13 And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, “I believed and therefore I spoke,” we also believe and therefore speak,
13 And since we have the same spirit of faith,
Paul’s team had the same spirit of robust faith as did the author of Psalm 116.
according to what is written,
The following is a quotation from Psalm 116:10, which refers to the anguish of the grave. Paul quoted this psalm to bring out the importance of the conviction of faith to endure hardships in ministry.
“I believed and therefore I spoke,”
Ministry flows from one’s faith. People of faith persist in speaking regardless of the problems they encounter. The belief that Paul spoke of here is the resurrection (v. 14).
we also believe and therefore speak,
Genuine faith calls for the telling of what one believes (Ro 10:10).
PRINCIPLE:
Knowing whom and what we believe impels witness.
APPLICATION:
The content of our faith is too much to keep to self. It demands that we share it with others. It shares Christ, regardless of the consequences. This comes from an earnest conviction of what is true.