For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.
Ver. 13. Not as the word of men] Whom yet he maketh use of to cast down Satan's strongholds, as he made use of little David against Goliath, and of the frogs and flies against Pharaoh, and of the ram's horns against Jericho. This treasure, these pearls, he giveth us in vile oyster shells, 2 Corinthians 4:7 .
As the word of God] With reverence and diligence, with all good affection and attention. When Samuel knew it was God that called him (and not Eli) he had no more mind to sleep. "We are all here present before God," saith Cornelius, Acts 10:33. And "God is in you of a truth," saith the Corinthian convert, 1 Corinthians 14:25 .