Chapter 8
The
freedom of believers from condemnation
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1–9
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Their
privileges as being the children of God
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10–17
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Their
hopeful prospects under tribulations
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18–25
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Their
assistance from the Spirit in prayer
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26,
27
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Their
interest in the love of God
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28–31
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Their
final triumph, through Christ
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32–39
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Verses 1–9
Believers
may be chastened of the Lord, but will not be condemned with the world. By
their union with Christ through faith, they are thus secured. What is the
principle of their walk; the flesh or the Spirit, the old or the new nature,
corruption or grace? For which of these do we make provision, by which are we
governed? The unrenewed will is unable to keep any commandment fully. And the
law, besides outward duties, requires inward obedience. God showed abhorrence
of sin by the sufferings of his Son in the flesh, that the believer’s person
might be pardoned and justified. Thus satisfaction was made to Divine justice,
and the way of salvation opened for the sinner. By the Spirit the law of love
is written upon the heart, and though the righteousness of the law is not
fulfilled by us, yet, blessed be God, it is fulfilled in us; there is that in
all true believers, which answers the intention of the law. The favour of God,
the welfare of the soul, the concerns of eternity, are the things of the
Spirit, which those that are after the Spirit do mind. Which way do our
thoughts move with most pleasure? Which way go our plans and contrivances? Are
we most wise for the world, or for our souls? Those that live in pleasure are
dead, 1Ti 5:6. A sanctified soul is a living soul; and that life is peace. The
carnal mind is not only an enemy to God, but enmity itself. The carnal man may,
by the power of Divine grace, be made subject to the law of God, but the carnal
mind never can; that must be broken and driven out. We may know our real state
and character by inquiring whether we have the Spirit of God and Christ, or
not, ver. 9. Ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit. Having the Spirit of
Christ, means having a turn of mind in some degree like the mind that was in
Christ Jesus, and is to be shown by a life and conversation suitable to his
precepts and example.
Verses 10–17
If the
Spirit be in us, Christ is in us. He dwells in the heart by faith. Grace in the
soul is its new nature; the soul is alive to God, and has begun its holy
happiness which shall endure for ever. The righteousness of Christ imputed,
secures the soul, the better part, from death. From hence we see how much it is
our duty to walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If any habitually
live according to corrupt lustings, they will certainly perish in their sins,
whatever they profess. And what can a worldly life present, worthy for a moment
to be put against this noble prize of our high calling? Let us then, by the
Spirit, endeavour more and more to mortify the flesh. Regeneration by the Holy
Spirit brings a new and Divine life to the soul, though in a feeble state. And
the sons of God have the Spirit to work in them the disposition of children;
they have not the spirit of bondage, which the Old Testament church was under,
through the darkness of that dispensation. The Spirit of adoption was not then
plentifully poured out. Also it refers to that spirit of bondage, under which
many saints were at their conversion. Many speak peace to themselves, to whom
God does not speak peace. But those who are sanctified, have God’s Spirit
witnessing with their spirits, in and by his speaking peace to the soul. Though
we may now seem to be losers for Christ, we shall not, we cannot, be losers by
him in the end.
Verses 18–25
The
sufferings of the saints strike no deeper than the things of time, last no
longer than the present time, are light afflictions, and but for a moment. How
vastly different are the sentence of the word and the sentiment of the world,
concerning the sufferings of this present time! Indeed the whole creation seems
to wait with earnest expectation for the period when the children of God shall
be manifested in the glory prepared for them. There is an impurity, deformity,
and infirmity, which has come upon the creature by the fall of man. There is an
enmity of one creature to another. And they are used, or abused rather, by men
as instruments of sin. Yet this deplorable state of the creation is in hope.
God will deliver it from thus being held in bondage to man’s depravity. The
miseries of the human race, through their own and each other’s wickedness,
declare that the world is not always to continue as it is. Our having received
the first-fruits of the Spirit, quickens our desires, encourages our hopes, and
raises our expectations. Sin has been, and is, the guilty cause of all the
suffering that exists in the creation of God. It has brought on the woes of
earth; it has kindled the flames of hell. As to man, not a tear has been shed,
not a groan has been uttered, not a pang has been felt, in body or mind, that
has not come from sin. This is not all; sin is to be looked at as it affects
the glory of God. Of this how fearfully regardless are the bulk of mankind!
Believers have been brought into a state of safety; but their comfort consists
rather in hope than in enjoyment. From this hope they cannot be turned by the
vain expectation of finding satisfaction in the things of time and sense. We
need patience, our way is rough and long; but He that shall come, will come,
though he seems to tarry.
