand, till I make thy enemies thy footstool, Ps. cx. 1. Receive thou
glory, dominion, and rest; and remain in the administration of thy
mediatorial kingdom until all thy enemies shall either be made thy
friends by conversion or thy footstool." Note, (1.) Christ Jesus has
his enemies (would one think it?), enemies even among men--enemies to
his sovereignty, to his cause, to his people; such as will not have him
to reign over them. Let us not think it strange then if we have our
enemies. Christ never did any thing to make men his enemies; he has
done a great deal to make them all his friends and his Father's
friends, and yet he has his enemies. (2.) All the enemies of Christ
shall be made his footstool, either by humble submission and entire
subjection to his will casting themselves down at his feet, or by utter
destruction; he shall trample upon those who continue obstinate, and
shall trample over them. (3.) God the Father has undertaken for this,
and he will see it done, yea, he will himself do it; and, though it be
not done presently, it shall certainly be done, and Christ waits for
it,; and so must Christians wait till God has wrought all their works
in them, for them, and by them. (4.) Christ shall go on to rule and
reign till this be done; he shall not leave any of his great designs
unfinished, he shall go on conquering and to conquer. And it becomes
his people to go on in their duty, being what he would have them to be,
doing what he would have them to do, avoiding what he would have them
to avoid, bearing what he would have them to bear, till he make them
conquerors and more than conquerors over all their spiritual enemies.
2. What has God said to the angels? He never said to them, as he said
to Christ, Sit you at my right hand; but he has said of them here that
they are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for those who
shall be heirs of salvation. Note, (1.) What the angels are as to their
nature: they are spirits, without bodies or inclination to bodies, and
yet they can assume bodies, and appear in them, when God pleases. They
are spirits, incorporeal, intelligent, active, substances; they excel
in wisdom and strength. (2.) What the angels are as to their office:
they are ministering spirits. Christ, as Mediator, is the great
minister of God in the great work of redemption. The Holy Spirit is the
great minister of God and Christ in the application of this redemption.
Angels are ministering spirits under the blessed Trinity, to execute
the divine will and pleasure; they are the ministers of divine
Providence. (3.) The angels are sent forth for this end--to minister to
those who shall be the heirs of salvation. Here observe, [1.] The
description given of the saints--they are heirs of salvation; at
present they are under age, heirs, not inheritors. They are heirs
because they are children of God; if children, then heirs. Let us make
sure that we are children by adoption and regeneration, having made a
covenant-resignation of ourselves to God, and walking before him in a
gospel-conversation, and then we are heirs of God, and joint-heirs with
Christ. [2.] The dignity and privilege of the saints--the angels are
sent forth to minister for them. Thus they have done in attending and
acting at the giving forth of the law, in fighting the battles of the
saints, in destroying their enemies. They still minister for them in
opposing the malice and power of evil spirits, in protecting and
keeping their bodies, pitching their tents about theirs, instructing,
quickening, and comforting their souls under Christ and the Holy Ghost;
and thus they shall do in gathering all the saints together at the last
day. Bless God for the ministration of angels, keep in God's way, and
take the comfort of this promise, that he will give his angels charge
over you, to keep you in all your ways. They shall bear you up in their
hands, lest you dash your feet against a stone, Ps. xci. 11, 12.
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H E B R E W S.
CHAP. II.
In this chapter the apostle, I. Makes some application of the doctrine
laid down in the chapter foregoing concerning the excellency of the
person of Christ, both by way of exhortation and argument, ver. 1-4.
II. Enlarges further upon the pre-eminence of Christ above the angels,
ver. 5-9. III. Proceeds to remove the scandal of the cross, ver. 10-15.
IV. Asserts the incarnation of Christ, taking upon him not the nature
of angels, but the seed of Abraham, and assigns the reason of his so
doing, ver. 16, to the end.
The Danger of Neglect. (a. d. 62.)
1 Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which
we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. 2 For if the
word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and
disobedience received a just recompence of reward; 3 How shall we
escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to
be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard
him; 4 God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders,
and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his
own will?
The apostle proceeds in the plain profitable method of doctrine,
reason, and use, through this epistle. Here we have the application of
the truths before asserted and proved; this is brought in by the
illative particle therefore, with which this chapter begins, and which
shows its connection with the former, where the apostle having proved
Christ to be superior to the angels by whose ministry the law was
given, and therefore that the gospel dispensation must be more
excellent than the legal, he now comes to apply this doctrine both by
way of exhortation and argument.
I. By way of exhortation: Therefore we ought to give the more diligent
heed to the things which we have heard, v. 1. This is the first way by
which we are to show our esteem of Christ and of the gospel. It is the
great concern of every one under the gospel to give the most earnest
heed to all gospel discoveries and directions, to prize them highly in
his judgment as matters of the greatest importance, to hearken to them
diligently in all the opportunities he has for that purpose, to read
them frequently, to meditate on them closely, and to mix faith with
them. We must embrace them in our hearts and affections, retain them in
our memories, and finally regulate our words and actions according to
them.
II. By way of argument, he adds strong motives to enforce the
exhortation.
1. From the great loss we shall sustain if we do not take this earnest
heed to the things which we have heard: We shall let them slip. They
will leak, and run out of our heads, lips, and lives, and we shall be
great losers by our neglect. Learn, (1.) When we have received gospel
truths into our minds, we are in danger of letting them slip. Our minds
and memories are like a leaky vessel, they do not without much care
retain what is poured into them; this proceeds from the corruption of
our natures, the enmity and subtlety of Satan (he steals away the
word), from the entanglements and snares of the world, the thorns that
choke the good seed. (2.) Those meet with an inconceivable loss who let
gospel truths, which they had received, slip out of their minds; they
have lost a treasure far better than thousands of gold and silver; the
seed is lost, their time and pains in hearing lost, and their hopes of
a good harvest lost; all is lost, if the gospel be lost. (3.) This
consideration should be a strong motive both to our attention to the
gospel and our retention of it; and indeed, if we do not well attend,
we shall not long retain the word of God; inattentive hearers will soon
be forgetful hearers.
2. Another argument is taken from the dreadful punishment we shall
incur if we do not do this duty, a more dreadful punishment than those
fell under who neglected and disobeyed the law, v. 2, 3. Here observe,
(1.) How the law is described: it was the word spoken by angels, and
declared to be stedfast. It was the word spoken by angels, because
given by the ministration of angels, they sounding the trumpet, and
perhaps forming the words according to God's direction; and God, as
judge, will make use of the angels to sound the trumpet a second time,
and gather all to his tribunal, to receive their sentence, as they have
conformed or not conformed to the law. And this law is declared to be
stedfast; it is like the promise, yea and amen; it is truth and
faithfulness, and it will abide and have its force whether men obey it
or no; for every transgression and disobedience will receive a just
recompence of reward. If men trifle with the law of God, the law will
not trifle with them; it has taken hold of the sinners of former ages,
and will take hold of sinners in all ages. God, as a righteous governor
and judge, when he had given forth the law, would not let the contempt
and breach of it go unpunished; but he has from time to time reckoned
with the transgressors of it, and recompensed them according to the
nature and aggravation of their disobedience. Observe, The severest
punishment God ever inflicted upon sinners is no more than what sin
deserves: it is a just recompence of reward; punishments are as just,
and as much due to sin as rewards are to obedience, yea, more due than
rewards are to imperfect obedience. (2.) How the gospel is described.
It is salvation, a great salvation; so great salvation that no other
salvation can compare with it; so great that none can fully express,
no, nor yet conceive, how great it is. It is a great salvation that the
gospel discovers, for it discovers a great Saviour, one who has
manifested God to be reconciled to our nature, and reconcilable to our
persons; it shows how we may be saved from so great sin and so great
misery, and be restored to so great holiness and so great happiness.
The gospel discovers to us a great sanctifier, to qualify us for
salvation and to bring us to the Saviour. The gospel unfolds a great
and excellent dispensation of grace, a new covenant; the great
charter-deed and instrument is settled and secured to all those who
come into the bond of the covenant. (3.) How sinning against the gospel
is described: it is declared to be a neglect of this great salvation;
it is a contempt put upon the saving grace of God in Christ, making
light of it, not caring for it, not thinking it worth their while to
acquaint themselves with it, not regarding either the worth of gospel
grace or their own want of it and undone state without it; not using
their endeavours to discern the truth of it, and assent to it, nor to
discern the goodness of it, so as to approve of it, or apply it to
themselves. In these things they discover a plain neglect of this great
salvation. Let us all take heed that we be not found among those wicked
wretched sinners who neglect the grace of the gospel. (4.) How the
misery of such sinners is described: it is declared to be unavoidable
(v. 3): How shall we escape? This intimates, [1.] That the despisers of
this salvation are condemned already, under arrest and in the hands of
justice already. So they were by the sin of Adam; and they have
strengthened their bonds by their personal transgression. He that
believeth not is condemned already, John iii. 18. [2.] There is no
escaping out of this condemned state, but by accepting the great
salvation discovered in the gospel; as far those who neglect it, the
wrath of God is upon them, and it abides upon them; they cannot
disengage themselves, they cannot emerge, they cannot get from under
the curse. [3.] That there is a yet more aggravated curse and
condemnation waiting for all those who despise the grace of God in
Christ, and that this most heavy curse they cannot escape; they cannot
conceal their persons at the great day, nor deny the fact, nor bribe
the judge, nor break the prison. There is no door of mercy left open
for them; there will be no more sacrifice for sin; they are
irrecoverably lost. The unavoidableness of the misery of such is here
expressed by way of question: How shall we escape? It is an appeal to
universal reason, to the consciences of sinners themselves; it is a
challenge to all their power and policy, to all their interest and
alliances, whether they, or any for them, can find out, or can force
out, a way of escape from the vindictive justice and wrath of God. It
intimates that the neglecters of this great salvation will be left not
only without power, but without plea and excuse, at the judgment-day;
if they be asked what they have to say that the sentence should not be
executed upon them, they will be speechless, and self-condemned by
their own consciences, even to a greater degree of misery than those
fell under who neglected the authority of the law, or sinned without
the law.
3. Another argument to enforce the exhortation is taken from the
dignity and excellency of the person by whom the gospel began to be
spoken (v. 3): It began at first to be spoken by the Lord, that is, the
Lord Jesus Christ, who is Jehovah, the Lord of Life and glory, Lord of
all, and as such possessed of unerring and infallible wisdom, infinite
and inexhaustible goodness, unquestionable and unchangeable veracity
and faithfulness, absolute sovereignty and authority, and irresistible
power. This great Lord of all was the first who began to speak it
plainly and clearly, without types and shadows as it was before he
came. Now surely it may be expected that all will reverence this Lord,
and take heed to a gospel that began to be spoken by one who spoke so
as never man spoke.
4. Another argument is taken from the character of those who were
witnesses to Christ and the gospel (v. 3, 4): It was confirmed to us by
those that heard him, God also bearing them witness. Observe, (1.) The
promulgation of the gospel was continued and confirmed by those who
heard Christ, by the evangelists and apostles, who were eye and
ear-witnesses of what Jesus Christ began both to do and to teach, Acts
i. 1. These witnesses could have no worldly end or interest of their
own to serve hereby. Nothing could induce them to give in their
evidence but the Redeemer's glory, and their own and others' salvation;
they exposed themselves by their testimony to the loss of all that was
dear to them in this life, and many of them sealed it with their blood.
(2.) God himself bore witness to those who were witnesses for Christ;
he testified that they were authorized and sent by him to preach Christ
and salvation by him to the world. And how did he bear them witness?
Not only by giving them great peace in their own minds, great patience
under all their sufferings, and unspeakable courage and joy (though
these were witnesses to themselves), but he bore them witness by signs,
and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,
according to his will. [1.] With signs, signs of his gracious presence
with them, and of his power working by them. [2.] Wonders, works quite
beyond the power of nature, and out of the course of nature, filling
the spectators with wonder and admiration, stirring them up to attend
to the doctrine preached, and to enquire into it. [3.] Divers miracles,
or mighty works, in which an almighty agency appeared beyond all
reasonable controversy. [4.] Gifts of the Holy Ghost, qualifying,
enabling, and exciting them to do the work to which they were
called--divisions or distributions of the Holy Ghost, diversities of
gifts, 1 Cor. xii. 4, &c. And all this according to God's own will. It
was the will of God that we should have sure footing for our faith, and
a strong foundation for our hope in receiving the gospel. As at the
giving forth of the law there were signs and wonders, by which God
testified the authority and excellency of it, so he witnessed to the
gospel by more and greater miracles, as to a more excellent and abiding
dispensation.
Design of Christ's Sufferings. (a. d. 62.)
5 For unto the angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come,
whereof we speak. 6 But one in a certain place testified, saying,
What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man, that thou
visitest him? 7 Thou madest him a little lower than the angels; thou
crownedst him with glory and honour, and didst set him over the works
of thy hands: 8 Thou hast put all things in subjection under his
feet. For in that he put all in subjection under him, he left nothing
that is not put under him. But now we see not yet all things put under
him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels
for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by
the grace of God should taste death for every man.
The apostle, having made this serious application of the doctrine of
the personal excellency of Christ above the angels, now returns to that
pleasant subject again, and pursues it further (v. 5): For to the
angels hath he not put in subjection the world to come, whereof we
speak.
I. Here the apostle lays down a negative proposition, including a
positive one--That the state of the gospel-church, which is here called
the world to come, is not subjected to the angels, but under the
special care and direction of the Redeemer himself. Neither the state
in which the church is at present, nor that more completely restored
state at which it shall arrive when the prince of this world is cast
out and the kingdoms of the earth shall become the kingdom of Christ,
is left to the government of the angels; but Jesus Christ will take to
him his great power, and will reign. He does not make that use of the
ministration of angels to give the gospel as he did to give the law,
which was the state of the old or antiquated world. This new world is
committed to Christ, and put in absolute subjection to him only, in all
spiritual and eternal concerns. Christ has the administration of the
gospel church, which at once bespeaks Christ's honour and the church's
happiness and safety. It is certain that neither the first creation of
the gospel church, nor its after-edification or administration, nor its
final judgment and perfection, is committed to the angels, but to
Christ. God would not put so great a trust in his holy ones; his angels
were too weak for such a charge.
II. We have a scripture--account of that blessed Jesus to whom the
gospel world is put into subjection. It is taken from Ps. viii. 4-6,
But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou
art mindful of him? or the Son of man, that thou visitest him? &c.
There words are to be considered both as applicable to mankind in
general, and as applied here to the Lord Jesus Christ.
1. As applicable to mankind in general, in which sense we have an
affectionate thankful expostulation with the great God concerning his
wonderful condescension and kindness to the sons of men. (1.) In
remembering them, or being mindful of them, when yet they had no being
but in the counsels of divine love. The favours of God to men all
spring up out of his eternal thoughts and purposes of mercy for them;
as all our dutiful regards to God spring forth from our remembrance of
him. God is always mindful of us, let us never be forgetful of him.
(2.) In visiting them. God's purpose of favours for men is productive
of gracious visits to them; he comes to see us, how it is with us, what
we ail, what we want, what dangers we are exposed to, what difficulties
we have to encounter; and by his visitation our spirit is preserved.
Let us so remember God as daily to approach him in a way of duty. (3.)
In making man the head of all the creatures in this lower world, the
top-stone of this building, the chief of the ways of God on earth, and
only a little lower than the angels in place, and respect to the body,
while here, and to be made like the angels, and equal to the angels, at
the resurrection of the just, Luke xx. 36. (4.) In crowning him with
glory and honour, the honour of having noble powers and faculties of
soul, excellent organs and parts of body, whereby he is allied to both
worlds, capable of serving the interests of both worlds, and of
enjoying the happiness of both. (5.) In giving him right to and
dominion over the inferior creatures, which did continue so long as he
continued in his allegiance and duty to God.
2. As applied to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the whole that is here said
can be applied only to him, v. 8, 9. And here you may observe, (1.)
What is the moving cause of all the kindness God shows to men in giving
Christ for them and to them; and that is the grace of God. For what is
man? (2.) What are the fruits of this free grace of God with respect to
the gift of Christ for us and to us, as related in this
scripture-testimony. [1.] That God was mindful of Christ for us in the
covenant of redemption. [2.] That God visited Christ on our account;
and it was concluded between them that in the fulness of time Christ
should come into the world, as the great archetypal sacrifice. [3.]
That God had made him a little lower than the angels, in his being made
man, that he might suffer and humble himself to death. [4.] That God
crowned the human nature of Christ with glory and honour, in his being
perfectly holy, and having the Spirit without measure, and by an
ineffable union with the divine nature in the second person of the
Trinity, the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily; that by his
sufferings he might make satisfaction, tasting death for every man,
sensibly feeling and undergoing the bitter agonies of that shameful,
painful, and cursed death of the cross, hereby putting all mankind into
a new state of trial. [5.] That, as a reward of his humiliation in
suffering death, he was crowned with glory and honour, advanced to the
highest dignity in heaven, and having absolute dominion over all
things, thus accomplishing that ancient scripture in Christ, which
never was so accomplished or fulfilled in any mere man that ever was
upon earth.
Design of Christ's Sufferings. (a. d. 62.)
10 For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all
things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their
salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both he that sanctifieth
and they who are sanctified are all of one: for which cause he is not
ashamed to call them brethren, 12 Saying, I will declare thy name
unto my brethren, in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto
thee. 13 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I
and the children which God hath given me.
Having mentioned the death of Christ, the apostle here proceeds to
prevent and remove the scandal of the cross; and this he does by
showing both how it became God that Christ should suffer and how much
man should be benefited by those sufferings.
I. How it became God that Christ should suffer: For it became him for
whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons
to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through
sufferings, v. 10. Here,
1. God is described as the final end and first cause of all things, and
as such it became him to secure his own glory in all that he did, not
only to act so that he might in nothing dishonour himself, but so that
he might from every thing have a revenue of glory.
2. He is declared to have acted up to this glorious character in the
work of redemption, as to the choice both of the end and of the means.
(1.) In the choice of the end; and that was to bring many sons to glory
in enjoying the glorious privileges of the gospel, and to future glory
in heaven, which will be glory indeed, an exceeding eternal weight of
glory. Here observe, [1.] We must be the sons of God both by adoption
and regeneration, before we can be brought to the glory of heaven.
Heaven is the inheritance; and only those that are the children are
heirs of that inheritance. [2.] All true believers are the children of
God: to those that receive Christ he has granted the power and
privilege of being the children of God, even to as many as believe on
his name, John i. 12. [3.] Though the sons of God are but a few in one
place and at one time, yet when they shall be all brought together it
will appear that they are many. Christ is the first-born among many
brethren. [4.] All the sons of God, now many soever they are, or
however dispersed and divided, shall at length be brought together to
glory.
(2.) In the choice of the means. [1.] In finding out such a person as
should be the captain of our salvation; those that are saved must come
to that salvation under the guidance of a captain and leader sufficient
for that purpose; and they must be all enlisted under the banner of
this captain; they must endure hardship as good soldiers of Christ;
they must follow their captain, and those that do so shall be brought
safely off, and shall inherit great glory and honour. [2.] In making
this captain of our salvation perfect through sufferings. God the
Father made the Lord Jesus Christ the captain of our salvation (that
is, he consecrated, he appointed him to that office, he gave him a
commission for it), and he made him a perfect captain: he had
perfection of wisdom, and courage, and strength, by the Spirit of the
Lord, which he had without measure; he was made perfect through
sufferings; that is, he perfected the work of our redemption by
shedding his blood, and was thereby perfectly qualified to be a
Mediator between God and man. He found his way to the crown by the
cross, and so must his people too. The excellent Dr. Owen observes that
the Lord Jesus Christ, being consecrated and perfected through
suffering, has consecrated the way of suffering for all his followers
to pass through unto glory; and hereby their sufferings are made
necessary and unavoidable, they are hereby made honourable, useful, and
profitable.
II. He shows how much they would be benefited by the cross and
sufferings of Christ; as there was nothing unbecoming God and Christ,
so there was that which would be very beneficial to men, in these
sufferings. Hereby they are brought into a near union with Christ, and
into a very endearing relation.
1. Into a near union (v. 11): Both he that sanctifieth and those that
are sanctified are all of one. Observe, Christ is he that sanctifieth;
he has purchased and sent the sanctifying Spirit; he is the head of all
sanctifying influences. The Spirit sanctifieth as the Spirit of Christ.
True believers are those who are sanctified, endowed with holy
principles and powers, separated and set apart from mean and vile uses
to high and holy uses and purposes; for so they must be before they can
be brought to glory. Now Christ, who is the agent in this work of
sanctification, and Christians, who are the recipient subjects, are all
of one. How? Why, (1.) They are all of one heavenly Father, and that is
God. God is the Father of Christ by eternal generation and by
miraculous conception, of Christians by adoption and regeneration. (2.)
They are of one earthly father, Adam. Christ and believers have the
same human nature. (3.) Of one spirit, one holy and heavenly
disposition; the same mind is in them that was in Christ, though not in
the same measure; the same Spirit informs and actuates the head and all
the members.
2. Into an endearing relation. This results from the union. And here
first he declares what this relation is, and then he quotes three texts
out of the Old Testament to illustrate and prove it.
(1.) He declares what this relation is: he and believers being all of
one, he therefore is not ashamed to call them brethren. Observe, [1.]
Christ and believers are brethren; not only bone of his bone and flesh
of his flesh, but spirit of his spirit-brethren by the whole blood, in
what is heavenly as well as in what is earthly. [2.] Christ is not
ashamed to own this relation; he is not ashamed to call them brethren,
which is wonderful goodness and condescension in him, considering their
meanness by nature and vileness by sin; but he will never be ashamed of
any who are not ashamed of him, and who take care not to be a shame and
reproach to him and to themselves.
(2.) He illustrates this from three texts of scripture.
[1.] The first is out of Ps. xxii. 22, I will declare thy name unto my
brethren; in the midst of the church will I sing praise unto thee. This
psalm was an eminent prophecy of Christ; it begins with his words on
the cross, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Now here it is
foretold, First, That Christ should have a church or congregation in
the world, a company of volunteers, freely willing to follow him.
Secondly, That these should not only be brethren to one another, but to
Christ himself. Thirdly, That he would declare his Father's name to
them, that is, his nature and attributes, his mind and will: this he
did in his own person, while he dwelt among us, and by his Spirit
poured out upon his disciples, enabling them to spread the knowledge of
God in the world from one generation to another, to the end of the
world. Fourthly, That Christ would sing praise to his Father in the
church. The glory of the Father was what Christ had in his eye; his
heart was set upon it, he laid out himself for it, and he would have
his people to join with him in it.
[2.] The second scripture is quoted from Ps. xviii. 2, And again, I
will put my trust in him. That psalm sets forth the troubles that
David, as a type of Christ, met with, and how he in all his troubles
put his trust in God. Now this shows that besides his divine nature,
which needed no supports, he was to take another nature upon him, that
would want those supports which none but God could give. He suffered
and trusted as our head and president. Owen in locum. His brethren must
suffer and trust too.
[3.] The third scripture is taken from Isa. viii. 18, Behold, I and the
children which God hath given me. This proves Christ really and truly
man, for parents and children are of the same nature. Christ's children
were given him of the Father, in the counsel of his eternal love, and
that covenant of peace which was between them. And they are given to
Christ at their conversion. When they take hold of his covenant, then
Christ receives them, rules over them, rejoices in them, perfects all
their affairs, takes them up to heaven, and there presents them to his
Father, Behold, I and the children which thou hast given me.
Christ's Incarnation. (a. d. 62.)
14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he
also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he
might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15
And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime
subject to bondage. 16 For verily he took not on him the nature of
angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17 Wherefore in all
things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might
be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to
make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that he
himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that
are tempted.
Here the apostle proceeds to assert the incarnation of Christ, as
taking upon him not the nature of angels, but the seed of Abraham; and
he shows the reason and design of his so doing.
I. The incarnation of Christ is asserted (v. 16): Verily he took not
upon him the nature of angels, but he took upon him the seed of
Abraham. He took part of flesh and blood. Though as God he pre-existed
from all eternity, yet in the fulness of time he took our nature into
union with his divine nature, and became really and truly man. He did
not lay hold of angels, but he laid hold of the seed of Abraham. The
angels fell, and he let them go, and lie under the desert, defilement,
and dominion of their sin, without hope or help. Christ never designed
to be the Saviour of the fallen angels; as their tree fell, so it lies,
and must lie to eternity, and therefore he did not assume their nature.
The nature of angels could not be an atoning sacrifice for the sin of
man. Now Christ resolving to recover the seed of Abraham and raise them
up from their fallen state, he took upon him the human nature from one
descended from the loins of Abraham, that the same nature that had
sinned might suffer, to restore human nature to a state of hope and
trial, and all that accepted of mercy to a state of special favour and
salvation. Now there is hope and help for the chief of sinners in and
through Christ. Here is a price paid sufficient for all, and suitable
to all, for it was in our nature. Let us all then know the day of our
gracious visitation, and improve that distinguishing mercy which has
been shown to fallen men, not to the fallen angels.
II. The reasons and designs of the incarnation of Christ are declared.
1. Because the children were partakers of flesh and blood, he must take
part of the same, and he made like his brethren, v. 14, 15. For no
higher nor lower nature than man's that had sinned could so suffer for
the sin of man as to satisfy the justice of God, and raise man up to a
state of hope, and make believers the children of God, and so brethren
to Christ.
2. He became man that he might die; as God he could not die, and
therefore he assumed another nature and state. Here the wonderful love
of God appeared, that, when Christ knew what he must suffer in our
nature, and how he must die in it, yet he so readily took it upon him.
The legal sacrifices and offerings God could not accept as
propitiation. A body was prepared for Christ, and he said, Lo! I come,
I delight to do thy will.
3. That through death he might destroy him that had the power of death,
that is, the devil, v. 14. The devil was the first sinner, and the
first tempter to sin, and sin was the procuring cause of death; and he
may be said to have the power of death, as he draws men into sin, the
ways whereof are death, as he is often permitted to terrify the
consciences of men with the fear of death, and as he is the executioner
of divine justice, haling their souls from their bodies to the tribunal
of God, there to receive their doom, and then being their tormentor, as
he was before their tempter. In these respects he may be said to have
had the power of death. But now Christ has so far destroyed him who had
the power of death that he can keep none under the power of spiritual
death; nor can he draw any into sin (the procuring cause of death), nor
require the soul of any from the body, nor execute the sentence upon
any but those who choose and continue to be his willing slaves, and
persist in their enmity to God.
4. That he might deliver his own people from the slavish fear of death
to which they are often subject. This may refer to the Old-Testament
saints, who were more under a spirit of bondage, because life and
immortality were not so fully brought to light as now they are by the
gospel. Or it may refer to all the people of God, whether under the Old
Testament or the New, whose minds are often in perplexing fears about
death and eternity. Christ became man, and died, to deliver them from
those perplexities of soul, by letting them know that death is not only
a conquered enemy, but a reconciled friend, not sent to hurt the soul,
or separate it from the love of God, but to put an end to all their
grievances and complaints, and to give them a passage to eternal life
and blessedness; so that to them death is not now in the hand of Satan,
but in the hand of Christ--not Satan's servant, but Christ's
servant--has not hell following it, but heaven to all who are in
Christ.
5. Christ must be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a
merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to the justice
and honour of God and to the support and comfort of his people. He must
be faithful to God and merciful to men. (1.) In things pertaining to
God, to his justice, and to his honour--to make reconciliation for the
sins of the people, to make all the attributes of divine nature, and
all the persons subsisting therein, harmonize in man's recovery, and
fully to reconcile God and man. Observe, There was a great breach and
quarrel between God and man, by reason of sin; but Christ, by becoming
man and dying, has taken up the quarrel, and made reconciliation so far
that God is ready to receive all into favour and friendship who come to
him through Christ. (2.) In things pertaining to his people, to their
support and comfort: In that he suffered, being tempted, he is able to
succour those that are tempted, v. 18. Here observe, [1.] Christ's
passion: He suffered being tempted; and his temptations were not the
least part of his sufferings. He was in all things tempted as we are,
yet without sin, ch. iv. 15. [2.] Christ's compassion: He is able to
succour those that are tempted. He is touched with a feeling of our
infirmities, a sympathizing physician, tender and skilful; he knows how
to deal with tempted sorrowful souls, because he has been himself sick
of the same disease, not of sin, but of temptation and trouble of soul.
The remembrance of his own sorrows and temptations makes him mindful of
the trials of his people, and ready to help them. Here observe, First,
The best of Christians are subject to temptations, to many temptations,
while in this world; let us never count upon an absolute freedom from
temptations in this world. Secondly, Temptations bring our souls into
such distress and danger that they need support and succour. Thirdly,
Christ is ready and willing to succour those who under their
temptations apply to him; and he became man, and was tempted, that he
might be every way qualified to succour his people.
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H E B R E W S.
CHAP. III.
In this chapter the apostle applies what he had said in the chapter
foregoing concerning the priesthood of Christ, I. In a serious pathetic
exhortation that this great high priest, who was discovered to them,
might be seriously considered by them, ver. 1-6. II. He then adds many
weighty counsels and cautions, ver. 7, to the end.
Attention Due to Christ. (a. d. 62.)
1 Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider
the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus; 2 Who
was faithful to him that appointed him, as also Moses was faithful in
all his house. 3 For this man was counted worthy of more glory than
Moses, inasmuch as he who hath builded the house hath more honour than
the house. 4 For every house is builded by some man; but he that
built all things is God. 5 And Moses verily was faithful in all his
house, as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be
spoken after; 6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house
are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope
firm unto the end.
In these verses we have the application of the doctrine laid down in
the close of the last chapter concerning the priesthood of our Lord
Jesus Christ. And observe,
I. In how fervent and affectionate a manner the apostle exhorts
Christians to have this high priest much in their thoughts, and to make
him the object of their close and serious consideration; and surely no
one in earth or heaven deserves our consideration more than he. That
this exhortation might be made the more effectual, observe,
1. The honourable compellation used towards those to whom he wrote:
Holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling. (1.) Brethren, not
only my brethren, but the brethren of Christ, and in him brethren to
all the saints. All the people of God are brethren, and should love and
live like brethren. (2.) Holy brethren; holy not only in profession and
title, but in principle and practice, in heart and life. This has been
turned by some into scorn: "These," say they, "are the holy brethren;"
but it is dangerous jesting with such edge-tools; be not mockers, lest
your bands be made strong. Let those that are thus despised and scorned
labour to be holy brethren indeed, and approve themselves so to God;
and they need not be ashamed of the title nor dread the scoffs of the
profane. The day is coming when those that make this a term of reproach
would count it their greatest honour and happiness to be taken into
this sacred brotherhood. (3.) Partakers of the heavenly
calling--partakers of the means of grace, and of the Spirit of grace,
that came from heaven, and by which Christians are effectually called
out of darkness into marvelous light, that calling which brings down
heaven into the souls of men, raises them up to a heavenly temper and
conversation, and prepares them to live for ever with God in heaven.
2. The titles he gives to Christ, whom he would have them consider,
(1.) As the apostle of our profession, the prime-minister of the gospel
church, a messenger and a principal messenger sent of God to men, upon
the most important errand, the great revealer of that faith which we
profess to hold and of that hope which we profess to have. (2.) Not
only the apostle, but the high priest too, of our profession, the chief
officer of the Old Testament as well as the New, the head of the church
in every state, and under each dispensation, upon whose satisfaction
and intercession we profess to depend for pardon of sin, and acceptance
with God. (3.) As Christ, the Messiah, anointed and every way qualified
for the office both of apostle and high priest. (4.) As Jesus, our
Saviour, our healer, the great physician of souls, typified by the
brazen serpent that Moses lifted up in the wilderness, that those who
were stung by the fiery serpents might look to him, and be saved.
II. We have the duty we owe to him who bears all these high and
honourable titles, and that is to consider him as thus characterized.
Consider what he is in himself, what he is to us, and what he will be
to us hereafter and for ever; consider him, fix your thoughts upon him
with the greatest attention, and act towards him accordingly; look unto
Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. Here observe, 1. Many
that profess faith in Christ have not a due consideration for him; he
is not so much thought of as he deserves to be, and desires to be, by
those that expect salvation from him. 2. Close and serious
consideration of Christ would be of great advantage to us to increase
our acquaintance with him, and to engage our love and our obedience to
him, and reliance on him. 3. Even those that are holy brethren, and
partakers of the heavenly calling, have need to stir up one another to
think more of Christ than they do, to have him more in their minds; the
best of his people think too seldom and too slightly of him. 4. We must
consider Christ as he is described to us in the scriptures, and form
our apprehensions of him thence, not from any vain conceptions and
fancies of our own.
III. We have several arguments drawn up to enforce this duty of
considering Christ the apostle and high priest of our profession.
1. The first is taken from his fidelity, v. 2. He was faithful to him
that appointed him, as Moses was in all his house. (1.) Christ is an
appointed Mediator; God the Father has sent and sealed him to that
office, and therefore his mediation is acceptable to the Father. (2.)
He is faithful to that appointment, punctually observing all the rules
and orders of his mediation, and fully executing the trust reposed in
him by his Father and by his people. (3.) That he is as faithful to him
that appointed him as Moses was in all his house. Moses was faithful in
the discharge of his office to the Jewish church in the Old Testament,
and so is Christ under the New; this was a proper argument to urge upon
the Jews, who had so high an opinion of the faithfulness of Moses, and
yet his faithfulness was but typical of Christ's.
2. Another argument is taken from the superior glory and excellence of
Christ above Moses (v. 3-6); therefore they were more obliged to
consider Christ. (1.) Christ was a maker of the house, Moses but a
member in it. By the house we are to understand the church of God, the
people of God incorporated together under Christ their maker and head,
and under subordinate officers, according to his law, observing his
institutions. Christ is the maker of this house of the church in all
ages: Moses was a minister in the house, he was instrumental under
Christ in governing and edifying the house, but Christ is the maker of
all things; for he is God, and no one less than God could build the
church, either lay the foundation or carry on the superstructure. No
less power was requisite to make the church than to make the world; the
world was made out of nothing, the church made out of materials
altogether unfit for such a building. Christ, who is God, drew the
ground-plan of the church, provided the materials, and by almighty
power disposed them to receive the form; he has compacted and united
this his house, has settled the orders of it, and crowned all with his
own presence, which is the true glory of this house of God. (2.) Christ
was the master of this house, as well as the maker, v. 5, 6. This house
is styled his house, as the Son of God. Moses was only a faithful
servant, for a testimony of those things that were afterwards to be
revealed. Christ, as the eternal Son of God, is the rightful owner and
sovereign ruler of the church. Moses was only a typical governor, for a
testimony of all those things relating to the church which would be
more clearly, completely, and comfortably revealed in the gospel by the
Spirit of Christ; and therefore Christ is worthy of more glory than
Moses, and of greater regard and consideration. This argument the
apostle concludes, [1.] With a comfortable accommodation of it to
himself and all true believers (v. 6). Whose house we are: each of us
personally, as we are the temples of the Holy Ghost, and Christ dwells
in us by faith; all of us jointly, as we are united by the bonds of
graces, truths, ordinances, gospel discipline, and devotions. [2.] With
a characteristic description of those persons who constitute this
house: "If we hold fast the confidence, and the rejoicing of the hope,
firmly to the end; that is, if we maintain a bold and open profession
of the truths of the gospel, upon which our hopes of grace and glory
are built, and live upon and up to those hopes, so as to have a holy
rejoicing in them, which shall abide firm to the end, notwithstanding
all that we may meet with in so doing." So that you see there must not
only be a setting out well in the ways of Christ, but a stedfastness
and perseverance therein unto the end. We have here a direction what
those must do who would partake of the dignity and privileges of the
household of Christ. First, They must take the truths of the gospel
into their heads and hearts. Secondly, They must build their hopes of
happiness upon those truths. Thirdly, They must make an open profession
of those truths. Fourthly, They must live so up to them as to keep
their evidences clear, that they may rejoice in hope, and then they
must in all persevere to the end. In a word, they must walk closely,
consistently, courageously, and constantly, in the faith and practice
of the gospel, that their Master, when he comes, may own and approve
them.
Cautions against Apostasy. (a. d. 62.)
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of
temptation in the wilderness: 9 When your fathers tempted me, proved
me, and saw my works forty years. 10 Wherefore I was grieved with
that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they
have not known my ways. 11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not
enter into my rest.) 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of
you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13
But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of
you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we are made
partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence
stedfast unto the end; 15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear
his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. 16 For
some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out
of Egypt by Moses. 17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was
it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the
wilderness? 18 And to whom sware he that they should not enter into
his rest, but to them that believed not? 19 So we see that they could
not enter in because of unbelief.
Here the apostle proceeds in pressing upon them serious counsels and
cautions to the close of the chapter; and he recites a passage out of
Ps. xc. 7, &c., where observe,
I. What he counsels them to do--to give a speedy and present attention
to the call of Christ. "Hear his voice, assent to, approve of, and
consider, what God in Christ speaks unto you; apply it to yourselves
with suitable affections and endeavours, and set about it this very
day, for to-morrow it may be too late."
II. What he cautions them against--hardening their hearts, turning the
deaf ear to the calls and counsels of Christ: "When he tells you of the
evil of sin, the excellency of holiness, the necessity of receiving him
by faith as your Saviour, do not shut your ear and heart against such a
voice as this." Observe, The hardening of our hearts is the spring of
all our other sins.
III. Whose example he warns them by--that of the Israelites their
fathers in the wilderness: As in the provocation and day of temptation;
this refers to that remarkable passage at Massah Meribah, Exod. xvii.
2-7. Observe,
1. Days of temptation are often days of provocation.
2. To provoke God, when he is trying us, and letting us see that we
entirely depend and live immediately upon him, is a provocation with a
witness.
3. The sins of others, especially our relations, should be a warning to
us. Our fathers' sins and punishments should be remembered by us, to
deter us from following their evil examples. Now as to the sin of the
fathers of the Jews, here reflected upon, observe,
(1.) The state in which these fathers were, when they thus sinned: they
were in the wilderness, brought out of Egypt, but not got into Canaan,
the thoughts whereof should have restrained them from sin.
(2.) The sin they were guilty of: they tempted and provoked God; they
distrusted God, murmured against Moses, and would not attend to the
voice of God.
(3.) The aggravations of their sin: they sinned in the wilderness,
where they had a more immediate dependence upon God: they sinned when
God was trying them; they sinned when they saw his works--works of
wonder wrought for their deliverance out of Egypt, and their support
and supply in the wilderness from day to day. They continued thus to
sin against God for forty years. These were heinous aggravations.
(4.) The source and spring of such aggravated sins, which were, [1.]
They erred in their hearts; and these heart-errors produced many other
errors in their lips and lives. [2.] They did not know God's ways,
though he had walked before them. They did not know his ways; neither
those ways of his providence in which he had walked towards them, nor
those ways of his precept in which they ought to have walked towards
God; they did not observe either his providences or his ordinances in a
right manner.
(5.) The just and great resentment God had at their sins, and yet the
great patience he exercised towards them (v. 10): Wherefore I was
grieved with that generation. Note, [1.] All sin, especially sin
committed by God's professing privileged people, does not only anger
and affront God, but it grieves him. [2.] God is loth to destroy his
people in or for their sin, he waits long to be gracious to them. [3.]
God keeps an exact account of the time that people go on in sinning
against him, and in grieving him by their sins; but at length, if they
by their sins continue to grieve the Spirit of God, their sins shall be
made grievous to their own spirits, either in a way of judgment or
mercy.
(6.) The irreversible doom passed upon them at last for their sins. God
swore in his wrath that they should not enter into his rest, the rest
either of an earthly or of a heavenly Canaan. Observe, [1.] Sin, long
continued in, will kindle the divine wrath, and make it flame out
against sinners. [2.] God's wrath will discover itself in its righteous
resolution to destroy the impenitent; he will swear in his wrath, not
rashly, but righteously, and his wrath will make their condition a
restless condition; there is no resting under the wrath of God.
IV. What use the apostle makes of their awful example, v. 12, 13, &c.
He gives the Hebrews a proper caution, and enforces it with an
affectionate compellation.
1. He gives the Hebrews a proper caution; the word is, Take heed,
blepete--look to it. "Look about you; be upon your guard against
enemies both within and without; be circumspect. You see what kept many
of your forefathers out of Canaan, and made their carcasses fall in the
wilderness; take heed lest you fall into the same sin and snare and
dreadful sentence. For you see Christ is head of the church, a much
greater person than Moses, and your contempt of him must be a greater
sin than their contempt of Moses; and so you are in danger of falling
under a severer sentence than they." Observe, The ruin of others should
be a warning to us to take heed of the rock they split upon. Israel's
fall should for ever be a warning to all who come after them; for all
these things happened to them for ensamples (1 Cor. x. 11), and should
be remembered by us. Take heed; all who would get safely to heaven must
look about them.
2. He enforces the admonition with an affectionate compellation:
"Brethren, not only in the flesh, but in the Lord; brethren whom I
love, and for whose welfare I labour and long." And here he enlarges
upon the matter of the admonition: Take heed, brethren, lest there be
in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living
God. Here observe, (1.) A heart of unbelief is an evil heart. Unbelief
is a great sin, it vitiates the heart of man. (2.) An evil heart of
unbelief is at the bottom of all our sinful departures from God; it is
a leading step to apostasy; if once we allow ourselves to distrust God,
we may soon desert him. (3.) Christian brethren have need to be
cautioned against apostasy. Let those that think they stand take heed
lest they fall.
3. He subjoins good counsel to the caution, and advises them to that
which would be a remedy against this evil heart of unbelief--that they
should exhort one another daily, while it is called to-day, v. 13.
Observe, (1.) We should be doing all the good we can to one another
while we are together, which will be but a short and uncertain time.
(2.) Since to-morrow is none of ours, we must make the best improvement
of to-day. (3.) If Christians do not exhort one another daily, they
will be in danger of being hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Note, [1.] There is a great deal of deceitfulness in sin; it appears
fair, but is filthy; it appears pleasant, but is pernicious; it
promises much, but performs nothing. [2.] The deceitfulness of sin is
of a hardening nature to the soul; one sin allowed prepares for
another; every act of sin confirms the habit; sinning against
conscience is the way to sear the conscience; and therefore it should
be the great concern of every one to exhort himself and others to
beware of sin.
4. He comforts those who not only set out well, but hold on well, and
hold out to the end (v. 14): We are made partakers of Christ, if we
hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast to the end. Here observe,
(1.) The saints' privilege: they are made partakers of Christ, that is,
of the Spirit, nature, graces, righteousness, and life of Christ; they
are interested in all that is Christ's, in all that he is, in all that
he has done, or can do. (2.) The condition on which they hold that
privilege, namely, their perseverance in the bold and open profession
and practice of Christ and Christianity unto the end. Not but they
shall persevere, being kept by the mighty power of God through faith to
salvation, but to be pressed thus to it is one means by which Christ
helps his people to persevere. This tends to make them watchful and
diligent, and so keeps them from apostasy. Here observe, [1.] The same
spirit with which Christians set out in the ways of God they should
maintain and evidence to the end. Those who begin seriously, and with
lively affections and holy resolutions and humble reliance, should go
on in the same spirit. But, [2.] There are a great many who in the
beginning of their profession show a great deal of courage and
confidence, but do not hold them fast to the end. [3.] Perseverance in
faith is the best evidence of the sincerity of our faith.
5. The apostle resumes what he had quoted before from Ps. xc. 7, &c.,
and he applies it closely to those of that generation, v. 15, 16, &c.
While it is said, To-day if you will hear, &c.; as if he should say,
"What was recited before from that scripture belonged not only to
former ages, but to you now, and to all who shall come after you; that
you take heed you fall not into the same sins, lest you fall under the
same condemnation." The apostle tells them that though some who had
heard the voice of God did provoke him, yet all did not so. Observe,
(1.) Though the majority of hearers provoked God by unbelief, yet some
there were who believed the report. (2.) Though the hearing of the word
be the ordinary means of salvation, yet, if it be not hearkened to, it
will expose men more to the anger of God. (3.) God will have a remnant
that shall be obedient to his voice, and he will take care of such and
make mention of them with honour. (4.) If these should fall in a common
calamity, yet they shall partake of eternal salvation, while
disobedient hearers perish for ever.
6. The apostle puts some queries upon what had been before mentioned,
and gives proper answers to them (v. 17-19): But with whom was he
grieved forty years? With those that sinned. And to whom did he swear?
&c. Whence observe, (1.) God is grieved only with those of his people
who sin against him, and continue in sin. (2.) God is grieved and
provoked most by sins publicly committed by the generality of a nation;
when sin becomes epidemic, it is most provoking. (3.) Though God
grieves long, and bears long, when pressed with the weight of general
and prevailing wickedness, yet he will at length ease himself of public
offenders by public judgments. (4.) Unbelief (with rebellion which is
the consequent of it) is the great damning sin of the world, especially
of those who have a revelation of the mind and will of God. This sin
shuts up the heart of God, and shuts up the gate of heaven, against
them; it lays them under the wrath and curse of God, and leaves them
there; so that in truth and justice to himself he is obliged to cast
them off for ever.
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H E B R E W S.
CHAP. IV.
The apostle, having in the foregoing chapter set forth the sin and
punishment of the ancient Jews, proceeds in this, I. To declare that
our privileges by Christ under the gospel exceed the privileges of the
Jewish church under Moses, as a reason why we should make a right
improvement of them, ver. 1-4. II. He assigns the cause why the ancient
Hebrews did not profit by their religious privileges, ver. 2. Then,
III. Confirms the privileges of those who believe, and the misery of
those who continue in unbelief, ver. 3-10. IV. Concludes with proper
and powerful arguments and motives to faith and obedience.
Gospel Privileges; Cautions against Apostasy. (a. d. 62.)
1 Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into
his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. 2 For unto us
was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached
did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3 For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I
have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the
works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For he spake
in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest
the seventh day from all his works. 5 And in this place again, If
they shall enter into my rest. 6 Seeing therefore it remaineth that
some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered
not in because of unbelief: 7 Again, he limiteth a certain day,
saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if
ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. 8 For if Jesus had
given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another
day. 9 There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God. 10
For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own
works, as God did from his.
Here, I. The apostle declares that our privileges by Christ under the
gospel are not only as great, but greater than those enjoyed under the
Mosaic law. He specifies this, that we have a promise left us of
entering into his rest; that is, of entering into a covenant-relation
to Christ, and a state of communion with God through Christ, and of
growing up therein, till we are made perfect in glory. We have
discoveries of this rest, and proposals, and the best directions how we
may attain unto it. This promise of spiritual rest is a promise left us
by the Lord Jesus Christ in his last will and testament, as a precious
legacy. Our business is to see to it that we be the legatees, that we
lay our claim to that rest and freedom from the dominion of sin, Satan,
and the flesh, by which the souls of men are kept in servitude and
deprived of the true rest of the soul, and may be also set free from
the yoke of the law and all the toilsome ceremonies and services of it,
and may enjoy peace with God in his ordinances and providences, and in
our own consciences, and so have the prospect and earnest of perfect
and everlasting rest in heaven.
II. He demonstrates the truth of his assertion, that we have as great
advantages as they. For says he (v. 2), To us was the gospel preached
as well as unto them; the same gospel for substance was preached under
both Testaments, though not so clearly; not in so comfortable a manner
under the Old as under the New. The best privileges the ancient Jews
had were their gospel privileges; the sacrifices and ceremonies of the
Old Testament were the gospel of that dispensation; and, whatever was
excellent in it, was the respect it had to Christ. Now, if this was
their highest privilege, we are not inferior to them; for we have the
gospel as well as they, and in greater purity and perspicuity than they
had.
III. He again assigns the reason why so few of the ancient Jews
profited by that dispensation of the gospel which they enjoyed, and
that was their want of faith: The word preached did not profit them
because it was not mixed with faith in those that heard him, v. 2.
Observe, 1. The word is preached to us that we may profit by it, that
we may gain spiritual riches by it; it is a price put into our hands to
get wisdom, the rich endowment of the soul. 2. There have been in all
ages a great many unprofitable hearers; many who seem to deal much in
sermons, in hearing the word of God, but gain nothing to their souls
thereby; and those who are not gainers by hearing are great losers. 3.
That which is at the bottom of all our unprofitableness under the word
is our unbelief. We do not mix faith with what we hear; it is faith in
the hearer that is the life of the word. Though the preacher believes
the gospel, and endeavours to mix faith with his preaching, and to
speak as one who has believed and so spoken, yet, if the hearers have
not faith in their souls to mix with the word, they will be never the
better for it. This faith must mingle with every word, and be in act
and exercise while we are hearing; and, when we have heard the word,
assenting to the truth of it, approving of it, accepting the mercy
offered, applying the word to ourselves with suitable affections, then
we shall find great profit and gain by the word preached.
IV. On these considerations the apostle grounds his repeated and
earnest caution and counsel that those who enjoy the gospel should
maintain a holy fear and jealousy over themselves, lest latent unbelief
should rob them of the benefit of the word, and of that spiritual rest
which is discovered and tendered in the gospel: Let us fear lest, a
promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem
to come short of it, v. 1. Observe, 1. Grace and glory are attainable
by all under the gospel: there is an offer, and a promise to those who
shall accept the offer. 2. Those who may attain them may also fall
short. Those who may attain them may also fall short. Those who might
have attained salvation by faith may fall short by unbelief. 3. It is a
dreadful thing so much as to seem to fall short of the gospel
salvation, to seem so to themselves, to lose their comfortable hope;
and to seem so to others, so losing the honour of their holy
profession. But, if it be so dreadful to seem to fall short of this
rest, it is much more dreadful really to fall short. Such a
disappointment must be fatal. 4. One good means to prevent either our
real falling short or seeming to fall short is to maintain a holy and
religious fear lest we should fall short. This will make us vigilant
and diligent, sincere and serious; this fear will put us upon examining
our faith and exercising it; whereas presumption is the high road to
ruin.
V. The apostle confirms the happiness of all those who truly believe
the gospel; and this he does,
1. By asserting so positively the truth of it, from the experience of
himself and others: "We, who have believed, do enter into rest, v. 3.
We enter into a blessed union with Christ, and into a communion with
God through Christ; in this state we actually enjoy many sweet
communications of pardon of sin, peace of conscience, joy in the Holy
Ghost, increase of grace and earnests of glory, resting from the
servitude of sin, and reposing ourselves in God till we are prepared to
rest with him in heaven."
2. He illustrates and confirms it that those who believe are thus
happy, and do enter into rest. (1.) From God's finishing his work of
creation, and so entering into his rest (v. 3, 4), appointing our first
parents to rest the seventh day, to rest in God. Now as God finished
his work, and then rested from it, and acquiesced in it, so he will
cause those who believe to finish their work, and then to enjoy their
rest. (2.) From God's continuing the observance of the sabbath, after
the fall, and the revelation of a Redeemer. They were to keep the
seventh day a holy sabbath to the Lord, therein praising him who had
raised them up out of nothing by creating power, and praying to him
that he would create them anew by his Spirit of grace, and direct their
faith to the promised Redeemer and restorer of all things, by which
faith they find rest in their souls. (3.) From God's proposing Canaan
as a typical rest for the Jews who believed: and as those who did
believe, Caleb and Joshua, did actually enter into Canaan; so those who
now believe shall enter into rest. (4.) From the certainty of another
rest besides that seventh day of rest instituted and observed both
before and after the fall, and besides that typical Canaan-rest which
most of the Jews fell short of by unbelief; for the Psalmist has spoken
of another day and another rest, whence it is evident that there is a
more spiritual and excellent sabbath remaining for the people of God
than that into which Joshua led the Jews (v. 6-9), and this rest
remaining, [1.] A rest of grace, and comfort, and holiness, in the
gospel state. This is the rest wherewith the Lord Jesus, our Joshua,
causes weary souls and awakened consciences to rest, and this is the
refreshing. [2.] A rest in glory, the everlasting sabbatism of heaven,
which is the repose and perfection of nature and grace too, where the
people of God shall enjoy the end of their faith and the object of all
their desires. (5.) This is further proved from the glorious
forerunners who have actually taken possession of this rest--God and
Christ. It is certain that God, after the creating of the world in six
days, entered into his rest; and it is certain that Christ, when he had
finished the work of our redemption, entered into his rest; and these
were not only examples, but earnests, that believers shall enter into
their rest: He that hath entered into rest hath also ceased from his
own works as God did from his, v. 10. Every true believer hath ceased
from his own works of righteousness, and from the burdensome works of
the law, as God and Christ have ceased from their works of creation and
redemption.
VI. The apostle confirms the misery of those who do not believe; they
shall never enter into this spiritual rest, either of grace here or
glory hereafter. This is as certain as the word and oath of God can
make it. As sure as God has entered into his rest, so sure it is that
obstinate unbelievers shall be excluded. As sure as the unbelieving
Jews fell in the wilderness, and never reached the promised land, so
sure it is that unbelievers shall fall into destruction, and never
reach heaven. As sure as Joshua, the great captain of the Jews, could
not give them possession of Canaan because of their unbelief,
notwithstanding his eminent valour and conduct, so sure it is that even
Jesus himself, and captain of our salvation, notwithstanding all that
fulness of grace and strength that dwells in him, will not, cannot,
give to final unbelievers either spiritual or eternal rest: it remains
only for the people of God; others by their sin abandon themselves to
eternal restlessness.
Serious Exhortation; The Priesthood of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
11 Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall
after the same example of unbelief. 12 For the word of God is quick,
and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to
the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but
all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have
to do. 14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is
passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our
profession. 15 For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like
as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the
throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in
time of need.
In this latter part of the chapter the apostle concludes, first, with a
serious repeated exhortation, and then with proper and powerful
motives.
I. Here we have a serious exhortation: Let us labour therefore to enter
into that rest, v. 11. Observe, 1. The end proposed--rest spiritual and
eternal, the rest of grace here and glory hereafter--in Christ on
earth, with Christ in heaven. 2. The way to this end
prescribed--labour, diligent labour; this is the only way to rest;
those who will not work now shall not rest hereafter. After due and
diligent labour, sweet and satisfying rest shall follow; and labour now
will make that rest more pleasant when it comes. The sleep of the
labouring man is sweet, Eccl. v. 12. Let us therefore labour, let us
all agree and be unanimous in this, and let us quicken one another, and
call upon one another to this diligence. It is the truest act of
friendship, when we see our fellow-christians loiter, to call upon them
to mind their business and labour at it in earnest. "Come, Sirs, let us
all go to work; why do we sit still? Why do we loiter? Come, let us
labour; now is our working time, our rest remains." Thus should
Christians call upon themselves and one another to be diligent in duty;
and so much the more as we see the day approaching.
II. Here we have proper and powerful motives to make the advice
effectual, which are drawn,
1. From the dreadful example of those who have already perished by
unbelief: Lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief. To have
seen so many fall before us will be a great aggravation of our sin, if
we will not take warning by them: their ruin calls loudly upon us;
their lost and restless souls cry to us from their torments, that we do
not, by sinning as they did, make ourselves miserable as they are.
2. From the great help and advantage we may have from the word of God
to strengthen our faith, and excite our diligence, that we may obtain
this rest: The word of God is quick and powerful, v. 12. By the word of
God we may understand either the essential or the written word: the
essential Word, that in the beginning was with God, and was God (John
i. 1), the Lord Jesus Christ, and indeed what is said in this verse is
true concerning him; but most understand it of the written word, the
holy scriptures, which are the word of God. Now of this word it is
said, (1.) That is quick; it is very lively and active, in all its
efforts, in seizing the conscience of the sinner, in cutting him to the
heart, and in comforting him and binding up the wounds of the soul.
Those know not the word of God who call it a dead letter; it is quick,
compared to the light, and nothing quicker than the light; it is not
only quick, but quickening; it is a vital light; it is a living word,
zon. Saints die, and sinners die; but the word of God lives. All flesh
is grass, and all the glory thereof as the flower of grass. The grass
withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away, but the word of the
Lord endureth for ever, 1 Pet. i. 24, 25. Your fathers, where are they?
And the prophets, do they live for ever? But my words, which I
commanded the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? Zech.
i. 5, 6. (2.) It is powerful. When God sets it home by his Spirit, it
convinces powerfully, converts powerfully, and comforts powerfully. It
is so powerful as to pull down strong holds (2 Cor. x. 4, 5), to raise
the dead, to make the deaf to hear, the blind to see, the dumb to
speak, and the lame to walk. It is powerful to batter down Satan's
kingdom, and to set up the kingdom of Christ upon the ruins thereof.
(3.) It is sharper than any two-edged sword; it cuts both ways; it is
the sword of the Spirit, Eph. vi. 17. It is the two-edged sword that
cometh out of the mouth of Christ, Rev. i. 16. It is sharper than any
two-edged sword, for it will enter where no other sword can, and make a
more critical dissection: it pierces to the dividing asunder of the
soul and the spirit, the soul and its habitual prevailing temper; it
makes a soul that has been a long time of a proud spirit to be humble,
of a perverse spirit to be meek and obedient. Those sinful habits that
have become as it were natural to the soul, and rooted deeply in it,
and become in a manner one with it, are separated and cut off by this
sword. It cuts off ignorance from the understanding, rebellion from the
will, and enmity from the mind, which, when carnal, is enmity itself
against God. This sword divides between the joints and the marrow, the
most secret, close, and intimate parts of the body; this sword can cut
off the lusts of the flesh as well as the lusts of the mind, and make
men willing to undergo the sharpest operation for the mortifying of
sin. (4.) It is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart,
even the most secret and remote thoughts and designs. It will discover
to men the variety of their thoughts and purposes, the vileness of
them, the bad principles they are actuated by, the sinister and sinful
ends they act to. The word will turn the inside of a sinner out, and
let him see all that is in his heart. Now such a word as this must
needs be a great help to our faith and obedience.
3. From the perfections of the Lord Jesus Christ, both of his person
and office.
(1.) His person, particularly his omniscience: Neither is there any
creature that is not manifest in his sight, v. 13. This is agreeable to
what Christ speaks of himself: All the churches shall know that I am he
that searches the reins and hearts, Rev. ii. 23. None of the creatures
can be concealed from Christ; none of the creatures of God, for Christ
is the Creator of them all; and there are none of the motions and
workings of our heads and hearts (which may be called creatures of our
own) but what are open and manifest to him with whom we have to do as
the object of our worship, and the high priest of our profession. He,
by his omniscience, cuts up the sacrifice we bring to him, that it may
be presented to the Father. Now as the high priest inspected the
sacrificed beasts, cut them up to the back-bone to see whether they
were sound at heart, so all things are thus dissected, and lie open to
the piercing eye of our great high priest. An he who now tries our
sacrifices will at length, as Judge, try our state. We shall have to do
with him as one who will determine our everlasting state. Some read the
words, to whom with us there is an account or reckoning. Christ has an
exact account of us all. He has accounted for all who believe on him;
and he will account with all: our accounts are before him. This
omniscience of Christ, and the account we owe of ourselves to him,
should engage us to persevere in faith and obedience till he has
perfected all our affairs.
(2.) We have an account of the excellency and perfection of Christ, as
to his office, and this particular office of our high priest. The
apostle first instructs Christians in the knowledge of their high
priest, what kind of high priest he is, and then puts them in mind of
the duty they owe on this account.
[1.] What kind of high priest Christ is (v. 14): Seeing we have such a
high priest; that is, First, A great high priest, much greater than
Aaron, or any of the priests of his order. The high priests under the
law were accounted great and venerable person; but they were but faint
types and shadows of Christ. The greatness of our high priest is set
forth, 1. By his having passed into the heavens. The high priest under
the law, once a year, went out of the people's sight within the veil,
into the holiest of all, where were the sacred signals of the presence
of God; but Christ once for all has passed into the heavens, to take
the government of all upon him, to send the Spirit to prepare a place
for his people, and to make intercession for them. Christ executed one
part of his priesthood on earth, in dying for us; the other he executes
in heaven, by pleading the cause, and presenting the offerings, of his
people. 2. The greatness of Christ is set forth by his name, Jesus--a
physician and a Saviour, and one of a divine nature, the Son of God by
eternal generation; and therefore having divine perfection, able to
save to the uttermost all who come to God by him. Secondly, He is not
only a great, but a gracious high priest, merciful, compassionate, and
sympathizing with his people: We have not a high priest who cannot be
touched with the feeling of our infirmities, v. 15. Though he is so
great, and so far above us, yet he is very kind, and tenderly concerned
for us. He is touched with the feeling of our infirmities in such a
manner as none else can be; for he was himself tried with all the
afflictions and troubles that are incident to our nature in its fallen
state: and this not only that he might be able to satisfy for us, but
to sympathize with us. But then, Thirdly, He is a sinless high priest:
He was in all things tempted as we are, yet without sin. He was tempted
by Satan, but he came off without sin. We seldom meet with temptations
but they give us some shock. We are apt to give back, though we do not
yield; but our great high priest came off clear in his encounter with
the devil, who could neither find any sin in him nor fix any stain upon
him. He was tried severely by the Father. It pleased the Lord to bruise
him; and yet he sinned not, either in thought, word, or deed. He had
done no violence, neither was there any deceit in his mouth. He was
holy, harmless, and undefiled; and such a high priest became us. Having
thus told us what a one our high priest is, the apostle proceeds to
show us,
[2.] How we should demean ourselves towards him. First, Let us hold
fast our profession of faith in him, v. 14. Let us never deny him,
never be ashamed of him before men. Let us hold fast the enlightening
doctrines of Christianity in our heads, the enlivening principles of it
in our hearts, the open profession of it in our lips, and our practical
and universal subjection to it in our lives. Observe here, 1. We ought
to be possessed of the doctrines, principles, and practice, of the
Christian life. 2. When we are so, we may be in danger of losing our
hold, from the corruption of our hearts, the temptations of Satan, and
the allurements of this evil world. 3. The excellency of the high
priest of our profession would make our apostasy from him most heinous
and inexcusable; it would be the greatest folly and the basest
ingratitude. 4. Christians must not only set our well, but they must
hold out: those who endure to the end will be saved, and none but they.
Secondly, We should encourage ourselves, by the excellency of our high
priest, to come boldly to the throne of grace, v. 16. Here observe, 1.
There is a throne of grace set up, a way of worship instituted, in
which God may with honour meet poor sinners, and treat with them, and
they may with hope draw night to him, repenting and believing. God
might have set up a tribunal of strict and inexorable justice,
dispensing death, the wages of sin, to all who were convened before it;
but he has chosen to set up a throne of grace. A throne speaks
authority, and bespeaks awe and reverence. A throne of grace speaks
great encouragement even to the chief of sinners. There grace reigns,
and acts with sovereign freedom, power, and bounty. 2. It is our duty
and interest to be often found before this throne of grace, waiting on
the Lord in all the duties of his worship, private and public. It is
good for us to be there. 3. Our business and errand at the throne of
grace should be that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time
of need. Mercy and grace are the things we want, mercy to pardon all
our sins and grace to purify our souls. 4. Besides the daily dependence
we have upon God for present supplies, there are some seasons in which
we shall most sensibly need the mercy and grace of God, and we should
lay up prayers against such seasons--times of temptation, either by
adversity or prosperity, and especially a dying time: we should every
day put up a petition for mercy in our last day. The Lord grant unto us
that we may find mercy of the Lord at that day, 2 Tim. i. 18. 5. In all
our approaches to this throne of grace for mercy, we should come with a
humble freedom and boldness, with a liberty of spirit and a liberty of
speech; we should ask in faith, nothing doubting; we should come with a
Spirit of adoption, as children to a reconciled God and Father. We are
indeed to come with reverence and godly fear, but not with terror and
amazement; not as if we were dragged before the tribunal of justice,
but kindly invited to the mercy-seat, where grace reigns, and loves to
exert and exalt itself towards us. 6. The office of Christ, as being
our high priest, and such a high priest, should be the ground of our
confidence in all our approaches to the throne of grace. Had we not a
Mediator, we could have no boldness in coming to God; for we are guilty
and polluted creatures. All we do is polluted; we cannot go into the
presence of God alone; we must either go in the hand of a Mediator or
our hearts and our hopes will fail us. We have boldness to enter into
the holiest by the blood of Jesus. He is our Advocate, and, while he
pleads for his people, he pleads with the price in his hand, by which
he purchased all that our souls want or can desire.
__________________________________________________________________
H E B R E W S.
CHAP. V.
In this chapter the apostle continues his discourse upon the priesthood
of Christ, a sweet subject, which he would not too soon dismiss. And
here, I. He explains the nature of the priestly office in general, ver.
1-3. II. The proper and regular call there must be to this office, ver.
4-6. III. The requisite qualifications for the work, ver. 7-9. IV. The
peculiar order of the priesthood of Christ; it was not after the order
of Aaron, but of Melchisedec, ver. 6, 7, 10. V. He reproves the
Hebrews, that they had not made those improvements in knowledge which
might have made them capable of looking into the more abstruse and
mysterious parts of scripture, ver. 11-14.
The Priesthood of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
1 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in
things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices
for sins: 2 Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that
are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with
infirmity. 3 And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so
also for himself, to offer for sins. 4 And no man taketh this honour
unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 5 So also
Christ glorified not himself to be made a high priest; but he that said
unto him, Thou art my Son, to day have I begotten thee. 6 As he saith
also in another place, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec. 7 Who in the days of his flesh, when he had offered up
prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him that
was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; 8
Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he
suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal
salvation unto all them that obey him;
We have here an account of the nature of the priestly office in
general, though with an accommodation to the Lord Jesus Christ. We are
told,
I. Of what kind of beings the high priest must be. He must be taken
from among men; he must be a man, one of ourselves, bone of our bones,
flesh of our flesh, and spirit of our spirits, a partaker of our
nature, and a standard-bearer among ten thousand. This implies, 1. That
man had sinned. 2. That God would not admit sinful man to come to him
immediately and alone, without a high priest, who must be taken from
among men. 3. That God was pleased to take one from among men, by whom
they might approach God in hope, and he might receive them with honour.
4. That every one shall now be welcome to God that comes to him by this
his priest.
II. For whom every high priest is ordained: For men in things
pertaining to God, for the glory of God and the good of men, that he
might come between God and man. So Christ did; and therefore let us
never attempt to go to God but through Christ, nor expect any favour
from God but through Christ.
III. For what purpose every high priest was ordained: That he might
offer both gifts and sacrifices for sin.
1. That he might offer gifts or free-will offerings, brought to the
high priest, so offered for the glory of God, and as an acknowledgment
that our all is of him and from him; we have nothing but what he is
pleased to give us, and of his own we offer to him an oblation of
acknowledgment. This intimates, (1.) That all we bring to God must be
free and not forced; it must be a gift; it must be given and not taken
away again. (2.) That all we bring to God must go through the high
priest's hands, as the great agent between God and man.
2. That he might offer sacrifices for sin; that is, the offerings that
were appointed to make atonement, that sin might be pardoned and
sinners accepted. Thus Christ is constituted a high priest for both
these ends. Our good deeds must be presented by Christ, to render
ourselves and them acceptable; and our evil deeds must be expiated by
the sacrifice of himself, that they may not condemn and destroy us. And
now, as we value acceptance with God and pardon, we must apply
ourselves by faith to this our great high priest.
IV. How this high priest must be qualified, v. 2.
1. He must be one that can have compassion on two sorts of
persons:--(1.) On the ignorant, or those that are guilty of sins of
ignorance. He must be one who can find in his heart to pity them, and
intercede with God for them, one that is willing to instruct those that
are dull of understanding. (2.) On those that are out of the way, out
of the way of truth, duty, and happiness; and he must be one who has
tenderness enough to lead them back from the by-paths of error, sin,
and misery, into the right way: this will require great patience and
compassion, even the compassion of a God.
2. He must also be compassed with infirmity; and so be able from
himself feelingly to consider our frame, and to sympathize with us.
Thus Christ was qualified. He took upon him our sinless infirmities;
and this gives us great encouragement to apply ourselves to him under
every affliction; for in all the afflictions of his people he is
afflicted.
V. How the high priest was to be called of God. He must have both an
internal and external call to his office: For no man taketh this honour
to himself (v. 4), that is, no man ought to do it, no man can do it
legally; if any does it, he must be reckoned a usurper, and treated
accordingly. Here observe, 1. The office of the priesthood was a very
great honour. To be employed to stand between God and man, one while
representing God and his will to men, at another time representing man
and his case to God, and dealing between them about matters of the
highest importance--entrusted on both sides with the honour of God and
the happiness of man--must render the office very honourable. 2. The
priesthood is an office and honour that no man ought to take to
himself; if he does, he can expect no success in it, nor any reward for
it, only from himself. He is an intruder who is not called of God, as
was Aaron. Observe, (1.) God is the fountain of all honour, especially
true spiritual honour. He is the fountain of true authority, whether he
calls any to the priesthood in an extraordinary way, as he did Aaron,
or in an ordinary way, as he called his successors. (2.) Those only can
expect assistance from God, and acceptance with him, and his presence
and blessing on them and their administrations, that are called of God;
others may expect a blast instead of a blessing.
VI. How this is brought home and applied to Christ: So Christ glorified
not himself, v. 5. Observe here, Though Christ reckoned it his glory to
be made a high priest, yet he would not assume that glory to himself.
He could truly say, I seek not my own glory, John viii. 50. Considered
as God, he was not capable of any additional glory, but as man and
Mediator he did not run without being sent; and, if he did not, surely
others should be afraid to do it.
VII. The apostle prefers Christ before Aaron, both in the manner of his
call and in the holiness of his person. 1. In the manner of his call,
in which God said unto him, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten
thee (quoted from Ps. ii. 7), referring to his eternal generation as
God, his wonderful conception as man, and his perfect qualification as
Mediator. Thus God solemnly declared his dear affection to Christ, his
authoritative appointment of him to the office of a Mediator, his
installment and approbation of him in that office, his acceptance of
him, and of all he had done or should do in the discharge of it. Now
God never said thus to Aaron. Another expression that God used in the
call of Christ we have in Ps. cx. 4, Thou art a priest for ever, after
the order of Melchisedec, v. 6. God the Father appointed him a priest
of a higher order than that of Aaron. The priesthood of Aaron was to be
but temporary; the priesthood of Christ was to be perpetual: the
priesthood of Aaron was to be successive, descending from the fathers
to the children; the priesthood of Christ, after the order of
Melchisedec, was to be personal, and the high priest immortal as to his
office, without descent, having neither beginning of days nor end of
life, as it is more largely described in the seventh chapter, and will
be opened there. 2. Christ is here preferred to Aaron in the holiness
of his person. Other priests were to offer up sacrifices, as for the
sins of others, so for themselves, v. 3. But Christ needed not to offer
for sins for himself, for he had done no violence, neither was there
any deceit in his mouth, Isa. liii. 9. And such a high priest became
us.
VIII. We have an account of Christ's discharge of this his office, and
of the consequences of that discharge, v. 7-9.
1. The discharge of his office of the priesthood (v. 7): Who in the
days of his flesh, when he had offered up prayers and supplications,
&c. Here observe, (1.) He took to him flesh, and for some days
tabernacled therein; he became a mortal man, and reckoned his life by
days, herein setting us an example how we should reckon ours. Were we
to reckon our lives by days, it would be a means to quicken us to do
the work of every day in its day. (2.) Christ, in the days of his
flesh, subjected himself to death; he hungered, he was a tempted,
bleeding, dying Jesus! His body is now in heaven, but it is a spiritual
glorious body. (3.) God the Father was able to save him from death. He
could have prevented his dying, but he would not; for then the great
design of his wisdom and grace must have been defeated. What would have
become of us if God had saved Christ from dying? The Jews reproachfully
said, Let him deliver him now, if he will have him, Matt. xxvii. 43.
But it was in kindness to us that the Father would not suffer that
bitter cup to pass away from him; for then we must have drunk the dregs
of it, and been miserable for ever. (4.) Christ, in the days of his
flesh, offered up prayers and supplications to his Father, as an
earnest of his intercession in heaven. A great many instances we have
of Christ's praying. This refers to his prayer in his agony (Matt.
xxvi. 39, and ch. xxvii. 46), and to that before his agony (John xvii.)
which he put up for his disciples, and all who should believe on his
name. (5.) The prayers and supplications that Christ offered up were
joined with strong cries and tears, herein setting us an example not
only to pray, but to be fervent and importunate in prayer. How many dry
prayers, how few wet ones, do we offer up to God! (6.) Christ was heard
in that he feared. How? Why he was answered by present supports in and
under his agonies, and in being carried well through death, and
delivered from it by a glorious resurrection: He was heard in that he
feared. He had an awful sense of the wrath of God, of the weight of
sin. His human nature was ready to sink under the heavy load, and would
have sunk, had he been quite forsaken in point of help and comfort from
God; but he was heard in this, he was supported under the agonies of
death. He was carried through death; and there is no real deliverance
from death but to be carried well through it. We may have many
recoveries from sickness, but we are never saved from death till we are
carried well through it. And those that are thus saved from death will
be fully delivered at last by a glorious resurrection, of which the
resurrection of Christ was the earnest and first-fruits.
2. The consequences of this discharge of his office, v. 8, 9, &c.
(1.) By these his sufferings he learned obedience, though he was a Son,
v. 8. Here observe, [1.] The privilege of Christ: He was a Son; the
only-begotten of the Father. One would have thought this might have
exempted him from suffering, but it did not. Let none then who are the
children of God by adoption expect an absolute freedom from suffering.
What Son is he whom the Father chasteneth not? [2.] Christ made
improvement by his sufferings. By his passive obedience, he learned
active obedience; that is, he practiced that great lesson, and made it
appear that he was well and perfectly learned in it; though he never
was disobedient, yet he never performed such an act of obedience as
when he became obedient to death, even to the death of the cross. Here
he has left us an example, that we should learn by all our afflictions
a humble obedience to the will of God. We need affliction, to teach us
submission.
(2.) By these his sufferings he was made perfect, and became the author
of eternal salvation to all who obey him, v. 9. [1.] Christ by his
sufferings was consecrated to his office, consecrated by his own blood.
[2.] By his sufferings he consummated that part of his office which was
to be performed on earth, making reconciliation for iniquity; and in
this sense he is said to be made perfect, a perfect propitiation. [3.]
Hereby he has become the author of eternal salvation to men; he has by
his sufferings purchased a full deliverance from sin and misery, and a
full fruition of holiness and happiness for his people. Of this
salvation he has given notice in the gospel; he has made a tender of it
in the new covenant, and has sent the Spirit to enable men to accept
this salvation. [4.] This salvation is actually bestowed on none but
those who obey Christ. It is not sufficient that we have some doctrinal
knowledge of Christ, or that we make a profession of faith in him, but
we must hearken to his word, and obey him. He is exalted to be a prince
to rule us, as well as a Saviour to deliver us; and he will be a
Saviour to none but to those whom he is a prince, and who are willing
that he should reign over them; the rest he will account his enemies,
and treat them accordingly. But to those who obey him, devoting
themselves to him, denying themselves, and taking up their cross, and
following him, he will be the author, aitios--the grand cause of their
salvation, and they shall own him as such for ever.
The Priesthood of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
10 Called of God a high priest after the order of Melchisedec. 11 Of
whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are
dull of hearing. 12 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye
have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the
oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of
strong meat. 13 For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the
word of righteousness: for he is a babe. 14 But strong meat belongeth
to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have
their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
Here the apostle returns to what he had in v. 6 cited out of Ps. cx.,
concerning the peculiar order of the priesthood of Christ, that is, the
order of Melchisedec. And here,
I. He declares he had many things which he could say to them concerning
this mysterious person called Melchisedec, whose priesthood was
eternal, and therefore the salvation procured thereby should be eternal
also. We have a more particular account of this Melchisedec in ch.
vii.. Some think the things which the apostle means, that were hard to
be uttered, were not so much concerning Melchisedec himself as
concerning Christ, of whom Melchisedec was the type. And doubtless this
apostle had many things to say concerning Christ that were very
mysterious, hard to be uttered; there are great mysteries in the person
and offices of the Redeemer; Christianity is the great mystery of
godliness.
II. He assigns the reason why he did not say all those things
concerning Christ, our Melchisedec, that he had to say, and what it was
that made it so difficult for him to utter them, namely, the dulness of
the Hebrews to whom he wrote: You are dull of hearing. There is a
difficulty in the things themselves, and there may be a weakness in the
ministers of the gospel to speak clearly about these things; but
generally the fault is in the hearers. Dull hearers make the preaching
of the gospel a difficult thing, and even many who have some faith are
but dull hearers, dull of understanding and slow to believe; the
understanding is weak, and does not apprehend these spiritual things;
the memory is weak, and does not retain them.
III. He insists upon the faultiness of this infirmity of theirs. It was
not a mere natural infirmity, but it was a sinful infirmity, and more
in them than others, by reason of the singular advantages they had
enjoyed for improving in the knowledge of Christ: For when, for the
time, you ought to be teachers, you have need that one teach you again
which are the first principles of the oracles of God, v. 12. Here
observe,
1. What proficiency might have been reasonably expected from these
Hebrews--that they might have been so well instructed in the doctrine
of the gospel as to have been teachers of others. Hence learn, (1.) God
takes notice of the time and helps we have for gaining
scripture-knowledge. (2.) From those to whom much is given much is
expected. (3.) Those who have a good understanding in the gospel should
be teachers of other, if not in a public, yet in a private station.
(4.) None should take upon them to be teachers of others, but those who
have made a good improvement in spiritual knowledge themselves.
2. Observe the sad disappointment of those just expectations: You have
need that one should teach you again, &c. Here note, (1.) In the
oracles of God there are some first principles, plain to be understood
and necessary to be learned. (2.) There are also deep and sublime
mysteries, which those should search into who have learned the first
principles, that so they may stand complete in the whole will of God.
(3.) Some persons, instead of going forward in Christian knowledge,
forget the very first principles that they had learned long ago; and
indeed those that are not improving under the means of grace will be
losing. (4.) It is a sin and shame for persons that are men for their
age and standing in the church to be children and babes in
understanding.
IV. The apostle shows how the various doctrines of the gospel must be
dispensed to different persons. There are in the church babes and
persons of full age (v. 12-14), and there are in the gospel milk and
strong meat. Observe, 1. Those that are babes, unskillful in the word
of righteousness, must be fed with milk; they must be entertained with
the plainest truths, and these delivered in the plainest manner; there
must be line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, and there
a little, Isa. xxviii. 10. Christ despises not his babes; he has
provided suitable food for them. It is good to be babes in Christ, but
not always to continue in that childish state; we should endeavor to
pass the infant state; we should always remain in malice children, but
in understanding we should grow up to a manly maturity. 2. There is
strong meat for those that are of full age, v. 14. The deeper mysteries
of religion belong to those that are of a higher class in the school of
Christ, who have learned the first principles and well improved them;
so that by reason of use they have their senses exercised to discern
both good and evil, duty and sin, truth and error. Observe, (1.) There
have been always in the Christian state children, young men, and
fathers. (2.) Every true Christian, having received a principle of
spiritual life from God, stands in need of nourishment to preserve that
life. (3.) The word of God is food and nourishment to the life of
grace: As new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word that you
may grow thereby. (4.) It is the wisdom of ministers rightly to divide
the word of truth, and to give to every one his portion--milk to babes,
and strong meat to those of full age. (5.) There are spiritual senses
as well as those that are natural. There is a spiritual eye, a
spiritual appetite, a spiritual taste; the soul has its sensations as
well as the body; these are much depraved and lost by sin, but they are
recovered by grace. (6.) It is by use and exercise that these senses
are improved, made more quick and strong to taste the sweetness of what
is good and true, and the bitterness of what is false and evil. Not
only reason and faith, but spiritual sense, will teach men to
distinguish between what is pleasing and what is provoking to God,
between what is helpful and what is hurtful to our own souls.
__________________________________________________________________
H E B R E W S.
CHAP. VI.
In this chapter the apostle proceeds to persuade the Hebrews to make a
better proficiency in religion than they had done, as the best way to
prevent apostasy, the dreadful nature and consequences of which sin he
sets forth in a serious manner (ver. 1-8), and then expresses his good
hopes concerning them, that they would persevere in faith and holiness,
to which he exhorts them, and sets before them the great encouragement
they had from God, both with respect to their duty and happiness, ver.
9, to the end.
Advancement in Holiness; First Principles. (a. d. 62.)
1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go
on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from
dead works, and of faith toward God, 2 Of the doctrine of baptisms,
and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of
eternal judgment. 3 And this will we do, if God permit. 4 For it is
impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the
heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have
tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6
If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing
they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an
open shame. 7 For the earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh
oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is
dressed, receiveth blessing from God: 8 But that which beareth thorns
and briers is rejected, and is nigh unto cursing; whose end is to be
burned.
We have here the apostle's advice to the Hebrews--that they would grow
up from a state of childhood to the fullness of the stature of the new
man in Christ. He declares his readiness to assist them all he could in
their spiritual progress; and, for their greater encouragement, he puts
himself with them: Let us go on. Here observe, In order to their
growth, Christians must leave the principles of the doctrine of Christ.
How must they leave them? They must not lose them, they must not
despise them, they must not forget them. They must lay them up in their
hearts, and lay them as the foundation of all their profession and
expectation; but they must not rest and stay in them, they must not be
always laying the foundation, they must go on, and build upon it. There
must be a superstructure; for the foundation is laid on purpose to
support the building. Here it may be enquired, Why did the apostle
resolve to set strong meat before the Hebrews, when he knew they were
but babes? Answer. 1. Though some of them were but weak, yet others of
them had gained more strength; and they must be provided for suitably.
And, as those who are grown Christians must be willing to hear the
plainest truths preached for the sake of the weak, so the weak must be
willing to hear the more difficult and mysterious truths preached for
the sake of those who are strong. 2. He hoped they would be growing in
their spiritual strength and stature, and so be able to digest stronger
meat.
I. The apostle mentions several foundation-principles, which must be
well laid at first, and then built upon; neither his time nor theirs
must be spent in laying these foundations over and over again. These
foundations are six:--
1. Repentance from dead works, that is, conversion and regeneration,
repentance from a spiritually dead state and course; as if he had said,
"Beware of destroying the life of grace in your souls; your minds were
changed by conversion, and so were your lives. Take care that you
return not to sin again, for then you must have the foundation to lay
again; there must be a second conversion a repenting not only of, but
from, dead works." Observe here, (1.) The sins of persons unconverted
are dead works; they proceed from persons spiritually dead, and they
tend to death eternal. (2.) Repentance for dead works, if it be right,
is repentance from dead works, a universal change of heart and life.
(3.) Repentance for and from dead works is a foundation-principle,
which must not be laid again, though we must renew our repentance
daily.
2. Faith towards God, a firm belief of the existence of God, of his
nature, attributes, and perfections, the trinity of persons in the
unity of essence, the whole mind and will of God as revealed in his
word, particularly what relates to the Lord Jesus Christ. We must by
faith acquaint ourselves with these things; we must assent to them, we
must approve of them, and apply all to ourselves with suitable
affections and actions. Observe, (1.) Repentance from dead works, and
faith towards God, are connected, and always go together; they are
inseparable twins, the one cannot live without the other. (2.) Both of
these are foundation-principles, which should be once well laid, but
never pulled up, so as to need to be laid over again; we must not
relapse into infidelity.
3. The doctrine of baptisms, that is, of being baptized by a minister
of Christ with water, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of
the Holy Ghost, as the initiating sign or seal of the covenant of
grace, strongly engaging the person so baptized to get acquainted with
the new covenant, to adhere to it, and prepare to renew it at the table
of the Lord and sincerely to regulate himself according to it, relying
upon the truth and faithfulness of God for the blessings contained in
it. And the doctrine of an inward baptism, that of the Spirit
sprinkling the blood of Christ upon the soul, for justification, and
the graces of the Spirit for sanctification. This ordinance of baptism
is a foundation to be rightly laid, and daily remembered, but not
repeated.
4. Laying on of hands, on persons passing solemnly from their initiated
state by baptism to the confirmed state, by returning the answer of a
good conscience towards God, and sitting down at the Lord's table. This
passing from incomplete to complete church membership was performed by
laying on of hands, which was extraordinary conveyance of the gift of
the Holy Ghost continued. This, once done, all are obliged to abide by,
and not to need another solemn admission, as at first, but to go on,
and grow up, in Christ. Or by this may be meant ordination of persons
to the ministerial office, who are duly qualified for it and inclined
to it; and this by fasting and prayer, with laying on of the hands of
the presbytery: and this is to be done but once.
5. The resurrection of the dead, that is, of dead bodies; and their
re-union with their souls, to be eternal companions together in weal or
woe, according as their state was towards God when they died, and the
course of life they led in this world.
6. Eternal judgment, determining the soul of every one, when it leaves
the body at death, and both soul and body at the last day, to their
eternal state, every one to his proper society and employment to which
they were entitled and fitted here on earth; the wicked to everlasting
punishment, the righteous to life eternal.
These are the great foundation-principles which ministers should
clearly and convincingly unfold, and closely apply. In these the people
should be well instructed and established, and from these they must
never depart; without these, the other parts of religion have no
foundation to support them.
II. The apostle declares his readiness and resolution to assist the
Hebrews in building themselves up on these foundations till they arrive
at perfection: And this we will do, if God permit, v. 3. And thereby he
teaches them, 1. That right resolution is very necessary in order to
progress and proficiency in religion. 2. That that resolution is right
which is not only made in the sincerity of our hearts, but in a humble
dependence upon God for strength, for assistance and righteousness, for
acceptance, and for time and opportunity. 3. That ministers should not
only teach people what to do, but go before them, and along with them,
in the way of duty.
III. He shows that this spiritual growth is the surest way to prevent
that dreadful sin of apostasy from the faith. And here,
1. He shows how far persons may go in religion, and, after all, fall
away, and perish for ever, v. 4, 5. (1.) They may be enlightened. Some
of the ancients understand this of their being baptized; but it is
rather to be understood of notional knowledge and common illumination,
of which persons may have a great deal, and yet come short of heaven.
Balaam was the man whose eyes were opened (Num. xxiv. 3), and yet with
his eyes opened he went down to utter darkness. (2.) They may taste of
the heavenly gift, feel something of the efficacy of the Holy Spirit in
his operations upon their souls, causing them to taste something of
religion, and yet be like persons in the market, who taste of what they
will not come up to the price of, and so but take a taste, and leave
it. Persons may taste religion, and seem to like it, if they could have
it upon easier terms than denying themselves, and taking up their
cross, and following Christ. (3.) They may be made partakers of the
Holy Ghost, that is, of his extraordinary and miraculous gifts; they
may have cast out devils in the name of Christ, and done many other
mighty works. Such gifts in the apostolic age were sometimes bestowed
upon those who had no true saving grace. (4.) They may taste of the
good word of God; they may have some relish of gospel doctrines, may
hear the word with pleasure, may remember much of it, and talk well of
it, and yet never be cast into the form and mould of it, nor have it
dwelling richly in them. (5.) They may have tasted of the powers of the
world to come; they may have been under strong impressions concerning
heaven, and dread of going to hell. These lengths hypocrites may go,
and, after all, turn apostates. Now hence observe, [1.] These great
things are spoken here of those who may fall away; yet it is not here
said of them that they were truly converted, or that they were
justified; there is more in true saving grace than in all that is here
said of apostates. [2.] This therefore is no proof of the final
apostasy of true saints. These indeed may fall frequently and foully,
but yet they will not totally nor finally from God; the purpose and the
power of God, the purchase and the prayer of Christ, the promise of the
gospel, the everlasting covenant that God has made with them, ordered
in all things and sure, the indwelling of the Spirit, and the immortal
seed of the word, these are their security. But the tree that has not
these roots will not stand.
2. The apostle describes the dreadful case of such as fall away after
having gone so far in the profession of the religion. (1.) The
greatness of the sin of apostasy. It is crucifying the Son of God
afresh, and putting him to open shame. They declare that they approve
of what the Jews did in crucifying Christ, and that they would be glad
to do the same thing again if it were in their power. They pour the
greatest contempt upon the Son of God, and therefore upon God himself,
who expects all should reverence his Son, and honour him as they honour
the Father. They do what in them lies to represent Christ and
Christianity as a shameful thing, and would have him to be a public
shame and reproach. This is the nature of apostasy. (2.) The great
misery of apostates. [1.] It is impossible to renew them again unto
repentance. It is extremely hazardous. Very few instances can be given
of those who have gone so far and fallen away, and yet ever have been
brought to true repentance, such a repentance as is indeed a renovation
of the soul. Some have thought this is the sin against the Holy Ghost,
but without ground. The sin here mentioned is plainly apostasy both
from the truth and the ways of Christ. God can renew them to
repentance, but he seldom does it; and with men themselves it is
impossible. [2.] Their misery is exemplified by a proper similitude,
taken from the ground that after much cultivation brings forth nothing
but briers and thorns; and therefore is nigh unto cursing, and its end
is to be burned, v. 8. To give this the greater force here is observed
the difference that there is between the good ground and the bad, that
these contraries, being set one over against the other, illustrate each
other. First Here is a description of the good ground: It drinketh in
the rain that cometh often upon it. Believers do not only taste of the
word of God, but they drink it in; and this good ground bringeth forth
fruit answerable to the cost laid out, for the honour of Christ and the
comfort of his faithful ministers, who are, under Christ, dressers of
the ground. And this fruit-field or garden receives the blessing. God
declares fruitful Christians blessed, and all wise and good men account
them blessed: they are blessed with increase of grace, and with further
establishment and glory at last. Secondly, Here is the different case
of the bad ground: It bears briers and thorns; it is not only barren of
good fruit, but fruitful in that which is bad, briers and thorns,
fruitful in sin and wickedness, which are troublesome and hurtful to
all about them, and will be most so to sinners themselves at last; and
then such ground is rejected. God will concern himself no more about
such wicked apostates; he will let them alone, and cast them out of his
care; he will command the clouds that they rain no more upon them.
Divine influences shall be restrained; and that is not all, but such
ground is nigh unto cursing; so far is it from receiving the blessing,
that a dreadful curse hangs over it, though as yet, through the
patience of God, the curse is not fully executed. Lastly, Its end is to
be burned. Apostasy will be punished with everlasting burnings, the
fire that shall never be quenched. This is the sad end to which
apostasy leads, and therefore Christians should go on and grow in
grace, lest, if they do not go forward, they should go backward, till
they bring matters to this woeful extremity of sin and misery.
Cautions against Apostasy; The Divine Promise and Oath. (a. d. 62.)
9 But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that
accompany salvation, though we thus speak. 10 For God is not
unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have
showed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and
do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do show the same
diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be
not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience
inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham,
because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying,
Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply
thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the
promise. 16 For men verily swear by the greater: and an oath for
confirmation is to them an end of all strife. 17 Wherein God, willing
more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the immutability of
his counsel, confirmed it by an oath: 18 That by two immutable
things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a
strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope
set before us: 19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both
sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; 20
Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made a high
priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
The apostle, having applied himself to the fears of the Hebrews, in
order to excite their diligence and prevent their apostasy, now
proceeds to apply himself to their hopes, and candidly declares the
good hope he had concerning them, that they would persevere; and
proposes to them the great encouragements they had in the way of their
duty.
I. He freely and openly declares the good hope he had concerning them,
that they would endure to the end: But beloved, we are persuaded better
things of you, v. 9. Observe, 1. There are things that accompany
salvation, things that are never separated from salvation, things that
show the person to be in a state of salvation, and will issue in
eternal salvation. 2. The things that accompany salvation are better
things than ever any hypocrite or apostate enjoyed. They are better in
their nature and in their issue. 3. It is our duty to hope well of
those in whom nothing appears to the contrary. 4. Ministers must
sometimes speak by way of caution to those of whose salvation they have
good hopes. And those who have in themselves good hopes, as to their
eternal salvation, should yet consider seriously how fatal a
disappointment it would be if they should fall short. Thus they are to
work out their salvation with fear and trembling.
II. He proposes arguments and encouragements to them to go on in the
way of their duty. 1. That God had wrought a principle of holy love and
charity in them, which had discovered itself in suitable works that
would not be forgotten of God: God is not unrighteous to forget your
labour of love, v. 10. Good works and labour proceeding from love to
God are commendable; and what is done to any in the name of God shall
not go unrewarded. What is done to the saints, as such, God takes as
done to himself. 2. Those who expect a gracious reward for the labour
of love must continue in it as long as they have ability and
opportunity: You have ministered to the saints, and you do minister;
and we desire that every one of you do show the same diligence. 3.
Those who persevere in a diligent discharge of their duty shall attain
to the full assurance of hope in the end. Observe, (1.) Full assurance
is a higher degree of hope, is full assurance of hope; they differ not
in nature, but only in degree. (2.) Full assurance is attainable by
great diligence and perseverance to the end.
III. He proceeds to set before them caution and counsel how to attain
this full assurance of hope to the end. 1. That they should not be
slothful. Slothfulness will clothe a man with rags: they must not love
their ease, nor lose their opportunities. 2. That they would follow the
good examples of those who had gone before, v. 12. Here learn, (1.)
There are some who from assurance have gone to inherit the promises.
They believed them before, now they inherit them; they have got safely
to heaven. (2.) The way by which they came to the inheritance was that
of faith and patience. These graces were implanted in their souls, and
drawn forth into act and exercise in their lives. If we ever expect to
inherit as they do, we must follow them in the way of faith and
patience; and those who do thus follow them in the way shall overtake
them at the end, and be partakers of the same blessedness.
IV. The apostle closes the chapter with a clear and full account of the
assured truth of the promises of God, v. 13, to the end. They are all
confirmed by the oath of God, and they are all founded in the eternal
counsel of God, and therefore may be depended upon.
1. They are all confirmed by the oath of God. He has not only given his
people his word, and his hand and seal, but his oath. And here, you
will observe, he specifies the oath of God to Abraham, which, being
sworn to him as the father of the faithful, remains in full force and
virtue to all true believers: When God made a promise unto Abraham,
because he could swear by no greater, he swore by himself. Observe,
(1.) What was the promise: Surely, blessing I will bless thee, and
multiplying I will multiply thee. The blessing of God is the
blessedness of his people; and those whom he has blessed indeed he will
go on to bless, and will multiply blessings, till he has brought them
to perfect blessedness. (2.) What was the oath by which this promise
was ratified: He swore by himself. He staked down his own being and his
own blessedness upon it; no greater security can be given or desired.
(3.) How was that oath accomplished. Abraham, in due time, obtained the
promise. It was made good to him after he had patiently endured. [1.]
There is always an interval, and sometimes a long one, between the
promise and the performance. [2.] That interval is a trying time to
believers, whether they have patience to endure to the end. [3.] Those
who patiently endure shall assuredly obtain the blessedness promised,
as sure as Abraham did. [4.] The end and design of an oath is to make
the promise sure, and to encourage those to whom it is made to wait
with patience till the time for performance comes, v. 16. An oath with
men is for confirmation, and is an end of all strife. This is the
nature and design of an oath, in which men swear by the greater, not by
creatures, but by the Lord himself; and it is to put an end to all
dispute about the matter, both to disputes within our own breasts
(doubts and distrusts), and disputes with others, especially with the
promiser. Now, if God would condescend to take an oath to his people,
he will surely remember the nature and design of it.
2. The promises of God are all founded in his eternal counsel; and this
counsel of his is an immutable counsel. (1.) The promise of blessedness
which God has made to believers is not a rash and hasty thing, but the
result of God's eternal purpose. (2.) This purpose of God was agreed
upon in counsel, and settled there between the eternal Father, Son, and
Spirit. (3.) These counsels of God can never be altered; they are
immutable. God never needs to change his counsels; for nothing new can
arise to him who sees the end from the beginning.
3. The promises of God, which are founded upon these immutable counsels
of God, and confirmed by the oath of God, may safely be depended upon;
for here we have two immutable things, the counsel and the oath of God,
in which it is impossible for God to lie, contrary to his nature as
well as to his will. Here observe,
(1.) Who they are to whom God has given such full security of
happiness. [1.] They are the heirs of the promise: such as have a title
to the promises by inheritance, by virtue of their new birth, and union
with Christ. We are all by nature children of wrath. The curse is the
inheritance we are born to: it is by a new and heavenly birth that any
are born heirs to the promise. [2.] They are such as have fled for
refuge to the hope set before them. Under the law there were cities of
refuge provided for those who were pursued by the avenger of blood.
Here is a much better refuge prepared by the gospel, a refuge for all
sinners who shall have the heart to flee to it; yea, though they have
been the chief of sinners.
(2.) What God's design towards them is, in giving them such
securities--that they might have strong consolation. Observe, [1.] God
is concerned for the consolation of believers, as well as for their
sanctification; he would have his children walk in the fear of the
Lord, and in the comforts of the Holy Ghost. [2.] The consolations of
God are strong enough to support his people under their strongest
trials. The comforts of this world are too weak to bear up the soul
under temptation, persecution, and death; but the consolations of the
Lord are neither few nor small.
(3.) What use the people of God should make of their hope and comfort,
that most refreshing and comfortable hope of eternal blessedness that
God has given them. This is, and must be, unto them, for an anchor to
the soul, sure and stedfast, &c., v. 19. Here, [1.] We are in this
world as a ship at sea, liable to be tossed up and down, and in danger
of being cast away. Our souls are the vessels. The comforts,
expectations, graces, and happiness of our souls are the precious cargo
with which these vessels are loaded. Heaven is the harbour to which we
sail. The temptations, persecutions, and afflictions that we encounter,
are the winds and waves that threaten our shipwreck. [2.] We have need
of an anchor to keep us sure and steady, or we are in continual danger.
[3.] Gospel hope is our anchor; as in our day of battle it is our
helmet, so in our stormy passage through this world it is our anchor.
[4.] It is sure and stedfast, or else it could not keep us so. First,
It is sure in its own nature; for it is the special work of God in the
soul. It is a good hope through grace; it is not a flattering hope made
out of the spider's web, but it is a true work of God, it is a strong
and substantial thing. Secondly, It is stedfast as to its object; it is
an anchor that has taken good hold, it enters that which is within the
veil; it is an anchor that is cast upon the rock, the Rock of ages. It
does not seek to fasten in the sands, but enters within the veil, and
fixes there upon Christ; he is the object, he is the anchor-hold of the
believer's hope. As an unseen glory within the veil is what the
believer is hoping for, so an unseen Jesus within the veil is the
foundation of his hope; the free grace of God, the merits and mediation
of Christ, and the powerful influences of his Spirit, are the grounds
of his hope, and so it is a stedfast hope. Jesus Christ is the object
and ground of the believer's hope, and so it is a stedfast hope. Jesus
Christ is the object and ground of the believer's hope in several
respects. 1. As he has entered within the veil, to intercede with God,
in virtue of that sacrifice which he offered up without the veil: hope
fastens upon his sacrifice and intercession. 2. As he is the forerunner
of his people, gone within the veil, to prepare a place for them, and
to assure them that they shall follow him; he is the earnest and first
fruits of believers, both in his resurrection and in his ascension. 3.
And he abides there, a high priest after the order of Melchisedec, a
priest for ever, whose priesthood shall never cease, never fail, till
he has accomplished its whole work and design, which is the full and
final happiness of all who have believed on Christ. Now this should
engage us to clear up our interest in Christ, that we may fix our hopes
in him as our forerunner, that has entered thither for us, for our
sakes, for our safety, to watch over our highest interest and concerns.
Let us then love heaven the more on his account, and long to be there
with him, where we shall be for ever safe, and for ever satisfied.
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H E B R E W S.
CHAP. VII.
The doctrine of the priestly office of Christ is so excellent in
itself, and so essential a part of the Christian faith, that the
apostle loves to dwell upon it. Nothing made the Jews so fond of the
Levitical dispensation as the high esteem they had of their priesthood,
and it was doubtless a sacred and most excellent institution; it was a
very severe threatening denounced against the Jews (Hos. iii. 4), that
the children of Israel should abide many days without a prince or
priest, and without a sacrifice, and with an ephod, and without
teraphim. Now the apostle assures them that by receiving the Lord Jesus
they would have a much better high priest, a priesthood of a higher
order, and consequently a better dispensation or covenant, a better law
and testament; this he shows in this chapter, where, I. We have a more
particular account of Melchisedec, ver. 1-3. II. The superiority of his
priesthood to that of Aaron, ver. 4-10. III. An accommodation of all to
Christ, to show the superior excellency of his person, office, and
covenant, ver. 11, to the end.
Melchisedec's Priesthood. (a. d. 62.)
1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who
met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;
2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by
interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of
Salem, which is, King of peace; 3 Without father, without mother,
without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but
made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually. 4 Now
consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham
gave the tenth of the spoils. 5 And verily they that are of the sons
of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment
to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their
brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham: 6 But he
whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and
blessed him that had the promises. 7 And without all contradiction
the less is blessed of the better. 8 And here men that die receive
tithes; but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he
liveth. 9 And as I may so say, Levi also, who receiveth tithes, paid
tithes in Abraham. 10 For he was yet in the loins of his father, when
Melchisedec met him.
The foregoing chapter ended with a repetition of what had been cited
once and again before out of Ps. cx. 4, Jesus, a high priest for ever,
after the order of Melchisedec. Now this chapter is as a sermon upon
that text; here the apostle sets before them some of the strong meat he
had spoken of before, hoping they would by greater diligence be better
prepared to digest it.
I. The great question that first offers itself is, Who was this
Melchisedec? All the account we have of him in the Old Testament is in
Gen. xiv. 18, &c., and in Ps. cx. 4. Indeed we are much in the dark
about him; God has thought fit to leave us so, that this Melchisedec
might be a more lively type of him whose generation none can declare.
If men will not be satisfied with what is revealed, they must rove
about in the dark in endless conjectures, some fancying him to have
been an angel, others the Holy Ghost; but,
1. The opinions concerning him that are best worthy our consideration
are these three:--(1.) Therabbin, and most of the Jewish writers, think
he was Shem the son of Noah who was king and priest to their ancestors,
after the manner of the other patriarchs; but it is not probable that
he should thus change his name. Besides, we have no account of his
settling in the land of Canaan. (2.) Many Christian writers have
thought him to be Jesus Christ himself, appearing by a special
dispensation and privilege to Abraham in the flesh, and who was known
to Abraham by the name Melchisedec, which agrees very well to Christ,
and to what is said, John viii. 56, Abraham saw his day and rejoiced.
Much may be said for this opinion, and what is said in v. 3 does not
seem to agree with any mere man; but then it seems strange to make
Christ a type of himself. (3.) The most general opinion is that he was
a Canaanite king, who reigned in Salem, and kept up religion and the
worship of the true God; that he was raised to be a type of Christ, and
was honoured by Abraham as such.
2. But we shall leave these conjectures, and labour to understand, as
far as we can, what is here said of him by the apostle, and how Christ
is represented thereby, v. 1-3. (1.) Melchisedec was a king, and so is
the Lord Jesus--a king of God's anointing; the government is laid upon
his shoulders, and he rules over all for the good of his people. (2.)
That he was king of righteousness: his name signifies the righteous
king. Jesus Christ is a rightful and a righteous king--rightful in his
title, righteous in his government. He is the Lord our righteousness;
he has fulfilled all righteousness, and brought in an everlasting
righteousness, and he loves righteousness and righteous persons, and
hates iniquity. (3.) He was king of Salem, that is, king of peace;
first king of righteousness, and after that king of peace. So is our
Lord Jesus; he by his righteousness made peace, the fruit of
righteousness is peace. Christ speaks peace, creates peace, is our
peace-maker. (4.) He was priest of the most high God, qualified and
anointed in an extraordinary manner to be his priest among the
Gentiles. So is the Lord Jesus; he is the priest of the most high God,
and the Gentiles must come to God by him; it is only through his
priesthood that we can obtain reconciliation and remission of sin. (5.)
He was without father, without mother, without descent, having neither
beginning of days nor end of life, v. 3. This must not be understood
according to the letter; but the scripture has chosen to set him forth
as an extraordinary person, without giving us his genealogy, that he
might be a fitter type of Christ, who as man was without father, as God
without mother; whose priesthood is without descent, did not descend to
him from another, nor from him to another, but is personal and
perpetual. (6.) That he met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the
kings, and blessed him. The incident is recorded Gen. xiv. 18, &c. He
brought forth bread and wine to refresh Abraham and his servants when
they were weary; he gave as a king, and blessed as a priest. Thus our
Lord Jesus meets his people in their spiritual conflicts, refreshes
them, renews their strength, and blesses them. (7.) That Abraham gave
him a tenth part of all (v. 2), that is, as the apostle explains it, of
all the spoils; and this Abraham did as an expression of his gratitude
for what Melchisedec had done for him, or as a testimony of his homage
and subjection to him as a king, or as an offering vowed and dedicated
to God, to be presented by his priest. And thus are we obliged to make
all possible returns of love and gratitude to the Lord Jesus for all
the rich and royal favours we receive from him, to pay our homage and
subjection to him as our King, and to put all our offerings into his
hands, to be presented by him to the Father in the incense of his own
sacrifice. (8.) That this Melchisedec was made like unto the Son of
God, and abideth a priest continually. He bore the image of God in his
piety and authority, and stands upon record as an immortal high priest;
the ancient type of him who is the eternal and only-begotten of the
Father, who abideth a priest for ever.
II. Let us now consider (as the apostle advises) how great this
Melchisedec was, and how far his priesthood was above that of the order
of Aaron (v. 4, 5, &c.): Now consider how great this man was, &c. The
greatness of this man and his priesthood appears, 1. From Abraham's
paying the tenth of the spoils unto him; and it is well observed that
Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec in Abraham, v. 9. Now Levi received the
office of the priesthood from God, and was to take tithes of the
people, yet even Levi paid tithes to Melchisedec, as to a greater and
higher priest than himself; therefore that high priest who should
afterwards appear, of whom Melchisedec was a type, must be much
superior to any of the Levitical priests, who paid tithes, in Abraham,
to Melchisedec. And now by this argument of persons doing things that
are matters of right or injury in the loins of their predecessors we
have an illustration how we may be said to have sinned in Adam, and
fallen with him in his first transgression. We were in Adam's loins
when he sinned, and the guilt and depravity contracted by the human
nature when it was in our first parents are equitably imputed and
derived to the same nature as it is in all other persons naturally
descended from them. They justly adhere to the nature, and it must be
by an act of grace if ever they be taken away. 2. From Melchisedec's
blessing of Abraham, who had the promises; and, without contradiction,
the less is blessed of the greater, v. 6, 7. Here observe, (1.)
Abraham's great dignity and felicity--that he had the promises. He was
one in covenant with God, to whom God had given exceedingly great and
precious promises. That man is rich and happy indeed who has an estate
in bills and bonds under God's own hand and seal. These promises are
both of the life that now is and of that which is to come; this honour
have all those who receive the Lord Jesus, in whom all the promises are
yea and amen. (2.) Melchisedec's greater honour--in that it was his
place and privilege to bless Abraham; and it is an uncontested maxim
that the less is blessed of the greater, v. 7. He who gives the
blessing is greater than he who receives it; and therefore Christ, the
antitype of Melchisedec, the meriter and Mediator of all blessings to
the children of men, must be greater than all the priests of the order
of Aaron.
Melchisedec and Christ Compared. (a. d. 62.)
11 If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under
it the people received the law,) what further need was there that
another priest should rise after the order of Melchisedec, and not be
called after the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed,
there is made of necessity a change also of the law. 13 For he of
whom these things are spoken pertaineth to another tribe, of which no
man gave attendance at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord
sprang out of Juda; of which tribe Moses spake nothing concerning
priesthood. 15 And it is yet far more evident: for that after the
similitude of Melchisedec there ariseth another priest, 16 Who is
made, not after the law of a carnal commandment, but after the power of
an endless life. 17 For he testifieth, Thou art a priest for ever
after the order of Melchisedec. 18 For there is verily a disannulling
of the commandment going before for the weakness and unprofitableness
thereof. 19 For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of
a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God. 20 And
inasmuch as not without an oath he was made priest: 21 (For those
priests were made without an oath; but this with an oath by him that
said unto him, The Lord sware and will not repent, Thou art a priest
for ever after the order of Melchisedec:) 22 By so much was Jesus
made a surety of a better testament. 23 And they truly were many
priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable
priesthood. 25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them. 26 For such a high priest became us, who is
holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than
the heavens; 27 Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to
offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's:
for this he did once, when he offered up himself. 28 For the law
maketh men high priests which have infirmity; but the word of the oath,
which was since the law, maketh the Son, who is consecrated for
evermore.
Observe the necessity there was of raising up another priest, after the
order of Melchisedec and not after the order of Aaron, by whom that
perfection should come which could not come by the Levitical
priesthood, which therefore must be changed, and the whole economy with
it, v. 11, 12, &c. Here,
I. It is asserted that perfection could not come by the Levitical
priesthood and the law. They could not put those who came to them into
the perfect enjoyment of the good things they pointed out to them; they
could only show them the way.
II. That therefore another priest must be raised up, after the order of
Melchisedec, by whom, and his law of faith, perfection might come to
all who obey him; and, blessed be God, that we may have perfect
holiness and perfect happiness by Christ in the covenant of grace,
according to the gospel, for we are complete in him.
III. It is asserted that the priesthood being changed there must of
necessity be a change of the law; there being so near a relation
between the priesthood and the law, the dispensation could not be the
same under another priesthood; a new priesthood must be under a new
regulation, managed in another way, and by rules proper to its nature
and order.
IV. It is not only asserted, but proved, that the priesthood and law
are changed, v. 13, 14. The priesthood and law by which perfection
could not come are abolished, and a priest has arisen, and a
dispensation is now set up, by which true believers may be made
perfect. Now that there is such a change is obvious.
1. There is a change in the tribe of which the priesthood comes.
Before, it was the tribe of Levi; but our great high priest sprang out
of Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning the priesthood,
v. 14. This change of the family shows a real change of the law of the
priesthood.
2. There is a change in the form and order of making the priests.
Before, in the Levitical priesthood, they were made after the law of a
carnal commandment; but our great high priest was made after the power
of an endless life. The former law appointed that the office should
descend, upon the death of the father, to his eldest son, according to
the order of carnal or natural generation; for none of the high priests
under the law were without father or mother, or without descent: they
had not life and immortality in themselves. They had both beginning of
days and end of life; and so the carnal commandment, or law of
primogeniture, directed their succession, as it did in matters of civil
right and inheritance. But the law by which Christ was constituted a
priest, after the order of Melchisedec, was the power of an endless
life. The life and immortality which he had in himself were his right
and title to the priesthood, not his descent from former priests. This
makes a great difference in the priesthood, and in the economy too, and
gives the preference infinitely to Christ and the gospel. The very law
which constituted the Levitical priesthood supposed the priests to be
weak, frail, dying, creatures, not able to preserve their own natural
lives, but who must be content and glad to survive in their posterity
after the flesh; much less could they, by any power or authority they
had, convey spiritual life and blessedness to those who came to them.
But the high priest of our profession holds his office by that innate
power of endless life which he has in himself, not only to preserve
himself alive, but to communicate spiritual and eternal life to all
those who duly rely upon his sacrifice and intercession. Some thing the
law of the carnal commandment refers to the external rites of
consecration, and the carnal offerings that were made; but the power of
an endless life to the spiritual living sacrifices proper to the
gospel, and the spiritual and eternal privileges purchased by Christ,
who was consecrated by the eternal Spirit of life that he received
without measure.
3. There is a change in the efficacy of the priesthood. The former was
weak and unprofitable, made nothing perfect; the latter brought in a
better hope, by which we draw near to God, v. 18, 19. The Levitical
priesthood brought nothing to perfection: it could not justify men's
persons from guilt; it could not sanctify them from inward pollution;
it could not cleanse the consciences of the worshippers from dead
works; all it could do was to lead them to the antitype. But the
priesthood of Christ carries in it, and brings along with it, a better
hope; it shows us the true foundation of all the hope we have towards
God for pardon and salvation; it more clearly discovers the great
objects of our hope; and so it tends to work in us a more strong and
lively hope of acceptance with God. By this hope we are encouraged to
draw nigh unto God, to enter into a covenant-union with him, to live a
life of converse and communion with him. We may now draw near with a
true heart, and with the full assurance of faith, having our minds
sprinkled from an evil conscience. The former priesthood rather kept
men at a distance, and under a spirit of bondage.
4. There is a change in God's way of acting in this priesthood. He has
taken an oath to Christ, which he never did to any of the order of
Aaron. God never gave them any such assurance of their continuance,
never engaged himself by oath or promise that theirs should be an
everlasting priesthood, and therefore gave them no reason to expect the
perpetuity of it, but rather to look upon it as a temporary law. But
Christ was made a priest with the oath of God: The Lord hath sworn, and
will not repent, Thou art a priest for ever after the order of
Melchisedec, v. 21. Here God has upon oath declared the immutability,
excellency, efficacy, and eternity, of the priesthood of Christ.
5. There is a change in that covenant of which the priesthood was a
security and the priest a surety; that is, a change in the dispensation
of that covenant. The gospel dispensation is more full, free,
perspicuous, spiritual, and efficacious, than that of the law. Christ
is in this gospel covenant a surety for us to God and for God to us, to
see that the articles be performed on both parts He, as surety, has
united the divine and human nature together in his own person, and
therein given assurance of reconciliation; and he has, as surety,
united God and man together in the bond of the everlasting covenant. He
pleads with men to keep their covenant with god, and he pleads with God
that he will fulfil his promises to men, which he is always ready to do
in a way suitable to his majesty and glory, that is, through a
Mediator.
6. There is a remarkable change in the number of the priests under
these different orders. In that of Aaron there was a multitude of
priests, of high priests, not at once, but successively; but in this of
Christ there is but one and the same. The reason is plain, The
Levitical priests were many, because they were not suffered to continue
by reason of death. Their office, how high and honourable soever, could
not secure them from dying; and, as one died, another must succeed, and
after a while must give place to a third, till the number had become
very great. But this our high priest continues for ever, and his
priesthood is aparabaton--an unchangeable one, that does not pass from
one to another, as the former did; it is always in the same hand. There
can be no vacancy in this priesthood, no hour nor moment in which the
people are without a priest to negotiate their spiritual concerns in
heaven. Such a vacancy might be very dangerous and prejudicial to them;
but this is their safety and happiness, that this ever-living high
priest is able to save to the utmost--in all times, in all cases, in
every juncture--all who come to God by him, v. 25. So that here is a
manifest alteration much for the better.
7. There is a remarkable difference in the moral qualifications of the
priests. Those who were of the order of Aaron were not only mortal men,
but sinful men, who had their sinful as well as natural infirmities;
they needed to offer up sacrifices first for their own sins and then
for the people. But our high priest, who was consecrated by the word of
the oath, needed only to offer up once for the people, never at all for
himself; for he has not only an immutable consecration to his office,
but an immutable sanctity in his person. He is such a high priest as
became us, holy, harmless, and undefiled, &c., v. 26-28. Here observe,
(1.) Our case, as sinners, needed a high priest to make satisfaction
and intercession for us. (2.) No priest could be suitable or sufficient
for our reconciliation to God but one who was perfectly righteous in
his own person; he must be righteous in himself, or he could not be a
propitiation for our sin, or our advocate with the Father. (3.) The
Lord Jesus was exactly such a high priest as we wanted, for he has a
personal holiness, absolutely perfect. Observe the description we have
of the personal holiness of Christ expressed in various terms, all of
which some learned divines consider as relating to his perfect purity.
[1.] He is holy, perfectly free from all the habits or principles of
sin, not having the least disposition to it in his nature; no sin
dwells in him, though it does in the best of Christians, not the least
sinful inclination [2.] He is harmless, perfectly free from all actual
transgression, has done no violence, nor is there any deceit in his
mouth, never did the least wrong to God or man. [3.] He is undefiled,
he was never accessory to other men's sins. It is a difficult thing to
keep ourselves pure, so as not to partake in the guilt of other men's
sins, by contributing in some way towards them, or not doing what we
ought to prevent them. Christ was undefiled; though he took upon him
the guilt of our sins, yet he never involved himself in the fact and
fault of them. [4.] He is separate from sinners, not only in his
present state (having entered as our high priest into the holiest of
all, into which nothing defiled can enter), but in his personal purity:
he has no such union with sinners, either natural or federal, as can
devolve upon him original sin. This comes upon us by virtue of our
natural and federal union with the first Adam, we descending from him
in the ordinary way. But Christ was, by his ineffable conception in the
virgin, separate from sinners; though he took a true human nature, yet
the miraculous way in which it was conceived set him upon a separate
footing from all the rest of mankind. [5.] He is made higher than the
heavens. Most expositors understand this concerning his state of
exaltation in heaven, at the right hand of God, to perfect the design
of his priesthood. But Dr. Goodwin thinks this may be very justly
referred to the personal holiness of Christ, which is greater and more
perfect than the holiness of the hosts of heaven, that is, the holy
angels themselves, who, though they are free from sin, yet are not in
themselves free from all possibility of sinning. And therefore we read,
God putteth no trust in his holy ones, and he chargeth his angels with
folly (Job iv. 18), that is, with weakness and peccability. They may be
angels one hour and devils another, as many of them were; and that the
holy angels shall not now fall does not proceed from an indefectibility
of nature, but from the election of God; they are elect angels. It is
very probable that this explanation of the words, made higher than the
heavens, may be thought too much strained, and that it ought to be
understood of the dignity of Christ's state, and not the perfect
holiness of his person; and the rather because it is said he was made
higher genomenos; but it is well known that this word is used in a
neutral sense, as where it is said, genesthe ho Theos alethes--Let God
be true. The other characters in the verse plainly belong to the
personal perfection of Christ in holiness, as opposed to the sinful
infirmities of the Levitical priests; and it seems congruous to think
this must do so too, if it may be fairly taken in such a sense; and it
appears yet more probable, since the validity and prevalency of
Christ's priesthood in v. 27 are placed in the impartiality and
disinterestedness of it. He needed not to offer up for himself: it was
a disinterested mediation; he mediated for that mercy for others which
he did not need for himself; had he needed it himself, he had been a
party, and could not have been a Mediator--a criminal, and could not
have been an advocate for sinners. Now, to render his mediation the
more impartial and disinterested, it seems requisite not only that he
had no present need of that favour for himself which he mediated for in
behalf of others, but that he never could stand in need of it. Though
he needed it not to-day, yet if he knew he might be in such
circumstances as to need it to-morrow, or at any future time, he must
have been thought to have had some eye upon his own interest, and
therefore could not act with impartial regard and pure zeal for the
honour of God on one hand, and tender pure compassion for poor sinners
on the other. I pretend not here to follow the notes of our late
excellent expositor, into whose labours we have entered, but have taken
the liberty to vindicate this notion of the learned Dr. Goodwin from
the exceptions that I know have been made to it; and I have the rather
done it because, if it will hold good, it gives us further evidence how
necessary it was that the Mediator should be God, since no mere
creature is of himself possessed of that impeccability which will set
him above all possible need of favour and mercy for himself.
__________________________________________________________________
H E B R E W S.
CHAP. VIII.
In this chapter the apostle pursues his former subject, the priesthood
of Christ. And, I. He sums up what he had already said, ver. 1, 2. II.
He sets before them the necessary parts of the priestly office, ver.
3-5. And, III. Largely illustrates the excellency of the priesthood of
Christ, by considering the excellency of that new dispensation or
covenant for which Christ is the Mediator, ver. 6, to the end.
The Priesthood of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
1 Now of the things which we have spoken this is the sum: We have such
a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the
Majesty in the heavens; 2 A minister of the sanctuary, and of the
true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man. 3 For every
high priest is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices: wherefore it is
of necessity that this man have somewhat also to offer. 4 For if he
were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests
that offer gifts according to the law: 5 Who serve unto the example
and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he
was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make
all things according to the pattern showed to thee in the mount.
Here is, I. A summary recital of what had been said before concerning
the excellency of Christ's priesthood, showing what we have in Christ,
where he now resides, and what sanctuary he is the minister of, v. 1,
2. Observe, 1. What we have in Christ; we have a high priest, and such
a high priest as no other people ever had, no age of the world, or of
the church, ever produced; all others were but types and shadows of
this high priest. He is adequately fitted and absolutely sufficient to
all the intents and purposes of a high priest, both with respect to the
honour of God and the happiness of men and himself; the great honour of
all those who have an interest in him. 2. Where he now resides: He sits
on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on high, that is, of the
glorious God of heaven. There the Mediator is placed, and he is
possessed of all authority and power both in heaven and upon earth.
This is the reward of his humiliation. This authority he exercises for
the glory of his Father, for his own honour, and for the happiness of
all who belong to him; and he will by his almighty power bring every
one of them in their own order to the right hand of God in heaven, as
members of his mystical body, that where he is they may be also. 3.
What is that sanctuary of which he is a minister: Of the true
tabernacle, which the Lord hath pitched, and not man, v. 2. The
tabernacle which was pitched by man, according to the appointment of
God. There was an outer part, in which was the altar where they were to
offer their sacrifices, which typified Christ dying; and there was an
interior part within the veil, which typified Christ interceding for
the people in heaven. Now this tabernacle Christ never entered into;
but, having finished the work of satisfaction in the true tabernacle of
his own body, he is now a minister of the sanctuary, the holy of
holies, the true tabernacle in heaven, there taking care of his
people's affairs, interceding with God for them, that their sins may be
pardoned and their persons and services accepted, through the merit of
his sacrifice. He is not only in heaven enjoying great dominion and
dignity, but, as the high priest of his church, executing this office
for them all in general, and every member of the church in particular.
II. The apostle sets before the Hebrews the necessary parts of Christ's
priesthood, or what it was that belonged to that office, in conformity
to what every high priest is ordained to, v. 3, 4. 1. Every high priest
is ordained to offer gifts and sacrifices. Whatever was brought by the
people to be presented to God, whether expiatory sacrifices, or
peace-offerings, or thank-offerings, must be offered by the priest, who
was to expiate their guilt by the blood of the sacrifice, and perfume
their gifts and services by his holy incense, to render their persons
and performances typically acceptable; so then it necessarily belongs
to the priesthood of Christ that he should have somewhat to offer; and
he, as the antitype, had himself to offer, his human nature upon the
altar of his divine nature, as the great atoning sacrifice that
finished transgression, and made an end of sin once for all; and he has
the incense of his own righteousness and merits too to offer with all
that his people offer up to God by him, to render them acceptable. We
must not dare to approach to God, or to present any thing to him, but
in and through Christ, depending upon his merits and mediation; for if
we are accepted, it is in the Beloved. 2. Christ must now execute his
priesthood in heaven, in the holy of holies, the true tabernacle which
the Lord hath fixed. Thus the type must be fully answered; having
finished the work of sacrificing here, he must go into heaven, to
present his righteousness and to make intercession there. For, (1.) If
Christ were on earth, he would not be a priest (v. 4), that is, not
according to the Levitical law, as not being of the line of that
priesthood; and so long as that priesthood continued there must be a
strict regard paid to the divine institution in everything. (2.) All
the services of the priest, under the law, as well as every thing in
that tabernacle which was framed according to the pattern in the mount,
were only exemplars and shadows of heavenly things, v. 5. Christ is the
substance and end of the law for righteousness. Something therefore
there must be in Christ's priesthood that answers to the high priest's
entering within the veil to make intercession, without which he could
not have been a perfect priest; and what is this but the ascension of
Christ into heaven, and his appearance there in the sight of God for
his people, to present their prayers, and plead their cause? So that,
if he had still continued on earth, he could not have been a perfect
priest; and an imperfect one he could not be.
The Old and New Covenant. (a. d. 62.)
6 But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also
he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon
better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless,
then should no place have been sought for the second. 8 For finding
fault with them, he saith, Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, when
I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house
of Judah: 9 Not according to the covenant that I made with their
fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the
land of Egypt; because they continued not in my covenant, and I
regarded them not, saith the Lord. 10 For this is the covenant that I
will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lord; I
will put my laws into their mind, and write them in their hearts: and I
will be to them a God, and they shall be to me a people: 11 And they
shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother,
saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the
greatest. 12 For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and
their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. 13 In that
he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which
decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
In this part of the chapter, the apostle illustrates and confirms the
superior excellency of the priesthood of Christ above that of Aaron,
from the excellency of that covenant, or that dispensation of the
covenant of grace, of which Christ was the Mediator (v. 6): his
ministry is more excellent, by how much he is the Mediator of a better
covenant. The body and soul too of all divinity (as some observe)
consist very much in rightly distinguishing between the two
covenants--the covenant of works and the covenant of grace; and between
the two dispensations of the covenant of grace--that under the Old
Testament and that under the New. Now observe,
I. What is here said of the old covenant, or rather of the old
dispensation of the covenant of grace: of this it is said, 1. That it
was made with the fathers of the Jewish nation at mount Sinai (v. 9),
and Moses was the Mediator of that covenant, when God took them by the
hand, to lead them out of the land of Egypt, which intimates the great
affection, condescension, and tender care of God towards them. 2. That
this covenant was not found faultless (v. 7, 8); it was a dispensation
of darkness and dread, tending to bondage, and only a schoolmaster to
bring us to Christ; it was perfect in its kind, and fitted to answer
its end, but very imperfect in comparison of the gospel. 3. That it was
not sure or stedfast; for the Jews continued not in that covenant, and
the Lord regarded them not, v. 9. They dealt ungratefully with their
God, and cruelly with themselves, and fell under God's displeasure. God
will regard those who remain in his covenant, but will reject those who
cast away his yoke from them. 4. That it is decayed, grown old, and
vanisheth away, v. 13. It is antiquated, canceled, out of date, of no
more use in gospel times than candles are when the sun has risen. Some
think the covenant of peculiarity did not quite decay till the
destruction of Jerusalem, though it was forfeited at the death of
Christ, and was made old, and was now to vanish and perish, and the
Levitical priesthood vanished with it.
II. What is here said of the New-Testament dispensation, to prove the
superior excellency of Christ's ministry. It is said,
1. That it is a better covenant (v. 6), a more clear and comfortable
dispensation and discovery of the grace of God to sinners, bringing in
holy light and liberty to the soul. It is without fault, well ordered
in all things. It requires nothing but what it promises grace to
perform. It accepts of godly sincerity, accounting it gospel
perfection. Every transgression does not turn us out of covenant; all
is put into a good and safe hand.
2. That it is established upon better promises, more clear and express,
more spiritual, more absolute. The promises of spiritual and eternal
blessings are in this covenant positive and absolute; the promises of
temporal blessings are with a wise and kind proviso, as far as shall be
for God's glory and his people's good. This covenant contains in it
promises of assistance and acceptance in duty, promises of progress and
perseverance in grace and holiness, of bliss and glory in heaven, which
were more obscurely shadowed forth by the promises of the land of
Canaan, a type of heaven.
3. It is a new covenant, even that new covenant that God long ago
declared he would make with the house of Israel, that is, all the
Israel of God; this was promised in Jer. xxxi. 31, 32, and accomplished
in Christ. This will always be a new covenant, in which all who truly
take hold of it shall be always found preserved by the power of God. It
is God's covenant; his mercy, love, and grace moved for it; his wisdom
devised it; his Son purchased it; his wisdom devised it; his Son
purchased it; his Spirit brings souls into it, and builds them up in
it.
4. The articles of this covenant are very extraordinary, which are
sealed between God and his people by baptism and the Lord's supper;
whereby they bind themselves to their part, and God assures them he
will do his part; and his is the main and principal part, on which his
people depend for grace and strength to do theirs. Here,
(1.) God articles with his people that he will put his laws into their
minds and write them in their hearts, v. 10. He once wrote his laws to
them, now he will write his laws in them; that is, he will give them
understanding to know and to believe his law; he will give them
memories to retain them; he will give them hearts to love them and
consciences to recognize them; he will give them courage to profess
them and power to put them in practice; the whole habit and frame of
their souls shall be a table and transcript of the law of God. This is
the foundation of the covenant; and, when this is laid, duty will be
done wisely, sincerely, readily, easily, resolutely, constantly, and
comfortably.
(2.) He articles with them to take them into a near and very honourable
relation to himself. [1.] He will be to them a God; that is, he will be
all that to them, and do all that for them, that God can be and do.
Nothing more can be said in a thousand volumes than is comprehended in
these few words: I will be a God to them. [2.] They shall be to him a
people, to love, honour, observe, and obey him in all things; complying
with his cautions, conforming to his commands, comporting with his
providences, copying out his example, taking complacency in his favour.
This those must do and will do who have God for their God; this they
are bound to do as their part of the contract; this they shall do, for
God will enable them to do it, as an evidence that he is their God and
that they are his people; for it is God himself who first founds the
relation, and then fills it up with grace suitable and sufficient, and
helps them in their measure to fill it up with love and duty; so that
God engages both for himself and them.
(3.) He articles with them that they shall grow more and more
acquainted with their God (v. 11): They shall all know me from the
least to the greatest, insomuch that there shall not be so much need of
one neighbour teaching another the knowledge of God. Here observe, [1.]
In the want of better instruction, one neighbour should be teaching
another to know the Lord, as they have ability and opportunity for it.
[2.] This private instruction shall not be so necessary under the New
Testament as it was under the Old. The old dispensation was shadowy,
dark, ritual, and less understood; their priests preached but seldom,
and but a few at a time, and the Spirit of God was more sparingly given
out. But under the new dispensation there shall be such abundance of
public qualified preachers of the gospel, and dispensers of ordinances
statedly in the solemn assemblies, and so great a flocking to them, as
doves to their windows, and such a plentiful effusion of the Spirit of
God to make the ministration of the gospel effectual, that there shall
be a mighty increase and spreading of Christian knowledge in persons of
all sorts, of each sex, and of all ages. O that this promise might be
fulfilled in our days, that the hand of God may be with his ministers,
that a great number may believe and be turned to the Lord!
(4.) God articles with them about the pardon of their sins, as what
always accompanies the true knowledge of God (v. 12): For I will be
merciful to their unrighteousness, &c. Observe, [1.] The freeness of
this pardon. It does not result from merit in man, but from mercy in
God; he pardons for his own name's sake. [2.] The fullness of this
pardon; it extends to their unrighteousness, sins, and iniquities; to
all kinds of sin, to sins highly aggravated. [3.] The fixedness of this
pardon. It is so final and so fixed that God will remember their sins
no more; he will not recall his pardon; he will not only forgive their
sins, but forget them, treat them as if he had forgotten them. This
pardoning mercy is connected with all other spiritual mercies.
Unpardoned sin prevents mercy, and pulls down judgments; but the pardon
of sin prevents judgment, and opens a wide door to all spiritual
blessings; it is the effect of that mercy that is from everlasting, and
the earnest of that mercy that shall be to everlasting. This is the
excellency of the new dispensation, and these are the articles of it;
and therefore we have no reason to repine, but great reason to rejoice
that the former dispensation is antiquated and has vanished away.
__________________________________________________________________
H E B R E W S.
CHAP. IX.
The apostle, having declared the Old-Testament dispensation antiquated
and vanishing away, proceeds to let the Hebrews see the correspondence
there was between the Old Testament and the New; and that whatever was
excellent in the Old was typical and representative of the New, which
therefore must as far excel the Old as the substance does the shadow.
The Old Testament was never intended to be rested in, but to prepare
for the institutions of the gospel. And here he treats, I. Of the
tabernacle, the place of worship, ver. 1-5. II. Of the worship and
services performed in the tabernacle, ver. 6, 7. III. He delivers the
spiritual sense and the main design of all, ver. 8, to the end.
The Furniture of the Tabernacle. (a. d. 62.)
1 Then verily the first covenant had also ordinances of divine service,
and a worldly sanctuary. 2 For there was a tabernacle made; the
first, wherein was the candlestick, and the table, and the showbread;
which is called the sanctuary. 3 And after the second veil, the
tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all; 4 Which had the golden
censer, and the ark of the covenant overlaid round about with gold,
wherein was the golden pot that had manna, and Aaron's rod that budded,
and the tables of the covenant; 5 And over it the cherubims of glory
shadowing the mercyseat; of which we cannot now speak particularly. 6
Now when these things were thus ordained, the priests went always into
the first tabernacle, accomplishing the service of God. 7 But into
the second went the high priest alone once every year, not without
blood, which he offered for himself, and for the errors of the people:
Here, I. The apostle gives an account of the tabernacle, that place of
worship which God appointed to be pitched on earth; it is called a
worldly sanctuary, wholly of this world, as to the materials of which
it was built, and a building that must be taken down; it is called a
worldly sanctuary, because it was the court and palace of the King of
Israel. God was their King, and, as other kings, had his court or place
of residence, and attendants, furniture, and provision, suitable
thereto. This tabernacle (of which we have the model, Exod.
xxv.-xxvii.) was a moving temple, shadowing forth the unsettled state
of the church militant, and the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ,
in whom the fullness of the Godhead dwelt bodily. Now of this
tabernacle it is said that it was divided into two parts, called a
first and a second tabernacle, an inner and an outer part, representing
the two states of the church militant and triumphant, and the two
natures of Christ, human and divine. We are also told what was placed
in each part of the tabernacle.
1. In the outer part: and there were several things, of which you have
here a sort of schedule. (1.) The candlestick; doubtless not an empty
and unlighted one, but where the lamps were always burning. And there
was need of it, for there were no windows in the sanctuary; and this
was to convince the Jews of the darkness and the mysterious nature of
that dispensation. Their light was only candle-light, in comparison of
the fullness of light which Christ, the Sun of righteousness, would
bring along with him, and communicate to his people; for all our light
is derived from him the fountain of light. (2.) The table and the
show-bread set upon it. This table was set directly opposite to the
candlestick, which shows that by light from Christ we must have
communion with him and with one another. We must not come in the dark
to his table, but by light from Christ must discern the Lord's body. On
this table were placed twelve loaves for the twelve tribes of Israel, a
loaf for a tribe, which stood from sabbath to sabbath, and on that day
were renewed. This show-bread may be considered either as the provision
of the palace (though the King of Israel needed it not, yet, in
resemblance of the palaces of earthly kings, there must be this
provision laid in weekly), or the provision made in Christ for the
souls of his people, suitable to the wants and to the relief of their
souls. He is the bread of life; in our Father's house there is bread
enough and to spare; we may have fresh supplies from Christ, especially
every Lord's day. This outer part is called the sanctuary or holy,
because erected to the worship of a holy God, to represent a holy
Jesus, and to entertain a holy people, for their further improvement in
holiness.
2. We have an account of what was in the inner part of the sanctuary,
which was within the second veil, and is called the holiest of all.
This second veil, which divided between the holy and the most holy
place, was a type of the body of Christ, by the rending whereof not
only a view, but a way, was opened for us into the holiest of all, the
type of heaven itself. Now in this part were, (1.) The golden censer,
which was to hold the incense, or the golden altar set up to burn the
incense upon; both the one and the other were typical of Christ, of his
pleasing and prevailing intercession which he makes in heaven, grounded
upon the merits and satisfaction of his sacrifice, upon which we are to
depend for acceptance and the blessing from God. (2.) The ark of the
covenant overlaid round about with pure gold, v. 4. This typified
Christ, his perfect obedience to the law and his fulfilling of all
righteousness for us. Now here we are told both what was in this ark
and what was over it. [1.] What was in it. First, The golden pot that
had manna, which, when preserved by the Israelites in their own houses,
contrary to the command of God, presently putrefied; but now, being by
God's appointment deposited here in this house, was kept from
putrefaction, always pure and sweet; and this to teach us that it is
only in Christ that our persons, our graces, our performances are kept
pure. It was also a type of the bread of life we have in Christ, the
true ambrosia that gives immortality. This was also a memorial of God's
miraculously feeding his people in the wilderness, that they might
never forget such signal favour, nor distrust God for the time to come.
Secondly, Aaron's rod that budded, and thereby showed that God had
chosen him of the tribe of Levi to minister before him of all the
tribes of Israel, and so an end was put to the murmuring of the people,
and to their attempt to invade the priest's office, Num. xvii. This was
that rod of God with which Moses and Aaron wrought such wonders; and
this was a type of Christ, who is styled the man, the branch (Zech. vi.
12), by whom God has wrought wonders for the spiritual deliverance,
defence, and supply of his people, and for the destruction of their
enemies. It was a type of divine justice, by which Christ the Rock was
smitten, and from whom the cool refreshing waters of life flow into our
souls. Thirdly, The tables of the covenant, in which the moral law was
written, signifying the regard God has to the preservation of his holy
law, and the care we all ought to have that we keep the law of
God--that this we can only do in and through Christ, by strength from
him nor can our obedience by accepted but through him. [2.] What was
over the ark (v. 5): Over it the cherubim of glory shadowing the
mercy-seat. First, The mercy-seat, which was the covering of the ark;
it was called the propitiatory, and it was of pure gold, as long and as
broad as the ark in which the tables of the law were laid. It was an
eminent type of Christ, and of his perfect righteousness, ever adequate
to the dimensions of the law of God, and covering all our
transgressions, interposing between the Shechinah, or symbol of God's
presence, and our sinful failures, and covering them. Secondly, The
cherubim of glory shadowing the mercy-seat, representing the holy
angels of God, who take pleasure in looking into the great work of our
redemption by Christ, and are ready to perform every good office, under
the Redeemer, for those who are the heirs of salvation. The angels
attended Christ at his birth, in his temptation, under his agonies, at
his resurrection, and in his ascension, and will attend his second
coming. God manifest in the flesh was seen, observed, visited, by the
angels.
II. From the description of the place of worship in the Old-Testament
dispensation, the apostle proceeds to speak of the duties and services
performed in those places, v. 6. When the several parts and furniture
of the tabernacle were thus settled, then what was to be done there?
1. The ordinary priests went always into the first tabernacle, to
accomplish the service of God. Observe, (1.) None but priests were to
enter into the first part of the tabernacle, and this to teach us all
that persons not qualified, not called of God, must not intrude into
the office and work of the ministry. (2.) The ordinary priests were
only to enter into the first part of the tabernacle, it would have been
fatal presumption in them to have gone into the holiest of all; and
this teaches us that even ministers themselves must know and keep in
their proper stations, and not presume to usurp the prerogative of
Christ, by offering up incense of their own, or adding their own
inventions to the ordinances of Christ, or lording it over men's
consciences. (3.) These ordinary priests were to enter into the first
tabernacle always; that is, they were to devote themselves and all
their time to the work of their office, and not alienate themselves at
any time from it; they were to be in an habitual readiness for the
discharge of their office, and at all stated appointed times were
actually to attend to their work. (4.) The ordinary priests must enter
into the first tabernacle, that they might there accomplish the service
of God. They must not do the work of God partially or by halves, but
stand complete in the whole of his will and counsel; not only beginning
well, but proceeding well, and persevering to the end, fulfilling the
ministry they had received.
2. Into the second, the interior part, went the high priest along, v.
7. This part was an emblem of heaven, and Christ's ascension thither.
Here observe, (1.) None but the high priest must go into the holiest;
so none but Christ could enter into heaven in his own name, by his own
right, and by his own merits. (2.) In entering into the holiest, the
high priest must first go through the outer sanctuary, and through the
veil, signifying that Christ went to heaven through a holy life and a
violent death; the veil of his flesh was rent asunder. (3.) The high
priest entered but once a year into the holiest, and in this the
antitype excels the type (as in every thing else), for he has entered
once for all, during the whole dispensation of the gospel. (4.) The
high priest must not enter without blood, signifying that Christ,
having undertaken to be our high priest, could not have been admitted
into heaven without shedding his blood for us, and that none of us can
enter either into God's gracious presence here or his glorious presence
hereafter, but by the blood of Jesus. (5.) The high priest, under the
law, entering into the holiest, offered up that blood for himself and
his own errors first, and then for the errors of the people, v. 7. This
teaches us that Christ is a more excellent person and high priest than
any under the law, for he has no errors of his own to offer for. And it
teaches us that ministers, when in the name of Christ they intercede
for others, must first apply the blood of Christ to themselves for
their pardon. (6.) When the legal high priest had offered for himself,
he must not stop there, but must also offer for the errors of the
people. Our high priest, though he needs not to offer for himself, yet
forgets not to offer for his people; he pleads the merit of his
sufferings for the benefit of his people on earth. Observe, [1.] Sins
are errors, and great errors, both in judgment and practice. We greatly
err when we sin against God; and who can understand all his errors?
[2.] They are such errors as leave guilt upon the conscience, not to be
washed away but by the blood of Christ; and the sinful errors of
priests and people must be all done away by the same means, the
application of the blood of Christ; we must plead this blood on earth,
while he is pleading it in heaven for us.
The Priesthood of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
8 The Holy Ghost this signifying, that the way into the holiest of all
was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet
standing: 9 Which was a figure for the time then present, in which
were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him that
did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience; 10 Which
stood only in meats and drinks, and divers washings, and carnal
ordinances, imposed on them until the time of reformation. 11 But
Christ being come a high priest of good things to come, by a greater
and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not
of this building; 12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by
his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained
eternal redemption for us. 13 For if the blood of bulls and of goats,
and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the
purifying of the flesh: 14 How much more shall the blood of Christ,
who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God,
purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?
In these verses the apostle undertakes to deliver to us the mind and
meaning of the Holy Ghost in all the ordinances of the tabernacle and
legal economy, comprehending both place and worship. The scriptures of
the Old Testament were given by inspiration of God; holy men of old
spoke and wrote as the Holy Ghost directed them. And these
Old-Testament records are of great use and significancy, not only to
those who first received them, but even to Christians, who ought not to
satisfy themselves with reading the institutes of the Levitical law,
but should learn what the Holy Ghost signifies and suggests to them
thereby. Now here are several things mentioned as the things that the
Holy Ghost signified and certified to his people hereby.
I. That the way into the holiest of all was not yet made manifest,
while the first tabernacle was standing, v. 8. This was one lesson the
Holy Ghost would teach us by these types; the way to heaven was not so
clear and plain, nor so much frequented, under the Old Testament as
under the New. It is the honour of Christ and the gospel, and the
happiness of those who live under it, that now life and immortality are
brought to light. There was not that free access to God then that there
is now; God has now opened a wider door; and there is room for more,
yea, even for as many as are truly willing to return unto him by
Christ.
II. That the first tabernacle was only a figure for the time then
present, v. 9. It was a dark dispensation, and but of short
continuance, only designed for awhile to typify the great things of
Christ and the gospel, that were in due time to shine forth in their
own brightness, and thereby cause all the shadows to flee away and
disappear, as the stars before the rising sun.
III. That none of the gifts and sacrifices there offered could make the
offerers perfect as pertaining to conscience (v. 9); that is, they
could not take away the desert, or defilement, or dominion, of sin;
they could not deliver conscience from a dread of the wrath of God;
they could neither discharge the debts, nor resolve the doubts, of him
who did the service. A man might run through them all in their several
orders and frequent returns, and continue to do so all his days, and
yet not find his conscience either pacified or purified by them; he
might thereby be saved from corporal and temporal punishments that were
threatened against the non-observers, but he could not be saved by them
from sin or hell, as all those are who believe in Christ.
IV. The Holy Ghost hereby signifies that the Old-Testament institutions
were by external carnal ordinances imposed upon them until the time of
reformation, v. 10. Their imperfection lay in three things:--1. Their
nature. They were but external and carnal meats and drinks, and divers
washings. All these were bodily exercises, which profit little; they
could only satisfy the flesh, or at best sanctify to the purifying of
the flesh. 2. They were not such as were left indifferent to them to
use or disuse, but they were imposed upon them by grievous corporal
punishments, and this was ordered on purpose to make them look more to
the promised Seed, and long more for him. 3. These were never designed
for a perpetuity, but only to continue till the time of reformation,
till the better things provided for them were actually bestowed upon
them. Gospel times are and should be times of reformation,--of clearer
light as to all things necessary to be known,--of greater love,
inducing us to bear ill-will to none, but good-will to all, and to have
complacency in all that are like God,--of greater liberty and freedom
both of spirit and speech--and of a more holy living according to the
rule of the gospel. We have far greater advantages under the gospel
than they had under the law; and either we must be better or we shall
be worse. A conversation becoming the gospel is an excellent way of
living; nothing mean, foolish, vain, or servile becomes the gospel.
V. The Holy Ghost signifies to us hereby that we never make the right
use of types but when we apply them to the antitype; and, whenever we
do so, it will be very evident that the antitype (as in reason it
should) greatly excels the type, which is the main drift and design of
all that is said. And, as he writes to those who believed that Christ
had come and that Jesus was the Christ, so he very justly infers that
he is infinitely above all legal high priests (v. 11, 12), and he
illustrates it very fully. For,
1. Christ is a high priest of good things to come, by which may be
understood, (1.) All the good things that were to come during the Old
Testament, and now have come under the New. All the spiritual and
eternal blessings the Old-Testament saints had in their day and under
their dispensation were owing to the Messiah to come, on whom they
believed. The Old Testament set forth in shadows what was to come; the
New Testament is the accomplishment of the Old. (2.) All the good
things yet to come and to be enjoyed in a gospel state, when the
promises and prophecies made to the gospel church in the latter days
shall be accomplished; all these depend upon Christ and his priesthood,
and shall be fulfilled. (3.) Of all the good things to come in the
heavenly state, which will perfect both the Testaments; as the state of
glory will perfect the state of grace, this state will be in a much
higher sense the perfection of the New Testament than the New Testament
was the perfection of the Old. Observe, All things past, present, and
to come, were, and are, founded upon, and flowing from, the priestly
office of Christ.
2. Christ is a high priest by a greater and more perfect tabernacle (v.
11), a tabernacle not made with hands, that is to say, not of this
building, but his own body, or rather human nature, conceived by the
Holy Ghost overshadowing the blessed virgin. This was a new fabric, a
new order of building, infinitely superior to all earthly structures,
not excepting the tabernacle of the temple itself.
3. Christ, our high priest, has entered into heaven, not as their high
priest entered into the holiest, with the blood of bulls and of goats,
but by his own blood, typified by theirs, and infinitely more precious.
And this,
4. Not for one year only, which showed the imperfection of that
priesthood, that it did but typically obtain a year's reprieve or
pardon. But our high priest entered into heaven once for all, and has
obtained not a yearly respite, but eternal redemption, and so needs not
to make an annual entrance. In each of the types there was something
that showed it was a type, and resembled the antitype, and something
that showed it was but a type, and fell short of the antitype, and
therefore ought by no means to be set up in competition with the
antitype.
5. The Holy Ghost further signified and showed what was the efficacy of
the blood of the Old-Testament sacrifices, and thence is inferred the
much greater efficacy of the blood of Christ. (1.) The efficacy of the
blood of the legal sacrifices extended to the purifying of the flesh
(v. 13): it freed the outward man from ceremonial uncleanness and from
temporal punishment, and entitled him to, and fitted him for, some
external privileges. (2.) He infers very justly hence the far greater
efficacy of the blood of Christ (v. 14): How much more shall the blood
of Christ, &c. Here observe, [1.] What it was that gave such efficacy
to the blood of Christ. First, It was his offering himself to God, the
human nature upon the altar of his divine nature, he being priest,
altar, and sacrifice, his divine nature serving for the two former, and
his human nature for the last; now such a priest, altar, and sacrifice,
could not but be propitiatory. Secondly, It was Christ's offering up
himself to God through the eternal Spirit, not only as the divine
nature supported the human, but the Holy Ghost, which he had without
measure, helping him in all, and in this great act of obedience
offering himself. Thirdly, It was Christ's offering himself to God
without spot, without any sinful stain either in his nature or life;
this was conformable to the law of sacrifices, which required them to
be without blemish. Now further observe, [2.] What the efficacy of
Christ's blood is; it is very great. For, First, It is sufficient to
purge the conscience from dead works, it reaches to the very soul and
conscience, the defiled soul, defiled with sin, which is a dead work,
proceeds from spiritual death, and tends to death eternal. As the
touching of a dead body gave a legal uncleanness, so meddling with sin
gives a moral and real defilement, fixes it in the very soul; but the
blood of Christ has efficacy to purge it out. Secondly, It is
sufficient to enable us to serve the living God, not only by purging
away that guilt which separates between God and sinners, but by
sanctifying and renewing the soul through the gracious influences of
the Holy Spirit, purchased by Christ for this purpose, that we might be
enabled to serve the living God in a lively manner.
The Priesthood of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
15 And for this cause he is the mediator of the new testament, that by
means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were
under the first testament, they which are called might receive the
promise of eternal inheritance. 16 For where a testament is, there
must also of necessity be the death of the testator. 17 For a
testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no
strength at all while the testator liveth. 18 Whereupon neither the
first testament was dedicated without blood. 19 For when Moses had
spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took
the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and
hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, 20 Saying,
This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
21 Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the
vessels of the ministry. 22 And almost all things are by the law
purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
In these verses the apostle considers the gospel under the notion of a
will or testament, the new or last will and testament of Christ, and
shows the necessity and efficacy of the blood of Christ to make this
testament valid and effectual.
I. The gospel is here considered as a testament, the new and last will
and testament of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. It is observable
that the solemn transactions that pass between God and man are
sometimes called a covenant, here a testament. A covenant is an
agreement between two or more parties about things that are in their
own power, or may be so, and this either with or without a mediator;
this agreement takes effect at such time and in such manner as therein
declared. A testament is a voluntary act and deed of a single person,
duly executed and witnessed, bestowing legacies on such legatees as are
described and characterized by the testator, and which can only take
effect upon his death. Now observe, Christ is the Mediator of a New
Testament (v. 15); and he is so for several ends and purposes here
mentioned. 1. To redeem persons from their transgressions committed
against the law or first testament, which makes every transgression a
forfeiture of liberty, and makes men debtors, and slaves or prisoners,
who need to be redeemed. 2. To qualify all those that are effectually
called to receive the promise of an eternal inheritance. These are the
great legacies that Christ by his last will and testament has
bequeathed to the truly characterized legatees.
II. To make this New Testament effectual, it was necessary that Christ
should die; the legacies accrue by means of death. This he proves by
two arguments:--1. From the general nature of every will or
testamentary disposition, v. 16. Where a testament is, where it acts
and operates, there must of necessity by the death of the testator;
till then the property is still in the testator's hand, and he has
power to revoke, cancel, or alter, his will as he pleases; so that no
estate, no right, is conveyed by will, till the testator's death has
made it unalterable and effectual. 2. From the particular method that
was taken by Moses in the ratification of the first testament, which
was not done without blood, v. 18, 19, &c. All men by sin had become
guilty before God, had forfeited their inheritance, their liberties,
and their very lives, into the hands of divine justice; but God, being
willing to show the greatness of his mercy, proclaimed a covenant of
grace, and ordered it to be typically administered under the Old
Testament, but not without the blood and life of the creature; and God
accepted the blood of bulls and goats, as typifying the blood of
Christ; and by these means the covenant of grace was ratified under the
former dispensation. The method taken by Moses, according to the
direction he had received from God, is here particularly related (1.)
Moses spoke every precept to all the people, according to the law, v.
19. He published to them the tenour of the covenant, the duties
required, the rewards promised to those who did their duty, and the
punishment threatened against the transgressors, and he called for
their consent to the terms of the covenant; and this in an express
manner. (2.) Then he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water,
and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and applied this blood by sprinkling it.
This blood and water signified the blood and water that came out of our
Saviour's pierced side, for justification and sanctification, and also
shadowed forth the two sacraments of the New Testament, baptism and the
Lord's supper, with scarlet wool, signifying the righteousness of
Christ with which we must be clothed, the hyssop signifying that faith
by which we must apply all. Now with these Moses sprinkled, [1.] The
book of the law and covenant, to show that the covenant of grace is
confirmed by the blood of Christ and made effectual to our good. [2.]
The people, intimating that the shedding of the blood of Christ will be
no advantage to us if it be not applied to us. And the sprinkling of
both the book and the people signified the mutual consent of both
parties, God and man, and their mutual engagements to each other in
this covenant through Christ, Moses at the same time using these words,
This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you.
This blood, typifying the blood of Christ, is the ratification of the
covenant of grace to all true believers. [3.] He sprinkled the
tabernacle and all the utensils of it, intimating that all the
sacrifices offered up and services performed there were accepted only
through the blood of Christ, which procures the remission of that
iniquity that cleaves to our holy things, which could not have been
remitted but by that atoning blood.
The Priesthood of Christ; The Second Coming of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
23 It was therefore necessary that the patterns of things in the
heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things
themselves with better sacrifices than these. 24 For Christ is not
entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of
the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God
for us: 25 Nor yet that he should offer himself often, as the high
priest entereth into the holy place every year with blood of others;
26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the
world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put
away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto
men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once
offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall
he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.
In this last part of the chapter, the apostle goes on to tell us what
the Holy Ghost has signified to us by the legal purifications of the
patterns of the things in heaven, inferring thence the necessity of
better sacrifices to consecrate the heavenly things themselves.
I. The necessity of purifying the patterns of the things in heaven, v.
23. This necessity arises both from the divine appointment, which must
always be obeyed, and from the reason of that appointment, which was to
preserve a proper resemblance between the things typifying and the
things typified. It is observable here that the sanctuary of God on
earth is a pattern of heaven, and communion with God in his sanctuary
is to his people a heaven upon earth.
II. The necessity that the heavenly things themselves should be
purified with better sacrifices than of bulls and goats; the things
themselves are better than the patterns, and must therefore be
consecrated with better sacrifices. These heavenly things are the
privileges of the gospel state, begun in grace, perfected in glory.
These must be ratified by a suitable sanction or consecration; and this
was the blood of Christ. Now it is very evident that the sacrifice of
Christ is infinitely better than those of the law. 1. From the places
in which the sacrifices under the law, and that under the gospel, were
offered. Those under the law were the holy places made with hands,
which are but figures of the true sanctuary, v. 24. Christ's sacrifice,
though offered upon earth, was by himself carried up into heaven, and
is there presented in a way of daily intercession; for he appears in
the presence of God for us. He has gone to heaven, not only to enjoy
the rest and receive the honour due to him, but to appear in the
presence of God for us, to present our persons and our performances, to
answer and rebuke our adversary and accuser, to secure our interest, to
perfect all our affairs, and to prepare a place for us. 2. From the
sacrifices themselves, v. 26. Those under the law were the lives and
blood of other creatures of a different nature from the offerers--the
blood of beasts, a thing of small value, and which would have been of
none at all in this matter had it not had a typical respect to the
blood of Christ; but the sacrifice of Christ was the oblation of
himself; he offered his own blood, truly called, by virtue of the
hypostatical union, the blood of God; and therefore of infinite value.
3. From the frequent repetition of the legal sacrifices. This showed
the imperfection of that law; but it is the honour and perfection of
Christ's sacrifice that, being once offered, it was sufficient to all
the ends of it; and indeed the contrary would have been absurd, for
then he must have been still dying and rising again, and ascending and
then again descending and dying; and the great work had been always in
fieri--always doing, and always to do, but never finished, which would
be as contrary to reason as it is to revelation, and to the dignity of
his person: But now once in the end of the world hath he appeared, to
put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. The gospel is the last
dispensation of the grace of God to men. 4. From the inefficacy of the
legal sacrifices, and the efficacy of Christ's sacrifice. The legal
sacrifices could not of themselves put away sin, neither procure pardon
for it now power against it. Sin would still have lain upon us, and had
dominion over us; but Jesus Christ by one sacrifice has made an end of
sin, he has destroyed the works of the devil.
III. The apostle illustrates the argument from the appointment of God
concerning men (v. 27, 28), and observes something like it in the
appointment of God concerning Christ.
1. The appointment of God concerning men contains in it two
things:--(1.) That they must once die, or, at least, undergo a change
equivalent to death. It is an awful thing to die, to have the vital
knot loosed or cut asunder, all relations here dropped at once, an end
put to our probation and preparation state, and to enter into another
world. It is a great work, and it is a work that can be but once done,
and therefore had need to be well done. This is matter of comfort to
the godly, that they shall die well and die but once; but it is matter
of terror to the wicked, who die in their sins, that they cannot return
again to do that great work better. (2.) It is appointed to men that
after death they shall come to judgment, to a particular judgment
immediately after death; for the soul returns to God as to its judge,
to be determined to its eternal state; and men shall be brought to the
general judgment, at the end of the world. This is the unalterable
decree of God concerning men--they must die, and they must be judged.
It is appointed for them, and it is to be believed and seriously
considered by them.
2. The appointment of God concerning Christ, bearing some resemblance
to the other. (1.) He must be once offered, to bear the sins of many,
of all the Father had given to him, of all who should believe in his
name. He was not offered for any sin of his own; he was wounded for our
transgressions. God laid on him the iniquity of all his people; and
these are many, though not so many as the rest of mankind; yet, when
they are all gathered to him, he will be the first-born among many
brethren. (2.) It is appointed that Christ shall appear the second time
without sin, to the salvation of those who look for him. [1.] He will
then appear without sin; at his first appearance, though he had no sin
of his own, yet he stood charged with the sins of many; he was the Lamb
of God that bore upon him the sins of the world, and then he appeared
in the form of sinful flesh; but his second appearance will be without
any such charge upon him, he having fully discharged it before, and
then his visage shall not be marred, but shall be exceedingly glorious.
[2.] This will be to the salvation of all who look for him; he will
then perfect their holiness, their happiness; their number shall then
be accomplished, and their salvation completed. Observe, It is the
distinguishing character of true believers that they are looking for
Christ; they look to him by faith; they look for him by hope and holy
desires. They look for him in every duty, in every ordinance, in every
providence now; and they expect his second coming, and are preparing
for it; and though it will be sudden destruction to the rest of the
world, who scoff at the report of it, it will be eternal salvation to
those who look for it.
__________________________________________________________________
H E B R E W S.
CHAP. X.
The apostle knew very well that the Hebrews, to whom he wrote, were
strangely fond of the Levitical dispensation, and therefore he fills
his mouth with arguments to wean them from it; and in order thereto
proceeds in this chapter, I. To lay low the whole of that priesthood
and sacrifice, ver. 1-6. II. He raises and exalts the priesthood of
Christ very high, that he might effectually recommend him and his
gospel to them, ver. 7-18. III. He shows to believers the honours and
dignities of their state, and calls them to suitable duties, ver. 19,
to the end.
The Priesthood of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
1 For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very
image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered
year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect. 2 For
then would they not have ceased to be offered? because that the
worshippers once purged should have had no more conscience of sins. 3
But in those sacrifices there is a remembrance again made of sins every
year. 4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats
should take away sins. 5 Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he
saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou
prepared me: 6 In burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin thou hast
had no pleasure.
Here the apostle, by the direction of the Spirit of God, sets himself
to lay low the Levitical dispensation; for though it was of divine
appointment, and very excellent and useful in its time and place, yet,
when it was set up in competition with Christ, to whom it was only
designed to lead the people, it was very proper and necessary to show
the weakness and imperfection of it, which the apostle does
effectually, from several arguments. As,
I. That the law had a shadow, and but a shadow, of good things to come;
and who would dote upon a shadow, though of good things, especially
when the substance has come? Observe, 1. The things of Christ and the
gospel are good things; they are the best things; they are best in
themselves, and the best for us: they are realities of an excellent
nature. 2. These good things were, under the Old Testament, good things
to come, not clearly discovered, nor fully enjoyed. 3. That the Jews
then had but the shadow of the good things of Christ, some adumbrations
of them; we under the gospel have the substance.
II. That the law was not the very image of the good things to come. An
image is an exact draught of the thing represented thereby. The law did
not go so far, but was only a shadow, as the image of a person in a
looking-glass is a much more perfect representation than his shadow
upon the wall. The law was a very rough draught of the great design of
divine grace, and therefore not to be so much doted on.
III. The legal sacrifices, being offered year by year, could never make
the comers thereunto perfect; for then there would have been an end of
offering them, v. 1, 2. Could they have satisfied the demands of
justice, and made reconciliation for iniquity,--could they have
purified and pacified conscience,--then they had ceased, as being no
further necessary, since the offerers would have had no more sin lying
upon their consciences. But this was not the case; after one day of
atonement was over, the sinner would fall again into one fault or
another, and so there would be need of another day of atonement, and of
one every year, besides the daily ministrations. Whereas now, under the
gospel, the atonement is perfect, and not to be repeated; and the
sinner, once pardoned, is ever pardoned as to his state, and only needs
to renew his repentance and faith, that he may have a comfortable sense
of a continued pardon.
IV. As the legal sacrifices did not of themselves take away sin, so it
was impossible they should, v. 4. There was an essential defect in
them. 1. They were not of the same nature with us who sinned. 2. They
were not of sufficient value to make satisfaction for the affronts
offered to the justice and government of God. They were not of the same
nature that offended, and so could not be suitable. Much less were they
of the same nature that was offended; and nothing less than the nature
that was offended could make the sacrifice a full satisfaction for the
offence. 3. The beasts offered up under the law could not consent to
put themselves in the sinner's room and place. The atoning sacrifice
must be one capable of consenting, and must voluntarily substitute
himself in the sinner's stead: Christ did so.
V. There was a time fixed and foretold by the great God, and that time
had now come, when these legal sacrifices would be no longer accepted
by him nor useful to men. God never did desire them for themselves, and
now he abrogated them; and therefore to adhere to them now would be
resisting God and rejecting him. This time of the repeal of the
Levitical laws was foretold by David (Ps. xl. 6, 7), and is recited
here as now come. Thus industriously does the apostle lay low the
Mosaical dispensation.
The Priesthood of Christ. (a. d. 62.)
7 Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of
me,) to do thy will, O God. 8 Above when he said, Sacrifice and
offering and burnt offerings and offering for sin thou wouldest not,
neither hadst pleasure therein; which are offered by the law; 9 Then
said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first,
that he may establish the second. 10 By the which will we are
sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for
all. 11 And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering
oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12
But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat
down on the right hand of God; 13 From henceforth expecting till his
enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath
perfected for ever them that are sanctified. 15 Whereof the Holy
Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 16
This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith
the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will
I write them; 17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no
more. 18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering
for sin.
Here the apostle raises up and exalts the Lord Jesus Christ, as high as
he had laid the Levitical priesthood low. He recommends Christ to them
as the true high priest, the true atoning sacrifice, the antitype of
all the rest: and this he illustrates,
I. From the purpose and promise of God concerning Christ, which are
frequently recorded in the volume of the book of God, v. 7. God had not
only decreed, but declared by Moses and the prophets, that Christ
should come and be the great high priest of the church, and should
offer up a perfect and a perfecting sacrifice. It was written of
Christ, in the beginning of the book of God, that the seed of the woman
should break the serpent's head; and the Old Testament abounds with
prophecies concerning Christ. Now since he is the person so often
promised, so much spoken of, so long expected by the people of God, he
ought to be received with great honour and gratitude.
II. From what God had done in preparing a body for Christ (that is, a
human nature), that he might be qualified to be our Redeemer and
Advocate; uniting the two natures in his own person, he was a fit
Mediator to go between God and man; a days-man to lay his hand upon
both, a peace-maker, to reconcile them, and an everlasting band of
union between God and the creature--"My ears hast thou opened; thou has
fully instructed me, furnished and fitted me for the work, and engaged
me in it," Ps. xl. 6. Now a Saviour thus provided, and prepared by God
himself in so extraordinary a manner, ought to be received with great
affection and gladness.
III. From the readiness and willingness that Christ discovered to
engage in this work, when no other sacrifice would be accepted, v. 7-9.
When no less sacrifice would be a proper satisfaction to the justice of
God than that of Christ himself, then Christ voluntarily came into it:
"Lo, I come! I delight to do thy will, O God! Let thy curse fall upon
me, but let these go their way. Father, I delight to fulfil thy
counsels, and my covenant with thee for them; I delight to perform all
thy promises, to fulfil all the prophecies." This should endear Christ
and our Bibles to us, that in Christ we have the fulfilling of the
scriptures.
IV. From the errand and design upon which Christ came; and this was to
do the will of God, not only as a prophet to reveal the will of God,
not only as a king to give forth divine laws, but as a priest to
satisfy the demands of justice, and to fulfil all righteousness. Christ
came to do the will of God in two instances. 1. In taking away the
first priesthood, which God had no pleasure in; not only taking away
the curse of the covenant of works, and canceling the sentence
denounced against us as sinners, but taking away the insufficient
typical priesthood, and blotting out the hand-writing of ceremonial
ordinances and nailing it to his cross. 2. In establishing the second,
that is, his own priesthood and the everlasting gospel, the most pure
and perfect dispensation of the covenant of grace; this is the great
design upon which the heart of God was set from all eternity. The will
of God centers and terminates in it; and it is not more agreeable to
the will of God than it is advantageous to the souls of men; for it is
by this will that we are sanctified, through the offering of the body
of Jesus Christ once for all, v. 10. Observe, (1.) What is the fountain
of all that Christ has done for his people--the sovereign will and
grace of God. (2.) How we come to partake of what Christ has done for
us--by being sanctified, converted, effectually called, wherein we are
united to Christ, and so partake of the benefits of his redemption; and
this sanctification is owing to the oblation he made of himself to God.
V. From the perfect efficacy of the priesthood of Christ (v. 14): By
one offering he hath for ever perfected those that are sanctified; he
has delivered and will perfectly deliver those that are brought over to
him, from all the guilt, power, and punishment of sin, and will put
them into the sure possession of perfect holiness and felicity. This is
what the Levitical priesthood could never do; and, if we indeed are
aiming at a perfect state, we must receive the Lord Jesus as the only
high priest that can bring us to that state.
VI. From the place to which our Lord Jesus is now exalted, the honour
he has there, and the further honour he shall have: This man, after he
had offered one sacrifice for sins, for ever sat down at the right hand
of God, henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool, v.
12, 13. Here observe, 1. To what honour Christ, as man and Mediator, is
exalted--to the right hand of God, the seat of power, interest, and
activity: the giving hand; all the favours that God bestows on his
people are handed to them by Christ: the receiving hand; all the duties
that God accepts from men are presented by Christ: the working hand;
all that pertains to the kingdoms of providence and grace is
administered by Christ; and therefore this is the highest post of
honour. 2. How Christ came to this honour--not merely by the purpose or
donation of the Father, but by his own merit and purchase, as a reward
due to his sufferings; and, as he can never be deprived of an honour so
much his due, so he will never quit it, nor cease to employ it for his
people's good. 3. How he enjoys this honour--with the greatest
satisfaction and rest; he is for ever sitting down there. The Father
acquiesces and is satisfied in him; he is satisfied in his Father's
will and presence; this is his rest for ever; here he will dwell, for
he has both desired and deserved it. 4. He has further expectations,
which shall not be disappointed; for they are grounded upon the promise
of the Father, who hath said unto him, Sit thou at my right hand, until
I make thine enemies thy footstool, Ps. cx. 1. One would think such a
person as Christ could have no enemies except in hell; but it is
certain that he has enemies on earth, very many, and very inveterate
ones. Let not Christians then wonder that they have enemies, though
they desire to live peaceably with all men. But Christ's enemies shall
be made his footstool; some by conversion, others by confusion; and,
which way soever it be, Christ will be honoured. Of this Christ is
assured, this he is expecting, and his people should rejoice in the
expectation of it; for, when his enemies shall be subdued, their
enemies, that are so for his sake, shall be subdued also.
VII. The apostle recommends Christ from the witness the Holy Ghost has
given in the scriptures concerning him; this relates chiefly to what
should be the happy fruit and consequence of his humiliation and
sufferings, which in general is that new and gracious covenant that is
founded upon his satisfaction, and sealed by his blood (v. 15): Whereof
the Holy Ghost is a witness. The passage is cited from Jer. xxxi. 31,
in which covenant God promises, 1. That he will pour out his Spirit
upon his people, so as to give them wisdom, will, and power, to obey
his word; he will put his laws in their hearts, and write them in their
minds, v. 16. This will make their duty plain, easy, and pleasant. 2.
Their sins and iniquities he will remember no more (v. 17), which will
alone show the riches of divine grace, and the sufficiency of Christ's
satisfaction, that it needs not be repeated, v. 18. For there shall be
no more remembrance of sin against true believers, either to shame them
now or to condemn them hereafter. This was much more than the Levitical
priesthood and sacrifices could effect.
And now we have gone through the doctrinal part of the epistle, in
which we have met with many things dark and difficult to be understood,
which we must impute to the weakness and dulness of our own minds. The
apostle now proceeds to apply this great doctrine, so as to influence
their affections, and direct their practice, setting before them the
dignities and duties of the gospel state.
The Consecrated Way; Cautions against Apostasy; Perseverance Inculcated. (a.
d. 62.)
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by
the blood of Jesus, 20 By a new and living way, which he hath
consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21
And having a high priest over the house of God; 22 Let us draw near
with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure
water. 23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without
wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24 And let us consider
one another to provoke unto love and to good works: 25 Not forsaking
the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but
exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day
approaching. 26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received
the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery
indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised
Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how
much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath
trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done
despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said,
Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And
again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to
fall into the hands of the living God. 32 But call to remembrance the
former days, in which, after ye were illuminated, ye endured a great
fight of afflictions; 33 Partly, whilst ye were made a gazingstock
both by reproaches and afflictions; and partly, whilst ye became
companions of them that were so used. 34 For ye had compassion of me
in my bonds, and took joyfully the spoiling of your goods, knowing in
yourselves that ye have in heaven a better and an enduring substance.
35 Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence
of reward. 36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done
the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 37 For yet a little
while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. 38 Now
the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall
have no pleasure in him. 39 But we are not of them who draw back unto
perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.
I. Here the apostle sets forth the dignities of the gospel state. It is
fit that believers should know the honours and privileges that Christ
has procured for them, that, while they take the comfort, they may give
him the glory of all. The privileges are, 1. Boldness to enter into the
holiest. They have access to God, light to direct them, liberty of
spirit and of speech to conform to the direction; they have a right to
the privilege and a readiness for it, assistance to use and improve it
and assurance of acceptance and advantage. They may enter into the
gracious presence of God in his holy oracles, ordinances, providences,
and covenant, and so into communion with God, where they receive
communications from him, till they are prepared to enter into his
glorious presence in heaven. 2. A high priest over the house of God,
even this blessed Jesus, who presides over the church militant, and
every member thereof on earth, and over the church triumphant in
heaven. God is willing to dwell with men on earth, and to have them
dwell with him in heaven; but fallen man cannot dwell with God without
a high priest, who is the Mediator of reconciliation here and of
fruition hereafter.
II. The apostle tells us the way and means by which Christians enjoy
such privileges, and, in general, declares it to be by the blood of
Jesus, by the merit of that blood which he offered up to God as an
atoning sacrifice: he has purchased for all who believe in him free
access to God in the ordinances of his grace here and in the kingdom of
his glory. This blood, being sprinkled on the conscience, chases away
slavish fear, and gives the believer assurance both of his safety and
his welcome into the divine presence. Now the apostle, having given
this general account of the way by which we have access to God, enters
further into the particulars of it, v. 20. As, 1. It is the only way;
there is no way left but this. The first way to the tree of life is,
and has been, long shut up. 2. It is a new way, both in opposition to
the covenant of works and to the antiquated dispensation of the Old
Testament; it is via novissima--the last way that will ever be opened
to men. Those who will not enter in this way exclude themselves for
ever. It is a way that will always be effectual. 3. It is a living way.
It would be death to attempt to come to God in the way of the covenant
of works; but this way we may come to God, and live. It is by a living
Saviour, who, though he was dead, is alive; and it is a way that gives
life and lively hope to those who enter into it. 4. It is a way that
Christ has consecrated for us through the veil, that is, his flesh. The
veil in the tabernacle and temple signified the body of Christ; when he
died, the veil of the temple was rent in sunder, and this was at the
time of the evening sacrifice, and gave the people a surprising view
into the holy of holies, which they never had before. Our way to heaven
is by a crucified Saviour; his death is to us the way of life. To those
who believe this he will be precious.
III. He proceeds to show the Hebrews the duties binding upon them on
account of these privileges, which were conferred in such an
extraordinary way, v. 22, 23, &c.
1. They must draw near to God, and that in a right manner. They must
draw near to God. Since such a way of access and return to God is
opened, it would be the greatest ingratitude and contempt of God and
Christ still to keep at a distance from him. They must draw near by
conversion, and by taking hold of his covenant. They must draw near in
all holy conversation, like Enoch walking with God. They must draw near
in humble adorations, worshipping at his footstool. They must draw near
in holy dependence, and in a strict observance of the divine conduct
towards them. They must draw near in conformity to God, and communion
with him, living under his blessed influence, still endeavouring to get
nearer and nearer, till they come to dwell in his presence; but they
must see to it that they make their approach to God after a right
manner. (1.) With a true heart, without any allowed guile or hypocrisy.
God is the searcher of hearts, and he requires truth in the inward
parts. Sincerity is our gospel perfection, though not our justifying
righteousness. (2.) In full assurance of faith, with a faith grown up
to a full persuasion that when we come to God by Christ we shall have
audience and acceptance. We should lay aside all sinful distrust.
Without faith it is impossible to please God; and the stronger our
faith is the more glory we give to God. And, (3.) Having our hearts
sprinkled from an evil conscience, by a believing application of the
blood of Christ to our souls. They may be cleansed from guilt, from
filth, from sinful fear and torment, from all aversion to God and duty,
from ignorance, and error, and superstition, and whatever evils the
consciences of men are subject to by reason of sin. (4.) Our bodies
washed with pure water, that is, with the water of baptism (by which we
are recorded among the disciples of Christ, members of his mystical
body), or with the sanctifying virtue of the Holy Spirit, reforming and
regulating our outward conversation as well as our inward frame,
cleansing from the filthiness of the flesh as well as of the spirit.
The priests under the law were to wash, before they went into the
presence of the Lord to offer before him. There must be a due
preparation for making our approaches to God.
2. The apostle exhorts believers to hold fast the profession of their
faith, v. 23. Here observe, (1.) The duty itself--to hold fast the
profession of our faith, to embrace all the truths and ways of the
gospel, to get fast hold of them, and to keep that hold against all
temptation and opposition. Our spiritual enemies will do what they can
to wrest our faith, and hope, and holiness, and comfort, out of our
hands, but we must hold fast our religion as our best treasure. (2.)
The manner in which we must do this--without wavering, without
doubting, without disputing, without dallying with temptation to
apostasy. Having once settled these great things between God and our
souls, we must be stedfast and immovable. Those who begin to waver in
matters of Christian faith and practice are in danger of falling away.
(3.) The motive or reason enforcing this duty: He is faithful that hath
promised. God has made great and precious promises to believers, and he
is a faithful God, true to his word; there is no falseness nor
fickleness with him, and there should be none with us. His faithfulness
should excite and encourage us to be faithful, and we must depend more
upon his promises to us than upon our promises to him, and we must
plead with him the promise of grace sufficient.
IV. We have the means prescribed for preventing our apostasy, and
promoting our fidelity and perseverance, v. 24, 25, &c. He mentions
several; as, 1. That we should consider one another, to provoke to love
and to good works. Christians ought to have a tender consideration and
concern for one another; they should affectionately consider what their
several wants, weaknesses, and temptations are; and they should do
this, not to reproach one another, to provoke one another not to anger,
but to love and good works, calling upon themselves and one another to
love God and Christ more, to love duty and holiness more, to love their
brethren in Christ more, and to do all the good offices of Christian
affection both to the bodies and the souls of each other. A good
example given to others is the best and most effectual provocation to
love and good works. 2. Not to forsake the assembling of ourselves
together, v. 25. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should
assemble together, sometimes more privately for conference and prayer,
and in public for hearing and joining in all the ordinances of gospel
worship. There were in the apostles' times, and should be in every age,
Christian assemblies for the worship of God, and for mutual
edification. And it seems even in those times there were some who
forsook these assemblies, and so began to apostatize from religion
itself. The communion of saints is a great help and privilege, and a
good means of steadiness and perseverance; hereby their hearts and
hands are mutually strengthened. 3. To exhort one another, to exhort
ourselves and each other, to warn ourselves and one another of the sin
and danger of backsliding, to put ourselves and our fellow-christians
in mind of our duty, of our failures and corruptions, to watch over one
another, and be jealous of ourselves and one another with a godly
jealousy. This, managed with a true gospel spirit, would be the best
and most cordial friendship. 4. That we should observe the approaching
of times of trial, and be thereby quickened to greater diligence: So
much the more, as you see the day approaching. Christians ought to
observe the signs of the times, such as God has foretold. There was a
day approaching, a terrible day to the Jewish nation, when their city
should be destroyed, and the body of the people rejected of God for
rejecting Christ. This would be a day of dispersion and temptation to
the chosen remnant. Now the apostle puts them upon observing what signs
there were of the approach of such a terrible day, and upon being the
more constant in meeting together and exhorting one another, that they
might be the better prepared for such a day. There is a trying day
coming on us all, the day of our death, and we should observe all the
signs of its approaching, and improve them to greater watchfulness and
diligence in duty.
V. Having mentioned these means of establishment, the apostle proceeds,
in the close of the chapter, to enforce his exhortations to
perseverance, and against apostasy, by many very weighty
considerations, v. 26, 27, &c.
1. From the description he gives of the sin of apostasy. It is sinning
wilfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, sinning
wilfully against that truth of which we have had convincing evidence.
This text has been the occasion of great distress to some gracious
souls; they have been ready to conclude that every wilful sin, after
conviction and against knowledge, is the unpardonable sin: but this has
been their infirmity and error. The sin here mentioned is a total and
final apostasy, when men with a full and fixed will and resolution
despise and reject Christ, the only Saviour,--despise and resist the
Spirit, the only sanctifier,--and despise and renounce the gospel, the
only way of salvation, and the words of eternal life; and all this
after they have known, owned, and professed, the Christian religion,
and continue to do so obstinately and maliciously. This is the great
transgression: the apostle seems to refer to the law concerning
presumptuous sinners, Num. xv. 30, 31. They were to be cut off.
2. From the dreadful doom of such apostates. (1.) There remains no more
sacrifice for such sins, no other Christ to come to save such sinners;
they sin against the last resort and remedy. There were some sins under
the law for which no sacrifices were provided; but yet if those who
committed them did truly repent, though they might not escape temporal
death, they might escape eternal destruction; for Christ would come,
and make atonement. But now those under the gospel who will not accept
of Christ, that they may be saved by him, have no other refuge left
them. (2.) There remains for them only a certain fearful looking for of
judgment, v. 27. Some think this refers to the dreadful destruction of
the Jewish church and state; but certainly it refers also to the utter
destruction that awaits all obstinate apostates at death and judgment,
when the Judge will discover a fiery indignation against them, which
will devour the adversaries; they will be consigned to the devouring
fire and to everlasting burnings. Of this destruction God gives some
notorious sinners, while on earth, a fearful foreboding in their own
consciences, a dreadful looking for it, with a despair of ever being
able either to endure or escape it.
3. From the methods of divine justice with those who despised Moses's
law, that is, sinned presumptuously, despising his authority, his
threatenings and his power. These, when convicted by two or three
witnesses, were put to death; they died without mercy, a temporal
death. Observe, Wise governors should be careful to keep up the credit
of their government and the authority of the laws, by punishing
presumptuous offenders; but then in such cases there should be good
evidence of the fact. Thus God ordained in Moses's law; and hence the
apostle infers the heavy doom that will fall upon those that apostatize
from Christ. Here he refers to their own consciences, to judge how much
sorer punishment the despisers of Christ (after they have professed to
know him) are likely to undergo; and they may judge of the greatness of
the punishment by the greatness of the sin. (1.) They have trodden
under foot the Son of God. To trample upon an ordinary person shows
intolerable insolence; to treat a person of honour in that vile manner
is insufferable; but to deal thus with the Son of God, who himself is
God, must be the highest provocation--to trample upon his person,
denying him to be the Messiah--to trample upon his authority, and
undermine his kingdom--to trample upon his members as the offscouring
of all things, and not fit to live in the world; what punishment can be
too great for such men? (2.) They have counted the blood of the
covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing; that is, the
blood of Christ, with which the covenant was purchased and sealed, and
wherewith Christ himself was consecrated, or wherewith the apostate was
sanctified, that is, baptized, visibly initiated into the new covenant
by baptism, and admitted to the Lord's supper. Observe, There is a kind
of sanctification which persons may partake of and yet fall away: they
may be distinguished by common gifts and graces, by an outward
profession, by a form of godliness, a course of duties, and a set of
privileges, and yet fall away finally. Men who have seemed before to
have the blood of Christ in high esteem may come to account it an
unholy thing, no better than the blood of a malefactor, though it was
the world's ransom, and every drop of it of infinite value. (3.) Those
have done despite unto the Spirit of grace, the Spirit that is
graciously given to men, and that works grace wherever it is,--the
Spirit of grace, that should be regarded and attended to with the
greatest care,--this Spirit they have grieved, resisted, quenched, yea,
done despite to him, which is the highest act of wickedness, and makes
the case of the sinner desperate, refusing to have the gospel salvation
applied to him. Now he leaves it to the consciences of all, appeals to
universal reason and equity, whether such aggravated crimes ought not
to receive a suitable punishment, a sorer punishment than those who had
died without mercy? But what punishment can be sorer than to die
without mercy? I answer, To die by mercy, by the mercy and grace which
they have despised. How dreadful is the case when not only the justice
of God, but his abused grace and mercy call for vengeance!
4. From the description we have in the scripture of the nature of God's
vindictive justice, v. 30. We know that he has said, Vengeance is mine.
This is taken out of Ps. xciv. 1, Vengeance belongs unto me. The
terrors of the Lord are known both by revelation and reason. Vindictive
justice is a glorious, though terrible attribute of God; it belongs to
him, and he will use and execute it upon the heads of such sinners as
despise his grace; he will avenge himself, and his Son, and Spirit, and
covenant, upon apostates. And how dreadful then will their case be! The
other quotation is from Deut. xxxii. 36, The Lord will judge his
people; he will search and try his visible church, and will discover
and detect those who say they are Jews, and are not, but are of the
synagogue of Satan; and he will separate the precious from the vile,
and will punish the sinners in Zion with the greatest severity. Now
those who know him who hath said, Vengeance belongeth to me, I will
recompense, must needs conclude, as the apostle does (v. 31): It is a
fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. Those who know
the joy that results from the favour of God can thereby judge of the
power and dread of his vindictive wrath. Observe here, What will be the
eternal misery of impenitent sinners and apostates: they shall fall
into the hands of the living God; their punishment shall come from
God's own hand. He takes them into the hand of his justice; he will
deal with them himself; their greatest misery will be the immediate
impressions of divine wrath on the soul. When he punishes them by
creatures, the instrument abates something of the force of the blow;
but, when he does it by his own hand, it is infinite misery. This they
shall have at God's hand, they shall lie down in sorrow; their
destruction shall come from his glorious powerful presence; when they
make their woeful bed in hell, they will find that God is there, and
his presence will be their greatest terror and torment. And he is a
living God; he lives for ever, and will punish for ever.
5. He presses them to perseverance by putting them in mind of their
former sufferings for Christ: But call to mind the former days, in
which, after you were illuminated, you endured a great fight of
afflictions, v. 32. In the early days of the gospel there was a very
hot persecution raised up against the professors of the Christian
religion, and the believing Hebrews had their share of it: he would
have them to remember,
(1.) When they had suffered: In former days, after they were
illuminated; that is, as soon as God had breathed life into their
souls, and caused divine light to spring up in their minds, and taken
them into his favour and covenant; then earth and hell combined all
their force against them. Here observe, A natural state is a dark
state, and those who continue in that state meet with no disturbance
from Satan and the world; but a state of grace is a state of light, and
therefore the powers of darkness will violently oppose it. Those who
will live godly in Christ Jesus must suffer persecution.
(2.) What they suffered: they endured a great fight of afflictions,
many and various afflictions united together against them, and they had
a great conflict with them. Many are the troubles of the righteous.
[1.] They were afflicted in themselves. In their own persons; they were
made gazing-stocks, spectacles to the world, angels, and men, 1 Cor.
iv. 9. In their names and reputations (v. 33), by many reproaches.
Christians ought to value their reputation; and they do so especially
because the reputation of religion is concerned: this makes reproach a
great affliction. They were afflicted in their estates, by the spoiling
of their goods, by fines and forfeitures. [2.] They were afflicted in
the afflictions of their brethren: Partly while you became companions
of those that were so used. The Christian spirit is a sympathizing
spirit, not a selfish spirit, but a compassionate spirit; it makes
every Christian's suffering our own, puts us upon pitying others,
visiting them, helping them, and pleading for them. Christians are one
body, are animated by one spirit, have embarked in one common cause and
interest, and are the children of that God who is afflicted in all the
afflictions of his people. If one member of the body suffers, all the
rest suffer with it. The apostle takes particular notice how they had
sympathized with him (v. 34): You had compassion on me in my bonds. We
must thankfully acknowledge the compassions our Christian friends have
shown for us under our afflictions.
(3.) How they had suffered. They had been mightily supported under
their former sufferings; they took their sufferings patiently, and not
only so, but joyfully received it from God as a favour and honour
conferred upon them that they should be thought worthy to suffer
reproach for the name of Christ. God can strengthen his suffering
people with all might in the inner man, to all patience and
long-suffering, and that with joyfulness, Col. i. 11.
(4.) What it was that enabled them thus to bear up under their
sufferings. They knew in themselves that they had in heaven a better
and a more enduring substance. Observe, [1.] The happiness of the
saints in heaven is substance, something of real weight and worth. All
things here are but shadows. [2.] It is a better substance than any
thing they can have or lose here. [3.] It is an enduring substance, it
will out-live time and run parallel with eternity; they can never spend
it; their enemies can never take it from them, as they did their
earthly goods. [4.] This will make a rich amends for all they can lose
and suffer here. In heaven they shall have a better life, a better
estate, better liberty, better society, better hearts, better work,
every thing better. [5.] Christians should know this in themselves,
they should get the assurance of it in themselves (the Spirit of God
witnessing with their spirits), for the assured knowledge of this will
help them to endure any fight of afflictions they may be encountered
with in this world.
6. He presses them to persevere, from that recompense of reward that
waited for all faithful Christians (v. 35): Cast not away therefore
your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. Here, (1.) He
exhorts them not to cast away their confidence, that is, their holy
courage and boldness, but to hold fast that profession for which they
had suffered so much before, and borne those sufferings so well. (2.)
He encourages them to this by assuring them that the reward of their
holy confidence would be very great. It carries a present reward in it,
in holy peace and joy, and much of God's presence and his power resting
upon them; and it shall have a great recompense of reward hereafter.
(3.) He shows them how necessary a grace the grace of patience is in
our present state (v. 36): You have need of patience, that after you
have done the will of God you might receive the promise; that is, this
promised reward. Observe, The greatest part of the saints' happiness is
in promise. They must first do the will of God before they receive the
promise; and, after they have done the will of God, they have need of
patience to wait for the time when the promise shall be fulfilled; they
have need of patience to live till God calls them away. It is a trial
of the patience of Christians, to be content to live after their work
is done, and to stay for the reward till God's time to give it them is
come. We must be God's waiting servants when we can be no longer his
working servants. Those who have had and exercised much patience
already must have and exercise more till they die. (4.) To help their
patience, he assures them of the near approach of Christ's coming to
deliver and to reward them (v. 37): For yet a little while, and he that
shall come will come, and will not tarry. He will soon come to them at
death, and put an end to all their sufferings, and give them a crown of
life. He will soon come to judgment, and put an end to the sufferings
of the whole church (all his mystical body), and give them an ample and
glorious reward in the most public manner. There is an appointed time
for both, and beyond that time he will not tarry, Hab. ii. 3. The
Christian's present conflict may be sharp, but it will be soon over.
7. He presses them to perseverance, by telling them that this is their
distinguishing character and will be their happiness; whereas apostasy
is the reproach, and will be the ruin, of all who are guilty of it (v.
38, 39): Now the just shall live by faith, &c. (1.) It is the
honourable character of just men that in times of the greatest
affliction they can live by faith; they can live upon the assured
persuasion they have of the truth of God's promises. Faith puts life
and vigour into them. They can trust God, and live upon him, and wait
his time: and, as their faith maintains their spiritual life now, it
shall be crowned with eternal life hereafter. (2.) Apostasy is the mark
and the brand of those in whom God takes no pleasure; and it is a cause
of God's severe displeasure and anger. God never was pleased with the
formal profession and external duties and services of such as do not
persevere. He saw the hypocrisy of their hearts then; and he is greatly
provoked when their formality in religion ends in an open apostasy from
religion. He beholds them with great displeasure; they are an offence
to him. (3.) The apostle concludes with declaring his good hope
concerning himself and these Hebrews, that they should not forfeit the
character and happiness of the just, and fall under the brand and
misery of the wicked (v. 39): But we are not, &c.; as if he had said,
"I hope we are not of those who draw back. I hope that you and I, who
have met with great trials already, and have been supported under them
by the grace of God strengthening our faith, shall not be at any time
left to ourselves to draw back to perdition; but that God will still
keep us by his mighty power through faith unto salvation." Observe,
[1.] Professors may go a great way, and after all draw back; and this
drawing back from God is drawing on to perdition: the further we depart
from God the nearer we approach to ruin. [2.] Those who have been kept
faithful in great trials for the time past have reason to hope that the
same grace will be sufficient to help them still to live by faith, till
they receive the end of their faith and patience, even the salvation of
their souls. If we live by faith, and die in faith, our souls will be
safe for ever.
__________________________________________________________________
H E B R E W S.
CHAP. XI.
The apostle having, in the close of the foregoing chapter, recommended
the grace of faith and a life of faith as the best preservative against
apostasy, he how enlarges upon the nature and fruits of this excellent
grace. I. The nature of it, and the honour it reflects upon all who
live in the exercise of it, ver. 1-3. II. The great examples we have in
the Old Testament of those who lived by faith, and died and suffered
extraordinary things by the strength of his grace, ver. 4-38. And, III.
The advantages that we have in the gospel for the exercise of this
grace above what those had who lived in the times of the Old Testament,
ver. 39, 40.
The Nature of Faith. (a. d. 62.)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of
things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good report. 3
Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of
God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do
appear.
Here we have, I. A definition or description of the grace of faith in
two parts. 1. It is the substance of things hoped for. Faith and hope
go together; and the same things that are the object of our hope are
the object of our faith. It is a firm persuasion and expectation that
God will perform all that he has promised to us in Christ; and this
persuasion is so strong that it gives the soul a kind of possession and
present fruition of those things, gives them a subsistence in the soul,
by the first-fruits and foretastes of them: so that believers in the
exercise of faith are filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory.
Christ dwells in the soul by faith, and the soul is filled with the
fullness of God, as far as his present measure will admit; he
experiences a substantial reality in the objects of faith. 2. It is the
evidence of things not seen. Faith demonstrates to the eye of the mind
the reality of those things that cannot be discerned by the eye of the
body. Faith is the firm assent of the soul to the divine revelation and
every part of it, and sets to its seal that God is true. It is a full
approbation of all that God has revealed as holy, just, and good; it
helps the soul to make application of all to itself with suitable
affections and endeavours; and so it is designed to serve the believer
instead of sight, and to be to the soul all that the senses are to the
body. That faith is but opinion or fancy which does not realize
invisible things to the soul, and excite the soul to act agreeably to
the nature and importance of them.
II. An account of the honour it reflects upon all those who have lived
in the exercise of it (v. 2): By it the elders obtained a good
report--the ancient believers, who lived in the first ages of the
world. Observe, 1. True faith is an old grace, and has the best plea to
antiquity: it is not a new invention, a modern fancy; it is a grace
that has been planted in the soul of man ever since the covenant of
grace was published in the world; and it has been practiced from the
beginning of the revelation; the eldest and best men that ever were in
the world were believers. 2. Their faith was their honour; it reflected
honour upon them. They were an honour to their faith, and their faith
was an honour to them. It put them upon doing the things that were of
good report, and God has taken care that a record shall be kept and
report made of the excellent things they did in the strength of this
grace. The genuine actings of faith will bear to be reported, deserve
to be reported, and will, when reported, redound to the honour of true
believers.
III. We have here one of the first acts and articles of faith, which
has a great influence on all the rest, and which is common to all
believers in every age and part of the world, namely, the creation of
the worlds by the word of God, not out of pre-existent matter, but out
of nothing, v. 3. The grace of faith has a retrospect as well as
prospect; it looks not only forward to the end of the world, but back
to the beginning of the world. By faith we understand much more of the
formation of the world than ever could be understood by the naked eye
of natural reason. Faith is not a force upon the understanding, but a
friend and a help to it. Now what does faith give us to understand
concerning the worlds, that is, the upper, middle, and lower regions of
the universe? 1. That these worlds were not eternal, nor did they
produce themselves, but they were made by another. 2. That the maker of
the worlds is god; he is the maker of all things; and whoever is so
must be God. 3. That he made the world with great exactness; it was a
framed work, in every thing duly adapted and disposed to answer its
end, and to express the perfections of the Creator. 4. That God made
the world by his word, that is, by his essential wisdom and eternal
Son, and by his active will, saying, Let it be done, and it was done,
Ps. xxxiii. 9. 5. That the world was thus framed out of nothing, out of
no pre-existent matter, contrary to the received maxim, that "out of
nothing nothing can be made," which, though true of created power, can
have no place with God, who can call things that are not as if they
were, and command them into being. These things we understand by faith.
The Bible gives us the truest and most exact account of the origin of
all things, and we are to believe it, and not to wrest or run down the
scripture-account of the creation, because it does not suit with some
fantastic hypotheses of our own, which has been in some learned but
conceited men the first remarkable step towards infidelity, and has led
them into many more.
Exemplars of Faith. (a. d. 62.)
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain,
by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of
his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. 5 By faith Enoch was
translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God
had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony,
that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please
him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is
a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 7 By faith Noah, being
warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an
ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world,
and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. 8 By faith
Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should
after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing
whither he went. 9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as
in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the
heirs with him of the same promise: 10 For he looked for a city which
hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. 11 Through faith
also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered
of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who
had promised. 12 Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good
as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand
which is by the sea shore innumerable. 13 These all died in faith,
not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and
were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were
strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For they that say such things
declare plainly that they seek a country. 15 And truly, if they had
been mindful of that country from whence they came out, they might have
had opportunity to have returned. 16 But now they desire a better
country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be
called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city. 17 By faith
Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received
the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 Of whom it was
said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: 19 Accounting that God
was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he
received him in a figure. 20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau
concerning things to come. 21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying,
blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top
of his staff. 22 By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the
departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning
his bones. 23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months
of his parents, because they saw he was a proper child; and they were
not afraid of the king's commandment. 24 By faith Moses, when he was
come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; 25
Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to
enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; 26 Esteeming the reproach of
Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect
unto the recompence of the reward. 27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not
fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is
invisible. 28 Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling
of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. 29
By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the
Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 30 By faith the walls of
Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. 31 By
faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when
she had received the spies with peace.
The apostle, having given us a more general account of the grace of
faith, now proceeds to set before us some illustrious examples of it in
the Old-Testament times, and these may be divided into two classes:--1.
Those whose names are mentioned, and the particular exercise and
actings of whose faith are specified. 2. Those whose names are barely
mentioned, and an account given in general of the exploits of their
faith, which it is left to the reader to accommodate, and apply to the
particular persons from what he gathers up in the sacred story. We have
here those whose names are not only mentioned, but the particular
trials and actings of their faith are subjoined.
I. The leading instance and example of faith here recorded is that of
Abel. It is observable that the Spirit of God has not thought fit to
say any thing here of the faith of our first parents; and yet the
church of God has generally, by a pious charity, taken it for granted
that God gave them repentance and faith in the promised seed, that he
instructed them in the mystery of sacrificing, that they instructed
their children in it, and that they found mercy with God, after they
had ruined themselves and all their posterity. But God has left the
matter still under some doubt, as a warning to all who have great
talents given to them, and a great trust reposed in them, that they do
not prove unfaithful, since God would not enroll our first parents
among the number of believers in this blessed calendar. It begins with
Abel, one of the first saints, and the first martyr for religion, of
all the sons of Adam, one who lived by faith, and died for it, and
therefore a fit pattern for the Hebrews to imitate. Observe,
1. What Abel did by faith: He offered up a more acceptable sacrifice
than Cain, a more full and perfect sacrifice, pleiona thysian. Hence
learn, (1.) That, after the fall, God opened a new way for the children
of men to return to him in religious worship. This is one of the first
instances that is upon record of fallen men going in to worship God;
and it was a wonder of mercy that all intercourse between God and man
was not cut off by the fall. (2.) After the fall, God must be
worshipped by sacrifices, a way of worship which carries in it a
confession of sin, and of the desert of sin, and a profession of faith
in a Redeemer, who was to be a ransom for the souls of men. (3.) That,
from the beginning, there has been a remarkable difference between the
worshippers. Here were two persons, brethren, both of whom went in to
worship God, and yet there was a vast difference. Cain was the elder
brother, but Abel has the preference. It is not seniority of birth, but
grace, that makes men truly honourable. The difference is observable in
their persons: Abel was an upright person, a righteous man, a true
believer; Cain was a formalist, had not a principle of special grace.
It is observable in their principles: Abel acted under the power of
faith; Cain only from the force of education, or natural conscience.
There was also a very observable difference in their offerings: Abel
brought a sacrifice of atonement, brought of the firstlings of the
flock, acknowledging himself to be a sinner who deserved to die, and
only hoping for mercy through the great sacrifice; Cain brought only a
sacrifice of acknowledgment, a mere thank-offering, the fruit of the
ground, which might, and perhaps must, have been offered in innocency;
here was no confession of sin, no regard to the ransom; this was an
essential defect in Cain's offering. There will always be a difference
between those who worship the true God; some will compass him about
with lies, others will be faithful with the saints; some, like the
Pharisee, will lean to their own righteousness; others, like the
publican, will confess their sin, and cast themselves upon the mercy of
God in Christ.
2. What Abel gained by his faith: the original record is in Gen. iv. 4,
God had respect to Abel, and to his offering; first to his person as
gracious, then to his offering as proceeding from grace, especially
from the grace of faith. In this place we are told that he obtained by
his faith some special advantages; as, (1.) Witness that he was
righteous, a justified, sanctified, and accepted person; this, very
probably, was attested by fire from heaven, kindling and consuming his
sacrifice. (2.) God gave witness to the righteousness of his person, by
testifying his acceptance of his gifts. When the fire, an emblem of
God's justice, consumed the offering, it was a sign that the mercy of
God accepted the offerer for the sake of the great sacrifice. (3.) By
it he, being dead, yet speaketh. He had the honour to leave behind him
an instructive speaking case; and what does it speak to us? What should
we learn from it? [1.] That fallen man has leave to go in to worship
God, with hope of acceptance. [2.] That, if our persons and offerings
be accepted, it must be through faith in the Messiah. [3.] That
acceptance with God is a peculiar and distinguishing favour. [4.] That
those who obtain this favour from God must expect the envy and malice
of the world. [5.] That God will not suffer the injuries done to his
people to remain unpunished, nor their sufferings unrewarded. These are
very good and useful instructions, and yet the blood of sprinkling
speaketh better things than that of Abel. [6.] That God would not
suffer Abel's faith to die with him, but would raise up others, who
should obtain like precious faith; and so he did in a little time; for
in the next verse we read,
II. Of the faith of Enoch, v. 5. He is the second of those elders that
through faith have a good report. Observe,
1. What is here reported of him. In this place (and in Gen. v. 22, &c.)
we read, (1.) That he walked with God, that is, that he was really,
eminently, actively, progressively, and perseveringly religious in his
conformity to God, communion with God, and complacency in God. (2.)
That he was translated, that he should not see death, nor any part of
him be found upon earth; for God took him, soul and body, into heaven,
as he will do those of the saints who shall be found alive at his
second coming. (3.) That before his translation he had this testimony,
that he pleased God. He had the evidence of it in his own conscience,
and the Spirit of God witnessed with his spirit. Those who by faith
walk with God in a sinful world are pleasing to him, and he will give
them marks of his favour, and put honour upon them.
2. What is here said of his faith, v. 6. It is said that without this
faith it is impossible to please God, without such a faith as helps us
to walk with God, an active faith, and that we cannot come to God
unless we believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of those that
diligently seek him. (1.) He must believe that God is, and that he is
what he is, what he has revealed himself to be in the scripture, a
Being of infinite perfections, subsisting in three persons, Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost. Observe, The practical belief of the existence of
God, as revealed in the word, would be a powerful awe-band upon our
souls, a bridle of restraint to keep us from sin, and a spur of
constraint to put us upon all manner of gospel obedience. (2.) That he
is a rewarder of those that diligently seek him. Here observe, [1.] By
the fall we have lost God; we have lost the divine light, life, love,
likeness, and communion. [2.] God is again to be found of us through
Christ, the second Adam. [3.] God has prescribed means and ways wherein
he may be found; to with, a strict attention to his oracles, attendance
on his ordinances, and ministers duly discharging their office and
associating with his people, observing his providential guidance, and
in all things humbly waiting his gracious presence. [4.] Those who
would find God in these ways of his must seek him diligently; they must
seek early, earnestly, and perseveringly. Then shall they seek him, and
find him, if they seek him with all their heart; and when once they
have found him, as their reconciled God, they will never repent the
pains they have spent in seeking after him.
III. The faith of Noah, v. 7. Observe,
1. The ground of Noah's faith--a warning he had received from God of
things as yet not seen. He had a divine revelation, whether by voice or
vision does not appear; but it was such as carried in it its own
evidence; he was forewarned of things not seen as yet, that is, of a
great and severe judgment, such as the world had never yet seen, and of
which, in the course of second causes, there was not yet the least
sign. This secret warning he was to communicate to the world, who would
be sure to despise both him and his message. God usually warns sinners
before he strikes; and, where his warnings are slighted, the blow will
fall the heavier.
