The Faith That Led Wesley to Be Used Much by God
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Copyright © 2025, Odilon Massolar Chaves
All rights reserved to the author.
It is allowed to read, copy and share for free
Article 184 of the Penal Code and Law 96710 of
February 19, 1998.
Books published in the Wesleyan Digital Library:
528
Books published by the author: 610
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Address: https://www.blogger.com/blog/stats/week/2777667065980939692
Translator: Google
All glory to God!
Odilon Massolar Chaves is a retired Methodist pastor, with a doctorate
in Theology and History from the Methodist University of São Paulo.
His thesis dealt with the Methodist revival in England in the eighteenth
century and its contribution as a paradigm for our days.
He was editor of the official Methodist newspaper and coordinator of the
Theology Course.
Copyright Statement:
These files are in the public domain and are derived from an electronic edition
that is available on the Ethereal Library of Christian Classics website.[1]
Rio de Janeiro – Brazil
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Table of Contents
· Introduction
· Highlights of the book's chapters
· The faith that saves properly
· Wesley's concept of faith
·
The faith that Wesley
came to have after the experience of the warmed heart
·
Wesley comments on
the faith recorded in Hebrews 11
·
Wesley comments on
justification by faith in Romans 3
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Introduction
===============================
"The Faith That
Led Wesley to Be Used Much by God" is a 45-page book based on the New
Testament, Wesley's sermon, an article on faith in Wesley, and Wesley's
explanatory notes.
This book is an
invitation for you to meditate more on the Bible and delve into Wesley's
explanatory notes.
Although he had
directed the Holy Club, had been a missionary in Georgia, Wesley thought he had
no faith.
Awareness of his
situation, after returning disappointed from Georgia, led him to seek help and
humiliate himself. Peter Bohler was a Moravian who taught him about the living
faith. Wesley said: "... surprised me more and more with the explanation he
gave me of the fruits of living faith, the holiness and happiness which he
claimed attended such faith."[2]
The Moravians said
that there are no degrees of faith. Either you have faith or you don't. Wesley
did not have the faith that the Moravians had, so he thought he was an
unbeliever. Peter Bohler taught him about living faith.
As a consequence,
came the warming heart experience that transformed his faith as a servant into
the faith of a child of God.
This book shows the
depth that Wesley came to have about faith, a faith that enabled God to use him
greatly.
In this book, Wesley
comments on faith in Hebrews 11 and Romans 3.
His sermon "On
Faith" is profound and helps us understand his view on faith.
For Wesley, genuine
faith is accompanied by love and service to others and to God.
A theme that edifies
us and enlightens us about the true faith.
The Author
===============================
Highlights of the
book's chapters
===============================
The faith that saves properly
"It is a divine
conviction of God and of the things of God, which, even in its infant state,
permits everyone who possesses it to 'fear God and do justice'
Wesley's concept of faith
Saving faith is a sure confidence which a man
has in God, that by the merits of Christ his sins are forgiven, and he is
reconciled to the favour of God
The faith that Wesley came
to have after the experience of the warmed heart
"And here I continually
met with what I sought, namely, living proofs of the power of faith: people
saved from inward and outward sin, by the love of God shed abroad in their
hearts; and from all doubt and fear, through the abiding witness of the Holy
Spirit which was given them"
Wesley comments on the
faith recorded in Hebrews 11
For faith justifies only
when it refers to Christ and depends on him. But here there is no mention of
him as an object of faith; and in several of the cases which follow, no warning
is given to him or to his salvation, but only to the temporal blessings obtained
by faith.
Wesley comments on
justification by faith in Romans 3
For all have sinned and
fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the
redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the
works of the law
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The faith that saves properly
===============================
"It
is a divine conviction of God and of the things of God, which, even in its
infant state, permits everyone who possesses it to 'fear God and do justice'
Based on his sermon
"On Faith" - "Without faith it is impossible to please him"
(Hebrews 11:6), Wesley addresses the various types of faith: materialistic,
deist, pagan, Jewish, Protestant, John the Baptist, etc.
But what is the faith that saves properly?
Wesley asks, "But what is the faith that
properly saves? which brings eternal salvation to all those who keep it to the
end."
And he said, "It is a divine conviction of
God and of the things of God, which, even in its infant state, permits everyone
who possesses it to 'fear God and do righteousness.' And whosoever in all
nations believeth hitherto, declares the apostle, is "accepted of
him." He really is, at that very moment, in a state of acceptance. But he
is currently only a servant of God, not a son himself. Meanwhile, let it be
well observed that "the wrath of God" no longer "abideth upon
him."
"So far you are only a servant, you are not a child of God. You
already have great reason to praise God for calling him to his honorable
service. Fear not. Keep crying out to him: 'And you will see greater things
than these'
Wesley further comments that "in fact,
nearly fifty years ago, when the preachers, commonly called Methodists, began
to preach that great biblical doctrine, salvation by faith, they were not
sufficiently aware of the difference between a servant and a child of God. They
did not clearly understand that even the one "who fears God and works
righteousness is accepted by him." In consequence of this, they were able
to grieve the hearts of those whom God had not grieved. For they often asked those
who feared God, "Do you know that your sins are forgiven?" And when
they answered, "No," they immediately replied, "Then you are a
child of the devil of time." No; That does not follow. It might have been
said, (and that is all that can be properly said), "Hitherto you are but a
servant, you are not a child of God. You already have great reason to praise
God for calling him to his honorable service. Fear not. Keep crying out to him,
'And you will see greater things than these.'"
