Chapter I.—Commendation and...

Chapter I.—Commendation and exhortation.

Having obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought worthy [to behold] thy blameless face, ¹⁰⁶³ which may I ever enjoy in God! I entreat thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain thy position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all, even as the Lord does with thee. Support ¹⁰⁶⁴ all in love, as also thou doest. Give thyself to prayer without ceasing. ¹⁰⁶⁵ Implore additional understanding to what thou already hast. Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit. Speak to every man separately, as God enables thee. ¹⁰⁶⁶ Bear the infirmities of all, as being a perfect athlete [in the Christian life]: where the labour is great, the gain is all the more.

Having obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought worthy to behold thy blameless face, ¹⁰⁶⁷ which may I ever enjoy in God! I entreat thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to press forward in thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain thy position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all even as the Lord does with thee. Support ¹⁰⁶⁸ all in love, as also thou doest. Give thyself to prayer without ceasing. ¹⁰⁶⁹ Implore additional understanding to what thou already hast. Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit. Speak to every man separately, as God enables thee. ¹⁰⁷⁰ Bear the infirmities of all, as being a perfect athlete [in the Christian life], even as does the Lord of all. For says [the Scripture], “He Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” ¹⁰⁷¹ Where the labour is great, the gain is all the more.

Footnotes

93:1063

i.e., to make personal acquaintance with one esteemed so highly.

93:1064

Or, “tolerate.”

93:1065

Comp. 1 Thess. v. 17.

93:1066

Some read, “according to thy practice.”

93:1067

i.e., to make personal acquaintance with one esteemed so highly.

93:1068

Or, “tolerate.”

93:1069

Comp. 1 Thess. v. 17.

93:1070

Some read, “according to thy practice.”

93:1071

Matt. viii. 17.