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| To be established may require some pounding! |
To the end, ye may be established.
Those that are called by grace need establishing.
To be established may require some pounding!
Rom 1:11
For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established.
Apostle Paul said these words to those he described as " the called of Jesus Christ: beloved of God, called to be saints." (v6,7a). These need to be established by the faithful ministry of the word.
to establish (stērizō):
i. to make stable, place firmly, set fast, fix
ii. to strengthen, make firm
iii. to render constant, confirm, one's mind
Gill's commentary:
..." to the end that saints may be established; for such who are called by grace, need establishing. They are indeed in a safe state and condition; they are encircled in the arms of everlasting love, they are fixed in the hands of Christ, secured in an everlasting covenant, established on the rock of ages, and settled in a state from whence they can never fall:
[sing: this describes the state of grace they have been brought into, with respect to their eternal salvation.]
yet, notwithstanding this, they are sometimes very unstable in their hearts, in their frames, in the exercise of grace, and the discharge of duty, and in professing and adhering to the doctrines of the Gospel; wherefore they need establishing, as to a more firm persuasion of interest in the love of God, and in the covenant of grace, as to a more stable exercise of grace in Christ, and as to a more constant discharge of duty, and steady profession of adherence to the truths of the Gospel; to all which the ministration of the word has a tendency, with a divine blessing."
Such who are called to grace, NEED ESTABLISHING.
Such who are conceived and born, need nurturing that they may be established, i.e., reach adulthood, wise and filled with knowledge, and of service to God, and fellow men.
Hebrews 5:12
"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat."
Ephesians 4:14
"That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..."
What do you do to be established in your most holy faith? You may need some pounding from the piling machine to drive you firmly into the word of grace. Are you willing?
