(18-25) The mention of “suffering” and of “glory” recalls the Apostle to a sense of his own position — what he had to go through, and what was the hope that he had to animate and encourage him. A vivid impression of the stormy life of the Apostle at this period is given by Acts 19:23; 2 Corinthians 6:4; 2 Corinthians 11:23. But he counted it as nothing (Philippians 3:8) as compared with his triumphant out-look into the future. Here, then, there follows a statement of the nature of the Christian’s hope viewed, not only as it affects the individual, but also in its cosmical aspect.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising