The Death of Christ and its Consequences
T. Manton, D.D. Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? I. HOW THE DEATH OF CHRIST IS HERE EXPRESSED. 1. Negatively — "He spared not His own Son."(1) God's act. There is a twofold not-sparing. (a) In a way of impartial justice (2 Peter 2:4, 5). No clemency, but deserved punishment. So God spared not Christ when He took upon Him to satisfy for our sins (Zechariah 13:7). (b) In a way of eminent and free bounty. We are sparing of those things which are most precious to us; but upon great occasions we part with them (John 3:16). (2) The object — "His own Son" not an adopted son, but only-begotten. What dearer to parents than their children? But God's love to Christ is not to be measured by an ordinary standard. Let us consider what might have moved God to spare His Son. (a) The incomparable worth and excellency of His person (Philippians 2:6). (b) The singular and infinite love between God and Christ (Colossians 1:13). The Father loved Him dearly; and we are chary of what we tenderly love (John 1:18; Proverbs 8:30). (c) No equal or advantageous exchange. What could God gain that might be an equal recompense for the death of Christ? Now no man doth give much for what is but little esteemed; but God gave His own Son to recover the perishing world. 2. Positively — "But delivered Him up for us all." Mark — (1) The person who — "God." This word is used of several agents: Judas (John 19:11), Pilate (John 19:16), the high-priests (Matthew 27:2), the people (Matthew 20:19); yea, Christ delivered up Himself (Romans 4:25); here, "God delivered Him." One word is used, but the act proceeded from several causes; the people delivered Him out of ignorance and inconsiderate zeal, Judas out of covetousness and treachery, the high-priests out of malice and envy, Pilate out of a faulty compliance with the humours of the people, Christ out of obedience to God, God Himself to show His infinite love for us. It is for our comfort to observe that it is God's act. The law which condemneth us is the law of God; the wrath and punishment which we fear is the wrath of God; and the fountain of all the blessings we expect is the favour of God; and God delivered Christ up for us all, to assure our comfort, peace, and hope. (2) The act — "He delivered Him up," not only to be made flesh for us (John 1:14), which was a state at the greatest distance from His nature, who was a pure spirit. But God, who is a spirit, was made flesh that He might be nearer to us, and took a mother upon earth that we might have a Father in heaven. But also made sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 8:3) and a curse for us (Galatians 3:13). (3) The persons for whom — for the cursed race of fallen Adam, who had no strength to do anything for themselves. II. God having laid this foundation, let us see WHAT A SUPERSTRUCTURE OF GRACE IS BUILT THEREON, and He doth "freely give us all things." 1. All good things are the gift of God (James 1:17); and whatever God giveth, He giveth freely, for there can be no pre-obligation upon Him (chap. Romans 11:35). But here the chief thing considerable is the largeness of the gift. Both the creature and the Creator, from God to the poorest thing in the world, through Jesus Christ all is ours (Revelation 21:7). 2. This "all things" reacheth to heaven and earth (1 Timothy 4:8). 3. This "all things" concerneth the whole man — (1) The body (Matthew 6:33). He that hath any place or office hath the perquisites of the place or office. (2) The soul (2 Peter 1:2). 4. All things that are for our real advantage, of what nature soever they be (1 Corinthians 3:21; Psalm 84:11). III. THE STRENGTH AND THE FORCE OF THE INFERENCE. This broad and ample foundation will support the building. 1. The giving of Christ is a sign and pledge of His great love to us. And what will not love, and great love, do for those whom it loveth (John 3:16; 1 John 4:10)? 2. Christ is the greatest and most precious gift; and surely God, that hath given so great a benefit, will He stick at lesser things? He that hath given a pound, will He not give a farthing? Hath He given Christ, and will He not give pardon to cancel our defects, and grace to do our duty? comfort to support us in our afflictions? supplies to maintain and protect us during our services? and finally, will He not reward us after we have served Him? Reconciliation by His death is propounded as a more difficult thing than salvation by His life (Romans 5:10). 3. It is a gift in order to other things; and therefore He will complete that gift. Christ came to purchase all manner of benefits — the favour, the image, the everlasting fruition of the glory of God. Now, will God by an antecedent bounty lay the foundation so deep, and withhold the consequent bounty? Shall so great a price be paid and we obtain nothing? 4. The giving of Christ showeth how freely God will give all things to us: He gave Christ unasked, and unsought too. IV. WHO HAVE AN INTEREST IN CHRIST: AND MAY REASON THUS WITHIN THEMSELVES — "Shall He not also together with Him give us all things?" 1. Those to whom God giveth Christ. We read sometimes of Christ given for us, and sometimes of Christ given to us. The one speaketh the love of God to lost man, the other God's love to us in particular (Galatians 1:10; Revelation 1:5). The first gift is Christ (John 5:12; Hebrews 3:14; 2 Corinthians 13:5). We do not live in the body till we be united to the head; nor till we have Christ, do we receive the saving effects of His grace; clear that once, and shall He not with Him give us all things? God offereth Him to all, but He giveth Him to you when you believe. 2. Those that give up themselves to Christ (1 Corinthians 3:22). If you be to Christ what Christ was to God, a dedicated servant, ever to do the things that please Him; when you enter into covenant with Him, and devote yourselves to His use and service. If you be sincere and hearty in this, you need not doubt a plentiful allowance. (T. Manton, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? WEB: He who didn't spare his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how would he not also with him freely give us all things?