Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Song of Solomon 8:12
My vineyard, which [is] mine, [is] before me: thou, O Solomon, [must have] a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
12. My vineyard, which is mine ] This is an emphatic expression for my vineyard, in contrast to Solomon’s, and also as being her own exclusive possession.
is before me ] is still in my possession, neither given away nor sold (Oettli), and is sufficiently guarded by me.
thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred ] More literally, the thousand be to thee, O Solomon, and two hundred to those keeping (or watching) the fruit. The meaning seems to be, ‘O Solomon, you may keep the income of your vineyard, and the keepers may have their reward for their guardianship, but my vineyard is beyond your reach, and I have no need that my brothers or any others should guard it.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Son 8:12
My vineyard, which is Mine, is before Me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
Christs love for His vineyard
You are aware that these Canticles are responsive songs,–that one sentence is uttered by Solomon, and the next by Solyma, his spouse. We believe that, in this Song of Songs, which is Solomons, we also hear Christ speaking to His Church, His bride, and the Church responding to His words of love in tones which His love has suggested to her. The fact that it is a responsive song sometimes renders it the more difficult to understand, because it is not easy, in every case, to discover whether it is Solomon or Solyma–Christ or His Church–that is speaking. The first sentence in our text is just of that character; it may be Christ who says, My vineyard, which is Mine, is before Me; or it may be His Church which is saying, My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. With regard to the latter part of the verse, we have no difficulty, for we can see, upon the very face of it, that it is addressed by the spouse, the bride, to her Divine Bridegroom, to whom she says, Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand.
I. Let us look at the first sentence: My vineyard, which is Mine, is before Me. We have no difficulty in understanding that this vineyard is Christs Church. The Master here, then, claims a special property in His Church. Twice does He mention that claim: My vineyard, which is Mine, as if He meant to assert His rights, and to maintain them against all comers; being ready to defend them in Heavens High Court of Chancery, or before all the hosts of His enemies who might seek to snatch His inheritance from Him. Whatever is not Mine, saith the Divine Lover, My Church is. She is so mine that, if I gave up Lebanon, if I should renounce Bashan, and give up all the rest of My possessions, I must retain Zion, My vineyard, My best-beloved. First, He claims the Church as His own by His Fathers gift. You know that the Church is the property of all the three Persons of the holy and blessed Trinity. She is the Fathers property by election; she is the Sons property by donation, passing from the hand of the Father to that of the Mediator; and, then, the Church is the Spirits by His indwelling and inhabitation; so that all three of the Divine Persons have a right to the Church for some special office which they exercise towards her. So Christ claims His Church as His Fathers gift, a love-token, a reward, a sign of the Fathers favour and regard towards Him. Next, Christs Church is His by purchase. More than this, the Church is Christs by one other He, which, perhaps, makes it dearer still to Him. She is His bride, His spouse. But we must pass on to notice that, in the first sentence of our text, we are not only told about Christs special right to His Church, but also about His special care and observation of her: My vineyard, which is Mine, is before Me. The Church is before Christ in the sense that He so loves her that He never has her out of His presence. The vineyard is so dear to the Husbandman that He never leaves it. His Church may be willing to endure His absence for a while, but He loves her so much that He cannot bear to be away from her. He will always pour upon her the beams of His love, and ever fix upon her the affection of His whole heart. The expression, My vineyard, which is Mine, is before Me, may also mean that Jesus is always caring for it, as well as always loving it. There is also, in this expression, not only the sense of love and care, but also of knowledge: My vineyard, which is Mine, is before Me. Christ knows every vine in the vineyard, and He knows all the fruit that is on each vine, and how much there was last year, and how much there will be in years to come.
II. Now, regard this first sentence of our text as the language of the Church itself. According to the eleventh verse, Solomon had a vineyard at Baal-hamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver. So, dear brethren, every one of us whom the Lord has brought to Himself has a part of His vineyard to keep for Him. We leave the work of saving our souls in higher Hands than our own; but after our souls are saved, then we have a charge to keep, and that charge is, to publish the name and fame of Jesus to the utmost of our power, to seek to bring others under the sound of the Gospel, and to tell them what they must do to be saved.
