Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible
John Chapter 15
It is generally agreed that Christ's discourse in this and the next chapter was at the close of the last supper, the night in which he was betrayed, and it is a continued discourse, not interrupted as that in the foregoing chapter was; and what he chooses to discourse of is very pertinent to the present sad occasion of a farewell sermon. Now that he was about to leave them,
PART I.
They would be tempted to leave him, and return to Moses again; and therefore he tells them how necessary it was that they should by faith adhere to him and abide in him.
PART II.
They would be tempted to grow strange one to another; and therefore he presses it upon them to love one another, and to keep up that communion when he was gone which had hitherto been their comfort.
PART III.
They would be tempted to shrink from their apostleship when they met with hardships; and therefore he prepared them to bear the shock of the world's ill will. There are four words to which his discourse in this chapter may be reduced;
ITEM 1.
Fruit (v. 1-8).
ITEM 2.
Love (v. 9-17).
ITEM 3.
Hatred (v. 18-25).
ITEM 4.
The Comforter (v. 26, 27).
Verses 1-8
Here Christ discourses concerning the fruit, the fruits of the Spirit, which his disciples were to bring forth, under the similitude of a vine. Observe here,
PART I.
The doctrine of this similitude; what notion we ought to have of it.
ITEM 1.
That Jesus Christ is the vine, the true vine. It is an instance of the humility of Christ that he is pleased to speak of himself under low and humble comparisons.
He that is the Sun of righteousness, and the bright and morning Star, compares himself to a vine. The church, which is Christ mystical, is a vine (Ps. 80:8), so is
Christ, who is the church seminal. Christ and his church are thus set forth.
(1.) He is the vine, planted in the vineyard, and not a spontaneous product; planted in
the earth, for his is the Word made flesh. The vine has an unsightly unpromising outside; and Christ had no form nor comeliness, Isa. 53:2. The vine is a spreading
plant, and Christ will be known as salvation to the ends of the earth. The fruit of the vine honours God and cheers man (Jdg. 9:13), so does the fruit of Christ's
mediation; it is better than gold, Prov. 8:19.
(2.) He is the true vine, as truth is opposed to pretence and counterfeit; he is really a fruitful plant, a plant of
renown. He is not like that wild vine which deceived those who gathered of it (2 Ki. 4:39), but a true vine. Unfruitful trees are said to lie (Hab. 3:17. marg.),
but Christ is a vine that will not deceive. Whatever excellency there is in any creature, serviceable to man, it is but a shadow of that grace which is in Christ
for his people's good. He is that true vine typified by Judah's vine, which enriched him with the blood of the grape (Gen. 49:11), by Joseph's vine, the branches
of which ran over the wall (Gen. 49:22), by Israel's vine, under which he dwelt safely, 1 Ki. 4:25.
ITEM 2.
That believers are branches of this vine, which supposes that Christ is the root of the vine. The root is unseen, and our life is hid with Christ; the root bears
the tree (Rom. 11:18), diffuses sap to it, and is all in all to its flourishing and fruitfulness; and in Christ are all supports and supplies. The branches of the
vine are many, some on one side of the house or wall, others on the other side; yet, meeting in the root, are all but one vine; thus all good Christians, though in
place and opinion distant from each other, yet meet in Christ, the centre of their unity. Believers, like the branches of the vine, are weak, and insufficient to
stand of themselves, but as they are borne up. See Eze. 15:2.
ITEM 3.
That the Father is the husbandman, geoµrgos-the land-worker. Though the earth is the Lord's, it yields him no fruit unless he work it. God has not only a propriety
in, but a care of, the vine and all the branches. He hath planted, and watered, and gives the increase; for we are God's husbandry, 1 Co. 3:9.
See Isa. 5:1, 2; 27:2, 3. He had an eye upon Christ, the root, and upheld him, and made him to flourish out of a dry ground. He has an eye upon all the branches,
and prunes them, and watches over them, that nothing hurt them. Never was any husbandman so wise, so watchful, about his vineyard, as God is about his church,
which therefore must needs prosper.
PART II.
The duty taught us by this similitude, which is to bring forth fruit, and, in order to this, to abide in Christ.
ITEM 1.
We must be fruitful. From a vine we look for grapes (Isa. 5:2), and from a Christian we look for Christianity; this is the fruit, a Christian temper and
disposition, a Christian life and conversation, Christian devotions and Christian designs. We must honour God, and do good, and exemplify the purity and power of
the religion we profess; and this is bearing fruit. The disciples here must be fruitful, as Christians, in all the fruits of righteousness, and as apostles, in
diffusing the savour of the knowledge of Christ. To persuade them to this, he urges,
(1.) The doom of the unfruitful (v. 2): They are taken away.
[1.] It is here intimated that there are many who pass for branches in Christ who yet do not bear
fruit. Were they really united to Christ by faith, they would bear fruit; but being only tied to him by the thread of an outward profession, though they seem to
be branches, they will soon be seen to be dry ones. Unfruitful professors are unfaithful professors; professors, and no more. It might be read, Every branch that
beareth not fruit in me, and it comes much to one; for those that do not bear fruit in Christ, and in his Spirit and grace, are as if they bore no fruit at all,
Hos. 10:1.
[2.] It is here threatened that they shall be taken away, in justice to them and in kindness to the rest of the branches. From him that has not real
union with Christ, and fruit produced thereby, shall be taken away even that which he seemed to have, Lu. 8:18. Some think this refers primarily to Judas.
(2.) The promise made to the fruitful: He purgeth them, that they may bring forth more fruit. Note,
[1.] Further fruitfulness is the blessed reward of forward
fruitfulness. The first blessing was, Be fruitful; and it is still a great blessing.
[2.] Even fruitful branches, in order to their further fruitfulness, have
need of purging or pruning; kathairei-he taketh away that which is superfluous and luxuriant, which hinders its growth and fruitfulness. The best have that in
them which is peccant, aliquid amputandum-something which should be taken away; some notions, passions, or humours, that want to be purged away, which Christ has
promised to do by his word, and Spirit, and providence; and these shall be taken off by degrees in the proper season.
[3.] The purging of fruitful branches, in
order to their greater fruitfulness, is the care and work of the great husbandman, for his own glory.
(3.) The benefits which believers have by the doctrine of Christ, the power of which they should labour to exemplify in a fruitful conversation: Now you are
clean, v. 3.
[1.] Their society was clean, now that Judas was expelled by that word of Christ, What thou doest, do quickly; and till they were got clear of him they
were not all clean. The word of Christ is a distinguishing word, and separates between the precious and the vile; it will purify the church of the first-born in the
great dividing day.
