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I. THE GIFT OF GOD.

1. Its nature. It is the gift of His beloved Son. The prophets foretold Him as the gift of God — "Unto us a Son is given." Jesus describes Himself as the gift of God — "God so loved the world that He gave," etc. The apostles announce Jesus as the gift of God (1 Romans 6:23; 1 John 5:2.)

2. Its excellence. It is unspeakable in —

(1) Its source. The love of God. Who can tell why God hath loved us? who can calculate how God hath loved us? or who can comprehend the beginning or the end of the love of God in Christ Jesus? Who can tell its duration or its perfections, its tenderness, or its strength? Angels stoop from their throne in glory to contemplate and to adore the manifestation of redeeming love in Christ.

(2) Its value. To form some faint idea of the value of this gift, consider —

(a)  the divinity of the Redeemer's person.

(b)  The depth of the Redeemer's sufferings.

(3) Its character. All wisdom, mysteries, and blessings unite in Christ crucified.

(4) Its application is —

(a)  Free. Jesus invites all, and casts out none.

(b)  Spiritual. Though offered to all freely, the Holy Spirit alone can effectually apply it.

(5) Its effects. Pardon, peace, holiness, heaven.

II. THE DUTY OF MAN. To thank God for the gift of His Son.

1. With the gratitude of our hearts.

2. With the praises of our lips.

3. By the obedience of our lives.

(J. Cawood, M. A.)

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KJV: Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection unto the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution unto them, and unto all men;

WEB: seeing that through the proof given by this service, they glorify God for the obedience of your confession to the Good News of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all;