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He that boasts, let him boast in the Lord". Chapter 2: continues in the same strain.
Instead of "wisdom of words" the apostle, with a determination that cost him great trial,
preached the cross of Christ, repudiating the so-called wisdom of men.
As we shall devote a special study to the references to the word "crucify", we pass on
to Galatians where the cross is again referred to.
"And I, brethren, if I yet preach circumcision, why do I yet suffer persecution? then is
the offence of the cross ceased" (Gal. 5: 11).
"As many as desire to make a fair show in the flesh, they constrain you to be
circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. . . . that
they may boast in your flesh, but it is not becoming to me to boast, save in the cross of
the Lord Jesus Christ, whereby the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world"
(Gal. 6: 12-14).
I Corinthians opposes the cross of Christ to the wisdom of men and the boasting in
the flesh. Galatians opposes the cross of Christ to the attempt to avoid persecution, to
avoid the offence of the cross, to make a fair show in the flesh, and to boast in the flesh.
Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians are epistles of the dispensation of the mystery, so
we will examine the one other reference first, namely, that of Hebrews 12: 2. It is
striking to observe that in no epistles, except those of St. Paul, do we find the words "the
cross", and "crucify", neither Peter, James, John nor Jude uses either word. Heb. 12: 2
brings the references in the Gospels and Epistles to a completion. This reference,
however, is so vitally linked with the theme of the epistle, that we cannot appreciate its
teaching, position, or bearing upon the passages quoted above without considering the
epistle as a whole. To do this we must devote the space of one article. It will be well
worth the time and space, and therefore we defer any further remarks upon this subject
until we are able to do so in the added light of the teaching of the epistle to the Hebrews.
The Cross of Christ.
Its relation to the Crown and the Prize.
pp. 117-121
In our last article we considered the teaching of the early references to the cross, and
in this we are to consider the last reference, which will, we believe, give a clear
understanding of the scriptural position that the cross has in the great plan of redemption.
Let us remember that the cross had a definite meaning before the Lord Jesus Christ ever
made it clear that He Himself was to be crucified. The close link which He has made
between the disciple and his Lord compels us to believe that when the Lord of glory
stooped to the death of the cross, He did not introduce thereby some entirely new
conception, but fulfilled, as none other could fulfil, the meaning He Himself had in mind
when He called upon His disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow
Him. Heb. 12: 2 is the reference which will occupy our attention for a while.