But he that sinneth against me
Or misses the mark, as the word F2 signifies; and which is
observed by Aben Ezra; see ( Judges 20:16
) . Christ is the mark and scope of the counsels of God; of the
covenant of grace; of the Scriptures; of the Gospel, the truths
and promises of it; of the graces of the Spirit, and of all
spiritual duties and services; and to whom we are to look for
heaven and eternal happiness, ( Philippians
3:14 ) ; and such miss the mark who look for salvation
elsewhere, either by the light of nature; or by the law of Moses;
or by any moral performances, or any religious exercises; or by a
mere profession of religion, even the best. The word is
frequently used for sinning; which is an aberration or straying
from, or missing, the mark of the law. Some sin against Christ
doctrinally, who say he is not come in the flesh, or that Jesus
is not the Christ; who deny his proper deity, his divine and
eternal Sonship; and treat his blood, righteousness and
salvation, with any degree of contempt: they sin against him
practically that slight his Gospel, neglect his ordinances,
transgress his laws, and evilly treat his people. Sinning against
him is very aggravating; it is against him in whom all grace and
mercy is, and from whom it comes to the sons of men; who is the
Saviour of men from sin, and in whom alone salvation is.
Wherefore everyone that thus sins against him wrongeth his
own soul;
is injurious to it, and to the spiritual and eternal welfare of
it; all sin is hurtful to the souls of men, especially sins
against Christ; since there is no other Saviour but him, no other
sacrifice for sin but his; and therefore to such there can be no
other than a fearful looking for of judgment, that trample him
under foot, and treat his blood, righteousness, and sacrifice, in
a contemptuous manner, ( Hebrews
10:26-29 ) ; all they that hate me;
as do the seed of the serpent, the whole world that lies in
wickedness, all unregenerate persons, and even many professors of
religion; they hate him privately, being without love to him, or
loving others more than him; and positively and practically, by
despising his Gospel, or not walking worthy of it; by disclaiming
doctrines, casting off his yoke, and maltreating his people; all
which arise from the corruption of their nature; for this hatred
or enmity is original and natural; it is deeply rooted in their
minds, and irreconcilable without the grace of God, and is always
undeserved. Wherefore such are said to love
death;
not formally and intentionally, for death in any shape cannot be
desirable; not a corporeal death, and much less an eternal one;
but interpretatively and consequentially, as they love that which
brings death upon them both in body and soul, and so are reckoned
to love death itself.