0467. 459. “In No Wise”

459. “In No Wise”

Sometimes “In no wise” is given “In no case” (Mat_5:20), “not” (Mat_24:2), “neither” (Mar_13:19), “not in any wise” (Mar_13:31), “by any means” (Luk_10:19), “never” (Joh_6:35), “no” (Heb_8:12; Heb_10:17), and “not at all” (Rev_21:25). In the original in the above Scriptures it is the double negative (ov un), which, as Bullinger points out, means “a double negative, expressing a strong denial,” which gives an assurance that not anything can make it to be other than it is said to be. Our words, “by no means,” embody its full significance (Mat_5:26). Let us see how the full Gospel can be found in the use of this double negative. We have put in italics this double negative.

1. Requirement of Law. “Thou shalt by no means come out thence till thou hast paid the uttermost farthing” (Mat_5:26). Law ever says: “Pay me what thou owest, and it will not abate its claim, nor compromise its demand.” We owe God perfect obedience to His commandments, and absolute fidelity to His behests, and because we have broken His laws we are all “under sin’s penalty” (Rom_3:9); under sin’s power—Rom_7:14; and under law’s curse—Gal_3:10, Gal_3:22.

2. Release by the Lord. “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not (“in no wise”) impute sin” (Rom_4:8). This is not merely an act of grace, but it is an act which is based on the atoning work of the Lord Jesus, for He was “delivered up for (dia rendered “for,” with the accusative, means “on account of”) our offences, and was raised for (“on account of”) our justification” (Rom_4:25). Because our sins were imputed to Him, believers have imputed to them His righteousness; as Luther said, “He is my sin, and I am His righteousness.”

3. Royal Assurance from the Lord. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (Joh_6:37). What a terrible fact awaits those who will not come—”Cast out!” What a gracious invitation the Lord gives in the words, “Him that cometh;” and what an assurance He gives to those who come, He will “in no wise cast out.” This may also mean that those whom He takes in shall never be turned out.

4. Royal Promises in the Lord. The following “nevers” may each be read “in no wise.” He promises to His own that they “shall never thirst” (Joh_4:14), “shall never hunger” (Joh_6:35), “shall never see death” (Joh_8:51), “never taste death” (Joh_8:52), “shall never perish” (Joh_10:28), “shall never” be forsaken (Heb_13:5), and that those who are alive when He returns “shall never die” (Joh_11:26). Did you ever find such seven nevers? Can you find such promises outside of Christianity?

5. Rule of the Lord. “I am the Light of the World, he that followeth Me shall not (“in no wise”) walk in darkness” (Joh_8:12). Darkness is the symbol of sin, of ignorance, of unbelief, of uncertainty, of obscurity, of fear, and danger. As long as believers follow the rule, to follow the Lord, sin shall not dominate them, ignorance shall not blind them, unbelief shall not deter them, doubt shall not imprison them, obscurity shall not confuse them, fear shall not daunt them, and danger shall not frighten them.

6. Recompense from the Lord. “Shall in no wise lose his reward” (Mat_10:42). The Lord never loses sight of anything that is done for others out of love to Himself. He takes cognisance of the widow’s mite, the work of faith, the labour of love, the patience of hope, the helping hand, the faithful witness, the heart of consecration, and the cup of cold water.

7. Retribution. “They shall not (“in no wise”) escape” (1Th_5:3), “There shall in no wise enter” (Rev_21:27), and “Shall in no wise enter the Kingdom” (Luk_18:17). These emphatic statements mean something. Laying aside all our theories about everlasting punishment, if we take the opposites of what we read there is undoubtedly eternal loss. Take the double negative as found in other places. Not to be hurt of the second death implies being hurt by it—Rev_2:11. Not to have the name blotted out, implies it may be—Rev_3:5. Not to be confounded, implies we may be put to shame—1Pe_2:6; not to see death nor taste it, not to hunger and thirst, not to perish, and not to be cast out, implies seeing and tasting death, hunger, and thirst, perishing, and casting out.

By: DR. F. E. MARSH