2. The actings of Noah's faith, and the influence it had both upon his
mind and practice. (1.) Upon his mind; it impressed his soul with a
fear of God's judgment: he was moved with fear. Faith first influences
our affections, then our actions; and faith works upon those affections
that are suitable to the matter revealed. If it be some good thing,
faith stirs up love and desire; if some evil thing, faith stirs up
fear. (2.) His faith influenced his practice. His fear, thus excited by
believing God's threatening, moved him to prepare an ark, in which, no
doubt, he met with the scorns and reproaches of a wicked generation. He
did not dispute with God why he should make an ark, nor how it could be
capable of containing what was to be lodged in it, nor how such a
vessel could possibly weather out so great a storm. His faith silenced
all objections, and set him to work in earnest.
3. The blessed fruits and rewards of Noah's faith. (1.) Hereby himself
and his house were saved, when a whole world of sinners were perishing
about them. God saved his family for his sake; it was well for them
that they were Noah's sons and daughters; it was well for those women
that they married into Noah's family; perhaps they might have married
to great estates in other families, but then they would have been
drowned. We often say, "It is good to be akin to an estate;" but surely
it is good to be akin to the covenant. (2.) Hereby he judged and
condemned the world; his holy fear condemned their security and vain
confidence; his faith condemned their unbelief; his obedience condemned
their contempt and rebellion. Good examples will either convert sinners
or condemn them. There is something very convincing in a life of strict
holiness and regard to God; it commends itself to every man's
conscience in the sight of God, and they are judged by it. This is the
best way the people of God can take to condemn the wicked; not by harsh
and censorious language, but by a holy exemplary conversation. (3.)
Hereby he became an heir of the righteousness which is by faith. [1.]
He was possessed of a true justifying righteousness; he was heir to it:
and, [2.] This his right of inheritance was through faith in Christ, as
a member of Christ, a child of God, and, if a child, then an heir. His
righteousness was relative, resulting from his adoption, through faith
in the promised seed. As ever we expect to be justified and saved in
the great and terrible day of the Lord, let us now prepare an ark,
secure an interest in Christ, and in the ark of the covenant, and do it
speedily, before the door be shut, for there is not salvation in any
other.
IV. The faith of Abraham, the friend of God, and father of the
faithful, in whom the Hebrews boasted, and from whom they derived their
pedigree and privileges; and therefore the apostle, that he might both
please and profit them, enlarges more upon the heroic achievements of
Abraham's faith than of that of any other of the patriarchs; and in the
midst of his account of the faith of Abraham he inserts the story of
Sarah's faith, whose daughters those women are that continue to do
well. Observe,
1. The ground of Abraham's faith, the call and promise of God, v. 8.
(1.) This call, though it was a very trying call, was the call of God,
and therefore a sufficient ground for faith and rule of obedience. The
manner in which he was called Stephen relates in Acts vii. 2, 3, The
God of glory appeared to our father Abraham, when he was in
Mesopotamia--And said unto him, Get thee out of thy country, and from
thy kindred, and come into the land which I will show thee. This was an
effectual call, by which he was converted from the idolatry of his
father's house, Gen. xii. 1. This call was renewed after his father's
death in Charran. Observe, [1.] The grace of God is absolutely free, in
taking some of the worst of men, and making them the best. [2.] God
must come to us before we come to him. [3.] In calling and converting
sinners, God appears as a God of glory, and works a glorious work in
the soul. [4.] This calls us not only to leave sin, but sinful company,
and whatever is inconsistent with our devotedness to him. [5.] We need
to be called, not only to set out well, but to go on well. [6.] He will
not have his people take up that rest any where short of the heavenly
Canaan. (2.) The promise of God. God promised Abraham that the place he
was called to he should afterwards receive for an inheritance, after
awhile he should have the heavenly Canaan for his inheritance, and in
process of time his posterity should inherit the earthly Canaan.
Observe here, [1.] God calls his people to an inheritance: by his
effectual call he makes them children, and so heirs. [2.] This
inheritance is not immediately possessed by them; they must wait some
time for it: but the promise is sure, and shall have its seasonable
accomplishment. [3.] The faith of parents often procures blessings for
their posterity.
2. The exercise of Abraham's faith: he yielded an implicit regard to
the call of God. (1.) He went out, not knowing whither he went. He put
himself into the hand of God, to send him whithersoever he pleased. He
subscribed to God's wisdom, as fittest to direct; and submitted to his
will, as fittest to determine every thing that concerned him. Implicit
faith and obedience are due to God, and to him only. All that are
effectually called resign up their own will and wisdom to the will and
wisdom of God, and it is their wisdom to do so; though they know not
always their way, yet they know their guide, and this satisfies them.
(2.) He sojourned in the land of promise as in a strange country. This
was an exercise of his faith. Observe, [1.] How Canaan is called the
land of promise, because yet only promised, not possessed. [2.] How
Abraham lived in Canaan, not as heir and proprietor, but as a sojourner
only. He did not serve an ejectment, or raise a war against the old
inhabitants, to dispossess them, but contented himself to live as a
stranger, to bear their unkindnesses patiently, to receive any favours
from them thankfully, and to keep his heart fixed upon his home, the
heavenly Canaan. [3.] He dwelt in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob,
heirs with him of the same promise. He lived there in an ambulatory
moving condition, living in a daily readiness for his removal: and thus
should we all live in this world. He had good company with him, and
they were a great comfort to him in his sojourning state. Abraham lived
till Isaac was seventy-five years old, and Jacob fifteen. Isaac and
Jacob were heirs of the same promise; for the promise was renewed to
Isaac (Gen. xxvi. 3), and to Jacob, Gen. xxviii. 13. All the saints are
heirs of the same promise. The promise is made to believers and their
children, and to as many as the Lord our God shall call. And it is
pleasant to see parents and children sojourning together in this world
as heirs of the heavenly inheritance.
3. The supports of Abraham's faith (v. 10): He looked for a city that
hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. Observe here, (1.)
The description given of heaven: it is a city, a regular society, well
established, well defended, and well supplied: it is a city that hath
foundations, even the immutable purposes and almighty power of God, the
infinite merits and mediation of the Lord Jesus Christ, the promises of
an everlasting covenant, its own purity, and the perfection of its
inhabitants: and it is a city whose builder and maker is God. He
contrived the model; he accordingly made it, and he has laid open a new
and living way into it, and prepared it for his people; he puts them
into possession of it, prefers them in it, and is himself the substance
and felicity of it. (2.) Observe the due regard that Abraham had to
this heavenly city: he looked for it; he believed there was such a
state; he waited for it, and in the mean time he conversed in it by
faith; he had exalted and rejoicing hopes, that in God's time and way
he should be brought safely to it. (3.) The influence this had upon his
present conversation: it was a support to him under all the trials of
his sojourning state, helped him patiently to bear all the
inconveniences of it, and actively to discharge all the duties of it,
persevering therein unto the end.
V. In the midst of the story of Abraham, the apostle inserts an account
of the faith of Sarah. Here observe,
1. The difficulties of Sarah's faith, which were very great. As, (1.)
The prevalency of unbelief for a time: she laughed at the promise, as
impossible to be made good. (2.) She had gone out of the way of her
duty through unbelief, in putting Abraham upon taking Hagar to his bed,
that he might have a posterity. Now this sin of hers would make it more
difficult for her to act by faith afterwards. (3.) The great
improbability of the thing promised, that she should be the mother of a
child, when she was of sterile constitution naturally, and now past the
prolific age.
2. The actings of her faith. Her unbelief is pardoned and forgotten,
but her faith prevailed and is recorded: She judged him faithful, who
had promised, v. 11. She received the promise as the promise of God;
and, being convinced of that, she truly judged he both could and would
perform it, how impossible soever it might seem to reason; for the
faithfulness of God will not suffer him to deceive his people.
3. The fruits and rewards of her faith. (1.) She received strength to
conceive seed. The strength of nature, as well as grace, is from God:
he can make the barren soul fruitful, as well as the barren womb. (2.)
She was delivered of a child, a man-child, a child of the promise, and
comfort of his parents' advanced years, and the hope of future ages.
(3.) From them, by this son, sprang a numerous progeny of illustrious
persons, as the stars of the sky (v. 12)--a great, powerful, and
renowned nation, above all the rest in the world; and a nation of
saints, the peculiar church and people of God; and, which was the
highest honour and reward of all, of these, according to the flesh, the
Messiah came, who is over all, God blessed for evermore.
VI. The apostle proceeds to make mention of the faith of the other
patriarchs, Isaac and Jacob, and the rest of this happy family, v. 13.
Here observe,
1. The trial of their faith in the imperfection of their present state.
They had not received the promises, that is, they had not received the
things promised, they had not yet been put into possession of Canaan,
they had not yet seen their numerous issue, they had not seen Christ in
the flesh. Observe, (1.) Many that are interested in the promises do
not presently receive the things promised. (2.) One imperfection of the
present state of the saints on earth is that their happiness lies more
in promise and reversion than in actual enjoyment and possession. The
gospel state is more perfect than the patriarchal, because more of the
promises are now fulfilled. The heavenly state will be most perfect of
all; for there all the promises will have their full accomplishment.
2. The actings of their faith during this imperfect state of things.
Though they had not received the promises, yet,
(1.) They saw them afar off. Faith has a clear and a strong eye, and
can see promised mercies at a great distance. Abraham saw Christ's day,
when it was afar off, and rejoiced, John viii. 56.
(2.) They were persuaded of them, that they were true and should be
fulfilled. Faith sets to its seal that God is true, and thereby settles
and satisfies the soul.
(3.) They embraced them. Their faith was a faith of consent. Faith has
a long arm, and can lay hold of blessings at a great distance, can make
them present, can love them, and rejoice in them; and thus antedate the
enjoyment of them.
(4.) They confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on earth.
Observe, [1.] Their condition: Strangers and pilgrims. They are
strangers as saints, whose home is heaven; they are pilgrims as they
are travelling towards their home, though often meanly and slowly. [2.]
Their acknowledgment of this their condition: they were not ashamed to
own it; both their lips and their lives confessed their present
condition. They expected little from the world. They cared not to
engage much in it. They endeavoured to lay aside every weight, to gird
up the loins of their minds to mind their way, to keep company and pace
with their fellow-travellers, looking for difficulties, and bearing
them, and longing to get home.
(5.) Hereby they declared plainly that they sought another country (v.
14), heaven, their own country. For their spiritual birth is thence,
there are their best relations, and there is their inheritance. This
country they seek: their designs are for it; their desires are after
it; their discourse is about it; they diligently endeavour to clear up
their title to it, to have their temper suited to it, to have their
conversation in it, and to come to the enjoyment of it.
(6.) They gave full proof of their sincerity in making such a
confession. For, [1.] They were not mindful of that country whence they
came, v. 15. They did not hanker after the plenty and pleasures of it,
nor regret and repent that they had left it; they had no desire to
return to it. Note, Those that are once effectually and savingly called
out of a sinful state have no mind to return into it again; they now
know better things. [2.] They did not take the opportunity that offered
itself for their return. They might have had such an opportunity. They
had time enough to return. They had natural strength to return. They
knew the way. Those with whom they sojourned would have been willing
enough to part with them. Their old friends would have been glad to
receive them. They had sufficient to bear the charges of their journey;
and flesh and blood, a corrupt counsellor, would be sometimes
suggesting to them a return. But they stedfastly adhered to God and
duty under all discouragements and against all temptations to revolt
from him. So should we all do. We shall not want opportunities to
revolt from God; but we must show the truth of our faith and profession
by a steady adherence to him to the end of our days. Their sincerity
appeared not only in not returning to their former country, but in
desiring a better country, that is, a heavenly. Observe, First, The
heavenly country is better than any upon earth; it is better situated,
better stored with every thing that is good, better secured from every
thing that is evil; the employments, the enjoyments, the society, and
every thing in it, are better than the best in this world. Secondly,
All true believers desire this better country. True faith draws forth
sincere and fervent desires; and the stronger faith is the more fervent
those desires will be.
(7.) They died in the faith of those promises; not only lived by the
faith of them, but died in the full persuasion that all the promises
would be fulfilled to them and theirs, v. 13. That faith held out to
the last. By faith, when they were dying, they received the atonement;
they acquiesced in the will of God; they quenched all the fiery darts
of the devil; they overcame the terrors of death, disarmed it of its
sting, and bade a cheerful farewell to this world and to all the
comforts and crosses of it. These were the actings of their faith. Now
observe,
3. The gracious and great reward of their faith: God is not ashamed to
be their God, for he hath prepared for them a city, v. 16. Note, (1.)
God is the God of all true believers; faith gives them an interest in
God, and in all his fullness. (2.) He is called their God. He calls
himself so: I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob; he gives them leave to call him so; and he gives them the
spirit of adoption, to enable them to cry, Abba, Father. (3.)
Notwithstanding their meanness by nature, their vileness by sin, and
the poverty of their outward condition, God is not ashamed to be called
their God: such is his condescension, such is his love to them;
therefore let them never be ashamed of being called his people, nor of
any of those that are truly so, how much soever despised in the world.
Above all, let them take care that they be not a shame and reproach to
their God, and so provoke him to be ashamed of them; but let them act
so as to be to him for a name, and for a praise, and for a glory. (4.)
As the proof of this, God has prepared for them a city, a happiness
suitable to the relation into which he has taken them. For there is
nothing in this world commensurate to the love of God in being the God
of his people; and, if God neither could nor would give his people
anything better than this world affords, he would be ashamed to be
called their God. If he takes them into such a relation to himself, he
will provide for them accordingly. If he takes them into such a
relation to himself, he will provide for them accordingly. If he takes
to himself the title of their God, he will fully answer it, and act up
to it; and he has prepared that for them in heaven which will fully
answer this character and relation, so that it shall never be said, to
the reproach and dishonour of God, that he has adopted a people to be
his own children and then taken no care to make a suitable provision
for them. The consideration of this should inflame the affections,
enlarge the desires, and excite the diligent endeavours, of the people
of God after this city that he has prepared for them.
VII. Now after the apostle has given this account of the faith of
others, with Abraham, he returns to him again, and gives us an instance
of the greatest trial and act of faith that stands upon record, either
in the story of the father of the faithful or of any of his spiritual
seed; and this was his offering up Isaac: By faith Abraham, when he was
tried, offered up Isaac; and he that had received the promises offered
up his only-begotten son, v. 17. In this great example observe,
1. The trial and exercise of Abraham's faith; he was tried indeed. It
is said (Gen. xxii. 1), God in this tempted Abraham; not to sin, for so
God tempteth no man, but only tried his faith and obedience to purpose.
God had before this tempted or tried the faith of Abraham, when he
called him away from his country and father's house,--when by a famine
he was forced out of Canaan into Egypt,--when he was obliged to fight
with five kings to rescue Lot,--when Sarah was taken from him by
Abimelech, and in many other instances. But this trial was greater than
all; he was commanded to offer up his son Isaac. Read the account of
it, Gen. xxii. 2. There you will find every word was a trial: "Take now
thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the
land of Moriah, and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of
the mountains which I will tell thee of. Take thy son, not one of thy
beasts or slaves, thy only son by Sarah, Isaac thy laughter, the child
of thy joy and delight, whom thou lovest as thine own soul; take him
away to a distant place, three days' journey, the land of Moriah; do
not only leave him there, but offer him for a burnt offering." A
greater trial was never put upon any creature. The apostle here
mentions some things that very much added to the greatness of this
trial. (1.) He was put upon it after he had received the promises, that
this Isaac should build up his family, that in him his seed should be
called (v. 18), and that he should be one of the progenitors of the
Messiah, and all nations blessed in him; so that, in being called to
offer up his Isaac, he seemed to be called to destroy and cut off his
own family, to cancel the promises of God, to prevent the coming of
Christ, to destroy the whole world, to sacrifice his own soul and his
hopes of salvation, and to cut off the church of God at one blow: a
most terrible trial! (2.) That this Isaac was his only-begotten son by
his wife Sarah, the only one he was to have by her, and the only one
that was to be the child and heir of the promise. Ishmael was to be put
off with earthly greatness. The promise of a posterity, and of the
Messiah, must either be fulfilled by means of this son or not at all;
so that, besides his most tender affection to this his son, all his
expectations were bound up in him, and, if he perished, must perish
with him. If Abraham had ever so many sons, this was the only son who
could convey to all nations the promised blessing. A son for whom he
waited so long, whom he received in so extraordinary a manner, upon
whom his heart was set--to have this son offered up as a sacrifice, and
that by his own hand; it was a trial that would have overset the
firmest and the strongest mind that ever informed a human body.
2. The actings of Abraham's faith in so great a trial: he obeyed; he
offered up Isaac; he intentionally gave him up by his submissive soul
to God, and was ready to have done it actually, according to the
command of God; he went as far in it as to the very critical moment,
and would have gone through with it if God had not prevented him.
Nothing could be more tender and moving than those words of Isaac: My
father, here is the wood, here is the fire; but where is the lamb for
the burnt-offering? little thinking that he was to be the lamb; but
Abraham knew it, and yet he went on with the great design.
3. The supports of his faith. They must be very great, suitable to the
greatness of the trial: He accounted that God was able to raise him
from the dead, v. 19. His faith was supported by the sense he had of
the mighty power of God, who was able to raise the dead; he reasoned
thus with himself, and so he resolved all his doubts. It does not
appear that he had any expectation of being countermanded, and
prevented from offering up his son; such an expectation would have
spoiled the trial, and consequently the triumph, of his faith; but he
knew that God was able to raise him from the dead, and he believed that
God would do so, since such great things depended upon his son, which
must have failed if Isaac had not a further life. Observe, (1.) God is
able to raise the dead, to raise dead bodies, and to raise dead souls.
(2.) The belief of this will carry us through the greatest difficulties
and trials that we can meet with. (3.) It is our duty to be reasoning
down our doubts and fears, by the consideration of the almighty power
of God.
4. The reward of his faith in this great trial (v. 19): he received his
son from the dead in a figure, in a parable. (1.) He received his son.
He had parted with him to God, and God gave him back again. The best
way to enjoy our comforts with comfort is to resign them up to God; he
will then return them, if not in kind, yet in kindness. (2.) He
received him from the dead, for he gave him up for dead; he was as a
dead child to him, and the return was to him no less than a
resurrection. (3.) This was a figure or parable of something further.
It was a figure of the sacrifice and resurrection of Christ, of whom
Isaac was a type. It was a figure and earnest of the glorious
resurrection of all true believers, whose life is not lost, but hid
with Christ in God. We come now to the faith of other Old-Testament
saints, mentioned by name, and by the particular trials and actings of
their faith.
VIII. Of the faith of Isaac, v. 20. Something of him we had before
interwoven with the story of Abraham; here we have something of a
distinct nature--that by faith he blessed his two sons, Jacob and Esau,
concerning things to come. Here observe,
1. The actings of his faith: He blessed Jacob and Esau concerning
things to come. He blessed them; that is, he resigned them up to God in
covenant; he recommended God and religion to them; he prayed for them,
and prophesied concerning them, what would be the condition, and the
condition of their descendants: we have the account of this in Gen.
xxvii. Observe, (1.) Both Jacob and Esau were blessed as Isaac's
children, at least as to temporal good things. It is a great privilege
to be the offspring of good parents, and often the wicked children of
good parents fare the better in this world for their parents' sake, for
things present are in the covenant; but they are not the best things,
and no man knoweth love or hatred by having or wanting such things.
(2.) Jacob had the precedency and the principal blessing, which shows
that it is grace and the new birth that exalt persons above their
fellows and qualify them for the best blessings, and that it is owing
to the sovereign free grace of God that in the same family one is taken
and another left, one loved and the other hated, since all the race of
Adam are by nature hateful to God--that if one has his portion in this
world, and the other in the better world, it is God who makes the
difference; for even the comforts of this life are more and better than
any of the children of men deserve.
2. The difficulties Isaac's faith struggled with. (1.) He seemed to
have forgotten how God had determined the matter at the birth of these
his sons, Gen. xxv. 23. This should have been a rule to him all along,
but he was rather swayed by natural affection, and by general custom,
which gives the double portion of honour, affection, and advantage, to
the first-born. (2.) He acted in this matter with some reluctance. When
he came to pronounce the blessing, he trembled very exceedingly (Gen.
xxvii. 33); and he charged Jacob that he had subtly taken away Esau's
blessing, v. 33, 35. But, notwithstanding all this, Isaac's faith
recovered itself, and he ratified the blessing: I have blessed him yea,
and he shall be blessed. Rebecca and Jacob are not to be justified in
the indirect means they used to obtain this blessing, but God will be
justified in overruling even the sins of men to serve the purposes of
his glory. Now, the faith of Isaac thus prevailing over his unbelief,
it has pleased the God of Isaac to pass by the weakness of his faith,
to commend the sincerity of it, and record him among the elders, who
through faith have obtained a good report. We now go on to,
IX. The faith of Jacob (v. 21), who, when he was dying, blessed both
the sons of Joseph, and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff.
There were a great many instances of the faith of Jacob; his life was a
life of faith, and his faith met with great exercise. But it has
pleased God to single two instances out of many of the faith of this
patriarch, besides what has been already mentioned in the account of
Abraham. Here observe,
1. The actings of his faith here mentioned, and they are two:--
(1.) He blessed both the sons of Joseph, Ephraim and Manasseh; he
adopted them into the number of his own sons, and so into the
congregation of Israel, though they were born in Egypt. It is doubtless
a great blessing to be joined to the visible church of God in
profession and privilege, but more to be so in spirit and truth. [1.]
He made them both heads of different tribes, as if they had been his
own immediate sons. [2.] He prayed for them, that they might both be
blessed of God. [3.] He prophesied that they should be blessed; but, as
Isaac did before, so now Jacob prefers the younger, Ephraim; and though
Joseph had placed them so, that the right hand of his father should be
laid on Manasseh, the elder, Jacob wittingly laid it on Ephraim, and
this by divine direction, for he could not see, to show that the
Gentile church, the younger, should have a more abundant blessing than
the Jewish church, the elder.
(2.) He worshipped, leaning on his staff; that is, he praised God for
what he had done for him, and for the prospect he had of approaching
blessedness; and he prayed for those he was leaving behind him, that
religion might live in his family when he was gone. He did this leaning
on the top of his staff; not as the papists dream, that he worshipped
some image of God engraven on the head of his staff, but intimating to
us his great natural weakness, that he was not able to support himself
so far as to sit up in his bed without a staff, and yet that he would
not make this an excuse for neglecting the worshipping of God; he would
do it as well as he could with his body, as well as with his spirit,
though he could not do it as well as he would. He showed thereby his
dependence upon God, and testified his condition here as a pilgrim with
his staff, and his weariness of the world, and willingness to be at
rest.
2. The time and season when Jacob thus acted his faith: when he was
dying. He lived by faith, and he died by faith and in faith. Observe,
Though the grace of faith is of universal use throughout our whole
lives, yet it is especially so when we come to die. Faith has its
greatest work to do at last, to help believers to finish well, to die
to the Lord, so as to honour him, by patience, hope, and joy--so as to
leave a witness behind them of the truth of God's word and the
excellency of his ways, for the conviction and establishment of all who
attend them in their dying moments. The best way in which parents can
finish their course is blessing their families and worshipping their
God. We have now come to,
X. The faith of Joseph, v. 22. And here also we consider,
1. What he did by his faith: He made mention of the departing of the
children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones. The
passage is out of Gen. l. 24, 25. Joseph was eminent for his faith,
though he had not enjoyed the helps for it which the rest of his
brethren had. He was sold into Egypt. He was tried by temptations, by
sin, by persecution, for retaining his integrity. He was tried by
preferment and power in the court of Pharaoh, and yet his faith held
out and carried him through to the last. (1.) He made mention by faith
of the departing of the children of Israel, that the time should come
when they should be delivered out of Egypt; and he did this both that
he might caution them against the thoughts of settling in Egypt, which
was now a place of plenty and ease to them; and also that he might keep
them from sinking under the calamities and distresses which he foresaw
were coming upon them there; and he does it to comfort himself, that
though he should not live to see their deliverance, yet he could die in
the faith of it. (2.) He gave commandment concerning his bones, that
they should preserve them unburied in Egypt, till God should deliver
them out of that house of bondage, and that then they should carry his
bones along with them into Canaan and deposit them there. Though
believers are chiefly concerned for their souls, yet they cannot wholly
neglect their bodies, as being members of Christ and parts of
themselves, which shall at length be raised up, and be the happy
companions of their glorified souls to all eternity. Now Joseph gave
this order, not that he thought his being buried in Egypt would either
prejudice his soul or prevent the resurrection of his body (as some of
the rabbis fancied that all the Jews who were buried out of Canaan must
be conveyed underground to Canaan before they could rise again), but to
testify, [1.] That though he had lived and died in Egypt, yet he did
not live and die an Egyptian, but an Israelite. [2.] That he preferred
a significant burial in Canaan before a magnificent one in Egypt. [3.]
That he would go as far with his people as he could, though he could
not go as far as he would. [4.] That he believed the resurrection of
the body, and the communion that his soul should presently have with
departed saints, as his body had with their dead bodies. [5.] To assure
them that God would be with them in Egypt, and deliver them out of it
in his own time and way.
2. When it was that the faith of Joseph acted after this manner;
namely, as in the case of Jacob, when he was dying. God often gives his
people living comforts in dying moments; and when he does it is their
duty, as they can, to communicate them to those about them, for the
glory of God, for the honour of religion, and for the good of their
brethren and friends. We go on now to,
XI. The faith of the parents of Moses, which is cited from Exod. ii. 3,
&c. Here observe, 1. The acting of their faith: they hid this their son
three months. Though only the mother of Moses is mentioned in the
history, yet, by what is here said, it seems his father not only
consented to it, but consulted about it. It is a happy thing where
yoke-fellows draw together in the yoke of faith, as heirs of the grace
of God; and when they do this in a religious concern for the good of
their children, to preserve them not only from those who would destroy
their lives, but from those who would corrupt their minds. Observe,
Moses was persecuted betimes, and forced to be concealed; in this he
was a type of Christ, who was persecuted almost as soon as he was born,
and his parents were obliged to flee with him into Egypt for his
preservation. It is a great mercy to be free from wicked laws and
edicts; but, when we are not, we must use all lawful means for our
security. In this faith of Moses's parents there was a mixture of
unbelief, but God was pleased to overlook it. 2. The reasons of their
thus acting. No doubt, natural affection could not but move them; but
there was something further. They saw he was a proper child, a goodly
child (Exod. ii. 2), exceedingly fair, as in Acts vii. 20, asteios to
Theo--venustus Deo--fair to God. There appeared in him something
uncommon; the beauty of the Lord sat upon him, as a presage that he was
born to great things, and that by conversing with God his face should
shine (Exod. xxxiv. 29), what bright and illustrious actions he should
do for the deliverance of Israel, and how his name should shine in the
sacred records. Sometimes, not always, the countenance is the index of
the mind. 3. The prevalency of their faith over their fear. They were
not afraid of the king's commandment, Exod. i. 22. That was a wicked
and a cruel edict, that all the males of the Israelites should be
destroyed in their infancy, and so the name of Israel must be destroyed
out of the earth. But they did not so fear as presently to give up
their child; they considered that, if none of the males were preserved,
there would be an end and utter ruin of the church of God and the true
religion, and that though in their present state of servitude and
oppression one would praise the dead rather than the living, yet they
believed that God would preserve his people, and that the time was
coming when it would be worth while for an Israelite to live. Some must
hazard their own lives to preserve their children, and they were
resolved to do it; they knew the king's commandment was evil in itself,
contrary to the laws of God and nature, and therefore of no authority
nor obligation. Faith is a great preservative against the sinful
slavish fear of men, as it sets God before the soul, and shows the
vanity of the creature and its subordination to the will and power of
God. The apostle next proceeds to,
XII. The faith of Moses himself (v. 24, 25, &c.), here observe,
1. An instance of his faith in conquering the world.
(1.) He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter, whose
foundling he was, and her fondling too; she had adopted him for his
son, and he refused it. Observe, [1.] How great a temptation Moses was
under. Pharaoh's daughter is said to have been his only child, and was
herself childless; and having found Moses, and saved him as she did,
she resolved to take him and bring him up as her son; and so he stood
fair to be in time king of Egypt, and he might thereby have been
serviceable to Israel. He owed his life to this princess; and to refuse
such kindness from her would look not only like ingratitude to her, but
a neglect of Providence, that seemed to intend his advancement and his
brethren's advantage. [2.] How glorious was the triumph of his faith in
so great a trial. He refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter
lest he should undervalue the truer honour of being a son of Abraham,
the father of the faithful; he refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh's daughter lest it should look like renouncing his religion as
well as his relation to Israel; and no doubt both these he must have
done if he had accepted this honour; he therefore nobly refused it.
(2.) He chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than
to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season, v. 25. He was willing to
take his lot with the people of God here, though it was a suffering
lot, that he might have his portion with them hereafter, rather than to
enjoy all the sensual sinful pleasures of Pharaoh's court, which would
be but for a season, and would then be punished with everlasting
misery. Herein he acted rationally as well as religiously, and
conquered the temptation to worldly pleasure as he had done before to
worldly preferment. Here observe, [1.] The pleasures of sin are and
will be but short; they must end in speedy repentance or in speedy
ruin. [2.] The pleasures of this world, and especially those of a
court, are too often the pleasures of sin; and they are always so when
we cannot enjoy them without deserting God and his people. A true
believer will despise them when they are offered upon such terms. [3.]
Suffering is to be chosen rather than sin, there being more evil in the
least sin than there can be in the greatest suffering. [4.] It greatly
alleviates the evil of suffering when we suffer with the people of God,
embarked in the same interest and animated by the same Spirit.
(3.) He accounted the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the
treasures of Egypt, v. 26. See how Moses weighed matters: in one scale
he put the worst of religion--the reproaches of Christ, in the other
scale the best of the world--the treasures of Egypt; and in his
judgment, directed by faith, the worst of religion weighed down the
best of the world. The reproaches of the church of God are the
reproaches of Christ, who is, and has ever been, the head of the
church. Now here Moses conquered the riches of the world, as before he
had conquered its honours and pleasures. God's people are, and always
have been, a reproached people. Christ accounts himself reproached in
their reproaches; and, while he thus interests himself in their
reproaches, they become riches, and greater riches than the treasures
of the richest empire in the world; for Christ will reward them with a
crown of glory that fades not away. Faith discerns this, and determines
and acts accordingly.
2. The circumstance of time is taken notice of, when Moses by his faith
gained this victory over the world, in all its honours, pleasures, and
treasures: When he had come to years (v. 24); not only to years of
discretion, but of experience, to the age of forty years--when he was
great, or had come to maturity. Some would take this as detracting from
his victory, that he gained it so late, that he did not make this
choice sooner; but it is rather an enhancement of the honour of his
self-denial and victory over the world that he made this choice when he
had grown ripe for judgment and enjoyment, able to know what he did and
why he did it. It was not the act of a child, that prefers counters to
gold, but it proceeded from mature deliberation. It is an excellent
thing for persons to be seriously religious when in the midst of
worldly business and enjoyments, to despise the world when they are
most capable of relishing and enjoying it.
3. What it was that supported and strengthened the faith of Moses to
such a degree as to enable him to gain such a victory over the world:
He had respect unto the recompense of reward, that is, say some, the
deliverance out of Egypt; but doubtless it means much more--the
glorious reward of faith and fidelity in the other world. Observe here,
(1.) Heaven is a great reward, surpassing not only all our deservings,
but all our conceptions. It is a reward suitable to the price paid for
it--the blood of Christ; suitable to the perfections of God, and fully
answering to all his promises. It is a recompense of reward, because
given by a righteous Judge for the righteousness of Christ to righteous
persons, according to the righteous rule of the covenant of grace. (2.)
Believers may and ought to have respect to this recompense of reward;
they should acquaint themselves with it, approve of it, and live in the
daily and delightful expectation of it. Thus it will prove a land-mark
to direct their course, a load-stone to draw their hearts, a sword to
conquer their enemies, a spur to quicken them to duty, and a cordial to
refresh them under all the difficulties of doing and suffering work.
4. We have another instance of the faith of Moses, namely, in forsaking
Egypt: By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king, v.
27. Observe here, (1.) The product of his faith: He forsook Egypt, and
all its power and pleasures, and undertook the conduct of Israel out of
it. Twice Moses forsook Egypt: [1.] As a supposed criminal, when the
king's wrath was incensed against him for killing the Egyptian (Exod.
ii. 14, 15), where it is said he feared, not with a fear of
despondency, but of discretion, to save his life. [2.] As a commander
and ruler in Jeshurun, after God had employed him to humble Pharaoh and
make him willing to let Israel go. (2.) The prevalency of his faith. It
raised him above the fear of the king's wrath. Though he knew that it
was great, and levelled at him in particular, and that it marched at
the head of a numerous host to pursue him, yet he was not dismayed, and
he said to Israel, Fear not, Exod. xiv. 13. Those who forsook Egypt
must expect the wrath of men; but they need not fear it, for they are
under the conduct of that God who is able to make the wrath of man to
praise him, and restrain the remainder of it. (3.) The principle upon
which his faith acted in these his motions: He endured, as seeing him
that was invisible. He bore up with invincible courage under all
danger, and endured all the fatigue of his employment, which was very
great; and this by seeing the invisible God. Observe, [1.] The God with
whom we have to do is an invisible God: he is so to our senses, to the
eye of the body; and this shows the folly of those who pretend to make
images of God, whom no man hath seen, nor can see. [2.] By faith we may
see this invisible God. We may be fully assured of his existence, of
his providence, and of his gracious and powerful presence with us. [3.]
Such a sight of God will enable believers to endure to the end whatever
they may meet with in the way.
5. We have yet another instance of the faith of Moses, in keeping the
passover and sprinkling of blood, v. 28. The account of this we have in
Exod. xii. 13-23. Though all Israel kept this passover, yet it was by
Moses that God delivered the institution of it; and, though it was a
great mystery, Moses by faith both delivered it to the people and kept
it that night in the house where he lodged. The passover was one of the
most solemn institutions of the Old Testament, and a very significant
type of Christ. The occasion of its first observance was extraordinary:
it was in the same night that God slew the first-born of the Egyptians;
but, though the Israelites lived among them, the destroying angel
passed over their houses, and spared them and theirs. Now, to entitle
them to this distinguishing favour, and to mark them out for it, a lamb
must be slain; the blood of it must be sprinkled with a bunch of hyssop
upon the lintel of the door, and on the two side-posts; the flesh of
the lamb must be roasted with fire; and it must be all of it eaten that
very night with bitter herbs, in a travelling posture, their loins
girt, their shoes on their feet, and their staff in their hand. This
was accordingly done, and the destroying angel passed over them, and
slew the first-born of the Egyptians. This opened a way for the return
of Abraham's posterity into the land of promise. The accommodation of
this type is not difficult. (1.) Christ is that Lamb, he is our
Passover, he was sacrificed for us. (2.) His blood must be sprinkled;
it must be applied to those who have the saving benefit of it. (3.) It
is applied effectually only to the Israelites, the chosen people of
God. (4.) It is not owing to our inherent righteousness or best
performances that we are saved from the wrath of God, but to the blood
of Christ and his imputed righteousness. If any of the families of
Israel had neglected the sprinkling of this blood upon their doors,
though they should have spent all the night in prayer, the destroying
angel would have broken in upon them, and slain their first-born. (5.)
Wherever this blood is applied, the soul receives a whole Christ by
faith, and lives upon him. (6.) This true faith makes sin bitter to the
soul, even while it receives the pardon and atonement. (7.) All our
spiritual privileges on earth should quicken us to set out early, and
get forward, in our way to heaven. (8.) Those who have been marked out
must ever remember and acknowledge free and distinguishing grace.
XIII. The next instance of faith is that of the Israelites passing
through the Red Sea under the conduct of Moses their leader, v. 29. The
story we have in Exodus, ch. xiv. Observe,
1. The preservation and safe passage of the Israelites through the Red
Sea, when there was no other way to escape from Pharaoh and his host,
who were closely pursuing them. Here we may observe, (1.) Israel's
danger was very great; an enraged enemy with chariots and horsemen
behind them; steep rocks and mountains on either hand, and the Red Sea
before them. (2.) Their deliverance was very glorious. By faith they
passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; the grace of faith will help
us through all the dangers we meet with in our way to heaven.
2. The destruction of the Egyptians. They, presumptuously attempting to
follow Israel through the Red Sea, being thus blinded and hardened to
their ruin, were all drowned. Their rashness was great, and their ruin
was grievous. When God judges, he will overcome; and it is plain that
the destruction of sinners is of themselves.
XIV. The next instance of faith is that of the Israelites, under Joshua
their leader, before the walls of Jericho. The story we have Josh. vi.
5, &c. Here observe, 1. The means prescribed to God to bring down the
walls of Jericho. It was ordered that they should compass the walls
about once a day for seven days together and seven times the last day,
that the priests should carry the ark when they compassed the walls
about, and should blow with trumpets made of rams' horns, and sound a
longer blast than before, and then all the people should shout, and the
walls of Jericho should fall before them. Here was a great trial of
their faith. The method prescribed seemed very improbable to answer
such an end, and would doubtless expose them to the daily contempt of
their enemies; the ark of God would seem to be in danger. But this was
the way God commanded them to take, and he loves to do great things by
small and contemptible means, that his own arm may be made bare. 2. The
powerful success of the prescribed means. The walls of Jericho fell
before them. This was a frontier town in the land of Canaan, the first
that stood out against the Israelites. God was pleased in this
extraordinary manner to slight and dismantle it, in order to magnify
himself, to terrify the Canaanites, to strengthen the faith of the
Israelites, and to exclude all boasting. God can and will in his own
time and way cause all the powerful opposition that is made to his
interest and glory to fall down, and the grace of faith is mighty
through God for the pulling down of strong-holds; he will make Babylon
fall before the faith of his people, and, when he has some great thing
to do for them, he raises up great and strong faith in them.
XV. The next instance is the faith of Rahab, v. 31. Among the noble
army of believing worthies, bravely marshalled by the apostle, Rahab
comes in the rear, to show that God is no respecter of persons. Here
consider,
1. Who this Rahab was. (1.) She was a Canaanite, a stranger to the
commonwealth of Israel, and had but little help for faith, and yet she
was a believer; the power of divine grace greatly appears when it works
without the usual means of grace. (2.) She was a harlot, and lived in a
way of sin; she was not only a keeper of a public house, but a common
woman of the town, and yet she believed that the greatness of sin, if
truly repented of, shall be no bar to the pardoning mercy of God.
Christ has saved the chief of sinners. Where sin has abounded, grace
has superabounded.
2. What she did by her faith: She received the spies in peace, the men
that Joshua had sent to spy out Jericho, Josh. ii. 6, 7. She not only
bade them welcome, but she concealed them from their enemies who sought
to cut them off, and she made a noble confession of her faith, v. 9-11.
She engaged them to covenant with her to show favour to her and hers,
when God should show kindness to them, and that they would give her a
sign, which they did, a line of scarlet, which she was to hang forth
out of the window; she sent them away with prudent and friendly advice.
Learn here, (1.) True faith will show itself in good works, especially
towards the people of God. (2.) Faith will venture all hazards in the
cause of God and his people; a true believer will sooner expose his own
person than God's interest and people. (3.) A true believer is
desirous, not only to be in covenant with God, but in communion with
the people of God, and is willing to cast in his lot with them, and to
fare as they fare.
Exemplars of Faith. (a. d. 62.)
32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of
Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also,
and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued
kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths
of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the
sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned
to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead
raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting
deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: 36 And
others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of
bonds and imprisonment: 37 They were stoned, they were sawn asunder,
were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in
sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; 38
(Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in
mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. 39 And these all,
having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:
40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
should not be made perfect.
The apostle having given us a classis of many eminent believers, whose
names are mentioned and the particular trials and actings of their
faith recorded, now concludes his narrative with a more summary account
of another set of believers, where the particular acts are not ascribed
to particular persons by name, but left to be applied by those who are
well acquainted with the sacred story; and, like a divine orator, he
prefaces his part of the narrative with an elegant expostulation: What
shall I say more? Time would fail me; as if he had said, "It is in vain
to attempt to exhaust this subject; should I not restrain my pen, it
would soon run beyond the bounds of an epistle; and therefore I shall
but just mention a few more, and leave you to enlarge upon them."
Observe, 1. After all our researches into the scripture, there is still
more to be learned from them. 2. We must well consider in divine
matters what we should say, and suit it as well as we can to the time.
3. We should be pleased to think how great the number of believers was
under the Old Testament, and how strong their faith, though the objects
thereof were not then so fully revealed. And, 4. We should lament it,
that now, in gospel times, when the rule of faith is more clear and
perfect, the number of believers should be so small and their faith so
weak.
I. In this summary account the apostle mentions,
1. Gideon, whose story we have in Judges vi. 11, &c. He was an eminent
instrument raised up of God to deliver his people from the oppression
of the Midianites; he was a person of mean tribe and family, called
from a mean employment (threshing wheat), and saluted by an angel of
God in this surprising manner, The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man
of war. Gideon could not at first receive such honours, but humbly
expostulates with the angel about their low and distressed state. The
angel of the Lord delivers him his commission, and assures him of
success, confirming the assurance by fire out of the rock. Gideon is
directed to offer sacrifice, and, instructed in his duty, goes forth
against the Midianites, when his army is reduced from thirty-two
thousand to three hundred; yet by these, with their lamps and pitchers,
God put the whole army of the Midianites to confusion and ruin: and the
same faith that gave Gideon so much courage and honour enabled him to
act with great meekness and modesty towards his brethren afterwards. It
is the excellency of the grace of faith that, while it helps men to do
great things, it keeps them from having high and great thoughts of
themselves.
2. Barak, another instrument raised up to deliver Israel out of the
hand of Jabin, king of Canaan, Judges 4, where we read, (1.) Though he
was a soldier, yet he received his commission and instructions from
Deborah, a prophetess of the Lord; and he insisted upon having this
divine oracle with him in his expedition. (2.) He obtained a great
victory by his faith over all the host of Sisera. (3.) His faith taught
him to return all the praise and glory to God: this is the nature of
faith; it has recourse unto God in all dangers and difficulties, and
then makes grateful returns to God for all mercies and deliverances.
3. Samson, another instrument that God raised up to deliver Israel from
the Philistines: his story we have in Judges xiii., xiv., xv., and
xvi., and from it we learn that the grace of faith is the strength of
the soul for great service. If Samson had not had a strong faith as
well as a strong arm, he had never performed such exploits. Observe,
(1.) By faith the servants of God shall overcome even the roaring lion.
(2.) True faith is acknowledged and accepted, even when mingled with
many failings. (3.) The believer's faith endures to the end, and, in
dying, gives him victory over death and all his deadly enemies; his
greatest conquest he gains by dying.
4. Jephthah, whose story we have, Judg. xi., before that of Samson. He
was raised up to deliver Israel from the Ammonites. As various and new
enemies rise up against the people of God, various and new deliverers
are raised up for them. In the story of Jephthah observe, (1.) The
grace of God often finds out, and fastens upon, the most undeserving
and ill-deserving persons, to do great things for them and by them.
Jephthah was the son of a harlot. (2.) The grace of faith, wherever it
is, will put men upon acknowledging God in all their ways (ch. xi. 11):
Jephthah rehearsed all his words before the Lord in Mizpeh. (3.) The
grace of faith will make men bold and venturous in a good cause. (4.)
Faith will not only put men upon making their vows to God, but paying
their vows after the mercy received; yea, though they have vowed to
their own great grief, hurt, and loss, as in the case of Jephthah and
his daughter.
5. David, that great man after God's own heart. Few ever met with
greater trials, and few ever discovered a more lively faith. His first
appearance on the stage of the world was a great evidence of his faith.
Having, when young, slain the lion and the bear, his faith in God
encouraged him to encounter the great Goliath, and helped him to
triumph over him. The same faith enabled him to bear patiently the
ungrateful malice of Saul and his favourites, and to wait till God
should put him into possession of the promised power and dignity. The
same faith made him a very successful and victorious prince, and, after
a long life of virtue and honour (though not without some foul stains
of sin), he died in faith, relying upon the everlasting covenant that
God had made with him and his, ordered in all things and sure; and he
has left behind him such excellent memoirs of the trials and acts of
faith in the book of Psalms as will ever be of great esteem and use,
among the people of God.
6. Samuel, raised up to be a most eminent prophet of the Lord to
Israel, as well as a ruler over them. God revealed himself to Samuel
when he was but a child, and continued to do so till his death. In his
story observe, (1.) Those are likely to grow up to some eminency in
faith who begin betimes in the exercise of it. (2.) Those whose
business it is to reveal the mind and will of God to others had need to
be well established in the belief of it themselves.
7. To Samuel he adds, and of the prophets, who were extraordinary
ministers of the Old-Testament church, employed of God sometimes to
denounce judgment, sometimes to promise mercy, always to reprove sin;
sometimes to foretell remarkable events, known only to God; and chiefly
to give notice of the Messiah, his coming, person, and offices; for in
him the prophets as well as the law center. Now a true and strong faith
was very requisite for the right discharge of such an office as this.
II. Having done naming particular persons, he proceeds to tell us what
things were done by their faith. He mentions some things that easily
apply themselves to one or other of the persons named; but he mentions
other things that are not so easy to be accommodated to any here named,
but must be left to general conjecture or accommodation.
1. By faith they subdued kingdoms, v. 33. Thus did David, Joshua, and
many of the judges. Learn hence, (1.) The interests and powers of kings
and kingdoms are often set up in opposition to God and his people. (2.)
God can easily subdue all those kings and kingdoms that set themselves
to oppose him. (3.) Faith is a suitable and excellent qualification of
those who fight in the ways of the Lord; it makes them just, bold, and
wise.
2. They wrought righteousness, both in their public and personal
capacities; they turned many from idolatry to the ways of
righteousness; they believed God, and it was imputed to them for
righteousness; they walked and acted righteously towards God and man.
It is a greater honour and happiness to work righteousness than to work
miracles; faith is an active principle of universal righteousness.
3. They obtained promises, both general and special. It is faith that
gives us an interest in the promises; it is by faith that we have the
comfort of the promises; and it is by faith that we are prepared to
wait for the promises, and in due time to receive them.
4. They stopped the mouths of lions; so did Samson, Judg. xiv. 5, 6,
and David, 1 Sam. xvii. 34, 35, and Daniel, 6:22. Here learn, (1.) The
power of God is above the power of the creature. (2.) Faith engages the
power of God for his people, whenever it shall be for his glory, to
overcome brute beasts and brutish men.
5. They quenched the violence of the fire, v. 34. So Moses, by the
prayer of faith, quenched the fire of God's wrath that was kindled
against the people of Israel, Num. xi. 1, 2. So did the three children,
or rather mighty champions, Dan. iii. 17-27. Their faith in God,
refusing to worship the golden image, exposed them to the fiery furnace
which Nebuchadnezzar had prepared for them, and their faith engaged for
them that power and presence of God in the furnace which quenched the
violence of the fire, so that not so much as the smell thereof passed
on them. Never was the grace of faith more severely tried, never more
nobly exerted, nor ever more gloriously rewarded, than theirs was.
6. They escaped the edge of the sword. Thus David escaped the sword of
Goliath and of Saul; and Mordecai and the Jews escaped the sword of
Haman. The swords of men are held in the hand of God, and he can blunt
the edge of the sword, and turn it away from his people against their
enemies when he pleases. Faith takes hold of that hand of God which has
hold of the swords of men; and God has often suffered himself to be
prevailed upon by the faith of his people.
7. Out of weakness they were made strong. From national weakness, into
which the Jews often fell by their unbelief; upon the revival of their
faith, all their interest and affairs revived and flourished. From
bodily weakness; thus Hezekiah, believing the word of God, recovered
out of a mortal distemper, and he ascribed his recovery to the promise
and power of God (Isa. xxxviii. 15, 16), What shall I say? He hath
spoken it, and he hath also done it. Lord by these things men live, and
in these is the life of my spirit. And it is the same grace of faith
that from spiritual weakness helps men to recover and renew their
strength.
8. They grew valiant in fight. So did Joshua, the judges, and David.
True faith gives truest courage and patience, as it discerns the
strength of God, and thereby the weakness of all his enemies. And they
were not only valiant, but successful. God, as a reward and
encouragement of their faith, put to flight the armies of the aliens,
of those who were aliens to their commonwealth, and enemies to their
religion; God made them flee and fall before his faithful servants.
Believing and praying commanders, at the head of believing and praying
armies, have been so owned and honoured of God that nothing could stand
before them.
9. Women received their dead raised to life again, v. 35. So did the
widow of Zarepath (1 Kings xvii. 23), and the Shunamite, 2 Kings iv.
36. (1.) In Christ there is neither male nor female; many of the weaker
sex have been strong in faith. (2.) Though the covenant of grace takes
in the children of believers, yet it leaves them subject to natural
death. (3.) Poor mothers are loth to resign up their interest in their
children, though death has taken them away. (4.) God has sometimes
yielded so far to the tender affections of sorrowful women as to
restore their dead children to life again. Thus Christ had compassion
on the widow of Nain, Luke vii. 12, &c. (5.) This should confirm our
faith in the general resurrection.
III. The apostle tells us what these believers endured by faith. 1.
They were tortured, not accepting deliverance, v. 35. They were put
upon the rack, to make them renounce their God, their Saviour, and
their religion. They bore the torture, and would not accept of
deliverance upon such vile terms; and that which animated them thus to
suffer was the hope they had of obtaining a better resurrection, and
deliverance upon more honourable terms. This is thought to refer to
that memorable story, 2 Macc. ch. vii., &c. 2. They endured trials of
cruel mockings and scourgings, and bonds and imprisonment, v. 36. They
were persecuted in their reputation by mockings, which are cruel to an
ingenuous mind; in their persons by scourging, the punishment of
slaves; in their liberty by bonds and imprisonment. Observe how
inveterate is the malice that wicked men have towards the righteous,
how far it will go, and what a variety of cruelties it will invent and
exercise upon those against whom they have no cause of quarrel, except
in the matters of their God. 3. They were put to death in the most
cruel manner; some were stoned, as Zechariah (2 Chron. xxiv. 21), sawn
asunder, as Isaiah by Manasseh. They were tempted; some read it, burnt,
2 Macc. vii. 5. They were slain with the sword. All sorts of deaths
were prepared for them; their enemies clothed death in all the array of
cruelty and terror, and yet they boldly met it and endured it. 4. Those
who escaped death were used so ill that death might seem more eligible
than such a life. Their enemies spared them, only to prolong their
misery, and wear out all their patience; for they were forced to wander
about in sheep-skins and goat-skins, being destitute, afflicted, and
tormented; they wandered about in deserts, and on mountains, and in
dens and caves of the earth, v. 37, 38. They were stripped of the
conveniences of life, and turned out of house and harbour. They had not
raiment to put on, but were forced to cover themselves with the skins
of slain beasts. They were driven out of all human society, and forced
to converse with the beasts of the field, to hide themselves in dens
and caves, and make their complaint to rocks and rivers, not more
obdurate than their enemies. Such sufferings as these they endured then
for their faith; and such they endured through the power of the grace
of faith: and which shall we most admire, the wickedness of human
nature, that is capable of perpetrating such cruelties on fellow
creatures, or the excellency of divine grace, that is able to bear up
the faithful under such cruelties, and to carry them safely through
all?
IV. What they obtained by their faith. 1. A most honourable character
and commendation from God, the true Judge and fountain of honour--that
the world was not worthy of such men; the world did not deserve such
blessings; they did not know how to value them, nor how to use them.
Wicked men! The righteous are not worthy to live in the world, and God
declares the world is not worthy of them; and, though they widely
differ in their judgment, they agree in this, that it is not fit that
good men should have their rest in this world; and therefore God
receives them out of it, to that world that is suitable to them, and
yet far beyond the merit of all their services and sufferings. 2. They
obtained a good report (v. 39) of all good men, and of the truth
itself, and have the honour to be enrolled in this sacred calendar of
the Old-Testament worthies, God's witnesses; yea, they had a witness
for them in the consciences of their enemies, who, while they thus
abused them, were condemned by their own consciences, as persecuting
those who were more righteous than themselves. 3. They obtained an
interest in the promises, though not the full possession of them. They
had a title to the promises, though they received not the great things
promised. This is not meant of the felicity of the heavenly state, for
this they did receive, when they died, in the measure of a part, in one
constituent part of their persons, and the much better part; but it is
meant of the felicity of the gospel-state: they had types, but not the
antitype; they had shadows, but had not seen the substance; and yet,
under this imperfect dispensation, they discovered this precious faith.
This the apostle insists upon to render the faith more illustrious, and
to provoke Christians to a holy jealousy and emulation; that they
should not suffer themselves to be outdone in the exercise of faith by
those who came so short of them in all the helps and advantages for
believing. He tells the Hebrews that God had provided some better
things for them (v. 40), and therefore they might be assured that he
expected at least as good things from them; and that since the gospel
is the end and perfection of the Old Testament, which had no excellency
but in its reference to Christ and the gospel, it was expected that
their faith should be as much more perfect than the faith of the
Old-Testament saints; for their state and dispensation were more
perfect than the former, and were indeed the perfection and completion
of the former, for without the gospel-church the Jewish church must
have remained in an incomplete and imperfect state. This reasoning is
strong, and should be effectually prevalent with us all.
__________________________________________________________________
H E B R E W S.
CHAP. XII.
The apostle, in this chapter, applies what he has collected in the
chapter foregoing, and makes use of it as a great motive to patience
and perseverance in the Christian faith and state, pressing home the
argument, I. From a greater example than he had yet mentioned, and that
is Christ himself, ver. 1-3. II. From the gentle and gracious nature of
the afflictions they endured in their Christian course, ver. 4-17. III.
From the communion and conformity between the state of the
gospel-church on earth and the triumphant church in heaven, ver. 18, to
the end.
Christ the Great Exemplar. (a. d. 62.)
1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so
easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set
before us, 2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising
the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3
For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against
himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.
Here observe what is the great duty which the apostle urges upon the
Hebrews, and which he so much desires they would comply with, and that
is, to lay aside every weight, and the sin that did so easily beset
them, and run with patience the race set before them. The duty consists
of two parts, the one preparatory, the other perfective.
I. Preparatory: Lay aside every weight, and the sin, &c. 1. Every
weight, that is, all inordinate affection and concern for the body, and
the present life and world. Inordinate care for the present life, or
fondness for it, is a dead weight upon the soul, that pulls it down
when it should ascend upwards, and pulls it back when it should press
forward; it makes duty and difficulties harder and heavier than they
would be. 2. The sin that doth so easily beset us; the sin that has the
greatest advantage against us, by the circumstances we are in, our
constitution, our company. This may mean either the damning sin of
unbelief or rather the darling sin of the Jews, an over-fondness for
their own dispensation. Let us lay aside all external and internal
hindrances.
II. Perfective: Run with patience the race that is set before us. The
apostle speaks in the gymnastic style, taken from the Olympic and other
exercises.
1. Christians have a race to run, a race of service and a race of
sufferings, a course of active and passive obedience.
2. This race is set before them; it is marked out unto them, both by
the word of God and the examples of the faithful servants of God, that
cloud of witnesses with which they are compassed about. It is set out
by proper limits and directions; the mark they run to, and the prize
they run for, are set before them.
3. This race must be run with patience and perseverance. There will be
need of patience to encounter the difficulties that lie in our way, of
perseverance to resist all temptations to desist or turn aside. Faith
and patience are the conquering graces, and therefore must be always
cultivated and kept in lively exercise.
4. Christians have a greater example to animate and encourage them in
their Christian course than any or all who have been mentioned before,
and that is the Lord Jesus Christ: Looking unto Jesus, the author and
finisher of our faith, v. 2. Here observe,
(1.) What our Lord Jesus is to his people: he is the author and
finisher of their faith--the beginning, perfecter, and rewarder of it.
[1.] He is the author of their faith; not only the object, but the
author. He is the great leader and precedent of our faith, he trusted
in God; he is the purchaser of the Spirit of faith, the publisher of
the rule of faith, the efficient cause of the grace of faith, and in
all respects the author of our faith. [2.] He is the finisher of our
faith; he is the fulfiller and the fulfilling of all scripture-promises
and prophecies; he is the perfecter of the canon of scripture; he is
the finisher of grace, and of the work of faith with power in the souls
of his people; and he is the judge and the rewarder of their faith; he
determines who they are that reach the mark, and from him, and in him,
they have the prize.
(2.) What trials Christ met with in his race and course. [1.] He
endured the contradiction of sinners against himself (v. 3); he bore
the opposition that they made to him, both in their words and
behaviour. They were continually contradicting him, and crossing in
upon his great designs; and though he could easily have both confuted
and confounded them, and sometimes gave them a specimen of his power,
yet he endured their evil manners with great patience. Their
contradictions were levelled against Christ himself, against his person
as God-man, against his authority, against his preaching, and yet he
endured all. [2.] He endured the cross--all those sufferings that he
met with in the world; for he took up his cross betimes, and was at
length nailed to it, and endured a painful, ignominious, and accursed
death, in which he was numbered with the transgressors, the vilest
malefactors; yet all this he endured with invincible patience and
resolution. [3.] He despised the shame. All the reproaches that were
cast upon him, both in his life and at his death, he despised; he was
infinitely above them; he knew his own innocency and excellency, and
despised the ignorance and malice of his despisers.
(3.) What it was that supported the human soul of Christ under these
unparalleled sufferings; and that was the joy that was set before him.
He had something in view under all his sufferings, which was pleasant
to him; he rejoiced to see that by his sufferings he should make
satisfaction to the injured justice of God and give security to his
honour and government, that he should make peace between God and man,
that he should seal the covenant of grace and be the Mediator of it,
that he should open a way of salvation to the chief of sinners, and
that he should effectually save all those whom the Father had given
him, and himself be the first-born among many brethren. This was the
joy that was set before him.
(4.) The reward of his suffering: he has sat down at the right hand of
the throne of God. Christ, as Mediator, is exalted to a station of the
highest honour, of the greatest power and influence; he is at the right
hand of the Father. Nothing passes between heaven and earth but by him;
he does all that is done; he ever lives to make intercession for his
people.
(5.) What is our duty with respect to this Jesus. We must, [1.] Look
unto him; that is, we must set him continually before us as our
example, and our great encouragement; we must look to him for
direction, for assistance, and for acceptance, in all our sufferings.
[2.] We must consider him, meditate much upon him, and reason with
ourselves from his case to our own. We must analogize, as the word is;
compare Christ's sufferings and ours; and we shall find that as his
sufferings far exceeded ours, in the nature and measure of them, so his
patience far excels ours, and is a perfect pattern for us to imitate.
(6.) The advantage we shall reap by thus doing: it will be a means to
prevent our weariness and fainting (v. 3): Lest you be weary and faint
in your minds. Observe, [1.] There is a proneness in the best to grow
weary and to faint under their trials and afflictions, especially when
they prove heavy and of long continuance: this proceeds from the
imperfections of grace and the remains of corruption. [2.] The best way
to prevent this is to look unto Jesus, and to consider him. Faith and
meditation will fetch in fresh supplies of strength, comfort, and
courage; for he has assured them, if they suffer with him, they shall
also reign with him: and this hope will be their helmet.
The Benefit of Afflictions; The Use of Afflictions; Cautions against
Apostasy. (a. d. 62.)
4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin. 5 And ye
have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto
children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor
faint when thou art rebuked of him: 6 For whom the Lord loveth he
chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7 If ye endure
chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom
the father chasteneth not? 8 But if ye be without chastisement,
whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons. 9
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we
gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the
Father of spirits, and live? 10 For they verily for a few days
chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we
might be partakers of his holiness. 11 Now no chastening for the
present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it
yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are
exercised thereby. 12 Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down,
and the feeble knees; 13 And make straight paths for your feet, lest
that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be
healed. 14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no
man shall see the Lord: 15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of
the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you,
and thereby many be defiled; 16 Lest there be any fornicator, or
profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his
birthright. 17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have
inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of
repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Here the apostle presses the exhortation to patience and perseverance
by an argument taken from the gentle measure and gracious nature of
those sufferings which the believing Hebrews endured in their Christian
course.
I. From the gentle and moderate degree and measure of their sufferings:
You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin, v. 4.
Observe,
1. He owns that they had suffered much, they had been striving to an
agony against sin. Here, (1.) The cause of the conflict was sin, and to
be engaged against sin is to fight in a good cause, for sin is the
worst enemy both to God and man. Our spiritual warfare is both
honourable and necessary; for we are only defending ourselves against
that which would destroy us, if it should get the victory over us; we
fight for ourselves, for our lives, and therefore ought to be patient
and resolute. (2.) Every Christian is enlisted under Christ's banner,
to strive against sin, against sinful doctrines, sinful practices, and
sinful habits and customs, both in himself and in others.
2. He puts them in mind that they might have suffered more, that they
had not suffered as much as others; for they had not yet resisted unto
blood, they had not been called to martyrdom as yet, though they knew
not how soon they might be. Learn here, (1.) Our Lord Jesus, the
captain of our salvation, does not call his people out to the hardest
trials at first, but wisely trains them up by less sufferings to be
prepared for greater. He will not put new wine into weak vessels, he is
the gentle shepherd, who will not overdrive the young ones of the
flock. (2.) It becomes Christians to take notice of the gentleness of
Christ in accommodating their trial to their strength. They should not
magnify their afflictions, but should take notice of the mercy that is
mixed with them, and should pity those who are called to the fiery
trials to resist to blood; not to shed the blood of their enemies, but
to seal their testimony with their own blood. (3.) Christians should be
ashamed to faint under less trials, when they see others bear up under
greater, and do not know how soon they may meet with greater
themselves. If we have run with the footmen and they have wearied us,
how shall we contend with horses? If we be wearied in a land of peace,
what shall we do in the swellings of Jordan? Jer. xii. 5.
II. He argues from the peculiar and gracious nature of those sufferings
that befall the people of God. Though their enemies and persecutors may
be the instruments of inflicting such sufferings on them, yet they are
divine chastisements; their heavenly Father has his hand in all, and
his wise end to serve by all; of this he has given them due notice, and
they should not forget it, v. 5. Observe,
1. Those afflictions which may be truly persecution as far as men are
concerned in them are fatherly rebukes and chastisements as far as God
is concerned in them. Persecution for religion is sometimes a
correction and rebuke for the sins of professors of religion. Men
persecute them because they are religious; God chastises them because
they are not more so: men persecute them because they will not give up
their profession; God chastises them because they have not lived up to
their profession.
2. God has directed his people how they ought to behave themselves
under all their afflictions; they must avoid the extremes that many run
into. (1.) They must not despise the chastening of the Lord; they must
not make light of afflictions, and be stupid and insensible under them,
for they are the hand and rod of God, and his rebukes for sin. Those
who make light of affliction make light of God and make light of sin.
(2.) They must not faint when they are rebuked; they must not despond
and sink under their trial, nor fret and repine, but bear up with faith
and patience. (3.) If they run into either of these extremes, it is a
sign they have forgotten their heavenly Father's advice and
exhortation, which he has given them in true and tender affection.
3. Afflictions, rightly endured, though they may be the fruits of God's
displeasure, are yet proofs of his paternal love to his people and care
for them (v. 6, 7): Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth
every son whom he receiveth. Observe, (1.) The best of God's children
need chastisement. They have their faults and follies, which need to be
corrected. (2.) Though God may let others alone in their sins, he will
correct sin in his own children; they are of his family, and shall not
escape his rebukes when they want them. (3.) In this he acts as becomes
a father, and treats them like children; no wise and good father will
wink at faults in his own children as he would in others; his relation
and his affections oblige him to take more notice of the faults of his
own children than those of others. (4.) To be suffered to go on in sin
without a rebuke is a sad sign of alienation from God; such are
bastards, not sons. They may call him Father, because born in the pale
of the church; but they are the spurious offspring of another father,
not of God, v. 7, 8.
4. Those that are impatient under the discipline of their heavenly
Father behave worse towards him than they would do towards earthly
parents, v. 9, 10. Here, (1.) The apostle commends a dutiful and
submissive behaviour in children towards their earthly parents We gave
them reverence, even when they corrected us. It is the duty of children
to give the reverence of obedience to the just commands of their
parents, and the reverence of submission to their correction when they
have been disobedient. Parents have not only authority, but a charge
from God, to give their children correction when it is due, and he has
commanded children to take such correction well: to be stubborn and
discontented under due correction is a double fault; for the correction
supposes there has been a fault already committed against the parent's
commanding power, and superadds a further fault against his chastening
power. Hence, (2.) He recommends humble and submissive behavior towards
our heavenly Father, when under his correction; and this he does by an
argument from the less to the greater. [1.] Our earthly fathers are but
the fathers of our flesh, but God is the Father of our spirits. Our
fathers on earth were instrumental in the production of our bodies,
which are but flesh, a mean, mortal, vile thing, formed out of the dust
of the earth, as the bodies of the beasts are; and yet as they are
curiously wrought, and made parts of our persons, a proper tabernacle
for the soul to dwell in and an organ for it to act by, we owe
reverence and affection to those who were instrumental in their
procreation; but then we must own much more to him who is the Father of
our spirits. Our souls are not of a material substance, not of the most
refined sort; they are not ex traduce--by traduction; to affirm it is
bad philosophy, and worse divinity: they are the immediate offspring of
God, who, after he had formed the body of man out of the earth,
breathed into him a vital spirit, and so he became a living soul. [2.]
Our earthly parents chastened us for their own pleasure. Sometimes they
did it to gratify their passion rather than to reform our manners. This
is a weakness the fathers of our flesh are subject to, and this they
should carefully watch against; for hereby they dishonour that parental
authority which God has put upon them and very much hinder the efficacy
of their chastisements. But the Father of our spirits never grieves
willingly, nor afflicts the children of men, much less his own
children. It is always for our profit; and the advantage he intends us
thereby is no less than our being partakers of his holiness; it is to
correct and cure those sinful disorders which make us unlike to God,
and to improve and to increase those graces which are the image of God
in us, that we may be and act more like our heavenly Father. God loves
his children so that he would have them to be as like himself as can
be, and for this end he chastises them when they need it. [3.] The
fathers of our flesh corrected us for a few days, in our state of
childhood, when minors; and, though we were in that weak and peevish
state, we owed them reverence, and when we came to maturity we loved
and honoured them the more for it. Our whole life here is a state of
childhood, minority, and imperfection, and therefore we must submit to
the discipline of such a state; when we come to a state of perfection
we shall be fully reconciled to all the measures of God's discipline
over us now. [4.] God's correction is no condemnation. His children may
at first fear lest affliction should come upon that dreadful errand,
and we cry, Do not condemn me, but show me wherefore thou contendest
with me, Job x. 2. But this is so far from being the design of God to
his own people that he therefore chastens them now that they may not be
condemned with the world, 1 Cor. xi. 32. He does it to prevent the
death and destruction of their souls, that they may live to God, and be
like God, and for ever with him.
5. The children of God, under their afflictions, ought not to judge of
his dealings with them by present sense, but by reason, and faith, and
experience: No chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but
grievous; nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceable fruits of
righteousness, v. 11. Here observe,
(1.) The judgment of sense in this case--Afflictions are not grateful
to the sense, but grievous; the flesh will feel them, and be grieved by
them, and groan under them.
(2.) The judgment of faith, which corrects that of sense, and declares
that a sanctified affliction produces the fruits of righteousness;
these fruits are peaceable, and tend to the quieting and comforting of
the soul. Affliction produces peace, by producing more righteousness;
for the fruit of righteousness is peace. And if the pain of the body
contribute thus to the peace of the mind, and short present affliction
produce blessed fruits of a long continuance, they have no reason to
fret or faint under it; but their great concern is that the chastening
they are under may be endured by them with patience, and improved to a
greater degree of holiness. [1.] That their affliction may be endured
with patience, which is the main drift of the apostle's discourse on
this subject; and he again returns to exhort them that for the reason
before mentioned they should lift up the hands that hang down and the
feeble knees, v. 12. A burden of affliction is apt to make the
Christian's hands hang down, and his knees grow feeble, to dispirit him
and discourage him; but this he must strive against, and that for two
reasons:--First, That he may the better run his spiritual race and
course. Faith, and patience, and holy courage and resolution, will make
him walk more steadily, keep a straighter path, prevent wavering and
wandering. Secondly, That he may encourage and not dispirit others that
are in the same way with him. There are many that are in the way to
heaven who yet walk but weakly and lamely in it. Such are apt to
discourage one another, and hinder one another; but it is their duty to
take courage, and act by faith, and so help one another forward in the
way to heaven. [2.] That their affliction may be improved to a greater
degree of holiness. Since this is God's design, it ought to be the
design and concern of his children, that with renewed strength and
patience they may follow peace with all men, and holiness, v. 14. If
the children of God grow impatient under affliction, they will neither
walk so quietly and peaceably towards men, nor so piously towards God,
as they should do; but faith and patience will enable them to follow
peace and holiness too, as a man follows his calling, constantly,
diligently, and with pleasure. Observe, First, It is the duty of
Christians, even when in a suffering state, to follow peace with all
men, yea, even with those who may be instrumental in their sufferings.
This is a hard lesson, and a high attainment, but it is what Christ has
called his people to. Sufferings are apt to sour the spirit and sharpen
the passions; but the children of God must follow peace with all men.
Secondly, Peace and holiness are connected together; there can be no
true peace without holiness. There may be prudence and discreet
forbearance, and a show of friendship and good-will to all; but this
true Christian peaceableness is never found separate from holiness. We
must not, under pretence of living peaceably with all men, leave the
ways of holiness, but cultivate peace in a way of holiness. Thirdly,
Without holiness no man shall see the Lord. The vision of God our
Saviour in heaven is reserved as the reward of holiness, and the stress
of our salvation is laid upon our holiness, though a placid peaceable
disposition contributes much to our meetness for heaven.
6. Where afflictions and sufferings for the sake of Christ are not
considered by men as the chastisement of their heavenly Father, and
improved as such, they will be a dangerous snare and temptation to
apostasy, which every Christian should most carefully watch against (v.
15, 16): Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God, &c.
(1.) Here the apostle enters a serious caveat against apostasy, and
backs it with an awful example.
[1.] He enters a serious caveat against apostasy, v. 15. Here you may
observe, First, The nature of apostasy: it is failing of the grace of
God; it is to become bankrupts in religion, for want of a good
foundation, and suitable care and diligence; it is failing of the grace
of God, coming short of a principle of true grace in the soul,
notwithstanding the means of grace and a profession of religion, and so
coming short of the love and favour of God here and hereafter.
Secondly, The consequences of apostasy: where persons fail of having
the true grace of God, a root of bitterness will spring up, corruption
will prevail and break forth. A root of bitterness, a bitter root,
producing bitter fruits to themselves and others. It produces to
themselves corrupt principles, which lead to apostasy and are greatly
strengthened and radicated by apostasy--damnable errors (to the
corrupting of the doctrine and worship of the Christian church) and
corrupt practices. Apostates generally grow worse and worse, and fall
into the grossest wickedness, which usually ends either in downright
atheism or in despair. It also produces bitter fruits to others, to the
churches to which these men belonged; by their corrupt principles and
practices many are troubled, the peace of the church is broken, the
peace of men's minds is disturbed, and many are defiled, tainted with
those bad principles, and drawn into defiling practices; so that the
churches suffer both in their purity and peace. But the apostates
themselves will be the greatest sufferers at last.
[2.] The apostle backs the caution with an awful example, and that is,
that of Esau, who though born within the pale of the church, and having
the birthright as the eldest son, and so entitled to the privilege of
being prophet, priest, and king, in his family, was so profane as to
despise these sacred privileges, and to sell his birthright for a
morsel of meat. Where observe, First, Esau's sin. He profanely despised
and sold the birthright, and all the advantages attending it. So do
apostates, who to avoid persecution, and enjoy sensual ease and
pleasure, though they bore the character of the children of God, and
had a visible right to the blessing and inheritance, give up all
pretensions thereto. Secondly, Esau's punishment, which was suitable to
his sin. His conscience was convinced of his sin and folly, when it was
too late: He would afterwards have inherited the blessing, &c. His
punishment lay in two things: 1. He was condemned by his own
conscience; he now saw that the blessing he had made so light of was
worth the having, worth the seeking, though with much carefulness and
many tears. 2. He was rejected of God: He found no place of repentance
in God or in his father; the blessing was given to another, even to him
to whom he sold it for a mess of pottage. Esau, in his great
wickedness, had made the bargain, and God in his righteous judgment,
ratified and confirmed it, and would not suffer Isaac to reverse it.
(2.) We may hence learn, [1.] That apostasy from Christ is the fruit of
preferring the gratification of the flesh to the blessing of God and
the heavenly inheritance. [2.] Sinners will not always have such mean
thoughts of the divine blessing and inheritance as now they have. The
time is coming when they will think no pains too great, no cares no
tears too much, to obtain the lost blessing. [3.] When the day of grace
is over (as sometimes it may be in this life), they will find no place
for repentance: they cannot repent aright of their sin; and God will
not repent of the sentence he has passed upon them for their sin. And
therefore, as the design of all, Christians should never give up their
title, and hope of their Father's blessing and inheritance, and expose
themselves to his irrevocable wrath and curse, by deserting their holy
religion, to avoid suffering, which, though this may be persecution as
far as wicked men are concerned in it, is only a rod of correction and
chastisement in the hand of their heavenly Father, to bring them near
to himself in conformity and communion. This is the force of the
apostle's arguing from the nature of the sufferings of the people of
God even when they suffer for righteousness' sake; and the reasoning is
very strong.
Nature of the Christian Economy. (a. d. 62.)
18 For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that
burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, 19
And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they
that heard intreated that the word should not be spoken to them any
more: 20 (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if
so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust
through with a dart: 21 And so terrible was the sight, that Moses
said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) 22 But ye are come unto mount
Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and
to an innumerable company of angels, 23 To the general assembly and
church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the
Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 And to
Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling,
that speaketh better things than that of Abel. 25 See that ye refuse
not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that
spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him
that speaketh from heaven: 26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but
now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only,
but also heaven. 27 And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the
removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made,
that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. 28 Wherefore we
receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby
we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: 29 For our
God is a consuming fire.
Here the apostle goes on to engage the professing Hebrews to
perseverance in their Christian course and conflict, and not to relapse
again into Judaism. This he does by showing them how much the state of
the gospel church differs from that of the Jewish church, and how much
it resembles the state of the church in heaven, and on both accounts
demands and deserves our diligence, patience, and perseverance in
Christianity.
I. He shows how much the gospel church differs from the Jewish church,
and how much it excels. And here we have a very particular description
of the state of the church under the Mosaic dispensation, v. 18-21. 1.
It was a gross sensible state. Mount Sinai, on which that church-state
was constituted, was a mount that might be touched (v. 18), a gross
palpable place; so was the dispensation. It was very much external and
earthly, and so more heavy. The state of the gospel church on mount
Zion is more spiritual, rational, and easy. 2. It was a dark
dispensation. Upon that mount there were blackness and darkness, and
that church-state was covered with dark shadows and types: the gospel
state is much more clear and bright. 3. It was a dreadful and terrible
dispensation; the Jews could not bear the terror of it. The thunder and
the lightning, the trumpet sounding, the voice of God himself speaking
to them, struck them with such dread that they entreated that the word
might not be so spoken to them any more, v. 19. Yea, Moses himself
said, I exceedingly fear and quake. The best of men on earth are not
able to converse immediately with God and his holy angels. The gospel
state is mild, and kind, and condescending, suited to our weak frame.
4. It was a limited dispensation; all might not approach to that mount,
but only Moses and Aaron. Under the gospel we have all access with
boldness to God. 5. It was a very dangerous dispensation. The mount
burned with fire, and whatever man or beast touched the mount must be
stoned, or thrust through with a dart, v. 20. It is true, it will be
always dangerous for presumptuous and brutish sinners to draw nigh to
God; but it is not immediate and certain death, as here it was. This
was the state of the Jewish church, fitted to awe a stubborn and
hard-hearted people, to set forth the strict and tremendous justice of
God, to wean the people of God from that dispensation, and induce them
more readily to embrace the sweet and gentle economy of the gospel
church, and adhere to it.
II. He shows how much the gospel church represents the church
triumphant in heaven, what communication there is between the one and
the other. The gospel church is called mount Zion, the heavenly
Jerusalem, which is free, in opposition to mount Sinai, which tendeth
to bondage, Gal. iv. 24. This was the hill on which God set his king
the Messiah. Now, in coming to mount Zion, believers come into heavenly
places, and into a heavenly society.
1. Into heavenly places. (1.) Unto the city of the living God. God has
taken up his gracious residence in the gospel church, which on that
account is an emblem of heaven. There his people may find him ruling,
guiding, sanctifying, and comforting them; there he speaks to them by
the gospel ministry; there they speak to him by prayer, and he hears
them; there he trains them up for heaven, and gives them the earnest of
their inheritance. (2.) To the heavenly Jerusalem as born and bred
there, as free denizens there. Here believers have clearer views of
heaven, plainer evidences for heaven, and a greater meetness and more
heavenly temper of soul.
2. To a heavenly society. (1.) To an innumerable company of angels, who
are of the same family with the saints, under the same head, and in a
great measure employed in the same work, ministering to believers for
their good, keeping them in all their ways, and pitching their tents
about them. These for number are innumerable, and for order and union
are a company, and a glorious one. And those who by faith are joined to
the gospel church are joined to the angels, and shall at length be like
them, and equal with them. (2.) To the general assembly and church of
the first-born, that are written in heaven, that is, to the universal
church, however dispersed. By faith we come to them, have communion
with them in the same head, by the same Spirit, and in the same blessed
hope, and walk in the same way of holiness, grappling with the same
spiritual enemies, and hasting to the same rest, victory, and glorious
triumph. Here will be the general assembly of the first-born, the
saints of former and earlier times, who saw the promises of the gospel
state, but received them not, as well as those who first received them
under the gospel, and were regenerated thereby, and so were the
first-born, and the first-fruits of the gospel church; and thereby, as
the first-born, advanced to greater honours and privileges than the
rest of the world. Indeed all the children of God are heirs, and every
one has the privileges of the first-born. The names of these are
written in heaven, in the records of the church here: they have a name
in God's house, are written among the living in Jerusalem; they have a
good repute for their faith and fidelity, and are enrolled in the
Lamb's book of life, as citizens are enrolled in the livery-books. (3.)
To God the Judge of all, that great God who will judge both Jew and
Gentile according to the law they are under: believers come to him now
by faith, make supplication to their Judge, and receive a sentence of
absolution in the gospel, and in the court of their consciences now, by
which they know they shall be justified hereafter. (4.) To the spirits
of just men made perfect; to the best sort of men, the righteous, who
are more excellent than their neighbours; to the best part of just men,
their spirits, and to these in their best state, made perfect.
Believers have union with departed saints in one and the same head and
Spirit, and a title to the same inheritance, of which those on earth
are heirs, those in heaven possessors. (5.) To Jesus the Mediator of
the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better
things than that of Abel. This is none of the least of many
encouragements there are to perseverance in the gospel state, since it
is a state of communion with Christ the Mediator of the new covenant,
and of communication of his blood, that speaketh better things than the
blood of Abel. [1.] The gospel covenant is the new covenant, distinct
from the covenant of works; and it is now under a new dispensation,
distinct from that of the Old Testament. [2.] Christ is the Mediator of
this new covenant; he is the middle person that goes between both
parties, God and man, to bring them together in this covenant, to keep
them together notwithstanding the sins of the people and God's
displeasure against them for sin, to offer up our prayers to God, and
to bring down the favours of God to us, to plead with God for us and to
plead with us for God, and at length to bring God and his people
together in heaven, and to be a Mediator of fruition between them for
ever, they beholding and enjoying God in Christ and God beholding and
blessing them in Christ. [3.] This covenant is ratified by the blood of
Christ sprinkled upon our consciences, as the blood of the sacrifice
was sprinkled upon the altar and the sacrifice. This blood of Christ
pacifies God and purifies the consciences of men. [4.] This is speaking
blood, and it speaks better things than that of Abel. First, It speaks
to God in behalf of sinners; it pleads not for vengeance, as the blood
of Abel did on him who shed it, but for mercy. Secondly, To sinners, in
the name of God. It speaks pardon to their sins, peace to their souls;
and bespeaks their strictest obedience and highest love and
thankfulness.
III. The apostle, having thus enlarged upon the argument to
perseverance taken from the heavenly nature of the gospel church state,
closes the chapter by improving the argument in a manner suitable to
the weight of it (v. 25, &c.): See then that you refuse not him that
speaketh--that speaketh by his blood; and not only speaketh after
another manner than the blood of Abel spoke from the ground, but than
God spoke by the angels, and by Moses spoke on mount Sinai; then he
spoke on earth, now he speaks from heaven. Here observe,
1. When God speaks to men in the most excellent manner he justly
expects from them the most strict attention and regard. Now it is in
the gospel that God speaks to men in the most excellent manner. For,
(1.) He now speaks from a higher and more glorious seat and throne, not
from mount Sinai, which was on this earth, but from heaven. (2.) He
speaks now more immediately by his inspired word and by his Spirit,
which are his witnesses. He speaks not now any new thing to men, but by
his Spirit speaks the same word home to the conscience. (3.) He speaks
now more powerfully and effectually. Then indeed his voice shook the
earth, but now, by introducing the gospel state, he hath shaken not
only the earth, but the heavens,--not only shaken the hills and
mountains, or the spirits of men, or the civil state of the land of
Canaan, to make room for his people,--not only shaken the world, as he
then did, but he hath shaken the church, that is, the Jewish nation,
and shaken them in their church-state, which was in Old-Testament times
a heaven upon earth; this their heavenly spiritual state he hath now
shaken. It is by the gospel from heaven that God shook to pieces the
civil and ecclesiastical state of the Jewish nation, and introduced a
new state of the church, that cannot be removed, shall never be changed
for any other on earth, but shall remain till it be made perfect in
heaven.
2. When God speaks to men in the most excellent manner, the guilt of
those who refuse him is the greater, and their punishment will be more
unavoidable and intolerable; there is no escaping, no bearing it, v.
25. The different manner of God's dealing with men under the gospel, in
a way of grace, assures us that he will deal with the despisers of the
gospel after a different manner than he does with other men, in a way
of judgment. The glory of the gospel, which should greatly recommend it
to our regard, appears in these three things:--(1.) It was by the sound
of the gospel trumpet that the former dispensation and state of the
church of God were shaken and removed; and shall we despise that voice
of God that pulled down a church and state of so long standing and of
God's own building? (2.) It was by the sound of the gospel trumpet that
a new kingdom was erected for God in the world, which can never be so
shaken as to be removed. This was a change made once for all; no other
change shall take place till time shall be no more. We have now
received a kingdom that cannot be moved, shall never be removed, never
give way to any new dispensation. The canon of scripture is now
perfected, the Spirit of prophecy has ceased, the mystery of God is
finished, he has put his last hand to it. The gospel church may be made
more large, more prosperous more purified from contracted pollution,
but it shall never be altered for another dispensation; those who
perish under the gospel perish without remedy. And hence the apostle
justly concludes, [1.] How necessary it is for us to obtain grace from
God, to serve him acceptably: if we be not accepted of God under this
dispensation, we shall never be accepted at all; and we lose all our
labour in religion if we be not accepted of God. [2.] We cannot worship
God acceptably, unless we worship him with godly reverence and fear. As
faith, so holy fear, is necessary to acceptable worship. [3.] It is
only the grace of God that enables us to worship God in a right manner:
nature cannot come up to it; it can produce neither that precious faith
nor that holy fear that is necessary to acceptable worship. [4.] God is
the same just and righteous God under the gospel that he appeared to be
under the law. Though he be our God in Christ, and now deals with us in
a more kind and gracious way, yet he is in himself a consuming fire;
that is, a God of strict justice, who will avenge himself on all the
despisers of his grace, and upon all apostates. Under the gospel, the
justice of God is displayed in a more awful manner, though not in so
sensible a manner as under the law; for here we behold divine justice
seizing upon the Lord Jesus Christ, and making him a propitiatory
sacrifice, his soul and body an offering for sin, which is a display of
justice far beyond what was seen and heard on mount Sinai when the law
was given.
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H E B R E W S.
CHAP. XIII.
The apostle, having treated largely of Christ, and faith, and free
grace, and gospel privileges, and warned the Hebrews against apostasy,
now, in the close of all, recommends several excellent duties to them,
as the proper fruits of faith (ver. 1-17); he then bespeaks their
prayers for him, and offers up his prayers to God for them, gives them
some hope of seeing himself and Timothy, and ends with the general
salutation and benediction, ver. 18, to the end.
Various Duties. (a. d. 62.)
1 Let brotherly love continue. 2 Be not forgetful to entertain
strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. 3
Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which
suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body. 4 Marriage is
honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and
adulterers God will judge. 5 Let your conversation be without
covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath
said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. 6 So that we may
boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall
do unto me. 7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have
spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the
end of their conversation. 8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to
day, and for ever. 9 Be not carried about with divers and strange
doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with
grace; not with meats, which have not profited them that have been
occupied therein. 10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to
eat which serve the tabernacle. 11 For the bodies of those beasts,
whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin,
are burned without the camp. 12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might
sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. 13
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his
reproach. 14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to
come. 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God
continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.
16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such
sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey them that have the rule over
you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that
must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief:
for that is unprofitable for you.
The design of Christ in giving himself for us is that he may purchase
to himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. Now the apostle
calls the believing Hebrews to the performance of many excellent
duties, in which it becomes Christians to excel.
I. To brotherly love (v. 1), by which he does not only mean a general
affection to all men, as our brethren by nature, all made of the same
blood, nor that more limited affection which is due to those who are of
the same immediate parents, but that special and spiritual affection
which ought to exist among the children of God. 1. It is here supposed
that the Hebrews had this love one for another. Though, at this time,
that nation was miserably divided and distracted among themselves, both
about matters of religion and the civil state, yet there was true
brotherly love left among those of them who believed on Christ; and
this appeared in a very eminent manner presently after the shedding
forth of the Holy Ghost, when they had all things common, and sold
their possessions to make a general fund of subsistence to their
brethren. The spirit of Christianity is a spirit of love. Faith works
by love. The true religion is the strongest bond of friendship; if it
be not so, it has its name for nothing. 2. This brotherly love was in
danger of being lost, and that in a time of persecution, when it would
be most necessary; it was in danger of being lost by those disputes
that were among them concerning the respect they ought still to have to
the ceremonies of the Mosaic law. Disputes about religion too often
produce a decay of Christian affection; but this must be guarded
against, and all proper means used to preserve brotherly love.
Christians should always love and live as brethren, and the more they
grow in devout affection to God their heavenly Father the more they
will grow in love to one another for his sake.
II. To hospitality: Be not forgetful to entertain strangers for his
sake, v. 2. We must add to brotherly kindness charity. Here observe, 1.
The duty required--to entertain strangers, both those that are
strangers to the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers to our persons,
especially those who know themselves to be strangers here and are
seeking another country, which is the case of the people of God, and
was so at this time: the believing Jews were in a desperate and
distressed condition. But he seems to speak of strangers as such;
though we know not who they are, nor whence they come, yet, seeing they
are without any certain dwelling place, we should allow them room in
our hearts and in our houses, as we have opportunity and ability. 2.
The motive: Thereby some have entertained angels unawares; so Abraham
did (Gen. xviii.), and Lot (Gen. xix.), and one of those that Abraham
entertained was the Son of God; and, though we cannot suppose this will
ever be our case, yet what we do to strangers, in obedience to him, he
will reckon and reward as done to himself. Matt. xxv. 35, I was a
stranger, and you took me in. God has often bestowed honours and
favours upon his hospitable servants, beyond all their thoughts,
unawares.
III. To Christian sympathy: Remember those that are in bonds, v. 3.
Here observe,
1. The duty--to remember those that are in bonds and in adversity. (1.)
God often orders it so that while some Christians and churches are in
adversity others enjoy peace and liberty. All are not called at the
same time to resist unto blood. (2.) Those that are themselves at
liberty must sympathize with those that are in bonds and adversity, as
if they were bound with them in the same chain: they must fell the
sufferings of their brethren.
2. The reason of the duty: As being yourselves in the body; not only in
the body natural, and so liable to the like sufferings, and you should
sympathize with them now that others may sympathize with you when your
time of trial comes; but in the same mystical body, under the same
head, and if one member suffer all the rest suffer with it, 1 Cor. xii.
26. It would be unnatural in Christians not to bear each other's
burdens.
IV. To purity and chastity, v. 4. Here you have, 1. A recommendation of
God's ordinance of marriage, that it is honourable in all, and ought to
be so esteemed by all, and not denied to those to whom God has not
denied it. It is honourable, for God instituted it for man in paradise,
knowing it was not good for him to be alone. He married and blessed the
first couple, the first parents of mankind, to direct all to look unto
God in that great concern, and to marry in the Lord. Christ honoured
marriage with his presence and first miracle. It is honourable as a
means to prevent impurity and a defiled bed. It is honourable and
happy, when persons come together pure and chaste, and preserve the
marriage bed undefiled, not only from unlawful but inordinate
affections. 2. A dreadful but just censure of impurity and lewdness:
Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. (1.) God knows who are
guilty of such sins, no darkness can hide them from him. (2.) He will
call such sins by their proper names, not by the names of love and
gallantry, but of whoredom and adultery, whoredom in the single state
and adultery in the married state. (3.) He will bring them into
judgment, he will judge them, either by their own consciences here, and
set their sins in order before them for their deep humiliation (and
conscience, when awakened, will be very severe upon such sinners), or
he will set them at his tribunal at death, and in the last day; he will
convict them, condemn them, and cast them out for ever, if they die
under the guilt of this sin.
V. To Christian contentment, v. 5, 6. Here observe, 1. The sin that is
contrary to this grace and duty--covetousness, an over eager desire of
the wealth of this world, envying those who have more than we. This sin
we must allow no place in our conversation; for, though it be a secret
lust lurking in the heart, if it be not subdued it will enter into our
conversation, and discover itself in our manner of speaking and acting.
We must take care not only to keep this sin down, but to root it out of
our souls. 2. The duty and grace that is contrary to
covetousness--being satisfied and pleased with such things as we have;
present things, for past things cannot be recalled, and future things
are only in the hand of God. What God gives us from day to day we must
be content with, though it fall short of what we have enjoyed
heretofore, and though it do not come up to our expectations for the
future. We must be content with our present lot. We must bring our
minds to our present condition, and this is the sure way to
contentment; and those who cannot do it would not be contented though
God should raise their condition to their minds, for the mind would
rise with the condition. Haman was the great court-favourite, and yet
not contented--Ahab on the throne, and yet not contented--Adam in
paradise, and yet not contented; yea, the angels in heaven, and yet not
contented; but Paul, though abased and empty, had learned in every
state, in any state, therewith to be content. 3. What reason Christians
have to be contented with their lot. (1.) God hath said, I will never
leave thee, nor forsake thee, v. 5, 6. This was said to Joshua (ch. i.
5), but belongs to all the faithful servants of God. Old-Testament
promises may be applied to New-Testament saints. This promise contains
the sum and substance of all the promises. I will never, no, never
leave thee, nor ever forsake thee. Here are no fewer than five
negatives heaped together, to confirm the promise; the true believer
shall have the gracious presence of God with him in life, at death, and
for ever. (2.) From this comprehensive promise they may assure
themselves of help from God: So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my
helper; I will not fear what man shall do unto me, v. 6. Men can do
nothing against God, and God can make all that men do against his
people to turn to their good.
VI. To the duty Christians owe to their ministers, and that both to
those that are dead and to those that are yet alive.
1. To those that are dead: Remember those that have had the rule over
you, v. 7. Here observe,
(1.) The description given of them. They were such as had the rule over
them, and had spoken to them the word of God; their guides and
governors, who had spoken to them the word of God. Here is the dignity
to which they were advanced--to be rulers and leaders of the people,
not according to their own will, but the will and word of God; and this
character they filled up with suitable duty: they did not rule at a
distance, and rule by others, but they ruled by personal presence and
instruction, according to the word of God.
(2.) The duties owing to them, even when they were dead.
[1.] "Remember them--their preaching, their praying, their private
counsel, their example."
[2.] "Follow their faith; be stedfast in the profession of the faith
they preached to you, and labour after the grace of faith by which they
lived and died so well. Consider the end of their conversation, how
quickly, how comfortably, how joyfully, they finished their course!"
Now this duty of following the same true faith in which they had been
instructed the apostle enlarges much upon, and presses them earnestly
to it, not only from the remembrance of their faithful deceased guides,
but from several other motives.
First, From the immutability and eternity of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Though their ministers were some dead, others dying, yet the great head
and high priest of the church, the bishop of their souls, ever lives,
and is ever the same; and they should be stedfast and immovable, in
imitation of Christ, and should remember that Christ ever lives to
observe and reward their faithful adherence to his truths, and to
observe and punish their sinful departure from him. Christ is the same
in the Old-Testament day, in the gospel day, and will be so to his
people for ever.
Secondly, From the nature and tendency of those erroneous doctrines
that they were in danger of falling in with.
a. They were divers and various (v. 9), different from what they had
received from their former faithful teachers, and inconsistent with
themselves.
b. They were strange doctrines: such as the gospel church was
unacquainted with foreign to the gospel.
c. They were of an unsettling, distracting nature, like the wind by
which the ship is tossed, and in danger of being driven from its
anchor, carried away, and split upon the rocks. They were quite
contrary to that grace of God which fixes and establishes the heart,
which is an excellent thing. These strange doctrines keep the heart
always fluctuating and unsettled.
d. They were mean and low as to their subject. They were about
external, little, perishing things, such as meats and drinks, &c.
e. They were unprofitable. Those who were most taken with them, and
employed about them, got no real good by them to their own souls. They
did not make them more holy, nor more humble, nor more thankful, nor
more heavenly.
f. They would exclude those who embraced them from the privileges of
the Christian altar (v. 10): We have an altar. This is an argument of
the great weight, and therefore the apostle insists the longer upon it.
Observe,
(a.) The Christian church has its altar. It was objected against the
primitive Christians that their assemblies were destitute of an altar;
but this was not true. We have an alter, not a material altar, but a
personal one, and that is Christ; he is both our altar, and our
sacrifice; he sanctifies the gift. The altars under the law were types
of Christ; the brazen altar of the sacrifice, the golden altar of his
intercession.
(b.) This altar furnishes out a feast for true believers, a feast upon
the sacrifice, a feast of fat things, spiritual strength and growth,
and holy delight and pleasure. The Lord's table is not our altar, but
it is furnished with provision from the altar. Christ our passover is
sacrificed for us (1 Cor. v. 7), and it follows, therefore let us keep
the feast. The Lord's supper is the feast of the gospel passover.
(c.) Those who adhere to the tabernacle or the Levitical dispensation,
or return to it again, exclude themselves from the privileges of this
altar, from the benefits purchased by Christ. If they serve the
tabernacle, they are resolved to subject themselves to antiquated rites
and ceremonies, to renounce their right to the Christian altar; and
this part of the argument he first proves and then improves.
[a.] He proves that this servile adherence to the Jewish state is a bar
to the privileges of the gospel altar; and he argues thus:--Under the
Jewish law, no part of the sin-offering was to be eaten, but all must
be burnt without the camp while they dwelt in tabernacles, and without
the gates when they dwelt in cities: now, if they will still be subject
to that law, they cannot eat at the gospel-altar; for that which is
eaten there is furnished from Christ, who is the great sin-offering.
Not that it is the very sin-offering itself, as the papists affirm; for
then it was not to be eaten, but burnt; but the gospel feast is the
fruit and procurement of the sacrifice, which those have no right to
who do not acknowledge the sacrifice itself. And that it might appear
that Christ was really the antitype of the sin-offering, and, as such,
might sanctify or cleanse his people with his own blood, he conformed
himself to the type, in suffering without the gate. This was a striking
specimen of his humiliation, as if he had not been fit either for
sacred or civil society! And this shows how sin, which was the
meritorious cause of the sufferings of Christ, is a forfeiture of all
sacred and civil rights, and the sinner a common plague and nuisance to
all society, if God should be strict to mark iniquity. Having thus
shown that adherence to the Levitical law would, even according to its
own rules, debar men from the Christian altar, he proceeds,
[b.] To improve this argument (v. 13-15) in suitable advices. First,
Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp; go forth from the
ceremonial law, from sin, from the world, from ourselves, our very
bodies, when he calls us. Secondly, Let us be willing to bear his
reproach, be willing to be accounted the offscouring of all things, not
worthy to live, not worthy to die a common death. This was his
reproach, and we must submit to it; and we have the more reason
because, whether we go forth from this world to Christ or no, we must
necessarily go forth in a little time by death; for here we have no
continuing city. Sin, sinners, death, will not suffer us to continue
long here; and therefore we should go forth now by faith, and seek in
Christ the rest and settlement which this world cannot afford us, v.
14. Thirdly, Let us make a right use of this altar; not only partake of
the privileges of it, but discharge the duties of the altar, as those
whom Christ has made priests to attend on this altar. Let us bring our
sacrifices to this altar, and to this our high priest, and offer them
up by him, v. 15, 16. Now what are the sacrifices which we must bring
and offer on this altar, even Christ? Not any expiatory sacrifices;
there is no need of them. Christ has offered the great sacrifice of
atonement, ours are only the sacrifices of acknowledgment; and they
are, 1. The sacrifice of praise to God, which we should offer up to God
continually. In this are included all adoration and prayer, as well as
thanksgiving; this is the fruit of our lips; we must speak forth the
praises of God from unfeigned lips; and this must be offered only to
God, not to angels, nor saints, nor any creature, but to the name of
God alone; and it must be by Christ, in a dependence upon his
meritorious satisfaction and intercession. 2. The sacrifice of
alms-deeds, and Christian charity: To do good, and to communicate,
forget now; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased, v. 16. We
must, according to our power, communicate to the necessities of the
souls and bodies of men; not contenting ourselves to offer the
sacrifice of our lips, mere words, but the sacrifice of good deeds; and
these we must lay down upon this altar, not depending upon the merit of
our good deeds, but of our great high priest; and with such sacrifices
as these, adoration and alms thus offered up, God is well pleased; he
will accept the offering with pleasure, and will accept and bless the
offers through Christ.
2. Having thus told us the duty Christians owe to their deceased
ministers, which principally consists in following their faith and not
departing from it, the apostle tells us what is the duty that people
owe to their living ministers (v. 17) and the reasons of that duty:
(1.) The duty--to obey them, and submit themselves to them. It is not
an implicit obedience, or absolute submission, that is here required,
but only so far as is agreeable to the mind and will of God revealed in
his word; and yet it is truly obedience and submission, and that not
only to God, but to the authority of the ministerial office, which is
of God as certainly, in all things belonging to that office, as the
authority of parents or of civil magistrates in the things within their
sphere. Christians must submit to be instructed by their ministers, and
not think themselves too wise, too good, or too great, to learn from
them; and, when they find that ministerial instructions are agreeable
to the written word, they must obey them. (2.) The motives to this
duty. [1.] They have the rule over the people; their office, though not
magisterial, yet is truly authoritative. They have no authority to lord
it over the people, but to lead them in the ways of God, by informing
and instructing them, explaining the word of God to them, and applying
it to their several cases. They are not to make laws of their own, but
to interpret the laws of God; nor is their interpretation to be
immediately received without examination, but the people must search
the scriptures, and so far as the instructions of their minister are
according to that rule they ought to receive them, not as the word of
men, but, as they are indeed, the word of God, that works effectually
in those that believe. [2.] They watch for the souls of the people, not
to ensnare them, but to save them; to gain them, not to themselves, but
to Christ; to build them up in knowledge, faith, and holiness. They are
to watch against every thing that may be hurtful to the souls of men,
and to give them warning of dangerous errors, of the devices of Satan,
of approaching judgments; they are to watch for all opportunities of
helping the souls of men forward in the way to heaven. [3.] They must
give an account how they have discharged their duty, and what has
become of the souls committed to their trust, whether any have been
lost through their neglect, and whether any of them have been brought
in and built up under their ministry. [4.] They would be glad to give a
good account of themselves and their hearers. If they can then give in
an account of their own fidelity and success, it will be a joyful day
to them; those souls that have been converted and confirmed under their
ministry will be their joy, and their crown, in the day of the Lord
Jesus. [5.] If they give up their account with grief, it will be the
people's loss as well as theirs. It is the interest of hearers that the
account their ministers give of them may be with joy, and not with
grief. If faithful ministers be not successful, the grief will be
theirs, but the loss will be the people's. Faithful ministers have
delivered their own souls, but a fruitless and faithless people's blood
and ruin will be upon their own heads.
Conclusion. (a. d. 62.)
18 Pray for us: for we trust we have a good conscience, in all things
willing to live honestly. 19 But I beseech you the rather to do this,
that I may be restored to you the sooner. 20 Now the God of peace,
that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of
the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, 21 Make you
perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is
wellpleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory for
ever and ever. Amen. 22 And I beseech you, brethren, suffer the word
of exhortation: for I have written a letter unto you in few words. 23
Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty; with whom, if he
come shortly, I will see you. 24 Salute all them that have the rule
over you, and all the saints. They of Italy salute you. 25 Grace be
with you all. Amen.
Here, I. The apostle recommends himself, and his fellow-sufferers, to
the prayers of the Hebrew believers (v. 18): "Pray for us; for me and
Timothy" (mentioned v. 23), "and for all those of us who labour in the
ministry of the gospel."
1. This is one part of the duty which people owe to their ministers.
Ministers need the prayers of the people; and the more earnestly the
people pray for their ministers the more benefit they may expect to
reap from their ministry. They should pray that God would teach those
who are to teach them, that he would make them vigilant, and wise, and
zealous, and successful--that he would assist them in all their
labours, support them under all their burdens, and strengthen them
under all their temptations.
2. There are good reasons why people should pray for their ministers;
he mentions two:--
(1.) We trust we have a good conscience, &c., v. 18. Many of the Jews
had a bad opinion of Paul, because he, being a Hebrew of the Hebrews,
had cast off the Levitical law and preached up Christ: now he here
modestly asserts his own integrity: We trust we have a good conscience,
in all things willing to live honestly. We trust! he might have said,
We know; but he chose to speak in a humble style, to teach us all not
to be too confident of ourselves, but to maintain a godly jealousy over
our own hearts. "We trust we have a good conscience, an enlightened and
well-informed conscience, a clean and pure conscience, a tender and
faithful conscience, a conscience testifying for us, not against us: a
good conscience in all things, in the duties both of the first and
second table, towards God and towards men, and especially in all things
pertaining to our ministry; we would act honestly and sincerely in all
things." Observe, [1.] A good conscience has a respect to all God's
commands and all our duty. [2.] Those who have this good conscience,
yet need the prayers of others. [3.] Conscientious ministers are public
blessings, and deserve the prayers of the people.
(2.) Another reason why he desires their prayers is that he hoped
thereby to be the sooner restored to them (v. 19), intimating that he
had been formerly among them,--that, now he was absent from them, he
had a great desire and real intention to come again to them,--and that
the best way to facilitate his return to them, and to make it a mercy
to him and them, was to make it a matter of their prayer. When
ministers come to a people as a return of prayer, they come with
greater satisfaction to themselves and success to the people. We should
fetch in all our mercies by prayer.
II. He offers up his prayers to God for them, being willing to do for
them as he desired they should do for him: Now the God of peace, &c.,
v. 20. In this excellent prayer observe, 1. The title given to God--the
God of peace, who was found out a way for peace and reconciliation
between himself and sinners, and who loves peace on earth and
especially in his churches. 2. The great work ascribed to him: He hath
brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, &c. Jesus raised himself by
his own power; and yet the Father was concerned in it, attesting
thereby that justice was satisfied and the law fulfilled. He rose again
for our justification; and that divine power by which he was raised is
able to do every thing for us that we stand in need of. 3. The titles
given to Christ--our Lord Jesus, our sovereign, our Saviour, and the
great shepherd of the sheep, promised in Isa. xl. 11, declared by
himself to be so, John x. 14, 15. Ministers are under-shepherds, Christ
is the great shepherd. This denotes his interest in his people. They
are the flock of his pasture, and his care and concern are for them. He
feeds them, and leads them, and watches over them. 4. The way and
method in which God is reconciled, and Christ raised from the dead:
Through the blood of the everlasting covenant. The blood of Christ
satisfied divine justice, and so procured Christ's release from the
prison of the grace, as having paid our debt, according to an eternal
covenant or agreement between the Father and the Son; and this blood is
the sanction and seal of an everlasting covenant between God and his
people. 5. The mercy prayed for: Make you perfect in every good work,
&c., v. 21. Observe, (1.) The perfection of the saints in every good
work is the great thing desired by them and for them, that they may
here have a perfection of integrity, a clear mind, a clean heart,
lively affections, regular and resolved wills, and suitable strength
for every good work to which they are called now, and at length a
perfection of degrees to fit them for the employment and felicity of
heaven. (2.) The way in which God makes his people perfect; it is by
working in them always what is pleasing in his sight, and that through
Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever. Observe, [1.] There is no good
thing wrought in us but it is the work of God; he works in us, before
we are fit for any good work. [2.] No good thing is wrought in us by
God, but through Jesus Christ, for his sake and by his Spirit. And
therefore, [3.] Eternal glory is due to him, who is the cause of all
the good principles wrought in us and all the good works done by us. To
this every one should say, Amen.
III. He gives the Hebrews an account of Timothy's liberty and his hopes
of seeing them with him in a little time, v. 23. It seems, Timothy had
been a prisoner, doubtless for the gospel, but now he was set at
liberty. The imprisonment of faithful ministers is an honour to them,
and their enlargement is matter of joy to the people. He was pleased
with the hopes of not only seeing Timothy, but seeing the Hebrews with
him. Opportunities of writing to the churches of Christ are desired by
the faithful ministers of Christ, and pleasant to them.
IV. Having given a brief account of this his letter, and begged their
attention to it (v. 22), he closes with salutations, and a solemn,
though short benediction.
1. The salutation. (1.) From himself to them, directed to all their
ministers who had rule over them, and to all the saints; to them all,
ministers and people. (2.) From the Christians in Italy to them. It is
a good thing to have the law of holy love and kindness written in the
hearts of Christians one towards another. Religion teaches men the
truest civility and good-breeding. It is not a sour nor morose thing.
2. The solemn, though short benediction (v. 25): Grace be with you all.
Amen. Let the favour of God be towards you, and his grace continually
working in you, and with you, bringing forth the fruits of holiness, as
the first-fruits of glory. When the people of God have been conversing
together by word or writing, it is good to part with prayer, desiring
for each other the continuance of the gracious presence of God, that
they may meet together again in the world of praise.
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James
Completed by S. Wright.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF
J A M E S.
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The writer of this epistle was not James the son of Zebedee; for he was
put to death by Herod (Acts xii.) before Christianity had gained so
much ground among the Jews of the dispersion as is here implied. But it
was the other James, the son of Alpheus, who was cousin-german to
Christ, and one of the twelve apostles, Matt. x. 3. He is called a
pillar (Gal. ii. 9), and this epistle of his cannot be disputed,
without loosening a foundation-stone. It is called a general epistle,
because (as some think) not directed to any particular person or
church, but such a one as we call a circular letter. Others think it is
called general, or catholic, to distinguish it from the epistles of
Ignatius, Barnabas, Polycarp, and others who were noted in the
primitive times, but not generally received in the church, and on that
account not canonical, as this is. Eusebius tells us that this epistle
was "generally read in the churches with the other catholic epistles."
His. Eccles. page 53. Ed. Val. Anno 1678. James, our author, was called
the just, for his great piety. He was an eminent example of those
graces which he presses upon others. He was so exceedingly revered for
his justice, temperance, and devotion, that Josephus the Jewish
historian records it as one of the causes of the destruction of
Jerusalem, "That St. James was martyred in it." This is mentioned in
hopes of procuring the greater regard to what is penned by so holy and
excellent a man. The time when this epistle was written is uncertain.
The design of it is to reprove Christians for their great degeneracy
both in faith and manners, and to prevent the spreading of those
libertine doctrines which threatened the destruction of all practical
godliness. It was also a special intention of the author of this
epistle to awaken the Jewish nation to a sense of the greatness and
nearness of those judgments which were coming upon them; and to support
all true Christians in the way of their duty, under the calamities and
persecutions they might meet with. The truths laid down are very
momentous, and necessary to be maintained; and the rules for practice,
as here stated, are such as ought to be observed in our times as well
as in preceding ages.
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J A M E S.
CHAP. I.
After the inscription and salutation (ver. 1) Christians are taught how
to conduct themselves when under the cross. Several graces and duties
are recommended; and those who endure their trials and afflictions as
the apostle here directs are pronounced blessed and are assured of a
glorious reward, ver. 2-12. But those sins which bring sufferings, or
the weakness and faults men are chargeable with under them, are by no
means to be imputed to God, who cannot be the author of sin, but is the
author of all good, ver. 13-18. All passion, and rash anger, and vile
affections, ought to be suppressed. The word of God should be made our
chief study: and what we hear and know of it we must take care to
practise, otherwise our religion will prove but a vain thing. To this
is added an account wherein pure religion consists, ver. 19-27.
Inscription. (a. d. 61.)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve
tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
We have here the inscription of this epistle, which consists of three
principal parts.
I. The character by which our author desires to be known: James, a
servant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though he was a
prime-minister in Christ's kingdom, yet he styles himself only a
servant. Note hence, Those who are highest in office or attainments in
the church of Christ are but servants. They should not therefore act as
masters, but as ministers. Further, Though James is called by the
evangelist the brother of our Lord, yet it was his glory to serve
Christ in the spirit, rather than to boast of his being akin according
to the flesh. Hence let us learn to prize this title above all others
in the world--the servants of God and of Christ. Again, it is to be
observed that James professes himself a servant of God and of the Lord
Jesus Christ; to teach us that in all services we should have an eye to
the Son as well as the Father. We cannot acceptably serve the Father,
unless we are also servants of the Son. God will have all men to honour
the Son as they honour the Father (John v. 23), looking for acceptance
in Christ and assistance from him, and yielding all obedience to him,
thus confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the
Father.
II. The apostle here mentions the condition of those to whom he writes:
The twelve tribes which are scattered abroad. Some understand this of
the dispersion upon the persecution of Stephen, Acts viii. But that
only reached to Judea and Samaria. Others by the Jews of the dispersion
understand those who were in Assyria, Babylon, Egypt, and other
kingdoms into which their wars had driven them. The greatest part
indeed of ten of the twelve tribes were lost in captivity; but yet some
of every tribe were preserved and they are still honoured with the
ancient style of twelve tribes. These however were scattered and
dispersed. 1. They were dispersed in mercy. Having the scriptures of
the Old Testament, the providence of God so ordered it that they were
scattered in several countries for the diffusing of the light of divine
revelation. 2. They began now to be scattered in wrath. The Jewish
nation was crumbling into parties and factions, and many were forced to
leave their own country, as having now grown too hot for them. Even
good people among them shared in the common calamity. 3. These Jews of
the dispersion were those who had embraced the Christian faith. They
were persecuted and forced to seek for shelter in other countries, the
Gentiles being kinder to Christians than the Jews were. Note here, It
is often the lot even of God's own tribes to be scattered abroad. The
gathering day is reserved for the end of time; when all the dispersed
children of God shall be gathered together to Christ their head. In the
mean time, while God's tribes are scattered abroad, he will send to
look after them. Here is an apostle writing to the scattered; an
epistle from God to them, when driven away from his temple, and
seemingly neglected by him. Apply here that of the prophet Ezekiel,
Thus saith the Lord God, Although I have cast them far off among the
heathen, and although I have scattered them among the countries, yet
will I be to them as a little sanctuary in the countries where they
shall come, Ezek. xi. 16. God has a particular care of his outcasts.
Let my outcasts dwell with thee, Moab, Isa. xvi. 3, 4. God's tribes may
be scattered; therefore we should not value ourselves too much on
outward privileges. And, on the other hand, we should not despond and
think ourselves rejected, under outward calamities, because God
remembers and sends comfort to his scattered people.
III. James here shows the respect he had even for the dispersed:
greeting, saluting them, wishing peace and salvation to them. True
Christians should not be the less valued for their hardships. It was
the desire of this apostle's heart that those who were scattered might
be comforted--that they might do well and fare well, and be enabled to
rejoice even in their distresses. God's people have reason to rejoice
in all places, and at all times; as will abundantly appear from what
follows.
Necessity of Faith and Patience; Evil of Indecision. (a. d. 61.)
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4 But
let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire,
wanting nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God,
that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be
given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that
wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7
For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8 A double minded man is unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the
brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted: 10 But the rich,
in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall
pass away. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but
it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace
of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in
his ways. 12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he
is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath
promised to them that love him.
We now come to consider the matter of this epistle. In this paragraph
we have the following things to be observed:--
I. The suffering state of Christians in this world is represented, and
that in a very instructive manner, if we attend to what is plainly and
necessarily implied, together with what is fully expressed. 1. It is
implied that troubles and afflictions may be the lot of the best
Christians, even of those who have the most reason to think and hope
well of themselves. Such as have a title to the greatest joy may yet
endure very grievous afflictions. As good people are liable to be
scattered, they must not think it strange if they meet with troubles.
2. These outward afflictions and troubles are temptations to them. The
devil endeavours by sufferings and crosses to draw men to sin and to
deter them from duty, or unfit them for it; but, as our afflictions are
in God's hand, they are intended for the trial and improvement of our
graces. The gold is put into the furnace, that it may be purified. 3.
These temptations may be numerous and various: Divers temptations, as
the apostle speaks. Our trials may be of many and different kinds, and
therefore we have need to put on the whole armour of God. We must be
armed on every side, because temptations lie on all sides. 4. The
trials of a good man are such as he does not create to himself, nor
sinfully pull upon himself; but they are such as he is said to fall
into. And for this reason they are the better borne by him.
II. The graces and duties of a state of trial and affliction are here
pointed out to us. Could we attend to these things, and grow in them as
we should do, how good would it be for us to be afflicted!
1. One Christian grace to be exercised is joy: Count it all joy, v. 2.
We must not sink into a sad and disconsolate frame of mind, which would
make us faint under our trials; but must endeavour to keep our spirits
dilated and enlarged, the better to take in a true sense of our case,
and with greater advantage to set ourselves to make the best of it.
Philosophy may instruct men to be calm under their troubles; but
Christianity teaches them to be joyful, because such exercises proceed
from love and not fury in God. In them we are conformable to Christ our
head, and they become marks of our adoption. By suffering in the ways
of righteousness, we are serving the interests of our Lord's kingdom
among men, and edifying the body of Christ; and our trials will
brighten our graces now and our crown at last. Therefore there is
reason to count it all joy when trials and difficulties become our lot
in the way of our duty. And this is not purely a New-Testament paradox,
but even in Job's time it was said, Behold, happy is the man whom God
correcteth. There is the more reason for joy in afflictions if we
consider the other graces that are promoted by them.
2. Faith is a grace that one expression supposes and another expressly
requires: Knowing this, that the trial of your faith, v. 3; and then in
v. 6, Let him ask in faith. There must be a sound believing of the
great truths of Christianity, and a resolute cleaving to them, in times
of trial. That faith which is spoken of here as tried by afflictions
consists in a belief of the power, and word, and promise of God, and in
fidelity and constancy to the Lord Jesus.
3. There must be patience: The trial of faith worketh patience. The
trying of one grace produces another; and the more the suffering graces
of a Christian are exercised the stronger they grow. Tribulation
worketh patience, Rom. v. 3. Now, to exercise Christian patience
aright, we must, (1.) Let it work. It is not a stupid, but an active
thing. Stoical apathy and Christian patience are very different: by the
one men become, in some measure, insensible of their afflictions; but
by the other they become triumphant in and over them. Let us take care,
in times of trial, that patience and not passion, be set at work in us;
whatever is said or done, let patience have the saying and doing of it:
let us not allow the indulging of our passions to hinder the operation
and noble effects of patience; let us give it leave to work, and it
will work wonders in a time of trouble. (2.) We must let it have its
perfect work. Do nothing to limit it nor to weaken it; but let it have
its full scope: if one affliction come upon the heels of another, and a
train of them are drawn upon us, yet let patience go on till its work
is perfected. When we bear all that God appoints, and as long as he
appoints, and with a humble obedient eye to him, and when we not only
bear troubles, but rejoice in them, then patience hath its perfect
work. (3.) When the work of patience is complete, then the Christian is
entire, and nothing will be wanting: it will furnish us with all that
is necessary for our Christian race and warfare, and will enable us to
persevere to the end, and then its work will be ended, and crowned with
glory. After we have abounded in other graces, we have need of
patience, Heb. x. 36. But let patience have its perfect work, and we
shall be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
4. Prayer is a duty recommended also to suffering Christians; and here
the apostle shows, (1.) What we ought more especially to pray
for--wisdom: If any lack wisdom, let him ask of God. We should not pray
so much for the removal of an affliction as for wisdom to make a right
use of it. And who is there that does not want wisdom under any great
trials or exercises to guide him in his judging of things, in the
government of his own spirit and temper, and in the management of his
affairs? To be wise in trying times is a special gift of God, and to
him we must seek for it. (2.) In what way this is to be obtained--upon
our petitioning or asking for it. Let the foolish become beggars at the
throne of grace, and they are in a fair way to be wise. It is not said,
"Let such ask of man," no, not of any man, but, "Let him ask of God,"
who made him, and gave him his understanding and reasonable powers at
first, of him in whom are all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Let us confess our want of wisdom to God and daily ask it of him. (3.)
We have the greatest encouragement to do this: he giveth to all men
liberally, and upbraideth not. Yea, it is expressly promised that it
shall be given, v. 5. Here is something in answer to every discouraging
turn of the mind, when we go to God, under a sense of our own weakness
and folly, to ask for wisdom. He to whom we are sent, we are sure, has
it to give: and he is of a giving disposition, inclined to bestow this
upon those who ask. Nor is there any fear of his favours being limited
to some in this case, so as to exclude others, or any humble
petitioning soul; for he gives to all men. If you should say you want a
great deal of wisdom, a small portion will not serve your turn, the
apostle affirms, he gives liberally; and lest you should be afraid of
going to him unseasonably, or being put to shame for your folly, it is
added, he upbraideth not. Ask when you will, and as often as you will,
you will meet with no upbraidings. And if, after all, any should say,
"This may be the case with some, but I fear I shall not succeed so well
in my seeking for wisdom as some others may," let such consider how
particular and express the promise is: It shall be given him. Justly
then must fools perish in their foolishness, if wisdom may be had for
asking, and they will not pray to God for it. But, (4.) There is one
thing necessary to be observed in our asking, namely, that we do it
with a believing, steady mind: Let him ask in faith, nothing wavering,
v. 6. The promise above is very sure, taking this proviso along with
us; wisdom shall be given to those who ask it of God, provided they
believe that God is able to make the simple wise, and is faithful to
make good his word to those who apply to him. This was the condition
Christ insisted on, in treating with those who came to him for healing:
Believest thou that I am able to do this? There must be no wavering, no
staggering at the promise of God through unbelief, or through a sense
of any disadvantages that lie on our own part. Here therefore we see,
5. That oneness, and sincerity of intention, and a steadiness of mind,
constitute another duty required under affliction: He that wavereth is
like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind, and tossed. To be
sometimes lifted up by faith, and then thrown down again by
distrust--to mount sometimes towards the heavens, with an intention to
secure glory, and honour, and immortality, and then to sink again in
seeking the ease of the body, or the enjoyments of this world--this is
very fitly and elegantly compared to a wave of the sea, that rises and
falls, swells and sinks, just as the wind tosses it higher or lower,
that way or this. A mind that has but one single and prevailing regard
to its spiritual and eternal interest, and that keeps steady in its
purposes for God, will grow wise by afflictions, will continue fervent
in its devotions, and will be superior to all trials and oppositions.
Now, for the cure of a wavering spirit and a weak faith, the apostle
shows the ill effects of these, (1.) In that the success of prayer is
spoiled hereby: Let not that man think that he shall receive any thing
of the Lord, v. 7. Such a distrustful, shifting, unsettled person is
not likely to value a favour from God as he should do, and therefore
cannot expect to receive it. In asking for divine and heavenly wisdom
we are never likely to prevail if we have not a heart to prize it above
rubies, and the greatest things in this world. (2.) A wavering faith
and spirit has a bad influence upon our conversations. A double-minded
man is unstable in all his ways, v. 8. When our faith and spirits rise
and fall with second causes, there will be great unsteadiness in all
our conversation and actions. This may sometimes expose men to contempt
in the world; but it is certain that such ways cannot please God nor
procure any good for us in the end. While we have but one God to trust
to, we have but one God to be governed by, and this should keep us even
and steady. He that is unstable as water shall not excel. Hereupon,
III. The holy humble temper of a Christian, both in advancement and
debasement, is described: and both poor and rich are directed on what
grounds to build their joy and comfort, v. 9-11. Here we may observe,
1. Those of low degree are to be looked upon as brethren: Let the
brother of low degree, &c. Poverty does not destroy the relation among
Christians. 2. Good Christians may be rich in the world, v. 10. Grace
and wealth are not wholly inconsistent. Abraham, the father of the
faithful, was rich in silver and gold. 3. Both these are allowed to
rejoice. No condition of lie puts us out of a capacity of rejoicing in
God. If we do not rejoice in him always, it is our own fault. Those of
low degree may rejoice, if they are exalted to be rich in faith and
heirs of the kingdom of God (as Dr. Whitby explains this place); and
the rich may rejoice in humbling providences, as they produce a lowly
and humble disposition of mind, which is highly valuable in the sight
of God. Where any are made poor for righteousness' sake, their very
poverty is their exaltation. It is an honour to be dishonoured for the
sake of Christ. To you it is given to suffer, Phil. i. 29. All who are
brought low, and made lowly by grace, may rejoice in the prospect of
their exaltation at the last in heaven. 4. Observe what reason rich
people have, notwithstanding their riches, to be humble and low in
their own eyes, because both they and their riches are passing away: As
the flower of the grass he shall pass away. He, and his wealth with
him, v. 11. For the sun has no sooner risen with a burning heat than it
withereth the grass. Note hence, Worldly wealth is a withering thing.
Riches are too uncertain (says Mr. Baxter on this place), too
inconsiderable things to make any great or just alteration in our
minds. As a flower fades before the heat of the scorching sun, so shall
the rich man fade away in his ways. His projects, counsels, and
managements for this world, are called his ways; in these he shall fade
away. For this reason let him that is rich rejoice, not so much in the
providence of God, that makes him rich, as in the grace of God, that
makes and keeps him humble; and in those trials and exercises that
teach him to seek his felicity in and from God, and not from these
perishing enjoyments.
IV. A blessing is pronounced on those who endure their exercises and
trials, as here directed: Blessed is the man that endureth temptation,
v. 12. Observe, 1. It is not the man who suffers only that is blessed,
but he who endures, who with patience and constancy goes through all
difficulties in the way of his duty. 2. Afflictions cannot make us
miserable, if it be not our own fault. A blessing may arise from them,
and we may be blessed in them. They are so far from taking away a good
man's felicity that they really increase it. 3. Sufferings and
temptations are the way to eternal blessedness: When he is tried, he
shall receive the crown of life, dokimos genomenos--when he is
approved, when his graces are found to be true and of the highest worth
(so metals are tried as to their excellency by the fire), and when his
integrity is manifested, and all is approved of the great Judge. Note
hence, To be approved of God is the great aim of a Christian in all his
trials; and it will be his blessedness at last, when he shall receive
the crown of life. The tried Christian shall be a crowned one: and the
crown he shall wear will be a crown of life. It will be life and bliss
to him, and will last for ever. We only bear the cross for a while, but
we shall wear the crown to eternity. 4. This blessedness, involved in a
crown of life, is a promised thing to the righteous sufferer. It is
therefore what we may most surely depend upon: for, when heaven and
earth shall pass away, this word of God shall not fail of being
fulfilled. But withal let us take notice that our future reward comes,
not as a debt, but by a gracious promise. 5. Our enduring temptations
must be from a principle of love to God and to our Lord Jesus Christ,
otherwise we are not interested in this promise: The Lord hath promised
to those that love him. Paul supposes that a man may for some point of
religion even give his body to be burnt, and yet not be pleasing to
God, nor regarded by him, because of his want of charity, or a
prevailing sincere love to God and man, 1 Cor. xiii. 3. 6. The crown of
life is promised not only to great and eminent saints, but to all those
who have the love of God reigning in their hearts. Every soul that
truly loves God shall have its trials in this world fully recompensed
in that world above where love is made perfect.
Procedure and Results of Sin. (a. d. 61.)
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God
cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14 But
every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and
enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and
sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. 16 Do not err, my
beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from
above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no
variableness, neither shadow of turning. 18 Of his own will begat he
us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of
his creatures.
I. We are here taught that God is not the author of any man's sin.
Whoever they are who raise persecutions against men, and whatever
injustice and sin they may be guilty of in proceeding against them, God
is not to be charged with it. And, whatever sins good men may
themselves be provoked to by their exercises and afflictions, God is
not the cause of them. It seems to be here supposed that some
professors might fall in the hour of temptation, that the rod resting
upon them might carry some into ill courses, and make them put forth
their hands unto iniquity. But though this should be the case, and
though such delinquents should attempt to lay their fault on God, yet
the blame of their misconduct must lie entirely upon themselves. For,
1. There is nothing in the nature of God that they can lay the blame
upon: Let no man say, when he is tempted to take any evil course, or do
any evil thing, I am tempted of God; for God cannot be tempted with
evil. All moral evil is owing to some disorder in the being that is
chargeable with it, to a want of wisdom, or of power, or of decorum and
purity in the will. But who can impeach the holy God with the want of
these, which are his very essence? No exigence of affairs can ever
tempt him to dishonour or deny himself, and therefore he cannot be
tempted with evil. 2. There is nothing in the providential
dispensations of God that the blame of any man's sin can be laid upon
(v. 13): Neither tempteth he any man. As God cannot be tempted with
evil himself, so neither can he be a tempter of others. He cannot be a
promoter of what is repugnant to his nature. The carnal mind is willing
to charge its own sins on God. There is something hereditary in this.
Our first father Adam tells God, The woman thou gavest me tempted me,
thereby, in effect, throwing the blame upon God, for giving him the
tempter. Let no man speak thus. It is very bad to sin; but is much
worse, when we have done amiss, to charge it upon God, and say it was
owing to him. Those who lay the blame of their sins either upon their
constitution or upon their condition in the world, or who pretend they
are under a fatal necessity of sinning, wrong God, as if he were the
author of sin. Afflictions, as sent by God, are designed to draw out
our graces, but not our corruptions.
II. We are taught where the true cause of evil lies, and where the
blame ought to be laid (v. 14): Every man is tempted (in an ill sense)
when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. In other scriptures
the devil is called the tempter, and other things may sometimes concur
to tempt us; but neither the devil nor any other person or thing is to
be blamed so as to excuse ourselves; for the true original of evil and
temptation is in our own hearts. The combustible matter is in us,
though the flame may be blown up by some outward causes. And therefore,
if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it, Prov. ix. 12. Observe here,
1. The method of sin in its proceeding. First it draws away, then
entices. As holiness consists of two parts--forsaking that which is
evil and cleaving to that which is good, so these two things, reversed,
are the two parts of sin. The heart is carried from that which is good,
and enticed to cleave to that which is evil. It is first by corrupt
inclinations, or by lusting after and coveting some sensual or worldly
thing, estranged from the life of God, and then by degrees fixed in a
course of sin. 2. We may observe hence the power and policy of sin. The
word here rendered drawn away signifies a being forcibly haled or
compelled. The word translated enticed signifies being wheedled and
beguiled by allurements and deceitful representations of things,
exelkomenos kai deleazomenos. There is a great deal of violence done to
conscience and to the mind by the power of corruption: and there is a
great deal of cunning and deceit and flattery in sin to gain us to its
interests. The force and power of sin could never prevail, were it not
for its cunning and guile. Sinners who perish are wheedled and
flattered to their own destruction. And this will justify God for ever
in their damnation, that they destroyed themselves. Their sin lies at
their own door, and therefore their blood will lie upon their own
heads. 3. The success of corruption in the heart (v. 15): Then, when
lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; that is, sin being allowed
to excite desires in us, it will son ripen those desires into consent,
and then it is said to have conceived. The sin truly exists, though it
be but in embryo. And, when it has grown it its full size in the mind,
it is then brought forth in actual execution. Stop the beginnings of
sin therefore, or else all the evils it produces must be wholly charged
upon us. 4. The final issue of sin, and how it ends: Sin, when it is
finished, bringeth forth death. After sin is brought forth in actual
commissions, the finishing of it (as Dr. Manton observes) is its being
strengthened by frequent acts and settled into a habit. And, when the
iniquities of men are thus filled up, death is brought forth. There is
a death upon the soul, and death comes upon the body. And, besides
death spiritual and temporal, the wages of sin is eternal death too.
Let sin therefore be repented of and forsaken, before it be finished.
Why will you die, O house of Israel! Ezek. xxxiii. 11. God has no
pleasure in your death, as he has no hand in your sin; but both sin and
misery are owing to yourselves. Your own hearts' lusts and corruptions
are your tempters; and when by degrees they have carried you off from
God, and finished the power and dominion of sin in you, then they will
prove your destroyers.
III. We are taught yet further that, while we are the authors and
procurers of all sin and misery to ourselves, God is the Father and
fountain of all good, v. 16, 17. We should take particular care not to
err in our conceptions of God: "Do not err, my beloved brethren, me
lanasthe--do not wander, that is, from the word of God, and the
accounts of him you have there. Do not stray into erroneous opinions,
and go off from the standard of truth, the things which you have
received from the Lord Jesus and by the direction of his Spirit." The
loose opinions of Sinon, and the Nicolaitans (from whom the Gnostics, a
most sensual corrupt set of people, arose afterwards), may perhaps, by
the apostle here, be more especially cautioned against. Those who are
disposed to look into these may consult the first book of Irenæus
against heresies. Let corrupt men run into what notions they will, the
truth, as it is in Jesus, stands thus: That God is not, cannot be, the
author and patronizer of any thing that is evil; but must be
acknowledged as the cause and spring of every thing that is good: Every
good and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the
Father of lights, v. 17. Here observe, 1. God is the Father of lights.
The visible light of the sun and the heavenly bodies is from him. He
said, Let there be light, and there was light. Thus God is at once
represented as the Creator of the sun and in some respects compared to
it. "As the sun is the same in its nature and influences, though the
earth and clouds, oft interposing, make it seem to us as varying, by
its rising and setting, and by its different appearances, or entire
withdrawment, when the change is not in it; so God is unchangeable, and
our changes and shadows are not from any mutability or shadowy
alterations in him, but from ourselves."--Baxter. The Father of lights,
with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. What the
sun is in nature, God is in grace, providence, and glory; aye, and
infinitely more. For, 2. Every good gift is from him. As the Father of
lights, he gives the light of reason. The inspiration of the Almighty
giveth understanding, Job xxxii. 8. He gives also the light of
learning: Solomon's wisdom in the knowledge of nature, in the arts of
government, and in all his improvements, is ascribed to God. The light
of divine revelation is more immediately from above. The light of
faith, purity, and all manner of consolation is from him. So that we
have nothing good but what we receive from God, as there is no evil or
sin in us, or done by us, but what is owing to ourselves. We must own
God as the author of all the powers and perfections that are in the
creature, and the giver of all the benefits which we have in and by
those powers and perfections: but none of their darknesses, their
imperfections, or their ill actions are to be charged on the Father of
lights; from him proceeds every good and perfect gift, both pertaining
to this life and that which is to come. 3. As every good gift is from
God, so particularly the renovation of our natures, our regeneration,
and all the holy happy consequences of it, must be ascribed to him (v.
18): Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth. Here let us
take notice, (1.) A true Christian is a creature begotten anew. He
becomes as different a person from what he was before the renewing
influences of divine grace as if he were formed over again, and born
afresh. (2.) The original of this good work is here declared: it is of
God's own will; not by our skill or power; not from any good foreseen
in us, or done by us, but purely from the good-will and grace of God.
(3.) The means whereby this is affected are pointed out: the word of
truth, that is, the gospel, as Paul expresses it more plainly, 1 Cor.
iv. 15, I have begotten you in Jesus Christ through the gospel. This
gospel in indeed a word of truth, or else it could never produce such
real, such lasting, such great and noble effects. We may rely upon it,
and venture our immortal souls upon it. And we shall find it a means of
our sanctification as it is a word of truth, John xvii. 17. (4.) The
end and design of God's giving renewing grace is here laid down: That
we should be a kind of first-fruits of his creatures--that we should be
God's portion and treasure, and a more peculiar property to him, as the
first-fruits were; and that we should become holy to the Lord, as the
first-fruits were consecrated to him. Christ is the first-fruits of
Christians, Christians are the first-fruits of creatures.
On Suppressing Corrupt Affections; The Duty of Hearers; Practical Religion.
(a. d. 61.)
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow
to speak, slow to wrath: 20 For the wrath of man worketh not the
righteousness of God. 21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and
superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted
word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the
word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. 23 For if any
be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man
beholding his natural face in a glass: 24 For he beholdeth himself,
and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he
was. 25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and
continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the
work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 26 If any man among you
seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his
own heart, this man's religion is vain. 27 Pure religion and
undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless
and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the
world.
In this part of the chapter we are required,
I. To restrain the workings of passion. This lesson we should learn
under afflictions; and this we shall learn if we are indeed begotten
again by the word of truth. For thus the connection stands--An angry
and hasty spirit is soon provoked to ill things by afflictions, and
errors and ill opinions become prevalent through the workings of our
own vile and vain affections; but the renewing grace of God and the
word of the gospel teach us to subdue these: Wherefore, my beloved
brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath,
v. 19. This may refer, 1. To the word of truth spoken of in the verse
foregoing. And so we may observe, It is our duty rather to hear God's
word, and apply our minds to understand it, than to speak according to
our own fancies or the opinions of men, and to run into heat and
passion thereupon. Let not such errors as that of God's being the
occasion of men's sin ever be hastily, much less angrily, mentioned by
you (and so as to other errors); but be ready to hear and consider what
God's word teaches in all such cases. 2. This may be applied to the
afflictions and temptations spoken of in the beginning of the chapter.
And then we may observe, It is our duty rather to hear how God explains
his providences, and what he designs by the, than to say as David did
in his haste, I am cut off; or as Jonah did in his passion, I do well
to be angry. Instead of censuring God under our trials, let us open our
ears and hearts to hear what he will say to us. 3. This may be
understood as referring to the disputes and differences that
Christians, in those times of trial, were running into among
themselves: and so this part of the chapter may be considered without
any connection with what goes before. Here we may observe that,
whenever matters of difference arise among Christians, each side should
be willing to hear the other. People are often stiff in their own
opinions because they are not willing to hear what others have to offer
against them: whereas we should be swift to hear reason and truth on
all sides, and be slow to speak any thing that should prevent this:
and, when we do speak, there should be nothing of wrath; for a soft
answer turneth away wrath. As this epistle is designed to correct a
variety of disorders that existed among Christians, these words, swift
to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath, may be very well interpreted
according to this last explication. And we may further observe from
them that, if men would govern their tongues, they must govern their
passions. When Moses's spirit was provoked, he spoke unadvisedly with
his lips. If we would be slow to speak, we must be slow to wrath.
II. A very good reason is given for suppressing: For the wrath of man
worketh not the righteousness of God, v. 20. It is as if the apostle
had said, "Whereas men often pretend zeal for God and his glory, in
their heat and passion, let them know that God needs not the passions
of any man; his cause is better served by mildness and meekness than by
wrath and fury." Solomon says, The words of the wise are heard in
quiet, more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools, Eccl. ix. 17.
Dr. Manton here says of some assemblies, "That if we were as swift to
hear as we are ready to speak there would be less of wrath, and more of
profit, in our meetings. I remember when a Manichee contested with
Augustine, and with importunate clamour cried, Hear me! hear me! the
father modestly replied, Nec ego te, nec tu me, sed ambo audiamus
apostolum--Neither let me hear thee, nor do thou hear me, but let us
both hear the apostle." The worst thing we can bring to a religious
controversy is anger. This, however it may pretend to be raised by a
concern for what is just and right, is not to be trusted. Wrath is a
human thing, and the wrath of man stands opposed to the righteousness
of God. Those who pretend to serve the cause of God hereby show that
they are acquainted neither with God or his cause. This passion must
especially be watched against when we are hearing the word of God. See
1 Pet. ii. 1, 2.
III. We are called upon to suppress other corrupt affections, as well
as rash anger: Lay aside all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
v. 21. The word here translated filthiness signifies those lusts which
have the greatest turpitude and sensuality in them; and the words
rendered superfluity of naughtiness may be understood of the
overflowings of malice or any other spiritual wickednesses. Hereby we
are taught, as Christians, to watch against, and lay aside, not only
those more gross and fleshly dispositions and affections which
denominate a person filthy, but all the disorders of a corrupt heart,
which would prejudice it against the word and ways of God. Observe, 1.
Sin is a defiling thing; it is called filthiness itself. 2. There is
abundance of that which is evil in us, to be watched against; there is
superfluity of naughtiness. 3. It is not enough to restrain evil
affections, but they must be cast from us, or laid apart. Isa. xxx. 22,
Thou shalt cast them away as a menstruous cloth; thou shalt say, Get
you hence. 4. This must extend not only to outward sins, and greater
abominations, but to all sin of thought and affection as well as speech
and practice; pasan rhyparian--all filthiness, every thing that is
corrupt and sinful. 5. Observe, from the foregoing parts of this
chapter, the laying aside of all filthiness is what a time of
temptation and affliction calls for, and is necessary to the avoiding
of error, and the right receiving and improving of the word of truth:
for,
IV. We are here fully, though briefly, instructed concerning hearing
the word of God.
1. We are required to prepare ourselves for it (v. 21), to get rid of
every corrupt affection and of every prejudice and prepossession, and
to lay aside those sins which pervert the judgment and blind the mind.
All the filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, before explained,
must, in an especial manner, be subdued and cast off, by all such as
attend on the word of the gospel.
2. We are directed how to hear it: Receive with meekness the engrafted
word, which is able to save your souls. (1.) In hearing the word of
God, we are to receive it--assent to the truths of it--consent to the
laws of it; receive it as the stock does the graft; so as that the
fruit which is produced may be, not according to the nature of the sour
stock, but according to the nature of that word of the gospel which is
engrafted into our souls. (2.) We must therefore yield ourselves to the
word of God, with most submissive, humble, and tractable tempers: this
is to receive it with meekness. Being willing to hear of our faults,
and taking it not only patiently, but thankfully, desiring also to be
molded and formed by the doctrines and precepts of the gospel. (3.) In
all our hearing we should aim at the salvation of our souls. It is the
design of the word of God to make us wise to salvation; and those who
propose any meaner or lower ends to themselves in attending upon it
dishonour the gospel and disappoint their souls. We should come to the
word of God (both to read it and hear it), as those who know it is the
power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth, Rom. i. 16.
3. We are taught what is to be done after hearing (v. 22): But be you
doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
Observe here, (1.) Hearing is in order to doing; the most attentive and
the most frequent hearing of the word of God will not avail us, unless
we be also doers of it. If we were to hear a sermon every day of the
week, and an angel from heaven were the preacher, yet, if we rested in
bare hearing, it would never bring us to heaven. Therefore the apostle
insists much upon it (and, without doubt, it is indispensably
necessary) that we practice what we hear. "There must be inward
practice by meditation, and outward practice in true obedience."
Baxter. It is not enough to remember what we hear, and to be able to
repeat it, and to give testimony to it, and commend it, and write it,
and preserve what we have written; that which all this is in order to,
and which crowns the rest, is that we be doers of the word. Observe,
(2.) Bare hearers are self-deceivers; the original word,
paralogizomenoi, signifies men's arguing sophistically to themselves;
their reasoning is manifestly deceitful and false when they would make
one part of their work discharge them from the obligation they lie
under to another, or persuade themselves that filling their heads with
notions is sufficient, though their hearts be empty of good affections
and resolutions, and their lives fruitless of good works. Self-deceit
will be found the worst deceit at last.
4. The apostle shows what is the proper use of the word of God, who
they are that do not use it as they ought, and who they are that do
make a right use of it, v. 23-25. Let us consider each of these
distinctly. (1.) The use we are to make of God's word may be learnt
from its being compared to a glass, in which a man may behold his
natural face. As a looking-glass shows us the spots and defilements
upon our faces, that they may be remedied and washed off, so the word
of God shows us our sins, that we may repent of them and get them
pardoned; it shows us what is amiss, that it may be amended. There are
glasses that will flatter people; but that which is truly the word of
God is no flattering glass. If you flatter yourselves, it is your own
fault; the truth, as it is in Jesus, flatters no man. Let the word of
truth be carefully attended to, and it will set before you the
corruption of your nature, the disorders of your hearts and lives; it
will tell you plainly what you are. Paul describes himself as in
sensible of the corruption of his nature till he saw himself in the
glass of the law (Rom. vii. 9): "I was alive without the law; that is,
I took all to be right with me, and thought myself not only clean, but,
compared with the generality of the world, beautiful too; but when the
commandment came, when the glass of the law was set before me, then sin
revived, and I died--then I saw my spots and deformities, and
discovered that amiss in myself which before I was not aware of; and
such was the power of the law, and of sin, that I then perceived myself
in a state of death and condemnation." Thus, when we attend to the word
of God, so as to see ourselves, our true state and condition, to
rectify what is amiss, and to form and dress ourselves anew by the
glass of God's word, this is to make a proper use of it. (2.) We have
here an account of those who do not use this glass of the word as they
ought: He that beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway
forgets what manner of man he was, v. 24. This is the true description
of one who hears the word of God and does it not. How many are there
who, when they sit under the word, are affected with their own
sinfulness, misery, and danger, acknowledge the evil of sin, and their
need of Christ; but, when their hearing is over, all is forgotten,
convictions are lost, good affections vanish, and pass away like the
waters of a land-flood: he straightway forgets. "The word of God (as
Dr. Manton speaks) discovers how we may do away our sins, and deck and
attire our souls with the righteousness of Jesus Christ. Maculæ sunt
peccata, quæ ostendit lex; aqua est sanguis Christi, quem ostendit
evangelium--Our sins are the spots which the law discovers; Christ's
blood is the laver which the gospel shows." But in vain do we hear
God's word, and look into the gospel glass, if we go away, and forget
our spots, instead of washing them off, and forget our remedy, instead
of applying to it. This is the case of those who do not hear the word
as they ought. (3.) Those also are described, and pronounced blessed,
who hear aright, and who use the glass of God's word as they should do
(v. 25): Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth
therein, &c. Observe here, [1.] The gospel is a law of liberty, or, as
Mr. Baxter expresses it, of liberation, giving us deliverance from the
Jewish law, and from sin and guilt, and wrath and death. The ceremonial
law was a yoke of bondage; the gospel of Christ is a law of liberty.
[2.] It is a perfect law; nothing can be added to it. [3.] In hearing
the word, we look into this perfect law; we consult it for counsel and
direction; we look into it, that we may thence take our measures. [4.]
Then only do we look into the law of liberty as we should when we
continue therein--"when we dwell in the study of it, till it turn to a
spiritual life, engrafted and digested in us" (Baxter)--when we are not
forgetful of it, but practice it as our work and business, set it
always before our eyes, and make it the constant rule of our
conversation and behaviour, and model the temper of our minds by it.
[5.] Those who thus do, and continue in the law and word of God, are,
and shall be, blessed in their deed; blessed in all their ways,
according to the first psalm, to which, some think, James here alludes.
He that meditates in the law of God, and walks according to it, the
psalmist says, shall prosper in whatsoever he does. And he that is not
a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work which God's word sets him
about, James says, shall be blessed. The papists pretend that here we
have a clear text to prove we are blessed for our good deeds; but Dr.
Manton, in answer to that pretence, puts the reader upon marking the
distinctness of scripture-phrase. The apostle does not say, for his
deeds, that any man is blessed, but in his deed. This is a way in which
we shall certainly find blessedness, but not the cause of it. This
blessedness does not lie in knowing, but in doing the will of God. John
xiii. 17, If you know these things, happy are you if you do them. It is
not talking, but walking, that will bring us to heaven.
V. The apostle next informs us how we may distinguish between a vain
religion and that which is pure and approved of God. Great and hot
disputes there are in the world about this matter: what religion is
false and vain, and what is true and pure. I wish men would agree to
let the holy scripture in this place determine the question: and here
it is plainly and peremptorily declared,
1. What is a vain religion: If any man among you seemeth to be
religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceives his own heart,
this man's religion is vain. Here are three things to be
observed:--(1.) In a vain religion there is much of show, and affecting
to seem religious in the eyes of others. This, I think, is mentioned in
a manner that should fix our thoughts on the word seemeth. When men are
more concerned to seem religious than really to be so, it is a sign
that their religion is but vain. Not that religion itself is a vain
thing (those do it a great deal of injustice who say, It is in vain to
serve the Lord), but it is possible for people to make it a vain thing,
if they have only a form of godliness, and not the power. (2.) In a
vain religion there is much censuring, reviling, and detracting of
others. The not bridling the tongue here is chiefly meant of not
abstaining from these evils of the tongue. When we hear people ready to
speak of the faults of others, or to censure them as holding scandalous
errors, or to lessen the wisdom and piety of those about them, that
they themselves may seem the wiser and better, this is a sign that they
have but a vain religion. The man who has a detracting tongue cannot
have a truly humble gracious heart. He who delights to injure his
neighbour in vain pretends to love God; therefore a reviling tongue
will prove a man a hypocrite. Censuring is a pleasing sin, extremely
complaint with nature, and therefore evinces a man's being in a natural
state. These sins of the tongue were the great sins of that age in
which James wrote (as other parts of this epistle fully show); and it
is a strong sing of a vain religion (says Dr. Manton) to be carried
away with the evil of the times. This has ever been a leading sin with
hypocrites, that the more ambitious they have been to seem well
themselves the more free they have been in censuring and running down
others; and there is such quick intercourse between the tongue and the
heart that the one may be known by the other. On these accounts it is
that the apostle has made an ungoverned tongue an undoubted certain
proof of a vain religion. There is no strength nor power in that
religion which will not enable a man to bridle his tongue. (3.) In a
vain religion a man deceives his own heart; he goes on in such a course
of detracting from others, and making himself seem somebody, that at
last the vanity of his religion is consummated by the deceiving of his
own soul. When once religion comes to be a vain thing, how great is the
vanity!
2. It is here plainly and peremptorily declared wherein true religion
consists: Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is
this, v. 27. Observe, (1.) It is the glory of religion to be pure and
undefiled; not mixed with the inventions of men nor with the corruption
of the world. False religions may be known by their impurity and
uncharitableness; according to that of John, He that doeth not
righteousness is not of God neither he that loveth not his brother, 1
John iii. 10. But, on the other hand, a holy life and a charitable
heart show a true religion. Our religion is not (says Dr. Manton)
adorned with ceremonies, but purity and charity. And it is a good
observation of his that a religion which is pure should be kept
undefiled. (2.) That religion is pure and undefiled which is so before
God and the Father. That is right which is so in God's eye, and which
chiefly aims at his approbation. True religion teaches us to do every
thing as in the presence of God; and to seek his favour, and study to
please him in all our actions. (3.) Compassion and charity to the poor
and distressed from a very great and necessary part of true religion:
Visiting the fatherless and widow in their affliction. Visiting is here
put for all manner of relief which we are capable of giving to others;
and fatherless and widows are here particularly mentioned, because they
are generally most apt to be neglected or oppressed: but by them we are
to understand all who are proper objects of charity, all who are in
affliction. It is very remarkable that if the sum of religion be drawn
up to two articles this is one--to be charitable and relieve the
afflicted. Observe, (4.) An unspotted life must accompany an unfeigned
love and charity: To keep himself unspotted from the world. The world
is apt to spot and blemish the soul, and it is hard to live in it, and
have to do with it, and not be defiled; but this must be our constant
endeavour. Herein consists pure and undefiled religion. The very things
of the world too much taint our spirits, if we are much conversant with
them; but the sins and lusts of the world deface and defile them very
woefully indeed. John comprises all that is in the world, which we are
not to love, under three heads: the lust of the flesh, the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life; and to keep ourselves unspotted from all
these is to keep ourselves unspotted from the world. May God by his
grace keep both our hearts and lives clean from the love of the world,
and from the temptations of wicked worldly men.
__________________________________________________________________
J A M E S.
CHAP. II.
In this chapter the apostle condemns a sinful regarding of the rich,
and despising the poor, which he imputes to partiality and injustice,
and shows it to be an acting contrary to God, who has chosen the poor,
and whose interest is often persecuted, and his name blasphemed, by the
rich, ver. 1-7. He shows that the whole law is to be fulfilled, and
that mercy should be followed, as well as justice, ver. 8-13. He
exposes the error and folly of those who boast of faith without works,
telling us that this is but a dead faith, and such a faith as devils
have, not the faith of Abraham, or of Rahab, ver. 11, to the end.
Regard Due to Poor Christians; Partiality Condemned. (a. d. 61.)
1 My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of
glory, with respect of persons. 2 For if there come unto your
assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in
also a poor man in vile raiment; 3 And ye have respect to him that
weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good
place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my
footstool: 4 Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become
judges of evil thoughts? 5 Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God
chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom
which he hath promised to them that love him? 6 But ye have despised
the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment
seats? 7 Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are
called?
The apostle is here reproving a very corrupt practice. He shows how
much mischief there is in the sin of prosopolepsia--respect of persons,
which seemed to be a very growing evil in the churches of Christ even
in those early ages, and which, in these after-times, has sadly
corrupted and divided Christian nations and societies. Here we have,
I. A caution against this sin laid down in general: My brethren, have
not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect
of persons, v. 1. Observe here, 1. The character of Christians fully
implied: they are such as have the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ; they
embrace it; they receive it; they govern themselves by it; they
entertain the doctrine, and submit to the law and government, of
Christ; they have it as a trust; they have it as a treasure. 2. How
honorably James speaks of Jesus Christ; he calls him the Lord of glory;
for he is the brightness of his Father's glory, and the express image
of his person. 3. Christ's being the Lord of glory should teach us not
to respect Christians for any thing so much as their relation and
conformity to Christ. You who profess to believe the glory of our Lord
Jesus Christ, which the poorest Christian shall partake of equally with
the rich, and to which all worldly glory is but vanity, you should not
make men's outward and worldly advantages the measure of your respect.
In professing the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, we should not show
respect to men, so as to cloud or lessen the glory of our glorious
Lord: how ever any may think of it, this is certainly a very heinous
sin.
II. We have this sin described and cautioned against, by an instance or
example of it (v. 2, 3): For if there come into your assembly a man
with a gold ring, &c. Assembly here is meant of those meetings which
were appointed for deciding matters of difference among the members of
the church, or for determining when censures should be passed upon any,
and what those censures should be; therefore the Greek word here used,
synagoge, signifies such an assembly as that in the Jewish synagogues,
when they met to do justice. Maimonides says (as I find the passage
quoted by Dr. Manton) "That is was expressly provided by the Jews'
constitutions that, when a poor man and a rich plead together, the rich
shall not be bidden to sit down and the poor stand, or sit in a worse
place, but both sit or both stand alike." To this the phrases used by
the apostle have a most plain reference, and therefore the assembly
here spoken of must be some such as the synagogue-assemblies of the
Jews were, when they met to hear causes and to execute justice: to
these the arbitrations and censures of their Christian assemblies are
compared. But we must be careful not to apply what is here said to the
common assemblies for worship; for in these certainly there may be
appointed different places of persons according to their rank and
circumstances, without sin. Those do not understand the apostle who fix
his severity here upon this practice; they do not consider the word
judges (used in v. 4), nor what is said of their being convected as
transgressors of the law, if they had such a respect of persons as is
here spoken of, according to v. 9. Thus, now put the case: "There comes
into your assembly (when of the same nature with some of those at the
synagogue) a man that is distinguished by his dress, and who makes a
figure, and there comes in also a poor man in vile raiment, and you act
partially, and determine wrong, merely because the one makes a better
appearance, or is in better circumstances, than the other." Observe
hence, 1. God has his remnant among all sorts of people, among those
that wear soft and gay clothing, and among those that wear poor and
vile raiment. 2. In matters of religion, rich and poor stand upon a
level; no man's riches set him in the least nearer to God, nor does any
man's poverty set him at a distance from God. With the Most High there
is no respect of persons, and therefore in matters of conscience there
should be none with us. 3. All undue honouring of worldly greatness and
riches should especially be watched against in Christian societies.
James does not here encourage rudeness or disorder. Civil respect must
be paid, and some difference may be allowed in our carriage towards
persons of different ranks; but this respect must never be such as to
influence the proceedings of Christian societies in disposing of the
offices of the church, or in passing the censures of the church, or in
any thing that is purely a matter of religion; here we are to know no
man after the flesh. It is the character of a citizen of Zion that in
his eyes a vile person is contemned, but he honoureth those that fear
the Lord. If a poor man be a good man, we must not value him a whit the
less for his poverty; and, if a rich man be a bad man (though he may
have both gay clothing and a gay profession), we must not value him any
whit the more for his riches. 4. Of what importance it is to take care
what rule we go by in judging of men; if we allow ourselves commonly to
judge by outward appearance, this will too much influence our spirits
and our conduct in religious assemblies. There is many a man, whose
wickedness renders him vile and despicable, who yet makes a figure in
the world; and, on the other hand, there is many a humble, heavenly,
good Christian, who is clothed meanly; but neither should he nor his
Christianity be thought the worse of on this account.
III. We have the greatness of this sin set forth, v. 4, 5. It is great
partiality, it is injustice, and it is to set ourselves against God,
who has chosen the poor, and will honour and advance them (if good),
let who will despise them. 1. In this sin there is shameful partiality:
Are you not then partial in yourselves? The question is here put, as
what could not fail of being answered by every man's conscience that
would put it seriously to himself. According to the strict rendering of
the original, the question is, "Have you not made a difference? And, in
that difference, do you not judge by a false rule, and go upon false
measures? And does not the charge of a partiality condemned by the law
lie fully against you? Does not your own conscience tell you that you
are guilty?" Appeals to conscience are of great advantage, when we have
to do with such as make a profession, even though they may have fallen
into a very corrupt state. 2. This respect of persons is owing to the
evil and injustice of the thoughts. As the temper, conduct, and
proceedings, are partial, so the heart and thoughts, from which all
flows, are evil: "You have become judges of evil thoughts; that is, you
are judges according to those unjust estimations and corrupt opinions
which you have formed to yourselves. Trace your partiality till you
come to those hidden thoughts which accompany and support it, and you
will find those to be exceedingly evil. You secretly prefer outward
pomp before inward grace, and the things that are seen before those
which are not seen." The deformity of sin is never truly and fully
discerned till the evil of our thoughts be disclosed: and it is this
which highly aggravates the faults of our tempers and lives--that the
imagination of the thoughts of the heart is evil, Gen. vi. 5. 3. This
respect of persons is a heinous sin, because it is to show ourselves
most directly contrary to God (v. 5): "Hath not God chosen the poor of
this world, rich in faith? &c. But you have despised them, v. 6. God
has made those heirs of a kingdom whom you make of no reputation, and
has given very great and glorious promises to those to whom you can
hardly give a good word or a respectful look. And is not this a
monstrous iniquity in you who pretend to be the children of God and
conformed to him? Hearken, my beloved brethren; by all the love I have
for you, and all the regards you have to me, I beg you would consider
these things. Take notice that many of the poor of this world are the
chosen of God. Their being God's chosen does not prevent their being
poor; their being poor does not at all prejudice the evidences of their
being chosen. Matt. xi. 5, The poor are evangelized." God designed to
recommend his holy religion to men's esteem and affection, not by the
external advantages of gaiety and pomp, but by its intrinsic worth and
excellency; and therefore chose the poor of this world. Again, take
notice that many poor of the world are rich in faith; thus the poorest
may become rich; and this is what they ought to be especially ambitious
of. It is expected from those who have wealth and estates that they be
rich in good works, because the more they have the more they have to do
good with; but it is expected from the poor in the world that they be
rich in faith, for the less they have here the more they may, and
should, live in the believing expectation of better things in a better
world. Take notice further, Believing Christians are rich in title, and
in being heirs of a kingdom, though they may be very poor as to present
possessions. What is laid out upon them is but little; what is laid up
for them is unspeakably rich and great. Note again, Where any are rich
in faith, there will be also divine love; faith working by love will be
in all the heirs of glory. Note once more, under this head, Heaven is a
kingdom, and a kingdom promised to those that love God. We read of the
crown promised to those that love God, in the former chapter (v. 12);
we here find there is a kingdom too. And, as the crown is a crown of
life, so the kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom. All these things,
laid together, show how highly the poor in this world, if rich in
faith, are now honoured, and shall hereafter be advanced by God; and
consequently how very sinful a thing it was for them to despise the
poor. After such considerations as these, the charge is cutting indeed:
But you have despised the poor, v. 6. 4. Respecting persons, in the
sense of this place, on account of their riches or outward figure, is
shown to be a very great sin, because of the mischiefs which are owing
to worldly wealth and greatness, and the folly which there is in
Christians' paying undue regards to those who had so little regard
either to their God or them: "Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you
before the judgment-seat? Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by
which you are called? v. 7. Consider how commonly riches are the
incentives of vice and mischief, of blasphemy and persecution: consider
how many calamities you yourselves sustain, and how great reproaches
are thrown upon your religion and your God by men of wealth, and power,
and worldly greatness; and this will make your sin appear exceedingly
sinful and foolish, in setting up that which tends to pull you down,
and to destroy all that you are building up, and to dishonour that
worthy name by which you are called." The name of Christ is a worthy
name; it reflects honour, and gives worth to those who wear it.
The Christian Law. (a. d. 61.)
8 If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt
love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect
to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as
transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet
offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not
commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no
adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of
liberty. 13 For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath
showed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
The apostle, having condemned the sin of those who had an undue respect
of persons, and having urged what was sufficient to convict them of the
greatness of this evil, now proceeds to show how the matter may be
mended; it is the work of a gospel ministry, not only to reprove and
warn, but to teach and direct. Col. i. 28, Warning every man, and
teaching every man. And here,
I. We have the law that is to guide us in all our regards to men set
down in general. If you fulfil the royal law, according to the
scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, you do well, v. 8.
Lest any should think James had been pleading for the poor so as to
throw contempt on the rich, he now lets them know that he did not
design to encourage improper conduct towards any; they must not hate
nor be rude to the rich, any more than despise the poor; but as the
scripture teaches us to love all our neighbours, be they rich or poor,
as ourselves, so, in our having a steady regard to this rule, we shall
do well. Observe hence, 1. The rule for Christians to walk by is
settled in the scriptures: If according to the scriptures, &c. It is
not great men, nor worldly wealth, nor corrupt practices among
professors themselves, that must guide us, but the scriptures of truth.
2. The scripture gives us this as a law, to love our neighbour as
ourselves; it is what still remains in full force, and is rather
carried higher and further by Christ than made less important to us. 3.
This law is a royal law, it comes from the King of kings. Its own worth
and dignity deserve it should be thus honoured; and the state in which
all Christians now are, as it is a state of liberty, and not of bondage
or oppression, makes this law, by which they are to regulate all their
actions to one another, a royal law. 4. A pretence of observing this
royal law, when it is interpreted with partiality, will not excuse men
in any unjust proceedings. In is implied here that some were ready to
flatter rich men, and be partial to them, because, if they were in the
like circumstances, they should expect such regards to themselves; or
they might plead that to show a distinguished respect to those whom God
in his providence had distinguished by their rank and degree in the
world was but doing right; therefore the apostle allows that, so far as
they were concerned to observe the duties of the second table, they did
well in giving honour to whom honour was due; but this fair pretence
would not cover their sin in that undue respect of persons which they
stood chargeable with; for,
II. This general law is to be considered together with a particular
law: "If you have respect to persons, you commit sin, and are convinced
of the law as transgressors, v. 9. Notwithstanding the law of laws, to
love your neighbour as yourselves, and to show that respect to them
which you would be apt to look for yourselves if in their
circumstances, yet this will not excuse your distributing either the
favours or the censures of the church according to men's outward
condition; but here you must look to a particular law, which God, who
gave the other, has given you together with it, and by this you will
stand fully convicted of the sin I have charged you with." This law is
in Lev. xix. 15, Thou shalt do no unrighteousness in judgment; thou
shalt not respect the person of the poor nor the person of the mighty;
but in righteousness shalt though judge thy neighbour. Yea, the very
royal law itself, rightly explained, would serve to convict them,
because it teaches them to put themselves as much in the places of the
poor as in those of the rich, and so to act equitably towards one as
well as the other. Hence he proceeds,
III. To show the extent of the law, and how far obedience must be paid
to it. They must fulfil the royal law, have a regard to one part as
well as another, otherwise it would not stand them in stead, when they
pretended to urge it as a reason for any particular actions: For
whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, is
guilty of all, v. 10. This may be considered, 1. With reference to the
case James has been upon: Do you plead for your respect to the rich,
because you are to love your neighbour as yourselves? Why then show
also an equitable and due regard to the poor, because you are to love
your neighbour as yourself: or else your offending in one point will
spoil your pretence of observing that law at all. Whosoever shall keep
the whole law, if he offend in one point, wilfully, avowedly, and with
continuance, and so as to think he shall be excused in some matters
because of his obedience in others, he is guilty of all; that is, he
incurs the same penalty, and is liable to the same punishment, by the
sentence of the law, as if he had broken it in other points as well as
that he stands chargeable with. Not that all sins are equal, but that
all carry the same contempt of the authority of the Lawgiver, and so
bind over to such punishment as is threatened on the breach of that
law. This shows us what a vanity it is to think that our good deeds
will atone for our bad deeds, and plainly puts us upon looking for some
other atonement. 2. This is further illustrated by putting a case
different from that before mentioned (v. 11): For he that said, Do not
commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now, if thou commit no
adultery, yet, if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
One, perhaps, is very severe in the case of adultery, or what tends to
such pollutions of the flesh; but less ready to condemn murder, or what
tends to ruin the health, break the hearts, and destroy the lives, of
others: another has a prodigious dread of murder, but has more easy
thoughts of adultery; whereas one who looks at the authority of the
Lawgiver more than the matter of the command will see the same reason
for condemning the one as the other. Obedience is then acceptable when
all is done with an eye to the will of God; and disobedience is to be
condemned, in whatever instance it be, as it is a contempt of the
authority of God; and, for that reason, if we offend in one point, we
contemn the authority of him who gave the whole law, and so far are
guilty of all. Thus, if you look to the law of the old, you stand
condemned; for cursed is every that continueth not in all things that
are written in the book of the law to do them, Gal. iii. 10.
IV. James directs Christians to govern and conduct themselves more
especially by the law of Christ. So speak and so do as those that shall
be judged by the law of liberty, v. 12. This will teach us, not only to
be just and impartial, but very compassionate and merciful to the poor;
and it will set us perfectly free from all sordid and undue regards to
the rich. Observe here, 1. The gospel is called a law. It has all the
requisites of a law: precepts with rewards and punishments annexed; it
prescribes duty, as well as administers comfort; and Christ is a king
to rule us as well as a prophet to teach us, and a priest to sacrifice
and intercede for us. We are under the law to Christ. 2. It is a law of
liberty, and one that we have no reason to complain of as a yoke or
burden; for the service of God, according to the gospel, is perfect
freedom; it sets us at liberty from all slavish regards, either to the
persons or the things of this world. 3. We must all be judged by this
law of liberty. Men's eternal condition will be determined according to
the gospel; this is the book that will be opened, when we shall stand
before the judgment-seat; there will be no relief to those whom the
gospel condemns, nor will any accusation lie against those whom the
gospel justifies. 4. It concerns us therefore so to speak and act now
as become those who must shortly be judged by this law of liberty; that
is, that we come up to gospel terms, that we make conscience of gospel
duties, that e be of a gospel temper, and that our conversation be a
gospel conversation, because by this rule we must be judged. 5. The
consideration of our being judged by the gospel should engage us more
especially to be merciful in our regards to the poor (v. 13): For he
shall have judgment without mercy that hath shown no mercy; and mercy
rejoiceth against judgment. Take notice here, (1.) The doom which will
be passed upon impenitent sinners at last will be judgment without
mercy; there will be no mixtures or allays in the cup of wrath and of
trembling, the dregs of which they must drink. (2.) Such as show no
mercy now shall find no mercy in the great day. But we may note, on the
other hand, (3.) That there will be such as shall become instances of
the triumph of mercy, in whom mercy rejoices against judgment: all the
children of men, in the last day, will be either vessels of wrath or
vessels of mercy. It concerns all to consider among which they shall be
found; and let us remember that blessed are the merciful, for they
shall obtain mercy.
Faith and Works. (a. d. 61.)
14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith,
and have not works? can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister be
naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them,
Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them
not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea,
a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith
without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith
without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by
works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 Seest
thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made
perfect? 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham
believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was
called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is
justified, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the
harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and
had sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit
is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
In this latter part of the chapter, the apostle shows the error of
those who rested in a bare profession of the Christian faith, as if
that would save them, while the temper of their minds and the tenour of
their lives were altogether disagreeable to that holy religion which
they professed. To let them see, therefore, what a wretched foundation
they built their hopes upon, it is here proved at large that a man is
justified, not by faith only, but by works. Now,
I. Upon this arises a very great question, namely, how to reconcile
Paul and James. Paul, in his epistles to the Romans and Galatians,
seems to assert the directly contrary thing to what James here lays
down, saying if often, and with a great deal of emphasis, that we are
justified by faith only and not by the works of the law. Amicæ
scripturarum lites, utinam et nostræ--There is a very happy agreement
between one part of scripture and another, notwithstanding seeming
differences: it were well if the differences among Christians were as
easily reconciled. "Nothing," says Mr. Baxter, "but men's
misunderstanding the plain drift and sense of Paul's epistles, could
make so many take it for a matter of great difficulty to reconcile Paul
and James." A general view of those things which are insisted on by the
Antinomians may be seen in Mr. Baxter's Paraphrase: and many ways might
be mentioned which have been invented among learned men to make the
apostles agree; but it may be sufficient only to observe these few
things following:--1. When Paul says that a man is justified by faith,
without the deeds of the law (Rom. iii. 28), he plainly speaks of
another sort of work than James does, but not of another sort of faith.
Paul speaks of works wrought in obedience to the law of Moses, and
before men's embracing the faith of the gospel; and he had to deal with
those who valued themselves so highly upon those works that they
rejected the gospel (as Rom. x., at the beginning most expressly
declares); but James speaks of works done in obedience to the gospel,
and as the proper and necessary effects and fruits of sound believing
in Christ Jesus. Both are concerned to magnify the faith of the gospel,
as that which alone could save us and justify us; but Paul magnifies it
by showing the insufficiency of any works of the law before faith, or
in opposition to the doctrine of justification by Jesus Christ; James
magnifies the same faith, by showing what are the genuine and necessary
products and operations of it. 2. Paul not only speaks of different
works from those insisted on by James, but he speaks of a quite
different use that was made of good works from what is here urged and
intended. Paul had to do with those who depended on the merit of their
works in the sight of God, and thus he might well make them of no
manner of account. James had to do with those who cried up faith, but
would not allow works to be used even as evidence; they depended upon a
bare profession, as sufficient to justify them; and with these he might
well urge the necessity and vast importance of good works. As we must
not break one table of the law, by dashing it against the other, so
neither must we break in pieces the law and the gospel, by making them
clash with one another: those who cry up the gospel so as to set aside
the law, and those who cry up the law so as to set aside the gospel,
are both in the wrong; for we must take our work before us; there must
be both faith in Jesus Christ and good works the fruit of faith. 3. The
justification of which Paul speaks is different from that spoken of by
James; the one speaks of our persons being justified before God, the
other speaks of our faith being justified before men: "Show me thy
faith by thy works," says James, "let thy faith be justified in the
eyes of those that behold thee by thy works;" but Paul speaks of
justification in the sight of God, who justifies those only that
believe in Jesus, and purely on account of the redemption that is in
him. Thus we see that our persons are justified before God by faith,
but our faith is justified before men by works. This is so plainly the
scope and design of the apostle James that he is but confirming what
Paul, in other places, says of his faith, that it is a laborious faith,
and a faith working by love, Gal. v. 6; 1 Thess. i. 3; Titus iii. 8;
and many other places. 4. Paul may be understood as speaking of that
justification which is inchoate, James of that which is complete; it is
by faith only that we are put into a justified state, but then good
works come in for the completing of our justification at the last great
day; then, Come you children of my Father--for I was hungry, and you
gave me meat, &c.
II. Having thus cleared this part of scripture from every thing of a
contradiction to other parts of it, let us see what is more
particularly to be learnt from this excellent passage of James; we are
taught,
1. That faith without works will not profit, and cannot save us. What
doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, and have not
works? Can faith save him? Observe here, (1.) That faith which does not
save will not really profit us; a bare profession may sometimes seem to
be profitable, to gain the good opinion of those who are truly good,
and it may procure in some cases worldly good things; but what profit
will this be, for any to gain the world and to lose their souls? What
doth it profit?--Can faith save him? All things should be accounted
profitable or unprofitable to us as they tend to forward or hinder the
salvation of our souls. And, above all other things, we should take
care thus to make account of faith, as that which does not profit, if
it do not save, but will aggravate our condemnation and destruction at
last. (2.) For a man to have faith, and to say he has faith, are two
different things; the apostle does not say, If a man have faith without
works, for that is not a supposable case; the drift of this place of
scripture is plainly to show that an opinion, or speculation, or
assent, without works, is not faith; but the case is put thus, If a man
say he hath faith, &c. Men may boast of that to others, and be
conceited of that in themselves, of which they are really destitute.
2. We are taught that, as love or charity is an operative principle, so
is faith, and that neither of them would otherwise be good for any
thing; and, by trying how it looks for a person to pretend he is very
charitable who yet never does any works of charity, you may judge what
sense there is in pretending to have faith without the proper and
necessary fruits of it: "If a brother or a sister be naked, and
destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace,
be you warmed and filled, notwithstanding you give them not those
things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? v. 15-17.
What will such a charity as this, that consists in bare words, avail
either you or the poor? Will you come before God with such empty shows
of charity as these? You might as well pretend that your love and
charity will stand the test without acts of mercy as think that a
profession of faith will bear you out before God without works of piety
and obedience. Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being
along," v. 17. We are too apt to rest in a bare profession of faith,
and to think that this will save us; it is a cheap and easy religion to
say, "We believe the articles of the Christian faith;" but it is a
great delusion to imagine that this is enough to bring us to heaven.
Those who argue thus wrong God, and put a cheat upon their own souls; a
mock-faith is as hateful as mock-charity, and both show a heart dead to
all real godliness. You may as soon take pleasure in a dead body, void
of soul, or sense, or action, as God take pleasure in a dead faith,
where there are no works.
3. We are taught to compare a faith boasting of itself without works
and a faith evidenced by works, by looking on both together, to try how
this comparison will work upon our minds. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast
faith, and I have works. Show me thy faith without thy works, and I
will show thee my faith by my works, v. 18. Suppose a true believer
thus pleading with a boasting hypocrite, "Thou makest a profession, and
sayest thou hast faith; I make no such boasts, but leave my works to
speak for me. Now give any evidence of having the faith thou professest
without works if thou canst, and I will soon let thee see how my works
flow from faith and are the undoubted evidences of its existence." This
is the evidence by which the scriptures all along teach men to judge
both of themselves and others. And this is the evidence according to
which Christ will proceed at the day of judgment. The dead were judged
according to their works, Rev. xx. 12. How will those be exposed then
who boast of that which they cannot evidence, or who go about to
evidence their faith by any thing but works of piety and mercy!
4. We are taught to look upon a faith of bare speculation and knowledge
as the faith of devils: Thou believest that there is one God; thou
doest well; the devils also believe, and tremble, v. 19. That instance
of faith which the apostle here chooses to mention is the first
principle of all religion. "Thou believest that there is a God, against
the atheists; and that there is but one God, against the idolaters;
thou doest well: so far all is right. But to rest here, and take up a
good opinion of thyself, or of thy state towards God, merely on account
of thy believing in him, this will render thee miserable: The devils
also believe, and tremble. If thou contentest thyself with a bare
assent to articles of faith, and some speculations upon them, thus far
the devils go. And as their faith and knowledge only serve to excite
horror, so in a little time will thine." The word tremble is commonly
looked upon as denoting a good effect of faith; but here it may rather
be taken as a bad effect, when applied to the faith of devils. They
tremble, not out of reverence, but hatred and opposition to that one
God on whom they believe. To rehearse that article of our creed,
therefore, I believe in God the Father Almighty, will not distinguish
us from devils at last, unless we now give up ourselves to God as the
gospel directs, and love him, and delight ourselves in him, and serve
him, which the devils do not, cannot do.
5. We are taught that he who boasts of faith without works is to be
looked upon at present as a foolish condemned person. But wilt thou
know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? v. 20. The words
translated vain man--anthrope kene, are observed to have the same
signification with the word Raca, which must never be used to private
persons, or as an effect of anger (Matt. v. 22), but may be used as
here, to denote a just detestation of such a sort of men as are empty
of good works, and yet boasters of their faith. And it plainly declares
them fools and abjects in the sight of God. Faith without works is said
to be dead, not only as void of all those operations which are the
proofs of spiritual life, but as unavailable to eternal life: such
believers as rest in a bare profession of faith are dead while they
live.
6. We are taught that a justifying faith cannot be without works, from
two examples, Abraham and Rahab.
(1.) The first instance is that of Abraham, the father of the faithful,
and the prime example of justification, to whom the Jews had a special
regard (v. 21): Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he
had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Paul, on the other hand, says
(in ch. 4 of the epistle to the Romans) that Abraham believed, and it
was counted to him for righteousness. But these are well reconciled, by
observing what is said in Heb. 11, which shows that the faith both of
Abraham and Rahab was such as to produce those good works of which
James speaks, and which are not to be separated from faith as
justifying and saving. By what Abraham did, it appeared that he truly
believed. Upon this footing, the words of God himself plainly put this
matter. Gen. xxii. 16, 17, Because thou hast done this thing, and hast
not withheld thy son, thine only son; therefore in blessing I will
bless thee. Thus the faith of Abraham was a working faith (v. 22), it
wrought with his works, and by works was made perfect. And by this
means you come to the true sense of that scripture which saith, Abraham
believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness, v. 23. And
thus he became the friend of God. Faith, producing such works, endeared
him to the divine Being, and advanced him to very peculiar favours and
intimacies with God. It is a great honour done to Abraham that he is
called and counted the friend of God. You see then (v. 24) how that by
works a man is justified (comes into such a state of favour and
friendship with God), and not by faith only; not by a bare opinion, or
profession, or believing without obeying, but by having such a faith as
is productive of good works. Now besides the explication of this
passage and example, as thus illustrating and supporting the argument
James is upon, many other useful lessons may be learned by us from what
is here said concerning Abraham. [1.] Those who would have Abraham's
blessings must be careful to copy after his faith: to boast of being
Abraham's seed will not avail any, if they do not believe as he did.
[2.] Those works which evidence true faith must to works of
self-denial, and such as God himself commands (as Abraham's offering up
his son, his only son, was), and not such works as are pleasing to
flesh and blood and may serve our interest, or are the mere fruits of
our own imagination and devising. [3.] What we piously purpose and
sincerely resolve to do for God is accepted as if actually performed.
Thus Abraham is regarded as offering up his son, though he did not
actually proceed to make a sacrifice of him. It was a done thing in the
mind, and spirit, and resolution of Abraham, and God accepts it as if
fully performed and accomplished. [4.] The actings of faith make it
grow perfect, as the truth of faith makes it act. [5.] Such an acting
faith will make others, as well as Abraham, friends of God. Thus Christ
says to his disciples, I have called you friends, John xv. 15. All
transactions between God and the truly believing soul are easy,
pleasant, and delightful. There is one will and one heart, and there is
a mutual complacency. God rejoiceth over those who truly believe, to do
them good; and they delight themselves in him.
(2.) The second example of faith's justifying itself and us with and by
works is Rahab: Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by
works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out
another way? v. 25. The former instance was of one renowned for his
faith all his life long, This is of one noted for sin, whose faith was
meaner and of a much lower degree; so that the strongest faith will not
do, nor the meanest be allowed to go without works. Some say that the
word here rendered harlot was the proper name of Rahab. Others tell us
that it signifies no more than a hostess, or one who keeps a public
house, with whom therefore the spies lodged. But it is very probable
that her character was infamous; and such an instance is mentioned to
show that faith will save the worst, when evidenced by proper works;
and it will not save the best without such works as God requires. This
Rahab believed the report she had heard of God's powerful presence with
Israel; but that which proved her faith sincere was, that, to the
hazard of her life, she received the messengers, and sent them out
another way. Observe here, [1.] The wonderful power of faith in
transforming and changing sinners. [2.] The regard which an operative
faith meets with from God, to obtain his mercy and favour. [3.] Where
great sins are pardoned, there must prefer the honour of God and the
good of his people before the preservation of her own country. Her
former acquaintance must be discarded, her former course of life
entirely abandoned, and she must give signal proof and evidence of this
before she can be in a justified state; and even after she is
justified, yet her former character must be remembered; not so much to
her dishonour as to glorify the rich grace and mercy of God. Though
justified, she is called Rahab the harlot.
7. And now, upon the whole matter, the apostle draws this conclusion,
As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead
also, v. 26. These words are read differently; some reading them, As
the body without the breath is dead, so is faith without works: and
then they show that works are the companions of faith, as breathing is
of life. Others read them, As the body without the soul is dead, so
faith without works is dead also: and then they show that as the body
has no action, nor beauty, but becomes a loathsome carcass, when the
soul is gone, so a bare profession without works is useless, yea,
loathsome and offensive. Let us then take head of running into extremes
in this case. For, (1.) The best works, without faith, are dead; they
want their root and principle. It is by faith that any thing we do is
really good, as done with an eye to God, in obedience to him, and so as
to aim principally at his acceptance. (2.) The most plausible
profession of faith, without works, is dead: as the root is dead when
it produces nothing green, nothing of fruit. Faith is the root, good
works are the fruits, and we must see to it that we have both. We must
not think that either, without the other, will justify and save us.
This is the grace of God wherein we stand, and we should stand to it.
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J A M E S.
CHAP. III.
The apostle here reproves ambition, and an arrogant magisterial tongue;
and shows the duty and advantage of bridling it because of its power to
do mischief. Those who profess religion ought especially to govern
their tongues, ver. 1-12. True wisdom makes men meek, and avoiders of
strife and envy: and hereby it may easily be distinguished from a
wisdom that is earthly and hypocritical, ver. 13, to the end.
Government of the Tongue. (a. d. 61.)
1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the
greater condemnation. 2 For in many things we offend all. If any man
offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle
the whole body. 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that
they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. 4 Behold also
the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce
winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever
the governor listeth. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire
kindleth! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the
tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth
on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. 7 For
every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in
the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8 But the tongue
can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. 9
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men,
which are made after the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth
proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so
to be. 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water
and bitter? 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries?
either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and
fresh.
The foregoing chapter shows how unprofitable and dead faith is without
works. It is plainly intimated by what this chapter first goes upon
that such a faith is, however, apt to make men conceited and
magisterial in their tempers and their talk. Those who set up faith in
the manner the former chapter condemns are most apt to run into those
sins of the tongue which this chapter condemns. And indeed the best
need to be cautioned against a dictating, censorious, mischievous use
of their tongues. We are therefore taught,
I. Not to use our tongues so as to lord it over others: My brethren, be
not many masters, &c., v. 1. These words do not forbid doing what we
can to direct and instruct others in the way of their duty or to
reprove them in a Christian way for what is amiss; but we must not
affect to speak and act as those who are continually assuming the
chair, we must not prescribe to one another, so as to make our own
sentiments a standard by which to try all others, because God gives
various gifts to men, and expects from each according to that measure
of light which he gives. "Therefore by not many masters" (or teachers,
as some read it); "do not give yourselves the air of teachers,
imposers, and judges, but rather speak with the humility and spirit of
learners; do not censure one another, as if all must be brought to your
standard." This is enforced by two reasons. 1. Those who thus set up
for judges and censurers shall receive the greater condemnation. Our
judging others will but make our own judgment the more strict and
severe, Matt. vii. 1, 2. Those who are curious to spy out the faults of
others, and arrogant in passing censures upon them, may expect that God
will be as extreme in marking what they say and do amiss. 2. Another
reason given against such acting the master is because we are all
sinners: In many things we offend all, v. 2. Were we to think more of
our own mistakes and offenses, we should be less apt to judge other
people. While we are severe against what we count offensive in others,
we do not consider how much there is in us which is justly offensive to
them. Self-justifiers are commonly self-deceivers. We are all guilty
before God; and those who vaunt it over the frailties and infirmities
of others little think how many things they offend in themselves. Nay,
perhaps their magisterial deportment, and censorious tongues, may prove
worse than any faults they condemn in others. Let us learn to be severe
in judging ourselves, but charitable in our judgments of other people.
II. We are taught to govern our tongue so as to prove ourselves perfect
and upright men, and such as have an entire government over ourselves:
If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also
to bridle the whole body. It is here implied that he whose conscience
is affected by tongue-sins, and who takes care to avoid them, is an
upright man, and has an undoubted sign of true grace. But, on the other
hand, if a man seemeth to be religious (as was declared in the first
chapter) and bridleth not his tongue, whatever profession he makes,
that man's religion is vain. Further, he that offends not in word will
not only prove himself a sincere Christian, but a very much advanced
and improved Christian. For the wisdom and grace which enable him to
rule his tongue will enable him also to rule all his actions. This we
have illustrated by two comparisons:--1. The governing and guiding of
all the motions of a horse, by the bit which is put into his mouth:
Behold, we put bits into the horses' mouths, that they may obey us, and
we turn about their whole body, v. 3. There is a great deal of brutish
fierceness and wantonness in us. This shows itself very much by the
tongue: so that this must be bridled; according to Ps. xxxix. 1, I will
keep my mouth with a bridle (or, I will bridle my mouth) while the
wicked is before me. The more quick and lively the tongue is, the more
should we thus take care to govern it. Otherwise, as an unruly and
ungovernable horse runs away with his rider, or throws him, so an
unruly tongue will serve those in like manner who have no command over
it. Whereas, let resolution and watchfulness, under the influence of
the grace of God, bridle the tongue, and then all the motions and
actions of the whole body will be easily guided and overruled. 2. The
governing of a ship by the right management of the helm: Behold also
the ships, which though they are so great, and are driven of fierce
winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm whithersoever
the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and
boasteth great things, v. 4, 5. As the helm is a very small part of the
ship, so is the tongue a very small part of the body: but the right
governing of the helm or rudder will steer and turn the ship as the
governor pleases; and a right management of the tongue is, in a great
measure, the government of the whole man. There is a wonderful beauty
in these comparisons, to show how things of small bulk may yet be of
vast use. And hence we should learn to make the due management of our
tongues more our study, because, though they are little members, they
are capable of doing a great deal of good or a great deal of hurt.
Therefore,
III. We are taught to dread an unruly tongue as one of the greatest and
most pernicious evils. It is compared to a little fire placed among a
great deal of combustible matter, which soon raises a flame and
consumes all before it: Behold, how great a matter a little fire
kindleth! And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity, &c., v. 5, 6.
There is such an abundance of sin in the tongue that it may be called a
world of iniquity. How many defilements does it occasion! How many and
dreadful flames does it kindle! So is the tongue among the members that
it defileth the whole body. Observe hence, There is a great pollution
and defilement in sins of the tongue. Defiling passions are kindled,
vented, and cherished by this unruly member. And the whole body is
often drawn into sin and guilt by the tongue. Therefore Solomon says,
Suffer not thy mouth to cause thy flesh to sin, Eccles. v. 6. The
snares into which men are sometimes led by the tongue are insufferable
to themselves and destructive of others. It setteth on fire the course
of nature. The affairs of mankind and of societies are often thrown
into confusion, and all is on a flame, by the tongues of men. Some read
it, all our generations are set on fire by the tongue. There is no age
of the world, nor any condition of life, private or public, but will
afford examples of this. And it is set on fire of hell. Observe hence,
Hell has more to do in promoting of fire of the tongue than men are
generally aware of. It is from some diabolical designs, that men's
tongues are inflamed. The devil is expressly called a liar, a murderer,
an accuser of the brethren; and, whenever men's tongues are employed in
any of these ways, they are set on fire of hell. The Holy Ghost indeed
once descended in cloven tongues as of fire, Acts ii. And, where the
tongue is thus guided and wrought upon by a fire from heaven, there it
kindleth good thoughts, holy affections, and ardent devotions. But when
it is set on fire of hell, as in all undue heats it is, there it is
mischievous, producing rage and hatred, and those things which serve
the purposes of the devil. As therefore you would dread fires and
flames, you should dread contentions, revilings, slanders, lies, and
every thing that would kindle the fire of wrath in your own spirit or
in the spirits of others. But,
IV. We are next taught how very difficult a thing it is to govern the
tongue: For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of
things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed, of mankind. But the
tongue can no man tame, v. 7, 8. As if the apostle had said, "Lions,
and the most savage beasts, as well as horses and camels, and creatures
of the greatest strength, have been tamed and governed by men: so have
birds, notwithstanding their wildness and timorousness, and their wings
to bear them up continually out of our reach: even serpents,
notwithstanding all their venom and all their cunning, have been made
familiar and harmless: and things in the sea have been taken by men,
and made serviceable to them. And these creatures have not been subdued
nor tamed by miracle only (as the lions crouched to Daniel, instead of
devouring him, and ravens fed Elijah, and a whale carried Jonah through
the depths of the sea to dry land), but what is here spoken of is
something commonly done; not only hath been tamed, but is tamed of
mankind. Yet the tongue is worse than these, and cannot be tamed by the
power and art which serves to tame these things. No man can tame the
tongue without supernatural grace and assistance." The apostle does not
intend to represent it as a thing impossible, but as a thing extremely
difficult, which therefore will require great watchfulness, and pains,
and prayer, to keep it in due order. And sometimes all is too little;
for it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Brute creatures may be
kept within certain bounds, they may be managed by certain rules, and
even serpents may be so used as to do not hurt with all their poison;
but the tongue is apt to break through all bounds and rules, and to
spit out its poison on one occasion or other, notwithstanding the
utmost care. So that not only does it need to be watched, and guarded,
and governed, as much as an unruly beast, or a hurtful and poisonous
creature, but much more care and pains will be needful to prevent the
mischievous outbreakings and effects of the tongue. However,
V. We are taught to think of the use we make of our tongues in religion
and in the service of God, and by such a consideration to keep it from
cursing, censuring, and every thing that is evil on other occasions:
Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men,
who are made after the similitude of God. Out of the same mouth proceed
blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be, v.
9, 10. How absurd is it that those who use their tongues in prayer and
praise should ever use them in cursing, slandering, and the like! If we
bless God as our Father, it should teach us to speak well of, and
kindly to, all who bear his image. That tongue which addresses with
reverence the divine Being cannot, without the greatest inconsistency,
turn upon fellow-creatures with reviling brawling language. It is said
of the seraphim that praise God, they dare not bring a railing
accusation. And for men to reproach those who have not only the image
of God in their natural faculties, but are renewed after the image of
God by the grace of the gospel: this is a most shameful contradiction
to all their pretensions of honouring the great Original. These things
ought not so to be; and, if such considerations were always at hand,
surely they would not be. Piety is disgraced in all the shows of it, if
there be not charity. That tongue confutes itself which one while
pretends to adore the perfections of God, and to refer all things to
him, and another while will condemn even good men if they do not just
come up to the same words or expressions used by it. Further, to fix
this thought, the apostle shows that contrary effects from the same
causes are monstrous, and not be found in nature, and therefore cannot
be consistent with grace: Doth a fountain send forth at the same place
sweet water and bitter? Can the fig-tree bear olive-berries, or a vine,
figs? Or doth the same spring yield both salt water and fresh? v. 11,
12. True religion will not admit of contradictions; and a truly
religious man can never allow of them either in his words or his
actions. How many sins would this prevent, and recover men from, to put
them upon being always consistent with themselves!
Properties of Wisdom. (a. d. 61.)
13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him show
out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. 14 But
if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie
not against the truth. 15 This wisdom descendeth not from above, but
is earthly, sensual, devilish. 16 For where envying and strife is,
there is confusion and every evil work. 17 But the wisdom that is
from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and
without hypocrisy. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace
of them that make peace.
As the sins before condemned arise from an affectation of being thought
more wise than others, and being endued with more knowledge than they,
so the apostle in these verses shows the difference between men's
pretending to be wise and their being really so, and between the wisdom
which is from beneath (from earth or hell) and that which is from
above.
I. We have some account of true wisdom, with the distinguishing marks
and fruits of it: Who is a wise man, and endued with knowledge among
you? Let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of
wisdom, v. 13. A truly wise man is a very knowing man: he will not set
up for the reputation of being wise without laying in a good stock of
knowledge; and he will not value himself merely upon knowing things, if
he has not wisdom to make a right application and use of that
knowledge. These two things must be put together to make up the account
of true wisdom: who is wise, and endued with knowledge? Now where this
is the happy case of any there will be these following things:--1. A
good conversation. If we are wiser than others, this should be
evidenced by the goodness of our conversation, not by the roughness or
vanity of it. Words that inform, and heal, and do good, are the marks
of wisdom; not those that look great, and do mischief, and are the
occasions of evil, either in ourselves or others. 2. True wisdom may be
known by its works. The conversation here does not refer only to words,
but to the whole of men's practice; therefore it is said, Let him show
out of a good conversation his works. True wisdom does not lie in good
notions or speculations so much as in good and useful actions. Not he
who thinks well, or he who talks well, is in the sense of the scripture
allowed to be wise, if he do not live and act well. 3. True wisdom may
be known by the meekness of the spirit and temper: Let him show with
meekness, &c. It is a great instance of wisdom prudently to bridle our
own anger, and patiently to bear the anger of others. And as wisdom
will evidence itself in meekness, so meekness will be a great friend to
wisdom; for nothing hinders the regular apprehension, the solid
judgment, and impartiality of thought, necessary to our acting wisely,
so much as passion. When we are mild and calm, we are best able to hear
reason, and best able to speak it. Wisdom produces meekness, and
meekness increases wisdom.
II. We have the glorying of those taken away who are of a contrary
character to that now mentioned, and their wisdom exposed in all its
boasts and productions: "If you have bitter envying and strife in your
hearts, glory not, &c., v. 14-16. Pretend what you will, and think
yourselves ever so wise, yet you have abundance of reason to cease your
glorying, if you run down love and peace, and give way to bitter
envying and strife. Your zeal for truth or orthodoxy, and your boasts
of knowing more than others, if you employ these only to make others
hateful, and to show your own spite and heart-burnings against them,
are a shame to your profession of Christianity, and a downright
contradiction to it. Lie not thus against the truth." Observe, 1.
Envying and strife are opposed to the meekness of wisdom. The heart is
the seat of both; but envy and wisdom cannot dwell together in the same
heart. Holy zeal and bitter envying are as different as the flames of
seraphim and the fire of hell. 2. The order of things here laid down.
Envying is first and excites strife; strife endeavours to excuse itself
by vain-glorying and lying; and then (v. 16) hereupon ensue confusion
and every evil work. Those who live in malice, envy, and contention,
live in confusion, and are liable to be provoked and hurried to any
evil work. Such disorders raise many temptations, strengthen
temptations, and involve men in a great deal of guilt. One sin begets
another, and it cannot be imagined how much mischief is produced: there
is every evil work. And is such wisdom as produces these effects to be
gloried in? This cannot be without giving the lie to Christianity, and
pretending that this wisdom is what it is not. For observe, 3. Whence
such wisdom cometh: It descendeth not from above, but ariseth from
beneath; and, to speak plainly, it is earthly, sensual, devilish, v.
15. It springs from earthly principles, acts upon earthly motives, and
is intent upon serving earthly purposes. It is sensual indulging the
flesh, and making provision to fulfil the lusts and desires of it. Or,
according to the original word, psychike, it is animal of human--the
mere working of natural reason, without any supernatural light. And it
is devilish, such wisdom being the wisdom of devils (to create
uneasiness and to do hurt), and being inspired by devils, whose
condemnation is pride (1 Tim. iii. 6), and who are noted in other
places of scripture for their wrath, and their accusing the brethren.
And therefore those who are lifted up with such wisdom as this must
fall into the condemnation of the devil.
III. We have the lovely picture of that wisdom which is from above more
fully drawn, and set in opposition to this which is from beneath: But
the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, &c., v.
17, 18. Observe here, True wisdom is God's gift. It is not gained by
conversing with men, nor by the knowledge of the world (as some think
and speak), but it comes from above. It consists of these several
things:--1. It is pure, without mixture of maxims or aims that would
debase it: and it is free from iniquity and defilements, not allowing
of any known sin, but studious of holiness both in heart and life. 2.
The wisdom that is from above is peaceable. Peace follows purity, and
depends upon it. Those who are truly wise do what they can to preserve
peace, that it may not be broken; and to make peace, that where it is
lost it may be restored. In kingdoms, in families, in churches, in all
societies, and in all interviews and transactions, heavenly wisdom
makes men peaceable. 3. It is gentle, not standing upon extreme right
in matters of property; not saying nor doing any thing rigorous in
points of censure; not being furious about opinions, urging our own
beyond their weight nor theirs who oppose us beyond their intention;
not being rude and overbearing in conversation, nor harsh and cruel in
temper. Gentleness may thus be opposed to all these. 4. Heavenly wisdom
is easy to be entreated, eupeithes; it is very persuadable, either to
what is good or from what is evil. There is an easiness that is weak
and faulty; but it is not a blamable easiness to yield ourselves to the
persuasions of God's word, and to all just and reasonable counsels or
requests of our fellow-creatures; no, nor to give up a dispute, where
there appears a good reason for it and where a good end may be answered
by it. 5. Heavenly wisdom is full of mercy and good fruits, inwardly
disposed to every thing that is kind and good, both to relieve those
who want and to forgive those who offend, and actually to do this
whenever proper occasions offer. 6. Heavenly wisdom is without
partiality. The original word, adiakritos, signifies to be without
suspicion, or free from judging, making no undue surmises nor
differences in our conduct towards one person more than another. The
margin reads it, without wrangling, not acting the part of sectaries,
and disputing merely for the sake of a party; nor censuring others
purely on account of their differing from us. The wisest men are least
apt to be censurers. 7. That wisdom which is from above is without
hypocrisy. It has no disguises nor deceits. It cannot fall in with
those managements which the world counts wise, which are crafty and
guileful; but it is sincere and open, steady and uniform, and
consistent with itself. O that you and I may always be guided by such
wisdom as this! that with Paul we may be able to say, Not with fleshly
wisdom, but in simplicity and godly sincerity, by the grace of God, we
have our conversation. And then, lastly, true wisdom will go on to sow
the fruits of righteousness in peace, and thus, if it may be, to make
peace in the world, v. 18. And that which is sown in peace will produce
a harvest of joys. Let others reap the fruits of contentions, and all
the advantages they can propose to themselves by them; but let us go on
peaceably to sow the seeds of righteousness, and we may depend upon it
our labour will not be lost. For light is sown for the righteous, and
gladness for the upright in heart; and the work of righteousness shall
be peace, and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for
ever.
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J A M E S.
CHAP. IV.
In this chapter we are directed to consider, I. Some causes of
contention, besides those mentioned in the foregoing chapter, and to
watch against them, ver. 1-5. II. We are taught to abandon the
friendship of this world, so as to submit and subject ourselves
entirely to God, ver. 4-10. III. All detraction and rash judgment of
others are to be carefully avoided, ver. 11, 12. IV. We must preserve a
constant regard, and pay the utmost deference to the disposals of
divine Providence, ver. 13, to the end.
Origin of War and Contention; Against Pride; Submission to God. (a. d. 61.)
1 From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence,
even of your lusts that war in your members? 2 Ye lust, and have not:
ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet
ye have not, because ye ask not. 3 Ye ask, and receive not, because
ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. 4 Ye adulterers
and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is
enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is
the enemy of God. 5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The
spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more
grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace
unto the humble. 7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the
devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Draw nigh to God, and he will
draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your
hearts, ye double minded. 9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let
your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10
Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
The former chapter speaks of envying one another, as the great spring
of strifes and contentions; this chapter speaks of a lust after worldly
things, and a setting too great a value upon worldly pleasures and
friendships, as that which carried their divisions to a shameful
height.
I. The apostle here reproves the Jewish Christians for their wars, and
for their lusts as the cause of them: Whence come wars and fightings
among you? Come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your
members, v. 1. The Jews were a very seditious people, and had therefore
frequent wars with the Romans; and they were a very quarrelsome divided
people, often fighting among themselves; and many of those corrupt
Christians against whose errors and vices this epistle was written seem
to have fallen in with the common quarrels. Hereupon, our apostle
informs them that the origin of their wars and fightings was not (as
they pretended) a true zeal for their country, and for the honour of
God, but that their prevailing lusts were the cause of all. Observe
hence, What is sheltered and shrouded under a specious pretence of zeal
for God and religion often comes from men's pride, malice,
covetousness, ambition, and revenge. The Jews had many struggles with
the Roman power before they ere entirely destroyed. They often
unnecessarily embroiled themselves, and then fell into parties and
factions about the different methods of managing their wars with their
common enemies; and hence it came to pass that, when their cause might
be supposed good, yet their engaging in it and their management of it
came from a bad principle. Their worldly and fleshly lusts raised and
managed their wars and fightings; but one would think here is enough
said to subdue those lusts; for, 1. They make a war within as well as
fightings without. Impetuous passions and desires first war in their
members, and then raise feuds in their nation. There is war between
conscience and corruption, and there is war also between one corruption
and another, and from these contentions in themselves arose their
quarrels with each other. Apply this to private cases, and may we not
then say of fightings and strifes among relations and neighbours they
come from those lusts which war in the members? From lust of power and
dominion, lust of pleasure, or lust of riches, from some one or more of
these lusts arise all the broils and contentions that are in the world;
and, since all wars and fightings come from the corruptions of our own
hearts, it is therefore the right method for the cure of contention to
lay the axe to the root, and mortify those lusts that war in the
members. 2. It should kill these lusts to think of their
disappointment: "You lust, and have not; you kill, and desire to have,
and cannot obtain, v. 2. You covet great things for yourselves, and you
think to obtain them by your victories over the Romans or by
suppressing this and the other party among yourselves. You think you
shall secure great pleasures and happiness to yourselves, by
overthrowing every thing which thwarts your eager wishes; but, alas!
you are losing your labour and your blood, while you kill one another
with such views as these." Inordinate desires are either totally
disappointed, or they are not to be appeased and satisfied by obtaining
the things desired. The words here rendered cannot obtain signify
cannot gain the happiness sought after. Note hence, Worldly and fleshly
lusts are the distemper which will not allow of contentment or
satisfaction in the mind. 3. Sinful desires and affections generally
exclude prayer, and the working of our desires towards God: "You fight
and war, yet you have not, because you ask not. You fight, and do not
succeed, because you do not pray you do not consult God in your
undertakings, whether he will allow of them or not; and you do not
commit your way to him, and make known your requests to him, but follow
your own corrupt views and inclinations: therefore you meet with
continual disappointments;" or else. 4. "Your lusts spoil your prayers,
and make them an abomination to God, whenever you put them up to him,
v. 3. You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may
consume it upon your lusts." As if it had been said, "Though perhaps
you may sometimes pray for success against your enemies, yet it is not
your aim to improve the advantages you gain, so as to promote true
piety and religion either in yourselves or others; but pride, vanity,
luxury, and sensuality, are what you would serve by your successes, and
by your very prayers. You want to live in great power and plenty, in
voluptuousness and a sensual prosperity; and thus you disgrace devotion
and dishonour God by such gross and base ends; and therefore your
prayers are rejected." Let us learn hence, in the management of all our
worldly affairs, and in our prayers to God for success in them, to see
that our ends be right. When men follow their worldly business (suppose
them tradesmen or husbandmen), and ask of God prosperity, but do not
receive what they ask for, it is because they ask with wrong aims and
intentions. They ask God to give them success in their callings or
undertakings; not that they may glorify their heavenly Father and do
good with what they have, but that they may consume it upon their
lusts--that they may be enabled to eat better meat, and drink better
drink, and wear better clothes, and so gratify their pride, vanity, and
voluptuousness. But, if we thus seek the things of this world, it is
just in God to deny them; whereas, if we seek any thing that we may
serve God with it, we may expect he will either give us what we seek or
give us hearts to be content without it, and give opportunities of
serving and glorifying him some other way. Let us remember this, that
when we speed not in our prayers it is because we ask amiss; either we
do not ask for right ends or not in a right manner, not with faith or
not with fervency: unbelieving and cold desires beg denials; and this
we may be sure of, that, when our prayers are rather the language of
our lusts than of our graces, they will return empty.
