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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadJabez Burns Sermons: 868. 1Co 14:16. The Concluding Word
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1Co_14:16. The Concluding Word
"Amen."—1Co_14:16.
Our text is a word of very expressive and comprehensive signification, and which has occupied a place in the worship of the church of God for thousands of years. Now, we think the study of the text may be both instructive and edifying. It is ever worthy of the attention of intelligent worshippers of Jehovah, to know, clearly and distinctly, the meaning of the terms they use; so that with the mind, as well as with the heart, they may give homage to the living God. There can be no doubt, that the one signification of the word, Amen—involving both the assent and consent of those using it, is generally understood; but it will be seen that the word is rich in the variety of its meanings; and as such, opens a wide field for reflection and observation.
Now in reference to the word "Amen,"
I. Let us consider the various modes of its application.
II. How we may intelligibly use it.
I. Consider the various modes of its application.
The literal signification is "True," "Faithful," "Certain." But in the Scriptures, we meet,
1. With the Amen of description.
Where the word is applied to represent some object, or being.
(1.) It is a title applied to God. "That he who blesseth himself in the earth shall bless himself in the God of truth; and he that sweareth in the earth shall swear by the God of truth; because the former troubles are forgotten, and because they are hid from mine eyes."—Isa_65:16.
Now here it represents the Deity—God, as a God of truth. In the original, it is Amen. This term is one that is most expressly applied, and in perfect harmony with his holy nature. "He is the Rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment; a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he."—Deu_32:4. Now, truth is the basis of the divine government. This is expressly stated by the Psalmist—"For the word of the Lord is right; and all his works are done in truth."—Psa_30:4. "The works of his hands are verity and judgment: all his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness:" Psa_111:7, Psa_111:8. So truth is the glory of the divine character. "Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake."—Psa_115:1.
(2.) It is applied also to the Redeemer. "And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write: These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the be ginning of the creation of God."—Rev_3:14. Now here it is designed to represent Christ as the Truth. He so styled himself, when he said—"I am the way, the truth, and the life." So it is said—"Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ." And we read—"Of the truth as it is in Jesus." Christ was "the Amen;" as in him was the "fulfilment of the prophecies," and the types of the Old Testament: and as he embodied and exemplified the end of all sacrifices and offerings for sin. So also as the witness for God. The one to verify God's word of promise—God's covenant of grace—and God's infinite love to the world. It is the glory of Christ to be the "Amen." As the personal representation of God he was "full of grace and truth."
2. There is the Amen of affirmation. The declaration, that that which is spoken, is true. So it is used in Christ's address to Nicodemus, where the word may be rendered, instead of verily, "Amen." As it Christ had said, it is really, absolutely true, that a man must be born again, or he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. So it is used in reference to the promises—"For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us."—2Co_1:20.
Here the divine engagements given in the declarations of his grace in Christ are said to be "Amen"—absolutely true, and infallibly certain.
Then there is,
3. The Amen of assent and concurrence. Now, thus it is chiefly used in the Divine
Word. It is so in reference to the divine curses. "Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the Lord, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen."—Deu_27:15. We see this repeated by the people, in each and every succeeding verse to the end of the chapter. So Benaiah used it in reference to Solomon being king. "And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the king, and said, Amen: the Lord God of my lord the king say so too. As the Lord hath been with my lord the king, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord the king."—1Ki_1:36, 1Ki_1:37. So it is used in reference to the divine praise and worship. "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel forever and ever. And all the people said, Amen, and praised the Lord."—1Ch_16:36.
4. There is the Amen of desire and faith.
In this way it is annexed to prayer, or thanksgiving. "Blessed be the Lord God of Israel from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen."—Psa_41:13. "Even the prophet Jeremiah said, Amen: the Lord do so: the Lord perform thy words which thou hast prophesied, to bring again the vessels of the Lord's house, and all that is carried away captive, from Babylon into this place."—Jer_28:6. "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil; for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen."—Mat_6:13. So in the text. "Else when thou shalt bless with the spirit, how shall he that occupieth the room of the unlearned say Amen at thy giving of thanks, seeing he understandeth not what thou sayest."—1Co_14:16. Now, so we use it in divine worship, when our hearts give a believing concurrence to the praise offered, or the prayer presented.
Then there is,
5. The Amen of hope and anticipation.
Where we believe, and expect, and desire some future good, in reference to ourselves or others. Now, thus it is used when David concluded his life and devotions—"Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name forever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and Amen."—Psa_72:18, Psa_72:19. And still more striking are the passages in the splendid visions of the Apocalypse, where the coming of our Lord is earnestly and prayerfully anticipated and desired: "Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him; and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen, I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty."—Rev_1:7, Rev_1:8. "He which testifieth these things, saith, Surely, I come quickly. Amen: even so, come, Lord Jesus."—Rev_22:20.
Now, thus we see the scriptural history of this expressive and significant word.
Notice then,
II. How we may intelligibly use it.
Now, it will be manifest, as an appropriate expression in worship, that it cannot be used by the skeptical and disbelieving—nor by the profane and irreligious—nor by the thoughtless and irreverent—nor by the apathetic and formal. In all these cases it would be utterly out of place; and not only unmeaning, but insincere and hypocritical. It can only be rightly employed by the devout Christian and spiritual worshipper, who will enter into its spirit and significancy, and appropriately express it.
Now, it may be adopted either mentally, or be spoken out. The latter is, doubtless, the true mode. It would seem that it should be uttered—the people said, "Amen." So in the text—how shall "they say, Amen."
In the early ages of the Christian church, the responses at the end of the prayers, it is said, were like distant thunder. But it must be said,
1. Intelligibly.
We must understand to what we affix it. This is the very essence of the text; so that all who lead in prayer should be clear, plain, and scriptural, that all may understand, and give their intelligible Amen.
