8/8/2019 Chapter 4 Section 1. - Ephesians 1_19, 20
1/2
pter 4 Section 1. - Ephesians 1:19, 20
//www.pbministries.org/books/gill/Cause_of_God_and_Truth/Part%202/chapter4/chap4_section01.htm[11/2/2010
10:21:40 AM]
The
CAUSE OF GOD AND TRUTH.Part 2
Chapter 4Of Efficacious Grace
Section 1Ephesians 1:19, 20.nd what is the exceeding greatness
of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working o
mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him
from the dead.
Since the apostle, in these words, plainly intimates, that the
work of grace upon the hearts of believers is toscribed not only to
thepowerof God, but to the greatness,yea, the exceeding greatness
of his power, and whicepresented as equal to that which was put
forth in raising Christ from the dead; we think we have good
reasonclude, that this work is a work of almighty, irresistible;
and insuperable power, and in which men, in the roduction of it,
are purely passive. It is indeed said,[1] that "it must be absurd
hence to infer, that the power of
working faith in believers is equal to that which effected the
resurrection of our Lord, and that we must be thereurely passive in
the whole work of our conversion." But certain it is, that the
power here spoken of is said to
kata< thrgeian, according to the working or energy of his
mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, whe
aised him from the dead. And if the work of faith and conversion
is intended, men must be passive undernergetical influence of
divine power effecting it, as the body of Christ was, when, by the
same power, it was raiseife. But let us attend to the reasons
given:
1. It is said,[2] that "this power is not consistent with the
persuasions and exhortations used in Scripture to mmen to repent,
and turn themselves from their iniquity." I reply that the
exhortations to repent and turn from iniqdo not regard the first
work of conversion, or the inward work of grace upon the soul,
which is here designed, buutward reformation of life. Besides,
supposing the exhortations referred to respect the internal work of
faith onversion, they may be attended with that power from God, who
makes use of them, so as to produce such princif life and grace, in
which men are purely passive; by virtue of which they may become
active, and be enablenswer to such exhortations; even as the
command of Christ toLazarus to come forth was attended with such a
diower as produced a principle of life in him, in which he was
purely passive; though by virtue of it he became actame forth,and
answered the word of command.
2. This is also said[3] to be inconsistent "with a rational
choice." I answer, that no doubt, whilst men are in a sf nature,
they are able, without the special and powerful grace of God, to
make a rational choice in things naturalivil, but not in things
spiritual and eternal. How should they, when they are under the
power of sin, influenceheir corrupt and deceitful lusts, and
enslaved by Satan? Such men will always choose their own ways, for
their
delighteth in their abominations;which makes the powerful and
efficacious grace of God necessary to enlighten tnderstandings,
inform their judgments, guide their affections, and influence their
wills.
3. It is urged[4] that if this was the case, "it could not
properly be said that they turned, but only that they wurned, to
the Lord." To which may be replied, that when the Scriptures speak
of the internal work of conversion uhe heart, it is expressed in
tike passive form, they were turned, see Jeremiah 31:18, 1 Peter
2:25. And when peak of external reformation, or of such a turning
to the Lord as is the fruit of faith, then it is expressed in the
acorm, they turned to him,see Acts 11:21.
4. It is observed,[5] that "this exposition is not agreeable to
the words; for the apostle speaks not of the po
xercised on us to render us believers, but of the power which
shall be exercised on us who believe already." othing is more
evident, than that the apostle speaks not of a power which shall be
exercised on believers, but ower which is exercised upon them, and
is continued to be so; and is the same with that which was put
forth whey first trusted in Christ, and must be continued to carry
on and perfect the good work. Now, if the exceereatness of Gods
power is necessary to carry on and perfect the work of faith, it
must be much more so to produlant, and form it at first. It is
asserted,[6] that the apostle speaks "not of the power to be
exercised on our soulaise them from a death in sin to a life of
righteousness, but of the power to be exercised on our dead bodies,
to ghem a glorious resurrection to eternal life, as he had none
already in the body of our head Christ Jesus." But thohe apostle,
in order to illustrate that power which is exalted towards them
that believe, takes notice of the po
which was wrought in Christ when he was raised from the dead;
yet he says not one syllable concerninesurrection of the saints.
Moreover, the apostle is speaking not of a power to be exercised,
but of one that isxercised upon believers; whereas the resurrection
of our dead bodies is an act of Gods power, which is toxercised; it
is future, yet to come. Besides, this power is limited to
believers; whereas the resurrection of the d
8/8/2019 Chapter 4 Section 1. - Ephesians 1_19, 20
2/2
pter 4 Section 1. - Ephesians 1:19, 20
//www.pbministries.org/books/gill/Cause_of_God_and_Truth/Part%202/chapter4/chap4_section01.htm[11/2/2010
10:21:40 AM]
will be both of the just and unjust; and the resurrection of the
one will be as much an instance of the exceereatness of Gods power,
as the resurrection of the other. Add to this, that at the
resurrection the people of God o longer bear the character of
believers, (for faith will be changed into vision,) but that of
saints and just men, ben themselves made perfectly so; whereas the
subjects of this power are such who believe.To conclude, these
wotand in connection with Ephesians 2:1:And you hath he quickened,
who were dead in trespasses and sins,whiche plain instance of Gods
power the apostle had in his view; for all that is said between
them, concerningesurrection, exaltation, and headship of Christ,
may be read in a parenthesis, and are only mentioned to illustrate
et forth the exceeding greatness of the power of God in this
instance of it.
NDNOTES:
] Whitby, p. 272; ed. 2. 266.
2] Ibid.
3] Whitby, p. 272; ed. 2. 266.
4] Ibid.
5] Ibid.
6] Ibid. Vide Colt. Hag. art. in. and 4:p. 293, 294; Limborch,
p. 388.
http://www.pbministries.org/books/gill/gills_archive.htm
