Mark 1:1 The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; I. CHRIST JESUS IS THE AUTHOR OF THIS GOSPEL. How great, then, is the sin of those who despise, or refuse to believe and obey the gospel. They reject Christ Himself. Take heed we be not guilty of this sin, for God will severely punish it. Yet, how common is this contempt of the gospel nowadays! How little do some care to hear it unfolded in the public ministry: a small matter hinders them. One cause of such contempt is this, that men are not yet thoroughly persuaded that the doctrine, delivered by a frail man like themselves, is, and can be, the doctrine of Christ Himself; they neither see nor feel any Divine power of Christ working in and by this doctrine when it is delivered; therefore they think it to be the word of a man, not the word of Christ Jesus the Son of God. But know this, that Christ Jesus uses the ministry of weak men, yet the word and message which they bring is the message of Christ Himself. And what if we bring this treasure to you in earthen vessels? Yet the treasure is not the less worth. II. CHRIST IS ALSO THE CHIEF SUBJECT MATTER, AND ARGUMENT OF THE GOSPEL. Whatever is taught in the gospel is either(1) concerning the Person of Christ; or(2) concerning His offices, as He is our Priest, Prophet and King; or(3) concerning the benefits we have by Him, synch as justification, salvation, etc.; or(4) touching the means of enjoying these benefits from Christ, as faith and repentance. So that Christ Jesus is the sum and main scope of the doctrine of the gospel. (G. Petter.) Parallel Verses KJV: The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God;WEB: The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. |
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