Bible Commentaries

That your rejoicing may be more abundant in Jesus Christ for me by my coming to you again.

That your rejoicing — Gr. Your glorying or exulting in this, that God hath given me in, as an answer to your prayers. It is surely a sweet thing to bear from heaven. David often boasts of it, Psalms 6:8-9 ; Psalms 66:19-20 .

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Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

Only let your conversation — q.d. If you would that God should hear you, and deliver me, be ready prepared for the receipt of such a mercy. The fountain of divine grace will not be laden at with foul hands,Psalms 66:17; Psalms 66:17 . The leper’s lips should be covered, according to the law.

Let your conversation — πολιτευεσθε , your civil conversation, your common commerce, and interdealings with men also. Hippocrates took an oath from his followers to keep their profession unstained, and their lives unblameable. αγεως και οσιως τον βιον και την τιχνης εμην When our life is contrary to our profession, it is a slander to the gospel; and it may be said of us, as a low countryman said to a gentleman that commended the Spaniards for their devotion and their often blessing and crossing themselves: No doubt, quoth he, they are, holy men; crosses without, and the devil within.

Striving together for the faith — As the barons of Polonia professed to do, by their starting up at the reading of the Gospel, and drawing out their swords half way, in testimony that they would stick and stand to the defence of that truth to the very death. (A. D. 965, Jo. Funccius.) Help the truth in necessity, strive with it, and for it. Say of it, as she did of the shield she gave her son going to the battle, η ταν η επι ταν (Plutarch), Either bring this back, or be brought back upon it. Or, as the Black Prince’s resolution in battle was, either to vanquish or perish. The serpent, they say, if he be so environed that he must of necessity pass through one of them, will sooner adventure upon the fire or flame than upon the shadow of the poplar tree. The mouse of Armenia will rather die than be defiled with any filth; insomuch, as if her hole be besmeared with dirt, she will rather choose to be taken than to be polluted. Let us resolve either to live with the faith of the gospel, or to die for it. The Athenians bound their citizens by oath, to fight for defence of their religion both alone and with ethers, αμυνω δε και υπερ ιερων και υπερ οσιων και μονος και μετα πολλων .

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And in nothing terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

And in nothing terrified — πρυρομενοι . A metaphor from horses, when they tremble and are sorely frightened. He that feareth God need fear none else, Psalms 3:6-7 . But with the horse in Job 39:22 , he mocketh at fear, and is not frightened; neither turneth he back from the sword.

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For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

For unto you it is given — As a high honour not only to believe (though that is a great matter; for he that believeth hath set to his seal that God is true, hath given God a testimonial, such as is that Deuteronomy 32:4 ), but also (as a further favour) to suffer for his sake: this is the lowest subjection that can be to God, but the highest honour both to him and us. This made Latimer, after the sentence pronounced on him, cry out, "I thank God most heartily for this honour." Saunders said, "I am the unmeetest man for this high office that ever was appointed to it." "Such an honour it is," said Careless, martyr, "as the greatest angel in heaven is not permitted to have. God forgive me mine unthankfulness."

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