III. I will now turn to the second part of our text, which is the language of the Church to Her Great Proprietor and Lord: Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand–must have a thousand. Whatever others have, our Lord must have Solomons portion; and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. So, then, in the first place, the fruit of the vineyard belongs to Christ; but, in the second place, both Christ and His Church agree to reward the keepers of the vineyard, and to let them have their two hundred. First, then, all the fruit of the vineyard belongs to Christ, and He must have it. Dwell on that word must, and let each one of you feel the blessed necessity. The ministry must still be powerful, the prayer-meetings must continue to be full of faith and fervour, the members must keep on striving together in love for the extension of Christs kingdom, His kingdom must come, and His will must be done on earth as it is heaven. We will not put in an if or a perhaps; it must be so and we will not be satisfied unless it Is. Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand. Now I will conclude with a few remarks upon the last words of the text: and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred, which means that the keepers of the vineyard are to receive a reward. Christs ministers are to receive the love, and regard, and esteem of His people for His sake. Our Master is a blessed Paymaster, for He pays us while we are doing His work, in the work itself; He pays us when the work is done, and then lie says that He has only begun to pay us; for, when the whole of our work here is over, we shall enter into His joy, and receive the fulness of our reward. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
My vineyard; my church, which is oft compared to a vineyard, and is here opposed to Solomons vineyard. It is much doubted and disputed whether this verse be spoken by Christ or by the spouse; the first clause seems to agree best to the former, and the following clause to the latter. Possibly the difficulty may be reconciled by ascribing the first clause to Christ, and the latter to the spouse; such interlocutions being familiar in this book, and in other writings of this kind. Which is mine: this repetition is not idle, but very emphatical, to show that Christ had a more eminent and special title to his vineyard, the church, than Solomon had to his vineyard, because it was purchased not by his money, but by his blood, and because it was his, not only for the short time of this present life, as Solomons was, but to all eternity.
Is before me; is under my own eye and care, and is not wholly committed to the care and management of others, as Solomons was: I the Lord do keep it night and day, as we read, Isa 27:3. I am with it to the end of the world, Mat 28:20.
Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand: these are the churchs return to Christ, who is here called Solomon, as he was Son 3:9,11, as elsewhere he is called David. Dost thou, O Christ, keep thine own vineyard, which Solomon did not? Then surely it is meet that thou shouldst receive, and thou shalt receive, as large a revenue from thy vineyard as he did from his.
Those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred; though the chief revenue belongeth and is justly given to thee, yet thy ministers who serve thee in thy vineyard shall have, and are allowed by thee to receive, some encouragement for their service. See 1Co 9:7.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
12. “mine” by grant ofthe true Solomon. Not merely “let out to keepers,” as inthe Jewish dispensation of works, but “mine” bygrace. This is “before me,” that is, in my power[MAURER]. But though nolonger under constraint of “keeping” the law as a mereletter and covenant of works, love to Jesus Christ willconstrain her the more freely to render all to Solomon (Rom 8:2-4;1Co 6:20; Gal 5:13;1Pe 2:16), after having paid whatjustice and His will require should be paid to others (1Co 7:29-31;1Co 9:14). “Before me”may also mean “I will never lose sight of it” (contrast So1:6) [MOODY STUART].She will not keep it for herself, though so freely given to her, butfor His use and glory (Luk 19:13;Rom 6:15; Rom 14:7-9;1Co 12:7). Or the “twohundred” may mean a double tithe (two-tenths of the wholepaid back by Jesus Christ) as the reward of grace for our surrenderof all (the thousand) to Him (Gal 6:7;Heb 6:10); then she and “thosethat keep” are the same [ADELAIDENEWTON]. But Jesus Christpays back not merely two tithes, but His all for ourall (1Co 3:21-23).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
My vineyard, which [is] mine, [is] before me,…. These are either the words of Christ, asserting and confirming his right and property in his vineyard, the church; and which he distinguishes from and prefers to all others; and which being said to be before him denotes his exact knowledge of every vine in it, not a plant escaping his watchful eye; his presence in it, his care of it, the delight and complacency he has therein: or else the words of the church, expressing her care, watchfulness, and diligence in the vineyard, and her concern for the welfare of the several vines and plants in it; see So 1:6; And certain it is that the next clause is spoken by her:
thou, O Solomon, [must have] a thousand; a thousand pieces or shekels of silver, as before: the church is willing Christ should have all he desires and demands, his whole due and full revenue of glory from his people; for he is meant, and not Solomon literally, as many Jewish writers h acknowledge. And the church being now in his presence, and using familiarity with him, thus addresses him,
and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred; by which may be meant an honourable maintenance for themselves and families, and much esteem and respect among the people to whom they minister; this is the double honour in 1Ti 5:17. Christ has the greatest share, as in reason he should, being the proprietor of the vineyard, and having the chief care and oversight of it, and gives it its increase: however, faithful ministers have their reward, which lies greatly in the conversion of sinners, and edification of saints; for that is their joy, and crown of rejoicing; and in eternal happiness they shall enjoy hereafter, 1Th 2:19.
h Shir Hashirim Rabba, & Alshech in loc. R. Abendamae Not. in Miclol Yophi in Psal. lxxii. 20.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(12) Thou, O Solomon . . .i.e., Let Solomon keep and enjoy his possessions (his harem of mercenary beauties), which cost so much to obtain and keep; I am happier in the secure love of my one true wife. The mention of two hundred to the keepers of the fruit seems added to show the cost of a polygamous establishment on a great scale.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
12. My vineyard, which is mine, is before me That is, My own vineyard is in my thought; I can look at no other. The ample estate, with its income of thousands, after the keepers or tenants have been paid, has no attraction for her. Or, it may be that the two hundred shekels remain to them for their labour after the rent has been paid to the king. This verse bears plain marks of being a rehearsal of what she had once said to Solomon. Silver, as measured by the value of wheat, had at that time possibly fifty times its average worth in our day, so that she had indeed resisted a tempting offer.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
12. We have seen the Shulamite sitting in the pavilion of the King, and in his palace. Now, she is sitting in the gardens; the friends of herself and of her Beloved welcoming her return, and anticipating the bridal feast, beguile the happy time with gentle conversation.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Son 8:12. My vineyard, which is mine My vineyard which before brought me in a thousand pieces, is now thine, O Solomon; and there are two hundred pieces for those who look after the fruit thereof. By pieces of silver here are understood shekels, supposed to be in value about two shillings and four pence halfpenny each.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Son 8:12 My vineyard, which [is] mine, [is] before me: thou, O Solomon, [must have] a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
Ver. 12. My vineyard, which is mine, &c. ] And therefore most dear unto me, for ownness makes love. Patriam quisque amat: non quia pulchram, sed quia suam. a Every man loves his own things best. The Church is Christ’s own by a manifold right, by donation, conquest, purchase – not with silver and gold, but with the dearest and warmest blood in all his heart. 1Pe 1:18 No wonder therefore though she be always before him; though he look carefully to her that cost him so dear, that he trust not others with her, as Solomon was forced to do; but whomsoever he employs about her – “for we are labourers together with God,” saith the apostle; “ye are God’s husbandry” 1Co 3:9 – himself is ever one. Ipse adest et praeset, he is present and president. “Feed my sheep,” said he to Peter, but do it for me, as the Syriac translator, respecting the sense, adds there. Joh 21:15 “Take not unto thee the instruments of a foolish shepherd,” Zec 11:11 that is, forcipes et mulctram, as an ancient saith, like those that are more intent, attonsioni gregis quam attentioni, fisco quam Christo. Peter must not do any of this, much less must he “lord it over God’s inheritance,” as his pretended successors do, with whose carcases therefore Christ shall shortly dung his vineyard, and water the roots of his vines with their blood. He must look to lip feeding, and, when himself is converted, “strengthen his brethren”; neither must he intervert or take to himself any part of the fruits, as Solomon’s farmers did. He may not seek his own things, but the things of Jesus Christ. “Paul may plant, and Apollos water,” but, since it is “God that gives the increase,” let God reap all the glory; they shall also “reap in due season, if they faint not,” if they grow not “weary of well doing.” Gal 6:9 See Trapp on “ Son 8:11 “
a Seneca.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
is before me = is my own.
