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1. What is meant by coming to Christ?

(1) An outward coming in application of the means. When we come to His ordinances we come to Him.

(2) Closing with Christ, embracing Him, believing on Him, and submitting to Him. Coming not with the feet but with the heart.

2. What is meant by the Father giving men to Christ?

(1) In God's eternal purpose and counsel.

(2) In the drawing of our hearts to Him when God by His Spirit persuades us to close with Christ. This giving is mutual: Christ is given to us and we to Him, so there is a marriage-knot drawn and contracted between us.

I. ALL THAT THE FATHER HATH GIVEN ME SHALL COME TO ME.

1. This is an expression of some latitude and universality — "all" (Ephesians 1:4, 5; 2 Peter 3:9). From which we learn how to make our calling and election sure, viz., by closing with the conditions of the gospel. We may know whether we are given to Christ by coming to Him.

2. This is an expression of restriction. None come to Christ but such as are given to Him (John 6:44; 2 Corinthians 3:5; Philippians 2:13). The reasons why none come to Christ but those whom God gives to Him are —

(1) Because all others are ignorant of Him, and without the knowledge of Christ there is no coming to Him (Matthew 16:16, 17).

(2) There is a perverseness in their wills and affections, so that though many know Him, they hang off from Him (John 3:19), so there must also be a drawing of their hearts which is the work of God alone.

3. From the word "come" we learn that men by nature are distant from Christ.

4. From the word "given" we see that all men are in the hands of God, for none can give what they have not got.

II. CHRIST'S ENTERTAINMENT OF THOSE WHO COME TO HIM.

1. His reception.

(1) He will take them into friendship with Himself (Matthew 11:28; Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 33:11).

(2) None excepted (Revelation 22:17). There is nothing to exclude (Isaiah 1:18; 1 Timothy 1:15).

(3) What an encouragement to all men to close with Christ.

(a)  The nature of our sins cannot exclude us, since Paul, Manasseh, Mary Magdalene, etc., found mercy (Psalm 25:11). The ground of God's pardon is not our sin, but His grace (Isaiah 44:3, 24, 25).

(b)  Nor the Humber of our sins (Hosea 14:4; Jeremiah 3:1).

(c)  Nor any supposed imperfection in our humiliation. We are humbled sufficiently if we come.

(4) Consider the great advantage of coming.

(a)  Pardon and the life of justification (Isaiah 55:7; Micah 7:19).

(b)  Power over sin and the life of sanctification.

(c)  Comfort and peace of conscience.

(5) To enlarge, we may come not only in conversion, but after it, for assurance, greater measures of grace, and progress. Let us then come boldly (Hebrews 4:16).

2. His custody and preservation. "I will keep him in."

(T. Horton, D. D.)

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KJV: All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

WEB: All those who the Father gives me will come to me. Him who comes to me I will in no way throw out.