The Apostle coins a word to suit his experience. We should render it
exactly by saying, "In these things we over-conquer," imitating the
formation of similar words in our language, such as "over-master,"
"over-do." More forcibly we might say, "In all these things we
over-overcome." Coverdale gives the sense of it well in his
translation, "We conquer far." Observe some of the ways in which this
excess and extravagance of victory may take place, for it is as if one
should win a victory over a foe in such a way as to prevent him from
ever troubling us again. Our conquest over special sin is to be of
this character. We are not to be content with winning the field while
the foe retires to some more secure position from which he will have to
be dislodged. It is never meant that we should sin the same sin twice,
the Lord's purpose concerning us being shown in the Exodus of the
children of Israel: "The Egyptians which ye see to-day, ye shall see
them no more again for ever." "Let him that stole steal no more."
"Neither do I condemn thee, go and sin no more." There is a passage in
Miss Havergal's life which narrates how, after having been angry with a
servant, the word of comfort came to her through a friend: "Perhaps
this may be the last time that you will ever be so overcome."
And then our victories are to leave us stronger than before. This will
seem quite contrary to the order of nature, in which seldom is there a
battle without garments rolled in blood, and where the victory often
costs as much to the victors as to the vanquished. A great general has
said that nothing is half so terrible as a battle lost, except a battle
gained. But to be more than conquerors! to rise the stronger for the
strife even while we strive! this is what is involved in the Christian
song of jubilee in the Eighth of Romans.
We over-overcome because of the completeness of the victory. In most
campaigns it is by the balance of battles fought that the war is
decided. Seldom does it happen that all the victory is on one side:
and even then there will be virgin fortresses that never have been
stormed, over which no alien flag has ever floated, which may be
yielded indeed by treaty, but not taken by force. The over-conquering
Christian can say with the invading Israelites, "There was not one city
too strong for us: the Lord God delivered all unto us."
And in the strength of this I rode....
. . . . . . . .
And brake through all, and in the Strength of this come victor.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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