Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Corinthians 13:5

5 Examine your selves , whether ye be in the faith : prove your own selves . Know ye not your own selves , how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates .

It is most commonly seen, that those who are most busie to desire or inquire after a proof of Christ in Others, are tardiest in making an inquiry after Christs being in themselves. The Apostle therefore calleth the censorious part of this Church, who desired a proof of Christ in him, to examine themselves.

Whether they had any true Faith? such as works by Love, and purifies the heart. For he knew that they were baptized, and Christians in outward profession; nor is he blaming them for any Apostasie from the Doctrine of Faith, only for an ill life, which evidenceth their Faith not to be the Faith of Gods Elect, a Faith of the Operation of God, &c.

He doub[illegible: 1 letter]eth the Exhortation upon them, possibly for this end, To let them know, that if they found themselves in the Faith, they could not reasonably doubt, whether he himself was in the Faith, or no? whom God had made the Instrument to convert them.

He commends to them the knowledge of themselves, as being a f[illegible: 2 letters] more desirable piece of knowledge, than the knowledge of other men; as to what they are, or what their state is towards God.

In the inquiry after this, he bids them to inquire. Whether Christ was in them, yea or no? The Name of Christ was named upon them in their Baptism, Christ had been preached to them; this the Apostle knew; but all this might be, and yet Christ not dwell in their hearts by Faith. This is the great point the Apostle directs them to examine and prove themselves about, whether Christ was in them by a lively Faith? apprehended and applied as their Saviour, ruling and governing them as their Lord and King? He lets them know the importance of this inquiry, telling them, that Jesus Christ must be in them, if they were not Reprobates. But (some might say) how could the Apostle conclude this? though at present Christ was not in them, and they as yet were no more than formal Professors; yet might not God open their eyes, and work in them afterwards a more full and effectual change? 1. Answ. The Apostle might be allowed to know more than ordinary Ministers can know. He had before said, If our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that perish. 2. When the Gospel and the means of Grace have been for some considerable time in a place, it is much to be feared, that those who have not in that time felt the saving power and effect of it upon their hearts, never shall. It is ordinarily observed, That where God blesseth the Ministry of any to convert Souls, their greatest Harvest is in the first years of their Ministry. 3. Some think, that the word [non-Latin text not transcribed] should not be translated Reprobates, but rather not approved by God. If Christ be not in the Soul by Faith, it cannot be approved of God, because without Faith it is impossible to please God. But we generally translate the word by Reprobate, rejected, cast-away, 1 Cor. 9.27. 2 Tim. 3.8. Tit. 1.16. Heb. 6.8. It seemeth to signifie persons given over by God to a stupidity of mind, &c. So as the Apostle here useth a very close Argument, to put them upon a search into their own hearts and states, to see if they could find Christ dwelling in them; for otherwise, (considering their long profession, and the revelation of Christ to them) it would be a ground of fear, that they were such as God had cast off for ever. However, as to their present state, they had no ground to conclude better; whatever mercy God might afterwards shew them. Mens sitting and continuing long under the means of Grace, and an outward profession, without a saving knowledge of Christ, and true savour of the Truth, and a reformation of their lives according to the Rules and directions of the Gospel, is not indeed an infallible sign that he who formed them will never shew them any favour; but it is a very great presumption that it will be so with such. Which should therefore strongly ingage them to be very often and very seriously proving themselves, as to this thing, whether they be in Christ, and whether they have a true saving Faith?

Marginal references: 1 Cor 11.28.