Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 4 · Verse and explication 25
Vers. 25. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.
THe Apostle (being in the third part of the Chapter to presse upon them the exercise of some particular vertues, which do belong to all Christians of whatsoever rank or station equally, aswell as those formerly spoken of, all of which are injoyned in the second Table of the Commands) exhorteth them, first, from what he spake of putting off the old man, and putting on the new, to lay aside and mortifie the sin of lying, forbidden in the ninth Command, whereby a man doth speak what he knoweth or conceiveth to be untruth, with an intention and purpose to deceive. He exhorteth them also to speak the truth every man with his neighbour, that is, to speak as they think, and to think of what they speak as it really is, so that our speech may be conform both to the thing it self, and to our conceptions of the thing. Which exhortation in both its branches, is inforced from this, that they were not only members of one body, but one of another, every member of this mysticall body being bound to contribute all its endeavours, as for the good of the whole body in the first place, so of every particular member in the next; and therefore it had been alike unnaturall and monstrous for them, by lying and deceiving to circumveen one another, as it were for the eye in the naturall body to deceive the hand, or for any one member to contrive and carry on the ruine of another. Doct. 1. It is not sufficient for Christs Ministers to presse upon the Lords people the mortification of sin, or conscience-making of the duties of holinesse in the generall; but, seing people are apt to think that an sleight performance, or faint endeavours are sufficient obedience to these generall exhortations; therefore Ministers must condescend upon some particular vices, chiefly such as are most commonly practised in the place where they are, and some particular vertues, which are most ordinarily sleighted, pressing upon the Lords people to evidence their renovation by abstinence from the former, and practising of the latter: for, Paul, having indirectly at least exhorted them to put off the old man, ver. 22. and put on the new, ver. 24. doth now fall upon some particular vices and vertues, dehorting from the one, and exhorting to the other; Wherefore putting away lying. 2. There is no sin more unseemly in a Christian, and more inconsistent with grace, than the sin of lying, there being no sin that maketh a man more like the devil, Joh. 8. 44. more abominable to God, Prov. 6. 16, 17. nor more shamefull in the eyes of men, so that even they, who are most guilty of it, cannot endure to be charged with it; no sin more hurtful to the sinner, as making him to be trusted by none, and no sin which tendeth more to the utter overthrow of all humane societie; fidelity and trust among men, being that which maketh any society comfortable: for, the Apostle dehorteth from lying, upon the ground of their putting on the new man, as is implied in the illative particle Wherefore: Wherefore putting away lying. 3. As all kind of lying is intrinsically sin, and to be avoided, whether the pernicious, officious, or sporting lie; (See upon Col. 3. 8, 9-. doct. 10.) So there is no person of whatsoever rank, whether rich or poor, to whom God giveth any dispensation to lie, or speak contrary to truth: for, he saith indefinitly, putting away lying, and speak every man truth, without exception. 4. Though we are not bound to speak all the truth, and at all times, and to every person, but in some cases may and ought conceal somewhat of it, Luk. 9. 21. 1 Sam. 16. 2. yet, when we speak, we are to speak nothing but truth, and that without mentall reservation of any part of the purpose, without which the rest which is spoken, would not be truth but a lie: for, though it be sufficient for a man to think what is truth, and not expresse it, when he is speaking or meditating with himself; yet he is to speak truth, if so he speak at all, when he speaketh with his neighbour; speak every man truth with his neighbour, saith he. 5. This is a generall rule to be observed for the right understanding of divine precepts, that where a sin is forbidden, the contrary duty is also commanded, and where a duty is commanded, the contrary sin is also forbidden: for, the Apostle, expounding here the ninth command, doth not only exhort to lay aside lying; but also to speak every man the truth with his neighbour. 6. Though it be sinfull to lie, and speak untruth unto any, even to an infidel, Ezek. 17. 16. yet, it is more sinfull, and most odious for Believers and Professors of the same faith, because of their nearer bonds and relations, to lie unto, and deceive one another: for, so much the Apostles reason here used, which is astricted only to such, doth teach; for we are members one of another, saith he. 7. It is not sufficient, that a man abstain from lying, and endeavour to speak truth with his neighbour, from a motive of self-advantage and interest, as knowing his doing otherwise would tend both to his losse and shame; but he ought to be acted herein from a principle of love towards those with whom he speaketh, chiefly, if he conceive them to be Believers, as to members of that same body, for whose advantage and preservation especially, he is bound to lay out himself in his place and station; so far must he be from seeking to undermine them, or deceive them: for, Paul will have them to put away lying, and to speak the truth, for this reason, that they were all members one of another.