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by Thomas Goodwin
When Paul says, “for His great love,” the emphasis lies in the word His. There is a kind of love that belongs only to God—a love unlike any found among creatures. It flows not from attraction or merit, but entirely from His own heart. His love is self-originating, free, and sovereign. We love because something seems lovely; God loves because He is love.
This divine love is immutable and unchangeable. It cannot fail or be overcome. “I am the Lord, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6). His love is as firm as His being. It is not conditioned on our works or worth, but grounded in His own purpose and grace (2 Tim. 1:9).
Consider how His love has overcome the greatest difficulties.
Even after our conversion, when we stumble and provoke Him, His love remains. “Who shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?” (Rom. 8:35). No sin, no devil, no depth of corruption can sever what eternal love has bound. If we sin, His love disciplines us, yet even His chastisements are covered in mercy.
Indeed, this love is so near to God’s own essence that He speaks as if His people were part of Himself: “In all their affliction He was afflicted” (Isa. 63:9). He calls their salvation His own salvation (Isa. 49:6), and their welfare His joy. In a manner of speaking, He rests in His love, finding satisfaction in His people as a father in his children (Zeph. 3:17).
Mercy is not a mere attribute—it is God’s natural disposition. Scripture calls Him “the Father of mercies” (2 Cor. 1:3). It is as natural for God to show mercy as it is for the sun to shine. His mercy is not reluctant or constrained; He shows mercy with His whole heart and soul (Jer. 32:41).
When He exercises judgment, it is said to be His “strange work” (Isa. 28:21)—something contrary to His delight. But mercy is His pleasure, His joy. “He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.” (Micah 7:18).
His mercies are called His “bowels” (Luke 1:78)—His innermost affections. To withdraw mercy would be to deny Himself. He is not only merciful in action but mercy in His very being.
Therefore, when He saves sinners, it is not against His nature but according to it. “We were by nature children of wrath,” says Paul; “but God, by nature, is rich in mercy.”
God’s justice is real, but His delight is not in wrath. Justice satisfies His holiness; mercy satisfies His heart. When He judges, it is reluctantly. When He shows mercy, He rejoices. Thus, even His acts of justice are ruled by love, and His final goal is to magnify mercy through the cross of Christ.
Therefore, let no sinner despair who comes to Him through Christ. For God, who is rich in mercy, delights chiefly in mercy. His love is from Himself, unchangeable as His being, invincible as His power, and the same love wherewith He loves His Son.
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The Riches of God’s Love to His Elect
by Thomas Goodwin
The Apostle’s aim in this passage is to magnify the three great attributes of God—His love, mercy, and grace—as the causes of our salvation.
1. The Greatness and Origin of God’s Love
This love is not a passing affection but an eternal act in God Himself. Before there was a world, before we were born, before sin even existed, God took up this purpose of love. It was not awakened by our misery; rather, our misery gave opportunity for its display. It is a love that existed in the heart of God from everlasting, and it continues without interruption to everlasting.When Paul says, “for His great love,” the emphasis lies in the word His. There is a kind of love that belongs only to God—a love unlike any found among creatures. It flows not from attraction or merit, but entirely from His own heart. His love is self-originating, free, and sovereign. We love because something seems lovely; God loves because He is love.
This divine love is immutable and unchangeable. It cannot fail or be overcome. “I am the Lord, I change not; therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed.” (Mal. 3:6). His love is as firm as His being. It is not conditioned on our works or worth, but grounded in His own purpose and grace (2 Tim. 1:9).
2. The Invincible Nature of God’s Love
God’s love is not only unchangeable—it is invincible. It conquers all resistance, overcomes all barriers, and triumphs over all sin. “Many waters cannot quench love, neither can the floods drown it.” (Song 8:7).Consider how His love has overcome the greatest difficulties.
- It triumphed over His own righteous law, which condemned us.
- It overcame His own just anger against sin.
- It led Him to send His only Son, and to pour out His wrath upon that Son instead of us.
Even after our conversion, when we stumble and provoke Him, His love remains. “Who shall separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus?” (Rom. 8:35). No sin, no devil, no depth of corruption can sever what eternal love has bound. If we sin, His love disciplines us, yet even His chastisements are covered in mercy.
3. The Same Love Wherewith He Loved His Son
Astonishingly, the same love with which God loves His Son, He bestows upon His elect. Christ Himself prayed:We are not only loved through Christ but with Christ—with the very same love. As Christ is the Son by nature, so we are sons and daughters by adoption, and God loves both with a paternal, covenantal affection. This is the love that cannot be broken: “Nothing shall separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Indeed, this love is so near to God’s own essence that He speaks as if His people were part of Himself: “In all their affliction He was afflicted” (Isa. 63:9). He calls their salvation His own salvation (Isa. 49:6), and their welfare His joy. In a manner of speaking, He rests in His love, finding satisfaction in His people as a father in his children (Zeph. 3:17).
4. The Riches of His Mercy
From this great love flows His mercy. “But God, who is rich in mercy…”Mercy is not a mere attribute—it is God’s natural disposition. Scripture calls Him “the Father of mercies” (2 Cor. 1:3). It is as natural for God to show mercy as it is for the sun to shine. His mercy is not reluctant or constrained; He shows mercy with His whole heart and soul (Jer. 32:41).
When He exercises judgment, it is said to be His “strange work” (Isa. 28:21)—something contrary to His delight. But mercy is His pleasure, His joy. “He retaineth not His anger forever, because He delighteth in mercy.” (Micah 7:18).
His mercies are called His “bowels” (Luke 1:78)—His innermost affections. To withdraw mercy would be to deny Himself. He is not only merciful in action but mercy in His very being.
Therefore, when He saves sinners, it is not against His nature but according to it. “We were by nature children of wrath,” says Paul; “but God, by nature, is rich in mercy.”
5. The Harmony of Love and Mercy
Love is the fountain; mercy is the stream that flows from it. Love designed salvation; mercy executes it. Love moved God to purpose our redemption; mercy moved Him to accomplish it through Christ.God’s justice is real, but His delight is not in wrath. Justice satisfies His holiness; mercy satisfies His heart. When He judges, it is reluctantly. When He shows mercy, He rejoices. Thus, even His acts of justice are ruled by love, and His final goal is to magnify mercy through the cross of Christ.
Conclusion
If God’s judgments are His “strange work,” then mercy is His natural work. Mercy is His joy, His delight, His rest. The greater the misery, the greater the opportunity for His mercy to shine.Therefore, let no sinner despair who comes to Him through Christ. For God, who is rich in mercy, delights chiefly in mercy. His love is from Himself, unchangeable as His being, invincible as His power, and the same love wherewith He loves His Son.