II. We have fair warning to avoid all criminal friendships with this
world: You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the
friendship of the world is enmity with God? v. 4. Worldly people are
here called adulterers and adulteresses, because of their
perfidiousness of God, while they give their best affections to the
world. Covetousness is elsewhere called idolatry, and it is here called
adultery; it is a forsaking of him to whom we are devoted and espoused,
to cleave to other things; there is this brand put upon
worldly-mindedness--that it is enmity to God. A man may have a
competent portion of the good things of this life, and yet may keep
himself in the love of God; but he who sets his heart upon the world,
who places his happiness in it, and will conform himself to it, and do
any thing rather than lose its friendship, he is an enemy to God; it is
constructive treason and rebellion against God to set the world upon
his throne in our hearts. Whosoever therefore is the friend of the
world is the enemy of God. He who will act upon this principle, to keep
the smiles of the world, and to have its continual friendship, cannot
but show himself, in spirit, and in his actions too, an enemy to God.
You cannot serve God and mammon, Matt. vi. 24. Hence arise wars and
fightings, even from this adulterous idolatrous love of the world, and
serving of it; for what peace can there be among men, so long as there
is enmity towards God? or who can fight against God, and prosper?
"Think seriously with yourselves what the spirit of the world is, and
you will find that you cannot suit yourselves to it as friends, but it
must occasion your being envious, and full of evil inclinations, as the
generality of the world are. Do you think that the scripture saith in
vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?" v. 5. The
account given in the holy scriptures of the hearts of men by nature is
that their imagination is evil, only evil, and that continually, Gen.
vi. 5. Natural corruption principally shows itself by envying, and
there is a continual propensity to this. The spirit which naturally
dwells in man is always producing one evil imagination or another,
always emulating such as we see and converse with and seeking those
things which are possessed and enjoyed by them. Now this way of the
world, affecting pomp and pleasure, and falling into strifes and
quarrels for the sake of these things, is the certain consequence of
being friends to the world; for there is no friendship without a
oneness of spirit, and therefore Christians, to avoid contentions, must
avoid the friendship of the world, and must show that they are actuated
by nobler principles and that a nobler spirit dwells in them; for, if
we belong to God, he gives more grace than to live and act as the
generality of the world do. The spirit of the world teaches men to be
churls; God teaches them to be bountiful. The spirit of the world
teaches us to lay up, or lay out, for ourselves, and according to our
own fancies; God teaches us to be willing to communicate to the
necessities and to the comfort of others, and so as to do good to all
about us, according to our ability. The grace of God is contrary to the
spirit of the world, and therefore the friendship of the world is to be
avoided, if we pretend to be friends of God yea, the grace of God will
correct and cure the spirit that naturally dwells in us; where he
giveth grace, he giveth another spirit than that of the world.
III. We are taught to observe the difference God makes between pride
and humility. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the
humble, v. 6. This is represented as the language of scripture in the
Old Testament; for so it is declared in the book of Psalms that God
will save the afflicted people (if their spirits be suited to their
condition), but will bring down high looks (Ps. xviii. 27); and in the
book of Proverbs it is said, He scorneth the scorners, and giveth grace
unto the lowly, Prov. iii. 34. Two things are here to be observed:--1.
The disgrace cast upon the proud: God resists them; the original word,
antitassetai, signifies, God's setting himself as in battle array
against them; and can there be a greater disgrace than for God to
proclaim a man a rebel, an enemy, a traitor to his crown and dignity,
and to proceed against him as such? The proud resists God; in his
understanding he resists the truths of God; in his will he resists the
truths of God; in his will he resists the laws of God; in his passions
he resists the providence of God; and therefore no wonder that God sets
himself against the proud. Let proud spirits hear this and tremble--God
resists them. Who can describe the wretched state of those who make God
their enemy? He will certainly fill with same (sooner or later) the
faces of such as have filled their hearts with pride. We should
therefore resist pride in our hearts, if we would not have God to
resist us. 2. The honour and help God gives to the humble. Grace, as
opposed to disgrace, is honour; this God gives to the humble; and,
where God gives grace to be humble, there he will give all other
graces, and, as in the beginning of this sixth verse, he will give more
grace. Wherever God gives true grace, he will give more; for to him
that hath, and useth what he hath aright, more shall be given. He will
especially give more grace to the humble, because they see their need
of it, will pray for it and be thankful for it; and such shall have it.
For this reason,
IV. We are taught to submit ourselves entirely to God: Submit
yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from
you, v. 7. Christians should forsake the friendship of the world, and
watch against that envy and pride which they see prevailing in natural
men, and should by grace learn to glory in their submissions to God.
"Submit yourselves to him as subjects to their prince, in duty, and as
one friend to another, in love and interest. Submit your understandings
to the truths of God; submit your wills to the will of God, the will of
his precept, the will of his providence." We are subjects, and as such
must be submissive; not only through fear, but through love; not only
for wrath, but also for conscience' sake. "Submit yourselves to God, as
considering how many ways you are bound to this, and as considering
what advantage you will gain by it; for God will not hurt you by his
dominion over you, but will do you good." Now, as this subjection and
submission to God are what the devil most industriously strives to
hinder, so we ought with great care and steadiness to resist his
suggestions. If he would represent a tame yielding to the will and
providence of God as what will bring calamities, and expose to contempt
and misery, we must resist these suggestions of fear. If he would
represent submission to God as a hindrance to our outward ease, or
worldly preferments, we must resist these suggestions of pride and
sloth. If he would tempt us to lay any of our miseries, and crosses,
and afflictions, to the charge of Providence, so that we might avoid
them by following his directions instead of God's, we must resist these
provocations to anger, not fretting ourselves in any wise to do evil.
"Let not the devil, in these or the like attempts, prevail upon you;
but resist him and he will flee from you." If we basely yield to
temptations, the devil will continually follow us; but if we put on the
whole armour of God, and stand it out against him, he will be gone from
us. Resolution shuts and bolts the door against temptation.
V. We are directed how to act towards God, in our becoming submissive
to him, v. 8-10. 1. Draw nigh to God. The heart that has rebelled must
be brought to the foot of God; the spirit that was distant and
estranged from a life of communion and converse with God must become
acquainted with him: "Draw nigh to God, in his worship and
institutions, and in every duty he requires of you." 2. Cleanse your
hands. He who comes unto God must have clean hands. Paul therefore
directs to lift up holy hands without wrath and doubting (1 Tim. ii.
8), hands free from blood, and bribes, and every thing that is unjust
or cruel, and free from every defilement of sin: he is not subject to
God who is a servant of sin. The hands must be cleansed by faith,
repentance, and reformation, or it will be in vain for us to draw nigh
to God in prayer, or in any of the exercises of devotion. 3. The hearts
of the double-minded must be purified. Those who halt between God and
the world are here meant by the double-minded. To purify the heart is
to be sincere, and to act upon this single aim and principle, rather to
please God than to seek after any thing in this world: hypocrisy is
heart-impurity; but those who submit themselves to God aright will
purify their hearts as well as cleanse their hands. 4. Be afflicted,
and mourn, and weep. "What afflictions God sends take them as he would
have you, and by duly sensible of them. Be afflicted when afflictions
are sent upon you, and do not despise them; or be afflicted in your
sympathies with those who are so, and in laying to heart the calamities
of the church of God. Mourn and weep for your own sins and the sins of
others; times of contention and division are times to mourn in, and the
sins that occasion wars and fightings should be mourned for. Let your
laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to heaviness." This may be
taken either as a prediction of sorrow or a prescription of
seriousness. Let men think to set grief at defiance, yet God can bring
it upon them; none laugh so heartily but he can turn their laughter
into mourning; and this the unconcerned Christians James wrote to are
threatened should be their case. They are therefore directed, before
things come to the worst, to lay aside their vain mirth and their
sensual pleasures, that they might indulge godly sorrow and penitential
tears. 5. "Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord. Let the inward
acts of the would be suitable to all those outward expressions of
grief, affliction, and sorrow, before mentioned." Humility of spirit is
here required, as in the sight of him who looks principally at the
spirits of men. "Let there be a thorough humiliation in bewailing every
thing that is evil; let there be great humility in doing that which is
good: Humble yourselves."
VI. We have great encouragement to act thus towards God: He will draw
nigh to those that draw nigh to him (v. 8), and he will lift up those
who humble themselves in his sight, v. 10. Those that draw nigh to God
in a way of duty shall find God drawing nigh to them in a way of mercy.
Draw nigh to him in faith, and trust, and obedience, and he will draw
nigh to you for your deliverance. If there be not a close communion
between God and us, it is our fault, and not his. He shall lift up the
humble. Thus much our Lord himself declared, He that shall humble
himself shall be exalted, Matt. xxiii. 12. If we be truly penitent and
humble under the marks of God's displeasure, we shall in a little time
know the advantages of his favour; he will lift us up out of trouble,
or he will lift us up in our spirits and comforts under trouble; he
will lift us up to honour and safety in the world, or he will lift us
up in our way to heaven, so as to raise our hearts and affections above
the world. God will revive the spirit of the humble (Isa. lvii. 15), He
will hear the desire of the humble (Ps. x. 17), and he will at last
life them up to glory. Before honour is humility. The highest honour in
heaven will be the reward of the greatest humility on earth.
Caution against Slander; Caution against Presumption. (a. d. 61.)
11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of
his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and
judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the
law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and
to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 13 Go to now, ye that
say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue
there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not
what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a
vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. 15
For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this,
or that. 16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing
is evil. 17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it
not, to him it is sin.
In this part of the chapter,
I. We are cautioned against the sin of evil-speaking: Speak not evil
one of another, brethren, v. 11. The Greek word, katalaleite, signifies
speaking any thing that may hurt or injure another; we must not speak
evil things of others, though they be true, unless we be called to it,
and there be some necessary occasion for the; much less must we report
evil things when they are false, or, for aught we know, may be so. Our
lips must be guided by the law of kindness, as well as truth and
justice. This, which Solomon makes a necessary part of the character of
his virtuous woman, that she openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her
tongue is the law of kindness (Prov. xxxi. 26), must needs be a part of
the character of every true Christian. Speak not evil one of another,
1. Because you are brethren. The compellation, as used by the apostle
here, carries an argument along with it. Since Christians are brethren,
they should not defile nor defame one another. It is required of us
that we be tender of the good name of our brethren; where we cannot
speak well, we had better say nothing than speak evil; we must not take
pleasure in making known the faults of others, divulging things that
are secret, merely to expose them, nor in making more of their known
faults than really they deserve, and, least of all, in making false
stories, and spreading things concerning them of which they are
altogether innocent. What is this but to raise the hatred and encourage
the persecutions of the world, against those who are engaged in the
same interests with ourselves, and therefore with whom we ourselves
must stand or fall? "Consider, you are brethren." 2. Because this is to
judge the law: He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his
brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law. The law of
Moses says, Thou shalt not go up and down as a tale-bearer among thy
people, Lev. xix. 16. The law of Christ is, Judge not, that you be not
judged, Matt. vii. 1. The sum and substance of both is that men should
love one another. A detracting tongue therefore condemns the law of
God, and the commandment of Christ, when it is defaming its neighbour.
To break God's commandments is in effect to speak evil of them, and to
judge them, as if they were too strict, and laid too great a restraint
upon us. The Christians to whom James wrote were apt to speak very hard
things of one another, because of their differences about indifferent
things (such as the observance of meats and days, as appears from Rom.
xiv.): "Now," says the apostle, "he who censures and condemns his
brother for not agreeing with him in those things which the law of God
has left indifferent thereby censures and condemns the law, as if it
had done ill in leaving them indifferent. He who quarrels with his
brother, and condemns him for the sake of any thing not determined in
the word of God, does thereby reflect on that word of God, as if it
were not a perfect rule. Let us take heed of judging the law, for the
law of the Lord is perfect; if men break the law, leave that to judge
them; if they do not break it, let us not judge them." This is a
heinous evil, because it is to forget our place, that we ought to be
doers of the law, and it is to set up ourselves above it, as if we were
to be judges of it. He who is guilty of the sin here cautioned against
is not a doer of the law, but a judge; he assumes an office and a place
that do not belong to him, and he will be sure to suffer for his
presumption in the end. Those who are most ready to set up for judges
of the law generally fail most in their obedience to it. 3. Because
God, the Lawgiver, has reserved the power of passing the final sentence
on men wholly to himself: There is one Lawgiver, who is able to save,
and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? v. 12. Princes and
states are not excluded, by what is here said, from making laws; nor
are subjects at all encouraged to disobey human laws; but God is still
to be acknowledged as the supreme Lawgiver, who only can give law to
the conscience, and who alone is to be absolutely obeyed. His right to
enact laws is incontestable, because he has such a power to enforce
them. He is able to save, and to destroy, so as no other can. He has
power fully to reward the observance of his laws, and to punish all
disobedience; he can save the soul, and make it happy for ever, or he
can, after he has killed, cast into hell; and therefore should be
feared and obeyed as the great Lawgiver, and all judgment should be
committed to him. Since there is one Lawgiver, we may infer that it is
not for any man or company of men in the world to pretend to give laws
immediately to bind conscience; for that is God's prerogative, which
must not be invaded. As the apostle had before warned against being
many masters, so here he cautions against being many judges. Let us not
prescribe to our brethren, let us not censure and condemn them; it is
sufficient that we have the law of God, which is a rule to us all; and
therefore we should not set up other rules. Let us not presume to set
up our own particular notions and opinions as a rule to all about us;
for there is one Lawgiver.
II. We are cautioned against a presumptuous confidence of the
continuance of our lives, and against forming projects thereupon with
assurance of success, v. 13, 14. The apostle, having reproved those who
were judges and condemners of the law, now reproves such as were
disregardful of Providence: Go to now, and old way of speaking,
designed to engage attention; the Greek word may be rendered, Behold
now, or "See, and consider, you that say, To-day or to-morrow we will
go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and
get gain. Reflect a little on this way of thinking and talking; call
yourselves to account for it." Serious reflection on our words and ways
would show us many evils that we are apt, through inadvertency, to run
into and continue in. There were some who said of old, as too many say
still, We will go to such a city, and do this or that, for such a term
of time, while all serious regards to the disposals of Providence were
neglected. Observe here, 1. How apt worldly and projecting men are to
leave God out of their schemes. Where any are set upon earthly things,
these have a strange power of engrossing the thoughts of the heart. We
should therefore have a care of growing intent or eager in our pursuits
after any thing here below. 2. How much of worldly happiness lies in
the promises men make to themselves beforehand. Their heads are full of
fine visions, as to what they shall do, and be, and enjoy, in some
future time, when they can neither be sure of time nor of any of the
advantages they promise themselves; therefore observe, 3. How vain a
thing it is to look for any thing good in futurity, without the
concurrence of Providence. We will go to such a city (say they),
perhaps to Antioch, or Damascus, or Alexandria, which were then the
great places for traffic; but how could they be sure, when they set
out, that they should reach any of these cities? Something might
possibly stop their way, or call them elsewhere, or cut the thread of
life. Many who have set out on a journey have gone to their long home,
and never reached their journey's end. But, suppose they should reach
the city they designed, how did they know they should continue there?
Something might happen to send them back, or to call them thence, and
to shorten their stay. Or suppose they should stay the full time they
proposed, yet they could not be certain that they should buy and sell
there; perhaps they might lie sick there, or they might not meet with
those to trade with them that they expected. Yea, suppose they should
go to that city, and continue there a year, and should buy and sell,
yet they might not get gain; getting of gain in this world is at best
but an uncertain thing, and they might probably make more losing
bargains than gainful ones. And then, as to all these particulars, the
frailty, shortness, and uncertainty of life, ought to check the vanity
and presumptuous confidence of such projectors for futurity: What is
your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and
then vanisheth away, v. 14. God that wisely left us in the dark
concerning future events, and even concerning the duration of life
itself. We know not what shall be on the morrow; we may know what we
intend to do and to be, but a thousand things may happen to prevent us.
We are not sure of life itself, since it is but as a vapour, something
in appearance, but nothing solid nor certain, easily scattered and
gone. We can fix the hour and minute of the sun's rising and setting
to-morrow, but we cannot fix the certain time of a vapour's being
scattered; such is our life: it appears but for a little time, and then
vanisheth away; it vanisheth as to this world, but there is a life that
will continue in the other world; and, since this life is so uncertain,
it concerns us all to prepare and lay up in store for that to come.
III. We are taught to keep up a constant sense of our dependence on the
will of God for life, and all the actions and enjoyments of it: You
ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that, v.
15. The apostle, having reproved them for what was amiss, now directs
them how to be and do better: "You ought to say it in your hearts at
all times, and with your tongues upon proper occasions, especially in
your constant prayers and devotions, that if the Lord will give leave,
and if he will own and bless you, you have such and such designs to
accomplish." This must be said, not in a slight, formal, and customary
way, but so as to think what we say, and so as to be reverent and
serious in what we say. It is good to express ourselves thus when we
have to do with others, but it is indispensably requisite that we
should say this to ourselves in all that we go about. Syn Theo--with
the leave and blessing of God, was used by the Greeks in the beginning
of every undertaking. 1. If the Lord will, we shall live. We must
remember that our times are not in our own hands, but at the disposal
of God; we live as long as God appoints, and in the circumstances God
appoints, and therefore must be submissive to him, even as to life
itself; and then, 2. If the Lord will, we shall do this or that. All
our actions and designs are under the control of Heaven. Our heads may
be filled with cares and contrivances. This and the other thing we may
propose to do for ourselves, or our families, or our friends; but
Providence sometimes breaks all our measures, and throws our schemes
into confusion. Therefore both our counsels for action and our conduct
in action should be entirely referred to God; all we design and all we
do should be with a submissive dependence on God.
IV. We are directed to avoid vain boasting, and to look upon it not
only as a weak, but a very evil thing. You rejoice in your boastings;
all such rejoicing is evil, v. 16. They promised themselves life and
prosperity, and great things in the world, without any just regard to
God; and then they boasted of these things. Such is the joy of worldly
people, to boast of all their successes, yea, often to boast of their
very projects before they know what success they shall have. How common
is it for men to boast of things which they have no other title to than
what arises from their own vanity and presumption! Such rejoicing (says
the apostle) is evil; it is foolish and it is hurtful. For men to boast
of worldly things, and of their aspiring projects, when they should be
attending to the humbling duties before laid down (in v. 8-10), is a
very evil thing. It is a great sin in God's account, it will bring
great disappointment upon themselves, and it will prove their
destruction in the end. If we rejoice in God that our times are in his
hand, that all events are at his disposal, and that he is our God in
covenant, this rejoicing is good; the wisdom, power, and providence of
God, are then concerned to make all things work together for our good:
but, if we rejoice in our own vain confidences and presumptuous boasts,
this is evil; it is an evil carefully to be avoided by all wise and
good men.
V. We are taught, in the whole of our conduct, to act up to our own
convictions, and, whether we have to do with God or men, to see that we
never go contrary to our own knowledge (v. 17): To him that knoweth to
do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin; it is aggravated sin; it
is sinning with a witness; and it is to have the worst witness against
his own conscience. Observe, 1. This stands immediately connected with
the plain lesson of saying, If the Lord will, we shall do this or that;
they might be ready to say, "This is a very obvious thing; who knows
not that we all depend upon almighty God for life, and breath, and all
things?" Remember then, if you do know this, whenever you act
unsuitably to such a dependence, that to him that knows to do good, and
does it not, to him it is sin, the greater sin. 2. Omissions are sins
which will come into judgment, as well as commissions. He that does not
the good he knows should be done, as well as he who does the evil he
knows should not be done, will be condemned. Let us therefore take care
that conscience be rightly informed, and then that it be faithfully and
constantly obeyed; for, if our own hearts condemn us not, then have we
confidence towards God; but if we say, We see, and do not act suitably
to our sight, then our sin remaineth, John ix. 41.
__________________________________________________________________
J A M E S.
CHAP. V.
In this chapter the apostle denounces the judgments of God upon those
rich men who oppress the poor, showing them how great their sin and
folly are in the sight of God, and how grievous the punishments would
be which should fall upon themselves, ver. 1-6. Hereupon, all the
faithful are exhorted to patience under their trials and sufferings,
ver. 7-11. The sin of swearing is cautioned against, ver. 12. We are
directed how to act, both under affliction and in prosperity, ver. 13.
Prayer for the sick, and anointing with oil, are prescribed, ver. 14,
15. Christians are directed to acknowledge their faults one to another,
and to pray one for another, and the efficacy of prayer is proved, ver.
16-18. And, lastly, it is recommended to us to do what we can for
bringing back those that stray from the ways of truth.
Warnings to the Rich; Motives to Patience under Affliction. (a. d. 61.)
1 Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall
come upon you. 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are
motheaten. 3 Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them
shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were
fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days. 4 Behold,
the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of
you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped
are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth. 5 Ye have lived in
pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts,
as in a day of slaughter. 6 Ye have condemned and killed the just;
and he doth not resist you. 7 Be patient therefore, brethren, unto
the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious
fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the
early and latter rain. 8 Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts:
for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. 9 Grudge not one against
another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth
before the door. 10 Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken
in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of
patience. 11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard
of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the
Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.
The apostle is here addressing first sinners and then saints.
I. Let us consider the address to sinners; and here we find James
seconding what his great Master had said: Woe unto you that are rich;
for you have received your consolation, Luke vi. 24. The rich people to
whom this word of warning was sent were not such as professed the
Christian religion, but the worldly and unbelieving Jews, such as are
here said to condemn and kill the just, which the Christians had no
power to do; and though this epistle was written for the sake of the
faithful, and was sent principally to them, yet, by an apostrophe, the
infidel Jews may be well supposed here spoken to. They would not hear
the word, and therefore it is written, that they might read it. It is
observable, in the very first inscription of this epistle, that it is
not directed, as Paul's epistles were, to the brethren in Christ, but,
in general, to the twelve tribes; and the salutation is not, grace and
peace from Christ, but, in general, greeting, ch. i. 1. The poor among
the Jews received the gospel, and many of them believed; but the
generality of the rich rejected Christianity, and were hardened in
their unbelief, and hated and persecuted those who believed on Christ.
To these oppressing, unbelieving, persecuting, rich people, the apostle
addresses himself in the first six verses.
1. He foretels the judgments of God that should come upon them, v. 1-3.
they should have miseries come upon them, and such dreadful miseries
that the very apprehension of them was enough to make them weep and
howl--misery that should arise from the very things in which they
placed their happiness, and misery that should be completed by these
things witnessing against them at the last, to their utter destruction;
and they are now called to reason upon and thoroughly to weigh the
matter, and to think how they will stand before God in judgment: Go to
now, you rich men. (1.) "You may be assured of this that very dreadful
calamities are coming upon you, calamities that shall carry nothing of
support nor comfort in them, but all misery, misery in time, misery to
eternity, misery in your outward afflictions, misery in your inward
frame and temper of mind, misery in this world, misery in hell. You
have not a single instance of misery only coming upon you, but
miseries. The ruin of your church and nation is at hand; and there will
come a day of wrath, when riches shall not profit men, but all the
wicked shall be destroyed." (2.) The very apprehension of such miseries
as were coming upon them is enough to make them weep and howl. Rich men
are apt to say to themselves (and others are ready to say to them),
Eat, drink, and be merry; but God says, Weep and howl. It is not said,
Weep and repent, for this the apostle does not expect from them (he
speaks in a way of denouncing rather than admonishing); but, "Weep and
howl, for when your doom comes there will be nothing but weeping, and
wailing, and gnashing of teeth." Those who live like beasts are called
howl like such. Public calamities are most grievous to rich people, who
live in pleasure, and are secure and sensual; and therefore they shall
weep and howl more than other people for the miseries that shall come
upon them. (3.) Their misery shall arise from the very things in which
they placed their happiness. "Corruption, decay, rust, and ruin, will
come upon all your goodly things: Your riches are corrupted and your
garments are moth-eaten, v. 2. Those things which you now inordinately
affect will hereafter insupportably wound you: they will be of no
worth, of no use to you, but, on the contrary, will pierce you through
with many sorrows; for," (4.) "They will witness against you, and they
will eat your flesh as it were fire," v. 3. Things inanimate are
frequently represented in scripture as witnessing against wicked men.
Heaven, earth, the stones of the field, the production of the ground,
and here the very rust and canker of ill-gotten and ill-kept treasures,
are said to witness against impious rich men. They think to heap up
treasure for their latter days, to live plentifully upon when they come
to be old; but, alas! they are only heaping up treasures to become a
prey to others (as the Jews had all taken from them by the Romans), and
treasures that will prove at last to be only treasures of wrath, in the
day of the revelation of the righteous judgment of God. Then shall
their iniquities, in the punishment of them, eat their flesh as it were
with fire. In the ruin of Jerusalem, many thousands perished by fire;
in the last judgment the wicked shall be condemned to everlasting
burnings, prepared for the devil and his angels. The Lord deliver us
from the portion of wicked rich men! and, in order to this, let us take
care that we do not fall into their sins, which we are next to
consider.
2. The apostle shows what those sins are which should bring such
miseries. To be in so deplorable a condition must doubtless be owing to
some very heinous crimes. (1.) Covetousness is laid to the charge of
this people; they laid by their garments till they bred moths and were
eaten; they hoarded up their gold and silver till they were rusty and
cankered. It is a very great disgrace to these things that they carry
in them the principles of their own corruption and consumption--the
garment breeds the moth that frets it, the gold and silver breeds the
canker that eats it; but the disgrace falls most heavily upon those who
hoard and lay up these things till they come to be thus corrupted, and
cankered, and eaten. God gives us our worldly possessions that we may
honour him and do good with them; but if, instead of this, we sinfully
hoard them up, thorough and undue affection towards them, or a distrust
of the providence of God for the future, this is a very heinous crime,
and will be witnessed against by the very rust and corruption of the
treasure thus heaped together. (2.) Another sin charged upon those
against whom James writes is oppression: Behold, the hire of the
labourers, who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back
by fraud, crieth, &c., v. 4. Those who have wealth in their hands get
power into their hands, and then they are tempted to abuse that power
to oppress such as are under them. The rich we here find employing the
poor in their labours, and the rich have as much need of the labours of
the poor as the poor have of wages from the rich, and could as ill be
without them; but yet, not considering this, they kept back the hire of
the labourers; having power in their hands, it is probable that they
made as hard bargains with the poor as they could, and even after that
would not make good their bargains as they should have done. This is a
crying sin, an iniquity that cries so as to reach the ears of God; and,
in this case, God is to be considered as the Lord of sabaoth, or the
Lord of hosts, Kyriou sabaoth, a phrase often used in the
Old-Testament, when the people of God were defenseless and wanted
protection, and when their enemies were numerous and powerful. The Lord
of hosts, who has all ranks of beings and creatures at his disposal,
and who sets all in their several places, hears the oppressed when they
cry by reason of the cruelty or injustice of the oppressor, and he will
give orders to some of those hosts that are under him (angels, devils,
storms, distempers, or the like) to avenge the wrongs done to those who
are dealt with unrighteously and unmercifully. Take heed of this sin of
defrauding and oppressing, and avoid the very appearances of it. (3.)
Another sin here mentioned is sensuality and voluptuousness. You have
lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton, v. 5. God does not
forbid us to use pleasure; but to live in them as if we lived for
nothing else is a very provoking sin; and to do this on the earth,
where we are but strangers and pilgrims, where we are but to continue
for a while, and where we ought to be preparing for eternity--this,
this is a grievous aggravation of the sin of voluptuousness. Luxury
makes people wanton, as in Hos. xiii. 6, According to their pasture, so
were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted;
therefore have they forgotten me. Wantonness and luxury are commonly
the effects of great plenty and abundance; it is hard for people to
have great plenty and abundance; it is hard for people to have great
estates, and not too much indulge themselves in carnal, sensual
pleasures: "You have nourished your hearts as in a day of slaughter:
you live as if it were every day a day of sacrifices, a festival; and
hereby your hearts are fattened and nourished to stupidity, dulness,
pride, and an insensibility to the wants and afflictions of others."
Some may say, "What harm is there in good cheer, provided people do not
spend above what they have?" What! Is it no harm for people to make
gods of their bellies, and to give all to these, instead of abounding
in acts of charity and piety? Is it no harm for people to unfit
themselves for minding the concerns of their souls, by indulging the
appetites of their bodies? Surely that which brought flames upon Sodom,
and would bring these miseries for which rich men are here called to
weep and howl, must be a heinous evil! Pride, and idleness, and
fullness of bread, mean the same thing with living in pleasure, and
being wanton, and nourishing the heart as in a day of slaughter. (4.)
Another sin here charged on the rich is persecution: You have condemned
and killed the just, and he doth not resist you, v. 6. This fills up
the measure of their iniquity. They oppressed and acted very unjustly,
to get estates; when they had them, they gave way to luxury and
sensuality, till they had lost all sense and feeling of the wants or
afflictions of others; and then they persecute and kill without
remorse. They pretend to act legally indeed, they condemn before they
kill; but unjust prosecutions, whatever colour of law they may carry in
them, will come into the reckoning when God shall make inquisition for
blood, as well as massacres and downright murders. Observe here, The
just may be condemned and killed: but then again observe, When such do
suffer, and yield without resistance to the unjust sentence of
oppressors, this is marked by God, to the honour of the sufferers and
the infamy of their persecutors; this commonly shows that judgments are
at the door, and we may certainly conclude that a reckoning-day will
come, to reward the patience of the oppressed and to break to pieces
the oppressor. Thus far the address to sinners goes.
II. We have next subjoined an address to saints. Some have been ready
to despise or to condemn this way of preaching, when ministers, in
their application, have brought a word to sinners, and a word to
saints; but, from the apostle's here taking this method, we may
conclude that this is the best way rightly to divide the word of truth.
From what has been said concerning wicked and oppressing rich men,
occasion is given to administer comfort to God's afflicted people: "Be
patient therefore; since God will send such miseries on the wicked, you
may see what is your duty, and where your greatest encouragement lies."
1. Attend to your duty: Be patient (v. 7), establish your hearts (v.
8), grudge not one against another, brethren, v. 9. Consider well the
meaning of these three expressions:--(1.) "Be patient--bear your
afflictions without murmuring, your injuries without revenge; and,
though God should not in any signal manner appear for you immediately,
wait for him. The vision is for an appointed time; at the end it will
speak, and will not lie; therefore wait for it. It is but a little
while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Let your
patience be lengthened out to long suffering;" so the word here used,
makrothymesate, signifies. When we have done our work, we have need of
patience to stay for our reward. This Christian patience is not a mere
yielding to necessity, as the moral patience taught by some
philosophers was, but it is a humble acquiescence in the wisdom and
will of God, with an eye to a future glorious recompense: Be patient to
the coming of the Lord. And because this is a lesson Christians must
learn, though ever so hard or difficult to the, it is repeated in v. 8,
Be you also patient. (2.) "Establish your hearts--let your faith be
firm, without wavering, your practice of what is good constant and
continued, without tiring, and your resolutions for God and heaven
fixed, in spite of all sufferings or temptations." The prosperity of
the wicked and the affliction of the righteous have in all ages been a
very great trial to the faith of the people of God. David tells us that
his feet were almost gone, when he saw the prosperity of the wicked,
Ps. lxxiii. 2, 3. Some of those Christians to whom St. James wrote
might probably be in the same tottering condition; and therefore they
are called upon to establish their hearts; faith and patience will
establish the heart. (3.) Grudge not one against another; the words me
stenazete signify, Groan not one against another, that is, "Do not make
one another uneasy by your murmuring groans at what befalls you, nor by
your distrustful groans as to what may further come upon you, nor by
your revengeful groans against the instruments of your sufferings, nor
by your envious groans at those who may be free from your calamities:
do not make yourselves uneasy and make one another uneasy by thus
groaning to and grieving one another." "The apostle seemeth to me"
(says Dr. Manton) "to be here taxing those mutual injuries and
animosities wherewith the Christians of those times, having banded
under the names of circumcision and uncircumcision, did grieve one
another, and give each other cause to groan; so that they did not only
sigh under the oppressions of the rich persecutors, but under the
injuries which they sustained from many of the brethren who, together
with them, did profess the holy faith." Those who are in the midst of
common enemies, and in any suffering circumstances, should be more
especially careful not to grieve nor to groan against one another,
otherwise judgments will come upon them as well as others; and the more
such grudgings prevail the nearer do they show judgment to be.
2. Consider what encouragement here is for Christians to be patient, to
establish their hearts, and not to grudge one against another. And,
(1.) "Look to the example of the husbandman: He waits for the precious
fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the
early and latter rain. When you sow your corn in the ground, you wait
many months for the former and latter rain, and are willing to stay
till harvest for the fruit of your labour; and shall not this teach you
to bear a few storms, and to be patient for a season, when you are
looking for a kingdom and everlasting felicity? Consider him that waits
for a crop of corn; and will not you wait for a crown of glory? If you
should be called to wait a little longer than the husbandman does, is
it not something proportionably greater and infinitely more worth your
waiting for? But," (2.) "Think how short your waiting time may possibly
be: The coming of the Lord draweth nigh, v. 8; behold, the Judge
standeth before the door, v. 9. Do not be impatient, do not quarrel
with one another; the great Judge, who will set all to rights, who will
punish the wicked and reward the good, is at hand: he should be
conceived by you to stand as near as one who is just knocking at the
door." The coming of the Lord to punish the wicked Jews was then very
nigh, when James wrote this epistle; and, whenever the patience and
other graces of his people are tried in an extraordinary manner, the
certainty of Christ's coming as Judge, and the nearness of it, should
establish their hearts. The Judge is now a great deal nearer, in his
coming to judge the world, than when this epistle was written, nearer
by above seventeen hundred years; and therefore this should have the
greater effect upon us. (3.) The danger of our being condemned when the
Judge appears should excite us to mind our duty as before laid down:
Grudge not, lest you be condemned. Fretfulness and discontent expose us
to the just judgment of God, and we bring more calamities upon
ourselves by our murmuring, distrustful, envious groans and grudgings
against one another, than we are aware of. If we avoid these evils, and
be patient under our trials, God will not condemn us. Let us encourage
ourselves with this. (4.) We are encouraged to be patient by the
example of the prophets (v. 10): Take the prophets, who have spoken in
the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of
patience. Observe here, The prophets, on whom God put the greatest
honour, and for whom he had the greatest favour, were most afflicted:
and, when we think that the best men have had the hardest usage in this
world, we should hereby be reconciled to affliction. Observe further,
Those who were the greatest examples of suffering affliction were also
the best and greatest examples of patience: tribulation worketh
patience. Hereupon James gives it to us as the common sense of the
faithful (v. 11): We count those happy who endure: we look upon
righteous and patient sufferers as the happiest people. See ch. i.
2-12. (5.) Job also is proposed as an example for the encouragement of
the afflicted. You have hard of the patience of Job, and have seen the
end of the Lord, &c., v. 11. In the case of Job you have an instance of
a variety of miseries, and of such as were very grievous, but under all
he could bless God, and, as to the general bent of his spirit, he was
patient and humble: and what came to him in the end? Why, truly, God
accomplished and brought about those things for him which plainly prove
that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. The best way to
bear afflictions is to look to the end of them; and the pity of God is
such that he will not delay the bringing of them to an end when his
purposes are once answered; and the tender mercy of God is such that he
will make his people an abundant amends for all their sufferings and
afflictions. His bowels are moved for them while suffering, his bounty
is manifested afterwards. Let us serve our God, and endure our trials,
as those who believe the end will crown all.
Caution against Swearing; Profaneness Condemned; Confession and Prayer;
Efficacy of Prayer. (a. d. 61.)
12 But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven,
neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be
yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation. 13 Is any
among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.
14 Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church;
and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the
Lord: 15 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord
shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be
forgiven him. 16 Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much. 17 Elias was a man subject to like
passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and
it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.
18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth
brought forth her fruit. 19 Brethren, if any of you do err from the
truth, and one convert him; 20 Let him know, that he which converteth
the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and
shall hide a multitude of sins.
This epistle now drawing to a close, the penman goes off very quickly
from one thing to another: hence it is that matters so very different
are insisted on in these few verses.
I. The sin of swearing is cautioned against: But above all things, my
brethren, swear not, &c., v. 12. Some understand this too restrictedly,
as if the meaning were, "Swear not at your persecutors, at those that
reproach you and say all manner of evil of you; be not put into a
passion by the injuries they do you, so as in your passion to be
provoked to swear." This swearing is no doubt forbidden here: and it
will not excuse those that are guilty of this sin to say they sear only
when they are provoked to it, and before they are aware. But the
apostle's warning extends to other occasions of swearing as well as
this. Some have translated the words, pro panton--before all things;
and so have made sense of this place to be that they should not, in
common conversation, before every thing they say, put an oath. All
customary needless swearing is undoubtedly forbidden, and all along in
scripture condemned, as a very grievous sin. Profane swearing was very
customary among the Jews, and, since this epistle is directed in
general to the twelve tribes scattered abroad (as before has been
observed), we may conceive this exhortation sent to those who believed
not. It is hard to suppose that swearing should be one of the spots of
God's children, since Peter, when he was charged with being a disciple
of Christ and would disprove the charge, cursed and swore, thereby
thinking most effectually to convince them that he was no disciple of
Jesus, it being well known of such that they durst not allow themselves
in swearing; but possibly some of the looser sort of those who were
called Christians might, among other sins here charged upon them, be
guilty also of this. It is a sin that in later years has most
scandalously prevailed, even among those who would be thought above all
others entitled to the Christian name and privileges. It is very rare
indeed to hear of a dissenter from the church of England who is guilty
of swearing, but among those who glory in their being of the
established church nothing is more common; and indeed the most
execrable oaths and curses now daily wound the ears and hearts of all
serious Christians. James here says,
1. Above all things, swear not; but how many are there who mind this
the least of all things, and who make light of nothing so much as
common profane swearing! But why above all things is swearing here
forbidden? (1.) Because it strikes most directly at the honour of God
and most expressly throws contempt upon his name and authority. (2.)
Because this sin has, of all sins, the least temptation to it: it is
not gain, nor pleasure, nor reputation, that can move men to it, but a
wantonness in sinning, and a needless showing an enmity to God. Thy
enemies take thy name in vain, Ps. cxxxix. 20. This is a proof of men's
being enemies to God, however they may pretend to call themselves by
his name, or sometimes to compliment him in acts of worship. (3.)
Because it is with most difficulty left off when once men are
accustomed to it, therefore it should above all things be watched
against. And, (4.) "Above all things swear not, for how can you expect
the name of God should be a strong tower to you in your distress if you
profane it and play with it at other times?" But (as Mr. Baxter
observes) "all this is so far from forbidding necessary oaths that it
is but to confirm them, by preserving the due reverence of them." And
then he further notes that "The true nature of an oath is, by our
speech, to pawn the reputation of some certain or great thing, for the
averring of a doubted less thing; and not (as is commonly held) an
appeal to God or other judge." Hence it was that swearing by the
heavens, and by the earth, and by the other oaths the apostle refers
to, came to be in use. The Jews thought if they did but omit the great
oath of Chi-Eloah, they were safe. But they grew so profane as to swear
by the creature, as if it were God; and so advanced it into the place
of God; while, on the other hand, those who swear commonly and
profanely by the name of God do hereby put him upon the level with
every common thing.
2. But let your yea be yea, and your nay nay; lest you fall into
condemnation; that is, "let it suffice you to affirm or deny a thing as
there is occasion, and be sure to stand to your word, an be true to it,
so as to give no occasion for your being suspected of falsehood; and
then you will be kept from the condemnation of backing what you say or
promise by rash oaths, and from profaning the name of God to justify
yourselves. It is being suspected of falsehood that leads men to
swearing. Let it be known that your keep to truth, and are firm to your
word, and by this means you will find there is no need to swear to what
you say. Thus shall you escape the condemnation which is expressly
annexed to the third commandment: The Lord will not hold him guiltless
that taketh his name in vain."
II. As Christians we are taught to suit ourselves to the dispensations
of Providence (v. 13): Is any among you afflicted? Let him pray. Is any
merry? Let him sing psalms. Our condition in this world is various; and
our wisdom is to submit to its being so, and to behave as becomes us
both in prosperity and under affliction. Sometimes we are in sadness,
sometimes in mirth; God has set these one over against the other that
we may the better observe the several duties he enjoins, and that the
impressions made on our passions and affections may be rendered
serviceable to our devotions. Afflictions should put us upon prayer,
and prosperity should make us abound in praise. Not that prayer is to
be confined to a time of trouble, nor singing to a time of mirth; but
these several duties may be performed with special advantage, and to
the happiest purposes, at such seasons. 1. In a day of affliction
nothing is more seasonable than prayer. The person afflicted must pray
himself, as well as engage the prayers of others for him. Times of
affliction should be praying times. To this end God sends afflictions,
that we may be engaged to seek him early; and that those who at other
times have neglected him may be brought to enquire after him. The
spirit is then most humble, the heart is broken and tender; and prayer
is most acceptable to God when it comes from a contrite humble spirit.
Afflictions naturally draw out complaints; and to whom should we
complain but to God in prayer? It is necessary to exercise faith and
hope under afflictions; and prayer is the appointed means both for
obtaining and increasing these graces in us. Is any afflicted? Let him
pray. 2. In a day of mirth and prosperity singing psalms is very proper
and seasonable. In the original it is only said sing, psalleto, without
the addition of psalms or any other word: and we learn from the
writings of several in the first ages of Christianity (particularly
from a letter of Pliny's, and from some passages in Justin Martyr and
Tertullian) that the Christians were accustomed to sing hymns, either
taken out of scripture, or of more private composure, in their worship
of God. Though some have thought that Paul's advising both the
Colossians and Ephesians to speak to one another psalmois kai hymnois
kai odais pneumatikais--in psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs,
refers only to the compositions of scripture, the psalms of David being
distinguished in Hebrew by Shurim, Tehillim, and Mizmorim, words that
exactly answer these of the apostle. Let that be as it will, this
however we are sure of, that the singing of psalms is a gospel
ordinance, and that our joy should be holy joy, consecrated to God.
Singing is so directed to here as to show that, if any be in
circumstances of mirth and prosperity, he should turn his mirth, though
alone, and by himself, in this channel. Holy mirth becomes families and
retirements, as well as public assemblies. Let our singing be such as
to make melody with our hearts unto the Lord, and God will assuredly be
well pleased with this kind of devotion.
III. We have particular directions given as to sick persons, and
healing pardoning mercy promised upon the observance of those
directions. If any be sick, they are required, 1. To send for the
elders, presbyterous tes ekklesias--the presbyters, pastors or
ministers of the church, v. 14, 15. It lies upon sick people as a duty
to send for ministers, and to desire their assistance and their
prayers. 2. It is the duty of ministers to pray over the sick, when
thus desired and called for. Let them pray over him; let their prayers
be suited to his case, and their intercessions be as becomes those who
are affected wit his calamities. 3. In the times of miraculous healing,
the sick were to be anointed with oil in the name of the Lord.
Expositors generally confine this anointing with oil to such as had the
power of working miracles; and, when miracles ceased, this institution
ceased also. In Mark's gospel we read of the apostle's anointing with
oil many that were sick, and healing them, Mark vi. 13. And we have
accounts of this being practiced in the church two hundred years after
Christ; but then the gift of healing also accompanied it, and, when the
miraculous gift ceased, this rite was laid aside. The papists indeed
have made a sacrament of this, which they call the extreme unction.
They use it, not to heal the sick, as it was used by the apostles; but
as they generally run counter to scripture, in the appointments of
their church, so here they ordain that this should be administered only
to such as are at the very point of death. The apostle's anointing was
in order to heal the disease; the popish anointing is for the expulsion
of the relics of sin, and to enable the soul (as they pretend) the
better to combat with the powers of the air. When they cannot prove, by
any visible effects, that Christ owns them in the continuance of this
rite, they would however have people to believe that the invisible
effects are very wonderful. But it is surely much better to omit this
anointing with oil than to turn it quite contrary to the purposes
spoken of in scripture. Some protestants have thought that this
anointing was only permitted or approved by Christ, not instituted. But
it should seem, by the words of James here, that it was a thing
enjoined in cases where there was faith for healing. And some
protestants have argued for it with this view. It was not to be
commonly used, not even in the apostolical age; and some have thought
that it should not be wholly laid aside in any age, but that where
there are extraordinary measures of faith in the person anointing, and
in those who are anointed, an extraordinary blessing may attend the
observance of this direction for the sick. However that be, there is
one thing carefully to be observed here, that the saving of the sick is
not ascribed to the anointing with oil, but to prayer: The prayer of
faith shall save the sick, &c., v. 15. So that, 4. Prayer over the sick
must proceed from, and be accompanied with, a lively faith. There must
be faith both in the person praying and in the person prayed for. In a
time of sickness, it is not the cold and formal prayer that is
effectual, but the prayer of faith. 5. We should observe the success of
prayer. The Lord shall raise up; that is, if he be a person capable and
fit for deliverance, and if God have any thing further for such a
person to do in the world. And, if he have committed sins, they shall
be forgiven him; that is, where sickness is sent as a punishment for
some particular sin, that sin shall be pardoned, and in token thereof
the sickness shall be removed. As when Christ said to the impotent man,
Go and sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee, it is intimated
that some particular sin was the cause of his sickness. The great thing
therefore we should beg of God for ourselves and others in the time of
sickness is the pardon of sin. Sin is both the root of sickness and the
sting of it. If sin be pardoned, either affliction shall be removed in
mercy or we shall see there is mercy in the continuance of it. When
healing is founded upon pardon, we may say as Hezekiah did: Thou hast,
in love to my soul, delivered it from the pit of corruption, Isa.
xxxviii. 17. When you are sick and in pain, it is most common to pray
and cry, O give me ease! O restore me to health! But your prayer should
rather and chiefly be, O that God would pardon my sins!
IV. Christians are directed to confess their faults one to another, and
so to join in their prayers with an for one another, v. 16. Some
expositors connect this with v. 14. As if when sick people send for
ministers to pray over them they should then confess their faults to
them. Indeed, where any are conscious that their sickness is a
vindictive punishment of some particular sin, and they cannot look for
the removal of their sickness without particular applications to God
for the pardon of such a sin, there it may be proper to acknowledge and
tell his case, that those who pray over him may know how to plead
rightly for him. But the confession here required is that of Christians
to one another, and not, as the papists would have it, to a priest.
Where persons have injured one another, acts of injustice must be
confessed to those against whom they have been committed. Where persons
have tempted one another to sin or have consented in the same evil
actions, there they ought mutually to blame themselves and excite each
other to repentance. Where crimes are of a public nature, and have done
any public mischief, there they ought to be more publicly confessed, so
as may best reach to all who are concerned. And sometimes it may be
well to confess our faults to some prudent minister or praying friend,
that he may help us to plead with God for mercy and pardon. But then we
are not to think that James puts us upon telling every thing that we
are conscious is amiss in ourselves or in one another; but so far as
confession is necessary to our reconciliation with such as are at
variance with us, or for gaining information in any point of conscience
and making our own spirits quiet and easy, so far we should be ready to
confess our faults. And sometimes also it may be of good use to
Christians to disclose their peculiar weaknesses and infirmities to one
another, where there are great intimacies and friendships, and where
they may help each other by their prayers to obtain pardon of their
sins and power against them. Those who make confession of their faults
one to another should thereupon pray with and for one another. The 13th
verse directs persons to pray for themselves: Is any afflicted let him
pray; the 14th directs to seek for the prayers of ministers; and the
16th directs private Christians to pray one for another; so that here
we have all sorts of prayer (ministerial, social, and secret)
recommended.
V. The great advantage and efficacy of prayer are declared and proved:
The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, whether
he pray for himself or for others: witness the example of Elias, v. 17,
18. He who prays must be a righteous man; not righteous in an absolute
sense (for this Elias was not, who is here made a pattern to us), but
righteous in a gospel sense; not loving nor approving of any iniquity.
If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my prayer, Ps.
lxvi. 18. Further, the prayer itself must be a fervent, in-wrought,
well-wrought prayer. It must be a pouring out of the heart to God; and
it must proceed from a faith unfeigned. Such prayer avails much. It is
of great advantage to ourselves, it may be very beneficial to our
friends, and we are assured of its being acceptable to God. It is good
having those for friends whose prayers are available in the sight of
God. The power of prayer is here proved from the success of Elijah.
This may be encouraging to us even in common cases, if we consider that
Elijah was a man of like passions with us. He was a zealous good man
and a very great man, but he had his infirmities, and was subject to
disorder in his passions as well as others. In prayer we must not look
to the merit of man, but to the grace of God. Only in this we should
copy after Elijah, that he prayed earnestly, or, as it is in the
original, in prayer he prayed. It is not enough to say a prayer, but we
must pray in prayer. Our thoughts must be fixed, our desires firm and
ardent, and our graces in exercise; and, when we thus pray in prayer,
we shall speed in prayer. Elijah prayed that it might not rain; and God
heard him in his pleading against an idolatrous persecuting country, so
that it rained not on the earth for the space of three years and six
months. Again he prayed, and the heaven gave rain, &c. Thus you see
prayer is the key which opens and shuts heaven. To this there is an
allusion, Rev. xi. 6, where the two witnesses are said to have power to
shut heaven, that it rain not. This instance of the extraordinary
efficacy of prayer is recorded for encouragement even to ordinary
Christians to be instant and earnest in prayer. God never says to any
of the seed of Jacob, Seek my face in vain. If Elijah by prayer could
do such great and wonderful things, surely the prayers of no righteous
man shall return void. Where there may not be so much of a miracle in
God's answering our prayers, yet there may be as much of grace.
VI. This epistle concludes with an exhortation to do all we can in our
places to promote the conversion and salvation of others, v. 19, 20.
Some interpret these verses as an apology which the apostle is making
for himself that he should so plainly and sharply reprove the Jewish
Christians for their many faults and errors. And certainly James gives
a very good reason why he was so much concerned to reclaim them from
their errors, because in thus doing he should save souls, and hide a
multitude of sins. But we are not to restrain this place to the
apostle's converting such as erred from the truth; no, nor to other
ministerial endeavours of the like nature, since it is said, "If any
err, and one convert him, let him be who he will that does so good an
office for another, he is therein an instrument of saving a soul from
death." Those whom the apostle here calls brethren, he yet supposes
liable to err. It is no mark of a wise or a holy man to boast of his
being free from error, or to refuse to acknowledge when he is in an
error. But if any do err, be they ever so great, you must not be afraid
to show them their error; and, be they ever so weak and little, you
must not disdain to make them wiser and better. If they err from the
truth, that is, from the gospel (the great rule and standard of truth),
whether it be in opinion or practice, you must endeavour to bring them
again to the rule. Errors in judgment and in life generally go
together. There is some doctrinal mistake at the bottom of every
practical miscarriage. There is no one habitually bad, but upon some
bad principle. Now to convert such is to reduce them from their error,
and to reclaim them from the evils they have been led into. We are not
presently to accuse and exclaim against an erring brother, and seek to
bring reproaches and calamities upon him, but to convert him: and, if
by all our endeavours we cannot do this, yet we are nowhere empowered
to persecute and destroy him. If we are instrumental in the conversion
of any, we are said to convert them, though this be principally and
efficiently the work of God. And, if we can do no more towards the
conversion of sinners, yet we may do this--pray for the grace and
Spirit of God to convert and change them. And let those that are in any
way serviceable to convert others know what will be the happy
consequence of their doing this: they may take great comfort in it at
present, and they will meet with a crown at last. He that is said to
err from the truth in v. 19 is described as erring in his way in v. 20,
and we cannot be said to convert any merely by altering their opinions,
unless we can bring them to correct and amend their ways. This is
conversion--to turn a sinner from the error of his ways, and not to
turn him from one party to another, or merely from one notion and way
of thinking to another. He who thus converteth a sinner from the error
of his ways shall save a soul from death. There is a soul in the case;
and what is done towards the salvation of the soul shall certainly turn
to good account. The soul being the principal part of the man, the
saving of that only is mentioned, but it includes the salvation of the
whole man: the spirit shall be saved from hell, the body raised from
the grave, and both saved from eternal death. And then, by such
conversion of heart and life, a multitude of sins shall be hid. A most
comfortable passage of scripture is this. We learn hence that though
our sins are many, even a multitude, yet they may be hid or pardoned;
and that when sin is turned from or forsaken it shall be hid, never to
appear in judgment against us. Let people contrive to cover or excuse
their sin as they will, there is no way effectually and finally to hide
it but by forsaking it. Some make the sense of this text to be, that
conversion shall prevent a multitude of sins; and it is a truth beyond
dispute that many sins are prevented in the party converted, many also
may be prevented in others that he may have an influence upon, or may
converse with. Upon the whole, how should we lay out ourselves with all
possible concern for the conversion of sinners! It will be for the
happiness and salvation of the converted; it will prevent much
mischief, and the spreading and multiplying of sin in the world; it
will be for the glory and honour of God; and it will mightily redound
to our comfort and renown in the great day. Those that turn many to
righteousness, and those who help to do so, shall shine as the stars
for ever and ever.
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First Peter
Completed by Zech. Merrill.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF
P E T E R.
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Two epistles we have enrolled in the sacred canon of the scripture
written by Peter, who was a most eminent apostle of Jesus Christ, and
whose character shines brightly as it is described in the four Gospels
and in the Acts of the Apostles, but, as it is painted by the papists
and legendary writers, it represents a person of extravagant pride and
ambition. It is certain from scripture that Simon Peter was one of the
first of those whom our Lord called to be his disciples and followers,
that he was a person of excellent endowments, both natural and
gracious, of great parts and ready elocution, quick to apprehend and
bold to execute whatever he knew to be his duty. When our Saviour
called his apostles, and gave them their commission, he nominated him
first in the list; and by his behaviour towards him he seems to have
distinguished him as a special favourite among the twelve. Many
instances of our Lord's affection to him, both during his life and
after his resurrection, are upon record. But there are many things
confidently affirmed of this holy man that are directly false: as, That
he had a primacy and superior power over the rest of the apostles--that
he was more than their equal--that he was their prince, monarch, and
sovereign--and that he exercised a jurisdiction over the whole college
of the apostles: moreover, That he as the sole and universal pastor
over all the Christian world, the only vicar of Christ upon earth--that
he was for above twenty years bishop of Rome--that the popes of Rome
succeed to St. Peter, and derive from him a universal supremacy and
jurisdiction over all churches and Christians upon earth--and that all
this was by our Lord's ordering and appointment; whereas Christ never
gave him any pre-eminence of this kind, but positively forbade it, and
gave precepts to the contrary. The other apostles never consented to
any such claim. Paul declares himself not a whit behind the very chief
apostles, 2 Cor. xi. 5 and xii. 11. Here is no exception of Peter's
superior dignity, whom Paul took the freedom to blame, and withstood
him to the face, Gal. ii. 11. And Peter himself never assumed any thing
like it, but modestly styles himself an apostle of Jesus Christ; and,
when he writes to the presbyters of the church, he humbly places
himself in the same rank with them: The elders who are among you I
exhort, who am also an elder, ch. v. 1. See Dr. Barrow on the pope's
supremacy.
The design of this first epistle is, I. To explain more fully the
doctrines of Christianity to these newly-converted Jews. II. To direct
and persuade them to a holy conversation, in the faithful discharge of
all personal and relative duties, whereby they would secure their own
peace and effectually confute the slanders and reproaches of their
enemies. III. To prepare them for sufferings. This seems to be his
principal intention; for he has something to this purport in every
chapter, and does, by a great variety of arguments, encourage them to
patience and perseverance in the faith, lest the persecutions and sad
calamities that were coming upon them should prevail with them to
apostatize from Christ and the gospel. It is remarkable that you find
not so much as one word savouring of the spirit and pride of a pope in
either of these epistles.
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F I R S T P E T E R.
CHAP. I.
The apostle describes the persons to whom he writes, and salutes them
(ver. 1, 2), blesses God for their regeneration to a lively hope of
eternal salvation (ver. 3-5), in the hope of this salvation he shows
they had great cause of rejoicing, though for a little while they were
in heaviness and affliction, for the trial of their faith, which would
produce joy unspeakable and full of glory, ver. 6-9. This is that
salvation which the ancient prophets foretold and the angels desire to
look into, ver. 10-12. He exhorts them to sobriety and holiness, which
he presses from the consideration of the blood of Jesus, the invaluable
price of man's redemption (ver. 13-21), and to brotherly love, from the
consideration of their regeneration, and the excellency of their
spiritual state, ver. 22-25.
Inscription. (a. d. 66.)
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered
throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, 2 Elect
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through
sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the
blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
In this inscription we have three parts:--
I. The author of it, described, 1. By his name--Peter. His first name
was Simon, and Jesus Christ gave him the surname of Peter, which
signifies a rock, as a commendation of his faith, and to denote that he
should be an eminent pillar in the church of God, Gal. ii. 9. 2. By his
office--an apostle of Jesus Christ. The word signifies one sent, a
legate, a messenger, any one sent in Christ's name and about his work;
but more strictly it signifies the highest office in the Christian
church. 1 Cor. xii. 28, God hath set some in the church, first
apostles. Their dignity and pre-eminence lay in these things:--They
were immediately chosen by Christ himself,--they were first witnesses,
then preachers, of the resurrection of Christ, and so of the entire
gospel-dispensation,--their gifts were excellent and
extraordinary,--they had a power of working miracles, not at all times,
but when Christ pleased,--they were led into all truth, were endowed
with the spirit of prophecy, and they had an extent of power and
jurisdiction beyond all others; every apostle was a universal bishop in
all churches, and over all ministers. In this humble manner Peter, (1.)
Asserts his own character as an apostle. Hence learn, A man may
lawfully acknowledge, and sometimes is bound to assert, the gifts and
graces of God to him. To pretend to what we have not is hypocrisy; and
to deny what we have is ingratitude. (2.) He mentions his apostolical
function as his warrant and call to write this epistle to these people.
Note, It concerns all, but especially ministers, to consider well their
warrant and call from God to their work. This will justify them to
others, and give them inward support and comfort under all dangers and
discouragements.
II. The persons to whom this epistle was addressed, and they are
described,
1. By their external condition--Strangers dispersed throughout Pontus,
Galatia, &c. They were chiefly Jews, descended (as Dr. Prideaux thinks)
from those Jews who were translated from Babylon, by order of Antiochus
king of Syria, about two hundred years before the coming of Christ, and
placed in the cities of Asia Minor. It is very likely that our apostle
had been among them, and converted them, being the apostle of the
circumcision, and that he afterwards wrote this epistle to them from
Babylon, where multitudes of the Jewish nation then resided. At
present, their circumstances were poor and afflicted. (1.) The best of
God's servants may, through the hardships of times and providences, be
dispersed about, and forced to leave their native countries. Those of
whom the world was not worthy have been forced to wander in mountains,
in dens and caves of the earth. (2.) We ought to have a special regard
to the dispersed persecuted servants of God. These were the objects of
this apostle's particular care and compassion. We should proportion our
regard to the excellency and to the necessity of the saints. (3.) The
value of good people ought not to be estimated by their present
external condition. Here was a set of excellent people, beloved of God,
and yet strangers, dispersed and poor in the world; the eye of God was
upon them in all their dispersions, and the apostle was tenderly
careful to write to them for their direction and consolation.
2. They are described by their spiritual condition: Elect according to
the foreknowledge of God the Father, &c. These poor strangers, who were
oppressed and despised in the world, were nevertheless in high esteem
with the great God, and in the most honourable state that any person
can be in during this life; for they were,
(1.) Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father. Election
is either to an office: so Saul was the man whom the Lord chose to be
king (1 Sam. x. 24), and our Lord says to his apostles, Have not I
chosen you twelve? (John vi. 70); or it is to a church-state, for the
enjoyment of special privileges: thus Israel was God's elect (Deut.
vii. 6), For thou art a holy people unto the Lord thy God; the Lord thy
God hath chosen thee to be a special people unto himself above all
people that are upon the face of the earth; or it is to eternal
salvation: God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through
sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. This is the
election here spoken of, importing God's gracious decree or resolution
to save some, and bring them, through Christ, by proper means, to
eternal life. [1.] This election is said to be according to the
foreknowledge of God. Foreknowledge may be taken in two ways:--First,
for mere prescience, foresight, or understanding, that such a thing
will be, before it comes to pass. Thus a mathematician certainly
foreknows that at such a time there will be an eclipse. This sort of
foreknowledge is in God, who at one commanding view sees all things
that ever were, or are, or ever will be. But such a prescience is not
the cause why any thing is so or so, though in the event it certainly
will be so, as the mathematician who foresees an eclipse does not
thereby cause that eclipse to be. Secondly, Foreknowledge sometimes
signifies counsel, appointment, and approbation. Acts ii. 23, Him being
delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God. The
death of Christ was not only foreseen, but fore-ordained, as v. 20.
Take it thus here; so the sense is, elect according to the counsel,
ordination, and free grace of God. [2.] It is added, according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father. By the Father we are here to
understand the first person of the blessed Trinity. There is an order
among the three persons, though no superiority; they are equal in power
and glory, and there is an agreed economy in their works. Thus, in the
affair of man's redemption, election is by way of eminency ascribed to
the Father, as reconciliation is to the Son and sanctification to the
Holy Ghost, though in each of these one person is not so entirely
interested as to exclude the other two. Hereby the persons of the
Trinity are more clearly discovered to us, and we are taught what
obligations we are under to each of them distinctly.
(2.) They were elect through sanctification of the Spirit, unto
obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. The end and
last result of election is eternal life and salvation; but, before this
can be accomplished, every elect person must be sanctified by the
Spirit, and justified by the blood of Jesus. God's decree for man's
salvation always operates through sanctification of the Spirit and
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus. By sanctification here understand,
not a federal sanctification only, but a real one, begun in
regeneration, whereby we are renewed after the image of God and made
new creatures, and carried on in the daily exercise of holiness,
mortifying our sins more and more, and living to God in all the duties
of a Christian life, which is here summed up in one word, obedience,
comprehending all the duties of Christianity. By the Spirit some would
have the apostle to mean the spirit of man, the subject sanctified. The
legal or typical sanctification operated no further than the purifying
of the flesh, but the Christian dispensation takes effect upon the
spirit of man, and purifies that. Others, with better reason, think
that by spirit is meant the Holy Ghost, the author of sanctification.
He renews the mind, mortifies our sins (Rom. viii. 13), and produces
his excellent fruits in the hearts of Christians, Gal. v. 22, 23. This
sanctification of the Spirit implies the use of means. Sanctify them
through thy truth; thy word is truth, John xvii. 17. Unto obedience.
This word, as it is pointed in our translation, is referred to what
goes before it, and denotes the end of sanctification, which is, to
bring rebellious sinners to obedience again, to universal obedience, to
obey the truth and gospel of Christ: You have purified your souls in
obeying the truth through the Spirit, v. 22.
(3.) They were elected also to the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus.
They were designed by God's decree to be sanctified by the Spirit, and
to be purified by the merit and blood of Christ. Here is a manifest
allusion to the typical sprinklings of blood under the law, which
language these Jewish converts understood very well. The blood of the
sacrifices must not only be shed but sprinkled, to denote that the
benefits designed thereby are applied and imputed to the offerers. Thus
the blood of Christ, the grand and all-sufficient sacrifice, typified
by the legal sacrifices, was not only shed, but must be sprinkled and
communicated to every one of these elect Christians, that through faith
in his blood they may obtain remission of sin, Rom. iii. 25. This blood
of sprinkling justifies before God (Rom. v. 9), seals the covenant
between God and us, of which the Lord's supper is a sign (Luke xxii.
20), cleanses from all sin (1 John i. 7), and admits us into heaven,
Heb. x. 19. Note, [1.] God hath elected some to eternal life, some, not
all; persons, not qualification. [2.] All that are chosen to eternal
life as the end are chosen to obedience as the way. [3.] Unless a
person be sanctified by the Spirit, and sprinkled with the blood of
Jesus, there will be no true obedience in the life. [4.] There is a
consent and co-operation of all the persons of the Trinity in the
affair of man's salvation, and their acts are commensurate one to
another: whoever the Father elects the Spirit sanctifies unto
obedience, and the Son redeems and sprinkles with his blood. [5.] The
doctrine of the Trinity lies at the foundation of all revealed
religion. If you deny the proper deity of the Son and Holy Spirit, you
invalidate the redemption of the one and the gracious operations of the
other, and by this means destroy the foundation of your own safety and
comfort.
III. The salutation follows: Grace unto you, and peace be multiplied.
The blessings desired for them are grace and peace. 1. Grace--the free
favour of God, with all its proper effects, pardoning, healing,
assisting, and saving. 2. Peace. All sorts of peace may be here
intended, domestic, civil, ecclesiastical peace in the church, and
spiritual peace with God, with the feeling of it in our own
consciences. 3. Here is the request or prayer, in relations to these
blessings--that they may be multiplied, which implies that they were
already possessed in some degree of these blessings, and he wishes them
the continuation, the increase, and the perfection of them. Learn, (1.)
Those who possess spiritual blessings in their own souls earnestly
desire the communication of the same to others. The grace of God is a
generous, not a selfish principle. (2.) The best blessings we can
desire for ourselves, or one for another, are grace and peace, with the
multiplication of them; therefore the apostles so often make this their
prayer in the beginning and end of their epistles. (3.) Solid peace
cannot be enjoyed where there is no true grace; first grace, then
peace. Peace without grace is mere stupidity; but grace may be true
where there is for a time no actual peace; as Heman was distracted with
terror, and Christ was once in an agony. (4.) The increase of grace and
peace, as well as the first gift of them, is from God. Where he gives
true grace he will give more grace; and every good man earnestly
desires the improvement and multiplication of these blessings in
himself and others.
Privileges of Christians. (a. d. 66.)
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which
according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively
hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 To an
inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away,
reserved in heaven for you, 5 Who are kept by the power of God
through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
We come now to the body of the epistle, which begins with,
I. A congratulation of the dignity and happiness of the state of these
believers, brought in under the form of a thanksgiving to God. Other
epistles begin in like manner, 2 Cor. i. 3; Eph. i. 3. Here we have,
1. The duty performed, which is blessing God. A man blesses God by a
just acknowledgment of his excellency and blessedness.
2. The object of this blessing described by his relation to Jesus
Christ: The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Here are three
names of one person, denoting his threefold office. (1.) He is Lord, a
universal king or sovereign. (2.) Jesus, a priest or Saviour. (3.)
Christ, a prophet, anointed with the Spirit and furnished with all
gifts necessary for the instruction, guidance, and salvation of his
church. This God, so blessed, is the God of Christ according to his
human nature, and his Father according to his divine nature.
3. The reasons that oblige us to this duty of blessing God, which are
comprised in his abundant mercy. All our blessings are owing to God's
mercy, not to man's merit, particularly regeneration. He hath begotten
us again, and this deserves our thanksgiving to God, especially if we
consider the fruit it produces in us, which is that excellent grace of
hope, and that not such a vain, dead, perishing hope as that of
worldlings and hypocrites, but a lively hope, a living, strong,
quickening, and durable hope, as that hope must needs be that has such
a solid foundation as the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
Learn, (1.) A good Christian's condition is never so bad but he has
great reason still to bless God. As a sinner has always reason to
mourn, notwithstanding his present prosperity, so good people, in the
midst of their manifold difficulties, have reason still to rejoice and
bless God. (2.) In our prayers and praises we should address God as the
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; it is only through him that we and our
services are accepted. (3.) The best of men owe their best blessings to
the abundant mercy of God. All the evil in the world is from man's sin,
but all the good in it is from God's mercy. Regeneration is expressly
ascribed to the abundant mercy of God, and so are all the rest; we
subsist entirely upon divine mercy. Of the nature of regeneration, see
on John iii. 3. (4.) Regeneration produces a lively hope of eternal
life. Every unconverted person is a hopeless creature; whatever he
pretends to of that kind is all confidence and presumption. The right
Christian hope is what a man is begotten again unto by the Spirit of
God; it is not from nature, but free grace. Those who are begotten to a
new and spiritual life are begotten to a new and spiritual hope. (5.)
The hope of a Christian has this excellency, it is a living hope. The
hope of eternal life in a true Christian is a hope that keeps him
alive, quickens him, supports him, and conducts him to heaven. Hope
invigorates and spirits up the soul to action, to patience, to
fortitude, and perseverance to the end. The delusive hopes of the
unregenerate are vain and perishing; the hypocrite and his hope expire
and die both together, Job xxvii. 8. (6.) The resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead is the ground or foundation of a Christian's hope.
The resurrection of Christ is the act of the Father as a Judge, of the
Son as a conqueror. His resurrection demonstrates that the Father
accepts his death in full discharge for our ransom, that he is
victorious over death, the grave, and all our spiritual enemies; and it
is also an assurance of our own resurrection. There being an
inseparable union between Christ and his flock, they rise by virtue of
his resurrection as a head, rather than by virtue of his power as a
Judge. We have risen with Christ, Col. iii. 1. From all this taken
together, Christians have two firm and solid foundations whereon to
build their hope of eternal life.
II. Having congratulated these people on their new birth, and the hope
of everlasting life, the apostle goes on to describe that life under
the notion of an inheritance, a most proper way of speaking to these
people; for they were poor and persecuted, perhaps turned out of their
inheritances to which they were born; to allay this grievance, he tells
them they were new-born to a new inheritance, infinitely better than
what they had lost. Besides, they were most of them Jews, and so had a
great affection to the land of Canaan, as the land of their
inheritance, settled upon them by God himself; and to be driven out
from abiding in the inheritance of the Lord was looked upon as a sore
judgment, 1 Sam. xxvi. 19. To comfort them under this they are put in
mind of a noble inheritance reserved in heaven for them, such a one
that the land of Canaan was but a mere shadow in comparison with it.
Here note,
1. Heaven is the undoubted inheritance of all the children of God; all
that are born again are born to an inheritance, as a man makes his
child his heir; the apostle argues, If children, then heirs, Rom. viii.
17. God giveth his gifts unto all, but the inheritance to none but his
children; those that are his sons and daughters by regeneration and
adoption receive the promise of eternal inheritance, Heb. ix. 15. This
inheritance is not our purchase, but our Father's gift; not wages that
we merit, but the effect of grace, which first makes us children and
then settles this inheritance upon us by a firm unalterable covenant.
2. The incomparable excellencies of this inheritance, which are
four:--(1.) It is incorruptible, in which respect it is like its Maker,
who is called the incorruptible God, Rom. i. 23. All corruption is a
change from better to worse, but heaven is without change and without
end; the house is eternal in the heavens, and the possessors must
subsist for ever, for their corruptible must put on incorruption, 1
Cor. xv. 53. (2.) This inheritance is undefiled, like the great high
priest that is now in possession of it, who is holy, harmless, and
undefiled, Heb. vii. 26. Sin and misery, the two grand defilements that
spoil this world, and mar its beauty, have no place there. (3.) It
fadeth not away, but always retains its vigour and beauty, and remains
immarcescible, ever entertaining and pleasing the saints who possess
it, without the least weariness or distaste. (4.) "Reserved in heaven
for you," which expression teaches us, [1.] That it is a glorious
inheritance, for it is in heaven, and all that is there is glorious,
Eph. i. 18. [2.] It is certain, a reversion in another world, safely
kept and preserved till we come to the possession of it. [3.] The
persons for whom it is reserved are described, not by their names, but
by their character: for you, or us, or every one that is begotten again
to a lively hope. This inheritance is preserved for them, and none but
them; all the rest will be shut out for ever.
III. This inheritance being described as future, and distant both in
time and place, the apostle supposes some doubt or uneasiness yet to
remain upon the minds of these people, whether they might not possibly
fall short by the way. "Though the happiness be safe in heaven, yet we
are still upon earth, liable to abundance of temptations, miseries, and
infirmities. Are we in such a safe state that we shall certainly come
thither?" To this he answers that they should be safely guarded and
conducted thither; they should be kept and preserved from all such
destructive temptations and injuries as would prevent their safe
arrival at eternal life. The heir to an earthly estate has no assurance
that he shall live to enjoy it, but the heirs of heaven shall certainly
be conducted safely to the possession of it. The blessing here promised
is preservation: You are kept; the author of it is God; the means in us
made use of for that end are our own faith and care; the end to which
we are preserved is salvation; and the time when we shall see the safe
end and issue of all is the last time. Note, 1. Such is the tender care
of God over his people that he not only gives them grace, but preserves
them unto glory. Their being kept implies both danger and deliverance;
they may be attacked, but shall not be overcome. 2. The preservation of
the regenerate to eternal life is the effect of God's power. The
greatness of the work, the number of enemies, and our own infirmities,
are such that no power but what is almighty can preserve the soul
through all unto salvation; therefore the scripture often represents
man's salvation as the effect of divine power, 2 Cor. xii. 9; Rom. xiv.
4. 3. Preservation by God's power does not supersede man's endeavour
and care for his own salvation; here are God's power and man's faith,
which implies an earnest desire of salvation, a reliance upon Christ
according to his invitations and promises, a vigilant care to do every
thing pleasing to God and avoid whatever is offensive, an abhorrence of
temptations, a respect to the recompence of reward, and persevering
diligence in prayer. By such a patient, operating, conquering faith, we
are kept under the assistance of divine grace, unto salvation; faith is
a sovereign preservative of the soul through a state of grace unto a
state of glory. 4. This salvation is ready to be revealed in the last
time. Here are three things asserted about the salvation of the
saints:--(1.) That it is now prepared, and made ready, and reserved in
heaven for them. (2.) Though it be made ready now, yet it is in a great
measure hidden and unrevealed at present, not only to the ignorant,
blind world, that never enquire after it, but even to the heirs of
salvation themselves. It does not yet appear what we shall be, 1 John
iii. 2. (3.) That it shall be fully and completely revealed in the last
time, or at the last day of judgment. Life and immortality are now
brought to light by the gospel, but this life will be revealed more
gloriously at death, when the soul shall be admitted into the presence
of Christ, and behold his glory; and even beyond this there will be a
further and a final revelation of the amplitude and transcendency of
the saints' felicity at the last day, when their bodies shall be raised
and re-united to their souls, and judgment shall pass upon angels and
men, and Christ shall publicly honour and applaud his servants in the
face of all the world.
Privileges of Christians. (a. d. 66.)
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye
are in heaviness through manifold temptations: 7 That the trial of
your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth,
though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and
glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: 8 Whom having not seen, ye
love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice
with joy unspeakable and full of glory: 9 Receiving the end of your
faith, even the salvation of your souls.
The first word, wherein, refers to the apostle's foregoing discourse
about the excellency of their present state, and their grand
expectations for the future. "In this condition you greatly rejoice,
though now for a season, or a little while, if need be, you are made
sorrowful through manifold temptations," v. 6.
I. The apostle grants they were in great affliction, and propounds
several things in mitigation of their sorrows. 1. Every sound Christian
has always something wherein he may greatly rejoice. Great rejoicing
contains more than an inward placid serenity of mind or sensation of
comfort; it will show itself in the countenance and conduct, but
especially in praise and gratitude. 2. The chief joy of a good
Christian arises from things spiritual and heavenly, from his relation
to God and to heaven. In these every sound Christian greatly rejoices;
his joy arises from his treasure, which consists of matters of great
value, and the title to them is sure. 3. The best Christians, those who
have reason greatly to rejoice, may yet be in great heaviness through
manifold temptations. All sorts of adversities are temptations, or
trials of faith, patience, and constancy. These seldom go singly, but
are manifold, and come from different quarters, the effect of all which
is great heaviness. As men, we are subject to sorrows, personal and
domestic. As Christians, our duty to God obliges us to frequent sorrow:
and our compassion towards the miserable, the dishonour done to God,
the calamities of his church, and the destruction of mankind, from
their own folly and from divine vengeance, raise, in a generous and
pious mind, almost continual sorrow. I have great heaviness and
continual sorrow in my heart, Rom. ix. 2. 4. The afflictions and
sorrows of good people are but for a little while, they are but for a
season; though they may be smart, they are but short. Life itself is
but for a little while, and the sorrows of it cannot survive it; the
shortness of any affliction does much abate the heaviness of it. 5.
Great heaviness is often necessary to a Christian's good: If need be,
you are in heaviness. God does not afflict his people willingly, but
acts with judgment, in proportion to our needs. There is a conveniency
and fitness, nay, an absolute necessity in the case, for so the
expression signifies: it must be; therefore no man should be moved by
these afflictions. For yourselves know that we are appointed thereunto,
1 Thess. iii. 3. These troubles, that lie heavy, never come upon us but
when we have need, and never stay any longer than needs must.
II. He expresses the end of their afflictions and the ground of their
joy under them, v. 7. The end of good people's afflictions is the trial
of their faith. As to the nature of this trial, it is much more
precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire. The
effect of the trial is this, it will be found unto praise, honour, and
glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ. Note, 1. The afflictions of
serious Christians are designed for the trial of their faith. God's
design in afflicting his people is their probation, not their
destruction; their advantage, not their ruin: a trial, as the word
signifies, is an experiment or search made upon a man, by some
affliction, to prove the value and strength of his faith. This trial is
made upon faith principally, rather than any other grace, because the
trial of this is, in effect, the trial of all that is good in us. Our
Christianity depends upon our faith; if this be wanting, there is
nothing else that is spiritually good in us. Christ prays for this
apostle, that his faith might not fail; if that be supported, all the
rest will stand firm; the faith of good people is tried, that they
themselves may have the comfort of it, God the glory of it, and others
the benefit of it. 2. A tried faith is much more precious than tried
gold. Here is a double comparison of faith and gold, and the trial of
the one with the trial of the other. Gold is the most valuable, pure,
useful, and durable, of all the metals; so is faith among the Christian
virtues; it lasts till it brings the soul to heaven, and then it issues
in the glorious fruition of God for ever. The trial of faith is much
more precious than the trial of gold; in both there is a purification,
a separation of the dross, and a discovery of the soundness and
goodness of the things. Gold does not increase and multiply by trial in
the fire, it rather grows less; but faith is established, improved, and
multiplied, by the oppositions and afflictions that it meets with. Gold
must perish at last--gold that perisheth; but faith never will. I have
prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not, Luke xxii. 32. The trial of
faith will be found to praise, and honour, and glory. Honour is
properly that esteem and value which one has with another, and so God
and man will honour the saints. Praise is the expression or declaration
of that esteem; so Christ will commend his people in the great day,
Come, you blessed of my Father, &c. Glory is that lustre wherewith a
person, so honoured and praised, shines in heaven. Glory, honour, and
peace, to every man that worketh good, Rom. ii. 10. If a tried faith be
found to praise, honour, and glory, let this recommend faith to you, as
much more precious than gold, though it be assaulted and tried by
afflictions. If you make your estimate either from present use or the
final event of both, this will be found true, however the world may
take it for an incredible paradox. 4. Jesus Christ will appear again in
glory, and, when he does so, the saints will appear with him, and their
graces will appear illustrious; and the more they have been tried the
more bright they will then appear. The trial will soon be over, but the
glory, honour, and praise will last to eternity. This should reconcile
you to your present afflictions: they work for you a far more exceeding
and eternal weight of glory.
III. He particularly commends the faith of these primitive Christians
upon two accounts:--
1. The excellency of its object, the unseen Jesus. The apostle had seen
our Lord in the flesh, but these dispersed Jews never did, and yet they
believed in him, v. 8. It is one thing to believe God, or Christ (so
the devils believe), and another thing to believe in him, which denotes
subjection, reliance, and expectation of all promised good from him.
2. On account of two notable productions or effects of their faith,
love and joy, and this joy so great as to be above description: You
rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. Learn,
(1.) The faith of a Christian is properly conversant about things
revealed, but not seen. Sense converses with things sensible and
present; reason is a higher guide, which by sure deductions can infer
the operation of causes, and the certainty of events; but faith ascends
further still, and assures us of abundance of particulars that sense
and reason could never have found out, upon the credit of revelation;
it is the evidence of things not seen.
(2.) True faith is never alone, but produces a strong love to Jesus
Christ. True Christians have a sincere love to Jesus, because they
believe in him. This love discovers itself in the highest esteem for
him, affectionate desires after him, willingness to be dissolved to be
with him, delightful thoughts, cheerful services and sufferings, &c.
(3.) Where there are true faith and love to Christ there is, or may be,
joy unspeakable and full of glory. This joy is inexpressible, it cannot
be described by words; the best discovery is by an experimental taste
of it; it is full of glory, full of heaven. There is much of heaven and
the future glory in the present joys of improved Christians; their
faith removes the causes of sorrow, and affords the best reasons for
joy. Though good people sometimes walk in darkness, it is often owing
to their own mistakes and ignorance, or to a fearful or melancholy
disposition, or to some late sinful conduct, or perhaps to some sad
occurrence of providence, that sinks their comfort for the present, yet
they have reason to rejoice in the Lord, and joy in the God of their
salvation, Heb. iii. 18. Well might these primitive Christians rejoice
with the joy unspeakable, since they were every day receiving the end
of their faith, the salvation of their souls, v. 9. Note, [1.] The
blessing they were receiving: The salvation of their souls (the more
noble part being put for the whole man), which salvation is here called
the end of their faith, the end wherein faith terminates: faith helps
to save the soul, then it has done its work, and ceases for ever. [2.]
He speaks of the present time: You are now actually receiving the end
of your faith, &c. [3.] The word used alludes to the games at which the
conqueror received or bore away from the judge of the contest a crown
or reward, which he carried about in triumph; so the salvation of the
soul was the prize these Christians sought for, the crown they laboured
for, the end they aimed at, which came nearer and more within their
reach every day. Learn, First, Every faithful Christian is daily
receiving the salvation of his soul; salvation is one permanent thing,
begun in this life, not interrupted by death, and continued to all
eternity. These believers had the beginnings of heaven in the
possession of holiness and a heavenly mind, in their duties and
communion with God, in the earnest of the inheritance, and the witness
of the divine Spirit. This was properly urged to these distressed
people; they were on the losing side in the world, but the apostle puts
them in the mind of what they were receiving; if they lost an inferior
good, they were all the while receiving the salvation of their souls.
Secondly, It is lawful for a Christian to make the salvation of his
soul his end; the glory of God and our own felicity are so connected
that if we regularly seek the one we must attain the other.
Privileges of Christians. (a. d. 66.)
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched
diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11
Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was
in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of
Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was
revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the
things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the
gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things
the angels desire to look into.
The apostle having described the persons to whom he wrote, and declared
to them the excellent advantages they were under, goes on to show them
what warrant he had for what he had delivered; and because they were
Jews, and had a profound veneration for the Old Testament, he produces
the authority of the prophets to convince them that the doctrine of
salvation by faith in Jesus Christ was no new doctrine, but the same
which the old prophets did enquire and search diligently into. Note,
I. Who made this diligent search--the prophets, who were persons
inspired by God either to do or to say things extraordinary, above the
reach of their own studies and abilities, as foretelling things to
come, and revealing the will of God, by the direction of the Holy
Spirit.
II. The object of their search, which was salvation, and the grace of
God which should come unto you; the general salvation of men of all
nations by Jesus Christ, and more especially the salvation afforded to
the Jews, the grace that should come to them from him who was not sent
but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. They foresaw glorious
times of light, grace, and comfort, coming upon the church, which made
the prophets and righteous men desire to see and hear the things which
came to pass in the days of the gospel.
III. The manner of their enquiry: they enquired and searched
diligently. The words are strong and emphatic, alluding to miners, who
dig to the bottom, and break through not only the earth, but the rock,
to come to the ore; so these holy prophets had an earnest desire to
know, and were proportionably diligent in their enquiries after the
grace of God, which was to be revealed in the days of the Messiah:
their being inspired did not make their industrious search needless;
for, notwithstanding their extraordinary assistance from God, they were
obliged to make use of all the ordinary methods of improvement in
wisdom and knowledge. Daniel was a man greatly beloved and inspired,
yet he understood by books and study the computations of time, ch. ix.
2. Even their own revelation required their study, meditation, and
prayer; for many prophecies had a double meaning: in their first
intention they aimed at some person or event near at hand, but their
ultimate design was to describe the person, sufferings, or kingdom of
Christ. Observe, 1. The doctrine of man's salvation by Jesus Christ has
been the study and admiration of the greatest and wisest of men; the
nobleness of the subject, and their own concern in it, have engaged
them, with most accurate attention and seriousness to search into it.
2. A good man is much affected and pleased with the grace and mercy of
God to others, as well as to himself. The prophets were highly
delighted with the prospects of mercy to be shown both to Jews and
Gentiles at the coming of Christ. 3. Those who would be acquainted with
this great salvation, and the grace that shines therein, must enquire
and search diligently into it: if it was necessary for an inspired
prophet to do so, much more for persons so weak and injudicious as we
are. 4. The grace that came by the gospel excels all that was before
it; the gospel dispensation is more glorious, evident, intelligible,
extensive, and effectual, than any dispensation that ever did precede
it.
IV. The particular matters which the ancient prophets chiefly searched
into, which are expressed in v. 11. Jesus Christ was the main subject
of their studies; and, in relation to him, they were most inquisitive
into,
1. His humiliation and death, and the glorious consequences of it: The
sufferings of Christ, and the glories that should follow. This enquiry
would lead them into a view of the whole gospel, the sum whereof is
this, that Christ Jesus was delivered for our offences and raised again
for our justification.
2. The time, and the manner of the times, wherein the Messiah was to
appear. Undoubtedly these holy prophets earnestly desired to see the
days of the Son of man; and therefore, next to the thing itself, their
minds were set upon the time of its accomplishment, so far as the
Spirit of Christ, which was in them, had signified any thing towards
that purpose. The nature of the times was also under their strict
consideration, whether they would be quiet or troublesome times, times
of peace or times of war. Learn, (1.) Jesus Christ had a being before
his incarnation; for his Spirit did then exist in the prophets, and
therefore he whose that Spirit then was must be in being also. (2.) The
doctrine of the Trinity was not wholly unknown to the faithful in the
Old Testament. The prophets knew that they were inspired by a Spirit
that was in them; this Spirit they knew to be the Spirit of Christ, and
consequently distinct from Christ himself: here is a plurality of
persons, and from other parts of the Old Testament a Trinity may be
collected. (3.) The works here ascribed to the Holy Ghost prove him to
be God. He did signify, discover, and manifest to the prophets, many
hundred years beforehand, the sufferings of Christ, with a multitude of
particular circumstances attending them; and he did also testify, or
give proof and evidence beforehand, of the certainty of that event, by
inspiring the prophets to reveal it, to work miracles in confirmation
of it, and by enabling the faithful to believe it. These works prove
the Spirit of Christ to be God, since he is possessed of almighty power
and infinite knowledge. (4.) From the example of Christ Jesus learn to
expect a time of services and sufferings before you are received to
glory. It was so with him, and the disciple is not above his Lord. The
suffering time is but short, but the glory is everlasting; let the
suffering season be ever so sharp and severe, it shall not hinder, but
work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.
V. The success with which their enquiries were crowned. Their holy
endeavours to inform themselves were not slighted, for God gave them a
satisfactory revelation to quiet and comfort their minds. They were
informed that these things should not come to pass in their time, but
yet all was firm and certain, and should come to pass in the times of
the apostles: Not unto themselves, but to us; and we must report them,
under the infallible direction of the Holy Ghost, to all the world.
Which things the angels, &c.
You have here three sorts of students, or enquirers into the great
affair of man's salvation by Jesus Christ:--1. The prophets, who
searched diligently into it. 2. The apostles, who consulted all the
prophecies, and were witnesses of the accomplishment of them, and so
reported what they knew to others in the preaching of the gospel. 3.
The angels, who most attentively pry into these matters. Learn, (1.) A
diligent endeavour after the knowledge of Christ and our duty will
certainly be answered with good success. The prophets are answered with
a revelation. Daniel studies, and receives information: the Bereans
search the scriptures, and are confirmed. (2.) The holiest and best of
men sometimes have their lawful and pious requests denied. It was both
lawful and pious for these prophets to desire to know more than they
were permitted to know about the time of the appearance of Christ in
the world, but they were denied. It is lawful and pious for good
parents to pray for their wicked children, for the poor to pray against
poverty, for a good man to pray against death; yet, in these honest
requests, they often are denied. God is pleased to answer our
necessities rather than our requests. (3.) It is the honour and
practice of a Christian to be useful to others, in many cases, rather
than to himself. The prophets ministered to others, not unto
themselves. None of us liveth to himself, Rom. xiv. 7. Nothing is more
contrary to man's nature nor to Christian principles than for a man to
make himself his own end, and live to himself. (4.) The revelations of
God to his church, though gradual, and given by parcels, are all
perfectly consistent; the doctrine of the prophets and that of the
apostles exactly agree, as coming from the same Spirit of God. (5.) The
efficacy of the evangelical ministry depends upon the Holy Ghost sent
down from heaven. The gospel is the ministration of the Spirit; the
success of it depends upon his operation and blessing. (6.) The
mysteries of the gospel, and the methods of man's salvation, are so
glorious that the blessed angels earnestly desire to look into them;
they are curious, accurate, and industrious in prying into them; they
consider the whole scheme of man's redemption with deep attention and
admiration, particularly the points the apostle had been discoursing
of: Which things the angels desire to stoop down and look into, as the
cherubim did continually towards the mercy-seat.
Sobriety and Holiness; Exhortation to Brotherly Love. (a. d. 66.)
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the
end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of
Jesus Christ; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves
according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which
hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye
call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to
every man's work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear: 18
Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things,
as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition
from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a
lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained
before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last
times for you, 21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up
from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in
God. 22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth
through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye
love one another with a pure heart fervently: 23 Being born again,
not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God,
which liveth and abideth for ever.
Here the apostle begins his exhortations to those whose glorious state
he had before described, thereby instructing us that Christianity is a
doctrine according to godliness, designed to make us not only wiser,
but better.
I. He exhorts them to sobriety and holiness.
1. Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, &c., v. 13. As if he had
said, "Wherefore, since you are so honoured and distinguished, as
above, Gird up the loins of your mind. You have a journey to go, a race
to run, a warfare to accomplish, and a great work to do; as the
traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gather in, and
gird up, their long and loose garments, that they may be more ready,
prompt, and expeditious in their business, so do you by your minds,
your inner man, and affections seated there: gird them, gather them in,
let them not hang loose and neglected about you; restrain their
extravagances, and let the loins or strength and vigour of your minds
be exerted in your duty; disengage yourselves from all that would
hinder you, and go on resolutely in your obedience. Be sober, be
vigilant against all your spiritual dangers and enemies, and be
temperate and modest in eating, drinking, apparel, recreation,
business, and in the whole of your behaviour. Be sober-mined also in
opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment of
yourselves." And hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought
to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Some refer this to the last
judgment, as if the apostle directed their hope to the final revelation
of Jesus Christ; but it seems more natural to take it, as it might be
rendered, "Hope perfectly, or thoroughly, for the grace that is brought
to you in or by the revelation of Jesus Christ; that is, by the gospel,
which brings life and immortality to light. Hope perfectly, trust
without doubting to that grace which is now offered to you by the
gospel." Learn, (1.) The main work of a Christian lies in the right
management of his heart and mind; the apostle's first direction is to
gird up the loins of the mind. (2.) The best Christians have need to be
exhorted to sobriety. These excellent Christians are put in mind of it;
it is required of a bishop (1 Tim. iii. 2), of aged men (Tit. ii. 2),
the young women are to be taught it, and the young men are directed to
be sober-minded, Tit. ii. 4, 6. (3.) A Christian's work is not over as
soon as he has got into a state of grace; he must still hope and strive
for more grace. When he has entered the strait gate, he must still walk
in the narrow way, and gird up the loins of his mind for that purpose.
(4.) A strong and perfect trust in God's grace is very consistent with
our best endeavours in our duty; we must hope perfectly, and yet gird
up our loins, and address ourselves vigorously to the work we have to
do, encouraging ourselves from the grace of Jesus Christ.
2. As obedient children, &c., v. 14. These words may be taken as a rule
of holy living, which is both positive--"You ought to live as obedient
children, as those whom God hath adopted into his family, and
regenerated by his grace;" and negative--"You must not fashion
yourselves according to the former lusts, in your ignorance." Or the
words may be taken as an argument to press them to holiness from the
consideration of what they now are, children of obedience, and what
they were when they lived in lust and ignorance. Learn, (1.) The
children of God ought to prove themselves to be such by their obedience
to God, by their present, constant, universal obedience. (2.) The best
of God's children have had their times of lust and ignorance; the time
has been when the whole scheme of their lives, their way and fashion,
was to accommodate and gratify their unlawful desires and vicious
appetites, being grossly ignorant of God and themselves, of Christ and
the gospel. (3.) Persons, when converted, differ exceedingly from what
they were formerly. They are people of another fashion and manner from
what they were before; their inward frame, behaviour, speech, and
conversation, are much altered from what they were in times past. (4.)
The lusts and extravagances of sinners are both the fruits and the
signs of their ignorance.
3. But as he who hath called you, &c., v. 15, 16. Here is a noble rule
enforced by strong arguments: Be you holy in all manner of
conversation. Who is sufficient for this? And yet it is required in
strong terms, and enforced by three reasons, taken from the grace of
God in calling us,--from his command, it is written,--and from his
example. Be you holy, for I am holy. Learn, (1.) The grace of God in
calling a sinner is a powerful engagement to holiness. It is a great
favour to be called effectually by divine grace out of a state of sin
and misery into the possession of all the blessings of the new
covenant; and great favours are strong obligations; they enable as well
as oblige to be holy. (2.) Complete holiness is the desire and duty of
every Christian. Here is a two-fold rule of holiness: [1.] It must, for
the extent of it, be universal. We must be holy, and be so in all
manner of conversation; in all civil and religious affairs, in every
condition, prosperous or reverse; towards all people, friends and
enemies; in all our intercourse and business still we must be holy.
[2.] For the pattern of it. We must be holy, as God is holy: we must
imitate him, though we can never equal him. He is perfectly,
unchangeably, and eternally holy; and we should aspire after such a
state. The consideration of the holiness of God should oblige as to the
highest degree of holiness we can attain unto. (3.) The written word of
God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are
commanded to be holy every way. (4.) The Old-Testament commands are to
be studied and obeyed in the times of the New Testament; the apostle,
by virtue of a command delivered several times by Moses, requires
holiness in all Christians.
4. If you call on the Father, &c., v. 17. The apostle does not there
express any doubt at all whether these Christians would call upon their
heavenly Father, but supposes they would certainly do it, and from this
argues with them to pass the time of their sojourning here in fear: "If
you own the great God as a Father and a Judge, you ought to live the
time of your sojourning here in his fear." Learn, (1.) All good
Christians look upon themselves in this world as pilgrims and
strangers, as strangers in a distant country, passing to another, to
which they properly belong, Ps. xxxix. 12; Heb. xi. 13. (2.) The whole
time of our sojourning here is to be passed in the fear of God. (3.)
The consideration of God as a Judge is not improper for those who can
truly call him Father. Holy confidence in God as a Father, an awful
fear of him as a Judge, are very consistent; to regard God as a Judge
is a singular means to endear him to us as a Father. (4.) The judgment
of God will be without respect of persons: According to every man's
work. No external relation to him will protect any; the Jew may call
God Father and Abraham father, but God will not respect persons, nor
favour their cause, from personal considerations, but judge them
according to their work. The works of men will in the great day
discover their persons; God will make all the world to know who are his
by their works. We are obliged to faith, holiness, and obedience, and
our works will be an evidence whether we have complied with our
obligations or not.
5. The apostle having extorted them to pass the time of their
sojourning in the fear of God from this consideration, that they called
on the Father, he adds (v. 18) a second argument: Because or forasmuch
as you were not redeemed with corruptible things, &c. Herein he puts
them in mind, (1.) That they were redeemed, or bought back again, by a
ransom paid to the Father. (2.) What the price paid for their
redemption was: Not with corruptible things, as silver and gold, but
with the precious blood of Christ. (3.) From what they were redeemed:
From a vain conversation received by tradition. (4.) They knew this:
Forasmuch as you know, and cannot pretend ignorance of this great
affair. Learn, [1.] The consideration of our redemption ought to be a
constant and powerful inducement to holiness, and the fear of God. [2.]
God expects that a Christian should live answerably to what he knows,
and therefore we have great need to be put in mind of what we already
know, Ps. xxxix. 4. [3.] Neither silver nor gold, nor any of the
corruptible things of this world, can redeem so much as one soul. They
are often snares, temptations, and hindrances to man's salvation, but
they can by no means purchase or procure it; they are corruptible, and
therefore cannot redeem an incorruptible and immortal soul. [4.] The
blood of Jesus Christ is the only price of man's redemption. The
redemption of man is real, not metaphorical. We are bought with a
price, and the price is equal to the purchase, for it is the precious
blood of Christ; it is the blood of an innocent person, a lamb without
blemish and without spot, whom the paschal lamb represented, and of an
infinite person, being the Son of God, and therefore it is called the
blood of God, Acts xx. 28. [5.] The design of Christ in shedding his
most precious blood was to redeem us, not only from eternal misery
hereafter, but from a vain conversation in this world. That
conversation is vain which is empty, frivolous, trifling, and
unserviceable to the honour of God, the credit of religion, the
conviction of unbelievers, and the comfort and satisfaction of a man's
own conscience. Not only the open wickedness, but the vanity and
unprofitableness of our conversation are highly dangerous. [6.] A man's
conversation may carry an appearance of devotion, and may plead
antiquity, custom, and tradition, in its defence, and yet after all be
a most vain conversation. The Jews had a deal to say from these heads,
for all their formalities; and yet their conversation was so vain that
only the blood of Christ could redeem them from it. Antiquity is no
certain rule of verity, nor is it a wise resolution, "I will live and
die in such a way, because my forefathers did so."
6. Having mentioned the price of redemption, the apostle goes on to
speak of some things relating both to the Redeemer and the redeemed, v.
20, 21.
(1.) The Redeemer is further described, not only as a Lamb without
spot, but as one, [1.] That was fore-ordained before the foundation of
the world, fore-ordained or foreknown. When prescience is ascribed to
God, it implies more than bare prospect or speculation. It imports an
act of the will, a resolution that the thing shall be, Acts ii. 23. God
did not only foreknow, but determine and decree, that his Son should
die for man, and this decree was before the foundation of the world.
Time and the world began together; before the commencement of time
there was nothing but eternity. [2.] That was manifested in these last
days for them. He was manifested or demonstrated to be that Redeemer
whom God had fore-ordained. He was manifested by his birth, by his
Father's testimony, and by his own works, especially by his
resurrection from the dead, Rom. i. 4. "This was done in these last
times of the New Testament and of the gospel, for you, you Jews, you
sinners, you afflicted ones; you have the comfort of the manifestation
and appearance of Christ, if you believe on him." [3.] That was raised
from the dead by the Father, who gave him glory. The resurrection of
Christ, considered as an act of power, is common to all the three
persons, but as an act of judgment it is peculiar to the Father, who as
a Judge released Christ, raised him from the grave, and gave him glory,
proclaimed him to all the world to be his Son by his resurrection from
the dead, advanced him to heaven, crowned him with glory and honour,
invested him with all power in heaven and earth, and glorified him with
that glory which he had with God before the world was.
(2.) The redeemed are also described here by their faith and hope, the
cause of which is Jesus Christ: "You do by him believe in God--by him
as the author, encourager, support, and finisher of your faith; your
faith and hope now may be in God, as reconciled to you by Christ the
Mediator."
(3.) From all this we learn, [1.] The decree of God to send Christ to
be a Mediator was from everlasting, and was a just and merciful decree,
which yet does not at all excuse man's sin in crucifying him, Acts ii.
23. God had purposes of special favour towards his people long before
he made any manifestations of such grace to them. [2.] Great is the
happiness of the last times in comparison with what the former ages of
the world enjoyed. The clearness of light, the supports of faith, the
efficacy of ordinances, and the proportion of comforts--these are all
much greater since the manifestation of Christ than they were before.
Our gratitude and services should be suitable to such favours. [3.] The
redemption of Christ belongs to none but true believers. A general
impetration is asserted by some and denied by others, but none pretend
to a general application of Christ's death for the salvation of all.
Hypocrites and unbelievers will be ruined for ever, notwithstanding the
death of Christ. [4.] God in Christ is the ultimate object of a
Christian's faith, which is strongly supported by the resurrection of
Christ, and the glory that did follow.
II. He exhorts them to brotherly love.
1. He supposes that the gospel had already had such an effect upon them
as to purify their souls while they obeyed it through the Spirit, and
that it had produced at least an unfeigned love of the brethren; and
thence he argues with them to proceed to a higher degree of affection,
to love one another with a pure heart fervently, v. 22. Learn, (1.) It
is not to be doubted but that every sincere Christian purifies his
soul. The apostle takes this for granted: Seeing you have, &c. To
purify the soul supposes some great uncleanness and defilement which
had polluted it, and that this defilement is removed. Neither the
Levitical purifications under the law, nor the hypocritical
purifications of the outward man, can effect this. (2.) The word of God
is the great instrument of a sinner's purification: Seeing you have
purified your souls in obeying the truth. The gospel is called truth,
in opposition to types and shadows, to error and falsehood. This truth
is effectual to purify the soul, if it be obeyed, John xvii. 17. Many
hear the truth, but are never purified by it, because they will not
submit to it nor obey it. (3.) The Spirit of God is the great agent in
the purification of man's soul. The Spirit convinces the soul of its
impurities, furnishes those virtues and graces that both adorn and
purify, such as faith (Acts xv. 9), hope (1 John iii. 3), the fear of
God (Ps. xxxiv. 9), and the love of Jesus Christ. The Spirit excites
our endeavours, and makes them successful. The aid of the Spirit does
not supersede our own industry; these people purified their own souls,
but it was through the Spirit. (4.) The souls of Christians must be
purified before they can so much as love one another unfeignedly. There
are such lusts and partialities in man's nature that without divine
grace we can neither love God nor one another as we ought to do; there
is no charity but out of a pure heart. (5.) It is the duty of all
Christians sincerely and fervently to love one another. Our affection
to one another must be sincere and real, and it must be fervent,
constant, and extensive.
2. He further presses upon Christians the duty of loving one another
with a pure heart fervently from the consideration of their spiritual
relation; they are all born again, not of corruptible seed, but
incorruptible, &c. Hence we may learn, (1.) That all Christians are
born again. The apostle speaks of it as what is common to all serious
Christians, and by this they are brought into a new and a near relation
to one another, they become brethren by their new birth. (2.) The word
of God is the great means of regeneration, Jam. i. 18. The grace of
regeneration is conveyed by the gospel. (3.) This new and second birth
is much more desirable and excellent than the first. This the apostle
teaches by preferring the incorruptible to the corruptible seed. By the
one we become the children of men, by the other the sons and daughters
of the Most High. The word of God being compared to seed teaches us
that though it is little in appearance, yet it is wonderful in
operation, though it lies hid awhile, yet it grows up and produces
excellent fruit at last. (4.) Those that are regenerate should love one
another with a pure heart fervently. Brethren by nature are bound to
love one another; but the obligation is double where there is a
spiritual relation: they are under the same government, partake of the
same privileges, and have embarked in the same interest. (5.) The word
of God lives and abides for ever. This word is a living word, or a
lively word, Heb. iv. 12. It is a means of spiritual life, to begin it
and preserve in it, animating and exciting us in our duty, till it
brings us to eternal life: and it is abiding; it remains eternally
true, and abides in the hearts of the regenerate for ever.
Vanity of the Natural Man. (a. d. 66.)
24 For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of
grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away: 25
But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which
by the gospel is preached unto you.
The apostle having given an account of the excellency of the renewed
spiritual man as born again, not of corruptible but incorruptible seed,
he now sets before us the vanity of the natural man, taking him with
all his ornaments and advantages about him: For all flesh is as grass,
and all the glory of man as the flower of grass; and nothing can make
him a solid substantial being, but the being born again of the
incorruptible seed, the word of God, which will transform him into a
most excellent creature, whose glory will not fade like a flower, but
shine like an angel; and this word is daily set before you in the
preaching of the gospel. Learn, 1. Man, in his utmost flourish and
glory, is still a withering, fading, dying creature. Take him singly,
all flesh is grass. In his entrance into the world, in his life and in
his fall, he is similar to grass, Job xiv. 2; Isa. xl. 6, 7. Take him
in all his glory, even this is as the flower of grass; his wit, beauty,
strength, vigour, wealth, honour--these are but as the flower of grass,
which soon withers and dies away. 2. The only way to render this
perishing creature solid and incorruptible is for him to entertain and
receive the word of God; for this remains everlasting truth, and, if
received, will preserve him to everlasting life, and abide with him for
ever. 3. The prophets and apostles preached the same doctrine. This
word which Isaiah and others delivered in the Old Testament is the same
which the apostles preached in the New.
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F I R S T P E T E R.
CHAP. II.
The general exhortation to holiness is continued, and enforced by
several reasons taken from the foundation on which Christians are
built, Jesus Christ, and from their spiritual blessings and privileges
in him. The means of obtaining it, the word of God, is recommended, and
all contrary qualities are condemned, ver. 1-12. Particular directions
are given how subjects ought to obey the magistrates, and servants
their masters, patiently suffering in well doing, in imitation of
Christ, ver. 13, to the end.
Against Malice and Hypocrisy. (a. d. 66.)
1 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies,
and envies, and all evil speakings, 2 As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: 3 If so be ye
have tasted that the Lord is gracious.
The holy apostle has been recommending mutual charity, and setting
forth the excellences of the word of God, calling it an incorruptible
seed, and saying that it liveth and abideth for ever. He pursues his
discourse, and very properly comes in with this necessary advice,
Wherefore laying aside all malice, &c. These are such sins as both
destroy charity and hinder the efficacy of the word, and consequently
they prevent our regeneration.
I. His advice is to lay aside or put off what is evil, as one would do
an old rotten garment: "Cast it away with indignation, never put it on
more."
1. The sins to be put off, or thrown aside, are, (1.) Malice, which may
be taken more generally for all sorts of wickedness, as Jam. i. 21; 1
Cor. v. 8. But, in a more confined sense, malice is anger resting in
the bosom of fools, settled overgrown anger, retained till it inflames
a man to design mischief, to do mischief, or delight in any mischief
that befals another. (2.) Guile, or deceit in words. So it comprehends
flattery, falsehood, and delusion, which is a crafty imposing upon
another's ignorance or weakness, to his damage. (3.) Hypocrisies. The
word being plural comprehends all sorts of hypocrisies. In matters of
religion hypocrisy is counterfeit piety. In civil conversation
hypocrisy is counterfeit friendship, which is much practised by those
who give high compliments, which they do not believe, make promises
which they never intend to perform, or pretend friendship when mischief
lies in their hearts. (4.) All envies; every thing that may be called
envy, which is a grieving at the good and welfare of another, at their
abilities, prosperity, fame, or successful labours. (5.) Evil speaking,
which is detraction, speaking against another, or defaming him; it is
rendered backbiting, 2 Cor. xii. 20; Rom. i. 30.
2. Hence learn, (1.) The best Christians have need to be cautioned and
warned against the worst sins, such as malice, hypocrisy, envy. They
are but sanctified in part, and are still liable to temptations. (2.)
Our best services towards God will neither please him nor profit us if
we be not conscientious in our duties to men. The sins here mentioned
are offences against the second table. These must be laid aside, or
else we cannot receive the word of God as we ought to do. (3.) Whereas
it is said all malice, all guile, learn, That one sin, not laid aside,
will hinder our spiritual profit and everlasting welfare. (4.) Malice,
envy, hatred, hypocrisy, and evil-speaking, generally go together.
Evil-speaking is a sign that malice and guile lie in the heart; and all
of them combine to hinder our profiting by the word of God.
II. The apostle, like a wise physician, having prescribed the purging
out of vicious humours, goes on to direct to wholesome and regular
food, that they may grow thereby. The duty exhorted to is a strong and
constant desire for the word of God, which word is here called
reasonable milk, only, this phrase not being proper English, our
translators rendered it the milk of the word, by which we are to
understand food proper for the soul, or a reasonable creature, whereby
the mind, not the body, is nourished and strengthened. This milk of the
word must be sincere, not adulterated by the mixtures of men, who often
corrupt the word of God, 2 Cor. ii. 17. The manner in which they are to
desire this sincere milk of the word is stated thus: As new-born babes.
He puts them in mind of their regeneration. A new life requires
suitable food. They, being newly born, must desire the milk of the
word. Infants desire common milk, and their desires towards it are
fervent and frequent, arising from an impatient sense of hunger, and
accompanied with the best endeavours of which the infant is capable.
Such must Christians' desires be for the word of God: and that for this
end, that they may grow thereby, that we may improve in grace and the
knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, 2 Pet. iii. 18. Learn, 1. Strong
desires and affections to the word of God are a sure evidence of a
person's being born again. If they be such desires as the babe has for
the milk, they prove that the person is new-born. They are the lowest
evidence, but yet they are certain. 2. Growth and improvement in wisdom
and grace are the design and desire of every Christian; all spiritual
means are for edification and improvement. The word of God, rightly
used, does not leave a man as it finds him, but improves and makes him
better.
III. He adds an argument from their own experience: If so be, or since
that, or forasmuch as, you have tasted that the Lord is gracious, v. 3.
The apostle does not express a doubt, but affirms that these good
Christians had tasted the goodness of God, and hence argues with them.
"You ought to lay aside these vile sins (v. 1); you ought to desire the
word of God; you ought to grow thereby, since you cannot deny but that
you have tasted that the Lord is gracious." The next verse assures us
that the Lord here spoken of is the Lord Jesus Christ. Hence learn, 1.
Our Lord Jesus Christ is very gracious to his people. He is in himself
infinitely good; he is very kind, free, and merciful to miserable
sinners; he is pitiful and good to the undeserving; he has in him a
fulness of grace. 2. The graciousness of our Redeemer is best
discovered by an experimental taste of it. There must be an immediate
application of the object to the organ of taste; we cannot taste at a
distance, as we may see, and hear, and smell. To taste the graciousness
of Christ experimentally supposes our being united to him by faith, and
then we may taste his goodness in all his providences, in all our
spiritual concerns, in all our fears and temptations, in his word and
worship every day. 3. The best of God's servants have in this life but
a taste of the grace of Christ. A taste is but a little; it is not a
draught, nor does it satisfy. It is so with the consolations of God in
this life. 4. The word of God is the great instrument whereby he
discovers and communicates his grace to men. Those who feed upon the
sincere milk of the word taste and experience most of his grace. In our
converses with his word we should endeavour always to understand and
experience more and more of his grace.
The Living Stone; Cautions against Sensuality. (a. d. 66.)
4 To whom coming, as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but
chosen of God, and precious, 5 Ye also, as lively stones, are built
up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. 6 Wherefore also it is
contained in the scripture, Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner stone,
elect, precious: and he that believeth on him shall not be confounded.
7 Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them
which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same
is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a
rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being
disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed. 9 But ye are a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should show forth the praises of him who hath called
you out of darkness into his marvellous light: 10 Which in time past
were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not
obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. 11 Dearly beloved, I
beseech you as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts,
which war against the soul; 12 Having your conversation honest among
the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they
may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day
of visitation.
I. The apostle here gives us a description of Jesus Christ as a living
stone; and though to a capricious wit, or an infidel, this description
may seem rough and harsh, yet to the Jews, who placed much of their
religion in their magnificent temple, and who understood the
prophetical style, which calls the Messiah a stone (Isa. viii. 14;
xxviii. 16), it would appear very elegant and proper.
1. In this metaphorical description of Jesus Christ, he is called a
stone, to denote his invincible strength and everlasting duration, and
to teach his servants that he is their protection and security, the
foundation on which they are built, and a rock of offence to all their
enemies. He is the living stone, having eternal life in himself, and
being the prince of life to all his people. The reputation and respect
he has with God and man are very different. He is disallowed of men,
reprobated or rejected by his own countrymen the Jews, and by the
generality of mankind; but chosen of God, separated and fore-ordained
to be the foundation of the church (as ch. i. 20), and precious, a most
honourable, choice, worthy person in himself, in the esteem of God, and
in the judgment of all who believe on him. To this person so described
we are obliged to come: To whom coming, not by a local motion, for that
is impossible since his exaltation, but by faith, whereby we are united
to him at first, and draw nigh to him afterwards. Learn, (1.) Jesus
Christ is the very foundation-stone of all our hopes and happiness. He
communicates the true knowledge of God (Matt. xi. 27); by him we have
access to the Father (John xiv. 6), and through him are made partakers
of all spiritual blessings, Eph. i. 3. (2.) Men in general disallow and
reject Jesus Christ; they slight him, dislike him, oppose and refuse
him, as scripture and experience declare, Isa. liii. 3. (3.) However
Christ may be disallowed by an ungrateful world, yet he is chosen of
God, and precious in his account. He is chosen and fixed upon to be the
Lord of the universe, the head of the church, the Saviour of his
people, and the Judge of the world. He is precious in the excellency of
his nature, the dignity of his office, and the gloriousness of his
services. (4.) Those who expect mercy from this gracious Redeemer must
come to him, which is our act, though done by God's grace--an act of
the soul, not of the body--a real endeavour, not a fruitless wish.
2. Having described Christ as the foundation, the apostle goes on to
speak of the superstructure, the materials built upon him: You also, as
living stones, are built up, v. 6. The apostle is recommending the
Christian church and constitution to these dispersed Jews. It was
natural for them to object that the Christian church had no such
glorious temple, nor such a numerous priesthood; but its dispensation
was mean, the services and sacrifices of it having nothing of the pomp
and grandeur which the Jewish dispensation had. To this the apostle
answers that the Christian church is a much nobler fabric than the
Jewish temple; it is a living temple, consisting not of dead materials,
but of living parts. Christ, the foundation, is a living stone.
Christians are lively stones, and these make a spiritual house, and
they are a holy priesthood; and, though they have no bloody sacrifices
of beasts to offer, yet they have much better and more acceptable, and
they have an altar too on which to present their offerings; for they
offer spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Learn,
(1.) All sincere Christians have in them a principle of spiritual life
communicated to them from Christ their head: therefore, as he is called
a living stone, so they are called lively, or living stones; not dead
in trespasses and sins, but alive to God by regeneration and the
working of the divine Spirit. (2.) The church of God is a spiritual
house. The foundation is Christ, Eph. ii. 22. It is a house for its
strength, beauty, variety of parts, and usefulness of the whole. It is
spiritual foundation, Christ Jesus,--in the materials of it, spiritual
persons,--in its furniture, the graces of the Spirit,--in its
connection, being held together by the Spirit of God and by one common
faith,--and in its use, which is spiritual work, to offer up spiritual
sacrifices. This house is daily built up, every part of it improving,
and the whole supplied in every age by the addition of new particular
members. (3.) All good Christians are a holy priesthood. The apostle
speaks here of the generality of Christians, and tells them they are a
holy priesthood; they are all select persons, sacred to God,
serviceable to others, well endowed with heavenly gifts and graces, and
well employed. (4.) This holy priesthood must and will offer up
spiritual sacrifices to God. The spiritual sacrifices which Christians
are to offer are their bodies, souls, affections, prayers, praises,
alms, and other duties. (5.) The most spiritual sacrifices of the best
men are not acceptable to God, but through Jesus Christ; he is the only
great high priest, through whom we and our services can be accepted;
therefore bring all your oblations to him, and by him present them to
God.
II. He confirms what he had asserted of Christ being a living stone,
&c., from Isa. xxviii. 16. Observe the manner of the apostle's quoting
scripture, not by book, chapter, and verse; for these distinctions were
not then made, so no more was said than a reference to Moses, David, or
the prophets, except once a particular psalm was named, Acts xiii. 33.
In their quotations they kept rather to the sense than the words of
scripture, as appears from what is recited from the prophet in this
place. He does not quote the scripture, neither the Hebrew nor LXX.,
word for word, yet makes a just and true quotation. The true sense of
scripture may be justly and fully expressed in other than in
scripture--words. It is contained. The verb is active, but our
translators render it passively, to avoid the difficulty of finding a
nominative case for it, which had puzzled so many interpreters before
them. The matter of the quotation is this, Behold, I lay in Zion.
Learn, 1. In the weighty matters of religion we must depend entirely
upon scripture--proof; Christ and his apostles appealed to Moses,
David, and the ancient prophets. The word of God is the only rule God
hath given us. It is a perfect and sufficient rule. 2. The accounts
that God hath given us in scripture concerning his Son Jesus Christ are
what require our strictest attention. Behold, I lay, &c. John calls for
the like attention, John i. 29. These demands of attention to Christ
show us the excellency of the matter, the importance of it, and our
stupidity and dulness. 3. The constituting of Christ Jesus head of the
church is an eminent work of God: I lay in Zion. The setting up of the
pope for the head of the church is a human contrivance and an arrogant
presumption; Christ only is the foundation and head of the church of
God. 4. Jesus Christ is the chief corner-stone that God hath laid in
his spiritual building. The corner-stone stays inseparably with the
building, supports it, unites it, and adorns it. So does Christ by his
holy church, his spiritual house. 5. Jesus Christ is the corner-stone
for the support and salvation of none but such as are his sincere
people: none but Zion, and such as are of Zion; not for Babylon, not
for his enemies. 6. True faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to
prevent a man's utter confusion. Three things put a man into great
confusion, and faith prevents them all--disappointment, sin, and
judgment. Faith has a remedy for each.
III. He deduces an important inference, v. 7. Jesus Christ is said to
be the chief corner-stone. Hence the apostle infers with respect to
good men, "To you therefore who believe he is precious, or he is an
honour. Christ is the crown and honour of a Christian; you who believe
will be so far from being ashamed of him that you will boast of him and
glory in him for ever." As to wicked men, the disobedient will go on to
disallow and reject Jesus Christ; but God is resolved that he shall be,
in despite of all opposition, the head of the corner. Learn, 1.
Whatever is by just and necessary consequence deduced from scripture
may be depended upon with as much certainty as if it were contained in
express words of scripture. The apostle draws an inference from the
prophet's testimony. The prophet did not expressly say so, but yet he
said that from which the consequence was unavoidable. Our Saviour bids
them search the scriptures, because they testified of him; and yet no
place in those scriptures to which he there refers them said that Jesus
of Nazareth was the Messiah. Yet those scriptures do say that he who
should be born of a virgin, before the sceptre departed from Judah,
during the second temple, and after Daniel's seventy weeks, was the
Messiah; but such was Jesus Christ: to collect this conclusion one must
make use of reason, history, eye-sight, experience, and yet it is an
infallible scripture--conclusion notwithstanding. 2. The business of a
faithful minister is to apply general truths to the particular
condition and state of his hearers. The apostle quotes a passage (v. 6)
out of the prophet, and applies it severally to good and bad. This
requires wisdom, courage, and fidelity; but it is very profitable to
the hearers. 3. Jesus Christ is exceedingly precious to all the
faithful. The majesty and grandeur of his person, the dignity of his
office, his near relation, his wonderful works, his immense love--every
thing engages the faithful to the highest esteem and respect for Jesus
Christ. 4. Disobedient people have no true faith. By disobedient people
understand those that are unpersuadable, incredulous, and impenitent.
These may have some right notions, but no solid faith. 5. Those that
ought to be builders of the church of Christ are often the worst
enemies that Christ has in the world. In the Old Testament the false
prophets did the most mischief; and in the New Testament the greatest
opposition and cruelty that Christ met with were from the scribes,
pharisees, chief priests, and those who pretended to build and take
care of the church. Still the hierarchy of Rome is the worst enemy in
the world to Jesus Christ and his interest. 6. God will carry on his
own work, and support the interest of Jesus Christ in the world,
notwithstanding the falseness of pretended friends and the opposition
of his worst enemies.
IV. The apostle adds a further description, still preserving the
metaphor of a stone, v. 8. The words are taken from Isa. viii. 13, 14,
Sanctify the Lord of hosts himself--and he shall be for a stone of
stumbling, and for a rock of offence, whence it is plain that Jesus
Christ is the Lord of hosts, and consequently the most high God.
Observe,
1. The builders, the chief-priests, refused him, and the people
followed their leaders; and so Christ became to them a stone of
stumbling, and a rock of offence, at which they stumbled and hurt
themselves; and in return he fell upon them as a mighty stone or rock,
and punished them with destruction. Matt. xii. 44, Whosoever shall fall
on this stone shall be broken; but on whomsoever it shall fall it will
grind him to powder. Learn, (1.) All those that are disobedient take
offense at the word of God: They stumble at the word, being
disobedient. They are offended with Christ himself, with his doctrine
and the purity of his precepts; but the Jewish doctors more especially
stumbled at the meanness of his appearance and the proposal of trusting
only to him for their justification before God. They could not be
brought to seek justification by faith, but as it were by the works of
the law; for they stumbled at that stumbling-stone, Rom. ix. 32. (2.)
The same blessed Jesus who is the author of salvation to some is to
others the occasion of their sin and destruction. He is set for the
rising and fall of many in Israel. He is not the author of their sin,
but only the occasion of it; their own disobedience makes them stumble
at him and reject him, which he punishes, as a judge, with destruction.
Those who reject him as a Saviour will split upon him as a Rock. (3.)
God himself hath appointed everlasting destruction to all those who
stumble at the word, being disobedient. All those who go on resolutely
in their infidelity and contempt of the gospel are appointed to eternal
destruction; and God from eternity knows who they are. (4.) To see the
Jews generally rejecting Christ, and multitudes in all ages slighting
him, ought not to discourage us in our love and duty to him; for this
had been foretold by the prophets long ago, and is a confirmation of
our faith both in the scriptures and in the Messiah.
2. Those who received him were highly privileged, v. 9. The Jews were
exceedingly tender of their ancient privileges, of being the only
people of God, taken into a special covenant with him, and separated
from the rest of the world. "Now," say they, "if we submit to the
gospel--constitution, we shall lose all this, and stand upon the same
level with the Gentiles."
(1.) To this objection the apostle answers, that if they did not submit
they were ruined (v. 7, 8), but that if they did submit they should
lose no real advantage, but continue still what they desired to be, a
chosen generation, a royal priesthood, &c. Learn, [1.] All true
Christians are a chosen generation; they all make one family, a sort
and species of people distinct from the common world, of another
spirit, principle, and practice, which they could never be if they were
not chosen in Christ to be such, and sanctified by his Spirit. [2.] All
the true servants of Christ are a royal priesthood. They are royal in
their relation to God and Christ, in their power with God, and over
themselves and all their spiritual enemies; they are princely in the
improvements and the excellency of their own spirits, and in their
hopes and expectations; they are a royal priesthood, separated from sin
and sinners, consecrated to God, and offering to God spiritual services
and oblations, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. [3.] All
Christians, wheresoever they be, compose one holy nation. They are one
nation, collected under one head, agreeing in the same manners and
customs, and governed by the same laws; and they are a holy nation,
because consecrated and devoted to God, renewed and sanctified by his
Holy Spirit. [4.] It is the honour of the servants of Christ that they
are God's peculiar people. They are the people of his acquisition,
choice, care, and delight. These four dignities of all genuine
Christians are not natural to them; for their first state is a state of
horrid darkness, but they are effectually called out of darkness into a
state of marvellous light, joy, pleasure, and prosperity, with this
intent and view, that they should show forth, by words and actions, the
virtues and praises of him who hath called them.
(2.) To make this people content, and thankful for the great mercies
and dignities brought unto them by the gospel, the apostle advises them
to compare their former and their present state. Time was when they
were not a people, nor had they obtained mercy, but they were solemnly
disclaimed and divorced (Jer. iii. 8; Hos. i. 6, 9); but now they are
taken in again to be the people of God, and have obtained mercy. Learn,
[1.] The best people ought frequently to look back upon what they were
in time past. [2.] The people of God are the most valuable people in
the world; all the rest are not a people, good for little. [3.] To be
brought into the number of the people of God is a very great mercy, and
it may be obtained.
V. He warns them to beware of fleshly lusts, v. 11. Even the best of
men, the chosen generation, the people of God, need an exhortation to
abstain from the worst sins, which the apostle here proceeds most
earnestly and affectionately to warn them against. Knowing the
difficulty, and yet the importance of the duty, he uses his utmost
interest in them: Dearly beloved, I beseech you. The duty is to abstain
from, and to suppress, the first inclination or rise of fleshly lusts.
Many of them proceed from the corruption of nature, and in their
exercise depend upon the body, gratifying some sensual appetite or
inordinate inclination of the flesh. These Christians ought to avoid,
considering, 1. The respect they have with God and good men: They are
dearly beloved. 2. Their condition in the world: They are strangers and
pilgrims, and should not impede their passage by giving into the
wickedness and lusts of the country through which they pass. 3. The
mischief and danger these sins do: "They war against the soul; and
therefore your souls ought to war against them." Learn, (1.) The grand
mischief that sin does to man is this, it wars against the soul; it
destroys the moral liberty of the soul; it weakens and debilitates the
soul by impairing its faculties; it robs the soul of its comfort and
peace; it debases and destroys the dignity of the soul, hinders its
present prosperity, and plunges it into everlasting misery. (2.) Of all
sorts of sin, none are more injurious to the soul than fleshly lusts.
Carnal appetites, lewdness, and sensuality, are most odious to God, and
destructive to man's soul. It is a sore judgment to be given up to
them.
VI. He exhorts them further to adorn their profession by an honest
conversation. Their conversation in every turn, every instance, and
every action of their lives, ought to be honest; that is, good, lovely,
decent, amiable, and without blame: and that because they lived among
the Gentiles, people of another religion, and who were inveterate
enemies to them, who did already slander them and constantly spoke evil
of them as of evil-doers. "A clean, just, good conversation may not
only stop their mouths, but may possibly be a means to bring them to
glorify God, and turn to you, when they shall see you excel all others
in good works. They now call you evil-doers; vindicate yourselves by
good works, this is the way to convince them. There is a day of
visitation coming, wherein God may call them by his word and his grace
to repentance; and then they will glorify God, and applaud you, for
your excellent conversation, Luke i. 68. When the gospel shall come
among them, and take effect, a good conversation will encourage them in
their conversion, but an evil one will obstruct it." Note, 1. A
Christian profession should be attended with an honest conversation,
Phil. iv. 8. 2. It is the common lot of the best Christians to be evil
spoken of by wicked men. 3. Those that are under God's gracious
visitation immediately change their opinion of good people, glorifying
God and commending those whom before they railed at as evil-doers.
Submission to Magistrates; Various Exhortations; Christ's Example as a
Sufferer. (a. d. 66.)
13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake:
whether it be to the king, as supreme; 14 Or unto governors, as unto
them that are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers, and for the
praise of them that do well. 15 For so is the will of God, that with
well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: 16 As
free, and not using your liberty for a cloak of maliciousness, but as
the servants of God. 17 Honour all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear
God. Honour the king. 18 Servants, be subject to your masters with
all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward.
19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure
grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be
buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye
do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable
with God. 21 For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also
suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his
steps: 22 Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: 23
Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he
threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously:
24 Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that
we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose
stripes ye were healed. 25 For ye were as sheep going astray; but are
now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.
The general rule of a Christian conversation is this, it must be
honest, which it cannot be if there be not a conscientious discharge of
all relative duties. The apostle here particularly treats of these
distinctly.
I. The case of subjects. Christians were not only reputed innovators in
religion, but disturbers of the state; it was highly necessary,
therefore, that the apostle should settle the rules and measures of
obedience to the civil magistrate, which he does here, where,
1. The duty required is submission, which comprises loyalty and
reverence to their persons, obedience to their just laws and commands,
and subjection to legal penalties.
2. The persons or objects to whom this submission is due are described,
(1.) More generally: Every ordinance of man. Magistracy is certainly of
divine right; but the particular form of government, the power of the
magistrate, and the persons who are to execute this power, are of human
institution, and are governed by the laws and constitutions of each
particular country; and this is a general rule, binding in all nations,
let the established form of be what it will. (2.) Particularly: To the
king, as supreme, first in dignity and most eminent in degree; the king
is a legal person, not a tyrant: or unto governors, deputies,
proconsuls, rulers of provinces, who are sent by him, that is,
commissioned by him to govern.
3. The reasons to enforce this duty are,
(1.) For the Lord's sake, who had ordained magistracy for the good of
mankind, who has required obedience and submission (Rom. xiii.), and
whose honour is concerned in the dutiful behavior of subjects to their
sovereigns.
(2.) From the end and use of the magistrate's office, which are, to
punish evil-doers, and to praise and encourage all those that do well.
They were appointed for the good of societies; and, where this end is
not pursued, the fault is not in their institution but their practice.
[1.] True religion is the best support of civil government; it requires
submission for the Lord's sake, and for conscience' sake. [2.] All the
punishments, and all the magistrates in the world, cannot hinder but
there will be evil-doers in it. [3.] The best way the magistrate can
take to discharge his own duty, and to amend the world, is to punish
well and reward well.
(3.) Another reason why Christians should submit to the evil magistrate
is because it is the will of God, and consequently their duty; and
because it is the way to put to silence the malicious slanders of
ignorant and foolish men, v. 15. Learn, [1.] The will of God is, to a
good man, the strongest reason for any duty. [2.] Obedience to
magistrates is a considerable branch of a Christian's duty: So is the
will of God. [3.] A Christian must endeavour, in all relations, to
behave himself so as to put to silence the unreasonable reproaches of
the most ignorant and foolish men. [4.] Those who speak against
religion and religious people are ignorant and foolish.
(4.) He reminds them of the spiritual nature of Christian liberty. The
Jews, from Deut. xvii. 15, concluded that they were bound to obey no
sovereign but one taken from their own brethren; and the converted Jews
thought they were free from subjection by their relation to Christ. To
prevent their mistakes, the apostle tells the Christians that they were
free, but from what? Not from duty or obedience to God's law, which
requires subjection to the civil magistrate. They were free spiritually
from the bondage of sin and Satan, and the ceremonial law; but they
must not make their Christian liberty a cloak or covering for any
wickedness, or for the neglect of any duty towards God or towards their
superiors, but must still remember they were the servants of God.
Learn, [1.] All the servants of Christ are free men (John viii. 36);
they are free from Satans' dominion, the law's condemnation, the wrath
of God, the uneasiness of duty, and the terrors of death. [2.] The
servants of Jesus Christ ought to be very careful not to abuse their
Christian liberty; they must not make it a cover or cloak for any
wickedness against God or disobedience to superiors.
4. The apostle concludes his discourse concerning the duty of subjects
with four admirable precepts:-- (1.) Honour all men. A due respect is
to be given to all men; the poor are not to be despised (Prov. xvii.
5); the wicked must be honoured, not for their wickedness, but for any
other qualities, such as wit, prudence, courage, eminency of
employment, or the hoary head. Abraham, Jacob, Samuel, the prophets,
and the apostles, never scrupled to give due honour to bad men. (2.)
Love the brotherhood. All Christians are a fraternity, united to Christ
the head, alike disposed and qualified, nearly related in the same
interest, having communion one with another, and going to the same
home; they should therefore love one another with an especial
affection. (3.) Fear God with the highest reverence, duty, and
submission; if this be wanting, none of the other three duties can be
performed as they ought. (4.) Honour the king with that highest honour
that is peculiarly due to him above other men.
II. The case of servants wanted an apostolical determination as well as
that of subjects, for they imagined that their Christian liberty set
them free from their unbelieving and cruel masters; to this the apostle
answers, Servants, be subject, v. 18. By servants he means those who
were strictly such, whether hired, or bought with money, or taken in
the wars, or born in the house, or those who served by contract for a
limited time, as apprentices. Observe,
1. He orders them to be subject, to do their business faithfully and
honestly, to conduct themselves, as inferiors ought, with reverence and
affection, and to submit patiently to hardships and inconveniences.
This subjection they owe to their masters, who have a right to their
service; and that not only to the good and gentle, such as use them
well and abate somewhat of their right, but even to the crooked and
perverse, who are scarcely to be pleased at all. Learn, (1.) Servants
ought to behave themselves to their masters with submission, and fear
of displeasing them. (2.) The sinful misconduct of one relation does
not justify the sinful behaviour of the other; the servant is bound to
do his duty, though the master be sinfully froward and perverse. (3.)
Good people are meek and gentle to their servants and inferiors. Our
holy apostle shows his love and concern for the souls of poor servants,
as well as for higher people. Herein he ought to be imitated by all
inferior ministers, who should distinctly apply their counsels to the
lower, the meaner, the younger, and the poorer sort of their hearers,
as well as others.
2. Having charged them to be subject, he condescends to reason with
them about it.
(1.) If they were patient under their hardships, while they suffered
unjustly, and continued doing their duty to their unbelieving and
untoward masters, this would e acceptable to God, and he would reward
all that they suffered for conscience towards him; but to be patient
when they were justly chastised would deserve no commendation at all;
it is only doing well, and suffering patiently for that, which is
acceptable with God, v. 19, 20. Learn, [1.] There is no condition so
mean but a man may live conscientiously in it, and glorify God in it;
the meanest servant may do so. [2.] The most conscientious persons are
very often the greatest sufferers. For conscience towards God, they
suffer wrongfully; they do well, and suffer for it; but sufferers of
this sort are praiseworthy, they do honour to God and to religion, and
they are accepted of him; and this is their highest support and
satisfaction. [3.] Deserved sufferings must be endured with patience:
If you are buffeted for your faults, you must take it patiently.
Sufferings in this world are not always pledges of our future
happiness; if children or servants be rude and undutiful, and suffer
for it, this will neither be acceptable with God nor procure the praise
of men.
(2.) More reasons are given to encourage Christian servants to patience
under unjust sufferings, v. 21. [1.] From their Christian calling and
profession: Hereunto were you called. [2.] From the example of Christ,
who suffered for us, and so became our example, that we should follow
his steps, whence learn, First, Good Christians are a sort of people
called to be sufferers, and therefore they must expect it; by the terms
of Christianity they are bound to deny themselves, and take up the
cross; they are called by the commands of Christ, by the dispensations
of Providence, and by the preparations of divine grace; and, by the
practice of Jesus Christ, they are bound to suffer when thus called to
it. Secondly, Jesus Christ suffered for you, or for us; it was not the
Father that suffered, but he whom the Father sanctified, and sent into
the world, for that end; it was both the body and soul of Christ that
suffered, and he suffered for us, in our stead and for our good, v. 24.
Thirdly, The sufferings of Christ should quiet us under the most unjust
and cruel sufferings we meet with in the world. He suffered
voluntarily, not for himself, but for us, with the utmost readiness,
with perfect patience, from all quarters, and all this though he was
God-man; shall not we sinners, who deserve the worst, submit to the
light afflictions of this life, which work for us unspeakable
advantages afterwards?
3. The example of Christ's subjection and patience is here explained
and amplified: Christ suffered, (1.) Wrongfully, and without cause; for
he did no sin, v. 22. He had done no violence, no injustice or wrong to
any one--he wrought no iniquity of any sort whatever; neither was guile
found in his mouth (Isa. liii. 9), his words, as well as his actions,
were all sincere, just, and right. (2.) Patiently: When he was reviled,
he reviled not again (v. 23); when they blasphemed him, mocked him,
called him foul names, he was dumb, and opened not his mouth; when they
went further, to real injuries, beating, buffeting, and crowning him
with thorns, he threatened not; but committed both himself and his
cause to God that judgeth righteously, who would in time clear his
innocency, and avenge him on his enemies. Learn, [1.] Our Blessed
Redeemer was perfectly holy, and so free from sin that no temptation,
no provocation whatsoever, could extort from him so much as the least
sinful or indecent word. [2.] Provocations to sin can never justify the
commission of it. The rudeness, cruelty, and injustice of enemies, will
not justify Christians in reviling and revenge; the reasons for sin can
never be so great, but we have always stronger reasons to avoid it.
[3.] The judgment of God will determine justly upon every man and every
cause; and thither we ought, with patience and resignation, to refer
ourselves.
4. Lest any should think, from what is said, v. 21-23, that Christ's
death was designed merely for an example of patience under sufferings,
the apostle here adds a more glorious design and effect of it: Who his
own self, &c., where note, (1.) The person suffering--Jesus Christ: His
own self--in his own body. The expression his own self is emphatic, and
necessary to show that he verified all the ancient prophecies, to
distinguish him from the Levitical priests (who offered the blood of
others, but he by himself purged our sins, Heb. i. 3), and to exclude
all others from participation with him in the work of man's redemption:
it is added, in his body; not but that he suffered in his soul (Matt.
xxvi. 38), but the sufferings of the soul were inward and concealed,
when those of the body were visible and more obvious to the
consideration of these suffering servants, for whose sake this example
is produced. (2.) The sufferings he underwent were stripes, wounds, and
death, the death of the cross--servile and ignominious punishments!
(3.) The reason of his sufferings: He bore our sins, which teaches,
[1.] That Christ, in his sufferings, stood charged with our sins, as
one who had undertaken to put them away by the sacrifice of himself,
Isa. liii. 6. [2.] That he bore the punishment of them, and thereby
satisfied divine justice. [3.] That hereby he takes away our sins, and
removes them away from us; as the scape-goat did typically bear the
sins of the people on his head, and then carried them quite away, (Lev.
xvi. 21, 22), so the Lamb of God does first bear our sins in his own
body, and thereby take away the sins of the world, John i. 29. (4.) The
fruits of Christ's sufferings are, [1.] Our sanctification, consisting
of the death, the mortification of sin, and a new holy life of
righteousness, for both which we have an example, and powerful motives
and abilities also, from the death and resurrection of Christ. [2.] Our
justification. Christ was bruised and crucified as an expiatory
sacrifice, and by his stripes we are healed. Learn, First, Jesus Christ
bore the sins of all his people, and expiated them by his death upon
the cross. Secondly, No man can depend safely upon Christ, as having
borne his sin and expiated his guilt, till he dies unto sin and lives
unto righteousness.
5. The apostle concludes his advice to Christian servants, by putting
them in mind of the difference between their former and present
condition, v. 25. They were as sheep going astray, which represents,
(1.) Man's sin: he goes astray; it is his own act, he is not driven,
but does voluntary go astray. (2.) His misery: he goes astray from the
pasture, from the shepherd, and from the flock, and so exposes himself
to innumerable dangers. (3.) Here is the recovery of these by
conversion: But are now returned. The word is passive, and shows that
the return of a sinner is the effect of divine grace. This return is
from all their errors and wanderings, to Christ, who is the true
careful shepherd, that loves his sheep, and laid down his life for
them, who is the most vigilant pastor, and bishop, or overseer of
souls. Learn, [1.] Sinners, before their conversion, are always going
astray; their life is a continued error. [2.] Jesus Christ is the
supreme shepherd and bishop of souls, who is always resident with his
flock, and watchful over them. [3.] Those that expect the love and care
of this universal pastor must return to him, must die unto sin, and
live unto righteousness.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T P E T E R.
CHAP. III.
Wherein the apostle describes the duties of husbands and wives one to
another, beginning with the duty of the wife, ver. 1-7. He exhorts
Christians to unity, love, compassion, peace, and patience under
sufferings; to oppose the slanders of their enemies, not by returning
evil for evil, or railing for railing, but by blessing; by a ready
account of their faith and hope, and by keeping a good conscience, ver.
8-17. To encourage them to this, he proposes the example of Christ, who
suffered, the just for the unjust, but yet punished the old world for
their disobedience, and saved the few who were faithful in the days of
Noah, ver. 18, to the end.
Duties of Husbands and Wives. (a. d. 66.)
1 Likewise, ye wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; that, if
any obey not the word, they also may without the word be won by the
conversation of the wives; 2 While they behold your chaste
conversation coupled with fear. 3 Whose adorning let it not be that
outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of
putting on of apparel; 4 But let it be the hidden man of the heart,
in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet
spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price. 5 For after this
manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned
themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: 6 Even as
Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long
as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. 7 Likewise, ye
husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto
the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the
grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.
The apostle having treated of the duties of subjects to their
sovereigns, and of servants to their masters, proceeds to explain the
duty of husbands and wives.
I. Lest the Christian matrons should imagine that their conversion to
Christ, and their interest in all Christian privileges, exempted them
from subjection to their pagan or Jewish husbands, the apostle here
tells them,
1. In what the duty of wives consists.
(1.) In subjection, or an affectionate submission to the will, and
obedience to the just authority, of their own husbands, which obliging
conduct would be the most likely way to win those disobedient and
unbelieving husbands who had rejected the word, or who attended to no
other evidence of the truth of it than what they saw in the prudent,
peaceable, and exemplary conversation of their wives. Learn, [1.] Every
distinct relation has its particular duties, which ministers ought to
preach, and the people ought to understand. [2.] A cheerful subjection,
and a loving, reverential respect, are duties which Christian women owe
their husbands, whether they be good or bad; these were due from Eve to
Adam before the fall, and are still required, though much more
difficult now than they were before, Gen. iii. 16; 1 Tim. ii. 11. [3.]
Though the design of the word of the gospel is to win and gain souls to
Christ Jesus, yet there are many so obstinate that they will not be won
by the word. [4.] There is nothing more powerful, next to the word of
God, to win people, than a good conversation, and the careful discharge
of relative duties. [5.] Irreligion and infidelity do not dissolve the
bonds, nor dispense with the duties, of civil relations; the wife must
discharge her duty to her own husband, though he obey not the word.
(2.) In fear, or reverence to their husbands, Eph. v. 33.
(3.) In a chaste conversation, which their unbelieving husbands would
accurately observe and attend to. [1.] Evil men are strict observers of
the conversation of the professors of religion; their curiosity, envy,
and jealousy, make them watch narrowly the ways and lives of good
people. [2.] A chaste conversation, attended with due and proper
respect to every one, is an excellent means to win them to the faith of
the gospel and obedience to the word.
(4.) In preferring the ornaments of the mind to those of the body. [1.]
He lays down a rule in regard to the dress of religious women, v. 3.
Here are three sorts of ornaments forbidden: plaiting of hair, which
was commonly used in those times by lewd women; wearing of gold, or
ornaments made of gold, was practised by Rebecca, and Esther, and other
religious women, but afterwards became the attire chiefly of harlots
and wicked people; putting on of apparel, which is not absolutely
forbidden, but only too much nicety and costliness in it. Learn, First,
Religious people should take care that all their external behaviour be
answerable to their profession of Christianity: They must be holy in
all manner of conversation. Secondly, The outward adorning of the body
is very often sensual and excessive; for instance, when it is
immoderate, and above your degree and station in the world, when you
are proud of it and puffed up with it, when you dress with design to
allure and tempt others, when your apparel is too rich, curious, or
superfluous, when your fashions are fantastical, imitating the levity
and vanity of the worst people, and when they are immodest and wanton.
The attire of a harlot can never become a chaste Christian matron. [2.]
Instead of the outward adorning of the body, he directs Christian wives
to put on much more excellent and beautiful ornaments, v. 4. Here note,
First, The part to be adorned: The hidden man of the heart; that is,
the soul; the hidden, the inner man. Take care to adorn and beautify
your souls rather than your bodies. Secondly, The ornament prescribed.
It must, in general, be something not corruptible, that beautifies the
soul, that is, the graces and virtues of God's Holy Spirit. The
ornaments of the body are destroyed by the moth, and perish in the
using; but the grace of God, the longer we wear it, the brighter and
better it is. More especially, the finest ornament of Christian women
is a meek and quiet spirit, a tractable easy temper of mind, void of
passion, pride, and immoderate anger, discovering itself in a quiet
obliging behaviour towards their husbands and families. If the husband
be harsh, and averse to religion (which was the case of these good
wives to whom the apostle gives this direction), there is no way so
likely to win him as a prudent meek behaviour. At least, a quiet spirit
will make a good woman easy to herself, which, being visible to others,
becomes an amiable ornament to a person in the eyes of the world.
Thirdly, The excellency of it. Meekness and calmness of spirit are, in
the sight of God, of great price--amiable in the sight of men, and
precious in the sight of God. Learn, 1. A true Christian's chief care
lies in the right ordering and commanding of his own spirit. Where the
hypocrite's work ends, there the true Christian's work begins. 2. The
endowments of the inner man are the chief ornaments of a Christian; but
especially a composed, calm, and quiet spirit, renders either man or
woman beautiful and lovely.
2. The duties of Christian wives being in their nature difficult, the
apostle enforces them by the example, (1.) Of the holy women of old,
who trusted in God, v. 5. "You can pretend nothing of excuse from the
weakness of your sex, but what they might. They lived in old time, and
had less knowledge to inform them and fewer examples to encourage them;
yet in all ages they practised this duty; they were holy women, and
therefore their example is obligatory; they trusted in God, and yet did
not neglect their duty to man: the duties imposed upon you, of a quiet
spirit and of subjection to your own husbands, are not new, but what
have ever been practised by the greatest and best women in the world."
(2.) Of Sara, who obeyed her husband, and followed him when he went
from Ur of the Chaldeans, not knowing whither he went, and called him
lord, thereby showing him reverence and acknowledging his superiority
over her; and all this though she was declared a princess by God from
heaven, by the change of her name, "Whose daughters you are if you
imitate her in faith and good works, and do not, through fear of your
husbands, either quit the truth you profess or neglect your duty to
them, but readily perform it, without either fear or force, out of
conscience towards God and sense of duty to them." Learn, [1.] God
takes exact notice, and keeps an exact record, of the actions of all
men and women in the world. [2.] The subjection of wives to their
husbands is a duty which has been practised universally by holy women
in all ages. [3.] The greatest honour of any man or woman lies in a
humble and faithful deportment of themselves in the relation or
condition in which Providence has placed them. [4.] God takes notice of
the good that is in his servants, to their honour and benefit, but
covers a multitude of failings; Sara's infidelity and derision are
overlooked, when her virtues are celebrated. [5.] Christians ought to
do their duty to one another, not out of fear, nor from force, but from
a willing mind, and in obedience to the command of God. Wives should be
in subjection to their churlish husbands, not from dread and amazement,
but from a desire to do well and to please God.
II. The husband's duty to the wife comes next to be considered.
1. The particulars are, (1.) Cohabitation, which forbids unnecessary
separation, and implies a mutual communication of goods and persons one
to another, with delight and concord. (2.) Dwelling with the wife
according to knowledge; not according to lust, as brutes; nor according
to passion, as devils; but according to knowledge, as wise and sober
men, who know the word of God and their own duty. (3.) Giving honour to
the wife--giving due respect to her, and maintaining her authority,
protecting her person, supporting her credit, delighting in her
conversation, affording her a handsome maintenance, and placing a due
trust and confidence in her.
2. The reasons are, Because she is the weaker vessel by nature and
constitution, and so ought to be defended: but then the wife is, in
other and higher respects, equal to her husband; they are heirs
together of the grace of life, of all the blessings of this life and
another, and therefore should live peaceably and quietly one with
another, and, if they do not, their prayers one with another and one
for another will be hindered, so that often "you will not pray at all,
or, if you do, you will pray with a discomposed ruffled mind, and so
without success." Learn, (1.) The weakness of the female sex is no just
reason either for separation or contempt, but on the contrary it is a
reason for honour and respect: Giving honour to the wife as unto the
weaker vessel. (2.) There is an honour due to all who are heirs of the
grace of life. (3.) All married people should take care to behave
themselves so lovingly and peaceably one to another that they may not
by their broils hinder the success of their prayers.
Duties towards Friends and Enemies. (a. d. 66.)
8 Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another,
love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous: 9 Not rendering evil for
evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that
ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing. 10 For he
that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from
evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil,
and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 12 For the eyes of the
Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers:
but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil. 13 And who is
he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good? 14
But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not
afraid of their terror, neither be troubled; 15 But sanctify the Lord
God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man
that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and
fear:
The apostle here passes from special to more general exhortations.
I. He teaches us how Christians and friends should treat one another.
He advises Christians to be all of one mind, to be unanimous in the
belief of the same faith, and the practice of the same duties of
religion; and, whereas the Christians at that time were many of them in
a suffering condition, he charges them to have compassion one of
another, to love as brethren, to pity those who were in distress, and
to be courteous to all. Hence learn, 1. Christians should endeavour to
be all of one mind in the great points of faith, in real affection, and
in Christian practice; they should be like-minded one to another,
according to Christ Jesus (Rom. xv. 5), not according to man's
pleasure, but God's word. 2. Though Christians cannot be exactly of the
same mind, yet they should have compassion one for another, and love as
brethren; they ought not to persecute or hate one another, but love one
another with more than common affection; they should love as brethren.
3. Christianity requires pity to the distressed, and civility to all.
He must be a flagrant sinner, or a vile apostate, who is not a proper
object of civil courtesy, 1 Cor. v. 11; 2 John 10, 11.
II. He instructs us how to behave towards enemies. The apostle knew
that Christians would be hated and evil-entreated of all men for
Christ's sake; therefore,
1. He warns them not to return evil for evil, nor railing for railing;
but, on the contrary, "when they rail at you, do you bless them; when
they give you evil words, do you give them good ones; for Christ has
both by his word and example called you to bless those that curse you,
and has settled a blessing on you as your everlasting inheritance,
though you were unworthy." To bear evils patiently, and to bless your
enemies, is the way to obtain this blessing of God. Learn, (1.) To
render evil for evil, or railing for railing, is a sinful unchristian
practice; the magistrate may punish evil-doers, and private men may
seek a legal remedy when they are wronged; but private revenge by
duelling, scolding, or secret mischief, is forbidden Prov. xx. 22; Luke
vi. 27; Rom. xii. 17; 1 Thess. v. 15. To rail is to revile another in
bitter, fierce, and reproachful terms; but for ministers to rebuke
sharply, and to preach earnestly against the sins of the times, is not
railing; all the prophets and apostles practised it, Isa. lvi. 10;
Zeph. iii. 3; Acts xx. 29. (2.) The laws of Christ oblige us to return
blessing for railing. Matt. v. 44, "Love your enemies, bless those that
curse you, do good to those that hate you, and pray for those that
persecute you. You must not justify them in their sin, but you must do
for your enemies all that justice requires or charity commands." We
must pity, pray for, and love those who rail at us. (3.) A Christian's
calling, as it invests him with glorious privileges, so it obliges him
to difficult duties. (4.) All the true servants of God shall infallibly
inherit a blessing; they have it already in a great degree, but the
full possession of it is reserved to another state and world.
2. He gives an excellent prescription for a comfortable happy life in
this quarrelsome ill-natured world (v. 10): it is quoted from Ps.
xxxiv. 12-14. "If you earnestly desire that your life should be long,
and your days peaceable and prosperous, keep your tongue from reviling,
evil-speaking, and slandering, and your lips from lying, deceit, and
dissimulation. Avoid doing any real damage or hurt to your neighbour,
but be ever ready to do good, and to overcome evil with good; seek
peace with all men, and pursue it, though it retire from you. This will
be the best way to dispose people to speak well of you, and live
peaceably with you." Learn, (1.) Good people under the Old and new
Testament were obliged to the same moral duties; to refrain the tongue
from evil, and the lips from guile, was a duty in David's time as well
as now. (2.) It is lawful to consider temporal advantages as motives
and encouragements to religion. (3.) The practice of religion,
particularly the right government of the tongue, is the best way to
make this life comfortable and prosperous; a sincere, inoffensive,
discreet tongue, is a singular means to pass us peaceably and
comfortably through the world. (4.) The avoiding of evil, and doing of
good, is the way to contentment and happiness both here and hereafter.
(5.) It is the duty of Christians not only to embrace peace when it is
offered, but to seek and pursue it when it is denied: peace with
societies, as well as peace with particular persons, in opposition to
division and contention, is what is here intended.
3. He shows that Christians need not fear that such patient inoffensive
behaviour as is prescribed will invite and encourage the cruelty of
their enemies, for God will thereby be engaged on their side: For the
eyes of the Lord are over the righteous (v. 12); he takes special
notice of them, exercises a providential constant government over them,
and bears a special respect and affection to them. His ears are open to
their prayers; so that if any injuries be offered to them they have
this remedy, they may complain of it to their heavenly Father, whose
ears are always attentive to the prayers of his servants in their
distresses, and who will certainly aid them against their unrighteous
enemies. But the face of the Lord is against those that do evil; his
anger, and displeasure, and revenge, will pursue them; for he is more
an enemy to wicked persecutors than men are. Observe, (1.) We must not
in all cases adhere to the express words of scripture, but study the
sense and meaning of them, otherwise we shall be led into blasphemous
errors and absurdities: we must not imagine that God hath eyes, and
ears, and face, though these are the express words of the scripture.
(2.) God hath a special care and paternal affection towards all his
righteous people. (3.) God doth always hear the prayers of the
faithful, John iv. 31; 1 John v. 14; Heb. iv. 16. (4.) Though God is
infinitely good, yet he abhors impenitent sinners, and will pour out
his wrath upon those that do evil. He will do himself right, and do all
the world justice; and his goodness is no obstruction to his doing so.
4. This patient humble behaviour of Christians is further recommended
and urged from two considerations:--(1.) This will be the best and
surest way to prevent suffering; for who is he that will harm you? v.
13. This, I suppose, is spoken of Christians in an ordinary condition,
not in the heat of persecution. "Ordinarily, there will be but few so
diabolical and impious as to harm those who live so innocently and
usefully as you do." (2.) This is the way to improve sufferings. "If
you be followers of that which is good, and yet suffer, this is
suffering for righteousness; sake (v. 14), and will be your glory and
your happiness, as it entitles you to the blessing promised by Christ"
(Matt. v. 10); therefore, [1.] "You need not be afraid of any thing
they can do to strike you with terror, neither be much troubled nor
concerned about the rage or force of your enemies." Learn, First, to
follow always that which is good is the best course we can take to keep
out of harm's way. Secondly, To suffer for righteousness sake is the
honour and happiness of a Christian; to suffer for the cause of truth,
a good conscience, or any part of a Christian's duty, is a great
honour; the delight of it is greater than the torment, the honour more
than the disgrace, and the gain much greater than the loss. Thirdly,
Christians have no reason to be afraid of the threats or rage of any of
their enemies. "Your enemies are God's enemies, his face is against
them, his power is above them, they are the objects of his curse, and
can do nothing to you but by his permission; therefore trouble not
yourselves about them." [2.] Instead of terrifying yourselves with the
fear of men, be sure to sanctify the Lord God in your hearts (v. 15);
let him be your fear, and let him be your dread, Isa. viii. 12, 13.
Fear not those that can only kill the body, but fear him that can
destroy body and soul, Luke xii. 4, 5. We sanctify the Lord God in our
hearts when we with sincerity and fervency adore him, when our thoughts
of him are awful and reverend, when we rely upon his power, trust to
his faithfulness, submit to his wisdom, imitate his holiness, and give
him the glory due to his most illustrious perfections. We sanctify God
before others when our deportment is such as invites and encourages
others to glorify and honour him; both are required, Lev. x. 3. "When
this principle is laid deeply into your hearts, the next thing, as to
men, is to be always ready, that is, able and willing, to give an
answer, or make an apology or defence, of the faith you profess, and
that to every man that asketh a reason of your hope, what sort of hope
you have, or which you suffer such hardships in the world." Learn,
First, An awful sense of the divine perfections is the best antidote
against the fear of sufferings; did we fear God more, we should
certainly fear men less. Secondly, The hope and faith of a Christian
are defensible against all the world. There may be a good reason given
for religion; it is not a fancy but a rational scheme revealed from
heaven, suited to all the necessities of miserable sinners, and
centering entirely in the glory of God through Jesus Christ. Thirdly,
Every Christian is bound to answer and apologize for the hope that is
in him. Christians should have a reason ready for their Christianity,
that it may appear they are not actuated either by folly or fancy. This
defence may be necessary more than once or twice, so that Christians
should be always prepared to make it, either to the magistrate, if he
demand it, or to any inquisitive Christian, who desires to know it for
his information or improvement. Fourthly, These confessions of our
faith ought to be made with meekness and fear; apologies for our
religion ought to be made with modesty and meekness, in the fear of
God, with jealousy over ourselves, and reverence to our superiors.
Good Conscience and Good Conversation. (a. d. 66.)
16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as
of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good
conversation in Christ. 17 For it is better, if the will of God be
so, that ye suffer for well doing, than for evil doing.
The confession of a Christian's faith cannot credibly be supported but
by the two means here specified--a good conscience and a good
conversation. conscience is good when it does its office well, when it
is kept pure and uncorrupt, and clear from guilt; then it will justify
you, though men accuse you. A good conversation in Christ is a holy
life, according to the doctrine and example of Christ. "Look well to
your conscience, and to your conversation; and then, though men speak
evil of you, and falsely accuse you as evil-doers, you will clear
yourselves, and bring them to shame. Perhaps you may think it hard to
suffer for well-doing, for keeping a good conscience and a good
conversation; but be not discouraged, for it is better for you, though
worse for your enemies, that you suffer for well-doing than for
evil-doing." Learn, 1. The most conscientious persons cannot escape the
censures and slanders of evil men; they will speak evil of them, as of
evil-doers, and charge them with crimes which their very souls abhor:
Christ and his apostles were so used. 2. A good conscience and a good
conversation are the best means to secure a good name; these give a
solid reputation and a lasting one. 3. False accusation generally turns
to the accuser's shame, by discovering at last the accuser's
indiscretion, injustice, falsehood, and uncharitableness. 4. It is
sometimes the will of God that good people should suffer for
well-doing, for their honesty and for their faith. 5. As well-doing
sometimes exposes a good man to suffering, so evil-doing will not
exempt an evil man from it. The apostle supposes here that a man may
suffer for both. If the sufferings of good people for well-doing be so
severe, what will the sufferings of wicked people be for evil-doing? It
is a sad condition which that person is in upon whom sin and suffering
meet together at the same time; sin makes sufferings to be extreme,
unprofitable, comfortless, and destructive.
Christ's Sufferings. (a. d. 66.)
18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,
but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached
unto the spirits in prison; 20 Which sometime were disobedient, when
once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark
was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Here, I. The example of Christ is proposed as an argument for patience
under sufferings, the strength of which will be discerned if we
consider the several points contained in the words; observe therefore,
1. Jesus Christ himself was not exempted from sufferings in this life,
though he had no guilt of his own and could have declined all suffering
if he had pleased. 2. The reason or meritorious cause of Christ's
suffering was the sins of men: Christ suffered for sins. The sufferings
of Christ were a true and proper punishment; this punishment was
suffered to expiate and to make an atonement for sin; and it extends to
all sin. 3. In the case of our Lord's suffering, it was the just that
suffered for the unjust; he substituted himself in our room and stead,
and bore our iniquities. He that knew no sin suffered instead of those
that knew no righteousness. 4. The merit and perfection of Christ's
sacrifice were such that for him to suffer once was enough. The legal
sacrifices were repeated from day to day, and from year to year; but
the sacrifice of Christ, once offered, purgeth away sin, Heb. vii. 27;
ix. 26, 28; x. 10, 12, 14. 5. The blessed end or design of our Lord's
sufferings was to bring us to God, to reconcile us to God, to give us
access to the Father, to render us and our services acceptable, and to
bring us to eternal glory, Eph. ii. 13, 18; iii. 12; Heb. x. 21, 22. 6.
The issue and event of Christ's suffering, as to himself, were these,
he was put to death in his human nature, but he was quickened and
raised again by the Spirit. Now, if Christ was not exempted from
sufferings, why should Christians expect it? If he suffered, to expiate
sins, why should not we be content when our sufferings are only for
trial and correction, but not for expiation? If he, though perfectly
just, why should not we, who are all criminals? If he once suffered,
and then entered into glory, shall not we be patient under trouble,
since it will be but a little time and we shall follow him to glory? If
he suffered, to bring us to God, shall not we submit to difficulties,
since they are of so much use to quicken us in our return to God, and
in the performance of our duty to him?
II. The apostle passes from the example of Christ to that of the old
world, and sets before the Jews, to whom he wrote, the different event
of those who believed and obeyed Christ preaching by Noah, from those
that continued disobedient and unbelieving, intimating to the Jews that
they were under a like sentence. God would not wait much longer upon
them. They had now an offer of mercy; those that accepted of it should
be saved, but those who rejected Christ and the gospel should be as
certainly destroyed as ever the disobedient in the times of Noah were.
1. For the explication of this we may notice, (1.) The preacher--Christ
Jesus, who has interested himself in the affairs of the church and of
the world ever since he was first promised to Adam, Gen. iii. 15. He
went, not by a local motion, but by special operation, as God is
frequently said to move, Gen. xi. 5; Hos. v. 15; Mic. i. 3. He went and
preached, by his Spirit striving with them, and inspiring and enabling
Enoch and Noah to plead with them, and preach righteousness to them, as
2 Pet. ii. 5. (2.) The hearers. Because they were dead and disembodied
when the apostle speaks of them, therefore he properly calls them
spirits now in prison; not that they were in prison when Christ
preached to them, as the vulgar Latin translation and the popish
expositors pretend. (3.) The sin of these people: They were
disobedient, that is, rebellious, unpersuadable, and unbelieving, as
the word signifies; this their sin is aggravated from the patience and
long-suffering of God (which once waited upon them for 120 years
together), while Noah was preparing the ark, and by that, as well as by
his preaching, giving them fair warning of what was coming upon them.
(4.) The event of all: Their bodies were drowned, and their spirits
cast into hell, which is called a prison (Matt. v. 25; 2 Pet. ii. 4,
5); but Noah and his family, who believed and were obedient, were saved
in the ark.
2. From the whole we learn that, (1.) God takes exact notice of all the
means and advantages that people in all ages have had for the salvation
of their souls; it is put to the account of the old world that Christ
offered them his help, sent his Spirit, gave them fair warning by Noah,
and waited a long time for their amendment. (2.) Though the patience of
God wait long upon sinners, yet it will expire at last; it is beneath
the majesty of the great God always to wait upon man in vain. (3.) The
spirits of disobedient sinners, as soon as they are out of their
bodies, are committed to the prison of hell, whence there is no
redemption. (4.) The way of the most is neither the best, the wisest,
nor the safest way to follow: better to follow the eight in the ark
than the eight millions drowned by the flood and damned to hell.
Christian Baptism. (a. d. 66.)
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not
the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good
conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 22 Who
is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and
authorities and powers being made subject unto him.
Noah's salvation in the ark upon the water prefigured the salvation of
all good Christians in the church by baptism; that temporal salvation
by the ark was a type, the antitype whereunto is the eternal salvation
of believers by baptism, to prevent mistakes about which the apostle,
I. Declares what he means by saving baptism; not the outward ceremony
of washing with water, which, in itself, does no more than put away the
filth of the flesh, but it is that baptism wherein there is a faithful
answer or restipulation of a resolved good conscience, engaging to
believe in, and be entirely devoted to, God, the Father, Son, and Holy
Ghost, renouncing at the same time the flesh, the world, and the devil.
The baptismal covenant, made and kept, will certainly save us. Washing
is the visible sign; this is the thing signified.
II. The apostle shows that the efficacy of baptism to salvation depends
not upon the work done, but upon the resurrection of Christ, which
supposes his death, and is the foundation of our faith and hope, to
which we are rendered conformable by dying to sin, and rising again to
holiness and newness of life. Learn, 1. The sacrament of baptism,
rightly received, is a means and a pledge of salvation. Baptism now
saveth us. God is pleased to convey his blessings to us in and by his
ordinances, Acts ii. 38; xxii. 16. 2. The external participation of
baptism will save no man without an answerable good conscience and
conversation. There must be the answer of a good conscience towards
God.--Obj. Infants cannot make such an answer, and therefore ought not
to be baptized.--Answer, the true circumcision was that of the heart
and of the spirit (Rom. ii. 29), which children were no more capable of
then than our infants are capable of making this answer now; yet they
were allowed circumcision at eight days old. The infants of the
Christian church therefore may be admitted to the ordinance with as
much reason as the infants of the Jewish, unless they are barred from
it by some express prohibition of Christ.
III. The apostle, having mentioned the death and resurrection of
Christ, proceeds to speak of his ascension, and sitting at the right
hand of the Father, as a subject fit to be considered by these
believers for their comfort in their suffering condition, v. 22. If the
advancement of Christ was so glorious after his deep humiliation, let
not his followers despair, but expect that after these short distresses
they shall be advanced to transcendent joy and glory. Learn, 1. Jesus
Christ, after he had finished his labours and his sufferings upon
earth, ascended triumphantly into heaven, of which see Acts i. 9-11;
Mark xvi. 19. He went to heaven to receive his own acquired crown and
glory (John xvii. 5), to finish that part of his mediatorial work which
could not be done on earth, and make intercession for his people, to
demonstrate the fulness of his satisfaction, to take possession of
heaven for his people, to prepare mansions for them, and to send down
the Comforter, which was to be the first-fruits of his intercession,
John xvi. 7. 2. Upon his ascension into heaven, Christ is enthroned at
the right hand of the Father. His being said to sit there imports
absolute rest and cessation from all further troubles and sufferings,
and an advancement to the highest personal dignity and sovereign power.
3. Angels, authorities, and powers, are all made subject to Christ
Jesus: all power in heaven and earth, to command, to give law, issue
orders, and pronounce a final sentence, is committed to Jesus, God-man,
which his enemies will find to their everlasting sorrow and confusion,
but his servants to their eternal joy and satisfaction.
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F I R S T P E T E R.
CHAP. IV.
The work of a Christian is twofold--doing the will of God and suffering
his pleasure. This chapter directs us in both. The duties we are here
exhorted to employ ourselves in are the mortification of sin, living to
God, sobriety, prayer, charity, hospitality, and the best improvement
of our talents, which the apostle presses upon Christians from the
consideration of the time they have lost in their sins, and the
approaching end of all things, ver. 1-11. The directions for sufferings
are that we should not be surprised at them, but rejoice in them, only
take care not to suffer as evil-doers. He intimates that their trials
were near at hand, that their souls were in danger as well as their
bodies, and that the best way to preserve their souls is to commit them
to God in well-doing.
The Mortification of Sin. (a. d. 66.)
1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm
yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in
the flesh hath ceased from sin; 2 That he no longer should live the
rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of
God. 3 For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought
the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts,
excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:
The apostle here draws a new inference from the consideration of
Christ's sufferings. As he had before made use of it to persuade to
patience in suffering, so here to mortification of sin. Observe,
I. How the exhortation is expressed. The antecedent or supposition is
that Christ had suffered for us in the flesh, or in his human nature.
The consequent or inference is, "Arm and fortify yourselves likewise
with the same mind, courage, and resolution." The word flesh in the
former part of the verse signifies Christ's human nature, but in the
latter part it signifies man's corrupt nature. So the sense is, "As
Christ suffered in his human nature, do you, according to your
baptismal vow and profession, make your corrupt nature suffer, by
putting to death the body of sin by self-denial and mortification; for,
if you do not thus suffer, you will be conformable to Christ in his
death and resurrection, and will cease from sin." Learn, 1. Some of the
strongest and best arguments against all sorts of sin are taken from
the sufferings of Christ. All sympathy and tenderness for Christ as a
sufferer are lost of you do not put away sin. He dies to destroy it;
and, though he could cheerfully submit to the worst sufferings, yet he
could never submit to the least sin. 2. The beginning of all true
mortification lies in the mind, not in penances and hardships upon the
body. The mind of man is carnal, full of enmity; the understanding is
darkened, being alienated from the life of God, Eph. iv. 18. Man is not
a sincere creature, but partial, blind, and wicked, till he be renewed
and sanctifies by the regenerating grace of God.
II. How it is further explained, v. 2. The apostle explains what he
means by being dead to sin, and ceasing from sin, both negatively and
positively. Negatively, a Christian ought no longer to live the rest of
his time in the flesh, to the sinful lusts and corrupt desires of
carnal wicked men; but, positively, he ought to conform himself to the
revealed will of the holy God. Learn, 1. The lusts of men are the
springs of all their wickedness, Jam. i. 13, 14. Let occasional
temptations be what they will, they could not prevail, were it not for
men's own corruptions. 2. All good Christians make the will of God, not
their own lusts or desires, the rule of their lives and actions. 3.
True conversion makes a marvellous change in the heart and life of
every one who partakes of it. It brings a man off from all his old,
fashionable, and delightful lusts, and from the common ways and vices
of the world, to the will of God. It alters the mind, judgment,
affections, way, and conversation of every one who has experienced it.
III. How it is enforced (v. 3): For the time past of our life may
suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, &c. Here the
apostle argues from equity. "It is but just, equal, and reasonable,
that as you have hitherto all the former part of your life served sin
and Satan, so you should now serve the living God." Though those were
Jews to whom the apostle wrote, yet the living among the Gentiles they
had learned their way. Observe, 1. When a man is truly converted, it is
very grievous to him to think how the time past of his life has been
spent; the hazard he has run so many years, the mischief he has done to
others, the dishonour done to God, and the loss he has sustained, are
very afflicting to him. 2. While the will of man is unsanctified and
corrupt, he walks continually in wicked ways; he makes them his choice
and delight, his work and business, and he makes a bad condition daily
worse and worse. 3. One sin, allowed, draws on another. Here are six
named, and they have a connection and dependence one upon another. (1.)
Lasciviousness or wantonness, expressed in looks, gesture, or
behaviour, Rom. xiii. 13. (2.) Lusts, acts of lewdness, such as
whoredom and adultery. (3.) Excess of wine, though short of
drunkenness, an immoderate use of it, to the prejudice of health or
business, is here condemned. (4.) Revellings, or luxurious feastings,
too frequent, too full, or too expensive. (5.) Banquetings, by which is
meant gluttony or excess in eating. (6.) Abominable idolatry; the
idol-worship of the Gentiles was attended with lewdness, drunkenness,
gluttony, and all sorts of brutality and cruelty; and these Jews living
long among them were, some of them at least, debauched and corrupted by
such practices. 4. It is a Christian's duty not only to abstain from
what is grossly wicked, but also from those things that are generally
the occasions of sin, or carry the appearance of evil. Excess of wine
and immoderate feasting are forbidden as well as lust and idolatry.
Comfort of the Servants of God. (a. d. 66.)
4 Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same
excess of riot, speaking evil of you: 5 Who shall give account to him
that is ready to judge the quick and the dead. 6 For for this cause
was the gospel preached also to them that are dead, that they might be
judged according to men in the flesh, but live according to God in the
spirit.
I. Here you have the visible change wrought in those who in the
foregoing verse were represented as having been in the former part of
their life very wicked. They no longer run on in the same courses, or
with the same companions, as they used to do. Hereupon observe the
conduct of their wicked acquaintance towards them. 1. They think it
strange, they are surprised and wonder at it, as at something new and
unusual, that their old friends should be so much altered, and not run
with as much violence as they used to do to the same excess of riot, to
the same sottish excesses and luxury which before they had greedily and
madly followed. 2. They speak evil of them. Their surprise carries them
to blasphemy. They speak evil of their persons, of their way, their
religion, and their God. Learn, (1.) Those that are once really
converted will not return to their former course of life, though ever
so much tempted by the frowns or flatteries of others to do so. Neither
persuasion nor reproach will prevail with them to be or to do as they
were wont to do. (2.) The temper and behaviour of true Christians seem
very strange to ungodly men. That they should despise that which every
one else is fond of, that they should believe many things which to
others seem incredible, that they should delight in what is irksome and
tedious, be zealous where they have no visible interest to serve, and
depend so much upon hope, is what the ungodly cannot comprehend. (3.)
The best actions of religious people cannot escape the censures and
slanders of those who are irreligious. Those actions which cost a good
man the most pains, hazard, and self-denial, shall be most censured by
the uncharitable and ill-natured world; they will speak evil of good
people, though they themselves reap the fruits of their charity, piety,
and goodness.
II. For the comfort of the servants of God, it is here added,
1. That all wicked people, especially those who speak evil of such as
are not as bad as themselves, shall give an account, and be put to give
a reason of their behaviour, to him who is ready to judge, who is both
able and duly authorized, and who will ere long judge and pass sentence
upon all who shall then be found alive, and all such as being dead
shall then be raised again, Jam. v. 8, 9; 2 Pet. iii. 7. Observe, The
malignant world shall in a little time give an account to the great God
of all their evil speeches against his people, Jude 14, 15. They will
soon be called to a sad account for all their curses, their foolish
jests, their slanders and falsehoods, uttered against the faithful
people of God.
2. That for this cause was the gospel preached also to those that are
dead, that they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but live
according to God in the Spirit, v. 6. Some understand this difficult
place thus: For this cause was the gospel preached to all the faithful
of old, who are now dead in Christ, that thereby they might be taught
and encouraged to bear the unrighteous judgments and persecutions which
the rage of men put upon them in the flesh, but might live in the
Spirit unto God. Others take the expression, that they might be judged
according to men in the flesh, in a spiritual sense, thus: The gospel
was preached to them, to judge them, condemn them, and reprove them,
for the corruption of their natures, and the viciousness of their
lives, while they lived after the manner of the heathen or the mere
natural man; and that, having thus mortified their sins, they might
live according to God, a new and spiritual life. Take it thus; and
thence learn, 1. The mortifying of our sins and living to God are the
expected effects of the gospel preached to us. 2. God will certainly
reckon with all those who have had the gospel preached to them, but
without these good effects produced by it. God is ready to judge all
those who have received the gospel in vain. 3. It is no matter how we
are judged according to men in the flesh, if we do but live according
to God in the Spirit.
Sobriety, Watchfulness, and Charity; Improvement of Talents. (a. d. 66.)
7 But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and
watch unto prayer. 8 And above all things have fervent charity among
yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins. 9 Use
hospitality one to another without grudging. 10 As every man hath
received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good
stewards of the manifold grace of God. 11 If any man speak, let him
speak as the oracles of God; if any man minister, let him do it as of
the ability which God giveth: that God in all things may be glorified
through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever.
Amen.
We have here an awful position or doctrine, and an inference drawn from
it. The position is that the end of all things is at hand. The
miserable destruction of the Jewish church and nation foretold by our
Saviour is now very near; consequently, the time of their persecution
and your sufferings is but very short. Your own life and that of your
enemies will soon come to their utmost period. Nay, the world itself
will not continue very long. The conflagration will put an end to it;
and all things must be swallowed up in an endless eternity. The
inference from this comprises a series of exhortations.
1. To sobriety and watchfulness: "Be you therefore sober, v. 7. Let the
frame and temper of your minds be grave, stayed, and solid; and observe
strict temperance and sobriety in the use of all worldly enjoyments. Do
not suffer yourselves to be caught with your former sins and
temptations, v. 3. An watch unto prayer. Take care that you be
continually in a calm sober disposition, fit for prayer; and that you
be frequent in prayers, lest this end come upon you unawares," Luke
xxi. 34; Matt. xxvi. 40, 41. Learn, (1.) The consideration of our
approaching end is a powerful argument to make us sober in all worldly
matters, and earnest in religious affairs. (2.) Those who would pray to
purpose must watch unto prayer. They must watch over their own spirits,
watch all fit opportunities, and do their duty in the best manner they
can. (3.) The right ordering of the body is of great use to promote the
good of the soul. When the appetites and inclinations of the body are
restrained and governed by God's word and true reason, and the
interests of the body are submitted to the interests and necessities of
the soul, then it is not the soul's enemy, but its friend and helper.
2. To charity: And above all things have fervent charity among
yourselves, v. 8. Here is a noble rule in Christianity. Christians
ought to love one another, which implies an affection to their persons,
a desire of their welfare, and a hearty endeavour to promote it. This
mutual affection must not be cold, but fervent, that is, sincere,
strong, and lasting. This sort of earnest affection is recommended
above all things, which shows the importance of it, Col. iii. 14. It is
greater than faith or hope, 1 Cor. xiii. 13. One excellent effect of it
is that it will cover a multitude of sins. Learn, (1.) There ought to
be in all Christians a more fervent charity towards one another than
towards other men: Have charity among yourselves. He does not say for
pagans, for idolaters, or for apostates, but among yourselves. Let
brotherly love continue, Heb. xiii. 1. There is a special relation
between all sincere Christians, and a particular amiableness and good
in them, which require special affection. (2.) It is not enough for
Christians not to bear malice, nor to have common respect for one
another, they must intensely and fervently love each other. (3.) It is
the property of true charity to cover a multitude of sins. It inclines
people to forgive and forget offences against themselves, to cover and
conceal the sins of others, rather than aggravate them and spread them
abroad. It teaches us to love those who are but weak, and who have been
guilty of many evil things before their conversion; and it prepares for
mercy at the hand of God, who hath promised to forgive those that
forgive others, Matt. vi. 14.
3. To hospitality, v. 9. The hospitality here required is a free and
kind entertainment of strangers and travellers. The proper objects of
Christian hospitality are one another. The nearness of their relation,
and the necessity of their condition in those times of persecution and
distress, obliged Christians to be hospitable one to another. Sometimes
Christians were spoiled of all they had, and were driven away to
distant countries for safety. In this case they must starve if their
fellow-christians would not receive them. Therefore it was a wise and
necessary rule which the apostle here laid down. It is elsewhere
commanded, Heb. xiii. 1, 2; Rom. xii. 13. The manner of performing this
duty is this: it must be done in an easy, kind, handsome manner,
without grudging or grumbling at the expense or trouble. Learn, (1.)
Christians ought not only to be charitable, but hospitable, one to
another. (2.) Whatever a Christian does by way of charity or of
hospitality, he ought to do it cheerfully, and without grudging. Freely
you have received, freely give.
4. To the improvement of talents, v. 11.
(1.) The rule is that whatever gift, ordinary or extraordinary,
whatever power, ability, or capacity of doing good is given to us, we
should minister, or do service, with the same one to another,
accounting ourselves not masters, but only stewards of the manifold
grace, or the various gifts, of God. Learn, [1.] Whatever ability we
have of doing good we must own it to be the gift of God and ascribe it
to his grace. [2.] Whatever gifts we have received, we ought to look
upon them as received for the use one of another. We must not assume
them to ourselves, nor hide them in a napkin, but do service with them
one to another in the best manner we are able. [3.] In receiving and
using the manifold gifts of God we must look upon ourselves as stewards
only, and act accordingly. The talents we are entrusted with are our
Lord's goods, and must be employed as he directs. And it is required in
a steward that he be found faithful.
(2.) The apostle exemplifies his direction about gifts in two
particulars--speaking and ministering, concerning which he gives these
rules:--[1.] If any man, whether a minister in public or a Christian in
private conference, speak or teach, he must do it as the oracles of
God, which direct us as to the matter of our speech. What Christians in
private, or ministers in public, teach and speak must be the pure word
and oracles of God. As to the manner of speaking, it must be with the
seriousness, reverence, and solemnity, that become those holy and
divine oracles. [2.] If any man minister, either as a deacon,
distributing the alms of the church and taking care of the poor, or as
a private person, by charitable gifts and contributions, let him do it
as of the ability which God giveth. He who has received plenty and
ability from God ought to minister plentifully, and according to his
ability. These rules ought to be followed and practised for this end,
that God in all things, in all your gifts, ministrations, and services,
may be glorified, that others may see your good works, and glorify your
Father who is in heaven (Matt. v. 16), through Jesus Christ, who has
procured and given these gifts to men (Eph. iv. 8), and through whom
alone we and our services are accepted of God (Heb. xiii. 15), to whom,
Jesus Christ, be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. Learn,
First, It is the duty of Christians in private, as well as ministers in
public, to speak to one another of the things of God, Mal. iii. 16;
Eph. iv. 29; Ps. cxlv. 10-12. Secondly, It highly concerns all
preachers of the gospel to keep close to the word of God, and to treat
that word as becomes the oracles of God. Thirdly, Christians must not
only do the duty of their place, but they must do it with vigour, and
according to the best of their abilities. The nature of a Christian's
work, which is high work and hard work, the goodness and kindness of
the Master, and the excellency of the reward, all require that our
endeavours should be serious and vigorous, and that whatever we are
called to do for the honour of God and the good of others we should do
it with all our might. Fourthly, In all the duties and services of life
we should aim at the glory of God as our chief end; all other views
must be subservient to this, which would sanctify our common actions
and affairs, 1 Cor. x. 31. Fifthly, God is not glorified by any thing
we do if we do not offer it to him through the mediation and merits of
Jesus Christ. God in all things must be glorified through Jesus Christ,
who is the only way to the Father. Sixthly, The apostle's adoration of
Jesus Christ, and ascribing unlimited and everlasting praise and
dominion to him, prove that Jesus Christ is the most high God, over all
blessed for evermore. Amen.
Fortitude and Circumspection; Advice to Suffering Christians. (a. d. 66.)
12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to
try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 13 But
rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that,
when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding
joy. 14 If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for
the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you: on their part he is
evil spoken of, but on your part he is glorified. 15 But let none of
you suffer as a murderer, or as a thief, or as an evildoer, or as a
busybody in other men's matters. 16 Yet if any man suffer as a
Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this
behalf. 17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house
of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that
obey not the gospel of God? 18 And if the righteous scarcely be
saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 19 Wherefore
let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of
their souls to him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.
The frequent repetition of counsel and comfort to Christians,
considered as sufferers, in every chapter of this epistle, shows that
the greatest danger these new converts were in arose from the
persecutions to which their embracing Christianity exposed them. The
good behaviour of Christians under sufferings is the most difficult
part of their duty, but yet necessary both for the honour of Christ and
their own comfort; and therefore the apostle, having extorted them in
the former part of this chapter to the great duty of mortification,
comes here to direct them in the necessary duty of patience under
sufferings. An unmortified spirit is very unfit to bear trials.
Observe,
I. The apostle's kind manner of address to these poor despised
Christians: they were his beloved, v. 9.
II. His advice to them, relating to their sufferings, which is,
1. That they should not think them strange, nor be surprised at them,
as if some unexpected event befel them; for,
(1.) Though they be sharp and fiery, yet they are designed only to try,
not to ruin them, to try their sincerity, strength, patience, and trust
in God. On the contrary, they ought rather to rejoice under their
sufferings, because theirs may properly be called Christ's sufferings.
They are of the same kind, and for the same cause, that Christ
suffered; they make us conformable to him; he suffers in them, and
feels in our infirmities; and, if we be partakers of his sufferings, we
shall also be make partakers of his glory, and shall meet him with
exceeding joy at his great appearing to judge his enemies, and crown
his faithful servants, 2 Thess. i. 7, &c. Learn, [1.] True Christians
love and own the children of God in their lowest and most distressing
circumstances. The apostle owns these poor afflicted Christians, and
calls them his beloved. True Christians never look more amiable one to
another than in their adversities. [2.] There is no reason for
Christians to think strange, or to wonder, at the unkindnesses and
persecutions of the world, because they are forewarned of them. Christ
himself endured them; and forsaking all, denying ourselves, are the
terms upon which Christ accepts of us to be his disciples. [3.]
Christians ought not only to be patient, but to rejoice, in their
sharpest sorest sufferings for Christ, because they are tokens of
divine favour; they promote the gospel and prepare for glory. Those who
rejoice in their sufferings for Christ shall eternally triumph and
rejoice with him in glory.
(2.) From the fiery trial the apostle descends to a lower degree of
persecution--that of the tongue by slander and reproach, v. 14. He
supposes that this sort of suffering would fall to their lot: they
would be reviled, evil-spoken of, and slandered for the name or sake of
Christ. In such case he asserts, Happy are you, the reason of which is,
"Because you have the spirit of God with you, to fortify and comfort
you; and the Spirit of God is also the Spirit of glory, that will carry
you through all, bring you off gloriously, and prepare and seal you up
for eternal glory. This glorious Spirit resteth upon you, resideth with
you, dwelleth in you, supporteth you, and is pleased with you; and is
not this an unspeakable privilege? By your patience and fortitude in
suffering, by your dependence upon the promises of God, and adhering to
the word which the Holy Spirit hath revealed, he is on your part
glorified; but by the contempt and reproaches cast upon you the Spirit
itself is evil-spoken of and blasphemed." Learn, [1.] The best men and
the best things usually meet with reproaches in the world. Jesus Christ
and his followers, the Spirit of God and the gospel, are all
evil-spoken of. [2.] The happiness of good people not only consists
with, but even flows from their afflictions: Happy are you. [3.] That
man who hath the Spirit of God resting upon him cannot be miserable,
let his afflictions be ever so great: Happy are you; for the Spirit of
God, &c. [4.] The blasphemies and reproaches which evil men cast upon
good people are taken by the Spirit of God as cast upon himself: On
their part he is evil-spoken of. [5.] When good people are vilified for
the name of Christ his Holy Spirit is glorified in them.
2. That they should take care they did not suffer justly, as
evil-doers, v. 15. One would think such a caution as this needless to
such an excellent set of Christians as these were. But their enemies
charged them with these and other foul crimes: therefore the apostle,
when he was settling the rules of the Christian religion, thought these
cautions necessary, forbidding every one of them to hurt the life or
the estate and property of any one, or to do any sort of evil, or,
without call and necessity, to play the bishop in another man's charge,
or busy himself in other men's matters. To this caution he adds a
direction, that if any man suffer for the cause of Christianity, and
with a patient Christian spirit, he ought not to account it a shame,
but an honour to him; and ought to glorify God who hath thus dignified
him, v. 16. Learn, (1.) The best of men need to be warned against the
worst of sins. (2.) There is very little comfort in sufferings when we
bring them upon ourselves by our own sin and folly. It is not the
suffering, but the cause, that makes the martyr. (3.) We have reason to
thank God for the honour if he calls us out to suffer for his truth and
gospel, for our adherence to any of the doctrines or duties of
Christianity.
3. That their trials were now at hand, and they should stand prepared
accordingly, v. 17, 18.
(1.) He tells them that the time had come when judgment must begin at
the house of God. The usual method of Providence has been this: When
God brings great calamities and sore judgments upon whole nations, he
generally begins with his own people, Isa. x. 12; Jer. xxv. 29; Ezek.
ix. 6. "Such a time of universal calamity is now at hand, which was
foretold by our Saviour, Matt. xxiv. 9, 10. This renders all the
foregoing exhortations to patience necessary for you. And you have two
considerations to support you." [1.] "That these judgments will but
begin with you that are God's house and family, and will soon be over:
your trials and corrections will not last long." [2.] "Your troubles
will be but light and short, in comparison of what shall befal the
wicked world, your own countrymen the Jews, and the infidels and
idolatrous people among whom you live: What shall the end be of those
who obey not the gospel of God?" Learn, First, The best of God's
servants, his own household, have so much amiss in them as renders it
fit and necessary that God should sometimes correct and punish them
with his judgments: Judgment begins at the house of God. Secondly,
Those who are the family of God have their worst things in this life.
Their worst condition is tolerable, and will soon be over. Thirdly,
Such persons or societies of men as disobey the gospel of God are not
of his church and household, though possibly they may make the loudest
pretensions. The apostle distinguishes the disobedient from the house
of God. Fourthly, The sufferings of good people in this life are
demonstrations of the unspeakable torments that are coming upon the
disobedient and unbelieving: What shall the end be of those that obey
not the gospel? Who can express or say how dreadful their end will be?
(2.) He intimates the irremediable doom of the wicked: If the righteous
scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear, v. 18.
This whole verse is taken from Prov. xi. 31, Behold the righteous shall
be recompensed in the earth; how much more the wicked and the sinner?
This the LXX. translates exactly as the apostle here quotes it. Hence
we may learn, [1.] The grievous sufferings of good people in this world
are sad presages of much heavier judgments coming upon impenitent
sinners. But, if we take the salvation here in the highest sense, then
we may learn, [2.] It is as much as the best can do to secure the
salvation of their souls; there are so many sufferings, temptations,
and difficulties to be overcome, so many sins to be mortified, the gate
is so strait and the way so narrow, that it is as much as the righteous
can do to be saved. Let the absolute necessity of salvation balance the
difficulty of it. Consider, Your difficulties are greatest at first;
God offers his grace and help; the contest will not last long; be but
faithful to the death, and God will give you the crown of life, Rev.
ii. 10. [3.] The ungodly and the sinner are unquestionably in a state
of damnation. Where shall they appear? How will they stand before their
Judge? Where can they show their heads? If the righteous scarcely be
saved, the wicked must certainly perish.
4. That when called to suffer, according to the will of God, they
should look chiefly to the safety of their souls, which are put into
hazard by affliction, and cannot be kept secure otherwise than by
committing them to God, who will undertake the charge, if we commit
them to him in well-doing; for he is their Creator, and has out of mere
grace made many kind promises to them of eternal salvation, in which he
will show himself faithful and true, v. 19. Learn, (1.) All the
sufferings that befal good people come upon them according to the will
of God. (2.) It is the duty of Christians, in all their distresses, to
look more to the keeping of their souls than to the preserving of their
bodies. The soul is of greatest value, and yet in most danger. If
suffering from without raise uneasiness, vexation, and other sinful and
tormenting passions within, the soul is then the greatest sufferer. If
the soul be not well kept, persecution will drive people to apostasy,
Ps. cxxv. 3. (3.) The only way to keep the soul well is to commit it to
God, in well-doing. Commit your souls to God by solemn dedication,
prayer, and patient perseverance in well-doing, Rom. ii. 7. (4.) Good
people, when they are in affliction, have great encouragement to commit
their souls to God, because he is their Creator, and faithful in all
his promises.
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F I R S T P E T E R.
CHAP. V.
In which the apostle gives particular directions, first to the elders,
how to behave themselves towards their flock (ver. 1-4); then to the
younger, to be obedient and humble, and to cast their care upon God,
ver. 5-7. He then exhorts all to sobriety, watchfulness against
temptations, and stedfastness in the faith, praying earnestly for them;
and so concludes his epistle with a solemn doxology, mutual
salutations, and his apostolical benediction.
Advice to Elders. (a. d. 66.)
1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a
witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory
that shall be revealed: 2 Feed the flock of God which is among you,
taking the oversight thereof, not by constraint, but willingly; not for
filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; 3 Neither as being lords over
God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. 4 And when the
chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that
fadeth not away.
Here we may observe,
I. The persons to whom this exhortation is given--to the presbyters,
pastors, and spiritual guides of the church, elders by office, rather
than by age, ministers of those churches to whom he wrote this epistle.
II. The person who gives this exhortation--the apostle Peter: I exhort;
and, to give force to this exhortation, he tells them he was their
brother-presbyter or fellow-elder, and so puts nothing upon them but
what he was ready to perform himself. He was also a witness of the
sufferings of Christ, being with him in the garden, attending him to
the palace of the high-priest, and very likely being a spectator of his
suffering upon the cross, at a distance among the crowd, Acts iii. 15.
He adds that he was also a partaker of the glory that was in some
degree revealed at the transfiguration (Matt. xvii. 1-3), and shall be
completely enjoyed at the second coming of Jesus Christ. Learn, 1.
Those whose office it is to teach others ought carefully to study their
own duty, as well as teach the people theirs. 2. How different the
spirit and behaviour of Peter were from that of his pretended
successors! He does not command and domineer, but exhort. He does not
claim sovereignty over all pastors and churches, nor style himself
prince of the apostles, vicar of Christ, or head of the church, but
values himself upon being an elder. All the apostles were elders,
though every elder was not an apostle. 3. It was the peculiar honour of
Peter, and a few more, to be the witnesses of Christ's sufferings; but
it is the privilege of all true Christians to be partakers of the glory
that shall be revealed.
III. The pastor's duty described, and the manner in which that duty
ought to be performed. The pastoral duty is three-fold:--1. To feed the
flock, by preaching to them the sincere word of God, and ruling them
according to such directions and discipline as the word of God
prescribes, both which are implied in this expression, Feed the flock.
2. The pastors of the church must take the oversight thereof. The
elders are exhorted to do the office of bishops (as the word
signifies), by personal care and vigilance over all the flock committed
to their charge. 3. They must be examples to the flock, and practise
the holiness, self-denial, mortification, and all other Christian
duties, which they preach and recommend to their people. These duties
must be performed, not by constraint, not because you must do them, not
from compulsion of the civil power, or the constraint of fear or shame,
but from a willing mind that takes pleasure in the work: not for filthy
lucre, or any emoluments and profits attending the place where you
reside, or any perquisite belonging to the office, but of a ready mind,
regarding the flock more than the fleece, sincerely and cheerfully
endeavouring to serve the church of God; neither as being lords over
God's heritage, tyrannizing over them by compulsion and coercive force,
or imposing unscriptural and human inventions upon them instead of
necessary duty, Matt. xx. 25, 26; 2 Cor. i. 24. Learn, (1.) The eminent
dignity of the church of God, and all the true members of it. These
poor, dispersed, suffering Christians were the flock of God. The rest
of the world is a brutal herd. These are an orderly flock, redeemed to
God by the great Shepherd, living in holy love and communion one with
another, according to the will of God. They are also dignified with the
title of God's heritage or clergy, his peculiar lot, chosen out of the
common multitude for his own people, to enjoy his special favour and to
do him special service. The word is never restricted in the New
Testament to the ministers of religion. (2.) The pastors of the church
ought to consider their people as the flock of God, as God's heritage,
and treat them accordingly. They are not theirs, to be lorded over at
pleasure; but they are God's people, and should be treated with love,
meekness, and tenderness, for the sake of him to whom they belong. (3.)
Those ministers who are either driven to the work by necessity or drawn
to it by filthy lucre can never perform their duty as they ought,
because they do not do it willingly, and with a ready mind. (4.) The
best way a minister can take to engage the respect of a people is to
discharge his own duty among them in the best manner that he can, and
to be a constant example to them of all that is good.
IV. In opposition to that filthy lucre which many propose to themselves
as their principal motive in undertaking and discharging the pastoral
office, the apostle sets before them the crown of glory designed by the
great shepherd, Jesus Christ, for all his faithful ministers. Learn, 1.
Jesus Christ is the chief shepherd of the whole flock and heritage of
God. He bought them, and rules them; he defends and saves them for
ever. He is also the chief shepherd over all inferior shepherds; they
derive their authority from him, act in his name, and are accountable
to him at last. 2. This chief shepherd will appear, to judge all
ministers and under-shepherds, to call them to account, whether they
have faithfully discharged their duty both publicly and privately
according to the foregoing directions. 3. Those that are found to have
done their duty shall have what is infinitely better than temporal
gain; they shall receive from the grand shepherd a high degree of
everlasting glory, a crown of glory that fadeth not away.
Humility Recommended. (a. d. 66.)
5 Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of
you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God
resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. 6 Humble
yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt
you in due time: 7 Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for
you.
Having settled and explained the duty of the pastors or spiritual
guides of the church, the apostle comes now to instruct the flock,
I. How to behave themselves to their ministers and to one another. He
calls them the younger, as being generally younger than their grave
pastors, and to put them in mind of their inferiority, the term younger
being used by our Saviour to signify an inferior, Luke xxii. 26. He
exhorts those that are younger and inferior to submit themselves to the
elder, to give due respect and reverence to their persons, and to yield
to their admonitions, reproof, and authority, enjoining and commanding
what the word of God requires, Heb. xiii. 17. As to one another, the
rule is that they should all be subject one to another, so far as to
receive the reproofs and counsels one of another, and be ready to bear
one another's burdens, and perform all the offices of friendship and
charity one to another; and particular persons should submit to the
directions of the whole society, Eph. v. 21; Jam. v. 16. These duties
of submission to superiors in age or office, and subjection to one
another, being contrary to the proud nature and selfish interests of
men, he advises them to be clothed with humility. "Let your minds,
behaviour, garb, and whole frame, be adorned with humility, as the most
beautiful habit you can wear; this will render obedience and duty easy
and pleasant; but, if you be disobedient and proud, God will set
himself to oppose and crush you; for he resisteth the proud, when he
giveth grace to the humble." Observe, 1. Humility is the great
preserver of peace and order in all Christian churches and societies,
consequently pride is the great disturber of them, and the cause of
most dissensions and breaches in the church. 2. There is a mutual
opposition between God and the proud, so the word signifies; they war
against him, and he scorns them; he resisteth the proud, because they
are like the devil, enemies to himself and to his kingdom among men,
Prov. iii. 34. 3. Where God giveth grace to be humble, he will give
more grace, more wisdom, faith, holiness, and humility. Hence the
apostle adds: Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God,
that he may exalt you in due time, v. 6. "Since God resisteth the
proud, but giveth grace to the humble, therefore humble yourselves, not
only one to another, but to the great God, whose judgments are coming
upon the world, and must begin at the house of God (ch. iv. 17); his
hand is almighty, and can easily pull you down if you be proud, or
exalt you if you be humble; and it will certainly do it, either in this
life, if he sees it best for you, or at the day of general
retribution." Learn, (1.) The consideration of the omnipotent hand of
God should make us humble and submissive to him in all that he brings
upon us. (2.) Humbling ourselves to God under his hand is the next way
to deliverance and exaltation; patience under his chastisements, and
submission to his pleasure, repentance, prayer, and hope in his mercy,
will engage his help and release in due time, Jam. iv. 7, 10.
II. The apostle, knowing that these Christians were already under very
hard circumstances, rightly supposes that what he had foretold of
greater hardships yet a coming might excite in them abundance of care
and fear about the event of these difficulties, what the issue of them
would be to themselves, their families, and the church of God;
foreseeing this anxious care would be a heavy burden, and a sore
temptation, he gives them the best advice, and supports it with a
strong argument. His advice is to cast all their care, or all care of
themselves, upon God. "Throw your cares, which are so cutting and
distracting, which wound your souls and pierce your hearts, upon the
wise and gracious providence of God; trust in him with a firm composed
mind, for he careth for you. He is willing to release you of your care,
and take the care of you upon himself. He will either avert what you
fear, or support you under it. He will order all events to you so as
shall convince you of his paternal love and tenderness towards you; and
all shall be so ordered that no hurt, but good, shall come unto you,"
Matt. vi. 25; Ps. lxxxiv. 11; Rom. viii. 28. Learn, 1. The best of
Christians are apt to labour under the burden of anxious and excessive
care; the apostle calls it, all your care, intimating that the cares of
Christians are various and of more sorts than one: personal cares,
family cares, cares for the present, cares for the future, cares for
themselves, for others, and for the church. 2. The cares even of good
people are very burdensome, and too often very sinful; when they arise
from unbelief and diffidence, when they torture and distract the mind,
unfit us for the duties of our place and hinder our delightful service
of God, they are very criminal. 3. The best remedy against immoderate
care is to cast our care upon God, and resign every event to the wise
and gracious determination. A firm belief of the rectitude of the
divine will and counsels calms the spirit of man. We ceased, saying,
The will of the Lord be done, Acts xxi. 14.
Sobriety and Vigilance Enjoined. (a. d. 66.)
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring
lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist
stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are
accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
Here the apostle does three things:--
I. He shows them their danger from an enemy more cruel and restless
than even the worst of men, whom he describes,
1. By his characters and names. (1.) He is an adversary: "That
adversary of yours; not a common adversary, but an enemy that impleads
you, and litigates against you in your grand depending cause, and aims
at your very souls." (2.) The devil, the grand accuser of all the
brethren; this title is derived from a word which signifies to strike
through, or to stab. He would strike malignity into our natures and
poison into our souls. If he could have struck these people with
passion and murmuring in their sufferings, perhaps he might have drawn
them to apostasy and ruin. (3.) He is a roaring lion, hungry, fierce,
strong, and cruel, the fierce and greedy pursuer of souls.
2. By his business: He walks about, seeking whom he may devour; his
whole design is to devour and destroy souls. To this end he is
unwearied and restless in his malicious endeavours; for he always,
night and day, goes about studying and contriving whom he may ensnare
to their eternal ruin.
II. Hence he infers that it is their duty, 1. To be sober, and to
govern both the outward and the inward man by the rules of temperance,
modesty, and mortification. 2. To be vigilant; not secure or careless,
but rather suspicious of constant danger from this spiritual enemy,
and, under that apprehension, to be watchful and diligent to prevent
his designs and save our souls. 3. To resist him stedfast in the faith.
It was the faith of these people that Satan aimed at; if he could
overturn their faith, and draw them into apostasy, then he knew he
should gain his point, and ruin their souls; therefore, to destroy
their faith, he raises bitter persecutions, and sets the grand
potentates of the world against them. This strong trial and temptation
they must resist, by being well-grounded, resolute, and stedfast in the
faith: to encourage them to this,
III. He tells them that their care was not singular, for they knew that
the like afflictions befel their brethren in all parts of the world,
and that all the people of God were their fellow-soldiers in this
warfare. Learn, 1. All the great persecutions that ever were in the
world were raised, spirited up, and conducted, by the devil; he is the
grand persecutor, as well as the deceiver and accuser, of the brethren;
men are his willing spiteful instruments, but he is the chief adversary
that wars against Christ and his people, Gen. iii. 15; Rev. xii. 12. 2.
The design of Satan in raising persecutions against the faithful
servants of God is to bring them to apostasy, by reason of their
sufferings, and so to destroy their souls. 3. Sobriety and watchfulness
are necessary virtues at all times, but especially in times of
suffering and persecution. "You must moderate your affection to worldly
things, or else Satan will soon overcome you." 4. "If you would
overcome Satan, as a tempter, an accuser, or a persecutor, you must
resist him stedfast in the faith; if your faith give way, you are gone;
therefore, above all, take the shield of faith," Eph. vi. 16. 5. The
consideration of what others suffer is proper to encourage us to bear
our own share in any affliction: The same afflictions are accomplished
in your brethren.
The Apostle's Prayer. (a. d. 66.)
10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory
by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect,
stablish, strengthen, settle you. 11 To him be glory and dominion for
ever and ever. Amen. 12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as
I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this
is the true grace of God wherein ye stand. 13 The church that is at
Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus my
son. 14 Greet ye one another with a kiss of charity. Peace be with
you all that are in Christ Jesus. Amen.
