Grace of apostleship, i.e., the favour of being an apostle. Given to the twelve (Mat_10:1-2); to Paul (Act_9:15; Act_13:2). The ministry of the Word is given as a mark of Divine favour. So Chrysostom deemed it when he said, “Not by our labour and industry, but by His grace”; and Philip Henry, after his ordination, “I received this day as much honour and work as I shall be able to know what to do with.” Especially was this a grace to one who had been a blasphemer and persecutor.
II. Grace with apostleship, i.e., apostleship with the necessary gifts and graces, extraordinary gifts as well as spiritual grace (2Co_12:9; Gal_2:9; Eph_4:8-11). The grace which calls also qualifies for office (Rom_12:3; Rom_15:5 : Eph_3:2). This is necessary, as was felt by Augustine when he said, “The ministry is a weight from which even an angel might shrink”; and by Luther, who, “though an old preacher, trembled each time he ascended the pulpit.”
III. Grace, then apostleship, i.e., saving grace necessary to apostleship. Grace and office not to be separated (Psa_50:16). A graceless ministry a grievous curse to the Church and to the minister himself. Of all callings the ministry is the most dangerous to an unconverted man, and more likely to destroy men’s souls than to save them. How dreadful to preach to others and be at last a castaway (1Co_9:27). Noah’s workmen refused to enter the ark and perished. (T. Robinson, D. D.)
Apostleship
1. Its source.
2. Its privilege.
3. Its object.
4. Its sphere.
5. Its motive. (J. Lyth, D. D.)
For obedience to the faith.--
Obedience to the faith
Or (Gr.) obedience of faith:--
I. Obedience. The gospels thing to be obeyed (Rom_6:17; 1Pe_1:22; Act_6:7). In it God commands as well as invites and offers (1Jn_3:23). Men are commanded to believe the gospel (Mar_1:15); in Christ (1Jn_3:23). Unbelief and rejection of Christ rebellion against God.
II. Faith viewed--
1. Subjectively is--
(1) Credit given to the gospel as God’s message.
(2) Trust reposed in Christ and His finished work as God’s plan.
2. Objectively--the doctrine of the gospel to be received in faith (Gal_1:23; Gal_3:23-25). Gospel truth is only to be known and learned by a Divine revelation.
III. Obedience to the faith.
1. Obedience, in which faith consists. Faith is itself obedience. When God speaks men are not to reason, but to believe and accept. The Jews asked for a sign, Greeks for wisdom; God demands faith, and faith cordially submits to His method of salvation by Christ.
2. Obedience as the fruit of faith. Faith in Christ is the mother of all true and acceptable obedience (Rom_15:18; Rom_16:19; 2Co_7:15; 2Co_10:5; 2Co_01:6; 1Pe_1:8). Works without faith, faith without works, both alike dead (Jam_2:26). God seeks evangelical, not legal obedience, because the gospel, not the law, produces the love that alone fulfils it. Faith in Christ proved by obedience to Him as a tree by its fruit (Jam_2:18-26). Faith is the obedience of the understanding to God revealing its effect, the obedience of the will to God commanding. (T. Robinson, D. D.)
Faith measured by obedience
Our obedience being the child of faith, partakes of its parent’s strength or weakness. Abraham was strong in faith, and what an heroic act of obedience did he perform in offering up His Son! (W. Gurnall)
