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#7.
Help.
p. 220
The apostle Paul, at different times, attributed his continuance and successful ministry,
to the grace of God, to the mercy of God, or to the power of God. Once he used a
military figure when he said to Agrippa, a military man:
"Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day" (Acts 26: 22).
The word "help" used here by the Apostle occurs nowhere else in the N.T. It signifies
military assistance, and is derived from koros, which means a young person. The
element of youth however must not be unduly pressed any more than the word "infant"
must be unduly pressed in the military term "infantry". The idea behind the figure used
by Paul is, that he was permitted to conduct his campaign with a fair amount of freedom
of action, but that he knew that whenever the pressure of the foe demanded it, there was
always available that "additional military aid" which in so many human campaigns has
turned the tide of battle and ensured victory.
Let us not under-estimate the psychological influence this ever available aid must
have upon the servant of the Lord, even when the battle is at its fiercest or victory
nowhere in sight.
The truth of God contrasted with the lie and Unfaithfulness.
p. 220
The truth of God is in solemn contrast with "the lie" in Rom. 1: 25, and with
unfaithfulness in Rom. 3: 7. The former reference deals with the nature of the
Godhead; the Creator as contrasted with the creature, the incorruptible God as compared
with corruptible man, "the truth" as contrasted with "the lie". In Rom. 3: 1-8 the
faithfulness of God to all His Word is in view; the God Who cannot lie, Who changes
not, even though His chosen people fail. The Hebrew word for "faith" is the Greek word
"Amen".