We come now to the conclusion of this epistle, which,
I. The apostle begins with a most weighty prayer, which he addresses to
God as the God of all grace, the author and finisher of every heavenly
gift and quality, acknowledging, on their behalf, that God had already
called them to be partakers of that eternal glory, which, being his
own, he had promised and settled upon them, through the merit and
intercession of Jesus Christ. Observe,
1. What he prays for on their account; not that they might be excused
from sufferings, but that their sufferings might be moderate and short,
and, after they had suffered awhile, that God would restore them to a
settled and peaceable condition, and perfect his work in them--that he
would establish them against wavering, either in faith or duty, that he
would strengthen those who were weak, and settle them upon Christ the
foundation, so firmly that their union with him might be indissoluble
and everlasting. Learn, (1.) All grace is from God; it is he who
restrains, converts, comforts, and saves men by his grace. (2.) All who
are called into a state of grace are called to partake of eternal glory
and happiness. (3.) Those who are called to be heirs of eternal life
through Jesus Christ must, nevertheless, suffer in this world, but
their sufferings will be but for a little while. (4.) The perfecting,
establishing, strengthening, and settling, of good people in grace, and
their perseverance therein, is so difficult a work, that only the God
of all grace can accomplish it; and therefore he is earnestly to be
sought unto by continual prayer, and dependence upon his promises.
2. His doxology, v. 11. From this doxology we may learn that those who
have obtained grace from the God of all grace should and will ascribe
glory, dominion, and power, to him for ever and ever.
II. He recapitulates the design of his writing this epistle to them (v.
12), which was, 1. To testify, and in the strongest terms to assure
them, that the doctrine of salvation, which he had explained and they
had embraced, was the true account of the grace of God, foretold by the
prophets and published by Jesus Christ. 2. To exhort them earnestly
that, as they had embraced the gospel, they would continue stedfast in
it, notwithstanding the arts of seducers, or the persecutions of
enemies. (1.) The main thing that ministers ought to aim at in their
labours is to convince their people of the certainty and excellency of
the Christian religion; this the apostles did exhort and testify with
all their might. (2.) A firm persuasion that we are in the true way to
heaven will be the best motive to stand fast, and persevere therein.
III. He recommends Silvanus, the person by whom he sent them this brief
epistle, as a brother whom he esteemed faithful and friendly to them,
and hoped they would account him so, though he was a ministers of the
uncircumcision. Observe, An honourable esteem of the ministers of
religion tends much to the success of their labours. When we are
convinced they are faithful, we shall profit more by their ministerial
services. The prejudices that some of these Jews might have against
Silvanus, as a minister of the Gentiles, would soon wear off when they
were once convinced that he was a faithful brother.
IV. He closes with salutations and a solemn benediction. Observe, 1.
Peter, being at Babylon in Assyria, when he wrote this epistle (whither
he travelled, as the apostle of the circumcision, to visit that church,
which was the chief of the dispersion), sends the salutation of that
church to the other churches to whom he wrote (v. 13), telling them
that God had elected or chosen the Christians at Babylon out of the
world, to be his church, and to partake of eternal salvation through
Christ Jesus, together with them and all other faithful Christians, ch.
i. 2. In this salutation he particularly joins Mark the evangelist, who
was then with him, and who was his son in a spiritual sense, being
begotten by him to Christianity. Observe, All the churches of Jesus
Christ ought to have a most affectionate concern one for another; they
should love and pray for one another, and be as helpful one to another
as they possibly can. 2. He exhorts them to fervent love and charity
one towards another, and to express this by giving the kiss of peace
(v. 14), according to the common custom of those times and countries,
and so concludes with a benediction, which he confines to those that
are in Christ Jesus, united to him by faith and sound members of his
mystical body. The blessing he pronounces upon them is peace, by which
he means all necessary good, all manner of prosperity; to this he adds
his amen, in token of his earnest desire and undoubted expectation that
the blessing of peace would be the portion of all the faithful.
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Second Peter
Completed by Joseph Hill.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND EPISTLE GENERAL OF
P E T E R.
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The penman of this epistle appears plainly to be the same who wrote the
foregoing; and, whatever difference some learned men apprehend they
discern in the style of this epistle from that of the former, this
cannot be a sufficient argument to assert that it was written by Simon
who succeeded the apostle James in the church at Jerusalem, inasmuch as
he who wrote this epistle calls himself Simon Peter, and an apostle (v.
1), and says that he was one of the three apostles that were present at
Christ's transfiguration (v. 18), and says expressly that he had
written a former epistle to them, ch. iii. 1. The design of this second
epistle is the same with that of the former, as is evident from the
first verse of the third chapter, whence observe that, in the things of
God, we have need of precept upon precept, and line upon line, and all
little enough to keep them in remembrance; and yet these are the things
which should be most faithfully recorded and frequently remembered by
us.
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S E C O N D P E T E R.
CHAP. I.
In this chapter we have, I. An introduction, or preface, making way
for, and leading to, what is principally designed by the apostle, ver.
1-4. II. An exhortation to advance and improve in all Christian graces,
ver. 5-7. III. To enforce this exhortation, and engage them seriously
and heartily to comply with it, he adds, 1. A representation of the
very great advantage which will thereby accrue to them, ver. 8-11. 2. A
promise of the best assistance the apostle was able to give to
facilitate and forward this good work, ver. 12-15. 3. A declaration of
the certain truth and divine origin of the gospel of Christ, in the
grace whereof they were exhorted to increase and persevere.
The Felicity of the Church. (a. d. 67.)
1 Simon Peter, a servant and an apostle of Jesus Christ, to them that
have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of
God and our Saviour Jesus Christ: 2 Grace and peace be multiplied
unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, 3
According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that
pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath
called us to glory and virtue: 4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding
great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the
divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world
through lust.
The apostle Peter, being moved by the Holy Ghost to write once more to
those who from among the Jews were turned to faith in Christ, begins
this second epistle with an introduction, wherein the same persons are
described and the same blessings are desired that are in the preface to
his former letter; but there are some additions or alterations which
ought to be taken notice of, in all the three parts of the
introduction.
I. We have here a description of the person who wrote the epistle, by
the name of Simon, as well as Peter, and by the title of servant, as
well as that of apostle. Peter, being in both epistles, seems to be the
name most frequently used, and with which he may be thought to be best
pleased, it being given him by our Lord, upon his confessing Jesus to
be Christ the Son of the living God, and the very name signifying and
sealing that truth to be the fundamental article, the rock on which all
must build; but the name Simon, though omitted in the former epistle,
is mentioned in this, lest the total omission of that name, which was
given him when he was circumcised, should make the Jewish believers,
who were all zealous of the law, to become jealous of the apostle, as
if he disclaimed and despised circumcision. He here styles himself a
servant (as well as an apostle) of Jesus Christ; in this he may be
allowed to glory, as David does, Ps. cxvi. 16. The service of Christ is
the way to the highest honour, John xii. 26. Christ himself is King of
kings, and Lord of lords; and he makes all his servants kings and
priests unto God, Rev. i. 6. How great an honour is it to be the
servants of this Master! This is what we cannot, without sin, be
ashamed of. To triumph in being Christ's servant is very proper for
those who are engaging others to enter into or abide in the service of
Christ.
II. We have an account of the people to whom the epistle is written.
They are described in the former epistle as elect according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, and here as having obtained precious
faith in our Lord Jesus Christ; for the faith here mentioned is vastly
different from the false faith of the heretic, and the feigned faith of
the hypocrite, and the fruitless faith of the formal professor, how
orthodox soever he is. It is the faith of God's elect (Tit. i. 1),
wrought by the Spirit of God in effectual calling. Observe, 1. True
saving faith is a precious grace, and that not only as it is very
uncommon, very scarce, even in the visible church, a very small number
of true believers among a great multitude of visible professors (Matt.
xxii. 14), but true faith is very excellent and of very great use and
advantage to those who have it. The just lives by faith, a truly divine
spiritual life; faith procures all the necessary supports and comforts
of this excellent life; faith goes to Christ, and buys the wine and
milk (Isa. lv. 1) which are the proper nourishment of the new creature;
faith buys and brings home the tried gold, the heavenly treasure that
enriches; faith takes and puts on the white raiment, the royal robes
that clothe and adorn, Rev. iii. 18. Observe, 2. Faith is alike
precious in the private Christian and in the apostle; it produces the
same precious effects in the one and in the other. Faith unites the
weak believer to Christ as really as it does the strong one, and
purifies the heart of one as truly as of another; and every sincere
believer is by his faith justified in the sight of God, and that from
all sins, Acts xiii. 39. Faith, in whomsoever it exists, takes hold of
the same precious Saviour, and applies the same precious promises. 3.
This precious faith is obtained of God. Faith is the gift of God,
wrought by the Spirit, who raised up Jesus Christ from the dead. 4. The
preciousness of faith, as well as our obtaining it, is through the
righteousness of Christ. The satisfactory meritorious righteousness and
obedience of Christ gives faith all its value and preciousness: and the
righteousness of such a person cannot but be of infinite value to those
who by faith receive it. For, (1.) This Jesus Christ is God, yea, our
God, as it is in the original. He is truly God, an infinite Being, who
has wrought out this righteousness, and therefore it must be of
infinite value. (2.) He is the Saviour of those that believe, and as
such he yielded this meritorious obedience; and therefore it is of such
great benefit and advantage to them, because, as surety and Saviour, he
wrought out this righteousness in their stead.
III. We have the apostolical benediction, wherein he wishes for the
multiplication and increase of the divine favour to them, and the
advancement and growth of the work of grace in them, and that peace
with God and in their own consciences (which cannot be without grace)
may abound in them. This is the very same benediction that is in the
former epistle; but here he adds,
1. An account of the way and means whereby grace and peace are
multiplied--it is through the knowledge of God and Jesus Christ; this
acknowledging or believing in the only living and true God, and Jesus
Christ whom he has sent, is the great improvement of spiritual life, or
it could not be the way to life eternal, John xvii. 3.
2. The ground of the apostle's faith in asking, and of the Christian's
hope in expecting, the increase of grace. What we have already received
should encourage us to ask for more; he who has begun the work of grace
will perfect it. Observe, (1.) The fountain of all spiritual blessings
is the divine power of Jesus Christ, who could not discharge all the
office of Mediator, unless he was God as well as man. (2.) All things
that have any relation to, and influence upon, the true spiritual life,
the life and power of godliness, are from Jesus Christ; in him all
fulness dwells, and it is from him that we receive, and grace for grace
(John i. 16), even all that is necessary for the preserving, improving,
and perfecting of grace and peace, which, according to some expositors,
are called here in this verse godliness and life. (3.) Knowledge of
God, and faith in him, are the channel whereby all spiritual supports
and comforts are conveyed to us; but then we must own and acknowledge
God as the author of our effectual calling, for so he is here
described: Him that hath called us to glory and virtue. Observe here,
The design of God in calling or converting men is to bring them to
glory and virtue, that is, peace and grace, as some understand it; but
many prefer the marginal rendering, by glory and virtue; and so we have
effectual calling set forth as the work of the glory and virtue, or the
glorious power, of God, which is described Eph. i. 19. It is the glory
of God's power to convert sinners; this is the power and glory of God
which are seen and experienced in his sanctuary (Ps. lxiii. 2); this
power or virtue is to be extolled by all that are called out of
darkness into marvellous light, 1 Pet. ii. 9. (4.) In the fourth verse
the apostle goes on to encourage their faith and hope in looking for an
increase of grace and peace, because the same glory and virtue are
employed and evidenced in giving the promises of the gospel that are
exercised in our effectual calling. Observe, [1.] The good things which
the promises make over are exceedingly great. Pardon of sin is one of
the blessings here intended; how great this is all who know any thing
of the power of God's anger will readily confess, and this is one of
those promised favours in bestowing whereof the power of the Lord is
great, Num. xiv. 17. To pardon sins that are numerous and heinous
(every one of which deserves God's wrath and curse, and that for ever)
is a wonderful thing, and is so called, Ps. cxix. 18. [2.] The promised
blessings of the gospel are very precious; as the great promise of the
Old Testament was the Seed of the woman, the Messiah (Heb. xi. 39), so
the great promise of the New Testament is the Holy Ghost (Luke xxiv.
49), and how precious must the enlivening, enlightening, sanctifying
Spirit be! [3.] Those who receive the promises of the gospel partake of
the divine nature. They are renewed in the spirit of their mind, after
the image of God, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness; their
hearts are set for God and his service; they have a divine temper and
disposition of soul; though the law is the ministration of death, and
the letter killeth, yet the gospel is the ministration of life, and the
Spirit quickeneth those who are naturally dead in trespasses and sins.
[4.] Those in whom the Spirit works the divine nature are freed from
the bondage of corruption. Those who are, by the Spirit of grace,
renewed in the spirit of their mind, are translated into the liberty of
the children of God; for it is the world in which corruption reigns.
Those who are not of the Father, but of the world, are under the power
of sin; the world lies in wickedness, 1 John v. 19. And the dominion
that sin has in the men of the world is through lust; their desires are
to it, and therefore it rules over them. The dominion that sin has over
us is according to the delight we have in it.
Spiritual Diligence; Advancement in Holiness. (a. d. 67.)
5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and
to virtue knowledge; 6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance
patience; and to patience godliness; 7 And to godliness brotherly
kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. 8 For if these things be
in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor
unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 9 But he that
lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath
forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 10 Wherefore the
rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election
sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: 11 For so an
entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting
kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
In these words the apostle comes to the chief thing intended in this
epistle--to excite and engage them to advance in grace and holiness,
they having already obtained precious faith, and been made partakers of
the divine nature. This is a very good beginning, but it is not to be
rested in, as if we were already perfect. The apostle had prayed that
grace and peace might be multiplied to them, and now he exhorts them to
press forward for the obtaining of more grace. We should, as we have
opportunity, exhort those we pray for, and excite them to the use of
all proper means to obtain what we desire God to bestow upon them; and
those who will make any progress in religion must be very diligent and
industrious in their endeavours. Without giving all diligence, there is
no gaining any ground in the work of holiness; those who are slothful
in the business of religion will make nothing of it; we must strive if
we will enter in at the strait gate, Luke xiii. 24.
I. Here we cannot but observe how the believer's way is marked out step
by step. 1. He must get virtue, by which some understand justice; and
then the knowledge, temperance, and patience that follow, being joined
with it, the apostle may be supposed to put them upon pressing after
the four cardinal virtues, or the four elements that go to the making
up of every virtue or virtuous action. But seeing it is a faithful
saying, and constantly to be asserted, that those who have faith be
careful to maintain good works (Tit. iii. 8), by virtue here we may
understand strength and courage, without which the believer cannot
stand up for good works, by abounding and excelling in them. The
righteous must be bold as a lion (Prov. xxviii. 1); a cowardly
Christian, who is afraid to profess the doctrines or practise the
duties of the gospel, must expect that Christ will be ashamed of him
another day. "Let not your hearts fail you in the evil day, but show
yourselves valiant in standing against all opposition, and resisting
every enemy, world, flesh, devil, yea, and death too." We have need of
virtue while we live, and it will be of excellent use when we come to
die. 2. The believer must add knowledge to his virtue, prudence to his
courage; there is a knowledge of God's name which must go before our
faith (Ps. ix. 10), and we cannot approve of the good, and acceptable,
and perfect will of God, till we know it; but there are proper
circumstances for duty, which must be known and observed; we must use
the appointed means, and observe the accepted time. Christian prudence
regards the persons we have to do with and the place and company we are
in. Every believer must labour after the knowledge and wisdom that are
profitable to direct, both as to the proper method and order wherein
all Christian duties are to be performed and as to the way and manner
of performing them. 3. We must add temperance to our knowledge. We must
be sober and moderate in our love to, and use of, the good things of
this life; and, if we have a right understanding and knowledge of
outward comforts, we shall see that their worth and usefulness are
vastly inferior to those of spiritual mercies. Bodily exercises and
bodily privileges profit but little, and therefore are to be esteemed
and used accordingly; the gospel teaches sobriety as well as honesty,
Tit. ii. 12. We must be moderate in desiring and using the good things
of natural life, such as meat, drink, clothes, sleep, recreations, and
credit; an inordinate desire after these is inconsistent with an
earnest desire after God and Christ; and those who take more of these
than is due can render to neither God nor man what is due to them. 4.
Add to temperance patience, which must have its perfect work, or we
cannot be perfect and entire, wanting nothing (Jam. i. 4), for we are
born to trouble, and must through many tribulations enter into the
kingdom of heaven; and it is this tribulation (Rom. v. 3) which worketh
patience, that is, requires the exercise and occasions the increase of
this grace, whereby we bear all calamities and crosses with silence and
submission, without murmuring against God or complaining of him, but
justifying him who lays all affliction upon us, owning that our
sufferings are less than our sins deserve, and believing they are no
more than we ourselves need. 5. To patience we must add godliness, and
this is the very thing which is produced by patience, for that works
experience, Rom. v. 4. When Christians bear afflictions patiently, they
get an experimental knowledge of the loving-kindness of their heavenly
Father, which he will not take from his children, even when he visits
their iniquity with the rod and their transgression with stripes (Ps.
lxxxix. 32, 33), and hereby they are brought to the child-like fear and
reverential love wherein true godliness consists: to this, 6. We must
add brotherly-kindness, a tender affection to all our
fellow-christians, who are children of the same Father, servants of the
same Master, members of the same family, travellers to the same
country, and heirs of the same inheritance, and therefore are to be
loved with a pure heart fervently, with a love of complacency, as those
who are peculiarly near and dear to us, in whom we take particular
delight, Ps. xvi. 3. 7. Charity, or a love of good-will to all mankind,
must be added to the love of delight which we have for those who are
the children of God. God has made of one blood all nations, and all the
children of men are partakers of the same human nature, are all capable
of the same mercies, and liable to the same afflictions, and therefore,
though upon a spiritual account Christians are distinguished and
dignified above those who are without Christ, yet are they to
sympathize with others in their calamities, and relieve their
necessities, and promote their welfare both in body and soul, as they
have opportunity: thus must all believers in Christ evidence that they
are the children of God, who is good to all, but is especially good to
Israel.
II. All the forementioned graces must be had, or we shall not be
thoroughly furnished for all good works--for the duties of the first
and second table, for active and passive obedience, and for those
services wherein we are to imitate God as well as for those wherein we
only obey him--and therefore to engage us to an industrious and
unwearied pursuit of them, the apostle sets forth the advantages that
redound to all who successfully labour so as to get these things to be
and abound in them, v. 8-11. These are proposed,
1. More generally, v. 8. The having these things make not barren (or
slothful) nor unfruitful, where, according to the style of the Holy
Ghost, we must understand a great deal more than is expressed; for when
it is said concerning Ahaz, the vilest and most provoking of all the
kings of Judah, that he did not right in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings
xvi. 2), we are to understand as much as if it had been said, He did
what was most offensive and abominable, as the following account of his
life shows; so, when it is here said that the being and abounding of
all Christian graces in us will make us neither inactive nor
unfruitful, we are thereby to understand that it will make us very
zealous and lively, vigorous and active, in all practical Christianity,
and eminently fruitful in the works of righteousness. These will bring
much glory to God, by bringing forth much fruit among men, being
fruitful in knowledge, or the acknowledging of our Lord Jesus Christ,
owning him to be their Lord, and evidencing themselves to be his
servants by their abounding in the work that he has given them to do.
This is the necessary consequence of adding one grace to another; for,
where all Christian graces are in the heart, they improve and
strengthen, encourage and cherish, one another; so they all thrive and
grow (as the apostle intimates in the beginning of v. 8), and wherever
grace abounds there will be an abounding in good works. How desirable
it is to be in such a case the apostle evidences, v. 9. There he sets
forth how miserable it is to be without those quickening fructifying
graces; for he who has not the forementioned graces, or, though he
pretends or seems to have them, does not exercise and improve them, is
blind, that is, as to spiritual and heavenly things, as the next words
explain it: He cannot see far off. This present evil world he can see,
and dotes upon, but has no discerning at all of the world to come, so
as to be affected with the spiritual privileges and heavenly blessings
thereof. He who sees the excellences of Christianity must needs be
diligent in endeavours after all those graces that are absolutely
necessary for obtaining glory, honour, and immortality; but, where
these graces are not obtained nor endeavoured after, men are not able
to look forward to the things that are but a very little way off in
reality, though in appearance, or in their apprehension, they are at a
great distance, because they put them far away from them; and how
wretched is their condition who are thus blind as to the awfully great
things of the other world, who cannot see any thing of the reality and
certainty, the greatness and nearness, of the glorious rewards God will
bestow on the righteous, and the dreadful punishment he will inflict on
the ungodly! But this is not all the misery of those who do not add to
their faith virtue, knowledge, &c. They are as unable to look backward
as forward, their memories are slippery and unable to retain what is
past, as their sight is short and unable to discern what is future;
they forget that they have been baptized, and had the means, and been
laid under the obligations to holiness of heart and life. By baptism we
are engaged in a holy war against sin, and are solemnly bound to fight
against the flesh, the world, and the devil. Often call to mind, and
seriously meditate on, your solemn engagement to be the Lord's, and
your peculiar advantages and encouragements to lay aside all filthiness
of flesh and spirit.
2. The apostle proposes two particular advantages that will attend or
follow upon diligence in the work of a Christian: stability in grace,
and a triumphant entrance into glory. These he brings in by resuming
his former exhortation, and laying it down in other words; for what in
v. 5 is expressed by giving diligence to add to faith virtue, &c., is
expressed in v. 10 by giving diligence to make our calling and election
sure. Here we may observe, (1.) It is the duty of believers to make
their election sure, to clear it up to themselves that they are the
chosen of God. (2.) The way to make sure their eternal election is to
make out their effectual calling: none can look into the book of God's
eternal counsels and decrees; but, inasmuch as whom God did
predestinate those he also called, if we can find we are effectually
called, we may conclude we are chosen to salvation. (3.) It requires a
great deal of diligence and labour to make sure our calling and
election; there must be a very close examination of ourselves, a very
narrow search and strict enquiry, whether we are thoroughly converted,
our minds enlightened, our wills renewed, and our whole souls changed
as to the bent and inclination thereof; and to come to a fixed
certainty in this requires the utmost diligence, and cannot be attained
and kept without divine assistance, as we may learn from Ps. cxxxix.
23; Rom. viii. 16. "But, how great soever the labour is, do not think
much of it, for great is the advantage you gain by it; for," [1.] "By
this you will be kept from falling, and that at all times and seasons,
even in those hours of temptation that shall be on the earth." When
others shall fall into heinous and scandalous sin, those who are thus
diligent shall be enabled to walk circumspectly and keep on in the way
of their duty; and, when many fall into errors, they shall be preserved
sound in the faith, and stand perfect and complete in all the will of
God. [2.] Those who are diligent in the work of religion shall have a
triumphant entrance into glory; while of those few who get to heaven
some are scarcely saved (1 Pet. iv. 18), with a great deal of
difficulty, even as by fire (1 Cor. iii. 15), those who are growing in
grace, and abounding in the work of the Lord, shall have an abundant
entrance into the joy of their Lord, even that everlasting kingdom
where Christ reigns, and they shall reign with him for ever and ever.
Spiritual Exertions. (a. d. 67.)
12 Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance
of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present
truth. 13 Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle,
to stir you up by putting you in remembrance; 14 Knowing that shortly
I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath
showed me. 15 Moreover I will endeavour that ye may be able after my
decease to have these things always in remembrance.
I. The importance and advantage of progress and perseverance in grace
and holiness made the apostle to be very diligent in doing the work of
a minister of Christ, that he might thereby excite and assist them to
be diligent in the duty of Christians. If ministers be negligent in
their work, it can hardly be expected that the people will be diligent
in theirs; therefore Peter will not be negligent (that is, at no time
or place, in no part of his work, to no part of his charge), but will
be exemplarily and universally diligent, and that in the work of a
remembrancer. This is the office of the best ministers, even the
apostles themselves; they are the Lord's remembrancers (Isa. lxii. 6);
they are especially bound to make mention of the promises, and put God
in mind of his engagements to do good to his people; and they are the
people's remembrancers, making mention of God's precepts, and putting
them in mind of the doctrines and duties of Christianity, that they may
remember God's commandments, to do them. And this the apostle does,
though some persons might think it needless, inasmuch as they already
knew those thing that he writes about, and were established in the very
truth that he insists upon. Observe, 1. We need to be put in mind of
what we already know to prevent our forgetting it, and to improve our
knowledge, and reduce all to practice. 2. We must be established in the
belief of the truth, that we may not be shaken by every wind of
doctrine, and especially in that which is the present truth, the truth
more peculiarly necessary for us to know in our day, that which belongs
to our peace, and which is more especially opposed in our time. The
great doctrines of the gospel, that Jesus is the Christ, that Jesus
Christ came into the world to save sinners, that those who believe in
the Lord Jesus Christ shall be saved, and all that believe in God must
be careful to maintain good works--these are truths the apostles
insisted on in their day; these are faithful sayings, and worthy of all
acceptation in every age of the Christian church. And, as these must be
constantly affirmed by ministers (Tit. iii. 8), so the people are to be
well instructed and established therein, and yet must, after all their
attainments in knowledge, be put in mind of such things as cannot be
too clearly known nor too firmly believed. The most advanced Christians
cannot, while in this world, be above ordinances, nor beyond the need
of those means which God has appointed and does afford. And, if the
people need teaching and exhortation while they are in the body, it is
very meet and just that ministers should, as long as they are in this
tabernacle, instruct and exhort them, and bring those truths to their
remembrance that they have formerly heard, this being a proper means to
stir them up to be diligent and lively in a course of gospel-obedience.
II. The apostle, being set upon the work, tells us (v. 14) what makes
him earnest in this matter, even the knowledge he had, not only that he
must certainly, but also that he must shortly, put off this tabernacle.
Observe, 1. The body is but the tabernacle of the soul. It is a mean
and movable structure, whose stakes can be easily removed, and its
cords presently broken. 2. This tabernacle must be put off. We are not
to continue long in this earthly house. As at night we put off our
clothes, and lay them by, so at death we must put off our bodies, and
they musts be laid up in the grave till the morning of the
resurrection. 3. The nearness of death makes the apostle diligent in
the business of life. Our Lord Jesus had shown him that the time of his
departure was at hand, and therefore he bestirs himself with greater
zeal and diligence, because the time is short. He must soon be removed
from those to whom he wrote; and his ambition being that they should
remember the doctrine he had delivered to them, after he himself was
taken away from them, he commits his exhortation to writing. The
apostle had not any great opinion of oral tradition. This was not so
proper a means to reach the end he was in pursuit of. He would have
them always to remember these things, and not only to keep them in
mind, but also to make mention of them, as the original words import.
Those who fear the Lord make mention of his name, and talk of his
loving-kindness. This is the way to spread the knowledge of the Lord
and this the apostle had at heart: and those who have the written word
of God are thereby put into a capacity to do this.
Evidence of the Gospel. (a. d. 67.)
16 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made
known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were
eyewitnesses of his majesty. 17 For he received from God the Father
honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the
excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
18 And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with
him in the holy mount.
Here we have the reason of giving the foregoing exhortation, and that
with so much diligence and seriousness. These things are not idle
tales, or a vain thing, but of undoubted truth and vast concern. The
gospel is not a cunningly devised fable. These are not the words of one
who hath a devil, nor the contrivance of any number of men who by
cunning craftiness endeavour to deceive. The way of salvation by Jesus
Christ is eminently the counsel of God, the most excellent contrivance
of the infinitely wise Jehovah; it was he that invented this way of
saving sinners by Jesus Christ, whose power and coming are set forth in
the gospel, and the apostle's preaching was a making of these things
known. 1. The preaching of the gospel is a making known the power of
Christ, that he is able to save to the uttermost all who come to God by
him. He is the mighty God, and therefore can save from both the guilt
and the filth of sin. 2. The coming of Christ also is make known by the
preaching of the gospel. He who was promised immediately after the fall
of man, as in the fulness of time to be born of a woman, has now come
in the flesh; and whosoever denies this is an antichrist (1 John iv.
3), he is actuated and influenced by the spirit of anti-christ; but
those who are the true apostles and ministers of Christ, and are
directed and guided by the Spirit of Christ, evidence that Christ has
come according to the promise which all the Old-Testament believers
died in the faith of, Heb. xi. 39. Christ has come in the flesh.
Inasmuch as those whom he undertakes to save are partakers of flesh and
blood, he himself also took part of the same, that he might suffer in
their nature and stead, and thereby make an atonement. This coming of
Christ the gospel is very plain and circumstantial in setting forth;
but there is a second coming, which it likewise mentions, which the
ministers of the gospel ought also to make known, when he shall come in
the glory of his Father with all his holy angels, for he is appointed
to be Judge both of quick and dead. He will come to judge the world in
righteousness by the everlasting gospel, and call us all to give
account of all things done in the body, whether good or evil. 3. And
though this gospel of Christ has been blasphemously called a fable by
one of those wretches who call themselves the successors of St. Peter,
yet our apostle proves that it is of the greatest certainty and
reality, inasmuch as during our blessed Saviour's abode here on earth,
when he took on him the form of a servant and was found in fashion as a
man, he sometimes manifested himself to be God, and particularly to our
apostle and the two sons of Zebedee, who were eye-witnesses of his
divine majesty, when he was transfigured before them, and his face did
shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light, exceedingly
white, as snow, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them. This Peter,
James, and John, were eye-witnesses of, and therefore might and ought
to attest; and surely their testimony is true, when they witness what
they have seen with their eyes, yea, and heard with their ears: for,
besides the visible glory that Christ was invested with here on earth,
there was an audible voice from heaven. Here observe, (1.) What a
gracious declaration was made: This is my beloved Son, in whom I am
well pleased--the best voice that ever came from heaven to earth; God
is well pleased with Christ, and with us in him. This is the Messiah
who was promised, through whom all who believe in him shall be accepted
and saved. (2.) This declaration is made by God the Father, who thus
publicly owns his Son (even in his state of humiliation, when he was in
the form of a servant), yea, proclaims him to be his beloved Son, when
he is in that low condition; yea, so far are Christ's mean and low
circumstances from abating the love of the Father to him that his
laying down his life is said to be one special reason of the Father's
love, John x. 17. (3.) The design of this voice was to do our Saviour a
singular humour while he was here below: He received honour and glory
from God the Father. This is the person whom God delights to honour. As
he requires us to give honour and glory to his Son by confessing him to
be our Saviour, so does he give glory and honour to our Saviour by
declaring him to be his Son. (4.) This voice is from heaven, called
here the excellent glory, which still reflects a greater glory upon our
blessed Saviour. This declaration is from God the fountain of honour,
and from heaven the seat of glory, where God is most gloriously
present. (5.) This voice was heard, and that so as to be understood, by
Peter, James, and John. They not only heard a sound (as the people did,
John xii. 28, 29), but they understood the sense. God opens the ears
and understandings of his people to receive what they are concerned to
know, when others are like Paul's companions, who only heard a sound of
words (Acts ix. 7), but understood not the meaning thereof, and
therefore are said not to hear the voice of him that spoke, Acts xxii.
9. Blessed are those who not only hear, but understand, who believe the
truth, and feel the power of the voice from heaven, as he did who
testifieth these things: and we have all the reason in the world to
receive his testimony; for who would refuse to give credit to what is
so circumstantially laid down as this account of the voice from heaven,
of which the apostle tells us, (6.) It was heard by them in the holy
mount, when they were with Jesus? The place wherein God affords any
peculiarly gracious manifestation of himself is thereby made holy, not
with an inherent holiness, but as the ground was holy where God
appeared to Moses (Exod. iii. 5), and the mountain holy on which the
temple was built, Ps. lxxxvii. 1. Such places are relatively holy, and
to be regarded as such during the time that men in themselves
experience, or may, by warrant from the word, believingly expect, the
special presence and gracious influence of the holy and glorious God.
Inspiration of the Scriptures. (a. d. 67.)
19 We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that
ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the
day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: 20 Knowing this
first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private
interpretation. 21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will
of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
In these words the apostle lays down another argument to prove the
truth and reality of the gospel, and intimates that this second proof
is more strong and convincing than the former, and more unanswerably
makes out that the doctrine of the power and coming of our Lord Jesus
Christ is not a mere fable or cunning contrivance of men, but the wise
and wonderful counsel of the holy and gracious God. For this is
foretold by the prophets and penmen of the Old Testament, who spoke and
wrote under the influence and according to the direction of the Spirit
of God. Here note,
I. The description that is given of the scriptures of the Old
Testament: they are called a more sure word of prophecy. 1. It is a
prophetical declaration of the power and coming, the Godhead and
incarnation, of our Saviour, which we have in the Old Testament. It is
there foretold that the seed of the woman shall bruise the serpent's
head. His power to destroy the devil and his works, and his being made
of a woman, are there foretold; and the great and awful Old Testament
name of God, Jehovah (as read by some), signifies only He will be; and
that name of God (Exod. iii. 14) is rendered by many, I will be that I
will be; and, thus understood, they point at God's being incarnate in
order to the redemption and salvation of his people as what was to
come. But the New Testament is a history of that whereof the Old
Testament is a prophecy. All the prophets and the law prophesied until
John, Matt. xi. 13. And the evangelists and the apostles have written
the history of what was before delivered as prophecy. Now the
accomplishment of the Old Testament by the New, and the agreeableness
of the New Testament to the Old, are a full demonstration of the truth
of both. Read the Old Testament as a prophecy of Christ, and with
diligence and thankfulness use the New as the best exposition of the
Old. 2. The Old Testament is a more sure word of prophecy. It is so to
the Jews who received it as the oracles of God. Following prophets
confirmed what had been delivered by those who went before, and these
prophecies had been written by the express command, and preserved by
the special care, and many of them fulfilled by the wonderful
providence of God, and therefore were more certain to those who had all
along received and read the scriptures than the apostle's account of
this voice from heaven. Moses and the prophets more powerfully persuade
than even miracles themselves, Luke xvi. 31. How firm and sure should
our faith be, who have such a firm and sure word to rest upon! All the
prophecies of the Old Testament are more sure and certain to us who
have the history of the most exact and minute accomplishment of them.
II. The encouragement the apostle gives us to search the scriptures. He
tells us, We do well if we take heed to them; that is, apply our minds
to understand the sense, and our hearts to believe the truth, of this
sure word, yea, bend ourselves to it, that we may be moulded and
fashioned by it. The word is that form of doctrine into which we must
be cast (Rom. vi. 17), that formulary of knowledge (Rom. ii. 20) by
which we are to regulate our thoughts and sentiments, our words and
confessions, our whole life and conversation. If we thus apply
ourselves to the word of God, we certainly do well in all respects,
what is pleasing to God and profitable to ourselves; and this indeed is
but paying that regard which is due to the oracles of God. But, in
order to this giving heed to the word, the apostle suggests some things
that are of singular use to those who would attend to the scriptures to
any good purpose. 1. They must account and use the scripture as a light
which God hath sent into and set up in the world, to dispel that
darkness which is upon the face of the whole earth. The word is a lamp
to the feet of those who use it aright; this discovers the way wherein
men ought to walk; this is the means whereby we come to know the way of
life. 2. They must acknowledge their own darkness. This world is a
place of error and ignorance, and every man in the world is naturally
without that knowledge which is necessary in order to attain eternal
life. 3. If ever men are made wise to salvation, it is by the shining
of the word of God into their hearts. Natural notions of God are not
sufficient for fallen man, who does at best actually know a great deal
less, and yet does absolutely need to know a great deal more, of God
than Adam did while he continued innocent. 4. When the light of the
scripture is darted into the blind mind and dark understanding by the
Holy Spirit of God, then the spiritual day dawns and the day-star
arises in that soul. This enlightening of a dark benighted mind is like
the day-break that improves and advances, spreads and diffuses itself
through the whole soul, till it makes perfect day, Prov. iv. 18. It is
a growing knowledge; those who are this way enlightened never think
they know enough, till they come to know as they are known. To give
heed to this light must needs be the interest and duty of all; and all
who do truth come to this light, while evil-doers keep at a distance
from it.
III. The apostle lays down one thing as previously necessary in order
to our giving heed to, and getting good by, the scriptures, and that is
the knowing that all prophecy is of divine origin. Now this important
truth he not only asserts, but proves. 1. Observe, No scripture
prophecy is of private interpretation (or a man's own proper opinion,
an explication of his own mind), but the revelation of the mind of God.
This was the difference between the prophets of the Lord and the false
prophets who have been in the world. The prophets of the Lord did not
speak nor do any thing of their own mind, as Moses, the chief of them,
says expressly (Num. xvi. 28), I have not done any of the works (nor
delivered any of the statutes and ordinances) of my own mind. But false
prophets speak a vision of their own heart, not out of the mouth of the
Lord, Jer. xxiii. 16. The prophets and penmen of the scripture spoke
and wrote what was the mind of God; and though, when under the
influence and guidance of the Spirit, it may well be supposed that they
were willing to reveal and record such thing, yet it is because God
would have them spoken and written. But though the scripture be not the
effusion of man's own private opinion or inclination, but the
revelation of the mind and will of God, yet every private man ought to
search it, and come to understand the sense and meaning thereof. 2.
This important truth of the divine origin of the scriptures (that what
is contained in them is the mind of God and not of man) is to be known
and owned by all who will give heed to the sure word of prophecy. That
the scriptures are the word of God is not only an article of the true
Christian's faith, but also a matter of science or knowledge. As a man
not barely believes, but knows assuredly that that very person is his
particular friend in whom he sees all the proper, peculiar,
distinguishing marks and characters of his friend, so the Christian
knows that book to be the word of God in and upon which he sees all the
proper marks and characters of a divinely inspired book. He tastes a
sweetness, and feels a power, and sees a glory, in it truly divine. 3.
The divinity of the scriptures must be known and acknowledged in the
first place, before men can profitably use them, before they can give
good heed to them. To call off our minds from all other writings, and
apply them in a peculiar manner to these as the only certain and
infallible rule, necessarily requires our being fully persuaded that
these are divinely inspired, and contain what is truly the mind and
will of God.
IV. Seeing it is so absolutely necessary that persons be fully
persuaded of the scripture's divine origin, the apostle (v. 21) tells
us how the Old Testament came to be compiled, and that, 1. Negatively:
It came not by the will of man. Neither the things themselves that are
recorded, and make up the several parts of the Old Testament, are the
opinions of men, nor was the will of any of the prophets or penmen of
the scriptures the rule or reason why any of those things were written
which make up the canon of the scripture. 2. Affirmatively: Holy men of
God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. Observe, (1.) They were
holy men of God who were employed about that book which we receive as
the word of God. If Balaam and Caiaphas, and others who were destitute
of holiness, had any thing of the spirit of prophecy, upon occasion,
yet such persons were not employed to write any part of the scriptures
for the use of the church of God. All the penmen of the scriptures were
holy men of God. (2.) These holy men were moved by the Holy Ghost in
what they delivered as the mind and will of God. The Holy Ghost is the
supreme agent, the holy men are but instruments. [1.] The Holy Ghost
inspired and dictated to them what they were to deliver of the mind of
God. [2.] He powerfully excited and effectually engaged them to speak
(and write) what he had put into their mouths. [3.] He so wisely and
carefully assisted and directed them in the delivery of what they had
received from him that they were effectually secured from any the least
mistake in expressing what they revealed; so that the very words of
scripture are to be accounted the words of the Holy Ghost, and all the
plainness and simplicity, all the power and virtue, all the elegance
and propriety, of the very words and expressions are to be regarded by
us as proceeding from God. Mix faith therefore with what you find in
the scriptures; esteem and reverence your Bible as a book written by
holy men, inspired, influenced, and assisted by the Holy Ghost.
__________________________________________________________________
S E C O N D P E T E R.
CHAP. II.
The apostle, having in the foregoing chapter exhorted them to proceed
and advance in the Christian race, now comes to remove, as much as in
him lay, what he could not but apprehend would hinder their complying
with his exhortation. He therefore gives them fair warning of false
teachers, by whom they might be in danger of being seduced. To prevent
this, I. He describes these seducers as impious in themselves, and very
pernicious to others, ver. 1-3. II. He assures them of the punishment
that shall be inflicted on them, ver. 3-6. III. He tells us how
contrary the method is which God takes with those who fear him, ver.
7-9. IV. He fills up the rest of the chapter with a further description
of those seducers of whom he would have them beware.
False Prophets and Corrupt Leaders. (a. d. 67.)
1 But there were false prophets also among the people, even as there
shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable
heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon
themselves swift destruction. 2 And many shall follow their
pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil
spoken of. 3 And through covetousness shall they with feigned words
make merchandise of you--
I. In the end of the former chapter there is mention made of holy men
of God, who lived in the times of the Old Testament, and were used as
the amanuenses of the Holy Ghost, in writing the sacred oracles; but in
the beginning of this he tells us they had, even at that time, false
prophets in the church as well as true. In all ages of the church, and
under all dispensations, when God sends true prophets, the devil sends
some to seduce and deceive, false prophets in the Old Testament, and
false Christs, false apostles, and seducing teachers, in the New.
Concerning these observe, 1. Their business is to bring in destructive
errors, even damnable heresies, as the business of teachers sent of God
is to show the way of truth, even the true way to everlasting life.
There are damnable heresies as well as damnable practices; and false
teachers are industrious to spread pernicious errors. 2. Damnable
heresies are commonly brought in privily, under the cloak and colour of
truth. Those who introduce destructive heresies deny the Lord that
bought them. They reject and refuse to hear and learn of the great
teacher sent from God, though he is the only Saviour and Redeemer of
men, who paid a price sufficient to redeem as many worlds of sinners as
there are sinners in the world. 4. Those who bring in errors
destructive to others bring swift (and therefore sure) destruction upon
themselves. Self-destroyers are soon destroyed; and those who are so
hardened as to propagate errors destructive to others shall surely and
suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.
II. He proceeds, in the second verse, to tell us the consequence with
respect to others; and here we may learn, 1. Corrupt leaders seldom
fail of many to follow them; though the way of error is a pernicious
way, yet many are ready to walk therein. Men drink in iniquity like
water, and are pleased to live in error. The prophets prophesy falsely,
and the people love to have it so. 2. The spreading of error will bring
up an evil report on the way of truth; that is, the way of salvation by
Jesus Christ, who is the way, the truth, and the life. The Christian
religion is from the God of truth as the author, leads to true
happiness in the enjoyment of the true God as the end, and works truth
in the inward part as the means of acceptably serving God. And yet this
way of truth is traduced and blasphemed by those who embrace and
advance destructive errors. This the apostle has foretold as what
should certainly come to pass. Let us not be offended at any thing of
this in our day, but take care that we give no occasion to the enemy to
blaspheme the holy name whereby we are called, or speak evil of that
way whereby we hope to be saved.
III. Observe, in the next place, the method seducers take to draw
disciples after them: they use feigned words; they flatter, and by good
words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple, inducing them
to yield entirely to the opinions which these seducers endeavour to
propagate, and sell and deliver themselves over to the instruction and
government of these false teacher, who make a gain of those whom they
make their proselytes, serving themselves and making some advantage of
them; for all this is through covetousness, with a desire and design to
get more wealth, or credit, or commendation, by increasing the number
of their followers. The faithful ministers of Christ, who show men the
way of truth, desire the profit and advantage of their followers, that
they may be saved; but these seducing teachers desire and design only
their own temporal advantage and worldly grandeur.
Divine Judgments. (a. d. 67.)
--3 Whose judgment now of a long time lingereth not, and their
damnation slumbereth not. 4 For if God spared not the angels that
sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of
darkness, to be reserved unto judgment; 5 And spared not the old
world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness,
bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly; 6 And turning
the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an
overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live
ungodly;
Men are apt to think that a reprieve is the forerunner of a pardon, and
that if judgment be not speedily executed it is, or will be, certainly
reversed. But the apostle tells us that how successful and prosperous
soever false teachers may be, and that for a time, yet their judgment
lingereth not. God has determined long ago how he will deal with them.
Such unbelievers, who endeavour to turn others from the faith, are
condemned already, and the wrath of God abideth on them. The righteous
Judge will speedily take vengeance; the day of their calamity is at
hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste. To prove
this assertion, here are several examples of the righteous judgment of
God, in taking vengeance on sinners, proposed to our serious
consideration.
I. See how God dealt with the angels who sinned. Observe, 1. No
excellency will exempt a sinner from punishment. If the angels, who
excel us vastly in strength and knowledge, violate the law of God, the
sentence which that law awards shall be executed upon them, and that
without mercy or mitigation, for God did not spare them. Hence observe,
2. By how much the more excellent the offender, by so much the more
severe the punishment. These angels, who had the advantage of men as to
the dignity of their nature, are immediately punished. There is no
sparing them for a few days, no favour at all shown them. 3. Sin
debases and degrades the persons who commit it. The angels of heaven
are cast down from the height of their excellency, and divested of all
their glory and dignity, upon their disobedience. Whoever sins against
God does a manifest hurt to himself. 4. Those who rebel against the God
of heaven shall all be sent down to hell. There is no place nor state
between the height of glory and the depth of misery in which they shall
be allowed to rest. If creatures sin in heaven, they must suffer in
hell. 5. Sin is the work of darkness, and darkness is the wages of sin.
The darkness of misery and torment follows the darkness of sin. Those
who will not walk according to the light and direction of God's law
shall be deprived of the light of God's countenance and the comforts of
his presence. 6. As sin binds men over to punishment, so misery and
torment hold men under punishment. The darkness which is their misery
keeps them so that they cannot get away from their torment. 7. The last
degree of torment is not till the day of judgment. The sinning angels,
though in hell already, are yet reserved to the judgment of the great
day.
II. See how God dealt with the old world, even in much the same way
that he dealt with the angels. He spared not the old world. Here
observe, 1. The number of offenders signifies no more to procure any
favour than the quality. If the sin be universal, the punishment shall
likewise extend to all. But, 2. If there be but a few righteous, they
shall be preserved. God does not destroy the good with the bad. In
wrath he remembers mercy. 3. Those who are preachers of righteousness
in an age of universal corruption and degeneracy, holding forth the
word of life in an unblamable and exemplary conversation, shall be
preserved in a time of general destruction. 4. God can make use of
those creatures as the instruments of his vengeance in punishing
sinners which he at first made and appointed for their service and
benefit. He destroyed the whole world by water; but observe, 5. What
was the procuring cause of this: it was a world of ungodly men.
Ungodliness puts men out of the divine protection, and exposes them to
utter destruction.
III. See how God dealt with Sodom and Gomorrah; though they were
situated in a country like the garden of the Lord, yet, if in such a
fruitful soil they abound in sin, God can soon turn a fruitful land
into barrenness and a well-watered country into dust and ashes.
Observe, 1. No political union or confederacy can keep off judgments
from a sinful people. Sodom and the neighbouring cities were no more
secured by their regular government than the angels by the dignity of
their nature or the old world by their vast number. 2. God can make use
of contrary creatures to punish incorrigible sinners. He destroys the
old world by water, and Sodom by fire. He who keeps fire and water from
hurting his people (Isa. xliii. 2) can make either to destroy his
enemies; therefore they are never safe. 3. Most heinous sins bring most
grievous judgments. Those who were abominable in their vices were
remarkable for their plagues. Those who are sinners exceedingly before
the Lord must expect the most dreadful vengeance. 4. The punishment of
sinners in former ages is designed for the example of those who come
after. "Follow them, not only in the time of living, but in their
course and way of living." Men who live ungodly must see what they are
to expect if they go on still in a course of impiety. Let us take
warning by all the instances of God's taking vengeance, which are
recorded for our admonition, and to prevent our promising ourselves
impunity, though we go on in a course of sin.
Divine Judgments. (a. d. 67.)
7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the
wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and
hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful
deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of
temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be
punished:
When God sends destruction on the ungodly, he commands deliverance for
the righteous; and, if he rain fire and brimstone on the wicked, he
will cover the head of the just, and they shall be hid in the day of
his anger. This we have an instance of in his preserving Lot. Here
observe, 1. The character given of Lot; he is called a just man; this
he was as to the generally prevailing bent of his heart and through the
main of his conversation. God does not account men just or unjust from
one single act, but from their general course of life. And here is a
just man in the midst of a most corrupt and profligate generation
universally gone off from all good. He does not follow the multitude to
do evil, but in a city of injustice he walks uprightly. 2. The
impression the sins of others made upon this righteous man. Though the
sinner takes pleasure in his wickedness, it is a grief and vexation to
the soul of the righteous. In bad company we cannot escape either guilt
or grief. Let the sins of others be a trouble to us, otherwise it will
not be possible for us to keep ourselves pure. 3. Here is a particular
mention of the duration and continuance of this good man's grief and
vexation: it was from day to day. Being accustomed to hear and see
their wickedness did not reconcile him to it, nor abate of the horror
that was occasioned by it. This is the righteous man whom God preserved
from the desolating judgment that destroyed all round about him. From
this instance we are taught to argue that God knows how to deliver his
people and punish his enemies. It is here presupposed that the
righteous must have their temptations and trials. The devil and his
instruments will thrust sore at them, that they may fall; and, if we
will get to heaven, it must be through many tribulations. It is
therefore our duty to reckon upon and prepare for them. Observe here,
(1.) The Lord knows those that are his. He has set apart him who is
godly for himself; and, if there is but one in five cities, he knows
him; and where there is a greater number he cannot be ignorant of nor
overlook any one of them. (2.) The wisdom of God is never at a loss
about ways and means to deliver his people. They are often utterly at a
loss, and can see no way; he can deliver a great many. (3.) The
deliverance of the godly is the work of God, that which he concerns
himself in, both his wisdom to contrive the way and his power to work
out the deliverance out of temptation, to prevent their falling into
sin and their being ruined by their troubles. And surely, if he can
deliver out of temptation, he could keep from falling into it if he did
not see such trials to be necessary. (4.) God makes a very great
difference in his dealings with the godly and the wicked. When he saves
his people from destruction, he delivers over his enemies to deserved
ruin. The unjust has no share in the salvation God works out for the
righteous. The wicked are reserved to the day of judgment. Here we see,
[1.] There is a day of judgment. God has appointed a day wherein he
will judge the world. [2.] The preservation of impenitent sinners is
only a reserving of them to the day of the revelation of the righteous
judgment of God.
False Teachers. (a. d. 67.)
10 But chiefly them that walk after the flesh in the lust of
uncleanness, and despise government. Presumptuous are they, selfwilled,
they are not afraid to speak evil of dignities. 11 Whereas angels,
which are greater in power and might, bring not railing accusation
against them before the Lord. 12 But these, as natural brute beasts,
made to be taken and destroyed, speak evil of the things that they
understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption; 13
And shall receive the reward of unrighteousness, as they that count it
pleasure to riot in the day time. Spots they are and blemishes,
sporting themselves with their own deceivings while they feast with
you; 14 Having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin;
beguiling unstable souls: a heart they have exercised with covetous
practices; cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and
are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who
loved the wages of unrighteousness; 16 But was rebuked for his
iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man's voice forbad the madness of
the prophet. 17 These are wells without water, clouds that are
carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for
ever. 18 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they
allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those
that were clean escaped from them who live in error. 19 While they
promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption:
for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through
the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again
entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than
the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known
the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from
the holy commandment delivered unto them. 22 But it is happened unto
them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit
again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire.
The apostle's design being to warn us of, and arm us against, seducers,
he now returns to discourse more particularly of them, and give us an
account of their character and conduct, which abundantly justifies the
righteous Judge of the world in reserving them in an especial manner
for the most severe and heavy doom, as Cain is taken under special
protection that he might be kept for uncommon vengeance. But why will
God thus deal with these false teachers? This he shows in what follows.
I. These walk after the flesh; they follow the devices and desires of
their own hearts, they give up themselves to the conduct of their own
fleshly mind, refusing to make their reason stoop to divine revelation,
and to bring every thought to the obedience of Christ; they, in their
lives, act directly contrary to God's righteous precepts, and comply
with the demands of corrupt nature. Evil opinions are often accompanied
with evil practices; and those who are for propagating error are for
improving in wickedness. They will not sit down contented in the
measure of iniquity to which they have attained, nor is it enough for
them to stand up, and maintain, and defend, what wickedness they have
already committed, but they walk after the flesh, they go on in their
sinful course, and increase unto more ungodliness and greater degrees
of impurity and uncleanness too; they also pour contempt on those whom
God has set in authority over them and requires them to honour. These
therefore despise the ordinance of God, and we need not wonder at it,
for they are bold and daring, obstinate and refractory, and will not
only cherish contempt in their hearts, but with their tongues will
utter slanderous and reproachful words of those who are set over them.
II. This he aggravates, by setting forth the very different conduct of
more excellent creatures, even the angels, of whom observe, 1. They are
greater in power and might, and that even than those who are clothed
with authority and power among the sons of men, and much more than
those false teachers who are slanderous revilers of magistrates and
governors; the good angels vastly exceed us in all natural and moral
excellences, in strength, understanding, and holiness too. 2. Good
angels are accusers of sinful creatures, either of their own kind, or
ours, or both. Those who are allowed to behold the face of God, and
stand before his throne, cannot but have a zeal for his honour, and
accuse and blame those who dishonour him. 3. Angels bring their
accusations of sinful creatures before the Lord; they do not publish
their faults, and tell their crimes to their fellow-creatures, in a way
of calumny and slander; but it is before the Lord, who is the Judge,
and will be the avenger, of all impiety and injustice. 4. Good angels
mingle no bitter revilings nor base reproaches with any of the
accusations or charges they bring against the wickedest and worst of
criminals. Let us, who pray that God's will may be done on earth as it
is in heaven, imitate the angels in this particular; if we complain of
wicked men, let it be to God, and that not with rage and reviling, but
with compassion and composedness of mind, that may evidence that we
belong to him who is meek and merciful.
III. The apostle, having shown (v. 11) how unlike seducing teachers are
to the most excellent creatures, proceeds (v. 12) to show how like they
are to the most inferior: they are like the horse and mule, which have
no understanding; they are as natural brute beasts, made to be taken
and destroyed. Men, under the power of sin, are so far from observing
divine revelation that they do not exercise reason, nor act according
to the direction thereof. They walk by sight, and not by faith, and
judge of things according to their senses; as these represent things
pleasant and agreeable, so they must be approved and esteemed.
Brute-creatures follow the instinct of their sensitive appetite, and
sinful man follows the inclination of his carnal mind; these refuse to
employ the understanding and reason God has given them, and so are
ignorant of what they might and ought to know; and therefore observe,
1. Ignorance is the cause of evil-speaking; and, 2. Destruction will be
the effect of it. These persons shall be utterly destroyed in their own
corruption. Their vices not only expose them to the wrath of God in
another world, but often bring them to misery and ruin in this life;
and surely such impudent offenders, who glory in their shame, and to
whom openness in sin is an improvement of the pleasure of sinning, most
justly deserve all the plagues of this life and the pains of the next
in the greatest extremity. Therefore whatever they meet with is the
just reward of their unrighteousness. Such sinners as sport themselves
in mischief deceive themselves and disgrace all they belong to, for by
one sort of sins they prepare themselves for another; their extravagant
feastings, their intemperance in eating and drinking, bring them to
commit all manner of lewdness, so that their eyes are full of adultery,
their wanton looks show their own impure lusts and are designed and
directed to kindle the like in others; and this is what they cannot
cease from--the heart is insatiate in lusting and the eye incessant in
looking after what may gratify their unclean desires, and those who are
themselves impudent and incessant in sin are very diligent and often
successful in deceiving others and drawing others into the same excess
of riot. But here observe who those are who are in the greatest danger
of being led away into error and impiety, even the unstable. Those
whose hearts are not established with grace are easily turned into the
way of sin, or else such sensual wretches would not be able to prevail
upon them, for these are not only riotous and lascivious, but covetous
also, and these practices their hearts are exercised with; they pant
after riches, and the desire of their souls is to the wealth of this
world: it is a considerable part of their work to contrive to get
wealth; in this their hearts are exercised, and then they execute their
projects; and, if men abandon themselves to all sorts of lusts, we
cannot wonder that the apostle should call them cursed children, for
they are liable to the curse of God denounced against such ungodly and
unrighteous men, and they bring a curse upon all who hearken and adhere
to them.
IV. The apostle (v. 15, 16) proves that they are cursed children, even
such covetous persons as the Lord abhors, by showing, 1. They have
forsaken the right way; and it cannot be but such self-seekers must be
out of the right way, which is a self-denying way. 2. They have gone
into a wrong way: they have erred and strayed from the way of life, and
gone over into the path which leads to death, and takes hold of hell;
and this he makes out by showing it to be the way of Balaam, the son of
Bosor. (1.) That is a way of unrighteousness into which men are led by
the wages of unrighteousness. (2.) Outward temporal good things are the
wages sinners expect and promise themselves, though they are often
disappointed. (3.) The inordinate love of the good things of this world
turns men out of the way which leads to the unspeakably better things
of another life; the love of riches and honour turned Balaam out of the
way of his duty, although he knew that the way he took displeased the
Lord. (4.) Those who from the same principle are guilty of the same
practices with notorious sinners are, in the judgment of God, the
followers of such vile offenders, and therefore must reckon upon being
at last where they are: they shall have their portion with those in
another world whom they imitated in this. (5.) Heinous and hardened
sinners sometimes meet with rebukes for their iniquity. God stops them
in their way, and opens the mouth of conscience, or by some startling
providence startles and affrights them. (6.) Though some more uncommon
and extraordinary rebuke may for a little while cool men's courage, and
hinder their violent progress in the way of sin, it will not make them
forsake the way of iniquity and go over into the way of holiness. If
rebuking a sinner for his iniquity could have made a man return to his
duty, surely the rebuke of Balaam must have produced this effect; for
here is a surprising miracle wrought: the dumb ass, in whose mouth no
man can expect to meet with reproof, is enabled to speak, and that with
a human voice, and to her owner and master (who is here called a
prophet, for the Lord appeared and spoke sometimes to him, Num. xxii.
23, 24, but indeed he was among the prophets of the Lord as Judas among
the apostles of Jesus Christ), and she exposes the madness of his
conduct and opposes his going on in this evil way, and yet all in vain.
Those who will not yield to usual methods of reproof will be but little
influenced by miraculous appearances to turn them from their sinful
courses. Balaam was indeed restrained from actually cursing the people,
but he had so strong a desire after the honours and riches that were
promised him that he went as far as he could, and did his utmost to get
from under the restraint that was upon him.
V. The apostle proceeds (v. 17) to a further description of seducing
teachers, whom he sets forth,
1. As wells, or fountains, without water. Observe, (1.) Ministers
should be as wells or fountains, where the people may find instruction,
direction, and comfort; but (2.) False teachers have nothing of this to
impart to those who consult them: the word of truth is the water of
life, which refreshes the souls that receive it; but these deceivers
are set upon spreading and promoting error, and therefore are set forth
as empty, because there is no truth in them. In vain then are all our
expectations of being fed and filled with knowledge and understanding
by those who are themselves ignorant and empty.
2. As clouds carried with a tempest. When we see a cloud we expect a
refreshing shower from it; but these are clouds which yield no rain,
for they are driven with the wind, but not of the Spirit, but the
stormy wind or tempest of their own ambition and covetousness. They
espouse and spread those opinions that will procure most applause and
advantage to themselves; and as clouds obstruct the light of the sun,
and darken the air, so do these darken counsel by words without
knowledge and wherein there is no truth; and, seeing these men are for
promoting darkness in this world, it is very just that the mist of
darkness should be their portion in the next. Utter darkness was
prepared for the devil, the great deceiver, and his angels, those
instruments that he uses to turn men from the truth, and therefore for
them it is reserved, and that for ever; the fire of hell is
everlasting, and the smoke of the bottomless pit rises up for ever and
ever. And it is just with God to deal thus with them, because (1.) They
allure those they deal with, and draw them into a net, or catch them as
men do fish; and, (2.) It is with great swelling words of vanity, lofty
expressions, which have a great sound, but little sense. (3.) They work
upon the corrupt affections and carnal fleshly lusts of men, proposing
what is grateful to them. And, (4.) They seduce persons who in reality
avoided and kept at a distance from those who spread and those who
embraced hurtful and destructive errors. Observe, [1.] By application
and industry men attain a skilfulness and dexterity in promoting error.
They are as artful and as successful as the fisher, who makes angling
his daily employment. The business of these men is to draw disciples
after them, and in their methods and management there are some things
worth observing, how they suit their bait to those they desire to
catch. [2.] Erroneous teachers have a peculiar advantage to win men
over to them, because they have sensual pleasure to take them with;
where as the ministers of Christ put men upon self-denial, and the
mortifying of those lusts that others gratify and please: wonder not
therefore that truth prevails no more, or that errors spread so much.
[3.] Persons who have for a while adhered to the truth, and kept clear
of errors, may by the subtlety and industry of seducers be so far
deceived as to fall into those errors they had for a while clean
escaped. "Be therefore always upon your guard, maintain a godly
jealousy of yourselves, search the scriptures, pray for the Spirit to
instruct and establish you in the truth, walk humbly with God, and
watch against every thing that may provoke him to give you up to a
reprobate mind, that you may not be taken with the fair and specious
pretences of these false teachers, who promise liberty to all who will
hearken to them, not true Christian liberty for the service of God, but
a licentiousness in sin, to follow the devices and desires of their own
hearts." To prevent these men's gaining proselytes, he tells us that,
in the midst of all their talk of liberty, they themselves are the
vilest slaves, for they are the servants of corruption; their own lusts
have gotten a complete victory over them, and they are actually in
bondage to them, making provision for the flesh, to satisfy its
cravings, comply with its directions, and obey its commands. Their
minds and hearts are so far corrupted and depraved that they have
neither power nor will to refuse the task that is imposed on them. They
are conquered and captivated by their spiritual enemies, and yield
their members servants of unrighteousness: and what a shame it is to be
overcome and commanded by those who are themselves the servants of
corruption, and slaves to their own lusts! This consideration should
prevent our being led away by these seducers; and to this he adds
another (v. 20): it is not only a shame and disgrace to be seduced by
those who are themselves the slaves of sin, and led captive by the
devil at his pleasure, but it is a real detriment to those who have
clean escaped from those who live in error, for hereby their latter end
is made worse than their beginning. Here we see, First, It is an
advantage to escape the pollutions of the world, to be kept from gross
and scandalous sins, though men are not thoroughly converted and
savingly changed; for hereby we are kept from grieving those who are
truly serious and emboldening those who are openly profane; whereas, if
we run with others to the same excess of riot and abandon ourselves to
the sins of the age, we afflict and dishearten those who endeavour to
walk as becomes the gospel, and strengthen the hands of those who are
already engaged in open rebellion against the Most High, as well as
alienate ourselves more from God, and harden our hearts against him.
Secondly, Some men are, for a time, kept from the pollutions of the
world, by the knowledge of Christ, who are not savingly renewed in the
spirit of their mind. A religious education has restrained many whom
the grace of God has not renewed: if we receive the light of the truth,
and have a notional knowledge of Christ in our heads, it may be of some
present service to us; but we must receive the love of the truth, and
hide God's word in our heart, or it will not sanctify and save us.
Thirdly, Those who have, for a time, escaped the pollutions of the
world, are at first ensnared and entangled by false teachers, who first
perplex men with some plausible and specious objections against the
truths of the gospel; and the more ignorant and unstable are hereby
made to stagger, and brought to question the truth of doctrines they
have received, because they cannot solve all the difficulties, nor
answer all the objections, that are urged by these seducers. Fourthly,
When men are once entangled, they are easily overcome; therefore should
Christians keep close to the word of God, and watch against those who
seek to perplex and bewilder them, and that because, if men who have
once escaped are again entangled, the latter end is worse with them
than the beginning.
VI. The apostle, in the last two verses of the chapter, sets himself to
prove that a state of apostasy is worse than a state of ignorance; for
it is a condemning of the way of righteousness, after they have had
some knowledge of it, and expressed some liking to it; it carries in it
a declaring that they have found some iniquity in the way of
righteousness and some falsehood in the word of truth. Now to bring up
such an evil report upon the good way of God, and such a false charge
against the way of truth, must necessarily expose to the heaviest
condemnation; the misery of such deserters of Christ and his gospel is
more unavoidable and more intolerable than that of other offenders;
for, 1. God is more highly provoked by those who by their conduct
despise the gospel, as well as disobey the law, and who reproach and
pour contempt upon God and his grace. 2. The devil more narrowly
watches and more closely confines those whom he has recovered, after
they had once gone off from him and professed to be the followers of
the Lord Jesus Christ (Matt. xii. 45); they are kept under a stronger
guard, and no wonder it should be so when they have licked up their own
vomit again, returning to the same errors and impieties that they had
once cast off and seemed to detest and loathe, and wallowing in that
filthiness from which they appeared once to be really cleansed. Well,
if the scripture gives such an account of Christianity on the one hand,
and of sin on the other, as we have here in these two verses, we
certainly ought highly to approve of the former and persevere therein,
because it is a way of righteousness, and a holy commandment, and to
loathe and keep at the greatest distance from the latter because it is
set forth as most offensive and abominable.
__________________________________________________________________
S E C O N D P E T E R.
CHAP. III.
The apostle drawing towards the conclusion of his second epistle,
begins this last chapter with repeating the account of his design and
scope in writing a second time to them, ver. 1-2. II. He proceeds to
mention one thing that induced him to write this second epistle,
namely, the coming of scoffers, whom he describes, ver. 3-7. III. He
instructs and establishes them in the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ
to judgment, ver. 8-10. IV. He sets forth the use and improvement which
Christians ought to make of Christ's second coming, and that
dissolution and renovation of things which will accompany that solemn
coming of our Lord, ver. 11-18.
Adhere to Words of the Prophets and Commandments of the Apostles. (a. d. 67.)
1 This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you; in both which I
stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance: 2 That ye may be
mindful of the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and
of the commandment of us the apostles of the Lord and Saviour:
That the apostle might the better reach his end in writing this
epistle, which is to make them steady and constant in a fiducial and
practical remembrance of the doctrine of the gospel, he, 1. Expresses
his special affection and tenderness for them, by calling them beloved,
hereby evidencing that he added to godliness brotherly-kindness, as he
had (ch. i. 17) exhorted them to do. Ministers must be examples of love
and affection, as well as life and conversation. 2. He evinces a
sincere love to them, and hearty concern for them, by writing the same
thing to them, though in other words. It being safe for them, it shall
not be grievous to him to write upon the same subject, and pursue the
same design, by those methods which are most likely to succeed. 3. The
better to recommend the matter, he tells them that what he would have
them to remember are, (1.) The words spoken by the holy prophets, who
were divinely inspired, both enlightened and sanctified by the Holy
Ghost; and, seeing these persons' minds were purified by the
sanctifying operation of the same Spirit, they were the better disposed
to receive and retain what came from God by the holy prophets. (2.) The
commandments of the apostles of the Lord and Saviour; and therefore the
disciples and servants of Christ ought to regard what those who are
sent by him have declared unto them to be the will of their Lord. What
God has spoken by the prophets of the Old Testament, and Christ has
commanded by the apostles of the New, cannot but demand and deserve to
be frequently remembered; and those who meditate on these things will
feel the quickening virtues thereof. It is by these things the pure
minds of Christians are to be stirred up, that they may be active and
lively in the work of holiness, and zealous and unwearied in the way to
heaven.
The Cavils of Infidels; Destruction of the World. (a. d. 67.)
3 Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers,
walking after their own lusts, 4 And saying, Where is the promise of
his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as
they were from the beginning of the creation. 5 For this they
willingly are ignorant of, that by the word of God the heavens were of
old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water: 6
Whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water, perished:
7 But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are
kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of ungodly men.
To quicken and excite us to a serious minding and firm adhering to what
God has revealed to us by the prophets and apostles, we are told that
there will be scoffers, men who will make a mock of sin, and of
salvation from it. God's way of saving sinners by Jesus Christ is what
men will scoff at, and that in the last days, under the gospel. This
indeed may seem very strange, that the New-Testament dispensation of
the covenant of grace, which is spiritual and therefore more agreeable
to the nature of God than the Old, should be ridiculed and reproached;
but the spirituality and simplicity of New-Testament worship are
directly contrary to the carnal mind of man, and this accounts for what
the apostle seems here to hint at, namely, that scoffers shall be more
numerous and more bold in the last days than ever before. Though in all
ages those who were born and walked after the flesh persecuted,
reviled, and reproached those who were born and did walk after the
Spirit, yet in the last days there will be a great improvement in the
art and impudence of bantering serious godliness, and those who firmly
adhere to the circumspection and self-denial which the gospel
prescribes. This is what is mentioned as a thing well known to all
Christians, and therefore they ought to reckon upon it, that they may
not be surprised and shaken, as if some strange thing happened unto
them. Now to prevent the true Christian's being overcome, when attacked
by these scoffers, we are told,
I. What sort of persons they are: they walk after their own lusts, they
follow the devices and desires of their own hearts, and carnal
affections, not the dictates and directions of right reason and an
enlightened well-informed judgment. This they do in the course of their
conversation, they live as they list, and they speak as they list; it
is not only their inward minds that are evil and opposite to God, as
the mind of every unrenewed sinner is (Rom. viii. 7), alienated from
God, ignorant of him, and averse to him; but they have grown to such a
height of wickedness that they proclaim openly what is in the hearts of
others who are yet carnal; they say, "Our tongues are our own, and our
strength, and time, and who is lord over us? Who shall contradict or
control us, or ever call us to an account for what we say or do?" And,
as they scorn to be confined by any laws of God in their conversation,
so neither will they bear that the revelation of God should dictate and
prescribe to them what they are to believe; as they will walk in their
own way, and talk their own language, so will they also think their own
thoughts, and form principles which are altogether their own: here also
their own lusts alone shall be consulted by them. None but such
accomplished libertines as are here described can take a seat, at least
they cannot sit in the seat of the scornful. "By this you shall know
them, that you may the better be upon your guard against them."
II. We also are forewarned how far they will proceed: they will attempt
to shake and unsettle us, even as to our belief of Christ's second
coming; they will scoffingly say, Where is the promise of his coming?
v. 4. Without this, all the other articles of the Christian faith will
signify very little; this is that which fills up and gives the
finishing stroke to all the rest. The promised Messiah has come, he was
made flesh, and dwelt among us; he is altogether such a one as in
stated before, and has done all that for us which has been before taken
notice of. These principles the enemies of Christianity have all along
endeavoured to overturn; but as these all rest upon facts which are
already past, and of which this and the other apostles have given us
the most sure and satisfying evidence, it is probable that they will at
last grow weary of their opposition to them; and yet, while one very
principal article of our faith refers to what is still behind, and only
has a promise to rest upon, here they will still attack us, even to the
end of time. Till our Lord shall have come, they will not themselves
believe that he will come; nay, they will laugh at the very mention of
his second coming, and do what in them lies to put all out of
countenance who seriously believe and wait for it. Now therefore let us
see how this point stands, both on the believer's part and on the part
of these seducers: the believer not only desires that he may come, but,
having a promise that he will come, a promise that he himself has made
and often repeated, a promise received and reported by faithful
witnesses, and left upon sure record, he is also firmly and fully
persuaded that he will come: on the other hand, these seducers, because
they wish he never may, therefore do all that in them lies to cheat
themselves and others into a persuasion that he will never come. If
they cannot deny that there is a promise, yet they will laugh at that
very promise, which argues much higher degrees of infidelity and
contempt: Where is the promise, say they, of his coming?
III. We are also forewarned of the method of their reasoning, for while
they laugh they will pretend to argue too. To this purpose they add
that since the fathers fell asleep all things continue as they were
from the beginning of the creation, v. 4. This is a subtle, though not
a solid way of reasoning; it is apt to make impressions upon weak
minds, and especially upon wicked hearts. Because sentence against them
is not speedily executed, therefore they flatter themselves that it
never will, whereupon their hearts are fully set in them to do evil
(Eccl. viii. 11); thus they act themselves, and thus they would
persuade others to act; so here, say they, "The fathers have fallen
asleep, those are all dead to whom the promise was made, and it was
never made good in their time, and there is no likelihood that it ever
will be in any time; why should we trouble ourselves about it? If there
had been any truth or certainty in the promise you speak of, we should
surely have seen somewhat of it before this time, some signs of his
coming, some preparatory steps in order to it; whereas we find to this
very day all things continue as they were, without any change, even
from the beginning of the creation. Since the world has undergone no
changes in the course of so many thousand years, why should we affright
ourselves as if it were to have an end?" Thus do these scoffers argue.
Because they see no changes, therefore they fear not God, Ps. lv. 19.
They neither fear him nor his judgments; what he never has done they
would conclude he never can do or never will.
IV. Here is the falsehood of their argument detected. Whereas they
confidently had said there had not been any change from the beginning
of the creation, the apostle puts us in remembrance of a change already
past, which, in a manner, equals that which we are called to expect and
look for, which was the drowning of the world in the days of Noah. This
these scoffers had overlooked; they took no notice of it. Though they
might have known it, and ought to have known it, yet this they
willingly are ignorant of (v. 5), they choose to pass it over in
silence, as if they had never heard or known any thing of it; if they
knew it, they did not like to retain it in their knowledge; they did
not receive this truth in the love of it, neither did they care to own
it. Note, It is hard to persuade men to believe what they are not
willing to find true; they are ignorant, in many cases, because they
are willing to be ignorant, and they do not know because they do not
care to know. But let not sinners think that such ignorance as this
will be admitted as an excuse for whatever sin it may betray them into.
Those who crucified Christ did not know who he was; for had they known
they would not have crucified the Lord of glory (1 Cor. ii. 8); but,
though ignorant, they were not therefore innocent; their ignorance
itself was a sin, willing and wilful ignorance, and one sin can be no
excuse for another. So it is here; had these known of the dreadful
vengeance with which God swept away a whole world of ungodly wretches
at once, they would not surely have scoffed at his threatenings of any
after equally terrible judgment; but here they were willingly ignorant,
they did not know what God had done because they had no mind to know
it. Now therefore we shall proceed to consider the representation which
the apostle here lays down both of the destruction of the old world by
water and that which awaits this present world at the final
conflagration. He mentions the one as what God has done, to convince
and persuade us the rather to believe that the other both may be and
will be.
1. We begin with the apostle's account of the destruction which has
once already come upon the world (v. 5, 6): By the word of God the
heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the
water, whereby the world that then was, being overflowed with water,
perished. Originally the world was otherwise situated, the waters were
most wisely divided at the creation and most beneficially for us; some
of the waters had proper repositories above the firmament, here called
the heavens (as it is also Gen. i. 8), and others, under the firmament,
gathered together unto one place; there were then both sea and dry
land, commodious habitation for the children of men. But now, at the
time of the universal deluge, the case is strangely altered; the waters
which God had divided before, assigning to each part its convenient
receptacle, now does he, in anger, throw together again in a heap. He
breaks up the fountain of the great deep, and throws open the windows
(that is, the clouds) of heaven (Gen. vii. 11), till the whole earth is
overflowed with water, and not a spot can be found upon the highest
mountains but what is fifteen cubits under water, Gen. vii. 20. Thus he
made known at once his terrible power and his fierce anger, and made an
end of a whole world at once: The world that then was, being overflowed
with water, perished, v. 6. Is not here a change and a most awful
change! And then it is to be observed that all this was done by the
word of God; it was by his powerful word that the world was made at
first, and made in so commodious and beautiful a frame and order, Heb.
xi. 3, Katertisthai. He said, Let there be a firmament, &c., Gen. i. 6,
7. And let the waters under the heaven be gathered together unto one
place, &c., v. 9, 10. Thus he spoke, and it was done, Ps. xxxiii. 9.
Thus, says our apostle, by the word of the Lord the heavens were, as
they were of old (that is, at first creation) and the earth (as it was
at first a terraqueous globe) standing out of the water and in the
water. Not is it only the first frame and order of the world that is
here said to be by the word of God, but the after-confusion and ruin of
the world, as well as the utter destruction of its inhabitants, were
also by the same word; none but that God who stretched out the heavens
and laid the foundation of the earth could destroy and overthrow such a
vast fabric at once. This was done by the word of his power, and it was
also done according to the word of his promise; God had said that he
would destroy man, even all flesh, and that he would do it by bringing
a flood of waters upon the earth, Gen. vi. 7, 13, 17. This was the
change which God had before brought upon the world, and which these
scoffers had overlooked; and now we are to consider,
2. What the apostle says of the destructive change which is yet to come
upon it: The heavens and the earth, which now are, by the same word are
kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and
perdition of ungodly men, v. 7. Here we have an awful account of the
final dissolution of the world, and which we are yet more nearly
concerned in. The ruin that came upon the world and its inhabitants by
the flood, we read, and hear, and think of, with concern, though those
who were swept away by it were such as we never knew; but the judgment
here spoken of is yet to come, and will surely come, though we know not
when, nor upon what particular age or generation of men; and therefore
we are not, we cannot be, sure that it may not happen in our own times:
and this makes a very great difference, though it should be admitted
that they were equal in every other respect, which yet must not be
allowed, for there were some, though very few, who escaped that deluge,
but not one can escape in this conflagration. Besides, we were not in
reach of the one, but are not sure that we shall not be included in the
other calamity. Now therefore to see the world to which we belong
destroyed at once--not a single person only, not a particular family
only, nor yet a nation (even that which we are most nearly interested
in and concerned for), but the whole world, I say, sinking at once, and
no ark provided, no possible way left of escaping for any one from the
common ruin, this makes a difference between the desolation that has
been and what we yet are to expect. The one is already past, and never
to return upon us any more (for God has said expressly that there shall
never any more be a flood to destroy the earth, Gen. ix. 11-17); the
other is still behind, and is as certain to come as the truth and the
power of God can make it: the one came gradually upon the world, and
was growing upon its inhabitants forty days, before it made an utter
end of them (Gen. vii. 12, 17); this other will come upon them swiftly
and all at once (2 Pet. ii. 1): besides, there were in that overthrow
(as we have said) a few who escaped, but the ruin which yet awaits this
world, whenever it comes, will be absolutely a universal one; there
will not be any part but what the devouring flames will seize upon, not
a sanctuary left any where for the inhabitants to flee to, not a single
spot in all this world where any one of them can be safe. Thus,
whatever differences may be assigned between that destruction of the
world and this here spoken of, they do indeed represent the approaching
as the most terrible judgment; yet that the world has once been
destroyed by a universal deluge renders it the more credible that it
may be again ruined by a universal conflagration. Let therefore the
scoffers, who laugh at the coming of our Lord to judgment, at least
consider that it may be. There is nothing said of it in the word of God
but what is within reach of the power of God, and, though they still
should laugh, they shall not put us out of countenance; we are well
assured that it will be, because he has said it, and we can depend upon
his promise. They err, not knowing (at least not believing) the
scriptures, nor the power of God; but we know, and we do or ought to
depend upon, both. Now that which he has said, and which he will
certainly make good, is that the heavens and the earth which now are
(which we are now related to, which still subsist in all the beauty and
order in which we see them, and which are so agreeable and useful to
us, as we find they are) are kept in store, not to be, what earthly
minds would wish to have them, treasures for us, but to be what God
will have them, in his treasury, securely lodged and kept safely for
his purposes. It follows, they are reserved unto fire. Observe, God's
following judgments are more terrible than those which went before; the
old world was destroyed by water, but this is reserved unto fire, which
shall burn up the wicked at the last day; and, though this seems to be
delayed, yet, as this wicked world is upheld by the word of God, so it
is only reserved for the vengeance of him to whom vengeance belongs,
who will at the day of judgment deal with an ungodly world according to
their deserts, for the day of judgment is the day of the perdition of
ungodly men. Those who now scoff at a future judgment shall find it a
day of vengeance and utter destruction. "Beware therefore of being
among these scoffers; never question but the day of the Lord will come;
give diligence therefore to be found in Christ, that that may be a time
of refreshment and day of redemption to you which will be a day of
indignation and wrath to the ungodly world."
Conception of Eternity. (a. d. 67.)
8 But, beloved, be not ignorant of this one thing, that one day is with
the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.
The apostle comes in these words to instruct and establish Christians
in the truth of the coming of the Lord, where we may clearly discern
the tenderness and affection wherewith he speaks to them, calling them
beloved; he had a compassionate concern and a love of good-will for the
ungodly wretches who refused to believe divine revelation, but he has a
peculiar respect for the true believers, and the remaining ignorance
and weakness that the apprehends to be in them make him jealous, and
put him on giving them a caution. Here we may observe,
I. The truth which the apostle asserts--that with the Lord one day is
as a thousand years, and a thousand years are as one day. Though, in
the account of men, there is a great deal of difference between a day
and a year, and a vast deal more between one day and a thousand years,
yet in the account of God, who inhabits eternity, in which there is no
succession, there is no difference; for all things past, present, and
future, are ever before him, and the delay of a thousand years cannot
be so much to him as the deferring of any thing for a day or an hour is
to us.
II. The importance of this truth: This is the one thing the apostle
would not have us ignorant of; a holy awe and reverential fear of God
are necessary in order to our worshiping and glorifying him, and a
belief of the inconceivable distance between him and us is very proper
to beget and maintain that religious fear of the Lord which is the
beginning of wisdom. This is a truth that belongs to our peace, and
therefore he endeavours that it may not be hidden from our eyes; as it
is in the original, Let not this one thing be hidden from you. If men
have no knowledge or belief of the eternal God, they will be very apt
to think him such a one as themselves. Yet how hard is it to conceive
of eternity! It is therefore not very easy to attain such a knowledge
of God as is absolutely necessary.
Destruction of the World. (a. d. 67.)
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count
slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should
perish, but that all should come to repentance. 10 But the day of the
Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall
pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent
heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
We are here told that the Lord is not slack--he does not delay beyond
the appointed time; as God kept the time that he had appointed for the
delivering of Israel out of Egypt, to a day (Exod. xii. 41), so he will
keep to the time appointed in coming to judge the world. What a
difference is there between the account which God makes and that which
men make! Good men are apt to think God stays beyond the appointed
time, that is, the time which they have set for their own and the
church's deliverance; but they set one time and God sets another, and
he will not fail to keep the day which he has appointed. Ungodly men
dare charge a culpable slackness upon God, as if he had slipped the
time, and laid aside the thoughts of coming. But the apostle assures
us,
I. That what men count slackness is truly long-suffering, and that to
us-ward; it is giving more time to his own people, whom he has chosen
before the foundation of the world, many of whom are not as yet
converted; and those who are in a state of grace and favour with God
are to advance in knowledge and holiness, and in the exercise of faith
and patience, to abound in good works, doing and suffering what they
are called to, that they may bring glory to God, and improve in a
meetness for heaven; for God is not willing that any of these should
perish, but that all of them should come to repentance. Here observe,
1. Repentance is absolutely necessary in order to salvation. Except we
repent, we shall perish, Luke xiii. 3, 5. 2. God has no delight in the
death of sinners: as the punishment of sinners is a torment to his
creatures, a merciful God does not take pleasure in it; and though the
principal design of God in his long-suffering is the blessedness of
those whom he has chosen to salvation, through sanctification of the
spirit, and belief of the truth, yet his goodness and forbearance do in
their own nature invite and call to repentance all those to whom they
are exercised; and, if men continue impenitent when God gives them
space to repent, he will deal more severely with them, though the great
reason why he did not hasten his coming was because he had not
accomplished the number of his elect. "Abuse not therefore the patience
and long-suffering of God, by abandoning yourselves to a course of
ungodliness; presume not to go on boldly in the way of sinners, nor to
sit down securely in an unconverted impenitent state, as he who said
(Matt. xxiv. 48), My Lord delayeth his coming, lest he come and
surprise you;" for,
II. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, v. 10. Here
we may observe, 1. The certainty of the day of the Lord: though it is
now above sixteen hundred years since this epistle was written, and the
day has not yet come, it assuredly will come. God has appointed a day
wherein he will judge the world in righteousness, and he will keep his
appointment. It is appointed to men once to die, and after this the
judgment, Heb. ix. 27. "Settle it therefore in your hearts that the day
of the Lord will certainly come, and you shall certainly be called to
give an account of all things done in the body, whether good or evil;
and let your exact walking before God, and your frequent judging
yourselves, evidence your firm belief of a future judgment, when many
live as if they were never to give any account at all." 2. The
suddenness of this day: It will come as a thief in the night, at a time
when men are sleeping and secure, and have no manner of apprehension or
expectation of the day of the Lord, any more than men have of a thief
when they are in a deep sleep, in the dark and silent night. At
midnight there was a cry, Behold, the bridegroom comes, (Matt. xxv. 6),
and at that time not only the foolish, but also the wise virgins
slumbered and slept. The Lord will come in a day when we look not for
him, and an hour when men are not aware. The time which men think to be
the most improper and unlikely, and when therefore they are most
secure, will be the time of the Lord's coming. Let us then beware how
we in our thoughts and imaginations put that day far away from us; but
rather suppose it to be so much nearer in reality, by how much further
off it is in the opinion of the ungodly world. 3. The solemnity of this
coming. (1.) The heavens shall pass away with a great noise. The
visible heavens, as unable to abide when the Lord shall come in his
glory, shall pass away; they shall undergo a mighty alteration, and
this shall be very sudden, and with such a noise as the breaking and
tumbling down of so great a fabric must necessarily occasion. (2.) The
elements shall melt with fervent heat. At this coming of the Lord it
shall not only be very tempestuous round about him, so that the very
heavens shall pass away as in a mighty violent storm, but a fire shall
go before him, that shall melt the elements of which the creatures are
composed. (3.) The earth also, and all the works that are therein,
shall be burnt up. The earth, and its inhabitants, and all the works
that are therein, shall be burnt up. The earth, and its inhabitants,
and all the works, whether of nature or art, shall be destroyed. The
stately palaces and gardens, and all the desirable things wherein
worldly-minded men seek and place their happiness, all of them shall be
burnt up; all sorts of creatures which God has made, and all the works
of men, must submit, all must pass through the fire, which shall be a
consuming fire to all that sin has brought into the world, though it
may be a refining fire to the works of God's hand, that the glass of
the creation being made much brighter the saints may much better
discern the glory of the Lord therein.
And now who can but observe what a difference there will be between the
first coming of Christ and the second! Yet that is called the great and
dreadful day of the Lord, Mal. iv. 5. How much more dreadful must this
coming to judgment be! May we be so wise as to prepare for it, that it
may not be a day of vengeance and destruction unto us. O! what will
become of us, if we set our affections on this earth, and make it our
portion, seeing all these things shall be burnt up? Look out therefore,
and make sure of a happiness beyond this visible world, which must all
be melted down.
Solemn Exhortations. (a. d. 67.)
11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of
persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, 12
Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the
heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt
with fervent heat? 13 Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look
for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. 14
Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent
that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless. 15
And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as
our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him
hath written unto you; 16 As also in all his epistles, speaking in
them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood,
which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the
other scriptures, unto their own destruction. 17 Ye therefore,
beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being
led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness.
18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour
Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
The apostle, having instructed them in the doctrine of Christ's second
coming,
I. Takes occasion thence to exhort them to purity and godliness in
their whole conversation: all the truths which are revealed in
scripture should be improved for our advancement in practical
godliness: this is the effect that knowledge must produce, or we are
never the better for it. If you know these things, happy are you if you
do them. Seeing all these things must be dissolved, how holy should we
be, that are assured of it, departing from and dying to sin, that has
so corrupted and defiled all the visible creation that there is an
absolute need of its dissolution! All that was made for man's use is
subject to vanity by man's sin: and if the sin of man has brought the
visible heavens, and the elements and earth, under a curse, from which
they cannot be freed without being dissolved, what an abominable evil
is sin, and how much to be hated by us! And, inasmuch as this
dissolution is in order to their being restored to their primitive
beauty and excellency, how pure and holy should we be, in order to our
being fit for the new heaven and new earth, wherein dwelleth
righteousness! It is a very exact and universal holiness that he
exhorts to, not resting in any lower measure or degree, but labouring
to be eminent beyond what is commonly attained--holy in God's house and
in our own, holy in our worshipping of God and in our conversing with
men. All our conversation, whether with high or low, rich or poor, good
or bad, friends or enemies, must be holy. We must keep ourselves
unspotted from the world in all our converses with it. We must be
perfecting holiness in the fear of God, and in the love of God too. We
must exercise ourselves unto godliness of all sorts, in all its parts,
trusting in God and delighting in God only, who continues the same when
the whole visible creation shall be dissolved, devoting ourselves to
the service of God, and designing the glorifying and enjoyment of God,
who endures for ever; whereas what worldly men delight in and follow
after must all be dissolved. Those things which we now see must in a
little while pass away, and be no more as they now are: let us look
therefore at what shall abide and continue, which, though it be not
present, is certain and not far off. This looking for the day of God is
one of the directions the apostle gives us, in order to our being
eminently holy and godly in all manner of conversation. "Look for the
day of God as what you firmly believe shall come, and what you
earnestly long for." The coming of the day of God is what every
Christian must hope for and earnestly expect; for it is a day when
Christ shall appear in the glory of the Father, and evidence his
divinity and Godhead even to those who counted him a mere man. The
first coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, when he appeared in the form of
a servant, was what the people of God earnestly waited and looked for:
that coming was for the consolation of Israel, Luke ii. 25. How much
more should they wait with expectation and earnestness for his second
coming, which will be the day of their complete redemption, and of his
most glorious manifestation! Then he shall come to be admired in his
saints, and glorified in all those that believe. For though it cannot
but terrify and affright the ungodly to see the visible heavens all in
a flame, and the elements melting, yet the believer, whose faith is the
evidence of things not seen, can rejoice in hope of more glorious
heavens after these have been melted and refined by that dreadful fire
which shall burn up all the dross of this visible creation. Here we
must take notice, 1. What true Christians look for: new heavens and a
new earth, in which a great deal more of the wisdom, power and goodness
of our great God and Saviour Jesus Christ will be clearly discerned
than we are able to discover in what we now see; for in these new
heavens and earth, freed from the vanity the former were subject to,
and the sin they were polluted with, only righteousness shall dwell;
this is to be the habitation of such righteous persons as do
righteousness, and are free from the power and pollution of sin; all
the wicked shall be turned into hell; those only who are clothed with a
righteousness of Christ, and sanctified by the Holy Ghost, shall be
admitted to dwell in this holy place. 2. What is the ground and
foundation of this expectation and hope--the promise of God. To look
for any thing which God has not promised is presumption; but if our
expectations are according to the promise, both as to the things we
look for and the time and way of their being brought about, we cannot
meet with a disappointment; for he is faithful who has promised. "See
therefore that you raise and regulate your expectations of all the
great things that are to come according to the word of God; and, as to
the new heaven and new earth, look for them as God has allowed and
directed by the passages we have in this portion of scripture how
before you, and in Isa. lxv. 17; lxvi. 22, to which the apostle may be
thought to allude."
II. As in v. 11 he exhorts to holiness from the consideration that the
heavens and the earth shall be dissolved, so in v. 14 he resumes his
exhortation from the consideration that they shall be again renewed.
"Seeing you expect the day of God, when our Lord Jesus Christ will
appear in his glorious majesty, and these heavens and earth shall be
dissolved and melted down, and, being purified and refined, shall be
erected and rebuilt, prepare to meet him. It nearly concerns you to see
in what state you will be when the Judge of all the world shall come to
pass sentence upon men, and to determine how it shall be with them to
all eternity. This is the court of judicature whence there lies no
appeal; whatever sentence is here passed by this great Judge is
irreversible; therefore get ready to appear before the judgment-seat of
Christ: and see to it,"
1. "That you be found of him in peace, in a state of peace and
reconciliation with God through Christ, in whom alone God is
reconciling the world to himself. All that are out of Christ are in a
state of enmity, and reject and oppose the Lord and his anointed, and
shall therefore be punished with everlasting destruction from the
presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power. Those whose sins are
pardoned and their peace made with God are the only safe and happy
people; therefore follow after peace, and that with all." (1.) Peace
with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (2.) Peace in our own
consciences, through the Spirit of grace witnessing with our spirits
that we are the children of God. (3.) Peace with men, by having a calm
and peaceable disposition wrought in us, resembling that of our blessed
Lord.
2. That you be found of Christ without spot, and blameless. Follow
after holiness as well as peace: and even spotless and perfect; we must
not only take heed of all spots which are not the spots of God's
children (this only prevents our being found of men without spot), we
must be pressing towards spotless purity, absolute perfection.
Christians must be perfecting holiness, that they may be not only
blameless before men, but also in the sight of God; and all this
deserves and needs the greatest diligence; he who does this work
negligently can never do it successfully. "Never expect to be found at
that day of God in peace, if you are lazy and idle in this your day, in
which we must finish the work that is given us to do. It is only the
diligent Christian who will be the happy Christian in the day of the
Lord. Our Lord will suddenly come to us, or shortly call us to him; and
would you have him find you idle?" Remember there is a curse denounced
against him who does the work of the Lord negligently, Marg. Jer.
xlviii. 10. Heaven will be a sufficient recompence for all our
diligence and industry; therefore let us labour and take pains in the
work of the Lord; he will certainly reward us if we be diligent in the
work he has allotted us; now, that you may be diligent, account the
long-suffering of our Lord to be salvation. "Does your Lord delay his
coming? Do not think this is to give more time to make provision for
your lusts, to gratify them; it is so much space to repent and work out
your salvation. It proceeds not from a want of concern or compassion
for his suffering servants, nor is it designed to give countenance and
encouragement to the world of the ungodly, but that men may have time
to prepare for eternity. Learn then to make a right use of the patience
of our Lord, who does as yet delay his coming. Follow after peace and
holiness, or else his coming will be dreadful to you." And inasmuch as
it is difficult to prevent men's abuse of God's patience, and engage
them in the right improvement thereof, our apostle quotes St. Paul as
directing men to make the same good use of the divine forbearance, that
in the mouth, or from the pen, of two apostles the truth might be
confirmed. And we may here observe with what esteem and affection he
speaks of him who had formerly publicly withstood and sharply reproved
Peter. If a righteous man smite one who is truly religious, it shall be
received as a kindness; and let him reprove, it shall be as an
excellent oil, which shall soften and sweeten the good man that is
reproved when he does amiss. What an honourable mention does this
apostle of the circumcision make of that very man who had openly,
before all, reproved him, as not walking uprightly according to the
truth of the gospel! (1.) He calls him brother, whereby he means not
only that he is a fellow-christian (in which sense the word brethren is
used 1 Thess. v. 27), or a fellow-preacher (in which sense Paul calls
Timothy the evangelist a brother, Col. i. 1), but a fellow-apostle, one
who had the same extraordinary commission, immediately from Christ
himself, to preach the gospel in every place, and to disciple all
nations. Though many seducing teachers denied Paul's apostleship, yet
Peter owns him to be an apostle. (2.) He calls him beloved; and they
being both alike commissioned, and both united in the same service of
the same Lord, it would have been very unseemly if they had not been
united in affection to one another, for the strengthening of one
another's hands, mutually desirous of, and rejoicing in, one another's
success. (3.) He mentions Paul as one who had an uncommon measure of
wisdom given unto him. He was a person of eminent knowledge in the
mysteries of the gospel, and did neither in that nor any other
qualification come behind any of all the other apostles. How desirable
is it that those who preach the same gospel should treat one another
according to the pattern Peter here sets them! It is surely their duty
to endeavour, by proper methods, to prevent or remove all prejudices
that hinder ministers' usefulness, and to beget and improve the esteem
and respect in the minds of people towards their ministers that may
promote the success of their labours. And let us also here observe,
[1.] The excellent wisdom that was in Paul is said to be given him. The
understanding and knowledge that qualify men to preach the gospel are
the gift of God. We must seek for knowledge, and labour to get
understanding, in hopes that it shall be given us from above, while we
are diligent in using proper means to attain it. [2.] The apostle
imparts to men according as he had received from God. He endeavours to
lead others as far as he himself was led into the knowledge of the
mysteries of the gospel. He is not an intruder into the things he had
not seen or been fully assured of, and yet he does not fail to declare
the whole counsel of God, Acts xx. 27. [3.] The epistles which were
written by the apostle of the Gentiles, and directed to those Gentiles
who believed in Christ, are designed for the instruction and
edification of those who from among the Jews were brought to believe in
Christ; for it is generally thought that what is here alluded to is
contained in the epistle to the Romans (ch. ii. 4), though in all his
epistles there are some things that refer to one or other of the
subjects treated of in this and the foregoing chapter; and it cannot
seem strange that those who were pursuing the same general design
should in their epistles insist upon the same things. But the apostle
Peter proceeds to tell us that in those things which are to be met with
in Paul's epistles there are some things hard to be understood. Among
the variety of subjects treated of in scripture, some are not easy to
be understood because of their own obscurity, such are prophecies;
others cannot be so easily understood because of their excellency and
sublimity, as the mysterious doctrines; and others are with difficulty
taken in because of the weakness of men's minds, such are the things of
the Spirit of God, mentioned 1 Cor. ii. 14. And here the unlearned and
unstable make wretched work; for they wrest and torture the scriptures,
to make them speak what the Holy Ghost did not intend. Those who are
not well instructed and well established in the truth are in great
danger of perverting the word of God. Those who have heard and learned
of the Father are best secured from misunderstanding and misapplying
any part of the word of God; and, where there is a divine power to
establish as well as to instruct men in divine truth, persons are
effectually secured from falling into errors. How great a blessing this
is we learn by observing what is the pernicious consequence of the
errors that ignorant and unstable men fall into--even their own
destruction. Errors in particular concerning the holiness and justice
of God are the utter ruin of multitudes of men. Let us therefore
earnestly pray for the Spirit of God to instruct us in the truth, that
we may know it as it is in Jesus, and have our hearts established with
grace, that we may stand firm and unshaken, even in the most stormy
times, when others are tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine.
III. The apostle gives them a word of caution, v. 17, 18, where,
1. He intimates that the knowledge we have of these things should make
us very wary and watchful, inasmuch as there is a twofold danger, v.
17. (1.) We are in great danger of being seduced, and turned away from
the truth. The unlearned and unstable, and they are very numerous, do
generally wrest the scripture. Many who have the scriptures and read
them do not understand what they read; and too many of those who have a
right understanding of the sense and meaning of the word are not
established in the belief of the truth, and all these are liable to
fall into error. Few attain to the knowledge and acknowledgment of
doctrinal Christianity; and fewer find, so as to keep in the way of
practical godliness, which is the narrow way, which only leadeth unto
life. There must be a great deal of self-denial and suspicion of
ourselves, and submitting to the authority of Christ Jesus our great
prophet, before we can heartily receive all the truths of the gospel,
and therefore we are in great danger of rejecting the truth. (2.) We
are in great danger by being seduced; for, [1.] So far as we are turned
from the truth so far are we turned out of the way to true blessedness,
into the path which leads to destruction. If men corrupt the word of
God, it tends to their own utter ruin. [2.] When men wrest the word of
God, they fall into the error of the wicked, men without law, who keep
to no rules, set no bounds to themselves, a sort of free-thinkers,
which the psalmist detests. Ps. cxix. 113, I hate vain thoughts, but
thy law do I love. Whatever opinions and thoughts of men are not
conformable to the law of God, and warranted by it, the good man
disclaims and abhors; they are the conceits and counsels of the
ungodly, who have forsaken God's law, and, if we imbibe their opinions,
we shall too soon imitate their practices. [3.] Those who are led away
by error fall from their own stedfastness. They are wholly unhinged and
unsettled, and know not where to rest, but are at the greatest
uncertainty, like a wave of the sea, driven with the wind and tossed.
It nearly concerns us therefore to be upon our guard, seeing the danger
is so great.
2. That we may the better avoid being led away, the apostle directs us
what to do, v. 18. And, (1.) We must grow in grace. He had in the
beginning of the epistle exhorted us to add one grace to another, and
here he advises us to grow in all grace, in faith, and virtue, and
knowledge. By how much the stronger grace is in us, by so much the more
stedfast shall we be in the truth. (2.) We must grow in the knowledge
of our Lord Jesus Christ. "Follow on to know the Lord. Labour to know
him more clearly and more fully, to know more of Christ and to know him
to better purpose, so as to be more like him and to love him better."
This is the knowledge of Christ the apostle Paul reached after and
desired to attain, Phil. iii. 10. Such a knowledge of Christ as
conforms us more to him, and endears him more to us, must needs be of
great use to us, to preserve us from falling off in times of general
apostasy; and those who experience this effect of the knowledge of the
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ will, upon receiving such grace from him,
give thanks and praise to him, and join with our apostle in saying, To
him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.
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First John
Completed by John Reynolds, of Shrewsbury.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE FIRST EPISTLE GENERAL OF
J O H N.
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Though the continued tradition of the church attests that this epistle
came from John the apostle, yet we may observe some other evidence that
will confirm (or with some perhaps even outweigh) the certainty of that
tradition. It should seem that the penman was one of the apostolical
college by the sensible palpable assurance he had of the truth of the
Mediator's person in his human nature: That which we have heard, which
we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands
have handled, of the Word of life, v. 1. Here he takes notice of the
evidence the Lord gave to Thomas of his resurrection, by calling him to
feel the prints of the nails and of the spear, which is recorded by
John. And he must have been one of the disciples present when the Lord
came on the same day in which he arose from the dead, and showed them
his hands and his side, John xx. 20. But, that we may be assured which
apostle this was, there is scarcely a critic or competent judge of
diction, or style of argument and spirit, but will adjudge this epistle
to the writer of that gospel that bears the name of the apostle John.
They wonderfully agree in the titles and characters of the Redeemer:
The Word, the Life, the Light; his name was the Word of God. Compare
ch. i. 1 and v. 7 with John i. 1 and Rev. xix. 13. They agree in the
commendation of God's love to us (ch. iii. 1 and ch. iv. 9; John iii.
16), and in speaking of our regeneration, or being born of God, ch.
iii. 9; iv. 7; and v. 1; John iii. 5, 6. Lastly (to add no more
instances, which may be easily seen in comparing this epistle with that
gospel), they agree in the allusion to, or application of, that passage
in that gospel which relates (and which alone relates) the issuing of
water and blood out of the Redeemer's opened side: This is he that came
by water and blood, ch. v. 6. Thus the epistle plainly appears to flow
from the same pen as that gospel did. Now I know not that the text, or
the intrinsic history of any of the gospels, gives us such assurance of
its writer or penman as that ascribed to John plainly does. There (viz.
ch. xxi. 24) the sacred historian thus notifies himself: This is the
disciple that testifieth of these things and wrote these things; and we
know that his testimony is true. Now who is this disciple, but he
concerning whom Peter asked, What shall this man do? And concerning
whom the Lord answered, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is
that to thee? (v. 22). And who (v. 20) is described by these three
characters:--1. That he is the disciple whom Jesus loved, the Lord's
peculiar friend. 2. That he also leaned on his breast at supper. 3.
That he said unto him, Lord, who is he that betrayeth thee? As sure
then as it is that that disciple was John, so sure may the church be
that that gospel and this epistle came from the beloved John.
The epistle is styled general, as being not inscribed to any particular
church; it is, as a circular letter (or visitation charge), sent to
divers churches (some say of Parthia), in order to confirm them in
their stedfast adherence to the Lord Christ, and the sacred doctrines
concerning his person and office, against seducers; and to instigate
them to adorn that doctrine by love to God and man, and particularly to
each other, as being descended from God, united by the same head, and
travelling towards the same eternal life.
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F I R S T J O H N.
CHAP. I.
Evidence given concerning Christ's person and excellency, ver. 1, 2.
The knowledge thereof gives us communion with God and Christ (ver. 3),
and joy, ver. 4. A description of God, ver. 5. How we are thereupon to
walk, ver. 6. The benefit of such walking, ver. 7. The way to
forgiveness, ver. 9. The evil of denying our sin, ver. 8-10.
The Apostolic Testimony. (a. d. 80.)
1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have
seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have
handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we
have seen it, and bear witness, and show unto you that eternal life,
which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) 3 That which
we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have
fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and
with his Son Jesus Christ. 4 And these things write we unto you, that
your joy may be full.
The apostle omits his name and character (as also the author to the
Hebrews does) either out of humility, or as being willing that the
Christian reader should be swayed by the light and weight of the things
written rather than by the name that might recommend them. And so he
begins,
I. With an account or character of the Mediator's person. He is the
great subject of the gospel, the foundation and object of our faith and
hope, the bond and cement that unite us unto God. He should be well
known; and he is represented here, 1. As the Word of life, v. 1. In the
gospel these two are disjoined, and he is called first the Word, John
i. 1, and afterwards Life, intimating, withal, that he is intellectual
life. In him was life, and that life was (efficiently and objectively)
the light of men, John i. 4. Here both are conjoined: The Word of life,
the vital Word. In that he is the Word, it is intimated that he is the
Word of some person or other; and that is God, even the Father. He is
the Word of God, and so he is intimated to issue from the Father, as
truly (though not in the same manner) as a word (or speech, which is a
train of words) from a speaker. But he is not a mere vocal word, a bare
logos prophorikos, but a vital one: the Word of life, the living word;
and thereupon, 1. As eternal life. His duration shows his excellency.
He was from eternity; and so is, in scripture-account, necessary,
essential, uncreated life. That the apostle speaks of his eternity, à
parte ante (as they say) and as from everlasting, seems evident in that
he speaks of him as he was in and from the beginning; when he was then
with the Father, before his manifestation to us, yea, before the making
of all things that were make; as John i. 2, 3. So that he is the
eternal, vital, intellectual Word of the eternal living Father. 3. As
life manifested (v. 2), manifested in the flesh, manifested to us. The
eternal life would assume mortality, would put on flesh and blood (in
the entire human nature), and so dwell among us and converse with us,
John i. 14. Here were condescension and kindness indeed, that eternal
life (a person of eternal essential life) should come to visit mortals,
and to procure eternal life for them, and then confer it on them!
II. With the evidences and convictive assurances that the apostle and
his brethren had of the Mediator's presence and converse in this world.
There were sufficient demonstrations of the reality of his abode here,
and of the excellency and dignity of his person in the way of his
manifestation. The life, the word of life, the eternal life, as such,
could not be seen and felt; but the life manifested might be, and was
so. The life was clothed with flesh, put on the state and habit of
abased human nature, and as such gave sensible proof of its existence
and transactions here. The divine life, or Word incarnate, presented
and evinced itself to the very senses of the apostles. As, 1. To their
ears: That which we have heard, v. 1, 3. The life assumed a mouth and
tongue, that he might utter words of life. The apostles not only heard
of him, but they heard him himself. Above three years might they attend
his ministry, be auditors of his public sermons and private expositions
(for he expounded them in his house), and be charmed with the words of
him who spoke as never man spoke before or since. The divine word would
employ the ear, and the ear should be devoted to the word of life. And
it was meet that those who were to be his representatives and imitators
to the world should be personally acquainted with his ministrations. 2.
To their eyes: That which we have seen with our eyes, v. 1-3. The Word
would become visible, would not only be heard, but seen, seen publicly,
privately, at a distance and at nearest approach, which may be
intimated in the expression, with our eyes--with all the use and
exercise that we could make of our eyes. We saw him in his life and
ministry, saw him in his transfiguration on the mount, hanging,
bleeding, dying, and dead, upon the cross, and we saw him after his
return from the grave and resurrection from the dead. His apostles must
be eye-witnesses as well as ear-witnesses of him. Wherefore, of these
men that have accompanied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went
in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John, must one be
ordained to be a witness with us of his resurrection, Acts i. 21, 22.
And we were eye-witnesses of his majesty, 2 Pet. i. 16. 3. To their
internal sense, to the eyes of their mind; for so (possibly) may the
next clause be interpreted: Which we have looked upon. This may be
distinguished from the foregoing perception, seeing with the eyes; and
may be the same with what the apostle says in his gospel (ch. i. 14),
And we beheld--etheasametha, his glory, the glory as of the
only-begotten of the Father. The word is not applied to the immediate
object of the eye, but to that which was rationally collected from what
they saw. "What we have well discerned, contemplated, and viewed, what
we have well known of this Word of life, we report to you." The senses
are to be the informers of the mind. 4. To their hands and sense of
feeling: And our hands have handled (touched and felt) of the Word of
life. This surely refers to the full conviction our Lord afforded his
apostles of the truth, reality, solidity, and organization of his body,
after his resurrection from the dead. When he showed them his hands and
his side, it is probable that he gave them leave to touch him; at
least, he knew of Thomas's unbelief, and his professed resolution too
not to believe, till he had found and felt the places and signatures of
the wounds by which he died. Accordingly at the next congress he called
Thomas, in the presence of the rest, to satisfy the very curiosity of
his unbelief. And probably others of them did so too. Our hands have
handled of the Word of life. The invisible life and Word was no
despiser of the testimony of sense. Sense, in its place and sphere, is
a means that God has appointed, and the Lord Christ has employed, for
our information. Our Lord took care to satisfy (as far as might be) all
the senses of his apostles, that they might be the more authentic
witnesses of him to the world. Those that apply all this to the hearing
of the gospel lose the variety of sensations here mentioned, and the
propriety of the expressions, as well as the reason of their
inculcation and repetition here: That which we have seen and heard
declare we unto you, v. 3. The apostles could not be deceived in such
long and various exercise of their sense. Sense must minister to reason
and judgment; and reason and judgment must minister to the reception of
the Lord Jesus Christ and his gospel. The rejection of the Christian
revelation is at last resolved into the rejection of sense itself. He
upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they
believed not those who had seen him after he had risen, Mark xvi. 14.
III. With a solemn assertion and attestation of these grounds and
evidences of the Christian truth and doctrine. The apostles publish
these assurances for our satisfaction: We bear witness, and show unto
you, v. 2. That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, v. 3.
It became the apostles to open to the disciples the evidence by which
they were led, the reasons by which they were constrained to proclaim
and propagate the Christian doctrine in the world. Wisdom and integrity
obliged them to demonstrate that it was not either private fancy or a
cunningly-devised fable that they presented to the world. Evident truth
would open their mouths, and force a public profession. We cannot but
speak the things which we have seen and heard, Acts iv. 20. It
concerned the disciples to be well assured of the truth of the
institution they had embraced. They should see the evidences of their
holy religion. It fears not the light, nor the most judicious
examination. It is able to afford rational conviction and solid
persuasion of mind and conscience. I would that you knew what great
conflict (or concern of mind) I have for you, and for those at
Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, that
their hearts might be knit together in love, and unto all riches of
full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery
of God, even of the Father, and of Christ, Col. ii. 1, 2.
IV. With the reason of the apostle's exhibiting and asserting this
summary of sacred faith, and this breviate of evidence attending it.
This reason is twofold:--
1. That the believers of it may be advanced to the same happiness with
them (with the apostles themselves): That which we have seen and heard
declare we unto you, that you may have fellowship with us, v. 3. The
apostle means not personal fellowship nor consociation in the same
church-administrations, but such as is consistent with personal
distance from each other. It is communion with heaven, and in blessings
that come thence and tend thither. "This we declare and testify, that
you may share with us in our privileges and happiness." Gospel spirits
(or those that are made happy by gospel grace) would fain have others
happy too. We see, also, there is a fellowship or communion that runs
through the whole church of God. There may be some personal
distinctions and peculiarities, but there is a communion (or common
participation of privilege and dignity) belonging to all saints, from
the highest apostle to the lowest believer. As there is the same
precious faith, there are the same precious promises dignifying and
crowning that faith and the same precious blessings and glories
enriching and filling those promises. Now that believers may be
ambitious of this communion, that they may be instigated to retain and
hold fast the faith that is the means of such communion, that the
apostles also may manifest their love to the disciples in assisting
them to the same communion with themselves, they indicate what it is
and where it is: And truly our fellowship (or communion) is with the
Father and his Son Jesus Christ. We have communion with the Father, and
with the Son of the Father (as 2 John 3, he is most emphatically
styled) in our happy relation to them, in our receiving heavenly
blessings from them, and in our spiritual converse with them. We have
now such supernatural conversation with God and the Lord Christ as is
an earnest and foretaste of our everlasting abode with them, and
enjoyment of them, in the heavenly glory. See to what the gospel
revelation tends--to advance us far above sin and earth and to carry us
to blessed communion with the Father and the Son. See for what end the
eternal life was made flesh--that he might advance us to eternal life
in communion with the Father and himself. See how far those live
beneath the dignity, use, and end of the Christian faith and
institution, who have not spiritual blessed communion with the Father
and his Son Jesus Christ.
2. That believers may be enlarged and advanced in holy joy: And these
things write we unto you that your joy may be full, v. 4. The gospel
dispensation is not properly a dispensation of fear, sorrow, and dread,
but of peace and joy. Terror and astonishment may well attend mount
Sinai, but exultation and joy mount Zion, where appears the eternal
Word, the eternal life, manifested in our flesh. The mystery of the
Christian religion is directly calculated for the joy of mortals. It
should be joy to us that the eternal Son should come to seek and save
us, that he has made a full atonement for our sins, that he has
conquered sin and death and hell, that he lives as our Intercessor and
Advocate with the Father, and that he will come again to perfect and
glorify his persevering believers. And therefore those live beneath the
use and end of the Christian revelation who are not filled with
spiritual joy. Believers should rejoice in their happy relation to God,
as his sons and heirs, his beloved and adopted,--in their happy
relation to the Son of the Father, as being members of his beloved
body, and coheirs with himself,--in the pardon of their sins, the
sanctification of their natures, the adoption of their persons, and the
prospect of grace and glory that will be revealed at the return of
their Lord and head from heaven. Were they confirmed in their holy
faith, how would they rejoice! The disciples were filled with joy, and
with the Holy Ghost, Acts xiii. 52.
The Apostolic Testimony. (a. d. 80.)
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say
that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do
not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,
we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his
Son cleanseth us from all sin.
The apostle, having declared the truth and dignity of the author of the
gospel, brings a message or report from him, from which a just
conclusion is to be drawn for the consideration and conviction of the
professors of religion, or professed entertainers of this glorious
gospel.
I. Here is the message or report that the apostle avers to come from
the Lord Jesus: This then is the message which we have heard of him (v.
5), of his Son Jesus Christ. As he was the immediate sender of the
apostles, so he is the principal person spoken of in the preceding
context, and the next antecedent also to whom the pronoun him can
relate. The apostles and apostolical ministers are the messengers of
the Lord Jesus; it is their honour, the chief they pretend to, to bring
his mind and messages to the world and to the churches. This is the
wisdom and present dispensation of the Lord Jesus, to send his messages
to us by persons like ourselves. He that put on human nature will
honour earthen vessels. It was the ambition of the apostles to be found
faithful, and faithfully to deliver the errands and messages they had
received. What was communicated to them they were solicitous to impart:
This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto
you. A message from the Word of life, from the eternal Word, we should
gladly receive: and the present one is this (relating to the nature of
God whom we are to serve, and with whom we should covet all indulged
communion)--That God is light, and in him is no darkness at all, v. 5.
This report asserts the excellency of the divine nature. He is all that
beauty and perfection that can be represented to us by light. He is a
self-active uncompounded spirituality, purity, wisdom, holiness, and
glory. And then the absoluteness and fulness of that excellency and
perfection. There is no defect or imperfection, no mixture of any thing
alien or contrary to absolute excellency, no mutability nor capacity of
any decay in him: In him is no darkness at all, v. 5. Or this report
may more immediately relate to what is usually called the moral
perfection of the divine nature, what we are to imitate, or what is
more directly to influence us in our gospel work. And so it will
comprehend the holiness of God, the absolute purity of his nature and
will, his penetrative knowledge (particularly of hearts), his jealousy
and injustice, which burn a a most bright and vehement flame. It is
meet that to this dark world the great God should be represented as
pure and perfect light. It is the Lord Jesus that best of all opens to
us the name and nature of the unsearchable God: The only-begotten, who
is in the bosom of the Father, the same hath declared him. It is the
prerogative of the Christian revelation to bring us the most noble, the
most august and agreeable account of the blessed God, such as is most
suitable to the light of reason and what is demonstrable thereby, most
suitable to the magnificence of his works round about us, and to the
nature and office of him that is the supreme administrator, governor,
and judge of the world. What more (relating to and comprehensive of all
such perfection) could be included in one word than in this, God is
light, and in him is no darkness at all? Then,
II. There is a just conclusion to be drawn from this message and
report, and that for the consideration and conviction of professors of
religion, or professed entertainers of this gospel. This conclusion
issues into two branches:--1. For the conviction of such professors as
have no true fellowship with God: If we say we have fellowship with
him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. It is known
that to walk, in scripture account, is to order and frame the course
and actions of the moral life, that is, of the life so far as it is
capable of subjection to the divine law. To walk in darkness is to live
and act according to such ignorance, error, and erroneous practice, as
are contrary to the fundamental dictates of our holy religion. Now
there may be those who may pretend to great attainments and enjoyments
in religion; they may profess to have communion with God; and yet their
lives may be irreligious, immoral, and impure. To such the apostle
would not fear to give the lie: They lie, and do not the truth. They
belie God; for he holds no heavenly fellowship or intercourse with
unholy souls. What communion hath light with darkness? They belie
themselves, or lie concerning themselves; for they have no such
communications from God nor accesses to him. There is no truth in their
profession nor in their practice, or their practice gives their
profession and pretences the lie, and demonstrates the folly and
falsehood of them. 2. For the conviction and consequent satisfaction of
those that are near to God: But, if we walk in the light, we have
fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son
cleanseth us from all sin. As the blessed God is the eternal boundless
light, and the Mediator is, from him, the light of the world, so the
Christian institution is the great luminary that appears in our sphere,
and shines here below. A conformity to this in spirit and practice
demonstrates fellowship or communion with God. Those that so walk show
that they know God, that they have received of the Spirit of God, and
that the divine impress or image is stamped upon their souls. Then we
have fellowship one with another, they with us and we with them, and
both with God, in his blessed or beatific communications to us. And
this is one of those beatific communications to us--that his Son's
blood or death is applied or imputed to us: The blood of Jesus Christ
his Son cleanseth us from all sin. The eternal life, the eternal Son,
hath put on flesh and blood, and so became Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ
hath shed his blood for us, or died to wash us from our sins in his own
blood. His blood applied to us discharges us from the guilt of all sin,
both original and actual, inherent and committed: and so far we stand
righteous in his sight; and not only so, but his blood procures for us
those sacred influences by which sin is to be subdued more and more,
till it is quite abolished, Gal. iii. 13, 14.
Confession and Forgiveness. (a. d. 80.)
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is
not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10
If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is
not in us.
Here, I. The apostle, having supposed that even those of this heavenly
communion have yet their sin, proceeds here to justify that
supposition, and this he does by showing the dreadful consequences of
denying it, and that in two particulars:-- 1. If we say, We have no
sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, v. 8. We must
beware of deceiving ourselves in denying or excusing our sins. The more
we see them the more we shall esteem and value the remedy. If we deny
them, the truth is not in us, either the truth that is contrary to such
denial (we lie in denying our sin), or the truth of religion, is not in
us. The Christian religion is the religion of sinners, of such as have
sinned, and in whom sin in some measure still dwells. The Christian
life is a life of continued repentance, humiliation for and
mortification of sin, of continual faith in, thankfulness for, and love
to the Redeemer, and hopeful joyful expectation of a day of glorious
redemption, in which the believer shall be fully and finally acquitted,
and sin abolished for ever. 2. If we say, We have not sinned, we make
him a liar, and his word is not in us, v. 10. The denial of our sin not
only deceives ourselves, but reflects dishonour upon God. It challenges
his veracity. He has abundantly testified of, and testified against,
the sin of the world. And the Lord said in his heart (determined thus
with himself), I will not again curse the ground (as he had then lately
done) for man's sake; for (or, with the learned bishop Patrick, though)
the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth, Gen. viii. 21.
But God has given his testimony to the continued sin and sinfulness of
the world, by providing a sufficient effectual sacrifice for sin, that
will be needed in all ages, and to the continued sinfulness of
believers themselves by requiring them continually to confess their
sins, and apply themselves by faith to the blood of that sacrifice. And
therefore, if we say either that we have not sinned or do not yet sin,
the word of God is not in us, neither in our minds, as to the
acquaintance we should have with it, nor in our hearts, as to the
practical influence it should have upon us.
II. The apostle then instructs the believer in the way to the continued
pardon of his sin. Here we have, 1. His duty in order thereto: If we
confess our sins, v. 9. Penitent confession and acknowledgment of sin
are the believer's business, and the means of his deliverance from his
guilt. And, 2. His encouragement thereto, and assurance of the happy
issue. This is the veracity, righteousness, and clemency of God, to
whom he makes such confession: He is faithful and just to forgive us
our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, v. 9. God is
faithful to his covenant and word, wherein he has promised forgiveness
to penitent believing confessors. He is just to himself and his glory
who has provided such a sacrifice, by which his righteousness is
declared in the justification of sinners. He is just to his Son who has
not only sent him for such service, but promised to him that those who
come through him shall be forgiven on his account. By his knowledge (by
the believing apprehension of him) shall my righteous servant justify
many, Isa. liii. 11. He is clement and gracious also, and so will
forgive, to the contrite confessor, all his sins, cleanse him from the
guilt of all unrighteousness, and in due time deliver him from the
power and practice of it.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T J O H N.
CHAP. II.
Here the apostle encourages against sins of infirmity (ver. 1, 2),
shows the true knowledge and love of God (ver. 3-6), renews the precept
of fraternal love (ver. 7-11), addresses the several ages of Christians
(ver. 12-14), warns against worldly love (ver. 15-17), against seducers
(ver. 18, 19), shows the security of true Christians (ver. 20-27), and
advises to abide in Christ, ver. 28, 29.
Christ the Propitiation. (a. d. 80.)
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.
And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ
the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for
ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
These verses relate to the concluding subject of the foregoing chapter,
in which the apostle proceeds upon the supposition of the real
Christian's sin. And here he gives them both dissuasion and support.
1. Dissuasion. He would leave no room for sin: "My little children,
these things write I unto you, that you sin not, v. 1. The design or
purport of this letter, the design of what I have just said concerning
communion with God and the overthrow of it by an irreligious course, is
to dissuade and drive you from sin." See the familiar affectionate
compellation with which he introduces his admonition: My little
children, children as having perhaps been begotten by his gospel,
little children as being much beneath him in age and experience, my
little children, as being dear to him in the bonds of the gospel.
Certainly the gospel most prevailed where and when such ministerial
love most abounded. Or perhaps the judicious reader will find reason to
think that the apostle's meaning in this dissuasion or caution is this,
or amounts to this reading: These things write I unto you, not that you
sin. And so the words will look back to what he had said before
concerning the assured pardon of sin: God is faithful and just to
forgive us our sins, &c., ch. i. 9. And so the words are a preclusion
of all abuse of such favour and indulgence. "Though sins will be
forgiven to penitent confessors, yet this I write, not to encourage you
in sin, but upon another account." Or this clause will look forward to
what the apostle is going to say about the Advocate for sinners: and so
it is a prolepsis, a prevention of like mistake or abuse: "These things
write I unto you, not that you sin, but that you may see your remedy
for sin." And so the following particle (as the learned know) may be
rendered adversatively: But, if a man sin, he may know his help and
cure. And so we see,
II. The believer's support and relief in case of sin: And (or but) if
any man sin (any of us, or of our foresaid communion), We have we an
Advocate with the Father, &c., v. 1. Believers themselves, those that
are advanced to a happy gospel-state, have yet their sins. There is a
great distinction therefore between the sinners that are in the world.
There are Christianized (such as are instated in the sacred saving
privileges of Christ's mystical or spiritual body) and unchristianized,
converted and unconverted sinners. There are some who, though they
really sin, yet, in comparison with others, are said not to sin, as ch.
iii. 9. Believers, as they have an atonement applied unto them at their
entrance into a state of pardon and justification, so they have an
Advocate in heaven still to continue to them that state, and procure
their continued forgiveness. And this must be the support,
satisfaction, and refuge of believers (or real Christians) in or upon
their sins: We have an Advocate. The original name is sometimes given
to the Holy Ghost, and then it is rendered, the Comforter. He acts
within us; he puts pleas and arguments into our hearts and mouths; and
so is our advocate, by teaching us to intercede for ourselves. But here
is an advocate without us, in heaven and with the Father. The proper
office and business of an advocate is with the judge; with him he
pleads the client's cause. The Judge with whom our advocate pleads is
the Father, his Father and ours. He who was our Judge in the legal
court (the court of the violated law) is our Father in the gospel
court, the court of heaven and of grace. His throne or tribunal is the
mercy-seat. And he that is our Father is also our Judge, the supreme
arbitrator of our state and circumstances, either for life or death,
for time or eternity. You have come--to God, the Judge of all, Heb.
xii. 23. That believers may be encouraged to hope that their cause will
go well, as their Judge is represented to them in the relation of a
Father, so their advocate is recommended to them upon these
considerations:--1. By his person and personal names. It is Jesus
Christ the Son of the Father, one anointed by the Father for the whole
office of mediation, the whole work of salvation, and consequently for
that of the intercessor or advocate. 2. By his qualification for the
office. It is Jesus Christ the righteous, the righteous one in the
court and sight of the Judge. This is not so necessary in another
advocate. Another advocate (or an advocate in another court) may be an
unjust person himself, and yet may have a just cause (and the cause of
a just person in that case) to plead, and may accordingly carry his
cause. But here the clients are guilty; their innocence and legal
righteousness cannot be pleaded; their sin must be confessed or
supposed. It is the advocate's own righteousness that he must plead for
the criminals. He has been righteous to the death, righteous for them;
he has brought in everlasting righteousness. This the Judge will not
deny. Upon this score he pleads, that the clients' sins may not be
imputed to them. 3. By the plea he has to make, the ground and basis of
his advocacy: And he is the propitiation for our sins, v. 2. He is the
expiatory victim, the propitiatory sacrifice that has been offered to
the Judge for all our offences against his majesty, and law, and
government. In vain do the professors of Rome distinguish between and
advocate of redemption and an advocate of intercession, or a mediator
of such different service. The Mediator of intercession, the Advocate
for us, is the Mediator of redemption, the propitiation for our sins.
It is his propitiation that he pleads. And we might be apt to suppose
that his blood had lost its value and efficacy if no mention had been
made of it in heaven since the time it was shed. But now we see it is
of esteem there, since it is continually represented in the
intercession of the great advocate (the attorney-general) for the
church of God. He ever lives to make intercession for those that come
to God through him. 4. By the extent of his plea, the latitude of his
propitiation. It is not confined to one nation; and not particularly to
the ancient Israel of God: He is the propitiation for our sins; and not
for ours only (not only for the sins of us Jews, us that are Abraham's
seed according to the flesh), but also for those of the whole world (v.
2); not only for the past, or us present believers, but for the sins of
all who shall hereafter believe on him or come to God through him. The
extent and intent of the Mediator's death reach to all tribes, nations,
and countries. As he is the only, so he is the universal atonement and
propitiation for all that are saved and brought home to God, and to his
favour and forgiveness.
The Believer's Duty. (a. d. 80.)
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a
liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in
him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in
him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk,
even as he walked.
These verses may seem to relate to the seventh verse of the former
chapter, between which and these verses there occurred an incidental
discourse concerning the believer's duty and relief in case of sin,
occasioned by the mention of one of the believer's privileges--his
being cleansed from sin by the Mediator's blood. In that verse the
apostle asserts the beneficial consequence of walking in the light: "We
have then fellowship with one another, such divine fellowship and
communion as are the prerogative of the church of Christ." Here now
succeeds the trial or test of our light and of our love.
I. The trial of our light: And hereby we do know that we know him, if
we keep his commandments, v. 3. Divine light and knowledge are the
beauty and improvement of the mind; it becomes the disciples of the
Mediator to be persons of wisdom and understanding. Young Christians
are apt to magnify their new light and applaud their own knowledge,
especially if they have been suddenly or in a short time communicated;
and old ones are apt to suspect the sufficiency and fulness of their
knowledge; they lament that they know God, and Christ, and the rich
contents of his gospel, no more: but here is the evidence of the
soundness of our knowledge, if it constrain us to keep God's
commandments. Each perfection of his nature enforces his authority; the
wisdom of his counsels, the riches of his grace, the grandeur of his
works, recommend his law and government. A careful conscientious
obedience to his commands shows that the apprehension and knowledge of
these things are graciously impressed upon the soul; and therefore it
must follow in the reverse that he that saith, I know him, and keepeth
not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him, v. 4.
Professors of the truth are often ashamed of their ignorance, or
ashamed to own it; they frequently pretend to great attainments in the
knowledge of divine mysteries: Thou makest thy boast of God, and
knowest his will, and approvest (in thy rational judgment) the things
that are more excellent, being instructed out of the law and art
confident that thou thyself art (or art fit to be) a guide to the
blind, &c., Rom. ii. 17, &c. But what knowledge of God can that be
which sees not that he is most worthy of the most entire and intense
obedience? And, if that be seen and known, how vain and superficial is
even this knowledge when it sways not the heart unto obedience! A
disobedient life is the confutation and shame of pretended religious
knowledge; it gives the lie to such boasts and pretences, and shows
that there is neither religion nor honesty in them.
II. The trial of our love: But whoso keepeth his word in him verily is
the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him, v. 5. To
keep the word of God, or of Christ, is sacredly to attend thereto in
all the conduct and motion of life; in him that does so is the love of
God perfected. Possibly, some may here understand God's love to us; and
doubtless his love to us cannot be perfected (or obtain its perfect
design and fruit) without our practical observance of his word. We are
chosen, to be holy and blameless before him in love; we are redeemed,
to be a peculiar people, zealous of good works; we are pardoned and
justified, that we may be partakers of larger measures of the divine
Spirit for sanctification; we are sanctified, that we may walk in ways
of holiness and obedience: no act of divine love that here terminates
upon us obtains its proper tendency, issue, and effect, without our
holy attendance to God's word. But the phrase rather denotes here our
love to God; so v. 15, The love of (to) the Father is not in him; so
ch. iii. 17, How dwelleth the love of (to) God in him? Now light is to
kindle love; and love must and will keep the word of God; it enquires
wherein the beloved may be pleased and served, and, finding he will be
so by observance of his declared will, there it employs and exerts
itself; there love is demonstrated; there it has its perfect (or
complete) exercise, operation, and delight; and hereby (by this dutiful
attendance to the will of God, or Christ) we know that we are in him
(v. 5), we know that we belong to him, and that we are united to him by
that Spirit which elevates and assists us to this obedience; and if we
acknowledge our relation to him, and our union with him, it must have
this continued enforcement upon us: He that saith he abideth in him
ought himself to walk even as he walked, v. 6. The Lord Christ was an
inhabitant of this world, and walked here below; here he gave a shining
example of absolute obedience to God. Those who profess to be on his
side, and to abide with him, must walk with him, walk after his pattern
and example. The partisans of the several sects of philosophers of old
paid great regard to the dictates and practice of their respective
teachers and sect-masters; much more should the Christian, he who
professes to abide in and with Christ, aim to resemble his infallible
Master and head, and conform to his course and prescriptions: Then are
you my friends if you do whatsoever I command you, John xv. 14.
The Law of Love. (a. d. 80.)
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment
which ye had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which
ye have heard from the beginning. 8 Again, a new commandment I write
unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness
is past, and the true light now shineth. 9 He that saith he is in the
light, and hateth his brother, is in darkness even until now. 10 He
that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is none
occasion of stumbling in him. 11 But he that hateth his brother is in
darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knoweth not whither he goeth,
because that darkness hath blinded his eyes.
The seventh verse may be supposed either to look backward to what
immediately preceded (and then it is walking as Christ walked that is
here represented as no new, but an old commandment; it is that which
the apostles would certainly inculcate wherever they brought Christ's
gospel), or to look forward to what the apostle is now going to
recommend, and that is the law of fraternal love; this is the message
heard from the beginning (ch. iii. 11), and the old commandment, 2 John
5. Now, while the apostle addresses himself to the recommendation of
such a practice, he is ready to give an instance thereof in his
affectionate appellation: "Brethren, you who are dear to me in the bond
of that love to which I would solicit you;" and so the precept of
fraternal love is recommended,
I. As an old one: I write no new commandment unto you, but an old
commandment, which you had from the beginning, v. 7. The precept of
love must be as old as human nature; but it might admit divers
enactions, enforcements, and motives. In the state of innocence, had
human nature then been propagated, men must have loved one another as
being of one blood, made to dwell on the earth, as being God's
offspring, and bearing his image. In the state of sin and promised
recovery, they must love one another as related to God their Maker, as
related to each other by blood, and as partners in the same hope. When
the Hebrews were peculiarly incorporated, they must accordingly love
each other, as being the privileged people, whose were the covenants
and the adoption, and of whose race the Messiah and head of the church
must spring; and the law of love must be conveyed with new obligations
to the new Israel of God, to the gospel church, and so it is the old
commandment, or the word which the children of the gospel Israel have
heard from the beginning, v. 7.
II. As a new one: "Again, to constrain you to this duty the more, a new
commandment I write unto you, the law of the new society, the Christian
corporation, which thing is true in him, the matter of which was first
true in and concerning the head of it; the truth of it was first and
was abundantly in him; he loved the church, and gave himself for it:
and it is true in you; this law is in some measure written upon your
hearts; you are taught of God to love one another, and that because"
(or since, or forasmuch as) "the darkness is past, the darkness of your
prejudiced unconverted (whether Jewish or Gentile) minds, your
deplorable ignorance of God and of Christ is now past, and the true
light now shineth (v. 8); the light of evangelical revelation hath
shone with life and efficacy into your hearts; hence you have seen the
excellency of Christian love, and the fundamental obligation thereto."
Hence we see that the fundamentals (and particularly the fundamental
precepts) of the Christian religion may be represented either as new or
old; the reformed doctrine, or doctrine of religion in the reformed
churches, is new and old--new, as taught after long darkness, by the
lights of the reformation, new as purged from the adulterations of
Rome; but old as having been taught and heard from the beginning. We
should see that that grace or virtue which was true in Christ be true
also in us; we should be conformable to our head. The more our darkness
is past, and gospel light shines unto us, the deeper should our
subjection be to the commandments of our Lord, whether considered as
old or new. Light should produce a suitable heat. Accordingly, here is
another trial of our Christian light; before, it was to be approved by
obedience to God; here by Christian love. 1. He who wants such love in
vain pretends his light: He that saith he is in the light, and hateth
his brother, is in darkness even unto now, v. 9. It is proper for
sincere Christians to acknowledge what God has done for their souls;
but in the visible church there are often those who assume to
themselves more than is true, there are those who say they are in the
light, the divine revelation has made its impression upon their minds
and spirits, and yet they walk in hatred and enmity towards their
Christian brethren; these cannot be swayed by the sense of the love of
Christ to their brethren, and therefore remain in their dark state,
notwithstanding their pretended conversion to the Christian religion.
2. He who is governed by such love approves his light to be good and
genuine: He that loveth his brother (as his brother in Christ) abideth
in the light, v. 10. He sees the foundation and reason of Christian
love; he discerns the weight and value of the Christian redemption; he
sees how meet it is that we should love those whom Christ hath loved;
and then the consequence will be that there is no occasion of stumbling
in him (v. 10); he will be no scandal, no stumbling-block, to his
brother; he will conscientiously beware that he neither induce his
brother to sin nor turn him out of the way of religion, Christian love
teaches us highly to value our brother's soul, and to dread every thing
that will be injurious to his innocence and peace. 3. Hatred is a sign
of spiritual darkness: But he that hateth his brother is in darkness,
v. 11. Spiritual light is instilled by the Spirit of grace, and one of
the first-fruits of that Spirit is love; he then who is possessed with
malignity towards a Christian brother must needs be destitute of
spiritual light; consequently he walks in darkness (v. 11); his life is
agreeable to a dark mind and conscience, and he knows not whither he
goes; he sees not whither this dark spirit carries him, and
particularly that it will carry him to the world of utter darkness,
because darkness hath blinded his eyes, v. 11. The darkness of
regeneracy, evidenced by a malignant spirit, is contrary to the light
of life; where that darkness dwells, the mind, the judgment, and the
conscience will be darkened, and so will mistake the way to heavenly
endless life. Here we may observe how effectually our apostle is now
cured of his once hot and flaming spirit. Time was when he was for
calling for fire from heaven upon poor ignorant Samaritans who received
them not, Luke ix. 54. But his Lord had shown him that he knew not his
own spirit, nor whither it led him. Having now imbibed more of the
Spirit of Christ, he breathes out good-will to man, and love to all the
brethren. It is the Lord Jesus that is the great Master of love: it is
his school (his own church) that is the school of love. His disciples
are the disciples of love, and his family must be the family of love.
Against the Love of the World. (a. d. 80.)
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven
you for his name's sake. 13 I write unto you, fathers, because ye
have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men,
because ye have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little
children, because ye have known the Father. 14 I have written unto
you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning. I
have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word
of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 15 Love
not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that
is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 17 And
the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the
will of God abideth for ever.
This new command of holy love, with the incentives thereto, may
possibly be directed to the several ranks of disciples that are here
accosted. The several graduates in the Christian university, the
catholic church, must be sure to preserve the bond of sacred love. Or,
there being an important dehortation and dissuasion to follow, without
the observance of which vital religion in the love of God and love of
the brethren cannot subsist, the apostle may justly seem to preface it
with a solemn address to the several forms or orders in the school of
Christ: let the infants or minors, the adults, the seniors (or the
adepti, the teleioi, the most perfect), in the Christian institution,
know that they must not love this world; and so,
I. We have the address itself made to the various forms and ranks in
the church of Christ. All Christians are not of the same standing and
stature; there are babes in Christ, there are grown men, and old
disciples. As these have their peculiar states, so they have their
peculiar duties; but there are precepts and a correspondent obedience
common to them all, as particularly mutual love and contempt of the
world. We see also that wise pastors will judiciously distribute the
word of life, and give to the several members of Christ's family their
several suitable portions: I write unto you children, fathers, and
young men. In this distribution the apostle addresses,
1. The lowest in the Christian school: I write unto you, little
children, v. 12. There are novices in religion, babes in Christ, those
who are learning the rudiments of Christian godliness. The apostle may
seem to encourage them by applying to them first; and it may be useful
to the greater proficients to hear what is said to their juniors;
elements are to be repeated; first principles are the foundation of
all. He addresses the children in Christianity upon two accounts:--(1.)
Because their sins were forgiven them for his name's sake, v. 12. The
youngest sincere disciple is pardoned; the communion of saints is
attended with the forgiveness of sins. Sins are forgiven either for
God's name's sake, for the praise of his glory (his glorious
perfections displayed in forgiveness), or for Christ's name's sake,
upon his score, and upon the account of the redemption that is in him;
and those that are forgiven of God are strongly obliged to relinquish
this world, which so interferes with the love of God. (2.) Because of
their knowledge of God: I write unto you, little children, because you
have known the Father, v. 13. Children are wont to know none so soon as
their father. Children in Christianity must and do know God. They shall
all know me, from the least to the greatest, Heb. viii. 11. Children in
Christ should know that God is their Father; it is their wisdom. We
say, It is a wise child that knows his father. These children cannot
but know theirs; they can well be assured by whose power they are
regenerated and by whose grace they are adopted. Those that know the
Father may well be withdrawn from the love of this world. Then the
apostle, proceeds,
2. To those of the highest station and stature, to the seniors in
Christianity, to whom he gives an honourable appellation: I write unto
you, fathers (v. 13, 14), unto you, Mnasons, you old disciples, Acts
xxi. 16. The apostle immediately passes from the bottom to the top of
the school, from the lowest form to the highest, that those in the
middle may hear both lessons, may remember what they have learned and
perceive what they must come to: I write unto you, fathers. Those that
are of longest standing in Christ's school have need of further advice
and instruction; the oldest disciple must go to heaven (the university
above) with his book, his Bible, in his hand; fathers must be written
to, and preached to; none are too old to learn. He writes to them upon
the account of their knowledge: I write unto you, fathers, because you
have known him that is from the beginning, v. 13, 14. Old men have
knowledge and experience, and expect deference. The apostle is ready to
own the knowledge of old Christians, and to congratulate them
thereupon. They know the Lord Christ, particularly him that was from
the beginning; as ch. i. 1. As Christ is Alpha and Omega, so he must be
the beginning and end of our Christian knowledge. I count all things
but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord,
Phil. iii. 8. Those who know him that was from the beginning, before
this world was made, may well be induced thereby to relinquish this
world. Then,
3. To the middle age of Christians, to those who are in their bloom and
flower: I write unto you, young men, v. 13, 14. There are the adult in
Christ Jesus, those that have arrived at the strength of spirit and
sound sense and can discern between good and evil. The apostle applies
to them upon these accounts:--(1.) Upon the account of their martial
exploits. Dexterous soldiers they are in the camp of Christ: Because
you have overcome the wicked one, v. 13. There is a wicked one that is
continually warring against souls, and particularly against the
disciples: but those that are well taught in Christ's school can handle
their arms and vanquish the evil one; and those that can vanquish him
may be called to vanquish the world too, which is so great an
instrument for the devil. (2.) Upon the account of their strength,
discovered in this their achievement: Because you are strong, and you
have overcome the wicked one, v. 14. Young men are wont to glory in
their strength; it will be the glory of youthful persons to be strong
in Christ and in his grace; it will be their glory, and it will try
their strength, to overcome the devil; if they be not too hard for the
devil, he will be too hard for them. Let vigorous Christians show their
strength in conquering the world; and the same strength must be exerted
in overcoming the world as is employed in overcoming the devil. (3.)
Because of their acquaintance with the word of God: And the word of God
abideth in you, v. 14. The word of God must abide in the adult
disciples; it is the nutriment and supply of strength to them; it is
the weapon by which they overcome the wicked one; the sword of the
Spirit, whereby they quench his fiery darts: and those in whom the word
of God dwells are well furnished for the conquest of the world.
II. We have the dehortation or dissuasion thus prefaced and introduced,
a caution fundamental to vital practical religion: "Love not the world,
neither the things that are in the world, v. 15. Be crucified to the
world, be mortified to the things, to the affairs and enticements, of
it." The several degrees of Christians should unite in this, in being
dead to the world. Were they thus united, they would soon unite upon
other accounts: their love should be reserved for God; throw it not
away upon the world. Now here we see the reasons of this dissuasion and
caution. They are several, and had need to be so; it is hard to dispute
or dissuade disciples themselves from the love of the world. These
reasons are taken,
1. From the inconsistency of this love with the love of God: If any man
love the world, the love of the Father is not in him, v. 15. The heart
of man is narrow, and cannot contain both loves. The world draws down
the heart from God; and so the more the love of the world prevails the
more the love of God dwindles and decays.
2. From the prohibition of worldly love or lust; it is not ordained of
God: It is not of the Father, but is of the world, v. 16. This love or
lust is not appointed of God (he calls us from it), but it intrudes
itself from the world; the world is a usurper of our affection. Now
here we have the due consideration and notion of the world, according
to which it is to be crucified and renounced. The world, physically
considered, is good, and is to be admired as the work of God and a
glass in which his perfections shine; but it is to be considered in its
relation to us now in our corrupted state, and as it works upon our
weakness and instigates and inflames our vile affections. There is
great affinity and alliance between this world and the flesh, and this
world intrudes and encroaches upon the flesh, and thereby makes a party
against God. The things of the world therefore are distinguished into
three classes, according to the three predominant inclinations of
depraved nature; as, (1.) There is the lust of the flesh. The flesh
here, being distinguished from the eyes and the life, imports the body.
The lust of the flesh is, subjectively, the humour and appetite of
indulging fleshly pleasures; and, objectively, all those things that
excite and inflame the pleasures of the flesh. This lust is usually
called luxury. (2.) There is the lust of the eyes. The eyes are
delighted with treasures; riches and rich possessions are craved by an
extravagant eye; this is the lust of covetousness. 3. There is the
pride of life. A vain mind craves all the grandeur, equipage, and pomp
of a vain-glorious life; this is ambition, and thirst after honour and
applause. This is, in part, the disease of the ear; it must be
flattered with admiration and praise. The objects of these appetites
must be abandoned and renounced; as they engage and engross the
affection and desire, they are not of the Father, but of the world, v.
16. The Father disallows them, and the world should keep them to
itself. The lust or appetite to these things must be mortified and
subdued; and so the indulging of it is not appointed by the Father, but
is insinuated by the ensnaring world.
3. From the vain and vanishing state of earthly things and the
enjoyment of them. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof, v.
17. The things of the world are fading and dying apace. The lust itself
and the pleasure of it wither and decay; desire itself will ere long
fail and cease, Eccl. xii. 5. And what has become of all the pomp and
pleasure of all those who now lie mouldering in the grave?
4. From the immortality of the divine lover, the lover of God: But he
that doeth the will of God, which must be the character of the lover of
God, in opposition to this lover of the world, abideth for ever, v. 17.
The object of his love in opposition to the world that passeth away,
abideth for ever; his sacred passion or affection, in opposition to the
lust that passeth away, abideth for ever; love shall never fail; and he
himself is an heir of immortality and endless life, and shall in time
be translated thither.
From the whole of these verses we should observe the purity and
spirituality of the apostolical doctrine. The animal life must be
subjected to the divine; the body with its affections should be swayed
by religion, or the victorious love of God.
Concerning Antichrist. (a. d. 80.)
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that
antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we
know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they
were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have
continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest
that they were not all of us.
Here is, I. A moral prognostication of the time; the end is coming:
Little children, it is the last time, v. 18. Some may suppose that the
apostle here addresses the first rank of Christians again; the juniors
are most apt to be seduced, and therefore, "Little children, you that
are young in religion, take heed to yourselves that you be not
corrupted." But it may be, as elsewhere, a universal appellation,
introductive of an alarm to all Christians: "Little children, it is the
last time; our Jewish polity in church and state is hastening to an
end; the Mosaic institution and discipline are just upon vanishing
away; Daniel's weeks are now expiring; the destruction of the Hebrew
city and sanctuary is approaching, the end whereof must be with a
flood, and to the end of the war desolations are determined," Dan. ix.
26. It is meet that the disciples should be warned of the haste and end
of time, and apprised as much as may be of the prophetic periods of
time.
II. The sign of this last time: Even now there are many antichrists (v.
18), many that oppose the person, doctrine, and kingdom of Christ. It
is a mysterious portion of providence that antichrists should be
permitted; but, when they have come, it is good and safe that the
disciples should be informed of them; ministers should be watchmen to
the house of Israel. Now it should be no great offence nor prejudice to
the disciples that there are such antichrists: 1. One great one has
been foretold: As you have heard that antichrist shall come, v. 18. The
generality of the church have been informed by divine revelation that
there must be a long and fatal adversary to Christ and his church, 2
Thess. ii. 8-10. No wonder then that there are many harbingers and
forerunners of the great one: Even now there are many antichrists, the
mystery of iniquity already worketh. 2. They were foretold also as the
sign of this last time. For there shall arise false Christs and false
prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that, if it
were possible, they shall deceive the very elect, Matt. xxiv. 24. And
these were the forerunners of the dissolution of the Jewish state,
nation, and religion: Whereby we know it is the last time, v. 18. Let
the prediction that we see there has been of seducers arising in the
Christian world fortify us against their seduction.
III. Some account of these seducers or antichrists. 1. More positively.
They were once entertainers or professors of apostolical doctrine:
"They went out from us (v. 19), from our company and communion;"
possibly from the church of Jerusalem, or some of the churches of
Judea, as Acts xv. 1, Certain men came down from Judea, and taught the
brethren, &c. The purest churches may have their apostates and
revolters; the apostolic doctrine did not convert all whom it convinced
of its truth. 2. More privately. "They were not inwardly such as we
are: But they were not of us; they had not from the heart obeyed the
form of sound doctrine delivered to them; they were not of our union
with Christ the head." Then here is, (1.) The reason upon which it is
concluded that they were not of us, were not what they pretended, or
what we are, and that is their actual defection: "For, if they had been
of us, they would no doubt have continued with us (v. 19); had the
sacred truth been rooted in their hearts it would have held them with
us; had they had the anointing from above, by which they had been made
true and real Christians, they would not have turned antichrists."
Those that apostatize from religion sufficiently indicate that, before,
they were hypocrites in religion: those who have imbibed the spirit of
gospel truth have a good preservative against destructive error. (2.)
The reason why they are permitted thus to depart from apostolical
doctrine and communion--that their insincerity may be detected: But
this was done (or they went out) that they might be made manifest that
they were not all of us, v. 19. The church knows not well who are its
vital members and who are not; and therefore the church, considered as
internally sanctified, may well be styled invisible. Some of the
hypocritical must be manifested here, and that for their own shame and
benefit too, in their reduction to the truth, if they have not sinned
unto death, and for the terror and caution of others. You therefore,
beloved, seeing you know these things before, beware lest you also,
being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own
stedfastness. But grow in grace, &c., 2 Pet. iii. 17, 18.
Concerning Antichrist. (a. d. 80.)
20 But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but
because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. 22 Who is a liar
but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that
denieth the Father and the Son. 23 Whosoever denieth the Son, the
same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the
Father also. 24 Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard
from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning
shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the
Father. 25 And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even
eternal life. 26 These things have I written unto you concerning them
that seduce you. 27 But the anointing which ye have received of him
abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same
anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and
even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.
Here, I. The apostle encourages the disciples (to whom he writes) in
these dangerous times, in this hour of seducers; he encourages them in
the assurance of their stability in this day of apostasy: But you have
an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things. We see, 1. The
blessing wherewith they were enriched--an unguent from heaven: You have
an unction. True Christians are anointed ones, their name intimates as
much. They are anointed with the oil of grace, with gifts and spiritual
endowments, by the Spirit of grace. They are anointed into a similitude
of their Lord's offices, as subordinate prophets, priests, and kings,
unto God. The Holy Spirit is compared to oil, as well as to fire and
water; and the communication of his salvific grace is our anointing. 2.
From whom this blessing comes--from the Holy One, either from the Holy
Ghost or from the Lord Christ, as Rev. iii. 7, These things saith he
that is holy--the Holy One. The Lord Christ is glorious in his
holiness. The Lord Christ disposes of the graces of the divine Spirit,
and he anoints the disciples to make them like himself, and to secure
them in his interest. 3. The effect of this unction--it is a spiritual
eye-salve; it enlightens and strengthens the eyes of the understanding:
"And thereby you know all things (v. 20), all these things concerning
Christ and his religion; it was promised and given you for that end,"
John xiv. 26. The Lord Christ does not deal alike by all his professed
disciples; some are more anointed than others. There is great danger
lest those that are not thus anointed should be so far from being true
to Christ that they should, on the contrary, turn antichrists, and
prove adversaries to Christ's person, and kingdom, and glory.
II. The apostle indicates to them the mind and meaning with which he
wrote to them. 1. By way of negation; not as suspecting their
knowledge, or supposing their ignorance in the grand truths of the
gospel: "I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, v.
21. I could not then be so well assured of your stability therein, nor
congratulate you on your unction from above." It is good to surmise
well concerning our Christian brethren; we ought to do so till evidence
overthrows our surmise: a just confidence in religious persons may both
encourage and contribute to their fidelity. 2. By way of assertion and
acknowledgment, as relying upon their judgment in these things: But
because you know it (you know the truth in Jesus), and that no lie is
of the truth. Those who know the truth in any respect are thereby
prepared to discern what is contrary thereto and inconsistent
therewith. Rectum est index sui et obliqui--The line which shows itself
to be straight shows also what line is crooked. Truth and falsehood do
not well mix and suit together. Those that are well acquainted with
Christian truth are thereby well fortified against antichristian error
and delusion. No lie belongs to religion, either natural or revealed.
The apostles most of all condemned lies, and showed the inconsistency
of lies with their doctrine: they would have been the most
self-condemned persons had they propagated the truth by lies. It is a
commendation of the Christian religion that it so well accords with
natural religion, which is the foundation of it, that it so well
accords with the Jewish religion, which contained the elements or
rudiments of it. No lie is of the truth; frauds and impostures then are
very unfit means to support and propagate the truth. I suppose it had
been better with the state of religion if they had never been used. The
result of them appears in the infidelity of our age; the detection of
ancient pious frauds and wiles has almost run our age into atheism and
irreligion; but the greatest actors and sufferers for the Christian
revelation would assure us that no lie is of the truth.
III. The apostle further impleads and arraigns these seducers who had
newly arisen. 1. They are liars, egregious opposers of sacred truth:
Who is a liar, or the liar, the notorious liar of the time and age in
which we live, but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? The great
and pernicious lies that the father of lies, or of liars, spreads in
the world, were of old, and usually are, falsehoods and errors relating
to the person of Christ. There is no truth so sacred and fully attested
but some or other will contradict or deny it. That Jesus of Nazareth
was the Son of God had been attested by heaven, and earth, and hell. It
should seem that some, in the tremendous judgment of God, are given up
to strong delusions. 2. They are direst enemies to God as well as to
the Lord Christ: He is antichrist who denieth the Father and the Son,
v. 22. He that opposes Christ denies the witness and testimony of the
Father, and the seal that he hath given to his Son; for him hath God
the Father sealed, John vi. 27. And he that denies the witness and
testimony of the Father, concerning Jesus Christ denies that God is the
Father of the Lord Jesus Christ, and consequently abandons the
knowledge of God in Christ, and thereupon the whole revelation of God
in Christ, and particularly of God in Christ reconciling the world unto
himself; and therefore the apostle may well infer, Whosoever denies the
Son the same has not the Father (v. 23); he has not the true knowledge
of the Father, for the Son has most and best revealed him; he has no
interest in the Father, in his favour, and grace, and salvation, for
none cometh to the Father but by the Son. But, as some copies add, he
that acknowledgeth the Son has the Father also, v. 23. As there is an
intimate relation between the Father and the Son, so there is an
inviolable union in the doctrine, knowledge, and interests of both; so
that he who has the knowledge of, and right to, the Son, has the
knowledge of, and right to, the Father also. Those that adhere to the
Christian revelation hold the light and benefit of natural religion
withal.
IV. Hereupon the apostle advises and persuades the disciples to
continue in the old doctrine at first communicated to them: Let that
therefore abide in you which you have heard from the beginning, v. 24.
Truth is older than error. The truth concerning Christ, that was at
first delivered to the saints, is not to be exchanged for novelties. So
sure were the apostles of the truth of what they had delivered
concerning Christ, and from him, that after all their toils and
sufferings they were not willing to relinquish it. The Christian truth
may plead antiquity, and be recommended thereby. This exhortation is
enforced by these considerations:--
1. From the sacred advantage they will receive by adhering to the
primitive truth and faith. (1.) They will continue thereby in holy
union with God and Christ: If that which you have heard from the
beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son and
in the Father, v. 24. It is the truth of Christ abiding in us that is
the means of severing us from sin and uniting us to the Son of God,
John xv. 3, 4. The Son is the medium or the Mediator by whom we are
united to the Father. What value then should we put upon gospel truth!
(2.) They will thereby secure the promise of eternal life: And this is
the promise that he (even God the Father, ch. v. 11) hath promised us,
even eternal life, v. 25. Great is the promise that God makes to his
faithful adherents. It is suitable to his own greatness, power, and
goodness. It is eternal life, which none but God can give. The blessed
God puts great value upon his Son, and the truth relating to him, when
he is pleased to promise to those who continue in that truth (under the
light, and power, and influence of it) eternal life. Then the
exhortation aforesaid is enforced,
2. From the design of the apostle's writing to them. This letter is to
fortify them against the deceivers of the age: "These things have I
written to you concerning those that seduce you (v. 26), and therefore,
if you continue not in what you have heard from the beginning, my
writing and service will be in vain." We should beware lest the
apostolical letters, yea, lest the whole scripture of God, should be to
us insignificant and fruitless. I have written to him the great things
of my law (and my gospel too), but they were counted as a strange
thing, Hos. viii. 12.
3. From the instructive blessing they had received from heaven: But the
anointing which you have received from him abideth in you, v. 27. True
Christians have an inward confirmation of the divine truth they have
imbibed: the Holy Spirit has imprinted it on their minds and hearts. It
is meet that the Lord Jesus should have a constant witness in the
hearts of his disciples. The unction, the pouring out of the gifts of
grace upon sincere disciples, is a seal to the truth and doctrine of
Christ, since none giveth that seal but God. Now he who establisheth us
with you (and you with us) in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God, 2
Cor. i. 21. This sacred chrism, or divine unction, is commended on
these accounts:--(1.) It is durable and lasting; oil or unguent is not
so soon dried up as water: it abideth in you, v. 27. Divine
illumination, in order to confirmation, must be something continued or
constant. Temptations, snares, and seductions, arise. The anointing
must abide. (2.) It is better than human instruction: "And you need not
that any man teach you, v. 27. Not that this anointing will teach you
without the appointed ministry. It could, if God so pleased; but it
will not, though it will teach you better than we can: And you need not
that any man teach you, v. 27. You were instructed by us before you
were anointed; but now our teaching is nothing in comparison to that.
Who teacheth like him?" Job xxxvi. 22. The divine unction does not
supersede ministerial teaching, but surmount it. (3.) It is a sure
evidence of truth, and all that it teaches is infallible truth: But as
the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no
lie, v. 27. The Holy Spirit must needs be the Spirit of truth, as he is
called, John xiv. 17. The instruction and illumination that he affords
must needs be in and of the truth. The Spirit of truth will not lie;
and he teacheth all things, that is, all things in the present
dispensation, all things necessary to our knowledge of God in Christ,
and their glory in the gospel. And, (4.) It is of a conservative
influence; it will preserve those in whom it abides against seducers
and their seduction: "And even as it hath taught you you shall abide in
him, v. 27. It teaches you to abide in Christ; and, as it teaches you,
it secures you; it lays a restraint upon your minds and hearts, that
you may not revolt from him. And he that hath anointed us is God, who
also hath sealed us for himself, and given the earnest of the Spirit in
our hearts." 2 Cor. i. 21, 22.
Christ's Second Appearance. (a. d. 80.)
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear,
we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth
righteousness is born of him.
From the blessing of the sacred unction the apostle proceeds in his
advice and exhortation to constancy in and with Christ: And now, little
children, abide in him, v. 28. The apostle repeats his kind
appellation, little children, which I suppose does not so much denote
their diminutiveness as his affection, and therefore, I judge, may be
rendered dear children. He would persuade by love, and prevail by
endearment as well as by reason. "Not only the love of Christ, but the
love of you, constrains us to inculcate your perseverance, and that you
would abide in him, in the truth relating to his person, and in your
union with him and allegiance to him." Evangelical privileges are
obligatory to evangelical duties; and those that are anointed by the
Lord Jesus are highly obliged to abide with him in opposition to all
adversaries whatever. This duty of perseverance and constancy in trying
times is strongly urged by the two following considerations:--1. From
the consideration of his return at the great day of account: That when
he shall appear we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before him
at his coming, v. 28. It is here taken for granted that the Lord Jesus
will come again. This was part of that truth they had heard from the
beginning. And, when he shall come again, he will publicly appear, be
manifested to all. When he was here before, he came privately, in
comparison. He proceeded from a womb, and was introduced into a stable:
but, when he shall come again, he will come from the opened heavens,
and every eye shall see him; and then those who have continued with him
throughout all their temptations shall have confidence, assurance, and
joy, in the sight of him. They shall lift up their heads with
unspeakable triumph, as knowing that their complete redemption comes
along with him. On the contrary, those that have deserted him shall be
ashamed before him; they shall be ashamed of themselves, ashamed of
their unbelief, their cowardice, ingratitude, temerity, and folly, in
forsaking so glorious a Redeemer. They shall be ashamed of their hopes,
expectations, and pretences, and ashamed of all the wages of
unrighteousness, by which they were induced to desert him: That we may
have confidence, and may not be ashamed. The apostle includes himself
in the number. "Let not us be ashamed of you," as well as, "you will
not be ashamed of yourselves." Or me aischynthomen ap autou--that we be
not ashamed (made ashamed, or put to shame) by him at his coming. At
his public appearance he will shame all those who have abandoned him,
he will disclaim all acquaintance with them, will cover them with shame
and confusion, will abandon them to darkness, devils, and endless
despair, by professing before men and angels that he is ashamed of
them, Mark viii. 38. To the same advice and exhortation he proceeds, 2.
From the consideration of the dignity of those who still adhere to
Christ and his religion: If you know that he is righteous, you know
that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him, v. 29. The
particle here rendered if seems not to be vox dubitantis, but
concedentis; not so much a conditional particle, as a suppositional
one, if I may call it so, a note of allowance or concession, and so
seems to be of the same import with our English inasmuch, or whereas,
or since. So the sense runs more clearly: Since you know that he is
righteous, you know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of
him. He that doeth righteousness may here be justly enough assumed as
another name for him that abideth in Christ. For he that abideth in
Christ abideth in the law and love of Christ, and consequently in his
allegiance and obedience to him; and so must do, or work, or practise,
righteousness, or the parts of gospel holiness. Now such a one must
needs be born of him. He is renewed by the Spirit of Christ, after the
image of Christ, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath fore-ordained that he should walk in them, Eph. ii. 10. "Since
then you know that the Lord Christ is righteous (righteous in his
quality and capacity, the Lord our righteousness, and the Lord our
sanctifier or our sanctification, as 1 Cor. i. 30), you cannot but know
thereupon" (or know you, it is for your consideration and regard) "that
he who by the continued practice of Christianity abideth in him is born
of him." The new spiritual nature is derived from the Lord Christ. He
that is constant to the practice of religion in trying times gives good
evidence that he is born from above, from the Lord Christ. The Lord
Christ is an everlasting Father. It is a great privilege and dignity to
be born of him. Those that are so are the children of God. To as many
as received him to them gave he power to become the sons of God, John
i. 12. And this introduces the context of the following chapter.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T J O H N.
CHAP. III.
The apostle here magnifies the love of God in our adoption, ver. 1, 2.
He thereupon argues for holiness (ver. 3), and against sin, ver. 4-19.
He presses brotherly love, ver. 11-18. How to assure our hearts before
God, ver. 19-22. The precept of faith, ver. 23. And the good of
obedience, ver. 24.
Adoption. (a. d. 80.)
1 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not,
because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and
it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he
shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3
And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he
is pure.
The apostle, having shown the dignity of Christ's faithful followers,
that they are born of him and thereby nearly allied to God, now here,
I. Breaks forth into the admiration of that grace that is the spring of
such a wonderful vouchsafement: Behold (see you, observe) what manner
of love, or how great love, the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we
should be called, effectually called (he who calls things that are not
makes them to be what they were not) the sons of God! The Father adopts
all the children of the Son. The Son indeed calls them, and makes them
his brethren; and thereby he confers upon them the power and dignity of
the sons of God. It is wonderful condescending love of the eternal
Father, that such as we should be made and called his sons--we who by
nature are heirs of sin, and guilt, and the curse of God--we who by
practice are children of corruption, disobedience, and ingratitude!
Strange, that the holy God is not ashamed to be called our Father, and
to call us his sons! Thence the apostle,
II. Infers the honour of believers above the cognizance of the world.
Unbelievers know little of them. Therefore (or wherefore, upon this
score) the world knoweth us not, v. 1. Little does the world perceive
the advancement and happiness of the genuine followers of Christ. They
are here exposed to the common calamities of earth and time; all things
fall alike to them as to others, or rather they are subject to the
greater sorrow, for they have often reason to say, If in this life only
we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable, 1 Cor. xv.
19. The unchristian world, therefore, that walks by sight, knows not
their dignity, their privileges, the enjoyments they have in hand, nor
what they are entitled to. Little does the world think that these poor,
humble, contemned ones are the favourites of heaven, and will be
inhabitants there ere long. And they may bear their case the better
since their Lord was here unknown as well as they: Because it knew him
not, v. 1. Little did the world think how great a person was once
sojourning here, that the Maker of it was once an inhabitant of it.
Little did the Jewish world think that the God of Abraham, Isaac, and
Jacob, was one of their blood, and dwelt in their land; he came to his
own, and his own received him not. He came to his own, and his own
crucified him; but surely, had they known him, they would not have
crucified the Lord of glory, 1 Cor. ii. 8. Let the followers of Christ
be content with hard fare here, since they are in a land of strangers,
among those who little know them, and their Lord was so treated before
them. Then the apostle,
III. Exalts these persevering disciples in the prospect of the certain
revelation of their state and dignity. Here, 1. Their present
honourable relation is asserted: Beloved (you may well be our beloved,
for you are beloved of God), now are we the sons of God, v. 2. We have
the nature of sons by regeneration: we have the title, and spirit, and
right to the inheritance of sons by adoption. This honour have all the
saints. 2. The discovery of the bliss belonging and suitable to this
relation is denied: And it doth not yet appear what we shall be, v. 2.
The glory pertaining to the sonship and adoption is adjourned and
reserved for another world. The discovery of it here would put a stop
to the current of affairs that must now proceed. The sons of God must
walk by faith, and live by hope. 3. The time of the revelation of the
sons of God in their proper state and glory is determined; and that is
when their elder brother comes to call and collect them all together:
But we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him. The
particle, ean, usually translated if, is here well rendered when; for
the Hebrew particle am (to which this is thought to correspond) is
observed so to signify, as Dr. Whitby has here noted; and not only is
ean sometimes used for hotan, but some copies even here read hotan,
when. And accordingly it seems proper so to render it in John xiv. 3,
where we read it, And if I go, and prepare a place; but more naturally
and properly, When I shall have gone, and shall have prepared the
place, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, or
paralepsomai--I will take you along with myself, that where I am there
you may be also. When the head of the church, the only-begotten of the
Father, shall appear, his members, the adopted of God, shall appear and
be manifested together with him. They may then well wait in faith,
hope, and earnest desire, for the revelation of the Lord Jesus; as even
the creation itself waiteth for their perfection, and the public
manifestation of the sons of God, Rom. viii. 19. The sons of God will
be known and be made manifest by their likeness to their head: They
shall be like him--like him in honour, and power, and glory. Their vile
bodies shall be made like his glorious body; they shall be filled with
life, light, and bliss from him. When he, who is their life, shall
appear, they also shall appear with him in glory, Col. iii. 4. Then, 4.
Their likeness to him is argued from the sight they shall have of him:
We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is. Their likeness
will be the cause of that sight which they shall have of him. Indeed,
all shall see him, but not as they do; not as he is, namely, to those
in heaven. The wicked shall see him in his frowns, in the terror of his
majesty, and the splendour of his avenging perfections; but these shall
see him in the smiles and beauty of his face, in the correspondence and
amiableness of his glory, in the harmony and agreeableness of his
beatific perfections. Their likeness shall enable them to see him as
the blessed do in heaven. Or the sight of him shall be the cause of
their likeness; it shall be a transformative sight: they shall be
transformed into the same image by the beatific view that they shall
have of him. Then the apostle,
IV. Urges the engagement of these sons of God to the prosecution of
holiness: And every man that hath this hope in him purifies himself
even as he is pure, v. 3. The sons of God know that their Lord is holy
and pure; he is of purer heart and eyes than to admit any pollution or
impurity to dwell with him. Those then who hope to live with him must
study the utmost purity from the world, and flesh, and sin; they must
grow in grace and holiness. Not only does their Lord command them to do
so, but their new nature inclines them so to do; yea, their hope of
heaven will dictate and constrain them so to do. They know that their
high priest is holy, harmless, and undefiled. They know that their God
and Father is the high and holy one, that all the society is pure and
holy, that their inheritance is an inheritance of saints in light. It
is a contradiction to such hope to indulge sin and impurity. And
therefore, as we are sanctified by faith, we must be sanctified by
hope. That we may be saved by hope we must be purified by hope. It is
the hope of hypocrites, and not of the sons of God, that makes an
allowance for the gratification of impure desires and lusts.
The Mark of God's Children. (a. d. 80.)
4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the
transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to
take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him
sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.
7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness
is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of
the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose
the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the
devil. 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed
remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. 10 In
this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil:
whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth
not his brother.
The apostle, having alleged the believer's obligation to purity from
his hope of heaven, and of communion with Christ in glory at the day of
his appearance, now proceeds to fill his own mouth and the believer's
mind with multiplied arguments against sin, and all communion with the
impure unfruitful works of darkness. And so he reasons and argues,
I. From the nature of sin and the intrinsic evil of it. It is a
contrariety to the divine law: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth
also (or even) the law (or, whosoever committeth sin even committeth
enormity, or aberration from law, or from the law); for sin is the
transgression of the law, or is lawlessness, v. 4. Sin is the
destitution or privation of correspondence and agreement with the
divine law, that law which is the transcript of the divine nature and
purity, which contains his will for the government of the world, which
is suitable to the rational nature, and enacted for the good of the
world, which shows man the way of felicity and peace, and conducts him
to the author of his nature and of the law. The current commission of
sin now is the rejection of the divine law, and this is the rejection
of the divine authority, and consequently of God himself.
II. From the design and errand of the Lord Jesus in and to this world,
which was to remove sin: And you know that he was manifested to take
away our sins, and in him is no sin, v. 5. The Son of God appeared, and
was known, in our nature; and he came to vindicate and exalt the divine
law, and that by obedience to the precept, and by subjection and
suffering under the penal sanction, under the curse of it. He came
therefore to take away our sins, to take away the guilt of them by the
sacrifice of himself, to take away the commission of them by implanting
a new nature in us (for we are sanctifies by virtue of his death), and
to dissuade and save from it by his own example, and (or for) in him
was no sin; or, he takes sin away, that he may conform us to himself,
and in him is no sin. Those that expect communion with Christ above
should study communion with him here in the utmost purity. And the
Christian world should know and consider the great end of the Son of
God's coming hither: it was to take away our sin: And you know (and
this knowledge should be deep and effectual) that he was manifested to
take away our sins.
III. From the opposition between sin and a real union with or adhesion
to the Lord Christ: Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not, v. 6. To sin
here is the same as to commit sin (v. 8, 9), and to commit sin is to
practise sin. He that abideth in Christ continues not in the practice
of sin. As vital union with the Lord Jesus broke the power of sin in
the heart and nature, so continuance therein prevents the regency and
prevalence thereof in the life and conduct. Or the negative expression
here is put for the positive: He sinneth not, that is, he is obedient,
he keeps the commandments (in sincerity, and in the ordinary course of
life) and does those things that are pleasing in his sight, as is said
v. 22. Those that abide in Christ abide in their covenant with him, and
consequently watch against the sin that is contrary thereto. They abide
in the potent light and knowledge of him; and therefore it may be
concluded that he that sinneth (abideth in the predominant practice of
sin) hath not seen him (hath not his mind impressed with a sound
evangelical discerning of him), neither known him, hath no experimental
acquaintance with him. Practical renunciation of sin is the great
evidence of spiritual union with, continuance in, and saving knowledge
of, the Lord Christ.
IV. From the connection between the practice of righteousness and a
state of righteousness, intimating withal that the practice of sin and
a justified state are inconsistent; and this is introduced with a
supposition that a surmise to the contrary is a gross deceit: "Little
children, dear children, and as much children as you are, herein let no
man deceive you. There will be those who will magnify your new light
and entertainment of Christianity, who will make you believe that your
knowledge, profession, and baptism, will excuse you from the care and
accuracy of the Christian life. But beware of such self-deceit. He that
doeth righteousness in righteous." It may appear that righteousness may
in several places of scripture be justly rendered religion, as Matt. v.
10, Blessed are those that are persecuted for righteousness' sake, that
is, for religion's sake; 1 Pet. iii. 14, But if you suffer for
righteousness' sake (religion's sake) happy are you; and 2 Tim. iii.
16, All scripture, or the whole scripture, is given by inspiration of
God, and is profitable for doctrine--and for instruction in
righteousness, that is, in the nature and branches of religion. To do
righteousness then, especially being set in opposition to the doing,
committing, or practising, of sin, is to practise religion. Now he who
practiseth religion is righteous; he is the righteous person on all
accounts; he is sincere and upright before God. The practice of
religion cannot subsist without a principle of integrity and
conscience. He has that righteousness which consists in pardon of sin
and right to life, founded upon the imputation of the Mediator's
righteousness. He has a title to the crown of righteousness, which the
righteous Judge will give, according to his covenant and promise, to
those that love his appearing, 2 Tim. iv. 8. He has communion with
Christ, in conformity to the divine law, being in some measure
practically righteous as he; and he has communion with him in the
justified state, being now relatively righteous together with him.
V. From the relation between the sinner and the devil, and thereupon
from the design and office of the Lord Christ against the devil. 1.
From the relation between the sinner and the devil. As elsewhere
sinners and saints are distinguished (though even saints are sinners
largely so called), so to commit sin is here so to practise it as
sinners do, that are distinguished from saints, to live under the power
and dominion of it; and he who does so is of the devil; his sinful
nature is inspired by, and agreeable and pleasing to, the devil; and he
belongs to the party, and interest, and kingdom of the devil. It is he
that is the author and patron of sin, and has been a practitioner of
it, a tempter and instigator to it, even from the beginning of the
world. And thereupon we must see how he argues. 2. From the design and
office of the Lord Christ against the devil: For this purpose the Son
of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil, v.
8. The devil has designed and endeavoured to ruin the work of God in
this world. The Son of God has undertaken the holy war against him. He
came into our world, and was manifested in our flesh, that he might
conquer him and dissolve his works. Sin will he loosen and dissolve
more and more, till he has quite destroyed it. Let not us serve or
indulge what the Son of God came to destroy.
VI. From the connection between regeneration and the relinquishment of
sin: Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin. To be born of God is
to be inwardly renewed, and restored to a holy integrity or rectitude
of nature by the power of the Spirit of God. Such a one committeth not
sin, does not work iniquity nor practise disobedience, which is
contrary to his new nature and the regenerate complexion of his spirit;
for, as the apostle adds, his seed remaineth in him, either the word of
God in its light and power remaineth in him (as 1 Pet. i. 23, Being
born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word
of God, which liveth and abideth for ever), or, that which is born of
the Spirit is spirit; the spiritual seminal principle of holiness
remaineth in him. Renewing grace is an abiding principle. Religion, in
the spring of it, is not an art, an acquired dexterity and skill, but a
new nature. And thereupon the consequence is the regenerate person
cannot sin. That he cannot commit an act of sin, I suppose no judicious
interpreter understands. This would be contrary to ch. i. 9, where it
is made our duty to confess our sins, and supposed that our privilege
thereupon is to have our sins forgiven. He therefore cannot sin, in the
sense in which the apostle says, he cannot commit sin. He cannot
continue in the course and practice of sin. He cannot so sin as to
denominate him a sinner in opposition to a saint or servant of God.
Again, he cannot sin comparatively, as he did before he was born of
God, and as others do that are not so. And the reason is because he is
born of God, which will amount to all this inhibition and impediment.
1. There is a light in his mind which shows him the evil and malignity
of sin. 2. There is that bias upon his heart which disposes him to
loathe and hate sin. 3. There is the spiritual seminal principle or
disposition, that breaks the force and fulness of the sinful acts. They
proceed not from such plenary power of corruption as they do in others,
nor obtain that plenitude of heart, spirit, and consent, which they do
in others. The spirit lusteth against the flesh. And therefore in
respect to such sin it may be said, It is no more I that do it, but sin
that dwelleth in me. It is not reckoned the person's sin, in the gospel
account, where the bent and frame of the mind and spirit are against
it. Then, 4. There is a disposition for humiliation and repentance for
sin, when it has been committed. He that is born of God cannot sin.
Here we may call to mind the usual distinction of natural and moral
impotency. The unregenerate person is morally unable for what is
religiously good. The regenerate person is happily disabled for sin.
There is a restraint, an embargo (as we may say), laid upon his sinning
powers. It goes against him sedately and deliberately to sin. We
usually say of a person of known integrity, "He cannot lie, he cannot
cheat, and commit other enormities." How can I commit this great
wickedness, and sin against God! Gen. xxxix. 9. And so those who
persist in a sinful life sufficiently demonstrate that they are not
born of God.
VII. From the discrimination between the children of God and the
children of the devil. They have their distinct characters. In this the
children of God are manifest and the children of the devil, v. 10. In
the world (according to the old distinction) there are the seed of God
and the seed of the serpent. Now the seed of the serpent is known by
these two signatures:--1. By neglect of religion: Whosoever doeth not
righteously (omits and disregards the rights and dues of God; for
religion is but our righteousness towards God, or giving him his due,
and whosoever does not conscientiously do this) is not of God, but, on
the contrary, of the devil. The devil is the father of unrighteous or
irreligious souls. And, 2. By hatred of fellow-christians: Neither he
that loveth not his brother, v. 10. True Christians are to be loved for
God's and Christ's sake. Those who so love them not, but despise, and
hate, and persecute them, have the serpentine nature still abiding in
them.
Brotherly Love. (a. d. 80.)
11 For this is the message that ye heard from the beginning, that we
should love one another. 12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one,
and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works
were evil, and his brother's righteous. 13 Marvel not, my brethren,
if the world hate you.
The apostle, having intimated that one mark of the devil's children is
hatred of the brethren, takes occasion thence,
I. To recommend fraternal Christian love, and that from the excellence,
or antiquity, or primariness of the injunction relating thereto: And
this is the message (the errand or charge) which you heard from the
beginning (this came among the principal parts of practical
Christianity), that we should love one another, v. 11. We should love
the Lord Jesus, and value his love, and consequently love all the
objects of it, and thereupon all our brethren in Christ.
II. To dissuade from what is contrary thereto, all ill-will towards the
brethren, and that by the example of Cain. His envy and malignity
should deter us from harbouring the like passion, and that upon these
accounts:--1. It showed that he was as the first-born of the serpent's
seed; even he, the eldest son of the first man, was of the wicked one.
He imitated and resembled the first wicked one, the devil. 2. His
ill-will had no restraint; it proceeded so far as to contrive and
accomplish murder, and that of a near relation, and that in the
beginning of the world, when there were but few to replenish it. He
slew his brother, v. 12. Sin, indulged, knows no bound. And, 3. It
proceeded so far, and had in it so much of the devil, that he murdered
his brother for religion's sake. He was vexed with the superiority of
Abel's service, and envied him the favour and acceptance he had with
God. And for these he martyred his brother. And wherefore slew he him?
Because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous, v. 12.
Ill-will will teach us to hate and revenge what we should admire and
imitate. And then,
III. To infer that it is no wonder that good men are so served now:
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you, v. 13. The serpentine
nature still continues in the world. The great serpent himself reigns
as the God of this world. Wonder not then that the serpentine world
hates and hisses at you who belong to that seed of the woman that is to
bruise the serpent's head.
Brotherly Love. (a. d. 80.)
14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love
the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death. 15
Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no
murderer hath eternal life abiding in him. 16 Hereby perceive we the
love of God, because he laid down his life for us: and we ought to lay
down our lives for the brethren. 17 But whoso hath this world's good,
and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of
compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 18 My
little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in
deed and in truth. 19 And hereby we know that we are of the truth,
and shall assure our hearts before him.
The beloved apostle can scarcely touch upon the mention of sacred love,
but he must enlarge upon the enforcement of it, as here he does by
divers arguments and incentives thereto; as,
I. That it is a mark of our evangelical justification, of our
transition into a state of life: We know that we have passed from death
to life, because we love the brethren, v. 14. We are by nature children
of wrath and heirs of death. By the gospel (the gospel-covenant or
promise) our state towards another world is altered and changed. We
pass from death to life, from the guilt of death to the right of life;
and this transition is made upon our believing in the Lord Jesus: He
that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth
not hath the wrath of God abiding on him, John iii. 36. Now this happy
change of state we may come to be assured of: We know that we have
passed from death to life; we may know it by the evidences of our faith
in Christ, of which this love to our brethren is one, which leads us to
characterize this love that is such a mark of our justified state. It
is not a zeal for a party in the common religion, or an affection for,
or an affectation of, those who are of the same denomination and
subordinate sentiments with ourselves. But this love,
1. Supposes a general love to mankind: the law of Christian love, in
the Christian community, is founded on the catholic law, in the society
of mankind, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Mankind are to be
loved principally on these two accounts:--(1.) As the excellent work of
God, made by him, and made in wonderful resemblance of him. The reason
that God assigns for the certain punishment of a murderer is a reason
against our hatred of any of the brethren of mankind, and consequently
a reason for our love to them: for in the image of God made he man,
Gen. ix. 6. (2.) As being, in some measure, beloved in Christ. The
whole race of mankind--the gens humana, should be considered as being,
in distinction from fallen angels, a redeemed nation; as having a
divine Redeemer designed, prepared, and given for them. So God loved
the world, even this world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, that
whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have everlasting
life, John iii. 16. A world so beloved of God should accordingly be
loved by us. And this love will exert itself in earnest desires, and
prayers, and attempts, for the conversion and salvation of the yet
uncalled blinded world. My heart's desire and prayer for Israel are
that they may be saved. And then this love will include all due love to
enemies themselves.
2. It includes a peculiar love to the Christian society, to the
catholic church, and that for the sake of her head, as being his body,
as being redeemed, justified, and sanctified in and by him; and this
love particularly acts and operates towards those of the catholic
church that we have opportunity of being personally acquainted with or
credibly informed of. They are not so much loved for their own sakes as
for the sake of God and Christ, who have loved them. And it is God and
Christ, or, if you will, the love of God and grace of Christ, that are
beloved and valued in them and towards them. And so this is the issue
of faith in Christ, and is thereupon a note of our passage from death
to life.
II. The hatred of our brethren is, on the contrary, a sign of our
deadly state, of our continuance under the legal sentence of death: He
that loveth not his brother (his brother in Christ) abideth in death,
v. 14. He yet stands under the curse and condemnation of the law. This
the apostle argues by a clear syllogism: "You know that no murderer
hath eternal life abiding in him; but he who hates his brother is a
murderer; and therefore you cannot but know that he who hates his
brother hath not eternal life abiding in him," v. 15. Or, he abideth in
death, as it is expressed, v. 14, Whosoever hateth his brother is a
murderer; for hatred of the person is, so far as it prevails, a hatred
of life and welfare, and naturally tends to desire the extinction of
it. Cain hated, and then slew, his brother. Hatred will shut up the
bowels of compassion from the poor brethren, and will thereby expose
them to the sorrows of death. And it has appeared that hatred of the
brethren has in all ages dressed them up in ill names, odious
characters, and calumnies, and exposed them to persecution and the
sword. No wonder, then, that he who has a considerable acquaintance
with the heart of man, or is taught by him who fully knows it, who
knows the natural tendency and issue of vile and violent passions, and
knows withal the fulness of the divine law, declares him who hates his
brother to be a murderer. Now he who by the frame and disposition of
his heart is a murderer cannot have eternal life abiding in him; for he
who is such must needs be carnally-minded, and to be carnally-minded is
death, Rom. viii. 6. The apostle, by the expression of having eternal
life abiding in us, may seem to mean the possession of an internal
principle of endless life, according to that of the Saviour, Whosoever
drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst, shall
never be totally destitute thereof; but the water that I shall give him
shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life,
John iv. 14. And thereupon some may be apt to surmise that the passing
from death to life (v. 14) does not signify the relative change made in
our justification of life, but the real change made in the regeneration
to life; and accordingly that the abiding in death mentioned v. 14 is
continuance in spiritual death, as it is usually called, or abiding in
the corrupt deadly temper of nature. But as these passages more
naturally denote the state of the person, whether adjudged to life or
death, so the relative transition from death to life may well be proved
or disproved by the possession or non-possession of the inward
principle of eternal life, since washing from the guilt of sin is
inseparably united with washing from the filth and power of sin. But
you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified, in the
name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God, 1 Cor. vi. 11.
III. The example of God and Christ should inflame our hearts with this
holy love: Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his
life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren, v.
16. The great God has given his Son to the death for us. But since this
apostle has declared that the Word was God, and that he became flesh
for us, I see not why we may not interpret this of God the Word. Here
is the love of God himself, of him who in his own person is God, though
not the Father, that he assumed a life, that he might lay it down for
us! Here is the condescension, the miracle, the mystery of divine love,
that God would redeem the church with his own blood! Surely we should
love those whom God hath loved, and so loved; and we shall certainly do
so if we have any love for God.
IV. The apostle, having proposed this flaming constraining example of
love, and motive to it, proceeds to show us what should be the temper
and effect of this our Christian love. And, 1. It must be, in the
highest degree, so fervent as to make us willing to suffer even to
death for the good of the church, for the safety and salvation of the
dear brethren: And we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren (v.
16), either in our ministrations and services to them (yea, and if I be
offered upon the service and sacrifice of your faith, I joy and rejoice
with you all--I shall congratulate your felicity, Phil. ii. 17), or in
exposing ourselves to hazards, when called thereto, for the safety and
preservation of those that are more serviceable to the glory of God and
the edification of the church than we can be. Who have for my life laid
down their own necks; unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all
the churches of the Gentiles, Rom. xvi. 4. How mortified should the
Christian be to this life! How prepared to part with it! And how well
assured of a better! 2. It must be, in the next degree, compassionate,
liberal, and communicative to the necessities of the brethren: For
whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and
shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of
God in him? v. 17. It pleases God that some of the Christian brethren
should be poor, for the exercise of the charity and love of those that
are rich. And it pleases the same God to give to some of the Christian
brethren this world's good, that they may exercise their grace in
communicating to the poor saints. And those who have this world's good
must love a good God more, and their good brethren more, and be ready
to distribute it for their sakes. It appears here that this love to the
brethren is founded upon love to God, in that it is here called so by
the apostle: How dwelleth the love of God in him? This love to the
brethren is love to God in them; and where there is none of this love
to them there is no true love to God at all. 3. I was going to intimate
the third and lowest degree in the next verse; but the apostle has
prevented me, by intimating that this last charitable communicative
love, in persons of ability, is the lowest that can consist with the
love of God. But there may be other fruits of this love; and therefore
the apostle desires that in all it should be unfeigned and operative,
as circumstances will allow: My little children (my dear children in
Christ), let us not love in word, neither in tongue, but in deed and in
truth, v. 18. Compliments and flatteries become not Christians; but the
sincere expressions of sacred affection, and the services or labours of
love, do. Then,
V. This love will evince our sincerity in religion, and give us hope
towards God: And hereby we know that we are of the truth, and shall
assure our hearts before him, v. 19. It is a great happiness to be
assured of our integrity in religion. Those that are so assured may
have holy boldness or confidence towards God; they may appeal to him
from the censures and condemnation of the world. The way to arrive at
the knowledge of our own truth and uprightness in Christianity, and to
secure our inward peace, is to abound in love and in the works of love
towards the Christian brethren.
The Testimony of Conscience. (a. d. 80.)
20 For if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and
knoweth all things. 21 Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then
have we confidence toward God. 22 And whatsoever we ask, we receive
of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are
pleasing in his sight.
The apostle, having intimated that there may be, even among us, such a
privilege as an assurance or sound persuasion of heart towards God,
proceeds here,
I. To establish the court of conscience, and to assert the authority of
it: For, if our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and
knoweth all things, v. 20. Our heart here is our self-reflecting
judicial power, that noble excellent ability whereby we can take
cognizance of ourselves, of our spirits, our dispositions, and actions,
and accordingly pass a judgment upon our state towards God; and so it
is the same with conscience, or the power of moral self-consciousness.
This power can act as witness, judge, and executioner of judgment; it
either accuses or excuses, condemns or justifies; it is set and placed
in this office by God himself: the spirit of man, thus capacitated and
empowered, is the candle of the Lord, a luminary lighted and set up by
the Lord, searching all the inward parts of the belly, taking into
scrutiny and viewing the penetralia--the private recesses and secret
transactions of the inner man, Prov. xx. 27. Conscience is God's
vicegerent, calls the court in his name, and acts for him. The answer
of a good conscience towards God, 1 Pet. iii. 21. God is chief Judge of
the court: If our heart condemn us God is greater than our heart,
superior to our heart and conscience in power and judgment; hence the
act and judgment of the court are the act and judgment of God; as, 1.
If conscience condemn us, God does so too: For, if our heart condemn
us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things, v. 20. God
is a greater witness than our conscience, and knoweth more against us
than it does: he knoweth all things; he is a greater Judge than
conscience; for, as he is supreme, so his judgment shall stand, and
shall be fully and finally executed. This seems to be the design of
another apostle when he says, For I know nothing by myself, that is, in
the case wherein I am censured by some. "I am not conscious of any
guile, or allowed unfaithfulness, in my stewardship and ministry. Yet I
am hereby justified; it is not by my own conscience that I must
ultimately stand or fall; the justification or justifying sentence of
my conscience, or self-consciousness, will not determine the
controversy between you and me; as you do not appeal to its sentence,
so neither will you be determined by its decision; but he that judgeth
me (supremely and finally judgeth me), and by whose judgment you and I
must be determined, is the Lord," 1 Cor. iv. 4. Or, 2. If conscience
acquit us, God does so too: Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then
have we confidence toward God (v. 21), then have we assurance that he
accepts us now, and will acquit us in the great day of account. But,
possibly, some presumptuous soul may here say, "I am glad of this; my
heart does not condemn me, and therefore I may conclude God does not."
As, on the contrary, upon the foregoing verse, some pious trembling
soul will be ready to cry out, "God forbid! My heart or conscience
condemns me, and must I then infallibly expect the condemnation of
God?" But let such know that the errors of the witness are not here
reckoned as the acts of the court; ignorance, error, prejudice,
partiality, and presumption, may be said to be faults of the officers
of the court, or of the attendants of the judge (as the mind, the will,
appetite, passion, sensual disposition, or disordered brain), or of the
jury, who give a false verdict, not of the judge itself;
conscience--syneidesis, is properly self-consciousness. Acts of
ignorance and error are not acts of self-consciousness, but of some
mistaken power; and the court of conscience is here described in its
process, according to the original constitution of it by God himself,
according to which process what is bound in conscience is bound in
heaven; let conscience therefore be heard, be well-informed, and
diligently attended to.
II. To indicate the privilege of those who have a good conscience
towards God. They have interest in heaven and in the court above; their
suits are heard there: And whatsoever we ask we receive of him, v. 22.
It is supposed that the petitioners do not desire, or do not intend to
desire, any thing that is contrary to the honour and glory of the court
or to their own intended spiritual good, and then they may depend upon
receiving the good things they ask for; and this supposition may well
be made concerning the petitioners, or they may well be supposed to
receive the good things they ask for, considering their qualification
and practice: Because we keep his commandments, and do those things
that are pleasing in his sight, v. 22. Obedient souls are prepared for
blessings, and they have promise of audience; those who commit things
displeasing to God cannot expect that he should please them in hearing
and answering their prayers, Ps. lxvi. 18; Prov. xxviii. 9.
God's Commandments. (a. d. 80.)
23 And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of
his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
24 And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in
him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he
hath given us.
The apostle, having mentioned keeping the commandments, and pleasing
God, as the qualification of effectual petitioners in and with Heaven,
here suitably proceeds,
I. To represent to us what those commandments primarily and summarily
are; they are comprehended in this double one: And this is his
commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus
Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment, v. 23. To
believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ is, 1. To discern what he
is, according to his name, to have an intellectual view of his person
and office, as the Son of God, and the anointed Saviour of the world.
That every one that seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have
everlasting life, John vi. 40. 2. To approve him in judgment and
conscience, in conviction and consciousness of our case, as one wisely
and wonderfully prepared and adapted for the whole work of eternal
salvation. 3. To consent to him, and acquiesce in him, as our Redeemer
and recoverer unto God. 4. To trust to him, and rely upon him, for the
full and final discharge of his saving office. Those that know thy name
will put their trust in thee, Ps. ix. 10. I know whom I have believed,
and I am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed
unto him against that day, 2 Tim. i. 12. This faith is a needful
requisite to those who would be prevalent petitioners with God, because
it is by the Son that we must come to the Father; through his grace and
righteousness our persons must be accepted or ingratiated with the
Father (Eph. i. 6), through his purchase all our desired blessings must
come, and through his intercession our prayers must be heard and
answered. This is the first part of the commandment that must be
observed by acceptable worshippers; the second is that we love one
another, as he gave us commandment, v. 23. The command of Christ should
be continually before our eyes. Christian love must possess our soul
when we go to God in prayer. To this end we must remember that our Lord
obliges us, (1.) To forgive those who offend us (Matt. vi. 14), and,
(2.) To reconcile ourselves to those whom we have offended, Matt. v.
23, 24. As good-will to men was proclaimed from heaven, so good-will to
men, and particularly to the brethren, must be carried in the hearts of
those who go to God and heaven.
II. To represent to us the blessedness of obedience to these commands.
The obedient enjoy communion with God: And he that keepeth his
commandments, and particularly those of faith and love, dwelleth in
him, and he in him, v. 24. We dwell in God by a happy relation to him,
and spiritual union with him, through his Son, and by a holy converse
with him; and God dwells in us by his word, and our faith fixed on him,
and by the operations of his Spirit. Then there occurs the trial of his
divine inhabitation: And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the
Spirit which he hath given us (v. 24), by the sacred disposition and
frame of soul that he hath conferred upon us, which being a spirit of
faith in God and Christ, and of love to God and man, appears to be of
God.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T J O H N.
CHAP. IV.
In this chapter the apostle exhorts to try spirits (ver. 1), gives a
note to try by (ver. 2, 3), shows who are of the world and who of God
(ver. 4-6), urges Christian love by divers considerations (ver. 7-16),
describes our love to God, and the effect of it, ver. 17-21.
Concerning Antichrist. (a. d. 80.)
1 Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they
are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
2 Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: 3 And every spirit that
confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God:
and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it
should come; and even now already is it in the world.
The apostle, having said that God's dwelling in and with us may be
known by the Spirit that he hath given us, intimates that that Spirit
may be discerned and distinguished from other spirits that appear in
the world; and so here,
I. He calls the disciples, to whom he writes, to caution and scrutiny
about the spirits and spiritual professors that had now risen. 1. To
caution: "Beloved, believe not every spirit; regard not, trust not,
follow not, every pretender to the Spirit of God, or every professor of
vision, or inspiration, or revelation from God." Truth is the
foundation of simulation and counterfeits; there had been real
communications from the divine Spirit, and therefore others pretended
thereto. God will take the way of his own wisdom and goodness, though
it may be liable to abuse; he has sent inspired teachers to the world,
and given us a supernatural revelation, though others may be so evil
and so impudent as to pretend the same; every pretender to the divine
Spirit, or to inspiration, and extraordinary illumination thereby, is
not to be believed. Time was when the spiritual man (the man of the
Spirit, who made a great noise about, and boast of, the Spirit) was
mad, Hos. ix. 7. 2. To scrutiny, to examination of the claims that are
laid to the Spirit: But try the spirits, whether they be of God, v. 1.
God has given of his Spirit in these latter ages of the world, but not
to all who profess to come furnished therewith; to the disciples is
allowed a judgment of discretion, in reference to the spirits that
would be believed and trusted in the affairs of religion. A reason is
given for this trial: Because many false prophets have gone out into
the world, v. 1. There being much about the time of our Saviour's
appearance in the world a general expectation among the Jews of a
Redeemer to Israel, and the humiliation, spiritual reformation, and
sufferings of the Saviour being taken as a prejudice against him,
others were induced to set up as prophets and messiahs to Israel,
according to the Saviour's prediction, Matt. xxiv. 23, 24. It should
not seem strange to us that false teachers set themselves up in the
church: it was so in the apostles' times; fatal is the spirit of
delusion, sad that men should vaunt themselves for prophets and
inspired preachers that are by no means so!
II. He gives a test whereby the disciples may try these pretending
spirits. These spirits set up for prophets, doctors, or dictators in
religion, and so they were to be tried by their doctrine; and the test
whereby in that day, or in that part of the world where the apostle now
resided (for in various seasons, and in various churches, tests were
different), must be this: Hereby know you the Spirit of God, Every
spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (or that
confesseth Jesus Christ that came in the flesh), is of God, v. 2. Jesus
Christ is to be confessed as the Son of God, the eternal life and Word,
that was with the Father from the beginning; as the Son of God that
came into, and came in, our human mortal nature, and therein suffered
and died at Jerusalem. He who confesses and preaches this, by a mind
supernaturally instructed and enlightened therein, does it by the
Spirit of God, or God is the author of that illumination. On the
contrary, "Every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ has come
in the flesh (or Jesus Christ that came in the flesh) is not of God, v.
3. God has given so much testimony to Jesus Christ, who was lately here
in the world, and in the flesh (or in a fleshly body like ours), though
now in heaven, that you may be assured that any impulse or pretended
inspiration that contradicts this is far from being from heaven and of
God." The sum of revealed religion is comprehended in the doctrine
concerning Christ, his person and office. We see then the aggravation
of a systematic opposition to him and it. And this is that spirit of
antichrist whereof you have heard that it should come, and even now
already is it in the world, v. 3. It was foreknown by God that
antichrists would arise, and antichristian spirits oppose his Spirit
and his truth; it was foreknown also that one eminent antichrist would
arise, and make a long and fatal war against the Christ of God, and his
institution, and honour, and kingdom in the world. This great
antichrist would have his way prepared, and his rise facilitated, by
other less antichrists, and the spirit of error working and disposing
men's minds for him: the antichristian spirit began betimes, even in
the apostles' days. Dreadful and unsearchable is the judgment of God,
that persons should be given over to an antichristian spirit, and to
such darkness and delusion as to set themselves against the Son of God
and all the testimony that the Father hath given to the Son! But we
have been forewarned that such opposition would arise; we should
therefore cease to be offended, and the more we see the word of Christ
fulfilled the more confirmed we should be in the truth of it.
Danger of Antichristian Spirit. (a. d. 80.)
4 Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because
greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 5 They
are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world
heareth them. 6 We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he
that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth,
and the spirit of error.
In these verses the apostle encourages the disciples against the fear
and danger of this seducing antichristian spirit, and that by such
methods as these:--1. He assures them of a more divine principle in
them: "You are of God, little children, v. 4. You are God's little
children. We are of God, v. 6. We are born of God, taught of God,
anointed of God, and so secured against infectious fatal delusions. God
has his chosen, who shall not be mortally seduced." 2. He gives them
hope of victory: "And have overcome them, v. 4. You have hitherto
overcome these deceivers and their temptations, and there is good
ground of hope that you will do so still, and that upon these two
accounts:"--(1.) "There is a strong preserver within you: Because
greater is he that is in you than he that is in the world, v. 4. The
Spirit of God dwells in you, and that Spirit is more mighty than men of
devils." It is a great happiness to be under the influence of the Holy
Ghost. (2.) "You are not of the same temper with these deceivers. The
Spirit of God hath framed your mind for God and heaven; but they are of
the world. The spirit that prevails in them leads them to this world;
their heart is addicted thereto; they study the pomp, the pleasure, and
interest of the world: and therefore speak they of the world; they
profess a worldly messiah and saviour; they project a worldly kingdom
and dominion; the possessions and treasures of the world would they
engross to themselves, forgetting that the true Redeemer's kingdom is
not of this world. This worldly design procures them proselytes: The
world heareth them, v. 5. They are followed by such as themselves: the
world will love its own, and its own will love it. But those are in a
fair way to conquer pernicious seductions who have conquered the love
of this seducing world." Then, 3. He represents to them that though
their company might be the smaller, yet it was the better; they had
more divine and holy knowledge: "He that knoweth God heareth us. He who
knows the purity and holiness of God, the love and grace of God, the
truth and faithfulness of God, the ancient word and prophecies of God,
the signals and testimonials of God, must know that he is with us; and
he who knows this will attend to us, and abide with us." He that is
well furnished with natural religion will the more faithfully cleave to
Christianity. He that knoweth God (in his natural and moral
excellences, revelations, and works) heareth us, v. 6. As, on the
contrary, "He that is not of God heareth not us. He who knows not God
regards not us. He that is not born of God (walking according to his
natural disposition) walks not with us. The further any are from God
(as appears in all ages) the further they are from Christ and his
faithful servants; and the more addicted persons are to this world the
more remote they are from the spirit of Christianity. Thus you have a
distinction between us and others: Hereby know we the Spirit of truth
and the spirit of error, v. 6. This doctrine concerning the Saviour's
person leading you from the world to God is a signature of the Spirit
of truth, in opposition to the spirit of error. The more pure and holy
any doctrine is the more likely is it to be of God."
Brotherly Love. (a. d. 80.)
7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and every one
that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. 8 He that loveth not
knoweth not God; for God is love. 9 In this was manifested the love
of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the
world, that we might live through him. 10 Herein is love, not that we
loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the
propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought
also to love one another. 12 No man hath seen God at any time. If we
love one another, God dwelleth in us, and his love is perfected in us.
13 Hereby know we that we dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath
given us of his Spirit.
As the Spirit of truth is known by doctrine (thus spirits are to be
tried), it is known by love likewise; and so here follows a strong
fervent exhortation to holy Christian love: Beloved, let us love one
another, v. 7. The apostle would unite them in his love, that he might
unite them in love to each other: "Beloved, I beseech you, by the love
I bear to you, that you put on unfeigned mutual love." This exhortation
is pressed and urged with variety of argument: as,
I. From the high and heavenly descent of love: For love is of God. He
is the fountain, author, parent, and commander of love; it is the sum
of his law and gospel: And every one that loveth (whose spirit is
framed to judicious holy love) is born of God, v. 7. The Spirit of God
is the Spirit of love. The new nature in the children of God is the
offspring of his love: and the temper and complexion of it is love. The
fruit of the Spirit is love, Gal. v. 22. Love comes down from heaven.
II. Love argues a true and just apprehension of the divine nature: He
that loveth knoweth God, v. 7. He that loveth not knoweth not God, v.
