Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 3 · Verse and explication 1
Vers. 1. FOr this cause, I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles.
THis verse belongeth to the purpose contained in the second part of the Chapter, which, being begun here, is interrupted untill ver. 14. The reason whereof shall be shown, ver. 2. In the mean time he doth here declare the occasion of his following prayer to God on their behalf to have been, even that, which he hath but presently spoken concerning them, to wit, their being already builded upon Christ by faith, together with all true Believers; for, the words, for this cause, relate to the close of the preceeding Chapter. And withall, that his praying to God so fervently for them may have the more weight, in order to their up-stirring to endeavour after that which he prayeth for, he describeth himself, who is to pray for them, from his present captivity and bonds, under which he was at Rome for the truth of Christ, and for the behoof and edification of the Gentiles: (of whom these Ephesians were a part) for, Paul being intrusted, in a peculiar manner, to be the Apostle and Doctor of the Gentiles, 1 Tim. 2. 7. it followeth, that all his sufferings, in discharge of that trust, were for their sake. Besides, that the nearest cause of his sufferings from the Jews, his chief adversaries, was his carrying of the Gospel unto the Gentiles, Act. 22, 21, 22. Doct. 1. The pains of Ministers with, and for the Lords people, are so far from being at an end, when people are brought to Christ and built upon Him by faith, that even their being brought this length, doth lay a new tye upon their Ministers, both to deal with God on their behalf, and to labour with themselves so much the more earnestly, that, not only they do not losse those things which are already wrought, 2 Joh. ver. 8. but also they may make progresse answerable vntounto their fair beginnings; lest otherwise they mar their own comfort, Psal. 51. 12. make the name of God to be evil spoken of, 2 Sam. 12. 14. and thereby draw down sore corrections upon themselves, 2 Sam. 12. 10. for, the Apostle his praying so fervently upon their behalf, and thereby stirring them up to endeavour after that themselves, which he did pray for, was occasioned by their being built upon Christ for an habitation unto God; for this cause, saith he, I Paul—do bow my knees, as it followeth, ver. 14. which closeth up the sentence begun here. 2. Such powerfull influence hath God upon hearts, that He can make those, who for the time are cruel persecuters of truth, prove afterwards famous Martyrs, and sufferers for it: for, Paul was once a bloudy persecuter, Gal. 1. -13. but is now a famous sufferer; I Paul, the prisoner, saith he, or, as it is in the Original, that prisoner, implying he was no ordinary, but a noted sufferer; his sufferings being in a manner singular, 2 Cor. 11. 23, &c. 3. Sufferings for Christ and truth are so far from being cause of just reproach to those who suffer, from others, or from being matter of shame and blushing to themselves, That they are rather a glory unto them, yea, and sometimes will be gloried in by them, as that, wherein their chiefest honour standeth: for, Paul, after the example of Kings and Nobles, who design themselves by their most honourable stiles, doth, in place of all, take this one, of a prisoner for Truth, unto himself; I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ. 4. So far ought people be from stumbling at truth, because of the oppressed and suffering lot of those who preach it, that even their sufferings for truth should make their pains the more acceptable, and adde a weight unto the Word of truth in their mouth: for, Paul describeth himself from his present suffering lot, that both his person and pains might have the more weight and efficacy with them; I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ. 5. The Lord doth sometimes give so far way to the rage of persecuters, as that the choisest instruments for carrying on His work may be, for a season, restrained in their liberty, and so laid aside as uselesse, even in a time when there is greatest need of their pains and diligence: for, Paul, an eminent instrument, (1 Corinth. 15. 10.) was at such a time cast in prison; I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ. 6. No afflictions or sufferings do loose a Pastor from his duty towards the Lords people, over whom he is set: But when he is restrained in his liberty from Preaching to them, he ought even then endeavour their edification by writting to them, and praying for them: for, Paul, being a prisoner, doth yet write to those Ephesians, and pray for them; I Paul, the prisoner—do bow my knees. 7. A prisoner for Christ and truth, hath this advantage beyond all other prisoners in ordinary wars, he is a prisoner, not so much to those who persecute him, as to Jesus Christ, his own Lord and Generall: and that not only, because he suffereth in His quarrell, but also he remaineth still in His custody, Gen. 39. 21. and at His disposall, who over-ruleth the rage of enemies so as that they cannot do the meanest prisoner of His any further hurt than seemeth good unto Him, Dan. 3. 17. for, in both those respects, Paul doth call himself Christs prisoner; he was imprisoned for His sake, and at, and during His overruling will and pleasure; I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ. 8. The Lord doth so out-wit His enemies, as their very restraining and imprisoning His servants, doth, contrary to their intention, tend to the furtherance of the Gospel; all their sufferings of that sort being real confirmations of the truth preached by them, Phil. 1. -17. and speaking examples for others to imitate, Iam. 5. 10. for, Paul sheweth, that his sufferings were for the Gentiles, though not for their redemption, 1 Cor. 1. -13- yet for their good and edification in the mentioned respects; I Paul, the prisoner-for you Gentiles. 9. This may exceedingly sweeten the sharpest sufferings of Gods servants, when they consider, they suffer nothing but what is measured out unto them by their Lord Christ; that their sufferings are not for evil doing, but for Him and His truth who suffered for them, 2 Cor. 5. 14, 15. and that not only their own salvation, but the salvation also of others, is some one way or other advanced by their sufferings: for, Pauls sufferings are sweetned from this, that he was the prisoner of Jesus Christ, and for the Gentiles.