Verse 13
Both to will and to do; that is, the very disposition to turn to him, as well as every act of obedience, comes from his influence and agency. It is very remarkable that this absolute dependence upon God, far from being allowed to encourage sloth and inaction, is made, by the apostle, the motive for the utmost diligence and solicitude in seeking salvation. We might theoretically expect that the effect would be the reverse; but in the experience of believers the result corresponds with this injunction of the apostle. In all ages, they who have felt most fully the helpless condition of the human soul while in its sins, and its entire dependence on a re-creating influence from above, have been most solicitous and most active in personal efforts of preparation for heaven.