Verses 26, 27
Though the
infirmities of Christians are many and great, so that they would be overpowered
if left to themselves, yet the Holy Spirit supports them. The Spirit, as an
enlightening Spirit, teaches us what to pray for; as a sanctifying Spirit,
works and stirs up praying graces; as a comforting Spirit, silences our fears,
and helps us over all discouragements. The Holy Spirit is the spring of all
desires toward God, which are often more than words can utter. The Spirit who
searches the hearts, can perceive the mind and will of the spirit, the renewed
mind, and advocates his cause. The Spirit makes intercession to God, and the
enemy prevails not.
Verses 28–31
That is
good for the saints which does their souls good. Every providence tends to the
spiritual good of those that love God; in breaking them off from sin, bringing
them nearer to God, weaning them from the world, and fitting them for heaven.
When the saints act out of character, corrections will be employed to bring
them back again. And here is the order of the causes of our salvation, a golden
chain, one which cannot be broken. 1. Whom he did foreknow, he also did
predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son. All that God designed for
glory and happiness as the end, he decreed to grace and holiness as the way.
The whole human race deserved destruction; but for reasons not perfectly known
to us, God determined to recover some by regeneration and the power of his
grace. He predestinated, or before decreed, that they should be conformed to
the image of his Son. In this life they are in part renewed, and walk in his
steps. 2. Whom he did predestinate, them he also called. It is an effectual
call, from self and earth to God, and Christ, and heaven, as our end; from sin
and vanity to grace and holiness, as our way. This is the gospel call. The love
of God, ruling in the hearts of those who once were enemies to him, proves that
they have been called according to his purpose. 3. Whom he called, them he also
justified. None are thus justified but those that are effectually called. Those
who stand out against the gospel call, abide under guilt and wrath. 4. Whom he
justified, them he also glorified. The power of corruption being broken in
effectual calling, and the guilt of sin removed in justification, nothing can
come between that soul and glory. This encourages our faith and hope; for, as
for God, his way, his work, is perfect. The apostle speaks as one amazed, and
swallowed up in admiration, wondering at the height and depth, and length and
breadth, of the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge. The more we know of
other things, the less we wonder; but the further we are led into gospel
mysteries, the more we are affected by them. While God is for us, and we keep
in his love, we may with holy boldness defy all the powers of darkness.
Verses 32–39
All things
whatever, in heaven and earth, are not so great a display of God’s free love,
as the gift of his coequal Son to be the atonement on the cross for the sin of
man; and all the rest follows upon union with him, and interest in him. All
things, all which can be the causes or means of any real good to the faithful
Christian. He that has prepared a crown and a kingdom for us, will give us what
we need in the way to it. Men may justify themselves, though the accusations
are in full force against them; but if God justifies, that answers all. By
Christ we are thus secured. By the merit of his death he paid our debt. Yea,
rather that is risen again. This is convincing evidence that Divine justice was
satisfied. We have such a Friend at the right hand of God; all power is given
to him. He is there, making intercession. Believer! does your soul say within
you, Oh that he were mine! and oh that I were his; that I could please him and
live to him! Then do not toss your spirit and perplex your thoughts in
fruitless, endless doubtings, but as you are convinced of ungodliness, believe
on Him who justifies the ungodly. You are condemned, yet Christ is dead and
risen. Flee to Him as such. God having manifested his love in giving his own
Son for us, can we think that any thing should turn aside or do away that love?
Troubles neither cause nor show any abatement of his love. Whatever believers
may be separated from, enough remains. None can take Christ from the believer:
none can take the believer from Him; and that is enough. All other hazards
signify nothing. Alas, poor sinners! though you abound with the possessions of
this world, what vain things are they! Can you say of any of them, Who shall
separate us? You may be removed from pleasant dwellings, and friends, and
estates. You may even live to see and seek your parting. At last you must part,
for you must die. Then farewell, all this world accounts most valuable. And
what hast thou left, poor soul, who hast not Christ, but that which thou
wouldest gladly part with, and canst not; the condemning guilt of all thy sins!
But the soul that is in Christ, when other things are pulled away, cleaves to
Christ, and these separations pain him not. Yea, when death comes, that breaks
all other unions, even that of the soul and body, it carries the believer’s
soul into the nearest union with its beloved Lord Jesus, and the full enjoyment
of him for ever.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
Rick Meyers.
Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary. e-Sword ®: www.e-sword.net
