This is designed to engage us to diligence, and quicken us, what our
hand finds to do, to do it with all our might, both in our worldly
business and in the work of religion; for in the original it is, The
soul that labours labours for itself. It is heart-work which is here
intended, the labour of the soul, which is here recommended to us, 1.
As that which will be absolutely needful. Our mouth is continually
craving it of us; the necessities both of soul and body are pressing,
and require constant relief, so that we must either work or starve.
Both call for daily bread, and therefore there must be daily labour;
for in the sweat of our face we must eat, 2 Thess. iii. 10. 2. As that
which will be unspeakably gainful. We know on whose errand we go: He
that labours shall reap the fruit of his labour; it shall be for
himself; he shall rejoice in his own work and eat the labour of his
hands. If we make religion our business, God will make it our
blessedness.