1:11 {8} Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of {b} [this] calling, and fulfil {c} all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the {d} work of faith with power:
(8) Seeing that we have the mark set before us, it remains that we go to it. And we go to it, by certain degrees of causes: first by the free love and good pleasure of God, by virtue of which all other inferior causes work: from there proceeds the free calling to Christ, and from calling, faith, upon which follows both the glorifying of Christ in us and us in Christ.
(b) By calling he does not mean the very act of calling, but that self same thing to which we are called, which is the glory of that heavenly kingdom.
(c) Which he determined long ago, only upon his gracious and merciful goodness towards you.
(d) So then, faith is an excellent work of God in us: and we plainly see here that the apostle leaves nothing to free will, to make it something which God works through, as the papists dream.
1:11 Wherefore also we pray always for you. In view of this glorious judgment, he prays that they may stand and be counted worthy.
Of [this] calling. The Christian calling.
Fulfil all the good pleasure of [his] goodness. The idea is Perfect in you the love of goodness and the work of faith.
1:11 All the good pleasure of his goodness - Which is no less than perfect holiness.
1:11,12 Believing thoughts and expectations of the second coming of Christ should lead us to pray to God more, for ourselves and others. If there is any good in us, it is owing to the good pleasure of his goodness, and therefore it is called grace. There are many purposes of grace and good-will in God toward his people, and the apostle prays that God would complete in them the work of faith with power. This is to their doing every other good work. The power of God not only begins, but carries on the work of faith. And this is the great end and design of the grace of our God and Lord Jesus Christ, which is made known to us, and wrought in us.
