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is —

I. GOD'S WORK and therefore —

1. Complete as being by the activity of the undivided Trinity,

(1)  The Father (2 Corinthians 4:6).

(2)  The Son (Ephesians 2:6).

(3)  The Holy Ghost (2 Corinthians 3:18).

2. Present (John 11:25, 26).

3. Glorious.

II. EFFECTED BY UNION WITH CHRIST.

1. This is not —

(1)  Membership in any ecclesiastical society.

(2)  The mystic sprinkling of water.

(3)  To be attained or tested by ritualistic performances or theological beliefs.

2. But by faith in Christ Jesus (Galatians 3:26).

III. NOT PERFECT, BUT IS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW LIFE WHICH IS TO GROW TO PERFECTION.

(J. R. Macduff, D. D.)

I. NEGATIVELY.

1. It is not a common work, but a creation.

2. No innovating humour.

3. Not the restraint of the old man, but something new.

4. Not moral virtue, and what we call good nature.

5. Not outward conformity to the law of God, but something inward.

6. Not a partial change of the inward man.

II. POSITIVELY.

1. A new mind —

(1)  New apprehensions.

(2)  New judgments and assents.

(3)  New valuations.

(4)  New designs.

(5)  New inventions.

(6)  New reasonings and thoughts.

(7)  New consultations.

2. A new will.

(1)  New inclinations.

(2)  New intentions.

(3)  New elections.

(4)  New determinations.

3. A new heart, affections, etc.

(D. Clarkson, B.D.)

I.  The EFFICIENT CAUSE of it — God (Ephesians 2:10).

II.  The ACT — creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

III.  The EFFECT.

1. New qualities (2 Corinthians 4:17; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:23, 24).

2. Gracious qualities.

(1)  Not the natural endowments or moral qualifications, but

(2)  Divine, and hence holy (Ephesians 4:24; Colossians 3:10).

IV. The SUBJECT — the whole soul, not one part or faculty (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

(D. Clarkson, B. D.)

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KJV: For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

WEB: For in Christ Jesus neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creation.