The Hidden Life

by Adolph Saphir

Adolph Saphir (1831-1891) was a Hungarian Jew who converted to Christ and became a Presbyterian minister, becoming a pastor missionary to the Jews.

The Hidden Life is an extended meditation on James 4:8 — “Draw nigh to God; and he will draw nigh to you.”

"Let us behold ourselves," Saphir urges, "not in the wreck and ruin of our fallen condition, not in the mirror of the world and of Satan, but in the mirror of the hope of resurrection, when the purpose of God shall be fulfilled in us, and we shall be conformed to the image of His Son. When the transforming power of the precious blood of Christ shall be made manifest on the resurrection morn, there shall arise with transfigured and spiritual bodies, true human beings, full of love and truth, without a single spot, blemish, or wrinkle, holy and pure like Christ."

Genres: Christian, Theology, Christian Living, Nonfiction

306 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1877

Reviews

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare and unusual book, recommended to me by my son. The focus is on the deeper life in Christ, being Christ in us, the hope (expectation) of glory. Saphir urges the Word, revealing Christ, the one to whom we are to deal with, and not just the word itself. Prayer is enjoined, and at the level the Bible expects and commands, without diverting attention to issues of the foreknowledge and will of God. In other words we are commanded to pray and our prayers are not to be aborted or crippled by inquiry into matters beyond our understanding. Saphir does not advocate an naive intentional suppression of inquiry, but I think is saying we should first do what God has said, and come to him and ask and he will then answer.

Saphir also deals with the Word and its impact on us, ending up much like Calvin, that we know through the power and witness of the Spirit that these words in fact come from God and are his word to us, without omission, flaw, or misdirection in life.

On a more distressing level, Saphir points out that Christ is actually in us, by and through the Spirit. As such, when we grieve the Spirit, we do not grieve the Spirit externally, but the Spirit within. If we are sensitive to this, it gives us more reason to please the Spirit, resident in us.

Saphir writes from a time long gone, in one sense. However, what he says and advocates ties to the Word, and to prior Christian experience, across time and cultures, and therefore serves as an encouragement to us all.

[Kyler Battles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very deep and refreshing thoughts from an early 20th century believer that clearly has a depth of soul to be desired. Would recommend this read to anyone

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard of this book in Sanders’s The Deep Things of God, and here I am a decade later, finally finishing it.

As promised, it really is rich in Trinitarian doctrine and biblically saturated. Every once in a while, there’s a hint of Saphir’s Jewish background in his exegesis (I read that he was converted under the Free Church of Scotland’s mission and became a missionary himself, traveling with “Rabbi” Duncan and Edersheim). More than anything, though, it’s very Victorian, with long quotes from hymns and religious verse to prove it. :)

I enjoyed the rich spirituality focused on union with Christ by the indwelling Spirit. I think I’d especially like to learn more about Saphir’s life, though.

[Martyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've possibly underrated it. I really enjoyed the first three chapters (out of eleven) but after that my concentration just seemed to vanish completely and I didn't take in much of the rest of the book. It just all became meaningless strings of words. The edition I was reading possibly didn't help. The text was large with few words on a line, which made it hard to read fluently and keep track of the meaning of each sentence. I just didn't enjoy it at all after the first few chapters. Maybe in the future, when I'm in the mood for it and able to concentrate better, I'll appreciate it more. It certainly started out promisingly and early on I was thinking I might be giving it five stars. I think it was me rather than the book which was the problem.

[Brandon Current · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread. This is one of the most excellent devotional, meditative, spirit-stirring books I have read to help draw you deeper in intimacy with Christ. Read it slowly and with a pencil.

[Steven Gattuso · Rating 5 out of 5]

In 1877, Adolph Saphir writes "The Hidden Life", subtitled "Thoughts on Communion with God". In this work, Saphir returns repeatedly to the verse, "Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh unto you." James 4:8. At first glance, it sounds as if we initiate the action, but scripture is very clear that the Lord draws us first. "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him." Jn.6:44.
What does Dr. Saphir mean by "the hidden life"? He means hidden glory. The true Christian is rarely highly esteemed and is more likely to be regarded as a deluded fool. Saphir means hidden life, an invisible life within the possessor not visible to most men. He means hidden manna, the bread of life, the Word of God which endures forever, long after this world has passed away.
This is a life of unearthly joy and love, commingled with sorrow; sorrow because we live in an alien world that does not understand us, even hates us, even as we seek men's spiritual welfare. Sorrow because we are in a continuous warfare with the sin within us, which we hate but remains as long as we are earthbound.
Saphir emphasizes the importance of sincerity in prayer. If we sin, let us confess it. If we are weak, let us ask for His strength. Nothing is hidden from Him; He rewards honesty.
This is true communion. God speaks to us through His Word and we speak to Him. He who loves the Word will know the Lord more and more intimately as He reads and studies. But Dr. Saphir warns against overreliance on extrabiblical sources. Having said this, there are many insightful references alluded to in this work.
The language is fairly simple, but Saphir was a man of deep spirituality and considerable intellect. The temptation is to read too quickly, as I did the first time. But many of the insights have been derived from a lifetime of devotion and study and can be easily passed over and missed.
If you would have a better understanding of the hope that is within us; read the messianic Jews, particularly David Baron and Adolph Saphir.

[Kristi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I probably just did't have the attention span for this one right now, so it's very likely worth a higher rating.

[Gini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Currently, this is the best book on the subject of prayer that I have read. Such a blessing to my soul.