Thus the faith of a child is properly and directly a divine conviction,
by which every child of God is able to testify: "The life which I now
live, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me."
Wesley further comments, "And indeed,
unless the servants of God stop in the way, they will receive the adoption of
sons. They will receive the faith of God's children, revealing his only
begotten Son in their hearts. Thus the faith of a child is, properly and
directly, a divine conviction, by which every child of God is able to testify:
"The life which I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who
loved me and gave himself for me." And everyone who has this, the Spirit
of God testifies with his spirit that he is the son of God. Thus the apostle
writes to the Galatians: "You are the children of God by faith. And
because ye are sons, God hath sent the Spirit of his Son into your hearts,
crying, Abba, Father;" that is, giving you a childlike confidence in him,
together with a kind affection toward him. This, then, is what (if St. Paul was
taught by God and wrote how he was moved by the Holy Spirit) properly
constitutes the difference between a servant of God and a child of God.
"He that believeth," as a child of God, "hath the testimony in
himself." That the servant does not have. However, let no one discourage
him; instead, lovingly urge him to expect it in every moment."[3]
You can't stand still; you must rise or fall; Climb
higher or fail lower. Therefore, God's voice to the children of Israel, to the
children of God, is: "Forward!" "Forgetting what is behind and
reaching forward to what is ahead, press toward the goal for the prize of your
upward call of God in Christ Jesus!"
At the end of the sermon, Wesley says:
"Finally, I exhort you,
who already feel the Spirit of God testifying with your spirit that you are the
children of God, to follow the counsel of the Apostle: Walk in all good works,
that you were created in Christ Jesus. And then, "forsaking the principles
of the doctrine of Christ, and not laying again the foundation of repentance
from dead works, and of faith in God," proceed to perfection. yes, and
when you have attained to a measure of perfect love, when God has circumcised
your heart and enabled you to love Him with all your heart and soul, think not
of resting there. This is impossible. You can't stand still; you must rise or
fall; Climb higher or fail lower. Therefore, God's voice to the children of
Israel, to the children of God, is: "Forward!" "Forgetting what
is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, press toward the goal for the
prize of your upward call of God in Christ Jesus!"[4]
===============================
Wesley's concept of faith
===============================
Saving faith is a sure confidence
which a man has in God, that by the merits of Christ his sins are forgiven, and
he is reconciled to the favour of God
Published by Lux Mundi, the
article "John Wesley's Concept of Faith" says: "With deep
conviction, Wesley repeatedly emphasizes the necessity of faith. ' Saving faith
is a sure confidence which a man has in God, that by the merits of Christ his
sins are forgiven, and he is reconciled to the favour of God.' It's also clear
that Wesley sees faith as a gift from God, although he doesn't emphasize it too
much." [5]
For Wesley, faith as a door
to religion.
The necessary stage is reached only when a man can testify as his Divine
conviction that he, by faith, is in a state of life in which he experiences
that the Son of God "loved me and gave himself for me"
And an important statement,
according to the article, is: "To be a child of God it is not enough to
believe. Faith only brings 'a state of acceptance to God', which is the state
of a servant, and not that of a child of God. The necessary stage is reached
only when a man can testify as his Divine conviction that he, by faith, is in a
state of life in which he experiences that the Son of God 'loved me and gave
himself for me'. Only when this testimony is given as an internal guarantee can
a man call himself a son of God." [6]
for Wesley it is not justification that is decisive for salvation, but
sanctification. It is the new life that is most needed
And the article further
states: "For Wesley it is not justification that is decisive for
salvation, but sanctification. It is the new life that is most needed. Of
course, justification is necessary for salvation, but it is not enough. The
real and essential change in a Christian's life has to be sanctification, or
rather holiness. Wesley deals chiefly with justification in view of
sanctification. Justification for Wesley means only a relative change,
sanctification a real change." [7]
===============================
The
faith that Wesley came to have after the experience of the warmed heart
===============================
"And
here I continually met with what I sought, namely, living proofs of the power
of faith: people saved from inward and outward sin, by the love of God shed
abroad in their hearts; and from all doubt and fear, through the abiding
witness of the Holy Spirit which was given them"
In the experience of
Wesley's warmed heart, on May 24, 1738, when listening to Luther's Preface to
his explanation of the letter to the Romans. Wesley describes this moment of
faith as follows:
About a quarter to nine, as
he described the change God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt
my heart strangely warm. I felt that I trusted in Christ, in Christ alone for
salvation: And an assurance was given me, that he had taken away my sins, even
mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death." [8]
Finally, in Wesley's view,
faith is the pattern of life, "and of experience, and of salvation; faith
having its anchor in the promises of the Holy God, in all that is outside of
ourselves, and in Christ the Savior.[9]
After his experience,
Wesley went to Germany to get a closer look at the lifestyle of the Moravians.
He met and interviewed
several people. He paid close attention to the Moravian organization and found
what he was looking for.
He said, "And here I
continually met with what I sought, namely, living proofs of the power of
faith: people saved from inward and outward sin, by the love of God shed abroad
in their hearts; and from all doubt and fear, by the abiding witness of the
Holy Ghost which was given them."[10]
Years later, however,
Wesley would say that after May 24, 1738, he went from being a servant to being
a son of God.
"His experience of the warmed heart had
occurred on a Wednesday. The following Sunday, Wesley preached twice on a theme
new to him: "This is the victory that overcomes the world, our faith"
(1 John 5:4) in the morning, and on the God "who justifies the
wicked" (Romans 4:5) in the evening."
Wesley began to live his
faith free from fear and doubt.
