ance on God, until we renounce all confidence in ourself. When Paul was convinced that no wisdom nor eftbrts of his own could deliver him from death, then he was forced to rely on the power of God. God is here described as he icho rais- eth the clead^ because the apostle's deliverance was a deliver- ance from death. It was only that Being who could call the dead to life who could rescue him from fhe imminent peril hi which he was placed. So when Abraham's faith was put to the severe trial of belie\T[ng what was apparently impossi- ble, it is said, " He believed God who quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were," Rom. 4, 17. Comp. Heb. 11, 19. No man until he is tried knows how essential the omnipotence of God is as a ground of confidence to his people. They are often placed in circum- stances where nothmg short of an almighty helper can give them peace.
10. Who delivered us from so great a death, and doth dehver : in whom we trust that he will yet de- liver (us).
Paul's trust in God was not disappointed. He did deliver him from such a death^ i. e. one so fearful and apparently so inevitable. It is evident from the whole context that the apostle had not only been in immuient peril, but exposed to a more than ordinarily painful death. Whether this was from disease or from enemies is a matter of conjecture. The latter is the more probable. Though he had been delivered from the instant and fearful death with which he was threatened, the danger was not over. The machinations of his enemies followed him wherever he went. He therefore says that God had not only delivered, but that he continued to dehver him. He was still beset with danger. He was however confident for the future. For he adds, in lohom ice trusty ets ov rjXTTLKafxev, on lohom v:e have j^^ciced our hope that he loill also henceforth deliver. He did, he does, he will, deliver, ippvaaro, pverat, pvo-erai. The experience of past deliverances and mercies is the ground of present peace and of confidence for the future. These words of Paul sound continually in the ears of the peo- ple of God in all times of emergency.
11. Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that