[2.] They were each of them clean, that is, sanctified, by the truth of Christ (ch. 17:17); that faith by which they received the word of Christ
purified their hearts, Acts 15:9. The Spirit of grace by the word refined them from the dross of the world and the flesh, and purged out of them the leaven of the
scribes and Pharisees, from which, when they saw their inveterate rage and enmity against their Master, they were now pretty well cleansed. Apply it to all believers.
The word of Christ is spoken to them; there is a cleansing virtue in that word, as it works grace, and works out corruption. It cleanses as fire cleanses the gold
from its dross, and as physic cleanses the body from its disease. We then evidence that we are cleansed by the word when we bring forth fruit unto holiness. Perhaps
here is an allusion to the law concerning vineyards in Canaan; the fruit of them was as unclean, and uncircumcised, the first three years after it was planted, and
the fourth year it was to be holiness of praise unto the Lord; and then it was clean, Lev. 19:23, 24. The disciples had now been three years under Christ's
instruction; and now you are clean.
(4.) The glory that will redound to God by our fruitfulness, with the comfort and honour that will come to ourselves by it, v. 8. If we bear much fruit,
[1.] Herein our
Father will be glorified. The fruitfulness of the apostles, as such, in the diligent discharge of their office, would be to the glory of God in the conversion of souls,
and the offering of them up to him, Rom. 15:9, 16. The fruitfulness of all Christians, in a lower or narrower sphere, is to the glory of God. By the eminent good works
of Christians many are brought to glorify our Father who is in heaven.
[2.] So shall we be Christ's disciples indeed, approving ourselves so, and making it to appear
that we are really what we call ourselves. So shall we both evidence our discipleship and adorn it, and be to our Master for a name and a praise, and a glory, that
is, disciples indeed, Jer. 13:11. So shall we be owned by our Master in the great day, and have the reward of disciples, a share in the joy of our Lord. And the more
fruit we bring forth, the more we abound in that which is good, the more he is glorified.
ITEM 2.
In order to our fruitfulness, we must abide in Christ, must keep up our union with him by faith, and do all we do in religion in the virtue of that union. Here is,
(1.) The duty enjoined (v. 4): Abide in me, and I in you. Note, It is the great concern of all Christ's disciples constantly to keep up a dependence upon Christ and
communion with him, habitually to adhere to him, and actually to derive supplies from him. Those that are come to Christ must abide in him: "Abide in me, by faith;
and I in you, by my Spirit; abide in me, and then fear not but I will abide in you;" for the communion between Christ and believers never fails on his side. We must
abide in Christ's word by a regard to it, and it in us as a light to our feet. We must abide in Christ's merit as our righteousness and plea, and it in us as our
support and comfort. The knot of the branch abides in the vine, and the sap of the vine abides in the branch, and so there is a constant communication between them.
(2.) The necessity of our abiding in Christ, in order to our fruitfulness (v. 4, 5): "You cannot bring forth fruit, except you abide in me; but, if you do, you bring
forth much fruit; for, in short, without me, or separate from me, you can do nothing." So necessary is it to our comfort and happiness that we be fruitful, that
the best argument to engage us to abide in Christ is, that otherwise we cannot be fruitful.
[1.] Abiding in Christ is necessary in order to our doing much good. He
that is constant in the exercise of faith in Christ and love to him, that lives upon his promises and is led by his Spirit, bringeth forth much fruit, he is very
serviceable to God's glory, and his own account in the great day. Note, Union with Christ is a noble principle, productive of all good. A life of faith in the Son
of God is incomparably the most excellent life a man can live in this world; it is regular and even, pure and heavenly; it is useful and comfortable, and all that
answers the end of life.
[2.] It is necessary to our doing any good. It is not only a means of cultivating ad increasing what good there is already in us, but it
is the root and spring of all good: "Without me you can do nothing: not only no great thing, heal the sick, or raise the dead, but nothing." Note, We have as
necessary and constant a dependence upon the grace of the Mediator for all the actions of the spiritual and divine life as we have upon the providence of the Creator
for all the actions of the natural life; for, as to both, it is in the divine power that we live, move, and have our being. Abstracted from the merit of Christ, we
can do nothing towards our justification; and from the Spirit of Christ nothing towards our sanctification. Without Christ we can do nothing aright, nothing that
will be fruit pleasing to God or profitable to ourselves, 2 Co. 3:5. We depend upon Christ, not only as the vine upon the wall, for support; but, as the branch on
the root, for sap.
(3.) The fatal consequences of forsaking Christ (v. 6): If any man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch. This is a description of the fearful state of
hypocrites that are not in Christ, and of apostates that abide not in Christ.
[1.] They are cast forth as dry and withered branches, which are plucked off because
they cumber the tree. It is just that those should have no benefit by Christ who think they have no need of him; and that those who reject him should be rejected by
him. Those that abide not in Christ shall be abandoned by him; they are left to themselves, to fall into scandalous sin, and then are justly cast out of the communion
of the faithful.
[2.] They are withered, as a branch broken off from the tree. Those that abide not in Christ, though they may flourish awhile in a plausible, at
least a passable profession, yet in a little time wither and come to nothing. Their parts and gifts wither; their zeal and devotion wither; their credit and
reputation wither; their hopes and comforts wither, Job 8:11-13. Note, Those that bear no fruit, after while will bear no leaves. How soon is that fig-tree withered
away which Christ has cursed!
[3.] Men gather them. Satan's agents and emissaries pick them up, and make an easy prey of them. Those that fall off from Christ
presently fall in with sinners; and the sheep that wander from Christ's fold, the devil stands ready to seize them for himself. When the Spirit of the Lord had
departed from Saul, an evil spirit possessed him.
[4.] They cast them into the fire, that is, they are cast into the fire; and those who seduce them and draw them to
sin do in effect cast them there; for they make them children of hell. Fire is the fittest place for withered branches, for they are good for nothing else,
Eze. 15:2-4.
[5.] They are burned; this follows of course, but it is here added very emphatically, and makes the threatening very terrible. They will not be
consumed in a moment, like thorns under a pot (Eccl. 7:6), but kaietai, they are burning for ever in a fire, which not only cannot be quenched, but will never
spend itself. This comes of quitting Christ, this is the end of barren trees. Apostates are twice dead (Jude 12), and when it is said, They are cast into the fire
and are burned, it speaks as if they were twice damned. Some apply men's gathering them to the ministry of the angels in the great day, when they shall gather out
of Christ's kingdom all things that offend, and shall bundle the tares for the fire.
