Charles Spurgeon Commentary Matthew 25:4

"but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps." — Matthew 25:4 (ASV)

But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

Oil in their lamps, and oil with their lamps. Lamps are of no use without oil; yet the oil needs the lamp, or else it cannot be rightly used. The light of profession cannot be truly sustained without the oil of grace. Grace, wherever it exists, ought to show itself, as the oil is made to burn by means of the lamp; but it is no use to attempt to make a show unless there is that secret store somewhere by which the external part of religion may be maintained.

They had oil in their lamps and oil with their lamps. Lamps are of no use without oil, yet the oil needs the lamp or it will not be used.

Grace should reveal its presence, faith in Christ should be avowed, but it is worse than useless to make a profession of love to Christ unless there is a secret store of grace by which the external part of religion may be maintained, even before the all-searching eye of the King Himself. Unless the Spirit of God is in us indeed and in truth, we may for a while make a fair show in the flesh, but the end will be the blackness of darkness forever.