30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;
30 Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted;
30 For even young people tire and drop out, young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, And the young men shall utterly fall,
30 Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion.
14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
14 And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear.
14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word
14 Not only that, but most of the Christians here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah.
14 and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
14 And because of my imprisonment, most of the believers here have gained confidence and boldly speak God's message without fear.
(Read Philippians 1:12-20)
The apostle was a prisoner at Rome; and to take off the offence of the cross, he shows the wisdom and goodness of God in his sufferings. These things made him known, where he would never have otherwise been known; and led some to inquire after the gospel. He suffered from false friends, as well as from enemies. How wretched the temper of those who preached Christ out of envy and contention, and to add affliction to the bonds that oppressed this best of men! The apostle was easy in the midst of all. Since our troubles may tend to the good of many, we ought to rejoice. Whatever turns to our salvation, is by the Spirit of Christ; and prayer is the appointed means of seeking for it. Our earnest expectation and hope should not be to be honoured of men, or to escape the cross, but to be upheld amidst temptation, contempt, and affliction. Let us leave it to Christ, which way he will make us serviceable to his glory, whether by labour or suffering, by diligence or patience, by living to his honour in working for him, or dying to his honour in suffering for him.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Isaiah 40:30
Commentary on Isaiah 40:27-31
(Read Isaiah 40:27-31)
The people of God are reproved for their unbelief and distrust of God. Let them remember they took the names Jacob and Israel, from one who found God faithful to him in all his straits. And they bore these names as a people in covenant with Him. Many foolish frets, and foolish fears, would vanish before inquiry into the causes. It is bad to have evil thoughts rise in our minds, but worse to turn them into evil words. What they had known, and had heard, was sufficient to silence all these fears and distrusts. Where God had begun the work of grace, he will perfect it. He will help those who, in humble dependence on him, help themselves. As the day, so shall the strength be. In the strength of Divine grace their souls shall ascend above the world. They shall run the way of God's commandments cheerfully. Let us watch against unbelief, pride, and self-confidence. If we go forth in our own strength, we shall faint, and utterly fall; but having our hearts and our hopes in heaven, we shall be carried above all difficulties, and be enabled to lay hold of the prize of our high calling in Christ Jesus.