Section 600
I. I shall consider the titles he gives unto her, and they are two, "my sister, my spouse"
One of which, namely, "my spouse," has been explained in the former verse, and is here repeated to shew his affection to her, how much he delighted, in her under this character; as also, to assure her of the truth of it, as well as to manifest his satisfaction in this relation, and that he was not ashamed to own and acknowledge her as such: the other title, "my sister," we have not met with before. Now Christ may call the church his sister, 1. More amatorio, it being a love-strain;[3803] and this being a love-song, where Christ and his church are expressing their love to each other; such a title as this cannot be looked upon as an improper one: it being an endearing expression, used by husbands to their wives; as by Raguel to Edna, 17:18, and by Tobias to Sara, chapter 8:4. 2. More Hebraeorum: it being usual with the Jews to call those of their own kindred and country, brethren and sisters; and with none but such were they allowed to marry; and perhaps to this the apostle has a respect (1 Corinthians 9:5), "Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife?" etc. agreeable to this, Christ calls his church, his sister, whom he had espoused to himself. 3. He may call her so on account of his incarnation; he assuming the same nature, and partaking of the same flesh and blood the children did; and so being of one and the same mass and lump with them, is not ashamed to call them brethren; which, it may be, is intended in that wish of the church's, chapter 8:1. "O that thou wert as my brother!" etc. that is, O that thou wert incarnate! that we were of the same flesh and blood, and thereby thou appear to be my brother, and I thy sister. 4. On the account of her adoption: God has, by his sovereign, free, and distinguishing grace, adopted all his elect into his family, and has in his covenant of grace declared himself to be their Father, and them to be his sons and daughters; and now, being the sons and daughters of the same Father as Christ as the Son of, they become his brethren and sisters, which he acknowledges (John 20:17). 5. Being born again, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God, they bear this character; and are so in Christ's esteem, according to what he says (Matthew 12:50), "Whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother:" Christ bears all relations to his people, and is willing to own them in all relations to him. 6. Perhaps the church is here first called Christ's sister; because Christ having called his people out of Judea's land, and gathered a church among the Gentiles, that little sister spoken of in chapter 8:8, it might hereby appear that he had a real affection for her, that she was valued by him, and nearly related to him.