thou. Apostrophising the absent Solomon whom she had left.
must have. Instead of these words supply “[mayst keep his] thousand”.
those that keep, &c. = the keepers [may keep] their twohundreds.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
30.
Our Lords vineyard
Son 8:12
My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.
The Song of Solomon is really a series of responsive songs. It must be read and understood spiritually. This poetic book is a symbolical picture of Christ and his church. Wherever we see Solomon speaking, it is Christ speaking to his church. Wherever we see the Shulamite speaking to her Beloved, it is the church speaking to Christ. Throughout this Song of Songs we hear Christ speaking to us, his church, his Bride, his Spouse; and then the church responds to his words of love in tones of sincere affection and admiration.
The very fact that this is a responsive song makes it at times difficult to understand, because it is not always easy to determine who is speaking in a given passage Christ or his church. For example, the commentators are just about equally divided over this sentence: My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. Some say, This is Christ speaking to his church. Others insist, This is the church speaking to Christ.
Personally, I cannot say. I cannot press the issue one way, or the other. So I will take this sentence (My vineyard, which is mine, is before me.) as coming from the lips of our Lord to his church. Then view it as coming from the Bride. I believe that our souls will be greatly profited by both considerations.
The church
The vineyard spoken of in this text is the church of Christ (Psa 80:8-10; Psa 80:14-15). The church is the vineyard of our Lord Jesus Christ, always under his watchful eye and tender care. I use the word church here in reference to the church universal, the mystical, spiritual body of Christ. The church is the whole body of Gods elect, the whole family of God. All true believers of every age are in the church. We are all one body in Christ, who is our Head (1Co 12:13; Eph 2:13-14).
Other trees may be useful for lumber or firewood, though they bring forth no fruit. But a vine is only useful when it is fruitful. If a vine is fruitless it is useless. It cumbers the ground. It must be cut down and burned. The church is frequently compared to a vine, or vineyard, in the Scriptures (Isa 5:1-2; Isa 5:7; Joh 15:1-10). It is compared to a vine because of its fruitfulness and because as a vine, which has many branches, is one, even so the church of Christ is one body in Christ, though it has many members.
My vineyard
My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. With these words, our Lord Jesus Christ claims the church as his own and declares his special love and care for it. The Lord here declares that the church is his own special property. He makes the claim twice, My vineyard, which is mine. He declares his rights of ownership. He looks upon his church, his believing people, those whom he has chosen and redeemed, and says, This is my vineyard.
We know that all things belong to our Lord Jesus Christ (Rev 4:11). All things are his by right of creation. All things are his by the prerogative of providence. And all things are his by virtue of his mediatorial reign (Joh 17:2). But our Lord here claims a special interest in and possession of his church.
It is true that our Lord is providentially good and benevolent to all his creatures. But the special object of our Saviors love, care, and concern is his own vineyard, his church. In providence he rules over all things and all people; but the object, goal, and purpose of his rule is the welfare of his church (Joh 17:2; Rom 8:28).
The church belongs to Christ by divine gift from his Father (Joh 17:6; Joh 17:9; Joh 17:11-12). The church is the property of all the three persons of the Holy Trinity. She belongs to God the Father by eternal election. She belongs to God the Son by donation, by Suretyship agreement. And she belongs to God the Holy Spirit by his indwelling presence and special habitation (Eph 2:20-22).
