Olney Hymns · Chapter
Not in Word, but in Power explained
This hymn by Newton contrasts the transformative power of God's grace with a mere profession of faith.
What happens
This hymn by Newton contrasts the transformative power of God's grace with a mere profession of faith. It cites examples of Saul, Zaccheus, and a sinful woman whose lives were radically changed by encountering Christ, and then questions whether such power is still at work today. It warns that those who live in pride, passion, or love of the world cannot claim true faith, and concludes with a prayer for the Word to produce obedient love and a fear of being spiritually dead despite a reputation for life.
Themes in this chapter
Grace and Unmerited Favor
The hymn celebrates the powerful, life-changing grace of God that transforms notorious sinners like Saul, Zaccheus, and the woman.
Faith and Trust in Christ
True faith is presented as uniting to Christ and producing holy fruit, contrasting with a mere profession that lacks evidence.
Characters to notice
- Saul
His rage was disarmed by the Saviour's gracious call, transformed from a lion to a lamb.
- Zaccheus
Upon knowing the Lord, he restored what he had gained by wrong and gave half his wealth to the poor.
- The Harlot
A woman who had been vile was estranged from her evil ways after weeping over pardoned sin, showing grace changed her heart.
- Jesus Christ
The Saviour whose gracious call transforms sinners and whose knowledge changes lions to lambs.
Key passages
“Jesus, the knowledge of thy name Changes the lion to a lamb.”
Knowing Jesus transforms even the most violent and fierce person into a gentle and harmless one.
The hymn uses the metaphor of a lion becoming a lamb to illustrate the radical change wrought by Christ.
“And can we think the power of grace Is lost by change of time and place?”
Do we believe that God's grace is no longer as powerful as it was in biblical times?
The hymn challenges the notion that the transformative power of grace is obsolete.
“True faith unites to Christ the root, By him producing holy fruit;”
Genuine faith connects a person to Christ, who is the source, and through that connection good works and a holy life are produced.
Faith is not merely intellectual but is a living union with Christ that results in visible righteousness.
“A name to live, and yet be dead.”
Having a reputation for being spiritually alive while actually being spiritually dead.
The hymn warns against hypocrisy and a profession of faith without corresponding transformation.