March 19

Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.—Colossians 1:11.

THIS is the last part of the apostle's prayer for the Colossians, and has especial respect to the enduring of the cross. And there are three things to be noted in it: 1. The good itself which is sought, strengthening: being strengthened with all might. 2. Whence this good is expected and obtained: from the glorious power of God. 3. To what end this good of being strengthened subserves: unto all patience and long-suffering with joyfulness.

I. The good itself which is sought, strengthening: strengthened with all might.

This strengthening fortifies the mind as well to endure as to abstain; for it impresses that fortitude on the mind "which," as Prosper says, "not only being beaten by divers troubles remains unshaken, but also yields, through being enfeebled, to no allurements of pleasure." It is most properly, therefore, the business of this strengthening to invest a man with that spiritual power, by which he may act virtuously and live religiously, notwithstanding those difficulties and dangers which restrain from godliness.

The school doctors affirm somewhat more explicitly that this might exercises its energies in five things: 1. In attempting good works, however arduous. 2. In striving against vices. 3. In despising earthly things. 4. In resisting temptations. 5. In enduring afflictions. And here it is proper to observe the order of the apostle's prayer. He entreated for them, in the first place, an infused knowledge of the divine will; secondly, fruitfulness in works of holiness: now, lastly, he desires for them might, from some special strengthening, because the cross awaits all those who will live godly in Christ Jesus.

Observe: Even after a knowledge of the truth is infused, and the grace of holiness imparted, yet the regenerate remain infirm and weak to undertake any spiritual good, to strive against vices, to resist temptations; unless they are further strengthened and sustained. This was manifested in David and Peter, who, by reason of this infirmity of our nature, fell in the day of temptation.

This infirmity of the regenerate and sanctified man, Parisiensis illustrates by some beautiful similitudes in his book of Temptations, and the means of resisting them; of which it will not be foreign to our undertaking to adduce a few, that it may be understood what wisdom the apostle evinced in desiring strengthening also for them after sanctification. 1. He compares "the regenerate and sanctified man to a knight splendidly armed, who proceeds to battle mounted upon a refractory and prancing horse: for he is often thrown by the movements of his steed, unless some other person come to his assistance: so the regenerate man, having in himself a concupiscence resisting and fighting against the Spirit, will ofttimes be thrown to the earth, unless he be supported and strengthened from another quarter." 2. He compares "the regenerate and godly man to a building, the upper part of which consists of firm and solid materials, the lower is dry and combustible: for so the renewed man, as to his regenerated part, viz., his spirit, consists as it were of endowments and graces that are divine, which possess in themselves stability; but as to his inferior part, viz., the flesh, he consists of lust and evil inclinations: as therefore that building, so the renewed man, being easily inflamed in the inferior part, will be wholly destroyed, unless he be protected and succored from some other quarter."

You see the necessity of strengthening on account of the infirmity of the flesh. But why does the apostle say, strengthened with ALL might?

First, to intimate that we fight not against one enemy, neither are opposed by weapons on one side only, but by many, and on every side. There are three chief adversaries, the flesh, the world, the devil; under each of which, as leaders, there are innumerable bands of troops. Secondly, to signify that it profits us little, if we conquer any one or some of these enemies, unless we bravely tread them all under our feet. For as Cyprian speaks, "if avarice be overthrown, lust rises; if lust be subdued, ambition succeeds; if ambition is spurned, wrath incenses, pride inflates." Unless we overcome these enemies, one and all, we are conquered. There is, therefore, need of all might against every kind of enemy.

"Thus strong in his Redeemer's strength, Sin, death, and hell he tramples down; Fights the good fight, and wins at length, Through mercy, an immortal crown."