The Mortification of Sin: Chapter 1

Josh June 19th, 2006

John Owen

Chapter 1

Basically, in the preface of Owen’s book, we have established the reasons for which he published the work:

1) The easy believism that had so prevailed upon professing believers of his day and age (not too different from those of our own day, I’m sure).

2) The false method of mortification which led to a perfectionism and a works-based salvation, which was a major assault on the doctrine of Sola Fide (Justification by Faith Alone).

Now we begin this book of immense practical value in the life of the believer and of great need of immediate application in my own life. As we begin, let us pray:

God, make me know and understand the true sinfulness of my own sin and its utter despicableness before you, never casting it off lightly, as if it cost You little. I know my sin and it is ever before me, now let me be resensitized to its great rebellion against You, that I may actively pursue the mortification thereof and the pursuit of holiness. I confess my need of not only your pardon, but also your restraining grace which leads me not into temptation. Have mercy on this wretch, O Lord.

The reason I am wanting to outline Owen’s chapters is because of the need for application in our lives. By studying the outline form we can place a “quick-reference” guide, if you will, into our minds in time of need. You say, “Well, Josh, that’s why we have the Holy Spirit, for the application of Scripture in times of need.” And to such I would agree whole-heartedly. However, Owen’s words gives us systematized stratagem in our war against indwelling sin because this is, in fact, exegesis of the very Scriptures that the Holy Spirit brings to mind in times of trouble, trial, and temptation. Take it to heart, readers.

Scripture Text:

Romans 8:13b If ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body ye shall live.

Excerpt from The Mortification of Sin (Chapter 1)

In the words peculiarly designed for the foundation of the ensuing discourse there is, -

-First, A duty prescribed: “Mortify the deeds of the body.”
-Secondly, The persona are denoted to whom it is prescribed: “Ye,”–”If ye mortify.”
-Thirdly, There is in them a promise annexed to that duty: “Ye shall live.”
-Fourthly, The cause or means of the performance of this duty, –the Spirit: “If ye through the Spirit.”
-Fifthly, The conditionality of the whole proposition, wherein duty, means, and promise are contained: “If ye,” etc.

Just to note, if you’re following along in the book, you’ll notice that Owen sets up his extrapolation of his aforementioned principles chronologically different in the actual chapter. I will be outlining according to the above standards.

Outline

I. The Duty: Mortify the deeds of the body

A. The terms body and flesh are interchangeable.

1. Body and flesh in this particular case are speaking of indwelling sin, the sin nature, the “old man”. It is the outworking of the depravity of man in unbelievers, but that which wars with the Spirit in unbelievers.

B. The deeds of the body.

1. These are those actions which result as fruition of not dealing with the root of the problems. So, in saying that, Paul is also speaking of the root, then. Why? Because “the deeds of the flesh are to be mortified in their causes, from whence they spring.”

C. To mortify.

1. “Indwelling sin is compared to a person, a living person, called ‘the old man,’ with his faculties, and properties, his wisdom, craft, subtlety, strength; this, says the apostle, must be killed, put to death, mortified, — that is, have its power, life, vigour, and strength, to produce its effects, taken away by the Spirit.

II. To Whom this Duty is Prescribed: “Ye”

A. Namely, believers. Those who are under no condemnation (verse 1).

B. Duty is impossible for any others (See IV) to perform.

-With these first 2 points (Duty and Persons addressed) this proposition is made:

The choicest believers, who are assuredly freed from the condemning power of sin, ought yet to make it their business all their days to mortify the indwelling power of sin.

III. The Promise: “Ye shall live”

A. The Antithesis: (v. 13a)

1. 13 …if you live according to the flesh you will die

B. Not just speaking of the eternal state, but the quality of temporary life. Consider:

1. I Thess 3:8 For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.

-So we see: The vigour, and power, and comfort of our spiritual life depends on the mortification of the deeds of the flesh.

IV. The Cause/Means of Mortification: “If by the Spirit”

A. The Spirit of Christ (v.11), of God, that “dwells in us” (v. 9), etc. True effective mortification must be by the Spirit of God.

B. All other ways are futile, which is why, as mentioned in II, it was noted that only believers are prescribed in this duty, for the purposes of holiness, assurance, and sanctification.

-Concerning this point, Owen says, like in the second portion of his preface:

Mortification from a self-strength, carried on by ways of self-invention, unto the end of a self-righteousness, is the soul and substance of all false religion in the world.

V. The Conditionality of the Proposition: “But if”, denoting one of two things:

A. The uncertainty of the fruition of the promise, to whom the duty is prescribed.

1. This cannot be the case in v. 13, since the people addressed are believers, those who are not under condemnation.

or

B. The certainty of the connection that is between the condition and the promise.

1. Quote: …we say to a sick man, “If you will take such a potion, or use such a remedy, you will be well.” The thing we solely intend to express is the certainty of the connection that is between the potion or remedy and health. And this is the use of it here. The certain connection is that between the mortifying of the deeds of the body and living in this conditional particle.

-That being said, Dr. Owen qualifies, noting that the means (mortification) and end (life) is “not of cause and effect properly and strictly”, rightly recognizing that eternal life was purchased for the believer by the merits of Christ alone and His righteousness imputed into us, but that mortification is that means which he has appointed for such an end.

- If you use this means, you shall obtain that end; if you do mortify, you shall live.

End Outline.

I, by no means, intend to imply that I am, in any way, capable of improving upon Dr. Owen’s work. Rather, I’m sort of sifting through, sloppily posting my own thoughts. So if, in any way, God wishes to direct one who is not familiar with the Puritans or Dr. Owen, maybe this will point in that direction.

In chapter 1, Dr. Owen lays out the exposition of the passage. All of this can be seen in the outline, and even more so, I’d encourage you to read along, taking in all the details he so articulately lays out. Paul has been setting up for this discourse throughout the first chapters of Romans by teaching about the law, the fall, and the sin of man. However, he has just started a chapter which gives hope. “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Rom 8:1). That being the case, since such a truth is so wonderful and great, how much more ought we seek to honor the Lord Jesus with our lives. Those of us who are no longer under condemnation, the result should be this: mortification of sin, sanctification, pursuit of holiness, etc.

So the audience is the Christian. In thinking along the lines of his second preface statement, we see that an assault on justification by faith alone is exemplified in the idea that man can merit himself before God by a self-wrought mortification. If you think of today’s culture, you realize that many professing Christians are caught in the lie that, in order to retain their salvation, they must work feverishly. The problem with most is this: they are not doing so “by the Spirit”. Christ’s yoke is easy, His burden is light. Yes! we must be diligent in the things of God. Yes! we must fight temptation, trials, and hardships. But we must do so “by the Spirit of God”.

Thus, Dr. Owen is quick to show that this war of mortification is for the believer, not the unbeliever. We must never encourage an unbeliever to “clean his life up” before casting himself at the mercy of Christ. Such an admonition denotes that he might earn God’s favor with his filthy rags. No! We must preach the law of God, and the man’s transgression thereof, and that his only hope. . .his only prayer is to realize his absolute destitution and inability to save himself and throw himself at the feet of the Almighty God with a broken, contrite, and repentant heart. Then, and only then, can this man, “by the Spirit”, clean up his life.

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