Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 3 · Verse and explication 6
Vers. 7. Whereof I was made a Minister, according to the gift of the grace of God, given unto me, by the effectual working of His power.
THe Apostle, having in the preceeding verses declared how he had attained a large measure of knowledge and insight in the mysterie of the Gospel, doth now (in further enlargement of what he did but briefly assert, ver. 2.) shew, that he was called by God to undergo the Apostolick Office of dispensing that mysterie, and doth joyntly extol and magnifie his Office, from eight distinct considerations, to ver. 13.
And in this verse, having asserted his calling from God to be a Minister of the Gospel unto the Gentiles, he doth magnifie this his Office, as also make it appear, that he was called to it, first, from the gifts both ordinary and extraordinary, which he was furnished with in the discharging of it. And, secondly, from the powerfull assistance of Gods Spirit, enabling him to exercise those gifts, notwithstanding of many difficulties, and giving admirable successe to his Ministery both far and near, Rom. 15. 19, 20. All which, to wit, his calling, gifts, and divine assistance, he doth ascribe to Gods grace and free favour. Doct. 1. The very Apostolick Office it self, was no lordly dominion, or place of honour and ease; but a laborious ministery and service, wherein the person intrusted, was to bestir himself to the utmost of his activity and diligence, for the honour of Christ and good of His Church: for, the word rendred Minister, which Paul here taketh unto himself, doth signifie a painfull, vehement labour, as those who make hast in travell, raising the dust by their celerity and speed; Whereof I was made a Minister, saith he. 2. It is not sufficient warrant for any to meddle with the ministerial Office, that he hath competent gifts fitting him for it, except he have also ministerial power and authority conveyed unto him, either immediately by God, as it was in the calling of the Apostles, Gal. 1. 1. or, mediately, according to that order which God hath established in His Church, as is in the calling of ordinary Ministers, Act. 14. 23. for, Paul distinguisheth these two, his being sufficiently furnished with the knowledge of the Gospel, whereof he spoke from ver. 3. and his authority and power to preach the Gospel unto others, of which he speaketh here, while he saith, whereof I was made a Minister. 3. Though ability and gifts be not that which maketh a man a called Minister, as said is; yet when men, being otherwise orderly called, are competently furnished with gifts and enduements, and are accompanied with the influence of Gods blessing upon the exercise of their parts, it is a speaking evidence and confirmation of their calling from God, not only unto themselves, but also unto others who would otherwise possibly doubt of it: for, Paul doth not only magnifie his office, but also make it evident that he was called to it from these two, while he saith, I am made a Minister according to the gift bestowed on me, and by, or, as it is in the Original, according to the effectual working of His power. 4. As it is required to make a man a Minister, that he be endued with competent abilities and gifts for that imployment; So it is no lesse requisit that God do concur with him; otherwise he cannot exercise his gift, and make use of it for the good of others, 2 Cor. 3. 5. or, though he exercise it, yet all his utmost endeavours will be fruitlesse and without successe among the people, 1 Cor. 3. 6. for, Paul sheweth besides the gift which he received of grace. God did also concur with him; According to the gift of the grace of God, by the effectuall working of His power. 5. Though the Lord give competency of gifts unto all whom He calleth, yet He giveth not unto all one and the same gift, or in the same measure; but to some a greater, to others a lesser, as He hath more or lesse to do with them: for, as Paul was singularly imployed; so he had a singular gift, and therefore he saith, the gift of the grace given to me, thereby implying there was somewhat singular in his gift. 6. So great and many are those difficulties which Ministers have often to wrestle with, what from without, and what from within, before they can attain to freedom and boldnesse in exercising their ministerial gift, Gal. 4. 13, 14. So difficult is it also to gain ground upon hearts by the ministry of the Word, 2 Cor. 10. -4, 5. that no lesse is required, either for the one or the other, than the power of God, His working power, and working effectually with a kind of pith and energie: for, Paul's necessity called for no lesse, even the effectual working of His power. 7. As it is no small grace and favour from God for any to be imployin the ministerial Calling, and competently furnished with gifts and parts for that imployment, and to have their labours blessed with successe in gaining many souls to God; So a gracious Minister will be ready at all occasions to acknowledge grace in all these, ascribing all to Gods favour, and His powerfull working in him, and by him, and not to his own dignity, diligence, or parts: for, so doth Paul here; Whereof I was made a Minister, according to the gift of the grace of God.