Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1 Corinthians Galatians
2 Corinthians 3
Concise Complete
The preference of the gospel to the law given by
Moses. (1-11) The preaching of the apostle was suitable to the excellency and
evidence of the gospel, through the power of the Holy Ghost. (12-18)
Verses 1-11
Even the appearance of self-praise and courting human applause, is painful to
the humble and spiritual mind. Nothing is more delightful to faithful ministers,
or more to their praise, than the success of their ministry, as shown in the
spirits and lives of those among whom they labour. The law of Christ was written
in their hearts, and the love of Christ shed abroad there. Nor was it written in
tables of stone, as the law of God given to Moses, but on the fleshy (not
fleshly, as fleshliness denotes sensuality) tables of the heart, Eze 36:26.
Their hearts were humbled and softened to receive this impression, by the
new-creating power of the Holy Spirit. He ascribes all the glory to God. And
remember, as our whole dependence is upon the Lord, so the whole glory belongs
to him alone. The letter killeth: the letter of the law is the ministration of
death; and if we rest only in the letter of the gospel, we shall not be the
better for so doing: but the Holy Spirit gives life spiritual, and life eternal.
The Old Testament dispensation was the ministration of death, but the New
Testament of life. The law made known sin, and the wrath and curse of God; it
showed us a God above us, and a God against us; but the gospel makes known
grace, and Emmanuel, God with us. Therein the righteousness of God by faith is
revealed; and this shows us that the just shall live by his faith; this makes
known the grace and mercy of God through Jesus Christ, for obtaining the
forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The gospel so much exceeds the law in
glory, that it eclipses the glory of the legal dispensation. But even the New
Testament will be a killing letter, if shown as a mere system or form, and
without dependence on God the Holy Spirit, to give it a quickening power.
Verses
12-18 It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness,
or clearness, of speech. The Old Testament believers had only cloudy and passing
glimpses of that glorious Saviour, and unbelievers looked no further than to the
outward institution. But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey,
are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christ
crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it. Those who lived under
the law, had a veil upon their hearts. This veil is taken away by the doctrines
of the Bible about Christ. When any person is converted to God, then the veil of
ignorance is taken away. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel
is happy, for the heart is set at liberty to run the ways of God's commandments.
They have light, and with open face they behold the glory of the Lord.
Christians should prize and improve these privileges. We should not rest
contented without knowing the transforming power of the gospel, by the working
of the Spirit, bringing us to seek to be like the temper and tendency of the
glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and into union with Him.
We behold Christ, as in the glass of his word; and as the reflection from a
mirror causes the face to shine, the faces of Christians shine also.
Chapter 3:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Johnson
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 1 Corinthians Galatians
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
