Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given… 1. Of these, we notice, His incarnation. I need not prove to you that the apostle preached this, and bore continual testimony that "the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us," etc. (John 1:14); that "God was manifest in the flesh" (1 Timothy 3:16); that "forasmuch as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part of the same" (Hebrews 2:14). Now in this is contained unsearchable riches. That we should have God's incarnate Wisdom and Word for our instructor in matters the most important, of infinite because everlasting concern to us; that He should teach us such things in a most condescending, free, and familiar way, as one of ourselves, is an unspeakable advantage and blessing. That we should be permitted to behold in Him a perfect and suitable example of humility, meekness, benevolence, patience, purity, etc., is equally an inestimable privilege. But what is yet more, by His incarnation He became God and man in one person, was qualified to be a Mediator between God and man, etc. 2. His enduring temptation. In this also are contained unsearchable riches. Hereby He worsted our grand adversary, Satan. 3. His obedience unto death. By this He fulfilled all righteousness, obeying the precepts, and suffering the penalty of the law for us. 4. His resurrection from the dead. That unsearchable riches are included herein appears from hence, that we are hereby assured He is the Son of God (Romans 1:4). 5. His ascension is the next in order of His redeeming acts. This is not to be overlooked, as it was not overlooked by our Lord and His apostles (John 20:17; Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 4:14; Hebrews 8:1). It contains unsearchable riches; for hereby also, as well as by His resurrection, we are assured He "hath purged our sins," as the Father would not have received Him to His bosom to speak on our behalf, if he had not been well pleased with His atonement. Hereby He triumphed over His and our enemies, and "made a show of them openly"; over Satan, sin, and death, which all stood in the way, and opposed the ascension and exaltation of bur common human nature to heaven (Psalm 68:18; Isaiah 53:10, 12; Philippians 2:8-10). Since He ascended as our Forerunner, and is at the right hand of God, and has "all power in heaven and on earth," being "Head over all things to the Church," we shall ascend also (John 14:2; Hebrews 6:18, 20). 6. His intercession and advocateship come next to be considered. The prophets and apostles have laid great stress on this (Isaiah 53:12; Romans 8:34; Hebrews 7:25; 1 John 2:1). What a treasure, then, have we in the advocateship of Christi The cause we have depending in the court above, involves our all to all eternity. Our property: how poor shall we be if we lose this cause! how rich if we carry it! Our liberty: what slaves in hell if we lose it! how free in heaven if we carry it! Our life: we must suffer death of body and soul forever, if we lose it! and shall obtain life if we gain it! Christ is a skilful, able, kind, and faithful counsellor, and is infallible in every cause He undertakes! 7. The final judgment is the last and finishing act of our redemption. This is insisted on frequently and largely by the apostles (Acts 10:42; Acts 17:31). It implies unsearchable riches; for how desirable to use and what an advantage if we must be judged, to be judged by One who is a friend, kinsman, brother, husband; by One who assumed our nature, with all its infirmities; who feels for us, died in our stead, will excuse our failings, manifest our virtues, judge between us and our enemies and persecutors I Being accused, what a blessing to be tried and acquitted, which God's people shall be, before men and angels; yea, and applauded. As our Judges He will assign to us a reward in proportion to our holiness, labours, and sufferings in His service. (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; |
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