THE K I N G ’ S BUS I NESS tion into this secret is open to us all. The statement that he had learned of victory in everything and in all things leads Paul on to a greater statement yet of the believer’s ability in Christ. He says, “ I can do all things in Him that strengtheneth me.” This more literally translated would read, “ I have strength for all things in Him that empowereth me.” The believer in Christ has all prevailing strength, no suffering may be laid upon him that he cannot bear, no duties that he cannot perform. This strength is not in him self but in Christ, that is, in vital union with Him (cf. John 15:4, 5; 2 Cor. 9: 8; 12:9, 10). It is Christ who strength ens us (Eph. 6:10). THURSDAY, Oct. 31st. Eph. 4:14-17. Having stated that he knew how to be abased and how to abound, how to be filled and how to be hungry, Paul, lest they fear that their kindness was not appreciated, proceeds to say, “ How- beit ye did well, that ye had fellowship with my affliction.” To have fellow ship here means to have partnership in or to take a share in. Speaking of the
920 grace to “ abound” and still preserve a true Christian spirit than it does “ to he low.” Many who have succeeded in the latter have failed in the former. Now Paul puts every possible con tingency in a very emphatic way, “ In everything and in all things (taken together) have I learned the secret (R. Y .), The word translated “ I have learned the secret” means literally, “ I have been initiated.” It is a reference to the ancient mysteries (secrets only revealed to those who were initiated into them, like the modern Masonic mysteries). Paul tells them that he had been initiated into an understand ing of better mysteries than those of the ancient Elusinian and Egyptian mysteries (or modern Masonic mys teries). What was the great secret into which Paul had been initiated? “ I have been initiated into the secret of hoth to be filled (i. e., fully fed) and to be hungry (very literally true of Paul sometimes, cf. 1 Cor. 4:11), both to abound and to be in want.” He had been initiated into the secret of being content and rejoicing in all these varied circumstances. A great secret to learn is that, and we may all learn it. Initia-
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