2 Corinthians 1:20 For all the promises of God in him are yes, and in him Amen, to the glory of God by us. I. THE DIGNITY OF THE PROMISES. They are "the promises of God." 1. They were each one made by Him according to the purpose of His own will. 2. They are links between His decrees and His acts; being the voice of the decree, and the herald of the act. 3. They display the qualities of Him who uttered them. They are true, immutable, powerful, eternal, etc. 4. They remain in union with God. After the lapse of ages they are still His promises as much as when He first uttered them. 5. They are guaranteed by the character of God who spoke them. 6. They will glorify Him as He works out their fulfilment. II. THE RANGE OF THE PROMISES. "All the promises." It will be instructive to note the breadth of the promises by observing that — 1. They are found both in the Old and New Testaments; from Genesis to Revelation, running through centuries of time. 2. They are of both sorts-conditional and unconditional: promises to certain works, and promises of an absolute order. 3. They are of all kinds of things — bodily and spiritual, personal and general, eternal and temporal. 4. They continue blessings to varied characters, such as — (1) The Penitent (Leviticus 26:40-42; Isaiah 4:7; 57:15; Jeremiah 3:12, 13). (2) The Believing (John 3:16, 18; John 6:47; Acts 16:31; 1 Peter 2:6). (3) The Serving (Psalm 37:3; 9:40; Proverbs 3:9, 10; Acts 10:35). (4) The Praying (Isaiah 14:11.; Lamentations 3:25; Matthew 6:6; Psalm 145:18). (5) The Obeying (Exodus 19:5; Psalm 119:1-3; Isaiah 1:19). (6) The Suffering (Matthew 5:10-12; Romans 8:17; 1 Peter 4:12-14). 5. They bring us the richest boons: pardon, justification, sanctification, instruction, preservation, etc. What a marvellous wealth lies in "all the promises"! III. THE STABILITY OF THE PROMISES. "All the promises in Him are yea, and in Him Amen." A Greek word "Yea," and a Hebrew word "Amen," are used to mark certainty, both to Gentile and Jew. 1. They are established beyond all doubt as being assuredly the mind and purpose of the eternal God. 2. They are confirmed beyond all alteration. The Lord hath said "Amen," and so must it be for ever. 3. Their stability is in Christ Jesus beyond all hazard; for He is (1) The witness of the promise of God. (2) The surety of the covenant. (3) The sum and substance of all the promises. (4) The fulfilment of the promises, by His actual incarnation, His atoning death, His living plea, His ascension power, etc. (5) The security and guarantee of the promises, since all power is in His hand to fulfil them. IV. THE RESULT OF THE PROMISES. "The glory of God by us." By us, His ministers, and His believing people, the God of the promises is made glorious. We glorify — 1. His condescending love in making the promise. 2. His power as we see Him keeping the promise. 3. Him by our faith, which honours His veracity, by expecting the boons which He has promised. 4. Him in our experience which proves the promise true.Conclusion: 1. Let us confidently rest in His sure word. 2. Let us plead the special promise applicable to the hour now passing. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. |
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