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The Scriptures mention three sorts of faith —

1. Simple credence, or bare assent. This is not the faith of the text, for the devils have it (James 2:19).

2. Temporary conviction, which carries the soul to some short sallies in the course of godliness, but, having no firm fixation in the heart, comes to nothing.

3. A saving, effectual faith, which takes in both the former kinds and adds its own peculiar perfection. It is a durable, fixed disposition of holiness, immediately infused by God into the soul, whereby the soul is renewed and powerfully inclined to exert itself in the actions of a pious life. This is the faith by which "we stand."

I. THE THING SUPPOSED — a person assaulted by an enemy (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:12; Hebrews 12:4).Now in every such combat there are to be considered —

1. The persons engaged. Their enmity is almost as old as the world itself (Genesis 3:15). The devil's hatred of us bears date with our very being, and is directed against us as men, but much more as believers. As soon as we enlist under the Captain of our salvation, He proclaims perpetual war. So a Christian's life is not a state of ease, but of incessant conflict with the devil.

2. The thing contended for: to cast them down —

(1) From that sanctity of life which the regenerating Spirit has wrought them up to; for, having lost all holiness himself, the devil abhors it in others. He is "a murderer from the beginning," and he chiefly attempts the murder of souls by making them like himself.

(2) From their interest in the Divine favour; and no wonder, since he finds it denied to himself. So he tries to sow enmity between God and the soul, and to embroil the whole creation in a war against heaven.

3. The ways and means by which it is carried on.

(1) The devil's own immediate suggestions (John 13:27; Acts 5:3).

(2) The infidelity of the human heart — a quality which does the devil's work most compendiously and effectually.

(3) The alluring vanities of the world (James 4:4).

(4) Man's own lusts and corruptions.

II. THE THING EXPRESSED — Viz., that faith alone can give the victory in this contest. Consider —

1. Man's natural estate void of the grace of faith. That this is deplorable enough is proved by the fact that, were not bare nature insufficient to work out its own recovery, the Divine grace would never have put itself to such an expense for its recovery. What forces can man rally against the workings of his own corruptions? — his imperfect good desires, resolutions, duties? Alas! nature will quickly break through such puny resistances.

2. The advantages and helps of faith.

(1) Union with Christ. Christ, being to the soul like armour, only defends when He is close to it.

(2) The assistance of the Spirit, without whom it is impossible for the soul to do anything in the way of duty, or to oppose sin with success (Romans 8:13; Philippians 2:13).

3. The title to and power to effectually apply God's promises. The promises are weapons which the Spirit places in our hands, and faith is the spiritual hand into which they are put.

(R. South, D. D.).

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KJV: Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.

WEB: But I call God for a witness to my soul, that I didn't come to Corinth to spare you.