===============================
Wesley comments
on the faith recorded in Hebrews 11
===============================
For
faith justifies only when it refers to Christ and depends on him. But here
there is no mention of him as an object of faith; and in several of the cases
which follow, no warning is given to him or to his salvation, but only to the
temporal blessings obtained by faith.
According
to Wesley, the definition of faith given in this verse, and exemplified in the
following several examples, no doubt includes justifying faith, but not
directly as justifying.
Wesley further affirms: For
faith justifies only when it refers to Christ and depends on him. But here
there is no mention of him as an object of faith; and in several of the cases
which follow, no warning is given to him or to his salvation, but only to the
temporal blessings obtained by faith.
Yet Wesley says that
nevertheless they may all be regarded as evidences of the power of justifying
faith in Christ, and of its extensive exercise in a course of constant
obedience amid difficulties and dangers of every kind.
The book of Hebrews goes on
to enumerate several men and women who acted with great faith.
And Wesley affirms that
this chapter is a kind of summary of the Old Testament, in which the apostle
understands the designs, works, permanences, expectations, temptations,
martyrdoms of the ancients. The first of them had a long exercise of patience;
the latter suffered shorter but more acute trials.
Verse 1
The
definition of faith given in this verse, and exemplified in the following
several examples, doubtless includes justifying faith, but not directly as
justifying
The author of the book of
Hebrews wrote: Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence
of things not seen.
Wesley comments: The definition
of faith given in this verse, and exemplified in the following several
examples, no doubt includes justifying faith, but not directly as justifying.
For
faith justifies only when it refers to Christ and depends on him. But here
there is no mention of him as an object of faith
Wesley says: For faith
justifies only when it refers to Christ and depends on him. But here there is
no mention of him as an object of faith; and in several of the cases which
follow, no warning is given to him or to his salvation, but only to the temporal
blessings obtained by faith.
all of
them may be regarded as evidence of the power of justifying faith in Christ
Wesley says, And yet they
may all be regarded as evidences of the power of justifying faith in Christ,
and of its extensive exercise in a course of constant obedience amid
difficulties and dangers of every kind.
The
former are only future and joyful things to us; the latter are future, past or
present, and those good or bad, whether for us or for others
The author of the book of
Hebrews wrote and Wesley commented: Now faith is the subsistence of things
hoped for, the evidence or conviction of things not seen - Things hoped for
are not so extensive as things not seen. The former are only future and
joyful things to us; the latter are future, past or present, and those good or
bad, whether for ourselves or for others.
the
divine supernatural evidence exhibited, the conviction here produced in a
believer of things unseen
Wesley says, The
subsistence of things hoped for - Giving a kind of present subsistence to the
good things which God has promised: the Divine supernatural evidence exhibited,
the conviction here produced in a believer of things not seen, whether past, future,
or spiritual; particularly of God and the things of God.
Verse 2
This
chapter is a kind of summary of the Old Testament, in which the apostle
understands the designs, works, permanences, expectations, temptations,
martyrdoms of the ancients
The author of the book of
Hebrews wrote: For by means of it the elders obtained a good report.
Wesley says: That is why
the elders - Our ancestors. This chapter is a sort of summary of the
Old Testament, in which the apostle understands the designs, works,
permanences, expectations, temptations, martyrdoms of the ancients. The first
of them had a long exercise of patience; the latter suffered shorter but more
acute trials.
A very
comprehensive word. God gave a testimony, not only of them, but to them
Wesley says: He has
obtained a good testimony - A very comprehensive word. God bore a
testimony, not only of them, but to them: and they received his testimony as if
they were the very things of which he testified, Hebrews
11:4-5; Hebrews
11:39. So they also witnessed to others, and
others testified of them.
Verse 3
By faith, we understand that the worlds were shaped by the word of God
The author of the book of
Hebrews wrote: By faith we understand that the worlds were shaped by the
word of God, so that the things that are seen were not made of the things that
appear.
By faith we understand that
the worlds—Heaven and earth and all things in them, visible and invisible, says
Wesley.
Where Done –
Formed, shaped, and finished.
The only
commandment of God, without any preceding instrument or matter
By the word - The
only commandment of God, without any preceding instrument or matter. And as
creation is the foundation and specimen of the whole divine economy, so faith
in creation is the foundation and specimen of all faith, says Wesley.
For the things that are
seen - As the sun, the earth, the stars, says Wesley.
Out of
the dark, unapparent chaos
Wesley states, Were made
of things that appear not - Out of the dark, unapparent chaos, Genesis
1:2. And this same chaos was created by divine power; for before it was
thus created, it did not exist in nature.
Verse 4
The
first-born of his flock, implying both a confession of what their own sins
deserved
The author of the book of
Hebrews wrote: By faith Abel offered to God a sacrifice more excellent than
Cain, by which he obtained testimony that he was righteous, testifying to God
of his gifts, and therefore, being dead, he still speaks.
Wesley comments on the
items below:
By faith - In
the future Redeemer.
Abel offered a most
excellent sacrifice - The first-born of his
flock, implying both a confession of what his own sins deserved, and a desire
to share in the great atonement.
Whose
offering did not testify to such faith, but a simple acknowledgment of God the
Creator
than Cain–Whose
offering did not testify to such faith, but a simple acknowledgment of God the
Creator. By faith he obtained righteousness and a testimony of it: God
testifying - Visibly that his gifts were accepted; likely sending fire from
heaven to consume his sacrifice, a sign that righteousness took hold of the
sacrifice instead of the sinner who offered it, Wesley said.
