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To declare what was commendable in this Angel and Church of E∣phesus.
And hast born.] This hath reference to the bearing of burdens: though as is before said, they could not bear them that were evil, yet they could and did bear burdens otherwise, so as thereby pain and grief was occasioned them.
Thou hast born.] namely, the burdens one of another; as we are all instructed and exhorted to doe: Bear ye one another's Burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ, Gal. 6. 2. with ch. 5. 14. we should not be se∣vere in censuring them when they are overtaken with a fault, but con∣sider our selves lest we also be tempted: but we should be meek to∣wards them, and with a spirit of meekness restore them, Gal. 6 1, 2.
Born.] to wit, one anothers Infirmities; especially the strong are to bear the Infirmities of the weak (in which they see not their liberty in indifferent things;) and not to please themselves, but their neighbours for their good to edification, Rom. 14. and ch. 15. 1, 2. 1 Cor. 8. 8, 13. and ch. 9. 19, 22.—and to bear the griefs one of another in ten∣der compassion one toward another, and so their temptations and trials, which are called and compared to burdens, Rom. 12. 9, 15, 16. 1 Cor. 10. 13. and ch. 12. 13, 26. and also [thou hast born.] even the burdens of the needs and necessities one of another: so as to relieve such as were poor and needy; which poverty is a great burden, Gal. 6. 2, 13. Phil. 2. 2, 6. Oh that that mind were also more with us, to consider one another, Heb. 10. 24. and to sympathize one with another, as mem∣bers one of another, Eph. 4. 25, 32. and as stones in a building to sup∣port one another, 1 Pet. 2. 4, 5. 1 Thes. 5. 14. Act. 20. 35.
Or [thou hast born] to wit, persecutions for the sake of Christ: as the Apostle saith; I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus, Gal. 6. 17. they had born this burden, which appears great and heavy, and hard to be endured, Mat. 20. 12. which is called a bearing of the cross, Luk. 14. 27. This is irksome to us naturally, and therefore is cal∣led fire, Luk. 12. 49. a fiery trial or burning, 1 Pet. 4. 12. and that which even breaks the heart, Ps. 69. 20. with Ps. 89. 50.
And hast patience.] now at this time thou hast it, and not only so in former times: and in speaking of it and mentioning it twice in the com∣mendation of them, it seems it was very remarkable in them; that is to say, they had and did at present continue in well-doing and enduring afflictions, and in waiting for the coming again of Christ. [see notes on ch. 1. v. 9. and ch, 2. 2. and ch. 3. v. 10.]
And for my name sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted.] what their la∣bour was, is before spoken to, v. 2. only here we shall note two things.
1. It was for his name sake they had laboured. 2. They had not fainted.
1. It was for his name sake they had laboured,] what his name is we shall not here speak to particularly, but refer that to v. 13. But here we say,
1. For Christ's name sake may be, for, namely, this was that which was the motive and argument to prevail with them to labour: that which set them on work was, the good report of Christ in the Gospel: from hence they were prevailed with to labour in the work of the Lord, as the word [for] is used, Phil. 3. 7. 2 Cor. 4 5. and indeed were the love of Christ more known and believed by us, it would strengthen and engage us to labour and suffer reproach, 2 Cor. 5. 14. 15. 1 Tim. 4. 10. It would open our lips and hands also unto others.
2. For Christs name sake, may also mean, for promoting it, that o∣thers might know it, to make it known for the good of others, as 1 Cor. 9. 19, 23. that the word of the Lord might run and be glorified, and not for their own name, praise, repute, 1 Thes. 2. 4, 6. Act. 15. 26. 2 Thes. 3. 1. But that the name of the Lord might be so declared, a∣dorned and made known, that all the people might praise him, Ps. 67. 1, 2, 3. and knowing his name might put their trust in him, Ps. 9. 10. To this end they had laboured, and endured much pain and grief, and manifold occasions of sorrow and sadness.
2. [And hast not fainted,] Though it might occasion weariness and grief unto them, Ps. 126. 5, 6. yet they still held on their way, and fainted not; were not so tired or wearied as to give over, Heb. 12. 1, 3. Gal. 6. 9. 2 Thes. 3. 13. they did abide in the labour and work of the Lord, and induring affliction for his name sake, and did not ••aint.