Labour, not idleness, is the stamp of a servant of God; thus cheered by the glowing confidence, that it tendeth to life (John vi. 27). "Occupy till I come"--"Do all to the glory of God" (Luke xix. 13; 1 Cor. x. 31)--this is the standard. Thus the duties even of our daily calling tend to life. God works in us, by us, with us, through us. We work _in_ and _through_ Him. Our _labour,_ therefore, is His work--wrought in dependence on Him; not _for_ life, but _to_ life (Rom. viii. 13; 1 Cor. xv. 10; Phil. ii. 12, 13).--_Bridges._ The words are fitly chosen: "labour" in honest industry is the righteous man's ordinary way of living. "Revenue" (fruit) not gained by honest labour is frequently the wicked man's livelihood.--_Fausset._ It is not directly said, as the previous clause might lead us to expect, that the "fruit" of the wicked tendeth to "death," but to "sin." This, by the wise man, is considered as the same thing. It "tendeth to sin," and, consequently, to _death_. Thus it is said, "When lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (Jas. i. 15). Between the two there is an intimate and inseparable connection.--_Wardlaw._ The righteous are laborious, as knowing that to be the end of their life. For themselves they labour, to lead their lives with comfort here, to get the life of glory hereafter. For others they labour, to supply the wants of their disconsolate life on earth, and to help them forward to the blessed life of heaven. Wherefore St. Bernard saith well, "When we read that Adam in the beginning was set in a place of pleasure to work in it, what man of sound understanding can think that his children should be set in a place of affliction for to play in it."--_Jermin._ _MAIN HOMILETICS OF VERSE_ 17. THE INFLUENCE OF EXAMPLE. We take here the rendering of all recent commentators as given in the Critical Notes, and understand the verse to set forth the truth that "no man liveth to himself." His character is reproduced in others.