Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 2 · Verse and explication 19
Vers. 21. In whom all the building fitly framed together' groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord.
THis stately edifice is described, secondly, from the artificiall and altogether divine structure, and joyning together, of all its parts, which is the beauty of any building. This orderly frame and curious structure of the Church, consisteth in these two. First, That the whole edifice, and all its parts are firmly joyned in him, that is, in Christ the foundation, to wit, by faith; their life being framed according to His prescript and example, Matth. 11. 29. and their faith imbracing Him, according as He is held forth in the Word, without addition or diminution, Col. 2. 6. even as the whole frame of a materiall building is made conform to the foundation. Next, That all the parts of this edifice are strongly joyned together among themselves by the grace of love, Col. 3. 14. and orderly situate, every one acting towards the good of another in their severall stations, 1 Corinth. 12. 25. 26. in so far, as they are regenerate, and consequently are parts of this building, 1 Corinth. 12. -5- even as all the parts of a materiall building have a commodious correspondency one to another, and thereby are fitly framed together. This edifice is described, thirdly, from its perpetuall increase and growth, flowing also from Christ the foundation: which growth is to be understood, not only with respect to the whole body of the Church, which groweth by the addition of new converts, Isa. 54. 3. but also, and mainly to every member in particular, which do increase and grow in gifts and graces, 2 Pet. 3. 18. And lastly, it is described from the end intended in rearing up this stately growing edifice, even to be an holy temple unto God, wherein He may manifest His presence, and be perpetually served and glorified as it was in Solomons temple, Psal. 132. 13. Doct. 1. Jesus Christ doth differ from the foundation of all other buildings in this, that the whole building, and every stone of it doth take immediate band upon the foundation; all Believers being most intimately joyned to Him by faith, and not by the interveening mediation of others, as it is in materiall buildings: for, the Apostle sheweth, that all the building (no part thereof being excepted) is in Him, while he saith, In whom all the building. 2. As there is a strict conjunction, and a kind of proportion between Believers and Christ, as also among themselves, even such, as is branched forth in the exposition of this verse; so a great part of the strength and beauty of the Church, and of all its parts, consisteth in this conjunction and proportion; and nothing is more uncomely than for a Believer to be disproportioned unto Christ, either in his faith, or practice, and to other Believers in his coldrife affection to them, or his not acting orderly in his station for their good: for, the Apostle describeth this spirituall edifice from its divine structure and curious joyning of all its parts, as that, wherein a great part of its beauty and strength doth consist; In whom all the building fitly framed together. 3. As this spirituall edifice doth differ from other buildings, that not only the whole edifice, but also all the parts of it (1 Pet. 2. 5.) are indued with life; a life, which is wholly spirituall, and floweth from their union with Christ the foundation; So this life of theirs, is, for the time but imperfect, their spiritual graces having not as yet attained that fulnesse and strength which is required: for, the Apostle, while he ascribeth a spiritual growth to all the building, doth imply both those, seing growth supponeth life, and want of just stature and perfection; In whom all the building groweth. 4. As growth in grace, is a priviledge which appertaineth to all the parts of this spirituall building who are yet on earth; so this growth of theirs, doth flow from their union and communion with Christ; and the more their union with Him be improved to the dayly extracting of a renewed influence from Him, they cannot choose but thrive the better in this their spiritual growth: for, the Apostle ascribeth growth to all this building, and growth from their being in Christ, and vertue coming from Him; In whom all the building groweth, and in the Lord: which words, it seemeth, are added, to shew, that not only the first beginnings, but also the continued progresse and increase of grace do flow from the Lord Christ. 5. As growth of grace in every particular Believer; So the increase of the Church in generall, by the addition of new converts, doth flow, not from created might, or power, Zech. 4. 6. but from the vertue of Jesus Christ, who, having the nations given Him for an inheritance, (Psal. 2. 8.) will in despight of all opposition, inlarge the bounds of His dominion, untill He attain the full possession of all to whom He hath a right: for, this growth is to be understood also with respect to the whole body, by the addition of new members; In which respect also the Apostle here saith, It groweth in the Lord. 6. As all Believers joyntly, and each Believer a part, (1 Cor. 6. 19.) are a temple for the Lord, wherein He doth manifest His speciall presence, and wherein He will be worshipped, by offering up spirituall sacrifices of prayer, praises and all the duties of new obedience, 1 Pet. 2. 9. So, that they may be a temple indeed for this holy God, they must be much in the study of holinesse, as in that which becometh His house, Psal. 93. 5. for, the Apostle sheweth that this whole building groweth up to be a temple for God, and an holy temple; All the building groweth unto an holy temple. 7. The more that Believers do endeavour to grow in grace, without resting upon any measure, they may expect the more of Gods speciall presence to be manifested in them, as in His own temple: for, it is the growing of this building mainly, which maketh it fit to be a temple for God; All the building groweth unto an holy temple.