+I. Look at man's necessity.+
+II. God's wealth.+--Its abundance; its excellence.
+III. The supply the apostle anticipates for this necessity out of
this wealth.+
+Learn.+--1. _Contentment with our present lot._ 2. _Confidence for
the future.--C. Bradley._
_Our Need and our Supply._
+I. Examine the scope of the promise.+--There is danger of fanaticism
in the interpretation of truth. God promises to supply our need, but
not to gratify our wishes or whims. Some of us God sees cannot bear
wealth, and so it is not given us; but as our day is so is our
strength.
+II. The supply.+--The supply is not according to our deserts, but
according to the riches of His glory. The resources of the Trinity
are drawn upon. His wealth is unbounded. He is not a cistern, but a
fountain.
+III. The Medium.+--This supply comes through Christ. We can claim it
in no other name. But God ordains means and puts us under conditions.
As in agriculture, so here, we are to work in harmony with God's
established methods if we would secure fruits.--_Homiletic Monthly._
_MAIN HOMILETICS OF THE PARAGRAPH.--Verses_ 20-23.
_Last Words._
+I. A glowing ascription of praise to the Divine Giver of every
blessing.+--"Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever.
Amen" (ver. 20). To God, even our Father, the kind and liberal
Supplier of every want to every child, be eternal glory ascribed. The
ascription of praise is the language of spiritual instinct which
cannot be repressed. Let the child realise its relation to the Father
who feeds it, clothes it, and keeps it in life, who enlightens and
guides it, pardons and purifies it, strengthens and upholds it, and
all this in Christ Jesus, and it cannot but in its glowing
consciousness cry out, "Now to God and our Father be glory for ever."
The "Amen" is a fitting conclusion. As the lips shut themselves, the
heart surveys again the facts and the grounds of praise, and adds,
"So be it" (_Eadie_).
+II. Christian salutations.+--"Salute every saint in Christ Jesus.
All the saints salute you, chiefly those that are of Cæsar's
household" (vers. 21, 22). Salutations are tokens of personal
interest and living fellowship which should not be lightly esteemed.
The apostolic salutations teach that the Christian religion does not
make men unfriendly and stubborn, but courteous and friendly
(_Lange_). The reference to the saints in Cæsar's household may mean
either kinsfolk of Nero or servants in the palace. It is improbable
that so many near relatives of the emperor should have yielded
themselves to Christ as to be designated by this phrase, and it is
not likely to suppose that a combination of these two classes would
be grouped under the one head. In all likelihood the reference is to
servants holding more or less important positions in the imperial
household--some, no doubt, slaves; and it is a suggestive testimony
to the unwearied diligence and influence of the apostle in using
every opportunity to make known the saving grace of the Gospel. To
explain to any the reason for his imprisonment was an occasion for
preaching Christ. "O Rome, Rome!" exclaims Starke, "how greatly hast
thou changed! Formerly thou hadst true saints even in the household
of a pagan and tyrannical emperor; but now hast thou false saints,
especially in and around the so-called chair of Peter and at the
court of his supposed successor."
+III. Final benediction.+--"The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be
with you all. Amen" (ver. 23). The oldest MSS. read, "Be with your
spirit." It is important that the grace of God should be not only
around us, but with us and in us. The benediction is a prayer that
the Divine favour may be conferred upon them, enriching the noblest
elements of their nature with choicest blessings, making them to grow
in spiritual wisdom, beauty, and felicity, that grace may ultimately
merge into glory.
+Lessons.+--1. _Praise should be offered to God in all things._
2. _The Christian spirit is full of kindly courtesy._ 3. _It is a
comprehensive prayer that invokes the blessing of Divine grace._
_GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES._