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All the gifts of God are good; but there is one which, in its intrinsic value and the importance of its blessings, infinitely transcends them all, so that, without exaggeration, it is "unspeakable." That gift is Jesus Christ. It is unspeakable —

I. IN THE FREENESS OF ITS BESTOWMENT.

1. It was unmerited; it was a gift to those who never had the shadow of a claim. It was a gift to man, not in a state of allegiance and innocence, but of rebellion and apostasy.

2. Never was gift so entirely unsolicited. The grace which was given us in Christ Jesus God gave us before the world began.

II. IN ITS VALUE.

1. In itself it is unspeakable. The wondrous union of the Divine with the human nature in the person of Immanuel is infinitely more than our feeble powers can comprehend. Yet it is a truth most clearly revealed. From this union arises His ability to save; hence the incalculable value of His sacrifice. On the one hand, being human, He can obey and suffer; on the other hand, being Divine, there is an infinite merit impressed upon His obedience and sufferings.

2. Its relative value. Think of the relation in which the Redeemer stood —

(1) To the Father. Think of the glory which He had with Him before the world was.

(2) To the universe, as the Creator, the Proprietor, and the Sovereign Lord.

III. IN THE RESULTS OF ITS BESTOWMENT.

1. The salvation of men. This was the great object of the Redeemer's mission. It is a salvation from —

(1) The pollution of sin. Purity is an essential part of it.

(2) The power of sin. Sin shall not have dominion over them who, being justified by faith, are no longer under the law, but under grace.

(3) The wrath of God. God is angry with the wicked every day.

(4) The sting of death.

(5) The resurrection of damnation, the terrors of judgment, and the pains of hell.

2. The honour of God.

(T. Raffles, D. D.)

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KJV: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

WEB: seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;