Chap. iii.—Pray rather that I may attain to martyrdom

Chap. iii.—Pray rather that I may attain to martyrdom.

Shorter.

Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others. Now I desire that those things may be confirmed [by your conduct], which in your instructions ye enjoin [on others]. Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not only speak, but [truly] will; and that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really be found to be one. For if I be truly found [a Christian], I may also be called one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal.[1096] “For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”[1097] For our God, Jesus Christ, now that He is with[1098] the Father, is all the more revealed [in His glory]. Christianity is not a thing[1099] of silence only, but also of [manifest] greatness.

Longer.

Ye have never envied any one; ye have taught others. Now I desire that those things may be confirmed [by your conduct], which in your instructions ye enjoin [on others]. Only request in my behalf both inward and outward strength, that I may not only speak, but [truly] will, so that I may not merely be called a Christian, but really found to be one. For if I be truly found [a Christian], I may also be called one, and be then deemed faithful, when I shall no longer appear to the world. Nothing visible is eternal. “For the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”[1100] The Christian is not the result[1101] of persuasion, but of power.[1102] When he is hated by the world, he is beloved of God. For says [the Scripture], “If ye were of this world, the world would love its own; but now ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of it: continue in fellowship with me.”[1103]