Reuben, thou [art] my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
Ver. 3. My might, and beginning of my strength.] Nate meae vires … The word here used signifieth the straining of the body forcibly to effect a thing much desired: such as was that of St Paul, επεκτεινομενος , Php 3:14 and that of Elijah, 1Ki 18:42 when he prayed and prayed, as St James hath it, that is, with utmost intention of affection (προσευχη προσνυξατο, Jam 5:17).
The excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.] That is, saith the Chaldee Paraphrast, Excellens principatu et sacerdotio. Both these he forfeited and fell from; so cannot Christians. Rev 1:6