Chapter CONTEXT from Matthew Henry Bible Commentary (complete): The apostle, having fully explained the doctrine of justification, and pressed the necessity of sanctification, in this chapter applies himself to the consolation of the Lord’s people. Ministers are helpers of the joy of the saints. “Comfort ye, comfort ye my people,” so runs our commission, Isa. 40:1. It is the will of God that his people should be a comforted people. And we have here such a draught of the gospel charter, such a display of the unspeakable privileges of true believers, as may furnish us with abundant matter for joy and peace in believing, that by all these immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation. Many of the people of God have, accordingly, found this chapter a well-spring of comfort to their souls, living and dying, and have sucked and been satisfied from these breasts of consolation, and with joy drawn water out of these wells of salvation. There are three things in this chapter: I. The particular instances of Christians’ privileges (v. 1-28). II. The ground thereof laid in predestination (v. 29, 30). III. The apostle’s triumph herein, in the name of all the saints (v. 31 to the end). In MH Concise COmmentary he notes Titles v.1-9 as The freedom of believers from condemnation.
Our text for today would mean little if it were not for other similar scripture about condemnation. For instance, the King James Bible online and the Open Bible both have lengthy lists. To me, at least the greatest of these verses is John 3:17, which as always needs to be read in context. Folks will often quote the Good News about condensation, Romans 8:1, and John 3: 16-17, and never mention the consequences for those who are not “in Christ.”
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:13-21 KJV
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.
21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.
If you are at church or under the guidance of a preacher/teacher that only preaches FLUFF (MILK) and no STUFF (MEAT), that avoids the “HARD” passages of scripture, especially the Old Testament, I would challenge you that it is time to look for another church.
Faithful Steward Ministries and FSM Women's Outreach 