Hebrews 6:10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labor of love, which you have showed toward his name… These Christians gave themselves to "work." Active and practical exertions, indeed, when the case admits of them, are essential to personal Christianity. Their "labour" is here attributed to "love"; and this soft and sacred principle is well fitted alike to prompt, to sustain, to sweeten, and to sanctify active efforts for the glory of God and the good of man. The love specified had been " shown towards God's name." God Himself was one special object towards whom it had been directed; and in loving believers, the persons spoken of had loved them for the Father's sake. Towards Him, then, they had exercised — towards Him, also, the) had shown — this love; for it did not sleep invisible among the secrets of their soul — it raised itself up for effort, it aimed at practical results and performed a practical work, and not, indeed, by ostentatious display, but, by its exertions and its fruits, it showed itself. And in what did their love appear? to what particular enterprise did it address itself? These Christian Hebrews "had ministered," and still continued to "minister," to "saints" — to pious persons who required their pecuniary or active aid. The wants of other followers of Christ who were in humble circumstances, or by whom, in some way, their help was needed, secured their sympathy and received their succour. A meet field for Christian love to occupy! An appropriate work for Christian kindness to perform. (A. S. Patterson.) Parallel Verses KJV: For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. |
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