10 For he called us, who were not; and was pleased from nothing to give us being.
CHAPTER II.
1 That God had before prophesied by Isaiah, that the Gentiles should be saved; 8 And that this ought to engage, such especially to live well; without which they will still miscarry.
REJOICE, thou barren, that bearest not, break forth and cry thou that travailest not; for she that is desolate hath many more children than she that hath a husband.
2 In that saying, Rejoice thou barren that bearest not, he spake of us: for our church was barren before children were given unto it.
3 And again; when he said, Cry thou that travailest not: he implied thus much: That after the manner of a woman in travail, we should not cease to put up our prayers unto God abundantly.
4 And for what follows, because she that is desolate hath more children than she that hath a husband; it was therefore added, because our people which seemed to have been forsaken by God, now believing in him, are become more than they who seemed to have God.
5 And another Scripture saith, a I came not to call the righteous but sinners (to repentance). The meaning of which is this; that those who were lost must be saved:
6 For that is, indeed, truly great and wonderful, not to confirm those things that are yet standing, but those which are falling,
7 Even so did it seem good to Christ to save what was lost; and when he came into the world, he saved many, and called us who were already lost.