He shall see of the travail of his soul, [and] shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.
Ver. 11. He shall see of the travail of his soul.] Or, Because his soul laboureth, he shall see (his seed), and be satisfied. A metaphor from a travailing woman. Compare Act 2:24 John 16:21 .
And shall be satisfied.] a As a parent is in his dear children, or a rich man in the sight of his large farms and incomes. If therefore we would gratify and satisfy Christ, come by troops to the ordinances.
By his knowledge,] i.e., By the lively light and impression of faith. as Joh 17:3 Acts 25:23 ; Act 26:18 Joh 6:69 Faith comprehendeth in itself these three acts - knowledge in the understanding, assent of the will, and trust of the heart; so that justifying faith is nothing else but a fiducial assent, presupposing knowledge. The Popish doctors settle the seat of faith in the will, as in its adequate subject, that they meanwhile may do what they will with the heart, and with the understanding. To which purpose they exclude all knowledge; and as for confidence in the promises of Christ, they cry it down to the utmost, and everywhere expunge it by their Indices Expurgatorii; for a bare assent, though without wit or sense, is sufficient, say they; and Bellarmine defendeth it, that faith may better be defined by ignorance than by knowledge.
Shall my righteous servant.] Jesus Christ, "the just one." 1Jn 2:2 "Jehovah our righteousness." Jer 23:6
Justify many,] i.e., Discharge them from the guilt of all iniquity by his righteousness imputed unto them. This maketh against justification by works. Cardinal Pighius was against it; so before him was Contarenus, another cardinal. And of Stephen Gardiner it is recorded, that he died a Protestant in the point of man's justification by the free mercies of God and merits of Christ. b
For he shall bear their iniquities.] Baiulabit; that, by nailing them to his cross, he may expiate them.
a Saturabitur salute fidelium quam esurivit.
b Fuller's Church Hist.