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<TITLE>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary on the Whole Bible [Second John I].</TITLE>
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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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<h3><a href="http://www.biblesnet.com" target="_blank">Back to Biblesnet.com Home Page</a>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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[<A HREF="MHC63000.HTM">Previous</A>]
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<TD ALIGN="RIGHT" VALIGN="TOP">
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1721)
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</TD></TR></TABLE>
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>S E C O N D J O H N.</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. I.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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</CENTER>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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The apostle here salutes an honourable matron and her children,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:1-3">ver. 1-3</A>.
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Recommends to them faith and love,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:5,6">ver. 5, 6</A>.
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Warns them of deceivers
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:7">ver. 7</A>),
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and to take heed to themselves,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:8">ver. 8</A>.
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Teaches how to treat those who bring not the doctrine of Christ,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:10,11">ver. 10, 11</A>.
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And, referring other things to personal discourse, concludes the
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epistle,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:12,13">ver. 12, 13</A>.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Salutation.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love
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in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known
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the truth;
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2 For the truth's sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with
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us for ever.
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3 Grace be with you, mercy, <I>and</I> peace, from God the Father,
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and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth
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and love.
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4 I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in
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truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Ancient epistles began, as here, with salutation and good wishes:
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religion consecrates, as far as may be, old forms, and turns
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compliments into real expressions of life and love. Here we have, as
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usually,</P>
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<P>
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I. The saluter, not expressed by name, but by a chosen character:
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<I>The elder.</I> The expression, and style, and love, intimate that
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the penman was the same with that of the foregoing epistle; he is now
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<I>the elder,</I> emphatically and eminently so; possibly the oldest
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apostle now living, the chief elder in the church of God. An elder in
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the ancient house of Israel was reverend, or to be reverenced, much
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more he who is so In the gospel Israel of God. An old disciple is
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honourable; and old apostle and leader of disciples is more so. He was
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now old in holy service and experience, had seen and tasted much of
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heaven, and was much nearer than when at first he believed.</P>
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<P>
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II. The saluted--a noble Christian matron, and her children: <I>To the
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elect lady and her children.</I> A lady, a person of eminent quality
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for birth, education, and estate. It is well that the gospel ha got
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among such. It is a pity but lords and ladies should be acquainted with
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the Lord Christ and his religion. They owe more to him than others do;
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though usually <I>not many noble are called.</I> Here is a pattern for
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persons of quality of the same sex. <I>The elect lady;</I> not only a
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choice one, but one chosen of God. It is lovely and beautiful to see
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ladies, by holy walking, demonstrate their election of God. <I>And her
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children;</I> probably the lady was a widow; she <I>and her
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children</I> then are the principal part of the family, and so this may
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be styled an economical epistle. Families may well be written to and
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encouraged, and further directed in their domestic love, and order, and
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duties. We see that children may well be taken notice of in Christian
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letters, and they should know it too; it may avail to their
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encouragement and caution. Those who love and commend them will be apt
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to enquire after them. This <I>lady and her children</I> are further
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notified by the respect paid them, and that,
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1. By the apostle himself: <I>Whom I love in the truth,</I> or in
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truth, whom I sincerely and heartily love. He who was the beloved
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disciple had learnt the art or exercise of love; and he especially
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loved those who loved him, that Lord who loved him.
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2. By all her Christian acquaintance, all the religious who knew her:
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<I>And not I only, but also all those that have known the truth.</I>
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virtue and goodness in an elevated sphere shine brightly. Truth demands
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acknowledgment, and those who see the evidences of pure religion should
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confess and attest them; it is a good sign and great duty to love and
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value religion in others. The ground of this love and respect thus paid
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to this lady and her children was their regard to the truth: <I>For the
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truth's sake</I> (or true religion's sake) <I>which dwelleth in us, and
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shall be with us for ever.</I> Christian love is founded upon the
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appearance of vital religion. Likeness should beget affection. Those
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who love truth and piety in themselves should love it in others too, or
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love others upon the account of it. The apostle and the other
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Christians loved this lady, not so much for her honour as her holiness;
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not so much for her bounty as her serious Christianity. We should not
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be religious merely by fits and starts, in certain moods and moons; but
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religion should still dwell within us, in our minds and hearts, in our
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faith and love. It is to be hoped that where religion once truly dwells
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it will abide for ever. The Spirit of Christianity, we may suppose,
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will not be totally extinguished: <I>Which shall be with us for
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ever.</I></P>
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<P>
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III. The salutation, which is indeed an apostolical benediction:
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<I>Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and from
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the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:3"><I>v.</I> 3</A>.
