The Riches Implied in the Methods by Which Christ Brings Us to Enjoy Salvation
J. Benson. Ephesians 3:8 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given… I. THE PROPERTIES AND POWERS EXERTED. 1. The wisdom of our Lord. St. Paul informs us, that "in Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3), and that He "hath abounded towards us in all wisdom and prudence" (Ephesians 1:8). As His knowledge and His wisdom are unsearchable, so they are an unsearchable treasure to His Church in general, and to every individual member of it in particular. 2. His almighty power. What a treasure subjects have in the power of a just and good king, or children in the power of a wise and kind father! What an advantage it is to the Church that Christ "has all power in heaven and on earth," is "Head over all things," can make the temptations of devils, and the enmity of sinners, as well as the ministry of angels, and the advice and prayers of saints, yea, and absolutely "all things work together for the good" of her members; can at all times defend, strengthen, support, and comfort them, and execute every scheme His wisdom has devised for their present and eternal good. 3. His infinite love (Ephesians 3:18, 19). His wisdom and power would be nothing to us, without this; this sets them to work, and keeps them employed continually for our benefit. This, therefore, is an inestimable blessing to His people, and a source of unsearchable riches. "Who gave His life, what gift can He deny?" 4. His unwearied patience, or His forbearance and long suffering (2 Corinthians 10:1). How much need had we all of this in our state of ignorance and sin! What need have we of it still! How is it exercised towards us from day to day! What a treasure is it to us! our present and eternal salvation depending upon it. II. THE MEANS AND ORDINANCES APPOINTED. 1. Affliction. Without this, probably we should never have been brought to Christ. Without this, we should not have continued in His ways; without this, we should not have made progress in holiness or usefulness: therefore, without this we should not have attained "an exceeding great and eternal weight of glory." 2. The Word of God. He, by Christ's unsearchable riches are revealed, displayed, offered, and, as it were, bequeathed to us. Christ's redeeming acts are unfolded one after another, as in the writings of the prophets and evangelists, with the unsearchable riches they contain, and we are offered an interest in them. The Word of God is a bill of spiritual and heavenly rights, a charter of sacred and Divine privileges, or an attested deed of conveyance, making over to us an immense property; or it may be considered as the last will and testament of our Redeemer, bequeathing to us legacies and inheritances without end. 3. The ordinances. (1) Baptism. (2) Holy Communion. 4. The fellowship of saints. Here Jesus Himself, with all His unsearchable riches of grace and glory, is always present (Matthew 18:20). This is an emblem and earnest of heaven, and a preparation for it. — Prayer. In this also we have an unspeakable treasure. For it is the key with which we open the Divine storehouse, and take as much of the riches of Christ as we need. III. THE INWARD GRACES WHICH ARE TO BE EXERCISED. These also include unsearchable riches, because by these Christ's redeeming acts and saving benefits become our own. These form a third particular to be considered. Faith, having for its object the doctrines of His Word, which display His acts and benefits: the invitations and promises which make them over to us; Jesus Himself, the source and centre of both, in whom the doctrines and promises "are yea and amen." By this we obtain an interest in His redeeming acts, and become entitled to, or have a foretaste of, all His saving benefits. Hope: Those benefits, which we cannot here partake of, we expect and desire, and hereby we both anticipate the enjoyment of them. Reflect on the vast worth of a well grounded and lively hope. It is the source of patience (Romans 8:25; 1 Thessalonians 1:3), gratitude (1 Peter 1:3), joy (Romans 5:2), purity (1 John 3:3), and even of good works (1 Corinthians 15 ult.; Hebrews 6:11). Hence arise the unsearchable riches of an eternal reward. Love: Hereby we embrace both Christ and His riches, nay, and associate with angels and saints, and "sit in heavenly places." (J. Benson.) Parallel Verses KJV: Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; WEB: To me, the very least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,