John Calvin Commentary Romans 12:12

"rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing stedfastly in prayer;" — Romans 12:12 (ASV)

Rejoicing in hope, etc. Three things are here connected together and seem, in a way, to belong to the clause “serving the time;” for the person who best makes use of the time, and takes advantage of the opportunity to actively renew his course, is the one who derives his joy from the hope of future life and patiently bears tribulations.

However this may be (for it matters little whether you regard them as connected or separated), first, he forbids us to acquiesce in present blessings and to ground our joy on earth and on earthly things, as though our happiness were based on them; and he directs us to raise our minds to heaven, so that we may possess solid and full joy.

If our joy is derived from the hope of future life, then patience will grow in adversities; for no kind of sorrow will be able to overwhelm this joy. Hence these two things are closely connected: that is, joy derived from hope, and patience in adversities. Indeed, no one will calmly and quietly submit to bear the cross except the one who has learned to seek his happiness beyond this world, so as to mitigate and allay the bitterness of the cross with the consolation of hope.

But as both these things are far above our strength, we must be persistent in prayer and continually call on God, so that He may not allow our hearts to faint, to be pressed down, or to be broken by adverse events. Paul not only stimulates us to prayer but expressly requires perseverance, for we have a continual warfare, and new conflicts daily arise which even the strongest are not able to sustain unless they frequently gather new strength. So that we do not then become weary, the best remedy is diligence in prayer.