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Our apostle having in the former verse desired their prayers for him, in this verse he adds thereunto his own prayer for them, a most glorious and excellent prayer, inclosing the whole mystery of divine grace in its original, and the way of its communication by Jesus Christ, a prayer, inclosing the whole mystery of divine grace in its original, and the way of its communication by Jesus Christ, a prayer evidently proceeding from a spirit full of faith and love.
Observe here, 1. The title assigned and given to God, The God of peace.
But why the God of peace, rather than the God of power, or the God of grace, or the God of glory?
Because the divine power was not put forth in raising Christ from the dead till God was pacified. Justice incensed exposed him to death; but justice appeased freed him from the dead.
Observe, 2. The titles assigned and given to Christ, and they seem to express his threefold office:
of a Prophet, in that he styles him the great Shepherd of the sheep; of a Priest, that he is said to be brought again from the dead, by the blood of the everlasting covenant; and of a King, in that he is styled our Lord Jesus Christ.
Note, Christ is a shepherd, that great shepherd of the sheep; a shepherd, because as a shepherd, he feeds them with his word, yea, with his precious body and blood; he is styled not the, but that Shepherd, namely, that was promised of old, the object and the hope of the church from the beginning; and person, great in his power, great in his undertaking, great in his glory and exaltation, above the whole creation; and the great Shepherd of the sheep, because they are his own, a little flock in the midst of wolves, which could never be preserved, were it not by the power and care of this great Shepherd.
Observe, 3. The work assigned to God as a God of peace, he brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus Christ. Christ is said to raise himself in regard of immediate efficiency, but God the Father is said to raise him in regard of sovereign authroity. God the Father, to whose justice the debt was due, by letting Christ out of the prison of the grave, acknowledged himself satisfied; the God of peace, to evidence that peace was now perfectly made, brought Christ again from the dead.
But how did he do this?
It is answered, By the blood of the everlasting covenant, that is, by the blood of Christ himself, which ratified and confirmed the covenant.
Observe, 4. The things prayed for:
1. Perfection in ever good work, to do the will of God! it is not an absolute perfection that is here intended, but a readiness to every good work, or duty of obedience.
2. To work in them that which is well pleasing in his sight; by this understand the actual, gracious performance of every known duty.
Note, That the efficacy and actual efficiency of divine grace, in and unto every act of obedience and duty, is here prayed for, and relied upon.
Observe, lastly, A doxology, or ascription of all glory to Christ, To whom be glory, &c. All grace is from him, and therefore all glory to be ascribed to him. The whole dispensation of grace will issue in the eternal glory of Jesus Christ.