Wesley comments:
And therefore - By
this faith.
That a
sinner is accepted only through faith in the great sacrifice
Being dead, he still
speaks—That a sinner is accepted only through faith in the great sacrifice.
Verse 5
By faith Enoch was translated so as not to see death
The book of Hebrews goes on
to enumerate those who acted by faith: By faith Enoch was translated that he
might not see death; and he was not found, because God had translated him: for
before his translation he had this testimony, which pleased God.
Enoch was no longer found
among men, though perhaps they sought him as they did for Elijah, 2 Kings
2:17, comments
Wesley.
He had this testimony - From
God in his own conscience, said Wesley.
Verse 6
But without faith it is impossible to please him
The book of Hebrews says:
But without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must
believe that he is and that he is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him.
Wesley says: But without
faith - Even some divine faith in God, it is impossible to please him.
For he who comes to God
For he that cometh unto God–in
prayer, or other act of worship, must believe that he is, says Wesley.
Verse 7
By faith Noah, being warned by God of things not yet seen, moved by
fear, prepared an ark for the salvation of his house
The book of Hebrews says:
By faith Noah, being warned of things not yet seen, was moved with fear, and
prepared an ark for the salvation of his house, whereby he condemned the world,
and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
Wesley states:
Noah being warned of things
not yet seen - Of the future flood. Moved by fear, he
prepared an ark, for which open testimonies he condemned
the world - Who neither
believed nor feared.
Verse 8
By faith Abraham, when he was called to go to a place which he would
afterwards receive as an inheritance
The book of Hebrews goes on
to enumerate those who acted by faith: By faith Abraham, when he was called
to go to a place which he would afterwards receive as an inheritance, obeyed;
and he went out, not knowing whither he was going.
Verse 9
By faith he sojourned in the land of promise
Hebrews says, "By
faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in
tents with Isaac and Jacob, heirs with him of the same promise."
By faith he sojourned in
the land of promise - The promise was made
before, Genesis
12:7, says Wesley.
Wesley states in the items
below:
Like a
pilgrim
Dwelling in tents - As a
pilgrim With Isaac and Jacob - Who by the same way of living showed the same
faith, Jacob was born fifteen years before Abraham's death.
co-heirs of the same promise
The joint-heirs of the same
promise - Having all the same interests in it. Isaac did not receive this
inheritance from Abraham, nor Jacob from Isaac, but all of them from God. Genesis
17:8
Verse 10
Because I expected a city that has foundations
The book of Hebrews says,
"For I was looking for a city that has foundations, of which God is the
architect and builder."
Wesley states in the items
below:
He looked at a city that
has foundations - whereas a tent has none.
Whose builder and formatter
is God - Of whom God is the only constrictor, former, and finisher.
Verse 11
Through faith, Sarah herself also received the strength to conceive and
gave birth to a son when she was already old
The book of Hebrews goes on
to enumerate those who acted by faith: By faith Sarah herself also received
strength to conceive and gave birth to a son when she was old, because she
judged the one who had promised to be faithful.
Though
at first she laughed at the promise
Sarah also
herself–Though at first she laughed at the promise, Genesis
18:12. Genesis
21:2, says Wesley.
Verse 12
Wherefore there arose one, and already dead, as many as the stars of
heaven in multitude
The book of Hebrews says:
Therefore there has sprouted one, and already dead, as many as the stars of
heaven in multitude, and as the sand that is by the seashore innumerable.
Wesley says, As if he
were dead - Until his strength was supernaturally restored, which continued
for many years after.
Verse 13
All these died in faith, not having received the promises
Wesley says: All these
died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off,
and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were
strangers and sojourners on earth, is recorded in the book of Hebrews.
Wesley comments on the
following items from Hebrews:
All these -
Mentioned Hebrews
11:7-11.
Died in faith - In
death, faith acts more vigorously.
How do
you do with a dear friend when you meet him
Not having received the
promises - The promised blessings.
Hugged - As
one does with a dear friend when you meet him.
Verse 14
For those who say these things clearly declare that they seek a country
Those who speak thus
clearly show that they seek their own country - Which
they keep in view and long for their native home.
Verse 15
Their
earthly country, Ur of the Chaldeans
Hebrews says, And
indeed, if they had remembered that country from which they came, they might
have had the opportunity to return.
If they had been on the
lookout to - Their earthly country, Ur of the Chaldeans, they might have easily
returned, says Wesley.
Verse 16
But now they want a better homeland
The author of Hebrews says,
"But now they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one; therefore
God is not ashamed to be called their God, because he has prepared a city for
them."
This is
full and convincing proof that the patriarchs had a revelation and a promise of
eternal glory in heaven
Wesley states, "But
they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one—This is a full and
convincing proof that the patriarchs had a revelation and a promise of eternal
glory in heaven. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, since he
has prepared for them a city worthy of God to give.
Verse 17
By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac
The book of Hebrews goes on
to enumerate those who acted by faith: By faith Abraham, when he was tried,
offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered his only
begotten son,
By faith Abraham - When
God made that glorious judgment of him, says Wesley.
The will
being accepted as if he had actually done it
Wesley states: Offered
Isaac - The will being accepted as if he had actually done it.
"In
Isaac Your Seed Will Be Called"
Wesley says, yes, he
that received the promises–Particularly that great promise, "In Isaac
shall thy seed be called." Offered - This same son; the only one he had
with Sarah. Genesis
22:1, etc.
Verse 18
Of whom it was said, That
in Isaac shall thy seed be called; it is
recorded in the book of Hebrews.
