Hear; for I will speak of excellent things
Such are the things of the Gospel; they not only excel what the
light of nature dictates and directs to, but even what the law of
Moses commands and requires; the doctrines of the Gospel are
excellent in their author, nature, and use; particularly those
which respect the love, grace, and mercy of God, the person and
offices of Christ, the efficacy of his blood, righteousness, and
sacrifice, and the great salvation which he has wrought out.
These are the doctrines of grace which proceed out of Wisdom's
mouth, and are such as never man spake the like; they are to be
approved of, being what differ from others, and to be preferred
unto them, ( Philippians
1:9 ) ; or "princely things" F21, as the word may be
rendered; which became him who is the Prince of the kings of the
earth, and the Prince of peace to speak; and are worthy to be
received by princes, though little known and valued by the
princes of this world; and are embraced and, esteemed by those
who are the princes of the Lord s people: or they are "principal"
ones, or "leading" truths F23; of the greatest importance,
interesting ones; "praiseworthy", as Aben Ezra, or "honourable",
as Gersom, and to be had in the highest esteem and veneration;
and the opening of my lips [shall be] right
things:
agreeable to right reason, though above it; consonant to the
righteous law of God, and even to the perfection of God's
righteousness, which is greatly glorified by the obedience,
sufferings, and death of Christ, and redemption through him; and
these are the excellent and principal doctrines of the Gospel,
even justification by Christ's righteousness, atonement by his
sacrifice, and redemption through his blood; all which are
consistent with and greatly display the justice of God: nor are
any of the doctrines of the Gospel licentious ones, but on the
contrary teach men to live soberly and righteously; as well as
they are plain and easy to such who are conversant with them, as
is often expressed, and may be the sense of the word here used
also.