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[[Paul]] persuaded the [[Jews]] concerning [[Jesus]]. Some were wrought upon by the word, and others hardened; some received the light, and others shut their eyes against it. And the same has always been the effect of the [[gospel]]. [[Paul]] parted with them, observing that the [[Holy Spirit|Holy Ghost]] had well described their state. Let all that hear the [[gospel]], and do not heed it, tremble at their doom; for who shall heal them, if [[God]] does not? The [[Jews]] had afterwards much reasoning among themselves. Many have great reasoning, who do not reason aright. They find fault with one another's opinions, yet will not yield to truth. Nor will men's reasoning among themselves convince them, without the [[grace]] of [[God]] to open their understandings. While we mourn on account of such despisers, we should [[rejoice]] that the [[salvation]] of [[God]] is sent to others, who will receive it; and if we are of that number, we should be thankful to Him who hath made us to differ. The apostle kept to his principle, to know and preach nothing but [[Christ|Jesus Christ]] and him crucified. [[Christians]], when tempted from their main business, should bring themselves back with this question, What does this concern the [[Lord]] [[Jesus]]? What tendency has it to bring us to him, and to keep us walking in him? The apostle preached not himself, but [[Christ]], and he was not ashamed of the [[gospel]] of [[Christ]]. Though [[Paul]] was placed in a very narrow opportunity for being useful, he was not disturbed in it. Though it was not a wide door that was opened to him, yet no man was suffered to shut it; and to many it was an effectual door, so that there were saints even in Nero's household, Php 4:22. We learn also from Php 1:13, how [[God]] overruled Paul's imprisonment for the furtherance of the [[gospel]]. And not the residents at Rome only, but all the [[church]] of [[Christ]], to the present day, and in the most remote corner of the globe, have abundant reason to bless [[God]], that during the most mature period of his [[Christian]] life and experience, he was detained a prisoner. It was from his prison, probably chained hand to hand to the soldier who kept him, that the apostle wrote the epistles to the Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Hebrews; epistles showing, perhaps more than any others, the [[Christian]] [[love]] with which his [[heart]] overflowed, and the [[Christian]] experience with which his soul was filled. The [[believer]] of the present time may have less of triumph, and less of heavenly joy, than the apostle, but every follower of the same [[Saviour]], is equally sure of safety and [[peace]] at the last. Let us seek to live more and more in the [[love]] of the [[Saviour]]; to labour to glorify Him by every action of our lives; and we shall assuredly, by his strength, be among the number of those who now overcome our enemies; and by his free [[grace]] and [[mercy]], be hereafter among the blessed company who shall sit with Him upon his throne, even as He also has overcome, and is sitting on his Father's throne, at [[God]]'s right hand for evermore.