8. What attribute of the divine Majesty so clearly shines in all the
world as his communicative goodness, which is love. The wisdom, the
greatness, the harmony, and usefulness of the vast creation, which so
fully demonstrate his being, do at the same time show and prove his
love; and natural reason, inferring and collecting the nature and
excellence of the most absolute perfect being, must collect and find
that he is most highly good: and he that loveth not (is not quickened
by the knowledge he hath of God to the affection and practice of love)
knoweth not God; it is a convictive evidence that the sound and due
knowledge of God dwells not in such a soul; his love must needs shine
among his primary brightest perfections; for God is love (v. 8), his
nature and essence are love, his will and works are primarily love. Not
that this is the only conception we ought to have of him; we have found
that he is light as well as love (ch. i. 5), and God is principally
love to himself, and he has such perfections as arise from the
necessary love he must bear to his necessary existence, excellence, and
glory; but love is natural and essential to the divine Majesty: God is
love. This is argued from the display and demonstration that he hath
given of it; as, 1. That he hath loved us, such as we are: In this was
manifest the love of God towards us (v. 9), towards us mortals, us
ungrateful rebels. God commandeth his love towards us, in that, while
we were yet sinners, Christ died for us, Rom. v. 8. Strange that God
should love impure, vain, vile, dust and ashes! 2. That he has loved us
at such a rate, at such an incomparable value as he has given for us;
he has given his own, only-beloved, blessed Son for us: Because that
God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live
through him, v. 9. This person is in some peculiar distinguishing way
the Son of God; he is the only-begotten. Should we suppose him begotten
as a creature or created being, he is not the only-begotten. Should we
suppose him a natural necessary eradication from the Father's glory or
glorious essence, or substance, he must be the only-begotten: and then
it will be a mystery and miracle of divine love that such a Son should
be sent into our world for us! It may well be said, So (wonderfully, so
amazingly, so incredibly) God loved the world. 3. That God loved us
first, and in the circumstances in which we lay: Herein is love
(unusual unprecedented love), not that we loved God, but that he loved
us, v. 10. He loved us, when we had no love for him, when we lay in our
guilt, misery, and blood, when we were undeserving, ill-deserving,
polluted, and unclean, and wanted to be washed from our sins in sacred
blood. 4. That he gave us his Son for such service and such an end.
(1.) For such service, to be the propitiation for our sins;
consequently to die for us, to die under the law and curse of God, to
bear our sins in his own body, to be crucified, to be wounded in his
soul, and pierced in his side, to be dead and buried for us (v. 10);
and then, (2.) For such an end, for such a good and beneficial end to
us--that we might live through him (v. 9), might live for ever through
him, might live in heaven, live with God, and live in eternal glory and
blessedness with him and through him: O what love is here! Then,
III. Divine love to the brethren should constrain ours: Beloved (I
would adjure you by your interest in my love to remember), if God so
loved us, we ought also to love one another, v. 11. This should be an
invincible argument. The example of God should press us. We should be
followers (or imitators) of him, as his dear children. The objects of
the divine love should be the objects of ours. Shall we refuse to love
those whom the eternal God hath loved? We should be admirers of his
love, and lovers of his love (of the benevolence and complacency that
are in him), and consequently lovers of those whom he loves. The
general love of God to the world should induce a universal love among
mankind. That you may be the children of your Father who is in heaven;
for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth
his rain on the just and on the unjust, Matt. v. 45. The peculiar love
of God to the church and to the saints should be productive of a
peculiar love there: If God so loved us, we ought surely (in some
measure suitably thereto) to love one another.
IV. The Christian love is an assurance of the divine inhabitation: If
we love one another, God dwelleth in us, v. 12. Now God dwelleth in us,
not by any visible presence, or immediate appearance to the eye (no man
hath seen God at any time, v. 12), but by his Spirit (v. 13); or, "No
man hath seen God at any time; he does not here present himself to our
eye or to our immediate intuition, and so he does not in this way
demand and exact our love; but he demands and expects it in that way in
which he has thought meet to deserve and claim it, and that is in the
illustration that he has given of himself and of his love (and
thereupon of his loveliness too) in the catholic church, and
particularly in the brethren, the members of that church. In them, and
in his appearance for them and with them, is God to be loved; and thus,
if we love one another, God dwelleth in us. The sacred lovers of the
brethren are the temples of God; the divine Majesty has a peculiar
residence there."
V. Herein the divine love attains a considerable end and accomplishment
in us: "And his love is perfected in us, v. 12. It has obtained its
completion in and upon us. God's love is not perfected in him, but in
and with us. His love could not be designed to be ineffectual and
fruitless upon us; when its proper genuine end and issue are attained
and produced thereby, it may be said to be perfected; so faith is
perfected by its works, and love perfected by its operations. When the
divine love has wrought us to the same image, to the love of God, and
thereupon to the love of the brethren, the children of God, for his
sake, it is therein and so far perfected and completed, though this
love of ours is not at present perfect, nor the ultimate end of the
divine love to us." How ambitious should we be of this fraternal
Christian love, when God reckons his own love to us perfected thereby!
To this the apostle, having mentioned the high favour of God's dwelling
in us, subjoins the note and character thereof: Hereby know we that we
dwell in him, and he in us, because he hath given us of his Spirit, v.
13. Certainly this mutual inhabitation is something more noble and
great than we are well acquainted with or can declare. One would think
that to speak of God dwelling in us, and we in him, were to use words
too high for mortals, had not God gone before us therein. What this
indwelling imports has been briefly explained on ch. iii. 24. What it
fully is must be left to the revelation of the blessed world. But this
mutual inhabitation we know, says the apostle, because he hath given us
of his spirit; he has lodged the image and fruit of his Spirit in our
hearts (v. 13), and the Spirit that he hath given us appears to be his,
or of him, since it is the Spirit of power, of zeal and magnanimity for
God, of love to God and man, and of a sound mind, of an understanding
well instructed in the affairs of God and religion, and his kingdom
among men, 2 Tim. i. 7.
The Divine Love. (a. d. 80.)
14 And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be
the Saviour of the world. 15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is
the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God. 16 And we have
known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he
that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.
Since faith in Christ works love to God, and love to God must kindle
love to the brethren, the apostle here confirms the prime article of
the Christian faith as the foundation of such love. Here,
I. He proclaims the fundamental article of the Christian religion,
which is so representative of the love of God: And we have seen, and do
testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world,
v. 14. We here see, 1. The Lord Jesus's relation to God; he is Son to
the Father, such a Son as no one else is, and so as to be God with the
Father. 2. His relation and office towards us--the Saviour of the
world; he saves us by his death, example, intercession, Spirit, and
power against the enemies of our salvation. 3. The ground on which he
became so--by the mission of him: The Father sent the Son, he decreed
and willed his coming hither, in and with the consent of the Son. 4.
The apostle's assurance of this--he and his brethren had seen it; they
had seen the Son of God in his human nature, in his holy converse and
works, in his transfiguration on the mount, and in his death,
resurrection from the dead, and royal ascent to heaven; they had so
seen him as to be satisfied that he was the only-begotten of the
Father, full of grace and truth. 5. The apostle's attestation of this,
in pursuance of such evidence: "We have seen and do testify. The weight
of this truth obliges us to testify it; the salvation of the world lies
upon it. The evidence of the truth warrants us to testify it; our eyes,
and ears, and hands, have been witnesses of it." Thereupon,
II. The apostle states the excellency, or the excellent privilege
attending the due acknowledgment of this truth: Whosoever shall confess
that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God, v.
15. This confession seems to include faith in the heart as the
foundation of it, acknowledgment with the mouth to the glory of God and
Christ, and profession in the life and conduct, in opposition to the
flatteries or frowns of the world. Thus no man says that Jesus is the
Lord but by the Holy Ghost, by the external attestation and internal
operation of the Holy Ghost, 1 Cor. xii. 3. And so he who thus
confesses Christ, and God in him, is enriched with or possessed by the
Spirit of God, and has a complacential knowledge of God and much holy
enjoyment of him. Then,
III. The apostle applies this in order to the excitation of holy love.
God's love is thus seen and exerted in Christ Jesus; and thus have we
known and believed the love that God hath to us, v. 16. The Christian
revelation is, what should endear it to us, the revelation of the
divine love; the articles of our revealed faith are but so many
articles relating to the divine love. The history of the Lord Christ is
the history of God's love to us; all his transactions in and with his
Son were but testifications of his love to us, and means to advance us
to the love of God: God was in Christ reconciling the world unto
himself, 2 Cor. v. 19. Hence we may learn,
1. That God is love (v. 16); he is essential boundless love; he has
incomparable incomprehensible love for us of this world, which he has
demonstrated in the mission and mediation of his beloved Son. It is the
great objection and prejudice against the Christian revelation that the
love of God should be so strange and unaccountable as to give his own
eternal Son for us; it is the prejudice of many against the eternity
and the deity of the Son that so great a person should be given for us.
It is, I confess, mysterious and unsearchable; but there are
unsearchable riches in Christ. It is a pity that the vastness of the
divine love should be made a prejudice against the revelation and the
belief of it. But what will not God do when he designs to demonstrate
the height of any perfection of his? When he would show somewhat of his
power and wisdom, he makes such a world as this; when he would show
more of his grandeur and glory, he makes heaven for the ministering
spirits that are before the throne. What will he not do then when he
designs to demonstrate his love, and to demonstrate his highest love,
or that he himself is love, or that love is one of the most bright,
dear, transcendent, operative excellencies of his unbounded nature; and
to demonstrate this not only to us, but to the angelic world, and to
the principalities and powers above, and this not for our surprise for
a while, but for the admiration, and praise, and adoration, and
felicity, of our most exalted powers to all eternity? What will not God
then do? Surely then it will look more agreeable to the design, and
grandeur, and pregnancy of his love (if I may so call it) to give an
eternal Son for us, than to make a Son on purpose for our relief. In
such a dispensation as that of giving a natural, essential, eternal Son
for us and to us, he will commend his love to us indeed; and what will
not the God of love do when he designs to commend his love, and to
commend it in the view of heaven, and earth, and hell, and when he will
commend himself and recommend himself to us, and to our highest
conviction, and also affection, as love itself? And what if it should
appear at last (which I shall only offer to the consideration of the
judicious) that the divine love, and particularly God's love in Christ,
should be the foundation of the glories of heaven, in the present
enjoyment of those ministering spirits that comported with it, and of
the salvation of this world, and of the torments of hell? This last
will seem most strange. But what if therein it should appear not only
that God is love to himself, in vindicating his own law, and
government, and love, and glory, but that the damned ones are made so,
or are so punished, (1.) Because they despised the love of God already
manifested and exhibited. (2.) Because they refused to be beloved in
what was further proposed and promised. (3.) Because they made
themselves unmeet to be the objects of divine complacency and delight?
If the conscience of the damned should accuse them of these things, and
especially of rejecting the highest instance of divine love, and if the
far greatest part of the intelligent creation should be everlastingly
blessed through the highest instance of the divine love, then may it
well be inscribed upon the whole creation of God, God is love.
2. That hereupon he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in
him, v. 16. There is great communion between the God of love and the
loving soul; that is, him who loves the creation of God, according to
its different relation to God, and reception from him and interest in
him. He that dwells in sacred love has the love God shed abroad upon
his heart, has the impress of God upon his spirit, the Spirit of God
sanctifying and sealing him, lives in the meditation, views, and tastes
of the divine love, and will ere long go to dwell with God for ever.
The Divine Love. (a. d. 80.)
17 Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the
day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There
is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear
hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. 19 We love
him, because he first loved us. 20 If a man say, I love God, and
hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother
whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? 21 And
this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth God love his
brother also.
The apostle, having thus excited and enforced sacred love from the
great pattern and motive of it, the love that is and dwells in God
himself, proceeds to recommend it further by other considerations; and
he recommends it in both the branches of it, both as love to God, and
love to our brother or Christian neighbour.
I. As love to God, to the primum amabile--the first and chief of all
amiable beings and objects, who has the confluence of all beauty,
excellence, and loveliness, in himself, and confers on all other beings
whatever renders them good and amiable. Love to God seems here to be
recommended on these accounts:--1. It will give us peace and
satisfaction of spirit in the day when it will be most needed, or when
it will be the greatest pleasure and blessing imaginable: Herein is our
love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, v.
17. There must be a day of universal judgment. Happy they who shall
have holy fiducial boldness before the Judge at that day, who shall be
able to lift up their heads, and to look him in the face, as knowing he
is their friend and advocate! Happy they who have holy boldness and
assurance in the prospect of that day, who look and wait for it, and
for the Judge's appearance! So do, and so may do, the lovers of God.
Their love to God assures them of God's love to them, and consequently
of the friendship of the Son of God; the more we love our friend,
especially when we are sure that he knows it, the more we can trust his
love. As God is good and loving, and faithful to his promise, so we can
easily be persuaded of his love, and the happy fruits of his love, when
we can say, Thou that knowest all things knowest that we love thee. And
hope maketh not ashamed; our hope, conceived by the consideration of
God's love, will not disappoint us, because the love of God is shed
abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost that is given to us, Rom. v. 5.
Possibly here by the love of God may be meant our love to God, which is
shed abroad upon our hearts by the Holy Ghost; this is the foundation
of our hope, or of our assurance that our hope will hold good at last.
Or, if by the love of God be meant the sense and apprehension of his
love to us, yet this must suppose or include us as lovers of him in
this case; and indeed the sense and evidence of his love to us do shed
abroad upon our hearts love to him; and thereupon we have confidence
towards him and peace and joy in him. He will give the crown of
righteousness to all that love his appearing. And we have this boldness
towards Christ because of our conformity to him: Because as he is so
are we in this world, v. 17. Love hath conformed us to him; as he was
the great lover of God and man, he has taught us in our measure to be
so too, and he will not deny his own image. Love teaches us to conform
in sufferings too; we suffer for him and with him, and therefore cannot
but hope and trust that we shall also be glorified together with him, 2
Tim. ii. 12. 2. It prevents or removes the uncomfortable result and
fruit of servile fear: There is no fear in love (v. 18); so far as love
prevails, fear ceases. We must here distinguish, I judge, between fear
and being afraid; or, in this case, between the fear of God and being
afraid of him. The fear of God is often mentioned and commanded as the
substance of religion (1 Pet. ii. 17; Rev. xiv. 7); and so it imports
the high regard and veneration we have for God and his authority and
government. Such fear is constant with love, yea, with perfect love, as
being in the angels themselves. But then there is a being afraid of
God, which arises from a sense of guilt, and a view of his vindictive
perfections; in the view of them, God is represented as a consuming
fire; and so fear here may be rendered dread; There is no dread in
love. Love considers its object as good and excellent, and therefore
amiable, and worthy to be beloved. Love considers God as most eminently
good, and most eminently loving us in Christ, and so puts off dread,
and puts on joy in him; and, as love grows, joy grows too; so that
perfect love casteth out fear or dread. Those who perfectly love God
are, from his nature, and counsel, and covenant, perfectly assured of
his love, and consequently are perfectly free from any dismal dreadful
suspicions of his punitive power and justice, as armed against them;
they well know that God loves them, and they thereupon triumph in his
love. That perfect love casteth out fear the apostle thus sensibly
argues: that which casteth out torment casteth out fear or dread:
Because fear hath torment (v. 18)--fear is known to be a disquieting
torturing passion, especially such a fear as is the dread of an
almighty avenging God; but perfect love casteth out torment, for it
teaches the mind a perfect acquiescence and complacency in the beloved,
and therefore perfect love casteth out fear. Or, which is here
equivalent, he that feareth is not made perfect in love (v. 18); it is
a sign that our love is far from being perfect, since our doubts, and
fears, and dismal apprehensions of God, are so many. Let us long for,
and hasten to, the world of perfect love, where our serenity and joy in
God will be as perfect as our love! 3. From the source and rise of it,
which is the antecedent love of God: We love him, because he first
loved us, v. 19. His love is the incentive, the motive, and moral cause
of ours. We cannot but love so good a God, who was first in the act and
work of love, who loved us when we were both unloving and unlovely, who
loved us at so great a rate, who has been seeking and soliciting our
love at the expense of his Son's blood; and has condescended to beseech
us to be reconciled unto him. Let heaven and earth stand amazed at such
love! His love is the productive cause of ours: Of his own will (of his
own free loving will) begat he us. To those that love him all things
work together for good, to those who are the called according to his
purpose. Those that love God are the called thereto according to his
purpose (Rom. viii. 28); according to whose purpose they are called is
sufficiently intimated in the following clauses: whom he did
predestinate (or antecedently purpose, to the image of his Son) those
he also called, effectually recovered thereto. The divine love stamped
love upon our souls; may the Lord still and further direct our hearts
into the love of God! 2 Thess. iii. 5.
II. As love to our brother and neighbour in Christ; such love is argued
and urged on these accounts:--1. As suitable and consonant to our
Christian profession. In the profession of Christianity we profess to
love God as the root of religion: "If then a man say, or profess as
much as thereby to say, I love God, I am a lover of his name, and
house, and worship, and yet hate his brother, whom he should love for
God's sake, he is a liar (v. 20), he therein gives his profession the
lie." That such a one loves not God the apostle proves by the usual
facility of loving what is seen rather than what is unseen: For he that
loveth not his brother, whom he hath seen, how can he love God, whom he
hath not seen? v. 20. The eye is wont to affect the heart; things
unseen less catch the mind, and thereby the heart. The
incomprehensibleness of God very much arises from his invisibility; the
member of Christ has much of God visible in him. How then shall the
hater of a visible image of God pretend to love the unseen original,
the invisible God himself? 2. As suitable to the express law of God,
and the just reason of it: And this commandment have we from him, that
he who loveth God love his brother also, v. 21. As God has communicated
his image in nature and in grace, so he would have our love to be
suitably diffused. We must love God originally and supremely, and
others in him, on the account of their derivation and reception from
him, and of his interest in them. Now, our Christian brethren having a
new nature and excellent privileges derived from God, and God having
his interest in them as well as in us, it cannot but be a natural
suitable obligation that he who loves God should love his brother also.
__________________________________________________________________
F I R S T J O H N.
CHAP. V.
In this chapter the apostle asserts, I. The dignity of believers, ver.
1. II. Their obligation to love, and the trial of it, ver. 1-3. III.
Their victory, ver. 4, 5. IV. The credibility and confirmation of their
faith, ver. 6-10. V. The advantage of their faith in eternal life, ver.
11-13. VI. The audience of their prayers, unless for those who have
sinned unto death, ver. 14-17. VII. The preservation from sin and
Satan, ver. 18. VIII. Their happy distinction from the world, ver. 19.
IX. Their true knowledge of God (ver. 20), upon which they must depart
from idols, ver. 21.
Love and Faith. (a. d. 80.)
1 Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and
every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten
of him. 2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we
love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God,
that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the
victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. 5 Who is he that
overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of
God?
I. The apostle having, in the conclusion of the last chapter, as was
there observed, urged Christian love upon those two accounts, as
suitable to Christian profession and as suitable to the divine command,
here adds a third: Such love is suitable, and indeed demanded, by their
eminent relation; our Christian brethren or fellow-believers are nearly
related to God; they are his children: Whosoever believeth that Jesus
is the Christ is born of God, v. 1. Here the Christian brother is, 1.
Described by his faith; he that believeth that Jesus is the
Christ--that he is Messiah the prince, that he is the Son of God by
nature and office, that he is the chief of all the anointed world,
chief of all the priests, prophets, or kings, who were ever anointed by
God or for him, that he is perfectly prepared and furnished for the
whole work of the eternal salvation-accordingly yields himself up to
his care and direction; and then he is, 2. Dignified by his descent: He
is born of God, v. 1. This principle of faith, and the new nature that
attends it or from which it springs, are ingenerated by the Spirit of
God; and so sonship and adoption are not now appropriated to the seed
of Abraham according to the flesh, not to the ancient Israel of God;
all believers, though by nature sinners of the Gentiles, are
spiritually descended from God, and accordingly are to be beloved; as
it is added: Every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that
is begotten of him, v. 1. It seems but natural that he who loves the
Father should love the children also, and that in some proportion to
their resemblance to their Father and to the Father's love to them; and
so we must first and principally love the Son of the Father, as he is
most emphatically styled, 2 John 3, the only (necessarily) begotten,
and the Son of his love, and then those that are voluntarily begotten,
and renewed by the Spirit of grace.
II. The apostle shows, 1. How we may discern the truth, or the true
evangelical nature of our love to the regenerate. The ground of it must
be our love to God, whose they are: By this we know that we love the
children of God, when we love God, v. 2. Our love to them appears to be
sound and genuine when we love them not merely upon any secular
account, as because they are rich, or learned, or kind to us, or of our
denomination among religious parties; but because they are God's
children, his regenerating grace appears in them, his image and
superscription are upon them, and so in them God himself is loved. Thus
we see what that love to the brethren is that is so pressed in this
epistle; it is love to them as the children of God and the adopted
brethren of the Lord Jesus. 2. How we may learn the truth of our love
to God--it appears in our holy obedience: When we love God, and keep
his commandments, v. 2. Then we truly, and in gospel account, love God,
when we keep his commandments: For this is the love of God, that we
keep his commandments; and the keeping of his commandments requires a
spirit inclined thereto and delighting herein; and so his commandments
are not grievous, v. 3. Or, This is the love of God, that, as thereby
we are determined to obedience, and to keep the commandments of God, so
his commandments are thereby made easy and pleasant to us. The lover of
God says, "O how I love thy law! I will run the way of thy
commandments, when thou shalt enlarge my heart (Ps. cxix. 32), when
thou shalt enlarge it either with love or with thy Spirit, the spring
of love." 3. What is and ought to be the result and effect of
regeneration--an intellectual spiritual conquest of this world: For
whatsoever is born of God, or, as in some copies, whosoever is born of
God, overcometh the world, v. 4. He that is born of God is born for
God, and consequently for another world. He has a temper and
disposition that tend to a higher and better world; and he is furnished
with such arms, or such a weapon, whereby he can repel and conquer
this; as it is added, And this is the victory that overcometh the
world, even our faith, v. 4. Faith is the cause of victory, the means,
the instrument, the spiritual armour and artillery by which we
overcome; for, (1.) In and by faith we cleave to Christ, in contempt
of, and opposition to, the world. (2.) Faith works in and by love to
God and Christ, and so withdraws us from the love of the world. (3.)
Faith sanctifies the heart, and purifies it from those sensual lusts by
which the world obtains such sway and dominion over souls. (4.) It
receives and derives strength from the object of it, the Son of God,
for conquering the frowns and flatteries of the world. (5.) It obtains
by gospel promise a right to the indwelling Spirit of grace, that is
greater than he who dwells in the world. (6.) It sees an invisible
world at hand, with which this world is not worthy to be compared, and
into which it tells the soul in which it resides it must be continually
prepared to enter; and thereupon,
III. The apostle concludes that it is the real Christian that is the
true conqueror of the world: Who is he then that overcometh the world,
but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? v. 5. It is the
world that lies in our way to heaven, and is the great impediment to
our entrance there. But he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God
believes therein that Jesus Came from God to be the Saviour of the
world, and powerfully to conduct us from the world to heaven, and to
God, who is fully to be enjoyed there. And he who so believes must
needs by this faith overcome the world. For, 1. He must be well
satisfied that this world is a vehement enemy to his soul, to his
holiness, his salvation, and his blessedness. For all that is in the
world, the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of
life, is not of the Father, but is of the world, ch. ii. 16. 2. He sees
it must be a great part of the Saviour's work, and of his own
salvation, to be redeemed and rescued from this malignant world. Who
gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present
evil world, Gal. i. 4. 3. He sees in and by the life and conduct of the
Lord Jesus on earth that this world is to be renounced and overcome. 4.
He perceives that the Lord Jesus conquered the world, not for himself
only, but for his followers; and they must study to be partakers of his
victory. Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. 5. He is taught
and influenced by the Lord Jesus's death to be mortified and crucified
to the world. God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our
Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified to me, and I unto the
world, Gal. vi. 14. 6. He is begotten by the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead to the lively hope of a blessed world above, 1
Pet. i. 3. 7. He knows that the Saviour has gone to heaven, and is
there preparing a place for his serious believers, John xiv. 2. 8. He
knows that his Saviour will come again thence, and will put an end to
this world, and judge the inhabitants of it, and receive his believers
to his presence and glory, John xiv. 3. 9. He is possessed with a
spirit and disposition that cannot be satisfied with this world, that
look beyond it, and are still tending, striving, and pressing, towards
the world in heaven. In this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed
upon with our house which is from heaven, 2 Cor. v. 2. So that it is
the Christian religion that affords its proselytes a universal empire.
It is the Christian revelation that is the great means of conquering
the world, and gaining another that is most pure and peaceful, blessed
and eternal. It is there, in that revelation, that we see what are the
occasion and ground of the quarrel and contest between the holy God and
this rebellious world. It is there that we meet with sacred doctrine
(both speculative and practical), quite contrary to the tenour, temper,
and tendency of this world. It is by that doctrine that a spirit is
communicated and diffused which is superior and adverse to the spirit
of the world. It is there we see that the Saviour himself was not of
this world that his kingdom was not and is not so, that it must be
separated from the world and gathered out of it for heaven and for God.
There we see that the Saviour designs not this world for the
inheritance and portion of his saved company. As he has gone to heaven
himself, so he assures them he goes to prepare for their residence
there, as designing they should always dwell with him, and allowing
them to believe that if in this life, and this world only, they had
hope in him, they should at last be but miserable. It is there that the
eternal blessed world is most clearly revealed and proposed to our
affection and pursuit. It is there that we are furnished with the best
arms and artillery against the assaults and attempts of the world. It
is there that we are taught how the world may be out-shot in its own
bow, or its artillery turned against itself; and its oppositions,
encounters, and persecutions, be made serviceable to our conquest of
the world, and to our motion and ascent to the higher heavenly world:
and there we are encouraged by a whole army and cloud of holy soldiers,
who have in their several ages, posts, and stations, overcome the
world, and won the crown. It is the real Christian that is the proper
hero, who vanquishes the world and rejoices in a universal victory. Nor
does he (for he is far superior to the Grecian monarch) mourn that
there is not another world to be subdued, but lays hold on the eternal
world of life, and in a sacred sense takes the kingdom of heaven by
violence too. Who in all the world but the believer on Jesus Christ can
thus overcome the world?
The Witnesses in Heaven and on Earth. (a. d. 80.)
6 This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by
water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth
witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear
record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these
three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness in earth, the
Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. 9
If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for
this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.
The faith of the Christian believer (or the believer in Christ) being
thus mighty and victorious, it had need to be well founded, to be
furnished with unquestionable celestial evidence concerning the divine
mission, authority, and office of the Lord Jesus; and it is so; he
brings his credentials along with him, and he brings them in a way by
which he came and in the witness that attends him.
I. In the way and manner by which he came; not barely by which he came
into the world, but by and with which he came, and appeared, and acted,
as a Saviour in the world: This is he that came by water and blood. He
came to save us from our sins, to give us eternal life, and bring us to
God; and, that he might the more assuredly do this, he came by, or
with, water and blood. Even Jesus Christ; Jesus Christ, I say, did so;
and none but he. And I say it again, not by or with water only, but by
and with water and blood, v. 6. Jesus Christ came with water and blood,
as the notes and signatures of the true effectual Saviour of the world;
and he came by water and blood as the means by which he would heal and
save us. That he must and did thus come in his saving office may appear
by our remembering these things:--
1. We are inwardly and outwardly defiled. (1.) Inwardly, by the power
and pollution off sin and in our nature. For our cleansing from this we
need spiritual water; such as can reach the soul and the powers of it.
Accordingly, there is in and by Christ Jesus the washing of
regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Ghost. And this was intimated
to the apostles by our Lord, when he washed their feet, and said to
Peter, who refused to be washed, Except I wash thee, thou hast no part
in me. (2.) We are defiled outwardly, by the guilt and condemning power
of sin upon our persons. By this we are separated from God, and
banished from his favourable, gracious, beatific presence for ever.
From this we must be purged by atoning blood. It is the law or
determination in the court of heaven that without shedding of blood
there shall be no remission, Heb. ix. 22. The Saviour from sin
therefore must come with blood.
2. Both these ways of cleansing were represented in the old ceremonial
institutions of God. Persons and things must be purified by water and
blood. There were divers washings and carnal ordinances imposed till
the time of reformation, Heb. ix. 10. The ashes of a heifer, mixed with
water, sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of the
flesh, Heb. ix. 13; Num. xix. 9. And likewise almost all things are, by
the law, purged with blood, Heb. ix. 22. As those show us our double
defilement, so they indicate the Saviour's two-fold purgation.
3. At and upon the death of Jesus Christ, his side being pierced with a
soldier's spear, out of the wound there immediately issued water and
blood. This the beloved apostle saw, and he seems to have been affected
with the sight; he alone records it, and seems to reckon himself
obliged to record it, and seems to reckon himself obliged to record it,
as containing something mysterious in it: And he that saw it bore
record, and his record is true. And he knoweth, being an eye-witness,
that he saith true, that you might believe, and that you might believe
this particularly, that out of his pierced side forthwith there came
water and blood, John xix. 34, 35. Now this water and blood are
comprehensive of all that is necessary and effectual to our salvation.
By the water our souls are washed and purified for heaven and the
region of saints in light. By the blood God is glorified, his law is
honoured, and his vindictive excellences are illustrated and displayed.
Whom God hath set forth, or purposed, or proposed, a propitiation
through faith in his blood, or a propitiation in or by his blood
through faith, to declare his righteousness, that he may be just, and
the justifier of him that believeth in Jesus, Rom. iii. 25, 26. By the
blood we are justified, reconciled, and presented righteous to God. By
the blood, the curse of the law being satisfied, and purifying Spirit
is obtained for the internal ablution of our natures. Christ hath
redeemed us from the curse of the law, that the blessing of Abraham
might come on the Gentiles, that we might receive the promise of the
Spirit, the promised Spirit, through faith, Gal. iii. 13, &c. The
water, as well as the blood, issued out of the side of the sacrificed
Redeemer. The water and the blood then comprehend all things that can
be requisite to our salvation. They will consecrate and sanctify to
that purpose all that God shall appoint or make use of in order to that
great end. He loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might
sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he
might present it to himself a glorious church, Eph. v. 25-27. He who
comes by water and blood is an accurate perfect Saviour. And this is he
who comes by water and blood, even Jesus Christ! Thus we see in what
way and manner, or, if you please, with what utensils, he comes. But we
see his credentials also,
II. In the witness that attends him, and that is, the divine Spirit,
that Spirit to whom the perfecting of the works of God is usually
attributed: And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, v. 6. It was
meet that the commissioned Saviour of the world should have a constant
agent to support his work, and testify of him to the world. It was meet
that a divine power should attend him, his gospel, and servants; and
notify to the world upon what errand and office they came, and by what
authority they were sent: this was done in and by the Spirit of God,
according to the Saviour's own prediction, "He shall glorify me, even
when I shall be rejected and crucified by men, for he shall receive or
take of mine. He shall not receive my immediate office; he shall not
die and rise again for you; but he shall receive of mine, shall proceed
on the foundation I have laid, shall take up my institution, and truth,
and cause, and shall further show it unto you, and by you to the
world," John xvi. 14. And then the apostle adds the commendation or the
acceptableness of this witness: Because the Spirit is truth, v. 6. He
is the Spirit of God, and cannot lie. There is a copy that would afford
us a very suitable reading thus: because, or that, Christ is the truth.
And so it indicates the matter of the Spirit's testimony, the thing
which he attests, and that is, the truth of Christ: And it is the
Spirit that beareth witness that Christ is the truth; and consequently
that Christianity, or the Christian religion, is the truth of the day,
the truth of God. But it is meet that one or two copies should alter
the text; and our present reading is very agreeable, and so we retain
it. The Spirit is truth. He is indeed the Spirit of truth, John xiv.
17. And that the Spirit is truth, and a witness worthy of all
acceptation, appears in that he is a heavenly witness, or one of the
witnesses that in and from heaven bore testimony concerning the truth
and authority of Christ. Because (or for) there are three that bear
record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these
three are one. And so v. 7 most appositely occurs, as a proof of the
authenticity of the Spirit's testimony; he must needs be true, or even
truth itself, if he be not only a witness in heaven, but even one (not
in testimony only, for so an angel may be, but in being and essence)
with the Father and the Word. But here,
1. We are stopped in our course by the contest there is about the
genuineness of v. 7. It is alleged that many old Greek manuscripts have
it not. We shall not here enter into the controversy. It should seem
that the critics are not agreed what manuscripts have it and what not;
nor do they sufficiently inform us of the integrity and value of the
manuscripts they peruse. Some may be so faulty, as I have an old
printed Greek Testament so full of errata, that one would think no
critic would establish a various lection thereupon. But let the
judicious collators of copies manage that business. There are some
rational surmises that seem to support the present text and reading.
As,
(1.) If we admit v. 8, in the room of v. 7, it looks too like a
tautology and repetition of what was included in v. 6, This is he that
came by water and blood, not by water only, but by water and blood; and
it is the Spirit that beareth witness. For there are three that bear
witness, the Spirit, the water, and the blood. This does not assign
near so noble an introduction of these three witnesses as our present
reading does.
(2.) It is observed that many copies read that distinctive clause, upon
the earth: There are three that bear record upon the earth. Now this
bears a visible opposition to some witness or witnesses elsewhere, and
therefore we are told, by the adversaries of the text, that this clause
must be supposed to be omitted in most books that want v. 7. But it
should for the same reason be so in all. Take we v. 6, This is he that
came by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness,
because the Spirit is truth. It would not now naturally and properly be
added, For there are three that bear record on earth, unless we should
suppose that the apostle would tell us that all the witnesses are such
as are on earth, when yet he would assure us that one is infallibly
true, or even truth itself.
(3.) It is observed that there is a variety of reading even in the
Greek text, as in v. 7. Some copies read hen eisi--are one; others (at
least the Complutensian) eis to hen eisin--are to one, or agree in one;
and in v. 8 (in that part that it is supposed should be admitted),
instead of the common en te ge--in earth, the Complutensian reads epi
tes ges--upon earth, which seems to show that that edition depended
upon some Greek authority, and not merely, as some would have us
believe, upon the authority either of the vulgar Latin or of Thomas
Aquinas, though his testimony may be added thereto.
(4.) The seventh verse is very agreeable to the style and the theology
of our apostle; as, [1.] He delights in the title the Father, whether
he indicates thereby God only, or a divine person distinguished from
the Son. I and the Father are one. And Yet I am not alone; because the
Father is with me. I will pray the Father, and he shall give you
another comforter. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is
not in him. Grace be with you, and peace from God the Father, and from
the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, 2 John 3. Then, [2.] The
name the Word is known to be almost (if not quite) peculiar to this
apostle. Had the text been devised by another, it had been more easy
and obvious, from the form of baptism, and the common language of the
church, to have used the name Son instead of that of the Word. As it is
observed that Tertullian and Cyprian use that name, even when they
refer to this verse; or it is made an objection against their referring
to this verse, because they speak of the Son, not the Word; and yet
Cyprian's expression seems to be very clear by the citation of Facundus
himself. Quod Johannis apostoli testimonium beatus Cyprianus,
Carthaginensis antistes et martyr, in epistolâ sive libro, quem de
Trinitate scripsit, de Patre, Filio, et Spiritu sancto dictum
intelligit; ait enim, Dicit Dominus, Ego et Pater unum sumus; et iterum
de Patre, Filio, et Spiritu sancto scriptum est, Et hi tres unum
sunt.--Blessed Cyprian, the Carthaginian bishop and martyr, in the
epistle or book he wrote concerning the Trinity, considered the
testimony of the apostle John as relating to the Father, the Son, and
Holy Spirit; for he says, the Lord says, I and the Father are one; and
again, of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit it is written, And
these three are one. Now it is nowhere written that these are one, but
in v. 7. It is probable than that St. Cyprian, either depending on his
memory, or rather intending things more than words, persons more than
names, or calling persons by their names more usual in the church (both
in popular and polemic discourses), called the second by the name of
the Son rather than of the Word. If any man can admit Facundus's fancy,
that Cyprian meant that the Spirit, the water, and the blood, were
indeed the Father, Word, and Spirit, that John said were one, he may
enjoy his opinion to himself. For, First, He must suppose that Cyprian
not only changed all the names, but the apostle's order too. For the
blood (the Son), which Cyprian puts second, the apostle puts last. And,
Secondly, He must suppose that Cyprian thought that by the blood which
issued out of the side of the Son the apostle intended the Son himself,
who might as well have been denoted by the water,--that by the water,
which also issued from the side of the Son, the apostle intended the
person of the Holy Ghost,--that by the Spirit, which in v. 6 is said to
be truth, and in the gospel is called the Spirit of truth, the apostle
meant the person of the Father, though he is nowhere else so called
when joined with the Son and the Holy Ghost. We require good proof that
the Carthaginian father could so understand the apostle. He who so
understands him must believe too that the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
are said to be three witnesses on earth. Thirdly, Facundus acknowledges
that Cyprian says that of his three it is written, Et hi tres unum
sunt--and these three are one. Now these are the words, not of v. 8,
but of v. 7. They are not used concerning the three on earth, the
Spirit, the water, and the blood; but the three in heaven, the Father,
and the Word, and the Holy Ghost. So we are told that the author of the
book De baptismo hæreticorum, allowed to be contemporary with Cyprian,
cites John's words, agreeably to the Greek manuscripts and the ancient
versions, thus: Ait enim Johannes de Domino nostro in epistolâ nos
docens, Hic es qui venit per aquam et sanguinem, Jesus Christus, non in
aquâ tantùm, sed in aquâ et sanguine; et Spiritus est qui testimonium
perhibet, quia Spiritus est veritas; quia tres testimonium perhibent,
Spiritus et aqua et sanguis, et isti tres in unum sunt--For John, in
his epistle, says concerning our Lord, This is he, Jesus Christ, who
came by water and blood, not in water only, but in water and blood; and
it is the Spirit that bears witness, because the Spirit is truth; for
there are three that bear witness, the Spirit, the water, and the
blood, and these three agree in one. If all the Greek manuscripts and
ancient versions say concerning the Spirit, the water, and the blood,
that in unum sunt--they agree in one, then it was not of them that
Cyprian spoke, whatever variety there might be in the copies in his
time, when he said it is written, unum sunt--they are one. And
therefore Cyprian's words seem still to be a firm testimony to v. 7,
and an intimation likewise that a forger of the text would have
scarcely so exactly hit upon the apostolical name for the second
witness in heaven, the Word. Them, [3.] As only this apostle records
the history of the water and blood flowing out of the Saviour's side,
so it is he only, or he principally, who registers to us the Saviour's
promise and prediction of the Holy spirit's coming to glorify him, and
to testify of him, and to convince the world of its own unbelief and of
his righteousness, as in his gospel, ch. xiv. 16, 17, 26; xv. 26; xvi.
7-15. It is most suitable then to the diction and to the gospel of this
apostle thus to mention the Holy Ghost as a witness for Jesus Christ.
Then,
(5.) It was far more easy for a transcriber, by turning away his eye,
or by the obscurity of the copy, it being obliterated or defaced on the
top or bottom of a page, or worn away in such materials as the ancients
had to write upon, to lose and omit the passage, than for an
interpolator to devise and insert it. He must be very bold and impudent
who could hope to escape detection and shame; and profane too, who
durst venture to make an addition to a supposed sacred book. And,
(6.) It can scarcely be supposed that, when the apostle is representing
the Christian's faith in overcoming the world, and the foundation it
relies upon in adhering to Jesus Christ, and the various testimony that
was attended him, especially when we consider that he meant to infer,
as he does (v. 9), If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God
is greater; for this (which he had rehearsed before) is the witness of
God which he hath testified of his Son. Now in the three witnesses on
earth there is neither all the witness of God, nor indeed any witness
who is truly and immediately God. The antitrinitarian opposers of the
text will deny that either the Spirit, or the water, or the blood, is
God himself; but, upon our present reading, here is a noble enumeration
of the several witnesses and testimonies supporting the truth of the
Lord Jesus and the divinity of his institution. Here is the most
excellent abridgment or breviate of the motives to faith in Christ, of
the credentials the Saviour brings with him, and of the evidences of
our Christianity, that is to be found, I think, in the book of God,
upon which single account, even waiving the doctrine of the divine
Trinity, the text is worthy of all acceptation.
2. Having these rational grounds on out side, we proceed. The apostle,
having told us that the Spirit that bears witness to Christ is truth,
shows us that he is so, by assuring us that he is in heaven, and that
there are others also who cannot but be true, or truth itself,
concurring in testimony with him: For there are three that bear record
in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these three
are one, v. 7.
(1.) Here is a trinity of heavenly witnesses, such as have testified
and vouched to the world the veracity and authority of the Lord Jesus
in his office and claims, where, [1.] The first that occurs in order is
the Father; he set his seal to the commission of the Lord Christ all
the while he was here; more especially, First, In proclaiming him at
his baptism, Matt. iii. 17. Secondly, In confirming his character at
the transfiguration, Matt. xvii. 5. Thirdly, In accompanying him with
miraculous power and works: If I do not the works of my Father, believe
me not; but if I do, though you believe not me, believe the works, that
you may know and believe that the Father is in me, and I in him, John
x. 37, 38. Fourthly, In avouching at his death, Matt. xxvii. 54.
Fifthly, In raising him from the dead, and receiving him up to his
glory: He shall convince the world-of righteousness, because I go to my
Father, and you see me no more, John xvi. 10, and Rom. i. 4. [2.] The
second witness in the Word, a mysterious name, importing the highest
nature that belongs to the Saviour of Jesus Christ, wherein he existed
before the world was, whereby he made the world, and whereby he was
truly God with the Father. He must bear witness to the human nature, or
to the man Christ Jesus, in and by whom he redeemed and saved us; and
he bore witness, First, By the mighty works that he wrought. John v.
17, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Secondly, In conferring a
glory upon him at his transfiguration. And we beheld his glory, the
glory as of the only-begotten of the Father, John i. 14. Thirdly, In
raising him from the dead. John ii. 19, Destroy this temple, and in
three days will I raise it up. [3.] The third witness is the Holy
Ghost, or the Holy Spirit, and august, venerable name, the possessor,
proprietor, and author of holiness. True and faithful must he be to
whom the Spirit of holiness sets his seal and solemn testimony. So he
did to the Lord Jesus, the head of the Christian world; and that in
such instances as these:-- First, In the miraculous production of his
immaculate human nature in the virgin's womb. The Holy Ghost shall come
upon thee, Luke i. 35, &c. Secondly, In the visible descent upon him at
his baptism. The Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape, Luke iii. 22,
&c. Thirdly, In an effectual conquest of the spirits of hell and
darkness. If I cast out devils by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom
of God has come unto you, Matt. xii. 28. Fourthly, In the visible
potent descent upon the apostles, to furnish them with gifts and powers
to preach him and his gospel to the world after he himself had gone to
heaven, Acts i. 4, 5; ii. 2-4, &c. Fifthly, In supporting the name,
gospel, and interest of Christ, by miraculous gifts and operations by
and upon the disciples, and in the churches, for two hundred years (1
Cor. xii. 7), concerning which see Dr. Whitby's excellent discourse in
the preface to the second volume of his Commentary on the New
Testament. These are witnesses in heaven; and they bear record from
heaven; and they are one, it should seem, not only in testimony (for
that is implied in their being three witnesses to one and the same
thing), but upon a higher account, as they are in heaven; they are one
in their heavenly being and essence; and, if one with the Father, they
must be one God.
(2.) To these there is opposed, though with them joined, a trinity of
witnesses on earth, such as continue here below: And there are three
that bear witness on earth, the spirit, the water, and the blood; and
these three agree in one, v. 8. [1.] Of these witnesses the first is
the spirit. This must be distinguished from the person of the Holy
Ghost, who is in heaven. We must say then, with the Saviour (according
to what is reported by this apostle), that which is born of the Spirit
is spirit, John iii. 6. The disciples of the Saviour are, as well as
others, born after the flesh. They come into the world endued with a
corrupt carnal disposition, which is enmity to God. This disposition
must be mortified and abolished. A new nature must be communicated. Old
lusts and corruptions must be eradicated, and the true disciple become
a new creature. The regeneration or renovation of souls is a testimony
to the Saviour. It is his actual though initial salvation. It is a
testimony on earth, because it continues with the church here, and is
not performed in that conspicuous astonishing manner in which signs
from heaven are accomplished. To this Spirit belong not only the
regeneration and conversion of the church, but its progressive
sanctification, victory over the world, her peace, and love, and joy,
and all that grace by which she is made meet for the inheritance of the
saints in light. [2.] The second is the water. This was before
considered as a means of salvation, now as a testimony to the Saviour
himself, and intimates his purity and purifying power. And so it seems
to comprehend, First, The purity of his own nature and conduct in the
world. He was holy, harmless, and undefiled. Secondly, The testimony of
John's baptism, who bore witness of him, prepared a people for him, and
referred them to him, Mark i. 4, 7, 8. Thirdly, The purity of his own
doctrine, by which souls are purified and washed. Now you are clean
through the word that I have spoken unto you, John xv. 3. Fourthly, The
actual and active purity and holiness of his disciples. His body is the
holy catholic church. Seeing you have purified your souls in obeying
the truth through the Spirit, 1 Pet. i. 22. And this signed and sealed
by, Fifthly, The baptism that he has appointed for the initiation or
introduction of his disciples, in which he signally (or by that sign)
says, Except I wash thee, thou hast no part in me. Not the putting away
of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience towards
God, 1 Pet. iii. 21. [3.] The third witness is the blood; this he shed,
and this was our ransom. This testifies for Jesus Christ, First, In
that it sealed up and finished the sacrifices of the Old Testament,
Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Secondly, In that it
confirmed his own predictions, and the truth of all his ministry and
doctrine, John xviii. 37. Thirdly, In that it showed unparalleled love
to God, in that he would die a sacrifice to his honour and glory, in
making atonement for the sins of the world, John xiv. 30, 31. Fourthly,
In that it demonstrated unspeakable love to us; and none will deceive
those whom they entirely love, John xiv. 13-15. Fifthly, In that it
demonstrated the disinterestedness of the Lord Jesus as to any secular
interest and advantage. No impostor and deceiver ever proposes to
himself contempt and a violent cruel death, John xviii. 36. Sixthly, In
that it lays obligation on his disciple to suffer and die for him. No
deceiver would invite proselytes to his side and interest at the rate
that the Lord Jesus did. You shall be hated of all men for my sake.
They shall put you out of their synagogues; and the time comes that
whosoever kills you will think that he doeth God service, John xvi. 2.
He frequently calls his servants to a conformity with him in
sufferings: Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp,
bearing his reproach, Heb. xiii. 13. This shows that neither he nor his
kingdom is of this world. Seventhly, The benefits accruing and procured
by his blood (well understood) must immediately demonstrate that he is
indeed the Saviour of the world. And then, Eighthly, These are
signified and sealed in the institution of his own supper: This is my
blood of the New Testament (which ratifies the New Testament), which is
shed for many, for the remission of sins, Matt. xxvi. 28. Such are the
witnesses on earth. Such is the various testimony given to the author
of our religion. No wonder if the rejector of all this evidence he
judged as a blasphemer of the Spirit of God, and be left to perish
without remedy in his sins. These three witnesses (being more different
than the three former) are not so properly said to be one as to be for
one, to be for one and the same purpose and cause, or to agree in one,
in one and the same thing among themselves, and in the same testimony
with those who bear record from heaven.
III. The apostle justly concludes, If we receive the witness of men,
the witness of God is greater; for this is the witness of God, that he
hath testified of his Son, v. 9. Here we have, 1. A supposition well
founded upon the premises. Here is the witness of God, the witness
whereby God hath testified of his Son, which surely must intimate some
immediate irrefragable testimony, and that of the Father concerning his
Son; he has by himself proclaimed and avouched him to the world. 2. The
authority and acceptableness of his testimony; and that argued from the
less to the greater: If we receive the witness of men (and such
testimony is and must be admitted in all judicatories and in all
nations), the witness of God is greater. It is truth itself, of highest
authority and most unquestionable infallibility. And then there is, 3.
The application of the rule to the present case: For this is the
witness, and here is the witness of God even of the Father, as well as
of the Word and Spirit, which he hath testified of, and wherein he hath
attested, his Son. God, that cannot lie, hath given sufficient
assurance to the world that Jesus Christ is his Son, the Son of his
love, and Son by office, to reconcile and recover the world unto
himself; he testified therefore the truth and divine origin of the
Christian religion, and that it is the sure appointed way and means of
bringing us to God.
The Believer's Privilege. (a. d. 80.)
10 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he
that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not
the record that God gave of his Son. 11 And this is the record, that
God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He
that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath
not life. 13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the
name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and
that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.
In those words we may observe,
I. The privilege and stability of the real Christian: He that believeth
on the Son of God, hath been prevailed with unfeignedly to cleave to
him for salvation, hath the witness in himself, v. 10. He hath not only
the outward evidence that others have, but he hath in his own heart a
testimony for Jesus Christ. He can allege what Christ and the truth of
Christ have done for his soul and what he has seen and found in him.
As, 1. He has deeply seen his sin, and guilt, and misery, and his
abundant need of such a Saviour. 2. He has seen the excellency, beauty,
and office of the Son of God, and the incomparable suitableness of such
a Saviour to all his spiritual wants and sorrowful circumstances. 3. He
sees and admires the wisdom and love of God in preparing and sending
such a Saviour to deliver him from sin and hell, and to raise him to
pardon, peace, and communion with God. 4. He has found and felt the
power of the word and doctrine of Christ, wounding, humbling, healing,
quickening, and comforting his soul. 5. He finds that the revelation of
Christ, as it is the greatest discovery and demonstration of the love
of God, so it is the most apt and powerful means of kindling,
fomenting, and inflaming love to the holy blessed God. 6. He is born of
God by the truth of Christ, as v. 1. He has a new heart and nature, a
new love, disposition, and delight, and is not the man that formerly he
was. 7. He finds yet such a conflict with himself, with sin, with the
flesh, the world, and invisible wicked powers, as is described and
provided for in the doctrine of Christ. 8. He finds such prospects and
such strength afforded him by the faith of Christ, that he can despise
and overcome the world, and travel on towards a better. 9. He finds
what interest the Mediator has in heaven, by the audiency and
prevalency of those prayers that are sent thither in his name,
according to his will, and through his intercession. 10. He is begotten
again to a lively hope, to a holy confidence in God, in his good-will
and love, to a pleasant victory over terrors of conscience, dread of
death and hell, to a comfortable prospect of life and immortality,
being enriched with the earnest of the Spirit and sealed to the day of
redemption. Such assurance has the gospel believer; he has a witness in
himself. Christ is formed in him, and he is growing up to the fulness
and perfection, or perfect image of Christ, in heaven.
II. The aggravation of the unbeliever's sin, the sin of unbelief: He
that believeth not God hath made him a liar. He does, in effect, give
God the lie, because he believeth not the record that God gave of his
Son, v. 10. He must believe that God did not send his Son into the
world, when he has given us such manifold evidence that he did, or that
Jesus Christ was not the Son of God, when all that evidence relates to
and terminates upon him, or that he sent his Son to deceive the world
and to lead it into error and misery, or that he permits men to devise
a religion which, in all the parts of it, is a pure, holy, heavenly,
undefiled institution, and so worthy to be embraced by the reason of
mankind, and yet is but a delusion and a lie, and then lends them his
Spirit and power to recommend and obtrude it upon the world, which is
to make God the Father, the author and abettor, of the lie.
III. The matter, the substance, or contents of all this divine
testimony concerning Jesus Christ: And this is the record, that God
hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son, v. 11. This
is the sum of the gospel. This is the sum and epitome of the whole
record given us by all the aforesaid six witnesses. 1. That God hath
given to us eternal life. He has designed it for us in his eternal
purpose. He has prepared all the means that are necessary to bring us
to it. He has made it over to us by his covenant and promise. And he
actually confers a right and title thereto on all who believe on and
actually embrace the Son of God. Then, 2. This life is in the Son. The
Son is life; eternal life in his own essence and person, John i. 4; 1
John i. 2. He is eternal life to us, the spring of our spiritual and
glorious life, Col. iii. 4. From him life is communicated to us, both
here in heaven. And thereupon it must follow, (1.) He that hath the Son
hath life, v. 12. He that is united to the Son is united to life. He
who hath a title to the Son hath a title to life, to eternal life. Such
honour hath the Father put upon the Son: such honour must we put upon
him too. We must come and kiss the Son, and we shall have life. (2.) He
that hath not the Son of God hath not life, v. 12. He continues under
the condemnation of the law (John iii. 36); he refuses the Son, who is
life itself, who is the procurer of life, and the way to it; he
provokes God to deliver him over to endless death for making him a
liar, since he believes not this record that God hath given concerning
his Son.
IV. The end and reason of the apostle's preaching this to believers. 1.
For their satisfaction and comfort: These things have I written unto
you that believe on the name of the Son of God, that you may know that
you have eternal life, v. 13. Upon all this evidence, and these
witnesses, it is but just and meet that there should be those who
believe on the name of the Son of God. God increase their number! How
much testimony from heaven has the world to answer for! And to three
witnesses in heaven must the world be accountable. These believers have
eternal life. They have it in the covenant of the gospel, in the
beginning and first-fruits of it within them, and in their Lord and
head in heaven. These believers may come to know that they have eternal
life, and should be quickened, encouraged, and comforted, in the
prospect of it: and they should value the scriptures, which are so much
written for their consolation and salvation. 2. For their confirmation
and progress in their holy faith: And that you may believe on the name
of the Son of God (v. 13), may go on believing. Believers must
persevere, or they do nothing. To withdraw from believing on the name
of the Son of God is to renounce eternal life, and draw back unto
perdition. Therefore the evidences of religion and the advantage of
faith are to be presented to believers, in order to hearten and
encourage them to persevere to the end.
The Sin unto Death. (a. d. 80.)
14 And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us: 15 And if we know that he
hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we
desired of him. 16 If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not
unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin
not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall
pray for it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not
unto death.
Here we have,
I. A privilege belonging to faith in Christ, namely, audience in
prayer: This is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any
thing according to his will, he heareth us, v. 14. The Lord Christ
emboldens us to come to God in all circumstances, with all our
supplications and requests. Through him our petitions are admitted and
accepted of God. The matter of our prayer must be agreeable to the
declared will of God. It is not fit that we should ask what is contrary
either to his majesty and glory or to our own good, who are his and
dependent on him. And then we may have confidence that the prayer of
faith shall be heard in heaven.
II. The advantage accruing to us by such privilege: If we know that he
heareth us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that
we desired of him, v. 15. Great are the deliverances, mercies, and
blessings, which the holy petitioner needs. To know that his petitions
are heard or accepted is as good as to know that they are answered; and
therefore that he is so pitied, pardoned, or counselled, sanctified,
assisted, and saved (or shall be so) as he is allowed to ask of God.
III. Direction in prayer in reference to the sins of others: If any man
see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he
shall give him life for those that sin not unto death. There is a sin
unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it, v. 16. Here we may
observe, 1. We ought to pray for others as well as for ourselves; for
our brethren of mankind, that they may be enlightened, converted, and
saved; for our brethren in the Christian profession, that they may be
sincere, that their sins may be pardoned, and that they may be
delivered from evils and the chastisements of God, and preserved in
Christ Jesus. 2. There is a great distinction in the heinousness and
guilt of sin: There is a sin unto death (v. 16), and there is a sin not
unto death, v. 17. (1.) There is a sin unto death. All sin, as to the
merit and legal sentence of it, is unto death. The wages of sin is
death; and cursed is every one that continueth not in all things that
are written in the book of the law, to do them, Gal. iii. 10. But there
is a sin unto death in opposition to such sin as is here said not to be
unto death. There is therefore, (2.) A sin not unto death. This surely
must include all such sin as by divine or human constitution may
consist with life; in the human constitution with temporal or corporal
life, in the divine constitution with corporal or with spiritual
evangelical life. [1.] There are sins which, by human righteous
constitution, are not unto death; as divers pieces of injustice, which
may be compensated without the death of the delinquent. In opposition
to this there are sins which, by righteous constitution, are to death,
or to a legal forfeiture of life; such as we call capital crimes. [2.]
Then there are sins which, by divine constitution, are unto death; and
that either death corporal or spiritual and evangelical. First, Such as
are, or may be, to death corporal. Such may the sins be either of gross
hypocrites, as Ananias and Sapphira, or, for aught we know, of sincere
Christian brethren, as when the apostle says of the offending members
of the church of Corinth, For this cause many are weak and sickly among
you, and many sleep, 1 Cor. xi. 30. There may be sin unto corporal
death among those who may not be condemned with the world. Such sin, I
said, is, or may be, to corporal death. The divine penal constitution
in the gospel does not positively and peremptorily threaten death to
the more visible sins of the members of Christ, but only some
gospel-chastisement; for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and
scourgeth every son whom he receiveth, Heb. xii. 6. There is room left
for divine wisdom or goodness, or even gospel severity, to determine
how far the chastisement or the scourge shall proceed. And we cannot
say but that sometimes it may (in terrorem--for warning to others)
proceed even to death. Then, Secondly, There are sins which, by divine
constitution, are unto death spiritual and evangelical, that is, are
inconsistent with spiritual and evangelical life, with spiritual life
in the soul and with an evangelical right to life above. Such are total
impenitence and unbelief for the present. Final impenitence and
unbelief are infallibly to death eternal, as also a blaspheming of the
Spirit of God in the testimony that he has given to Christ and his
gospel, and a total apostasy from the light and convictive evidence of
the truth of the Christian religion. These are sins involving the guilt
of everlasting death. Then comes,
IV. The application of the direction for prayer according to the
different sorts of sin thus distinguished. The prayer is supposed to be
for life: He shall ask, and he (God) shall give them life. Life is to
be asked of God. He is the God of life; he gives it when and to whom he
pleases, and takes it away either by his constitution or providence, or
both, as he thinks meet. In the case of a brother's sin, which is not
(in the manner already mentioned) unto death, we may in faith and hope
pray for him; and particularly for the life of soul and body. But, in
case of the sin unto death in the forementioned ways, we have no
allowance to pray. Perhaps the apostle's expression, I do not say, He
shall pray for it, may intend no more than, "I have no promise for you
in that case; no foundation for the prayer of faith." 1. The laws of
punitive justice must be executed, for the common safety and benefit of
mankind: and even an offending brother in such a case must be resigned
to public justice (which in the foundation of it is divine), and at the
same time also to the mercy of God. 2. The removal of evangelical
penalties (as they may be called), or the prevention of death (which
may seem to be so consequential upon, or inflicted for, some particular
sin), can be prayed for only conditionally or provisionally, that is,
with proviso that it consist with the wisdom, will, and glory of God
that they should be removed, and particularly such death prevented. 3.
We cannot pray that the sins of the impenitent and unbelieving should,
while they are such, be forgiven them, or that any mercy of life or
soul, that suppose the forgiveness of sin, should be granted to them,
while they continue such. But we may pray for their repentance
(supposing them but in the common case of the impenitent world), for
their being enriched with faith in Christ, and thereupon for all other
saving mercies. 4. In case it should appear that any have committed the
irremissible blasphemy against the Holy Ghost, and the total apostasy
from the illuminating convictive powers of the Christian religion, it
should seem that they are not to be prayed for at all. For what remains
but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, to consume such
adversaries? Heb. x. 27. And these last seem to be the sins chiefly
intended by the apostle by the name of sins unto death. Then, 5. The
apostle seems to argue that there is sin that is not unto death; thus,
All unrighteousness is sin (v. 17); but, were all unrighteousness unto
death (since we have all some unrighteousness towards God or man, or
both, in omitting and neglecting something that is their due), then we
were all peremptorily bound over to death, and, since it is not so (the
Christian brethren, generally speaking, having right to life), there
must be sin that is not to death. Though there is no venial sin (in the
common acceptation), there is pardoned sin, sin that does not involve a
plenary obligation to eternal death. If it were not so, there could be
no justification nor continuance of the justified state. The gospel
constitution or covenant abbreviates, abridges, or rescinds the guilt
of sin.
Privileges of Believers. (a. d. 80.)
18 We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is
begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.
19 And we know that we are of God, and the whole world lieth in
wickedness. 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath
given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we
are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true
God, and eternal life. 21 Little children, keep yourselves from
idols. Amen.
Here we have,
I. A recapitulation of the privileges and advantages of sound Christian
believers. 1. They are secured against sin, against the fulness of its
dominion or the fulness of its guilt: We know that whosoever is born of
God (and the believer in Christ is born of God, v. 1) sinneth not (v.
18), sinneth not with that fulness of heart and spirit that the
unregenerate do (as was said ch. iii. 6, 9), and consequently not with
that fulness of guilt that attends the sins of others; and so he is
secured against that sin which is unavoidably unto death, or which
infallibly binds the sinner over unto the wages of eternal death; the
new nature, and the inhabitation of the divine Spirit thereby, prevent
the admission of such unpardonable sin. 2. They are fortified against
the devil's destructive attempts: He that is begotten of God keepeth
himself, that is, is enabled to guard himself, and the wicked one
toucheth him not (v. 18), that is, that the wicked one may not touch
him, namely, to death. It seems not to be barely a narration of the
duty or the practice of the regenerate; but an indication of their
power by virtue of their regeneration. They are thereby prepared and
principled against the fatal touches, the sting, of the wicked one; he
touches not their souls, to infuse his venom there a he does in others,
or to expel that regenerative principle which is an antidote to his
poison, or to induce them to that sin which by the gospel constitution
conveys an indissoluble obligation to eternal death. He may prevail too
far with them, to draw them to some acts of sin; but it seems to be the
design of the apostle to assert that their regeneration secures them
from such assaults of the devil as will bring them into the same case
and actual condemnation with the devil. 3. They are on God's side and
interest, in opposition to the state of the world: And we know that we
are of God, and the whole world lieth in wickedness, v. 19. Mankind are
divided into two great parties of dominions, that which belongs to God
and that which belongs to wickedness or to the wicked one. The
Christian believers belong to God. They are of God, and from him, and
to him, and for him. They succeed into the right and room of the
ancient Israel of God, of whom it is said, The Lord's people is his
portion, his estate in this world; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance,
the dividend that has fallen to him by the lot of his own determination
(Deut. xxxii. 9); while, on the contrary, the whole world, the rest,
being by far the major part, lieth in wickedness, in the jaws in the
bowels of the wicked one. There are, indeed, were we to consider the
individuals, many wicked ones, many wicked spirits, in the heavenly or
the ethereal places; but they are united in wicked nature, policy, and
principle, and they are united also in one head. There is the prince of
the devils and of the diabolical kingdom. There is a head of the
malignity and of the malignant world; and he has such sway here that he
is called the god of this world. Strange that such a knowing spirit
should be so implacably incensed against the Almighty and all his
interests, when he cannot but know that it must end in his own
overthrow and everlasting damnation! How tremendous is the judgment of
God upon that wicked one! May the God of the Christian world
continually demolish his dominion in this world, and translate souls
into the kingdom of his dear Son! 4. They are enlightened in the
knowledge of the true eternal God: "And we know that the Son of God has
come, and has given as an understanding, that we may know him that is
true, v. 20. The Son of God has come into our world, and we have seen
him, and know him by all the evidence that has already been asserted;
he has revealed unto us the true God (as John i. 18), and he has opened
our minds too to understand that revelation, given us an internal light
in our understandings, whereby we may discern the glories of the true
God; and we are assured that it is the true God that he hath discovered
to us. He is infinitely superior in purity, power, and perfection, to
all the gods of the Gentiles. He has all the excellences, beauties, and
riches, of the living and true God. It is the same God that, according
to Moses's account, made the heavens and the earth, the same who took
our fathers and patriarchs into peculiar covenant with himself, the
same who brought our ancestors out of Egypt, who gave us the fiery law
upon mount Sinai, who gave us his holy oracles, promised the call and
conversion of the Gentiles. By his counsels and works, by his love and
grace, by his terrors and judgments, we know that he, and he alone, in
the fulness of his being, is the living and true God." It is a great
happiness to know the true God, to know him in Christ; it is eternal
lie, John xvii. 3. It is the glory of the Christian revelation that it
gives the best account of the true God, and administers the best
eye-salve for our discerning the living and true God. 5. They have a
happy union with God and his Son: "And we are in him that is true, even
(or and) in his Son Jesus Christ, v. 20. The Son leads us to the
Father, and we are in both, in the love and favour of both, in covenant
and federal alliance with both, in spiritual conjunction with both by
the inhabitation and operation of their Spirit: and, that you may know
how great a dignity and felicity this is, you must remember that this
true one is the true God and eternal life" or rather (as it should seem
a more natural construction), "This same Son of God is himself also the
true God and eternal life" (John i. 1, and here, ch. i. 2), "so that in
union with either, much more with both, we are united to the true God
and eternal life." Then we have,
II. The apostle's concluding monition: "Little children" (dear
children, as it has been interpreted), "keep yourselves from idols, v.
21. Since you know the true God, and are in him, let your light and
love guard you against all that is advanced in opposition to him, or
competition with him. Flee from the false gods of the heathen world.
They are not comparable to the God whose you are and whom you serve.
Adore not your God by statues and images, which share in his worship.
Your God is an incomprehensible Spirit, and is disgraced by such sordid
representations. Hold no communion with your heathen neighbours in
their idolatrous worship. Your God is jealous, and would have you come
out, and be separated from among them; mortify the flesh, and be
crucified to the world, that they may not usurp the throne of dominion
in the heart, which is due only to God. The God whom you have known is
he who made you, who redeemed you by his Son, who has sent his gospel
to you, who has pardoned your sins, begotten you unto himself by his
Spirit, and given you eternal life. Cleave to him in faith, and love,
and constant obedience, in opposition to all things that would alienate
your mind and heart from God. To this living and true God be glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen."
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Second John
Completed by John Reynolds, of Shrewsbury.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE SECOND EPISTLE OF
J O H N.
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Here we find a canonical epistle inscribed, principally, not only to a
single person, but to one also of the softer sex. And why not to one of
that sex? In gospel redemption, privilege, and dignity, there is
neither male nor female; they are both one in Christ Jesus. Our Lord
himself neglected his own repast, to commune with the woman of Samaria,
in order to show her the fountain of life; and, when almost expiring
upon the cross, he would with his dying lips bequeath his blessed
mother to the care of his beloved disciple, and thereby instruct him to
respect female disciples for the future. It was to one of the same sex
that our Lord chose to appear first after his return from the grave,
and to send by her the news of his resurrection to this as well as to
the other apostles; and we find afterwards a zealous Priscilla so well
acquitting herself in her Christian race, and particularly in some
hazardous service towards the apostle Paul, that she is not only often
mentioned before her husband, but to her as well as to him, not only
the apostle himself, but also all the Gentile churches, were ready to
return their thankful acknowledgments. No wonder then that a heroine in
the Christian religion, honoured by divine providence, and
distinguished by divine grace, should be dignified also by an
apostolical epistle.
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S E C O N D J O H N.
CHAP. I.
The apostle here salutes an honourable matron and her children, ver.
1-3. Recommends to them faith and love, ver. 5, 6. Warns them of
deceivers (ver. 7), and to take heed to themselves, ver. 8. Teaches how
to treat those who bring not the doctrine of Christ, ver. 10, 11. And,
referring other things to personal discourse, concludes the epistle,
ver. 12, 13.
Salutation. (a. d. 90.)
1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the
truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; 2
For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for
ever. 3 Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and
from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as
we have received a commandment from the Father.
Ancient epistles began, as here, with salutation and good wishes:
religion consecrates, as far as may be, old forms, and turns
compliments into real expressions of life and love. Here we have, as
usually,
I. The saluter, not expressed by name, but by a chosen character: The
elder. The expression, and style, and love, intimate that the penman
was the same with that of the foregoing epistle; he is now the elder,
emphatically and eminently so; possibly the oldest apostle now living,
the chief elder in the church of God. An elder in the ancient house of
Israel was reverend, or to be reverenced, much more he who is so In the
gospel Israel of God. An old disciple is honourable; and old apostle
and leader of disciples is more so. He was now old in holy service and
experience, had seen and tasted much of heaven, and was much nearer
than when at first he believed.
II. The saluted--a noble Christian matron, and her children: To the
elect lady and her children. A lady, a person of eminent quality for
birth, education, and estate. It is well that the gospel ha got among
such. It is a pity but lords and ladies should be acquainted with the
Lord Christ and his religion. They owe more to him than others do;
though usually not many noble are called. Here is a pattern for persons
of quality of the same sex. The elect lady; not only a choice one, but
one chosen of God. It is lovely and beautiful to see ladies, by holy
walking, demonstrate their election of God. And her children; probably
the lady was a widow; she and her children then are the principal part
of the family, and so this may be styled an economical epistle.
Families may well be written to and encouraged, and further directed in
their domestic love, and order, and duties. We see that children may
well be taken notice of in Christian letters, and they should know it
too; it may avail to their encouragement and caution. Those who love
and commend them will be apt to enquire after them. This lady and her
children are further notified by the respect paid them, and that, 1. By
the apostle himself: Whom I love in the truth, or in truth, whom I
sincerely and heartily love. He who was the beloved disciple had learnt
the art or exercise of love; and he especially loved those who loved
him, that Lord who loved him. 2. By all her Christian acquaintance, all
the religious who knew her: And not I only, but also all those that
have known the truth. virtue and goodness in an elevated sphere shine
brightly. Truth demands acknowledgment, and those who see the evidences
of pure religion should confess and attest them; it is a good sign and
great duty to love and value religion in others. The ground of this
love and respect thus paid to this lady and her children was their
regard to the truth: For the truth's sake (or true religion's sake)
which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever. Christian love is
founded upon the appearance of vital religion. Likeness should beget
affection. Those who love truth and piety in themselves should love it
in others too, or love others upon the account of it. The apostle and
the other Christians loved this lady, not so much for her honour as her
holiness; not so much for her bounty as her serious Christianity. We
should not be religious merely by fits and starts, in certain moods and
moons; but religion should still dwell within us, in our minds and
hearts, in our faith and love. It is to be hoped that where religion
once truly dwells it will abide for ever. The Spirit of Christianity,
we may suppose, will not be totally extinguished: Which shall be with
us for ever.
III. The salutation, which is indeed an apostolical benediction: Grace
be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and from the Lord
Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love, v. 3. Sacred
love pours out blessings upon this honourable Christian family; to
those who have shall more be given. Observe,
1. From whom these blessings are craved, (1.) From God the Father, the
God of all grace. He is the fountain of blessedness, and of all the
blessings that must bring us thither. (2.) From the Lord Jesus Christ.
He is also author and communicator of these heavenly blessings, and he
is distinguished by this emphatic character--the Son of the Father;
such a Son as none else can be; such a Son as is the brightness of the
Father's glory, and the express image of his person, who, with the
Father, is also eternal life, 1 John i. 2.
2. What the apostle craves from these divine persons. (1.)
Grace--divine favour and good-will, the spring of all good things: it
is grace indeed that any spiritual blessing should be conferred on
sinful mortals. (2.) Mercy--free pardon and forgiveness; those who are
already rich in grace have need of continual forgiveness. (3.)
Peace--tranquility of spirit and serenity of conscience, in an assured
reconciliation with God, together with all safe and sanctified outward
prosperity. And these are desired in truth and love, either by sincere
and ardent affection in the saluter (in faith and love he prays them
from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ), or as productive of
continued truth and love in the saluted; these blessings will
continually preserve true faith and love in the elect lady and her
children; and may they do so!
IV. The congratulation upon the prospect of the exemplary behaviour of
other children of this excellent lady. Happy parent, who was blessed
with such a numerous religious offspring! I rejoiced greatly that I
found of thy children walking in the truth, as we have received
commandment from the Father, v. 4. Possibly the lady's sons travelled
abroad, either for accomplishment and acquaintance with the world, or
on the account of their own business or the common affairs of the
family, and in their travels might come to Ephesus, where the apostle
is supposed to have now resided, and might there happily converse with
him. See how good it is to be trained up to early religion! Though
religion is not to be founded upon education, yet education may be and
often is blessed, and is the way to fortify youth against irreligious
infection. Hence too let young travellers learn to carry their religion
along with them, and not either leave it at home or learn the ill
customs of the countries where they come. It may be observed, also,
that sometimes election runs in a direct line; here we have an elect
lady, and her elect children; children may be beloved for their
parents' sake, but both by virtue of free grace. From the apostle's joy
herein we may observe that it is pleasant to see children treading in
good parent's steps; and those who see this may well congratulate their
parents thereupon, and that both to excite their thankfulness to God
for, and to enlarge their comfort in, so great a blessing. How happy a
lady was this, who had brought forth so many children for heaven and
for God! And how great a joy must it be to her ladyship to hear so good
an account of them from so good a judge! And we may further see that it
is joyful to good old ministers, and accordingly to other good old
disciples, to see a hopeful rising generation, who may serve God and
support religion in the world when they are dead and gone. We see here
also the rule of true walking: the commandment of the Father. Then is
our walk true, our converse right, when it is managed by the word of
God.
Christian Love. (a. d. 90.)
5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment
unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one
another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.
This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye
should walk in it.
We come now more into the design and substance of the epistle; and here
we have,
I. The apostle's request: Now, I beseech thee, lady. Considering what
it is that he entreats, the way of address is very remarkable; it is
not any particular boon or bounty to himself, but common duty and
observance of divine command. Here he might command or charge; but
harsher measures are worse than needless where milder will prevail; and
the apostolical spirit is, of all other, the most tender and endearing.
Whether out of deference to her ladyship, or apostolical meekness, or
both, he condescends to beseech: And now I beseech thee, lady. He may
be supposed speaking as another apostle does to a certain master to
whom he writes: Wherefore, though I might be very bold in Christ (and
according to the power with which Christ hath entrusted me) to enjoin
thee that which is convenient, yet, for love's sake I rather beseech
thee, being such a one as the aged, the elder. Love will avail where
authority will not; and we may often see that the more authority is
urged the more it is slighted. The apostolical minister will love and
beseech his friends into their duty.
II. The thing requested of the lady and her children--Christian sacred
love: That we love one another, v. 5. Those that are eminent in any
Christian virtue have yet room to grow therein. But, as touching
brotherly love, you need not that I write unto you; for you yourselves
are taught of God to love one another. But we beseech you, brethren
(and sisters), that you increase more and more, 1 Thess. iv. 9, 10.
1. This love is recommended, (1.) From the obligation thereto--the
commandment. Divine command should sway our mind and heart. (2.) From
the antiquity of the obligation: Not as though I wrote a new
commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, v. 5.
This commandment of mutual Christian love may be said to be a new one
in respect of its new enaction and sanction by the Lord Christ; but
yet, as to the matter of it (mutual holy love), it is as old as
natural, Jewish, or Christian religion. This commandment must every
where attend Christianity, that the disciples of it must love one
another.
2. Then this love is illustrated from the fruitful nature of it: And
this is love, that we walk after his commandments, v. 5. This is the
test of our love to God, our obedience to him. This is love to
ourselves, to our own souls, that we walk in obedience to divine
commands. In keeping them there is great reward. This is love to one
another, to engage one another to walk in holiness; and this is the
evidence of our sincere, mutual, Christian love--that we (in other
things) walk after God's commands. There may be mutual love that is not
religious and Christian; but we know ours to be so, by our attendance
to all other commands besides that of mutual love. Universal obedience
is the proof of the goodness and sincerity of Christian virtues; and
those that aim at all Christian obedience will be sure to attend to
Christian love. This is a fundamental duty in the gospel-charter: This
is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning, you
should walk in it (v. 6), that is, walk in this love. The foresight of
the decay of this love, as well as of other apostasy, might engage the
apostle to inculcate this duty, and this primordial command, the more
frequently, the more earnestly.
Deceivers Condemned. (a. d. 90.)
7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that
Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an
antichrist. 8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which
we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 Whosoever
transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.
He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and
the Son.
In this principal part of the epistle we find,
I. The ill news communicated to the lady-seducers are abroad: For many
deceivers have entered into the world. This report is introduced by a
particle that bespeaks a reason of the report. "You have need to
maintain your love, for there are destroyers of it in the world. Those
who subvert the faith destroy the love; the common faith is one ground
of the common love;" or, "You must secure your walk according to the
commands of God; this will secure you. Your stability is likely to be
tried, for many deceivers have entered into the world." Sad and
saddening news may be communicated to our Christian friends; not that
we should love to make them sorry, but to fore-warn is the way to
fore-arm them against their trials. Now here is, 1. The description of
the deceiver and his deceit--he confesses not that Jesus Christ has
come in the flesh (v. 7); he brings some error or other concerning the
person of the Lord Jesus; he either confesses not that Jesus Christ is
the same person, or that Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the anointed
of God, the Messiah promised of old for the redemption of Israel, or
that the promised Messiah and Redeemer has come in the flesh, or into
the flesh, into our world and into our nature; such a one pretends that
he is yet to be expected. Strange that after such evidence any should
deny that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour of the world! 2.
The aggravation of the case--such a one is a deceiver and an antichrist
(v. 7); he deludes souls and undermines the glory and kingdom of the
Lord Christ. He must be an impostor, a wilful deceiver, after all the
light that has been afforded, and all the evidence that Christ has
given concerning himself, and the attestation God has given concerning
his Son; and he is a wilful opposer of the person, and honour, and
interest of the Lord Christ, and as such shall be reckoned with when
the Lord Christ comes again. Let us not think it strange that there are
deceivers and opposers of the Lord Christ's name and dignity now, for
there were such of old, even in the apostle's times.
II. The counsel given to this elect household hereupon. Now care and
caution are needful: Look to yourselves, v. 8. The more deceivers and
deceits abound, the more watchful the disciples must be. Delusions may
so prevail that even the elect may be endangered thereby. Two things
they must beware of:--1. That they lose not what they have wrought (v.
8), what they have done or what they have gained. It is a pity that any
religious labour should be in vain; some begin well, but at last lose
all their pains. The hopeful gentleman, who had kept the commands of
the second table from his youth up, lost all for want of less love to
the world and more love to Christ. Professors should take care not to
lose what they have gained. Many have not only gained a fair reputation
for religion, but much light therein, much conviction of the evil of
sin, the vanity of the world, the excellency of religion, and the power
of God's word. They have even tasted of the powers of the world to
come, and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and yet at last lose all. You
did run well, who hindered you, that you should not obey (or not go on
to obey) the truth? Sad it is that fair and splendid attainments in the
school of Christ should all be lost at last. 2. That they lose not
their reward, none of it, no portion of that honour, or praise, or
glory that they once stood fair for. That we (or you, as in some
copies) receive a full reward. "Secure you as full a reward as will be
given to any in the church of God; if there are degrees of glory, lose
none of that grace (that light, or love, or peace) which is to prepare
you for the higher elevation in glory. Hold fast that which thou hast
(in faith, and hope, and a good conscience), that no man take thy
crown, that thou neither lose it nor any jewel out of it," Rev. iii.
11. The way to attain the full reward is to abide true to Christ, and
constant in religion to the end.
III. The reason of the apostle's counsel, and of their care and caution
about themselves, which is twofold:-- 1. The danger and evil of
departure from gospel light and revelation; it is in effect and reality
a departure from God himself: Whosoever transgresseth (transgresseth at
this dismal rate), and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not
God. It is the doctrine of Christ that is appointed to guide us to God;
it is that whereby God draws souls to salvation and to himself. Those
who revolt thence, in so doing revolt from God. 2. The advantage and
happiness of firm adherence to Christian truth; it unites us to Christ
(the object or subject-matter of that truth), and thereby to the Father
also; for they are one. He that abideth (rooted and grounded) in the
doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. By the
doctrine of Christ we are enlightened in the knowledge of the Father
and the Son; by it we are sanctified for the Father and the Son;
thereupon we are enriched with holy love to the Father and the Son; and
thereby prepared for the endless enjoyment of the Father and the Son.
Now you are clean through the word which I have spoken to you, John xv.
3. This purity makes meet for heaven. The great God, as he has set his
seal to the doctrine of Christ, so he puts a value upon it. We must
retain that holy doctrine in faith and love, as we hope or desire to
arrive at blessed communion with the Father and the Son.
Caution against Seducers. (a. d. 90.)
10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him
not into your house, neither bid him God speed: 11 For he that
biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.
Here, I. Upon due warning given concerning seducers, the apostle gives
direction concerning the treatment of such. They are not to be
entertained as the ministers of Christ. The Lord Christ will
distinguish them from such, and so would he have his disciples. The
direction is negative. 1. "Support them not: If there come any unto
you, and bring not this doctrine (concerning Christ as the Son of God,
the Messiah and anointed of God for our redemption and salvation),
receive him not into your house." Possibly this lady was like Gaius, of
whom we read in the next epistle, a generous housekeeper, and
hospitable entertainer of travelling ministers and Christians. These
deceivers might possibly expect the same reception with others, or with
the best who came there (as the blind are often bold enough), but the
apostle allows it not: "Do not welcome them into your family."
Doubtless such may be relieved in their pressing necessities, but not
encouraged for ill service. Deniers of the faith are destroyers of
souls; and it is supposed that even ladies themselves should have good
understanding in the affairs of religion. 2. "Bless not their
enterprises: Neither bid him God speed. Attend not their service with
your prayers and good wishes." Bad work should not be consecrated or
recommended to the divine benediction. God will be no patron of
falsehood, seduction, and sin. We ought to bid God speed to evangelical
ministration; but the propagation of fatal error, if we cannot prevent,
we must not dare to countenance. Then,
II. Here is the reason of such direction, forbidding the support and
patronage of the deceiver: For he that biddeth him God speed is
partaker of his evil deeds. Favour and affection partake of the sin. We
may be sharers in the iniquities of others. How judicious and how
cautious should the Christian be! There are many ways of sharing the
guilt of other people's transgressions; it may be done by culpable
silence, indolence, unconcernedness, private contribution, public
countenance and assistance, inward approbation, open apology and
defence. The Lord pardon our guilt of other persons' sins!
Conclusion and Salutation. (a. d. 90.)
12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper
and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our
joy may be full. 13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee.
Amen.
The apostle concludes this letter, 1. With an adjournment of many
things to personal conference: Having many things to write unto you I
would not write with paper and ink; but I trust to come unto you, and
speak face to face, that our joy may be full. Here it is supposed that
some things are better spoken than written. The use of pen and ink may
be a mercy and a pleasure; but a personal interview may be more so. The
apostle was not yet too old for travel, nor consequently for travelling
service. The communion of saints should be by all methods maintained;
and their communion should tend to their mutual joy. Excellent
ministers may have their joy advanced by their Christian friends. That
I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you
and me, Rom. i. 12. 2. With the presentation of service and salutation
from some near relations to the lady: The children of thy elect sister
greet thee. Grace was abundant towards this family; here are two elect
sisters, and probably their elect children. How will they admire this
grace in heaven! The apostle condescends to insert the nieces' duty (as
we should call it), or dutiful salutation, to their aunt. The duty of
inferior relations is to be cherished. Doubtless the apostle was easy
of access, and would admit all friendly and pious communication, and
was ready to enhance the good lady's joy in her nieces as well as in
her children. May there by many such gracious ladies rejoicing in their
gracious descendants and other relations! Amen.
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Third John
Completed by John Reynolds, of Shrewsbury.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE THIRD EPISTLE OF
J O H N.
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Christian communion is exerted and cherished by letter. Christians are
to be commended in the practical proof of their professed subjection to
the gospel of Christ. The animating and countenancing of generous and
public-spirited persons is doing good to many--to this end the apostle
sends this encouraging epistle to his friend Gaius, in which also he
complains of the quite opposite spirit and practice of a certain
minister, and confirms the good report concerning another more worthy
to be imitated.
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T H I R D J O H N.
CHAP. I.
In this epistle the apostle congratulates Gaius upon the prosperity of
his soul (ver. 1, 2), upon the fame he had among good Christians (ver.
3, 4), and upon his charity and hospitality to the servants of Christ,
ver. 5, 6. He complains of contemptuous treatment by an ambitious
Diotrephes, (ver. 9, 10), recommends Demetrius, (ver. 12), and
expresses his hope of visiting Gaius shortly, ver. 13, 14.
Salutation and Prayer. (a. d. 90.)
1 The elder unto the wellbeloved Gaius, whom I love in the truth. 2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in
health, even as thy soul prospereth.
Here we see, I. The sacred penman who writes and sends the letter; not
here indeed notified by his name, but a more general character: The
elder, he that is so by years and by office; honour and deference are
due to both. Some have questioned whether this were John the apostle or
no; but his style and spirit seem to shine in the epistle. Those that
are beloved of Christ will love the brethren for his sake. Gaius could
not question from whom the letter came. The apostle might have assumed
many more illustrious characters, but it becomes not Christ's ministers
to affect swelling pompous titles. He almost levels himself with the
more ordinary pastors of the church, while he styles himself the elder.
Or, possibly, most of the extraordinary ministers, the apostles, were
now dead, and this holy survivor would countenance the continued
standing ministry, by assuming the more common title--the elder. The
elders I exhort, who am also an elder, 1 Pet. v. 1.
II. The person saluted and honoured by the letter. The former is
directed to an elect lady, this to a choice gentleman; such are worthy
of esteem and value. He is notified, 1. By his name,--Gaius. We read of
several of that name, particularly of one whom the apostle Paul
baptized at Corinth, who possibly might be also the apostle's host and
kind entertainer there (Rom. xvi. 23); if this be not he, it is his
brother in name, estate, and disposition. Then, 2. By the kind
expressions of the apostle to him: The well-beloved, and whom I love in
the truth. Love expressed is wont to kindle love. Here seems to be
either the sincerity of the apostle's love or the religion of it. The
sincerity of it: Whom I love in the truth, for the truth's sake, as
abiding and walking in the truth as it is in Jesus. To love our friends
for the truth's sake is true love, religious gospel love.
III. The salutation or greeting, containing a prayer, introduced by an
affectionate compellation--Beloved, thou beloved one in Christ. The
minister who would gain love must show it himself. Here is, 1. The
apostle's good opinion of his friend, that his soul prospered. There is
such a thing as soul-prosperity--the greatest blessing on this side
heaven. This supposes regeneration, and an inward fund of spiritual
life; this stock is increasing, and, while spiritual treasures are
advancing, the soul is in a fair way to the kingdom of glory. 2. His
good wish for his friend that his body may prosper and be in health as
well as his soul. Grace and health are two rich companions; grace will
improve health, health will employ grace. It frequently falls out that
a rich soul is lodged in a crazy body; grace must be exercised in
submission to such a dispensation; but we may well wish and pray that
those who have prosperous souls may have healthful bodies too; their
grace will shine in a larger sphere of activity.
The Character of Gaius. (a. d. 90.)
3 For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the
truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth. 4 I have no
greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 5 Beloved,
thou doest faithfully whatsoever thou doest to the brethren, and to
strangers; 6 Which have borne witness of thy charity before the
church: whom if thou bring forward on their journey after a godly sort,
thou shalt do well: 7 Because that for his name's sake they went
forth, taking nothing of the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to
receive such, that we might be fellowhelpers to the truth.
In these verses we have,
I. The good report that the apostle had received concerning this friend
of his: The brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee
(v. 3), who have borne witness of thy charity before the church, v. 6.
Here we may see, 1. The testimony or thing testified concerning
Gaius--the truth that was in him, the reality of his faith, the
sincerity of his religion, and his devotedness to God; and this evinced
by his charity, which includes his love to the brethren, kindness to
the poor, hospitality to Christian strangers, and readiness to
accommodate them for the service of the gospel. Faith should work by
love; it gives a lustre in and by the offices of love, and induces
others to commend its integrity. 2. The witnesses-brethren that came
from Gaius testified and bore witness. A good report is due from those
who have received good; though a good name is but a small reward for
costly service, yet it is better than precious ointment, and will not
be refused by the ingenuous and religious. 3. The auditory or
judicatory before which the report and testimony were given--before the
church. This seems to be the church at which the apostle now resided.
What church this was we are not sure; what occasion they had thus to
testify his faith and love before the church we cannot tell; possibly
out of the fulness of the heart the mouth spoke; they could not but
testify what they found and felt; possibly they would engage the
church's prayer for the continued life and usefulness of such a patron,
that he might prosper and be in health as his soul prospered.
II. The report the apostle himself gives of him, introduced by an
endearing appellation again: Beloved, thou doest faithfully whatsoever
thou doest to the brethren, and to strangers, v. 5. 1. He was
hospitable, good to the brethren, even to strangers; it was enough to
recommend them to Gaius's house that they belonged to Christ. Or he was
good to the brethren of the same church with himself, and to those who
came from far; all who were of the household of faith were welcome to
him. 2. He seems to have been of a catholic spirit; he could overlook
the petty differences among serious Christians, and be communicative to
all who bore the image and did the work of Christ. And, 3. He was
conscientious in what he did: "Thou doest faithfully (thou makest
faithful work of) whatsoever thou doest; thou doest it as a faithful
servant, and from the Lord Christ mayest thou expect the reward of the
inheritance." Such faithful souls can hear their own praises without
being puffed up; the commendation of what is good in us is designed,
not for our pride, but for our encouragement to continue therein, and
should be accordingly improved.
III. The apostle's joy therein, in the good report itself, and the good
ground of it: I rejoiced greatly when the brethren came and testified,
&c., v. 3. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in
the truth, in the prescripts of the Christian religion. The best
evidence of our having the truth is our walking in the truth. Good men
will greatly rejoice in the soul-prosperity of others; and they are
glad to hear of the grace and goodness of others. They glorified God in
me. Love envieth not, but rejoiceth in the good name of other folks. As
it is joy to good parents, it will be joy to good ministers, to see
their children evidence their sincerity in religion, and adorn their
profession.
IV. The direction the apostle gives his friend concerning further
treatment of the brethren that were with him: Whom if thou bring
forward on their journey, after a godly sort, thou shalt do well. It
seems to have been customary in those days of love to attend travelling
ministers and Christians, at least some part of their road, 1 Cor. xvi.
6. It is a kindness to a stranger to be guided in his way, and a
pleasure to travellers to meet with suitable company: this is a work
that may be done after a godly sort, in a manner worthy of God, or
suitable to the deference and relation we bear to God. Christians
should consider not only what they must do, but what they may do, what
they may most honourably and laudably do: the liberal mind deviseth
liberal generous things. Christians should do even the common actions
of life and of good-will after a godly sort, as serving God therein,
and designing his glory.
V. The reasons of this directed conduct; these are two:--1. Because
that for his name's sake these brethren went forth, taking nothing of
the Gentiles. It appears thus that these were ministerial brethren,
that they went forth to preach the gospel and propagate Christianity;
possibly they might be sent out by this apostle himself: they went
forth to convert the Gentiles; this was excellent service: they went
forth for God and his name's sake; this is the minister's highest end,
and should be his principal spring and motive, to gather and to build
up a people for his name: they went forth also to carry a free gospel
about with them, to publish it without charge wherever they came:
Taking nothing of the Gentiles. These were worthy of double honour.
There are those who are not called to preach the gospel themselves who
may yet contribute to the progress of it. The gospel should be made
without charge to those to whom it is first preached. Those who know it
not cannot be expected to value it; churches and Christian patriots
ought to concur to support the propagation of holy religion in the
pagan countries; public spirits should concur according to their
several capacities; those who are freely communicative of Christ's
gospel should be assisted by those who are communicative of their
purses. 2. We ought therefore to receive such, that we may be
fellow-helpers to the truth, to true religion. The institution of
Christ is the true religion; it has been attested by God. Those that
are true in it and true to it will earnestly desire, and pray for, and
contribute to, its propagation in the world. In many ways may the truth
be befriended and assisted; those who cannot themselves proclaim it may
yet receive, accompany, help, and countenance those who do.
The Character of Diotrephes. (a. d. 90.)
9 I wrote unto the church: but Diotrephes, who loveth to have the
preeminence among them, receiveth us not. 10 Wherefore, if I come, I
will remember his deeds which he doeth, prating against us with
malicious words: and not content therewith, neither doth he himself
receive the brethren, and forbiddeth them that would, and casteth them
out of the church. 11 Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but
that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth
evil hath not seen God.
I. Here is a very different example and character, an officer, a
minister in the church, less generous, catholic, and communicative than
the private Christians. Ministers may sometimes be out-shone, out-done.
In reference to this minister, we see,
1. His name--a Gentile name: Diotrephes, attended with an unchristian
spirit.
2. His temper and spirit--full of pride and ambition: He loves to have
the pre-eminence. This ferment sprang and wrought betimes. It is an ill
unbeseeming character of Christ's ministers to love pre-eminence, to
affect presidency in the church of God.
3. His contempt of the apostle's authority, and letter, and friends.
(1.) Of his authority: The deeds which he doeth contrary to our
appointment, prating against us with malicious words. Strange that the
contempt should run so high! But ambition will breed malice against
those who oppose it. Malice and ill-will in the heart will be apt to
vent themselves by the lips. The heart and mouth are both to be
watched. (2.) Of his letter: "I wrote to the church (v. 9), namely, in
recommendation of such and such brethren. But Diotrephes receiveth us
not, admits not our letter and testimony therein." This seems to be the
church of which Gaius was a member. A gospel church seems to be such a
society as to which a letter may be written and communicated. Gospel
churches may well expect and be allowed credentials with the strangers
who desire to be admitted among them. The apostle seems to write by and
with these brethren. To an ambitious aspiring spirit apostolical
authority or epistle signifies but little. (3.) Of his friends, the
brethren he recommended: Neither doth he himself receive the brethren,
and forbiddeth those that would, and casteth them out of the church, v.
10. There might be some differences or different customs between the
Jewish and Gentile Christians. Pastors should seriously consider what
differences are tolerable. The pastor is not at absolute liberty, nor
lord over God's heritage. It is bad to do no good ourselves; but it is
worse to hinder those who would. Church-power and church-censures are
often abused. Many are cast out of the church who should be received
there with satisfaction and welcome. But woe to those who cast out the
brethren whom the Lord Christ will take into his own communion and
kingdom!
4. The apostle's menace of this proud domineerer: Wherefore, if I come,
I will remember his deeds which he doeth (v. 10), will remember to
censure them. This seems to intimate apostolical authority. But the
apostle seems not to hold an episcopal court, to which Diotrephes must
be summoned; but he will come to take cognizance of this affair in the
church to which it belongs. Acts of ecclesiastical domination and
tyranny ought to be animadverted upon. May it be better agreed to whom
that power belongs!
II. Here is counsel upon that different character, dissuasion from
copying such a pattern, and indeed any evil at all: Beloved, follow not
that which is evil, but that which is good, v. 11. Imitate not such
unchristian pernicious evil; but pursue the contrary good, in wisdom,
purity, peace, and love. Caution and counsel are not needless to those
who are good already. Those cautions and counsels are most likely to be
accepted that are seasoned with love. Beloved, follow not that which is
evil. To this caution and counsel a reason is respectively subjoined.
1. To the counsel: Follow that which is good; for he that doeth good
(naturally and genuinely doeth good, as delighting therein) is of God,
is born of God. The practice of goodness is the evidence of our filial
happy relation to God. 2. To the caution: Follow not that which is
evil, for he that doeth evil (with bent of mind pursues it) hath not
seen God, is not duly sensible of his holy nature and will.
Evil-workers vainly pretend or boast an acquaintance with God.
The Character of Demetrius; Conclusion and Salutation. (a. d. 90.)
12 Demetrius hath good report of all men, and of the truth itself: yea,
and we also bear record; and ye know that our record is true. 13 I
had many things to write, but I will not with ink and pen write unto
thee: 14 But I trust I shall shortly see thee, and we shall speak
face to face. Peace be to thee. Our friends salute thee. Greet the
friends by name.
Here we have, I. The character of another person, one Demetrius, not
much known otherwise. But here his name will live. A name in the
gospel, a fame in the churches, is better than that of sons and
daughters. His character was his commendation. His commendation was, 1.
General: Demetrius has a good report of all men. Few are well spoken of
by all; and sometimes it is ill to be so. But universal integrity and
goodness are the way to (and sometimes obtain) universal applause. 2.
Deserved and well founded: And of the truth itself, v. 12. Some have a
good report, but not of the truth itself. Happy are those whose spirit
and conduct commend them before God and men. 3. Confirmed by the
apostle's and his friends' testimony: Yea, and we also bear record; and
that with an appeal to Gaius's own knowledge: And you (you and your
friends) know that our record is true. Probably this Demetrius was
known to the church where the apostle now resided, and to that where
Gaius was. It is good to be well known, or known for good. We must be
ready to bear our testimony to those who are good: it is well for those
who are commended when those who commend them can appeal to the
consciences of those who know them most.
II. The conclusion of the epistle, in which we may observe, 1. The
referring of some things to personal interview: I have many things to
write, but I will not with ink and pen, but I trust I shall shortly see
thee, v. 13, 14. Many things may be more proper for immediate
communication than for letter. A little personal conference may spare
the time, trouble, and charge, of many letters; and good Christians may
well be glad to see one another. 2. The benediction: Peace be to you;
all felicity attend you. Those that are good and happy themselves wish
others so too. 3. The public salutation sent to Gaius: Our friends
salute thee. A friend to the propagation of religion deserves a common
remembrance. And these pious persons show their friendship to religion
as well as to Gaius. 4. The apostle's particular salutation of the
Christians in Gaius's church or vicinity: Greet thy friends by name. I
doubt they were not very many who must be so personally saluted. But we
must learn humility as well as love. The lowest in the church of Christ
should be greeted. And those may well salute and greet one another on
earth who hope to live together in heaven. And the apostle who had lain
in Christ's bosom lays Christ's friends in his heart.
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Jude
Completed by John Billingsley.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE GENERAL EPISTLE OF
J U D E.
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This epistle is styled (as are some few others) general or Catholic,
because it is not immediately directed to any particular person,
family, or church, but to the whole society of Christians of that time,
lately converted to the faith of Christ, whether from Judaism or
paganism: and it is, and will be, of standing, lasting, and special use
in and to the church as long as Christianity, that is, as time, shall
last. The general scope of it is much the same with that of the second
chapter of the second epistle of Peter, which having been already
explained, the less will need to be said on this. It is designed to
warn us against seducers and their seduction, to inspire us with a warm
love to, and a hearty concern for, truth (evident and important truth),
and that in the closest conjunction with holiness, of which charity, or
sincere unbiased brotherly-love, is a most essential character and
inseparable branch. The truth we are to hold fast, and endeavour that
others may be acquainted with and not depart from, has two special
characters:--It is the truth as it is in Jesus (Eph. iv. 21; and it is
truth after (or which is according to) godliness, Tit. i. 1. The gospel
is the gospel of Christ. He has revealed it to us, and he is the main
subject of it; and therefore we are indispensably bound to learn thence
all we can of his person, natures, and offices: indifference as to this
is inexcusable in any who call themselves Christians; and we know from
what fountain we are wholly and solely to draw all necessary saving
knowledge. Further, it is also a doctrine of godliness. Whatever
doctrines favour the corrupt lusts of men cannot be of God, let the
pleas and pretensions for them be what they will. Errors dangerous to
the souls of men soon sprang up in the church. The servants slept and
tares were sown. But such were the wisdom and kindness of Providence
that they began sensibly to appear and show themselves, while some, at
least, of the apostles were yet alive to confute them, and warn others
against them. We are apt to think, If we had lived in their times, we
should have been abundantly fenced against the attempts and artifices
of seducers; but we have their testimony and their cautions, which is
sufficient; and, if we will not believe their writings, neither should
we have believed or regarded their sayings, if we had lived among them
and conversed personally with them.
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J U D E.
CHAP. I.
We have here, I. An account of the penman of this epistle, a character
of the church, the blessings and privileges of that happy society, ver.
1, 2. II. The occasion of writing this epistle, ver. 3. III. A
character of evil and perverse men, who had already sprung up in that
infant state of the church, and would be succeeded by others of the
like evil spirit and temper in after-times, ver. 4. IV. A caution
against hearkening to and following after such, from the severity of
God towards the unbelieving murmuring Israelites at their coming out of
Egypt, the angels that fell, the sin and punishment of Sodom and
Gomorrah, ver. 5-7. V. To these the apostle likens the seducers against
whom he was warning them, and describes them at large, (ver. 8 to 13,
inclusive). VI. Then (as specially suitable to his argument) he cites
an ancient prophecy of Enoch foretelling and describing the future
judgment, ver. 14, 15. VII. He enlarges on the seducers' character, and
guards against the offence which honest minds might be apt to take at
the so early permission of such things, by showing that it was foretold
long before that so it must be, ver. 16-19. VIII. Exhorts them to
perseverance in the faith, fervency in prayer, watchfulness against
falling from the love of God, and a lively hope of eternal life, ver.
20, 21. IX. Directs them how to act towards the erroneous and
scandalous, ver. 22, 23. And, X. Closes with an admirable doxology in
the last two verses.
Apostolic Benediction. (a. d. 66.)
1 Jude, the servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James, to them that
are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus Christ, and
called: 2 Mercy unto you, and peace, and love, be multiplied.
Here we have the preface or introduction, in which,
I. We have an account of the penman of this epistle, Jude, or Judas, or
Judah. He was name-sake to one of his ancestors, the patriarch--son of
Jacob, the most eminent though not the first-born of his sons, out of
whose loins (lineally, in a most direct succession) the Messiah came.
This was a name of worth, eminency, and honour; yet 1. He had a wicked
name-sake. There was one Judas (one of the twelve, surnamed Iscariot,
from the place of his birth) who was a vile traitor, the betrayer of
his and our Lord. The same names may be common to the best and worst
persons. It may be instructive to be called after the names of
eminently good men, but there can be no inference drawn thence as to
what we shall prove, though we may even thence conclude what sort of
persons our good parents or progenitors desired and hoped we should be.
But, 2. Our Judas was quite another man. He was an apostle, so was
Iscariot; but he was a sincere disciple and follower of Christ, so was
not the other. He was a faithful servant of Jesus Christ, the other was
his betrayer and murderer; therefore here the one is very carefully
distinguished from the other. Dr. Manton's note upon this is, that God
takes great care of the good name of his sincere and useful servants.
Why then should we be prodigal of our own or one another's reputation
and usefulness? Our apostle here calls himself a servant of Jesus
Christ, esteeming that a most honourable title. It is more honourable
to be a sincere and useful servant of Christ than to be an earthly
king, how potent and prosperous soever. He might have claimed kindred
to Christ according to the flesh, but he waives this, and rather
glories in being his servant. Observe, (1.) It is really a greater
honour to be a faithful servant of Jesus Christ than to be akin to him
according to the flesh. Many of Christ's natural kindred, as well as of
his progenitors, perished; not from want of natural affection in him as
man, but from infidelity and obstinacy in themselves, which should make
the descendants and near relatives of persons most eminent for sincere
and exemplary piety jealous over themselves with a godly jealousy. A
son of Noah may be saved in the ark from a flood of temporal
destruction, and yet be overwhelmed at last in a deluge of divine
wrath, and suffer the vengeance of eternal fire. Christ himself tells
us that he that heareth his word and doeth it (that is, he only) is as
his brother, and sister, and mother, that is, more honourably and
advantageously related to him than the nearest and dearest of his
natural relatives, considered merely as such. See Matt. xii. 48-50.
(2.) In that the apostle Jude styles himself a servant, though an
apostle, a dignified officer in Christ's kingdom, it is a great honour
to the meanest sincere minister (and it holds proportionably as to
every upright Christian) that he is the servant of Christ Jesus. The
apostles were servants before they were apostles, and they were but
servants still. Away then with all pretensions in the ministers of
Christ to lordly dominion either over one another or over the flocks
committed to their charge. Let us ever have that of our dear Redeemer
in actual view, It shall not be so among you, Matt. xx. 25, 26. --And
brother of James, to wit, of him whom the ancients style the first
bishop of Jerusalem, of whose character and martyrdom Josephus makes
mention, ascribing the horrible destruction of that city and nation to
this wicked cruelty, as one of its principal causes. Of this James our
Jude was brother, whether in the strictest or a larger (though very
usual) acceptation I determine not. He however reckons it an honour to
him that he was the brother of such a one. We ought to honour those who
are above us in age, gifts, graces, station; not to envy them, yet
neither to flatter them, nor be led merely by their example, when we
have reason to think they act wrong. Thus the apostle Paul withstood
his fellow-apostle Peter to the face, notwithstanding the high esteem
he had for him and the affectionate love he bore to him, when he saw
that he was to be blamed, that is, really blameworthy, Gal. ii. 11, and
following verses.
II. We are here informed to whom this epistle is directed; namely, to
all those who are sanctified by God the Father, and preserved in Jesus
Christ, and called. I begin with the last--called, that is, called
Christians, in the judgment of charity, further than which we cannot,
nor in justice ought to go, in the judgments or opinions we form or
receive of one another; for what appears not is not, nor ought to come
into account in all our dealings with and censures of one another,
whatever abatements the divine goodness may see fit to make for an
honest though misguided zeal. The church pretends not (I am sure it
ought not) to judge of secret or hidden things (things drawn into the
light before time), lest our rash and preposterous zeal do more harm
than good, or I am afraid ever will do. The tares and wheat (if Christ
may be Judge) must grow together till the harvest (Matt. xiii. 28-30);
and then he himself will, by proper instruments, take timely care to
separate them. We ought to think the best we can of every man till the
contrary appear; not being forward to receive or propagate, much less
invent, disadvantageous characters of our brethren. This is the least
we can make of the apostle's large and excellent description of charity
(1 Cor. xiii.), and this we ought to make conscience of acting up to,
which till we do, the Christian churches will be (as, alas! they are at
this day) filled with envying and strife, confusion and every evil
work, Jam. iii. 16. Or, the apostle may speak of their being called to
be Christians, by the preaching of the word, which they gladly
received, and professed cordially to believe, and so were received into
the society and fellowship of the church--Christ the head, and
believers the members; real believers really, professed believers
visibly. Note, Christians are the called, called out of the world, the
evil spirit and temper of it,--above the world, to higher and better
things, heaven, things unseen and eternal,--called from sin to Christ,
from vanity to seriousness, from uncleanness to holiness; and this in
pursuance of divine purpose and grace; for whom he did predestinate
those he also called, Rom. viii. 30. Now those who are thus called,
are, 1. Sanctified: Sanctified by God the Father. Sanctification is
usually spoken of in scripture as the work of the Holy Spirit, yet here
it is ascribed to God the Father, because the Spirit works it as the
Spirit of the Father and the Son. Note, All who are effectually called
are sanctified, made partakers of a divine nature (2 Pet. i. 4); for
without holiness no man shall see the Lord, Heb. xii. 14. Observe, Our
sanctification is not our own work. If any are sanctified, they are so
by God the Father, not excluding Son or Spirit, for they are one, one
God. Our corruption and pollution are of ourselves; but our
sanctification and renovation are of God and his grace; and therefore
if we perish in our iniquity we must bear the blame, but if we be
sanctified and glorified all the honour and glory must be ascribed to
God, and to him alone. I own it is hard to give a clear and distinct
account of this, but we must not deny nor disregard necessary truth
because we cannot fully reconcile the several parts of it to each
other; for, on that supposition, we might deny that any one of us could
stir an inch from the place we are at present in, though we see the
contrary every day and hour. 2. The called and sanctified are preserved
in Christ Jesus. As it is God who begins the work of grace in the souls
of men, so it is he who carries it on, and perfects it. Where he begins
he will perfect; though we are fickle, he is constant. He will not
forsake the work of his own hands, Ps. cxxxviii. 8. Let us not
therefore trust in ourselves, nor in our stock of grace already
received, but in him, and in him alone, still endeavouring, by all
proper and appointed means, to keep ourselves, as ever we would hope he
should keep us. Note, (1.) Believers are preserved from the gates of
hell, and to the glory of heaven. (2.) All who are preserved are
preserved in Jesus Christ, in him as their citadel and stronghold, no
longer than they abide in him, and solely by virtue of their union with
him.
III. We have the apostolical benediction: Mercy to you, &c. From the
mercy, peace, and love of God all our comfort flows, all our real
enjoyment in this life, all our hope of a better. 1. The mercy of God
is the spring and fountain of all the good we have or hope for; mercy
not only to the miserable, but to the guilty. 2. Next to mercy is
peace, which we have from the sense of having obtained mercy. We can
have no true and lasting peace but what flows from our reconciliation
with God by Jesus Christ. 3. As from mercy springs peace, so from peace
springs love, his love to us, our love to him, and our brotherly love
(forgotten, wretchedly neglected, grace!) to one another. These the
apostle prays may be multiplied, that Christians may not be content
with scraps and narrow scantlings of them; but that souls and societies
may be full of them. Note, God is ready to supply us with all grace,
and a fulness in each grace. If we are straitened, we are not
straitened in him, but in ourselves.
The Common Salvation; Monuments of Judgment. (a. d. 66.)
3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common
salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that
ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto
the saints. 4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were
before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the
grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God,
and our Lord Jesus Christ. 5 I will therefore put you in remembrance,
though ye once knew this, how that the Lord, having saved the people
out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed them that believed not.
6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own
habitation, he hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto
the judgment of the great day. 7 Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the
cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to
fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an
example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire.
We have here, I. The design of the apostle in writing this epistle to
the lately converted Jews and Gentiles; namely, to establish them in
the Christian faith, and a practice and conversation truly consonant
and conformable thereunto, and in an open and bold profession thereof,
especially in times of notorious opposition, whether by artful
seduction or violent and inhuman persecution. But then we must see to
it very carefully that it be really the Christian faith that we
believe, profess, propagate, and contend for; not the discriminating
badges of this or the other party, not any thing of later date than the
inspired writings of the holy evangelists and apostles. Here observe,
1. The gospel salvation is a common salvation, that is, in a most
sincere offer and tender of it to all mankind to whom the notice of it
reaches: for so the commission runs (Mark xvi. 15, 16), Go you into all
the world, and preach the gospel to every creature, &c. Surely God
means as he speaks; he does not delude us with vain words, whatever men
do; and therefore none are excluded from the benefit of these gracious
offers and invitations, but those who obstinately, impenitently,
finally exclude themselves. Whoever will may come and drink of the
water of life freely, Rev. xxii. 17. The application of it is made to
all believers, and only to such; it is made to the weak as well as to
the strong. Let none discourage themselves on the account of hidden
decrees which they can know little of, and with which they have nothing
to do. God's decrees are dark, his covenants are plain. "All good
Christians meet in Christ the common head, are actuated by one and the
same Spirit, are guided by one rule, meet here at one throne of grace,
and hope shortly to meet in one common inheritance," a glorious one to
be sure, but what or how glorious we cannot, nor at present need to
know; but such it will be as vastly to exceed all our present hopes and
expectations. 2. This common salvation is the subject-matter of the
faith of all the saints. The doctrine of it is what they all most
heartily consent to; they esteem it as a faithful saying, and worthy of
all acceptation, 1 Tim. i. 15. It is the faith once, or at once, once
for all, delivered to the saints, to which nothing can be added, from
which nothing may be detracted, in which nothing more nor less should
be altered. Here let us abide; here we are safe; if we stir a step
further, we are in danger of being either entangled or seduced. 3. The
apostles and evangelists all wrote to us of this common salvation. This
cannot be doubted by those who have carefully read their writings. It
is strange that any should think they wrote chiefly to maintain
particular schemes and opinions, especially such as they never did nor
could think of. It is enough that they have fully declared to us, by
inspiration of the Holy Ghost, all that is necessary for every one to
believe and do, in order to obtain a personal interest in the common
salvation. 4. Those who preach or write of the common salvation should
give all diligence to do it well: they should not allow themselves to
offer to God or his people that which costs them nothing, or next to
nothing, little or no pains or thought, 2 Sam. xxiv. 24. This were to
treat God irreverently, and man unjustly. The apostle (though inspired)
gave all diligence to write of the common salvation. What then will
become of those who (though uninspired) give no diligence, or next to
none, but say to the people (even in the name of God) quicquid in
buccam venerit--whatever comes next, who, so that they use
scripture-words, care not how they interpret or apply them? Those who
speak of sacred things ought always to speak of them with the greatest
reverence, care, and diligence. 5. Those who have received the doctrine
of this common salvation must contend earnestly for it. Earnestly, not
furiously. Those who strive for the Christian faith, or in the
Christian course, must strive lawfully, or they lose their labour, and
run great hazard of losing their crown, 2 Tim. ii. 5. The wrath of man
worketh not the righteousness of God, Jam. i. 20. Lying for the truth
is bad, and scolding for it is not much better. Observe, Those who have
received the truth must contend for it. But how? As the apostles did;
by suffering patiently and courageously for it, not by making others
suffer if they will not presently embrace every notion that we are
pleased (proved or unproved) to call faith, or fundamental. We must not
suffer ourselves to be robbed of any essential article of Christian
faith, by the cunning craftiness or specious plausible pretences of any
who lie in wait to deceive, Eph. iv. 14. The apostle Paul tells us he
preached the gospel (mind it was the gospel) with much contention (1
Thess. ii. 2), that is (as I understand it), with earnestness, with a
hearty zeal, and a great concern for the success of what he preached.
But, if we will understand contention in the common acceptation of the
word, we must impartially consider with whom the apostle contended, and
how, the enlarging on which would not be proper for this place.
II. The occasion the apostle had to write to this purport. As evil
manners give rise to good laws, so dangerous errors often give just
occasion to the proper defence of important truths. Here observe, 1.
Ungodly men are the great enemies of the faith of Christ and the peace
of the church. Those who deny or corrupt the one, and disturb the
other, are here expressly styled ungodly men. We might have truth with
peace (a most desirable thing) were there none (ministers or private
Christians) in our particular churches and congregations but truly
godly men--a blessing scarcely to be looked or hoped for on this side
heaven. Ungodly men raise scruples, merely to advance and promote their
own selfish, ambitious, and covetous ends. This has been the plague of
the church in all past ages, and I am afraid no age is, or will be,
wholly free from such men and such practices as long as time shall
last. Observe, Nothing cuts us off from the church but that which cuts
us off from Christ; namely, reigning infidelity and ungodliness. We
must abhor the thought of branding particular parties or persons with
this character, especially of doing it without the least proof, or, as
it too often happens, the least shadow of it. Those are ungodly men who
live without God in the world, who have no regard to God and
conscience. Those are to be dreaded and consequently to be avoided, not
only who are wicked by sins of commission, but also who are ungodly by
sins of omission, who, for example, restrain prayer before God, who
dare not reprove a rich man, when it is the duty of their place so to
do, for fear of losing his favour and the advantage they promise
themselves therefrom, who do the work of the Lord negligently, &c. 2.
Those are the worst of ungodly men who turn the grace of God into
lasciviousness, who take encouragement to sin more boldly because the
grace of God has abounded, and still abounds, so wonderfully, who are
hardened in their impieties by the extent and fulness of gospel grace,
the design of which is to reduce men from sin, and bring them unto God.
Thus therefore to wax wanton under so great grace, and turn it into an
occasion of working all uncleanness with greediness, and hardening
ourselves in such a course by that very grace which is the last and
most forcible means to reclaim us from it, is to render ourselves the
vilest, the worst, and most hopeless of sinners. 3. Those who turn the
grace of God into lasciviousness do in effect deny the Lord God, and
our Lord Jesus Christ; that is, they deny both natural and revealed
religion. They strike at the foundation of natural religion, for they
deny the only Lord God; and they overturn all the frame of revealed
religion, for they deny the Lord Jesus Christ. Now his great design in
establishing revealed religion in the world was to bring us unto God.
To deny revealed religion is virtually to overturn natural religion,
for they stand or fall together, and they mutually yield light and
force to each other. Would to God our modern deists, who live in the
midst of gospel light, would seriously consider this, and cautiously,
diligently, and impartially examine what it is that hinders their
receiving the gospel, while they profess themselves fully persuaded of
all the principles and duties of natural religion! Never to tallies
answered more exactly to each other than these do, so that it seems
absurd to receive the one and reject the other. One would think it were
the fairer way to receive both or reject both; though perhaps the more
plausible method, especially in this age, is to act the part they do.
4. Those who turn the grace of God into lasciviousness are ordained
unto condemnation. They sin against the last, the greatest, and most
perfect remedy; and so are without excuse. Those who thus sin must
needs die of their wounds, of their disease, are of old ordained to
this condemnation, whatever that expression means. But what if our
translators had thought fit to have rendered the words palai
progegrammenoi--of old fore-written of, as persons who would through
their own sin and folly become the proper subjects of this
condemnation, where had the harm been? Plain Christians had not been
troubled with dark, doubtful, and perplexing thoughts about
reprobation, which the strongest heads cannot enter far into, can
indeed bear but little of, without much loss and damage. Is it not
enough that early notice was given by inspired writers that such
seducers and wicked men should arise in later times, and that every
one, being fore-warned of, should be fore-armed against them? 5. We
ought to contend earnestly for the faith, in opposition to those who
would corrupt or deprave it, such as have crept in unawares: a wretched
character, to be sure, but often very ill applied by weak and ignorant
people, and even by those who themselves creep in unawares, who think
their ipse dixit should stand for a law to all their followers and
admirers. Surely faithful humble ministers are helpers of their
people's joy, peace, and comfort; not lords of their faith! Whoever may
attempt to corrupt the faith, we ought to contend earnestly against
them. The more busy and crafty the instruments and agents of Satan are,
to rob us of the truth, the more solicitous should we be to hold it
fast, always provided we be very sure that we fasten no wrong or
injurious characters on persons, parties, or sentiments.
III. The fair warning which the apostle, in Christ's name, gives to
those who, having professed his holy religion, do afterwards desert and
prove false to it, v. 5-7. We have here a recital of the former
judgments of God upon sinners, with design to awaken and terrify those
to whom warning is given in this epistle. Observe, The judgments of God
are often denounced and executed in terrorem--for warning to others,
rather than from immediate or particular displeasure against the
offenders themselves; not that God is not displeased with them, but
perhaps not more with them than with others who, at least for the
present, escape. I will put you in remembrance. What we already know we
still need to be put in remembrance of. Therefore there will always be
need and use of a standing stated ministry in the Christian church,
though all the doctrines of faith, the essentials, are so plainly
revealed in express words, or by the most near, plain, and immediate
consequence, that he who runs may read and understand them. There wants
no infallible interpreter, really or conceitedly such, for any such end
or purpose. Some people (weakly enough) suggest, "If the scriptures do
so plainly contain all that is necessary to salvation, what need or use
can there be of a standing ministry? Why may we not content ourselves
with staying at home, and reading our Bibles?" The inspired apostle has
here fully, though not wholly, answered this objection. Preaching is
not designed to teach us something new in every sermon, somewhat that
we knew nothing of before; but to put us in remembrance, to call to
mind things forgotten, to affect our passions, and engage and fix our
resolutions, that our lives may be answerable to our faith. Though you
know these things, yet you still need to know them better. There are
many things which we have known which yet we have unhappily forgotten.
Is it of no use or service to be put afresh in remembrance of them?
Now what are these things which we Christians need to be put in
remembrance of?
1. The destruction of the unbelieving Israelites in the wilderness, v.
5. Paul puts the Corinthians in mind of this, 1 Cor. x. The first ten
verses of that chapter (as the scripture is always the best commentary
upon itself) are the best explication of the fifth verse of this
epistle of Jude. None therefore ought to presume upon their privileges,
since many who were brought out of Egypt by a series of amazing
miracles, yet perished in the wilderness by reason of their unbelief.
Let us not therefore be high-minded, but fear, Rom. xi. 20. Let us fear
lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you
should seem to come short of it, Heb. iv. 1. They had miracles in
abundance: they were their daily bread; yet even they perished in
unbelief. We have greater (much greater) advantages than they had; let
their error (their so fatal error) be our awful warning.
2. We are here put in remembrance of the fall of the angels, v. 6.
There were a great number of the angels who left their own habitation;
that is, who were not pleased with the posts and stations the supreme
Monarch of the universe had assigned and allotted to them, but thought
(like discontented ministers in our age, I might say in every age) they
deserved better; they would, with the title of ministers, be
sovereigns, and in effect their Sovereign should be their minister--do
all, and only, what they would have him; thus was pride the main and
immediate cause or occasion of their fall. Thus they quitted their
post, and rebelled against God, their Creator and sovereign Lord. But
God did not spare them (high and great as they were); he would not
truckle to them; he threw them off, as a wise and good prince will a
selfish and deceitful minister; and the great, the all-wise God, could
not be ignorant, as the wisest and best of earthly princes often are,
what designs they were hatching. After all, what became of them? They
thought to have dared and outfaced Omnipotence itself; but God was too
hard for them, he cast them down to hell. Those who would not be
servants to their Maker and his will in their first state were made
captives to his justice, and are reserved in everlasting chains, under
darkness. Here see what the condition of fallen angels is: they are in
chains, bound under the divine power and justice, bound over to the
judgment of the great day; they are under darkness, though once angels
of light; so horribly in the dark are they that they continue to fight
against God, as if there were yet some small hope at least left them of
prevailing and overcoming in the conflict. Dire infatuation! Light and
liberty concur, chains and darkness how well do they agree and suit
each other! The devils, once angels in the best sense, are reserved,
&c. Observe, There is, undoubtedly there is, a judgment to come; the
fallen angels are reserved to the judgment of the great day; and shall
fallen men escape it? Surely not. Let every reader consider this in due
time. Their chains are called everlasting, because it is impossible
they should ever break loose from them, or make an escape; they are
held fast and sure under them. The decree, the justice, the wrath of
God, are the very chains under which fallen angels are held so fast.
Hear and fear, O sinful mortals of mankind!
3. The apostle here calls to our remembrance the destruction of Sodom
and Gomorrah, v. 7. Even as, &c. It is in allusion to the destruction
of Pentapolis, or the five cities, that the miseries of the damned are
set forth by a lake that burneth with fire and brimstone; they were
guilty of abominable wickedness, not to be named or thought of but with
the utmost abhorrence and detestation; their ruin is a particular
warning to all people to take heed of, and fly from, fleshly lusts that
war against the soul, 1 Pet. ii. 11. "These lusts consumed the
Sodomites with fire from heaven, and they are now suffering the
vengeance of eternal fire; therefore take heed, imitate not their sins,
lest the same plagues overtake you as did them. God is the same holy,
just, pure Being now as then; and can the beastly pleasures of a moment
make amends for your suffering the vengeance of eternal fire? Stand in
awe, therefore, and sin not," Ps. iv. 4.
Contumacious Professors. (a. d. 66.)
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise
dominion, and speak evil of dignities. 9 Yet Michael the archangel,
when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses,
durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord
rebuke thee. 10 But these speak evil of those things which they know
not: but what they know naturally, as brute beasts, in those things
they corrupt themselves. 11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the
way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and
perished in the gainsaying of Core. 12 These are spots in your feasts
of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear:
clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose
fruit withereth, without fruit, twice dead, plucked up by the roots;
13 Raging waves of the sea, foaming out their own shame; wandering
stars, to whom is reserved the blackness of darkness for ever. 14 And
Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold,
the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints,
The apostle here exhibits a charge against deceivers who were now
seducing the disciples of Christ from the profession and practice of
his holy religion. He calls them filthy dreamers, forasmuch as delusion
is a dream, and the beginning of, and inlet to, all manner of
filthiness. Note, Sin is filthiness; it renders men odious and vile in
the sight of the most holy God, and makes them (sooner or later, as
penitent or as punished to extremity and without resource) vile in
their own eyes, and in a while they become vile in the eyes of all
about them. These filthy dreamers dream themselves into a fool's
paradise on earth, and into a real hell at last: let their character,
course, and end, be our seasonable and sufficient warning; like sins
will produce like punishments and miseries. Here,
I. The character of these deceivers is described.
1. They defile the flesh. The flesh or body is the immediate seat, and
often the irritating occasion, of many horrid pollutions; yet these,
though done in and against the body, do greatly defile and grievously
maim and wound the soul. Fleshly lusts do war against the soul, 1 Pet.
ii. 11; and in 2 Cor. vii. 1 we read of filthiness of flesh and spirit,
each of which, though of different kinds, defiles the whole man.
2. They despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities, are of a
disturbed mind and a seditious spirit, forgetting that the powers that
be are ordained of God, Rom. xiii. 1. God requires us to speak evil of
no man (Tit. iii. 2.); but it is a great aggravation of the sin of
evil-speaking when what we say is pointed at magistrates, men whom God
has set in authority over us, by blaspheming or speaking evil of whom
we blaspheme God himself. Or if we understand it, as some do, with
respect to religion, which ought to have the dominion in this lower
world, such evil-speakers despise the dominion of conscience, make a
jest of it, and would banish it out of the world; and as for the word
of God, the rule of conscience, they despise it. The revelations of the
divine will go for little with them; they are a rule of faith and
manners, but not till they have explained them, and imposed their sense
of them upon all about them. Or, as others account for the sense of
this passage, the people of God, truly and specially so, are the
dignities here spoken of or referred to, according to that of the
psalmist, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm, Ps. cv.
15. They speak evil, &c. Religion and its serious professors have been
always and every where evil spoken of. Though there is nothing in
religion but what is very good, and deserves our highest regards, both
as it is perfective of our natures and as it is subservient to our
truest and highest interests; yet this sect, as its enemies are pleased
to call it, is every where spoken against, Acts xxviii. 22.
On this occasion the apostle brings in Michael the archangel, &c., v.
9. Interpreters are at a loss what is here meant by the body of Moses.
Some think that the devil contended that Moses might have a public and
honourable funeral, that the place where he was interred might be
generally known, hoping thereby to draw the Jews, so naturally prone
thereto, to a new and fresh instance of idolatry. Dr. Scott thinks that
by the body of Moses we are to understand the Jewish church, whose
destruction the devil strove and contended for, as the Christian church
is called the body of Christ in the New-Testament style. Others bring
other interpretations, which I will not here trouble the reader with.
Though this contest was mightily eager and earnest, and Michael was
victorious in the issue, yet he would not bring a railing accusation
against the devil himself; he knew a good cause needed no such weapons
to be employed in its defence. It is said, he durst not bring, &c. Why
durst he not? Not that he was afraid of the devil, but he believed God
would be offended if, in such a dispute, he went that way to work; he
thought it below him to engage in a trial of skill with the great enemy
of God and man which of them should out-scold or out-rail the other: a
memorandum to all disputants, never to bring railing accusations into
their disputes. Truth needs no supports from falsehood or scurrility.
Some say, Michael would not bring a railing accusation against the
devil as knowing beforehand that he would be too hard for him at that
weapon. Some think the apostle refers here to the remarkable passage we
have, Num. xx. 7-14. Satan would have represented Moses under
disadvantageous colours, which he, good man, had at that time, and upon
that occasion, given but too much handle for. Now Michael, according to
this account, stands up in defence of Moses, and, in the zeal of an
upright and bold spirit, says to Satan, The Lord rebuke thee. He would
not stand disputing with the devil, nor enter into a particular debate
about the merits of that special cause. He knew Moses was his
fellow-servant, a favourite of God, and he would not patiently suffer
him to be insulted, no, not by the prince of devils; but in a just
indignation cries out, The Lord rebuke thee: like that of our Lord
himself (Matt. iv. 10), Get thee hence, Satan. Moses was a dignity, a
magistrate, one beloved and preferred by the great God; and the
archangel thought it insufferable that such a one should be so treated
by a vile apostate spirit, of how high an order soever. So the lesson
hence is that we ought to stand up in defence of those whom God owns,
how severe soever Satan and his instruments may be in their censures of
them and their conduct. Those who censure (in particular) upright
magistrates, upon every slip in their behaviour, may expect to hear,
The Lord rebuke thee; and divine rebukes are harder to be borne than
careless sinners now think for.
3. They speak evil of the things which they know not, &c., v. 10.
Observe, Those who speak evil of religion and godliness speak evil of
the things which they know not; for, if they had known them, they would
have spoken well of them, for nothing but good and excellent can be
truly said of religion, and it is sad that any thing different or
opposite should ever be justly said of any of its professors. A
religious life is the most safe, happy, comfortable, and honourable
life that is. Observe, further, Men are most apt to speak evil of those
persons and things that they know least of. How many had never suffered
by slanderous tongues if they had been better known! On the other hand,
retirement screens some even from just censure. But what they know
naturally, &c. It is hard, if not impossible, to find any obstinate
enemies to the Christian religion, who do not in their stated course
live in open or secret contradiction to the very principles of natural
religion: this many think hard and uncharitable; but I am afraid it
will appear too true in the day of the revelation of the righteous
judgment of God. The apostle likens such to brute beasts, though they
often think and boast themselves, if not as the wisest, yet at least as
the wittiest part of mankind. In those things they corrupt themselves;
that is, in the plainest and most natural and necessary things, things
that lie most open and obvious to natural reason and conscience; even
in those things they corrupt, debase, and defile themselves: the fault,
whatever it is, lies not in their understanding or apprehensions, but
in their depraved wills and disordered appetites and affections; they
could and might have acted better, but then they must have offered
violence to those vile affections which they obstinately chose rather
to gratify than to mortify.
4. In v. 11 the apostle represents them as followers of Cain, and in v.
12, 13, as atheistical and profane people, who thought little, and
perhaps believed not much, of God or a future world--as greedy and
covetous, who, so they could but gain present worldly advantages, cared
not what came next--rebels against God and man, who, like Core, ran
into attempts in which they must assuredly perish, as he did. Of such
the apostle further says, (1.) These are spots in your feasts of
charity--the agapai or love-feasts, so much spoken of by the ancients.
They happened, by whatever means or mischance, to be admitted among
them, but were spots in them, defiled and defiling. Observe, It is a
great reproach, though unjust and accidental, to religion, when those
who profess it, and join in the most solemn institution of it, are in
heart and life unsuitable and even contrary to it: These are spots. Yet
how common in all Christian societies here on earth, the very best not
excepted, are such blemishes! The more is the pity. The Lord remedy it
in his due time and way, not in men's blind and rigorous way of
plucking up the wheat with the tares. But in the heaven we are waiting,
hoping, and preparing for, there is none of this mad work, there are
none of these disorderly doings. (2.) When they feast with you, they
feed themselves without fear. Arrant gluttons, no doubt, there were;
such as minded only the gratifying of their appetites with the
daintiness and abundance of their fare; they had no regard to Solomon's
caution, Prov. xxiii. 2. Note, In common eating and drinking a holy
fear is necessary, much more in feasting, though we may sometimes be
more easily and insensibly overcome at a common meal than at a feast;
for, in the case supposed, we are less upon our guard, and sometimes,
at least to some persons, the plenty of a feast is its own antidote, as
to others it may prove a dangerous snare. (3.) Clouds they are without
water, which promise rain in time of drought, but perform nothing of
what they promise. Such is the case of formal professors, who at first
setting out promise much, like early-blossoming trees in a forward
spring, but in conclusion bring forth little or no fruit.--Carried
about of winds, light and empty, easily driven about this way or that,
as the wind happens to set; such are empty, ungrounded professors, and
easy prey to every seducer. It is amazing to hear many talk so
confidently of so many things of which they know little or nothing, and
yet have not the wisdom and humility to discern and be sensible how
little they know. How happy would our world be if men either knew more
or practically knew how little they know. (4.) Trees whose fruit
withereth, &c. Trees they are, for they are planted in the Lord's
vineyard, yet fruitless ones. Observe, Those whose fruit withereth may
be justly said to be without fruit. As good never a whit as never the
better. It is a sad thing when men seem to begin in the Spirit and end
in the flesh, which is almost as common a case as it is an awful one.
The text speaks of such as were twice dead. One would think to be once
dead were enough; we none of us, till grace renew us to a higher degree
than ordinary, love to think of dying once, though this is appointed
for us all. What then is the meaning of this being twice dead? They had
been once dead in their natural, fallen, lapsed state; but they seemed
to recover, and, as a man in a swoon, to be brought to life again, when
they took upon them the profession of the Christian religion. But now
they are dead again by the evident proofs they have given of their
hypocrisy: whatever they seemed, they had nothing truly vital in
them.--Plucked up by the roots, as we commonly serve dead trees, from
which we expect no more fruit. They are dead, dead, dead; why cumber
they the ground? Away with them to the fire. (5.) Raging waves of the
sea, boisterous, noisy, and clamorous; full of talk and turbulency, but
with little (if any) sense or meaning: Foaming out their own shame,
creating much uneasiness to men of better sense and calmer tempers,
which yet will in the end turn to their own greater shame and just
reproach. The psalmist's prayer ought always to be that of every honest
and good man, "Let integrity and uprightness preserve me (Ps. xxv. 21),
and, if it will not, let me be unpreserved." If honesty signify little
now, knavery will signify much less, and that in a very little while.
Raging waves are a terror to sailing passengers; but, when they have
got to port, the waves are forgotten as if no longer in being: their
noise and terror are for ever ended. (6.) Wandering stars, planets that
are erratic in their motions, keep not that steady regular course which
the fixed ones do, but shift their stations, that one has sometimes
much ado to know where to find them. This allusion carries in it a very
lively emblem of false teachers, who are sometimes here and sometimes
there, so that one knows not where nor how to fix them. In the main
things, at least, one would think something should be fixed and steady;
and this might be without infallibility, or any pretensions to it in us
poor mortals. In religion and politics, the great subjects of present
debate, surely there are certain stamina in which wise and good, honest
and disinterested, men might agree, without throwing the populace into
the utmost anguish and distress of mind, or blowing up their passions
into rage and fury, without letting them know what they say or whereof
they affirm.
II. The doom of this wicked people is declared: To whom is reserved the
blackness of darkness for ever. False teachers are to expect the worst
of punishments in this and a future world: not every one who teaches by
mistake any thing that is not exactly true (for who then, in any public
assembly, durst open a Bible to teach others, unless he thought himself
equal or superior to the angels of God in heaven?) but every one who
prevaricates, dissembles, would lead others into by-paths and
side-ways, that he may have opportunity to make a gain or prey of them,
or (in the apostle's phrase) to make merchandize of them, 2 Pet. ii. 3.
But enough of this. As for the blackness of darkness for ever, I shall
only say that this terrible expression, with all the horror it imports,
belongs to false teachers, truly, not slanderously so called, who
corrupt the word of God, and betray the souls of men. If this will not
make both ministers and people cautious, I know not what will.
Of the prophecy of Enoch, (v. 14, 15) we have no mention made in any
other part or place of scripture; yet now it is scripture that there
was such prophecy. One plain text of scripture is proof enough of any
one point that we are required to believe, especially when relating to
a matter of fact; but in matters of faith, necessary saving faith, God
has not seen fit (blessed be his holy name he has not) to try us so
far. There is no fundamental article of the Christian religion, truly
so called, which is not inculcated over and over in the New Testament,
by which we may know on what the Holy Ghost does, and consequently on
what we ought, to lay the greatest stress. Some say that this prophecy
of Enoch was preserved by tradition in the Jewish church; others that
the apostle Jude was immediately inspired with the notice of it: be
this as it may, it is certain that there was such a prophecy of ancient
date, of long standing, and universally received in the Old-Testament
church; and it is a main point of our New-Testament creed. Observe, 1.
Christ's coming to judgment was prophesied of as early as the middle of
the patriarchal age, and was therefore even then a received and
acknowledged truth.--The Lord cometh with his holy myriads, including
both angels and the spirits of just men made perfect. What a glorious
time will that be, when Christ shall come with ten thousand of these!
And we are told for what great and awful ends and purposes he will come
so accompanied and attended, namely, to execute judgment upon all. 2.
It was spoken of then, so long ago, as a thing just at hand: "Behold,
the Lord cometh; he is just a coming, he will be upon you before you
are aware, and, unless you be very cautious and diligent, before you
are provided to meet him comfortably." He cometh, (1.) To execute
judgment upon the wicked. (2.) To convince them. Observe, Christ will
condemn none without precedent, trial, and conviction, such conviction
as shall at least silence themselves. They shall have no excuse or
apology to make that they either can or dare then stand by. Then every
mouth shall be stopped, the Judge and his sentence shall be (by all the
impartial) approved and applauded, and even the guilty condemned
criminals shall be speechless, though at present they want not bold and
specious pleas, which they vent with all assurance and confidence; and
yet it is certain that the mock-trials of prisoners in the jail among
themselves and the real trial at the bar before the proper judge soon
appear to be very different things.
I cannot pass v. 15 without taking notice how often, and how
emphatically, the word ungodly is repeated in it, no fewer than four
times: ungodly men, ungodly sinners, ungodly deeds, and, as to the
manner, ungodly committed. Godly or ungodly signifies little with men
now-a-days, unless it be to scoff at and deride even the very
expressions; but it is not so in the language of the Holy Ghost. Note,
Omissions, as well as commissions, must be accounted for in the day of
judgment. Note, further, Hard speeches of one another, especially if
ill-grounded, will most certainly come into account at the judgment of
the great day. Let us all take care in time. "If thou," says one of our
good old puritans, "smite (a miscalled heretic, or) a schismatic, and
God find a real saint bleeding, look thou to it, how thou wilt answer
it." It may be too late to say before the angel that it was an error,
Eccl. v. 6. I only here allude to that expression of the divinely
inspired writer.
Exhortation to the Faithful; Conclusion. (a. d. 66.)
15 To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly
among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly
committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have
spoken against him. 16 These are murmurers, complainers, walking
after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words,
having men's persons in admiration because of advantage. 17 But,
beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles
of our Lord Jesus Christ; 18 How that they told you there should be
mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly
lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not
the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most
holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love
of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal
life. 22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And
others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the
garment spotted by the flesh. 24 Now unto him that is able to keep
you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of
his glory with exceeding joy, 25 To the only wise God our Saviour, be
glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Here, I. The apostle enlarges further on the character of these evil
men and seducers: they are murmurers, complainers, &c., v. 16. Observe,
A murmuring complaining temper, indulged and expressed, lays men under
a very bad character; such are very weak at least, and for the most
part very wicked. They murmur against God and his providence, against
men and their conduct; they are angry at every thing that happens, and
never pleased with their own state and condition in the world, as not
thinking it good enough for them. Such walk after their own lusts;
their will, their appetite, their fancy, are their only rule and law.
Note, Those who please their sinful appetites are most prone to yield
to their ungovernable passions.
II. He proceeds to caution and exhort those to whom he is writing, v.
17-23. Here,
1. He calls them to remember how they have been forewarned: But,
beloved, remember, &c., v. 17. "Remember, take heed that you think it
not strange (so as to stumble and be offended, and have your faith
staggered by it) that such people as the seducers before described and
warned against should arise (and that early) in the Christian church,
seeing all this was foretold by the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and consequently the accomplishment of it in the event is a
confirmation of your faith, instead of being in the least an occasion
of shaking and unsettling you therein." Note, (1.) Those who would
persuade must make it evident that they sincerely love those whom they
would persuade. Bitter words and hard usage never did nor ever will
convince, much less persuade any body. (2.) The words which inspired
persons have spoken (or written), duly remembered and reflected on, are
the best preservative against dangerous errors; this will always be so,
till men have learnt to speak better than God himself. (3.) We ought
not to be offended if errors and persecutions arise and prevail in the
Christian church; this was foretold, and therefore we should not think
worse of Christ's person, doctrine, or cross, when we see it fulfilled.
See 1 Tim. iv. 1, and 2 Tim. iii. 1, and 2 Pet. iii. 3. We must not
think it strange, but comfort ourselves with this, that in the midst of
all this confusion Christ will maintain his church, and make good his
promise, that the gates of hell shall not prevail against it, Matt.
xvi. 18. (4.) The more religion is ridiculed and persecuted the faster
hold we should take and keep of it; being forewarned, we should show
that we are fore-armed; under such trials we should stand firm, and not
be soon shaken in mind, 2 Thess. ii. 2.
2. He guards them against seducers by a further description of their
odious character: These are those who separate, &c., v. 19. Observe,
(1.) Sensualists are the worst separatists. They separate themselves
from God, and Christ, and his church, to the devil, the world, and the
flesh, by their ungodly courses and vicious practices; and this is a
great deal worse than separation from any particular branch of the
visible church on account of opinions or modes and circumstances of
external government or worship, though many can patiently bear with the
former, while they are plentifully and almost perpetually railing at
the latter, as if no sin were damnable but what they are pleased to
call schism. (2.) Sensual men have not the Spirit, that is, of God and
Christ, the Spirit of holiness, which whoever has not, is none of
Christ's, does not belong to him, Rom. viii. 9. (3.) The worse others
are the better should we endeavour and approve ourselves to be; the
more busy Satan and his instruments are to pervert others, in judgment
or practice, the more tenacious should we be of sound doctrine and a
good conversation, holding fast the faithful word, as we have been
(divinely) taught, holding the mystery of the faith in a pure
conscience, Tit. i. 9; 1 Tim. iii. 9.
3. He exhorts them to persevering constancy in truth and holiness.
(1.) Building up yourselves in your most holy faith, v. 20. Observe,
The way to hold fast our profession is to hold on in it. Having laid
our foundation well in a sound faith, and a sincere upright heart, we
must build upon it, make further progress continually; and we should
take care with what materials we carry on our building, namely, gold,
silver, precious stones, not wood, hay, stubble, 1 Cor. iii. 12. Right
principles and a regular conversation will stand the test even of the
fiery trial; but, whatever we mix of baser alloy, though we be in the
main sincere, we shall suffer loss by it, and though our persons be
saved all that part of our work shall be consumed; and, if we ourselves
escape, it will be with great danger and difficulty, as from a house on
fire on every side.
(2.) Praying in the Holy Ghost. Observe, [1.] Prayer is the nurse of
faith; the way to build up ourselves in our most holy faith is to
continue instant in prayer, Rom. xii. 12. [2.] Our prayers are then
most likely to prevail when we pray in the Holy Ghost, that is, under
his guidance and influence, according to the rule of his word, with
faith, fervency, and constant persevering importunity; this is praying
in the Holy Ghost, whether it be done by or without a set prescribed
form.
(3.) Keep yourselves in the love of God, v. 21. [1.] "Keep up the grace
of love to God in its lively vigorous actings and exercises in your
souls." [2.] "Take heed of throwing yourselves out of the love of God
to you, or its delightful, cheering, strengthening manifestations; keep
yourselves in the way of God, if you would continue in his love."
(4.) Looking for the mercy, &c. [1.] Eternal life is to be looked for
only through mercy; mercy is our only plea, not merit; or if merit, not
our own, but another's, who has merited for us what otherwise we could
have laid no claim to, nor have entertained any well-grounded hope of.
[2.] It is said, not only through the mercy of God as our Creator, but
through the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ as Redeemer; all who come to
heaven must come thither through our Lord Jesus Christ; for there is no
other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved, but
that of the Lord Jesus only, Acts iv. 12 compared with v. 10. [3.] A
believing expectation of eternal life will arm us against the snares of
sin (2 Pet. iii. 14); a lively faith of the blessed hope will help us
to mortify our cursed lusts.
4. He directs them how to behave towards erring brethren: And of some
have compassion, &c., v. 22, 23. Observe, (1.) We ought to do all we
can to rescue others out of the snares of the devil, that they may be
saved from (or recovered, when entangled therein, out of) dangerous
errors, or pernicious practices. We are not only (under God) our own
keepers, but every man ought to be, as much as in him lies, his
brother's keeper; none but a wicked Cain will contradict this, Gen. iv.
9. We must watch over one another, must faithfully, yet prudently,
reprove each other, and set a good example to all about us. (2.) This
must be done with compassion, making a difference. How is that? We must
distinguish between the weak and the wilful. [1.] Of some we must have
compassion, treat them with all tenderness, restore them in the spirit
of meekness, not be needlessly harsh and severe in our censures of them
and their actions, nor proud and haughty in our conduct towards them;
not implacable, nor averse to reconciliation with them, or admitting
them to the friendship they formerly had with us, when they give
evident or even strongly hopeful tokens of a sincere repentance: if God
has forgiven them, why should not we? We infinitely more need his
forgiveness than they do, or can do, ours, though perhaps neither they
nor we are justly or sufficiently sensible of this. [2.] Others save
with fear, urging upon them the terrors of the Lord; "Endeavour to
frighten them out of their sins; preach hell and damnation to them."
But what if prudence and caution in administering even the most just
and severe reproofs be what are primarily and chiefly here
intimated--(I do but offer it for consideration); as if he had said,
"Fear lest you frustrate your own good intentions and honest designs by
rash and imprudent management, that you do not harden, instead of
reclaiming, even where greater degrees of severity are requisite than
in the immediately foregoing instance." We are often apt to over-do,
when we are sure we mean honestly, and think we are right in the main;
yet the very worst are not needlessly, nor rashly, nor to extremity, to
be provoked, lest they be thereby further hardened through our
default.--"Hating even the garment spotted with the flesh, that is,
keeping yourselves at the utmost distance from what is or appears evil,
and designing and endeavouring that others may do so too. Avoid all
that leads to sin or that looks like sin," 1 Thess. v. 22.
III. The apostle concludes this epistle with a solemn ascription of
glory to the great God, v. 24, 25. Note, 1. Whatever is the subject or
argument we have been treating of, ascribing glory to God is fittest
for us to conclude with. 2. God is able, and he is as willing as able,
to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the
presence of his glory; not as those who never have been faulty (for
what has once been done can never be rendered undone, even by
Omnipotence itself, for that implies a contradiction), but as those
whose faults shall not be imputed, to their ruin, which, but for God's
mercy and a Saviour's merits, they might most justly have been.--Before
the presence of his glory. Observe, (1.) The glory of the Lord will
shortly be present. We now look upon it as distant, and too many look
upon it as uncertain, but it will come, and it will be manifest and
apparent. Every eye shall see him, Rev. i. 7. This is now the object of
our faith, but hereafter (and surely it cannot now be long) it will be
the object of our sense; whom we now believe in, him we shall shortly
see, to our unspeakable joy and comfort or inexpressible terror and
consternation. See 1 Pet. i. 8. (2.) All real sincere believers shall
be presented, and the Lord Redeemer's appearance and coming, by him
their glorious head, to the Father, in order to his approbation,
acceptance, and reward. They were given to him of the Father, and of
all that were so given to him he has lost none, nor will lose any one,
not an individual, a single soul, but will present them all perfectly
holy and happy, when he shall surrender his mediatorial kingdom to his
God and our God, his Father and our Father, John vi. 39, with ch. xvii.
12, 1 Cor. xv. 24. (3.) When believers shall be presented faultless it
will be with exceeding joy. Alas! now our faults fill us with fears,
doubts, and sorrows. But be of good cheer; if we be sincere, we shall
be, our dear Redeemer has undertaken for it, we shall be presented
faultless; where there is no sin there will be no sorrow; where there
is the perfection of holiness, there will be the perfection of joy.
Surely, the God who can and will do this is worthy to have glory,
majesty, dominion, and power, ascribed to him, both now and for ever!
And to this we may well, with the apostle, affix our hearty Amen.
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Revelation
Completed by William Tong.
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AN
EXPOSITION,
W I T H P R A C T I C A L O B S E R V A T I O N S,
OF THE
R E V E L A T I O N O F S T. J O H N
THE DIVINE.
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It ought to be no prejudice to the credit and authority of this book
that it has been rejected by men of corrupt minds, such as Cerdon and
Marcion, and doubted of by men of a better character; for this has been
the lot of other parts of holy writ, and of the divine Author of the
scripture himself. The image and superscription of this book are truly
sacred and divine, and the matter of it agreeable with other
prophetical books, particularly Ezekiel and Daniel; the church of God
has generally received it, and found good counsel and great comfort in
it. From the beginning, the church of God has been blessed with
prophecy. That glorious prediction of breaking the serpent's head was
the stay and support of the patriarchal age; and the many prophecies
there were concerning the Messiah to come were the gospel of the Old
Testament. Christ himself prophesied of the destruction of Jerusalem;
and, about the time in which that was accomplished, he entrusted the
apostle John with this book of revelation, to deliver it to the church
as a prediction of the most important events that should happen to it
to the end of time, for the support of the faith of his people and the
direction of their hope. It is called the Revelation, because God
therein discovers those things which could never have been sifted out
by the reasonings of human understanding, those deep things of God
which no man knows, but the Spirit of God, and those to whom he reveals
them.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. I.
This chapter is a general preface to the whole book, and contains, I.
An inscription, declaring the original and the design of it, ver. 1, 2.
II. The apostolic benediction pronounced on all those who shall pay a
due regard to the contents of this book, ver. 3-8. III. A glorious
vision or appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ to the apostle John, when
he delivered to him this revelation, ver. 9, to the end.
The Substance of the Book. (a. d. 95.)
1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to show unto
his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and
signified it by his angel unto his servant John: 2 Who bare record of
the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus Christ, and of all
things that he saw.
Here we have,
I. What we may call the pedigree of this book. 1. It is the revelation
of Jesus Christ. The whole Bible is so; for all revelation comes
through Christ and all centres in him; and especially in these last
days God has spoken to us by his Son, and concerning his Son. Christ,
as the king of his church, has been pleased thus far to let his church
know by what rules and methods he will proceed in his government; and,
as the prophet of the church, he has made known to us the things that
shall be hereafter. 2. It is a revelation which God gave unto Christ.
Though Christ is himself God, and as such has light and life in
himself, yet, as he sustains the office of Mediator between God and
man, he receives his instructions from the Father. The human nature of
Christ, though endowed with the greatest sagacity, judgment, and
penetration, could not, in a way of reason, discover these great
events, which not being produced by natural causes, but wholly
depending upon the will of God, could be the object only of divine
prescience, and must come to a created mind only by revelation. Our
Lord Jesus is the great trustee of divine revelation; it is to him that
we owe the knowledge we have of what we are to expect from God and what
he expects from us. 3. This revelation Christ sent and signified by his
angel. Observe here the admirable order of divine revelation. God gave
it to Christ, and Christ employed an angel to communicate it to the
churches. The angels are God's messengers; they are ministering spirits
to the heirs of salvation. They are Christ's servants: principalities
and powers are subject to him; all the angels of God are obliged to
worship him. 4. The angels signified it to the apostle John. As the
angels are the messengers of Christ, the ministers are the messengers
of the churches; what they receive from heaven, they are to communicate
to the churches. John was the apostle chosen for this service. Some
think he was the only one surviving, the rest having sealed their
testimony with their blood. This was to be the last book of divine
revelation; and therefore notified to the church by the last of the
apostles. John was the beloved disciple. He was, under the New
Testament, as the prophet Daniel under the Old, a man greatly beloved.
He was the servant of Christ; he was an apostle, an evangelist, and a
prophet; he served Christ in all the three extraordinary offices of the
church. James was an apostle, but not a prophet, nor an evangelist;
Matthew was an apostle and evangelist, but not a prophet; Luke was an
evangelist, but neither a prophet nor an apostle; but John was all
three; and so Christ calls him in an eminent sense his servant John. 5.
John was to deliver this revelation to the church, to all his servants.
For the revelation was not designed for the use of Christ's
extraordinary servants the ministers only, but for all his servants,
the members of the church; they have all a right to the oracles of God,
and all have their concern in them.
II. Here we have the subject-matter of this revelation, namely, the
things that must shortly come to pass. The evangelists give us an
account of the things that are past; prophecy gives us an account of
things to come. These future events are shown, not in the clearest
light in which God could have set them, but in such a light as he saw
most proper, and which would best answer his wise and holy purposes.
Had they been as clearly foretold in all their circumstances as God
could have revealed them, the prediction might have prevented the
accomplishment; but they are foretold more darkly, to beget in us a
veneration for the scripture, and to engage our attention and excite
our enquiry. We have in this revelation a general idea of the methods
of divine providence and government in and about the church, and many
good lessons may be learned hereby. These events (it is said) were such
as should come to pass not only surely, but shortly; that is, they
would begin to come to pass very shortly, and the whole would be
accomplished in a short time. For now the last ages of the world had
come.
III. Here is an attestation of the prophecy, v. 2. It was signified to
John, who bore record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus
Christ, and of all things that he saw. It is observable that the
historical books of the Old Testament have not always the name of the
historian prefixed to them, as in the books of Judges, Kings,
Chronicles; but in the prophetical books the name is always prefixed,
as Isaiah, Jeremiah, &c. So in the New Testament, though John did not
prefix his name to his first epistle, yet he does to this prophecy, as
ready to vouch and answer for the truth of it; and he gives us not only
his name, but his office. He was one who bore record of the word of God
in general, and of the testimony of Jesus in particular, and of all
things that he saw; he was an eye-witness, and he concealed nothing
that he saw. Nothing recorded in this revelation was his own invention
or imagination; but all was the record of God and the testimony of
Jesus; and, as he added nothing to it, so he kept back no part of the
counsels of God.
Apostolic Benediction. (a. d. 95.)
3 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this
prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time
is at hand. 4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be
unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to
come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne; 5 And
from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten
of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that
loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, 6 And hath
made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and
dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 7 Behold, he cometh with clouds;
and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all
kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen. 8 I
am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which
is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.
We have here an apostolic benediction on those who should give a due
regard to this divine revelation; and this benediction is given more
generally and more especially.
I. More generally, to all who either read or hear the words of the
prophecy. This blessing seems to be pronounced with a design to
encourage us to study this book, and not be weary of looking into it
upon account of the obscurity of many things in it; it will repay the
labour of the careful and attentive reader. Observe, 1. It is a blessed
privilege to enjoy the oracles of God. This was one of the principal
advantages the Jews had above the Gentiles. 2. It is a blessed thing to
study the scriptures; those are well employed who search the
scriptures. 3. It is a privilege not only to read the scriptures
ourselves, but to hear them read by others, who are qualified to give
us the sense of what they read and to lead us into an understanding of
them. 4. It is not sufficient to our blessedness that we read and hear
the scriptures, but we must keep the things that are written; we must
keep them in our memories, in our minds, in our affections, and in
practice, and we shall be blessed in the deed. 5. The nearer we come to
the accomplishment of the scriptures, the greater regard we shall give
to them. The time is at hand, and we should be so much the more
attentive as we see the day approaching.
II. The apostolic benediction is pronounced more especially and
particularly to the seven Asian churches, v. 4. These seven churches
are named in v. 11, and distinct messages sent to each of them
respectively in the chapters following. The apostolic blessing is more
expressly directed to these because they were nearest to him, who was
now in the isle of Patmos, and perhaps he had the peculiar care of
them, and superintendency over them, not excluding any of the rest of
the apostles, if any of them were now living. Here observe,
1. What the blessing is which he pronounces on all the faithful in
these churches: Grace and peace, holiness and comfort. Grace, that is,
the good-will of God towards us and his good work in us; and peace,
that is, the sweet evidence and assurance of this grace. There can be
no true peace where there is not true grace; and, where grace goes
before, peace will follow.
2. Whence this blessing is to come. In whose name does the apostle
bless the churches? In the name of God, of the whole Trinity; for this
is an act of adoration, and God only is the proper object of it; his
ministers must bless the people in no name but his alone. And here,
(1.) The Father is first named: God the Father, which may be taken
either essentially, for God as God, or personally, for the first person
in the ever-blessed Trinity, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ; and he is described as the Jehovah who is, and who was, and who
is to come, eternal, unchangeable, the same to the Old-Testament church
which was, and to the New-Testament church which is, and who will be
the same to the church triumphant which is to come. (2.) The Holy
Spirit, called the seven spirits, not seven in number, nor in nature,
but the infinite perfect Spirit of God, in whom there is a diversity of
gifts and operations. He is before the throne; for, as God made, so he
governs, all things by his Spirit. (3.) The Lord Jesus Christ. He
mentions him after the Spirit, because he intended to enlarge more upon
the person of Christ, as God manifested in the flesh, whom he had seen
dwelling on earth before, and now saw again in a glorious form. Observe
the particular account we have here of Christ, v. 5. [1.] He is the
faithful witness; he was from eternity a witness to all the counsels of
God (John i. 18), and he was in time a faithful witness to the revealed
will of God, who has now spoken to us by his Son; upon his testimony we
may safely depend, for he is a faithful witness, cannot be deceived and
cannot deceive us. [2.] He is the first-begotten or first-born from the
dead, or the first parent and head of the resurrection, the only one
who raised himself by his own power, and who will by the same power
raise up his people from their graves to everlasting honour; for he has
begotten them again to a lively hope by his resurrection from the dead.
[3.] He is the prince of the kings of the earth; from him they have
their authority; by him their power is limited and their wrath
restrained; by him their counsels are over-ruled, and to him they are
accountable. This is good news to the church, and it is good evidence
of the Godhead of Christ, who is King of kings and Lord of lords. [4.]
He is the great friend of his church and people, one who has done great
things for them, and this out of pure disinterested affection. He has
loved them, and, in pursuance of that everlasting love, he has, First,
Washed them from their sins in his own blood. Sins leave a stain upon
the soul, a stain of guilt and of pollution. Nothing can fetch out this
stain but the blood of Christ; and, rather than it should not be washed
out, Christ was willing to shed his own blood, to purchase pardon and
purity for them. Secondly, He has made them kings and priests to God
and his Father. Having justified and sanctified them, he makes them
kings to his Father; that is, in his Father's account, with his
approbation, and for his glory. As kings, they govern their own
spirits, conquer Satan, have power and prevalency with God in prayer,
and shall judge the world. He hath made them priests, given them access
to God, enabled them to enter into the holiest and to offer spiritual
and acceptable sacrifices, and has given them an unction suitable to
this character; and for these high honours and favours they are bound
to ascribe to him dominion and glory for ever. [5.] He will be the
Judge of the world: Behold, he cometh, and every eye shall see him, v.
7. This book, the Revelation, begins and ends with a prediction of the
second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. We should set ourselves to
meditate frequently upon the second coming of Christ, and keep it in
the eye of our faith and expectation. John speaks as if he saw that
day: "Behold, he cometh, as sure as if you beheld him with your eyes.
He cometh with clouds, which are his chariot and pavilion. He will come
publicly: Every eye shall see him, the eye of his people, the eye of
his enemies, every eye, yours and mine." He shall come, to the terror
of those who have pierced him and have not repented and of all who have
wounded and crucified him afresh by their apostasy from him, and to the
astonishment of the pagan world. For he comes to take vengeance on
those who know not God, as well as on those that obey not the gospel of
Christ. [6.] This account of Christ is ratified and confirmed by
himself, v. 8. Here our Lord Jesus justly challenges the same honour
and power that is ascribed to the Father, v. 4. He is the beginning and
the end; all things are from him and for him; he is the Almighty; he is
the same eternal and unchangeable one. And surely whoever presumes to
blot out one character of this name of Christ deserves to have his name
blotted out of the book of life. Those that honour him he will honour;
but those who despise him shall be lightly esteemed.
John's Vision of Christ. (a. d. 95.)
9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and
in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is
called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus
Christ. 10 I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me
a great voice, as of a trumpet, 11 Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the
first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it
unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto
Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto
Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea. 12 And I turned to see the voice
that spake with me. And being turned, I saw seven golden candlesticks;
13 And in the midst of the seven candlesticks one like unto the Son
of man, clothed with a garment down to the foot, and girt about the
paps with a golden girdle. 14 His head and his hairs were white like
wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 15 And
his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his
voice as the sound of many waters. 16 And he had in his right hand
seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his
countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 17 And when I saw
him, I fell at his feet as dead. And he laid his right hand upon me,
saying unto me, Fear not; I am the first and the last: 18 I am he
that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen;
and have the keys of hell and of death. 19 Write the things which
thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be
hereafter; 20 The mystery of the seven stars which thou sawest in my
right hand, and the seven golden candlesticks. The seven stars are the
angels of the seven churches: and the seven candlesticks which thou
sawest are the seven churches.
We have now come to that glorious vision which the apostle had of the
Lord Jesus Christ, when he came to deliver this revelation to him,
where observe,
I. The account given of the person who was favoured with this vision.
He describes himself, 1. By his present state and condition. He was the
brother and companion of these churches in tribulation, and in the
kingdom and patience of Christ. He was, at their time, as the rest of
true Christians were, a persecuted man, banished, and perhaps
imprisoned, for his adherence to Christ. He was their brother, though
an apostle; he seems to value himself upon his relation to the church,
rather than his authority in it: Judas Iscariot may be an apostle, but
not a brother in the family of God. He was their companion: the
children of God should choose communion and society with each other. He
was their companion in tribulation: the persecuted servants of God did
not suffer alone, the same trials are accomplished in others. He was
their companion in patience, not only a sharer with them in suffering
circumstances, but in suffering graces: if we have the patience of the
saints, we should not grudge to meet with their trials. He was their
brother and companion in the patience of the kingdom of Christ, a
sufferer for Christ's cause, for asserting his kingly power over the
church and the world, and for adhering to it against all who would
usurp upon it. By this account he gives of his present state, he
acknowledges his engagements to sympathize with them, and to endeavour
to give them counsel and comfort, and bespeaks their more careful
attention to what he had to say to them from Christ their common Lord.
2. By the place where he was when he was favoured with this vision: he
was in the isle Patmos. He does not say who banished him thither. It
becomes Christians to speak sparingly and modestly of their own
sufferings. Patmos is said to be an island in the Aegean Sea, One of
those called Cyclades, and was about thirty-five miles in compass; but
under this confinement it was the apostle's comfort that he did not
suffer as an evil-doer, but that it was for the testimony of Jesus, for
bearing witness to Christ as the Immanuel, the Saviour. This was a
cause worth suffering for; and the Spirit of glory and of God rested
upon this persecuted apostle. 3. The day and time in which he had this
vision: it was the Lord's day, the day which Christ had separated and
set apart for himself, as the eucharist is called the Lord's supper.
Surely this can be no other than the Christian sabbath, the first day
of the week, to be observed in remembrance of the resurrection of
Christ. Let us who call him our Lord honour him on his own day, the day
which the Lord hath made and in which we ought to rejoice. 4. The frame
that his soul was in at this time: He was in the Spirit. He was not
only in a rapture when he received the vision, but before he received
it; he was in a serious, heavenly, spiritual frame, under the blessed
gracious influences of the Spirit of God. God usually prepares the
souls of his people for uncommon manifestations of himself, by the
quickening sanctifying influences of his good Spirit. Those who would
enjoy communion with God on the Lord's day must endeavour to abstract
their thoughts and affections from flesh and fleshly things, and be
wholly taken up with things of a spiritual nature.
II. The apostle gives an account of what he heard when thus in the
Spirit. An alarm was given as with the sound of a trumpet, and then he
heard a voice, the voice of Christ applying to himself the character
before given, the first and the last, and commanding the apostle to
commit to writing the things that were now to be revealed to him, and
to send it immediately to the seven Asian churches, whose names are
mentioned. Thus our Lord Jesus, the captain of our salvation, gave the
apostle notice of his glorious appearance, as with the sound of a
trumpet.
III. We have also an account of what he saw. He turned to see the
voice, whose it was and whence it came; and then a wonderful scene of
vision opened itself to him.
1. He saw a representation of the church under the emblem of seven
golden candlesticks, as it is explained in the last verse of the
chapter. The churches are compared to candlesticks, because they hold
forth the light of the gospel to advantage. The churches are not
candles: Christ only is our light, and his gospel our lamp; but they
receive their light from Christ and the gospel, and hold it forth to
others. They are golden candlesticks, for they should be precious and
pure, comparable to fine gold; not only the ministers, but the members
of the churches ought to be such; their light should so shine before
men as to engage others to give glory to God.
2. He saw a representation of the Lord Jesus Christ in the midst of the
golden candlesticks; for he has promised to be with his churches always
to the end of the world, filling them with light, and life, and love,
for he is the very animating informing soul of the church. And here we
observe,
(1.) The glorious form in which Christ appeared in several particulars.
[1.] He was clothed with a garment down to the foot, a princely and
priestly robe, denoting righteousness and honour. [2.] He was girt
about with a golden girdle, the breast-plate of the high priest, on
which the names of his people are engraven; he was ready girt to do all
the work of a Redeemer. [3.] His head and hairs were white like wool or
snow. He was the Ancient of days; his hoary head was no sign of decay,
but was indeed a crown of glory. [4.] His eyes were as a flame of fire,
piercing and penetrating into the very hearts and reins of men,
scattering terrors among his adversaries. [5.] His feet were like unto
fine burning brass, strong and stedfast, supporting his own interest,
subduing his enemies, treading them to powder. [6.] His voice was as
the sound of many waters, of many rivers falling in together. He can
and will make himself heard to those who are afar off as well as to
those who are near. His gospel is a profluent and mighty stream, fed by
the upper springs of infinite wisdom and knowledge. [7.] He had in his
right hand seven stars, that is, the ministers of the seven churches,
who are under his direction, have all their light and influence from
him, and are secured and preserved by him. [8.] Out of his mouth went a
two-edged sword, his word, which both wounds and heals, strikes at sin
on the right hand and on the left, [9.] His countenance was as the sun
shining, its strength too bright and dazzling for mortal eyes to
behold.
(2.) The impression this appearance of Christ made upon the apostle
John (v. 17): He fell at the feet of Christ as dead; he was overpowered
with the greatness of the lustre and glory in which Christ appeared,
though he had been so familiar with him before. How well is it for us
that God speaks to us by men like ourselves, whose terrors shall not
make us afraid, for none can see the face of God and live!
(3.) The condescending goodness of the Lord Jesus to his disciple: He
laid his hand upon him, v. 17. He raised him up; he did not plead
against him with his great power, but he put strength into him, he
spoke kind words to him. [1.] Words of comfort and encouragement: Fear
not. He commanded away the slavish fears of his disciple. [2.] Words of
instruction, telling him particularly who he was that thus appeared to
him. And here he acquaints him, First, with his divine nature: The
first and the last. Secondly, With his former sufferings: I was dead;
the very same that his disciples saw upon the cross dying for the sins
of men. Thirdly, With his resurrection and life: "I live, and am alive
for evermore, have conquered death and opened the grave, and am
partaker of an endless life." Fourthly, With his office and authority:
I have the keys of hell and of death, a sovereign dominion in and over
the invisible world, opening and none can shut, shutting so that none
can open, opening the gates of death when he pleases and the gates of
the eternal world, of happiness or misery, as the Judge of all, from
whose sentence there lies no appeal. Fifthly, With his will and
pleasure: Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which
are, and which shall be hereafter. Sixthly, With the meaning of the
seven stars, that they are the ministers of the churches; and of the
seven candlesticks, that they are the seven churches, to whom Christ
would now send by him particular and proper messages.
__________________________________________________________________
R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. II.
The apostle John, having in the foregoing chapter written the things
which he had seen, now proceeds to write the things that are, according
to the command of God (ch. i. 19), that is, the present state of the
seven churches of Asia, with which he had a particular acquaintance,
and for which he had a tender concern. He was directed to write to
every one of them according to their present state and circumstances,
and to inscribe every letter to the angel of that church, to the
minister or rather ministry of that church, called angels because they
are the messengers of God to mankind. In this chapter we have, I. The
message sent to Ephesus, ver. 1-7. II. To Smyrna, ver. 8-11. III. To
Pergamos, ver. 12-17. IV. To Thyatira, ver. 18, &c.
The Church in Ephesus. (a. d. 95.)
1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he
that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the
midst of the seven golden candlesticks; 2 I know thy works, and thy
labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are
evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are
not, and hast found them liars: 3 And hast borne, and hast patience,
and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. 4
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy
first love. 5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and
repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly,
and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.
6 But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans,
which I also hate. 7 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to
eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
We have here,
I. The inscription, where observe, 1. To whom the first of these
epistles is directed: To the church of Ephesus, a famous church planted
by the apostle Paul (Acts xix.), and afterwards watered and governed by
John, who had his residence very much there. We can hardly think that
Timothy was the angel, or sole pastor and bishop, of this church at
this time,--that he who was of a very excellent spirit, and naturally
cared for the good state of the souls of the people, should become so
remiss as to deserve the rebukes given to the ministry of this church.
Observe, 2. From whom this epistle to Ephesus was sent; and here we
have one of those titles that were given to Christ in his appearance to
John in the chapter foregoing: He that holds the seven stars in his
right hand, and walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks,
ch. i. 13, 16. This title consists of two parts:--(1.) He that holds
the stars in his right hand. The ministers of Christ are under his
special care and protection. It is the honour of God that he knows the
number of the stars, calls them by their names, binds the sweet
influences of Pleiades and looses the bands of Orion; and it is the
honour of the Lord Jesus Christ that the ministers of the gospel, who
are greater blessings to the church than the stars are to the world,
are in his hand. He directs all their motions; he disposes of them into
their several orbs; he fills them with light and influence; he supports
them, or else they would soon be falling stars; they are instruments in
his hand, and all the good they do is done by his hand with them. (2.)
He walks in the midst of the golden candlesticks. This intimates his
relation to his churches, as the other his relation to his ministers.
Christ is in an intimate manner present and conversant with his
churches; he knows and observes their state; he takes pleasure in them,
as a man does to walk in his garden. Though Christ is in heaven, he
walks in the midst of his churches on earth, observing what is amiss in
them and what it is that they want. This is a great encouragement to
those who have the care of the churches, that the Lord Jesus has graven
them upon the palms of his hands.
II. The contents of the epistle, in which, as in most of those that
follow, we have,
1. The commendation Christ gave this church, ministers and members,
which he always brings in by declaring that he knows their works, and
therefore both his commendation and reprehension are to be strictly
regarded; for he does not in either speak at a venture: he knows what
he says. Now the church of Ephesus is commended, (1.) For their
diligence in duty: I know thy works, and thy labour, v. 2. This may
more immediately relate to the ministry of this church, which had been
laborious and diligent. Dignity calls for duty. Those that are stars in
Christ's hand had need to be always in motion, dispensing light to all
about them. For my name's sake thou hast laboured, and hast not
fainted, v. 3. Christ keeps an account of every day's work, and every
hour's work, his servants do for him, and their labour shall not be in
vain in the Lord. (2.) For their patience in suffering: Thy labour and
thy patience, v. 2. It is not enough that we be diligent, but we must
be patient, and endure hardness as good soldiers of Christ. Ministers
must have and exercise great patience, and no Christian can be without
it. There must be bearing patience, to endure the injuries of men and
the rebukes of Providence; and there must be waiting patience, that,
when they have done the will of God, they may receive the promise: Thou
hast borne, and hast patience, v. 3. We shall meet with such
difficulties in our way and work as require patience to go on and
finish well. (3.) For their zeal against what was evil: Thou canst not
bear those that are evil, v. 2. It consists very well with Christian
patience not to dispense with sin, much less allow it; though we must
show all meekness to men, yet we must show a just zeal against their
sins. This their zeal was the more to be commended because it was
according to knowledge, a discreet zeal upon a previous trial made of
the pretences, practices, and tenets of evil men: Thou hast tried those
that say they are apostles and are not, and hast found them liars. True
zeal proceeds with discretion; none should be cast off till they be
tried. Some had risen up in this church that pretended to be not
ordinary ministers, but apostles; and their pretensions had been
examined but found to be vain and false. Those that impartially search
after truth may come to the knowledge of it.
2. The rebuke given to this church: Nevertheless, I have somewhat
against thee, v. 4. Those that have much good in them may have
something much amiss in them, and our Lord Jesus, as an impartial
Master and Judge, takes notice of both; though he first observes what
is good, and is most ready to mention this, yet he also observes what
is amiss, and will faithfully reprove them for it. The sin that Christ
charged this church with was their decay and declension in holy love
and zeal: Thou hast left thy first love; not left and forsaken the
object of it, but lost the fervent degree of it that at first appeared.
Observe, (1.) The first affections of men towards Christ, and holiness,
and heaven, are usually lively and warm. God remembered the love of
Israel's espousals, when she would follow him withersoever he went.
(2.) These lively affections will abate and cool if great care be not
taken, and diligence used, to preserve them in constant exercise. (3.)
Christ is grieved and displeased with his people when he sees them grow
remiss and cold towards him, and he will one way or other make them
sensible that he does not take it well from them.
3. The advice and counsel given them from Christ: Remember therefore
whence thou hast fallen, and repent, &c. (1.) Those that have lost
their first love must remember whence they have fallen; they must
compare their present with their former state, and consider how much
better it was with them then than now, how much peace, strength,
purity, and pleasure they have lost, by leaving their first love,--how
much more comfortably they could lie down and sleep at night,--how much
more cheerfully they could awake in the morning,--how much better they
could bear afflictions, and how much more becomingly they could enjoy
the favours of Providence,--how much easier the thoughts of death were
to them, and how much stronger their desires and hopes of heaven. (2.)
They must repent. They must be inwardly grieved and ashamed for their
sinful declension; they must blame themselves, and shame themselves,
for it, and humbly confess it in the sight of God, and judge and
condemn themselves for it. (3.) They must return and do their first
works. They must as it were begin again, go back step by step, till
they come to the place where they took the first false step; they must
endeavour to revive and recover their first zeal, tenderness, and
seriousness, and must pray as earnestly, and watch as diligently, as
they did when they first set out in the ways of God.
4. This good advice is enforced and urged, (1.) By a severe
threatening, if it should be neglected: I will come unto thee quickly,
and remove thy candlestick out of its place. If the presence of
Christ's grace and Spirit be slighted, we may expect the presence of
his displeasure. He will come in a way of judgment, and that suddenly
and surprisingly, upon impenitent churches and sinners; he will
unchurch them, take away his gospel, his ministers, and his ordinances
from them, and what will the churches or the angels of the churches do
when the gospel is removed? (2.) By an encouraging mention that is made
of what was yet good among them: This thou hast, that thou hatest the
deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate, v. 6. "Though thou hast
declined in thy love to what is good, yet thou retainest thy hatred to
what is evil, especially to what is grossly so." The Nicolaitans were a
loose sect who sheltered themselves under the name of Christianity.
They held hateful doctrines, and they were guilty of hateful deeds,
hateful to Christ and to all true Christians; and it is mentioned to
the praise of the church of Ephesus that they had a just zeal and
abhorrence of those wicked doctrines and practices. An indifference of
spirit between truth and error, good and evil, may be called charity
and meekness, but it is not pleasing to Christ. Our Saviour subjoins
this kind commendation to his severe threatening, to make the advice
more effectual.
III. We have the conclusion of this epistle, in which, as in those that
follow, we have,
1. A call to attention: He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches. Observe, (1.) What is written in the
scriptures is spoken by the Spirit of God. (2.) What is said to one
church concerns all the churches, in every place and age. (3.) We can
never employ our faculty of hearing better than in hearkening to the
word of God: and we deserve to lose it if we do not employ it to this
purpose. Those who will not hear the call of God now will wish at
length they had never had a capacity of hearing any thing at all.
2. A promise of great mercy to those who overcome. The Christian life
is a warfare against sin, Satan, the world, and the flesh. It is not
enough that we engage in this warfare, but we must pursue it to the
end, we must never yield to our spiritual enemies, but fight the good
fight, till we gain the victory, as all persevering Christians shall
do; and the warfare and victory shall have a glorious triumph and
reward. That which is here promised to the victors is that they shall
eat of the tree of life which is in the midst of the paradise of God.
They shall have that perfection of holiness, and that confirmation
therein, which Adam would have had if he had gone well through the
course of his trial: he would then have eaten of the tree of life which
was in the midst of paradise, and this would have been the sacrament of
confirmation to him in his holy and happy state; so all who persevere
in their Christian trial and warfare shall derive from Christ, as the
tree of life, perfection and confirmation in holiness and happiness in
the paradise of God; not in the earthly paradise, but the heavenly, ch.
xxii. 1, 2.
The Church in Smyrna. (a. d. 95.)
8 And unto the angel of the church in Smyrna write; These things saith
the first and the last, which was dead, and is alive; 9 I know thy
works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the
blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the
synagogue of Satan. 10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt
suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye
may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful
unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. 11 He that hath an
ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that
overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death.
We now proceed to the second epistle sent to another of the Asian
churches, where, as before, observe,
I. The preface or inscription in both parts. 1. The superscription,
telling us to whom it was more expressly and immediately directed: To
the angel of the church in Smyrna, a place well known at this day by
our merchants, a city of great trade and wealth, perhaps the only city
of all the seven that is still known by the same name, now however no
longer distinguished for its Christian church being overrun by
Mahomedism. 2. The subscription, containing another of the glorious
titles of our Lord Jesus, the first and the last, he that was dead and
is alive, taken out of ch. i. 17, 18. (1.) Jesus Christ is the first
and the last. It is but a little scantling of time that is allowed to
us in this world, but our Redeemer is the first and the last. He is the
first, for by him all things were made, and he was before all things
with God and was God himself. He is the last, for all things are made
for him, and he will be the Judge of all. This surely is the title of
God, from everlasting and to everlasting, and it is the title of one
that is an unchangeable Mediator between God and man, Jesus, the same
yesterday, to-day, and for ever. He was the first, for by him the
foundation of the church was laid in the patriarchal state; and he is
the last, for by him the top-stone will be brought forth and laid in
the end of time. (2.) He was dead and is alive. He was dead, and died
for our sins; he is alive, for he rose again for our justification, and
he ever lives to make intercession for us. He was dead, and by dying
purchased salvation for us; he is alive, and by his life applies this
salvation to us. And if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled by
his death, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
His death we commemorate every sacrament day; his resurrection and life
every sabbath day.
II. The subject-matter of this epistle to Smyrna, where, after the
common declaration of Christ's omniscience, and the perfect cognizance
he has of all the works of men and especially of his churches, he takes
notice,
1. Of the improvement they had made in their spiritual state. This
comes in in a short parentheses; yet it is very emphatic: But thou art
rich (v. 10), poor in temporals, but rich in spirituals--poor in
spirit, and yet rich in grace. Their spiritual riches are set off by
their outward poverty. Many who are rich in temporals are poor in
spirituals. Thus it was with the church of Laodicea. Some who are poor
outwardly are inwardly rich, rich in faith and in good works, rich in
privileges, rich in bonds and deeds of gift, rich in hope, rich in
reversion. Spiritual riches are usually the reward of great diligence;
the diligent hand makes rich. Where there is spiritual plenty, outward
poverty may be better borne; and when God's people are impoverished in
temporals, for the sake of Christ and a good conscience, he makes all
up to them in spiritual riches, which are much more satisfying and
enduring.
2. Of their sufferings: I know thy tribulation and thy poverty--the
persecution they underwent, even to the spoiling of their goods. Those
who will be faithful to Christ must expect to go through many
tribulations; but Jesus Christ takes particular notice of all their
troubles. In all their afflictions, he is afflicted, and he will
recompense tribulation to those who trouble them, but to those that are
troubled rest with himself.
3. He knows the wickedness and the falsehood of their enemies: I know
the blasphemy of those that say they are Jews, but are not; that is, of
those who pretend to be the only peculiar covenant-people of God, as
the Jews boasted themselves to be, even after God had rejected them; or
of those who would be setting up the Jewish rites and ceremonies, which
were now not only antiquated, but abrogated; these may say that they
only are the church of God in the world, when indeed they are the
synagogue of Satan. Observe, (1.) As Christ has a church in the world,
the spiritual Israel of God, so the devil has his synagogue. Those
assemblies which are set up in opposition to the truths of the gospel,
and which promote and propagate damnable errors,--those which are set
up in opposition to the purity and spirituality of gospel worship, and
which promote and propagate the vain inventions of men and rites and
ceremonies which never entered into the thoughts of God,--these are all
synagogues of Satan: he presides over them, he works in them, his
interests are served by them, and he receives a horrid homage and
honour from them. (2.) For the synagogues of Satan to give themselves
out to be the church or Israel of God is no less than blasphemy. God is
greatly dishonoured when his name is made use of to promote and
patronize the interests of Satan; and he has a high resentment of this
blasphemy, and will take a just revenge on those who persist in it.
4. He foreknows the future trials of his people, and forewarns them of
them, and fore-arms them against them. (1.) He forewarns them of future
trials: The devil shall cast some of you into prison, and you shall
have tribulation, v. 10. The people of God must look for a series and
succession of troubles in this world, and their troubles usually rise
higher. They had been impoverished by their tribulations before; now
they must be imprisoned. Observe, It is the devil that stirs up his
instruments, wicked men, to persecute the people of God; tyrants and
persecutors are the devil's tools, though they gratify their own sinful
malignity, and know not that they are actuated by a diabolical malice.
(2.) Christ fore-arms them against these approaching troubles, [1.] By
his counsel: Fear none of these things. This is not only a word of
command, but of efficacy, no, only forbidding slavish fear, but
subduing it and furnishing the soul with strength and courage. [2.] By
showing them how their sufferings would be alleviated and limited.
First, They should not be universal. It would be some of them, not all,
who should be cast into prison, those who were best able to bear it and
might expect to be visited and comforted by the rest. Secondly, They
were not to be perpetual, but for a set time, and a short time: Ten
days. It should not be everlasting tribulation, the time should be
shortened for the elect's sake. Thirdly, It should be to try them, not
to destroy them, that their faith, and patience, and courage, might be
proved and improved, and be found to honour and glory. [3.] By
proposing and promising a glorious reward to their fidelity: Be thou
faithful to death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Observe,
First, The sureness of the reward: I will give thee. He has said it
that is able to do it; and he has undertaken that he will do it. They
shall have the reward from his own hand, and none of their enemies
shall be able to wrest it out of his hand, or to pull it from their
heads. Secondly, The suitableness of it. 1. A crown, to reward their
poverty, their fidelity, and their conflict. 2. A crown of life, to
reward those who are faithful even unto death, who are faithful till
they die, and who part with life itself in fidelity to Christ. The life
so worn out in his service, or laid down in his cause, shall be
rewarded with another and a much better life that shall be eternal.
III. The conclusion of this message, and that, as before, 1. With a
call to universal attention, that all men, all the world, should hear
what passes between Christ and his churches--how he commends them, how
he comforts them, how he reproves their failures, how he rewards their
fidelity. It concerns all the inhabitants of the world to observe God's
dealings with his own people; all the world may learn instruction and
wisdom thereby. 2. With a gracious promise to the conquering Christian:
He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death, v. 11.
Observe, (1.) There is not only a first, but a second death, a death
after the body is dead. (2.) This second death is unspeakably worse
than the first death, both in the dying pangs and agonies of it (which
are the agonies of the soul, without any mixture of support) and in the
duration; it is eternal death, dying the death, to die and to be always
dying. This is hurtful indeed, fatally hurtful, to all who fall under
it. (3.) From this hurtful, this destructive death, Christ will save
all his faithful servants; the second death shall have no power over
those who are partakers of the first resurrection: the first death
shall not hurt them, and the second death shall have no power over
them.
The Church in Pergamos. (a. d. 95.)
12 And to the angel of the church in Pergamos write; These things saith
he which hath the sharp sword with two edges; 13 I know thy works,
and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is: and thou holdest
fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein
Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan
dwelleth. 14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast
there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a
stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed
unto idols, and to commit fornication. 15 So hast thou also them that
hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. 16 Repent;
or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with
the sword of my mouth. 17 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the
Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to
eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the
stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth
it.
Here also we are to consider,
I. The inscription of this message. 1. To whom it was sent: To the
angel of the church of Pergamos. Whether this was a city raised up out
of the ruins of old Troy, a Troy nouveau (as our London was once
called), or some other city of the same name, is neither certain nor
material; it was a place where Christ had called and constituted a
gospel church, by the preaching of the gospel and the grace of his
Spirit making the word effectual. 2. Who it was that sent this message
to Pergamos: the same Jesus who here describes himself as one that hath
the sharp sword with two edges (ch. i. 16), out of whose mouth went a
sharp two-edged sword. Some have observed that, in the several titles
of Christ which are prefixed to the several epistles, there is
something suited to the state of those churches; as in that to Ephesus,
what could be more proper to awaken and recover a drowsy and declining
church than to hear Christ speaking as one that held the stars in his
hand, and walked in the midst of the golden candlesticks? &c. The
church of Pergamos was infested with men of corrupt minds, who did what
they could to corrupt both the faith and manners of the church; and
Christ, being resolved to fight against them by the sword of his word,
takes the title of him that hath the sharp sword with two edges. (1.)
The word of God is a sword; it is a weapon both offensive and
defensive, it is, in the hand of God, able to slay both sin and
sinners. (2.) It is a sharp sword. No heart is so hard but it is able
to cut it; it can divide asunder between the soul and the spirit, that
is, between the soul and those sinful habits that by custom have become
another soul, or seem to be essential to it. (3.) It is a sword with
two edges; it turns and cuts every way. There is the edge of the law
against the transgressors of that dispensation, and the edge of the
gospel against the despisers of that dispensation; there is an edge to
make a wound, and an edge to open a festered wound in order to its
healing. There is no escaping the edge of this sword: if you turn aside
to the right hand, it has an edge on that side; if on the left hand,
you fall upon the edge of the sword on that side; it turns every way.
II. From the inscription we proceed to the contents of the epistle, in
which the method is much the same as is observed in the rest. Here,
1. Christ takes notice of the trials and difficulties this church
encountered with: I know thy works, and where thou dwellest, &c., v.
13. The works of God's servants are best known when the circumstances
under which they did those works are duly considered. Now that which
added very much lustre to the good works of this church was the
circumstance of the place where this church was planted, a place where
Satan's seat was. As our great Lord takes notice of all the advantages
and opportunities we have for duty in the places where we dwell, so he
takes notice of all the temptations and discouragements we meet with
from the places where we dwell, and makes gracious allowances for them.
This people dwelt where Satan's seat was, where he kept his court. His
circuit is throughout the world, his seat is in some places that are
infamous for wickedness, error, and cruelty. Some think that the Roman
governor in this city was a most violent enemy to the Christians; and
the seat of persecution is Satan's seat.
2. He commends their stedfastness: Thou holdest fast my name, and hast
not denied my faith. These two expressions are much the same in sense;
the former may, however, signify the effect and the latter the cause or
means. (1.) "Thou holdest fast my name; thou art not ashamed of thy
relation to me, but accountest it thine honour that my name is named on
thee, that, as the wife bears the name of the husband, so thou art
called by my name; this thou holdest fast, as thine honour and
privilege." (2.) "That which has made thee thus faithful is the grace
of faith: thou hast not denied the great doctrines of the gospel, nor
departed from the Christian faith, and by that means thou hast been
kept faithful." Our faith will have a great influence upon our
faithfulness. Men who deny the faith of Christ may boast very much of
their sincerity, and faithfulness to God and conscience; but it has
been seldom known that those who let go the true faith retained their
fidelity; usually on that rock on which men make shipwreck of their
faith they make shipwreck of a good conscience too. And here our
blessed Lord aggrandizes the fidelity of this church from the
circumstance of the times, as well as of the place where they lived:
they had been stedfast even in those days wherein Antipas his faithful
martyr was slain among them. Who this person was, and whether there be
anything mysterious in his name, we have no certain account. He was a
faithful disciple of Christ, he suffered martyrdom for it, and sealed
his faith and fidelity with his blood in the place where Satan dwelt;
and though the rest of the believers there knew this, and saw it, yet
they were not discouraged nor drawn away from their stedfastness: this
is mentioned as an addition to their honour.
3. He reproves them for their sinful failures (v. 14): But I have a few
things against thee, because thou hast there those that hold the
doctrine of Balaam, &c., and those that hold the doctrine of the
Nicolaitans, which thing I hate. There were some who taught that it was
lawful to eat things sacrificed to idols, and that simple fornication
was no sin; they, by an impure worship, drew men into impure practices,
as Balaam did the Israelites. Observe, (1.) The filthiness of the
spirit and the filthiness of the flesh often go together. Corrupt
doctrines and a corrupt worship often lead to a corrupt conversation.
(2.) It is very lawful to fix the name of the leaders of any heresy
upon those who follow them. It is the shortest way of telling whom we
mean. (3.) To continue in communion with persons of corrupt principles
and practices is displeasing to God, draws a guilt and blemish upon the
whole society: they become partakers of other men's sins. Though the
church, as such, has no power to punish the persons of men, either for
heresy or immorality, with corporal penalties, yet it has power to
exclude them from its communion; and, if it do not so, Christ, the head
and lawgiver of the church, will be displeased with it.
4. He calls them to repentance: Repent, or else I will come unto thee
quickly, &c., v. 16. Observe here, (1.) Repentance is the duty of
saints as well as sinners; it is a gospel duty. (2.) It is the duty of
churches and communities as well as particular persons; those who sin
together should repent together. (3.) It is the duty of Christian
societies to repent of other men's sins, as far as they have been
accessory to them, though but so much as by connivance. (4.) When God
comes to punish the corrupt members of a church, he rebukes that church
itself for allowing such to continue in its communion, and some drops
of the storm fall upon the whole society. (5.) No sword cuts so deep,
nor inflicts so mortal a wound, as the sword of Christ's mouth. Let but
the threatenings of the word be set home upon the conscience of a
sinner, and he will soon be a terror to himself; let these threatenings
be executed, and the sinner is utterly cut off. The word of God will
take hold of sinners, sooner or later, either for their conviction or
their confusion.
III. We have the conclusion of this epistle, where, after the usual
demand of universal attention, there is the promise of great favour to
those that overcome. They shall eat of the hidden manna, and have the
new name, and the white stone, which no man knoweth, saving he that
receiveth it, v. 17. 1. The hidden manna, the influences and comforts
of the Spirit of Christ in communion with him, coming down from heaven
into the soul, from time to time, for its support, to let it taste
something how saints and angels live in heaven. This is hidden from the
rest of the world--a stranger intermeddles not with this joy; and it is
laid up in Christ, the ark of the covenant, in the holy of holies. 2.
The white stone, with a new name engraven upon it. This white stone is
absolution from the guilt of sin, alluding to the ancient custom of
giving a white stone to those acquitted on trial and a black stone to
those condemned. The new name is the name of adoption: adopted persons
took the name of the family into which they were adopted. None can read
the evidence of a man's adoption but himself; he cannot always read it,
but if he persevere he shall have both the evidence of sonship and the
inheritance.
The Church in Thyatira. (a. d. 95.)
18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira write; These things
saith the Son of God, who hath his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and
his feet are like fine brass; 19 I know thy works, and charity, and
service, and faith, and thy patience, and thy works; and the last to be
more than the first. 20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against
thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself
a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication,
and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. 21 And I gave her space to
repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will
cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great
tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill
her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he
which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of
you according to your works. 24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest
in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not
known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none
other burden. 25 But that which ye have already hold fast till I
come. 26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end,
to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them
with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to
shivers: even as I received of my Father. 28 And I will give him the
morning star. 29 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.
The form of each epistle is very much the same; and in this, as the
rest, we have to consider the inscription, contents, and conclusion.
I. The inscription, telling us, 1. To whom it is directed: To the angel
of the church of Thyatira, a city of the proconsular Asia, bordering
upon Mysia on the north and Lydia on the south, a town of trade, whence
came the woman named Lydia, a seller of purple, who, being at Philippi
in Macedonia, probably about the business of her calling, heard Paul
preach there, and God opened her heart, that she attended to the things
that were spoken, and believed, and was baptized, and entertained Paul
and Silas there. Whether it was by her means that the gospel was
brought into her own city, Thyatira, is not certain; but that it was
there, and successful to the forming of a gospel church, this epistle
assures us. 2. By whom it was sent: by the Son of God, who is here
described as having eyes like a flame of fire, and feet like as fine
brass. His general title is here, the Son of God, that is, the eternal
and only-begotten Son of God, which denotes that he has the same nature
with the Father, but with a distinct and subordinate manner of
subsistence. The description we have here of him is in two
characters:--(1.) That his eyes are like a flame of fire, signifying
his piercing, penetrating, perfect knowledge, a thorough insight into
all persons and all things, one who searches the hearts and tries the
reins of the children of men (v. 23), and will make all the churches to
know he does so. (2.) That his feet are like fine brass, that the
outgoings of his providence are steady, awful, and all pure and holy.
As he judges with perfect wisdom, so he acts with perfect strength and
steadiness.
II. The contents or subject-matter of this epistle, which, as the rest,
includes,
1. The honourable character and commendation Christ gives of this
church, ministry, and people; and this given by one who was no stranger
to them, but well acquainted with them and with the principles from
which they acted. Now in this church Christ makes honourable mention,
(1.) Of their charity, either more general, a disposition to do good to
all men, or more special, to the household of faith: there is no
religion where there is no charity. (2.) Their service, their
ministration; this respects chiefly the officers of the church, who had
laboured in the word and doctrine. (3.) Their faith, which was the
grace that actuated all the rest, both their charity and their service.
(4.) Their patience; for those that are most charitable to others, most
diligent in their places, and most faithful, must yet expect to meet
with that which will exercise their patience. (5.) Their growing
fruitfulness: their last works were better than the first. This is an
excellent character; when others had left their first love, and lost
their first zeal, these were growing wiser and better. It should be the
ambition and earnest desire of all Christians that their last works may
be their best works, that they may be better and better every day, and
best at last.
2. A faithful reproof for what was amiss. This is not so directly
charged upon the church itself as upon some wicked seducers who were
among them; the church's fault was that she connived too much at them.
(1.) These wicked seducers were compared to Jezebel, and called by her
name. Jezebel was a persecutor of the prophets of the Lord, and a great
patroness of idolaters and false prophets. The sin of these seducers
was that they attempted to draw the servants of God into fornication,
and to offer sacrifices to idols; they called themselves prophets, and
so would claim a superior authority and regard to the ministers of the
church. Two things aggravated the sin of these seducers, who, being one
in their spirit and design, are spoken of as one person:--[1.] They
made use of the name of God to oppose the truth of his doctrine and
worship; this very much aggravated their sin. [2.] They abused the
patience of God to harden themselves in their wickedness. God gave them
space for repentance, but they repented not. Observe, First, Repentance
is necessary to prevent a sinner's ruin. Secondly, Repentance requires
time, a course of time, and time convenient; it is a great work, and a
work of time. Thirdly, Where God gives space for repentance, he expects
fruits meet for repentance. Fourthly, Where the space for repentance is
lost, the sinner perishes with a double destruction.
(2.) Now why should the wickedness of this Jezebel be charged upon the
church of Thyatira? Because that church suffered her to seduce the
people of that city. But how could the church help it? They had not, as
a church, civil power to banish or imprison her; but they had
ministerial power to censure and to excommunicate her: and it is
probable that neglecting to use the power they had made them sharers in
her sin.
3. The punishment of this seducer, this Jezebel, v. 22, 23, in which is
couched a prediction of the fall of Babylon. (1.) I will cast her into
a bed, into a bed of pain, not of pleasure, into a bed of flames; and
those who have sinned with her shall suffer with her; but this may yet
be prevented by their repentance. (2.) I will kill her children with
death; that is, the second death, which does the work effectually, and
leaves no hope of future life, no resurrection for those that are
killed by the second death, but only to shame and everlasting contempt.
4. The design of Christ in the destruction of these wicked seducers,
and this was the instruction of others, especially of his churches: All
the churches shall know that I am he that searcheth the reins and the
hearts; and I will give to every one of you according to your works.
God is known by the judgments that he executes; and, by this revenge
taken upon seducers, he would make known, (1.) His infallible knowledge
of the hearts of men, of their principles, designs, frame, and temper,
their formality, their indifference, their secret inclinations to
symbolize with idolaters. (2.) His impartial justice, in giving every
one according to his work, that the name of Christians should be no
protection, their churches should be no sanctuaries for sin and
sinners.
5. The encouragement given to those who keep themselves pure and
undefiled: But to you I say, and unto the rest, &c., v. 24. Observe,
(1.) What these seducers called their doctrines--depths, profound
mysteries, amusing the people, and endeavouring to persuade them that
they had a deeper insight into religion than their own ministers had
attained to. (2.) What Christ called them--depths of Satan, Satanical
delusions and devices, diabolical mysteries; for there is a mystery of
iniquity, as well and the great mystery of godliness. It is a dangerous
thing to despise the mystery of God, and it is as dangerous to receive
the mysteries of Satan. (3.) How tender Christ is of his faithful
servants: "I will lay upon you no other burden; but that which you have
already hold fast till I come, v. 24, 25. I will not overburden your
faith with any new mysteries, nor your consciences with any new laws. I
only require your attention to what you have received. Hold that fast
till I come, and I desire no more." Christ is coming to put an end to
all the temptations of his people; and, if they hold fast faith and a
good conscience till he come, all the difficulty and danger will be
over.
III. We now come to the conclusion of this message, v. 26-29. Here we
have, 1. The promise of an ample reward to the persevering victorious
believer, in two parts:--(1.) Very great power and dominion over the
rest of the world: Power over the nations, which may refer either to
the time when the empire should turn Christian, and the world be under
the government of the Christian emperor, as in Constantine's time; or
to the other world, when believers shall sit down with Christ on his
throne of judgment, and join with him in trying, and condemning, and
consigning over to punishment the enemies of Christ and the church. The
upright shall have dominion in the morning. (2.) Knowledge and wisdom,
suitable to such power and dominion: I will give him the morning-star.
Christ is the morning-star. He brings day with him into the soul, the
light of grace and of glory; and he will give his people that
perfection of light and wisdom which is requisite to the state of
dignity and dominion that they shall have in the morning of the
resurrection. 2. This epistle ends with the usual demand of attention:
He that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the
churches. In the foregoing epistles, this demand of attention comes
before the concluding promise; but in this, and all that follow, it
comes after, and tells us that we should all attend to the promises as
well as to the precepts that Christ delivers to the churches.
__________________________________________________________________
R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. III.
Here we have three more of the epistles of Christ to the churches: I.
To Sardis, ver. 1-6. II. To Philadelphia, ver. 7-13. III. To Laodicea,
ver. 14, to the end.
The Church in Sardis. (a. d. 95.)
1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith
he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy
works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. 2 Be
watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to
die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God. 3 Remember
therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent.
If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and
thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 4 Thou hast a
few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and
they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy. 5 He that
overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not
blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name
before my Father, and before his angels. 6 He that hath an ear, let
him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Here is, I. The preface, showing, 1. To whom this letter is directed:
To the angel of the church of Sardis, an ancient city of Lydia, on the
banks of the mountain Tmolus, said to have been the chief city of Asia
the Less, and the first city in that part of the world that was
converted by the preaching of John; and, some say, the first that
revolted from Christianity, and one of the first that was laid in its
ruins, in which it still lies, without any church or ministry. 2. By
whom this message was sent--the Lord Jesus, who here assumes the
character of him that hath the seven spirits of God, and the seven
stars, taken out of ch. i. 4, where the seven spirits are said to be
before the throne. (1.) He hath the seven spirits, that is, the Holy
Spirit with his various powers, graces, and operations; for he is
personally one, though efficaciously various, and may be said here to
be seven, which is the number of the churches, and of the angels of the
churches, to show that to every minister, and to every church, there is
a dispensation and measure of the Spirit given for them to profit
withal--a stock of spiritual influence for that minister and church to
improve, both for enlargement and continuance, which measure of the
Spirit is not ordinarily withdrawn from them, till they forfeit it by
misimprovement. Churches have their spiritual stock and fund, as well
as particular believers; and, this epistle being sent to a languishing
ministry and church, they are very fitly put in mind that Christ has
the seven spirits, the Spirit without measure and in perfection, to
whom they may apply themselves for the reviving of his work among them.
(2.) He hath the seven stars, the angels of the churches; they are
disposed of by him, and accountable to him, which should make them
faithful and zealous. He has ministers to employ, and spiritual
influences to communicate to his ministers for the good of his church.
The Holy Spirit usually works by the ministry, and the ministry will be
of no efficacy without the Spirit; the same divine hand holds them
both.
II. The body of this epistle. There is this observable in it, that
whereas in the other epistles Christ begins with commending what is
good in the churches, and then proceeds to tell them what is amiss, in
this (and in the epistle to Laodicea) he begins,
1. With a reproof, and a very severe one: I know thy works, that thou
hast a name that thou livest, and art dead. Hypocrisy, and a lamentable
decay in religion, are the sins charged upon this church, by one who
knew her well, and all her works. (1.) This church had gained a great
reputation; it had a name, and a very honourable one, for a flourishing
church, a name for vital lively religion, for purity of doctrine, unity
among themselves, uniformity in worship, decency, and order. We read
not of any unhappy divisions among themselves. Every thing appeared
well, as to what falls under the observation of men. (2.) This church
was not really what it was reputed to be. They had a name to live, but
they were dead; there was a form of godliness, but not the power, a
name to live, but not a principle of life. If there was not a total
privation of life, yet there was a great deadness in their souls and in
their services, a great deadness in the spirits of their ministers, and
a great deadness in their ministrations, in their praying, in their
preaching, in their converse, and a great deadness in the people in
hearing, in prayer, and in conversation; what little life was yet left
among them was, in a manner, expiring, ready to die.
2. Our Lord proceeds to give this degenerate church the best advice: Be
watchful, and strengthen the things, &c., v. 2. (1.) He advises them to
be upon their watch. The cause of their sinful deadness and declension
was that they had let down their watch. Whenever we are off our watch,
we lose ground, and therefore must return to our watchfulness against
sin, and Satan, and whatever is destructive to the life and power of
godliness. (2.) To strengthen the things that remain, and that are
ready to die. Some understand this of persons; there were some few who
had retained their integrity, but they were in danger of declining with
the rest. It is a difficult thing to keep up to the life and power of
godliness ourselves, when we see a universal deadness and declension
prevailing round about us. Or it may be understood of practices, as it
follows: I have not found thy works perfect before God, not filled up;
there is something wanting in them; there is the shell, but not the
kernel; there is the carcase, but not the soul--the shadow, but not the
substance. The inward thing is wanting, thy works are hollow and empty;
prayers are not filled up with holy desires, alms-deeds not filled up
with true charity, sabbaths not filled up with suitable devotion of
soul to God; there are not inward affections suitable to outward acts
and expressions. Now when the spirit is wanting the form cannot long
subsist. (3.) To recollect themselves, and remember how they have
received and heard (v. 3); not only to remember what they had received
and heard, what messages they had received from God, what tokens of his
mercy and favour towards them, what sermons they had heard, but how
they had received and heard, what impressions the mercies of God had
made upon their souls at first, what affections they felt working under
their word and ordinances, the love of their espousals, the kindness of
their youth, how welcome the gospel and the grace of God were to them
when they first received them. Where is the blessedness they then spoke
of? (4.) To hold fast what they had received, that they might not lose
all, and repent sincerely that they had lost so much of the life of
religion, and had run the risk of losing all.
