Paul uses a specific Greek word in this verse for ‘know’ (eido) which carries the sense of becoming fully aware of the force and meaning of something – its significance. In this case it is the promise that, in the same way as God raised up Jesus from the dead, we too shall be raised and be in his presence for ever. In choosing this particular verb, eido, Paul is placing the emphasis on us choosing to turn our eyes, our mind, our attention to this promise. It’s an active verb which encourages our active participation.

The context is that Paul had just been speaking about the hardships, pain and suffering that he had endured. It reminded him (as someone who knew his scriptures) of the psalmist, David, and in particular Psalm 116:10: ‘I believed and therefore I said’. David was reflecting upon a time of great anguish in his life. ‘The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow.’ 

But then something changed. David began to call upon the name of the Lord, crying out to be saved.  He was honest saying: ‘I am greatly afflicted’. Notice that his words are few. No great details are given. He knows that God knows His situation, knows him, knows his heart. The Lord heard his simple cry, intervened and the rest of the psalm is David’s thanksgiving for his deliverance and pledge to serve Yahweh for the rest of his life.

Paul, encouraged by his example, also looks forward to deliverance. This time, not necessarily in this life, but to his eternal hope found in the promise of resurrection and life. He leans into this truth. He puts it into the forefront of his thinking and attention. It enables him to endure even in the midst of ‘death’ seeming to be ‘at work’ in him (v.12). His faith feeds his words, and his words fuel his hope.  

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Application:

No doubt there will be those of us who feel as David did: ‘overcome by trouble and sorrow’; or perhaps as Paul felt ‘hard-pressed…perplexed…persecuted...abandoned’. If that is you today then cry out to the Lord for rescue and perhaps pray v.14 as a way of turning your attention to your eternal hope.

Prayer:

Father God, I pray for those who today feel it hard to hold onto hope, or who feel crushed by life. (Name anyone who comes to mind). I pray that you would impart the gift of faith to them that they might live in the promise of Your presence with them now and the certain hope of the resurrection and life to come.