(4.) The blessed privilege which those have that abide in Christ (v. 7): If my words abide in you, you shall ask what you will of my Father in my name, and it shall
be done. See here,
[1.] How our union with Christ is maintained-by the word: If you abide in me; he had said before, and I in you; here he explains himself, and my
words abide in you; for it is in the word that Christ is set before us, and offered to us, Rom. 10:6-8. It is in the word that we receive and embrace him; and so
where the word of Christ dwells richly there Christ dwells. If the word be our constant guide and monitor, if it be in us as at home, then we abide in Christ, and
he in us.
[2.] How our communion with Christ is maintained-by prayer: You shall ask what you will, and it shall be done to you. And what can we desire more than to
have what we will for the asking? Note, Those that abide in Christ as their heart's delight shall have, through Christ, their heart's desire. If we have Christ, we
shall want nothing that is good for us. Two things are implied in this promise:-
- First, That if we abide in Christ, and his word in us, we shall not ask any thing but what is proper to be done for us. The promises abiding in us lie ready to be turned into prayers; and the prayers so regulated cannot but speed.
- Secondly, That if we abide in Christ and his word we shall have such an interest in God's favour and Christ's mediation that we shall have an answer of peace to all our prayers.
Verses 9-17
Christ, who is love itself, is here discoursing concerning love, a fourfold love.
PART I.
Concerning the Father's love to him; and concerning this he here tells us,
ITEM 1.
That the Father did love him (v. 9): As the Father hath loved me. He loved him as
Mediator: This is my beloved Son. He was the Son of his love. He loved him, and gave all things into his hand; and yet so loved the world as to deliver him up for
us all. When Christ was entering upon his sufferings he comforted himself with this, that his Father loved him. Those whom God loves as a Father may despise the
hatred of all the world.
ITEM 2.
That he abode in his Father's love, v. 10. He continually loved his Father, and was beloved of him. Even when he was made sin and a
curse for us, and it pleased the Lord to bruise him, yet he abode in his Father's love. See Ps. 89:33. Because he continued to love his Father, he went cheerfully
through his sufferings, and therefore his Father continued to love him.
ITEM 3.
That therefore he abode in his Father's love because he kept his Father's law: I have
kept my Father's commandments, as Mediator, and so abide in his love. Hereby he showed that he continued to love his Father, that he went on, and went through,
with his undertaking, and therefore the Father continued to love him. His soul delighted in him, because he did not fail, nor was discouraged, Isa. 42:1-4. We
having broken the law of creation, and thereby thrown ourselves out of the love of God; Christ satisfied for us by obeying the law of redemption, and so he abode
in his love, and restored us to it.
PART II.
Concerning his own love to his disciples. Though he leaves them, he loves them. And observe here,
ITEM 1.
The pattern of this love: As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. A strange expression of the condescending grace of Christ! As the Father loved him,
who was most worthy, he loved them, who were most unworthy. The Father loved him as his Son, and he loves them as his children. The Father gave all things into his
hand; so, with himself, he freely giveth us all things. The Father loved him as Mediator, as head of the church, and the great trustee of divine grace and favour,
which he had not for himself only, but for the benefit of those for whom he was entrusted; and, says he, "I have been a faithful trustee. As the Father has committed
his love to me, so I transmit it to you." Therefore the Father was well pleased with him, that he might be well pleased with us in him; and loved him, that in him,
as beloved, he might make us accepted, Eph. 1:6.
ITEM 2.
The proofs and products of this love, which are four:-
(1.) Christ loved his disciples, for he laid down his life for them (v. 13): Greater proof of love hath no man to show than this, to lay down his life for his
friend. And this is the love wherewith Christ hath loved us, he is our antipsychos-bail for us, body for body, life for life, though he knew our insolvency, and
foresaw how much the engagement would cost him. Observe here,
[1.] The extent of the love of the children of men to one another. The highest proof of it is laying
down one's life for a friend, to save his life, and perhaps there have been some such heroic achievements of love, more than plucking out one's own eyes, Gal. 4:15.
If all that a man has he will give for his life, he that gives this for his friend gives all, and can give no more; this may sometimes be our duty, 1 Jn. 3:16. Paul
was ambitious of the honour (Phil. 2:17); and for a good man some will even dare to die, Rom. 5:7. It is love in the highest degree, which is strong as death.
[2.]
The excellency of the love of Christ beyond all other love. He has not only equaled, but exceeded, the most illustrious lovers. Others have laid down their lives,
content that they should be taken from them; but Christ gave up his, was not merely passive, but made it his own act and deed. The life which others have laid down
has been but of equal value with the life for which it was laid down, and perhaps less valuable; but Christ is infinitely more worth than ten thousand of us. Others
have thus laid down their lives for their friends, but Christ laid down his for us when we were enemies, Rom. 5:8, 10. Plusquam ferrea aut lapidea corda esse
oportet, quae non emolliet tam incomparabilis divini amoris suavitas-Those hearts must be harder than iron or stone which are not softened by such incomparable
sweetness of divine love.-Calvin
(2.) Christ loved his disciples, for he took them into a covenant of friendship with himself, v. 14, 15. "If you approve yourselves by your obedience my disciples
indeed, you are my friends, and shall be treated as friends." Note, The followers of Christ are the friends of Christ, and he is graciously pleased to call and
account them so. Those that do the duty of his servants are admitted and advanced to the dignity of his friends. David had one servant in his court, and Solomon
one in his, that was in a particular manner the king's friend (2 Sa. 15:37; 1 Ki. 4:5); but this honour have all Christ's servants. We may in some particular
instance befriend a stranger; but we espouse all the interests of a friend, and concern ourselves in all his cares: thus Christ takes believers to be his friends.
He visits them and converses with them as his friends, bears with them and makes the best of them, is afflicted in their afflictions, and takes pleasure in their
prosperity; he pleads for them in heaven and takes care of all their interests there. Have friends but one soul? He that is joined to the Lord is one
spirit, 1 Co. 6:17. Though they often show themselves unfriendly, he is a friend that loves at all times. Observe how endearingly this is expressed here.
[1.] He
will not call them servants, though they call him Master and Lord. Those that would be like Christ in humility must not take a pride in insisting upon all occasions
on their authority and superiority, but remember that their servants are their fellow-servants. But,
[2.] He will call them his friends; he will not only love them,
but will let them know it; for in his tongue is the law of kindness. After his resurrection he seems to speak with more affectionate tenderness of and to his
disciples than before. Go to my brethren, ch. 20:17. Children, have you any meat? ch. 21:5. But observe, though Christ called them his friends, they called themselves
his servants: Peter, a servant of Christ (1 Pt. 1:1), and so James, ch. 1:1. The more honour Christ puts upon us, the more honour we should study to do him; the
higher in his eyes, the lower in our own.