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Sacred love pours out blessings upon this honourable Christian family;
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to those who have shall more be given. Observe,</P>
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<P>
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1. From whom these blessings are craved,
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(1.) <I>From God the Father,</I> the God of all grace. He is the
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fountain of blessedness, and of all the blessings that must bring us
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thither.
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(2.) <I>From the Lord Jesus Christ.</I> He is also author and
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communicator of these heavenly blessings, and he is distinguished by
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this emphatic character--<I>the Son of the Father;</I> such a Son as
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none else can be; such a Son as is <I>the brightness of the Father's
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glory, and the express image of his person,</I> who, with the Father,
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is also <I>eternal life,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Jo+1:2">1 John i. 2</A>.</P>
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<P>
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2. What the apostle craves from these divine persons.
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(1.) <I>Grace</I>--divine favour and good-will, the spring of all good
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things: it is grace indeed that any spiritual blessing should be
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conferred on sinful mortals.
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(2.) <I>Mercy</I>--free pardon and forgiveness; those who are already
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rich in grace have need of continual forgiveness.
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(3.) <I>Peace</I>--tranquility of spirit and serenity of conscience, in
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an assured reconciliation with God, together with all safe and
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sanctified outward prosperity. And these are desired <I>in truth and
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love,</I> either by sincere and ardent affection in the saluter (in
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faith and love he prays them <I>from God the Father, and the Lord Jesus
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Christ</I>), or as productive of continued truth and love in the
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saluted; these blessings will continually preserve true faith and love
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<I>in the elect lady and her children;</I> and may they do so!</P>
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<P>
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IV. The congratulation upon the prospect of the exemplary behaviour of
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other children of this excellent lady. Happy parent, who was blessed
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with such a numerous religious offspring! <I>I rejoiced greatly that I
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found of thy children walking in the truth, as we have received
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commandment from the Father,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>.
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Possibly the lady's sons travelled abroad, either for accomplishment
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and acquaintance with the world, or on the account of their own
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business or the common affairs of the family, and in their travels
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might come to Ephesus, where the apostle is supposed to have now
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resided, and might there happily converse with him. See how good it is
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to be trained up to early religion! Though religion is not to be
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founded upon education, yet education may be and often is blessed, and
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is the way to fortify youth against irreligious infection. Hence too
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let young travellers learn to carry their religion along with them, and
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not either leave it at home or learn the ill customs of the countries
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where they come. It may be observed, also, that sometimes election runs
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in a direct line; here we have an <I>elect lady, and her elect
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children;</I> children may be beloved for their parents' sake, but both
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by virtue of free grace. From the apostle's joy herein we may observe
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that it is pleasant to see children treading in good parent's steps;
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and those who see this may well congratulate their parents thereupon,
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and that both to excite their thankfulness to God for, and to enlarge
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their comfort in, so great a blessing. How happy a lady was this, who
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had brought forth so many children for heaven and for God! And how
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great a joy must it be to her ladyship to hear so good an account of
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them from so good a judge! And we may further see that it is joyful to
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good old ministers, and accordingly to other good old disciples, to see
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a hopeful rising generation, who may serve God and support religion in
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the world when they are dead and gone. We see here also the rule of
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true walking: <I>the commandment of the Father.</I> Then is our walk
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true, our converse right, when it is managed by the word of God.</P>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec2"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Christian Love.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new
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commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning,
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that we love one another.
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6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This
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is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye
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should walk in it.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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We come now more into the design and substance of the epistle; and here
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we have,</P>
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<P>
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I. The apostle's request: <I>Now, I beseech thee, lady.</I> Considering
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what it is that he entreats, the way of address is very remarkable; it
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is not any particular boon or bounty to himself, but common duty and
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observance of divine command. Here he might command or charge; but
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harsher measures are worse than needless where milder will prevail; and
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the apostolical spirit is, of all other, the most tender and endearing.
