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
None are sent empty away from Christ but those who come to him full of themselves.
Interpretation
What this quote means
To receive spiritual fulfillment from Christ, one must let go of their own ego and self-importance.
This quote suggests that individuals who approach Christ with a sense of entitlement or excessive self-satisfaction will not find the spiritual nourishment they seek. It emphasizes the importance of humility and the willingness to empty oneself of pride and self-centeredness in order to truly receive and experience the grace and teachings of Christ.
Themes
ChristHumilityEgoSpiritualitySelflessness
In practice
Example use cases
In a sermon about humility and faith, one might reference this quote to illustrate the importance of letting go of one's ego.
More from Matthew Henry
All quotes βThere 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.
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To wait on God is to live a life of desire toward Him, delight in Him, dependence on Him, and devotedness to Him.
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Scriptures were written, not to satisfy our curiosity and make us astronomers, but to lead us to God, and make us saints.
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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.
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No attribute of God is more dreadful to sinners than His holiness.
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