F.E. Marsh :: 387. Substitution of Christ

THE Apostle Paul, in writing to the Church at Corinth, said, “I will very gladly spend and be spent for you” (2 Cor. 12:15). The preposition “huper,” translated “for,” is the one Paul uses, and is applied to Christ as the One who was not only willing, but who did “spend” and was “spent out” (2 Cor. 12:15, R.V., M.), in acting on our behalf.* The meaning of the word is bending over to protect, as a mother bird will cover her young at the sacrifice of her own life; or service rendered on behalf of another, thus acting in his stead, as when the priest offered “sacrifices for sins” on behalf of another (Heb. 5:1). The following will illustrate how faithfully and fully Christ acted on behalf of those who believe in Him. The preposition “huper” occurs in each case, and is rendered “for.”

Christ as Giver. “Given for you” (Luke 22:19; 1 Cor. 11:24).

Christ as Atoner. “Shed for you” (Luke 22:20).

Christ as the Bread. “Bread…for the life of the world” (John 6:51).

Christ as the Good Shepherd. “Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep (John 10:11).

Christ as the Volunteer. “I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:15).

Christ as the Provision for ungodly ones and sinners. “Christ died for the ungodly” (Rom. 5:6); “Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

Christ as the Passover. “Christ our Passover, sacrificed for us” (1 Cor. 5:7).

Christ as the Fulfiller of Scripture. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Cor. 15:3).

Christ as the Sin-bearer. “He hath made Him to be sin for us” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Christ as the Deliverer. “Gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver” (Gal. 1:4).

Christ as the Substitute. “Gave Himself for me” (Gal. 2:20).

Christ as the Curse-bearer. “Made a curse for us” (Gal. 3:13).

Christ as the Burnt-offering. “Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savour” (Eph. 5:2).

Christ as the Lover. “Loved….gave Himself for it” (Eph. 5:25).

Christ as the Saviour. “Salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us” (1 Thess. 5:10, R.V.).

Christ as the Ransom. “A Ransom for all” (1 Tim. 2:6).

Christ as the Redeemer. “Gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us,” &c. (Titus 2:14).

Christ as the Kinsman. “Taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9).

Christ as the Sacrifice. “Sacrifice for sins” (Heb. 10:12).

Christ as the Sufferer. “Suffered for us” (1 Peter 2:21).

Christ as the Reconciler. “ Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter 3:18).

Christ as the Example. “Christ hath suffered for us….likewise,” &c. (1 Peter 4:1).

Christ as the Inspirer. “He laid down His life for us, and we ought,” &c. (1 John 3:16).

We have thus given in detail the principal Scriptures that speak of Christ’s vicarious action, as it is of essential importance to be clear upon this main fact, for to be wrong here is to be wrong at every point.

* “Huper” is rendered “On behalf” in 2 Cor. 1:11; 5:12; 8:24; Phil. 1:29. In 2 Cor. 5:20 it
is “stead,” and in Philemon 13.