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A wonderful property, even for an apostle! And if it is within our reach that man must be a fool who does not give his mind to consider what it is, and how it is to be obtained. The expression is a full one — for you may take the words and actions of a man, and still fall short of his mind. For that is his spirit, the motive which actuates him, the feeling which moulds his conduct, the inner life which gives tone and character to his outer being. So you might copy Christ's example, and speak and act like Christ — but all the while be unable to say, "I have the mind of Christ." Note —

I. WHAT THE CONSTITUTION OF "THE MIND OF CHRIST" WAS.

1. It was altogether human. It is an idle thought that the body of Christ was human, but the spirit or mind of Christ, was Divine. That which is Divine, being always infinite, is incapable of any growth or increase. But Christ "increased in wisdom." So complete was Christ's emptying of Himself here for our sakes that His mind became subject to all the laws by which our intellect is governed.

2. This is necessary for the truth of the history, to the integrity of His humanity, for the perfectness of His sympathy and power, for His being an exemplar that we may imitate.

II. HOW DID THE HUMAN MIND OF JESUS BECOME THAT SUBLIME AND PERFECT THING IT WAS? He had "the Spirit without measure."

1. This thought is the connecting link which unites our little minds with His. For this is exactly Paul's reasoning. "The spirit which is of God" is identified with the mind of Christ. That soul of Jesus, then, infinitely stored with the Holy Spirit, becomes a fountain from whence that Spirit is always pouring out into His own people; so that "out of His fulness have all we received." And this it is which makes a gift of the Spirit so very sweet to a Christian.

2. And, as that process goes on, every fresh communication of the Holy Ghost, passing as it does from the bosom of Jesus, enables us to say with greater and greater truth, "We have the mind of Christ."

III. THE ADVANTAGES WHICH BELONG TO THOSE WHO HAVE "THE MIND OF CHRIST."

1. As respects that great search after truth, no man can really understand the Bible who does not bring to the study of it "the mind of Christ." Now mark the apostle's reasoning. He says, no man can tell what is passing in any man's mind except that man himself. In like manner he says, no one can know what is passing in the mind of God but God only. But if only God knows God, how can we know God? By having "the mind of Christ." Thus, then, it is, by bringing the mind of Christ in our souls to "the mind of Christ" in the Bible that we can understand the mind of God.

2. The possession of "the mind of Christ" is a wonderful clue to the intricate windings of the labyrinth of life. There are thousands of points which require instantaneous decision. The juncture gives little space to go to some friend, or even to the Bible. At such moments a rapid perception of the right is an inestimable gift, and we shall have that if we have "the mind of Christ."

3. They have the benefit of "the mind of Christ" who wish to pray rightly. God has given us the license to "ask what we will, and it shall be done." But may not a man inadvertently ask and obtain a curse? Our security in that dangerous privilege is in the knowledge of the Bible — an acquaintance with God's promises. But we want something quicker. Those who bring Christ in them to their knees, having "the mind of Christ" in asking, know what is "the mind of Christ" in giving. And it is surprising to what an extent this may control and guide prayer. The Syrophenician woman had it, when she would not cease till she had obtained what she wanted. Abraham had it equally when he stayed his supplication for Sodom at "the ten." And doubtless Paul also, when he ceased to deprecate "the thorn" at the third petition.

(J. Vaughan, M. A.)

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KJV: But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.

WEB: But he who is spiritual discerns all things, and he himself is judged by no one.