(16) But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you. (17) For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went unto you. (18) And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches; (19) And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind: (20) Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us: (21) Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men. (22) And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, upon the great confidence which I have in you. (23) Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellowhelper concerning you: or our brethren be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ. (24) Wherefore show ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
I would here again pass by all lesser considerations, in the several subjects suggested to the Church in these verses, to attend to one, which, according to my view, is of the highest nature, and meriting the closest regard of all the lovers of our Lord Jesus. The subject to which I refer, is opened to us in that passage, where the Apostle gives an answer to any question which might be demanded, concerning his brethren, which were the messengers of the Churches. Tell them, (saith Paul) that they are the glory of Christ.
There is an uncommon degree of blessedness, in this statement of the Apostle, concerning Jesus. And I pray the Reader's indulgence for the moment, to dwell upon it. It were easy, comparatively speaking, to conceive, how Christ is the glory of his people Israel for in every sense of the word, and in every way, Christ is the all in all to his spouse the Church. Hence, the Prophet was taught by the Holy Ghost, to tell the Church as much, when he called him, thy God, thy glory! Isaiah 60:19. Precious Lord Jesus! thou art indeed our God, our glory, our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. And thou art, and must be so, and all this, and if possible infinitely more; that he that glorieth, may glory in the Lord, 1 Corinthians 1:30. But say, thou dear Lord, how is it possible, by any way, or by any means, thy Church, in all the millions of thy people, can bring glory to thee? Surely Lord, thine Essential glory, as God, in all the divine attributes and perfections, which thou eternally possessest, in common with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, can derive no additional glory from, or by, any of thy creatures. Neither can thy Personal glory as God-man, independent of thy Church and people, be made more glorious than it is, in its own stature, by all the praises of thy intelligent creation. Neither can the accomplishment of thy office-work as God-Man-Mediator, which hath been wrought wholly by thyself, (for of all the people there was none with thee, Isaiah 63:3.) be increased in glory, by all the Hallelujah's of thy redeemed, Will our dear Lord say then, how Christ, as Christ, is rendered glorious by his people; and in what sense it is to be understood, that the Churches are the glory of Christ?
Thy people do glorify thee, 0 Lord, Or it is her desire to glorify thee, by proclaiming thy love, thy grace, thy favor; in telling of thy salvation, from day to day; yea, in spewing forth thy praises, for that thou hast betrothed thy Church to thyself, before all worlds; redeemed her from her shameful fall, during the present time-state of her being; and in bringing her out of darkness, and the shadow of death, and breaking her bands asunder. These blessings thy people both in heaven and earth, must unceasingly proclaim, if these can tend to glorify the Lord Jesus: for the very stones of the earth might cry out, if they were silent; since Jesus, the Son of God, hath magnified the riches of his love towards his Church from everlasting, and caused his grace to shine on poor worms of the earth, whom he hath taken into union with himself, and made them Kings, and Priests, unto God, and the Father, But can these proclamations of praise, though from millions of redeemed beings, bring honor to Christ? Can the Church of Christ, on this account, he said to be Christ's glory, who hath eternal glory, which can neither receive increase, nor decrease, with the Father and the Holy Ghost inhabiting eternity: and who is One with the Father and the Holy Ghost; the King eternal, immortal, invisible; the only wise God?
But if we cannot (as indeed we cannot) add to our Redeemer's; glory, by our active praises; can it be said, that the Church of Christ is Christ's glory, when we passively receive from him, and our wants afford occasion for his giving out of his fulness, and grace for grace? Is it in this sense Paul meant to tell the Church, they were Christ's glory? It is indeed said in Scripture, that he shall see the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied, Isaiah 63:11. And it must be the satisfaction for the soul-travail of Christ, when redeemed receive everlasting life from him. When the Lord beholds his members regenerated front the Adam-nature of the fall, their sins pardoned, their persons justified in his blood, their nature sanctified, and made holy in his righteousness; and they themselves, brought into all the blessings of fellowship with the Father, Son, and Spirit, through his personal labors, sufferings, and death. These, which are the fruits of his redemption-work, must be as scripture hath stated it, to the satisfaction of Jesus when accomplished. But are these things, which are so precious to the members, precious to the Head also? And is it in this sense, we are to understand the expression of the Apostle, when he said, if our brethren be enquired of, they are the glory of Christ!
Precious Lord Jesus! (I would say for myself and Reader) Nay sure it is, that thy glory, as Son of God, in thine own eternal power and Godhead, cannot receive increase, neither suffer diminution. For thy nature, and essence, being infinite, and unchangeable; so must be thy glory. To this, nothing can be added, or taken from. But if the Son of God, in his infinite condescension, hath taken into union with himself his Church; (as that he hath to the praise of his grace and our joy most mercifully done), may we not hope, that the felicity of the members, is the glory of the Head? And, though in thy Person, there is such an infinite fulness, as can receive no increase; (for in thee dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily: Colossians 2:9), yet in thine headship, and office-character, our Lord may he glorified, whenever his members are made happy, from his communications! Is it then in this sense the Apostle spake, when he said, the Church is the glory of Christ? And did the Prophet mean the same, when he said: Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end? Isaiah 9:7. Reader! if it be so, think what a strength it gives our faith, to look up to all the Persons of the Godhead, for all the promised blessings of the Covenant: in that the child of God, is not only made happy in receiving all grace from Christ; but Christ is made glorious, in giving out all blessings to his people. And while the members of Christ's mystical body, derive everything of blessedness from him, their glorious Head; Jesus receives honor from them in all his relative offices and characters. If our brethren (saith Paul) be enquired of, say, they are the messengers of the Churches, and the glory of Christ.