II Corinthians 4:13
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And in keeping with what is written: “I believed, therefore I have spoken,” we who have the same spirit of faith also believe and therefore speak,
Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
Translate as Greek, "BUT having," &c., that is, not withstanding the trials just mentioned, we having, &c. the same spirit of faith, according as it, &c.--Compare Rom 8:15, on the usage of "spirit of faith." The Holy Spirit acting on our spirit. Though "death worketh in us, and life in you" (Co2 4:12), yet as we have the same spirit of faith as you, we therefore [believingly] look for the same immortal life as you [ESTIUS], and speak as we believe. ALFORD not so well translates, "The same . . . faith with that described in the Scriptures" (Psa 116:10). The balance of the sentence requires the parallelism to be this, "According to that which is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak," namely, without fear, amidst "afflictions" and "deaths" (Co2 4:17).
Open source ↗In this chapter we have an account, I. Of the constancy of the apostle and his fellow-labourers in their work. Their constancy in declared (Co2 4:1), their sincerity is vouched (Co2 4:2), an objection is obviated (Co2 4:3, Co2 4:4), and their integrity proved (Co2 4:5-7). II. Of their courage and patience under their sufferings. Where see what their sufferings were, together with their allays (Co2 4:8-12), and what it was that kept them from sinking and fainting under them (Co2 4:13 to the end).
Open source ↗4:13-14 The secret of Paul’s resilience was in the same kind of faith the psalmist had, (see Ps 116:10), which is centered in the living Lord.
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
I believed, therefore I said, “I am greatly afflicted.”
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.
A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit,
Simon Peter, a servant and apostle of Jesus Christ, To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ have received a faith as precious as ours:
that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
On the contrary, we believe it is through the grace of the Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.”