Now I beseech you, brethren
The apostle having observed the many favours and blessings
bestowed on this church, proceeds to take notice of the divisions
and contentions which were fomented in it; and in the most kind
and tender manner entreats them to take every proper step to
prevent schisms among them: he does not use his apostolical power
and authority, or lay his injunctions and commands upon them,
which he might have done, but most affectionately beseeches them;
styling them brethren, as they were in a spiritual relation,
being children of the same Father, members of the same body, and
partakers of the same grace, and is a reason why they should not
fail out by the way: and this obsecration is made
by the name of the Lord Jesus;
which he wisely judged must have its weight and influence on many
of them, to whom that name must be dear and precious, and which
they called upon and were called by; and shows, that he was not
acting in his own name, and seeking his own profit; but was
concerned in and for the name of Christ, and for his honour and
interest, which lay at stake by their contentions. His earnest
request to them is,
that ye speak the same thing;
profess the same truths, and express them in the same words;
which shows the lawfulness, yea, necessity and usefulness, of
confessions and articles of faith, being made and agreed to by
members of churches; and which should be drawn up in a form of
sound words, and abode by; for the introducing of new words and
phrases is often the means of bringing in new doctrines, and of
raising great contentions and animosities; wherefore using the
same words to express truth by is a very proper and prudent
expedient to prevent them:
and that there be no divisions,
or schisms
among you;
which are generally made by innovations in doctrine, or worship;
by forming new schemes of religion, new articles of faith, and
modes of discipline: but
that ye be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and
in the
same judgment;
which regards not only the sameness of love and affection, to one
another, being, as the first Christians were, of one heart and of
one soul; but their agreement in their judgments and sentiments,
of both doctrine and discipline; and such an entire harmony and
symmetry among them, as in the members of the body, where each
member and bone being in their proper place, exactly answer to,
and tally with each other; and which is the most effectual way to
speak the same things, and so bar against all schisms and
divisions; and such an agreement is absolutely necessary to the
peace, comfort, and well being of a church; for how should "two",
and much less more, "walk together", unless they are "agreed?" (
Amos 3:3 ) .