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viz., his justification and sanctification; but his gain reacheth further, even to glorious resurrection.

I. THE BENEFIT TO BE OBTAINED BY CHRIST. How is this a privilege since there is a resurrection of the wicked? (Acts 24:15). But theirs is one to condemnation (John 5:29), and so a fall rather than a rising. Therefore the faithful are only called the Children of the Resurrection (Luke 20:36). The word here is not ἀνάστασις, but ἐξανάστασις, to express the full and blessed resurrection that no evil shall follow (Luke 14:14).

II. THE SUBMISSION OF A SELF-DENYING BELIEVER TO USE ANY MEANS TO OBTAIN IT. The words seem to express a doubtfulness, but indeed they do not (2 Corinthians 5:1), for there is no uncertainty in God's promise. Why doth he then thus express himself?

1. To intimate the difficulty, thereby to quicken his desire and diligence.

2. To express the variety of the means by which God bringeth His people to glory (ver. 10).

3. To set forth his full submission (Luke 14:26).

4. His unwearied diligence and earnest endeavour to obtain this happiness, whatever it cost him.

5. The value of this benefit, and his vehement desire to attain it.

(T. Manton, D. D.)The doctrine here taught is that the blessedness of the saints at the resurrection is so great that we should be content to use any means and run any hazards to attain it.

I. WHAT IS THE HAPPINESS OF THE SAINTS IN THAT DAY.

1. Our personal inherent blessedness is glory revealed in us (Romans 8:18).

(1) The body hath its felicity.

(a) Because the man cannot be happy till the body be raised again. The soul alone doth not constitute human nature.

(b) It is agreeable to the wisdom and goodness of God that the body which had its share in the work should share the reward.

(c) The estate of those who die will not be worse than that of those who are only changed at Christ's coming, or there would be a disparity.

(d) In the heavenly state there are objects which can only be discerned by the bodily senses — the human nature of Christ, e.g.(e) As Christ was taken to heaven bodily, so shall we, for we bear the image of the heavenly one (ver. 21; 1 Corinthians 15:42-44).

(2) For the happiness of the soul. We shall be satisfied with the vision of God and transformed Into HIS likeness (1 Corinthians 13:12; 1 John 3:2; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

2. Adherent privileges.

(1) Justification: We have that now by faith; then we shall have our absolution from the Judge's mouth.

(2) Adoption. We have that light now (John 1:12) — then the full fruition thereof (Romans 8:23).

(3) Redemption. That day is called "the day of redemption" (Ephesians 4:30), because then we are completely delivered from all misery, both of soul and body (Ephesians 1:14).

II. THE MEANS WHEREBY GOD BRINGETH US THITHER.

1. The way of our holiness and the active part of our obedience.

(1) Dying to sin (Romans 8:13; Galatians 6:8).

(2) Living to God. The spiritual life is heaven begun (2 Peter 3:14; Luke 21:36; Acts 24:15-16).

2. As to passive obedience observe —

(1) That no suffering must be excepted out of our resignation (Matthew 16:25; Luke 14:26).

(2) This must be endured cheerfully.

III. THE REASON WHY, RATHER THAN FAIL, WE MUST SUBMIT TO ANY MEANS WHICH GOD HATH APPOINTED.

1. From the absolute dominion and prerogative of God, both to make laws and to put us on what trials He pleaseth to appoint.

2. From the goodness and suitableness of His laws.

(1) There is wisdom in them.

(2) We have no reason to be discouraged, for Divine help is assured (2 Timothy 4:17-18).

(3) The Divine comfort is to be had (1 Peter 4:14; Romans 5:5).

3. The great difficulty lieth not in a respect of the end, but the means; and so the trial of our sincerity must be rather looked for there.

4. The hope propounded will bear this submission. Immortal happiness is most durable, and endless misery most terrible; the world is vanity, heaven real.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

WEB: if by any means I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.