Exposition of Romans 13-16, Exposition of Romans · Chapter 3 · Verse 8
VERSE 8. Now I ſay that Ieſus Chriſt was a Miniſter of the Circumciſion, for the truth of God, to confirme the promiſes made vntounto the Fathers.
THat Chriſt hath receiued vsus all, is here proued in this and in the verſes following.
The Argument is taken from a Diſtribution: thus,
Hee that receiueth Iewes and Gentiles, receiueth all: for all men may be ſo diſtributed.
But Chriſt hath receiued Iewes and Gentiles.
Therefore, &c.
That he receiueth the Iewes is proued in this Verſe; and that hee receiueth the Gentiles, in thoſe which follow.
The Argument whereby he proueth the aſſumption of the Iewes, is taken from the deſtinate end of his humiliation, which was, to confirme the truth of God, and the promiſes of the Fathers: thus,
Hee who became the miniſter of Circumciſion to confirme the truth of God, and the promiſes of the Fathers, aſſumeth the Iewes.
But for ſuch end was Chriſt the miniſter of the Circumciſion.
Therefore, &c.
In this Verſe are two parts: a Deſcription of the humiliation of Chriſt, and the end thereof.
The humiliation of Chriſt in theſe words; Ieſus Chriſt was a miniſter of Circumciſion: not that he adminiſtred the Sacrament of Circumciſion, Iohn 4.2.as neyther did he baptiſe; but becauſe by his comming he ſanctified Circumciſion, and all other Shadowes and Ceremonies, Faius.and made them effectuall, as a learned man expounds: which ſenſe if it be admitted, it affords this Obſeruation.
If the Sacraments be effectuall vntounto vsus, Obſer. to confirme vsus in grace, and to worke vsus vntounto a power againſt ſinne vntounto godlineſſe; it is a ſigne that wee are receiued: but if wee being baptiſed, and comming to the Lords Table, are not ſo enabled, it is a ſigne we are not receiued.
But there is another more apt interpretation, which the moſt doe follow, and that is, to take Circumciſion for the Circumciſed, the Abſtract for the Concrete; meaning the Iewes, to whom that Sacrament and Ceremony was commanded. So often with Paul, as Rom. 4.12. Gal. 2.7.8.
The Miniſter of Circumciſion: implying a meane and laborious ſeruice, as our Sauiour ſpeakes of himſelfe, The ſonne of man came not to be miniſtred vntounto, Mat. 20.28.but to miniſter, and giuegive his life a ranſome for many.
For the truth of God, to confirme, &c. In theſe words is the end of his humiliation; which is double: the vtmoſt end, for the truth of God; the next, to confirme the promiſes made vntounto the Fathers.
For the truth of God. That God might be iuſtified in his ſayings and promiſes.
To confirme the promiſes made to the Fathers; of his comming, and of the effect thereof; to make good vntounto them eternall life. And ſo the New Teſtament is a fulfilling of the Old.
Theſe Promiſes were made to Adam, Noah, Abraham, and to the Iewes, that Chriſt ſhould bee the ſaluation of the world: and hee came in the fulneſſe of time to make them good. Not but that the promiſes were of vertue and force to Adam; but the Action or Paſſion from whence ſuch vertue came, was performed at the comming of Chriſt.
All this is amplified by Pauls aſſeueration: Now I ſay.
Chriſt came in the fleſh to make good the truth of God, Doctr. and to confirme his promiſe to the Iewes, for their ſaluation. Luke 1.68. & ſeq. The firſt part of the Song of Zachary is to bleſſe God for viſiting & redeeming his people by the comming of Chriſt, As he ſpake by the mouth of his holy Prophets, &c. To performe the mercy promiſed to our Fathers, &c. Matth. 15.24. I am not ſent but to the loſt ſheepe of the houſe of Iſrael, Acts 13.46.
The tenure whereby Abraham and the Iewes held eternall life, was by the free promiſe of God. Reade Deut. 7.7.8. Obſer. None are ſaued by merit.
Chriſt was a Miniſter not in name and title onelyonly, Ʋſe 1 but moſt painfully hee diſcharged his calling, by praying, preaching, watching, fasting, doing good, and adorning his miniſtery with a moſt holy life.
Let no man therefore contemne the Calling of the Miniſtery; though we be vnworthy, yet it muſt be alſo acknowledged that there is no perſon on earth worthy enough to beare that office: Coloſ. 4.17.Let Archippus take heed to the Miniſtery that hee hath receiued in the Lord, that he fulfill it. For if our Lord Chriſt did all the daies after his inauguration moſt painfully labour, and to much and often wearineſſe in fulfilling his office; let all Miniſters be aſhamed, eſpecially to take the honour and maintenance of their places and callings, and to neglect the worke.
Let hearers ſee they profit by our labours: If wee labour, and they profit not, the loſſe is theirs; yea the more we labour, the more and greater their loſſe.
Many account it a great bleſſing, and ſo it is, to hauehave a learned, faithfull, and painfull Teacher; But they muſt know that if Chriſt himſelfe were their Miniſter, it would be no aduantage to them, vnleſſe they beleeue and obey his doctrine. Chriſt was the Miniſter of the Iewes, but he conuerted but few of them, and yet neuer man ſpake as he did. It may be ſome comfort to Miniſters, who by all their paynes cannot turne the hearts of drunkards and other wicked liuers; but it ſhall be the greater condemnation to ſuch hearers, that hauehave receiued the word in vaine.
Euen Moſes that famous Prophet of whom the Iewes boaſted, John 5.45.ſhall accuſe them to God becauſe they beleeued him not: So ſhall thy famous Teacher accuſe thee, becauſe thou amendeſt not by his teaching.
It is our happineſſe to be receiued, Ʋſe 2 which we are not, if the promiſes bee not confirmed vntounto vsus. Let vsus then pretiouſly account of the Word and Sacraments, which are the ſeales to aſſure vsus of the louelove of God. What ſhall become of our conſciences without theſe? It will be hard to ſtand in the day of affliction: attend vntounto theſe, that the promiſes may be confirmed vntounto thee
The truth of God is of great waight: Ʋſe 3 for that Chriſt was faine to come in the fleſh.
If thou beeſt a drunkard, a blaſphemer, &c. thou knoweſt what the word of truth ſaith of thee, John 10.35.and the Scripture cannot be broken.
Conſider, Gods truth is deare vntounto him: If God be true, in what eſtate art thou? He ſpared not his owne Sonne our Lord Ieſus, that the Scripture might be fulfilled, and that his truth might appeare: and ſhall he be vntrue, and the Scripture vnfulfilled to ſpare thee? The promiſe of life ſhall be made good to the comfort of his Children, though it coſt the abaſing of the Sonne of God: and ſo the ſentence of damnation ſhall be executed vponupon hypocrites and vnrepentant ſinners, coſt what it ſhall.
Chriſt came in the fleſh, and ſuffered in the fleſh, for the truth of God: and for the truth of God he ſhall come to iudge the quicke and the dead; that God may be true in ſauing the godly, and in damning the vngodly which repent not.