Matthew 13:11-12 He answered and said to them, Because it is given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.… God heaps upon His faithful and elect people (such as the apostles were) new graces and benefits day by day, so that they abound in virtue and holiness: but from the unbelieving, the ungrateful, and the unworthy, He gradually takes away His gifts, both of nature and of grace. I. He who hath FAITH, to him shall be given the knowledge of the mysteries of God's kingdom; for these cannot be known without faith. II. They who have EARS or HEARING, who come to God with a pure desire to learn and to obey, to them shall be revealed celestial verities; but from those who have not this pure desire, and who indulge in their own lusts and errors, shall be taken away, by degrees, that little knowledge of Divine things which they possess. III. He who HATH DOCTRINE — in the sense of using it — he who diligently preaches and communicates to others that which lie has received, shall never be at a loss for doctrine and words which he may speak and preach, for God will supply them to him. But if any one does not make use of doctrine, he will gradually forget it and lose it. (Lapide.) Parallel Verses KJV: He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given. |
    |