Chapter 2
The
plain manner in which the apostle preached Christ crucified
|
1–5
|
The
wisdom contained in this doctrine
|
6–9
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It
cannot be duly known but by the Holy Spirit
|
10–16
|
Verses 1–5
Christ, in
his person, and offices, and sufferings, is the sum and substance of the
gospel, and ought to be the great subject of a gospel minister’s preaching, but
not so as to leave out other parts of God’s revealed truth and will. Paul
preached the whole counsel of God. Few know the fear and trembling of faithful
ministers, from a deep sense of their own weakness They know how insufficient
they are, and are fearful for themselves. When nothing but Christ crucified is
plainly preached, the success must be entirely from Divine power accompanying
the word, and thus men are brought to believe, to the salvation of their souls.
Verses 6–9
Those who
receive the doctrine of Christ as Divine, and, having been enlightened by the
Holy Spirit, have looked well into it, see not only the plain history of
Christ, and him crucified, but the deep and admirable designs of Divine wisdom
therein. It is the mystery made manifest to the saints, Col 1:26, though
formerly hid from the heathen world; it was only shown in dark types and
distant prophecies, but now is revealed and made known by the Spirit of God.
Jesus Christ is the Lord of glory; a title much too great for any creature.
There are many things which people would not do, if they knew the wisdom of God
in the great work of redemption. There are things God hath prepared for those
that love him, and wait for him, which sense cannot discover, no teaching can
convey to our ears, nor can it yet enter our hearts. We must take them as they
stand in the Scriptures, as God hath been pleased to reveal them to us.
Verses 10–16
God has
revealed true wisdom to us by his Spirit. Here is a proof of the Divine
authority of the Holy Scriptures, 2Pe 1:21. In proof of the Divinity of the
Holy Ghost, observe, that he knows all things, and he searches all things, even
the deep things of God. No one can know the things of God, but his Holy Spirit,
who is one with the Father and the Son, and who makes known Divine mysteries to
his church. This is most clear testimony, both to the real Godhead and the
distinct person of the Holy Spirit. The apostles were not guided by worldly
principles. They had the revelation of these things from the Spirit of God, and
the saving impression of them from the same Spirit. These things they declared
in plain, simple language, taught by the Holy Spirit, totally different from
the affected oratory or enticing words of man’s wisdom. The natural man, the
wise man of the world, receives not the things of the Spirit of God. The pride
of carnal reasoning is really as much opposed to spirituality, as the basest
sensuality. The sanctified mind discerns the real beauties of holiness, but the
power of discerning and judging about common and natural things is not lost.
But the carnal man is a stranger to the principles, and pleasures, and actings
of the Divine life. The spiritual man only, is the person to whom God gives the
knowledge of his will. How little have any known of the mind of God by natural
power! And the apostles were enabled by his Spirit to make known his mind. In
the Holy Scriptures, the mind of Christ, and the mind of God in Christ, are
fully made known to us. It is the great privilege of Christians, that they have
the mind of Christ revealed to them by his Spirit. They experience his
sanctifying power in their hearts, and bring forth good fruits in their lives.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
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