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In these words observe —

1. The end, scope, and blessedness of a Christian in the word "hope."

2. The firm ground of it — "The righteousness of faith."

3. The carriage of Christians — "We wait."

4. The inward moving cause of waiting for this hope in this way —Through the Spirit. They are taught by Him, inclined by Him, so to do.

1. The blessedness of a Christian is implied in the word "hope." For hope is taken two ways in Scripture — for the thing hoped for, and for the affection or act of him that hopeth. Here it is taken in the first sense, for the thing hoped for. As also Titus 2:13, "Looking for the blessed hope." So Colossians 1:5, "For the hope which is laid up for us in heaven."

2. The ground and foundation of this hope, "The righteousness of faith." What it is I will show you by and by. Only here it is opposed, partly to the covenant of works, which could not give life; partly to the legal observances; for it presently followeth, "Neither circumcision, nor uncircumcision," etc. But by no means is it opposed to evangelical obedience; for the whole New Testament obedience is comprised in this term, "The righteousness of faith; " as appeareth by the apostle's explication in the next verse, "But faith, which works by love."

3. The duty of a Christian — "We wait." All true Christians wait for the mercy of God and life everlasting. And he calleth in waiting, because a believer hath not so much in possession as in expectation. And this waiting is not a devout sloth, but implieth diligence in the use of all means whereby we may obtain this hope.

4. The inward efficient cause — "Through the Spirit." We are taught by the Spirit, inclined by the Spirit so to do. That by the Spirit all true Christians are inclined to pursue after the hope built upon the righteousness of faith.

I. What is the righteousness of faith? We told you before it is opposed either to the law of works or the ceremonial observances of the law of Moses. But more particularly it may be determined —

(1) Either with respect to the object of faith; or(2) to the act or grace of faith itself;

(3) with respect to the rule and warrant of faith, which is the gospel or new covenant. We return to God, as our chief good and sovereign Lord, that we may love, serve, and obey Him, and be happy in His love. Faith respects Christ as Redeemer and Mediator, who hath opened the way for our return by His merit and satisfaction, or reconciliation wrought between us and God, and given us a heart to return by the renewing grace of His Spirit.

II. What is the hope built upon it, or the things hoped for by virtue of this righteousness? and they are pardon and life.

1. Certainly pardon of sins is intended in the righteousness of faith, as appeareth by that of the apostle (Romans 4:6-8).

2. There is also in it salvation, or eternal life (Titus 3:7). These two benefits give us the greatest support and comfort against all kind of troubles.

III. What is the work of the Spirit in this business in urging believers to wait for the hope of righteousness by faith? The work of the Spirit doth either concern the duties of the new covenant or the privileges of the new covenant, or what is common to them both. I begin with the latter.

1. What is common to them both. He doth convince us- of the truth of the gospel, both of means and end; that there is such a hope, and the righteousness of faith is the only way to obtain it. Now this he doth externally and internally.

(1) Externally, and by way of objective evidence. All the certainty that we have of the gospel is by the Spirit (Acts 5:32; John 15:26, 27).

(2) Internally, enlightening their minds and inclining their hearts to embrace the truth; which maketh the former testimony effectual (Ephesians 1:17). To the sight of anything these things are necessary — an object, a medium, and a faculty. As in outward sight, an object that may be seen; a convenient light to represent it and make the object perspicuous; an organ or faculty of seeing in the eye. Unless there be an object, you bid a man see nothing. Unless there be a medium, a due light to represent it, as in a fog, or at midnight, the sharpest sight can see nothing. Unless there be a faculty, neither the object nor medium will avail; a blind man cannot see anything at noonday. Now here is an object, the way of salvation by Christ; a convenient light, it is represented in the gospel; and the faculty is prepared, for the eyes of the mind are opened by the Spirit, that we may see both way and end, the necessity of holiness, and the reality of future glory and blessedness.

2. The work of the Spirit as to the duties of the new covenant. He doth not only convince us of the reality and the necessity of Christ's obedience and our holiness, but by His powerful operation frameth and inclineth our hearts to the duties required of us. Faith itself is wrought in us by this holy Spirit, for it is "the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8); and so is repentance and obedience: Hebrews 8:10, "I will write My laws upon their hearts, and put them into their minds." Moses' law was written on tables of stone, as a rule without them; but Christ's law on the heart and mind, as drawing and inclining them to obey it. The renewing grace of the Spirit of God doth prepare us and fit us, and His exciting grace doth quicken us, that we may do what is pleasing in His sight.

3. The work of the Spirit as to the privileges of the new covenant, which are pardon and life.

(1) As to pardon, He is the Comforter. He cometh into our hearts as the pledge of our atonement; we receive it when we receive the Spirit (Romans 5:11); and His sanctifying work is the sure evidence that God is at peace with us (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

(2) As to life, He assureth us of it.

(a)  He prepareth us and fitteth us for it (2 Corinthians 5:5).

(b)  He assureth us of it (2 Corinthians 1:22).

(c)  He comforteth us and raiseth, our longing after this blessed estate, for the beginnings we have here are called also the first-fruits (Romans 8:23). The beginnings are sweet; what will the completion be? Application:

1. Here you see your scope, what you should look for and hope for — the forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among the sanctified.

2. Here you see your work, and what you should now seek after — "The righteousness of faith."

3. Here you see your help, and what will enable you to obtain — "Through the Spirit." Oh! let these things be more in your thoughts.

(1) For your happiness, or the great privileges which you should most value and hope for.

(i) The forgiveness of sins. The sin be forgiven you can never have found peace within yourselves, but still God will be matter of fear and terror to you.(ii) By waiting on the duties of the gospel, this comfort is more and more settled in the heart.

(2) For eternal life. Having spoke to your hope and scope, let me, secondly, now speak to your work, what you must seek after, and that is, "The righteousness of faith."To enforce this consider —

1. There is no appearing before God without some righteousness of one sort or another. Why? Because it is an holy and just God before whom we appear; and "shall not the Judge of all the earth do right" (Genesis 18:25); and 1 Samuel 6:20, "Who is able to stand before this holy Lord God?" If not now in the time of His patience, how, then, in the time of His recompense? His holiness inclineth Him to hate sin, and His justice to punish it. "Thy law is exceeding pure" (Psalm 19:140). The gospel abateth nothing of the purity of it. Now when we appear before an holy God, and must he judged by an holy law, surely we must have holiness and righteousness answerable, or how can we stand in the judgment?

2. No ether righteousness will serve the turn but the righteousness of faith; and therefore, till we submit to the new covenant, we are in a woeful case. Now the righteousness of the new covenant is supreme or subordinate; the supreme by way of merit and satisfaction, the subordinate by way of application and qualification on our parts.

(1) The supreme is the righteousness or obedience of Christ, which can alone deliver us from hell: Job 33:24, "Deliver him from going down to the pit, for I have found a ransom." There is no deliverance from eternal destruction, which our sins deserve, but only by the ransom which He hath paid. Till His justice be satisfied by Christ, no good can come unto us.

(2) The subordinate righteousness, which qualifieth us, and giveth us an interest, is faith, repentance, and new obedience; all which are hugely necessary, convenient, and gracious terms.

(T. Manton, D. D.)

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KJV: For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith.

WEB: For we, through the Spirit, by faith wait for the hope of righteousness.