(3.) Christ loved his disciples, for he was very free in communicating his mind to them (v. 15): "Henceforth you shall not be kept so much in the dark as you have been,
like servants that are only told their present work; but, when the Spirit is poured out, you shall know your Master's designs as friends. All things that I have heard of
my Father I have declared unto you." As to the secret will of God, there are many things which we must be content not to know; but, as to the revealed will of God,
Jesus Christ has faithfully handed to us what he received of the Father, ch. 1:18; Mt. 11:27. The great things relating to man's redemption Christ declared to his
disciples, that they might declare them to others; they were the men of his counsel, Mt. 13:11.
(4.) Christ loved his disciples, for he chose and ordained them to be the prime instruments of his glory and honour in the world (v. 16): I have chosen you, and ordained
you, His love to them appeared,
[1.] In their election, their election to their apostleship (ch. 6:70): I have chosen you twelve. It did not begin on their side: You have not chosen me, but I first
chose you. Why were they admitted to such an intimacy with him, employed in such an embassy for him, and endued with such power from on high? It was not owing to their
wisdom and goodness in choosing him for their Master, but to his favour and grace in choosing them for his disciples. It is fit that Christ should have the choosing of
his own ministers; still he does it by his providence and Spirit. Though ministers make that holy calling their own choice, Christ's choice is prior to theirs and directs
and determines it. Of all that are chosen to grace and glory it may be said, They have not chosen Christ, but he had chosen them, Deu. 7:7, 8.
[2.] In their ordination: I have ordained you; hetheµka hymas-"I have put you into the ministry (1 Tim. 1:12), put you into commission." By this it appeared that he
took them for his friends when he crowned their heads with such an honour, and filled their hands with such a trust. It was a mighty confidence he reposed in them, when
he made them his ambassadors to negotiate the affairs of his kingdom in this lower world, and the prime ministers of state in the administration of it. The treasure of
the gospel was committed to them,
- First, That it might be propagated: that you should go, hina hymeis hypageµte-"that you should go as under a yoke or burden, for the ministry is a work, and you that go about it must resolve to undergo a great deal; that you may go from place to place all the world over, and bring forth fruit." They were ordained, not to sit still, but to go about, to be diligent in their work, and to lay out themselves unweariedly in doing good. They were ordained, not to beat the air, but to be instrumental in God's hand for the bringing of nations into obedience to Christ, Rom. 1:13. Note, Those whom Christ ordains should and shall be fruitful; should labour, and shall not labour in vain.
- Secondly, That it might be perpetuated; that the fruit may remain, that the good effect of their labours may continue in the world from generation to generation, to the end of time. The church of Christ was not to be a short-lived thing, as many of the sects of the philosophers, that were a nine days' wonder; it did not come up in a night, nor should it perish in a night, but be as the days of heaven. The sermons and writings of the apostles are transmitted to us, and we at this day are built upon that foundation, ever since the Christian church was first founded by the ministry of the apostles and seventy disciples; as one generation of ministers and Christians has passed away, still another has come. By virtue of that great charter (Mt. 28:19), Christ has a church in the world, which, as our lawyers say of bodies corporate, does not die, but lives in a succession; and thus their fruit remains to this day, and shall do while the earth remains.
[3.] His love to them appeared in the interest they had at the throne of grace: Whatsoever you shall ask of my Father, in my name, he will give it you. Probably this refers in the first place to the power of working miracles which the apostles were clothed with, which was to be drawn out by prayer. "Whatever gifts are necessary to the furtherance of your labours, whatever help from heaven you have occasion for at any time, it is but ask and have." Three things are here hinted to us for our encouragement in prayer, and very encouraging they are.
- First, That we have a God to go to who is a Father; Christ here calls him the Father, both mine and yours; and the Spirit in the word and in the heart teaches us to cry, Abba, Father.
- Secondly, That we come in a good name. Whatever errand we come upon to the throne of grace according to God's will, we may with a humble boldness mention Christ's name in it, and plead that we are related to him, and he is concerned for us.
- Thirdly, That an answer of peace is promised us. What you come for shall be given you. This great promise made to that great duty keeps up a comfortable and gainful intercourse between heaven and earth.
PART III.
Concerning the disciples' love to Christ, enjoined in consideration of the great love wherewith he had loved them. Three things he exhorts them to:-
ITEM 1.
To continue in his love, v. 9. "Continue in your love to me, and in mine to you." Both may be taken in. We must place our happiness in the continuance of Christ's
love to us, and make it our business to give continued proofs of our love to Christ, that nothing may tempt us to withdraw from him, or provoke him to withdraw from
us. Note, All that love Christ should continue in their love to him, that is, be always loving him, and taking all occasions to show it, and love to the end. The
disciples were to go out upon service for Christ, in which they would meet with many troubles; but, says Christ, "Continue in my love. Keep up your love to me, and
then all the troubles you meet with will be easy; love made seven years' hard service easy to Jacob. Let not the troubles you meet with for Christ's sake quench your
love to Christ, but rather quicken it.
ITEM 2.
To let his joy remain in them, and fill them, v. 11. This he designed in those precepts and promises given them.
(1.) That his joy might remain in them. The words are so placed, in the original, that they may be read either,
[1.] That my joy in you may remain. If they bring
forth much fruit, and continue in his love, he will continue to rejoice in them as he had done. Note, Fruitful and faithful disciples are the joy of the Lord Jesus; he
rests in his love to them, Zep. 3:17. As there is a transport of joy in heaven in the conversion of sinners, so there is a remaining joy in the perseverance of saints.
Or,
[2.] That my joy, that is, your joy in me, may remain. It is the will of Christ that his disciples should constantly and continually rejoice in him, Phil. 4:4.
The joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment, but the joy of those who abide in Christ's love is a continual feast. The word of the Lord enduring for ever, the joys
that flow from it, and are founded on it, do so too.
(2.) That your joy might be full; not only that you might be full of joy, but that your joy in me and in my love may rise higher and higher, till it come to perfection,
when you enter into the joy of your Lord." Note,
[1.] Those and those only that have Christ's joy remaining in them have their joy full; worldly joys are empty, soon
surfeit but never satisfy. It is only wisdom's joy that will fill the soul, Ps. 36:8.
[2.] The design of Christ in his world is to fill the joy of his people;
see 1 Jn. 1:4. This and the other he hath said, that our joy might be fuller and fuller, and perfect at last.
