1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels… I. THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST SUPPLIES DEMONSTRATIVE PROOF THAT HE HAS FINISHED THE GREAT WORK OF EXPIATION. II. THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST SUPPLIES THE FULLEST PROOF OF THE COMPLACENT ACCEPTANCE OF HIS SACRIFICE. III. THE TEXT EXPRESSES THE ACTUAL INVESTITURE OF THE REDEEMER WITH MEDIATORIAL POWER AND GLORY. This it is both important and necessary to observe. Distinctions must be made. The "glory" up into which the Redeemer was received, was not, of course, the essential glory of His Godhead. This He always possessed, and could not indeed do otherwise without ceasing to be God, it being inseparable from His nature as a Divine person. We need not again remind you that, as God, the Redeemer was incapable of exaltation, or of an accession of glory. To suppose Him thus capable is to suppose Him not God, and thus implies a contradiction. But as Mediator He was, economically at least, inferior to the Father, and acted as His servant, finishing the work which He had given Him to do, and was thus capable of being honoured and glorified by Him. IV. The statement includes THE INSTRUMENT OF CHRIST IN HIS INTERCESSORY OFFICE. V. THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST SUPPLIES THE SUREST PLEDGE FOR THE FULL ACCOMPLISHMENT OF ALL JEHOVAH'S REDEEMING PURPOSES. VI. THE EXALTATION OF CHRIST SUPPLIES THE HIGHEST GUARANTEE FOR THE UNIVERSAL SPREAD OF HIS KINGDOM. (S. Lucas.) Parallel Verses KJV: And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory. |
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