In Isaac shall thy seed be
called—From him shall spring forth the blessed seed. Genesis
21:12.
Verse 19
Judging that God was able to resurrect him
Hebrews says, Judging
that God was able to raise him even from the dead; whence also received him in
figure.
Telling that God was able
to raise him from the dead - Though there was no
instance of this in the world.
Hebrews quotes and Wesley
comments next:
Whence also - To
speak figuratively.
Then
plucked from the jaws of death
He received it - Then
plucked from the jaws of death.
Verse 20
By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau
The book of Hebrews goes on
to enumerate those who acted by faith: By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau
concerning things to come.
Wesley states below:
Blessed - Genesis
27:27; Genesis
27:39; He prophetically foretold the specific
blessings in which they were to partake.
Jacob and Esau -
Preferring the elder to the younger.
Verse 21
By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed Joseph's two sons
The book of Hebrews speaks
of those who acted by faith: By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed the
two sons of Joseph; and he worshipped, leaning on the top of his staff.
Jacob when dying - That
is, when near death. Bending over his staff - As he sat by his bedside. Genesis 48:16; Genesis 47:31, says
Wesley.
Verse 22
By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departure of the
children of Israel
The book of Hebrews goes on
to enumerate those who acted by faith: By faith Joseph, when he died, made
mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and commanded concerning
their bones.
Upon his bones - To be
carried into the land of promise, says Wesley.
Verse 23
By faith Moses, when he was born, was hid three months from his parents
The book of Hebrews quotes
Moses who always had a lot of faith: By faith Moses, when he was born, was
hidden three months from his parents, because they saw that he was a righteous
child; and they did not fear the king's command.
They saw - No
doubt with a divine omen of things to come, comments Wesley.
Verse 24
refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter
The book of Hebrews says:
By faith Moses, already in his old age, refused to be called the son of
Pharaoh's daughter;
Refused to be called - Any
longer, says Wesley.
Verse 26
because he looked unto the reward of the reward
Esteeming the reproach of
Christ for greater riches than the treasures of Egypt, because he looked upon
the reward of reward, says the author of Hebrews.
The reproach of Christ - That
which he endured by believing in the Messiah who was to come, and acting
accordingly, says Wesley.
but what
their believing forefathers sought, a future state of happiness in heaven
Wesley states: For he
looked outward - From all those perishing treasures, and beyond all
temporal difficulties To the reward of reward - Not to an inheritance in
Canaan, he had no warrant from God to look at it, nor did he ever attain it,
but what his believing forefathers sought, a future state of happiness in
heaven.
Verse 27
By faith he left Egypt
The book of Hebrews goes on
to enumerate those who acted by faith: By faith he left Egypt, not fearing
the wrath of the king, because he endured as seeing him who is invisible.
By faith he left Egypt–Taking
all the Israelites with him. Not fearing, then, the wrath of the king - As he
did many years before, Exodus
2:14. Exodus
14:15, etc., says Wesley.
Verse 28
By faith he celebrated the passover and the sprinkling of blood
The author of Hebrews
further says: By faith he kept the passover and the sprinkling of blood,
that the destroyer of the firstborn might not touch them.
Wesley states, The
shedding of the blood - Of the paschal lamb, which was sprinkled on the
doorposts, that the destroying angel might not touch the Israelites. Exodus
12:12-18.
Verse 29
By faith they passed through the Red Sea
Hebrews says, "By
faith they passed through the Red Sea as on dry land, which the Egyptians tried
to do, and they drowned."
Wesley comments on the
following items:
They–Moses,
Aaron, and the Israelites.
Passed the Red Sea - He
washed away the borders of Edom, which means red. So far, examples are cited
from Genesis and Exodus; Those who follow are of the first and last prophets.
Verse 30
By faith the walls of Jericho fell
By faith the walls of
Jericho fell, after they had been besieged for about seven days, it is
recorded in the book of Hebrews.
By the faith of Joshua.
Verse 31
By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with unbelievers
A prostitute acted by
faith: By faith Rahab the harlot perished not with the unbelievers, having
received the spies in peace.
Rahab -
Though formerly not of the fairest character, says Wesley.
Verse 32
And what shall I say more?
And the author of Hebrews
asks, "And what shall I say more? for I would lack time to speak of
Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah, of David, of Samuel, and of the prophets:
David
was also a prophet; But he was also a king
Wesley states:
After Samuel, the prophets
are duly mentioned. David was also a prophet; But he was also a king.
The prophets—Elijah,
Elisha, etc., including also the believers who lived with them.
Verses 33-34
Who by faith subdued kingdoms
The book of Hebrews says:
Who by faith subdued kingdoms, did righteousness, obtained promises, closed the
mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword,
was strengthened out of weakness, became valiant in fighting, put to flight the
armies of foreigners.
David,
in particular, subdued kingdoms. Samuel (not excluding the rest) practiced
justice
Wesley states: David, in
particular, subdued kingdoms. Samuel (not excluding the rest) practiced
justice. Prophets, in general, obtained promises, both for themselves and to
deliver to others. The prophets also stopped the mouths of lions, such as
Daniel; and quenched the violence of the fire, like Shadrach, Meshach, and
Abednego.
To these
instances, whence the nature of faith clearly appears, the older ones are
appended (by a transposition and in reversed order), which receive light from
them
Wesley states: To these
instances, whence the nature of faith clearly appears, the older ones are
appended (by a transposition and in reversed order), which receive light from
them.
