VERSE. 18. For he that in these things serueth Christ, is ac∣ceptable to God, and approued of men.
PAVLS Assertion, that the kingdome of God is righte∣ousnesse, peace and ioy, is here confirmed by two Argu∣ments.
The first from the Genus of those things: they are seruices vnto God.
The second from their effects, which are two: Gods Ac∣ceptation; Mans Approbation.
- That which is the seruice of God, and acceptable to God and approued of men, in that is the kingdome of God.
- But such is righteousnesse, peace, and ioy.
- Therefore, &c.
He that in these things: Whosoeuer in doing these things.
Serueth Christ: For it is the will of the Father, that all men should honor the Sonne, * 1.1 euen as they honor the Father.
Serueth, that is, behaues himself as a seruant, applying him∣selfe to the will of his Master in all things. By which kind of speaking, is vnderstood in many places the whole obedience of man in all the duties of godlinesse, Psal. 2.11. and 110.2. Mat. 6.24. Act 20.19. Rom. 7.6. and 12.11. and such like.
These (viz. Righteousnesse, Peace, Ioy) are vnderstood with an Antithesis, of meat and drinke, and the like, which are not seruices of God; neither necessary to saluation, as are these, which are so connected to the kingdome of God, that they cannot be omitted or neglected, without danger of losing the same.