July 29

To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery amongst the Gentiles.—Colossians 1:27.

THE apostle having spoken of the mystery of the gospel as having been hid from all ages and generations, but now in the fullness of the times, as being made manifest, by the clear exhibition of its truths and the illumination of the Spirit, unto the saints, he proceeds with fresh encomiums, ascribing to it riches and glory: it is a mystery rich, abundant, and withal glorious.

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And this is made known to the saints. Being inwardly renewed and taught by the Holy Spirit, they know by a blessed experience the riches and glory of the gospel mystery.

First, as to what pertains to the riches of this mystery. God, in this calling of the Gentiles, has unfolded his spiritual treasures, and offered to men the vast and admirable riches of his mercy, his goodness, and his grace; as it is expressed, Ephesians 2:7, He shows to the ages to come the exceeding riches of his grace. Nor are they only offered to us on the part of God; but if we are enrolled amongst his saints, we have actually received those most desirable riches of wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Speaking of these riches, Christ says, I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear. With these riches this mystery of the gospel is filled.

1. Learn hence, that were it not for this grace of the gospel, the whole world would be in misery, in want, in beggary. Men, being blind, do not, perhaps, feel this their spiritual indigence; as it is said Revelation 3:17, Thou sayest I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked. Such is the condition of all those who have not yet been made partakers of the riches which the gospel brought to light.

2. Hence we learn what sort of riches we ought to thirst after, and pursue even with insatiable desire; not, forsooth, the dirty ore dug up from the dirty earth, but those heavenly and spiritual treasures sent down from above. For this grace contained in the mystery of the gospel, is that pearl of great price, which, a wise merchant, when he has once seen, will immediately sell all he has in the world to buy. As, then, we should consider the heir of some king, or other rich man, to be mad, who, thinking nothing of all his hereditary property, employed himself in scraping together the filth from his father's stable as his riches; so ought a similar suspicion of madness attach to any man, who can disregard these riches which his heavenly Father has offered him in the gospel, and give up his whole heart to scraping together gold and silver, which, in comparison with the other, are to be accounted as dung. Philippians 3:8.

3. From the gospel mystery containing such great riches, an argument may very seasonably be derived in favor of the dignity of the gospel ministry. For what office can be conceived more honorable than that of ministers, who are intrusted with the power of dispensing such great and valuable riches? Whoever, therefore, despises these ministers, does but too plainly prove his contempt of God himself; and, like swine, trample the gospel pearl under his feet.