their lives (1:6c; cf. Gal. 5:22; Rom. 14:17). This joy should always be in their lives, in whatever circumstances they found themselves (Phil. 3:1; 4:4). The apostles never encourage believers to deny that adversity brings sadness and grief (see 4:13; 1 Pet. 1:6; Rom. 12:15), but they recognize that in the midst of the most agonizing situations the presence of God through his Spirit can infuse the soul with hope and the heart with joy. This joy is rooted deeply in the gospel (Luke 2:10–11) and became
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