Olney Hymns · Chapter
Travailing in Birth for Souls explained
This chapter reflects on the paradoxical nature of Christian ministry, describing it as a 'bitter sweet' experience filled with both honor and disgrace.
What happens
This chapter reflects on the paradoxical nature of Christian ministry, describing it as a 'bitter sweet' experience filled with both honor and disgrace. It explores the deep pain faithful preachers feel when their words seem to fall on hard hearts, yet also the profound joy when stubborn hearts begin to melt. The poem emphasizes the preacher's relentless prayer and striving until Christ is formed in sinners' hearts, and acknowledges that while ministers plant and water, only God can give the increase. The chapter concludes with a prayer for God's blessing on the sown seed, recognizing that all power to bring forth spiritual fruit belongs to Him alone.
Themes in this chapter
Suffering and Affliction
The chapter vividly describes the pain and grief faithful preachers endure when their efforts seem fruitless and hearts remain hard.
Prayer and Dependence on God
The poem emphasizes the preacher's continual prayer and striving, and concludes with a prayer for God's blessing, acknowledging that only God can give the increase.
Characters to notice
- Jesus Christ
The ultimate goal of ministry is that Christ be formed in sinners' hearts, and His dying love is the motivating force for preachers.
- The Lord
The Lord is invoked to bestow blessing on the sown seed, as He alone has the power to make it grow and bring forth a harvest.
- The Narrator
The speaker reflects on the experiences and emotions of faithful preachers, expressing both the pains and joys of ministry.
Key passages
“What contradictions meet In ministers’ employ! It is a bitter sweet, A sorrow full of joy: No other post affords a place For equal honour or disgrace!”
Ministry is full of paradoxes: it brings both bitterness and sweetness, sorrow and joy, and no other position offers such a mix of honor and shame.
This opening stanza sets the tone for the chapter, highlighting the dual nature of pastoral work.
“Who can describe the pain Which faithful preachers feel, Constrain’d to speak in vain To hearts as hard as steel?”
The pain of faithful preachers is indescribable when they are compelled to preach to hearts that remain as unyielding as steel.
This emphasizes the emotional burden of preaching to unresponsive audiences.
“They pray and strive, their rest departs, Till Christ be form’d in sinners’ hearts.”
Preachers pray and labor without rest until Christ is formed in the hearts of sinners.
This line captures the relentless dedication of ministers to see spiritual transformation.
“But when their pains succeed, And from the tender blade The ripening ears proceed, Their toils are overpaid: No harvest joy can equal theirs, To find the fruit of all their cares.”
When their efforts succeed and the tender blade grows into ripened grain, their labors are more than rewarded; no harvest joy can match the joy of seeing the fruit of their care.
This stanza celebrates the ultimate reward of ministry when souls are won.
“On what has now been sown, Thy blessing, Lord, bestow; The power is thine alone, To make it spring and grow: Do thou the gracious harvest raise, And thou alone shalt have the praise.”
Lord, bless what has been sown; only You have the power to make it grow. Raise the gracious harvest, and You alone will receive the praise.
This concluding prayer acknowledges God's sovereignty in spiritual growth and gives Him all glory.