9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Commentary
Vs. 9 "But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner."
The Word of God's tone now changes from a dire warning to a tone of much encouragement, because all that was previous stated was not an indictment of us who believe, but rather those who don't. Therefore He say's, "...we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner."
Vs. 10 "For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister."
Therefore God is active in preserving our faith in His Son (1 Sam. 2:9; Psalm 31:23; 37:28; 97:10 etc.). For He is not unjust, for He both remembers and rewards all that we do in our love and labor for His Name. And so all that we have done and do in love towards His people (i.e. ministering to the saints), God remembers and repays, just as He remembers and will repay all that is done in ministering to those who cannot minister to you (Luke 14:12-14; also consider Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:23-25, vs. 24 where we will be rewarded for our faithful service to others as done unto Christ).
Vs. 11-12 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
In light of such things everyone should be even more encouraged in their faith and labors of love, and thus show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end that saints of old did, because being sluggish in ones faith, love, and life is not the way of Jesus Christ, and neither anyone of us who truly believe in Him. Therefore let us all imitate the lives, faith, and patience of those who have inherited the promises, and will inherit the promises.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
Therefore God is active in preserving our faith in His Son (1 Sam. 2:9; Psalm 31:23; 37:28; 97:10 etc.). For He is not unjust, for He both remembers and rewards all that we do in our love and labor for His Name. And so all that we have done and do in love towards His people (i.e. ministering to the saints), God remembers and repays, just as He remembers and will repay all that is done in ministering to those who cannot minister to you (Luke 14:12-14; also consider Eph 6:5-8; Col 3:23-25, vs. 24 where we will be rewarded for our faithful service to others as done unto Christ).
Vs. 11-12 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
In light of such things everyone should be even more encouraged in their faith and labors of love, and thus show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end that saints of old did, because being sluggish in ones faith, love, and life is not the way of Jesus Christ, and neither anyone of us who truly believe in Him. Therefore let us all imitate the lives, faith, and patience of those who have inherited the promises, and will inherit the promises.
Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982.
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