ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE OF LIFE; called to be an apostle according to the promise of life; for the purpose, namely, of furthering the knowledge of it. The blessings which come upon believers are according to the gracious purpose and promise of God in Jesus Christ.... [ Continue Reading ]
BELOVED SON; spiritually, Paul having been the means of his conversion. When true religion leads one person to be the means of converting another, it forms between them a most affectionate and lasting bond of union.... [ Continue Reading ]
FROM MY FOREFATHERS; as I have received from them, both by example and precept, the duty of living in all good conscience before God. Acts 23:1. True religion is in all ages the same. Pious ancestors had the same spirit, and were accepted of God in the same way, with their pious posterity.... [ Continue Reading ]
THY TEARS; when they parted. FILLED WITH JOY; in meeting him again.... [ Continue Reading ]
STIR UP; as one does a smouldering fire, that it may burn brighter. This was to be done by the vigorous exercise of THE GIFT OF GOD; that was in him; the spiritual gifts, namely, that had been imparted to him by the Holy Ghost in connection with the laying on of hands. Compare 1 Timothy 4:14, and 1... [ Continue Reading ]
FEAR; timidity and cowardice, manifested in shrinking from arduous and dangerous services. POWER; energy and courage in meeting and overcoming difficulties.... [ Continue Reading ]
THE TESTIMONY OF OUR LORD; the work of testifying for Christ. PARTAKER; with me and all the faithful. THE AFFLICTIONS OF THE GOSPEL; those which they were called to suffer in preaching it. ACCORDING TO THE POWER OF GOD; as manifested in the manner described in the following verse, and which manif... [ Continue Reading ]
GIVEN US-BEFORE THE WORLD BEGAN; given us in God's eternal purpose.... [ Continue Reading ]
ABOLISHED DEATH; put an end to its dominion over believers, and will finally deliver them for ever from its power. BROUGHT-TO LIGHT; revealed with greater clearness an immortal, glorious life for all believers. The eternal purpose of God to save his people is manifested by the gift of his Son to ma... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THE WHICH CAUSE; on account of preaching this gospel. TO KEEP THAT; his soul and all its concerns. THAT DAY; the day of judgment. The reproaches which haters of God and his cause sometimes cast on his people, and the sufferings thus caused, only increase their confidence in him, and their assu... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FORM OF SOUND WORDS; the doctrines and duties of the gospel, as preached by Paul.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT GOOD THING; that good charge or trust, namely, the office of preaching the gospel and presiding over the interests of the church. BY THE HOLY GHOST; by his aid.... [ Continue Reading ]
ALL THEY-IN ASIA; Asia in the narrower sense, the proconsular province of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital. The word "all" is to be understood popularly of a general defection, for he immediately mentions one man of Asia who had remained faithful.... [ Continue Reading ]
ONESIPHORUS; a Christian of Asia, chap 2 Timothy 4:19. REFRESHED ME; supplied my wants. MY CHAIN; by which he was bound to the soldier who kept him. Compare Acts 28:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
True religion gives a man hearty, steadfast friends, who, in trials when others turn away, will stand by him, sympathize with him, and if possible render him any aid which he needs.... [ Continue Reading ]