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Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadWilliam Burkitt Notes and Observations - Galatians 1:4 - 1:4
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That is, "Our Lord Jesus Christ gave himself unto death, for the remission of our sins, that he might deliver us from this evil world; namely, to separate or bring us off from the evil customs and practices of the wicked men in the world, and engage us to live a life of strict holiness according to the will and command of God our Father."
Here note, 1. The priestly office of Christ declared and asserted; He gave himself for our sins: that is, an expiatory sacrifice for our sins. So deadly was the guilt of sin, so exact the justice of God, and so unalterable his faithfulness, in executing the judgment which was denounced against sinners, that there was no hope for guilty sinners pardon, without satisfaction given to the injured justice of God, for sin; and nothing less would satisfy than the blood of God: that is, the blood of Jesus Christ, who is essentially, truly, and really God.
Note, 2. A farther end and design which Christ had in giving himself for us, namely, to deliver us from the rage of our lusts, as well as from the wrath of God, to sanctify our natures for us, and to mortify our corruptions in us, to redeem us from our vain conversation, and deliver us from this present evil world; not totally to remove us out of the world, but morally to oblige us to abandon the wicked courses, the sinful practices of the evil men of the world.
Blessed be God, that Jesus Christ did not only purchase pardon and remission, but holiness and sanctification also for his ransomed and redeemed ones, and is as willing to free us from the dominion, as from the danger of our sins: He gave himself for us, that he might deliver us from this present evil world.
Note, 3. As the final cause of Christ's death, deliverance from God's wrath and sin's rage, so the efficient cause of his death, the will of his Father. He gave himself for us according to the will of God; that is, according to the purpose and appointment of God. Christ, as Mediator, was the Father's servant; and whatever he did in the work of mediation for us, was by the appointment and with the special approbation of God the Father. Eternal thanks be given, that the Son's purchase was the Father's pleasure.
Note, 4. The comfortable relation in which God now stands unto us, since Christ gave himself for us, namely, that of a Father; according to the will of God and our Father; that is, who is now our Father.
Learn hence, that satisfaction being given by Christ so provoked justice for our sins, God, who was before a consuming fire, and a sin-punishing judge, is become our gracious and reconciled Father; our Father by adoption, who before was our Father only by creation; according to the will of God and our Father.