For what things soever were written, were written for our learning: that through patience and the comfort of the scriptures, we might have hope.5 Now the God of patience and of comfort grant you to be of one mind one towards another, according to Jesus Christ:6 That with one mind, and with one mouth, you may glorify God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.7 Wherefore receive one another, as Christ also hath received you unto the honour of God.†8 For I say that Christ Jesus was minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers.†9 But that the Gentiles are to glorify God for his mercy, as it is written: Therefore will I confess to thee, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and will sing to thy name.†10 And again he saith: Rejoice, ye Gentiles, with his people.11 And again: Praise the Lord, all ye Gentiles; and magnify him, all ye people.12 And again Isaias saith: There shall be a root of Jesse; and he that shall rise up to rule the Gentiles, in him the Gentiles shall hope.13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing; that you may abound in hope, and in the power of the Holy Ghost.
And that ancient achievements are proposed as images for our correction, the apostle shows, when he says, "So that my bonds in Christ are become manifest in all the palace, and to all the rest; and several of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word of God without fear,"-since martyrs' testimonies are examples of conversion gloriously sanctified. "For what things the Scripture speaks were written for our instruction, that we, through patience and the consolation of the Scriptures, might have the hope of consolation."
Now when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him:3 Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another?4 And Jesus making answer said to them: Go and relate to John what you have heard and seen.5 The blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead rise again, the poor have the gospel preached to them.6 And blessed is he that shall not be scandalized in me.7 And when they went their way, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: What went you out into the desert to see? a reed shaken with the wind?8 But what went you out to see? a man clothed in soft garments? Behold they that are clothed in soft garments, are in the houses of kings.9 But what went you out to see? a prophet? yea I tell you, and more than a prophet.10 For this is he of whom it is written: Behold I send my angel before thy face, who shall prepare thy way before thee.
This saying, that they were blessed from whom there should be no offence in Him, shewed them what it was that John had provided against in sending them. For John, through fear of this very thing, had sent his disciples that they might hear Christ.
In these things which were done concerning John, there is a deep store of mystic meaning. The very condition and circumstances of a prophet are themselves a prophecy. John signifies the Law; for the Law proclaimed Christ, preaching remission of sins, and giving promise of the kingdom of heaven. Also when the Law was on the point of expiring, (having been, through the sins of the people, which hindered them from understanding what it spake of Christ, as it were shut up in bonds and in prison,) it sends men to the contemplation of the Gospel, that unbelief might see the truth of its words established by deeds.
Therefore that this might not lead them to think of John as though he were offended concerning Christ, it continues, When they had gone away, Jesus began to speak to the multitudes concerning John.
About CSB. A personal translation of the New Testament, rendered directly from the public-domain Greek in a literary style — not a scholarly critical edition, and not for liturgical or doctrinal authority. It is one reader's work, offered for enjoyment; where it matters, weigh it against an established translation. (Placeholder text — final wording to come.)