Jude 1:24-25 Now to him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,… 1. Wisdom is ascribed to God. God's wisdom is a distinct notion from His knowledge. He doth not only know all things, but hath ordered and disposed them with much counsel. (1) Much of His wisdom is seen in creation. There His wisdom is discovered in the excellent order of all His works (Psalm 104:24; 1 Corinthians 1:21). Their mutual correspondence and fitness for the several ends and services for which they were appointed. (2) God's wisdom is much seen in the sustentation and governing of all things (Ephesians 1:11). There is nothing so confused but if you look upon it in its results and final tendency, there is beauty and order in it; the tumults of the world, the prosperity of the wicked, carnal men think them the disgrace and blemish of providence, whereas they are the ornament of it (Psalm 92:5). (3) In the methods of His grace; so I call all the transactions of God about the salvation of sinners from first to last; the rejection of the Jews, and calling of the Gentiles (Romans 11:33). The various dispensations used in the Church, before the law, under the law, and time of the gospel, these are called the "manifold wisdom of God" (Ephesians 3:10), the "hidden wisdom of God in a mystery," and "without controversy a great mystery" (1 Timothy 3:16). Again, the various acts of love whereby God subdueth sinners to Himself. Once more, the overruling of all events to further the eternal blessedness of the saints (Romans 8:28). 2. God is "only" wise (1 Timothy 1:17; Romans 16:27). (1) Originally and independently wise, not by communication from another, but of Himself. (2) God is essentially wise, and so only wise. The perfections of the creature are like the gilding which may be laid on upon vessels of wood or stone, the matter is one thing and the varnish or ornament is another; but the perfections of God are like a vessel made of pure beaten gold, where the matter and the splendour or adorning is the same. (3) God is infinitely wise, and so only wise. As the candle giveth no light when the sun shineth, our wisdom is bounded within narrow limits, and extendeth but to a few things, but God's to all things. 3. Christ Jesus our Saviour is worthy to be accounted the only wise God. Christ is wise as He is God, and as He is man. (1) As He is God, so is He called "the wisdom of the Father" (1 Corinthians 1:24), and represented to the ancient Church under this title; as Proverbs 1:20. Wisdom is there spoken of as a person, and the descriptions there used are proper to Jesus Christ. (2) As He is man, He received the habits of all created knowledge and wisdom, as all other graces, without measure (John 3.); and so it is said (Colossians 2:3), "In Him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." Well, then, since Christ hath brought down wisdom to us in our own nature, let us be more studious to get it into our hearts. As Mediator, He is fitted to make us wise to salvation, and appointed by God to be wisdom to us (1 Corinthians 1:30). 4. Once more note, from the other title that is here given to Christ, "our Saviour." Those that have had any benefit by Christ will be very much affected with His praise. There is a double ground of exalting Christ — a sight of His excellency, and a sense of His benefits; and there is a double notion by which our honouring of Christ is set forth — praise and blessing. Praise hath respect to His excellency, and blessing to His benefits (Ephesians 1:3). (T. Manton.) Parallel Verses KJV: Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, |
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