ITEM 3.
To evidence their love to him by keeping his commandments: "If you keep my commandments, you shall abide in my love, v. 10. This will be an evidence of the
fidelity and constancy of your love to me, and then you may be sure of the continuance of my love to you." Observe here,
(1.) The promise "You shall abide in my
love as in a dwelling place, at home in Christ's love; as in a resting place, at ease in Christ's love; as in a stronghold, safe in it. You shall abide in my
love, you shall have grace and strength to persevere in loving me." If the same hand that first shed abroad the love of Christ in our hearts did not keep us in
that love, we should not long abide in it, but, through the love of the world, should go out of love with Christ himself.
(2.) The condition of the promise: If you
keep my commandments. The disciples were to keep Christ's commandments, not only by a constant conformity to them themselves, but by a faithful delivery of them to
others; they were to keep them as trustees, in whose hands that great depositum was lodged, for they were to teach all things that Christ had commanded, Mt. 28:20.
This commandment they must keep without spot (1 Tim. 6:14), and thus they must show that they abide in his love.
To induce them to keep his commandments, he urges,
[1.] His own example: As I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. Christ submitted to the
law of mediation, and so preserved the honour and comfort of it, to teach us to submit to the laws of the Mediator, for we cannot otherwise preserve the honour
and comfort of our relation to him.
[2.] The necessity of it to their interest in him (v. 14): "You are my friends if you do whatsoever I command you and not
otherwise." Note,
- First, Those only will be accounted Christ's faithful friends that approve themselves his obedient servants; for those that will not have him to reign over them shall be treated as his enemies. Idem velle et idem nolle ea demum vera est amicitia-Friendship involves a fellowship of aversions and attachments.-Sallust.
- Secondly, It is universal obedience to Christ that is the only acceptable obedience; to obey him in every thing that he commands us, not excepting, much less excepting against, any command.
PART IV.
Concerning the disciples' love one to another, enjoined as an evidence of their love to Christ, and a grateful return for his love to them. We must keep his commandments, and this is his commandment, that we love one another, v. 12, and again, v. 17. No one duty of religion is more frequently inculcated, nor more pathetically urged upon us, by our Lord Jesus, than that of mutual love, and for good reason.
ITEM 1.
It is here recommended by Christ's pattern (v. 12): as I have
loved you. Christ's love to us should direct and engage our love to each other; in this manner, and from this motive, we should love one another, as, and because,
Christ has loved us. He here specifies some of the expressions of his love to them; he called them friends, communicated his mind to them, was ready to give them
what they asked. Go you and do likewise.
ITEM 2.
It is required by his precept. He interposes his authority, has made it one of the statute-laws of his kingdom. Observe
how differently it is expressed in these two verses, and both very emphatic.
(1.) This is my commandment (v. 12), as if this were the most necessary of all the
commandments. As under the law the prohibition of idolatry was the commandment more insisted on than any other, foreseeing the people's addictedness to that sin,
so Christ, foreseeing the addictedness of the Christian church to uncharitableness, has laid most stress upon this precept.
(2.) These things I command you, v. 17.
He speaks as if he were about to give them many things in charge, and yet names this only, that you love one another; not only because this includes many duties,
but because it will have a good influence upon all.
Verses 18-25
Here Christ discourses concerning hatred, which is the character and genius of the devil's kingdom, as love is of the kingdom of Christ. Observe here,
PART I.
Who they are in whom this hatred is found-the world, the children of this world, as distinguished from the children of God; those who are in the interests of the god of this world, whose image they bear, and whose power they are subject to; all those, whether Jews or Gentiles, who would not come into the church of Christ, which he audibly called, and visibly separates from this evil world. The calling of these the world intimates,
ITEM 1.
Their number; there were a world of people that
opposed Christ and Christianity. Lord, how were they increased that troubled the Son of David! I fear, if we should put it to the vote between Christ and Satan,
Satan would out-poll us quite.
ITEM 2.
Their confederacy and combination; these numerous hosts are embodied, and are as one, Ps. 83:5. Jews and Gentiles, that could
agree in nothing else, agreed to persecute Christ's minister.
ITEM 3.
Their spirit and disposition; they are men of the world (Ps. 16:13, 14), wholly devoted to this
world and the things of it, and never thinking of another world. The people of God, though they are taught to hate the sins of sinners, yet not their persons, but
to love and do good to all men. A malicious, spiteful, envious spirit, is not the spirit of Christ, but of the world.
PART II.
Who are they against whom this hatred is levelled-against the disciples of Christ, against Christ himself, and against the Father.
ITEM 1.
The world hates the disciples of Christ: The world hateth you (v. 19); and he speaks of it as that which they must expect and count upon, v. 18, as 1 Jn. 3:13.
(1.) Observe how this comes in here.
[1.] Christ had expressed the great kindness he had for them as friends; but, lest they should be puffed up with this, there was
given them, as there was to Paul, a thorn in the flesh, that is, as it is explained there, reproaches and persecutions for Christ's sake, 2 Co. 12:7, 10.
[2.] He had
appointed them their work, but tells them what hardships they should meet with in it, that it might not be a surprise to them, and that they might prepare
accordingly.
[3.] He had charged them to love one another, and need enough they had to love one another, for the world would hate them; to be kind to one
another, for they would have a great deal of unkindness and ill-will from those that were without. "Keep peace among yourselves, and this will fortify you
against the world's quarrels with you." Those that are in the midst of enemies are concerned to hold together.
(2.) Observe what is here included.
[1.] The world's enmity against the followers of Christ: it hateth them. Note, Whom Christ blesseth the world curseth. The favourites and heirs of heaven have never
been the darlings of this world, since the old enmity was put between the seed of the woman and of the serpent. Why did Cain hate Abel, but because his works were
righteous? Esau hated Jacob because of the blessing; Joseph's brethren hated him because his father loved him; Saul hated David because the Lord was with him; Ahab
hated Micaiah because of his prophecies; such are the causeless causes of the world's hatred.
[2.] The fruits of that enmity, two of which we have here, v. 20.
- First, They will persecute you, because they hate you, for hatred is a restless passion. It is the common lot of those who will live godly in Christ Jesus to suffer persecution, 2 Tim. 3:12. Christ foresaw what ill usage his ambassadors would meet with in the world, and yet, for the sake of those few that by their ministry were to be called out of the world, he sent them forth as sheep in the midst of wolves.