Jephthah
escaped the edge of the sword; Samson, through weakness, became strong; Barak
became valiant in the fight; Gideon put to flight armies of aliens
Jephthah escaped the edge
of the sword; Samson, through weakness, became strong; Barak became valiant in
the fight; Gideon put armies of aliens to flight, Wesley claims.
Faith
animates the most heroic undertakings, both civil and military. Faith overcomes
all impediments
Wesley comments: Faith
animates the most heroic undertakings, both civil and military. Faith overcomes
all impediments, affects the greatest things; it achieves the best; and
reverses, by its miraculous power, the very course of nature2 Samuel 8:1, etc.; 1 Samuel
8:9, etc.; 1 Samuel
13:3, etc.; Daniel
6:22; Daniel
3:27; Judges
12:3; Judges
15:19, etc.; Judges
16:28, etc.; Judges
4:14, etc.; Judges
7:21.
Verse 35
Women
received their resurrected dead
In the book of Hebrews it
is written, The women received their dead risen: and others were tortured,
not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection;
Wesley comments below:
Women -
Naturally weak.
Received his dead -
Children.
Others were tortured
Others were tortured - From
those who did great things, the apostle rises higher, to those who showed the
power of faith by suffering.
Not accepting deliverance - In
sinful terms.
So that they can get a better resurrection
Wesley comments, That
they may obtain a better resurrection - A greater reward, seeing that the
greater their sufferings, the greater would be their glory 1 Kings 17:22; 2 Kings
4:35
Verse 36
And others have been proven
In the book of Hebrews it
is written, And others were tried by cruel mockings and stripes, yes,
moreover, by snares and bonds;
And others - The
apostle seems here to pass on to recent examples, says Wesley
Verse 37
They were stoned
In the book of Hebrews it
is written that "They were stoned, they were sawn in pieces, they were
tempted, they were slain by the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and
goats; to be destitute, afflicted, tormented";
Wesley comments: They
were sawn in pieces–As, according to the tradition of the Jews, Isaiah was
by Manasseh.
Torments
and death are mentioned alternately.
Wesley comments: They
were tempted - Torments and death are mentioned alternately. In every way;
by threats, reproaches, tortures, the variety of which cannot be expressed; and
again by promises and seductions.
Verse 38
Of which the world was not worthy
In the book of Hebrews it
is written, (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in the
wilderness, and in the mountains, and in the pits, and caves of the earth.
Wesley comments below:
Of whom the world was not
worthy - He did not deserve so great a blessing.
They wandered - Being
cast out of men.
Verse 39
Didn't live up to the promise
In the book of Hebrews it
is written, "And all these, having obtained a good testimony by faith,
did not receive the promise;
And all these -
Though they have obtained a good testimony, Hebrews
11:2, yet they have not received the great
promise, the heavenly inheritance.
Verse 40
God has provided something better for us
God has
provided something better for us, so that they, without us, would not be made
perfect, says the author of Hebrews.
God has
provided something better for us - Namely, eternal glory,
says Wesley,
So that they cannot be perfected
Wesley comments: That they may not be made perfect without us -
That is, that they may not be perfected without us.[11]
===============================
Wesley comments on
justification by faith in Romans 3
===============================
For all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his
grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Therefore
we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law.
Romans 3
Verse 1
Or what benefit is there in circumcision?
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome: What advantage then does the Jew have? Or what benefit
is there in circumcision?
Wesley explained of what
Paul wrote: What, then, some may say, the advantage of the Jew, or of
circumcision—that is, those who are circumcised, above the Gentiles?
Verse 2
for to them have been entrusted the oracles
of God
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome: "Much in every way: especially because to them have
been entrusted the oracles of God."
Wesley explained what Paul
wrote about: Chiefly because they have been entrusted with the oracles of
God—The scriptures, in which are so great and precious promises. Other
prerogatives will follow, Romans 9:4-5. St.
Paul here highlights that by which, after removing the objection, he will
condemn them much more.
Verse 3
Will your unbelief make faith in God ineffective?
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome, "For what if some did not believe? Will their
unbelief make faith in God without effect?"
Wesley explained what Paul
wrote about: Shall your unbelief nullify God's faithfulness - Will He
not yet fulfill His promises to those who believe?
Verse 4
That thou mayest be justified in thy words,
and overcome when thou art judged
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome, "By no means, yes, let God be true, but every man a
liar; as it is written, That thou mayest be justified in thy words, and
overcome when thou art judged."
Verse 5
But if our injustice praises the justice of God, what shall we say?
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome: But if our unrighteousness praises the justice of God,
what shall we say? Is it unjust God who takes revenge? (I talk like a man)
Wesley explained what Paul
wrote: But, it may be further objected, if our unrighteousness is subservient
to the glory of God, is it not unjust of him to punish us for it? I speak as a
man - As human weakness would be able to speak.
Verse 6
how will God judge the world?
Not at all, then, how will God judge the world?
God forbid - Not
at all. If it were unjust on God's part to punish that injustice which is
subservient to his own glory, how should God judge the world - Since all the
injustice in the world will then praise the justice of God, Wesley explained
what Paul wrote about.
Verse 7
if the truth of God abounded more by my lie
to his glory
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome, "For if the truth of God abounded more through my
lie to his glory, why am I still judged as a sinner?
Wesley explained what Paul
wrote about:
But, let the objector
answer, whether the truth of God abounded - It was more abundantly shown.
Through my lie - If my
lie, that is, practice contrary to the truth, leads to the glory of God, by
making his truth shine with superior advantage.
