Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me… Peculiar language. One clause seems to contradict another. Yet no real contradiction; but strikingly suitable language to express the mysteries of faith respecting Christ's union with His people, and their consequent participation of the benefits of His sufferings and death. I. THE BELIEVER'S CRUCIFIXION WITH CHRIST, OR HIS COMMUNION WITH HIM IN HIS DEATH. The meaning is: "The ends of Christ's crucifixion are accomplished in me." 1. Believers are crucified with Christ, in virtue of their legal union to Him as their Head of righteousness. Christ and His people are as one body, one mass; He the Sanctifier, and they the sanctified, are all one. 2. Really and spiritually crucified with Him, through union to Him as their Head of living and quickening influence. II. THE BELIEVER'S LIFE IN CHRIST, OR COMMUNION WITH HIM IN HIS LIFE. 1. He is invested with a righteousness commensurate to all the demands of the Divine law. 2. With respect to his sanctification also, it may be said that the believer lives — yet not he, but Christ lives in Him. 3. With respect to the life of consolation and glory, it may be said that it is not the believer who lives, but Christ lives in him. III. THE INFLUENCE OF FAITH IN MAINTAINING THIS LIFE. 1. Faith as the means of our union with Christ, is necessary to our communion with Him, both in His righteousness and His grace. 2. By faith our communion with Christ is carried on, in our receiving of all His benefits. 3. Faith is the means of the spiritual life, as it terminates on the promises, the apprehension of which has so powerful an influence both on our peace and our purity (2 Corinthians 7:1; Psalm 27:13, 14). 4. Faith is the means of the spiritual life, as by bringing eternal things near, it counterbalances the temptations and terrors of the world (1 John 5:5; Hebrews 11:1.). 5. Faith is the means of the spiritual life, as it supplies from its contemplation of the love of Christ fresh motives to obedience and patience (2 Corinthians 5:14). 6. As it refers to the authority of Christ's law, and enables the Christian to perceive the reasonableness even of the most difficult of His precepts, as well as the awful responsibility under which he lies to Christ's judgment (2 Corinthians 5:9-11; Hebrews 11:6). 7. Faith, by making the Christian habitually conversant with spiritual objects and motives of conduct, gives a spiritual character even to the common actions and enjoyments of this natural life. (M. Willis.) Parallel Verses KJV: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. |
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