- Secondly, Another fruit of their enmity is implied, that they would reject their doctrine. When Christ says, If they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours, he means, They will keep yours, and regard yours, no more than they have regarded and kept mine. Note, The preachers of the gospel cannot but take the despising of their message to be the greatest injury that can be done to themselves; as it was a great affront to Jeremiah to say, Let us not give heed to any of his words, Jer. 18:18.
[3.] The causes of that enmity. The world will hate them,
- First, Because they do not belong to it (v. 19): "If you were of the world, of its spirit, and in its interests, if you were carnal and worldly, the world would love
you as its own; but, because you are called out of the world, it hates you, and ever will." Note,
1. We are not to wonder if those that are devoted to the world are caressed by it as its friends; most men bless the covetous, Ps. 10:3; 49:18.
2. Nor are we to wonder if those that are delivered from the world are maligned by it as its enemies; when Israel is rescued out of Egypt, the Egyptians will pursue them. Observe, The reason why Christ's disciples are not of the world is not because they have by their own wisdom and virtue distinguished themselves from the world, but because Christ hath chosen them out of it, to set them apart for himself; and this is the reason why the world hates them; for, (1.) The glory which by virtue of this choice they are designed for sets them above the world, and so makes them the objects of its envy. The saints shall judge the world, and the upright have dominion, and therefore they are hated. (2.) The grace which by virtue of this choice they are endued with sets them against the world; they swim against the stream of the world, and are not conformed to it; they witness against it, and are not conformed to it. This would support them under all the calamities which the world's hatred would bring upon them, that they were hated because they were the choice and the chosen ones of the Lord Jesus, and were not of the world. Now, [1.] This was no just cause for the world's hatred of them. If we do any thing to make ourselves hateful, we have reason to lament it; but, if men hate us for that for which they should love and value us, we have reason to pity them, but no reason to perplex ourselves. Nay, [2.] This was just cause for their own joy. He that is hated because he is rich and prospers cares not who has the vexation of it, while he has the satisfaction of it.
-Populus me sibilat,
at mihi plaudo Ipse domi-
-Let them hiss on, he cries,
While in my own opinion fully blessed.-Timon in Hor.
Much more may those hug themselves
whom the world hates, but whom Christ loves. - Secondly, "Another cause of the world's hating you will be because you do belong to Christ (v. 21): For my name's sake." Here is the core of the controversy; whatever
is pretended, this is the ground of the quarrel, they hate Christ's disciples because they bear his name, and bear up his name in the world. Note,
1. It is the character of Christ's disciples that they stand up for his name. The name into which they were baptized is that which they will live and die by.
2. It has commonly been the lot of those that appear for Christ's name to suffer for so doing, to suffer many things, and hard things, all these things. It is matter of comfort to the greatest sufferers if they suffer for Christ's name's sake. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are you (1 Pt. 4:14), happy indeed, considering not only the honour that is imprinted upon those sufferings (Acts 5:41), but the comfort that is infused into them, and especially the crown of glory which those sufferings lead to. If we suffer with Christ, and for Christ, we shall reign with him. - Thirdly, After all, it is the world's ignorance that is the true cause of its enmity to the disciples of Christ (v. 21): Because they know not him that sent me.
1. They know not God. If men had but a due acquaintance with the very first principles of natural religion, and did but know God, though they did not embrace Christianity, yet they could not hate and persecute it. Those have no knowledge who eat up God's people, Ps. 14:4.
2. They know not God as he that sent our Lord Jesus, and authorized him to be the great Mediator of the peace. We do not rightly know God if we do not know him in Christ, and those who persecute those whom he sends make it to appear that they know not that he was sent of God. See 1 Co. 2:8.
ITEM 2.
The world hates Christ himself. And this is spoken of here for two ends:-
(1.) To mitigate the trouble of his followers, arising from the world's hatred, and to make it the less strange, and the less grievous (v. 18): You know that it hated
me before you, proµton hymoµn. We read it as signifying priority of time; he began in the bitter cup of suffering, and then left us to pledge him; but it may be read
as expressing his superiority over them: "You know that it hated me, your first, your chief and captain, your leader and commander."
[1.] If Christ, who excelled in
goodness, and was perfectly innocent and universally beneficent, was hated, can we expect that any virtue or merit of ours should screen us from malice?
[2.] If our
Master, the founder of our religion, met with so much opposition in the planting of it, his servants and followers can look for no other in propagating and professing
it. For this he refers them (v. 20) to his own word, at their admission into discipleship: Remember the word that I said unto you. It would help us to understand
Christ's latter sayings to compare them with his former sayings. Nor would any thing contribute more to the making of us easy than remembering the words of Christ,
which will expound his providences. Now in this word there is,
- First, A plain truth: The servant is not greater than his Lord. This he had said to them. Mt. 10:24. Christ is our Lord, and therefore we must diligently attend all his motions, and patiently acquiesce in all his disposals, for the servant is inferior to his lord. The plainest truths are sometimes the strongest arguments for the hardest duties; Elihu answers a multitude of Job's murmurings with this one self-evident truth, that God is greater than man, Job 33:12. So here is,
- Secondly, A proper inference drawn from it: "If they have persecuted men, as you have seen, and are likely to
see much more, they will also persecute you; you may expect it and count upon it: for,"
1. "You will do the same that I have done to provoke them; you will reprove them for their sins, and call them to repentance, and give them strict rules of holy living, which they will not bear."
2. "You cannot do more than I have done to oblige them; after so great an instance, let none wonder if they suffer ill for doing well." He adds, "If they have kept my sayings, they will keep yours also; as there have been a few, and but a few, that have been wrought upon by my preaching, so there will be by yours a few, and but a few." Some give another sense of this, making eteµreµsan to be put for pareµteµreµsan. "If they have lain in wait for my sayings, with a design to ensnare me, they will in like manner lie in wait to entangle you in your talk."
(2.) To aggravate the wickedness of this unbelieving world, and to discover its exceeding sinfulness; to hate and persecute the apostles was bad enough, but in them to
hate and persecute Christ himself was much worse. The world is generally in an ill name in scripture, and nothing can put it into a worse name than this, that it hated
Jesus Christ. There is a world of people that are haters of Christ. Two things he insists upon to aggravate the wickedness of those that hated him:-
[1.] That there was the greatest reason imaginable why they should love him; men's good words and good works usually recommend them; now as to Christ,
- First, His words were such as merited their love (v. 22): "If I had not spoken unto them, to court their love, they had not had sin, their opposition had not amounted
to a hatred of me, their sin had been comparatively no sin. But now that I have said so much to them to recommend myself to their best affections they have no pretence,
no excuse for their sin." Observe here,
1. The advantage which those have that enjoy the gospel; Christ in it comes and speaks to them; he spoke in person to the men of that generation, and is still speaking to us by our Bibles and ministers, and as one that has the most unquestionable authority over us, and affection for us. Every word of his is pure, carries with it a commanding majesty, and yet a condescending tenderness, able, one would think, to charm the deafest adder.
