John 1:16

And of his fulness, &c.— "And I, (John the apostle) who had the honour of being numbered among his most intimate friends, would with pleasure, in my own name, and that of my brethren; add my testimony to that of the Baptist, as I and they have the greatest reason to do; for of his overflowing fulness have we all received whatever we possess as men, as Christians, or as apostles; and he hath given us even grace upon grace—a rich abundance and variety of favours, which will ever make his name most dear and precious to our souls." It is evident, that what is said in this verse, must be considered as the words of the evangelist. John the Baptist had never yet mentioned the name of Jesus; and the expression we all, shews it could not be his words; for those to whom he addressed himself, do not appear to have received grace from Christ. The last French version, with great propriety, includes John 1:15 in a parenthesis, and so connects the 16th with the 14th verse; as if it had been said, He dwelt among us,—full of grace and truth;—and of his fulness have we all received, &c. The interpretation which we have given of Και χαριν αντι χαριτος, even grace upon grace, is approved by Sir Richard Ellis, Doddridge, and many others, and seems the most easy sense. Grotius would render it, Grace of mere grace; that is "the freest grace imaginable;" and others approving the present translation, observe, that the meaning is, that under the gospel dispensation all men receive grace for grace;—privileges and advantages, in proportion, to the improvement which they make of those already bestowed upon them. Comp. Matthew 13:12.James 4:6.