The Simplicity that is in Christ
R. S. Candlish, D. D. 2 Corinthians 11:3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety… The simplicity that is in Christ stands here contrasted with the subtilty of the serpent: and the instance given of the serpent's subtilty illustrates what is meant by the simplicity which is opposed to it. In that first temptation, all on the part of God was abundantly simple; the command with the warning was simplicity itself. On the other hand, the subtilty of the tempter is apparent in the complex pleading which he holds with Eve. God has but one argument against eating; Satan has many for it; and there is no surer sign of subtilty than the giving of many reasons for what a single good one would better justify and explain. The simplicity that is in Christ may be discerned in every stage and department of His great salvation. I. IN HIS OWN FINISHED WORK OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND ATONEMENT. There is simplicity in Christ, as the Lord our righteousness, as the servant of the Father, and the substitute, surety, and saviour of the guilty. It was in this character that He came into the world: and with entire simplicity did He sustain it. 1. That there is nothing here that transcends man's finite understanding, and baffles his restless curiosity — we are far from saying. But is there not a simplicity in it that comes home to the heart of a poor despairing sinner? 2. But it is the policy of Satan to mar it, and by his subtilty to corrupt your minds from the simplicity that is in Christ, and Him crucified. Hence the endless questions he has contrived to raise in connection with it. II. IN THE FREE OFFER OF THE GOSPEL AS CONNECTED WITH IT. 1. How simple in its freeness (Isaiah 55:1; Revelation 22:17). How near does it bring Christ! (Romans 10:6-9). How very plain as well as pathetic is the Lord's pleading with sinners! (2 Corinthians 5:20; Isaiah 1:18). How explicit, how unequivocal, are His assurances! (Ezekiel 18:32; Ezekiel 33:11; John 6:37). How clear as it might seem beyond any sophistry is the declaration of the Lord's will that all men should be saved. 2. Yet, it is here especially that Satan puts forth all his subtilty to beguile. How many reasons for doubt and unbelief does he contrive to set up against God's one reason for believing. Here am I — a lost sinner. There is Christ, a living Saviour. It may be, Satan tells us, that you are not elected; that you may have committed the unpardonable sin. Or perhaps you are not convinced enough of your sin, or sorry enough for it; or perhaps you are not repenting, believing, praying aright. But it is upon no may-be that the blessed Lord invites you to commit your soul to Him. He has but one word to you. Let no subtilty of Satan corrupt your minds from the simplicity that is in the gospel offer of a free, a full, a present salvation. III. IN THE COMPLETENESS OF BELIEVERS AS ONE WITH JESUS. 1. The apostle speaks to you as espoused to Christ; and we would be jealous over you, for duplicity now on your part towards Him is nothing short of spiritual adultery, and is sadly inconsistent with His simplicity towards you. And what, the apostle adds (ver. 4), would you have? Would you have one to come to you with another Jesus, another Spirit, another gospel? Are ye so soon weary of the homely fare of the Lord's kingdom that ye would look out for new and foreign dainties? 2. The serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, causing her to be discontented with the simple profusion of Eden's blessings and the simple tenure on which she held them. And the like spirit of discontent he would fain cherish in you in regard to the simplicity that is in Christ — the simplicity of a rich and royal liberality, alike in His gifts and in His manner of giving. How simple is His treatment of you, that are His. "Ye are complete in Him." "All things are yours." All that He has is yours upon the simple footing of your abiding in Him. IV. IN HIS GUIDANCE OF YOU, AS YOUR CAPTAIN AND EXAMPLE. 1. It is a guidance — (1) According to the free spirit, and not the mere servile letter of the law. (2) Through the motive, not of a servile dread of still impending wrath, but of love to Him who has first loved us. (3) By the power of that Spirit abiding in us, who worketh in us, both to will and to do of God's good pleasure. (4) In the very steps of Him who hath left us an example. Surely there is great simplicity in such guidance as this. 2. But the subtilty of Satan, how manifold is it in this department. (1) For the rule — oh it cannot always be the strict unbending morality of the Ten Commandments. All men except recluses know that allowances must be made in social life, and regard must be had to circumstances. (2) Then the motive of all you do ought doubtless to be not servile fear, but filial love, and it is plain that this motive might prompt many a service and sacrifice. Still, practically, as things now are, it is a great matter if a Christian keep clear of what is positively forbidden, and if nothing palpably wrong can be established against him. (3) So also as to the power, it is admitted vaguely and generally, that you have a promise of Divine aid. But this, alas! does not hinder a large measure of apologetic pleading of human frailty. (4) And when we look to the pattern, how aptly does Satan teach us to evade the obligation of a full following of Christ, by suggesting that there are many things in which Christ, being Divine, must be admitted to be inimitable. V. IN CONNECTION WITH HIS SECOND COMING AND GLORIOUS APPEARING. 1. As to all that is essential and influential, it would seem to be simple enough. The Lord cometh as our Judge. He cometh as our exceeding great reward. Thus regarded, it is practically a most influential hope; influential for its very simplicity. It sets you upon working, watching, waiting for the Lord. How simple and how blessed an attitude! 2. Yet here Satan has been expending not a little of his subtilty throughout all the ages of the Church's history, sometimes hiding the doctrine, at other times complicating and embarrassing it with a variety of questions, scarcely, if at all, bearing on its real, vital and practical import. (R. S. Candlish, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. WEB: But I am afraid that somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve in his craftiness, so your minds might be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.