Brief Exposition of Galatians and Ephesians, Exposition 2 · Chapter 4 · Verse and explication 7
Vers. 7. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
HItherto the Apostle hath inforced the study of unity, by an argument taken from those things that are one and the same in the Church and all the true members thereof. Now, followeth the second argument from those things which are not one in all, but diverse almost in every one, to wit, the diversity of gifts and graces bestowed by God upon the severall members of the Church: which diversity also he sheweth doth tend to union, because, first, all those several gifts and their diverse measures, do come from one and the same author, to ver. 12. Secondly, they are all given for promoting one and the same end, to ver. 17. And, 1. in this verse by way of correction, and pre-occupation of an objection, he holdeth forth Christ, as the author of all those gifts and different measures, to this purpose, that notwithstanding of what he said of those many things, wherein they were one; yet there were other things, wherein they did differ, which neverthelesse were so far from dissolving in reason the bond of union, that upon the contrary they did contribute much for keeping of it firme; in so far as, though every true member of the Church had his own peculiar grace, and in some respects, either as to the substance, or measure of the grace, differing from the grace of others; yet all those different graces of the several members, are bestowed by one and the same Christ, and received in the measure and degree which seemeth good unto Christ the giver to prescribe and measure out unto every one: where by grace, is not meaned Gods favour, or grace freely bestowing, as in other places, (See upon Ephes. 2. 8-.) but the fruits flowing from this grace, to wit, grace freely given, as appeareth from the instance given (ver. 11.) of this grace in the ministeriall gifts and offices: Which graces are of two sorts, First, saving, which are only in the regenerate, called grace, because they flow from, and are evidences of Gods grace and favour, 1 Joh. 4. 19. Secondly, common gifts, called grace, Eph. 3. 8. because they are freely given, 1 Cor. 4. 7. The latter whereof is here chiefly meaned, as appeareth also from the instance given, ver. 11. because it is only in those common gifts and graces, wherein real Believers do differ, as to the substance of them, some being given to one, and some to another, 1 Cor. 12. 8. whereas all have one and the same saving graces, 2 Pet. 1. 1. although they differ also in the measure and degree received of those, 1 Joh. 2. 13. In which respect, even saving graces may be also here meaned. Doct. 1. Though the Lord is not pleased to bestow upon all the Members of the Church an equal measure of gifts and graces; yet He giveth to every one some gift and in some measure, and those either the common gifts of His Spirit, as to all the Members of the Church visible come to age, and the right use of common reason, 1 Cor. 12. 11. Or, saving grace also, as to all the truely regenerate, 2 Pet. 1. 3, 4. for, he saith, unto every one of us is grace given. 2. The Lord is pleased to dispense His graces and gifts to every one, not in the same, but in a different measure, so that though the same saving grace for substance be given to all the truely regenerate: yet, it is not given to all in the same measure, nor yet to any in any measure, who are visible Professors only: and though all have some common gifts, whereby in some measure they may be made profitable in their station to the body, yet none hath all gifts, nor all the same offices, wherein they may exercise their gifts, ver. 11. nor yet do all receive the same measure of those common gifts: for, so much is implyed, while he saith, Grace is given according to a measure. 3. The greatest degree of gifts and graces, which God bestoweth upon any, is far below that fulnesse of grace which is in Christ: He giveth unto none so much, but there is alwayes somewhat wanting, and they who have received most, are capable of receiving more: for, their receiving grace according to a measure, implyeth their receipts are capable of increase, and a difference, as to this, between their receipts and Christs, Joh. 3. -34. To every one is given grace according to that measure. 4. The want of some excellent gifts bestowed upon others, or of that excellent measure of saving graces, which others have, doth not argue a man unregenerate, or wholly destitute of saving grace: for, the Apostle sheweth that even those who had one hope, Lord, Faith, God and Father, and consequently had saving grace, ver. 4, 5, 6. were not all gifted with one and the same, but with a diverse measure of gifts and graces, while he saith, But to every one of us is grace given according to the measure. 5. Diversity of gifts in the Church, and diverse measures of saving grace, are an ordinary occasion of division and strife; in so far, as these dividing lusts of pride, contempt, envy, discouragement, are apt to take occasion to stir and vent themselves from those different measures: for, the Apostle his entering upon this argument for union from the diversity of gifts by the adversitive particle But, doth imply that they were prone to take occasion to rent upon that diversity, and therefore he doth joyntly preoccupy an objection against union, and bring an argument for it; But unto every one of us is grace given. 6. Whatever be mens pronenesse and inclination to rent and divide because of different receipts and measures; yet that same diversity, if well considered, would be found to be one of the strongest ties and bonds of union; in so far as hereby none, no, not the most eminently gifted, can say he hath no need of others, but every one are made mutually indigent of one anothers help, and even the meanest in some measure furnished to be helpfull unto others: (See Paul proving this excellently from the similitude of the different members in the natural body, 1 Cor. 12. 14, &c.) for, the Apostle's scope in this and the following verses, is to enforce unity from the diversity of gifts and graces amongst the Members of the Church; But unto every one of us is grace given. 7. This doth also inforce the study of unity from this ground of diversity of gifts, if we consider, that all we have of that kind, is freely given, and therefore we are not to be puft up with it, nor to abuse it, contrary to the mind of the giver; and that both our gifts and measures, however diverse, do yet come from one rise, fountain and author, and therefore we ought to be one in making use of them; and that this one author is the Lord Christ, God Man; Mediator, in whose hands are all things given of the Father, Mat. 11. 27. that He may dispense to whom, and in what measure He pleaseth, and therefore we are not only not to quarrel for our own measure, it being His allowance, who doth all things well and wisely, Mark 7. 37. but also ought to imploy our gifts and severall measures for the edification, and not the renting of His body, which is the Church: for, the Apostle inforceth unity from the diversity of gifts upon those considerations, that they were given by one and the same Christ; But to every one is grace given, according to the measure of the gift of Christ.