Whom I worship in spirit. Because wicked men which delude God, use no less boldly then rashly to pretend his name, Paul here commendeth his holiness, that he might have the more credit. For who so doeth fear, and reverence God, will abhor to swear falsely. Moreover, he opposeth his spirit against outward hypocrisy. And because many do falsely boast themselves to be the worshippers of God,1 and in outward show appear to be so, he testifieth that he doeth worship God from his heart. It may be also he had respect unto the old ceremonies, in which only, the Jews thought the worship of God did consist. Therefore he letteth to understand that although he retained not that exercise, yet nevertheless he was a true worshipper of God:2 as he saith unto the Philippians. We are the true circumcision, which serve God in the spirit, and glory not in the flesh. Therefore he rejoiceth that he worshipped God in sincere piety of mind, which is true religion, and the lawful worship of God. It was expedient (as I said before) to the end his oath might have the more certainty, that Paul should testify his devotion towards God. For perjury which the godly abhor more then a thousand deaths,3 is but a sport with the wicked. For it cannot be, but where there is a serious fear of God, there should also be such reverence of his name. It is therefore as much as if Paul should say, I know how ⟨p. 7⟩great reverence, and religious devotion there ought to be of an oath, I therefore do not call God to witness as the wicked use to do. And so by his example he teacheth us,4 that so often as we swear, we should give such testimony of holiness, that the name of God which we use in our talk might have his weight. Secondly, he proveth by the sign, that he worshipped not God hypocritically, namely by his ministry. For that was a notable token, that he was a man given to the glory of God, who having denied himself, refused not for the advancing of the kingdom of God, to sustain what dangers soever, whether of reproach, poverty, death, or hatred. Some understand this clause, as though he did therefore commend that worship, wherewithal he said he worshipped God, because it was according to the prescript rule of the Gospel. Sure it is that the spiritual worship of God, is commanded in the Gospel.
Whom I woorshippe in spirite. Because wicked men whiche delude God, vse no lesse boldly then rashely to pretende his name, Paule here commendeth his holinesse, that hee might haue the more credite. For who so doeth feare, and reuerence God, will abhorre to sweare falsly. Moreouer, he opposeth his spirite against outward hypocrisie. And because many doe falsly boast themselues to be the worshippers of God,1 and in outwarde shewe appeare to be so, he testifieth that he doeth woorship God from his heart. It may be also hee had respect vnto the olde ceremonies, in which onely, the Iewes thought the woorshippe of God did consist. Therefore he letteth to vnderstand that although he reteyned not that exercise, yet neuerthelesse hee was a true worshipper of God:2 as he saith vnto the Philippians. We are the true circumcision, which serue God in the spirite, and glorie not in the fleshe. Therefore he reioyceth that hee woorshipped God in sincere pietie of mynde, which is true religion, and ye lawfull worship of God. It was expedient (as I saide before) to the ende his othe might haue the more certaintie, that Paule should testifie his deuotion towardes God. For periurie which the godly abhorre more then a thousand deathes,3 is but a sporte with the wicked. For it cannot be, but where there is a serious feare of God, there shoulde also be such reuerence of his name. It is therefore as much as if Paule shoulde say, I knowe howe ⟨p. 7⟩great reuerence, and religious deuotion there ought to bee of an othe, I therefore doe not call God to witnesse as the wicked vse to doe. And so by his example hee teacheth vs,4 that so often as wee swere, wee shoulde giue such testimonie of holines, that the name of God which wee vse in our talke might haue his weight. Secondly, hee proueth by the signe, that hee worshipped not God hypocritically, namely by his ministerie. For that was a notable token, that hee was a man giuen to the glory of God, who hauing denyed himselfe, refused not for the aduancing of the kingdome of God, to susteine what daungers soeuer, whether of reproche, pouertie, death, or hatred. Some vnderstand this clause, as though he did therfore cōmend that worship, wherwithal he said he worshipped God, because it was according to the prescript rule of the Gospell. Sure it is that the spirituall worship of God, is commaunded in the Gospell.
- 1Which is the true worship of God.
- 2Philip. 3.3.
- 3Where true fear of God is, there is also a reverence of his name.Where true feare of God is, there is also a reuerence of his name.
- 4A rule to be observed in calling God to witness.A rule to be obserued in calling God to witnes.