3. Christ enforces his counsel with a dreadful threatening in case it
should be despised: I will come unto thee as a thief, and thou shalt
not know the hour, v. 3. Observe, (1.) When Christ leaves a people as
to his gracious presence, he comes to them in judgment; and his
judicial presence will be very dreadful to those who have sinned away
his gracious presence. (2.) His judicial approach to a dead declining
people will be surprising; their deadness will keep them in security,
and, as it procures an angry visit from Christ to them, it will prevent
their discerning it and preparing for it. (3.) Such a visit from Christ
will be to their loss; he will come as a thief, to strip them of their
remaining enjoyments and mercies, not by fraud, but in justice and
righteousness, taking the forfeiture they have made of all to him.
4. Our blessed Lord does not leave this sinful people without some
comfort and encouragement: In the midst of judgment he remembers mercy
(v. 4), and here (1.) He makes honourable mention of the faithful
remnant in Sardis, though but small: Thou hast a few names in Sardis
which have not defiled their garments; they had not given into the
prevailing corruptions and pollution of the day and place in which they
lived. God takes notice of the smallest number of those who abide with
him; and the fewer they are the more precious in his sight. (2.) He
makes a very gracious promise to them: They shall walk with me in
white, for they are worthy--in the stola, the white robes of
justification, and adoption, and comfort, or in the white robes of
honour and glory in the other world. They shall walk with Christ in the
pleasant walks of the heavenly paradise; and what delightful converse
will there be between Christ and them when they thus walk together!
This is an honour proper and suitable to their integrity, which their
fidelity has prepared them for, and which it is no way unbecoming
Christ to confer upon them, though it is not a legal but a gospel
worthiness that is ascribed to them, not merit but meetness. Those who
walk with Christ in the clean garments of real practical holiness here,
and keep themselves unspotted from the world, shall walk with Christ in
the white robes of honour and glory in the other world: this is a
suitable reward.
III. We now come to the conclusion of this epistle, in which, as
before, we have,
1. A great reward promised to the conquering Christian (v. 5), and it
is very much the same with what has been already mentioned: He that
overcometh shall be clothed in white raiment. The purity of grace shall
be rewarded with the perfect purity of glory. Holiness, when perfected,
shall be its own reward; glory is the perfection of grace, differing
not in kind, but in degree. Now to this is added another promise very
suitable to the case: I will not blot his name out of the book of life,
but will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Observe, (1.) Christ has his book of life, a register and roll of all
who shall inherit eternal life. [1.] The book of eternal election. [2.]
The book of remembrance of all those who have lived to God, and have
kept up the life and power of godliness in evil times. (2.) Christ will
not blot the names of his chosen and faithful ones out of this book of
life; men may be enrolled in the registers of the church, as baptized,
as making a profession, as having a name to live, and that name may
come to be blotted out of the roll, when it appears that it was but a
name, a name to live, without spiritual life; such often lose the very
name before they die, they are left of God to blot out their own names
by their gross and open wickedness. But the names of those that
overcome shall never be blotted out. (3.) Christ will produce this book
of life, and confess the names of the faithful who stand there, before
God, and all the angels; he will do this as their Judge, when the books
shall be opened; he will do this as their captain and head, leading
them with him triumphantly to heaven, presenting them to the Father:
Behold me, and the children that thou hast given me. How great will
this honour and reward be!
2. The demand of universal attention finishes the message. Every word
from God deserves attention from men; that which may seem more
particularly directed to one body of men has something in it
instructive to all.
The Church in Philadelphia. (a. d. 95.)
7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things
saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David,
he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
8 I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and
no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my
word, and hast not denied my name. 9 Behold, I will make them of the
synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie;
behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to
know that I have loved thee. 10 Because thou hast kept the word of my
patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which
shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
11 Behold, I come quickly: hold that fast which thou hast, that no man
take thy crown. 12 Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the
temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon
him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is
new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will
write upon him my new name. 13 He that hath an ear, let him hear what
the Spirit saith unto the churches.
We have now come to the sixth letter, sent to one of the Asian
churches, where observe,
I. The inscription, showing,
1. For whom it was more immediately designed: The angel of the church
of Philadelphia; this also was a city in Asia Minor, seated upon the
borders of Mysia and Lydia, and had its name from that brotherly love
for which it was eminent. We can hardly suppose that this name was
given to it after it received the Christian religion, and that it was
so called from that Christian affection that all believers have, and
should have, one for another, as the children of one Father and the
brethren of Christ; but rather that it was its ancient name, on account
of the love and kindness which the citizens had and showed to each
other as a civil fraternity. This was an excellent spirit, and, when
sanctified by the grace of the gospel, would render them an excellent
church, as indeed they were, for here is no one fault found with this
church, and yet, doubtless, there were faults in it of common
infirmity; but love covers such faults.
2. By whom this letter was signed; even by the same Jesus who is alone
the universal head of all the churches; and here observe by what title
he chooses to represent himself to this church: He that is holy, he
that is true, he that hath the key of David, &c. You have his personal
character: He that is holy and he that is true, holy in his nature, and
therefore he cannot but be true to his word, for he hath spoken in his
holiness; and you have also his political character: He hath the key of
David, he openeth, and no man shutteth; he hath the key of the house of
David, the key of government and authority in and over the church.
Observe, (1.) The acts of his government. [1.] He opens. He opens a
door of opportunity to his churches; he opens a door of utterance to
his ministers; he opens a door of entrance, opens the heart; he opens a
door of admission into the visible church, laying down the terms of
communion; and he opens the door of admission into the church
triumphant, according to the terms of salvation fixed by him. [2.] He
shuts the door. When he pleases, he shuts the door of opportunity and
the door of utterance, and leaves obstinate sinners shut up in the
hardness of their hearts; he shuts the door of church-fellowship
against unbelievers and profane persons; and he shuts the door of
heaven against the foolish virgins who have slept away their day of
grace, and against the workers of iniquity, how vain and confident
soever they may be. (2.) The way and manner in which he performs these
acts, and that is absolute sovereignty, independent upon the will of
men, and irresistible by the power of men: He openeth, and no man
shutteth; he shutteth, and no man openeth; he works to will and to do,
and, when he works, none can hinder. These were proper characters for
him, when speaking to a church that had endeavoured to be conformed to
Christ in holiness and truth, and that had enjoyed a wide door of
liberty and opportunity under his care and government.
II. The subject-matter of this epistle, where,
1. Christ puts them in mind of what he had done for them: I have set
before thee an open door, and no man can shut it, v. 8. I have set it
open, and kept it open, though there be many adversaries. Learn here,
(1.) Christ is to be acknowledged as the author of all the liberty and
opportunity his churches enjoy. (2.) He takes notice and keeps account,
how long he has preserved their spiritual liberties and privileges for
them. (3.) Wicked men envy the people of God their door of liberty, and
would be glad to shut it against them. (4.) If we do not provoke Christ
to shut this door against us, men cannot do it.
2. This church is commended: Thou hast a little strength, and hast kept
my word, and hast not denied my name, v. 8. In this there seems to be
couched a gentle reproof: "Thou hast a little strength, a little grace,
which, though it be not proportionate to the wide door of opportunity
which I have opened to thee, yet is true grace, and has kept thee
faithful." True grace, though weak, has the divine approbation; but,
though Christ accepts a little strength, yet believers should not rest
satisfied in a little, but should strive to grow in grace, to be strong
in faith, giving glory to God. True grace, though weak, will do more
than the greatest gifts or highest degrees of common grace, for it will
enable the Christian to keep the word of Christ, and not to deny his
name. Obedience, fidelity, and a free confession of the name of Christ,
are the fruits of true grace, and are pleasing to Christ as such.
3. Here is a promise of the great favour God would bestow on this
church, v. 9, 10. This favour consists in two things:--
(1.) Christ would make this church's enemies subject to her. [1.] Those
enemies are described to be such as said they were Jews, but lied in
saying so--pretended to be the only and peculiar people of God, but
were really the synagogue of Satan. Assemblies that worship God in
spirit and in truth are the Israel of God; assemblies that either
worship false gods, or the true God in a false manner, are the
synagogues of Satan: though they may profess to be the only people of
God, their profession is a lie. [2.] Their subjection to the church is
described: They shall worship at thy feet; not pay a religious and
divine honour to the church itself, nor to the ministry of it, but
shall be convinced that they have been in the wrong, that this church
is in the right and is beloved of Christ, and they shall desire to be
taken into communion with her and that they may worship the same God
after the same manner. How shall this great change be wrought? By the
power of God upon the hearts of his enemies, and by signal discoveries
of his peculiar favour to his church: They shall know that I have loved
thee. Observe, First, The greatest honour and happiness any church can
enjoy consist in the peculiar love and favour of Christ. Secondly,
Christ can discover this his favour to his people in such a manner that
their very enemies shall see it, and be forced to acknowledge it.
Thirdly, This will, by the grace of Christ, soften the hearts of their
enemies, and make them desirous to be admitted into communion with
them.
(2.) Another instance of favour that Christ promises to this church is
persevering grace in the most trying times (v. 10), and this as the
reward of their past fidelity. To him that hath shall be given. Here
observe, [1.] The gospel of Christ is the word of his patience. It is
the fruit of the patience of God to a sinful world; it sets before men
the exemplary patience of Christ in all his sufferings for men; it
calls those that receive it to the exercise of patience in conformity
to Christ. [2.] This gospel should be carefully kept by all that enjoy
it; they must keep up to the faith, and practice, and worship
prescribed in the gospel. [3.] After a day of patience we must expect
an hour of temptation; a day of gospel peace and liberty is a day of
God's patience, and it is seldom so well improved as it should be and
therefore it is often followed by an hour of trial and temptation. [4.]
Sometimes the trial is more general and universal; it comes upon all
the world, and, when it is so general, it is usually the shorter. [5.]
Those who keep the gospel in a time of peace shall be kept by Christ in
an hour of temptation. By keeping the gospel they are prepared for the
trial; and the same divine grace that has made them fruitful in times
of peace will make them faithful in times of persecution.
4. Christ calls the church to that duty which he before promised he
would enable her to do, and that is, to persevere, to hold fast that
which she had. (1.) The duty itself: "Hold fast that which thou hast,
that faith, that truth, that strength of grace, that zeal, that love to
the brethren; thou hast been possessed of this excellent treasure, hold
it fast." (2.) The motives, taken from the speedy appearance of Christ:
"Behold, I come quickly. See, I am just a coming to relieve them under
the trial, to reward their fidelity, and to punish those who fall away;
they shall lose that crown which they once seemed to have a right to,
which they hoped for, and pleased themselves with the thoughts of. The
persevering Christian shall win the prize from backsliding professors,
who once stood fair for it."
III. The conclusion of this epistle, v. 12, 13. Here,
1. After his usual manner, our Saviour promises a glorious reward to
the victorious believer, in two things:--(1.) He shall be a monumental
pillar in the temple of God; not a pillar to support the temple (heaven
needs no such props), but a monument of the free and powerful grace of
God, a monument that shall never be defaced nor removed, as many
stately pillars erected in honour to the Roman emperors and generals
have been. (2.) On this monumental pillar there shall be an honourable
inscription, as in those cases is usual. [1.] The name of God, in whose
cause he engaged, whom he served, and for whom he suffered in this
warfare; and the name of the city of God, the church of God, the new
Jerusalem, which came down from heaven. On this pillar shall be
recorded all the services the believer did to the church of God, how he
asserted her rights, enlarged her borders, maintained her purity and
honour; this will be a greater name than Asiaticus, or Africanus; a
soldier under God in the wars of the church. And then another part of
the inscription is, [2.] The new name of Christ, the Mediator, the
Redeemer, the captain of our salvation; by this it will appear under
whose banner this conquering believer had enlisted, under whose conduct
he acted, by whose example he was encouraged, and under whose influence
he fought the good fight, and came off victorious.
2. The epistle is closed up with the demand of attention: He that hath
an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches, how
Christ loves and values his faithful people, how he commends, and how
he will crown their fidelity.
The Church in Laodicea. (a. d. 95.)
14 And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These
things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of
the creation of God; 15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold
nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art
lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have
need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable,
and poor, and blind, and naked: 18 I counsel thee to buy of me gold
tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that
thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not
appear; and anoint thine eyes with eye-salve, that thou mayest see.
19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and
repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my
voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him,
and he with me. 21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me
in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father
in his throne. 22 He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit
saith unto the churches.
We now come to the last and worst of all the seven Asian churches, the
reverse of the church of Philadelphia; for, as there was nothing
reproved in that, here is nothing commended in this, and yet this was
one of the seven golden candlesticks, for a corrupt church may still be
a church. Here we have, as before,
I. The inscription, to whom, and from whom. 1. To whom: To the angel of
the church of Laodicea. This was a once famous city near the river
Lycus, had a wall of vast compass, and three marble theatres, and, like
Rome, was built on seven hills. It seems, the apostle Paul was very
instrumental in planting the gospel in this city, from which he wrote a
letter, as he mentions in the epistle to the Colossians, the last
chapter, in which he sends salutations to them, Laodicea not being
above twenty miles distant from Colosse. In this city was held a
council in the fourth century, but it has been long since demolished,
and lies in its ruins to this day, an awful monument of the wrath of
the Lamb. 2. From whom this message was sent. Here our Lord Jesus
styles himself the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning
of the creation of God. (1.) The Amen, one that is steady and
unchangeable in all his purposes and promises, which are all yea, and
all amen. (2.) The faithful and true witness, whose testimony of God to
men ought to be received and fully believed, and whose testimony of men
to God will be fully believed and regarded, and will be a swift but
true witness against all indifferent lukewarm professors. (3.) The
beginning of the creation of God, either of the first creation, and so
he is the beginning, that is, the first cause, the Creator, and the
Governor of it; or of the second creation, the church; and so he is the
head of that body, the first-born from the dead, as it is in ch. i. 5,
whence these titles are taken. Christ, having raised up himself by his
own divine power, as the head of a new world, raises up dead souls to
be a living temple and church to himself.
II. The subject-matter, in which observe,
1. The heavy charge drawn up against this church, ministers and people,
by one who knew them better than they knew themselves: Thou art neither
cold nor hot, but worse than either; I would thou wert cold or hot, v.
15. Lukewarmness or indifference in religion is the worst temper in the
world. If religion is a real thing, it is the most excellent thing, and
therefore we should be in good earnest in it; if it is not a real
thing, it is the vilest imposture, and we should be earnest against it.
If religion is worth any thing, it is worth every thing; an
indifference here is inexcusable: Why halt you between two opinions? If
God be God, follow him; if Baal (be God), follow him. Here is no room
for neutrality. An open enemy shall have a fairer quarter than a
perfidious neuter; and there is more hope of a heathen than of such.
Christ expects that men should declare themselves in earnest either for
him or against him.
2. A severe punishment threatened: I will spue thee out of my mouth. As
lukewarm water turns the stomach, and provokes to a vomit, lukewarm
professors turn the heart of Christ against them. He is sick of them,
and cannot long bear them. They may call their lukewarmness charity,
meekness, moderation, and a largeness of soul; it is nauseous to
Christ, and makes those so that allow themselves in it. They shall be
rejected, and finally rejected; for far be it from the holy Jesus to
return to that which has been thus rejected.
3. We have one cause of this indifference and inconsistency in religion
assigned, and that is self-conceitedness or self-delusion. They thought
they were very well already, and therefore they were very indifferent
whether they grew better or no: Because thou sayest, I am rich, and
increased with goods, &c., v. 17. Here observe, What a difference there
was between the thoughts they had of themselves and the thoughts that
Christ had of them. (1.) The high thoughts they had of themselves: Thou
sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing,
rich, and growing richer, and increased to such a degree as to be above
all want or possibility of wanting. Perhaps they were well provided for
as to their bodies, and this made them overlook the necessities of
their souls. Or they thought themselves well furnished in their souls:
they had learning, and they took it for religion; they had gifts, and
they took them for grace; they had wit, and they took it for true
wisdom; they had ordinances, and they took up with them instead of the
God of ordinances. How careful should we be not to put the cheat upon
our own souls! Doubtless there are many in hell that once thought
themselves to be in the way to heaven. Let us daily beg of God that we
may not be left to flatter and deceive ourselves in the concerns of our
souls. (2.) The mean thoughts that Christ had of them; and he was not
mistaken. He knew, though they knew not, that they were wretched, and
miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Their state was wretched in
itself, and such as called for pity and compassion from others: though
they were proud of themselves, they were pitied by all who knew their
case. For, [1.] They were poor, really poor, when they said and thought
they were rich; they had no provision for their souls to live upon;
their souls were starving in the midst of their abundance; they were
vastly in debt to the justice of God, and had nothing to pay off the
least part of the debt. [2.] They were blind; they could not see their
state, nor their way, nor their danger; they could not see into
themselves; they could not look before them; they were blind, and yet
they thought they saw; the very light that was in them was darkness,
and then how great must that darkness be! They could not see Christ,
though evidently set forth, and crucified, before their eyes. They
could not see God by faith, though always present in them. They could
not see death, though it was just before them. They could not look into
eternity, though they stood upon the very brink of it continually. [3.]
They were naked, without clothing and without house and harbour for
their souls. They were without clothing, had neither the garment of
justification nor that of sanctification. Their nakedness both of guilt
and pollution had no covering. They lay always exposed to sin and
shame. Their righteousnesses were but filthy rags; they were rags, and
would not cover them, filthy rags, and would defile them. And they were
naked, without house or harbour, for they were without God, and he has
been the dwelling-place of his people in all ages; in him alone the
soul of man can find rest, and safety, and all suitable accommodations.
The riches of the body will not enrich the soul; the sight of the body
will not enlighten the soul; the most convenient house for the body
will not afford rest nor safety to the soul. The soul is a different
thing from the body, and must have accommodation suitable to its
nature, or else in the midst of bodily prosperity it will be wretched
and miserable.
4. We have good counsel given by Christ to this sinful people, and that
is that they drop their vain and false opinion they had of themselves,
and endeavour to be that really which they would seem to be: I counsel
thee to buy of me, &c., v. 18. Observe, (1.) Our Lord Jesus Christ
continues to give good counsel to those who have cast his counsels
behind their backs. (2.) The condition of sinners in never desperate,
while they enjoy the gracious calls and counsels of Christ. (3.) Our
blessed Lord, the counsellor, always gives the best advice, and that
which is most suitable to the sinner's case; as here, [1.] These people
were poor; Christ counsels them to buy of him gold tried in the fire,
that they might be rich. He lets them know where they might have true
riches and how they might have them. First, Where they might have
them--from himself; he sends them not to the streams of Pactolus, nor
to the mines of Potosi, but invites them to himself, the pearl of
price. Secondly, And how must they have this true gold from him? They
must buy it. This seems to be unsaying all again. How can those that
are poor buy gold? Just as they may buy of Christ wine and milk, that
is, without money and without price, Isa. lv. 1. Something indeed must
be parted with, but it is nothing of a valuable consideration, it is
only to make room for receiving true riches. "Part with sin and
self-sufficiency, and come to Christ with a sense of your poverty and
emptiness, that you may be filled with his hidden treasure." [2.] These
people were naked; Christ tells them where they might have clothing,
and such as would cover the shame of their nakedness. This they must
receive from Christ; and they must only put off their filthy rags that
they might put on the white raiment which he had purchased and provided
for them--his own imputed righteousness for justification and the
garments of holiness and sanctification. [3.] They were blind; and he
counsels them to buy of him eye-salve, that they might see, to give up
their own wisdom and reason, which are but blindness in the things of
God, and resign themselves to his word and Spirit, and their eyes shall
be opened to see their way and their end, their duty and their true
interest; a new and glorious scene would then open itself to their
souls; a new world furnished with the most beautiful and excellent
objects, and this light would be marvellous to those who were but just
now delivered from the powers of darkness. This is the wise and good
counsel Christ gives to careless souls; and, if they follow it, he will
judge himself bound in honour to make it effectual.
5. Here is added great and gracious encouragement to this sinful people
to take the admonition and advice well that Christ had given them, v.
19, 20. He tells them, (1.) It was given them in true and tender
affection: "Whom I love, I rebuke and chasten. You may think I have
given you hard words and severe reproofs; it is all out of love to your
souls. I would not have thus openly rebuked and corrected your sinful
lukewarmness and vain confidence, if I had not been a lover of your
souls; had I hated you, I would have let you alone, to go on in sin
till it had been your ruin." Sinners ought to take the rebukes of God's
word and rod as tokens of his good-will to their souls, and should
accordingly repent in good earnest, and turn to him that smites them;
better are the frowns and wounds of a friend than the flattering smiles
of an enemy. (2.) If they would comply with his admonitions, he was
ready to make them good to their souls: Behold, I stand at the door and
knock, &c., v. 20. Here observe, [1.] Christ is graciously pleased by
his word and Spirit to come to the door of the heart of sinners; he
draws near to them in a way of mercy, ready to make them a kind visit.
[2.] He finds this door shut against him; the heart of man is by nature
shut up against Christ by ignorance, unbelief, sinful prejudices. [3.]
When he finds the heart shut, he does not immediately withdraw, but he
waits to be gracious, even till his head be filled with the dew. [4.]
He uses all proper means to awaken sinners, and to cause them to open
to him: he calls by his word, he knocks by the impulses of his Spirit
upon their conscience. [5.] Those who open to him shall enjoy his
presence, to their great comfort and advantage. He will sup with them;
he will accept of what is good in them; he will eat his pleasant fruit;
and he will bring the best part of the entertainment with him. If what
he finds would make but a poor feast, what he brings will make up the
deficiency: he will give fresh supplies of graces and comforts, and
thereby stir up fresh actings of faith, and love, and delight; and in
all this Christ and his repenting people will enjoy pleasant communion
with each other. Alas! what do careless obstinate sinners lose by
refusing to open the door of the heart to Christ!
III. We now come to the conclusion of this epistle; and here we have as
before,
1. The promise made to the overcoming believer. It is here implied,
(1.) That though this church seemed to be wholly overrun and overcome
with lukewarmness and self-confidence, yet it was possible that by the
reproofs and counsels of Christ they might be inspired with fresh zeal
and vigour, and might come off conquerors in their spiritual warfare.
(2.) That, if they did so, all former faults should be forgiven, and
they should have a great reward. And what is that reward? They shall
sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame, and have sat down
with my Father on his throne, v. 21. Here it is intimated, [1.] That
Christ himself had met with his temptations and conflicts. [2.] That he
overcame them all, and was more than a conqueror. [3.] That, as the
reward of his conflict and victory, he has sat down with God the Father
on his throne, possessed of that glory which he had with the Father
from eternity, but which he was pleased very much to conceal on earth,
leaving it as it were in the hands of the Father, as a pledge that he
would fulfil the work of a Saviour before he reassumed that
manifestative glory; and, having done so, then pignus reposcere--he
demands the pledge, to appear in his divine glory equal to the Father.
[4.] That those who are conformed to Christ in his trials and victories
shall be conformed to him in his glory; they shall sit down with him on
his throne, on his throne of judgment at the end of the world, on his
throne of glory to all eternity, shining in his beams by virtue of
their union with him and relation to him, as the mystical body of which
he is the head.
2. All is closed up with the general demand of attention (v. 22),
putting all to whom these epistles shall come in mind that what is
contained in them is not of private interpretation, not intended for
the instruction, reproof, and correction of those particular churches
only, but of all the churches of Christ in all ages and parts of the
world: and as there will be a resemblance in all succeeding churches to
these, both in their graces and sins, so they may expect that God will
deal with them as he dealt with these, which are patterns to all ages
what faithful, and fruitful churches may expect to receive from God,
and what those who are unfaithful may expect to suffer from his hand;
yea, that God's dealings with his churches may afford useful
instruction to the rest of the world, to put them upon considering, If
judgment begin at the house of God, what shall the end of those be that
do not obey the gospel of Christ? 1 Pet. iv. 17. Thus end the messages
of Christ to the Asian churches, the epistolary part of this book. We
now come to the prophetical part.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. IV.
In this chapter the prophetical scene opens; and, as the epistolary
part opened with a vision of Christ (ch. i.), so this part is
introduced with a glorious appearance of the great God, whose throne is
in heaven, compassed about with the heavenly host. This discovery was
made to John, and in this chapter he, I. Records the heavenly sight he
saw, ver. 1-7. And then, II. The heavenly songs he heard, ver. 8, to
the end.
The Vision of Heaven. (a. d. 95.)
1 After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and
the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with
me; which said, Come up hither, and I will show thee things which must
be hereafter. 2 And immediately I was in the spirit: and, behold, a
throne was set in heaven, and one sat on the throne. 3 And he that
sat was to look upon like a jasper and a sardine stone: and there was a
rainbow round about the throne, in sight like unto an emerald. 4 And
round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I
saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they
had on their heads crowns of gold. 5 And out of the throne proceeded
lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of
fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God. 6
And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and
in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four
beasts full of eyes before and behind. 7 And the first beast was like
a lion, and the second beast like a calf, and the third beast had a
face as a man, and the fourth beast was like a flying eagle. 8 And
the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were
full of eyes within--
We have here an account of a second vision with which the apostle John
was favoured: After this, that is, not only "after I had seen the
vision of Christ walking in the midst of the golden candlesticks," but
"after I had taken his messages from his mouth, and written and sent
them to the several churches, according to his command, after this I
had another vision." Those who well improve the discoveries they have
had of God already are prepared thereby for more, and may expect them.
Observe,
I. The preparation made for the apostle's having this vision.
1. A door was opened in heaven. Hence we learn, (1.) Whatever is
transacted on earth is first designed and settled in heaven; there is
the model of all the works of God; all of them are therefore before his
eye, and he lets the inhabitants of heaven see as much of them as is
fit for them. (2.) We can know nothing of future events but what God is
pleased to discover to us; they are within the veil, till God opens the
door. But, (3.) So far as God reveals his designs to us we may and
ought to receive them, and not pretend to be wise above what is
revealed.
2. To prepare John for the vision, a trumpet was sounded, and he was
called up into heaven, to have a sight there of the things which were
to be hereafter. He was called into the third heavens. (1.) There is a
way opened into the holiest of all, into which the sons of God may
enter by faith and holy affections now, in their spirits when they die,
and in their whole persons at the last day. (2.) We must not intrude
into the secret of God's presence, but stay till we are called up to
it.
3. To prepare for this vision, the apostle was in the Spirit. He was in
a rapture, as before (ch. i. 10), whether in the body or out of the
body we cannot tell; perhaps he himself could not; however all bodily
actions and sensations were for a time suspended, and his spirit was
possessed with the spirit of prophecy, and wholly under a divine
influence. The more we abstract ourselves from all corporeal things the
more fit we are for communion with God; the body is a veil, a cloud,
and clog to the mind in its transactions with God. We should as it were
forget it when we go in before the Lord in duty, and be willing to drop
it, that we may go up to him in heaven. This was the apparatus to the
vision. Now observe,
II. The vision itself. It begins with the strange sights that the
apostle saw, and they were such as these:-- 1. He saw a throne set in
heaven, the seat of honour, and authority, and judgment. Heaven is the
throne of God; there he resides in glory, and thence he gives laws to
the church and to the whole world, and all earthly thrones are under
the jurisdiction of this throne that is set in heaven. 2. He saw a
glorious one upon the throne. This throne was not empty; there was one
in it who filled it, and that was God, who is here described by those
things that are most pleasant and precious in our world: His
countenance was like a jasper and a sardine-stone; he is not described
by any human features, so as to be represented by an image, but only by
his transcendent brightness. This jasper is a transparent stone, which
yet offers to the eye a variety of the most vivid colours, signifying
the glorious perfections of God; the sardine-stone is red, signifying
the justice of God, that essential attribute of which he never divests
himself in favour of any, but gloriously exerts it in the government of
the world, and especially of the church, through our Lord Jesus Christ.
This attribute is displayed in pardoning as well as in punishing, in
saving as well as in destroying sinners. 3. He saw a rainbow about the
throne, like unto an emerald, v. 3. The rainbow was the seal and token
of the covenant of the providence that God made with Noah and his
posterity with him, and is a fit emblem of that covenant of promise
that God has made with Christ as the head of the church, and all his
people in him, which covenant is as the waters of Noah unto God, an
everlasting covenant, ordered in all things and sure. This rainbow
looked like the emerald; the most prevailing colour was a pleasant
green, to show the reviving and refreshing nature of the new covenant.
4. He saw four-and-twenty seats round about the throne, not empty, but
filled with four-and-twenty elders, presbyters, representing, very
probably, the whole church of God, both in the Old-Testament and in the
New-Testament state; not the ministers of the church, but rather the
representatives of the people. Their sitting denotes their honour,
rest, and satisfaction; their sitting about the throne signifies their
relation to God, their nearness to him, the sight and enjoyment they
have of him. They are clothed in white raiment, the righteousness of
the saints, both imputed and inherent; they had on their heads crowns
of gold, signifying the honour and authority given them of God, and the
glory they have with him. All these may in a lower sense be applied to
the gospel church on earth, in its worshipping assemblies; and, in the
higher sense, to the church triumphant in heaven. 5. He perceived
lightnings and voices proceeding out of the throne; that is, the awful
declarations that God makes to his church of his sovereign will and
pleasure. Thus he gave forth the law on mount Sinai; and the gospel has
not less glory and authority than the law, though it be of a more
spiritual nature. 6. He saw seven lamps of fire burning before the
throne, which are explained to be the seven Spirits of God (v. 5), the
various gifts, graces, and operations of the Spirit of God in the
churches of Christ; these are all dispensed according to the will and
pleasure of him who sits upon the throne. 7. He saw before the throne a
sea of glass, like unto crystal. As in the temple there was a great
vessel of brass filled with water, in which the priests were to wash
when they went to minister before the Lord (and this was called a sea),
so in the gospel church the sea or laver for purification is the blood
of the Lord Jesus Christ, who cleanses from all sin, even from
sanctuary-sins. In this all those must be washed that are admitted into
the gracious presence of God on earth or his glorious presence in
heaven. 8. He saw four animals, living creatures, between the throne
and the circle of elders (as seems most probable), standing between God
and the people; these seem to signify the ministers of the gospel, not
only because of this their situation nearer to God, and between him and
the elders or representatives of the Christian people, and because
fewer in number than the people, but as they are here described, (1.)
By their many eyes, denoting sagacity, vigilance, and circumspection.
(2.) By their lion-like courage, their great labour and diligence (in
which they resemble the ox), their prudence and discretion becoming
men, and their sublime affections and speculations, by which they mount
up with wings like eagles towards heaven (v. 7), and these wings full
of eyes within, to show that in all their meditations and ministrations
they are to act with knowledge, and especially should be well
acquainted with themselves and the state of their own souls, and see
their own concern in the great doctrines and duties of religion,
watching over their own souls as well as the souls of the people. (3.)
By their continual employment, and that is, praising God, and not
ceasing to do so night and day. The elders sit and are ministered unto;
these stand and minister: they rest not night nor day. This now leads
to the other part of the representation.
The Vision of Heaven. (a. d. 95.)
--8 And they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, holy, Lord God
Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. 9 And when those beasts
give glory and honour and thanks to him that sat on the throne, who
liveth for ever and ever, 10 The four and twenty elders fall down
before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever
and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying, 11 Thou
art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou
hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were
created.
We have considered the sights that the apostle saw in heaven: now let
us observe the songs that he heard, for there is in heaven not only
that to be seen which will highly please a sanctified eye, but there is
that to be heard which will greatly delight a sanctified ear. This is
true concerning the church of Christ here, which is a heaven upon
earth, and it will be eminently so in the church made perfect in the
heaven of heavens.
I. He heard the song of the four living creatures, of the ministers of
the church, which refers to the prophet Isaiah's vision, ch. vi. And
here, 1. They adore one God, and one only, the Lord God Almighty,
unchangeable and everlasting. 2. They adore three holies in this one
God, the Holy Father, the Holy Son, and the Holy Spirit; and these are
one infinitely holy and eternal Being, who sits upon the throne, and
lives for ever and ever. In this glory the prophet saw Christ, and
spoke of him.
II. He heard the adorations of the four-and-twenty elders, that is, of
the Christian people represented by them; the ministers led, and the
people followed, in the praises of God, v. 10, 11. Here observe,
1. The object of their worship, the same with that which the ministers
adored: Him that sat on the throne, the eternal everliving God. The
true church of God has one and the same object of worship. Two
different objects of worship, either co-ordinate or sub-ordinate, would
confound the worship and divide the worshippers. It is unlawful to join
in divine worship with those who either mistake or multiply the object.
There is but one God, and he alone, as God, is worshipped by the church
on earth and in heaven.
2. The acts of adoration. (1.) They fell down before him that sat on
the throne; they discovered the most profound humility, reverence, and
godly fear. (2.) They cast their crowns before the throne; they gave
God the glory of the holiness wherewith he had crowned their souls on
earth and the honour and happiness with which he crowns them in heaven.
They owe all their graces and all their glories to him, and acknowledge
that his crown is infinitely more glorious than theirs, and that it is
their glory to be glorifying God.
3. The words of adoration: they said, Thou art worthy, O Lord, to
receive glory, and honour, and power, v. 11. Observe, (1.) They do not
say, We give thee glory, and honour, and power; for what can any
creature pretend to give unto God? But they say, thou art worthy to
receive glory. (2.) In this they tacitly acknowledge that God is
exalted far above all blessing and praise. He was worthy to receive
glory, but they were not worthy to praise, nor able to do it according
to his infinite excellences.
4. We have the ground and reason of their adoration, which is
threefold:--(1.) He is the Creator of all things, the first cause; and
none but the Creator of all things should be adored; no made thing can
be the object of religious worship. (2.) He is the preserver of all
things, and his preservation is a continual creation; they are created
still by the sustaining power of God. All beings but God are dependent
upon the will and power of God, and no dependent being must be set up
as an object of religious worship. It is the part of the best dependent
beings to be worshippers, not to be worshipped. (3.) He is the final
cause of all things: For thy pleasure they are and were created. It was
his will and pleasure to create all things; he was not put upon it by
the will of another; there is no such thing as a subordinate creator,
that acts under and by the will and power of another; and, if there
were, he ought not to be worshipped. As God made all things at his
pleasure, so he made them for his pleasure, to deal with them as he
pleases and to glorify himself by them one way or other. Though he
delights not in the death of sinners, but rather that they should turn
and live, yet he hath made all things for himself, Prov. xvi. 4. Now if
these be true and sufficient grounds for religious worship, as they are
proper to God alone, Christ must needs be God, one with the Father and
Spirit, and be worshipped as such; for we find the same causality
ascribed to him. Col. i. 16, 17, All things were created by him and for
him, and he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
__________________________________________________________________
R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. V.
In the foregoing chapter the prophetical scene was opened, in the sight
and hearing of the apostle, and he had a sight of God the Creator and
ruler of the world, and the great King of the church. He saw God on the
throne of glory and government, surrounded with his holy ones, and
receiving their adorations. Now the counsels and decrees of God are set
before the apostle, as in a book, which God held in his right hand; and
this book is represented, I. As sealed in the hand of God, ver. 1-9.
II. As taken into the hand of Christ the Redeemer, to be unsealed and
opened, ver. 6, to the end.
The Sealed Book. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book
written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2 And I
saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open
the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3 And no man in heaven, nor
in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither
to look thereon. 4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy
to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5 And one of
the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of
Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose
the seven seals thereof.
Hitherto the apostle had seen only the great God, the governor of all
things, now,
I. He is favoured with a sight of the model and methods of his
government, as they are all written down in a book which he holds in
his hand; and this we are now to consider as shut up and sealed in the
hand of God. Observe, 1. The designs and methods of divine Providence
towards the church and the world are stated and fixed; they are
resolved upon and agreed to, as that which is written in a book. The
great design is laid, every part adjusted, all determined, and every
thing passed into decree and made a matter of record. The original and
first draught of this book is the book of God's decrees, laid up in his
own cabinet, in his eternal mind: but there is a transcript of so much
as was necessary to be known in the book of the scriptures in general,
in the prophetical part of the scripture especially, and in this
prophecy in particular. 2. God holds this book in his right hand, to
declare the authority of the book, and his readiness and resolution to
execute all the contents thereof, all the counsels and purposes therein
recorded. 3. This book in the hand of God is shut up and sealed; it is
known to none but himself, till he allows it to be opened. Known unto
God, and to him alone, are all his works, from the beginning of the
world; but it is his glory to conceal the matter as he pleases. The
times and seasons, and their great events, he hath kept in his own hand
and power. 4. It is sealed with seven seals. This tells us with what
inscrutable secrecy the counsels of God are laid, how impenetrable by
the eye and intellect of the creature; and also points us to seven
several parts of this book of God's counsels. Each part seems to have
its particular seal, and, when opened, discovers its proper events;
these seven parts are not unsealed and opened at once, but
successively, one scene of Providence introducing another, and
explaining it, till the whole mystery of God's counsel and conduct be
finished in the world.
II. He heard a proclamation made concerning this sealed book. 1. The
crier was a strong angel; not that there are any weak ones among the
angels in heaven, though there are many among the angels of the
churches. This angel seems to come out, not only as a crier, but as a
champion, with a challenge to any or all the creatures to try the
strength of their wisdom in opening the counsels of God; and, as a
champion, he cried with a loud voice, that every creature might hear.
2. The cry or challenge proclaimed was, "Who is worthy to open the
book, and to loose the seals thereof? v. 2. If there be any creature
who thinks himself sufficient either to explain or execute the counsels
of God, let him stand forth, and make the attempt." 3. None in heaven
or earth could accept the challenge and undertake the task: none in
heaven, none of the glorious holy angels, though before the throne of
God, and the ministers of his providence; they with all their wisdom
cannot dive into the decrees of God: none on earth, no man, the wisest
or the best of men, none of the magicians and soothsayers, none of the
prophets of God, any further than he reveals his mind to them: none
under the earth, none of the fallen angels, none of the spirits of men
departed, though they should return to our world, can open this book.
Satan himself, with all his subtlety, cannot do it; the creatures
cannot open it, nor look on it; they cannot read it. God only can do
it.
III. He felt a great concern in himself about this matter: the apostle
wept much; it was a great disappointment to him. By what he had seen in
him who sat upon the throne, he was very desirous to see and know more
of his mind and will: this desire, when not presently gratified, filled
him with sorrow, and fetched many tears from his eyes. Here observe, 1.
Those who have seen most of God in this world are most desirous to see
more; and those who have seen his glory desire to know his will. 2.
Good men may be too eager and to hasty to look into the mysteries of
divine conduct. 3. Such desires, not presently answered, turn to grief
and sorrow. Hope deferred makes the heart sick.
IV. The apostle was comforted and encouraged to hope this sealed book
would yet be opened. Here observe, 1. Who it was that gave John the
hint: One of the elders. God had revealed it to his church. If angels
do not refuse to learn from the church, ministers should not disdain to
do it. God can make his people to instruct and inform their teachers
when he pleases. 2. Who it was that would do the thing--the Lord Jesus
Christ, called the lion of the tribe of Judah, according to his human
nature, alluding to Jacob's prophecy (Gen. xlix. 10), and the root of
David according to his divine nature, though a branch of David
according to the flesh. He who is a middle person, God and man, and
bears the office of Mediator between God and man, is fit and worthy to
open and execute all the counsels of God towards men. And this he does
in his mediatorial state and capacity, as the root of David and the
offspring of Judah, and as the King and head of the Israel of God; and
he will do it, to the consolation and joy of all his people.
The Sealed Book. (a. d. 95.)
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four
beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been
slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits
of God sent forth into all the earth. 7 And he came and took the book
out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne. 8 And when he
had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell
down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials
full of odours, which are the prayers of saints. 9 And they sung a
new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the
seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy
blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; 10
And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on
the earth. 11 And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels
round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of
them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
12 Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to
receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and
glory, and blessing. 13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on
the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all
that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and
power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for
ever and ever. 14 And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four and
twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and
ever.
Here, I. The apostle beholds this book taken into the hands of the Lord
Jesus Christ, in order to its being unsealed and opened by him. Here
Christ is described, 1. By his place and station: In the midst of the
throne, and of the four beasts, and of the elders. He was on the same
throne with the Father; he was nearer to him than either the elders or
ministers of the churches. Christ, as man and Mediator, is subordinate
to God the Father, but is nearer to him than all the creatures; for in
him all the fulness of the Godhead dwells bodily. The ministers stand
between God and the people. Christ stands as the Mediator between God
and both ministers and people. 2. The form in which he appeared. Before
he is called a lion; here he appears as a lamb slain. He is a lion to
conquer Satan, a lamb to satisfy the justice of God. He appears with
the marks of his sufferings upon him, to show that he interceded in
heaven in the virtue of his satisfaction. He appears as a lamb, having
seven horns and seven eyes, perfect power to execute all the will of
God and perfect wisdom to understand it all and to do it in the most
effectual manner; for he hath the seven Spirits of God, he has received
the Holy Spirit without measure, in all perfection of light, and life,
and power, by which he is able to teach and rule all parts of the
earth. 3. He is described by his act and deed: He came, and took the
book out of the right hand of him that sat on the throne (v. 7), not by
violence, nor by fraud, but he prevailed to do it (as v. 5), he
prevailed by his merit and worthiness, he did it by authority and by
the Father's appointment. God very willingly and justly put the book of
his eternal counsels into the hand of Christ, and Christ as readily and
gladly took it into his hand; for he delights to reveal and to do the
will of his Father.
II. The apostle observes the universal joy and thanksgiving that filled
heaven and earth upon this transaction. No sooner had Christ received
this book out of the Father's hand than he received the applauses and
adorations of angels and men, yea, of every creature. And, indeed, it
is just matter of joy to all the world to see that God does not deal
with men in a way of absolute power and strict justice, but in a way of
grace and mercy through the Redeemer. He governs the world, not merely
as a Creator and Lawgiver, but as our God and Saviour. All the world
has reason to rejoice in this. The song of praise that was offered up
to the Lamb on this occasion consists of three parts, one part sung by
the church, another by the church and the angels, the third by every
creature.
1. The church begins the doxology, as being more immediately concerned
in it (v. 8), the four living creatures, and the four-and-twenty
elders, the Christian people, under their minister, lead up the chorus.
Here observe, (1.) The object of their worship--the Lamb, the Lord
Jesus Christ; it is the declared will of God that all men should honour
the Son as they honour the Father; for he has the same nature. (2.)
Their posture: They fell down before him, gave him not an inferior sort
of worship, but the most profound adoration. (3.) The instruments used
in their adorations--harps and vials; the harps were the instruments of
praise, the vials were full of odours or incense, which signify the
prayers of the saints: prayer and praise should always go together.
(4.) The matter of their song: it was suited to the new state of the
church, the gospel-state introduced by the Son of God. In this new
song, [1.] They acknowledge the infinite fitness and worthiness of the
Lord Jesus for this great work of opening and executing the counsel and
purposes of God (v. 9): Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open
the seals thereof, every way sufficient for the work and deserving the
honour. [2.] They mention the grounds and reasons of this worthiness;
and though they do not exclude the dignity of his person as God,
without which he had not been sufficient for it, yet they chiefly
insist upon the merit of his sufferings, which he had endured for them;
these more sensibly struck their souls with thankfulness and joy. Here,
First, They mention his suffering: "Thou wast slain, slain as a
sacrifice, thy blood was shed." Secondly, The fruits of his sufferings.
1. Redemption to God; Christ has redeemed his people from the bondage
of sin, guilt, and Satan, redeemed them to God, set them at liberty to
serve him and to enjoy him. 2. High exaltation: Thou hast made us to
our God kings and priests, and we shall reign on the earth, v. 10.
Every ransomed slave is not immediately preferred to honour; he thinks
it a great favour to be restored to liberty. But when the elect of God
were made slaves by sin and Satan, in every nation of the world, Christ
not only purchased their liberty for them, but the highest honour and
preferment, made them kings and priests--kings, to rule over their own
spirits, and to overcome the world, and the evil one; and he has made
them priests, given them access to himself, and liberty to offer up
spiritual sacrifices, and they shall reign on the earth; they shall
with him judge the world at the great day.
2. The doxology, thus begun by the church, is carried on by the angels;
they take the second part, in conjunction with the church, v. 11. They
are said to be innumerable, and to be the attendants on the throne of
God and guardians to the church; though they did not need a Saviour
themselves, yet they rejoice in the redemption and salvation of
sinners, and they agree with the church in acknowledging the infinite
merits of the Lord Jesus as dying for sinners, that he is worthy to
receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and
glory, and blessing. (1.) He is worthy of that office and that
authority which require the greatest power and wisdom, the greatest
fund, all excellency, to discharge them aright; and, (2.) He is worthy
of all honour, and glory, and blessing, because he is sufficient for
the office and faithful in it.
3. This doxology, thus begun by the church, and carried on by the
angels, is resounded and echoed by the whole creation, v. 13. Heaven
and earth ring with the high praises of the Redeemer. The whole
creation fares the better for Christ. By him all things consist; and
all the creatures, had they sense and language, would adore that great
Redeemer who delivers the creature from that bondage under which it
groans, through the corruption of men, and the just curse denounced by
the great God upon the fall; that part which (by a prosopopoeia) is
made for the whole creation is a song of blessing, and honour, and
glory, and power, (1.) To him that sits on the throne, to God as God,
or to God the Father, as the first person in the Trinity and the first
in the economy of our salvation; and, (2.) To the Lamb, as the second
person in the Godhead and the Mediator of the new covenant. Not that
the worship paid to the Lamb is of another nature, an inferior worship,
for the very same honour and glory are in the same words ascribed to
the Lamb and to him that sits on the throne, their essence being the
same; but, their parts in the work of our salvation being distinct they
are distinctly adored. We worship and glorify one and the same God for
our creation and for our redemption.
We see how the church that began the heavenly anthem, finding heaven
and earth join in the concert, closes all with their Amen, and end as
they began, with a low prostration before the eternal and everlasting
God. Thus we have seen this sealed book passing with great solemnity
from the hand of the Creator into the hand of the Redeemer.
__________________________________________________________________
R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. VI.
The book of the divine counsels being thus lodged in the hand of
Christ, he loses no time, but immediately enters upon the work of
opening the seals and publishing the contents; but this is done in such
a manner as still leaves the predictions very abstruse and difficult to
be understood. Hitherto the waters of the sanctuary have been as those
in Ezekiel's vision, only to the ankles, or to the knees, or to the
loins at least; but here they begin to be a river that cannot be passed
over. The visions which John saw, the epistles to the churches, the
songs of praise, in the two foregoing chapters, had some things dark
and hard to be understood; and yet they were rather milk for babes than
meat for strong men; but now we are to launch into the deep, and our
business is not so much to fathom it as to let down our net to take a
draught. We shall only hint at what seems most obvious. The prophecies
of this book are divided into seven seals opened, seven trumpets
sounding, and seven vials poured out. It is supposed that the opening
of the seven seals discloses those providences that concerned the
church in the first three centuries, from the ascension of our Lord and
Saviour to the reign of Constantine; this was represented in a book
rolled up, and sealed in several places, so that, when one seal was
opened, you might read so far of it, and so on, till the whole was
unfolded. Yet we are not here told what was written in the book, but
what John saw in figures enigmatical and hieroglyphic; and it is not
for us to pretend to know "the times and seasons which the Father has
put in his own power." In this chapter six of the seven seals are
opened, and the visions attending them are related; the first seal in
ver. 1, 2, the second seal in ver. 3, 4, the third seal in ver. 5, 6,
the fourth seal in ver. 7, 8, the fifth seal in ver. 9-11, the sixth
seal in ver. 12, 13, &c.
The Opening of the Seals. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals, and I heard, as it
were the noise of thunder, one of the four beasts saying, Come and see.
2 And I saw, and behold a white horse: and he that sat on him had a
bow; and a crown was given unto him: and he went forth conquering, and
to conquer.
Here, 1. Christ, the Lamb, opens the first seal; he now enters upon the
great work of opening and accomplishing the purposes of God towards the
church and the world. 2. One of the ministers of the church calls upon
the apostle, with a voice like thunder, to come near, and observe what
then appeared. 3. We have the vision itself, v. 2. (1.) The Lord Jesus
appears riding on a white horse. White horses are generally refused in
war, because they make the rider a mark for the enemy; but our Lord
Redeemer was sure of the victory and a glorious triumph, and he rides
on the white horse of a pure but despised gospel, with great swiftness
through the world. (2.) He had a bow in his hand. The convictions
impressed by the word of God are sharp arrows, they reach at a
distance; and, though the ministers of the word draw the bow at a
venture, God can and will direct it to the joints of the harness. This
bow, in the hand of Christ, abides in strength, and, like that of
Jonathan, never returns empty. (3.) A crown was given him, importing
that all who receive the gospel must receive Christ as a king, and must
be his loyal and obedient subjects; he will be glorified in the success
of the gospel. When Christ was going to war, one would think a helmet
had been more proper than a crown; but a crown is given him as the
earnest and emblem of victory. (4.) He went forth conquering, and to
conquer. As long as the church continues militant Christ will be
conquering; when he has conquered his enemies in one age he meets with
new ones in another age; men go on opposing, and Christ goes on
conquering, and his former victories are pledges of future victories.
He conquers his enemies in his people; their sins are their enemies and
his enemies; when Christ comes with power into their soul he begins to
conquer these enemies, and he goes on conquering, in the progressive
work of sanctification, till he has gained us a complete victory. And
he conquers his enemies in the world, wicked men, some by bringing them
to his foot, others by making them his footstool. Observe, From this
seal opened, [1.] The successful progress of the gospel of Christ in
the world is a glorious sight, worth beholding, the most pleasant and
welcome sight that a good man can see in this world. [2.] Whatever
convulsions and revolutions happen in the states and kingdoms of the
world, the kingdom of Christ shall be established and enlarged in spite
of all opposition. [3.] A morning of opportunity usually goes before a
night of calamity; the gospel is preached before the plagues are poured
forth. [4.] Christ's work is not all done at once. We are ready to
think, when the gospel goes forth, it should carry all the world before
it, but it often meets with opposition, and moves slowly; however,
Christ will do his own work effectually, in his own time and way.
The Opening of the Seals. (a. d. 95.)
3 And when he had opened the second seal, I heard the second beast say,
Come and see. 4 And there went out another horse that was red: and
power was given to him that sat thereon to take peace from the earth,
and that they should kill one another: and there was given unto him a
great sword. 5 And when he had opened the third seal, I heard the
third beast say, Come and see. And I beheld, and lo a black horse; and
he that sat on him had a pair of balances in his hand. 6 And I heard
a voice in the midst of the four beasts say, A measure of wheat for a
penny, and three measures of barley for a penny; and see thou hurt not
the oil and the wine. 7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I
heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see. 8 And I
looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was
Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over
the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and
with death, and with the beasts of the earth.
The next three seals give us a sad prospect of great and desolating
judgments with which God punishes those who either refuse or abuse the
everlasting gospel. Though some understand them of the persecutions
that befel the church of Christ, and others of the destruction of the
Jews, they rather seem more generally to represent God's terrible
judgments, by which he avenges the quarrel of his covenant upon those
who make light of it.
I. Upon opening the second seal, to which John was called to attend,
another horse appears, of a different colour from the former, a red
horse, v. 4. This signifies the desolating judgment of war; he that sat
upon this red horse had power to take peace from the earth, and that
the inhabitants of the earth should kill one another. Who this was that
sat upon the red horse, whether Christ himself, as Lord of hosts, or
the instruments that he raised up to conduct the war, is not clear; but
this is certain, 1. That those who will not submit to the bow of the
gospel must expect to be cut in sunder by the sword of divine justice.
2. That Jesus Christ rules and commands, not only in the kingdom of
grace, but of providence. And, 3. That the sword of war is a dreadful
judgment; it takes away peace from the earth, one of the greatest
blessings, and it puts men upon killing one another. Men, who should
love one another and help one another, are, in a state of war, set upon
killing one another.
II. Upon opening the third seal, which John was directed to observe,
another horse appears, different from the former, a black horse,
signifying famine, that terrible judgment; and he that sat on the horse
had a pair of balances in his hand (v. 5), signifying that men must now
eat their bread by weight, as was threatened (Lev. xxvi. 26), They
shall deliver your bread to you by weight. That which follows in v. 6,
of the voice that cried, A measure of wheat for a penny, and three
measures of barley for a penny, and see thou hurt not the oil and the
wine, has made some expositors think this was not a vision of famine,
but of plenty; but if we consider the quantity of their measure, and
the value of their penny, at the time of this prophecy, the objection
will be removed; their measure was but a single quart, and their penny
was our sevenpence-halfpenny, and that is a large sum to give for a
quart of wheat. However, it seems this famine, as all others, fell most
severely upon the poor; whereas the oil and the wine, which were
dainties of the rich, were not hurt; but if bread, the staff of life,
be broken, dainties will not supply the place of it. Here observe, 1.
When a people loathe their spiritual food, God may justly deprive them
of their daily bread. 2. One judgment seldom comes alone; the judgment
of war naturally draws after it that of famine; and those who will not
humble themselves under one judgment must expect another and yet
greater, for when God contends he will prevail. The famine of bread is
a terrible judgment; but the famine of the word is more so, though
careless sinners are not sensible of it.
III. Upon opening the fourth seal, which John is commanded to observe,
there appears another horse, of a pale colour. Here observe, 1. The
name of the rider--Death, the king of terrors; the pestilence, which is
death in its empire, death reigning over a place or nation, death on
horseback, marching about, and making fresh conquests every hour. 2.
The attendants or followers of this king of terrors--hell, a state of
eternal misery to all those who die in their sins; and, in times of
such a general destruction, multitudes go down unprepared into the
valley of destruction. It is an awful thought, and enough to make the
whole world to tremble, that eternal damnation immediately follows upon
the death of an impenitent sinner. Observe, (1.) There is a natural as
well as judicial connection between one judgment and another: war is a
wasting calamity, and draws scarcity and famine after it; and famine,
not allowing men proper sustenance, and forcing them to take that which
is unwholesome, often draws the pestilence after it. (2.) God's quiver
is full of arrows; he is never at a loss for ways and means to punish a
wicked people. (3.) In the book of God's counsels he has prepared
judgments for scorners as well as mercy for returning sinners. (4.) In
the book of the scriptures God has published threatenings against the
wicked as well as promises to the righteous; and it is our duty to
observe and believe the threatenings as well as the promises.
IV. After the opening of these seals of approaching judgments, and the
distinct account of them, we have this general observation, that God
gave power to them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with the
sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the
earth, v. 8. He gave them power, that is, those instruments of his
anger, or those judgments themselves; he who holds the winds in his
hand has all public calamities at his command, and they can only go
when he sends them and no further than he permits. To the three great
judgments of war, famine, and pestilence, is here added the beasts of
the earth, another of God's sore judgments, mentioned Ezek. xiv. 21,
and mentioned here the last, because, when a nation is depopulated by
the sword, famine, and pestilence, the small remnant that continue in a
waste and howling wilderness encourage the wild beasts to make head
against them, and they become easy prey. Others, by the beasts of the
field, understand brutish, cruel, savage men, who, having divested
themselves of all humanity, delight to be the instruments of the
destruction of others.
The Opening of the Seals. (a. d. 95.)
9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the
souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the
testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice,
saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge
our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were
given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they
should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also
and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be
fulfilled. 12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and,
lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth
of hair, and the moon became as blood; 13 And the stars of heaven
fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when
she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a
scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were
moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the
great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty
men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens
and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and
rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the
throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his
wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?
In the remaining part of this chapter we have the opening of the fifth
and the sixth seals.
I. The fifth seal. Here is no mention made of any one who called the
apostle to make his observation, probably because the decorum of the
vision was to be observed, and each of the four living creatures had
discharged its duty of a monitor before, or because the events here
opened lay out of the sight, and beyond the time, of the present
ministers of the church; or because it does not contain a new prophecy
of any future events, but rather opens a spring of support and
consolation to those who had been and still were under great
tribulation for the sake of Christ and the gospel. Here observe,
1. The sight this apostle saw at the opening of the fifth seal; it was
a very affecting sight (v. 9): I saw under the altar the souls of those
that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they
held. He saw the souls of the martyrs. Here observe, (1.) Where he saw
them--under the altar; at the foot of the altar of incense, in the most
holy place; he saw them in heaven, at the foot of Christ. Hence note,
[1.] Persecutors can only kill the body, and after that there is no
more that they can do; their souls live. [2.] God has provided a good
place in the better world for those who are faithful to death and are
not allowed a place any longer on earth. [3.] Holy martyrs are very
near to Christ in heaven, they have the highest place there. [4.] It is
not their own death, but the sacrifice of Christ, that gives them a
reception into heaven and a reward there; they do not wash their robes
in their own blood, but in the blood of the Lamb. (2.) What was the
cause in which they suffered--the word of God and the testimony which
they held, for believing the word of God, and attesting or confessing
the truth of it; this profession of their faith they held fast without
wavering, even though they died for it. A noble cause, the best that
any man can lay down his life for--faith in God's word and a confession
of that faith.
2. The cry he heard; it was a loud cry, and contained a humble
expostulation about the long delay of avenging justice against their
enemies: How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and
avenge our blood on those that dwell on the earth? v. 10. Observe, (1.)
Even the spirits of just men made perfect retain a proper resentment of
the wrong they have sustained by their cruel enemies; and though they
die in charity, praying, as Christ did, that God would forgive them,
yet they are desirous that, for the honour of God, and Christ, and the
gospel, and for the terror and conviction of others, God will take a
just revenge upon the sin of persecution, even while he pardons and
saves the persecutors. (2.) They commit their cause to him to whom
vengeance belongeth, and leave it in his hand; they are not for
avenging themselves, but leave all to God. (3.) There will be joy in
heaven at the destruction of the implacable enemies of Christ and
Christianity, as well as at the conversion of other sinners. When
Babylon falls, it will be said, Rejoice over her, O thou heaven, and
you holy apostles and prophets, for God hath avenged you on her, ch.
xviii. 20.
3. He observed the kind return that was made to this cry (v. 11), both
what was given to them and what was said to them. (1.) What was given
to them--white robes, the robes of victory and of honour; their present
happiness was an abundant recompence of their past sufferings. (2.)
What was said to them--that they should be satisfied, and easy in
themselves, for it would not be long ere the number of their
fellow-sufferers would be fulfilled. This is a language rather suited
to the imperfect state of the saints in this world than to the
perfection of their state in heaven; there is no impatience, no
uneasiness, no need of admonition; but in this world there is great
need of patience. Observe, [1.] There is a number of Christians, known
to God, who are appointed as sheep for the slaughter, set apart to be
God's witnesses. [2.] As the measure of the sin of persecutors is
filling up, so is the number of the persecuted martyred servants of
Christ. [3.] When this number is fulfilled, God will take a just and
glorious revenge upon their cruel persecutors; he will recompense
tribulation to those who trouble them, and to those that are troubled
full and uninterrupted rest.
II. We have here the sixth seal opened, v. 12. Some refer this to the
great revolutions in the empire at Constantine's time, the downfall of
paganism; others, with great probability, to the destruction of
Jerusalem, as an emblem of the general judgment, and destruction of the
wicked, at the end of the world; and, indeed, the awful characters of
this event are so much the same with those signs mentioned by our
Saviour as foreboding the destruction of Jerusalem, as hardly to leave
any room for doubting but that the same thing is meant in both places,
though some think that event was past already. See Matt. xxiv. 29, 30.
Here observe,
1. The tremendous events that were hastening; and here are several
occurrences that contribute to make that day and dispensation very
dreadful:--(1.) There was a great earthquake. This may be taken in a
political sense; the very foundations of the Jewish church and state
would be terribly shaken, though they seemed to be as stable as the
earth itself. (2.) The sun became black as sackcloth of hair, either
naturally, by a total eclipse, or politically, by the fall of the chief
rulers and governors of the land. (3.) The moon should become as blood;
the inferior officers, or their military men, should be all wallowing
in their own blood. (4.) The stars of heaven shall fall to the earth
(v. 13), and that as a fig-tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is
shaken of a mighty wind. The stars may signify all the men of note and
influence among them, though in lower spheres of activity; there should
be a general desolation. (5.) The heaven should depart as a scroll when
it is rolled together. This may signify that their ecclesiastical state
should perish and be laid aside for ever. (6.) Every mountain and
island shall be moved out of its place. The destruction of the Jewish
nation should affect and affright all the nations round about, those
who were highest in honour and those who seemed to be best secured; it
would be a judgment that should astonish all the world. This leads to,
2. The dread and terror that would seize upon all sorts of men in that
great and awful day, v. 15. No authority, nor grandeur, nor riches, nor
valour, nor strength, would be able to support men at that time; yea,
the very poor slaves, who, one would think, had nothing to fear,
because they had nothing to lose, would be all in amazement at that
day. Here observe, (1.) The degree of their terror and astonishment: it
should prevail so far as to make them, like distracted desperate men,
call to the mountains to fall upon them, and to the hills to cover
them; they would be glad to be no more seen; yea, to have no longer any
being. (2.) The cause of their terror, namely, the angry countenance of
him that sits on the throne, and the wrath of the Lamb. Observe, [1.]
That which is matter of displeasure to Christ is so to God; they are so
entirely one that what pleases or displeases the one pleases or
displeases the other. [2.] Though God be invisible, he can make the
inhabitants of this world sensible of his awful frowns. [3.] Though
Christ be a lamb, yet he can be angry, even to wrath, and the wrath of
the Lamb is exceedingly dreadful; for if the Redeemer, that appeases
the wrath of God, himself be our wrathful enemy, where shall we have a
friend to plead for us? Those perish without remedy who perish by the
wrath of the Redeemer. [4.] As men have their day of opportunity, and
their seasons of grace, so God has his day of righteous wrath; and,
when that day shall come, the most stout-hearted sinners will not be
able to stand before him: all these terrors actually fell upon the
sinners in Judea and Jerusalem in the day of their destruction, and
they will all, in the utmost degree, fall upon impenitent sinners, at
the general judgment of the last day.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. VII.
The things contained in this chapter came in after the opening of the
six seals, which foretold great calamities in the world; and before the
sound of the seven trumpets, which gave notice of great corruptions
arising in the church: between these comes in this comfortable chapter,
which secures the graces and comforts of the people of God in times of
common calamity. We have, I. An account of the restraint laid upon the
winds, ver. 1-3. II. The sealing of the servants of God, ver. 4-8. III.
The songs of angels and saints on this occasion, ver. 9-12. IV. A
description of the honour and happiness of those who had faithfully
served Christ, and suffered for him, ver. 13, &c.
The Vision of Heaven. (a. d. 95.)
1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners
of the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should
not blow on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw
another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living
God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was
given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth,
neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our
God in their foreheads. 4 And I heard the number of them which were
sealed: and there were sealed a hundred and forty and four thousand of
all the tribes of the children of Israel. 5 Of the tribe of Juda were
sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Reuben were sealed twelve
thousand. Of the tribe of Gad were sealed twelve thousand. 6 Of the
tribe of Aser were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Nepthalim
were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Manasses were sealed
twelve thousand. 7 Of the tribe of Simeon were sealed twelve
thousand. Of the tribe of Levi were sealed twelve thousand. Of the
tribe of Issachar were sealed twelve thousand. 8 Of the tribe of
Zabulon were sealed twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Joseph were sealed
twelve thousand. Of the tribe of Benjamin were sealed twelve thousand.
9 After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could
number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood
before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and
palms in their hands; 10 And cried with a loud voice, saying,
Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.
11 And all the angels stood round about the throne, and about the
elders and the four beasts, and fell before the throne on their faces,
and worshipped God, 12 Saying, Amen: Blessing, and glory, and wisdom,
and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might, be unto our God for
ever and ever. Amen.
Here we have, I. An account of the restraint laid upon the winds. By
these winds we suppose are meant those errors and corruptions in
religion which would occasion a great deal of trouble and mischief to
the church of God. Sometimes the Holy Spirit is compared to the wind:
here the spirits of error are compared to the four winds, contrary one
to another, but doing much hurt to the church, the garden and vineyard
of God, breaking the branches and blasting the fruits of his
plantation. The devil is called the prince of the power of the air; he,
by a great wind, overthrew the house of Job's eldest son. Errors are as
wind, by which those who are unstable are shaken, and carried to and
fro, Eph. iv. 14. Observe, 1. These are called the winds of the earth,
because they blow only in these lower regions near the earth; heaven is
always clear and free from them. 2. They are restrained by the ministry
of angels, standing on the four corners of the earth, intimating that
the spirit of error cannot go forth till God permits it, and that the
angels minister to the good of the church by restraining its enemies.
3. Their restraint was only for a season, and that was till the
servants of God were sealed in their foreheads. God has a particular
care and concern for his own servants in times of temptation and
corruption, and he has a way to secure them from the common infection;
he first establishes them, and then he tries them; he has the timing of
their trials in his own hand.
II. An account of the sealing of the servants of God, where observe, 1.
To whom this work was committed--to an angel, another angel. While some
of the angels were employed to restrain Satan and his agents, another
angel was employed to mark out and distinguish the faithful servants of
God. 2. How they were distinguished--the seal of God was set upon their
foreheads, a seal known to him, and as plain as if it appeared in their
foreheads; by this mark they were set apart for mercy and safety in the
worst of times. 3. The number of those that were sealed, where observe,
(1.) A particular account of those that were sealed of the twelve
tribes of Israel--twelve thousand out of every tribe, the whole sum
amounting to a hundred and forty-four thousand. In this list the tribe
of Dan is omitted, perhaps because they were greatly addicted to
idolatry; and the order of the tribes is altered, perhaps according as
they had been more or less faithful to God. Some take these to be a
select number of the Jews who were reserved for mercy at the
destruction of Jerusalem; others think that time was past, and
therefore it is to be more generally applied to God's chosen remnant in
the world; but, if the destruction of Jerusalem was not yet over (and I
think it is hard to prove that it was), it seems more proper to
understand this of the remnant of that people which God had reserved
according to the election of grace, only here we have a definite number
for an indefinite. (2.) A general account of those who were saved out
of other nations (v. 9): A great multitude, which no man could number,
of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues. Though these are
not said to be sealed, yet they were selected by God out of all
nations, and brought into his church, and there stood before the
throne. Observe, [1.] God will have a greater harvest of souls among
the Gentiles than he had among the Jews. More are the children of the
desolate than of the married woman. [2.] The Lord knows who are his,
and he will keep them safe in times of dangerous temptation. [3.]
Though the church of God is but a little flock, in comparison of the
wicked world, yet it is no contemptible society, but really large and
to be still more enlarged.
III. We have the songs of saints and angels on this occasion, v. 9-12,
where observe,
1. The praises offered up by the saints (and, as it seems to me, by the
Gentile believers) for the care of God in reserving so large a remnant
of the Jews, and saving them from infidelity and destruction. The
Jewish church prayed for the Gentiles before their conversion, and the
Gentile churches have reason to bless God for his distinguishing mercy
to so many of the Jews, when the rest were cut off. Here observe, (1.)
The posture of these praising saints: they stood before the throne, and
before the Lamb, before the Creator and the Mediator. In acts of
religious worship we come nigh to God, and are to conceive ourselves as
in his special presence; and we must come to God by Christ. The throne
of God would be inaccessible to sinners were it not for a Mediator.
(2.) Their habit: they were clothed with white robes, and had palms in
their hands; they were invested with the robes of justification,
holiness, and victory, and had palms in their hands, as conquerors used
to appear in their triumphs: such a glorious appearance will the
faithful servants of God make at last, when they have fought the good
fight of faith and finished their course. (3.) Their employment: they
cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God who sitteth upon
the throne, and to the Lamb. This may be understood either as a
hosannah, wishing well to the interest of God and Christ in the church
and in the world, or as a hallelujah, giving to God and the Lamb the
praise of the great salvation; both the Father and the Son are joined
together in these praises; the Father contrived this salvation, the Son
purchased it, and those who enjoy it must and will bless the Lord and
the Lamb, and they will do it publicly, and with becoming fervour.
2. Here is the song of the angels (v. 11, 12), where observe, (1.)
Their station--before the throne of God, attending on him, and about
the saints, ready to serve them. (2.) Their posture, which is very
humble, and expressive of the greatest reverence: They fell before the
throne on their faces, and worshipped God. Behold the most excellent of
all the creatures, who never sinned, who are before him continually,
not only covering their faces, but falling down on their faces before
the Lord! What humility then, and what profound reverence, become us
vile frail creatures, when we come into the presence of God! We should
fall down before him; there should be both a reverential frame of
spirit and a humble behaviour in all our addresses to God (3.) Their
praises. They consented to the praises of the saints, said their Amen
thereto; there is in heaven a perfect harmony between the angels and
saints; and then they added more of their own, saying, Blessing, and
glory, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might,
be unto our God for ever and ever. Amen. Here, [1.] They acknowledge
the glorious attributes of God--his wisdom, his power, and his might.
[2.] They declare that for these his divine perfections he ought to be
blessed, and praised, and glorified, to all eternity; and they confirm
it by their Amen. We see what is the work of heaven, and we ought to
begin it now, to get our hearts tuned for it, to be much in it, and to
long for that world where our praises, as well as happiness, will be
perfected.
Honour and Happiness of the Saints. (a. d. 95.)
13 And one of the elders answered, saying unto me, What are these which
are arrayed in white robes? and whence came they? 14 And I said unto
him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came
out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore are they before the
throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple: and he that
sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. 16 They shall hunger no
more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor
any heat. 17 For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall
feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God
shall wipe away all tears from their eyes.
Here we have a description of the honour and happiness of those who
have faithfully served the Lord Jesus Christ, and suffered for him.
Observe,
I. A question asked by one of the elders, not for his own information,
but for John's instruction: ministers may learn from the people,
especially from aged and experienced Christians; the lowest saint in
heaven knows more than the greatest apostle in the world. Now the
question has two parts:--1. What are these that are arrayed in white
robes? 2. Whence came they? It seems to be spoken by way of admiration,
as Cant. iii. 6, Who is this that cometh out of the wilderness!
Faithful Christians deserve our notice and respect; we should mark the
upright.
II. The answer returned by the apostle, in which he tacitly
acknowledges his own ignorance, and sues to this elder for information:
Thou knowest. Those who would gain knowledge must not be ashamed to own
their ignorance, nor to desire instruction from any that are able to
give it.
III. The account given to the apostle concerning that noble army of
martyrs who stood before the throne of God in white robes, with palms
of victory in their hands: and notice is taken here of, 1. The low and
desolate state they had formerly been in; they had been in great
tribulation, persecuted by men, tempted by Satan, sometimes troubled in
their own spirits; they had suffered the spoiling of their goods, the
imprisonment of their persons, yea, the loss of life itself. The way to
heaven lies through many tribulations; but tribulation, how great
soever, shall not separate us from the love of God. Tribulation, when
gone through well, will make heaven more welcome and more glorious. 2.
The means by which they had been prepared for the great honour and
happiness they now enjoyed: they had washed their robes, and made them
white in the blood of the Lamb, v. 14. It is not the blood of the
martyrs themselves, but the blood of the Lamb, that can wash away sin,
and make the soul pure and clean in the sight of God. Other blood
stains; this is the only blood that makes the robes of the saints white
and clean. 3. The blessedness to which they are now advanced, being
thus prepared for it. (1.) They are happy in their station, for they
are before the throne of God night and day; and he dwells among them;
they are in that presence where there is fulness of joy. (2.) They are
happy in their employment, for they serve God continually, and that
without weakness, drowsiness, or weariness. Heaven is a state of
service, though not of suffering; it is a state of rest, but not of
sloth; it is a praising delightful rest. (3.) They are happy in their
freedom from all the inconveniences of this present life. [1.] From all
want and sense of want: They hunger and thirst no more; all their wants
are supplied, and all the uneasiness caused thereby is removed. [2.]
From all sickness and pain: they shall never be scorched by the heat of
the sun any more. (4.) They are happy in the love and guidance of the
Lord Jesus: He shall feed them, he shall lead them to living fountains
of waters, he shall put them into the possession of every thing that is
pleasant and refreshing to their souls, and therefore they shall hunger
and thirst no more. (5.) They are happy in being delivered from all
sorrow or occasion of it: God shall wipe away all tears from their
eyes. They have formerly had their sorrows, and shed many tears, both
upon the account of sin and affliction; but God himself, with his own
gentle and gracious hand, will wipe those tears away, and they shall
return no more for ever; and they would not have been without those
tears, when God comes to wipe them away. In this he deals with them as
a tender father who finds his beloved child in tears, he comforts him,
he wipes his eyes, and turns his sorrow into rejoicing. This should
moderate the Christian's sorrow in his present state, and support him
under all the troubles of it; for those that sow in tears shall reap in
joy; and those that now go forth weeping, bearing precious seed, shall
doubtless come again rejoicing, bringing their sheaves with them.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. VIII.
We have already seen what occurred upon opening six of the seals; we
now come to the opening of the seventh, which introduced the sounding
of the seven trumpets; and a direful scene now opens. Most expositors
agree that the seven seals represent the interval between the apostle's
time and the reign of Constantine, but that the seven trumpets are
designed to represent the rise of antichrist, some time after the
empire became Christian. In this chapter we have, I. The preface, or
prelude, to the sounding of the trumpets, ver. 1-6. II. The sounding of
four of the trumpets, ver. 7, &c.).
The Seven Trumpets. (a. d. 95.)
1 And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven
about the space of half a hour. 2 And I saw the seven angels which
stood before God; and to them were given seven trumpets. 3 And
another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and
there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the
prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the
throne. 4 And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers
of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. 5 And
the angel took the censer, and filled it with fire of the altar, and
cast it into the earth: and there were voices, and thunderings, and
lightnings, and an earthquake. 6 And the seven angels which had the
seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound.
In these verses we have the prelude to the sounding of the trumpets in
several parts.
I. The opening of the last seal. This was to introduce a new set of
prophetical iconisms and events; there is a continued chain of
providence, one part linked to another (where one ends another begins),
and, though they may differ in nature and in time, they all make up one
wise, well-connected, uniform design in the hand of God.
II. A profound silence in heaven for the space of half an hour, which
may be understood either, 1. Of the silence of peace, that for this
time no complaints were sent up to the ear of the Lord God of sabaoth;
all was quiet and well in the church, and therefore all silent in
heaven, for whenever the church on earth cries, through oppression,
that cry comes up to heaven and resounds there; or, 2. A silence of
expectation; great things were upon the wheel of providence, and the
church of God, both in heaven and earth, stood silent, as became them,
to see what God was doing, according to that of Zech. ii. 13, Be
silent, O all flesh, before the Lord, for he has risen up out of his
holy habitation. And elsewhere, Be still, and know that I am God.
III. The trumpets were delivered to the angels who were to sound them.
Still the angels are employed as the wise and willing instruments of
divine Providence, and they are furnished with all their materials and
instructions from God our Saviour. As the angels of the churches are to
sound the trumpet of the gospel, the angels of heaven are to sound the
trumpet of Providence, and every one has his part given him.
IV. To prepare for this, another angel must first offer incense, v. 3.
It is very probable that this other angel is the Lord Jesus, the high
priest of the church, who is here described in his sacerdotal office,
having a golden censer and much incense, a fulness of merit in his own
glorious person, and this incense he was to offer up, with the prayers
of all the saints, upon the golden altar of his divine nature. Observe,
1. All the saints are a praying people; none of the children of God are
born dumb, a Spirit of grace is always a Spirit of adoption and
supplication, teaching us to cry, Abba, Father. Ps. xxxii. 6, For this
shall every one that is godly pray unto thee. 2. Times of danger should
be praying times, and so should times of great expectation; both our
fears and our hopes should put us upon prayer, and, where the interest
of the church of God is deeply concerned, the hearts of the people of
God in prayer should be greatly enlarged. 3. The prayers of the saints
themselves stand in need of the incense and intercession of Christ to
make them acceptable and effectual, and there is provision made by
Christ for that purpose; he has his incense, his censer, and his altar;
he is all himself to his people. 4. The prayers of the saints come up
before God in a cloud of incense; no prayer, thus recommended, was ever
denied audience or acceptance. 5. These prayers that were thus accepted
in heaven produced great changes upon earth in return to them; the same
angel that in his censer offered up the prayers of the saints in the
same censer took of the fire of the altar, and cast it into the earth,
and this presently caused strange commotions, voices, and thunderings,
and lightnings, and an earthquake; these were the answers God gave to
the prayers of the saints, and tokens of his anger against the world
and that he would do great things to avenge himself and his people of
their enemies; and now, all things being thus prepared, the angels
discharge their duty.
The Seven Trumpets. (a. d. 95.)
7 The first angel sounded, and there followed hail and fire mingled
with blood, and they were cast upon the earth: and the third part of
trees was burnt up, and all green grass was burnt up. 8 And the
second angel sounded, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire
was cast into the sea: and the third part of the sea became blood; 9
And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea, and had
life, died; and the third part of the ships were destroyed. 10 And
the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven,
burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the
rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; 11 And the name of the star
is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood;
and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter. 12
And the fourth angel sounded, and the third part of the sun was
smitten, and the third part of the moon, and the third part of the
stars; so as the third part of them was darkened, and the day shone not
for a third part of it, and the night likewise. 13 And I beheld, and
heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud
voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhabiters of the earth by reason of the
other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to
sound!
Observe, I. The first angel sounded the first trumpet, and the events
which followed were very dismal: There followed hail and fire mingled
with blood, &c., v. 7. There was a terrible storm; but whether it is to
be understood of a storm of heresies, a mixture of monstrous errors
falling on the church (for in that age Arianism prevailed), or a storm
or tempest of war falling on the civil state, expositors are not
agreed. Mr. Mede takes it to be meant of the Gothic inundation that
broke in upon the empire in the year 395, the same year that Theodosius
died, when the northern nations, under Alaricus, king of the Goths,
broke in upon the western parts of the empire. However, here we
observe, 1. It was a very terrible storm-fire, and hail, and blood: a
strange mixture! 2. The limitation of it: it fell on the third part of
the trees, and on the third part of the grass, and blasted and burnt it
up; that is, say some, upon the third part of the clergy and the third
part of the laity; or, as others who take it to fall upon the civil
state, upon the third part of the great men, and upon the third part of
the common people, either upon the Roman empire itself, which was a
third part of the then known world, or upon a third part of that
empire. The most severe calamities have their bounds and limits set
them by the great God.
II. The second angel sounded, and the alarm was followed, as in the
first, with terrible events: A great mountain burning with fire was
cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became blood, v. 8. By
this mountain some understand the leader or leaders of the heretics;
others, as Mr. Mede, the city of Rome, which was five times sacked by
the Goths and Vandals, within the compass of 137 years; first by
Alaricus, in the year 410, with great slaughter and cruelty. In these
calamities, a third part of the people (called here the sea or
collection of waters) were destroyed: here was still a limitation to
the third part, for in the midst of judgment God remembers mercy. This
storm fell heavy upon the maritime and merchandizing cities and
countries of the Roman empire.
III. The third angel sounded, and the alarm had the like effects as
before: There fell a great star from heaven, &c., v. 10. Some take this
to be a political star, some eminent governor, and they apply it to
Augustulus, who was forced to resign the empire to Odoacer, in the year
480. Others take it to be an ecclesiastical star, some eminent person
in the church, compared to a burning lamp, and they fix it upon
Pelagius, who proved about this time a falling star, and greatly
corrupted the churches of Christ. Observe, 1. Where this star fell:
Upon a third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters. 2.
What effect it had upon them; it turned those springs and streams into
wormwood, made them very bitter, that men were poisoned by them; either
the laws, which are springs of civil liberty, and property, and safety,
were poisoned by arbitrary power, or the doctrines of the gospel, the
springs of spiritual life, refreshment, and vigour to the souls of men,
were so corrupted and embittered by a mixture of dangerous errors that
the souls of men found their ruin where they sought for their
refreshment.
IV. The fourth angel sounded, and the alarm was followed with further
calamities. Observe, 1. The nature of this calamity; it was darkness;
it fell therefore upon the great luminaries of the heaven, that give
light to the world--the sun, and the moon, and the stars, either the
guides and governors of the church, or of the state, who are placed in
higher orbs than the people, and are to dispense light and benign
influences to them. 2. The limitation: it was confined to a third part
of these luminaries; there was some light both of the sun by day, and
of the moon and stars by night, but it was only a third part of what
they had before. Without determining what is matter of controversy in
these points among learned men, we rather choose to make these plain
and practical remarks:--(1.) Where the gospel comes to a people, and is
but coldly received, and has not its proper effects upon their hearts
and lives, it is usually followed with dreadful judgments. (2.) God
gives warning to men of his judgments before he sends them; he sounds
an alarm by the written word, by ministers, by men's own consciences,
and by the signs of the times; so that, if a people be surprised, it is
their own fault. (3.) The anger of God against a people makes dreadful
work among them; it embitters all their comforts, and makes even life
itself bitter and burdensome. (4.) God does not in this world stir up
all his wrath, but sets bounds to the most terrible judgments. (5.)
Corruptions of doctrine and worship in the church are themselves great
judgments, and the usual causes and tokens of other judgments coming on
a people.
V. Before the other three trumpets are sounded here is solemn warning
given to the world how terrible the calamities would be that should
follow them, and how miserable those times and places would be on which
they fell, v. 13. 1. The messenger was an angel flying in the midst of
heaven, as in haste, and coming on an awful errand. 2. The message was
a denunciation of further and greater woe and misery than the world had
hitherto endured. Here are three woes, to show how much the calamities
coming should exceed those that had been already, or to hint how every
one of the three succeeding trumpets should introduce its particular
and distinct calamity. If less judgments do not take effect, but the
church and the world grow worse under them, they must expect greater.
God will be known by the judgments that he executes; and he expects,
when he comes to punish the world, the inhabitants thereof should
tremble before him.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. IX.
In this chapter we have an account of the sounding of the fifth and
sixth trumpets, the appearances that attended them, and the events that
were to follow; the fifth trumpet (ver. 1-12), the sixth, ver. 13, &c..
The Seven Trumpets. (a. d. 95.)
1 And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto
the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. 2 And
he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit,
as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened
by reason of the smoke of the pit. 3 And there came out of the smoke
locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions
of the earth have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should
not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any
tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their
foreheads. 5 And to them it was given that they should not kill them,
but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment was as
the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man. 6 And in those
days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to
die, and death shall flee from them. 7 And the shapes of the locusts
were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as
it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men. 8
And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as the
teeth of lions. 9 And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates
of iron; and the sound of their wings was as the sound of chariots of
many horses running to battle. 10 And they had tails like unto
scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power was to
hurt men five months. 11 And they had a king over them, which is the
angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is
Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon. 12 One woe
is past; and, behold, there come two woes more hereafter.
Upon the sounding of this trumpet, the things to be observed are, 1. A
star falling from heaven to the earth. Some think this star represents
some eminent bishop in the Christian church, some angel of the church;
for, in the same way of speaking by which pastors are called stars, the
church is called heaven; but who this is expositors do not agree. Some
understand it of Boniface the third bishop of Rome, who assumed the
title of universal bishop, by the favour of the emperor Phocas, who,
being a usurper and tyrant in the state, allowed Boniface to be so in
the church, as the reward of his flattery. 2. To this fallen star was
given the key of the bottomless pit. Having now ceased to be a minister
of Christ, he becomes the antichrist, the minister of the devil; and by
the permission of Christ, who had taken from him the keys of the
church, he becomes the devil's turnkey, to let loose the powers of hell
against the churches of Christ. 3. Upon the opening of the bottomless
pit there arose a great smoke, which darkened the sun and the air. The
devils are the powers of darkness; hell is the place of darkness. The
devil carries on his designs by blinding the eyes of men, by
extinguishing light and knowledge, and promoting ignorance and error.
He first deceives men, and then destroys them; wretched souls follow
him in the dark, or they durst not follow him. 4. Out of this dark
smoke there came a swarm of locusts, one of the plagues of Egypt, the
devil's emissaries headed by the antichrist, all the rout and rabble of
antichristian orders, to promote superstition, idolatry, error, and
cruelty; and these had, by the just permission of God, power to hurt
those who had not the mark of God in their foreheads. 5. The hurt they
were to do them was not a bodily, but a spiritual hurt. They should not
in a military way destroy all by fire and sword; the trees and the
grass should be untouched, and those they hurt should not be slain; it
should not be a persecution, but a secret poison and infection in their
souls, which should rob them of their purity, and afterwards of their
peace. Heresy is a poison in the soul, working slowly and secretly, but
will be bitterness in the end. 6. They had no power so much as to hurt
those who had the seal of God in their foreheads. God's electing,
effectual, distinguishing grace will preserve his people from total and
final apostasy. 7. The power given to these factors for hell is limited
in point of time: five months, a certain season, and but a short
season, though how short we cannot tell. Gospel-seasons have their
limits, and times of seduction are limited too. 8. Though it would be
short, it would be very sharp, insomuch that those who were made to
feel the malignity of this poison in their consciences would be weary
of their lives, v. 6. A wounded spirit who can bear? 9. These locusts
were of a monstrous size and shape, v. 7, 8, &c. They were equipped for
their work like horses prepared to battle. (1.) They pretended to great
authority, and seemed to be assured of victory: They had crowns like
gold on their heads; it was not a true, but a counterfeit authority.
(2.) They had the show of wisdom and sagacity, the faces of men, though
the spirit of devils. (3.) They had all the allurements of seeming
beauty, to ensnare and defile the minds of men--hair like women; their
way of worship was very gaudy and ornamental. (4.) Though they appeared
with the tenderness of women, they had the teeth of lions, were really
cruel creatures. (5.) They had the defence and protection of earthly
powers--breastplates of iron. (6.) They made a mighty noise in the
world; they flew about from one country to another, and the noise of
their motion was like that of an army with chariots and horses. (7.)
Though at first they soothed and flattered men with a fair appearance,
there was a sting in their tails; the cup of their abominations
contained that which, though luscious at first, would at length bite
like a serpent and sting like an adder. (8.) The king and commander of
this hellish squadron is here described, [1.] As an angel; so he was by
nature, an angel, once one of the angels of heaven. [2.] The angel of
the bottomless pit; an angel still, but a fallen angel, fallen into the
bottomless pit, vastly large, and out of which there is no recovery.
[3.] In these infernal regions he is a sort of prince and governor, and
has the powers of darkness under his rule and command. [4.] His true
name is Abaddon, Apollyon--a destroyer, for that is his business, his
design, and employment, to which he diligently attends, in which he is
very successful, and takes a horrid hellish pleasure; it is about this
destroying work that he sends out his emissaries and armies to destroy
the souls of men. And now here we have the end of one woe; and where
one ends another begins.
The Seventh Trumpet. (a. d. 95.)
13 And the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns
of the golden altar which is before God, 14 Saying to the sixth angel
which had the trumpet, Loose the four angels which are bound in the
great river Euphrates. 15 And the four angels were loosed, which were
prepared for an hour, and a day, and a month, and a year, for to slay
the third part of men. 16 And the number of the army of the horsemen
were two hundred thousand thousand: and I heard the number of them.
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them,
having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the
heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths
issued fire and smoke and brimstone. 18 By these three was the third
part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the
brimstone, which issued out of their mouths. 19 For their power is in
their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto
serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt. 20 And the rest
of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of
the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and
idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which
neither can see, nor hear, nor walk: 21 Neither repented they of
their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of
their thefts.
Here let us consider the preface to this vision, and then the vision
itself.
I. The preface to this vision: A voice was heard from the horns of the
golden altar, v. 13, 14. Here observe, 1. The power of the church's
enemies is restrained till God gives the word to have them turned
loose. 2. When nations are ripe for punishment, those instruments of
God's anger that were before restrained are let loose upon them, v. 14.
3. The instruments that God makes use of to punish a people may
sometimes lie at a great distance from them, so that no danger may be
apprehended from them. These four messengers of divine judgment lay
bound in the river Euphrates, a great way from the European nations.
Here the Turkish power had its rise, which seems to be the story of
this vision.
II. The vision itself: And the four angels that had been bound in the
great river Euphrates were now loosed, v. 15, 16. And here observe, 1.
The time of their military operations and executions is limited to an
hour, and a day, and a month, and a year. Prophetic characters of time
are hardly to be understood by us; but in general the time is fixed to
an hour, when it shall begin and when it shall end; and how far the
execution shall prevail, even to a third part of the inhabitants of the
earth. God will make the wrath of man praise him, and the remainder of
wrath he will restrain. 2. The army that was to execute this great
commission is mustered, and the number found to be of horsemen two
hundred thousand thousand; but we are left to guess what the infantry
must be. In general, it tells us, the armies of the Mahomedan empire
should be vastly great; and so it is certain they were. 3. Their
formidable equipage and appearance, v. 17. As the horses were fierce,
like lions, and eager to rush into the battle, so those who sat upon
them were clad in bright and costly armour, with all the ensigns of
martial courage, zeal, and resolution. 4. The vast havoc and desolation
that they made in the Roman empire, which had now become antichristian:
A third part of them were killed; they went as far as their commission
suffered them, and they could go no further. 5. Their artillery, by
which they made such slaughter, described by fire, smoke, and
brimstone, issuing out of the mouths of their horses, and the stings
that were in their tails. It is Mr. Mede's opinion that this is a
prediction of great guns, those instruments of cruelty which make such
destruction: he observes, These were first used by the Turks at the
siege of Constantinople, and, being new and strange, were very
terrible, and did great execution. However, here seems to be an
allusion to what is mentioned in the former vision, that, as antichrist
had his forces of a spiritual nature, like scorpions poisoning the
minds of men with error and idolatry, so the Turks, who were raised up
to punish the antichristian apostasy, had their scorpions and their
stings too, to hurt and kill the bodies of those who had been the
murderers of so many souls. 6. Observe the impenitency of the
antichristian generation under these dreadful judgments (v. 20); the
rest of the men who were not killed repented not, they still persisted
in those sins for which God was so severely punishing them, which were,
(1.) Their idolatry; they would not cast away their images, though they
could do them no good, could not see, nor hear, nor walk. (2.) Their
murders (v. 21), which they had committed upon the saints and servants
of Christ. Popery is a bloody religion, and seems resolved to continue
such. (3.) Their sorceries; they have their charms, and magic arts, and
rites in exorcism and other things. (4.) Their fornication; they allow
both spiritual and carnal impurity, and promote it in themselves and
others. (5.) Their thefts; they have by unjust means heaped together a
vast deal of wealth, to the injury and impoverishing of families,
cities, princes, and nations. These are the flagrant crimes of
antichrist and his agents; and, though God has revealed his wrath from
heaven against them, they are obstinate, hardened, and impenitent, and
judicially so, for they must be destroyed.
III. From this sixth trumpet we learn, 1. God can make one enemy of the
church to be a scourge and plague to another. 2. He who is the Lord of
hosts has vast armies at his command, to serve his own purposes. 3. The
most formidable powers have limits set them, which they cannot
transgress. 4. When God's judgments are in the earth, he expects the
inhabitants thereof should repent of sin, and learn righteousness. 5.
Impenitency under divine judgments is an iniquity that will be the ruin
of sinners; for where God judges he will overcome.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. X.
This chapter is an introduction to the latter part of the prophecies of
this book. Whether what is contained between this and the sounding of
the seventh trumpet (ch. xi. 15) be a distinct prophecy from the other,
or only a more general account of some of the principal things included
in the other, is disputed by our curious enquirers into these abstruse
writings. However, here we have, I. A remarkable description of a very
glorious angel with an open book in his hand, ver. 1-3. II. An account
of seven thunders which the apostle heard, as echoing to the voice of
this angel, and communicating some discoveries, which the apostle was
not yet allowed to write, ver. 4. III. The solemn oath taken by him who
had the book in his hand, ver. 5-7. IV. The charge given to the
apostle, and observed by him, ver. 8-11.
The Seven Thunders. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a
cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the
sun, and his feet as pillars of fire: 2 And he had in his hand a
little book open: and he set his right foot upon the sea, and his left
foot on the earth, 3 And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion
roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices.
4 And when the seven thunders had uttered their voices, I was about to
write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those
things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not. 5 And
the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up
his hand to heaven, 6 And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever,
who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and
the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are
therein, that there should be time no longer: 7 But in the days of
the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the
mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants
the prophets.
Here we have an account of another vision the apostle was favoured
with, between the sounding of the sixth trumpet and that of the
seventh. And we observe,
I. The person who was principally concerned in communicating this
discovery to John--an angel from heaven, another mighty angel, who is
so set forth as would induce one to think it could be no other than our
Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ! 1. He was clothed with a cloud: he veils
his glory, which is too great for mortality to behold; and he throws a
veil upon his dispensations. Clouds and darkness are round about him.
2. A rainbow was upon his head; he is always mindful of his covenant,
and, when his conduct is most mysterious, yet it is perfectly just and
faithful. 3. His face was as the sun, all bright, and full of lustre
and majesty, ch. i. 16. 4. His feet were as pillars of fire; all his
ways, both of grace and providence, are pure and steady.
II. His station and posture: He set his right foot upon the sea and his
left foot upon the earth, to show the absolute power and dominion he
had over the world. And he held in his hand a little book opened,
probably the same that was before sealed, but was now opened, and
gradually fulfilled by him.
III. His awful voice: He cried aloud, as when a lion roareth (v. 3),
and his awful voice was echoed by seven thunders, seven solemn and
terrible ways of discovering the mind of God.
IV. The prohibition given to the apostle, that he should not publish,
but conceal what he had learned from the seven thunders, v. 4. The
apostle was for preserving and publishing every thing he saw and heard
in these visions, but the time had not yet come.
V. The solemn oath taken by this mighty angel. 1. The manner of his
swearing: He lifted up his hand to heaven, and swore by him that liveth
for ever, by himself, as God often has done, or by God as God, to whom
he, as Lord, Redeemer, and ruler of the world, now appeals. 2. The
matter of the oath: that there shall be time no longer; either, (1.)
That there shall be now no longer delay in fulfilling the predictions
of this book than till the last angel should sound; then every thing
should be put into speedy execution: the mystery of God shall be
finished, v. 7. Or, (2.) That when this mystery of God is finished time
itself shall be no more, as being the measure of things that are in a
mutable changing state; but all things shall be at length for ever
fixed, and so time itself swallowed up in eternity.
The Little Book. (a. d. 95.)
8 And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and
said, Go and take the little book which is open in the hand of the
angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. 9 And I went
unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said
unto me, Take it, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter,
but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. 10 And I took the little
book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth
sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter.
11 And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again before many peoples,
and nations, and tongues, and kings.
Here we have, I. A strict charge given to the apostle, which was, 1.
That he should go and take the little book out of the hands of that
mighty angel mentioned before. This charge was given, not by the angel
himself who stood upon the earth, but by the same voice from heaven
that in the fourth verse had lain an injunction upon him not to write
what he had discerned by the seven thunders. 2. To eat the book; this
part of the charge was given by the angel himself, hinting to the
apostle that before he should publish what he had discovered he must
more thoroughly digest the predictions, and be in himself suitably
affected with them.
II. An account of the taste and relish which this little book would
have, when the apostle had taken it in; at first, while in his mouth,
sweet. All persons feel a pleasure in looking into future events, and
in having them foretold; and all good men love to receive a word from
God, of what import soever it be. But, when this book of prophecy was
more thoroughly digested by the apostle, the contents would be bitter;
these were things so awful and terrible, such grievous persecutions of
the people of God, and such desolation made in the earth, that the
foresight and foreknowledge of them would not be pleasant, but painful
to the mind of the apostle: thus was Ezekiel's prophecy to him, ch.
iii. 3.
III. The apostle's discharge of the duty he was called to (v. 10): He
took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up, and he
found the relish to be as was told him. 1. It becomes the servants of
God to digest in their own souls the messages they bring to others in
his name, and to be suitably affected therewith themselves. 2. It
becomes them to deliver every message with which they are charged,
whether pleasing or unpleasing to men. That which is least pleasing may
be most profitable; however, God's messengers must not keep back any
part of the counsel of God.
IV. The apostle is made to know that this book of prophecy, which he
had now taken in, was not given him merely to gratify his own
curiosity, or to affect him with pleasure or pain, but to be
communicated by him to the world. Here his prophetical commission seems
to be renewed, and he is ordered to prepare for another embassy, to
convey those declarations of the mind and will of God which are of
great importance to all the world, and to the highest and greatest men
in the world, and such should be read and recorded in many languages.
This indeed is the case; we have them in our language, and are all
obliged to attend to them, humbly to enquire into the meaning of them,
and firmly to believe that every thing shall have its accomplishment in
the proper time; and, when the prophecies shall be fulfilled, the sense
and truth of them will appear, and the omniscience, power, and
faithfulness of the great God will be adored.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XI.
In this chapter we have an account, I. Of the measuring--reed given to
the apostle, to take the dimensions of the temple, ver. 1, 2. II. Of
the two witnesses of God, ver. 3-13. III. Of the sounding of the
seventh trumpet, and what followed upon it, ver. 14, &c.
The Measuring of the Temple. (a. d. 95.)
1 And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood,
saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and the altar, and them
that worship therein. 2 But the court which is without the temple
leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and
the holy city shall they tread under foot forty and two months.
This prophetical passage about measuring the temple is a plain
reference to what we find in Ezekiel's vision, Ezek. xl. 3, &c. But how
to understand either the one or the other is not so easy. It should
seem the design of measuring the temple in the former case was in order
to the rebuilding of it, and that with advantage; the design of this
measurement seems to be either, 1. For the preservation of it in those
times of public danger and calamity that are here foretold; or, 2. For
its trial; that it may be seen how far it agrees with the standard, or
pattern, in the mount; or, 3. For its reformation; that what is
redundant, deficient, or changed, may be regulated according to the
true model. Observe,
I. How much was to be measured. 1. The temple; the gospel church in
general, whether it be so built, so constituted, as the gospel rule
directs, whether it be too narrow or too large, the door too wide or
too strait. 2. The altar. That which was the place of the most solemn
acts of worship may be put for religious worship in general; whether
the church has the true altars, both as to substance and situation: as
to substance, whether they take Christ for their altar, and lay down
all their offerings there; and in situation, whether the altar be in
the holiest; that is, whether they worship God in the Spirit and in
truth. 3. The worshippers too must be measured, whether they make God's
glory their end and his word their rule, in all their acts of worship;
and whether they come to God with suitable affections, and whether
their conversation be as becomes the gospel.
II. What was not to be measured (v. 2), and why it should be left out.
1. What was not to be measured: The court which is without the temple
measure it not. Some say that Herod, in the additions made to the
temple, built an outer court, and called it the court of the Gentiles.
Some tell us that Adrian built the city and an outer court, and called
it Ælia, and gave it to the Gentiles. 2. Why was not the outer court
measured? This was no part of the temple, according to the model either
of Solomon or Zerubbabel, and therefore God would have no regard to it.
He would not mark it out for preservation; but as it was designed for
the Gentiles, to bring pagan ceremonies and customs and to annex them
to the gospel churches, so Christ abandoned it to them, to be used as
they pleased; and both that and the city were trodden under foot for a
certain time--forty and two months, which some would have to be the
whole time of the reign of antichrist. Those who worship in the outer
court are either such as worship in a false manner or with hypocritical
hearts; and these are rejected of God, and will be found among his
enemies. 3. From the whole observe, (1.) God will have a temple and an
altar in the world, till the end of time. (2.) He has a strict regard
to this temple, and observes how every thing is managed in it. (3.)
Those who worship in the outer court will be rejected, and only those
who worship within the veil accepted. (4.) The holy city, the visible
church, is very much trampled upon in the world. But, (5.) The
desolations of the church are for a limited time, and for a short time,
and she shall be delivered out of all her troubles.
The Two Witnesses. (a. d. 95.)
3 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy
a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4
These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before
the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire
proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any
man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have
power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy:
and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the
earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7 And when they shall
have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the
bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them,
and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the
great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our
Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues
and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and
shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves. 10 And they
that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and
shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented
them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and a half the
Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their
feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard
a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they
ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them. 13
And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of
the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand:
and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.
In this time of treading down, God has reserved to himself his faithful
witnesses, who will not fail to attest the truth of his word and
worship, and the excellency of his ways. Here observe,
I. The number of these witnesses: it is but a small number and yet it
is sufficient. 1. It is but small. Many will own and acknowledge Christ
in times of prosperity who will desert and deny him in times of
persecution; one witness, when the cause is upon trial, is worth many
at other times. 2. It is a sufficient number; for in the mouth of two
witnesses every cause shall be established. Christ sent out his
disciples two by two, to preach the gospel. Some think these two
witnesses are Enoch and Elias, who are to return to the earth for a
time: others, the church of the believing Jews and that of the
Gentiles: it should rather seem that they are God's eminent faithful
ministers, who shall not only continue to profess the Christian
religion, but to preach it, in the worst of times.
II. The time of their prophesying, or bearing their testimony for
Christ. A thousand two hundred and threescore days; that is (as many
think), to the period of the reign of antichrist; and, if the beginning
of that interval could be ascertained, this number of prophetic days,
taking a day for a year, would give us a prospect when the end shall
be.
III. Their habit, and posture: they prophesy in sackcloth, as those
that are deeply affected with the low and distressed state of the
churches and interest of Christ in the world.
IV. How they were supported and supplied during the discharge of their
great and hard work: they stood before the God of the whole earth, and
he gave them power to prophesy. He made them to be like Zerubbabel and
Joshua, the two olive-trees and candlestick in the vision of Zechariah,
ch. iv. 2, &c. God gave them the oil of holy zeal, and courage, and
strength, and comfort; he made them olive-trees, and their lamps of
profession were kept burning by the oil of inward gracious principles,
which they received from God. They had oil not only in their lamps, but
in their vessels--habits of spiritual life, light, and zeal.
V. Their security and defence during the time of their prophesying: If
any attempted to hurt them, fire proceeded out of their mouths, and
devoured them, v. 5. Some think this alludes to Elias's calling for the
fire from heaven, to consume the captains and their companies that came
to seize him, 2 Kings i. 12. God promised the prophet Jeremiah (ch. v.
14), Behold, I will make my words in thy mouth fire, and this people
shall be wood, and it shall devour them. By their praying and
preaching, and courage in suffering, they shall gall and wound the very
hearts and consciences of many of their persecutors, who shall go away
self-condemned, and be even terrors to themselves; like Pashur, at the
words of the prophet Jeremiah, ch. xx. 4. They shall have that free
access to God, and that interest in him, that, at their prayers, God
will inflict plagues and judgments upon their enemies, as he did on
Pharaoh, turning their rivers into blood, and restraining the dews of
heaven, shutting heaven up, that no rain shall fall for many days, as
he did at the prayers of Elias, 1 Kings xvii. 1. God has ordained his
arrows for the persecutors, and is often plaguing them while they are
persecuting his people; they find it hard work to kick against the
pricks.
VI. The slaying of the witnesses. To make their testimony more strong,
they must seal it with their blood. Here observe, 1. The time when they
should be killed: When they have finished their testimony. They are
immortal, they are invulnerable, till their work be done. Some think it
ought to be rendered, when they were about to finish their testimony.
When they had prophesied in sackcloth the greatest part of the 1260
years, then they should feel the last effect of antichristian malice.
2. The enemy that should overcome and slay them--the beast that
ascendeth out of the bottomless pit. Antichrist, the great instrument
of the devil, should make war against them, not only with the arms of
subtle and sophistical learning, but chiefly with open force and
violence; and God would permit his enemies to prevail against his
witnesses for a time. 3. The barbarous usage of these slain witnesses;
the malice of their enemies was not satiated with their blood and
death, but pursued even their dead bodies. (1.) They would not allow
them a quiet grave; their bodies were cast out in the open street, the
high street of Babylon, or in the high road leading to the city. This
city is spiritually called Sodom for monstrous wickedness, and Egypt
for idolatry and tyranny; and here Christ in his mystical body has
suffered more than in any place in the world. (2.) Their dead bodies
were insulted by the inhabitants of the earth, and their death was a
matter of mirth and joy to the antichristian world, v. 10. They were
glad to be rid of these witnesses, who by their doctrine and example
had teased, terrified, and tormented the consciences of their enemies;
these spiritual weapons cut wicked men to the heart, and fill them with
the greatest rage and malice against the faithful.
VII. The resurrection of these witnesses, and the consequences thereof.
Observe, 1. The time of their rising again; after they had lain dead
three days and a half (v. 11), a short time in comparison of that in
which they had prophesied. Here may be a reference to the resurrection
of Christ, who is the resurrection and the life. Thy dead men shall
live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Or there may be a
reference to the resurrection of Lazarus on the fourth day, when they
thought it impossible. God's witnesses may be slain, but they shall
rise again: not in their persons, till the general resurrection, but in
their successors. God will revive his work, when it seems to be dead in
the world. 2. The power by which they were raised: The spirit of life
from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet. God put not
only life, but courage into them. God can make the dry bones to life;
it is the Spirit of life from God that quickens dead souls, and shall
quicken the dead bodies of his people, and his dying interest in the
world. 3. The effect of their resurrection upon their enemies: Great
fear fell upon them. The reviving of God's work and witnesses will
strike terror into the souls of his enemies. Where there is guilt,
there is fear; and a persecuting spirit, though cruel, is not a
courageous, but a cowardly spirit. Herod feared John the Baptist.
VIII. The ascension of the witnesses into heaven and the consequences
thereof, v. 12, 13. Observe, 1. Their ascension. By heaven we may
understand either some more eminent station in the church, the kingdom
of grace in this world, or a high place in the kingdom of glory above.
The former seems to be the meaning: They ascended to heaven in a cloud
(in a figurative, not in a literal sense) and their enemies saw them.
It will be no small part of the punishment of persecutors, both in this
world and at the great day, that they shall see the faithful servants
of God greatly honoured and advanced. To this honour they did not
attempt to ascend, till God called them, and said, Come up hither. The
Lord's witnesses must wait for their advancement, both in the church
and in heaven, till God calls them; they must not be weary of suffering
and service, nor too hastily grasp at the reward; but stay till their
Master calls them, and then they may gladly ascend to him. 2. The
consequences of their ascension--a mighty shock and convulsion in the
antichristian empire and the fall of a tenth part of the city. Some
refer this to the beginning of the reformation from popery, when many
princes and states fell off from their subjection to Rome. This great
work met with great opposition; all the western world felt a great
concussion, and the antichristian interest received a great blow, and
lost a great deal of ground and interest, (1.) By the sword of war,
which was then drawn; and many of those who fought under the banner of
antichrist were slain by it. (2.) By the sword of the Spirit: The fear
of God fell upon many. They were convinced of their errors,
superstition, and idolatry; and by true repentance, and embracing the
truth, they gave glory to the God of heaven. Thus, when God's work and
witnesses revive, the devil's work and witnesses fall before him.
The Seventh Trumpet. (a. d. 95.)
14 The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.
15 And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in
heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of
our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. 16
And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats,
fell upon their faces, and worshipped God, 17 Saying, We give thee
thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come;
because thou hast taken to thee thy great power, and hast reigned. 18
And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the
dead, that they should be judged, and that thou shouldest give reward
unto thy servants the prophets, and to the saints, and them that fear
thy name, small and great; and shouldest destroy them which destroy the
earth. 19 And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was
seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings,
and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.
We have here the sounding of the seventh and last trumpet, which is
ushered in by the usual warning and demand of attention: The second woe
is past, and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly. Then the seventh
angel sounded. This had been suspended for some time, till the apostle
had been made acquainted with some intervening occurrences of very
great moment, and worthy of his notice and observation. But what he
before expected he now heard--the seventh angel sounding. Here observe
the effects and consequences of this trumpet, thus sounded.
I. Here were loud and joyful acclamations of the saints and angels in
heaven. Observe, 1. The manner of their adorations: they rose from
their seats, and fell upon their faces, and worshipped God; they did it
with reverence and humility. 2. The matter of their adorations. (1.)
They thankfully recognize the right of our God and Saviour to rule and
reign over all the world: The kingdoms of this world have become the
kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, v. 15. They were always so in
title, both by creation and purchase. (2.) They thankfully observe his
actual possession of them, and reign over them; they give him thanks
because he had taken to him his great power, asserted his rights,
exerted his power, and so turned title into possession. (3.) They
rejoice that this his reign shall never end: He shall reign for ever
and ever, till all enemies be put under his feet; none shall ever wrest
the sceptre out of his hand.
II. Here were angry resentments in the world at these just appearances
and actings of the power of God (v. 18): The nations were angry; not
only had been so, but were so still: their hearts rose up against God;
they met his wrath with their own anger. It was a time when God was
taking a just revenge upon the enemies of his people, recompensing
tribulation to those who had troubled them. It was a time in which he
was beginning to reward his people's faithful services and sufferings;
and their enemies could not bear it, they fretted against God, and so
increased their guilt and hastened their destruction.
III. Another consequence was the opening of the temple of God in
heaven. By this may be meant that here is now a more free communication
between heaven and earth, prayer and praises more freely and frequently
ascending and graces and blessings plentifully descending. But it
rather seems to intend the church of God on earth, a heavenly temple.
It is an allusion to the various circumstances of things in the time of
the first temple. Under idolatrous and wicked princes, it was shut up
and neglected; but, under religious and reforming princes, it was
opened and frequented. So, during the power of antichrist, the temple
of God seemed to be shut up, and was so in a great degree; but now it
was opened again. At this opening of it observe, 1. What was seen
there: the ark of God's testament. This was in the holy of holies; in
this ark the tables of the law were kept. As before Josiah's time the
law of God had been lost, but was then found, so in the reign of
antichrist God's law was laid aside, and made void by their traditions
and decrees; the scriptures were locked up from the people, and they
must not look into these divine oracles; now they are opened, now they
are brought to the view of all. This was an unspeakable and invaluable
privilege; and this, like the ark of the testament, was a token of the
presence of God returned to his people, and his favour towards them in
Jesus Christ the propitiation. 2. What was heard and felt there:
Lightnings, voices, thunderings, an earthquake, and great hail. The
great blessing of the reformation was attended with very awful
providences; and by terrible things in righteousness God would answer
those prayers that were presented in his holy temple, now opened. All
the great revolutions of the world are concerted in heaven, and are the
answers of the prayers of the saints.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XII.
It is generally agreed by the most learned expositors that the
narrative we have in this and the two following chapters, from the
sounding of the seventh trumpet to the opening of the vials, is not a
prediction of things to come, but rather a recapitulation and
representation of things past, which, as God would have the apostle to
foresee while future, he would have him to review now that they were
past, that he might have a more perfect idea of them in his mind, and
might observe the agreement between the prophecy and that Providence
that is always fulfilling the scriptures. In this chapter we have an
account of the contest between the church and antichrist, the seed of
the woman and the seed of the serpent. I. As it was begun in heaven,
ver. 1-11. II. As it was carried on in the wilderness, ver. 12, &c.
The Woman and the Dragon. (a. d. 95.)
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the
sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve
stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and
pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in
heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten
horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third
part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the
dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to
devour her child as soon as it was born. 5 And she brought forth a
man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her
child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. 6 And the woman fled
into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they
should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 7
And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the
dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not;
neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great
dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan,
which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and
his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying
in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our
God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is
cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And
they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their
testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Here we see that early prophecy eminently fulfilled in which God said
he would put enmity between the seed of the woman and the seed of the
serpent, Gen. iii. 15. You will observe,
I. The attempts of Satan and his agents to prevent the increase of the
church, by devouring her offspring as soon as it was born; of this we
have a very lively description in the most proper images.
1. We see how the church is represented in this vision. (1.) As a
woman, the weaker part of the world, but the spouse of Christ, and the
mother of the saints. (2.) As clothed with the sun, the imputed
righteousness of the Lord Jesus Christ. Having put on Christ, who is
the Sun of righteousness, she, by her relation to Christ, is invested
with honourable rights and privileges, and shines in his rays. (3.) As
having the moon under her feet (that is, the world); she stands upon
it, but lives above it; her heart and hope are not set upon sublunary
things, but on the things that are in heaven, where her head is. (4.)
As having on her head a crown of twelve stars, that is, the doctrine of
the gospel preached by the twelve apostles, which is a crown of glory
to all true believers. (5.) As in travail, crying out, and pained to be
delivered. She was pregnant, and now in pain to bring forth a holy
progeny to Christ, desirous that what was begun in the conviction of
sinners might end in their conversion, that when the children were
brought to the birth there might be strength to bring forth, and that
she might see of the travail of her soul.
2. How the grand enemy of the church is represented. (1.) As a great
red dragon--a dragon for strength and terror--a red dragon for
fierceness and cruelty. (2.) As having seven heads, that is, placed on
seven hills, as Rome was; and therefore it is probable that pagan Rome
is here meant. (3.) As having ten horns, divided into ten provinces, as
the Roman empire was by Augustus Cæsar. (4.) As having seven crowns
upon his head, which is afterwards expounded to be seven kings, ch.
xvii. 10. (5.) As drawing with his tail a third part of the stars in
heaven, and casting them down to the earth, turning the ministers and
professors of the Christian religion out of their places and privileges
and making them as weak and useless as he could. (6.) As standing
before the woman, to devour her child as soon as it should be born,
very vigilant to crush the Christian religion in its birth and entirely
to prevent the growth and continuance of it in the world.
II. The unsuccessfulness of these attempts against the church; for, 1.
She was safely delivered of a man-child (v. 5), by which some
understand Christ, others Constantine, but others, with greater
propriety, a race of true believers, strong and united, resembling
Christ, and designed, under him, to rule the nations with a rod of
iron; that is, to judge the world by their doctrine and lives now, and
as assessors with Christ at the great day. 2. Care was taken of this
child: it was caught up to God, and to his throne; that is, taken into
his special, powerful, and immediate protection. The Christian religion
has been from its infancy the special care of the great God and our
Saviour Jesus Christ. 3. Care was taken of the mother as well as of the
child, v. 6. She fled into the wilderness, a place prepared both for
her safety and her sustenance. The church was in an obscure state,
dispersed; and this proved her security, through the care of divine
Providence. This her obscure and private state was for a limited time,
not to continue always.
III. The attempts of the dragon not only proved unsuccessful against
the church, but fatal to his own interests; for, upon his endeavour to
devour the man-child, he engaged all the powers of heaven against him
(v. 7): There was war in heaven. Heaven will espouse the quarrel of the
church. Here observe,
1. The seat of this war--in heaven, in the church, which is the kingdom
of heaven on earth, under the care of heaven and in the same interest.
2. The parties--Michael and his angels on one side, and the dragon and
his angels on the other: Christ, the great Angel of the covenant, and
his faithful followers; and Satan and all his instruments. This latter
party would be much superior in number and outward strength to the
other; but the strength of the church lies in having the Lord Jesus for
the captain of their salvation.
3. The success of the battle: The dragon and his angels fought and
prevailed not; there was a great struggle on both sides, but the
victory fell to Christ and his church, and the dragon and his angels
were not only conquered, but cast out; the pagan idolatry, which was a
worshipping of devils, was extirpated out of the empire in the time of
Constantine.
4. The triumphant song that was composed and used on this occasion, v.
10, 11. Here observe, (1.) How the conqueror is adored: Now have come
salvation, strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his
Christ. Now God has shown himself to be a mighty God; now Christ has
shown himself to be a strong and mighty Saviour; his own arm has
brought salvation, and now his kingdom will be greatly enlarged and
established. The salvation and strength of the church are all to be
ascribed to the king and head of the church. (2.) How the conquered
enemy is described. [1.] By his malice; he was the accuser of the
brethren, and accused them before their God night and day; he appeared
before God as an adversary to the church, continually bringing in
indictments and accusations against them, whether true or false; thus
he accused Job, and thus he accused Joshua the high priest, Zech. iii.
1. Though he hates the presence of God, yet he is willing to appear
there to accuse the people of God. Let us therefore take heed that we
give him no cause of accusation against us; and that, when we have
sinned, we presently go in before the Lord, and accuse and condemn
ourselves, and commit our cause to Christ as our Advocate. [2.] By his
disappointment and defeat: he and all his accusations are cast out, the
indictments quashed, and the accuser turned out of the court with just
indignation. (3.) How the victory was gained. The servants of God
overcame Satan, [1.] By the blood of the Lamb, as the meritorious
cause. Christ by dying destroyed him that hath the power of death, that
is, the devil. [2.] By the word of their testimony, as the great
instrument of war, the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God,--by a resolute powerful preaching of the everlasting gospel, which
is mighty, through God, to pull down strongholds,--and by their courage
and patience in sufferings; they loved not their lives unto the death,
when the love of life stood in competition with their loyalty to
Christ; they loved not their lives so well but they could give them up
to death, could lay them down in Christ's cause; their love to their
own lives was overcome by stronger affections of another nature; and
this their courage and zeal helped to confound their enemies, to
convince many of the spectators, to confirm the souls of the faithful,
and so contributed greatly to this victory.
The Woman and the Dragon. (a. d. 95.)
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the
inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto
you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short
time. 13 And when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth, he
persecuted the woman which brought forth the man child. 14 And to the
woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into
the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and
times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. 15 And the
serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he
might cause her to be carried away of the flood. 16 And the earth
helped the woman, and the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed up the
flood which the dragon cast out of his mouth. 17 And the dragon was
wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her
seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of
Jesus Christ.
We have here an account of this war, so happily finished in heaven, or
in the church, as it was again renewed and carried on in the
wilderness, the place to which the church had fled, and where she had
been for some time secured by the special care of her God and Saviour.
Observe,
I. The warning given of the distress and calamity that should fall upon
the inhabitants of the world in general, through the wrath and rage of
the devil. For, though his malice is chiefly bent against the servants
of God, yet he is an enemy and hater of mankind as such; and, being
defeated in his designs against the church, he is resolved to give all
the disturbance he can to the world in general: Woe to the inhabitants
of the earth, and the sea, v. 12. The rage of Satan grows so much the
greater as he is limited both in place and time; when he was confined
to the wilderness, and had but a short time to reign there, he comes
with the greater wrath.
II. His second attempt upon the church now in the wilderness: He
persecuted the woman who brought forth the man-child, v. 13. Observe,
1. The care that God had taken of his church. He had conveyed her as on
eagles' wings, into a place of safety provided for her, where she was
to continue for a certain space of time, couched in prophetic
characters, taken from Dan. vii. 25. 2. The continual malice of the
dragon against the church. Her obscurity could not altogether protect
her; the old subtle serpent, which at first lurked in paradise, now
follows the church into the wilderness, and casts out a flood of water
after her, to carry her away. This is thought to be meant of a flood of
error and heresy, which was breathed by Arius, Nestorius, Pelagius, and
many more, by which the church of God was in danger of being
overwhelmed and carried away. The church of God is in more danger from
heretics than from persecutors; and heresies are as certainly from the
devil as open force and violence. 3. The seasonable help provided for
the church in this dangerous juncture: The earth helped the woman, and
opened her mouth, and swallowed up the flood, v. 16. Some think we are
to understand the swarms of Goths and Vandals that invaded the Roman
empire, and found work for the Arian rulers, who otherwise would have
been as furious persecutors as the pagan had been, and had exercised
great cruelties already; but God opened a breach of war, and the flood
was in a manner swallowed up thereby, and the church enjoyed some
respite. God often sends the sword to avenge the quarrel of his
covenant; and, when men choose new gods, then there is danger of war in
the gates; intestine broils and contentions often end in the invasions
of a common enemy. 4. The devil, being thus defeated in his designs
upon the universal church, now turns his rage against particular
persons and places; his malice against the woman pushes him on to make
war with the remnant of her seed. Some think hereby are meant the
Albigenses, who were first by Dioclesian driven up into barren and
mountainous places, and afterwards cruelly murdered by popish rage and
power, for several generations; and for no other reason than because
they kept the commandments of God and held the testimony of Jesus
Christ. Their fidelity to God and Christ, in doctrine, worship, and
practice, was that which exposed them to the rage of Satan and his
instruments; and such fidelity will expose men still, less or more, to
the end of the world, when the last enemy shall be destroyed.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XIII.
We have, in this chapter, a further discovery and description of the
church's enemies: not other enemies than are mentioned before, but
described after another manner, that the methods of their enmity may
more fully appear. They are represented as two beasts; the first you
have an account of (ver. 1-10) the second, ver. 11, &c. By the first
some understand Rome pagan, and by the second Rome papal; but others
understand Rome papal to be represented by both these beasts, by the
first in its secular power, by the second in its ecclesiastical.
The First Beast. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of
the sea, having seven heads and ten horns, and upon his horns ten
crowns, and upon his heads the name of blasphemy. 2 And the beast
which I saw was like unto a leopard, and his feet were as the feet of a
bear, and his mouth as the mouth of a lion: and the dragon gave him his
power, and his seat, and great authority. 3 And I saw one of his
heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and
all the world wondered after the beast. 4 And they worshipped the
dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast,
saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?
5 And there was given unto him a mouth speaking great things and
blasphemies; and power was given unto him to continue forty and two
months. 6 And he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to
blaspheme his name, and his tabernacle, and them that dwell in heaven.
7 And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to
overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues,
and nations. 8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him,
whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from
the foundation of the world. 9 If any man have an ear, let him hear.
10 He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that
killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the
patience and the faith of the saints.
We have here an account of the rise, figure, and progress of the first
beast; and observe, 1. From what situation the apostle saw this
monster. He seemed to himself to stand upon the sea-shore, though it is
probable he was still in a rapture; but he took himself to be in the
island Patmos, but whether in the body or out of the body he could not
tell. 2. Whence this beast came--out of the sea; and yet, by the
description of it, it would seem more likely to be a land-monster; but
the more monstrous every thing about it was the more proper an emblem
it would be to set forth the mystery of iniquity and tyranny. 3. What
was the form and shape of this beast. It was for the most part like a
leopard, but its feet were like the feet of a bear and its mouth as the
mouth of a lion; it had seven heads, and ten horns, and upon its heads
the name of blasphemy: the most horrid and hideous monster! In some
part of this description here seems to be an allusion to Daniel's
vision of the four beasts, which represented the four monarchies, Dan.
vii. 1-3, &c. One of these beasts was like a lion, another like a bear,
and another like a leopard; this beast was a sort of composition of
those three, with the fierceness, strength, and swiftness, of them all;
the seven heads and the ten horns seem to design its several powers;
the ten crowns, its tributary princes; the word blasphemy on its
forehead proclaims its direct enmity and opposition to the glory of
God, by promoting idolatry. 4. The source and spring of his
authority--the dragon; he gave him his power, and seat, and great
authority. He was set up by the devil, and supported by him to do his
work and promote his interest; and the devil lent him all the
assistance he could. 5. A dangerous wound given him, and yet
unexpectedly healed, v. 3. Some think that by this wounded head we are
to understand the abolishing of pagan idolatry; and by the healing of
the wound the introducing of the popish idolatry, the same in substance
with the former, only in a new dress, and which as effectually answers
the devil's design as that did. 6. The honour and worship paid to this
infernal monster: All the world wondered after the beast; they all
admired his power, and policy, and success, and they worshipped the
dragon that gave power to the beast, and they worshipped the beast;
they paid honour and subjection to the devil and his instruments, and
thought there was no power able to withstand them: so great were the
darkness, degeneracy, and madness of the world! 7. How he exercised his
infernal power and policy: He had a mouth, speaking great things, and
blasphemies; he blasphemed God, the name of God, the tabernacle of God,
and all those that dwell in heaven; and he made war with the saints,
and overcame them, and gained a sort of universal empire in the world.
His malice was principally levelled at the God of heaven, and his
heavenly attendants--at God, in making images of him that is invisible,
and in worshipping them;--at the tabernacle of God, that is, say some,
at the human nature of the Lord Jesus Christ, in which God dwells as in
a tabernacle; this is dishonoured by their doctrine of
transubstantiation, which will not suffer his body to be a true body,
and will put it into the power of every priest to prepare a body for
Christ;--and against those that dwell in heaven, the glorified saints,
by putting them into the place of the pagan demons, and praying to
them, which they are so far from being pleased with that they truly
judge themselves wronged and dishonoured by it. Thus the malice of the
devil shows itself against heaven and the blessed inhabitants of
heaven. These are above the reach of his power. All he can do is to
blaspheme them; but the saints on earth are more exposed to his
cruelty, and he sometimes is permitted to triumph over them and trample
upon them. 8. The limitation of the devil's power and success, and that
both as to time and persons. He is limited in point of time; his reign
is to continue forty-and-two months (v. 5), suitable to the other
prophetical characters of the reign of antichrist. He is also limited
as to the persons and people that he shall entirely subject his will
and power; it will be only those whose names are not written in the
Lamb's book of life. Christ had a chosen remnant, redeemed by his
blood, recorded in his book, sealed by his Spirit; and though the devil
and antichrist might overcome their bodily strength, and take away
their natural life, they could never conquer their souls, nor prevail
with them to forsake their Saviour and revolt to his enemies. 9. Here
is a demand of attention to what is here discovered of the great
sufferings and troubles of the church, and an assurance given that when
God has accomplished his work on mount Zion, his refining work, then he
will turn his hand against the enemies of his people, and those who
have killed with the sword shall themselves fall by the sword (v. 10),
and those who led the people of God into captivity shall themselves be
made captives. Here now is that which will be proper exercise for the
patience and faith of the saints--patience under the prospect of such
great sufferings, and faith in the prospect of so glorious a
deliverance.
The Second Beast. (a. d. 95.)
11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had
two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth
all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and
them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound
was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire
come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And
deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles
which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that
dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which
had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give
life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should
both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of
the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and
great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right
hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might buy or sell,
save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of
his name. 18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count
the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number
is Six hundred threescore and six.
Those who think the first beast signifies Rome pagan by this second
beast would understand Rome papal, which promotes idolatry and tyranny,
but in a more soft and lamb-like manner: those that understand the
first beast of the secular power of the papacy take the second to
intend its spiritual and ecclesiastical powers, which act under the
disguise of religion and charity to the souls of men. Here observe,
I. The form and shape of this second beast: He had two horns like a
lamb, but a mouth that spoke like the dragon. All agree that this must
be some great impostor, who, under a pretence of religion, shall
deceive the souls of men. The papists would have it to be Apollonius
Tyranæus; but Dr. More has rejected that opinion, and fixes it upon the
ecclesiastical powers of the papacy. The pope shows the horns of a
lamb, pretends to be the vicar of Christ upon earth, and so to be
vested with his power and authority; but his speech betrays him, for he
gives forth those false doctrines and cruel decrees which show him to
belong to the dragon, and not to the Lamb.
II. The power which he exercises: All the power of the former beast (v.
12); he promotes the same interest, pursues the same design in
substance, which is, to draw men off from worshipping the true God to
worshipping those who by nature are no gods, and subject the souls and
consciences of men to the will and authority of men, in opposition to
the will of God. This design is promoted by the popery as well as by
paganism, and by the crafty arts of popery as well as by the secular
arm, both serving the interests of the devil, though in a different
manner.
III. The methods by which this second beast carried on his interests
and designs; they are of three sorts:--1. Lying wonders, pretended
miracles, by which they should be deceived, and prevailed with to
worship the former beast in this new image or shape that was now made
for him; they would pretend to bring down fire from heaven, as Elias
did, and God sometimes permits his enemies, as he did the magicians of
Egypt, to do things that seem very wonderful, and by which unwary
persons may be deluded. It is well known that the papal kingdom has
been long supported by pretended miracles. 2. Excommunications,
anathemas, severe censures, by which they pretend to cut men off from
Christ, and cast them into the power of the devil, but do indeed
deliver them over to the secular power, that they may be put to death;
and thus, notwithstanding their vile hypocrisy, they are justly charged
with killing those whom they cannot corrupt. 3. By disfranchisement,
allowing none to enjoy natural, civil, or municipal rights, who will
not worship that papal beast, that is, the image of the pagan beast. It
is made a qualification for buying and selling the rights of nature, as
well as for places of profit and trust, that they have the mark of the
beast in their forehead and in their right hand, and that they have the
name of the beast and the number of his name. It is probable that the
mark, the name, and the number of the beast, may all signify the same
thing--that they make an open profession of their subjection and
obedience to the papacy, which is receiving the mark in their forehead,
and that they oblige themselves to use all their interest, power, and
endeavour, to promote the papal authority, which is receiving the mark
in their right hands. We are told that pope Martin V. in his bull,
added to the council of Constance, prohibits Roman catholics from
suffering any heretics to dwell in their countries, or to make any
bargains, use any trades, or bear any civil offices, which is a very
clear interpretation of this prophecy.
IV. We have here the number of the beast, given in such a manner as
shows the infinite wisdom of God, and will sufficiently exercise all
the wisdom and accuracy of men: The number is the number of a man,
computed after the usual manner among men, and it is 666. Whether this
be the number of the errors and heresies that are contained in popery,
or rather, as others, the number of the years from its rise to its
fall, is not certain, much less what that period is which is described
by these prophetic numbers. The most admired dissertation on this
intricate subject is that of Dr. Potter, where the curious may find
sufficient entertainment. It seems to me to be one of those seasons
which God has reserved in his own power; only this we know, God has
written Mene Tekel upon all his enemies; he has numbered their days,
and they shall be finished, but his own kingdom shall endure for ever.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XIV.
After an account of the great trials and sufferings which the servants
of God had endured, we have now a more pleasant scene opening; the day
begins now to dawn, and here we have represented, I. The Lord Jesus at
the head of his faithful followers, ver. 1-5. II. Three angels sent
successively to proclaim the fall of Babylon and the things antecedent
and consequent to so great an event, ver. 6-13. III. The vision of the
harvest, ver. 14, &c.
The Lamb and His Attendants. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I looked, and, lo, a Lamb stood on the mount Sion, and with him a
hundred forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in
their foreheads. 2 And I heard a voice from heaven, as the voice of
many waters, and as the voice of a great thunder: and I heard the voice
of harpers harping with their harps: 3 And they sung as it were a new
song before the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and
no man could learn that song but the hundred and forty and four
thousand, which were redeemed from the earth. 4 These are they which
were not defiled with women; for they are virgins. These are they which
follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from among
men, being the firstfruits unto God and to the Lamb. 5 And in their
mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne
of God.
Here we have one of the most pleasing sights that can be viewed in this
world--the Lord Jesus Christ at the head of his faithful adherents and
attendants. Here observe, 1. How Christ appears: as a Lamb standing
upon mount Zion. Mount Zion is the gospel church. Christ is with his
church and in the midst of her in all her troubles, and therefore she
is not consumed. It is his presence that secures her perseverance; he
appears as a Lamb, a true Lamb, the Lamb of God. A counterfeit lamb is
mentioned as rising out of the earth in the last chapter, which was
really a dragon; here Christ appears as the true paschal Lamb, to show
that his mediatorial government is the fruit of his sufferings, and the
cause of his people's safety and fidelity. 2. How his people appear:
very honourably. (1.) As to the numbers, they are many, even all who
are sealed; not one of them lost in all the tribulations through which
they have gone. (2.) Their distinguishing badge: they had the name of
God written in their foreheads; they made a bold and open profession of
their faith in God and Christ, and, this being followed by suitable
actings, they are known and approved. (3.) Their congratulations and
songs of praise, which were peculiar to the redeemed (v. 3); their
praises were loud as thunder, or as the voice of many waters; they were
melodious, as of harpers; they were heavenly, before the throne of God.
The song was new, suited to the new covenant, and unto that new and
gracious dispensation of Providence under which they now were; and
their song was a secret to others, strangers intermeddled not with
their joy; others might repeat the words of the song, but they were
strangers to the true sense and spirit of it. (4.) Their character and
description. [1.] They are described by their chastity and purity: They
are virgins. They had not defiled themselves either with corporal or
spiritual adultery; they had kept themselves clean from the
abominations of the antichristian generation. [2.] By their loyalty and
stedfast adherence to Christ: They follow the Lamb withersoever he
goes; they follow the conduct of his word, Spirit, and providence,
leaving it to him to lead them into what duties and difficulties he
pleases. [3.] By their former designation to this honour: These were
redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits to God, and to the
Lamb, v. 4. Here is plain evidence of a special redemption: They were
redeemed from among men. Some of the children of men are, by redeeming
mercy, distinguished from others: They were the first-fruits to God,
and to the Lamb, his choice ones, eminent in every grace, and the
earnest of many more who should be followers of them, as they were of
Christ. [4.] By their universal integrity and conscientiousness: There
was no guile found in them, and they were without fault before the
throne of God. They were without any prevailing guile, any allowed
fault; their hearts were right with God, and, as for their human
infirmities, they were freely pardoned in Christ. This is the happy
remnant who attend upon the Lord Jesus as their head and Lord; he is
glorified in them, and they are glorified in him.
The Three Angels. (a. d. 95.)
6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a
loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his
judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the
sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel,
saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made
all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 9 And
the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man
worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead,
or in his hand, 10 The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of
God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his
indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the
presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: 11 And
the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they
have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and
whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. 12 Here is the patience of
the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the
faith of Jesus.
In this part of the chapter we have three angels or messengers sent
from heaven to give notice of the fall of Babylon, and of those things
that were antecedent and consequent to that great event.
I. The first angel was sent on an errand antecedent to it, and that was
to preach the everlasting gospel, v. 6, 7. Observe, 1. The gospel is an
everlasting gospel; it is so in its nature, and it will be so in its
consequences. Though all flesh be grass, the word of the Lord endureth
for ever. 2. It is a work fit for an angel to preach this everlasting
gospel; such is the dignity, and such is the difficulty of that work!
And yet we have this treasure in earthen vessels. 3. The everlasting
gospel is of great concern to all the world; and, as it is the concern
of all, it is very much to be desired that it should be made known to
all, even to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. 4. The
gospel is the great means whereby men are brought to fear God, and to
give glory to him. Natural religion is not sufficient to keep up the
fear of God, nor to secure to him glory from men; it is the gospel that
revives the fear of God, and retrieves his glory in the world. 5. When
idolatry creeps into the churches of God, it is by the preaching of the
gospel, attended by the power of the Holy Spirit, that men are turned
from idols to serve the living God, as the Creator of the heaven, and
the earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters, v. 7. To worship
any God besides him who created the world is idolatry.
II. The second angel follows the other, and proclaims the actual fall
of Babylon. The preaching of the everlasting gospel had shaken the
foundations of antichristianism in the world, and hastened its
downfall. By Babylon is generally understood Rome, which was before
called Sodom and Egypt, for wickedness and cruelty, and is now first
called Babylon, for pride and idolatry. Observe, 1. What God has
fore-ordained and foretold shall be done as certainly as if it were
done already. 2. The greatness of the papal Babylon will not be able to
prevent her fall, but will make it more dreadful and remarkable. 3. The
wickedness of Babylon, in corrupting, debauching, and intoxicating the
nations round about her, will make her fall just and will declare the
righteousness of God in her utter ruin, v. 8. Her crimes are recited as
the just cause of her destruction.
III. A third angel follows the other two, and gives warning to all of
that divine vengeance which would overtake all those that obstinately
adhered to the antichristian interest after God had thus proclaimed its
downfall, v. 9, 10. If after this (this threatening denounced against
Babylon, and in part already executed) any should persist in their
idolatry, professing subjection to the beast and promoting his cause,
they must expect to drink deep of the wind of the wrath of God; they
shall be forever miserable in soul and body; Jesus Christ will inflict
this punishment upon them, and the holy angels will behold it and
approve of it. Idolatry, both pagan and papal, is a damning sin in its
own nature, and will prove fatal to those who persist in it, after fair
warning given by the word of Providence; those who refuse to come out
of Babylon, when thus called, and resolve to partake of her sins, must
receive of her plagues; and the guilt and ruin of such incorrigible
idolaters will serve to set forth the excellency of the patience and
obedience of the saints. These graces shall be rewarded with salvation
and glory. When the treachery and rebellion of others shall be punished
with everlasting destruction, then it will be said, to the honour of
the faithful (v. 12): Here is the patience of the saints; you have
before seen their patience exercised, now you see it rewarded.
The Harvest and the Vintage. (a. d. 95.)
13 And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are
the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit,
that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.
14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat
like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his
hand a sharp sickle. 15 And another angel came out of the temple,
crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy
sickle, and reap: for the time is come for thee to reap; for the
harvest of the earth is ripe. 16 And he that sat on the cloud thrust
in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped. 17 And another
angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp
sickle. 18 And another angel came out from the altar, which had power
over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle,
saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine
of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe. 19 And the angel thrust
in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and
cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. 20 And the
winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the
winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and
six hundred furlongs.
Here we have the vision of the harvest and vintage, introduced with a
solemn preface. Observe,
I. The preface, v. 13. Here note, 1. Whence this prophecy about the
harvest came: it came down from heaven, and not from men, and therefore
it is of certain truth and great authority. 2. How it was to be
preserved and published--by writing; it was to be a matter of record,
that the people of God might have recourse to it for their support and
comfort upon all occasions. 3. What it principally intended, and that
is, to show the blessedness of all the faithful saints and servants of
God, both in death and after death: Blessed are the dead that die in
the Lord from henceforth, &c. Here observe, (1.) The description of
those that are and shall be blessed--such as die in the Lord, either
die in the cause of Christ, or rather die in a state of vital union
with Christ, such as are found in Christ when death comes. (2.) The
demonstration of this blessedness: They rest from their labours, and
their works do follow them. [1.] They are blessed in their rest; they
rest from all sin, temptation, sorrow, and persecution. There the
wicked cease from troubling, there the weary are at rest. [2.] They are
blessed in their recompence: Their works follow them; they do not go
before them as their title, or price of purchase, but follow them as
their evidence of having lived and died in the Lord; and the memory of
them will be pleasant, and the reward glorious, far above the merit of
all their services and sufferings. [3.] They are happy in the time of
their dying, when they have lived to see the cause of God reviving, the
peace of the church returning, and the wrath of God falling upon their
idolatrous cruel enemies. Such times are good times to die in; they
have Simeon's desire: Now, Lord, let thou thy servant depart in peace,
for mine eyes have seen thy salvation. And all this is ratified and
confirmed by the testimony of the Spirit witnessing with their spirits
and with the written word.
II. We have the vision itself, represented by a harvest and a vintage.
1. By a harvest (v. 14, 15), an emblem that sometimes signifies the
cutting down of the wicked, when ripe for ruin, by the judgments of
God, and sometimes the gathering in of the righteous, when ripe for
heaven, by the mercy of God. This seems rather to represent God's
judgments against the wicked: and here observe,
(1.) The Lord of the harvest--one so like unto the Son of man that he
was the same, even the Lord Jesus, who is described, [1.] By the
chariot in which he sat--a white cloud, a cloud that had a bright side
turned to the church, how dark soever it might be to the wicked. [2.]
By the ensign of his power: On his head was a golden crown, authority
to do all that he did and whatsoever he would do. [3.] By the
instrument of his providences: In his hand a sharp sickle. [4.] By the
solicitations he had from the temple to perform this great work. What
he did, he was desired to do by his people; and, though he was resolved
to do it, he would for this thing be sought unto by them, and so it
should be in return to their prayers.
(2.) The harvest-work, which is, to thrust the sickle into the corn,
and reap the field. The sickle is the sword of God's justice; the field
is the world; reaping is cutting the inhabitants of the earth down and
carrying them off.
(3.) The harvest-time; and this is when the corn is ripe, when the
measure of the sin of men is filled up, and they are ripe for
destruction. The most inveterate enemies of Christ and his church are
not destroyed till by their sin they are ripe for ruin, and then he
will spare them no longer; he will thrust in his sickle, and the earth
shall be reaped.
2. By a vintage, v. 17. Some think that these two are only different
emblems of the same judgment; others that they refer to distinct events
of providence before the end of all things. Observe, (1.) To whom this
vintage-work was committed--to an angel, another angel that came out
from the altar, that is, from the holiest of all in heaven. (2.) At
whose request this vintage-work was undertaken: it was, as before, at
the cry of an angel out of the temple, the ministers and churches of
God on earth. (3.) The work of the vintage, which consists of two
parts:--[1.] The cutting off, and gathering, the clusters of the vine,
which were now ripe and ready, fully ripe, v. 18. [2.] Casting these
grapes into the wine-press (v. 19); here we are told, First, What was
the wine-press: it was the wrath of God, the fire of his indignation,
some terrible calamity, very probably the sword, shedding the blood of
the wicked. Secondly, Where was the place of the wine-press--without
the city, where the army lay that came against Babylon. Thirdly, The
quantity of the wine, that is, of the blood that was drawn forth by
this judgment: it was, for depth, up to the horses' bridles, and, for
breadth and length, a thousand and six hundred furlongs (v. 20); that
is, say some, 200 Italian miles, which is thought to be the measure of
the holy land, and may be meant of the patrimony of the holy see,
encompassing the city of Rome. But here we are left of doubtful
conjectures. Perhaps this great event has not yet had its
accomplishment, but the vision is for an appointed time; and therefore,
though it may seem to tarry, we are to wait for it. But who shall live
when the Lord does this?
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XV.
Hitherto, according to the judgment of very eminent expositors, God had
represented to his servant, John, I. The state of the church under the
pagan powers, in the six seals opened; and then, II. The state of the
church under the papal powers, in the vision of the six trumpets that
began to sound upon the opening of the seventh seal: and then is
inserted. III. A more general and brief account of the past, present,
and future state of the church, in the little book, &c. He now
proceeds, IV. To show him how antichrist should be destroyed, by what
steps that destruction should be accomplished, in the vision of the
seven vials. This chapter contains an awful introduction or preparation
for the pouring out of the vials, in which we have, 1. A sight of those
angels in heaven who were to have the execution of this great work, and
with what acclamations of joy the heavenly hosts applauded the great
design, ver. 1-4. 2. A sight of these angels coming out of heaven to
receive those vials which they were to pour out, and the great
commotions this caused in the world, ver. 5, &c.
The Seven Vials. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvellous, seven angels
having the seven last plagues; for in them is filled up the wrath of
God. 2 And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and
them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image,
and over his mark, and over the number of his name, stand on the sea of
glass, having the harps of God. 3 And they sing the song of Moses the
servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous
are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King
of saints. 4 Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name?
for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before
thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.
Here we have the preparation of matters for the pouring out of the
seven vials, which was committed to seven angels; and observe how these
angels appeared to the apostle--in heaven; it was in a wonderful
manner, and that upon account, 1. Of the work they had to do, which was
to finish the destruction of antichrist. God was now about to pour out
his seven last plagues upon that interest; and, as the measure of
Babylon's sins was filled up, they should now find the full measure of
his vindictive wrath. 2. The spectators and witnesses of this their
commission: all that had gotten the victory over the beast, &c. These
stood on a sea of glass, representing this world, as some think, a
brittle thing, that shall be broken to pieces; or, as others, the
gospel covenant, alluding to the brazen sea in the temple, in which the
priests were to wash (the faithful servants of God stand upon the
foundation of the righteousness of Christ); or, as others, the Red Sea,
that stood as it were congealed while the Israelites went through; and,
the pillar of fire reflecting light upon the waters, they would seem to
have fire mingled with them; and this to show that the fire of God's
wrath against Pharaoh and his horses should dissolve the congealed
waters, and destroy them thereby, to which there seems to be an
allusion by their singing the song of Moses, in which, (1.) They extol
the greatness of God's works, and the justice and truth of his ways,
both in delivering his people and destroying their enemies. They
rejoiced in hope, and the near prospect they had of this, though it was
not yet accomplished. (2.) They call upon all nations to render unto
God the fear, glory, and worship, due to such a discovery of his truth
and justice: Who shall not fear thee? v. 4.
The Seven Vials. (a. d. 95.)
5 And after that I looked, and, behold, the temple of the tabernacle of
the testimony in heaven was opened: 6 And the seven angels came out
of the temple, having the seven plagues, clothed in pure and white
linen, and having their breasts girded with golden girdles. 7 And one
of the four beasts gave unto the seven angels seven golden vials full
of the wrath of God, who liveth for ever and ever. 8 And the temple
was filled with smoke from the glory of God, and from his power; and no
man was able to enter into the temple, till the seven plagues of the
seven angels were fulfilled.
Observe, I. How these angels appeared--coming out of heaven to execute
their commission: The temple of the tabernacle of the testimony in
heaven was opened, v. 5. Here is an allusion to the holiest of all the
tabernacle and temple, where was the mercy-seat, covering the ark of
the testimony, where the high priest made intercession, and God
communed with his people, and heard their prayers. Now by this, as it
is here mentioned, we may understand, 1. That, in the judgments God was
now about to execute upon the antichristian interest, he was fulfilling
the prophecies and promises of his word and covenant, which were there
always before him, and of which he was ever mindful. 2. That in this
work he was answering the prayers of the people, which were offered to
him by their great high priest. 3. That he was herein avenging the
quarrel of his own Son, and our Saviour Jesus Christ, whose offices and
authority had been usurped, his name dishonoured, and the great designs
of his death opposed, by antichrist and his adherents. 4. That he was
opening a wider door of liberty for his people to worship him in
numerous solemn assemblies, without the fear of their enemies.
II. How they were equipped and prepared for their work. Observe, 1.
Their array: They were clothed with pure and white linen, and had their
breasts girded with golden girdles, v. 6. This was the habit of the
high priests when they went in to enquire of God, and came out with an
answer from him. This showed that these angels were acting in all
things under the divine appointment and direction, and that they were
going to prepare a sacrifice to the Lord, called the supper of the
great God, ch. xix. 17. The angels are the ministers of divine justice,
and they do every thing in a pure and holy manner. 2. Their artillery,
what it was, and whence they received it; their artillery, by which
they were to do this great execution, was seven vials filled with the
wrath of God; they were armed with the wrath of God against his
enemies. The meanest creature, when it comes armed with the anger of
God, will be too hard for any man in the world; but much more an angel
of God. This wrath of God was not to be poured out all at once, but was
divided into seven parts, which should successively fall upon the
antichristian party. Now from whom did they receive these vials? From
one of the four living creatures, one of the ministers of the true
church, that is, in answer to the prayers of the ministers and people
of God, and to avenge their cause, in which the angels are willingly
employed.
III. The impressions these things made upon all who stood near the
temple: they were all, as it were, wrapt up in clouds of smoke, which
filled the temple, from the glorious and powerful presence of God; so
that no man was able to enter into the temple, till the work was
finished. The interests of antichrist were so interwoven with the civil
interests of the nations that he could not be destroyed without giving
a great shock to all the world; and the people of God would have but
little rest and leisure to assemble themselves before him, while this
great work was a doing. For the present, their sabbaths would be
interrupted, ordinances of public worship intermitted, and all thrown
into a general confusion. God himself was now preaching to the church
and to all the world, by terrible things in righteousness; but, when
this work was done, then the churches would have rest, the temple would
be opened, and the solemn assemblies gathered, edified, and multiplied.
The greatest deliverances of the church are brought about by awful and
astonishing steps of Providence.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XVI.
In this chapter we have an account of the pouring forth of these vials
that were filled with the wrath of God. They were poured out upon the
whole antichristian empire, and on every thing appertaining to it. I.
Upon the earth, ver. 2. II. Upon the sea, ver. 3. III. Upon the rivers
and fountains of water, ver. 4. Here the heavenly hosts proclaim and
applaud the righteousness of the judgments of God. IV. The fourth vial
was poured out on the sun, ver. 8. V. The fifth on the seat of the
beast. VI. The sixth on the river Euphrates. VII. The seventh in the
air, upon which the cities of the nations fell, and great Babylon came
in remembrance before God.
The Seven Vials. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven
angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the wrath of God upon
the earth. 2 And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the
earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men which
had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.
3 And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became
as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul died in the sea. 4
And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains
of waters; and they became blood. 5 And I heard the angel of the
waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt
be, because thou hast judged thus. 6 For they have shed the blood of
saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they
are worthy. 7 And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord
God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.
We had in the foregoing chapter the great and solemn preparation that
was made for the pouring out of the vials; now we have the performance
of that work. Here observe,
I. That, though every thing was made ready before, yet nothing was to
be put in execution without an immediate positive order from God; and
this he gave out of the temple, answering the prayers of his people,
and avenging their quarrel.
II. No sooner was the word of command given than it was immediately
obeyed; no delay, no objection made. We find that some of the best men,
as Moses and Jeremiah, did not so readily come in and comply with the
call of God to their work; but the angels of God excel not only in
strength, but in a readiness to do the will of God. God says, Go your
ways, and pour out the vials, and immediately the work is begun. We are
taught to pray that the will of God may be done on earth as it is done
in heaven. And now we enter upon a series of very terrible
dispensations of Providence, of which it is difficult to give the
certain meaning or to make the particular application. But in the
general it is worth our observation that,
1. We have here a reference and allusion to several of the plagues of
Egypt, such as the turning of their waters into blood, and smiting them
with boils and sores. Their sins were alike, and so were their
punishments.
2. These vials have a plain reference to the seven trumpets, which
represented the rise of antichrist; and we learn hence that the fall of
the church's enemies shall bear some resemblance to their rise, and
that God can bring them down in such ways as they chose to exalt
themselves. And the fall of antichrist shall be gradual; as Rome was
not built in one day, so neither shall it fall in one day, but it falls
by degrees; it shall fall so as to rise no more.
3. The fall of the antichristian interest shall be universal. Every
thing that any ways belonged to them, or could be serviceable to them,
the premises and all their appurtenances, are put into the writ for
destruction: their earth, their air, their sea, their rivers, their
cities, all consigned over to ruin, all accursed for the sake of the
wickedness of that people. Thus the creation groans and suffers through
the sins of men. Now we proceed to,
(1.) The first angel who poured out his vial, v. 2. Observe, [1.] Where
it fell--upon the earth; that is, say some, upon the common people;
others upon the body of the Romish clergy, who were the basis of the
papacy, and of an earthly spirit, all carrying on earthly designs. [2.]
What it produced--noisome and grievous sores on all who had the mark of
the beast. They had marked themselves by their sin; now God marks them
out by his judgments. This sore, some think, signifies some of the
first appearances of Providence against their state and interest which
gave them great uneasiness, as it discovered their inward distemper and
was a token of further evil; the plague--tokens appeared.
(2.) The second angel poured out his vial; and here we see, [1.] Where
it fell--upon the sea; that is, say some, upon the jurisdiction and
dominion of the papacy; others upon the whole system of their religion,
their false doctrines, their corrupt glosses, their superstitious
rites, their idolatrous worship, their pardons, indulgences, a great
conflux of wicked inventions and institutions, by which they maintain a
trade and traffic advantageous to themselves, but injurious to all who
deal with them. [2.] What it produced: It turned the sea into blood, as
the blood of a dead man, and every living soul died in the sea. God
discovered not only the vanity and falsehood of their religion, but the
pernicious and deadly nature of it--that the souls of men were poisoned
by that which was pretended to be the sure means of their salvation.
(3.) The next angel poured out his vial; and we are told, [1.] Where it
fell--upon the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters; that is, say
some very learned men, upon their emissaries, and especially the
Jesuits, who, like streams, conveyed the venom and poison of their
errors and idolatries from the spring-head through the earth. [2.] What
effect it had upon them: It turned them into blood; some think it
stirred up Christian princes to take a just revenge upon those that had
been the great incendiaries of the world, and had occasioned the
shedding of the blood of armies and of martyrs. The following doxology
(v. 5, 6) favours this sense. The instrument that God makes use of in
this work is here called the angel of the waters, who extols the
righteousness of God in this retaliation: They have shed the blood of
thy saints, and thou hast given them blood to drink, for they are
worthy, to which another angel answered by full consent, v. 7.
The Seven Vials. (a. d. 95.)
8 And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was
given unto him to scorch men with fire. 9 And men were scorched with
great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these
plagues: and they repented not to give him glory. 10 And the fifth
angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom
was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, 11 And
blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores,
and repented not of their deeds.
In these verses we see the work going on in the appointed order. The
fourth angel poured out his vial, and that fell upon the sun; that is,
say some, upon some eminent prince of the popish communion, who should
renounce their false religion a little while before his utter downfall;
and some expect it will be the German emperor. And now what will be the
consequence of this? That sun which before cherished them with warm and
benign influences shall now grow hot against these idolaters, and shall
scorch them. Princes shall use their power and authority to suppress
them, which yet will be so far from bringing them to repentance, that
it will cause them to curse God and their king, and look upward,
throwing out their blasphemous speeches against the God of heaven; they
will be hardened to their ruin. The fifth angel poured out his vial, v.
10. And observe, 1. Where this fell--upon the seat of the beast, upon
Rome itself, the mystical Babylon, the head of the antichristian
empire. 2. What effect it had there: The whole kingdom of the beast was
full of darkness and distress. That very city which was the seat of
their policy, the source of all their learning, and all their
knowledge, and all their pomp and pleasure, now becomes a source of
darkness, and pain, and anguish. Darkness was one of the plagues of
Egypt, and it is opposed to lustre and honour, and so forebodes the
contempt and scorn to which the antichristian interest should be
exposed. Darkness is opposed to wisdom and penetration, and forebodes
the confusion and folly which the idolaters should discover at that
time. It is opposed to pleasure and joy, and so signifies their anguish
and vexation of Spirit, when their calamities thus came upon them.
The Seven Vials. (a. d. 95.)
12 And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river
Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the way of the
kings of the east might be prepared. 13 And I saw three unclean
spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the
mouth of the beast, and out of the mouth of the false prophet. 14 For
they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto
the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the
battle of that great day of God Almighty. 15 Behold, I come as a
thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he
walk naked, and they see his shame. 16 And he gathered them together
into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.
The sixth angel poured out his vial; and observe,
I. Where it fell--upon the great river Euphrates. Some take it
literally, for the place where the Turkish power and empire began; and
they think this is a prophecy of the destruction of the Turkish
monarchy and of idolatry, which they suppose will be effected about the
same time with that of the papacy, as another antichrist, and that
thereby a way shall be made for the conveniency of the Jews, those
princes of the east. Others take it for the river Tiber; for, as Rome
is mystical Babylon, Tiber is mystical Euphrates. And when Rome shall
be destroyed her river and merchandise must suffer with her.
II. What did this vial produce? 1. The drying up of the river, which
furnished the city with wealth, provisions, and all sorts of
accommodations. 2. A way is hereby prepared for the kings of the east.
The idolatry of the church of Rome had been a great hindrance both to
the conversion of the Jews, who have been long cured of their
inclination to idols, and of the Gentiles, who are hardened in their
idolatry by seeing that which so much symbolizes with it among those
called Christians. It is therefore very probable that the downfall of
popery, removing these obstructions, will open a way for both the Jews
and other eastern nations to come into the church of Christ. And, if we
suppose that Mahomedism shall fall at the same time, there will be
still a more open communication between the western and eastern
nations, which may facilitate the conversion of the Jews, and of the
fulness of the Gentiles. And when this work of God appears, and is
about to be accomplished, no wonder if it occasion another consequence,
which is, 3. The last effort of the great dragon; he is resolved to
have another push for it, that, if possible, he may retrieve the
ruinous posture of his affairs in the world. He is now rallying his
forces, recollecting all his spirits, to make one desperate sally
before all be lost. This is occasioned by the pouring out of the sixth
vial. Here observe, (1.) The instruments he makes use of to engage the
powers of the earth in his cause and quarrel: Three unclean spirits
like frogs come forth, one out of the mouth of the dragon, another out
of the mouth of the beast, and a third out of the mouth of the false
prophet. Hell, the secular power of antichrist, and the ecclesiastical
power, would combine to send their several instruments, furnished with
hellish malice, with worldly policy, and with religious falsehood and
deceit; and these would muster up the devil's forces for a decisive
battle. (2.) The means these instruments would use to engage the powers
of earth in this war. They would work pretended miracles, the old
stratagem of him whose coming is after the working of Satan, with all
power, and signs, and lying wonders, and with all deceivableness of
unrighteousness, 2 Thess. ii. 9, 10. Some think that a little before
the fall of antichrist the popish pretence of power to work miracles
will be revived and will very much amuse and deceive the world. (3.)
The field of battle--a place called Armageddon; that is, say some, the
mount of Megiddo, near to which, by a stream issuing thence, Barak
overcame Sisera, and all the kings in alliance with him, Judges v. 19.
And in the valley of Megiddo Josiah was slain. This place had been
famous for two events of a very different nature, the former very happy
for the church of God, the latter very unhappy; but it shall now be the
field of the last battle in which the church shall be engaged, and she
shall be victorious. This battle required time to prepare for it, and
therefore the further account of it is suspended till we come to the
nineteenth chapter, v. 19, 20. (4.) The warning which God gives of this
great and decisive trial, to engage his people to prepare for it, v.
15. It would be sudden and unexpected, and therefore Christians should
be clothed, and armed, and ready for it, that they might not be
surprised and ashamed. When God's cause comes to be tried, and his
battles to be fought, all his people shall be ready to stand up for his
interest and be faithful and valiant in his service.
The Seven Vials. (a. d. 95.)
17 And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there
came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from the throne,
saying, It is done. 18 And there were voices, and thunders, and
lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men
were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, and so great. 19 And
the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the
nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give
unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath. 20 And
every island fled away, and the mountains were not found. 21 And
there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the
weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the
hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.
Here we have an account of the seventh and last angel pouring forth his
vial, contributing his part towards the accomplishment of the downfall
of Babylon, which was the finishing stroke. And here, as before,
observe,
I. Where this plague fell--on the air, upon the prince of the power of
the air, that is, the devil. His powers were restrained, his policies
confounded; he was bound in God's chain: the sword of God was upon his
eye and upon his arm; for he, as well as the powers of the earth, is
subject to the almighty power of God. He had used all possible means to
preserve the antichristian interest, and to prevent the fall of
Babylon--all the influence that he has upon the minds of men, blinding
their judgments and perverting them, hardening their hearts, raising
their enmity to the gospel as high as could be. But now here is a vial
poured out upon his kingdom, and he is not able to support his
tottering cause and interest any longer.
II. What it produced, 1. A thankful voice from heaven, pronouncing that
now the work was done. The church triumphant in heaven saw it, and
rejoiced; the church militant on earth saw it, and became triumphant.
It is finished. 2. A mighty commotion on the earth--an earthquake, so
great as never was before, shaking the very centre, and this ushered in
by the usual concomitants of thunder and lightnings. 3. The fall of
Babylon, which was divided into three parts, called the cities of the
nations (v. 19); having had rule over the nations, and taken in the
idolatry of the nations, incorporating into her religion something of
the Jewish, something of the pagan, and something of the Christian
religion, she was as three cities in one. God now remembered this great
and wicked city. Though for some time he seemed to have forgotten her
idolatry and cruelty, yet now he gives unto her the cup of the wine of
the fierceness of his wrath. And this downfall extended further than to
the seat of antichrist; it reached from the centre to the
circumference; and every island and every mountain, that seemed by
nature and situation the most secured, were carried away in the deluge
of this ruin.
III. How the antichristian party were affected with it. Though it fell
upon them as a dreadful storm, as if the stones of the city, tossed up
into the air, came down upon their heads, like hailstones of a talent
weight each, yet they were so far from repenting that they blasphemed
that God who thus punished them. Here was a dreadful plague of the
heart, a spiritual judgment more dreadful and destructive than all the
rest. Observe, 1. The greatest calamities that can befal men will not
bring them to repentance without the grace of God working with them. 2.
Those that are not made better by the judgments of God are always the
worse for them. 3. To be hardened in sin and enmity against God by his
righteous judgments is a certain token of utter destruction.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XVII.
This chapter contains another representation of those things that had
been revealed before concerning the wickedness and ruin of antichrist.
This antichrist had been before represented as a beast, and is now
described as a great whore. And here, I. The apostle is invited to see
this vile woman, ver. 1, 2. II. He tells us what an appearance she
made, ver. 3-6. III. The mystery of it is explained to him, ver. 7-12.
And, IV. Her ruin foretold, ver. 13, &c.
The Fall of Babylon. (a. d. 95.)
1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven vials, and
talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will show unto thee the
judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With
whom the kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the
inhabitants of the earth have been made drunk with the wine of her
fornication. 3 So he carried me away in the spirit into the
wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a scarlet coloured beast, full
of names of blasphemy, having seven heads and ten horns. 4 And the
woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold
and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of
abominations and filthiness of her fornication: 5 And upon her
forehead was a name written, Mystery, Babylon the great, the mother of
harlots and abominations of the earth. 6 And I saw the woman drunken
with the blood of the saints, and with the blood of the martyrs of
Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great admiration.
Here we have a new vision, not as to the matter of it, for that is
contemporary with what came under the three last vials; but as to the
manner of description, &c. Observe, 1. The invitation given to the
apostle to take a view of what was here to be represented: Come hither,
and I will show thee the judgment of the great whore, &c., v. 1. This
is a name of great infamy. A whore [in this passage] is one that is
married, and has been false to her husband's bed, has forsaken the
guide of her youth, and broken the covenant of God. She had been a
prostitute to the kings of the earth, whom she had intoxicated with the
wine of her fornication. 2. The appearance she made: it was gay and
gaudy, like such sort of creatures: She was arrayed in purple, and
scarlet colour, and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls,
v. 4. Here were all the allurements of worldly honour and riches, pomp
and pride, suited to sensual and worldly minds. 3. Her principal seat
and residence--upon the beast that had seven heads and ten horns; that
is to say, Rome, the city on seven hills, infamous for idolatry,
tyranny, and blasphemy. 4. Her name, which was written on her forehead.
It was the custom of impudent harlots to hang out signs, with their
names, that all might know what they were. Now in this observe, (1.)
She is named from her place of residence--Babylon the great. But, that
we might not take it for the old Babylon literally so called, we are
told there is a mystery in the name; it is some other great city
resembling the old Babylon. (2.) She is named from her infamous way and
practice; not only a harlot, but a mother of harlots, breeding up
harlots, and nursing and training them up to idolatry, and all sorts of
lewdness and wickedness--the parent and nurse of all false religion and
filthy conversation. 5. Her diet: she satiated herself with the blood
of the saints and martyrs of Jesus. She drank their blood with such
greediness that she intoxicated herself with it; it was so pleasant to
her that she could not tell when she had had enough of it: she was
satiated, but never satisfied.
The Fall of Babylon. (a. d. 95.)
7 And the angel said unto me, Wherefore didst thou marvel? I will tell
thee the mystery of the woman, and of the beast that carrieth her,
which hath the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast that thou
sawest was, and is not; and shall ascend out of the bottomless pit, and
go into perdition: and they that dwell on the earth shall wonder, whose
names were not written in the book of life from the foundation of the
world, when they behold the beast that was, and is not, and yet is. 9
And here is the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven
mountains, on which the woman sitteth. 10 And there are seven kings:
five are fallen, and one is, and the other is not yet come; and when he
cometh, he must continue a short space. 11 And the beast that was,
and is not, even he is the eighth, and is of the seven, and goeth into
perdition. 12 And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten kings,
which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one
hour with the beast. 13 These have one mind, and shall give their
power and strength unto the beast.
Here we have the mystery of this vision explained. The apostle wonders
at the sight of this woman: the angel undertakes to open this vision to
him, it being the key of the former visions; and he tells the apostle
what was meant by the beast on which the woman sat; but it is so
explained as still to need further explanation. 1. This beast was, and
is not, and yet is; that is, it was a seat of idolatry and persecution;
and is not, that is, not in the ancient form, which was pagan; and yet
it is, it is truly the seat of idolatry and tyranny, though of another
sort and form. It ascends out of the bottomless pit (idolatry and
cruelty are the issue and product of hell), and it shall return thither
and go into perdition. 2. This beast has seven heads, which have a
double signification. (1.) Seven mountains--the seven hills on which
Rome stands; and (2.) Seven kings--seven sorts of government. Rome was
governed by kings, consuls, tribunes, decemviri, dictators, emperors
who were pagan, and emperors who were Christian. Five of these were
extinct when this prophecy was written; one was then in being, that is,
the pagan emperor; and the other, that is, the Christian emperor, was
yet to come, v. 10. This beast, the papacy, makes an eighth governor,
and sets up idolatry again. 3. This beast had ten horns; which are said
to be ten kings which have as yet received no kingdoms; as yet, that
is, as some, shall not rise up till the Roman empire be broken in
pieces; or, as others, shall not rise up till near the end of
antichrist's reign, and so shall reign but as it were one hour with
her, but shall for that time be very unanimous and very zealous in that
interest, and entirely devoted to it, divesting themselves of their
prerogatives and revenues (things so dear to princes), out of an
unaccountable fondness for the papacy.
The Fall of Babylon. (a. d. 95.)
14 These shall make war with the Lamb, and the Lamb shall overcome
them: for he is Lord of lords, and King of kings: and they that are
with him are called, and chosen, and faithful. 15 And he saith unto
me, The waters which thou sawest, where the whore sitteth, are peoples,
and multitudes, and nations, and tongues. 16 And the ten horns which
thou sawest upon the beast, these shall hate the whore, and shall make
her desolate and naked, and shall eat her flesh, and burn her with
fire. 17 For God hath put in their hearts to fulfil his will, and to
agree, and give their kingdom unto the beast, until the words of God
shall be fulfilled. 18 And the woman which thou sawest is that great
city, which reigneth over the kings of the earth.
Here we have some account of the downfall of Babylon, to be more fully
described in the following chapter.
I. Here is a war begun between the beast and his followers, and the
Lamb and his followers. The beast and his army, to an eye of sense,
appear much stronger than the Lamb and his army: one would think an
army with a lamb at the head of them could not stand before the great
red dragon. But,
II. Here is a victory gained by the Lamb: The Lamb shall overcome.
Christ must reign till all enemies be put under his feet; he will be
sure to meet with many enemies, and much opposition, but he will also
be sure to gain the victory.
III. Here is the ground or reason of the victory assigned; and this is
taken, 1. From the character of the Lamb: He is King of kings and Lord
of lords. He has, both by nature and by office, supreme dominion and
power over all things; all the powers of earth and hell are subject to
his check and control. 2. From the character of his followers: They are
called, and chosen, and faithful. They are called out by commission to
this warfare; they are chosen and fitted for it, and they will be
faithful in it. Such an army, under such a commander, will at length
carry all the world before them.
IV. The victory is justly aggrandized. 1. By the vast multitude who
paid obedience and subjection to the beast and to the whore. She sat
upon (that is, presided over) many waters; and these waters were so
many multitudes of people, and nations, of all languages; yea, she
reigned not only over kingdoms, but over the kings, and they were her
tributaries and vassals, v. 15, 18. 2. By the powerful influence which
God hereby showed he had over the minds of great men. Their hearts were
in his hand, and he turned them as he pleased; for, (1.) It was of God,
and to fulfil his will, that these kings agreed to give their kingdom
unto the beast; they were judicially blinded and hardened to do so.
And, (2.) It was of God that afterwards their hearts were turned
against the whore, to hate her, and to make her desolate and naked, and
to eat her flesh, and burn her with fire; they shall at length see
their folly, and how they have been bewitched and enslaved by the
papacy, and, out of a just resentment, shall not only fall off from
Rome, but shall be made the instruments of God's providence in her
destruction.
__________________________________________________________________
R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XVIII.
We have here, I. An angel proclaiming the fall of Babylon, ver. 1, 2.
II. Assigning the reasons of her fall, ver. 3. III. Giving warning to
all who belonged to God to come out of her (ver. 4, 5), and to assist
in her destruction, ver. 6-8. IV. The great lamentation made for her by
those who had been large sharers in her sinful pleasures and profits,
ver. 9-19. V. The great joy that there would be among others at the
sight of her irrecoverable ruin, ver. 20, &c.
The Fall of Babylon. (a. d. 95.)
1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven,
having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And
he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is
fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold
of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3
For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication,
and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the
merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her
delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out
of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye
receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven,
and God hath remembered her iniquities. 6 Reward her even as she
rewarded you, and double unto her double according to her works: in the
cup which she hath filled fill to her double. 7 How much she hath
glorified herself, and lived deliciously, so much torment and sorrow
give her: for she saith in her heart, I sit a queen, and am no widow,
and shall see no sorrow. 8 Therefore shall her plagues come in one
day, death, and mourning, and famine; and she shall be utterly burned
with fire: for strong is the Lord God who judgeth her.
The downfall and destruction of Babylon form an event so fully
determined in the counsels of God, and of such consequence to his
interests and glory, that the visions and predictions concerning it are
repeated. 1. Here is another angel sent from heaven, attended with
great power and lustre, v. 1. He had not only light in himself, to
discern the truth of his own prediction, but to inform and enlighten
the world about that great event; and not only light to discern it, but
power to accomplish it. 2. This angel publishes the fall of Babylon, as
a thing already come to pass; and this he does with a mighty strong
voice, that all might hear the cry, and might see how well this angel
was pleased to be the messenger of such tidings. Here seems to be an
allusion to the prediction of the fall of pagan Babylon (Isa. xxi. 9),
where the word is repeated as it is here: has fallen, has fallen. Some
have thought a double fall is hereby intended, first her apostasy, and
then her ruin; and they think the words immediately following favour
their opinion; She has become the habitation of devils, and the hold of
every foul spirit, and the cage of every unclean and hateful bird, v.
2. But this is also borrowed from Isa. xxi. 9, and seems to describe
not so much her sin of entertaining idols (which are truly called
devils) as her punishment, it being a common notion that unclean
spirits, as well as ominous and hateful birds, used to haunt a city or
house that lay in its ruins. 3. The reason of this ruin is declared (v.
3); for, though God is not obliged to give any account of his matters,
yet he is pleased to do so, especially in those dispensations of
providence that are most awful and tremendous. The wickedness of
Babylon had been very great; for she had not only forsaken the true God
herself, and set up idols, but had with great art and industry drawn
all sorts of men into the spiritual adultery, and by her wealth and
luxury had retained them in her interest. 4. Fair warning is given to
all that expect mercy from God, that they should not only come out of
her, but be assisting in her destruction, v. 4, 5. Here observe, (1.)
God may have a people even in Babylon, some who belong to the election
of grace. (2.) God's people shall be called out of Babylon, and called
effectually. (3.) Those that are resolved to partake with wicked men in
their sins must receive of their plagues. (4.) When the sins of a
people reach up to heaven, the wrath of God will reach down to the
earth. (5.) Though private revenge is forbidden, yet God will have his
people act under him, when called to it, in pulling down his and their
inveterate and implacable enemies, v. 6. (6.) God will proportion the
punishment of sinners to the measure of their wickedness, pride, and
security, v. 7. (7.) When destruction comes on a people suddenly, the
surprise is a great aggravation of their misery, v. 8.
The Fall of Babylon. (a. d. 95.)
9 And the kings of the earth, who have committed fornication and lived
deliciously with her, shall bewail her, and lament for her, when they
shall see the smoke of her burning, 10 Standing afar off for the fear
of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that
mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come. 11 And the
merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth
their merchandise any more: 12 The merchandise of gold, and silver,
and precious stones, and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and
silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of
ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and
iron, and marble, 13 And cinnamon, and odours, and ointments, and
frankincense, and wine, and oil, and fine flour, and wheat, and beasts,
and sheep, and horses, and chariots, and slaves, and souls of men. 14
And the fruits that thy soul lusted after are departed from thee, and
all things which were dainty and goodly are departed from thee, and
thou shalt find them no more at all. 15 The merchants of these
things, which were made rich by her, shall stand afar off for the fear
of her torment, weeping and wailing, 16 And saying, Alas, alas, that
great city, that was clothed in fine linen, and purple, and scarlet,
and decked with gold, and precious stones, and pearls! 17 For in one
hour so great riches is come to nought. And every shipmaster, and all
the company in ships, and sailors, and as many as trade by sea, stood
afar off, 18 And cried when they saw the smoke of her burning,
saying, What city is like unto this great city! 19 And they cast dust
on their heads, and cried, weeping and wailing, saying, Alas, alas,
that great city, wherein were made rich all that had ships in the sea
by reason of her costliness! for in one hour is she made desolate. 20
Rejoice over her, thou heaven, and ye holy apostles and prophets; for
God hath avenged you on her. 21 And a mighty angel took up a stone
like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying, Thus with
violence shall that great city Babylon be thrown down, and shall be
found no more at all. 22 And the voice of harpers, and musicians, and
of pipers, and trumpeters, shall be heard no more at all in thee; and
no craftsman, of whatsoever craft he be, shall be found any more in
thee; and the sound of a millstone shall be heard no more at all in
thee; 23 And the light of a candle shall shine no more at all in
thee; and the voice of the bridegroom and of the bride shall be heard
no more at all in thee: for thy merchants were the great men of the
earth; for by thy sorceries were all nations deceived. 24 And in her
was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all that were
slain upon the earth.
Here we have,
I. A doleful lamentation made by Babylon's friends for her fall; and
here observe,
1. Who are the mourners, namely, those who had been bewitched by her
fornication, those who had been sharers in her sensual pleasures, and
those who had been gainers by her wealth and trade--the kings and the
merchants of the earth: the kings of the earth, whom she had flattered
into idolatry by allowing them to be arbitrary and tyrannical over
their subjects, while they were obsequious to her; and the merchants,
that is, those who trafficked with her for indulgences, pardons,
dispensations, and preferments; these will mourn, because by this craft
they got their wealth.
2. What was the manner of their mourning. (1.) They stood afar off,
they durst not come nigh her. Even Babylon's friends will stand at a
distance from her fall. Though they had been partakers with her in her
sins, and in her sinful pleasures and profits, they were not willing to
bear a share in her plagues. (2.) They made a grievous outcry: Alas!
alas! that great city, Babylon, that mighty city! (3.) They wept, and
cast dust upon their heads, v. 19. The pleasures of sin are but for a
season, and they will end in dismal sorrow. All those who rejoice in
the success of the church's enemies will share with them in their
downfall; and those who have most indulged themselves in pride and
pleasure are the least able to bear calamities; their sorrows will be
as excessive as their pleasure and jollity were before.
3. What was the cause of their mourning; not their sin, but their
punishment. They did not lament their fall into idolatry, and luxury,
and persecution, but their fall into ruin--the loss of their traffic
and of their wealth and power. The spirit of antichrist is a worldly
spirit, and their sorrow is a mere worldly sorrow; they did not lament
for the anger of God, that had now fallen upon them, but for the loss
of their outward comfort. We have a large schedule and inventory of the
wealth and merchandise of this city, all which was suddenly lost (v.
12, 13), and lost irrecoverably (v. 14): All things which were dainty
and goodly have departed from thee, and thou shalt find them no more at
all. The church of God may fall for a time, but she shall rise again;
but the fall of Babylon will be an utter overthrow, like that of Sodom
and Gomorrah. Godly sorrow is some support under affliction, but mere
worldly sorrow adds to the calamity.
II. An account of the joy and triumph there was both in heaven and
earth at the irrecoverable fall of Babylon: while her own people were
bewailing her, the servants of God were called to rejoice over her, v.
20. Here observe, 1. How universal this joy would be: heaven and earth,
angels and saints, would join in it; that which is matter of rejoicing
to the servants of God in this world is matter of rejoicing to the
angels in heaven. 2. How just and reasonable; and that, (1.) Because
the fall of Babylon was an act of God's vindictive justice. God was
then avenging his people's cause. They had committed their cause to him
to whom vengeance belongs, and now the year of recompence had come for
the controversies of Zion; and, though they did not take pleasure in
the miseries of any, yet they had reason to rejoice in the discoveries
of the glorious justice of God. (2.) Because it was an irrecoverable
ruin. This enemy should never molest them any more, and of this they
were assured by a remarkable token (v. 21): An angel from heaven took
up a stone like a great millstone, and cast it into the sea, saying,
"Thus shall Babylon be thrown down with violence, and be found no more
at all; the place shall be no longer habitable by man, no work shall be
done there, no comfort enjoyed, no light seen there, but utter darkness
and desolation, as the reward of her great wickedness, first in
deceiving the nations with her sorceries, and secondly in destroying
and murdering those whom she could not deceive," v. 24. Such abominable
sins deserved so great a ruin.
__________________________________________________________________
R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XIX.
In this chapter we have, I. A further account of the triumphant song of
angels and saints for the fall of Babylon, ver. 1-4. II. The marriage
between Christ and the church proclaimed and perfected, ver. 5-10. III.
Another warlike expedition of the glorious head and husband of the
church, with the success of it, ver. 10, &c.
The Triumph of the Saints. (a. d. 95.)
1 And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in
heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power,
unto the Lord our God: 2 For true and righteous are his judgments:
for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with
her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her
hand. 3 And again they said, Alleluia. And her smoke rose up for ever
and ever. 4 And the four and twenty elders and the four beasts fell
down and worshipped God that sat on the throne, saying, Amen; Alleluia.
The fall of Babylon being fixed, finished, and declared to be
irrecoverable in the foregoing chapter, this begins with a holy triumph
over her, in pursuance of the order given forth: Rejoice over her, thou
heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets, ch. xviii. 20. They now
gladly answer the call; and here you have, 1. The form of their
thanksgiving, in that heavenly and most comprehensive word, Alleluia,
praise you the Lord: with this they begin, with this they go on, and
with this they end (v. 4); their prayers are now turned into praises,
their hosannas end in halleluias. 2. The matter of their thanksgiving:
they praise him for the truth of his word, and the righteousness of his
providential conduct, especially in this great event--the ruin of
Babylon, which had been a mother, nurse, and nest of idolatry,
lewdness, and cruelty (v. 2), for which signal example of divine
justice they ascribe salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto
our God. 3. The effect of these their praises: when the angels and
saints cried Alleluia, her fire burned more fiercely and her smoke
ascended for ever and ever, v. 3. The surest way to have our
deliverances continued and completed is to give God the glory of what
he has done for us. Praising God for what we have is praying in the
most effectual manner for what is yet further to be done for us; the
praises of the saints blow up the fire of God's wrath against the
common enemy. 4. The blessed harmony between the angels and the saints
in this triumphant song, v. 4. The churches and their ministers take
the melodious sound from the angels, and repeat it; falling down, and
worshipping God, they cry, Amen, Alleluia.
The Triumph of the Saints. (a. d. 95.)
5 And a voice came out of the throne, saying, Praise our God, all ye
his servants, and ye that fear him, both small and great. 6 And I
heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of
many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia:
for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. 7 Let us be glad and rejoice,
and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his
wife hath made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she
should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is
the righteousness of saints. 9 And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed
are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he
saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. 10 And I fell at
his feet to worship him. And he said unto me, See thou do it not: I am
thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren that have the testimony of
Jesus: worship God: for the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of
prophecy.
The triumphant song being ended, and epithalamium, or marriage-song,
begins, v. 6. Here observe,
I. The concert of heavenly music. The chorus was large and loud, as the
voice of many waters and of mighty thunderings. God is fearful in
praises. There is no discord in heaven; the morning stars sing
together; no jarring string, nor key untuned, but pure and perfect
melody.
II. The occasion of this song; and that is the reign and dominion of
that omnipotent God who has redeemed his church by his own blood, and
is now in a more public manner betrothing her to himself: The marriage
of the Lamb has come, v. 7. Some think this refers to the conversion of
the Jews, which they suppose will succeed the fall of Babylon; others,
to the general resurrection: the former seems more probable. Now, 1.
You have here a description of the bride, how she appeared; not in the
gay and gaudy dress of the mother of harlots, but in fine linen, clean
and white, which is the righteousness of saints; in the robes of
Christ's righteousness, both imputed for justification and imparted for
sanctification--the stola, the white robe of absolution, adoption, and
enfranchisement, and the white robe of purity and universal holiness.
She had washed her robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb;
and these her nuptial ornaments she did not purchase by any price of
her own, but received them as the gift and grant of her blessed Lord.
2. The marriage-feast, which, though not particularly described (as
Matt. xxii. 4), yet is declared to be such as would make all those
happy who were called to it, so called as to accept the invitation, a
feast made up of the promises of the gospel, the true sayings of God,
v. 9. These promises, opened, applied, sealed, and earnested by the
Spirit of God, in holy eucharistical ordinances, are the
marriage-feast; and the whole collective body of all those who partake
of this feast is the bride, the Lamb's wife; they eat into one body,
and drink into one Spirit, and are not mere spectators or guests, but
coalesce into the espoused party, the mystical body of Christ. 3. The
transport of joy which the apostle felt in himself at this vision. He
fell down at the feet of the angel, to worship him, supposing him to be
more than a creature, or having his thoughts at the present overpowered
by the vehemency of his affections. Here observe, (1.) What honour he
offered to the angel: He fell at his feet, to worship him; this
prostration was a part of external worship, it was a posture of proper
adoration. (2.) How the angel refused it, and this was with some
resentment: "See thou do it not; have a care what thou doest, thou art
doing a wrong thing." (3.) He gave a very good reason for his refusal:
"I am thy fellow-servant, and of thy brethren which have the testimony
of Jesus--I am a creature, thine equal in office, though not in nature;
I, as an angel and messenger of God, have the testimony of Jesus, a
charge to be a witness for him and to testify concerning him, and thou,
as an apostle, having the Spirit of prophecy, hast the same testimony
to give in; and therefore we are in this brethren and fellow-servants."
(4.) He directs him to the true and only object of religious worship;
namely, God: "Worship God, and him alone." This fully condemns both the
practice of the papists in worshipping the elements of bread and wine,
and saints, and angels, and the practice of those Socinians and Arians
who do not believe that Christ is truly and by nature God, and yet pay
him religious worship; and this shows what wretched fig-leaves all
their evasions and excuses are which they offer in their own
vindication: they stand hereby convicted of idolatry by a messenger
from heaven.
The Triumph of the Saints. (a. d. 95.)
11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth
judge and make war. 12 His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his
head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but
he himself. 13 And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and
his name is called The Word of God. 14 And the armies which were in
heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and
clean. 15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he
should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron:
and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty
God. 16 And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written,
King of kings, and Lord of lords. 17 And I saw an angel standing in
the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that
fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto
the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat the flesh of kings,
and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh
of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both
free and bond, both small and great. 19 And I saw the beast, and the
kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war
against him that sat on the horse, and against his army. 20 And the
beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles
before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of
the beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast
alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. 21 And the remnant
were slain with the sword of him that sat upon the horse, which sword
proceeded out of his mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their
flesh.
No sooner was the marriage solemnized between Christ and his church by
the conversion of the Jews than the glorious head and husband of the
church is called out to a new expedition, which seems to be the great
battle that was to be fought at Armageddon, foretold ch. xvi. 16. And
here observe,
I. The description of the great Commander, 1. By the seat of his
empire; and that is heaven; his throne is there, and his power and
authority are heavenly and divine. 2. His equipage: he is again
described as sitting on a white horse, to show the equity of the cause,
and certainty of success. 3. His attributes: he is faithful and true to
his covenant and promise, he is righteous in all his judicial and
military proceedings, he has a penetrating insight into all the
strength and stratagems of his enemies, he has a large and extensive
dominion, many crowns, for he is King of kings, and Lord of lords. 4.
His armour; and that is a vesture dipped in blood, either his own
blood, by which he purchased this mediatorial power, or the blood of
his enemies, over whom he has always prevailed. 5. His name: The Word
of God, a name that none fully knows but himself, only this we know,
that this Word was God manifest in the flesh; but his perfections are
incomprehensible by any creature.
II. The army which he commands (v. 14), a very large one, made up of
many armies; angels and saints followed his conduct, and resembled him
in their equipage, and in their armour of purity and
righteousness--chosen, and called, and faithful.
III. The weapons of his warfare--A sharp sword proceeding from his
mouth (v. 15), with which he smites the nations, either the
threatenings of the written word, which now he is going to execute, or
rather his word of command calling on his followers to take a just
revenge on his and their enemies, who are now put into the wine-press
of the wrath of God, to be trodden under foot by him.
IV. The ensigns of his authority, his coat of arms--a name written on
his vesture and thigh, King of kings, and Lord of lords, asserting his
authority and power, and the cause of the quarrel, v. 16.
V. An invitation given to the fowls of heaven, that they should come
and see the battle, and share in the spoil and pillage of the field (v.
17, 18), intimating that this great decisive engagement should leave
the enemies of the church a feast for the birds of prey, and that all
the world should have cause to rejoice in the issue of it.
VI. The battle joined. The enemy falls on with great fury, headed by
the beast, and the kings of the earth; the powers of earth and hell
gathered, to make their utmost effort, v. 19.
VII. The victory gained by the great and glorious head of the church:
The beast and the false prophet, the leaders of the army, are taken
prisoners, both he who led them by power and he who led them by policy
and falsehood; these are taken and cast into the burning lake, made
incapable of molesting the church of God any more; and their followers,
whether officers or common soldiers, are given up to military
execution, and made a feast for the fowls of heaven. Though the divine
vengeance will chiefly fall upon the beast, and the false prophet, yet
it will be no excuse to those who fight under their banner that they
only followed their leaders and obeyed their command; since they would
fight for them, they must fall and perish with them. Be wise now
therefore, O you kings, be instructed, you rulers of the earth; kiss
the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, Ps. ii. 10, 12.
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XX.
This chapter is thought by some to be the darkest part of all this
prophecy: it is very probable that the things contained in it are not
yet accomplished; and therefore it is the wiser way to content
ourselves with general observations, rather than to be positive and
particular in our explications of it. Here we have an account, I. Of
the binding of Satan for a thousand years, ver. 1-3. II. The reign of
the saints with Christ for the same time, ver. 4-6. III. Of the loosing
of Satan, and the conflict of the church with Gog and Magog, ver. 7-10.
IV. Of the day of judgment, ver. 11, &c.
The Binding of Satan. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I saw an angel come down from heaven, having the key of the
bottomless pit and a great chain in his hand. 2 And he laid hold on
the dragon, that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan, and bound
him a thousand years, 3 And cast him into the bottomless pit, and
shut him up, and set a seal upon him, that he should deceive the
nations no more, till the thousand years should be fulfilled: and after
that he must be loosed a little season. 4 And I saw thrones, and they
sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of
them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of
God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither
had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they
lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. 5 But the rest of the
dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is
the first resurrection. 6 Blessed and holy is he that hath part in
the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but
they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a
thousand years. 7 And when the thousand years are expired, Satan
shall be loosed out of his prison, 8 And shall go out to deceive the
nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to
gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of
the sea. 9 And they went up on the breadth of the earth, and
compassed the camp of the saints about, and the beloved city: and fire
came down from God out of heaven, and devoured them. 10 And the devil
that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where
the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and
night for ever and ever.
We have here, I. A prophecy of the binding of Satan for a certain term
of time, in which he should have much less power and the church much
more peace than before. The power of Satan was broken in part by the
setting up of the gospel kingdom in the world; it was further reduced
by the empire's becoming Christian; it was yet further broken by the
downfall of the mystical Babylon; but still this serpent had many
heads, and, when one is wounded, another has life remaining in it. Here
we have a further limitation and diminution of his power. Observe, 1.
To whom this work of binding Satan is committed--to an angel from
heaven. It is very probable that this angel is no other than the Lord
Jesus Christ; the description of him will hardly agree with any other.
He is one who has power to bind the strong man armed, to cast him out,
and to spoil his goods; and therefore must be stronger than he. 2. The
means he makes use of in this work: he has a chain and a key, a great
chain to bind Satan, and the key of the prison in which he was to be
confined. Christ never wants proper powers and instruments to break the
power of Satan, for he has the powers of heaven and the keys of hell.
3. The execution of this work, v. 2, 3. (1.) He laid hold on the
dragon, that old serpent, which is the devil, and Satan. Neither the
strength of the dragon, nor the subtlety of the serpent, was sufficient
to rescue him out of the hands of Christ; he caught hold, and kept his
hold. And, (2.) He cast him into the bottomless pit, cast him down with
force, and with a just vengeance, to his own place and prison, from
which he had been permitted to break out, and disturb the churches, and
deceive the nations; now he is brought back to that prison, and there
laid in chains. (3.) He is shut up, and a seal set upon him. Christ
shuts, and none can open; he shuts by his power, seals by his
authority; and his lock and seal even the devils themselves cannot
break open. (4.) We have the term of this confinement of Satan--a
thousand years, after which he was to be loosed again for a little
season. The church should have a considerable time of peace and
prosperity, but all her trials were not yet over.
II. An account of the reign of the saints for the same space of time in
which Satan continued bound (v. 4-6), and here observe,
1. Who those were that received such honour--those who had suffered for
Christ, and all who had faithfully adhered to him, not receiving the
mark of the beast, nor worshipping his image; all who had kept
themselves clear of pagan and papal idolatry.
2. The honour bestowed upon them. (1.) They were raised from the dead,
and restored to life. This may be taken either literally or
figuratively; they were in a civil and political sense dead, and had a
political resurrection; their liberties and privileges were revived and
restored. (2.) Thrones, and power of judgment, were given to them; they
were possessed of great honour, and interest, and authority, I suppose
rather of a spiritual than of a secular nature. (3.) They reigned with
Christ a thousand years. Those who suffer with Christ shall reign with
Christ; they shall reign with him in his spiritual and heavenly
kingdom, in a glorious conformity to him in wisdom, righteousness, and
holiness, beyond what had been known before in the world. This is
called the first resurrection, which none but those who have served
Christ and suffered for him shall be favoured with. As for the wicked,
they shall not be raised up and restored to their power again, till
Satan be let loose; this may be called a resurrection, as the
conversion of the Jews is said to be life from the dead.
3. The happiness of these servants of God is declared. (1.) They are
blessed and holy, v. 6. None can be blessed but those that are holy;
and all that are holy shall be blessed. These were holy as a sort of
first-fruits to God in this spiritual resurrection, and as such blessed
by him. (2.) They are secured from the power of the second death. We
know something of what the first death is, and it is awful; but we know
not what this second death is. It must be much more dreadful; it is the
death of the soul, eternal separation from God. The Lord grant we may
never know what it is by experience. Those who have had experience of a
spiritual resurrection are saved from the power of the second death.
III. An account of the return of the church's troubles, and another
mighty conflict, very sharp, but short and decisive. Observe, 1. The
restraints laid for a long time on Satan are at length taken off. While
this world lasts, Satan's power in it will not be wholly destroyed; it
may be limited and lessened, but he will have something still to do for
the disturbance of the people of God. 2. No sooner is Satan let loose
than he falls to his old work, deceiving the nations, and so stirring
them up to make a war with the saints and servants of God, which they
would never do if he had not first deceived them. They are deceived
both as to the cause they engage in (they believe it to be a good cause
when it is indeed a very bad one), and as to the issue: they expect to
be successful, but are sure to lose the day. 3. His last efforts seem
to be the greatest. The power now permitted to him seems to be more
unlimited than before. He had now liberty to beat up for his volunteers
in all the four quarters of the earth, and he raised a mighty army, the
number of which was as the sand of the sea, v. 8. 4. We have the names
of the principal commanders in this army under the dragon--Gog and
Magog. We need not be too inquisitive as to what particular powers are
meant by these names, since the army was gathered from all parts of the
world. These names are found in other parts of scripture. Magog we read
of in Gen. x. 2. He was one of the sons of Japheth, and peopled the
country called Syria, from which his descendants spread into many other
parts. Of Gog and Magog together we only read in Ezek. xxxviii. 2, a
prophecy whence this in Revelation borrows many of its images. 5. We
have the march and military disposition of this formidable army (v. 9):
They went up on the breadth of the earth, and compassed the camp of the
saints about, and the beloved city, that is, the spiritual Jerusalem,
in which the most precious interests of the people of God are lodged,
and therefore to them a beloved city. The army of the saints is
described as drawn forth out of the city, and lying under the walls of
it, to defend it; they were encamped about Jerusalem: but the army of
the enemy was so much superior to that of the church that they
compassed them and their city about. 6. You have an account of the
battle, and the issue of this war: Fire came down from God out of
heaven, and devoured the enemy. Thus the ruin of Gog and Magog is
foretold (Ezek. xxxviii. 22), I will rain upon him and upon his bands
an overflowing rain, and great hailstones, and fire and brimstone. God
would, in an extraordinary and more immediate manner, fight this last
and decisive battle for his people, that the victory might be complete
and the glory redound to himself. 7. The doom and punishment of the
grand enemy, the devil: he is now cast into hell, with his two great
officers, the beast and the false prophet, tyranny and idolatry, and
that not for any term of time, but to be there tormented night and day,
for ever and ever.
The Universal Judgment. (a. d. 95.)
11 And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose
face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place
for them. 12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God;
and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the
book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were
written in the books, according to their works. 13 And the sea gave
up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead
which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their
works. 14 And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is
the second death. 15 And whosoever was not found written in the book
of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The utter destruction of the devil's kingdom very properly leads to an
account of the day of judgment, which will determine every man's
everlasting state; and we may be assured there will be a judgment when
we see the prince of this world is judged, John xvi. 11. This will be a
great day, the great day, when all shall appear before the
judgment-seat of Christ. The Lord help us firmly to believe this
doctrine of the judgment to come. It is a doctrine that made Felix
tremble. Here we have a description of it, where observe, 1. We behold
the throne, and tribunal of judgment, great and white, very glorious
and perfectly just and righteous. The throne of iniquity, that
establishes wickedness by a law, has no fellowship with this righteous
throne and tribunal. 2. The appearance of the Judge, and that is the
Lord Jesus Christ, who then puts on such majesty and terror that the
earth and the heaven flee from his face, and there is no place found
for them; there is a dissolution of the whole frame of nature, 2 Pet.
iii. 10. 3. The persons to be judged (v. 12): The dead, small and
great; that is, young and old, low and high, poor and rich. None are so
mean but they have some talents to account for, and none so great as to
avoid the jurisdiction of this court; not only those that are found
alive at the coming of Christ, but all who have died before; the grave
shall surrender the bodies of men, hell shall surrender the souls of
the wicked, the sea shall surrender the many who seemed to have been
lost in it. 4. The rule of judgment settled: The books were opened.
What books? The books of God's omniscience, who is greater than our
consciences, and knows all things (there is a book of remembrance with
him both for good and bad); and the book of the sinner's conscience,
which, though formerly secret, will now be opened. And another book
shall be opened--the book of the scriptures, the statute-book of
heaven, the rule of life. This book is opened as containing the law,
the touchstone by which the hearts and lives of men are to be tried.
This book determines matter of right; the other books give evidence of
matters of fact. Some, by the other book, called the book of life,
understand the book of God's eternal counsels; but that does not seem
to belong to the affair of judgment: in eternal election God does not
act judicially, but with absolute sovereign freedom. 5. The cause to be
tried; and that is, the works of men, what they have done and whether
it be good or evil. By their works men shall be justified or condemned;
for though God knows their state and their principles, and looks
chiefly at these, yet, being to approve himself to angels and men as a
righteous God, he will try their principles by their practices, and so
will be justified when he speaks and clear when he judges. 6. The issue
of the trial and judgment; and this will be according to the evidence
of fact, and rule of judgment. All those who have made a covenant with
death, and an agreement with hell, shall then be condemned with their
infernal confederates, cast with them into the lake of fire, as not
being entitled to eternal life, according to the rules of life laid
down in the scripture; but those whose names are written in that book
(that is, those that are justified and acquitted by the gospel) shall
then be justified and acquitted by the Judge, and shall enter into
eternal life, having nothing more to fear from death, or hell, or
wicked men; for these are all destroyed together. Let it be our great
concern to see on what terms we stand with our Bibles, whether they
justify us or condemn us now; for the Judge of all will proceed by that
rule. Christ shall judge the secrets of all men according to the
gospel. Happy are those who have so ordered and stated their cause
according to the gospel as to know beforehand that they shall be
justified in the great day of the Lord!
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R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XXI.
Hitherto the prophecy of this book has presented to us a very
remarkable mixture of light and shade, prosperity and adversity, mercy
and judgment, in the conduct of divine Providence towards the church in
the world: now, at the close of all, the day breaks, and the shadows
flee away; a new world now appears, the former having passed away. Some
are willing to understand all that is said in these last two chapters
of the state of the church even here on earth, in the glory of the
latter days; but others, more probably, take it as a representation of
the perfect and triumphant state of the church in heaven. Let but the
faithful saints and servants of God wait awhile, and they shall not
only see, but enjoy, the perfect holiness and happiness of that world.
In this chapter you have, I. An introduction to the vision of the new
Jerusalem, ver. 1-9. II. The vision itself, ver. 10, &c.
The New Jerusalem. (a. d. 95.)
1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the
first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. 2 And I John
saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven,
prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. 3 And I heard a great
voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men,
and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God
himself shall be with them, and be their God. 4 And God shall wipe
away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death,
neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for
the former things are passed away. 5 And he that sat upon the throne
said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for
these words are true and faithful. 6 And he said unto me, It is done.
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him
that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 7 He
that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he
shall be my son. 8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the
abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and
idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which
burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.
We have here a more general account of the happiness of the church of
God in the future state, by which it seems most safe to understand the
heavenly state.
I. A new world now opens to our view (v. 1): I saw a new heaven and a
new earth; that is, a new universe; for we suppose the world to be made
up of heaven and earth. By the new earth we may understand a new state
for the bodies of men, as well as a heaven for their souls. This world
is not now newly created, but newly opened, and filled with all those
who were the heirs of it. The new heaven and the new earth will not
then be distinct; the very earth of the saints, their glorified bodies,
will now be spiritual and heavenly, and suited to those pure and bright
mansions. To make way for the commencement of this new world, the old
world, with all its troubles and commotions, passed away.
II. In this new world the apostle saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem,
coming down from heaven, not locally, but as to its original: this new
Jerusalem is the church of God in its new and perfect state, prepared
as a bride adorned for her husband, beautified with all perfection of
wisdom and holiness, meet for the full fruition of the Lord Jesus
Christ in glory.
III. The blessed presence of God with his people is here proclaimed and
admired: I heard a great voice out of heaven, saying, Behold, the
tabernacle of God is with men, &c., v. 3. Observe, 1. The presence of
God with his church is the glory of the church. 2. It is matter of
wonder that a holy God should ever dwell with any of the children of
men. 3. The presence of God with his people in heaven will not be
interrupted as it is on earth, but he will dwell with them continually.
4. The covenant, interest, and relation, that there are now between God
and his people, will be filled up and perfected in heaven. They shall
be his people; their souls shall be assimilated to him, filled with all
the love, honour, and delight in God which their relation to him
requires, and this will constitute their perfect holiness; and he will
be their God: God himself will be their God; his immediate presence
with them, his love fully manifested to them, and his glory put upon
them, will be their perfect happiness; then he will fully answer the
character of the relation on his part, as they shall do on their part.
IV. This new and blessed state will be free from all trouble and
sorrow; for, 1. All the effects of former trouble shall be done away.
They have been often before in tears, by reason of sin, of affliction,
of the calamities of the church; but now all tears shall be wiped away;
no signs, no remembrance of former sorrows shall remain, any further
than to make their present felicity the greater. God himself, as their
tender Father, with his own kind hand, shall wipe away the tears of his
children; and they would not have been without those tears when God
shall come and wipe them away. 2. All the causes of future sorrow shall
be for ever removed: There shall be neither death nor pain; and
therefore no sorrow nor crying; these are things incident to that state
in which they were before, but now all former things have passed away.
V. The truth and certainty of this blessed state are ratified by the
word and promise of God, and ordered to be committed to writing, as
matter of perpetual record, v. 5, 6. The subject-matter of this vision
is so great, and of such great importance to the church and people of
God, that they have need of the fullest assurances of it; and God
therefore from heaven repeats and ratifies the truth thereof. Besides,
many ages must pass between the time when this vision was given forth
and the accomplishment of it, and many great trials must intervene; and
therefore God would have it committed to writing, for perpetual memory,
and continual use to his people. Observe, 1. The certainty of the
promise averred: These words are faithful and true; and it follows, It
is done, is as sure as if it were done already. We may and ought to
take God's promise as present payment; if he has said that he makes all
things new, it is done. 2. He gives us his titles of honour as a pledge
or surety of the full performance, even those titles of Alpha and
Omega, the beginning and the end. As it was his glory that he gave the
rise and beginning to the world and to his church, it will be his glory
to finish the work begin, and not to leave it imperfect. As his power
and will were the first cause of all things, his pleasure and glory are
the last end, and he will not lose his design; for then he would no
longer be the Alpha and Omega. Men may begin designs which they can
never bring to perfection; but the counsel of God shall stand, and he
will do all his pleasure. 3. The desires of his people towards this
blessed state furnish another evidence of the truth and certainty of
it. They thirst after a state of sinless perfection and the
uninterrupted enjoyment of God, and God has wrought in them these
longing desires, which cannot be satisfied with any thing else, and
therefore would be the torment of the soul if they were disappointed
but it would be inconsistent with the goodness of God, and his love to
his people, to create in them holy and heavenly desires, and then deny
them their proper satisfaction; and therefore they may be assured that,
when they have overcome their present difficulties, he will give them
of the fountain of the water of life freely.
