6 And ye became followers of us, and of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with joy of the Holy Ghost:



Ver. 6. Followers of us and of the Lord] The apostles walked in Christ, Col_2:6; as Christ, 1Jn_2:6; their lives were a commentary upon his life, 1Pe_2:9.



Received the word in much affliction] Opposition is (as Calvin wrote to the French king) Evangelii genius, the black angel that dogs the gospel at the heels. To preach (saith Luther) is nothing else but to get the ill will of the world.



With joy of the Holy Ghost] Which bore them up above all persecutions, as blown bladders bear a man up aloft all waters.