Calvin's comparison of our faith with Abraham's

Pure gold!

Let us also remember, that the condition of us all is the same with that of Abraham. All things around us are in opposition to the promises of God: He promises immortality; we are surrounded with mortality and corruption: he declares that he counts us just; we are covered with sins: He testifies that he is propitious and kind to us; outward judgments threaten his wrath. What then is to be done? We must with closed eyes pass by ourselves and all things connected with us, that nothing may hinder or prevent us from believing that God is true.

Moo, D. J. (1996). The Epistle to the Romans. The New International Commentary on the New Testament (284). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

In Eph 6:18, what does it mean to "...pray...in the spirit" and to "...pray at all times"?

Continuing our series on prayer, we are now at Eph 6:16-20.

Eph 6:16-20

16 In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; 17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, 18 praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, 19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. 

The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001. Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

The text - specifically verse 18 - presents a couple of difficult questions:

1) What does it mean to "pray...in the spirit"?

2) What does "...at all times" mean?

Regarding praying in the spirit, both Dr. Rosscup and John Owen point us in good biblical direction:

Prayer all in the Spirit (“at all times in the Spirit”). Paul makes no provision for any prayer (any legitimate one) that is just of ourselves, not in the Spirit. So in the will of God all prayer is to be in the Spirit. This is to be in His will, power, guidance, conviction as to values, vision, and such things.

Rosscup, J. E. (2008). An Exposition on Prayer in the Bible: Igniting the Fuel to Flame Our Communication with God (2254). Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc.

For a solid extended discussion, look in John Owen's Volume 4 of his works and look in "Part 3: A Discourse Of The Work of the Holy Spirit in Prayer" and then specifically, "Chapter 7:  The Nature of Prayer in General, with Respect Unto Forms of Prayer and Vocal Prayer".  

Regarding the fact that we are to pray at all times, Calvin puts us on solid ground:

But what is the meaning of always? Having already spoken of continued application, does he twice repeat the same thing? I think not. When everything flows on prosperously, — when we are easy and cheerful, we seldom feel any strong excitement to prayer, — or rather, we never flee to God, but when we are driven by some kind of distress. Paul therefore desires us to allow no opportunity to pass, on no occasion to neglect prayer; so that praying always is the same thing with praying both in prosperity and in adversity.

Calvin, J. (1998). Calvin's Commentaries: Ephesians (electronic ed.). Logos Library System; Calvin's Commentaries. Albany, OR: Ages Software.

Prayer Attitude: Our prayers must conform to the Spirit's will which means they must be biblical.

Prayer Attitude: Whether we think we should pray or not, we must not let any opportunity to pray pass us by.

Learning to Pray from the Apostles Prayers (2 Corinthians 12:7-10) w/thoughts from Calvin

As mentioned in my initial post for this series, I intend to blog through a number of New Testament texts where the Apostles are either praying or reflecting on their prayers. In noting how the Apostles prayed, it will help us to conform our prayers so that they are more biblical.

Today's text is 2 Corinthians 12:7-10:

7 So to keep me from becoming conceited because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations,a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to harass me, to keep me from becoming conceited. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Prayer Focus: Praise that God is in control of all circumstances touches our lives
Prayer Focus: Petition to the exalted Christ for grace for our afflications/obstacles.
Prayer Attitude: Praise Christ is the afflication/obstacle is removed and praise Christ if it isn't knowing God's power is made perfect in weakness.

Hodge writes in his commentary on 2 Corinthians: “My grace.” Either “my love” or implying “the aid of the Holy Spirit,” which is so often meant by the word grace. The context favors the common meaning of the term. “My love is enough for you.” These are Christ’s words. He says to those who seek deliverance from pain and sorrow, “It is enough that I love you.” This secures and implies all other good. His favor is life; his loving-kindness is better than life."

Calvin writes in his commentary on 2 Corinthians: "By this we are admonished not to give way to despondency, as if our prayers had been lost labor, when God does not gratify or comply with our wishes, but that we must be satisfied with his grace, that is, in respect of our not being forsaken by him. For the reason, why he sometimes mercifully refuses to his own people, what, in his wrath, he grants to the wicked, is this — that he foresees better what is expedient for us, than our understanding is able to apprehend."

John Calvin's sermons on Genesis 1-11 available for the first time in English!

Reformation Heritage is releasing John Calvin's sermons on Genesis 1-11 for the first time in English! This is certainly a must have. You can order here.