The credit of the Church.
The Church of God is a unity throughout the ages. It is more proper to speak of the Christian dispensation of the Church than of the Christian Church as opposed to the Jewish. This unity exists, not only through the ages, but also throughout the universe. While its headquarters are in heaven, there has ever been a visible representation upon the earth. This is sometimes called "the Church;" in the Gospels it is distinguished as "the kingdom of heaven." In this sense we now speak of it. Note, then—
I. THAT THE CHURCH IS TROUBLED BY THE INTRUSION OF HYPOCRITES.
1. They enter it for selfish ends.
2. In it they are obstructive to good.
(a) In Jacob's departing sceptre of Judah.
(b) In Moses' Prophet.
(c) In Daniel's weeks. They shut their eyes.
(a) They were hindered by their example (see John 7:48).
(b) By their doctrine, in cavilling against Christ (see Matthew 12:24; John 9:16).
(c) By their authority, in the threat of excommunication (see John 9:22).
(d) Therefore only the violent could force an entrance into the kingdom (see Matthew 11:12; Luke 16:16).
3. They promoted evil.
(a) Hypocrisy is itself the offspring of hell, for it originates with the "father of lies."
(b) "Twofold more." The Hellenist Jews, who were mostly proselytes, were the bitterest enemies of the apostles (see Acts 13:45; Acts 14:2, Acts 14:19; Acts 17:5; Acts 18:6). Truth falsified is worse than simple falsity. Half-truths are the most vicious lies.
(c) The proselytes were trained by the Pharisees in wicked sophistry, which palliated vice and substituted ceremony for piety. They were also taught to practise evil with less remorse and greater subtlety than they had been accustomed to in their former condition.
II. THAT IT IS UNFAIRLY CHARGED WITH THEIR VICES.
1. Unbelief seeks to fasten their scandal upon it.
2. But this is manifestly unfair.
III. GOD WILL VINDICATE THE CREDIT OF HIS CHURCH.
1. By separating the hypocrites from it.
2. By dooming them to perdition.
(a) There are degrees of damnation
(b) Pretences of religion will aggravate the torments of the lost.
(c) The gospel curses are the sorer (cf. Hebrews 10:29).
Who can entreat for him against whom the great Intercessor pleads? A "woe" from Christ has no remedy. No such wrath as that of the Lamb! "Three woes are made to look very dreadful (Rev 8:13-9:12); but here are eight woes, in opposition to the eight Beatitudes (Matthew 5:4)" (Henry).
3. By rebuking their accomplices. The open sinner is an accomplice with the very hypocrite he affects to scorn, in rejecting and crucifying the Just One. All sinners will have "their portion with the hypocrites" (see Matthew 24:51).—J.A.M.