Since the grace of the exodus set the context for the stipulations that Israel was to observe as the Lord’s servant, how much more should Christian preachers expound those many biblical texts that shine the spotlight on the responsibilities of God’s covenant . . . Continue reading →
Blog Archives
Perkins: Christ’s Curse Brings Abraham’s Blessing
Whence comes the benediction of Abraham? Answer. From the cursed death of Christ. For thus are the words, “He was made a curse for us, that the benediction of Abraham might come on the Gentiles.” Mark here how God works one contrary . . . Continue reading →
Luther On The Value Of Learning The Greatness Of Our Sin And Misery
To the question, “If the Law does not justify, what is its purpose?” Paul, therefore, replies: “Although the Law does not justify, it is nevertheless extremely useful and necessary. In the first place, it acts as a civic restraint upon those who . . . Continue reading →
Perkins On Paul’s Distinction Between Law And Gospel In Galatians
When Paul says, “The law is not of faith,” he sets down the main difference between the law and the gospel. The law promises life to him that performs perfect obedience, and that for his works. The gospel promises life to him . . . Continue reading →
Luther On The Role Of The Law In Salvation
It follows, therefore, that the Law with its function does contribute to justification—not because it justifies, but because it impels one to the promise of grace and makes it sweet and desirable. Therefore we do not abolish the Law; but we show . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Our Righteousness Before God Is Imputed
The righteousness Paul is speaking about here is external and comes from Christ living in us. It’s not internal, and it doesn’t come from ourselves. So if we are concerned about Christian righteousness, we must completely set aside the self. If I . . . Continue reading →
Luther On The Pedagogical Use Of The Law
But the true use of the Law is this, that I know that by the Law I am being brought to an acknowledgement of sin and am being humbled, so that I may come to Christ and be justified by faith. But . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Justification By Works Is Nature, Not Grace
Whereas Paul says that “they are under the curse, that will be of works,” we see the whole world almost walks in the way of perdition. It is a conclusion of nature that we must be saved and justified by our works. . . . Continue reading →
Perkins On How Good Works Work
Again, it may be demanded (considering we cannot fulfill the law), how our works can please God? Answer. In every good work, there is something that is God’s and something that is ours alone. The defect of the work is ours alone, . . . Continue reading →
Johnson: The Covenantal Structure Is Baked In
The covenantal structure is built into God’s relationship with his human creatures from creation and finds various expressions in subsequent redemptive history. In view of this pervasive structure, readers and preachers of Scripture do well to approach every text with special attention . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Faith Great Or Small Is Still Faith
Thus we see that Christ does not make a distinction between those who are weak and strong in faith and rejects no one, for small faith is also faith, and if it only continues, it will always become stronger. Christ came into . . . Continue reading →
Johnson On The Biblical Basis For The Covenant Of Works
Although the term “covenant” (berith) is not used in Genesis to designate the original commitment that bound the newly created Adam to his creator, the essential features of later biblical covenants between God the covenant Lord and his people as his servant . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: Christ Voluntarily Became Accused For Us
. . . how Christ was a curse, or accursed, who is the fountain of blessedness? Answer. He is not so by nature. For He is the natural Son of God. Not by His own fault, for He is the unspotted lamb . . . Continue reading →
Hodge: The Same Gracious God Who Wills The End Also Wills The Free Offer Of The Gospel
Paul considered it as involved in what he had already said, and especially in the predictions of the ancient prophets, that it was the will of God that all men should call upon him. This being the case, he argues to prove . . . Continue reading →
Luther On What Galatians 2:21 Teaches About Law And Gospel
We, on the other hand, declare with Paul that no law, whether it is human or divine, justifies or makes alive. Therefore we distinguish the Law from righteousness as sharply as death from life or hell from heaven. We are prompted to . . . Continue reading →
Luther On What It Means To Be Indwelled By The Spirit
We shouldn’t doubt that the Holy Spirit lives in us, but we should certainly recognize that we are temples of the Holy Spirit, as Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:19. If someone feels a love for God’s Word and gladly hears, speaks, . . . Continue reading →
Perkins: That Christ Was Cursed For Us Demonstrates Our Sinfulness
That Christ became a curse for us, it shows the greatness and horribleness of our sins; it shows the grievous hardness of our hearts that never almost mourn for them. It shows the unspeakable love and mercy of God, for which we . . . Continue reading →
Johnson: Seeing Christ In All Of Scripture Requires Good Exegesis
To understand how any Old Testament event (or office or officer or institution) preaches Christ and finds its fulfillment in him, we first must grasp its symbolic depth in its own place in redemptive history … The Passover lamb’s blood declared that . . . Continue reading →
Luther: The Apostolic Way Of Reading Scripture
Thus Paul treats this topic in a truly apostolic way, because no sophist or legalist or Jew or fanatic or anyone else speaks this way. Who would dare quote this passage from Moses, “Cursed be everyone who hangs on a tree,” and . . . Continue reading →
Luther: Christ Was Innocent For Us
And so this text [Gal. 3:13] is clear, that all men, even the apostles or prophets or patriarchs, would have remained under the curse if Christ had not put Himself in opposition to sin, death, the curse of the Law, and the . . . Continue reading →