Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 1 · Verse and explication 15
Vers. 19. And what is the exceeding greatnesse of His power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of His mighty power.
HEre is another of those ends, for attaining whereof, the Apostle would have this wisdom bestowed upon them, even that they might know somewhat of that which they partake, at least in this life, to wit, the greatnesse of God's power, which He exerceth in and towards Believers, in His bestowing upon them saving grace, and carrying-on of that work in despight of men and devils from step to step, until grace shall be crowned in glory, and they actually installed in the possession of that rich and glorious inheritance: and he representeth and describeth this power, first, from its greatnesse; it is great, and so great, that sufficient words cannot be found to expresse the greatnesse of it, it is superlative, and hyperbolically great; for, so the word in the Original signifieth. Secondly, from the object towards whom this power is exercised, to wit, Believers. And, thirdly, from the principle and fountain from whence this powerfull working floweth, even God's own natural and infinit power: which he describeth from two epithets, It is mighty; yea, almighty, so, as nothing is too hard for it, Gen. 18. 14-. and it is a working power, or efficacious in working, and so as it cannot be resisted, where it is imployed to work, Isa. 27. 4. Doct. 1. So unworthy is any of the lost sons of Adam of this heavenly inheritance, Eph. 2. -3. so great and insuperable are these difficulties which are in their way to it, Eph. 6. 12. and so weak and impotent are they to get them overcome, 2 Cor. 3. 5. that no lesse than the omnipotent power of God working omnipotently is required to make them meet for it, and bring them to the actual possession of it; and therefore only the consideration of this mighty power can answer those doubts wherewith sense of weaknesse and unworthinesse will furnish a man against the possibility of his ever attaining to it: for, what is here spoken of God's power, seemeth to be subjoyned, thereby to point forth the way, how that rich inheritance is attained, and to solve those doubts which they might have had against their coming to it; And what is the exceeding greatnesse of His power. 2. They, and they only shall come to possesse this heavenly inheritance after time, who partake of the working of His mighty power upon their hearts in time: for, having spoken of that rich and glorious inheritance, he speaketh here of the exceeding greatnesse of His power towards those who believe: whereby he sheweth not only how we come to that inheritance, but also who those are, who shall come to it. 3. The power which God exerces in converting and carrying-on the work of grace to glory in the Elect, is not only great, but exceedeth all contrary power which might impede that work; so, that there is no power in the devil, the world, in sin, nor death, which this power doth not overcome; yea, nor any impotency in the Elect themselves, which this greatnesse of power will not help and strengthen: for, he calleth it the exceeding greatnesse of His power. 4. There cannot a more pregnant proof be given of God's omnipotent power in working, than what He giveth in converting sinners from sin to holiness, and carrying-on the work of grace in them against all opposition, until they come to heaven: The creation of the world, and working of miracles, is no more evident proof of His omnipotency in working than this is: for, he instanceth the exceeding greatnesse of His mighty power, not in any …f those things, but in His working towards Believers; Towards us who believe, saith he. 5. So averse are men by nature from believing in Jesus Christ for righteousnesse, so great an enemy is Satan to the grace of faith above all other graces, Luke 22. 31, 32. that no lesse than the working of God's exceeding great and mighty power is required for working us up to the grace of faith, and the exercise of it: for, his designing them by the name of Believers, while he speaketh of the exceeding greatnesse of this power, implyeth so much; Towards us who believe. 6. Those only are most fit to speak of God's powerful and gracious working in hearts, who have found somewhat of that work in themselves: such will speak both more confidently, and more throughly of this work, there being somewhat of God's work in hearts, which cannot be so fully attained by meer reading or hearing, except experience serve as a commentary to understand what is read and heard, Psal. 34. 8. for, therefore, saith he, not, towards those who believe, but Us who believe, including himself, to shew he spoke of this power, not as a stranger to it, but from experience, that they might believe him the rather. 7. This mighty power of God in its working towards Believers, is extended unto all times, without restriction unto any difference of time, either by-past, present, or to come: It hath wrought in their first conversion, and bringing them to believing, Joh. 6. 44. it doth work by preserving them in the state of grace, Luke 22. 32. by actuating their graces in them, Philip. 2. 13. and making them to grow, Cant. 4. 16. and shall continue with them alwaies working until their graces be perfected, and they compleatly glorified, Philip. 1. 6. for, he expresseth no difference of time wherein it worketh, only that it doth work; And what is the exceeding greatnesse of His power to us-ward who believe. 8. God's omnipotent and efficacious power, which belongeth unto Him naturally and essentially as He is God, is not only the fountain and principle from whence His powerfull operation towards Believers doth flow, but also the rule according to which He doth work; so that He is not only omnipotent, who worketh, but also He worketh omnipotently, and therefore irresistibly: for, saith he, The greatnesse of His power to us-ward who believe, is, according to the working of his mighty power. 9. Even those who are Believers, in whom this mighty power hath already wrought, may be in a great measure ignorant of the exceeding greatnesse of it: they are destitute even of the notional knowledge of it in a great part, because of the mysteriousnesse of the subject, Joh. 3. 8. and their little acquaintance with the Word, which revealeth the way of God's working in souls, Psal. 77. and 88. but chiefly of experimental knowledge; there being much to be wrought in them by His mighty power, whereof they can have no experience as yet, Philip. 3. 21. there being much also already wrought in them, and they know it not, but doubt of it, Job 9. 11. for, though it be a mighty working power; yet it hath a meek, sweet, (Phal. 110. 3.) secret, (Cant. 5. 4.) and therefore a not easie discernable work; Thus those believing Ephesians were in a great part ignorant of this power, else to what purpose did the Apostle pray that they might know what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power? 10. The experimentall knowledge chiefly of God's way of working in, and towards Believers, is to be carefully sought after, as being of great concernment to make us thankfull to God for His gracious working in us where it is known and felt, Psal. 116. 8, 9, &c. as also in order to our own comfort arising from that our knowledge, Psal. 116. 7. and to strengthen our faith and hope in God, Rom. 5. 4. for, while Paul prayeth for the knowledge of this mighty working power to them, he teacheth them to seek after this knowledge themselves; That ye may know what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power. 11. This experimental knowledge of God's power, is an eminent part of spiritual wisdom, and of our knowing and acknowledging of Christ aright: for, he prayeth, that they may know what is the exceeding greatnesse of his power, as one end or part of that spiritual wisdom, which consisteth in the knowledge or acknowledgment of Him, spoken of, ver. -17.