5 For this cause, when I could no longer forbear, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter have tempted you, and our labour be in vain.



Ver. 5. To know your faith] That is, your perseverance and increase in faith. That which the devil mainly endeavoureth, is, to hinder and unsettle our faith, as he dealt by Eve and Peter, Luk_22:31-32, to batter this buckler, Eph_6:16, for then he knows he may do what he will with us. Omnia perdidit, qui fidem amisit. He destroys all things who loses faith. (Seneca.)



Lest by some means the tempter] Who feels our pulses, and fits his assaults accordingly. {See Trapp on "Mat_4:3"}



And our labour be in vain] So it proves many times by Satan’s malice. Other labourers can find their work as they left it, not so ministers; the devil cometh and marreth all.