Ceased from sin
The very least which can be implied in these words is that the persons spoken of in them, namely all real Christians or believers in Christ, are made free from outward sin. And the same freedom which St. Paul here expresses in such variety of phrases, St. Peter expresses in that one (1 Peter 4:1-2): He who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, that he no longer should live to the desires of men, but to the will of God. For this ceasing from sin, if it is interpreted in the lowest sense as regarding only the outward behavior, must denote the ceasing from the outward act, from any outward transgression of the law.
1771 text
4. The very least which can be implied in these words, is, that the persons spoken of therein, namely, all real Christians or believers in Christ, are made free from outward sin. And the same freedom which St. Paul here expresses in such variety of phrases, St. Peter expresses in that one (1 Pet. iv. 1, 2.) He that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin,――that he no longer should live――to the desires of men, but to the will of God. For this ceasing from sin, if it be interpreted in the lowest sense, as regarding only the outward behaviour, must denote the ceasing from the outward act, from any outward transgression of the law.
About this text
Rendered in modern English, to be read and heard. Open the 1771 text under each part to check the claims and the scripture.
Rendered in modern English. The 1771 panel is his own Pine printing of the Works. It is public domain.
Catalogue & scope
Sermon 40 in the 1771 Works. Philippians 3:12.
This is an AI-assisted study translation. Source fidelity and completeness have not been independently certified. It is not a complete critical edition.