Don’t doubt, Paul says, the hope which is to come: you see that the world is being converted. And why do we need to refer to the cases of others? What happened in your own case is independently a sufficient ground for belief, for “you knew the grace of God in truth”: that is, in works. So that these two things, viz. The belief of all, and your own too, confirm the things that are to come. Nor was the fact one thing, and what Epaphras said, another…. If this man be the minister of Christ, how do you say that you approach God by angels? “He has made known to us your love in the Spirit.” For this love is wonderful and steadfast. All other love has but the name…. For nothing, nothing is so strong as the bond of the Spirit.
Even as you learned of Epaphras our beloved fellow-servant.
He, it is probable, had preached there. You learned the Gospel. Then to show the trustworthiness of the man, he says, our fellow servant.
Who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf; who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit.
Doubt not, he says, of the hope which is to come: ye see that the world is being converted. And what need to allege the cases of others? What happened in your own is even independently a sufficient ground for belief, for, ye knew the grace of God in truth: that is, in works. So that these two things, viz. the belief of all, and your own too, confirm the things that are to come. Nor was the fact one thing, and what Epaphras said, another. Who is, says he, faithful, that is, true. How, a minister on your behalf? In that he had gone to him. Who also declared to us, says he, your love in the Spirit, that is, the spiritual love ye bear us. If this man be the minister of Christ; how say ye,...
