Whereunto I also labour
In the word and doctrine, by preaching Christ, warning sinners of
their danger, teaching them the way of salvation, and their duty;
with this view, that, in thee great day of account, he might
bring a large number of them, and set them before Christ as the
seals of his ministry, as instances of the grace of Christ, and
as perfect in him:
striving according to his working, which worketh in me
mightily;
meaning either in his prayers, earnestly entreating of God that
he would succeed his labours, and bless them to the conversion of
many; which sense is favoured by the Syriac version, which
renders it, (Pvktmw) ,
"and make supplication"; that is, with that effectual fervent
prayer, which was powerfully wrought in him: or in his ministry,
combating with many enemies, fighting the good fight of faith;
not in his own strength, but through the power of Christ; which
enabled him to preach the Gospel far and near, in season and out
of season; which supported his outward man, and strengthened his
inward man for that service, and made it effectual to the good of
the souls of many: some refer this to the signs, wonders, and
miracles, which Christ wrought by him, for the confirmation of
the Gospel; but the other sense, which takes in both the power by
which he was assisted in preaching, both in body and soul, and
that which went along with his ministry to make it useful to
others, is to be preferred.