Rom 5:5, Eph 2:4, 2Th 3:5 | Barnes | STEP | Verse 5. And hope maketh not ashamed . That is, this hope will not disappoint, or deceive. When we hope for an object which we do not obtain, we are conscious of disappointment; perhaps sometimes of a feeling of shame. But the apostle says that the Christian hope is such that it will be fulfilled; it will not disappoint; what we hope for we shall certainly obtain. See . The expression used here is probably taken from : "Our fathers trusted in thee; They trusted; and thou didst deliver them. They cried unto thee. And were delivered; They trusted in thee, And were not confounded," [ashamed.] Because the love of God . Love toward God. There is produced an abundant, an overflowing love to God. Is shed abroad . Is diffused; is poured out; is abundantly produced, (εκκεχυται). This word is properly applied to water , or to any other liquid that is poured out, or diffused. It is used also to denote imparting, or communicating freely or abundantly, and is thus expressive of the influence of the Holy Spirit poured down , or abundantly imparted to men, . Here it means that love towards God is copiously or abundantly given to a Christian; his heart is conscious of high and abundant love to God, and by this he is sustained in his afflictions. By the Holy Ghost . It is produced by the influence of the Holy Spirit. All Christian graces are traced to his influence. , "But the fruit of the Spirit is love , joy," etc. Which is given unto us . Which Spirit is given or imparted to us. The Holy Spirit is thus represented as dwelling in the hearts of believers, . In all these places it is meant that Christians are under his sanctifying influence; that he produces in their hearts the Christian graces; and fills their minds with peace, and love, and joy. (i) "hope maketh not ashamed" (k) "Holy Ghost which is given"

Romans 5:5

Verse 5. And hope maketh not ashamed. That is, this hope will not disappoint, or deceive. When we hope for an object which we do not obtain, we are conscious of disappointment; perhaps sometimes of a feeling of shame. But the apostle says that the Christian hope is such that it will be fulfilled; it will not disappoint; what we hope for we shall certainly obtain. See Php 1:20. The expression used here is probably taken from Ps 22:4,5: "Our fathers trusted in thee;

They trusted; and thou didst deliver them.

They cried unto thee.

And were delivered;

They trusted in thee,

And were not confounded," [ashamed.]

Because the love of God. Love toward God. There is produced an abundant, an overflowing love to God.

Is shed abroad. Is diffused; is poured out; is abundantly produced, (εκκεχυται). This word is properly applied to water, or to any other liquid that is poured out, or diffused. It is used also to denote imparting, or communicating freely or abundantly, and is thus expressive of the influence of the Holy Spirit poured down, or abundantly imparted to men, Acts 10:45. Here it means that love towards God is copiously or abundantly given to a Christian; his heart is conscious of high and abundant love to God, and by this he is sustained in his afflictions.

By the Holy Ghost. It is produced by the influence of the Holy Spirit. All Christian graces are traced to his influence. Gal 5:22, "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy," etc.

Which is given unto us. Which Spirit is given or imparted to us. The Holy Spirit is thus represented as dwelling in the hearts of believers, 1Cor 6:19, 3:16, 2Cor 6:16. In all these places it is meant that Christians are under his sanctifying influence; that he produces in their hearts the Christian graces; and fills their minds with peace, and love, and joy.

(i) "hope maketh not ashamed" Php 1:20 (k) "Holy Ghost which is given" Eph 1:13,14

Ephesians 2:4

Verse 4. But God, who is rich in mercy. On the use of the word rich by Paul, Eph 1:7. It is a beautiful expression. "God is rich in mercy;" overflowing, abundant. Mercy is the riches or the wealth of God. Men are often rich in gold, and silver, and they pride themselves in these possessions; but God is rich in mercy. In that he abounds; and he is so rich in it he is willing to impart it to others; so rich that he can make all blessed.

For his great love. That is, his great love was the reason why he had compassion upon us. It is not that we had any claim, or deserved his favour; but it is, that God had for man original and eternal love, and that love led to the gift of a Saviour, and to the bestowment of salvation.

2 Thessalonians 3:5

Verse 5. And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God. So direct your hearts that you may love God.

And into the patient waiting for Christ. Marg., patience of Christ. The marginal reading is in accordance with the Greek, and seems best to express the apostle's meaning. The prayer of the apostle was, that they might have the love of God in their hearts, and "the patience of Christ;" that is, the same patience which Christ evinced in his trials. They were then suffering affliction and persecution. They needed patience, that they might endure their trials in a proper manner. It was natural for the apostle to refer them to the Saviour, the great example of patience, and to pray that they might have the same which he had. That it does not mean that they were to wait patiently for the appearing of Christ, as our translation seems to imply, is quite clear, because the apostle had just been showing them that he would not appear until after a long series of events had occurred.

(d) "direct your hearts" 1Chr 29:18 (3) "patient waiting" "patience of Christ"