German Theology

so that whoever was able to achieve something, only then knows for certain (which before, when he only believed, he did not know for certain) that it could be achieved. Joshua and Caleb, and the rest of the Israelites who overcame the Canaanites, are examples of this. For they only then truly knew that those enemies could be overcome, because they had previously believed it. But the rest of the Israelites, who had believed it could not be done, were not able to do it; and therefore, they did not know. So today, those who do not believe that the power of Christ is such that he can crush the head of the serpent under the feet of believers A reference to the promise in Genesis 3:15 and Romans 16:20 that God will defeat the power of evil through His people., are not able to resist sins. Therefore, they do not know it can be done, and so they deny it. But those who believe are able through faith; and furthermore, they know for certain it can be done, and so they affirm it.

Temperance.

Knowledge gives birth to temperance Temperance (temperantia): in this context, it refers to self-control or the restraint of one's impulses and desires.. For once a person is strengthened by this knowledge, he presses on toward the goal, hoping for the same success in the rest of his journey. Therefore, he restrains himself from bodily desires and pleasures which wage war against the soul original: "contra animũ militãt"; likely a reference to 1 Peter 2:11., lest, being hindered by them, he be cheated of the prize Prize (palma): literally "the palm," the branch given to victors in ancient competitions, symbolizing the final reward of heaven..