Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 4 · Verse and explication 24
Vers. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousnesse and true holinesse.
REsteth the third thing, which the effectual learning of Christ doth require from, and work in, those who are so taught, even that it be their daily task to put on the new man, that is, to be more and more endued and adorned with new and spirituall qualities, whereby their mind may not only be renewed, as was mentioned ver. 23. but also their will, affections and actions. Which renewing work he sheweth is carried-on by Gods creating power, after the pattern of His own Image, which consisteth in perfect conformity to Gods Law, as well in the second Table, set forth here by righteousnesse, as in the first, set forth by true holinesse, or holinesse of truth, to wit, that which is wrought by truth, Joh. 17. 17. and is not counterfeit, but sincere, true and reall: which epithet doth also agree to righteousnesse. Now, those gracious and spiritual qualities, are called the new man, and said to be put on, as new garments. See the reasons for both, upon Col. 3. ver. 9, 10. doct. 3. Hence Learn, …. Where there is saving knowledge wrought in the mind, sanctified practice in all the duties of an holy life will follow: for, unto the renewing of the mind, ver. 23. is here subjoyned the putting on the new man in righteousnesse and holinesse. 2. So dead and indisposed are we by nature to holinesse and grace, that no lesse than creating power is required to work it in us: It is neither implanted by nature, Psal. 51. 5. nor attainable by any industry or pains of ours, Rom. 9. 16. but is a work of Gods omnipotency, though He make use of means for that end, 2 Tim. 4. 2. for, he saith, this new man is created. 3. Only those who are renewed in knowledge and have their souls adorned with gracious and spirituall qualities of righteousnesse and holinesse, are like to God; and such, as are most so, are most like unto Him: for, Paul, speaking of being renewed in the mind, and of putting on the new man, saith, that it is after God, or, (as it is more plainly, Col. 3. 10.) after the Image of God; Which after God is created, saith he. 4. The Image of God consisteth, not so much in the natural substance, or faculties of the soul, or the abilities of it, (for those are in a wicked man) as in spiritual gifts and graces, even conformity with God in true knowledge, righteousnesse and holinesse: for, the Apostle, speaking of the renovation of the mind by knowledge, and putting on the new man in righteousnesse and holinesse, saith, That this is after God, or, after His Image. 5. This new man of grace, created after Gods Image, as it consisteth not in things external, Rom. 14. 17. but in the inward and substantial graces of Gods Spirit; so it comprehendeth all spiritual habits, and vertues, and the exercise of all those graces, in all the duties of universal obedience, prescribed in both the Tables of the moral Law: for, he sheweth this new man consisteth in righteousnesse and holinesse, which include a conformity to the Law of God in both its Tables; Which is created in righteousnesse and holinesse. 6. No performance of any one, or of all commanded duties whatsoever, is a sufficient proof of a renewed mind, or the new creature, but when it carrieth alongs with it that necessary ingredient of sincerity and truth, which maketh the performer of any duty, take God for his party, Gen. 17. 1. bring up his heart to every duty, Jer. 3. 10. and level at Gods glory as his main scope in all duties, 1 Cor. 10. 31. and make conscience, not only of one, but of every duty, Luke 1. 6. for, he giveth this epithet of truth and sincerity to that righteousnesse and holinesse, wherein this new man of grace, created after Gods Image, doth consist; in righteousnesse and true holinesse, or in righteousnesse and holinesse of truth.