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Whether out of deference to her ladyship, or apostolical meekness, or
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both, he condescends to beseech: <I>And now I beseech thee, lady.</I>
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He may be supposed speaking as another apostle does to a certain master
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to whom he writes: <I>Wherefore, though I might be very bold in
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Christ</I> (and according to the power with which Christ hath entrusted
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me) <I>to enjoin thee that which is convenient, yet, for love's sake I
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rather beseech thee, being such a one as the aged, the elder.</I> Love
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will avail where authority will not; and we may often see that the more
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authority is urged the more it is slighted. The apostolical minister
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will love and beseech his friends into their duty.</P>
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<P>
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II. The thing requested of <I>the lady and her children</I>--Christian
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sacred love: <I>That we love one another,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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Those that are eminent in any Christian virtue have yet room to grow
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therein. <I>But, as touching brotherly love, you need not that I write
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unto you; for you yourselves are taught of God to love one another. But
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we beseech you, brethren</I> (and sisters), <I>that you increase more
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and more,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Th+4:9,10">1 Thess. iv. 9, 10</A>.</P>
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<P>
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1. This love is recommended,
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(1.) From the obligation thereto--<I>the commandment.</I> Divine
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command should sway our mind and heart.
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(2.) From the antiquity of the obligation: <I>Not as though I wrote a
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new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the
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beginning,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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This commandment of mutual Christian love may be said to be a
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<I>new</I> one in respect of its new enaction and sanction by the Lord
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Christ; but yet, as to the matter of it (mutual holy love), it is as
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old as natural, Jewish, or Christian religion. This commandment must
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every where attend Christianity, that the disciples of it must love one
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another.</P>
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<P>
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2. Then this love is illustrated from the fruitful nature of it: <I>And
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this is love, that we walk after his commandments,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:5"><I>v.</I> 5</A>.
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This is the test of our love to God, our obedience to him. This is love
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to ourselves, to our own souls, that we walk in obedience to divine
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commands. <I>In keeping them there is great reward.</I> This is love to
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one another, to engage one another to walk in holiness; and this is the
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evidence of our sincere, mutual, Christian love--that we (in other
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things) walk after God's commands. There may be mutual love that is not
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religious and Christian; but we know ours to be so, by our attendance
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to all other commands besides that of mutual love. Universal obedience
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is the proof of the goodness and sincerity of Christian virtues; and
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those that aim at all Christian obedience will be sure to attend to
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Christian love. This is a fundamental duty in the gospel-charter:
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<I>This is the commandment, that, as you have heard from the beginning,
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you should walk in it</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>),
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that is, walk in this love. The foresight of the decay of this love, as
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well as of other apostasy, might engage the apostle to inculcate this
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duty, and this primordial command, the more frequently, the more
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earnestly.</P>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="2Jo1_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec3"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Deceivers Condemned.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>7 For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess
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not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver
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and an antichrist.
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8 Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we
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have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.
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9 Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of
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Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ,
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he hath both the Father and the Son.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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In this principal part of the epistle we find,</P>
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<P>
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I. The ill news communicated to the lady-seducers are abroad: <I>For
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many deceivers have entered into the world.</I> This report is
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introduced by a particle that bespeaks a reason of the report. "You
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have need to maintain your love, <I>for</I> there are destroyers of it
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in the world. Those who subvert the faith destroy the love; the common
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faith is one ground of the common love;" or, "You must secure your walk
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according to the commands of God; this will secure you. Your stability
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is likely to be tried, <I>for many deceivers have entered into the
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world.</I>" Sad and saddening news may be communicated to our Christian
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friends; not that we should love to make them sorry, but to fore-warn
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is the way to fore-arm them against their trials. Now here is,
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1. The description of the deceiver and his deceit--he <I>confesses not
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that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
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he brings some error or other concerning the person of the Lord Jesus;
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he either confesses not that Jesus Christ is the same person, or that
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Jesus of Nazareth was the Christ, the anointed of God, the Messiah
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promised of old for the redemption of Israel, or that the promised
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Messiah and Redeemer has come in the flesh, or into the flesh, into our
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world and into our nature; such a one pretends that he is yet to be
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expected. Strange that after such evidence any should deny that the
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Lord Jesus is the Son of God and Saviour of the world!
