But whoso looketh into the perfect law of
liberty
By which is meant, not the moral law, but the Gospel; for only of
that is the apostle speaking in the context: this is no other
than the word of truth, with which God begets men of his own
will; and is the ingrafted word which is able to save, and of
which men should be doers, as well as hearers, ( James 1:18 James 1:21 James 1:22 ) , and this
is compared to a glass by the Apostle Paul, ( 2
Corinthians 3:18 ) , and the word here used for looking into
it is the same word the Apostle Peter uses of the angels, who
desired to look into the mysteries of the Gospel, ( 1 Peter 1:12
) all which serve to strengthen this sense; now the Gospel is
called a law; not that it is a law, strictly speaking, consisting
precepts, and established and enforced by sanctions penalties;
for it is a declaration of righteousness and salvation by Christ;
a publication of peace and pardon by him; and a free promise of
eternal life, through him; but as it is an instruction, or
doctrine: the law with the Jews is called (hrwt) , because it is teaching and instructive;
and everything that is so is by them called by this name: hence
we find the doctrine of the Messiah, which is no other than the
Gospel, is in the Old Testament called the law of the Lord, and
his law, ( Isaiah 2:2 ) ( 42:4 ) and in the New
Testament it is called the law, or doctrine of faith, ( Romans 3:27 ) and this
doctrine is perfect, as in ( Psalms 19:7 ) , it
being a perfect plan of truths, containing in it all truth, as it
is in Jesus, even all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge; and
because it is a revelation of things perfect; of the perfect
righteousness of Christ, and of perfect justification by it, and
of free and full pardon of sins through him, and of complete
salvation by him; and because it directs to Christ, in whom
perfection is: and it is a law or doctrine of liberty;
(ton thv eleuyhriav) ,
"that which is if liberty"; which has liberty for its subject,
which treats of it, even of the liberty wherewith Christ makes
his people free: the Gospel proclaims this liberty to captive
souls; and is the word of truth, which makes them free, or is the
means of freeing them from the slavery of sin, from the captivity
of Satan, and from the bondage of the law; and is what gives
souls freedom and boldness at the throne of grace; and is that
which leads them into the liberty of grace here, and gives them a
view and hope of the glorious liberty of the children of God
hereafter. This doctrine is as a glass to look into; in which is
beheld the glory of Christ's person and office, and grace; and
though by the law is the knowledge of sin, yet a man never so
fully and clearly discovers the sin that dwells in him, and the
swarms of corruption which are in his heart, as when the light of
the glorious Gospel shines into him, and when in it he beholds
the beauty and glory of Jesus Christ; see ( Isaiah 6:5 ) and looking
into this glass, or into this doctrine, is by faith, and with the
eyes of the understanding, opened and enlightened by the Spirit
of God; and the word here used signifies a looking wistly and
intently, with great care and thought, and not in a slight and
superficial manner; and such a looking is designed, as is
attended with effect; such an one as transforms into the same
image that is beheld, from glory to glory; and happy is the man
that so looks into it.
And continueth therein;
is not moved away from the hope of the Gospel, nor carried about
with divers and strange doctrines; but is established in the
faith, stands fast in it, and abides by it; or continues looking
into this glass, and to Christ, the author and finisher of faith,
who is beheld in it; and keeps his eye upon it, and the object
held forth in it; and constantly attends the ministration of it:
he being not a forgetful hearer;
but takes heed to the things he hears and sees, lest he should
let them slip; and being conscious of the weakness of his memory,
implores the divine Spirit to be his remembrancer, and bring to
his mind, with fresh power and light, what he has heard:
but a doer of the work;
of the work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope,
and of every work and ordinance the Gospel ministry points unto;
doing and being subject to all in faith, from a principle of
love, and with a view to the glory of God and Christ.
This man shall be blessed in his deed;
or "doing", and while he is doing; not that he is blessed for
what he does, but "in" what he does; see ( Psalms 19:11
) he having, in hearing the word, and looking into it, and in
submitting to every ordinance of the Gospel, the presence of God,
the discoveries of his love, communion with Christ, and
communication of grace from him by the Spirit; so that Wisdom's
ways become ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace;
see ( Psalms
65:4 ) ( Psalms 84:4 Psalms 84:5 ) ,
moreover, in all such a man does, he is prosperous and
successful; in all he does he prospers: and so he is blessed in
his deed, by God, whose blessing makes rich, both in spirituals
and temporals: there seems to be an allusion to the blessed man
in ( Psalms
1:1 Psalms
1:3 ) .
