Jonathan Edwards' Commentary on Isaiah 55:1

 Jonathan Edwards' Commentary on Isaiah 55:1

 

OK; I admit, right off the bat, that this is an unapologetic quotation straight out of my fairly-recently-purchased Jonathan Edwards Study Bible, published by Thomas Nelson.  The citation comes from pp. 805 & 806 of this excellent resource.

 

So, without further ado, here is the text of Isa. 55:1; and Pastor Edwards' commentary on the verse. . . . "Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price," (NKJV). . . . "God has given even fallen man such a gift, that He has left nothing for man to do that he may be happy, but only to receive what is given him. Though he has sinned, yet God requires no amends to be made by him; He requires of him no restoration; if they will receive His Son of Him, He requires neither money nor price; he is to do no penance in order to be forgiven. What God offers, He offers freely. God offers man eternal happiness upon far more gracious terms than before; before, he was to do something himself for his happiness; he was to obey the law; but since he is fallen, God offers to save him for nothing, only if he will receive salvation as it is offered; that is, freely through Christ, by faith in Him."

 

. . . Now, let us think about what Jonathan Edwards is saying here.  He is asserting--basing his doctrine at least partly on Isa. 55:1--that all human happiness is received in and from Jesus Christ and His gospel of grace; and that we are entirely passive in the reception of this most divine and supernatural gift.  We do nothing, but simply to receive it (Him/Jesus Christ).  Our natural tendency as fallen creatures is to default back to the Covenant of Works that was in play before the Fall, and think that we have to do something to be acceptable to God.  But Edwards teaches, very-rightly-so, that God requires nothing of us: no "amends," no "restoration," no "money," no "price," no "penance."  God Himself gives what He requires.  God gives His elect churchmen faith to receive His (God's) gift of His Son and the free grace of the gospel of mercy.

 

This doctrine of "more gracious terms" is also spectacular.  It is true: in Adam's initial state of creation, that he, being sinless (yet capable of falling), did have to do something.  If he failed, as he did, he (Adam) would lose his pristine perfection, and his unhindered fellowship with the Triune Creator.  Adam--even before the Fall--had it "harder" than we (who are in Christ via the new birth) do now after the Fall.  Our "terms" are "easier"--but this "ease" came at the cost of the shedding of the blood of God's dearly-loved and Only-Begotten Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

 

Somebody might say, (as I am sure many people today are saying): "This is just not fair. It does not make sense. If I am a sinner, I should do something to merit or earn God's favor. Surely, I have to contribute something. I at least have to 'prepare' myself for some reception of God's grace to me."  But none of this is true.  It is the rationale of fallen sinners, who are still operating under the cover of the now-defunct Covenant of Works.  Jesus kept this Covenant for His church; and we now enjoy the full and perfect imputed benefits of His doing this for us.

 

Somebody else might protest by averring, "Pastor Edwards was just too much of a 'softy.' He does not realize that I have to contribute something to my salvation, or acceptance before God."  But this protest--though understandable in some ways--is entirely untrue.  Jonathan Edwards knew what was involved in the achieving of the elect church's atonement; and this was in no way "cheap" to him.  The beloved Son of God had to give His life for us unworthy sinners; and this sacrifice was the most precious and costly gift ever procured and given.  May all of us sinners cling to this glorious Redeemer with "joy inexpressible and full of glory"!--(1 Pet. 1:8b).

 

Rev. Mark J. Henninger

Treatise #152

9 November 2026

https://theologicaltreatisesinretirement.blogspot.com

https://henningerdevotions.blogspot.com/

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