Strengthened with all might
This is still a continuation of the apostle's prayer for these
believers; for having prayed for an increase of spiritual
knowledge, and that this might be put into practice, he proceeds
to pray for strength for them, that they might be enabled to
practise what they had knowledge of; to walk worthily, to please
God in all things, to bring forth fruit with patience, to
persevere in knowledge, practice, fruitfulness, and in an
increase thereof. It implies, that believers are weak in
themselves, and insufficient to do or bear anything of
themselves, but stand in need of strength from above, even of
"all might"; of all kind of spiritual might and strength,
proportionate to the various kinds of services, temptations, and
trials they are called unto, and exercised with: they have need
of every kind, degree, and supply of strength, to enable them to
resist the temptations of Satan, to stand against them, and bear
up under them; to oppose the corruptions of their own nature,
that great company which comes upon them, wars against them,
threatens to carry them captive, and destroy them, and against
which they have no power of their own; to bear the cross, which,
without the presence and grace of Christ, is very heavy, and all
afflictions and adversities of every sort, which are grievous to
the flesh, and at which it recoils; to perform the various duties
of religion, and the whole of the work of their generation; which
though they have a will unto, yet often know not how to perform,
they want renewed strength their souls; and also to persevere in
faith and holiness, and hold on and out to the end: and which
strength they cannot expect to have from themselves, or from any
creature, but
according to his glorious power;
the glorious power of God. Power belongs to God, is a perfection
of his nature, and has been, and is gloriously displayed in many
things; as in the creation of the heavens and the earth; in the
upholding of all things in their being; in the redemption and
salvation of sinners; in their faith and conversion; in
supporting the saints under various trials and exercises; and in
the safe keeping them through faith unto salvation: from this
glorious power of God saints may hope to be supplied with all
might, or a sufficient supply of strength for every service, and
for every difficulty; as also from the grace that is in Christ,
who has strength as well as righteousness for his people, who is
the glorious power and arm of the Lord, without whom they can
neither do, nor bear anything, but through him strengthening
them, they can do, and bear all things; as likewise from the
Spirit of the Lord, who is the finger of God, by whom Christ
wrought his miracles; and is that glorious power from on high,
with which the apostles being endued, did the wondrous things
they did; and it is by the same Spirit that believers are
strengthened with might in the inner man:
unto all patience;
to bring forth fruit with patience; to run with patience the race
set before them; to bear patiently all afflictions and
tribulations; to wait patiently for the things promised by God,
and for the coming and appearance of the Lord Jesus Christ, and
the heavenly glory or hope laid up for them in heaven:
and longsuffering;
to be slow to anger, and not easily provoked to wrath; to be
ready to forgive injuries; and to bear long, and with patience,
all reproaches and persecutions for the sake of Christ, and his
Gospel; all which require daily fresh supplies of grace and
strength, especially to endure all
with joyfulness,
as well as with patience and longsuffering, with a cheerful
spirit, or with joy in the Holy Ghost; to esteem reproach for
Christ's sake above the riches and honours of this world; to
rejoice when counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. This
requires strength above that of nature, and a renewed supply of
that of grace. This last clause, "with joyfulness", the Syriac
version connects with the following verse, reading it, "with joy
do ye give thanks"