VI. The greatness of this future felicity is declared and illustrated,
1. By the freeness of it--it is the free gift of God: He gives of the
water of life freely; this will not make it less but more grateful to
his people. 2. The fulness of it. The people of God then lie at the
fountain-head of all blessedness: they inherit all things (v. 7);
enjoying God, they enjoy all things. He is all in all. 3. By the tenure
and title by which they enjoy this blessedness--by right of
inheritance, as the sons of God, a title of all others the most
honourable, as resulting from so near and endeared a relation to God
himself, and the most sure and indefeasible, that can no more cease
than the relation from which it results. 4. By the vastly different
state of the wicked. Their misery helps to illustrate the glory and
blessedness of the saints, and the distinguishing goodness of God
towards them, v. 8. Here observe, (1.) The sins of those who perish,
among which are first mentioned their cowardliness and unbelief. The
fearful lead the van in this black list. They durst not encounter the
difficulties of religion, and their slavish fear proceeded from their
unbelief; but those who were so dastardly as not to dare to take up the
cross of Christ, and discharge their duty to him, were yet so desperate
as to run into all manner of abominable wickedness--murder, adultery,
sorcery, idolatry, and lying. (2.) Their punishment: They have their
part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the
second death. [1.] They could not burn at a stake for Christ, but they
must burn in hell for sin. [2.] They must die another death after their
natural death; the agonies and terrors of the first death will consign
them over to the far greater terrors and agonies of eternal death, to
die and to be always dying. [3.] This misery will be their proper part
and portion, what they have justly deserved, what they have in effect
chosen, and what they have prepared themselves for by their sins. Thus
the misery of the damned will illustrate the blessedness of those that
are saved, and the blessedness of the saved will aggravate the misery
of those that are damned.
The New Jerusalem. (a. d. 95.)
9 And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven
vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come
hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb's wife. 10 And he
carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed
me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from
God, 11 Having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone
most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; 12 And had
a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve
angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve
tribes of the children of Israel: 13 On the east three gates; on the
north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three
gates. 14 And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in
them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. 15 And he that
talked with me had a golden reed to measure the city, and the gates
thereof, and the wall thereof. 16 And the city lieth foursquare, and
the length is as large as the breadth: and he measured the city with
the reed, twelve thousand furlongs. The length and the breadth and the
height of it are equal. 17 And he measured the wall thereof, a
hundred and forty and four cubits, according to the measure of a man,
that is, of the angel. 18 And the building of the wall of it was of
jasper: and the city was pure gold, like unto clear glass. 19 And the
foundations of the wall of the city were garnished with all manner of
precious stones. The first foundation was jasper; the second, sapphire;
the third, a chalcedony; the fourth, an emerald; 20 The fifth,
sardonyx; the sixth, sardius; the seventh, chrysolite; the eighth,
beryl; the ninth, a topaz; the tenth, a chrysoprasus; the eleventh, a
jacinth; the twelfth, an amethyst. 21 And the twelve gates were
twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of
the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 22 And I saw no
temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple
of it. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon,
to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is
the light thereof. 24 And the nations of them which are saved shall
walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their
glory and honour into it. 25 And the gates of it shall not be shut at
all by day: for there shall be no night there. 26 And they shall
bring the glory and honour of the nations into it. 27 And there shall
in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever
worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the
Lamb's book of life.
We have already considered the introduction to the vision of the new
Jerusalem in a more general idea of the heavenly state; we now come to
the vision itself, where observe,
I. The person that opened the vision to the apostle--one of the seven
angels, that had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, v. 9.
God has a variety of work and employment for his holy angels. Sometimes
they are to sound the trumpet of divine Providence, and give fair
warning to a careless world; sometimes they are to pour out the vials
of God's anger upon impenitent sinners; and sometimes to discover
things of a heavenly nature to those that are the heirs of salvation.
They readily execute every commission they receive from God; and, when
this world shall be at an end, yet the angels shall be employed by the
great God in proper pleasant work to all eternity.
II. The place from which the apostle had this glorious view and
prospect. He was taken, in ecstasy, into a high mountain. From such
situations men usually have the most distinct views of adjacent cities.
Those who would have clear views of heaven must get as near heaven as
they can, into the mount of vision, the mount of meditation and faith,
whence, as from the top of Pisgah, they may behold the goodly land of
the heavenly Canaan.
III. The subject-matter of the vision--the bride, the Lamb's wife (v.
10); that is, the church of God in her glorious, perfect, triumphant
state, under the resemblance of Jerusalem, having the glory of God
shining in its lustre, as uxor splendit radiis mariti--the bride comely
through the comeliness put on her by her husband; glorious in her
relation to Christ, in his image now perfected in her, and in his
favour shining upon her. And now we have a large description of the
church triumphant under the emblem of a city, far exceeding in riches
and splendour all the cities of this world; and this new Jerusalem is
here represented to us both in the exterior and the interior part of
it.
1. The exterior part of the city--the wall and the gates, the wall for
security and the gates for entrance.
(1.) The wall for security. Heaven is a safe state; those that are
there are enclosed with a wall, that separates them and secures them
from all evils and enemies: now here, in the account of the wall, we
observe, [1.] The height of it, which, we are told, is very high,
seventy yards (v. 17), sufficient both for ornament and security. [2.]
The matter of it: It was as jasper; a wall all built of the most
precious stones, for firmness and lustre, v. 11. This city has a wall
that is impregnable as well as precious. [3.] The form of it was very
regular and uniform: It was four-square, the length as large as the
breadth. In the new Jerusalem all shall be equal in purity and
perfection. There shall be an absolute uniformity in the church
triumphant, a thing wanted and wished for on earth, but not to be
expected till we come to heaven. [4.] The measure of the wall (v. 15,
16): Twelve thousand furlongs each way, each side, which is forty-eight
thousand furlongs in the whole compass, or fifteen hundred German
miles. Here is room sufficient for all the people of God--many mansions
in their Father's house. [5.] The foundation of the wall, for heaven is
a city that hath her foundations (v. 19); the promise and power of God,
and the purchase of Christ, are the strong foundations of the church's
safety and happiness. The foundations are described by their
number--twelve, alluding to the twelve apostles (v. 14), whose gospel
doctrines are the foundations upon which the church is built, Christ
himself being the chief corner-stone; and, as to the matter of these
foundations, it was various and precious, set forth by twelve sorts of
precious stones, denoting the variety and excellency of the doctrines
of the gospel, or of the graces of the Holy Spirit, or the personal
excellencies of the Lord Jesus Christ.
(2.) The gates for entrance. Heaven is not inaccessible; there is a way
opened into the holiest of all; there is a free admission to all those
that are sanctified; they shall not find themselves shut out. Now, as
to these gates, observe, [1.] Their number--twelve gates, answering to
the twelve tribes of Israel. All the true Israel of God shall have
entrance into the new Jerusalem, as every tribe had into the earthly
Jerusalem. [2.] Their guards which were placed upon them--twelve
angels, to admit and receive the several tribes of the spiritual Israel
and keep out others. [3.] The inscription on the gates--the names of
the twelve tribes, to show that they have a right to the tree of life,
and to enter through the gates into the city. [4.] The situation of the
gates. As the city had four equal sides, answering to the four quarters
of the world, east, west, north, and south, so on each side there were
three gates, signifying that from all quarters of the earth there shall
be some who shall get safely to heaven and be received there, and that
there is as free entrance from one part of the world as from the other;
for in Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek, Barbarian, Scythian,
bond, nor free. Men of all nations, and languages, who believe on
Christ, have by him access to God in grace here and in glory hereafter.
[5.] The materials of these gates--they were all of pearls, and yet
with great variety: Every gate one pearl, either one single pearl of
that vast bigness, or one single sort of pearl. Christ is the pearl of
great price, and he is our way to God. There is nothing magnificent
enough in this world fully to set forth the glory of heaven. Could we,
in the glass of a strong imagination, contemplate such a city as is
here described, even as to the exterior part of it, such a wall, and
such gates, how amazing, how glorious, would the prospect be! And yet
this is but a faint and dim representation of what heaven is in itself.
2. The interior part of the new Jerusalem, v. 22-27. We have seen its
strong wall, and stately gates, and glorious guards; now we are to be
led through the gates into the city itself; and the first thing which
we observe there is the street of the city, which is of pure gold, like
transparent glass, v. 21. The saints in heaven tread upon gold. The new
Jerusalem has its several streets. There is the most exact order in
heaven: every saint has his proper mansion. There is converse in
heaven: the saints are then at rest, but it is not a mere passive rest;
it is not a state of sleep and inactivity, but a state of delightful
motion: The nations that are saved walk in the light of it. They walk
with Christ in white. They have communion not only with God, but with
one another; and all their steps are firm and clean. They are pure and
clear as gold and transparent glass. Observe,
(1.) The temple of the new Jerusalem, which was no material temple,
made with men's hands, as that of Solomon and Zerubbabel, but a temple
altogether spiritual and divine; for the Lord God Almighty, and the
Lamb, are the temple thereof. There the saints are above the need of
ordinances, which were the means of their preparation for heaven. When
the end is attained the means are no longer useful. Perfect and
immediate communion with God will more than supply the place of gospel
institutions.
(2.) The light of this city. Where there is no light, there can be no
lustre nor pleasure. Heaven is the inheritance of the saints in light.
But what is that light? There is no sun nor moon shining there, v. 23.
Light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is to behold the sun. What a
dismal world would this be if it were not for the light of the sun!
What is there in heaven that supplies the want of it? There is no want
of the light of the sun, for the glory of God lightens that city, and
the Lamb is the light thereof. God in Christ will be an everlasting
fountain of knowledge and joy to the saints in heaven; and, if so,
there is no need of the sun or moon, any more than we here need to set
up candles at noon day, when the sun shineth in its strength.
(3.) The inhabitants of this city. They are described here several
ways. [1.] By their numbers--whole nations of saved souls; some out of
all nations, and many out of some nations. All those multitudes who
were sealed on earth are saved in heaven. [2.] By their dignity--some
of the kings and princes of the earth: great kings. God will have some
of all ranks and degrees of men to fill the heavenly mansions, high and
low; and when the greatest kings come to heaven they will see all their
former honour and glory swallowed up of this heavenly glory that so
much excels. [3.] Their continual accession and entrance into this
city: The gates shall never be shut. There is no night, and therefore
no need of shutting up the gates. Some one or other is coming in every
hour and moment, and those that are sanctified always find the gates
open; they have an abundant entrance into the kingdom.
(4.) The accommodations of this city: All the glory and honour of the
nations shall be brought into it. Whatever is excellent and valuable in
this world shall be there enjoyed in a more refined kind, and to a far
greater degree--brighter crowns, a better and more enduring substance,
more sweet and satisfying feasts, a more glorious attendance, a truer
sense of honour and far higher posts of honour, a more glorious temper
of mind, and a form and a countenance more glorious than ever were
known in this world.
(5.) The unmixed purity of all who belong to the new Jerusalem, v. 27.
[1.] There the saints shall have no impure thing remaining in them. In
the article of death they shall be cleansed from every thing that is of
a defiling nature. Now they feel a sad mixture of corruption with their
graces, which hinders them in the service of God, interrupts their
communion with him, and intercepts the light of his countenance; but,
at their entrance into the holy of holies, they are washed in the laver
of Christ's blood, and presented to the Father without spot. [2.] There
the saints shall have no impure persons admitted among them. In the
earthly Jerusalem there will be a mixed communion, after all the care
that can be taken. Some roots of bitterness will spring up to trouble
and defile Christian societies; but in the new Jerusalem there is a
society perfectly pure. First, Free from such as are openly profane.
There are none admitted into heaven who work abominations. In the
churches on earth sometimes abominable things are done, solemn
ordinances profaned and prostituted to men openly vicious, for worldly
ends; but no such abominations can have place in heaven. Secondly, Free
from hypocrites, such as make lies, say they are Jews, and are not, but
do lie. These will creep into the churches of Christ on earth, and may
lie concealed there a long time, perhaps all their days; but they
cannot intrude into the new Jerusalem, which is wholly reserved for
those that are called, and chosen, and faithful, who are all written,
not only in the register if the visible church, but in the Lamb's book
of life.
__________________________________________________________________
R E V E L A T I O N.
CHAP. XXII.
In this chapter we have, I. A further description of the heavenly state
of the church, ver. 1-5. II. A confirmation of this and all the other
visions of this book, ver. 6-19. III. The conclusion, ver. 20, 21.
The New Jerusalem. (a. d. 95.)
1 And he showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal,
proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2 In the midst
of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the
tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit
every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the
nations. 3 And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God
and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: 4
And they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.
5 And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither
light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall
reign for ever and ever.
The heavenly state which was before described as a city, and called the
new Jerusalem, is here described as a paradise, alluding to the earthly
paradise which was lost by the sin of the first Adam; here is another
paradise restored by the second Adam. A paradise in a city, or a whole
city in a paradise! In the first paradise there were only two persons
to behold the beauty and taste the pleasures of it; but in this second
paradise whole cities and nations shall find abundant delight and
satisfaction. And here observe,
I. The river of paradise. The earthly paradise was well watered: no
place can be pleasant or fruitful that is not so. This river is
described, 1. By its fountain-head--the throne of God and the Lamb. All
our springs of grace, comfort, and glory, are in God; and all our
streams from him are through the mediation of the Lamb. 2. By its
quality--pure and clear as crystal. All the streams of earthly comfort
are muddy; but these are clear, salutary, and refreshing, giving life,
and preserving life, to those who drink of them.
II. The tree of life, in this paradise. Such a tree there was in the
earthly paradise, Gen. ii. 9. This far excels it. And now, as to this
tree, observe, 1. The situation of it--in the midst of the street, and
on either side the river; or, as might have been better rendered, in
the midst between the terrace-walk and the river. This tree of life is
fed by the pure waters of the river that comes from the throne of God.
The presence and perfections of God furnish out all the glory and
blessedness of heaven. 2. The fruitfulness of this tree. (1.) It brings
forth many sorts of fruit--twelve sorts, suited to the refined taste of
all the saints. (2.) It brings forth fruit at all times--yields its
fruit every month. This tree is never empty, never barren; there is
always fruit upon it. In heaven there is not only a variety of pure and
satisfying pleasures, but a continuance of them, and always fresh. (3.)
The fruit is not only pleasant, but wholesome. The presence of God in
heaven is the health and happiness of the saints; there they find in
him a remedy for all their former maladies, and are preserved by him in
the most healthful and vigorous state.
III. The perfect freedom of this paradise from every thing that is evil
(v. 3): There shall be no more curse; no accursed one--katanathema, no
serpent there, as there was in the earthly paradise. Here is the great
excellency of this paradise. The devil has nothing to do there; he
cannot draw the saints from serving God to be subject to himself, as he
did our first parents, nor can he so much as disturb them in the
service of God.
IV. The supreme felicity of this paradisiacal state. 1. There the
saints shall see the face of God; there they shall enjoy the beatific
vision. 2. God will own them, as having his seal and name on their
foreheads. 3. They shall reign with him for ever; their service shall
be not only freedom but honour and dominion. 4. All this shall be with
perfect knowledge and joy. They shall be full of wisdom and comfort,
continually walking in the light of the Lord; and this not for a time,
but for ever and ever.
The New Jerusalem. (a. d. 95.)
6 And he said unto me, These sayings are faithful and true: and the
Lord God of the holy prophets sent his angel to show unto his servants
the things which must shortly be done. 7 Behold, I come quickly:
blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.
8 And I John saw these things, and heard them. And when I had heard and
seen, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel which showed
me these things. 9 Then saith he unto me, See thou do it not: for I
am thy fellowservant, and of thy brethren the prophets, and of them
which keep the sayings of this book: worship God. 10 And he saith
unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the
time is at hand. 11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and
he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous,
let him be righteous still: and he that is holy, let him be holy still.
12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give
every man according as his work shall be. 13 I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the end, the first and the last. 14 Blessed are
they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of
life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 15 For
without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and
idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie. 16 I Jesus have
sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am
the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.
17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth
say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let
him take the water of life freely. 18 For I testify unto every man
that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall
add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are
written in this book: 19 And if any man shall take away from the
words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of
the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which
are written in this book.
We have here a solemn ratification of the contents of this book, and
particularly of this last vision (though some think it may not only
refer to the whole book, but to the whole New Testament, yea, to the
whole Bible, completing and confirming the can on of scripture); and
here, 1. This is confirmed by the name and nature of that God who gave
out these discoveries: he is the Lord God, faithful and true, and so
are all his sayings. 2. By the messengers he chose, to reveal these
things to the world; the holy angels showed them to holy men of God;
and God would not employ his saints and angels in deceiving the world.
3. They will soon be confirmed by their accomplishment: they are things
that must shortly be done; Christ will make haste, he will come
quickly, and put all things out of doubt; and then those will prove the
wise and happy men who have believed and kept his words. 4. By the
integrity of that angel who had been the apostle's guide and
interpreter in these visions; this integrity was such that he not only
refused to accept religious adoration from John, but once and again
reproved him for it. He who was so tender of the honour of God, and so
displeased with what was a wrong to God, would never come in his name
to lead the people of God into mere dreams and delusions; and it is a
still further confirmation of the sincerity of this apostle that he
confesses his own sin and folly, into which he had now again relapsed,
and he leaves this his failing on perpetual record: this shows he was a
faithful and an impartial writer. 5. By the order given to leave the
book of the prophecy open, to be perused by all, that they might labour
to understand it, that they might make their objections against it, and
compare the prophecy with the events. God here deals freely and openly
with all; he does not speak in secret, but calls every one to witness
to the declarations here made, v. 10. 6. By the effect this book, thus
kept open, will have upon men; those that are filthy and unjust will
take occasion thence to be more so, but it will confirm, strengthen,
and further sanctify those that are upright with God; it will be a
savour of life to some and of death to others, and so will appear to be
from God, v. 12. 7. It will be Christ's rule of judgment at the great
day; he will dispense rewards and punishments to men according as their
works agree or disagree with the word of God; and therefore that word
itself must needs be faithful and true. 8. It is the word of him who is
the author, finisher, and rewarder of the faith and holiness of his
people, v. 13, 14. He is the first and the last, and the same from
first to last, and so is his word too; and he will by this word give to
his people, who conform themselves to it, a right to the tree of life,
and an entrance into heaven; and this will be a full confirmation of
the truth and authority of his word, since it contains the title and
evidence of that confirmed state of holiness and happiness that remains
for his people in heaven. 9. It is a book that condemns and excludes
from heaven all wicked, unrighteous persons, and particularly those
that love and make lies (v. 15), and therefore can never be itself a
lie. 10. It is confirmed by the testimony of Jesus, which is the Spirit
of prophecy. And this Jesus, as God, is the root of David, though, as
man, his offspring--a person in whom all uncreated and created
excellencies meet, too great and too good to deceive his churches and
the world. He is the fountain of all light, the bright and the morning
star, and as such has given to his churches this morning light of
prophecy, to assure them of the light of that perfect day which is
approaching. 11. It is confirmed by an open and general invitation to
all to come and partake of the promises and privileges of the gospel,
those streams of the water of life; these are tendered to all who feel
in their souls a thirst which nothing in this world can quench. 12. It
is confirmed by the joint testimony of the Spirit of God, and that
gracious Spirit that is in all the true members of the church of God;
the Spirit and the bride join in testifying the truth and excellency of
the gospel. 13. It is confirmed by a most solemn sanction, condemning
and cursing all who should dare to corrupt or change the word of God,
either by adding to it or taking from it, v. 18, 19. He that adds to
the word of God draws down upon himself all the plagues written in this
book; and he who takes any thing away from it cuts himself off from all
the promises and privileges of it. This sanction is like a flaming
sword, to guard the canon of the scripture from profane hands. Such a
fence as this God set about the law (Deut. iv. 2), and the whole Old
Testament (Mal. iv. 4), and now in the most solemn manner about the
whole Bible, assuring us that it is a book of the most sacred nature,
divine authority, and of the last importance, and therefore the
peculiar care of the great God.
Conclusion. (a. d. 95.)
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus. 21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you all. Amen.
We have now come to the conclusion of the whole, and that in three
things:--
I. Christ's farewell to his church. He seems now, after he has been
discovering these things to his people on earth, to take leave of them,
and return to heaven; but he parts with them in great kindness, and
assures them it shall not be long before he comes again to them:
Behold, I come quickly. As when he ascended into heaven, after his
resurrection, he parted with a promise of his gracious presence, so
here he parts with a promise of a speedy return. If any say, "Where is
the promise of his coming, when so many ages have passed since this was
written?" let them know he is not slack to his people, but
long-suffering to his enemies: his coming will be sooner than they are
aware, sooner than they are prepared, sooner than they desire; and to
his people it will be seasonable. The vision is for an appointed time,
and will not tarry. He will come quickly; let this word be always
sounding in our ear, and let us give all diligence that we may be found
of him in peace, without spot and blameless.
II. The church's hearty echo to Christ's promise, 1. Declaring her firm
belief of it: Amen, so it is, so it shall be. 2. Expressing her earnest
desire of it: Even so, come, Lord Jesus; make hast, my beloved, and be
thou like a roe, or like a young hart on the mountain of spices. Thus
beats the pulse of the church, thus breathes that gracious Spirit which
actuates and informs the mystical body of Christ; and we should never
be satisfied till we find such a spirit breathing in us, and causing us
to look for the blessed hope, and glorious appearance of the great God
and our Saviour Jesus Christ. This is the language of the church of the
first-born, and we should join with them, often putting ourselves in
mind of his promise. What comes from heaven in a promise should be sent
back to heaven in a prayer, "Come, Lord Jesus, put an end to this state
of sin, sorrow, and temptation; gather thy people out of this present
evil world, and take them up to heaven, that state of perfect purity,
peace, and joy, and so finish thy great design, and fulfil all that
word in which thou hast caused thy people to hope."
III. The apostolical benediction, which closes the whole: The grace of
our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, Amen. Here observe, 1. The Bible
ends with a clear proof of the Godhead of Christ, since the Spirit of
God teaches the apostle to bless his people in the name of Christ, and
to beg from Christ a blessing for them, which is a proper act of
adoration. 2. Nothing should be more desired by us than that the grace
of Christ may be with us in this world, to prepare us for the glory of
Christ in the other world. It is by his grace that we must be kept in a
joyful expectation of his glory, fitted for it, and preserved to it;
and his glorious appearance will be welcome and joyful to those that
are partakers of his grace and favour here; and therefore to this most
comprehensive prayer we should all add our hearty Amen, most earnestly
thirsting after greater measures of the gracious influences of the
blessed Jesus in our souls, and his gracious presence with us, till
glory has perfected all his grace towards us, for he is a sun and a
shield, he gives grace and glory, and no good thing will he withhold
from those that walk uprightly.
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Indexes
__________________________________________________________________
Index of Scripture References
Genesis
[1]1:3 [2]1:6-7 [3]1:8 [4]1:27 [5]1:31 [6]1:31 [7]2:7
[8]2:9 [9]2:17 [10]2:18 [11]2:24 [12]2:24 [13]3:1
[14]3:15 [15]3:15 [16]3:15 [17]3:15 [18]3:15 [19]3:15
[20]3:15 [21]3:16 [22]3:16 [23]3:16 [24]3:16 [25]3:19
[26]4:4 [27]4:7 [28]4:9 [29]4:20-21 [30]5:22 [31]6:3
[32]6:3 [33]6:3 [34]6:5 [35]6:5 [36]6:5 [37]6:6 [38]6:7
[39]6:13 [40]6:17 [41]6:17 [42]7:11 [43]7:11 [44]7:12
[45]7:17 [46]7:20 [47]8:21 [48]9:3 [49]9:4 [50]9:6
[51]9:6 [52]9:11-17 [53]9:25 [54]10:2 [55]11:5 [56]11:6
[57]11:7 [58]11:31 [59]12:1 [60]12:1 [61]12:2 [62]12:3
[63]12:3 [64]12:3 [65]13:7 [66]13:18 [67]14:18 [68]14:18
[69]14:21 [70]15:1 [71]15:5 [72]15:6 [73]15:6 [74]15:12
[75]15:12 [76]16:1-16 [77]17:1-27 [78]17:5 [79]17:7
[80]17:9-10 [81]17:17 [82]17:19 [83]18:1 [84]18:1-32
[85]18:3 [86]18:10 [87]18:19 [88]18:25 [89]18:25 [90]19:1
[91]19:1-38 [92]20:11 [93]21:1-34 [94]21:10 [95]21:12
[96]22:1 [97]22:2 [98]22:12 [99]22:16-17 [100]22:17
[101]23:16 [102]24:65 [103]25:23 [104]26:3 [105]27:1-46
[106]27:33 [107]27:33 [108]27:35 [109]28:6-9 [110]28:13
[111]31:43 [112]31:49 [113]32:29 [114]33:19 [115]39:2
[116]39:4 [117]39:9 [118]39:21 [119]39:21 [120]40:23
[121]41:43 [122]43:32 [123]46:27 [124]46:27 [125]48:14
[126]49:10 [127]49:24 [128]50:13 [129]50:15 [130]50:20
[131]50:24-25
Exodus
[132]1:22 [133]2:2 [134]2:3 [135]2:11-15 [136]2:14-15
[137]3:5 [138]3:14 [139]3:14 [140]4:11 [141]4:21 [142]4:22
[143]6:26 [144]8:8 [145]9:11 [146]9:14 [147]9:16 [148]10:17
[149]11:8 [150]12:13-23 [151]12:41 [152]14:1-31 [153]14:13
[154]14:15 [155]15:2 [156]15:11 [157]16:1-36 [158]16:8
[159]17:2-7 [160]18:16 [161]18:21 [162]19:6 [163]20:18
[164]23:2 [165]23:20 [166]24:1-18 [167]24:7-8 [168]24:8
[169]24:11 [170]25:1-27:21 [171]25:22 [172]32:6 [173]32:9
[174]32:33 [175]33:2 [176]33:3 [177]33:5 [178]33:12
[179]33:12 [180]33:18 [181]33:19 [182]34:29 [183]36:5-6
Leviticus
[184]2:9 [185]2:16 [186]5:12 [187]6:15 [188]7:15-18
[189]10:3 [190]10:8-9 [191]11:2 [192]11:44 [193]11:47
[194]16:2 [195]16:8 [196]16:21-22 [197]17:11 [198]18:5
[199]18:5 [200]19:3 [201]19:15 [202]19:16 [203]23:15
[204]24:14 [205]24:16 [206]26:19 [207]26:26 [208]26:42
Numbers
[209]1:2 [210]6:9 [211]6:13-20 [212]6:18 [213]6:23-26
[214]6:26 [215]6:26 [216]7:89 [217]11:1-2 [218]11:4
[219]12:6-7 [220]12:6-8 [221]13:18 [222]14:17 [223]14:37
[224]15:30-31 [225]16:3 [226]16:15 [227]16:28 [228]16:41
[229]17:1-13 [230]18:20 [231]19:9 [232]20:7-14 [233]20:16
[234]21:5-6 [235]22:23-24 [236]24:2 [237]24:3 [238]24:3-4
[239]24:24 [240]24:25 [241]25:1-18 [242]35:25
Deuteronomy
[243]1:17 [244]1:31 [245]4:2 [246]4:7 [247]4:7-8 [248]4:8
[249]4:15 [250]4:19 [251]4:19 [252]4:34 [253]4:37 [254]6:7
[255]7:3 [256]7:6 [257]7:7 [258]7:7-8 [259]7:8 [260]8:10
[261]9:6 [262]9:13 [263]10:17 [264]12:8-9 [265]13:2
[266]13:2 [267]13:2 [268]13:9 [269]13:14 [270]14:2-3
[271]14:21 [272]16:19 [273]17:6 [274]17:7 [275]17:15
[276]17:15 [277]17:15 [278]18:15 [279]18:18 [280]18:18
[281]18:22 [282]19:15 [283]21:22 [284]25:2 [285]25:3
[286]25:3 [287]25:4 [288]27:26 [289]28:46 [290]28:47
[291]28:49 [292]28:68 [293]28:68 [294]29:1-29 [295]29:4
[296]29:11 [297]29:18 [298]29:29 [299]29:29 [300]29:29
[301]30:2-3 [302]30:6 [303]30:11-14 [304]30:12 [305]31:27
[306]32:6 [307]32:9 [308]32:16 [309]32:17 [310]32:18
[311]32:21 [312]32:21 [313]32:34 [314]32:35 [315]32:36
[316]32:36 [317]32:36 [318]32:43 [319]33:2 [320]33:3
[321]33:5 [322]33:29 [323]34:10
Joshua
[324]1:5 [325]2:6-7 [326]2:9-11 [327]3:4 [328]6:1 [329]6:5
[330]10:24 [331]22:30 [332]24:1-33 [333]24:2 [334]24:2
[335]24:32 [336]24:32
Judges
[337]1:31 [338]4 [339]5:11 [340]5:12 [341]5:19 [342]6:11
[343]7:16 [344]9:9 [345]11:1-40 [346]11:11 [347]13:1-16:31
[348]13:17 [349]14:5-6 [350]18:7 [351]18:24
Ruth
[352]1 [353]4:4
1 Samuel
[354]1:13 [355]3:9-10 [356]4:21 [357]6:20 [358]9:15
[359]10:7 [360]10:24 [361]12:1-25 [362]12:3 [363]12:5
[364]13:14 [365]15:11 [366]16:7 [367]16:7 [368]17:6
[369]17:34-35 [370]17:37 [371]20:41 [372]21:5 [373]24:16
[374]24:16 [375]25:11 [376]25:32 [377]26:19 [378]26:21
[379]26:21 [380]27:1 [381]27:1
2 Samuel
[382]2:18 [383]3:36 [384]5:17 [385]7:1-29 [386]7:7
[387]7:12 [388]7:12 [389]7:14 [390]7:27 [391]9:3 [392]9:7
[393]12:14 [394]12:14 [395]15:21 [396]16:11 [397]18:3
[398]23:1 [399]23:5 [400]24:14 [401]24:24
1 Kings
[402]1:51 [403]2:2 [404]2:10 [405]8:27 [406]8:56 [407]10:8
[408]10:13 [409]16:24 [410]17:1 [411]17:21 [412]17:23
[413]17:23 [414]18:17 [415]19:7 [416]19:11-12 [417]19:14
[418]20:39 [419]20:39 [420]20:42 [421]21:25 [422]22:24
2 Kings
[423]1:12 [424]2:16 [425]4:23 [426]4:34 [427]4:36 [428]4:36
[429]5:26 [430]5:26 [431]9:11 [432]10:16 [433]11:15
[434]16:2 [435]16:10 [436]17:6 [437]25:27-28
1 Chronicles
[438]8:12 [439]21:1 [440]23:4-5 [441]29:13-14 [442]29:14
[443]29:18
2 Chronicles
[444]6:1 [445]6:8 [446]7:21 [447]19:7 [448]20:4 [449]24:21
[450]25:16 [451]28:3 [452]30:8 [453]32:31
Ezra
[454]1:5 [455]2:33 [456]3:12-13 [457]4:15 [458]4:15-16
[459]4:19 [460]8:22 [461]10:3
Nehemiah
[462]5:8 [463]5:15 [464]5:15 [465]7:2 [466]8:2 [467]8:10
[468]9:7-8 [469]9:17 [470]9:20 [471]11:16 [472]11:16
Esther
[473]3:15 [474]4:16 [475]9:1-2 [476]9:15-16 [477]14:11
Job
[478]2:3 [479]3:17-18 [480]3:19 [481]3:19 [482]4:5
[483]4:18 [484]4:18 [485]5:9 [486]5:13 [487]5:27 [488]9:10
[489]9:33 [490]10:2 [491]11:7-9 [492]11:8-9 [493]12:2
[494]13:26 [495]13:26 [496]14:2 [497]14:4 [498]14:14-15
[499]14:15 [500]14:17 [501]15:4 [502]16:9 [503]17:8-9
[504]17:14 [505]18:14-15 [506]19:27 [507]21:14 [508]22:13
[509]22:18 [510]23:8-9 [511]23:8-9 [512]23:13 [513]23:14
[514]24:13 [515]26:14 [516]27:7 [517]27:8 [518]28:12
[519]30:5 [520]30:8 [521]31:3 [522]31:17 [523]31:20
[524]31:31 [525]31:31 [526]31:38 [527]32:7-8 [528]32:8
[529]32:18 [530]32:20 [531]32:20 [532]33:13 [533]33:15-17
[534]33:20 [535]34:17 [536]34:17 [537]34:18 [538]34:19
[539]34:32 [540]35:5-8 [541]35:10-11 [542]36:8-10 [543]36:22
[544]38:1-41 [545]38:17 [546]38:22-23 [547]38:28 [548]40:12
Psalms
[549]1:5 [550]1:6 [551]1:6 [552]2:1-2 [553]2:2 [554]2:4
[555]2:6 [556]2:6-7 [557]2:7 [558]2:7 [559]2:10 [560]2:12
[561]3:6 [562]4:4 [563]4:4 [564]4:6-7 [565]4:6-7 [566]5:9
[567]7:11 [568]8:4-6 [569]8:4-8 [570]9:10 [571]9:10
[572]10:14 [573]10:17 [574]12:1 [575]12:2 [576]12:4
[577]12:4-5 [578]12:6 [579]12:8 [580]14:1-3 [581]14:1-3
[582]14:1-3 [583]14:1-7 [584]14:1-7 [585]14:1-7 [586]14:4
[587]14:4 [588]14:4 [589]15:4 [590]15:4 [591]16:1-11
[592]16:3 [593]16:3 [594]16:3 [595]16:5 [596]16:8-11
[597]16:9-10 [598]16:10 [599]16:10 [600]16:14 [601]17:14
[602]17:15 [603]18:2 [604]18:4 [605]18:25 [606]18:27
[607]18:49 [608]19:1 [609]19:1-14 [610]19:4 [611]22:5
[612]22:16 [613]22:22 [614]22:22 [615]23:4 [616]24:4
[617]24:6 [618]25:9 [619]25:14 [620]25:21 [621]26:6
[622]27:3 [623]27:4 [624]27:8 [625]28:4 [626]29:3
[627]32:1-2 [628]32:6 [629]33:9 [630]33:9 [631]33:15
[632]33:15 [633]34:2 [634]34:7 [635]34:9 [636]34:10
[637]34:12-14 [638]34:16 [639]35:27 [640]36:1 [641]36:6
[642]36:8 [643]36:9 [644]37:4 [645]37:4 [646]37:13
[647]37:16 [648]37:19 [649]37:21 [650]37:21 [651]38:4
[652]38:14-15 [653]39:1 [654]39:4 [655]39:5 [656]39:6
[657]39:12 [658]40:6 [659]40:6-7 [660]40:7 [661]40:7
[662]41:1 [663]41:1-2 [664]41:3 [665]41:9 [666]44:22
[667]45:6-7 [668]45:7 [669]45:12 [670]46:1 [671]46:3
[672]46:5 [673]47:5 [674]49:15 [675]49:19 [676]49:20
[677]50:6 [678]50:8 [679]50:10-11 [680]50:16 [681]50:16-17
[682]50:18 [683]50:18 [684]50:21 [685]51:4 [686]51:4
[687]51:17 [688]52:1 [689]52:8 [690]53:1-3 [691]55:17
[692]55:17 [693]55:19 [694]57:2 [695]58:3 [696]58:4-5
[697]60:3 [698]62:9 [699]63:2 [700]63:2 [701]63:5 [702]63:9
[703]65:1 [704]65:4 [705]65:5 [706]65:7 [707]65:9-13
[708]66:10-12 [709]66:16 [710]66:16 [711]66:16 [712]66:18
[713]66:18 [714]66:20 [715]67:4 [716]67:4 [717]67:7
[718]68:11 [719]68:18 [720]68:18 [721]68:31 [722]69:9
[723]69:10 [724]69:21 [725]69:22-23 [726]69:25 [727]71:1
[728]72:17 [729]73:2-3 [730]75:2 [731]76:10 [732]76:10
[733]76:10 [734]76:10 [735]77:19 [736]78:18 [737]79:1
[738]82:1 [739]82:2 [740]82:4 [741]82:6 [742]83:3 [743]83:4
[744]84:10 [745]84:11 [746]84:11 [747]84:11 [748]84:11-12
[749]87:1 [750]88:5 [751]88:10 [752]88:15 [753]89:1-2
[754]89:5 [755]89:20 [756]89:21 [757]89:24 [758]89:29
[759]89:32-33 [760]89:33 [761]89:33 [762]89:35 [763]89:36
[764]89:37 [765]91:11-12 [766]94:1 [767]94:11 [768]94:19
[769]95:7 [770]95:7 [771]96:10-13 [772]96:11 [773]97:2
[774]97:7 [775]98:7-9 [776]101:6 [777]101:6 [778]102:4
[779]102:8 [780]102:25-27 [781]104:3 [782]104:4 [783]104:24
[784]104:27 [785]104:34 [786]105:15 [787]105:18
[788]105:20-22 [789]105:39 [790]106:20 [791]106:46
[792]106:46 [793]106:46 [794]107:14-15 [795]107:20
[796]107:20 [797]107:26-27 [798]107:30 [799]107:30-31
[800]107:42 [801]108:1 [802]109:4 [803]109:4 [804]109:8
[805]109:17-19 [806]110:1 [807]110:1 [808]110:1 [809]110:1
[810]110:2-3 [811]110:3 [812]110:4 [813]110:4 [814]110:4
[815]110:4 [816]112:9 [817]112:9 [818]112:10 [819]112:10
[820]115:1 [821]115:1 [822]115:1 [823]115:5-6 [824]116:10
[825]116:10 [826]116:11 [827]116:11 [828]116:16 [829]117:1
[830]118:12 [831]118:12 [832]119:11 [833]119:11 [834]119:18
[835]119:32 [836]119:49 [837]119:49 [838]119:60 [839]119:62
[840]119:63 [841]119:79 [842]119:113 [843]119:115
[844]119:175 [845]119:176 [846]120:7 [847]125:3 [848]126:1
[849]126:1 [850]126:2 [851]131:1 [852]131:1-2 [853]132:11
[854]132:11 [855]132:11 [856]135:6 [857]135:7 [858]135:7
[859]138:2 [860]138:8 [861]139:6 [862]139:9 [863]139:13
[864]139:15 [865]139:15 [866]139:15 [867]139:20 [868]139:23
[869]140:3 [870]140:3 [871]143:2 [872]143:7 [873]145:9-10
[874]145:10 [875]145:10-12 [876]147:5 [877]147:19-20
[878]147:20 [879]147:20 [880]147:20 [881]148:8 [882]149:5
Proverbs
[883]1:10 [884]1:16 [885]1:20-21 [886]1:24 [887]2:11
[888]3:7 [889]3:14 [890]3:27-29 [891]3:34 [892]3:34
[893]4:18 [894]4:23 [895]5:19 [896]6:33 [897]7:13 [898]7:15
[899]7:18 [900]8:15 [901]8:22 [902]8:23-26 [903]8:34
[904]9:12 [905]10:4 [906]10:7 [907]10:22 [908]10:28
[909]11:15 [910]11:31 [911]13:10 [912]13:12 [913]13:20
[914]14:8 [915]14:10 [916]14:15 [917]15:8 [918]15:8
[919]16:4 [920]16:4 [921]16:9 [922]16:33 [923]16:33
[924]17:5 [925]17:9 [926]18:19 [927]18:23 [928]19:2
[929]19:19 [930]19:21 [931]20:22 [932]20:27 [933]21:4
[934]23:2 [935]23:5 [936]23:5 [937]23:7 [938]23:23
[939]23:29 [940]23:29 [941]23:30 [942]23:33 [943]23:35
[944]24:11-12 [945]24:23 [946]24:26 [947]25:14 [948]25:19
[949]25:21-22 [950]26:4-5 [951]27:1 [952]27:9 [953]27:19
[954]28:1 [955]28:1 [956]28:9 [957]28:12 [958]28:23
[959]28:24 [960]29:10 [961]29:10 [962]30:4 [963]30:8
[964]31:1 [965]31:6 [966]31:8 [967]31:19-22 [968]31:20
[969]31:26 [970]31:26
Ecclesiastes
[971]1:4 [972]1:7 [973]2:24 [974]3:1-2 [975]3:16 [976]3:16
[977]3:17 [978]5:1 [979]5:6 [980]5:6 [981]5:12 [982]5:13
[983]5:15-16 [984]6:2 [985]6:12 [986]6:12 [987]7:14
[988]7:21 [989]7:23 [990]8:11 [991]8:11 [992]9:17 [993]9:17
[994]10:1 [995]10:1 [996]10:4 [997]10:8 [998]10:20
[999]10:20 [1000]10:20 [1001]11:2 [1002]11:2 [1003]11:6
[1004]11:9 [1005]11:15 [1006]12:5 [1007]12:7 [1008]12:7
[1009]12:9
Song of Solomon
[1010]1:2 [1011]3:6 [1012]6:12 [1013]7:12
Isaiah
[1014]1:2 [1015]1:9 [1016]1:10 [1017]1:16-17 [1018]1:17
[1019]1:18 [1020]1:18 [1021]1:21 [1022]1:23 [1023]2:3
[1024]2:3 [1025]2:20 [1026]6:1-13 [1027]6:3 [1028]6:9
[1029]6:9-10 [1030]6:13 [1031]6:13 [1032]7:13 [1033]8:11
[1034]8:12 [1035]8:12-13 [1036]8:13-14 [1037]8:14 [1038]8:14
[1039]8:18 [1040]8:19 [1041]8:20 [1042]9:3 [1043]9:6
[1044]10:12 [1045]10:22-23 [1046]11:1 [1047]11:3 [1048]11:5
[1049]11:6 [1050]11:10 [1051]16:3-4 [1052]17:1 [1053]18:10
[1054]19:4 [1055]20:3 [1056]20:4 [1057]21:9 [1058]21:9
[1059]21:12 [1060]22:13 [1061]23:18 [1062]24:23 [1063]24:23
[1064]24:23 [1065]25:7 [1066]25:8 [1067]25:9 [1068]26:3
[1069]26:11 [1070]26:11 [1071]26:12 [1072]26:12 [1073]26:21
[1074]27:4 [1075]27:4 [1076]27:4-5 [1077]27:9 [1078]28:10
[1079]28:11 [1080]28:16 [1081]28:16 [1082]28:16 [1083]28:16
[1084]29:10 [1085]29:10-12 [1086]29:14 [1087]30:10
[1088]30:22 [1089]30:22 [1090]32:4 [1091]32:8 [1092]32:8
[1093]32:15 [1094]32:17 [1095]33:14-16 [1096]33:15 [1097]35:1
[1098]35:6 [1099]35:6 [1100]35:8 [1101]37:17 [1102]37:22
[1103]37:22 [1104]38:15-16 [1105]38:17 [1106]38:22 [1107]39:8
[1108]40:1 [1109]40:6-7 [1110]40:11 [1111]40:13-14
[1112]40:18 [1113]40:26 [1114]41:2 [1115]41:10 [1116]41:21
[1117]41:21 [1118]42:1 [1119]42:7 [1120]42:21 [1121]43:2
[1122]43:3 [1123]43:3-4 [1124]44:3 [1125]44:3 [1126]44:3
[1127]44:3 [1128]44:3 [1129]44:10 [1130]44:22 [1131]44:26
[1132]44:26 [1133]45:1 [1134]45:1-2 [1135]45:4 [1136]45:4
[1137]45:9 [1138]45:15 [1139]45:15 [1140]45:19 [1141]45:23
[1142]45:24 [1143]46:1 [1144]46:10 [1145]48:17 [1146]49:2
[1147]49:5 [1148]49:5 [1149]50:4 [1150]50:7 [1151]50:7
[1152]51:1-2 [1153]51:13 [1154]51:20 [1155]51:20 [1156]52:1
[1157]52:2 [1158]52:5 [1159]52:7 [1160]52:15 [1161]52:15
[1162]53:1 [1163]53:1 [1164]53:1 [1165]53:1 [1166]53:3
[1167]53:4-6 [1168]53:6 [1169]53:7-8 [1170]53:7-8 [1171]53:9
[1172]53:9 [1173]53:10 [1174]53:10 [1175]53:11 [1176]53:11
[1177]53:11 [1178]54:1 [1179]55:1 [1180]55:1 [1181]55:3
[1182]55:3 [1183]55:10-11 [1184]56:10 [1185]56:10 [1186]57:6
[1187]57:15 [1188]58:2 [1189]58:6-7 [1190]58:7 [1191]58:10
[1192]59:7-8 [1193]59:7-8 [1194]59:14-15 [1195]59:20-21
[1196]59:21 [1197]59:21 [1198]59:21 [1199]60:1 [1200]60:1
[1201]60:8 [1202]60:11 [1203]61:1 [1204]61:1 [1205]62:2
[1206]62:6 [1207]62:6 [1208]63:9 [1209]64:4 [1210]64:7
[1211]64:9 [1212]65:1 [1213]65:1 [1214]65:1 [1215]65:1
[1216]65:1-2 [1217]65:2 [1218]65:5 [1219]65:10 [1220]65:15
[1221]65:17 [1222]65:24 [1223]66:1-2 [1224]66:1-3 [1225]66:5
[1226]66:5 [1227]66:5 [1228]66:22
Jeremiah
[1229]2:11 [1230]3:8 [1231]4:14 [1232]5:4-5 [1233]5:11-12
[1234]5:14 [1235]7:4 [1236]7:12 [1237]8:2 [1238]9:20-21
[1239]9:25-26 [1240]9:26 [1241]10:23 [1242]11:16 [1243]12:5
[1244]12:5 [1245]12:9 [1246]13:1 [1247]13:11 [1248]13:11
[1249]14:22 [1250]14:22 [1251]15:10 [1252]15:19 [1253]15:19
[1254]17:10 [1255]17:16 [1256]17:17 [1257]18:6 [1258]20:2
[1259]20:2 [1260]20:3-4 [1261]20:4 [1262]20:8-9 [1263]20:9
[1264]22:29 [1265]23:5 [1266]23:6 [1267]23:14 [1268]23:16
[1269]23:21 [1270]23:28 [1271]25:29 [1272]26:18-19 [1273]27:2
[1274]28:9 [1275]29:7 [1276]30:9 [1277]31:3 [1278]31:3
[1279]31:18-20 [1280]31:31 [1281]31:31-32 [1282]31:33
[1283]32:9 [1284]36:26 [1285]38:6 [1286]48:10 [1287]48:13
[1288]48:43-44 [1289]49:11 [1290]50:5 [1291]51:9 [1292]51:9
Lamentations
[1293]3:29 [1294]4:7 [1295]4:12
Ezekiel
[1296]1:1 [1297]2:4 [1298]3:7-9 [1299]3:9 [1300]3:9
[1301]3:18-21 [1302]3:26 [1303]4:1 [1304]7:19 [1305]8:17
[1306]9:6 [1307]10:13 [1308]11:16 [1309]11:19 [1310]12:3
[1311]14:18 [1312]14:21 [1313]16:4 [1314]20:25 [1315]27:17
[1316]28:2-9 [1317]33:6 [1318]33:8-9 [1319]33:11 [1320]33:11
[1321]33:31 [1322]33:31 [1323]34:16 [1324]36:22-23
[1325]36:26 [1326]36:26-27 [1327]36:27 [1328]36:37
[1329]36:37 [1330]37:9 [1331]38:2 [1332]38:22 [1333]40:3
Daniel
[1334]1:8 [1335]3:17-27 [1336]4:30-31 [1337]5:23 [1338]6:10
[1339]6:22 [1340]7:1-3 [1341]7:9 [1342]7:13 [1343]7:14
[1344]7:25 [1345]9:2 [1346]9:3 [1347]9:20-21 [1348]9:24
[1349]9:25 [1350]9:26 [1351]9:26-27 [1352]9:27 [1353]10:4
[1354]10:16-17 [1355]10:20 [1356]10:21 [1357]10:21 [1358]12:2
Hosea
[1359]1:6 [1360]1:6 [1361]1:9 [1362]1:9 [1363]1:9
[1364]1:10 [1365]1:10 [1366]2:2 [1367]2:14 [1368]2:21-22
[1369]2:23 [1370]2:23 [1371]3:4 [1372]3:5 [1373]3:5
[1374]5:4 [1375]5:15 [1376]6:1-2 [1377]6:2 [1378]7:1
[1379]8:12 [1380]9:7 [1381]9:7 [1382]10:2 [1383]11:4
[1384]12:5 [1385]12:13 [1386]13:6 [1387]13:9 [1388]14:6
[1389]14:8 [1390]14:8
Joel
[1391]2:13 [1392]2:28 [1393]2:28 [1394]2:28 [1395]2:32
Amos
[1396]1:3 [1397]2:11 [1398]2:11 [1399]2:13 [1400]3:2
[1401]5:19 [1402]5:19 [1403]5:25 [1404]6:6 [1405]9:11-12
Jonah
[1406]1:4 [1407]1:6 [1408]1:9 [1409]3:5
Micah
[1410]1:3 [1411]2:1 [1412]2:1 [1413]3:8 [1414]3:8 [1415]4:7
[1416]5:1 [1417]6:8 [1418]7:18
Nahum
[1419]1:3 [1420]1:6 [1421]1:15
Habakkuk
[1422]1:5 [1423]2:3 [1424]2:4 [1425]2:4 [1426]2:11
[1427]2:18 [1428]3:3 [1429]3:17-18 [1430]3:17-18
Zephaniah
[1431]3:3 [1432]3:11 [1433]3:11 [1434]3:17
Haggai
[1435]2:7
Zechariah
[1436]1:5-6 [1437]2:13 [1438]2:13 [1439]3:1 [1440]4:2
[1441]4:12 [1442]4:13 [1443]6:12 [1444]7:11-12 [1445]8:6
[1446]9:11 [1447]9:12 [1448]10:12 [1449]11:8 [1450]11:8
[1451]12:1 [1452]12:3 [1453]12:3 [1454]14:4
Malachi
[1455]1:2-3 [1456]1:11 [1457]2:2 [1458]2:7 [1459]2:9
[1460]2:10 [1461]2:15 [1462]3:8 [1463]3:8-9 [1464]3:14-15
[1465]3:16 [1466]4:4 [1467]4:4 [1468]4:5 [1469]4:6
Matthew
[1470]1:21 [1471]1:21 [1472]1:21 [1473]2:23 [1474]3:2
[1475]3:7-9 [1476]3:8 [1477]3:8 [1478]3:9 [1479]3:9
[1480]3:11 [1481]3:17 [1482]3:17 [1483]3:17 [1484]3:17
[1485]3:17 [1486]3:17 [1487]4:4 [1488]4:4 [1489]4:6
[1490]4:7 [1491]4:10 [1492]4:10 [1493]4:10 [1494]4:16
[1495]4:17 [1496]4:17 [1497]5:10 [1498]5:10 [1499]5:11-12
[1500]5:11-12 [1501]5:12 [1502]5:16 [1503]5:16 [1504]5:22
[1505]5:23-24 [1506]5:25 [1507]5:28 [1508]5:32 [1509]5:38-40
[1510]5:39 [1511]5:44 [1512]5:44 [1513]5:44 [1514]5:44-45
[1515]5:45 [1516]5:45 [1517]6:6 [1518]6:8 [1519]6:12
[1520]6:14 [1521]6:14 [1522]6:24 [1523]6:25 [1524]6:25
[1525]6:31 [1526]7:1 [1527]7:1 [1528]7:1-2 [1529]7:11
[1530]7:20 [1531]7:22-23 [1532]7:23 [1533]8:9 [1534]8:10
[1535]8:10 [1536]8:10 [1537]8:28 [1538]9:13 [1539]9:25
[1540]9:38 [1541]9:38 [1542]10:1 [1543]10:1-5 [1544]10:3
[1545]10:5 [1546]10:10 [1547]10:14 [1548]10:16 [1549]10:20
[1550]10:21 [1551]10:22 [1552]10:23 [1553]10:23 [1554]10:32
[1555]10:32-33 [1556]10:33 [1557]10:34 [1558]10:40 [1559]11:5
[1560]11:5 [1561]11:13 [1562]11:23 [1563]11:27 [1564]11:28
[1565]11:29 [1566]11:29 [1567]11:29 [1568]12:4 [1569]12:19
[1570]12:24 [1571]12:26 [1572]12:27 [1573]12:28 [1574]12:38
[1575]12:39-40 [1576]12:44 [1577]12:45 [1578]12:48-50
[1579]13:28-30 [1580]13:51 [1581]14:19 [1582]15:4 [1583]15:5
[1584]15:5-6 [1585]15:7 [1586]15:28 [1587]15:36 [1588]16:3
[1589]16:18 [1590]16:20 [1591]16:23 [1592]16:24 [1593]17:1-3
[1594]17:2 [1595]17:2 [1596]17:2 [1597]17:5 [1598]17:5
[1599]17:5 [1600]17:5 [1601]17:5 [1602]17:5 [1603]17:9
[1604]17:11 [1605]17:16 [1606]18:6 [1607]18:7 [1608]18:10
[1609]18:15 [1610]18:19 [1611]18:19-20 [1612]19:9 [1613]19:11
[1614]19:28 [1615]19:28 [1616]19:28 [1617]19:28 [1618]20:16
[1619]20:18-19 [1620]20:22 [1621]20:22 [1622]20:23
[1623]20:25-26 [1624]20:25-26 [1625]20:26-27 [1626]21:14
[1627]21:23 [1628]21:29 [1629]21:32 [1630]21:41 [1631]21:42
[1632]21:43 [1633]22:4 [1634]22:8-9 [1635]22:9 [1636]22:12
[1637]22:14 [1638]22:14 [1639]22:23 [1640]22:29 [1641]22:29
[1642]22:31-32 [1643]22:31-32 [1644]22:45 [1645]22:47-48
[1646]23:3 [1647]23:7 [1648]23:8 [1649]23:8 [1650]23:10
[1651]23:12 [1652]23:14 [1653]23:32 [1654]23:34 [1655]23:35
[1656]23:37 [1657]23:37 [1658]23:37 [1659]23:37 [1660]23:37
[1661]23:38-39 [1662]24:1-51 [1663]24:1-51 [1664]24:7
[1665]24:9-10 [1666]24:21 [1667]24:23-24 [1668]24:24
[1669]24:29-30 [1670]24:30 [1671]24:33 [1672]24:44
[1673]24:45 [1674]24:48 [1675]24:51 [1676]24:51 [1677]25:5
[1678]25:6 [1679]25:25 [1680]25:29 [1681]25:30 [1682]25:31-41
[1683]25:35 [1684]25:41 [1685]25:45 [1686]26:11 [1687]26:24
[1688]26:26 [1689]26:26-27 [1690]26:27 [1691]26:27
[1692]26:28 [1693]26:38 [1694]26:39 [1695]26:40-41
[1696]26:55 [1697]26:64-65 [1698]27:5 [1699]27:34 [1700]27:43
[1701]27:46 [1702]27:48 [1703]27:52 [1704]27:52-53
[1705]27:54 [1706]27:65 [1707]28:2 [1708]28:9 [1709]28:10
[1710]28:18 [1711]28:18 [1712]28:18 [1713]28:18 [1714]28:19
[1715]28:19-20 [1716]28:19-20 [1717]28:20 [1718]28:20
[1719]28:20 [1720]28:20
Mark
[1721]1:1 [1722]1:4 [1723]1:7 [1724]1:8 [1725]1:24
[1726]1:26 [1727]1:38 [1728]3:5 [1729]3:11 [1730]3:17
[1731]6:3 [1732]6:13 [1733]6:31 [1734]6:45 [1735]6:51
[1736]7:27 [1737]8:38 [1738]8:38 [1739]8:38 [1740]9:26
[1741]9:26 [1742]10:11 [1743]11:23 [1744]13:1-37 [1745]13:8
[1746]13:9 [1747]13:11 [1748]13:19 [1749]13:34 [1750]13:35-36
[1751]14:36 [1752]14:58 [1753]14:62 [1754]15:21 [1755]15:40
[1756]16:12 [1757]16:14 [1758]16:15 [1759]16:15 [1760]16:15
[1761]16:15-16 [1762]16:16 [1763]16:16 [1764]16:17
[1765]16:17-18 [1766]16:17-18 [1767]16:17-18 [1768]16:18
[1769]16:18 [1770]16:19 [1771]16:19 [1772]16:19 [1773]16:19
[1774]16:20 [1775]16:20 [1776]38
Luke
[1777]1:4 [1778]1:27 [1779]1:32 [1780]1:32-33 [1781]1:32-33
[1782]1:33 [1783]1:35 [1784]1:35 [1785]1:35 [1786]1:68
[1787]1:69 [1788]1:72 [1789]1:72-73 [1790]1:74-75 [1791]2:1
[1792]2:4 [1793]2:10 [1794]2:13 [1795]2:14 [1796]2:25
[1797]2:27 [1798]2:32 [1799]2:34 [1800]2:34 [1801]2:36
[1802]2:37 [1803]2:37 [1804]2:43 [1805]2:46 [1806]2:49
[1807]3:1 [1808]3:21 [1809]3:22 [1810]3:36 [1811]4:17
[1812]4:18 [1813]4:21 [1814]6:24 [1815]6:27 [1816]6:36
[1817]7:12 [1818]7:15 [1819]7:24 [1820]7:27 [1821]9:5
[1822]9:16 [1823]9:26 [1824]9:26 [1825]9:42 [1826]9:49
[1827]9:52 [1828]9:54 [1829]9:54-55 [1830]9:58 [1831]10:1
[1832]10:1 [1833]10:7 [1834]10:13-14 [1835]10:20 [1836]10:20
[1837]10:21 [1838]10:21 [1839]10:41 [1840]10:41-42
[1841]11:13 [1842]11:13 [1843]11:13 [1844]11:13 [1845]11:41
[1846]12:4-5 [1847]12:14 [1848]12:21 [1849]12:33 [1850]12:36
[1851]12:47 [1852]12:48 [1853]12:49 [1854]12:49 [1855]12:50
[1856]12:51 [1857]12:51-53 [1858]13:3 [1859]13:5 [1860]13:24
[1861]14:18-19 [1862]14:21 [1863]14:26 [1864]15:1-32
[1865]15:32 [1866]16:2 [1867]16:2 [1868]16:2 [1869]16:5-7
[1870]16:9 [1871]16:11 [1872]16:12 [1873]16:18 [1874]16:31
[1875]17:21 [1876]18:1 [1877]18:3 [1878]18:10-11 [1879]18:11
[1880]19:9 [1881]19:9 [1882]19:9 [1883]19:9 [1884]19:10
[1885]19:11 [1886]19:27 [1887]19:41 [1888]19:47 [1889]20:35
[1890]20:36 [1891]21:11 [1892]21:15 [1893]21:15 [1894]21:18
[1895]21:28 [1896]21:34 [1897]21:34 [1898]21:34 [1899]21:36
[1900]22:20 [1901]22:26 [1902]22:30 [1903]22:31 [1904]22:32
[1905]22:32 [1906]22:39 [1907]22:69 [1908]23:29 [1909]23:34
[1910]23:34 [1911]23:43 [1912]24:1 [1913]24:4 [1914]24:26
[1915]24:26 [1916]24:27 [1917]24:47 [1918]24:47 [1919]24:47
[1920]24:48 [1921]24:49 [1922]24:50 [1923]24:50 [1924]24:50
[1925]24:51 [1926]24:51 [1927]24:53 [1928]24:53 [1929]24:53
John
[1930]1:1 [1931]1:1 [1932]1:1 [1933]1:1 [1934]1:1 [1935]1:1
[1936]1:1 [1937]1:1-3 [1938]1:2-3 [1939]1:3 [1940]1:3
[1941]1:4 [1942]1:4 [1943]1:5 [1944]1:5 [1945]1:12
[1946]1:12 [1947]1:12 [1948]1:12 [1949]1:14 [1950]1:14
[1951]1:14 [1952]1:14 [1953]1:14 [1954]1:14 [1955]1:16
[1956]1:16 [1957]1:16 [1958]1:16 [1959]1:17 [1960]1:18
[1961]1:18 [1962]1:18 [1963]1:20 [1964]1:29 [1965]1:29
[1966]1:51 [1967]2:11 [1968]2:17 [1969]2:19 [1970]3:2
[1971]3:3 [1972]3:3 [1973]3:5 [1974]3:5-6 [1975]3:6
[1976]3:6 [1977]3:13 [1978]3:16 [1979]3:16 [1980]3:16
[1981]3:18 [1982]3:18 [1983]3:20 [1984]3:22 [1985]3:26
[1986]3:29-30 [1987]3:33 [1988]3:34 [1989]3:36 [1990]3:36
[1991]3:36 [1992]4:5 [1993]4:14 [1994]4:20-23 [1995]4:21
[1996]4:22 [1997]4:22 [1998]4:24 [1999]4:24 [2000]4:24
[2001]4:25 [2002]4:31 [2003]4:37-38 [2004]4:38 [2005]4:38
[2006]5:14 [2007]5:17 [2008]5:20 [2009]5:20-21 [2010]5:22
[2011]5:22 [2012]5:23 [2013]5:23 [2014]5:23 [2015]5:29
[2016]5:29 [2017]5:30 [2018]5:39 [2019]5:40 [2020]5:44
[2021]5:45 [2022]5:46 [2023]6:11 [2024]6:27 [2025]6:32
[2026]6:33 [2027]6:39 [2028]6:39 [2029]6:40 [2030]6:44
[2031]6:66 [2032]6:70 [2033]7:17 [2034]7:17 [2035]7:17
[2036]7:17 [2037]7:17 [2038]7:39 [2039]7:51 [2040]8:31
[2041]8:33 [2042]8:36 [2043]8:38-39 [2044]8:39-40 [2045]8:44
[2046]8:44 [2047]8:50 [2048]8:56 [2049]8:56 [2050]9:9
[2051]9:18 [2052]9:21 [2053]9:22 [2054]9:36 [2055]9:40
[2056]9:41 [2057]9:41 [2058]10:12 [2059]10:14 [2060]10:14-15
[2061]10:17 [2062]10:17-18 [2063]10:18 [2064]10:23
[2065]10:29 [2066]10:30 [2067]10:37-38 [2068]11:16
[2069]11:18 [2070]11:25 [2071]11:33 [2072]12:26 [2073]12:28
[2074]12:28-29 [2075]13:1 [2076]13:5 [2077]13:7 [2078]13:7
[2079]13:8 [2080]13:17 [2081]13:17 [2082]13:17 [2083]13:18
[2084]13:29 [2085]13:31-32 [2086]13:34 [2087]13:35
[2088]13:35 [2089]13:35 [2090]14:1 [2091]14:2 [2092]14:3
[2093]14:3 [2094]14:6 [2095]14:6 [2096]14:6 [2097]14:7-9
[2098]14:9 [2099]14:12 [2100]14:13-15 [2101]14:16
[2102]14:16-17 [2103]14:17 [2104]14:17 [2105]14:19
[2106]14:19 [2107]14:26 [2108]14:26 [2109]14:26 [2110]14:26
[2111]14:30-31 [2112]14:34 [2113]15:3 [2114]15:3 [2115]15:3-4
[2116]15:8 [2117]15:13-14 [2118]15:13-15 [2119]15:14
[2120]15:15 [2121]15:15 [2122]15:16 [2123]15:24 [2124]15:26
[2125]15:26 [2126]15:26 [2127]16:2 [2128]16:2 [2129]16:2
[2130]16:2 [2131]16:2 [2132]16:2 [2133]16:7 [2134]16:7
[2135]16:7-15 [2136]16:10 [2137]16:11 [2138]16:12
[2139]16:12-13 [2140]16:13 [2141]16:13 [2142]16:13
[2143]16:14 [2144]16:20 [2145]16:33 [2146]17:1 [2147]17:1-26
[2148]17:1-26 [2149]17:3 [2150]17:3 [2151]17:3 [2152]17:4-5
[2153]17:5 [2154]17:5 [2155]17:11 [2156]17:12 [2157]17:17
[2158]17:17 [2159]17:17 [2160]17:17 [2161]17:19 [2162]17:20
[2163]17:21 [2164]17:21-22 [2165]17:24 [2166]17:24
[2167]17:24 [2168]17:24 [2169]18:22 [2170]18:28 [2171]18:30
[2172]18:36 [2173]18:36-37 [2174]18:37 [2175]18:37
[2176]19:11 [2177]19:34-35 [2178]20:2 [2179]20:17 [2180]20:17
[2181]20:17 [2182]20:19 [2183]20:20 [2184]20:21 [2185]20:22
[2186]20:22 [2187]20:31 [2188]21:24 [2189]21:25 [2190]21:25
[2191]26
Acts
[2192]1:1 [2193]1:1 [2194]1:1 [2195]1:1 [2196]1:1-2
[2197]1:1-16 [2198]1:2 [2199]1:2 [2200]1:3 [2201]1:3-5
[2202]1:4-5 [2203]1:4-5 [2204]1:5 [2205]1:5 [2206]1:5
[2207]1:5-7 [2208]1:6 [2209]1:6-11 [2210]1:7 [2211]1:8
[2212]1:8 [2213]1:8 [2214]1:8 [2215]1:9 [2216]1:9-11
[2217]1:10 [2218]1:10 [2219]1:12 [2220]1:12-14 [2221]1:13
[2222]1:13 [2223]1:14 [2224]1:14 [2225]1:14 [2226]1:14-15
[2227]1:15 [2228]1:15 [2229]1:15-26 [2230]1:16 [2231]1:17
[2232]1:17 [2233]1:18 [2234]1:19 [2235]1:19 [2236]1:21-22
[2237]1:21-22 [2238]1:23 [2239]1:23 [2240]1:24-25 [2241]1:26
[2242]1:26 [2243]2:1 [2244]2:1-2 [2245]2:1-4 [2246]2:1-4
[2247]2:1-47 [2248]2:2 [2249]2:2-4 [2250]2:3 [2251]2:5-13
[2252]2:6 [2253]2:7 [2254]2:8 [2255]2:9-11 [2256]2:11
[2257]2:11 [2258]2:12 [2259]2:12 [2260]2:13 [2261]2:14
[2262]2:14 [2263]2:14-21 [2264]2:15 [2265]2:15 [2266]2:16
[2267]2:17 [2268]2:17-18 [2269]2:17-21 [2270]2:18 [2271]2:18
[2272]2:20 [2273]2:21 [2274]2:22 [2275]2:22 [2276]2:22-32
[2277]2:23 [2278]2:23 [2279]2:23 [2280]2:23 [2281]2:23
[2282]2:24 [2283]2:25 [2284]2:25-28 [2285]2:28 [2286]2:29
[2287]2:29 [2288]2:29 [2289]2:30 [2290]2:31 [2291]2:32
[2292]2:33 [2293]2:33 [2294]2:33-36 [2295]2:34 [2296]2:35
[2297]2:36 [2298]2:36 [2299]2:37 [2300]2:37 [2301]2:37
[2302]2:37 [2303]2:37-41 [2304]2:38 [2305]2:38-39
[2306]2:38-39 [2307]2:39 [2308]2:40 [2309]2:40 [2310]2:40
[2311]2:41 [2312]2:41 [2313]2:42 [2314]2:42-47 [2315]2:43
[2316]2:43 [2317]2:43 [2318]2:44 [2319]2:45 [2320]2:46
[2321]2:47 [2322]2:47 [2323]3:1-8 [2324]3:2 [2325]3:2
[2326]3:2 [2327]3:3 [2328]3:4 [2329]3:5 [2330]3:7 [2331]3:7
[2332]3:8-9 [2333]3:9 [2334]3:9-11 [2335]3:10 [2336]3:10
[2337]3:11 [2338]3:11 [2339]3:12-19 [2340]3:13 [2341]3:14-15
[2342]3:15 [2343]3:16 [2344]3:16 [2345]3:16 [2346]3:17
[2347]3:17 [2348]3:18 [2349]3:19 [2350]3:19 [2351]3:19
[2352]3:20 [2353]3:20 [2354]3:20-21 [2355]3:20-26 [2356]3:21
[2357]3:21 [2358]3:21 [2359]3:21 [2360]3:22 [2361]3:23
[2362]3:24 [2363]3:25 [2364]3:25 [2365]3:26 [2366]3:26
[2367]3:26 [2368]3:26 [2369]4:1 [2370]4:1-2 [2371]4:1-4
[2372]4:2 [2373]4:2 [2374]4:3 [2375]4:4 [2376]4:5 [2377]4:5
[2378]4:5-7 [2379]4:6 [2380]4:7 [2381]4:7 [2382]4:8
[2383]4:8 [2384]4:8-12 [2385]4:9-10 [2386]4:11 [2387]4:11
[2388]4:12 [2389]4:12 [2390]4:13 [2391]4:13 [2392]4:13-14
[2393]4:13-22 [2394]4:14 [2395]4:14 [2396]4:15 [2397]4:16
[2398]4:16 [2399]4:17 [2400]4:17 [2401]4:17-18 [2402]4:18
[2403]4:19-20 [2404]4:20 [2405]4:21 [2406]4:21 [2407]4:21
[2408]4:22 [2409]4:23 [2410]4:23 [2411]4:23-30 [2412]4:24
[2413]4:24 [2414]4:25 [2415]4:25-26 [2416]4:26 [2417]4:27
[2418]4:27-28 [2419]4:29 [2420]4:31 [2421]4:31 [2422]4:31-33
[2423]4:32 [2424]4:32 [2425]4:33 [2426]4:33-37 [2427]4:34
[2428]4:34 [2429]4:34 [2430]4:36 [2431]4:36 [2432]4:36
[2433]4:36 [2434]4:36 [2435]4:36 [2436]4:36 [2437]4:37
[2438]5:1-11 [2439]5:2 [2440]5:3 [2441]5:3-4 [2442]5:4
[2443]5:4 [2444]5:4 [2445]5:4 [2446]5:5 [2447]5:5-6
[2448]5:6 [2449]5:8 [2450]5:9 [2451]5:9 [2452]5:10
[2453]5:11 [2454]5:12 [2455]5:12 [2456]5:12 [2457]5:12-16
[2458]5:13 [2459]5:14 [2460]5:15-16 [2461]5:17 [2462]5:17
[2463]5:17-18 [2464]5:17-26 [2465]5:18 [2466]5:18 [2467]5:19
[2468]5:19 [2469]5:19 [2470]5:20 [2471]5:21 [2472]5:21
[2473]5:22-23 [2474]5:23 [2475]5:25 [2476]5:25 [2477]5:27
[2478]5:27-33 [2479]5:28 [2480]5:28 [2481]5:29 [2482]5:30
[2483]5:30 [2484]5:31 [2485]5:31 [2486]5:33 [2487]5:33
[2488]5:34-40 [2489]5:35 [2490]5:36 [2491]5:37 [2492]5:38
[2493]5:39 [2494]5:40 [2495]5:41 [2496]5:41 [2497]5:41
[2498]5:41 [2499]5:41-42 [2500]6:1 [2501]6:1 [2502]6:1
[2503]6:1 [2504]6:1-7 [2505]6:2 [2506]6:2 [2507]6:2
[2508]6:2 [2509]6:2-6 [2510]6:4 [2511]6:4 [2512]6:5
[2513]6:5 [2514]6:5 [2515]6:6 [2516]6:7 [2517]6:7 [2518]6:7
[2519]6:7 [2520]6:7 [2521]6:8 [2522]6:8 [2523]6:9 [2524]6:9
[2525]6:9-10 [2526]6:9-10 [2527]6:10 [2528]6:10 [2529]6:11
[2530]6:11 [2531]6:11-14 [2532]6:12 [2533]6:13 [2534]6:14
[2535]6:15 [2536]6:15 [2537]6:15 [2538]7:1 [2539]7:1-16
[2540]7:1-50 [2541]7:2 [2542]7:2 [2543]7:2 [2544]7:2-3
[2545]7:4 [2546]7:5 [2547]7:7 [2548]7:8 [2549]7:8
[2550]7:11 [2551]7:12 [2552]7:13 [2553]7:13 [2554]7:15
[2555]7:16 [2556]7:18-19 [2557]7:20 [2558]7:20 [2559]7:21
[2560]7:22 [2561]7:23 [2562]7:24 [2563]7:26 [2564]7:27
[2565]7:28 [2566]7:29 [2567]7:30 [2568]7:30 [2569]7:30
[2570]7:31 [2571]7:32 [2572]7:33 [2573]7:34 [2574]7:35
[2575]7:36 [2576]7:37 [2577]7:37 [2578]7:38 [2579]7:38
[2580]7:39 [2581]7:41 [2582]7:42 [2583]7:42 [2584]7:43
[2585]7:44-50 [2586]7:45 [2587]7:45 [2588]7:46 [2589]7:49-50
[2590]7:50 [2591]7:51 [2592]7:51 [2593]7:51-53 [2594]7:53
[2595]7:54 [2596]7:54 [2597]7:54-60 [2598]7:55 [2599]7:55
[2600]7:55 [2601]7:55 [2602]7:56 [2603]7:56 [2604]7:56
[2605]7:57 [2606]7:57 [2607]7:59 [2608]7:59 [2609]7:60
[2610]8:1 [2611]8:1 [2612]8:1 [2613]8:1 [2614]8:1-3
[2615]8:2 [2616]8:3 [2617]8:3 [2618]8:3 [2619]8:4
[2620]8:4-5 [2621]8:4-25 [2622]8:4-40 [2623]8:6 [2624]8:6
[2625]8:6-8 [2626]8:7 [2627]8:8 [2628]8:8 [2629]8:9
[2630]8:9-13 [2631]8:10-11 [2632]8:11 [2633]8:12 [2634]8:12
[2635]8:13 [2636]8:14 [2637]8:14-17 [2638]8:15 [2639]8:16
[2640]8:18-19 [2641]8:18-25 [2642]8:20 [2643]8:20-23
[2644]8:21 [2645]8:21 [2646]8:22 [2647]8:23 [2648]8:24
[2649]8:26 [2650]8:26-28 [2651]8:27 [2652]8:27 [2653]8:28
[2654]8:29 [2655]8:29-35 [2656]8:30 [2657]8:31 [2658]8:32-33
[2659]8:32-33 [2660]8:34 [2661]8:35 [2662]8:36 [2663]8:36-38
[2664]8:36-38 [2665]8:37 [2666]8:39 [2667]8:39 [2668]8:39
[2669]8:39-40 [2670]8:40 [2671]8:40 [2672]8:41 [2673]9:1
[2674]9:1 [2675]9:1 [2676]9:1 [2677]9:1 [2678]9:1-2
[2679]9:1-9 [2680]9:1-19 [2681]9:2 [2682]9:4 [2683]9:5
[2684]9:6 [2685]9:6 [2686]9:6 [2687]9:6 [2688]9:6 [2689]9:6
[2690]9:7 [2691]9:7 [2692]9:7 [2693]9:8-9 [2694]9:9
[2695]9:10 [2696]9:10-19 [2697]9:12 [2698]9:13-14
[2699]9:13-14 [2700]9:13-14 [2701]9:15 [2702]9:15 [2703]9:15
[2704]9:15 [2705]9:15 [2706]9:15 [2707]9:15 [2708]9:15-16
[2709]9:16 [2710]9:16 [2711]9:16 [2712]9:16 [2713]9:17
[2714]9:17 [2715]9:17 [2716]9:17 [2717]9:17 [2718]9:18
[2719]9:19 [2720]9:19 [2721]9:20 [2722]9:20 [2723]9:20-22
[2724]9:20-25 [2725]9:21 [2726]9:21 [2727]9:22 [2728]9:23
[2729]9:23-25 [2730]9:24 [2731]9:24-25 [2732]9:26 [2733]9:26
[2734]9:26-30 [2735]9:27 [2736]9:27 [2737]9:28 [2738]9:28-29
[2739]9:29 [2740]9:29 [2741]9:30 [2742]9:30 [2743]9:31
[2744]9:31 [2745]9:32 [2746]9:32-35 [2747]9:33 [2748]9:34
[2749]9:35 [2750]9:36-37 [2751]9:36-43 [2752]9:37 [2753]9:38
[2754]9:41 [2755]9:41 [2756]9:42 [2757]9:43 [2758]10:1
[2759]10:1 [2760]10:1 [2761]10:1-8 [2762]10:2 [2763]10:2
[2764]10:4 [2765]10:4 [2766]10:4 [2767]10:4 [2768]10:4-6
[2769]10:5-6 [2770]10:6 [2771]10:7-8 [2772]10:8 [2773]10:9
[2774]10:9 [2775]10:9-16 [2776]10:9-23 [2777]10:10
[2778]10:10 [2779]10:13 [2780]10:14 [2781]10:14 [2782]10:15
[2783]10:15 [2784]10:15 [2785]10:16 [2786]10:17-18
[2787]10:19 [2788]10:19-20 [2789]10:20 [2790]10:21
[2791]10:22 [2792]10:23 [2793]10:23 [2794]10:24 [2795]10:24
[2796]10:24-33 [2797]10:25 [2798]10:26 [2799]10:27
[2800]10:28 [2801]10:28 [2802]10:28-29 [2803]10:30
[2804]10:30 [2805]10:30 [2806]10:31-32 [2807]10:32
[2808]10:33 [2809]10:34 [2810]10:34 [2811]10:34-35
[2812]10:34-43 [2813]10:35 [2814]10:36 [2815]10:36
[2816]10:37 [2817]10:37 [2818]10:37 [2819]10:38 [2820]10:38
[2821]10:39 [2822]10:40 [2823]10:42 [2824]10:42 [2825]10:43
[2826]10:43 [2827]10:43 [2828]10:44 [2829]10:44 [2830]10:44
[2831]10:44 [2832]10:44-45 [2833]10:44-48 [2834]10:45
[2835]10:45-46 [2836]10:46 [2837]10:47 [2838]10:48
[2839]11:1-18 [2840]11:2-3 [2841]11:4 [2842]11:5-6 [2843]11:6
[2844]11:7 [2845]11:8 [2846]11:9 [2847]11:10 [2848]11:11-12
[2849]11:12 [2850]11:12 [2851]11:13 [2852]11:14 [2853]11:14
[2854]11:14 [2855]11:15 [2856]11:15 [2857]11:15-17
[2858]11:16 [2859]11:17 [2860]11:17 [2861]11:18 [2862]11:19
[2863]11:19 [2864]11:19 [2865]11:19-21 [2866]11:20
[2867]11:21 [2868]11:22 [2869]11:22 [2870]11:22-24
[2871]11:22-26 [2872]11:23 [2873]11:23 [2874]11:23-24
[2875]11:24 [2876]11:25-26 [2877]11:26 [2878]11:27
[2879]11:27-28 [2880]11:27-30 [2881]11:28 [2882]11:28-30
[2883]11:29 [2884]11:30 [2885]11:32 [2886]12:1 [2887]12:1-2
[2888]12:1-4 [2889]12:2 [2890]12:2 [2891]12:4 [2892]12:5
[2893]12:6-19 [2894]12:7 [2895]12:8-9 [2896]12:10 [2897]12:11
[2898]12:12 [2899]12:12 [2900]12:12 [2901]12:12 [2902]12:12
[2903]12:12 [2904]12:13-16 [2905]12:15 [2906]12:16
[2907]12:18 [2908]12:19 [2909]12:19 [2910]12:19
[2911]12:20-23 [2912]12:21 [2913]12:22 [2914]12:23
[2915]12:23 [2916]12:23 [2917]12:24 [2918]12:24-25 [2919]13
[2920]13:1 [2921]13:1 [2922]13:1 [2923]13:1 [2924]13:1-3
[2925]13:1-52 [2926]13:1-14:28 [2927]13:2 [2928]13:2
[2929]13:2 [2930]13:2-3 [2931]13:3 [2932]13:3 [2933]13:4
[2934]13:4 [2935]13:4 [2936]13:4-13 [2937]13:5 [2938]13:6
[2939]13:8 [2940]13:9 [2941]13:9 [2942]13:9 [2943]13:10
[2944]13:11 [2945]13:13 [2946]13:13 [2947]13:13 [2948]13:14
[2949]13:14 [2950]13:14-41 [2951]13:15 [2952]13:15
[2953]13:18 [2954]13:19 [2955]13:20-21 [2956]13:21
[2957]13:22 [2958]13:23 [2959]13:24 [2960]13:25 [2961]13:26
[2962]13:27 [2963]13:27 [2964]13:28 [2965]13:29 [2966]13:30
[2967]13:31 [2968]13:32-33 [2969]13:32-33 [2970]13:33
[2971]13:35 [2972]13:35-37 [2973]13:36 [2974]13:37
[2975]13:38 [2976]13:39 [2977]13:39 [2978]13:39
[2979]13:40-41 [2980]13:42 [2981]13:42 [2982]13:42-49
[2983]13:44 [2984]13:44 [2985]13:45 [2986]13:45 [2987]13:46
[2988]13:46 [2989]13:46 [2990]13:46 [2991]13:47 [2992]13:47
[2993]13:47 [2994]13:48-49 [2995]13:49 [2996]13:50
[2997]13:50-52 [2998]13:51 [2999]13:51 [3000]13:52
[3001]13:52 [3002]14:1-7 [3003]14:2 [3004]14:3 [3005]14:3
[3006]14:4 [3007]14:4 [3008]14:5 [3009]14:6 [3010]14:6-7
[3011]14:8 [3012]14:8 [3013]14:8-18 [3014]14:9 [3015]14:11
[3016]14:12 [3017]14:12 [3018]14:12 [3019]14:12 [3020]14:13
[3021]14:14-15 [3022]14:15 [3023]14:15 [3024]14:15
[3025]14:16 [3026]14:16-17 [3027]14:17 [3028]14:17
[3029]14:17 [3030]14:18 [3031]14:19 [3032]14:19 [3033]14:19
[3034]14:19-20 [3035]14:19-20 [3036]14:20 [3037]14:21
[3038]14:21 [3039]14:21-23 [3040]14:22 [3041]14:24-28
[3042]14:25 [3043]14:26 [3044]14:26 [3045]14:27 [3046]14:27
[3047]14:28 [3048]15:1 [3049]15:1 [3050]15:1 [3051]15:1
[3052]15:1-2 [3053]15:1-16:40 [3054]15:2 [3055]15:3
[3056]15:3 [3057]15:3-5 [3058]15:4 [3059]15:4 [3060]15:5
[3061]15:5 [3062]15:6 [3063]15:6 [3064]15:6 [3065]15:7
[3066]15:7 [3067]15:7-11 [3068]15:8 [3069]15:9 [3070]15:9
[3071]15:9 [3072]15:10 [3073]15:11 [3074]15:12 [3075]15:12
[3076]15:13 [3077]15:13-21 [3078]15:14 [3079]15:15
[3080]15:16 [3081]15:16-17 [3082]15:17 [3083]15:18
[3084]15:18 [3085]15:19 [3086]15:19-29 [3087]15:21
[3088]15:22 [3089]15:22-29 [3090]15:23 [3091]15:24
[3092]15:24 [3093]15:25 [3094]15:26 [3095]15:27
[3096]15:30-31 [3097]15:30-35 [3098]15:31 [3099]15:32
[3100]15:33 [3101]15:33-34 [3102]15:34 [3103]15:36
[3104]15:36-41 [3105]15:36-41 [3106]15:37 [3107]15:38
[3108]15:38 [3109]15:39 [3110]15:39 [3111]15:39 [3112]15:41
[3113]16:1 [3114]16:1-3 [3115]16:3 [3116]16:3 [3117]16:3
[3118]16:4-5 [3119]16:4-5 [3120]16:5 [3121]16:6 [3122]16:6-13
[3123]16:7 [3124]16:7 [3125]16:7 [3126]16:9 [3127]16:9
[3128]16:9 [3129]16:9-10 [3130]16:10 [3131]16:10 [3132]16:10
[3133]16:11 [3134]16:11 [3135]16:12 [3136]16:12 [3137]16:13
[3138]16:13 [3139]16:14 [3140]16:14-15 [3141]16:15
[3142]16:16 [3143]16:16-18 [3144]16:17 [3145]16:18
[3146]16:19 [3147]16:19-24 [3148]16:20 [3149]16:21
[3150]16:21 [3151]16:22 [3152]16:22 [3153]16:23 [3154]16:23
[3155]16:23-24 [3156]16:24 [3157]16:24 [3158]16:25-34
[3159]16:26 [3160]16:27-28 [3161]16:28 [3162]16:29
[3163]16:29-30 [3164]16:30 [3165]16:30 [3166]16:31
[3167]16:32 [3168]16:35-36 [3169]16:35-40 [3170]16:36
[3171]16:37 [3172]16:37 [3173]16:38-39 [3174]16:40 [3175]17:1
[3176]17:1-4 [3177]17:1-9 [3178]17:3 [3179]17:4 [3180]17:4
[3181]17:5 [3182]17:5 [3183]17:5 [3184]17:5-6 [3185]17:7
[3186]17:7 [3187]17:8 [3188]17:9 [3189]17:10 [3190]17:10
[3191]17:10-15 [3192]17:11 [3193]17:11 [3194]17:11
[3195]17:12 [3196]17:13 [3197]17:14 [3198]17:16
[3199]17:16-21 [3200]17:17 [3201]17:18 [3202]17:18
[3203]17:18-32 [3204]17:19-20 [3205]17:21 [3206]17:22
[3207]17:22 [3208]17:22-31 [3209]17:23 [3210]17:24
[3211]17:24 [3212]17:25 [3213]17:25 [3214]17:25 [3215]17:26
[3216]17:26 [3217]17:26 [3218]17:27 [3219]17:27 [3220]17:28
[3221]17:28 [3222]17:28 [3223]17:29 [3224]17:29 [3225]17:30
[3226]17:30 [3227]17:30-31 [3228]17:31 [3229]17:31
[3230]17:31 [3231]17:31 [3232]17:31 [3233]17:32
[3234]17:32-34 [3235]17:33 [3236]17:34 [3237]18:1-6
[3238]18:1-18 [3239]18:2 [3240]18:2 [3241]18:2 [3242]18:2
[3243]18:2-3 [3244]18:4 [3245]18:5 [3246]18:5 [3247]18:5
[3248]18:6 [3249]18:6 [3250]18:6 [3251]18:6 [3252]18:7
[3253]18:7 [3254]18:7-11 [3255]18:8 [3256]18:8 [3257]18:8
[3258]18:8 [3259]18:9 [3260]18:9-10 [3261]18:10
[3262]18:10-11 [3263]18:11 [3264]18:11 [3265]18:11
[3266]18:12 [3267]18:12 [3268]18:12 [3269]18:12-13
[3270]18:12-17 [3271]18:13 [3272]18:14 [3273]18:14-15
[3274]18:15 [3275]18:16 [3276]18:16 [3277]18:17 [3278]18:17
[3279]18:17 [3280]18:18 [3281]18:18 [3282]18:18
[3283]18:18-23 [3284]18:20 [3285]18:20 [3286]18:21
[3287]18:21 [3288]18:21-22 [3289]18:22 [3290]18:23
[3291]18:23 [3292]18:24-28 [3293]18:25 [3294]18:25
[3295]18:25 [3296]18:26 [3297]18:26 [3298]18:26 [3299]18:26
[3300]18:28 [3301]18:28 [3302]19:1 [3303]19:1-7 [3304]19:1-41
[3305]19:5 [3306]19:6 [3307]19:6 [3308]19:6 [3309]19:6
[3310]19:7 [3311]19:8 [3312]19:8 [3313]19:8 [3314]19:9-10
[3315]19:10 [3316]19:10 [3317]19:10 [3318]19:11
[3319]19:11-12 [3320]19:11-12 [3321]19:12 [3322]19:13
[3323]19:13-17 [3324]19:14 [3325]19:15 [3326]19:17
[3327]19:18 [3328]19:18-20 [3329]19:19 [3330]19:20
[3331]19:21 [3332]19:21 [3333]19:21 [3334]19:21
[3335]19:21-22 [3336]19:21-22 [3337]19:22 [3338]19:22
[3339]19:23 [3340]19:23-34 [3341]19:24 [3342]19:24
[3343]19:24 [3344]19:24-41 [3345]19:25 [3346]19:26
[3347]19:28 [3348]19:29 [3349]19:29 [3350]19:29 [3351]19:29
[3352]19:31 [3353]19:32 [3354]19:33 [3355]19:34 [3356]19:35
[3357]19:35 [3358]19:35-41 [3359]19:36 [3360]19:37
[3361]19:39 [3362]19:40 [3363]19:41 [3364]20:1 [3365]20:1
[3366]20:1 [3367]20:1-6 [3368]20:2 [3369]20:2-3 [3370]20:4
[3371]20:4 [3372]20:4 [3373]20:4 [3374]20:4 [3375]20:5
[3376]20:5-6 [3377]20:6 [3378]20:6 [3379]20:6 [3380]20:6
[3381]20:6 [3382]20:7 [3383]20:7 [3384]20:7-12 [3385]20:8
[3386]20:8 [3387]20:10 [3388]20:10 [3389]20:11 [3390]20:12
[3391]20:13 [3392]20:13-16 [3393]20:15 [3394]20:16
[3395]20:17-35 [3396]20:18 [3397]20:19 [3398]20:19
[3399]20:19 [3400]20:20 [3401]20:20-21 [3402]20:22
[3403]20:22-24 [3404]20:23 [3405]20:23 [3406]20:23
[3407]20:24 [3408]20:24 [3409]20:24 [3410]20:25 [3411]20:26
[3412]20:26 [3413]20:27 [3414]20:27 [3415]20:27 [3416]20:27
[3417]20:27 [3418]20:27 [3419]20:28 [3420]20:28 [3421]20:28
[3422]20:28 [3423]20:28 [3424]20:28 [3425]20:29 [3426]20:29
[3427]20:29-30 [3428]20:30 [3429]20:31 [3430]20:31
[3431]20:31 [3432]20:31 [3433]20:32 [3434]20:33 [3435]20:33
[3436]20:34 [3437]20:34 [3438]20:36 [3439]20:36
[3440]20:36-38 [3441]20:37-38 [3442]20:38 [3443]21:1
[3444]21:1-7 [3445]21:1-24:27 [3446]21:2 [3447]21:3
[3448]21:3 [3449]21:4 [3450]21:6 [3451]21:8 [3452]21:8
[3453]21:8 [3454]21:8-14 [3455]21:9 [3456]21:9 [3457]21:10-11
[3458]21:10-11 [3459]21:12 [3460]21:13 [3461]21:13
[3462]21:14 [3463]21:14 [3464]21:15-17 [3465]21:16
[3466]21:16 [3467]21:17 [3468]21:18 [3469]21:18-26
[3470]21:19 [3471]21:20 [3472]21:20 [3473]21:20 [3474]21:21
[3475]21:23 [3476]21:24 [3477]21:24 [3478]21:25 [3479]21:26
[3480]21:26 [3481]21:27 [3482]21:27 [3483]21:27-30
[3484]21:28 [3485]21:29 [3486]21:29 [3487]21:30 [3488]21:31
[3489]21:31-40 [3490]21:32 [3491]21:32 [3492]21:32
[3493]21:33 [3494]21:35 [3495]21:36 [3496]21:37 [3497]21:37
[3498]21:37 [3499]21:38 [3500]21:39 [3501]21:40 [3502]21:40
[3503]22:1 [3504]22:1-2 [3505]22:1-30 [3506]22:3 [3507]22:3
[3508]22:3-4 [3509]22:3-5 [3510]22:4 [3511]22:4 [3512]22:4-5
[3513]22:5 [3514]22:5 [3515]22:6 [3516]22:6-11 [3517]22:7
[3518]22:8 [3519]22:8 [3520]22:8 [3521]22:9 [3522]22:9
[3523]22:9 [3524]22:9 [3525]22:10 [3526]22:10 [3527]22:11
[3528]22:12 [3529]22:12-16 [3530]22:13 [3531]22:14
[3532]22:14 [3533]22:14 [3534]22:14 [3535]22:15 [3536]22:15
[3537]22:15 [3538]22:16 [3539]22:16 [3540]22:16 [3541]22:17
[3542]22:17 [3543]22:17 [3544]22:17 [3545]22:17-21
[3546]22:17-21 [3547]22:18 [3548]22:19-20 [3549]22:20
[3550]22:20 [3551]22:21 [3552]22:21 [3553]22:21 [3554]22:21
[3555]22:21 [3556]22:21 [3557]22:21-22 [3558]22:22
[3559]22:22 [3560]22:22-23 [3561]22:23 [3562]22:24
[3563]22:24 [3564]22:24-25 [3565]22:25 [3566]22:25-26
[3567]22:26 [3568]22:26-29 [3569]22:27 [3570]22:27-28
[3571]22:29 [3572]22:30 [3573]22:30 [3574]23:1 [3575]23:1
[3576]23:1-5 [3577]23:2 [3578]23:2 [3579]23:3 [3580]23:4
[3581]23:5 [3582]23:6 [3583]23:6 [3584]23:6 [3585]23:6
[3586]23:6 [3587]23:6-9 [3588]23:7 [3589]23:8 [3590]23:9
[3591]23:9 [3592]23:10 [3593]23:11 [3594]23:11 [3595]23:11
[3596]23:11 [3597]23:11 [3598]23:12 [3599]23:12-15
[3600]23:13 [3601]23:14-15 [3602]23:16 [3603]23:16-22
[3604]23:17 [3605]23:18 [3606]23:19 [3607]23:20-21
[3608]23:22 [3609]23:23-24 [3610]23:23-35 [3611]23:24
[3612]23:25 [3613]23:26 [3614]23:27 [3615]23:27-28
[3616]23:28 [3617]23:29 [3618]23:29 [3619]23:30 [3620]23:30
[3621]23:31 [3622]23:33 [3623]23:33 [3624]23:34 [3625]23:35
[3626]24:1 [3627]24:1-2 [3628]24:2 [3629]24:2 [3630]24:2-8
[3631]24:3 [3632]24:4 [3633]24:5 [3634]24:5 [3635]24:6
[3636]24:7 [3637]24:7 [3638]24:8 [3639]24:9 [3640]24:9
[3641]24:10 [3642]24:10 [3643]24:10 [3644]24:11
[3645]24:11-13 [3646]24:13 [3647]24:14-16 [3648]24:15
[3649]24:15 [3650]24:15 [3651]24:15 [3652]24:15 [3653]24:16
[3654]24:16 [3655]24:16 [3656]24:16 [3657]24:16 [3658]24:16
[3659]24:17-21 [3660]24:18 [3661]24:18 [3662]24:19
[3663]24:20 [3664]24:21 [3665]24:22 [3666]24:22-23
[3667]24:23 [3668]24:23 [3669]24:24-25 [3670]24:24-26
[3671]24:25 [3672]24:26-27 [3673]24:27 [3674]24:27
[3675]24:27 [3676]25:1-3 [3677]25:2 [3678]25:4-5 [3679]25:4-6
[3680]25:6 [3681]25:7 [3682]25:7 [3683]25:8 [3684]25:8
[3685]25:9 [3686]25:9-12 [3687]25:11 [3688]25:13
[3689]25:13-21 [3690]25:14-21 [3691]25:16 [3692]25:17
[3693]25:18-19 [3694]25:19 [3695]25:20 [3696]25:21
[3697]25:22 [3698]25:22 [3699]25:23 [3700]25:23 [3701]25:23
[3702]25:24 [3703]25:24-27 [3704]25:25 [3705]25:26
[3706]25:26-27 [3707]26:1 [3708]26:1 [3709]26:1 [3710]26:1-3
[3711]26:1-32 [3712]26:2-3 [3713]26:3-8 [3714]26:4-5
[3715]26:5 [3716]26:6-7 [3717]26:6-7 [3718]26:6-7 [3719]26:7
[3720]26:7 [3721]26:8 [3722]26:9 [3723]26:9 [3724]26:9
[3725]26:9 [3726]26:9-11 [3727]26:10 [3728]26:10 [3729]26:10
[3730]26:10-11 [3731]26:10-11 [3732]26:11 [3733]26:11
[3734]26:12-16 [3735]26:13 [3736]26:13 [3737]26:14
[3738]26:14 [3739]26:14 [3740]26:15 [3741]26:15 [3742]26:16
[3743]26:16-17 [3744]26:16-18 [3745]26:17 [3746]26:17-18
[3747]26:18 [3748]26:18 [3749]26:18 [3750]26:18 [3751]26:19
[3752]26:19-21 [3753]26:20 [3754]26:20 [3755]26:21
[3756]26:22 [3757]26:22 [3758]26:22 [3759]26:22 [3760]26:22
[3761]26:22-23 [3762]26:23 [3763]26:24 [3764]26:24
[3765]26:24 [3766]26:24 [3767]26:25 [3768]26:25-27
[3769]26:26 [3770]26:27 [3771]26:28 [3772]26:28 [3773]26:29
[3774]26:29 [3775]26:29 [3776]26:30 [3777]26:30-32
[3778]26:31 [3779]26:32 [3780]26:32 [3781]27 [3782]27:1-8
[3783]27:2 [3784]27:2 [3785]27:2 [3786]27:3 [3787]27:4
[3788]27:5-6 [3789]27:6 [3790]27:7-8 [3791]27:8 [3792]27:9-11
[3793]27:10 [3794]27:11 [3795]27:11 [3796]27:12
[3797]27:12-20 [3798]27:13 [3799]27:14 [3800]27:15
[3801]27:16 [3802]27:16 [3803]27:16-17 [3804]27:17
[3805]27:17 [3806]27:18 [3807]27:19 [3808]27:20
[3809]27:21-26 [3810]27:22 [3811]27:23 [3812]27:23
[3813]27:23-25 [3814]27:24 [3815]27:25 [3816]27:26
[3817]27:27-29 [3818]27:27-36 [3819]27:29 [3820]27:30
[3821]27:31 [3822]27:32 [3823]27:33 [3824]27:34 [3825]27:35
[3826]27:36 [3827]27:37 [3828]27:37-44 [3829]27:38
[3830]27:38 [3831]27:39 [3832]27:40 [3833]27:42 [3834]27:42
[3835]28:1-6 [3836]28:1-16 [3837]28:1-31 [3838]28:2
[3839]28:3 [3840]28:3 [3841]28:4 [3842]28:7-9 [3843]28:10
[3844]28:10 [3845]28:10 [3846]28:11-16 [3847]28:15
[3848]28:15 [3849]28:15 [3850]28:16 [3851]28:16
[3852]28:17-22 [3853]28:18 [3854]28:19 [3855]28:19
[3856]28:20 [3857]28:20 [3858]28:21 [3859]28:22 [3860]28:22
[3861]28:23 [3862]28:23 [3863]28:23 [3864]28:23 [3865]28:24
[3866]28:24 [3867]28:24-29 [3868]28:25 [3869]28:27
[3870]28:28 [3871]28:30 [3872]28:30-31
Romans
[3873]1:1 [3874]1:1 [3875]1:1 [3876]1:1-32 [3877]1:2
[3878]1:3 [3879]1:3-4 [3880]1:4 [3881]1:4 [3882]1:4
[3883]1:4 [3884]1:4 [3885]1:4 [3886]1:5 [3887]1:5 [3888]1:5
[3889]1:6 [3890]1:7 [3891]1:7 [3892]1:8 [3893]1:8 [3894]1:8
[3895]1:8 [3896]1:8 [3897]1:9 [3898]1:9 [3899]1:9
[3900]1:10 [3901]1:11 [3902]1:11 [3903]1:11 [3904]1:11
[3905]1:11 [3906]1:11-15 [3907]1:12 [3908]1:12 [3909]1:13
[3910]1:13 [3911]1:13 [3912]1:14 [3913]1:14 [3914]1:15
[3915]1:16 [3916]1:16 [3917]1:16-17 [3918]1:17 [3919]1:17
[3920]1:17 [3921]1:18 [3922]1:18 [3923]1:18 [3924]1:18
[3925]1:19 [3926]1:19-20 [3927]1:20 [3928]1:20 [3929]1:20
[3930]1:21 [3931]1:21-22 [3932]1:21-23 [3933]1:22 [3934]1:22
[3935]1:23 [3936]1:23 [3937]1:23-25 [3938]1:24 [3939]1:24
[3940]1:25 [3941]1:25 [3942]1:26 [3943]1:26 [3944]1:27
[3945]1:28 [3946]1:28 [3947]1:29-31 [3948]1:30 [3949]1:32
[3950]1:32 [3951]2:1 [3952]2:1 [3953]2:1-11 [3954]2:1-17
[3955]2:1-3:31 [3956]2:2 [3957]2:2-3 [3958]2:3 [3959]2:3
[3960]2:4 [3961]2:4 [3962]2:4-5 [3963]2:5 [3964]2:5
[3965]2:6 [3966]2:7 [3967]2:7 [3968]2:7 [3969]2:7 [3970]2:8
[3971]2:8-9 [3972]2:9 [3973]2:9 [3974]2:10 [3975]2:10
[3976]2:10 [3977]2:10 [3978]2:11 [3979]2:11 [3980]2:12
[3981]2:12 [3982]2:12-16 [3983]2:13 [3984]2:13 [3985]2:13
[3986]2:14-15 [3987]2:15 [3988]2:16 [3989]2:17 [3990]2:17
[3991]2:17 [3992]2:17-20 [3993]2:17-23 [3994]2:17-29
[3995]2:18 [3996]2:19 [3997]2:19-20 [3998]2:20 [3999]2:20
[4000]2:21 [4001]2:21-24 [4002]2:22 [4003]2:22 [4004]2:23
[4005]2:23-24 [4006]2:24 [4007]2:24 [4008]2:25-29 [4009]2:26
[4010]2:27 [4011]2:27 [4012]2:28-29 [4013]2:29 [4014]2:29
[4015]2:29 [4016]3:1-2 [4017]3:1-8 [4018]3:2 [4019]3:2
[4020]3:3 [4021]3:5 [4022]3:5-6 [4023]3:6 [4024]3:7-8
[4025]3:8 [4026]3:9 [4027]3:9-18 [4028]3:9-18 [4029]3:10-12
[4030]3:10-12 [4031]3:11 [4032]3:12 [4033]3:13-14
[4034]3:15-17 [4035]3:18 [4036]3:18-19 [4037]3:19 [4038]3:19
[4039]3:19-31 [4040]3:20 [4041]3:20 [4042]3:20 [4043]3:20
[4044]3:21-22 [4045]3:21-4:25 [4046]3:22 [4047]3:22
[4048]3:23 [4049]3:24 [4050]3:24 [4051]3:24 [4052]3:25
[4053]3:25 [4054]3:25-26 [4055]3:25-26 [4056]3:26 [4057]3:27
[4058]3:27 [4059]3:28 [4060]3:28 [4061]3:28 [4062]3:29
[4063]3:31 [4064]3:31 [4065]3:38 [4066]4:1-8 [4067]4:1-25
[4068]4:2 [4069]4:2-3 [4070]4:3 [4071]4:3 [4072]4:4-5
[4073]4:6 [4074]4:6 [4075]4:8 [4076]4:9 [4077]4:9-17
[4078]4:10 [4079]4:11 [4080]4:11 [4081]4:13-16 [4082]4:14-15
[4083]4:15 [4084]4:16 [4085]4:17 [4086]4:17 [4087]4:17
[4088]4:17 [4089]4:17-22 [4090]4:18 [4091]4:19 [4092]4:19-20
[4093]4:20 [4094]4:22 [4095]4:22-25 [4096]4:25 [4097]4:25
[4098]4:25 [4099]4:25 [4100]4:25 [4101]5:1 [4102]5:1
[4103]5:1-2 [4104]5:1-5 [4105]5:1-21 [4106]5:2 [4107]5:3
[4108]5:3 [4109]5:3-5 [4110]5:4 [4111]5:4 [4112]5:5
[4113]5:6 [4114]5:6 [4115]5:6 [4116]5:6-8 [4117]5:6-23
[4118]5:7-8 [4119]5:8 [4120]5:8 [4121]5:8 [4122]5:8
[4123]5:9 [4124]5:9 [4125]5:9 [4126]5:9-11 [4127]5:10
[4128]5:10 [4129]5:10 [4130]5:10 [4131]5:11 [4132]5:11
[4133]5:12 [4134]5:12 [4135]5:12-21 [4136]5:12-21 [4137]5:14
[4138]5:14 [4139]5:14 [4140]5:15-17 [4141]5:16-17 [4142]5:17
[4143]5:18-19 [4144]5:20 [4145]5:20-21 [4146]5:21 [4147]5:22
[4148]6:1 [4149]6:1-7:25 [4150]6:2 [4151]6:2 [4152]6:3
[4153]6:3 [4154]6:3-4 [4155]6:4 [4156]6:4 [4157]6:4
[4158]6:5 [4159]6:5 [4160]6:6 [4161]6:6 [4162]6:6 [4163]6:6
[4164]6:7 [4165]6:8 [4166]6:8 [4167]6:9 [4168]6:9
[4169]6:10 [4170]6:11 [4171]6:11 [4172]6:12 [4173]6:12
[4174]6:12-14 [4175]6:13 [4176]6:13 [4177]6:13 [4178]6:13
[4179]6:13 [4180]6:14 [4181]6:14 [4182]6:14 [4183]6:15
[4184]6:16 [4185]6:16 [4186]6:17 [4187]6:17 [4188]6:17-21
[4189]6:18 [4190]6:19 [4191]6:19 [4192]6:19 [4193]6:20
[4194]6:21 [4195]6:21 [4196]6:21 [4197]6:22 [4198]6:23
[4199]6:23 [4200]6:23 [4201]6:23 [4202]7:1 [4203]7:1-6
[4204]7:2 [4205]7:3 [4206]7:3 [4207]7:4 [4208]7:4 [4209]7:4
[4210]7:4 [4211]7:4 [4212]7:5 [4213]7:5 [4214]7:6 [4215]7:6
[4216]7:6 [4217]7:6 [4218]7:7 [4219]7:7 [4220]7:7-14
[4221]7:8 [4222]7:9 [4223]7:9 [4224]7:9 [4225]7:9 [4226]7:9
[4227]7:9 [4228]7:10 [4229]7:11 [4230]7:12 [4231]7:13
[4232]7:13 [4233]7:14 [4234]7:14 [4235]7:14-25 [4236]7:15
[4237]7:16 [4238]7:17 [4239]7:18 [4240]7:19 [4241]7:20
[4242]7:21 [4243]7:22 [4244]7:23 [4245]7:24 [4246]7:24
[4247]7:24 [4248]7:24 [4249]7:24 [4250]7:25 [4251]7:25
[4252]7:25 [4253]7:25 [4254]8:1 [4255]8:1-14 [4256]8:1-28
[4257]8:1-39 [4258]8:2 [4259]8:2-9 [4260]8:3 [4261]8:3
[4262]8:3 [4263]8:3 [4264]8:4 [4265]8:4 [4266]8:5 [4267]8:5
[4268]8:6 [4269]8:6 [4270]8:6 [4271]8:6 [4272]8:6 [4273]8:7
[4274]8:7 [4275]8:7 [4276]8:8 [4277]8:9 [4278]8:9 [4279]8:9
[4280]8:10-11 [4281]8:11 [4282]8:12-13 [4283]8:13 [4284]8:13
[4285]8:14 [4286]8:14-16 [4287]8:15 [4288]8:15 [4289]8:15
[4290]8:16 [4291]8:16 [4292]8:17 [4293]8:17 [4294]8:17
[4295]8:17 [4296]8:17 [4297]8:17 [4298]8:18 [4299]8:18
[4300]8:19 [4301]8:19 [4302]8:19 [4303]8:19-22 [4304]8:20
[4305]8:21 [4306]8:21 [4307]8:22 [4308]8:23-25 [4309]8:24-25
[4310]8:25 [4311]8:27 [4312]8:27 [4313]8:28 [4314]8:28
[4315]8:28 [4316]8:28 [4317]8:29 [4318]8:29-30 [4319]8:30
[4320]8:30 [4321]8:30 [4322]8:30 [4323]8:30 [4324]8:31-39
[4325]8:32 [4326]8:32 [4327]8:33-34 [4328]8:34 [4329]8:34
[4330]8:34 [4331]8:35-37 [4332]8:35-39 [4333]8:36 [4334]8:37
[4335]8:37 [4336]8:37 [4337]8:37 [4338]8:38-39 [4339]9:1
[4340]9:1-3 [4341]9:1-15 [4342]9:1-33 [4343]9:2 [4344]9:2
[4345]9:2 [4346]9:4 [4347]9:4 [4348]9:4 [4349]9:4 [4350]9:4
[4351]9:4-5 [4352]9:4-5 [4353]9:5 [4354]9:6 [4355]9:6
[4356]9:6 [4357]9:6-13 [4358]9:7 [4359]9:8-9 [4360]9:9
[4361]9:10-13 [4362]9:14 [4363]9:14-24 [4364]9:15-16
[4365]9:16 [4366]9:17 [4367]9:18 [4368]9:19 [4369]9:19
[4370]9:19 [4371]9:20 [4372]9:21 [4373]9:22-23 [4374]9:22-24
[4375]9:24 [4376]9:25-29 [4377]9:28 [4378]9:30 [4379]9:31
[4380]9:31 [4381]9:31-32 [4382]9:32 [4383]9:32-33 [4384]9:35
[4385]10:1 [4386]10:1 [4387]10:1-2 [4388]10:1-11
[4389]10:1-21 [4390]10:1-11:36 [4391]10:2 [4392]10:2
[4393]10:2 [4394]10:3 [4395]10:3-4 [4396]10:4 [4397]10:5
[4398]10:6 [4399]10:6 [4400]10:9-10 [4401]10:9-10 [4402]10:10
[4403]10:10 [4404]10:11 [4405]10:12 [4406]10:12 [4407]10:13
[4408]10:14 [4409]10:14 [4410]10:14-15 [4411]10:15
[4412]10:15 [4413]10:16 [4414]10:17 [4415]10:17 [4416]10:18
[4417]10:18 [4418]10:18 [4419]10:18 [4420]10:19 [4421]10:19
[4422]10:19-21 [4423]10:20 [4424]10:21 [4425]11:1 [4426]11:1
[4427]11:1 [4428]11:1 [4429]11:1 [4430]11:1 [4431]11:1-7
[4432]11:1-16 [4433]11:1-32 [4434]11:1-36 [4435]11:1-36
[4436]11:2 [4437]11:2 [4438]11:2 [4439]11:2 [4440]11:3
[4441]11:3 [4442]11:4 [4443]11:4-5 [4444]11:5 [4445]11:5
[4446]11:5 [4447]11:5-7 [4448]11:6 [4449]11:6 [4450]11:7
[4451]11:7 [4452]11:7 [4453]11:7 [4454]11:7 [4455]11:8
[4456]11:8 [4457]11:8 [4458]11:9-10 [4459]11:10 [4460]11:11
[4461]11:11 [4462]11:11 [4463]11:11-12 [4464]11:11-12
[4465]11:11-14 [4466]11:12 [4467]11:12 [4468]11:12
[4469]11:12 [4470]11:12 [4471]11:13 [4472]11:13 [4473]11:13
[4474]11:13-15 [4475]11:14 [4476]11:14 [4477]11:14
[4478]11:14 [4479]11:14 [4480]11:15 [4481]11:15 [4482]11:15
[4483]11:16 [4484]11:16 [4485]11:16 [4486]11:17 [4487]11:17
[4488]11:17 [4489]11:17 [4490]11:17-18 [4491]11:17-22
[4492]11:17-22 [4493]11:17-22 [4494]11:18 [4495]11:19
[4496]11:19 [4497]11:19 [4498]11:20 [4499]11:20 [4500]11:20
[4501]11:20 [4502]11:21 [4503]11:21 [4504]11:21 [4505]11:22
[4506]11:22 [4507]11:22 [4508]11:23 [4509]11:23 [4510]11:23
[4511]11:23-34 [4512]11:24 [4513]11:24 [4514]11:24
[4515]11:24 [4516]11:24 [4517]11:24-25 [4518]11:26
[4519]11:26 [4520]11:27 [4521]11:28 [4522]11:28 [4523]11:28
[4524]11:28 [4525]11:28 [4526]11:29 [4527]11:29
[4528]11:30-31 [4529]11:31 [4530]11:32 [4531]11:33-34
[4532]11:33-36 [4533]11:34 [4534]11:35 [4535]11:35
[4536]11:36 [4537]11:36 [4538]12 [4539]12:1 [4540]12:1
[4541]12:1 [4542]12:1 [4543]12:1-2 [4544]12:1-11
[4545]12:1-21 [4546]12:2 [4547]12:2 [4548]12:3 [4549]12:3
[4550]12:3 [4551]12:4 [4552]12:4 [4553]12:4-5 [4554]12:5
[4555]12:6 [4556]12:6-8 [4557]12:7 [4558]12:8 [4559]12:8-10
[4560]12:9 [4561]12:10 [4562]12:10 [4563]12:10 [4564]12:11
[4565]12:11 [4566]12:11-12 [4567]12:12 [4568]12:12
[4569]12:12-26 [4570]12:13 [4571]12:13 [4572]12:13
[4573]12:14 [4574]12:15 [4575]12:15-16 [4576]12:16
[4577]12:16 [4578]12:16 [4579]12:16 [4580]12:17 [4581]12:17
[4582]12:17 [4583]12:18 [4584]12:18 [4585]12:18 [4586]12:19
[4587]12:19 [4588]12:19 [4589]12:20 [4590]12:20 [4591]12:21
[4592]12:21-22 [4593]12:24 [4594]12:25 [4595]12:25-26
[4596]12:27 [4597]12:27-30 [4598]12:28 [4599]12:28-30
[4600]12:29-30 [4601]12:31 [4602]13:1 [4603]13:1 [4604]13:1
[4605]13:1-4 [4606]13:1-6 [4607]13:1-14 [4608]13:1-14
[4609]13:2 [4610]13:2 [4611]13:3 [4612]13:3 [4613]13:4
[4614]13:4 [4615]13:4 [4616]13:4 [4617]13:6 [4618]13:6
[4619]13:6 [4620]13:7 [4621]13:7-10 [4622]13:8 [4623]13:8
[4624]13:9 [4625]13:9 [4626]13:10 [4627]13:10 [4628]13:10
[4629]13:10 [4630]13:11 [4631]13:11-14 [4632]13:12
[4633]13:13 [4634]13:13 [4635]13:14 [4636]13:14 [4637]14:1
[4638]14:1 [4639]14:1-23 [4640]14:1-23 [4641]14:1-23
[4642]14:1-23 [4643]14:1-23 [4644]14:1-23 [4645]14:1-15:14
[4646]14:2 [4647]14:3 [4648]14:3 [4649]14:4 [4650]14:4
[4651]14:4 [4652]14:5 [4653]14:5 [4654]14:6 [4655]14:7
[4656]14:7-8 [4657]14:8 [4658]14:9 [4659]14:9 [4660]14:9
[4661]14:9 [4662]14:10-12 [4663]14:11 [4664]14:12 [4665]14:13
[4666]14:14 [4667]14:14 [4668]14:14 [4669]14:15 [4670]14:15
[4671]14:15 [4672]14:16 [4673]14:16 [4674]14:17 [4675]14:17
[4676]14:17-18 [4677]14:18 [4678]14:18 [4679]14:18
[4680]14:19 [4681]14:19-20 [4682]14:20 [4683]14:21
[4684]14:22 [4685]14:22 [4686]14:23 [4687]14:23 [4688]14:23
[4689]14:24 [4690]14:34 [4691]15 [4692]15:1 [4693]15:1-2
[4694]15:3 [4695]15:3 [4696]15:4 [4697]15:4 [4698]15:5
[4699]15:5 [4700]15:5 [4701]15:6 [4702]15:6 [4703]15:6
[4704]15:6 [4705]15:7 [4706]15:8 [4707]15:9 [4708]15:9-12
[4709]15:10 [4710]15:11 [4711]15:12 [4712]15:13 [4713]15:14
[4714]15:14-16 [4715]15:15 [4716]15:15 [4717]15:16
[4718]15:16 [4719]15:16 [4720]15:17-21 [4721]15:18
[4722]15:18 [4723]15:19 [4724]15:19 [4725]15:19 [4726]15:20
[4727]15:20 [4728]15:20-21 [4729]15:22-29 [4730]15:23-24
[4731]15:25 [4732]15:25-28 [4733]15:26 [4734]15:26
[4735]15:26 [4736]15:27 [4737]15:27 [4738]15:28 [4739]15:29
[4740]15:29 [4741]15:30-32 [4742]15:30-32 [4743]15:32
[4744]15:33 [4745]16:1 [4746]16:1-2 [4747]16:1-16
[4748]16:1-16 [4749]16:2 [4750]16:2 [4751]16:3 [4752]16:3
[4753]16:3 [4754]16:4 [4755]16:4 [4756]16:5 [4757]16:5
[4758]16:6 [4759]16:7 [4760]16:7 [4761]16:10 [4762]16:10
[4763]16:10-11 [4764]16:11 [4765]16:11 [4766]16:12
[4767]16:13 [4768]16:14 [4769]16:15 [4770]16:16
[4771]16:17-20 [4772]16:17-20 [4773]16:18 [4774]16:18
[4775]16:18 [4776]16:20 [4777]16:20 [4778]16:20 [4779]16:21
[4780]16:21-23 [4781]16:21-24 [4782]16:22 [4783]16:23
[4784]16:23 [4785]16:23 [4786]16:23 [4787]16:24 [4788]16:24
[4789]16:24-27 [4790]16:25 [4791]16:25 [4792]16:25-26
[4793]16:25-27 [4794]16:26 [4795]16:26 [4796]16:27
[4797]16:27 [4798]18 [4799]22 [4800]30 [4801]39
1 Corinthians
[4802]1:1 [4803]1:1-9 [4804]1:1-4:21 [4805]1:2 [4806]1:2
[4807]1:4 [4808]1:5 [4809]1:6 [4810]1:7 [4811]1:7
[4812]1:8-9 [4813]1:10 [4814]1:10 [4815]1:10-13 [4816]1:12
[4817]1:13 [4818]1:14 [4819]1:14 [4820]1:14-17 [4821]1:15
[4822]1:17 [4823]1:17 [4824]1:17 [4825]1:17-31 [4826]1:18
[4827]1:18 [4828]1:19-20 [4829]1:19-20 [4830]1:21 [4831]1:21
[4832]1:21 [4833]1:22 [4834]1:23 [4835]1:23 [4836]1:23-24
[4837]1:24 [4838]1:25 [4839]1:26 [4840]1:28 [4841]1:29
[4842]1:29-31 [4843]1:30 [4844]1:30 [4845]1:30 [4846]1:30
[4847]1:31 [4848]1:31 [4849]2:1 [4850]2:1 [4851]2:1-5
[4852]2:2 [4853]2:3-4 [4854]2:4 [4855]2:4 [4856]2:4-6
[4857]2:5 [4858]2:6 [4859]2:6 [4860]2:6 [4861]2:6 [4862]2:6
[4863]2:6-7 [4864]2:6-16 [4865]2:7 [4866]2:7 [4867]2:8
[4868]2:8 [4869]2:8 [4870]2:8 [4871]2:8 [4872]2:8 [4873]2:9
[4874]2:9 [4875]2:10 [4876]2:11 [4877]2:12 [4878]2:13
[4879]2:13 [4880]2:14 [4881]2:14 [4882]2:15 [4883]2:16
[4884]2:16 [4885]2:26 [4886]3:1 [4887]3:1 [4888]3:1-4
[4889]3:2 [4890]3:3 [4891]3:4 [4892]3:5 [4893]3:5 [4894]3:5
[4895]3:6 [4896]3:6 [4897]3:6-10 [4898]3:7 [4899]3:8
[4900]3:9 [4901]3:9 [4902]3:9 [4903]3:10 [4904]3:11-15
[4905]3:12 [4906]3:12 [4907]3:13 [4908]3:15 [4909]3:15
[4910]3:16 [4911]3:16-17 [4912]3:18 [4913]3:18-21 [4914]3:19
[4915]3:20 [4916]3:21 [4917]3:21-22 [4918]3:22-23 [4919]4:1
[4920]4:1 [4921]4:1 [4922]4:1-6 [4923]4:2 [4924]4:2
[4925]4:3 [4926]4:3-4 [4927]4:4 [4928]4:4 [4929]4:5
[4930]4:5 [4931]4:6 [4932]4:6 [4933]4:7 [4934]4:7
[4935]4:7-13 [4936]4:8 [4937]4:9 [4938]4:9 [4939]4:9
[4940]4:10 [4941]4:11-12 [4942]4:12-13 [4943]4:13 [4944]4:13
[4945]4:14 [4946]4:14 [4947]4:14-16 [4948]4:15 [4949]4:15
[4950]4:15 [4951]4:15 [4952]4:16 [4953]4:17 [4954]4:17
[4955]4:17-21 [4956]4:19 [4957]4:19 [4958]4:19 [4959]4:21
[4960]5:1 [4961]5:1 [4962]5:1-6 [4963]5:1-13 [4964]5:1-13
[4965]5:2 [4966]5:2 [4967]5:2 [4968]5:3-5 [4969]5:5
[4970]5:5 [4971]5:5 [4972]5:7 [4973]5:7 [4974]5:7-8
[4975]5:7-8 [4976]5:8 [4977]5:9 [4978]5:9-13 [4979]5:11
[4980]5:12 [4981]5:13 [4982]5:13 [4983]5:13 [4984]6:1
[4985]6:1-8 [4986]6:1-8 [4987]6:2 [4988]6:3 [4989]6:4
[4990]6:5 [4991]6:5 [4992]6:5 [4993]6:6 [4994]6:6 [4995]6:7
[4996]6:9 [4997]6:9-11 [4998]6:9-15 [4999]6:9-20 [5000]6:9-20
[5001]6:10 [5002]6:11 [5003]6:11 [5004]6:11 [5005]6:11
[5006]6:11 [5007]6:11 [5008]6:12 [5009]6:12-13 [5010]6:12-20
[5011]6:13 [5012]6:13 [5013]6:13 [5014]6:13-14 [5015]6:13-20
[5016]6:14 [5017]6:14 [5018]6:15 [5019]6:15 [5020]6:16-17
[5021]6:18 [5022]6:18 [5023]6:18 [5024]6:19 [5025]6:19
[5026]6:19 [5027]6:19-20 [5028]6:20 [5029]6:20 [5030]6:20
[5031]6:20 [5032]7:1 [5033]7:1-9 [5034]7:1-40 [5035]7:1-40
[5036]7:2 [5037]7:2 [5038]7:3 [5039]7:4 [5040]7:5 [5041]7:7
[5042]7:9-10 [5043]7:10 [5044]7:10 [5045]7:10-16 [5046]7:11
[5047]7:11 [5048]7:12 [5049]7:12 [5050]7:12-13 [5051]7:14
[5052]7:14 [5053]7:15 [5054]7:15 [5055]7:16 [5056]7:16
[5057]7:17-24 [5058]7:19 [5059]7:19 [5060]7:19 [5061]7:20
[5062]7:20 [5063]7:21 [5064]7:21 [5065]7:24 [5066]7:24
[5067]7:25 [5068]7:25-35 [5069]7:29 [5070]7:31 [5071]7:31
[5072]7:32 [5073]7:32 [5074]7:33 [5075]7:33-34 [5076]7:34
[5077]7:35 [5078]7:36-38 [5079]7:39-40 [5080]7:40 [5081]7:40
[5082]8:1 [5083]8:1 [5084]8:1-3 [5085]8:1-3 [5086]8:1-13
[5087]8:1-13 [5088]8:4 [5089]8:4 [5090]8:4-6 [5091]8:7-13
[5092]8:8 [5093]8:9 [5094]8:9 [5095]8:9-11 [5096]8:10
[5097]8:10 [5098]8:10-11 [5099]8:11 [5100]8:12 [5101]8:13
[5102]8:13 [5103]8:13 [5104]8:13 [5105]9:1 [5106]9:1-2
[5107]9:1-2 [5108]9:1-27 [5109]9:2 [5110]9:3-6 [5111]9:3-14
[5112]9:4 [5113]9:5 [5114]9:6 [5115]9:7 [5116]9:7-9
[5117]9:8 [5118]9:10 [5119]9:11 [5120]9:11 [5121]9:11
[5122]9:13 [5123]9:13 [5124]9:14 [5125]9:14 [5126]9:14
[5127]9:15 [5128]9:15 [5129]9:15-18 [5130]9:16 [5131]9:16
[5132]9:16 [5133]9:18 [5134]9:18 [5135]9:19 [5136]9:19
[5137]9:19 [5138]9:19 [5139]9:19-23 [5140]9:20 [5141]9:20
[5142]9:22 [5143]9:23 [5144]9:23 [5145]9:24 [5146]9:24
[5147]9:24-27 [5148]9:25 [5149]9:26 [5150]9:27 [5151]10:1-2
[5152]10:1-10 [5153]10:1-14 [5154]10:1-22 [5155]10:1-22
[5156]10:1-33 [5157]10:1-33 [5158]10:2 [5159]10:2 [5160]10:5
[5161]10:6 [5162]10:7 [5163]10:9 [5164]10:10 [5165]10:11
[5166]10:11 [5167]10:11 [5168]10:12 [5169]10:13 [5170]10:13
[5171]10:14 [5172]10:15 [5173]10:15 [5174]10:15-22
[5175]10:16 [5176]10:17 [5177]10:20 [5178]10:21 [5179]10:22
[5180]10:22 [5181]10:23-33 [5182]10:24 [5183]10:25
[5184]10:25 [5185]10:26 [5186]10:27 [5187]10:27 [5188]10:30
[5189]10:31 [5190]10:31 [5191]10:31 [5192]10:31
[5193]10:31-32 [5194]10:32 [5195]10:33 [5196]11:1 [5197]11:1
[5198]11:1-34 [5199]11:3 [5200]11:4 [5201]11:5 [5202]11:8
[5203]11:9 [5204]11:9 [5205]11:9 [5206]11:11 [5207]11:12
[5208]11:23 [5209]11:30 [5210]11:30 [5211]11:32 [5212]12:1-31
[5213]12:2 [5214]12:3 [5215]12:4 [5216]12:4 [5217]12:4
[5218]12:7 [5219]12:8 [5220]12:8 [5221]12:8 [5222]12:8-11
[5223]12:10 [5224]12:10 [5225]12:10-11 [5226]12:12
[5227]12:14 [5228]12:25 [5229]12:26 [5230]12:26 [5231]12:27
[5232]12:28 [5233]12:31 [5234]13:1 [5235]13:1 [5236]13:1-3
[5237]13:1-13 [5238]13:1-13 [5239]13:2 [5240]13:3 [5241]13:3
[5242]13:3 [5243]13:4 [5244]13:4 [5245]13:4-7 [5246]13:8-13
[5247]13:9 [5248]13:10 [5249]13:13 [5250]13:13 [5251]13:13
[5252]14:1 [5253]14:1-3 [5254]14:1-5 [5255]14:1-40 [5256]14:2
[5257]14:3 [5258]14:4 [5259]14:4 [5260]14:5 [5261]14:5
[5262]14:6 [5263]14:6 [5264]14:6-14 [5265]14:7 [5266]14:9
[5267]14:10 [5268]14:11 [5269]14:12 [5270]14:12 [5271]14:13
[5272]14:14 [5273]14:15 [5274]14:15-20 [5275]14:16
[5276]14:16-17 [5277]14:17 [5278]14:18 [5279]14:18
[5280]14:19 [5281]14:20 [5282]14:20 [5283]14:20 [5284]14:20
[5285]14:21 [5286]14:21-25 [5287]14:22 [5288]14:22
[5289]14:23 [5290]14:24-25 [5291]14:26 [5292]14:26
[5293]14:26 [5294]14:26-33 [5295]14:27-28 [5296]14:28
[5297]14:30 [5298]14:31 [5299]14:31 [5300]14:31 [5301]14:33
[5302]14:33 [5303]14:33 [5304]14:33 [5305]14:34 [5306]14:34
[5307]14:34 [5308]14:34 [5309]14:34-40 [5310]14:36
[5311]14:37 [5312]14:37 [5313]14:37 [5314]14:37 [5315]14:40
[5316]15:1-2 [5317]15:1-11 [5318]15:1-58 [5319]15:1-58
[5320]15:1-58 [5321]15:2 [5322]15:3-4 [5323]15:8 [5324]15:8
[5325]15:8 [5326]15:9 [5327]15:9 [5328]15:10 [5329]15:10
[5330]15:10 [5331]15:11 [5332]15:12 [5333]15:12
[5334]15:12-19 [5335]15:13 [5336]15:14 [5337]15:16
[5338]15:17 [5339]15:18 [5340]15:18 [5341]15:19 [5342]15:19
[5343]15:19 [5344]15:19 [5345]15:20 [5346]15:20 [5347]15:20
[5348]15:20 [5349]15:20 [5350]15:20-34 [5351]15:21
[5352]15:22 [5353]15:23 [5354]15:24 [5355]15:24 [5356]15:24
[5357]15:24 [5358]15:24 [5359]15:24-25 [5360]15:24-26
[5361]15:25 [5362]15:25 [5363]15:25-26 [5364]15:26
[5365]15:26 [5366]15:26 [5367]15:26 [5368]15:27 [5369]15:28
[5370]15:29 [5371]15:30 [5372]15:31 [5373]15:32 [5374]15:32
[5375]15:32 [5376]15:32 [5377]15:33 [5378]15:34 [5379]15:35
[5380]15:35-50 [5381]15:36 [5382]15:38 [5383]15:39
[5384]15:41 [5385]15:42 [5386]15:42 [5387]15:45 [5388]15:49
[5389]15:50 [5390]15:51 [5391]15:51-57 [5392]15:52
[5393]15:52 [5394]15:52 [5395]15:53 [5396]15:53 [5397]15:54
[5398]15:55 [5399]15:56 [5400]15:56 [5401]15:56 [5402]15:57
[5403]15:58 [5404]15:58 [5405]16:1 [5406]16:1-4 [5407]16:1-24
[5408]16:2 [5409]16:2 [5410]16:3 [5411]16:4 [5412]16:5
[5413]16:5-6 [5414]16:5-9 [5415]16:6 [5416]16:6 [5417]16:7
[5418]16:7 [5419]16:8 [5420]16:8 [5421]16:8-9 [5422]16:9
[5423]16:9 [5424]16:10 [5425]16:10 [5426]16:10 [5427]16:10
[5428]16:10-12 [5429]16:11 [5430]16:11 [5431]16:11
[5432]16:11 [5433]16:12 [5434]16:12 [5435]16:13
[5436]16:13-19 [5437]16:14 [5438]16:15 [5439]16:16
[5440]16:17-18 [5441]16:19 [5442]16:19 [5443]16:19
[5444]16:19 [5445]16:19 [5446]16:20 [5447]16:20
[5448]16:20-24 [5449]16:21 [5450]16:22 [5451]16:23
[5452]16:23 [5453]16:24
2 Corinthians
[5454]1:1-2 [5455]1:3 [5456]1:3-6 [5457]1:3-6 [5458]1:4
[5459]1:4 [5460]1:5 [5461]1:5 [5462]1:6 [5463]1:6 [5464]1:7
[5465]1:7-11 [5466]1:8 [5467]1:8 [5468]1:8-9 [5469]1:9
[5470]1:9 [5471]1:10 [5472]1:10 [5473]1:11 [5474]1:11
[5475]1:12 [5476]1:12 [5477]1:12 [5478]1:12 [5479]1:12-14
[5480]1:13-14 [5481]1:15-17 [5482]1:15-24 [5483]1:16
[5484]1:16 [5485]1:17 [5486]1:17 [5487]1:18 [5488]1:18-19
[5489]1:19 [5490]1:20 [5491]1:20 [5492]1:20 [5493]1:20
[5494]1:20 [5495]1:21 [5496]1:21 [5497]1:21-22 [5498]1:21-22
[5499]1:22 [5500]1:22 [5501]1:23 [5502]1:24 [5503]1:24
[5504]1:24 [5505]1:24 [5506]1:24 [5507]2:1-2 [5508]2:1-4
[5509]2:1-17 [5510]2:1-17 [5511]2:3-4 [5512]2:5-11
[5513]2:5-11 [5514]2:6 [5515]2:7 [5516]2:7-8 [5517]2:9
[5518]2:10 [5519]2:11 [5520]2:12 [5521]2:12 [5522]2:12-13
[5523]2:12-17 [5524]2:12-7:5 [5525]2:13 [5526]2:13 [5527]2:13
[5528]2:13 [5529]2:15 [5530]2:15-16 [5531]2:15-17 [5532]2:16
[5533]2:16 [5534]2:17 [5535]2:17 [5536]2:17 [5537]2:17
[5538]3:1 [5539]3:1 [5540]3:1-5 [5541]3:1-18 [5542]3:2
[5543]3:3 [5544]3:3 [5545]3:4 [5546]3:5 [5547]3:6 [5548]3:6
[5549]3:6 [5550]3:6-11 [5551]3:7 [5552]3:7 [5553]3:8
[5554]3:8 [5555]3:10 [5556]3:11 [5557]3:12-17 [5558]3:13
[5559]3:13 [5560]3:13 [5561]3:13 [5562]3:14 [5563]3:14
[5564]3:15 [5565]3:15 [5566]3:16 [5567]3:17 [5568]3:18
[5569]3:18 [5570]3:18 [5571]3:18 [5572]4:1 [5573]4:1
[5574]4:1-5:21 [5575]4:2 [5576]4:2 [5577]4:2 [5578]4:3
[5579]4:3-4 [5580]4:4 [5581]4:4 [5582]4:4 [5583]4:5
[5584]4:5 [5585]4:5 [5586]4:5-7 [5587]4:6 [5588]4:6
[5589]4:6 [5590]4:6 [5591]4:7 [5592]4:7 [5593]4:8 [5594]4:8
[5595]4:8-12 [5596]4:8-12 [5597]4:9 [5598]4:9 [5599]4:9
[5600]4:10 [5601]4:11 [5602]4:12 [5603]4:12 [5604]4:13
[5605]4:13 [5606]4:13-18 [5607]4:13-18 [5608]4:14 [5609]4:15
[5610]4:15 [5611]4:16 [5612]4:16 [5613]4:17 [5614]4:17
[5615]4:17 [5616]4:18 [5617]5:1 [5618]5:1 [5619]5:1-5
[5620]5:1-5 [5621]5:1-11 [5622]5:2 [5623]5:2 [5624]5:2
[5625]5:3 [5626]5:4 [5627]5:4 [5628]5:4 [5629]5:5 [5630]5:5
[5631]5:5 [5632]5:6 [5633]5:6 [5634]5:6-8 [5635]5:6-8
[5636]5:7 [5637]5:7 [5638]5:8 [5639]5:8 [5640]5:9 [5641]5:9
[5642]5:9 [5643]5:9-11 [5644]5:9-11 [5645]5:10 [5646]5:10
[5647]5:10-11 [5648]5:11 [5649]5:11 [5650]5:11 [5651]5:12-15
[5652]5:13 [5653]5:13 [5654]5:13 [5655]5:14 [5656]5:14
[5657]5:14 [5658]5:14 [5659]5:14 [5660]5:14-15 [5661]5:15
[5662]5:16 [5663]5:16-21 [5664]5:17 [5665]5:18 [5666]5:18
[5667]5:18 [5668]5:18-19 [5669]5:19 [5670]5:19 [5671]5:19
[5672]5:20 [5673]5:20 [5674]5:21 [5675]5:21 [5676]5:21
[5677]5:21 [5678]6:1 [5679]6:1-10 [5680]6:1-18 [5681]6:2
[5682]6:3 [5683]6:4 [5684]6:4-5 [5685]6:6-7 [5686]6:7
[5687]6:8-10 [5688]6:10 [5689]6:11 [5690]6:11-13
[5691]6:11-18 [5692]6:14 [5693]6:14 [5694]6:14-15 [5695]6:16
[5696]6:17 [5697]6:18 [5698]7:1 [5699]7:1 [5700]7:1
[5701]7:1 [5702]7:1-4 [5703]7:1-16 [5704]7:2 [5705]7:2
[5706]7:3-4 [5707]7:5 [5708]7:5 [5709]7:5 [5710]7:5-7
[5711]7:5-7 [5712]7:6 [5713]7:6-7 [5714]7:8 [5715]7:8-11
[5716]7:9 [5717]7:10 [5718]7:11 [5719]7:12 [5720]7:12-16
[5721]7:13 [5722]7:14 [5723]7:15 [5724]8:1 [5725]8:1-6
[5726]8:1-9:15 [5727]8:2 [5728]8:2 [5729]8:2 [5730]8:3
[5731]8:3 [5732]8:3 [5733]8:4 [5734]8:5 [5735]8:5 [5736]8:5
[5737]8:5 [5738]8:6 [5739]8:7 [5740]8:7-15 [5741]8:8
[5742]8:8 [5743]8:9 [5744]8:10 [5745]8:10-11 [5746]8:11
[5747]8:12 [5748]8:12 [5749]8:12 [5750]8:13 [5751]8:13-15
[5752]8:14-15 [5753]8:16 [5754]8:16 [5755]8:16-18
[5756]8:16-24 [5757]8:17 [5758]8:18 [5759]8:19 [5760]8:20
[5761]8:21 [5762]8:22 [5763]8:23 [5764]8:23 [5765]8:23
[5766]8:23 [5767]8:24 [5768]9:1 [5769]9:1-5 [5770]9:2-4
[5771]9:3 [5772]9:3-4 [5773]9:5 [5774]9:6 [5775]9:6
[5776]9:6-15 [5777]9:7 [5778]9:7 [5779]9:7 [5780]9:7
[5781]9:7 [5782]9:8 [5783]9:10-11 [5784]9:11 [5785]9:11
[5786]9:12 [5787]9:12 [5788]9:13 [5789]9:13 [5790]9:14
[5791]9:15 [5792]10:1 [5793]10:1-6 [5794]10:1-12:21
[5795]10:2 [5796]10:3 [5797]10:3-4 [5798]10:4-5 [5799]10:4-5
[5800]10:4-5 [5801]10:5 [5802]10:6 [5803]10:6 [5804]10:6
[5805]10:7 [5806]10:7 [5807]10:7-11 [5808]10:8 [5809]10:8
[5810]10:9 [5811]10:10 [5812]10:10 [5813]10:10 [5814]10:10
[5815]10:11 [5816]10:12 [5817]10:12-18 [5818]10:13
[5819]10:13-15 [5820]10:14 [5821]10:15 [5822]10:17
[5823]10:18 [5824]10:18 [5825]11:1 [5826]11:1-4 [5827]11:2
[5828]11:2-3 [5829]11:3 [5830]11:3 [5831]11:3 [5832]11:4
[5833]11:5 [5834]11:5 [5835]11:5 [5836]11:5 [5837]11:5
[5838]11:5-15 [5839]11:7 [5840]11:7 [5841]11:7-10 [5842]11:8
[5843]11:11 [5844]11:12 [5845]11:13 [5846]11:15 [5847]11:16
[5848]11:16-21 [5849]11:17 [5850]11:18 [5851]11:19
[5852]11:20 [5853]11:21 [5854]11:21 [5855]11:22
[5856]11:22-33 [5857]11:23 [5858]11:23 [5859]11:23
[5860]11:23-28 [5861]11:24 [5862]11:24 [5863]11:24
[5864]11:24 [5865]11:25 [5866]11:26 [5867]11:26 [5868]11:27
[5869]11:28 [5870]11:29 [5871]11:29 [5872]11:30 [5873]11:31
[5874]11:32 [5875]11:32-33 [5876]11:33 [5877]12:1
[5878]12:1-2 [5879]12:1-10 [5880]12:1-31 [5881]12:2
[5882]12:2 [5883]12:2-3 [5884]12:3-4 [5885]12:4 [5886]12:6
[5887]12:6 [5888]12:7 [5889]12:7 [5890]12:7-10 [5891]12:8
[5892]12:9 [5893]12:9 [5894]12:10 [5895]12:10 [5896]12:10
[5897]12:11 [5898]12:11 [5899]12:11-21 [5900]12:12
[5901]12:12 [5902]12:13 [5903]12:14 [5904]12:14 [5905]12:15
[5906]12:15 [5907]12:16-18 [5908]12:17 [5909]12:18
[5910]12:19 [5911]12:20 [5912]12:20 [5913]12:21 [5914]12:21
[5915]13:1 [5916]13:1-6 [5917]13:2 [5918]13:3 [5919]13:3
[5920]13:4 [5921]13:4 [5922]13:5 [5923]13:6 [5924]13:7
[5925]13:7 [5926]13:7-10 [5927]13:8 [5928]13:9 [5929]13:9
[5930]13:10 [5931]13:10 [5932]13:11 [5933]13:11-14
[5934]13:12-13 [5935]13:14 [5936]13:14
Galatians
[5937]1:1-2 [5938]1:1-5 [5939]1:2 [5940]1:3 [5941]1:4
[5942]1:4 [5943]1:5 [5944]1:6-9 [5945]1:7 [5946]1:8
[5947]1:8 [5948]1:9 [5949]1:9 [5950]1:10 [5951]1:10
[5952]1:10 [5953]1:10 [5954]1:10 [5955]1:11-12 [5956]1:11-12
[5957]1:12 [5958]1:12 [5959]1:12 [5960]1:13-14 [5961]1:13-14
[5962]1:15 [5963]1:15-16 [5964]1:15-16 [5965]1:15-16
[5966]1:16 [5967]1:16-17 [5968]1:16-24 [5969]1:17 [5970]1:18
[5971]1:18 [5972]1:18 [5973]1:20 [5974]2:1 [5975]2:1
[5976]2:1-10 [5977]2:1-10 [5978]2:3 [5979]2:6 [5980]2:6
[5981]2:7 [5982]2:7-9 [5983]2:7-9 [5984]2:7-10 [5985]2:9
[5986]2:9 [5987]2:9 [5988]2:9 [5989]2:9 [5990]2:9
[5991]2:10 [5992]2:11 [5993]2:11 [5994]2:11-14 [5995]2:12
[5996]2:12 [5997]2:14 [5998]2:17 [5999]2:18 [6000]2:20
[6001]2:20 [6002]2:20 [6003]3:1 [6004]3:1 [6005]3:1
[6006]3:2 [6007]3:2 [6008]3:2 [6009]3:2 [6010]3:3
[6011]3:3-4 [6012]3:6 [6013]3:7 [6014]3:8 [6015]3:8
[6016]3:9 [6017]3:10 [6018]3:10 [6019]3:10 [6020]3:10
[6021]3:11 [6022]3:12 [6023]3:12 [6024]3:13 [6025]3:13
[6026]3:13 [6027]3:13 [6028]3:13 [6029]3:13-14 [6030]3:14
[6031]3:14 [6032]3:15 [6033]3:16 [6034]3:16 [6035]3:16
[6036]3:16 [6037]3:17 [6038]3:17-18 [6039]3:18 [6040]3:18
[6041]3:19 [6042]3:19 [6043]3:19 [6044]3:19 [6045]3:20
[6046]3:21 [6047]3:21 [6048]3:22 [6049]3:23 [6050]3:23-24
[6051]3:24 [6052]3:25 [6053]3:26 [6054]3:26-29 [6055]3:27
[6056]3:27 [6057]3:28 [6058]3:28 [6059]3:28 [6060]3:28
[6061]4:1-2 [6062]4:1-7 [6063]4:1-7 [6064]4:4 [6065]4:4
[6066]4:4-7 [6067]4:6 [6068]4:6 [6069]4:6 [6070]4:6
[6071]4:7 [6072]4:8-11 [6073]4:9 [6074]4:9-11 [6075]4:12-16
[6076]4:12-16 [6077]4:13-15 [6078]4:14-15 [6079]4:15
[6080]4:16 [6081]4:17-18 [6082]4:18 [6083]4:19-20 [6084]4:20
[6085]4:22-23 [6086]4:24 [6087]4:24-27 [6088]4:28 [6089]4:28
[6090]4:29 [6091]4:31 [6092]5:1 [6093]5:1 [6094]5:1
[6095]5:2 [6096]5:2-4 [6097]5:2-12 [6098]5:3 [6099]5:3
[6100]5:4 [6101]5:6 [6102]5:6 [6103]5:6 [6104]5:6 [6105]5:6
[6106]5:6 [6107]5:6 [6108]5:7 [6109]5:8 [6110]5:9
[6111]5:10 [6112]5:11 [6113]5:13 [6114]5:13 [6115]5:13
[6116]5:13 [6117]5:13-15 [6118]5:13-26 [6119]5:14 [6120]5:15
[6121]5:15 [6122]5:15 [6123]5:16 [6124]5:16 [6125]5:16
[6126]5:16 [6127]5:17 [6128]5:17 [6129]5:17 [6130]5:18
[6131]5:18 [6132]5:18 [6133]5:19 [6134]5:19-24 [6135]5:22
[6136]5:22-23 [6137]5:22-23 [6138]5:24 [6139]5:25 [6140]5:26
[6141]5:26 [6142]6:1 [6143]6:1 [6144]6:1 [6145]6:1-10
[6146]6:1-10 [6147]6:2 [6148]6:3 [6149]6:3 [6150]6:4
[6151]6:4 [6152]6:4 [6153]6:5 [6154]6:6 [6155]6:7 [6156]6:8
[6157]6:9 [6158]6:10 [6159]6:10 [6160]6:10 [6161]6:10
[6162]6:11 [6163]6:11 [6164]6:11-14 [6165]6:12 [6166]6:12
[6167]6:12 [6168]6:12-13 [6169]6:13 [6170]6:13 [6171]6:13
[6172]6:14 [6173]6:14 [6174]6:14 [6175]6:15 [6176]6:15
[6177]6:16 [6178]6:17 [6179]6:18
Ephesians
[6180]1:1 [6181]1:1 [6182]1:1-2 [6183]1:1-3:21 [6184]1:3
[6185]1:3 [6186]1:3 [6187]1:3 [6188]1:3 [6189]1:3
[6190]1:3-14 [6191]1:4 [6192]1:4 [6193]1:4-5 [6194]1:5
[6195]1:5 [6196]1:6 [6197]1:6 [6198]1:6 [6199]1:6 [6200]1:7
[6201]1:7 [6202]1:7 [6203]1:8 [6204]1:9 [6205]1:10
[6206]1:10 [6207]1:11 [6208]1:11 [6209]1:11 [6210]1:11
[6211]1:12 [6212]1:13 [6213]1:13 [6214]1:13-14 [6215]1:14
[6216]1:14 [6217]1:15 [6218]1:15-23 [6219]1:16 [6220]1:17
[6221]1:17 [6222]1:18 [6223]1:18 [6224]1:18 [6225]1:18
[6226]1:19 [6227]1:19 [6228]1:19 [6229]1:19 [6230]1:19-20
[6231]1:19-20 [6232]1:20 [6233]1:20-21 [6234]1:21 [6235]1:22
[6236]1:22-23 [6237]1:23 [6238]1:23 [6239]1:23 [6240]1:29
[6241]2:1 [6242]2:1 [6243]2:1 [6244]2:1-3 [6245]2:1-3
[6246]2:2 [6247]2:2 [6248]2:2 [6249]2:3 [6250]2:3 [6251]2:3
[6252]2:4 [6253]2:4-10 [6254]2:5 [6255]2:5 [6256]2:6
[6257]2:7 [6258]2:7 [6259]2:8 [6260]2:8 [6261]2:8 [6262]2:8
[6263]2:9 [6264]2:10 [6265]2:10 [6266]2:10 [6267]2:10
[6268]2:11 [6269]2:11-12 [6270]2:11-12 [6271]2:11-12
[6272]2:11-13 [6273]2:12 [6274]2:12 [6275]2:13 [6276]2:13
[6277]2:13 [6278]2:13 [6279]2:14 [6280]2:14 [6281]2:14-16
[6282]2:14-22 [6283]2:15 [6284]2:15 [6285]2:15 [6286]2:16
[6287]2:16 [6288]2:16 [6289]2:17 [6290]2:18 [6291]2:18
[6292]2:19 [6293]2:19 [6294]2:19 [6295]2:20 [6296]2:20
[6297]2:21 [6298]2:22 [6299]2:22 [6300]2:22 [6301]3:1
[6302]3:1 [6303]3:1 [6304]3:1 [6305]3:1-13 [6306]3:2
[6307]3:2 [6308]3:3 [6309]3:3-5 [6310]3:4 [6311]3:4-5
[6312]3:4-6 [6313]3:5 [6314]3:6 [6315]3:6 [6316]3:6
[6317]3:6 [6318]3:7 [6319]3:7 [6320]3:8 [6321]3:8 [6322]3:8
[6323]3:8 [6324]3:8 [6325]3:9 [6326]3:9 [6327]3:10
[6328]3:10 [6329]3:11 [6330]3:12 [6331]3:12 [6332]3:13
[6333]3:13 [6334]3:14 [6335]3:14 [6336]3:14-21 [6337]3:15
[6338]3:16 [6339]3:16 [6340]3:16 [6341]3:16 [6342]3:17
[6343]3:17 [6344]3:18 [6345]3:18-19 [6346]3:19 [6347]3:19
[6348]3:19 [6349]3:20-21 [6350]4:1 [6351]4:1 [6352]4:1
[6353]4:1-2 [6354]4:1-6:24 [6355]4:2 [6356]4:2-16 [6357]4:3
[6358]4:3 [6359]4:4 [6360]4:5 [6361]4:6 [6362]4:7 [6363]4:8
[6364]4:8 [6365]4:8 [6366]4:8 [6367]4:8 [6368]4:8-11
[6369]4:9 [6370]4:9-11 [6371]4:10 [6372]4:11 [6373]4:11
[6374]4:11 [6375]4:11 [6376]4:11 [6377]4:11 [6378]4:11
[6379]4:11 [6380]4:12 [6381]4:12 [6382]4:12-13 [6383]4:13
[6384]4:14 [6385]4:14 [6386]4:14 [6387]4:14 [6388]4:14-16
[6389]4:15 [6390]4:15 [6391]4:15-16 [6392]4:16 [6393]4:16
[6394]4:17-24 [6395]4:17-24 [6396]4:17-32 [6397]4:18
[6398]4:18 [6399]4:19 [6400]4:19 [6401]4:20 [6402]4:21
[6403]4:21 [6404]4:22-24 [6405]4:23 [6406]4:24 [6407]4:24
[6408]4:24 [6409]4:25 [6410]4:25-29 [6411]4:25-32
[6412]4:25-32 [6413]4:26 [6414]4:26-27 [6415]4:27 [6416]4:28
[6417]4:28 [6418]4:29 [6419]4:29 [6420]4:29 [6421]4:29
[6422]4:30 [6423]4:30 [6424]4:31 [6425]4:31-32 [6426]5:1-2
[6427]5:2 [6428]5:3 [6429]5:3-20 [6430]5:4 [6431]5:5
[6432]5:6 [6433]5:6 [6434]5:7 [6435]5:8 [6436]5:8 [6437]5:8
[6438]5:8 [6439]5:8 [6440]5:9 [6441]5:10 [6442]5:11
[6443]5:12 [6444]5:13 [6445]5:14 [6446]5:14 [6447]5:15
[6448]5:15-16 [6449]5:16 [6450]5:17 [6451]5:18 [6452]5:18
[6453]5:18-20 [6454]5:19 [6455]5:20 [6456]5:20 [6457]5:20
[6458]5:21 [6459]5:21 [6460]5:21-6:9 [6461]5:22 [6462]5:22
[6463]5:22-23 [6464]5:23 [6465]5:24 [6466]5:24 [6467]5:25
[6468]5:25 [6469]5:25-27 [6470]5:26 [6471]5:26 [6472]5:26-27
[6473]5:27 [6474]5:27 [6475]5:27 [6476]5:28 [6477]5:28
[6478]5:29 [6479]5:29 [6480]5:30 [6481]5:32 [6482]5:33
[6483]5:33 [6484]5:33 [6485]5:33 [6486]6:1 [6487]6:1-9
[6488]6:2 [6489]6:2 [6490]6:2 [6491]6:3 [6492]6:4 [6493]6:4
[6494]6:5 [6495]6:5-7 [6496]6:5-7 [6497]6:6 [6498]6:7
[6499]6:8 [6500]6:9 [6501]6:9 [6502]6:10 [6503]6:10
[6504]6:10 [6505]6:10 [6506]6:10-18 [6507]6:11 [6508]6:11
[6509]6:11 [6510]6:12 [6511]6:12 [6512]6:12 [6513]6:13
[6514]6:13 [6515]6:14 [6516]6:15 [6517]6:16 [6518]6:16
[6519]6:16 [6520]6:17 [6521]6:17 [6522]6:18 [6523]6:18
[6524]6:18 [6525]6:18 [6526]6:18-19 [6527]6:19 [6528]6:19
[6529]6:19 [6530]6:19 [6531]6:19-24 [6532]6:20 [6533]6:21-22
[6534]6:23-24 [6535]6:24 [6536]29 [6537]35
Philippians
[6538]1:1 [6539]1:1 [6540]1:1-2 [6541]1:2 [6542]1:3-6
[6543]1:4 [6544]1:4 [6545]1:5 [6546]1:6 [6547]1:6 [6548]1:6
[6549]1:7 [6550]1:7-8 [6551]1:8 [6552]1:8 [6553]1:9-11
[6554]1:10 [6555]1:10 [6556]1:10 [6557]1:10 [6558]1:10-11
[6559]1:11 [6560]1:12 [6561]1:12 [6562]1:12-14 [6563]1:12-20
[6564]1:13 [6565]1:13 [6566]1:13 [6567]1:14 [6568]1:14
[6569]1:14 [6570]1:15-16 [6571]1:18 [6572]1:19 [6573]1:20
[6574]1:20 [6575]1:20 [6576]1:21 [6577]1:21 [6578]1:21-26
[6579]1:22 [6580]1:23 [6581]1:24 [6582]1:25 [6583]1:26
[6584]1:26 [6585]1:27 [6586]1:27-30 [6587]1:28 [6588]1:29
[6589]1:29 [6590]1:29 [6591]1:30 [6592]2:1-11 [6593]2:2
[6594]2:2 [6595]2:3 [6596]2:3 [6597]2:3 [6598]2:3 [6599]2:3
[6600]2:4 [6601]2:5 [6602]2:6 [6603]2:6 [6604]2:6-12
[6605]2:8-9 [6606]2:9-11 [6607]2:11 [6608]2:12 [6609]2:12
[6610]2:12-13 [6611]2:13 [6612]2:14 [6613]2:14-18 [6614]2:15
[6615]2:15-16 [6616]2:16 [6617]2:17 [6618]2:17 [6619]2:18
[6620]2:19-30 [6621]2:20 [6622]2:21 [6623]2:22 [6624]2:22
[6625]2:23 [6626]2:24 [6627]2:26 [6628]2:27 [6629]2:27
[6630]2:27 [6631]2:28 [6632]3:1 [6633]3:1 [6634]3:1
[6635]3:1 [6636]3:1 [6637]3:1-3 [6638]3:2 [6639]3:2
[6640]3:2 [6641]3:3 [6642]3:3 [6643]3:3 [6644]3:3 [6645]3:4
[6646]3:4-8 [6647]3:7 [6648]3:8 [6649]3:8 [6650]3:8
[6651]3:8-9 [6652]3:9 [6653]3:9 [6654]3:9 [6655]3:9-16
[6656]3:10 [6657]3:10 [6658]3:10 [6659]3:10 [6660]3:10-11
[6661]3:10-11 [6662]3:11 [6663]3:12 [6664]3:12 [6665]3:12
[6666]3:13 [6667]3:13 [6668]3:14 [6669]3:15 [6670]3:15
[6671]3:15-16 [6672]3:15-16 [6673]3:15-16 [6674]3:17
[6675]3:17-21 [6676]3:18 [6677]3:18-19 [6678]3:19 [6679]3:20
[6680]3:20 [6681]3:21 [6682]3:21 [6683]3:21 [6684]3:21
[6685]3:21 [6686]4:1 [6687]4:1-9 [6688]4:2-3 [6689]4:3
[6690]4:3 [6691]4:4 [6692]4:5 [6693]4:6 [6694]4:6 [6695]4:6
[6696]4:6 [6697]4:7 [6698]4:8 [6699]4:8 [6700]4:8 [6701]4:8
[6702]4:9 [6703]4:9 [6704]4:10 [6705]4:10 [6706]4:10-19
[6707]4:11 [6708]4:11 [6709]4:11 [6710]4:12 [6711]4:12
[6712]4:12 [6713]4:13 [6714]4:14 [6715]4:14 [6716]4:15
[6717]4:15 [6718]4:15-16 [6719]4:16 [6720]4:17 [6721]4:17
[6722]4:17 [6723]4:18 [6724]4:18 [6725]4:19 [6726]4:20
[6727]4:20-23 [6728]4:21 [6729]4:22
Colossians
[6730]1:1 [6731]1:1-2 [6732]1:3-4 [6733]1:3-4 [6734]1:3-8
[6735]1:4-5 [6736]1:5 [6737]1:5 [6738]1:6 [6739]1:6
[6740]1:7 [6741]1:7-8 [6742]1:8 [6743]1:9-11 [6744]1:9-11
[6745]1:10 [6746]1:10 [6747]1:11 [6748]1:11 [6749]1:11
[6750]1:12 [6751]1:12 [6752]1:12 [6753]1:12-13 [6754]1:12-29
[6755]1:13 [6756]1:14 [6757]1:14 [6758]1:15 [6759]1:15-17
[6760]1:16 [6761]1:16 [6762]1:16 [6763]1:16-17 [6764]1:17
[6765]1:18 [6766]1:18-19 [6767]1:19 [6768]1:19 [6769]1:20
[6770]1:20 [6771]1:20 [6772]1:21 [6773]1:21 [6774]1:22
[6775]1:23 [6776]1:23 [6777]1:23 [6778]1:24 [6779]1:24
[6780]1:25 [6781]1:25 [6782]1:25 [6783]1:26 [6784]1:26
[6785]1:26-27 [6786]1:27 [6787]1:28 [6788]1:28 [6789]1:28
[6790]1:29 [6791]1:31 [6792]2:1 [6793]2:1-2 [6794]2:1-3
[6795]2:2 [6796]2:2 [6797]2:3 [6798]2:4 [6799]2:4 [6800]2:5
[6801]2:5 [6802]2:6 [6803]2:6-7 [6804]2:7 [6805]2:8
[6806]2:8 [6807]2:8 [6808]2:8-12 [6809]2:9 [6810]2:10
[6811]2:11 [6812]2:11 [6813]2:11-12 [6814]2:12 [6815]2:12
[6816]2:12 [6817]2:13 [6818]2:13 [6819]2:13 [6820]2:13-15
[6821]2:14 [6822]2:15 [6823]2:15 [6824]2:16 [6825]2:16-23
[6826]2:17 [6827]2:18 [6828]2:18 [6829]2:19 [6830]2:20
[6831]2:21-22 [6832]2:21-22 [6833]3:1 [6834]3:1 [6835]3:1-4
[6836]3:2 [6837]3:3 [6838]3:3 [6839]3:3-4 [6840]3:4
[6841]3:4 [6842]3:4 [6843]3:4 [6844]3:5-11 [6845]3:6
[6846]3:6-7 [6847]3:7 [6848]3:8 [6849]3:8 [6850]3:9
[6851]3:10 [6852]3:11 [6853]3:11 [6854]3:11 [6855]3:11
[6856]3:11 [6857]3:11 [6858]3:11 [6859]3:11 [6860]3:12
[6861]3:12-17 [6862]3:14 [6863]3:14 [6864]3:15 [6865]3:16
[6866]3:17 [6867]3:17 [6868]3:17 [6869]3:18 [6870]3:18
[6871]3:18-25 [6872]3:19 [6873]3:20 [6874]3:21 [6875]3:22
[6876]3:22-24 [6877]3:23 [6878]3:24 [6879]3:24 [6880]3:25
[6881]3:25 [6882]4:1 [6883]4:1 [6884]4:2 [6885]4:2-4
[6886]4:3 [6887]4:4 [6888]4:5 [6889]4:5-6 [6890]4:6
[6891]4:7 [6892]4:7-18 [6893]4:8 [6894]4:9 [6895]4:10
[6896]4:10 [6897]4:10 [6898]4:10 [6899]4:11 [6900]4:12
[6901]4:12 [6902]4:12-13 [6903]4:13 [6904]4:14 [6905]4:14
[6906]4:15 [6907]4:16 [6908]4:17 [6909]4:18
1 Thessalonians
[6910]1:1 [6911]1:2-5 [6912]1:3 [6913]1:3 [6914]1:4
[6915]1:5 [6916]1:6 [6917]1:6 [6918]1:6-9 [6919]1:6-10
[6920]1:7-8 [6921]1:8 [6922]1:9 [6923]1:9 [6924]1:9-10
[6925]1:10 [6926]1:10 [6927]2:1-6 [6928]2:2 [6929]2:2
[6930]2:2 [6931]2:2 [6932]2:2 [6933]2:2 [6934]2:3 [6935]2:4
[6936]2:5 [6937]2:5 [6938]2:6 [6939]2:7 [6940]2:7
[6941]2:7-12 [6942]2:8 [6943]2:8 [6944]2:8 [6945]2:9
[6946]2:9-10 [6947]2:10 [6948]2:10 [6949]2:11-12 [6950]2:12
[6951]2:13 [6952]2:13 [6953]2:13 [6954]2:13 [6955]2:13
[6956]2:13 [6957]2:13-16 [6958]2:14 [6959]2:15 [6960]2:15
[6961]2:15-16 [6962]2:16 [6963]2:17 [6964]2:17 [6965]2:17-20
[6966]2:18 [6967]2:18 [6968]2:18 [6969]2:19-20 [6970]3:1
[6971]3:1-2 [6972]3:1-5 [6973]3:2 [6974]3:2 [6975]3:2
[6976]3:3 [6977]3:3 [6978]3:3 [6979]3:3 [6980]3:3 [6981]3:4
[6982]3:4 [6983]3:5 [6984]3:5 [6985]3:5-6 [6986]3:6
[6987]3:6-10 [6988]3:7-8 [6989]3:8 [6990]3:9 [6991]3:10
[6992]3:11 [6993]3:11-13 [6994]3:12 [6995]3:13 [6996]3:13
[6997]4:1 [6998]4:1-2 [6999]4:1-8 [7000]4:3 [7001]4:3
[7002]4:4 [7003]4:4-5 [7004]4:5 [7005]4:6 [7006]4:7
[7007]4:7 [7008]4:9 [7009]4:9 [7010]4:9-10 [7011]4:9-12
[7012]4:10 [7013]4:10 [7014]4:11 [7015]4:11 [7016]4:11
[7017]4:12 [7018]4:12 [7019]4:13 [7020]4:13 [7021]4:13
[7022]4:13-18 [7023]4:14 [7024]4:14 [7025]4:14 [7026]4:14
[7027]4:15 [7028]4:15 [7029]4:16 [7030]4:16 [7031]4:16
[7032]4:16 [7033]4:17 [7034]4:17 [7035]4:17 [7036]4:18
[7037]5:1 [7038]5:1-5 [7039]5:2 [7040]5:3 [7041]5:4
[7042]5:4-5 [7043]5:5-6 [7044]5:6 [7045]5:6-10 [7046]5:7
[7047]5:7 [7048]5:8 [7049]5:8 [7050]5:8 [7051]5:9 [7052]5:9
[7053]5:11 [7054]5:11-15 [7055]5:12-13 [7056]5:12-13
[7057]5:12-13 [7058]5:12-13 [7059]5:13 [7060]5:13 [7061]5:14
[7062]5:14 [7063]5:14 [7064]5:14 [7065]5:15 [7066]5:15
[7067]5:15 [7068]5:16 [7069]5:16-22 [7070]5:17 [7071]5:17
[7072]5:17 [7073]5:18 [7074]5:19 [7075]5:20 [7076]5:20
[7077]5:20-21 [7078]5:21 [7079]5:22 [7080]5:22 [7081]5:23
[7082]5:23-28 [7083]5:24 [7084]5:24 [7085]5:25 [7086]5:25
[7087]5:25 [7088]5:26 [7089]5:27 [7090]5:27 [7091]5:28
2 Thessalonians
[7092]1:1-2 [7093]1:1-2 [7094]1:3 [7095]1:3 [7096]1:3
[7097]1:3-4 [7098]1:4 [7099]1:5 [7100]1:5-10 [7101]1:6
[7102]1:6 [7103]1:7 [7104]1:7 [7105]1:7 [7106]1:7 [7107]1:8
[7108]1:8 [7109]1:9 [7110]1:9 [7111]1:10 [7112]1:10
[7113]1:11 [7114]1:11-12 [7115]1:12 [7116]2:1 [7117]2:1-3
[7118]2:1-17 [7119]2:2 [7120]2:2 [7121]2:3 [7122]2:3
[7123]2:3 [7124]2:3-4 [7125]2:4 [7126]2:4 [7127]2:4-12
[7128]2:5 [7129]2:6-7 [7130]2:8 [7131]2:8 [7132]2:8-10
[7133]2:9 [7134]2:9-10 [7135]2:10 [7136]2:10 [7137]2:11-12
[7138]2:11-12 [7139]2:13 [7140]2:13 [7141]2:13 [7142]2:13-14
[7143]2:13-14 [7144]2:13-15 [7145]2:14 [7146]2:15 [7147]2:16
[7148]2:16 [7149]2:16-17 [7150]2:17 [7151]2:17 [7152]3:1
[7153]3:1 [7154]3:1-5 [7155]3:2 [7156]3:4 [7157]3:5
[7158]3:5 [7159]3:6 [7160]3:6 [7161]3:6 [7162]3:6-15
[7163]3:7 [7164]3:7 [7165]3:8 [7166]3:8-9 [7167]3:9
[7168]3:9 [7169]3:10 [7170]3:11 [7171]3:11 [7172]3:12
[7173]3:12 [7174]3:13 [7175]3:15 [7176]3:16-18 [7177]3:17
[7178]3:17-18
1 Timothy
[7179]1:1 [7180]1:1-2 [7181]1:3 [7182]1:3-4 [7183]1:4
[7184]1:5-11 [7185]1:8 [7186]1:9 [7187]1:9-10 [7188]1:11
[7189]1:12 [7190]1:12 [7191]1:12 [7192]1:12-16 [7193]1:13
[7194]1:13 [7195]1:13 [7196]1:13 [7197]1:13 [7198]1:13
[7199]1:14 [7200]1:14 [7201]1:15 [7202]1:15 [7203]1:15
[7204]1:16 [7205]1:17 [7206]1:18 [7207]1:18 [7208]1:19
[7209]1:19-20 [7210]1:20 [7211]2:1-2 [7212]2:1-2 [7213]2:1-8
[7214]2:2 [7215]2:4 [7216]2:5 [7217]2:6 [7218]2:8 [7219]2:8
[7220]2:9-10 [7221]2:11 [7222]2:11-12 [7223]2:11-14
[7224]2:12 [7225]2:12 [7226]2:12 [7227]2:13-14 [7228]2:13-14
[7229]2:14 [7230]2:15 [7231]2:15 [7232]3:1 [7233]3:1
[7234]3:1-7 [7235]3:2 [7236]3:3 [7237]3:6 [7238]3:8-10
[7239]3:9 [7240]3:9 [7241]3:9 [7242]3:10 [7243]3:11
[7244]3:11 [7245]3:12-13 [7246]3:13 [7247]3:13 [7248]3:14-15
[7249]3:14-16 [7250]3:16 [7251]3:16 [7252]3:16 [7253]3:16
[7254]4:1-3 [7255]4:1-3 [7256]4:2 [7257]4:3 [7258]4:3-5
[7259]4:4 [7260]4:4 [7261]4:4 [7262]4:4 [7263]4:4-5
[7264]4:4-5 [7265]4:5 [7266]4:6-16 [7267]4:7 [7268]4:7
[7269]4:7-8 [7270]4:8 [7271]4:10 [7272]4:12 [7273]4:13
[7274]4:13 [7275]4:13 [7276]4:14 [7277]4:14 [7278]4:14
[7279]4:15 [7280]4:15 [7281]4:15-16 [7282]4:16 [7283]5:1-2
[7284]5:2 [7285]5:3 [7286]5:3-16 [7287]5:4 [7288]5:4
[7289]5:4 [7290]5:5-6 [7291]5:6 [7292]5:6 [7293]5:8
[7294]5:9 [7295]5:9-10 [7296]5:11 [7297]5:13 [7298]5:13
[7299]5:13 [7300]5:13 [7301]5:13 [7302]5:13-14 [7303]5:14
[7304]5:14 [7305]5:15 [7306]5:16 [7307]5:16 [7308]5:17
[7309]5:17 [7310]5:17 [7311]5:17 [7312]5:17-19 [7313]5:19
[7314]5:20 [7315]5:20 [7316]5:20 [7317]5:21 [7318]5:21-22
[7319]5:22 [7320]5:23 [7321]5:23 [7322]5:24-25 [7323]5:24-25
[7324]6:1 [7325]6:1 [7326]6:1-2 [7327]6:3 [7328]6:3-5
[7329]6:3-5 [7330]6:4 [7331]6:4 [7332]6:5 [7333]6:6-8
[7334]6:6-10 [7335]6:7 [7336]6:8 [7337]6:9 [7338]6:10
[7339]6:11-12 [7340]6:12 [7341]6:13-16 [7342]6:16 [7343]6:16
[7344]6:17 [7345]6:17-18 [7346]6:17-19 [7347]6:17-19
[7348]6:20-21
2 Timothy
[7349]1:1-2 [7350]1:3-5 [7351]1:4 [7352]1:5 [7353]1:5
[7354]1:6 [7355]1:6 [7356]1:6 [7357]1:6 [7358]1:6-14
[7359]1:7 [7360]1:7 [7361]1:9 [7362]1:9-10 [7363]1:10
[7364]1:10 [7365]1:10 [7366]1:10 [7367]1:11-12 [7368]1:12
[7369]1:12 [7370]1:13 [7371]1:13 [7372]1:13 [7373]1:13-14
[7374]1:14 [7375]1:15 [7376]1:15 [7377]1:15-18 [7378]1:16
[7379]1:16 [7380]1:16-18 [7381]1:17 [7382]1:18 [7383]1:18
[7384]1:18 [7385]2:1 [7386]2:1 [7387]2:1 [7388]2:1
[7389]2:1 [7390]2:2 [7391]2:2 [7392]2:2 [7393]2:3 [7394]2:3
[7395]2:3-15 [7396]2:4 [7397]2:4 [7398]2:4 [7399]2:4
[7400]2:5 [7401]2:5 [7402]2:6 [7403]2:7 [7404]2:8 [7405]2:9
[7406]2:9 [7407]2:10 [7408]2:11 [7409]2:11 [7410]2:12
[7411]2:12 [7412]2:12 [7413]2:12 [7414]2:12 [7415]2:13
[7416]2:15 [7417]2:16 [7418]2:16-18 [7419]2:17 [7420]2:18
[7421]2:19 [7422]2:19 [7423]2:19-21 [7424]2:20 [7425]2:22
[7426]2:22-26 [7427]2:23 [7428]2:23 [7429]2:24 [7430]2:24
[7431]2:24 [7432]2:24 [7433]2:25 [7434]2:25 [7435]2:26
[7436]3:1 [7437]3:1-9 [7438]3:2 [7439]3:2 [7440]3:3
[7441]3:3 [7442]3:4 [7443]3:5 [7444]3:5 [7445]3:5 [7446]3:6
[7447]3:7 [7448]3:8 [7449]3:8-9 [7450]3:10 [7451]3:10
[7452]3:10 [7453]3:10-11 [7454]3:10-17 [7455]3:11 [7456]3:11
[7457]3:11 [7458]3:12 [7459]3:13 [7460]3:14-15 [7461]3:15
[7462]3:15 [7463]3:16 [7464]3:16 [7465]3:16 [7466]3:16-17
[7467]3:17 [7468]3:17 [7469]4:1 [7470]4:1-5 [7471]4:2
[7472]4:2 [7473]4:2-5 [7474]4:3-4 [7475]4:5 [7476]4:5
[7477]4:6 [7478]4:6 [7479]4:6 [7480]4:6-8 [7481]4:7
[7482]4:7 [7483]4:8 [7484]4:8 [7485]4:8 [7486]4:9 [7487]4:9
[7488]4:9-15 [7489]4:10 [7490]4:10 [7491]4:10 [7492]4:10
[7493]4:10 [7494]4:11 [7495]4:11 [7496]4:11 [7497]4:11
[7498]4:11-12 [7499]4:12 [7500]4:13 [7501]4:14 [7502]4:14-15
[7503]4:16 [7504]4:16 [7505]4:16 [7506]4:16 [7507]4:16
[7508]4:16-17 [7509]4:16-18 [7510]4:17 [7511]4:17 [7512]4:19
[7513]4:19-22 [7514]4:20 [7515]4:20 [7516]4:20 [7517]4:21
Titus
[7518]1:1 [7519]1:1 [7520]1:1 [7521]1:1-4 [7522]1:2
[7523]1:2 [7524]1:3 [7525]1:4 [7526]1:4 [7527]1:5 [7528]1:5
[7529]1:5 [7530]1:6-8 [7531]1:6-9 [7532]1:6-16 [7533]1:7
[7534]1:7 [7535]1:8 [7536]1:8 [7537]1:9 [7538]1:9
[7539]1:10-16 [7540]1:11 [7541]1:12 [7542]1:13 [7543]1:13
[7544]1:14 [7545]1:15 [7546]1:15 [7547]1:15 [7548]1:16
[7549]2:1 [7550]2:2 [7551]2:2-10 [7552]2:2-10 [7553]2:3-4
[7554]2:4 [7555]2:6 [7556]2:7 [7557]2:7-8 [7558]2:8
[7559]2:8 [7560]2:9 [7561]2:9 [7562]2:11-14 [7563]2:12
[7564]2:12 [7565]2:12 [7566]2:13 [7567]2:13-14 [7568]2:14
[7569]2:14 [7570]2:15 [7571]3:1-8 [7572]3:2 [7573]3:4-7
[7574]3:5 [7575]3:5 [7576]3:5 [7577]3:8 [7578]3:8 [7579]3:8
[7580]3:8 [7581]3:8 [7582]3:8 [7583]3:9 [7584]3:9-14
[7585]3:10 [7586]3:12-13 [7587]3:13 [7588]3:14 [7589]3:14
[7590]3:15 [7591]3:24 [7592]15 [7593]16
Philemon
[7594]1:1-2 [7595]1:1-7 [7596]1:3 [7597]1:4 [7598]1:4-7
[7599]1:7 [7600]1:8 [7601]1:8 [7602]1:8-9 [7603]1:8-21
[7604]1:8-21 [7605]1:9 [7606]1:10 [7607]1:10 [7608]1:11
[7609]1:12 [7610]1:13-14 [7611]1:14 [7612]1:15 [7613]1:16
[7614]1:17 [7615]1:18-19 [7616]1:20 [7617]1:21 [7618]1:22
[7619]1:22-25 [7620]1:23-24 [7621]1:25
Hebrews
[7622]1:1-3 [7623]1:2 [7624]1:2 [7625]1:3 [7626]1:3
[7627]1:3 [7628]1:3 [7629]1:3 [7630]1:4 [7631]1:4-14
[7632]1:6 [7633]1:7 [7634]1:8 [7635]1:8-12 [7636]1:9
[7637]1:9 [7638]1:10 [7639]1:10-12 [7640]1:11-12
[7641]1:13-14 [7642]1:14 [7643]2:1 [7644]2:1-4 [7645]2:2
[7646]2:2-3 [7647]2:3 [7648]2:3 [7649]2:3 [7650]2:3
[7651]2:3-4 [7652]2:3-4 [7653]2:4 [7654]2:4 [7655]2:4
[7656]2:5 [7657]2:5 [7658]2:5 [7659]2:5-9 [7660]2:8-9
[7661]2:10 [7662]2:10 [7663]2:10 [7664]2:10 [7665]2:10-15
[7666]2:11 [7667]2:14 [7668]2:14 [7669]2:14 [7670]2:14-15
[7671]2:16 [7672]2:16 [7673]2:16 [7674]2:16-18 [7675]2:17
[7676]2:18 [7677]2:18 [7678]3:1 [7679]3:1-6 [7680]3:2
[7681]3:3-6 [7682]3:5-6 [7683]3:6 [7684]3:7-19 [7685]3:10
[7686]3:12-13 [7687]3:13 [7688]3:14 [7689]3:15-16
[7690]3:17-19 [7691]3:18 [7692]4:1 [7693]4:1 [7694]4:1
[7695]4:1 [7696]4:1-4 [7697]4:2 [7698]4:2 [7699]4:2
[7700]4:2 [7701]4:3 [7702]4:3-4 [7703]4:3-10 [7704]4:6-9
[7705]4:8 [7706]4:8 [7707]4:10 [7708]4:11 [7709]4:12
[7710]4:12 [7711]4:12 [7712]4:13 [7713]4:13 [7714]4:14
[7715]4:14 [7716]4:15 [7717]4:15 [7718]4:15 [7719]4:16
[7720]4:16 [7721]5:1-3 [7722]5:2 [7723]5:3 [7724]5:4
[7725]5:4-6 [7726]5:5 [7727]5:6 [7728]5:6 [7729]5:6-7
[7730]5:7 [7731]5:7-9 [7732]5:7-9 [7733]5:8 [7734]5:8-9
[7735]5:9 [7736]5:9 [7737]5:10 [7738]5:11-14 [7739]5:12
[7740]5:12 [7741]5:12-14 [7742]5:13 [7743]5:13-14 [7744]5:14
[7745]6:1 [7746]6:1-8 [7747]6:3 [7748]6:3 [7749]6:4-5
[7750]6:8 [7751]6:9 [7752]6:9-20 [7753]6:10 [7754]6:10
[7755]6:12 [7756]6:13 [7757]6:16 [7758]6:18 [7759]6:19
[7760]6:19 [7761]7:1-3 [7762]7:1-3 [7763]7:1-28 [7764]7:2
[7765]7:3 [7766]7:3 [7767]7:4-5 [7768]7:4-10 [7769]7:6-7
[7770]7:7 [7771]7:7 [7772]7:9 [7773]7:11-12 [7774]7:11-28
[7775]7:13-14 [7776]7:14 [7777]7:18-19 [7778]7:21 [7779]7:22
[7780]7:22 [7781]7:25 [7782]7:25 [7783]7:26 [7784]7:26-28
[7785]7:27 [7786]7:27 [7787]8:1 [7788]8:1-2 [7789]8:1-2
[7790]8:2 [7791]8:2 [7792]8:3-4 [7793]8:3-5 [7794]8:4
[7795]8:5 [7796]8:6 [7797]8:6 [7798]8:6-13 [7799]8:7
[7800]8:7-8 [7801]8:7-8 [7802]8:9 [7803]8:9 [7804]8:10
[7805]8:11 [7806]8:11 [7807]8:12 [7808]8:12 [7809]8:12
[7810]8:13 [7811]8:13 [7812]8:13 [7813]9:1-5 [7814]9:4
[7815]9:5 [7816]9:6 [7817]9:6-7 [7818]9:7 [7819]9:7
[7820]9:8 [7821]9:8-28 [7822]9:9 [7823]9:9 [7824]9:10
[7825]9:10 [7826]9:10 [7827]9:11 [7828]9:11-12 [7829]9:13
[7830]9:13 [7831]9:14 [7832]9:14 [7833]9:15 [7834]9:15
[7835]9:16 [7836]9:18-19 [7837]9:19 [7838]9:22 [7839]9:22
[7840]9:22 [7841]9:22 [7842]9:23 [7843]9:24 [7844]9:25-26
[7845]9:26 [7846]9:26 [7847]9:26 [7848]9:26 [7849]9:26
[7850]9:27 [7851]9:27-28 [7852]9:28 [7853]9:28 [7854]9:28
[7855]9:28 [7856]10:1 [7857]10:1 [7858]10:1-2 [7859]10:1-6
[7860]10:1-10 [7861]10:4 [7862]10:4 [7863]10:7 [7864]10:7-9
[7865]10:7-18 [7866]10:10 [7867]10:10 [7868]10:12
[7869]10:12-13 [7870]10:14 [7871]10:14 [7872]10:14
[7873]10:15 [7874]10:16 [7875]10:17 [7876]10:18 [7877]10:19
[7878]10:19-39 [7879]10:20 [7880]10:21-22 [7881]10:22
[7882]10:22-23 [7883]10:23 [7884]10:23 [7885]10:23
[7886]10:24-25 [7887]10:25 [7888]10:26-27 [7889]10:27
[7890]10:27 [7891]10:29 [7892]10:30 [7893]10:31 [7894]10:32
[7895]10:33 [7896]10:34 [7897]10:34 [7898]10:34 [7899]10:35
[7900]10:36 [7901]10:36 [7902]10:36 [7903]10:37 [7904]10:37
[7905]10:38 [7906]10:38 [7907]10:38-39 [7908]10:39
[7909]10:39 [7910]10:39 [7911]11:1 [7912]11:1-3 [7913]11:1-40
[7914]11:2 [7915]11:2 [7916]11:3 [7917]11:3 [7918]11:4-38
[7919]11:5 [7920]11:6 [7921]11:6 [7922]11:6 [7923]11:6
[7924]11:6 [7925]11:6 [7926]11:7 [7927]11:8 [7928]11:8
[7929]11:9 [7930]11:9-10 [7931]11:10 [7932]11:11 [7933]11:11
[7934]11:11-12 [7935]11:12 [7936]11:12 [7937]11:13
[7938]11:13 [7939]11:13 [7940]11:14 [7941]11:14 [7942]11:15
[7943]11:16 [7944]11:16 [7945]11:16 [7946]11:17 [7947]11:18
[7948]11:19 [7949]11:19 [7950]11:19 [7951]11:20 [7952]11:21
[7953]11:22 [7954]11:24 [7955]11:24-25 [7956]11:24-26
[7957]11:25 [7958]11:26 [7959]11:26 [7960]11:27 [7961]11:27
[7962]11:28 [7963]11:29 [7964]11:31 [7965]11:33 [7966]11:34
[7967]11:35 [7968]11:35 [7969]11:36 [7970]11:37 [7971]11:37
[7972]11:37-38 [7973]11:38 [7974]11:39 [7975]11:39
[7976]11:39 [7977]11:39-40 [7978]11:40 [7979]12:1
[7980]12:1-3 [7981]12:2 [7982]12:2 [7983]12:2 [7984]12:2
[7985]12:2 [7986]12:3 [7987]12:3 [7988]12:4 [7989]12:4
[7990]12:4-17 [7991]12:5 [7992]12:6 [7993]12:6 [7994]12:6-7
[7995]12:7-8 [7996]12:9-10 [7997]12:11 [7998]12:12
[7999]12:14 [8000]12:14 [8001]12:14 [8002]12:15 [8003]12:15
[8004]12:15-16 [8005]12:18 [8006]12:18-21 [8007]12:18-29
[8008]12:19 [8009]12:20 [8010]12:23 [8011]12:23 [8012]12:25
[8013]12:25 [8014]12:25 [8015]13:1 [8016]13:1 [8017]13:1-2
[8018]13:1-17 [8019]13:2 [8020]13:2 [8021]13:2 [8022]13:3
[8023]13:4 [8024]13:4 [8025]13:5-6 [8026]13:5-6 [8027]13:6
[8028]13:7 [8029]13:8 [8030]13:9 [8031]13:9 [8032]13:10
[8033]13:13 [8034]13:13-15 [8035]13:14 [8036]13:15
[8037]13:15-16 [8038]13:16 [8039]13:16 [8040]13:17
[8041]13:17 [8042]13:18 [8043]13:18 [8044]13:18 [8045]13:18
[8046]13:18 [8047]13:18-25 [8048]13:19 [8049]13:20
[8050]13:21 [8051]13:22 [8052]13:23 [8053]13:23 [8054]13:23
[8055]13:25
James
[8056]1:1 [8057]1:1 [8058]1:1 [8059]1:2 [8060]1:2-12
[8061]1:2-12 [8062]1:3 [8063]1:4 [8064]1:4 [8065]1:5
[8066]1:6 [8067]1:6 [8068]1:6 [8069]1:7 [8070]1:8
[8071]1:9-11 [8072]1:10 [8073]1:11 [8074]1:12 [8075]1:12
[8076]1:13 [8077]1:13-14 [8078]1:13-18 [8079]1:14 [8080]1:15
[8081]1:15 [8082]1:16-17 [8083]1:17 [8084]1:17 [8085]1:17
[8086]1:17 [8087]1:17 [8088]1:18 [8089]1:18 [8090]1:18
[8091]1:19 [8092]1:19-27 [8093]1:20 [8094]1:20 [8095]1:21
[8096]1:21 [8097]1:21 [8098]1:22 [8099]1:22 [8100]1:23-25
[8101]1:24 [8102]1:24 [8103]1:25 [8104]1:26 [8105]1:27
[8106]2:1 [8107]2:1 [8108]2:1-4 [8109]2:1-7 [8110]2:2-3
[8111]2:4 [8112]2:4-5 [8113]2:5 [8114]2:5 [8115]2:5
[8116]2:6 [8117]2:6 [8118]2:7 [8119]2:8 [8120]2:8-13
[8121]2:9 [8122]2:9 [8123]2:10 [8124]2:11 [8125]2:11-26
[8126]2:12 [8127]2:13 [8128]2:15-16 [8129]2:15-16
[8130]2:15-17 [8131]2:16 [8132]2:17 [8133]2:18 [8134]2:18
[8135]2:19 [8136]2:20 [8137]2:21 [8138]2:22 [8139]2:23
[8140]2:23 [8141]2:24 [8142]2:25 [8143]2:26 [8144]3:1
[8145]3:1 [8146]3:1 [8147]3:1-12 [8148]3:2 [8149]3:3
[8150]3:4-5 [8151]3:5-6 [8152]3:7-8 [8153]3:8 [8154]3:9
[8155]3:9-10 [8156]3:11-12 [8157]3:13 [8158]3:13
[8159]3:13-18 [8160]3:14-16 [8161]3:15 [8162]3:16 [8163]3:16
[8164]3:17 [8165]3:17-18 [8166]3:18 [8167]4:1 [8168]4:1-5
[8169]4:2 [8170]4:3 [8171]4:4 [8172]4:4-10 [8173]4:5
[8174]4:6 [8175]4:6 [8176]4:7 [8177]4:7 [8178]4:8
[8179]4:8-10 [8180]4:8-10 [8181]4:10 [8182]4:10 [8183]4:11
[8184]4:11-12 [8185]4:12 [8186]4:13-14 [8187]4:13-15
[8188]4:13-17 [8189]4:14 [8190]4:15 [8191]4:15 [8192]4:15
[8193]4:15 [8194]4:15 [8195]4:16 [8196]4:17 [8197]4:17
[8198]5:1-3 [8199]5:1-6 [8200]5:1-6 [8201]5:2 [8202]5:3
[8203]5:4 [8204]5:4 [8205]5:4 [8206]5:5 [8207]5:6 [8208]5:7
[8209]5:7 [8210]5:7-11 [8211]5:8 [8212]5:8 [8213]5:8
[8214]5:8 [8215]5:8-9 [8216]5:8-9 [8217]5:9 [8218]5:9
[8219]5:10 [8220]5:11 [8221]5:11 [8222]5:12 [8223]5:12
[8224]5:13 [8225]5:13 [8226]5:13 [8227]5:13 [8228]5:14
[8229]5:14 [8230]5:14-15 [8231]5:14-15 [8232]5:15 [8233]5:16
[8234]5:16 [8235]5:16 [8236]5:16 [8237]5:16 [8238]5:16-18
[8239]5:17 [8240]5:17 [8241]5:17-18 [8242]5:18 [8243]5:19
[8244]5:19-20 [8245]5:20 [8246]14
1 Peter
[8247]1:1 [8248]1:1 [8249]1:1 [8250]1:1-2 [8251]1:2
[8252]1:2 [8253]1:2 [8254]1:3 [8255]1:3 [8256]1:3 [8257]1:3
[8258]1:3-5 [8259]1:4 [8260]1:5 [8261]1:5 [8262]1:5
[8263]1:6 [8264]1:6-9 [8265]1:7 [8266]1:8 [8267]1:8
[8268]1:8 [8269]1:8 [8270]1:9 [8271]1:9 [8272]1:9 [8273]1:9
[8274]1:10-11 [8275]1:10-12 [8276]1:11 [8277]1:12 [8278]1:13
[8279]1:13 [8280]1:13 [8281]1:13-21 [8282]1:14 [8283]1:15-16
[8284]1:17 [8285]1:17 [8286]1:18 [8287]1:18-19 [8288]1:20
[8289]1:20 [8290]1:20 [8291]1:20-21 [8292]1:22 [8293]1:22
[8294]1:22 [8295]1:22-25 [8296]1:23 [8297]1:24-25 [8298]2:1
[8299]2:1-2 [8300]2:1-12 [8301]2:3 [8302]2:4 [8303]2:5
[8304]2:6 [8305]2:6 [8306]2:7 [8307]2:7-8 [8308]2:8
[8309]2:9 [8310]2:9 [8311]2:9 [8312]2:9 [8313]2:11
[8314]2:11 [8315]2:11 [8316]2:11 [8317]2:13 [8318]2:13-25
[8319]2:15 [8320]2:17 [8321]2:17 [8322]2:17 [8323]2:18
[8324]2:18 [8325]2:19-20 [8326]2:20 [8327]2:20 [8328]2:21
[8329]2:21-23 [8330]2:22 [8331]2:23 [8332]2:24 [8333]2:25
[8334]3:1-7 [8335]3:3 [8336]3:4 [8337]3:4 [8338]3:4
[8339]3:5 [8340]3:8 [8341]3:8-17 [8342]3:10 [8343]3:10-11
[8344]3:12 [8345]3:13 [8346]3:14 [8347]3:14 [8348]3:15
[8349]3:15 [8350]3:15 [8351]3:18 [8352]3:18 [8353]3:18
[8354]3:18 [8355]3:18-22 [8356]3:21 [8357]3:21 [8358]3:21
[8359]3:22 [8360]3:22 [8361]3:22 [8362]4:1-11 [8363]4:2
[8364]4:3 [8365]4:3 [8366]4:3 [8367]4:3 [8368]4:3 [8369]4:3
[8370]4:3 [8371]4:6 [8372]4:7 [8373]4:8 [8374]4:8 [8375]4:9
[8376]4:9 [8377]4:9 [8378]4:10 [8379]4:11 [8380]4:11
[8381]4:11 [8382]4:11 [8383]4:14 [8384]4:14 [8385]4:15
[8386]4:16 [8387]4:17 [8388]4:17 [8389]4:17-18 [8390]4:18
[8391]4:18 [8392]4:19 [8393]4:19 [8394]5:1 [8395]5:1
[8396]5:1 [8397]5:1-2 [8398]5:1-4 [8399]5:3 [8400]5:4
[8401]5:5-7 [8402]5:6 [8403]5:8 [8404]5:11 [8405]5:12
[8406]5:13 [8407]5:13 [8408]5:14 [8409]5:14
2 Peter
[8410]1:1 [8411]1:1 [8412]1:1 [8413]1:1 [8414]1:1-4
[8415]1:3 [8416]1:4 [8417]1:4 [8418]1:5 [8419]1:5-7
[8420]1:5-7 [8421]1:8 [8422]1:8 [8423]1:8-11 [8424]1:8-11
[8425]1:9 [8426]1:10 [8427]1:10 [8428]1:12 [8429]1:12
[8430]1:12 [8431]1:12 [8432]1:12 [8433]1:12-15 [8434]1:14
[8435]1:15 [8436]1:15 [8437]1:16 [8438]1:17 [8439]1:18
[8440]1:19 [8441]1:21 [8442]1:21 [8443]1:21 [8444]2:1
[8445]2:1-3 [8446]2:1-22 [8447]2:2 [8448]2:3 [8449]2:3
[8450]2:3-6 [8451]2:4 [8452]2:4-5 [8453]2:5 [8454]2:7-9
[8455]2:11 [8456]2:12 [8457]2:14 [8458]2:15-16 [8459]2:17
[8460]2:20 [8461]2:21-22 [8462]2:21-22 [8463]3:1 [8464]3:1
[8465]3:1 [8466]3:1 [8467]3:1 [8468]3:1-2 [8469]3:1-2
[8470]3:3-7 [8471]3:4 [8472]3:4 [8473]3:5 [8474]3:5-6
[8475]3:6 [8476]3:7 [8477]3:7 [8478]3:8-10 [8479]3:9
[8480]3:9-10 [8481]3:10 [8482]3:10 [8483]3:11 [8484]3:11
[8485]3:11-12 [8486]3:11-18 [8487]3:13 [8488]3:14 [8489]3:14
[8490]3:14 [8491]3:14 [8492]3:15 [8493]3:16 [8494]3:16
[8495]3:17 [8496]3:17-18 [8497]3:17-18 [8498]3:18 [8499]3:18
[8500]3:18 [8501]3:18
1 John
[8502]1:1 [8503]1:1 [8504]1:1 [8505]1:1 [8506]1:1 [8507]1:1
[8508]1:1-2 [8509]1:1-3 [8510]1:2 [8511]1:2 [8512]1:2
[8513]1:2 [8514]1:2 [8515]1:3 [8516]1:3 [8517]1:3 [8518]1:3
[8519]1:3 [8520]1:3 [8521]1:3 [8522]1:4 [8523]1:4 [8524]1:5
[8525]1:5 [8526]1:5 [8527]1:5 [8528]1:5 [8529]1:6 [8530]1:6
[8531]1:7 [8532]1:7 [8533]1:7 [8534]1:8 [8535]1:8
[8536]1:8-10 [8537]1:9 [8538]1:9 [8539]1:9 [8540]1:9
[8541]1:9 [8542]1:9 [8543]1:10 [8544]1:10 [8545]1:14
[8546]2:1 [8547]2:1 [8548]2:1-2 [8549]2:2 [8550]2:2
[8551]2:2 [8552]2:3 [8553]2:3-6 [8554]2:4 [8555]2:5
[8556]2:5 [8557]2:6 [8558]2:7 [8559]2:7 [8560]2:7-11
[8561]2:8 [8562]2:9 [8563]2:10 [8564]2:10 [8565]2:11
[8566]2:11 [8567]2:11 [8568]2:12 [8569]2:12 [8570]2:12-14
[8571]2:13 [8572]2:13 [8573]2:13-14 [8574]2:13-14
[8575]2:13-14 [8576]2:14 [8577]2:14 [8578]2:15 [8579]2:15
[8580]2:15 [8581]2:15-17 [8582]2:16 [8583]2:16 [8584]2:16
[8585]2:17 [8586]2:17 [8587]2:18 [8588]2:18 [8589]2:18
[8590]2:18 [8591]2:18-19 [8592]2:19 [8593]2:19 [8594]2:19
[8595]2:19 [8596]2:20 [8597]2:20 [8598]2:20-27 [8599]2:21
[8600]2:22 [8601]2:23 [8602]2:23 [8603]2:24 [8604]2:24
[8605]2:25 [8606]2:25 [8607]2:26 [8608]2:27 [8609]2:27
[8610]2:27 [8611]2:27 [8612]2:27 [8613]2:27 [8614]2:27
[8615]2:27-28 [8616]2:28 [8617]2:28 [8618]2:28-29 [8619]2:29
[8620]3:1 [8621]3:1 [8622]3:1 [8623]3:1-2 [8624]3:2
[8625]3:2 [8626]3:2 [8627]3:2 [8628]3:2 [8629]3:2 [8630]3:2
[8631]3:3 [8632]3:3 [8633]3:3 [8634]3:4 [8635]3:4-19
[8636]3:5 [8637]3:6 [8638]3:6 [8639]3:8 [8640]3:8-9
[8641]3:9 [8642]3:9 [8643]3:9 [8644]3:9 [8645]3:10
[8646]3:10 [8647]3:10 [8648]3:11 [8649]3:11 [8650]3:11-18
[8651]3:12 [8652]3:12 [8653]3:13 [8654]3:14 [8655]3:14
[8656]3:14 [8657]3:14 [8658]3:14 [8659]3:15 [8660]3:15
[8661]3:16 [8662]3:16 [8663]3:17 [8664]3:17 [8665]3:17
[8666]3:18 [8667]3:18 [8668]3:18 [8669]3:19 [8670]3:19-22
[8671]3:20 [8672]3:20 [8673]3:20 [8674]3:21 [8675]3:21
[8676]3:22 [8677]3:22 [8678]3:22 [8679]3:23 [8680]3:23
[8681]3:23 [8682]3:23 [8683]3:24 [8684]3:24 [8685]3:24
[8686]3:24 [8687]4:1 [8688]4:1 [8689]4:1 [8690]4:1
[8691]4:2 [8692]4:2-3 [8693]4:3 [8694]4:3 [8695]4:3
[8696]4:4 [8697]4:4 [8698]4:4 [8699]4:4-6 [8700]4:5
[8701]4:6 [8702]4:6 [8703]4:6 [8704]4:6 [8705]4:7 [8706]4:7
[8707]4:7 [8708]4:7 [8709]4:7-16 [8710]4:8 [8711]4:8
[8712]4:8 [8713]4:9 [8714]4:9 [8715]4:9 [8716]4:9
[8717]4:10 [8718]4:10 [8719]4:11 [8720]4:12 [8721]4:12
[8722]4:12 [8723]4:13 [8724]4:13 [8725]4:13 [8726]4:14
[8727]4:15 [8728]4:16 [8729]4:16 [8730]4:16 [8731]4:16
[8732]4:16 [8733]4:16 [8734]4:16 [8735]4:17 [8736]4:17
[8737]4:17-21 [8738]4:18 [8739]4:18 [8740]4:18 [8741]4:19
[8742]4:19 [8743]4:20 [8744]4:20 [8745]4:20 [8746]4:21
[8747]4:21 [8748]5:1 [8749]5:1 [8750]5:1 [8751]5:1
[8752]5:1 [8753]5:1 [8754]5:1 [8755]5:1-3 [8756]5:2
[8757]5:2 [8758]5:3 [8759]5:4 [8760]5:4 [8761]5:4
[8762]5:4-5 [8763]5:5 [8764]5:6 [8765]5:6 [8766]5:6
[8767]5:6 [8768]5:6 [8769]5:6 [8770]5:6 [8771]5:6-10
[8772]5:7 [8773]5:7 [8774]5:7 [8775]5:7 [8776]5:7 [8777]5:7
[8778]5:7 [8779]5:7 [8780]5:7 [8781]5:7 [8782]5:7 [8783]5:8
[8784]5:8 [8785]5:8 [8786]5:8 [8787]5:9 [8788]5:9
[8789]5:10 [8790]5:10 [8791]5:10 [8792]5:11 [8793]5:11
[8794]5:11 [8795]5:11-13 [8796]5:12 [8797]5:12 [8798]5:13
[8799]5:13 [8800]5:14 [8801]5:14 [8802]5:14-17 [8803]5:15
[8804]5:16 [8805]5:16 [8806]5:17 [8807]5:17 [8808]5:18
[8809]5:18 [8810]5:18 [8811]5:18 [8812]5:19 [8813]5:19
[8814]5:19 [8815]5:19 [8816]5:20 [8817]5:20 [8818]5:20
[8819]5:20 [8820]5:21 [8821]5:21
2 John
[8822]1:1-3 [8823]1:3 [8824]1:3 [8825]1:3 [8826]1:3
[8827]1:4 [8828]1:4 [8829]1:4 [8830]1:5 [8831]1:5 [8832]1:5
[8833]1:5 [8834]1:5-6 [8835]1:6 [8836]1:7 [8837]1:7
[8838]1:7 [8839]1:8 [8840]1:8 [8841]1:8 [8842]1:8
[8843]1:10-11 [8844]1:10-11 [8845]1:12-13
3 John
[8846]1:1 [8847]1:1-2 [8848]1:3 [8849]1:3 [8850]1:3-4
[8851]1:4 [8852]1:4 [8853]1:5 [8854]1:5-6 [8855]1:5-8
[8856]1:6 [8857]1:6 [8858]1:6 [8859]1:9 [8860]1:9-10
[8861]1:10 [8862]1:10 [8863]1:11 [8864]1:12 [8865]1:12
[8866]1:12 [8867]1:13-14 [8868]1:13-14
Jude
[8869]1:1-2 [8870]1:3 [8871]1:3 [8872]1:3 [8873]1:3
[8874]1:3 [8875]1:4 [8876]1:5 [8877]1:5 [8878]1:5
[8879]1:5-7 [8880]1:5-7 [8881]1:6 [8882]1:7 [8883]1:8
[8884]1:8-10 [8885]1:9 [8886]1:10 [8887]1:10 [8888]1:11
[8889]1:12-13 [8890]1:13 [8891]1:14 [8892]1:14 [8893]1:14-15
[8894]1:14-15 [8895]1:14-15 [8896]1:14-15 [8897]1:15
[8898]1:15 [8899]1:16 [8900]1:16-19 [8901]1:17 [8902]1:17-23
[8903]1:19 [8904]1:19 [8905]1:20 [8906]1:20-21 [8907]1:21
[8908]1:21 [8909]1:22 [8910]1:22-23 [8911]1:22-23
[8912]1:22-23 [8913]1:22-23 [8914]1:24 [8915]1:24 [8916]1:24
[8917]1:24-25 [8918]1:24-25 [8919]1:25
Revelation
[8920]1:1-2 [8921]1:1-20 [8922]1:2 [8923]1:3-8 [8924]1:4
[8925]1:4 [8926]1:4 [8927]1:5 [8928]1:5 [8929]1:5
[8930]1:5-6 [8931]1:6 [8932]1:7 [8933]1:7 [8934]1:8
[8935]1:9-20 [8936]1:10 [8937]1:10 [8938]1:11 [8939]1:13
[8940]1:16 [8941]1:16 [8942]1:16 [8943]1:16 [8944]1:17
[8945]1:17 [8946]1:17-18 [8947]1:18 [8948]1:18 [8949]1:18
[8950]1:19 [8951]1:20 [8952]2:1-7 [8953]2:2 [8954]2:2
[8955]2:2 [8956]2:3 [8957]2:3 [8958]2:4 [8959]2:4 [8960]2:6
[8961]2:6 [8962]2:7 [8963]2:8-11 [8964]2:9 [8965]2:10
[8966]2:10 [8967]2:10 [8968]2:10 [8969]2:11 [8970]2:12-17
[8971]2:13 [8972]2:14 [8973]2:15 [8974]2:16 [8975]2:17
[8976]2:18-29 [8977]2:22-23 [8978]2:23 [8979]2:23 [8980]2:23
[8981]2:24 [8982]2:24-25 [8983]2:26-29 [8984]3:1-6 [8985]3:2
[8986]3:3 [8987]3:3 [8988]3:3 [8989]3:4 [8990]3:5 [8991]3:5
[8992]3:7 [8993]3:7-13 [8994]3:8 [8995]3:8 [8996]3:9
[8997]3:9-10 [8998]3:10 [8999]3:11 [9000]3:11 [9001]3:12-13
[9002]3:14-22 [9003]3:15 [9004]3:17 [9005]3:18 [9006]3:18
[9007]3:19-20 [9008]3:20 [9009]3:20 [9010]3:21 [9011]3:21
[9012]3:21 [9013]3:22 [9014]4:1-7 [9015]4:3 [9016]4:5
[9017]4:7 [9018]4:8-11 [9019]4:10-11 [9020]4:11 [9021]4:11
[9022]5:1-9 [9023]5:2 [9024]5:5 [9025]5:6-14 [9026]5:7
[9027]5:8 [9028]5:9 [9029]5:9-10 [9030]5:10 [9031]5:10
[9032]5:11 [9033]5:12-13 [9034]5:13 [9035]6:1 [9036]6:1-2
[9037]6:2 [9038]6:2 [9039]6:3-4 [9040]6:4 [9041]6:5
[9042]6:5-6 [9043]6:6 [9044]6:7-8 [9045]6:8 [9046]6:9
[9047]6:9-11 [9048]6:10 [9049]6:11 [9050]6:12 [9051]6:12-17
[9052]6:13 [9053]6:15 [9054]6:17 [9055]7:1-3 [9056]7:4-8
[9057]7:9 [9058]7:9 [9059]7:9 [9060]7:9-12 [9061]7:9-12
[9062]7:11-12 [9063]7:13-17 [9064]7:14 [9065]7:14 [9066]8:1-6
[9067]8:3 [9068]8:7 [9069]8:7-13 [9070]8:8 [9071]8:10
[9072]8:10 [9073]8:13 [9074]9:1-12 [9075]9:6 [9076]9:7-8
[9077]9:13-14 [9078]9:13-21 [9079]9:14 [9080]9:15-16
[9081]9:17 [9082]9:20 [9083]9:21 [9084]10:1-3 [9085]10:3
[9086]10:4 [9087]10:4 [9088]10:4 [9089]10:5-7 [9090]10:7
[9091]10:7 [9092]10:8-11 [9093]10:10 [9094]10:11 [9095]11:1-2
[9096]11:2 [9097]11:3-13 [9098]11:5 [9099]11:6 [9100]11:7
[9101]11:10 [9102]11:10 [9103]11:11 [9104]11:12-13
[9105]11:14-19 [9106]11:15 [9107]11:15 [9108]11:15
[9109]11:18 [9110]11:19 [9111]12:1 [9112]12:1-11 [9113]12:4
[9114]12:5 [9115]12:6 [9116]12:7 [9117]12:10-11 [9118]12:11
[9119]12:12 [9120]12:12 [9121]12:12-17 [9122]12:13
[9123]12:16 [9124]12:16 [9125]13:1-10 [9126]13:2-3
[9127]13:2-5 [9128]13:3 [9129]13:4 [9130]13:5 [9131]13:5-6
[9132]13:10 [9133]13:11-18 [9134]13:12 [9135]14:1-5
[9136]14:3 [9137]14:4 [9138]14:6-7 [9139]14:6-13 [9140]14:7
[9141]14:7 [9142]14:8 [9143]14:9-10 [9144]14:12 [9145]14:13
[9146]14:14-15 [9147]14:14-20 [9148]14:15 [9149]14:17
[9150]14:18 [9151]14:19 [9152]14:20 [9153]15:1-4 [9154]15:4
[9155]15:4 [9156]15:5 [9157]15:5-8 [9158]15:6 [9159]16:2
[9160]16:2 [9161]16:3 [9162]16:4 [9163]16:5-6 [9164]16:7
[9165]16:8 [9166]16:10 [9167]16:15 [9168]16:15 [9169]16:16
[9170]16:19 [9171]16:19-20 [9172]17:1 [9173]17:1-2
[9174]17:3-6 [9175]17:4 [9176]17:7-12 [9177]17:10 [9178]17:10
[9179]17:13 [9180]17:13-18 [9181]17:15 [9182]17:18
[9183]17:18 [9184]18:1 [9185]18:1-2 [9186]18:2 [9187]18:3
[9188]18:3 [9189]18:4-5 [9190]18:4-5 [9191]18:6 [9192]18:6-8
[9193]18:7 [9194]18:8 [9195]18:9-19 [9196]18:12-13
[9197]18:14 [9198]18:19 [9199]18:20 [9200]18:20 [9201]18:20
[9202]18:20 [9203]18:20-24 [9204]18:21 [9205]18:24
[9206]19:1-4 [9207]19:2 [9208]19:3 [9209]19:4 [9210]19:4
[9211]19:5-10 [9212]19:6 [9213]19:7 [9214]19:9 [9215]19:10
[9216]19:10-21 [9217]19:13 [9218]19:13 [9219]19:14
[9220]19:15 [9221]19:16 [9222]19:16 [9223]19:17
[9224]19:17-18 [9225]19:19 [9226]20:1-3 [9227]20:2-3
[9228]20:3 [9229]20:4-6 [9230]20:4-6 [9231]20:6 [9232]20:7-10
[9233]20:8 [9234]20:9 [9235]20:11-15 [9236]20:12 [9237]20:12
[9238]21:1 [9239]21:1 [9240]21:1 [9241]21:1-9 [9242]21:2
[9243]21:2 [9244]21:3 [9245]21:3 [9246]21:5-6 [9247]21:7
[9248]21:7 [9249]21:8 [9250]21:9 [9251]21:10 [9252]21:10-27
[9253]21:11 [9254]21:14 [9255]21:14 [9256]21:15-16
[9257]21:17 [9258]21:19 [9259]21:21 [9260]21:22-27
[9261]21:23 [9262]21:27 [9263]21:27 [9264]22:1-2 [9265]22:1-5
[9266]22:3 [9267]22:6-19 [9268]22:9 [9269]22:10 [9270]22:12
[9271]22:13-14 [9272]22:15 [9273]22:16 [9274]22:17
[9275]22:18-19 [9276]22:20-21
2 Maccabees
[9277]7:5
2 Esdras
[9278]6:56-57
__________________________________________________________________
Index of Scripture Commentary
Acts
[9279]1 [9280]1:1-5 [9281]1:6-11 [9282]1:12-14 [9283]1:15-26
[9284]2 [9285]2:1-4 [9286]2:5-13 [9287]2:14-36 [9288]2:37-41
[9289]2:42-47 [9290]3 [9291]3:1-11 [9292]3:12-26 [9293]4
[9294]4:1-4 [9295]4:5-14 [9296]4:15-22 [9297]4:23-31
[9298]4:32-37 [9299]5 [9300]5:1-11 [9301]5:12-16
[9302]5:17-25 [9303]5:26-42 [9304]6 [9305]6:1-7 [9306]6:8-15
[9307]7 [9308]7:1-16 [9309]7:17-29 [9310]7:30-41
[9311]7:42-50 [9312]7:51-53 [9313]7:54-60 [9314]8 [9315]8:1-3
[9316]8:4-13 [9317]8:14-25 [9318]8:26-40 [9319]9 [9320]9:1-9
[9321]9:10-22 [9322]9:23-31 [9323]9:32-35 [9324]9:36-43
[9325]10 [9326]10:1-8 [9327]10:9-18 [9328]10:19-33
[9329]10:34-43 [9330]10:44-48 [9331]11 [9332]11:1-18
[9333]11:19-26 [9334]11:27-30 [9335]12 [9336]12:1-4
[9337]12:5-19 [9338]12:20-25 [9339]13 [9340]13:1-3
[9341]13:4-13 [9342]13:14-41 [9343]13:42-52 [9344]14
[9345]14:1-7 [9346]14:8-18 [9347]14:19-28 [9348]15
[9349]15:1-5 [9350]15:6-21 [9351]15:22-35 [9352]15:36-41
[9353]16 [9354]16:1-5 [9355]16:6-15 [9356]16:16-24
[9357]16:25-34 [9358]16:35-40 [9359]17 [9360]17:1-9
[9361]17:10-15 [9362]17:16-21 [9363]17:22-31 [9364]17:32-34
[9365]18 [9366]18:1-6 [9367]18:7-11 [9368]18:12-17
[9369]18:18-23 [9370]18:24-28 [9371]19 [9372]19:1-7
[9373]19:8-12 [9374]19:13-20 [9375]19:21-41 [9376]20
[9377]20:1-6 [9378]20:7-12 [9379]20:13-16 [9380]20:17-35
[9381]20:36-38 [9382]21 [9383]21:1-7 [9384]21:8-14
[9385]21:15-26 [9386]21:27-40 [9387]22 [9388]22:1-2
[9389]22:3-21 [9390]22:22-30 [9391]23 [9392]23:1-5
[9393]23:6-11 [9394]23:12-35 [9395]24 [9396]24:1-9
[9397]24:10-21 [9398]24:22-27 [9399]25 [9400]25:1-12
[9401]25:13-27 [9402]26 [9403]26:1-11 [9404]26:12-23
[9405]26:24-44 [9406]27 [9407]27:1-11 [9408]27:12-20
[9409]27:21-44 [9410]28 [9411]28:1-10 [9412]28:11-16
[9413]28:17-22 [9414]28:23-29 [9415]28:30-31
Romans
[9416]1 [9417]1:1-7 [9418]1:8-15 [9419]1:16-18 [9420]1:19-32
[9421]2 [9422]2:1-16 [9423]2:17-29 [9424]3 [9425]3:1-18
[9426]3:19-31 [9427]4 [9428]4:1-8 [9429]4:9-17 [9430]4:17-22
[9431]4:23-25 [9432]5 [9433]5:1-5 [9434]5:6-21 [9435]6
[9436]6:1-23 [9437]7 [9438]7:1-6 [9439]7:7-14 [9440]7:14-25
[9441]8 [9442]8:1-9 [9443]8:10-16 [9444]8:17-25 [9445]8:26-28
[9446]8:29-30 [9447]8:31-39 [9448]9 [9449]9:1-5 [9450]9:6-13
[9451]9:14-24 [9452]9:25-29 [9453]9:30-33 [9454]10
[9455]10:1-11 [9456]10:12-21 [9457]11 [9458]11:1-32
[9459]11:33-36 [9460]12 [9461]12:1-21 [9462]13 [9463]13:1-6
[9464]13:7-10 [9465]13:11-14 [9466]14 [9467]14:1-23 [9468]15
[9469]15:1-4 [9470]15:5-6 [9471]15:7-12 [9472]15:13
[9473]15:14-16 [9474]15:17-21 [9475]15:22-29 [9476]15:30-33
[9477]16 [9478]16:1-16 [9479]16:17-20 [9480]16:21-24
[9481]16:25-27
1 Corinthians
[9482]1 [9483]1:1-9 [9484]1:10-13 [9485]1:14-16 [9486]1:17-31
[9487]2 [9488]2:1-5 [9489]2:6-16 [9490]3 [9491]3:1-4
[9492]3:5-10 [9493]3:11-15 [9494]3:16-17 [9495]3:18-20
[9496]3:21-23 [9497]4 [9498]4:1-6 [9499]4:7-13 [9500]4:14-16
[9501]4:17-21 [9502]5 [9503]5:1-6 [9504]5:7-8 [9505]5:9-13
[9506]6 [9507]6:1-8 [9508]6:9-11 [9509]6:12-20 [9510]7
[9511]7:1-9 [9512]7:10-16 [9513]7:17-24 [9514]7:25-35
[9515]7:36-38 [9516]7:39-40 [9517]8 [9518]8:1-3 [9519]8:4-6
[9520]8:7-13 [9521]9 [9522]9:1-2 [9523]9:3-14 [9524]9:15-18
[9525]9:19-23 [9526]9:24-27 [9527]10 [9528]10:1-5
[9529]10:6-14 [9530]10:15-22 [9531]10:23-33 [9532]11
[9533]11:1-16 [9534]11:17-22 [9535]11:23-34 [9536]12
[9537]12:1-11 [9538]12:12-26 [9539]12:27-31 [9540]13
[9541]13:1-3 [9542]13:4-7 [9543]13:8-13 [9544]14 [9545]14
[9546]14:1-5 [9547]14:6-14 [9548]14:15-20 [9549]14:21-25
[9550]14:26-33 [9551]14:34-35 [9552]14:36-40 [9553]15
[9554]15:1-11 [9555]15:12-19 [9556]15:20-34 [9557]15:35-50
[9558]15:51-57 [9559]15:58 [9560]16 [9561]16:1-4 [9562]16:5-9
[9563]16:10-12 [9564]16:13-18 [9565]16:19-24
2 Corinthians
[9566]1 [9567]1:1-2 [9568]1:3-6 [9569]1:7-11 [9570]1:12-14
[9571]1:15-24 [9572]2 [9573]2:1-4 [9574]2:5-11 [9575]2:12-17
[9576]3 [9577]3:1-5 [9578]3:6-11 [9579]3:12-18 [9580]4
[9581]4:1-7 [9582]4:8-18 [9583]5 [9584]5:1-11 [9585]5:12-15
[9586]5:16-21 [9587]6 [9588]6:1-10 [9589]6:11-18 [9590]7
[9591]7:1-4 [9592]7:5-11 [9593]7:12-16 [9594]8 [9595]8:1-6
[9596]8:7-15 [9597]8:16-24 [9598]9 [9599]9:1-5 [9600]9:6-15
[9601]10 [9602]10:1-6 [9603]10:7-11 [9604]10:12-18 [9605]11
[9606]11:1-4 [9607]11:5-15 [9608]11:16-21 [9609]11:22-33
[9610]12 [9611]12:1-10 [9612]12:11-21 [9613]13 [9614]13:1-6
[9615]13:7-10 [9616]13:11-14
Galatians
[9617]1 [9618]1:1-5 [9619]1:6-9 [9620]1:10-24 [9621]2
[9622]2:1-10 [9623]2:11-21 [9624]3 [9625]3:1-5 [9626]3:6-18
[9627]3:19-29 [9628]4 [9629]4:1-7 [9630]4:8-11 [9631]4:12-16
[9632]4:17-18 [9633]4:19-20 [9634]4:21-31 [9635]5
[9636]5:1-12 [9637]5:13-26 [9638]6 [9639]6:1-10 [9640]6:11-18
Ephesians
[9641]1 [9642]1:1-2 [9643]1:3-14 [9644]1:15-23 [9645]2
[9646]2:1-3 [9647]2:4-10 [9648]2:11-13 [9649]2:14-22 [9650]3
[9651]3:1-13 [9652]3:14-21 [9653]4:1 [9654]4:2-16
[9655]4:17-32 [9656]5 [9657]5:1-2 [9658]5:3-20 [9659]5:21-33
[9660]6 [9661]6:1-9 [9662]6:10-18 [9663]6:19-24
Philippians
[9664]1 [9665]1:1-2 [9666]1:3-6 [9667]1:7-8 [9668]1:9-11
[9669]1:12-20 [9670]1:21-26 [9671]1:27-30 [9672]2
[9673]2:1-11 [9674]2:12-13 [9675]2:14-18 [9676]2:19-30
[9677]3 [9678]3:1-3 [9679]3:4-8 [9680]3:9-14 [9681]3:15-16
[9682]3:17-21 [9683]4 [9684]4:1-9 [9685]4:10-19 [9686]4:20-23
Colossians
[9687]1 [9688]1:1-2 [9689]1:3-8 [9690]1:9-11 [9691]1:12-29
[9692]2 [9693]2:1-3 [9694]2:4-12 [9695]2:13-15 [9696]2:16-23
[9697]3 [9698]3:1-4 [9699]3:5-7 [9700]3:8-11 [9701]3:12-17
[9702]3:18-25 [9703]4:1 [9704]4:2-4 [9705]4:5-6 [9706]4:7-18
1 Thessalonians
[9707]1:1 [9708]1:2-5 [9709]1:6-10 [9710]2 [9711]2:1-6
[9712]2:7-12 [9713]2:13-16 [9714]2:17-20 [9715]3 [9716]3:1-5
[9717]3:6-10 [9718]3:11-13 [9719]4 [9720]4:1-8 [9721]4:9-12
[9722]4:13-18 [9723]5 [9724]5:1-5 [9725]5:6-10 [9726]5:11-15
[9727]5:16-22 [9728]5:23-28
2 Thessalonians
[9729]1 [9730]1:1-4 [9731]1:5-10 [9732]1:11-12 [9733]2
[9734]2:1-3 [9735]2:3-12 [9736]2:13-15 [9737]2:16-17 [9738]3
[9739]3:1-5 [9740]3:6-15 [9741]3:16-18
1 Timothy
[9742]1 [9743]1:1-4 [9744]1:5-11 [9745]1:12-17 [9746]1:18-20
[9747]2 [9748]2:1-8 [9749]2:9-15 [9750]3 [9751]3:1-7
[9752]3:8-13 [9753]3:14-16 [9754]4 [9755]4:1-5 [9756]4:6-16
[9757]5 [9758]5:1-2 [9759]5:3-16 [9760]5:17-25 [9761]6
[9762]6:1-5 [9763]6:6-12 [9764]6:13-21
2 Timothy
[9765]1 [9766]1:1-5 [9767]1:6-14 [9768]1:15-18 [9769]2
[9770]2:1-7 [9771]2:8-13 [9772]2:14-18 [9773]2:19-21
[9774]2:22-26 [9775]3 [9776]3:1-9 [9777]3:10-17 [9778]4
[9779]4:1-8 [9780]4:9-15 [9781]4:16-22
Titus
[9782]1 [9783]1:1-4 [9784]1:5 [9785]1:6-16 [9786]2
[9787]2:1-10 [9788]2:11-14 [9789]2:15 [9790]3 [9791]3:1-8
[9792]3:9-15
Philemon
[9793]1:1 [9794]1:1-7 [9795]1:8-25
Hebrews
[9796]1 [9797]1:1-3 [9798]1:4-14 [9799]2 [9800]2:1-4
[9801]2:5-9 [9802]2:10-13 [9803]2:14-18 [9804]3 [9805]3:1-6
[9806]3:7-19 [9807]4 [9808]4:1-10 [9809]4:11-16 [9810]5
[9811]5:1-9 [9812]5:10-14 [9813]6 [9814]6:1-8 [9815]6:9-20
[9816]7 [9817]7:1-10 [9818]7:11-28 [9819]8 [9820]8:1-5
[9821]8:6-13 [9822]9 [9823]9:1-7 [9824]9:8-14 [9825]9:15-22
[9826]9:23-28 [9827]10 [9828]10:1-6 [9829]10:7-18
[9830]10:19-39 [9831]11 [9832]11:1-3 [9833]11:4-31
[9834]11:32-40 [9835]12 [9836]12:1-3 [9837]12:4-17
[9838]12:18-29 [9839]13 [9840]13:1-17 [9841]13:18-25
James
[9842]1:1 [9843]1:2-12 [9844]1:13-18 [9845]1:19-27 [9846]2
[9847]2:1-7 [9848]2:8-13 [9849]2:14-26 [9850]3 [9851]3:1-12
[9852]3:13-18 [9853]4 [9854]4:1-10 [9855]4:11-17 [9856]5
[9857]5:1-11 [9858]5:12-20
1 Peter
[9859]1 [9860]1:1-2 [9861]1:3-5 [9862]1:6-9 [9863]1:10-12
[9864]1:13-23 [9865]1:24-25 [9866]2 [9867]2:1-3 [9868]2:4-12
[9869]2:13-25 [9870]3 [9871]3:1-7 [9872]3:8-15 [9873]3:16-17
[9874]3:18-20 [9875]3:21-22 [9876]4 [9877]4:1-3 [9878]4:4-6
[9879]4:7-11 [9880]4:12-19 [9881]5 [9882]5:1-4 [9883]5:5-7
[9884]5:8-9 [9885]5:10-14
2 Peter
[9886]1 [9887]1:1-4 [9888]1:5-11 [9889]1:12-15 [9890]1:16-18
[9891]1:19-21 [9892]2 [9893]2:1-3 [9894]2:3-6 [9895]2:7-9
[9896]2:10-22 [9897]3 [9898]3:1-2 [9899]3:3-7 [9900]3:8
[9901]3:9-10 [9902]3:11-18
1 John
[9903]1 [9904]1:1-4 [9905]1:5-7 [9906]1:8-10 [9907]2
[9908]2:1-2 [9909]2:3-6 [9910]2:7-11 [9911]2:12-17
[9912]2:18-19 [9913]2:20-27 [9914]2:28-29 [9915]3 [9916]3:1-3
[9917]3:4-10 [9918]3:11-13 [9919]3:14-19 [9920]3:20-22
[9921]3:23-24 [9922]4 [9923]4:1-3 [9924]4:4-6 [9925]4:7-13
[9926]4:14-16 [9927]4:17-21 [9928]5 [9929]5:1-5 [9930]5:6-9
[9931]5:10-13 [9932]5:14-17 [9933]5:18-21
2 John
[9934]1:1 [9935]1:1-4 [9936]1:5-6 [9937]1:7-9 [9938]1:10-11
[9939]1:12-13
3 John
[9940]1:1 [9941]1:1-2 [9942]1:3-8 [9943]1:9-11 [9944]1:12-14
Jude
[9945]1:1 [9946]1:1-2 [9947]1:3-7 [9948]1:8-15 [9949]1:16-25
Revelation
[9950]1 [9951]1:1-2 [9952]1:3-8 [9953]1:9-20 [9954]2
[9955]2:1-7 [9956]2:8-11 [9957]2:12-17 [9958]2:18-29 [9959]3
[9960]3:1-6 [9961]3:7-13 [9962]3:14-22 [9963]4 [9964]4:1-8
[9965]4:8-11 [9966]5 [9967]5:1-5 [9968]5:6-14 [9969]6
[9970]6:1-2 [9971]6:3-8 [9972]6:9-17 [9973]7 [9974]7:1-12
[9975]7:13-17 [9976]8 [9977]8:1-6 [9978]8:7-13 [9979]9
[9980]9:1-12 [9981]9:13-21 [9982]10 [9983]10:1-7
[9984]10:8-11 [9985]11 [9986]11:1-2 [9987]11:3-13
[9988]11:14-19 [9989]12 [9990]12:1-11 [9991]12:12-17 [9992]13
[9993]13:1-10 [9994]13:11-18 [9995]14 [9996]14:1-5
[9997]14:6-12 [9998]14:13-20 [9999]15 [10000]15:1-4
[10001]15:5-8 [10002]16 [10003]16:1-7 [10004]16:8-11
[10005]16:12-16 [10006]16:17-21 [10007]17 [10008]17:1-6
[10009]17:7-13 [10010]17:14-18 [10011]18 [10012]18:1-8
[10013]18:9-24 [10014]19 [10015]19:1-4 [10016]19:5-10
[10017]19:11-21 [10018]20 [10019]20:1-10 [10020]20:11-15
[10021]21 [10022]21:1-8 [10023]21:9-27 [10024]22
[10025]22:1-5 [10026]22:6-19 [10027]22:20-21
__________________________________________________________________
Index of Pages of the Print Edition
[10028]iii [10029]1 [10030]363 [10031]505 [10032]606 [10033]647
[10034]685 [10035]722 [10036]748 [10037]770 [10038]792 [10039]806
[10040]832 [10041]852 [10042]877 [10043]887 [10044]966
[10045]1001 [10046]1036 [10047]1059 [10048]1098 [10049]1103
[10050]1106 [10051]1118
__________________________________________________________________
This document is from the Christian Classics Ethereal
Library at Calvin College, http://www.ccel.org,
generated on demand from ThML source.
