(1) В¶ Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. (2) And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. (3) But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: (4) And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: (5) To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
I humbly conceive, that by the fourteen years, the Apostle here speaks of, he meant, from the date of his conversion. And it should seem to be the more probable, because he had just before in the preceding Chapter, been speaking of that wonderful event. So that it was warm upon his mind. And the revelation, which he saith he went up by, is meant to imply, that his going there, was neither by mission from the Church, nor from his own desire, but from some secret intimation from the Lord. No doubt, but that the Apostle, from living much in personal communion with Jesus, through the Spirit, found his mind not unfrequently directed in his movements from one place to another, and more especially in such as related. more immediately to the Church. Reader! is it not in some measure realizing heaven upon earth, when the children of God by faith are enabled to keep up constant fellowship with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ? And is not this the very design of all the Lord's communications to his people? 1 John 1:1-3; Revelation 3:20. Yea, is it not to the want of this, the soul is in leanness?
I beg the Reader to observe the manner of expression the Apostle useth, when speaking of the doctrine he preached. He calls that Gospel which he preached among the Gentiles. Not that he preached any other, than one, and the same Gospel, both to Jew and Gentile. But that he preached the pure Gospel, unmixed with the least shades of the Jewish ceremonies. Christ, and Christ alone, as Jehovah's salvation to the ends of the earth, was the whole sum, and substance, of Paul's preaching. What the Apostle determined in his preaching to the Church at Corinth, was the same to all Churches; Jesus Christ and him crucified. He determined to know nothing beside. 1 Corinthians 2:2. Justification by Christ without the works of the law, made up the whole, both of Paul's preachings, and of his writings, as relating to the present time-state of the Church. And the title at the head of every Epistle, and the text, of every Sermon, this Chapter, in a single verse of it, would have suited. I, through the law, (said Paul), am dead to the law, that I might live unto God! We shall find many occasions as we pass through this beautiful Epistle, to observe, how closely the Apostle stuck to this doctrine, and followed it up. No one point of the Gospel, did Paul more warmly contend for, or more clearly prove. And we have reason to bless the Holy Ghost, for raising up his servant to this ministry, and for directing the Apostle's mind, to, establish the great truth, so clearly as he hath done; in the proper apprehension of which, the Church is so highly concerned. But it will be sufficient for our present purpose to observe, that this was the Gospel he preached to the Gentiles; and in which there was no variation, from all his discourses.
What the Apostle speaks of privately preaching to Persons of reputation, means no other, I humbly conceive, than that, he familiarly discoursed upon the same subject, in the private conversation he held with those he visited, at their own houses, or in the walks be had with them; as what he discoursed upon, in the public congregation. Many of those whom the Lord had called by sovereign grace, were of Jewish extraction; and of consequence, they naturally had an attachment to the law of Moses, in which they had been educated. Paul, therefore, in private discourse, it is more than probable, taught them more plainly, and familiarly, by answering questions which might arise out of discourse, than could have been done in public. And as he elsewhere, in another part of his Epistle expressed it, he taught them, that in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Galatians 6:15
And, perhaps, the Reader, if he be well acquainted with the state of the Church in the present day, yea, from his own experience it may be, will know, how difficult deep-rooted prejudices of nature, custom, and education, are, to be totally destroyed. I know, through grace, and from divine teaching, that Christ is all and in all. And, I am as fully persuaded, as if all the great truths of God were laid open before me now, as they will in that day when the secrets of all hearts shall be disclosed; that salvation is wholly in Christ, and wholly from Christ; and that the Church, in every individual member of the sacred body, can neither add to, nor take from the sovereign work, fulfilled, completed, and finished, as it hath been, by the Lord Jesus himself alone. I stand convinced, on the most palpable testimony of Scripture, that neither tears nor prayers, repentance, nor faith, as procuring causes, become the least atom, in obtaining this great salvation. I know these things in theory, as plain, and clear, as though written with a sun-beam; yet often do I detect myself in practice, taking a certain degree of greater, or less comfort, as that prayer hath been more fervently offered, or this ordinance more sweetly enjoyed. And yet, when the thing be rightly considered, what is this, but substituting somewhat in the room of Christ. To live simply upon Jesus, as the Head of his body the Church, the fullness that filleth all in all, is to make Him what Jehovah hath made him to the Church; the head of all influence, and of all happiness: being made of God to all his people, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption; that all glory may be not in what we feel, but what Christ is, and in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 1:30-31. But, if gracious, and truly regenerated souls; (for it is of such only that I am now speaking), who profess to seek justification by Christ only, live more, or less comfortable, as they feel the workings of grace in their hearts; what is this, but by so much departing from the simplicity that is in Christ; and not as Paul speaks, holding the Head, from which all the body by joints and bands having nourishment ministered, and knit together, increaseth with the increase of God. Colossians 2:19
I hope that the Reader, through grace, will enter into the right apprehension of this statement. He will not then suppose, that I am speaking in the smallest degree slightingly of the workings of grace in the soul. The gifts of the Holy Ghost, and the exercise of the heart in them, are precious things. And very blessed it is to enjoy them, and to be led by them, as handmaids unto the Lord Jesus. But grace and gifts are not Christ. And sweeter by far is it, to be led by God the Spirit to Jesus, empty, poor, and needy, and under a conscious leanness of soul, to cleave to Jesus for new supplies of spiritual blessings, than in the most lively actings of joy, to take comfort from what we feel, and in those seasons lose sight of what Christ is. Reader! depend upon it, that it is treading on the confines of danger, when our spirits are carried away with the rudiments of our own hearts, and not after Christ. Colossians 2:8