2. The excuse which those have that enjoy not the gospel: "If I had not spoken to them, if they had ever heard of Christ and of salvation by him, they had not had sin." (1.) Not this kind of sin. They had not been chargeable with a contempt of Christ if he had not come and made a tender of his grace to them. As sin is not imputed where there is no law, so unbelief is not imputed where there is no gospel; and, where it is imputed, it is thus far the only damning sin, that, being a sin against the remedy, other sin would not damn if the guilt of them were not bound on with this. (2.) Not such a degree of sin. If they had not had the gospel among them, their other sins had not been so bad; for the times of ignorance God winked at, Lu. 12:47, 48.
3. The aggravated guilt which those lie under to whom Christ has come and spoken in vain, whom he has called and invited in vain, with whom he has reasoned and pleaded in vain; They have no cloak for their sin; they are altogether inexcusable, and in the judgment day will be speechless, and will not have a word to say for themselves. Note, The clearer and fuller the discoveries are which are made to us of the grace and truth of Jesus Christ, the more is said to us that is convincing and endearing, the greater is our sin if we do not love him and believe in him. The word of Christ strips sin of its cloak, that it may appear sin. - Secondly, His works were such as merited their love, as well as his words (v. 24): "If I had not done among them, in their country, and before their eyes, such works
as no other man ever did, they had not had sin; their unbelief and enmity had been excusable, and they might have had some colour to say that my word was not to be
credited, if not otherwise confirmed;" but he produced satisfactory proofs of his divine mission, works which no other man did. Note,
1. As the Creator demonstrates his power and Godhead by his works (Rom. 1:20), so doth the Redeemer. His miracles, his mercies, works of wonder and works of grace, prove him sent of God, and sent on a kind errand.
2. Christ's works were such as no man ever did. No common person that had not a commission from heaven, and God with him, could work miracles, ch. 3:2. And no prophet ever wrought such miracles, so many, so illustrious. Moses and Elias wrought miracles as servants, by a derived power; but Christ, as a Son, by his own power. This was it that amazed the people, that with authority he commanded diseases and devils (Mk. 1:27); they owned they never saw the like, Mk. 2:12. They were all good works, works of mercy; and this seems especially intended here, for he is upbraiding them with this, that they hated him. One that was so universally useful, more than ever any man was, one would think, should have been universally beloved, and yet even he is hated.
3. The works of Christ enhance the guilt of sinners' infidelity and enmity to him, to the last degree of wickedness and absurdity. If they had only heard his words, and not seen his works,-if we had only his sermons upon record, and not his miracles, unbelief might have pleaded want of proof; but now it has no excuse. Nay, the rejecting of Christ, both by them and us, has in it the sin, not only of obstinate unbelief, but of base ingratitude. They saw Christ to be most amiable, and studious to do them a kindness; yet they hated him, and studied to do him mischief. And we see in his word that great love wherewith he loved us, and yet are not wrought upon by it.
[2.] That there was no reason at all why they should hate him. Some that at one time will say and do that which is recommending, yet at another time will say and do that which is provoking and disobliging; but our Lord Jesus not only did much to merit men's esteem and good-will, but never did any thing justly to incur their displeasure; this he pleads by quoting a scripture for it (v. 25): "This comes to pass, this unreasonable hatred of me, and of my disciples for my sake, that the word might be fulfilled which is written in their law" (that is, in the Old Testament, which is a law, and was received by them as a law), "They hated me without a cause;" this David speaks of himself as a type of Christ, Ps. 35:19; 69:4. Not,
- First, Those that hate Christ hate him without any just cause; enmity to Christ is unreasonable enmity. We think those deserve to be hated that are haughty and froward, but Christ is meek and lowly, compassionate and tender; those also that under colour of complaisance are malicious, envious, and revengeful, but Christ devoted himself to the service of those that used him, nay, and of those that abused him; toiled for others' ease, and impoverished himself to enrich us. Those we think hateful that are hurtful to kings and provinces, and disturbers of the public peace; but Christ, on the contrary, was the greatest blessing imaginable to his country, and yet was hated. He testified indeed that their works were evil, with a design to make them good, but to hate him for this cause was to hate him without cause.
- Secondly, Herein the scripture was fulfilled, and the antitype answered the type. Saul and his courtiers hated David without cause, for he had been serviceable to him with his harp, and with his sword; Absalom and his party hated him, though to him he had been an indulgent father, and to them a great benefactor. Thus was the Son of David hated, and hunted most unjustly. Those that hated Christ did not design there in to fulfil the scripture; but God, in permitting it, had that in his eye; and it confirms our faith in Christ as the Messiah that even this was foretold concerning him, and, being foretold, was accomplished in him. And we must not think it strange or hard if it have a further accomplishment in us. We are apt to justify our complaints of injuries done us with this, that they are causeless, whereas the more they are so the more they are like the sufferings of Christ, and may be the more easily borne.
ITEM 3.
In Christ the world hates God himself; this is twice said here (v. 23): He that hateth me, though he thinks his hatred goes no further, yet really he hates my
Father also. And again, v. 24, They have seen and hated both me and my Father. Note,
(1.) There are those that hate God, notwithstanding the beauty of his nature and
the bounty of his providence; they are enraged at his justice, as the devils that believe it and tremble, are vexed at his dominion, and would gladly break his bands
asunder. Those who cannot bring themselves to deny that there is a God, and yet wish there were none, they see and hate him.
(2.) Hatred of Christ will be construed
and adjudged hatred of God, for he is in his person his Father's express image, and in his office his great agent and ambassador. God will have all men to honour
the Son as they honour the Father, and therefore what entertainment the Son has, that the Father has. Hence it is easy to infer that those who are enemies to the
Christian religion, however they may cry up natural religion, are really enemies to all religion. Deists are in effect atheists, and those that ridicule the
light of the gospel would, if they could, extinguish even natural light, and shake off all obligations of conscience and the fear of God. Let an unbelieving
malignant world know that their enmity to the gospel of Christ will be looked upon in the great day as an enmity to the blessed God himself; and let all that
suffer for righteousness' sake, according to the will of God, take comfort from this; if God himself be hated in them, and struck at through him, they need not
be either ashamed of their cause or afraid of the issue.
