"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"
Romans 8:32
“For unto you is born this day
in the city of David a Savior,
which is Christ the Lord”
(Luke 2:11).
“He that spared not.”
In providing for man’s greatest need, God the Father did not spare, He did not hold back, He did not “keep from suffering and death”[1] (Barnes), His own Son.
The wording here reminds us of Abram’s sacrifice of his son to the LORD. When God saw his willingness to obey, He spoke to him,
“And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son…” (Genesis 22:16).
The LORD provided a different sacrifice for Abram to make. A ram that was caught by his horns in a bush nearby was sacrificed. The ram, instead of Isaac, the “son of promise.”
“His own Son,”
What greater love could God the Father show to us, there is none! He gave His best gift to meet our most profound need! Jesus is the Father’s “only begotten Son.”
“But delivered him up.”
Remember that Abram’s son, because of his father’s faith and obedience, was spared. But God the Father did not spare His only Son, but He “delivered up” Jesus for us.
“Delivered Him up”
“Gave him into the hands of men, and to a cruel death…”[2] (Barnes).
“Him [Jesus Christ], being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain” (Acts 2:23).
“Who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification” (Romans 4:25).
“For us all,”
He is speaking here to believers, as He does in Romans 5:6-8.[3]
“How shall he not with him.”
The Father has given us Jesus Christ for our sin offering, and Savior. “With Him,” we shall also receive what gifts we need.
“Not merely in addition to Him, but all gifts of God are to be received, held, and enjoyed in communion with Christ”[4] (Vincent).
“Also, freely give us all things?”
Since God has already given us His best gift, Jesus, to meet our most desperate need, salvation, doesn’t it make sense that He will also give us any lesser gifts that we need also? He has promised He will take care of us and meet our needs.
“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen” (Philippians 4:19-20).
Believers, my you have a joyous Christmas, as you celebrate our dear Savior’s incarnation!
Dear Lord, thank you for your most precious gift, your Son Jesus. I know you will meet my needs.
[1] Albert Barnes, Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.
[2] Barnes, ibid.
[3] This “us” – “for us all,” must be believers, for in context, the other “us” – “also give us all things,” can only be believers.
[4] M.R. Vincent, Word Studies in the New Testament, the electronic version in eSword.