We must not overlook what the Apostle hath observed concerning this private preaching of his, when he saith, that it was, lest by any mean he should run, or had run, in vain. Paul could not mean, that he had either any doubts, in relation to the truths he preached, or of his being sent by the Lord to preach them, or of his success in preaching, in all instances to whom the Lord sent him. The Lord had taught Paul himself, for he received it not from man, neither was taught it by man, but by Jesus Christ. Galatians 1:11-12. And God the Holy Ghost had specially ordained him, when he sent him forth to the ministry. Acts 13:1-5. And the Lord had long borne testimony to the word of his grace by Paul. Acts 14:1-10. But when the Apostle speaks of running in vain, he meant, lest the people, from the temptation of the enemy, and the corruptions of their own minds, should take prejudice against the blessed doctrine he taught, of justification in Christ, and by Christ alone, as if it favored licentiousness. Reader! it is this clamor against the truth of God, Which hath been set up by Satan in all ages of the Church, and is, indeed, among the master-pieces of his devices. What multitudes are kept back by his policy, sometimes for years together, from even hearing the preachers of this free-grace salvation? And how many precious souls doth his diabolical craft cause to go lean, from day to day, under the same distressing apprehension? It is, indeed, the most dangerous of all his delusions, when he transforms himself into an angel of light. And when the temptation is dressed up, under such a specious covering, that to trust wholly in Christ, is opening the very flood-gates of sin; who, in the first face of this argument, would suspect that the supposed friendly caution came from hell? Reader! it is the blessedness of God's children, that though we are told by Christ himself, such will be the temptations of the latter day trials, that, if it were possible, they would deceive even the very elect; yet, Jesus by the impossibility, limits the danger, they shall not. Matthew 24:24. Though Satan doth for a long time terrify the Lord's little ones, yet he shall not finally. Many, by his bugbear stratagems, do sometimes live in great poverty and leanness of soul, and in much fear. But here is their security: All that the Father giveth me, (saith Christ), shall come to me. John 6:37. Sooner or later they must come. And Jesus sweetly adds: They shall know the truth, and the truth shall make them free. John 8:32
I beg the Reader to notice Paul's expression, when he calls those false brethren who opposed him and his preaching. There is a sense, in which men professing the same name of Christian, may be called brethren, because they differ from Jews and Mahometans, who totally disown Christ. But they are false brethren, who though professing Christ, deny his Godhead. Modern manners taking place of ancient faith, have, indeed, endeavored to amalgamate things of opposite qualities, and to make the iron and the clay to join. Daniel 2:43. Hence men, as opposite in their creed as light and darkness, are now found to meet together, and smothering the real sentiments of their hearts, profess to be all cordially united in brotherly love, to promote religion through the earth. Their different views of Christ, the great Author of the Gospel, is considered by them as a secondary consideration; and whether they believe in his Godhead, or do not, the robbing the Son of God of his glory, in this first and highest of all possible concerns, is passed by, that the spread of religion, according to their different views, may not be obstructed by such means! Such things were not known in the days of the Apostles! Nay, so much the reverse, that John, under the immediate direction of the Holy Ghost, said, and left it upon record, for a guide to the faithful in all ages, that if there came unto you, (said John), and bring not this doctrine, (namely, the doctrine of Christ, which hath both the Father and the Son), receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed, is partaker of his evil deeds. 2 John 1:9-11. And Paul, under the same authority, commanded the Church not to be unequally yoked. Yea, the Apostle demands, as a thing perfectly decided and incontrovertible, what part (saith he) hath he that believeth with an Infidel? And the express command of God himself to the same amount is: Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you; and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:14, to the end.
The false brethren of Paul's days, to which he alludes, differed, in some shades, from those of modern times. They did not deny the Godhead of Christ, but they called in question, it should seem, the doctrine Paul taught of free grace, for he saith, they came in privily to spy out the liberty which is in Christ Jesus. By which, it is evident, they disliked the doctrine of justification by Christ alone, and endeavoured to bring the people into bondage, by teaching them to seek justification, in part, by their good works. Happy would it have been, for the peace and comfort of the Church, had such characters been known only in the days of the Apostles. But their generation hath reached to the present hour! Let not the Reader, however, overlook an inspired Apostle's testimony concerning them. Paul calls them false brethren! And the fallacy of their doctrine may he clearly seen by a single illustration. Suppose a poor sinner under the awakenings of grace, and by the leadings of the Holy Ghost, from the conviction of sin, comes forth with the anxious question, what must I do to be saved? And, suppose, that instead of the immediate answer Paul gave to this same question, when put to him by the Jailor at Philippi, believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thine house; Acts 26:30-31. suppose, that a preacher should direct such an one to his repentings and reformings, to his amendments, and tears, and prayers, telling him to hope that Christ will do the rest, when he hath done his best? What a trifling would this be with an alarmed sinner under his soul distresses? And what could charity herself say of all such preachers, but as Job did of those pretended friends of his when they read to him such reproving lectures on his dunghill, Miserable comforters are ye all! Job 16:2. Oh! how sweet doth God the Spirit preach Christ in his fullness, completeness, and all-sufficiency, when he saith, In the Lord shall all the seed of head be justified, and shall glory. Isaiah 45:25. Reader! look to these things, for they are now.