Verses 26-27
Christ having spoken of the great opposition which his gospel was likely to meet with in the world, and the hardships that would be put upon the preachers of it, lest any should fear that they and it would be run down by that violent torrent, he here intimates to all those that were well-wishers to his cause and interest what effectual provision was made for supporting it, both by the principal testimony of the Spirit (v. 26), and the subordinate testimony of the apostles (v. 27), and testimonies are the proper supports of truth.
PART I.
It is here promised that the blessed Spirit shall maintain the cause of Christ in the world, notwithstanding the opposition it should meet with. Christ, when he was reviled, committed his injured cause to his Father, and did not lose by his silence, for the Comforter came, pleaded it powerfully, and carried it triumphantly. "When the Comforter or Advocate is come, who proceedeth from the Father, and whom I will send to supply the want of my bodily presence, he shall testify of me against those that hate me without cause." We have more in this verse concerning the Holy Ghost than in any one verse besides in the Bible; and, being baptized into his name, we are concerned to acquaint ourselves with him as far as he is revealed.
ITEM 1.
Here is an account of him in his essence, or subsistence rather. He is the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father. Here,
(1.) He is spoken of as a distinct
person; not a quality or property, but a person under the proper name of a Spirit, and proper title of the Spirit of truth, a title fitly given him where he is brought
in testifying.
(2.) As a divine person, that proceedeth from the Father, by out-goings that were of old, from everlasting. The spirit or breath of man, called the
breath of life, proceeds from the man, and by it modified he delivers his mind, by it invigorated he sometimes exerts his strength to blow out what he would
extinguish, and blow up what he would excite. Thus the blessed Spirit is the emanation of divine light, and the energy of divine power. The rays of the sun, by which it
dispenses and diffuses its light, heat, and influence, proceed from the sun, and yet are one with it. The Nicene Creed says, The Spirit proceedeth from the Father and
the Son, for he is called the Spirit of the Son, Gal. 4:6. And the Son is here said to send him. The Greek church chose rather to say, from the Father by the Son.
ITEM 2.
In his mission.
(1.) He will come in a more plentiful effusion of his gifts, graces, and powers, than had ever yet been. Christ had been long the ho erchomenos-he
that should come; now the blessed Spirit is so.
(2.) I will send him to you from the Father. He had said (ch. 14:16), I will pray the Father, and he shall send you the
Comforter, which bespeaks the Spirit to be the fruit of the intercession Christ makes within the veil: here he says, I will send him, which bespeaks him to be the
fruit of his dominion within the veil. The Spirit was sent,
[1.] By Christ as Mediator, now ascended on high to give gifts unto men, and all power being given to
him.
[2.] From the Father: "Not only from heaven, my Father's house" (the Spirit was given in a sound from heaven, Acts 2:2), "but according to my Father's will and
appointment, and with his concurring power and authority."
[3.] To the apostles to instruct them in their preaching, enable them for working, and carry them through
their sufferings. He was given to them and their successors, both in Christianity and in the ministry; to them and their seed, and their seed's seed, according to
that promise, Isa. 59:21.
ITEM 3.
In his office and operations, which are two:-
(1.) One implied in the title given to him; he is the Comforter, or Advocate. An advocate for Christ, to maintain
his cause against the world's infidelity, a comforter to the saints against the world's hatred.
(2.) Another expressed: He shall testify of me. He is not only an
advocate, but a witness for Jesus Christ; he is one of the three that bear record in heaven, and the first of the three that bear witness on earth. 1 Jn. 5:7, 8. He
instructed the apostles, and enabled them to work miracles; he indited the scriptures, which are the standing witnesses that testify of Christ, ch. 5:39. The power
of the ministry is derived from the Spirit, for he qualifies ministers; and the power of Christianity too, for he sanctifies Christians, and in both testifies of Christ.
PART II.
It is here promised that the apostles also, by the Spirit's assistance, should have the honour of being Christ's witnesses (v. 27): And you also shall bear witness of me, being competent witnesses, for you have been with me from the beginning of my ministry. Observe here,
ITEM 1.
That the apostles were appointed to be witnesses for Christ in the world. When he had said, The Spirit shall testify, he adds, And you also shall bear witness.
Note, The Spirit's working is not to supersede, but to engage and encourage ours. Though the Spirit testify, ministers also must bear their testimony, and people
attend to it; for the Spirit of grace witnesses and works by the means of grace. The apostles were the first witnesses that were called in the famous trial between
Christ and the prince of this world, which issued in the ejectment of the intruder. This intimates,
(1.) The work cut out for them; they were to attest the truth,
the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, concerning Christ, for the recovering of his just right, and the maintaining of his crown and dignity. Though Christ's
disciples fled when they should have been witnesses for him upon his trial before the high priest and Pilate, yet after the Spirit was poured out upon them they
appeared courageous in vindication of the cause of Christ against the accusations it was loaded with. The truth of the Christian religion was to be proved very much
by the evidence of matter of fact, especially Christ's resurrection, of which the apostles were in a particular manner chosen witnesses (Act. 10:41), and they bore
their testimony accordingly, Acts 3:15; 5:32. Christ's ministers are his witnesses.
(2.) The honour put upon them hereby-that they should be workers together with
God. "The Spirit shall testify of me, and you also, under the conduct of the Spirit, and in concurrence with the Spirit (who will preserve you from mistaking in
that which you relate on your own knowledge, and will inform you of that which you cannot know but by revelation), shall bear witness." This might encourage them
against the hatred and contempt of the world, that Christ had honoured them, and would own them.
ITEM 2.
That they were qualified to be so: You have been with me from the beginning. They not only heard his public sermons, but had constant private converse with him.
He went about doing good, and, while others saw the wonderful and merciful works that he did in their own town and country only, those that went about with him were
witnesses of them all. They had likewise opportunity of observing the unspotted purity of his conversation, and could witness for him that they never saw in him, nor
heard from him, any thing that had the least tincture of human frailty. Note.
(1.) We have great reason to receive the record which the apostles gave of Christ, for
they did not speak by hearsay, but what they had the greatest assurance of imaginable, 2 Pt. 1:16; 1 Jn. 1:1, 3.
(2.) Those are best able to bear witness for Christ
that have themselves been with him, by faith, hope, and love, and by living a life of communion with God in him. Ministers must first learn Christ, and then preach
him. Those speak best of the things of God that speak experimentally. It is particularly a great advantage to have been acquainted with Christ from the beginning,
to understand all things from the very first, Lu. 1:3. To have been with him from the beginning of our days. An early acquaintance and constant converse with the
gospel of Christ will make a man like a good householder.