Matthew 10:32 Whoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. I. WHAT IS MEANT BY DENYING OF CHRIST before men? It is(1)to deny His mission and Messiahship; (2) to disown Him for the Son of God and Saviour of the world; and(3) not to receive Him for the person annointed and appointed of God for the redemption of mankind. It is (a) to deny the Divinity of Christ; (b) the Incarnation or manhood of Christ; (c) the satisfaction of Christ for sin; (d) the resurrection of Christ; (e) the authority of Christ over His Church and kingdom. II. What are THE MOTIVES or inducements that lead men thus to deny Christ? The two principal are(1) Fear of persecution; (2) Hopes of preferment. Both clap a wrong bias upon the mind, that turns it from Christ to Belial. III. How, OR IN WHAT MANNER, IS THIS DENYING DONE? (1) Sometimes in verbis, by words and oral expressions; (2) Sometimes in scriptis, by blasphemous writings; and (3) sometimes in operibus, by wicked works. IV. WHAT IS MEANT BY CHRIST DENYING OF WHEN BEFORE HIS FATHER IN HEAVEN? It must be His disowning the deniers of Him, as false and deceitful followers of Him, the misery whereof is inexpressible. (Matthew Hole.) Parallel Verses KJV: Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. |