Verse 10
10. That ye might walk The result of such full knowledge is a life worthy of the Lord Jesus, pleasing him in all things. This is possible only through the teaching and help of the Holy Spirit. As mere intellectual processes are utterly unable to attain this knowledge, so sinful men, unaided from on high, cannot thus walk. But the life whose sincere aim is to please Christ, though it fall far below that absolute perfectness which his majesty and holiness may rightfully demand, is yet a life worthy of him, for it is moved by a love that brings its best and holiest tribute to his feet. What such a life involves is further specified in four particulars, fruitfulness, moral growth, strength against evil, and thanksgiving.
Fruitful In good works extending beyond ordinary benevolence and right doing, to all inward and outward obedience, and to the studious use of our consecrated powers for whatever will glorify Christ. The figure is that of a tree which bears fruit, and is at the same time steadily growing. The believer is not only fruitful in his holy living, but in all that goes to make up character he is constantly increasing in, or rather, by, (as the best texts show,) the full knowledge of God, as the instrument of his growth.
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