(27) Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. (28) And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. (29) Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? (30) Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (31) But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet show I unto you a more excellent way.
Here the Apostle forms his conclusion from all that he had been advancing, in reference to the Church of Christ. He considers the whole mystical body of our Lord, under the same beautiful order as he had before done, in contemplating the human frame, and shews, as plain as words can make the subject, that as Christ and his people are one, so the different members, placed according to his infinite wisdom, though diversified as it necessarily became them to be, in higher, and lower departments, though some were Apostles, Prophets, and Teachers, and others called on to the humbler offices of being ministered unto; yet were all equally useful in their station, equally important in the state where the Lord had placed them, and equally interested in the Lord's affection and regard. Reader! there cannot be an higher proof upon earth, than is here given, of the equal attention the Lord Jesus bears to his mystical body, in all the several members of it. And it ought to be very sweet, both to the most exalted, and to the most humble of the Lord's people. The greatest hath nothing to boast, in respect to his movement in the higher departments of the Church; neither the humblest to be cast down, when at any time feeling conscious of a low, or more exercised station. For as in a large and complicated machine, the smallest part in the working of it, hath its special office, and without whose operations the whole could not be carried on: so in the mysterious government of the Church of God, the least of Christ's little ones, are by him placed to the general welfare of the whole body, and afford occasion for the unceasing displays of his love; and calling forth the graces of His Spirit, both in them, and in all his members. And when the whole comes to be unfolded to view, it will be seen, that all have been mere receivers only; the highest nothing to boast and the lowest nothing to mourn for not having received more. Christ's glory, as the Head of his body the Church, being the one grand and only design of the whole. The depth of the riches in the divine administration, though never to be fully explored, will in some measure be more opened to view. And the astonished Church of Christ, discovering her close connection with her Lord, and his everlasting union with her, and love towards her, will explain a thousand things, which now exercise faith and patience. And who shall calculate the joy and glory reflected by Christ on his Church, which will then fill the ravished soul, when at once beholding Him as the Head and fulness of all? For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things; to whom, be glory forever and ever. Amen, Romans 11:33 to the end.
I must not close the Chapter, before that I have first called upon the Reader to remark with me, the meaning of the Apostle's expression, when he saith: ye are the body of Christ. Not the natural body of Christ, which he took into union with his Godhead. It is not Christ personal of whom Paul speaks, but Christ mystical. In that pure, and holy portion of our nature, which the Son of God assumed, and which, by the junction with the divine nature, formed one Person, thence called Christ; we contemplate the glorious Mediator, and God-Man, as He is in himself: in whom dwelt all the fulness of the Godhead bodily, Colossians 2:9. But when Paul, or any of the sacred Writers, speak of Christ's body the Church, is meant, not Christ personal, but Christ mystical; that is, Christ in his members. It is that body, which God the Father, in his Covenant-office gave him; and which God the Holy Ghost anointed, with Him, and in Him: and knit together with Him, in every individual member, which was given him; and in the time state of the Church, regenerates, and quickens, in Him. This is Christ's mystical body : his temple, his body, the Church. And it is blessed, yea, very blessed, when we behold, how the Apostle's account here given is fully proved, when he saith: Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
Every child of God, given by the Father, Ephesians 1:4, betrothed by the Son, Hosea 2:1, and regenerated by the Holy Ghost, 2 Peter 1:3-4, is to all intents and purposes, a part of Christ's mystical body; for the whole of that child of God, being of the seed of Christ, is united to Christ, both body and spirit; and interested in all that belongs to Christ, as Christ, both before all worlds, during the whole time-state of the Church, and in and through the whole eternity, which is to follow. Hence those multitudes of promises, with which the word of God abounds, Genesis 12:3 with Galatians 3:16; Isaiah 59:21; Isaiah 59:21; Psalms 89:29; Psalms 89:29. And it is by virtue of this union, that the spirits of just men made perfect, are before the throne of God and the Lamb; when their bodies return to their original dust : Hebrews 12:23-24, and their bodies sleep in Jesus, being one with Jesus, and will he quickened at the resurrection-morn, not by the naked power of God, but from the Spirit of Christ dwelling in them, 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; Revelation 14:13; John 11:25; Romans 8:10-11. Reader! I beseech you ponder over the subject. It is indeed most sweet and precious. A union with Christ, brings up with it everything that is blessed in Christ. For as it is a spiritual union, be that is joined to the Lord being one Spirit: 1 Corinthians 6:17, so is it opening a continual source of never ceasing joy and happiness. Living upon Christ, receiving all communications from Christ, and the whole springs of spiritual grace and refreshments being in Christ, the heart of the redeemed is made glad, whatever outward circumstances there may be; for Jesus hath said, because I live, ye shall live also, John 14:19. Behold then, bow many blessed and precious things are contained in the Apostle's words, when he saith : Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
I stay not to observe what Paul adds, concerning the diversity of offices in the Church. The Apostle's conclusion, calls us off from men, and the several gifts bestowed upon them for the Church, to look unto the Lord. Covet earnestly the best gifts, namely, what Christ hath promised, those durable riches, and righteousness, which he gives, Proverbs 8:17-21. And yet (saith Paul) shew I unto you a more excellent way; namely, Christ himself, who is the way, yea, the only way, the truth, and the life, John 14:6. Reader! what are all gifts, and graces, compared to Christ? Gifts, yea, Christ's gifts are not Christ. When Jesus comes to visit a soul, he doth indeed bring his gifts with him; as some great Prince, when he travels, is attended by his servants. But who would lose sight of the Prince, to look at his servants? Who would bestow their time at Court, in beholding the King's equipage, instead of beholding the King himself in his beauty? Isaiah 33:17. Precious Jesus! be thou the more excellent way to my soul. And while I learn to value, and highly prize all thy love-tokens, as love-tokens of my Lord; may I know how to prize thee above all, my Lord, my life, my way, my portion forever!