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2. The aggravation of the case--such a one is <I>a deceiver and an
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antichrist</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>);
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he deludes souls and undermines the glory and kingdom of the Lord
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Christ. He must be an impostor, a wilful deceiver, after all the light
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|
that has been afforded, and all the evidence that Christ has given
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|
concerning himself, and the attestation God has given concerning his
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|
Son; and he is a wilful opposer of the person, and honour, and interest
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|
of the Lord Christ, and as such shall be reckoned with when the Lord
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|
Christ comes again. Let us not think it strange that there are
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|
deceivers and opposers of the Lord Christ's name and dignity now, for
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|
there were such of old, even in the apostle's times.</P>
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|
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<P>
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|
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II. The counsel given to this elect household hereupon. Now care and
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|
caution are needful: <I>Look to yourselves,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>.
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The more deceivers and deceits abound, the more watchful the disciples
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|
must be. Delusions may so prevail that even the elect may be
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|
endangered thereby. Two things they must beware of:--
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|
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1. <I>That they lose not what they have wrought</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Jo+1:8"><I>v.</I> 8</A>),
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what they have done or what they have gained. It is a pity that any
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|
religious labour should be in vain; some begin well, but at last lose
|
|
all their pains. The hopeful gentleman, who had kept the commands of
|
|
the second table from his youth up, lost all for want of less love to
|
|
the world and more love to Christ. Professors should take care not to
|
|
lose what they have gained. Many have not only gained a fair reputation
|
|
for religion, but much light therein, much conviction of the evil of
|
|
sin, the vanity of the world, the excellency of religion, and the power
|
|
of God's word. They have even <I>tasted of the powers of the world to
|
|
come,</I> and the gifts of the Holy Spirit; and yet at last lose all.
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|
<I>You did run well, who hindered you, that you should not obey</I> (or
|
|
not go on to obey) <I>the truth?</I> Sad it is that fair and splendid
|
|
attainments in the school of Christ should all be lost at last.
|
|
|
|
2. That they lose not their reward, none of it, no portion of that
|
|
honour, or praise, or glory that they once stood fair for. <I>That
|
|
we</I> (or you, as in some copies) <I>receive a full reward.</I>
|
|
"Secure you as full a reward as will be given to any in the church of
|
|
God; if there are degrees of glory, lose none of that grace (that
|
|
light, or love, or peace) which is to prepare you for the higher
|
|
elevation in glory. <I>Hold fast that which thou hast</I> (in faith,
|
|
and hope, and a good conscience), <I>that no man take thy crown,</I>
|
|
that thou neither lose it nor any jewel out of it,"
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+3:11">Rev. iii. 11</A>.
|
|
|
|
The way to attain the full reward is to abide true to Christ, and
|
|
constant in religion to the end.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
III. The reason of the apostle's counsel, and of their care and caution
|
|
about themselves, which is twofold:--
|
|
|
|
1. The danger and evil of departure from gospel light and revelation;
|
|
it is in effect and reality a departure from God himself: <I>Whosoever
|
|
transgresseth</I> (transgresseth at this dismal rate), <I>and abideth
|
|
not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.</I> It is the doctrine of
|
|
Christ that is appointed to guide us to God; it is that whereby God
|
|
draws souls to salvation and to himself. Those who revolt thence, in so
|
|
doing revolt from God.
|
|
|
|
2. The advantage and happiness of firm adherence to Christian truth; it
|
|
unites us to Christ (the object or subject-matter of that truth), and
|
|
thereby to the Father also; for they are one. <I>He that abideth</I>
|
|
(rooted and grounded) <I>in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the
|
|
Father and the Son.</I> By the doctrine of Christ we are enlightened in
|
|
the knowledge of the Father and the Son; by it we are sanctified for
|
|
the Father and the Son; thereupon we are enriched with holy love to the
|
|
Father and the Son; and thereby prepared for the endless enjoyment of
|
|
the Father and the Son. <I>Now you are clean through the word which I
|
|
have spoken to you,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+15:3">John xv. 3</A>.
|
|
|
|
This purity makes meet for heaven. The great God, as he has set his
|
|
seal to the doctrine of Christ, so he puts a value upon it. We must
|
|
retain that holy doctrine in faith and love, as we hope or desire to
|
|
arrive at blessed communion with the Father and the Son.</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Jo1_10"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Jo1_11"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec4"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Caution against Seducers.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>10 If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine,
|
|
receive him not into <I>your</I> house, neither bid him God speed:
|
|
11 For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil
|
|
deeds.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
Here, I. Upon due warning given concerning seducers, the apostle gives
|
|
direction concerning the treatment of such. They are not to be
|
|
entertained as the ministers of Christ. The Lord Christ will
|
|
distinguish them from such, and so would he have his disciples. The
|
|
direction is negative.
