Chapter 5
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An
earnest exhortation to stand fast in the liberty of the gospel
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1–12
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To
take heed of indulging a sinful temper
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13–15
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And
to walk in the Spirit, and not to fulfil the lusts of the flesh: the works of
both are described
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16–26
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Verses 1–6
Christ will not be the Saviour of any who will not own and
rely upon him as their only Saviour. Let us take heed to the warnings and
persuasions of the apostle to stedfastness in the doctrine and liberty of the
gospel. All true Christians, being taught by the Holy Spirit, wait for eternal
life, the reward of righteousness, and the object of their hope, as the gift of
God by faith in Christ; and not for the sake of their own works. The Jewish
convert might observe the ceremonies or assert his liberty, the Gentile might
disregard them or might attend to them, provided he did not depend upon them.
No outward privileges or profession will avail to acceptance with God, without
sincere faith in our Lord Jesus. True faith is a working grace; it works by
love to God, and to our brethren. May we be of the number of those who, through
the Spirit, wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. The danger of old was
not in things of no consequence in themselves, as many forms and observances
now are. But without faith working by love, all else is worthless, and compared
with it other things are of small value.
Verses 7–12
The life of a Christian is a race, wherein he must run, and
hold on, if he would obtain the prize. It is not enough that we profess
Christianity, but we must run well, by living up to that profession. Many who
set out fairly in religion, are hindered in their progress, or turn out of the
way. It concerns those who begin to turn out of the way, or to tire in it,
seriously to inquire what hinders them. The opinion or persuasion, ver. (8),
was, no doubt, that of mixing the works of the law with faith in Christ in
justification. The apostle leaves them to judge whence it must arise, but
sufficiently shows that it could be owing to none but Satan. It is dangerous
for Christian churches to encourage those who follow, but especially who
spread, destructive errors. And in reproving sin and error, we should always
distinguish between the leaders and the led. The Jews were offended, because
Christ was preached as the only salvation for sinners. If Paul and others would
have admitted that the observance of the law of Moses was to be joined with
faith in Christ, as necessary to salvation, then believers might have avoided
many of the sufferings they underwent. The first beginnings of such leaven
should be opposed. And assuredly those who persist in disturbing the church of
Christ must bear their judgment.
Verses 13–15
The gospel is a doctrine according to godliness, 1Ti 6:3,
and is so far from giving the least countenance to sin, that it lays us under
the strongest obligation to avoid and subdue it. The apostle urges that all the
law is fulfilled in one word, even in this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as
thyself. If Christians, who should help one another, and rejoice one another,
quarrel, what can be expected but that the God of love should deny his grace,
that the Spirit of love should depart, and the evil spirit, who seeks their
destruction, should prevail? Happy would it be, if Christians, instead of
biting and devouring one another on account of different opinions, would set
themselves against sin in themselves, and in the places where they live.
Verses 16–26
If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the
blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions
of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall not have dominion over us.
Believers are engaged in a conflict, in which they earnestly desire that grace
may obtain full and speedy victory. And those who desire thus to give
themselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit, are not under the law as a covenant
of works, nor exposed to its awful curse. Their hatred of sin, and desires
after holiness, show that they have a part in the salvation of the gospel. The
works of the flesh are many and manifest. And these sins will shut men out of
heaven. Yet what numbers, calling themselves Christians, live in these, and say
they hope for heaven! The fruits of the Spirit, or of the renewed nature, which
we are to do, are named. And as the apostle had chiefly named works of the
flesh, not only hurtful to men themselves, but tending to make them so to one
another, so here he chiefly notices the fruits of the Spirit, which tend to
make Christians agreeable one to another, as well as to make them happy. The
fruits of the Spirit plainly show, that such are led by the Spirit. By
describing the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, we are told what to
avoid and oppose, and what we are to cherish and cultivate; and this is the
sincere care and endeavour of all real Christians. Sin does not now reign in
their mortal bodies, so that they obey it, Ro 6:12, for they seek to destroy
it. Christ never will own those who yield themselves up to be the servants of
sin. And it is not enough that we cease to do evil, but we must learn to do
well. Our conversation will always be answerable to the principle which guides
and governs us, Ro 8:5. We must set ourselves in earnest to mortify the deeds
of the body, and to walk in newness of life. Not being desirous of vain-glory,
or unduly wishing for the esteem and applause of men, not provoking or envying
one another, but seeking to bring forth more abundantly those good fruits,
which are, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.
Excerpt from:
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible
Matthew Henry (1662 - 1714)
Visit www.e-sword.net
or www.ccel.org
