Mark 13:33

Verse 33.

(u) "Take ye heed" Mt 24:42, 25:13, Lk 12:40, 21:34, Rom 13:11,12 1Thes 5:6, Rev 16:15

Mark 14:38

Verse 38.

(x) "spirit truly" Rom 7:18-25, Gal 5:17

Luke 22:40

Ephesians 6:18

Verse 18. Praying always. It would be well for the soldier who goes forth to battle to pray--to pray for victory; or to pray that he may be prepared for death, should he fall. But soldiers do not often feel the necessity of this. To the Christian soldier, however, it is indispensable. Prayer crowns all lawful efforts with success, and gives a victory when nothing else would. No matter how complete the armour; no matter how skilled we maybe in the science of war; no matter how courageous we may be, we may be certain that without prayer we shall be defeated. God alone can give the victory; and when the Christian soldier goes forth armed completely for the spiritual conflict, if he looks to God by prayer, he may be sure of a triumph. This prayer is not to be intermitted. It is to be always. In every temptation and spiritual conflict we are to pray. Lk 18:1.

With all prayer and supplication. With all kinds of prayer; prayer in the closet, the family, the social meeting, the great assembly; prayer at the usual hours, prayer when we are specially tempted, and when we feel just like praying, Mt 6:6; prayer in the form of supplication for ourselves, and in the form of intercession for others. This is, after all, the great weapon of our spiritual armour, and by this we may hope to prevail. "Restraining prayer, we cease to fight;

Prayer makes the Christian armour bright;

And Satan trembles when he sees

The meanest saint upon his knees."

In the Spirit. By the aid of the Holy Spirit; or perhaps it may mean that it is not to be prayer of form merely, but when the spirit and the heart accompany it. The former idea seems, however, to be the correct one.

And watching thereunto. Watching for opportunities to pray; watching for the spirit of prayer; watching against all those things which would hinder prayer. Mt 26:38, Mt 26:41. Comp. 1Pet 4:7.

With all perseverance. Never becoming discouraged and disheartened. Comp. Lk 18:1.

And supplication for all saints, for all Christians. We should do this

(1.) because they are our brethren--though they may have a different skin, language, or name.

(2.) Because, like us, they have hearts prone to evil, and need, with us, the grace of God.

(3.) Because nothing tends so much to make us love others, and to forget their faults, as to pray for them.

(4.) Because the condition of the church is always such that it greatly needs the grace of God. Many Christians have backslidden; many are cold or lukewarm; many are in error; many are conformed to the world; and we should pray that they may become more holy, and may devote themselves more to God.

(5.) Because each day many a Christian is subjected to some peculiar temptation or trial, and though he may be unknown to us, yet our prayers may benefit him.

(6.) Because each day and each night many Christians die. We may reflect each night as we lie down to rest, that while we sleep some Christians are kept awake by the prospect of death, and are now passing through the dark valley; and each morning we may reflect that today some Christian will die, and we should remember them before God.

(7.) Because we shall soon die, and it will be a comfort to us if we can remember then that we have often prayed for dying saints, and if we may feel that they are praying for us.

(a) "with all prayer" Lk 18:1 (b) "thereunto" Mt 26:41

Revelation of John 16:15

Verse 15. Behold, I come as a thief. That is, suddenly and unexpectedly. Mt 24:43; 1Thes 5:2. This is designed evidently to admonish men to watch, or to be in readiness for his coming --since, whenever it would occur, it would be at a time when men were not expecting him.

Blessed is he that watcheth. Compare Mt 24:42-44. The meaning here is, that he who watches for these events, who marks the indications of their approach, and who is conscious of a preparation for them, is in a better and happier state of mind than he on whom they come suddenly and unexpectedly.

And keepeth his garments. The allusion here seems to be to one who, regardless of danger, or of the approach of an enemy, should lay aside his garments and lie down to sleep. Then the thief might come and take away his garments, leaving him naked. The essential idea, therefore, here, is the duty of vigilance. We are to be awake to duty and to danger; we are not to be found sleeping on our post; we are to be ready for death--ready for the coming of the Son of man.

Lest he walk naked. His raiment being carried away while he is asleep.

And they see his shame. Compare Barnes on "Re 3:18". The meaning here is, that, as Christians are clothed with the garments of righteousness; they should not lay them aside, so that their spiritual nakedness should be seen. They are to be always clothed with the robes of salvation; always ready for any event, however soon or suddenly it may come upon them.

(a) "thief" 2Pet 3:16 (b) "naked" Rev 3:4,18
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