Theological Perspective Seeking to speak the intensity of his comfort amid testing in extremis, Paul drops all verbs in the first clauses of this passage, counting on context to make his words ring with joy and affirmation. He does so, not as a considered strategy, but in order to communicate with urgency the wondrous reality of his kenotic participation in the Spirit. His verbless invocations invite our bodies and souls toward encouragement in Christ … consolation from love …