Shall I not do what would
otherwise be wicked, that so much "good may come"?
Wesley
commented on what Paul wrote: Why am I still judged as a
sinner - Can it be said that this is some sin? Shall I not do what would
otherwise be wicked, that so much "good may come"? To this the
apostle does not deign to give a direct answer, but interrupts the objector
with a stern rebuke.
Verse 8
whose conviction is just
Paul wrote to the
Christians at Rome, "And not before, (as we are slanderously reported,
and as some claim we say), let us do evil, that good may come? whose
condemnation is just.
Whose condemnation is just - The
condemnation of all who speak or act in this manner. Thus the apostle
absolutely denies the lawfulness of "doing evil," any evil,
"that good may come," said Wesley.
Verse 9
for we have before proved, both Jews and
Gentiles, that they are all under sin
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome: What then? Are we better than them? Nay, not at all: for
we have before proved both Jew and Gentile that they are all under sin;
Wesley commented on what
Paul wrote:
What then - Here
he takes up what he said, verse - 1. Romans 3:1.
Under sin - Under the guilt and power of it: the Jews,
transgressing the written law; the Gentiles, transgressing the law of nature.
Verse 10
There is no righteous, not even one
As it is written,
"There is no righteous, no, not one;
Wesley commented on what
Paul wrote:
As it is written, That
all men are under sin appears from the vices which have raged in all ages. St.
Paul, therefore, rightly quotes David and Isaiah, though they spoke chiefly of
his own time, and expressed what manner of men God sees, when he "looks
down from heaven"; not what he does them by his grace.
There is no fair - This
is the general proposition. The details follow: his dispositions and designs, Romans 3:11-12; his
speech, Romans 3:13-14; his
actions, Romans 3:16-18; Psalms 14:1, etc.
Verse 11
there is no one who seeks God
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome, "There is none that understandeth, there is none
that seeketh after God.
There is none that
understand—The things of God, said Wesley.
Verse 12
They all got out of the way
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome, "They have all gone out of the way, together they
have become useless; there is none that doeth good, not one.
Wesley commented on what
Paul wrote:
They have all gone astray
- From the good way.
They become useless—powerless,
powerless, unable to profit themselves or others.
Verse 13
His throat is an open sepulchre
Paul wrote to the
Christians in Rome, "Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their
tongues they have used deceit; The venom of the vipers is under their lips:
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote:
His throat - It is disgusting and
dangerous as an open sepulchre. Observe the progress of the evil speech,
proceeding from the heart, through the throat, tongue, lips, until the whole
mouth is full of it.
The poison of vipers -
Infectious, deadly slander, gossip, backbiting, backbiting, is under (for honey
is in) their lips. An asp is a
venomous type of snake. Psalms 5:9; Psalms 140:3.
Verse 14
full of
curse and bitterness
Whose mouth is full of curse and bitterness:
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote:
Curse - Against God.
Bitterness - Against the neighbor. Psalms 10:7.
Verse 15
Your feet
are fast
Paul wrote
to the Christians in Rome: His feet are quick to shed blood:
Verse 17
Have not
known the way of peace
And they did not know the way of peace; Paul wrote to the Christians in
Rome.
Of peace - Which can only spring from justice, said Wesley.
Verse 18
There is no
fear of God
Paul said to the Christians in
Rome, "There is no fear of God before their eyes."
The fear of God is not before their eyes - Much less is the love of God
in their hearts. Psalms 36:1, said Wesley.
Verse 19
Say, tell
them that are under the law
Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "Now
we know that whatever the law says, say it to those who are under the law, that
every mouth should be stopped, and the whole world should be guilty before
God."
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote:
Whatever the law may be - The Old Testament.
Say, Say unto them that are under the law - That is, unto them that
possess his authority; unto the Jews, and not unto the Gentiles. St. Paul did
not quote any scripture against them, but implored them only from the light of
nature.
Every mouth–Full of bitterness, Romans 3:14, and yet boasting, Romans 3:27.
Can become
guilty - Can be
fully convicted and apparently subject to the fairest conviction. These things
were written of old, and were quoted by St. Paul, not to make men criminals,
but to prove them so.
Verse 20
by the
works of the law no flesh shall be justified
Paul said to the Christians in Rome,
"Therefore by the works of the law no flesh will be justified before him,
for by the law comes the knowledge of sin."
No flesh shall be justified - No one shall be forgiven and
accepted by God, said Wesley.
Paul mainly
means the moral part of it
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote: By the works
of the law - On this basis, that he kept the law. St. Paul chiefly means
the moral part of it, Romans 3:9; Romans 3:19; Romans 2:21; Romans 2:26; etc. which alone is not abolished, Romans 3:31. And it is not without reason that he so often mentions the works of
the law, whether ceremonial or moral; for it was in them that only the Jews
trusted, totally ignoring those that spring from faith. For by the law is only
the knowledge of sin - But no deliverance from the guilt or power of it.
Verse 21
the
righteousness of God without law is manifested
Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "But
now the righteousness of God without law is being made manifest by the law and
the prophets;
Wesley
commented on what Paul wrote:
But now the
righteousness of God - That is,
the way of becoming righteous which God has appointed.
Without the law - Without that previous obedience which the law
requires; without reference to the law or dependence upon it.
It is manifested - In the gospel. Being attested by the Law itself
and by the Prophets - By all the promises of the Old Testament.
the
righteousness of God, which is by faith in Jesus Christ for all
the righteousness of God, which is through faith in
Jesus Christ for all and on all who believe, because there is no difference; Paul told the Christians in
Rome.
