[The sin.] Let it be noted that the singular number is used here. It is '' the sin," not " the sins." The expression seems to me purposely intended to show that what Christ took away, and bore on the cross, was not the sin of certain people only, but the whole accumulated mass of all the sins of all the children of Adam. He bore the weight of all, and made an atonement sufl&cient to make satisfaction for all.
The idea propounded by some, that "the sin " which Christ is said here to take away, is only man's original sin, — and that for man's actual sins each man must make satisfaction himself, ia destitute of the slightest foundation in Scripture, contradicts scores of plain texts, and utterly overthrows the whole Gospel.
[Of the world.] It is almost needless to say that there are two views of this expression. Some say, that it only means, that Christ takes away the sins of G-entiles as well as Jews, and that it does not mean the sin of any but the elect. Others say, that it really means that Christ "taketh away" the sin of all mankind, that is, that He made an atonement sufficient for all, and that all are salvalle, though not all saved, in consequence of His death.
I decidedly prefer the latter of these two views. I hold as strongly as any one, that Christ's death is profitable to none but to the elect who believe on His name. But I dare not limit and pare down such expressions as the one before us. I dare not say that no atonement has been made, in any sense, except for the elect. I beheve it is possible to be more systematic than the Bible in our statements. When I read that the wicked who are lost, " deny the Lord that bought them," (2 Peter ii. 1,) and that " God was in Christ, reconcihng the world unto himself," (2 Cor. V. 19,) I dare not confine the intention of redemption to the saints alone. Christ is for every man.
I am aware the objection is often made, that "if Christ taketh away the sin of the world, and yet the vast majority of men die in their sins and are lost, Christ's work for many was wrought in vain." I see no force in this objection. I think we might as well argue, that because sin came into the world and marred creation, creation was in vain. We are not talking of the works of men, but of the eternal Word, and we must be content to see much in His works that we do not entirely understand. Though multitudes are lost, I have no doubt the last day will prove that nothing that Christ did for them was in vain.
I rest in the view of the text, that in some ineffable and inscru- table way, the whole world's sin was borne and atoned for by Christ. " He taketh away, or makes atoriement for, the sin cf all the men and women in the world." I have no doubt, from Scripture, that the vast majority of " the world's " inhabitants will