The church belongs to Christ by a lawful purchase (Act 20:28; Eph 5:25-27). There are some who say that all men were purchased by Christ. But Gods people do not believe in such a sham redemption, a redemption which does not redeem. We do not believe in a universal atonement, which extends even to those who were in hell before Christ died. Such an atonement is no atonement at all. We believe in an effectual redemption, a particular and special atonement. We can never tolerate the doctrine of those who would tell us that Christ died in vain, and that some of those for whom he died will perish in hell. Our Lord will never part with his church. He will never lose one of his redeemed ones. He paid too dear a price for us.
The church belongs to Christ as a bride belongs to her husband (Hos 2:14 to Hos 3:3). He chose us as the object of his love. He redeemed us with his own precious blood. He has courted us, wooed our hearts, and won our love by his gracious Spirit. He will not allow us to be lost. He will never leave us. He will never allow us to leave him.
Constant care
The church is the special property of Christ. He says, My vineyard, which is mine. But there is more. In this sentence, our Lord also declares that his church is the constant object of his watchful eye and special care My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. Those words, as coming from the lips of Christ, are full of meaning for the comfort of our hearts My vineyard is before me. He is saying to us, Fear not, my eye is upon you. I am engaged to do you good. (See Isa 41:10; Isa 41:14).
The church is before Christ in the sense that he so loves us that he will never let us out of his presence. The vineyard is so dear to him that he never leaves it. He may sometimes hide himself among the vines; but he is always present (Mat 28:20; Heb 13:5). He still walks among the golden candlesticks. This statement by our Lord also means that he is always caring for his church. His providence is constantly engaged for our everlasting good. He has done us good. He is doing us good. And he will do us good. All things work together for our good.
In this expression there is also the assurance that the Lord is knowledgeable of his church. He knows us. He is thoroughly acquainted with us and with all that concerns us. There is a sweet thought here for all who love Christ. You as his church, each one of his people is especially preserved by Christ. We are personally, particularly, distinctly, and eternally the objects of his love and care.
Let us ever remember, the church is the Lords own vineyard. He will take care of her. He will maintain her cause. He will provide her needs. He will build her walls, establish her gates, and secure her success. The church does not belong to the pastor, or to the people, but to Christ alone. The church belongs to Christ. We are under his care.
The keepers
Now read Son 8:11-12 together”Solomon had a vineyard at Baalhamon; he let out the vineyard unto keepers; every one for the fruit thereof was to bring a thousand pieces of silver. My vineyard, which is mine, is before me: thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred.”
In Son 8:11 several things are set before us. As we have seen, the church of God in this world is Christs vineyard. The Lord Jesus has trusted the care of his vineyard to chosen men (Mat 20:1-2; Mat 21:33). Gospel preachers are the Lords rent-gatherers. They collect his fruit and bring it in to him (Joh 15:16). The fruit gathered and brought by these keepers of the Lords vineyard is all the same.
The fruit brought in by each one is a thousand pieces of silver. Gods servants all have the same commission to preach the gospel. They have different gifts and abilities. And their outward, apparent successes differ. Some have greater and some lesser success, at least in their own eyes and in the eyes of men. Yet, as John Gill wrote, in the faithful and honest discharge of their work, they are all so blessed by him, as to answer the end of their ministration (ministry) designed by him; so that he reckons that every one, even the meanest (most humble and least gifted), brings in his thousand pieces, as well as the more able and successful.
Our responsibility
Now, read this sentence as though it were spoken by the church, as spoken by us to our Savior My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. This is the language of the church about her responsibility to Christ, the Lord. The church is Christs vineyard. It belongs to him. But he has let his vineyard out to many keepers (Son 8:11). It is our responsibility, as keepers of the vineyard, to be faithful stewards over that which the Lord has committed to our care.
