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I. HOW DO WE KNOW IT. "Ye know."

1. There are records which establish the fact — the gospels, epistles, etc., the burden of all of which is, "He was rich, yet for your sakes," etc. The contents may be classified thus —

(1)  Earthly facts in the realm of history (Acts 10:38).

(2)  Antecedent facts in the realm of testimony (John 16:28).

(3)  The meaning of the facts in the realm of inspiration (1 Timothy 1:15).

(4)  The after issues of the facts in the realm of experience (Ephesians 2:13).

2. There are the fathers who accepted and expounded the fact.

3. Through all the entanglements of controversy in the history of the Church this fact and doctrine remains undisturbed.

4. The continuity of the Church has no other solution but this. "He was rich," etc.

II. WHAT IS THE FACT WHICH WE KNOW.

1. The person of the Lord Jesus Christ.

2. His pre-existence (John 17:5) — rich in the Father's love and in the plenitude of power.

3. His incarnation (John 1:14). "He became poor." He descended into the lowest rank amongst created intelligences, and in that rank was the poorest of the poor.

4. The purpose. "That we might be made rich." He descended from His throne that we might ascend to it.

5. This was all prompted by grace. Infinite love finds its highest joy in giving itself to enrich others.

III. WHAT DO WE COME TO KNOW THROUGH KNOWING THIS? There are many truths which are valuable, not merely in themselves, but also on account of the further knowledge we acquire through them — e.g., to know how to secure the best microscope is of value in this sense, so with the telescope. There are four fields of knowledge opened up by our knowledge of the grace of Christ.

1. The infinite love of God (Romans 5:8).

2. The value of man in the eye of Heaven.

3. The Divine consecration of self-sacrifice.

4. The Divine lever by which God would lift the world.

IV. THIS ADDITION TO OUR KNOWLEDGE OUGHT TO BE THE MEANS OF GREATER FULNESS IN OUR LIFE. Knowing this fact our response should be —

1. Loyalty.

2. Joy.

3. Elevation and holiness.

4. Earnestness in commending it to others.

(C. Clemance, D. D.)

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KJV: For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

WEB: For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might become rich.