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote:
To all - The Jews.
And about all - The
Gentiles that believe: for there is no difference - Neither as to the necessity
of justification, nor the manner of it.
Verse 23
all have
sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Paul said to the Christians in
Rome, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God;
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote:
For all have sinned - In Adam, and in their own
persons; by a sinful nature, sinful tempers, and sinful actions.
And they fall short of the glory of God - The supreme end of man; short
of his image on earth and of the enjoyment of him in heaven.
Verse 24
being justified
freely by his grace
Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "Being
justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Wesley
commented on what Paul wrote:
And they
are justified - Forgiven
and accepted.
Freely - Without any merit of their own.
By his grace - Not his own righteousness or works.
Through redemption - The price which Christ paid.
All our
justification to free and undeserved goodness
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote: Freely by
his grace - One of these expressions may have served to convey the
apostle's meaning; but he doubles his assertion, in order to give us the
fullest conviction of the truth, and to impress us with a sense of its peculiar
importance. It is not possible to find words which more absolutely exclude all
consideration of our own works and obedience, or more emphatically ascribe all
our justification to free and undeserved kindness.
Verse 25
God
proposed as a propitiation through faith in his blood
Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "Whom
God set forth as a propitiation through faith in his blood, to proclaim his
righteousness for the forgiveness of past sins through the patience of God;
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote:
Whom God has established - Before angels and men.
A propitiation - To appease an offended God. But if, as some
teach, God was never offended, there was no need of this propitiation. And if
so, Christ died in vain.
To declare his righteousness - To demonstrate not only his
clemency, but his justice; even that vindictive righteousness whose essential
character and chief office is to punish sin.
By the remission of past sins - All sins antecedent to their
belief.
Verse 26
To proclaim, that he may be just and justifying him
who believes in Jesus
"I tell
you at this time your righteousness, that you may be just and justifier of him
who believes in Jesus," Paul said to the Christians in
Rome.
For a demonstration of his righteousness - Both of his justice and of
his mercy, said Wesley.
Showing His
Righteousness in His Own Son
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote: That he may
be righteous - Showing his righteousness in his own Son. And yet the
merciful justifier of everyone who believes in Jesus. That he may be righteous
- He may show himself strictly and inviolably just in the administration of his
government, even when he is the merciful justifier of the sinner who believes
in Jesus. The attribute of justice must be preserved inviolate; and inviolate
is preserved, if there was a true imposition of punishment on our Saviour. On this
plane, all attributes are harmonized; Every attribute is glorified, and none
has replaced no, not even cloudy.
Verse 27
By the law
of faith
Paul said to the Christians in Rome, "Where
is the display, then?" It is excluded. By what law? of works? No: but by
the law of faith.
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote:
Where is the boasting of the Jew against the
Gentile? It is excluded. By what law? of works? No – That would have left room
to brag.
But by the law of faith - Since this requires that all,
without distinction, apply themselves as guilty and helpless sinners, to the
free mercy of God in Christ. The law of faith is that divine constitution which
makes faith, not works, the condition of acceptance.
Verse 28
A man is
justified by faith apart from the works of the law
Paul said to the Christians in Rome,
"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the
works of the law.
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote:
We conclude, then, that a man is justified by faith - And even by this, not as it
is a work, but as it receives Christ; and consequently has something
essentially different from all our works.
Verse 29
Is He the God
only of the Jews?
Paul said to the Christians in Rome, Is He the
God only of the Jews? Is He not also of the Gentiles? yes, also of the
Gentiles:
Certainly of the Gentiles
also - As nature and the scriptures show, said Wesley.
Verse 30
and
uncircumcision by faith
since it is
one God who is to justify circumcision by faith and uncircumcision by faith, said Paul.
Seeing that it is a God that - Shows mercy to both, and by
the same means, said Wesley.
Verse 31
Do we then annul the law by faith? God forbid
Paul said, "Have we then made void the law
by faith?" God forbid: yes, we have established the law.
Wesley commented on what Paul wrote: We
establish the law - Both the authority, the purity, and the end of it;
defending what the law attests; pointing out Christ, the end of it; and showing
how it may be fulfilled in its purity.[12]
===============================
[1]
https://www.studylight.org/commentaries/eng/wen/ephesians-1.html
[2] WESLEY,
João. Excerpt from the Diary of John
Wesley, ibidem, p.215-6.
[3]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-106-on-faith/.
Edited by Dave Rotz and George Lyons with corrections by Ryan
Danker of Northwest Nazarene University (Nampa, Idaho) for the Wesley Center
for Applied Theology.
[4]https://wesley.nnu.edu/john-wesley/the-sermons-of-john-wesley-1872-edition/sermon-106-on-faith/.
Edited by Dave Rotz and George Lyons with corrections by Ryan
Danker of Northwest Nazarene University (Nampa, Idaho) for the Wesley Center
for Applied Theology.
[5]https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/john-wesleys-concept-faith. source: Lux Mundi
[6] https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/john-wesleys-concept-faith. source: Lux Mundi
[7] https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/john-wesleys-concept-faith. source: Lux Mundi
[8] https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/john-wesleys-concept-faith. source: Lux Mundi
[9] https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/john-wesleys-concept-faith, source: Lux Mundi
[10]
https://media.sabda.org/alkitab-10/library/collect/wesley_c/wes_ww01.pdf
[11] https://www.studylight.org/Comentários/Eng/Wen/hebrews-11.html.
[12] https://www.studylight.org/comentários/eng/wen/romans-3.html.
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