The care of Christs vineyard is not the responsibility of Gods appointed pastors alone. We are each responsible for the Lords vineyard. Every believer is responsible for his own heart, his own life, and his own work (Son 1:6). If you are a believer, if you are one of those men or women who belong to Christ, you are a keeper of the Lords vineyard. He has placed into your hands, under your care, a part of that vineyard which is so dear to him that he paid for it with his own lifes blood. Now, it is your responsibility to faithfully serve him in his vineyard. Keep your heart for him (Pro 4:23). Keep your life for him. See that your life upon this earth is a life lived for the honor and glory of Christ (Col 3:1-3).
Let us learn the lesson he taught Peter in Joh 21:20-21. Let us faithfully keep to the work which he has given us. Serve the Lord where you are. To serve him is to serve his people and to serve his cause. We are not all called to preach the gospel; but there is something that each of us can do, something we are responsible to do, something that we must do for Christ, for the good of his church, for the furtherance of his gospel. We can all visit his sick and afflicted people, and comfort them in their trouble. We can all bear faithful witness of Christ. We can all bring people to hear the gospel. We can all minister to the needs of Gods servants. We can all mow grass, rake leaves, wash windows, paint, dust and keep the doors of the Lords house (take care of the church property), making a comfortable place for people to hear the gospel and worship our God. We can all give generously to the support of the ministry. We can all look for and seize every opportunity to express and show our love to Gods saints, comforting the hurting, forgiving the offensive, restoring the fallen, and encouraging the weak. We can all do much for the furtherance of the gospel. And what we can do, what God gives us the means, opportunity, and ability to do we must do for the glory of Christ and the good of his people.
There are some who are given special talents and special responsibilities as keepers in the Lords vineyard. With special talents come special responsibilities. I am given the privilege and the awesome responsibility of being one of the Lords pastors, an under-shepherd, a keeper of the Lords vineyard. Others are missionaries, evangelists, elders or teachers. Others are deacons. There is one thing, only one thing that our God requires of us in each of our respective places. That one thing is faithfulness (1Co 4:1-2).
As a steward under God, whatever the work is God has given us, let us say, This is My vineyard. It is the vineyard God has given to me. This is the sphere and place of my responsibility. This is the portion of the wall I must build. It is before me. I am not responsible for my brothers work; but I am responsible for my own. I must always keep my own work before my eyes. I must go about my work, doing what I have to do, just as though there were no one else in the world to do anything.
If I see another man prospering more than me, I will thank God for his blessing upon my brother and his work. But still I must say, My vineyard, which is mine, is before me. I do not look for, nor do I desire another mans place. This is the place God has for me. This is the work God has committed to my hands. This is the place where I must faithfully serve him.
What about you? Will you be faithful in the place where the Lord has put you, and faithful in the work he has set before you?
The fruit
Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand, and those that keep the fruit thereof two hundred. This is the declaration of the church to her great Lord. The fruit of the vineyard belongs to Christ and he must have it. Jesus Christ must have the fruit of his vineyard. That is to say, he must receive all the honor, all the glory, and all the praise from his church. We must not applaud ourselves if Gods blessings attend our labors. We must not exalt and magnify those who labor most zealously and those who give most generously. We must not give glory and praise to those faithful pastors, teaches, missionaries, etc. through whom the Lord speaks and works. There is no place in the church of God for the honor of the flesh. He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord. No flesh shall glory in his presence.
The keepers of the vineyard shall receive their reward as well. There is no promise here of heavenly rewards and crowns being earned by faithful service to Christ. But this fact must not be ignored Those who honor God, God will honor (1Sa 2:30). Each man and woman who faithfully serves the Lord Jesus Christ will find great reward in doing so. Your own soul will be profited by your faithfulness. And such men and women should be highly esteemed by those who profit by their labors. Those who are faithful missionaries, pastors, teachers, elders, and deacons in the church should be given their proper respect and esteem.
