She [is] a tree of life
Or "lives" F2; so Christ is called, ( Revelation
2:7 ) ( Revelation
22:2 Revelation
22:14 ) ; in allusion to the tree of life in the garden of
Eden, ( Genesis
2:9 ) ; he being the author of life, natural, spiritual, and
eternal; which souls may come at, and pluck and eat of the fruit
which is upon him in great plenty and variety, even all the
blessings of grace and glory; to them that lay hold upon
her;
which is expressive of an act of faith on Christ, ( Hebrews 6:18
) ; faith lays hold on the person of Christ as a Saviour, and
will have him and no other; it comes to the blood of Christ, and
deals with it for pardon and purification; it lays hold on his
skirt, who is a Jew, on the robe of his righteousness, and puts
it on; it lays hold on his strength, and goes forth in it, in the
exercise of grace and discharge of duty; it lays hold on his
covenant, the blessings and promises of it, and takes them to
itself: and this act supposes danger without him, safety in him,
a view of suitable provisions for food and clothing with him;
some strength of grace, and some degree of resolution; also
condescension on Christ's part to suffer himself to be handled by
them; and likewise that he first took hold on them and brought
them out of a state of nature to himself: great encouragement
there is for sensible sinners to lay hold on Christ; he is set
before them in the Gospel to be laid hold on; he never
discourages any from so doing, nor casts out any that come to
him; he is able to bear the stress of their salvation they lay
upon him; multitudes of lost sinners have been saved by him: and
he is a tree of life, as the text says, to such persons; they
have spiritual life, and the support and comfort of it, from him
now, and may expect everlasting life from him hereafter;
and happy [is everyone] that retaineth her;
or "holds her fast" F3; see ( Song of
Solomon 3:4 ) ( Genesis
32:26 ) ; as such may be said to do who constantly apply to
him for fresh communications of grace; who walk on in him as they
have received him, and hold fast the profession of their faith in
him. The phrase is expressive of great affection to him, and
strong faith in him; faith keeps its hold of Christ through great
darkness and many difficulties; oftentimes the soul walks in
darkness, and yet stays itself on Christ, and, Abraham-like,
believes in hope against hope. Faith is sometimes very low, and
yet lets not go its hold; it fails not, through the prevalent
intercession of Christ; it cannot so let go its hold as that
there is a parting; a partial departing there may be, but not a
total one: however, it is sometimes very difficult for faith to
keep fast hold of the Redeemer; it is for the honour and comfort
of believers so to do; and it is their mercy that interest in
Christ, and salvation by him, do not depend on acts of faith;
for, though "we believe not, [yet] he abides faithful", (
2
Timothy 2:13 ) ; nevertheless happy are they that retain him,
or are steadfast in their faith on him; they have much communion
with him now, and shall live with him for evermore hereafter.