Ver. 16. The True Israel of God—
- Are those who personally enjoy the inward righteousness that comes through faith.
- Who live consistently with their spiritual profession and the truth they have embraced.
- Enjoy the Divine benedictions of mercy and peace.
Ver. 17. Marks of the Lord Jesus.
I. The word picture here presented.—1. The figure—slave-brands, στἱγματα. 2. The facts—Paul’s historic experiences (1 Cor. iv. 9–15; 2 Cor. xi. 23–30). 3. The challenge—“Let no man trouble me.”
II. The suggestion the picture makes.—1. He who follows the Lord Jesus must expect some will try to trouble him. 2. He whose marks are most conspicuous will be troubled the least. 3. He who has marks may take comfort in knowing how much his Master paid for him. 4. He who is owned may remember that his Master owns and recognises the marks also. 5. He that has no marks is either a better or a poorer Christian than the apostle Paul. 6. Satan outwits himself when he gives a believer more marks. 7. A sure day is coming when the marks will be honourable, for the body of humiliation will be like the glorious body of Christ.—Homiletic Monthly.
Marked Men.
I. Ill-marked men.—Think of the marks left on men by sickness, intemperance, impurity, crime, sin of any kind. Evil will always leave its mark.
II. Well-marked men.—1. Christian marks—the marks of Christ. Paul was the slave of Christ. Some of his marks for Christ were literal, as the weals caused by the rods of the Roman Cæsars, the red lines caused by scourging in Jewish synagogues, the scars caused by repeated stonings. The marks of the Christian are mainly spiritual—marked by trustfulness, gentleness, purity, unselfishness.
2. Distinct marks.—Marked that he may be recognised. If you have the marks of Jesus, confess and obey Him.
3. Deep marks.—Branded on the body, not lines that can easily be removed, but going down to the flesh. Our Christian life is often feeble because it is not deep.