|
|
|
|
1. "Support them not: <I>If there come any unto you, and bring not this
|
|
doctrine</I> (concerning Christ as the Son of God, the Messiah and
|
|
anointed of God for our redemption and salvation), <I>receive him not
|
|
into your house.</I>" Possibly this lady was like Gaius, of whom we
|
|
read in the next epistle, a generous housekeeper, and hospitable
|
|
entertainer of travelling ministers and Christians. These deceivers
|
|
might possibly expect the same reception with others, or with the best
|
|
who came there (as the blind are often bold enough), but the apostle
|
|
allows it not: "Do not welcome them into your family." Doubtless such
|
|
may be relieved in their pressing necessities, but not encouraged for
|
|
ill service. Deniers of the faith are destroyers of souls; and it is
|
|
supposed that even ladies themselves should have good understanding in
|
|
the affairs of religion.
|
|
|
|
2. "Bless not their enterprises: <I>Neither bid him God speed.</I>
|
|
Attend not their service with your prayers and good wishes." Bad work
|
|
should not be consecrated or recommended to the divine benediction. God
|
|
will be no patron of falsehood, seduction, and sin. We ought to bid God
|
|
speed to evangelical ministration; but the propagation of fatal error,
|
|
if we cannot prevent, we must not dare to countenance. Then,</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
II. Here is the reason of such direction, forbidding the support and
|
|
patronage of the deceiver: <I>For he that biddeth him God speed is
|
|
partaker of his evil deeds.</I> Favour and affection partake of the
|
|
sin. We may be sharers in the iniquities of others. How judicious and
|
|
how cautious should the Christian be! There are many ways of sharing
|
|
the guilt of other people's transgressions; it may be done by culpable
|
|
silence, indolence, unconcernedness, private contribution, public
|
|
countenance and assistance, inward approbation, open apology and
|
|
defence. The Lord pardon our guilt of other persons' sins!</P>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="2Jo1_12"> </A>
|
|
<A NAME="2Jo1_13"> </A>
|
|
|
|
<A NAME="Sec5"> </A>
|
|
<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
|
|
<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>Conclusion and Salutation.</I></FONT></TD>
|
|
<TD ALIGN=RIGHT VALIGN=BOTTOM><FONT SIZE=-1>A. D.</FONT> 90.</TD></TR>
|
|
<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
|
|
</TABLE>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
<FONT SIZE=+1>12 Having many things to write unto you, I would not <I>write</I>
|
|
with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face
|
|
to face, that our joy may be full.
|
|
13 The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
The apostle concludes this letter,
|
|
|
|
1. With an adjournment of many things to personal conference: <I>Having
|
|
many things to write unto you I would not write with paper and ink; but
|
|
I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be
|
|
full.</I> Here it is supposed that some things are better spoken than
|
|
written. The use of pen and ink may be a mercy and a pleasure; but a
|
|
personal interview may be more so. The apostle was not yet too old for
|
|
travel, nor consequently for travelling service. The communion of
|
|
saints should be by all methods maintained; and their communion should
|
|
tend to their mutual joy. Excellent ministers may have their joy
|
|
advanced by their Christian friends. <I>That I may be comforted
|
|
together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ro+1:12">Rom. i. 12</A>.
|
|
|
|
2. With the presentation of service and salutation from some near
|
|
relations to the lady: <I>The children of thy elect sister greet
|
|
thee.</I> Grace was abundant towards this family; here are two elect
|
|
sisters, and probably their elect children. How will they admire this
|
|
grace in heaven! The apostle condescends to insert the nieces' duty (as
|
|
we should call it), or dutiful salutation, to their aunt. The duty of
|
|
inferior relations is to be cherished. Doubtless the apostle was easy
|
|
of access, and would admit all friendly and pious communication, and
|
|
was ready to enhance the good lady's joy in her nieces as well as in
|
|
her children. May there by many such gracious ladies rejoicing in their
|
|
gracious descendants and other relations! <I>Amen.</I></P>
|
|
|
|
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