Those who preach the gospel of Christ are to be rewarded for their labors by those for whom they labor. Every true and faithful servant of God is to be esteemed very highly for his works sake (1Th 5:1213). One of the old writers made this observation Where Christ gets his due among a people, there and there only do ministers get their due. Where Christ is heartily received, the feet of them that bring glad tidings will be beautiful. Where Christ has his thousand, ministers will have their two hundred. Those who preach the gospel are to live by the gospel. They are to be generously supported and maintained by their congregations (1Ti 5:17-18; Gal 6:6; 1Co 9:9-11).
This two hundred, which is the reward of Gods servants, certainly includes those chosen, redeemed sinners who are converted by the Spirit of God under their influence (1Th 2:19-20). This two hundred shall be the full possession and compensation of every servant of God in eternal glory. Here, we may seem to come far short of it. Poverty, disrespect, and reproach are the common lot of faithful gospel preachers in this world. But there is a day coming when, they that turn many to righteousness shall shine as the stars for ever and ever (Dan 12:3; 2Ti 4:6-8).
The church belongs to Christ. It is his vineyard, always under his watchful eye and the object of his loving care. It is our responsibility to faithfully serve the Lord Jesus Christ in the place where we are, with the capacity he has given us. Those who faithfully serve Christ, all of them, are to be duly honored by us.
Fuente: Discovering Christ In Selected Books of the Bible
vineyard: Son 1:6, Pro 4:23, Act 20:28, 1Ti 4:15, 1Ti 4:16
thou: Psa 72:17-19, Rom 14:7-9, 1Co 6:20, 2Co 5:15
those: 1Th 2:19, 1Ti 5:17, 1Ti 5:18
Reciprocal: Exo 19:5 – a peculiar Pro 27:18 – keepeth Pro 31:16 – considereth Ecc 2:4 – I planted Son 4:16 – Let Isa 5:1 – touching Isa 7:23 – a thousand vines Eze 15:2 – What Mat 20:1 – a man Mat 21:33 – There Mat 21:34 – that Mar 12:1 – and let Luk 16:7 – An hundred Luk 20:9 – and let Joh 15:1 – husbandman 1Co 9:7 – planteth
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Son 8:12. My vineyard, which is mine My soul, may every true member of the church say, my heart and life, my time and talents; or, my privileges and advantages, may the church in general say, which are committed to my trust, and for which I must be accountable; are before me Under my continual care. Thou, O Solomon, must have a thousand Thou, O Christ, must have the honour and glory: thou must receive returns of gratitude, love, and duty for the blessings thou hast bestowed; thou must be served with the produce of the vineyard, and of every plant therein. And those that keep the fruit thereof, two hundred Those ministers that take pains with thy people to make them fruitful, must have that reward and encouragement that is due to them, 1Co 9:7. They that give Christ his due, will also give ministers theirs; yet without encroaching on Christs. It may be observed here, that the Hebrew of this verse will admit of a different translation, thus; My vineyard, which before brought me a thousand pieces, is now thine, O Solomon, and there are two hundred pieces for those who look after the fruit thereof. They who adopt this translation suppose that the occasion of writing this book was taken from Solomons marriage of a beautiful person called Shulamith, (Son 6:13,) and generally supposed to be Pharaohs daughter: and that in her single state she possessed a vineyard, which upon her marriage became Solomons; because, though among the Jews it was usual for the husband to endow his spouse with a sum of money at their marriage, yet the bride also often brought a portion to her husband, as appears from Tob 10:10. Now, supposing it to be a fact, that Solomons marriage gave occasion to this book, and that what has now been stated is the literal meaning of this verse; in the application of it to Christ and his church, we must say, as Solomons spouse gave her vineyard, or her whole property, to him on her marriage, so the church, the spouse of Christ, upon her marriage to him, gives him, not only herself, but her all, and retains a propriety or exclusive right in nothing. She lays herself and her all at his feet. With her heavenly husbands permission, however, she takes care to provide for those who are employed in cultivating and keeping the vineyard. For while Solomon has the vineyard, two hundred pieces, arising from the produce of it, are reserved for those who look after the fruit thereof. For the labourer, said Jesus, is worthy of his hire: and he that is taught in the word must communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.