Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 1 · Verse and explication 12
Vers. 15. Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the Saints, 16. Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.
THe Apostle, in the second part of the Chapter, taking occasion from what he heard of those Ephesians, breaketh forth in thanksgiving and prayer to God for them, whereby he prosecuteth his main scope: in so far, as that by every sentence, and word almost, he doth breath forth the high esteem which he had of God's free grace in Christ, and thereby doth confirm their faith; besides that while he prayeth for their perseverance, and growth in the faith and knowledge of saving truths, he doth indirectly, at least, excite them to persevere and make progresse in the same.
And, first, having shewn the good report which was brought unto him of those spiritual graces, which were eminent in them (whereof he instanceth two, which are the sum and compend of all the rest, and doth illustrate them from their principal object, faith in Jesus Christ and love to all the Saints) ver. 15. he maketh known unto them what was his exercise upon their behalf, even that (being incited by the consideration of these spiritual blessings bestowed by God upon them, and mentioned, ver. 13, 14. and by the report which he had of them, ver. 15.) he made conscience to continue in the duties of thanksgiving and prayer to God for them, ver. 16.
From Vers. 15. Learn, 1. It is not sufficient that Christs Ministers do presse duties upon the Lords People, having convincedly cleared unto their consciences the equity which is in those duties; but they must also hold forth unto them a copie of that obedience, which they so much presse, by their own example and practice: for, so the Apostle, having abundantly cleared, ver. 13, 14. that the Lord's converting and sealing of those Ephesians did call upon them to praise the glory of His grace, he himself doth here put hand to this work; Wherefore, saith he, I cease not to give thanks for you. 2. It is a great encouragement to blesse the Lord, and to pray unto Him in behalf of those who are making conscience of these duties for themselves: for, while he saith, I also give thanks, he supposeth they were doing the like, and that he was encouraged from thence. 3. Grace is like a precious oyntment, whose savour cannot be hid: the report of it, where it is in life, will spread, and make his name, who hath it, savoury unto such, as are truly gracious themselves: for, Paul, though at a great distance being now at Rome, heard of their faith in Jesus Christ, and love to all the Saints. 4. It is the duty of Christians to be joyfully reporting and speaking of the grace of God and good which is in others; providing it be wisely done, that is, first, sparingly, and so as not to place all our own Religion in speaking of the Religion of others. Secondly, not rashly, or without such grounds in the person whom we commend, as charity at least may rest upon. Thirdly, impartially, and not factiously crying up some, and decrying others, who are equally deserving, Jude -16. for, Paul's hearing of their faith and love, implyeth, that some had reported to him of that good which was in them. 5. Even in the best Churches in those primitive times, who were most commended by the Apostles, every one had not faith, and so is it yet; All are not Israel who are of Israel, Rom. 9. 6. for, the word rendred their faith, in the Original, is, the faith which is among you; he could not say positively that all of them had faith, but faith was among them. 6. Saving faith is an excellent fruit of the Gospel preached among a People, without which the Word cannot profit, Heb. 4. 2. and by which we are united to Christ, and have right to all the spiritual blessings purchased by Christ, who is the chief object of faith, whom it doth apprehend, as He is offered in the Promise: for, Paul doth mention their faith in Jesus Christ as an excellent praise-worthy fruit of the Gospel, for which he blesseth God; After I heard of your faith in Jesus Christ, saith he. 7. The grace of love to our neighbour, with the duties thereof flowing from love to God in the first place, (1 Joh. 4. 12.) is an excellent praise-worthy fruit of the Gospel preached among a People, especially, when the Saints have most of this love as resembling God most. And when their love is laid forth upon Saints, as they are Saints, and for the reality or appearance of God in them, and not for other by-respects only, or mainly; and in a word, when it is extended unto all Saints: for, Paul doth mention their love to the Saints and to all Saints, as another excellent praise-worthy fruit of the Gospel, for which he blesseth God; After I heard of your love unto all the Saints. 8. As the graces of faith in Christ, and love to the Saints, are alwayes conjoyned, they being in a manner the two legs of a Christian, without any one whereof he cannot walk, and the other is but dead and withered, I am. 2. 17. so faith in its exercise hath the precedency of love, faith being the fountain from which the streams of love do flow; in so far, as faith laying hold upon God's love in Christ, inflameth the heart with love to God; which love to God consisteth in keeping of His Commandments, 1 Joh. 5. 3. and the chief of God's Commands, next unto love to Himself, is, that we love our brother, 1 Joh. 4. 21. for, the Apostle here, as elsewhere, Col. 1. 4. 1 Thess. 1. 4. conjoyneth these two graces, and giveth faith the precedency; After I heard of your faith in Christ Jesus, and love to all the Saints.
From Vers. 16. Learn, 1. As the duties, both of thanksgiving and prayer, ought to be made conscience of by Christians; so the practice of these two duties do well together: for, each of them doth contribute for the help of another; in so far, as thanksgiving to God for favours received, doth notably tend to suppresse that fretting, quarrelling, impatient humour, which often venteth it self against God in our prayers, Psal. 77. 7. compared with 10, 11. and the exercise of prayer doth elevate the heart somewhat towards God, and so in some measure warm the affections with love to God, Psal. 25. 1. and thus disposeth much for the duty of thanksgiving: for, the Apostle maketh conscience of both those duties, and that joyntly; I cease not to give thanks in my prayers. 2. It is not sufficient for Christians once to begin well, and break off fair in the practice of those duties; but they must continue in them; there being always abiding reasons both for thanksgiving and prayer; and, when there is a lazy falling off from the practice of them for a time, it is usually found a task of greater difficulty to begin of new, than it was at first: for, the Apostle saith, I cease not to give thanks in my prayers: he ceased not, to wit, so far as his other necessary imployments and duties of his calling did permit: for, what we do frequently, and alwayes when occasion offereth, we are said to do it without ceasing. 3. The Ministers of Jesus Christ especially, ought not to be puffed up with any successe, which the Lord is pleased to give unto their labours, or sacrifice to their own drag or net, Gal. 6. 13. but would ascribe the praise thereof to God, who alone maketh His People to profit, Isa. 48. 17. for, Paul, hearing of their faith and love, ceased not to give thanks for them to God. 4. As it is the duty of one Christian to pray for another, and especially of a Minister for his Flock; So our prayers for others will avail little, except we be daily making conscience of praying to God for our selves: for, saith Paul, I make mention of you in my prayers: he had his own ordinary prayers for himself, wherein he did remember them. 5. As to the occasion of his praying for them, see upon Col. 1. 9. doct. 1.