2. It must be said from the heart.
Lip worship is easy, often gratifying to ostentation and self-righteousness. But if the heart be not in it, it is worthless and vain. How wretched to draw nigh with the mere person, and present only the utterance of the mouth. The tongue should only do the bidding of the spirit, and the inmost powers and emotions of the soul should unite, when to the praises or prayers of a Christian assembly we add our clear and audible—Amen.
3. It must be said in faith.
Faith in God, the hearer of prayer; faith in his promises, which we plead in prayer. Faith in the medium which is absolutely essential to the acceptance of our persons or services before God. Without faith it is impossible to please God; and we must ask in faith, saying Amen, to applications presented in faith.
4. It must be said in ardent and earnest hope.
Looking for the blessing sought—expecting its realization. Keeping the eye lifted up to heaven, and the heart extended towards God, the fountain of grace. Waiting for the Lord, and the bestowment of his mercy. Now, thus will the Amen be an acceptable part of worship, and please God, and truly benefit our own souls.
Application
In reference to the various significations of this word, we ask—
(1.) Do you contemplate God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, in their truth and faithfulness? For this view is essential to your confidence and hope. For just as you recognize the fidelity of God will your dependence upon him be entire; and in proportion to that dependence will be your peace and joy through believing. Think of God as a rock—as the eternal and immutable Jehovah—and then you will feel that in him is every moral element to command your complete repose, and unvarying trust.
(2.) Have you said Amen to Christ's overtures of the divine mercy? God's lovingkindness and saving grace are revealed in, and through, the person and work of Christ. Jesus is God's messenger of reconciliation, and he came expressly to restore you to God's favor and image. In virtue of that mission, by his word, and ministers, and Spirit, he has sought your faith, and love, and obedience. Have you yielded up your souls to him? And when he sought an entrance into your heart, did you, in the spirit of the Amen, say—
"Come quickly in, thou heavenly guest,
Nor ever hence remove;
But sup with me, and let the feast
Be everlasting love."
(3.) Do you pray, and unite in the prayers of others in the spirit of the Amen? Resting, hoping, and desiring the blessings you need, and the general mercies which are sought? Without this, all services of devotion must be merely formal and vain. There must be the outgoings of our heart's fervent longings, and high aspirations, if either the prayers of others, or our own supplications, be acceptable and effective. What need of self-examination, lest we be cold, nominal worshippers, who have neither lot nor part in spiritual things!
4. Can you use it in reference to all events and dispensations? When Christ sends you trouble and affliction—when he appoints your lot in a land of sorrow and disappointment—can you say—"Amen; Lord, let it be so. Not my will, but thine be done."
How difficult to be able to say Amen to all God's doings and demands; and to say it truly and cheerfully from the heart! How needful to pray for grace to do this! And yet true godliness involves the soul's perfect acquiescence in God's will and appointments. If we are not in this state of harmony with God in all things, are we really so in any thing? Is it not God's claim upon us, that we be unreservedly, for all uses, and at all times, and under every circumstance given up to him. To live, to labor, or to suffer, as it may be his supreme will to appoint. How sweetly has this Christian state of mind been set forth in the following lines:
"Renew my will from day to day;
Blend it with thine, and take away
All that now makes it hard to say,
'Thy will be done.'
Should pining sickness waste away
My life in premature decay,
In life, in death, teach me to say,
'Thy will be done.'
And when on earth I breathe no more
The prayer oft mixed with tears before,
I'll sing upon a happier shore,
'Thy will be done.'"
(5.) Is it expressive of your desires in reference to the coming of the Lord Jesus, and the enjoyment of eternal life? Whenever he shall come to you at death, and call you to himself, are you ready with the acquiescing and ready Amen? So that with Paul you can say, you had rather "depart and be with Christ, which is far better." How different is the state of mind of those who know not God—have no faith in Christ, nor any title to heaven! How terrific is the aspect of death to the unbelieving and the impenitent! And how dreadful will be the state of that vast and countless mass of beings, when Christ, in the day of judgment, shall pronounce that most awful sentence—"Depart, ye cursed!"—a sentence which will seal their doom; and which will be followed by the multitudinous hosts of holy angels, and redeemed souls, uttering, with a sound like the roaring of many waters, "Amen, for thou, O Lord, art righteous and true, and faithful in all thy works, and just in all thy ways; and thou art worthy to be adored and praised by all thy saints for evermore."
And how glorious will be that bright and innumerable throng which shall stand arrayed in vestments of celestial purity, on the right hand of the Judge; and who shall hear the public confession—the audible welcome; and who shall enter with ineffable gladness, and most joyous triumph, into the kingdom prepared for them from the foundation of the world. How all benevolent intelligences will yield their loving "Amen" to the Saviour's blissful benedictions in that day!
Reader! if a stranger to God's mercy, and the hope of salvation, deprecate having a portion with the unbelieving and incorrigible, thus excluded from the divine presence; and earnestly and promptly betake thyself to the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone can deliver thee from the wrath to come; and by the grace he freely waits to bestow, prepare thee for mansions of eternal light and glory. And what should be the solemn concern and earnest desire of every thoughtful, intelligent being of our race? but that when the probation of time shall have ended, and the opportunities of pardon and renewal of mind shall have passed away, that through the blood of the everlasting covenant they may have been made meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Will it not be the devout and daily prayer of such—
"Let me among thy saints be found,
Whene'er the archangel's trump shall sound.
To see thy smiling face;
Then loudest of the crowd I'll sing,
While heaven's resounding mansions ring
With shouts of sovereign grace."
Amen.