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63. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Rom.v-p14.2
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79. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=17&scrV=7#Acts.iii-p56.4
80. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=17&scrV=9#Acts.viii-p16.1
81. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=17&scrV=17#Rom.v-p20.6
82. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=17&scrV=19#Rom.x-p15.2
83. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=18&scrV=1#Rom.xiii-p25.6
84. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=18&scrV=1#Heb.xiv-p5.2
85. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=18&scrV=3#Acts.xvii-p23.2
86. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=18&scrV=10#Rom.x-p15.7
87. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=18&scrV=19#Eph.vii-p4.2
88. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=18&scrV=25#Rom.iv-p9.2
89. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=18&scrV=25#Rom.x-p20.1
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91. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=19&scrV=1#Heb.xiv-p5.3
92. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=20&scrV=11#Col.iv-p23.2
93. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=21&scrV=1#Gal.v-p25.1
94. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=21&scrV=10#Gal.v-p25.6
95. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=21&scrV=12#Rom.x-p15.1
96. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=22&scrV=1#Heb.xii-p38.1
97. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=22&scrV=2#Heb.xii-p38.2
98. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=22&scrV=12#Rom.ix-p47.2
99. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=22&scrV=16#Jam.iii-p23.4
100. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=22&scrV=17#Rom.x-p35.2
101. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=23&scrV=16#Acts.viii-p20.7
102. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=24&scrV=65#iCor.xii-p7.5
103. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=25&scrV=23#Heb.xii-p44.1
104. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=26&scrV=3#Heb.xii-p20.1
105. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=27&scrV=1#Heb.xii-p43.1
106. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=27&scrV=33#Heb.xii-p44.2
107. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=27&scrV=33#Heb.xii-p44.3
108. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=27&scrV=35#Heb.xii-p44.3
109. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=28&scrV=6#Rom.xii-p14.3
110. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=28&scrV=13#Heb.xii-p20.2
111. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=31&scrV=43#Acts.v-p50.1
112. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=31&scrV=49#Acts.xxi-p55.3
113. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=32&scrV=29#Acts.x-p21.1
114. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=33&scrV=19#Acts.viii-p20.5
115. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=39&scrV=2#Acts.viii-p18.1
116. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=39&scrV=4#Rom.iv-p29.2
117. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=39&scrV=9#iJo.iv-p15.3
118. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=39&scrV=21#Acts.viii-p18.1
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120. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=40&scrV=23#Acts.xxix-p41.1
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122. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=43&scrV=32#Acts.xi-p26.2
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125. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=48&scrV=14#Acts.xx-p11.2
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128. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=50&scrV=13#Acts.viii-p20.3
129. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=50&scrV=15#Acts.iv-p22.5
130. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=50&scrV=20#Acts.iv-p22.5
131. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gen&scrCh=50&scrV=24#Heb.xii-p51.1
132. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Heb.xii-p53.5
133. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Heb.xii-p53.2
134. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Heb.xii-p53.1
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136. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=2&scrV=14#Heb.xii-p61.2
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143. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=6&scrV=26#Acts.viii-p35.3
144. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=8&scrV=8#Acts.ix-p41.2
145. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=9&scrV=11#Acts.xiv-p25.1
146. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=9&scrV=14#Rom.x-p23.1
147. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=9&scrV=16#Rom.x-p22.2
148. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=10&scrV=17#Acts.ix-p41.2
149. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=11&scrV=8#Acts.xvii-p62.2
150. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=12&scrV=13#Heb.xii-p62.2
151. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=12&scrV=41#iiPet.iv-p17.1
152. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=14&scrV=1#Heb.xii-p63.2
153. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=14&scrV=13#Heb.xii-p61.3
154. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=14&scrV=15#Rom.ix-p34.1
155. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=15&scrV=2#Acts.xxv-p29.3
156. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=15&scrV=11#Rom.x-p24.1
157. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=16&scrV=1#iiCor.ix-p13.2
158. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=16&scrV=8#Acts.vi-p11.2
159. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=17&scrV=2#Heb.iv-p15.1
160. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=18&scrV=16#Acts.viii-p27.6
161. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=18&scrV=21#Acts.vii-p13.1
162. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=19&scrV=6#Rom.xii-p23.2
163. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=20&scrV=18#Acts.x-p16.1
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165. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=23&scrV=20#Acts.viii-p36.5
166. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=24&scrV=1#Rom.x-p8.4
167. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=24&scrV=7#Acts.xxi-p12.2
168. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=24&scrV=8#Rom.iv-p30.4
169. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=24&scrV=11#Acts.xi-p39.2
170. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=25&scrV=1#Heb.x-p3.1
171. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=25&scrV=22#Acts.ii-p33.5
172. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=32&scrV=6#iCor.xi-p8.5
173. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=32&scrV=9#Acts.viii-p46.2
174. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=32&scrV=33#Rom.x-p5.2
175. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=33&scrV=2#Acts.viii-p36.6
176. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=33&scrV=3#Acts.viii-p46.2
177. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=33&scrV=5#Acts.viii-p46.2
178. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=33&scrV=12#Acts.x-p18.2
179. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=33&scrV=12#Rom.ix-p41.6
180. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=33&scrV=18#Rom.x-p30.6
181. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=33&scrV=19#Rom.x-p21.2
182. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=34&scrV=29#Heb.xii-p53.4
183. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Exod&scrCh=36&scrV=5#Acts.iii-p71.3
184. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Acts.xi-p8.4
185. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Acts.xi-p8.4
186. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=5&scrV=12#Acts.xi-p8.4
187. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=6&scrV=15#Acts.xi-p8.4
188. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=7&scrV=15#Acts.iii-p41.5
189. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=10&scrV=3#iPet.iv-p21.7
190. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=10&scrV=8#iTim.iv-p5.2
191. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=11&scrV=2#Rom.xv-p19.3
192. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=11&scrV=44#Rom.xv-p23.1
193. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=11&scrV=47#Rom.iii-p26.4
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201. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=19&scrV=15#Jam.iii-p10.2
202. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=19&scrV=16#Jam.v-p12.3
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205. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=24&scrV=16#Acts.viii-p60.1
206. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lev&scrCh=26&scrV=19#Acts.xv-p26.6
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211. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=6&scrV=13#Acts.xxii-p36.2
212. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=6&scrV=18#Acts.xxii-p38.3
213. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=6&scrV=23#Phi.ii-p6.2
214. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=6&scrV=26#Phm.ii-p6.5
215. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=6&scrV=26#iCor.ii-p5.1
216. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=7&scrV=89#Acts.x-p16.2
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220. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=12&scrV=6#Heb.ii-p4.1
221. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=13&scrV=18#Acts.xix-p28.3
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240. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=24&scrV=25#Acts.ii-p54.2
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242. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Num&scrCh=35&scrV=25#Phi.iv-p13.2
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254. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=6&scrV=7#Acts.ix-p55.3
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262. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=9&scrV=13#Acts.viii-p46.2
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264. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=12&scrV=8#Acts.viii-p36.3
265. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=13&scrV=2#Acts.xxv-p29.1
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267. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=13&scrV=2#Acts.xvii-p53.1
268. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=13&scrV=9#Acts.viii-p60.3
269. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=13&scrV=14#Acts.xxv-p25.3
270. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=14&scrV=2#Rom.xv-p23.1
271. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=14&scrV=21#Rom.xiii-p7.5
272. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=16&scrV=19#Acts.xi-p32.1
273. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=17&scrV=6#iiCor.xiv-p4.4
274. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=17&scrV=7#Acts.viii-p60.2
275. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=17&scrV=15#iPet.iii-p31.1
276. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=17&scrV=15#Acts.xxvi-p15.2
277. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=17&scrV=15#Rom.xiv-p4.4
278. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=18&scrV=15#Acts.viii-p35.5
279. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=18&scrV=18#Acts.iv-p24.4
280. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=18&scrV=18#Acts.viii-p35.5
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283. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=21&scrV=22#Gal.iv-p12.4
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285. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=25&scrV=3#Acts.xvii-p38.3
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290. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=28&scrV=47#Acts.xv-p26.15
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293. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=28&scrV=68#Acts.xix-p35.1
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299. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=29&scrV=29#Rom.xii-p29.8
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313. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=32&scrV=34#Rom.iii-p8.3
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315. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=32&scrV=36#Heb.xi-p30.3
316. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Deut&scrCh=32&scrV=36#Acts.xiii-p10.2
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324. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Josh&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Heb.xiv-p10.3
325. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Josh&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Heb.xii-p69.1
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328. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Josh&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Acts.xvii-p22.1
329. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Josh&scrCh=6&scrV=5#Heb.xii-p66.1
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336. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Josh&scrCh=24&scrV=32#Acts.viii-p20.6
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352. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ruth&scrCh=1&scrV=0#Acts.ii-p37.7
353. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ruth&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Acts.xiv-p67.6
354. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Rom.ix-p34.2
355. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Acts.xi-p29.2
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357. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=6&scrV=20#Acts.vi-p21.3
358. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=9&scrV=15#Acts.xi-p21.2
359. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=10&scrV=7#Acts.xvi-p24.3
360. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=10&scrV=24#iPet.ii-p8.1
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362. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Acts.xxi-p51.5
363. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=12&scrV=5#Acts.xxi-p51.5
364. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=13&scrV=14#Acts.xiv-p39.6
365. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=15&scrV=11#Rom.xii-p26.15
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368. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=17&scrV=6#Eph.vii-p16.8
369. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=17&scrV=34#Heb.xii-p84.2
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372. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=21&scrV=5#iTh.v-p10.5
373. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=24&scrV=16#Acts.x-p12.3
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375. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=25&scrV=11#Acts.v-p50.2
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377. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=26&scrV=19#iPet.ii-p18.1
378. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Sam&scrCh=26&scrV=21#Acts.x-p12.3
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382. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Rom.v-p5.2
383. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=3&scrV=36#Acts.xiv-p53.2
384. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=5&scrV=17#Acts.v-p38.6
385. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=7&scrV=1#iiCor.ix-p12.3
386. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=7&scrV=7#Acts.viii-p43.9
387. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=7&scrV=12#Acts.iii-p42.5
388. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=7&scrV=12#Rom.ii-p7.5
389. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=7&scrV=14#Heb.ii-p18.1
390. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=7&scrV=27#Rom.ix-p33.4
391. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=9&scrV=3#Rom.xii-p23.5
392. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=9&scrV=7#Rom.xii-p23.5
393. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=12&scrV=14#Rom.iii-p31.2
394. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=12&scrV=14#Rom.iii-p31.4
395. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=15&scrV=21#Acts.xxii-p27.2
396. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=16&scrV=11#Acts.v-p38.8
397. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=18&scrV=3#Acts.xx-p52.1
398. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=23&scrV=1#Acts.xiv-p39.4
399. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=23&scrV=5#Rom.v-p16.3
400. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=24&scrV=14#iCor.v-p4.4
401. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Sam&scrCh=24&scrV=24#Ju.ii-p8.4
402. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=1&scrV=51#Acts.xxviii-p27.7
403. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Acts.iii-p42.3
404. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Acts.xiv-p53.7
405. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=8&scrV=27#Acts.xviii-p47.3
406. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=8&scrV=56#Acts.i-p3.2
407. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=10&scrV=8#iTim.vii-p22.1
408. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=10&scrV=13#Acts.xv-p22.1
409. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=16&scrV=24#Acts.ix-p14.1
410. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=17&scrV=1#Rev.xii-p12.5
411. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=17&scrV=21#Acts.xxi-p16.2
412. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=17&scrV=23#Heb.xii-p89.2
413. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=17&scrV=23#Acts.x-p71.6
414. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=18&scrV=17#Acts.xvii-p35.2
415. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=19&scrV=7#Acts.xxviii-p27.6
416. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=19&scrV=11#Acts.iii-p8.7
417. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=19&scrV=14#Rom.xii-p7.1
418. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=20&scrV=39#Acts.xvii-p45.5
419. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=20&scrV=39#Acts.xiii-p30.4
420. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=20&scrV=42#Acts.xvii-p45.5
421. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=21&scrV=25#Rom.viii-p17.3
422. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Kgs&scrCh=22&scrV=24#Acts.xxiv-p8.4
423. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Rev.xii-p12.2
424. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Acts.ii-p34.2
425. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=4&scrV=23#Acts.ii-p37.9
426. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=4&scrV=34#Acts.xxi-p16.3
427. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=4&scrV=36#Heb.xii-p89.3
428. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=4&scrV=36#Acts.x-p71.7
429. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=5&scrV=26#Acts.ii-p48.2
430. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=5&scrV=26#Acts.vi-p8.1
431. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=9&scrV=11#Acts.xxvii-p42.3
432. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=10&scrV=16#Acts.ix-p51.3
433. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=11&scrV=15#Acts.xxii-p51.1
434. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=16&scrV=2#iiPet.ii-p13.2
435. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=16&scrV=10#Acts.xviii-p29.4
436. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=17&scrV=6#Acts.viii-p42.3
437. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Kgs&scrCh=25&scrV=27#Acts.xxix-p23.4
438. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Chr&scrCh=8&scrV=12#Acts.x-p61.3
439. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Chr&scrCh=21&scrV=1#Eph.vii-p14.2
440. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Chr&scrCh=23&scrV=4#Rom.xiii-p18.4
441. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Chr&scrCh=29&scrV=13#Phm.ii-p8.3
442. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Chr&scrCh=29&scrV=14#Rom.xii-p31.2
443. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Chr&scrCh=29&scrV=18#Acts.ix-p49.4
444. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Acts.xxvii-p23.2
445. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=6&scrV=8#Rom.xvi-p45.1
446. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=7&scrV=21#Acts.vii-p32.2
447. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=19&scrV=7#Acts.xi-p32.3
448. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=20&scrV=4#Acts.xiii-p24.2
449. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=24&scrV=21#Heb.xii-p90.4
450. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=25&scrV=16#Acts.xxiii-p24.2
451. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=28&scrV=3#Acts.viii-p42.2
452. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=30&scrV=8#Rom.xi-p36.3
453. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Chr&scrCh=32&scrV=31#Rom.ix-p38.2
454. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezra&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Acts.xiv-p71.5
455. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezra&scrCh=2&scrV=33#Acts.x-p61.3
456. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezra&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Rom.xiii-p26.3
457. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezra&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Acts.xxv-p11.1
458. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezra&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Rom.xiv-p4.3
459. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezra&scrCh=4&scrV=19#Acts.xxv-p11.1
460. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezra&scrCh=8&scrV=22#Acts.xxiv-p33.3
461. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezra&scrCh=10&scrV=3#iCor.viii-p9.1
462. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Acts.xvi-p17.2
463. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=5&scrV=15#Col.iv-p23.3
464. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=5&scrV=15#Rom.iv-p19.3
465. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=7&scrV=2#Acts.xi-p22.3
466. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=8&scrV=2#Acts.xxi-p14.1
467. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=8&scrV=10#Phi.iv-p4.2
468. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=9&scrV=7#Acts.viii-p10.2
469. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=9&scrV=17#Acts.xiv-p37.3
470. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=9&scrV=20#Acts.iii-p30.1
471. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=11&scrV=16#Acts.vii-p11.4
472. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Neh&scrCh=11&scrV=16#Rom.xiii-p20.1
473. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Esth&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Acts.xix-p25.8
474. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Esth&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Acts.xiii-p24.2
475. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Esth&scrCh=9&scrV=1#Acts.xiii-p10.1
476. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Esth&scrCh=9&scrV=15#Acts.xx-p59.2
477. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Esth&scrCh=14&scrV=11#iCor.ii-p22.1
478. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Rom.vi-p7.4
479. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rom.vii-p5.5
480. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Rom.vii-p9.2
481. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Rom.viii-p4.2
482. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Acts.xxii-p20.2
483. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=4&scrV=18#Heb.viii-p20.2
484. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=4&scrV=18#iCor.iv-p16.4
485. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=5&scrV=9#Rom.xii-p29.12
486. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=5&scrV=13#iCor.iv-p16.6
487. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=5&scrV=27#Col.iv-p18.7
488. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=9&scrV=10#Rom.xii-p29.12
489. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=9&scrV=33#iTim.iii-p6.1
490. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=10&scrV=2#Heb.xiii-p25.2
491. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=11&scrV=7#Rom.ii-p31.1
492. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=11&scrV=8#Eph.iv-p13.3
493. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=12&scrV=2#Acts.xxii-p47.1
494. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=13&scrV=26#Acts.v-p38.11
495. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=13&scrV=26#Acts.iv-p27.3
496. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=14&scrV=2#iPet.ii-p58.1
497. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=14&scrV=4#Rom.iv-p25.4
498. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=14&scrV=14#Rom.ix-p29.6
499. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=14&scrV=15#Rom.ix-p16.2
500. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=14&scrV=17#Rom.iii-p8.3
501. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=15&scrV=4#Rom.iv-p19.4
502. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=16&scrV=9#Acts.viii-p56.1
503. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=17&scrV=8#Phi.ii-p22.1
504. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=17&scrV=14#Acts.xiv-p51.2
505. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=18&scrV=14#Acts.ii-p50.5
506. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=19&scrV=27#Acts.ii-p35.2
507. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=21&scrV=14#Rom.ii-p44.1
508. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=22&scrV=13#Acts.vi-p18.1
509. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=22&scrV=18#Acts.xv-p26.12
510. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=23&scrV=8#Rom.ii-p34.1
511. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=23&scrV=8#Rom.xii-p29.10
512. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=23&scrV=13#Rom.xii-p30.1
513. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=23&scrV=14#Acts.xviii-p42.2
514. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=24&scrV=13#Rom.iii-p14.4
515. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=26&scrV=14#Rom.xii-p29.13
516. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=27&scrV=7#Acts.xxvii-p47.4
517. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=27&scrV=8#iPet.ii-p17.2
518. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=28&scrV=12#Acts.iv-p11.1
519. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=30&scrV=5#Acts.xxii-p45.1
520. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=30&scrV=8#Acts.xxiii-p9.1
521. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=31&scrV=3#Acts.xiv-p59.6
522. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=31&scrV=17#Acts.xi-p23.6
523. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=31&scrV=20#Acts.x-p69.1
524. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=31&scrV=31#Acts.xxiv-p27.2
525. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=31&scrV=31#Acts.viii-p56.2
526. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=31&scrV=38#Rom.ix-p28.7
527. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=32&scrV=7#Acts.xvi-p13.2
528. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=32&scrV=8#Jam.ii-p21.3
529. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=32&scrV=18#Acts.v-p29.2
530. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=32&scrV=20#Acts.v-p29.2
531. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=32&scrV=20#Acts.x-p48.3
532. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=33&scrV=13#Rom.xii-p30.1
533. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=33&scrV=15#Acts.x-p9.1
534. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=33&scrV=20#Acts.xxviii-p27.8
535. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=34&scrV=17#Rom.iv-p8.2
536. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=34&scrV=17#Rom.iv-p9.3
537. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=34&scrV=18#Acts.xxiv-p11.5
538. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=34&scrV=19#Acts.xi-p32.3
539. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=34&scrV=32#Col.iv-p12.6
540. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=35&scrV=5#Acts.xviii-p47.5
541. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=35&scrV=10#Acts.xviii-p47.7
542. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=36&scrV=8#Acts.xvii-p44.1
543. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=36&scrV=22#iJo.iii-p37.6
544. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=38&scrV=1#Rom.xii-p29.20
545. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=38&scrV=17#Acts.iii-p41.6
546. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=38&scrV=22#Rom.iii-p8.4
547. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=38&scrV=28#Acts.xv-p26.3
548. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Job&scrCh=40&scrV=12#Acts.xiii-p34.2
549. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Rom.vi-p5.4
550. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iiTim.iii-p24.2
551. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Rom.ix-p41.2
552. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Acts.v-p37.2
553. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Acts.v-p25.1
554. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Acts.v-p40.2
555. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iCor.xvi-p21.3
556. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Heb.ii-p8.1
557. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Heb.ii-p17.1
558. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Heb.vi-p14.1
559. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Rev.xx-p16.1
560. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Rev.xx-p16.1
561. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Acts.xxiii-p4.1
562. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Ju.ii-p14.3
563. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Eph.v-p20.3
564. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Phm.ii-p6.4
565. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Rom.xvi-p28.3
566. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=5&scrV=9#Rom.iv-p17.3
567. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=7&scrV=11#Rom.iii-p8.6
568. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=8&scrV=4#Heb.iii-p13.1
569. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=8&scrV=4#Acts.xi-p17.6
570. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=9&scrV=10#iJo.iv-p37.3
571. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=9&scrV=10#iiPet.ii-p11.3
572. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=10&scrV=14#Acts.v-p40.5
573. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=10&scrV=17#Jam.v-p9.5
574. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Rom.xiv-p11.2
575. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=12&scrV=2#Rom.iv-p7.5
576. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=12&scrV=4#iiTim.iv-p5.5
577. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=12&scrV=4#Acts.x-p5.4
578. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=12&scrV=6#Rom.iv-p7.5
579. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=12&scrV=8#Rom.xiv-p11.2
580. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p12.4
581. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p12.5
582. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p12.6
583. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p12.7
584. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p12.8
585. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p12.11
586. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=4#Acts.xxiv-p27.3
587. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=4#Acts.x-p19.3
588. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=14&scrV=4#Rom.ix-p51.3
589. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=15&scrV=4#Acts.xxvi-p34.1
590. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=15&scrV=4#Rom.xiv-p3.1
591. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=1#Acts.iii-p42.12
592. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=3#Acts.x-p61.4
593. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=3#Rom.xvi-p43.2
594. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=3#iiPet.ii-p11.9
595. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=5#Rom.ix-p25.3
596. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=8#Acts.iii-p40.2
597. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=9#Rom.ix-p29.5
598. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=10#Acts.xiv-p52.1
599. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=10#iCor.xvi-p7.1
600. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=16&scrV=14#iCor.xi-p8.3
601. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=17&scrV=14#Acts.xv-p26.12
602. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=17&scrV=15#Rom.ix-p15.3
603. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=18&scrV=2#Heb.iii-p29.1
604. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=18&scrV=4#Acts.iii-p38.2
605. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=18&scrV=25#Acts.xi-p34.1
606. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=18&scrV=27#Jam.v-p6.2
607. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=18&scrV=49#Rom.xvi-p23.2
608. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=19&scrV=1#Rom.ii-p35.1
609. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=19&scrV=1#iTh.iii-p16.2
610. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=19&scrV=4#Rom.xi-p30.4
611. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=22&scrV=5#Rom.vi-p7.6
612. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=22&scrV=16#Acts.v-p11.3
613. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=22&scrV=22#Heb.iii-p28.1
614. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=22&scrV=22#Rom.xvi-p23.3
615. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=23&scrV=4#Acts.xix-p17.5
616. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=24&scrV=4#Rom.xii-p26.8
617. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=24&scrV=6#Rom.xii-p26.8
618. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=25&scrV=9#iCor.iv-p16.2
619. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=25&scrV=14#Rom.xii-p29.17
620. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=25&scrV=21#Ju.ii-p22.4
621. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=26&scrV=6#iTim.iii-p7.3
622. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=27&scrV=3#Acts.xiii-p12.2
623. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=27&scrV=4#Col.iv-p4.2
624. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=27&scrV=8#Eph.vii-p16.15
625. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=28&scrV=4#Acts.xiii-p33.1
626. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=29&scrV=3#Acts.xv-p26.8
627. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=32&scrV=1#Rom.v-p7.1
628. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=32&scrV=6#Rev.ix-p7.2
629. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=33&scrV=9#Heb.xii-p5.2
630. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=33&scrV=9#iiPet.iv-p10.9
631. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=33&scrV=15#Acts.xv-p20.2
632. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=33&scrV=15#Rom.xvi-p14.4
633. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=34&scrV=2#Rom.iii-p25.6
634. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=34&scrV=7#Acts.xiii-p12.1
635. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=34&scrV=9#iPet.ii-p55.5
636. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=34&scrV=10#Rom.ix-p47.3
637. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=34&scrV=12#iPet.iv-p19.2
638. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=34&scrV=16#Acts.xiv-p20.1
639. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=35&scrV=27#Rom.xiii-p26.4
640. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=36&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p19.2
641. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=36&scrV=6#Rom.xii-p29.3
642. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=36&scrV=8#Rom.xvi-p28.3
643. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=36&scrV=9#iCor.xiv-p21.3
644. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=37&scrV=4#Rom.xvi-p43.3
645. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=37&scrV=4#Phi.v-p8.2
646. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=37&scrV=13#Rom.iii-p21.3
647. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=37&scrV=16#iTim.vii-p9.1
648. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=37&scrV=19#Acts.xii-p39.2
649. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=37&scrV=21#Acts.xii-p39.2
650. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=37&scrV=21#Rom.xiv-p15.4
651. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=38&scrV=4#Rom.iv-p12.2
652. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=38&scrV=14#Rom.xiii-p31.11
653. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=39&scrV=1#Jam.iv-p5.2
654. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=39&scrV=4#iPet.ii-p49.2
655. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=39&scrV=5#Rom.iv-p7.4
656. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=39&scrV=6#iCor.viii-p25.3
657. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=39&scrV=12#iPet.ii-p48.2
658. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=40&scrV=6#Heb.xi-p12.1
659. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=40&scrV=6#Heb.xi-p8.1
660. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=40&scrV=7#Acts.v-p38.13
661. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=40&scrV=7#Acts.xvi-p24.5
662. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=41&scrV=1#Acts.x-p66.8
663. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=41&scrV=1#Acts.xii-p39.1
664. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=41&scrV=3#Acts.x-p66.8
665. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=41&scrV=9#Acts.ii-p50.2
666. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=44&scrV=22#Rom.ix-p51.2
667. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=45&scrV=6#Heb.ii-p23.1
668. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=45&scrV=7#Phm.ii-p40.5
669. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=45&scrV=12#Acts.xxii-p10.1
670. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=46&scrV=1#Acts.xxviii-p21.3
671. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=46&scrV=3#Acts.xxviii-p21.3
672. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=46&scrV=5#Acts.xxiv-p25.2
673. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=47&scrV=5#Acts.ii-p35.3
674. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=49&scrV=15#Rom.ix-p15.2
675. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=49&scrV=19#Acts.xiv-p53.8
676. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=49&scrV=20#Rom.ii-p42.2
677. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=50&scrV=6#Rom.iii-p8.9
678. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=50&scrV=8#Acts.xviii-p47.5
679. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=50&scrV=10#iTim.v-p8.4
680. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=50&scrV=16#Rom.iii-p30.2
681. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=50&scrV=16#Acts.xx-p33.2
682. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=50&scrV=18#Rom.iii-p30.2
683. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=50&scrV=18#Rom.iii-p30.5
684. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=50&scrV=21#Acts.xviii-p49.2
685. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=51&scrV=4#Rom.iv-p7.6
686. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=51&scrV=4#Rom.iv-p7.7
687. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=51&scrV=17#Acts.iii-p50.3
688. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=52&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p10.2
689. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=52&scrV=8#Rom.xii-p18.2
690. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=53&scrV=1#Rom.iv-p12.6
691. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=55&scrV=17#Acts.iv-p6.1
692. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=55&scrV=17#Acts.xi-p15.1
693. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=55&scrV=19#iiPet.iv-p8.3
694. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=57&scrV=2#Rom.ix-p38.1
695. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=58&scrV=3#Col.iv-p12.3
696. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=58&scrV=4#Acts.viii-p58.2
697. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=60&scrV=3#Acts.x-p41.5
698. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=62&scrV=9#Rom.iv-p7.3
699. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=63&scrV=2#iTim.iv-p11.2
700. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=63&scrV=2#iiPet.ii-p8.4
701. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=63&scrV=5#Rom.xvi-p28.3
702. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=63&scrV=9#Eph.v-p11.7
703. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=65&scrV=1#Rom.xii-p29.2
704. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=65&scrV=4#Rom.xvi-p28.3
705. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=65&scrV=5#Acts.xxviii-p21.1
706. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=65&scrV=7#Acts.xx-p62.2
707. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=65&scrV=9#Acts.xv-p26.7
708. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=66&scrV=10#Acts.xix-p17.4
709. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=66&scrV=16#Acts.xxii-p29.2
710. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=66&scrV=16#Acts.xiii-p27.1
711. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=66&scrV=16#Acts.xvi-p19.5
712. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=66&scrV=18#Jam.vi-p18.2
713. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=66&scrV=18#iJo.iv-p34.3
714. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=66&scrV=20#Acts.xiii-p27.1
715. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=67&scrV=4#Acts.ix-p18.6
716. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=67&scrV=4#Acts.xvii-p53.2
717. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=67&scrV=7#Acts.viii-p43.15
718. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=68&scrV=11#Acts.xiv-p72.2
719. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=68&scrV=18#Acts.iii-p44.2
720. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=68&scrV=18#Eph.v-p11.1
721. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=68&scrV=31#Acts.ix-p44.1
722. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=69&scrV=9#Rom.xvi-p9.1
723. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=69&scrV=10#Acts.xxii-p48.1
724. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=69&scrV=21#Acts.ii-p50.4
725. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=69&scrV=22#Rom.xii-p10.2
726. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=69&scrV=25#Acts.ii-p50.3
727. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=71&scrV=1#Rom.vi-p7.6
728. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=72&scrV=17#Acts.xiv-p53.6
729. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=73&scrV=2#Jam.vi-p8.5
730. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=75&scrV=2#Acts.iv-p28.2
731. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=76&scrV=10#Acts.v-p40.6
732. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=76&scrV=10#Acts.x-p12.2
733. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=76&scrV=10#Acts.xvii-p56.3
734. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=76&scrV=10#Acts.xxix-p45.1
735. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=77&scrV=19#Rom.xii-p29.9
736. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=78&scrV=18#Rom.xiv-p24.3
737. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=79&scrV=1#Acts.xxii-p50.2
738. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=82&scrV=1#Acts.xiii-p39.2
739. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=82&scrV=2#Acts.xi-p32.2
740. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=82&scrV=4#Acts.xxv-p38.2
741. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=82&scrV=6#Rom.xiv-p8.5
742. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=83&scrV=3#iCor.iii-p16.4
743. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=83&scrV=4#Acts.ix-p7.2
744. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=84&scrV=10#Acts.xviii-p5.2
745. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=84&scrV=11#Rom.vi-p6.1
746. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=84&scrV=11#iPet.vi-p11.1
747. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=84&scrV=11#iCor.iv-p18.2
748. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=84&scrV=11#iiTim.v-p31.3
749. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=87&scrV=1#iiPet.ii-p19.8
750. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=88&scrV=5#Acts.iii-p38.1
751. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=88&scrV=10#iCor.xvi-p42.5
752. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=88&scrV=15#Acts.iii-p38.1
753. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=1#Acts.xiv-p51.4
754. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=5#Acts.xiv-p51.4
755. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=20#Acts.xiv-p39.5
756. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=21#Acts.iii-p41.3
757. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=24#Acts.xiv-p51.4
758. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=29#Acts.xiv-p53.5
759. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=32#iiPet.ii-p11.8
760. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=33#Acts.xiv-p51.4
761. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=33#iCor.ii-p7.3
762. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=35#Acts.xiv-p51.5
763. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=36#Acts.xiv-p53.5
764. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=89&scrV=37#Acts.xiv-p53.5
765. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=91&scrV=11#Heb.ii-p29.1
766. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=94&scrV=1#Heb.xi-p30.2
767. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=94&scrV=11#iCor.iv-p16.8
768. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=94&scrV=19#Phi.v-p8.3
769. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=95&scrV=7#Heb.iv-p12.1
770. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=95&scrV=7#Heb.iv-p30.1
771. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=96&scrV=10#Rom.ix-p28.10
772. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=96&scrV=11#Acts.xvii-p53.2
773. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=97&scrV=2#Rom.xii-p29.10
774. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=97&scrV=7#Heb.ii-p19.1
775. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=98&scrV=7#Rom.ix-p28.10
776. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=101&scrV=6#Phm.ii-p26.2
777. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=101&scrV=6#Acts.xi-p10.4
778. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=102&scrV=4#Acts.xxviii-p27.3
779. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=102&scrV=8#Acts.xxiv-p27.1
780. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=102&scrV=25#Heb.ii-p24.1
781. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=104&scrV=3#Acts.ii-p33.4
782. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=104&scrV=4#Heb.ii-p21.1
783. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=104&scrV=24#Acts.xviii-p41.4
784. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=104&scrV=27#Acts.xviii-p41.4
785. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=104&scrV=34#Phi.v-p8.4
786. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=105&scrV=15#Ju.ii-p19.3
787. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=105&scrV=18#Acts.xvii-p38.8
788. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=105&scrV=20#Acts.viii-p18.2
789. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=105&scrV=39#iCor.xi-p5.1
790. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=106&scrV=20#Rom.ii-p38.3
791. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=106&scrV=46#Acts.xvii-p56.2
792. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=106&scrV=46#Acts.xxviii-p5.2
793. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=106&scrV=46#Acts.xxix-p23.2
794. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=107&scrV=14#Acts.xvii-p44.1
795. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=107&scrV=20#Acts.iv-p11.2
796. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=107&scrV=20#Acts.xv-p13.6
797. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=107&scrV=26#Acts.xxviii-p11.5
798. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=107&scrV=30#Acts.xxviii-p5.6
799. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=107&scrV=30#Acts.xxviii-p30.1
800. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=107&scrV=42#Rom.iv-p23.4
801. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=108&scrV=1#Acts.xii-p28.3
802. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=109&scrV=4#Acts.xxv-p34.2
803. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=109&scrV=4#Acts.xxii-p48.1
804. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=109&scrV=8#Acts.ii-p50.6
805. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=109&scrV=17#Rom.iv-p17.5
806. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=1#Heb.ii-p28.1
807. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=1#Heb.xi-p16.2
808. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=1#Acts.iii-p42.10
809. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=1#Eph.ii-p14.3
810. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=2#Acts.iii-p47.1
811. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=3#Acts.xii-p22.4
812. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=4#Heb.vi-p14.2
813. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=4#Heb.vi-p21.1
814. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=4#Heb.viii-p3.1
815. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=110&scrV=4#Heb.viii-p4.2
816. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=112&scrV=9#Rom.xvi-p48.8
817. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=112&scrV=9#iiCor.x-p10.4
818. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=112&scrV=10#Acts.v-p7.2
819. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=112&scrV=10#Acts.viii-p56.4
820. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=115&scrV=1#Rom.xvi-p36.2
821. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=115&scrV=1#Rom.x-p21.7
822. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=115&scrV=1#iCor.v-p9.2
823. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=115&scrV=5#iCor.xiii-p5.3
824. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=116&scrV=10#Rom.xiii-p19.3
825. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=116&scrV=10#iiCor.v-p11.2
826. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=116&scrV=11#Rom.iv-p7.2
827. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=116&scrV=11#Phi.iii-p17.3
828. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=116&scrV=16#iiPet.ii-p4.1
829. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=117&scrV=1#Rom.xvi-p23.8
830. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=118&scrV=12#Acts.v-p11.4
831. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=118&scrV=12#Acts.xxvi-p6.3
832. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=11#iiTim.ii-p13.3
833. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=11#Eph.vii-p16.13
834. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=18#iiPet.ii-p8.8
835. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=32#iJo.vi-p4.4
836. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=49#Rom.xvi-p26.1
837. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=49#Rom.ix-p27.2
838. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=60#Acts.ix-p57.2
839. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=62#Acts.xvii-p42.2
840. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=63#Rom.xiii-p28.7
841. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=79#Acts.iv-p5.2
842. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=113#iiPet.iv-p28.2
843. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=115#Acts.iii-p57.4
844. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=175#Acts.vi-p35.2
845. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=119&scrV=176#Tit.iv-p6.1
846. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=120&scrV=7#Rom.xiii-p29.6
847. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=125&scrV=3#iPet.v-p31.2
848. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=126&scrV=1#Acts.xiii-p10.4
849. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=126&scrV=1#Acts.xiii-p16.2
850. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=126&scrV=2#Acts.xi-p36.3
851. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=131&scrV=1#Rom.xiii-p28.4
852. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=131&scrV=1#Rom.xiii-p14.3
853. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=132&scrV=11#Acts.iii-p42.6
854. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=132&scrV=11#Acts.xiv-p41.2
855. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=132&scrV=11#Rom.ii-p7.5
856. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=135&scrV=6#Acts.xvi-p24.2
857. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=135&scrV=7#Acts.iii-p8.3
858. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=135&scrV=7#Acts.xxviii-p11.2
859. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=138&scrV=2#Acts.xiv-p70.1
860. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=138&scrV=8#Ju.ii-p5.7
861. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=139&scrV=6#Rom.xii-p29.6
862. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=139&scrV=9#Acts.xxviii-p21.2
863. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=139&scrV=13#Acts.xviii-p43.2
864. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=139&scrV=15#Col.iv-p10.1
865. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=139&scrV=15#Rom.ii-p34.1
866. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=139&scrV=15#Eph.v-p11.6
867. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=139&scrV=20#Jam.vi-p13.1
868. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=139&scrV=23#iiPet.ii-p14.3
869. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=140&scrV=3#Rom.iv-p12.9
870. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=140&scrV=3#Rom.iv-p17.3
871. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=143&scrV=2#Rom.iv-p25.5
872. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=143&scrV=7#Acts.vi-p35.3
873. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=145&scrV=9#Acts.xv-p26.4
874. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=145&scrV=10#Rom.xii-p32.4
875. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=145&scrV=10#iPet.v-p19.4
876. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=147&scrV=5#iCor.iv-p16.5
877. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=147&scrV=19#Rom.x-p8.7
878. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=147&scrV=20#Rom.ii-p30.1
879. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=147&scrV=20#Rom.iii-p17.3
880. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=147&scrV=20#Rom.iv-p5.5
881. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=148&scrV=8#Acts.xxviii-p11.3
882. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ps&scrCh=149&scrV=5#Acts.xvii-p42.3
883. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Col.iii-p11.5
884. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Rom.iv-p18.2
885. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Acts.xiv-p65.2
886. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Rom.xi-p36.2
887. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Tit.iii-p8.1
888. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Rom.xiii-p28.11
889. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Acts.iv-p11.1
890. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=3&scrV=27#Rom.xiv-p16.8
891. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=3&scrV=34#Jam.v-p6.3
892. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=3&scrV=34#iPet.vi-p10.4
893. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=4&scrV=18#iiPet.ii-p23.3
894. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=4&scrV=23#Rom.xiii-p9.2
895. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Acts.x-p66.2
896. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=6&scrV=33#iTh.v-p10.4
897. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=7&scrV=13#iTh.vi-p26.3
898. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=7&scrV=15#Rom.xiv-p16.5
899. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=7&scrV=18#Rom.xiv-p16.5
900. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=8&scrV=15#Rom.xiv-p8.1
901. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=8&scrV=22#Col.ii-p18.11
902. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=8&scrV=23#Col.ii-p18.5
903. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=8&scrV=34#Acts.xvii-p23.3
904. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=9&scrV=12#Jam.ii-p20.2
905. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=10&scrV=4#iCor.xvii-p7.1
906. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=10&scrV=7#Rom.xiii-p25.5
907. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=10&scrV=22#iCor.xvii-p7.1
908. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=10&scrV=28#Rom.vi-p7.5
909. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=11&scrV=15#Phm.ii-p30.1
910. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=11&scrV=31#iPet.v-p30.2
911. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=13&scrV=10#iCor.ii-p11.1
912. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=13&scrV=12#Rom.ix-p27.3
913. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=13&scrV=20#iCor.xvi-p26.2
914. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=14&scrV=8#Rom.xvii-p22.3
915. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=14&scrV=10#Rom.xvi-p23.6
916. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=14&scrV=15#iCor.xiv-p16.1
917. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=15&scrV=8#Tit.ii-p32.2
918. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=15&scrV=8#Rom.ix-p9.7
919. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=16&scrV=4#Rev.v-p16.1
920. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=16&scrV=4#Rom.x-p23.3
921. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=16&scrV=9#Rom.xvi-p43.6
922. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=16&scrV=33#Acts.ii-p54.6
923. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=16&scrV=33#Acts.v-p38.10
924. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=17&scrV=5#iPet.iii-p32.1
925. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=17&scrV=9#Tit.iv-p4.3
926. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=18&scrV=19#iCor.vii-p4.2
927. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=18&scrV=23#Rom.xiii-p6.5
928. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=19&scrV=2#Col.iv-p14.4
929. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=19&scrV=19#Phm.ii-p25.2
930. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=19&scrV=21#Rom.xvi-p43.6
931. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=20&scrV=22#iPet.iv-p18.1
932. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=20&scrV=27#iJo.iv-p33.2
933. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=21&scrV=4#Tit.ii-p32.3
934. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=2#Ju.ii-p22.3
935. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=5#iTim.vii-p24.1
936. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=5#iCor.viii-p24.1
937. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=7#Rom.ix-p9.1
938. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=23#iTim.iv-p13.3
939. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=29#Rom.xiv-p23.5
940. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=29#Rom.xiv-p23.7
941. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=30#Rom.xiv-p23.6
942. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=33#Rom.xiv-p23.8
943. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=23&scrV=35#Acts.iii-p26.2
944. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=24&scrV=11#Acts.xxviii-p28.2
945. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=24&scrV=23#Acts.xi-p32.1
946. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=24&scrV=26#Acts.xxiv-p8.7
947. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=25&scrV=14#Acts.vi-p9.2
948. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=25&scrV=19#Acts.xvi-p53.4
949. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=25&scrV=21#Rom.xiii-p34.2
950. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=26&scrV=4#Col.v-p7.4
951. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=27&scrV=1#Rom.xvi-p45.3
952. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=27&scrV=9#Acts.xxviii-p27.1
953. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=27&scrV=19#Acts.xv-p20.3
954. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=28&scrV=1#iTim.iv-p8.10
955. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=28&scrV=1#iiPet.ii-p11.2
956. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=28&scrV=9#iJo.iv-p34.3
957. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=28&scrV=12#Rom.xii-p7.4
958. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=28&scrV=23#iiCor.viii-p9.3
959. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=28&scrV=24#Tit.iii-p16.1
960. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=29&scrV=10#Acts.viii-p71.1
961. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=29&scrV=10#Acts.xv-p4.1
962. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=30&scrV=4#Acts.iii-p8.4
963. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=30&scrV=8#iTim.vii-p11.2
964. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=31&scrV=1#Tit.iii-p7.4
965. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=31&scrV=6#iTim.vi-p16.2
966. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=31&scrV=8#Acts.xxiv-p31.3
967. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=31&scrV=19#Acts.x-p69.5
968. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=31&scrV=20#Rom.xvi-p48.5
969. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=31&scrV=26#Tit.iii-p7.4
970. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Prov&scrCh=31&scrV=26#Jam.v-p12.2
971. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Acts.ix-p53.4
972. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Rom.xii-p32.3
973. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=2&scrV=24#Acts.xv-p26.11
974. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Acts.xviii-p42.3
975. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Acts.xxiv-p9.1
976. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Acts.xix-p25.5
977. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Acts.xxiv-p9.2
978. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Acts.viii-p33.1
979. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Jam.iv-p6.2
980. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Ju.ii-p25.2
981. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=5&scrV=12#Heb.v-p13.2
982. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Acts.xxviii-p12.6
983. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=5&scrV=15#iTim.vii-p10.2
984. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=6&scrV=2#Acts.xxviii-p27.4
985. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Acts.xxvii-p48.5
986. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Rom.ix-p33.1
987. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=7&scrV=14#Rom.ix-p38.3
988. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=7&scrV=21#Acts.x-p69.2
989. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=7&scrV=23#Rom.iv-p14.3
990. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=8&scrV=11#Rom.iii-p7.2
991. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=8&scrV=11#iiPet.iv-p8.2
992. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=9&scrV=17#Jam.ii-p25.2
993. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=9&scrV=17#Acts.xx-p56.1
994. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=10&scrV=1#Rom.xv-p32.3
995. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=10&scrV=1#Rom.ii-p13.4
996. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=10&scrV=4#Rom.xiii-p31.7
997. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=10&scrV=8#Acts.xxix-p7.3
998. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=10&scrV=20#Acts.xxiv-p30.2
999. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=10&scrV=20#Acts.xxiv-p11.8
1000. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=10&scrV=20#Rom.xiv-p4.1
1001. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=11&scrV=2#Acts.xii-p39.4
1002. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=11&scrV=2#Gal.vii-p12.3
1003. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=11&scrV=6#iiTim.v-p6.1
1004. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=11&scrV=9#Acts.xx-p61.2
1005. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=11&scrV=15#Rom.ii-p34.1
1006. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=12&scrV=5#iJo.iii-p23.2
1007. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=12&scrV=7#Rom.xiii-p5.3
1008. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=12&scrV=7#Phi.iv-p29.3
1009. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eccl&scrCh=12&scrV=9#Acts.ii-p5.2
1010. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Song&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Acts.xxiv-p8.6
1011. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Song&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Rev.viii-p10.1
1012. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Song&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Acts.x-p13.6
1013. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Song&scrCh=7&scrV=12#Acts.xvi-p52.1
1014. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Acts.xviii-p45.2
1015. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Rom.x-p37.1
1016. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Acts.xxiv-p11.4
1017. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=16#iTim.v-p11.2
1018. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Acts.vii-p8.2
1019. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Acts.xix-p6.1
1020. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Rom.xiii-p8.5
1021. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Acts.xxiv-p26.1
1022. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=1&scrV=23#Acts.xxiv-p11.4
1023. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Acts.iii-p6.2
1024. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Rom.xii-p26.2
1025. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=2&scrV=20#Acts.xx-p37.4
1026. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Rev.v-p11.1
1027. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=6&scrV=3#Acts.viii-p43.13
1028. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=6&scrV=9#Rom.xii-p9.1
1029. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=6&scrV=9#Acts.xxix-p36.1
1030. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=6&scrV=13#Rom.x-p37.3
1031. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=6&scrV=13#iCor.viii-p13.4
1032. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=7&scrV=13#Acts.vi-p11.1
1033. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=11#Acts.xii-p22.6
1034. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=12#Acts.xxviii-p22.2
1035. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=12#iPet.iv-p21.5
1036. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=13#iPet.iii-p15.2
1037. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=14#iPet.iii-p10.1
1038. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=14#Rom.x-p41.3
1039. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=18#Heb.iii-p30.1
1040. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=19#Acts.xv-p13.7
1041. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=8&scrV=20#Rom.v-p5.3
1042. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=9&scrV=3#Acts.vii-p6.1
1043. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=9&scrV=6#Tit.iii-p28.5
1044. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=10&scrV=12#iPet.v-p29.1
1045. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=10&scrV=22#Rom.x-p35.1
1046. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=11&scrV=1#Rom.xvi-p23.11
1047. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=11&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p11.5
1048. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=11&scrV=5#Eph.vii-p16.4
1049. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=11&scrV=6#Acts.x-p47.1
1050. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=11&scrV=10#Rom.xvi-p23.10
1051. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=16&scrV=3#Jam.ii-p5.3
1052. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=17&scrV=1#Rom.vi-p12.5
1053. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=18&scrV=10#iTh.iii-p11.5
1054. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=19&scrV=4#Rom.ii-p42.3
1055. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=20&scrV=3#Acts.xxii-p19.4
1056. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=20&scrV=4#Acts.ix-p53.2
1057. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=21&scrV=9#Rev.xix-p3.2
1058. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=21&scrV=9#Rev.xix-p3.4
1059. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=21&scrV=12#Acts.xvii-p48.2
1060. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=22&scrV=13#iCor.xvi-p25.2
1061. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=23&scrV=18#Acts.xxii-p7.2
1062. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=24&scrV=23#Acts.ii-p34.3
1063. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=24&scrV=23#Acts.x-p13.8
1064. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=24&scrV=23#Acts.xxvii-p23.1
1065. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=25&scrV=7#Acts.xv-p25.4
1066. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=25&scrV=8#iCor.xvi-p40.1
1067. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=25&scrV=9#iCor.iii-p11.2
1068. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=26&scrV=3#Phi.v-p11.3
1069. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=26&scrV=11#Acts.xvii-p62.3
1070. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=26&scrV=11#Acts.xxix-p36.7
1071. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=26&scrV=12#Rom.xvi-p40.2
1072. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=26&scrV=12#Phi.iii-p12.2
1073. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=26&scrV=21#Acts.viii-p65.4
1074. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=27&scrV=4#Rom.iii-p8.8
1075. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=27&scrV=4#Rom.iii-p14.5
1076. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=27&scrV=4#Rom.vi-p4.2
1077. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=27&scrV=9#Rom.xii-p26.11
1078. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=28&scrV=10#Heb.vi-p27.2
1079. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=28&scrV=11#iCor.xv-p21.2
1080. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=28&scrV=16#iPet.iii-p10.1
1081. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=28&scrV=16#iPet.iii-p13.1
1082. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=28&scrV=16#Rom.x-p41.3
1083. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=28&scrV=16#Rom.xi-p20.10
1084. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=29&scrV=10#Rom.xii-p9.1
1085. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=29&scrV=10#Acts.xxix-p36.12
1086. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=29&scrV=14#iCor.ii-p19.1
1087. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=30&scrV=10#Acts.xxiii-p24.1
1088. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=30&scrV=22#Jam.ii-p26.2
1089. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=30&scrV=22#Acts.xx-p37.3
1090. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=32&scrV=4#Acts.iii-p14.5
1091. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=32&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p33.2
1092. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=32&scrV=8#Acts.x-p66.3
1093. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=32&scrV=15#Acts.ii-p13.2
1094. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=32&scrV=17#Rom.xv-p19.7
1095. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=33&scrV=14#Acts.xxviii-p22.3
1096. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=33&scrV=15#Acts.ix-p36.1
1097. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=35&scrV=1#Acts.xv-p13.10
1098. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=35&scrV=6#Acts.iv-p12.4
1099. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=35&scrV=6#Acts.xv-p13.10
1100. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=35&scrV=8#Rom.xi-p15.1
1101. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=37&scrV=17#Acts.v-p40.4
1102. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=37&scrV=22#Acts.v-p40.3
1103. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=37&scrV=22#Acts.viii-p63.2
1104. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=38&scrV=15#Heb.xii-p87.1
1105. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=38&scrV=17#Jam.vi-p16.4
1106. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=38&scrV=22#Acts.vi-p35.4
1107. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=39&scrV=8#Acts.xxix-p36.3
1108. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=40&scrV=1#Rom.ix-p1.1
1109. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=40&scrV=6#iPet.ii-p58.1
1110. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=40&scrV=11#Heb.xiv-p37.2
1111. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=40&scrV=13#Rom.xii-p29.19
1112. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=40&scrV=18#Rom.ii-p38.6
1113. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=40&scrV=26#Rom.ii-p35.1
1114. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=41&scrV=2#Acts.viii-p12.4
1115. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=41&scrV=10#Acts.xix-p17.5
1116. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=41&scrV=21#Acts.vii-p25.3
1117. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=41&scrV=21#Acts.xix-p6.2
1118. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=42&scrV=1#Acts.v-p38.4
1119. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=42&scrV=7#Acts.x-p44.2
1120. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=42&scrV=21#Acts.xiv-p70.2
1121. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=43&scrV=2#iiPet.iii-p10.1
1122. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=43&scrV=3#Acts.xxi-p44.2
1123. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=43&scrV=3#Acts.xiv-p36.2
1124. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=3#Tit.iv-p15.2
1125. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=3#Acts.ii-p13.2
1126. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=3#Acts.iii-p56.2
1127. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=3#Acts.iv-p31.6
1128. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=3#Acts.xx-p11.3
1129. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=10#Rom.ii-p38.6
1130. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=22#Acts.iv-p27.2
1131. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=26#Acts.ii-p16.3
1132. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=44&scrV=26#Acts.xxviii-p28.6
1133. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=1#Rom.iii-p25.6
1134. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=1#Acts.xiii-p17.3
1135. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=4#Acts.v-p17.4
1136. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=4#Acts.x-p18.1
1137. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=9#Rom.iii-p14.2
1138. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=15#Acts.xviii-p35.1
1139. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=15#Rom.iii-p25.6
1140. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=19#Acts.xv-p13.8
1141. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=23#Rom.xv-p15.4
1142. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=45&scrV=24#Phi.iv-p13.4
1143. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=46&scrV=1#Rom.ix-p28.5
1144. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=46&scrV=10#Acts.ii-p28.2
1145. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=48&scrV=17#Acts.xxi-p27.2
1146. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=49&scrV=2#Acts.xiv-p19.3
1147. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=49&scrV=5#Rom.iv-p7.1
1148. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=49&scrV=5#iiCor.iii-p13.2
1149. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=50&scrV=4#iTim.vii-p4.5
1150. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=50&scrV=7#Acts.v-p43.8
1151. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=50&scrV=7#Acts.v-p20.2
1152. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=51&scrV=1#Acts.viii-p12.3
1153. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=51&scrV=13#Acts.viii-p63.3
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1159. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=52&scrV=7#Rom.xi-p26.2
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1171. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=53&scrV=9#Heb.vi-p14.5
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1176. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=53&scrV=11#Phi.iv-p10.3
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1181. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=55&scrV=3#Acts.xiv-p51.3
1182. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=55&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p8.3
1183. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=55&scrV=10#Rom.x-p10.3
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1186. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=57&scrV=6#Acts.xvii-p15.2
1187. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=57&scrV=15#Jam.v-p9.4
1188. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=58&scrV=2#Rom.viii-p15.7
1189. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=58&scrV=6#Acts.xi-p8.2
1190. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=58&scrV=7#Acts.x-p69.3
1191. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=58&scrV=10#iiCor.x-p8.5
1192. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=59&scrV=7#Rom.iv-p12.10
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1194. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=59&scrV=14#Acts.xix-p25.6
1195. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=59&scrV=20#Rom.xii-p26.1
1196. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=59&scrV=21#Acts.iii-p56.3
1197. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=59&scrV=21#Rom.xi-p16.2
1198. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=59&scrV=21#Rom.xii-p26.9
1199. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=60&scrV=1#Acts.v-p46.2
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1203. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=61&scrV=1#Acts.x-p44.1
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1205. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=62&scrV=2#Acts.xii-p34.4
1206. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=62&scrV=6#Tit.iv-p3.1
1207. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=62&scrV=6#iiPet.ii-p16.1
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1213. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=65&scrV=1#Acts.ix-p48.1
1214. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=65&scrV=1#Rom.x-p21.6
1215. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=65&scrV=1#Rom.x-p40.1
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1218. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=65&scrV=5#Acts.xvi-p16.4
1219. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=65&scrV=10#Acts.x-p63.2
1220. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=65&scrV=15#Acts.xii-p34.5
1221. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=65&scrV=17#iiPet.iv-p23.2
1222. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=65&scrV=24#Acts.xiii-p24.3
1223. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=66&scrV=1#Acts.xviii-p47.3
1224. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=66&scrV=1#Acts.viii-p43.17
1225. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=66&scrV=5#Acts.xxiii-p9.3
1226. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=66&scrV=5#Acts.xxvii-p17.2
1227. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=66&scrV=5#Rom.xi-p6.2
1228. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Isa&scrCh=66&scrV=22#iiPet.iv-p23.2
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1231. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Rom.viii-p10.4
1232. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=5&scrV=4#Acts.xxiii-p30.9
1233. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=5&scrV=11#Acts.vi-p8.2
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1238. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=9&scrV=20#Acts.xxi-p15.1
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1240. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=9&scrV=26#Acts.viii-p46.3
1241. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=10&scrV=23#Rom.xvi-p43.6
1242. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=11&scrV=16#Rom.xii-p18.5
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1246. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=13&scrV=1#Acts.xxii-p19.5
1247. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=13&scrV=11#Acts.xvi-p22.2
1248. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=13&scrV=11#Eph.vii-p16.5
1249. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=14&scrV=22#Acts.xv-p22.1
1250. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=14&scrV=22#Acts.xv-p26.2
1251. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=15&scrV=10#Rom.xiii-p29.5
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1259. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=20&scrV=2#Acts.xvii-p38.7
1260. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=20&scrV=3#Acts.xxv-p45.1
1261. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=20&scrV=4#Rev.xii-p12.4
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1281. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=31&scrV=31#Heb.ix-p11.1
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1291. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jer&scrCh=51&scrV=9#Acts.xix-p12.2
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1295. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Lam&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Acts.xiv-p59.5
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1304. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=7&scrV=19#Acts.xv-p26.14
1305. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=8&scrV=17#Rom.iii-p8.2
1306. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=9&scrV=6#iPet.v-p29.1
1307. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=10&scrV=13#Rom.ix-p38.4
1308. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=11&scrV=16#Jam.ii-p5.2
1309. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=11&scrV=19#Rom.xiii-p9.5
1310. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Acts.xxii-p19.6
1311. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=14&scrV=18#Acts.xxviii-p22.4
1312. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=14&scrV=21#Rev.vii-p9.2
1313. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=16&scrV=4#Acts.viii-p25.2
1314. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=20&scrV=25#Rom.xiii-p11.2
1315. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=27&scrV=17#Acts.xiii-p36.1
1316. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=28&scrV=2#Acts.xiii-p42.1
1317. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=33&scrV=6#Acts.xxi-p38.2
1318. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=33&scrV=8#Acts.xix-p11.5
1319. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=33&scrV=11#iTim.iii-p5.2
1320. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=33&scrV=11#Jam.ii-p20.4
1321. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=33&scrV=31#Tit.ii-p33.2
1322. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=33&scrV=31#Acts.xxviii-p6.5
1323. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=34&scrV=16#Acts.iii-p54.2
1324. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=36&scrV=22#Rom.iii-p31.4
1325. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=36&scrV=26#iiCor.iv-p5.2
1326. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=36&scrV=26#Rom.xiii-p9.5
1327. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=36&scrV=27#Acts.ix-p29.7
1328. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=36&scrV=37#Acts.ix-p29.8
1329. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=36&scrV=37#Rom.xi-p23.1
1330. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=37&scrV=9#Acts.iii-p8.6
1331. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=38&scrV=2#Rev.xxi-p8.3
1332. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=38&scrV=22#Rev.xxi-p8.5
1333. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Ezek&scrCh=40&scrV=3#Rev.xii-p3.1
1334. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Acts.xi-p26.3
1335. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Heb.xii-p85.3
1336. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=4&scrV=30#Acts.xiii-p34.1
1337. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=5&scrV=23#Acts.xviii-p41.2
1338. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Acts.iv-p6.1
1339. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=6&scrV=22#Heb.xii-p84.3
1340. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=7&scrV=1#Rev.xiv-p3.1
1341. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=7&scrV=9#iTim.ii-p21.1
1342. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=7&scrV=13#Acts.ii-p33.6
1343. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=7&scrV=14#iCor.xvi-p21.14
1344. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=7&scrV=25#Rev.xiii-p16.2
1345. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=9&scrV=2#iPet.ii-p36.1
1346. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=9&scrV=3#Acts.ii-p11.1
1347. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=9&scrV=20#Acts.xiii-p24.4
1348. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=9&scrV=24#Rom.ii-p23.2
1349. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=9&scrV=25#Acts.iii-p45.3
1350. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=9&scrV=26#iJo.iii-p27.2
1351. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=9&scrV=26#iCor.xvi-p7.1
1352. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=9&scrV=27#Rom.xvi-p20.5
1353. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=10&scrV=4#Acts.xvii-p15.4
1354. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=10&scrV=16#Acts.x-p30.2
1355. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=10&scrV=20#Acts.xvii-p12.2
1356. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=10&scrV=21#Acts.v-p38.12
1357. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=10&scrV=21#Acts.xvi-p24.4
1358. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Dan&scrCh=12&scrV=2#Acts.xxv-p31.3
1359. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iPet.iii-p19.1
1360. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Rom.xvi-p22.1
1361. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=1&scrV=9#iPet.iii-p19.1
1362. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Acts.xxii-p47.3
1363. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Rom.xvi-p22.1
1364. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Rom.x-p33.1
1365. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Rom.x-p33.2
1366. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=2&scrV=2#iTim.vi-p3.3
1367. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=2&scrV=14#Rom.iii-p7.3
1368. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=2&scrV=21#Acts.xv-p26.5
1369. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=2&scrV=23#Rom.xvi-p22.1
1370. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=2&scrV=23#Rom.x-p33.1
1371. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Heb.viii-p1.1
1372. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Acts.xvi-p23.8
1373. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Rom.xii-p19.14
1374. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=5&scrV=4#Rom.xiii-p9.6
1375. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=5&scrV=15#iPet.iv-p27.2
1376. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Acts.x-p43.3
1377. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=6&scrV=2#iCor.xvi-p7.1
1378. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=7&scrV=1#Rom.ii-p38.8
1379. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=8&scrV=12#iJo.iii-p36.2
1380. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=9&scrV=7#iJo.v-p4.1
1381. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=9&scrV=7#Acts.xxvii-p42.3
1382. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=10&scrV=2#Acts.vi-p4.2
1383. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=11&scrV=4#Rom.iii-p7.4
1384. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=12&scrV=5#Acts.xxi-p26.5
1385. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=12&scrV=13#Acts.iv-p30.3
1386. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=13&scrV=6#Jam.vi-p6.3
1387. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=13&scrV=9#Rom.x-p25.2
1388. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=14&scrV=6#Rom.xii-p18.2
1389. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=14&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p8.2
1390. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hos&scrCh=14&scrV=8#Acts.xv-p22.3
1391. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Joel&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Acts.iii-p50.2
1392. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Joel&scrCh=2&scrV=28#Tit.iv-p15.3
1393. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Joel&scrCh=2&scrV=28#Acts.ii-p13.2
1394. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Joel&scrCh=2&scrV=28#Acts.xxii-p18.2
1395. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Joel&scrCh=2&scrV=32#Rom.xi-p24.2
1396. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Acts.x-p10.1
1397. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Acts.iv-p30.1
1398. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Acts.xix-p28.7
1399. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Acts.x-p19.2
1400. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Rom.xii-p19.11
1401. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Acts.xxix-p7.2
1402. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Acts.xxix-p10.2
1403. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=5&scrV=25#Acts.viii-p40.3
1404. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=6&scrV=6#Acts.xix-p25.7
1405. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Amos&scrCh=9&scrV=11#Acts.xvi-p23.4
1406. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jonah&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Acts.iii-p8.9
1407. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jonah&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Acts.xvii-p45.3
1408. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jonah&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Acts.xxviii-p20.1
1409. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jonah&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Acts.xi-p28.2
1410. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iPet.iv-p27.2
1411. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Acts.xxiv-p25.1
1412. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Rom.xiv-p16.7
1413. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Acts.vii-p23.2
1414. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Acts.xiv-p19.1
1415. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=4&scrV=7#iCor.xvi-p21.15
1416. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Acts.xxiv-p8.3
1417. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=6&scrV=8#Rom.xiii-p11.1
1418. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mic&scrCh=7&scrV=18#iiCor.ii-p8.3
1419. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Nah&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Acts.iii-p8.8
1420. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Nah&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iCor.xi-p18.3
1421. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Nah&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Rom.xi-p26.3
1422. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Acts.xiv-p59.2
1423. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Heb.xi-p36.4
1424. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Rom.ii-p23.4
1425. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Gal.iv-p13.2
1426. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Rom.ix-p28.6
1427. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Rom.ii-p38.9
1428. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Acts.viii-p43.14
1429. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Col.iii-p7.2
1430. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hab&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Phm.ii-p6.3
1431. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zeph&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iPet.iv-p18.2
1432. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zeph&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Acts.xii-p14.2
1433. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zeph&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Rom.iii-p25.5
1434. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zeph&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rom.ix-p57.4
1435. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Hag&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Acts.v-p43.4
1436. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Heb.v-p16.4
1437. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Rev.ix-p5.1
1438. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Acts.viii-p65.3
1439. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Rev.xiii-p12.2
1440. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=4&scrV=2#Rev.xii-p11.1
1441. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Acts.ii-p37.5
1442. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=4&scrV=13#Acts.ix-p51.2
1443. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Heb.x-p5.3
1444. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=7&scrV=11#Acts.xxix-p36.8
1445. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=8&scrV=6#Acts.xxvii-p13.3
1446. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=9&scrV=11#Acts.xiii-p17.4
1447. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=9&scrV=12#Acts.xvii-p42.4
1448. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=10&scrV=12#Acts.iv-p12.3
1449. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=11&scrV=8#Rom.ii-p46.1
1450. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=11&scrV=8#Rom.vi-p12.8
1451. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Acts.ii-p15.4
1452. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Acts.v-p25.4
1453. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Acts.xvii-p62.4
1454. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Zech&scrCh=14&scrV=4#Acts.ii-p37.4
1455. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Rom.x-p16.2
1456. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Rom.xvi-p34.8
1457. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Rom.xii-p10.5
1458. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Acts.ix-p54.2
1459. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Acts.xxv-p4.2
1460. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Acts.xviii-p40.2
1461. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Rom.viii-p7.3
1462. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Phi.iii-p8.6
1463. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Rom.iii-p30.6
1464. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Acts.xxiv-p15.3
1465. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=3&scrV=16#iPet.v-p19.4
1466. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Rev.xxiii-p9.7
1467. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Acts.xvi-p28.2
1468. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=4&scrV=5#iiPet.iv-p20.1
1469. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Mal&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Acts.iv-p31.4
1470. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Phm.ii-p40.3
1471. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Acts.iv-p31.7
1472. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Rom.xii-p26.4
1473. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=2&scrV=23#Acts.xxv-p14.2
1474. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Rom.xv-p19.1
1475. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Rom.iii-p25.2
1476. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Col.ii-p8.4
1477. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Acts.xxvii-p35.1
1478. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Rom.x-p13.3
1479. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Rom.xii-p19.8
1480. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Acts.ii-p16.2
1481. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Col.ii-p17.9
1482. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=17#iJo.vi-p21.1
1483. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Acts.xiv-p49.2
1484. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rom.iv-p30.3
1485. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rom.vi-p16.3
1486. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Eph.ii-p8.7
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1488. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Eph.vii-p16.12
1489. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Eph.vii-p16.12
1490. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Eph.vii-p16.12
1491. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Ju.ii-p20.3
1492. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Rom.vii-p3.4
1493. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Eph.vii-p16.12
1494. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Rom.x-p21.5
1495. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Acts.ii-p6.3
1496. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Rom.xv-p19.1
1497. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=10#iPet.iv-p21.3
1498. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=10#iJo.iv-p13.1
1499. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=11#Acts.vi-p57.2
1500. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=11#Phi.ii-p37.3
1501. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=12#iTh.iii-p19.2
1502. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=16#iPet.v-p19.1
1503. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Phi.iii-p14.5
1504. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=22#Jam.iii-p21.2
1505. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=23#iJo.iv-p37.8
1506. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=25#iPet.iv-p27.4
1507. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=28#iCor.vii-p19.2
1508. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=32#iCor.viii-p10.3
1509. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=38#Rom.xiii-p31.5
1510. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=39#Rom.xiii-p31.8
1511. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=44#iTim.ii-p9.2
1512. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=44#iPet.iv-p18.3
1513. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=44#Rom.xiii-p32.1
1514. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=44#Acts.xv-p26.13
1515. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=45#iJo.v-p12.2
1516. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=5&scrV=45#Rom.xiii-p31.2
1517. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=6#Rom.ii-p14.3
1518. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=8#Rom.ix-p35.2
1519. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Col.iv-p17.6
1520. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=14#iJo.iv-p37.7
1521. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=14#iPet.v-p15.5
1522. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=24#Jam.v-p5.2
1523. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=25#iPet.vi-p11.1
1524. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=25#Phi.v-p10.2
1525. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=6&scrV=31#Rom.xiv-p24.2
1526. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=7&scrV=1#Jam.v-p12.4
1527. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=7&scrV=1#iCor.xii-p28.3
1528. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=7&scrV=1#Jam.iv-p4.2
1529. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=7&scrV=11#Acts.iii-p44.5
1530. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=7&scrV=20#Phi.iv-p25.1
1531. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=7&scrV=22#iCor.xiv-p3.4
1532. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=7&scrV=23#iiTim.iii-p24.3
1533. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=8&scrV=9#Acts.xi-p10.3
1534. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=8&scrV=10#Acts.xi-p4.3
1535. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=8&scrV=10#Acts.xv-p13.5
1536. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=8&scrV=10#Rom.v-p20.10
1537. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=8&scrV=28#Acts.xvii-p31.3
1538. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=9&scrV=13#iTim.ii-p18.4
1539. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=9&scrV=25#Acts.x-p71.1
1540. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=9&scrV=38#Phm.ii-p39.11
1541. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=9&scrV=38#Rom.xi-p25.4
1542. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=1#Acts.xx-p26.1
1543. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=1#Eph.v-p11.10
1544. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=3#Jam.i-p3.3
1545. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=5#Acts.ix-p11.2
1546. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=10#iTim.vi-p12.3
1547. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=14#Acts.xiv-p75.2
1548. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=16#Rom.xvii-p22.2
1549. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=20#Acts.xxii-p61.1
1550. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=21#iiTim.iv-p5.7
1551. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=22#iCor.xvi-p4.4
1552. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=23#Acts.xviii-p15.2
1553. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=23#Acts.xiv-p74.2
1554. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=32#Rom.xi-p20.8
1555. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=32#Rom.xi-p19.1
1556. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=33#iiTim.iii-p17.1
1557. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=34#Acts.xiii-p5.4
1558. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=10&scrV=40#Phi.iii-p9.6
1559. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=5#Jam.iii-p6.5
1560. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=5#Acts.xii-p40.4
1561. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=13#iiPet.ii-p22.2
1562. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=23#Rom.x-p23.4
1563. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=27#iPet.iii-p11.2
1564. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=28#Rom.viii-p15.3
1565. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=29#Col.iv-p17.2
1566. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=29#iiTim.iii-p28.5
1567. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=11&scrV=29#Phi.iii-p7.3
1568. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=4#iCor.xvi-p7.2
1569. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=19#iiTim.iii-p28.3
1570. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=24#Eph.iii-p3.3
1571. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=26#Eph.iii-p3.3
1572. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=27#Acts.xx-p30.1
1573. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=28#iJo.vi-p21.11
1574. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=38#iCor.ii-p18.4
1575. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=39#Rom.ii-p7.8
1576. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=44#iPet.iii-p16.1
1577. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=45#iiPet.iii-p22.2
1578. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=12&scrV=48#Ju.ii-p4.1
1579. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=13&scrV=28#Ju.ii-p5.1
1580. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=13&scrV=51#Acts.ix-p50.1
1581. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=14&scrV=19#Rom.xv-p12.4
1582. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=15&scrV=4#Eph.vii-p4.3
1583. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=15&scrV=5#iTim.vi-p7.4
1584. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=15&scrV=5#Rom.xv-p24.2
1585. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=15&scrV=7#Acts.xxix-p36.5
1586. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=15&scrV=28#Rom.v-p20.10
1587. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=15&scrV=36#Rom.xv-p12.4
1588. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=16&scrV=3#Acts.ii-p26.2
1589. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=16&scrV=18#Ju.ii-p29.3
1590. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=16&scrV=20#Acts.iii-p45.2
1591. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=16&scrV=23#Rom.ix-p9.2
1592. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=16&scrV=24#Rom.xvi-p6.1
1593. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=1#iPet.vi-p5.2
1594. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=2#Rom.xiii-p9.3
1595. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=2#Phi.iii-p8.8
1596. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=2#Phi.iv-p29.4
1597. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=5#iJo.vi-p21.2
1598. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=5#Acts.ii-p33.3
1599. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=5#Acts.viii-p35.6
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1602. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=5#Rom.ix-p3.2
1603. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=17&scrV=9#Acts.iii-p45.2
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1612. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=19&scrV=9#iCor.viii-p10.3
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1616. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=19&scrV=28#Acts.xxvii-p11.1
1617. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=19&scrV=28#iCor.vii-p5.3
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1621. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=20&scrV=22#iCor.xvi-p22.2
1622. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=20&scrV=23#Acts.xiii-p5.2
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1627. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=21&scrV=23#Acts.v-p11.5
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1629. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=21&scrV=32#Acts.xxix-p37.6
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1637. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=22&scrV=14#Rom.ix-p42.1
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1642. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=22&scrV=31#Acts.viii-p32.2
1643. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=22&scrV=31#Rom.ix-p15.1
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1663. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=24&scrV=1#Acts.iii-p32.1
1664. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=24&scrV=7#Acts.xii-p38.3
1665. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=24&scrV=9#iPet.v-p29.2
1666. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=24&scrV=21#Acts.xiv-p59.4
1667. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=24&scrV=23#iJo.v-p4.4
1668. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=24&scrV=24#iJo.iii-p28.4
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1672. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=24&scrV=44#iTh.vi-p5.2
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1685. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=25&scrV=45#Acts.x-p19.4
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1700. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=27&scrV=43#Heb.vi-p16.2
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1705. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=27&scrV=54#iJo.vi-p21.4
1706. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Matt&scrCh=27&scrV=65#Acts.xiii-p10.3
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1910. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=23&scrV=34#iCor.iii-p10.2
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1912. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=1#iCor.xvii-p8.1
1913. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=4#Acts.xi-p28.3
1914. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=26#Acts.xviii-p5.4
1915. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=26#Acts.xviii-p5.5
1916. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=27#Rom.xvii-p34.2
1917. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=47#Acts.iv-p31.3
1918. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=47#Acts.xiv-p67.4
1919. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=47#Rom.xii-p26.3
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1921. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=49#iiPet.ii-p8.10
1922. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=50#Acts.ii-p33.2
1923. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=50#Acts.ii-p37.2
1924. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=50#iCor.xvi-p8.2
1925. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=51#Acts.ii-p7.3
1926. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=51#Acts.iv-p31.5
1927. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=53#Acts.iii-p6.1
1928. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=53#Acts.ii-p38.1
1929. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Luke&scrCh=24&scrV=53#Acts.ii-p40.2
1930. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Col.ii-p18.12
1931. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Heb.v-p16.2
1932. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iJo.vi-p38.11
1933. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Acts.xxi-p48.2
1934. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iJo.i-p3.4
1935. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iJo.ii-p4.2
1936. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Phi.iii-p8.2
1937. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Phm.ii-p40.2
1938. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=2#iJo.ii-p4.4
1939. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Col.ii-p18.8
1940. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Eph.iv-p8.2
1941. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iJo.vi-p28.2
1942. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iJo.ii-p4.3
1943. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Col.ii-p17.13
1944. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iCor.iii-p15.3
1945. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Tit.iv-p17.4
1946. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Heb.iii-p21.1
1947. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=12#iJo.iii-p39.7
1948. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Gal.iv-p25.2
1949. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Col.ii-p18.4
1950. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iTim.ii-p18.3
1951. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iTim.iv-p16.1
1952. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iJo.vi-p21.7
1953. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Acts.viii-p43.4
1954. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iJo.ii-p4.6
1955. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Col.ii-p19.7
1956. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Phm.ii-p40.6
1957. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Rom.v-p6.4
1958. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=16#iiPet.ii-p8.1
1959. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=17#iiTim.iii-p3.3
1960. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=18#iJo.vi-p38.8
1961. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Rev.ii-p12.2
1962. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Rom.xii-p29.16
1963. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Acts.xiv-p43.3
1964. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=29#iPet.iii-p13.3
1965. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=29#iPet.iii-p39.6
1966. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=1&scrV=51#Acts.ii-p34.4
1967. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Acts.ii-p6.4
1968. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=2&scrV=17#Rom.xvi-p9.2
1969. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=2&scrV=19#iJo.vi-p21.8
1970. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Acts.ii-p6.1
1971. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iPet.ii-p17.1
1972. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Acts.iii-p8.5
1973. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Col.iii-p14.4
1974. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=5#iJo.i-p3.6
1975. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=6#iJo.vi-p22.2
1976. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Rom.viii-p17.10
1977. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=13#iCor.xvi-p34.4
1978. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Tit.iv-p8.2
1979. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=16#iJo.i-p3.5
1980. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=16#iJo.iv-p25.2
1981. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Col.iii-p18.3
1982. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Heb.iii-p7.3
1983. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=20#iiTim.iv-p6.2
1984. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=22#iiTh.iv-p8.3
1985. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=26#Acts.xx-p8.1
1986. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=29#Phi.ii-p25.2
1987. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=33#Rom.v-p20.9
1988. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=34#Rom.xiii-p16.1
1989. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=36#iJo.vi-p28.6
1990. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=36#iJo.iv-p24.2
1991. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=3&scrV=36#iCor.xvii-p26.3
1992. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Acts.ix-p14.2
1993. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=14#iJo.iv-p27.5
1994. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=20#Acts.ix-p18.3
1995. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=21#iTim.iii-p7.2
1996. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=22#Acts.xii-p12.5
1997. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=22#Acts.xxix-p37.2
1998. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=24#Rom.viii-p7.7
1999. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=24#Rom.xiii-p12.5
2000. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=24#Phi.iv-p6.1
2001. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=25#Acts.ix-p15.1
2002. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=31#iPet.iv-p20.2
2003. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=37#Acts.xii-p23.1
2004. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=38#Acts.xxiii-p19.6
2005. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=4&scrV=38#Rom.xvi-p39.2
2006. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=14#Acts.iv-p12.2
2007. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=17#iJo.vi-p21.6
2008. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=20#iJo.i-p3.10
2009. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=20#iCor.xvi-p34.2
2010. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=22#Heb.ii-p8.2
2011. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=22#iJo.i-p3.9
2012. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=23#Col.ii-p19.5
2013. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=23#Jam.ii-p4.1
2014. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=23#Phi.iii-p9.5
2015. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=29#Acts.xxv-p31.2
2016. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=29#Phi.iv-p15.1
2017. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=30#Rom.xvi-p8.1
2018. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=39#Acts.xviii-p18.2
2019. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=40#iTim.iii-p6.4
2020. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=44#iTh.iii-p8.6
2021. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=45#Rom.iii-p20.3
2022. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=5&scrV=46#Acts.viii-p35.4
2023. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=11#Rom.xv-p12.4
2024. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=27#iJo.iii-p33.2
2025. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=32#Acts.viii-p36.8
2026. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=33#iCor.xvi-p34.3
2027. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=39#Ju.ii-p37.4
2028. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=39#Rom.xv-p30.2
2029. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=40#iJo.iv-p37.2
2030. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=44#Phi.iv-p29.7
2031. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=66#iiTim.ii-p16.2
2032. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=6&scrV=70#iPet.ii-p8.2
2033. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=7&scrV=17#Col.ii-p13.2
2034. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=7&scrV=17#iTh.vi-p20.11
2035. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=7&scrV=17#Acts.xviii-p54.2
2036. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=7&scrV=17#Rom.i-p4.7
2037. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=7&scrV=17#Rom.xiii-p11.6
2038. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=7&scrV=39#Acts.iii-p44.3
2039. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=7&scrV=51#Acts.xxvi-p23.2
2040. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=31#iiTim.iv-p11.2
2041. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=33#Rom.xii-p19.8
2042. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=36#iPet.iii-p31.2
2043. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=38#Rom.x-p13.3
2044. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=39#Rom.iii-p34.2
2045. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=44#Acts.xiv-p21.2
2046. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=44#iCor.vi-p10.4
2047. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=50#Heb.vi-p13.2
2048. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=56#Heb.viii-p5.1
2049. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=8&scrV=56#Heb.xii-p29.1
2050. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=9&scrV=9#Acts.iv-p13.2
2051. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=9&scrV=18#Acts.iv-p13.2
2052. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=9&scrV=21#Acts.v-p30.5
2053. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=9&scrV=22#Acts.v-p30.2
2054. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=9&scrV=36#Acts.xvii-p50.2
2055. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=9&scrV=40#Acts.xxiii-p11.9
2056. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=9&scrV=41#Jam.v-p16.2
2057. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=9&scrV=41#Acts.x-p44.5
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2060. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=10&scrV=14#Heb.xiv-p37.3
2061. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=John&scrCh=10&scrV=17#iiPet.ii-p19.3
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4402. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=10&scrV=10#Tit.ii-p4.8
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4412. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=10&scrV=15#Rom.xi-p26.1
4413. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=10&scrV=16#Rom.xi-p27.1
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4423. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=10&scrV=20#Rom.xi-p34.1
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4426. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=1#Acts.xxii-p47.2
4427. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=1#Acts.xiv-p64.1
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4429. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=1#iCor.xii-p3.1
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4434. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=1#Acts.xiv-p61.1
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4436. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=2#Rom.ix-p41.3
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4438. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=2#iCor.xii-p3.3
4439. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=2#iCor.xii-p4.1
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4442. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=4#Rom.xii-p7.5
4443. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=4#iCor.xii-p6.1
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4446. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=5#iCor.xii-p5.1
4447. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=5#Rom.xii-p7.8
4448. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=6#Rom.xii-p7.9
4449. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=6#Gal.iii-p18.1
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4482. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=15#Rom.xii-p16.1
4483. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=16#Rom.xii-p23.1
4484. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=16#iCor.xii-p10.1
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4488. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=17#Rom.xii-p18.1
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4497. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=19#Rom.xii-p29.5
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4509. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=23#Rom.xii-p24.1
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4512. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=24#Acts.ii-p37.5
4513. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=24#Rom.xii-p18.4
4514. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=24#Rom.xii-p19.3
4515. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=24#Rom.xii-p21.4
4516. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=24#Rom.xii-p25.1
4517. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=24#iCor.xii-p22.2
4518. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=26#Rom.xii-p21.5
4519. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=26#Rom.xii-p26.1
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4521. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=28#Acts.viii-p32.3
4522. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=28#Acts.xiv-p34.2
4523. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=28#Rom.x-p8.10
4524. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=28#Rom.xii-p23.3
4525. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=28#iCor.xii-p28.1
4526. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=29#Rom.xii-p26.13
4527. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=29#iCor.xii-p27.3
4528. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=30#Rom.xii-p25.2
4529. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=31#iCor.xii-p28.2
4530. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=32#iCor.xii-p27.4
4531. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=33#iCor.xii-p29.1
4532. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=33#Rom.xii-p1.2
4533. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=34#Rom.xii-p29.14
4534. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=35#Rom.v-p6.3
4535. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=35#Rom.xii-p31.1
4536. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=36#Col.ii-p18.10
4537. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=11&scrV=36#Rom.xii-p32.1
4538. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=0#Rom.xi-p1.2
4539. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Rom.xvi-p34.10
4540. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Rom.vii-p6.6
4541. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Rom.xiii-p6.1
4542. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Phi.ii-p26.2
4543. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Rom.xiii-p5.2
4544. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=1#iCor.xiii-p1.1
4545. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Rom.i-p8.1
4546. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=2#Rom.xiii-p9.1
4547. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=2#iCor.xiii-p5.1
4548. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p14.1
4549. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p19.2
4550. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p28.10
4551. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=4#Rom.xiii-p17.3
4552. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=4#iCor.xiii-p7.1
4553. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=4#Rom.xiii-p17.2
4554. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=5#Rom.xiii-p17.4
4555. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=6#iCor.xiii-p7.3
4556. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=6#Rom.xiii-p18.2
4557. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=7#iCor.xiii-p8.1
4558. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=8#Acts.xii-p28.2
4559. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=8#iCor.xiii-p7.5
4560. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=9#Rom.xiii-p36.1
4561. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=10#Rom.xiii-p23.1
4562. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=10#iCor.xiii-p7.4
4563. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=10#iCor.xiv-p9.1
4564. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=11#Rom.xiii-p7.8
4565. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=11#Rom.xiii-p24.3
4566. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=11#Rom.xiii-p12.1
4567. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=12#Ju.ii-p33.1
4568. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=12#iCor.xiii-p12.1
4569. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=12#iCor.xiii-p1.2
4570. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=13#Rom.xiii-p25.1
4571. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=13#iPet.v-p16.2
4572. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=13#iCor.xiii-p12.2
4573. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=14#Rom.xiii-p33.1
4574. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=15#Rom.xiii-p26.1
4575. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=15#iCor.xiii-p13.1
4576. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=16#Acts.x-p72.3
4577. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=16#Rom.xiii-p14.7
4578. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=16#Rom.xiii-p27.1
4579. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=16#Rom.xiii-p28.1
4580. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=17#iPet.iv-p18.1
4581. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=17#Rom.xiii-p31.1
4582. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=17#iCor.xiii-p13.2
4583. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=18#Rom.xiii-p29.1
4584. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=18#iCor.viii-p13.7
4585. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=18#iCor.xiii-p13.5
4586. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=19#Tit.iv-p4.6
4587. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=19#Rom.xiii-p31.4
4588. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=19#iCor.xiii-p13.3
4589. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=20#Rom.xiii-p34.1
4590. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=20#iCor.xiii-p13.4
4591. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=21#iiTim.iii-p28.7
4592. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=21#iCor.xiii-p13.6
4593. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=24#iCor.xiii-p13.7
4594. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=25#iCor.xiii-p13.9
4595. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=25#iCor.xiii-p13.8
4596. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=27#iCor.xiii-p16.1
4597. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=27#iCor.xiii-p1.3
4598. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=28#iCor.xiii-p17.1
4599. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=28#iCor.xiii-p7.2
4600. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=29#iCor.xiii-p17.3
4601. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=12&scrV=31#iCor.xiii-p1.4
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4757. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=5#Rom.xvii-p9.1
4758. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=6#Rom.ii-p13.3
4759. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=7#Rom.xvii-p11.1
4760. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=7#Eph.ii-p9.1
4761. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=10#Acts.xix-p35.2
4762. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=10#Rom.xvii-p12.1
4763. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=10#Rom.xvii-p13.1
4764. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=11#Rom.xvii-p11.2
4765. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=11#Rom.xvii-p13.2
4766. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=12#Rom.xvii-p10.1
4767. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=13#Rom.xvii-p14.1
4768. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=14#Rom.xvii-p15.1
4769. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=15#Rom.xvii-p15.2
4770. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=16#Rom.xvii-p16.1
4771. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=17#Rom.xvii-p1.4
4772. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=17#Rom.i-p9.6
4773. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=18#Col.iii-p11.4
4774. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=18#Rom.xvii-p21.1
4775. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=18#Phi.iv-p26.1
4776. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=20#Rom.xvii-p1.1
4777. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=20#Rom.xvii-p23.1
4778. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=20#Gal.vii-p21.2
4779. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=21#Acts.xxi-p7.2
4780. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=21#Rom.i-p9.7
4781. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=21#Rom.xvii-p1.5
4782. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=22#Rom.xvii-p27.4
4783. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=23#Phm.ii-p37.1
4784. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=23#iiiJo.ii-p4.1
4785. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=23#Rom.i-p4.3
4786. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=23#Rom.xvii-p27.6
4787. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=24#Rom.xvii-p1.2
4788. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=24#Rom.xvii-p25.3
4789. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=24#Rom.i-p9.8
4790. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=25#Acts.xi-p17.3
4791. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=25#Rom.xvii-p38.1
4792. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=25#Tit.iii-p24.1
4793. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=25#Rom.xvii-p1.6
4794. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=26#Acts.vii-p20.3
4795. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=26#Acts.xv-p42.2
4796. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=27#Rom.xvii-p37.1
4797. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=16&scrV=27#Rom.xvii-p38.4
4798. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=18&scrV=0#Acts.xxix-p24.1
4799. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=22&scrV=0#Acts.xvii-p24.1
4800. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=30&scrV=0#Phm.ii-p38.1
4801. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rom&scrCh=39&scrV=0#Acts.xvii-p54.1
4802. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Acts.xix-p25.2
4803. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iCor.ii-p1.1
4804. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iCor.i-p5.1
4805. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Acts.iii-p32.8
4806. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Acts.xxiii-p18.3
4807. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iCor.ii-p6.1
4808. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iCor.ii-p6.3
4809. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iCor.ii-p6.4
4810. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=7#iCor.ii-p6.2
4811. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=7#iCor.ii-p6.6
4812. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=8#iCor.ii-p7.1
4813. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Rom.xiii-p27.2
4814. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Rom.xv-p8.2
4815. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iCor.ii-p1.2
4816. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Acts.xx-p3.2
4817. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Acts.xx-p10.3
4818. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Acts.xix-p16.2
4819. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Rom.xvii-p27.9
4820. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iCor.ii-p1.3
4821. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Acts.xi-p46.3
4822. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=17#iCor.ii-p14.2
4823. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=17#iCor.ii-p17.1
4824. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=17#iCor.x-p12.2
4825. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=17#iCor.ii-p1.4
4826. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=18#iCor.ii-p14.3
4827. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=18#iCor.ii-p18.1
4828. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=19#iCor.ii-p19.2
4829. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=19#iCor.iii-p15.4
4830. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Acts.xviii-p23.3
4831. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Rom.ii-p37.4
4832. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=21#iCor.ii-p19.3
4833. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=22#iCor.ii-p18.3
4834. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=23#iCor.ii-p14.4
4835. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=23#Gal.vi-p13.3
4836. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=23#iCor.ii-p18.2
4837. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Col.iii-p8.4
4838. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=25#iCor.ii-p21.1
4839. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=26#iCor.ii-p21.2
4840. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=28#iCor.vii-p5.8
4841. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=29#iCor.ii-p22.4
4842. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=29#Rom.iv-p31.2
4843. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=30#Col.iii-p8.4
4844. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=30#Rom.vii-p1.1
4845. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=30#iJo.iii-p39.6
4846. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=30#iCor.ii-p22.5
4847. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=31#Rom.xvi-p36.1
4848. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=1&scrV=31#iCor.ii-p22.6
4849. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=1#iCor.iii-p5.1
4850. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=1#iCor.iii-p5.3
4851. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=1#iCor.iii-p1.1
4852. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=2#iCor.iii-p4.1
4853. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=3#iCor.iii-p5.4
4854. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=4#iCor.ii-p17.2
4855. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=4#iCor.iii-p5.2
4856. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=4#iCor.iii-p15.6
4857. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=5#iCor.iii-p6.1
4858. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Rom.ii-p18.4
4859. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iCor.iii-p8.1
4860. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iCor.iii-p8.3
4861. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iCor.iii-p12.5
4862. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Gal.ii-p6.3
4863. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iCor.iii-p8.2
4864. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iCor.iii-p1.2
4865. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Acts.xxi-p39.2
4866. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=7#iCor.iii-p9.1
4867. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Acts.iv-p22.2
4868. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=8#iiPet.iv-p9.2
4869. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=8#iJo.iv-p5.4
4870. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=8#iCor.iii-p10.1
4871. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=8#iCor.iii-p12.6
4872. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Gal.ii-p6.3
4873. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Rom.ix-p26.5
4874. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Phi.v-p11.2
4875. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=10#iCor.iii-p12.1
4876. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=11#iCor.iii-p12.3
4877. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=12#iCor.iii-p12.4
4878. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=13#iTim.vii-p4.3
4879. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=13#iCor.iii-p13.1
4880. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=14#iiPet.iv-p26.6
4881. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=14#iCor.iii-p15.1
4882. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=15#iCor.iii-p16.1
4883. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Rom.xii-p29.15
4884. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=16#iCor.iii-p16.7
4885. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=2&scrV=26#iCor.iii-p15.5
4886. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Rom.viii-p17.2
4887. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=1#iCor.iv-p3.2
4888. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=1#iCor.iv-p1.1
4889. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=2#iCor.iv-p3.3
4890. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iCor.iv-p4.1
4891. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=4#iCor.iv-p4.2
4892. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=5#iCor.iv-p1.2
4893. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=5#iCor.iv-p7.1
4894. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=5#iiCor.ii-p22.4
4895. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Tit.ii-p10.1
4896. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=6#iCor.iv-p7.2
4897. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=6#iCor.iv-p1.3
4898. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=7#iCor.iv-p7.3
4899. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=8#iCor.iv-p8.1
4900. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Rom.xv-p31.4
4901. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=9#iCor.iv-p8.2
4902. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=9#iCor.iv-p14.1
4903. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Col.i-p4.2
4904. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=11#iCor.iv-p1.4
4905. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Ju.ii-p32.2
4906. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=12#iCor.iv-p11.1
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4908. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=3&scrV=15#iiPet.ii-p14.5
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5058. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=19#Rom.xv-p19.6
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5060. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=19#Gal.vii-p19.4
5061. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=20#iiTh.iv-p14.2
5062. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=20#iCor.viii-p17.2
5063. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=21#Tit.iii-p14.3
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5071. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=31#iCor.viii-p25.2
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5074. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=33#iCor.viii-p26.3
5075. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=33#iCor.viii-p22.1
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5077. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=35#iCor.viii-p26.2
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5079. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=39#iCor.viii-p1.6
5080. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=40#iCor.viii-p11.2
5081. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=7&scrV=40#iCor.viii-p31.1
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5083. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=1#iCor.ix-p3.7
5084. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=1#Rom.xv-p29.3
5085. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=1#iCor.ix-p1.1
5086. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=1#iCor.i-p5.7
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5088. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=4#Acts.xv-p22.2
5089. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=4#iCor.ix-p3.3
5090. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=4#iCor.ix-p1.2
5091. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=7#iCor.ix-p1.3
5092. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=8#iCor.ix-p9.1
5093. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=9#Acts.xvi-p27.4
5094. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=9#iCor.ix-p10.2
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5098. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=10#Rom.xv-p30.3
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5100. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=12#iCor.ix-p10.4
5101. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=13#Acts.xxiv-p11.2
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5107. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=1#iCor.x-p1.1
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5110. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=3#iCor.x-p6.1
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5112. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=4#iCor.x-p6.2
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5115. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=7#Acts.xvi-p32.2
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5119. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=11#Acts.xvii-p52.1
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5129. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=15#iCor.x-p1.3
5130. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=16#iiTim.v-p3.2
5131. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=16#Tit.ii-p4.12
5132. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=16#iCor.x-p12.1
5133. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=18#Acts.xvii-p23.1
5134. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=18#iCor.x-p14.1
5135. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=19#Acts.x-p68.2
5136. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=19#Acts.xiv-p53.4
5137. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=19#Rom.xiii-p28.9
5138. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=19#iCor.x-p17.1
5139. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=19#iCor.x-p1.4
5140. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=20#Acts.xxii-p38.5
5141. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=20#Acts.xix-p28.6
5142. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=22#iCor.x-p18.1
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5144. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=23#iCor.x-p23.1
5145. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=24#iCor.x-p21.1
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5147. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=24#iCor.x-p1.5
5148. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=25#iCor.x-p24.1
5149. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=26#iCor.x-p24.3
5150. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=9&scrV=27#iCor.x-p24.4
5151. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=1#Acts.iii-p55.1
5152. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=1#Ju.ii-p12.3
5153. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=1#iCor.xi-p1.1
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5158. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=2#Rom.vii-p10.2
5159. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=2#iCor.xi-p5.2
5160. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=5#iCor.xi-p5.3
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5164. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=10#iCor.xi-p8.10
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5166. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=11#Rom.v-p22.2
5167. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=11#iCor.xi-p9.1
5168. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=12#iCor.xi-p9.2
5169. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=13#iiTim.ii-p9.2
5170. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=13#iCor.xi-p10.1
5171. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=14#Acts.xvi-p27.1
5172. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=15#Acts.xxvii-p4.3
5173. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=15#iCor.xi-p14.1
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5175. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=16#Acts.xxi-p11.4
5176. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=17#iCor.xi-p15.1
5177. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=20#iCor.ix-p10.1
5178. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=21#iCor.xi-p17.1
5179. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=22#iCor.xi-p8.8
5180. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=22#iCor.xi-p18.1
5181. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=23#iCor.xi-p1.4
5182. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=24#Tit.iii-p27.1
5183. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=25#Acts.xvi-p41.1
5184. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=25#iCor.ix-p3.2
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5186. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=27#Rom.xv-p5.5
5187. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=27#iCor.xi-p23.1
5188. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=30#Rom.xv-p12.3
5189. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=31#Tit.iii-p7.1
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5191. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=31#iPet.v-p19.5
5192. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=31#Phi.ii-p17.11
5193. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=31#iCor.xi-p26.1
5194. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=32#iCor.xi-p26.2
5195. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=33#iCor.xi-p27.1
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5197. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=1#iCor.v-p15.4
5198. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=1#iCor.i-p5.10
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5732. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=3#iiCor.ix-p6.5
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5748. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=8&scrV=12#iCor.xvii-p7.2
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5801. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=5#iiCor.xi-p7.1
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5806. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=7#iiCor.xi-p11.1
5807. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=7#iiCor.xi-p1.2
5808. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=8#iiCor.xi-p12.2
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5813. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=10#iiCor.xi-p12.4
5814. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=10#Gal.v-p17.1
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5816. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=12#iiCor.xi-p15.1
5817. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=12#iiCor.xi-p1.3
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5819. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=13#Rom.xiii-p14.6
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5821. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=15#iiCor.xi-p17.2
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5824. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=10&scrV=18#iiCor.xi-p19.2
5825. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=1#iiCor.xii-p3.1
5826. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=1#iiCor.xii-p1.1
5827. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=2#Rom.viii-p7.1
5828. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=2#iiCor.xii-p3.2
5829. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=3#Col.iii-p11.3
5830. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=3#iTim.iii-p9.1
5831. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=3#Acts.ix-p21.1
5832. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=4#iiCor.xii-p3.3
5833. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=5#iTim.ii-p18.10
5834. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=5#iPet.i-p3.2
5835. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=5#iCor.xvi-p8.8
5836. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=5#iiCor.xii-p6.1
5837. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=5#Gal.i-p3.3
5838. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=5#iiCor.xii-p1.2
5839. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=7#vi-p4.3
5840. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=7#Acts.xix-p4.2
5841. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=7#iiCor.xii-p7.1
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5848. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=16#iiCor.xii-p1.3
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5850. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=18#iiCor.xii-p10.3
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5855. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=22#iiCor.xii-p13.1
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5857. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=23#Rom.xvii-p11.4
5858. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=23#iiCor.xii-p14.1
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5862. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=24#iCor.xvi-p24.5
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5864. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=24#iiCor.xii-p15.2
5865. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=25#iiCor.xii-p15.6
5866. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=26#iiTim.v-p23.8
5867. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=26#iiCor.xii-p15.7
5868. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=27#iiCor.xii-p15.8
5869. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=28#iiCor.xii-p15.9
5870. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=29#Acts.xxiv-p11.1
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5874. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=32#Acts.x-p52.3
5875. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=11&scrV=32#iiCor.xii-p16.1
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5877. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=1#iiCor.xiii-p4.5
5878. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Acts.xii-p41.2
5879. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=1#iiCor.xiii-p1.1
5880. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=1#Acts.x-p30.4
5881. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=2#iiCor.xiii-p4.1
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5884. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=3#Rom.ix-p26.7
5885. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=4#iiCor.xiii-p4.2
5886. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=6#Acts.xi-p24.5
5887. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=6#iiCor.xiii-p4.7
5888. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=7#iiCor.xiii-p6.1
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5890. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=7#Gal.v-p17.1
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5892. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=9#iPet.ii-p21.1
5893. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=9#iiCor.xiii-p10.1
5894. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=10#iCor.v-p11.4
5895. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=10#iiCor.xiii-p10.2
5896. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=10#iiCor.xiii-p10.3
5897. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=11#iPet.i-p3.2
5898. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=11#iiCor.xiii-p13.1
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5900. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=12#Acts.xi-p45.3
5901. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=12#Acts.xx-p25.2
5902. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=13#iiCor.xiii-p14.1
5903. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=14#iiCor.xiii-p14.2
5904. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=14#Phi.iii-p17.1
5905. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=15#iiCor.xiii-p14.3
5906. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=15#iiCor.xiii-p14.4
5907. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=16#iiCor.xiii-p14.5
5908. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=17#Acts.xxi-p51.3
5909. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=18#Tit.i-p3.9
5910. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=19#iiCor.xiii-p14.6
5911. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=20#iPet.iii-p5.2
5912. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=20#iiCor.xiii-p14.7
5913. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=21#iCor.vi-p7.1
5914. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=12&scrV=21#iiCor.xiii-p14.8
5915. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=1#iiCor.xiv-p4.1
5916. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=1#iiCor.xiv-p1.1
5917. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=2#iiCor.xiv-p4.2
5918. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=3#iiCor.xiv-p5.1
5919. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=3#iiCor.xiv-p5.2
5920. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=4#Rom.ii-p7.7
5921. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=4#iiCor.xiv-p5.3
5922. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=5#iiCor.xiv-p5.4
5923. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=6#iiCor.xiv-p5.5
5924. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=7#iiCor.xiv-p8.1
5925. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=7#iiCor.xiv-p9.1
5926. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=7#iiCor.xiv-p1.2
5927. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=8#iiCor.xiv-p9.2
5928. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=9#iiCor.xiv-p9.5
5929. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=9#iiCor.xiv-p9.6
5930. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=10#iiCor.xiv-p9.4
5931. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=10#iiCor.xiv-p9.7
5932. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=11#iiCor.xiv-p14.1
5933. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=11#iiCor.xiv-p1.3
5934. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=12#iiCor.xiv-p15.1
5935. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=14#Phm.ii-p6.2
5936. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Cor&scrCh=13&scrV=14#iiCor.xiv-p16.1
5937. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Acts.xxiii-p16.2
5938. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Gal.ii-p1.1
5939. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Acts.xix-p31.4
5940. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Gal.ii-p6.1
5941. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iJo.vi-p5.3
5942. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Gal.ii-p6.2
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5945. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Gal.vi-p12.2
5946. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=8#iTim.ii-p5.1
5947. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Gal.ii-p11.1
5948. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Rom.xiii-p19.5
5949. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Gal.ii-p11.2
5950. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iTh.iii-p7.1
5951. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Acts.xiv-p53.3
5952. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iCor.v-p4.3
5953. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iiCor.v-p6.2
5954. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Gal.ii-p1.3
5955. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Gal.ii-p1.4
5956. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Gal.ii-p15.1
5957. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=12#iiTim.ii-p3.3
5958. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Acts.xxvii-p27.2
5959. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Eph.iv-p5.7
5960. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Gal.ii-p1.5
5961. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Gal.ii-p16.1
5962. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Rom.ii-p4.4
5963. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Acts.x-p48.2
5964. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Gal.ii-p1.6
5965. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Gal.ii-p17.1
5966. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Gal.ii-p18.1
5967. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Acts.x-p51.1
5968. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Gal.ii-p1.7
5969. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Acts.ix-p8.4
5970. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Acts.xxiii-p19.1
5971. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Acts.x-p53.2
5972. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Gal.iii-p5.1
5973. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Gal.ii-p18.3
5974. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Tit.i-p3.7
5975. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Eph.v-p11.13
5976. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Gal.iii-p1.1
5977. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Gal.iii-p4.1
5978. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Tit.i-p3.3
5979. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Rom.xv-p17.2
5980. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Gal.iii-p9.1
5981. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Acts.i-p5.5
5982. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Acts.xiv-p7.3
5983. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Rom.xvi-p34.6
5984. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Gal.iii-p10.1
5985. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=9#iTim.iv-p13.2
5986. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Jam.i-p3.4
5987. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=9#iPet.ii-p4.1
5988. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Rom.xii-p15.3
5989. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Gal.iii-p9.2
5990. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Gal.vii-p19.2
5991. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Rom.xvi-p49.2
5992. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=11#iPet.i-p3.3
5993. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Ju.ii-p4.3
5994. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Gal.iii-p12.1
5995. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Acts.xxix-p26.1
5996. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Gal.vii-p19.2
5997. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=14#Col.iv-p17.5
5998. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=17#Gal.iii-p16.1
5999. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Gal.iii-p16.2
6000. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=20#Col.iv-p8.2
6001. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=20#Rom.xiii-p7.6
6002. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=2&scrV=20#Gal.iii-p17.2
6003. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Tit.ii-p31.4
6004. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Acts.ix-p23.5
6005. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Gal.iv-p4.1
6006. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Acts.x-p16.3
6007. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Acts.xii-p13.2
6008. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Acts.xvi-p19.4
6009. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Gal.iv-p6.1
6010. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Tit.ii-p31.4
6011. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Gal.iv-p7.1
6012. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Gal.iv-p11.2
6013. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Gal.iv-p11.3
6014. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Gal.iv-p11.5
6015. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Gal.iv-p14.2
6016. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Gal.iv-p11.6
6017. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Jam.iii-p11.3
6018. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=10#iJo.vi-p34.4
6019. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Gal.iv-p12.1
6020. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Gal.vi-p3.1
6021. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Gal.iv-p13.1
6022. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Rom.xi-p13.3
6023. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Gal.iv-p12.2
6024. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Col.iii-p20.2
6025. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=13#iJo.vi-p11.3
6026. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Rom.vii-p11.4
6027. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Rom.viii-p3.3
6028. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Gal.iv-p12.3
6029. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=13#iJo.ii-p13.1
6030. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Acts.iii-p56.5
6031. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Rom.xii-p18.7
6032. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Gal.iv-p14.1
6033. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Acts.iv-p30.6
6034. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Rom.v-p14.1
6035. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=16#iiCor.ii-p8.2
6036. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Gal.iv-p14.3
6037. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Acts.xxvii-p9.1
6038. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rom.v-p13.2
6039. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Acts.ii-p15.3
6040. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Gal.iv-p14.4
6041. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Heb.ii-p14.1
6042. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Acts.viii-p49.2
6043. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Rom.vi-p27.2
6044. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Gal.iv-p17.1
6045. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=20#Gal.iv-p19.1
6046. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=21#iTim.ii-p10.2
6047. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=21#Gal.iv-p20.1
6048. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=22#Gal.iv-p20.2
6049. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=23#Gal.iv-p21.2
6050. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=23#Rom.xi-p11.2
6051. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=24#Gal.iv-p21.1
6052. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=25#Gal.iv-p21.3
6053. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=26#Gal.iv-p25.1
6054. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=26#Gal.iv-p24.1
6055. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=27#Rom.xiv-p22.6
6056. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=27#Gal.iv-p25.3
6057. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=28#Col.v-p11.4
6058. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=28#iTim.vii-p3.1
6059. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=28#Acts.ix-p18.4
6060. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=3&scrV=28#Rom.xvii-p5.1
6061. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Rom.ix-p25.2
6062. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Gal.v-p1.1
6063. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Gal.v-p5.6
6064. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Acts.ii-p15.5
6065. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Phi.iii-p9.2
6066. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Gal.v-p5.1
6067. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Col.ii-p17.15
6068. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Acts.ii-p15.5
6069. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Gal.v-p5.3
6070. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Gal.vi-p20.10
6071. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Gal.v-p5.4
6072. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Gal.v-p1.2
6073. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=9#Gal.v-p12.1
6074. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=9#Rom.xv-p5.7
6075. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Gal.v-p1.3
6076. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Gal.v-p20.1
6077. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=13#Acts.xvii-p10.1
6078. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Acts.xix-p31.3
6079. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Phm.ii-p31.1
6080. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Gal.v-p18.1
6081. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Gal.v-p1.4
6082. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=18#Gal.v-p20.2
6083. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=19#Gal.v-p1.5
6084. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=20#Gal.v-p23.1
6085. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=22#Gal.v-p25.2
6086. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=24#Heb.xiii-p37.1
6087. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=24#Gal.v-p25.3
6088. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=28#Rom.x-p15.8
6089. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=28#Gal.v-p25.5
6090. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=29#Rom.x-p15.5
6091. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=4&scrV=31#Gal.v-p25.7
6092. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Col.iii-p26.3
6093. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Rom.iii-p32.2
6094. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Gal.vi-p1.1
6095. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=2#Gal.vi-p4.2
6096. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=2#Gal.vi-p4.1
6097. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=2#Gal.vi-p1.2
6098. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=3#Tit.iv-p13.3
6099. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=3#Gal.vi-p4.3
6100. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=4#Gal.vi-p4.5
6101. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Jam.iii-p15.3
6102. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Acts.xi-p34.5
6103. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Acts.xvi-p18.2
6104. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Rom.xv-p19.6
6105. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Rom.v-p12.3
6106. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Gal.vi-p6.1
6107. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Gal.vii-p19.3
6108. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=7#Gal.vi-p7.1
6109. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Gal.vi-p10.1
6110. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=9#Gal.vi-p11.1
6111. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=10#Gal.vi-p12.1
6112. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=11#Gal.vi-p13.1
6113. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Gal.vi-p16.1
6114. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Gal.vi-p20.4
6115. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Gal.vi-p21.2
6116. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Gal.vii-p3.1
6117. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Gal.vi-p1.3
6118. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Gal.vi-p3.2
6119. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=14#Gal.vi-p16.3
6120. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=15#Acts.xxi-p45.3
6121. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=15#Gal.vi-p16.5
6122. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=15#Gal.vi-p21.3
6123. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Rom.xiv-p24.4
6124. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Gal.vi-p1.5
6125. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Gal.vi-p19.1
6126. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Gal.vii-p3.2
6127. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=17#Rom.viii-p16.2
6128. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=17#Gal.vi-p1.4
6129. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=17#Gal.vi-p18.1
6130. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=18#Gal.vi-p1.5
6131. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=18#Gal.vi-p19.2
6132. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=18#Gal.vi-p20.5
6133. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Gal.vi-p20.1
6134. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Gal.vi-p1.6
6135. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=22#iJo.v-p10.2
6136. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=22#iPet.ii-p9.2
6137. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=22#Gal.vi-p20.3
6138. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=24#Gal.vi-p20.6
6139. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=25#Gal.vi-p20.9
6140. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=26#iTh.iii-p8.5
6141. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=5&scrV=26#Gal.vi-p21.1
6142. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Col.v-p13.2
6143. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Gal.ii-p10.1
6144. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Gal.vii-p4.1
6145. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Gal.vii-p1.1
6146. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Gal.vii-p12.2
6147. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=2#Gal.vii-p5.1
6148. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p14.2
6149. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=3#Gal.vii-p5.2
6150. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=4#Rom.xv-p17.3
6151. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=4#Rom.xv-p32.5
6152. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=4#Gal.vii-p6.1
6153. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=5#Gal.vii-p8.1
6154. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=6#Gal.vii-p9.1
6155. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=7#Gal.vii-p10.1
6156. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=8#Gal.vii-p10.2
6157. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=9#Gal.vii-p11.1
6158. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=10#iTh.vi-p18.8
6159. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Acts.xii-p40.2
6160. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Rom.xiii-p25.4
6161. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Gal.vii-p12.1
6162. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=11#Rom.xvii-p27.5
6163. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=11#iCor.xvii-p25.8
6164. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=11#Gal.vii-p1.2
6165. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Acts.xxi-p51.2
6166. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Gal.vii-p15.1
6167. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Gal.vii-p20.2
6168. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Acts.xvi-p38.2
6169. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=13#Gal.vii-p7.2
6170. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=13#Gal.vii-p15.2
6171. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=13#Gal.vii-p15.3
6172. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=14#Col.iv-p6.1
6173. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=14#iJo.vi-p5.4
6174. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=14#Gal.vii-p17.1
6175. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=15#Rom.xv-p19.6
6176. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=15#Gal.vii-p19.1
6177. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=16#Gal.vii-p19.5
6178. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=17#Gal.vii-p20.1
6179. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Gal&scrCh=6&scrV=18#Gal.vii-p21.1
6180. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Acts.xxi-p41.1
6181. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Eph.i-p3.2
6182. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Eph.ii-p1.1
6183. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Eph.i-p3.4
6184. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Tit.iv-p8.3
6185. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iPet.ii-p14.1
6186. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iPet.iii-p11.4
6187. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Eph.ii-p7.1
6188. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Eph.ii-p12.2
6189. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Eph.iv-p11.1
6190. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Eph.ii-p1.2
6191. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iiTh.iii-p20.2
6192. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Tit.iv-p11.1
6193. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Eph.ii-p8.1
6194. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Rom.xii-p7.10
6195. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Eph.ii-p8.2
6196. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Col.ii-p17.10
6197. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iJo.iv-p37.5
6198. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Eph.ii-p8.4
6199. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Eph.ii-p8.6
6200. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Col.ii-p21.2
6201. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=7#iCor.xvi-p13.3
6202. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Eph.ii-p8.8
6203. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Eph.ii-p8.9
6204. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Eph.ii-p8.10
6205. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Col.ii-p21.4
6206. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Eph.ii-p8.12
6207. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=11#iTh.ii-p11.2
6208. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Eph.ii-p8.1
6209. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Eph.ii-p8.3
6210. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Eph.ii-p8.13
6211. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Eph.ii-p8.5
6212. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Eph.ii-p8.11
6213. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Eph.ii-p8.14
6214. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Acts.xx-p5.1
6215. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Eph.ii-p8.15
6216. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Eph.ii-p9.2
6217. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Eph.ii-p11.1
6218. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Eph.ii-p1.3
6219. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Eph.ii-p11.2
6220. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Eph.ii-p11.3
6221. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Eph.ii-p12.1
6222. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Tit.iii-p28.9
6223. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=18#iPet.ii-p20.4
6224. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Eph.ii-p12.3
6225. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Eph.ii-p13.1
6226. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Rom.xii-p24.2
6227. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=19#iiPet.ii-p8.3
6228. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Eph.ii-p13.2
6229. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Phi.iv-p29.6
6230. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Acts.xiv-p71.2
6231. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Rom.v-p19.3
6232. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Eph.ii-p13.3
6233. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Eph.ii-p14.1
6234. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Rom.ix-p57.2
6235. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Eph.ii-p14.2
6236. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Col.ii-p19.2
6237. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=23#Col.ii-p19.8
6238. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=23#Phm.ii-p40.7
6239. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=23#Eph.ii-p14.6
6240. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=1&scrV=29#Rom.xii-p24.2
6241. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Rom.v-p19.2
6242. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Eph.iii-p3.2
6243. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Phi.ii-p13.5
6244. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Eph.iii-p1.1
6245. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Eph.iii-p3.6
6246. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=2#iiTim.iii-p28.10
6247. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Rom.xiii-p10.1
6248. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Eph.iii-p3.1
6249. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Col.iv-p12.4
6250. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Rom.iv-p24.2
6251. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Eph.iii-p3.4
6252. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Eph.iii-p6.3
6253. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Eph.iii-p1.3
6254. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Eph.iii-p6.4
6255. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Eph.iii-p7.1
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6310. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Col.v-p5.7
6311. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Col.ii-p31.4
6312. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Rom.xiii-p8.2
6313. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Eph.iv-p5.8
6314. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Col.ii-p31.5
6315. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Acts.xi-p3.1
6316. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Acts.xi-p12.2
6317. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Eph.iv-p5.4
6318. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Col.ii-p30.6
6319. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Eph.iv-p5.2
6320. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=8#iTim.ii-p18.9
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6324. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Eph.iv-p7.1
6325. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Rom.xvii-p33.1
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6330. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=12#iPet.iv-p25.2
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6340. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Rom.viii-p19.4
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6350. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Col.v-p21.2
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6357. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p29.3
6358. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=3#Eph.v-p8.1
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6360. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Eph.v-p10.2
6361. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Eph.v-p10.3
6362. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Rom.xiii-p16.2
6363. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=8#iTim.v-p20.2
6364. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p38.2
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6367. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Eph.v-p11.2
6368. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=8#iTim.iv-p4.1
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6370. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=9#Eph.v-p11.3
6371. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Eph.v-p11.8
6372. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=11#iTim.i-p3.2
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6374. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Phm.ii-p38.2
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6377. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Acts.xiv-p5.2
6378. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Rom.xiii-p19.8
6379. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Eph.v-p11.9
6380. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Phm.ii-p38.2
6381. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Eph.v-p12.1
6382. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Tit.ii-p11.3
6383. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=13#Eph.v-p12.2
6384. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=14#iiTim.iv-p11.3
6385. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Ju.ii-p8.7
6386. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Rev.viii-p3.1
6387. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Eph.v-p12.4
6388. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Eph.v-p12.3
6389. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=15#iiTim.ii-p13.4
6390. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Eph.v-p12.5
6391. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Col.iii-p25.4
6392. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Rom.xiii-p17.1
6393. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Eph.v-p12.6
6394. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Eph.v-p1.3
6395. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Eph.v-p14.2
6396. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Eph.vi-p3.1
6397. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=18#iPet.v-p4.1
6398. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=18#Eph.v-p17.1
6399. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=19#Rom.ii-p45.2
6400. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=19#Eph.v-p17.2
6401. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=20#Eph.v-p18.1
6402. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=21#Ju.i-p3.3
6403. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=21#Eph.v-p18.2
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6405. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=23#Eph.v-p19.2
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6410. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=25#Eph.v-p21.2
6411. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=25#Eph.v-p1.4
6412. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=25#Eph.v-p14.3
6413. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=26#Eph.v-p20.2
6414. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=26#Rom.xiii-p31.6
6415. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=27#Eph.v-p20.4
6416. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=28#iCor.xvii-p6.3
6417. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=28#Eph.v-p20.5
6418. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=29#Tit.iii-p4.1
6419. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=29#iPet.v-p19.4
6420. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=29#Eph.v-p20.6
6421. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=29#Eph.vi-p5.2
6422. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=30#Tit.iv-p14.1
6423. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=30#Eph.v-p21.1
6424. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=31#Tit.iv-p4.4
6425. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=4&scrV=31#Eph.v-p20.7
6426. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Eph.vi-p1.1
6427. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=2#Eph.vi-p3.2
6428. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=3#Acts.xvi-p27.2
6429. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=3#Eph.vi-p1.2
6430. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=4#Eph.vi-p5.1
6431. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=5#Eph.vi-p7.1
6432. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Acts.xxv-p43.2
6433. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Eph.vi-p7.2
6434. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=7#Eph.vi-p7.3
6435. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Col.ii-p17.7
6436. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Acts.x-p13.10
6437. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Rom.xiv-p23.2
6438. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=8#iiCor.v-p6.4
6439. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Eph.vi-p7.4
6440. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=9#Eph.vi-p8.1
6441. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=10#Eph.vi-p7.5
6442. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=11#Eph.vi-p8.2
6443. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=12#Eph.vi-p8.3
6444. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Eph.vi-p8.4
6445. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=14#Acts.xvii-p45.2
6446. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=14#Eph.vi-p8.5
6447. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=15#Eph.vi-p8.7
6448. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=15#Col.v-p7.2
6449. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Eph.vi-p8.8
6450. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=17#Eph.vi-p8.9
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6452. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=18#Eph.vi-p9.2
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6454. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Eph.vi-p9.3
6455. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=20#Col.iv-p18.9
6456. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=20#Col.iv-p18.10
6457. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=20#Eph.vi-p9.4
6458. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=21#iPet.vi-p10.3
6459. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=21#Eph.vi-p11.1
6460. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=21#Eph.vi-p1.3
6461. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=22#Eph.vi-p11.2
6462. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=22#Eph.vi-p12.1
6463. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=22#Tit.iii-p8.6
6464. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=23#Eph.vi-p12.2
6465. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=24#Col.iv-p21.3
6466. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=24#Eph.vi-p12.3
6467. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=25#Col.iv-p21.7
6468. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=25#Eph.vi-p13.1
6469. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=25#iJo.vi-p11.4
6470. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=26#Tit.iv-p13.2
6471. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=26#Eph.vi-p13.2
6472. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=26#Eph.vi-p13.4
6473. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=27#Col.ii-p30.3
6474. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=27#Eph.vi-p13.3
6475. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=27#Phi.ii-p17.5
6476. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=28#Col.iv-p21.7
6477. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=28#Eph.vi-p13.5
6478. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=29#Rom.viii-p7.1
6479. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=29#Eph.vi-p13.6
6480. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=30#Eph.vi-p13.7
6481. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=32#Eph.vi-p13.9
6482. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=33#Col.iv-p21.3
6483. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=33#Col.iv-p21.7
6484. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=33#iPet.iv-p7.1
6485. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=5&scrV=33#Eph.vi-p14.1
6486. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Eph.vii-p4.1
6487. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Eph.vii-p1.1
6488. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=2#Col.iv-p22.2
6489. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=2#Col.iv-p22.3
6490. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=2#Eph.vii-p4.4
6491. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=3#Eph.vii-p4.5
6492. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=4#Col.iv-p22.5
6493. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=4#Eph.vii-p5.1
6494. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=5#Eph.vii-p6.1
6495. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=5#Tit.iii-p14.2
6496. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=5#Eph.vii-p6.2
6497. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=6#Eph.vii-p6.3
6498. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=7#Eph.vii-p6.4
6499. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=8#Eph.vii-p6.5
6500. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=9#Col.v-p3.3
6501. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=9#Eph.vii-p7.1
6502. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Phi.v-p19.7
6503. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=10#iiTim.iii-p3.2
6504. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Eph.vii-p9.1
6505. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Phi.v-p6.1
6506. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Eph.vii-p1.2
6507. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=11#Rom.iv-p26.2
6508. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=11#Eph.vii-p11.1
6509. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=11#Eph.vii-p12.2
6510. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Col.ii-p17.4
6511. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Rom.ix-p57.3
6512. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Eph.vii-p12.1
6513. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=13#Rom.xiv-p22.1
6514. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=13#Eph.vii-p14.1
6515. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=14#Eph.vii-p16.3
6516. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=15#Eph.vii-p16.7
6517. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=16#iTh.iv-p10.3
6518. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=16#iPet.vi-p18.2
6519. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=16#Eph.vii-p16.9
6520. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=17#Heb.v-p16.6
6521. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=17#Eph.vii-p16.10
6522. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=18#iTim.iii-p3.1
6523. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=18#Rom.ii-p14.2
6524. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=18#Rom.xiii-p12.6
6525. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=18#Eph.vii-p16.14
6526. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=18#Phm.ii-p38.1
6527. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=19#Col.v-p5.2
6528. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=19#Col.v-p5.4
6529. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=19#Col.v-p5.5
6530. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=19#Eph.vii-p18.1
6531. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=19#Eph.vii-p1.3
6532. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=20#Eph.vii-p18.3
6533. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=21#Eph.vii-p19.1
6534. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=23#Eph.vii-p20.1
6535. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=6&scrV=24#Eph.vii-p20.2
6536. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=29&scrV=0#Acts.xx-p39.1
6537. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Eph&scrCh=35&scrV=0#Acts.xx-p39.2
6538. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iTim.iv-p8.7
6539. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Rom.xiii-p18.3
6540. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Phi.ii-p1.1
6541. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Phi.ii-p6.1
6542. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Phi.ii-p1.2
6543. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Phi.ii-p11.1
6544. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Phi.ii-p15.3
6545. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Phi.ii-p13.1
6546. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Rom.xv-p31.2
6547. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Rom.vi-p5.5
6548. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Phi.ii-p13.4
6549. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Phi.ii-p15.1
6550. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Phi.ii-p1.3
6551. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Phi.ii-p15.2
6552. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Phi.v-p5.1
6553. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Phi.ii-p1.4
6554. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Rom.iii-p26.2
6555. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Rom.xiii-p11.4
6556. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Phi.ii-p13.6
6557. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Phi.ii-p17.2
6558. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Tit.ii-p33.3
6559. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Phi.ii-p17.7
6560. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Acts.xvi-p55.1
6561. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Phi.ii-p20.1
6562. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Acts.xxix-p41.7
6563. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Phi.ii-p1.5
6564. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Acts.xxiv-p33.4
6565. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Acts.xxix-p41.2
6566. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Phi.ii-p21.1
6567. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Phm.ii-p21.2
6568. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Acts.v-p34.1
6569. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Phi.ii-p22.2
6570. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Phi.ii-p23.1
6571. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Phi.ii-p24.1
6572. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Phi.ii-p25.1
6573. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Acts.x-p46.3
6574. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Phi.ii-p26.1
6575. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Phi.ii-p28.1
6576. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Col.iv-p8.3
6577. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Rom.xv-p13.3
6578. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Phi.ii-p1.6
6579. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Phi.ii-p29.1
6580. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=23#Phi.ii-p30.1
6581. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Phi.ii-p31.1
6582. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=25#Phi.ii-p32.1
6583. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=26#Phi.ii-p33.1
6584. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=26#Phi.ii-p36.2
6585. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=27#Phi.ii-p36.1
6586. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=27#Phi.ii-p1.7
6587. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=28#Phi.ii-p37.1
6588. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=29#Col.ii-p14.4
6589. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=29#Jam.ii-p16.3
6590. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=29#Phi.ii-p37.2
6591. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=1&scrV=30#Phi.ii-p37.5
6592. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Phi.iii-p1.1
6593. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Rom.xiii-p27.2
6594. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Phi.iii-p4.1
6595. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p24.1
6596. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Rom.xiii-p28.2
6597. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=3#iCor.xiv-p9.2
6598. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Gal.vii-p5.3
6599. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Phi.iii-p6.1
6600. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Phi.iii-p6.2
6601. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Phi.iii-p7.1
6602. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Tit.iii-p28.6
6603. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Phi.iii-p8.1
6604. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iCor.xvi-p21.9
6605. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Rom.xv-p14.3
6606. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=9#iCor.xvi-p19.3
6607. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Rom.xi-p20.7
6608. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Acts.xvii-p48.1
6609. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Phi.iii-p12.1
6610. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Phi.iii-p1.2
6611. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Rom.xvi-p40.2
6612. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=14#Phi.iii-p14.1
6613. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=14#Phi.iii-p1.3
6614. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Phi.iii-p14.2
6615. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Tit.ii-p4.7
6616. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Phi.iii-p14.6
6617. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=17#iJo.iv-p29.2
6618. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=17#Phi.iii-p14.9
6619. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Phi.iii-p14.11
6620. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=19#Phi.iii-p1.4
6621. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=20#iiTim.ii-p4.5
6622. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=21#Phi.iii-p17.2
6623. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=22#iTim.ii-p3.2
6624. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=22#Phi.iii-p17.4
6625. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=23#Phi.iii-p17.7
6626. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=24#Phi.iii-p17.8
6627. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=26#Phi.iii-p18.2
6628. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=27#Acts.xiii-p9.2
6629. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=27#Phi.iii-p18.3
6630. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=27#Phi.iii-p18.6
6631. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=2&scrV=28#Phi.iii-p18.7
6632. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=1#iiTh.ii-p4.2
6633. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Acts.xiv-p63.2
6634. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Phi.iv-p4.1
6635. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Phi.iv-p25.2
6636. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Phi.v-p8.5
6637. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Phi.iv-p1.1
6638. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Acts.xxi-p45.4
6639. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Acts.viii-p56.3
6640. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Phi.iv-p5.1
6641. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Rom.xvi-p36.3
6642. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Rom.v-p3.1
6643. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Rom.x-p15.4
6644. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Gal.iv-p25.5
6645. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Phi.iv-p9.1
6646. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Phi.iv-p1.2
6647. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Phi.iv-p10.1
6648. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=8#iiTim.v-p21.2
6649. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=8#iJo.iii-p18.5
6650. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Phi.iv-p10.2
6651. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Rom.v-p4.3
6652. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Rom.xi-p9.1
6653. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Rom.xiv-p22.4
6654. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Phi.iv-p13.1
6655. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Phi.iv-p1.3
6656. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Rom.vii-p11.1
6657. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Rom.vii-p12.1
6658. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=10#iiPet.iv-p29.2
6659. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Phi.iv-p13.6
6660. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Acts.v-p5.3
6661. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Acts.xxvii-p13.2
6662. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Phi.iv-p14.1
6663. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Rom.viii-p17.6
6664. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Phi.iv-p17.1
6665. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Phi.iv-p18.1
6666. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Phi.iv-p17.2
6667. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Phi.iv-p18.4
6668. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Phi.iv-p19.1
6669. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Col.ii-p30.2
6670. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Acts.xii-p9.8
6671. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Rom.xv-p25.2
6672. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Rom.xiii-p27.2
6673. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Rom.xv-p8.2
6674. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Phi.iv-p27.1
6675. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Phi.iv-p1.4
6676. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Acts.xxi-p26.6
6677. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Phi.iv-p24.1
6678. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Rom.xvii-p21.2
6679. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=20#Phi.iv-p27.2
6680. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=20#Phi.iv-p28.1
6681. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=21#Rom.ix-p16.3
6682. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=21#Rom.ix-p29.2
6683. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=21#iCor.vii-p15.3
6684. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=21#iCor.xvi-p33.1
6685. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=3&scrV=21#Phi.iv-p29.1
6686. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Phi.v-p4.1
6687. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Phi.v-p1.1
6688. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=2#Phi.v-p7.1
6689. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=3#Acts.xvii-p18.1
6690. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=3#Phi.v-p7.2
6691. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Phi.v-p8.1
6692. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Phi.v-p9.1
6693. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=6#iTh.ii-p8.1
6694. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=6#iTh.vi-p20.5
6695. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Phi.v-p9.3
6696. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Phi.v-p10.1
6697. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Phi.v-p11.1
6698. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Tit.iii-p7.2
6699. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Tit.iv-p4.1
6700. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=8#iPet.iii-p21.2
6701. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Phi.v-p12.1
6702. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=9#Acts.xxi-p25.2
6703. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=9#Phi.v-p13.1
6704. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Phi.v-p18.3
6705. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Phi.v-p17.1
6706. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Phi.v-p1.2
6707. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Phi.v-p19.1
6708. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Phi.v-p19.3
6709. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=11#iTim.vii-p9.2
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6725. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=19#Phi.v-p20.2
6726. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=20#Phi.v-p23.1
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6729. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phil&scrCh=4&scrV=22#Acts.xxix-p45.2
6730. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iiPet.iv-p26.3
6731. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Col.ii-p1.1
6732. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Phm.ii-p11.2
6733. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Phm.ii-p11.3
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6738. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Col.ii-p8.1
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6765. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Acts.xxvii-p38.3
6766. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Col.ii-p19.1
6767. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Col.ii-p19.6
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6771. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Rom.vi-p4.6
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6773. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Rom.vi-p12.7
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6775. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=23#Col.ii-p24.1
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6777. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=23#iCor.xvi-p45.3
6778. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Col.ii-p29.1
6779. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=24#iCor.v-p12.4
6780. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=25#Col.ii-p25.2
6781. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=25#Col.ii-p26.1
6782. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=25#vi-p4.2
6783. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=26#Col.v-p5.6
6784. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=26#iCor.iii-p8.4
6785. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=26#Col.ii-p31.1
6786. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=27#iTim.ii-p3.1
6787. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=28#Col.ii-p30.1
6788. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=28#Jam.iii-p8.1
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6790. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=29#Col.ii-p30.5
6791. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=1&scrV=31#Rom.iii-p25.6
6792. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Col.iii-p3.1
6793. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=1#iJo.ii-p6.4
6794. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Col.iii-p1.1
6795. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Col.iii-p4.1
6796. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Col.iii-p8.1
6797. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Col.iii-p8.2
6798. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Col.iii-p1.3
6799. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Col.iii-p11.1
6800. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Col.iii-p1.2
6801. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Col.iii-p9.1
6802. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Col.iii-p1.3
6803. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Col.iii-p12.1
6804. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Col.iii-p1.3
6805. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Col.iii-p11.2
6806. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Col.iii-p13.1
6807. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Acts.xviii-p22.1
6808. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Col.iii-p1.4
6809. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Col.iii-p14.1
6810. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Col.iii-p14.8
6811. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Col.iii-p14.2
6812. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Acts.viii-p46.4
6813. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Rom.iii-p34.4
6814. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Col.iii-p15.1
6815. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Acts.xiv-p71.1
6816. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Rom.vii-p12.5
6817. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Col.iii-p18.1
6818. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Rom.vi-p26.3
6819. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Phi.ii-p13.5
6820. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Col.iii-p1.5
6821. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=14#Col.iii-p20.1
6822. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Col.iii-p21.1
6823. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Rom.ix-p57.3
6824. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Col.iii-p24.1
6825. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Col.iii-p1.6
6826. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=17#Col.iii-p24.3
6827. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Col.iii-p25.1
6828. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Rom.xiii-p14.4
6829. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=19#Col.iii-p25.2
6830. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=20#Col.iii-p26.1
6831. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=21#Col.iii-p26.2
6832. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=2&scrV=21#Rom.xv-p19.4
6833. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=1#iPet.ii-p17.3
6834. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=1#iCor.xvi-p21.4
6835. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Col.iv-p1.1
6836. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Col.iv-p4.1
6837. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Col.iv-p7.1
6838. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iCor.iii-p16.5
6839. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Col.iv-p5.1
6840. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Col.iv-p8.1
6841. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=4#iJo.vi-p28.3
6842. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=4#iJo.iv-p6.5
6843. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=4#iCor.xii-p24.1
6844. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Col.iv-p1.2
6845. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Col.iv-p12.2
6846. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=6#Col.iv-p12.1
6847. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Col.iv-p12.5
6848. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Col.iv-p14.1
6849. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Col.iv-p16.2
6850. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Col.iv-p14.2
6851. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Col.iv-p14.3
6852. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Col.iv-p14.5
6853. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Acts.xi-p17.5
6854. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Acts.xi-p34.5
6855. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Rom.ii-p22.5
6856. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Rom.iii-p15.3
6857. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Rom.v-p12.3
6858. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Rom.xi-p22.1
6859. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=11#iCor.viii-p18.2
6860. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Col.iv-p16.1
6861. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Col.iv-p1.3
6862. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Col.iv-p18.1
6863. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=14#iPet.v-p15.2
6864. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Col.iv-p18.3
6865. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Col.iv-p18.6
6866. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Col.iv-p18.8
6867. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rom.viii-p7.5
6868. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rom.xv-p13.2
6869. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Col.iv-p21.1
6870. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Tit.iii-p8.7
6871. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Col.iv-p1.4
6872. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Col.iv-p21.6
6873. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=20#Col.iv-p22.1
6874. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=21#Col.iv-p22.4
6875. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=22#Col.iv-p23.1
6876. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=22#Tit.iii-p14.1
6877. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=23#Col.iv-p23.4
6878. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=24#Col.iv-p23.5
6879. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=24#Acts.xiv-p6.2
6880. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=25#Col.iv-p23.6
6881. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=3&scrV=25#Acts.xi-p32.3
6882. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Col.v-p1.1
6883. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Col.v-p3.1
6884. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=2#Rom.xiii-p12.6
6885. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=2#Col.v-p1.2
6886. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=3#Col.v-p5.1
6887. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Col.v-p5.8
6888. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Col.v-p7.1
6889. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Col.v-p1.3
6890. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Col.v-p7.3
6891. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Col.v-p10.1
6892. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Col.v-p1.4
6893. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Col.v-p10.2
6894. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=9#Col.v-p11.1
6895. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Phm.ii-p39.5
6896. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Phm.ii-p39.7
6897. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Acts.xx-p50.3
6898. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Acts.xvi-p56.3
6899. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Acts.ii-p53.2
6900. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Col.v-p15.1
6901. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Phi.iii-p18.1
6902. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Phm.ii-p39.4
6903. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=13#Col.i-p3.2
6904. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Phm.ii-p39.9
6905. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Phm.ii-p39.10
6906. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Col.v-p19.1
6907. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Col.v-p18.1
6908. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Col.v-p15.3
6909. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Col&scrCh=4&scrV=18#Col.v-p21.1
6910. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iTh.ii-p1.1
6911. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=2#iTh.ii-p1.2
6912. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iiTh.ii-p7.1
6913. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Jam.iii-p15.3
6914. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iTh.ii-p11.1
6915. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iTh.ii-p12.1
6916. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iTh.ii-p15.1
6917. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Acts.ix-p18.6
6918. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Acts.xviii-p18.1
6919. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iTh.ii-p1.3
6920. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=7#iTh.ii-p16.1
6921. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=8#iTh.ii-p10.1
6922. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Acts.xviii-p6.3
6923. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Acts.xv-p21.1
6924. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Tit.iii-p28.14
6925. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iTh.ii-p19.1
6926. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Rom.vi-p15.3
6927. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=1#iTh.iii-p1.1
6928. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=2#iTh.iii-p4.1
6929. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Ju.ii-p8.8
6930. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Acts.xx-p18.1
6931. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Acts.xviii-p4.1
6932. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Acts.xiv-p30.3
6933. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Acts.xvii-p38.1
6934. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=3#iTh.iii-p5.1
6935. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=4#iTh.iii-p5.2
6936. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=5#iTh.iii-p8.1
6937. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=5#iTh.iii-p8.2
6938. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iTh.iii-p8.4
6939. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=7#iTh.iii-p11.1
6940. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Acts.xxi-p26.2
6941. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=7#iTh.iii-p1.2
6942. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=8#iTh.iii-p11.3
6943. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=8#iTh.iii-p11.4
6944. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p31.2
6945. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=9#iTh.iii-p11.6
6946. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Tit.iii-p10.6
6947. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=10#iTh.iii-p11.7
6948. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Acts.xxi-p26.2
6949. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=11#iTh.iii-p12.1
6950. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=12#iTh.iii-p12.4
6951. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=13#iTh.iii-p14.1
6952. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=13#iTh.iii-p16.1
6953. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=13#iTh.iii-p18.1
6954. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=13#vi-p4.2
6955. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Acts.x-p16.5
6956. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Rom.xi-p28.3
6957. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=13#iTh.iii-p1.3
6958. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=14#iTh.iii-p19.1
6959. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=15#iTh.iii-p19.4
6960. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Acts.iii-p57.3
6961. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Acts.xviii-p8.2
6962. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Rom.xvi-p48.3
6963. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=17#iTh.iii-p21.1
6964. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=17#iTh.iii-p21.3
6965. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=17#iTh.iii-p1.4
6966. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=18#iTh.iii-p21.4
6967. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=18#iTh.iii-p21.5
6968. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Rom.xvi-p43.4
6969. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=2&scrV=19#Phi.iii-p14.8
6970. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=1#iTh.i-p3.5
6971. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Acts.xviii-p20.3
6972. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=1#iTh.iv-p1.1
6973. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=2#iTh.i-p3.4
6974. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=2#iTh.iv-p4.1
6975. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=2#iTh.iv-p5.1
6976. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iTh.iv-p6.1
6977. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iTh.iv-p8.1
6978. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iTh.iv-p10.2
6979. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iPet.ii-p24.2
6980. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Acts.xv-p36.1
6981. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=4#iTh.iv-p10.1
6982. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Acts.xviii-p15.3
6983. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=5#iTh.iv-p8.2
6984. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Acts.ix-p21.1
6985. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Acts.xvi-p52.2
6986. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=6#iTh.iv-p13.1
6987. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=6#iTh.iv-p1.2
6988. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=7#iTh.iv-p14.1
6989. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=8#iTh.iv-p14.2
6990. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=9#iTh.iv-p15.1
6991. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=10#iTh.iv-p15.2
6992. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=11#iTh.iv-p20.1
6993. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=11#iTh.iv-p1.3
6994. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=12#iTh.iv-p21.1
6995. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=13#iTh.iv-p21.2
6996. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=3&scrV=13#iCor.vii-p5.5
6997. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Rom.xiv-p23.1
6998. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=1#iTh.v-p4.1
6999. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=1#iTh.v-p1.1
7000. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=3#iTh.v-p9.1
7001. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=3#iTh.v-p10.1
7002. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=4#iTh.v-p10.3
7003. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Rom.xiii-p7.10
7004. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=5#iTh.v-p10.6
7005. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=6#iTh.v-p10.8
7006. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=7#iTh.v-p10.12
7007. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Acts.ix-p16.3
7008. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=9#iTh.v-p13.1
7009. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=9#iTh.v-p14.1
7010. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Thess&scrCh=4&scrV=9#iiJo.ii-p13.2
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7457. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Acts.xxii-p1.1
7458. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=12#iiTim.iv-p9.4
7459. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=13#iiTim.iv-p10.1
7460. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=14#iiTim.iv-p11.1
7461. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=15#iTim.iii-p10.1
7462. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=15#iiTim.iv-p12.2
7463. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=16#iiTim.iv-p16.1
7464. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Tit.iii-p37.1
7465. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=16#iJo.iv-p13.3
7466. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Rom.xiii-p11.3
7467. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Col.ii-p30.2
7468. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=3&scrV=17#iiTim.iv-p17.2
7469. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=1#iiTim.v-p3.1
7470. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=1#iiTim.v-p1.1
7471. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=2#iTim.vi-p3.1
7472. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=2#Gal.vii-p9.2
7473. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=2#iiTim.v-p4.1
7474. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=3#iiTim.v-p14.1
7475. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Acts.xxi-p42.2
7476. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Phi.iii-p17.5
7477. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=6#iiTim.i-p3.2
7478. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=6#iiTim.v-p15.1
7479. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Phi.iii-p14.10
7480. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=6#iiTim.v-p1.2
7481. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=7#iiTim.v-p20.1
7482. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Tit.ii-p22.1
7483. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=8#iiTim.v-p21.1
7484. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Tit.iii-p28.16
7485. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=8#iJo.iv-p13.4
7486. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=9#iiTim.v-p23.1
7487. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=9#Eph.v-p11.15
7488. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=9#iiTim.v-p1.3
7489. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Col.v-p17.1
7490. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=10#iTim.vii-p14.2
7491. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=10#iiTim.v-p23.2
7492. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Tit.i-p3.10
7493. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Phm.ii-p39.8
7494. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Phm.ii-p39.6
7495. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Phm.ii-p39.10
7496. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Acts.i-p5.2
7497. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Acts.xvi-p56.2
7498. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=11#iiTim.v-p23.3
7499. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Eph.i-p3.3
7500. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=13#iiTim.v-p23.5
7501. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Acts.xx-p54.2
7502. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=14#iiTim.v-p23.6
7503. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=16#iiTim.i-p3.3
7504. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=16#iiTim.v-p26.1
7505. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Rom.xvi-p46.2
7506. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Acts.xxix-p22.2
7507. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Acts.xxix-p41.3
7508. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Rom.ix-p52.1
7509. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=16#iiTim.v-p1.4
7510. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=17#iiTim.v-p27.1
7511. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Acts.xxix-p41.4
7512. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=19#iiTim.v-p28.1
7513. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=19#iiTim.v-p1.5
7514. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=20#iiTim.v-p28.2
7515. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=20#Acts.xxviii-p4.6
7516. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=20#Rom.xvii-p27.12
7517. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2Tim&scrCh=4&scrV=21#iiTim.v-p29.1
7518. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Ju.i-p3.4
7519. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Rom.vii-p3.5
7520. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iiPet.ii-p5.1
7521. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Tit.ii-p1.1
7522. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=2#iiTim.ii-p3.4
7523. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Tit.ii-p4.9
7524. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Tit.ii-p4.11
7525. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Tit.i-p3.4
7526. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iiCor.viii-p9.2
7527. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Tit.ii-p1.2
7528. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Acts.xxi-p41.2
7529. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Acts.xxviii-p6.3
7530. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Tit.ii-p15.1
7531. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Tit.ii-p12.1
7532. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Tit.ii-p1.3
7533. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Tit.ii-p19.3
7534. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Acts.xxi-p41.2
7535. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Tit.ii-p20.4
7536. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p5.1
7537. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Tit.ii-p15.2
7538. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Ju.ii-p30.3
7539. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Tit.ii-p24.1
7540. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Tit.ii-p25.1
7541. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Tit.ii-p27.1
7542. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Tit.ii-p29.1
7543. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Acts.viii-p55.5
7544. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Tit.ii-p31.1
7545. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Rom.xv-p23.2
7546. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=15#iCor.viii-p13.2
7547. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=15#iCor.xi-p22.3
7548. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Tit.ii-p33.1
7549. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Tit.iii-p1.1
7550. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=2#iPet.ii-p45.3
7551. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Tit.iii-p1.2
7552. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Tit.iii-p5.1
7553. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Acts.xix-p41.1
7554. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=4#iPet.ii-p45.4
7555. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iPet.ii-p45.4
7556. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Tit.iii-p10.1
7557. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Tit.iii-p10.2
7558. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=8#iiTim.ii-p13.2
7559. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Rom.xiii-p19.7
7560. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Tit.iii-p13.1
7561. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Rom.x-p27.2
7562. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Tit.iii-p1.3
7563. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Tit.iii-p10.4
7564. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Acts.xxv-p43.1
7565. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=12#iiPet.ii-p11.4
7566. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Col.ii-p7.5
7567. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Tit.iii-p8.4
7568. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=14#iiTim.iii-p24.4
7569. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=14#Tit.iii-p29.1
7570. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Tit.iii-p1.4
7571. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Tit.iv-p1.1
7572. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Ju.ii-p19.2
7573. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Tit.iv-p7.1
7574. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Col.iii-p14.5
7575. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Tit.iv-p26.1
7576. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=5#iCor.xiii-p12.3
7577. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Tit.iv-p18.1
7578. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Tit.iv-p25.1
7579. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Jam.iii-p15.3
7580. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Acts.x-p66.4
7581. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=8#iiPet.ii-p11.1
7582. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=8#iiPet.ii-p16.2
7583. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Tit.iv-p21.1
7584. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Tit.iv-p1.2
7585. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Tit.iv-p22.1
7586. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Tit.iv-p23.1
7587. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=13#iCor.xvii-p11.5
7588. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Tit.iv-p25.2
7589. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Rom.xiii-p24.2
7590. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Tit.iv-p1.3
7591. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=3&scrV=24#Tit.iv-p17.2
7592. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=15&scrV=0#Tit.ii-p32.1
7593. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Titus&scrCh=16&scrV=0#Tit.ii-p32.1
7594. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Phm.ii-p3.1
7595. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Phm.ii-p1.1
7596. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Phm.ii-p6.1
7597. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Phm.ii-p8.1
7598. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Phm.ii-p7.1
7599. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Phm.ii-p13.1
7600. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p18.1
7601. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Acts.vii-p17.1
7602. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Rom.xiii-p6.4
7603. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p1.2
7604. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p16.1
7605. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Phm.ii-p19.1
7606. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Phlm&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Col.v-p11.2
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7747. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=6&scrV=3#Heb.vii-p12.1
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8028. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=7#Heb.xiv-p12.1
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8031. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=9#Heb.xiv-p19.1
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8036. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=15#iPet.v-p19.3
8037. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=15#Heb.xiv-p29.3
8038. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=16#Phi.v-p20.1
8039. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=16#Heb.xiv-p29.4
8040. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=17#Heb.xiv-p30.1
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8051. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=22#Heb.xiv-p39.1
8052. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=23#Heb.xiv-p32.2
8053. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=23#Heb.xiv-p38.1
8054. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=23#Acts.xxix-p41.5
8055. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Heb&scrCh=13&scrV=25#Heb.xiv-p41.1
8056. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Jam.ii-p1.1
8057. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Jam.vi-p4.2
8058. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Acts.xxvii-p11.3
8059. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Jam.ii-p11.1
8060. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Jam.ii-p1.2
8061. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Jam.vi-p9.5
8062. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Jam.ii-p12.1
8063. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Col.ii-p14.3
8064. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iiPet.ii-p11.5
8065. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Jam.ii-p14.1
8066. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iTim.iii-p7.4
8067. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Jam.ii-p12.2
8068. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Jam.ii-p14.2
8069. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Jam.ii-p15.1
8070. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Jam.ii-p15.2
8071. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Jam.ii-p16.1
8072. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Jam.ii-p16.2
8073. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Jam.ii-p16.4
8074. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Jam.ii-p17.1
8075. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Jam.iii-p6.6
8076. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Jam.ii-p19.1
8077. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=13#iPet.v-p5.2
8078. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Jam.ii-p1.3
8079. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Jam.ii-p20.1
8080. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Jam.ii-p20.3
8081. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Rom.viii-p4.7
8082. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Jam.ii-p21.1
8083. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Col.ii-p17.13
8084. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Jam.ii-p21.2
8085. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Rom.xiii-p15.1
8086. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Rom.xvii-p38.5
8087. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Phi.ii-p6.3
8088. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Jam.ii-p21.4
8089. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Jam.ii-p24.2
8090. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=18#iPet.ii-p56.1
8091. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Jam.ii-p24.1
8092. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Jam.ii-p1.4
8093. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Jam.ii-p25.1
8094. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Ju.ii-p8.6
8095. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Jam.ii-p26.1
8096. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Jam.ii-p28.1
8097. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=21#iPet.iii-p5.1
8098. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Jam.ii-p30.1
8099. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Rom.iii-p20.6
8100. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=23#Jam.ii-p31.1
8101. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Jam.ii-p31.3
8102. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=24#iCor.xvii-p19.5
8103. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=25#Jam.ii-p31.4
8104. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=26#Tit.iv-p4.2
8105. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=1&scrV=27#Jam.ii-p34.1
8106. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Jam.iii-p4.1
8107. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Phi.ii-p5.3
8108. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Rom.xiii-p28.8
8109. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Jam.iii-p1.1
8110. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Jam.iii-p5.1
8111. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Jam.iii-p5.2
8112. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Jam.iii-p6.1
8113. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Col.iii-p6.1
8114. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Jam.iii-p6.3
8115. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Acts.xvii-p56.5
8116. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Jam.iii-p6.4
8117. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Jam.iii-p6.7
8118. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=7#Jam.iii-p6.8
8119. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Jam.iii-p9.1
8120. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Jam.iii-p1.2
8121. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Jam.iii-p5.3
8122. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Jam.iii-p10.1
8123. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Jam.iii-p11.1
8124. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Jam.iii-p11.2
8125. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Jam.iii-p1.3
8126. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Jam.iii-p12.1
8127. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Jam.iii-p12.2
8128. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Acts.x-p69.4
8129. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Rom.xiii-p25.2
8130. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Jam.iii-p18.1
8131. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Phi.v-p18.2
8132. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=17#Jam.iii-p18.2
8133. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=18#iTh.ii-p10.2
8134. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Jam.iii-p19.1
8135. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=19#Jam.iii-p20.1
8136. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=20#Jam.iii-p21.1
8137. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=21#Jam.iii-p23.1
8138. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=22#Jam.iii-p23.5
8139. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=23#Jam.iii-p23.6
8140. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=23#Rom.vi-p4.3
8141. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=24#Jam.iii-p23.7
8142. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=25#Jam.iii-p24.1
8143. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=2&scrV=26#Jam.iii-p25.1
8144. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Jam.iv-p4.1
8145. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Rom.iii-p4.2
8146. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Rom.xv-p11.2
8147. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Jam.iv-p1.1
8148. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Jam.iv-p4.3
8149. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Jam.iv-p5.1
8150. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Jam.iv-p5.3
8151. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Jam.iv-p6.1
8152. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Jam.iv-p7.1
8153. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Rom.iv-p17.2
8154. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Rom.iv-p17.4
8155. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Jam.iv-p8.1
8156. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=11#Jam.iv-p8.2
8157. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Tit.iv-p4.7
8158. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Jam.iv-p11.1
8159. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=13#Jam.iv-p1.2
8160. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Jam.iv-p12.1
8161. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Jam.iv-p12.3
8162. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Jam.iv-p12.2
8163. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=16#Ju.ii-p5.3
8164. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rom.xiii-p29.4
8165. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Jam.iv-p13.1
8166. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Jam.iv-p13.2
8167. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Jam.v-p4.1
8168. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Jam.v-p1.1
8169. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=2#Jam.v-p4.2
8170. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=3#Jam.v-p4.3
8171. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Jam.v-p5.1
8172. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=4#Jam.v-p1.2
8173. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Jam.v-p5.3
8174. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Jam.v-p6.1
8175. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=6#Jam.v-p6.4
8176. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Jam.v-p7.1
8177. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=7#iPet.vi-p10.7
8178. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Jam.v-p9.1
8179. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Jam.v-p8.1
8180. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Jam.v-p15.2
8181. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Jam.v-p9.2
8182. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=10#iPet.vi-p10.7
8183. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Jam.v-p12.1
8184. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Jam.v-p1.3
8185. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=12#Jam.v-p12.6
8186. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=13#Jam.v-p13.1
8187. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=13#Rom.xvi-p45.3
8188. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=13#Jam.v-p1.4
8189. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=14#Jam.v-p13.2
8190. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Jam.v-p14.1
8191. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Rom.ii-p14.5
8192. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=15#iCor.v-p18.1
8193. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=15#iCor.xvii-p11.8
8194. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=15#Phi.iii-p17.9
8195. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=16#Jam.v-p15.1
8196. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Jam.v-p16.1
8197. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=4&scrV=17#Rom.ii-p47.2
8198. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Jam.vi-p5.1
8199. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Jam.vi-p1.1
8200. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Jam.vi-p4.3
8201. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=2#Jam.vi-p5.2
8202. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=3#Jam.vi-p5.3
8203. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=4#Col.v-p3.2
8204. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=4#Jam.vi-p6.1
8205. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=4#Rom.x-p37.2
8206. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=5#Jam.vi-p6.2
8207. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Jam.vi-p6.4
8208. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=7#iiTim.iii-p8.2
8209. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=7#Jam.vi-p8.1
8210. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=7#Jam.vi-p1.2
8211. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Jam.vi-p8.2
8212. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Jam.vi-p8.4
8213. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Jam.vi-p9.1
8214. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Phi.ii-p36.3
8215. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=8#iPet.v-p10.1
8216. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Acts.iii-p32.6
8217. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=9#Jam.vi-p8.3
8218. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=9#Jam.vi-p9.2
8219. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=10#Jam.vi-p9.3
8220. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=11#Jam.vi-p9.4
8221. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=11#Jam.vi-p9.6
8222. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=12#Jam.vi-p1.3
8223. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=12#Jam.vi-p12.1
8224. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Jam.vi-p1.4
8225. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Jam.vi-p15.1
8226. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Jam.vi-p17.3
8227. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Acts.xvii-p42.1
8228. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=14#Jam.vi-p17.2
8229. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=14#Jam.vi-p17.4
8230. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=14#Jam.vi-p1.5
8231. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=14#Jam.vi-p16.1
8232. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=15#Jam.vi-p16.3
8233. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Col.v-p15.2
8234. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Phm.ii-p8.4
8235. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Jam.vi-p17.1
8236. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Jam.vi-p17.5
8237. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=16#iPet.vi-p10.3
8238. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=16#Jam.vi-p1.6
8239. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=17#Rom.xvi-p53.1
8240. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=17#Rom.xii-p7.3
8241. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=17#Jam.vi-p18.1
8242. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=18#Acts.xv-p20.1
8243. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Jam.vi-p19.2
8244. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Jam.vi-p19.1
8245. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=5&scrV=20#Jam.vi-p19.3
8246. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jas&scrCh=14&scrV=0#Acts.ii-p36.1
8247. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Acts.iii-p17.2
8248. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Acts.xix-p4.6
8249. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Acts.xvii-p10.6
8250. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iPet.ii-p1.1
8251. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Tit.ii-p4.4
8252. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Rom.ix-p41.4
8253. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=2#iPet.vi-p26.2
8254. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Tit.iii-p28.13
8255. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iJo.vi-p5.5
8256. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Acts.xiv-p49.4
8257. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Rom.xvi-p26.2
8258. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iPet.ii-p1.2
8259. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iCor.xvi-p35.2
8260. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Rom.xv-p10.2
8261. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Rom.xvii-p38.3
8262. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Phi.iv-p18.3
8263. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iPet.ii-p23.1
8264. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iPet.ii-p1.3
8265. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=7#iPet.ii-p25.1
8266. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Col.iv-p7.3
8267. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=8#iPet.ii-p27.1
8268. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Ju.ii-p37.3
8269. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Rom.xvi-p28.4
8270. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Col.ii-p32.5
8271. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=9#iPet.ii-p31.2
8272. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=9#iCor.xvi-p24.7
8273. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Phi.iii-p11.1
8274. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iTim.iii-p6.2
8275. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iPet.ii-p1.4
8276. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=11#iPet.ii-p37.1
8277. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Rom.xii-p29.1
8278. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Tit.iii-p28.10
8279. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=13#iPet.ii-p45.1
8280. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Acts.iv-p30.5
8281. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=13#iPet.ii-p1.5
8282. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iPet.ii-p46.1
8283. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=15#iPet.ii-p47.1
8284. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=17#iPet.ii-p48.1
8285. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Acts.xi-p32.3
8286. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=18#iPet.ii-p49.1
8287. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Tit.iii-p31.4
8288. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=20#iPet.ii-p8.5
8289. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=20#iPet.iii-p11.1
8290. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Rom.ix-p41.5
8291. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=20#iPet.ii-p50.1
8292. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=22#iPet.ii-p9.4
8293. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=22#iPet.ii-p55.1
8294. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=22#iJo.vi-p22.5
8295. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=22#iPet.ii-p1.6
8296. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=23#iJo.iv-p15.1
8297. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Heb.v-p16.3
8298. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=1#iPet.iii-p8.2
8299. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Jam.ii-p25.3
8300. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=1#iPet.iii-p1.1
8301. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=3#iPet.iii-p8.1
8302. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=4#iPet.iii-p8.3
8303. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=5#Rom.xiii-p7.2
8304. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iPet.iii-p12.1
8305. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=6#iPet.iii-p14.2
8306. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=7#iPet.iii-p14.1
8307. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=7#iPet.iii-p18.1
8308. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=8#iPet.iii-p15.1
8309. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Col.ii-p17.6
8310. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Col.ii-p17.8
8311. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=9#iPet.iii-p17.1
8312. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=9#iiPet.ii-p8.5
8313. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=11#iiTim.iii-p27.2
8314. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=11#iPet.iii-p20.1
8315. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Ju.ii-p14.2
8316. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Ju.ii-p18.1
8317. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Rom.xiv-p8.3
8318. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=13#iPet.iii-p1.2
8319. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=15#iPet.iii-p30.1
8320. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=17#Col.ii-p7.3
8321. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=17#iJo.v-p24.6
8322. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=17#Rom.xiv-p4.2
8323. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Tit.iii-p13.3
8324. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=18#iPet.iii-p33.1
8325. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=19#iPet.iii-p36.1
8326. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=20#Acts.v-p16.3
8327. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=20#Acts.xxiv-p11.6
8328. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=21#iPet.iii-p37.1
8329. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=21#iPet.iii-p39.1
8330. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=22#iPet.iii-p38.1
8331. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=23#iPet.iii-p38.3
8332. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=24#iPet.iii-p37.2
8333. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=2&scrV=25#iPet.iii-p40.1
8334. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=1#iPet.iv-p1.1
8335. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=3#iPet.iv-p9.1
8336. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=4#iPet.iv-p9.2
8337. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Rom.viii-p19.5
8338. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Phi.iv-p10.4
8339. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=5#iPet.iv-p10.1
8340. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Phm.ii-p39.2
8341. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=8#iPet.iv-p1.2
8342. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=10#iPet.iv-p19.1
8343. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=10#iTim.iii-p3.4
8344. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=12#iPet.iv-p20.1
8345. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=13#iPet.iv-p21.1
8346. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=14#iPet.iv-p21.2
8347. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=14#iJo.iv-p13.2
8348. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Col.v-p7.5
8349. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=15#iPet.iv-p21.4
8350. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Acts.xxvii-p3.2
8351. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=18#iTim.iv-p16.3
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8353. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1Pet&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Rom.xvi-p9.3
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8802. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=14#iJo.vi-p1.6
8803. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=15#iJo.vi-p33.1
8804. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=16#iJo.vi-p34.1
8805. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=16#iJo.vi-p34.2
8806. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=17#iJo.vi-p34.3
8807. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=17#iJo.vi-p35.2
8808. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=18#iJo.vi-p1.7
8809. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=18#iJo.vi-p38.2
8810. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=18#iJo.vi-p38.4
8811. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=18#Acts.xxix-p12.2
8812. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=19#iJo.vi-p1.8
8813. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=19#iJo.vi-p38.5
8814. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=19#Rom.iv-p24.1
8815. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=19#iiPet.ii-p8.11
8816. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=20#Tit.iii-p28.4
8817. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=20#iJo.vi-p1.9
8818. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=20#iJo.vi-p38.7
8819. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=20#iJo.vi-p38.10
8820. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=21#iJo.vi-p1.10
8821. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=1John&scrCh=5&scrV=21#iJo.vi-p39.1
8822. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iiJo.ii-p1.1
8823. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iJo.vi-p3.4
8824. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iJo.vi-p17.2
8825. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iiJo.ii-p6.1
8826. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iJo.ii-p8.2
8827. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iiTim.ii-p4.8
8828. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iiJo.ii-p9.1
8829. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Phi.v-p5.2
8830. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iiJo.ii-p13.1
8831. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iiJo.ii-p14.1
8832. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iiJo.ii-p15.1
8833. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iJo.iii-p11.2
8834. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iiJo.ii-p1.2
8835. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iiJo.ii-p15.2
8836. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=7#iiJo.ii-p1.3
8837. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=7#iiJo.ii-p18.1
8838. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=7#iiJo.ii-p18.2
8839. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=8#iiJo.ii-p1.4
8840. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=8#iiJo.ii-p19.1
8841. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=8#iiJo.ii-p19.2
8842. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Rom.xvii-p22.1
8843. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iPet.iv-p16.2
8844. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iiJo.ii-p1.5
8845. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=2John&scrCh=1&scrV=12#iiJo.ii-p1.6
8846. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Rom.xvii-p27.10
8847. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=1#iiiJo.ii-p1.1
8848. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iiiJo.ii-p8.1
8849. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iiiJo.ii-p10.1
8850. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iiiJo.ii-p1.2
8851. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=4#iiTim.ii-p4.4
8852. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Phi.v-p5.2
8853. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iiiJo.ii-p9.1
8854. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iiiJo.ii-p1.3
8855. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Tit.iv-p25.3
8856. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iiiJo.ii-p8.2
8857. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Acts.xvi-p9.2
8858. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iCor.xvii-p11.4
8859. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=9#iiiJo.ii-p17.1
8860. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=9#iiiJo.ii-p1.4
8861. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iiiJo.ii-p17.2
8862. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=10#iiiJo.ii-p18.1
8863. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=11#iiiJo.ii-p19.1
8864. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=12#iiiJo.ii-p1.5
8865. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=12#iiiJo.ii-p21.1
8866. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Phi.iii-p14.3
8867. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=13#iiiJo.ii-p1.6
8868. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=3John&scrCh=1&scrV=13#iiiJo.ii-p22.1
8869. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Ju.ii-p1.1
8870. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=3#iTim.v-p4.1
8871. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Ju.ii-p1.2
8872. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Rom.ii-p8.6
8873. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Phi.ii-p13.2
8874. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Phi.iii-p11.3
8875. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Ju.ii-p1.3
8876. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=5#iTim.v-p10.3
8877. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Ju.ii-p12.1
8878. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Ju.ii-p12.4
8879. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Ju.ii-p1.4
8880. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Ju.ii-p10.1
8881. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=6#Ju.ii-p13.1
8882. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Ju.ii-p14.1
8883. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Acts.xxiv-p11.7
8884. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Ju.ii-p1.5
8885. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Ju.ii-p20.1
8886. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Ju.ii-p21.1
8887. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Ju.ii-p35.1
8888. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Ju.ii-p22.1
8889. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=12#Ju.ii-p22.2
8890. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Acts.xiv-p24.1
8891. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iiTh.iii-p5.1
8892. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Acts.iv-p24.11
8893. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iPet.v-p10.2
8894. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Ju.ii-p1.6
8895. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=14#Ju.ii-p24.1
8896. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=14#iCor.vii-p5.4
8897. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Ju.ii-p25.1
8898. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=15#Rom.iv-p23.2
8899. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Ju.ii-p27.1
8900. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Ju.ii-p1.7
8901. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Ju.ii-p29.1
8902. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Ju.ii-p28.1
8903. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Ju.ii-p30.1
8904. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=19#iCor.iii-p15.2
8905. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Ju.ii-p32.1
8906. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Ju.ii-p1.8
8907. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=21#iiTim.ii-p18.1
8908. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=21#Ju.ii-p34.1
8909. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=22#iTim.vi-p3.2
8910. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Tit.ii-p30.1
8911. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Tit.iv-p4.8
8912. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Ju.ii-p1.9
8913. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=22#Ju.ii-p36.1
8914. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Rom.xv-p10.2
8915. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Rom.xvii-p38.2
8916. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Phi.ii-p17.6
8917. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Ju.ii-p1.10
8918. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=24#Ju.ii-p37.1
8919. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Jude&scrCh=1&scrV=25#iTim.ii-p21.4
8920. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Rev.ii-p1.1
8921. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=1#Rev.v-p1.1
8922. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=2#Rev.ii-p6.1
8923. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=3#Rev.ii-p1.2
8924. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Rev.ii-p10.1
8925. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Rev.ii-p12.5
8926. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=4#Rev.iv-p3.1
8927. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Rev.ii-p12.1
8928. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Rev.iv-p29.1
8929. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Acts.xxvii-p38.2
8930. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=5#Rom.vi-p26.5
8931. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=6#iiPet.ii-p4.3
8932. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Ju.ii-p37.2
8933. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=7#Rev.ii-p12.3
8934. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=8#Rev.ii-p12.4
8935. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=9#Rev.ii-p1.3
8936. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Rev.v-p7.1
8937. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=10#Acts.xxi-p11.2
8938. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=11#Rev.ii-p10.2
8939. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=13#Rev.iii-p4.2
8940. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Heb.v-p16.7
8941. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Rev.iii-p4.2
8942. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Rev.iii-p24.1
8943. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=16#Rev.xi-p4.1
8944. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Rev.ii-p21.1
8945. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Rev.ii-p22.1
8946. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=17#Rev.iii-p15.1
8947. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Acts.xxvi-p27.1
8948. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Rom.vi-p15.5
8949. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=18#Rom.vii-p12.8
8950. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=19#Rev.iii-p1.1
8951. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=1&scrV=20#Rev.ii-p18.1
8952. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=1#Rev.iii-p1.2
8953. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Rev.iii-p6.1
8954. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Rev.iii-p6.3
8955. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=2#Rev.iii-p6.5
8956. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Rev.iii-p6.2
8957. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=3#Rev.iii-p6.4
8958. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=4#iTim.vi-p9.2
8959. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=4#Rev.iii-p7.1
8960. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Rev.iii-p9.1
8961. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=6#Acts.vii-p18.5
8962. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=7#iiCor.xiii-p4.3
8963. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=8#Rev.iii-p1.3
8964. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=9#Rom.iii-p25.1
8965. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Rev.iii-p17.1
8966. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Rev.iii-p20.1
8967. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=10#Acts.xxvii-p18.3
8968. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=10#iPet.v-p30.3
8969. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=11#Rev.iii-p21.1
8970. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=12#Rev.iii-p1.4
8971. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=13#Rev.iii-p26.1
8972. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=14#Rev.iii-p28.1
8973. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=15#Acts.vii-p18.5
8974. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=16#Rev.iii-p29.1
8975. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=17#Rev.iii-p30.1
8976. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=18#Rev.iii-p1.5
8977. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=22#Rev.iii-p39.1
8978. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=23#Heb.v-p18.2
8979. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=23#Rev.iii-p33.1
8980. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=23#iCor.v-p5.3
8981. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=24#Rev.iii-p41.1
8982. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=24#Rev.iii-p41.2
8983. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=2&scrV=26#Rev.iii-p42.1
8984. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=1#Rev.iv-p1.1
8985. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=2#Rev.iv-p6.1
8986. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Rev.iv-p6.2
8987. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Rev.iv-p7.1
8988. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=3#Rev.xi-p11.1
8989. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=4#Rev.iv-p8.1
8990. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Rev.iv-p10.1
8991. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=5#Phi.v-p7.5
8992. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=7#iJo.iii-p31.1
8993. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=7#Rev.iv-p1.2
8994. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Rev.iv-p18.1
8995. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=8#Rev.iv-p19.1
8996. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Acts.xvii-p62.5
8997. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=9#Rev.iv-p20.1
8998. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=10#Rev.iv-p22.1
8999. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=11#iTim.vii-p15.2
9000. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=11#iiJo.ii-p19.3
9001. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=12#Rev.iv-p24.1
9002. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=14#Rev.iv-p1.3
9003. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=15#Rev.iv-p31.1
9004. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=17#Rev.iv-p33.1
9005. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=18#Rev.iv-p34.1
9006. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=18#iiPet.ii-p5.4
9007. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=19#Rev.iv-p35.1
9008. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=20#Rev.iv-p35.2
9009. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=20#Acts.xvii-p22.2
9010. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=21#Rev.iv-p37.1
9011. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=21#Rom.ix-p25.10
9012. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=21#iCor.xvi-p21.2
9013. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=3&scrV=22#Rev.iv-p38.1
9014. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=4&scrV=1#Rev.v-p1.2
9015. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=4&scrV=3#Rev.v-p8.1
9016. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=4&scrV=5#Rev.v-p8.2
9017. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=4&scrV=7#Rev.v-p8.3
9018. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=4&scrV=8#Rev.v-p1.3
9019. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=4&scrV=10#Rev.v-p12.1
9020. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Rev.v-p15.1
9021. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=4&scrV=11#Rom.xii-p32.2
9022. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=1#Rev.vi-p1.1
9023. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=2#Rev.vi-p5.1
9024. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=5#Rev.vi-p9.2
9025. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=6#Rev.vi-p1.2
9026. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=7#Rev.vi-p9.1
9027. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=8#Rev.vi-p11.1
9028. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=9#Rev.vi-p11.2
9029. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=9#Rom.vi-p26.5
9030. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=10#Rev.vi-p11.3
9031. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=10#Rom.xvi-p34.7
9032. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=11#Rev.vi-p12.1
9033. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=12#iTim.ii-p21.5
9034. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=5&scrV=13#Rev.vi-p13.1
9035. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Acts.iii-p8.2
9036. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=1#Rev.vii-p1.1
9037. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=2#Rev.vii-p3.1
9038. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=2#Acts.iii-p47.2
9039. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=3#Rev.vii-p1.2
9040. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=4#Rev.vii-p6.1
9041. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=5#Rev.vii-p7.1
9042. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=5#Rev.vii-p1.3
9043. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=6#Rev.vii-p7.3
9044. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=7#Rev.vii-p1.4
9045. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=8#Rev.vii-p9.1
9046. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=9#Rev.vii-p13.1
9047. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=9#Rev.vii-p1.5
9048. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=10#Rev.vii-p14.1
9049. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=11#Rev.vii-p15.1
9050. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Rev.vii-p16.1
9051. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=12#Rev.vii-p1.6
9052. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=13#Rev.vii-p17.1
9053. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=15#Rev.vii-p18.1
9054. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=6&scrV=17#Rom.iii-p8.7
9055. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=1#Rev.viii-p1.1
9056. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=4#Rev.viii-p1.2
9057. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=9#Rev.viii-p4.1
9058. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=9#Acts.xi-p17.11
9059. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=9#Rom.xii-p7.6
9060. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=9#Rev.viii-p1.3
9061. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=9#Rev.viii-p5.1
9062. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=11#Rev.viii-p7.1
9063. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=13#Rev.viii-p1.4
9064. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=14#Rev.viii-p12.1
9065. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=7&scrV=14#iiCor.vi-p6.8
9066. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=8&scrV=1#Rev.ix-p1.1
9067. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=8&scrV=3#Rev.ix-p7.1
9068. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=8&scrV=7#Rev.ix-p9.1
9069. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=8&scrV=7#Rev.ix-p1.2
9070. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=8&scrV=8#Rev.ix-p10.1
9071. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=8&scrV=10#Rev.ix-p11.1
9072. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=8&scrV=10#Rom.xvii-p22.5
9073. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=8&scrV=13#Rev.ix-p13.1
9074. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=1#Rev.x-p1.1
9075. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=6#Rev.x-p3.1
9076. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=7#Rev.x-p3.2
9077. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=13#Rev.x-p6.1
9078. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=13#Rev.x-p1.2
9079. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=14#Rev.x-p6.2
9080. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=15#Rev.x-p7.1
9081. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=17#Rev.x-p7.2
9082. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=20#Rev.x-p7.3
9083. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=9&scrV=21#Rev.x-p7.4
9084. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=1#Rev.xi-p1.2
9085. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=3#Rev.xi-p6.1
9086. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=4#Rev.xi-p1.3
9087. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=4#Rev.xi-p7.1
9088. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=4#Rev.xi-p10.1
9089. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=5#Rev.xi-p1.4
9090. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=7#Rev.xi-p8.1
9091. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=7#Acts.iv-p28.5
9092. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=8#Rev.xi-p1.5
9093. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=10#Rev.xi-p12.1
9094. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=10&scrV=11#Rom.xvii-p34.1
9095. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=1#Rev.xii-p1.1
9096. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=2#Rev.xii-p5.1
9097. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=3#Rev.xii-p1.2
9098. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=5#Rev.xii-p12.1
9099. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=6#Jam.vi-p18.3
9100. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=7#Acts.xxi-p35.1
9101. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=10#Rev.xii-p13.1
9102. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=10#Acts.xxiii-p25.2
9103. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=11#Rev.xii-p14.1
9104. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=12#Rev.xii-p15.1
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9106. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=11&scrV=15#Rev.xi-p1.1
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9131. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=13&scrV=5#Acts.xix-p10.1
9132. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=13&scrV=10#Rev.xiv-p3.4
9133. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=13&scrV=11#Rev.xiv-p1.2
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9150. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=14&scrV=18#Rev.xv-p17.2
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9171. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=16&scrV=19#Rev.xvii-p17.3
9172. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=17&scrV=1#Rev.xviii-p3.1
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9176. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=17&scrV=7#Rev.xviii-p1.3
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9179. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=17&scrV=13#Rom.xvi-p14.2
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9182. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=17&scrV=18#Rev.xviii-p11.1
9183. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=17&scrV=18#Rom.xiii-p28.5
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9185. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=1#Rev.xix-p1.1
9186. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=2#Rev.xix-p3.3
9187. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=3#Rev.xix-p1.2
9188. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=3#Rev.xix-p3.5
9189. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=4#Rev.xix-p1.3
9190. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=4#Rev.xix-p3.6
9191. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=6#Rev.xix-p3.7
9192. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=6#Rev.xix-p1.4
9193. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=7#Rev.xix-p3.8
9194. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=8#Rev.xix-p3.9
9195. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=9#Rev.xix-p1.5
9196. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=12#Rev.xix-p9.1
9197. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=14#Rev.xix-p9.2
9198. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=19#Rev.xix-p8.1
9199. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=20#Rev.vii-p14.2
9200. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=20#Rev.xix-p10.1
9201. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=20#Rev.xx-p3.1
9202. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=20#Acts.i-p5.4
9203. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=20#Rev.xix-p1.6
9204. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=21#Rev.xix-p10.2
9205. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=18&scrV=24#Rev.xix-p10.3
9206. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=1#Rev.xx-p1.1
9207. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=2#Rev.xx-p3.3
9208. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=3#Rev.xx-p3.4
9209. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=4#Rev.xx-p3.2
9210. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=4#Rev.xx-p3.5
9211. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=5#Rev.xx-p1.2
9212. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=6#Rev.xx-p5.1
9213. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=7#Rev.xx-p7.1
9214. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=9#Rev.xx-p7.3
9215. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=10#Acts.xi-p24.4
9216. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=10#Rev.xx-p1.3
9217. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=13#Acts.xii-p4.1
9218. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=13#iJo.i-p3.4
9219. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=14#Rev.xx-p11.1
9220. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=15#Rev.xx-p12.1
9221. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=16#iTim.vii-p21.2
9222. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=16#Rev.xx-p13.1
9223. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=17#Rev.xvi-p6.2
9224. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=17#Rev.xx-p14.1
9225. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=19&scrV=19#Rev.xx-p15.1
9226. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=1#Rev.xxi-p1.1
9227. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=2#Rev.xxi-p3.1
9228. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=3#Acts.xvii-p31.2
9229. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=4#Rev.xxi-p1.2
9230. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=4#Rev.xxi-p4.1
9231. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=6#Rev.xxi-p7.1
9232. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=7#Rev.xxi-p1.3
9233. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=8#Rev.xxi-p8.1
9234. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=9#Rev.xxi-p8.4
9235. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=11#Rev.xxi-p1.4
9236. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=12#Jam.iii-p19.2
9237. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=20&scrV=12#Rev.xxi-p10.3
9238. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=1#Rev.xxii-p4.1
9239. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=1#Acts.iv-p24.10
9240. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=1#Rom.ix-p28.9
9241. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=1#Rev.xxii-p1.1
9242. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=2#Acts.xi-p17.4
9243. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=2#Acts.viii-p64.3
9244. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=3#Rev.xxii-p6.1
9245. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=3#Rom.ix-p25.6
9246. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=5#Rev.xxii-p8.1
9247. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=7#Rev.xxii-p9.1
9248. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=7#Rom.ix-p25.8
9249. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=8#Rev.xxii-p9.2
9250. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=9#Rev.xxii-p12.1
9251. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=10#Rev.xxii-p14.1
9252. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=10#Rev.xxii-p1.2
9253. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=11#Rev.xxii-p16.2
9254. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=14#Rev.xxii-p16.5
9255. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=14#Rom.xvi-p39.3
9256. file:///ccel/h/henry/mhc6/cache/mhc6.html3?scrBook=Rev&scrCh=21&scrV=15#Rev.xxii-p16.3
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