A good man is willing to know the worst of himself, and particularly under affliction, desires to be told wherefore God contends with him and what God designs in correcting him.
Matthew HenryRead
No attribute of God is more dreadful to sinners than His holiness.
Interpretation
What this quote means
God's holiness is a profound quality that makes sinners feel fear and dread due to their unworthy nature.
This quote reflects the idea that God's holiness, representing His absolute purity and separation from sin, serves as a stark contrast to human imperfection. For those who sin, this contrast can evoke a deep sense of dread and fear, as they recognize their inability to stand before such a pure and righteous being without the need for repentance and grace.
Themes
HolinessFearSinnersGodPurity
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon discussing the nature of God, I might mention this quote to emphasize the seriousness of sin.
More from Matthew Henry
All quotes →There is a burden of care in getting riches; fear in keeping them; temptation in using them; guilt in abusing them; sorrow in losing them; and a burden of account at last to be given concerning them.
Matthew HenryRead
To wait on God is to live a life of desire toward Him, delight in Him, dependence on Him, and devotedness to Him.
Matthew HenryRead
Scriptures were written, not to satisfy our curiosity and make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints.
Matthew HenryRead
What God requires of us he himself works in us, or it is not done. He that commands faith, holiness, and love, creates them by the power of his grace going along with his word, that he may have all the praise.
Matthew HenryRead
Though we may now think some sins light and little, if the Lord awaken the conscience, we shall feel even the smallest sin heavy upon our souls.
Matthew HenryRead
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