Section 777
II. Christ also assures her, that if she was a door, she should be inclosed with boards of cedar
The meaning of which may be, either, 1. If the Gentiles had the door of the gospel opened among them, as they had in many places (see Acts 14:27; 1 Corinthians 16:8, 9; 2 Corinthians 2:12), this should be succeeded for the building up of an holy temple for the Lord; which should be of such ornament and strength, so well fenced and enclosed with the grace and power of Christ, that it should not be in the power of all their enemies to deface or demolish it. Or, 2. If the door of their hearts was opened to Christ, as Lydia's was (Acts 16:14), so as to receive and let in this king of glory, with his numerous train of graces; then she should be adorned and beautified with a larger measure of them. Or, 3. If when they came into a church-state, the door was set open, that so "the righteous nation which keepeth truth, may enter in," and yet at the same time careful to exclude others; this should make much for their honor, comfort, safety, and security. Or, 4. This phrase is expressive of the building being completed; but only it wanted some farther decorations and ornaments, which it should not be long without: so the setting up of gates or doors to towns or houses seems to signify (see 32 though 5). It seems rather to intend the mean, low, and weak state and condition the Gentile church was first in, when there was but very little appearance of a building: there was only as it were a door set up; which afterwards grew up to be a magnificent and stately temple, built up of cedar-boards of the wood of Lebanon; of which Solomon's temple was made: and to which an allusion here seems to be. But, 6. Some[4302] have thought that these words carry in them some intimations of her inconstancy to Christ, and the wandering of her affections after other lovers; as also the methods which Christ would take to restrain and prevent her: "If she be a door;" that is, if she will not keep at home, but will gad abroad, and go in and out at pleasure, we will use some methods to keep her in; "we will enclose her with boards of cedar;" or, as it is expressed in Hosea 2:7. "I will hedge up thy way with thorns, and make a wall, that she shall not find her paths." Though, 7. The meaning rather seems to be, that however mean and abject she might appear to be, even as a door, yet she should be adorned with grace here, and enjoy glory hereafter; both which, for their perpetuity and incorruptibleness, may be compared to cedar-boards: besides, the safety and security of the church in this present state, her walls being salvation, and her gates praise, may be here intended; as well as the delights and pleasures of the heavenly state, signified by the fragrant cedar, which she should, ere tong, be inclosed and surrounded with.