And this they did not as we hoped
All this was unexpected by the apostles, who knew their great
affliction and deep poverty, and therefore could not have hoped
for such a collection from them; or that they would have desired
the apostle to have ministered it for them:
but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by
the will
of God;
the sense of which is not barely, or only, that they committed
themselves to the care of Providence in all their afflictions and
poverty, trusting in God that he would provide for them for time
to come, and therefore even in their strait circumstances gave
liberally; and were so much under the direction of the apostles,
God so disposing their minds, that they were willing to do or
give anything that they should say was proper; yea, were very
willing that some of their number should leave their habitations
and families to accompany them, in forwarding this good work
elsewhere: but the apostle seems to have respect to what these
persons did at first conversion, when they gave themselves to
Christ, to be saved by him, and him alone; and to serve him to
the uttermost, in everything, he should signify to be his will;
and when they joined themselves to the churches of Christ, and
put themselves under the care, government, and direction of the
apostles, who were over the churches in the Lord: and therefore
though what the members of these churches collected, was very
wonderful and beyond expectation; yet when it is considered that
these persons had long ago given their whole selves, their all to
Christ, had committed all into his hands, and devoted themselves
entirely to his service; and had declared their subjection to his
ministers as servants under him, and to his word and ordinances
as ministered by them; it need not be so much wondered at, that
they should be so liberal in giving away their worldly substance
for the relief of Christ's poor members, when they had given
their precious souls, their immortal all, and had committed the
salvation of them entirely to him. Giving themselves to Christ,
in this sense, supposes that they had a true sight and
apprehension of their state and condition by nature, how sinful
they were, and lost and undone in themselves; that they were
destitute of a righteousness, and unable to obtain one by the
works of the law; that they were in hopeless and helpless
circumstances, as considered in themselves; that they were
diseased from head to foot, and could not cure themselves; that
they were dead in law, and liable to the curse and condemnation
of it; for till men see themselves in such a case they will never
give themselves to Christ, or betake themselves to him to be
saved by him. Moreover, this supposes some knowledge of him as
God's ordinance for salvation, as the Saviour of the Father's
appointing and sending; of him, as having effected it by his
obedience and death; of his being the only Saviour, a suitable
one, both able and willing to save to the uttermost, even the
chief of sinners that come to God by him. It is expressive of
faith in Christ; of seeing the Son and the fulness of grace and
salvation in him, and of going to him for it; of staying,
resting, leaning, and relying upon him, venturing on him,
committing all into his hands, and trusting him with all and for
all. It denotes subjection to him, as their husband, to whom they
give themselves as his spouse and bride, and consent to be the
Lord's in a conjugal relation; and submission to him in all his
offices, as a prophet to be taught and instructed by him, as a
priest to be washed in his blood, and justified by his
righteousness, to which they heartily submit, and as their Lord
and King to the sceptre of his kingdom, the laws of his house,
and ordinances of his Gospel; for they are made a willing people,
not only to be saved by him, but to serve him in body and soul,
and with all they have; as it is but right they should, since he
has given himself, his all, for them. Giving themselves up to the
apostles, signifies not a surrender of themselves to them as
lords over God's heritage, to be governed and ruled over in a
tyrannical and arbitrary way; but a submitting of themselves to
them, as Christ's servants set over them in the Lord, whilst they
minister the word and administer the ordinances, according to the
will of Christ; owning them as their fathers, or instructors, and
guides, and as watchmen and overseers placed in and over the
churches, for their spiritual welfare: all which is,
by the will of God:
as that poor sensible sinners should give up themselves to
Christ, to be saved by him, and serve him; and that they should
join themselves to the churches, and be subject to the care,
teachings, and government of his servants in his house.