§. 15. Of Christs setting joy before him.
THe more to encourage us in our Christian race, to look unto Iesus, the Apostle* 1.1 further setteth him forth in those things which he did, as a patterne for our imitation, in these words, he endured, &c.
Of imitating Christ, See Chap. 13. v. 13. §. 132.
For our greater encouragement and better direction for following Christ, the Apostle premiseth that which Christ aimed at in his sufferings, and whereby he was encouraged the more cheerfully to endure them, in these words, for the joy that was set before him.
The preposition translated a 1.2 for, is of a different signification.
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1. It signifieth b 1.3 instead, or in the place or room: as where it is said, Archilaus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 instead of Herod, Matth. 2. 22. And thus, Will he for a fish give him a serpent: that is, instead of a fish, Luk. 11. 11. Thus do many take this phrase, grace for grace, (John 1. 16.) c 1.4 one grace instead of another. They who thus take it here, give this interpretation of it, Christ, instead of that glory which he had in heaven, voluntarily •…•…umbled himself to earth, and there 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Crosse, and despised the shame.
In the generall this collection is a truth: and the phrase simply considered in it self may well beare it. It is expresly set down, Phil. 2. 6, 7, 8.
- 2. It implyeth a finall cause: and here setteth down the prize which Christ aimed at •…•…n enduring the crosse, and despising the shame.
That here it is so taken, is evident by these reasons.
- 1. This preposition is frequently so used, as Eph. 5. 31. Matth. 20. 28. And so it may be taken in the 15. verse of this Chapter.
- 2. The participle here used, d 1.5 set before, is the same that was used, v. 1. §. 10.
- 3. The correspondency of this pattern of Christ with that former pattern of Saints doth further confirm the point.
- 4. The great encouragement that we may hence have in running our race. For by this joy set before Christ, we may know, that we also have a joy set before us.
Thus this shewes, that Christ, by having his eye set upon the joy which should follow upon his sufferings, was thereby encouraged to endure what he did. For with the nature of our infirmities, he assumed the infirmities of our nature. In this respect it is said, that he trusted in God, Chap. 2. v. 13. §. 119. On this ground it is said, that an Angel appeared to him in his Agony, strengthening him, Luk. 22. 43.
This is a good warrant unto us to have an eye upon that recompence which will follow upon all our undertakings and sufferings in that course whereunto God calls 〈◊〉〈◊〉. See hereof Chap. 6. v. 18. §. 149. and Chap. 11. v. 26. §. 146.