Galatians 4:6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. I. THE WORKER. The Holy Spirit is called the Spirit of the Son because — 1. Of His eternal procession from the Son. 2. He was given to the Son as Head of the Church for the unction, consecration, and sanctification of His human nature. 3. He is communicated through the Son to all believers. (1) Authoritatively, by virtue of the covenant of redemption (Acts 2:33; Acts 5:32). (2) Formally, in that all the graces of the Spirit are derived by us from Him (Colossians 1:19; Colossians 2:19; Colossians 3:1-4; Ephesians 4:16). II. THE WORK. He enables God's adopted children to behave themselves suitably to their state and condition. 1. Not as strangers, foreigners, or even servants, but 2. as children and heirs by becoming in them the Spirit of power, love, and sobriety (2 Timothy 1:7). III. THE EFFECTS OF THE WORKING. 1. Freedom of access to the "Father" is secured. 2. He becomes to us the Spirit of grace and of supplications, (1) by exerting graces and gracious affections in our souls in the duty of prayer: especially those of faith, love, and delight; (2) by enabling us to exercise those graces and express those affections in vocal prayer. (J. Owen, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. |