Accordingly, Christ, in order to excite us powerfully to this part of our duty, not only enjoins what we ought to do, but promises that our prayers shall not be fruitless. Those who doubt can only pray in an indifferent manner and prayer, unaccompanied by faith, is an idle and unmeaning ceremony.
#Ask and it is given bible verse full#
Such is also the design of the promises that are added, Ye shall find, it shall be given to you, and it shall be opened Nothing is better adapted to excite us to prayer than a full conviction that we shall be heard. There is no superfluity of language, when he says, Ask, seek, knock: but lest the simple doctrine should be unimpressive, he perseveres in order to rouse us from our inactivity.
Ask, and it shall be given you It is an exhortation to prayer: and as in this exercise of religion, which ought to be our first concern, we are so careless and sluggish, Christ presses the same thing upon us under three forms of expression. So God will not give to us that which might appear to be of use, but which would be injurious.Ĭalvin's Commentary on the Bible Matthew 7:7 See the notes at 2 Corinthians 12:7-9.Ī fish - A fish has some resemblance to a serpent yet no parent would attempt to deceive his child in this. God did not “literally” grant the request, but told him that his “grace” should be “sufficient” for him. Paul asked that the thorn from his flesh might be removed. A parent will not always confer the “very thing” which a child asks, but he will seek the welfare of the child, and give what he thinks will be most for its good. He does not always give the very thing which we ask, but he gives what would be better.
#Ask and it is given bible verse free#
God is better and kinder than the most tender earthly parents and with what confidence, therefore, may we come as his children, and ask what we need! Parents, he says, are evil that is, are imperfect, often partial, and not unfrequently passionate but God is free from all this, and therefore is ready and willing to aid us.Įvery one that asketh receiveth - That is, every one that asks aright that prays in faith, and in submission to the will of God. He would not give him a stone instead of bread, or a serpent instead of a fish. No parent turns away his child with that which would be injurious. Man “can” ask no higher things of God and these he may ask, assured that he is willing to grant them.Ĭhrist encourages us to do this by the conduct of parents. God is willing to provide for us, to forgive our sins, to save our souls, to befriend us in trial, to comfort us in death, to extend the gospel through the world. And here there is the utmost latitude which a creature can ask. It is implied, also, that we ask the things which it may be consistent for God to give - that is, things which he has promised to give, and which would be best for us, and most for his own honor, 1 John 5:14.
It is of course implied that we seek with a proper spirit, with humility, sincerity, and perseverance. The promise is, that what we seek shall be given us. The phrases signify to seek with earnestness, diligence, and perseverance. The latter is taken from the act of knocking at a door for admittance. There are here three different forms presented of seeking the things which we need from God - asking, ‘seeking, and knocking.