Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
Ver. 10. Give diligence] Say not here as Antipater king of Macedon did, when one presented him a book treating of happiness, ου σχολαζω, I am not at leisure. But do this one thing necessary, with all expedition. Do it also with all thy might, with utmost intention of affection and contention of action; so to show thy seriousness in a point of so great importance. Thy bed is very soft, or thy heart very hard, if thou canst sleep soundly in an uncertain condition; I mean till thy salvation be secured and settled to thee: till that "entrance be ministered unto thee abundantly into Christ's everlasting kingdom," 2 Peter 1:11, that thou mayest go to heaven alacri animo, ac plena fiducia (as Luther speaketh), with a cheerful mind and full assurance; not of hope only (as the Papists ignorantly distinguish) but of faith too; of hope unfailable, and of faith unfeigned; the highest degree whereof is pleroloharia, or full assurance.
Your calling and election] We must not go (saith one) to the university of election, before we have been at the grammar school of vocation; first, we are to begin below at our sanctification, before we can climb to the top of God's counsel, to know our election. This must be calculated by that.
Sure] Some copies have it, sure by good works; and indeed these settle the soul,1 Corinthians 15:58; as a stake, the more it is stuck into the ground, the faster it sticks.
Ye shall never fall] Stumble ye may; but he that stumbles and falls not, gets ground.